"Mickey Isn't the Only Animal At WDW!" Hunting for Disney Critters 1/23/12-1/30/12

[DisneyKira]

How exciting that you and Ann are getting another trip this year! Is Zoe going?

I think so

Just checking in to say I can't believe how quickly your trip has arrived! Love your christmas decor pics, btw!

Hope your new year has started off great and only 9 more days!!

Thanks! I can't believe christmas is already over! But now it is almost time for our trip!

I don't think you absolutely need to celebrate something when you go to Disney. I think just going to Disney is enough by itself. Plus, even though they don't have a button, I think the fact that it's your first trip after turning 21 is also a good celebration excuse.

How fun is it that you get to go to Disney again next fall!!

I can't wait to celebrate with a pina colava . And I can't wait to go in the fall with my mom. It is always so nice to have another trip to look forward to. Now I can't be sad when this one is over

Our wedding anniversary was 4 months ago, so that's where we're at, but we booked our trip a week before our anniversary so it's felt like an anniversary trip from the start.

Either way, I don't see any reason to not celebrate yours a little early!

Congrats on your anniversary!

 

[DisneyKira]

So today was Josh's last day off before the trip. We spent the day shopping for trip stuff. Josh got a few much-needed pairs of pants (most of his jeans had holes in them). We also got some basic trip stuff like sunscreen, chapstick, toothpaste, and so on.

Please excuse any weird typos. I currently feel really, really sick. Honestly, I shouldn't even be on the computer. But I am determined to get this TR update done ! Fortunately, I don't have anything contagious. The reason why I feel so icky is because...I put on a pair of glasses! Yeah. I feel like I am going to toss my cookies because I put on my first new pair of glasses in over six years. So here is a quick background story: I got contacts my sophomore year of high school and I have never looked back. I was a good girl for a little while and wore my backup glasses every now and then (eye docs insist that contact wearers use glasses for a few hours a day to allow oxygen to reach the eye). Eventually, my glasses stopped working for me (prescription wasn't strong enough) and I stopped wearing them completely.

So when I put my new glasses on for the first time, I was very disappointed to find out that they make me feel really dizzy. Seriously, it was like looking through a funhouse mirror. I forgot how much distortion is caused by glasses. I know that the longer I wear them, the more my eyes will adjust. I thought I would just push through it and wear the glasses while doing normal stuff. Baaaaaaad idea. About 5 minutes in, I got a horrible headache. But I kept wearing them. After about 15 minutes I started feeling really nauseous . So I took the devil glasses off and put my contacts back in. But the headache still hasn't gone away . I plan on putting the evil things back on tomorrow morning. Hopefully my brain will adjust better when I first wake up.

We did buy something really cool today. While we were at Costco picking up my glasses, my DH wandered off. When he returned, he said, "tell me no". I asked him why. He just said, "Please...just tell me no". So I told him no, then asked what was going on. He wanted a new camera . A waterproof coolpix camera. He really, really wanted it but figured it was too much of a splurge right before our vacation. Especially considering that we are both going on a second trip later this year. However, I was already thinking of getting him a new camera for valentine's day! So I took back my "no" and gave him a "yes". We went home with a brand new camera when we were only planning on picking up my (evil) glasses!

I have some really cool pictures of Pig (taken underwater in his tank) that I can't wait to post. Those will have to wait until my headache goes away, though.

Now to something Disney-related. I found out today that we only have one ME luggage tag . I don't know what happened to the other one. I called Disney. I was told that they needed 10 days to ship tags out, so they don't have enough time to get us new ones. Then I was forwarded to ME. But they were closed. I think we may just pick up our bags at baggage claim instead. What do you think? We don't have any ADRs to keep that night, so there is no rush for us to get to the hotel. How long does it usually take to get bags from baggage claim? Is it really that much of a hassle? I always liked not having to worry about our bags. But I never like receiving our bags at 4am. It might be nice to have our bags right away.

Oh, and I am really worried that we are going to have to take a Mears shuttle instead of a real ME bus. I guess they were putting some families (including my family on their last trip) on Mears shuttles. I don't want to miss the cute little "welcome to Disney" video! Does anyone know if that was just a holiday thing, or are they continuing to use Mears shuttles?

Anyway, I really need to get off of the computer. I don't feel very good

 

[shocky5]

Kira - we got our bags this last trip in December - they were actually coming out when we walked up to the conveyor belt. Albeit, we took a wrong turn walking to our baggage claim area that threw us off 5-10 minutes so I would say that is a good estimated time for you. And I did notice it would have been pretty simple to continue on to the DME transportation area with our luggage so that's what I would do in your circumstance.

 

[tankgirl427]

This trip leaving MCO we got an ugly yellow Mears bus but it DID play the video, I'm not sure why the one in December didn't. Picking up your bags adds maybe 10 minutes to you getting to the resort, no wait for your bags if you are the last off the plane and use the restroom before heading down.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Sorry on the not feeling well...I am a (minus the tinting) wearer. Have been since Sophomore year. I tried contacts, and my eyes never would adjust. Might have to try them out again one of these days.. Maybe...

Yay for another trip this year!!

 

[DisneyKira]

Sorry on the not feeling well...I am a (minus the tinting) wearer. Have been since Sophomore year. I tried contacts, and my eyes never would adjust. Might have to try them out again one of these days.. Maybe...

Yay for another trip this year!!

I love, love, love my contacts. I adore being able to look in all directions and be able to see 20/20 (as opposed to glasses, where you can look down or up and see above the lens). But they definitely do have their flaws. It took my eyes awhile to adjust to them. When I first started wearing them, they wouldn't stop rotating! If I turned my head too fast, they would move and I wouldn't be able to see . They don't do that anymore (thank goodness).

This trip leaving MCO we got an ugly yellow Mears bus but it DID play the video, I'm not sure why the one in December didn't. Picking up your bags adds maybe 10 minutes to you getting to the resort, no wait for your bags if you are the last off the plane and use the restroom before heading down.

Seriously, what is up with the Mears shuttles?

And we are usually the patient ones who wait until everyone else is off the plane. So we would probably be better off getting the bags ourselves.

Kira - we got our bags this last trip in December - they were actually coming out when we walked up to the conveyor belt. Albeit, we took a wrong turn walking to our baggage claim area that threw us off 5-10 minutes so I would say that is a good estimated time for you. And I did notice it would have been pretty simple to continue on to the DME transportation area with our luggage so that's what I would do in your circumstance.

I think we will probably just go to baggage claim. It seems like a better option than getting our bags at 4am! I think the ME luggage service makes more sense if you are arriving early in the morning, have a big family, or if you have little ones in tow.

 

[ronnmel]

I've been wearing glasses every single day for the past 20 years. i tried wearing contacts for a while, but they hurt my eyes too much. I tried again 13 years later (last year) and it hurt again. One day in Disney I thought I was going crazy! I wish I could wear contacts, but now I'm so used to seeing myself with glasses that I think I look weird without.

We got our bags last time at MCO and seriously it did not take more than 15 minutes. Really not a big hassle at all.

 

[KatMark]

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. I still get a little "off" when I wear my bifocals--just can't get used to them.

Here is where we are going to be (you can also check out my PTR which is linked in my signature for better details):

Friday, January 27 -- Magic Kingdom in the a.m., Epcot in the evening

Saturday, January 28 -- Animal Kingdom all day

Sunday, January 29 -- Hollywood Studios and then MK in the evening

Monday, January 30 -- Epcot all day and evening

I am sure we will be stopping back at the resort for some down time at some point or for the girls to swim.

 

[DisneyKira]

I've been wearing glasses every single day for the past 20 years. i tried wearing contacts for a while, but they hurt my eyes too much. I tried again 13 years later (last year) and it hurt again. One day in Disney I thought I was going crazy! I wish I could wear contacts, but now I'm so used to seeing myself with glasses that I think I look weird without.

We got our bags last time at MCO and seriously it did not take more than 15 minutes. Really not a big hassle at all.

You look so good with glasses. I think I look funny. But maybe that is because I am not used to seeing myself wearing them. Just like you aren't used to seeing yourself without them

I think we will do baggage claim. My memories of hassling with baggage claim come from past family trips when Zoe was a wee little infant. Getting our 6 bags off of the carousel while toting an infant, her stroller, and her car seat was pretty eventful (not to mention the drama involved in keeping track of 6 family members). So I associate baggage claim with crazy chaos. But I think DH and I can keep track of each other and manage our two bags without any struggles .

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. I still get a little "off" when I wear my bifocals--just can't get used to them.

Here is where we are going to be (you can also check out my PTR which is linked in my signature for better details):

Friday, January 27 -- Magic Kingdom in the a.m., Epcot in the evening

Saturday, January 28 -- Animal Kingdom all day

Sunday, January 29 -- Hollywood Studios and then MK in the evening

Monday, January 30 -- Epcot all day and evening

I am sure we will be stopping back at the resort for some down time at some point or for the girls to swim.

I will have to hop over to your PTR. It looks like we will both be in MK on the evening of the 29th. Maybe we can meet up then. Or if you have any other ideas, let me know. I am so excited

 

[KatMark]

You look so good with glasses. I think I look funny. But maybe that is because I am not used to seeing myself wearing them. Just like you aren't used to seeing yourself without them

I think we will do baggage claim. My memories of hassling with baggage claim come from past family trips when Zoe was a wee little infant. Getting our 6 bags off of the carousel while toting an infant, her stroller, and her car seat was pretty eventful (not to mention the drama involved in keeping track of 6 family members). So I associate baggage claim with crazy chaos. But I think DH and I can keep track of each other and manage our two bags without any struggles .



I will have to hop over to your PTR. It looks like we will both be in MK on the evening of the 29th. Maybe we can meet up then. Or if you have any other ideas, let me know. I am so excited

Kira, that sounds great. Why don't you PM me your phone number and I'll text you that afternoon when I know what time we are going to get there and we'll figure out a place/time to at least say hello.

 

[DisneyKira]

I am staying home from work today because of the weather. We are having an ice storm. This morning, my manager texted me and let me know she wasn't going to be in today because her car was stuck. She asked me to go in anyway. I live about 30 minutes away from work. In between my apartment and the salon, there are lots of trees. Trees+Ice storm=Bad.

Taken outside my apartment.

Trees were doing this on the roads.

The roads were dangerous. But I was asked to go into work, so we braved the weather and headed to the next town. We were almost to the salon when my manager sent me a text saying that I could go home!

So that is my little frustrating story of the day. I am happy that I get to stay home, but I wished that I didn't have to drive to work this morning. Here are a few more pictures of the storm.

Taken a few days ago, when it was snowing.

Ice off of my car. See how thick it is?

And here are those pictures I promised a few days ago.

BUBBLES!

 

[annmarieda]

OMG!!! Your antenna ball had me rolling! Oh the weather sucks... still have power though, but we keep hearing loud cracking noises and getting brown outs. Not sure what is falling down. I have a friend who in her cul de sac the light pole has snapped and fallen down. I mean... the ENTIRE ARM of the light down!!!! Imagine if a car had been parked under it?!

 

[swwake]

Wow! Look at that ice! I love the Mickey antenna ball frozen in ice.

 

[KatMark]

The Minnie frozen antenna looks so cool!

I'm glad you got to stay home, but wish you'd known before you drove to work.

I hate ice storms more than I hate the snow. Well, let's just admit it -- I HATE all aspects of winter.

 

[ronnmel]

Ice storms suck. Your story of driving almost all the way to work before being told you can stay home reminds me of something that happened around here yesterday. The night before there were really strong winds (over 100km/h, so I think over 60mph). Power went out in several places. A high school in my school board (and kinda close to the school where I work) starts very early in the morning. So buses went around and picked up all the students. It's only when they go to the school that they were told it was closed due to no electricity. Fortunately (or rather, UNfortunately , we had power at our school and had to work. Boo!)

 

[shocky5]

WOW! That storm is crazy! Stay safe and warm and that stuff needs to melt off in a hurry because you have a trip to get to!

 

[DisneyKira]

OMG!!! Your antenna ball had me rolling! Oh the weather sucks... still have power though, but we keep hearing loud cracking noises and getting brown outs. Not sure what is falling down. I have a friend who in her cul de sac the light pole has snapped and fallen down. I mean... the ENTIRE ARM of the light down!!!! Imagine if a car had been parked under it?!

Yikes! I am glad nothing fell on my car.

Wow! Look at that ice! I love the Mickey antenna ball frozen in ice.

Thanks

The Minnie frozen antenna looks so cool!

I'm glad you got to stay home, but wish you'd known before you drove to work.

I hate ice storms more than I hate the snow. Well, let's just admit it -- I HATE all aspects of winter.

I am not a big fan of the state of the roads. I don't like the falling trees, either. But the ice is pretty

Ice storms suck. Your story of driving almost all the way to work before being told you can stay home reminds me of something that happened around here yesterday. The night before there were really strong winds (over 100km/h, so I think over 60mph). Power went out in several places. A high school in my school board (and kinda close to the school where I work) starts very early in the morning. So buses went around and picked up all the students. It's only when they go to the school that they were told it was closed due to no electricity. Fortunately (or rather, UNfortunately , we had power at our school and had to work. Boo!)

That happened to me once when I was little. We got picked up by the busses and almost immediately got sent home! I was just happy yo go home

WOW! That storm is crazy! Stay safe and warm and that stuff needs to melt off in a hurry because you have a trip to get to!

Yeah. It is melting pretty fast. It should be all clear by Monday

 

[DisneyKira]

So our power is back on but our internet is out. I had to go over to my mom's house to get on the computer. I am really glad I did because I double-checked my ADRS. I was surprised to find that my sci-fi ressie wasn't on the list. So I looked up the email confirmation and plugged in the confirmation code in the "retrieve reservations" box. But it still wouldn't come up! Then I took a closer look at the email. Apparently, instead of making a ressie for 12:25 on 1/27, I made a reservation for 11/27 ! I was able to get a reservation for 12:35 on the correct day. Whew! I vaguely remember cancelling a reservation almost immediately after making it because the date was wrong. I have noticed that sometimes if you put the desired date into the ADR search box before the restaurant, sometimes the calendar will change to the current month. That must have happened with the accidental sci-fi ADR. I thought I made a new one with the correct date, but I must have forgotten. Oh, well. At least I got a lunch reservation.

I got another snow day today. My manager texted me last night and let me know that the store was closed today. I was really glad she let me know last night instead of this morning

I think the store should be open tomorrow, but I am not sure yet. The power is still out at my work. We obviously can't wash and groom dogs when the power is out! We need power to operate the clippers and more importantly, use the dryers and wash towels. We would be left with some very wet, cold doggies if we tried to wash them without power! So I might get another snow day tomorrow. Puget Sound Energy says some places may be without power for days after the storm ends

 

[DisneyKira]

So our flight leaves at 10am tomorrow morning. We are leaving the apartment at 7am and I plan on getting up at 6am. So I will get about 4.5 hours of sleep. But that is waaay better than the 30min I got before the last trip

Anyway, I thought I would give a little farewell before flying off. Have a good week everyone!

 

[swwake]

Have a great trip Kira and Josh!!