Wait, didn't I just get back?! An August '10 PTR...TRIP REPORT LINK ADDED p. 27

[wdwgirl03]

Yay for 12 days!
That video is awesome
I had heard that World of Color is supposed to be amazing, now I know it's amazing haha. I saw on Disney Channel a quick commercial of some Disney Channel stars watching WoC but their video didn't do the show much justice.

I saw that little thing on Disney Channel too but the video from the blog is amazing. Man I want to go to Disneyland!

OMG I want to go to Disneyland SOOOOO bad and see World of Color! My friend is in CA now and spent a couple of days at Disneyland and posted some video she took of WOC on her Facebook page and I had to stop watching because I wanted to be surprised whenever I get to see it in person!!!

12 days! Yay!!!

I do too! I would love to see that. But I am not sure if it's a permanent thing or if it's just for the summer.

Wow. I've been seeing World of Color postings all over the place, but that was amazing. That perspective is incredible!

TWELVE DAYS!

I know, I love how you can see EVERYTHING! So cool.

12 Days! Just think, in less than 2 weeks you'll be back at Disney!

World of Color looks fantastic,

Yeah, we're almost in the single digits now!!!

Ya, we just can't seem to get moving that quickly in the AM. I REALLY like having a slow morning and sleeping in.... I very much want to see the show at MK, so one of these days I'll do it!

I heart chicken nuggets, so that sounds awesome to me! Henry and I can probably share 'em. I'll be sure to take food pics for you! Do they have good fries or something for the side too? Onion rings?

11 days!!!!!

LOVE that video! I haven't watched any video on it yet b/c Henry climbs all over me when I watch video - but he's sleeping right now! He he! Makes me want to go to DL even more now!

Normally I like sleeping in but not in Disney World. Funny how that works. The MK show is definitely worth getting up early. I promise!

haha oh no, they are so good you could probably go for your own box. When we were there in April it took me like 5 minutes to eat them all. Of course we had been up early and I was pretty hungry but you can't stop eating them! They do have pretty good waffle fries. I don't even know if they have onion rings...I am not an onion ring person.

Glad you liked the video!

Wow, 11 days?!?!

I just watched that video. Gorgeous!!! I'm so hoping our DLR plans work out next summer. I'd love to go there.

I see you have an early return flight too, boo!!! We leave at noon. I'm always so envious of those people who get evening return flights.

I know, right?! Your trip is soon too!

All of a sudden Claire is saying how she need to go to Disneyland since she's never been. I really hope we can go back soon.

Yeah, it kind of stinks that we have to come back so early. And our flight getting there is later too. Boo, less time in Disney. LOL.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Woo, 2 days left of summer school and 11 days until our trip! Crazy!

As promised, I've got some more trip flashbacks to share:

Trip #7: 2002
This was the second trip we got out of our APs. Remember I mentioned that Easter in ’01 and ’02 fell within one year so it worked out that we’d be able to take two trips. Once again, we stayed at the good old Polynesian for what would be the last time (I’m still hoping we’ll get to stay there again someday!).

I’m sad to say I had a hard time remembering anything specific from this trip…but lucky me, I still kept my journal! So I dug out another one and found my report from this trip. Some highlights from this trip:

-Seeing the Stars and Motorcars parade…remember that one??

-Eating dinner at the ‘50s Prime Time Café. I made some comment in my journal how it was so funny people got yelled at by their “parents” and how one person had to sweep up the floor.

-Going on Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n Roller Coaster for the first time. OK, now this I do remember. I was so terrified of these two. I know that on TOT I held onto the bars the entire time and didn’t make a peep. And after RNRC I remember having jelly legs. I felt like I was going to fall over. Haha So funny how now they’re a couple of my favorites.

-I guess this was also right around the time Dinorama opened because I wrote how we went on two new rides. Now, these were my pre-DIS days and wasn’t always aware of all the new stuff. The first time we saw that place I was like hey, I’ve never seen that before.

Here’s the funniest thing about this trip: that was when I was a junior in high school and with college right around the corner, I remember Dad telling us how it might be the last time we went there for a while. Now, maybe he meant the last time we’d be going as a whole family which is a different story but well…we all know how that worked out. I still have, what, 10 more trips to write about?! Haha

(sorry, I have no ’02 pictures on the computer!)

So let’s keep going since I’ve been slacking, shall we?

Trip #8: 2003

2003 was a big year for me. I graduated high school and then started at Marquette. And what better way to celebrate completing my first semester of college than by going to Disney World?! OK so that’s not really why we went but oh well. Even though it was our eighth trip, it was still a trip of firsts. Since my sisters and I were getting older, we sadly discovered that we’d outgrown one room at the Polynesian. So for the first time we stayed at a value resort where we’d be able to not only get two rooms, but pay a lot less. Our choice? All Star Sports! We were bummed about not being on the monorail loop anymore but we still enjoyed the resort even if it’s kind of cheesy with all those giant icons! I think we might’ve been in the surfing section.
But even more exciting than a new resort was getting to go around the holidays for the first time! We had always talked about going to see the decorations and it was so awesome finally getting to see all of them in person. We had a lot of fun admiring the parks all decked out for the holidays and visiting some of the resorts as well. Definitely a fun trip.

And a couple random pictures:
RNRC ride photo. Do you like how my eyes are closed and everyone else is screaming?

Since we were at AS Sports we went around to the other resorts to take pictures:

 

[brookelizabeth]

haha oh no, they are so good you could probably go for your own box. When we were there in April it took me like 5 minutes to eat them all. Of course we had been up early and I was pretty hungry but you can't stop eating them! They do have pretty good waffle fries. I don't even know if they have onion rings...I am not an onion ring person.

Oooh, I like waffle fries.

Great update!! I was surprised you went from the great grand, EXPENSIVE Poly to a Value! But, that is smart when you need two rooms, plus it being the Christmas season and being more expensive.

When did your family buy into DVC? Oh wait...I suppose that would be a spoiler!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I bet it was like culture shock going from the Poly to a value!

You're almost in single digits...........

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oooh, I like waffle fries.

The waffle fries are really good - no onion rings though. Other sides are chicken noodle soup, side salad, fruit and I think a carrot slaw.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Other sides are chicken noodle soup, side salad, fruit and I think a carrot slaw.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too healthy for vacation. Waffle fries it will be!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Oooh, I like waffle fries.

Great update!! I was surprised you went from the great grand, EXPENSIVE Poly to a Value! But, that is smart when you need two rooms, plus it being the Christmas season and being more expensive.

When did your family buy into DVC? Oh wait...I suppose that would be a spoiler!!!

haha I know, even looking back it is quite funny that we used to spend all that money on the Poly and then stayed at the AS resorts a couple times. It was nice though being able to spread out.

I will be getting to when we bought DVC, don't worry (but if you are dying to know take a look at my signature )!

I bet it was like culture shock going from the Poly to a value!

You're almost in single digits...........

It was definitely a different experience but we still enjoyed it. We really couldn't complain since we were still on property. Plus most of the time the resort is just for sleeping anyway!

Only one more day till single digits.

 

[jenbear123]

What a switch from Poly to ASSports How did you like it? Hopefully there weren't too many cheerleaders around

You're going again so soon! So exciting

 

[Mickey_Mom]

I really like your trip flashbacks, great update! Going from the Poly to the All Stars, what a change, but seeing the holiday decorations. Nice!

How goes the flood recovery?

 

[meeko_33785]

I remember the Stars and Motor Cars Parade. I think it might be my favorite parade they had at DHS.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that being in college doesn't stop trips to Disney. If anything, we went more than before since we were taking trips without the parents in addition to the family vacations.

From nothing but the Poly to a value resort must have been quite a shock to the system. I liked the All Stars but never made it to Sports.

 

[Cat0727]

Woo, I can't believe you have about 8 more trips to get through!

Cute pic in front of Woody. I'm with everyone else, that's the biggest fall you can make- Poly to AS Sports (I had the abbreviation written out then I realized what it said, LOL!)! I don't know if I would ever stay at one of the AS resorts. I like Pop so much for a value that I can't see myself spending money on a different one! I know I'd regret it.

 

[wisblue]

haha I know, even looking back it is quite funny that we used to spend all that money on the Poly and then stayed at the AS resorts a couple times. It was nice though being able to spread out. :

As the tour operator and budget director, I can tell you that there were a couple of simple and practical reasons for going to the value resort. The first, as Sarah said, is that one room at the Poly was getting cramped for us as the girls got bigger. Not just physical space, but competition for the bathroom and showers. Plus, the idea for the 2003 trip came to me relatively late, and getting a room at the Poly would have been more difficult. So, we traded the luxury and convenience of the Poly for the space and expense saving of the All Stars for two trips. With connecting rooms we had a lot of space with 4 beds and two bathrooms. Plus, what we saved on the rooms just gave us more money to spend on the trips.

As things developed, these trips set the stage for the DVC purchase. Once I could see that the girls still enjoyed going to WDW even as they became young adults, and that we would be making reguar visits, I saw DVC as a way to get better accommodations at a much lower cost. At least so far it has proven to be wise decision.

 

[wdwgirl03]

What a switch from Poly to ASSports How did you like it? Hopefully there weren't too many cheerleaders around

You're going again so soon! So exciting

I know, it was a big switch. I know some people consider themselves "resort snobs" and would never even think of staying at a value but it wasn't that bad. Fortunately we didn't have any cheerleaders around.

10 days!!

I really like your trip flashbacks, great update! Going from the Poly to the All Stars, what a change, but seeing the holiday decorations. Nice!

How goes the flood recovery?

Glad you are enjoying them! It was awesome seeing the decorations. Though I think on that first holiday trip we missed the Osborne Lights...I think there were a couple years when they didn't have them and I thought '03 was one of them.

It's going...can't believe that was last week! We still have some junk lying around the house but they finally came by to pick up all the stuff people had sitting out by the street. And we got the hot water back.

I remember the Stars and Motor Cars Parade. I think it might be my favorite parade they had at DHS.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that being in college doesn't stop trips to Disney. If anything, we went more than before since we were taking trips without the parents in addition to the family vacations.

From nothing but the Poly to a value resort must have been quite a shock to the system. I liked the All Stars but never made it to Sports.

haha, as I get to the next few flashbacks you'll see we were kind of the same way. As we got older the trips started coming more frequently, thanks in part to DVC and our whole flight incident a couple years ago.

We really missed the Poly but still enjoyed the All Stars.

Woo, I can't believe you have about 8 more trips to get through!

Cute pic in front of Woody. I'm with everyone else, that's the biggest fall you can make- Poly to AS Sports (I had the abbreviation written out then I realized what it said, LOL!)! I don't know if I would ever stay at one of the AS resorts. I like Pop so much for a value that I can't see myself spending money on a different one! I know I'd regret it.

I know, crazy right?

I keep wanting to write the AS Sports abbreviation too. I think I won't... It seems like there are so many people who enjoy Pop. It does seem like a fun place.

 

[jenjolt]

Joining in way late in the game but I'm going to have fun going back and catching up on all your plans!

 

[brookelizabeth]

As the tour operator and budget director, I can tell you that there were a couple of simple and practical reasons for going to the value resort. The first, as Sarah said, is that one room at the Poly was getting cramped for us as the girls got bigger. Not just physical space, but competition for the bathroom and showers. Plus, the idea for the 2003 trip came to me relatively late, and getting a room at the Poly would have been more difficult. So, we traded the luxury and convenience of the Poly for the space and expense saving of the All Stars for two trips. With connecting rooms we had a lot of space with 4 beds and two bathrooms. Plus, what we saved on the rooms just gave us more money to spend on the trips.

As things developed, these trips set the stage for the DVC purchase. Once I could see that the girls still enjoyed going to WDW even as they became young adults, and that we would be making reguar visits, I saw DVC as a way to get better accommodations at a much lower cost. At least so far it has proven to be wise decision.

Smart, smart! We took the DVC plunge when our child was 1. I just hope he likes it when he's older!

We have only stayed at Pop for 1 night so far, but I do want to try all the Values! They have great food courts and pools! Plus I think my little guy would just love all those giant icons!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Joining in way late in the game but I'm going to have fun going back and catching up on all your plans!

Hi Jen! Welcome!

Smart, smart! We took the DVC plunge when our child was 1. I just hope he likes it when he's older!

We have only stayed at Pop for 1 night so far, but I do want to try all the Values! They have great food courts and pools! Plus I think my little guy would just love all those giant icons!

Yeah, I have nothing against the value resorts. They are definitely different but that is what makes going to WDW so much fun. We love trying all the different resorts.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I enjoy the trip flashbacks!!! I don't know if I could find pics from our past trips to be able to scan and upload haha. My mom isn't a huge album person so who knows where they ended up when we moved ?!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I enjoy the trip flashbacks!!! I don't know if I could find pics from our past trips to be able to scan and upload haha. My mom isn't a huge album person so who knows where they ended up when we moved ?!

Thanks! Aww, that stinks. We have a couple albums and these random boxes of pictures from our old trips. I only have those few pictures scanned and uploaded though.

 

[Angies1274]

Wow! You only have 9 days left!!

Thanks for posting the video of World of Color! It looks amazing! I really want to go to Disneyland now!

I enjoyed your trip flashback! Great picture in front of Woody!

 

[wdwgirl03]

9 days! Single digits!

And it's the last day of summer school! I have to say I kind of have mixed feelings about that. I am so ready for it to be done but at the same time I am kind of going to miss some of the kids. Figures.

Anyways, time for some more park plans. Only have one more to go...

Animal Kingdom Plans!!

AK EMH
Mon. 8/9 8:00-9:00
Wed. 8/10 PM EMH 7:00-10:00

Don't think we'll be doing EMH at AK. I still think the evening ones could be interesting though.

Onto the plans. The sad news is that we may only make it to the Animal Kingdom once this trip because of the day we're spending to go to Universal. I love AK (it has to be my 2nd favorite park) but like Dad said we got to spend a lot of time there in April.

I think our plan is to go to AK Tuesday afternoon and possibly stay until close. We'll see how that goes. A lot of times we go to AK in the afternoon and don't have any trouble doing the major attractions. So the things we (or I!) want to do are:

Kilimanjaro Safaris...LOVE seeing all the animals!

Expedition Everest...we might have to do the single riders line if standby is too long which is OK.

Dinosaur...I can't remember the last time we've waited longer than 10 min. for this so I don't think it'll be a problem getting on it later.

Primeval Whirl

In April we saw the Flights of Wonder showwhich I really enjoyed. We got there just a little late so I kind of want to see it again. Hopefully I can convince my sisters to see it. And since we missed it last time maybe we can see Festival of the Lion King. If we are up for getting soaked we can end the day with a ride on Kali River Rapids.

I know this doesn't seem like a lot but my one sister doesn't really care for AK so we'll just have to see what else we feel like doing there. I usually like walking through the trails but she can't get out fast enough. LOL. Oh well, atleast we did them in April.

Anything I'm missing?