Who knew choking each other would earn us fastpasses?

[mickeystoontown]

I just came across your trip report and I LOVE it! Thank you so much!

It helps me because we are taking my parents to Disney in December and they are older and I know I can't go as fast as I have done in the past, so hearing how you slowed down, helps me realize I can slow down too!

And thanks for posting about your Mom's first trip pin. My parents took us to Disney in 1976. We didn't stay onsite, and of course only to MK. I wondered if it would be OK to wear 1st trip pins, and I feel better about it now.

Thanks!!!

Welcome aboard! Sorry it took me so long to respond. We did have to slow down because of my mother but it was actually nice to have a "stop and smell the roses" approach.

Definitely get your parents a first trip pin! It had been 10 years between my mother's trips and so much had changed (and we stayed offsite back in 2000) that it felt like her first trip to Disney.

I sure am enjoying your TR. Its okay that you didn't know the names of the Star Wars folks... I'm a huge fan, and my son is too... Own all 6 movies and watch them regularly, as well as read the books.

Not only is Queen Amidala Luke and Leia's mom, Leia goes on to marry Han Solo and they have twins too.

Yeah, too much time on my hands... in the before times... (before DisBoards that is!)

CoolMom2112

I'm glad that you like my trip report. I hardly knew any of the Star Wars people's names. Hunter, on the other hand, knew 'em all.

Loving your update and I see my littlest pirate in your pic!

Your little pirate is a cutie pie to say the least! I wish I had thought to get a picture of all of us together.

Nice update, Lisa. So fun that you were surprised by a fellow DISer--and one who lived so close. Looks like you and Hunter were having lots of fun with your pics and shopping.

It really is a small world! I couldn't believe that she and I lived so close to each other.

when we visited in may we went down streets of america for the first time. we love the youse guys moychendise sign, its hilarious. I garuntee (sp?) the next time we go I am putting together a dis meet.

Hunter thought the Youse Guys Moychendise was the funniest thing ever!

Dis Meets are the greatest! It's neat meeting someone that you've chatted with on the Dis for so long.

YAY you finally found Boba's Bounty! Great update. Can't wait to hear more.

I know! I couldn't believe that we had walked past it so many times.

Really cool Star wars photopass pictures! I thoroughly enjoyed them. Fun!

And Boba's bounty - also very cool. Is that there year round? I want to see it!

Boba's Bounty is only open during SWW. Even though I'm not a Star Wars fan, I thought the merchandise was pretty darn cool.

Great Update, glad you finally found Boba's Bounty, crazy that it turned out you walked by it a couple times already!

I know! I couldn't believe that we had walked right past it and didn't even see it.

Super update! I like your fun pictures from the Streets of America. So it seems like Boba's Bounty is out by the Back Lot Tour exit (the American Film Institute Display & Gift Shop). I have trouble navigating those streets and our family got lost trying to find the Back Lot Tour entrance right before it closed one evening.

Never been to Pizza Planet, but I've seen recent photos on a couple of TRs- the theming looks incredible and the salads are tempting. But you had me at "Rice Krispie treat for dessert!"

I love the morning you and Hunter are having together. Just a mom and her boy. And 30,000 Star Wars geeks.

That's exactly where it was! I figured it'd have all sorts of signs pointing us in the right direction.

I am a salad freak and the Caprese salad at Toy Story Pizza Planet was delish!

You actually did find it!?!?! You should have taken a picture of the entryway so we could see this little snake in the grass!

YAY for a random DisMeet!!

I think I was in shock that we finally found it....otherwise, I would have taken a picture just to show ya'll where it was.

So happy you found it. So it's a Star wars store basically then? I had no clue. LOL!

It's like a Star Wars store but it had all sorts of limited edition Star Wars merchandise in it. If you are a SW collector, you would be in heaven in there.

Yay you found it. Not that I have a clue about star wars either, but you found it.

That's exactly how I felt.....don't know what's going to be in there but Thank You Lord for letting me find it!

I finally finsihed my story about the car issues on my TR! SO don't feel to worried. We were at DHS we tried to get the kids into Jedi Training Academy and the last 2 shows were booked way before they even started. It wasn't even very busy. Yikes But they LOVE this park.

I remember when Hunter had to jump up and down and wave his arms to get chosen for the Jedi Training Academy. At least now, they have a place to sign up instead of being randomly chosen.

 

[racefanof88]

Caught up again . That salad at PP looks delish. Are those little white balls mozzarella cheese? I"m not a big fan of mozzarella like that, but the rest looks so good.

I swear I don't know how the characters can stand those costumes during the summer. The brother in law of one of my co-workers is Prince Charming and he told her that the prince costume is extremely hot; I couldn't imagine being in all that fur .

 

[PhoenixStrength]

You have just 2 days left before you are in Disney! You lucky duck!

Thanks! I'm actually starting the drive in less than 33 hours I'll be making a TR when I get back!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Yay! So glad you finally found it!!!! I can see why they had it tucked back in there with the stuff from the Backlot Tour, but man - I bet you weren't the only ones having trouble finding it!

How cool about the impromptu DIS meet too. Love that!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Hi Lisa,

I've come over to your TR from Brookelizabeth's. You and your family are so much fun! I love the fact that you can have so much fun and no one is uptight about giving in to the Disney Experience! I look forward to reading more!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Caught up again . That salad at PP looks delish. Are those little white balls mozzarella cheese? I"m not a big fan of mozzarella like that, but the rest looks so good.

I swear I don't know how the characters can stand those costumes during the summer. The brother in law of one of my co-workers is Prince Charming and he told her that the prince costume is extremely hot; I couldn't imagine being in all that fur .

I so love salads and the Caprese salad didn't disappoint. Yes, those are balls of mozzarella cheese and it was yummy.

I don't know how the people stand around in those hot costumes either. I wonder if they have ice packs or some kind of cooling system in them.

Thanks! I'm actually starting the drive in less than 33 hours I'll be making a TR when I get back!

Counting down the hours for ya! Let's do a little dance too! If we don't talk again before you leave, have lots of fun and take tons of pictures. You definitely have to let us know when you start the report. Post the link here so I'll be sure to see it.

Yay! So glad you finally found it!!!! I can see why they had it tucked back in there with the stuff from the Backlot Tour, but man - I bet you weren't the only ones having trouble finding it!

How cool about the impromptu DIS meet too. Love that!

It was definitely tucked away in the back. I would have never thought to look there.

I was super excited to meet another Diser, especially one that lived so close by.

Hi Lisa,

I've come over to your TR from Brookelizabeth's. You and your family are so much fun! I love the fact that you can have so much fun and no one is uptight about giving in to the Disney Experience! I look forward to reading more!

Welcome! We toned it down a bunch 'cause we didn't want to embarass my Mama. We just like spending time together and having fun. Heck, nobody's going to know who I am anyway so what does it matter.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I hope that I replied to everybody's posts. I think I did. If I didn't, please know that I didn't do it on purfuss (yes I said purfuss....that's what Hunter used to say when he was little).

Before moving on to another SWW update, I thought I'd give ya'll an update on what's going on with the wedding plans. I'm sad to report that................















































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.............................................................................


Bet you thought I was going to say it was called off didn't ya! Nope, I'm sad to report that we have had our first official wedding argument. I guess I shouldn't really say "argument" because it was more of a semi-heated "discussion" which ended with us all saying we weren't supposed to be fussing 'cause weddings are supposed to be all sappy and sweet.

So, what was the argument/discussion about? Lacey and Jesse want to get married outside. But, we also reminded them that they needed some kind of back-up plan just in case the weather didn't cooperate.

We found this beautiful place that holds church retreats. The good thing was it had lodging for everybody for just $50 a night. The bad news was we would have to rent the whole facility (a big place that rents out each building individually) for every night we were there......meaning big buckaroos! I could understand where the people were coming from because if they weren't renting it out to us, then they'd be renting it out to somebody else who would be paying for the entire place the entire time. Still, renting it would mean a big chunk of the wedding budget would be gone.

Lacey and Jesse had decided earlier that they would just have an intimate family ceremony at the facility and then hold the reception at the church where they attended Master's Commission. John and I suggested that we just have everything on the retreat grounds since we would already be paying oodles of dollars for the place anyway. For some reason, that hit Lacey the wrong way and she started crying. She said she was going for a drive and would be back later.

John and I just looked at each other like "What did we say?". We finally figured out that we must have sounded like "If we're shelling out the big bucks, you are going to do it our way." Which is not what we meant.

Lacey was gone about 20 minutes and when she came back she said that she had talked with Jesse and they agreed that they should have everything on the retreat grounds. They hadn't even thought about doing that before I said something about it. We all hugged and said that nobody meant to hurt anybody's feelings. All was right in the McBride household again.

Well, the next day, Lacey spoke with Jesse's former Mission parents about the plans. **For those of you who don't know what that means.....Lacey and Jesse attended Master's Commission which is a discipleship program and they dedicated three years of their lives to doing nothing but God's work. While in the Mission, they were assigned Mission parents who would be there for the students since they were far away from home.

Anyway, Lacey spoke with her Mission mother-in-law who said that the church had given them to go-ahead to hold everything at the church and we could use all of the kitchen facility too. AT NO COST! Lacey and Jesse talked about it and they have decided that they will forego the outdoor wedding so that we can save the money that it would have cost to reserve the entire retreat grounds for a long weekend.

So, now that we have the venue for the wedding, we can start moving forward with more plans. The church has an option where you can pay someone on their staff $50 to clean up the sanctuary after the wedding ceremony. And, we can pay someone on the staff $50 to clean up the auditorium after the reception. Believe you me, I'll be paying that $100!

Oh and they had to change the wedding date. It will be moved either a week forward or a week back. The Master's Commission is having their new student orientation on August 13th which would mean none of the people who were formerly in or still in the Mission would be able to attend.

Right now, these are the plans:

1) Get married in Cleveland, Georgia at church on a Saturday;

2) Have reception at the church immediately following ceremony;

3) Lacey and Jesse will stay overnight somewhere (probably Helen);

4) Sunday, Lacey and Jesse drive to Knoxville, Tennessee and they have a reception for Jesse's family and church family at Jesse's dad's church (he's a pastor). This reception is going to be handled by Jesse's family. Thank goodness 'cause I don't think I could handle three.;

5) Lacey and Jesse spend a couple of days on a short honeymoon in a cabin Jesse has found;

6) Thursday or Friday, Lacey and Jesse come to Louisiana;

7) Reception in Louisiana for our family and church family at The Civitan's building (which I am getting free of charge since my uncle is head of The Civitan's).

Now this is where we don't know what is going to happen. They originally were going to go to Walt Disney World. But, the drive is 15 hours from our house. We also have the problem of how in the world are they going to get all of their gifts to Tennessee. They don't want to drive to Louisiana, then Florida, back to Louisiana and then to Tennesse. That's a lot of driving in a week's time.

We've suggested that they go to someplace closer to Louisiana so that they won't have so far to drive. And, they could come back home, pick up their stuff and head to Tennessee. I suggested a cruise but they nixed that. Believe it or not, they thought about "roughing it" and going camping, hiking and canoeing. Or, there's tons of places they could go.....Dallas, San Antonio, Memphis or even New Orleans. We've got plenty of time to think abbout it.

Shopping has already begun. We've made two trips to Sam's Club already and bought enough clear plates and utensils for at least one reception. I also bought three large round serving platters, four rectangular serving platters, two oblong serving platters and two glass bowls. Our plan is to buy a little at a time so it doesn't feel like it cost so much.

Thanks to MissLiz....yes that's a shout out to you Liz.....I've got somebody looking for bakeries in the Cleveland, Georgia area. Did you guys know that the average wedding cake cost $600! That's not for a little one either!

Lacey actually wants a cupcake tower instead of a cake. Her daddy thinks that's the craziest thing in the world but it's what ya'll know that Lacey is not a traditional kind of girl. From what I understand, cupcake are the latest "it" thing for wedding receptions.

So, there you have it.......the latest wedding news. Sounds like a complete mess right now but we've finally got a plan that we can run with. Ya'll pray for us!

 

[Practically_Perfect]

Hey!!

I've been away from the Disboards for a while, and am just getting caught up on things. I had a trip planned in October that I had to cancel because a friend is getting married in the Dominican Republic in February, so I had to rebalance my $$ priorities. I definitely have to go on that trip since I'm one of the bridesmaids!

Congrats to Lacey and Jessie!! Super happy for them! It's wedding craziness among my friends and family too - aside from my friend, my youngest sister is also getting married next year in July. She's planning on having it on the family farm, so I'm learning all about the fun rolleyes1) of wedding planning too!!

Glad things seem to be falling into place for you! And I can't wait for the next trip installment!

 

[johnsonmatt3]

happy one hundred page day!!!man this things long.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hey!!

I've been away from the Disboards for a while, and am just getting caught up on things. I had a trip planned in October that I had to cancel because a friend is getting married in the Dominican Republic in February, so I had to rebalance my $$ priorities. I definitely have to go on that trip since I'm one of the bridesmaids!

Congrats to Lacey and Jessie!! Super happy for them! It's wedding craziness among my friends and family too - aside from my friend, my youngest sister is also getting married next year in July. She's planning on having it on the family farm, so I'm learning all about the fun rolleyes1) of wedding planning too!!

Glad things seem to be falling into place for you! And I can't wait for the next trip installment!

Glad to have you back on the Disboards. I know all about juggling money and shuffling things around.

Planning a wedding can be exciting but it can be stressful too. Oh I bet your sister's wedding is going to be beautiful. I wish I lived on a farm so Lacey could get married outside.

happy one hundred page day!!!man this things long.

I didn't even notice that it was on page 100. Thanks for the !

 

[PennyLane1084]

OOOooo I love weddings.

As far as the honeymoon, I went to Memphis last summer and it is a really great city! Especially if you like BBQ!! Yum-O. I did not have a bad meal the entire trip!

Also, my boyfriends' sister got engaged about a year ago and they have started planning their wedding. I will be a bridesmaid, I'm really excited, but my point is: They are also doing a cupcake tower. Not only are wedding cake VERY expensive as you've found out AND most banquet halls actually charge to cut and wrap individual pieces. But since they still want to have the traditional cake cutting ceremonies and pictures, they are going to get a 6" cake at the top of the tower just for the Bride and Groom. And then the guests will eat the cupcakes. That's a thought maybe.

 

[mickeystoontown]

OOOooo I love weddings.

As far as the honeymoon, I went to Memphis last summer and it is a really great city! Especially if you like BBQ!! Yum-O. I did not have a bad meal the entire trip!

Also, my boyfriends' sister got engaged about a year ago and they have started planning their wedding. I will be a bridesmaid, I'm really excited, but my point is: They are also doing a cupcake tower. Not only are wedding cake VERY expensive as you've found out AND most banquet halls actually charge to cut and wrap individual pieces. But since they still want to have the traditional cake cutting ceremonies and pictures, they are going to get a 6" cake at the top of the tower just for the Bride and Groom. And then the guests will eat the cupcakes. That's a thought maybe.

I've ordered a vacation planning guide from Memphis (as well as lots of other places) but I'll have to make sure I tell them you said it was a great place to visit.

That's exactly what we were thinking about doing....a cake on top and then cupcakes for everybody else.

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

Thanks to MissLiz....yes that's a shout out to you Liz.....I've got somebody looking for bakeries in the Cleveland, Georgia area. Did you guys know that the average wedding cake cost $600! That's not for a little one either!

Lacey actually wants a cupcake tower instead of a cake. Her daddy thinks that's the craziest thing in the world but it's what ya'll know that Lacey is not a traditional kind of girl. From what I understand, cupcake are the latest "it" thing for wedding receptions.

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Lisa I used to be in the wedding business (pre kids) and have found that most churches know of a local lady who does cakes/cupcakes. I'd call the church you plan to use (and also some nearby churches) and see if they have/know anyone like that. Usually the cakes are better tasting and the lady enjoys her hobby and wants to keep a good reputation in the church so they look and taste first rate. On the plus side they are usually 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of the big name bakeries and they have all the stands/holders you'd need.

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

OOOhh! don't forget to look into priceline for hotel rooms. We have stayed at some really nice 4 star hotels in the Dallas and San Antonio area for less than $60 a night on the "name your own price" through Priceline. We always check out all the hotels in a Star catagory and if we find them all good/acceptable then we bid and see what we got.

 

[ronnmel]

I love the cupcake idea. I find it usually tastes better than traditional wedding cake, is much easier to hand out, and much easier to pack up whatever's left. And these days they can do very nice arrangements.

 

[jenseib]

Can you ship there gifts to TN? Maybe they will get mostly money?

They could also get a nice cabin up near Gatlinburg, or Pigeon Forge. Skip, Michael, Paige and I once stayed at one outside of Pigeon Forge and it was super nice. It had a hot tub outside too.

 

[KatMark]

I'm glad you straightened all of that out with Jesse and Lacey. I remember many tears when planning my wedding (I truly wish we had just eloped).

But things seem to be on the right path. And you know that we are praying for you that everything continues to go well.

 

[Caretames1]

Yay! for the new ceromony location, and free is awesome! I like the cupcake idea, you would at least have a good idea how many to make!

 

[Disneymoon09]

Awesome wedding news! I suggest a cabin in pigeon forge. The company we stay at is called Eagles Ridge and it is always affordable and the nicest we have found. Good luck and happy planning@

 

[natebenma]

Sounds like the wedding plans are coming along, and I'm glad that your disagreements were short-lived. From everything you have written, it seems like Lacey and Jesse are very mature and have great heads on their shoulders!

A wedding focused on love and family and God instead of a $10,000 dress and a show stopping cake can be nothing but beautiful.