Is this a vacation or a fun boot camp? ~ Our 1st time at Disney ~ June 2011 TR

[mrssmith06]

Welcome to my first trip report on our first Disney World vacation! Well, I say "vacation" but it was like a boot camp and I was the drill sergeant! We had lots of fun... it was just exhausting! I will definitely plan for more relaxing and down time when we go back! We were up too early and in bed too late.

For those who don't know about me - I'm Melissa - and you can read my PTR to catch up if you'd like: My PTR.

There was 4 of us on this trip. Myself, my husband and 2 of our kids (DS4 & DD7)!
We stayed for 5 days at the All Star Movies Resort, June 8th-12th.

I can tell you that I did not follow my plans all the way. We detoured from my "schedule" a lot. I learned to just go with it and do whatever we felt was best at the time. There was also a lot we didn't get to see and do but we were OK with it, it's just more to look forward to on a next trip!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Photo Safari
Day 0: Travel & Stay in Lake City.
It's official, we're going back!!!

Day 1
Arriving at Disney!
Our 1st visit to Hollywood Studio's! ToT & more.
Our night at Epcot! Maelstrom, Illuminations!
Photopass pics from Day 1

Day 2
Breakfast with Mickey!
I love you, Magic Kingdom. Tomorrow/Fantasy/Adventure.
Part 2 of Magic Kingdom & lunch at Crystal Palace.
You missed our exit?!?!
Our night at Hollywood Studio's!
We can't let a leaky room put a damper on our vacation!
Day 2's Photopass pics!

Day 3
Our Anniversary at Epcot! Soarin' & The Seas!
World Showcase, part 1! Canada to France!
World Showcase, part 2! Morocco to Germany!
World Showcase, part 2 (Cont!)!
Downtown Disney.
Late night fun in the pool!
Photopass pictures from Day 3!

Day 4
To Animal Kingdom we go! Let's Safari!
More of Animal Kingdom... FOLTK, Dinoland!
AK: Greetings, Rafiki's & Rainforest!
AK: Greetings, Rafiki's & Rainforest, Cont.
Break time in the pool & a ride on the ferry.
Last night in Disney... at MK.
Our last night (cont)

Day 5
Breakfast at 'Ohana's!
Ohana's/Poly Continued
Departure...The End...So sad!

 

[AKL LOVER]

I'm first, I'm first, I'm first!!! And I've just realized that we have the same first name! How did I miss that on your PTR???

Can't wait to hear all about your trip...

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Joining in! Can't wait to hear how it went!

 

[Lidian]

WOOT! I'm here!!!!

 

[sahm2two]

I'm here! Looking forward to reading all about it!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

I'm here too!!!

 

[BellaBaby]

The video surprise was so so so stinkin' CUTE!! Loved it! Can't wait to hear all about your 1st time at WDW!!

We are WDW vets, we fly there, but it's just so expensive, we did the next best thing this year. We just got back from a road trip to Disneyland and we had a fabulous time!! Although my DH is talking about WDW 2012 already--he's starting to get more addicted than I am, although he wouldn't admit to it!! Plus I don't think he could be more addicted than me!!

BTW--I found the drive home MUCH longer than the drive there as well. Wonder why that is?

 

[anjalee6]

Melissa,
I'm here. I can't wait to hear all about your trip. I am sure it was great.

 

[mrssmith06]

First off, I did the June 2011 Photo Safari, which was fun! So I wanted to put on here the pictures that I got for that, for those who may not see it in the Photo Safari thread, Enjoy! We had to photograph 10 specific things:

1. Photograph a hidden Mickey. At the Poly...

2. Food! A photograph of a favorite food item from WDW. L.A. lasagna at Planet Hollywood in DTD... Yum!

3. Wildlife, photograph an animal. Cheetah on the safari in AK!

4. Planes, trains and automobiles. Monorail and a peek at a bus...

5. Fireworks! The best fireworks show, of course...

6. A photograph that represents The Magic Kingdom, but not of Cinderella’s castle. Walt & Mickey!

7. A photograph that represents Epcot, but not of Spaceship Earth. World Showcase!

8. A photograph that represents Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but not of The Sorcerer's Hat.

9. A photograph that represents Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but not of The Tree of Life.

10. That moment in your trip that made it all worthwhile. Seeing the castle for the first time...Magical.

 

[anjalee6]

I can't wait to take my pictures! I love your hidden Mickey. Your picture of from HS was going to be my choice too. Guess I will have to get creative!

 

[mtgirl29]

Subbing!!!! So glad you started your TR.

 

[Lidian]

I love your photo scavenger pics! I wish I had done it now!

 

[lbuzz52]

I'm subbing! My daughter was 4 on her first trip so I can't wait to hear your daughters opinions! The photo safari looks fun. Great choices!

 

[ctink23]

I'm in, too! Several years ago, I went with a friend who was very much like a drill sergeant. But we got to do a ton, and it was very fun. And now, I think I am slowly taking over that role for my family. There are just some things I really want to do next time we are there.

Excited to read more!

 

[basketkat]

Subbing in!

Your photo safari is super fun!

 

[beebeeryan]

I'm looking forward to hearing about the trip, I came late to the PTR, but am here right at the beginning for this! Love the Photo Safari pics, wonder if they have one planned for August, I'll have to look into that.

 

[mrssmith06]

We got the car packed up and left home on Tuesday, June 7th, around 8am, central time.

Around 10:30am, we were in Montgomery, AL and decided to go ahead and stop for lunch there at Burger King. The kids got to get out and play for a little bit so that was a good place to stop. They did pretty good in the car the entire trip!
We finally arrived in Lake City, FL around 5:30pm, eastern time. Our room was booked at the Cabot Lodge there.

It was a nice place to stay for a night, not very crowded and they had a decent, free breakfast! We had dinner at the Red Lobster down the street (yum!) and then came back for a night swim. We had the pool all to ourselves too! Then we all went to bed around 10pm, dreaming of our arrival at Disney the next day!


Next up...Day 1: Our 1st day at Disney World!

 

[TanzUnited99]

I'm joining in!

Love the photo safari!

 

[Belle83]

Fun! Looking forward to reading more.

Where is the photo safari thread?

 

[mrssmith06]

This is the June 2011 Photo Safari thread
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2723170