Our May 20th - 24th Trip Report (or why Disney needs a 12-step program!)

[WDWBarb]

Let me say that I can't thank the DISboards enough for helping make this a vacation of a lifetime. What I learned here was invaluable (having DH say, "wow, you really did a great job of preparing for this trip!" - priceless).

We have a very small cast here:

Myself (38 and burning out in a very fast-paced job!)
DH (42 and just never "got" it when it came to Disney but played along well)
DD (turned 13 during our Disney vacation!)

We did the 7 day land/sea vacation. This was a HUGE step for me! I'm very frugal and never really thought I'd drop that much cash on a vacation. But life has thrown me some fortune as of late (and not really financially - just in reminding me that life is simply a series of moments that we should very much enjoy!).

Just a little background on myself. I was NOT raised "Disney." In fact my family took one trip there when I was 3 and I have absolutely no memories of it (and very few pictures).

When I was a freshman in college WAY back when (oh, dear) my best friend and roomie and I were walking across campus when we saw a picture of Mickey on a poster and a note saying that Disney was interviewing for the Magic Kingdom College Program (yes, that's what it was called back then!). Our business professor encouraged us to attend the interviews and so.. we did. Sounded amusing but what were the odds we'd make it? There were hundreds of students that showed up to interview!

And we both got the job.

And then I became a Disney addict. Thus the need for a 12-step program

I loved my job and was blessed to be placed as a sales hostess in the Magic Kingdom. I loved it so much that I chose to stay on as a full time cast member. I was 18 when I arrived there and eventually was talked into going back home (KY) to finish college. I hated to leave but felt that it was the right thing to do.

Fast forward to years later when I was working at The Disney Store back home. I had met and married DH and we were ready to start a family. And we did Glad TDS had maternity wear!! DD was born our our third anniversary - healthy, happy and wonderful.

Life moved quickly and I ended up in another job I love but it was lightyears away from my role at Disney. DH and I suddenly realized that our little family had never taken a family vacation. So I decided that it was time and that we deserved it. My first and only choice, of course, was WDW! I had a bit of an argument from DD (12 at the time) that it was just an amusement park and what the heck could she possibly do there? I tried to tell her that it was a WONDERFUL place and tried to describe the MAGIC to her. Didn't work.

So I enticed her with a Disney Cruise at the end of our stay at the parks. She became much more interested and excited. So, the trip was booked.

And I booked it so that we could be there during DD's 13th birthday and our 16th anniversary. Turned out to be a good idea

 

[WDWBarb]

I decided that we should drive. I really wanted to give my new Tom-Tom a try (ok, that's just an excuse - I really hate to fly!). It was about a 14 hour drive and that just seemed better than the terror I would feel during takeoff and landing. I also drive a Prius and knew that I could get some decent mileage

The hardest part, bar none, was leaving my Dear Dogs at a kennel. I had never done such a thing before and it was going to be a LONG time there (8 days!). Since we were returning late the Sunday before Memorial Day the kennel would be closed and I wouldn't be able to pick them up until Tuesday. Ahhhh!! I'd be just down the road and unable to get my furbabies

So on Saturday the 19th I took the dogs to the kennel and cried all the way home. Then it was into the car and on our way to WDW!! I tried very hard to not think about them and just enjoy the trip.

Uneventful drive to Florida. DH HATES to be away from home and was a total grump the entire way down. We got stuck in traffic in GA (but who doesn't?) but otherwise had a great trip. We ran into the smoke from the wildfires right about the FL state line and stayed the night in Gainesville at the Country Inns and Suites (great place to stay, BTW).

The next morning I was up early and RARIN' to go!! My Tom-Tom was programmed for the Poly and gave me a nearly 2 hour estimate to get there. AHH! Not soon enough!! I got the coins out for the tolls (ouch, ouch) and we finally made it there.

Maybe Tom-Tom is smarter than I thought. Or maybe Tom-Tom just planned a special surprise for me. Either way it lead us directly into the Cast Member entrance of the Magic Kingdom. I first I had no idea where I was (it was all Orange Groves when I worked there!) and then I recognized the place. What a nice surprise! I didn't want to enter there, of course (I'm a guest now, dangit!) but it sure brought back some memories!!

We make it past the nice man at the gate and parked our car and JUMPED out and raced toward the Poly. I couldn't not have been more excited! We were greeted by a nice CM who took us directly into Check-In. They gave us our room number, our Keys to the World and our buttons that said, "It's My Birthday" and "It's My Anniversary." Then it was off to a quick and very easy check-in at the cruise line desk. Wow, I love Disney.

We went off in search of our room. We were in Samoa, room 2606. The longhouse was very close to The Great Ceremonial House. We took the elevator up to the second floor and found our room.

UH-OH. Trip may be over before it started. There's a "no-smoking" sign on the door.

DH glares at me. He said, "I thought you got me a smoking room!"

I did, I say.

"Then fix this!," he says.

I call the front desk. They tell me that there are no smoking rooms available this week.

Uh-OH!

DH is upset. Very.

But then I open the curtains. We have the most fabulous view of the Volcano pool. The room is also huge and wonderful. He calms down a bit.

Time to get his mind off the situation!

The very first thing on my adgenda is to go to MK. I chose the Poly so that I could see the castle each and every morning and see the fireworks each and every night. We jump on the monorail (I love it!!) and head over. It's so beautiful, that ride to MK, that I find tears welling up in my eyes.

Then we're on Main Street and I can't hold back any longer. Yep, made a fool of myself!!

I bee-line to my old shop and it's like 20 years are just washed away. Home again.

And I see a CM who I worked with those 20 years ago. I'm shocked, surprised and thrilled. I want to say something to her but I'm afraid she won't remember me. I would be so disappointed! So we leave. DD is dying to ride Pirates (her favorite movie of all time). I steer her directly there.

No wait?? Are you kidding me? I knew Pirates didn't have a FP so I was shocked!

DD loves it. I knew that ride like the back of my hand (also a favorite!) and am so surprised by Jack Sparrow! Is he real? Is that an actor? OMGosh no - he's anamitronic! How cool! I shock DD by reciting some of script of Pirates ("here kitty, kitty, kitty!") and I think DD realizes for the first time my real relationship to the MK.

She's having fun.

Lots of it.

I think this trip may be worth it....

 

[melanieewr]

I can tell already...you had a wonderful time! I bet DH is hooked now. The next trip will be an easy one...maybe a romantic trip for 2

 

[suebert1989]

It's so beautiful, that ride to MK, that I find tears welling up in my eyes.

We leave in 2 days...and I know I'm going to have several moments of welling eyes.

Nice trip report...please continue.

 

[OhMari]

Thanks for sharing your TR with us. You mentioned Orange Groves, are there any left at WDW?
And, do you get any special perks for being a former Disney Cast member?

 

[WDWBarb]

Thanks for sharing your TR with us. You mentioned Orange Groves, are there any left at WDW?
And, do you get any special perks for being a former Disney Cast member?

I saw a few groves on the way in (in the area around WDW) but nothing like there used to be 20 years ago! Now it's neighborhoods and supermarkets

There's no special perks for being a former CM (except, of course, having the wonderful experience of being a guest now!!).

 

[WDWBarb]

I am, at this point, on top of the world. DD is having a blast and DH seems to have... my goodness, what is that? Oh dear! A smile!! So happy

DD is now in love with the Pirates store (you know the one I'm speaking of - the one that reels you in as you leave the attraction) and decides to spend her entire year's allowance there. She does well! Being a pirate fan myself we have a great time looking at all the merchandise. An hour, maybe more, passes before we venture on into Adventureland and Frontierland.

DD and DH don't seem interested in Splash Mountain. They both shrug off Big Thunder (sacrilege, I say!!). But I'm very much wanting them to enjoy themselves so we wander off to explore the park. DH is very amused by the various birds and DD is obsessed with the Bwahna Bob kiosk. She's stocking up on Jibbitz for her crocs (thanks, DIS!) and digging all the pins.

One more stop at Main Street to visit Uptown Jewelers (it isn't called that anymore, is it? I saw no signage saying so...) so DH and DD can get even more involved in this whole "pin trading" thing (ok, I didn't budget for this!!). But I love that store and we end up spending way too much time and $$ there.

Alas, we have ADR's for Boma and it's time to go. A quick stop back at the Poly and we're in the car and on our way to AKL.

We got there early. Too early! We thought maybe we could sit down before our actual ADR time (NOT!). The place was packed and there were people waiting everywhere. But we were tired and found a quiet bench. When our buzzer finally went off (and scared the life out of DD who forgot she was holding it) we were starving.

The food was very good. The atmosphere was also wonderful. DD and I are vegetarians and I was really looking forward to a buffett where I had an actual selection of food besides salad Our service was.. ok. They had noted at the front desk that it was DD's b-day and our anniversary so we expected a bit of surprise at the end of our meal (we saw many such celebrations going on around us). The only real surprise (to DH at least!) was our check (lol). DD was being picky and only ate mac & cheese so DH was not thrilled with the price!

Back home to our first evening at the Poly. We spent it by the quiet pool and then off to the lagoon to watch Wishes.

Wow. Fantastic. Only wish they piped the music in!

It was a lovely evening with only one downside. Anyone who has ever been at the Poly (or most any Disney resort) knows that there are very friendly ducks who wander around and look for dropped food. DH was very fond of these ducks (but I promise he never fed any of the birds - he took those signs very seriously!). He simply admired them from a distance.

There was, however, a young boy who was taking great joy in chasing and trying to kick the ducks. His parents were nearby so we waited until they took notice of him assuming they would tell him to stop. They didn't - they didn't seem to care. After one successful strike to a female duck's backend my DH finally said something to him. It wasn't harsh; he just said, "please don't do that." The boy glared at him, kicked sand in our direction and stomped away. This didn't leave DH in the best mood but thankfully it wore off quickly.

At this point we were exhausted and ready for bed. Tomorrow morning we had 8 a.m. ADR's at The Crystal Palace and I wanted to be up and raring to go!! I knew my family wouldn't be interested in the characters but I was excited by the prospect of entering MK before opening!!

Ahh... the Poly really does have nice soft beds....

 

[WDWBarb]

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Thanks for posting your TR! It's been 10 months since my DH (not quite a WDW convert...yet!) and DS14 (WDW addict!) have been, and your report is helping to stave off my symptoms of withdrawal.

Keep up the great work...and any pictures would be great!

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Your picture went up right as I was typing my post. Thanks!

 

[WDWBarb]

Ah. Our first day waking up at the Poly. I'm a morning person (I know - don't hate me!) so I woke up early to watch the sunrise. Sheer joy. A quick stop at Captain Cooks to fill DH's resort mug with coffee (we absolutely got our money's worth from those mugs!) and a wake-up call to the family. I was happy to find that DH and DD were both in good spirits and excited about the day. I rushed us up and off to the monorail (I won't be able to say it enough - the Poly has many pleasures but the monorail absolutely tops that list) for a quick trip to MK.

We had our bags searched and were asked if we had ADR's (yes we do - thank you!!). I've read some discussion on here about whether or not they checked your ressie but in our case they did not. They welcome us in and ... ahhhh.... Main Street in the morning!! And so few people around! We had a few minutes before our reservation time so I took pictures. Lots of pictures. Mostly of the castle (how I love the castle!). And of course - this one...

(I do apologize for the size of the pictures - I don't have the heart or currently the software to shrink them...)

So off to a wonderful breakfast at Crystal Palace. The food was fantastic and everyone had a great time. I was nervous that DD wouldn't be "cool" with the characters but they must have sensed this and they mostly stayed away. There were plenty of younger kids around so we were able to watch their joy as Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet and Pooh made their rounds.

The next alterior motive was to be in Adventureland for the rope drop. The CM's there made the wait fun; they were joking with the kids and they really cracked us up. When the time came we bee-lined to Pirates (again!) so DD could get another fix We weren't first in line (most of the people in front of us ran there) but we did get on the first "boat." This made DD very happy. More time in the Pirates shop (surprise!) and then off to explore. I beg and whine to ride Splash but DD and DH are not in agreement. Watching other guests scream on the way down really made them nervous. So off to The Haunted Mansion (DH's choice). Exactly as I remembered - one of my favorites. DD isn't impressed but didn't mind the ride.

After a bit of begging I convince them to ride Big Thunder. It opened late for some reason so we were able to walk right on. They LOVED it! DH screamed like a girl and DD and I were giggling the whole time. I love BTM!! We are walking out and planning to get right back in line again when we are greeting by a CM handing out Magical Fastpasses! Woo hoo!! We couldn't believe our luck!!!

 

[suebert1989]

Magical fastpasses?!?!! How exciting!!

I will be overjoyed if we even get some little "dream" like that.

Loving the pics!