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Pop Century, Pachyderms and a Proposal - May 2011 Trip Report

Hello fellow Disney lovers!
After years of lurking and randomly posting here and there on these boards...I figured it was time to write a trip report. This is my second attempt at writing a TR - my first came to a stop when my computer crashed and I lost a bunch of pictures. But I vow to finish this one! (Hell, I'm only starting it 4 months late - I've had enough prep time!) I was really on the fence about writing one but it seemed Holly (Hollybelle) nudged (more like pushed) me over the edge. :lol: So here I am. And who am I?

I'm Jess.

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23 year old self proclaimed Disney expert. This is my 7th trip…about 6th since I’ve been obsessed. My first trip in 1997 – First ride was Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Absolutely terrified me. I was scarred for the rest of the trip, scared to ride almost every ride. I was scared to ride Peter Pan’s Flight…no joke. My parents are still shocked that I now adore the place. The only ride I can remember riding and not being scared of was Spaceship Earth. Therefore I felt incredibly brave for riding the slow moving journey through time and rode it many times and this ride is still my favorite ride in all of Disney. So Spaceship Earth not only signifies my bravery but now it just SCREAMS “you’re at Disney World” to me. The sight of the mural paired with that SSE smell…gives me that feeling of “yep, you’re in Disney…feel free to tear up a bit.” And I usually do.

Anyway…traveling with me on this trip is my boyfriend(?) of 3 ½ years Bill.

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25 year old medical student, avid Haunted Mansion fan and tolerater of my Disney obsession. This is Bill’s 5th trip to the World…1st being with his high school class, the subsequent 3 being with yours truly. His 1st trip – he was not impressed (clearly he hadn’t met the right girl yet). Even after his 2nd trip he was not convinced. But the 3rd trip did the trick. He is still not obsessed to the point of posting on a Disney forum but he is hooked. Just thinking about how much he brags about how clean Disney is and how good the food is and how amazing everything is just brings a tear to my eye. He bragged about it so much to his family that joining us on this trip are….

Bill’s sister Samantha and her boyfriend Anthony.

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This will be both of their 2nd trips. Both of their trips were (separately) when they were in high school or middle school. Both were coming to Disney with one thing on their minds – FOOD. We had the dining plan on our last trip (free dining pin) and we got the pin again and Bill was bragging about the fantastic food we have encountered on our previous trips. Both were excited to stuff themselves full. (spoiler alert - mission accomplished)

This trip took place from May 17th – 24th. We were on the basic dining plan. And we were staying at the gorgeous, extravagant, larger than life, everyone’s favorite resort…you know it, you love it…starts with a P….O….takes you to a place you’ve never been. Say ‘Aloha’ to….

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POP CENTURY!!! Where else? :lookaroun We are avid Pop fans because we spend little time at the resort and can’t really justify shelling out the bucks for a place to sleep and shower.

So let’s get on with the show, shall we?

Monday May 16th“Do I really have to go to work today? Don’t they know I need to prepare for Disney tomorrow?”

Early morning work meetings are like getting jammed at the end of PoTC by the treasure room – always longer than expected. After listening to my boss and clients talk about something that was not Disney and therefore not interesting…I headed home to finish packing. Bill had just finished his first round of medical school boards (tests) so he was relaxing at home…leisurely packing. We finished up and headed to his parents house who live about 30 minutes away from the airport. We had a nice dinner with his parents and other siblings celebrating Bill being done with his boards. Then after a trip to the bar to REALLY celebrate…I put myself to bed for we had to get up early for our 7:50 flight.

Tuesday May 17th“Yes I do plan to ride SSE again and again…”
The alarm at 4 came quite quickly and we were showered and ready to hit the airport. We arrived without problem and got in line for TSA. And walking to the back of the line we spotted this man in line…

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(we didn't take a pic of him - too star struck - so this is from the internet)

Yes that is hockey legend Mario Lemieux. Former player and current owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Yeah…he’s kind of a big deal. So after our first (and only…unless you count Mickey Mouse…which, who am I kidding? You do.) celebrity sighting we headed through TSA. Samantha and Anthony were selected for body scans – Bill and I were not. True of our flight back to Pittsburgh as well. BUT who cares about heading back to Pittsburgh…we’re on our way to (as John would say) Walt F’in Disney World! We stopped for a delicious McDonalds breakfast before boarding our flight.

Flight was a bit bumpy – Samantha was not impressed, actually feeling rather sick from the bumps. When we landed the pilot informed us it was 70 degrees and sunny in Orlando, as well as 55 degrees and rainy in Pittsburgh. That’s what I love to hear! We got off the plane and bolted for Magical Express. This is when Anthony commented that all he saw through MCO was the back of my head as I was pretty much sprinting through the airport.

We’ve got places to go…Magical Expresses to catch. We walked through DME without problems and got the next bus that came. On the bus and off The Most Magical Place on Earth!!!!

We got to POP a little after 11 and our rooms were not ready. So after a quick change and checking our carry ons with the baggage people...we were heading out to the parks.

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plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
You completely left us hanging!!!

Ah sorry I'm new to posting TR and it takes me a while! Or maybe I wanted to leave you in suspense! ha ha!

Congratulations!!!! The ring is beautiful!!!! (But men..they don't think sometimes :lol:) But that is still the best!!! Can't wait to hear the rest!

Thank you so much! Yes he did a wonderful job picking out the ring - which he did all on his own!

oooooohhhhhh so sweet! Congratulations!

Thank you so much! It was pretty much perfect!

Yyyyyaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!! <3

Thank you!!!

YAY,love that he asked permission,I hope that happens when my girls are old enough(not that they need it but it shows respect) and major awe points to him for popping the question in such a meaning full spot to you,I love that !!!!CONGRATS:sohappy:...........n omg holy butt hangin out LOL

Yes it was one of the first questions I asked him "did you tell my dad?" and he explained how once when we were over for dinner he had schemed this plan to need a tool from my dad's garage so my dad and him went down and he asked then. I'm super happy he picked EPCOT as it's just the best, to me. Anywhere in the park would have been great but I couldn't be happier w/where it was done! Thank you!!

I was trying to figure out- is that a plane skywriting in the background of this pic? Just curious.

OK- going to have to go over all of your pics of food right now since I'm about to work on a cake. Need reminders of super yummy food!!! (not that the cake won't be super yummy- I just don't want to eat it all LOL).

And of course a HUGE Congrats!!!!!!!!!! :sohappy: Too funny about the timing- i.e. end of the day after you've been walking around in the heat. But still- how amazing to have SSE lit up at night behind you as your engagement backdrop! Can't wait to read more!!! :wave:

Yes I believe it was. I don't remember it looking back but that appears to be what it is. Yes I use food pics on here before trips telling myself "what you're about to eat is not as good as what you will eat in Disney - save the calories for Disney!" haha!

Thank you for the kind words! Yes he said he waited so long because he was so nervous. You can see in previous picks that he has his hand in his pocket a lot - he was holding onto the ring. The box was too bulgy in his pocket so the ring was flying solo!

Congrats!!! I love proposal stories!! :)

Thank you! I do too! (well not as much as telling my own but still!)

I'm so enjoying your report!! Congratulations on your engagement!!!!!! I love how you had no idea.

Yeah I had an idea it would happen but he got me thinking it wouldn't be until next trip since he made me wait so long! But I was happy to be surprised because I usually figure out his surprises! Thank you!!

Congrats on your engagement!

Bill was obviously waiting for a more romantic evening setting. :)

Great report!

Thank you! I think he was more waiting for less people to be around because he was nervous, lol. But we'll call it "more romantic evening setting" totally sounds better that way! Thanks again!

Congratulations!! That is so wonderful!! I don't know what he was thinking, but it was still wonderful!:)

I think nerves got the better of him and he didn't want to do it in front of a huge crowd (I would have hated that). Thank you so much for the kind words!

Congratulations! It was so sweet that Bill proposed right outside of the place that is Disney for you! Attention to detail - very nice. Beautiful solitaire! Can't wait to read more!

Thank you so much! Yep SSE was pretty much the perfect place. His original plan was to do it at the top of SSE when talking about the future and tying that in. But he said I'd probably hush him up because I was trying to hear Dame Judi! And that he knew I'd want a picture of it as well - both good things!

The ring is perfect for me. I adore it! Thanks again!

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you so much!!!
 

plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Can't see most of your pics. Photobucket bandwith exceeded! :(

Damn bandwith! Upgraded to PRO last night. Should all be up and running smoothly!

x2 on that

I believe they're up and ready now! Hopefully!

me three....cant see the pictures :(

Eeek. Sorry guys! I'm new to the TR world and didn't realize this would happen. But I've upgraded to PRO so all the pictures should be back!

yup the pictures have gone away :cry:

Yipes! They have returned!

Hoooooray! A proposal! Can I just say that I love how Bill proposed to you in the place that really means "Disney" to you? He gets points for that, even if he did wait until the 11th hour. :lol: Princess cut solitaire for the win!!! Love it. :animwink: :D

Thank you!!! Yes waiting until the 11th hour only worked in the fact that he did surprise me. But the fact that it was so late and I was not at my Disney best in terms of apperance - the only flaw in his plan. haha! He said he was nervous and wanted to wait until there was no one around. So he gets a pass for that. Yes I love the ring - he picked it out on his own. Major points. I'm not a fan of girls going to the jewlery to pick out their own ring - no fun!

I was very pleased w/his location (as you know I was nervous about this one) I'm glad it was somewhere special and unique (cough cough castle cough). He later told me he had always planned on EPCOT, and even thought of doing it at the top of SSE when they're talking about the future and tying that in. But he knew I'd want a picture and he said I'd probably tell him to be quiet while listening to Judi's spiel. Haha! he may or may not have been right about both!
 

plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hey guys, sorry for the long delay! I will post the next chapter tonight! Work has been crazy busy lately! Plus Bill was home for the weekend. Oh and watching my Steelers embarrass themselves on opening week :cry: Tonight there will be more.
 

WishIWasAtWDW

Well-Known Member
wahooo!!! congratulations!! :D so exciting!! i'm loving your trip report with all of your wonderfully tasty looking food pictures! i've started making a list of all of the foods i want to get on our next trip. only 40 days until i can get some tasty treats! :slurp: i can't wait. congrats again on your engagement! can't wait to read the rest of your trip report!
 

BigRedDad

Well-Known Member
Congrats!!!!

Don't blame the guy for timing and everything. My DW ruined all my plans and it was the worst ever. It took all the pressure off me and she has no one to blame but herself and I never have to let her forget it :ROFLOL:
 

plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
CONGRATULATIONS! Beautiful ring and proposing in front of SSE? You've got yourself a keeper! :D

Yes it was pretty much perfect! I think I'll keep him! Thank you!!

And then...an unexpected surprise....





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Why do I think most of the males in here are less than offended with this persons choice of attire:shrug:

Haha! Yes I'm sure men don't see anything wrong with it but I find it ridiculous! Plus they aren't like cute short shorts - they're like mom shorts but crazy short!

wahooo!!! congratulations!! :D so exciting!! i'm loving your trip report with all of your wonderfully tasty looking food pictures! i've started making a list of all of the foods i want to get on our next trip. only 40 days until i can get some tasty treats! :slurp: i can't wait. congrats again on your engagement! can't wait to read the rest of your trip report!

Thank you! I love making "must eat" lists but sometimes they tend to direct which park we go to - haha! Food has become a top priority on our trips!


Congrats!!!!

Don't blame the guy for timing and everything. My DW ruined all my plans and it was the worst ever. It took all the pressure off me and she has no one to blame but herself and I never have to let her forget it :ROFLOL:

I think I've let it go now...but looking back I do wish I looked cuter! The perfect place in the perfect park with the perfect ring - I'll let that my appearance wasn't perfect slide. Can't win 'em all! I am just glad that I was surprised and didn't ruin it because I have ruined a few in the past. And it's OK that the DW ruined your plans because she still turned out to be your wife, right? Couldn't have been that bad!! :lol:
 

plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
May 21 - Showing off the Bling at the Magic King….dom.

Alarm at 6:30. First thought…“My hand feels weird. I guess it's because, I'm engaged!” (Friends TV show, anyone?) Down to the food court for cereal and a waffle. Over to Guest Services to pick up some "Just Engaged' buttons. MK had some early magic hours from 8-9. We believe this was to off set the crowds at DHS (Star Wars weekends opening at 8am) So we hoped most people would head to DHS…boy were we RIGHT. I’ve never seen MK so dead.

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We went to Space Mountain to get FP’s as the wait said 10 minutes and we figured we’d want a 2nd ride later. But we legit walked on the ride…twice. So after that we figured we’d hit Fantasyland. Walked on Winnie the Pooh, walked on Peter Pan’s Flight, and walked on Snow White (well that one wasn’t a big accomplishment but the other 2 were!)

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We decided to push our luck and try the Mountains of Frontierland. Walked on Big Thunder and walked on Splash…twice! This was turning out to be a great day.

Then Bill realized he forgot his Key to the World card…most likely at Space when getting FP’s. So we went back and a CM had his card. The CMs were telling people that Space was down. Like any good Disney fan…I could only think of one thing – RUN to TTA! I had seen Space w/the lights on once years ago but Bill had never seen it. I was clearly super excited at what was about to happen….

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LIGHTS ON AT SPACE MOUNTAIN!

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plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I was so excited that I made everyone ride again.

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I know it’s not a big deal and happens a lot but to me it’s one of those special Disney things that may or may not happen on each trip. And it was Bill’s first time seeing it w/the lights on and he thought it was pretty cool.

While we were in Tomorrowland, we rode Buzz Lightyear and watched Carousel of Progress and Monsters Inc Laugh Floor.

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(oh yeah if you didn't notice...we're total dorks who wore matching shirts. We bought them last trip - and bought one for Samantha as a souvenir. So 3 of us had them....spoiler alert - we bought Anthony one! So the 4 of us were wearing the WDW shirts. So make fun of the matching shirts all you want, I liked 'em!)

We waltzed through Fantasyland again. Hitting up Peter Pan's Flight and Philharmagic on our way to Columbia Harbor House for lunch!

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plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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I was really excited to try Columbia Harbor House. Fried shrimp was on my mind! Bill got the fish and chicken and Anthony and Samantha got just chicken. And I was excited for the apple strudel instead of the basic chocolate cake. Samantha stuck to the old chocolate cake staple.

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Yum! I loved it. It was my favorite counter service of the trip. There was no one upstairs so it was a nice rest from the hustle and bustle. I really loved the shrimp and the apple strudel was delicious! The only downside was individual ketchup packets vs. the pumps. It took a long time to open and squeeze a gazillion packets! (hey…I love me some ketchup!) With full bellies we headed back to Pop for some pool time and a nap. BUT not without a bunch of Castle pictures first!!!

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plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Then as we walked back to the bus…we saw an amazing display of parenting gone wrong. The mother was SCREAMING at her 6 year old, squeezing the back of his neck “How about thank you for your meals today? How about thank you for a place to sleep tonight? I don’t think I’m a mean mommy!” The boy was bawling. She then said “I don’t want to see him for the rest of the trip! Keep him away from me! I don’t want to see that 6 year old turn into a 16 year old!” Ah…mother of the year. The poor kid was trailing behind his family and she just kept on screaming! (And she was a big Phillies fan…coincidence? :lol:)

After that appreciation of our mothers back home…we went back to Pop to swim and nap. When we got up we headed to EPCOT for we had ADRs at Via Napoli.

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It’s just the best park ever. And I thought that even before I got proposed to there…now there is no contest!

Clearly...I'm super excited to be here.
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I took this picture for the sole purpose of being the background on my iPhone.
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We actually didn't ride SSE. :eek: Shocking, I know. But it was down. So we moved on to stroll around World Showcase before ending up in Italy.

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plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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Time for dinner at...

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I ordered the Margherita – tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil.

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Bill ordered Carciofi – white pizza, artichoke, fontina, mozzarella and truffle oil.

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Anthony ordered Pepperoni – self explanatory

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Samantha ordered Piccante – pepperoni and spicy sausage

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Everyone loved their pies. Bill said it was the best pizza he ever ate. It’s definitely on our list for the next trip. I’ve got my eye on you Quattro Formaggi! The service though…not so good. Took forever to get drink refills and for him to come take our orders. But he did bring Bill and I engagement desserts and sang to us. We were only slightly embarrassed….

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plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
This free dessert though was not anything special. Like a vanilla wafer cookie w/some whipped cream. Meh at best. But the desserts we ordered were pretty good. We got the Coppa Di Brutti Ma Buoni - Amarena cherry and vanilla gelato sundae with cookies.

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The Zeppole Di Catarina - Ricotta Cheese Fritters, served with whipped cream, chocolate sauce.

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And the Tiramisu - Mascarpone cream, espresso coffee, lady fingers and chocolate.

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Samantha loved her sundae…said it was her favorite dessert of the trip. The rest of us thought they were good but just so-so. We walked around World Showcase a bit taking a few pics while trying to digest.

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At this time…Bill said his stomach pains were creeping back and he needed to lie down. So me being the great fiancé I am, I volunteered to go back to the room with him (I for real should get a medal for that.) Samantha and Anthony stayed at EPCOT…and later texted us saying someone gave them free Soarin’ FP’s and they were the last ride of the night and got to sit front row center!!! ARGGGHHH…I mean, anything for you, fiancé! We watched some TV and called it a night.

Up Next: My camera craps out but all is not lost!
 

Ariel484

Well-Known Member
...Alarm at 6:30. First thought…“My hand feels weird. I guess it's because, I'm engaged!” (Friends TV show, anyone?)...

Um...yes. "You know what shoes would look great with this ring? Diamond shoes!" :lol:

Anyhoo...I agree with your thoughts on Columbia Harbor House! We checked it out for the first time in June and I think it's my new favorite counter service in the MK. And those pizza pictures are making me DROOL! :slurp:
 

switts

Member
ahhh I hate the part when I am waiting for the next part. It always seems like it takes forever to come... And congrats on the engagement
 

Blueskyze

Well-Known Member
Loving the TR! We just booked an Anniversary trip for early January, and you are helping me with my ADRs! :) I'm also making a list of must-try desserts based on your pictures - they look amazing!

CONGRATS on the engagement!! I agree on the guy picking out the ring - makes it that much more special!

Oh, and my husband is also from Pittsburgh - great city! We visited a couple of months ago for the U2 concert.
 

plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Um...yes. "You know what shoes would look great with this ring? Diamond shoes!" :lol:

Anyhoo...I agree with your thoughts on Columbia Harbor House! We checked it out for the first time in June and I think it's my new favorite counter service in the MK. And those pizza pictures are making me DROOL! :slurp:

YES I love a good Friends quote. I quote it pretty much in my daily life. So glad others appreciate the Friends!

CHH is fantastic! I hear they just got a new menu too so lots of good stuff to try. I really loved the pizza at Via Napoli. I can't wait to try the Quattro Fromaggi on my next trip.

ahhh I hate the part when I am waiting for the next part. It always seems like it takes forever to come... And congrats on the engagement

Ahh I'm sorry. The yearly licensing at my office is at the end of the month so it's just a mountain of paperwork every day. I'm trying to get a day done each night but that does not always work out. I'll try my best! And thanks for the kind words!

Awesome TR! Love all the great pictures! Congratulations on your engagement! How exciting!

Thank you so much for reading! I'm glad you like it! Thanks for the congrats too! It was definitely the best trip I've had so far!

Loving the TR! We just booked an Anniversary trip for early January, and you are helping me with my ADRs! :) I'm also making a list of must-try desserts based on your pictures - they look amazing!

CONGRATS on the engagement!! I agree on the guy picking out the ring - makes it that much more special!

Oh, and my husband is also from Pittsburgh - great city! We visited a couple of months ago for the U2 concert.

I use these forums to help my make ADRs too! So thats why I wanted to get a bunch of pictures because I know its very helpful to others. A must try food list is well...a must! Ha! I'm already making one for my next trip and it won't even be for another year or so.

Thank you so much! Yes I think you'd really be expecting it around every corner if you picked out the ring - and then it'd be like oh yes I'll marry you, oh there's the ring I picked out. Moment ruined a bit.

Woo Hoo Pittsburgh!! How 'bout them Steelers? :lookaroun Wait...um, yeah. Not a strong start. How gorgeous is Consol Energy Center? I think they did a great job with that arena.
 

plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
May 22 - My camera craps out

Yep. The title says it all. About 2 hours into the day…my camera craps out on me. It wasn’t the battery…it was still taking pictures and we thought was all fine and dandy. But in reality…it didn’t save anything. I am still pretty ed about it for 2 really awesome pics of us going down Splash Mountain and all our Ohana pics (it was our first time there!) are gone. Also we staked out a sweet spot for MSEP where we could get the floats and castle in the background – GONE. :cry: But I was able to get a few pics of the morning. Just another reason to go back sooner, right?

Anyway…Bill was still feeling pretty crappy again this morning and wanted more sleep. So the 3 of us headed over to Magic Kingdom for opening ceremony.

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Then over to Cinderellas Castle to take some relatively people free pictures. So glad that I didn't lose these pictures!

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A look back at the crowds making their way down main street

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A few pics of the walls up at MK.

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