A Not-So-Scary, Food & Wine, Fantastically Fall Week at WDW! *An Oct. 2015 TR***UPDATED 6/16**

[dmlovullo]

WE MADE IT!!
October 3, 2015
Day 1- Part 1

After not such a long distance under the beautiful gates, we had pulled up at Disney's Art of Animation resort!!

I had done online check-in, so I had received a text message on the bus that our room was not ready yet. No biggie! We decided to hit Landscape of Flavors and have some lunch. I had the create-your-own pasta with penne, chicken and shrimp with Alfredo sauce. I also had a chocolate croissant Dan had gotten a burger. We also picked out our Rapid Refill mugs.

It was around 12:30 when we finished and still no room text. We refilled our mugs again and walked around to explore the resort. This was our first time here so we were very excited to take it all in!

We went through to the Cars section...

Then back through the Finding Nemo section...

We made our way over to The Lion King section...

And last but not least, The Little Mermaid Section!

All the details of this resort are just amazing! It is quite unique. We sat by the "Flippin' Fins Pool", since we were staying in The Little Mermaid section, to see if we would get a room ready text, but no luck. I was getting antsy and wanted to get to Magic Kingdom! I changed into my park clothes, we stored our carry-ons with Bell Service, and we headed toward the bus stops! MK Here we come!

(Continued in Next Post...."Away we go, it's a Festival of Fantasy" Day 1, Part 2)​

​

 

[TheLittleKatie]

YAY you made it

You say you know MCO like the back of your hand... HOW?! It is SO confusing Actually I guess I can make my way from the plane to the magical express.. But on the way back, trying to find my way to the gate from the magical express, I ALWAYS get lost

You got some great pictures of Art of Animation, I'm excited to see how your Little Mermaid room looked.

Yessss Magic Kingdom, GO GO GO! No time to lose!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I love the theming around Art of Animation! Its so bright and makes you feel like you are among the movie!

 

[dmlovullo]

YAY you made it

You say you know MCO like the back of your hand... HOW?! It is SO confusing Actually I guess I can make my way from the plane to the magical express.. But on the way back, trying to find my way to the gate from the magical express, I ALWAYS get lost

I am not really sure...maybe it is "Mickey Sense"! LOL! Maybe you get lost when leaving because you secretly want to miss your plane and stay at WDW! haha!

 

[scrpbookr]

YaY! You're there! Can't wait to read more.

 

[scrpbookr]

I love Art of Animation! I've resort hopped there to check it out but haven't stayed there. I know my little guy would love it!

 

[pattyw]

Checking in from Lockport, NY!! Isn't Southwest great?? Low fares to Orlando make it easy to use our Disney AP's a lot and we get to take breaks from the COLD! I love your MNSSHP costumes! We were down there in Sept for the party- but missed F&W by a week. Darn kids and college schedules!

Looking forward to reading more!! especially F&W!

 

[emilyindisney]

Hi Dawn- I'm joining in! Can't wait to hear more about your trip. What a perfect way to start off with enjoying the awesome Disney theme of AoA followed by MK?! Very exciting that you're squeezing in a trip to see the lights!

 

[dmlovullo]

I love Art of Animation! I've resort hopped there to check it out but haven't stayed there. I know my little guy would love it!

It was really cool! My only gripe was that the buses were very insane at the end of the night. More than what I was used to, even from the All-Stars. But the theming was amazing!

Checking in from Lockport, NY!! Isn't Southwest great?? Low fares to Orlando make it easy to use our Disney AP's a lot and we get to take breaks from the COLD! I love your MNSSHP costumes! We were down there in Sept for the party- but missed F&W by a week. Darn kids and college schedules!

Looking forward to reading more!! especially F&W!

Hello fellow WNYer! I love Southwest. I always check to see if the fares are lower elsewhere to save some money, but when you have to pay to check bags on other airlines, you really do not save much. Can't beat 2 free check bags per person, a carry-on, and personal item! I would love to get AP's! We are thinking once our DVC purchase is finalized since there is a bit of a discount. I was there Sept. 17-20th as well with my mom! I love the fall in WDW!

Hi Dawn- I'm joining in! Can't wait to hear more about your trip. What a perfect way to start off with enjoying the awesome Disney theme of AoA followed by MK?! Very exciting that you're squeezing in a trip to see the lights!

Thanks for joining in! We cannot wait for December! 25 days! Magic Bands are on their way!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Awww your pictures of AoA remind me of our trip! I miss that resort! I love the pools there. How did you enjoy lunch? Think my sister ate the exact same pasta as you when she did the make-your-own. She really liked it!
Our room is never ready early so we always tend to leave our stuff with Bell Services to get to the parks! I get antsy when I first arrive at WDW too and need to be at a park!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

Hey Dawn! I'm here and so excited to join you in your TR!! I am all caught up lol..

We took the plunge and are in the process of becoming DVC members! We bought a resale contract with our home resort being AKL! We are super excited at the thought that when we go next year we will be staying in one of the DVC villas!

That is so exciting! My grandparents have had DVC for a long time, so I was always blessed with being able to stay in the great DVC resorts. It is the perfect investment for any Disney fan.

Dan and I stayed at Art of Animation Resort from October 3-9, 2015. We stayed in the Little Mermaid standard rooms.

YAY! I love AOA!!!

We enjoyed MVMCP so much last year to get us in the Christmas spirit, so it was time to take a trip during the fall to celebrate my second favorite holiday, Halloween! We attended MNSSHP and ate our way through WS at Epcot for F&W! We had such a great time...despite the lovely head cold I got while there. But I knew I had to "just keep swimming"...I was in Disney after all! All this and more to come!

Sounds like a great way to spend a trip in WDW. I still have to get there around this time of year for all of the fall festivities!

I interrupt your currently scheduled TR...for a little real life update...that just so happens to be Disney related!

WE HAVE A NEW COUNTDOWN!!! 43 DAYS!!!!!!!

YAY!!!!

My biggest pet peeve with security is the people who do not take their bins off the belt and just leave them there! I do not understand why it is super imperative for people to dress and repack their belongings in line! Why can't they just take their bin to the lovely tables that are provided and get situated? I guess I will never know! LOL!

Gosh I totally feel, people just seem to think that they can do whatever they want....

We waited by the gate until we were able to board. We got "Early-Bird Check-In" where Southwest Airlines will check you in before the twenty-four hour mark and you get "A" boarding most of the time. We liked this a lot this trip because we were able to sit in the fourth row of the plane, making our escape to get to DME that much easier!

Perfect! The quicker to get to Disney - the better!

We waited only about 5-10 minutes. I honestly cannot remember because I was playing along with the trivia on "DME TV". Disney does have a great way of distracting you from the time! We were soon boarding the DME!!

Nice! Not bad at all! And what's great about AoA, is that there is only one other stop, POP, so it's a quick trip! I was so happy about this during my trip!!

After not such a long distance under the beautiful gates, we had pulled up at Disney's Art of Animation resort!!

LOVE

It was around 12:30 when we finished and still no room text. We refilled our mugs again and walked around to explore the resort. This was our first time here so we were very excited to take it all in!

It's always so special the first time you actually see AoA for the first time!

My favorite part of the Nemo section! It makes you feel like you are in the movie.

Love him

All the details of this resort are just amazing! It is quite unique. We sat by the "Flippin' Fins Pool", since we were staying in The Little Mermaid section, to see if we would get a room ready text, but no luck. I was getting antsy and wanted to get to Magic Kingdom! I changed into my park clothes, we stored our carry-ons with Bell Service, and we headed toward the bus stops! MK Here we come!

How exciting! MK on the first day - perfect!

Great updates!!!! Can't wait to read more!!

 

[dmlovullo]

Awww your pictures of AoA remind me of our trip! I miss that resort! I love the pools there. How did you enjoy lunch? Think my sister ate the exact same pasta as you when she did the make-your-own. She really liked it!
Our room is never ready early so we always tend to leave our stuff with Bell Services to get to the parks! I get antsy when I first arrive at WDW too and need to be at a park!

AoA was awesome! All the detail....just wonderful! The Past was very good! I had it a couple times.

They did well with Landscape of Flavors!

I love that the offer that you can store your bags! We always take advantage of it because we are always so eager to get to MK!

Hey Dawn! I'm here and so excited to join you in your TR!! I am all caught up lol..

Thank you for joining in on the adventure!

 

[dmlovullo]

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!


"Away We Go, It's a Festival of Fantasy!"
October 3, 2015
Day 1 Part 2

We made it to the bus stop outside of AoA and got into the MK line. We did not have to wait long, because a bus was approaching after about 5 minutes. We were the only ones in line for the bus and we found it kind of strange, but it was 2PM after all. When we got on the bus and since nobody was on the bus but us, the driver waited for a little while. NO ONE CAME! We had our own private chariot to escort us to MK on our first day in WDW!

it was crazy! Just empty! Hmmm...would this be the only time this trip?

In a few minutes, we were pulling up into the MK bus stops. The famous big band sound of "Mickey Mouse, Mickey Mouse" signaled that we were finally there! I always get super excited when they play the little melody for each park on DTS, but it is magnified about 10 times when we are approaching MK!

We made our way to the front of the park and soon we were gazing at the train station. Oh my goodness! WE ARE HERE!!!

We made our way through bag check, touched Mickey to Mickey at the tapstyles, and proceed past this wonderful sign.

After we left the real world behind and stepped forward towards yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy, we took a slow walk in and up Main Street taking in all the sights and sounds. There is nothing quite like being in MK and hearing the music. It transports you. And then you see the majesty that is Cinderella Castle and you know that no other view will compare to this. Not only does it bring on a slew of memories, but it is the hope for more memories! We stopped and took a few PP+ photos with a really great Main Street photographer.

With 3:00 approaching, I knew that there was something on my to do list...or "Disney Bucket List" for this trip that was coming up! Last year we did not see Festival of Fantasy so we were excited to finally check it out! We scoped out a spot in front of The Bakery....erm....Starbucks and Dan saved our spot while I went on a mission for a tasty, frozen, caffeinated beverage. Nothing like enjoying a delicious mocha frapp on Main Street!

We finished our drinks and soon after the Grand Marshall of the parade was coming by. I absolutely loved FoF and I am so glad that we made sure to see it this trip! The floats were very imaginative and amazingly magical. Every single one! I would post a bunch of FoF pictures...since a took A LOT! But i will spare you a bit by posting my favorite float of them all. The most well thought out and creative...

LOOK AT THAT!!! The spinning wheel is the driving force behind the Maleficent float! Now that is amazing! Disney Imagineering at its finest!

(Continued in Next Post..."Meet Sulley...He is Super Nice I Swear")​

 

[dmlovullo]

"Meet Sulley...He is Super Nice I Swear!"
October 3, 2015
Day 1, Part 3

After shedding tears of magical joy at FoF, I gathered myself and we made our way towards the hub. We explored some of the new gardens and made our way into Tomorrowland. We had a FP+ for Space coming up at 4:50, so in the mean time we headed to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor!

I love this attraction. It is super cute, corny, and funny! All good attributes in my book! They did not use the joke I had text in...again...but Dan was chosen to be the part of Sulley when Sam and Ella (the two headed monster) told the story of Monstropolis! It was super funny! I didn't even snap a picture of Dan on the screen because I was laughing so much! I told him that it was because he has a fuzzy face, and we laughed about it for the rest of the night. I now call him Sulley sometimes out of the blue! (hmm...would he be Sulley just once this trip?)

After laughing it up with Mike Wazowski, we headed for our travels through space!

I love Space Mountain! There is something about not knowing where you are going and being whipped around like crazy that makes me giggle the entire time! Dan always laughs at me.

After an exhilarating journey through space, we decided to hop on the People Mover. Such a relaxing view of the park.

"Paging Mr. Marrow. Mr. Tom Morrow."

After taking a stroll around Tomorrowland, we decided that since we had some time before our Peter Pan FP+, we would take a spin on the Teacups at a Mad Tea Party with Alice. Dan does not do much spiny rides because he gets a touch of motion sickness, so it was a slow spin. I don't want a sick hubby on my hands!

After having a spot of tea, we went deeper into Fantasyland and headed to Philharmagic. I always love this show because not only does it go through about 5 Disney classic films, but it also features Donald Duck! My favorite! He is super cute and funny! After traveling through some classics to help Donald retrieve Mickey's Sorcerers hat, we went to Peter Pan. I still did not get to see the new queue since we had FP+, maybe next time we can go through earlier in the morning. Neverland was awesome as usual, and Peter Pan prevailed!

We were thinking it would be a good time for a snack so we went back into Tomorrowland for one of these babies...

Yummy!

We then decided that we would go and pick up our "Death Certificates" and Gracie Manor.

We made our way back towards Fantasyland stopping to observe the Tangled Inspired restrooms.

We do not discriminate against classic rides, so we hopped on It's a Small World. Then, it was off to work we go...in the mines (in the mines)! Our Seven Dwarfs Mine Train FP+ was here. We like riding it much better at night.

By this time we were super, super tired! We had been up since 4AM and we were running low on energy. It was EMH this night to, and shamefully we headed back to the bus at 11PM...instead of staying until 3AM. I was really upset that I could not just get it together and last the rest of the night, but we had another night at MK with EMH and did not want to start off the trip exhausted. So we headed back to our room. It took forever to get on a bus back to AoA and it was not until 12:30AM that we made it to our room door.

I went to open the door...red blinky light! WHAT!! NOOOOOOO!
Dan went to open the door....red blinky light! WHAT! NOOOOOOO!!!!

So we began the trek back to the main building from The Little Mermaid section. We were good to go within moments and then had to trek all the way back.

I went to open the door....GREEN LIGHT! WE ARE IN!!!

We quickly explored the room, but very soon after, we were falling asleep to Stacey telling us the "Must Do's".

(Stay Tuned for Day 2..."There Doesn't Seem to be Any Track")
​

 

[chunkymonkey]

OMG I love your first day! It reminded me of ours this year! We also got an empty bus when going to a park! And seeing everything again...feels like the first time!

Your t-shirts are really cute!

LOVE the ride pics. You two know how to have fun! I am going to check out getting an FP+ for7DMT at night. I think the ride pictures comes out much better!

Think you left at a good time. I would be soooo tired after travelling and going to the parks all the way to EMH. I don't think I could have done it all the way to 3am either. Well, maybe my sister could. LOL

Can't wait to read more!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

After we left the real world behind and stepped forward towards yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy, we took a slow walk in and up Main Street taking in all the sights and sounds. There is nothing quite like being in MK and hearing the music. It transports you. And then you see the majesty that is Cinderella Castle and you know that no other view will compare to this. Not only does it bring on a slew of memories, but it is the hope for more memories! We stopped and took a few PP+ photos with a really great Main Street photographer.

All of this is so true. Perfectly said. And I love the PP picture - you two are adorable! And I love the shirts!

We finished our drinks and soon after the Grand Marshall of the parade was coming by. I absolutely loved FoF and I am so glad that we made sure to see it this trip! The floats were very imaginative and amazingly magical. Every single one! I would post a bunch of FoF pictures...since a took A LOT! But i will spare you a bit by posting my favorite float of them all. The most well thought out and creative...

This parade is just too amazing! And yes I love the dragon float as well! And you got the perfect shot too - fire breakthing and everything

I love this attraction. It is super cute, corny, and funny! All good attributes in my book! They did not use the joke I had text in...again...but Dan was chosen to be the part of Sulley when Sam and Ella (the two headed monster) told the story of Monstropolis! It was super funny! I didn't even snap a picture of Dan on the screen because I was laughing so much! I told him that it was because he has a fuzzy face, and we laughed about it for the rest of the night. I now call him Sulley sometimes out of the blue! (hmm...would he be Sulley just once this trip?)

How awesome your hubby got picked!!!

We were thinking it would be a good time for a snack so we went back into Tomorrowland for one of these babies...

Yum! Perfect MK treat!

We do not discriminate against classic rides, so we hopped on It's a Small World. Then, it was off to work we go...in the mines (in the mines)! Our Seven Dwarfs Mine Train FP+ was here. We like riding it much better at night.

One of my new favorite rides!!! I have never ridden it at night though...definitely on my Must do list for the future!

I went to open the door...red blinky light! WHAT!! NOOOOOOO!
Dan went to open the door....red blinky light! WHAT! NOOOOOOO!!!!

So we began the trek back to the main building from The Little Mermaid section. We were good to go within moments and then had to trek all the way back.

I went to open the door....GREEN LIGHT! WE ARE IN!!!

AHHH! It is never good when Mickey won't open up the room right away. Glad you finally got in after a fun and exciting day!

 

[emilyindisney]

Laugh Floor can be under appreciated, glad you guys had a good laugh! Enjoyed your picture on Space- looks like you're having a ton of fun!

 

[TheLittleKatie]

Yay updates! Sorry I'm late!

I totally just played the big band Mickey Mouse song from the bus in my head and it made me all warm and fuzzy
Love your dragon picture, it's maybe even more dramatic against the grey sky! And the spinning wheel - so cool! Never noticed that before!

I'm so glad Dan was chosen at the Laugh Floor!!! That must have been hilarious.
I also love how you're doing the exact same thing in your Space Mountain photo and 7DMT photo

Sounds like such a fun day

 

[dmlovullo]

Hello everyone!! Sorry about such a long delay! I hope to resume soon! We have been super busy with the Holidays and our mini trip. Hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season and have a very Magical New Year!

 

[NittanyKK]

I just stumbled upon your TR and got caught up... We were there in mid-late October last year! I absolutely loved all of the Halloween activities and especially the parade/fireworks!

And I love that you got engaged there. My trip in October was extra special because my now fiancé proposed there! I have a special place in my heart for Disney engagements...

Yay Magic Kingdom!! I had a good laugh when you mentioned giggling on Space Mountain. I love the faster rides at Disney but I really can't stop myself from giggling like a maniac on them!! At least it seems to provide humor for others on the ride.

Excited to hear more about your trip!