Internet girlfriends finally meet! Finally finished! About This Page:

[AliciaG]

This will be somewhat of a different type trip report for me. This summer I did a full out web page with pictures, music, and detailed description of our days. Since this was just a weekend trip I think I’ll just use my passpockets as a guide, and give a few notes and pictures.

This trip was born in a chat one night. We were brought together as girlfriends by our love of Disney, and laughter. It was mentioned that we should get together at our favorite place on Earth, and the timeframe we were talking about just so happened to match a trip that TrixyA already had scheduled. So there we were…a plan was hatched…hotel and flight reservations were made, and we were set for a long weekend trip in January. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

The cast:
Myself (AliciaG) – Tennessee
AmyA – Tennessee
Jen- (Trixy’s daughter)
Karen – Pennsylvania
Kim- Pennsylvania
Moley- Arkansas
TrixyA- Massachusetts

We had another girlfriend (the birthday girl) who was set to join us, but things didn’t work out for her to go. We missed her terribly, but were glad to receive a phone call from her during the trip.

Day 1 Thursday, January 16

The forecast for Nashville was 2-4 inches of snow. It was predicted to arrive around noon. Whew! Thank goodness I wouldn’t have to drive in it that morning. Amy and I arrived at the airport and were on board our plane with plenty of ease. As we are waiting for the plane to finish boarding, we see that it has started to snow, and is already accumulating. Of course this snow is about 3 hours early, so we’re glad we had an early flight. Our plane has to be de-iced, but we take off on schedule.

Our TTC driver Jerry meets us at MCO. We have a quick stop for some goodies, and are whisked away to the Contemporary Resort. Oh, how I love that entrance to the Magic Kingdom area. As we come over a little rise, I see the CR, Space Mountain, and Cinderella Castle. Yes, I get teary. [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] As we are standing in line to get our rooms…in come Karen and Kim! I’d met them before at MNSSHP, but this is the first time for them and Amy to meet face to face. Hooray, one of the rooms is ready. We are whisked away to drop off our luggage, and then head over to the Food & Fun Center for some lunch. By the time we are through…Moley has arrived. How cool is this!?! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] We’re all together, and the other two rooms are ready, so we head back to the rooms for some girl talk and unpacking. Hugs and gifts are exchanged all around, and we hatch a plan for the evening. Oh, the Nashville girls decide they’ll call their hubbies and let them know they’ve arrived safely…bad move. It hasn’t snowed two inches in Nashville….it’s snowed 7 inches! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I’ve lived in Nashville all my life, and I don’t remember a 7-inch snow since I was a child. The city is a parking lot…nobody is moving…and Amy’s DH is stuck out in it, trying to pick up their girls from daycare, and school. OK, the guilt trip sets in…we’re in sunny Florida with temps in the 60’s, while they are battling a blizzard in a city not prepared for it. Oh well…we get over it and head to MGM Studios.

I know I said I wasn’t going to write a lot, but I just wanted to set the scene.

The weather today was…sunny, breezy, and 60ish in Florida. Cold, snowy, and hazardous in Tennessee.

The best thing today was…Meeting my friends face to face.

The worst thing was…this is a tie…hearing about the bad weather at home, and feeling ill just as I was about to do ToT, and having to take the chicken exit. [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]

Today we tried…the walking path from MGM to Epcot.
And the result was…Amy and I were able to enjoy seeing the Epcot resort area for the first time, walk on Test Track, and Spaceship Earth to cap off a great evening.

The most magical moment today was…enjoying Fantasmic with my girlfriends, while eating a piece of grapefruit cake in the birthday girl’s honor.

I didn't have my camera with me all the time. It was somewhat liberating to now carry much, without the stroller, and 3 kids to carry stuff for, but I'll post some pics I did take each day. Some days I made many more than others.

One of the floats in Fantasmic


Gotta love Mickey!


Coming next...The most wonderful day ever at the Magic Kingdom, and the other two finally arrive!

[ 01-31-2003, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: AliciaG ]

[Grumpygal]

Great start to your report. I can't wait to read more. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Mauimouse]

Sounds like a great start, I am going with 2 other women for a girl WDW week in September & I am sure that we will have a blast. Looking forward to reading more.

[Mel & Richard]

Glad the snow didn't hold up your arrival! Looking forward to hearing more. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Mel

[tikibird]

A girls' trip - how fun! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] How did you all originally meet, and was this the first time you met face to face?

Looking forward to the next installment, and could you expand a bit more on that yummy :yummy" sounding grapefruit cake? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[AliciaG]

Originally posted by tikibird:
A girls' trip - how fun! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] How did you all originally meet, and was this the first time you met face to face?

Looking forward to the next installment, and could you expand a bit more on that yummy :yummy" sounding grapefruit cake? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Tikibird,
We all originally met thru the Disney internet community. We were all just busy planning vacations, and trying to help others. Friendships were soon made, e-mails exchanged, and we became closer friends.

I had been lucky enough to meet part of the group face to face. Kim and Karen just so happened to be going to WDW the same time we were in October, so we met. After months of exchanging e-mails, knowing we both lived in Tennessee...Amy and I finally asked where. The funny thing was...we only live about 25 minutes apart, both of us on the outskirts of Nashville. We've since had dinner, seen movies, and had our kids play together. For the rest of us, it was the first time meeting in person.

It was a little strange when we first started planning the trip to say that you were going on vacation with "People from the Internet" , but we'd known each other almost a year. We'd shared lots of fun, and stories, and pics of our families. I'd been involved in meets with fellow Disney lovers on both my trips in June and October, and had nothing but good experiences, so I knew we'd do just fine.

Grapefruit Cake = [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]
It is a signature dessert of the Brown Derby, and is really delicious. It's a moist, citrus based cake, with cream cheese icing. Originally we'd planned on taking the birthday girl to the Brown Derby that night for a special celebration. Since she couldn't make it...we had a piece of that wonderful cake in her honor. It is really quite easy to get it to go. Once my stomach wasn't cooperating on ToT, I ran over to the HBD and ordered the cake. They put it in a to go box, bagged it up, and provided plastic forks, knives, and napkins. The cost is about $5 per slice, but they are huge, and I found it a nice alternative to the snacks at Fantasmic.

[ 01-28-2003, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: AliciaG ]

[AliciaG]

Day 2 Friday, January 17

Before this trip started, we had all discussed that we should feel free to go our own way, and do our own thing when we felt like it. Some of us had been to WDW over 20 times, and for others were newer to it, and therefore a little more commando,well... make that a lot more commando. We had plenty of meals and outings planned for us to have together time, and there were always those times spent chatting back at the resort. On this day Kim and Karen decided to go their own way to do some shopping while the commandos Amy and Alicia drug the lazy tourista Moley along. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] We decided to hit the Magic Kingdom, and boy was that a great decision. The crowds were lower that day than they were the rest of the weekend, and we were able to get some major ride time in.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that we were able to do every single ride we wanted to with the exception of Jungle Cruise, and most of them twice. It was just one of those amazing days when everything seems to go your way. Fastpass fell right into place, and we happened to be in the right place in the right time often. I’ve never been to WDW before when I could just walk onto popular attractions and ride them over and over with little to no wait. I’m beginning to think January is a great time to visit WDW, despite the cold temperatures.

After riding to our hearts content, and sampling enough sweets to kill a horse…we settled in to Moley’s super duper secret fireworks viewing spot. Yes, I could tell you, but…well, you know the rest. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] What a wonderful way to end a perfect day in the Magic Kingdom. The fireworks were gorgeous, and Tinkerbell actually waved at us.

Next was an incredible meal at Kona Café. I’d been there for breakfast before, but who knew the dinners were so incredible. I had the spring rolls, which were absolutely delicious. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] We compared notes on our day with Kim and Karen. They’d done some serious shopping, and enjoyed a crowd free day at Animal Kingdom.

We headed back to the CR fully satisfied with our day, and awaiting the arrival of two more friends. They didn’t get in until very late, but we were able to exchange hugs, and say hello before heading to bed. I’m seeing a pattern of 4 hours of sleep here. So much for a nice relaxing trip without the kids. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

The weather today was…sunny and cool.

The best thing today was…the way everything came together at the Magic Kingdom. It happened all day long.

The worst thing today was…the fact that Trixy and Jen weren’t with us to experience our great MK day.

The funniest thing was…when I got asked what I was smiling about, from a CM at the Haunted Mansion. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] He was so serious too.

Today we tried…Dole Whip swirl, strawberry swirl, and sweets at Diamond Horseshoe
And the result was…we were stuffed, but happy.

The most magical moment was…viewing the fireworks, and getting a wave from Tink.

Our special day in the Magic Kingdom

From left to right...Moley, AliciaG, AmyA

Amy and Alicia must get a pic with Meeko

He is the state animal of Tennessee ya know

Coming next...Finally all 7 of us together, the girls invade PoC, and Illuminations cruise

[Teddysmom]

Great trip report. I'm just getting caught up. Thanks for the pictures too. That grapefruit cake sounds wonderful. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

[joyjoy]

Originally posted by AliciaG:
OK, the guilt trip sets in…... Oh well…we get over it and head to MGM Studios.

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">That totally cracked me up. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
What a fun trip! Can't wait to read more.

[Love 2 Laugh]

Where were y'all staying at the CR? We were in 7371 and 7372 in the North Garden Wing.

[chezp]

I'm really enjoying this can't wait to read more! It's a great feeling to finally meet the people you've been chatting to on the Internet.

Cheryl

[tikibird]

Wow, what a great idea about the cake to go! I wonder if the other sit-down restaurants would do this, as well. I can see it now, a new heavenly dessert every evening! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Looks and sounds like you had a great day at the MK- and I love your sweatshirt - I have that one, too! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks for the reports, and for adding the pictures!

Next, please! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[AliciaG]

Originally posted by Love 2 Laugh:
Where were y'all staying at the CR? We were in 7371 and 7372 in the North Garden Wing.

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Hi there! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] We were in rooms 7358, 7359, and 7360 of the North Garden Wing,I think. They were the last three rooms on the right side of the hall as you exited toward the MK walking path. We could hop on the elevator there, and be outside and on our way to the MK in just a second.

Do you remember the special late night fireworks they had for a special event on Friday night? We were viewing them from the NGW, and Moley ran into a guy who recognized her Passporter pin, and remembered some of her posts. When she originally introduced us to him and his wife...I thought it might have been you guys, but it was someone who often reads the Passporter boards, but has yet to post.

I bet we passed y'all in the halls at some point. Hope you had a great time!

[ 01-29-2003, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: AliciaG ]

[Love 2 Laugh]

As the song says, "it's a small world after all." We did have a great time, and it sounds like y'all did, too.

[AliciaG]

Saturday, January 18

This was our first day with us all together. We’d planned a late breakfast at Chef Mickey’s since Trixy and Jen were getting in so late. Then our plans were to head over to the Magic Kingdom for a photo opportunity, and to ride a couple of our favorite rides together. Then we’d meet up later for dinner at Le Cellier, touring World Showcase, and our long awaited Illuminations cruise.

Breakfast was very nice, but the minute we entered the Magic Kingdom…I knew we were in trouble. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] It was packed! We were able to get our photo in front of Cinderella castle then, slowly move over to Adventureland for our date with the Pirates. Once that ride was over, I knew I had to get the heck out of Dodge. This was such a contrast from our perfect day before.


The whole gang...from left to right...Alicia, Amy, Moley, Jen, Karen, Kim, Trixy

Amy and I hauled it on over to Epcot, and others went on little shopping adventures and such. We were fully prepared with all our warm clothes for the cruise that night so, we stashed them in a locker, and headed for Ellen’s Energy Adventure. What an excellent opportunity for a nap. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Don’t get me wrong…I really enjoyed this attraction, but it is a great chance to catch a few moments of shut-eye when you are working on little sleep. Hall of Presidents offers a similar rest opportunity for the weary.

After another show or two, we headed over to meet our friends at Le Cellier. It was another great opportunity to visit with each other, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. Our server was particularly good.

After dinner, I wanted to catch Tapestry of Dreams. It was cancelled due to high winds when we attempted to see it in June, and I knew that it was about to be replaced by a different parade, so here was my chance. Amy and I had to run to the lockers at the front of Epcot, and then we made our way quickly to Mexico. We heard the announcement that ToD was about to start, but there were no crowds gathering. Oh no! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I remembered that I’d read that the parade is only going one way now. More running! We finally make it to Germany, and they are starting to rope off the parade exit. There’s a bench, grab it! [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] Whew, we got a sit down spot right at the parade exit. It ended up being a good seat, because the performers paused there and did a little show before they exited.



We then enjoyed the World Showcase at night. It is so beautiful! We left thru the International Gateway, and headed over to the Yacht Club for our cruise. This was a ton of fun, and we really enjoyed captain Kimmy. She kindly provided warm blankets, and bits of trivia about the area. Illuminations is amazing! I can’t imagine having a better spot to view it from either.


Brrr.. Karen, Jen, Kim, Alicia, Trixy, Amy, Moley

Last stop, Kimonos. Capt. Kimmy was kind enough to deposit us at the Swan, and we headed in to try our hand at karaoke. I had a blast here! I don’t imagine those two lemon drops I ordered from the bar had anything to do with it either. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Seriously though…this is a very fun spot. The karaoke singers that night were very good, so we decided to spare the audience our disastrous voices. I was introduced to sushi this night, and I have to admit I like what I tried. It ended up being another late night out, but what a great day.

The weather today was…cold, but sunny

The best thing today was…the Illuminations cruise

The worst thing was…the fact that the Magic Kingdom was so crowded

Today we tried…sushi
And the result was…I liked it!

The most magical moment today was…hearing that Illuminations music start, and enjoying it with friends

I know I said I wasn't going to type too much, but it seems every time I sit down I type more than the previous day. I'll try to cut back on day 4.

Up next…a wicked ride on the Tower of Terror

[ 01-29-2003, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: AliciaG ]