All Aboard! A Disney and Orlando Unleashed TR!TONS of PICS! Update 1/2 pg 25

[DevonsDisneyMom]

I'm in! Geese, I feel like I just got done reading your last June's TR and here you are with another. Anxious to hear all about especially since we are staying at AKL for the first time in December.

 

[dddisrunner]

Wow, amazingly cool adventure on the train before you even got to Florida! My DH was interested in what you did and looked it up -- a little steep in price for a one-way, but I guess you make up some of it for the car rental?

And, sorry about your opening act at AKL...hope it gets much better! (when you said Mara, I swear my stomach growled...!)

WELCOME!! You really can't look at the current prices for the train for a reasonable fare quote. Just like airfare the further out you book the cheaper it is. We only pain $19.99 each for the boys! Don't worry, the trip definitely gets better!

The autotrain looks pretty cool!

It was quite an adventure, thanks!

I was wondering about the adult time thingy too....lol
ya gotta watch what ya say around here!!!

UGH! That Lesley is starting trouble! LOL!

The train does sound neat!! Diane, can you tell me more
about the online check in?? Does these mean no trip
to the reservation desk, also if you book through a TA
should they set it up or do I do it??

With online check in, they have a seperate desk set up for those that have checked in online so the wait is minimal or at least that has been our experience. You will have to call your TA and ask if they handle it or if you do, I'm not sure about that.

Me too! But I didn't want to be THAT dirty-minded-girl.

Thank you Susan! It was just wine and conversation!

I'm in! I love TR's! Pretty neat you took the train to florida! looks like fun!

Im dying to stay at AKL! Its on our wait list!

Are you guys dvc members?

Thanks so much! Yes, we are DVC members! I hope you get to stay at AKL, it is INCREDIBLE!!

So excited to see that you have started your trip report! I think taking the train would be such an adventure, my youngest son loves trains. Can't wait to read more!



Melissa

Thanks Melissa, glad you are along for another ride!!

So glad you started your trip report! I love what you have so far. The auto train looks very fun too! How did the boys like it? Must have been nice to have your car there without having to drive all night . your room view from AKL looks awesome! We loved AKL and plan to stay there again sometime. Waiting for more .

Hi Nichole!!! Thanks for all your sweet comments! It was AWESOME having our car at WDW! Hey, any plans to come to Jersey anytime soon? Would love to try and meet up!!

Great start Diane ! The auto train looks like a really fun experience. I am sure the boys really enjoyed it. Love your view at AKL ... how relaxing.

Thanks so much! The boys did enjoy the train! I loved our view too!

Great start!!!!

Thanks!!

I'm in! Geese, I feel like I just got done reading your last June's TR and here you are with another. Anxious to hear all about especially since we are staying at AKL for the first time in December.

I know the trips go by so fast don't they? Hooray for your first AKL stay, you will LOVE it...such great theming!!!

 

[Happydog]

I am here too!!!! SO glad you started your TR! I was unplugged for the past three days over the holiday while we were camping! LOL! No service!! It took me a few days but I am here now!

It was just SO fun seeing all your train pics, because the start of my TR from LAST summer looks exactly the same!!!! I was looking at them saying "awwwww" I wanted to ride the train again!! My DH took a few photos on the train down this time (since I wasn't on the train with them) and they are not that detailed. You know put a guy on the camera and he just doesn't get the 'purpose' of photos for the DIS!! It was so fun meeting you that last day! Can't wait to read the rest of your TR!! First updates were great! Love the view from AK, and I agree, so beautiful there

 

[dddisrunner]

I am here too!!!! SO glad you started your TR! I was unplugged for the past three days over the holiday while we were camping! LOL! No service!! It took me a few days but I am here now!

It was just SO fun seeing all your train pics, because the start of my TR from LAST summer looks exactly the same!!!! I was looking at them saying "awwwww" I wanted to ride the train again!! My DH took a few photos on the train down this time (since I wasn't on the train with them) and they are not that detailed. You know put a guy on the camera and he just doesn't get the 'purpose' of photos for the DIS!! It was so fun meeting you that last day! Can't wait to read the rest of your TR!! First updates were great! Love the view from AK, and I agree, so beautiful there

Hi Jen! I hope you had fun camping!! Glad you liked all the train pics! It was quite an adventure. Thanks for all the great comments!

 

[dddisrunner]

After our lunch, we freshened up just a bit to head back into the heat! We were excited to head to our first park of the trip! Which park did we go to.................EPCOT!!! Mine and Bryan's favorite! We went to the bus stops and waited a mere minute or two and then a bus arrived! While on the bus, I got a text from Tim asking where we were and I said on a bus to Epcot! We were meeting for dinner so they were headed back to AKL to rest and refresh before they headed over to Epcot. We were excited to see them! Once at Epcot, we were in a rush to ride something so we hit up Spaceship Earth!

Always get a kick out of these graphics!

We exited the ride and saw our faces plastered on the big screen!

Finally with a ride under our belts we were riding that Disney high! Next up, I wanted to go to Guest Relations to get our Tables in Wonderland Card. We all made our way over and I was helped right away but there ended up being a problem so I sent Bryan and the boys to Innoventions while I waited. I ended up waiting quite awhile for them to fix the printer, I actually waited about 20 minutes. Without even asking or complaining they offered me a "no strings attached" fastpass for 4 people for any ride in Epcot. I thought that was a great way to thank me for my patience! As a side note, I HIGHLY recommend the TIW card, it has already paid for itself and is a GREAT compliment to the dining plan and you get free valet parking when dining at a WDW resort! Finally, I went to meet up with my family! Eric had been dying to try the Sum of All Thrills as he wasn't tall enough in November! That is where I found them!

Matthew's legs...

Eric...

Up next we went to Fastpass Test Track so we could ride later! Eric was looking forward to that!

Next we went over to Mission Space...green side! You can't beat a 10 minute standby line!

After our ride the first gift shop browsing comenced.......

Next up was our favorite little cooling off spot....

Eric was thrilled to see all the Club Penguin merchandise!

Next we made our way over to the Land to use our "no strings" fastpasses on Soarin!

The boys heading back to the ride...

I took this picture because I can't believe Disney would leave this looking like this....it is the ceiling as you are walking back to the ride!

After Soarin there was no line at all for the land ride so we hopped on! Man we were getting a TON done in such a short amount of time...we were loving it!

Bryan and the lack of lines!

Silly Eric...

Some pics from the land ride...

I love this ride, so unique and different and such fun to see what they can do with technology!


CONTINUED.............

 

[goofy's_gurl]

Looks like your having a good time at Epcot. Gotta love those no lines.

 

[dddisrunner]

After our ride through the land, I got a text from Lesley saying that they were on there way! We decided to make a quick stop for Mickey bars....

We went into Mousegears while we waited....

yet more Club Penguin gear...

Then finally we were back together with our friends again!!! The kids were all very excited to see one another as were the adults! The kids went over to play with the big balls...

the Cm ended up telling the kids they couldn't play with the big one and they had to use a smaller one and of course another boy was using it for AWHILE and would not give it to our kids...he was RUDE...so finally Lesley said " forget it guys let's go , he has no plans to share" or somehting along those lines...UGH, the CM should have said something! Oh well!

We then made our way around the World Showcase to Germany because we were all eating at the Biergarten together! It was a bit early but we were hungry so I went to check in....

The boys waiting....

They told us it would be a bit but actually we hardly had any wait at all! We were taken to our table. It was nice because the 8 of us shared one table and it was nice not to share with starngers!

Bryan and Tim got right down to business and ordered HUGE beers!

Eric saying "SUP" as in What's up...it was his term of the trip!!

Everyone found something to eat and then the oompa band came out and everyone was feeling fine...

When other kids starting dancing, Lauren, Luke and Eric were all over it....

Noticeably Matthew did not want to dance, at first I thought it was because he was tired but the sad reality was that he is growing up......yes, it became very apparent on this trip much to my dismay that Matthew suddenly cares what others think and in no way would like to put himself ina potentially embarrassing situation! Breaks my heart that he is growing up so fast!

With our meal and adult beverages finished, we went exploring...

A beautiful addition to any home...get a load of the price tag!!

After awhile, we parted ways briefly to head back to Future World so we could use our Test Track fastpasses!

We eventually met back up and we all rode the bus back to the AKL with promises to meet up again by the pool!

The adults enjoyed catching up and exchanging stories about the previous few days while the kids swam and were happy to be together again! After awhile, Lesley suggested going to see the animals with the night vision goggles....

GREAT IDEA! The kids loved it!

Matthew first...

Then Eric...

The guide that was there, was very helpful and she was able to point out a giraffe and the boys were thrilled when they could actually see it!

My happy boys...

It was getting late and we were dying to get the "train funk" off of us so we called it a night, knowing that see still had many more days with our wonderful friends! It was a GREAT first day and we were on cloud nine to be back in our happy place!

Goodnight boys...

coming up next:

Love that empty park feeling...
buzz redemption or not so much....
major fastpass collection

 

[dddisrunner]

Looks like your having a good time at Epcot. Gotta love those no lines.

It was great with no lines! Thanks!

 

[Trentmom]

Sounds like a great day. You all sure got a ton done

Score on the No STrings Fast Pass

You can see how much kids enjoy playing with each other...so nice

You made tear up a little bit reading about Matthew...They sure grow up fast

 

[dsnycrzy]

Im hooked

 

[DWGal210]

Love your reports, Diane!! Sounds like a great trip so far!

 

[Native NYer]

Biergarten looks like a lot of fun and the perfect place for a group dinner!
The fastpasses were such a nice treat for having the wait so long. I love Disney's wonderful customer service.

 

[kaysmommie]

Wow you got so much done on a summer afternoon in Epcot!! Your dinner with Tim & Lesley and all of your kids looks so fun. Sorry about the rude kid who wouldn't share the ball with anyone. Yay on the Fastpasses! I know what you mean about Matthew since Kaylee is also 10 now and is very much the same about having to look cool .

 

[disneymomof1]

Love your report and pics. Both of your boys have changed quite a bit since last years trip report. They do grow up so fast, even when you tell them not to !!!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Sounds like a perfect first day to me So nice to be able to re-connect with old friends who share the same excitement and joy that you do at the happiest place on earth! Great pictures Diane, I feel like I'm right there with ya!

 

[luvfigment]

What a great afternoon in Epcot! That is awesome you scored the no strings attached FP. The kids looked like they were having fun together and man those beers that Bryan and Tim had were HUGE and looked Yummy. I will have to remember those for my next trip.

In the picture of Eric using the night vision goggles are those Matthew's hands kinda hold him up? If so what a sweet thoughtful sibling thing to do.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Awww...I totally understand about your baby "growing up" and realizing that other people are watching! My DD won't do anything where she thinks it might be "too young" for her...only peer pressure changes her mind!

 

[sharonW]

GREAT update, Diane. I'm really enjoying your diz adventure.
I'll be down your way in a few wks...Ocean City!! Its not
disney but a fun place too!

 

[purplepeg]

Love the update. Boy you sure did get alot done that day! Score on the fastpasses. I've heard alot about the Tables in Wonderland card. Glad to hear you like it too. The night vision goggles are so cool aren't they? I bet you guys just crashed that night!

 

[IluvXU]

So much to comment on!

I am totally impressed at all you did at EPCOT with that late of a start... and so nice to get the Fast Passes for your wait... and to use on Soarin' I miss that ride!

I love the Mickey Ice Cream bars, a sure sign that you are back at Walt Disney World.

How was the food at the Biergarten? I have always thought it looked fun, but not so sure on the food part...

Love that you did some animal watching at AKL, I cannot wait to do that someday.

Hugs Diane to Matthew getting older... that is just not something I am ready for!