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Old 12-29-2011, 09:07 PM   #1
MelissaSue
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Talking Mousetacular Holiday Trip Report

Hi everyone! I'm finally back with my early December trip report. My husband Rob and I visited WDW from Dec. 8-11 to celebrate Mousetacular and our "Honeymooniversary." If you feel like you're missing something, feel free to check out our Pre-Trip Report. And, if you like what you're reading, visit my new blog Mouse on the Mind! As in past reports, Rob will be adding his comments here, in Dark Slate Blue font.

December 2011 Mousetacular Holiday Trip
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Melissa Sue
Co-editor, Mouse on the Mind



Feb 2012 PTR (UPDATED): 3 Resorts, 2 Friends, 1 Great Trip
Dec 2011 TR (COMPLETED 12/30): Mousetacular Holiday

Completed Trip Reports:
City on the Bay (Nov. 2011), First Anniversary (Oct. 2011), Dream Disneymoon (Dec. 2010)


My Countdown Counting down to: Mousetacular Holiday Celebration
Disney, here we come!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsJuly 1988 - Family Trip - Offsite // August 2001 - Family Trip - Offsite // December 2010 - Disneymoon - Contemporary Resort // September 2011 - Girl's Only Research Trip - Offsite // October 2011 - First Anniversary - Boardwalk Villas // December 2011 - Mousetacular Holiday - Boardwalk Villas // February 2012 - Girl's Only Trip - Pop Century Resort

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Old 12-29-2011, 09:13 PM   #2
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Day One, Part One: Travel

We left the house too, too early … way too early. But not quite early enough—by the time we got to the airport and went through security, they were already boarding our section! So on we went.

Once we were all boarded and seated, we were told by our pilot that there was a mechanical problem with the plane, and we’d have to wait for a technician. We waited about 45 minutes for him to show up. Then another 20 while he checked the problem and decided we could fly with a broken do-hickey. Good times.

During this time, it started snowing, and by the time we were given the all clear, we had to stop for another 10 minutes to de-ice the plane. On the plus side, once we were in the air, we were able to watch free movies! I watched The Help.

Rob here. I have nothing to add except GRUMBLE GRUMBLE! I didn't watch a free movie. Instead, I watched Tosh.O, which Melissa doesn't approve of normally.

We landed in Orlando an hour and 20 minutes late, which was kind of the worst, but I guess it’s better than being dead!

We hightailed it off the plane and headed toward DME, where there was a line! Not because there were a ton of people, but because the oldsters managing the crowds were moving slow as anything.

We almost had to wait for a new bus ... they closed the gate just as we arrived, and we thought we were going to have to wait forever. Luckily, they had enough seats on the bus and let us through.

Eventually, we made it onto the bus, where I popped three Advil and prepared for a nice pre-Disney nap. Or not. Almost immediately after we sat down, the toddler in the seat behind me started to scream bloody murder. No joke. So I reached into my trusty park bag and gave her a Mickey pin. It worked like a charm—she immediately shut up, and I was able to get a quick cat nap.

The rest of the ride was uneventful, and we arrived at Boardwalk Villas around 1 p.m. When we checked in, the man at the desk seemed unable or unwilling to add my credit card to the room keys, so we let it go and headed up to our room to drop off our bags. That, though, proved more difficult than we’d thought it would be because our room was on the complete ass-end of the Villas. Literally, we were closer to Hollywood Studios than we were to ESPN The Restaurant. Good times.

While my wife is prone to making exaggerations, this is not one of them.


We found our first-ever towel Mickey!

Once we dropped off our stuff, we decided to just continue the trek, walking to Hollywood Studios.


Survey marker along the path to DHS


View from the path to DHS

We were through the gates by 1:30 p.m., and the park was nearly empty! Thus, our traveling for the day was almost through ...
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Melissa Sue
Co-editor, Mouse on the Mind



Feb 2012 PTR (UPDATED): 3 Resorts, 2 Friends, 1 Great Trip
Dec 2011 TR (COMPLETED 12/30): Mousetacular Holiday

Completed Trip Reports:
City on the Bay (Nov. 2011), First Anniversary (Oct. 2011), Dream Disneymoon (Dec. 2010)


My Countdown Counting down to: Mousetacular Holiday Celebration
Disney, here we come!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsJuly 1988 - Family Trip - Offsite // August 2001 - Family Trip - Offsite // December 2010 - Disneymoon - Contemporary Resort // September 2011 - Girl's Only Research Trip - Offsite // October 2011 - First Anniversary - Boardwalk Villas // December 2011 - Mousetacular Holiday - Boardwalk Villas // February 2012 - Girl's Only Trip - Pop Century Resort

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Old 12-29-2011, 09:39 PM   #3
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Day One, Part Two: Hollywood Studios

We’d hoped to have lunch at Bill and Minn’s, but it was closed, probably because the park was so empty. So, instead, we headed toward Studios Catering Company, stopping to walk down Streets of America on the way.


We loved these little dogs on the San Francisco Street

At the Catering Co., Rob had a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich—he said the flavor was very mild—and I had the Turkey Club, which was good but not great. I’d order something else next time. After lunch, we walked down Pixar Place, and we were lucky to see several Army Men out. I love them!

One of the Army Men was standing so still that there was no line to get a photo with him. I thought he was a statue, but he was gone later in the day.


Army Mans!

After that, I dropped Rob off at Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular for the 2 p.m. showing. I had other plans: shopping!! After I bought Christmas gifts for some friends and family, I caught two performances by the Citizens of Hollywood. (I’ll be talking about them on Mouse on the Mind over the next few weeks, so be sure to subscribe!)

The show was fun. I spotted the plant really early. There was a strong sense of stubborness in the crowd that day. When they asked everyone to move in closer, no one moved! We were people who needed our leg space.


Citizens of Hollywood play the Match Game

Then, at 2:35, I met Rob in front of the bathrooms near Sounds Dangerous, and we picked a plum spot for the Countdown to Fun Parade. While we waited, we shared an ice cream soda. It was an absolutely perfect Disney moment—my favorite parade, my favorite ice cream treat and my favorite guy.

Dawww! I had never seen this parade before, and as a man who doesn't typically like parades, even I have to admit, it was pretty friggin awesome.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get any photos from the parade, as my camera battery died! (I didn’t prepare for this trip very well.) Afterward, we saw Voyage of the Little Mermaid and rode Tower of Terror.

The park was set to close at 5 p.m., so around 4:30, laden with my shopping bags, we walked back to the Boardwalk for a quick change of clothes and fresh camera battery. And glow sticks!


Glow stick power!

Everything is better with glow sticks.

Before heading back out into The World ...
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Melissa Sue
Co-editor, Mouse on the Mind



Feb 2012 PTR (UPDATED): 3 Resorts, 2 Friends, 1 Great Trip
Dec 2011 TR (COMPLETED 12/30): Mousetacular Holiday

Completed Trip Reports:
City on the Bay (Nov. 2011), First Anniversary (Oct. 2011), Dream Disneymoon (Dec. 2010)


My Countdown Counting down to: Mousetacular Holiday Celebration
Disney, here we come!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsJuly 1988 - Family Trip - Offsite // August 2001 - Family Trip - Offsite // December 2010 - Disneymoon - Contemporary Resort // September 2011 - Girl's Only Research Trip - Offsite // October 2011 - First Anniversary - Boardwalk Villas // December 2011 - Mousetacular Holiday - Boardwalk Villas // February 2012 - Girl's Only Trip - Pop Century Resort

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Old 12-29-2011, 10:14 PM   #4
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great start! sorry you guys were at the end of the hotel :/
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Old 12-29-2011, 11:14 PM   #5
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great start! sorry you guys were at the end of the hotel :/
Thanks, freeeak!! We lived with it, but we'll absolutely be spending the extra points for a better location next time!
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Melissa Sue
Co-editor, Mouse on the Mind



Feb 2012 PTR (UPDATED): 3 Resorts, 2 Friends, 1 Great Trip
Dec 2011 TR (COMPLETED 12/30): Mousetacular Holiday

Completed Trip Reports:
City on the Bay (Nov. 2011), First Anniversary (Oct. 2011), Dream Disneymoon (Dec. 2010)


My Countdown Counting down to: Mousetacular Holiday Celebration
Disney, here we come!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsJuly 1988 - Family Trip - Offsite // August 2001 - Family Trip - Offsite // December 2010 - Disneymoon - Contemporary Resort // September 2011 - Girl's Only Research Trip - Offsite // October 2011 - First Anniversary - Boardwalk Villas // December 2011 - Mousetacular Holiday - Boardwalk Villas // February 2012 - Girl's Only Trip - Pop Century Resort
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Old 12-29-2011, 11:28 PM   #6
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Great start!
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My Countdown Counting down to: Sailing through the Caribbean on the Freedom
Relaxing on my cruise
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Old 12-30-2011, 12:55 AM   #7
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more please
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Old 12-30-2011, 01:00 AM   #8
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Great start!
Thanks, Mayra! Gotta get over to read your TR!! We've been so busy with the holidays that I haven't even logged on to PPer in almost a month!

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more please
You've got it, Heather! I've got Rob working on adding his comments right now, so I will post more tomorrow morning.
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Melissa Sue
Co-editor, Mouse on the Mind



Feb 2012 PTR (UPDATED): 3 Resorts, 2 Friends, 1 Great Trip
Dec 2011 TR (COMPLETED 12/30): Mousetacular Holiday

Completed Trip Reports:
City on the Bay (Nov. 2011), First Anniversary (Oct. 2011), Dream Disneymoon (Dec. 2010)


My Countdown Counting down to: Mousetacular Holiday Celebration
Disney, here we come!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsJuly 1988 - Family Trip - Offsite // August 2001 - Family Trip - Offsite // December 2010 - Disneymoon - Contemporary Resort // September 2011 - Girl's Only Research Trip - Offsite // October 2011 - First Anniversary - Boardwalk Villas // December 2011 - Mousetacular Holiday - Boardwalk Villas // February 2012 - Girl's Only Trip - Pop Century Resort
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Old 12-30-2011, 07:33 AM   #9
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Day One, Part Three: Epcot

We walked over to Epcot and entered through the International Gateway around 6 p.m. Heading straight for the UK, we met with Pooh and Tigger before catching Father Christmas in front of the hedge maze. What a great show! We’ve never seen any of the holiday performers before—what a treat!


Father Christmas

From there, we headed deeper into the Showcase, checking into Morocco, my favorite place to take a photo. No matter how often I visit here, I still can’t get enough! We walked on to Germany and then Japan, where we saw Miyuki making a candy scorpion. Scary and delicious!

She was super cute. She even mimed the poison fangs. She’s a great storyteller in addition to being a great artist.


Miyuki


Morocco


Morocco fountain

We decided to complete the loop, stopping in Norway to ride Maelstrom and catch the Julenissen show. So cute and funny! I wish we’d had a better view, but the Showcase was a little crowded. There was even a little line for Maelstrom!

Many people have come this way before ...


Sigrid explains Norish holiday traditions


Showcase Plaza

From there, we walked through Future World to the Seas. We had dinner reservations at Coral Reef, which I reviewed for Disney Food Blog—I’ll post the link here when it goes up! But I will say that the meal was quite good. I’d read lots of horror stories about bad food and worse service, but truly the whole experience was great.

We finished dinner with about 30 minutes until IllumiNations, and we realized that we pretty much had Future World all to ourselves … so we took a romantic romp through The Seas! Disney is so much more fun when there’s no one else around. (I’ll be writing about Future World After Dark in an upcoming post on Mouse on the Mind, so be sure to visit!)


Completely empty Clamobiles

Walking toward the International Gateway as IllumiNations began, we were able to see the whole show. And we even got some awesome photos near the UK pavilion. I guess I just don’t understand why people stand at the fence to “secure” a spot for this show because you can get a pretty decent view from anywhere.

I feel the same way about parade campers… but waiting an hour for spots to watch something happening OVER YOUR HEADS is a little much.


Fireworks over Rose and Crown

Anyway, at the end of the show, Epcot released DOVES into the park. DOVES! Rob and I looked at each other like, “did that just happen?” It did. And it was sort of awesome.

After the show, we headed back to our room for a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, we were staying in the studio lockoff of a one-bedroom villa, and our “villa-mates” arrived at 2 a.m. Fighting. Loudly. They proceeded to fight while their kids whined for about 45 minutes, which was sort of the worst ever. We were glad when they finally went to sleep.

Best/saddest overheard line “I feel like you’re not even here…”

But morning arrived much too early ... our alarm clock went off at 6 a.m.
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Melissa Sue
Co-editor, Mouse on the Mind



Feb 2012 PTR (UPDATED): 3 Resorts, 2 Friends, 1 Great Trip
Dec 2011 TR (COMPLETED 12/30): Mousetacular Holiday

Completed Trip Reports:
City on the Bay (Nov. 2011), First Anniversary (Oct. 2011), Dream Disneymoon (Dec. 2010)


My Countdown Counting down to: Mousetacular Holiday Celebration
Disney, here we come!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsJuly 1988 - Family Trip - Offsite // August 2001 - Family Trip - Offsite // December 2010 - Disneymoon - Contemporary Resort // September 2011 - Girl's Only Research Trip - Offsite // October 2011 - First Anniversary - Boardwalk Villas // December 2011 - Mousetacular Holiday - Boardwalk Villas // February 2012 - Girl's Only Trip - Pop Century Resort
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Old 12-30-2011, 02:27 AM   #10
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I love how you both comment, cant wait to hear more!
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Old 12-30-2011, 03:51 AM   #11
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Great start to your trip!
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Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
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Old 12-30-2011, 08:39 AM   #12
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What a great night at Epcot! I agree with you, Morocco is very beautiful (the pavilion that is , never been to the country)
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My Countdown Counting down to: Sailing through the Caribbean on the Freedom
Relaxing on my cruise
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsMay 2006 - WDW / offsite; May 2008 - WDW, SW, US, IOA / offsite; May 2011 - WDW / off-site; June 2012 - WDW / POR; June 2014 - WDW / AKL ~ Kidani Village; June 2017 - WDW / POR
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Old 12-30-2011, 09:27 AM   #13
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Great first day!
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Old 12-30-2011, 11:32 AM   #14
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I love how you both comment, cant wait to hear more!
Rob loves to add little comments but he doesn't want to write a full TR--this is perfect! (He's also funnier than me.)

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Great start to your trip!
Thanks!

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Just subscribed and caught up.
Glad you're following along!

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What a great night at Epcot! I agree with you, Morocco is very beautiful (the pavilion that is , never been to the country)
After the Pavilion, I am worried the country itself won't stack up! But I'd love to visit some day!

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Great first day!
Thanks so much!
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Melissa Sue
Co-editor, Mouse on the Mind



Feb 2012 PTR (UPDATED): 3 Resorts, 2 Friends, 1 Great Trip
Dec 2011 TR (COMPLETED 12/30): Mousetacular Holiday

Completed Trip Reports:
City on the Bay (Nov. 2011), First Anniversary (Oct. 2011), Dream Disneymoon (Dec. 2010)


My Countdown Counting down to: Mousetacular Holiday Celebration
Disney, here we come!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsJuly 1988 - Family Trip - Offsite // August 2001 - Family Trip - Offsite // December 2010 - Disneymoon - Contemporary Resort // September 2011 - Girl's Only Research Trip - Offsite // October 2011 - First Anniversary - Boardwalk Villas // December 2011 - Mousetacular Holiday - Boardwalk Villas // February 2012 - Girl's Only Trip - Pop Century Resort
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Old 12-30-2011, 11:46 AM   #15
MelissaSue
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Day Two, Part One: Magic Kingdom Morning

Early, early, Rob headed down to get breakfast at the Boardwalk Bakery while I finished getting ready. And then we headed out to the bus stop in front of the Boardwalk.

We didn’t mention this before, but on our way home the first night, we picked up our “complementary” travel mugs, so I attempted to fill them this morning. The system at BW is completely messed up. You get your mug, show them to the people at the Bakery, say what you want, and THEN they give you a disposable container that you can opt to transfer to your mug if you so choose. WTF, Board Walk.

As is our custom, we ate while we waited for the bus, and we thought it was kind of odd that no one else was on the bus. And that the bus driver asked us if we were headed to Chef Mickey’s or Crystal Palace ... hm ... if only we could take a hint.

We got to MK by 7:45 for what we thought would be an 8 a.m. rope drop show … only to find out that the park wouldn’t be open until 9 a.m. Um … oopsie? Touring plan fail!

We made the most of it, chatting with some fellow Disney fans and admiring other people’s children. (We do that. We’re creepers. But your kids are so darn cute, and we don’t have any of our own.)

Finally, the opening show started, and it was just as magical as it always is. It makes me so happy … but it also makes me a little sad that none of the other parks have such an awesome welcoming show.

A CM also came by and gave us a handful of “pixie dust” to throw into the air when they hit “ONE” in the countdown to rope drop. Mickey glitter is not very aerodynamic, most of mine ended up in a pile at my feet. Or maybe my palms were sweaty. ::shrug::


Family of the Day

Once in the park, our first stop was ... the bathroom! Rob’s inconvenient potty prowess struck again! I took some lovely photos of the Castle while I waited.

MY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM CANNOT BE CONTAINED BY YOUR PETTY SCHEDULES!


Castle from near Tomorrowland Terrace

And then it was off to Tomorrowland! We rode AstroOrbiter for the first time, and I loved it so much! I can’t believe I’d put it off for so long, thinking it was just another Dumbo. It is not like Dumbo at all! Well. It is sort of like Dumbo. But about 150 times more awesome.

More like 4x higher and 2x faster... but pretty awesome.


Astro Pilot!

Then we rode the Peoplemover, a perennial favorite, and stopped in to see Sonny Eclipse … but he wasn’t working! It was actually really eerie. He was just sitting there. Still as anything. Creepy.

So we rode the Tea Cups, which was sort of hysterical because Rob doesn’t do well with spinning. Check out these before and after shots:


Rob, before


Rob, after

I can handle anything! I was just hamming it up!

From there, we walked over to Philharmagic, another one of our all-time favorites! On the way, we had to walk by the Castle as well as past the incredibly LONG line for Rapunzel. I can’t imagine why anyone would stand in a line that long to meet a face character. (And then I remember why I don’t have kids!)


Castle shot

After the epic 4D film, we rode it’s a small world … and then we were ready for a snack, so we headed to Sleepy Hollow for a nutella waffle sandwich. Yum! Seriously and honestly, this is just as insanely delicious as you would expect a malted waffle loaded with chocolate and fruit to be. Totally delish.

I was going to get my own, but then Melissa explained the concept of “snack” to me.


Delicious pre-lunch snack

From there, we rode the Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and then hopped on a raft to Tom Sawyer Island. It was oddly populated on that little island, but we finally trekked out to Fort Langhorn for a look around. Good clean fun! Going to Tom Sawyer Island always makes me wish I was smaller.


Madam Leota


Big Thunder action shot!

While Rob took another bathroom break, I found a paint brush!! I was so happy, I immediately picked it up and snapped a photo … and then a child started screaming, “That’s MINE!” Apparently, by the rule of “I saw it first,” I was expected to give this kid my free fast passes because she SAW the paintbrush before I picked it up.

The funny thing was, she didn’t even know that you could trade the brush in for FPs—she just wanted the paint brush! Being the awesome, kind person that I am, I did give her the brush, and I told her what to do with it. But I was a little miffed that her mother didn’t step in to calm her kid down and let me keep my ill-gotten gains. But whatever. When in Disney ...


The Fort


MY paintbrush

For the record, in the unedited version of this picture the little thief has her back turned to Melissa and the paint brush ... just saying.

Next, we headed over to the Jungle Cruise, but the line was terribly long, so we decided to check out the refurbed Swiss Family Tree House. I haven’t been up this tree in years, but it didn’t seem very different to me. It was still pretty much a glorified up-hill line. The people behind us were as jostling and impatient as ever, so we couldn’t even stop to appreciate how cool it is up there.


Rob, walking down the bridge

... and we’ll stop there for now ...
__________________
Melissa Sue
Co-editor, Mouse on the Mind



Feb 2012 PTR (UPDATED): 3 Resorts, 2 Friends, 1 Great Trip
Dec 2011 TR (COMPLETED 12/30): Mousetacular Holiday

Completed Trip Reports:
City on the Bay (Nov. 2011), First Anniversary (Oct. 2011), Dream Disneymoon (Dec. 2010)


My Countdown Counting down to: Mousetacular Holiday Celebration
Disney, here we come!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsJuly 1988 - Family Trip - Offsite // August 2001 - Family Trip - Offsite // December 2010 - Disneymoon - Contemporary Resort // September 2011 - Girl's Only Research Trip - Offsite // October 2011 - First Anniversary - Boardwalk Villas // December 2011 - Mousetacular Holiday - Boardwalk Villas // February 2012 - Girl's Only Trip - Pop Century Resort
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