"So what do you want to do next?" An April '10 TR...final thoughts 8/2 p. 63

[wdwgirl03]

It's the perfect day
What I'd give if I could find a way to stay
Lost in this moment now, ain't worried 'bout tomorrow
When you're busy living in a perfect day

Anybody know what song that is? Bonus points if you do...and no, it isn't a Disney song. No points awarded if you google the answer! haha I'll explain why I included those lyrics later but first...

to my newest trip report! I'm so excited to get this thing started.

If you haven't read my other PTRs/TRs, I'm wdwgirl03 (or Sarah as some of you know!) and I just returned from my 16th trip to Disney World. Yes, that's right. 16 trips. Pretty crazy, huh?! It's amazing I can still keep track of all those visits and no, it never gets old. You might even notice a new ticker in my signature. As of right now we have reservations for December 2010. My youngest sister is really interested in doing the College Program next spring so plans might change if she gets accepted. It's crazy to think the next time I go to WDW my sister might be a cast member!

First off, a little bit of background: My first trip to WDW was waaay back in 1991 when I was 5 years old. My family started going pretty regularly then but as my two sisters and I got older it's harder for the entire family to go at the same time. Lately it's usually just a few of us at a time...not because we don't want to go. Things like work and school usually get in the way. This trip was the first time it was just me and my dad. The two of us went to Disneyland/Universal Studios Hollywood/the Rose Bowl back in 2006 but this was our first time going to WDW without my sisters or mom.

Some of the basics of the trip:
We were there April 6-April 12. Some of you might be thinking we're crazy for going during peak season but we have been to WDW several times over spring break/winter break. Let's just say we're used to the crowds and it doesn't really bother us too much.

We stayed in a studio at Kidani Village. Being a big animal lover, I always wanted to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. In 2008 we stayed at the AKL when construction was still going on at Kidani and really enjoyed it. The new villas definitely did not disappoint.

OK, now that the basics are out of the way, let's go back to those song lyrics. As I was driving to school yesterday, I was listening to that song and for some reason I kept thinking back to WDW. It's really funny how many times we heard people down in Florida talking about how they didn't want to go back home and wished they could live there. Disney World really is an escape from reality...you forget about the "real world" and work. At one point I even heard one guy talking about no email and no driving for a week was a great combination. haha Well, sadly those "perfect days" always come to an end (and always way too quickly) so what better way to relive those memories than by sharing them in a trip report?

That leads into the TR title...as I said, this trip it was just me and my dad. Before we even went, Dad kept telling me how it was "my" trip and that it was my chance to do whatever I wanted without having to worry about others not wanting to. There were a lot of times during the trip when he'd say what do you want to do next or what else do you want to do. hehe Thought it would make a pretty good title then!

I really hope you'll decide to join in with me. If you've read my other reports you'll know that I tend to get a little camera happy in WDW so there will be plenty of pictures, as well as some Disney secrets along the way!

Ready? Then here we go!

TRIP REPORT INDEX

Cast intros

April 6, 2010
Off to a "bumpy" start
Time for the Magical Express
Jambo! Arriving at Kidani
Jammin' in the Jungle
Asia and Dinoland

April 7, 2010
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom!
Tomorrowland
Frontierland/Adventureland
Move it Shake it Celebrate it!
DIS MEET, DIS MEET!
Flower and Garden Festival!
Fish, fish, fish...everywhere fish
DVC Welcome Home Wednesdays
Downtown Disney

April 8, 2010
Hooray for Hollywood (Studios)!
This...is the American Idol Experience!
Learning how to be an animator
I see the giraffes!
Dinner at Tony's

April 9, 2010
Let the adventure begin!
Asia/Dinoland USA
Gotta love characters
Backstage Safari Tour, part I
Backstage Safari Tour, part II
AI finale

April 10, 2010
Epcot
Fairies and Princesses
Living with the Land
Here's the sitch...
Playing in a Winter Summerland
DHS again!

April 11, 2010
Last full park day
Frontierland and Toontown Fair
Good-bye, Magic Kingdom
Shopping at DTD and another resort tour

April 12, 2010
Time to come home

Trip Wrap-Up
Final Thoughts

Randomness
Mail Call!
New TSM game/Oceans
December-->August???
Two new trips
New Pre-trip report!
Toy Story 3!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

OK, I've done this so many times so I'll try to keep these introductions brief.

THE CAST:

Me (Sarah): 25 year old Marquette grad, majored in Elementary Ed. There are two things I really love in life: my sports teams and Disney, of course! My favorite park will always be the Magic Kingdom and my favorite ride is probably Thunder Mountain since it was the first roller coaster I ever went on. My favorite characters are Mickey Mouse and Tinkerbell!

Dad: Also a big sports fanatic and loves playing golf. Back in 2006 he purchased DVC so now we can keep going back to WDW year after year. His favorite character is Tigger.


Before I get started with the actual trip report, just a few general observations/comments from this trip:

We saw a lot of school groups there. Not surprisingly, most of them seemed to be high school bands who were there for Magic Music Days.

Overall, the parks were not that crowded! I was kind of concerned after reading some of the comments on here about the week before Easter and how it was so busy. We didn't think it was bad at all. Again, that could be because we've been there during peak times and/or the Easter crowds were starting to thin out. On our arrival day I know the water parks were closed due to capacity but other than that I am not aware of any other closings.

We had GREAT weather! It could get a little chilly in the early morning/evening but it was perfect touring weather.


And just to make things more interesting, here are some cliffhangers:

-How many different resorts did we visit?
-Which characters did we get to meet?
-What did we learn about the Animal Kingdom on the Backstage Safari tour?
-Did I cave and buy a Disney Dooney and Bourke? hehehe

Stay tuned!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

I'm in! Can't wait to read all about it now that we are staying at AKL in December!!!

 

[xoktenox]

Yayyyy second to post! That's a record for me LOL

Glad you started and am SO excited to hear all about everything!!

 

[xoktenox]

Oh and I know the song! It's "Perfect Day" by Lady Antebellum! I loveeee them even though I hate country music and even made Chris go out and pick up their CD for me! That's #5 on the CD so you know I'm not lying

 

[Brave teacher]

YAY! I am so happy you started this tonight. Between you and Ninja, I'm gonna get a great fix before we leave. That's so sweet of your dad to make sure you knew this trip would be just for you. I don't know what I would want to do if I were told that everything we do is because I wanted to do it. I look forward to hearing all about it.

 

[RachelNinja]

You started your TR! What a great way to wake up this morning since I actually forced myself to go to bed somewhat early last night. I think it's funny that we have such different opinions about the crowds! Well, I guess it might have been because I was there a few days earlier; the spring break for some people wasn't over just yet (they had Mon + Tues off too or something like that). The worst day for us was probably MK, but that was just in the middle of the day and early afternoon. After that, it started thinning out a bit. Thankfully, we got there at 8 so we did a lot then. Can't imagine how much you did with EMH!

Ahhh, the real world must interfere because it's time for me to leave for work! Sometimes I wish that I had a desk job where I could be on DIS all day long as I do my work, of course. Too bad teachers have to be "on" all day long! And it's a Thursday so I have an extra hour after school for tutoring. But at least the start of your TR cheers me up!

 

[wisblue]

Unless Sarah tells me to stay away, I'm going to follow her report and add some commentary and perspective of my own.

One of the main reasons I told Sarah that this was her opportunity to do what SHE wanted is that there are usually at least 3 of us on a trip, and that usually leads to some difference of opinion about what to do. This was my third trip in less than a year because I accompanied Sarah and her youngest sister last August, and my wife (Sarah's Mom) and other (middle) sister in January. So, I've done all of my favorite attractions several times over in the last year, and just enjoy the overall atmosphere of being at WDW as much or more than the attractions anyway.

 

[Cory's Gal]

YEAH!!! You started Sarah!! I am so looking forward to reading your TR!!!! Glad to hear that the crowds were manageable and that you had great weather!! I want to hear all about Kidani Village and see all these great pictures I know you took!!!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm in! Can't wait to read all about it now that we are staying at AKL in December!!!

Woo hoo, you are first! Glad you are going to join in. You and Devon are going to love the AKL!

Yayyyy second to post! That's a record for me LOL

Glad you started and am SO excited to hear all about everything!!

Hi Kristen!

Oh and I know the song! It's "Perfect Day" by Lady Antebellum! I loveeee them even though I hate country music and even made Chris go out and pick up their CD for me! That's #5 on the CD so you know I'm not lying

Ding ding ding, you are correct! I first heard Lady Antebellum on one of those country music award shows and really liked them. I bought their first CD and can honestly say it's probably one of the best CDs I've ever gotten and then of course had to get the second one!

YAY! I am so happy you started this tonight. Between you and Ninja, I'm gonna get a great fix before we leave. That's so sweet of your dad to make sure you knew this trip would be just for you. I don't know what I would want to do if I were told that everything we do is because I wanted to do it. I look forward to hearing all about it.

Yeah, usually we have to try to do what everyone else wants to so there were some times when I was like hmmm, what SHOULD we do now? haha

You started your TR! What a great way to wake up this morning since I actually forced myself to go to bed somewhat early last night. I think it's funny that we have such different opinions about the crowds! Well, I guess it might have been because I was there a few days earlier; the spring break for some people wasn't over just yet (they had Mon + Tues off too or something like that). The worst day for us was probably MK, but that was just in the middle of the day and early afternoon. After that, it started thinning out a bit. Thankfully, we got there at 8 so we did a lot then. Can't imagine how much you did with EMH!

Ahhh, the real world must interfere because it's time for me to leave for work! Sometimes I wish that I had a desk job where I could be on DIS all day long as I do my work, of course. Too bad teachers have to be "on" all day long! And it's a Thursday so I have an extra hour after school for tutoring. But at least the start of your TR cheers me up!

Aww, glad I could brighten your morning. I definitely thought the MK was the most crowded park but I guess that's not too surprising. The EMH were great...there was hardly anybody there at all.

Glad you're joining in Rachel!

Unless Sarah tells me to stay away, I'm going to follow her report and add some commentary and perspective of my own.

One of the main reasons I told Sarah that this was her opportunity to do what SHE wanted is that there are usually at least 3 of us on a trip, and that usually leads to some difference of opinion about what to do. This was my third trip in less than a year because I accompanied Sarah and her youngest sister last August, and my wife (Sarah's Mom) and other (middle) sister in January. So, I've done all of my favorite attractions several times over in the last year, and just enjoy the overall atmosphere of being at WDW as much or more than the attractions anyway.

Yeah, there is no way we would've been able to do all the stuff at the AK with everyone.

YEAH!!! You started Sarah!! I am so looking forward to reading your TR!!!! Glad to hear that the crowds were manageable and that you had great weather!! I want to hear all about Kidani Village and see all these great pictures I know you took!!!!

I can't wait to tell you all about it. I have plenty of Kidani pics though most of them are of the animals...

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I'm here and so excited to read your TR!

 

[onelilspark]

*phew* I thought I was really late! Excited to hear about your trip!

 

[Cat0727]

Hi Sarah! I lurked on your PTR & looking forward to joining in on this one Excited to hear about everything!

 

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm here and so excited to read your TR!

Yay! Glad you're joining in.

*phew* I thought I was really late! Excited to hear about your trip!

Nope, you're not late at all.

Hi Sarah! I lurked on your PTR & looking forward to joining in on this one Excited to hear about everything!

Welcome!

joining in

Thanks for joining in!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

I'm here!!! Gotta go back and read! Dang... page 2!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm here!!! Gotta go back and read! Dang... page 2!

Yay, glad you found me! I feel so popular being on page 2 already.

 

[jwwi]

Am I late?

 

[tinkgurl]

I'm here girl!

I so agree. You already knew I felt that way about WDW too.

That's so exciting your sister might be a CM! I'd be jealous.

 

[photographymom517]

I have this terrible tendency to find a trip report at the END of the report & have to go back through & read over 100 pages...thats alot to do in one evening!

Glad I found yours right when you are starting it! Can't wait to read more!!!

Congrats on being on pg 2 already, thats great to have so many followers!!! I can't wait to hear about all the refurbs going on right now and read about your stay at AKV...how exciting! We stayed at Jambo House last year & loved it!!!