A Private Dance with Cinderella... Our Surprise Trip Jan 2011 (completed 7/18!)

[MadilynnsMomma]

Waiver had been read and is signed - tagging along! We are doing a surprise trip for October! I am sure my DD will act the same as yours!

Happy Dance I am so ready for this TR. I love to laugh, laughing is my favorite and I know you will bring on the funny.

A long lost DIS friend - coming over to your TR and PTR!

 

[BigTex71]

Thank you all for the kind comments.

Getting ready to post the next chapter...

 

[BigTex71]

January 28, 2011 – Day 1 (cont’d)

Does cheaper flight + cheaper car rental offset longer drive? That was the $64,000 question.

However, I didn’t realize how much longer a drive it was from the Tampa airport to Disney property, as opposed to the Orlando airport. I had heard others say it takes about 45 minutes from Orlando airport to Disney property, and Tampa is about an hour. Using that information, surely Tampa is the way to go, right? [Uh, don’t call me surely (or Shirley.)] Looking back, I realize the 45 minutes from Orlando airport must have been talking about some type of rush hour traffic, during major road construction, or pulling over for a short nap on the way. I live in the metro area that was just named “worst commute in the country” by some magazine – I don’t know which. I am used to driving in traffic. I am used to ‘rush hour’ meaning 6am – 10am and 3pm – 7pm. And the 'about an hour' from Tampa must have been someone with a DeLorean and a Flux Capacitor. Knowing what I know now, we will stick with the Orlando airport from now on.

Here is a little time line for you to show why:

8:05pm – flight arrives at Tampa International
8:15pm – flight arrives at gate
8:25pm – get off flight
8:50pm – pull rental car up at arrival area to load family and luggage
8:58pm – start driving to condo
9:15pm – DD asleep in car seat, realize we didn’t eat dinner
9:21pm – go through McDonald’s drive thru, sit in parking lot eating while DD sleeps
9:33pm – back on I-4 East towards Orlando
11:01pm – stop at Super Target (near condo) for supplies; realize Super Target closes at 11pm
11:06pm – stop at Publix for supplies; realize Publix closes at 11pm
11:11pm – stop at 24hr Wal*Mart for supplies; realize 24hr Wal*Mart closes at 11pm (not really, I went in for supplies while DW, DD, and DS slept in van)
11:35pm – drive to condo
11:45pm – arrive at condo
12:05am – finish unloading luggage and supplies (by myself while DW, DS, and DD sleep in condo)
12:55am – finish unpacking most items and finally get to lay down to sleep, prepared to wake up at 6:45am to get ready for RD at MK

Now that I found out (through my Universal Orlando training for my travel business) Universal offers a package with a one day 'park hopper' pass with free transportation to/from a Disney resort – we will be avoiding the car rental altogether and stay on Disney property next time. The condo was very nice, clean, spacious, and great… but we really missed the Disney buses from the Disney resorts. And we missed being dropped off right near the entrance to Magic Kingdom. And we missed being able to easily and conveniently take an afternoon break back at the room without the following: loading on ferry boat/monorail to the TTC, loading on tram to parking area, walking to parking space, getting loaded into van, drive to condo, unload and break, load back up and drive back to TTC, loading on tram, loading on ferry boat/monorail to Magic Kingdom. When staying at the resort it is short and sweet (like me): hop on bus to resort; break; hop on bus to MK.

In conclusion to the whole off site condo thing: the condo was great, but the logistics didn’t fit our family situation well. When you only spend time away from the parks to sleep, shower, and get ready to go back to the parks – all the space the condo affords goes to waste. It did come in handy when we left early one night and used the pool, but the Disney resorts have pools, too. We would have been just fine with a value or moderate resort instead with less overall hassle for us. That is why we are already looking into a return trip with an on-site stay this summer (DW feels guilty for recommending an off-site condo. Should I tell her that it was my idea? Nah, I’ll let her think… wait, she will be reading this eventually. Honey, disregard the previous two sentences, OK?) Overall it was a great vacation with the condo and rental car, but we really got spoiled by the on-site resorts the last few times we have been.

In the next chapter: MK day and a magical moment for DD! (And I will start putting in photos from the trip - and maybe more video.)

 

[PapaMouse_]

Just like your PTR, your TR is shaping up to be both informative and humorous. And, BTW - I am laughing with you not at you. I have this keystone cop type silent movie running through my head as you go through the trials and tribulations of shuttling the family between park and condo and back.

Keep up the great TR. Loving it!!!

 

[natebenma]

Thanks for the Universal PH thingy info. I think our next trip will be a Disney/US split trip. Really jonesing to see Harry Potter World.

Thanks for the honest assessment of the flight into Tampa and offsite condo decisions. Having first hand experience will really help you to understand the pros and pitfalls of these options and share them with your future clients.

 

[BigTex71]

Just like your PTR, your TR is shaping up to be both informative and humorous. And, BTW - I am laughing with you not at you. I have this keystone cop type silent movie running through my head as you go through the trials and tribulations of shuttling the family between park and condo and back.

Keep up the great TR. Loving it!!!

Thanks!

The Keystone Cops is a great analogy. It ran more of a Benny Hill soundtrack in my mind.

Thanks for the Universal PH thingy info. I think our next trip will be a Disney/US split trip. Really jonesing to see Harry Potter World.

Be mindful, you can only get that Universal park hopper w/ free round trip transfers through a travel agent. So make use of your favorite agent (or PM me for my email - I don't think I am allowed to spam my email on the boards.)

 

[BigTex71]

Thanks for the honest assessment of the flight into Tampa and offsite condo decisions. Having first hand experience will really help you to understand the pros and pitfalls of these options and share them with your future clients.

DW and I discussed that side of it. I can highly recommend staying on-site to potential clients and list some supporting experiences, if needed.

 

[BigTex71]

Well, I had hoped to get another chapter posted today, but we got busy with other stuff today - including running numbers for various summer vacation destinations. After looking into a cruise out of Galveston, a beach vacation in Destin or Pensacola, Canada destinations, Yellowstone National Park, Disneyland and/or Legoland, Seaworld, San Diego, etc - we decided we may go back to WDW at the end of July! Woo Hoo!
*EDIT* We decided on a trip to San Antonio for Six Flags, SeaWorld, and water parks. *

I learned something interesting today doing all that research - from the Dallas/Ft Worth area, you get a lot more bang from your buck going to Walt Disney World than Disneyland. For some reason I thought it would be cheaper for Disneyland.

 

[disneyaddicted]

I'll attempt to describe it for the connectivity-challenged:
Connectivity challenged? Thank you for keeping it politically correct. I'm used to being referred to as the dial up loser.

That was a nice description of the play of events, thank you so much, I really did feel like the story wouldn't flow right for me if I didn't have the full details.

Hi Dis friend

BigTex, My DH and I were just talking today about possibley staying off property on our next trip (years away) but after reading your breakdown on the off property travel to and from the parks, I think we stay on property, we were thinking an off property stay for the sake of saving money, but we really do prefer to pay extra for the hassel freeness. Thanks for posting that.

 

[afwdwfan]

Great updates! I really like the video. Can't beat the carefree attitude that DD had about everything.

That was a brave decision flying into Tampa instead of Orlando. Definitely chalk that one up to experience to advise your future clients. I look forward to seeing more.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Just catching up...

YouTube is blocked here, so I can't see the video. If I remember I'll try and check back later. Sounds like a fun way to spring the surprise, though! And do you have any food left over, because some of us are getting hungry...

Was there a lot of traffic coming up from Tampa? For some reason, I remember doing that drive in about an hour before. Maybe it's my lead foot?

In any case, I couldn't agree more about staying on-site. I know it's cheaper off-site and I'm sure there are some great places, but being in a Disney resort is part of the magic for us.

 

[trennr]

Loved DS reaction...

Really...Really...still minutes later....Really!!!

 

[BigTex71]

Chapter 3: We dance, we kiss, we schmooze, we carry on, we go home happy. What do you say? Come on.

January 29, 2011 – Day 2 (MK Day)

I saw the winning numbers for the Mega Millions jackpot were sold in Texas. Wait… I spent $2 on a Mega Millions ticket the night before we left Texas to start our family vacation to The World. What the heck, let’s check to see what city sold the winning ticket. After a few keystrokes I saw the winning ticket was sold in Watauga, Texas. Hmmm. The RaceTrac I stopped at to fuel up the van before we left (and purchased the lotto ticket) was in Watauga. My heart starts pounding and my hands start to tremble a little. Where did I put that ticket? It’s in my wallet. I quickly reach for my wallet like Han drawing down on Greedo. I fumble around and finally pull out the ticket to check the numbers. The first thing I always look at is the Mega Ball. “8”. I look at the luminescent screen that is currently lighting up the otherwise darkened room with an eerie bluish-white tinge. The Mega Ball numbers match, according to the trusty Lotto results web page I had surfed to. Cool, I won at least my $2 back. I glance at the winning numbers, as told by said website… “4, 15, 16, 23, 42.” I look at my ticket, squinting to make out the numbers through the glow of the artificial lighting source. “4, 15, 16, 23, 42.” OH MY GAWD! I start trembling uncontrollably. I look again, check the dates. Is this really happening?! Yes, after checking 5 times I have verified - I just won over 100 MILLION DOLLARS! The first thought I have is like I just won the Super Bowl… “you just won 100 million dollars, what are you going to do now?” DUH! “I am going to Disney World!” I immediately start hearing a ringing in my ears. My vision starts getting blurry. Is this the end? Am I having some type of deathly heart attack at my ultimate moment? What irony. Wait, that is not ironic… just a really morbid coincidence. The ringing grows louder and LOUDER! “beep!…Beep!!…BEEP!!!”

Suddenly I realize I am not dying. The loud ringing is my alarm clock barking at me to wake up from my ultimate dream. Oh, man… what a letdown. Don’t you hate it when that happens? Well, I soon realize that I shouldn’t be too downtrodden… I am about to get ready to go to the Magic Kingdom with my family on the first full day of our 2011 Vacation Spectacular (or Spectacle…whatever!)

I make sure DW is awake and we start getting ready. By this time DD and DS are awake and excited to get to Magic Kingdom and start the Disney part of this vacation. We end up running a little later than I planned and (after the whole drive to TTC, get on Monorail to MK) we arrive at the gates around 9:15am. Luckily, this is the end of January and the parks won’t be nearly as crowded as the times we have been here in the summer. I would like to go commando-style and hit Fantasyland with a vengeance. I figured we could still stick to the plan and maybe just skip Dumbo to be on-track. But the kids had other plans. OK, I decide today will be a play-it-by-ear(s) day (pun intended.) We will do the touring plan commando style on the second MK day later in the week. Note: I did not take good notes of what we did in what order, so I will be winging it. I will be sure to take good notes for the next trip.

We end up starting out in Tomorrowland – Astro Orbiter.

After that, we go to get our funny on at the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.

I was ‘That Guy’ (those of you who have done this attraction should know what I am talking about.) I don’t know how I do it or why they pick on poor little ol’ me. Actually, I have been ‘That Guy’ in each of the 3 trips we have done. I don’t get picked every time we do this, but I have been picked at least once during each trip (we usually end up doing this 3 or more times per trip.) I don’t know if this would actually be considered a ‘good thing’ to brag about; but it is fun, and the kids love it so I play along.

Then it was time to save the universe from the evil Emperor Zurg on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

Next, we do one of the kids’ favorites – the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. Here is a little video of the fun:
Kids Having Fun on TTAPM

We caught most of the show in front of the castle, the new Celebrate a Dream Come True.

It was nearing lunch time, so we decided to go to Pinocchio’s Village Haus for a counter service lunch. On the way, DD stopped to see Peter Pan.

We ate our lunch and then rode Snow White’s Scary Adventure. The kids were having so much fun and being so nice to each other.

We decided to head over towards Adventureland. Pirates of the Caribbean was next.

They rode the Magic Carpets of Aladdin and we took a little rest break – we sat down and had a drink and some popcorn, and I picked up one of my favorite snacks at Walt Disney World: the Pineapple Dole Whip Float. Mmmm… heaven in a cup!

I don’t recall what we did from this point until we went over to the castle for DD’s 5:00pm Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointment.
Before:

The big reveal:

They finished up earlier than I expected, so we walked over to the check-in desk for Cinderella’s Royal Table. I wanted to see if they could seat us early. We had an ADR for 6:45, but it was 5:45 at this point. The great thing about going to the parks in the non-peak season: we were able to get put in the queue for a table early. They let us go in and have our picture with Cinderella, then we would wait for them to call us to our table.

After we got our photo, they called a few other families for their tables. Then there was only our family and one other waiting. No one else had checked in and I guess Cinderella was getting bored. So she walked over and asked my little princess to dance. A true Disney Magical Moment! (click the link below for the video)

DD and Cinderella

As you could hear near the end of that video (if you were able to watch it), we were ready to be seated at this time. I started out with the Cheese Plate appetizer, and had the Roasted Beef Tenderloin entrée:

It was good, but DW and I both preferred the Fried Chicken entrée DS ordered. Also, the last time we did this, they had one of my favorite desserts in all of WDW: a Caramel Crème Brulee . It was no longer on the menu. I ordered what I thought it may have been: Crème Caramel. But no, that was nasty.

DD got to meet the Princesses:

After dinner, they were getting ready to start the new “Magic, Memories, and You” show where they project images on the castle before the Wishes fireworks show, but DD was tired. So we made our way out of the park to the monorail, TTC, walked to the van, then loaded up and drove back to the condo. I figured we would watch that show and the fireworks at one of the other MK days.

It turned out to be a great day, highlighted by the Magical Moment DD had with Cinderella. I thought it was so neat that Cinderella took some time to talk with her and make her feel so special. Cinderella even remembered DD’s name when we were leaving from dinner – and that was almost two hours from when we went in. This is why we love Disney so much!

Up next: From Magical Moment to possible head trauma? Excitement around every corner!

 

[BigTex71]

Was there a lot of traffic coming up from Tampa? For some reason, I remember doing that drive in about an hour before. Maybe it's my lead foot?

Hardly any traffic. But I was driving carefully at 71MPH in a 70MPH zone.

 

[BigTex71]

My DH and I were just talking today about possibly staying off property on our next trip (years away) but after reading your breakdown on the off property travel to and from the parks, I think we stay on property, we were thinking an off property stay for the sake of saving money, but we really do prefer to pay extra for the hassle freeness. Thanks for posting that.

I am glad some of this babble actually helped someone.

But seriously, it was a great experience to chalk up to experience. If I hadn't done it, I would keep wondering until I tried it. Glad I could save you that trouble of not finding out the hard way.

 

[m2zjj]

Great update! I loved the video of your DD I had tears in my eyes as I watched it. What a magical moment.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Your daughter looked so beautiful! What a special moment with Cinderella. I'm so glad you have a video of that so she can watch it for years to come.

 

[CreightonsMomma]

Congrats on winning the lottery...errrr....waking up in Disney World!

Your daughter looked beautiful. And was a great dance with Cinderella.

 

[natebenma]

The video is very sweet. What a great moment for both your daughter and for Cinderella. She probably doesn't get much of a chance to interact with many guests for that amount of time. Looks like it was a great meal in the castle. What did your son think of the meal? I hope he was very excited for his sister.

 

[BridgetR3]

Loved the video of your DD with Cinderella!! She is such a cutie!!! Enjoying your TR so far and wondering about head trauma.....you can't leave us hanging like that!