What's your name?
(stolen from Amber)

1. YOUR REAL NAME: Monica

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (first 3 letters of real name plus izzle): Monizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME (color and fav animal): Red Horse

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, and childhood street): Susann Moon

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of moms maiden name): TanMoCar

6. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME (favorite color, favorite drink): Red Coke

7. YOUR IRAQI NAME (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, any letter of your middle name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 3rd letter of you dads middle name, 1st letter of a siblings first name, last letter of your moms middle name): ONUAOE

8. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (grandmother/grandfather's first name). Martha Lloyd

9. YOUR GOTH NAME (black, and the name of one your pets): Black Gizmo

10. YOUR PORN STAR NAME (pet name and a street name): Casey Moon

11. Your names as pronounced by Harry Carry (always backwards!): ACINOM

Monday we were so tired that we ended up sleeping pretty late. Didn't stick with the plan of being at Animal Kingdom when it opened! We decided to head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge for lunch, we'd never visited there!

What a neat place! Walking around and seeing the animals is pretty amazing. I'd love to stay there and see zebras out my windows! The pool area is really pretty and with the bottom painted a tan color, it blends in and looks so natural. (It was pretty full of people too, even in the freezing temps. We felt of the water and it was super warm, though I know when they got out of there they had to freeze to death!) We ended up eating in the fast food area there before heading over to Animal Kingdom.







Animal Kingdom has narrow pathways to begin with, no large open areas....we knew when we got there it was probably a mistake. It was like herding cattle through gates, I have never seen so many people in my life. It made the NUTZ status crowds at the other parks, look like nothing! We went over towards Everest anyway, what were we thinking? Of course the fast passes were gone for the day (it was noon and they were all gone...through 8:00) The lines for everything was anywhere from an hour to two. You couldn't get into Bugs Life or even the Train Station, craziness! The line for Kali (a water ride mind you in freezing temps) was an hour! CRAZ I NESS!! We made a bee line for the parking lot and got out of there!

We decided to brave the Magic Kingdom again....maybe everyone was there until 3:00AM last night and it was empty today? Yeah- right- We finally arrived over there just as the masses were gathering for the parade. It was impossible to get down Main Street so we decided to catch the train. We missed one and played with the penny movie machines while waiting on the second.

That is when.....

Our "Dreams Come True" moment came. Of course we'd seen and heard about all sorts of neat things happening to people for the Dreams Come True Celebration...I had my dreams come true when I got a season pass for the year and wasn't holding my breath for a stay in the new suite in the castle for a night. (Though wouldn't that be a dream for sure) As we entered the train turn stile though... there was the dream team. They were handing out the Dreams Mickey Ears.... I was too excited! Of course...it's just Mickey Ears..right? It's Mickey Ears that you can't buy anywhere though...only get from the Dream Team! They did a big clap for you as they were telling everyone that they had been randomly chosen to have a magical moment...It was pretty neat~ The people already on the train that was pulling in..tried to get off and get ears too and the Dream Team was super strict about not allowing that. You had to be coming into the turnstile do hickey to get on the train. So...here we are...ears and all!!





Andy was a sweetie and after letting me get our picture made...he wouldn't wear his. He wanted to give them to a child. (Of course he couldn't get my ears off my head with a crow bar..I'm such a spoiled brat and that wasn't really kind of me...at all) He spent the next few hours searching for just the right child until he found a little boy that he thought was adorable, an only child and wasn't sure that he would be taking home any other special treat from the day. He made the families day and it was super sweet! What a guy?!!

We got a fast pass for Big Thunder and fought the masses trying to find other things to get in. We caught Buzz again, waited about 30 minutes not too bad. (At this point the TTA had a line out into the middle of Tomorrowland, never EVER seen that!!!!!! You had to wait in that line and then the line up at that top...didn't even know one was up there) We ended up coming back to TTA and that is where our next "oh MY GOSH" moment happened!

I had read on a website that if Space Mountain was ever shut down for issues, hop on TTA and you get to see inside with the lights on...sure enough. By chance...we were on TTA and as we got into Space Mountain...something was different. THE LIGHTS WERE ON!! How cool was that????? Nothing like I expected!!! We were shocked. I took pictures, but you can't see anything b/c of the flash in the glass. It's for sure a better ride with the lights OFF in there! It looks small and doesn't take up half the "space" in the building...wild! It's basic, steel and brown...looks very small and sad!

We did get in to see Philharmagic with a relatively small wait (15 minutes) We walked by Peter Pan that was 2 hours and Small World that was 30 (No JOKE, when have you ever seen that??) We went back for our Big Thunder ride, gotta love that thing...and then had 45 minutes to waste before our Plaza reservations. We decided we might as well wait in something and Jungle Cruise was about 35...that would work out. (Pirates was 70 minutes and the stroller parking alone was something to behold)

It was our 2nd time @ the Plaza and we really enjoyed it. It's more of a lunch kind of place for us, but my club sandwich ROCKED! Andy got the best chocolate milkshake in the entire world. (pretty much melting chocolate ice cream) and I will get one next time FOR SURE! We were there in time to see Spectro Magic from our table, that was classic. Great end to a nutty day!!

We had fast passes for Space Mountain, but they were for hours and hours away. We couldn't bring ourselves to wait for an hour for anything else...and decided to give them away! We were outta there for the night and returned to pack...sad but true~

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Tuesday morning we woke to a beautiful day of course! We had planned to get to MGM when they opened and didn't quite make it. It was 10:00 before we arrived and lines for Rockin' & Tower were already over an hour. The fast passes were left...but they were for about 4 hours away and we had to get on the road. So we rode the BackLot tour that we walked right on and enjoyed our last hour in the Happiest Place on Earth. We walked around a few minutes and it was time to say goodbye---

WAIT though...Hold the Phone! It was up to 74 degrees by then and we were sooo not ready to leave. We ended up going over to Pop Century (first time) to check that place out and had lunch at their quickie counter service. Neat place!! The food was really good too!! We are going to try to stay there next month! (Did she say next month? Yep- in March!) We can get a great discount in March with our passes, might as well!!




We ended up saving $36 with our dining experience card already...that was fun too! By the time we make one more trip, that thing was wayyyy worth it!!

We had a great time despite the freezing Florida temps and the crazy nutty crowds! When you're at Disney World, you can't help but have a great time!!!!! 8 Hours later, we were back home in the pouring down rain......planning for next time!!

Sunday we were headed back to MGM when they opened, we were going to do all we could to get on Tower of Terror & Rockin' Rollercoaster. We hadn't done either one the past year or two for various reasons and were very excited! We got fast passes for Rockin' right off the bat, the time was already about 4 hours away. The wait (first thing that morning) had already gotten up to almost 2 hours!! We waited about 35 for Tower and it was worth it!! It'd been ages since we'd ridden and we had so much fun. It was the most drops we'd ever had with 6 and we laughed our heads off!!!

We did the Animation walk through and went to the animation drawing class twice. We drew Pluto the first time and Minnie the 2nd. We'd have went right back for a third, but were out of time before our lunch reservations. We really enjoyed that!! Oh we also had the Incredibles (the Mr. & Mrs., plus Frozone) all to ourselves for about 5-10 minutes and my camera battery had died. Ugh!!

Lunch at Mama Melrose's was FANTASTIC. Just walking in and smelling the air in that place can cause you to drool!! I had 4 cheese flatbread (super thin pizza) and it was great~ The lines were crazy long for everything else and we decided to go in the Great Movie Ride, again.... I had thought they stopped doing the cowboy part of the "show", we'd had the gangster hang with us the past dozen times we've ridden. It was fun to see the cowboy again on that trip through!!

We did the Walt walk through and since lines were over an hour for everything else, decided to return for a nap!!

We had dinner reservations @ Whispering Canyon @ The Wilderness Lodge. So after what seemed like part of the movie "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" where we rode "Bus, Monorail and Boat"....we were there!! We ordered the "skillet" meal for two. It came with BBQ ribs, pulled pork, roasted chicken, corn on the cobb, mashed taters, baked beans, cornbread and salad. (oh my!) It was great though and Andy even ordered a 2nd round of some items. It's a great fun place, but we were seated in the back right beside the fireplace. I have to say that after freezing for days...sitting by that warm fire...with a "too" full tummy...we were ready to call it a day right there!

We decided to brave it for a few more hours though, we caught a boat and headed to the Magic Kingdom. The park closed at midnight, add the extra magic hours and we could have stayed until 3:00 AM... Are you kidding me??? We knew we wouldn't make it that late! It was just as crowded as the other places had been (of course) and it was still freezing out there! We got fast passes for Buzz where we returned and I KICKED Andy's rump on that one!! It was the first time I beat him and that was exciting! We saw Carousel of Progress, rode the TTA, rode Snow White, Small World (both of which were about 15 minutes..it was parade time and lines were down some...) and then caught a ride through the Haunted Mansion. By then lines were back up to "this is NUTZ" status and we decided to give it up!!

Where did we leave off?

On Saturday I ended up heading back to EPCOT while Andy played golf. I had to pick up our brand new Disney Dining Experience card there anyway. I had planned on hitting Test Track as a single rider, but the wait there (even as a single rider) was about 45 minutes. Ugh!! Are you kidding. I ended up visiting my purple friend again. (yes, again) I also rode the Imagination ride, where I had to wait 15 minutes and that thing NEVER has a wait, usually you can walk right in. It was still pretty cold, even with my FOUR layers on!! The big rides were all about a 2 hour wait and the fast passes were gone. I visited Chip & Dale in the character connection and skipped the rest of the friendly furry friends. (Their lines were longer) I did some shopping and walked around before heading back to meet Andy.



We headed over for our visit to Old Key West in the early evening. It was our first time ever over there and it was super pretty. I was up to FIVE layers with the coat on and look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy! (yikes) We ate at Olivia's which was fantastic! (Thanks to Terry for suggesting that) I had a steak and the "Olivia's potatoes" which are to die for! We will for sure be going back!!





We hadn't seen Fantasmic in a few years and although it was sooooo cold, it looked like this would be our warmest night of our trip. (meaning it was only getting down to 41 instead of high 30s) We hit MGM complete with 5 layers and blankets!! We had enough time to make it onto the Great Movie Ride and then head over to Fantasmic! We really enjoyed it!!

So here I am... an official annual pass holder!!

We left Thursday when Andy picked me up after preschool and were off! After only a couple of stops, we were just below Gainsville before we knew it. Seems the drive is coming more easily to us each trip! The original plan had been to wait until Friday to leave, of course we can never do that! We didn't have reservations @ WDW, so stopped in Ocala for the night. After supper @ Cracker Barrel we found ourselves back at a hotel that we'd stayed at about 3 years ago, pretty funny!!

Friday morning we weren't in a huge hurry and ended up hitting the road about 9:30ish. We were only about an hour and a half away from the "Happiest Place on Earth". We checked in to "Shades of Green" and found ourselves in a familiar spot. Our room is on the 4th floor, our balcony looks just right of the 1st tee and driving range. In our 6 stays here (in about 17 months mind you) we have always found oursevles in this same section of rooms and we couldn't be more pleased!! We got oursevles settled and bought our annual passes at the ticket desk and fulfilled one of those crazy wishes that I hoped would happen someday in my life time! I hold my very own annual pass~ Funny thing that it's the year of a million dreams down here, that has always been one of mine!!!!

After lunch at the golf grille, Evergreens..we were off! We decided to head on over to ECPOT because we had dinner reservations for Biergarten in Germany over there. It was cooler than we expected during the day, brrrr.... We were pretty sure we were FINE though in our jeans, long sleeves & sweatshirts. After all, this is Flordia..right?!

We tried to get a fast pass to Soarin' and found out they were all gone for the day. So we decided to visit my favorite purple friend.... I LOVE THIS GUY!!






He's always been my favorite thing at EPCOT. I remember him from my very first visits. Of course back then, he wasn't out and about to meet. He was simply Figment who was a sidekick to Dreamfinder, do you remember him??? The old ride~ I also remember on our honeymoon in 1999 when I was shocked and almost in tears when he wasn't in the "new & improved" ride. Turned out that I wasn't the only one, as I talked to cast members who told me to "let your voice be heard"! Only one trip later and he was back in his home. I've been trying to visit with the guy for years and he's never ready when I get there....so, I was thrilled as a kiddo to get to meet the guy!!!

We rode Nemo and wondered around in the Sea, Turtle Talk with Crush has moved to a new area in there and was having a few technical issues...didn't get to see him. We tried to get on Test Track that was about an hour and a half wait (like Soarin') and there were no fast passes to be had. (Where are all these people coming from?) We caught The Universe of Energy and then headed on over to the countries. We walked around in China and Norway before heading to Germany for dinner.

Biergarten is the restaraunt in Germany that Andy has been drooling over for a few years now. He loves a little German restaraunt when he's at Fort Stewart and has been ready to try this place! We had reservations and went right in. It's much neater inside than I'd imagined. You sit with other people and it's a regular Oktoberfest for sure. The food is buffet style and there is tons to choose from. I tried some new things: some I liked, some I didn't. I don't think German will be my favorite food, but it was pretty good. After Andy finished his TWO HEAPIN' plate fulls, we hit the dessert buffet. Yummo~ The best cheesecake I have ever had in my life!!!! Ever~ The little stage show is pretty cute and we enjoyed our choice for sure!





We'd planned on hitting the American Adventure and I was going to buy perfume in Italy or France that I've thought about since January...but it was soooooo FREEEEZING when we came out from eating...we couldn't take it! We headed back to try for Soarin' one more time... almost 2 hours now...and ended up riding the Land boat ride instead. We wondered back to Test Track that was down to about 35 minutes, not too bad. We were glad we rode it, it'd been awhile. Too fun! By then the "board" said Soarin' was down (it was laser show time) so we headed back AGAIN. We only had to wait about 30 minutes for Soarin' and it was well worth it! I am sooooo glad that I was brave and gave it a try last time. It is now truly a favorite!!!! Fun stuff.

We came out and it was about 9:00. With extra magic hours, we had until midnight...but couldn't take it. ((I was quickly recalling a trip with my parents Christmas of 1996 when we were miserable cold and wore 2 pairs of socks, long johns, hats, gloves and and huge coats.)) I was also remembering being at home packing just a few nights ago saying.... nah...surely I wont need that scarf, hat and gloves...it's Florida..seriously.... There were droves of people in the same brand new huge coats and sweatshirts, the stores had racks and racks of warm clothes rolled out into the middle everywhere. It's Florida...what's going on??? At one point I told Andy that I was so cold, my face hurt!! It was FREEZING!!

We headed back to the hotel and that was the end of our first official day as annual pass holders. Looking at today, Saturday... we have a few things on the plans. Andy is currently waiting his tee time just down below the room at the Palms golf course. He has a 10:36 tee time. I am planning on heading to a park for a few hours, we'll see. We don't know where we'll spend the afternoon, but we do have dinner reservations tonight @ Olivia's @ Old Key West Resort! Who knows what the rest of the day will hold...I do know....that we'll layer up with clothes!! (Andy's already bought another fleece sweat shirt this morning at the store here!!)

Ohhhh..well, here he is... He's working on his putt, already been at the driving range and super close to tee time...seems I caught him out there!

Layla Rocks~


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T Minus 3 & 1/2 days and counting... How excited am I? Does it ever wear off? Do we ever get tired of Disney World? No stinkin' way! We're as pumped up as always!! I can NOT believe I am going to be an official annual pass holder in just a few days. I've always thought that would be amazing, now.. here we go! We're so excited to play all we want, when we want. Andy's also pretty wound up about using his brand new custom clubs on the course, he fell in love with playing there in January. I think we are also going to do the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour, it's always been something we wanted to try. (and now that we're going to be big pass holders, we get a sweet discount) Andy said that as much as I talked passes up, it should end world hunger, promote world peace and solve all the problems that one can think up. We shall see~