May 2011 Yo Ho Ho! Let Down Your Hair! (New 10/9 Lessons Learned #550)

[Marshay]

May 13-22 @ AKV - Kidani

Post Trip Report Table of Contents in Post #3

Welcome to my PTR -- otherwise known as "I'm going to plan less -- just a surgical strike of WDW" because we have specific targets in each park that we plan to hit and I'm an obsessive planner. This will be our 3rd trip on one Annual Pass, so we have seen and done a lot in the past 10-11 months. Now to wrap up our Annual Pass with one final week.

Here we are in November 2010 in Epcot at our regular picture spot.

So who are we?

Me (Marsha) - 40 years old...been to WDW about 30+ times. Disney fanatic who loves to scrapbook and play competitive volleyball. Grew up in PA (Reading, Pa) and now live in Northern Virginia by Dulles Airport. I've been known to go overboard in planning a WDW trip.

DH (Jerry) - 48 years old...been to WDW about 10 times. Appreciates Disney for its entertainment and value but not a fanatic. Self-described computer geek. Non-planner. Grew up in Shreveport, LA.

DD5 (Rachel) - 5 years old...been to WDW 6 times. Loves Disney and gets as excited as I do. Favorite Princess: Rapunzel. Favorite Ride: Splash Mountain.

DD2 (Elizabeth) - 2 years old...been to WDW 3 times. Loves Mickey Mouse. Favorite Attraction: County Bears Jamboree. Favorite Show: Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

Then there is:

DGM (Nana) - 64 years old..been to WDW nearly 30 times. Lives in Blandon, PA with Papa. Loves Disney esp. Primeval Whirl, Tea Cups and Big Thunder Mountain.

DGF (Papa) - 70 years old...been to WDW nearly 30 times. Enjoys the rides or eating at a buffet. Favorite Ride: Splash Mountain.

 

[Marshay]

Pre Trip Report Table of Contents

Page 1, Post #14 - Schedule
Page 4, Post #56 - Disney Day/Dinners (Tangled and Jake & the Neverland Pirates)
Page 6, Post #84 - Disney-Pixar Weekend
Page 8, OT - Girl Scout Paper Cranes
Page 9, Post #134 - Tangled/Rapunzel Dinner Party
Page 10, Post #150 - CinderElie
Page 12, Post #180 - Jake and the Neverland Pirates Dinner Party

 

[Marshay]

Post Trip Report
Autotrain to WDW - Page 19, #279
Autotrain to WDW cont'd - Page 20, #290
Arriving in Sanford - Page 21, #302
Epcot Pixar Weekend - Page 22, #325
More Epcot Pixar Weekend - Page 23, #334-335
Rapunzel Party Prep - Page 24-25
Kidani Villas - Page 25, #370
Papunzel Party - Page 27, #403 and #405
Gaylord National - Page 28, #411
Pixar & Friends - Page 30, #439
Kicked out of Garden Grill -- Page 31, #463
Animal Kingdom Firsts -- Page 33, #481
Grand Floridian Garden View Tea, Page 34 #500
Rapunzel? and Castle, Page 34, #502
Finally Rapunzel, CRT lunch, Page 35, #516
Quoodles, Page 37, #542
Lessons Learned, Page 37, #550

 

[Trentmom]

YAY!!!!

I am first

Now back to read

 

[Trentmom]

I can't wait to hear all about your stay at AKV and see your pics.

Can't wait to hear all your plans

 

[mtgirl29]

On board!!!!
We are going to Disney in May, too! You have a lovely family! Cannot wait to read more!!!!

 

[Marshay]

I can't wait to hear all about your stay at AKV and see your pics.

Can't wait to hear all your plans

Hey, Sharky! This PTR is dedicated to YOU!

On board!!!!
We are going to Disney in May, too! You have a lovely family! Cannot wait to read more!!!!

Welcome!! I'll have more to add to this PTR soon. Have you been to Disney in May before? We just love it! We've been 2x over Mothers' Day week but this time we are going one week later.

 

[kaoden39]

Hi there!!

 

[Marshay]

TRAVEL
We used to always fly to WDW and rent a car but decided to save money and just fly and do ME. Well, it wasn't for us. Too many long waits with sleeping kids, full strollers and no seats. We won't do ME again until the kids are bigger.

So we decided to drive from VA to FL (14 drive hours). Then we looked into the Autotrain (Lorton to Sanford) and bought coach seats to try it. So we drove down to FL and took the train back. We really liked it and thought the only thing better would be a Family Bedroom. So in Nov 2010 we drove down and got a Family Bedroom for the return. Loved it!!

Family Bedroom ...

I know it's hard to see since it is so blurry (the train was bouncing a bit here) but you can see the beds all set up (The ladder is not in the pic)

Now for this trip we are doing a Family Bedroom down to FL AND returning on it too! For us, train travel is actually quicker than driving and so much more relaxed! I also like that we get in sooner (approx 8-10am) so we really have a first day at WDW.

Location
Forgot to mention that my parents own DVC, too (BWV). So we typically like to travel with them, when we can. For the May trip, we decided to get a 2br -- we would have the 1br section and my parents would have the studio section but could also share the kitchen/w/d. It actually saved us some points, too by doing a 2br, instead of a 1br plus studio.

Anyway, as we were talking about places to stay, we really wanted to go back to BLT. We went in Nov 2009 and just fell in love with it. However, there wasn't availability for our room category. So we chose AKV - Kidani since neither of us had gone there before. (We went to AKL and AKV-Jambo, both savannah views, so are familiar with the resort). I'm very excited to see the new Kidani building.

However, my mom (Nana) doesn't like dark woods or African themes so I'm really hoping she will be impressed by the animals!

DINING
DVC started a new plan this year where you can make multiple reservations for a few nights and link them together. This way you can purhase the DDP for just a shorter period of time and not the whole week of your vacation. Also, more importantly, you don't have to check out of your room for each portion of the ressie.

So we arrive Saturday and start the DDP on Sunday until Wednesday and then go home on Saturday. This is great for us and we planned some really good restaurant choices which I'll share later.

 

[Marshay]

Hi there!!

Thanks for coming over, Michele!

 

[Marshay]

One thing you'll notice about my pictures is that we color coordinate! It's just something I like to do. So when I talk about over-planning, yes, that means I plan each day, what we'll wear in the AM and what we'll wear in the PM. I put them in large ziploc bags and label each one with date-AM/PM.

It actually makes it pretty easy to pack and esp easy to figure out what we are going to wear. I just hand a bag to DH or DD5 and we get dressed. Of course it also makes our photos and scrapbook pages THAT much nicer! And it's easier to find someone if they wander off.

Speaking of clothes, I did just purchase some things from Disney's sale yesterday:

For Elizabeth to match a Belle skirt that I bought in November at WDW but didn't give to her yet

For Rachel to match a Minnie mouse skirt that I bought in November at WDW but didn't give to her yet

For Rachel since she loves Rapunzel and needs new PJs

For Elizabeth since she loves Minnie and also needs new PJs

For Rachel's birthday in July -- but who am I kidding, she'll probably get this earlier!

I had the girls try on their clothes from our July 2010 trip and OMG everything still fits!! Woo Hoo!! I figured since we didn't have to go and purchase new regular clothes, that I would get them new PJs and shirts.

 

[Trentmom]

aww....I feel special

Train looks like so much fun. That is great you are traveling both ways with it

How nice you are traveling with your parents. Sure girls lvoe that

 

[Marshay]

aww....I feel special

Train looks like so much fun. That is great you are traveling both ways with it

How nice you are traveling with your parents. Sure girls lvoe that

Well, if it wasn't for your asking, I probably would have skipped it or waited longer to start. But I do love to do TR!! And I love my readers!

Yeah, I don't know how much longer my parents will be able to go to Disney, so we cherish the time we have.

My parents are actually taking the train down the day before us but are getting coach seats. Like we did our first time...just want to test it out to see if they like it. I'm really hoping they do since my dad is the only one who drives and although he is a good driver, he is also turning 70 in April. That is a long way for him to drive all by himself.

My mom is going to rent a scooter from an off-site company for part of the trip, too. She has foot and ankle problems so getting a scooter will help.

 

[Marshay]

So although I am a big planner, I keep telling my readers and my dear DH, that I will plan less and less...I want to relax more and not do commando.

For me, that means that I have to plan times to relax. My DH thinks I'm just nuts. He'd love to have a WDW trip with no ADRs, no park days, no plans...just wander around. At times I think I may be able to do that ... but nope, planning is just in my blood.

However this time we are doing a "surgical strike". Only going to a few attractions and then if there is more time, wandering around.

So here is our plan:

Friday, May 13th - SUV will be totally packed by 12 noon and we'll pick up Rachel from school at 12:45pm and leave for Lorton.

Train will depart around 4pm, we'll have snacks in the lounge car

and then go back to our room to relax until dinner

Then we'll wander around the train and go back to the lounge car to watch a movie (if age appropriate). If not, we'll just get chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate in the lounge and then go to bed.

Saturday, May 14th - Hopefully, the train is on-time or early and we are shopping at Wal-Mart by 11am and checking into our room 1pm. If the room is not ready, then we'll head straight to Epcot for the Flower and Garden Festival.

I have a large DIS Meet at 3pm at Epcot's American Pavilion fountain and I'm so excited!! This will be my first GroupMeet. Then we'll explore the F&G areas. Dinner will probably be in Seasons with The Land boat ride and/or Spaceship Earth to end the night.

 

[Marshay]

Sunday, May 15th - There is another Dismeet at 1pm at UK and we plan to go back to Epcot for the F&G last day. I'm hoping to stop by if we can. Lunch will be in Morroco or Mexico.

We start the DDP today so dinner will be at Garden Grill (New) with my parents.

We'll stay for Illuminations if we aren't too tired.


Monday, May 16th - AM to explore resort and swim. Go to DHS around 2pm to see the new Pixar Pals Parade. Dinner will probably be at Starring Rolls or Studio Catering.

This is also an PM-EMH and I heard that there is a cute dance party on EMH nights. So I'm hoping the girls will enjoy meeting the characters w/o getting posed pics/autographs.

I'm also secretly hoping that Star Tours has a soft opening so we can see before the rush on opening day.

Also, based on our title, we are big "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" fans. Yo Ho Let's Go!

So we will definitely be going to the new Disney Junior Live on Stage to see Jake, Mickey, Handy Manny and Einsteins. Oh, where or where did my beloved Pooh go???!! ??
(those of you who know me, know that I really DON'T like Pooh, so this is not a tragedy for me. However, my DD2 carries a small WtP stuffed animal around with her. I tried to hide it from her one day and she got really upset. I think he's starting to grow on me ... like a fungus!)

So just picture us blaring out the words to Hot Dog Dance and Little Einsteins and of course:

Just off the shores of Never Land
A hideaway at sea
Yo Ho! Yo Ho!
Let's Go! Let's Go!
A pirate band outwits the plans
Of Captain Hook and Smee
Yo Ho! Yo Ho!
Let's Go! Let's Go!

The merry crew of Never Land Pirates
Through & Through - they're jolly buccaneers
Join with Jake and the Neverland Pirates
Come Along - We need some volunteers.

Jake - Ahoy!
Izzy - Ahoy!
Cubby - Ahoy!
Skully - Ahoy!

Yo-oooooO! Yo Ho!

Jake and the Never Land Pirates
Climb aboard, Me Hearties, and be a pirate true.
Let's go! With Jake and the Neverland Pirates
We'll set the course together - Come on and join the crew

Yo Ho! Let's Go

 

[Marshay]

Tuesday, May 17th

Sleep in as much as two kids will let us and then head over to DTD. World of Disney, Once Upon a Toy and Goofy's Candy Company are on the list.

We'll use a CS credit at Wolfgang Puck Express or Earl of Sandwich. I'm hoping to be back to our room before 1pm. This is just a quick DTD trip.

Dinner is at the Beach Club's Cape May Cafe for their New England Style clam bake. We've eaten here before and found everything really tasty and my parents like it here and will join us.

I figure dinner will be over by 6:30pm so we can just walk around the lake, let the girls play in the sand or go back to our resort and watch animals or swim.

Wednesday, May 18th

Today is AK day. Our surgical strike for today is: primeval whirl, boneyard, dinosaur and possibly Kali River Rapids. DD5 went on Dinosaur and Primeval Whirl for the first time in July (Dino) and Nov (PrimWhl). She was scared to go on Kali as she doesn't like water in her face (which is funny b/c she now loves splash mountain!)

Well, she told me that she "may" go on Kali this time. We may eat lunch at Flame Tree BBQ since we like the food there and the setting down by the water's edge.

We hope to leave around 2pm to rest/nap before our dinner at Boma. My parents do not appreciate ethnic foods (they ate at Boma and didn't like it), so they will not be joining us. I think they are going to Grand Floridian Cafe.

After Boma we may go swimming in the Jambo pool, or just wander around Jambo. I love their lobby and firepits/rocking chairs.

 

[kaoden39]

Marsha, of course I'm here. I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world!!

 

[Marshay]

Thursday, May 19th

Hoping to make RD and go to DHS to ride TSM and Star Tours if we didn't get on it earlier. Then we'll meet some characters and take the drawing class in the Animation Building.

Hoping again to be done by shortly after noon b/c Rachel and I have a belated Mother's Day surprise for Nana. I went back to delete what the surprise is going to be since Nana may be reading this PTR.

DH, Elie and Papa are on their own!

Then we'll either go into MK for the parade/fireworks or head back to the room to swim/pack or shop at DTD.

Friday, May 20th
We'll go to MK. I have a surprise for Rachel and Elie -- lunch reservations at Cinderella's Royal Table!! Gosh, this is sure expensive! Thankfully, I can save 20% through my TIW card but $40+ for lunch is a lot. However, Elie is free since she is only 2 and I wanted to go before Rachel gets too old. We'll definitely dress up as princesses this day!

We have 3 things we really want to do: Meet Rapunzel (hence the title) and also the new possibly "interactive" Magician Mickey on Main Street. If the lines for Rapunzel are just way too long (most people seem to be waiting 1 hr 15 minutes), then we may try to go straight to Tom Sawyer Island to hunt for paint brushes.

Ideally, we get the first Tangled meet and greet and then go straight to TSI...but not sure if that'll happen.

Hoping to go back to AKV after lunch so then we can rest and finish packing. Then back to MK for one last night and the Magic, Memories & You castle show.

 

[Marshay]

Saturday, May 21st

Sadly, this is checkout day. This will have been our 3rd trip on one Annual Pass (July, 2010, Nov 2010 and May 2011). So we should be ready for it to end, right? Maybe even a little burned out?

I really cannot imagine that happening. I'm always sad. I guess it's b/c I like to live in my fantasy world!

Anyway, checkout is 11am and we'll head back to DTD. Then we'll leave around 1pm and go to the train.

Getting to ride the train back home is a treat! It really is like the vacation continues a bit longer!

Same routine as before...snacks in the lounge car; relax until dinner; then watch movie with snacks before bedtime.

My parents will not come with us. They are traveling to Tennessee for some Southern Gospel concerts.


Sunday, May 22nd

Wakeup around 6am for breakfast (last call is 7:15am) and arrive in Lorton, VA around 8-10am. Drive 1 hour to our home and unpack.

On past trips, I have bought a caramel apple or other goodie at Goofy's Candy Company and save it to eat after we get home. This is just my way to pretend that I'm still at Disney!

 

[Marshay]

So there's our trip!

Not too much planned, right?!?