7 AM Extra Magic Hours? We're in!...NEW 12/27 p. 31

[wdwgirl03]

Hahaha, good choice holding the parasol. It kinda matches your outfit anyway! I mean, at least it's purple.

The Sorcerer's game sounds pretty cool! It probably wouldn't be something I'd want to play over and over, but it still looks like it'd be fun to try at least once.

Aw, I love Disney nostalgia. It's a shame that yall can't stay there because it isn't DVC!

haha, I know, right? That's why I chose the purple girl.

I enjoyed the game. But I think the best part is getting the cards. They're so cute!

Well, technically we can stay at the Polynesian on DVC points. There are some non-DVC resorts in what they call the "Disney Collection" (the Polynesian and Yacht Club are the 2 I can think of off the top of my head) where you can use points, but it's not worth it because you need to use a lot more points per night. But maybe some day they'll build DVC units there. I keep saying, now that they're adding DVC to the Grand Floridian they might as well just go ahead and finish off the monorail loop and add it to the Poly too!

for being able to do so much before noon.

The castle pics are beautiful

You've never had a Dole Whip?! How is that possible? (personally I'm not a huge fan of them but it is something you mus try once)

Nice update

It was amazing how much we were able to do. Gotta love beating the crowds!

No, I am ashamed to admit I have never had a dole whip. I always say I'm going to but then never get around to it. Hopefully on the next trip.

I love how the Easter Bunny was your longest wait!!

I hear mixed reviews of the Sorcerers game. It seems some people don't like it because, like you said, some people take FOREVER at the portal and then you can see what happens before you get your turn.

Beautiful pictures of the Poly. We have yet to stay there, but WILL someday!

It was pretty funny that the longest we waited was to meet a character. Oh well, I'm not complaining!

The Polynesian is amazing. I really hope to stay there again some day myself! I just love it.

Wow!! I can't believe how much you got accomplished that morning!! That's great!! Definitely a reason to love those EMH mornings!!!

Beautiful castle pics!!

It sure is!

Thank you!

You sure are doing a lot on Easter.
Remember I thought you were at the Poly on Tuesday evening, because you were posting on Facebook?

Glad Disney is being "green" and at least bringing some Easter things back. I remember being there 2 years ago on Easter, and there was absolutely nothing going on, except for a few egg hunts at various resorts.


Love Main Street Bakery-you can get an ice cream cookie that are the best.

Yeah, I posted that picture a couple days later I think.

According to the Easter activity sheet in our room they had the candy hunt and character greetings at the Boardwalk. But we were already at the MK when that started! I do remember when my sisters and I were younger we participated in a couple of the candy scrambles at the Polynesian.

I would have waited for the Easter Bunnies too! They are so cute.

What! you didn't wear your pastel dress to the park that morning??

I really need to get to a EMH!

LOL no, but I wore a pastel pink t-shirt.

YES you do! EMH are great.

It is so worth it to get up early and tour the park. So many rides in such a short time. Then you are able to slow down and enjoy the day without the stress of lines.

What a fun Easter day. And the weather looks so beautiful too.

I definitely agree. That's why we love taking advantage of the EMH so often.

The weather was perfect the entire trip!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Happy Mother's Day to all the DIS moms out there! Hope you all had a good day.

Now a quick TR update because I've been slacking again.

Sunday, April 8, 2012 cont'd (part 4)

As I mentioned in the last update, we took the bus from the Polynesian to Hollywood Studios and then walked back to the Boardwalk from there. We took a short break in our room (might have went out on the balcony for a while to see what was going on ) before heading over to the Animal Kingdom. The plan was to get there shortly after the parade started because in the past, we've always found that the crowds really start to clear out once the parade is over.

Well, pretty much as soon as we got to the bus stop, one for the Animal Kingdom pulled up. So we arrived at DAK a lot quicker than we thought.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love this park? We quickly got through the bag check and turnstiles and found ourselves in the Oasis. How can you not love this? It's just so peaceful and lush.

We stopped to see if we could spot any animals but didn't come across anything other than a couple parrots.

I remember too, that we ended up following a different path than we usually do. Normally we pretty much just go straight through to Discovery Island, but at some point we went toward the left. Obviously all the paths eventually lead you to the same place but it was sort of fun taking a different one for a change.

Because we got to the park faster than we thought, we ended up getting caught up in parade traffic, right near the end of the route. Not a big deal. I always enjoy the Jammin' Jungle Parade. It has a special place in my heart because of the time our family got to ride on the car with Mickey a few years ago. So it's always fun watching the guests who were chosen to be in it knowing that we got to experience that once too.

As we were standing there, I spotted this cute little giraffe. Love those DAK details!

The beginning of the parade at the end of the parade route!

"Are you ready for the party?"

Aww, there's the float we got to ride on!

And Mickey Mouse!

Once the parade ended, it was off to Africa for an afternoon safari!

 

[dawnbu40]

I am so jealous that you have been in the parade! I have been going to Disney World for 40 years and always dreamed of that! What a wonderful memory for your family to have

Great parade pics! I love the AK parade, everything is so cute!

 

[IheartDDuck]

That is totally cool that you've been in the parade before! Like Dawn, the number of times I've been there, I've really never been picked for anything.

 

[marDgreen88]

AHHH I LOVE ANIMAL KINGDOM TOO. I can't help but wonder why it's the least popular! It's so weird to me.

Wow, I don't think I've ever noticed that giraffe before! How precious. DISNEY DETAILS!

Jammin' Jungle was the first Disney parade I ever saw! I LOVE IT.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I like your plan of hitting AK after the crowds leave!

We have been in that parade too, SO fun! I always hope we get picked again.

 

[Angies1274]

Love your parade pics!! We haven't seen the parade yet at DAK. It looks really cute though...maybe I can try and squeeze it in this summer.

 

[Maestra99]

Lovely photos of the Poly! I must stay there some day!

That's so cool that you got to be in the parade. The Jammin' Jungle parade is so much fun; I love it! The floats and costumes are so creative and interesting to look at.

I love the girls in the pretty dresses. Reminds me of a spring festival we have in my hometown where girls sit on beautifully landscaped lawns in the "old part" of town, all decked out in similar dresses and parasols. People drive by to wave and see all the pretty flowers...it's very "southern belle!"

Enjoyed your updates!

 

[Caretames1]

I really love the Jungle parade! I think it's so colorful and the music is so fun!


I am really looking forward to seeing AK again, we haven't been in that park since Jan 2011!

 

[MHTeacher]

Great picture of you and your dad with the Easter bunny!

I loved seeing your pics of the Poly. Can't wait to be there again !

 

[Nermel9]

The parade at AK looks so adorable, and yet, I've never seen it! I really have to try to see it on my next trip! That must have been fun to be in it!

 

[xoktenox]

Ok just got caught up on your last 2 updates!

Love the picture with the festive parasol girls!

That is funny that your longest wait wasn't even for a ride, but for the bunnies!

I love how much you love AK! I think it's such an underrated park and I've grown to love it so much more over the past few years. Beautiful!

So cool that you've been a part of the AK parade...I hope we get some pixie dust like that on our honeymoon

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Joining in!

We are staying at BW in Dec for the first time and we are super excited!

Cant believe how much you guys got done at MK during EMH! We will be at MK on Christmas Eve and they are having am EMH that day and you can best believe we will be there...and fingers crossed we can get half of what you accomplished done in that time

 

[wdwgirl03]

I am so jealous that you have been in the parade! I have been going to Disney World for 40 years and always dreamed of that! What a wonderful memory for your family to have

Great parade pics! I love the AK parade, everything is so cute!

It is still one of my favorite memories of all time. It was just so unexpected. I thought when the CM started talking to us she was just being friendly...never would've guessed she would ask us to ride in the parade.

That is totally cool that you've been in the parade before! Like Dawn, the number of times I've been there, I've really never been picked for anything.

haha, that's about the only time we've been picked for anything. I always get a little jealous when people talk about getting free upgrades and stuff. I guess I shouldn't though, considering we're in DVC.

AHHH I LOVE ANIMAL KINGDOM TOO. I can't help but wonder why it's the least popular! It's so weird to me.

Wow, I don't think I've ever noticed that giraffe before! How precious. DISNEY DETAILS!

Jammin' Jungle was the first Disney parade I ever saw! I LOVE IT.

I know, right?! Maybe you just have to like animals to appreciate it.

I had never noticed the giraffe either. It's things like that that make visiting the parks even more fun.

I like your plan of hitting AK after the crowds leave!

We have been in that parade too, SO fun! I always hope we get picked again.

haha, me too. I doubt it'll happen but I can dream!

Love your parade pics!! We haven't seen the parade yet at DAK. It looks really cute though...maybe I can try and squeeze it in this summer.

You should try to catch the parade sometime. It's a lot of fun and the music is pretty catchy too.

Lovely photos of the Poly! I must stay there some day!

That's so cool that you got to be in the parade. The Jammin' Jungle parade is so much fun; I love it! The floats and costumes are so creative and interesting to look at.

I love the girls in the pretty dresses. Reminds me of a spring festival we have in my hometown where girls sit on beautifully landscaped lawns in the "old part" of town, all decked out in similar dresses and parasols. People drive by to wave and see all the pretty flowers...it's very "southern belle!"

Enjoyed your updates!

I LOVE the Polynesian! Hopefully you'll get to stay there some day. It'll always be one of my favorite resorts.

I agree, and the performers always seem to have such a good time. Must be fun to be in a parade as a job!

Glad you liked the updates. Next one is coming up...

I really love the Jungle parade! I think it's so colorful and the music is so fun!


I am really looking forward to seeing AK again, we haven't been in that park since Jan 2011!

I agree! When we were riding in the parade it was hard not to get into it. LOL.

WHAT?!?! Well you better make up for that on this next trip considering how long you'll be there. haha

Great picture of you and your dad with the Easter bunny!

I loved seeing your pics of the Poly. Can't wait to be there again !

Thank you.

Ahhh I'm so jealous you're staying there. Take me with you!

The parade at AK looks so adorable, and yet, I've never seen it! I really have to try to see it on my next trip! That must have been fun to be in it!

haha yes, you should try to see it.

Ok just got caught up on your last 2 updates!

Love the picture with the festive parasol girls!

That is funny that your longest wait wasn't even for a ride, but for the bunnies!

I love how much you love AK! I think it's such an underrated park and I've grown to love it so much more over the past few years. Beautiful!

So cool that you've been a part of the AK parade...I hope we get some pixie dust like that on our honeymoon

I know, it was so great being able to walk right on to pretty much everything. It made waiting for the Easter bunny easier.

I'm sure you'll get lots of pixie dust on your honeymoon.

Joining in!

We are staying at BW in Dec for the first time and we are super excited!

Cant believe how much you guys got done at MK during EMH! We will be at MK on Christmas Eve and they are having am EMH that day and you can best believe we will be there...and fingers crossed we can get half of what you accomplished done in that time

Welcome!

How exciting you are going to be staying at the BW. You will love it.

Oh boy, Christmas Eve should be crazy! But yeah, if you get there early you should be able to do a lot (and if they open at 7:00, I seriously say go for that!).

 

[wdwgirl03]

Happy Friday everyone!! I just finished up my last full week of the school year. Can't believe how fast this year went. I feel like we just started! Anyway, it's time to wrap up our first full park day...

Sunday, April 8, 2012 cont'd (part 5)

Once the parade had ended we were able to make our way into Africa. We weren't the only ones heading toward the safari, but the wait still wasn't too bad-maybe 10 minutes tops. Our safari driver was a younger girl (maybe a CP?) and she was pretty enthusiastic which made the ride more fun. Plus, we got to see quite a few animals. As always, I'll let the pictures do the talking:

"I SEE A GIRAFFE!"

Thank god I was on the left side of the jeep because two of them were walking right by us. So awesome! It never fails, whenever we go on the safari I end up taking a ton of pictures of the giraffes. I can't help it, they are so pretty and graceful and when they're SO close...amazing is all I can say.

My other favorite is the elephant, and we saw a bunch of them too.

Why do I feel like most of my elephants pictures are of their backsides? LOL.

Atleast I got one decent picture.

Cheetahs! I remember the driver saying how she saw these two and then some kid shouted out he saw a couple more to which she replied "You have better eyes than I do!"

We got a slight peek at the male lion. Better than usual but still nothing will compare to our trip last April when we saw both the male and female out on the rocks. That spoiled me forever now.

But, that's not to say it still wasn't a great safari. I could ride the safari all day. LOVE IT.

Next we decided to go visit the gorillas. We saw a couple, but no Lily (that's not to say she didn't make an appearance later in our trip...).

I don't have any pictures but we were also able to do Expedition Everest (single rider line, of course) and Dinosaur. And I think for the first time EVER I did not close my eyes once. Not even at the big freaky one at the end. This is quite an accomplishment for me seeing as I usually scream even though I know it's coming.

For dinner Dad suggested we go to the Flame Tree Barbecue. On the way there I must've gotten this random shot of the Tree of Life.

Dad got the ribs and I got a turkey sandwich. I know Dad enjoyed the ribs and my sandwich was OK. It had some strange cranberry mayonnaise (or something like that) on it, which I think we realized once we ordered. I figured whatever, it can't be that bad. And it wasn't-but I can't say I really cared for it. It was almost too sweet for my liking. Oh well.

We also had some friends join us to eat.

There was that bird and also some ducks kept walking under the table and my feet which sort of creeped me out.

Once we were done with our dinner we made a quick stop in the gift shop and headed out for the night.

Later on in the evening, we were able to enjoy Illuminations from our balcony. Yep, we pretty much got to see this every single night. The pictures are not the greatest, but still, you get the idea. Pretty great, isn't it?

So overall, it was a very successful Easter/first park day. We couldn't have asked for a better start to our trip!

up next: Hollywood Studios and an unexpected DIS meet!

 

[Pinkocto]

What a wonderful day!

I didn't even think about the fact that you'd have that view at night of the fireworks. That is very very neat.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Wow, you really did have a great seat on the safari. You got some great pictures.

I think that elephants think their butts are cute, which is why they always want you to take pictures of them.

Oh to be on the balcony of the Boardwalk to watch fireworks right now....

 

[jwwi]

Hi Sarah, you are so lucky to have finished up your last full week of the school year. And with the weather being so nice, I'm sure it is hard to keep the kids on task.

Your safari pictures are really good, I also like the giraffes. It is fun to try to get a good picture of them. EE is my favorite ride at AK, but I do also like the park in general. So different from the other parks.

What a great view you had of the Epcot fireworks, how fun to see them while relaxing on your balcony. I would think that is one of the highlights of the resort location and room view. I almost think I could enjoy just staying at the Boardwalk without visiting a park. It is so beautiful, day and night!

R u watching Donald Driver on Dancing with the Stars? If not, don't miss it next week, it has been fun to watch him dance. I loved to see Aaron, Clay and the coach last week, wonder who will show up this week?

have a great weekend

 

[Nermel9]

Great safari pics! I love giraffes, and the cheetahs are so pretty!

Mmm, the Flame Tree BBQ is so good! I'd love to try the ribs there someday, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about gnawing on some ribs in the middle of a park!

Yay, Illluminations! I remember in October, we were leaving the Boardwalk and I saw Illuminations in the parking lot, it was so cool!

 

[Maestra99]

You got some great animal shots! I love the giraffes, too, and I'm always amazed at how close some of the animals can get sometimes.

Mmmmm...love me some Flame Tree BBQ!

Congrats on finishing up the school year!