Follow the Monorail - Completed - PTR Link

PopArtGal · Aug 20, 2011

Good morning!

Yes, I finally started my trip report. I am all moved in.... except I am still waiting on my oven and couch. But that's a long story fit for another trip report I guess. I will start work in the 24th. A very exciting new adventure.

For those who don't know me, here's a little introduction.

I am Christy... how do you do? I am 28 years old. I am an art education specialist. I've been teaching since 2006. And since there are not as many jobs in arts education, well I am now doing my second B.A in religion, and teaching Ethics and world religions in high school. I always taught high school as elementary school is not really my thing.

My parents brought me to Walt Disney World for the first time when I was 2 years old, and as you can see by the dates in my signature, that was a big mistake. It sparked something in me, and I have been a Disney fanatic ever since. It's not just the characters, it's Walt. He is such an inspiration and I am a nut for Disney history. I purchase every book that I can lay my hands on. Let's go back in time, and see this evolution. Won't you follow me?

(The dates may not be accurate as when we get older, we hope that we don't change that much from year to the next, right? hehe)

1985

1987

1991

(I can remember that Minnie was "hurting" me. Her head was hard and she was pushing down on me hehe)

2000

(oh the bad teenage years lol)

2004

(Mom, I only wish we could come back every year. Yep, that's what I told my mom)

And the rest is history. Here are some of my faves

PopArtGal · Aug 20, 2011

PopArtGal · Aug 20, 2011

Introduction

Our dates: July 19 to 29, 2011

Our Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge- Arusha View

Tickets: 6 days park hoppers

Travel buddies: My mom and I

ADRs: Donald's Breakfast, T-Rex, Tony's Townsquare, Sci-fi, Via Napoli and The Plaza

That WAS the plan.

disneybarbie · Aug 20, 2011

subscribing! Love the old photos and looking forward to hearing about your latest trip :goodvibes

Emma

x

chloe770 · Aug 20, 2011

subbing but I have to come back to read. Looking forward to it

NikkiLovesWDW! · Aug 20, 2011

Also subbing for now...on my way to my sister's for her garage sale but looking forward to reading!!!

dolfinjuls · Aug 20, 2011

Yay! You started! Can't wait to follow along!

PopArtGal · Aug 20, 2011

Thanks for joining everyone. You make me all so happy

IheartDDuck · Aug 20, 2011

Subbing! Can't wait to hear all about it.

Our younger years overlapped a few times in the World.

knewton64 · Aug 20, 2011

SUBBIN

T.T.F.N.

MomOf2Gals · Aug 20, 2011

lookin foward to more.

PlutosRHM55 · Aug 20, 2011

I'm in! Your title drew me in

And I can't believe how long you've been going to Disney. Can't wait to read all about this trip! :mickeyjum

photographymom517 · Aug 20, 2011

Of course I'm here!!! :hug:

The Minnie in your first picture is the same one my parents bought me on my very first trip to Disney in 1987 :goodvibes

I still have her in my closet in a big hamper full of childhood stuff animals!

We were both there in 1987 -- when did you go? We were there in March.

I can't wait to hear more!!! :thumbsup2

PopArtGal · Aug 21, 2011

July 19, 2011

The day started up pretty early. But who cares?! I'm going to Walt Disney World! I set my alarm for 3:30am. And I'm pretty sure I was awake maybe 10 minutes beforehand. I showered and got ready.

We were ready and heading out the door at 5am. We were a bit surprised at how much traffic there was. But we remembered that we normally left on a Sunday, and we were now leaving during the week.

We got to the airport in good time, and we got in line for the Air Canada counter. Boy was the line ever sooooooooooo long. I had already printed my boarding passes. So I asked the lady if that's where I was to go and she said yes. Yep, everyone who had and had not printed their boarding passes were in the same line. So what's the point in printing them before?

We managed to finally check our bags and went through security fairly quickly. At Customs we got "Miss Congeniality". She barely talked and was so severe looking. I was worried she would get us stopped or something. The look she gave us was so rude.

By the time we did all that, we only had 1 hour left to wait before we could board. I got my mom something to drink, and got myself a bottle of water. I must have a bottle of water when I board a plane. It's a neccessity for me hehe I walked around the airport a bit and got myself some Starbucks. Yep, I am obsessed with Starbucks. Then I sat down a bit. Before long, we were seated in the plane, and ready for take-off.

photographymom517 · Aug 21, 2011

That's so odd about the airport. You would think since you already have your boarding passes printed ahead of time, you would be able to wait in a separate line.

Last year when we flew Southwest, we did curb-side luggage drop off since my dad dropped us off at the airport & I already had our boarding passes printed out. It was wonderful because we just walked into the airport empty handed (except for our small carry-on & pushing Luke in the stroller -- LOL!) and we went straight to security. After that, we found our gate & just waited until it was time to board the plane. It went so quickly. Now the year before when we flew AirTran, it was a nightmare -- it took forever to get from place to place at the airport but that was before I knew about curb-side luggage and printing the passes ahead of time. I'm hoping things go smoothly in September. The airport is always the part I dread the most.

I'm like you, I don't care how early I have to get up as long as I'm on my way to Disney!!! I usually don't sleep that night anyway. I'm always too excited to sleep!

Can't wait to see pics of the Contemp!!! :thumbsup2

sue_88 · Aug 21, 2011

I'm joining in. Looking forward to more.

PopArtGal · Aug 22, 2011

photographymom517 said:
That's so odd about the airport. You would think since you already have your boarding passes printed ahead of time, you would be able to wait in a separate line.

Last year when we flew Southwest, we did curb-side luggage drop off since my dad dropped us off at the airport & I already had our boarding passes printed out. It was wonderful because we just walked into the airport empty handed (except for our small carry-on & pushing Luke in the stroller -- LOL!) and we went straight to security. After that, we found our gate & just waited until it was time to board the plane. It went so quickly. Now the year before when we flew AirTran, it was a nightmare -- it took forever to get from place to place at the airport but that was before I knew about curb-side luggage and printing the passes ahead of time. I'm hoping things go smoothly in September. The airport is always the part I dread the most.

I'm like you, I don't care how early I have to get up as long as I'm on my way to Disney!!! I usually don't sleep that night anyway. I'm always too excited to sleep!

Can't wait to see pics of the Contemp!!!

I know, how weird. And then I printed my passes at the hotel (went we were going home) and the lady at the counter tore them up, and printed new ones. But if I hadn't printed them, I'm sure they would have been pissed, like they were 2 years ago. I so don't understand airports.

PopArtGal · Aug 22, 2011

sue_88 said:
I'm joining in. Looking forward to more.

Welcome!

PopArtGal · Aug 22, 2011

July 19, 2011 (continued)

The flight boarded on time. We were in a row of 3, and I was by the window. At first, we had a teenager near the isle, but he switched with an Asian business man who slept most of the flight. The flight was alright. We did hit some "air pockets" thought which had me uncomfortable for part of the way. I worked a bit on some things for work, and then I tried to watch some tv. Seeing I was not going to be able to concentrate I decided to read some magazines.

After we landed, we decided to take it easy and take our time to get to the DME desk. We grabbed something to drink and strolled over to the DME line. We were lucky to get into a bus that was quickly filling up.

We stopped at Carribean Beach, Pop Century, and finally Animal Kingdom Lodge.

If you have read my PTR, you know all about the confusion with the Disney package. Well I told the guy about it, he went in the back and there it was. SO weird. More on that later.

Our room was located on the second floor. It was sooooooooooooo far. And to our surprise, there were barely any animals out.

We were hungry and decided to explore. We walked around a bit. And after getting lost a few times, we finally found the pool. Here are some pics that were taken.

We found the foodcourt and grabbed something to eat. I decided to taste the Zebra Domes. YUM!!! I wish I was eating them right now!

PirateKate · Aug 22, 2011

Hi! Looks like your trip is off to a great start!

I keep going back and forth on whether or not to go over to AKL primarily to try the zebra domes. Now I sort of want to again. :rotfl:

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