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!

[ilovedisney0_0]

[ QUOTE ]
[b]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!


[/ QUOTE ]

Melissa, I got goosebumps when I read this! How romantic, and what a wonderful memory you two will always share!

Amy

[poohsgirl]

<font color="purple">Awwwww! This is so romantic Melissa!
And you stayed at my dream resort!
Can't wait to hear more! </font>

[mac]

A trip report of your very first trip to WDW, how fun! That's awesome that you got to stay at the Grand Floridian in such a great room for your honeymoon . Can't wait to hear more!

[mestitch]

Our day 2 began bright and early Monday morning. Our plans for the day revolved around the MK. We wanted to make the opening of the park so we decided to have breakfast at the GF cafe. DH enjoyed some biscuits and gravy and I had some variety pastry dish. Very . While we were eating the parasol parade went right by our window. I was so excited that we got to see it b/c I had read about it before our trip. Once we had finished our yummy breakfast we headed over to hop on the monorail. It was such a beautiful day. I remember that feeling of walking from our room to the cafe to the monorail in the sunshine. We hopped right on the monorail and I remember commenting to DH we'd have to learn the Spanish part "Por favor....etc" If I could spell it I would type it . And thus the monorail obsession began.

We pulled up to the MK with perfect timing. We walked up and got in line not too far back from the turnstiles. The music started and the train full of characters pulled up. All of a sudden I transformed from a 23 year old woman to a 5 year old girl filled with excitement b/c I had caught my first glimpse of Mickey. DH still teases me b/c I had tears (but c'mon, who didn't get emotional the first time they saw that?? Or each time ) We walked in and on to Main Street and it was just all so overwhelming. All planning I had done went right out of my brain and I was like "What do we do? Where do we go?" We came across some characters and had our picture made with King Louie. I remember saying to Andy (and it's on video) "Man if they had a Stitch I'd hang out with him all day!" Little did I know....

We headed over to Fantasyland when my first MK ride was the Mad Hatter Tea Party. After some spinning we went and rode Peter Pan. DH remembered a lot of it from when he was a kid. Then we decided to go and wait out Space Mountain. I think we were on the hillier side b/c there was a lot of up and down! After the ride we toured through Mickey's Toontown Fair and met Minnie. Then we went through Mickey's house and finally met the big cheese himself! We decided to continue the character theme onto meeting Chip and Dale. By now it was getting close to our PS at the Crystal Palace. We made our way over there and had about a 5 or 10 min. wait as people were finishing up breakfast (talk about a late breakfast!). DH &amp; I both really enjoyed the buffet here. The characters made their way around (on a side note Pooh is one of DH's favorite characters so this made for a cute photo!). Poor Tigger was bouncing around near us and some kid took a step right in front of him. In order to avoid the kid, he tripped and did a nose dive right in front of everyone. I must say, I felt bad for the guy, but it was hilarious!

After our scrumptous meal we headed out to Adventureland. We came across Timon and Rafiki. After having our picture made with them Timon thought it would be funny to pull my Minnie ears off my head! It made for a good laugh! From here we made our way to the POTC. DH really enjoyed this ride (another one he remembered from childhood). By now it was getting close to the time for the parade. So we headed out towards Main Street, when all of a sudden DH stops me and says "look, look over there!" There he was, in all his blue, glorious wonder, my guy Stitch! I flipped! Unfortunately they cut the line off before we could get to him. But we got to see him perform on the castle forecourt stage. DH promised me we'd find him after the parade. But we had a 5ish PS at 1900 Park Fare, and we had to clean up first, and the parade started at 3... Would we have time??? Could we do it??? To be cont....














This picture always makes me laugh b/c they both seem to have the same posture and expression






And another one that makes me laugh

[SuperKate]

Very cute Melissa. I am loving this. I was when I saw the pic of Andy with Chip (or was it Dale?), and then your comment underneath it! haha

[Tara O'Hara]

Terrific update Melissa and once again, great photos!!

[disneyfan4994]

Great update. Love your photos.