Our 21 Royal Adventure - The evening is over and TR all wrapped up 8/10, Plus a link to the new TR!

[franandaj]

I’m a longtime lurker/occasional poster!

I follow Su-Lynn on Insta and learned of Fran’s passing there. May her memory be a blessing to you I have always enjoyed your trip reports and am looking forward to reading this one and your future adventures!

Thank you very much. She will always be in my heart I hope to begin on those adventures soon!

 

[franandaj]

Hi Alison!

I'm here! Will be back to read and comment but first I have to finish up your last TR.

Sorry about the rapid updating. Moving on and all you know.

 

[pkondz]

Here! Back to read later.

 

[Ackmif]

I lurk for more than I post, but I wanted to offer my condolences on Fran's passing. You two, always look so cute together in your pictures and trip reports and I am so glad that you guys had the cruise before she passed. Beautiful pictures from the cruise and memories to treasure a lifetime, I am sure!

 

[pkondz]

Fran was one of the main instigators who made this trip to 21 Royal happen, and many toasts in her honor were shared that night.

I'm glad that you all did that.

sit back, I’ll tell you a tale, a tale of a fa-er wait, that’s another tale….sorry!

Of course the money fell through, but we had already committed so live and learn.

Isn't that just the way it seems to happen??

But she also knew he would kill her if she took that kind of money from the bank account and gave it away for something as frivolous as dinner.

I'm getting a feeling this was more than a $20/plate meal

She was able to send me funds without his knowledge

saw this dress at the Disney Dress Shop.

That's really nice. I like it a lot.

Karin and Tom were so kind as to go to EVERY dress shop on property with me to look for my size, but not one store had it in stock. When I got home, Fran looked at the Disney Store online, eBay and anywhere else she could think of and it wasn’t anywhere. So I pouted and evidently texted quite a few of my friends attending the dinner of my displeasure.

So much effort for no reward.
I sure hope you get it (in future posts)

The Canadians were trying to get some sun by the pool…

Because barefoot and snow just isn't all that comfortable.

And Angi had just got her nails done.

Nice.

When Fran first went into the hospital, I immediately dropped 10 pounds.

I would have thought that some of that was due stress and not eating.
Glad you're eating more healthy, though.

Or here (there’s a murphy bed in there for those who aren’t aware)

Cleverly hidden!

I would definitely enjoy this tub a time or two during our stay.

Oh, man. How could you not?

And of course the spacious shower.

Decadently massive!

we ordered all beans, no rice.

I'd be the exact opposite. What would Fran have done? Curious if our tastes would've meshed on this too.

We did stop to admire this rice krispy sculpture in the lobby.

That's rice krispies?????

I think I even skipped my bath that night. I was so tired!

You know you're tired when you skip a bath in that tub!

 

[erinch]

Also a lurker! I happen to be sitting on a zoom in PA as my mom is admitted to hospice in Ohio. And so was thinking of Fran --- and you -- and how all the signs never mean ready.

 

[franandaj]

Yes, when life throws you curve balls, you realize it is indeed short and to make hay while the sun shines.

Absolutely!

You would, but you did all you could xx

I'll let you know when the planning begins!

That was so crazy!

Might have been since I booked both of them they put us close together. Then again it could have just been random luck.

Update- as an Irish pretty much albino- not much colour was acquired by me...

You've lost a lot of weight, this didn't surprise me

Since most of my daily clothes have elastic waist bands, I don't notice. I bet none of my jeans fit me anymore.

these were good, and I'm a fan of smoother salsas over chunky ones

The red was a tad but spicy for me, but I touched it out.

If I remember correctly, these were all tasty - just realized we are all "rocks" here

The best way to drink a margarita!

I feel like you struggled to even finish this!

I did!

...the suspense

I feel like you did, you were for sure ready to hit the hay when we all decided to turn in

It took a lot of work that week just to get there.

 

[franandaj]

Here! Back to read later.

 

[franandaj]

I lurk for more than I post, but I wanted to offer my condolences on Fran's passing.

And thank you for your condolences.

You two, always look so cute together in your pictures and trip reports and I am so glad that you guys had the cruise before she passed. Beautiful pictures from the cruise and memories to treasure a lifetime, I am sure!

That's so sweet of you to say that. When people just lurk you never know how your experiences are being viewed. I'm glad so many people got so much joy from our experiences.

 

[jadelsp]

I too am a lurker but have loved reading about your and Fran's escapades. I just wanted to express my condolences on Fran's passing. I look forward to reading about your adventures in the future.

 

[franandaj]

I'm glad that you all did that.

It was the least we could do!

Isn't that just the way it seems to happen??

Of course it does.

I'm getting a feeling this was more than a $20/plate meal

You must have missed in the first post that the opening cost was $15K, whether you dine solo or split it amongst 12 (max capacity). We may have received a wee bit of a discount.

That's really nice. I like it a lot.

That's why I HAD to have it!

So much effort for no reward.
I sure hope you get it (in future posts)

You may find out sooner rather than later....

Because barefoot and snow just isn't all that comfortable.

I would have thought that some of that was due stress and not eating.
Glad you're eating more healthy, though.

It was more my eating whole foods that I cooked from natural ingredients, not fast food or processed packaged goods.

Cleverly hidden!

And more space!

Oh, man. How could you not?

Decadently massive!

refraining from commenting

I'd be the exact opposite. What would Fran have done? Curious if our tastes would've meshed on this too.

She always indulged me in the double beans no rice order.

That's rice krispies?????

You know you're tired when you skip a bath in that tub!

Most definitely. I was afraid of falling asleep and drowning.

 

[franandaj]

Also a lurker! I happen to be sitting on a zoom in PA as my mom is admitted to hospice in Ohio. And so was thinking of Fran --- and you -- and how all the signs never mean ready.

I'm so sorry for you. As I said in the previous TR, we all knew that it was coming, just didn't expect it this soon.

 

[franandaj]

I too am a lurker but have loved reading about your and Fran's escapades.

I just wanted to express my condolences on Fran's passing. I look forward to reading about your adventures in the future.

Thank you for your condolences. I've got lots of things in works, just might be a while before they turn into Trip Reports.

 

[franandaj]

It’s 21 Royal Day!

After a year and a half of planning the day had finally arrived! Jill and I had made a plan of attack for the day. She had a hair appointment at about 3PM, and neither of us wanted to overexert ourselves in preparation for the big night. Jenny and Michael decided that they wanted to spend the day just relaxing poolside and I think Gabby ended up spending most of the day with them.

But before Jill even woke up I took advantage of that lovely tub! We wanted a stress free day and I couldn't think of a better way to start a stress free day than with a soak in the tub!

The main plan was to do a few rides and then come back and relax in the Jacuzzi by the pool. Leonard was game for whatever Jill and I wanted to do, so the first place we headed was Webslingers. I’m pretty sure that Jill got the high score, and I think Leonard and I tied for the bottom, either that or he and the single rider got that one. I need to keep better notes.

Then we went on the Guardians.

Look how cute! We are all terrorized out of our minds and that couple in front of Leonard are smooching!

Then we went on Radiator Springs Racers. Clearly all this activity was barely keeping me awake.

It was just after 11AM so we hopped over to Disneyland.

For a ride on Hyperspace Mountain!

That was enough for us. We hit the main rides that we wanted to, and now it was time for relaxing in the Jacuzzi. On the way back to the Grand Californian we stopped into the Disney Dress Shop. Who should we run into but Allyson and Dorian! And right there on the racks was my dress! And they had it in MY SIZE!!!!!

Ever since the pandemic, they have not reopened their changing room, so I had to try it on over my existing clothes, but I was able to zip it up, it was snug, but we figured that if I wasn’t wearing clothes underneath it should fit just fine. The best part was that while I was cleaning the house after Fran passed, I located a TON of gift cards that were just sitting around. Jill helped me consolidate them onto one card, and I ended up with almost $1000 in free Disney money, so I used that to pay for my dress!

We all agreed that Fran made that miracle happen. All sorts of things had been happening to me that were strangely coincidental, since Fran had passed. Nothing miraculous like turning water to wine, but just little things that were more than just a coincidence. In that first month there were lots of decisions I had to make, and somehow I belive she caused events to occur which guided me on those decisions. I think this was a similar circumstance.

After dropping the dress in the room, we all met up at the Jacuzzi and relaxed for an hour or so before we all went to get ready.

Jill left first since she had an appointment to get her hair done. I followed shortly thereafter so that I could also take a shower, and get all dressed up!

We were to meet in the lobby at 5PM. Just before that we ladies staying in our 2 bedroom Villa went out onto the patio to take a picture.

Then it was off to the lobby where we met up with our host. We were escorted to a courtesy bus that would take us backstage where we got dropped off. This was on the video monitor inside the bus.

Selfie time!

Here’s us crossing the train tracks back into where we can take pictures again!

Our host organized many group photos throughout the night, this would be just the first one.

Next up, the evening begins!

 

[bcwife76]

I swear I just teared up a little reading about how you found the dress and the gift cards What a dashing and gorgeous group you all are!

 

[jedijill]

Someday I will learn where the camera is on Space Mountain….but that day hadntvhappened yet.

The dress was truly a sign from Fran and you looked gorgeous in it!

We were all so fancy! It’s hard to walk by that 21 Royal sign and not be able to go upstairs!

Cant wait to relive the evening!
Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

So fun seeing the photos again!

The jacuzzi and pool time were fantastic! It was hard not having cocktails by the pool. Lol!

Love all the Fran signs. And elated you found your dress!

 

[pkondz]

Of course it does.

You must have missed in the first post that the opening cost was $15K, whether you dine solo or split it amongst 12 (max capacity). We may have received a wee bit of a discount.

I did miss that! Not sure how. I promise I read the whole thing. Heck, I commented on enough of it!

That's why I HAD to have it!

refraining from commenting

She always indulged me in the double beans no rice order.

Of course she did.

 

[pkondz]

But before Jill even woke up I took advantage of that lovely tub!

Finally! Glad you did it as soon as you had the chance.

We wanted a stress free day and I couldn't think of a better way to start a stress free day than with a soak in the tub!

Also a good way after too.

the first place we headed was Webslingers.

I'll get there some day and try this.

Look how cute! We are all terrorized out of our minds

and that couple in front of Leonard are smooching!

Awww...

Then we went on Radiator Springs Racers. Clearly all this activity was barely keeping me awake.

It's all that relaxing soaking.

For a ride on Hyperspace Mountain!

Another I've yet to do. Hopefully that overlay will be on next (?) time I visit.

And right there on the racks was my dress! And they had it in MY SIZE!!!!!

YUSS!!

I located a TON of gift cards that were just sitting around.

Fortuitous.

I ended up with almost $1000 in free Disney money, so I used that to pay for my dress!

Free dress! That's the best kind.

We all agreed that Fran made that miracle happen.

Nothing miraculous like turning water to wine

Well, you can't have everything.

In that first month there were lots of decisions I had to make, and somehow I belive she caused events to occur which guided me on those decisions. I think this was a similar circumstance.

I'm sure it was.

we all met up at the Jacuzzi and relaxed for an hour or so before we all went to get ready.

Just before that we ladies staying in our 2 bedroom Villa went out onto the patio to take a picture.

You all look fantastic.
The dress looks great!

Our host organized many group photos throughout the night, this would be just the first one.

Great shot of everyone.

Next up, the evening begins!

Can't wait!

 

[skellinton]

I am an on and off lurker and poster and want to also extend my condolences. You and Fran certainly had some lovely adventures together. ‘I agree that she was obviously behind the gift cards and dress appearing. You look lovely in the pictures.

I can’t wait to read more, it is fun to live vicariously through these kind of stories.