Silver Trip for Spring Break

[Cmdbuddy]

Well, I'll get my trip report started a few days in advance. Countdown is at 5 days, and I'm ready to go right now!

This will be trip number 25 for me, and hence I'm terming it the Silver Trip. This will be the first time going without my family. Instead, it's a cast of 2: Myself and my best friend here at Auburn University. We'll be going for the first half of our spring break.

Here's what makes this trip special. First, I got to do all of the planning myself. My mom is a huge Disney nut and normally takes on the duties of planning. Secondly, her and I aren't big sleepers, so we're planning on getting to the park at opening each day. This is a huuuuge ordeal with me because my dad likes to sleep in and take his time leaving the room, while I lay in bed thinking about all the people flooding in through the gates. Third, this will be my first time staying at a Value Resort. We're a deluxe family and now DVC members, but I'm really excited about this. We're staying at Pop Century and I can't wait. Finally, this trip is huge because my friend hasn't been to Disney since before Animal Kingdom opened! She's never been on Test Track, didn't exactly know what a fast pass is, and was suprised to hear that you can send your purchases back to your room. She's about to go from the pee-wee team to the major leagues real quick.

I'm about to run to walmart to grab a few things for the trip. We're trying to do this on as minimal of a budget as possible. I have an AP, so that cut out the cost of the ticket for me. We're flying Southwest and got really good deals on the flights. We'll be doing breakfast in the room, bringing some snacks in the parks, and only doing 3 table services- Rainforest Cafe at AK (per her request) for Lunch, Garden Grill for Lunch, and Mama Melrose for dinner one night (no lunch). The last two are my favorites Quite different from my last trip over Christmas with the DDP.

We also decided to get Tour Guide Mike this time and I'm anxious to see how that works out. We're only going against his recommendations the day we get there since we'll be getting in kinda late and want to go to a park. Therefore, Friday evening we will be going to Epcot for EMH. Even if we don't get to do much, it will be nice to just be there.

Well, pull up a chair, grab your , and count down the days with me. I'll keep you posted on my day to day preparations!

 

[Cmdbuddy]

Just got back from Walmart with a lot of goodies for my trip. I immediately put them straight into the bag because I know that if not, I'll eat them before hand! Haha. I bought an extra big rolling duffel bag yesterday from Ross that I can't wait to pack full of things. Miranda bought a brand new rolling bag and large duffel from Vera Bradley from the trip (so much for a low cost trip )

I've decided to prepare for the trip by watching at least one Disney movie a day until the trip. Toy Story is on right now. Any suggestions for tomorrow?

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Big Lion King fans here but I know that's considered and "old" movie now.

The best part of going to WDW is going with someone who doesn't know how special it is. You're going to have a blast showing your friend how to do it RIGHT. So many of our friends go down and don't have a good time. They go to the parks late and don't know how to use Fast Pass as a strategy and don't make dining reservations and so on. It's very frustrating. It's up to us PROFESSIONALS to train these rooks and teach them correctly.

Have fun and fill us in. We just got back yesterday so if you have any questions just let me know.

 

[Cmdbuddy]

Big Lion King fans here but I know that's considered and "old" movie now.

The best part of going to WDW is going with someone who doesn't know how special it is. You're going to have a blast showing your friend how to do it RIGHT. So many of our friends go down and don't have a good time. They go to the parks late and don't know how to use Fast Pass as a strategy and don't make dining reservations and so on. It's very frustrating. It's up to us PROFESSIONALS to train these rooks and teach them correctly.

Have fun and fill us in. We just got back yesterday so if you have any questions just let me know.

Actually, yea, what has the weather been like? I'm pretty sure it's shorts weather, but I'm more concerned with MK late at night for EMH (one of my favorite thigns to do). Did you stay very later, and how cold did it get at night?

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

It was in the high 60's at night while we were down there. Very pleasant. It only rained one day also. The weather was perfect for us. We didn't even bring jackets but being from Montana, we're very content with anything over 55.

 

[Cmdbuddy]

Awesome. I can't wait. And Lion King is on my list for this week.

 

[Cmdbuddy]

Well today is 4 days to go! But who's counting?

I wound up eating some of my snacks yesterday. Oops. Already restocked them though and have promised myself not to touch them.

I got my friend's ticket from her yesterday to put in the big folder of documents I have... can't have her forget that.

I ordered our water from Staples on Saturday. It should get there before us. Sad.

Today, I think I'll watch Tarzan. I love that movie. I borrowed Tarzan, Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, Hercules, and Alladin from my friend yesterday. I'll rent Lion King at some point.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

LOL I have a vacation folder also!

 

[sters]

Just got back from Walmart with a lot of goodies for my trip. I immediately put them straight into the bag because I know that if not, I'll eat them before hand! Haha. I bought an extra big rolling duffel bag yesterday from Ross that I can't wait to pack full of things. Miranda bought a brand new rolling bag and large duffel from Vera Bradley from the trip (so much for a low cost trip )

I've decided to prepare for the trip by watching at least one Disney movie a day until the trip. Toy Story is on right now. Any suggestions for tomorrow?

Beauty and the Beast! Since it is a girlfriend trip, I'd watch all the princess movies.

 

[Cmdbuddy]

We've had a few issues in the past with her being in charge of concert tickets... no way I'm letting her try to keep track of her 6 day park hopper

We were at dinner last night with a mutual friend when my mom called. I was talking to my mom on the phone and he asked her what time our flight takes off on Friday and she told him "I don't know... you'll have to ask my travel planner when she's get off the phone... I'm just along for the ride"

Best type of travel buddy, eh?

 

[Cmdbuddy]

Countdown = 3 days!

My water from Staples is supposed to be arriving at the hotel today. Luck it.

I've been trying desperately to pay attention in class, but it's not really working. All I keep thinking about is what I'm going to do when. I have to force myself to keep my trip folder at home and not do any planning while in class

Started off the day with the second half of Tarzan (fell asleep last night) and I'm gonna watch The Little Mermaid tonight, I think.

 

[OhMari]

My choice of movie is Bednobs and Broomsticks. I fall asleep everytime I watch that movie. You can probably get it at your local library.

 

[Cmdbuddy]

My choice of movie is Bednobs and Broomsticks. I fall asleep everytime I watch that movie. You can probably get it at your local library.

Not saying much about the movie if you fall asleep everytime, huh?

I like that movie as well. Then again... which Disney movie do I not like?

 

[Cmdbuddy]

Well... TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!

I am so excited I can barely type this right now. I have so much to do today too. I have class from 9:30-3:15, I have to sign a lease for an apartment somewhere (waiting on someone to get back with me at the place I want to live), do laundry, pack, and clean the apartmet prior to leaving (you know... like cleaning out the fridge and stuff).

Tomorrow I actually have to go to my two classes before leaving... ugh. We have stuff due in both of them. Gotta love professors doing that. They're at 9 and 10 AM. We'll leave right after that for our two hour drive up to Birmingham. Our flight takes off at 3:45 and lands at 6:10. I'll be rushing us like a madwoman to get to illuminations (not necessarily with a good seat) for 9. If not, that's ok... we'll just be there for EMH.

Well... wish me luck today with everything I have to accomplish!

 

[Cmdbuddy]

Today's the big day!!!!!!

My boyfriend awoke me this morning with a phone call (as opposed to my wishes ringer that is normally my alarm clock) and I go "I'm going to Disney today!!!" He goes "You sound like you're more excited about that than talking to me". Glad he was put in his place...

I have to go to 2 classes this morning... booooo. Who makes assignments due the day before Spring Break? Oh well. We're leaving directly after class.

I won't have internet access in the world... because, well it's a low budget trip and internet for $50 isn't included. So we're not even bringing the laptop. We're both internet junkies, so if we do, we'd probably be tempted to use it.

That being said... expect a full trip report with pictures when I get back Wednesday night!! I'm supposed to be treated to a dinner at The Melting Pot on Wednesday, so the actual report might not come until Thursday.

Goodbye Alabama, hellooooooooo Florida and no crowds (haha I wish!!!)

 

[Cmdbuddy]

Sorry this is a few days late... but let's see if I can get day one done before I need to leave for class.

Friday, March 23

Well, I got out of class at 11:00 AM and Miranda picked me up from class and brought me home. My luggage was ready to go, so I did one final check of email and DIS and we got on the road. The drive to Birmingham was adventerous... it was one of those drives with lots of stupid drivers. After 2 hours, we were in Birmingham ready to leave. I figured we better eat since it was going to be a while until we got another chance. So we stopped at Panera Bread and had stuff your face as quickly as possible meal because we had a plane to catch! Got to the airport with no problems and OUR FLIGHT WAS ON TIME. I'm a frequent traveler so I know how rare this is nowadays. We had already printed our boarding passes so we had boarding group A on Southwest. Fast forward about 2 hours and we were in Orlando!

We had opted to collect our own luggage and bring it to Disney's Magical Express. So we went downstairs in Terminal A to collect our luggage and then had to go upstairs, across, and back down to Terminal B. Nobody informed us that it was going to be a 2 mile walk down to their counter heheh. We got checked in with no problem and were directed to our line to stand in. Let me just say that there was nothing express about Disney's Magical Express. We were staying at Pop, and they never let us go... but anytime a deluxe person showed up, they were immediately let on. I'm not complaining because I know they pay more than us to sleep in a room. After about 30 min of waiting, we get on the bus and we're on our way!

We arrived at Pop and I ran inside to get checked in while Miranda waited on our luggage. I got a no smoking room like requested and they even had my water that I had ordered in the back. I stupidly agreed to carrying it upstairs myself instead of having luggage services deliver it. We were in the 80's building 9 3rd floor. So we attempt to drag all of our luggage + 24 waters all over the hotel trying to find our room. We somehow missed a sign and missed our room... but we eventually found it.

We get in the room, and it smells awful of cigarette smoke. So I called the front desk to see if they could reassign us. The CM was very polite and got us another room 9401. She sent a runner to bring us the keys, and the runner was on a Segway! We got really excited about that. When we got in the new room, we were pleasantly suprised. It was pool side, 4th floor, very close to the elevators, and it was a little bit bigger because it was a corner room. We noticed that our AC wouldn't turn on so we called the front desk about that. They said they would send maintenance up to check on it. We changed clothes, packed our bags, and went off to EPCOT for Extra Magic Hours.

Towel animal awaiting us:

View outside the room:

We arrived at EPCOT just as Illuminations was ending, so we fought the mass exodus and made our way over to the Land to see how ridiculous Soarin was. It was 60 minutes, so we rode Living with the Land (walked on). We then went to find some food because we were starving. We got dinner at Catalina San Angel (outdoor Mexican restaraunt). We both got the kid's meal, which was a great deal. I also got a churro... yum. We then went to Norway and rode its ride by walking on.

Walked back towards Test Track, which had a very long line, so we went on Mission Space, which was a walk on. I dragged Miranda on the orange side against her will. This was her first time riding it, and she had heard about the boy who had died. She was so scared and I just ate it up. She clawed me the whole time on the ride, but she was fine after .

She survived!!

We still had like an hour until closing so we decided that we would just wait for Soarin. We got over there and it said a 60 minute wait. They were directing us towards the normal FP lane (which is actually the exit turned FP line because they are doing some construction on the true FP lane), and we only waited 15 minutes to get on! Just like always, Soarin was wonderful, so we got in line again when we got off. There was an obnoxious group of High Schoolers in front of us (their group went from 4 to 16 and the CMs let it happen), but we eventually got on and rode it again. They screamed the whole time and took flash pictures which kind of ruined it, but you can't beat Soarin' twice in one hour!

By the time we got off, it was time to leave the park. On the way out, we stopped at the camera store because I needed a wrist strap for my camera. Miranda wanted one thing during our trip- a frame with Mickey and Minnie kissing and they had it there! So she bought it and we headed for the buses.

We waited about 45 minutes for a bus while about 10 empty buses sat in the parking lot. But by the time we got back, our AC was fixed and we crashed!

Line for Pop:

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

You're good for going to the parks after you arrive. We always get snacks and hang out at the resort.

So it sounds like it was busy, huh?

 

[Cmdbuddy]

Day 2: Saturday March 24

Well we didn't get into bed until 1:30 AM but we awoke for our 6:45 wakeup call. I ran down to the gift shop to pick up some milk for the cereal I had brought (and conveniently picked up a box of the raspberry shortbread cookies I had discovered on my trip in December... yum). We at breakfast and left the room at 7:45.

We arrived at the Magic Kingdom for 8:15 AM and I believe they let us into the turnstiles at 8:25. It was a beautiful morning:

We were almost right up against the rope where we chilled out of a little while: (I really took this picture to get a picture of the rope and the sign, not the lady )

At 8:45 AM the opening show began. I had never seen this before, so of course I wanted to tape it... all the day down to 0. Miranda fussed at me around 3 to put the camera up, but I managed to get it all and then run. Here's a picture from the show:

And then... RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

We took the "shortcut" to Tomorrowland (through the Noodle Station) and were met by rope and more CM who talked to us until 9 AM. We all then began our jog to Space Mountain.

We liked to pick up FP before we rode so that we could ride again or use later. So at a certain point (about 100 ft from the entrance of Space Mountain), the CM said "Go!" and we were allowed to pass him. I ran up to the FastPass machine, and the ground was freshly washed... and I fell on my butt!!! I clung onto my FastPass machine for dear life, got up, and STILL got a FP before anyone else. That's what you call perserverence.

So we rode Space Mountain (walk on), Rode Buzz Lightyear (walk on), and then headed over to one of Miranda's favorites... the tea cups. She'd probably kill me for posting this pic:

We then rode Winnie the Pooh (5 minute wait), It's a Small World (walk on), and then made our way over to Toon Town for its opening at 10 AM. We followed Minnie through her house and then stood in line in the big tent to take pictures with her and Goofy.

Walking with Minnie through her house:

Pictures:

When we left there, we walked on Goofy's Barnstormer. We then waited for the train and took it around to Frontierland (what a nice break!) When we got there, we grabbed FP for Splash Mountain, waited 5 minutes for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, waited 5 min for Haunted Mansion, used our Splash Mountain FP (managed to not get too wet).

Then we got back on the train, took it to Toontown, took the nice pathway to Tommorowland, and got more FP for Space Mountain (just in case!) We rode Space Mountain with our FP from earlier. By then we were starving so we ate at Cosmic Rays.

It was hot and we had done so much of the park by then that we went ahead and left to go back to the room for a nap. We waited a nice long time for the bus again, and finally got back to the room at 2 PM.

After a nice nap in which Miranda slept and I didn't, we went to Animal Kingdom. We were planning on going there tomorrow, but I figured what the heck, we'll go get some stuff knocked out.

When we got there, there were no FP left for Expedition Everest or the Kilimanjaro Safaris so I was like let's just walk around and see what we can ride. So that's what we did.

We made our way over Dinoland USA and walked on TriceraTop Spin, Primeval Whirl, and Dinosaur. We then rode Kali River Rapids, and managed to barely get wet! We were going to ride it again, but I told her we better not press our luck. Then I told her that we might as well catch Festival of the Lion King tonight so we don't have to do it tomorrow, so we started to head that way. On the way, we saw that Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger were home, so we stopped and took pictures with them.

We then went and saw Festival of the Lion King, which was amazing like always.

Love the stilt guys:

By the time the show was over, the park was closing, so we left. Miranda had talked about wanting to go to Downtown Disney at some point, so I figured now would be a good time. Instead of going back to Pop Century and catching the bus from there, we decided to take the bust to Saratoga Springs and walk to Downtown Disney. Quick service on the bus and we were on our way.

We got to Saratoga Springs (with a little assistance from the bus driver on which of the 5 stops to get off on) and started the walk around the lagoon. We were met with a pretty sunset:

We ate at Wolfgang Puck Express (yum!) and then did some shopping. We got back to the bus station (bags in hand) and didn't have to wait long for the bus. We were entertained the whole way back by an obviously drunk lady that was also on the bus.

Up next: Animal kingdom and a late night at Magic Kingdom!

PS: How do you edit the name of your thread?

 

[OhMari]

I was disappointed that we didn't have an opening show at the MK when it opened at 8:00 a.m.
Hope you come back and finish your TR!