It Was the Best of Times. It Was the Best of Times. A Tale of Two Trip Reports.

[Pixie Princess]

Hello there fellow lovers of 19th century English literature! That's why you clicked this trip report open, right? The promise of lengthy albeit eloquent prose. The hopes of a tale of down trodden waifs and miserly business men? Well I'm afraid I'll disappoint you on those counts. This is my first TR so I'll do my best to entertain, give you a Disney fix, and if you're lucky a crazy lady in a white dress may just make an appearance!

So, you may be asking, what's up the Dickensian title if the TR won't be paying homage to man? Well I'll tell you. Consider this a companion to the TR of a DBFF of mine, Jecskc. Unlike me, she is super organized and whipped out a TR in as soon as we got back from our simultaneous family trips to WDW the first week of Oct. Me I needed to ruminate, procrastinate in order to orate (sorry can't think of a word ending in "ate" that means write. Never a thesaurus handy when you need one) all the details of our little trip. If you're interested in her take, check it out here.
Despite our collaboration and careful planning we spent fewer days together than we planned. So you can see how we spent days together and days apart. Truly a Tale of Two Trip Reports.

So, you know who two of the players are. The rest of gang is:

My precious DD10, Katie. Like a good mama, I have successfully brainwashed..er ..passed on my love of Disney to her. She looks forward to our trips as much as I do. This is our 8th trip as a family. I have a few others under my belt. This is our second trip this year, and our third trip during this week in October. If they are giving her a week off of school, what else am I supposed to do?!?

The rest of the group is comprised of DBFF's family: DH, DS11, DD8, Dnephew11.

As you can see I have an only child, and with the exception of one trip, other children have not gone with us to WDW. So, she was very excited to get to play in the parks with other kids. Likewise, I was happy for some adult company.

This concludes the prologue to what is sure to be an epic tale! Okay that might be a stretch. In any case stay tuned for this trip was truly the best of times!

 

[ArthurIhde]

lol i did not save any

 

[jecskc]

OMG .... I can't WAIT to see more !! Especially the pictures. A good start Pixie Princess !!

 

[Pixie Princess]

To begin this trip report with the beginning of this trip, I record that I am late. My daughter remarked that the clock struck 6:30 as we loaded in the car, and I began to cry. Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of this trip or that station will be held by someone else this trip report will show.

How’s that for butchering one of the great openings in literature?! My apologies to Mr. Dickens and those who love his writing. So in all serious we start out this trip leaving late. Now this wouldn’t be a big deal except that waiting 8 hours south of us is a reservation at the Spirit of Aloha at 5:00. I know what you’re thinking: “Umm..leaving at 6:30 with an 8 hour trip puts you at your destination at 2:30. That’s plenty of time to make a 5:00 reservation especially if you have a car. You’re wack lady!” Not wack, just not to why this is a concern. Remember what I said about lengthy, albeit eloquent prose? Well that’s totally my M.O. as well. (okay, maybe not the eloquent part) I can get off on a tangent with the best of them. There was this one time I started a simple story about ….

Ooops, there I go! Back on track! So we leave at 6:30. However, I have to make a stop at the grocery store (which ends up taking FOREVER) for a couple of things and get ice. DD is not so subtly hinting she was hoping to have Chick-fil-A for breakfast instead of b’fast food I had packed. Oh, and the sausage and egg white muffin I made..um nuked.. for myself is frozen in the middle. Needless to say it doesn’t take too much convincing to make the Chick-fil-A run, but it is another stop. By the time we really get going it is around 7:30, and my cushion is slowly being eaten away.

Since I haven’t mentioned it yet, I should let you all know we are heading to the Pop Century resort. We’ve stayed there before for a long weekend. This will be our first week long stay there. DD is very excited about this. She LOVED Pop the last time we were there. I on the other hand am not sure how I feel about it for a week. Don’t get me wrong, I think Pop is great. I’m just worried about noise, buses etc. We just weren’t there long enough to get a sense of this the last time we stayed there. I am longing for my new favorite resort POFQ. We just stayed there in May, and it is the bomb diggity. I also haven’t given the exact dates of this trip. For us it was 10/2 – 10/10. Jecsck and her family headed down on 10/1. While I’m enduring a lovely 8 hour drive they are enjoying AK. Check it out here. It's post # 3.

The trip down is pretty uneventful. We totally rocked out the license plate game this trip, even getting a plate from one of the states not included in the lower 48. But that is for later. Finally around 3:15 we roll in to Pop Century! I had checked-in online. Happily the on-line check in que was empty. I breeze right on up there and pick up my packet. We are assigned to the 50s section. After this I head over to the concierge to get our tickets for SOA. Sadly they can’t print them out less than 3 hours in advance of the show. No biggie though we’ll just pick them up over at the Poly. By this point it is a little after 3:30. Not enough time head to the room and drop our stuff.. I must inspect for bedbugs before the first piece of luggage is brought in. Also, too close for comfort to take the bus over to MK to get to the Poly. In May we were running from the dock at FW to get to the HDDR before they shut us out. Granted the Poly is easier to get to, but I’m taking no chances. Back to the car we go and off to the Poly.

At this point I must pause to mention that on our way in we see all these tents set up on the side of the road as we are driving toward Pop on Osceola (or whatever the road is called before it becomes Osceola), and there are a couple of “stages” and lights set up in the grassy median of the road. We also see a sign saying Osceola will be closed that evening. I’m wondering what is going on or what has happened that day that all the tents and “stages” are set up. And I assume there must be some sort of road construction on Osceola planned for that evening. Not for minute do I think the two are linked, and when at the Poly I would find out what all this was for. But for now, I remain blissfully unaware as I bebop off to the Poly.

 

[Pixie Princess]

We arrive at the Poly to find a VERY full self-parking lot. We drive around searching for a space for something like 15 minutes. Finally I give up and decide to valet. Sweet! Totally worth the $$$. I am sick and tired of being in a car. As the CM hands me my valet ticket he tells me to hold on to the receipt because I can use it to valet park at any resort the rest of the day without being charged again. Decent! My BFF’s family had plans to go to the Boardwalk that evening. If we aren’t exhausted after the meal maybe we can go meet them over there. I can valet and not have to shlep across the street from the self parking area. We head in to the Great Ceremonial House, and after a couple of wrong turns, we end up at Luau Cove. We check in, get our leis, get our picture taken which I have no intention of buying, and our tickets then head in to the show.

What can I say about SOA? Well, it was an okay show. Admittedly, it had big shoes to fill. Our usual arrival day outing is to the HDDR. Love, love, LOVE the Hoop!

It may be corny, but is very entertaining and the food is always good. For me, the whole first half of SOA was pretty much a yawn. It would be a better experience if they dumped that and just stuck to the dances from the various islands and the fire dancer that comprise the second half.

Oh well. The food was pretty good. The pineapple was sweet and delish, and the coconut pineapple bread was FANTASTIC. This wahine does not like coconut and my keiki does not like pineapple or coconut, but we both really liked this bread. I would love to have the recipe. The roast chicken was good and moist, and I was big fan of the vegetable assortment. My one lament with a Disney trip is I just don’t get enough veggies during the week. DD gave the ribs, one of her favorite foods, a try and didn’t care for them. I don’t know what they could have done to them for her not to scarf down what they brought us and be asking for more, but something wasn’t right. I filled up on chicken and veggies, and never tried them. The presentation of the dessert is faboo. I will give that one to SOA over HDDR. Who doesn’t like a steaming volcano?

While DD very much enjoyed SOA, the only way I’d ever go again is if I’m sitting in Category 1 as that is the only section with an unobstructed view of the stage. Having said that though, I’m not sure I’d shell out the kala to for Category 1 for this show. Very glad we did it though. One more thing to cross off the Disney bucket list.

It is time to say mahalo and aloha to SOA and head back to POP. There is much unpacking and a UGA game to watch our little FloTV (this thing is awesome BTW). On the way back to the valet stand, we take a moment to pause on the beach for a photo op and to play a bit.

A quick word of advice for those who would like to watch Wishes from the Poly. When we were at the beach outside of Luau cove, I was amazed how many people were there a good hour plus early to watch the fireworks. My guess would be these folks were all from SOA and just decided to plop down at the beach and digest while waiting on the fireworks. I have no idea though. By the time we left, some where around 7:45, nearly every beach chair was taken. Full disclosure, I’ve never done this myself, so I have no idea if the occurence was unique to this particular beach area. It seems reasonable to me though that the other beach areas would have people staking out their chair early as well, and someone who wants to sit on something other than sand might want to arrive a little early. You can take in the fabulous sights of the Poly and just sit there and enjoy the view across the lagoon. As I say I have never watched Wishes from a Poly beach, so take this with a grain of salt and see what others have to say on this. I was just suprised that people were claiming chairs that far in advance of the show. Just passing on my observation FWIW... which is pretty much next to nothing.

So anyway, we head back to the valet stand to get the car, and that is when I see it. A HUGE group of people waiting for a bus across the driveway from the valet stand. Then I notice that many of the people are wearing running gear, and it all comes flooding back to me. The Wine and Dine ½ Marathon is that day, and it is a night race. That is what all those tents and stages were on my drive in, and now I’m about to drive right back in to race central.

 

[Pixie Princess]

Okay, I know that is a Shakespearean reference, but I can only take the Dickens and Hawaiian references so far.

Well there was no need to worry. We made it back to POP with no trouble, and happily no bedbugs! However DD was a little disappointed with the room. On our last trip we stayed in the 90s section and when we arrived we had a Rubik’s cube, a certificate proclaiming us family of the day and little chocolates on our pillow. Well this time there is none of this. But worst of all there are no towel animals! Now I could care less about this, but DD is all about the towel animals. Not to mention on the way to the room she sees several other guests have their very cute animals displayed in their windows. I tell her we just got here, and I’m sure we’ll get towel animals during the week which seems to make her feel better about the situation. Ah, to have the lack of towel animals be my great disappointment in life. On the up side we discover that we have a great view of Illuminations and Wishes right outside our room. Bonus!

Prior to leaving the Poly, I’d been texting Jecskc, (who is not at Boardwalk) and we plan to meet at Epcot in the morning for rope drop. Considering that I have rarely made RD, this is pretty ambitious for me, but I’m up for the challenge. We unpack and watch UGA lose a heartbreaker to Colorado. Sigh. Such is our season this year.

So with that I’ll say, a hui hou kakou to you all. Aloha!

 

[LisaKeys]

Great start to your review. I don't blame you for wanting to get everything else sorted out before starting your TR - that way you can update more often.

Hope to be reading more soon.

 

[jecskc]

A great start !!! Loved the pictures !! MORE !!!

 

[Pixie Princess]

“The wind is rushing after us, and the clouds are flying after us, and the moon is plunging after us, and the whole wild night is in pursuit of us..”

Woo Hoo! We got up and out and made it to Epcot for RD! I mean actually made it. Went through the turnstiles, stood with the crowd waiting to go directly to Soarin’, saw in the distance the characters there to open the park, did the countdown.. the whole nine yards! Very exciting. BFF’s family wasn’t there yet. The rope drops and off to Soarin’ we go! Our intention was to get a FP, but as we entered the Land we decided to ride instead and pick up FP after. BFF texted as we got down to Soarin’ they were on the way.

Let me tell you, I totally get the idea behind getting the FP and then waiting stand-by and then using your FP, BUT I was totally digging riding first. We practically walked on. As we headed down the Concourse 1, and are approaching the flight attendant who will send us the pre-show que, I am thinking “Row 1. Row 1.” You see it has been quite a while since we were assigned to Row 1. Yes, I know we could ask for it, but we usually are just so excited to ride we want on as soon as we can. I can see the que area that is being filled already has row 1 filled and they are staring on row 2. Sigh. It is not meant to be. It is finally our turn and the flight attendant says, “How many?” I say, “Two.” He says, “Two all the way down,” and points to another flight attendant who is walking down the concourse leading a few other guests who were in front of us. She stops at the next area and says “Two? Row 1.” What?!?!!! Row 1, and not just the run of the mill row 1, but row 1 center! Talk about pixie dust, or magic or whatever; it was freakin’ fantastic! DD and I are super excited. We wait with pregnant anticipation for Patrick to begin his spiel. I love the grown man who gets upset he has to take his mouse ears off! Flight instructions complete it is off to go Soarin’! (sidebar: in all the excitement of relaying our row1 adventure. I neglected to mention that Jecskc and family are in the park and on the way to Soarin’ to get their own FPs. The timing couldn’t have worked out better.)

Well, it was a great flight! The oranges smelled so sweet, and one of these days I’m going to catch that darn golf ball. Ha, ha! The flight ends, I collect my personal items and head to what I think is the exit. Wrong! I’m trying to leave the wrong way. I’m so used to flying on concourse 2 that I just naturally walked in the direction I was used to walking after flying. Concourse 1 the exit is in the opposite direction. You think the mass of humanity walking in that direction would have been a clue, but no. The flight attendant has to point me in the right direction. Embarrassing. I guess I breathed in a little too deeply in the pine forest.

Now that I’m turned around, we head through exit cavern to meet up with my friend and her family at the FP area.

 

[Pixie Princess]

It was a dark and stormy morning… Not at Disney, but now as I type. Seriously folks, it is scary looking outside, and that big red line on the Doppler radar heading my way is not making me feel any better. So what better distraction than to continue the story.

We left off with DD and I walking to the Soarin’ fp area to meet friends. We arrive and I spot them. I approach their group and say, “They’ll let anybody in this place.” (nice, right?) Big hugs all around!!! Now, some of you may be wondering why I’m making a such a big deal about meeting my friend at the World? Lots of people vacation with friends. I have known my dear friend since middle school. We no longer live in the same state and rarely see each other. So it was a very joyous moment indeed. It also bears mentioning that this is the first trip where the timing worked out perfectly. I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but after my first trip to WDW in 2006 I told anyone who would listen how awesome WDW is and that they really should plan a trip there. Well Jecskc was no exception. She kept say she wanted to as they had a timeshare down there. Well the day came when she and her family went, and like me she became a big Disney nut. (In her TR she partially blames me for her addiction. Always happy to help out a friend.) What was crazy is that we just missed each other. We were heading home as they were heading down. Sigh. Of course you go once, and you gotta go again. Oddly enough we just missed each other again on her second trip. Finally our kids’ school schedules aligned and we would be vacationing at the same time!

Wow, that was a tangent. Back to the story. DD and I grab FPs for Soarin’ and off we all head to Test Track. By this time my DD has forgotten I exist, and fully immersed in this new world of other kids around at Disney. We ride TT and I take a Chandler-esque photo on the ride. (You know..like Chandler from Friends.. the episode where he and Monica are having an engagement photo. Yep, my ride photos are always that bad.)

Next we head off to do a couple of first for our traveling companions; Mission Space and Spaceship Earth. Unfortunately though, I’m going to have to cut it off here as I hear the thunder. Time to unplug and wait for the weather to pass. More to come….

 

[jecskc]

It is raining bad here, too !! I am trying to get enough money together to book a quick trip the week before Christmas. If I can talk DH into it, you guys should come so we can spend more time together. I regret that we didn't get to spend enough time together this trip !! Love you !!!

No get back to your trip report !! I wanna see more !!!