"Everyone! Come see how handsome I am!" **FINISHED** 2/17

[gracer9977]

Still Here!!! Looking forward to another update.

 

[dawnmichele]

Still Here!!! Looking forward to another update.

Aww, thanks! I always love it when you comment!

My next update should be up later today!

 

[dawnmichele]

I passed my favorite view of this gorgeous tree.

There was a PPP nearby and I stopped to see if hed take my picture.

He asked me about the Rapid Strap camera strap I was wearing and if I liked it. Disney provides the little harnesses they use at the park but he was thinking about getting one for his personal use. I had gotten the recommendation to try one from the photography board here, as a matter of fact, and people were right. Its awesome. Its a cross body strap that attaches to the camera via the tripod spot on the bottom. It rides along at your waist happily waiting until you feel like shooting something, and then the camera just sides around to wherever you want it. Mine has some floral decorations on the padded shoulder bit which I like. Im sure you can get a glimpse of it on many of the photos in this report.

This guy was outside of the Flights of Wonder theatre talking about the owl Tuesday, so named because she was found on a Tuesday. I had heard about her on a podcast somewhere, I think. It was an interesting story, but I didnt stop for too long.

This is my favorite structure in the AK, so I had to take some pictures of it on the way past.

I found the window I was looking for and ordered myself a Yak Attack.

Delicious!! And gorgeous. It is a mango daiquiri, some rum and wildberry flavors. With a cherry on top. It ranks right up there with the margarita I got at San Angel Inn.

I decided to enjoy it as I walked to meet some more make believe friends from the 100 Acre Wood. I knew I was close when I started to smell the BBQ. For many years of my life my dad owned a BBQ restaurant in Kansas City and that smell brings back lots of memories. I passed Flame Tree and headed down the big hill to the meet and greet.

I was wearing a fun (if old) shirt that day - its Tigger dressed up as Mickey. And apparently kids love it. I saw so many kids staring at my tshirt that day, and as I was standing in line for Pooh and friends, a little girl started talking to me about it. She thought it was hilarious. I felt kinda like a bad influence, sucking down a Yak Attack while talking to a little kid I didnt know, but then I remembered she didnt know what I was drinking, and it was Disney World so it was all good. I was worried about what Id do with my drink while I was hugging my Disney friends, but the line turned out long enough for me to finish in the queue.

First I met the cuddliest bear who ever lived, Winnie the Pooh himself.

And then the saddest donkey. Except he didnt seem very sad. He spun around in circles for me. Im not sure why, his handler said he was modeling for me.

And last, but so far from least, my bouncy friend Tigger. We bounced around a little, he enjoyed my shirt and then posed for some photographs.

I was headed back up the hill when I got the call.

Up next: This is when the party turned ugly.

 

[dawnmichele]

So here we go - the undisputed low point of the trip&

Im heading out of the 100 Acre Wood meet and greet in the Animal Kingdom and I get a call. I think Hannah called first, but I ended up talking to both her and Danny several times over the next 30 minutes. Things had gone badly when Hannah tried to log on to take her test. We didnt know it then, but turned out that the schools computers were messed up that day and not letting anyone log on. Everyone who was still in town had to go in to campus and take the test there, but for Hannah that was obviously not an option and at the time, she had no idea what was going on. She was really upset because it was obviously not going to be for her grade in the class. And Danny, well he thought he was being helpful but he really just made things incredibly worse. Ill spare you all the details. When she explained she needed to just not talk for a while, he kept after her. To the point that she said she just needed to leave and he chased after her.

Yeah.

It was such a mess. And I was just like I cant believe I am at Disney World having to referee a fight between my grown daughter and her dad. Really people?

What the what?
We are at Disney World.

The less said about that mess, the better. I tried to help them see the others side, but in the end I said look, this is over and in the past. It was ridiculous and messed up, but lets please just leave it behind and get back to this vacation we are in the middle of!!

Enough ridiculousness.

And after that, I figured I needed another Yak Attack.

I headed back to the drink window and asked the same CM for another. I felt like I had to explain why I was back again so quickly for another drink and she gave me 2 cherries on top of my drink in sympathy. It was just as good and I slurped it down as I headed towards one of my favorite rides, Dinosaur! Because if you have to referee a flight between two grown ups on your vacation at Disney World, the best answer is to drink an adult beverage and then travel 65 thousand years through time to help some crazy scientist bring back a live dinosaur.

I did not even get a ride photo of this.

When I was done, it was about time to head for the MK. I checked for Dug and Russell at the Wilderness Explorers club, by they werent out. I stopped for a PPP near the exit and he took this crazy picture.

{{Where did this picture go? I will find it and I will add it in here}}

On the way to the bus stops, I got one more picture.

I asked the friendly CM near the bus stop signs the best way to get to the MK from there, and he showed me where to find a bus that would take me to the TTC. Thanks friendly CM!

Ok, heres another thing about Disney. Just like I can pretend I really hugged Winnie the Pooh that day, I can pretend that everyone at Disney World is my friend. At least the CM and probably everyone else. When a CM and I say hi to each other, its just like I when said hi to my friends in the hallways at school. The CM who made my Yak Attack, the CM at the bus stop board - you can see how Id think that, right?

I waited a little for the bus, and then I was off.

This update is a little short, I know, but since it's about the bad part I want to leave it on it's own and move on to the rest of the night...

Up next: I'm in my living room!

 

[dawnmichele]

Hannah texted me while I was waiting on the monorail. She was almost at the MK herself. I told her I was on the Tronorail and she saw me pull in.

But then when I got inside the park where I thought I was going to meet her, she was no where to be found. And she wasnt responding to my texts. I was super confused. I wasnt worried (as I often am) because cell phone reception is not great in Disney World, but I just didnt get it. I looked around for a long time. While I was looking I noticed there wasnt any wait to meet Mickey, so I texted H I was going to stop in to say hi to the mouse and to text me where she was.

Meeting Mickey was awesome, and I love his backstage dressing room.He kissed me and I know I blushed. That mouse is so charming.

I came out and went back to walking around the giant Christmas tree looking for that girl. My phone rang and I was so relieved. I answered the phone Where are you?? and was surprised to hear the answer "Im in my living room, where are you? Hah! I had accidentally pocket dialed my mom and she was calling me back. After we chatted a few minutes I was back to looking around. I still didnt see Hannah, but I saw Danny headed out of Guest Services.

He had been keeping his cards and his little bit of cash in a ziplock bag (!! I dont even know!!) and had lost it on some ride Ive now forgotten. He realized it as soon as he got off the ride and headed to GS. As he was explaining his situation to the CM behind the counter, another CM came in to turn in his baggie. Thank you Mickey Mouse and your magical kingdom! That was a potential bad scene that insted could hardly have been smoother.

And then two things happened at the same time. The Celebrate a Dream Come True parade came in to view, and H got all our texts at once and texted us back. She was at our spot waiting for us. Whoops. She was bored so she decided to brave the parade crowds and came to meet us. We stood there with hardly anyone around and watched the parade.

I love Disney parades!

Next up: But its lunch time to me!

 

[wishes0813]

Love your reports, I am at CSR in 60 days with my DH after our first Disney Cruise! Will actually be there during your next trip.


On your Epcot day I loved the fact that my family has the same shirts as you and DX. I have the Millennium Falcon shirt and my DS(9) has the blue Mickey Shirt.

 

[gracer9977]

Wow I got behind by 3 updates somehow. My email updates failed me.

Anyway I am all caught up now.

So sorry to hear about the problems between H and Danny. Hopefully the issue with H's test got resolved. It was hardly her fault that she was many miles away and their computers failed. Glad you had 2 Yak Attacks to help you through that bit of drama. I have to say I am going to have to try one of those cause they look delicious!!

I love that you called your mom at home and she said she was in her living room. So funny.

Great character pics with Pooh and the gang and Mickey.

What is that rock formation that you took a picture of. I have never seen that before. Looks like it has a clawed foot. I am really going to have to scour Animal Kingdom while I am there in a few months cause I have obviously missed a ton of stuff.

Great updates. Looking forward to the next one.

 

[dawnmichele]

The three of us headed for our much anticipated ADR at Liberty Tree Tavern. Of all our meals on this trip, I was looking forward to this one most.

But first& I cant pass the castle without taking at least one picture of that gorgeous thing.

This time I got a shot of the wishing well, too.

We made it to LTT a tiny bit early. We checked in and were asked where we were from. We went to sit at a table with some coloring pages and crayons, but had barely started to color before they called our names. Our name and where we were from of course. We followed the CM to our table.

We were checking out the menus and I quickly realized this wasnt the menu I was expecting. It was he prix fixe dinner menu.

What the what?

But we were having lunch! I mean we hadnt eaten since breakfast so of course it was lunch right? We needed Freedom Pasta. We needed the Colony Salad. We needed Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake! Wed been dreaming about it for months. Ok, only I had, but&!

But no matter how excited we were or how long I had been looking forward to it, 4:20 is dinner time, not lunch time. What in the world had I been thinking? I guess I thought 4:20 was some kind of late lunch time, although if you ask me when restaurants switch to dinner Id say 4pm without thinking about it. I dont know. I have no excuse. I messed that one up.

When our waiter came over, I sheepishly told him about my mess up, and that we werent sure wed be staying. Wed have to talk it over. He wasnt very friendly and told us it was our choice. In fact he was kinda unfriendly. We annoyed him. Im sure the dinner is good there, but we had all already decided what we wanted and thats what we wanted. The dinner just didnt seem good - especially with the alternate dessert.

I wouldnt say this was a bad day - we were on vacation at Disney World - but it was a hard day. Wait, it wasn't hard either, compared to like yard work or whatever. But it wasn't a dream day, either. The fight, the miscommunication about meeting up, the lost zippie and the LTT disappointment. We werent sad or mad but we were ready to get back to having a good time.

I pulled out my phone to check what else might be available in the next few hours and found absolutely nothing. We decided to leave and get some quick service at Pinocchio's Village Haus. Danny and I were sure wed eaten there on one of the 90s trips and not liked it, but certainly the menu had changed since and thought it sounded like a try.

(I have reservations at LTT on my upcoming trip though. And this time its at 1:35 - definitely lunch time. I have learned.)

While we were deciding about dinner we also talked about what to do with the rest of our evening. We decided to check out New Fantasyland in the dark after dinner and sent H to get the FPs for The Journey of the Little Mermaid.

We all met up inside the restaurant and had some amazing timing. We were definitely grateful for that. It was empty when we ordered but by the time we left there were some crazy lines! We all enjoyed our dinner, although I did think it was a little pricey for a QS dinner. After all the things that had happened that day, I had to look over our receipt. But I think we just got a lot of stuff.

I had the flatbread with balsamic vinegar because I love that stuff. D & H got meatball subs. H had some fries and the grown ups had salad. I know it was a hit because Danny often mentions it when talking about where to eat at the MK.

No dreamy desserts, but not too bad! Things were looking up.

Next up: That Buzz is such a charmer.

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[dawnmichele]

Or maybe I should call it photos I forgot. Either way, here are some photos that should have gone with the "while I was alone at AK" part of this day. It kind of makes sense that there was a mess up with that part of my trip report. They're all from the bit just after "the low point."

A photo from my voyage back in time.

Me, just before leaving the park. You might be able to tell I had 2 Yak Attacks from this photo. Maybe.

Maybe that's why I spotted Stitch breaking through the concrete. He's such a rascal.

Up next: Back to the trip report.

 

[dawnmichele]

We headed for New Fantasyland. Like so much of Disney, it is fabulous in the dark. So is Storybook Circus so we looked around there. Hannah was against both Dumbo and the Barnstormer even when I reminded her of how much she loved it when she was 4, so we just headed back to use our Little Mermaid fast passes.

The ride wasnt any more impressive than the other times wed ridden it. On the other hand its not a bad way to spend 10 minutes so no one was complaining. After that ride we split up for a little bit. Hannah wanted to ride Space Mountain and Danny wanted to ride the Carousel of Progress. I hadnt done CoP since the 90s so I decided to go with him.

We got confused with the wheelchair entrance for that ride and had to run around a bit before we found our way in. We sat in a mostly empty theatre and took a tour through time.

I love this dog!

We texted H when we were done. She was still in line, but said she was close. Buzz Lightyear was meeting in his spot nearby so we got in line. A dance party was going on, so we had a lot of fun, loud music to entertain us while we waited. There was a little bit of a line.

Buzz seemed like he was having a good time that night, and when I went up to meet him he took my hands and we started dancing!

After one of the most fun dances of my entire life (!!!), we stopped and posed for photos. Danny joined us.

TWEET: Just danced with buzz lightyear. That made everything better.​

It really did! It was so, so fun. Before that dance, I was never that much of a Buzz fan, but now - well I will always have a special place in my heart for that spaceman.

Hannah had texted us by then and we agreed to meet up on Poohs wall, across from the teacups. No one wanted to go on Poohs ride, and Hannah was advocating hard for Haunted Mansion, so he started off in that direction.

As we were walking through line, Hannahs Disney dream came true!

She got a red card! Shed been hoping for so long, and come so close several times. I think she kind of freaked the CM when she told him how shed been hoping all week to get one. She was super excited.

We got to the place in line where wheelchairs split off and they told us only 2 could go. Hannah went on her own, but asked to wait at the loading spot until we came around, so we could ride next to each other. Shes such a sweet girl.

It was getting rainy after that, and it had been a long day. And we had a big secret to reveal that night! Hannah didnt know that for the last two nights of our trip we were going to stay in a Little Mermaid room at the brand new Art of Animation resort! Somehow we had managed to keep that secret from her for months. There were more than a couple times Danny and I were sure we blew it, but luckily she had that teenage daughter thing of sometimes not paying any attention to what we say. D and I had planned to head back early that night so we could break the news and pack our things, so we convinced H with the rain and the tiredness, we should just head back to the room.

We settled in and watched some Stacey. When H was changed into her pjs, I was all Hannah, can you come in here a minute? We need to talk to you. with my best serious voice. She came and sat down on her bed with that look of Oh, no. What did I do? on her face. She said later she was sure she was in trouble.

And then we broke the good news! She was thrilled. It was awesome to watch her happiness and excitement. We packed everything up, set a wake up call and hit the sheets.

Up next: A PS to the day.

 

[gracer9977]

Love the added photos. Yes you look like you are having a very good time in your photo in AK. I totally love that Stitch popping up through the concrete photo.

So glad you were able to keep the secret of staying at the Little Mermaid rooms and funny that she thought she was in trouble but then ended up getting great news.

Sorry about the disappointment in getting to LTT at dinner time. It's funny though cause the dinner there is one of the meals my husband and I look forward to the most. I love that meal. Never had lunch there though so maybe that is the reason.

Glad H finally got the red card.

 

[dawnmichele]

So glad you were able to keep the secret of staying at the Little Mermaid rooms and funny that she thought she was in trouble but then ended up getting great news.

There were a few times Danny and I let something slip and thought we might be busted, but apparently we played it off well enough each time. She always thinks she's in trouble when one of us tell her we want to talk to her. Guilty conscious? I don't think so because I think she's a really good girl -- but maybe that's why she has the guilty conscious.

Sorry about the disappointment in getting to LTT at dinner time. It's funny though cause the dinner there is one of the meals my husband and I look forward to the most. I love that meal. Never had lunch there though so maybe that is the reason.

Thanks It's not that it looked bad, it was just that thing of having our minds/tastebuds so ready for something else.

 

[dawnmichele]

Here’s a P.S. to the day.

Remember the night trapped on It’s A Small World? When I was writing the report, I couldn’t really figure out the timing of things that happened after. Eventually I just guessed when it was we had that super magic ride on BTMRR during Wishes.

When I was writing this day, I found this tweet:

Riding big thunder mntn (my fave coaster) during the fireworks more than makes up for any bad vacation bits.

Well that explains it. It didn’t fit in that night because it didn’t happen that night. D’oh. Sorry for that inaccuracy. I don’t really think there’s much of it. And i promise I will be taking better notes next time (36 days).

Up next: Check in at Art of Animation

 

[dawnmichele]

Love your reports, I am at CSR in 60 days with my DH after our first Disney Cruise! Will actually be there during your next trip.

Thank you so much!
I hope your cruise is awesome! I've never done one of those but I know people love them so much. If you're at CSR while I'm at BLT, chances are we'll see eachother at some point. Are you taking a lime green Mickey head?

On your Epcot day I loved the fact that my family has the same shirts as you and DX. I have the Millennium Falcon shirt and my DS(9) has the blue Mickey Shirt.

That is awesome! You guys obviously have amazingly good taste in Disney clothing!

Not many days now!

 

[dawnmichele]

As much as we had loved Coronado Springs (and it was very, very nice), we were super excited to go check out AoA!

The Little Mermaid rooms had only been open for about a month, and the whole thing was just still new and fresh. So that was exciting. Plus we are just the kind of family that lives for highly themes. When im at Disney World, I want to be IN a world of Disney every minute. I know not everyones like that and I get it, but that's how I like it. Danny, too. Hannah loves the highly themed (but I think she might like fancy better).

Heres Danny waiting on his scooter, and the groceries we were taking with us.

We called bell services and someone came around quickly to take care of us. He loaded our stuff on a cart and drove us to the lobby.

We got all checked out at the CSR tried to use gift cards but system slow so we only did one. our cm was training but pretty good. We tried to use some gift cards when we were checking out, but the system was slow so we decided to save them for other things. We walked to the front and a CM from bell services got us a taxi.

He had to whistle at the taxi guy a couple times and when he finally came over the Disney guy scolded him for not paying attention. He gave us a pleasant ride over to the AoA anyway and chatted with us about our stay. He said he had heard the AoA was very nice and we couldnt wait to check it out for ourselves.

I hope that you have seen photos of the Amazing wall of lights in that AoA lobby. Its like a wall made of glowing fruit stripe gum and it is awesome. I may have a picture from tomorrow, so for now just flashback to a picture youve already seen, ok?

Tweet: Checking in at aoa. We kept it a secret from the girl until last night! So fun.

At this point I was excited and overwhelmed by all the bright and shiny! We waited in a short line until we were called by a bright and shiny CM to her bright and shiny desk. She was earning her ears! We had done online check in for this resort so it was quick and painless. She got us checked in and made sure to use as many puns as possible. I loved it. Have an animated stay! Sketch you later! That one was my favorite.

Hannah, an animation student, took these pictures of the walls while I was doing the check in. Its seriously awesome and full of lots of fun concept art from the movies included at the resort.

Early concept art of Ursula. I think shes much scarier in this skinny version - maybe too scary!

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af66/shellybrewer/disney12day6/20121211disney120552.jpg[/IMG]

These are a couple looking up in the food court.

And the food court. I am pretty sure we got something to eat here, but I have no idea what. Weird.

up next: Some of us stay and some of us go.

 

[dawnmichele]

It was still early when we showed up to check in, so of course our room wasn’t ready. I wasn’t surprised. Hannah and I wanted to wander around and check out the resort, anyway so we were fine with that. Danny decided he’d rather head over to Epcot so he took off with plans for us to meet him there when we were done.

That place is awesome. I am definitely a can’t get enough Disney kind of girl which is exactly the kind of girl they’ve catered this resort for. If it were up to me, they’d have a wing like these all the big movies. I want to stay in the Mary Poppins room, the Aristocats room, the Notre Dame room, the Alice in Wonderland room, the Hundred Acre Wood room, the Toy Story room, and many others, including a room that was just dedicated to all the Disney dogs.

That’s my fantasy.
In reality we were about to stay in a Little Mermaid room which would defintely be on my list. I decided I wanted to save that section of the resort until we were headed to check out our room. There was plenty more to see however!

Straight out the back doors of the food court is the Big Blue Pool. We never got a chance to swim in it, but H and I did sit out by it one evening. It is super charming, as you can see for yourself.

Next we headed over to the dessert on our right.

up next: The Little Mermaid Section.

 

[gracer9977]

Awesome Pictures!!!

I would love to stay in the AOA rooms and hopefully on a future visit I will be able to.

We did put aside an entire day that is a no park day, the plan is shopping at DTD and I plan to go to AOA and just take tons of pictures of everything.

Can't wait to see the pictures of your room.

 

[dawnmichele]

... the plan is shopping at DTD and I plan to go to AOA and just take tons of pictures of everything.

Can't wait to see the pictures of your room.

Spoiler alert: We left the resort before our room was ready, so those pictures won't come until the end of the day But there are lots, so that might make up for it.

I think you'll have fun visiting the resort. Giant characters are awesome in my book, and they are All Over. I'm really looking forward to going back there, and for staying more than two nights!

 

[dawnmichele]

In the last post I covered the Cars and Finding Nemo sections. To the left of those you ener the savannah of the Lion King.

Rafiki welcomes you.

No Climbing! No fun of any kind!!

Hannah didn't want to wait to check out the Little Mermaid section, so she went ventured in while I sat on a rock in the savannah and looked at things. Including my phone. I took some pictures with it.

Including a selfie with the lion, himself.

The only part I wasn’t loving was the music. We’d been there a while, and had heard the same few, very very bad, Christmas songs over and over again. Most of them were sung by children and unbelievably annoying; Angel in the Christmas Play and I’m gettin’ nuthin’ for Christmas for example. The ones who weren’t were songs like Grandma Got Run Over by A Reindeer.

Yikes!

TWEET: I have only been to disney in dec. The part I like the least is all the xmas music. I want to hear disney music at disney world.​

Hannah came back and didn't want to tell me much about the LM area. She didn't think it was as good as the rest of the resort though (and when I saw it I agreed with her). We had seen most of the resort and were tired of the music, so we decided to go ahead and jump on the next bus to Epcot.

Turned out, once we were on the bus - before we even got out of the parking lot, we got our text that our room was ready!! Frustrating, and just as Hannah had predicted. We figured it was too late to get off. In retrospect we maybe should have, but oh well.

Tweet: The text that our room was ready came just as the bus was leaving the parking lot for epcot. H was very disappointed. ​

Once we got there, we headed to the benches between Innoventions and the Character Spot and texted Danny about where we were. He had a crazy time trying to find us, but eventually he did.

Sadly, I’m a little unclear about the details of this next part, but that’s partly because it was a big mess. That morning when we switched resorts, for some reason they couldn’t put the park tickets onto our new KTTW, so we had to carry around both cards. The old ones for the park tickets, and the new one for our room key and for charging. This caused a bit of confusion on these last couple days, and this was the first time.

While I was waiting for Danny to find me, Hannah headed to the Land to get us FPs for Soarin’. And of course I gave her the wrong card. Which she didn’t realize until after she’d already gotten hers. So she had to rush back to me (understandably frustrated), trade cards, and hope she made it back in time to get me a FP that overlapped with her time. (Those Soarin’ FPs move fast!) She did it though - we just barely overlapped, but barely counts.

The part I’m confused about is where Danny’s FP fits in to this. I think he had already gotten one and it was for just a little bit before Hannah’s. I’m not sure, but I know we didn’t all three overlap.

Whatever happened, we finally all ended up on the same bench at the same time and each had a FP to ride one of our favorite rides. Here's mine.

Up Next: Lunch at Le Cellier