It Doesn't Matter 'Bout the Car I Drive or the Ice Around My Neck
We were already on Disney property, but apparently I forgot to post a picture of the welcome sign. I was wondering why I didn't have any for the last update! Has anyone else noticed that the color of the ground changes as you approach the arches? You can see it very clearly in this photo that Howard took. I wonder if it was done on purpose to make the sign more attractive or something.
Anyway, the last part update ended with my creeper picture of the plane family getting off Magical Express for Art of Animation. I love just how close Pop Century is. The first time we were dropped off there, I was amazed that they were literally right next to each other! I mean, I know that Pop was supposed to be a larger resort, but they made the other decades into AoA instead, but there really is no beating seeing these things in real life. And as much as I L-O-V-E Pop, I have to say that AoA has a much better sign. I love the colors of it!
We got off the bus and when we went through those automatic doors, I felt so welcomed as if we were home! I commented to Howard that despite this being our second stay there, I had a feeling we still wouldn't take the time to look at the shadow boxes on the wall! And what do ya know? That was true. Oh well! I guess we'll just have to head on back there soon!
Checking in took a little longer than normal. I realized that I completely forgot to do online check-in beforehand. Whoops! Oh well, it's not as if we wouldn't be able to check in at all! The reason why it took a little longer though was because our room was out in the middle of nowhere even though Jennifer (Jennifer48) had put in the room request to be as close to the bus stop as possible. I was willing to wait for a room if it meant being closer for the rest of the week. With my vasovagal syncope and the doctor's orders to stay off my feet for extended periods of time, it's important to at least not be in the boondocks. I know being at Disney, staying off my feet doesn't really happen, but we do sit as much as we can. I'm also aware of the feelings before I feel faint, so hopefully fainting at WDW is just a one-time deal, haha. I know my case is not as severe as others though. When I read Taylor's TR (tayalltheway) and how he too has vasoavagal, I felt a sense of camaraderie even though I think my case isn't as bad. I feel that people don't quite understand what it's like being hit with that dizziness. It's the same way that I know my having headaches is not the same as someone having a migraine. So to somewhat help the situation, we just waited for a closer room.
I did think it was fun when Howard had to sign the paper and whereas other people write an x on the signature line, the CM put a Mickey head instead.
I had to also take a picture of the form too because I had never read it and saw something rather interesting. In the second paragraph, you can read the following: "Neither I nor anyone occupying any resort accommodation have/has any intention of making, and will never make, this resort accommodation a legal domacile or principal dwelling. My/our legal domicile is and shall forever be outside the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort." I thought it was kind of funny!
Since we had to wait for a possible new room, we took a quick picture of where we were checking in, which was by the pictures from the 1950's. Often times I think I should have lived during the '50s! I know there were stressful situations in every decade, but I would have loved to have lived during simpler times. I mean, even the differences between now and the '90s are huge!
Bowling? Hula hooping? Drive-in movies? Soda shops? Yes please! And can I just say that I love the fashion of the 1950s? The tight waist that then opens out into a modest A-line skirt? I'm so in! Even now when I look for dresses to buy, I am drawn to that look. I definitely have a few dresses in that style. I'm not at all interested in what's popular right now. I'm the kind of person who doesn't really change what I like very often. Case in point? I feel that jean jackets are getting popular now as girls wear them with maxi dresses and stuff. I've been wearing my denim jacket with my dresses and skirts to church since the LAST time they were popular, haha. Anyway, regardless of the style changes that happen, I will always be wishing I could wear a dress in the '50s style as I go out on a date to the local soda shop where I might share a milkshake with my sweetheart.
While we waited, Howard pointed out the person next to us who was checking in. I didn't realize what was happening, so he had to explain it to me. The guy was speaking in Spanish while the CM was speaking in English! They were on the phone with a translator, so there were pauses in their conversation. I thought that was pretty amazing to witness.
VIDEO: Walking to Our Room at Pop
By the way, in the video I call the backpack "pack-pack." It might come up later on during the trip as well. Before my mom became a para for an individual kid, she used to help out in the Pre-K class at my school. There was a little girl there who called her bag a "pack-pack," and ever since then, my mom and I sometimes still refer to it as such! Oh, and one other random thing is that the kids next door never gave us issues with noise or anything like that.
Finally we were able to get our room number, and we could head to it right away! From our window, we could see the bridge that leads to Art of Animation, so we were at a really good location. I enjoy the option of taking either the Pop or AoA bus when returning from a park. Because of my vasovagal syncope, I'd much rather take a longer walk after a bus ride than have to stand still while waiting for the next bus to come. I don't have to worry about feeling sick, and who doesn't love viewing all the wonders of the Finding Nemo characters at AoA?
Despite getting to our room, we didn't know what to do! I know, I know. We're in Disney World, and we have nothing to do? I took that opportunity to tweet a bit.
Twitter: Landed at 11:40am, ate Chik-fil-A, and now we're in the room waiting for luggage.
Twitter: We totally should have kept some Vinylmation and pins in our backpacks! We just had so much room in our luggage and our bags were heavy!
Twitter: They no longer do Vinylmation trading at Pop Century!!! What?!?
Twitter: Making some last minute ADRs at Sanaa! No shrimp in green curry, but we still love their bread service!
As you can see, we felt that we couldn't go anywhere without our Vinylmation and pins! I know it sounds so silly, but I didn't want to see a great pin that I couldn't trade for. I was also thinking that the luggage would be delivered sooner rather than later, so we decided to wait. I was also feeling extremely thirsty, so Howard ended up calling for our Staples order. Disney vacations are expensive on their own, so I didn't see the need to go buy a drink from Everything Pop when our drink order was on property.
I went online with Howard's laptop and the free wifi while Howard took a few pictures in the room.
I love the scent of the soaps because I'm a fan of anything citrus. At Bath & Body Works, my favorite body care scents have citrus in them like White Citrus and Capri Seaside Citrus. In the warmer months, I love the lighter, fruity candles too. My favorite one is Pomelo Grapefruit. Considering all of that, it made me happy to see the H2O was "blushing orange"! It isn't a very strong scent though like the BBW items, so if you're not a fan, it will fade and doesn't really have staying power. I do take the extra soaps and bring them home to use every once in a while like when we go to our church's retreat and have to bring soap.
This is definitely before I take Clorox wipes and disinfect all the surfaces. Have you ever seen those behind-the-scenes specials about how hotels clean (or don't clean) the rooms? So gross! I'd like to think Disney is not like that, but even so, I feel it's important to wipe everything down anyway because I'm so prone to getting sick. I'm the teacher who wipes down the desks with wipes every once in a while even though they're supposedly cleaned by maintenance.
I found this picture funny because if you didn't know any better, I look like a teenager just hanging out on her bed, wasting her time on the computer! You wouldn't think I'm a 29-year old in DISNEY WORLD.
I don't think I saw all of Howard's picture from this trip yet, but I'm going to predict that there are going to be many more light fixtures ahead of us!
The weather outside was just absolutely perfect! We went from having to wear layers back in NY since it was January to the beautiful sunshine!
We basically just hung out and rested ... and were kind of impatient as we waited for our things! As you saw in the tweets above, we did try to get an ADR at Sanaa, but it ended up that we couldn't get one. I saw it online, but then there were issues, so Howard called the number. By then, it was gone. Oh well! We'd definitely have to make different dinner plans, but they were totally worth it too.
Okay, what to do until then?
I just hate airports and would never spend more time inside than I possible have to! 
Glad you were able to find a location that suited you. The view over to AoA is so nice! Love it! 
