How long are you going for again? - A May 2011 Trip Report

[Lillian Gracey]

Hello everyone! This is my very first TR! I'm excited to share my wonderful adventure with everyone! It will be a short TR because I was only at Disney for 5 days (technically 4 since we left first thing on the 5th day), but I hope everyone enjoys it! Regarding the title, my gramma told me as we were boarding the plane that my grampa asked her how long we were going for since her suitcase was heavy. I just had to make it my TR title. The same thing could be said about my suitcase as well. This is my first trip in 11 years and my second trip to date! My gramma and grampa went with my family last time and it was great for my gramma and I to go back again 11 years later!


Trip Info:

When: May 9th - 13th

Where: Contemporary Resort Club Level


The Cast:

This is me! Hannah! I turned 21 on May 2nd and this is my birthday trip! I live in Arlington Heights, IL and dream that one day I could live in Florida. I'm sure most Disney nuts dream the same thing. I had been planning this trip for a year and I am so glad it happened! I'm a huge Alice in Wonderland fan. It's my favorite Disney film (No, I did not like Tim Burton's abomination) and I collect a lot of Alice in Wonderland merchandise. As my fellow Resort Changers know, I love wigs. I love love LOVE them! The picture is of me in my Hipster Alice outfit. Don't we look alike?

This is my gramma! Can you believe she's 78 years old? She was so excited to go to Disney World. She said she was the envy of all her friends because I asked her to go with me to Disney World. She loved that she didn't have to do/plan a thing! I did all the planning which I loved doing. Without her, this wouldn't have been possible!


Next up, is the first day of my birthday trip! I hope I'm doing this right!

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Chapter List:

Chapter 1 - "Welcome Home!"
Chapter 2 - "We have to go to Fantasia Gardens!"
Chapter 3 - "Did we really do everything I wanted to do in 6 hours?"
Chapter 4 - "That's a T-Rex Going Rawr"
Chapter 5 - "Double Surprise!"
Chapter 6 - "We just went to all 4 parks in one day, didn't we?" Part One
Chapter 7 - "We just went to all 4 parks in one day, didn't we?" Part Two
Chapter 8 - "Now what do we do?"
Chapter 9 - "I don't want to leave!"

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hello everyone! This is my very first TR! I'm excited to share my wonderful adventure with everyone! It will be a short TR because I was only at Disney for 5 days (technically 4 since we left first thing on the 5th day), but I hope everyone enjoys it! Regarding the title, my gramma told me as we were boarding the plane that my grampa asked her how long we were going for since her suitcase was heavy. I just had to make it my TR title. The same thing could be said about my suitcase as well. This is my first trip in 11 years and my second trip to date! My gramma and grampa went with my family last time and it was great for my gramma and I to go back again 11 years later!


Trip Info:

When: May 9th - 13th

Where: Contemporary Resort Club Level


The Cast:

This is me! Hannah! I turned 21 on May 2nd and this is my birthday trip! I live in Arlington Heights, IL and dream that one day I could live in Florida. I'm sure most Disney nuts dream the same thing. I had been planning this trip for a year and I am so glad it happened! I'm a huge Alice in Wonderland fan. It's my favorite Disney film (No, I did not like Tim Burton's abomination) and I collect a lot of Alice in Wonderland merchandise. As my fellow Resort Changers know, I love wigs. I love love LOVE them! The picture is of me in my Hipster Alice outfit. Don't we look alike?

This is my gramma! Can you believe she's 78 years old? She was so excited to go to Disney World. She said she was the envy of all her friends because I asked her to go with me to Disney World. She loved that she didn't have to do/plan a thing! I did all the planning which I loved doing. Without her, this wouldn't have been possible!


Next up, is the first day of my birthday trip! I hope I'm doing this right!

Chapter List:

Chapter 1 - "We have to go to Fantasia Gardens!"
Chapter 2 - "Did we really do everything I wanted to do in 6 hours?"
Chapter 3 - "Double Surprise!"
Chapter 4 - "We just went to all 4 parks in one day, didn't we?"
Chapter 5 - "Now what do we do?"
Chapter 6 - "I don't want to leave!"

Yippee! Hannah's TR! I love your TR so far and can't wait to read more. Does Gramma know you posted her age? You both look so cute and Chapter 3 really has me excited - what could it be? Did you win a car? Did you find a bag of money? Did you get new wigs?

 

[CAStevens218]

I'm in, looks like a fun trip!! I CANNOT believe that your grandma is 78! She looks amazing, good for her!!!!!!

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Thanks! My gramma doesn't know that I posted her age, but it shocks people when I tell them she is almost 80. Most people don't think I'm 21. People think I'm in high school still. My grampa doesn't look 80 and he still works! I come from a family that lives a long time/looks young. My grampa is the second youngest of 9 children and all, but 2 are still alive!

And no, I didn't win a car or find money! lol My gramma and I both got surprised on day 2 so you will have to wait and see what I'm talking about! And I haven't gotten any new wigs yet. Though a lot of people think the Alice wig is my real hair. I will let you know that the birthday button brought a ton of pixie dust! It made the trip so special and my gramma got a kick out of it!

 

[sjs314]

I am here !!! Going back to read now

 

[sjs314]

Yes you do look like Alice and your gramma looks fantastic! You come from good genes Hannah.

Can not wait to read more

 

[BELLA 361]

Hi this is Bella. I am in and can't wait to hear more.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Chapter 1 - "Welcome Home!"

This is the day we arrived to WDW! It started out a little rocky, but it got a lot better! I got to the airport about 6:00 am or so for a 7:20 am flight. I live about 20 minutes away from O'Hare Airport and my mom didn't think it would be busy. Boy, was I wrong. I had to check my luggage in at the airport since my luggage was too big to be a carry-on which delayed me. They were letting people go through to security right next to the baggage check-in and after I got done 10 minutes later (the line wasn't long, but people didn't know how to use the computer) they closed it off and sent me to the very far end of the airport for security. It took a half hour or so to go through security. I was so worried I was going to be late, but I was still making good timing. I met my gramma on the other side of security since she was already there and we went to the gate to wait for our flight.

We met a very nice family on the plane who were also going to WDW with two adorable children! Why is this relevant? Well, you will find out in Chapter 6. The flight wasn't very eventful. Just watched some episodes of some shows. Big Bang Theory was the best part of the flight. I love that show so much!

After we got off the plane we headed to the monorail to go to baggage claim.

Riding the monorail felt very nostalgic because I remember riding it 11 years ago! I don't remember it vividly, but I do remember seeing the neon light circle at the end of the monorail and what the inside of it looked like. I didn't have anything with me because I packed a tote bag to put my stuff in because I knew I was going to get a lot of souvenirs. All I had was my mickey mouse fanny pack and my passporter's guide. We also saw the family I mentioned earlier in the elevator on our way to get our luggage! After that we went to the Magical Express!

The video definitely helped the bus ride go faster! Especially since we were the last stop.

We've made it! WDW is welcoming us!

And we have arrived at CR!

Since I didn't get a picture of the bus when we were at the airport, my gramma took a picture of me in front of it when we arrived at CR.

Yes, I realize I'm wearing long sleeves and pants, but I'm coming from Chicago where it's cold 3/4 of the year. After getting our luggage we went inside to find the check-in for CL. I found it and went straight to check-in.

Mary Lou was the person who was checking us in and she couldn't find our packet. She tried calling the person who would have it, but no one knew where she was so she figured she was on break. She went to see if the regular check-in desk had it and little did we know we walked right passed the person on our way in because she was standing in the lobby waiting for us. We got all our stuff and we paid for the room and our tickets put onto our KTTW card. I explained stuff to my gramma when she would ask questions and Mary Lou told my gramma to not lose me because I was super knowledgeable. lol The packet had my birthday pin in it so I put it on right away!

Mary Lou took us to CL and went to the CL desk and the lady there talked to us about CR and CL. She was such a lovely lady! She showed us how to get to our room and we were all set! We were in room 4822! We were close to the giant window facing Space Mountain and we had a BLV. I was hoping for an upgrade, but I wasn't disappointed in the least! I loved being able to have a view of both BL and MK!

MKV!

And BLV!

Welcome to our room!

The only downside was the sinks. I hated the fact that water just sat there. Other than that, the room was perfect! After we got settled in and took lots of pictures, I changed into more comfortable clothes and we got ready to head on over to FANTASIA GARDENS!!! We went to the lounge to check out the view and what they were serving and we grabbed a map for MK because we were going there after Fantasia Gardens. And if you were friends with me on facebook, I updated my status so much it was trip report all on its own.

Next time on Hannah's Birthday Trip Report, "We have to go to Fantasia Gardens!"

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Subscribing.

 

[sjs314]

Nice that your room was ready when you checked in. I wondered about those sinks when I was looking a pictures of the room in CR before I switched to BC. They seem so shallow.

Can not wait to read more

 

[heaven2dc]

I'm joining in! What fun - a trip with your Grandma I can't wait until my grandkids are old enough to take me (and turn over all the planning to them)

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Nice that your room was ready when you checked in. I wondered about those sinks when I was looking a pictures of the room in CR before I switched to BC. They seem so shallow.

Can not wait to read more

It was great to have it ready! We got there around 11:30am or so I think. All I know is on my facebook I posted at about 1:00pm that we were leaving for Fantasia Gardens and at 10:30am I was on the Magical Express. So sometime between then.

The sinks are just flat. The water just sits there unless cleaned out or you push it in, but even then it takes a while to do that. It was annoying when I poured my cold hot chocolate into the sink to wash it out. I gave up after a few minutes. It wasn't worth the effort.

I'm joining in! What fun - a trip with your Grandma I can't wait until my grandkids are old enough to take me (and turn over all the planning to them)

I hope they enjoy it as much as I did! I would do it all over again in a heart beat!

 

[pas130]

Yay!!!!Hannah's TR And yes, you bear a striking resemblence to Alice Your Gramma TOTALLY looks about 20 yrs younger than her age..OK going back to read..

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Chapter 2 - "We have to go to Fantasia Gardens!"

After we finished getting ready, we went to the lounge to check out the view and what a beautiful view it was!

We then walked to Magic Kingdom and hopped on a bus to the Swan and Dolphin. We got off at the Swan and my gramma took a picture of me in front of the beautiful fountain outside. Somewhat. lol

Sorry for the terrible smile. It was so hot out! I thought I was going to die, but I dealt with it because I was at Disney World! After about a 5 minute walk in the unbearable heat, we arrived at. . .

It took me a few minutes to take this picture because I had to have Mickey's finger perfectly in between the 'A' and 'G'. It turned out great!

My gramma didn't play, but she took score and took pictures of me mini-golfing!

This was one of the most frustrating games of mini golf ever! I was always so close to getting a hole in one! And if I didn't get a hole in one, it took me a few tries to get it in because it would either go in and bounce out or go around the edge of the hole or something that would prevent it from going in. It was so annoying! I freaked out when I got the ball in this hole because it made noise when the ball goes into the hole.

I took so many pictures of this golf course. I will just post a few of my favorites though!


I didn't make it over the hill so it would go down the scales so my gramma had me toss it through the bars so it would come down and hit the scales. It skipped most of them and hit only three of the scales.

I love the flowers. They are so pretty!

This was my favorite statue/building thing! It's so pretty!

I loved looking at the ducks! They were sleeping and they were so cute!

Here's a picture of me! This was the hole I got a hole in one last time! Sadly I didn't get a hole in one this time.

I loved seeing the buildings across the little lake! They were so cool!

The best thing about the mini-golf trip was seeing my gramma freak out when water started pouring out of the brooms' buckets when she walked underneath them. It was hysterical. I didn't get a picture of it happening, but I have a picture of the brooms.

Goodbye ball!

After a nice round of mini-golf we walked back to the Swan, but we took a "shortcut" so I could see the inside and walk through a cool building rather than the hot heat. We waiting for a bus to the Magic Kingdom so we could spend the rest of the evening there!

Next time on Hannah's Birthday Trip Report, Did we really do everything I wanted to do in 6 hours?"

 

[merbobear]

Subscribing! That's so nice that you stayed club level with your Grandma! Sounds like a really luxurious vacation We arrived at wdw on May 9 as well, so I'm interested to see another vacation during the same time frame as my own!
Your grandma looks fantastic! I would say she was in her 50s or maybe early 60s, if I had to guess! I can't believe she is 78...she must have found a fountain of youth somewhere.

 

[pas130]

Sorry it was so hot for you Hannah. Looks like you were having a great time Love the CL view

 

[WDWKOOK]

Chapter 2 - "We have to go to Fantasia Gardens!"

After we finished getting ready, we went to the lounge to check out the view and what a beautiful view it was!

We then walked to Magic Kingdom and hopped on a bus to the Swan and Dolphin. We got off at the Swan and my gramma took a picture of me in front of the beautiful fountain outside. Somewhat. lol

Sorry for the terrible smile. It was so hot out! I thought I was going to die, but I dealt with it because I was at Disney World! After about a 5 minute walk in the unbearable heat, we arrived at. . .

It took me a few minutes to take this picture because I had to have Mickey's finger perfectly in between the 'A' and 'G'. It turned out great!

My gramma didn't play, but she took score and took pictures of me mini-golfing!

This was one of the most frustrating games of mini golf ever! I was always so close to getting a hole in one! And if I didn't get a hole in one, it took me a few tries to get it in because it would either go in and bounce out or go around the edge of the hole or something that would prevent it from going in. It was so annoying! I freaked out when I got the ball in this hole because it made noise when the ball goes into the hole.

I took so many pictures of this golf course. I will just post a few of my favorites though!


I didn't make it over the hill so it would go down the scales so my gramma had me toss it through the bars so it would come down and hit the scales. It skipped most of them and hit only three of the scales.

I love the flowers. They are so pretty!

This was my favorite statue/building thing! It's so pretty!

I loved looking at the ducks! They were sleeping and they were so cute!

Here's a picture of me! This was the hole I got a hole in one last time! Sadly I didn't get a hole in one this time.

I loved seeing the buildings across the little lake! They were so cool!

The best thing about the mini-golf trip was seeing my gramma freak out when water started pouring out of the brooms' buckets when she walked underneath them. It was hysterical. I didn't get a picture of it happening, but I have a picture of the brooms.

Goodbye ball!

After a nice round of mini-golf we walked back to the Swan, but we took a "shortcut" so I could see the inside and walk through a cool building rather than the hot heat. We waiting for a bus to the Magic Kingdom so we could spend the rest of the evening there!

Next time on Hannah's Birthday Trip Report, Did we really do everything I wanted to do in 6 hours?"

In all my trips to the World, I've never played mini golf there, but you have inspired me! On our little anniversary getaway (with DD), we did play a round, but Fantasia looks extra challenging and extra fun. Was there any shade? Are most of the holes par 3s?

Nice job with the FG sign. You didn't turn it into FantaGardens

 

[kaffinito]

With the blond wig on you look a lot like my step daughter Goldie. (Her real name is Zahava which means "gold" hence the Goldie)

Anyhow, you look a LOT like her.

And your Grandma doesn't look her age at all.

Ready for more and sorry I'm late!

 

[sjs314]

Love the pic of the Castle from the CR lounge. Ok now I am regreting moving our ressie to BC

Have never gone mini golfing while at Disney and doubt it is something we will do this trip even though we get some sort of voucher in our package.

I can just imagine your grandmas surprise when the buckets dumped water as she was walking under. I would have been laughing too

Can't wait to hear about your night at MK