Festing with Far-flung Friends - Mousefest 2005 - COMPLETE About This Page:

[RobinKay6573]

I am so glad you started your TR. I have some great photos of you and Calder on BTMR! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I can't wait to read more!

[MAria R]

Just catching back up, great update!

[Caldercup]

Okay - I'm a heel.... I let all the work of Christmas get in the way of finishing this TR.

I'm working on the next installment now and hope to have it up later this afternoon....


My apologies!
Eileen

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue"> &lt;when last I wrote in this TR, Calder and I had been joined by Karen and Zack for SpectroMagic before our ADRs at the Crystal Palace…&gt;

As soon as the last SpectroMagic float passed by on its way up to the castle, the crowds around us began to disperse – unfortunately, most of them seemed to end up in the Emporium with us – making it tough-going as we headed through the back of Casey’s Corner towards the Crystal Palace. Calder saw the big screen of cartoons and slowed his pace instantly, wanting to watch. I propelled him along… we were just going to make our 7:30 ADR and I was really hoping we’d get out in time to see some of Wishes at 8.

As we walked up to the CP, there was a huge line waiting at the check-in window and lots of people milling about. A CM was walking though the crowd saying, “If you don’t have an Advanced Dining Reservation, you will not be seated.” Wow! The place looked packed! (The dining plan really affected the crowds at the restaurants the whole trip – Disney hit on a gold mine there. It just means that you really have to make those ADRs if you want to sit down to eat!) We got into the check-in line and started chatting -- a conversation that quickly turned to Karen’s DVC experiences. (I’m gunning for signing up, but the DH isn’t convinced!) A gentleman in line in front of us joined in and Karen had two rapt listeners as she outlined the program and how much it has saved her.

Finally, at 7:45, we were called in to sit at a table that backed one of the big planters on the left side of the restaurant. Karen and I snagged the “bench” seats so the boys could be out near the characters. Calder and Zack seemed interested in each other, but were feeling out the situation like alpha dogs from different packs. I found it rather amusing! (I later realized that they were so accustomed to being the sole kid on a trip to WDW that they weren’t sure about having to share the limelight! But they got along really well and seemed to enjoy hanging out together.)

I gave Karen her autograph book and admired the one she’d made for Zack. I had clickable Sharpies for them too (which the characters really love, except that they can’t see whether the tip is out or not…)

I looked at my watch and realized that there was no way we’d get done in time to see Wishes, and I didn’t want to rush or cut short the conversations flying around just to get outside. &lt;sigh&gt;

Our server greeted us and then directed us to the buffet. Yum! Everything looked delicious and I was hungry – the last thing I’d had to eat was a PB&amp;J at 11AM. Calder piled up his plate with Mac and Cheese (what else?!) and headed right back to the table.

Almost immediately, Piglet showed up and the autographs and pictures started! (Reviewing all my pics now is good for a laugh because the boys never knew which camera to look at, since both Karen and I were snapping away!)


[Piglet pics and sig]

Piglet was quickly followed by Eeyore and Calder remembered to ask the little donkey if he still had his tail – to which Eeyore promptly began swinging around to see if it was there! The handler was trying to get Eeyore to move along, but he was happy to be with us and ignored her. The couple at the next table asked me to take their picture with Eeyore and I did my best. (It was a disposable camera and I was flustered by not having that preview window of my digital camera to make sure the picture came out okay.)


[Eeyore pics and sig]

Finally, Pooh came out we got our hugs and pics with him.


[Pooh pics and sig]

Just then, I heard a big crack and boom out the window and realized that Wishes had started. Since we hadn’t even had a chance to really eat, I knew there was no way to make it outside – and I didn’t want to ditch the gang just to see it. Plus, I knew we’d see the fireworks for the MVMCP the next evening.

So, we settled in and continued on with our meal. Karen and I both went up for seconds as the boys tucked in to their desserts. I ended up soooo full from the meal that I don’t remember getting any dessert! We settled our bills and gathered up our stuff.

Then we realized that Tigger was holding court at the entrance and I really wanted to get a picture of Calder with him. The two of us headed up that way and I noticed Karen trying to convince Zack to join in…. but he wasn’t interested. Calder gamely got Tig’s signature and I snapped a pic.



Then Tigger noticed that Karen was trying to work on Zack and he got into the game. He walked towards Zack and Zack’s eyes popped open as he realized what was happening. He started backing away, but Tigger kept advancing towards him. Suddenly, they were both running and made a big circuit around the room – the tiger in hot pursuit of Zack, who was determined not to be caught.


[The blur]

But, caught he was…. And he was dragged, laughing, up to the front where both Karen and I got his picture with Tigger.


[Success!]

&lt;continued in the next post&gt;


</font>

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue"> &lt;continued from previous post&gt;


As we stepped out into the cool night, we realized that it was officially EMH and the crowds were thinning considerably. We hadn’t gotten our wristbands before SpectroMagic, so I knew we’d have to find them soon. I remembered that, in May, they had been handing them out by the rose garden near the castle, so we headed off that way. Sure enough, behind a filming stand where they were interviewing someone mildly famous (never knew who any of them were, but we kept seeing this all five days we were at WDW), we trotted down a walkway to what I think must’ve once been a landing for the old swan boats and got our wristbands.

We headed off into Tomorrowland and agreed to a quick ride on Buzz! There was no line and we were quickly in our cars and blasting away. I hit the volcano and several other difficult targets and I saw my score-counter jump 100,000 points, but I only ended up with 115,800 total – so I was pretty lame that trip! Zack pointed out the tiny Stitch in the mural on our way out -- past the too-rich-for-my-blood ride pics.

We walked up through Tomorrowland and decided not to ride Space Mountain (I think the wait might have been too long) before heading into Fantasyland. Karen admired the lights on the Teacups, but not enough to want to actually ride the blessed thing. Calder was up for it, but no one else wanted to spin themselves into a sick stomach!

Then I saw the lights of the 100 Acre Wood play area and we all wandered in to check it out. It was a darling spot and the tree is quite pretty. I loved all the theming and sent Calder in to find the HM over the inside door.


[rnig also!]


[LICK!]


[Who left the "r" out?!]



The boys ran around and started a funny game of hide-and-seek... one boy would try to stalk the other, but it never seemed to work out well. Zack started playing with the interactive fountains and Calder started sending Pal Mickey down the slides.



Then it was on to Mickey’s PhilharMagic and my first “I need a tissue” moment! I love this show so much and it always makes me cry. There was a little boy sitting behind us who really got into the show – so much so that, while reaching for Ariel’s gems, he grabbed a handful of Karen’s curls instead!!

There was a line for Peter Pan’s Flight and I couldn’t convince the boys to do IASW with me, so we headed on to the Haunted Mansion. We walked right in and were in the stretching room in seconds. We dragged our bodies into the dead center of the room before getting to see Mr. Gracie’s final way out. This time, Calder and Zack were ready to ride together, so Karen and I got our own doom buggy. We were pointing out our favorite things to each other, but I was stunned that the chair in the never-ending hallway was no longer the one with the “special” image…. Hmmm, I’d only just learned about this during my May KTTK tour and was wanting to show it off! As we exited, the CMs were especially creepy and Calder sidled over to me just as I was pointing something out to Karen and I ended up poking him in the eye. Yikes! He was okay, but had to rub his eye for a minute. We all admired the engagement ring in the sidewalk before we headed out into Liberty Square.

My notes for the evening are sketchy here, but I think Karen and Zack wanted to stay on and do some more rides in Frontierland. Calder looked tuckered, though, so we opted out and said our goodbyes. As I was reaching to hug Karen goodnight, I managed to knock Calder in the cheek with my hand. Poor tyke! A poke in the eye and now a punch in the face!

We headed out of the park and walked down to the bus. There was one there and we were able to walk right on. It was standing room only, but at least we’d be at the resort quickly.

I knew our room was close to the main building, so we headed through the lobby and left towards Crepe Escape. We followed the signs to the room number and found 4118 very quickly – the closest room to the bus depot and very close to the main building. The pool was close too! Wow, room assigner poems have really worked for me the past few trips!


[Hidden Mickeys in the bedspread]


[The obligatory pic of the fridge!]

As we stepped inside, I noticed two things right away – our bags were already in our room (way to go DME) and there was a beautiful floral arrangement on our table from Karen!


[pics of flowers]

Calder quickly released Mickey from his perch and started playing with him as I admired the room and started unpacking our stuff. I called Bell Services for the delivery of the bag we had stored before heading to the MK and it showed up lickety split!

We were in bed by 11PM and I set the wake up call for 7:20.

The weather was sunny and cold in Philadelphia, sunny and warm in Florida – high 60s that night!
The best thing today was seeing Karen and Zack again
The worst thing today was missing Wishes
The funniest thing today was the look the Snow Queen gave Zack during Spectro (Tigger’s chase was a close second!)
Today we tried DME
And the result was a very speedy and painless way to get to the resort. (Tiffany is still better, but you can’t beat something efficient that’s also free!)
The most magical moment today was knowing that we had four more days of camaraderie to share with K&amp;Z


[b]&lt;Up Next: waking up the Animal Kingdom!&gt; </font>

[zacksmom_1993]

I got so excited when I saw this post, Eileen! I think I've been coming back to it every few minutes waiting (not so) patiently for all of the pictures to be loaded. I can't wait to show it to Zack when I get home tonight! I've got the same funky, looking-out-of-the-side-of-their-eyes look on many of my character photos too. I'm surprised we didn't leave the boys cross-eyed! Can't wait for more!

Karen

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Eileen and the pictures are so cute!! Sounds like the first day was really a blast!! Can't wait to read more!!

[DopeyGirl]

Great update Eileen!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[PrincessSharon]

So glad to see another update, Eileen! It sounds like you had a great day, and love the story of Tigger chasing Zack! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] More, please! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[DawnDenise]

What a wonderful day!!!! I'm so glad you got some updates up!! I love all the pictures!! Keep it coming!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[mestitch]

Great update Eileen!! And how sweet of Karen! It's a great feeling to find something special in your room!

[ariel14]

More pls!!

Cindy

[BabieeMelly]

Great update, Eileen! I love the pictures - the chase around Crystal Palace looked TOO funny! And how nice of Karen to send the flowers! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[DrDolphin]

Great update Eileen!!!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great update Eileen [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] And great pictures too!

More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]