Disney College Program. Moving our Princess to DW to follow her dream! Update 2/6

[TexasBelle]

Disney College Program - Moving our Princess to DW to follow her Dream!
This Trip Report is brought to you by MOM...

Dreams Do Come True!!!





Princess Rae
Disney College Program

When you wish upon a star
makes no difference who you are
Lalalalala
DREAMS COME TRUE!!!



That's Rae's song. She wished upon a star and her dream came true.

Now it's time to put our plan in motion.


Rae has been accepted to Disney College Program.
Arrival date May 20, 2013
Fall Advantage - Working all summer and fall.

For a little information about us - check out my pre trip report.
Moving the Princess to Disneyworld, DH 50th B'day trip & several Trips

I'm starting this trip report a few weeks in advanced because it was such an exciting time for her.

So a little bit more pretrip stuff.

So grab some

This was one of the busiest times of Rae's life. Late April & MAY
Her 19th Birthday
Packing
Finals
Packing
Going away Party
Packing
Dance Recital
Packing and shopping and Packing

So after all the plans were in motion we had several things to do.

First things first

I wanted to give her a going away party.
Rae had so many people that she wanted to say goodbye to
and
so little time to go by and see them all.
So
I decided to plan this surprise going away party
but finally I just had to tell her about the party

She was really excited but had no idea when or how we could find the time to have this party. Dance Recital Rehearsal was taking up most of her evening and during the day she was a nannie for a family with 2 precious children.

(Rae dances for a company, plus teaches her little babies ballet and tap)

Finally we choose a Sunday afternoon and evening.

The invitations went out and the party was on.

The party theme was DISNEY!!! of course


Princess Rae


Party Decorations


















Princess Cupcakes!!!!


Mexican Snack Yummies!!!


Chesley (Meghan's aka Barbra's Mom) and Me (Mom)


Rae, Aunt Tina (Charlie's Sister) and Brady (Rae's Brother - my 2nd son)


Chesley, Papa & Grandmother (Rae's Dad's Parents)


Jeff (Rae's Dad) and Uncle Tim (My little brother) Cuz Cuz - Layne (Tim's little boy)


Maggie (Rae's Cousin) and Fletcher


Rae - This group of kids are some of the kids that she teaches in dance or babysits) & Brady!


Rae's Dance Partners Eric and Shelby


Having fun with them...


2 of Rae's baby's that are in her dance class. Both of them will be in Disney this summer to see her.
Little B & BB


Dancing with her babies.


More Party Pictures to come...

Come on along with me
For lots of fun
Lots of tears
and excitement
Lets follow Rae's Dream

Carolyn

​

​

 

[TexasBelle]

Disney College Program - Our Princess is moving to DW to follow her Dreams
This Trip Report is brought to you by MOM...

Before the Trip
Chapter 1 - Dreams do Come True
Chapter 2 - The Party Goes On
Chapter 3 - Birthday Celebration & Ranger Game
Chapter 4 - Dance Recital

Flash Back
Chapter 5 - Disney Trip - Nov 2009 - Eric's Trip, 1 reason why Rae can move to DW
Chapter 6 - Disney Trip - Nov 2009 - Eric's Trip, 1 reason why Rae can move to DW - Part 2
Chapter 7 - Mother's Day & Getting ready to leave

Time to Leave for Disneyworld
Chapter 8 - Day 1 - May 15th - Wednesday, Time to Leave, Keys to Tami and Tornadoes! OH MY!!!

1 Week from Today - Sept. 11th Trip Plans

Pensacola Beach, Florida
Chapter 9 - Day 2 - May 16th - Thursday - Traveling through 4 States in 1 day & Cheeseburger in Paradise
Chapter 10 - Day 3 - May 17th - Friday - Beach Day... Sunburns and Good Times
Chapter 11 - Day 4 - May 18th - Saturday - Last Day on the Beach in Pensacola Beach, Florida

Disneyworld
Chapter 12 - Day 5 - May 19th - Orlando Here We Come!!!
Chapter 13 - Day 5 - May 19th - Cont. - Laughing until He can't see, Magic Kingdom & Space Mountain.
Chapter 14 - Day 5 - May 19th - Cont. - Tangled, Little B & Ms. Rae find each other.
Chapter 15 - Day 5 - May 19th - Cont. - I love a parade, the sound of the...
Chapter 16 - Day 5 - May 19th - Cont. - Castle Show and Wishes!!!
Chapter 17 - Day 6 - May 20th - The day is finally here... What we came for...
Chapter 18 - Day 6 - May 20th - Cont. - Time to Decorate
Chapter 19 - Day 7 - May 21st - Disney Hollywood Studios
Chapter 20 - Day 7 - May 21st - Cont. - Mickey Under the Sea, Under the Sea... Epcot
Chapter 21 - Day 7 - May 21st - Cont. - She's Practically Perfect in Everyway - Princess Rae
Chapter 22 - Day 8 - May 22nd Time to Let my Princess Fly... She did it... The Rest of the Story!!!!

That's the end...
Thanks for reading...
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

The Party goes on.



Rae and Kayla - Our sweet adopted college daughter.


Me (Mom) and Kayla - She's so precious. More about her in up coming post.
Jeff in the background - Rae's DAD


This is one of the couples that Rae babysits for.




This is CUZ CUZ - aka Layne Andrew - My nephew.
Layne lives next door to Charlie and I.
Ever since Layne was old enough to talk he has called Rae - Cuz Cuz and Rae calls him Cuz Cuz!!!!!
He is the love of my life besides Charlie and my kids.



He loves Disney - but of course he does. We talk about it all the time with him
In the beginning of all the Disney movies - when you see the picture of the castle - Well, Layne will tell you that that is where Cuz Cuz lives...

So Sweet!!!!



Aunt Debi ( Layne's Mom - My favorite Sister in Law - Married to my little brother - Tim)
2 of the mom's that Rae babysits for.
Morgan - the darker hair is the one that Rae Nannies for everyday.


Britt and Seth!!!!! WE love them. Rae has danced with Seth for Several Years. They will be in Disneyworld in late August.



Going away gift from Seth.


A few Going away presents. So sweet of her little kids to do



Granny - My mother



Rae's Best Friends. Julia and Meghan.
Meghan AKA Barbra - I wrote a Trip Report on our Spring Break trip to Disney - The 3 Cabellero-ettes take a road trip to Disneyworld. This trip is with Meghan and Rae.
Such a funny, awesome, crazy trip.


Some of Rae's girlfriends.
Julia, Rae, Meghan, Reagan (Rae's Roommate) and ?? and ??
The Candy table was a huge hit.



This is just a small sampling of family and friends that came.
and
The Party was so successful and she had so much fun saying goodbye to friends and family.


Now on to the next step before leaving for Orlando/DISNEYWORLD.

Carolyn

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[familyabgar]

Following along!

me too!

 

[TexasBelle]

Following along!

Your my first follower!!!
Thank you!!!!
I do hope that you enjoy my stories and pictures of our adventure.

me too!

Thank you for joining in too.

Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

Let's go
Let's Go
L - E - T - S - G - O...
GO RANGERS.

So as I'm working on this Trip Report I forgot the Texas Rangers Game.

We love the Rangers

I watch them every night or at least listen to them on the radio if I'm not home to watch them on TV
and
Rae's the same way. She loves her Texas Rangers.
Now
Baseball Season is here and of course she will be in Orlando the whole season
so
for her Birthday we surprised her with a trip to the game.

Remember we love to do everything as a surprise.

Charlie, Mom and Rae


Car ride to Arlington - 2 hours and 30 minutes



This is one of the prettiest baseball stadiums in the country.


Great seats.


We had a fabulous time!!!


We had a fun day at the baseball game.

We're checking things off of her list (things to do before she leaves)
More to come
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
SHE JUMPS
SHE LEAPS
SHE DOESN'T SIT STILL
She's danced since she was 5
She's competed Gymnastics since she was 7
and
Her love is being on stage
She's ain't scared of anything when it comes to performing.

So of course Disney is the perfect stage for her.
Why not move to Orlando and go to work for the most wonderful company in the World.

DISNEYWORLD


So we're working on getting things in order
She's had her birthday
We've been to the Ranger game
We had the going away party
She finished finals. UGGGGG



Now it's her last Dance Recital - 13 years of Dance

Rae doesn't dance ballet anymore
She dances Hip Hop!
You know that crazy ridiculous moving around,
kind of dance,
that you're like,
How do they do that???

That's what she does.



Dance Recital is always on Mother's Day!
and here are a few pictures from the recital
Opening...




Back Stage After the Show.

Saying goodbye to her Dance Family
Teri - She owns the studio
Tears are starting to fall


Goodbyes are so hard to do



Kirby - Teri's Daughter - Big Sister to Rae


Rae and Hope - they have danced and attended church together since they were 6



The guys!!!




KP!!!! The love of her life... ok not really but she has loved dancing with him forever. He's an amazing dancer




Shelby


Eric - Rae and Eric are both moving away. His family moved to Illinois (I think)
Rae and Eric have danced together for years
and
They were in HairSpray & Legally Blonde together.




Rae, Eric & Shelby




Some of Rae's Baby's - Ms. Rae - Ms. Rae they love to call her that.
The one's that will be in DW this summer to see her
Little B & BB




It's so wonderful that Rae will have visitors in Disney...
Rae has taught these two girls for 2 years.

Little B and her family will be in DW when we arrive on Sunday May 19th
We hope to meet up with them and enjoy Magic Kingdom with her


BB and her family will be in DW Early Aug and Rae plans to spend the mornings with them.


BB loves her some Ms. Rae



This was a really hard day for Rae and especially for Momma...
I love more then anything to watch Rae perform. She loves being on stage and it shows.


This was one of the last thing before we leave.
Next Up
Disney Trip - Nov 2009 - Eric's Trip, 1 reason why Rae can move to DW.

Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

Flash Back


Eric... He's the oldest of my 3 children
He's 25 now
He's one of the reason's that I'm ok with Rae moving to Orlando without me.


Aug 2009
Let's start here

Eric is my Sports addict
He loves everything sports.
He's one of those kids that could play every sport and he was awesome at it.
In High School he chose Basketball.
So after he graduated from high school.
Eric attend college in a small town south of Abilene to play basketball. But that kind of ended pretty quick - He loved high school basketball but not college.
So during his freshman year of college he took up golf again - He's always played golf but never really seriously.
After his freshman year he decided that he wasn't sure what he wanted to do so he sat out for a year or two and during that time we found a school in Orlando that he could put his golf skills to use.

So in Nov. 2009
His Dad (Jeff) and I went to Orlando.
3 days -
Appointment with Golf School
Play around of Golf
3 parks in 1 day - to show Jeff DisneyWorld - Magic Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studio's & Epcot



Trip to Orlando







The school was awesome, they played golf - and we made plans for him to start there in Jan 2010.


Now it was time to take Jeff to Disneyworld - His very first time to see the property.
Remember the kids had already been 2 times by now and they had shared their trips with him
plus
they had begged Dad to take them to Disneyworld, Ok not the boys but Rae has
so Jeff knew a lot about Disney but had never been.



Magic Kingdom...
A little side note - Eric loves Disney - He thinks it's awesome but at this point in his life he loves Golf so much more and Disney is a great place to go but if he's in Orlando he would rather play golf or go to Universal Studios SHHHHH He loves the thrill rides and Harry Potter. But he's in his 20's...

Eric and his Dad are so much a like, if it doesn't involved Golf then they aren't real excited about it.
So getting Jeff and Eric to Disney took a lot of begging. Not really - Eric was ok with going and Jeff was really looking forward in seeing it.

I was really excited about going because it was November and the parks were already decorated for Christmas and this would be a first for me... I'm one happy girl.

Heading into Magic Kingdom
and
Yes - they don't like to have their pictures taken.
Grumpy!!!!
















REMEMBER THIS PICTURE - IT'S A CLUE...




I LOVE ALL THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS... THEY WERE FABULOUS.
It's a first for me

We had Pinocchio's Pizza for lunch






For Nov. 9th - Magic Kingdom was empty...
I don't remember what rides we rode that day but I know we didn't ride many

The castle










A few characters we saw.







Next on to Disney Hollywood Studio's
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

Disney Hollywood Studios


After lunch we caught a bus over to DHS for a few rides and to see the park.

The huge Christmas Tree






Photo Bomb - DAD aka Jeff


I love all these Palm Trees


Rock-n Roller Coaster
We rode this





The main thing about this trip was that I wanted Jeff to just see all the parks and so we did lots of walking and seeing the sights.












Time for some sugar... The boys were getting tired...
Remember they can play several rounds of golf a day but 3 parks in one day is a little tiring for them. .


Block Party Bash - It's a cute parade...












After the parade, they had had enough.
So we caught the boat over to BoardWalk
Eric wanted to show Dad where we had stayed before
BeachClub.


Once we got off at the BoardWalk, we stopped into ESPN Restaurant - For an afternoon snack or early dinner and some sports.

The boys had decided that they were through for the day but of course I hadn't been to my favorite park
Epcot.
and I didn't want to miss Soarin & Illuminations

I was really hoping that Jeff would hang out with me but he decided that they would head back to the hotel for a nap and TV.

So I went my way
and
They stayed at ESPN for awhile

EPCOT - Here I come



Time for my favorite ride

Soarin


I stayed at Epcot for the whole evening
which was so much fun
I didn't have to entertain anyone and I just got to do what I wanted to.

I walked around the Worlds and then I watch Illuminations, My favorite Fireworks show.
After Illuminations I walked to the front of the park and caught a bus back to our hotel.

I had a wonderful day
I think the boys had fun too

So back to the 1 reason why Rae can go to DW without me.

Eric ended up living in Orlando for 2 years and we saw him several times during those years.

Funning thing - When you go to Disneyworld you really don't adventure to far from the property - Your safe zone.
So with Eric in Orlando we learned that there is more to Orlando then just Disney. Who would have thought that...
So after several trips to Orlando and seeing Eric during those 2 years Rae became aware of where things were besides Disney!!!
Plus we made that really fun Spring Break Trip and we drove all over the area looking at houses, adventuring to the mall and looking at Valencia College. So I feel like she has a really good sense of direction and her way around Orlando.

Orlando turned out to be a really great place for Eric and he loved going to school there and working at several Golf Courses and Golf Schools.

But Eric has Texas in his blood and he wanted back in Texas. So in the Fall of 2011 he moved back to Dallas and worked for a golf course in Frisco Area and then in October 2012 He moved to Midland to be an assistant Golf Pro at a Club there.

Although I sure wish he was in Orlando with Rae, those 2 are the best of friends. She loves him and they are like to peas in a pod.

Up next
Mother's Day Lunch

Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

Mother's Day
Mother's Day was on Sunday,
and guess what,
I think it has been on a Sunday ever since I can remember
and of course we had dance recital

So needless to say we didn't have Mother's Day Lunch on MD.
besides Eric wasn't even in town, He had to work Golf course are always open on Mother's Day, Christmas and Thanksgiving..
For some weird reason. Guys think they need to play golf on those days.
So the plan was to have MD Lunch on Tuesday since Eric's Club is closed.



So here's some pictures from Mother's Day Lunch...


Aren't we just the cutest family in the world.








Although the boys needed to shave



We had a wonderful lunch...
I am extremely blessed to have such wonderful children that have done so well for themselves.




The day after Tuesday is Wednesday
Which is May 15th
Which is moving day

and
yes our plans had changed.

We - Jeff - decided that he didn't want to drive all the way to Pensacola in one day so instead of waking up at 6:00am on Thursday May 16th, we're now leaving just as soon as I get off work at 5:00 on Wednesday.

So Tuesday evening was a day of packing her car and saying good bye to family.

Rae and Cuz Cuz... Saying goodbye to him.


That was so tough.

They just love each other so much.

Up next is Wednesday
Starting to make the trip to Orlando.
It's time to leave.
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

Wednesday, May 15th, Day 1

It's Wednesday Morning...
And all things are crazy, and I have to work..

This day is going to be a day of trying together last minute things and say goodbye to friends.
Off to work I went and the Princess was packing her last minute things.


Rae had lunch with her friend Haley. She's a Texas Tech Red Raider...
And
After lunch it was time to get the kids.
ONE LAST TIME!!!
The kids are heart broken that Ms Rae is leaving, they just love Her

Rae, Deacon and Ava...



Jeffery


Rae's Dad lives about 2 hours and 30 minutes from us so he left his office around 1:00 for the big city.
Which means he'll be here way before I get off work, but hopefully I can leave early, so we can get on the road faster...
Plus Rae has the kids until 3:30 - 4:00ish. They were heading for ice cream and fun times




IT'S TIME...

The time has come.

Time to leave.
We all met at my house (Casa Alto) the house in the sky.


Charlie (My sweet Hubby), Jeff and Jeff's parents (Grandmother & Papa) - My children are very very very close to them and they also wanted to send us off with a hug and a kiss.

It's time to load...


Dancing Queen


The Traveling Team...


It's time to go.
We left Abilene - right about 4:00ish.



Perfect! We're running way ahead of schedule...


WRONG!!!!

Flash back...
Rae's car was packed to the brim, so for the day of her running around saying goodbye to friends and having the kids, I let her use Tami the Tank. (My car)


Sooooooo

Rae wanted to Drive her car aaaaaalllllllllllllll the way...........
All 1324 miles 20 plus hours!
and she wanted to ride by herself for awhile so I climb into Jeff's Tahoe.

We had to make a quick stop at the bank so she could put her check in the bank that Morgan had given her for taking care of the kids for the last 2 weeks.

Cutie Pie Princess Rae


and then off we went!

I-20 here we come!!!



Ring, Ring, Ring, That's was my phone about 25 miles out of town...

It's Charlie - My sweet hubby.

Hello!

Hello!

Hi honey...

Where's the key to Tami????

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
I have mine with me
and
wellllll,
Oh no!!!
I bet Rae has the other one...
Let me call her and see if she has the key with her since she drove Tami all day today.

Ugggggggggg

She had the other key with her.

Time to turn around

Now, If you have followed me on other trip reports whether it's a cruise or trip to Disney, we always forget something and have to go back home.

So we both turn around and Charlie starts heading towards us and we meet on the interstate at a rest stop.
After saying goodbye again to my sweet hubby
Back on the road we went.

On the road again

Just can't wait to get on the road again.

So, we're heading down the road, which is a good thing.
We're jamming to the music and it's been about 2 hours and we're starting to pull into the Weatherford area.

and the clouds are starting to build - now we live in West Texas and we have storms all the time especially in May, June, July and well you get the idea

so

We start noticing the clouds and how ominous they were looking.
These cloud were turning in circles, rotating around. It was sooo scary!!!!

All the sudden Rae's calling her dad and my phone starts going off too!!!
It's Kayla - Our adopted college daughter and she is at her home in Grandbury and she's worried about us. (She knew we were leaving today)

(Rae on the phone to her dad)
Dad - Look at that cloud - it looks like a tornado

(Me on the phone with Kayla)
Kayla's asking me where are y'all???
and I tell her just coming into Weatherford
She's like there's several tornado's on the ground in your area and they are telling everyone to run for cover.

(Jeff on the phone with Rae)
Jeff tells Rae to stay close to our car...
and he starts driving like a crazy man try to get away from a Tornado, no wait we are trying to get away from a tornado.
Rae's right behind us.

It's starting to rain,
Now it's starting to down pour
I'm scared to death.

Jeff stays on the phone with Rae,
I'm on my phone looking at the radar, calling Charlie and texting with Kayla
and we've got the radio turned onto the local weather.

The guys on the radio are talking about tornadoes that are touching down in the Weatherford and Granbury area and how everyone in that area should take cover and if you're out on the interstate, you should pull off and take cover.

But no did we listen

I'm texting with Kayla and they are taking cover in their bathtub.

We're still flying down the interstate trying to stay in front of the storm.
and as far as I can tell we are just in front of it.

At one point I look out the back window to watch Rae and I swear I saw the huge tornado behind us about 2 miles.

Rae is keeping up with us and finally as we make the turn I-20 South; where I-20 and I-30 split, we're in front of it.
YES!!!
But Kayla

My sweet girl is right in the middle of it.
Several tornados have touched down all around her! She's hiding out in her bath tub with her mother. They are safe
But the storm is baring down on them.

She sent me a picture of the hail.


So on around the south of Fort Worth we went.

We're thinking we're ok!!!!
So we decided to stop in Arlington (In and Out Burger) for dinner and a breather. It had been a really stressful hour.
Rae was shaking, and we just needed to breathe

So as we sat there eating our burgers the weather started to change...

OH NO, NOT AGAIN.

So we ate our dinner really quick and as we're heading out to the cars. It started raining again.
I jumped in Rae's car with her and Jeff took the lead.
By the time we got on the bridge to get onto the interstate, The flood gates opened AGAIN!!!

Pictures of the radar

See the red. That's where we were.



So we drove onto I-20 outside of Arlington going around 40 Miles an hour. You couldn't see anything in front of you.
Tornado warnings were all around the area,
AGAIN.

We should have never stopped.
But we thought we'd be okay.

Kayla and her family were safe, the tornadoes had missed her home but lots of houses in the Grandbury area we're destroyed.
I had been on the phone with Charlie most of the time he was keeping us up to date on what the weather channel was saying.

Finally we're south of Dallas on I-20 and the rain slows down.

We just had one more area of rain and we should be home free.


On around Dallas we went and we started heading East again, Away from Dallas.
Finally we're on the East side of Dallas and heading towards Tyler, Longview and the Louisiana boarder.
We're going to try to get to Shreveport for the night.

Our hearts started slowing down and we were breathing with easy again.

Jeff called and said, I'm tired, lets stop in Longview for the night.
We pulled into one of the hotels and they were full for the night,
of course
so we pulled into another one and yes, they had a room.

By the time we got into our room and turned on the TV to Dallas stations.
We were finding out how bad the weather had been.
We couldn't believe that we had made it through the area.
Thank you Lord for safety.

Just a funny - Food for thought
If we had never had to come back and meet Charlie with the key then we would have been another 30 minutes in front of the storm.
But then again,
If we would have left after 5:00 - When I got off work, (which was the plan)we would have been right in the middle (we were right in front of the storm) of the mess and it really would have been terrible.
But then again. We made it through and we were safe and so was Kayla. Lots to be thankful for.

Next Day - Pensacola Beach!!!!

Carolyn

 

[jojosam]

Holy cow! That weather was crazy! So glad you escaped the worst of it! Although, it sounds like what would happen on a trip with our family!! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[TexasBelle]

Just a little happy dance here.

1 week from right now I will be on an airplane to Orlando

and I'll get to see this girl.




A little Key West for you.


I can't wait.

We have lots of wonderful plans.
Do you want to know what where doing???

Well I'll just give you the quick version.
You should know by now, I can't give a quick version, but Ill try.

Wednesday - Sept. 11th
11:30 Arrive in Orlando
Catch the Magic Express Bus to

Photo from the internet.
BEACHCLUB

Rae will meet us there.
I can't wait

Check in & hopefully we can get into our room.

We ordered our Magical Bands for this trip.
They came to the house 2 days later.

We've done our FastPass+ for each park each day.
You get 3 of them - per park - per day.

Epcot
2:00 - Via Napoli
FastPass+
Soarin
The Sea's with Nemo & Friends
Test Track
Watch Illuminations


Thursday, Sept. 12th
Magic Kingdom
Be there for Park opening.
3:55 Cinderella's Royals Table
1st time for us
FastPass+
Peter Pan
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
Wishes

Friday, Sept 13th Friday the 13th
Limited Time Magic
Unleash the Villains Friday Dance Party
4:05 PrimeTime Café
FastPass+
Toy Story
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Tower of Terror
Fantasmic
Villains Party

Saturday, Sept 14th
Epcot
4:45 - Le Cellier
FastPass+
Test Track
Characters Meet and Greet
Soarin
BeachClub Pool
Rae's Apartment
Illuminations or Fantasmic if we don't get to see it on the 13th

Sunday, Sept 15th
Animal Kingdom
FastPass+
Dinosaur
Characters Meet and Greet
Expedition Everest
8:20 Kona's - Polynesian
Maybe - It's a little to late for us to eat

Monday, Sept 16th
Typhoon Lagoon
7:10 Cape May - BeachClub
It's a 1st for us

Tuesday, Sept 17th
Take Charlie on a tour of Orlando
Downtown Disney
MNSSHP

Wednesday, Sept 18th
7:50am - Cape May Beach Breakfast
Check out of our room
Epcot
Say our Goodbye's to Rae
2:00 - Catch Magical Express Bus
8:25pm - Back home

We're going to have a wonderful time

Lots of hanging out together & letting Rae show us her Home now.

More to come on my trip.
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

Holy cow! That weather was crazy! So glad you escaped the worst of it! Although, it sounds like what would happen on a trip with our family!! Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for joining in. That storm was really crazy.
More to come.
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

Thursday, May 16th, Day 2


We're up early and ready to go
Ready for a long day of travel

Time to hit the road
It's 8:01am
And we're on our way to the Beach for a few days.
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Resort

On the road again
With a quick stop for gas and snacks A coke for me, Dr Pepper for Jeffery and Rae Rae

We're just an hour from Shreveport and that's where we head south.
The Tahoe is loaded and Rae's right behind us!!!


We made a quick stop in Shreveport at Starbucks for the Princess!
She loves her some Starbucks - Not Mom or her Dad! We got tea!
I jump over to ride with her for awhile.
We love to sing along to the music.

3 hours later we're in Lafayette
Time for Lunch - Now I don't eat McDee's - No can do!

So guess where we stopped for lunch
Chick - Fil - A

Yes!!! My favorite, Quick Stop!

On the Road again!
1:00pm
Time to cross that 20 mile bridge
Rae's driving her car and I'm hanging with her dad, again

On into Baton Rouge about 1:45
We're making great time

Several quick stops at the really nice rest stops along I-10

I hopped back over to Rae's car and rode with her for awhile.



Mobile





Tunnel Time


I see the light at the end of the tunnel




Of course we hit Mobile at 5:00 traffic


As we are trucking down this road.
Yes, the bridge out of the tunnel.
Remember it's 5:00 o'clock traffic, all the sudden we had to slam on our brakes and come to a complete stop in a matter of 1 second!!!
UUUUgggggg
It was sooooo scary!
Jeff slammed on his brake and Rae all the sudden realized that she had better stop NOW or else.
and of course she couldn't swerve to the left or she would end up in the water and to the right she would hit several cars, one good thing was that she wasn't right on our bumper and she was paying close attention to the trafffic.
She bumped bumpers with us but that was no big deal. It could have been lots worse.
But of course the cars behind us were traveling as fast as we were and that car slammed on their brakes and so on and so on!
It was soooooo scary!
But Rae handled it perfect!
I was so proud of her!!!
Of course we called her to make sure she was ok. And she was, but shaking really bad!
We couldn't stop and catch our breath we had to keep moving, we were on a bridge in lots of crazy traffic!



Finally we're in Florida



Now time to head south to Pensacola Beach.








There's our resort!!! Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville Resort





We pulled in right at 6:30 Texas Time, no time change yet.

Time to carry everything up to our room and see the room.
Lobby


Our first view of the room



We have an ocean view room







Ocean View




The view was fabulous!!!

Rae and her dad.


After we checked out our room, It was time for some dinner.

Cheese Burger in Paradise.

Jeff and I had this.

Rae had Macaroni & Cheese
Yes this was amazing.
AMAZING.


After dinner was wondered around for awhile, then up to our room to unpack and settle in for the night.

Tomorrow all day on the beach.
I can't wait.
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

Friday, May 17th, Day 3

I'm going to try really hard to get through these few days at the beach!!!
Because the real reason we're here is to see DISNEY
and to find out
Where - she's working
Who - she's living with and where



Of course Jeff and I are up early, so we head out on the balcony and what did we see.



Pods of Sting Rays
It was really cool to see.



Time for Rae to get up and see the Sting Rays


Breakfast Time


Oatmeal
It was amazing


The food at the restaurant was fabulous. We ate there most of the time.

TIME FOR THE BEACH!!!
My view for the day.


Momma - loving her some sun!!!


My view to the west





My view to the east.


We spent most of the day right there.

Later that afternoon, we went to the pool




The Princess


We had such a fabulous day at the beach and pool but now it's time to get cleaned up for some dinner.

Pensacola Beach has a board walk area






Dinner Time at Crabs



It was yummy!!!


After dinner we headed back to the resort.

Foot Note
Pensacola Beach is a happening place. Lots of people, lots of traffic. Although it was a weekend.

Inside the resort.
Margaritaville Resort.








The store. We spent lots of money in here. Lots of T-shirts, Lots of other fun stuff.




This was so cool, It was in the hallway to the elevators.


We had a really fun day in the sun, but we were tired. Time to head back to the room.

Tomorrow - Another fun day at the beach.
Carolyn

 

[TexasBelle]

Saturday, May 18th, Day 4



Last Day on the beach.
I will say
This is one of the prettiest beaches in the Gulf.
In Galveston, the beach is a grey/brown color
In Corpus Christi, the beach is a grey/brown color
As you can see the pattern. Grey/brown color.

But this beach in Pensacola Beach, Florida is fabulous
White, Soft Sand, and the water is a beautiful Blueish Greenish color and very clear.
As you can tell by the String Ray pictures that I took them from our balcony - on the 7th floor.

We had breakfast again at the restaurant in the Resort.
It was fabulous, and I think we all had the same thing that we had yesterday.
Then we wondered around the resort for awhile - then it was time to head to the beach.

Now Jeff got a little sun yesterday so he was wanting to sit under the umbrella, out of the sun but still on the beach.

Some shots before we head down to our reserved Umbrella
The Sting Rays are back. They were just right there on the edge of the water.



Looks like there might be a wedding later today.




It's a beautiful day!!!!




Time to head down to our umbrella.



Here comes the Princess!!!


Catching some rays.
Loving me some sunshine.


Cutie Pie


Lunch Time
At Margaritaville's outdoor restaurant. Landshark!






Hammock Time





We stayed down on the beach most of the day.
Lots of fun.

We headed back up stairs and sat outside on our balcony.
Here's some great pictures - Again
There were 2 wedding parties at the resort.

To the East




Setting up for a wedding to the West




Here comes the Bride.




After checking out the wedding, we were all starving. So we headed out to check out the restaurants on the drag.
We settled on a place down the road from the resort.
I can't remember the name of it but it was fabulous.
It's been there a long time!!!



Rae Rae


We had to wait about an hour. The place was packed. But it was worth it.
Rae and Jeff


After Dinner we went back to the resort.
Here's some fun pictures.




We had a fun 2 days on the Beach!
Now it's time to pack our bags and head to Orlando in the morning.

Up Next
Disneyworld
Carolyn

 

[familyabgar]

The resort looked very nice! Excited to read about the next part of your trip/experience.

 

[TexasBelle]

Sunday, May 19th - Day 5th


It's time to get on the road and leave this beautiful resort.



It's now time to head to Orlando and get the Princess all moved in tomorrow.

Tomorrow holds lots of questions that will be answered.
Where will she work?
Where will she live?
Who will her roommates be?
Will she be with 6 girls or 4???

Rae is getting so excited.
This is her dream.

Now,
Traveling with Jeff is completely different then traveling with Charlie. Charlie and I just get going,
Jeff well
He's just a little slower,
plus he doesn't plan at all not where we are staying or how were driving there.
He just kind of does what he wants when he wants to...

Me well, I'm a planner!!!!! OCD Person here.
I start planning the moment I figure out we're going,
plus there are times when I'm really bored that I just plan fun trips.



So Long Pensacola Beach, Florida









So we left Margaritaville at 7:20:
Perfect Timing....

Hahahahaha

Not really, because we went into Pensacola for gas and McDonalds,
So
8:00am - were on I-10

I'm riding with Jeff and Rae is behind us.

For those of you that have followed me,
as you remember from the Spring Break Trip that Jacksonville has the last Whataburger,
and Yes we plan on eating lunch there no matter the time.

We pulled into Whataburger at 10:34!!!!

Time for a Jr. Whataburger with Cheese no onions, French Fries and a large coke.
Same for the Princess except just meat and cheese.

The Princess and her last Whataburger until she comes home.


After our stop at Whataburger it was time to boogie.

I'm hoping that we get check in and make it to Magic Kingdom by 4:00.

Driving down these beautiful Colorado Mountain Roads...
Wait...
This isn't Colorado this is Florida,
the tall trees and hills just reminds me of Colorado.






My sweet girl.



It's 1:20 and we're finally south bound heading to Orlando and the traffic has picked up.
It's moving quickly and Rae's doing a great job in this thick traffic.
I'm back over in Jeff's truck, so I could give him directions on where to go.

Finally the Exit...
Exit 8 - Disneyworld.
It's 2:40
Yes....

Here it comes.
LOOK WHAT I SEE




DISNEYWORLD

We're here.

There are lots of these signs/entrances
Okay maybe a few, this one happens to be really north of I-4 and Downtown Disney.,
But we're here

On around to our resort/hotel we went.
I booked us at the Embassy Suites on Palm Parkway, which is right around the corner from Downtown Disney.
and where Rae has check - in, in the morning.

3:08 - We check in to Embassy Suites
3:20 - We're in our room

Awesome timing...

Magic Kingdom here we come...

More to come.
Carolyn