We Shared a SWW...and more! Done...At Home! (10/17)

[SimmerBaggins]

It's me, Vickie -- beloved friend of jms****er (Melissa), and I am finally cracking open the storybook tale of our trip to WDW, 4-12 June 2010!!

If you didn't already see it, my PTR is down below in my signature...all the sordid details of trying to get a trip together, see my BFF, and bring my DD's friend along with us. We live in San Antonio (yay, it's rainy season!!), and Florida isn't too much different right now in temperature and humidity (yay, it's the rainy season in FL!!) -- but I couldn't wait to get away from stress and work and drag my family along for the ride. Rides. And shows. And food.


Here we are with Pooh and friends from last year -- me (41) on the outside, my DH (60), my DD (who is now 13), and my DGD, who didn't get to come along on this trip, but will undoubtedly join us on whatever trip we take next year!

We don't generally go to WDW every year. We are really more "cruisers" than WDW-goers, but since buying into DVC, we've found great incentive to return and burn up points.

And so. Where to now begin, now that I had gotten all the way to the packing and getting out of the house in my PTR? I have never done a PTR before, and I find it difficult to meet the needs of those who might stumble upon my TR, and those who would be terminally bored with retracing steps....

I will say that the title of my TR is dual: we managed, for the first time, to take a friend along for my only child to have fun with. I'm usually the one she rides with, with my DH in a seat by himself (w/strangers), and how boring is it to be with tired, old parents at WDW, when you can be bubbly and happy with a friend? Granted -- she's a teenager. and not every moment was bubbly and happy -- but there were many of those.

The other side is that my BFF, Melissa, who lives in FL and has season passes to WDW and knows everything there is to know (practically) about the place, was only going to be able to see us for about a day and a half during our trip. It was sad. Please don't be too sad, tho. After all, she does have season passes, and goes a lot. But of course, for us, we wanted to be able to have her and her family join us...so we bought them a night in our home resort, Animal Kingdom Villas! I was so excited that we would be staying in the same resort -- that had NEVER happened before! More about that, later.

Okay...for those of you who are joining me, who don't know me...I love to write!! Can't wait to take you along with our trip...LET'S GO TO WDW!!!


Vickie

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Shame on me. I forgot to use my special "tale-telling" font.

We packed "lightly" for this trip...everyone had the smallish suitcases (to not exceed the 50lb limit), and so...I stuffed mine.

After all, I had a practically empty carry on...for all those purchases, you know? I brought along my especially light Mickey purse. With matching Mickey wallet (inside).

My DD, Jordan, had her friend, Natalie, spend the night with us the night before, so we could all pack the trunk together, be together at the airport, etc. I had given them their morning "wake up, it's Disney Magic!!" gifts that morning -- matching "princess" lanyards with their names stitched on them, with one park pin for each to begin. Natalie had never gone to WDW, before, but my DD had gone 3 times before, and had other pins to add to her lanyard that she thought of trading.

This is them, the morning of...trying to contain the immense excitement. I think.

My mother, sister and nephew had arrived the day before, to watch the house and spend some relaxing days by the pool. This is my sister, no doubt teasing me about something...but I can't remember what for.

She got the looks in the family. She also offered to take us to the airport that morning, despite knowing practically nothing about San Antonio traffic. She's gutsy, too. Well, we do have navigation system in our car...but the terrible construction right in that area really confuses things, so we were grateful for her to do it and us save the $$ on parking.

Here we are, unpacking at the airport...my DH is trying to figure out where the stray WDW hat came from...(it's my DD's)

And, my sister won't be happy about this (especially since she was helping out, here), but I thought this picture was funny...and don't sisters have the obligation to tease each other??

I am EXCITED!!! We get to the AirTran line, and everyone is in line for the people behind the counter. Off to the side is the automatic "do it yourself" check-in computer. I bypass the masses and go straight to it. People glare at me. I ignore them, in haughty fashion.

I'm not really haughty, but they weren't obviously going for it, so why should I not? The chicky behind the counter pulls off the long strips of sticky suitcase ribbon and puts them on our suitcases with drop-off instructions, and off we go.

The security line is almost non-existent, at 0900 in the morning. Fantastic.

We go to our gate, and easily find 4 seats together. Wonderful.

Here 3 of us are, happy.

The kiddos break out the Uno.

DH brought back donuts...I took an obligatory bite, but was otherwise not yet ready to drop all dietary caution.

Uno gave way to Hangman.

Soon, we'll be on our plane!!!

 

[jmskinner]

Finally, the TR has been started. I'm here, but on my way to bed. I believe I know the next chapter of this story.

And by the way, Amanda did not get all the looks, your beautiful girl!!!

 

[jenniferkeala808]

vickie!!

yay! you started! of course you know i'm here!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Finally, the TR has been started. I'm here, but on my way to bed. I believe I know the next chapter of this story.

And by the way, Amanda did not get all the looks, your beautiful girl!!!

I am beginning to love going back through these pictures and explaining them -- it's almost like going back in time and reexperiencing the trip! And yes, you do know the next chapter -- from all the wonderful text messages you got from me during that time!!

And you are so sweet...I know, under about 20lbs, there is some beauty...just got to dig a little deeper!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

vickie!!

yay! you started! of course you know i'm here!

Thanks for showing up, Keala!!

I'm at work right now...hope to get to the next stage of our trip tonight!!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I'm in!!!!

So excited to hear all about it!

Lx

 

[TinksThree]

I am on board!! I (too) am a newbie on a PTR/TR transition so I am glad to know I am not alone!

Wow! You took a lot of pictures!! (I am responding from the PTR.) I took thousands last year and one of my goals was to reduce it this year. I did pretty good but I still snapped close to 1500!!

I can't wait to hear about your adventures! So far it sounds like it may become a little ominous! I have started my TR but I had to go to a conference for work so it is a slow start!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I'm in!!!!

So excited to hear all about it!

Lx

So glad you found me!!

I am on board!! I (too) am a newbie on a PTR/TR transition so I am glad to know I am not alone!

Wow! You took a lot of pictures!! (I am responding from the PTR.) I took thousands last year and one of my goals was to reduce it this year. I did pretty good but I still snapped close to 1500!!

I can't wait to hear about your adventures! So far it sounds like it may become a little ominous! I have started my TR but I had to go to a conference for work so it is a slow start!!

It's funny -- I thought last year that I didn't take enough pictures...it never occurred to me that there was a "too many" side of this!! I think I got close to that...!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

There was no trouble boarding our plane in San Antonio. I had picked out the three seats across for us girls, with my DH across the aisle from us (correction: I PAID for this...(grumble...see PTR for details)). As we got settled for our flight to Atlanta, I noted the lack of knee space for my hubby, and the fact that many seats were empty...including the ones in front of us, which were emergency row seats. I suggested that he ask if he could move once the cabin door was closed...he did, and he could!!

Meanwhile, the girls found the Skyway magazine (is it called that on AirTran? Can't remember), and began making fun of all the weird items.

Before he moved:

Don't mind my expression here. I somehow manage in many of my pictures to look like I've had a little "one too many." Note how smart Natalie is: she brought her own little blankie!!

We landed in Atlanta without incident, if I recall correctly. Our layover was substantial, but we were to get into Orlando a little before 8pm.

The girls were ready to get off the plane:

And, I guess I was, too...I really don't recall his taking my pictures....

continued, shortly...

 

[SimmerBaggins]

We arrived in Atlanta a little after 2pm, and had a connecting flight leaving at 5:50pm. Almost 4 hours, yes. Even still, we wanted to find our gate and make sure we were in the area in case there was some kind of change to the flight. For some reason, I can't remember where we ate lunch...maybe I can throw that in later if it becomes relevant.

We found our gate and it was PACKED. Not 2 chairs together. Somewhere at that point, my DH figured out that his carry-on suitcase handle had broken, and he thought maybe a resourceful AirTran person could help him. So, we found chairs on the other side of our gate, within eyesight of the peeps who could hear our announcements.

I sent the girls with my DH to look around in a store while he sought help from the staff (like a screw, a piece of wire, etc). Here are the girls, returning.

DH came back with some electrical wire, which he stripped down to manageable pieces...serious ingenuity ensued.

There was some stirring over at our gate, so my DH decided to go over there and sit, and relay back to us what was going on. Great. Our flight was delayed by an hour, he texted me. I let Melissa know.

After a little while, it seemed to get unnaturally dark. Looking behind us through the huge window, we realized it was raining. Hard. My phone buzzed again. Due to lightning, my DH wrote, the ground crews were called in. Scruffy fellows in reflective gear began striding around in front of us, as if to confirm.

Well, I wrote back, at least our connecting flight is on its way, and it can circle until the ground crews get back out there.

Minutes later, my DH wrote back, our flight is still grounded at origin.

I was furious...but what could we do? We were stranded until:

Yeah, I took a picture of the screen.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Oh no - thats awful! Nothing worse than being delayed when all you want is to get there.

 

[jmskinner]

Vickie, aren't you delayed every trip? Seems like I remember a delay last year too. And you get delayed on the way, we have always been delayed going.

Wow! You took a lot of pictures!! (I am responding from the PTR.) I took thousands last year and one of my goals was to reduce it this year. I did pretty good but I still snapped close to 1500!!

I'm not the only one who takes a lot of pics. 361 (after deleting the really bad) taken for this 2 day tour. And we weren't even there a full two days. And this is why I am currently moving all photos to my new 2TB external hard drive.

 

[Disney_Jill]

I was flying home from Orlando to Atlanta and my flight was delayed until 8:45 (was supposed to leave at 7:30) because of the bad weather in Atlanta. At least I was only coming home, I would have hated to sit there when I wanted to be in WDW!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Oh no - thats awful! Nothing worse than being delayed when all you want is to get there.

Yes, you are so right! I kept thinking about the fact that Magical Express ends at 10pm...what if we missed it??

Vickie, aren't you delayed every trip? Seems like I remember a delay last year too. And you get delayed on the way, we have always been delayed going.

I know we have been delayed in the past, especially on our first trip when Jordan was in kindergarten. But last year, we did make it to AKV around the time we were hoping for -- it just so happened we were the LAST to check in for concierge-level.

I was flying home from Orlando to Atlanta and my flight was delayed until 8:45 (was supposed to leave at 7:30) because of the bad weather in Atlanta. At least I was only coming home, I would have hated to sit there when I wanted to be in WDW!

Hi, DisneyJill!! Yes, I would have much preferred to be delayed coming home! There were 2 activities I knew the girls would enjoy that were happening at the resort around the time we were originally scheduled to arrive...and it was frustrating to watch the time tick away, knowing we would miss them.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

We did get on our plane at the appointed NEW time...and I texted Melissa to let her know we are on our way!

I didn't take any pictures of this flight...I think we were all anxious to get there as quickly as possible.

When we arrived in Orlando, things were shutting down -- it was after 9pm. I hate feeling like I HAVE to rush, but that 10pm deadline was motivating me. Our first trip to WDW, we had to wait on the Mears bus...that was not a wonderful way to start the vacation (well, and the airline had lost our luggage at that time).

It DID feel weird to not go to baggage claim. This was the first time we had EVER done this. Even last year, we went to baggage claim and brought our luggage with us to ME...we were going to wish we had done the same thing.

There was an extra weird moment when, on our way to the little monorail that takes you from the first section of the Orlando airport to the second, security temporarily blocked everyone's path with a ribbon across the aisle...we waited for a few moments while some obscure group went by the other way, then they opened the ribbon and we carried on to the train.

When we got on the train, the level of excitement went up.

My DH kept trying to fix his suitcase...it never really recovered.

The LONG walk to ME -- excitement really starts building! I took this picture with my back to them, over my head:

We MADE IT!! They were still open!!

You know, I have to say...this is the second time we've done ME. The first time, the guy behind the counter was really not interested in anything happening around him. This time, this guy was more involved, but still -- I'm hoping for more excitement for us! Oh, and I'm not by nature a negative person...I know that the more you do something, the less exciting it is for you. But we were really happy to be there!!

I'm snapping pictures like mad. Here's our sign -- headed for: BEACH CLUB VILLAS!!!!!!!!!!!! Our first time ever staying there! There is NO ONE in ANY LINE.

As if I need to convince you:

When we get to the end of the line (or rather, the beginning), the lady at the door asks us where we're headed -- we say -- and she waves us to her and out the door!!!

 

[jmskinner]

Great over-the-head shot. I try stuff like that and end up with a close up, the floor, or the wall...anything but what I was trying to get.

I know there will be a few more postings before we get to meet up.

 

[michellem1118]

Joining in! I hate those delays on the way - it's exactly why we have avoided flying AirTran since spring break. For future reference, ME doesn't close at 10... they just won't pick up your luggage if you land after 10. They'll still transport you to the resort.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Great over-the-head shot. I try stuff like that and end up with a close up, the floor, or the wall...anything but what I was trying to get.

I know there will be a few more postings before we get to meet up.

Oh, believe me...I deleted a few "not-so-good" over the head shots!!

And, yes...as slow as this has been (hopefully not too boring), there are a few more postings before you'll see yourself!

Joining in! I hate those delays on the way - it's exactly why we have avoided flying AirTran since spring break. For future reference, ME doesn't close at 10... they just won't pick up your luggage if you land after 10. They'll still transport you to the resort.

I'm afraid we went for price over anything else -- next time I will try to get direct flights. And hopefully next time, price will not be the overriding factor!!

Thanks for the info on ME -- I guess I did hear that you had to get your luggage after 10, but I thought they would turn into Mears after that. Really, it would have been nice to go get the luggage and be assured that we would still be at the resort in good time. (sigh)

Hopefully I can get another installment in tonight to get us to the resort!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

When we got to the bus that was idling in its parking space, it was almost full of people...but there were some seats toward the back. We happily plopped ourselves down...

As we pulled away, I heard people mutter, "Oh, FINALLY!" So...I think they might have been waiting on us?? I guess they might know that there were some BCV people on a late plane?

We were the next to last stop, and the light was fading by the time we got to Beach Club. Robert got some good pictures with his camera:

By comparison, when we were waiting on our carry-on luggage from the driver, I took some pics:

We waited a moment while DH talked with the bellhops.

We walked in -- it truly is a beautiful place. It was very quiet.

My DH began engaging with the lady behind the counter, who was friendly, and gave Natalie her "My 1st Visit!" button. After that, things seemed to go downhill.

Part of it is my fault. I misinterpreted the Dining Plan thing, and thought that I couldn't put it on my reservation until 72 hours before arrival. Please don't tell me...so, the lady couldn't help us with it. That was upsetting, along with the fact that she was pretty much telling us we couldn't get it the entire first half of our trip. We would have to call Customer Service in the morning.

Well, then -- can we go ahead and buy our tickets? (You have to realize: our trip last year, we had AKV Concierge do all of this for us. We were in for a shock.) No. We can't have our tickets here. The desk around the corner could help us. Oh...sorry, they're closed. Guess you'll have to get your tickets in the morning. Oh, you're switching resorts in the morning and going to the park the first thing? They open at 7am.

Okay...when do we get our luggage? Sorry...um...luggage will come on a truck, every 3 hours. We don't know exactly when you'll get your luggage.

All of a sudden, I lost my joy. Nothing was beautiful, nothing was magical.

Okay, where's our room? Your room is 'way over there...(but, I wasn't listening. I couldn't hear anything -- nothing was registering through all the "no's".)

I wanted away from that desk, as quickly as possible. It wasn't her fault, but all the waiting and frustration just bunched up all at once...we turned to find our room. And immediately got lost.

Two CMs were walking down the hall, saw our dilemma, and escorted us across the resort to our room -- they were so nice.

We got to our room (and I'll post some pics of it in a bit), and DH and I were eager to let the girls have some kind of fun after such a long, tedious day. It was a bit after 10pm.

"Go wander around until 11pm," says DH. "Check out the place, take pictures."

They left the room, and so did we.