Jillinwonderland
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2009
- Messages
- 436
Hi there! Let us start with some backround and introductions shall we?
The Cast:
Jill (That’d be me)
Grew up here in Florida have been visiting WDW no less then 4 times a year since birth. That’s yes over 100 times thus far. I’ve gone family, friends, school, solo. You name it, I’ve probably done it. I’m fascinated by all things Disney. Favorite Disney movie’s include Alice in Wonderland (hence the username), Finding Nemo, Mary Poppin’s and Toy Story 1-3. Disney is not a vacation for me, it’s more like going home. Yes when I’m on the bus back to my resort and they say “Welcome Home” I do tear up a little. I’ve been an Annual Passholder for the past 6 years now.
Jessica, or as she’d prefer to be called for this trip report Belle. Best Friend. She grew up in Canada (which part though I forget) and moved here with her family when she was 13. She did the Disney College Program a few years back and it put a bad taste for Disney in her mouth. I was set on changing that though. Her favorite character is Remy and her favorite princess is Belle. Even though she worked at Disney and has had a few visits here and there she’d never met Mickey Mouse! I know…that’s blasphemy. And where the title to the thread came from! Her favorite Disney Movies include Mary Poppin’s and anything Disney Pixar. Decided to buy herself an Annual Pass since she came with me in September and will be coming with myself and Mother in November for Thanksgiving, but that’s a whole nother story.
Reason for the trip: Well does one really NEED a reason for a trip to WDW? I don’t think so but this trip actually had two reasons! The first being my 25th birthday. The second being my friend needing to get her Annual Pass.
This trip has been in the making since May of 2010. Belle’s birthday is in August and mine September. We sadly live on opposite sides of the state and I am finishing up my last semester at Community College. We both hope to attend a Florida University this coming spring. We’re just waiting to hear back. In the midst of applications, classes, work and life I knew I had to do something for my 25th birthday. I live in a place where the average age of a resident here is 40+. Now that’s not a bad thing at all, but when your in your early-mid twenties finding something to go out and do can be difficult as everything here closes pretty early and I’m not much of a drinker so bars are out. I asked my friends if they would be interested in maybe going to Walt Disney World for a weekend. Originally there was to be 5 of us total sharing 2 rooms. I priced the trip and got back to them. One by one they all said they couldn’t afford it or they were unsure if they could and wouldn’t know till last minute. But Belle said she’d be more then happy to go. We even booked free dining since at the time she needed tickets. So we were all set. 3 nights at Pop Century with Free Dining. Couldn’t wait! Then one day while I was at work I got a call from Belle saying she didn’t need the tickets, she was buying an Annual Pass. Well I knew if I could I should try and change the reservation from Free Dining to an AP discount. Saved us each $100, and luckily I was able to do it with no problems!
When: September 23rd 2010-September 26th 2010
Day One: coming soon
Day 1- Phone calls, Lovebugs and some slight confusion ending with the best birthday ever.
September 23rd 2010
*Sorry it took so long, between work and school, I've been super busy.
For the few days prior to the trip I couldn’t sleep. Yes I am one of those people. Like in those commercials where the kids are “too excited to sleep”. YUP. That’s me. I was all set to sleep in and not have to wake up early and go to work and school. But my body had different plans. It woke up at 5 am. I tried to get back to sleep and I think I succeeded because when I woke up again it was 7 am. So to kill some time I watched TV and had some hot tea to start my day. At 8 am my family starts to call (since that’s the exact time I was born) to wish me a Happy Birthday. They all asked if I had left yet and was I excited to which I replied to each, no I hadn’t left yet and yes I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. Time seemed to move so slowly! Finally I decided to get off my butt and wash up and get dressed. At 9:30 am I loaded up my car made sure the tank was full and iPod fully charge before I set off up I-75 towards I-4. It only takes me about 2 hours give or take with traffic to get to Walt Disney World. I listened to Disney music the whole way up because it’s a tradition started by my Mom from when I was little and it wouldn’t be a Disney Trip without it.
At 11:40 am I pulled into Pop Century’s gates pulled up to the curb to drop off my bags since yes, I had one big suitcase, a small duffel bag and a bag of food and drink, all of which were heavy at this point. I was greeted by a man who said I should park my car on the curb he’d take my bags and I can go check in. If my room was ready I could give him the room number and he’d happily bring my bags right up. If not, he would gladly store them for me. I thanked him and went inside to a empty lobby. EMPTY! I’ve been staying here since 2004 and have never seen it this empty. The night before I had done online checks in. Another cast member who said my room was ready greeted me. 4th floor overlooking the hippy dippy pool as noted in my reservation requests. I light up! My trip was off to an amazing start! I walked back out to the luggage area where I gave the other CM my room number; he’d said he’d bring my bags right up. I went to park my car in the guest parking, though not 60’s since I was closer to the 70’s I parked there. Got to my room, the sun was shining everything was perfect and then…. a king bed. I quickly called the front desk and said they had given me a king bed but I needed a room with two doubles since there was two of us after all. They put me on hold to look for a room and quickly found one in the same building, but on floor three. They asked if that was okay, I said of course it was okay. I was then told to come back to the front desk and get my new keys, I told the CM on the line I had my bags coming to the room, they said they would radio to luggage desk to tell them of the room change and my bags would be delivered shortly. I thanked them then hung up and walked back down to get my new keys. At this point it was now almost 12 p.m. and Belle texted me saying she arrived, and would meet me in the lobby. Perfect! We met in the lobby to which she went all wide-eyed. She had worked at All Star Sports during her College Program and she said compared to Pop that place was a dump. (Her own opinion, though personally I am not fond of any of the all-stars, but to each his own). I told her our room was ready and showed her where to park her car, since she was a little confused. We took her bags to the room to find my own waiting there! After settling in and unpacking some we changed into our costumes. She was a nurse and I was the Cheshire cat.
So off we went to the buses. Just as we were walking up to the MK bus it pulled up and unloaded. We were again lucky! And not a lot of people were waiting so we got a seat! We weren’t the only ones in costume either. In fact the few people who weren’t kept asking why we were, to which I would reply with “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tonight at the Magic kingdom”. Anyway, moving forward. Once the bus pulled up to MK and unloaded we walked to the bag check and then onto the guest services (I think that’s the proper term it’s before you enter MK to the far right, you can purchase tickets here as well) and I picked up the MNSSHP tickets and Belle got her Annual Pass. Then we hoped on a boat to Grand Floridian. We were a little early but better early then late! So we walked around and Belle bought a purse. Mind you it was only 1:30 p.m. at this point. We were making excellent time. When Belle asked if the purse could be sent to the room the CM said it would take three days so unless we were staying longer then that then no, and since we were leaving in three days we didn’t have it sent.
Garden View Tea Room
I’ve had tea before. And knowing Belle was a tea lover as I was I thought this would be perfect to start our Disney Dinning with since we didn’t want to us a TS credit that day and were both willing to pay OOP. We both had the Buckingham palace teas and shared a cheese plate. Oh boy, were we full by the end. Oh and let me introduce you to our surprise guests Elmo and Charlie the Unicorn (with random appearances by Pal Mickey)
So here are some pictures.
Belle had the Nobu Whole Fruit Tea (the red) and I had the Lemon Verbena.
The picture of the sandwich's won't upload.
The Cheeses on the cheese plate were Brie, Yellow and White cheddar, Garlic Boursin, and Sage. The Tea sandwiches were Curry Chicken (which was sweet), Watercress and cucumber, Shrimp salad, Egg Salad, Pear and Gorgonzola and each came with an onion tart. Yum! Scones followed these and jam tarts, which as you see we swapped since she doesn’t like raisins and I can’t have strawberries, and it was believed the jam in the tarts has strawberries in it. I then got two éclairs to go and Belle had the strawberries and cream. It took us two hours to do this tea but we were fine with that, we were here to relax and enjoy.
Once we did get to Magic kingdom it was 4! So we just used out MNSSHP tickets. MK was dead. I haven’t seen it this dead since…. well I cannot remember. We were able to do in order
Pirates
Toontown where it only took 15 minutes to meet Mickey and Minnie
Whinnie the pooh
Snow White
Dumbo
A picture of construction from Dumbo
Peter Pan
Space Mountain
TTA
Toontown again for the Mad hatter and Alice treat trail
Frontier land for the treat trail
BTM
Haunted Mansion
In which I’m really a chicken but I go on it for my family and friends. So the story is this. We walk into the stretching room and the CM is all trying to freak me out because he can tell I am scared. I wave and say hi, trying to show him I’m not even though I am. So we stand and the room stretches and I’m watching him in the dark move towards me. The lights come on and there he is staring at me, so I ask if he’d like some candy. He moves closer. My friend is all “see what you did!? You upset him!” I walked backward staring as him as we made our way to the loading area.
We headed to tomorrow land to grab some dinner at Cosmic Rays. Another cute story. Since it was my Birthday and I was wearing a button they very loudly announced it was a very special day and sang me Happy Birthday had everyone get in on it too! Then a CM said, “Your not even the littlest bit embarrassed?” I said “Sorry no, but thank you so much for the song! I loved it!” So we got our meals of chicken nuggets, fries, coke, diet coke, brownie and carrot cake and ate.
After we ate we headed to the hub to bunker down for the fireworks, villains show and parade. We had a great spot right on the curb!
After though we were so worn out, we went back to Pop. Guess what...no line for the bus again!
Next up Animal Kingdom and Epcot with one major disappointment
The Cast:
Jill (That’d be me)
Grew up here in Florida have been visiting WDW no less then 4 times a year since birth. That’s yes over 100 times thus far. I’ve gone family, friends, school, solo. You name it, I’ve probably done it. I’m fascinated by all things Disney. Favorite Disney movie’s include Alice in Wonderland (hence the username), Finding Nemo, Mary Poppin’s and Toy Story 1-3. Disney is not a vacation for me, it’s more like going home. Yes when I’m on the bus back to my resort and they say “Welcome Home” I do tear up a little. I’ve been an Annual Passholder for the past 6 years now.
Jessica, or as she’d prefer to be called for this trip report Belle. Best Friend. She grew up in Canada (which part though I forget) and moved here with her family when she was 13. She did the Disney College Program a few years back and it put a bad taste for Disney in her mouth. I was set on changing that though. Her favorite character is Remy and her favorite princess is Belle. Even though she worked at Disney and has had a few visits here and there she’d never met Mickey Mouse! I know…that’s blasphemy. And where the title to the thread came from! Her favorite Disney Movies include Mary Poppin’s and anything Disney Pixar. Decided to buy herself an Annual Pass since she came with me in September and will be coming with myself and Mother in November for Thanksgiving, but that’s a whole nother story.
Reason for the trip: Well does one really NEED a reason for a trip to WDW? I don’t think so but this trip actually had two reasons! The first being my 25th birthday. The second being my friend needing to get her Annual Pass.
This trip has been in the making since May of 2010. Belle’s birthday is in August and mine September. We sadly live on opposite sides of the state and I am finishing up my last semester at Community College. We both hope to attend a Florida University this coming spring. We’re just waiting to hear back. In the midst of applications, classes, work and life I knew I had to do something for my 25th birthday. I live in a place where the average age of a resident here is 40+. Now that’s not a bad thing at all, but when your in your early-mid twenties finding something to go out and do can be difficult as everything here closes pretty early and I’m not much of a drinker so bars are out. I asked my friends if they would be interested in maybe going to Walt Disney World for a weekend. Originally there was to be 5 of us total sharing 2 rooms. I priced the trip and got back to them. One by one they all said they couldn’t afford it or they were unsure if they could and wouldn’t know till last minute. But Belle said she’d be more then happy to go. We even booked free dining since at the time she needed tickets. So we were all set. 3 nights at Pop Century with Free Dining. Couldn’t wait! Then one day while I was at work I got a call from Belle saying she didn’t need the tickets, she was buying an Annual Pass. Well I knew if I could I should try and change the reservation from Free Dining to an AP discount. Saved us each $100, and luckily I was able to do it with no problems!
When: September 23rd 2010-September 26th 2010
Day One: coming soon
Day 1- Phone calls, Lovebugs and some slight confusion ending with the best birthday ever.
September 23rd 2010
*Sorry it took so long, between work and school, I've been super busy.
For the few days prior to the trip I couldn’t sleep. Yes I am one of those people. Like in those commercials where the kids are “too excited to sleep”. YUP. That’s me. I was all set to sleep in and not have to wake up early and go to work and school. But my body had different plans. It woke up at 5 am. I tried to get back to sleep and I think I succeeded because when I woke up again it was 7 am. So to kill some time I watched TV and had some hot tea to start my day. At 8 am my family starts to call (since that’s the exact time I was born) to wish me a Happy Birthday. They all asked if I had left yet and was I excited to which I replied to each, no I hadn’t left yet and yes I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. Time seemed to move so slowly! Finally I decided to get off my butt and wash up and get dressed. At 9:30 am I loaded up my car made sure the tank was full and iPod fully charge before I set off up I-75 towards I-4. It only takes me about 2 hours give or take with traffic to get to Walt Disney World. I listened to Disney music the whole way up because it’s a tradition started by my Mom from when I was little and it wouldn’t be a Disney Trip without it.
At 11:40 am I pulled into Pop Century’s gates pulled up to the curb to drop off my bags since yes, I had one big suitcase, a small duffel bag and a bag of food and drink, all of which were heavy at this point. I was greeted by a man who said I should park my car on the curb he’d take my bags and I can go check in. If my room was ready I could give him the room number and he’d happily bring my bags right up. If not, he would gladly store them for me. I thanked him and went inside to a empty lobby. EMPTY! I’ve been staying here since 2004 and have never seen it this empty. The night before I had done online checks in. Another cast member who said my room was ready greeted me. 4th floor overlooking the hippy dippy pool as noted in my reservation requests. I light up! My trip was off to an amazing start! I walked back out to the luggage area where I gave the other CM my room number; he’d said he’d bring my bags right up. I went to park my car in the guest parking, though not 60’s since I was closer to the 70’s I parked there. Got to my room, the sun was shining everything was perfect and then…. a king bed. I quickly called the front desk and said they had given me a king bed but I needed a room with two doubles since there was two of us after all. They put me on hold to look for a room and quickly found one in the same building, but on floor three. They asked if that was okay, I said of course it was okay. I was then told to come back to the front desk and get my new keys, I told the CM on the line I had my bags coming to the room, they said they would radio to luggage desk to tell them of the room change and my bags would be delivered shortly. I thanked them then hung up and walked back down to get my new keys. At this point it was now almost 12 p.m. and Belle texted me saying she arrived, and would meet me in the lobby. Perfect! We met in the lobby to which she went all wide-eyed. She had worked at All Star Sports during her College Program and she said compared to Pop that place was a dump. (Her own opinion, though personally I am not fond of any of the all-stars, but to each his own). I told her our room was ready and showed her where to park her car, since she was a little confused. We took her bags to the room to find my own waiting there! After settling in and unpacking some we changed into our costumes. She was a nurse and I was the Cheshire cat.
So off we went to the buses. Just as we were walking up to the MK bus it pulled up and unloaded. We were again lucky! And not a lot of people were waiting so we got a seat! We weren’t the only ones in costume either. In fact the few people who weren’t kept asking why we were, to which I would reply with “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tonight at the Magic kingdom”. Anyway, moving forward. Once the bus pulled up to MK and unloaded we walked to the bag check and then onto the guest services (I think that’s the proper term it’s before you enter MK to the far right, you can purchase tickets here as well) and I picked up the MNSSHP tickets and Belle got her Annual Pass. Then we hoped on a boat to Grand Floridian. We were a little early but better early then late! So we walked around and Belle bought a purse. Mind you it was only 1:30 p.m. at this point. We were making excellent time. When Belle asked if the purse could be sent to the room the CM said it would take three days so unless we were staying longer then that then no, and since we were leaving in three days we didn’t have it sent.
Garden View Tea Room
I’ve had tea before. And knowing Belle was a tea lover as I was I thought this would be perfect to start our Disney Dinning with since we didn’t want to us a TS credit that day and were both willing to pay OOP. We both had the Buckingham palace teas and shared a cheese plate. Oh boy, were we full by the end. Oh and let me introduce you to our surprise guests Elmo and Charlie the Unicorn (with random appearances by Pal Mickey)
So here are some pictures.
Belle had the Nobu Whole Fruit Tea (the red) and I had the Lemon Verbena.
The picture of the sandwich's won't upload.
The Cheeses on the cheese plate were Brie, Yellow and White cheddar, Garlic Boursin, and Sage. The Tea sandwiches were Curry Chicken (which was sweet), Watercress and cucumber, Shrimp salad, Egg Salad, Pear and Gorgonzola and each came with an onion tart. Yum! Scones followed these and jam tarts, which as you see we swapped since she doesn’t like raisins and I can’t have strawberries, and it was believed the jam in the tarts has strawberries in it. I then got two éclairs to go and Belle had the strawberries and cream. It took us two hours to do this tea but we were fine with that, we were here to relax and enjoy.
Once we did get to Magic kingdom it was 4! So we just used out MNSSHP tickets. MK was dead. I haven’t seen it this dead since…. well I cannot remember. We were able to do in order
Pirates
Toontown where it only took 15 minutes to meet Mickey and Minnie
Whinnie the pooh
Snow White
Dumbo
A picture of construction from Dumbo
Peter Pan
Space Mountain
TTA
Toontown again for the Mad hatter and Alice treat trail
Frontier land for the treat trail
BTM
Haunted Mansion
In which I’m really a chicken but I go on it for my family and friends. So the story is this. We walk into the stretching room and the CM is all trying to freak me out because he can tell I am scared. I wave and say hi, trying to show him I’m not even though I am. So we stand and the room stretches and I’m watching him in the dark move towards me. The lights come on and there he is staring at me, so I ask if he’d like some candy. He moves closer. My friend is all “see what you did!? You upset him!” I walked backward staring as him as we made our way to the loading area.
We headed to tomorrow land to grab some dinner at Cosmic Rays. Another cute story. Since it was my Birthday and I was wearing a button they very loudly announced it was a very special day and sang me Happy Birthday had everyone get in on it too! Then a CM said, “Your not even the littlest bit embarrassed?” I said “Sorry no, but thank you so much for the song! I loved it!” So we got our meals of chicken nuggets, fries, coke, diet coke, brownie and carrot cake and ate.
After we ate we headed to the hub to bunker down for the fireworks, villains show and parade. We had a great spot right on the curb!
After though we were so worn out, we went back to Pop. Guess what...no line for the bus again!
Next up Animal Kingdom and Epcot with one major disappointment
