*Mickey's Very Merry Bankruptcy Bash* LOTS OF PICS UPDATED!!!

[KatGarcia]

Awesome Trip Report... I seriously enjoyed reading it and getting some glimpses of the great holiday decorations that we will be seeing in just a few short weeks!!!!!

 

[Blaynexox]

still loving the trip report! Epcot is the first park we're going to when we get to Disney .. im really excited about it! Im sorry that California Grill wasn't spectacular. Im glad that we didnt opt for any signature restaurants at our stay. I wanted to try as many restaurants as we could so that meant making a regular table service dinner ADR for every night! Cant wait to read more .. I loved the pictures of you and pluto SO CUTE!

 

[serendipity]

Hi Kat- thanks so much for reading! You guys are going to have a great trip! I loved your honeymoon pictures!

Hey Blayne- thanks for continuing to read! I'm happy you're enjoying it. Which restaurants do you have planned?

 

[serendipity]

November 15th.

We were SUPPOSED to wake up at the crack of dawn today so we'd be guaranteed to get our room requests at the Animal Kingdom but that didn't happen. We snapped out of it around 7:45 and realized we still had to pack! Since I take longer to get ready Jay was great and packed up everything for us. We would be transferring our bags ourselves this time as we were afraid they would loose our luggage again! Man, I have to say it was a pain in the a--. Bah. We said our goodbyes to the lodge, made our way outside. It was a BEAUTIFUL day. Finally we had a little bit of warm weather on our side I was in the perfect mood when we got into a taxi to make it over to our home away from home.

I LOVE ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE. It is in my opinion the most beautiful resort in all of Disney World. You can't beat sitting out on a balcony watching giraffes. We first stayed here our last trip and vowed we'd always stay here. While I loved Wilderness Lodge, next time it's going to be AKL for the whole stay. Transferring hotels is way too much of a headache.

We arrived around 10 and were nervous as to whether or not we'd be able to get the room we wanted. Thankfully they had exactly what we had requested. We were going to be staying on the 4th floor over looking the Arusha savannah 3rd building from the main area. Last year we had the same request but we stayed on the 3rd floor. Now that I can judge both I think the third floor has a better view.

Anywhoo, our room wasn't ready to check into so we decided to go have breakfast at the Mara. I love the Mara so much. I love the inside and being able to watch the old disney cartoons while you eat. I had a chocolate chip muffin that I had been craving our entire trip and Jay had a cinnamon roll with chocolate milk. Both were yummy!

Eventually we were ready to go to MGM. I love MGM. I am a show and parade person and MGM has all I need I was excited. We hadn't been here once yet and I was anxious. We made our way over to the bus platform and we were on our way. A nice man got up from the bus so I could sit down. I insisted it wasn't necessary but he was insistent so I caved. What a nice gesture! Some men are such gentlemen, really.

Finally, we were there! MGM was already decorated and looked beeeeeyoooouuuuutiful.

We made our way in and decided to see the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Jay HATES this show but, I like it. I know it's not the best show in the world but there was no wait and it's cute., although very choppy. This mermaid sang better then the last time we were here so we were happy about that at least.

Then it was time for Beauty and the Beast. We made our way over to the theatre stopping in a few of the shops on the way. I believe we stopped in the Villains shop first. I love this store. I really love the stories with the villains and how they tell the story from their point of view. What an original idea. I'm going to have to invest in one of these one day. Anywhoo, eventually we made our way over to the ampitheatre. Now this, is a SHOW.. I am again and again amazed by this wonderful production. It's a MUST SEE. We were able to find pretty good seats and when we sat, four guys with mics that pretended to be sound men on stage started singing. They were so good! How fun. There was a couple on their honeymoon sitting in the front and they sang a love song for them and they danced It was very sweet.

After this the show started. I really love all of this. I can't limit myself to a favorite part, but here are some of my favorite pictures.

I love this picture. Snapping exactly as Gaston punches poor guy in the stomach is priceless.

After the show Jay was grumbling that we hadn't gone on anything "cool" how he hates shows and MGM is nothing but them and we were going on something extreme. Blah. Extreme to me=nauseating. I offered to stay on line with him but he was being moody so I very reluctantly agreed to going on Rockin' Rollercoaster. I had done Tower of Terror last year for him and that was a big no-no. I almost threw up. By almost I mean I had to suck it back down. My only last strength in not doing so was realizing if I did it was all going to land on me due to gravity. Well, I hadn't been on rockin' roller coaster yet and I figured I'd have a better chance of not being sick. As a kid I LOVED roller coasters like this but eventually they made me sick. I knew this probably wasn't the best idea but I thought there was a small glimmer of hope. Naturally, there was no line. Now while I can understand why people love this ride it's not for everyone. Within the first mili second I was done. I was feeling AWFUL. Thank goodness the ride is only about a minute or I wouldn't have been able to make it. NEVER again. After we came out Jay felt sufficientely sorry for me and apologized about a billion times. Apparentely he too felt sick and he too was getting too old to ride. I was annoyed with him but found it in my heart to forgive him.

We decided it would be best to stroll around for awhile as to let our stomachs settle. We saw Stitch and decided to snap a few shots. The one we got of Jay and him at O'hana didn't come out because I had used the wrong setting so it just seemed like the perfect time. They had a stare down which everyone found rather amusing and then Stitch sneezed on him to repay him.

I was pretty hysterical. Stitch was really great.

We checked our times guide and Lights, Motors, Action was starting. We hadn't seen it and had heard it was pretty cool. It was HOT in those stands. We just weren't having fun. We're not really car people so instead of being miserable we left early. This tends to be a theme with us. We felt MUCH better after getting out of the sun so we decided we'd have lunch. We were feeling sufficientely fat from our day of eating the day before so we decided healthy was the way to go.

We made our way over to the Flatbread Grille. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this place. Lunch was delicious. We split a chicken caeser wrap and it was heavenly. While there is no indoor seating there's shaded seating wtih huge fans everywhere. This in combination with a lovely Sangria was amazing. After lunch we lingered on while I sipped my Sangria and had a wonderful time just talking. I love moments like that.

After lunch we took another stroll and stumbled across The Great Movie Ride. I had never rode so we decided to give it a whirl. I think I had more fun watching the movie clips in the que area then the actual ride but oh well. It was fun seeing the village from Wizard of Oz and the stuff with Mickey but otherwise it wasn't really my thing.

We also got a picture in front of ToT

It was time for the Hollywood Parade at this point and we were going to watch. After all, I am a parade person! We sat down and almost got into a fight. Well, not really, but it was difficult not to. There was two extremely obese women sitting in front of us with there legs spread out in splits taking up about enough room for another 6 people. It was absolutely ridiculous. Whatever I thought, it's rude but, what are you going to do. Right as the parade was coming her enormously tall companion sat directly in front of me. Why, just why? Then, parents behind us put their daughters stroller on top of me. They proceeded to lift their daughter OVER MY HEAD. What is wrong with some parents? Come on! If you wanted your child to see the parade perfectly so badly get there earlier. This isn't my problem. DONT PUT CHILDREN ON TOP OF PEOPLES HEADS. We ended up leaving the parade early because I couldn't take it anymore. What we did see of the parade however was very nice.

After the parade we wandered over to Walt Disney: One Man's Dream. We looked at his history and really enjoyed learning more about him. We own a documentary of him at home because we love him so we didn't watch the movie as it's nearly the same thing.

We decided it was time for the Muppets. I love and I love the Muppets. This is such a cute show. I love when the pie comes out at you and the end with Mickey. So fun!

MGM to be continued- dinner with "mom" and our glorious new hotel!

 

[happybratpack]

The pics with Stitch are priceless!

Can't wait to read more...

 

[serendipity]

The pics with Stitch are priceless!

Can't wait to read more...

I know, I love those photos. Thanks so much for reading and have a great time...this week!!! How exciting!

 

[happybratpack]

I know, I love those photos. Thanks so much for reading and have a great time...this week!!! How exciting!

Thanks!! Your trip reports have made me extra excited with all the pics!

 

[tiggerbell]

I'm enjoying your report - great pictures (I love Olympus cameras!)

 

[Blaynexox]

aww too bad about the parade. People make me VERY angry. Im trying to sike myself out not to be as grouchy as I usually am in big crowds. Although, I have a feeling that me and the bf are not going to do to well if people are being TOO obnoxious! We get VERY cranky!! I LOVED the pictures of Jay and Stitch. SOOO CUTE! I love Stitch .. I NEED to get pictures with him! I also LOVE the pictues of the Beauty and the Beast Show .. that is definitely on my "must see" list! If you have any pictures of the AKL do you think you could post them?? I really want to stay there sometime and would love to see any pictures you have of it!! Thanks!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Thanks for the comment on my signautre!!

I will have to check out all the resorts you stayed at, they sound wonderful! Resort hopping is something im going to be doing a lot of! the Wilderness lodge sounds great! If i ever have enough money to stay at a delux that and the Animal kingdom lodge are at the top!!

 

[meygen_k]

Wonderful trip report!

 

[serendipity]

Tiggerbell- thanks so much for reading, I'm happy you're enjoying it!

Blayne- I find in disney a lot of parents think that just because you're adults you'll sacrafice for their children. For example if you have a seat for a parade they'll ask for you to move so their child can sit there. One of the times we took the Monorail we asked if we'd be able to sit in the front. Another couple was riding but since there can be 4 they said they didn't mind. Then a family wiht two children comes up and asks if they can ride. Guy says no, the father flips out so the other couple backs out. While waiting for the monorail the guy is SCREAMING at his children. We get on the monorail and the guy trys to follow and the conductor tells him only 2 can go and the guy starts screaming about how his family is entitled and was given special rights yada yada yada, almost punches the conductor in the face and asks me and Jay to get out so his kids can ride. Um...no. I'm honestly suprised he didn't punch someone in the face. So, bottom line.....be prepared. Not all people at disney, are disers....sadly. As for pics of the AKL I have lots! I'll post them ASAP!

Tinkerbell- I love both those resorts also. They were actually designed by the same guy. When he did AKL actually and to go out and live in Africa for six months and study the architecture before building!

MeygenK thanks so much for reading!

 

[Blaynexox]

Blayne- I find in disney a lot of parents think that just because you're adults you'll sacrafice for their children. For example if you have a seat for a parade they'll ask for you to move so their child can sit there. One of the times we took the Monorail we asked if we'd be able to sit in the front. Another couple was riding but since there can be 4 they said they didn't mind. Then a family wiht two children comes up and asks if they can ride. Guy says no, the father flips out so the other couple backs out. While waiting for the monorail the guy is SCREAMING at his children. We get on the monorail and the guy trys to follow and the conductor tells him only 2 can go and the guy starts screaming about how his family is entitled and was given special rights yada yada yada, almost punches the conductor in the face and asks me and Jay to get out so his kids can ride. Um...no. I'm honestly suprised he didn't punch someone in the face. So, bottom line.....be prepared. Not all people at disney, are disers....sadly. As for pics of the AKL I have lots! I'll post them ASAP!

Omg!! .. that is ridiculous!! First of all don't they understand that adults are obviously going to Disney World to enjoy themselves too! If your going to save up all that money and plan a trip to Disney then you should enjoy yourself. Adults like disney as much as kids. if ANYTHING the adults are going to appreciate and enjoy everything more then the kids! . . . maybe I am biased because I never went as a kid but I know that if I did my parents would NEVER let me get special treatment just because I was little. If i dont get to sit up front on the monorail I will cry! Plus I dont have a sympathetic bone in my body .. its MY trip and i WILL enjoy it .. so despite the crying children I will still get to ride up front!! AND I WILL GET MY MONORAIL LICENSE! ... im only 18 so technically last year I was still a child... and i dont really consider myself an adult in ANY way.. but .. I can cry A LOT louder then their kids can!! I wish everyone there was a diser and was nice and understanding. I mean I will try my hardest to be nice but i WILL enjoy my vacation .. i have waited 18 years to go to WDW! .. okay i promise Im not as mean as I sound.. Im really not .. I just dont like when people feel that they are superior to otherS!!

Okay moving on ... YAY i cannot wait for you to post all yours pictures and the rest of your report.. what will I do when its over!! Oh no!! .. you will have to go again .. ASAP!

 

[byoung]

Great report.

 

[Costumesaremylife]

I love your report and all the photos! I have to tell you my dad was walking by when I was rolling through this post and he walked halfway across the kitchen and said,"That's not Harry Potter is it?" This is funny to me, not because your boyfriend has any resemblance other than brown hair, but because he never recognizes famous people Nor does he remember who they are, and in a rare instance when he does, he usually takes about fifteen minutes until he can remember which charachter it is.

 

[White as Snow]

I love love love your TR!! You and your DF are adorable and seem to have a really good time together. All the pics are great. Sorry about the too-old-to-ride-coasters deal. I'm afraid I'm not too old (only 19 ) just too sick - apparently lupus + any thrill ride (particularly Dinasour) = a sick dizzy headache for me. I don't know which is worse, that or you all getting sick to your stomachs. You guys really do WDW right, you have a loose plan, but are able to go w/ the flow. Okay, I'm done rambling keep up the great TR writing!!

 

[_anachronism]

aww that sweatshirt that you got from mvmcp is so adorshkable :] do you remember how much it , or any of the merch, was?

 

[Mandi78]

Great TR!!

 

[serendipity]

Thanks everyone for reading!

Blayne- hahaha I like your little rant/rave. people can be a bit too ridiculous! I'll have some pics for you ASAP

Byoung- thanks for reading!

costumessaremylife- thanks for reading. That's definitely funny about my fiancee looking like Harry Potter. He actually does strike a resemblance when his hair is a little longer and he wears his glasses

WhiteasSnow- I'm happy you're enjoying the report. I've been meaning to bounce over to check the updates on yours so I'll make sure to do that today

anachronism- I think the sweatshirt was around $30 as most of the sweatshirts are. Tee's were running around 20 I believe.

Mandi- thanks for reading!

 

[serendipity]

Now where was I?

That's right........

After going on Muppets we were ready to head over to 50's Prime Time Cafe for our dinner reservation. We were in luck and there was no wait. I love this restaurant. The adorable theme, the sitcoms constantly playing on the TV...it's just fun. Not to mention the food.....YUM.

We had an absolute great time at this restaurant. We eat here everytime we visit Disney and always will.

After dinner we didn't really have much time to do anything before we needed to get seats for Fantasmic so we wandered through the shops. I really love all of MGMs stores. I usually end up spending a chunk of change here but not so much tonight. We did however buy these cute picture magnets. One of stitch for Jay and one of tink for me. We also bought this big wall picture frame that we'll put pictures into once their developed.

At this point it was time to get our seats. We went about an hour early and found really awesome seats. Front row, center but not too close because it was too cold to want to get wet. While we waited we looked at the pictures we had taken on our camera and I played with my hair. One of the less entertaining moments of our trip.

They really need to start doing some sort of pre show.

Fantasmic, however, was Fantastic. This is my favorite show at Disney hands down, and definitely the only thing I'd wait an hour for. It's such a great amazing show though. So magical. I love the villains part and Chernabog and maleficient.......okay I have to stop because I'll start spoiling it for anyone who hasn't seen it!

We managed to get out of the theatre and to the front of the park the speed of lightning.....forgetting to go see the Osbourne Lights!!!!! Grrrrrrr.

The positive thing was we were able to immediately get onto a bus which I'm sure would have been a much more difficult feat had we decided to see the lights.

Once we arrived at the AKL we entered via the gift shop. I purchased a 2007 calendar which is actually funny because I went to visit my parents this weekend and my mom had gotten one at work (she's a travel agent) and gave me the same calendar. I didn't have it in me to tell her I already had one so now I have two! .

We were ready to see our glorious new room! And glorious it was! Sooooo pretty!!!

Sorry for no pictures of the animals/lodge yet but it was dark at this point so nothing would come out right!

We sat on our balcony and just watched the beautiful animals. I don't think anything can beat looking out of your balcony and looking at several giraffes/zebras/etc. It's amazing.

After watching awhile we decided we wanted to go to Victoria Falls, the resorts lounge. We freshened up and were on our way. We had a great time here just drinking and talking. It was nice and quiet and we were able to have a great conversation about life and our upcoming wedding Something about this lounge is romantic. Dim lighting, quiet...it just works.

Awhile later we went back to the room and sat on the balcony just talking and watching the animals. We really had a wonderful time that night. Finally around 1 we made it to bed but that was okay because we had nothing on the agenda till 10:50 in the morning.

Up Next: 1900 Park Fare, and the case of the infamous....er, famous Dole Whip