Sunburns, cold water, and magical memories.....my April 2011 TR~UPDATED 7/8/11!! (:

[mickey'sbff]

I'm in, Hannah!

 

[grandfloluver]

Thanks! Sarah!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Awesome update, Hannah! I love the pictures of Space Mountain. I have three specific favorites and that has to be one of them and I think that's my favorite ride to load on, since the build-up just gets me so jumpy more than my other favorites. I also love your pictures of the Grand Floridian, I must go there now. They seem to have everything there, a gazillion restaurants, a nice pool and a barber shop! You can't get better than that. Can't wait to hear more! Update soon!

 

[grandfloluver]

Awesome update, Hannah! I love the pictures of Space Mountain. I have three specific favorites and that has to be one of them and I think that's my favorite ride to load on, since the build-up just gets me so jumpy more than my other favorites. I also love your pictures of the Grand Floridian, I must go there now. They seem to have everything there, a gazillion restaurants, a nice pool and a barber shop! You can't get better than that. Can't wait to hear more! Update soon!

Thanks, Timmy! Yeah, you should definitely check out the Grand Floridian. I stayed once and I was hooked. It has so much, I can't even hardly describe it. I love,love, love it there!

 

[Mickeysgirl34]

Awesome update! Love the pictures of Space Mountain & Splash Mountain. Can you tell me how Space Mountain is? Because I've never been on it.

Hope to see more from you! (;

 

[emmababy]

Great report! How were the crowds?
_

 

[grandfloluver]

Awesome update! Love the pictures of Space Mountain & Splash Mountain. Can you tell me how Space Mountain is? Because I've never been on it.

Hope to see more from you! (;

Space Mountain is bumpy. Big Thunder Mountain actually goes faster than Space, but since its in the dark you can't tell that much. There are a bunch of sharp turns and ti y drops. Nothing major. If you can do the other two mountains, then I think you will be ok on this.

Great report! How were the crowds?
_

The crowds weren't too much of a problem except for Easter Sunday. They were absolutely horrible then. There were times when they were kinda rough, and it was a good thing that my family and I knew where we were going.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I'm in! I LOVE the GF! You are so lucky for getting to stay there! Can't wait for more!

 

[grandfloluver]

I'm in! I LOVE the GF! You are so lucky for getting to stay there! Can't wait for more!

Thanks! I stayed at the Contemporary once, but it just wasn't the same as the GF! It's my home resort.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Thanks! I stayed at the Contemporary once, but it just wasn't the same as the GF! It's my home resort.

I WISH the GF was my home resort!

 

[grandfloluver]

Day 3: The Cold Water takes its toll

Well, as usual, we got up bright and early at 6:30, expecting the Animal Kingdom to open at 9:00, like it usually does. (If you were wondering, my nose was so sunburned, well basically my entire face.) My dad turned on the television in our room, and our daily announcement channel had the hours for the Animal Kingdom for opening at 8:00 instead of 9:00. This wasn't exactly what I'd hoped for, but there wasn't anything I could do about it. I knew we couldn't get ready and eat in that short time. Anyway, my dad went to take his shower, and realized we had no hot water in our room. Like, seriously, all the water was freezing cold. It wasn't the best feeling in the world.

The concierge opened at 7:00, so my dad went down to tell them about our hot water problem. When he got down there, he found out that the entire building had no hot water, so it wasn't just us.

After getting ready in the cold water and eating, we headed down to the bus stop to catch the bus going to the AK. Honestly, we didn't have to wait that long. The bus ride was a little long, but we were the only ones on the bus! That has only happened to us a few times. So, we treasured that...haha

We decided that once we were inside the park, my dad and Jordan would get fastpasses for Expedition Everest while my mom and I walked down there to meet them. This has been the first time I had visited the Animal Kingdom in four years, so I don't exactly know this park as well as the others. My mom and I almost made a wrong turn when we were headed to Asia to ride Expedition Everest. That wouldn't be good. But, don't worry, we made it there fine!

My dad and Jordan got fastpasses for all of us, but the line was only 5 or 10 minutes, so we went ahead and rode it. Like I said, I hadn't been here in a while, and I had only rode this ride once.(when it first opened) I was really excited to ride this! I ended up sitting by my mom and Jordan sat by my dad. We were pretty close to the front of the train, so the backwards part would probably be rougher on us. I always feel like I'm going upside down on that part. We got off, and I really enjoyed it, and I actually screamed on it! I rarely scream on rollercoasters! But, don't worry, my picture turned out horrible. I looked miserable, as I normally do in those pictures.

My dad, Jordan, and I then wanted to ride Dinosaur. So, we walked over to Dinoland USA. My mom didn't want to ride, so she just waited outside for us on a bench. Jordan had never rode this before, but he had rode the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland, and loved it. I told him this one was a little different, and not as good, IMO. Dinosaur was a walk-on, too! So far, we had good luck with ride lines and wait times. We got into our time vehicles, and I ended up on the end. I would've rather been in the middle, but Jordan got to sit there.

Let me just say, this ride still scares me to death! Not nearly as bad as when I was 7, but it does. I handled it much better this time......i nearly cried last time. Well, it was time for our fastpasses to come back in use for our second ride on Expedition Everest. My mom didn't want to do it again, and my dad really didn't, either. So, it was just me and Jordan this time. We got right on the ride again, and it was just as good the second time as it was the first. We even had the same row as the first time, too!

I think this was just about it for the Animal Kingdom and my family, and we wanted to go to Downtown Disney. As you can tell, the Animal Kingdom isn't exactly our favorite park. I think you either love this park or you hate it. Since there is no direct bus to Downtown Disney from the parks, we had to catch a cab. It would make it alot easier if there were a bus, though. I think we waited for what seemed like forever in the parking lot waiting for a cab. We finally got one a while later, and were off to Downtown Disney!

*****(sorry it was so short!) Coming Up: part 2 of my day!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

I'm sorry you didn't have hot water in your resort that morning, not fun! Well, you did still get through it and powered through to Animal Kingdom. I love Expedition Everest and yeah, it is totally scream-worthy . I don't understand how people feel like they are going upside-down in the backwards part. I know there is a part where you drop and it curves to the side, where it must be where you felt that since it is a similar sensation. *shrugs* I can't believe you went on DINOSAUR at 7! My sister was that age and she couldn't go on it, she would've been traumatized for life. At least you didn't have as bad experience this time, DINOSAUR is a great ride. Can't wait to hear about your adventures in Downtown Disney! Update soon!

 

[grandfloluver]

I'm sorry you didn't have hot water in your resort that morning, not fun! Well, you did still get through it and powered through to Animal Kingdom. I love Expedition Everest and yeah, it is totally scream-worthy . I don't understand how people feel like they are going upside-down in the backwards part. I know there is a part where you drop and it curves to the side, where it must be where you felt that since it is a similar sensation. *shrugs* I can't believe you went on DINOSAUR at 7! My sister was that age and she couldn't go on it, she would've been traumatized for life. At least you didn't have as bad experience this time, DINOSAUR is a great ride. Can't wait to hear about your adventures in Downtown Disney! Update soon!

Well, the hot water was a bit gruesome, but we got through it. I've never went upside down in a ride, so the feeling of it in EE comes from that. The Dinosaur thing at 7, probably wasn't such a good idea. We got stopped during the ride, and I think I had a meltdown because I was so scared. It made me not want to go on it again, but i did it anyway.

 

[Monorail Fan:)]

Great update

I'm sorry about the cold water. I'm not sure how I could survive that. Dinosaur scares me to death too.

My mom is sure we went upside-down backward on EE, but I didn't see it. I don't think I'll ever get her on that ride again. Lol

 

[MickeyisBeast]

cold water? eeek!
i love expedition everest! it's one of my favorites
loads of people are freaked out on dinosaur, i don't think it's that scary though but my brothers do haha

 

[grandfloluver]

Great update

I'm sorry about the cold water. I'm not sure how I could survive that. Dinosaur scares me to death too.

My mom is sure we went upside-down backward on EE, but I didn't see it. I don't think I'll ever get her on that ride again. Lol

Thanks, Drew! My mom is terrified of EE because of that, too. But, she'll ride it every once in a while. The cold water was a very important part of our trip actually.........(cliff hanger)lol

 

[grandfloluver]

cold water? eeek!
i love expedition everest! it's one of my favorites
loads of people are freaked out on dinosaur, i don't think it's that scary though but my brothers do haha

Haha.....yeah. The cold water thing made me want to be in the main building so much more than I did before. It def would wake you up in the morning!

EE is probably my favorite at AK. I rode it last when it had that original huge yeti, and that was pretty cool. We basically just went to AK just to ride that.

 

[grandfloluver]

Day 2: Part 2

Alright, like I said earlier, we had to catch a cab to Downtown Disney. So, my family and I had to walk to the parking lot and wait for one there. There was one already there, so I was relieved about that. But, it never came to pick us up. My dad went over to talk to the driver and ask if he could take us to Downtown Disney. When he came back, the driver had told him that he could not take us there, and would get another taxi for us. There was no place for us to sit down while we waited, so I went over and sat in one of the wheelchairs where they had them stored in the parking lot like grocery carts. I had been sitting for around 3 minutes, when this family came over and needed a wheelchair. Here I was playing around, and this family needed a wheelchair. I was thinking, "Way to go, Hannah." I felt so bad about it..... So, after they left and got their wheelchair, I hopped over the railing, because I was kinda stuck in-between two wheelchairs. Still, no taxi had come for us. I was getting pretty doubtful about one. I was honestly thinking about catching a bus to a resort, and just getting on another one going to Downtown Disney.

You know how I mentioned that taxi cab that was already sitting in the parking lot when we walked over there? Well, the driver must of felt a little sympathetic for us, and eventually drove over to give us a ride. On the way there, we had to stop at the Swan and Dolphin, because a woman rode with us, and needed to go there. I have to say, I wasn't very impressed with it. Yet, I did only see the outside of the resort, it just doesn't have the "Disney theme" that other resorts have. When we finally got to Downtown Disney, I was kinda hungry.

It was a little after 11:00, and Jordan wanted to go into Team Mickey because he is a huge sports fan. He looked around, but didn't find anything. Either he had most of the stuff from the teams he liked, or he just didn't like any of it. Sometimes I find some cute cheerleading stuff inside there, but didn't this time, either. Since no one had any luck in there, we went over to Wolfgang Puck Express and got some lunch.

I think we all got pizza and cookies. Pizza is one of my favorite foods. They gave us some of those kiddie cups with makes and hidden pictures on them, and bendy straws, so that entertained me for a little while before our food arrived. I was one of the first ones done, which is rare for me, since I'm a pretty slow eater.

The big business of our trip to DTD was going to the World of Disney. It always takes us forever in there. We always take things so slowly, because it is really easy to get lost. We didn't spend too long in there, maybe 45 minutes. I ended up getting a Disney songbook since I play the piano, a few pair of earrings, and a couple of t-shirts. I could've gone wild in there, but I had to save stuff for me to get when I go back in October! The rest of my family got stuff there, too. Since we always get so much there, my parents usually get it shipped back home.

Jordan wanted to go inside Design-A-Tee to make him a t-shirt, so my mom took him and my dad took me to Once Upon A Toy. I was hoping they had a Main Street Electrical Parade CD, but I didn't find any. Instead, I found a Marry Poppins Broadway Cd. I went to see that show a few years ago, and loved it!! After buying that, we met Jordan and my mom coming out of Design-A-Tee. Perfect timing, if I do say so myself. Normally, this is just about it for us and Downtown Disney, so my family and I walked towards our bus stop to the Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge. The bus was nice and air-conditioned, which felt pretty nice.

We got back to the Grand Flo, and took our usual swim break of the day. But before we went outside into the pool, my dad checked to see if we had any hot water in the room. And we did! I think all of us were pretty relieved that we didn't have to suffer through the cold water again. I ate my cookie and swam in the pool. This is one of my favorite parts of everyday, because it gives you time to get relaxed and refreshed for our nighttime activities. I think I ended up getting out a little early because I could feel my face burning, and my skin was breaking out due to sun exposure. It wasn't a good feeling at all. Once we got back into the room, I continuously put on aloe spray to help cool me off a little bit.

We had dinner reservations at Tony's Town Square, so we took the monorail back to the Magic Kingdom. I think this was the first time we had eaten there in a few trips. We were a little early(yet again), and to kill time, my mom wanted to go into the Jewelry Store. While we looked in there, my dad went to Fronteirland to get some FPs for Big Thunder Mountain. Guess what came through while we were in the jewelry store? The "Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Parade." I think this was the third time I had seen it this trip. I got cute pictures of it though!(actually my dad took these!)

Once we got seated in Tony's, they were playing Lady and The Tramp. I love how they play this movie continuously like this. I think it sets a good setting. We got to our seats, and there was Mickey confetti and streamers on our table. I found out they asked my dad if we were celebrating something and he told them that Jordan's birthday was next week. I was thinking, "Not fair." I was hoping he wouldn't get a cupcake or any special treatment like that. Nothing like sisterly love, right? We got our food and I got pizza again. I can never get enough of it. Jordan never got his cupcake or got Happy Birthday sung to him, so I was ok.

We hadn't seen one of my favorite shows yet:Monster's Inc-Laugh Floor. Everyone in my family likes this show, and we all were eager to see it. We walked down Main Street towards Tomorrowland. A habit of ours is to cut through the Noodle Station to get into Tomorrowland quicker. I bet some of you are like, "What is the Noodle Station?" Well, for as long as I can remember, it has been closed, but still has that little ramp that ends in Tomorrowland right before you get to the line for Laugh Floor. But, it was actually open! Yeah, I was pretty shocked.

Once we got inside the waiting area before you watch that video right before you actually go into the theater, my dad, Jordan, and I all tried to pick out who we thought would end up being "that guy." If you've seen the show, you know what I'm talking about. We ended up narrowing it down to this really fat guy, or this pretty old guy who tried to hide his face with his ballcap. The show started, and I was eagerly awaiting who "that guy" would be. It was neither of the guys we had picked out. Honestly, it would've been pretty epic if it was. By the way, the old guy with the ballcap pulled down over his face-I passed him on the way out and he had taken his shoes off in the theater. I thought that was a little rude.

It was time for our fastpasses to go into use for BTM, so we trekked over there to get on the "wildest ride in the wilderness!" We walked right on and got in the very back! This is my favorite place to ride it, since it is the fastest moving carts. Jordan and I always plug our ears through the very first part, because it is so loud. There was this mother and her son and what I assume to be his dad in the cart in front of them. He turned around and took pictures of them the entire ride! Even in the very beginning in pitch-black darkness.......with me and my ears plugged. At the end of the ride, I noticed there were other people in our train turning around and taking pictures, too! I would be so afraid I would loose my camera, especially being turned around like all of those people were. It was kinda funny in a way.

My mom was getting tired, so we headed back towards the entrance to catch the boat. Unfortunately, there were no people wanting to go to the Yacht Club this time. Bummer......lol My dad took this picture of the Contemporary and A sunset reflecting on the water, and he is pretty proud of it, so I might as well show it off.(it's nothing that special)

Once back into the room, we changed into our pjs and got some snacks down in concierge. I got yet another chocolate chip cookie. They are soo addicting...... We were all pretty tired, and needed the rest, because we were headed to Epcot in the morning, which involved a ton of walking.

****Coming Up: Will the hot water last?!?!?!?!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

I'm sorry you had to wait so long for your taxi. I've never used taxis there so I probably would've just taken a bus to the nearest resort and then take a bus to Downtown Disney. Now with your experience, I'm definitely not trying a taxi, like I was thinking. Yeah, Swan and Dolphin doesn't interest me at all, either. :/ MK looked like a lot of fun since you seemed to have gotten a decent amount done. I love the Laugh Floor such a great show. I really want to be Mike with one eye. LOL to BTMRR, love that ride Can't wait to hear about your long day in EPCOT! Update soon!

 

[grandfloluver]

I'm sorry you had to wait so long for your taxi. I've never used taxis there so I probably would've just taken a bus to the nearest resort and then take a bus to Downtown Disney. Now with your experience, I'm definitely not trying a taxi, like I was thinking. Yeah, Swan and Dolphin doesn't interest me at all, either. :/ MK looked like a lot of fun since you seemed to have gotten a decent amount done. I love the Laugh Floor such a great show. I really want to be Mike with one eye. LOL to BTMRR, love that ride Can't wait to hear about your long day in EPCOT! Update soon!

Yeah, the taxi catching wasn't my first choice, either. After waiting forever it wasn't exactly worth it, since we also had to make that pit stop at the Swan and Dolphin. It wouldn't have taken that much longer to get to DTD with the two buses from AK to a hotel and then DTD. I absolutely love the Laugh Floor and Rozz. ( not sure how to spell her name) I laught at the jokes every time, even though I have heard them before. It does change some, though. I should be updating pretty soon!