Pudge Controls the Weather-A Land and Sea TR Apr 6-Apr 15 ( Last Day new 5/26)

[jecskc]

Hey Everyone !!

We just returned from our best Disney vacation EVER !! It was nothing short of A-MAZ-ING !! And I couldn't wait to to tell you all about it.

When: April 6 - April 15, 2012

Where we stayed: Animal Kingdom Lodge 4/6- 4/10

and Disney Dream 4/10-4/15

Who:

Me (Susan) - 44 yr old Irrigation Designer for a Landscape Architect

(This is me hiding behind the kids. I am the most unphotogenic person alive)

DH - My wonderful husband that puts up with my Disney obsession. Works in upper management for a chemical company.

DS - 12 year old thrill seeker, but still a sweet boy (so far)

DD - 9 year old sweetie who loves all things Disney

I hope those of you that choose to read along will stop by and say hello. And for those of you that were there at the same will share your experiences with us as well.

We have a Facebook group that is really fun and it made the long wait more bearable to have so many fantastic people to share with. We called ourselves the Castaway Crew and I loved meeting everyone and getting to know them better these last few months.

Also, for those of you interested, here is the link to my PTR.

www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2861303

OK-ready to get started ?? I know I am.

Here we GO !!!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

What good timing I have!

Joining. And I love the quote. Lilo and Stitch is great! "If I fed Pudge tuna, I'd be an ABOMINATION!"

 

[kdevoe]

I'm ready!!

 

[jecskc]

What good timing I have!

Joining. And I love the quote. Lilo and Stitch is great! "If I fed Pudge tuna, I'd be an ABOMINATION!"

Hey Danielle !!!

Yes, that is exactly where that quote comes from. We watched it on the way (well, the kids watched, I listened) and we repeated this quote every day. So funny !!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Joining in! We are booked for our first cruise on the Disney Dream in May so I'm looking forward to reading all about your adventures.

 

[kyirish25]

Yeah!!! Can't wait to read your trip report and see all the pictures.

 

[jecskc]

I'm ready!!

Glad you stopped in !!!

 

[jecskc]

Joining in! We are booked for our first cruise on the Disney Dream in May so I'm looking forward to reading all about your adventures.

You are going to LOVE it !! Have you joined the Fish Extender group ?? We loved it !! It was sooo much fun !!

Yeah!!! Can't wait to read your trip report and see all the pictures.

Hey Cher!! So glad to have you aboard!!

 

[crzy4dals]

Susan - I am so excited to read your TR.

We had such great weather - I was really hoping that after the cruise we could have created a logo for spending the night at Castaway Cay - we were sooooo close!

Ready to read!

Erin

 

[jecskc]

Susan - I am so excited to read your TR.

We had such great weather - I was really hoping that after the cruise we could have created a logo for spending the night at Castaway Cay - we were sooooo close!

Ready to read!

Erin

Hey Erin !!!

The weather was so amazing !! I was so happy Pudge was in control ... We were close to spending the night weren't we? Our Captain tried so hard to dock that night, but I guess Pudge wasn't having it, but I am glad he was able to dock the next morning.

 

[strega7]

I'm in too! I can't wait to re-live the terrific vacation we had. My DH got some great night pics of how close we were to almost docking a CC at night, that would have been soooooo cool. I'll start working on my trip report later, but for now going to enjoy yours Susan

Marci

 

[MelMel11]

Count me in!!!

 

[Lisacope]

Boy that was a fun cruise!!!! Subbing in and it was so nice to meet you and your family!!!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I'm subbing! Can't wait to hear your take on the trip. What a GREAT trip!!!

 

[jecskc]

I'm in too! I can't wait to re-live the terrific vacation we had. My DH got some great night pics of how close we were to almost docking a CC at night, that would have been soooooo cool. I'll start working on my trip report later, but for now going to enjoy yours Susan

Marci

Hey Marci !!! I would love to see those photos !! Send us a link when you get your TR started !! I'm so glad you stopped by !!

Count me in!!!

!!

Boy that was a fun cruise!!!! Subbing in and it was so nice to meet you and your family!!!

Hey Lisa !! It seems like we saw you every day !! It wonderful to meet you all as well. Wasn't the FE group so much fun??

I'm subbing! Can't wait to hear your take on the trip. What a GREAT trip!!!

Hey Kim !! It was nice to meet you as well !! I saw you several times, but it was from a distance. And since I had just met you, I didn't feel like I should run you down or yell across the room at you. I wasn't sure if you would recognize me or not and just think I was crazy.

 

[Tricia's mom]

I am in as well !!!

Ready to live it again !!
We had a great time... My only regret is I didn't see enough of my kid.. she rather be in the OL .

 

[jecskc]

I am in as well !!!

Ready to live it again !!
We had a great time... My only regret is I didn't see enough of my kid.. she rather be in the OL .

Hey Janet !! Thanks for stopping by !! Our kids loved the clubs, too. We had to MAKE them come eat with us and do things with us. But, it was really nice when we just got some time alone - which NEVER happens here at home.

 

[pooksma]

Another soon-to-be first timer here. Looking forward to your thoughts.

 

[jecskc]

Friday - April 6, 2012

Day 1 – Part One

Our plan was to leave super early Friday morning. We had considered staying at WDW Thursday night, but we saved 50 DVC points by leaving early Friday. We also considered staying at Pop Century Thursday night to save points, but it was $200 a night because it was peak season. So we just decided to leave early Friday and save the money.

DH works nights so it was nothing to him to drive that early. He went to bed early Thursday night so he would have some sleep. We had the car all packed before he went to bed, so by the time we got up, we would be ready. He woke us up about 3:00 AM and we were on the road by 3:30 AM.
DH likes driving at night because there is less traffic, so he focused on driving while we napped in the car. About 6:30 AM or so, we were all awake and I started taking photos.

DH was happy to have gotten so far in so little time.

DS was ready for some Disney.

DD …. not so much

There …. That is better !!

We stopped somewhere outside of Jacksonville to have breakfast. It was Denny’s and not very good. It was OK, I guess.

After a while, we started seeing signs. So close !!!

And finally ….. “The Sign” The one we all can’t wait to see

Sign for Animal Kingdom Lodge

And we are here !!

DH made it in 6.5 hours. This is a trip that normally takes us 7 to 8 hours. So he was very pleased. We drove to Kidani and parked the car in short term parking.

We entered the amazing lobby

I checked in and they told us our room would be ready with-in the hour. We had planned to go to Animal Kingdom for our park on this day, but when they told us that our room would be ready soon, we decided to hang out there and explore so we could get all of our stuff in the room instead of dragging it with us to the park. So they said they would text when our room was ready. We got our mugs at the gift shop since we were on the dining plan and went out to the observation deck to check and see if any animals were out.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Woo hoo, getting their earlier than expected is always a good thing!