I Knew You Would Eventually Get Tired of Disney World - April '12 TR - Completed 2/9

[nilla]

We arrive in Orlando, hop the airport monrail, and we're off to the Magical Express! But first, we have to find the Magical Express. Where is it?

I think it's on the first level. An airport employee confirms this, so down the elevator we go, all the way down to...

Hertz rent-a-car? Huh?? Where's the Magical Express? It was here last year, wasn't it?

We find another employee and learn that it's actually on the opposite side of this area, which we can only get to by taking an elevator back up, then eventually back down again. It's like practice for Tower of Terror, which, by the way, Emily swears she will not go on this year. We'll see, Emily. We'll see.

We get where we need to be, as evident from this sign:

I get my first day-number-indicating photo, and we're on board. As are cheerleaders. Apparently, we're down in the midst of cheerleader week again. Fortunately, the bus stops at CSR first this time, so we have to wait no longer. We're "home"!

 

[nilla]

We kick it off as usual, with Dylan doing his standard arrival pose:

Then the obligatory fountain pick:

And let's not forget the lobby pics:

Dylan is NOT happy that the TV in the lobby is not showing old cartoons, but rather one of the "Sing a Long Song" videos, so he's boycotting. That'll show 'em! Em's all about it, though:

Then it's on to other entertainment:

There's where I want to be. Out there. Let's hope we get there soon.

Dylan's not the only one who's not happy. Kristin has learned that our "Preferred" room is actually not right on the water, or facing a fountain, or really in a nice place at all. Here's our view from Casitas 3, the same building where we had our dream room last year:

Not as dreamy this year. I'm one to just make the best out of it (it's right next to El Centro, and we loved building 3 last year), but Kristin just is not happy. It's putting a serious black cloud over the start of the vacation. She already taked to the CM at the front desk, but now she's on with a manager:

I'm getting hungry, so I'm hoping this get's resolved soon. The manager tells Kristin she will see what she can do, and she will get back to us. Now it's off to dinner.

 

[nilla]

We're doing our first dinner at the Pepper Market, a counter service. This will give us the extra meal credit we need for the Hoop-de-Doo Revue later in the week, and it's probably the best count service place I've eaten in WDW. Family pic!

There's the bar. That could come in handy at some point.

We get our food. I go fish tacos:

Very good! I'd definitely get them again. Kristin got the equally good fajitas:

Dylan got the boring burger - his first adult dining plan meal of his life.

Keep in mind that this kid is almost physically unable to eat anything other than PB&J and grilled cheese. He has a hard time eating pizza. This will get interesting. He actually tore this up, though, so we're off to a good start. Emily made us photograph her mac & cheese:

Very good meal, and a great start to the vacation. Let's hope we can get past this room location thing. We picked up our resort mugs and headed back to the room.


[POST=44844894](next update)[/POST]

 

[KatMark]

you found the ME bus and have arrived "home."

Pepper Market is one of the things I miss about not staying at the CSR. I'm thinking in September we'll have to drive over there for a meal.

Dylan's an adult on the dining plan? This is going to be really interesting knowing his eating habits.

 

[ltjk]

I am new to posting on the DIS boards, but read your last report which helped immensely in planning our Dec 2011 trip. Looking forward to reading more about your most recent trip!

 

[beckyx3]

This is my first time posting on a TR (or PTR/TR?), but your writing is so great I just had to let you know!

And poor Emily, being called a hillbilly. Siblings can be so mean! I'm 21 and I'm permanently missing teeth and my sisters are just as bad (and they're older than I am), so I feel her pain! At least hers will grow back though

Great report so far!

 

[rndmr2]

I was so glad to find this, can't wait to read all about your trip!

My DH is in the "Tired" Category too. He loves it but after our trip last year he said we should take a break for a couple years (!) It doesn't look like we are going on a trip at all this year - we had a cruise tentatively planned but too many things happened this year so far to be able to take the time off, we both had work injuries in March, (11th and 28th) I am back to work but DH is not yet.

We have a cruise booked for 2013, so it looks like the next possibility for a WDW trip is 2014 so I am fixating on that. DH still says "might" but I refuse to go a 3rd year without my Disney fix!!

Awww I love your new little puppy!! (well, not so little anymore...LOL)

Great first dinner! I am curious to see how Dylan fared with being a "Disney Adult." My nephew is the reason my brother stopped getting the dining plan, just about the only thing he will eat is pizza. (well, that and just about any kind of bread there is...)

 

[JeanetteK]

Hi Jon (and Kristin)!! I'm here and following along! Dan and I really enjoyed our unexpected DisMeet! We really enjoyed talking to you guys -- just wish we would have been there a bit longer to get to know you guys better. Dan has already decided that we are definitely going back next year -- hee hee hee I knew I could get him hooked I loved the picture of "our" benches that Kristin posted saying you guys missed us already. That was so sweet and made me laugh. Anyway, just wanted to say hi, and I can't wait to read about the rest of your trip. By the way, we thought Emily and Dylan were the cutest! Especially after the first night we talked to you and we thought they were killing each other

 

[MEK]

Yum! Fish tacos. I could definitely go for that! Be back later to see the arrival pics!

 

[cmaee]

I was so excited to see you started your TR. I'm killing time on the DIS instead of working like I should be and said to myself, "Self, I wonder if nilla has started this years TR." I really enjoyed reading last years and I have no doubt that this one will be just as good.

 

[papertraveller]

Loving the trip report. Keep it coming!

And for next time, just remember that ME is on the B side ... for BUS! (Only took us four trips to remember!)

 

[nilla]

Dylan's an adult on the dining plan? This is going to be really interesting knowing his eating habits.

Oh, yeah. Stay tuned.

I am new to posting on the DIS boards, but read your last report which helped immensely in planning our Dec 2011 trip.

What a tremendous compliment! Thank you! Glad to have you back

This is my first time posting on a TR (or PTR/TR?), but your writing is so great I just had to let you know!

Post away!

We have a cruise booked for 2013, so it looks like the next possibility for a WDW trip is 2014 so I am fixating on that. DH still says "might" but I refuse to go a 3rd year without my Disney fix!!

Mine Cart will be in full swing by then. I'm very much looking forward to the new Fantasyland.

Great first dinner! I am curious to see how Dylan fared with being a "Disney Adult." My nephew is the reason my brother stopped getting the dining plan, just about the only thing he will eat is pizza. (well, that and just about any kind of bread there is...)

Dylan is grilled cheese, cheeseburgers, and PB&J. And that's it. No, wait - he loves the bread, too

I loved the picture of "our" benches that Kristin posted saying you guys missed us already. That was so sweet and made me laugh.

The benches didn't look right without you two on them

By the way, we thought Emily and Dylan were the cutest! Especially after the first night we talked to you and we thought they were killing each other

That story comes next.

Yum! Fish tacos. I could definitely go for that!

I've been into fish tacos lately. These were the best I've had. Second best? Bethlehem Brew Works

...and said to myself, "Self, I wonder if nilla has started this years TR."

You never know what you'll find here!

And for next time, just remember that ME is on the B side ... for BUS! (Only took us four trips to remember!)

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely remember it. Or better yet, tell Kristin, so she can remember it when I forget it.

On to the updates!

 

[nilla]

In we go, and we have a message. Kristin plays it on speaker. We have been moved to the Cabanas, 8B. We check the map, and are VERY happy. Kristin is ecstatic. This really would have made her unhappy, even though it's hard to be unhappy about anything in Disney World.

We move on to our new room in Cabanas 8B.

Our bags still have not arrived, so we head over to the beach. I try to figure out how to take night shots with this camera.

Quiet pools are tested...

Em's rockin' the crown she brought from home. It's not the last we'll see of it, either. Dylan and Kristin try out the hammocks.

This area is great. The view across the lake is awesome, and we're about 100 feet from the pool. I try to get some more shots in a moment...

 

[nilla]

...and here they are:

A little better. I should get a DSLR, but I wouldn't like carrying it. It probably wouldn't be much more than what we already carry, though. Then again, I don't really need a reason to stop to take pictures any more than I already do.

Our bags arrive, and we unpack. Kristin stacks the freeze-dried, vacuum-sealed daily clothing rations in the closet.

The kids are pretty whooped by now, especially Emily. They get ready for bed, and Dylan puts on Phineas and Ferb. Emily should be asleep in a few minutes.

Kristin suggests that we make drinks and step outside for a moment. Our fridge is now equipped with two bottles of Swedish fish-flavored vodka, a bottle of rum. A boxed wine sits next to the TV. We come prepared!

Emily's almost out now, and Dylan's laying in bed watching TV. We tell them we'll be right outside, then step out. Finally, a quiet moment!

 

[nilla]

We notice a couple sitting on the benches by the main walk, and we go over to meet them. Their names are Dan and Jeanette (the DISboards own Jeanette_k!), and before long, they are telling us about what sounded like an amazing trip up to that point. I am now counting down to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and considering changing an ADR to Fulton's based on their stories. An unintended DISmeet!

But we've been out here a while. It's time we head in and check on the kids. As I start to walk back to the room, I hear a scream.

"Was that Dylan?"

As we get closer, the door flies open, and Emily yells something about killing him. The couple in the room next to ours is out to see what's going on. I shove the kids back inside, apologize profusely, then try to figure out what happened.

Apparently, Dylan got worried because we were gone so long (debatable), and wanted to go looking for us. Emily was not about to let him go out, since she would've been alone. It escalated. And it exploded.

Kristin uses the defibulator on me, and I'm no longer in shock. That was NOT how I expected this night to end, and certainly not how I expected this vacation to start out. No more of that "stepping out of the room" stuff, I guess.

Teeth are brushed, photos are transferred to the laptop, and it's off to bed. Kristin gets a wake-up call for 7 am the next day. We're trying to get to Hollywood Studios for rope drop. After this night, I can stand to fall 13 stories and fly with C-3PO.

Good night!


[POST=44855244](next update)[/POST]

 

[rndmr2]

Nice new room location and view!

I had to LOL at the "Daily clothing rations"

Sorry you had a stressful end to the night. I don't blame you for wanting to drop 13 stories (I bet the "heart up in your throat" feeling is the same anyway! )

 

[cmaee]

Kristin stacks the freeze-dried, vacuum-sealed daily clothing rations in the closet.

I love this idea! Kristin is so smart. I have always packed my kids clothes in the gallon size ziploc bags like that, but now that they are larger, I wondered how I was going to neatly pack their clothes since there is no way they will go in a gallon size ziploc bag and not come out looking like they were wadded up in a ball. How wrinkled were they when you opened your daily ration of clothes? Oh, and how much room did you leave in your suitcase to account for the additional size of clothes since I assume they didn't get resealed for the return trip home.

 

[phineasfan100]

Dylan on the adult dining plan, and FastPass return time enforcement! The suspense! Can't wait for more!

 

[nilla]

I had to LOL at the "Daily clothing rations"

I don't participate in that, though I do have my little flash card with what I'll be wearing on what day

Oh, and how much room did you leave in your suitcase to account for the additional size of clothes since I assume they didn't get resealed for the return trip home.

I folded most of the stuff, or made a weak attempt at folding, so it wasn't much different. We did have some merch on the way back, of course

Dylan on the adult dining plan, and FastPass return time enforcement! The suspense! Can't wait for more!

It's coming up, right now!

 

[nilla]