We spent two nights at Homewood Suites in Birmingham. I would recommend this place to anyone! The staff was understanding and very accommodating. We were walk ins on a Friday night and they gave us the Internet rate! The breakfast that is included with your stay was awesome. There was a lot to choose from at the breakfast bar and the suite we stayed in was roomy and clean.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Life Has Been Interupted!
We spent two nights at Homewood Suites in Birmingham. I would recommend this place to anyone! The staff was understanding and very accommodating. We were walk ins on a Friday night and they gave us the Internet rate! The breakfast that is included with your stay was awesome. There was a lot to choose from at the breakfast bar and the suite we stayed in was roomy and clean.
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Big Surprise and a note about Magic Kingdom Part 2
Long story short we started planning a cruise instead (which didn't pan out) until we found out that our nieces competition would be the same week of Kelli's anniversary. This gave me the bright idea to surprise my goddaughter, niece and Kelli all at the same time. Kelli's husband Mike was in on it after we told him when we got together with them early summer in Washington DC. We had been trying since Sunday evening to let her know we were here but unfortunately we could not get her to leave the parks! We even had friends checking from their homes to see where she was so she wouldn't get suspicious of me calling to many times.
The plan was to leave the park and track her down no matter what. We knew the resort they were staying at because I had fibbed and told her we were sending them a special anniversary gift and that I needed the address. I also knew she and Mike had reservations that evening at Victoria and Alberts so I knew we had to act quickly. We tracked down the address for the resort and by some miracle the gatekeeper let us in. When we got to the room Kelli and her daughter Marlee Anne were actually out so Mike had us hide when she came back. My daughter filmed the whole thing. It was priceless. It had taken three days to surprise her but it was worth it just to see the look on her face! LOL
We hung around while she got dressed and then hightailed it back to our room to get ready for dinner at Ohana's with the promise to get together within the next day or so.
Sidenote: Some how I posted Magic Kingdom Part 2 on my craft page! HAHA Enjoy!!! I don't have the energy to transfer it anyway!!! LOL
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Part 1 of Magic Kingdom!!!!
We drove into the gates straight for the parking lot and on to the trams! That's when you really know your at Disney if you ask me. LOL The weather was great but just a tad hot! WIthin minutes we were headed for the monorails ......until one of the CM's said they were not available. Wha????? So off to the boats we go. Thankfully we did not have to wait long. The one thing I love about the ferry ride is that you get to see the monorail hotels and knowing that we would be eating at the Poly that evening just got me even more excited.
As soon as we got off of the ferry we made our way to the "security" section, which if you were standing behind my husband in line I apologize in advance. He is the water carrier, snack host, baby wipe toter...you name it he has it in his backpack. But for us it helps keep us sane during the long days in the park and in bot of our cases for health reasons its important to have the water and snacks available...especially in the heat!
My plan from the start was to grab a fastpass for the Princess and go immediately to the line for Mickey. We had been unable to get ADR's for Chef Mickeys and frankly how could I come to Disney without seeing Mickey!
Mission Accomplished! Granted it took us a miunute to figure out where the fastpass area was. And thankfully the wait for Mickey was only 8 minutes. I have to say I love this system. Way easier then the lines outside for some of the other characters which we never got a chance to do because it was either to hot, or raining. In one case we got in line to see Pooh who my daughter loves and the line was cut off. I think every character should have his own spot inside to meet and greet! LOL And we never did find Tiana.....is she like in the witness protection program or something (granted we got a glimpse of her in the parade later but its not quite the same)?
After meeting and greeting Mickey we headed to Adventureland, along the way my daughter Nicki posed with a few hats and my daughter Quisha stopped to mail a card to a friend (how cool would it be to receive a card from WDW). Of course who can travel down Main Street without taking a picture in front of the castle! Then after a quick left through the crowds we were in Adventureland!
Our first stop was Pirates of the Caribbean! Which by the way is even better with the new add-ons. Best part of the ride...no wait! After we finished the ride the family just had to clown around in the shops.
After coming out of the show we grabbed a quick snack and some water out of the backpack before heading back towards Mainstreet to use our fastpass to see the princess. We made it to mainstreet just in time to catch the Move It Shake It parade (a first for us).
As soon as the parade ended we hightailed it over to meet the princess..finally! LOL
Monday, September 5, 2011
Day 2/Part 2-Pop Century here we come!
There is nothing like seeing those gates into the world we know as Walt Disney World. I always feel as if I am coming home!
Went with Mike to pick up our tickets at Shades of Green. Then to my other favorite place....Downtown Disney!
We did not know at the time that this would be our one and only time going there! Pooh!!!!
Did a little dreaming at the chrystal shop and then finally after what seemed like forever we headed to Pop Cnetury! Our home away from home for the week.
Don't you just love a good butt shot! LOL
I had originally asked for a Lake View on the third floor hoping to get a glimpse of the new resort. No such luck. We ended up on the second floor in the very last building (probably a good thing since we took the stairs every day because the elevators seemed so far away). We used our car most of the time so this was not a big deal but the 50's and 60's building just seemed very far removed from the experience of Pop Century so we never actually got a chance to explore. Not to mention the fact that it rained a lot on this trip (again...more on that later)! Augh!!!!!
I forgot to mention that check in was a breeze, and in no time we had our room keys and headed to the food court area to pick up our refillable mugs. Marc was hesitating about getting one but I got him one anyway knowing he would need his coffee every morning. In the end he probably used his cup more then we did. I think we did some shopping that evening, grabbed a quick bite to eat and settled in our room for the night in anticipation of our first day in the park! Magic Kingdom here we come!!!
Day 2-Family
Monday morning after grabbing our "free" breakfast (which I have to say was disappointing in comparison to what they offered back in 98) at the Buena Vista Suites we checked out, loaded up the car (note to self...next time pack an overnight bag for just your one days change of clothing) and headed to my girlfriend Cass' timeshare. They had given us the address and we found the complex with no problem but the place was huge so we had a hard time finding them. We finally had to call them, but knowone was answering their cell phones so we called the hotel line and asked to be connected to their room. Marc even used his official "Pastor Marc" title! LOL
Our goddaughter was very surprised to see us (mission accomplished)!
Marc has not been on a vacation for five years. Loved the fact that he got to have so much downtime hanging out with friends.
We spent the day hanging out with the family and working on projects my girlfriend Cass had to do in preparation for my niece's paticipation in the Miss. Outstanding Teen Pageant. More on that later.
Around 2:30 we made our way to the car to head to our favorite place in the world.....WDW!!!!!
Travel Day
We left Virginia early Sunday morning around 5 AM for the 13 hour ride to Florida. We packed snacks and made a few gas and bathroom breaks along the way but made what seemed like record time getting to Florida. Arrived in Florida just in time to grab some OJ at the welcome center before the sky busted wide open (a sign of things to come). So I didn't get a chance to take the usual family portrait under the welcome sign but quickly grabbed our oj and a couple of brochures. One thing I noticed is that they don't have the individual park maps like they did years ago! So I would have to wait until we actually checked into Pop Century the next day. Pooh!!!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Our Disney Purchases
I thought I would have started on my trip report by now....but a earthquake and an unexpected extension of my trip to DC for the Women of Faith Conference for two days because of Hurricane Irene has set me back just a bit! Sooo...I thought I would share a few of the things we picked up from Disney! The towels and blanket were purchased by my hubby. The kitchen stuff are mine...which I find ironic since I don't do much cooking! But I love to entertain so I have this thing about serving dishes and so I couldn't resist the mickey trivets and aqua blue spoon rest (in my favorite shape and color). The mug is actually another one of the purchases from my husband now that I'm thinking about it. Of course as hostess I need cute dish towels and the large mickey pattern in the background is a apron (isn't it cute)! I also couldn't resit the toaster press and the black shaped thing that looks like a cookie cutter can actually be used to make eggs or pancakes! Now how cute is that? LOL
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Back Home!!!
We made it back safe and sound. Some ups, some downs (and a whole lot of rain) but an update will have to wait. I leave again in a few days for Washington DC for the Women of Faith Conference. Will start posting my trip report when I return! And as if there is not enough drama in my life...Hurricane Irene is set to make landfall on our return train ride. Does AMTRAK run rain or shine? LOL
Friday, August 12, 2011
Disney Princess
I couldn't post about Disney and not mention the other Disney "princess" in the house (since you met the "queen")! This is my youngest daughter Nicki. She is 25 years old and is our fashionista in the family. Thankfully growing up has not kept her from her Disney roots (she has had a love affair going on for all things Eeyore since she was a kid. She also loves Piglet and Tinkerbell)!
You won't find the typical "Disney" wardrobe in her suitcase which by the way is still not packed (unless you count the Minnie Shirt that I got for all three of us to wear to Cape May). She picked up this shirt from Target...its way cooler then my Eiffel Tower t-shirt.
Nicki and her dad have many things in common...one of which is a love of shoes! They have more then the entire family combined....yet, you wouldn't think so by this trip. They are each only taking three pair!!! What's up with that?
This top reminds me of Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. To bad we are not eating there this trip. Maybe she can wear it to Animal Kingdom instead! Nicki is soo tiny that the majority of here wardrobe fits in these two Forever21 bags! I kid you not...at the most she may have to add two more outfits! Ima need her to get on the stick though and get those bags packed ASAP!
If I can get Marc to put on one of his many Disney caps and take a picture I will re-introduce you to him. Because honestly if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have been able to make all of my Disney dreams come true the last 8 years! Gotta love a man that supports your Disney habits!
Miscellaneous Photo Overload!!!
Its scheduled to rain a couple of days while we are at the parks. No big deal...we just whip out the old ponchos (2 for a $1.00 at the Dollar Tree) and keep it moving. The great thing about most of the rides at the park are that the waits are indoors....so no rain, and air conditioning! The nite light was too cute to leave at the store. Will probably plug it in the bathroom area so that people don't have to turn on lights for that nighttime call to the restroom!
Did you really think I would pick out all of those cute outfits and not have some cute accessories to go with them? You won't notice me wearing a lot of necklace in the park....just to hot for all that around my neck (I will already have the hipster anyway).
Our last full day in Orlando we have breakfast at Cape May Cafe. The girls and I have matching t-shirts for our "meet" with Minnie!
An extra outfit....just in case! LOL
I never travel anywhere without my own pillow and a blanket. And 14 hours by car without a neckroll is just plain suicide!
Do you know how hard it is for someone who loves pocketbooks as much as I do (even more then shoes...gasp) to only take three bags??? My mom would be proud.
I keep a bag in the car when I travel (even if its only the 1 1/2 ride to my moms house) filled with books, snacks, a notepad, pen and other junk...lol. No Disney trip is complete without a Unofficial WDW Guide (even if its from 2010). I said I would include some of my fav. Disney tips in this post but because its so heavy with photos I think I will do a seperate post for that! SO stay tuned....only two days left!!!!
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