You have GOT to be kidding me!! The Live Version

[Hsminnie]

So much for the last change!!

I've been rolling around on this one for a while. Megan REALLY wants to go to Victoria and Albert's but I just could not justify the expense. BUT, I just read that the DDE card is good for 20% off at V&A's as long as it isn't the Chef's Table!!!!!! THAT is amazing. So, cancelling Jiko on the 11th and heading to the Grand Floridian. If I can keep this a secret she will freak!!!!

We are trying to get a table at Chefs de France on the 13th for a late lunch/early dinner and cancelling dinner at the Plaza Restaurant. That way we get to spend more time in EPCOT and can still go over for MK EMH if we want.

Ok, NOW, hopefully no more changes!!!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Getting so close! You were able to get V&As so last minute? Wow! Have a wonderful time!

Allyson

 

[Hsminnie]

Getting so close! You were able to get V&As so last minute? Wow! Have a wonderful time!

Allyson

It is getting close!!!

I've actually had the V&A ressie for ages, just needed to cancel it. I never could bring myself to do it and now I'm so glad!!!!

 

[lazydoxy66]

Finally read your PTR, too funny! You've got so much going on. It gets me all revved up just reading it.

Hey, I use photobucket.com for my pics. You just download photos to it and it creates the URLs for you. Just highlite and copy the URL for message boards(usually the 4th url) and place your cursor in your message where you want the picture and click control V. You can preview your post before you submit it to make sure it is right. You can also resize your picture in PB using their edit photo tools. There is a resize button with a dropdown. click the dropdown for presizing options, ie. thumbnail, message board, etc. I use message board size a lot. You'll have to at least take a look at it.

You're leaving so soon!!! I hope you and everyone have a great time. Let us know about Rainforest Cafe. I'm not going there, but the reviews are very mixed.

 

[Hsminnie]

Finally read your PTR, too funny! You've got so much going on. It gets me all revved up just reading it.

Hey, I use photobucket.com for my pics. You just download photos to it and it creates the URLs for you. Just highlite and copy the URL for message boards(usually the 4th url) and place your cursor in your message where you want the picture and click control V. You can preview your post before you submit it to make sure it is right. You can also resize your picture in PB using their edit photo tools. There is a resize button with a dropdown. click the dropdown for presizing options, ie. thumbnail, message board, etc. I use message board size a lot. You'll have to at least take a look at it.

You're leaving so soon!!! I hope you and everyone have a great time. Let us know about Rainforest Cafe. I'm not going there, but the reviews are very mixed.

Thanks!! There's just a few of us but it's cozy!

We've been to the RFC before and the only reason I'm going again for a meal is because we have 2 WDW newbies with us. We were originally just going to sit at the bar and have a drink, but I discovered breakfast which is relatively inexpensive and right in the action. The atmosphere is a hoot and I highly recommend slipping into the bar at least. Of course, with 3 teens we may never make it to an 'early' meal so it may be back to Plan A anyhow!!

Now, for all of my faithful readers..................guess what I did? Oh you will LOVE this!!! I am currently in a mad email toss with my unbelieveably amazing, fantastic, unequaled in the travel industry TA, Keri from MouseFan Travel!!!!!!!! Guess why?

Originally, before all the insanity settled into the totally calm, cool, collected and unchanging plan above , we thought about our family of 5 plus Megan's friends. It was eventually vetoed (we all decided this way was more fun for Megan under this circumstance) but the planning had gotten far enough for me to make ADR's.

I'm not sure, and I'm not looking, if I told you how important the Crystal Palace and the Garden View Cafe tea are to us. Megan SPECIFICALLY requested both and told me to do whatever I wanted for the rest (except the fancy dinner) Now, you will notice I have BOTH on my list, right? I also have BOTH in my Passporter. I have NEITHER in the system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently, I cancelled the ones from the proposed family trip but never gave my TA the info to reschedule. I just totally dumped!!!!!!!! I am SOOOO mad.

WAIT!!! As I type Keri sent me word she fixed it. PLEASE use her!!!!

So now, CP, same day but 10:05. No biggie.

They found my GVC Tea ressie for her so apparently I'm only half idiot. Sheesh

In two days we'll be cooling our heels in IAD waiting for our connecting flight to MCO. I will take lots of notes and pics and with the above advice will hopefully be able to share a funfilled trip report of my adventure in WDW with three crazy teens.

 

[Hsminnie]

Well, we leave for CMH at 5am. I am taking the laptop and plan an "on the scene" trip report but make no promises

Thanks for all those who posted...............We're ready to go!!!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Have a ball!

Allyson

 

[lazydoxy66]

I'll bet you didn't sleep a wink!!

 

[Hsminnie]

I am SO pathetic! I am typing to you from CMH!!!

Thanks for the well wishes!!

 

[Hsminnie]

Here's the PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1858002

I'm going to try to keep this updated as we go but no promises. It may be all sleep for me!!

I am going to continue my quest to find out how to post pictures. I have wonderful advice and specific instructions but for some reason cannot figure it out. But I will persevere!!!

Wait, I just got it!! Here is a test photo of TP1 being a goof:

 

[Hsminnie]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=26142336#post26142336

The live trip report link is above.

 

[cjhinch]

Hey! I see a picture! Have fun!

I didn't realize you were flying out of Columbus! That is where we fly out of most of the time. Our last trip was to Vegas, and we saw lots of people heading to Orlando.......can you believe I was jealous!!

 

[jerelynj]

I just HAD to tell you that I came to your PTR from your TR today and began reading. As I'm reading your post about your itinerary, I see that you are due to arrive at MCO July 10 at 12:39. I looked at my clock on my computer and it's 9:30 am California time. OMG-you are getting ready to land...right now!

I got goosebumps. Hope it's a fabulous trip!

Jen

 

[cjhinch]

Well, it is 12:49! I hope you have arrived and are off the plane by now! Maybe you are riding the "faux" monorail? I hope your flight was uneventful!

 

[MomofCKJ]

You should be there!

Have a blast!

Allyson

 

[Hsminnie]

Any idea what I did to get my picture deleted?

 

[Hsminnie]

Trying again!!!

Our flight left CMH at 6:40am so we were up at 4. Bleck. I didn't have any trouble with the girls, even though they had been up until midnight finishing some homemade shirts declaring Megan's birthday. Into the van and off the airport chauffered by my sweet husband who knew I didn't want to haul suitcases on and off the parking lot shuttle.

Here's a pic of the girls at CMH:

Here's a pic of the girls at IAD 2 hours later:

Megan is the middle girl in the top pic.

Our flights were uneventful even though Jacque (far right up top) hadn't flown since she was tiny. She got nervous and a little nauseous but did great.

We arrived at MCO and headed to the Magical Express. The line was HUGE but as usual the Disney efficiency had us all through in no time. We boarded our bus and headed to the magic!!!

All of us were amazed!! As mentioned in the PTR, Megan and I had been here for 1 night years before and remembered almost nothing. What a stunning resort!!!

Pixie dust was immediately thrown. We had been telling everyone all day that it was Megan's birthday and this was no different. MaryAnn got all excited and so did Toni and Stephanie. They called Bennet, a manager, who proceeded to organize singing while MaryAnn prepared the birthday button. We had pics taken which didn't come out but the memories are there. THEN they all found out Jacque and Sara were Disney virgins and produced their buttons. The girls were so excited!!

We then headed up to our room. It's very nice. Small, like all Disney rooms, but much better than I expected. The four of us should do fine. Plus, we have a balcony which REALLY makes the place feel bigger.

I hired Peggy from Peggy's Sweets and More to prepare a couple of packages and some birthday balloons and all was there as requested and VERY cutely done up. We also had a suprise from my FABULOUS TA, Keri, from MouseFan travel. She sent Megan a little Disney cooler filled with snacks and some sodas. SO thoughtful!! Here it all is:

We went into WCC because NOONE else was in there. They were still sweet and made a bit of a fuss which everyone enjoyed. I did not take food pics, I feel a little strange about it. I will attempt to overcome my phobia.

We were all exhausted so a 2 hour nap ensued. We then headed to DTD and waded through a crush of people for some shopping. I fould the coolest ring! It looks like a thick silver band with CZ and Mickey heads. It's all fake, but I love it. Got some Mickey ears for my mother's pug and a Puffy Pooh for my 7 year old. Megan found a hat for her boyfriend and Jacque found a beautiful dress. Sara got the cutest bag ever. It's on of those fabric, slouchy things with cherrys all over but if you look close you can see they are Mickey heads!! I'll get pics later.


Back to the room, swim, salad, fruit, desserts, refillable mugs, room service pizza which was ok. Pass out.

They are all still crashed thank goodness because it is 3:30am while I am typing. Hopefully I can sleep soon.

And hopefully I don't get these pics deleted.

Tomorrow: Magic Kingdom, LTT, V&A's

 

[Zeebs]

great update, I hope you managed to get some sleep. What a lot of work you did on the shirts.

Kirsten

 

[heaven2dc]

Love live reports! The girls all look so excited - I haven't even finished your pretrip so have to get caught up on who's who. Hope you are enjoying your first morning!

 

[Hsminnie]

7-11-08

8:01am

I did get some sleep and woke the girls up at 7:10. Amazingly it didn't take too much to get them going. I was going to let them sleep in but it's a long story why we had to get going early. (I'm an idiot)

Got to the park in time to see the opening ceremony. Our first time and it was cute!! I activated my annual pass, bought the Disney Dining Experience card and off we went. The girls stopped to get a pic with Pluto and the mandatory castle pic (they're on Photopass) and we headed toward POC. And we WALKED ON!!!!! Is this JULY???!!! Honestly there are no crowds today! Fine with us!!

We went over to Jungle Cruise and waited 3 minutes. They were afraid!

After, the girls went to Splash Mountain while I got some water and a banana and people watched. The girls waited about 20 mins to get on and we met up in Frontierland. Where........Woody and friends were having a roundup. Megan and Sara were chosen to be in the show!

We rode Haunted Mansion (1st time for all of us) and IASW then headed to Liberty Tree Tavern for our 11:30 ADR. The girls were chosen to 'open' the restaurant and Megan got to holler 'Hear ye, hear ye, let freedom ring!!' Too cute!!

We had 2 Angus burgers, a Pligrim's Feast and a Tri Corner sandwich. Iced tea was fabulous!! Loved the meal and then we had to head to the front.

More soon!!!!!!!!!