whoSEZ & boBmouse: It all started w/ a Mousefest; 1/26 -- photo, TR complete, what's happened since! About This Page:

[Belle*]

What a great photo!!!!

[BritDisFan]

Great photo , you two make a lovely couple.

Karen

[chezp]

That is such a cute photo - I think it needs to be your new signature pic Sandy.

[ilovelilo]

You two are so adorable together! I agree with Cheryl--that would make a great sig pic!

[disneyknut]

What a great photo & an even greater story.. can't wait to hear all about the 'magic' after WDW..(you will keep us updated periodically, wont you??... PLEEEEEZEEEEEE!!!!)

[JoanW]

I want to know how you got from point A to point B (okay, we all know Bob was in Minnesota, but he lives in Connecticut, so when you got home, what happened next?

I'm just a sucker from romance! (Insert Cinderella music here)

[Joy J]

Sandy, I just caught up with your trip report and it's WONDERFUL! It's more like reading a fascinating novel than just a trip report.

Joy

[Fortissimo]

[ QUOTE ]
Back at AKL, I realized I hadn't yet had my Mickey Bar (Hi, Forti! ), so I stopped at the Mara to get one.

[/ QUOTE ]

So, how was it?

Love the report!

[DopeyGirl]

OK . . . so I am super lame and am just getting caught up on this report, Sandy and Bob!!! BUt I am so glad I did decide to read it because it is so great!!! I am getting warm fuzzies reading about YOUR warm fuzzies!!! You two are TOO cute!!!

More please!!! (and pictures too!!!)

[whoSEZ]

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

A surprise phone call!

I was up at 6:15 a.m., ready for our early breakfast at Boma with Cheryl (chezp) and Mark. We got ready and peeked outside to see if it was feeding time (not yet!), then we headed downstairs to wait for Cheryl and Mark. A few minutes later, Cheryl came rushing in, apologizing for being late (which I hadn't even noticed!) and saying Mark was parking the car. He came in a bit later, and we were seated right away. I love the decor in there and the Hidden Mickeys on the chairs.

We all found plenty to eat -- love that juice! -- and chatted away for a while before Mark brought out the infamous Christmas tree hat. Crazy Brit. All the way through breakfast, I kept thinking about how ready I was to just go home and e-mail Bob, and I had to keep reminding myself to keep talking to everyone. We talked a bit about all the meets Cheryl had planned, the fact that I was missing Maureen and Kevan by a day (major bummer!), and the fact that Lesley and I walked right past a PP meet at IllumiNations the night before. (Still can't believe that.)

After breakfast, we said our goodbyes, and Cheryl and Mark headed off to AK for the day. Lesley decided that she'd run over there for a bit too, and I went back to the room to finish packing. I was sitting there packing when all of a sudden the phone rang, and it was Bob, calling to wish us a safe flight home! He was calling from work, so he couldn't talk long, but I thought it was incredibly sweet of him to call, and it made my day. It also made me want to get home even faster so I could e-mail him.

Lesley came back just before check-out time; she had gone on the Safari again, then walked through the Pangani trails, followed by another spin on Primeval Whirl and Dinosaur. Somewhere in there, she ran into Mark and Cheryl, too. I have to say, one of my favorite things about traveling with Lesley is that neither one of us minds splitting up and doing our own thing for a while. It works well for us!

Soon after Lesley got to the room, Bell Services came to help us cart the luggage out to where we were meeting Quicksilver. The wind was cold that morning, but there was a bench in the sunshine, so we sat and waited for our car.

The longest line of the week was the security line at MCO -- I can't remember exactly how long it took us to get through security, but I think it was about 20 minutes. It looked like it was going to take much, much longer, though, so we didn't really mind the wait.

When we got to the gate, it was time for a light lunch. I went to find a muffin and juice; Lesley whipped out the chips and salsa she'd rescued from the fridge in our room. Cracked me up to see her sitting in the airport eating chips and salsa!! But at least the salsa didn't go to waste. We sat and filled out the final couple of PassPockets and waited to board the plane.

The flight home was good; we were both able to sleep for a good portion of the flight. When we got back to MCO, my dad was there to meet us. We got our bags, dropped Lesley off at her house, and then headed for home. So nice to be home! It was a wonderful trip, full of magic. And the biggest part of that magic was yet to be revealed!

Memories of Our Eighth Day

The weather today was: Cold.
The best thing today was: Bob calling to wish us a safe trip home.
The worst thing today was: going home; the long line at MCO security.
The funniest thing today was: Lesley eating the last of the chips and salsa while we were sitting at the gate at MCO. (Not the typical airport food.)
Today we tried: Boma breakfast.
And the result was: Fun!
The most magical moment today was: Our driver stopping so I could get one last picture of the AKL sign; the boy at MCO shouting "Monorail! Monorail!" when he saw the MCO shuttle.

Meals and Snacks

Breakfast: Boma -- Sandy, $17.00; Lesley -- $20.00 (not sure why Lesley paid more; she might simply have had more cash than I did at that moment)
Lunch: Lesley -- leftovers at the gate at MCO, $0.00; Sandy -- some MCO counter service place, $2.25 (muffin)


Our Magic Memories

Our most memorable day was: Saturday.

Because: We got to spend it with Bob, the Larsons, and Rose; and because we had great viewing spots for Spectro and Wishes. It was just a completely magical day with great friends and great entertainment.

Our most memorable park was: MK.

Because: we got to see the Magic Kingdom through the eyes of three great kids; we had incredibly good luck with lines every time we were there; and we loved the parades and fireworks there.

Our most memorable attraction was: Lesley -- Mission Space; Sandy -- Tower of Terror.

Because: Lesley -- first time, short waits, loved it; Sandy -- laughing my way through my first ride on TOT without lap bars.

Our most memorable activity was: All of the nighttime parades and shows.

Because: We shared all of the parades and shows with friends from PassPorter, and we always had great spots!

Our most memorable meal was: 50s Primetime and Chef Mickey's.

Because: 50s Primetime because we met Bob there, and because we had a fun server who kept us and the people next to us laughing. Chef Mickey's because we shared it with Donna's family.

Our most magic moment of all was: IllumiNations Cruise and, especially for Sandy, meeting Bob.

Because: Captain Mike made the cruise even more special than normal -- his explanation of the story; the people who shared our cruise; great weather that night. Meeting Bob was magical because what was supposed to be just dinner turned into something completely unexpected and lovely.

Special memories of our vacation: The people!!! Met with PassPorter friends every single day and enjoyed every single moment of it.


Our Trip Report

When did you go? December 8-15, 2004

Who did you go with? What are their ages? Sandy (35) and Lesley (35).

Was this your first trip? No.

If not, how many trips have you had? Sandy (8); Lesley (7)

Where did you stay? Pop Century (four nights); Animal Kingdom Lodge (three nights).

What parks and attractions did you visit? All parks; way too many attractions to count.

What special things did you do? MVMCP, Candlelight Processional, IllumiNations Cruise, IllumiNations Dessert Party, and lots of PP meets.

What would you do again? Why? All of the above.

What would you never do again? Why? Sandy -- sit in back on RnR. Yuck.

What tips do you have for your fellow vacationers? Plan ahead; make use of the many great Disney planning websites; meet other PassPorters when you can; try something new; remember you can't see it all; if at all possible, get Captain Mike for your IllumiNations cruise; and believe that magic happens at the most unexpected times and in the most unexpected places.

[whoSEZ]

Okay, everyone ... I know this is what you're all really waiting for. So ...

I got home on 12/15 and e-mailed Bob that night. We e-mailed back and forth for a couple days, then IM'd a few times over the weekend. By Monday 12/20, I had decided that life is too short to waste wondering ... so I e-mailed him, saying I thought we had a great connection, asking if I was imagining it, and telling him the best surprise of my trip was getting to spend Saturday and Sunday with him. I hit "Send" and hoped I wasn't making a fool of myself.

Within an hour, Bob had responded saying that he was glad he wasn't imagining it -- that Saturday and Sunday were the two best days of his trip, and that he missed me on Monday. He called that night, and with the exception of a couple days over Christmas weekend, we've talked every day since then.

He was here for a visit over the weekend, and thanks to the massive snows in Connecticut, he got to stay an extra day! We had the best time, and I can't wait to see him again. He's planning another visit in April, and I'm planning a trip to Connecticut in June.

Most of you already know that my parents met at Disneyland, so this is all extra magical for me -- but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that a PP meet at WDW would be anything more! I'm feeling incredibly blessed.

[chezp]

What an excellent conclusion to the report Sandy - I'm so glad you filled in all the blanks for us and it sounds like you guys had a great meet up over the weekend. This has been a wonderful trip report (s) to read and just goes to show how magical MouseFest can be.

[DopeyGirl]

Aw . . . Sandy . . . just goes to show how magical Disney really is!!!

Great report BOTH of you!!!

[ilovelilo]

That is so awesome! I can tell you sound so happy and I think that's totally great! I didn't know your parents met at Disneyland but that just makes it extra special. Thank you so much for sharing this report with us--it was so romantic and magical!

[BritDisFan]

Sandy this is so great, I am so happy for you and Bob I think you make a lovely couple . It proves just how magical Disney can be.

Karen