Grand Duo Birthday Trip: COMPLETE 2/5/09 About This Page:

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you were still able to get into lunch with your ADR passed!! Great pictures!! And what yummy AFBs!!

[iamgrumpy]

Well, the next time Chuck makes a joke about your dining times being correct hand him the passporter and the phone and offer to let him do all the planning from now on Guarantee he doesn't pick on ya after 1 call to Disney Dining!

Great time though and I am soooo craving CDF right now!

[KMB733]

Your lunch looks so yummy! And more great pictures from Epcot!

[Lemap760]

Great updates.

[DyanKJ130]

Another great update, Dawn! So glad the CM let you in late! that you experienced light crowds! Looking forward to more

[wayneava81]

Glad you were still able to get lunch! Love all the pics!

[disneydani]

How awesome the lines are still so manageable! Glad you ADR oops didn't cause any problems. Sounds like such a relaing day thus far.

danielle

[chezp]

What a great day at Epcot - and thank goodness you were still able to get in for lunch.

[DawnDenise]

Some Dining at LTT & Chuck’s First MVMCP!

So after relaxing back at the resort for about an hour, we got ready for MVMCP. We both decided to wear shorts but brought sweatshirts. As long as my upper body is warm, I am usually good. Of course, Chuck is a heater so he’d be fine no matter what. After gathering our belongings, we headed out to the main building to catch the monorail. Chuck and I agreed that we wouldn’t put on our hats until after dinner. Once we got to MK, we went through the turnstile for the party on our event tickets. After getting our wristbands, we made our way down Main Street and toward LTT. We had a 5:10 ressie (I double checked the PP before we left the room). We got checked in and handed a buzzer. The place was hopping. I figured we would be waiting awhile but our buzzer went off in less than five minutes. I hindsight I think there were a lot of bigger groups, and we were one of the fewer smaller groups.

Anywho, we were led to a table for four and handed a sheet to list the food that we would be enjoying. This was our second time here and we were looking forward to the Thanksgiving type fare. Our server Jim came by with the rolls (oh I loved the rolls) and got our drink order. He said he would bring out the salad with our drinks and explained that the food was brought out family style. While we were munching on the rolls, Dale arrived for some visiting. He was a hoot and didn’t want any rolls. We told him he could come back when the good stuff arrived.



After Dale, Jim arrived with our drinks and salad. We were able to eat our salad before the next round of characters arrived. First was Minnie and then Chip.




Now Goofy came next. Chuck pulled on his hat because he wanted to do the traditional Goofy ear pose. When he came to our table he was so grumpy. He just stood behind Chuck and then went on to the next table. He didn’t even get a picture with me. Chuck was a little bummed that our meeting with Goofy was lackluster. We watched Goofy with the tables around us and he basically did the same thing with the other guests.



Jim arrived soon after with our platters of plank steak, ham, and turkey, along with the bowls of taters, mac-n-cheese, cranberries, and corn. He also brought some hot rolls. We piled up our plates and began to eat. It was all yummy and we both filled up quickly. Pluto came and sat down at our table and we offered him some of our offerings. He was a lovable Pluto, and he spent a good five minutes with us “chatting” away.



Chuck got a second wind and asked Jim for some more turkey and taters. I just munched on a roll while Chuck had his second helping. Jim came by and cleared our table and said that dessert would be following soon. We enjoyed the surroundings watching a table with about 8 people. I felt for the characters that visited the table as they swarmed around them and took what seemed like 20 pictures. The flashes were going off like crazy. Jim brought by dessert, and neither Chuck nor I ate more than 2 or 3 bites. All those carbs just filled us right up.

Now Chuck was still a little bummed about his encounter with Goofy. Goofy and Stitch are his faves, and he always likes to have good encounters. (And he talks about me being bad with characters. ) So we were sitting there waiting for Jim to bring us the bill when I noticed Goofy making another round in our area. Now this Goofy was awesome. I could tell by the way he was interacting with the other tables. Either the first Goofy took a “happy” pill or we got a new Goofy. Chuck couldn’t see him coming so I told him to put on his hat as I acted like I was putting mine on. The results were much better this time around and I even got a picture this time.



After we said good-bye to Goofy, Jim brought over our bill so we could handle the necessities. KTTW card given, tip added, signature signed, and we were good to go. I donned my hat and sweatshirt and we headed out. Chuck headed toward the smoking section nearby, and I headed for the restrooms. We met up and headed over to the Galaxy Theater in hopes of getting into the 7:00 showing of Mickey’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Tiff sent me a text stating that she and Eric were in line. By the time we got over there, they were no longer letting people in. I sent a text back stating that we were going to have to hit the next show and that I’d text her about meeting up for the parade. Since we needed to stay in Tomorrowland, we went and saw that Buzz was a walk-on. We conquered Zurg, and Chuck beat me yet again. We still had about 10 minutes before we needed to get in line for the second showing. With that in mind, it was time for one of my favorites, TTA. It was another walk-on. We had an enjoyable spin around Tomorrowland. Once we were finished, we headed over to stand in line. It was a madhouse to say the least, but we eventually got into the theater and got a decent seat midway down an aisle. We didn’t have an unobstructed view but it was still decent. About ten minutes after finding our seat, the show began.





We waited a bit to let the theater clear out and then headed back into Tomorrowland. We noticed that Stitch was out so we headed in that direction. Stitch was freakin’ awesome. Stitch made sure to show us his tree made of tires and other pieces of junk. When Chuck asked if he had stole any left shoes lately. He shook his head no but then proceeded to untie Chuck’s left shoe completely. Stitch had his shoe half off before the CM handler came and stopped him. I asked him if his good meter was kind of low and he nodded. We finally were able to get a picture taken.




We headed back across the hub into Adventureland as I wanted another ride on POTC and possibly BTMRR. We decided to get one more picture in front of the Castle all icy.



We finally made it over to Adventureland and had about a 5 minute wait for POTC. We were looking to see if anyone of the Aladdin crew were out and we didn’t see anyone so we headed over to BTMRR. I don’t know what it is about this ride, but we absolutely love this ride at night. We had a 10 minute wait and then caught our train for hoot and hollering good time. When we finished, we got caught by the first parade. Once it passed, we made a bee line for Main Street for to find a decent place for Holiday Wishes. We were able to find a place near the tip board. I didn’t take any pictures as I just wanted to enjoy it with Chuck. Like always, tears were forming and it was one of those perfect moments. <sigh>

We headed back into Frontierland and headed to the area that in front of the Shootin’ Arcade for the second parade. I sent a text to Tiff to let her know where we were. Chuck ran and got us a couple of drinks. Once again, I was fighting for our spots but I won out this time around. Tiff and Eric showed up and we caught up on our week’s events. While we were waiting, we had some entertainment to pass the time. We also had another guest offer to take a picture of the four of us.



When we saw the first float in the distance, Tiff and I went up to rope so we could get some pictures. Chuck and Eric stood behind us. Here are some of my pics!









So after the parade the four of us started walking along talking and deciding on our plan of attack for the rest of the party. Eric wanted to do Space Mountain and asked Chuck if he wanted to join him. Chuck agreed but we took the long way. As we were walking into Fantasyland, Tiff and I wanted to ride Dumbo and the line was practically non-existent. I then found out that Eric has never ridden Dumbo so it became a must. We got into line and decided that we would all grab our individual elephants. We had a blast. I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard while riding Dumbo. I do recommend tightening the seatbelt if you go alone as my behind was sliding all over the place.



After we got off the ride, we saw the free standing Dumbo and decided to get couple shots inside the ride vehicle as well.



After the silliness of Dumbo was completed, we continued on our way to Tomorrowland only to get distracted again by Donald. The line wasn’t very long and I wanted to get a group shot of us as well. Tiff and Eric agreed and we headed over. Once it was our turn, I asked the Photopass photographer to take individual couple shots and then a group shot. She agreed and took both of our Photopass cards and numbered them so we wouldn’t get them mixed up.



Once again, we were headed to Tomorrowland and as we were walking by the Mad Tea Party, I noticed the Mad Hatter standing all by himself. So you can probably guess that we stopped again. The Mad Hatter was hilarious. He kept commenting on all of our hats and how wonderfully odd they were. He especially like Eric’s Christmas Tree hat. After I got my picture with him, he accidently knocked my hat off and told me I needed to get a better fitting hat.



Now we finally made it over to Tomorroland and dropped the boys off at Space Mountain. Stand-by was showing 10 minutes so Tiff and I figured we had time to take a spin on the TTA. Tiff and I had an enjoyable ride just chatting away. We headed back over to Space Mountain looking for the boys. We waited and waited. We thought maybe we missed them and took a walk around the area. Both Tiff and I had the cell phones so we couldn’t call. Eventually the boys appeared. Apparently there was a protein spill or something that held up the line for a bit but they had fun.

It was around 11:30pm at that point so we headed back to Main Street. I wanted to check out the Emporium for some MVMCP merchandise. Both Tiff and I bought a frame and I bought a pin to add to add to my collection. Once that was taken care of, we made our way out of the park. Hugs exchanged and made plans to meet up the next evening. Tiff and Eric headed toward the bus stops while Chuck and I headed to the resort monorail. Before we knew it, we were back at the GF and in our room. Chuck really enjoyed MVMCP but admitted he liked MNSSHP better now that he has experienced both. We ran and got our mugs for a refill and then spent about 5 minutes out on the balcony. We headed back in to get ready for bed. We were asleep by 1:00am.

Coming Up: A Lazy Day into a Fantastic Night

[KMB733]

I'm hungry now for a meal at LTT! Glad to hear Goofy #2 was a much better character. Sounds like you had a great time at the party! And I too BTMRR at night!!

[wayneava81]

MVMCP sounded like a lot of fun! Love the parade pics!

[iamgrumpy]

What a Fantastic MVMCP you had especially the interaction with Stitch!!!! I can't wait to read more about your trip my friend!

[PrincessSharon]

I was really far behind, but I'm all caught up now! It's sounds like you're having a fantastic trip, Dawn! Reading about all your fantastic meals sure made me hungry. And your pictures and Photopass pictures are fantastic. Speaking of pictures, I love your RNRC picture. You and Chuck look great, but the look on the face of the kid behind you? Hissss-terical! And your characters pics are all great - love Chuck and the Mad Hatter. Glad you got to hang out with Amy. And I really, really need to get to Winter Summerland. That looked like a ton of fun. Glad Goofy was much more playful the second time around. And glad you enjoyed MVMCP. So now that I'm all caught up, I'm ready for more!!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great time at MVMCP!! Love the pictures!!

[KandJluvdisney]

just catching up dawn
sounds like you guys have had a great couple of days
your meals sound awsome
great finds on your shopping spree
thanks for the mini golf pics - we really want to give it a try
too funny about the temple family
glad you enjoyed the party - we like halloween better too
hurry back with more please