They Don't Make Pencils in Pennsylvania? A Feb/Mar 2013 Trip Report

[pld5]

Hello! And welcome to my second trip report. My pre trip report was titled A Pirate, A Jedi and a Platypus walk into a Lounge and can currently be found in my signature.

We traveled to WDW from 2/24/13 to 3/2/13 and stayed at the Wilderness Lodge.

Our party consisted of:

Our son Edward - who turned seven during our trip.

My husband Paul - who is a relatively recent Disney convert - 2005 was his first trip.

And me, Patty. I am 44 now and I have been going to Disney World in Florida since I was about 4? I love it there and it has such a special memory in my family history for me.

This was my first trip without one of my parents and it was bittersweet for reasons to be disclosed later. But my parents traveled with us on our last trip in January 2012 and were invited (and wanted to be) along on this trip, but somewhere along the way they decided they could not walk as well as in previous trips and were afraid of holding us up. I do not subscribe to the commando method of touring so I'm sorry that they felt that they made us move at less than a pace than we wanted to because our January trip was darn near perfect! But they had some concerns and I knew I had planned this trip for my son Edward and not for everyone else, so I did not force the issue.

So, on to our first day of traveling, shall we?

We flew out of Pittsburgh at 730am on 2/24. The weather was not freezing and there were no storms so I did not have to worry about a delay on that day.

In the airport

We got breakfast at TGIFriday's before going to our gate.

At the gate

On the plane

Best $30 spent was on early bird check in. We had a full flight from Pgh.

Above the clouds

Landed early at 9:30 and on Magical Express by 10am.

Welcome Home!

 

[pld5]

After arriving at Wilderness Lodge, we were taken upstairs to check in on the 7th Floor. Our concierge had a birthday button for Edward and asked if he wanted him to write his nickname on it. Edward thought about it and said that he could call him Ed. So he handed him his button and our son told him that actually he prefers Edward. Fran was very accommodating.

As luck would have it, our room was ready, but the lounge was closed for cleaning between breakfast and snack hours. But Fran, the concierge who showed us to our room offered to get us anything we might want. We asked if we might have a beer for the 2 adults and an apple juice for Edward. As he left, I looked at the clock and realized that I just ordered a beer at 11am. I probably should have ordered some coffee but I'll blame the desire for a beer on the air and bus travel at such an early hour of that day.

While Fran was gone, our phone lit up and it turns out that Edward had a Happy Birthday message from Mickey and Minnie. It was very sweet.

Here is the view from our room. We could see Cinderella's Castle and the monorail going into the Contemporary. This came in handy at night the following night.

Edward liked the Mickey left on the bed.

We drank our beer and then once the lounge opened up, we went and got a snack - a banana, some potato chips and some coffee.

Then since it was still before 1pm, we decided to do a little swimming. Paul and I would rather have napped, but we did pack ours and Edward's swimsuits in our carryon luggage for exactly this reason so we thought we would regret it if we didn't. I'm so glad we did! It was very refreshing and Edward immediately remembered how much he enjoyed the slide.

We spent about an hour at the pool and then we got Edward a chicken nugget meal from Roaring Forks to eat in the room.

Then went to get changed back into our clothes to go wait for a bus to Epcot.

We got there around 2:45. I sent Paul for Soarin' fastpasses and I picked up the photopass + card and we agreed to meet at Innoventions. Our fast pass return time was between 730 and 830. Originally we had planned to see Wishes at Magic Kingdom that night with preferred AAA viewing, but decided to forego that so we could enjoy one of Edward's favorite rides on our first day: Soarin'.

We spent some time in Innoventions and learned about fire safety.

Then we went to Club Cool.

Then we went and got our first photopass pictures of the week taken.

Then we saw Duffy was just opening a line so we went to meet him.

After that, we rode Nemo and made it just in time for our 4pm Coral Reef reservation. When I originally made our ADR for Coral Reef, I thought it would be nice to sit down and have someone wait on us after a long travel day. It was very relaxing in there near the tanks. We were in the 2nd row back and didn't have a spot on view, but I thought it was very pleasant. My steak was a bit tough and my husband's catfish (or was it rainbow trout?) was served in triangles but he liked it. I would probably eat here again just for the relaxation factor and maybe order and appetizer instead of using a dining credit.

 

[pld5]

After Coral Reef, we decided to walk over to Mexico and ride "that Donald ride". Then we met someone afterwards.

Mexican Donald

Then we convinced Edward to go on the Maelstrom ride in Norway, which broke down halfway through. Its probably a good thing it did because Edward was starting to look scared, but the way it broke down allowed him to calm down and enjoy it when it got started again.

Then we moved on to Germany.

I was in line with some folks who had done the marathon that day and they were very much looking forward to their treat. I said I had been dreaming about this counter for over a year. When I only bought two items, they all admired my restraint. The person who waited on us only charged us one snack credit because of Edward's birthday button. Which was very nice of him considering Edward wanted no parts of my two chocolate covered caramels. While still in Germany, Paul got a beer and a pretzel and was in long longer than us, which surprised me.

Edward wanted some popcorn which we found in America and then Paul found him some icecream in France where I just so happened to find a grand marnier slushie......

On the bridge from France to England in Epcot.

From there we made our way over to use our Soarin' fastpasses at around 8pm.

After Soarin' (which was awesome as always), we went to catch a bus back to Wilderness Lodge where one of us fell promptly asleep.

It didn't take the other two of us that much longer to do the same because we knew we had an early morning on Monday due to an early ADR at DHS and the hopes of signing up for Jedi Training.

 

[pld5]

We had one goal on this day. Get Edward signed up for Jedi training.

Here we are at 7:15 waiting for a taxi to Hollywood Studios.

We had an ADR at 805 at Hollywood and Vine and the park was slated to open at 9am. I opted for a taxi to not be worried about missing our ADR by a late bus or one that stopped at too many other resorts before going to our preferred destination.

Here we are outside of the gate. Do all of these people have reservations to eat at H&V?

Turns out the answer was yes. I remembered eating there last year for lunch and remembered the place as much smaller than it was because we fit in there with no problem. Whew!

But not before a picture of a mainly empty park.

We ate, met the characters, Paul got two made to order omelettes, Edward got plenty of cantaloupe, and I kept an eye on the clock. We had a great waiter by the name of Sip who brought us the check early, and when he overheard us tell Edward what a great birthday week we were already having, brought him a birthday cupcake. Edward was embarrased by all the attention on arrival day so he did not want to wear his button on our second day there (which was not, in fact his birthday yet).

Some pictures of breakfast with the last one of Sip who first told us he doesn't do pictures because he's not a character. Then he burst out laughing and I told him he was Definitely a character!

We left at 8:45 to make it over to the Sounds Dangerous sound stage to get in line to sign up for Jedi Training. Would we make it?

 

[tazdev3225]

That was a very nice view from your room. Coral Reef is my DGS's favorite restaurant so we eat there whenever he comes with us. Too bad you had a tough steak we have always had really great ones there.

I have never had anything from Karamell Kuche I may need to change that next week. Soarin' I'm not a fan of because of motion issues but it's nice that you got on for you son.

Looking forward to more even though your husband needs to change his choice of sports team apparel. Sorry cross state rivalry we only wear Philly teams here. DGS did like the Steelers for a couple of years when you had an ex Eagle on the team.

 

[missangelalexis]

So glad to see you have started your TR!! Loved the updates so far and can't wait for more

 

[serene56]

reading-- i cant wait to hear about the JTA.

 

[nyrebecca]

subbing....LOVE all the pictures~

 

[Figment1990]

I'm lovin your trip report! I feel like it's our trip report.... We have that star wars Tshirt, and the stuffed Perry he was holding, and it's awesome to see your DH representing the 'Burgh in his Penguins shirt! We love H&V and call it "the Donald Boat Ride" too. And DS wouldn't wear his button either on his birthday last year.

Can't wait for more updates!

 

[pld5]

Welcome to any folllowers of this report! We had a surprise soccer practice sprung on us this evening, so not sure if I can update more of the TR tonight or tomorrow. Depends on how much energy I have versus what I feel I have. That and the cooperation (or not) of photobucket.

That was a very nice view from your room. Coral Reef is my DGS's favorite restaurant so we eat there whenever he comes with us. Too bad you had a tough steak we have always had really great ones there.

I have never had anything from Karamell Kuche I may need to change that next week. Soarin' I'm not a fan of because of motion issues but it's nice that you got on for you son.

Looking forward to more even though your husband needs to change his choice of sports team apparel. Sorry cross state rivalry we only wear Philly teams here. DGS did like the Steelers for a couple of years when you had an ex Eagle on the team.

Welcome! We really enjoyed Coral Reef despite the toughness of my steak. I was especially glad it got us out of our resort on arrival day and to one of our favorite parks - Epcot!

You definitely must try something, anything from Karamell Kuche! And if you wanted to ship me something from there, well, I certainly would not object....

My son has motion isssues but we have him wear sea bands and it helps him enjoy the rides (and the airplane) a lot. When he first rode Soarin' last January, I spent the entire ride looking at him preparing for him to be sick. But thankfully he was not.

Sorry, but Paul wore his Steeler hat all week. He only wore the Penguins shirt the one day though.

So glad to see you have started your TR!! Loved the updates so far and can't wait for more

Welcome! So glad you are here to read! How was your January trip?

reading-- i cant wait to hear about the JTA.

Welcome! It will come soon!

subbing....LOVE all the pictures~

Welcome! Thank you! I seem to take a lot. I have a kodak digital camera, my iphone, and I did photopass plus so that the three of us could be in some of our photos. I definitely use all of them to tell our report, as well as jog my memory about what we did!

 

[pld5]

I'm lovin your trip report! I feel like it's our trip report.... We have that star wars Tshirt, and the stuffed Perry he was holding, and it's awesome to see your DH representing the 'Burgh in his Penguins shirt! We love H&V and call it "the Donald Boat Ride" too. And DS wouldn't wear his button either on his birthday last year.

Can't wait for more updates!

Welcome! How funny that you have the same shirt and the same stuffed Perry!

You may notice in some of my pictures this week that I try to color coordinate the family (but not match us all exactly). DH had planned to wear a red shirt on that day but I pointed out he needed to save the red shirt until later in the week and asked if he had anything blue to go with Edward's Star Wars shirt. So Penguins shirt it was!

Will try to update more tonight but with tomorrow a work day, can't promise it. If not tonight, this weekend definitely.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

This is good so far!! I hope your son had a nice birthday

 

[pld5]

This is good so far!! I hope your son had a nice birthday

Welcome and Thank you! Edward had a great birthday! And we had a great time celebrating it a WDW with him.

 

[wiigirl]

Great TR! Love all the pics!

 

[pld5]

Great TR! Love all the pics!

Welcome! and Thank you!

 

[missangelalexis]

Welcome! So glad you are here to read! How was your January trip?

It was wonderful, thank you for asking! Already trying to plan a next trip, this time with my parents instead. Hopefully we can work it out!

 

[tazdev3225]

I totally understand the birthday button thing with your son. My grandson turned 14 in Disney last year and Coral Reef was his choice for his birthday dinner. He REFUSED to wear the button and when the waiter mentioned the celebration was on the ADR my grandson left. Of course my granddaughter and I were also celebrating so we shared the surprise dessert.

I wouldn't mind the Steelers if it weren't for one or 2 players but a lot of people dislike the Eagles because of a player too. Just some friendly cross state kidding.

 

[pld5]

It was wonderful, thank you for asking! Already trying to plan a next trip, this time with my parents instead. Hopefully we can work it out!

When are you thinking for a next trip? I'm thinking of one too but not sure I can make it work financially this year. If I had unlimited funds, I would go back this year in October and in December, but that is not the case.

I totally understand the birthday button thing with your son. My grandson turned 14 in Disney last year and Coral Reef was his choice for his birthday dinner. He REFUSED to wear the button and when the waiter mentioned the celebration was on the ADR my grandson left. Of course my granddaughter and I were also celebrating so we shared the surprise dessert.

I wouldn't mind the Steelers if it weren't for one or 2 players but a lot of people dislike the Eagles because of a player too. Just some friendly cross state kidding.

I was very surprised by my son not wanting to wear his button because he told EVERYONE we came across and talked to that it was his birthday that week and that is why we were in Disney World. I guess he just wanted to be in control who wished him happy birthday.

No worries on the cross state rivalry. DH does wear his Steeler hat all week though. I have to tell you though that when our quarterback made the news for that nastiness in Georgia (of which me and most of my friends still believe he is slime because of), I found out about it while in line for the Jungle Cruise back in March of 2010. Not the best Disney memory but I'm stuck with it.

 

[pld5]

We made it to the Sounds Dangerous area and encountered this.

And this.

While Edward and I were in line, Paul went to get Toy Story Mania fastpasses. He came back and saw we were still very much in line and asked if it was okay for him to ride Star Tours since it was a walk on. Who was I to say no. That's about the time I realized we had forgotten Edward's sea bands and would probably not be risking him riding Star Tours on this day.

The line took about 45 minutes but we got a slot at 1:20!

Now that we were happily signed up and there looked to be no signs of storms coming in to cancel our spot, we went on our merry way to ride the Great Movie ride.

Edward didn't like this because he didn't know what to expect and he kept turning around expecting something to come "get us". Then when the alien was coming down from the ceiling, he cried. I felt really bad but kept trying to reassure him that it was make believe and that Walt Disney would never do anything to hurt him and he calmed down relatively quickly. He did enjoy the last spot on this ride when he could recognize some of the scenes of the movies being played.

From there we made our way to the Animation Academy where we got to draw Goofy. That 3DS is a life saver when you have to wait for something.

I forgot to take pictures of what we drew, but here we are drawing him.

Then we went to do the Legend of Jack Sparrow which I know is getting bad reviews, but Edward LOVED it. He really got into it.

Then we rode Toy Story Mania in our fast pass window which put us right about 1130am. This was Edward's first time riding it and he loved it.

After we rode this, we finally gave into the heat of the day and went to get a snack at the Writers Stop to wait out our return time for Edward's Jedi training. On our way there I noticed it was getting really overcast and then I heard thunder.

I was getting really worried that we would not be able to do Jedi Training after all. And of course, rather than tell Paul how worried I was, I just picked a fight.

Paul wanted to take Edward on Star Tours and I said I didn't think that was the best idea because of his motion sickness and lack of sea bands. So we stood around and decided what to do.

Then we saw the Speeder and I wanted Edward's picture there. I thought Paul would want his picture there too, but he was still mad.

Finally the thunder seemed to go away and it stopped being so overcast and it was time to report back to the Sounds Dangerous area to check in for Jedi Training.

Getting their robes on.

Getting ready to walk to the stage. I let Paul walk with Edward to try to make up for my fight. They only let one parent walk the kid to the stage.

On their way to the stage.

 

[Terkina]

Great trip report so far