FINALLY COMPLETE! 10/3/2010- But Why is the Rum Gone? Disneyween 2007

[Melissa_E]

Great thread!!! I love the title!

 

[Carrieannew]

 

[Carrieannew]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh still waiting

 

[SweetMeg]

Wow Crystal! I just finished reading through all the pages here...took me about a week. Super entertaining!

So good luck with the *possible* move to Florida that may or may not happen? I too, worked for the Mouse....I did the College Program during Spring 2005 and I loved it! But beware, after working at WDW you will never think of it the same way again...both good and not so good.

That being said, I love Disney more than ever. I wish you nothing but the best!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

10/28/07

We’re up to the 28th- our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party day! (MNSSHP) I considered sleeping in and being lazy, since we would be out at MK till midnight, but I’m just not capable of doing that, so I set off for Animal Kingdom instead! (Okay, to be honest, I am MORE than capable of sleeping in and being lazy, but the people next door to me had a child with a Cough of Doom that woke me up at 7am. Cough, cough, cough, loud crying, wailing, more crying, more coughing… repeat.)

Since I was awake, I set off for the food court to grab breakfast, and was amused to notice that the same group of Chinese men from yesterday were getting settled in at the same table!

Breakfast of Champions!

This was my day to check out of Sports and into OKW, so I had my luggage picked up, and went to Animal Kingdom to kill a few hours until it was time to check in.

My basic goal for the morning was to catch Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Musical- my favorite attraction on property, and the new one I’d never seen, respectively.

As the bus pulled into AK, the new speaker system played Hapa Duniani, the song from Kilimanjaro Safaris (the Lord’s Prayer in Swahili). I LOVE this song. I speak a little Swahili, and it’s one of my favorite languages. I’m fairly certain that I was the only person on the bus not only singing along, but understanding what I was saying! It was one of those beautiful harmonious moments of arriving at my favorite park while listening to a song that I love in a language that I love, and feeling not only incredibly blessed to be spending this day in this place, but feeling an overwhelming feeling of being home. I fought back a few tears of joy, and settled back into one of my favorite places.

As I mentioned, today was set to be Musicals day, and up first, Festival of the Lion King!

First, I’ll share the photos, and then I’ll share the story.

From the day we arrive on the planet, and blinking step into the sun, there’s more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done…

Being a dancer, I pay more attention to the dancers than anything else!

OUCH! And I thought Disney made MY feet hurt!

I loooooooooooooove Festival of the Lion King. When I’m having a rough day at home, I often claim that I’m running away to become a zebra in the show. I love the music- when I’m in a bad mood, I can put on the soundtrack, and be pulled out of even the deepest grumpy mood. I would sincerely LOVE to dance here. The music suits me, the style of dance fits me, I would love it. (Sadly, I’m not THAT awesome of a dancer yet.)

The show always gets to me, but this time, it *really* got me. During “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”, I just had one of those moments. First, it reminded me that I’m a dancer. I know that sounds silly, but between losing our studio early in the year, and being sick pretty much ALL year, I have missed a LOT of dance. I don’t think I realized how much I missed it until now. I was swept up in the beauty of the music and the movement, and something clicked, and I remembered that THAT is what I’m supposed to do. I’m not one of those people who is a naturally gifted dancer, I struggle a lot. But I think I’m meant to do it, and that I need to do it to be happy.

This is when I also figured out for sure, 100%, that I need to move here. I can’t really explain the how or why, but it was one of those moments where you just know what you need to do. I’ve been talking about moving to Orlando for the winter months all year, I’ve poked around looking for apartments on and off, and done some research, but it has always been a “this would be great, if I can do it!”, not “I have to do this, no matter what.”

So, that’s when my plans changed. Since I’ve been back, I’ve been setting the wheels in motion to get myself on my way. My house is starting to look barer as the stack of boxes grows. My giant list of apartments has been narrowed down to a handful. And I’ve only got a few weeks left before it all begins.

The thing I had all of your fingers crossed for was a loan I applied for through my bank, to help with initial moving expenses. (First month’s rent + security deposit + pet fee + moving costs + a week of being unemployed while I move + new things for the house + etc etc etc = a LOT of $) I found out this morning that they turned me down, thanks to some stupid financial decisions I made when I was 18. I was getting ready for work when I found out I couldn’t get it, and sat down and cried for about 5 minutes. So now I’m in pursuit of some alternatives, but one way or another, come December, I’m outta here.

Anyone wanna buy a kidney?

(And now it’s 3:15 am, and I need to be up at 10 for work, so I must sleep! More of the report as soon as I can!)

 

[IkeandMike]

Crystal, so sorry you didn't get the loan. Just keep smiling, what's the old saying, everytime God closes a door he opens a window. Just keep checking for the breeze.

Great update! Loved all the pictures.

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving.

 

[Hedy]

Yay to moving, ugh to the loan.
It's the most glamorous or cheapest option, but have you looked at using a credit card check to fund the first month's needs?

 

[LouDisney]

Great update Crystal.
I love Hapa Duniani, it's one of my favorite songs as well. I have a AK cd and I love it, it's my calming music...lol

I know that feeling...that moment. I had been going to New Orleans all my life, ever since I was a little girl and I always felt a strong connection to the city and I knew I wanted to live there...someday, somehow, even if I lived there for a year, or 10, I wanted to do it. Now, I am only 5 (driving hours) from Nola and like I said I went ALL the time, several times a year. I will never forgot the day I made my decision, and that moment hit me. I was down for Jazz Fest and I was in my hotel room, looking out over Canal Street, over the city and I said to my friends, I am moving down within the next year. A year later, I was living in New Orleans and I was so happy, I did it. I have since moved from there, I only lived there for 2 years. I still love Nola, I missed SO MUCH, everyday. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of it and miss it. I still go visit ALL the time.

Sorry, I am babbling, but I just wanted you to know, I know that feeling, that moment when it just hits you. I am sorry you did not get the loan, but it will all work. Some how, some way, it will work out.
Good luck

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I am so sorry that you did not get the loan. You will make it work somehow, I am sure of it! Kuddos to you for knowing what you want and going for it.

 

[KatGarcia]

Well first off- wheres the new job at??? Is that why you have been MIA? That sucks about the loan but where there's a will there's a way so don't give up hope! I so sure you will be just fine!

 

[Brocktoon]

Y'know, I'm a firm believer in 'Everything Happens for a Reason' ... ie fate/ destiny/Ka etc ...

I know it may not make sense now, but everything will eventually work out for you and FL. Just think if you got the loan and moved. You could end up in a situation very quickly where you're managing your budget well, BUT then you'd also have to pay back a large loan with interest. While the loan will provide a quick cash boost, it could end up a credit nightmare in payments. The last thing you need to worry about after getting settled in a new area is 'How the heck am I going to pay back this loan?'

Again, I know everything will fall into place in the long run.

 

[DisneyLaura]

Crystal - I am SO sorry about the loan not going through. I agree with Brockton, everything does happen for a reason, maybe next time it will be better than you hoped. Great installment. Put on your song from the Lion King, that will make you better.

Laura

 

[TDC Nala]

you are lucky, I have to wait until I retire to move.

I think you will be turning into an AC regular soon enough

 

[Disneygrl36]

Happy Thanksgiving Crystal.

Hope all works out for the move.
Great day at the Animal Kingdom. I love the way you described just knowing it was time for you to move.

 

[babieemelly]

Hey Crystal, great update. I've had many of those "you just know" moments, but unlike you I've never acted on them. Sorry about the loan falling through, but as all the posters before me have stated, it'll all work out in the long run. The hardest part of making as big of a decision as you're making is getting up the nerve to actually get started, and you're already well on your way. Go listen to some Animal Kingdom music and get excited! You're moving to Orlando!!!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Just wanted to apologize for not updating lately- busy busy busy! I am working on a post for tonight, though!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

So sorry for leaving you guys hanging! I’ve been a very busy and exhausted Crystal! Let’s see how much of this I can write up before I fall asleep!

We left off at Festival of the Lion King, yes? Yes!

After the show, I stopped by the character greeting trails to get a picture with Goofy. (The line for the Main Mouse was too long, and Minnie was on break). He was dressed as a cowboy for Halloween, so I asked if he was planning to go try to ride the zebras.
(I’ll have to post the Goofy pic later, it’s still on my Photopass CD, and I haven’t done anything with those photos yet!)

Well, here’s the thing about today: It was hot. Weather.com says 86 degrees, but I think it was more like 186! As a result, the safari or trails or basically anything else involving being outdoors didn’t sound particularly appealing. Sitting down for extended periods in air conditioned theaters watching shows did!

Finding Nemo was in soft opening on my last trip, but I missed seeing it, so today was the day!

Here’s the only photo you get for this part of the report:

For those of you who remember this theater from Tarzan Rocks, they’ve done a great job of transforming it! One detail is awesome- there are three large bubbles on either side of the stage, and every few minutes as you’re waiting for the show to begin, a projection of Nemo appears in one bubble. Whoever came up with this idea is a genius- I was in the theater for a good 20 mins before the show started, and the kids in the audience were enraptured with finding Nemo the ENTIRE time. Each time he appeared, choruses of young voices would shriek “There he is!!”. In between, you could hear them predicting where he would show up next. Excellent idea! Nothing says awesome like something that keeps kids entertained when they would otherwise grow impatient!

The show is beautiful- incredible set and costume design, amazing puppetry, and music that feels like it’s been there all along. (And you KNOW the “I belong here!” line in Big Blue World gets me!) I don’t love it as much as Lion King, but I still thought it was great.

After the show, I decided to swing by Asia to hit the Anandapur Tea cart, and on the way, I saw this dude waking in front of me:

If you look carefully, you can see that ALL of his hair was one solid dreadlock!!! Captain Jack would be envious!

I’ve been wanting to try a lot of the hot teas from the tea cart, but on a day this hot, I had to go for a chai freeze!


I sat on a bench for quite a while, sipping and people-watching. (One note- Animal Kingdom has no straws, and this was one of those instances where I was really wishing they did!)

By now it was about 12:30, so I decided to head on over to Old Key West to check in. I waited for the Old Key West bus stop, and enjoyed the occasional breeze that punctuated the heat. Did I mention it was HOT? On the plus side, I think this was the only day of the trip with NO rain!

The bus made its usual stop at Blizzard Beach on the way to the resort - this drives me nuts! I’ve almost never seen them pick up or drop off anyone. According to the clock, it was only 4 minutes there from AK, but it *feels* like going way out of your way!

This time, some people approached the bus at the Blizzard Beach stop…and asked if our bus was going to Bizzard beach!!! The driver blinked at them, and informed them that they were AT BB, and pointed which direction to walk. He said he gets that kind of question all the time, and we had fun chatting about the stupid questions people ask (I was the only one on the bus).

We made it to Old Key West at 1:16 (I love the new built-in bus clocks!), but didn’t make it to the Hospitality House stop until 1:25. That’s the thing that irritates me about OKW- I’m way too impatient to sit for ten minutes just to get to my stop when I’m already AT the resort!

There was a huge line to check in (I must have awful timing! Every time I check in here, I have to wait at least half an hour), but eventually I was all set! I had requested a room near the Hospitality House, but ended up just about as far away as possible, again. I was disappointed, but tired, so I was happy that the room was at least ready!

I had someone from Bell Services drive me to my room (Love that!), and had my luggage delivered a little while later. I decided that I was in the mood for some internet, so I set up my laptop to get online. And that’s when I learned that you have to have charging set up on your room key to use the internet. D’oh!

I almost always put a credit card on my room, but for some reason, I had decided to skip doing it this time. Mostly because I had some gift cards to use up, so I didn’t expect to be charging much to the room. I called the front desk to ask if I could add the card over the phone, but you have to actually do it in person. D’oh, again!

I walked down to the Turtle Pond bus stop (just a few minutes away), waited for a bus, and took it to the HH. (The Hospitality House is usually the last stop on any route, so most busses will take you there). Adding the card took just a few minutes, and then I decided to walk back to the room (about a 10 minute walk). I think my frustration with the size of OKW is summed up here- the whole process of getting there and back took a total of 47 minutes! I just wanted to get on the dang internets, gawrsh durnit!

Here are a few photos of the view from the room:

Oooh, glamorous!


And here are a few photos I took on my cell phone while waiting for my luggage earlier:

Capt Jack welcomes you to OKW!

Room: Still clean! (I should have taken an “after” picture that night- it looked like a tornado hit!)

Jack is handy in the kitchen

Sadly, Jack does not contain caffeine.

Nor is he edible! Thus, we can conclude that Jack is not a part of this complete breakfast!

Hangin’ around

Showing off our patio

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

This little fellow wasn’t so keen on sharing his plant with a pirate!

Resting up after his adventures!

That’s it for now- Coming up is MNSSHP!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

The whole getting the internet set-up episode sounds frustrating!

Love the Captain Jack photos, especially the ones in the kitchen.

 

[pooksma]

Glad to see you and Jack having a good time. Loking forward to more

 

[tiggerbell]

Jack in the coffee pot!!!!!!!!!!!! Does he tell fortunes like Madame Leota while he's in there?

And Jack in the Toaster!!! Do they sell that at Toys 'r Us?