What Will You Celebrate ? TURNING 35... That's What!!

[erinlees_mommie]

Hi y'all ... I haven't ever done this before and thought I would jump right in.
I love all things Disney and I don't know why I haven't been here posting trip reports before now but they are always so eventful. I am sure there is no way that my 35 year old brain could go back to 1976 and report in with all of the trips I have made since then but it would be fun if I could.

So...It all started with the WHAT WILL YOU CELEBRATE advertisement. My husband is in the Navy and we knew he wouldn't be home with us. So it would be hard going to our happy place without him but he said that we should go. Who am I to argue with that!

The Cast-
Princess Erinlee...She just turned 4 and loves all things Disney too. She is obsessed with HIDDEN MICKEY'S !! She would loudly inform anyone listening that "LOOK THERE IS A HIDDEN MICKEY" the entire trip. Hidden or not she had the idea. Her favorite Princess is ... *WAIT FOR IT* ALL OF THEM!

Mommie/Dulcie/Birthday Girl-That would be me. I have loved Disney since my first trip at the young age of 2.I still have my very first ears, Mickey and stickers from way back then. I love reading all I can about the place I would love to call home. I get teary every time the bus pulls into the resort announcing WELCOME HOME.I turned 35 in the Magic Kingdom !! What a wonderful way to celebrate. A party JUST FOR ME!! *or so Erinlee said*

I love thinking ahead to our next trip. I don’t like reservations because I don’t like being told that I have to stop and be somewhere at a certain time. But I do schedule our day around the parades and shows. Well since Princess Erinlee came into the picture we have to make room for character dining. It is a joy seeing her face light up when everyone stops to say Hi, sign her book and pose for photos. That is worth it no matter what inconvenience it is to our days.

I haven’t ever had anyone plan my trip for me but a friend of mine wanted to do this so I could be surprised on my birthday with the little things. So I let her. I told her what I had in mind and she said she would take care of it all. It was very hard for me to do but I did it.

2/24/09 Day 1-Drive 2.5 hours *if it were hubby it would be more like 3*
Get checked in at POP and head to Dtown Disney for some much needed shopping.

2/25/09 Day 2-HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
Rise and shine early and get to the MK for the rope drop.
1900 Park Fare with Cinderella and Friends for my birthday dinner

2/26/09 Day 3-Drive 3 hours *driving slower because I don’t want to leave*
Cape May for breakfast with Minnie and The Gang

STAY TUNED…MORE TO COME !!!

 

[debdebdebby13]

I'm in!

 

[erinlees_mommie]

Cool...Welcome Aboard

 

[scottny]

Hi,
Just found this and thought I would jump along for the ride.

 

[erinlees_mommie]

2/21/09-The Package

We went out to the mailbox and there was a package. I knew it had to be our travel package. Did I mention the friend who insisted on booking my plans had just become a Disney Vacation Planner ? YEP… So she took care of everything. I missed out on planning my trip but it was fun getting the information in the mail and having surprises planned out for me.
When we opened the package … out spilled tiny little “hidden Mickey’s”!! And Princess Erinlee had me gather them all up for her to take back to Mickey so she could say Thank You. Inside were my luggage tags, dining plan information, free game room time and a bunch of other things for us to use!! It was like a surprise inside of a surprise. We haven’t ever used the DP before. So this was all new to me. I asked for 2 character dining reservations and then we were on our own with the rest. We were booked for 1900 Park Fare to dine with Cinderella the night of my Birthday. And the morning we were leaving we were booked at Cape May’s for breakfast with Minnie and the guys. I had it planned out for the quick services…or so I thought. We would try Earl of Sandwich at Dtown and then Pinocchio Village Haus too. And have snacks for the trip home from Goofy’s Candy Co.!! I have heard a lot of good things and thought I had to see for myself.

I also broke out my Imagineering books, bought the newest Hidden Mickey book, requested the best kept secrets from Dcanoli. I was on a mission to find things about Disney that I had never seen before !! My husband and I started the Hidden Mickey’s a while back with the first edition of the Hidden Mickey book. I thought Princess Erinlee would love helping me find them so I got the newest version for us to take. I was geeking out on all of the things I would look for and remember. I couldn’t believe I was soon leaving for my happy place in just a few days. This would be trip number 2 that hubby hasn’t been able to go on with us. But we had him in our hearts.

Princess Erinlee told anybody and everybody that listened to her that we were going to see Mickey for Mommie’s Birthday.And they were throwing me a party! She was convinced that there was a cake waiting just for me. Being the child at heart that I am…I knew there was too 

Coming up next-2/23/09 Let the packing begin !!

 

[erinlees_mommie]

2/23/09

What am I going to forget ? Something I am sure…That is what always enters my mind when I pack for a trip. I write down what I need to do days or weeks sometimes before packing and mark it off as I go. And I am still scared of leaving something behind.
I made reservations for our fur baby who would not be traveling with us this time around. When it was DH and I it was so much easier to jump on the monorail and such .. go to the Kennels to walk her 3 times or more a day. But since we have DD that is another ball game. I don’t think it would fly with her leaving in the middle of the excitement to take Nayla to potty.So we made ressies at a local pet resort for her.Must say it was quite nice.They have a pool and all for them too.
I chatted with a friend who is a part time CM and she wanted to meet up.We have chatted online for a long time now and we haven’t ever had the chance to meet.Her Bday just happened to be the 24th the day of travel down for us…So we decided to meet!!
So I start looking for my luggage…I couldn’t find it anywhere..under the bed,in the closet,in the playroom..none of the above.I started to panic.Then it hit me!! We did a lot of cleaning before DH left for sea…and he stuffed all of the luggage in the attic!! I said I wouldn’t be going anywhere and I didn’t have intentions to,well at least not back at Christmas time when it was put away.
DD and I set out on a mission for something small we could both pack in.Went to a few places looking for something with handles and wheels.We found ourselves in a store arguing over the color of them.I was looking at the pink and green dots and she wanted a teal one.OMG she is 4..she shouldn’t have such a opinion on the color of luggage.The one I liked was bigger and cheaper than the one she liked…She insisted that I get that one for her and the one I liked for me.It was pretty funny that she had an opinion on everything I looked at.We got the bigger one that I wanted but it was protested.
We got home and I started checking off things on my list that I had to put in the suitcase.The fur baby gets nervous that we are leaving her.She whines and whimpers until it is all over.She sat there looking at us with sad eyes.I told her we would be back and wouldn’t leave her at the resort forever.Just for 3 days.
I gathered up my Hidden Mickey book,all of my resort information.printed out Bday conformation and stuffed it all in my backpack….!!
I told my friend we would be a POP for the 2 nights and she said OK.She wasn’t sure when or where we were going to meet but she said we would meet up….I told her I was going to be … it was going to be a long night! I am like a child at Christmas..I can’t sleep before leaving on a trip.Lucky for me it is only 2 ½ hours to drive.

NEXT-2/24/09 – Birthday Eve !!

 

[erinlees_mommie]

WOW Life happened and I got so side tracked ... And here I found that I didn't complete my TR!!!

SO ... Here is the link to the one that was moved to COMPLETED...and it wasn't.Just so you can re read and catch up on what happened so I can get this one knocked out and start my Pre TR for our first ever cruise..Disstyle!


What Will You Celebrate ? <----- Start of the TR

 

[erinlees_mommie]

Trip Report Time- 2/24/09 Birthday Eve

Up and at 'em bright and early! I had planned on sending E to school but I decided it wasn't worth it just to get the car packed and take Nayla to the pet spa.So I kept her home and let her sleep in a little.
I packed the car,E and Nayla were right behind me every step of the way.Annoying at times but I guess they thought they would be left at home if they didn't help.
We got everything loaded up and headed out!!
Nayla was the first to be dropped off.She wasn't happy with this decision.BUT I couldn't see taking her with us and leaving the park 3 times or more to walk her.So it was best she stayed here.
She settled in with the new friends she made and forgot us as soon as we walked out the door.
And we hit Chick Fil A on the way out of town..and were on the way to DISNEY !! YAY
E had her iPod so I didn't have to hear are we there yet..I'm bored...when are we going to be there over and over.She didn't look up once ! B put about 8 movies on it for her before he left.I believe they were all Disney movies except 1.She killed the battery just as we got to the hotel.WHEW glad I packed that charger.
I had made plans to meet with a online friend and go shopping at a secret store,have lunch/supper and shop!
We got to POP Century about 1:30 and they checked us in and sent us to our room.YAY!

I took this with my phone outside of our room.This is the ONLY good one of her in her Mickey outfit..SIGH But at least I got one

I had a message on my room phone from my friend V.She said she was also staying at POP! She was just a building away.I told her we could meet in the lobby in about 30 mins.I had to freshen up from the drive.
So V is a sewing buddy and a CM at Disney.Her job is to be with the characters when they are out and about.She works all of the parks...and has LOTS of perks!! I am jealous ... I want to work at Disney too.Do you think they would pay my gas to drive to and from?
So her and her DD H hopped in the car with me and off we went.She said..Ok go to Magic Kingdom.I said OK We went through the bus lane,flashed her CM pass and off we went.I kept going and going.I got to go past the outside of Space Mountain on the little road I have only seen from the monorail.AND I got to see the monorail barns UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL! On around to see where the cast gets their costumes,the college...and on around to the CM shop!! OMG I was SO EXCITED to get to see this.I had only read about these things and seen the barns from google earth! We went into the shop and it was HEAVEN!! There was so much in there to look at I could have made that my vacation and been happy about it.We did some shopping *Loved the prices* and I got to see where lost and found things were sold and a CM ONLY shop !! Oh the joy of working for Disney!!
So out we went..and this time I got to see the back side of Toon Town.That was SUPER COOL!
When you are inside the park you don't notice the outside world at all but when you are outside you notice every little detail.
Then we went back to POP to catch the bus to Dtown Disney.I didn't want to hunt for parking and I didn't know how late we would stay......

NEXT-Putting the dining plan to use!!

 

[erinlees_mommie]

So we all hop on the bus....And off we go.V hasn't ever taken Disney buses from the resorts...so she was in for the ride of a lifetime.
Upon hopping on the bus I had told E about the transportation cards she could collect but she had to use her manners when asking for one.So she asked the bus driver if he had a bus card.He asked her did she have any yet?She said No Sir..and he produced #1. YAY She was so proud of this thing...! She had to show everybody on the bus.
We are looking at the new posters of up coming movies and they had UP on there.E was very excited about this but announced she didn't want to see it in 3D.Sigh..I guess Hannah Montana's finger in her face was enough for her.She enjoys the ones at the parks but just not movies I guess.
We hopped off the bus and off we went.
I had a list of things I wanted to pick up and do.First we stopped at the new Create A Tee place.I thought it would be fun getting a T made for me and E for my B day.Well it wasn't that simple.The machine we started off at was broken,The next one wouldn't let me choose a color...and the last one I couldn't put what graphic on it I wanted.There were kids playing with the machines as the parents walked around...No wonder I wasn't having any luck.
FINALLY A CM asked if they could help.I explained what had happened and we looked for a ready to go machine.I wasn't too happy about the color choices for the T's that were over a 2X...but nothing I could do about it.Us that were blessed up top have a hard time making a 2X fit over the girls.So grey it was.I put Minnie Mouse on it..and wording.Then on to do E's.I used the same design as mine..and her own wording.Then I thought about poor DH who was at sea and who paid for this trip he couldn't go on.So I made him one too!! I'll have to take pics of the shirts to post.I can't wait to give him his!
SO I print the tickets and off to the counter I go.I was expecting the little Ts to put in the machine and they weren't even offered.So I was disappointed in that.I did see my name,E's name and DH's name and our town go across the screen.Cool..But not as cool as I thought it would be. 100.00 (and some changeish less or more) we were told to come back 3 hours later!?! They weren't that busy but whatever.I won't complain.
Off to eat...we were starving...
We haven't ever used the Dining Plan before and thought on a short trip I should test it out.Sure use ME as the guinea pig...We went to Earl of Sandwich.Recommended by a friend.I asked how it worked in there.Used my card and off we went.I must say I wasn't all that impressed with the food but I was with the amount you get with the plan.More than we could eat for sure.I didn't have to spend my spending money on food..that was the PLUS
So off we went to shop.I was impressed to see things on sale! 35% off of almost everything we found.WOW I haven't ever seen this before and who am I to complain?
I went to the Christmas Shoppe and got 2 ornaments for the tree.One for the MNSSHP that I didn't get from our last trip and one for my Bday trip!I told them I would be back to pick it up on the 26th instead of delivering it to the resort.
Back to the T shirt shop...We had to still wait on them to get the shirts.V's DD kept bugging the CM about what the machine was for.He got annoyed and finally handed her ONE tiny shirt.So they put the shirt in and pressed the button.It was COOL! Why didn't we get to do this before.E wanted one and he told her he was busy and couldn't get her one..HOW RUDE! So I asked about the T's again.It was pushing 8pm! We had been there for almost 45 mins longer that we were told.FINALLY we got the Ts.We got a sneek peek and she folded them and in the bag they went.And off we went...back to POP.
I had complained to V earlier about not having towel animals in my room!! I wasn't happy about this.We have stayed there 3 times in the past...and 10 other resorts.So as a repeat guest I was hoping for SOMETHING on the bed.And it was after all my Birthday trip.My friend the TA also said she told everybody she talked to when making the reservations that it was my 35th bday celebration! So to look out for special things.
When we walked in the room we found these on the bed!! WOHOOOHOOO!! And now they are sitting on top of my TV in my bedroom..!

I got to the room to look at them and lay them out for the next day..and E's shirt had the sleeve stuck to it and there was black on the sleeve from Minnie's outline.NOT HAPPY! Especially for the price of these things.I do not recommend it ... Save your money and make them at home!! It was a waste of time too.I could have bought 100.00 worth of pins and have more to show for the money.
And we were settled in bed with visions of Mickey dancing in our heads.I had a plan and I was sticking to it.

Next-2/25/09 Turning 35 in the Magic Kingdom..Oh What A Feeling!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Signing on. I love trip reports and pictures. They help pass the time until our next WDW vacation.

 

[erinlees_mommie]

Signing on. I love trip reports and pictures. They help pass the time until our next WDW vacation.

Thanks
I love taking pictures and looking at other people reports too.I realized I hadn't finished this one.And I need to so I can start the PTR for the cruise.Nothing like waiting till the last minute..
WELCOME ABOARD

 

[OhMari]

Hi,
I can bring your trip report back and merge it with this.
Let me know.
OhMari

 

[erinlees_mommie]

Hi,
I can bring your trip report back and merge it with this.
Let me know.
OhMari

Oh yes...Could you PLEASE

Thanks so much!I have some free time and plan on finishing it within the next few days

 

[scottny]

still reading along.

a cruise, that sounds like fun?

 

[erinlees_mommie]

Next-2/25/09 Turning 35 in the Magic Kingdom..Oh What A Feeling!

Ok...
So here we are the morning of my birthday.Waking up in POP Century bright and early to make it to the park for something I had been keeping secret for weeks! I was going to make it in time for the 'rope drop' and make it back to let Erinlee wake up Tinkerbell !! So that meant getting up and going at bright 30.Stitch isn't the most pleasant thing to wake to in the mornings..but it reminded me I was in heaven..oppps I mean Disney World.
We were on the very first bus of the day and headed to the Magic Kingdom.I had done everything I needed to for the free pass for my birthday.So we stopped by GS and got my birthday button and ticket.Then went towards the entrance.It has been a long time since I had been up early enough to get there to see this .. but I had to.We waited and waited...and FINALLY !!! WOOOHOO!!
Here are a few pictures I took way more than these but these are some of the better ones.It is hard holding a 4 yr old on your shoulders and handing a camera at the same time.

We were not far back in the line at all.So I thought chances were great getting to wake Tink...I was excited about seeing this after reading all of the TRs here.I didn't want to tell Erinlee just incase it didn't happen.
So with her on my shoulders I walked rather swiftly towards Cinderella's castle and through it.When we got there the rope was up and she spotted BBB inside the castle.And that is when her birthday request was put in for."Mommie,when we come back for my 5th birthday,I want to go to the BBB inside of Cinderella's Castle.Not the one in Downtown Disney PLEASE!"I said OK.Cheap present huh?
So I was about 3 people back.Chances looked good...Until it was dropped.MOM with stroller about ran us over getting back there!!!!!! I was like WOW..nevermind.We did go in and her little girl did it (she was about 18 mos old) and we weren't impressed at all and didn't stick around for the rest of it.NOT WORTH doing again for sure.
First ride of the morning picked by me ... DUMBO!! I love this ride.I found old pictures of my first trips and I had to ride it first thing on the morning of my Bday.*keep watching out for blast from the past pics to pop up here soon*

WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO START MY BIRTHDAY!!

When we had seen the almost empty park from our Dumbo's Flight ... we were off to Cinderella's Carousel.DD wanted to ride on Cinderella's horse.So she asked the CM to ride on it and he was impressed.She was taken back to ride on the coveted horse.We were the ONLY people on the ride.It was nice and brought back many childhood memories of me riding it as a kid.

I had planned for the day or so I thought.No breakfast..or if we did it would be something simple and small.I had read up on the dining plan and heard about all of the excess food we would end up with.So breakfast isn't big in our books.So I thought we would go to Pinocchio's Village Haus for a early lunch.And the popcorn and for dinner 1900 Park Fair.*another surprise* Funny how it is my birthday and DD gets all the surprises ? I just think it is enough of a present that we can spend it together in the place we both love so much.And it is enough watching her face light up.That is all I need.
Back to the story...
Well as we all know that things don't go as planned.We got a call from V who got a late start and said she would be at the park around 11:30 or so and we could meet up.They were eating lunch at POP before coming to the park.So we had time to kill...So next on the must rides...IT'S A SMALL WORLD! ... Erinlee can't get enough of this ride.And I wanted to take some pictures inside of the ride...*NO FLASH*..lol I don't know if it would be the same but at times I wonder what it would be without the music.Especially when we are stuck in there listening to it over and over.YEP it always happens to us.BUT it does provide good photo ops.

It's a Small World ... coming up next!