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Day 1 - December 5, 2004
We started our day out with me making coffee and putting it into styrofoam cups with everyones name on (there were 8 of us going down).
I also made bagels for everyone to eat while we waited to board the plane. The majority of the gang slept at our house so it was easier
to get everyone to the airport. My daughters Holli and Felicia had Holli's significant other take them and the baby to the airport and we
had my other daughter Renee take us. We had no trouble going through the security at the airport (even though there is enough metal on
Holli and Felicia to build a gunboat LOL). We got to Baltimore on time and called our daughter June who was already at the hotel with
our friend Adrianne and her son Chris and told them we would most likely be right on schedule. We arrived at Orlando International
Airport 25 minutes early and Roger from Sunray Transportation was waiting for us. He remembered us immediately and walked up to me and
welcomed us back to Florida (he picked us up last November). He played with the baby while we found out where our luggage was and then
helped the guys get the luggage to the car. The ride to WDW was a nice safe ride with the kids (ages 3 -30) talking about all the thigns
they were going to do.
We got to the Saratoga Springs around 1:30 pm and everyone got out of the van and started grabbing luggage. At this point a car pulled up
behind us, and my daughter and our friends got out. Roger looked at my daughter and asked her are you going home with them (what a surprise
that this man could recognize people he hadn't seen in over a year).
When we got into the lobby of the hotel June informed me there was a problem with the rooms. It seemed they gave my room to Adrianne and
didn't have any other rooms ready. When I went to the desk they redid all the keys and John and I were given a room at the end of the hall
on the fourth floor. they then fond a room at the other end to put Adrianne, Holli, Felicia, Christopher and Kara into. The room for
Mike, Lizzie, Eric and June was not ready so we had the bellhop bring the luggage to the 2 rooms that were available and leave the luggage
for the third room in ours. We went to our rooms and freshened up then took a walk over to Downtown Disney.
We all went our separate ways and made plans to meet at the hotel at 3:30 to go to the MVMCP.
We arrived at MK around 4 and went to look for something to eat. Afterwards we all went and had our photo taken. From there we went on
Buzz Lightyear about 3 times. We stayed at MVMCP until midnight and went back to the hotel. We had a glass of wine and decided we would
all sleep in the morning because our PS for Chef Mickey's was at 11.
So far an uneventful trip but it did what it was supposed to do relax us and let us enjoy the season without the normal rushing around.
Day 2 - December 6, 2004
On Monday, December 6 we got up and all met at the elevator to go to the busstop in DTD because we were headed to the Contemporary for
breakfast at Chef Mickey's. We had our picture taken (which wasn't easy fitting the 11 of us in) and then preceded to our table. We had
a late breakfast so there was no waiting for a table. After we all ate we jumped onto a bus outside the Contemporary to go to MGM for the
day.
DH and I went off without the kids and told them to meet us at 4 in front of Hollywood & Vine. I actually went on the TOT and was
surprised at my reaction (this is the biggest chicken in the world). We went on the GMR and into the Muppets Theatre. DH and I spent more
time shopping than anything else (I guess we're getting old LOL).
At 4 we headed to H&V and met up with 1/3 of our crowd. We ended up all on our cell phones trying to find the rest of them. We ate at
four separate tables (which gave Mom & Dad some down time from the kids) and then we went out to see what we could do before going to
see Fantasmic. At around 6 we headed to Fantasmic which we consider one of the best shows at WDW. After Fantasmic we went back to the
hotel. When we arrived the kids went to the pool and we went to the bar.
Around 9 DH and I went to our room and 3 kids followed. We sat around chatting and drinking a bottle of wine. At midnight we went to our
balcony and watched the PI fireworks then it was everyone off to bed.
I guess it was another pretty uneventful day.
Day 3 - December 7, 2004
We started our day with the 11 of us going to Ohana's for breakfast with the characters. We had a great time. The baby and Christopher (
the other little one with us) got autographs and Kara participated in the "Breakfast Parade".
After Ohana's we jumped the monorail to MK and spent the day. While there I met with Karen White, Shelley White, Colleen and her DH. My DH came too. We spent at least an hour (I'm sure
it was longer) at the Columbia Harbour House getting to know each other. After we left my DH made a comment about how nice it was to
get to meet people you talk to online everyday.
We left the MK and headed back to the Poly for The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. We were there last year but the group that came with us
had never been so it was like a whole new experience. When the show was over we took a bus to DTD and DH and I headed back to our room to
pack as we were changing rooms the next day. the kids came and dropped off their luggage from the room that June had because we
wanted to make it a little easier for the bellhop (his name was Mark and we gave him a workout). After packing up everything and making
sure eveything was set for us to check out in time in the morning we had some more wine and went to bed.
Day 4 - December 8, 2004
We all got up around 8 and made sure everything was packed. I called bell services and the guy who answered the phone busted up when I told
him I had 34 bags between 2 rooms that needed to be picked up and moved to another room in the hotel. We were losing 2 of our people so
we moved to a 2 bedroom villa. The guys helped Adrianne load her car and then they went over to DTD. John, Felicia and I waited for Mark
to come get he bags and he offered to drive us to our new building and get us settled. We had a great chat with him. He had worked for WDW
as a bellhop for at least 7 years so he got to move to Saratoga when it opened. He asked for our new room number and when I gave it to
him, he informed me that room was not a 2 bedroom villa. He called the front desk asnd had a new room assigned to our key immediately.
He took us to our room and we almost fainted. Felicia came running to me and said, "Mom your bathroom has 3 rooms!!!". Mark laughed and
explained it was a shower room, bathroom, and jacuzzi room. We explored and then headed over to DTD to give out the keys to everyone.
When we got to DTD Adrianne and Christopher said goodbye and headed to the airport. We went to Fulton's Crabhouse for lunch (John, June,
Lizzie and I). I had the scallops and their Christmas drink a Peppermint Snowflake. It was so good I got the recipe for it and
served it on Christmas Eve at my gathering. After we finished lunch we all did some shopping and then went back to the room for a little
R&R before going on our Wishes Cruise.
At 4:30 we headed to DTD to take the bus over to the GF for our fireworks cruise. We loved it. Watching the fireworks from the water
was great because we didn't have to keep turning our heads to keep up with where the fireworks were coming from. After the fireworks cruise
we went into the GF to check out the Christmas Decorations. We went back to the Saratoga and had a drink at the bar.
When we got back to the room the kids were headed to the pool again. DH and I watched some TV and the fireworks from Pi and went to sleep.
Day 5 - December 9, 2004
Thursday was a pretty good day. We all got to sleep in and have breakfast in the villa. I had bagels and frozen waffles and cereal
ther and I made a pot of coffee. Gave the baby some juice and when we were ready we went on our way.
The day started in AK. We hadn't been there yet and DH and I wanted to go on the Kilaminjaro Safari. We took Lizzie and Eric with us
because they had never been to AK. We saw ITTBAB and we went on the Safari and went to the Lion King Show. When we left the LS we went to
lunch at Tusker House and then DH went back to the room and I went to the Mouse Fest Meet & Greet.
At the Meet and Greet I met up with Colleen and hr DH once again. I also met Wendy, Alan, Nathan, Linda, Gracie, Lori and Tammy N. Those
are all I remember right now but I think there were a few more. I had to leave by 4 because DH and I were meeting the kids at the Beirgarten
for dinner. Unfortunately I ran a little late so DH went to Epcot ahead of me. When I got to the busstop I boarded the bus for the
Epcot Hotels. I figrued I would get off at the BCV but there were other plans in the works apparently because a girl got violently ill
on the bus and they had to call for a new bus so I ended up running (not walking) to the International Gateway from the Swan. On my run
over my DDs called me about 5 times to let me know they wanted to seat us but because I wasn't there they wouldn't. I finally got to the
Germany Pavillion and we went in. The food was great and the show was good. They invited all the kids down to sit in front of the Christmas
tree while everyione in the place sang Silent Night. They also let the kids do little dance. When we finished in the Biegarten everyone
went their own way again.
We went back to the hotel where I did some laundry and then went down to the store to buy a new suitcase. By the end of the trip we bought
4 new suitcases because we did all our Christmas shopping in DTD.
When we got back to the room the kids were all there and we watched a dvd. We waited up for the fireworks and my DD Felicia videotaped
them. We went to bed dreaming of how good it would be to not have to do anything special on Friday.
Day 6 - December 10, 2004
Friday was our slow day.
The older kids went to Universal Studios.
The younger kids went to MK.
The old folks slept in. When we finally got up John and I went to the Boardwalk. We had never been there so it was a treat for us. We got
pictures of the Christmas Amusement park made of chocolate. As we were leaving the Boardwalk Hotel we decided to walk the Boardwalk and
take in some more sights. We also ate lunch at the Bakery on the Boardwalk.
We were going to the busstop to head back to the Saratoga when the rains came. The rain came straight across instead of down and it hurt
when it hit. We got back to the Saratoga and John and I went to the Turf Club for a drink. After that we went to the store in the Hotel
and bought some pasta to make for dinner. When we got back to the room the younger kids were there and soaked to the bone. I cooked
dinner and we watched a dvd. After dinner the older kids came in and I thought we could start packing since we had plans for Saturday. I
did some laundry and everyone started packing. Then they went off to the pool.
Once everyone was back in the room we opened another bottle of wine and toasted our vacation. We brought 4 bottles of wine with us and
purchased another one while we were there. After that it was off to Lullabye Land.
Day 7 - December 11, 2004
This was girls morning out. The six of us went to breakfast at Norway for the Princess breakfast. We had a 10 am meal but arrived early
and they seated us immediately. Kara dressed in her Jasmine outfit and carried her Jasmine Beanie. She just adores Jasmine (wants her
own pet tiger). We sat down and the princesses immediately approached our able. First it was Belle and she had taken the time to play with
Kara. After Belle left Snow White arrived. I love the movie but the girl who played Snow White drove us crazy with her high pitched voice
and constant fluttering of the eyes. When she left Mulan came over. Kara wanted to know where Mushu was (she likes dragons too). When
Mulan left Sleeping Beauty came ocver and Kara sang "Once Upon A Dream" with her. When she left it was Jasmine's turn and we thought
Kara would faint. Jasmine offered to sign her Beanie for her but she told her she needed her doll to stay clean so please sign my autograph
book. After the Princesses left we enjoyed our breakfast. The Princess breakfast is delivered to your table and you choose what you
want to eat. The sweet rolls were very good. Kara preferred the bacon over everything at the table so it was getting hard to convince
her to eat. When we finished breakfast we all headed of to meet the guys.
June, Lizzie and I went to Mousegear to shop and Holli, Felicia and Kara went to China. John called to tell me he lost the guys somewhere
between the hotel and the park (didn't please Lizzie that Eric vanished). We met in Mousegear and John buzzed Eric (they both have
Nextel) and told him to go to a different line to get into the park and meet us in Mousegear. The guys finally met up with us and we went
to SSE. When we got off that the kids went off on their own for a while and John and I tried to get on Test Track. That was the one
ride we didn't get to do the whole trip. At 7 we met up with Lizzie and Eric and they took John and I to LeCelliers for dinner to thank us
for letting them come on our vacation with us. We had a great meal and I even brought home the desert menu for my scrapbook. When we
finished eating Lizzie and Eric went to see Illuminations and John and I headed back to the hotel.
It was time to pack everything except the close we needed for the next day and our pjs. We got everything packed and by the door. By the
end of the trip we had 38 bags to go home. The kids headed to the pool for their final dip and we all went to bed.
Day 8 - December 12, 2004 - The final frontier
We got up Sunday and all ate in the room. I called bell services to get the luggage picked up and the kids headed to the door. Made them
wait and count the luggage so we knew what we had. Mark ( our friendly bellhop) came before we finished counting and told the kids
not to worry go enjoy themselves. John and I took care of tipping Mark and headed to DTD right behind the kids.
We did some more shopping for little things that we knew we would eb able to carry on the plane. Around 3 in the afternoon we headed back
to the hotel to have one last tour around. We went to the Turf Club to watch the football game and have a drink and the guys started
shooting pool. Holli took out her camera and just started snapping pictures of anything and everything. Felicia and Holli took Kara out
to the pool for one last look and Holli and Kara came back in and told June and I Felicia needed us at the pool. We called Felicia and she
told us they were having a Trivia Contest and she entered us. We won. Kara picked out the prize and we came home with a hand held Jeopardy
game.
At 5:45 pm June took a walk to the lobby and called me to tell us Roger was there to take su to the airport. June got bell services to
get our luggage and started loading the car with Roger. We got to the airport in plenty of time to eat dinner while we waited to board the
plane. At 7:30 we boarded and the kids settled down for the flight home. We arrived home at 10:15 pm and my daughter Renee came to get
us. Finally home and started working on the next trip.
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