The Last Hurrah! (An April 2013 PTR)

[Alice Royal]

Well, hello, there!

My name is Sam, I’m seventeen years old, and I live in New Hampshire. This is my first PTR, but definitely not my first Disney trip! I think this is my fourth, but I don’t really remember the others as I was quite young. I’m extremely excited to be returning to what has become my absolute favourite place on Earth, especially because I will be permanently moving to the Orlando area for college in August!

It’s been my dream for quite a long time to work for Walt Disney World. I’m planning to major in technical theater with an emphasis on lighting design so I can help to design and operate the show lighting in the parks!

Anyway, this is my family’s last trip together before I flee the nest.

THE CAST:

DMom is a Disney fanatic, school secretary, and travel agent. She’s the reason I was introduced to the magic that is WDW.

DDad is a car salesman. Unfortunately, the Disney genes don’t run in his family, but he happily tags along on our trips.

DB is twelve years old. He is obsessed with Skylanders, Pokémon, and any other video game that exists. Fortunately, he also loves Disney.

Finally, there’s me. (I'm a natural blonde, but I decided I needed a change this year...)

I’m a senior in high school, a theater geek, and a nerd in general. We are technically celebrating my graduation early on this trip. I am obsessed with the musical Cats, the video game Portal...and then there’s Disney. For some strange reason, I became so attached to the parks that I had this crazy idea to move to Florida and WORK for the Mouse someday...and now it’s finally starting to happen! I love everything about Disney, especially the atmosphere in the parks. All of the Cast Members are happy and proud to work there, and they radiate joy to every single Guest that visits. In a world where so many end up with a job that they dislike, I’ve decided to break the mold and work towards a career in the Happiest Place on Earth!

We will be staying in one of the Cars suites at the Art of Animation Resort from April 20th to the 26th. This is also our first time using the Dining Plan (just the regular one), so I’m excited to be trying new foods and restaurants!

I’m hoping that I can post fairly regularly until we leave in mid-April...unfortunately, even after college acceptances comes scholarship applications and challenging coursework, so we’ll see how this works. Hope you'll all have fun tagging along!

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[Alice Royal]

Table of Contents

Introduction and Cast

Chapter One: The Resort

Part Two

Chapter Two: FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!​

 

[Alice Royal]

Reserved

 

[HappyGal]

Yay! Looking forward to hearing all about your trip!

 

[happybelle]

I would like to hear more as well.

 

[cherylsmike]

I'm in! April is just around the corner.

 

[Tammyepolytinkfan]

Great start Sam! Can't wait to read more.
Only 63 more days to go
Love Mom

 

[Alice Royal]

Chapter One: The Resort

Part I: In-Room Stuff!

As previously stated in my introduction, we're staying in the Cars section of the Art of Animation Resort! We chose this resort because it is a value resort, it's brand-spanking-new, and it's got some of the best theming I've ever seen on Disney property. Here's a view of what I'm looking forward to in our room…

This bed, which will be mine for the seven nights we are in the room. It's a table. It's a bed…it's a TABLEBED! (Seriously, whoever thought of this is a genius.)

Not only is this bathroom adorable, but it is one of TWO…some people may not be the kind to spend the extra money for separate beds and baths…but when you've got a twelve-year old brother who is not the kind to share a bed and people who like to shower at the same times, this is a beautiful thing!

I'm loving the 'pit stop' theming!

Come on, guys…CONE LAMPS! I've heard that these might be sold at the resort, but for exorbitant prices that I'm NOT willing to pay…but a girl can dream, right?

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[Alice Royal]

Chapter One: The Resort

Part II: Around the Resort

I'm PUMPED that Disney hasn't put any fences around these character figures (fingers crossed that that doesn't change!). When I was much younger I was able to sit in Woody's hand at ASMo&and then some silly people said it was 'too dangerous' for people to touch those giant figures and now there are fences around them. Darn!

I was so excited to find out that these 'cozy cones' were free to use (first come, first served). Although we will probably check out the other pools, having a little swimming hole on our side will be nice!

Oh, this theming&I love it!

Our package includes the DDP and 1,000 points for the arcade&I'm such an arcade nerd, so I'm excited to be able to play in a Disney arcade this trip.

Also&the FOOD. Which is next, because I love food (and Disney food porn)&

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[KyWildcatGirl01]

I'm here! Can't wait to see your dining plans for the week! This is our first trip without the dining plan.

 

[Alysa]

"Getting cozy at the cone!"
I love the AofA Cars section - I've never seen it before. Adorable!

 

[danceintherain]

AoA looks so cute! I just wish the suites weren't so expensive!

 

[Alice Royal]

Chapter Two: FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!​

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Part I: ADRs

As I've said before, we are using the standard Dining Plan for this trip, and it's our first time with it. I'm liking the idea of saving money by getting more expensive things with the credits, but I'm also worried about having too much food and not using all of the credits. We'll see how it goes, I guess.

Our ADRs for this trip include…

Coral Reef Restaurant: I don't know what to expect food-wise. I've heard mixed reviews and I have a feeling that I won't be able to eat the Chocolate Wave because it has alcohol in it (I know it could be cooked out, but I'm not seeing anything that says it is). Hoping to snag a window seat, though, because The Seas is one of my favourite spots in Epcot. On our last trip I sat next to one of the big tanks for a good half hour, just observing.

Ohana: I. Love. The. Poly. We stayed CL back in 2009 (when small-time travel agents qualified to take discounted trips) and I fell in love. The atmosphere, the Lilikoi juice (which was unlimited in the concierge lounge), the leis…I'm excited to go back, even if just for a little while. The food looks AMAZING. We won't be eating the dessert, though-DMom and I are slightly allergic to banana, so it's alternatives for us. Disney alternatives are still amazing, though!

Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano:I'm not so sure this place is going to be as good as some of the others, but it was the only place we could do for our Fantasmic package, and I don't make those decisions (DMom does). Hopefully going to be pleasantly surprised, especially if they have cannoli…which is the only Italian food I like. ROFL

Les Chefs de France: FRENCH THINGS! Je les aime. (I love them.) I speak French, I am French, I love the French. I also happen to love Remy the rat, who apparently makes appearances at this restaurant (and thus our ADR is timed so that we will definitely see him). Looking forward to escargot and crème brûlée…and ordering in French, if I can. Je ne peux attendre!

Planet Hollywood: This is one ADR that I am not involved with. DDad and DB will be eating here with our little gift certificate that's included in our package while DMom and I go to…

Garden View Tea Room:I'm excited for this one. One of my best friends owned a tea room a few years ago, and…yum, that's all I can say. I hate coffee, but I'm addicted to tea. Little sandwiches and such sound promising!

Chef Mickey's: We've done this one before, but not at dinner. Character experiences aren't exactly my cup of tea, but I've heard the food is pretty good. Also, Mary Blair's mural. I love that thing.

1900 Park Fare: Again, another character experience. Breakfast at Disney is usually pretty good, though, so I'm looking forward to this one. Bittersweet, because it's on our last day.

Next time, we'll look at food plans outside of the realm of our ADRs!

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