Escaping the New England winter! Feb 2011 (Completed!)

[Cat0727]

I took some pictures from the sky.

Bye bye Rhode Island!

Beautiful picture

Yum Casey's looks so good! I haven't been there yet, can you believe it? I must make a stop there next time!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Love the sunrise pic!

It was too bad you had that aweful flight.

So excitting to see that first glance at FL and the palm trees.

Awww, you must have been so happy to return to WL!

Funny, I'm the opposite of you...never had the corn dogs...only the hot dog...

 

[MeMom]

I didn't see this until just now, and since I am at school, I can't see the pictures. I look forward to seeing them when I get home this evening. I am ready to be back sitting in a rocking chair at Wilderness Lodge in that nice weather - how about you?

 

[Tink9721]

I will never, ever, ever do that attraction ever again. I HATED the harness and being restrained like that. That alone freaks me out a LOT (I'm only okay with it on rides), but combined with the dark and the loud noises, I almost had a complete meltdown. It was awful. At least I can say that I tried it!

Yeah I didn't like the harness at all! I'll never do it again!

Beautiful picture

Yum Casey's looks so good! I haven't been there yet, can you believe it? I must make a stop there next time!

Casey's is awesome! Don't worry, I was guilty of never having a dole whip until this last trip

Love the sunrise pic!

It was too bad you had that aweful flight.

So excitting to see that first glance at FL and the palm trees.

Awww, you must have been so happy to return to WL!

Funny, I'm the opposite of you...never had the corn dogs...only the hot dog...

I thought I was gonna get blinded taking that picture It was SO bright!

The flight was a nightmare but as soon as I saw a palm tree I was happy

I always love pulling up to WL

I didn't see this until just now, and since I am at school, I can't see the pictures. I look forward to seeing them when I get home this evening. I am ready to be back sitting in a rocking chair at Wilderness Lodge in that nice weather - how about you?

Me too! It was so nice that night we had the DIS meet! The weather here has been awful all week. It's either been warmer and raining, or really cold


Hi DIS friends! Happy Friday! I haven't had a chance to do an update this week. It's been crazy at school. I have 3 different books for school that I'm reading all at once and two oral presentations coming up. All of that got assigned this week 2 of those books and one of the presentations are all for the same class

But something very good happened this week! Those of you who are friends with me on facebook already know but for those of you that don't...

I got into college!!! My first choice!

I'm so excited! I only applied to two schools. Both of them are close by because I'm planning to live at home for at least my first year. My first choice is 20 minutes away I haven't seen the campus yet, but my mom and I are gonna go check it out tomorrow.

I was planning on doing an update tonight but I'm exhausted I'll definitely update tomorrow or Sunday! Have a nice weekend!

 

[Megablocks]

I was gonna do a "congratulations to Christine!" post on here but I didn't wanna steal your thunder, and I wasn't sure if you wanted to post it yourself. I am so happy for you!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Congratulations! You go girl!

Must feel wonderful to get your first choice!

That's great news! I bet your DMom is so happy you will stay close to her.

I hope my kids stay with me forever..... Okay...maybe not forever.

Just remind yourself you only have a couple more months of school to go!

I'll be happy to see an update when you can.

 

[Tink9721]

I was gonna do a "congratulations to Christine!" post on here but I didn't wanna steal your thunder, and I wasn't sure if you wanted to post it yourself. I am so happy for you!

Thanks Meg!

Congratulations! You go girl!

Must feel wonderful to get your first choice!

That's great news! I bet your DMom is so happy you will stay close to her.

I hope my kids stay with me forever..... Okay...maybe not forever.

Just remind yourself you only have a couple more months of school to go!

I'll be happy to see an update when you can.

Thank you! It does feel awesome!!! My mom is definitely happy

 

[Tink9721]

When I left off, we had just arrived at the Magic Kingdom and had lunch at Casey's!

Last year, I had downloaded that Verizon app that lets you check wait times and fastpass return times. I kept forgetting to use it last time, but this year I used it a lot. It really does help save a lot of time and walking. There have been many times when I've walked from one side of the park to the other to get a fastpass for something, only to find out that I can't make the return time

Anyway, while we were eating lunch, I checked the wait and fastpass return time for Splash Mountain. I was absolutely desperate to ride it since it was closed for refurbishment last year The wait was somewhere around an hour, and the fastpass time was 6:00-7:00. We had reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern at 6:35, but I figured we'd be fine riding at 6:00, since they're close to each other. So after lunch, we took off toward Splash and got our fastpasses

Then we headed over to one of our favorites...

Apparently I stopped to take a picture of a seagull

The line was somewhere around 20 minutes, which seems kind of long for HM, but last year when we got there it was 45 I think maybe it was because last year we arrived on the Tuesday after President's Day instead of Wednesday. Most of the long weekend crowds had moved out by then.

I took some pictures while we were in line...

I noticed the lights for the first time. I thought they were cool. My mom laughed at me for taking pictures of a light

After riding HM...I was a bad DISer...I didn't take another picture for two hours I was so excited about being there that I forgot.

With my camera tucked safely into my bag, instead of in my hand where it should've been, we walked over to Adventureland for another one of our favorites, Pirates!

It's a good thing I took notes in my phone, because I'd be completely lost without the pictures! According to my notes we headed towards Fantasyland. My mom really wanted to do Mickey's PhilharMagic and I wanted to see the construction! We saw PhilharMagic and I looked at the construction while we walked to Tomorrowland. It was so cool to see the new buildings in person after looking at construction pictures online for months!

We walked past the closed Toontown, and into Tomorrowland to ride the TTA. Now I have pictures!

These trees were blooming all over the place. They were beautiful!

Continued in next post...

 

[Tink9721]

I recently discovered and fell in love with the flower mode on my camera(I've only had the camera for like 4 years, and I just figured out how to work everything a few months ago ) so there will be a lot of flower pictures in this report!

And again with the lack of pictures...

Our fastpass return time for Splash Mountain was approaching, so we headed back to Frontierland. We still had about 15-20 minutes to kill, so we went to see the Country Bear Jamboree. I absolutely love this show

When it was over, it was time to get wet! I was so happy to ride Splash after missing it last year! I didn't get soaked, which was good because I didn't want to eat at LTT soaking wet!

We checked in to LTT a little before our reservation time, and we were seated almost immediately. Usually we have to wait a long time so I was really happy!

Sorry for the bluriness, I was trying not to use the flash.

I thought the new napkins were really cute!

First they brought out the yummy salad.

My mom made fun of me for taking food pictures

I forgot to take a picture of the food when they brought it out, so I just took a picture of my plate.

Apple crisp Again, just my plate.

We defeated our dessert

I love LTT. Everything was delicious as usual.

We left very full and happy, and went to secure our spot for Wishes.

A pretty view behind us. My camera takes horrible pictures at night

A pretty view in front of us.

I had seen videos of The Magic, The Memories, and You and I couldn't wait to see it in person. It was absolutely amazing! I've never heard the park so quiet. I think everyone was just in a shocked silence. After that amazing show, it was time for Wishes

As usual, it made me cry

After that we were exhausted, so we decided to call it a night and head back to WL. We wanted to take the boat, since everything looks so pretty at night during the ride.

Well, that was a mistake. A little side note, I tend to get really nervous on boats. I'm terrified of deep water, which makes no sense because I live in the ocean state and I love being out on the water here. Anyway, it took three stays at the WL for my mom to convince me to take the boat. I finally did last year, and I loved it.

So tonight, we were going along as usual on the way back to WL. Well, when we were about half way between MK and the Contemporary, the boat stopped....It kept making this really loud noise every time they tried to start it again. We sat there for about 5 minutes and I was freaking out. My mom was laughing at me because she knew I was completely over reacting We started moving again and made it back to WL safely. They never said what was wrong, but apparently it was okay. I was very happy to get back on dry land I told my mom I wasn't taking the boat for the rest of the week. But I got over it, so we ended up taking it 2 or 3 times after that

After that traumatic experience, it was time to crash for the night.

That's it for today! Next time, Tonga Toast and a day at Hollywood Studios!

 

[Cat0727]

Congrats Christine on getting into your first choice!

I love LTT. I've always wanted to go there for lunch, I hear it's so good! LOL did your mom get used to you taking food porn pics by the end of the trip?

 

[Megablocks]

Darn...you're afraid of deep water? So I can't make you come to Boston and go on a whale watch out of Gloucester with us? Charles is also not a fan of deep water and he's especially not a fan of open water so I don't know how he has managed to go on whale watches. He is also not crazy about the ocean -- he HATES when we are at the beach and I go out too deep (even up to my waist or above -- you have met me, I am not super tall!) b/c he freaks out about sharks, and just all sorts of fish and things on the ocean floor. He's funny like that.

Ahhh I miss LTT so bad! Last time we ate there was when it was still a character dinner. And I definitely teared up at the video of The Magic, The Memories, and You. Then I watched Wishes for more effect and cried.

I also want to know, did your mom ever get used to you taking food porn pictures? My parents did eventually. Strangely, I think my dad found it more amusing that I took a picture of a Fastpass.

 

[Tink9721]

Congrats Christine on getting into your first choice!

I love LTT. I've always wanted to go there for lunch, I hear it's so good! LOL did your mom get used to you taking food porn pics by the end of the trip?

Thank you!

Yes she did But she still rolled her eyes at me a few times

Darn...you're afraid of deep water? So I can't make you come to Boston and go on a whale watch out of Gloucester with us? Charles is also not a fan of deep water and he's especially not a fan of open water so I don't know how he has managed to go on whale watches. He is also not crazy about the ocean -- he HATES when we are at the beach and I go out too deep (even up to my waist or above -- you have met me, I am not super tall!) b/c he freaks out about sharks, and just all sorts of fish and things on the ocean floor. He's funny like that.

Ahhh I miss LTT so bad! Last time we ate there was when it was still a character dinner. And I definitely teared up at the video of The Magic, The Memories, and You. Then I watched Wishes for more effect and cried.

I also want to know, did your mom ever get used to you taking food porn pictures? My parents did eventually. Strangely, I think my dad found it more amusing that I took a picture of a Fastpass.

Actually I'd love to go on a whale watch! I'm afraid of deep water, but I used to go out on the boat with my dad all the time and I was fine. I think I'm more afraid of swimming in deep water. I swim in the lake in Vermont, but I never go out very deep. It freaks me out! I'm usually okay in a boat but the WL boat issue scared the heck out of me I had a very irrational thought "omg we're gonna have to swim to the shore!"

My mom did get used to it but she still rolled her eyes at me I took a fastpass picture too, but my mom didn't see me do it. It was one of the days I grabbed our KTTW cards and power walked. I think it was to Kilimanjaro Safari.

 

[MeMom]

I thought the new napkins were really cute!

My mom made fun of me for taking food pictures Studios!

One of the first pictures I took at Pop was of the new napkins.

Your mom would be embarrassed to be around me, because I take plenty of food pictures, too.

 

[Megablocks]

I forgot to say that before we go back, I am definitely getting a line app for my iPhone. And if we end up planning a whale watch this summer I will keep you updated on it, they are a lot of fun!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm caught up now!

First, CONGRATULATIONS on getting into your first choice college!!! That is fantastic news!!!

Sorry to hear about the awful flight. ughhhhhhhh. Not fun. But, glad it was quickly forgotten about and the fun started.

I have yet to try LTT, but it's been on the list a few times. Maybe next trip, it looks yummy!!

 

[photographymom517]

Hey Christine!!! I loved your Magic Kingdom update!!!

Thanks for the warning about Stitch's Great Escape...I'm pretty sure I had in our on list of things to do in September!

I really liked all of your pictures of the flowers, so its ok with me if you post a million flower photos!

It does take non-DISers time to get used to us taking pictures of food, doesn't it? My husband knew that I'd been reading trip reports for months before our trip, but at first he still thought it was weird that I was taking pictures of EVERYTHING! But he got used it to by the end of the first day...then he just sat there before eating waiting for me to take a picture. Sometimes he'd even say "Hey you forgot to take a picture of the food!" LOL

I completely relate to your boat experience. On my very first Disney trip, we were in a thunder/lightning storm at the MK. Of course at the exact moment the lightning started, we were ON the monorail! I'm not sure if the power went out or if they just stopped it for safety reasons...but we were on the monorail for over an hour. I was only 5 years old at the time & my mom was pregnant with my brother...so you can imagine our panic! I think she was freaking out more than I was but we're both claustrophobic so it wasn't a good experience.

I remember my Senior year of high school going to Disney (my mom was with us) and we were getting on the monorail to go to the TTC. I turned around & said "Hey mom, remember when we got stuck on the monorail years ago?" and all of my friends looked at me & got in line with someone else! I guess they were freaked out because everytime I say "remember when I got stuck on an elevator" right before getting on an elevator...we get stuck again!

Your food looks soooo good from LTT! I've never been...I've also never been to Casey's! Yes, I am a bad DISer!

Thanks for taking pictures of the napkins! I always take a picture of the napkin & then I take one home as a souvenir!

I cannot wait to hear about Tonga Toast!!! I want to try that soooo bad on our next trip!!!

And most importantly....CONGRATS!!!!!! That is awesome that you got accepted to your first choice college!!!!!

 

[Tink9721]

One of the first pictures I took at Pop was of the new napkins.

Your mom would be embarrassed to be around me, because I take plenty of food pictures, too.

She got used to me taking weird pictures eventually. I reminded her that there are thousands of other people who take the weird pictures too

I forgot to say that before we go back, I am definitely getting a line app for my iPhone. And if we end up planning a whale watch this summer I will keep you updated on it, they are a lot of fun!

The app really did save a lot of time!

Yay!

I'm caught up now!

First, CONGRATULATIONS on getting into your first choice college!!! That is fantastic news!!!

Sorry to hear about the awful flight. ughhhhhhhh. Not fun. But, glad it was quickly forgotten about and the fun started.

I have yet to try LTT, but it's been on the list a few times. Maybe next trip, it looks yummy!!

Thank you!!

LTT is a must do for us! The food is awesome

Hey Christine!!! I loved your Magic Kingdom update!!!

Thanks for the warning about Stitch's Great Escape...I'm pretty sure I had in our on list of things to do in September!

I really liked all of your pictures of the flowers, so its ok with me if you post a million flower photos!

It does take non-DISers time to get used to us taking pictures of food, doesn't it? My husband knew that I'd been reading trip reports for months before our trip, but at first he still thought it was weird that I was taking pictures of EVERYTHING! But he got used it to by the end of the first day...then he just sat there before eating waiting for me to take a picture. Sometimes he'd even say "Hey you forgot to take a picture of the food!" LOL

I completely relate to your boat experience. On my very first Disney trip, we were in a thunder/lightning storm at the MK. Of course at the exact moment the lightning started, we were ON the monorail! I'm not sure if the power went out or if they just stopped it for safety reasons...but we were on the monorail for over an hour. I was only 5 years old at the time & my mom was pregnant with my brother...so you can imagine our panic! I think she was freaking out more than I was but we're both claustrophobic so it wasn't a good experience.

I remember my Senior year of high school going to Disney (my mom was with us) and we were getting on the monorail to go to the TTC. I turned around & said "Hey mom, remember when we got stuck on the monorail years ago?" and all of my friends looked at me & got in line with someone else! I guess they were freaked out because everytime I say "remember when I got stuck on an elevator" right before getting on an elevator...we get stuck again!

Your food looks soooo good from LTT! I've never been...I've also never been to Casey's! Yes, I am a bad DISer!

Thanks for taking pictures of the napkins! I always take a picture of the napkin & then I take one home as a souvenir!

I cannot wait to hear about Tonga Toast!!! I want to try that soooo bad on our next trip!!!

And most importantly....CONGRATS!!!!!! That is awesome that you got accepted to your first choice college!!!!!

Yeah, Stitch's Great Escape was awful Once was more than enough for me!

My mom got used to it, but there was a lot of eye rolling

I would be terrified!

Thank you

 

[Tink9721]

Thursday, February 24

This morning we had an 8:45 reservation at Kona! We took the bus to MK and then hopped on the monorail. This was our first time at the Poly. I loved it!!! I'd love to stay there someday.

We were a little early for our reservation, but it wasn't very busy so they took us right away.

I just noticed that guy in the blue shirt giving me a funny look

Of course I knew what I was going to order I had been talking about the Tonga Toast forever so my mom knew too

This was soooooo good! My mom and I both loved it. She gave me her pineapple. Can you believe she doesn't like pineapple? I love it so I was happy to take it!

I took a picture of one of the flowers on the rug.

After breakfast, we explored the lobby and the gift shop a little bit.

Looking out the window.

Walking out the front door.

We walked over to the bus stop and got on a very crowded DHS bus. I thought that was a bad sign, but the park wasn't really crowded at all.

As soon as we got in the park, I took both of our cards and went on a mission.

Some quick pictures while I was power walking.

Stupid construction ruining my ToT pictures

I reached my destination.

I got two fastpasses, both for me. My mom has back problems so she can't do most of the thrill rides.

Continued in next post...

 

[Tink9721]

After I completed my fastpass mission, I met my mom in front of ToT. She walked leisurely through the park when I took off on my mission

The Backlot tour had been closed for refurbishment the last two trips and this time it was finally open, so we headed in that direction.

I still haven't been on Toy Story Mania

We hopped in the short line for the Backlot tour. I only have one picture because I was filming the whole time. My digital camera takes videos, but there's no sound confused3) so I was using my video camera. I'll try to get my videos up here but I've been having trouble with that camera lately.

I stopped filming for a second so I could take this picture.

There had been additions to the Villains exhibit since the last time I was there.

I'm a huge Pirates fan so I was happy to see these.

Not new, but still cool

Some new stuff.

The Shining

The original didn't scare me, but I saw the remake first and that terrified me I was only 12. It didn't help that I saw it at my dad's house, which he had just moved into. I had only been there once or twice. He also kept throwing things into the room to scare me while I was watching it That movie scared the heck out of me. I was afraid of bath tubs for months after that.

Anyway, back to Disney

We hadn't seen the Muppets in a couple years, so we headed in that direction.

After that, it was time to use my Rock n Rollercoaster fastpasses!

I'll stop here for now.

Next time: Will my mom ride Tower of Terror? (Meg, don't ruin it! )

 

[MeMom]

Thursday, February 24

This morning we had an 8:45 reservation at Kona! We took the bus to MK and then hopped on the monorail. This was our first time at the Poly. I loved it!!! I'd love to stay there someday.

I was still just thinking happy Disney thoughts that morning. I had a busy, busy day getting ready for a three day sub.

Poly is a beautiful resort, and I would love to stay there, as well, but I can stay about 4 or more nights at Pop for the price. If I ever stay there, I hope it can be after a big fireworks display (like the 4th or NYE) so we can just walk back to the room and crash!