Wishes 10/8/11 WP/GF-- Love's First Kiss-- Trip Report Complete

[One_Song]

I can't tell you how much money you saved me already! Not to mention how much you've put me at ease. I was SOOOO nervous about not getting a trial hair and makeup session until 2 days before the wedding, but because of your rave reviews of Beaute Speciale I am willing to give them a go. In fact just put down my deposit today!

I would love to start a PJ, but it won't let me post pictures yet. I guess I don't have enough posts. I'll let you know when I have one up and running. I would love some followers.

Well, you convinced me.. I officially started my PJ. I'm not sure if anyone will read it, but here goes nothing! I just loved yours so much that maybe I can help someone like you helped me!

I can't post the link yet, but you can find me under "planning our happily ever after" and "Kathryn & Charles, WDW wishes wedding, WP/GF, 10/6/12"

I'm kinda excited to get feed back!

Oh, you will love Beaute Speciale! I too was on the fence (really about the whole makeup artist in general), but I trusted other Disbrides and it was a GREAT decision! I had Laine, she was so easy to work with, and she was fine taking lots or no direction (like I knew exactly what color I wanted my lipstick, but left eye shadow up to her). At the trial, they will change things until you are totally happy with your look. Just be completely honest. Now I'll have to go check out your PJ! I started my PJ because I was inspired by other brides... so yours will definitely help someone down the road! That's the cycle

I just read through your report and wow, what a magical Wedding and Honeymoon! DH and I also went to WDW for our honeymoon a few months ago

Thank you!! Disney is wonderful for honeymooners, isn't it? It was just fantastic.

 

[One_Song]

After settling into the room a bit, we needed to go over to the GF to pick up our Champagne. I can't remember if I mentioned this before: We had 4 bottles of Champagne left over from the wedding (we brought our own, because it was so much cheaper than buying from Disney). We only drank one bottle between the wedding and the cruise. We didn't want to bring Champagne onto the cruise, but we couldn't very well leave it in our car. We talked to our awesome concierge team at GF, and they let us leave it with them. I swear, if you are polite and flexible with your concierge team, they can make anything happen.

Anywoo, we took the 90 second trip from our room to the monorail platform. The monorail arrived after a few minutes, and it was PACKED. I mean, bursting at the seams with passengers. We had to fold ourselves into an open gap somewhere.

We couldn't imagine why the monorail would be so crowded in the middle of the day. Crowds were low before we left for the cruise. At the TTC, many people got off, so we at least could get a seat. As we were pulling out of the TTC, we noticed that the ferry to go to the MK had a line-- really more like a mob-- waiting to board. It probably extended a hundred yards back. I had never seen the TTC like that. Admittedly, we avoid high season like the plague, but this was October!

Over at the GF, we picked up our Champagne from the concierge, and asked about the crowd level. There was some golf tournament starting that day, so the crowd level had surged (and would stay like that for a few days). We were a little disappointed, but it was good to know the reason, at least.

We got our car (left safely in the GF self-park lot) and drove back to Contemporary. We noticed that literal vehicle traffic was higher than we had ever seen.

Back in our hotel, we stopped for some snacks in the Club Level lounge. We decided that we wanted another Food & Wine fix, despite the crowds. We changed clothes and caught a taxi for Epcot.

 

[One_Song]

Sadly, we forgot to take our camera with us, so I don't have any pictures of this afternoon

Epcot was really, really crowded. We picked up some FPs for Test Track, then headed over to Food & Wine. We started clockwise, so we could get our favorite dish from last time-- the Grilled Beef Skewer from Argentina.

We stopped in Mexico to ride the boat. I love that dinky little thing, especially since it was converted to Three Caballeros. TC seems to divide Disney fans, with half liking it and half thinking it's weird and trippy. I LOVE it. When we were little, my sister and I used to watch it and pick out which girl we "were" in each dance scene. I love the music, too.

We wanted to stop by the new tequila bar in the Mexico pavilion, but it was shoulder to shoulder in there! We passed; I do want to stop there on our next trip.

Continuing on, we stopped at the South Africa F&W stand and got "Bunny Chow"-- vegetable curry in a bread bowl. No real bunnies

We stopped at the China pavilion to shop for a bit, then went to the cheese F&W stand for the sample plate that we didn't get the last time. We also got some beers from Germany, and an apple strudel for mid afternoon dessert (that's a honeymoon necessity, right??)

The crowds were starting to irritate us, so we stopped in France for a orange slushie, then exited through the Internationl Gateway.

 

[One_Song]

After camping out to find a couple to give our TT FPs to, we walked over to the Boardwalk. It is such a nice stroll, I really would love to stay in one of those hotels some time.

We had dinner reservations for Le Cellier, and I had been really excited about this one, but we didn't feel like hanging around for two hours. Despite all of our snacking, we were kind of ready for dinner now.

We figured we would head to Downtown, since we hadn't yet been there on our wedding trip. Well, Brandon had with his guys, but we hadn't been together. We waited for the bus at Boardwalk, and when it finally arrived, it was standing room only. I mean, people were left at the stop because there was no more room to squeeze anyone in. Brandon held on to the top strap, and I just held onto Brandon. It was a very physically demanding bus ride! We made friends with an older lady and her daughter when I almost fell into their laps. The woman asked if we were married, and we said we'd been married just over a week! She was so excited for us, it was precious. She told us that she and her husband had been married for 50 years! We asked for her advice and she said to be kind to each other. I thought that was lovely. Brandon leaned over and whispered into my ear "That will be us in 49 years and 51 weeks."

At DTD, we went to Raglan Road and got seated pretty quickly. I had never been there before. A band was playing, and maybe it was where we were seated, but I thought it was a little loud for a full-service restaurant. We got some beers, and I ordered the fish & chips. I can't remember what Brandon got. Mine was just ok. I probably won't go back to RR soon. It was just ok. I kind of wish we had stuck it out for Le Cellier, but I remember how frustrated we were with the throngs of people. It was nice at least not to be walked into constantly.

***Here is the embarrassing story I promised a few days ago***

After dinner, we walked over to the art store. I think I've mentioned before how much I love the Disney art stores. If I'm ever rich, I'm going to have a whole bunch of those paintings (or prints, really) around my house! So we were browsing when I spotted a cute picture of the Wedding Pavilion. It was a painting of Mickey and Minnie sitting in chairs on the beach, with the WP in the center, and Cinderella Castle off to the left. It was very sweet and I genuinely liked it.

Well, because Brandon and I have a kind of sarcastic sense of humor, I said, "There's just two things wrong with this painting. One, the Castle would not be visible from this angle. Two, there's no big ugly blue wall across the bridge."

Then the man next to me turned and said, "The wall wasn't there when I painted it."

If I could have vanished on the spot, I would have. I had NO idea the artist was standing next to me. I didn't think Disney had any real artists in the stores. I never, ever would have been rude to someone's face like that. I didn't even mean it seriously, I was just joking with Brandon. I squeaked out a sorry, something about how we had just gotten married and were angry about the wall, and slinked off to the far corner of the store. I have never been so humiliated in my life, plus I felt intensely guilty for hurting that man's feelings. Brandon and I laugh hysterically about it now, but my GAWD it was horrible at the time.

The up side is, in my attempt to hide from the artist, we discovered that Disney has kiosks where you can order simple posters. They happened to have this

Which I thought was a perfect memento of our trip. The posters take a few weeks to ship to your house, but it's nice that you don't have to carry it around. We ordered, paid, and left the store (while the artist was talking to someone else).

After a little more shopping, we caught the bus back to Contemporary and turned in for the night.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Michelle, I wish I had a camera on me while I read your latest post just so you could see how much my face changed. I went from laughing at your comments (Chris and I do the same thing) to wincing visibly! I would have felt horrible too, but I'm so glad you can laugh about it now.

On that note, were you satisfied with the quality of your poster? I've always debated ordering one of those. (I really want the one the HM poster or the one with Stitch reading the book, in case you're wondering.)

And I'm sorry Epcot was so crowded! Crowds irk me too.

 

[Wshs0127]

Michelle hun, I have been reading and reading your PJ & TR for weeks now and finally got to the end (busy schedule) and I must say that you are the absolute cutest and sweetest bride. I'm fairly new to the boards and I'm still finding my way around, but your writing has had me intrigued along with several other ladies as I can see by the posts. Your wedding was absolutely heartfelt and beautiful and that dress, omgosh, I loved it - so elegant.

I can't comment to everything that I've absolutely appreciated in your story because that would take days, but I've laughed, cried, and angered along with you throughout the entire journal - I feel like I know you, it's crazy! Funny thing is, I actually live in your hometown, just discovered that yesterday in my reading. I've been living here for 8 years now. Small world right! Of course that's only temporary until you find your home close to Disney - lucky!!!

I'm looking forward to finishing your journal with you as a reader and I hope that you'll follow along with us new brides and give us advice along the way. May you and Brandon live happily ever after, your prince has truly come and you deserve every bit of it. I'll probably think of you now each time I come across Snow White

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Oh Michelle,



I feel so bad for you and your experience in the art store.

I'm glad you can laugh about it now. I would be MORTIFIED!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

That comment that Brandon made on the bus totally made my heart melt for you two! So damn adorable!

I totally would have been embarrassed as well if I were you! I have a loud mouth and it always gets me in trouble.. that's totally something I would do! =X Eek!
Was the picture pretty at least?

 

[pinkmiss3]

Michelle,

I don't always comment but I have been reading everything. I think that your wedding was simply stunning. It was like the perfect day.

Your story was soooooooo funny and I wanted to share a picture with you. LOL

[/IMG]

We bought this one and the artist was there when we got it. I think that he has been there alot.

 

[One_Song]

Michelle, I wish I had a camera on me while I read your latest post just so you could see how much my face changed. I went from laughing at your comments (Chris and I do the same thing) to wincing visibly! I would have felt horrible too, but I'm so glad you can laugh about it now.

On that note, were you satisfied with the quality of your poster? I've always debated ordering one of those. (I really want the one the HM poster or the one with Stitch reading the book, in case you're wondering.)

And I'm sorry Epcot was so crowded! Crowds irk me too.

It was totally wince-worthy. We do think it's really funny now. Not because of what I said, but because of the situation I got myself into with what I said. And yes, I am very happy with the poster. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. It is not a usual size. I recently ordered a 10x16, but I think I'm going to have to make some kind of mat.

Michelle hun, I have been reading and reading your PJ & TR for weeks now and finally got to the end (busy schedule) and I must say that you are the absolute cutest and sweetest bride. I'm fairly new to the boards and I'm still finding my way around, but your writing has had me intrigued along with several other ladies as I can see by the posts. Your wedding was absolutely heartfelt and beautiful and that dress, omgosh, I loved it - so elegant.

I can't comment to everything that I've absolutely appreciated in your story because that would take days, but I've laughed, cried, and angered along with you throughout the entire journal - I feel like I know you, it's crazy! Funny thing is, I actually live in your hometown, just discovered that yesterday in my reading. I've been living here for 8 years now. Small world right! Of course that's only temporary until you find your home close to Disney - lucky!!!

I'm looking forward to finishing your journal with you as a reader and I hope that you'll follow along with us new brides and give us advice along the way. May you and Brandon live happily ever after, your prince has truly come and you deserve every bit of it. I'll probably think of you now each time I come across Snow White

Oh thank you so much! That is so cool that you're in PC! I didn't think anyone from home would be on the DIS... PC is not exactly the most savvy place, you know? Of course I'll stick around-- I'm way too addicted to give up the boards!

Oh Michelle,



I feel so bad for you and your experience in the art store.

I'm glad you can laugh about it now. I would be MORTIFIED!

I was mortified for a long time. On the last night of our honeymoon, Brandon and I made a video that is like half an hour of us just talking about the wedding and the honeymoon. I think that's how I remember a lot of my stories. In the video, Brandon tells the whole art store story and I just pull at my face and nervous laugh. I think I stuck both feet in my mouth.

That comment that Brandon made on the bus totally made my heart melt for you two! So damn adorable!

I totally would have been embarrassed as well if I were you! I have a loud mouth and it always gets me in trouble.. that's totally something I would do! =X Eek!
Was the picture pretty at least?

Isn't he the sweetest? He is very romantic, that is definitely something that I need in a partner. I really did like the painting, I wasn't seriously critiquing I just thought it would make Brandon laugh. Well, it did, in a way...

Michelle,

I don't always comment but I have been reading everything. I think that your wedding was simply stunning. It was like the perfect day.

Your story was soooooooo funny and I wanted to share a picture with you. LOL

[/IMG]

We bought this one and the artist was there when we got it. I think that he has been there alot.

OH MY GOSH!!!!!! You have the infamous picture!! It really is pretty, I never meant for him to think I didn't like it. If you wouldn't mind, do you know the name of the artist? I actually wanted to buy it, but I was way too embarrassed in the store. I've looked for it a few times since, but had no luck.

 

[DisneyLaura]

Oh so much to comment on but I read a lot of things. First of all I love the Snow White print on the ship. I would have love to have that in my house. About you being dressed up for dinner, people need to mind their business. I too love that print above. I have a spot on my wall for a Disney print that I just haven't found the right one.

Another thing is that I teared up when you and Brandon were getting massages and they brought your hands together I have been married to my husband for 15 1/2 years and we are also best friends. I don't know what I would do without him. I wish you and Brandon a lifetime of happiness and love with each other.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

My sweet Michelle
Although I don't comment much (a terrible habit of mine!!), I am keeping up with your wonderful TR (honest!!). I feel your pain about the artist!!! That is exactly the sort of thing I would do!!! Too funny. Loving the poster!! I will have to look out for the kiosks when I am in WDW next year, although what is the betting that they will not ship to the UK. I guess if they tube them, I can take it with me.

 

[Designer Rose]

Michelle,

I don't always comment but I have been reading everything. I think that your wedding was simply stunning. It was like the perfect day.

Your story was soooooooo funny and I wanted to share a picture with you. LOL

[/IMG]

We bought this one and the artist was there when we got it. I think that he has been there alot.

I LOVE this! How much was it and how can I get it!?

 

[One_Song]

Oh so much to comment on but I read a lot of things. First of all I love the Snow White print on the ship. I would have love to have that in my house. About you being dressed up for dinner, people need to mind their business. I too love that print above. I have a spot on my wall for a Disney print that I just haven't found the right one.

Another thing is that I teared up when you and Brandon were getting massages and they brought your hands together I have been married to my husband for 15 1/2 years and we are also best friends. I don't know what I would do without him. I wish you and Brandon a lifetime of happiness and love with each other.

Thank you so much. I want you to know I read your comments yesterday (we were meeting some friends for St. Patty's Day festivities, so I'm just now sitting down to respond), and your words stayed with me all day. I think it's a little daunting to be getting married nowadays, when all you hear from your friends or the news is divorce and infidelity. I just can't possibly imagine how I could go from how I feel now to not wanting to be with Brandon every day. Obviously, I believe with all my heart that we will be in love forever. I wouldn't have gotten married if I didn't. I love to hear comments like yours, that prove two people can live happily ever after. Thank you

My sweet Michelle
Although I don't comment much (a terrible habit of mine!!), I am keeping up with your wonderful TR (honest!!). I feel your pain about the artist!!! That is exactly the sort of thing I would do!!! Too funny. Loving the poster!! I will have to look out for the kiosks when I am in WDW next year, although what is the betting that they will not ship to the UK. I guess if they tube them, I can take it with me.

I felt so foolish... you better believe I will watch what I say in art stores now!! I would love to get another one of those posters on our next WDW trip. It was very cheap (especially for Disney)-- although if they do ship to the UK, that shipping charge might not be so cheap! I feel for you ladies-- I love shopping on the Disney store site, but I hate paying for shipping at all. I would break the bank if I needed overseas shipping! I wonder if Disneyland Paris has the kiosks as well?

I LOVE this! How much was it and how can I get it!?

It really is cute!

 

[DisneyLaura]

Thank you so much. I want you to know I read your comments yesterday (we were meeting some friends for St. Patty's Day festivities, so I'm just now sitting down to respond), and your words stayed with me all day. I think it's a little daunting to be getting married nowadays, when all you hear from your friends or the news is divorce and infidelity. I just can't possibly imagine how I could go from how I feel now to not wanting to be with Brandon every day. Obviously, I believe with all my heart that we will be in love forever. I wouldn't have gotten married if I didn't. I love to hear comments like yours, that prove two people can live happily ever after. Thank you

Your welcome!

 

[One_Song]

This morning we were up early for our breakfast at Chef Mickey's.

The view from Club Level. It was pretty cool to see the Contemporary whirring below us.

Brandon had never been to Chef Mickey's, and I hadn't been for about 15 years, maybe a little more. I was very excited for this ressie, as Chef Mickey's used to be my favorite as a kid. I have little snippets of memories in this restaurant, and they all are chock full of that Disney spirit-- magic and fanfare and family. Maybe in this regard, I set the bar too high for Chef Mickey's.

We made the short trip down to the restaurant's check-in desk. Even though we had reservations, we had to wait probably 25 minutes before they could seat us. I refuse to believe that's as efficient as it can be. We were only a party of two. I got very antsy and was on the brink of requesting a manager when we were finally called.

Our table was right by a wall, which made it feel like our own little nook. Our waitress soon came by to take our drink order. She said it would be a little while before the characters got to us, so we had time to make a plate. We were starving and were glad to hear it!

The buffet was very appetizing and we helped ourselves to a bit of everything

Umm, can you tell we were hungry?? I get a little hungry looking at this picture

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Chef Mickey's is horribly inefficient!

And now I am HUNGRY!!

 

[One_Song]

Our waitress told us to make sure we were at our table at 9:00, because they had a special surprise for us! I got really excited, thinking maybe Mickey and Minnie were coming to our table together, or something like that. So 9 rolls around and they bring us this...

Which is very cute, but might have been over-hyped a little by our waitress

This next picture was taken by our waitress, when we blew out the candles

There were still no characters in sight, so we had plenty of time to finish our breakfasts and our cupcake.

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Yeah. I think with everyone who grew up going to Chef Mickey breakfasts as their must-have ADR, it has inevtiably been a let-down come adulthood.

 

[One_Song]

We were finished eating, but there was still no sign of the characters. We had spotted them once earlier in the other room, but they never came near our table. So we waited, and waited, then waited some more.

Well, as I'm sure you've noticed, I get silly when you make me sit still for a long time.

I started playing with that chocolate Mickey head that came on our cupcake

Here, like the sticker that Chip & Dale put on Pluto's mouth in the old Christmas cartoon

Funny nose

Pirate-worthy eye patch

Tres chic earrings

Disney-style bindi

I kept Brandon entertained like this for some time.