A Salute to All Orlando Area Theme Parks But Mostly Walt Disney World ***THE END***

[wiigirl]

Great pics!

 

[emmysmommy]

Now if there was only a way to get a photo with all 5 at the same time like this&

Only, you know... Real...

Get outta here! How'd you do that?? Give up your secrets now!!

Love the photos of the condo! Did you cook K8 a fabulous hot meal each day??

You keep confirming my notion that you have a Disney marketing genius in you waiting to emerge! "No dancing" trading pins - BRILLIANT!! Seriously, I don't even pin trade and I would want me one of those!

About now I'm so glad that you had a 13 day trip... this is really good.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Beach and booze?! You’ve got my attention! Lawl.

Haha, I decided to go back and use titles for each day before I got too far along to keeps things organized a bit. Plus, I'm just not clever enough to come up with a title for every post.
On this one I just started rollin' with the B's.
Beach and booze still to come. Well I guess so is the bucket list and big bang, but still...

The condo looks amazing! And awesome that they have Stacey! Amazing!

Thanks, yeah the condo wasn't bad at all, certainly considering the price. Honestly, the washer/dryer was my favorite thing. So convenient when you pack light.
I couldn't believe it, but there was Stacey!

Wait…what? Are you hinting at something that you know that we don’t?!!

I've heard things... of course rumours often turn out to be completely untrue.

I HAVE THAT PIN!!! I seriously FREAKED out when I saw a CM with it and traded for it and could not have been happier, NO DANCING! Oh my gosh, it’s totally a disboard thing calling it “no dancing” the woman I traded with had no clue which one I was talking about when I asked for it! Lol.

OK, now I am ridiculously jealous. You have that pin?? It is def a Disboards thing (I'm thinking Frumps but I could be wrong... I see it used A LOT). When I found out there was a pin I knew I had to have it. Then K8 would always ask for the "No Dancing" pin... OMG it killed me.
I've only ever heard of them as a pin trade, so I guess I'll have to buy some random pin so I have one to trade if I ever come across it.

Aw man, I love that you’re all “that’s Mickey…there is no costume…his tuxedo…yeah it’s great” Lawl. Mom caught onto that pretty quick with me, and with so many kids around, you can’t be saying that kind of stuff!

The characters for me are just that... the characters. Honestly, I'm not even thinking about spoiling the Magic for the kids... I'm thinking of not spoiling it for ME, LOL.

I love that character spot, any place I can wait in one line and meet multiple characters, I accept! Awesome updates! I love my Epcot mornings, they’re so awesome!!

Thanks so much for following along Katt, I sincerely appreciate it. Haha I even took a page out of the Katt playbook. Why do one update when you can do three???

Can you believe I've never gone to the Character Spot?? I don't know why. I get shy around the characters, probably because I am like you, that IS Mickey Mouse!

Oh you absolutely should. The character spot is SUCH a great deal. Plus if you feel shy around them, this way you can get 'em all done in one shot. Rip the band aid off so to speak.

I enjoy the long queue line in Nemo. It makes me believe my clam-mobile is comfier than it really is.

Haha, that's true. But boy it is a journey.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I really enjoyed that you incorporated the Fabulous Chen-bot and her amazing BUT FIRST... Is it summer yet?! I am so ready for BB!

Bahaha, I wasn't sure how many would get that. We actually have a BB running right now in Canada!

Anyway, how tragic that you missed out on Circle of Life FPs. How you moved on from that, I have no idea, but good for you! Soarin' is an acceptable substitute, I suppose...

Yeah, I figured, why even try... they're sure to be gone.

I was so bummed on our trip that the Fab 5 meet ended up being only a Fab 3 meet because they are renovating that area! Talk about vacation ruining moments!!!

Oh wow only a Fab 3. I wasn't aware they had done that during the renos. Yucky!

Pretty cool that you got to see a diver in the tank though.

I know, I was pretty excited. But it still didn't make up for my missing dolphins!!

Great pics!

Thanks so much!!!

Love the photos of the condo! Did you cook K8 a fabulous hot meal each day??

I can't seem to figure out how to quote a quote, but regarding the photo... Haha, you just have to ask politely.

The condo was surprising. I'm not one that spends a lot of time in the room on vacation, but having the extra amenities (and space) was certainly helpful.
Particularly further into the trip.

But alas no meals were cooked. I did pay for the trip though... does that count for anything?

You keep confirming my notion that you have a Disney marketing genius in you waiting to emerge! "No dancing" trading pins - BRILLIANT!! Seriously, I don't even pin trade and I would want me one of those!

Oh Brenda, this pin exists. I've seen photos plus Katt confirmed to be in possession of said pin. I so want this. I haven't seen it on a shirt though, so I will take credit for that idea.

And wait until you see my Magic Kingdom day shirt (which will be day 5) which is another hot seller I think Disney is missing out on.

About now I'm so glad that you had a 13 day trip... this is really good.

Awww thank you SOOOOOOO much Brenda. I truly and sincerely appreciate that. Considering I wasn't going to do a TR originally, that means a ton to me.
For that, I will dedicate the next update to you... and coincidentally it totally fits.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Hi everyone!!

I had planned for an update today, but that will have to wait because if you look at my signature...

I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!

Not only that, but this will be (and I am a bit ashamed to say it) my very first stay at an actual Disney Resort.

Granted , it's just POP, but I had to draw the line on price somewhere.

This is the solo run I had talked about. It's all happening very quickly, as in I leave in under 2 weeks.

I know I said previously that I wanted to go and I would if some amazing deal came along.

Well, truth be told, it really didn't.
But because I kept thinking about it I just made up my mind that I'm going anyway.
It has been 6 months after all since I've been there!

I did get a flight for under $500 direct, so it's not terribly bad for these parts. If it drops (which I'm sure it will), well, so what.

I'm not going to worry about it.

I leave on April 27 at 8:40am and arrive at MCO at 11:35am and leave for home on May 3 at 12:25pm.

I did have a tough time pulling the trigger on POP though.

I found a hotel just off site on US 192 (that I have stayed at before and is very close to where I stayed in October) for almost $600 LESS than POP.
So this was a REALLY tough decision.

But ultimately, I decided I wanted to try on site for once since everybody here swears by it.

You know... YOLO.

I'm also the proud new owner of a WDW Annual Pass.

Hey, if you only use it twice (2 trips) it saves money, so what the hell.
Plus, I just wanted to have one of these just once.

I know I'll get there at least one more time in a year, surely.

I have also currently reserved a vehicle because well, I just like having one.
I won't use it all the time, but it's nice to have available.
Plus it's only about hundred bucks for the week, so why not.

As for an itinerary, I'm pretty wide open except for 2 of the days.

The company I work for (Bell Mobility) is having an awards gala at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek for top performers in our retail stores.

So I will know a good chunk of people down there at the same time and will hopefully meet up with some on their Disney day on, I think, April 30.

Plus, I just booked the Keys to the Kingdom Tour for April 29, so I'm totally stoked for that.

Utiladors baby!!!!

Plus lunch is included at Columbia Harbour House.
NICE!

I guess that's about it.

I am a bit nervous about going solo.
Not for safety reasons or anything, but just being lonely and any vibe that one might feel having an adult male walking around by himself at Disney.

But I will try to keep an open mind and positive attitude and take it from there.

Happy Sunday everyone!​

 

[teekathepony]

Wonderful news!! Which airline did you get such a good deal on? We're looking at flights and it's so much cheaper to drive to Halifax than to fly out of Sydney (even if we get a hotel the night before!)

I LOVE Pop Century! I've stayed there 4 times. It's a fun resort! Put me in the "Loves staying on site" column!

And congrats on the annual pass!

 

[emmysmommy]

GET OUT OF HERE!!!! Truly you are going in less than 2 weeks!! AWESOME!!

Now that you have an AP you need to go during the holiday time... like say in early December... like say the 5th through, oh, I don't know.. about the 12th! Or even in mid to late August - such a great time to go to WDW! (yeah, those are the times that I will be there again!)

Seriously, that is so exciting!

I was going to give you a hard time about the un-accompanied male thing but perhaps you could get one of the princesses to be your escort. (And I mean that in a very innocent way mind you!)

You know what this means?? ANOTHER TR! And this deserves one of these guys >>>

 

[khertz]

That's so awesome!!! I'm sure you will have a fantastic time, especially doing the KTTK tour. DH and I took the tour a few years ago, and we really loved it. I'm sure you will too!

 

[Marsheliz]

Great character photos!
My mom passed last week and am so sad but reading these TR is getting me in the Disney spirit and hopefully we can plan another trip soon! Keep on writing!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Wonderful news!! Which airline did you get such a good deal on? We're looking at flights and it's so much cheaper to drive to Halifax than to fly out of Sydney (even if we get a hotel the night before!)

Wendy, I booked with Air Transat. I decided I was only going to do it if it was a direct flight, so the options were limited to the Canadian airlines and they all stop direct service by early-mid May or so. Westjest and Air Canada were ridiculous price wise.

The one I booked was $497. I think the flight a week later (may 3 or 4 to 10), which would be the last one I think as they stop service on the 10th, was sitting at $437.

I also saw Sunwing for, I think, May 2-9 for $373 or May 2-8 for $342. Pretty crazy.

I LOVE Pop Century! I've stayed there 4 times. It's a fun resort! Put me in the "Loves staying on site" column!

Awesome on POP. I'm looking forward to it and checking out AoA across the lake too.
Plus a bunch of other resorts too I think. I just hope I don't stick out like a sore thumb.

And congrats on the annual pass!

Thanks. I just had to have one just once. They just added the RFID encoding to them, so that's exciting too. Having it makes booking a trip more guilt free!

GET OUT OF HERE!!!! Truly you are going in less than 2 weeks!! AWESOME!!

Thanks Brenda, it's pretty crazy but exciting.

Now that you have an AP you need to go during the holiday time... like say in early December... like say the 5th through, oh, I don't know.. about the 12th! Or even in mid to late August - such a great time to go to WDW! (yeah, those are the times that I will be there again!)
Seriously, that is so exciting!

Are you really going in August AND December? I think August would kill me heat wise, but I have been there at almost the exact dates you listed for December in 2009. Actually, it was those EXACT dates. WOW. That was the last time I was there with the folks.

Hmmmm, maybe I will have to do another holiday trip. Can't let that AP go to waste.

I was going to give you a hard time about the un-accompanied male thing but perhaps you could get one of the princesses to be your escort. (And I mean that in a very innocent way mind you!)

Hahaha, I'll see if one of them is up for it. They don't carry mace, right!?

You know what this means?? ANOTHER TR! And this deserves one of these guys >>>

Bahaha, I'll have to see about that if I have the ability to do 2 at the same time. I already have a title though... "POP goes the Solo trip". That's part of the reason I booked POP. I couldn't use the title is I didn't stay at POP.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

That's so awesome!!! I'm sure you will have a fantastic time, especially doing the KTTK tour. DH and I took the tour a few years ago, and we really loved it. I'm sure you will too!

Thanks so much. I think I am most looking forward to the KTTK.
I've been wanting into the Utilidors for forever!

Great character photos!
My mom passed last week and am so sad but reading these TR is getting me in the Disney spirit and hopefully we can plan another trip soon! Keep on writing!

Oh my goodness, I am so very sorry to hear that. My deepest condolences.

I hope the DIS can help ease the pain a bit. The Disney spirit is for sure a very powerful thing.

 

[Marsheliz]

Totally agree! Thank you! Maybe if I plan a trip, it will give me something to look forward too!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

THE BEACH, THE BOOZE, THE BUCKET LIST, AND THE BIG BANG!
Day 4 October 11, 2012 Part 2


I will apologize now for the next part of this report, as I have absolutely no photo evidence of anything from the point we left the Seas until we arrived in World Showcase.

I fairness to me, I didn't know I'd be TR-ing this thing at the time,
so this would have been a period of running from ride to ride and probably lunch at Sunshine Seasons (yum).

So, rather than bore you with nothingness, like any good reporter...


I'll make something up.


We entered Soarin' with our previously acquired fast passes and secured ourselves into our seats, after getting our safety information from Patrick of course.

Little did we know that not only would we be Soarin' over California on this particular trip, as a special treat we would be landing as well,

Right on the esplanade of the Disneyland Resort on Leap Day, February 29, 2012...

One More Disney Day!

We were joined by just a few others as well.

This was 8pm on the Esplanade. Yikes!

They closed the entrance shortly after we got in.
For those who dont know, Disney estimated having around 40-45K (and staffed accordingly).
They got around 100K breaking records in the process.
I was def part of history for my first ever Disneyland experience.

We didn't stay long but I did get a quick limited souvenir to commemorate the event.

We waited for daylight to continue exploring.

This one brought back some wonderful WDW memories. My first thrill ride.

CONTINUED NEXT POST​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Day 4 October 11, 2012 Part 2 Cont.

Located in Sleeping Beauty Castle, this is the original center point of Disneyland in 1955.

Looks like some filming going on.

Who needs Hollywood? The stars come to me!

Sup Manny?

CONTINUED NEXT POST​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Day 4  October 11, 2012 Part 2 Cont.

Looks familiar.

CONTINUED NEXT POST​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Day 4  October 11, 2012 Part 2 Cont.

Broadway quality.

Spec-Tac-U-Lar!! Bring this to WDW NOW!!!!

CONTINUED NEXT POST​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Day 4 October 11, 2012 Part 2 Cont.

Look, its the Great Movie Ride!

Home of the Academy Awards!

Inside the Home of the Academy Awards! Classy!

CONTINUED NEXT POST​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Day 4 – October 11, 2012 Part 2 Cont.

Where Gizmo was picked up in Gremlins!

The Spiderman Upside Down Kiss!

Walt Disney Co. Headquarters in Burbank.

Finally, after our “5 minute” tour of California, we boarded our hang glider and arrived back safely in Epcot.



Then we went to World Showcase.


TO BE CONTINUED… ​

 

[emmysmommy]

Whoa Disneykid, that's a LOT of updates!!

Did you see me at D-land at Leap Day? Yep, we were part of that ginormous crowd!!! I have a ton of photos - including the esplanade that showed the entrance crowds doubling back from all the way over to DCA! Crazy! Oh wait, I have video... here.

I know, this is so rude to insert photos in others' TR but I couldn't resist..
You never see the park hours posted as 24 hrs.

I was there!

Back to YOUR TR.... amazing photos of World of Color! I love that you included the Hollywood photos as well.

You NEED to come back to D-land.... you need to see Radiator Springs Racers and all of Carsland!

 

[teekathepony]

Haha! Cute update. Disneyland looks beautiful. I love Modern Family, and I saw that episode! How cool, maybe you were in the background somewhere!
California Adventure looks really cool. That Aladdin show does too, I'd love to see that!
Looks like a really amazing "5 minute" tour of California!