~~~~ Sew, it seams this trip wasn't the adventure we had planned! ~~ January 2018! ~~ COMPLETE 5/6!

Following along even if I don’t comment to often!

Looks like a great start to the trip!

If you don’t mind me asking which car service do you uses? We have used mears in the past but they seem a bit pricey maybe? Just looking for other options.
 
Yay! The adventure has begun. Ya'll are too beautiful with being up so early after such a late flight. MK for the first day was such a good choice. Love the pics of the three of you. Can't wait to read more.

Your room location was not the best. You made me laugh too hard with the "look to the right of the tree and you can see a bit of fireworks".

We had to fly in late when we went to US; I had a perfect non stop flight right after lunch then Shane said he had to take a test that afternoon; we had to book a much later flight with one stop that was delayed; we got to the hotel at 10:50 right when the food court was closing at 11:00. I told the guys to run and get food and I will check us in. Lesson learned.

I am loving all of the clothes you are making. You are so, so talented. I can't even sew a button on.

Following along!!
 
The sandwiches from the grocery store sound disgusting. It is really hard to get something to eat when your flight arrives late. I've always been surprised at that, too, when there are so many people who are up that late.

I love the picture of the three of you with your back to the camera, looking over your shoulder.

I love all the Disney bags in your Dis meet picture. They are all very cute.
 
I'm joining in. I'm so jealous of your talent. My mom and grandmother are great seamstresses but I can't even sew on a button. Where did you get those awesome purses? Did you make those?
 


I've read and enjoyed every one of your trip reports. Finally checking in to say hi and let you know how much I appreciate them! They must be a lot of work! Looking forward to the rest of the report even though it sounds like there may be a few bumps up ahead... And love all the clothing and bags!
 
That late arrival doesn't sound like fun. I'm surprised that Walmart wasn't open. All the ones up here are 24 hr. store. Maybe the one's down there aren't?
I like your new glasses. I got mine in July and can't get a new pair until this July. My daughter's like Allison. She's just not sure of the new styles and likes her smaller frames.
I stopped at Target after work. It was really busy. I needed some food and my store doesn't carry fresh fruit or veggies. We're too small. Aldi never has much one a Saturday night. It's better during the week.
V.'s Nutella looks good. I wonder if they could eave the bananas off? That's one of my many food allergies
You've been really busy sewing and your latest projects are really cute.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend
Liz
 


I remember in my PTR - someone (can't remember who) told me that she once flew this late and the really sucky part of it was that they arrived starving and NOTHING was open.

It might have been me!! But just in case you ever do decide on another late flight, I learned something from our arrival for our New Year's trip. Apparently there is a McDonalds somewhere in the main terminal area that is open 24 hours. I learned this from an Orlando local who was in line behind us waiting for baggage who flies in and out a lot for work. Also, the restaurant and lounge at McCoy's in the Hyatt is open until 11 and 12, respectively. It's where we ended up having dinner on our arrival night (and we stayed at the Hyatt that night)

We didn't know that they now take ride photos on this ride... As you can probably tell. LOL

Haha! I have one like that somewhere too, I think from October. I knew they were doing pictures but didn't know where the camera was...luckily, neither does anyone else :rotfl:
 
Day 1 Part II

With full bellies - well, some of us anyways...

We were headed towards our first FP of the trip... BTMRR - a family favorite. We love riding this ride (as with most coasters) in the 2nd to the last seat. This one is a lot of fun if you are seated alone... You slide back n' forth. :lmao:

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When exiting BTMRR there was a photopass photographer there - we grabbed a few extra sunny photos. I love this location for the background, but it always seems to be in the sun - so we get some crazy squinty pictures.

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This one is better...

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We decided to take a few minutes to explore the Main Street shops on our way to The Plaza for lunch... I was starving and ready to check in as early as possible. V took this opportunity to get a photo of her new tattoo with the Castle in the background.

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We also noticed a photopass photographer positioned right in front of "our tree"...

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Sadly, our tree was walled off due to refurb - so this was the best we could do for a now n' then this trip...

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While waiting for our Plaza table...

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We were seated almost immediately, I ordered The Plaza Club - Smoked Ham, Turkey, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayonnaise layered on Sourdough Bread with choice of Broccoli Slaw, Homemade Chips, or French Fries... Pretty sure this is the only time I got the fries. This was very good - and quite honestly, I was hungry enough that I could have eaten about 8 more. ::yes::

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Victoria had ordered the bottomless PB&J milkshake, but once she was done with her meal, she was so full that she didn't even want a refill. :eek: Our waiter was kind enough to give Allison and I each a cup to take with us of V's milkshake. :lovestruc So, both of us got a bit of our favorite.

We were done with our a little early, and I was texting long-time Dis friend Casey... We figured it out before we left, we have been Dis friends since 2012 - we were actually in WDW together in March of 2012, but we weren't able to coordinate a meet at that time. I was super excited to finally be able to meet her (and her mom). They are both so adorable and so sweet!

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We said our goodbyes, and parted ways...

The girls and I headed out to our next FP - Haunted Mansion... When V was 4 ~ and me not knowing anything about Disney rides ~ I mean - the name Haunted Mansion should have given me a clue, right? Anyways - we took her on HM and she SCREAMED bloody murder the entire ride... Ever since then - this is NOT her favorite ride. Terrible, terrible mother, I know. My poor 18 year old daughter still struggles with HM residual memories from when she was 4. Long story to say... She didn't ride.

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I timed our FPs, so when we were done at HM, we could go straight to 7DMT... As usual, with most coasters, we request the back...

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We were tired... We landed late last night, we were up early... We decided it was time for our traditional "Disney nap"... We took a bunch of Photopass pictures on our way out of the park...

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And we also shopped in the stores down the left side (as you exit) of Main Street.

Monorail ----> Poly ----> No Shady Shuttle, so we had to walk...

Shades of Green lobby area...

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Back at our room... Allison and I took a nap... While she went in search of a Spirit Jersey that she just *had* to have...​

Link to Day 1 Part III

D~
 
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What a shame that your tree where you take now and then photos is gone.

I can understand why V won't ride Haunted Mansion after her experience when she was 4. I have a few experiences myself form when I was 3 years old and my parents took me to Universal Studios and WDW. So now I hate roller coasters and dark rides.
 
Day 1 ~ Part III

At 4:45, V was successful on her Spirit Jersey mission & we were out the door of SoG...

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Shady Shuttle ----> Poly

A quick detour to Cpt. Cooks for our favorite... Pork Nachos and Hawaiian Flatbread. YUM!

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While we were there, guess who found us?????

My very good, long time Dis friend, Cindy! And her wonderful DH, Gerald! :woohoo: Gosh I missed this girl so much - all of us did!!!! Cindy has made many (many, many) appearances in my TRs... so many, the girls and I pretty much consider her family. :lovestruc

We all sat together for a while and visited... Then we shopped at Bou Tiki where I purchased a Disney World exclusive Pandora bracelet to hold all of the Disney beads I'd received for Christmas. I am so happy I got this - it was a large expense out of my Souvenir budget, but it was something I really wanted.

Transportation resumed... Monorail ----> MK

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Again, we shopped. LOL I needed a "Millennial Pink" Magic Band for my outfit the next day... Yah - I am weird. I must coordinate everything. ::yes::

And V purchased 2 new Pandora beads at the Pandora store... I know one had flowers on it and one is a color changing one... I don't think I took any pictures?

We decided to head into Tomorrowland and do a cherished favorite...

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Carousel of Progress!

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And then BLSRS...

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Some how... Don't even ask how... I ended up with 999,999. :eek: Honestly, I looked down and there it was - I have no idea which target I hit, but :woohoo: I'll take it!

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When we finished on BLSRS, we all decided it was time for a nice relaxing ride on the People Mover...

We were all scrambling to get a seat, and poor Allison pulling up the rear, ended up isolated and alone. :lmao: My gosh - we laughed at her for the entire ride.

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We were tired and decided to exit the park...

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Monorail ----> Poly ---->

A quick stop for V to swoon at her favorite Stitch (one day she will break down a purchase him)... She did find out that he is only $10 to ship home - so she is seriously considering parting with some of her souvenir $$. Until then...

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We said goodbye to Cindy and Gerald...

And walked towards SoG, stopping for a few brief minutes to watch the fireworks...

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Once we got back to SoG, we decided that we were (once again) starving... So we walked down to Evergreens to have a quick "snack" - which ended up being pizza and an onion ring tower. We devoured the pizza, but the onion rings - we took them to-go and they sat in our fridge all week.

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We walked back to our room and made preparations for tomorrow... It's our FAVORITE park day coming up... With my FAVORITE outfit of all time! It's gonna be a great day! :woohoo:

We were in bed at 10:30pm with 19,000 steps.​

Link to Day 2 part I

D~
 
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Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Day 2 ~ Part I ~ Animal Kingdom


It's only our FAVORITE park, our FAVORITE-EST day ever, with our FAVORITE food, FAVORITE ride, FAVORITE characters, FAVORITE outfit theme...

Did you get that it's our FAVORITE?

Ok - I was up at 5am...

I showered immediately, so I could be done before I woke the girls.

I always wake them progressively on trips - I find this just works out best...

Allison was next at 5:45am...

Then V at 6 - with a bribe of Starbucks. ::yes::

We were all ready and out the door at 7:15.

We tried for the Shady Shuttle, but it wasn't out yet...

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Walk ----> Poly ----> 5 minute wait for AK bus. Nice!

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We arrived at AK at 7:50am... 9 am park opening, but we had an 8:05 breakfast reservation at Tusker House. We are pretty predictable. LOL

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Seriously people... What could be better than this????

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Not even the Photopass photographers were out yet... but we managed to flag down a nice CM and she was kind enough to take a quick picture for us.

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We checked in and waited for a few minutes to be called back.

Side note: Allison and I took this moment for a bio break and to wash our hands. I don't talk about it much in my TR - but I was quite obsessive about hand washing on this trip. As a matter of fact, for the entire duration of this trip - I never once used my hands to touch any railing, door handle or ride vehicle (with exception to BLSRS and TSM - you kinda have to, to participate)... This took a lot of talent and improvisation. Wish I could say that it helped in the end. Allison was pretty obsessive about hand washing - not nearly as much as I was... And V - not at all (except for normal hand washing) - and she gave us a LOT of crap for being vigilant. I didn't want to be sick. ::yes::

Ok - back to food...

Our server took us back to our table and suggested we go right away to get our food, as there was a bit of time before the characters started. We took her advice and loaded up our plates.

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I immediately asked our server for our check, so I could get it paid and we could leave as soon as we were ready... She looked a little disappointed, and assumed that we were leaving quickly for FoP... I paid our bill and I tipped well... And then we ate and enjoyed the characters.

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We all missed Donald because we were up getting food. I was kinda sad, but I've met him a bazillion times and I wasn't wearing my Donald gear this time, so it wasn't that big of a deal.

Our meal was great - as usual. I forced myself to eat some fruit, so I'd at least have some normal food in my belly.

When we were finished, we exited the door closest to Kiliminjaro Safari just at park opening... There was no line, as expected and we walked right on, riding the 2nd vehicle to depart for the day.

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And then, very out of order, I am sure...

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Oh wait, these guys aren't on the safari... Or are they? :scratchin (Just seeing if you all are paying attention)

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The safari was fantastic, as usual. I honestly think the best time to ride it is right away in the morning.

When we finished the safari, we made our way to Expedition Everest - our FAVORITE coaster!

We found a photopass photographer on the way...

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And this one too - this photographer was fun... And we got some great/awkward expressions and poses. :lmao:

(I can't do the scared/shocked pose for the life of me...)
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Then he told us to "fly"
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And act like monkeys... LOL
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Link to Day 2 Part II

D~
 
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BTW - I share this because I know you’ll understand how good it feels - I paid off one of my credit cards yesterday. It was the smallest of the ones I have left, but still - it’s done!

We’ve decided not to build the house - it’s just too expensive abc we’re feeling an strong desire to get out of debt. So now we’re looking at existing construction and hoping we find something. We looked at one house yesterday that may be a possibility but it has the smallest master bath I’ve ever seen- smaller than the bathroom in our newlywed apartment. So we shall see...

Brie has definitely decided to go on a church mission so I’m waiting on her departure date information so I can book our Disneyland trip. The money is already set aside.

I still feel so bad that V got so sick on your trip and that you got sick, too!

Hugs!
 
I love V's tattoo, I'm so obsessed with Tangled, I managed to convince my husband to take me on the Magic in April so we can see the show and eat in the new Rapunzel themed restaurant. I love riding the safari very first thing in the morning too, when we went in October, everyone ran to Pandora and we practically had an empty vehicle for the safari, it was perfect! I can't wait to read more!
 
What great magic shots you got! I always ask for them but they always sort of look the same...
 
Hi! Fellow Minnesotan. I live in Monticello Mn. It is between Maple Grove and St Cloud. Just wanted to pop in and say I always enjoy reading your trip reports. Loved the pics of years back in front of the tree with the girls.
 
You had two fun days! The food at the Plaza looks pretty good. I’ve never really given that restaurant a thought; maybe I should. I love the Haunted Mansion, but my boys don’t really care for it. Maybe it’s because they rode it when they were two-years-old. It probably wasn’t my best mom moment either, lol.

So jealous of your pork nachos. It’s one of my favorite Disney foods! I’m dying to get a pink rose band for this summer. I won’t buy one, but I’m hoping it’ll be available to order as one of the color choices by then.

Tusker House is always a fun breakfast. I haven’t been for a long time. Last time we went Donald took pics before entering the restaurant. Is it different now? We always ride the safari first thing in the morning, too. I think the animals are more active. I’m hoping to ride it at night this summer. I think that would be pretty cool.
 

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