Wow! And did you say, "No Characters?!" Finale About This Page:

[katspjs]

Such fun! I'm really enjoying your report.

[wdw4me]

Another great installment! I'm so glad your first Grand Gathering event was so memorable.

You do a wonderful job of conveying the feelings you had during your trip - makes me feel like I was there with you! I can't wait for the next installment!

[Colexis Mom]

Wow, what a great event Diz! Thanks for sharing all the details, it sounds fantastic! And how great that everyone is getting along and having such a great time

Can't wait to hear all about the next one More please

[Diz]

Day 6 - Part One

Today is Teen day at Typhoon Lagoon. The gang is up and ready to leave POR around 9 am. They're given a Quick & Casual Meal Voucher and some DDs and off they go. MIL plans to do laundry all morning so DH and I go off on our own.

We head to MK. I'm aching for the sight of Cinderella's Castle, so off we go. It is a Saturday and I expect a crowded day. But we had an easy-going of it. It was a really strange day in that one section of the park would be so packed that you could not move and another area would be almost dead. Go figure. So we just went with the flow.

We entered MK and we strolled up Main Street and there right before our very eyes was Cinderella's Castle. Ahhh, after all these years the magic is still there! We decide to head for one of DHs favorite rides - Pirates. But as it always happens, Tikibirds is on the way and we always stop there first! No difference today. We were in line (3rd level) and we were alone. The other two lines were getting pretty full. A guy saw this from the 2nd row and he dragged his wife and kids up with us and then he pushed them right through us so they'd be first! LOL! I'm like...it doesn't matter, we'll all get inside. He was happy though so I guess it made his day. We enjoyed the show and off we go to Pirates. When we get there, we see the right side is packed! It was all the way out the door. We look and make sure...yup, the left side is open. In we go with many eyes burning our backs as we walked down an empty lane! All the way to the boats! A few decided to follow, but most stayed put. DH loves the part "we want the redhead". He screams along with the characters. It is so funny! He's just like a kid. Poor DD, when she's with us, he picks on her terribly...she's a redhead!

We gander around the Pirates shop and I found a rack with Pirate t-shirts on sale! Yeah! School clothes! I've never come across a sale there before. I'm very pleased. DH just rolls his eyes!

It's now around 11 am and we are hungry. No breakfast again. We decide to head over to Columbia Harbor House. DS#1 is scheduled to work today. It's the first day I'll be able to take his picture in his costume. I'm excited again and DH once again rolls his eyes.

We walk through a very crowded frontierland. We make it CHH and I look over at HM and the fastpass machines are almost empty. I send DH over with our tickets to see if there are any passes left and my excitement drags me into CHH. I look and look and flash...right before my very eyes is DS#1 looking so handsome and so old! in his costume! About 10 pictures later, DH is ready to drag me away! We order lunch and watch DS#1 in action. He is so very patient with guests. He is 6'0 and leans over to hear them (if they are short). LOL! I'm a very proud mom!

While we're eating lunch, it begins to downpour. It does not leave up for the rest of our time in MK. Lunch is soon over and we decide to go to Mickey's Philharmagic. The line is short and we go inside the building, but the queue inside is full. We wait and finally make it inside. This is a fun show and we really enjoy the music and coolness of the theater. On the way out, DH looks at his phone and says it's time for HM. I look at him in disbelief. I didn't realize our tickets were for so soon. First there's no line for them, then they have some left and now I find out they were for only a little over an hour after we first got them! So off we go to HM. We are just walking in the fastpass line and happy to see the canopy -- at least we'll be out of the rain for awhile. HM is one of our favorites. I really enjoy reading the tombstones and I stand on my tip toes, move left and right...jump up and down, anything to be able to see them. I should know them by heart by now! We finally get inside and the CM is one who loves his job. He is perfect and he even gets to scare a few people. We finally get our doombuggie and DH and I snuggle together and enjoy the ride. As usual when we ride together, DH leans over and gives me a kiss. We leave the ride and it's still raining hard. We decide to head over for Splash since DH was getting wet anyways. He hates Splash because of getting wet. He loves the theming but hates the water. On the way out of HM, I stop and read all the bricks with sayings on them. Then I look up at the pet cemetery. I try and try to read the words...but no way will I ever be able to see them. What do all of them say?

We finally arrive at SM and run into a huge crowd. There is a long wait so we get a fast pass and go to ride BTMR. As we're walking up the hill, it didn't look right. BTMR was empty. No line. Soon we found out they had to close for the day. They had a problem...closed and fixed it...it happened again...they closed and fixed it...and it happened again. They decided to close for the day. That's why SM seemed so busy, I guess. Our fastpass is for about an hour so we head over to frontierland and I look in the new pin shoppe and end up buying some Olympic pins for the kids. DH is ready for ice cream so we have ice cream and sit in some of the rocking chairs. Time goes quickly and it's time for Splash. The fastpass line is huge. We wait and when we round the top, there is only one line leading down to the boats. The CM stopped us to let the regular line through. While stopped we had a conversation. She said because BTMR was closed, they were honoring all the fastpasses that had been handed out. That made the fastpass line longer. She was frustrated because guests were complaining to her. She told us that the ride would remain closed and that they would be very cautious in opening the next day too. It's finally our turn. We ride with a father and son who were riding for the first time. I love when that happens. It's so much fun hearing them ooh and ahh and laugh and be scared of the drop. We had a great ride. DH and I were in front of them so we bend over on the way down the drop and of course they get a lot wetter than they normally would have. They loved it and so did DH, he was not wetter than he would be with the rain.

DH looks at the time and is ready to head back to the resort. He wants a little quiet time before our Magical Gathering this evening. I don't argue. I stop and get popcorn on the way out and we enjoy munching on the way to the resort. We get back to the room and find a few messages from the teens and MIL. They were excited about the Fireworks Cruise and wanted to make sure everything was still on -- it was downpouring! I called the Magical Gathering number to check and the CM was very disappointing...he said if the rain doesn't stop, it will be cancelled. All of us are on pins and needles.

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update Diz! Sounds like you guys are doing great, even with the big crowds at MK today! Hope that your fireworks cruise isn't cancelled!

Can't wait for more

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

Do we get to see a picture of your son in costume?

[luvnwdwgal]

Sounds like you had a great day! I sure hope the rain let up so you could go on your fireworks cruise!!

[poohsgirl]

<font color="purple">This trip has turned out magical so far! I hope my DS (another hardened city kid)enjoys our trip as much as the teens did! </font>

[Diz]

[ QUOTE ]
Do we get to see a picture of your son in costume?

[/ QUOTE ]
Not anytime soon. I only had a disposable camera with me. The teens had the digitals. The photos still aren't developed. I really do have to get moving on that!

[Diz]

Day 6 - Part Two

Dinner tonight was to be Taco Bell. DD and I went to TB and it was pouring! We had a ball running through the rain with our arms full of food! And then DD couldn't get her car opened! We were laughing and laughing. We almost dropped everything on the ground! We finally made it in the car and we kept saying, it will stop...it will stop. But by 7pm it still had not stopped. After talking to another CM on the Magical Gatherings phone line, we were told to go to the Contemporary Resort as planned because even if the cruise was cancelled, we would still have the dessert reception.

So off we go to Contemporary in the . We were to meet at the boat dock, but with the pouring rain the dessert reception was moved up to the 4th floor. We arrived about 10 minutes early. The CM said they would leave us in right at 7:30. So when on the 4th floor of Contemporary, what do you do? SHOP! The teens loved this idea. Dustin found a great gift for his sweetheart back home...a mickey bear. It was finally time to enter and we were surprised with yet another free Magical Gatherings pin. This makes two -- one from our Illuminations Dinner and now the Cruise. What was the picture? A ferry boat. It's really cute and nice reminder for the teens. Everyone was told to wear their pin because it was the ticket for the ferry boat. Yup, the rain was still on but now it was more of a trinkle! We're going on a cruise!

The CMs did a quick change of location but you would never of known, unless you knew of course. (whatever) The tables were set beautifully. There were trays and trays of desserts. Nestle was showcased and the chocolate desserts were overflowing! The chocolate chip cookies were to die for! Everyone wanted them! There was a drink bar -- canned sodas, juices, water, hot drinks. Everything was wonderful! And then just as we're stuffing ourselves who should arrive? Captain Hook and Mr.Smee. More photo opportunities! The girls almost ran for a picture with them. Captain Hook played with the girls pony tails. The guys had to be pushed into a picture. We enjoyed our time together -- the boys were being boys...including DH. They were horse-playing and having fun. The girls were being girls...batting their eyes at other teens in the group around us. MIL was enjoying the desserts and watching her grandkids having so much fun. Yeah! Another perfect night is off the ground!

Finally it was time to head off to the boat. Everyone was given a chocolate chip cookie for the cruise so we wouldn't be hungry (like we ever could be!) And then in Dstyle, the CMs pulled out boxes of Mickey rain gear. Everyone received a poncho free of charge. Yes! MIL was much happier about the rain at this point. We were in Captain Hook's boat. Captain Hook would not be there -- but we had a great CM who took his role as a pirate to the extreme. He was perfect! He spent time getting to know every group and then he got to know each kid on the boat. The rain was light now and some of us took off our ponchos. We were sailing to our first destination while we were getting to know each other on the boat.

Our first stop, the Electrical Water Parade. It was so much fun seeing it right up close and personal. The teens were surprised -- they really didn't know what to expect tonight and they were laughing at all of the different water characters. When the parade was over, the teens were upset because they thought the cruise was too. That's when we told them..nope, there's more! They were excited!

The boat sailed away and we finally stopped in front of the MK. The castle was right before us and it was time! Wishes began! Oh the oohhs and aahhs. The teens grabbed their cameras and were trying to get a photo. It was so magical just sitting watching the fireworks. This is the first cruise my Dfamily has ever been on. I like this - tyring new things. And this fell right in place. Every eye was on the castle. The teens hummed some of the songs. They said, "Hey, that's one of the CDs we listened to in the van on the way down." The fireworks were breath-taking. We were on a magical high.

The fireworks were over and the teens were sad because once again they thought it was over. Nope. There was to be more! On the way back to the Contemporary, our Pirate guide played a Dtrivia game. The first to answer a question was DS#2. His prize: a hook for his arm. He loved it! The game continued until we docked. And in Dstyle once again, our Pirate guide made sure each and every child on the cruise had a prize. He handed out a new Peter Pan book to each and every one on the way out.

Now was our night over? Nope. One more thing. On the dock, waiting for our return was no one else but Peter Pan himself! The girls screamed. They were so excited. Can we see him? Of course! Peter Pan walked to the end of the dock (by the buildings) and he took the time to visit with each and every group. We were able to get individual and group photos with him. He even signed each and every Peter Pan book which had been given to the children.

And then it was over. But it would not be soon forgotten. And my MILs words as we walked away will not be soon forgotten - "Thank you for making our trip filled with so much magic. You must have spent months planning all of this. It is just wonderful."

That's it. It's all worth it at this point. The teens have been having such a wonderful time that they have ignored their cellphones and cigarettes and now MIL is basking in the magic. This is truly a Magical Gathering.

We stop to take a few more photos by the light-up Mickey outside of Contemporary and then we head back to the resort. Our usual would happen -- swimming and our heads hitting our pillows -- filled with sweet dreams.

Today's Highlights
*Seeing DS#1 in action as a CM...he's so caring towards the guests!
*Magical Fireworks Cruise...all of the teens forgetting everything for just a night and taking time to laugh and enjoy each other from the start of the dessert reception until the time with Peter Pan

[poohsgirl]

<font color="purple">Diz, a truly magical night! Great update! </font>

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

[ QUOTE ]


And then it was over. But it would not be soon forgotten. And my MILs words as we walked away will not be soon forgotten - "Thank you for making our trip filled with so much magic. You must have spent months planning all of this. It is just wonderful."



[/ QUOTE ]

I am so happy all of your hard work planning was acknowledged and appreciated!!

[imagineerwannabe]

Diz,

Catching up on your TR. I really enjoy reading about your Magical Gatherings. When MG's started last year, I thought it was just another attempt get extra money out of the Guests. Now I hope Disney is doing this some years from now when my daughters have their own family. It sounds like you had some great times.

I also enjoyed reading about the luai in your previous post. We plan on going again in three years for DD1's graduation present. She likes Disney, but gets the teenager "everything is stupid" mode every now and then. I was happy to see the teens enjoyed this, and there was a theme about traditions that they identified with.

Good TR!

[katspjs]

Wonderful trip report.

[ QUOTE ]
And then it was over. But it would not be soon forgotten. And my MILs words as we walked away will not be soon forgotten - "Thank you for making our trip filled with so much magic. You must have spent months planning all of this. It is just wonderful."


[/ QUOTE ]

This made me tear up. It's nice to know that all your hard work paid off and everyone had a "magical" vacation. Just like a trip to Disney World ought to be! Congratulations.

[luvnwdwgal]

What a wonderful installment! Love it when everybody catches the MAGIC!!