~~ A Celebration of Life-long friendship ~~ Sew Sweet 16 ~~ Now N' Thens 3/11

I'm with you on being done with winter (she writes as the snow is falling :sad:). Hopefully today will be the last of the nasty weather. We've just had the coldest February on record in this area.:crazy2:
 
Day 8 Part 1

Sad day today... This is it - the day we go home...

I woke at 5:15 am, I had my coffee and showered.

I did the last of our packing while the girls slept. I woke them just before we had to bring our luggage down...

We made our way down to the airline check-in at 6:30am... We wanted to get this done early, because we've heard that there's sometimes a line and it can take a while. Thankfully, we were the start of the line, so we were in and out very quickly.

We all went back to our room to finish getting ready and packing up our carry-ons. BFF took a photo of the fountain and view outside our room...

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We were out the door at 8:30am... Bye-bye to room 6205. :(

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We checked our carry-on luggage with the rest of our luggage, we checked out of our hotel rooms, and headed to the bus stop.

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Victoria and I, with the bag she made me for our last day - I love this bag!

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We were on a bus to MK at 9am... We were running a bit early - which was good. Better than running late with BFF not doing so hot last night, and the rest of us tired. Now we could just take our time and enjoy what remained of our last day.

Sad faces...

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We learned our lesson from earlier in the trip - and we avoided the Monorail this time... The last thing we needed was to be stranded on our last day.

I rather enjoy the boat across the lagoon - expecially when GF sparkles in the morning sun, just like Main Street...

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After a nice relaxing boat ride, we've arrived at our final destination... The Poly... A resort near and dear to many of our hearts...

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It was time for our final ADR of the trip... A must-do for Olivia, so she could meet her beloved Stitch.

We checked in to our ADR early... At 9:45 am... Our ADR was at 10:45. It was kind of nice to be running early for once. Surprisingly they let us check in early... Cool.

'Ohana seated us promptly at 10 am. Yay!

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Our food was good... The best server we have ever had at this location - but still not a great server. If that says anything?

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The characters started coming and we were ready...

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As Pluto approached us... He came up behind Allison and started licking her head... It was so funny because at first she had no idea he was back there...

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And finally Stitch showed up... He loved Olivia's shoes that she painted with him on there...

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Finally - after the very last character signed her pillowcase... We have the final result for you all... Thank you Tess for making these pillowcases for the girls! They love them!

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Sadly - it was time to leave the Poly and head on our way...

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A bit of insanity - we had time to get stranded... We decided to push our luck and take a ride...

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Did we make it to our final destination? Or yet again - were we stranded?

Link to Day 8 Part 2

D~
 
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Breakfast looked delish!! That Pluto pic was funny!! There are always too many restaurants to go to and not enough time at Disney...sigh....
 
I haven't seen that you have posted your latest bags here lately. I have seen some on Facebook. But I enjoy the bag posting here where you tell a little about it. I hope you have a great day :)

Looks like you had a nice breakfast with the characters.
 


Day 8 Part 2

Bellies full... We decided we'd take a chance on the Monorail... After all - we wouldn't starve for quite some time...

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Taking our chances... We were going almost all the way around... Passing by GF... Passing by MK... Had to get a photo with Thomas' newly purchased Tigger...

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Into the Contemporary we went... We decided we wanted to look around their gift shop...

Where I purhased my last Alex and Ani bracelet for this trip... The Mickey head filigre... Aren't they all cute with my Magic Band?

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We sat on a bench for a while, just enjoying the atmosphere and people watching...

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Pressing our luck... We boarded the dreaded Monorail again... I was getting more and more nervous each time... This time, we could very easily miss our ME ride to the airport...

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We were headed to the TTC... BFF wanted to check on how many days were left on her old passes from her 2004 trip... Once we figure that out - we decided we couldn't chance the Monorail fo ra 3rd time - it was just too risky...

The ferry boat it is...

The girls and I have not ridden the Ferry Boat since our very first trip in 2003... It was kind of bittersweet to ride it across the lagoon on our very first glimpse ever of the castle together, and then to be riding it across the lagoon again for our very last girls trip together.

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We stopped for a photo in front of MK's gates, with our newly purchased Tigger for Thomas (we'd been searching for Tigger in this size our whole trip - we finally found him in the Poly gift shop on our last day...).

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Headed to the MK FQ bus stop... Waaaay at the end for the last time...

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Thankfully - with no transportation issues... we arrived back at FQ early...

I was just exhausted... So, I parked my behind in a chair in the shade by the pool for a nice little snooze... My view...

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I was laying there thinking about how sad I was... We wouldn't get to say good-bye to Santos. He wasn't scheduled to work until 4pm, and we would be at the airport by then.

It wasn't long, and Allison came to tell me that Santos came in to work early, just so he could say good-bye to his MN girls. Awwww... We love you Santos!

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He made us our final beignets for our trip... The best beignets ever...

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And we said our goodbyes... So sad.

Then it was time to claim our luggage and wait for our Tragical Express ride back to the airport...

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Thomas' Tigger and Pooh together at last... In front of FQ... Ready to fly back to MN and evenutally to Europe...

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We boarded the bus... Sad faces on and ready...

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The girls with all of their stuffies walking through the airport before security...

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We all got seperated going through security... Allison was way ahead of us... V and I went through together... BFF and O were way behind us. I was very thankful that my Allison has flown and gone through security several times in her life - she knew just what to do, and waited for us on the "other side".

One final group shot... BFFs forever... Family forever! We'd all do this trip over again in a heartbeat...

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Headed home... Into the sunset...

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Final thoughts...

This trip was such a great trip for us... It forever changed the dynamics of our friendship. With out going into too much detail - it opened my eyes a lot to the relationship between BFF and O, and it's made O and I very close. Even though I have known her very well for her entire life - I have come to understand her better and relate to her better. I am so very thankful for this - she is a great kid and I would LOVE to do another trip with her.

As for my girls - they are just as close to BFF as ever... Their relationship is a very special one and one I am so thankful they have. As a mom - I know they can't always come to me and it's not always easy for them to come to me. It's been very important that they have people in their lives that they trust - and I trust - for them to talk to when they need it. BFF is one of these people. We have a very strict understanding that they are allowed to go to her with anything - and she must never ever betray that trust - no matter what... She is to guide them to do what is right for their best interest - and if she feels it's something I must know - she can never tell me - she must find a way for them to tell me, or to make it easier for them to do so - so their trust of her is always intact. As a teen, I remember how hard it was to trust adults... So, I just feel that my girls always need someone there for them - who isn't me - who they can trust. BFF is that to them. I am so thankful for her every day in my life, not only as my BFF, but as the girls' confidant.

I hope that some day we can all take another trip like this together.

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Thank you to each and every one of you for following along on this TR. I truly appreciate each of your friendships here. I also want to apologize for falling sincerely behind on each and every TR/PTR I was following... I know that some of you understand how hard it is to follow along while you're struggling with "The Disney Blues"... And this time has been especially hard for me, as I struggle with this trip being our last "Girls Trip" together while my girls still live at home. I hope to catch up in the coming weeks and become more active on The Dis again. I love you all!

Even though - this is the final wrap up... Please stay tuned in the coming days... I do have a few "Now N' Thens" to share with you all. And I might even add in some outtakes for the fun of it.

Link to Now N' Thens

D~
 
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So sorry your trip is over. The last day is always so sad.
I hope Allison didn't over do it at work yesterday.
I hope you get a chance to get everything done today.
I have to straighten up the house and run to the little grocery store around the corner for some stuff. It may be small but it has good produce and prices.. I can usually find what I need there.
Liz
 
I just wanted to say, I absolutely loved your TR! Thank you for the entertainment during this time. You have a beautiful family and friends and your trip just seemed so special. The bond you all share seems so sincere and it's really heartwarming to witness. All your days on the trip always seemed so much fun! It makes me so excited to be back home :goodvibes

Much love and pixie dustpixiedust:

Alison:tink:
 


Loved your TR too. I'm so glad it seemed to strengthen the bond between all of you. Your girls are lucky to have you and BFF in their lives. I hope I can give my kids that kind of relationships with one of my friends. I look forward to reading any more that you've got!
 
Waaaah.....its over :( But I'm excited for the next one to begin!!
That PP pic of A with the Mickey ears is priceless. Absolutely love it.
You guys had a very full last day even without any parks. I love resort hopping on the last day. Can't beat the monorail resorts for shopping.
Looking forward to the "then n nows".
 
really sad you trip is over it looks like you and bff had an amazing trip. I have absolutely loved reading and cant wait for your next trip xx
 
Boo to last days :sad::sad:

Loved your report as always. I know I've mentioned this before, but your August 2013 TR was the first I ever read on here, so yours are always "musts" for me :)
 
So sad to leave Disney! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences-I certainly enjoyed reading them! Trip reports are what make the long wait to my next trip seem bearable. I'm certainly looking forward to any future TRs you may write!
 
I'm with you on being done with winter (she writes as the snow is falling :sad:). Hopefully today will be the last of the nasty weather. We've just had the coldest February on record in this area.

I know - I am just sick of it. I just saw in my FB feed that we are supposed to have blizzard conditions tomorrow. :( I work and Alli works... This won't be good.

Breakfast looked delish!! That Pluto pic was funny!! There are always too many restaurants to go to and not enough time at Disney...sigh....

It was quite good.

I totally agree - it's so hard to choose sometimes!

I haven't seen that you have posted your latest bags here lately. I have seen some on Facebook. But I enjoy the bag posting here where you tell a little about it. I hope you have a great day

Looks like you had a nice breakfast with the characters.

You are right - thanks for the reminder Lillian... I will try to catch up on that this week, before I close this TR down.

We did! I love character breakfasts!

So sorry your trip is over. The last day is always so sad.
I hope Allison didn't over do it at work yesterday.
I hope you get a chance to get everything done today.
I have to straighten up the house and run to the little grocery store around the corner for some stuff. It may be small but it has good produce and prices.. I can usually find what I need there.
Liz

Thanks Liz... She did OK.

Hehehe... I had every intention of getting up to my sewing room yesterday - and then, well, I decided to clean out my closet - which was LONG overdue... I am donating everything, with exception to a couple of Disney custom bottoms that I wore on my March 2012 trip (partly because it's a good way to guage size loss for me and also because I am not sure anyone would want them? LOL) and all of the custom tees that my friends have made me over the years. Otherwise- everything else that was in my closet is GONE! I still need to go through my drawers though.

I hope you were able to get all of your errands done.

I just wanted to say, I absolutely loved your TR! Thank you for the entertainment during this time. You have a beautiful family and friends and your trip just seemed so special. The bond you all share seems so sincere and it's really heartwarming to witness. All your days on the trip always seemed so much fun! It makes me so excited to be back home

Much love and pixie dust

Alison

Awww... Thanks Alison! I am glad you enjoyed reading along! It was a great trip with great friends and I loved sharing it here!

I hope you'll continue to follow along as I start my next PTR. :thumbsup2

Loved your TR too. I'm so glad it seemed to strengthen the bond between all of you. Your girls are lucky to have you and BFF in their lives. I hope I can give my kids that kind of relationships with one of my friends. I look forward to reading any more that you've got!

Thank you - I am so glad you enjoyed it!

I think it's super important for all kids/teens to have someone in their lives whom they trust and whose beliefs align with those of their family... There have been so many times where my girls have confided in BFF, and as much as I was dying to know what was going on - I had to let it be. It's not easy - but there is an incredible amount of trust there, and I know with out a doubt, if there is anything I needed to know - bff would help them tell me. :lovestruc It's a great relationship all around, and we are lucky to have this.

I hope you'll follow along when I start my PTR, after I wrap up here.

Waaaah.....its over But I'm excited for the next one to begin!!
That PP pic of A with the Mickey ears is priceless. Absolutely love it.
You guys had a very full last day even without any parks. I love resort hopping on the last day. Can't beat the monorail resorts for shopping.
Looking forward to the "then n nows".

Me too!!!

Hahaha... I know - right? Super funny!

We did - we had a really nice and relaxing last day.

I don't have many Now N Thens, but I have a few to share.

Love you Suzi - and thanks for following along. :hug:

really sad you trip is over it looks like you and bff had an amazing trip. I have absolutely loved reading and cant wait for your next trip xx

Me too - we had so much fun! It was a great trip. I admit I was so nervous throughout, but even though there were many annoyances (I am sure, on both our parts) - we had a great time!

Thanks so much for following along - I hope you'll follow along on my next PTR too.

Boo to last days

Loved your report as always. I know I've mentioned this before, but your August 2013 TR was the first I ever read on here, so yours are always "musts" for me

Awww... I am glad you enjoy my TRs so much! I love sharing them here with all of my friends! :hug:

I hope you'll continue to follow along as I plan my next adventure.

So sad to leave Disney! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences-I certainly enjoyed reading them! Trip reports are what make the long wait to my next trip seem bearable. I'm certainly looking forward to any future TRs you may write!

I am so glad you enjoyed it! I just love sharing our trips here! Writing the TRs/PTRs also makes my time in between trips more bearable too - so I understand. :hug:

I hope you'll follow along as I most over to the PTR section, as soon as I wrap up here.

***********************************************************************************

We had a nice weekend- I am very happy to have the majority of this TR done... It was kind of a pain to have pictures from all over.

I did get some work done in my sewing room over the weekend - I plan to spend a full day up there today.

As I mentioned above - I was distracted by my closet yesterday... So I cleaned it out and donated everything - except a few Disney customs from our 2012 trip and all of the custom tees my friends have sent me over the years. Everything else is gone! It's such a relief! There is still a TON in there though!

Today, I will be working out as soon as the girls get on the bus...

Then I will be putting in a full sewing room day...

Planning to make chili for dinner tonight (no beans for me)...

I am hoping to finish up this TR in the coming weeks, and I have a PTR up my sleeve to tide you all over. :woohoo:

Have a wonderful day everyone! Prayers and Pixie Dust to all of you! :grouphug:

D~
 
Awww what a great wrap up. I have been way behind in my reading but glad I caught up here this morning. Weather here in MD lately has been ugly, lots of small snow and ice storms. I have a nice delay for work and kids get a day off from school today, due to ice!

So since I haven't read all the way back, did I see something about another PTR in the works? Can't wait!

I have spent the last week changing up our upcoming July trip. We are now splitting our time between a studio at the new Polynesian DVC and a 1BR villa at Bay Lake Tower. So excited! Our first July in Florida and hope we do as well as you did for your August trip!
 
It's funny but December was the first time I've ever walked through the new BTMR queue too. I've always done FP for it in the past.

Gaston is always so much fun to meet! He is a bit of a bully though, isn't he?

:rotfl: Sleeping on a bench in Tomorrowland. But seriously, sometimes you just need to listen to your body.

Yum, BOG! I want to go back there so badly right now!

Awww, last days are so sad but what a nice way to finish it off with breakfast at O'Hana. Mom and I loved our breakfast there last October.

Sad that this one is almost over but happy that you have something up your sleeve for another PTR! I would seriously miss your daily updates if you didn't have a thread going. I don't always have something to say but I always enjoy reading them!
 
Also.....I am very glad to know you have had at least one trip (two even!) on the monorail that wasn't delayed. Kinda nervous about this for Nov. Will you be pissed at me if I send you on a separate monorail than Bradey and I?? Hoping your bad monorail mojo doesn't rub off on us ;)
 
Good afternoon D - I haven't PM you in a while - I cannot figure out how to do so with the new Dis - and it won't let me into your profile - it says it is blocked - can I email you directly? I still have your email address.

I loved your last day and wrap up. The Pooh and Tigger stuffies are so cute together, and then peeking out of the backpacks. Awww. Your Mickey waffles made me very hungry over here. Love the pic of O and Stitch. And my sweet Pluto with Allison - too cute!

Anyway, so loved seeing all the magic through your TR - thanks for taking the time to share. So glad the trip was a success and more. I cannot wait for your PTR with Allison's Senior trip! Please keep us updated on your beautiful bags.

Take care! Hope your Dad is doing well. I put a little card in the mail to him. Hugs and prayers, Carol
 
So sad that the trip is over, but was so thankful to follow along and share with you.
Looking forward to your PTR. Hope Alli is feeling better.
Blizzard?! I don't know how much more we can deal with here. It snowed yesterday, and they are predicting more for tomorrow.
So much going on here and just not enough time to get it all done.
Looking forward to your next adventure.

Have a wonderful day!
 

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