You've Got a Friend in Me:TINKGURL & XOKTENOX's Adventures in WDW~UPDATE: 6/9 p.74

[irishdancer86]

That is a lovely photo at the bus stop, one for a frame for sure!

sounds like a pretty cool relaxed day, for getting a Disney painting, there are so many beautiful ones...I had been considering trying to recreate one of the simpler ones for when me and DBF get our own place, have you seen the Martini glass Tink one and the sort of matching Ariel, they don't look too hard and I think with some practice I could make a good effort, but probably not that simple!

 

[nowellsl]

Good to know about the bus stop for HH! I think being near the Turtle Shack would be GREAT! Hopefully we can get a ground floor room in that area! Thanks so much!

We were in a ground floor studio in building 42 (room #4216) and it was perfect. Right next to the Turtle Shack Snack bar and pool. It's right around the corner from a bus stop. I wouldn't mind being back in that same room next time!

 

[xoktenox]

When I last left you, our sad, sad, goodbye with Tink and her DF had occurred and we went back to Pop for the night. We woke up the following morning early because I wanted to get to rope drop at the MK and spend a few hours there before our DME pickup. I was in such a funk because I was soooo incredibly sad that we had to leave. This was the worst I have ever felt on a last day. We got showered and ready, packing up all our last items. Finally, it was time to say goodbye to Pop Century and head out. Here was my first crying episode of the day. As we took one last look at the room, the tears began. I pulled myself together and we wheeled our suitcases down to the airline check in desk to leave them there for DME to bring to the airport. I love that you’re able to do this. Then, we walked around the building and went to the bus stop for the MK. Within a few minutes it pulled up and took us for one last drive. Soon enough we were here just in time for this…

Right before the show started I remember Chris and I getting into a tiff about something. It must have been really stupid because I have no idea what it was about. Probably because I was being a little cranky that we were leaving and he was cranky too. Either way, we separated before the opening show. I had no idea where he was but we had set a plan on the bus that I would head right to Space Mountain to grab FPs and he would head over towards Splash/BTMRR and we’d ride either of those. We hadn’t ridden Space yet and the last time we’d been there it was down for refurb so that was the only thing we really were intent on doing. Even though I couldn’t find him, I texted Chris I was sticking to the plan and I’d meet him by Splash. Of course watching the show, I started to cry. A lot. Good thing for sunglasses.

Oh now I remember something! Chris was pissy because he had forgotten a belt and his shorts were falling down lol earlier in the week he’d used a plastic bag as a belt (resourceful!) but we didn’t have on in the room for him to use so he was in a bad mood over it. Ok back to my FP run.

The line for FPs was long but there was a lone machine with no one at it. I guess because no one was at it, no one else tried it…well, I did! I grabbed my two FPs quickly and was off to meet Chris on the other side of the park. I texted him again telling him I was on my way. He asked me to stop along the way and get him a plastic bag in a shop. Fine, if that will make you shut up then I will lol

I stopped along the way at Sleepy Hollow but they didn’t have bags. I kept looking but no shops were open yet it seemed! I’m not sure if I ended up finding one before I got to Chris or not but eventually, we did get him a bag. Still, we were not really getting along because we were both just in rotten moods.

Almost there…

The benefit of all that walking alone was I took a lot of pictures! Finally I made it to Chris but the line for Splash and BTMRR was already long. Then we argued a little more about what to do next. Eventually we decided to walk to Pirates. We argued more on Pirates and I was holding Chris’ Space FP hostage lol After PotC Chris started to whine he was hungry so we walked allllll the way back to the front of the park to the Main Street Bakery! It was here that we finally made up and stopped being grouches to each other. Food always makes us happy haha here’s what we got…the last day of vacation eating where all food is zero calories!

Soooooooooooo good!!! We got our food and sat at one of the little tables, just talking and eating and getting along again. It started to get crowded so we didn’t spend too much time relaxing after we ate. We had some time still before our Space FPs so we walked through some shops. We bought a few new Vinyls, the 4 Parks 1 World CD, pens and laptop decal things at the Emporium. Then we went into another store where I finally caved and purchased a Dooney and Bourke wristlet! I got the original print (if you know which one I mean by that lol) with a pink background. Soon, it was time for our ride through Space! The only bummer of having FPs was that we basically breezed past all the new stuff in the queue.

After our intense ride through Space I think it was our time to leave. As we were leaving the park and I just kept looking back at the castle…all the events of the week were flooding back at me and of course, you guessed it, more tears. Chris was hugging me and just kept saying, “We’ll come back next year, we’ll come back next year, I promise.” But it wasn’t helping. I didn’t want to leave!! But it was time. We got to the bus stop and got our last bus back to Pop. We made it back there with time to spare before the DME bus showed. Eventually it did and I started to cry some more. I was seriously like a small child! Idk what was going on.

Anyway, we made it to the airport plenty early. The line for security is always SUPER long at MCO when we’re there so it’s probably better we get there early. However, as we were sitting at the gate waiting for our plane, a monsoon started outside! It was POURING, a deluge of water. Sure enough, our flight was delayed about an hour. We called home to let Chris’ parents know since they were picking us up. I think we both fell asleep waiting for the flight to board and it did. All too soon we were home. Our perfect trip was over. More memories had been made that we will never forget. I had the best time with my best friend and my best guy. Tink and I have gone back to phone communication every day. And Chris and I, well we started planning a new trip not too long after we got home. Luckily, I’ve finished my part of this TR just in time…two weeks from today, at this time, we will be on a plane back to our Happy Place!!!

 

[michael's mom]

Kristen, I can feel all your sadness! DH and I got into a little tiff the night before we left over something stupid and it never would have happened had I not already been in a mood that we were leaving. I wasn't crying at MK, but I was at DTD! Our trip was so perfect that I never wanted it to end!

It is pretty cool that you were able to relive that vacation just in time for your next one to start

Oh! Love that you got your wristlet! DH bought me the sketch bag for my birthday (with the help of a few gift cards that we had) and my sister bought me the matching wristlet. I think the bag may be the same one Tink has and I LOVE it! I get tons of compliments all the time on it

 

[Megablocks]

Totally could feel your sadness in this update!! I seriously turn into a seven year old when it's time to go...I pretty much plug in my iPod from the second we step on ME and don't turn it off till it's time to go through airport security just b/c I'm always SO sad and I need some kind of distraction. I'm trying to imagine that, combined with having said goodbye to my BFF and not knowing how long it would be till I got to see her again. But I am soooo excited you have another trip to look forward to in a couple of weeks!!

 

[MeMom]

My first thought when you were writing about not having a bag for belt-creating purposes - Disney shops are full of bags! Of course, it would not be Walmart brown or Target white, but Disney blue with balloons, clouds, magic, or whatever would still hold up the britches.

I know how sad you were feeling. Some departures are worse than others. I just want to stay in that wonderful place all the time, but the reality is that we have to come back out here and work to be able to go back. In my case, I also have to factor in that I am not only leaving the magical feelings in Disney World, but I am going back to my sweet girls not being with me every day all day long, so it's a double whammy. This time, you had the sadness of leaving Disney World and leaving special friends, so it just made it extra hard. You and Chris have a lifetime of awesome trips ahead of you.

And how can anybody not love a place where all the food has ZERO calories?!?!?

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Tink ~ I love the relaxed day that your family had at DHS. You are right that the time just slips by on days like that, but that is why it is nice to write a TR. You have a record of all the things you were able to do. The picture at the bus stop is great! I love how comfortable your FI is with your family!

By the way, did I tell you that Dylan broke his wrist? He has been in a cast for 3 weeks! He fell off some monkey bars at the playground and fractured it in 2 places.

Kristen ~ It is so hard on that last day to be anything but sad. Especially for you on a trip that was so exciting & memorable with Tink. I think we have all had those last day "tiffs" with others because we are grumpy about going home. I'm glad you got to ride SM before you left!

 

[tinkgurl]

That is a lovely photo at the bus stop, one for a frame for sure!

sounds like a pretty cool relaxed day, for getting a Disney painting, there are so many beautiful ones...I had been considering trying to recreate one of the simpler ones for when me and DBF get our own place, have you seen the Martini glass Tink one and the sort of matching Ariel, they don't look too hard and I think with some practice I could make a good effort, but probably not that simple!

Thanks! Yes, I actually do have it up in a frame!

I know what ones you're talking about! I love so many paintings in there!

We were in a ground floor studio in building 42 (room #4216) and it was perfect. Right next to the Turtle Shack Snack bar and pool. It's right around the corner from a bus stop. I wouldn't mind being back in that same room next time!

I hope you have so much fun!

Oh! Love that you got your wristlet! DH bought me the sketch bag for my birthday (with the help of a few gift cards that we had) and my sister bought me the matching wristlet. I think the bag may be the same one Tink has and I LOVE it! I get tons of compliments all the time on it

That's awesome you got it and the wristlet!

Tink ~ I love the relaxed day that your family had at DHS. You are right that the time just slips by on days like that, but that is why it is nice to write a TR. You have a record of all the things you were able to do. The picture at the bus stop is great! I love how comfortable your FI is with your family!

By the way, did I tell you that Dylan broke his wrist? He has been in a cast for 3 weeks! He fell off some monkey bars at the playground and fractured it in 2 places.

I love looking back through my TR notebooks of all my notes from previous trips. It's funny how I can imagine that very moment I read about.

Oh no! Poor Dylan! I hate seeing little kids in casts. Poor things. I know Little Guy would be itching to get that off! How long does he have to wear it?

 

[michael's mom]

That's awesome you got it and the wristlet!

Yeah, I loved it from the first time I saw it in one of your reports. My parents were going to buy it for me for Christmas but opted for the UGG boots instead, and frankly, I'm grateful because it was a.) a darn cold winter here, and b.) the lady let me look at 8 different bags to choose the layout I wanted. That wouldn't have been an option with an online purchase.

I went back and forth about getting it but couldn't resist. The layout is so great. The only images hiding behind straps or in corners are the little ones like the balloons and such.

So with the left-over birthday gift card from WDW's promo in 2009 and an xmas gift card, DH bought me the other half for my birthday. We convinced him it was meant to be I walked out of that store with the biggest grin on my face and a month later I love it more than when I got it! Then my lil' sis surprised me with the wristlet when she came home.

 

[JenAusty]

Tink- I like the picture of you 3 too! and looking at your pics from DTD is making me excited for our relax day on Friday at DTD!

Kristen- Austy and I are the same way when we are hungry.. especially me- I get really whiny and then once I eat- I'm all better! hehe

I'm sorry you were soo sad.. I know the feeling! It's like you know in a few hours it will be all over and you have to wait sooo long to return. Good thing you are going again soon- the TR is almost up!!

 

[tinkgurl]

Yeah, I loved it from the first time I saw it in one of your reports. My parents were going to buy it for me for Christmas but opted for the UGG boots instead, and frankly, I'm grateful because it was a.) a darn cold winter here, and b.) the lady let me look at 8 different bags to choose the layout I wanted. That wouldn't have been an option with an online purchase.

I went back and forth about getting it but couldn't resist. The layout is so great. The only images hiding behind straps or in corners are the little ones like the balloons and such.

So with the left-over birthday gift card from WDW's promo in 2009 and an xmas gift card, DH bought me the other half for my birthday. We convinced him it was meant to be I walked out of that store with the biggest grin on my face and a month later I love it more than when I got it! Then my lil' sis surprised me with the wristlet when she came home.

That's awesome!!

Tink- I like the picture of you 3 too! and looking at your pics from DTD is making me excited for our relax day on Friday at DTD!

Thanks! Ahh that is exciting!

 

[tinkgurl]

July 29, 2010

I woke up this day on a mission. The alarm went off at 7:15. I had to get everyone up, ready, and out the door by at least 8:15. I wanted Mom, Dad, and Sis to experience the MK first thing when the park opens like Fiancé and I did on our Spring Break trip. Before the Spring Break trip, we had never done a Rope Drop. Now, the only park we haven’t done one at is Epcot. We loved it. And we wanted them to experience it too.

We arrived at the MK just after Rope Drop, which was fine with us. We took our time enjoying walking in. We lingered over to under the Train Station and checked out all the things we never look at. They had some really neat stuff on display. Here’s one of them:

After we finished looking around, we were on a mission: breakfast at the Main St. Bakery! Pluto was already out and about meeting people.

We stopped along the way to get our traditional PhotoPass pic on Main St. for our Disney pic frame. We get one every year. It’s always fun to see how we’ve changed over the years.

We walked into the Bakery and all those wonderful smells welcomed us in.

While in line, we checked out the guy who was working next door. He was busy making something and I can’t remember what!

Of course, we all had to have one of the yummy cinnamon rolls! After we got our food and drinks, our next mission was to find a table. There were none open inside the Bakery, so I mentioned finding one outside the Plaza Restaurant. We were the only ones in our area. It was perfect. Nothing like eating breakfast in my favorite place in the world!

We just sat there for awhile. Enjoying our food, taking in the sights, and relaxing. We also decided what we were going to do next. We had a 20% off at the Emporium to use that morning, so Mom, Dad, and Sis headed there while Fiancé and I headed to the People Mover. It was a beautiful morning!

We got to the part where you go inside Space Mountain and saw that all the lights were on.

And right before we entered the part where you look into Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, we stopped! And sat there forever! Sis texted us while we were stuck, telling us that they were headed into Tomorrowland. We had them meet us in front of Buzz. Finally, we got moving again and met them. There was no wait time posted for Buzz! But once we got inside, we only had to wait 10 minutes.

After we got done there, we decided to see if Space Mountain was still broke down. It was. But…as we were walking away, it opened back up! So we hurried to get in line. Along with some other people who had been waiting, we walked right on!

After we were so excited about walking on Space, we decided to head over to Adventureland and ride PoTC. We decided to split up and see who got on the ride first. It was a walk on, but Mom, Dad, and Sis made it on first. It was so funny because we were waving at each other from across the loading areas. They were in the boat in front of us, so we kept waving at each other the whole ride as well.

Once we got into the PoTC gift shop, we got Cuz the shirt he had been wanting. Then, we decided to hop on the train in Frontierland and ride it around to Main St.

As we went by BTMRR, some people waved at us as they went up in the incline:

Once we made it to Main St., we got off and went in the photo place to look at our PhotoPass Pic. It turned out really good, so we decided to buy it.

We were starting to get hungry for lunch, so we headed out to the bus stops. We had planned on eating lunch at the Pepper Market at Coronado Springs since I had heard some good things about it from some certain awesome DIS’ers! The Coronado Springs bus stop was way out by the Pop Century bus stop, which made Fiancé and I sad.

Once on the bus, I took a pic of the Contemporary on my phone as we went by. Like I had been most of the day, I sent it to Kristen. Sis took a pic of me on the phone with her. You can see the Contemporary out the window! Haha!

The bus ride to Coronado Springs was LONG. We were right behind some of the Mickey heads, so this was our view the whole way:

By the time we made it there, we were all starving. We had been to CS a few trips ago, but this was our first time eating at the Pepper Market.

Sis had to take a “paparazzi” pic of us walking in:

And finally, we made it!

We were seated by a CM. Then another CM came to take our drink orders and explained the different food stations to us. It was fun! It was a CS place with the service of a sit-down meal. And oh my gosh, everything was SO good. All of the stations had such great things, so we all had to try a bit of everything. I really recommend it to anyone!

After lunch, we went outside to grab some drinks from the outside bar. We found a nice table in the shade. Here was our view:

Dad and Fiancé went to get us our drinks.:

It was nice sitting out there, but it was such a hot day! Our next plan was to head back to OKW and swim a bit before our dinner ADR. While we were sitting there, we saw some people freaking out about something in the water. So, of course, we had to go see what they were looking at…and here’s what we saw!:

And…

They were just swimming around each other like no big deal. I think the alligator was hoping we had some food though! Ick! After watching them for awhile, we decided it was time to cool off in the pool. But first, we had to get there! So..we hopped on the DTD bus to switch over to an OKW bus. Mom fell asleep on the way!

Finally, we made it back to OKW and into the pool. On a hot day like that, it felt nice! We relaxed and swam until about 5 pm, then we needed to get ready and head to the bus stop.

~Up next: Our dinner ADR at 1900 PF and a night of relaxing

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Kristen - I couldn't help but laugh when I read about you & Chris being grouchy with each other. It so reminded me of Josh & I on some days! Boo for it being yall's last day... but only 10 days until the next trip!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!

Tink - I'm so glad the rest of your family was able to experience MK rope drop. I love getting there first thing and being able to do so much! Those cinnamon rolls from the Bakery are a definite must do for me in 11 days! Mmmm!

Do you just use bobby pins to pin back your bangs? My hair never stays when I do it!

 

[LilAnn]

Fun update! I love when you ride the TTA and you get a peek of Space Mountain with the lights on. I never got a chance to take a picture like you did though.

We had our first experience at Pepper Market in February too, but there were a ton of people there. I think they were there for a conference. Eek for the alligator in the water! but the turtle s cute.

By the way, I decided to go ahead and do a TR on our Feb. trip (better late than never right). Since your little gal is pretty close to the same age, stop by if you can, there are some moments from that trip that I can't wait to share. Although I know you probably saw some on FB already. Link in my siggie.

 

[michael's mom]

There's no way to know for sure...but we had dinner at CSR in 2009 and there was a small alligator swimming around the very same area! I wonder if it's the same little guy It creeped me out a bit and a CM told us that they leave them be until they grow past a certain length. I want to say it was past 4 or 5 feet.

Sounds like you had a great morning/afternoon! I can only imagine how hot it was.

 

[tinkgurl]

Tink - I'm so glad the rest of your family was able to experience MK rope drop. I love getting there first thing and being able to do so much! Those cinnamon rolls from the Bakery are a definite must do for me in 11 days! Mmmm!

Do you just use bobby pins to pin back your bangs? My hair never stays when I do it!

Rope Drop is so much fun! You just can't let the crazies get to ya!

Please send me a pic of a cinnamon roll!

Yes I use bobby pins. I flip them back then kinda push them up so they pouf, then bobby pin them. Then hairspray!

Fun update! I love when you ride the TTA and you get a peek of Space Mountain with the lights on. I never got a chance to take a picture like you did though.

We had our first experience at Pepper Market in February too, but there were a ton of people there. I think they were there for a conference. Eek for the alligator in the water! but the turtle s cute.

By the way, I decided to go ahead and do a TR on our Feb. trip (better late than never right). Since your little gal is pretty close to the same age, stop by if you can, there are some moments from that trip that I can't wait to share. Although I know you probably saw some on FB already. Link in my siggie.

I was prepared with my camera out to get a pic of Space with the lights on!

Did you like the Pepper Market's food? I loved the variety and choices!

I'll have to go over to your TR! Thanks!

There's no way to know for sure...but we had dinner at CSR in 2009 and there was a small alligator swimming around the very same area! I wonder if it's the same little guy It creeped me out a bit and a CM told us that they leave them be until they grow past a certain length. I want to say it was past 4 or 5 feet.

Sounds like you had a great morning/afternoon! I can only imagine how hot it was.

I wonder if it was the same one! How cool!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Man, that picture of you guys eating your breakfast...what I would give to be doing that. Or any meal for that matter, I just love that view of the castle. Nothing beats it.

That is cool about the little alligator and turtle!

 

[All7OfUs]

That was quite a long and full day you all had at MK!! I like starting the day out riding the train too; and getting to WALK ON SM- how cool!!!

I think it's cute your mom fell asleep on the bus- it really shows how much fun she must have had over the trip!

And I love that you found an out of the way place to have a nice quiet breakfast!!

 

[tinkgurl]

Man, that picture of you guys eating your breakfast...what I would give to be doing that. Or any meal for that matter, I just love that view of the castle. Nothing beats it.

That is cool about the little alligator and turtle!

I know..doesn't it look nice?! I miss it!

That was quite a long and full day you all had at MK!! I like starting the day out riding the train too; and getting to WALK ON SM- how cool!!!

I think it's cute your mom fell asleep on the bus- it really shows how much fun she must have had over the trip!

And I love that you found an out of the way place to have a nice quiet breakfast!!

It was very cool getting to walk on Space Mountain!

Being the A/C can put anyone to sleep on those buses!

 

[MeMom]

We just sat there for awhile. Enjoying our food, taking in the sights, and relaxing.

It is the simple pictures like this that just make me want to jump into them and be right in that spot again. I wish someone would have offered to take a picture so that Mom could be in it, too. Family, Disney food, a beautiful day, the castle as your background, hanging out, not in any hurry - that's the life! I'm betting you can 'feel' being right there again as you look at that picture.