Smelling the Roses before Sailing the Seas-Live **Updated 6/22** About This Page:

[mattnkatsmum]

Awww. I had no idea you were posting live updates. The day job is getting in the way of my PassPorter life at present.

Sounds like you're having an amazing time. Thanks for thinking of me on my birthday. You're a star, Lesley.

Enjoy the rest of your trip and say hi to Terri from me.

[WDWfan]

Today was busy. Terri and I headed over to MK in the morning. Started out with Buzz - and Terri became a Galactic Hero - 999,999! Of course it was helped by the ride being stopped while we were in the volcano room.

Lunch at the Plaza - the Hot fuddge sundae.

Eileen - The bagpiper in the white room still needs to learn how to keep time. And Terri has video proof. Also Terri said to tell you that the Plants in the Tea Cups at UK in Epcot are all different flavors of Twinnings Tea.

Dinner tonight was at Tepan Edo - my first time there and I really enjoyed it. Our chef was amazing!

Daisy is still with child.

We're repacking the suitcases and will have a VERY early morning tomorrow. We need to be up, finish packing, bags to bell services and meet P-Sha for breakfast at 7:30. Guess I'd better get to bed. For the next update check the cruise forum in Terri's report!

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by WDWfan

Eileen - The bagpiper in the white room still needs to learn how to keep time.

Zoiks -- it's been months! You'd think someone would get the poor bloke some good sheet music to learn!

Originally Posted by WDWfan

Terri said to tell you that the Plants in the Tea Cups at UK in Epcot are all different flavors of Twinnings Tea.

That's so -- I can't wait to see it myself in just a couple of weeks.

You ladies have a blast on your cruise!
Eileen

[chezp]

Sounds like you're having a great time - and some wonderful meals.

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you're having a great time!! Good luck on the cruise

[lauren-roxy]

Sounds like you are having a really great time!!

[tammyd_rn]

Great live updates. I can't wait to hear all about the juicy details. Have a great time with P-Sha and your cruise.

[MickeyMAC]

Sounds like you've had a great time. Enjoy breakfast with Sharon and a trip on Toy Story. Can't wait to read all about the cruise. Have fun.

[wheatenwalker]

So jealous!! And glad you are having such a great trip!

[DyanKJ130]

Great update, Lesley! Hope you & Terri had a nice breakfast with Sharon! Have fun on the cruise!!

[Luvsun]

Have a wonderful time on the cruise!

[ilovedisney247]

Great live updates--hope you ladies are having a blast on the cruise!

[WDWfan]

Guess it's time to finally start the real TR! I've been home since Sunday night, but it's taken this long to get through 3 weeks of stuff - mail, laundry, catching up with family amd work. OK - those are just excuses. So - on with the report.......

I woke up early on Saturday, May 3. My flight didn't leave until 2:45, but I still had a lot to do today. A little history - I've had a friend living with me for the past year. She moved in after a longterm relationship ended and today is the day she is moving out. so on top of all of my trip luggage (which I've kept in my bedroom to avoid confusion) there are also all of her boxes and bags in the apartment. It's kind of crazy!

The friends helping her move start arriving at 8:30. By that time I'm showered, dressed, finished packing, done the last few things that have to be done around the apartment, and I'm ready to load my bags in the car. One of her friends (who's also a dear friend of mine helps me get them down stairs and I'm off in plenty of time for my manicure/pedicure appointment.

Once I'm my fingers and toes are freshly painted (including the requisite flowers on my toes I always get when I go on vacation - I think there is a picture later) I head over to my friend Kristie's house. Krisitie used to be my kids' babysitter/nanny when they were growing up. She now has 3 little girls (6, 4 and 1 1/2) and a 4th baby on the way (Krisite says it's another girl, but I'm thinking blue this time ). I now babysit for her 3. I'm a little nervous about how I"ll do with 4, but I'll figure it out I'm sure. Anyway her 2nd daughter, Jamie's birthday is while I'm gone so I want to give her birthday present to her before I leave. She loves the outfit and the 2 pairs of flipflops I got her from Old Navy (at 1 pair for $3.50 or 2 for $5 I just had to get 2 ) At 4 Jamie is already a fashionista. I think she likes shoes more than I do.

After spending some time with my girls it's time for Kristie to take me to the airport. I say my goodbye's to the girls with promises to see them when I get home. Traffic is light on a Saturday afternoon so we're at the airport im less tham 20 minutes. I weigh my bags before I get in line - 33 lbs and 48.5 lbs. When I check in at the kiosk a screen pops up that I've never seen before................an offer to upgrade to First Class for $90. This entire trip is a splurge on my part - so I might as well go all the way! There's the first charge on my previously paid off credit card.

Once I get my new boarding pass I get through security pretty quickly. I haven't eaten since lunch so I head over to Wolfgang Puck's Cafe in the airport. I figure it's as close as I can get to WDW at O'Hare airport. I got seated quickly, but then I just sat. I'm not sure who my waiter was supposed to be. I finally got someone's attention and Tino took my order. From there on everything was great!

I ordered Chicken Tortilla Soup:



It had just the right "kick" with lots of tortilla chips and feta cheese. They served it with excellent Crispy Flat Bread with Cheese and Herbs and Herved Focaccia:



These are made fresh on site everyday.

I checked on my flight and it was delayed by a 1/2 hour. It was rainy and 45 in Chicago so there were a few delays. I wandered for awhile and stopped at Starbucks for some hot tea. Sime where in here I realized I had forgotten to put my DME tags on my luggage. I so didn't want to have to go pick it up and then drag it over to DME. Well here was nothing I could do about it until I got to MCO at this point. Finally we loaded the plane and took off about 3:25.

I will say that travelling First Class is pretty I had cold Salmon served over cold pasta with a cucumber salad with Italian Vinagrette dressing, crackers with Brie and a glass of Syrah wine. We also were served mixed nuts in a ceramic dish and a second beverage of our choice. The seats were comfortable and there was LOTS of leg room.

We landed in Orlando at 7:05 pm.

[tammyd_rn]

Sounds like a good plan to upgrade to me. I so enjoyed it when I was upgraded.

Looking forward to hearing how the rest of the trip went.

[mcc0313]

What a way to start off your trip...and upgrade to first class (I definitely agree it was well worth the cost).

Love how you had a mid day meal at WPC (already getting into the Disney Magic )

Can't wait to hear more.