Brent and Liz's Valentine's day/Anniversary TR: Slippers, Satchels, Special Cinderellas, Surprises, Friends...and Ducks? - UPDATED 3/24 COMPLETE! About This Page:

[Disdadnmi]

Brent and Liz’s Valentine’s day/ Anniversary TR:, Slippers, Satchels, Special Cinderellas, Surprises, Friends . . . and Ducks??

Hello folks! For those of us who know us, thanks for looking us up again to let us share our adventure with you. I know we say this every trip, but I do believe we have outdone ourselves this time. It was perhaps the most magical trip ever. It had a little bit of everything. It had unexpected moments, (that may be the understatement of the year!), it had new friends, it had old friends, and it was filled to the brim with magic of the singled out variety you can only find at Disney World. (It even had some Skynyrd!)

For some background, our PTR is here:

http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...isney-ptr.html
And for those who are tuning in for the first time a brief introduction is in order:

I am Brent, devoted husband, father and Cinderella fan extraordinaire! It’s ok though. Liz and I have an understanding about Cinderella. The lovely white-gloved one helped me propose to my princess years ago at 1900 Park Faire, so Liz is a fan now too :



This is my lovely, young sliver of a wife, Liz. She is every bit as much of a Tinker Bell fan as I am a Cinderella fan:



We have six kids between us who we used to love to take to Disney world. They have all unfortunately entered into various stages of teenager hood that make most of them not even want to acknowledge we exist, let alone want to go on a trip to Disney with us. So much the better! We can still go, and as you will find out in the coming pages, Disney can be an entirely different animal without kids in tow.
I think that’s enough of an introduction, after all you will get to know us pretty well in the coming pages. Thanks once again for letting us share our trip with you, I think you’re in for a real treat:

Friday Feb 3rd: Trip to DTW, overnight hotel stay at the Baymont.
We arrived at our hotel around 7, and settled in for the night. We chose to do this not so much because we had an early flight but because they will let us park our car here for the duration of our trip, and it actually works out cheaper than a parking lot. Room was nice, and clean and the desk staff was friendly. I would stay here again. We awoke in the morning to a bit of rain. Typical dreary Michigan February day. We enjoyed a decent Continental breakfast then made our way to the airport via hotel shuttle. Got checked in, plane was on time, all is well! The flight was smooth if a bit bumpy but it became evident Liz was not feeling well. She had been battling a Sinus infection and the plane ride was not helping. By the time we arrived at MCO Liz was definitely not at her best. So much so that we showed up for our Chef Mickey’s reservation and promptly cancelled. They were very nice and let us cancel our reservation without charge. We did, however decorate the room in the 80’s section:





Notice the flag with the Princesses on it and the little electric candle.

Liz laid down to bed and I went to the food court for dinner. After all, I hadn’t had supper yet. It was nice just sitting in the food court all alone eating. Felt like I was home!
After a good night’s sleep Liz was actually feeling a lot better. I left to make my morning sojourn to the food court for my coffee, and a brisk walk around the resort. Pop is so peaceful and pretty on Florida Winter mornings. The lake is just beautiful, especially with coffee in my Disney refillable mug. Liz was looking good to go, so we grabbed some breakfast from the food court, and hopped a bus to MK. We made it there in time for the opening Ceremonies:



Then once inside, what was first? You all know us! Princesses here we come! Liz was feeling much better, and had her photo book ready:



And I had my photo book ready and was excited as always to soon be reunited with my beloved Cinderella:


A little note about these photo books: I take our favorite pictures of our past trips encounters with the characters and make a photo book. The characters all seem to really enjoy reading looking through them and it makes a wonderful souvenir. So in we go! Princess Aurora was first:



Note that I was wearing my own Magic slippers with my beloved Cinderella airbrushed on them. My Princess, Liz had these lovingly handcrafted for me about a year ago, and they have garnered us some wonderful attention. (if you’ve read our previous trip reports, you know what I’m talking about here.) and if you’ll pardon me a bit of clumsy foreshadowing here, these slippers play a rather substantial role later on in this trip!
Belle was next, lovely as always:



Then, my beloved Cinderella saw me, and the fairy tale begins all over again. She sees the pictures of her and I on my shirt, and looks at my slippers:



Then she gives me a warm, welcoming smile, and decides she must have a hug:



I of course couldn’t deny her that. Our first Princess meeting was a smashing success, and Liz and I were now officially on vacation at Disney World!



On the way out we saw Pinocchio. We had never met him so we decided to fix that and we accomplished one goal for the trip: Meet a new character!



Then who did we see, but Liz’s favorite Princess Snow White, just a few steps later! Snow was impressed and very interested in Liz’s book:



I must admit I have become quite fond of Snow lately as well. Especially since Liz and I have started following the ABC television series “Once Upon a time”. Ok I’ll admit, we’re hooked on it. Liz has other reasons for liking Snow but I’ll let her share those. Here we both are with her:



Then it was on to see the fairies: Videa was first, and Liz had the gall to ask her to sign her book with a green pen, errr berry juicer. Videa was not having it. Nope, not gonna sign in green! Videa and I ganged up on Liz, called Tink things like Stinker Bell, little miss Spare Parts, Little Green, etc. It was great!







Then we saw Tink. Didn’t go so well for me, but after I gave Liz her Valentine’s gift a bit early. A Tinker bell necklace to match the ring she got last time. All was forgiven!






After this we finally got around to riding some rides. We rode pirates, Haunted mansion, and just walked around and looked at the construction of the new fantasyland. It looks like they’re getting close!



Then we rode Snow White, and made our way back around to ride the Carousel of Progress, then a quick meeting with Mickey and Minnie. Then the Princesses again, Belle had me strike a beastly pose:



Cinderella was elegant as ever.



Then we headed back to the resort and made a trip to walmart for supplies, etc, and some medicine for Liz. Made it back to the resort in plenty of time for our first dip in the pool. Ahhhhh We were really on vacation now. After a nice dip we cleaned up and headed back to the MK for another visit with the princesses before our first dinner at 1900 Park Faire. We made our way inside the Town Square Theatre and Cinderella must’ve recognized me because she asked me to dance! Unbelievable! Don’t we make a dashing couple?








I don’t even remember meeting the other Princesses after that. Sighhhh.

Then it was on to 1900 Park Faire. We met Charming first:





Then my dearly beloved Cinderella. She was very friendly and seemed happy to see us. I had her sign my Cinderella football jersey Liz made, errr had made, umm painstakingly bought for me, so I could wear it tomorrow during the MVP parade. More on that later.









Then the stepmother:





She was glad to see us again too. I think she remembered us from our previous trips. She commented on my magic slippers, looked at our books, and talked with us for quite awhile.

The step sisters were off getting Princess lessons, so we had Fairy Godmother instead, which was actually pretty cool!





It was a good first dinner at 1900 PF. Those of you who know us know we schedule several more here. After all this is where Cinderella supported me when I asked my Princess to marry me, so this place is pretty special to us.

After dinner, we hopped the monorail back to MK and had another picture taken:



Love those nighttime Magic Kingdom photos. Then we rode Haunted Mansion again in the dark. Don’t know why but that ride seems different at night. Then I took a picture of the Castle reflecting in the moat. I’m no photographer, but I just love this!



Then we got in line for Peter Pan and passed a family in the queue. A nice lady looked at us and said. “I know you from Passporter!” I believe it was ‘JoJay mom’. Glad you said, Hi! Tell me how did you know it was us?

After Peter pan we made our way back to our room for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow: Breakfast at Akershus, some familiar Princesses, and A chance meeting with a special Cinderella. Also, the Super Bowl parade, and a hungry Goofy? Stay Tuned!

[abubbles77]

Yeah, you've stared you TR.. Can't wait to hear all about your trip.

[cindybelle]

Brent, I am so happy to see you've begun your TR. Your photos of "my" castle at night are truly beautiful. And I am totally addicted to Once Upon a Time also!

Would you believe Tink is the only fairy I've met? I know nothing about the others -- their names, their personalities. I'm thinking I have to meet up with you and Liz again just so the two of you can educate me on the fairies.

And I've never eaten at 1900. And I haven't run into Pinocchio in YEARS at WDW -- however did you find him?

Can't wait to hear more!

And thanks for posting some photos to my TR -- I didn't realize you and Liz had taken an entire SERIES of photos of Sheri's and my rendition of "I'm a Little Teapot."

More of your story and pics, please!

[tinkerbell24601]

So excited to be reading your newest trip report! Liz looks great!

[HollyH]

Great start! Sorry to hear Liz was feeling a little under the weather at first. Hope that was the worst of it and she feels fine for the rest of the trip.

Love that Tinkerbell necklace! Beautiful....

I love your shirts and photobooks. What a great idea.

[Tabitha34]

Followed along with you in your PTR and have been waiting for the TR to begin! Looking forward to reading all about your trip! We were there just a couple weeks before you guys.

We love riding HM at night too! We agree it is different at night!

[lexiemom]

I was so happy to find you started your TR! I love the necklace you gave Liz!

[rhinohunter]

Great first day. Glad to see Liz started feeling better. WOW Congrats on all of the character meets. Liz, you are looking great in your new size. Hope it is adding to your energy level.

[Cam22]

The fun with all the details has begun! I can't believe how many Cinderella meetings you had in the very first day. You two are pros. Can't wait to read more!

[Jessie092408]

What a great first day! Can't wait to read all about your trip.

[kingfamily1129]

YAY!! I was eagerly waiting for this TR!!! What an awesome first day!! Liz looks AMAZING!!!! Way to go!!! I"m sorry she was under the weather but I'm sure Disney worked it's magic and she got better very soon!! Can't wait to read more!

[oldmom]

wonderful report. can't wait to read the rest. we haven't seen Pinocchio since 1983. i have a photo of him with my son age 5 at the time.

what a magical time for you both!

[FitMom]

Happy to be following along... you crack me up! Love your shoes and books and shirts!! I bet Cindy is always thrilled to see you.. : )
Patiently awaiting more..also we are staying at the Pop post cruise in May.. hope to see more about it!! (hint hint )

[Coop]

Yay! It's started! Great pics. Esp MY castle with its reflection. Can't wait for more. Liz is looking awesome. Great job! I also like Liz's sandals. What kind are they and do they give good support? I am looking for a good pair for our next trip.

[chezp]

Great start!

Sorry Liz was feeling under the weather when you arrived, but glad she felt better the next day.