Sarah's Moving 2 AFRICA! The trip planned in 4 days! * THREE parks in ONE day! 5/10

[maroo]

We are crazy! Yes...today is Sunday, February 15...and I am leaving for Disney World on Thursday, February 19th! And YES...we just decided to go TODAY!

The Cast:

Cast Member #1: Sarah

Meet Sarah! Sarah is one of my best friends! We have been through a lot together...oh the stories I could tell. But those will have to wait a little while...because I have a trip to plan! FAST!

Sarah is moving to South Africa to be a missionary. She leaves at the beginning of March. She has one last wish in the States...and that is to go to Disney World.

You see, she has never been to Disney World. Ever.


Cast Member #2: SarahSis

And her sister has never been either. Sarah's Sister lives in Florida. Guess what!!! SarahSis now has a name! Amy!! Pics to come in the TR! I promise! And I will add one here as soon as I find one in my stack!

I can't believe that she lives in Tampa and has never been!


Cast Member #3: Maroo! That's me!

Some of you guys might remember me from the Wish Trip I took with Lauren (also pictured above as Tinkerbell!) I am a Disney freak. Newly addicted! And fully addicted!



I got a phone call this afternoon...and it went something like this:

Sarah: Mary, can you tell me how to get Disney World tickets really cheap.

Mary: Huh? *thinking: You can't get Disney World tickets cheap?!*

Sarah: Well, my sister and I are going to go one day this weekend and want to see if we can get cheap tickets.

Mary: Really! Are you serious! You are going to Disney World THIS WEEK?

Sarah: Uh...yeah...we are just going to run over there for the day.

Mary: Which park are you going to go to?

Sarah: There is more than one park?

Mary: Uh...yeah. There are four parks, you have....(I won't bore you with those details!)

Sarah: Oh. Well, I guess the big one.

Mary: You mean Magic Kingdom. The one with the Castle.

Sarah: Yeah! The castle. I definitely want to see that castle.

Mary: You need a tour guide! Can I come?

Sarah: Uh...SURE!


So...there you have it.


Now...let's see...what to do about tickets, a hotel room, do I fly or do I drive...and is there such thing as an ADR one week before you leave? Actually...I will be in the World this time next week! Probably watching Wishes...


Pre-Trip Report:
Plans, Plans, Plans!
I am missing you guys by ONE day?
Last minute ADR!
To Stay or Not to Stay?
Extra Days!
Day by Day plans....
Food? What do I need to EAT?
Snacks?

Live Trip Report:
One fast, giddy, live update!
Give Kids the World

To tide you guys over...
Lauren's Beauty Pagent

Trip Report:
And, We're OFF! (Well, I'm off!)
AK Solo Style - Part ONE!
Photopass Pics of Maroo SOLO on Day 1
Sarah actually LEFT for South Africa...
AK Solo Style - Part TWO!
AK Solo Style - Part THREE!
Mini Review of Quality Suites Lake Buena Vista
Spectro and Wishes!
Use BOTH Lanes! And a rope drop! (Where's the rope?)
A Touring Plan MK Morning!
Jake (MAW Child) is FAMOUS! (His You Tube Video is SOOO cute!)
Lunch...with real food pics!
More fun at Magic Kingdom
Front of the Monorail!
Epcot and Sarah gets mad!
Grumpy Butt!
The long wait...and Wishes!
SpectroMagic - Lots of Pics!
Day 2 - We took AK by storm! EE
Day 2 - We took DHS by storm! ToT and RNR
Day 2 - We took Epcot by storm! Coral Reef, TT and Soarin'

 

[The Moonk's Mom]

YIPEE!!! Notice or no notice this will be fun! Have a blast and enjoy youself!

 

[Khalana]

Too cool! I have to say I am quite envious! That will be so much fun, though!! I think seeing Disney before going to South Africa is a must!

 

[tinytreasures]

this is me right now

 

[maroo]

The good news, with this pre-trippie...is that it won't be a pre-trippie for long!

So I can't drrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggg this on forever and ever and keep you guys in suspense. There will be other TR's for that!

So...I am going to give you the quick version.

Tickets, Tickets, Tickets.

I have been thinking about getting an annual pass for this year. I already have a trip planned in October that will be about 4 park days. And another one for January for 3-5 park days. Another group of friends mentioned me tagging along with them for a few days in December. So, when Sarah called, I instantly thought...I could just get an annual pass and go for it!! I will get discounts on some things - occasional food and maybe some rooms at some point.

So...I am! Getting an annual pass, that is!

For Sarah and Sis - they will be getting just a plain ole 2 day pass. Sis will be at the "I am a Florida resident and you are not!" discount...so that will help her. Sarah is just out on her own. It is going to cost her about $150 for those two days. So we are going to make it worth her while!


Where do I stay, you ask?

Well...I will tell you where I wanted to stay...Pop Century! But...it was EXPENSIVE!!!! Seriously. They want like $130 a night for those rooms. And I am not paying it! And that was with the AP discount!

Sarah and Sis will be staying at Sis's house...except they might just crash on my floor on Saturday night? We will see how late they get out of the parks, etc.

I am going to stay in a plain old hotel. Nothing too fancy. Because this is a LAST MINUTE save-as-much-money-as-I-can trip!

I perused some internet sites...you know the ones...that compare rooms. And got a room for Fri, Sat and Sun night at the Quality Suites Lake Buena Vista. For less than $80 a night. Quite a bit less, actually. With tax and fees it was less than $280! Pretty good for the first-timer!

They seem pretty nice. They have 2 queen beds and sleeper sofa...just in case my friends want to stop by and take a little load off their feet! And it got some good reviews from some folks. And it is located pretty close to Disney. AND...Pretty close to GKTW! I am hoping to run into a few friends on this trip...

At the very least, I will be going to visit that beloved place. Even if it is just to drop off a few very last minute Big Give packages that I might still be working on...


The Schedule:

Boy...you guys ARE getting this all at once, aren't you...

You know what...

I am going to just have to wait on that a little. You guys have to be able to wait for SOMETHING!

Did I get a coveted ADR? Which parks are we going to? What is on our MUST DO list? What do I need to add to that list?

TarzansKat...do you have my list?!?!

*runs to find TarzansKat*

 

[dmbfan]

OMGosh, how FUN is that..... I totally love it that you just say " I am going to Disney and I am leaving NOW"...

Can't wait to hear about your trip and more so see your pictures...Can you do me a favor, can you snap a picture of the Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror when your there, Jake will go crazy...

 

[ndloewen]

Oh, how fun!! Although I'm bummed...we will just miss you by 1 day!!!

Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[maroo]

Oh, how fun!! Although I'm bummed...we will just miss you by 1 day!!!

Have a wonderful trip!!

ONE DAY?!?!?! Are you serious?!?!



I thought you guys would be there the next week? That's right...oh no!

Gosh...you think I could call in sick?! To meet Noah and Nicole and familiy? Got a flat tire? I am sure we could come up with something creative!

Bummer that I am so honest. Ruh.

What time are you coming in and which day is it?

 

[maroo]

YIPEE!!! Notice or no notice this will be fun! Have a blast and enjoy youself!

Yeah...I do wish I had gotten to look forward to it a little more! But I am psyched!!!

Too cool! I have to say I am quite envious! That will be so much fun, though!! I think seeing Disney before going to South Africa is a must!

I am so sorry to make you envious. That is no fun!

yes, I agree...she MUST see Disney. And since she doesn't even know what it is...then a good friend would help her out, right?

this is me right now

Yeah...we should get to meet!! Woo Hoo!!!!

OMGosh, how FUN is that..... I totally love it that you just say " I am going to Disney and I am leaving NOW"...

Can't wait to hear about your trip and more so see your pictures...Can you do me a favor, can you snap a picture of the Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror when your there, Jake will go crazy...

ha ha!! Yeah...like now...really.

I am keeping Lauren on Tuesday and Wednesday night and leaving on Thursday. So I have one evening to pack. Nothing like the last minute!

I can get a pic of the Haunted Mansion...but I won't be going to DHS. We spent 2 days there on our last trip and I am sorta DHS'd out. I will be going to the rest of the parks, though, I hope.

 

[macntosh]

ONE DAY?!?!?! Are you serious?!?!



I thought you guys would be there the next week? That's right...oh no!

Gosh...you think I could call in sick?! To meet Noah and Nicole and familiy? Got a flat tire? I am sure we could come up with something creative!

Bummer that I am so honest. Ruh.

What time are you coming in and which day is it?

I got a pocket knife, you can still be honest about that flat tire.


Oh my Gosh, I just saw... Five Days.....

 

[TarzansKat]

Holy cabooses!

I leave off checking the DIS for one weekend, and you're going in a few days! WOW!

Color me surprised. I'm glad I logged in this morning. Now I'm going back to read.

 

[TarzansKat]

point.
TarzansKat...do you have my list?!?!

*runs to find TarzansKat*

I can see that I have been summoned!

Okay, for sure I remember that you need to see Wishes. Other than that, I've got to do some research!

 

[kimmylaj]

i am so happy for you i will do the dance of joy
have a great time

 

[maroo]

I got a pocket knife, you can still be honest about that flat tire.


Oh my Gosh, I just saw... Five Days.....

Now THAT is a good idea! I could even take pictures!! Sneaky.

I actually could get off another day. And I might just do that. It sort of depends on how much I can get done here this week. (Which probably means I should get off of the DIS! ...... nah!) I am not sure I can miss Tues at work, because we have clinic...but...hmm...

I can see that I have been summoned!

Okay, for sure I remember that you need to see Wishes. Other than that, I've got to do some research!

ha ha ha!

Thought you would get a kick out of that.

i am so happy for you i will do the dance of joy
have a great time

Thank you!! I am pretty happy, too. Actually...I am

 

[ndloewen]

Maroo, we are arriving on Tuesday, the 24th. Our flight comes in at 1pm and then we will be at GKTW, hanging out for the day. So if you happen to get another day off come track us down!!!

 

[maroo]

The fastest Pre-Trippie I have ever seen continues...

First...an announcement!! Drum roll please...









We got an ADR! With only days to spare! And a restaurant I have really been wanting to try...







CORAL REEF!



We got a lunch ressie on Sunday...when we will be in EPCOT!



Now...on to the schedule...

First of all...Sarah and her sister will already be in Florida. So I am on my own for transportation. (Sarah currently lives in MS, by the way!)

I debated...to fly or not to fly...And that was quickly decided for me when I discovered that a direct flight would cost me about $300 bucks! We do get deals offered at times. And I do check my Southwest DING! often (thanks to the hints from my fellow DISers!) ...but, it was just too quick for this trip!

So...I am driving. It won't be that bad. I will be traveling alone ...so no one to stop for but me! And I tend not to stop often. And I tend to drive...well...about 7 miles above the speed limit. Or so. Don't tell! So I can possibly get there in 11-12 hours. And will only spend about $90 in gas. And won't have to rent a car. But I will have to find a place to crash on Thursday night. I might crash at a friend's house...depending on how far I get to the World!!


So...that's Thursday. Leave at 3:30 and DRIVE till I get too tired to drive anymore!


Friday: Get up ASAP and get to the World! I will call once I arrive and see if my room is ready. If it is, then I will go ahead and check in. If not, I am heading to Downtown Disney to pick up my AP! (QUESTION: Do they take your picture for an Annual Pass?!) And I will probably pick up some lunch. Maybe Rainforest Cafe? Or T Rex? Or maybe McD's! We will see what I am in the mood for!

Then...to Animal Kingdom!! I know they close at 5:00. And I really just want to go check it out. Never been. And I really don't know anything about it! I would love to catch the Lion King. Or maybe ride EE? Or maybe not? Don't want the back to go out again, now do we? And if I can catch the Safari, that would be cool, too!

Then...And I am SOOOOOO excited about this ...Spectromagic at 8:00 and according to the schedule Wishes is also at 8:00. I am sure this is a typo? I assume Spectro at 8:00 and Wishes at 9:00? Anyone know?

So...that is the schedule that involves JUST ME! That is right! A partially SOLO trip. And perfect...because it is just a little while before I see my friends...so it is a SOLO TEST...Can I do it? Can I get there without any hitches? Where will I eat? Do they HAVE to take my picture for the AP? Can I make it to AK? And Spectro and Wishes? We will see! And SOON!!

 

[maroo]

Maroo, we are arriving on Tuesday, the 24th. Our flight comes in at 1pm and then we will be at GKTW, hanging out for the day. So if you happen to get another day off come track us down!!!

Yeah...I am trying to work this out.

I should know by tomorrow or Thursday. I would LOVE to meet you guys! I have been praying for Noah for months now and it would be awesome to SEE those prayers answered by seeing your family enjoying GKTW!

But...we do have clinic on Tuesday. And something is going on, personally, with my boss - her daughter's cancer may have come back...in which case, I will need to be back to help deal with clinic. But we will see. You can pray for "Mary's Boss's Daughter" if you think about it! We hope it is nothing. She is too young to have cancer twice. As many of you guys already know.

 

[hematite153]

So...I am! Getting an annual pass, that is!

Woohoo!

For Sarah and Sis - they will be getting just a plain ole 2 day pass. Sis will be at the "I am a Florida resident and you are not!" discount...so that will help her.

I think that there's some sort of 3-day ticket for Florida residents that is good for 6-months and costs about the same as 2 1-day Florida resident tickets. Have SarahSis ask about options before she purchases. (Or, ask the FL resident DISers to weigh in on this.)

I am heading to Downtown Disney to pick up my AP! ... And I will probably pick up some lunch. Maybe Rainforest Cafe? Or T Rex? Or maybe McD's! ... Then...to Animal Kingdom!!

If you're stopping at DTD for lunch, then, go for it -- lots of great choices (we recommend Earl of Sandwich!). But, if you're stopping there to get your AP, you can do that at Guest Relations outside AK instead and save yourself a stop.

Then...And I am SOOOOOO excited about this ...Spectromagic at 8:00 and according to the schedule Wishes is also at 8:00. I am sure this is a typo? I assume Spectro at 8:00 and Wishes at 9:00? Anyone know?

Well, the schedule says that MK closes at 8:00. So, I'd guess Wishes at 8 and Spectro (if it's happening) at 7:00. Make sure you check these times as you enter the park -- you wouldn't want to miss it!

 

[iu97alum]

YEA!! Another Maroo PTR/TR!!!!! WOOO HOOOO!!!

 

[mom2lilnick]

Wow.. amazing! I am so jealous! I can't wait to hear all about it.