An Aussie in the World My Trip Report Finally!!! UPDATED 10/10 Day 5 Done! and PICS!!

[bigglesworth003]

Okay, Well I thought it was time to write a report of my Week at the World!!!!

Okay I’ll give ya some background on me-

I’m Bryce; I’m 22 years old and from Australia.

Complete Disney Park nut since I was 5!! When I saw my uncle’s pictures of Disneyland.

I Finally Made a trip to Disneyland when I was 19 and i love it more and more I’m such a geek!

I had organized a 4 week trip to the US of A with my Mom and Best friend; from 14th November to December 13th.
It consisted of Anaheim (DL!!!!) Vegas and New York. This is the same trip I did for the first time 2years ago.

So It was about a month before I left and I was thinking I really want to do something new so with in a day of thinking I was on the net Reading here for the first time and than booked a Week At Disney World From Nov 7th to Nov 13th, Just me as Mom and Rachel couldn’t do it any earlier.

Ok a Rundown on what I booked into-

7 Nights at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
6 Day Park Hopper Pass
Disney Dining Plan Add-On
Magical Express

Now I Was Excited!!! I was a little anxious about traveling alone, but that wore off quick as the last trip I spent 2 weeks alone in Vegas and New York.

Well as you can guess after booking I was on such a high till I left I spent the whole 3 weeks before leaving just looking up everything about the world and booked my Dinners and asking a lot of questions here. Lol!

DAY 1 – The Never-ending Travel (na na naaaa na na naaaa… Yes that song!)

Well The Day Finally Came the Day of 24 hours of flying to Walt Disney World!!!!!!

I got to Melbourne Airport Hugged Mum goodbye and said “Love Ya! Catch ya in a Week at Disneyland!”

The Flight Was Melbourne – Auckland, Auckland – LAX, LAX – Houston, and Houston – Orlando! Yes it felt as long as it was!!!!!!

Because of the Time difference I Left on the 7th at 12pm and Arrived in Orlando at 11pm on the 7th

Finally at MCO I went grabbed my bags as my Luggage Tags never came in time, than found my way to The Magical Express and that’s were the Magic Began for 7 Days!

Waiting for the bus to leave I’m making $15 phone calls to friends and family high on the hysteria of being at my dream place! Ahh the busses were so cool!! The seats everything. The bus was pretty empty shocking I know at 11pm.

Well we left and I got to Check-In at Midnight, The CM gave me the greatest was shocked I traveled so far in a day to be there with them. Gave me the Welcome pack (Which I still have of course!!) and showed me how to get to my room, I was in the Sixty’s Area, on the side facing the 70’s Building on the ground floor.

Room was perfect I looked though it all scanned the 40 Disney FILL IN BLANK Channels hooked on them all. Than took a run around the Resort to look.

You’d be surprised how awake you are after 4 hours asleep in 24 hours!! I Love POP Century so big and Disney but more on it later.

Than I crashed because the Next Morning was…

THE MAGIC KINGDOM!!!!!

Stay Tuned Sorry for the longness!
I Took heaps of pics so ill post some along the way.

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

Loving your report, can't wait to read the rest!

 

[TLinden16]

Sounds like a good trip to the States, Bryce! I can't wait to hear all about your trip!

 

[jennymouse]

Looking forward to updates M8!

 

[bigglesworth003]

Okay Before I post the Next Day I'll Post a couple of pics from day one!

(Realy just trying to find out how to do this )

Pic One-
I Know your all Jelous so here it is.. AN LAX TERMINAL WOOOO!!!!!
Yeah it was wierd i was sitting waiting for my Connection to Houston and i had my Laptop out and it picked up a connection and some friends were on MSN soi sent them pics of whati was looking at... Yes i know your all thinking thatis one COOL Hat!! and im not even at WDW yet!



Pic 2
I'm now at POP and Checked in it's 12:45am and imexcited so here is a bad nightshot of my 60's area!


SO there is the First Day in 2 Pics Yes Flying is that exciting....

Ok Up V.Soon Day 2!

 

[bigglesworth003]

DAY 2 – What is that Mickey!!! Waking me up… I’ll meet ya at the Magic Kingdom!

Okay so it’s 7:45am and I get a phone call? It’s Mickey telling me to get up! Yes I knew I had to organize a wake up call everyday for that alone! It’s just so perfectly Disney!

So after Mickey waking me to send me on my first day, I got showered dressed and while have Krissa in the background throwing me suggestions.

Then I went to the food court, Well turns out people are staying at The POP! And there all here in the food court now… but the magic that is Disney CM’s, I got my food, the Breakfast Platter and a banana and my Refillable mug, quickly and friendly.

I took it back to my room to eat as I watched Today just to get into the “foreign” TV

After shoving that down my throat grabbing the Camera and bag I was on my way. Have I mentioned yet how hot it was!!! Its winter and 84 degrees and 80% humidity… we were about to enter summer at home and it was raining and 43 degrees! Ahh how I love Florida minus the humidity! (What was weird was I never saw rain the entire week, Ahh Mickey at work!)

So I went and lined up at the MK Bus got on the next one, standing, and just smiling ear-to-ear staring out the window at the natural beauty.

Well we arrive at The Magic Kingdom!

It was such a beautiful blue sky day and I walked under the tunnel and there it was better than anything I had imagined CINDERELLA’S CASTLE!! Wow it’s so cool and impressive. Well I cruised down Main Street taking it al in and just in awe from it all! Than I cruised to the left through Adventureland which was great, as it’s my favorite land at Disneyland and here it’s huge!! I didn’t go anything there yet I cut through the walkway near the Magic carpets and hopped down the to west, Frontierland were I saw some characters Square dancing with youngling’s in the paths, this just adds so much magic to the atmosphere. I went and got a Fast pass for Big Thunder which I could ride in ½ hour. Then I saw Splash had a 5 minute wait so I hopped on. This was great better than Disneyland’s! Just so much more color and fullness in it. This is one of my favorite rides it classic Disney! Well I rode again but this time in front of me was a father and his about 4 year old son,

Well… his son didn’t like it one bit and he knew how to scream!!!! The whole ride! And worst came the father now doing a running commentary for the son of every little bit that was next “ok don’t worry we go straight than turn than a little drop than we turn its okay its okay calm down” I almost burst out laughing a couple of times but my eardrums burst after the drop boy the kid let loose than!!!

Well by now it Was Big Thunder time, loved it! Than I took the train round to Toontown Fair. From here I went and did what I had been looking forward the most I think, Mickey’s Philarmagic!

And I wasn’t let down I think this is now my favorite attraction the magic and effects and the Donald!!! Great to See Donald in something. I think in the week I saw this 7 times and never got sick of it.

Well It was the first day and packed in a heap of rides covered everything I wanted to get on for the week After Philarmagic, it was Small World, Stitch’s Great Escape, Lunch at Cosmic Ray’s, Space mountain Twice, COP, TTA, Buzz Lightyear, Tiki room, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, Big Thunder again, Splash.. Again! Than Philarmagic again!! (After the first time I bought a lot of Donald stuff at the store outside including the cool hat with his legs hanging off it. I saw it and was MINE!!!)

Also during the day I realized the only way to get pics of me there would be with characters, so yes me a 22 yr old in line to get photo’s with Stitch, Incredible’s and Buzz looking just as excited as the kids behind me scheming a way to cut in front of the “big kid!”

I had ADR at The Plaza for dinner which was interesting, it was the first time I had had a dinner in a restaurant by myself, but my server was great he chatted and talked about how he had visited Australia last year, and gave suggestions on food and the world, was AAA service Kudos to him! I had the Cheese steak Sandwich which was filling and the Plaza Sundae which was huge!! And really didn’t touch it as I was full but hey it was included in the plan!!

After this I did my biggest weakness shopping, than half asleep by now, settled into a spot, for the whole reason I stayed all day... Wishes! Halfway up Main Street and it was so worth the tiredness. Disney Fireworks just tear me up, I can admit it. The score and magic that just ends the perfect day with the biggest amount of magic in the sky! Ahh I love it.

Well I got back to POP! After and was awake again (always happens after finishing work at 1am the drive home wakes ya up than you need to wind down) so I watched TV than Slept to Get ready For the Animal Kingdom!

Ahh The magic makes you have a great sleep!!

Day 3Soon…. And More Pics Tomorrow From Day 2

Thanks for Reading!

 

[studentmom]

Great trip report so far

We'll be there for the first time, too (this Nov).
Your so lucky to have gone to all of those places! I live here and I've only been to Disneyland and Las Vegas. he, he. But that's fine by me!

Hope I can get the opportunity to travel to Australia, someday!

 

[byoung]

Let's hear more.

 

[bigglesworth003]

Day 2 Photo’s

Okay here are a few Pics of My First Day out at the Parks…

Picture 1-
First Steps Down Main Street… Look at that Sky!


Picture 2-
Here’s me In front of the Castle!


Picture 3-
Me wooing Mrs. Incredible


Picture 4-
On Big Thunder


Picture 5-
On Splash!


Picture 6-
The Beautiful Castle


Picture7-
Wishes! AMAZING!!


Ok Should Have Day 3 up Soon
MGM overcoming some fears, and Animal Kingdom!

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Can't wait to read more.

 

[stich626]

You aren't the only big kid waiting in line for the characters. I'd be in line right behind you.lol Can't wait to hear more.

 

[slk537]

Great report so far - looking forward to the rest!

Your enthusiasm is just so fantastic!!

 

[dismom9761]

I have really enjoyed your report so far and the pics are great!I am thinking of a solo trip one day(when my kids are grown-DH does not like WDW) so I love the reports.

 

[bigglesworth003]

DAY 3 – Conquering the Fear, and the Other Kingdom

Well I woke up around 7:30 and now I’m really comfy and feel like I live here,

Got my breakfast at the food court and came back to eat and watch morning TV and that channel that constantly shows the ad for Appliance Direct Cause “IF YOU DIDN’T BUY DIRECT, YOU PAID TOO MUCH!!!” Wow!! This ad made laugh!!

Ok back on track I had been planning to spend the day at the Animal Kingdom, and Disney – MGM Studios another day, but since I left I’ve been dying to go on TOT, only problem there as it has gotten closer I have been getting nervous. I have this huge fear of heights, but have been determined to get on TOT so, I changed my plans in the morning and started the day out at MGM.

I got there just after opening and WOW TOT looks massive when you haven’t been on it yet and have this fear of heights.

So I got in and walked through the store to get around to Sunset and then I was faced with this-



Well I grab a fastpass for it, it was for 40 mins, so I went and queued up for Rockin Roller coaster, I was a little nervous, I love coasters, I beat that fear back in 2003 when I went on California Screaming at DCA, but I still get a little nervous when I can’t see what’s going to happen i.e. Rockin Roller Coaster. Well I got on and the countdown went than… WOW that was awesome!!!! So smooth and the launch was great, and loud.
A little short though I think, for a Disney ride, but still a Disney quality ride!

Well the wait wasn’t too long and I still had 20 mins till my fastpass came round. So I thought stuff it TOT only had a 15min wait so, I just sucked it up, and got in the Stand-By Queue.

But first I got my pic in front of it as proof incase I didn’t make it



Wow this is Classic Disney up there with Indy at DL. The queue totally sets the mood than the lobby wow!! I can’t keep saying wow! Well fast forward to standing on my number waiting for my elevator, at this point I’m pretty scared just from nerves. Well my bellhop was perfect to the theme and as the doors closed gave the spooky “if you need anything just Drop in”

Well it starts and I love the story, the effects are great and right at the end of the 5th Dimension room, I know its coming but my favorite part happens. The bright elevator mirror/star doors open than find out your in the 5th dimension those doors just looked so amazing! Well than it happened…. It dropped, along with my fears! It was so much fun! And smooth. I screamed the whole time and every other time after, (turns out this is the only ride I always scream on!) than it ended! I got off and my hands were shaking and I was deliriously happy, I kept shaking for another 5 mins and bout that cool room key- key ring. Than I sat down opposite the shop and chatted to this nice lady who was too scared to go on it, and told her it was fantastic, she was waiting for her daughter who went on it.
I looked at the time and realized I need to get moving so I gave her my fastpass and said it was valid now, so if her daughter loved it she could go on again and not have to wait.

Well I conquered my fears; I didn’t die and turned out loving it!

I than left straight away, as I planned to come back tomorrow for half the day to see the rest of the park.

I jumped on the bus and headed for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

When I arrived at DAK it didn’t seem too busy Baloo was frolicking round the front and I went straight in,



This is such a beautiful park; it’s just so lush and full! But just needs some more things to do I think, I never came back the entire week I realized I saw and did everything I wanted in an afternoon, I’m sure now with Everest its changed a bit. But I think it still needs a couple of attractions to be a full day park. It’s cool how it looks zooish when you first enter, but after walking round it and you’re smacked in the face with the Tree of life! Than its wow Disney!

The Photo Guys Ambushed me and I got my picture taken in front of the tree of life. Than kept walking to get to Africa,




I wanted to go on Kilimanjaro Safaris first, like most people I think. It had a hour wait so I grabbed a fastpass, than got lunch as I was getting hungry anyways.


The detail in Africa, and well the entire park is so real; I loved the building in Africa old and rundown.

I ate lunch at Tusker House, and used my Dining plan and got a huge lunch. Paid for was about $20 worth I LOVE Dining Plan! Great Salad too!

Here’s Africa and my Lunch 





Yes I do realize the Cake defeats the Salad and water, but it was part of it, and I like salad not just because it’s healthy!

Well I ate outside in the little ally that had a great breeze going through it. Than I went down the Pangani Trail to kill time till Kilimanjaro. This trail was great saw hippo’s gorillas and some crazy half horse/zebra thing! Now I don’t really like zoo’s they bore me but I really loved Animal Kingdom, just as it’s more of a sightseeing walk with the animals along the way.



Now it’s onto Kilimanjaro and that was just beautiful, Story was so-so but still the landscaping just seems so authentic and Africa (Imagineering is doing its job!)
Here are some pics from along the way.





After the Amazing safari, I strolled over to Kali river rapids as it was hot! And I wanted to get wet.

Along the way I got this awesome picture!



Well I just waited for Kali as it was 30min wait, and the queue had a lot to look at
So it flew past, and before I knew it I was boarding a raft. Unfortunately I didn’t get wet  but still had fun, Grizzly rapids at DCA is much better though.

After this I took the long way to the other place I wanted to visit, Dinoland. I went the long way though for good reason I wanted to get a good look at Everest. This is the main reason I’m coming back in 07’ it looks amazing and the area is so beautiful I love the giant lake opposite it’s such an open area this side. After taking many pictures and also watching this ferry that came out pumping music with Mickey and the gang dancing and waving, I moved onto Dinoland USA.

I entered through the path along side Chester and Lester’s, looked at it but didn’t feel the need to look any further, I can ride a mad mouse at home, so I went on Dinosaur, which scared me a little, just so dark and stuff jumping out of me, I think mainly because I didn’t know what was next like I do with Indy, I know everyone compares it with Indy, but they are quiet different and not really comparable. But If I had to Indy is 20 times better.

Well after Dinosaur I was done, I strolled outta Animal kingdom taking it all in and contemplating buying the safari hat, (I didn’t) than took the bus back to home, Pop Century.

Back at POP my purchases from the day before had arrive so I was rummaging through them and watching TV

Here’s the Hat I Love and never wear outside the World-



After having a snoozing I got up and went to get the bus to Downtown Disney, wow it was deserted at the bus stop!



I did shopping and cruised around all of DTD and got a Slurpee at Goof’s Candy Kitchen in the cool Mickey dress up cup! After going through the 10 odd Disney Specific Stores I got the classic Macca’s dinner than went to see Chicken little 3D (which was great the 3d was so clear and crisp Kudos Disney!) I Want a DTD like that at home so relaxing with the rest of WDW and detailed.

Than I went back to POP and called it a day in front of were it started… The TV with Krissa!

WOW!! (there’s that word again I cant stop with it I must have WOW teretts)

These get longer by the day,

I’ll try to write day 4 tomorrow at work

By the way thanks for the kind words!

Next up Day 4- MGM mornings and EPCOT by night!

 

[slk537]

Oh my gosh! DH and I still laugh about those Appliance Direct commercials! "Refrigerator with automatic ice cubes? YES!!!"

I accused him several times of wanting to stay back at the resort to watch this instead of going out...

Still enjoying your report!!

 

[ptrbryant]

Keep the info coming! I'm really enjoying reading your posts...


Karla B.

 

[heaven2dc]

DAY 3 – Conquering the Fear, and the Other Kingdom

WOW!! (there’s that word again I cant stop with it I must have WOW teretts)

Oh My...I can't quit laughing!!! Your descriptions of your rides are great! Would love to come to Australia and have you be my guide - I'm afraid I'd come back home tho with such a sideache from laughter (altho that would be a good thing). Love your pics and report so far - anxiously awaiting more!

 

[bigglesworth003]

Hey all!

Sorry for the long wait, my laptop's in getting fixed so ill try to get it back and the next chapter done in a few days!

 

[bigglesworth003]

Day 4- PART 1 MGM mornings
LATER- EPCOT by night!

Well now I have settled right into the WDW lifestyle, getting up at about 7:30am to the yet non-tiring wake up call of Mickey Telling me to get up… I really should make that my alarm in the morning, might make me more of a morning person

Well getting ready and having the usual first ten minutes of background noise being The top 7 channel (yes I know it’s crazy it automatically comes onto that channel and you despise it yet don’t change the channel!!!) till I have that brief second of no Disney mind and change it to TODAY, its weird seeing Matt and Katie at the normal hour their suppose to be seen, not 4am, that’s when they show US Today in Australia oddly enough it is still competing against Good morning America at 4am in Australia!

Any who this isn’t the TV in Australia Report it’s my WDW Report!!

Well after being ready getting my Breakfast platter and a couple of Banana’s I was on my way to the Bus stop, and for the first time their was a little amount of people in the Queue I wanted yay for MGM!

I got to MGM on opening and head right to the back to the backlot area, to get my Fastpass for Light’s Motor’s Action, I got there it was pretty deserted and I thought sweet! Went up and a CM told me “sorry we only give them out on weekends” Drat! What a waste of speed walking lol, anyway I wandered round the Street’s of America it was cool all wired up for Osborne’s



Well after cruising the streets, in a non illegal way I went over to the backlot tour and made the first tour.



Well this was enjoyable enough… the first park with a couple of props around you and videos was boring, but the next part with the Attack sequence was great. Simple and effective showing of great movie making effects, this show’s my favorite part (and I imagine everyone else’s.)



Than the quick stroll though a make shift prop department. Than onto the tram we go! This part dragged I felt I did love seeing the Earful tower, and getting a great shot for my desktop, but as much as I loved seeing a costume department behind glass I thought they could cut it down a bit.

But than the best part was up Catastrophe Canyon! I loved this I’ve always wanted to see this ever since seeing the blueprints of it in my Imagineering book, than the trip was over. I did love seeing Walt’s plane and the steam roller from a favorite. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Well after the tour I scooted over to LMA to get a seat, the Gigantic stadium slowly filled up but didn’t completely full but there was plenty.

I really loved the detail in the set, the overall show was fun and better than any other stunt show I had seen, there was a problem after the first stunt and they stood around and brought in some mechanics and hovered around the red car for about 15 minute’s as I sat there thinking Are they going to can the rest? But no! It kept going, I loved the fast action and music to go with it was perfect the finale was quite spectacular.



After that I went and wandered a bit, I really loved MGM I enjoyed just being able to wander around and take it all in, I guess the fact I love TV and film helps! I than went to the next Indiana Jones Stunt Show and had to stand for the whole thing… that was not the best. This show was fun bit old and dated but still good to have along with LMA as it’s a different kind of stunt show it was entertaining and I love anything with fire in it



Well I had PS at Sc-Fi and Dine (another one I’ve been dying to see since getting my WDI book years ago!) it was at 1:30pm and it was only 12:30pm so I knocked down a few attractions.

Coming out of IJS I went straight into Sounds Dangerous this was fun BUT needs some serious updating it looked and felt and IS old, but still fun. Just imagine what they could do now days with technology and such it, but with the same premise it would be amazing. They should not drop this just update it, these attractions just fit perfectly showing different aspects of film and how it works.

After the Mis-adventure’s with Drew Carey I went off to properly the Attraction I always knew was in MGM but didn’t know much about, The great Movie ride.

Now this is what DCA needs a family E Ticket that immerses you into it all and makes you apart of it my guide was ok, the second time he was better (different person) Loved seeing some classic scenes and really can see how this was originally planned for EPCOT, was a very EPCOT sort of ride which is great!



This ride could use a clean though and esp. have the Queue Refurbed.

After The ride into movie and before my PS I popped into Animation courtyard and took some pic’s around it’s a beautiful area and the garden out front… Is my favorite.





As I took the long walk round the back to Sc-Fi and Dine for lunch I had to stop and get a Pic with my favorite character…



Than I kept walking after meeting wit my pal, and saw a sign about meeting Mickey, and though nah, I’ll see him at Disneyland in a Week.. Till I popped in and realized it was the main Mouse decked out in his finest, and well… I couldn’t pass it up!




Well now I’m running late but I now if I explain who held me up they’d understand. Well I got to Sc-Fi and Checked in and waited in the check-in area to be “Parked” Everything with this restaurant was prefect in themeing from the waiting area it looked like the inside of a studio to the tiniest detail than just going through the set and bam! Right into a 60’s drive in.



I had rib’s and they were great, the whole meal was just a bit of a let down with my server. She was fantastic to begin with than I said I was on the dining plan and her attitude changed and she just dropped the food off no talking had this look and body language to me as if I was a cheap, which was a shame because I had been still tipping even though it says I don’t have to but I still have been cause most servers have been phenomenal. But alas. The meal was great the setting was perfect and desert was beautiful cheesecake hmmmmm yum!

Well upon leaving I decided it was time to get started on the park I had been waiting for! EPCOT! So I left MGM and got the bus to…



WOW that was long, sorry! But hope all are enjoying I will be back in the next day with the rest of Day 4!!

TTFN!

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Great report!!! Can't wait to read the rest of it.