The Surviving Deployment Trip Report, Updated 10/18 COMPLETE!! About This Page:

[Colexis Mom]

What great pictures! Sounds like a fantastic afternoon/night!

[Meggera]

Day 6, Part 4
Let me continue because I leave in four days.

We got to the MK and made it through the turnstiles. Victoria said she had been wanting a picture like this all day, so I took one. Too funny!


Normally, I take pictures right before we do an attraction so I remember what we did. I didn’t do that. I have no clue what time we got there. I have no clue what we did. Isn’t that pathetic? Geez. And, normally I have an incredible memory, but with the Nyquil, my memory stinks! I can’t stand going through a day and not remembering what I did. Good grief.

Anyway, I can only go by the pictures I took and a slight idea as to time.

We were supposed to have a PP meet at CHH at 9 p.m. It was dark. I was sick. Nyquil took over my brain. My phone was dead so I couldn’t phone or text Lori. I couldn’t find CHH. 9 p.m., came and went. I felt like such an idiot, but I didn’t want to wander around any more. I told Victoria to pick her ride. Splash Mountain! We hadn’t ridden this yet. There was no wait! I couldn’t believe it.


We hopped in our log, and we grabbed the last seat. Our log got going, and we got to the little incline where we stopped, and all of a sudden, Victoria and I got squirted by huge blasts of water. Where did that come from? We got soaked. The man in front of us started laughing saying they had gotten it the night before. I didn’t mind since it was rather hot. I got a few pictures on the ride. Thankfully, before we had gotten soaked, I was in enough of a right mind to put Victoria’s sketch book into a plastic bag and put it back in the backpack, “just in case.” Phew! I am so glad I did. My backpack got soaked. Victoria LOVED the ride. We hadn’t ridden it in years, and she had forgotten all about it. It is so much fun. We decided to make fun faces for the ride photo.


BTMRR was calling our name, so we headed over there and had a ball...again. We love this ride.


I think we went to Fantasyland next, but I have a picture of Victoria and the castle. Oh! I think this was on the path between Frontierland and Fantasyland. You may correct me if I am wrong.


In Fantasyland, we rode IASM.


We hopped onto the Carousel. Michael got his own horse. He looked right at home on the horse.


We also rode Snow White. There was a line for SW. I guess we waited about 10 minutes or so. While we waited, I started chatting with a lady in behind us. As we were waiting, a lady and her toddler were coming through the line. She said, "Excuse me. I need to catch up with my son who ran ahead of us." Well, by all means! Please go find your son. Everyone was letting her by them because most people are good-natured and understanding. I didn't think another thing about it. I was talking to the lady behind us when all of a sudden, a lady a few people behind me starts yelling, "Oh my gosh! There is a lost little boy! Where is your son? Where is your son? You told everyone you needed to catch up with your son!! Where is he? There is a lost boy. Call security!"

I didn't know what on earth was going on until I looked up at the ride vehicles and saw the lady and her toddler in a vehicle....without another child. She simply shrugged her shoulders as the car took her away. I was shocked that the lady in line screamed at her. But I was also shocked that the lady with the child would lie in order to get to the front of the line. It was interesting to say the least.

I guess we went to Tomorrowland after that. We finally rode Buzz Lightyear. This is Michael’s favorite ride. I scored ok, but I couldn’t get a picture of Victoria’s score. It blinked, and I kept getting the blank screen. Oh well.


We went to the COP. I LOVE this attraction. I always have. We enjoyed the COP very much.


I also love the TTA. It is a nice, relaxing ride. Victoria was just thrilled.


It was really cool seeing inside Space Mountain. Even with all the boards up, you could catch glimpses of the coaster inside.

Our FP for Peter Pan was ready so we walked over to FL. PP is one of my favorite rides, too. I guess I like a lot of the rides in MK.


We also rode Winnie the Pooh, and I got a picture of Mr. Toad giving the deed over to Owl.



The tea cups were calling our names, so we went over there. I was so tired. I didn’t help her turn it at all. I videoed it. It was pretty funny.



It was now midnight and time for us to turn into pumpkins. We started to leave. As we walked down Main Street, Victoria wanted to see if we could hear any voice lessons or tap lessons so we walked down the little side street. I was so happy! We heard tap lessons. It was so neat. You could hear someone dancing and could hear the instructor, too. Very . I’m so glad we finally heard something. I took this picture in the little side street.


We left. Tomorrow would be our last day in the parks.

We hopped a bus to Pop and got to our room. Look what we found! Our friends had a party while we were gone. It looks like Dumbo joined them.


UP NEXT: Our last day.

[Colexis Mom]

Wow, what a great time at MK! You're sick, and yet you have great stamina!

[BettyBeBop]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Wow, what a great time at MK! You're sick, and yet you have great stamina!

You are a real trooper.

[Hugmonster]

WOW!!! You did all that sick?? Way to go!!

[Meggera]

September 21, 2009 - Day 7, Part 1

Today is our last day in the parks. We go home tomorrow.

MK is first on the agenda this morning. I haven't the foggiest what we did for breakfast. Good grief. I know we had accumulated some OJ and apple juice from the food court because we would get those then fill up our mugs with soda. So, I had been drinking a lot of juice, and I think I took juice with me into the park.

Anyway, we caught a bus to the MK and then took the monorail. We only made it to RD once during this entire trip. Normally, that would not be acceptable at all. I am a commando tourist and love being in the parks every second. Since I was sick, I didn't care. That was a first! Too bad Michael missed out on it.

Once we got into the park, we saw Chip and Dale, so we hurried over to see them. Victoria had to go to the restroom, so I stood in line while she went. I took this while I waited.


She got back just in time. Phew! Chip and Dale were adorable. I videoed the encounter.



We had a lot of fun with those two.

We wanted to take a look in Tink's Treasures and in other shops around the castle, so that is where we went next. We had seen all of the other characters that were out on Main Street.



As we walked through the castle, we ran across the Fairy Godmother. I'm glad we got to see her and get her autograph.


I snapped Victoria's picture at Cinderella's fountain. I wanted to make sure to get Cinderella's crown on her head in this picture.


We browsed Tink's Treasures. Then we walked across the way to Mickey's store. I forget the name of it, but I wanted to be sure to see Willie inside.


Our main goal today was to be first in line to see the fairies, so we went into Fantasyland and rode a few things while we waited. We rode SW and Pooh.


Victoria looks a little out of it.


It was about 9:45 a.m., at this point. We saw a small line forming at the TT rope, so we decided to get in line.


We were at the front of the line. Everyone was pretty calm and just about everybody had strollers they had to deal with. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with that anymore.

Soon enough, the CMs told us how we would be taken into TT and told us which CM to follow to which attraction. So, we followed our CM to the Judge's Tent and ended up being the second family in the Fairy line. I am so glad we didn't have to wait forever to see them.

The first family was led away to be shrunken down to fairy size. The CM told us about the magic that would take place so that we could see the fairies. Very quickly, we were led away and shrunk. I like how this picture looks like Victoria is being sprinkled with fairy dust.


We got to see Iridessa first. She was very sweet, but we felt very rushed. It was a little odd. They took Victoria's book and passed it on. It wasn't the typical autograph book, though because Victoria would choose the color of marker she wanted for each character. So, I had to take over the book and pen situation. That was a little frustrating. We really felt rushed with Iridessa.


Tinker Bell was very cute and sweet, but once again, we felt rushed.


Then we got to see Rosetta. We didn't feel rushed. She was very personable, and believe it or not, she is our new favorite fairy. She was so funny! She asked where we came from, and when we told her Texas, she asked why our flag only had one star. We said we were the Lone Star State. She said, "Well isn't it hard to find Neverland when you have to take the second star to the right? You only have one!" We loved her. We loved her southern accent and charm. She was fantastic!


Once we left the fairies, Victoria and I agreed that we were really surprised that we would like Rosetta the best of all. Who knew?

We walked around and climbed under the rope to get in line for the non-existent princess line.


I guess everyone wants to go to Fairy Hollow now. For some reason, the princess line didn't move at all. We were the second family in the line, and we sat down on the floor to wait. It took that long. I guess the princesses were still primping.

We were finally led in to meet the princesses. I don't have any pictures. I know we met Belle because Victoria was able to get her autograph. I am pretty sure Cinderella and Aurora were in there, too. I used the PP guy to take our pictures, so I don't have any from my camera.


We mosied through Minnie's house. We didn't go to Mickey's house though. I don't know why. We were both very thirsty at this point, and it was another hot day. So, we decided to get a frozen lemonade. It was just right!


Where is this? In Fantasyland? Anyway, Victoria had a silly photo op.


It was time to go somewhere cool. Mickey's Philharmagic!


After the wonderful show, we decided to pay a visit to the Tiki birds. We hadn't seen them all trip. The original show is better, but this is still cute.


We then rode POTC.


This is the best picture I have ever gotten of Davy Jones.


We had a lunch ADR at Chef Mickey's at 1 p.m. So, we decided to start heading in that direction. We mosied down Main Street and wanted to stop in Exposition Hall. I am so glad we did. No one was in there, and we had some fun pictures with no one around.




After browsing around Exposition Hall, we walked out and saw Snow White meeting and greeting. Yay! We hadn't seen her yet. So, we got in line and soon saw her. I let the PP guy take our picture.


We left the MK. We decided to walk to the Contemporary. I know. We're idiots. Why would we walk in that heat? Who knows? I'll blame it on the Nyquil. We pulled out our umbrellas, and we walked to the Contemporary. The umbrellas helped a lot. Why hadn't I thought of using them before to protect us from the sun?

UP NEXT: Chef Mickey's - a first for us

[Meggera]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Wow, what a great time at MK! You're sick, and yet you have great stamina!

Originally Posted by BettyBeBop

You are a real trooper.

Originally Posted by Hugmonster

WOW!!! You did all that sick?? Way to go!!

It's amazing what being at Disney will help you get through. I was "I-would-never-go-to-work-this-sick" sick. It was crazy! But dang! This trip was planned for over a year. You pay so much to go, and then to get sick when you are there? I was not about to miss this!

[disneydreamer33]

OK, I am all caught up now.
I am so sorry you got that sick. That couldn't have been fun.
You got to meet up with some great characters. A lot of them I haven't even seen. You had great character interaction.
We just missed you a DHS on the 19th.
I am sad you didn't get to the PPer meet. We were probably following along right behind you. We did Splash first then went to BTMRR. I can't believe you made it to three parks that day.
Your almost ready to leave again. I am so jealous.

[a_bernard]

Laura, i love your Chip & Dale video and the picture with Victoria, it is so cute. You're really amazing, everything that you have been doing even though you were so sick, but i guess you're right you pay so much to go that you want to do as much as you can. When we had our picture taken with Tinker Bell, it was the same person as you guys. I think that there are more people to see the fairies, as the princesses, you can see them at a lot of character meals; however, the fairies, that is the only place that you can see them. Can't wait to see how you will like Chef Mickey. We really liked it. You must be getting excited, as your next trip is coming soon and you will get to see your DH and reveal the surprise to Victoria.

[dsteiny23]

Great updates...and great times in MK. I LOVE Splash!! It has to be my absolute favorite mostly because of the theming and I feel like it is a long ride and you get your wait time worth. Loved the video of Chip & Dale. It is soo cool when the characters really get into it. Can't believe this trip is almost over...but you'll be on another one sooooo soon!!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great time at MK! Love the pictures!

[Meggera]

Day 7, Part 2

We chatted on our walk to the Contemporary. We enjoy each other's company very much. We were looking forward to seeing the hotel since we have only ridden through it on the monorail. I took this picture as we approached.


We went inside, found the elevators and made our way to Chef Mickey's.


We had gotten really hot on our walk and were looking forward to some A/C. Plus, I had a dreadful headache and needed to take some Excedrin. We got a pager and got in line to have our picture made. I could hardly smile my head hurt so bad. Our pager went off while we were in line. We got our picture made and went to the counter. We were taken to our seat, a little two-top next to a window. I really liked the view, but it was hot next to the window, so we never cooled off. I did take my Excedrin though as soon as I got something to drink.

We went to the buffet. The food was pretty good, but I was feeling really bad with the cold and now the headache, plus I was still so hot. I wasn't impressed with Chef Mickey's. I'm sorry. I know this is a must-eat restaurant for so many people, but I don't have to go back. Since my view is a bit tainted with the way I was feeling, I asked Victoria what she thought. She was like, "Meh..." She wasn't impressed either.

The characters came by to say hello. First up was Goofy.


Then Pluto was right behind him.


Mickey soon came. He was a little more lively than the other two. He liked Michael.


We waited a while and finally Donald came over.


I made sure to get dessert.


The last to come over was Minnie. I'm so glad she was last. I think she knew I was not feeling well. She came over and sat next to me. She asked about Michael, and I told her who he was. She loved on him. It was so sweet. You can see how flushed I am in the picture.


This was the first and only time we saw Minnie on the whole trip. I'm so glad we saw her. Victoria was able to get her autograph.


Minnie said goodbye, and we did, too. We settled our bill, and I took a second dose of Excedrin.

We made our way to the bus stop and decided to go to DHS. We wanted to see more characters! What else?

A bus was there in no time, thank goodness! We were the only people on the bus. Our driver was fantastic. He told us a lot of trivia and neat facts about Disney and the parks. He was fun. Victoria loved talking to him. If I had been in my right mind, I would have written down some stuff to share. Oh well.

Victoria liked him so much, she wanted a picture with him.


We walked straight back to the Animation building.


Victoria wanted to take the drawing class again.


It was fine with me. I didn't know what kind of job I would do with the massive headache I had. I'm telling you, I should have been in bed.

While we were waiting for the class, Victoria saw some information on how to become a Disney artist. She took pictures for future reference. This tells you what your portfolio should include.


What you need to succeed:


Career options:


We went into the studio, and we got to draw Scrooge! I've never seen where anyone has drawn him. I was pretty excited. The artist was fantastic! He really told us every step in detail. Here is how our drawings turned out.


Dang, Victoria is really good. It's sickening.

We left our class feeling pretty good about what we had drawn. He was very difficult, in my opinion.

My head was hurting really bad, and all I wanted to do was sit. Victoria wanted to ride TOT, so I told her I would sit right there, and she could ride it. So, she left to ride TOT. I just sat. I actually took another dose of Excedrin. Three doses in just a few hours. Yes, my head was hurting that bad. So, I sat on the bench and rested my head on the column behind me. As I was sitting there, guess who came in? Do you remember the woman who lied to get to the front of the SW line? Well, she was back and in line to see the UP! characters. The line was as long as it could get. There were a ton of people there to see them. Well, this woman is holding her little boy. She was last in the line for the UP! characters. She puts her little boy down and lets him run to the characters, completely interrupting the other family who is with them. The little boy hugs the characters legs and finally she runs after him, pretending to apologize for the interruption. She lets her son see the others and then whisks him off. She doesn't get back in the UP! line. : She gets in line for Mickey. She does the SAME THING with Mickey. She was last in line and let her little boy run to Mickey. It is one of the rudest things I have ever seen. How shameful!

Anyway, Victoria comes back after some time, and I point the conniving woman to her, and I told her what she has been doing. I asked how her ride on TOT was, and she said she hadn't ridden it yet. I asked her what she had been doing all of this time, she said that she went the wrong way and ended up walking over the entire park. Poor thing. I never get a map because I know the parks. By this time, my headache was finally starting to subside, so I said I would at least walk over to TOT with her. We walked slowly to TOT. Poor thing. She couldn't believe how close we were to it.

We came to a PP photographer, so we got our picture made. You can tell that my smile isn't quite as big as normal.


We got to the TOT...


and got in line. I took pictures. (Well, there really wasn't a line, but I took pictures in the queue.)


I rode it! It was great! My head was feeling a heap better, and we were both able to enjoy the ride.

Guess where we went next? You got it! We went back to the Animation building. We were hoping to see some great characters. We knew they would come out around 4 p.m., or so. We waited. The characters came out. We were in luck!

First up was a character we had never seen before - the Sheriff of Nottingham! Score! He loved his picture Victoria drew of him.


We then got in line to see Max and Goofy. We hadn't seen Max since we were at DLR. We saw him on October 31, 2006, at the Halloween party. We had teased Max for playing hooky from school, and he told us not to tell his dad. Well, I just happened to mention it to Goofy today. It was funny.


We had seen the other characters that were out, so we decided to go to another animation class. This time we got to draw Pooh. The artist could draw well, but he wasn't a good teacher. He would draw and wouldn't say a word. We were basically just supposed to follow his drawing. It was crazy. So, Pooh, who I would think would be an easy character to draw, seemed a little harder. And, I actually think my Pooh turned out better than Victoria's! (Please don't correct me if I'm wrong. )


We walked out of our class and waited for the next set of characters to arrive. I sat on the floor and rested my head against a wall. We would watch the crack in between the CM door so I could see when characters were going to come out. I saw movement and told Victoria someone was coming out. Sure enough, the new characters came in and the others left.

First up, Governor Ratcliffe! We hadn't seen him in years. We told him we had lived in VA and loved him. He was most impressed. (You can tell I'm feeling better by my smile. )


Next we saw the phony king of England. Prince John...


Pinocchio and Gepetto were next. Of course, we had seen Pinocchio, so we got Gepetto's autograph and reminded Pinochhio that he had already autographed his picture for us. He said he remembered because he had a good memory. First they posed with Michael.


I asked a CM if any different characters would come out, and he said no and that they would be rotating. So, we decided to leave and go back to the MK.

UP NEXT: Our last night in the MK.

[B.M.]

Great day! Glad the umbrella's gave you a little sun protection and that your headache FINALLY got a little better! Wow, you guys met some characters we have never seen at the parks; I'm definately gonna remember to stake out that area next month! And love the drawings, my kids SO wanted to do this last time, but we were unable to find where they do- so were determined to do that this time! Can't wait to hear more and I'm so excited for your upcoming trip also!!

[BettyBeBop]

I just can't get over how amazing Victoria's sketches are!! And how many she had drawn in preparation of the trip!! She is truly a wonderful artist!!!

Great pctures. So glad your headache finally got better!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Wow, you hit the character jackpot! Love the pics! Sorry your weren't feeling well....I admire your stamina and dedication!