Trains Depart Every 20 Minutes. Allegedly.: February 2012 TR (Lesson #5)

[natebenma]

Crud!!! Page 2.

Sorry I missed the start of this.

Christmas is a nice time to make a reveal, whether you intended to or not. I think being able to talk about the trip together helps build excitement.

on First Class!

I appreciate the review on Tiffany Town Cars. I hear a lot of great things about the company. We like the Magical Express, but when we incorporate trips to the darkside, we need transportation options.

Very odd about the interrogation at the MK entry gates.

I like your room view. I love bonus fireworks views!

Looking forward to more!

 

[jenneth79]

Hi Jen! I'm here!
Great arrival so far! We loved our stay at the CR....can't beat walking to the Magic Kingdom!
Weird about the guard.....

Yeah, for 1st class! that's the way to go...I only flew in 1st class once, on a work trip...and it was only from boston to philly...like a 90 minute (or something like that) plan ride....figures...oh well, it definitely a nice experience.

Can't wait to read more!

Hey Christine! I'm so glad you followed on over here!

I had a coworker ask me why I was getting First for such a short flight (a little less than 2 hours) as well and I just told him "Better than coach for two hours!". I think he thinks I'm spoiled. I probably am.

Crud!!! Page 2.

Sorry I missed the start of this.

Christmas is a nice time to make a reveal, whether you intended to or not. I think being able to talk about the trip together helps build excitement.

on First Class!

I appreciate the review on Tiffany Town Cars. I hear a lot of great things about the company. We like the Magical Express, but when we incorporate trips to the darkside, we need transportation options.

Very odd about the interrogation at the MK entry gates.

I like your room view. I love bonus fireworks views!

Looking forward to more!

Yay, I'm so glad you came over Dee!

Tiffany is a great service, always on time (or rather, they are always there before they need to be, so we have never waited around for them) and the driver who took us back to the airport said he does a lot of MK/Dark Side rides as well. Sounds like most of their business is in the parks.

 

[jenneth79]

Day One Continued:

Lesson Learned: The path of least resistance is not always the best choice. Or: Why TTC stinks.

After dropping off our bags, grabbing a camera (or 3), and making sure we remembered to grab both our room keys, Mike and I set off for the Animal Kingdom. We figured it would be a good park to spend a half-day in, allowing us to perhaps ride EE a few times and grab a jalapeno pretzel (or 40).

Now, in hindsight, I probably should have taken a moment to actually THINK about what we were doing, but the monorail was RIGHT THERE IN THE HOTEL….of course that is the most logical thing to do right? RIGHT?

WRONG.

I was super excited getting on the monorail, I happen to be one of those people who feel they’re really in Disney once they step on the train. Which is probably why, when my husband turned to ask me if the monorail had suddenly been extended to Animal Kingdom, my stomach dropped. In my excitement to jump on the monorail, I had completely forgotten we needed to be on a bus to get where we’re going, and the best bus to get was back at the resort.

Not to fear, though, because buses and trains depart every twenty minutes from the TTC, right? Right???

I figure you get where this is going by now.

Dear reader, I have now learned to hate the TTC with a passion that knows no bounds. The bus service there is atrocious. Just walking around what feels like a back alley to get to the bus queuing area feels wrong. It is (and I can say this, being one...) the redheaded stepchild of Disney Transportation.

We waited for; I kid you not, a full 45 minutes for an Animal Kingdom bus to show. Really any bus, at least one that wasn’t parking for a lunch/nap break. We went from super excited that we saved so much time checking in at the hotel to bummed we had to wait for an eternity for a bus.

Did I mention it then started to rain?

Take this as a lesson hard learned my friends, avoid the TTC if you can. And if you can't? Bring your favorite board game and some camp chairs. You'll need them.

Anyway, a bus FINALLY showed up and we made our way to the Animal Kingdom, which was surprisingly crowded for what I believed to be a slow day. We only had three things on the agenda though, the first of which was the famed and beloved jalapeno pretzel.

Yes, once again, all was right in the world:

Up next, Yeti and Safari(Amber).

 

[MEK]

45 mins is a ridiculous wait. I can honestly say I have never transferred at the TTC so I have no idea what its like, but it doesn't sound fun.

Thank goodness for jalapeno pretzels to make everything better. Oh yeah - a Safari Amber can't hurt either.

 

[annnewjerz]

Woohoo!! Glad to see you started a TR already. I won't be doing one for this trip (but will be doing a dining review, if you're interested!) so I'm glad to see I can relive a bit of our trip vicariously through yours.

As you brought up in your other TR, our weather did improve after you guys left---so thank you for taking the cool weather back to VA with you.

We managed to go swimming Tuesday (14th) through Friday (17th) with almost 80 degree temps. But trust me, when I felt how cold it was on Sunday (12th) I thought for sure our trip would be doomed to weather similar to that in NJ. I wore Under Armor pants with yoga jeans on top, a long-sleeved shirt with a sweatshirt and scarf out to the parks that day and I was still chilly!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Wow, you're right! Pretty soon we are going to need a DNA sample just to get through the gate at the Magic Kingdom. Really. Like, really? On the other hand, I have been yelled at by a CM at my resort for "not putting my key in the slot", even though the gate was already open. They're so all over the place.

 

[Nermel9]

I don't like the TTC either. I feel like that whole area needs to be updated. That's part of the reason I love the WL so much, we get to skip that whole awful TTC/parking experience at MK!

 

[natebenma]

Major bummer on the wait for the bus!!! I'm glad you were eventually able to make it over to AK to enjoy a couple of treats.

 

[tutti]

Excited to read along! I can't believe I have never heard of the jalapeno pretzel my DB would LOVE that, me not so much.. I don't like spicy!

 

[jenneth79]

45 mins is a ridiculous wait. I can honestly say I have never transferred at the TTC so I have no idea what its like, but it doesn't sound fun.

Thank goodness for jalapeno pretzels to make everything better. Oh yeah - a Safari Amber can't hurt either.

Very true, and I behaved and avoided the Lost on Safari... whoo those drinks pack a punch! (pun only somewhat intended. )

Woohoo!! Glad to see you started a TR already. I won't be doing one for this trip (but will be doing a dining review, if you're interested!) so I'm glad to see I can relive a bit of our trip vicariously through yours.

As you brought up in your other TR, our weather did improve after you guys left---so thank you for taking the cool weather back to VA with you.

We managed to go swimming Tuesday (14th) through Friday (17th) with almost 80 degree temps. But trust me, when I felt how cold it was on Sunday (12th) I thought for sure our trip would be doomed to weather similar to that in NJ. I wore Under Armor pants with yoga jeans on top, a long-sleeved shirt with a sweatshirt and scarf out to the parks that day and I was still chilly!

Ann, you meanie, no rubbing it in!!! We were looking for you at CP, but then again,we were all bundled up within an inch of our lives and sucking down the hot coffee like there was no tomorrow..... can you believe we went back to MK Sunday night until almost 2AM????

Wow, you're right! Pretty soon we are going to need a DNA sample just to get through the gate at the Magic Kingdom. Really. Like, really? On the other hand, I have been yelled at by a CM at my resort for "not putting my key in the slot", even though the gate was already open. They're so all over the place.

I appreciate the security, it's just as you say though, kind of random at times. I keep telling myself, at least they're trying. Very few places do, anymore.

I don't like the TTC either. I feel like that whole area needs to be updated. That's part of the reason I love the WL so much, we get to skip that whole awful TTC/parking experience at MK!

Yes yes YES!

You know, you are going to talk me into staying at WL again (but after the refurbs are done). You went on the haunted hayride on your last trip, right? (Sorry, my head is full of TRs and I have a hard time keeping everyone straight sometimes....) I think we might look into that for this coming October....

Major bummer on the wait for the bus!!! I'm glad you were eventually able to make it over to AK to enjoy a couple of treats.

Yes, in the end it taught me a valuable lesson AND we still got pretzels and beer. So all was good.

Excited to read along! I can't believe I have never heard of the jalapeno pretzel my DB would LOVE that, me not so much.. I don't like spicy!

So glad you're joining in! I find the pretzel not too spicy, but then again I love spicy food.... so I may not be the best judge of that.

As a little aside for your DB, the Fife and Drum in Epcot carries them as well....allegedly. There's a story there too....

 

[annnewjerz]

Ann, you meanie, no rubbing it in!!! We were looking for you at CP, but then again,we were all bundled up within an inch of our lives and sucking down the hot coffee like there was no tomorrow..... can you believe we went back to MK Sunday night until almost 2AM????

I actually can believe it, because we did the same thing. We also stood out on the observation deck during our dinner at Cali Grill that night (same night as you, the night of the 12th) with no coats on! It was freezing, but it was our first trip to Cali Grill and we wanted the whole experience.

 

[KatMark]

Oh good...I wasn't too far behind on your TR.

I was unaware until recently that you could get park buses at the TTC. I'm glad we've never tried it and now, thanks to you, I'll know not to (although we dont' stay on the monorail).

Glad to see you got your pretzel. I really need to get my husband one of those next trip.

 

[jenneth79]

I actually can believe it, because we did the same thing. We also stood out on the observation deck during our dinner at Cali Grill that night (same night as you, the night of the 12th) with no coats on! It was freezing, but it was our first trip to Cali Grill and we wanted the whole experience.

Seriously, I cannot believe we were in the same places so many times and didn't run into each other! It's so worth the experience though to watch those fireworks....

Oh good...I wasn't too far behind on your TR.

I was unaware until recently that you could get park buses at the TTC. I'm glad we've never tried it and now, thanks to you, I'll know not to (although we dont' stay on the monorail).

Glad to see you got your pretzel. I really need to get my husband one of those next trip.

You haven't missed much at all, I'm getting started pretty slow here as I'm trying to knock out some of my TR from September and ALL of my dining reviews (which I may actually finish today...we'll see!)

I'll share something with you. I have a charm bracelet that my husband got for me as a Wedding present. Each time we go somewhere or something memorable happens, he gets me a charm. This time, for our Anniversary, I went ahead and picked out a pretzel to remind us of Disney!

 

[Dimples1973ca]

I am in! Thanks or sharing.

 

[jenneth79]

I am in! Thanks or sharing.

 

[jenneth79]

Day One Continued....

Lesson Learned: It looked good on the hanger......


We finally made it to Animal Kingdom, and I got my jalapeno pretzel, needless to say the beast was calmed and we were ready to get our vacation started for real!

Oh.

But wait, there’s a photographer!

Who I promptly told I didn’t have a Fastpass but if they would give me a new one that would be great.

Photopass. Photo. Not Fast. This was to be a running theme (along with “allegedly”) on our trip. I couldn’t get the two straight! Anyway, once the guy realized I was just crazy and not asking for a free Fastpass, he posed us and snap went the photo! Yay!

This was until I saw the pictures....and realized I had made a ver poor choice in outfits for the day....

Hey, look, I’m pregnant! Except, um, I’m not.

Ah well, on we went, Yeti or bust!

Wait, another photographer!

And, in tradition with our Disney trips, another rain cloud! (I look evil in this picture, two of my friends have already pointed out they caught the “real” me. Ha!)

For real now...NO...SLEEP...TIL YETTI! (apologies to the Beastie Boys....)

We lucked out, there was only a 20 minute wait and the rain didn’t start until we were under cover. This is the first time I’ve actually experience the standby line for EE, so I took the opportunity to take a few pictures:

Oh, and Mike pointed out something really cool to me in the “outfitters” store. A hidden Mickey!!!

Looks like the Yetis are wearing little Mickey Hats! Too cute. They are over to the right of the shop along the far wall.

By the time we were at the front of the line, the rain had blissfully stopped. The ride was great as always, even if the Yeti was in Disco-Mode.

A second ride followed that one, and we got a great shot that I just had to purchase....

(I call it Disco Yeti Lullaby...)

I find EE a lot of fun to get into the “feel” of all the rides. It’s one of the more intense Disney rides (even if it’s nothing compared to most amusement parks) and I love the “switch” of directions!

We decided to take care of the third item on our checklist, but not before a slight detour....

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Love the Disco Yeti Lullaby picture!
I can never figure out where the pictures are taken on the rides..

The little yeti's with Mickey hats are sooo cute!

 

[jenneth79]

Love the Disco Yeti Lullaby picture!
I can never figure out where the pictures are taken on the rides..

The little yeti's with Mickey hats are sooo cute!

Yes, and let me tell you, I have judged the picture WRONG sometimes. I really wish I had copies of some of the "rejects" (esp. Test Track before we figured it out). There was one that I was talking to Mike in....I know... kind of a strange place to have a conversation.... and it looked like I was going to be sick!!!

I loved the little Yetis, I just wish the pictures turned out better!

 

[mkandjpsmom]

Another update!!! I just love your reports. I'm following both! I love the posed pictures. So awesome! I wonder if my DH and kids would pose with me. I'll have to start working on them.

 

[natebenma]

OK, going back to the TTC buses, two comments

1- can you imagine if your trip was during the monorail blackout time? I am finding it seriously hard to believe the news.

2- I have read the first Kingdom Keepers book (which is really young adult fiction, but Disney World is the setting of the stories, so I'm reading) and I was horrified when one of the characters talked about taking a bus from the MK to the TTC. Um, no, that's not right. There are a few inaccuracies in the book (or a couple of things that have changed since the story was written)

Now, onto this update.

I have done the very same thing with a Photopass Photographer. Mine was asking an MK PPP for a FP. OOPS!

So where is that shirt now???

Looking at those clouds, I was doubtful that you would have a chance to ride EE, but I'm glad you did. Great pose!