"What do you mean there's no fastpass for Pirates?" An April 2011 TR

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Hello! My name is Marsi and I love all things Disney. I'm so glad for the DISboards b/c even though my family and friends really enjoy Disney, they don't "get it" the way you guys do. So without further ado, here's my trip report.

The original plan: 5 days at Pop with my BFF then we'd meet up with my parents and spend 5 days with them at their resort.

What actually happened: due to some major health issues, my BFF wasn't able to make the trip. M&D (short hand for Mom & dad) revamped their vacation plans (they were down in Fort Lauderdale) and headed up to Orlando early. So I would spend one day alone at Pop and then 9 with my parents.

I have a fantastic relationship with my parents and we travel really well together.

Disneyland, 2007

Hope you enjoy my trip report, I know I sure enjoyed my trip.

Cheers,
Marsi

ETA: there will be lots of pics!

 

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Chapter links:

Travel Day
The Zombie Apocalypse
Come Fly With Me
The Magical Express
My Room
The Grounds
Earl Of Sandwich
Port Orleans French Quarter Pics
Beignets
Back To Downtown Disney

Day One
Goodbye Pop Century
Hello Magic Tree & Bob Evans

 

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I was taking the red eye on Alaska. I was a little nervous about how tired I would be the next day b/c I don't sleep when flying. But I have an Alaska mastercard and my BFF and I wanted to use my companion fare (and the red eye was a "better" option than a 0630h flight). When it turned out she couldn't go on the trip, Alaska gave her a credit for her portion of the ticket (it's got a year expiry). Since I was going to be flying alone, I decided that I wanted to upgrade to 1st class if I had the chance (upgrade for $).

Since I needed to get to the airport around rush hour, I decided to leave earlier than normal. Plus I figured getting to the airport early would help in my quest for a first class upgrade (there were still 2 seats available as of that morning). My cab driver was crazy! I thought I might die on route to the airport, but thankfully didn't. We did hit rush hour traffic about halfway to the airport. It was like a parking lot. I went from thinking that I'd left soooooooo early to wondering if we were ever going to get there. Finally we did and I walked into the US departure terminal (I'm from Vancouver, BC) and was shocked to see it was empty. Like totally empty. They didn't even have all the lights on. And this is at around 5pm. It was so weird.

I got to the Alaska counter, there was no line and I walked right up. Apparently there had been millions of people there just a little while before I arrived. Or so they said.

Got one of the last 2 first class tickets (yay!) and proceeded to drop off my luggage. There was no line. Then went through security - no line. Customs - no line. And not just no line but no other passengers! It was so creepy.

Has the zombie apocalypse begun?

 

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My friends and I have a tradition to take our picture with a stuffed polar bear at YVR. Even though I was alone I had to get the pic taken.

I left the deserted section of the US departures and headed to the dinky little section where the puddle-jumpers fly from. I was flying via Seattle and it's a pretty short flight. There were some people around but it was still pretty empty. I was a little worried about the flight getting cancelled (that's what happened to M&D the week before) and I was prepared for the worst when the Alaska rep came on the PA. Thankfully the flight wasn't cancelled but b/c there were so few of us, they had to redistribute the weight on the plane. Anyone in the first 10 rows got a new seat assignment nearer the back of the plane.

Arrived in Seattle after a very bumpy flight. Had my traditional (late) dinner at Wendy's and headed off to my gate. What a difference from Vancouver -- there were people everywhere in Seattle. And they all appeared to be waiting for the 11pm flight to Orlando. Loved all the little kids who were already wearing their pj's.

As feared, I did not sleep on the flight but I did give it my best effort. No movies or books for me. I just sat there with my eyes closed and "rested". First class on Alaska isn't super posh but it does have lots of room so I was very comfortable. And you get free food. I like free and I like food. Watched the sun rise as well as a lightning storm. Sadly no pics as I was in the front row so my bag was stored above us. And we were expecting turbulence so the captain asked us all to remain seated for the last hour of the flight. But being in the front row meant I was the very first person off the plane.

 

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Was the first person off the plane and made my way to the monorail.

All alone.

Once I got to the main part of the airport I was so excited to see the sign for Harry Potter at the Universal store. I might have squealed.

Did some looking around and bought a Slytherin tshirt.

I then made my way to the Magical Express area. Again there was no line up. You could see it was set up to accomodate lots of people. I got checked in really quickly and they sent me to the next area. Which also was set up to have lots of people in line, but was totally empty. They told me to head right out. I ran into my bus driver and he said he "might have one seat left".

So I took the very front seat. I totally expected that we'd be waiting for the bus to fill up before leaving but we didn't. So it was me, riding shotgun, and the driver off to WDW.

Arrived at Pop Century around 0800h. Would my room be ready? Stay tuned.

 

[CAStevens218]

Great start, I can't wait to read all about your trip!

 

[Corrine 1973]

I am loving your TR so far, can't wait to read more.

I definalty have to try to sit up front on our trip. Got to get that picture of the Walt Disney World Sign. Yours looks great.

 

[mickeygirl14]

Loving your report so far! But, oh man, I too would've been totally creeped out by the total lack of anybody in the terminal! That's crazy!

 

[Tony NY]

im loving your trip espicaly the ME shot gun thats so I can't wait to read and see more

 

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Yay I have readers!!!! everyone!

I arrived at Pop around 0800h and while there were a few people milling about it was pretty deserted. There was no line and I walked right up and guess what? My room was ready! I was so happy!!!! I was starting to feel a little weird from the lack of sleep. I had made no room requests. They put me in building 1 -- I couldn't believe how close it was. Last time we stayed really far away.

They put me in an accessible room. I'm not a huge fan of how wet the bathroom gets when I take a shower. But I was not complaining b/c I was really happy to have a room.

I was pretty exhausted so I thought I might have a nap. My plan was then to go off and spend the day at Downtown Disney & visit the Port Orleans Resorts (both French Quarter & Riverside). I had decided against visiting a park b/c I thought I'd be really sad that my BFF wasn't with me.

I laid down on the bed and all I could hear was noise. Flushing toilets, people running down the hall, my neighbours talking. I was kind of confused b/c I didn't remember things being that noisy on my previous stay. And the bed was uncomfortable. My memory was that the Pop beds were comfortable. No matter, I was at Disney. So I laid around for a few hours and then my luggage arrived.

I was pretty hungry at this point so I decided to head out to the food court. On the drive to Pop my driver was saying that we were in for a big storm and that storm had now begun. It was torrential.

I walked into the main hall and it was PACKED! And super loud. They had a DJ spinning and appeared to be doing games for the kids. Had lunch. Burger & fries -- they were fresh and tasty. I also got a sugar cookie but that wasn't nearly as good as I remembered (last trip to the World was in 2008).

Since the weather was sooooooooooooo awful and I was exhausted I decided to try having a nap again. 2nd time's the charm right?! I wasn't sure if I'd ever get to sleep as the thunder was really loud but I did end up getting a few hours of sleep. I felt much better when I woke up and the sun had come out. So I decided to head off to Downtown Disney.

 

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I only took a few pics on my way to the bus stop.

There were only a few people waiting for a Downtown Disney bus. I joined them and within a few minutes a bus had pulled up. I was hoping to eat at Earl Of Sandwich (b/c I've read such great things about it here). I was prepared for a line but was willing to wait. That's next.

 

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Arrived at Downtown Disney and guess what I found? Crowds. Not right away -- I was lulled into a false sense of it being empty, turned a corner and BAM it was wall-to-wall people. You know when it's so crowded you can't really walk through it -- you just have to go with the flow. So I went with the flow until I came across Earl Of Sandwich. Then I broke from the pack and went charging in. As I mentioned before I was totally prepared to stand in line for as long as it took to try one of these sandwiches. But you know what? The line wasn't very long at all. In fact, it was my turn to order before I'd even had a chance to finish reading the menu. I decided on the Earl's Club. Stood around waiting for my sandwich to be made and then tried looking for a table. That's my least favourite thing about being alone. Trying to find a table while carrying your tray of food. But I found a table without any trouble.

Best. Sandwich. Ever. Seriously, it was so good. One of my friends told me it's b/c they put "crack in the batter". Thanks to the DISboards for introducing me to this!!!!

After eating my super yummy sandwich it was off to the docks to catch a boat so I could visit Port Orleans. I love New Orleans and I love how Disney does it (love New Orleans Square in Disneyland).

Got to the dock and got on a boat right away.

Tomorrow: Port Orleans French Quarter & beignets! Thanks for reading!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Great picture of Pop. I can't wait because we will be there in 20 days (actually 19 in just over a half an hour.)

This will be are first time at a resort so I can't wait to hear about more of your experiances here.

 

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Great picture of Pop. I can't wait because we will be there in 20 days (actually 19 in just over a half an hour.)

This will be are first time at a resort so I can't wait to hear about more of your experiances here.

Thanks! So exciting that you'll be there so soon! As I said, Pop wasn't as great as I remembered it. It was louder and I didn't find the bed as comfortable but there's just something so magical about staying at a Disney resort. Any staff member I dealt with seemed really happy to be at work -- which is always nice to see. I hope you have a fantastic time on your trip!

 

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Here we go with pics of Port Orleans French Quarter. I had considered staying here but the money I save by staying at Pop paid for my 1st class upgrade. Maybe next time.

 

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The beignets were super yummy but I'm a little confused. When I had beignets in New Orleans, they were filled (I had some sort of vanilla custard but I think you could pick different fillings). So I was a little surprised that theses were empty -- just air inside. Don't get me wrong, they were still great but they weren't what I was expecting.

 

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Got back to the dock and there was a boat waiting for me. I had originally planned on going up to Port Orleans Riverside but since it was starting to get dark I wasn't sure what kind of pics I'd get (and it's all about the pics).

See the hidden Mickey?

Back to Downtown Disney. I decided to do some shopping but the crowds were still insane. I fought my way into a couple of stores but couldn't even see what was on the shelf b/c there were so many people in front of me. After 3 or 4 stores I decided to head home.

So alone. LOL.

Home sweet home. And so ends my very loooooooong first day.

 

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I love Mickey soap. Of course I would have loved it even more if it was chocolate like my friends thought when they saw this picture.

Food at Disney is not cheap. This little meal cost almost $20. Unfortunately the burger and fries had been sitting under the heat lamp for quite awhile and the veggies had started to go bad. Boo! All I could think about while I was trying to eat my lunch was the previous night's sandwich from Earl Of Sandwich.

What a gorgeous day it was!!!! It was extra special considering the crappy weather of the previous day.

I totally want this golf cart! Seriously, how cool is it?

That ends my 24 hours at Pop Century. Now it was time to find a cab and head over to the Magic Tree Resort to meet my parents.

 

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Apologies for the massive size of a few of these pics. I resized them on Photobucket -- not sure what went wrong. ETA: and it appears that the pics are fine now.

The Magic Tree resort was quite close, only a $20 cab ride away (that's how I measure time/distance). So maybe 10-15min? It was a cute little motel. 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, kitchen, living room. You could look out your window and see the pool which was great considering the heat wave that was starting. Orlando almost broke temperature records from 1905 (I think that's the year) -- so basically it was hot and muggy. Due to the heat the trip turned into more of a "relaxing" vacation than a "doing" vacation. More on that later.

My parents have a list of restaurants they like to go to when traveling in the USA. Bob Evans is on that list. I'd never been there before but hello, comfort food. That place is yummy. We went there twice during our vacation.

The first time I had their chicken pot pie. It was soooooo good. And I know pot pie.

The second time, I got this. Not sure what the name is but it's homemade chicken noodle soup on top of mashed potatoes and a biscuit. Yes, you heard me right -- chicken noodle soup on top of mashed potatoes and a biscuit. Yum.

Up next: Harry Potter!

 

[mickeygirl14]

Can't wait to see what you think (and your pics) of WWOHP!!