It's my first college spring break...I'm going to Disney World! Mar 12 (Updated 6/18)

[MeMom]

How nice it must be to right now be 'sitting on the Casey's side of Main Street where the ducks hang out' waiting for Wishes and MSEP!

That was what the text said a few minutes ago. She said her mom is in vacation mode and is enjoying herself. She sent a picture from Wilderness Lodge earlier and then one of the castle. They ate dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern. What a good day!

She also said some of the Fantasyland walls came down today and you can see part of Storybook Circus! Yay!

 

[Megablocks]

I got to text a little with Christine this afternoon and tonight...she sent me a picture of the castle at night right before Wishes! It was so nice because I was standing in Target, staring at pens (I sent her a picture of my view of pens...) and I got to see the castle! She also sent me a picture during Wishes. They were back at WL a little after 9.

I can't wait to see what pictures I get tomorrow!

 

[MeMom]

I got to text a little with Christine this afternoon and tonight...she sent me a picture of the castle at night right before Wishes! It was so nice because I was standing in Target, staring at pens (I sent her a picture of my view of pens...) and I got to see the castle! She also sent me a picture during Wishes. They were back at WL a little after 9.

I can't wait to see what pictures I get tomorrow!

It's fun to be standing there right with her in a small way. I got a picture of her Liberty Tree dinner, and it put a rumbly in my tummy! I didn't eat dinner last night. I had a bowl of rice when I came in from school, and I never did fix anything else. No comparison to an LTT feast!

Then we she said they were out by Casey's getting ready to see Wishes and MSEP, I could 'feel' the atmosphere.

Bring on today's pictures!

 

[photographymom517]

Christine & her mom were at Epcot today!!!

It was wonderful this morning to get a picture of my favorite park!

Also, she remembered I love Living with the Land so she took a pic for me! Soooo sweet of her!!! But I've been having issues with my cell phone so I couldn't see the picture. It's ok though, I'm patient enough to wait to read the TR to see it!

She sent me another text around 8 and they were waiting for Illuminations to begin. They're sitting between the UK and France on the bridge!

LOVING the text updates & pictures!!! It's like we're there with her!!!

 

[MeMom]

Christine & her mom were at Epcot today!!!

It was wonderful this morning to get a picture of my favorite park!

Also, she remembered I love Living with the Land so she took a pic for me! Soooo sweet of her!!! But I've been having issues with my cell phone so I couldn't see the picture. It's ok though, I'm patient enough to wait to read the TR to see it!

She sent me another text around 8 and they were waiting for Illuminations to begin. They're sitting between the UK and France on the bridge!

LOVING the text updates & pictures!!! It's like we're there with her!!!

It is fun to be along with other DISers through all of our technology. I got the Spaceship Earth picture this morning, and then early in the evening she messaged that they had been able to ride Soarin' twice.

Animal Kingdom tomorrow!

 

[MeMom]

I have sure been enjoying pictures and texts - Epcot Flower & Garden, the Hollywood hat, standing in line for Fantasmic, the Boardwalk,etc. I loved thinking about Cape May when I got that picture!

It's fun to be able to be there through our 'social media' these days.

Who is covering us next week? Anita and Marc will be back the next week after that, but I'm spoiled to daily check-ins.

 

[Tink9721]

We're home!!! (actually we've been home for an hour and I just got around to updating this)

We had an absolutely amazing, magical trip. I can't wait to tell you all about it and share my 1000+ pictures! We were so lucky with the crowds. I was really worried about it, but they really didn't impact us at all until Monday, and even then we got almost everything done at DHS that we wanted to do.

I wasn't ready to leave today, but I was a little more ready than I was last year since we had an extra day. Also, last year my mom had said we probably weren't going this year, but this time she hasn't ruled out a 2013 trip

We both got a chance to relax and de-stress, which is what we really needed! I'm so glad I don't have school until Monday. This is the first time in years that we haven't come back on a school night. My mom is working tomorrow, but she's working from home.

Our flight was about an hour late leaving. Our plane was late getting into MCO, and then we had to wait even longer for a mechanic to come fix an arm rest on one of the seats We got to Providence 40 minutes late, but it wasn't a big deal.

I'm hoping to start my report this weekend! I just have to get my pictures off my camera and onto photobucket.

Thank you to MeMom, Meghan, and Hope for updating for me! I know I said I'd update from my phone but I never got around to it. Besides, you were all doing such a good job

Good night everyone!

 

[MeMom]

Glad you made it home safely.

I will miss getting a Disney World picture today.

Enjoy chilling out at home before school starts back. It's nice to have that before fully getting back into the real world again.

 

[Tink9721]

Glad you made it home safely.

I will miss getting a Disney World picture today.

Enjoy chilling out at home before school starts back. It's nice to have that before fully getting back into the real world again.

After a couple days back in school...I'm ready to go back to Disney

 

[Tink9721]

Hi everyone! I'm so sorry I haven't started the report yet!!! I've been buried by school work for the past week I have a test tomorrow, so studying will keep me busy tonight. I also have a quiz and a class registration appointment to get ready for on Wednesday. After Wednesday things should calm down, so I should be able to start my report Wednesday night, if not before then!

Now back to studying

 

[Tink9721]

So, I was supposed to start this a week ago...oops But, now it's finally time for my first update!!!

Friday, March 9

First, let's back up a little bit to the night before. We watched the news and weather right before we went to bed, and they said there were snow flurries in the forecast Now I had been checking the weather obsessively since the first day of our trip showed up on the 10 day forecast. It said partly cloudy for the first few days, then changed to rain showers, then went back to cloudy. It never said anything about snow. Snow "flurries" aren't a big deal in New England, but I was still nervous.

I think we ended up only getting about 4 or 5 hours of sleep that night since we had so much to do and didn't get to bed as early as we wanted to. My mom got up around 3:30, and I had my alarm set for 4:00 but hers woke me up and I never fell back asleep. I didn't really care about the lack of sleep; I was too excited!

We were planning on getting breakfast at the airport, so I just grabbed a granola bar and then started re-checking my carry-on bag to make sure I had everything. I went outside to load the bags into the car, and there was absolutely no snow I don't think it even felt cold enough for snow. I was so relieved!

We finished getting ready, loaded the car, locked the door, and we were off to the airport! I think it was about 4:40 when we left. We got there a little after 5:00 and parked in the garage. It was a lot less full than it usually is when we go, since it wasn't school vacation week for the rest of the state. We went in and checked our two bags, then hopped in line for security. The line was really long. It looked like a lot of college age people, so I figured most of the colleges in RI had spring break at the same time. It didn't take too long to get through the line. It seems like every time I fly, there's someone in line near me who hasn't flown in a long time and has no idea what to do. There were two of those people behind us in line. They looked surprised when my mom told them all of the things you have to put in the bins

I have to say, I've always been impressed with the organization at this airport. When we fly home from MCO it's awful. Time for a mini rant...I hate the way they do security at MCO! They make you go in separate lines, then after they check your ID they funnel you all back into the same line, and then separate you again to go through security. Also, almost every time I go through security at MCO, they're out of bins when I get up there. I know there are a lot more people there than in Providence, but they also have a bigger staff and much more space than they do in the tiny Providence airport, so you'd think it could be a little better organized. Okay rant over!

After we got through security, which really didn't take very long, we went to Dunkin Donuts to get some breakfast. We ate and then waited for our flight to start boarding! We were flying Southwest and had done the early bird check in so we were in the A boarding section. We got seats pretty close to the front. We had a nice smooth, uneventful flight! No ear problems for me. I have a lot of inner ear issues and they usually hurt for days after I fly but I didn't have any problems at all this time, on the way there or on the way back!

We landed in Orlando around 9:50, which was 20 minutes early! After we got off the plane we stopped for a couple minutes to call my dad and my grandma to let them know we landed, then hopped on the fake monorail! When we got down to the Magical Express area, there was a huge line for cruise line check in, but absolutely no line for the ME! There were only about 10 people ahead of us in line to get on our bus. Huge improvement from last time! Last year there were so many people we didn't even make it on the first bus. This was much better! We only had to wait about 15 minutes for the bus to come. According to my pictures, we were getting on the bus at 10:37.

Finally time for the first picture of the trip...

Grabbed a spot with a good view of the TV

There have been times where we've had to sit on the bus for a while before we left, but not this time! It couldn't have been more than 10 minutes. Things were going very smoothly for us, unlike the previous two years. I was a little worried that that meant we would have bad luck later on, but I guess Mickey knew that we, especially my mom, had earned this trip so he was making sure everything was perfect

I couldn't understand a word the bus driver said. It sounded like he was speaking half Spanish, half English. I'd catch "Disney" in the middle of a sentence but that was about it. Oh well. I just sat back and watched the video!

Something I'm always happy to see!

I remember texting Hope about how nice the weather was, and about 30 seconds after I sent the text it started raining It only last for a few minutes though. We dropped people off at the Poly and the Grand Floridian...

And then we arrived at one of my favorite places in the world!

They were doing check in a little differently. They had a couple CM's standing outside and when we got over there one of them asked us a couple questions (our last name, if we did online check in, etc), escorted us inside to the check in desk, and then went back outside. The CM who checked us in at the desk, Bonnie, was wonderful. She was so sweet and she welcomed us home She was very nice and really got our trip off to a great start!

We've been booking either a standard room or a woods view room for years, but every year we've gotten a better room. This was the 6th time we've stayed there, and they definitely know it! The first year we had a good room since we had gotten upgraded there when they overbooked at POR. The next three years we had a standard room in the same area on the first floor. Last year we got a serious upgrade; 5th floor Magic Kingdom view! Okay, they said it was an MK view, but it was more like the top of the Contemporary and a tiny glimpse of the Astro Orbiter But I was still thrilled! This year, we were on the fourth floor and for the first time since our first stay there, we got to take the main elevator off the lobby. Our room was right above the Cub's Den, a couple floors up. We could see the bus stop from our room, which I thought was cool.

Don't tell my mom about that picture (or any of the others that may or may not appear in this report) That means you Meg, since you actually do see my mom occasionally

My bed! I always take the one near the balcony.

Our view.

Cub's Den below our room.

You can see the bus stop through the trees.

Continued in next post...

 

[Tink9721]

We got our park bags ready to go and I changed into shorts and a different shirt. I was happy to get out of my jeans; it was hot! After we were ready to go, we went down to the bus stop! I'm pretty sure I took a quick look inside the gift shop on the way out

We could've taken the boat to MK, but I really wanted to ride a Disney bus! We were the only ones on the bus, so we got a private ride to MK!

Walking from the bus stop to the park...

Love the palm trees!

We got through bag check and the turnstiles, walked under the train station, and I got my first wonderful glimpse of Main Street USA!

It was more crowded than I expected since it wasn't officially spring break season yet. But I was so happy to be there that I really didn't care!

We made our usual lunch stop at Casey's!

My corn dog nuggets and my mom's hot dog, both with fries, a brownie, and diet coke.

While we ate I tried to check wait times on the Mobile Magic app but I couldn't figure out the location settings on my phone. Not having it that day really wasn't a big deal and I figured it out that night and used it for the rest of the trip!

After we ate I took some castle pictures...

I love seeing it reflected on the water.

We walked this way, past the Crystal Palace...

The back walkways were empty!

We walked through Liberty Square on the way to Frontierland.

Disney bird.

Our destination...

We grabbed some fastpasses for later, and then headed for Adventureland!

I'm gonna stop here for now. I'll update more this weekend! Have a good night everyone!

 

[photographymom517]

Thanks for letting me know you were updating tonight! I think I need a text every single time you update!

I made an attempt to get on DIS earlier -- I wanted to get on the Criminal Minds thread, but of course it was giving me problems! I have no idea what happened. First the thing at the top of the screen was spinning -- making me think it was actually loading the page. Then an error message came up & it wouldn't even go back to the main DISboards page! Grr!!! Sometimes technology drives me insane!

Anyway, I'm here now & just read your update!!! (Oh and I FINALLY wrote my Intro to my PTR! LOL!!!)

Great pictures of WL! That's awesome that you've been upgraded every year. I want to try to make it over to WL this year, maybe for an ADR and definitely to see the Christmas decor! We still can't make up our minds on a resort -- guess it will have to wait until Disney releases Fall/Winter promotions!

I remember you sending the text about the weather being so nice -- and then a few seconds later telling me it was raining!!! I love FL rain though -- normally it only lasts for a few minutes and gets rid of some of the humidity (and the crowds!)

I definitely think that me, Meghan, and Caren all enjoyed receiving your texts & updating for you!!!

I can't remember which day it was, but we had a private ride to MK once too! It was so neat and weird at the same time to be on the bus all alone! From what I already know, I think you had better luck during Spring Break with the buses than we had during "low crowds" in September!

Oh how I miss MK after seeing your pics of the hub & Main Street!!!

That line to Haunted Mansion is insane!!! I noticed it in the back of one of your pics!!! Now I feel REALLY thankful we had a 5-10 minute wait every day we went to MK!!!

Can't wait to read more & see all of your pics!!!

 

[MeMom]

I was noticing the difference in the sky between the time you pulled up to Wilderness Lodge and the time you made it to Magic Kingdom. The WL sky looks like you might have had to stay in the cozy resort and just hang out or take a nap, but by the time you got to MK, things looked much more promising!

I definitely think that me, Meghan, and Caren all enjoyed receiving your texts & updating for you!!!

Made my school week much nicer, for sure!

 

[Tink9721]

Thanks for letting me know you were updating tonight! I think I need a text every single time you update!

I made an attempt to get on DIS earlier -- I wanted to get on the Criminal Minds thread, but of course it was giving me problems! I have no idea what happened. First the thing at the top of the screen was spinning -- making me think it was actually loading the page. Then an error message came up & it wouldn't even go back to the main DISboards page! Grr!!! Sometimes technology drives me insane!

Anyway, I'm here now & just read your update!!! (Oh and I FINALLY wrote my Intro to my PTR! LOL!!!)

Great pictures of WL! That's awesome that you've been upgraded every year. I want to try to make it over to WL this year, maybe for an ADR and definitely to see the Christmas decor! We still can't make up our minds on a resort -- guess it will have to wait until Disney releases Fall/Winter promotions!

I remember you sending the text about the weather being so nice -- and then a few seconds later telling me it was raining!!! I love FL rain though -- normally it only lasts for a few minutes and gets rid of some of the humidity (and the crowds!)

I definitely think that me, Meghan, and Caren all enjoyed receiving your texts & updating for you!!!

I can't remember which day it was, but we had a private ride to MK once too! It was so neat and weird at the same time to be on the bus all alone! From what I already know, I think you had better luck during Spring Break with the buses than we had during "low crowds" in September!

Oh how I miss MK after seeing your pics of the hub & Main Street!!!

That line to Haunted Mansion is insane!!! I noticed it in the back of one of your pics!!! Now I feel REALLY thankful we had a 5-10 minute wait every day we went to MK!!!

Can't wait to read more & see all of your pics!!!

You're welcome

The DIS was slow when I was on the CM thread. It always seems to get slow Wednesday nights at 9:00. Well it's probably every night but that's the only night I notice it.

I want to see the Christmas decorations at WL so badly!!! You should definitely try to make it over there. It's such a cozy place

It was so funny that it started raining right after I sent that text

Awww, well I love having DIS friends to share my trips with

I think maybe they had more buses running because it was spring break week? We usually had bus problems on our Feb trips. I really don't think we waited more than 10 minutes for a bus this time. We also never had to stand The night we left Epcot after Illuminations the first bus filled up and then we got on the second one and got seats.

The HM line was crazy, but I've seen it worse. In Feb 2010, the day I got there it was soooo long. I think it was 45 minutes. That was the day I met Meghan; later that night the line was really short and I rode with her

I was noticing the difference in the sky between the time you pulled up to Wilderness Lodge and the time you made it to Magic Kingdom. The WL sky looks like you might have had to stay in the cozy resort and just hang out or take a nap, but by the time you got to MK, things looked much more promising!





Made my school week much nicer, for sure!

When we got to WL we thought about hanging out at WL until it stopped raining, but by the time we got to our room it had stopped

Glad I could help get you through your school week

 

[Megablocks]

Remember when you texted me and said you finally started? Yeah, this is the first chance I've had to get on. I'm soooo sorry I've failed at answering your texts; I am always either at work, at the preschool, in class, sleeping, or doing work. It's so crazy.

I remember the HM line on the day we met! I'm pretty sure that was the first or second day of Presidents' week.

I love that last castle picture. I also love walking through Liberty Square; I'm such a history nerd that it's definitely my favorite MK land. I miss it there so much!

 

[Tink9721]

Remember when you texted me and said you finally started? Yeah, this is the first chance I've had to get on. I'm soooo sorry I've failed at answering your texts; I am always either at work, at the preschool, in class, sleeping, or doing work. It's so crazy.

I remember the HM line on the day we met! I'm pretty sure that was the first or second day of Presidents' week.

I love that last castle picture. I also love walking through Liberty Square; I'm such a history nerd that it's definitely my favorite MK land. I miss it there so much!

Awww that's okay! I know you're insanely busy! I don't know how you can handle two jobs and school Just my four classes are keeping me really busy!

Yup, that was the Tuesday of Presidents' Day week. I usually don't get there until Wednesday of that week, but still I had never seen it that busy during Presidents' Day week I'm pretty sure crowds that day were worse than any day during my spring break trip. Very weird!

My mom looooves history so she also loves Liberty Square! I think my favorite area is Main Street. But when New Fantasyland opens Main Street might have some competition!

 

[Tink9721]

Happy Easter DIS friends! I hope everyone is having a great day!

 

[Tink9721]

Hi everyone! Again, sorry for the lack of TR updates. Sooo much school work I'll be done in a couple weeks though! I've also been having problems with the DIS since they switched servers I haven't been able to log in on Internet Explorer, which is what I always use. I finally tried logging in on Google Chrome today and didn't have an issue Anyway, I'm gonna try to update this today or tomorrow!

 

[Megablocks]

When are you done with school? I still have my math class (the final is May 7th ) but I'm done with my practicum. I have a conference with my faculty advisor on May 1st to discuss my portfolio, but the internship and the class is over, and I still substitute at the program when they need me. So I was done with the interning yesterday. My assistant director called me TODAY and asked if I could sub Monday-Friday from eight till noon all next week. OKAY! I'm probably not with my older kids, but I'm gonna try really hard to pop in at some point. I'm working something like 45.5 hours between both places next week...but it will be so worth it when I get the checks!