Looking Back (A lost TR) ~ Day 3 complete About This Page:

[mestitch]

Okay so I got really excited yesterday when I found my CD of our honeymoon pictures. My computer deleted some of them since I uploaded them a while back. So I figured I would do a trip report for that trip since I was only a lurker back then and regretted not typing one up.

WHO: Me (23 at the time) and new DH, Andy (22 at the time)
WHEN: November 23 - 26, 2003 (the rest of the week we spent in St. Augustine)
WHERE: Grand Floridian Resort
WHAT: Honeymoon and my first trip to WDW

We pick up the morning after our wedding (I'm not sure if I was more excited about my wedding day or the trip that followed it ) We were up by 5am and on the road 20 minutes later. It was a long drive to Florida (which was the furtherest south I'd ever been). I started really feeling the excitement when we crossed the state line. As you can see, I took a picture of the state sign, and then called my mother to shout that we were now in Florida. Of course a few minutes into Florida I remember turning to DH and saying "Wow, Florida really doesn't look that different from SC" I'm a nerd

So a few hours after arriving in Florida we start seeing the exit signs for WDW and I will never forget that feeling. First we come across the Welcome sign

Then we had to cross under the Magic Kingdom sign in order to get to the GF.

Finally we arrive and see the entrance to the GF. It was even more than I had dreamed! I was seeing in person what I had watched on TV so many times before!

We pulled through to the area where the valet guys take your car and, since our car was still covered in all the post wedding decor, everyone that was standing out front started clapping and cheering. It was a very memorable moment!

Walking into the GF pretty much knocked me off my feet! The lobby was this beautiful, grand, exquisite area.

Andy and I checked in and found out that our room wasn't ready yet (it was about 1pm). So we decided to check our luggage with them, wander around the GF a little, and then head off to Epcot to start our adventure in the parks. Here are some of our photos from the GF.

Coming up next: Our trip around the world! And the view of a lifetime!

[MAria R]

Great start, your pictures are really nice. I'm glad that you decided to go ahead and post this TR, I love reading about people's trips and it doesn't matter to me when they were taking. You and your DH look so cute!

[David's Mom]

Great start Melissa!!! More please!!!!

[mestitch]

So after finding our way to the monorail we headed over to Epcot. We had a 5:30 PS at the Coral Reef, so that gave us about 3 hours to tour around in Future World. The first thing we did in Epcot, I remember, was see Honey I Shrunk the Audience. We both loved it and the mice running around kinda freaked me out. Of course the dog sneeze at the end was nice and gross

After that we headed over to Mission Space. I used my camera to see what time it was but my camera is set to 24 hour time and I misread it. So we headed to MS thinking we had an hour less than we really did before our PS. Because of this we thought we wouldn't be able to make the FP time so we waited in line to ride. The line lasted FOREVER! It's the longest I've ever waited. I think something was wrong with the ride at times. But we finally made it up to the front and got to see the funny nerdy guy I referred in my last TR. "I'm sorry sir, there's only 3 seats left sir" he was just so serious about those 3 seats It's only still funny to me b/c of our video. DH taped me saying "Please tell me you got that dork on tape" and then I preceded to mimic him. I do apologize to the boy for making fun of him.

So we get off MS and I had tears I was laughing so hard at how much fun it was. It was like nothing I had experienced before. After our trip to Mars we booked it over to the Living Seas to make our PS. Now since this was my first trip ever I was a little lost, but somehow DH has the sense of direction like a dog sniffing around and he maneuvered us around in no time. I was very impressed.

The Coral Reef was a wonderfully romantic meal for our first night at WDW. We were seated in one of the semicircle booths facing the aquarium. Plus the restaurant was decorated for Christmas. Since we were on the dining plan we were able to choose appetizers, entrees, and dessert. I had the fried oysters as my appetizer, DH had the lobster soup. My entree was the Cajun Catfish served over grits and DH had the grilled Swordfish. Everything was delicious!! Since DH had let them know it was honeymoon they fixed our desserts up for us. DH had the Chocolate Wave which was a chocolate cupcake with chocolate/bourbon syrup in the middle. He still raves about to this day. They placed a candle in his to celebrate. Mine was the Lost at Sea sorbet which they placed a cute little chocolate banner that read Congratulations. It was a very memorable meal! We definitely give this place a big thumbs up

After our dinner we headed over to tour around the World Showcase. I wasn't quite sure what to expect and to be honest it was overwhelming to see everything. I did really enjoy the fact that it was nighttime. Everything was lit up and it was very romantic walking around. DH bought me one of the big paper flowers in Mexico (which I still have sitting on our desk), and a cute black and red oriental purse in China (which I still carry). After some touring and picture taking, we found a great spot to watch Illuminations. We were seated on the huge flower pots in the area between England and France. We settled in and DH went to get me some hot cocoa from France since it started to get chilly. Illuminations was amazing! We could actually feel the heat from the flames from where we were standing!

After Illuminations we made our way out of the park and headed back to the GF. We were both exhausted. It had been a very long day! And we still hadn't seen our room yet. So, we get back to the resort and find our room. We were in the Boca Chica building. DH unlocked the door and we stepped inside. He says he'll never forgot the next few moments as long as he lives. We walked in the room and I was first taken by how beautiful the room was. Then I pulled back the curtains and stepped outside to see the lagoon, then I heard the music coming from the MK, and then I saw the castle, all lit up and changing colors to go with the music. I just started crying and gave him the biggest hug and kept saying "thank you thank you thank you" over and over again. I will never, ever, forget that feeling, at that moment, listening to the music, seeing the electrical water pageant parade, and seeing the castle. It was truly a dream come true!
Here are our Epcot photos:
















(this is one of my favs!)

Coming up next: My first time in the Magic Kingdom!

[Tara O'Hara]

Awww! What a great report so far, Melissa!!

[lauren-roxy]

Melissa, what a really nice, romantic trip report!! We stay at the Grand Floridian and I just it!! Can't wait to read more. Your pictures are awesome!!

[CRCrazy]

I'm loving this as well - what an awesome job you guys did!!

[Stephanie P.]

Melissa,

How do you remember all this? I swear I can't remember this much details about my trip 6 months ago! Keep the report coming!

[DopeyGirl]

AWWWWWWWWW!!! The thing about the music and the castle and the crying . . . .

[Cam22]

Thanks for sharing your memories! You are bringing WDW and your honeymoon to life!!!

[disneyfan4994]

Great report. Your room at GF sounds perfect.

[DrDolphin]

Great start Melissa!!! I love all the photos. Can't wait to read more.

[mestitch]

[ QUOTE ]
Melissa,

How do you remember all this? I swear I can't remember this much details about my trip 6 months ago! Keep the report coming!

[/ QUOTE ]
I kept everything from the trip to make my scrapbook (including the meal receipts we found in my scrapbook box). So I have my scrapbook details, photos, video (DH videoed everything in the parks, and my plans from before the trip.

[Luv4My4]

This is great Melissa, I can't wait to read more!!!

[Joanne929]

Awesome start - can't wait to read more!