From Tink to Buckbeak - A flight through Magic!

[PatRin]

Hello and thanks for joining me on this trip through memory lane!! This past September, one of my best friends and I went to...you guessed it! Disney World!! We are both huge Disney and Harry Potter fans and I had never been...She went when she was VERY small and had hardly any memories of her first visit. So, we knew nothing. Luckily, I love to research and before we knew it I had us booked to go in September!!

First off, the cast! Courtney (Me!!) on the left and Amy on the right. We are both in our early twenties along with our third bestie who was unable to join us. Callie was held at home by a wedding and work.

We were sooo excited and I had read enough reviews and reports on this board to have my camera ready for this must-have pic!

We were dropped off at the All-Star Music resort and had no problems getting our room and getting set up. We had decided a long time ago to have a nice night all dressed up in Downtown Disney instead of jetting to the parks and wasting one of our tickets on a few hours. We had assumed that luggage would take awhile. To our surprise, it took merely 20-30 minutes. So, I will leave you with some room pics!!

And I just loved these little guys running around. Though I have to admit the first one scared me!!

Next up = a Fancy night in DTD!

 

[PatRin]

It took us no time to get all dressed up and get ready to hop on a bus to DTD. We got some funny looks but we knew it would be jeans and T-shirts for the rest of the week and we wanted to look like girls for one evening at least!

So, we went for our first dinner at....

and it was DELICIOUS!!

Here is our view from the table -

We were lucky enough to get the Free Dining so food was never a problem and there was only one place we didn't like all week. (We will get to THAT later!!)

After that we set out to shopping and "Meeting" some of our first characters.

While dressed up, Amy took advantage of a Princess type pose...Im a bit more shy and not good at acting and did one of my typical poses

After an exhausting travel day we came to a close and went to bed early. We knew immediately after we booked that we HAD to start it off with Magic Kingdom...and what better way than breakfast with Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore?

 

[PatRin]

We of course giggled for hours instead of sleeping. We were actually here!!! It was a great feeling and so nice to know we could do everything without parents taking over or annoying us. We actually got up on time and got to the bus stop right on time for the MK bus to let us on.

This made us think of us and Callie. Amy, with her big silly grin on the bottom. Callie being super silly (and upside down) in the middle and me on top. Going with it but thinking they are odd. I have my fun side but it likes to hide.

I knew where to go to get in for our early breakfast reservation and went right to them. I was surprised that no one even questioned us but it was amazing to walk in the park and it be practically empty!!

We quickly got some nice shots of the castle and then went to the Crystal Palace.

They needed to get a table ready for us since we were about 15 minutes early so we took the chance for some nice pics with the castle.

After only two shots they were ready for us!! The buffet was fantastic, the OJ to die for, and the entertainment...well, just see for yourself!!

We had a great time and enjoyed every moment with Pooh and Pals. We got our autographs and soon headed out into the park. Our first ride at Disney World? You'll just have to wait and see....

 

[Dizneydaz]

Sounds like you had a great time! Can't wait to read more.

Isn't it cool being on your own for the 1st time? A friend and I went on a cruise together when we were 23 and added on 3 days at WDW (it was only MK and Epcot then-does that date me? ) and SW. We had a great time and felt so adult!

How fun to have free DDP. I remember on our trip that money was very tight but we did splurge and eat on the Empress Lilly at DTD (now Fulton's). We felt so grown up eating in such a lovely restaurant-until a passing waiter dropped a whole carafe of coffee on our table, splashing me. The only thing they did was move us to another table, now that I'm older I would ask for at least a free dessert!

We were there in Sept. as well. 9/27 to 10/6. Can't wait to hear about HP at US. My DD11 loves the HP books and movies and we decided to wait at least a year to do it at US based on how crowded we read it was.

Ready for the next installment.....

 

[PatRin]

Sounds like you had a great time! Can't wait to read more.

Isn't it cool being on your own for the 1st time? A friend and I went on a cruise together when we were 23 and added on 3 days at WDW (it was only MK and Epcot then-does that date me? ) and SW. We had a great time and felt so adult!

How fun to have free DDP. I remember on our trip that money was very tight but we did splurge and eat on the Empress Lilly at DTD (now Fulton's). We felt so grown up eating in such a lovely restaurant-until a passing waiter dropped a whole carafe of coffee on our table, splashing me. The only thing they did was move us to another table, now that I'm older I would ask for at least a free dessert!

We were there in Sept. as well. 9/27 to 10/6. Can't wait to hear about HP at US. My DD11 loves the HP books and movies and we decided to wait at least a year to do it at US based on how crowded we read it was.

Ready for the next installment.....

We did indeed have a wonderful time!! HP was fantastic and I have a ton of pics. We got lucky with the crowds and were astonished that it was LESS crowded on a SATURDAY?!?!? We went twice...but the weekday was way more crowded...

Anyway, I expect to have at least one update tomorrow.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi Courtney, am loving your TR so far! We are going for the first time this September so am enjoying reading other Sept TRs!

Love the fancy night in DTD - you both look great! Lol at comparing yourselves to the halloween decorations!!

I have just booked an ADR at Crystal Palace so am glad you had a great time and the character interaction was a blast!! I'm looking forward to reading more

 

[PatRin]

Hi Courtney, am loving your TR so far! We are going for the first time this September so am enjoying reading other Sept TRs!

Love the fancy night in DTD - you both look great! Lol at comparing yourselves to the halloween decorations!!

I have just booked an ADR at Crystal Palace so am glad you had a great time and the character interaction was a blast!! I'm looking forward to reading more

September seems to be the best time to go!! We had no huge crowd problems and of course MNSSHP was a major plus and our grand finale of the trip! I am glad you are enjoying it so far.

 

[mermaid764]

I'm joining in

How fun to get to experience WDW with your best friend, you guys look like you were having so much fun.

I can't wait to hear all about your trip

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Hey there!

I'm joining in! Sounds like ya'al had a lot of fun!

All-Star Music looks really cute! I've never stayed there, but I love that fountain!

I love your dresses!!

I always wanted to eat at Cap'n Jack's, but I haven't gotten there yet! I had an ADR there for July, but then when I realized I didn't have any character meals for that entire trip I ditched it for Chef Mickey's.

Don't you just love Crystal Palace for breakfast?! The characters are great, the food is delish, and you kinda feel like you have the whole park to yourself that early in the morning.

Can't wait to hear what your first ride was!!

 

[giftcard]

Looking forward to reading more! The highlight of my recent trip was having dinner w/ Pooh Bear at the Crystal Palace and drinking Butterbeer at WWOHP!

 

[KimbaLovesDisney]

You two were smiles from ear to ear! Reminded me of my honeymoon in October at Disney, although we froze because of a cold spurt, all the fall colors and decorations were awsome! Cant wait to hear more!

 

[PatRin]

We turned into Adventureland and right away I spot a line. I look to see what they are waiting for and quickly grab Amy to get her attention. She LOVES Prince Eric and Ariel. I saw the red hair and knew instantly it was her...then I saw him. Sure enough, Amy was freaking out and we went to get in line.

They were fantastic. She asked where we were from and lamented the fact that we were so far from the sea.

Amy was in shock and could barely speak...she was just staring at Eric and the Photopass Photographer captured it perfectly!!

And she had to edit her pic when we got home -

All in all - her day was perfect from the beginning and we were sure that this was going to be perfect! So, we left Ariel and Eric and ran right into the middle of Captain Jack announcing his need for new crew members!!

Now...what girl in her right mind wants to be a pirate? We all know the story of Jack Sparrow...No way would we join in on this.

Who am I to pass up being a crew member?! Sign me up!!

Amy was not getting on that stage with me or Jack, but that didn't keep me down! It was great and Jack was....well, he was definitely Jack. Slurring words...not sure if he is drunk or not...

Anyway, after my Pirate Oath we spotted another Pirate!

This being a big and lovable one, we just had to say hello!!

And then came the ride. This was our first Disney ride, and honestly, I was in shock. I am used to my two theme parks in Oklahoma. One is a water park (White Water) and I love it...could be because I have worked there the past 7 years.... And the theme park is Frontier City...wow. What a difference. This was nothing like FC or six flags...This was fantastic!! The boat ride, the singing, the cannonballs firing and splashing...Im sure my face was much like Amy's when she was facing Eric...pure awe.

Callie loves anything pirates and we were really missing her and wishing she could be there at this point..we did quite a bit of shopping and pictures for her before moving on.

Next up = more Magic Kingdom and a rush to Epcot for lunch, Illuminations, and EMH!!

 

[PatRin]

Mermaid764

Oh we did!! It was fantastic!!! Thanks for joining in!!

Disneyfreak616

Thank you! We loved getting dressed up! Cap'n Jacks was wonderful!! I highly recommend it!

And Crystal Palace was the best decision we made...it was a perfect way to start the trip and having the park that empty was so nice.

giftcard

Oh - Butterbeer!! How I miss thee. Definitely a highlight of my trip as well....normal or frozen? I prefer frozen!!

Kimbalovesdisney

We were glowing the entire trip - right down to the plane ride home...I do have one pic I will share of Amy where she gets a smidge annoyed with me...Thats a ways down the road but it makes me laugh still when I look at it.

 

[PatRin]

With Aladdin being one of my favorites, we decided to hop on the magic carpets in Agrabah!

I am so happy that we took that second pic before the ride started. To be 100% honest I was expecting the ride to be for just kids. A nice breeze, a good view, kinda boring. Whoa! Here comes surprise #2! It scared me! I was clutching the sides at first because it felt like we were honestly flying and then I about died laughing at myself. In the end we were playing with the buttons and making it go up and down and tilt...having an all out blast on something we just thought would be merely a kid ride.

After landing we headed over to meet these rowdy guys!

We considered Splash Mountain but we knew lunch was coming up...we would have to get on a bus wet, go looking like drowned rats...we would come back later. I soon realized that we could catch Mickey's Philharmagic if we hurried and then head to Epcot!

We spotted a store and got what every first timer needs...

Yep, we finally found our Mickey Ears!!

And although we tugged and pulled...we were going to continue to wait to be queens..

I then spotted a random line to the side of the castle...as I went over to see what was going on I spotted the Fairy Godmother!! I quickly waved Amy over and we waited to meet her. She was so sweet. She asked if we were here to meet our Princes and we said yes. She reminded us to always be true to ourselves and to never settle.

While wandering through Sir Mickey's, Amy spotted another line looking like they were wanting to come in the store...but it was fairly empty. She soon realized that it was Mary and Bert!! Bert was asking if my large ears helped me hear better. He then tested me by yelling "Can you hear me now?" Which had us cracking up and admitting they did not help with our hearing.

We caught the Philharmagic showing and it was hilarious!

Now it was time for lunch. At this point we are both getting hungry so we rushed back to the front to wait for a bus.

 

[mermaid764]

Wow you guys met so many great characters, what an awesome first day!

Looking forward to more

 

[PatRin]

Wow you guys met so many great characters, what an awesome first day!

Looking forward to more

We were shocked at all that we got done...and this is only halfway through day 1!! No wonder we were exhausted when we came home!!!

 

[Vwdiva93]

Hi there! Joining in, I am loving your TR!! A girls trip just seems like so much fun. I got to go with my best friend and her family last year, although not quite the same it was still one of the most amazing trips ever.
I really love that you all dressed up for your first night at DTD, such a good idea! I may have to do that next time I go And your breakfast at Crystal Palace looked like it was so much fun, I've never eaten there but it seems like everyone loves it!
Can't wait to hear more

 

[PatRin]

Hi there! Joining in, I am loving your TR!! A girls trip just seems like so much fun. I got to go with my best friend and her family last year, although not quite the same it was still one of the most amazing trips ever.
I really love that you all dressed up for your first night at DTD, such a good idea! I may have to do that next time I go And your breakfast at Crystal Palace looked like it was so much fun, I've never eaten there but it seems like everyone loves it!
Can't wait to hear more

Im glad you are enjoying it!! And dressing up was so fun. It was nice to get all dressed up for no reason and to share that with people with asked. It got a smile from everyone. You should definitely go to Crystal Palace if you can. SO good!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on all the character interaction!! Love the pics with Ariel and Eric - esp the one of Amy in shock!

How cool to have fun with two pirates in one day, though it sounds as if the second one was better then the first!

Thanks for letting us know that the magic carpets are not just for kids - it's what I thought as well so am glad to be able to prepare for the shock!

Love the Mickey ears!

 

[Tink2Day]

Great report so far!

Wow you two delightful divas looked gorgeous in your dress up mode!


I had to smile when I saw your first day in MK. Those heartfelt and heartwarming smiles just made me smile too. Made me think of my own kiddos. Such joy and lovin life! (loved the colors in your top at MK).

You two wouldn't be major fashionistas would you?