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

[leamom2princesses]

Hi Sarah! I'm here! Can't wait to see and hear all about Kidani and the rest of your trip.

 

[meeko_33785]

Hey Sarah. Welcome back! Looking forward to hearing all about the trip.

 

[lovealldisney]

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 my favorite park too!and my favorite ride is probably Thunder Mountain me space mountain my first coaster to! I was there when it was NEW to MK! (I think I just dated my self )since it was the first roller coaster I ever went on. My favorite characters are Mickey Mouse and Tinkerbell! me Pluto! love him!

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! Awsome! 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! another AWSOME! 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:
I'll try to answer a few


-How many different resorts did we visit? 9?
-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 YES! I know I would have!

Stay tuned!

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.

You must be Sarah's dad! HI! Great that you'll be adding your own comments ect...

 

[wdwgirl03]

Am I late?

Nope, you're not late either! We're just getting started.

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.

YAY! Glad you're joining in again.

I know, I can't believe she might be doing the CP. That means we'll have to take lots of trips to visit her. haha

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!!!

Welcome! I agree, I'm usually one of those people who find TRs way at the end or find the ones where people have HUGE followings and it's so hard to catch up!

I see you have a PTR for Christmas...I'm going to go check it out. I love Christmas reports!

Hi Sarah! I'm here! Can't wait to see and hear all about Kidani and the rest of your trip.

Oooh, I know you are looking forward to hearing about Kidani.

Hey Sarah. Welcome back! Looking forward to hearing all about the trip.

Thanks Meeko. I'm hoping to have the first installment up today so stay tuned.

 

[wdwgirl03]

You must be Sarah's dad! HI! Great that you'll be adding your own comments ect...

haha yup, wisblue is my dad. He usually posts over on the theme park attractions and strategies board but when I have PTRs/TRs he'll sometimes post comments too. I'm sure there will be times when my memory will fail me and he can add in some more details.

Love how you guessed some of my cliffhangers...guess you'll just have to keep reading to find out!

 

[Disneylove1228]

Hi Sarah! I'm' joining in, too!! I saw your link on your sig on another board... Ooo cliff hangers!! enticing!

 

[wisblue]

haha yup, wisblue is my dad. He usually posts over on the theme park attractions and strategies board but when I have PTRs/TRs he'll sometimes post comments too. I'm sure there will be times when my memory will fail me and he can add in some more details.

Love how you guessed some of my cliffhangers...guess you'll just have to keep reading to find out!

If you look at my number of posts, you'll see I'm not one of the regulars. I tend to look at the boards just before and after our trips to see what's going and add my two cents worth.

 

[MHTeacher]

Oohh, how did I miss that you started your TR? I'm here now, Sarah, and ready to hear all about your trip!

 

[Bridora]

Hi! I'm so glad you got your luggage back! I'm here, but I haven't read anything yet, so I'm going back to do that now.

 

[MarieTheCat24]

Hi! I'm jumping aboard. I can't wait to read about your trip.

That's so cool that your sister is thinking about doing the College Program. I'd love to do it at some point in the next couple years, but we'll have to see if I can make it work.

 

[Believeinfairytales]

subbing

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hi Sarah! I'm' joining in, too!! I saw your link on your sig on another board... Ooo cliff hangers!! enticing!

So glad you found me and are going to follow along.

If you look at my number of posts, you'll see I'm not one of the regulars. I tend to look at the boards just before and after our trips to see what's going and add my two cents worth.

Well you can add stuff in here too if I forget anything (which I know I will!!!).

Oohh, how did I miss that you started your TR? I'm here now, Sarah, and ready to hear all about your trip!

Yay! Can't wait to start the report. I'm going to post the first update soon.

Hi! I'm so glad you got your luggage back! I'm here, but I haven't read anything yet, so I'm going back to do that now.

Me too. That would not have been a good ending to our trip. The good thing about it was that as soon as we went to claim it they paged us so it's not like we stood there forever and it just didn't show up.

Hi! I'm jumping aboard. I can't wait to read about your trip.

That's so cool that your sister is thinking about doing the College Program. I'd love to do it at some point in the next couple years, but we'll have to see if I can make it work.

You should do the CP! Sometimes I don't know what I was thinking NOT doing it.

subbing

Welcome aboard!

 

[wdwgirl03]

OK, it’s time to officially start this trip report! WOO HOO!

I’m going to rewind to the day before we actually left. As many of you know, I’m a teacher and last week was spring break. I was so looking forward to having some time off and last week definitely did not disappoint. When deciding on our dates for this trip we realized that April 5 was Opening Day and my sisters and I really wanted to go (remember I said we are big sports fans!). Normally Opening Day in Milwaukee means cold weather and the stadium roof being closed but if you are one of my fellow Wisconsinites you’ll know that we had some GREAT weather here. Let me just tell you that it almost felt like we were already in Florida. People were wearing shorts and t-shirts instead of jackets and mittens. Haha! It was a perfect day for baseball and a good start to my break. The only disappointment was that the Brewers lost.

And because you know I love pictures, just a couple from the game...doesn't it look so nice outside?! I am still a little burned from sitting out in the sun all afternoon.

First pitch of the game!

Sorry, I know this has nothing to do with our trip but hey, it's spring break-related! Anyway, after the game I finished up some last minute packing so we were ready to go bright and early in the morning.

Now back to Disney…

Tuesday, April 6, 2010: DEPARTURE DAY!!!

After trying to go to bed early the night before, I got a wake-up call at 4:15 in the morning. We usually like to take the earlier flights out so we can go to one of the parks after we arrive. Our flight was scheduled to leave Milwaukee at 7:40 am so we left the house around 5:00. We are lucky that the airport is only about half an hour away so we got there in plenty of time. Mom dropped us off so we said our good-byes and went to check in. It didn’t take us long at all to drop off our bags and get through security which is always a plus. Once at the gate it was time to relax. I went to Alterra to grab a bagel and some juice for breakfast and then tried to pass the time by doing some Sudoku puzzles. We also briefly discussed where we’d want to go once we got to the resort. Shortly before we were supposed to board the plane we noticed it was raining pretty hard and there was some lightning in the area but didn’t really think anything of it. Hmm, was that a mistake? Remember in one of my live updates I mentioned some airport drama…

We did still board pretty much on time but we didn’t realize how long we’d end up sitting on the plane before we actually left. The pilot made an announcement saying that they needed to refuel…the only thing was that because of the lightning, they are legally not supposed to start fueling a plane so we’d have to wait a while for the weather to pass through. First frustration. I’ve told this story several times before but ever since our little episode a couple years ago when our flight was cancelled we worry about not getting out. As I’m sure Dad could tell you, the airlines never REALLY tell you what’s going on. They just try to make announcements making it seem like you’re making progress when really you’re not. I'm sure he could add his thoughts here especially since he dealt with some problems when he, my mom, and sister went in January. I really did not want to be delayed too long…after all, that is taking away from precious park time! I was just crossing my fingers that we’d still be getting out that morning. So I think we ended up waiting 15-20 minutes before they could start fueling the plane. In the mean time, they were letting some of the standby passengers on the plane. Frustration number two because we knew we weren’t going to be leaving anytime soon if they were still boarding more people! Then the pilot comes back on and tells us that fueling an airplane isn’t like filling up your car…it takes 20 minutes or so. OK, fine. I swear this guy’s favorite line was “it isn’t a problem, we just want to keep you informed.” LOL! After the plane was finally refueled the pilot comes on AGAIN and tells us that because of the weather there was some traffic so it’d be a while longer before we could take off. Frustration number three. GRRRRRR!!! Maybe I’m just being a bit overdramatic because in the end we only ended up being delayed about an hour. But it was still annoying.

When we finally took off I was hoping to be able to take a little nap but because of some of the storms we had to fly around there was quite a bit of turbulence. I don’t know if it was a combination of nerves after being delayed and the bumpy ride but I honestly felt like I was going to be sick. I know you don’t want to hear that but I never get sick on planes. But good news…that sick feeling only lasted a few minutes and then I was fine. Once we passed through the storms the flight was (thankfully) noneventful and we finally arrived in Orlando!!!

Up next: We’re going to Disney World!

*Don't worry, there will be PLENTY of pictures once we get to the Disney part.*

 

[RachelNinja]

I loved when that guy getting off Thunder Mountain said something about the Brewers to your dad! Haha, just because of your PTR, I knew what was going on, and I felt as if I had a tad bit more sports knowledge than I actually do!

Ooo, delays on an airplane are terrible! I'd much rather wait in the terminal where there's more freedom to walk around. The airplane just gets to be too claustrophobic and constricting. I wonder what the pilots do when they're waiting in the cockpit!

Thank goodness the sick feelings passed! That wouldn't have been a good way to start off your spring break!

 

[wisblue]

I was getting pretty annoyed on the plane because of the problem we had in January on our return flight. The short version of that is that we were scheduled to depart at 9AM, but after a series of false information, no information, a report of a part coming in from another location, etc., etc, we finally boarded a plane (at a different gate) at 2 PM. Then we sat on the plane for about 2 1/2 hours (much of it in stifling heat) while they told us about refueling, flight crew not being around, etc,. etc. The flight finally took off a mere 7 1/2 hours behind schedule. (Because I sent a scathing complaint to the airline I did extract vouchers for a free round trip out of AirTran, but I'm not sure if or when we'll ever use them.)

Because that was my first experience with AirTran, I started getting antsy when I started hearing the refueling refrain again. There was some activity that we could see out the window that looked like more than refueling. Like they had a ladder up against the side of the plane like they were looking at an engine. A little bit of a stressful start but, as Sarah said, ultimately we were only an hour late.

 

[wisblue]

I loved when that guy getting off Thunder Mountain said something about the Brewers to your dad!

We saw a lot of Brewers shirts and hats on our trip, obviously because most schools in Wisconsin had their spring breaks last week. I got several comments whenever I wore Brewers, Packers, or Marquette stuff. Later on Wednesday we were at DD and someone saw my Brewers shirt and kindly told me that the Brewers had won that day.

We also saw a lot of apparel for Michigan (one of my alma maters) and the Detroit Tigers and Lions. Our favorite was a shirt that said "Detroit Lions...Rebuilding Since 1957". (That's the last year they won a championship.)

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Why load the passengers when they haven't refuelled yet? I'd rather sit in the terminal for an extra hour than on a teeny, hot, stuffy, stinky, one bathroom plane. Ugh. But hey.... you made it to Orlando!

There was some activity that we could see out the window that looked like more than refueling. Like they had a ladder up against the side of the plane like they were looking at an engine.

Oh that would do me in. I'm not exactly a nervous flyer but my mind would be racing the entire flight playing out doomsday scenerios and I'd be stressed and exhausted by the time we actually landed.

 

[Brave teacher]

That would get me completely annoyed. I am like Tracy. Let me sit in the terminal and wait for you to refuel before letting me on that confined plane.

I'm glad the weather was so fabulous for opening day. It was almost like a preview of what was to come.

 

[lovealldisney]

Normally Opening Day in Milwaukee means cold weather and the stadium roof being closed but if you are one of my fellow Wisconsinites you’ll know that we had some GREAT weather here. Let me just tell you that it almost felt like we were already in Florida. People were wearing shorts and t-shirts instead of jackets and mittens. Haha! It was a perfect day for baseball and a good start to my break.

It really was a perfect day for a ballgame! Boo that they lost! Wish I could have gone.
Where were you sitting?

 

[wdwgirl03]

I loved when that guy getting off Thunder Mountain said something about the Brewers to your dad! Haha, just because of your PTR, I knew what was going on, and I felt as if I had a tad bit more sports knowledge than I actually do!

Ooo, delays on an airplane are terrible! I'd much rather wait in the terminal where there's more freedom to walk around. The airplane just gets to be too claustrophobic and constricting. I wonder what the pilots do when they're waiting in the cockpit!

Thank goodness the sick feelings passed! That wouldn't have been a good way to start off your spring break!

haha, yeah that was pretty funny. We usually wear a lot of our teams' stuff and like hearing comments from other people.

I know, right?! So glad I ended up being OK. I don't know what was going on.

(Because I sent a scathing complaint to the airline I did extract vouchers for a free round trip out of AirTran, but I'm not sure if or when we'll ever use them.)

Emma will use them to go to FL in the summer to see Harry Potter.

We also saw a lot of apparel for Michigan (one of my alma maters) and the Detroit Tigers and Lions. Our favorite was a shirt that said "Detroit Lions...Rebuilding Since 1957". (That's the last year they won a championship.)

And don't forget the one I saw about the Lions being 2008 preseason champions.

Why load the passengers when they haven't refuelled yet? I'd rather sit in the terminal for an extra hour than on a teeny, hot, stuffy, stinky, one bathroom plane. Ugh. But hey.... you made it to Orlando!

Who knows why they bothered boarding us. Atleast we made it...it could have been a lot worse like the other time I started talking about (our flight was cancelled, were lucky enough to get put on another one, but didn't get to FL until 12 hours later than originally scheduled meaning we got to our hotel at midnight. So much for doing anything on arrival day!)

That would get me completely annoyed. I am like Tracy. Let me sit in the terminal and wait for you to refuel before letting me on that confined plane.

I'm glad the weather was so fabulous for opening day. It was almost like a preview of what was to come.

I agree. Though they tried to make it better by handing out water. LOL!

It really was amazing weather. A sure sign that spring is almost here!

It really was a perfect day for a ballgame! Boo that they lost! Wish I could have gone.
Where were you sitting?

Opening Day is always exciting. Though there should be some rule that you can't lose your home opener. hehe

We were sitting on the left field side. Those aren't our usual seats though. We got the tickets for free since we have one of those 9-game plans and they just kind of give you what they have available I guess.