GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN - Update: AK Part 1

[Angies1274]

Have a wonderful trip!!!! Can't wait to read all about it when you get back!!!

 

[OhMari]

Hi,
Your moved to our regular board.
Hope you had a great time.

I wish I would of seen this sooner and told you to have your friends to DME, but i am sure you are way to excited to see them. I just know girls and luggage and ours barely fit into a Towncar that we used when we went on our cruise. The driver actually told me he had to drive slow, because the trunk was so heavy. That was the lamest line I ever heard.

Looking forward to your report when you return.

 

[Lynn5700]

Hey girl! Have a wonderful time. I'm looking forward to hearing about all the fun you girls have!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Awww, well I guess I'm checking in a little to late to see you off, but if you do check the boards again - hope you have a great time, and make all those rope drops! I'm trying to get the ball rolling on a girlfriends trip myself, so I can't wait to hear how yours goes

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Hi everyone!!!

We're back in town and I'm busy catching up on work and unpacking, but I will get this TR going real soon I promise!

Thanks for all of the well-wishes, the trip had some good times and not-so-good times as you'll see, but I think we'll just remember the good ones It was awesome for us all to get together & Disney was amazing as always.

 

[reyasmommy]

Oh my goodness, I can't believe I've been gone so long that I missed seeing you off for your trip. I hope you had a wonderful trip and I can't wait to read about it!

 

[Lynn5700]

Hi! Can't wait till you start your TR!!!! Looking forward to it. Glad you all had a great time, and yes it is important to remember the good things, and forget the bad things!

 

[rusafee1183]

I'm ready when you are!!!!!!!!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Okay, so I'm finally going to start the TR after about a week of being back home.

To those of you who are new, I hope you enjoy our trip! To read more about all of the participants & our background, check on page 1 of this thread.

I have to say that I did experience a little Disney withdrawal after the trip, so that's why it took me so long to post Also, I don't think I've mentioned this yet, but I am going on vacation to France on Oct 16th...so I've been working overtime - nights, weekends - until I go b/c that's coming up soon.

Sly me, I managed to book a night in Disney the day before that trip too, so I'll be staying at the All Star Sports on Oct 15th...fun times. But now back to the subject at hand!

So let's get started shall we?

And your Disney quote of the day...

"Here we gooooooo! Off to Neverland!"

DAY 1 Part 1

7:00 a.m. - I leave my house in Sarasota for the airport in Orlando

I got up around 6:00 that morning to get ready and put everything in the car before leaving at 7:00. So I did my makeup and hugged my husband and doggie goodbye and I was off!

To help me wake up and get into the mood, I listened to the High School Musical 3 soundtrack It was smooth sailin' until I got on the freeway and then, oh crap, there is an accident, one lane is closed and the traffic is bumper to bumper

There's not a lot of traffic in my city, so luckily I don't have road rage lol, but I was a little ticked when I realized that if I had just chosen a later freeway entrance I could have bypassed all of that traffic!

After my little slowdown I just set the cruise control and before I knew it I was seeing signs for Disney!!! But I couldn't go there just yet...I had to pick up my friends first!

I took 417 to the airport which is a really easy way to go (FYI) but is a little expensive w/ all of the tolls.

I got to the airport, parked and then waited for my friends to arrive.

I really like the MCO airport. It's so pretty w/ the atrium and fountains, and I even saw some birds in there.

Of course I saw the Disney store and had to go in there to pass some time.

And then finally I saw my friends coming down the hallway! Sorry no pictures of that, I was just busy hugging everyone!

We picked up the luggage and then hopped in the car to head to Disney. It was about a 20 minute drive before we got to the resort.

During the drive I explained things like Fastpass and the dining plan to everyone.

Arrive at the Caribbean Beach Resort

We checked in at the security point and then drove to the Customs House.

I didn't do online check in b/c we had a bunch of room requests - adjoining, Jamaica, 2nd floor - and I wasn't sure if they would go through w/ the online deal.

We got in line for regular check in and...........20 minutes later we were able to check in. There was only 1 family in front of us in line but there was only like 1 CM working w/ the regular check in folks. This was not a good way to start, but we all tried to keep a smile on while we waited anyway.

Off to Old Port Royale for some lunch

By the time we checked in it was about 1:00, so we were starved! Our rooms weren't ready yet (they said they would text us) so we headed to the food court at Old Port Royale.

I love this food court! They have so many options and everything just tastes fresh. And it looks so cute w/ all of the pastel colored facades.

We split up b/c Ariel and Belle wanted pizza and Jasmine and I wanted sandwiches. We all got our stuff and picked a quiet table in the right hand side of the food court.

I got a turkey blt w/ pasta salad, tea to drink (they have the coolest tea dispensers!) and a HUGE vanilla cupcake. The sandwich was delicious and the cupcake was AMAZING! I've been dreaming about it ever since.

Jasmine had a Beef & Blue sandwich on ciabatta w/ jerk potato chips that she really liked. She had a cookie for dessert that was really good too.

Ariel and Belle ended up having chicken nuggets & fries and both were being "good" so they got fruit for dessert.

After lunch we walked around the Old Port Royale area and we got a text saying that one of our rooms was ready so we headed over to Jamaica.

We got into our rooms, or should I say room?

Mine and Belle's room was ready so we all crashed in there. We got a corner room on the 2nd floor so it was really nice. I like the extra windows.

I heard that rooms are "supposed" to be ready by 3:00 so around 2:30, Ariel checked to see if the room next door was ready. She could open the door but there was still a mess in there.

Finally around 3:05 the room was ready...not sure what they were doing over there since our room next door was ready about 2 hours before but whatever.

They got settled in and unpacked and then we talked about what we should do for the rest of the afternoon.

What did we end up doing and how did our night go?
More on that in the next update!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Hey Tink!!! loving the start of your TR!!! I am so jealous of you right now!!! France in a few days!!! And Disney!!! Lucky duck!!!

I have to say, I totally agree with you about the airport in Orlando! It's my favorite and one of the nicest I been in! Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[rusafee1183]

Yaaaay!!!! I am so excited to read more! You girls seem like so much fun! I hope you had a few cocktails for me.

 

[Lynn5700]

Hey!! MCO airport is my favorite! Love it!!!! That's a cute picture of you!

Your food looked good.. Port Royale is a great food court.

That stinks about your room not being ready on time. Looks like you guys had a Nemo room. It would have been cool if they put you in the pirate themed rooms. They look cool.

Can't wait to hear what you girls did next.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great start! Can't wait for more.

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

I cannot wait to hear about your adventures !

 

[disneyaddicted]

Hi tink! I've been waiting for this TR. You're off to a good start, I can't wait to read more.

 

[Angies1274]

Yay!! You started your TR!! I can't wait to read all about your trip!! Good start so far!!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Better late than never! Safe travels to you! Everything looks great! I can't wait for your return and your TR to follow!
Have tons of fun!!!

Thanks so much and to the trip report! We really did have a great time together. I hope you enjoy reading it!

Hi,
Your moved to our regular board.
Hope you had a great time.

I wish I would of seen this sooner and told you to have your friends to DME, but i am sure you are way to excited to see them. I just know girls and luggage and ours barely fit into a Towncar that we used when we went on our cruise. The driver actually told me he had to drive slow, because the trunk was so heavy. That was the lamest line I ever heard.

Looking forward to your report when you return.

Thank you OhMari. I appreciate your help.

Awww, well I guess I'm checking in a little to late to see you off, but if you do check the boards again - hope you have a great time, and make all those rope drops! I'm trying to get the ball rolling on a girlfriends trip myself, so I can't wait to hear how yours goes

Better late than never! It was totally worth doing a girls trip to wdw. You'll have to wait to hear about how many rope drops we made though

Oh my goodness, I can't believe I've been gone so long that I missed seeing you off for your trip. I hope you had a wonderful trip and I can't wait to read about it!

Hey Deanna, its great to hear from you again! I'm glad things have settled down a little w/ you and you're back on the boards. We missed you!

Hey Tink!!! loving the start of your TR!!! I am so jealous of you right now!!! France in a few days!!! And Disney!!! Lucky duck!!!

I have to say, I totally agree with you about the airport in Orlando! It's my favorite and one of the nicest I been in! Can't wait to read more!!!

Hi Reese! I'm still really disappointed that we never met up at MNSSHP that would have been so fun....and as you'll read later, I could've used a pick me up around that time!

The crazy part about the France trip is that I really haven't had time to get excited about it b/c I was so busy planning this Disney trip. Oh well, c'est la vie I guess! That's French lol!

Yaaaay!!!! I am so excited to read more! You girls seem like so much fun! I hope you had a few cocktails for me.

Actually Heather I'm glad you picked up on it because we are so much fun. It's about time you noticed lol!! We had plenty of cocktails but I never did get that grey goose slushie...blame that on the margaritas though more on that later!

Hi! Can't wait till you start your TR!!!! Looking forward to it. Glad you all had a great time, and yes it is important to remember the good things, and forget the bad things!

Hey!! MCO airport is my favorite! Love it!!!! That's a cute picture of you!

Your food looked good.. Port Royale is a great food court.

That stinks about your room not being ready on time. Looks like you guys had a Nemo room. It would have been cool if they put you in the pirate themed rooms. They look cool.

Can't wait to hear what you girls did next.

Hi Lynnie! Yeah, whatever little negative parts there were to this vacation are slipping away...I guess that's why we don't take pictures of the bad stuff

That cupcake at lunch was soooo good. I seriously have been craving another one since. I actually had another one on the day after the trip ended b/c I brought one home, but I mean that I have been craving one since then, um, yeah.

I like those pirate rooms too, they really did some cool theming with those. I think my husband would like to stay in one sometime.

I'm going to add another update right after this!

Great start! Can't wait for more.

Thanks Sarah! I have about a week to get this TR done so it's going to keep on coming!

I cannot wait to hear about your adventures !

Stay tuned...I have an update to post tonight.

Hi tink! I've been waiting for this TR. You're off to a good start, I can't wait to read more.

Thanks Ty!

Yay!! You started your TR!! I can't wait to read all about your trip!! Good start so far!!

Thanks Angie! 4 days is so little time to spend in Disney, we did the best we could!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

DAY 1 Part 2

Pool and Cocktails…ahhh this is the life!

The weather was still really warm out (a theme for our entire trip lol) so after everyone got settled we decided to make some drinks and head out to the pool.

I had brought some Bacardi and 2 bottled mixers from home for this very occasion, so I hopped down to the ice machine and we started making our drinks which involved getting ice, pouring in the rum, adding the mixer and then pouring it between 2 plastic cups, I’m sorry but we’re just classy broads! We can’t help but ooze sophistication!

Drinks in hand we walked to the pool. We decided to go to the Jamaica village pool because Old Port Royale just seemed kind of far at the time. Now if we knew that the Jamaica village pool was actually a decent hike from our building things might have been different lol

We laid out on the plastic chairs for about 8 minutes before burning up and getting into the water. We talked and hung out there for a while and then decided that we should go back to our rooms to shower and get ready for dinner.

Sorry no more pool pictures, but that's not the kind of image I want floating around the internet thank you very much!

Let’s go to the Poly!

The plan was to head to the Polynesian to get a pre-dinner drink and watch the fireworks from the Poly beach and then go get dinner at O’hana.

We entered the Poly and there were lots of oooh’s and ahhh’s from my group, the waterfall at the front of the Great Ceremonial House is pretty impressive.

We stopped at the gift shop in the lobby and picked up a disposable camera for Ariel (which by the way took amazing pictures for a disposable!) I lead everyone upstairs and through a HUGE crowd.

I guess this is what they mean by crowds during free dining! It was a madhouse in there! People standing up, sitting, just taking up whatever space was available…and the line to check in at O’hana, wow!

We headed towards the bar and lucked out to find 4 chairs available. We checked out the menu & ordered our drinks – wine for Jasmine, wine for Belle, a dirty martini for Ariel and a Pina Colava for me.

I know our drink order is disappointing considering what they have at the Poly, but to be fair, the drink menus were really standardized & didn’t even have the Lapu Lapu or Backscratcher on them. I don’t know what the deal is at the wdw bars, but it seems like they’re going to more of a blah bar menu.

All of the menus were the same at every resort we went to….I hope they’re not taking away the old favorites. Also I was driving so I couldn’t order anything w/ too much alcohol (another theme on this trip unfortunately!)

After we paid for our drinks I said we should mosey on down to the beach for Wishes. Since my friends all live in the northeast, they were a little scared of bringing their drinks down to the beach because they didn’t know if it was allowed.

But I assured them that this is Disney and they’ll do almost anything to keep guests happy here, including letting them take their (gasp!) alcohol down to the beach.

This is the way Wishes should be seen

At the beach we took off our shoes & put our feet in the sand. I know that it isn’t a real beach, but the sand at the Poly is so nice, you really do feel like you’re in a tropical paradise……..um, until you see the Grand Floridian and the castle I guess! It sure was nice down there. I would totally go watch Wishes at the Poly beach again.

Ariel and Jasmine got another round at the pool bar and when they came back it was time for Wishes.

They pipe the music in so it really is lovely. Jasmine was really impressed with how long and elaborate the show was. I was just so happy to be there, it was awesome!

Off to O’hana

As soon as Wishes was over we went back up to the Great Ceremonial House for our O’hana dinner. By now the crowd had really cleared out and I didn’t even have to wait to check us in.

After about 15 minutes and another round of drinks (but not for me, I’m the driver!) we were seated. I should say that it was about 8:40 at this point so we were ready to eat right away.

Our waitress came and took our drink orders (just tea and water this time lol) and then the salad, potstickers and wings came. They were all really good. We ordered more potstickers, I swear they give you the same amount whether you’re a table of 2 or a table of 4.

And after the appetizery part it was a long long time until they came with the turkey and pork loin. Then it was another long time until they brought the meat sauces. And then it was another long long long time until the shrimp and steak came.

I’ve been to O’hana before and I know the service isn’t the best, but this was the worst service I’ve ever had there. We almost left without the famous bread pudding because we were all falling asleep at the table. It was 10:30 before we left!

We all agreed that the service was super slow but the food was great. Everyone really liked the steak, the potstickers and the dessert the most, except for Ariel, she doesn’t eat dessert (crazy I know, but I eat her portion! no joke, I really do ) Belle was still talking about the bread pudding at the end of the trip.

Hey, where is our hotel?

We dragged our tired behinds to the car and then I started driving home. But hey, this doesn’t seem right, that’s the Contemporary there!

Yes I went the wrong way out of the Poly and ended up at the Contemporary, uh-oh! The guard at the Contemporary steered me in the right direction and we made it home. I’m sorry to say that this was only the beginning of my driving mishaps on this trip.

I just never realized how hard it is to navigate around the wdw property! My husband usually drives there so I never pay attention I guess, but man I was worse than a student driver in there! Even when I looked at the map before leaving I still got lost a bunch of times when we were there. But I think by the end of the trip I was getting the hang of it lol!

That’s all for our first day. Stay tuned for the next update when we take Epcot by storm….can we convince Belle (who is afraid of heights and pretty much all thrill rides) to ride Soarin? Wait and see!

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

Oh, how fun !
I would love to do disney with my friends !
But, we usually just go to Vegas . And, we always get lost while driving also !
I'm not a gamblin' kinda gal, I'm a Mickey kind of gal !!
Maybe, when all our kids are older, and wouldn't give us the guilt trip.
Someday.....................
Oh, I bet there was alot of laughing and giggling going on !!!
Can't wait for more.......................

 

[rusafee1183]

Great update Tink!

I'm glad that you girls had good weather. I was in Maryland at the same time and I swear it was just as cold as it is in Pittsburgh. Especially by the ocean, the sun was out - but when that wind was going it was COLD!

And I don't know if this applies to your slow service at O'hana situation- or if it was just a one time thing.... But when my DH and I were eating at O'hana on our honeymoon in 2008 - we were there for Wishes also. The service was pretty slow, but what killed us was at the end of the night when we were getting ready to leave, our server actually said to us "Do you guys mind hanging out for a little while longer? We still have a half hour until we close and if they clear this table now - I'll never get out of here because they will seat someone else"

Us being the blushing, glowing newlyweds that we were back then said 'Sure! Why not!' But, after the fact we were so exhausted and barely found transportation back to POR because it was so late.

So, maybe because it was so late was why they *slowed down a bit* because they didn't want to get another table.