All Aboard! The Happiest TR That Ever Sailed ~May 1-9~ Ice cream for dinner! 6/20

[autumnpalm]

Well I already got my BAH in English and Classics and now I am going back to school in the fall after two years of working a dead-end job to get a degree in Nursing. I am crazy I know, wish I had figured out I wanted to be a nurse years ago so I could have avoided this whole double degree thing and saved myself a lot of heartache.

Are you doing your nursing degree at Queen's too?

And even though I didn't quite come close to finishing my Communications degree, I know what you mean. Good for you going after what you want though! If I was more of a science-math person I would love to be a nurse. It seems like such a rewarding job. I really admire nurses!

 

[autumnpalm]

Part 3

After getting changed into our matching Tink shirts, we downed what was left of our drinks and headed out the door. The weather was absolutely perfect. I could still wear my jeans, and I was perfectly warm without feeling hot. At this point it was around 7:30 pm so we were anxious to get to the park!

While we were standing in line, we started chatting with a woman ahead of us in line. She was by herself, she was a music teacher and was there with her school group but had the evening free. I guess it really is a small world after all, because while we were talking we told her we were from Toronto. Turns out she was in the middle of doing a PhD in Music and she was doing it at the University of Toronto! She had spent all of last year in the city and was coming back at the end to defend her thesis. Finally the bus came for Magic Kingdom (we’d been waiting for about 10 minutes) and we spent the whole ride there just talking and chatting. One of the things I love about Disney World is how friendly most people are. It seems like everyone is so open to conversation and you get to meet the most interesting people! It really did make the bus ride seem short. When we got to MK we exchanged email addresses so we could get together for dinner when she was back in Toronto. It really was a nice moment.

Once we got off the bus and said goodbye, I was in full Disney mode. I could hear the music playing… I could see the front gates… I could almost smell the Main Street Bakery… I even saw my first monorail of the trip!

I was so ready to get in the park and have my first view of the castle. I was practically vibrating with excitement.

We made it through the bag checks quickly and the turnstiles came into view. It seemed like everyone was on their way out of the park so I had my fingers crossed that the crowds would be low once we made our way inside.

I walked up to the first empty turnstile with a smile on my face. I was about the enter the Magic Kingdom, the most iconic of all the Disney parks, the most magical place on earth, this was the moment I had been waiting for since I had booked the trip. I fed my Key to the World card into the slot and pushed on the turnstile.

Denied.

I sighed and tried it again. Had I put the wrong side up?

Denied again.

The Cast Member asked if he could give it a try.

Denied once more.

My mom tried hers.

Guess what? It didn’t work either.

“You booked a package with tickets, right?” she asked me.

I knew I had. Hadn’t I? Yes, of course I had. But there was a line starting to build behind us so the CM asked us to go to Guest Services and get everything straightened out. To him it might have seemed like a small detour but I was going crazy!! Didn’t he know we had to fit in dinner and at least one ride before Wishes started?! Didn’t he know how precious Disney time was?

We headed over to Guest Services where there was a line of about 5 families ahead of us. I really was trying not to let it bother me. I was in Disney. That was all that mattered.

Once we got called up to the window, the CM pulled up our information and saw immediately what the problem was.

We’d booked one night at ASMu before our week at the Yacht Club. The ASMu night was a room only reservation and the tickets were tied to the package booked at the YC. We would be able to get the tickets but they would be paper and not part of our KTTW card. Fine by us, we just wanted to get in there!! Once the tickets were printed out and we were on our way, I practically sprinted back to the turnstiles. Not only was I anxious to get inside, we were both STARVING.

As we headed into the park and down Main Street USA, I snapped a few pictures. I was finally here. I was in the Magic Kingdom. Now I actually could smell the confectionary and the bakery. I could see the balloon vendors. I was surrounded by mouse ears and little girls in princess gowns and couples in wearing their “Happily Ever After” buttons. I had an entire trip stretching out ahead of me and this was just the beginning. Life was pretty much perfect.

And finally, as we neared the end of Main Street USA, the most beautiful sight in the world came into view.

Cinderella’s Castle.

You guys, I don’t think there is anything more magical than the sight of the castle. It seriously brings tears to my eyes the first time I see it every trip. Is there anything more wonderful at Disney World than the castle? So wonderful.

We didn’t spend long admiring her beauty though, because we had dinner to eat! We hadn’t eaten since lunch where we split a quesadilla between us and I get grumpy realllyy easily if I don’t eat regularly (yes, even in WDW! LOL). So after soaking in the beauty of it all, we headed right to the Adventureland bridge and the sound of Tiki music and drumming filled our ears.

I was ready for my bacon double cheeseburger!!!

 

[noahdove]

autumnpalm, I am in for your report I feel as tho I am right there with you. What type of camera do you have? My pictures don't come out that way...You had me a little teary when you were talking about walking down Main St and viewing the Castle Thank you

 

[Lady Lallie]

Another wonderful update!

I would have freaked out about the whole ticket thing! I'm glad that was fixed and you were able to enjoy Main Street.

Great pictures! I saw some light fixtures in there too.

 

[CW4DW]

Great trip report so far - I am in and can't wait for more... I will be back in the most magical place in 139 days and can't wait!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Are you doing your nursing degree at Queen's too?

And even though I didn't quite come close to finishing my Communications degree, I know what you mean. Good for you going after what you want though! If I was more of a science-math person I would love to be a nurse. It seems like such a rewarding job. I really admire nurses!

I'm hoping to, still waiting to hear on if they have room for me in the program. As an alumnist I go through a separate application process than general applicants. I'll probably have the decision by the time I get back from my trip. If I don't study at Queen's I will be getting my BScN through St. Lawrence which has a partnership agreement with another university. It is basically the same program as at Queen's but a little cheaper. I would prefer to do it at Queen's though as it would make my class and work schedule much easier to juggle since I work on campus.

I will admit it is a bit daunting facing another four years of school, I want to get on with my life already! Better to do it now while I am still young though rather than continuing on with where I am now and being unhappy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think hitting the Magic Kingdom on your first day is the perfect way to start a WDW vacation. It doesn't feel real to me until I see the castle.

 

[luckylady]

What a great start to the trip, and upgrade. We have recieved them in the past but didn't know it was special. Haven't since we did know. Can't wait for more.

 

[Disney127]

Part 3

As we headed into the park and down Main Street USA, I snapped a few pictures. I was finally here. I was in the Magic Kingdom. Now I actually could smell the confectionary and the bakery. I could see the balloon vendors. I was surrounded by mouse ears and little girls in princess gowns and couples in wearing their “Happily Ever After” buttons. I had an entire trip stretching out ahead of me and this was just the beginning. Life was pretty much perfect.


And finally, as we neared the end of Main Street USA, the most beautiful sight in the world came into view.

Cinderella’s Castle.


You guys, I don’t think there is anything more magical than the sight of the castle. It seriously brings tears to my eyes the first time I see it every trip. Is there anything more wonderful at Disney World than the castle? So wonderful.

Welcome Back! So glad that you and your Mom had a great time! Just reading your trip report makes me so excited! We have only 5 more sleeps to go. I can't wait to read more of your trip report, you have a way with words that makes me feel like I was right there with you! Cinderella is my favorite princess and I can't wait to set my eyes upon her castle. I hope that I don't start crying!

 

[WDWKrazedKitty]

Count me in too!!! I am really enjoying your report... can't wait to read more!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tinkgurl]

*Sigh* That castle is just wonderful, isn't it?! I love that excitement of first getting there!

 

[Beka]

Found ya! Joining in!

 

[jewels1916]

Another great update. I love all your pictures, I can literally feel like I am right there. Now if only I had a big ol' cinnamon roll from Main Street Bakery....

 

[TeaForTulips]

Aw great pictures! I wish I had taken more pictures. I was either too much in the moment or too tired!

Good job you for keeping your cool when you had to go to Guest Services! I would have been flustered and freaking out for sure!

I'm ready to hear more about your trip!!!

 

[stacikristine]

Such great pictures! The castle is beautiful! I'm sorry about the ticket mix-up, but I'm so glad that you were able to get it all fixed. I am SO excited to read the rest of your report!!!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

I just love that first day you spend at MK. Love your pictures, very nice! Reading this is making me really excited for our trip. August can't get here soon enough!!

Glad to hear you averted any ticket disaster.

 

[lovegrumpy]

Loving it far. Can't wait to read more.

 

[MariesMeow]

Wonderful Trip report, Can't wait to hear more

 

[autumnpalm]

autumnpalm, I am in for your report I feel as tho I am right there with you. What type of camera do you have? My pictures don't come out that way...You had me a little teary when you were talking about walking down Main St and viewing the Castle Thank you

Hi there, noahdove! I have a plain old point and shoot digital camera, actually. It's a Canon Elph and I really like it. I honestly don't know much about photography but it takes decent pictures, has an awesome battery life and was less than $200 on sale! I would definitely recommend it!

I even got a little teary writing about that moment. There's nothing else like it!!

Another wonderful update!

I would have freaked out about the whole ticket thing! I'm glad that was fixed and you were able to enjoy Main Street.

Great pictures! I saw some light fixtures in there too.

I actually took a few light fixture shots! LOL There were some really nice ones at the YC/BC. I thought of you every time I saw a neat one!

Believe me, I was pretty freaked out at the time. I was nervous we wouldn't be able to get into MK at all and our whole first night would be ruined. Of course, in hindsight it's a lot easier to be cool as a cucumber about the whole situation.

Great trip report so far - I am in and can't wait for more... I will be back in the most magical place in 139 days and can't wait!

CW4DW!

I'm hoping to get the next update posted tonight. They're so much fun to write! Thanks so much for joining in and posting... great to have you here!!

I'm hoping to, still waiting to hear on if they have room for me in the program. As an alumnist I go through a separate application process than general applicants. I'll probably have the decision by the time I get back from my trip. If I don't study at Queen's I will be getting my BScN through St. Lawrence which has a partnership agreement with another university. It is basically the same program as at Queen's but a little cheaper. I would prefer to do it at Queen's though as it would make my class and work schedule much easier to juggle since I work on campus.

I will admit it is a bit daunting facing another four years of school, I want to get on with my life already! Better to do it now while I am still young though rather than continuing on with where I am now and being unhappy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think hitting the Magic Kingdom on your first day is the perfect way to start a WDW vacation. It doesn't feel real to me until I see the castle.

Oh, I know of St. Lawrence College! Definitely a smart idea to be able to get the cheaper degree... but that would be really convenient getting it at Queen's since you work there! You're so right about getting it over with now instead of being unhappy with what you're doing.

At first I was kind of unsure about hitting MK the first night since we had such a long day of travel, but it really was the perfect first thing to do!

What a great start to the trip, and upgrade. We have recieved them in the past but didn't know it was special. Haven't since we did know. Can't wait for more.

Hi there, luckylady! Welcome!! And thanks for stopping by and posting.

Ooh, what kind of upgrades have you gotten in the past? I've read on the DIS about people getting upgraded to a whole new resort level... I think I would fall over with shock!!

Welcome Back! So glad that you and your Mom had a great time! Just reading your trip report makes me so excited! We have only 5 more sleeps to go. I can't wait to read more of your trip report, you have a way with words that makes me feel like I was right there with you! Cinderella is my favorite princess and I can't wait to set my eyes upon her castle. I hope that I don't start crying!

Only four more sleeps for you now!! How exciting!! The May crowds were GREAT when we were there, nothing like touringplans predicted. You're ging to have such an awesome time!

Don't worry, I shed a few tears myself that first night... but that's coming up!

Count me in too!!! I am really enjoying your report... can't wait to read more!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey there WDWKrazedKitty. Love your username! LOL

Glad you're enjoying the TR... it's been so much fun already and I've just gotten started. Can't wait to get the next update up!

*Sigh* That castle is just wonderful, isn't it?! I love that excitement of first getting there!

It's the best feeling in the world that first night. I was just so so so happy. And ahh, the castle is sooo wonderful!

Found ya! Joining in!

Beka!! Hi! Happy to see ya and glad you found me! How's your PTR going?! I've got to get myself over there to catch up!!

Another great update. I love all your pictures, I can literally feel like I am right there. Now if only I had a big ol' cinnamon roll from Main Street Bakery....

Well you're in luck... the cinnamon roll is coming! If only there was some way to make you feel like you're actually eating it. I could totally go for one right now, YUM!

Aw great pictures! I wish I had taken more pictures. I was either too much in the moment or too tired!

Good job you for keeping your cool when you had to go to Guest Services! I would have been flustered and freaking out for sure!

I'm ready to hear more about your trip!!!

You know, I actually had to work to remember to keep taking pictures of everything. At times I was tempted to just sit back and relax and enjoy the moment but then I would remind myself that I would be happy to have all of them when we got home. I do wish I had put the camera down a few times though... there's a happy medium I think LOL.

Such great pictures! The castle is beautiful! I'm sorry about the ticket mix-up, but I'm so glad that you were able to get it all fixed. I am SO excited to read the rest of your report!!!

Aww thanks, Staci! I'm hoping I can get some more up tonight! I have a shift in the playroom soon but I'll be home later in the evening for some TR writing.

I just love that first day you spend at MK. Love your pictures, very nice! Reading this is making me really excited for our trip. August can't get here soon enough!!

Glad to hear you averted any ticket disaster.

August will be here before you know it!! I'm so excited for you! And I'm glad we spent the first day at MK, I think that will have to be a tradition for us from now on. Usually we go with whatever park has EMHs but I was just dying to see Wishes! It's a perfect way to start the magic.

Loving it far. Can't wait to read more.

lovegrumpy!

I'm trying to figure out whether your username is lovegrumpy as in "I love Grumpy" or as in "Love, Grumpy." LOL I'm guessing it's the first?

So nice to have you here!!

Wonderful Trip report, Can't wait to hear more

Hi, MariesMeow! Welcome!!! Thanks so much for posting, it's so nice to know there are actually people following along! Your display picture is so cute, I love Marie. So cute!

 

[JenAusty]

Great update! I don't know how but somehow I missed your first updates. So here I am just catching up. I must say.. I really love your report so far. It's soo interesting and I truly feel like I'm experiencing it with you. GREAT pictures. I also love MK. It's like you're not completely at disney until you enter main street and see the castle. I love the castle too.. but honestly who doesn't?!

I was excited to see pictures of ASMu because I've never been there and always thought about giving it a try because my DH is a geetar player.. but its just seemed to old or outdated.. not that I knew because I was never there.. but it felt like it would be. Same with ASSp.. I just love ASMo and POP though. When I was looking at the pictures of the food court- I agree.. it did look a little outdated but it was still cool. and I don't spend to much time in the food court anywho. As long as the food is good I'm happy.

Thats awesome you got an free UPGRADE.. maybe I'll cross my fingers and that will happen to us.. wait it can't- we are staying at POP.. hmm.. well we can maybe get an upgrade to preferred room-instead of standard. maybe.. just maybe. hehe

I also share the same feeling as you do with flying. Although I'm ok sitting on the plane- I just can't get over the thought of crashing.. nomatter how smooth the ride is.. so when it lands.. I can finally breathe! hehe The departing flight is always worse then the returning.. maybe the departing prepares me for the return.. who knows.

Excited to hear about more!

 

[autumnpalm]

Great update! I don't know how but somehow I missed your first updates. So here I am just catching up. I must say.. I really love your report so far. It's soo interesting and I truly feel like I'm experiencing it with you. GREAT pictures. I also love MK. It's like you're not completely at disney until you enter main street and see the castle. I love the castle too.. but honestly who doesn't?!

I was excited to see pictures of ASMu because I've never been there and always thought about giving it a try because my DH is a geetar player.. but its just seemed to old or outdated.. not that I knew because I was never there.. but it felt like it would be. Same with ASSp.. I just love ASMo and POP though. When I was looking at the pictures of the food court- I agree.. it did look a little outdated but it was still cool. and I don't spend to much time in the food court anywho. As long as the food is good I'm happy.

Thats awesome you got an free UPGRADE.. maybe I'll cross my fingers and that will happen to us.. wait it can't- we are staying at POP.. hmm.. well we can maybe get an upgrade to preferred room-instead of standard. maybe.. just maybe. hehe

I also share the same feeling as you do with flying. Although I'm ok sitting on the plane- I just can't get over the thought of crashing.. nomatter how smooth the ride is.. so when it lands.. I can finally breathe! hehe The departing flight is always worse then the returning.. maybe the departing prepares me for the return.. who knows.

Excited to hear about more!

Have you stayed at the POP before? We were there last July and really loved it! I have to say, I think it is my favourite value resort.

And you're right! The departing flight is always worse than the return. It's funny because on the flight there I was like "if I'm going to die in a plane crash, PLEASE let it be on the way home so at least I'll spend my last few days in WDW!"