Just back- LONG trip report

[kimbamickey]

Hi everyone,

I want to report on my trip to Disney this past weekend. I left on Thursday with my DBF and arrived at the airport at 3:00. I used Disney’s Magical Express and everything ran smoothly. We waited on the bus at the airport probably for 20 minutes for everyone to get on our bus. There was a welcome video by Disney to watch to make time pass by quickly. The trip was about 35 minutes to Saratoga Springs, which happened not only to be the first stop, but indeed our stop. We checked in and once we got settled we went to the pool to relax for a bit before dinner at Artist’s Palette. After dinner we checked out the gym at SSR. Nice facility in my opinion. Then we freshened up and went to Downtown Disney Marketplace to walk around. It was my first time at the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and let me tell you – YUM YUM. I created my own sundae, and it was good. My only complaint of the day would be that the lady at the front desk when we checked into SSR was not overly friendly – not rude, but not friendly either. It was like she did not want to be there. Also, we waited for a bell hop for what seemed to be an eternity (which really translates to 15 minutes), and when one finally came he ignored us. It was strange. So we walked. Not a big deal, but on the whole I would have liked a friendlier welcome process.

Friday- Part One: The Audition

I forgot to mention earlier that besides taking a long weekend to get away to Disney, I found out that they were having open calls for performers. I sing, and it has always been my dream to work at Disney, so I prepared for several months for the audition. I took a cab to the audition facility, and I arrived at 12:30 (my DBF was kind enough to come for moral support). The open call started at 1:00. I waited 4 hours to be seen. I was a nervous wreck! The strange this about this whole process was that no one had any idea what parts needed to be filled. One girl noted that she thought that they were mostly looking to fill male roles. I think the process would run more efficiently if Disney let performers know what parts they were looking to fill at each audition. Apparently they have them once a month and they are not always looking to fill the same roles each month. Once I finally went in, I sang two songs that I had prepared. I didn’t feel like I did my best because of nerves, but atleast I tried. I heard those lovely words, “Thank you, that is all we will need for today.” I smiled and thanked them, composed myself, and waited to get outside of the building before I burst into tears. I think at one point I even wanted to give up singing! My DBF comforted me of course. Although I do not know what roles they were looking to fill (and therefore what types of voices they needed), I have a feeling that they were looking for more of the pop-stage “American Idol” type of voice, which is not my voice. I have a classically trained, light, soprano voice. We called the cabbie to come get us, and we went back to SSR.

Part Two: Now I can enjoy myself

We made an ADR for Flying Fish Café at the Boardwalk. We got there early, and we were seated right away. This place was fabulous. The food was excellent. I ordered the scallops special, and my DBF ordered the Timbale Hearts of Palm salad, and the swordfish. For dessert I had the Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé, and DBF had the Trio of House-made Sorbets. Both our meals were fantastic- some of the best food we have ever had in a restaurant. Our waiter (I think his name was Mark) was entertaining and attentive, and it made our experience so much more special. I highly recommend this place. We walked around the Boardwalk and the other resorts to burn off some the calories we had just inhaled, and then we hopped on a bus for Downtown Disney, transferred to a SSR bus, and went home to bed.

Saturday- Craziness

Part One: Animal Kingdom

We woke up around 7:30, stopped for breakfast at Artist’s Palette, and headed to the Animal Kingdom first thing to ride Expedition Everest. The gates opened about 10 minutes to 9, and we made a bee-line for the mountain. We were in line for about 5 minutes. DBF and I rode in the back seat of the train. Good ride. We enjoyed it. The detail put into the queue is incredible. The ride itself is a lot of fun, and if you aren’t scared of coasters, you definitely want to try this one. On my personal roller coaster intensity scale, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest intensity, I would give it a 6. For example, I rate The Hulk at Universal’s IOA a 10. So in my opinion, Expedition Everest is more intense than Big Thunder Mountain and less intense than Rockin Roller Coaster. Then we headed over to Kilimanjaro Safari, and it was early enough that all of the animals were still out. We got some really good pictures. DBF wanted to go to the petting zoo afterward, so we got on the train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. After DBF was done at the “Affection Section”, we headed back to catch the 10:40 Lion King show. Cool show with all of the acrobatics. Then we hopped on a bus to Epcot

Part Two: Epcot

We arrived in Epcot around noon. I have to say that the finger machines that they have at the turnstiles hold up the crowd somewhat. It isn’t because people do not know how to use it; it is because sometimes it doesn’t work on the first try! I know my fingers are too small for the machine, so I have to try it a couple of times. Anyway, we went to Soarin to get a fast pass. Our fast pass told us to come back between 3 and 4. We went to France and stopped in Chefs de France for lunch. We did not have an ADR, and we were seated immediately. Our waitress was delightful. She had only been in the USA for one week. I ordered the ham and cheese sandwich and DBF ordered the Salad Nicoise. Good food (especially the fresh dinner rolls- perfect). I couldn’t finish my sandwich though (probably because I ate two large dinner rolls). We really enjoyed the atmosphere of this restaurant. We left feeling full, and we walked around the countries to see some of the performers and to take pictures of some of the flowers since it was the Flower & Garden Festival. We also took the Guerlain garden scents tour. It only lasted for 20 minutes, and if you like perfume, you will enjoy this tour. At 3pm we headed over to Soarin (by way of Mexico where I got a margarita that I didn’t like too much), and we had about a 20 minute wait in the fast pass line. This was my first time on Soarin and I really enjoyed the ride. It was very relaxing. After Soarin DBF wanted Sushi, so we took a ferry over to Morocco and walked to Japan. We had some Miso soup and sushi at Mitsukoshi. It was good. We were served very quickly. It was at this point where I realized that my face and arms looked like a tomato because I didn’t put on sunscreen. OUCH. WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN. After sushi, we hopped on the ferry back to the future world where I was in search of aloe and sunscreen. If anyone else has this predicament, there are stands that carry sunscreen, but the only place I found aloe was at MouseGears. Next stop: Magic Kingdom!

Part Three: Magic Kingdom

My favorite. I love this park. We got on the monorail and went to MK. We arrived around 6:15, and we went straight to Splash Mountain to get a fast pass. Our fast passes told us to come back between 8 and 9pm. So we walked over to Fantasyland and got on Mickey’s Philharmagic. This show is adorable. There was something wrong with my 3D glasses, so I didn’t get the full effect, but I still enjoyed it. We headed back to Splash Mountain (my favorite ride) and waited for about 20 minutes. After Splash Mountain we went to Liberty Square to hold a claim a spot for spectromagic. It was the first time DBF had seen this parade, and he was impressed. Then we walked closer to the castle to claim a spot for fireworks. I am always fascinated by the amount of people in MK. The line of people walking through the park to exit seemed never ending. Anyway, we watched Wishes, and I was inspired to not give up singing, despite not getting a part with Disney. After wishes, we stopped at the bakery where I feasted on delicious chocolate chip cookie, and we sat around and waited for the crowds to thin out. Whew, what a day- 3 parks in one! I didn’t think it was possible, but we did it!

Sunday- The Departure

The sad day. I am always VERY sad to leave WDW. We were told to be at the bus stop at 10:45 for Magical Express Bus to take us to the airport. The bus picked us up promptly at 11 (when it was supposed to) and we arrived at the airport with plenty of time before our plane left. And now I am back home where it is only 60 degrees (sigh). Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my trip report. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

 

[Glendamax]

Thanks so much for your report! I KNOW that I will read it 10 more times to help me get through my shift tonight!

 

[suswa]

WOW you had a very bus weekend. Thank you for sharing! I have a question about Splash mountain. We had not planned to go to MK this trip we wanted to wait until we have a child to take with us, but after reading it about splash mountain we want to ride it. Should we go to MK just to ride splash mountain or just wait? In your opnion.

Sounds like you had a blast (except for the audition) and I can't wait to get there myself!

 

[kimbamickey]

Suswa- If it isn't TOO inconvenient then I say go for it. The reason we were able to move around so quickly was because there were only two of us. If you can fit it in, why not?

 

[Jrabbit910]

Thanks for the report! I loved hearing about EE. I read that you rated it a 6, and 10 being the Hulk at US. I have a question for you, do you flip on EE?? I went on the Hulk first thing in the morning and it made me so sick... I really want to go on EE, do you think its alot less tame?? Is it fast like Aerosmith?

 

[kimbamickey]

EE is A LOT tamer than the Hulk and the Aerosmith ride in MGM. There are no flips or loops in EE. It does go fast (but remember I was in the back of the train so it may have seemd faster to me), and there are some drops. It wasn't bad at all. I would compare it more to Space Mountain. If you survived the Hulk, this should be a breeze.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

kimbamickey, do not give up hope on the audition. Way back in my youth I had to audition people and we had to hear them all before picking out who we wanted so "Thank you and we will be in touch" was sometimes a good thing and not a bad one.

Also, if you did not have the voice for the characters they were auditioning for but they liked your voice they well might note your name for consideration for other character opportunities.

Even good singers have been rejected, the BEST ones kept on trying and trying until the succeeded. Never give up your dream!

Slightly Goofy

 

[exwdwcm]

i agree, don't give up on the audition!

i worked at disney in 96 and have two roomies that still work there (10 years later, so much for it being a 'college program'- they never left!).....anyways- one of them has been in entertainment there for a while- she was 'good friends' with pluto, buzz etc. She was also in the hunchback stage show at MGM for a long time before they closed it down. she told me how difficult it is to get a performer's job there. She is beautiful- can sing and dance, has it all.

she auditioned for 'face' characters and they were looking at her for mary poppins and cruella. she said they were so cruel to everyone- just picked them apart she heard them comment on people like- "your nose is way too big",, " you need to drop 30 lbs then come back" etc etc. She said it was awful. She didn't get it, but now works in epcot for kodak as the mad professor that takes the photos as you exit journey into imagination- and she loves it. still auditions for stuff all the time and is in a cast member theatre group that performs a lot. She said they are just super picky, becuase it is disney- they have so many people wanting to work there and audition, that they get the absolute best of the best. so don't be disheartened and keep trying!