Yak, Yeti, and Yoyos or Not ANOTHER Magical Moment!!! New!!! 06/12 - Pg. 5

[NewCrew42]

Back in January, DH gave me the green light. He said it's a go. Full steam ahead! Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor, mantengase alejado de las puertas. C'mon everybody, here we go! We are going back to Disney World! We were planning our trip to the world for May 12- 20. What a great Mother's Day Gift! :flower3:

So, once again, I start with my obsessive compulsive Disney World planning. Putting holds on travel books at the public library. (Because after you have bought the UG, Passporter, and Birnbaumn every year for the last 4 years in a row, you start to think it is a bit much. You start to wonder how many trees have sacrificed their lives for your Disney World addiction.) So this year, I checked out books from the library. It worked out very well, I was able to get my fix and save trees all at the same time. I also DIS. Most of my conversations over the past few months have started like this, "Well, today on the DIS board…" or ended like this "And that's what I learned on the DIS board today." Obsessive Compulsive? Yes! Are there others of my kind out there? Definately. Admit it. You too are addicted to the DIS. If you are reading the trip report of a total stranger, you too have a DIS addiction. :thumbsup2

Let me introduce our cast:

DH – Dad, Hubby, Honey, provider, protector, our rock, stable, secure, even tempered. Cool as a cucumber, wears his sunglasses at night and on Rock N Roller Coaster. He has a great sense of humor, funny but serious. He is a BlackBerry totin' work-a-holic (although he sometimes appears to be working but is really playing Sudoku.) He can be mistaken for Harrison Ford (more on this later.) We met in church, really. His favorite ride is Pecos Bill's.

DD9 – Chloe. Spring twig. Dee Dee (from Dexter's Laboratory), bubbly ballerina sister, happiest person I have ever met. Likes everything, content. Artsy, Artist, Hidden Mickey Finder. She puts the Fun in Funny. Tinkerbell. Stinkerbell. Her favorite ride is It's a Small World, really (which is shocking that she has a favorite ride. Actually I made that up, because she likes everything, the same. No favorites, really.)

DS11 – Chris. Christopher. My first born. Dexter (from Dexter's Laboratory), Lego Architect, Star Wars Fanatic, Gamer, Smart, White & Nerdy, Wants to be in 7th grade Algebra, really. (He was tested for it last year and missed it by 8 pts. It is a very painful memory, please do not bring it up.) Goofy. Tigger. His favorite ride is EE. (That's exactly what he calls it.)

Me – Mom, Wife, Business Owner, Race for the Cure obsessed (do your self check or better yet have someone else check you – like your doctor! PSA) Obsessive Disney Planner, or just plain obsessed. Reader of most Disney guide books, reader and lurker of DIS boards. I love my family and all of their glorious imperfections. My favorite ride is Jungle Cruise. At night. (It is just seems different then.) And I am allergic to Disney World, really.

Well, now you have met our crew, the NewCrew42s (not to be confused with the B-52s and we do not live in a love shack.) :hippie:

If you are bored or obsessed enough, you can read the next edition of this trip report, Where in the World are We Going to Stay. Please stand up before exiting.

Intro & Cast - Page 1, Post 1
Chap. 1 - Where in the World are we Going to Stay? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18815624&postcount=2)
Chap. 2 - MAYers, MAYers, everywhere... (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18815922&postcount=3)
Chap. 3 - An Unexpected Hidden Mickey! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18819798&postcount=17)
Chap. 4 - Delta Don What's that Flower You Have On? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18831578#post18831578)
Chap. 5 - Whose Seat Is It Anyway? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18835136#post18835136)
Chap. 6 - The Delightful Mrs. Conway (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18878545#post18878545)
Chap. 7 - Magical Moment Monorail Ride or Not (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18931831#post18931831)
Chap. 8 - Silver Medal in the Resort Check-in Olympics (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=19081124#post19081124)
Chap. 9 - Wonder Twin Powers, Activate! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=19153673#post19153673)

[NewCrew42]

Well, my DISney planning obsession kept me reading on these boards in order to get ready for our trip. I would read a little bit everyday. We decided to go in May for Mother's Day don't ya know. We love the low crowds, the weather, the pricing of rooms, we just love everything about May. The kids are almost finished with school and there is not much going on, so I don't feel so bad about pulling them out. (I am a retired teacher. I took early retirement. So I know these things.)

Next, we needed to decide on where in the World are we going to stay. We have always stayed in a Deluxe Resort. The reason for this is not so much that we are Deluxe Resort sort of people but it began with the fact that DH and I both need to have internet access in our hotel room. Even when we are on vacation, we both have to answer emails, log into our system at work, send faxes (thank you e-Fax.), etc. Way back in 2003, the convention resorts at Disney were the only ones that had internet access in the hotel rooms. I can't remember if it was hi-speed in 2003, but I do remember it was NOT fast. So, we chose our resort based on internet availability in the rooms. We loved the Contemporary. The Contemporary for my DH is Disney. He thinks of Walt and One Man's Dream, the vision for WDW, the monorail going through the hotel. It is like a dream for him to be there. I love the Contemporary because of location, location, location. You can walk to the MK. You can take the monorail to Epcot, MK, the Poly or the GF. You can take a boat over to Ft. Wilderness or to the Wilderness Lodge. The kids have loved it for the arcade, they think the Food and Run center rocks. They also enjoy the Electric Water Pageant. We consider Chef Mickey's a must do each trip. We are in love with Contemporary. We have truly enjoyed our stays there.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00059.jpg

Fast forward to 2007, there is now hi-speed internet in all the hotels, even the values. Walt would be so proud. Being the DIS lurker that I am, I kept reading about how people love the Pop Century Resort.

http://allearsnet.com/acc/popcent21.jpg

The bus service is great. The food court is great. It is near MGM and Epcot. I also loved the price. Our children are older than when we first started visiting WDW so the idea of having two "connecting" rooms seemed very appealing to me. We could each have our own bed. We would have two bathrooms, two sinks, two dressers for our clothes, two TVs (one for grown-ups and one for kids.) I began to wonder once you have gone deluxe, can you go value? Can you be happy paying less money for a place to stay? The more I thought of having a bed of my own, a grown-up TV, and a second bath, the more my heart warmed for the Pop! So I booked it.

Then I lurked, lurking for the date for AP discounts to be released. This became a morning obsession of mine. I would wake up early everyday to check the DIS to see if the AP rates were out yet. This continued until Feb. 21st. On this glorious morning, I woke to find the post on the Codes and Rates boards that AP discounts had been released for our travel dates. I picked up my cell phone and hit speed dial 1 for Disney. At which point I answered several questions by pressing 1. Not sure what the questions are, but if I press one, I get to listen to Disney music faster while I am on hold. The first CM who I spoke with on this fine morning, promptly told me that the Annual Passholder rates were not released yet. Rather than argue with her, I simply said, "Thank you and have a magical day." I knew that she did not have the supreme knowledge of the DIS that I had. So I called back, and got a great CM who must have read the DIS boards before she went to work that day. She knew the passholder rates had been released, she placed me on hold while she changed my existing reservation. During this lengthy, hold session, I got my kids ready for school, drove them to school, dropped them off, and drove to Wal-Mart (where I get excellent cellular reception.) It was in the parking lot of Wal-Mart that my AP discount was confirmed. Don't ya just love the finer moments of life!

Next up – MAYers, MAYers, everywhere….

[NewCrew42]

Around the beginning of March, I found this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1339721

MAY 12th-19th!! THESE ARE THE MAYS OF OUR LIVES! Except back then it was titled something like "Mother's Day Anyone? May 12-19 in WDW." Boy was I excited, DISers like me who were going to Disney World the same week I was going. These guys were just as excited about as I was about our upcoming trips. I think our mutual excite was like adding fuel to a fire.

This thread was started by DisneyMommyMichelle or DMM for short. What a great group of peeps! This group really clicked. We have our own club name, The MAYers, our own mascot , we had our own pins made by SeacrestPromo, DMM got lanyards for us, Disneyanajc wrote a theme song for the group, Momof2Disneyboys came up with the new title of the thread, MAYS OF OUR LIVES. I even took a part time non-paying job of writing a little Mays of Lives update for a couple of days before our trip.

Here is the official list of all MAYers:


MAY Travelers!
Slk537 5/1-5/16 VWL/BWV
AprilnJosh 5/4-5/14 WL/Poly
PittyPatBR 5/5-5/12 POP!
SulleyFan 5/5-5/11 SSR
Ms Marigny 5/6-5/14 POP/CBR
Smidgy 5/6-5/9 HRR
CrzyAboutWDW 5/7-5/21ASM
Terry's Angels 5/7-5/14 BC
Disneyanajc 5/8-5/19 AKL/Poly
DonaldTutter 5/8-5/15 POP!
JusMom 5/8-5/19 AKL/POLY
McBruns 5/8-5/13 CSR
Disney Fanatic 5/9-5/16
JoBird 5/9-5/15 POFQ
KBMoo 5/9-5/15 POR
LittleMermaidsMom 5/9-5/20 POP!
SpaceMinnie 5/9-5/18 POLY
Tammy296 5/9-5/14 SSR
CLHcpaca 5/10-5/19 SSR
Links08091 5/10-5/17 Offsite
Saysi-Pooh 5/10-5/17 POFQ
Aliisa 5/11-5/18 POP!
AllStarMVP 5/11-? POP!
CTDisneyFan 5/11-5/21 POFQ
DaisyDuck123 5/11-5/19POP/SSR
JKS0627 5/11-5/18 SOG
Jwfla422 5/11-5/15
Patches07 5/11-5/18 POR
Sherriczyz 5/11-5/14 POP!
Syrreal 5/11-5/14 AKL
Clang 5/12-5/19 CSR
Arikababy 5/12-5/19 POP!
Crazy4Wdw 5/12-5/17 BC
DisneyMommyMichelle 5/12-5/19 POP!
DIZnEeyore 5/12-5/19 POR
GoudaMan40 5/12-5/19 VWL
HollyB 5/12-5/19 POP!
Incoo 5/12-5/19 CSR
JJ&JSmom 5/12-5/19 VWL
JoJoandHb 5/12-5/18 AKL
Kmermaid 5/12-5/18 BCV
LakeHead92 5/12-5/19 POP!
LarryAndWendyInNC 5/12-5/19 POP!
LuvMickey 5/12-5/19 BWV
LWcalif 5/12-2/19 AKL
LilyGator 5/12-5/19 OKW
MarcyInPa 5/12-5/19 POP!
MochaGirl2 5/12-5/18 WLV/Poly
Mom22Boys 5/12-5/19 POP!
NewCrew42 5/12-5/20 POP!
Sherby 5/12-5/17 POR
Syrreal 5/12-? AKL
TinkerBellLuvr7 5/12-5/19 VWL
BestMom 5/13-5/17 POLY
DisneyDuet 5/13-5/20 VWL
DvcNewGirl 5/13-5/17 OKW
HuggieBear23 5/13-5/20 offsite
KatieBell 5/13-5/19 POP!
Mari360 5/13-5/19 CBR
Mom2AredHead 5/13-5/19 AKL
MomOf2DisneyBoys 5/13-5/19 POFQ
PtrBryant 5/13-5/21 VWL/POP
ShannonH 5/13-5/18 POP!
YoungAussieNurse 5/13-5/21 Contem
DrivenCrazy 5/14-5/19 ASMu
GoofyBaby 5/14-5/29 POP/Poly
MariMorr1 5/14-5/18 POP!
MellaWDWnut 5/15-5/20 POP!
SeacrestPromo 5/14-5/21 CSR
EllyLovesDisney 5/16-5/23 Poly
Tasmen 5/16-5/22 POLY
Patsfan 5/17-5/22 POP!
BeanJean 5/18-5/24 POP!
KSBelle 5/18-5/24
PrincessGirls 5/18-5/20 BCV/Poly
KKHworth 5/19-5/24 POP!
ArkansasMom 5/24-6/3 CSR
LovingTheMouse 5/24-5/28

This group inspired me to come out of the closet about my DIS obsession at WDW. I decided to raid my local Home Depot. Ds went with me on a covert mission to emancipate LGMHs. It only took one trip because apparently there are not many readers of the DIS in our town. I decided to decorate my window at the Pop! I was in full DISer swing, I even bought a Bagallini! I was ready to go to the Muddaland and be surrounded by my fellow DISers.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00426-1.jpg

All the shopping was done and we were ready to take on the World!

Next up – An Unexpected Hidden Mickey!

Chap. 3 - An Unexpected Hidden Mickey! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18819798&postcount=17)

[Carol Ann]

Great start!!

[02AggieGirl]

You are a great storyteller. I love your sense of humor! Looking forward to the rest of the story.

[Disneyanajc]

OMG...loving it....great report...but...you must give us more....popcorn::
JC

[MuppetDisneyKrazy]

More please more!

[MellaWDWnut]

:mickeyjum :snooty:

[dreamsofdisney]

Hello, my name is Sarah and I'm a DISaholic!
:wave2:
("Hi, Sarah!")


This group inspired me to come out of the closet about my DIS obsession at WDW. I decided to raid my local Home Depot. Ds went with me on a covert mission to emancipate LGMHs. It only took one trip because apparently there are not many readers of the DIS in our town. I decided to decorate my window at the Pop! I was in full DISer swing, I even bought a Bagallini! I was ready to go to the Muddaland and be surrounded by my fellow DISers.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00426-1.jpg




Subscribing and can't wait to hear more from another recently out-of-the-closet DIS addict! :thumbsup2 I, too, had no trouble finding LGMH at our Home Depot and bought my very first (but not my last!) Bagallini for our trip after reading about it on the DIS.

[NewCrew42]

Aw shucks, :blush:

you guys make me feel like...

I'm at Disney World! :love: :hug: :grouphug:

I just love ya!

[ANTSS2001]

loving the start.. now get cracking woman for we are all hanging in here.... Yup!! DMM is doll!! Met her on our last Pop Vaca in Sept 06!!

[MuppetDisneyKrazy]

:snooty: Mayers!:snooty:

[winkers]

Hello, I'm winkers and I also suffer from disney ocd! I'm loving your report and I can't wait to hear what you thought about Pop after being a deluxe kinda girl.

[ANTSS2001]

:snooty: Mayers!:snooty:
Hey !!! did I just pass you along the hallways!!! :wave2:

[NewCrew42]

:wave2: Hello Sarah, Hello Winkers

Welcome to Dis-aholics Anonymouse!:mickeyjum

[NewCrew42]

Carol Ann, 02AggieGirl, Annts2001

Glad to meet ya! Welcome aboard!

Mayers - :snooty: Thanks for poppin' in. Your support is why I write. You guys inspire me.

[NewCrew42]

May 12 we had a 10:10 a.m. flight on Delta out of Little Rock, AR. Little Rock is a town located on the Arkansas River. It is on the south side of the river so the city really can never grow north.

Sidenote (borrowed, I know. Or if you don't ask does that mean stolen?) – On the north side of the river is NORTH Little Rock (very original), otherwise known as Dog Town. Back in the day before people spayed and neutered their pets, Pre Price is Right, Little Rock had a dog problem, there were just too many dogs around that didn't have owners. The story goes that the city of Little Rock loaded up all the dogs and took them across the river to North Little Rock and dumped them out there. The Arkansas River is pretty wide and pretty powerful and there is no way the dogs could swim back to Little Rock. The dogs thrived in North Little Rock. They were fruitful and multiplied. They even lived happily ever after. This is how North Little Rock became known as Dog Town (or so the urban legend goes.) pug:

So, Little Rock grows east and west. River on the north and another town nearby to the south. The airport is on the far east of the city and we live on the west side. So, it takes around 40 minutes to get to the airport. Our goal is to leave home around 8 a.m. but we all know this really means we will leave at 8:30 a.m. It seems for flights we need this 30 minute cushion. Just loading things up and shutting things down around the house and checking the doors to make sure they are locked. And checking them again. And again. (ocd).

So, a little before 8:30 we were loaded up and ready to go!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00039.jpg

Normally, I feel very nervous when we leave. I am always thinking of something I forgot to do, or an item that I forgot to pack. Did I put out enough water for my cat until my mom comes by to check on him? Did I leave the toilet lid up for him? Did I put a hold on the mail? Did I stop the paper? Did I leave the right door key with my neighbor? Do I need to call my mom again to make sure she is coming by? However, this time I was feeling very calm. I was ready for a vacation and ready to spend some quality time with my family.

We roll into the airport around 9. DH finds a great spot to park. Hops out and puts a quarter in the meter so we can park for 10 minutes while we drop our luggage at the curb and pick up our boarding passes. All is running well and going smoothly, when DD starts to notice a Hidden Mickey, and a scenario proceeds that will happen many times on our trip. Everyone at once needs my attention and this is what I hear…

Mom, Mom, MomMom, Mom, Hun, Mom, HunHun, Mom, Mom, Mom, MomMom, Hun (picture not with your eyes but with your ears the seagulls from finding Nemo saying Mine Mine MineMine, MineMineMine) everyone needs my attention at once!

:fish:

There is a Hidden Mickey, a Carolina Chickadee, and DH wants to know where to meet after he parks in long term parking. I am trying to sort all of this information at once. DH and I discuss meeting at the bottom of the escalator before security check, at the top of the escalator before security check, and meeting at Cinnabon after security check. We decide, he hands me all the boarding passes and he leaves to go park the car.

I immediately turn to the kids and ask them, "Where did I agree to meet Daddy?" These are the answers I receive: Uh, I don't know. Did you see that bird? Did you see the Hidden Mickey? When can we eat at Cinnabon?

I have the boarding passes so I know I am meeting him before we go through security and the Little Rock Airport is tiny so it's not like we can miss each other (although I once couldn't find my cousin. He flew in from Alaska and I went to the airport to pick him up. We hadn't seen each other in 20 years so it was more of a case of mistaken identity. He couldn't believe I was no longer 12 and I couldn't believe he was over 50.)

I decide that we have time to take a photo at the Hidden Mickey, since I have no clue as to where to meet my husband.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00042.jpg

I fly out of LIT several times a year. But the only time I think of the Hidden Mickey is when DD is there. She always spots it and immediately comments on it. She comments on it even if we are just dropping someone off at the airport. I have no idea what this sculpture is for or what it signifies but for the NewCrews, it's a Hidden Mickey. This Hidden Mickey signals the start of our vacation, the beginning of all that is right with the world, that we are all in this together. We're Breakin' Free!

This is our first Magical Moment! pixiedust:

Hang in there for the next episode starring Delta Don.


Chap. 4 - Delta Don What's that Flower You Have On? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18831578#post18831578)

[huggiebear23]

Loving your report!!! My fellow Mayer:snooty:

[lovealldisney]

Fabulous report so far!! Can't wait to hear more! popcorn::

[Marc A.]

bumpity bump bump

[Lisa_Belle]

Reads great! Now I know what you were doing yesterday after lunch when you were supposed to be answering all those messages on your business line. :rotfl2:

You, did, however, forgot to mention your true beloved friend, who after a split stay last fall at ASMo and CR, came home to relay stories about how wonderful the values really are!

Can't wait to read more,

Lisa

(Oh, I assume you and DH finally met up? It really is hard to miss people at LIT.)

[basas]

Great Report! Looking forward to more!

[NewCrew42]

Here's a great big :welcome: to my new friends.

A shout out to MAYer Huggie and all my other MAYer friends! :hug:

Reads great! Now I know what you were doing yesterday after lunch when you were supposed to be answering all those messages on your business line. :rotfl2:



:ssst: Shhh. Be quiet. You're gonna get me fired!




You, did, however, forgot to mention your true beloved friend, who after a split stay last fall at ASMo and CR, came home to relay stories about how wonderful the values really are!

Can't wait to read more,

Lisa

(Oh, I assume you and DH finally met up? It really is hard to miss people at LIT.)

Meet my dearly beloved, extremely beautiful and talented friend Lisa_Belle. Lisa_Belle is a recovered DISaholic. Everyone say, "Hi Lisa_Belle" :wave2:

With a little help she can easily relapse to her old DISin' ways. :thumbsup2

And it's true. :scratchin She DID tell me the values are fabulous. They are posh, really. I let her go first, to the values, just like I would do for any good friend. :hug: It's always nice to let your friends go first. :)

Meeting up with DH is covered in the next post. I think! :idea:

:rolleyes1

[NewCrew42]

After stopping at the Hidden Mickey Kodak Photo Spot, we head over to the bottom of the escalator to meet DH. He wanders in, comments that we were to meet at the TOP of the escalator. I claim the Dory syndrome :fish:and smile sweetly. He forgives me and we are off to the security check.

http://bestsmileys.com/cops/2.gif

Security ran very smoothly. No one set off any metal detectors or had to be patted down. We had a very nice member of the armed services behind us. He was on his way to the West Coast. He had a long day ahead of him! I always like to thank our service men and women for what they do for our country whenever I see them. (So like Gene Simmons, Armed Forces, I salute you! http://bestsmileys.com/army/4.gif) This young man was very nice. He seemed to get a kick out of our crazy family. He could tell we were off to Disney!

We then proceeded to Cinnabon. This will be my first official dining report. DD ordered the Cinnabon bites and water (this will be a pattern throughout the trip.) DS ordered the Cinnabon Classic, which is huge, and chocolate milk. I ordered a Diet Coke as well as one for DH. It was all great and very fresh. I tried a bite of the Classic and it was wonderful!

http://bestsmileys.com/eating1/7.gif

We just sat there very leisurely at Cinnabon and let the kids wander into an exhibit room across from where we were sitting. The room had glass walls so we could see the kids. I think they were the only ones in there except for a few tourist. It has several exhibits to encourage tourists to see the Clinton Presidential Library. My DS wanders out and asked me if I knew that President Clinton was once governor of Arkansas. I let him know that I did indeed know that fact. Then he starts to ask why he, Clinton, lives in New York now. I have no desire to get into the whole NY, Hillary, senate conversation so I quickly change the conversation to, "Don't we need to get to our gate?" So we grab our gear, DH decides to make one last pit stop before boarding. The kids and I stroll down to the gate singing Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, not a care in the world.

:rolleyes1

As we approach the gate, I notice that no one is in our gate area except a Delta employee behind the desk. I'll call him Delta Don. Delta Don calls out, "Are you Mrs. NewCrew42? We have been waiting for your party." They boarded the plane early. I let Delta Don know that we are the NewCrews and that my DH is on his way to the gate. I apologize for being late. It was 30 minutes before departure time and the plane was completely boarded except for the NewCrews! They were ready to take off! :eek: Delta Don lets me know that it is a good idea to report to your gate one hour before flight time and not to leave the area (as if I have never flown before and as if I have never flown to WDW.) What's up with that?

:confused3

Anywho, DH comes dragging up the rear. He has the boarding passes, he had collected them at the security check point. I introduce him to Delta Don. Delta Don proceeds to give him a little speech. Blah. Blah. Blah. And we board the plane. Late. Even though it was 30 minutes prior to take off.

Next up, Whose Seat is it Anyway?

Chap. 5 - Whose Seat Is It Anyway? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18835136#post18835136)

[JoBird]

YAY!!!!!

My favorite part of your trip is when you get to meet the Mayor of the Entrance To Tomorrowland!!!!

Huh? What was that??? Oh, you haven't gotten to that part yet! Oops, sorry. Don't want to post any spoilers.;) I'll just stay in the shadows, lurking and reading until the appropriate time.

:laughing:
Jo

PS...
The post card is in the mail!;)

[VanniGirl]

Great report - looking forward to the rest!

[melanieewr]

Fabulous! I love your description of Little Rock. It takes us 50 minutes to get to the airport...but we are 55 miles away! I learned also to be early for the MCO flight! You did get the direct flight....right? I love it!


I have a trips planned for September and October. Rather odd...but my Pre-Trip has somehow ended up being on the Wedding Forum as I started there by asking a question. If you get a chance to read it, it is still on the first couple of pages..."Breakfast in France?"

It's always so nice to see another diser from "Pig Sooooie Land!" :cheer2:

[momtoccc]

Sounds fun - can't wait to read more!

[NewCrew42]

YAY!!!!!

My favorite part of your trip is when you get to meet the Mayor of the Entrance To Tomorrowland!!!!

Huh? What was that??? Oh, you haven't gotten to that part yet! Oops, sorry. Don't want to post any spoilers.;) I'll just stay in the shadows, lurking and reading until the appropriate time.

:laughing:
Jo

PS...
The post card is in the mail!;)

Jo - :snooty: MAYer Mayor of the Entrance to Tomorrowland - good to see you! You know you have a starring roll in my trippie. Be sure to stay tuned. I will be checking the mail every minute of every day until I get your card!

http://bestsmileys.com/mail/19.gif

:wave2: Welcome VanniGirl and momtoccc! Nice to meet you! :wave2:

Fabulous! I love your description of Little Rock. It takes us 50 minutes to get to the airport...but we are 55 miles away! I learned also to be early for the MCO flight! You did get the direct flight....right? I love it!

Yes! I am glad I am not alone. Did Delta Don give you the speech as well? We love the direct flight. We took it last year too.

FYI - For anyone flying out of LIT to WDW. The direct flight to MCO is speedy quick and worth any extra $$$. But you can usually get it for the same price as a NON Non-Stop flight. ;) It takes as long to fly to Atlanta as it does to MCO. And at Atlanta you have a connecting flight, a tram ride, lunch at Chili's, a thunderstorm delay, and then you fly out. (Well, if you are the NewCrews this is what happens to you.) This makes you 3 hours late geting into MCO! That is 3 hours you could have been at WDW. Take the direct flight! ::yes::


I have a trips planned for September and October. Rather odd...but my Pre-Trip has somehow ended up being on the Wedding Forum as I started there by asking a question. If you get a chance to read it, it is still on the first couple of pages..."Breakfast in France?"

Uh, I'm a little green with envy that you get to go two months in a row, but it's all good. :thumbsup2 I'll look ya up @ Breakfast in France?!



It's always so nice to see another diser from "Pig Sooooie Land!" :cheer2:

:love: :cheer2: Go Hogs Go! :cheer2::love:

[NewCrew42]

After our encounter with Delta Don, we board the plane. I am feeling the stares as we enter the plane. Everyone is seated, ready to take off. We are the ones, holding up the flight. I can hear them screaming at us in their minds. Hurry up people! Move it! We have places to go and people to see! Don't ya know we are going to Disney World! :scared: UGG!

We have our seat assignments. DD and I are sitting together, 6B and 6C. DH and DS are assigned to sit in front of us, 5B and 5C. As I walk down the aisle, I notice someone is sitting in the seats assigned to DH and DS. It is a mommy and her little boy. He looks to be about 4 years old. I will call them the Conways. They have on Disney t-shirts so it is easy to guess where they are going. ::yes::

DH kindly says to them, "I believe you are in our seats."

Mrs. Conway replies that those indeed are not her seats but her child was assigned to a seat by himself and according to regulations, he cannot sit alone. The flight attendant had moved them to those seats.

We completely understand this rule because last year when we were flying to MCO, we had the same problem.

Chart A:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/airplane.gif

If you refer to Chart A, you will notice that on our plane there are single seats on one side and two seats together on the other side. Our seat assignments are on the side with two seats together.

Last year, DD and DS were assigned to the single seat side. And DH and I were assigned to a seat across the aisle from them and were sitting by total strangers on the double seat side. According to the flight attendant, the plane could not take off until the children were seated on the side of the plane with double seats with an adult sitting beside them. Needless to say, a Chinese fire drill ensued. There was much swapping of seats. There was much ado about nothing. We ended up with DD sitting by a sweet mommy who had a child under the age of two sitting in her lap. They had a portable DVD player so DD was thrilled. I was across the aisle from DD in the single seat. DH and DS were seated together just behind DD and the sweet DVD totin' mama and son. DVD totin' mama if you are out there - Thank you for letting my DD watch DVDs with you guys! :thanks: LYMI!

Fast forward to our flight today. We are waiting for our flight attendant to find out what to do, since DS couldn't sit alone last May. His birthday is May 22. He was 11 last on last year's trip and 11 on this years trip. The flight attendant walks up and says, "Is there a problem?" Everyone explains. Blah. Blah. Blah. :hyper2: Then the flight attendant says to DH and DS "You two guys can sit wherever you like."

http://bestsmileys.com/clueless/5.gif

What? I must have misunderstood. So I said, "Last flight, he had to sit by an adult."

She then says, "Uh, he can sit wherever he likes." Smiling like any good attendant would do.

:confused3

Whatever. Who knows what changed. He isn't any taller. He is still the same age. He didn't dye his hair. He didn't gain or lose weight. DH and I discussed this later. We decided it must be up to the discretion of the flight attendant. Go figure.

So DH and DS sit WHEREVER they like. For DS it just happens to be across the aisle from DD and ME. DH is one row back and we are prepared for take off.

Next up a quick conversation with the delightful Mrs. Conway.

Chap. 6 - The Delightful Mrs. Conway (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18878545#post18878545)

[CW4DW]

This is great - I love it, and am hooked. Can't wait to read more... keep it coming! My DBF and I are talking about coming back either in September or December - still haven't decided. We went last September and then again in January - I am hooked!

:woohoo:

[pooksma]

Great report so far!!

Delta Don..flashback there thanks! I haven't heard that song in a LONG time. Does this mean we are seasoned?:scared1:

While I am jealous that you have already been, I am LOVIN' reading your report.

[NewCrew42]

Flash Back 1973 -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgLGQ9CCtgQ

Pooksma - This link is for you. We are not seasoned. We are aged like a fine wine or in my case - CHEESE! http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/edible/cheese.gif :laughing:

[NewCrew42]

CW4DW - Congrats on your upcoming obsessive compulsive planning disorder for your next trip to WDW! :mickeyjum

[roberrl187]

I'm in. :thumbsup2

[NewCrew42]

With everyone seated, the case of Whose Seat Is It Anyway settled, personal belongings stowed, tray tables in the locked position, and chairs in the full upright position, we were ready for take off.

Shortly after take off, Mrs. Conway turns around and says, "I couldn't help but notice your guide book. Are you going to Disney World?"

Guide book? :confused: My guide book? Oh! My folder. My DIS folder! :thumbsup2
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00093.jpg

Off Topic - Sort of - This is MY DIS GUIDEBOOK! (ocd) Every year, since last year, I have made one for our trip. It is a one inch 3 ring binder with pockets. I use the pockets to stick various things in that do not have a home. Please notice this year's cover. It is dedicated to the MAYers! :snooty:
Table of Contents:


Flight Itinerary
Magical Express Information
Resort Reservation
DDE Card Information & AP Voucher Information
Map of POP!
Chart which shows building layouts, connecting rooms, Handicapped rooms, King Bed Rooms
Itinerary for the Week in Excel including ADRs
Handwritten Itinerary in case I made a ****oo when typing the Excel spread sheet (this will be important later.)
Least Crowded Park Chart (two different sources)
Sections for each Park which include:
Park Hours, Parades, Fireworks, etc.
Park Times Guides
Park Maps
My Park Plan
Filler Rides Chart
Various touring plans
Misc.)
So, I smile and let her know that yes, ::yes:: we are going to Disney World. She and her DS are on their way to meet her hubby at MCO. She was traveling unassisted, one-on-one coverage on her DS. She and DS both had a carry-on. She had checked the stroller and the car seat plane side. She had her hands full. They were renting a car at MCO. She hoped her DH was there when she deplaned.

We start discussing where we are both staying. She is going to be staying at the Contemporary Resort. When she said this, I start to experience a sensation I have read about on the DIS boards:

Deluxenfreude: It’s the feeling you get when you’re staying at a deluxe hotel and you run into someone who isn’t staying at a deluxe hotel but clearly wishes they were.

Now I have experienced Deluxenfreude quite a bit having stayed at the CR and the GF. But I have always been a Deluxenfreuder (deluxe resort guest), but never a Deluxenfreudee (one who wishes they were a deluxe resort guest.) Now I start to find myself wishing I were staying at the CR. Was it because I wanted to elevate my social status with a complete stranger, wanting them to think I was a member of the elite deluxe club? Or was it that I was just having second thoughts because I really to do love the CR? :confused3

I start to tell her all the great things I love about the CR. She didn't know you could walk to MK from there. She didn't know you could see the fireworks from the tower. She didn't know that the North Wing had been torn down. She didn't know about the remodel. She didn't know about the Electric Water Pageant starring King Neptune with It's a Grand Old Flag (the NewCrews even do hand motions to this patriotic number -except for DH.) She just didn't know. :sad2: I had so much to tell her and so little time…

Thankfully, we were interrupted. Her little guy needed her attention. Being a Deluxenfreudee was getting the best of me. I needed to find my happy place. I needed to refocus on POP! I begin to chant and meditate:

My own bed, a grown-up TV, 2 toilets, 2 sinks, 2 showers
My own bed, a grown-up TV, 2 toilets, 2 sinks, 2 showers

Peace.

In a 60's Hippy Dippy sort of way. :hippie:

I found my happy place once again. I was overcoming my feeling of being a Deluxenfreudee. :)

Soon our plane will be landing. I will be in the Muddaland during the Year of a Million Dreams.

Then I begin to wonder, will we get to ride in the front of the monorail, the airport monorail? Will there be Magical Moment Certificate for this?

Chap. 7 - Magical Moment Monorail Ride or Not (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18931831#post18931831)

[happybratpack]

Super report! Can't wait to hear more!!

[DisneyObsessive]

im always a Deluxenfreudee! :) so dont worry about it! im staying at pop for one night when i arrive.

[pooksma]

For the record I would like it noted that I was 3 when this clip was shot.:rotfl: My parents used to play it and I would sing. (Not well)They cracked up!

Funny how your folder looks like what I'm accumulating. DH has been spreadsheeting our trip. I'll need a 3 ring 3 inch binder soon!

[lovealldisney]

Can I ask how you made your LGMH's? And could you share??? I have aquired some LG printer paper and would love to have a pattern to print some. Thanks!!! :thumbsup2

And I am loving this TR!!! :hippie:

[NewCrew42]

I'm in. :thumbsup2

Glad your in! :thumbsup2

Super report! Can't wait to hear more!!

Hi Happybratpack! I think your dogs dress better than my kids. They are too cute!

im always a Deluxenfreudee! :) so dont worry about it! im staying at pop for one night when i arrive.

My fellow Deluxenfreudee have a great trip! May the force be with you!:darth: :yoda:

For the record I would like it noted that I was 3 when this clip was shot.:rotfl: My parents used to play it and I would sing. (Not well)They cracked up!

Funny how your folder looks like what I'm accumulating. DH has been spreadsheeting our trip. I'll need a 3 ring 3 inch binder soon!

You are just a PYT as MJ used to say.

That 3 inch binder you are plannin' on totin' is gonna be HEAVY! :scared1:

But I know it is all vital DIS information.

Can I ask how you made your LGMH's? And could you share??? I have aquired some LG printer paper and would love to have a pattern to print some. Thanks!!! :thumbsup2

And I am loving this TR!!! :hippie:

Hi ya lovealldisney. I would be glad to share about my LGMHs. I scanned the Home Depot one into my computer. Then I photoshopped it. If you have photoshop you can add text to your jpg. That is how I put my "NewCrew42" on it as well as our MAYer mascot :snooty: . If you don't have a scanner PM your email address to me and I will email the LGMH.jpg to you. ::yes:: There is no need to print it on green paper. Just print it on white with a color printer. Hope this helps!

[seacrestpromo]

Hey New Crew!

Love your trip reports...keep them coming!

Seacrest

[JoBird]

popcorn::

:snooty:

Lovin' it, MAYer!

:flower3:
Jo

[shellynn24]

Well I'm hooked, can't wait for more.

[EllyLovesDisney]

How did I miss this? :scratchin
I only made it to your first post - I can't wait to read more :)

YAY MAY!

[NewCrew42]

Finally, we arrive at MCO. We land safely. For some reason, the direct flight from LIT to MCO doesn't rate a jetway. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/confused0006.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)

In my little deprived world, I didn't fly in an airplane http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/transport/airplane.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com/) until I was in graduate school. I had a graduate assistantship and had to travel with my professor. Basically, I did research and wrote presentations for her. I got to travel with her to conferences where she would present. The reason I got to travel with her is so I could tell her about the presentation and prep her on the way to the conference. I also got to do great things like house sit, baby sit, cat sit, and pick up her dry cleaning.

Growing up, my knowledge of flying came from the episode of the Brady Bunch where they vacation in Hawaii. Do you remember this episode? There is a scene where the plane lands, they step off the plane outside (no jetway), and there are Hawaiian hula dancers there waiting to put leis on them. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/outfitted/lei.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com) As each one walks off the plane they each get a lei (I could have made lots of jokes about the leis but I refrained.) and they look so happy to be there. The first time I flew while in graduate school, we went to Austin, Texas. So being an expert on flying from having watched the Brady Bunch, I expect some sort of BIG Texas welcome. We flew into Austin, we DON’T get off the plane outside, we had a jetway, and there is NO one there to greet us and welcome us to Texas. No leis. No cowboy hats. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/employed/cowboy.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com) NO Nothin'! I was so disappointed. BTW, since then, I have flown into Hawaii and I didn't get anything there either.

I have since gotten over the expectation of leis and cowboy hat freebies upon deplaning. However, when our little Delta flight comes into MCO, we deplane outside. For some reason NOT having a jetway always gives me the hope of getting a lei or in the case of MCO maybe Mickey Ears. :earsgirl: But nothing ever happens and it didn't happen for me this year either. So, FYI, it is NOT a year of a million dreams at MCO.

Well, enough of my lei/cowboy hat/Mickey Ears deprived life.

As we are getting off the plane, Mrs. Conway and her little boy need a little help. The little guy is going to try to walk down the exit stairs off the plane with his backpack on. He looks a little top heavy so my DS carries the little guys backpack off the plane for him. We stand outside waiting for our bag that we checked planeside. We snatch it and head off to find the MCO monorail. We are looking to get a ride upfront. :thumbsup2

We love the MCO monorail. If you head all the way down the corridor where you load the MCO monorail, you can sit upfront. You don't have to ask. You don't have to wait your turn. You just have to be quick. The monorail rolls in and we load into the front car. My dd wants to sit in the front. There is already a Daddy and his daughter sitting in the front riding the monorail. They can tell my DD really wants to sit up front so they scoot over and give her some room. Then I take out my camera and start shooting photos of her and they really move out of the way. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/symbolic/camera.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)

TIP – In order to get people to move away from your children, take out your camera and start photographing them. They really don't want to be in your pics and will move away as quick as a wink. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/winking0020.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com) Maybe. Just kidding or am I?

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00045.jpg

Can you see from the photo how cool it is to sit in the front of the MCO monorail? This is a must do for all monorail/train lovers. I highly recommend it. :thumbsup2

After our Magical monorail ride, for which there was not :sad2: a Magical Moment certificate, because it is NOT the Year of a Million Dreams at MCO, we head over to the baggage claim area to start looking for Disney's Magical Express.

Magical Express (ME) was a new experience for the NewCrews this year. When we starting going to WDW, Pre-Magical Express, we would take a towncar from the airport to our resort. We used Tiffany Towncar and were very happy with their service. Renata was our driver and I highly recommend her. It usually ran around $100 round trip. This included a free grocery stop. We were very happy with the towncar. :car:

However, reports on the DIS about ME are much improved after two years of service. It seemed like it would be worth the risk. So, we decided to ditch our $100 towncar this year, no more living lifestyles of the rich and famous for us. We were taking the FREE BUS. (This is what it is called in our neighborhood. The reference usually involves a horror story of lost luggage and 3 hour bus rides.) :scared:

We start wandering around the baggage claim area looking for ME. We keep looking for CMs with the Mickey Hands pointing us toward happiness. But where are the Mickey Hands? Which way did he go? Which way do we go?

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00046.jpg

All we can find is an MCO information desk, something about go left, take an elevator, go left again, Blah, Blah, Blah… :hyper2:

So we wander aimlessly but with aim until we find the ME check-in desk without the help of any Mickey Hands. The line to check-in is HUGE!!! :eek:

Uh, DH smiles and says, "The kids and I are gonna SIT over there while you STAND in that line."

So, I get in the HUGE line and guess what? It is speedy quick. I am in and out in the blink of an eye. There must have 30 CMs checking people in for ME. :woohoo:

I give the family the 'Time to Go' wave. :wave2:

We all walk down the "Red Carpet" together.

To another line.

To wait for the bus.

To POP! :hippie:

[CW4DW]

Great report so far - keep it coming... I have stayed at POP and they have the longest lines for anywhere but it is worth it, they move fast enough... Can't wait for more on the trip...

[happybratpack]

Super report! Can't wait to read more...

[JoBird]

Deplane, Deplane! I'm sorry, just had to.

:rotfl:

Jo

[NewCrew42]

Great report so far - keep it coming... I have stayed at POP and they have the longest lines for anywhere but it is worth it, they move fast enough... Can't wait for more on the trip...

The POP does have long lines but they are speedy quick! :thumbsup2

Super report! Can't wait to read more...

More is on the way! Thanks for readin! ;)

Deplane, Deplane! I'm sorry, just had to.

:rotfl:

Jo

Wow! I forgot about what I learned about flying from Fantasy Island!

:lmao:

Thanks for the reminder. Of how OLD I am. :rolleyes:

:rotfl2:

LYMI!

[JoBird]

The POP does have long lines but they are speedy quick! :thumbsup2



More is on the way! Thanks for readin! ;)



Wow! I forgot about what I learned about flying from Fantasy Island!

:lmao:

Thanks for the reminder. Of how OLD I am. :rolleyes:

:rotfl2:

LYMI!

Girl, if you're old, then I am too. Loved Tattoo.:love:

Anyway, I've seen you, Miss Thing, and you are a young looking mom!:banana:

Jo

[melanieewr]

BTW, since then, I have flown into Hawaii and I didn't get anything there either.


It is such a disappointment the first time arriving in Hawaii to not get a lei...I resisted "the joke" also :rolleyes1


Are you planning you NEXT WDW trip yet? :hourglass

[Kimberly815]

I just found your trip report today. . and count me in! I am dying to hear more about all the fun you MAYers had!! :thumbsup2

[jcc0621]

Just found your TR today, very entertaining. More pleasepopcorn::

[NewCrew42]

It is such a disappointment the first time arriving in Hawaii to not get a lei...I resisted "the joke" also :rolleyes1


Are you planning you NEXT WDW trip yet? :hourglass

I start planning my next trip while I am at WDW. Isn't that crazy? http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/rolleye0018.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)

There is a great airfare for the direct flight right now. I looked yesterday for October and it was around $250 round trip. :thumbsup2 This is a great fare for that flight.

I just found your trip report today. . and count me in! I am dying to hear more about all the fun you MAYers had!! :thumbsup2

Thanks for reading. I guess I need to be speedy quick with my writing because I don't want anyone dying on me! :faint:

Just found your TR today, very entertaining. More pleasepopcorn::
Have a little Pepsi. You look at little thirsty. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/party0027.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)
Thanks for coming by.

[Renee1061]

I followed your link here, and I am loving your trip report so far! Can't wait to read the rest!

[pooksma]

Movin on up...to the Mouse side....

More Please!popcorn::

[meloneyb21]

Yay http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/happy0065.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)! Love your report so far, can't wait for the rest. We'll be at POP in May of next year.

[NewCrew42]

I followed your link here, and I am loving your trip report so far! Can't wait to read the rest!

Thanks for linking over. I loved your trippie! I wish I would have had your DD's hat when I went to POTC - At World's End. I would have worn it! pirate:

Movin on up...to the Mouse side....

More Please!popcorn::
Thanks for movin' me on up! ::MickeyMo ::MinnieMo

Yay http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/happy0065.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com/)! Love your report so far, can't wait for the rest. We'll be at POP in May of next year.

Oh! I want to go to POP in May of next year too! Maybe we can be MAYers together! :snooty: :snooty:

I am working on my next edition... http://bestsmileys.com/computer1/21.gif

[Nicole786]

I'm hooked!! MORE MORE MORE!!!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hello fellow MAYer!! Sorry it took me so long to get here!

Great trip report. . . I feel so special to be mentioned in it!!

Sorry we didn't meet up this trip. . . MAYbe next MAY ???!!! :snooty:

[DisneyObsessive]

helloooo im back home! My friend and I are thinking of heading down next year for SWW again and are hoping they make it May again because it does seem a great time to go. But last week was great too as far as weather and crowds!

[Cory's Gal]

Loving your TR so far! I love the pic of your daughter on the airport tram! Keep up the great report!!!:thumbsup2

[NewCrew42]

I'm hooked!! MORE MORE MORE!!!

Hi Nicole786! I hope now that your hooked that I can reel ya in! :fish:

Hello fellow MAYer!! Sorry it took me so long to get here!

Great trip report. . . I feel so special to be mentioned in it!!

Sorry we didn't meet up this trip. . . MAYbe next MAY ???!!! :snooty:

Shelly, you are special. :flower3: Thanks for stoppin' in. :snooty: May 2008 anyone? :snooty:

helloooo im back home! My friend and I are thinking of heading down next year for SWW again and are hoping they make it May again because it does seem a great time to go. But last week was great too as far as weather and crowds!

:darth: :chewy: :ewok: :yoda: - Lovin' your TR with all the pics! SWW are awesome for those who are all about the force. Your are a TR writing machine!

I love the pic of your daughter on the airport tram!

I thought it was a Magical Moment even if we didn't get a certificate for it. Thanks for reading! :)

Still working on the next edition. Coming soon!:hourglass

[NewCrew42]

We file into line to wait for our ride to POP! Standing in line you hear some funny things. Standing in the line next to us, was a family with two preschool aged children. They were in the AKL line. They were quite entertaining, but not entertaining enough for me to remember what the little boy was doing, but he was disobeying his father in some way. But, here is what I do remember that really got my attention, I hear the father say, "If you do not stop what you are doing young man, we are getting back on the plane and going home. There'll be no Disney World for you!" So, I start to laugh hysterically, inside my mind, so does the little boy. Because we both know there is no way that is ever happening.


Parental tip: :flower3: Parents, your kids are smart. Never threaten them with something that you cannot or will not follow thru on. There is no way this guy is taking his kid back home before they go to WDW and the kid knew it too because it in no way changed his behavior.

So, I decide to do a small intervention.

I happen to notice that the mom and I have on the same shoes.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/bornsandal.jpg



(These are very comfy by the way.)

So I say, "Hi! Look your Mommy and I have on the same shoes."

He is nonplussed by this and doesn't even look. Typical male. :rolleyes:

But, my Dee Dee is completely jazzed and says, "Yes, and you even have on the same toenail polish but yours is sparkly Mom!"

It was true. Mine had a little sparkle and the other mommy's polish didn't. OPI – Bright Lights, Big Color! I love it!

After looking long and hard for another set of matching shoes while in line, I found none. Not even matching crocs. Go figure. :confused3

Thank heavens our bus arrived as I was running out of ways to entertain myself. I was worried my DH might say to me and Dee Dee, "If you don't stop trying to find people with matching shoes, we are getting back on the plane and going home. There'll be no Disney World for you young ladies." :sad2:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/mebus.jpg

So we load up the bus, and head out to the POP! and other resorts who will remain nameless (as the POP! was the first stop!) :hippie:

We load onto an actual ME bus. The bus was loaded pretty full.

Our bus did have the little movie but we were sitting in a seat farthest from the screen, we couldn't hear it, see it, smell it, or taste it. If it was in 3-D, we couldn't tell. :3dglasses :sad2:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00048.jpg

There was a cute little girl in the seat in front of DS. She kept peaking around at him. He was very sweet and talked to her, but she was a little shy. We found out her DB and my DS share the same name. ME bus girl, if you are out there, I hope you had a great trip. I doubt that you can read but here is a shout out to you and your family. :wave2:

We drive by this place, which stirs up a bit of Deluxenfreude for me.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00051.jpg


I am not sure what this place is but it looked lovey from the bus.

But I quickly recover, as we pull up to this very quickly:

http://allearsnet.com/acc/popcent21.jpg


DH and I have a game plan that I will sprint to the resort check-in line while DH herds the kids and picks up our bag that we checked bus-side.

If resort check-in is an Olympic sport, I only won the silver. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/sports/silvermedal.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com) Another Magical Expresser won gold. I do have a slightly competitive nature and was let down by my performance. I think it had to do with being my first time in the POP! lobby. It was easy to spot the check-in line but I did have to look around to see where it was which put me at a slight disadvantage. Had this not been a factor, I think I would have won gold. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/sports/goldmedal.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)

Sidenote - :teacher: While I sprint to get in the check-in line, the rest of the NewCrews are getting our bag from under the bus. We were dropped off under the drive thru in front of the resort lobby. While they are out there, they look around at a lot of sidewalk chalk art that is outside around the lobby entry. Apparently, people can draw all around the sidewalk/driveway outside of POP! I completely missed this as I am dashing to get in line. I just found out about this as I asked my family what they thought was interesting about checking in at the POP! DH and DD both reply, "Oooh! The sidewalk chalk drawings out side the lobby of the resort!" They NEVER told me about this until 6/4/2007. I would have really liked to have seen it. If anyone has a picture of this please post it. I would love to see it. Also, this will come into play later in our trip report, and my lack of knowledge causes me to make a bad decision, one that I would now change had I been armed with this bit of information. Just wanted to give you the 411 on sidewalk chalk art at the Pop!

A few minutes after I complete my silver medal performance, DH, Dexter and Dee Dee walk up to the check-in line. It is around 2 pm. The kids and I are starving, so DH decides to stand in the check-in line, which is mucho long, even with my silver medal performance, while the kids and I head into Everything POP! for lunch.

Entering Everything Pop for the first time is a bit overwhelming especially when the kids and I are schlepping all of our carry-ons. We have 2 backpacks, Dee Dee has a purse, DS is pulling a suitcase, I have the laptop, and my purse. (DH has my DIS guidebook.) We look around and get our bearings, while providing entertainment for countless strangers. We schlep thru the gift shop without breaking anything, thru the dining area and into the food court. We decide to go thru the burger line. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/edible/burger.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)It seems to have the food that most of us want, meaning the food the kids want. I decide on a cheeseburger w/fries, Dee Dee wants chicken nuggets, fries, and jello, Dexter decides to order a cheeseburger without cheese w/fries. We place our order.

The CM looks at me and says, "It will take 5 minutes for the cheeseburger without cheese."

I say, "OK."

He then says it again, "It will take 5 minutes for the cheeseburger without cheese."

I smile and say, "OK, we will wait."

He says, "But you can have a cheeseburger right now. No waiting."

Dexter looks at him like this :scared1: and thinks the CM must be http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/confused0062.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com) and then says, "I don't want cheese on my cheeseburger. MEAT AND BREAD ONLY!" as if the CM doesn't understand English.

"Got it. It will be ready in 5 minutes."

There is a lady in line behind us, she has overheard this entire conversation.

She orders a hamburger and fries. This is what happens:

CM says, "It will take 5 minutes for the hamburger without cheese."

The lady says, "OK."

He then says it again, "It will take 5 minutes for the hamburger without cheese."

The lady says, "Fine. I will wait."

He says, "But you can have a cheeseburger right now. No waiting."

Believe it or not the lady says "I will wait, I do not care for cheese."

So, FYI, if you order the cheeseburger without cheese at Everything Pop! It will take 5 minutes. They will try to get you take a cheeseburger, but if you can wait 5 minutes, you can have one without cheese. They will try to get you take a cheeseburger but don't cave, be strong and you will get a freshly grilled burger without cheese. :thumbsup2

After a 5 minute wait, we collect our artery clogging fried foods and head toward the check-out, along the way I pick-up our YOMD refillable mugs.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00094.jpg

The lids for these were all blue. The handles did have 3 different colors to choose from, black, blue and silver.

I choose silver for me for my Silver Medal http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/sports/silvermedal.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com) performance at the check-in line,

blue for each of the kids because...

I really don't care if they drink after each other,

and black for DH because…

it was the only color left.

The check-out lines were about 3 or 4 people deep but it went speedy quick as well. We found a booth near the entrance to the gift shop so we could keep an eye out for DH. We pile our carry-ons into the booth and chow down. The food was filling and of all the meals we had eaten, it was the most recent. It was also decent and more importantly Dexter's was without cheese.

Note – Dee Dee does like jello. She often takes Sugar Free Jello in Cherry or Strawberry in her lunch to school. She said the jello here was YUCK! http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/silly/crazy.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com) And I believe her, the look on her face said it all. It is not Jello brand gelatin but something else. It was not ordered again during the trip.

[NewCrew42]

DH arrives and has our check-in folder with all of our vital check-in information.

The kids and I begin to ask,
"Are we in the 50's?"
"The 60's?"
"The 70's?"
"The 80's?"
"The 90's?"

DH says, "I have no idea, but we are in 5118 and 5119." I ask him a bazillion questions about check-in and he has no answers for any of them. He hands me the check-in folder. I see our map and see that we are in the 60's!!!! :hippie: Woo Hoo!!!

I didn't request a room, but secretly, I wanted to be in the 60's. I just thought the buildings looked so cool. I knew they were close to the food court and bus stops. We were also on the lake side at the back and on the first floor. This was the perfect location for us. We were also staying non-preferred. But guess what? This was exactly where I PREFERRED to be! :woohoo:

We finish up with our meal.

We decide to make like a tree and leave.

To go find our room.

In the 60's non-preferred section that I PREFER! ;)



We gather up all of our carry-ons and begin to schlep our way to our non-preferred room.

We walk back out thru the Everything POP! Gift Shop into the lobby. When we step out, we see the Fast Forward Arcade across the hall. Dexter had already seen it as he had to find a restroom during our lunch. Of course when he reported back to the table, he had given us a great run down on the fabulous arcade (The arcade is cleverly located next door to the restroom.) He said the arcade looked as nice as the old one at the Food and Fun Center at the Contemporary. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/videogame/pacman.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com]http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/videogame/pacman.gif)[/URL]

The moment we step into the hall, Dexter and Dee Dee start begging for the arcade. We haven't even seen our room to get rid of our carry-ons and already they are begging for the arcade. I could already see the money flying out of our pockets and into those machines as we walked by. As my Dee Dee has said before, "You aren't the WORST mother in world…." But I am NOT the BEST mother either because I didn't let them go into the arcade and play games at that moment. Instead I said, "Let's find our rooms!"

We head out the doors of Classic Hall and are facing the Hippie Dippy Pool! This resort is so bright and colorful. We see Petals Pool Bar on our right. It looks like a fun place. DH wanted to stop in there, but I kept moving the party forward. There was a little stand on the left that looked like you could get tattoos. We didn't check it out either.

The pool is very cool looking and is in shape of a flower. It is mid-afternoon and there are lots of open chairs. There are also lots of tables with umbrellas for shade. There are neat looking "flowers" that spray water into the pool. There look to be plenty of life guards. I have always been very impressed with the life guards at WDW. They really seem to watch the pools. I have seen them jump in a few times to pull out a little one who has "gotten in over their head."

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/popcentyoyo.jpg


In the building we are staying in, we have Mowgli and Baloo as our center pieces and Duncan YoYos as our end pieces. They are larger than life. We turn in beside Mowgli and Baloo to cut thru the building. We notice in the center of the building there are ice machines and vending machines. We also run into to a nice CM who notices we are newbies. He welcomes us to POP Century and asked which room we are looking for and directs us back toward the lake.

We had asked for non-smoking, CONNECTING rooms. In the pit of my stomach, I was still a little worried that we would have ADJOINING rooms rather than CONNECTING rooms.

We walk almost to the end of the building, and there are our rooms, 5118 and 5119. We notice some cute little towel animals in each window. I am completely excited. We have stayed deluxe 4 different times and I have never had a towel animal. We have tipped, left nice notes, and never a towel animal, not even an extra towel. Sometimes we would have to call just to have a towel for each of us. So I am doing a towel animal happy dance and we aren't even in the room.

DH opens the door for 5118 and Dexter opens the door for 5119. I wander in and begin to look for the connecting door.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/DSC00053.jpg

It is near the back between the dresser and the bathroom! Woo Hoo! It really is the Year of a Million Dreams.

My own bed!
A grown-up TV!
2 toilets!
2 sinks!
2 showers!

Next up - Wonder Twin Powers, Activate!

[pooksma]

Great update and I wasn't letting you stay on p.2!

I must say that's one thing I like about towncar service. No need to beat the pants off others in the Resort check-in race. I may not be the fastest but there's always someone I can outrun!

[KimAshton]

Cannot wait to read more. :)

[NewCrew42]

Great update and I wasn't letting you stay on p.2!

I must say that's one thing I like about towncar service. No need to beat the pants off others in the Resort check-in race. I may not be the fastest but there's always someone I can outrun!

Thanks for reading! I never felt the "pressure" to get in the check-in line when we used the towncar. It didn't take DH too long to check-in. They had lots of CM at the desk to check people in. So it went fairly quick.

Cannot wait to read more. :)

Hi KimAston! Thanks for reading!

I working on my next installment. We will finally make it to a park! :woohoo:

[NewCrew42]

Form of an Annual Pass! Form of a Disney Dining Experience Card!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/newcrew42/Wonder_Twins.jpg

Well, it wasn't that easy, but pretty close.

After dropping our carry-ons off at our rooms in the 60's non-preferred section at Pop! that I PREFER, we decided to head over to Epcot to activate our APs and to pick up our Disney Dining Experience Card.

We look at the resort map to see if there is a short cut to the bus stop. We decide the best way to get there is to go back thru Classic Hall.

We find the Epcot bus stop, and file into the que, a lovely couple join us in line. They are retired Floridians. They have just stopped in to take a look at the Pop! They are headed over to Epcot to see The Flower Power Concert Series, Davey Jones is there tonight. Dee Dee is sporting her MAYer :snooty: button from SeacrestPromo (MAYer) and her lanyard from DisneyMommyMichelle. The Floridians ask Dee Dee about the button. We tell them about the MAYers and the DIS boards, and we let them know a problem we have had in the past with pins.

We buy pins at Disney World, wear them for maybe an hour or two, and they fall off of Dee Dee's lanyard. We then stop everything we are doing, retrace our steps, to see if we can find the pin. (The grown-ups know that there is no way we are finding the pin, but Dee Dee wants THE pin that fell off the lanyard. No other pin will do!) We NEVER find the pin. Dee Dee cries every time this happens. :sad1: It is a vicious cycle. (You know I think it is extra heart breaking to see your child cry when you are at the Happiest Place on Earth.)

Last trip, I said, "No more pins." It brings nothing but tears and sadness to our vacation.

We didn't buy any pins. We didn't loose any pins. We didn't spend an hour trying to retrace our steps.

There were no tears in heaven. :cloud9:

It was the Happiest Place on Earth! :goodvibes

Well, Mrs. Floridian says, "Hey, there are these special locking backs. They keep your pins on your lanyard. The pins will not fall off. You have to have a special little tool to put the pins on and take the pins off." She shows us the locking back. You can buy them at most any pin selling location. She bought hers at DTD.

Dee Dee is very excited about this new tidbit of information. You know what that means. Shopping!

But we didn't get out of line to go shopping at that very moment. About this time the bus to Epcot comes. We load up and have a very uneventful ride.

Since the NewCrews have only stayed at the GF and CR, we have never driven into Epcot that we can remember. We have always taken the monorail. It just seems extremely odd to us to be coming in by bus. In fact it just seems plain wrong. :confused:

The monorail entry is super nice because you get a little sneak peak of the park before you enter. The monorail goes thru Future World and since we go in May, we also get to see an arial view of the Flower and Garden Festival. Epcot is full of color from the flowers. It is just beautiful to see it from above and always makes me so excited about going into the park. :banana:

Coming in by bus is not nearly as exciting and not nearly as colorful. I comment to DH about how weird it seems and he replies back that he doesn't remember ever entering by bus either.

We jump off the bus and head to Guest Relations. We have serious business there. We need to activate our Annual Passes and pick-up our Disney Dining Experience (temporary) Card.

The walk from the buses to entry area of Epcot was a bit farther than I expected. I am not sure what I expected. I guess I was hoping to be dropped off at guest relations, (like that would ever happen.)

Around 4 p.m. on a Saturday must be the best time to stop at Guest Relations at Epcot because no one was there. We walked right up, and had the most competent CM. She quickly activated our Annual Passes, while she was doing that she asked another CM to get our envelope with our DDE card in it and we were on our way.

:woohoo:

[huggiebear23]

Great report so far!!!

[seacrestpromo]

I agree, coming in by bus or car into EPCOT is not the same as taking the monorail. It is definitely much more dramatic by monorail - I really liked that!

Keep those reports coming!

[OhMari]

I hope you come back, it's been awhile.

[lovealldisney]

popcorn::

:rolleyes1

[meloneyb21]

Dang, I almost 4got about this trip report :confused3 .

[mari360]

I was sitting her on my comp at work :surfweb: your TR report... i was all into it when all of a sudden there were no more.... where is the rest of the report. I have to tell you i enjoyed reading ur reports i can't wait to read more. I know summer is a busy season....

Hope to read more soon...

[lovealldisney]

:confused3 Hey where's the rest of this TR??? :confused3

[lovealldisney]

:rolleyes1 We're waiting :rolleyes1 popcorn::

[always_learning]

I just found your TR today and read all the way through and I want more! :yay:

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

How am I just reading this now?? I love it!!
:snooty: :snooty: