The Mousekecouple's December '09 Trip Report: A Love Story

Mousekedude · Post by **Mousekedude** » Dec Wed 23, 2009 5:03 pm

December 2009 Walt Disney World Trip Report

As told by both Amber (a.k.a. Mouseoholic) & Michael (a.k.a. Mousekedude)

Okay, this is Amber speaking to start off on this and the next few segments of the story, and Michael is posting my words: Our December trip to Walt Disney World marked 10 years of marital bliss. But first, a little background information: It was always my dream to spend my honeymoon at Walt Disney World. As a teenager, my parents took me to Disneyland twice. Ever since then, I have been in love with Disney. So while planning our wedding, I picked up a brochure at the travel agency in hopes that I could convince Michael to choose this as our ever-after destination. Well, I had dreams of a blue-roofed castle, and Michael had dreams of white sand and blue ocean water. So guess what? We went to Cancun for our honeymoon and our first two anniversaries after that.

But once Michael had the Caribbean out of his system, he finally decided in 2006 to make my dreams come true. It started out with a 5-day trip to the World. Over the years since then, with each consecutive trip, our love for Disney has grown. I can recall Michael saying after our second trip that it would be our last. But we took one more trip after that, and finally my letters to Tink were answered. Tink found Michael in the park and managed to pour a large amount of Pixie dust on him to ensure that his love for Disney would last a lifetime. He is now officially hooked. How do I know? Well, this year it was his turn to choose where we would spend our anniversary. So when he chose Disney World, I was shocked and convinced that he was just saying this to please me. But he confessed his love, not only for me, but for the World of the Mouse and all that it encompasses.

So youâ€™re probably thinking by now that this should be a trip report, not a love story. I say to that â€œAu contraireâ€

Mousekedude · Post by **Mousekedude** » Dec Wed 23, 2009 5:05 pm

Day 1 â€“ Tuesday, December 8, 2009 (still Amber speaking, posted by Michael)

Leaving for a trip on time always seems to be a challenge, especially for us women. I spent the day before our trip shopping for last-minute items, packing, and cleaning our house. I donâ€™t know about everyone else, but I love to leave for a vacation knowing that I can come home to a perfectly clean house. I was also very picky this time because firstly, we were having a house sitter for our cats. Secondly, we were also expecting the arrival of a family member who has been a victim of the economy, and who was to arrive at our house mid-way through our vacation for a lengthy stay while he gets back on his feet. That being said, I obviously had a lot on my plate in preparing for this trip. Normally Michael would have been helping me, but he had fallen sick with a very bad cold the day before we were scheduled to leave. So I ended up staying up until 3 a.m. the night before our trip. Keep in mind that our flight was for 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday. I really only got about 2 hours sleep. We woke up on Tuesday frantically trying to tie up our loose ends and make our way to the airport. We barely made it on time, but nevertheless we did make it, and our flight to Orlando was uneventful. Stay tuned for the next part.

Mousekedude · Post by **Mousekedude** » Dec Wed 23, 2009 5:08 pm

(Amber continues speaking, posted by Michael)
On all of our past trips we had used Disneyâ€™s Magical Express. After reading the Touring Plans Unofficial Guide, we decided to try something different. We hired a car from Happy Limo. I know what you are thinking: â€œHappy Limo, sounds like a company from the 1970â€™sâ€

Mousekedude · Post by **Mousekedude** » Dec Wed 23, 2009 5:42 pm

Day 2 â€“ Wednesday, December 9, 2009 (Amber continues speaking, as posted by Michael)

Because I am the planner in the family, I knew Michael had something special planned for this day, I just didn't know what. He had me keep this day free for us on the schedule, so I knew it was something significant. I will let Michael take the reins from here and describe what he had planned and how he brought all of these plans togetherâ€¦â€¦

(Michael takes over....)
Hi, folks! It's me, Mousekedude! I have a pretty good story to tell at this point, but I need some time to get the pictures together, so you'll have to just stand by. Sorry about that. I know Mindflipper says the foreshadowing is killing him with anticipation, but hey.... what can I say? I wanted to get this show on the road, but I have to get all my ducks in a row first, so please stand by..... more to come.

(okay, okay, I admit it: I started these posts thinking that we were ready to go, only to find out from my DW that we don't have all our pictures uploaded and edited yet, so now I need to back-track and get all that in order first. Please stand by...)

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Dec Wed 23, 2009 11:51 pm

I'm enjoying your report so far!!! Very detailed! Waiting with anticipation!

MmeLeota · Post by **MmeLeota** » Dec Sat 26, 2009 3:38 pm

Anxiously awaiting the rest of the report! Great so far!

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Dec Sat 26, 2009 5:40 pm

Mouskedude - nudge, nudge - you left on the clift hanging, dude....what's next?

Mouseoholic · Post by **Mouseoholic** » Dec Sun 27, 2009 9:57 pm

Sorry guys, we have been so busy. We are working on our trip reports tonight...more to come soon...we promise....

Mousekedude · Post by **Mousekedude** » Dec Sun 27, 2009 10:38 pm

Day 2, Wednesday December 9th

Narrative by Mousekedude

(Note: I still do not have my pictures from the photographer, but Mindflipper is going nuts, so I need to post something.

What Iâ€™ll do is post this now, and come back later to fill in the pictures. Okay, here we go!)

This was the big day! The day I had been planning and scheming for months! Since it was our 10th wedding anniversary, I had wanted to do something really special for my DW, Amber. So I contacted Jane Cartelli at â€œGifts of a Lifetimeâ€

Mouseoholic · Post by **Mouseoholic** » Dec Sun 27, 2009 11:28 pm

Day 3 Thursday, December 10, 2009

Narrative by Mouseoholic

Day 3 was a sleep-in day, and the morning was set aside to just enjoy the resort, the animals, and the peaceful/beautiful surroundings. We love to take pictures, and this resort is one of the best to get some great shots of architecture and nature all in one. No stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge would be complete without having breakfast at least one day at Boma. After enjoying our 1st cup of coffee on the balcony, and a fabulous breakfast at Boma, we took the rest of the morning to enjoy the resort. Here are a few pictures.

I love this one (chuckle):

I canâ€™t emphasize enough how important it is to make time to sleep in, take afternoon naps, and enjoy the resort. It makes for a truly relaxing vacation rather than a high-velocity, high-stress, thermonuclear-melt-down trip where you need a vacation after the vacation. I bought Michael this really great T-shirt that has Mickey on the front swinging in a hammock, and it says â€œDonâ€™t Mess With Stress. Live, Laugh & Relaxâ€

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 12:03 am

Mousekedude, you Disney romantic you! As my coz would say, "That's tight." You did a good job with the anniversary adventure! Kudos, dude!

Mouseoholic · Post by **Mouseoholic** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 6:54 am

I have to say he did totally redeem himself. Now I feel bad for all of the nights he slept in the dog house...LOL Oh, wait...we don't own a dog or a dog house.....

He is a keeper!!

There are so many little things that we are having to leave out of our trip report or else it would soon become a novel. I do have to add a little to his post for Day 2. Now as I start this little walk down memory lane, remember we stayed at AKL and our room was in Tin-Buck-Too. At the end of a day walking to your room was sometimes torture on your feet. So we headed back to our room to rest only to find out our keys did not work. I was very frustrated. Michael was my knight in shining armor and gentlemanly offered to hike back to the front desk to resolve the issue. So needless to say once he got the room keys fixed and we walked in, I was very surprised. It made the wait even more special!!!

As I said before "He's a keeper". I am just not sure how he can top this. Can't wait to see the photos from the photographer. We have not had professional pictures take since our wedding day and so this was a very special gift.

Future Guy · Post by **Future Guy** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 8:03 am

I'm really enjoying your trip report so far; looks like y'all had a great time!

Also: dang it, Mousekedude, you sure give us married guys a lot to live up to! I thought I was doing good just getting us a room at the Contemporary and booking a fireworks cruise and a few nice meals, but if my wife ever reads this trip report she's going to be mighty jealous!

Mousekedude · Post by **Mousekedude** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 8:34 am

Sorry for setting the bar so high, guys! But you guys are all pretty clever, and I'm sure you wouldn't have any trouble doing something just as special for your sweeties if you put your minds to it.

Stay tuned for more trip report hijinks!

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 11:44 am

Ah, Future Guy, this is one of those instance I'm glad I'm not married! Indeed, the pressure Mouskedude has put on all of the married guys is tremendous, but me not being married, I don't feel that pressure....

Good luck in you guys topping Mousekedude!