Cinderella
12-08-2003, 10:21 PM
Cinderella’s LONG OVERDUE Wedding Anniversary Trip to DW WITHOUT FIL! :D
Cast of Characters:
Cinderella - Disneyholic/MickeyNut All Around Pleasant Person :roll:
The Prince - My DH - not as enthusiastic but willing to give in to my addiction :?
Day #1 - Sunday, November 30th - Arrival and MVMCP
:minnie: :minnie: :mickeyXmas:
Well guys, after a LONG year taking care of FIL, we finally found an assisted living home for him to stay temporarily and got our act together for our long anticipated trip to see Mickey again and to meet up with fellow Taginators!
Bags were packed weeks ahead of time (of course) hotel plans were made and ressies were called in, nine sets of directions were waiting to be used, newer used van was purchased and outfitted for the journey south from PA. All Disney tee-shirts/jackets/sweatshirts/jewelry/
snacks etc. were ready in the van to go. Camera’s, film, minute by minute plans were in my bag and anxious to leave.
Did not sleep the night before we left as usual and DH took FIL to assisted living and we jumped in van and took off before they called to say, “come back and get him”. I am the long-distance designated driver so I had my doo-wop CD’s ready to play and my bubble gum at my side. We hit the road by 11:00 and had a fairly uneventful ride down. Light traffic all the way - good weather.
Arrived at DisneyWorld and I started tearing up, not believing we had finally made it. Drove up to the front of Wilderness Lodge and felt like I was “home again”. The lobby was GORGEOUS! The tree was beautiful. No rooms ready as we got there about 11:00 a.m. so we had to take a smoking room with a woods view. Unpacked our things and walked around to see the decorations everywhere - wreaths with moose antlers tucked in them, little trees in every nook - so comfortable feeling. We grabbed a snack at Roaring Forks and bought our refillable mugs.
Then it was time to change and off to my very first ever Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
We took the boat from WL to MK and got there by 5:00 pm. MK - my “home” - I was really there!!! We first saw the new 75 Mickey’s out front of the railroad station and they were all so different. We got into MK with the MVMCP tickets and we walked down to LTT for dinner. We were to meet up with PADisneylover but I couldn’t find her. The food was great and Minnie, Chip&Dale and Pluto came around to each table over and over. We got lots of good pics.
We left LTT and walked down Main Street to see all the fantastic decorations and the first thing I did was buy a silly hat which I wore all night - Jessica Rabbit Hat with red lips all over, a tall pipe cleaner sticking up on top with mistletoe at the end of it (it pays to be prepared). LOVED the party. We tried to get on as many rides/attractions as we could fit in. Favorite new attraction was Mickey’s Philharmagic - great!!! Loved the show at the Galaxy theater “Mickey’s Night Before Christmas”. Saw THE best parade and fireworks ever since I’ve been going to DW. I kept looking up to try and remember where Tinkerbell would be flying and to my delight, she was directly over our heads!!! Finally gave in to much needed sleep and we left to get back to WL. Stopped at the lounge and had a Bailey’s and got to sleep with a big smile on my face. :lol:
Day #2 - Animal Kingdom/Dole Whip Meet at MK
Woke up to a call from the front desk saying they had a package for us but we’d need to show our photo I.D. as it contained liquor. We were both wondering what was being brought up. To our delight, we received a wicker tray with a bottle of AstiSpumonte, two gorgeous Mickey wine glasses, some crackers, cheese spread and chocolate candies. When we read the note we found it was from a new neighbor of ours back home. Very sweet of him. Note to myself: have him over for lasagna when we get home.
Well, had breakfast in the room, dressed and headed out for our first full day at Animal Kingdom. Took the bus - no wait. It was early entry and we walked right in. Ran to see Dinosaur again - one of our favorites. Then we hit the Safari Ride and ITTBAB again (love that stinkbug!). Walked around a short time and had to leave in time to get bus to Contemporary and then monorail to MK for my first ever meet with other Taginators!!!! I had been waiting for this all year. We ate at Casey’s real quick and listened to the piano and music along Main Street again. Then I literally “ran” to Adventureland to the Aloha Isle to find these other disneyholics I had been emailing to all year.
DH and I walked near the Aloha Isle and I immediately spotted and recognized Happy Camper and her DH. She looked exactly like her picture so it was easy. We both talked at the same time to get in as much as we could for such a short meet. Our DH’s sat down and introduced themselves while Happy Camper and I waited for the others. Before long we saw ddoll and flsharon, LimeGreenCheri (who I did not recognize at first from her picture and thought she was saying her name was Sherry. When I realized it was THE Cheri, I went over and gave her a proper greeting), HockeyMom, Betsy Ann, Chris R, Fulltimemama (only a short while) with her DH and children. Finally I met NancyBJ who looked exactly like I had pictured her, not ever seeing a pic of her posted. She was with her DH and two beautiful girls. “The” Mom was also there. We exchanged goodies (I had bought small canvas bags and used transfer paper to iron on each person’s name and/or picture on the front with “Tagrel Meet Dec. 2003" on it and just put in some stickers and pencils and peppermint candies - just something so they’d remember who I was and to thank them for giving me many happy hours of laughs on site. Nancy BJ gave us pins and lollipops and HockeyMom brought gum made in her town (thanks HM - we finished it all up while at DW). Everyone was hugging and laughing and we were all acting like old friends before long. Thousands of pictures were taken and when I get the money, I will take my 9 rolls to be developed this week and post some on site.
Our DH’s took pics from each camera while us “girls” posed. Reluctantly, we finally parted as we had dinner ressies and were making our first journey to AKL and Boma’s. :cry:
Took boat from MK to WL and changed for dinner. We planned to take a bus to AK and then a bus to AKL but we were the only ones on the bus so the driver took us directly to the Lodge. I pulled out one of my CM Appreciation Cards I had printed with a pic of DH and I on our honeymoon at DW ten years ago and a candy cane tapped to the back and gave it to him. Saved us lots of time. Loved BOMA’s. Did not like all the food I had but we decided we would try it all. Found a few interesting dishes and some I would never eat again but the restaurant and the AKL were beautiful - so different from anything we had ever seen before and the food was nothing like I had ever eaten growing up in an Italian family - that's for sure! Had a great CM server from NJ and she brought us free desserts on a plate with “Happy Anniversary” written on it in chocolate. Unfortunately, I could not eat another thing so we took them back to the room in a bag. I had made up my mind that this trip I was having desserts and trying everything - and this little piggy DID have one of every dessert there - Favorite was the Banana bread pudding and DH liked the one similar to a tiramisu. Liked the salad with apple vinaigrette, prime rib, lamb stew, bean/asparagus salad, cabbage/pineapple salsa, potato soup, seafood gumbo, potatoes with Afritude. When we had finished our tour of the Lodge, we again planned to have to take the bus from AKL to MK and then boat to WL but there was a new driver being trained and his supervisor had him drop us right off at WL - great! We took some more pics of WL lobby and sat downstairs awhile and headed back to room where we realized we did not have our camera. DH went down to gift shop and then tried the front desk where he found that someone had turned in our camera luckily.
I left a tip each day in the room in the Mousekeeping envelopes I had printed out on my computer and the first morning we had loads of Mickey soap and shampoo. We also found a cute washcloth bunny near the sink she had left for us. She also had made an outline of Mickey’s head out of towels waiting for us on the bed. Left her a CM Appreciation card also with her tip the next day.
Day #3 - Tuesday - EPCOT/Rehitchin’ Ceremony :hug:
DH decided he was not going to sleep Monday night (which meant I did not get my necessary sleep in order for my eyes not to be purple and red all day). Finally he got up at 4:00 a.m. pacing the room. I told him as long as he was up, he could go down to the laundry and throw a small load of clothes in to wash which he did and I got another hour of sleep. He came back and I was ready for the day - although it looked like I was ready to get back in bed. Ate breakfast in room and left at 7:30 or Epcot by bus.
WE got the craziest bus driver of the trip. Her name was pronounced (SORE IDA - as she said with her Puerto Rican accent - like the Orida Potato). She scared the one other couple on the bus as we left WL when she said it was her second day on the job and she had no license yet. She then proceeded to give us the history of DW and what WDW really means (We Don’t Work) and asked if we knew what Epcot meant (Every Paycheck Comes on Thursday) and then told us she’d take us to Epcot if we sang Feliz Navidad - in Spanish!!! Well, the other woman and I sang along but our DH’s were ready to jump off the bus. Then we picked up more people at FW and she started the routine again. This time she made us sing “The Wheels On the Bus”. When she came to the brakes on the bus she kept pumping the brakes on and off as she drove. Then when we turned off for Epcot she told everyone she was going to take the turn on two wheels and asked us to say “Wheeeee” as we went around the turn. Then she flashed the inside lights on and off and kept saying “Andele, Arriva” (like what Speedy Gonzales says - don’t know how to spell it). I told her she sounded like Speedy and she said that he was Mickey’s cousin from Puerto Rico. Some of the people on the bus were very happy we reached Epcot at that point. I thought it was funny. :rofl:
Finally got into Epcot - no wait - short lines and ran to see Space Ship Earth as we always do first. Great old ride - poor tracks on that attraction still drag along and we stopped twice.
Then we saw Cranium Command, Innovations, saw the Jaminators along the way. In the last three trips, we have never been able to see Ellen’s show in Universe of Energy - and again, this time, it was shut down the whole time we were there. Walked over to The Land to the Garden Grille to get “rehitched” which DH had no clue about. Mickey, Chip&Dale and Pluto came around every five minutes. We took a load of pics there. We had more then enough food and it was very good. Finally, one CM came around and had us stand and we were rehitched with Chip as our witness. We got our official papers and they brought us a cake and we were to kiss for a full count of 1 to 100 but then they go by 10's. Lots of fun.
WE then walked over to World Showcase and caught the statue at Italy coming out to stand in front of building. She was fantastic. If we had not seen her walk out and pose, we would never have known it was a real person. She went into her usual routine and when people walked in front of her she touched their hair or took their glasses etc. One mother brought her baby over to take a picture with her and the statue wouldn’t give the baby back. We got on line early for the 5:00 Candlelight Processional and it was well worth the wait. Very impressive and moving ceremony. They had lots of students in the choir along with the group who sings at the American Pavilion and an orchestra made up of volunteers from DW. They all sounded fantastic. The decorations were beautiful and the lights and the tree. Even the young man who was signing the words to the ceremony was wonderful. He acted out every word as he signed. Our narrator was Ben Vereen and he really acted out the entire Christmas story in words.
We left there and ran to get to LeCellier for our dinner ressies. Had to take a pager and wait about 30 minutes to get in. Had a very pretty server from Canada. She saw we were wearing our “anniversary at DW” tee shirts I had made so we got a free creme brulee for dessert. I love their breads you get before dinner. I got an Asian shrimp cocktail which is served in it’s Chinese take out box spilling out onto the plate. Very pretty presentation and delicious. I ate light as we were stuffed from the Garden Grille.
Sat at the water and watched Illuminations. Made good friends with an older lady from VA and her oldest daughter (who has fibro also) and we had time to chat awhile before, during and after Illuminations. DH was freezing in his shorts and I had shorts too but was glad I bought the new denim WL Mickey lined jacket that morning so half of me was warm. We made the mad rush to the busses with everyone else and stopped once to pick up our packages at the front gate which we had bought at the Italian pavilion. (Bought FIL his own bottle of Chianti wine in a basket and Italian orange crackers). Took bus back to WL and found that the Mousekeeper had made an Angel out of towels on our headboard complete with halo out of pipe cleaners). Also on the bed was a dog made out of towels and lots more soaps and shampoo bottles.
Day #4 - MGM/Kona at Polynesian
Took bus to MGM and spent half a day there. It was a hotter day and I was slowing down (due to my advanced age and no sleep the night before). Went on Great Movie Ride and walked around shops awhile - Got to Mama Melrose early for lunch ressies. Excellent food - our first time there. I had mozzarella and tomato appetizer and then a portobello mushroom flatbread. DH had Pencetta and rigatoni. All of it was delicious. We took our time with lunch and then decided to walk down New York Street but most of it was blocked off and under construction. I finally found the street that had the Singing in the Rain umbrella to pull but it did not work. Another man and his son were trying to get it to work also. Popped into Muppet 3D movie again - always fun. Couldn’t stay late as we had to take bus back to WL to change and then get to Polynesian for dinner at Kona. Also our first time at Kona (we ate at the Polynesian last at O’Hana and when we stayed at Poly for our honeymoon ten years ago, Kona was not there).
Had a great server - DH had shrimp and scallops - said it was fantastic - I had chicken which was very moist and tasty. Had desserts of course - apple brown betty. Took monorail to MK and boat back to WL and sat in lobby with our refillable cups full of hot chocolate. Lots of people watching to do in WL lobby and lots of fun. Got tired enough for bed and dragged ourselves up to room.
Day #5 - MK ALL DAY :tink:
Got to visit MK for third time (at night Sunday for MVMCP, for Dole Whip Meet and now for the day). We decided to forego our ressies at Chef Mickey’s for breakfast and ate at Roaring Forks instead. We also cancelled Citrico’s dinner ressies as I was beginning to drag a little from the park hopping and busses/boats etc. We stopped at Grand Floridian and saw the decorations and that great Gingerbread House in the lobby. Then we took the monorail to MK and just walked around and hit the attractions again we loved the most. We had hot dogs at a cart in Liberty Square and dinner at Plaza Café. We took in Mickey’s Philharmagic again as well as It’s A Small World, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear (first time), Timekeeper, rode the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and hit all the shops on Main Street. Got back to ride Big Thunder Mountain and this time I actually kept my eyes open. Went on Pirates of Caribbean, saw Hall of Presidents, rode the Riverboat, , went to Haunted Mansion
Day #6 - Last Full Day - Trails End Meet
Got up at 5:30, and DH brought up food from Roaring Forks for breakfast. I called Tagrel on his cell phone and he and his wife were on their way over to WL to check in. DH and I went down to lobby at 7:30 to meet them both. I had a little something to give Dave to thank him for this great site. And ladies, he is just so cute and looks just like his pictures. His wife is a doll and we enjoyed talking to them, as short as it was. They went to eat while waiting for their room and DH and I took started to pack up some bags early to prepare for our departure the next day (loud sobs in background). :cry: :cry: We decided not to use up a park hopper for the day when we had spent so much time on our feet the day before. Instead we decided to take another DVC tour just to see the rooms they were showing for the new Saratoga Springs Resort due to open in May 2004. Beautiful new rooms. Still thinking of it. Was a little turned off by woman giving the presentation. She told us we had until today to give our answer in order to get a special offer and I explained that by Monday we may still be in the car fighting the snow and ice trying to get back home. Instead of having any sympathy for what could be a long dangerous ride home, she told us we could call her from our cell phone in our car as we drove (through the blizzard). That was a turn off right there. (By the way, we didn’t call today).
We were driven back to WL where we picked up my huge bag of goodies I wanted to give out at the meet and to get more film for this auspicious occasion. We had changed from our Mickey Mouse matching sweatshirts (ahhhhhhhh how sweet) :roll:
to short sleeved shirts with Mickey (me) and Eeyore (DH) as it was a HOT day. Of course, once the little open boat came to take us to FW, the weather got cold and windy. We walked over to the meet and on the front porch in the rocking chairs were LimeGreenCheri and her daughter and BetsyAnn and “the mom”. Pretty soon more Taginators were showing up. DH and I went inside to have lunch as it was due to end at 2:30. Inside we hooked up with flsharon again and met her DH (very tall and very nice). We also finally got to meet Margaret J, Bianca and Bernard, Jim, Mike S., WillCAD, Stinkerbelle, Alicia G., Linda, Diskid, Villan Girl, Pammy, Figgy, Ronski (minus the kilt - oh but WITH pants on!) and a surprise cameo appearance by Dave-Tagrel himself.(I am so sorry if I forgot someone but remember I am getting older by the minute and the memory is the first to go). I loved meeting you all and it was the perfect ending to a perfect vacation. Mike S. brought us all keychains and pins, WillCAD gave us each a poster of an aerial view of DW (which I plan to frame and hang by my computer). We talked on the front porch as long as we could, took some group shots and then had to leave for our boat back to WL and to finish packing. We all thanked Dave for the great job he does here. It was so good to be able to put faces with names I have been writing to for years now. It was also good to know that I’m not the only Disneyholic/Mickeynut around and that we are not weird people because of our addiction (well there were a few weird ones but that’s another story - just joking!!). Everyone was fantastic and friendly and all seemed like long lost friends we were meeting again and not for the first time. I truly enjoyed the meets the most and hope to continue friendships with all of you while waiting for the next meet to come.
Day #7 - LAST DAY (Uncontrolled sobbing in background) :cry: :cry:
Well guys, the day had arrived much too quickly. This trip took a full year to plan and here it was ..... over already. We were very sorry to be leaving and besides having to say goodbye to newly found friends, we were heading up north to what was supposed to be not one, but two active blizzards in and around our state. We ate at Whispering Pines and our server “Hickory” had the entire room take out their napkins and wave goodbye to us as we left. We had our stuff packed up and had started to stuff the van full the night before so only had our “road bag” to take down and some snacks. We gave one last long goodbye look at the beautiful WL lobby, sighed, and headed out to our van and our long ride home.
BUT, on a happy note, DH actually said, “This was a great time of year to come” - and the words I thought I’d never hear, “Book this same time next year” (oh my gosh, did he say he wanted to come back again next year? This was too good to be true. Would that mean I wouldn’t have to beg and plead to make another trip to see my man Mickey? My only worry was that I had no witnesses to actually hear him say it, fearing he would deny it once we were home).
Well, after two long days of driving, we hit some snow but all roads were clear. We got in fairly early on Sunday and had time to unpack and start the laundry and make piles of souvenirs and maps and paperwork etc. We enjoyed our first night ever in our new home alone without FIL in the last year and had some of that Asti Spumonte our neighbor had sent us in front of our fireplace talking about our trip. It was a good trip and I’m ready to plan the next one. Thanks again to Dave for all his work and thanks to all our friends we finally got to meet and have fun with. Until next meet.............................................
:angelPray:
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Cast of Characters:
Cinderella - Disneyholic/MickeyNut All Around Pleasant Person :roll:
The Prince - My DH - not as enthusiastic but willing to give in to my addiction :?
Day #1 - Sunday, November 30th - Arrival and MVMCP
:minnie: :minnie: :mickeyXmas:
Well guys, after a LONG year taking care of FIL, we finally found an assisted living home for him to stay temporarily and got our act together for our long anticipated trip to see Mickey again and to meet up with fellow Taginators!
Bags were packed weeks ahead of time (of course) hotel plans were made and ressies were called in, nine sets of directions were waiting to be used, newer used van was purchased and outfitted for the journey south from PA. All Disney tee-shirts/jackets/sweatshirts/jewelry/
snacks etc. were ready in the van to go. Camera’s, film, minute by minute plans were in my bag and anxious to leave.
Did not sleep the night before we left as usual and DH took FIL to assisted living and we jumped in van and took off before they called to say, “come back and get him”. I am the long-distance designated driver so I had my doo-wop CD’s ready to play and my bubble gum at my side. We hit the road by 11:00 and had a fairly uneventful ride down. Light traffic all the way - good weather.
Arrived at DisneyWorld and I started tearing up, not believing we had finally made it. Drove up to the front of Wilderness Lodge and felt like I was “home again”. The lobby was GORGEOUS! The tree was beautiful. No rooms ready as we got there about 11:00 a.m. so we had to take a smoking room with a woods view. Unpacked our things and walked around to see the decorations everywhere - wreaths with moose antlers tucked in them, little trees in every nook - so comfortable feeling. We grabbed a snack at Roaring Forks and bought our refillable mugs.
Then it was time to change and off to my very first ever Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
We took the boat from WL to MK and got there by 5:00 pm. MK - my “home” - I was really there!!! We first saw the new 75 Mickey’s out front of the railroad station and they were all so different. We got into MK with the MVMCP tickets and we walked down to LTT for dinner. We were to meet up with PADisneylover but I couldn’t find her. The food was great and Minnie, Chip&Dale and Pluto came around to each table over and over. We got lots of good pics.
We left LTT and walked down Main Street to see all the fantastic decorations and the first thing I did was buy a silly hat which I wore all night - Jessica Rabbit Hat with red lips all over, a tall pipe cleaner sticking up on top with mistletoe at the end of it (it pays to be prepared). LOVED the party. We tried to get on as many rides/attractions as we could fit in. Favorite new attraction was Mickey’s Philharmagic - great!!! Loved the show at the Galaxy theater “Mickey’s Night Before Christmas”. Saw THE best parade and fireworks ever since I’ve been going to DW. I kept looking up to try and remember where Tinkerbell would be flying and to my delight, she was directly over our heads!!! Finally gave in to much needed sleep and we left to get back to WL. Stopped at the lounge and had a Bailey’s and got to sleep with a big smile on my face. :lol:
Day #2 - Animal Kingdom/Dole Whip Meet at MK
Woke up to a call from the front desk saying they had a package for us but we’d need to show our photo I.D. as it contained liquor. We were both wondering what was being brought up. To our delight, we received a wicker tray with a bottle of AstiSpumonte, two gorgeous Mickey wine glasses, some crackers, cheese spread and chocolate candies. When we read the note we found it was from a new neighbor of ours back home. Very sweet of him. Note to myself: have him over for lasagna when we get home.
Well, had breakfast in the room, dressed and headed out for our first full day at Animal Kingdom. Took the bus - no wait. It was early entry and we walked right in. Ran to see Dinosaur again - one of our favorites. Then we hit the Safari Ride and ITTBAB again (love that stinkbug!). Walked around a short time and had to leave in time to get bus to Contemporary and then monorail to MK for my first ever meet with other Taginators!!!! I had been waiting for this all year. We ate at Casey’s real quick and listened to the piano and music along Main Street again. Then I literally “ran” to Adventureland to the Aloha Isle to find these other disneyholics I had been emailing to all year.
DH and I walked near the Aloha Isle and I immediately spotted and recognized Happy Camper and her DH. She looked exactly like her picture so it was easy. We both talked at the same time to get in as much as we could for such a short meet. Our DH’s sat down and introduced themselves while Happy Camper and I waited for the others. Before long we saw ddoll and flsharon, LimeGreenCheri (who I did not recognize at first from her picture and thought she was saying her name was Sherry. When I realized it was THE Cheri, I went over and gave her a proper greeting), HockeyMom, Betsy Ann, Chris R, Fulltimemama (only a short while) with her DH and children. Finally I met NancyBJ who looked exactly like I had pictured her, not ever seeing a pic of her posted. She was with her DH and two beautiful girls. “The” Mom was also there. We exchanged goodies (I had bought small canvas bags and used transfer paper to iron on each person’s name and/or picture on the front with “Tagrel Meet Dec. 2003" on it and just put in some stickers and pencils and peppermint candies - just something so they’d remember who I was and to thank them for giving me many happy hours of laughs on site. Nancy BJ gave us pins and lollipops and HockeyMom brought gum made in her town (thanks HM - we finished it all up while at DW). Everyone was hugging and laughing and we were all acting like old friends before long. Thousands of pictures were taken and when I get the money, I will take my 9 rolls to be developed this week and post some on site.
Our DH’s took pics from each camera while us “girls” posed. Reluctantly, we finally parted as we had dinner ressies and were making our first journey to AKL and Boma’s. :cry:
Took boat from MK to WL and changed for dinner. We planned to take a bus to AK and then a bus to AKL but we were the only ones on the bus so the driver took us directly to the Lodge. I pulled out one of my CM Appreciation Cards I had printed with a pic of DH and I on our honeymoon at DW ten years ago and a candy cane tapped to the back and gave it to him. Saved us lots of time. Loved BOMA’s. Did not like all the food I had but we decided we would try it all. Found a few interesting dishes and some I would never eat again but the restaurant and the AKL were beautiful - so different from anything we had ever seen before and the food was nothing like I had ever eaten growing up in an Italian family - that's for sure! Had a great CM server from NJ and she brought us free desserts on a plate with “Happy Anniversary” written on it in chocolate. Unfortunately, I could not eat another thing so we took them back to the room in a bag. I had made up my mind that this trip I was having desserts and trying everything - and this little piggy DID have one of every dessert there - Favorite was the Banana bread pudding and DH liked the one similar to a tiramisu. Liked the salad with apple vinaigrette, prime rib, lamb stew, bean/asparagus salad, cabbage/pineapple salsa, potato soup, seafood gumbo, potatoes with Afritude. When we had finished our tour of the Lodge, we again planned to have to take the bus from AKL to MK and then boat to WL but there was a new driver being trained and his supervisor had him drop us right off at WL - great! We took some more pics of WL lobby and sat downstairs awhile and headed back to room where we realized we did not have our camera. DH went down to gift shop and then tried the front desk where he found that someone had turned in our camera luckily.
I left a tip each day in the room in the Mousekeeping envelopes I had printed out on my computer and the first morning we had loads of Mickey soap and shampoo. We also found a cute washcloth bunny near the sink she had left for us. She also had made an outline of Mickey’s head out of towels waiting for us on the bed. Left her a CM Appreciation card also with her tip the next day.
Day #3 - Tuesday - EPCOT/Rehitchin’ Ceremony :hug:
DH decided he was not going to sleep Monday night (which meant I did not get my necessary sleep in order for my eyes not to be purple and red all day). Finally he got up at 4:00 a.m. pacing the room. I told him as long as he was up, he could go down to the laundry and throw a small load of clothes in to wash which he did and I got another hour of sleep. He came back and I was ready for the day - although it looked like I was ready to get back in bed. Ate breakfast in room and left at 7:30 or Epcot by bus.
WE got the craziest bus driver of the trip. Her name was pronounced (SORE IDA - as she said with her Puerto Rican accent - like the Orida Potato). She scared the one other couple on the bus as we left WL when she said it was her second day on the job and she had no license yet. She then proceeded to give us the history of DW and what WDW really means (We Don’t Work) and asked if we knew what Epcot meant (Every Paycheck Comes on Thursday) and then told us she’d take us to Epcot if we sang Feliz Navidad - in Spanish!!! Well, the other woman and I sang along but our DH’s were ready to jump off the bus. Then we picked up more people at FW and she started the routine again. This time she made us sing “The Wheels On the Bus”. When she came to the brakes on the bus she kept pumping the brakes on and off as she drove. Then when we turned off for Epcot she told everyone she was going to take the turn on two wheels and asked us to say “Wheeeee” as we went around the turn. Then she flashed the inside lights on and off and kept saying “Andele, Arriva” (like what Speedy Gonzales says - don’t know how to spell it). I told her she sounded like Speedy and she said that he was Mickey’s cousin from Puerto Rico. Some of the people on the bus were very happy we reached Epcot at that point. I thought it was funny. :rofl:
Finally got into Epcot - no wait - short lines and ran to see Space Ship Earth as we always do first. Great old ride - poor tracks on that attraction still drag along and we stopped twice.
Then we saw Cranium Command, Innovations, saw the Jaminators along the way. In the last three trips, we have never been able to see Ellen’s show in Universe of Energy - and again, this time, it was shut down the whole time we were there. Walked over to The Land to the Garden Grille to get “rehitched” which DH had no clue about. Mickey, Chip&Dale and Pluto came around every five minutes. We took a load of pics there. We had more then enough food and it was very good. Finally, one CM came around and had us stand and we were rehitched with Chip as our witness. We got our official papers and they brought us a cake and we were to kiss for a full count of 1 to 100 but then they go by 10's. Lots of fun.
WE then walked over to World Showcase and caught the statue at Italy coming out to stand in front of building. She was fantastic. If we had not seen her walk out and pose, we would never have known it was a real person. She went into her usual routine and when people walked in front of her she touched their hair or took their glasses etc. One mother brought her baby over to take a picture with her and the statue wouldn’t give the baby back. We got on line early for the 5:00 Candlelight Processional and it was well worth the wait. Very impressive and moving ceremony. They had lots of students in the choir along with the group who sings at the American Pavilion and an orchestra made up of volunteers from DW. They all sounded fantastic. The decorations were beautiful and the lights and the tree. Even the young man who was signing the words to the ceremony was wonderful. He acted out every word as he signed. Our narrator was Ben Vereen and he really acted out the entire Christmas story in words.
We left there and ran to get to LeCellier for our dinner ressies. Had to take a pager and wait about 30 minutes to get in. Had a very pretty server from Canada. She saw we were wearing our “anniversary at DW” tee shirts I had made so we got a free creme brulee for dessert. I love their breads you get before dinner. I got an Asian shrimp cocktail which is served in it’s Chinese take out box spilling out onto the plate. Very pretty presentation and delicious. I ate light as we were stuffed from the Garden Grille.
Sat at the water and watched Illuminations. Made good friends with an older lady from VA and her oldest daughter (who has fibro also) and we had time to chat awhile before, during and after Illuminations. DH was freezing in his shorts and I had shorts too but was glad I bought the new denim WL Mickey lined jacket that morning so half of me was warm. We made the mad rush to the busses with everyone else and stopped once to pick up our packages at the front gate which we had bought at the Italian pavilion. (Bought FIL his own bottle of Chianti wine in a basket and Italian orange crackers). Took bus back to WL and found that the Mousekeeper had made an Angel out of towels on our headboard complete with halo out of pipe cleaners). Also on the bed was a dog made out of towels and lots more soaps and shampoo bottles.
Day #4 - MGM/Kona at Polynesian
Took bus to MGM and spent half a day there. It was a hotter day and I was slowing down (due to my advanced age and no sleep the night before). Went on Great Movie Ride and walked around shops awhile - Got to Mama Melrose early for lunch ressies. Excellent food - our first time there. I had mozzarella and tomato appetizer and then a portobello mushroom flatbread. DH had Pencetta and rigatoni. All of it was delicious. We took our time with lunch and then decided to walk down New York Street but most of it was blocked off and under construction. I finally found the street that had the Singing in the Rain umbrella to pull but it did not work. Another man and his son were trying to get it to work also. Popped into Muppet 3D movie again - always fun. Couldn’t stay late as we had to take bus back to WL to change and then get to Polynesian for dinner at Kona. Also our first time at Kona (we ate at the Polynesian last at O’Hana and when we stayed at Poly for our honeymoon ten years ago, Kona was not there).
Had a great server - DH had shrimp and scallops - said it was fantastic - I had chicken which was very moist and tasty. Had desserts of course - apple brown betty. Took monorail to MK and boat back to WL and sat in lobby with our refillable cups full of hot chocolate. Lots of people watching to do in WL lobby and lots of fun. Got tired enough for bed and dragged ourselves up to room.
Day #5 - MK ALL DAY :tink:
Got to visit MK for third time (at night Sunday for MVMCP, for Dole Whip Meet and now for the day). We decided to forego our ressies at Chef Mickey’s for breakfast and ate at Roaring Forks instead. We also cancelled Citrico’s dinner ressies as I was beginning to drag a little from the park hopping and busses/boats etc. We stopped at Grand Floridian and saw the decorations and that great Gingerbread House in the lobby. Then we took the monorail to MK and just walked around and hit the attractions again we loved the most. We had hot dogs at a cart in Liberty Square and dinner at Plaza Café. We took in Mickey’s Philharmagic again as well as It’s A Small World, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear (first time), Timekeeper, rode the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and hit all the shops on Main Street. Got back to ride Big Thunder Mountain and this time I actually kept my eyes open. Went on Pirates of Caribbean, saw Hall of Presidents, rode the Riverboat, , went to Haunted Mansion
Day #6 - Last Full Day - Trails End Meet
Got up at 5:30, and DH brought up food from Roaring Forks for breakfast. I called Tagrel on his cell phone and he and his wife were on their way over to WL to check in. DH and I went down to lobby at 7:30 to meet them both. I had a little something to give Dave to thank him for this great site. And ladies, he is just so cute and looks just like his pictures. His wife is a doll and we enjoyed talking to them, as short as it was. They went to eat while waiting for their room and DH and I took started to pack up some bags early to prepare for our departure the next day (loud sobs in background). :cry: :cry: We decided not to use up a park hopper for the day when we had spent so much time on our feet the day before. Instead we decided to take another DVC tour just to see the rooms they were showing for the new Saratoga Springs Resort due to open in May 2004. Beautiful new rooms. Still thinking of it. Was a little turned off by woman giving the presentation. She told us we had until today to give our answer in order to get a special offer and I explained that by Monday we may still be in the car fighting the snow and ice trying to get back home. Instead of having any sympathy for what could be a long dangerous ride home, she told us we could call her from our cell phone in our car as we drove (through the blizzard). That was a turn off right there. (By the way, we didn’t call today).
We were driven back to WL where we picked up my huge bag of goodies I wanted to give out at the meet and to get more film for this auspicious occasion. We had changed from our Mickey Mouse matching sweatshirts (ahhhhhhhh how sweet) :roll:
to short sleeved shirts with Mickey (me) and Eeyore (DH) as it was a HOT day. Of course, once the little open boat came to take us to FW, the weather got cold and windy. We walked over to the meet and on the front porch in the rocking chairs were LimeGreenCheri and her daughter and BetsyAnn and “the mom”. Pretty soon more Taginators were showing up. DH and I went inside to have lunch as it was due to end at 2:30. Inside we hooked up with flsharon again and met her DH (very tall and very nice). We also finally got to meet Margaret J, Bianca and Bernard, Jim, Mike S., WillCAD, Stinkerbelle, Alicia G., Linda, Diskid, Villan Girl, Pammy, Figgy, Ronski (minus the kilt - oh but WITH pants on!) and a surprise cameo appearance by Dave-Tagrel himself.(I am so sorry if I forgot someone but remember I am getting older by the minute and the memory is the first to go). I loved meeting you all and it was the perfect ending to a perfect vacation. Mike S. brought us all keychains and pins, WillCAD gave us each a poster of an aerial view of DW (which I plan to frame and hang by my computer). We talked on the front porch as long as we could, took some group shots and then had to leave for our boat back to WL and to finish packing. We all thanked Dave for the great job he does here. It was so good to be able to put faces with names I have been writing to for years now. It was also good to know that I’m not the only Disneyholic/Mickeynut around and that we are not weird people because of our addiction (well there were a few weird ones but that’s another story - just joking!!). Everyone was fantastic and friendly and all seemed like long lost friends we were meeting again and not for the first time. I truly enjoyed the meets the most and hope to continue friendships with all of you while waiting for the next meet to come.
Day #7 - LAST DAY (Uncontrolled sobbing in background) :cry: :cry:
Well guys, the day had arrived much too quickly. This trip took a full year to plan and here it was ..... over already. We were very sorry to be leaving and besides having to say goodbye to newly found friends, we were heading up north to what was supposed to be not one, but two active blizzards in and around our state. We ate at Whispering Pines and our server “Hickory” had the entire room take out their napkins and wave goodbye to us as we left. We had our stuff packed up and had started to stuff the van full the night before so only had our “road bag” to take down and some snacks. We gave one last long goodbye look at the beautiful WL lobby, sighed, and headed out to our van and our long ride home.
BUT, on a happy note, DH actually said, “This was a great time of year to come” - and the words I thought I’d never hear, “Book this same time next year” (oh my gosh, did he say he wanted to come back again next year? This was too good to be true. Would that mean I wouldn’t have to beg and plead to make another trip to see my man Mickey? My only worry was that I had no witnesses to actually hear him say it, fearing he would deny it once we were home).
Well, after two long days of driving, we hit some snow but all roads were clear. We got in fairly early on Sunday and had time to unpack and start the laundry and make piles of souvenirs and maps and paperwork etc. We enjoyed our first night ever in our new home alone without FIL in the last year and had some of that Asti Spumonte our neighbor had sent us in front of our fireplace talking about our trip. It was a good trip and I’m ready to plan the next one. Thanks again to Dave for all his work and thanks to all our friends we finally got to meet and have fun with. Until next meet.............................................
:angelPray:
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