What exactly DID you do at Disney? May 2011 TR (TR link pg 44)

[pinkxray]

Arrival Day

We were scheduled to fly out of Bradley airport at 8:30am. I had all the bags ready to go but unfortunately DH had to use his car the night before so I couldn’t load the car before going to bed. Before heading to bed I asked DH to load all the bags in the car when he got home that night.


I set the alarm for 4am and tried to go to sleep. Why do I bother? I must have gotten about 3 or 4 hours of sleep. 4am is still too early to be waking up even when going to Disney but the alarm beeped loudly anyway. I stumbled through the darkness to head toward the shower and there in the living room were all the suitcases still needing to be loaded into the car. Deep breath, Diane.


DH actually woke up on time and not only put the bags in the car, but woke Caitlin up while I was getting dressed. We were all out the door a little bit after 5 and made the hour drive to the airport. This trip we remembered to park in the economy long term parking lot and take the shuttle to the airport. Last year we parked in the long term garage connected to the airport and it costs us $150 to park. This time it was only $67.


We had a light breakfast at Dunkin Donuts and boarded Jet Blue on time. We buckled out seat belts and started to move away from the building. And then we stopped. And sat there for 30 minutes. Ugh. They never said what the delay was, maybe something about other planes taking off before them. I don’t know. We flew Jet Blue to MCO and Southwest home. This wasn’t looking good for Jet Blue.


I didn’t take many pictures b/c I didn’t want to annoy DH or DD. I figured they would have enough picture taking once we hit FL.

We had a nice smooth flight but still arrived that extra half hour late.

It was a little after 1 by the time we got our rental car. I paid for a full size car since midsize was a bit too small last time. What did we get?

A jetta. Really?

Note: Do not book Hertz to save money. Stick with Alamo or national so you can pick your own car. The jetta was okay but my seat didn’t move and it didn’t handle high speeds very well.

Only about a half hour until we cross under that magical archway to where dreams come true right?

No. Time for some Steak and Shake! We don’t have them in CT and since we would be on the dxdp once we checked in this was one of the only times we would be able to eat here and DH had to eat here.

Up next we finally check in to VWL

 

[KatMark]

I hate it when they don't tell you why you are delayed (but then again I hate flying so maybe it's a good thing they don't tell me ).

Hooray....you've landed in Orlando. A Jetta? Really? I hear you on that. We had a Volkswagon brand car years and years ago (Andy was little) and I would never buy another one. We have always found Hertz really expensive (same as Avis) and we normall always stick with Alamo or National (in September we are using Enterprise as of now because they had the best deal thus far).

I already commented on your dining reviews about Steak & Shake -- but we love it (and no we didn't go last night for dinner because I had to go get my nails done and then get home and let Cookie out). The food is so scrumptious. I love the picture of Caitlin in her Steak & Shake cookers hat.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

So excited to read your TR!

I can't believe you guys stayed in so many places! We're doing a semi-split stay (1 night at AKL, the rest at VWL), so I'm anxious to hear how it went with you guys!

Sorry to hear the plane was delayed. I've noticed the older I get the more I hate flying and all the drama that goes with it.

Aren't Steak 'n' Shake's onion rings awesome?! Love them!!

And Caitlin is soooo cute! I plan on buying Emma some Mickey ears from our trip and her's are precious!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[ericandkelly]

I'm in. Can't wait for more.

 

[AKL LOVER]

I'm in too. Boy I really need to get a move on with my TR...you're making me look bad! You've been back less time than me, but you have more written!!

We also spent less time at the parks this trip--much to MY dislike. Can't wait to read more!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I hate sitting on a plane and not being told what is going on. Last summer our plane got rerouted due to storms and we sat at another airport for three hours with no updates as to what was going to happen, it was agony!

Yum, Steak and Shake!

 

[pinkxray]

I hate it when they don't tell you why you are delayed (but then again I hate flying so maybe it's a good thing they don't tell me ).

Hooray....you've landed in Orlando. A Jetta? Really? I hear you on that. We had a Volkswagon brand car years and years ago (Andy was little) and I would never buy another one. We have always found Hertz really expensive (same as Avis) and we normall always stick with Alamo or National (in September we are using Enterprise as of now because they had the best deal thus far).

I already commented on your dining reviews about Steak & Shake -- but we love it (and no we didn't go last night for dinner because I had to go get my nails done and then get home and let Cookie out). The food is so scrumptious. I love the picture of Caitlin in her Steak & Shake cookers hat.

I was not very happy when I saw we had a jetta. What can you do?

I don't think they mentioned any reason for the delay, but I do remember not wanting to know anything about any type of airplane issues they had. I guess if they tell you everyone will head for the exit. I was very annoying being right near the runway and watching all the other planes take off before you.

Then, when arriving thinking "You're cutting into my Disney time right now"

So excited to read your TR!

I can't believe you guys stayed in so many places! We're doing a semi-split stay (1 night at AKL, the rest at VWL), so I'm anxious to hear how it went with you guys!

Sorry to hear the plane was delayed. I've noticed the older I get the more I hate flying and all the drama that goes with it.

Aren't Steak 'n' Shake's onion rings awesome?! Love them!!

And Caitlin is soooo cute! I plan on buying Emma some Mickey ears from our trip and her's are precious!

Can't wait to read more!

I can't really believe we moved so many times either. It went pretty smoothly all until the last day. But that's a story for later on.

It couldn't have been too bad though. We already agreed to do a split stay next time, although sticking to 2 resorts.

Emma will look adorable with Mickey ears

I'm in. Can't wait for more.

Thanks for joining in.

I'm in too. Boy I really need to get a move on with my TR...you're making me look bad! You've been back less time than me, but you have more written!!

We also spent less time at the parks this trip--much to MY dislike. Can't wait to read more!

There are two ways this trip report can go- I fly through it and do an update everyday or I drag it out and never finish. I am going to try to get through it quickly b/c I know the longer I wait the harder it will be to talk about our trip with no trip in sight.

I was not very happy with the lack of Disney park time we had either. I did say I would go with the flow but it did get to me sometimes.

I hate sitting on a plane and not being told what is going on. Last summer our plane got rerouted due to storms and we sat at another airport for three hours with no updates as to what was going to happen, it was agony!

Yum, Steak and Shake!

I can't wait for you to start your trip report. It took my forever to upload my pictures so I am sure you are just getting ready.

I am pretty sure I saw you in EPCOT on May 15. I was sitting outside the bakery in France eating my Napoleon around 1:30(maybe 2) and a girl who looked just like you raced by and headed for whatever shop is straight down the entrance to France. She had on a red tank top. If it was you, you were going way to fast for me to even react. Where were you off to in such a hurry?

 

[caitty13]

Great TR so far, I was down there from the 14th to the 20th. I was also at Epcot on the 15th...

 

[pinkxray]

Great TR so far, I was down there from the 14th to the 20th. I was also at Epcot on the 15th...

Welcome and thanks for joining in.

Wasn't there a Dismeet that day? I remember making a mental note to try to get to UK for 1pm and then remembered that at about 2pm. I was surprised that EPCOT wasn't as busy as I expected b/c it seems like anyone who was going that week was going to be in EPCOT that day.

 

[caitty13]

I remember reading something about a DISmeet, we had lunch at Le Cellier at 1:55 that day so I wouldn't have made it. It really wasn't all that busy, I was surprised. Now the 16th at the MK was insane...

 

[pinkxray]

I remember reading something about a DISmeet, we had lunch at Le Cellier at 1:55 that day so I wouldn't have made it. It really wasn't all that busy, I was surprised. Now the 16th at the MK was insane...

Ha, we were in MK that day too. It didn't seem to bad in the morning but we left and came back for the parade at night and fireworks and it was a mob scene. We got there about an hour before MESP and there was nowhere to sit. DH heard someone with a lousy seat say he had been there for 2 hours. No way, we skipped it that night.

 

[basketkat]

Oh Steak n Shake onion rings are yummy...but I don't know if they're cutting into Disney time yummy. Too funny...

I would of been bummed to see a Jetta as well...

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Nermel9]

Mmm, Steak N Shake looks good! I notice in one of the signs in your picture that they have a Mint Cookies and Cream shake...I might have to stop there just to get that!

 

[Queila]

I had never heard of Steak'n Shake before but those onion rings look AMAZING!!

Q

 

[pinkxray]

Oh Steak n Shake onion rings are yummy...but I don't know if they're cutting into Disney time yummy. Too funny...

I would of been bummed to see a Jetta as well...

Looking forward to reading more.

The onion rings were so good. We were in and out in less than a half hour. We pretty much inhaled our food b/c we had eat much that day. Pretty embarrasing how quickly we ate, but at least it didn't take to much time away from our day.

Mmm, Steak N Shake looks good! I notice in one of the signs in your picture that they have a Mint Cookies and Cream shake...I might have to stop there just to get that!

They had so many kinds of milkshakes that looked so good. They have the menu on their website. I wanted to try a butterfinger or butter pecan one, but I knew I would get a shake at Sci-fi. The people behind use ordered milkshakes and I was a bit sad when the waiter didn't bring that tray to our table.

I had never heard of Steak'n Shake before but those onion rings look AMAZING!!

Q

They were so good. DH looked at me like I was crazy b/c I almost always choose fries over onion rings, but as much as I love SnS their fries are a bit thin for me. I am so glad I got the onion rings, they were awesome!

The meal was very cheap too which makes it even better.

 

[AKL LOVER]

I was not very happy with the lack of Disney park time we had either. I did say I would go with the flow but it did get to me sometimes.

Sorry about the no ticker for a while

I completely get what you mean about the go with the flow getting to you...this is a reoccuring theme you will hear me discuss in my TR. I tried not to let it get to me, but I'll admit sometimes that it did! You know that line in your last update...deep breath, Diane?? Well I was constantly using that during the week...well except I didn't call myself Diane obviously!

 

[pinkxray]

Sorry about the no ticker for a while

I completely get what you mean about the go with the flow getting to you...this is a reoccuring theme you will hear me discuss in my TR. I tried not to let it get to me, but I'll admit sometimes that it did! You know that line in your last update...deep breath, Diane?? Well I was constantly using that during the week...well except I didn't call myself Diane obviously!

I'm okay with it I guess. Last year when I got home I was pricing trips and seeing how I could squeeze in another. This time I know that DH will not budge on going back again so soon. This would be our big 2011 trip and he is in charge of where we go for the summer of 2012. I just have to accept that he wants to go other places. However once the summer comes and he has not made any travel plans I'm hitting the Disney reservation line. He has said I could go alone or with Caitlin but I just don't want to do that yet. Maybe one day I'll be okay with it, but I would rather go somewhere we can all enjoy than not do a family trip.

He has said that he is willing to do a Disney cruise and that our next trip should be a cruise. Disney Cruiseline 2012 ??? We'll see.
Deep breath in... I should have used that as my title I couldn't even count how many times I had to do this and just let my plans go.

 

[crostorfer]

Just take Caitlyn alone to get your Disney fix! Mommy-daughter trips are magical and it's so much more relaxing to not have to worry about making the husband happy. Trust me, I know, LOL. It's stressful. We are going to go back the week after Thanksgiving for a short trip, just to do the Christmas stuff, and this time I am not even factoring my husband into the equation, he hasn't been able to go the last two times and if I am completely honest with myself, he would hate it anyway. I don't know if I could enjoy myself knowing he wasn't having as good of a time as us and worrying about that. She's the right age, do it!!! It's an entirely different experience when it's just the two of you.

My Mom and brother joined us on this trip and by the end of the first day together I kind of swore I would never go again unless it's just me and Kassidy. Other people bugger up your plans too easily. LOL I just want to do what we want to do and not factor anyone else's agenda's in. I didn't ride nearly as many rides this trip as I wanted to, and it's in fault, mostly, to the fact that we were factoring in what they wanted to do, which was mostly eat and not ride, LOL. Never again!!!

 

[pinkxray]

There is a murder mystery series by JD Robb (really Nora Roberts) that I read. In the books a murder cop solves murder cases in the year 2060 in New York. Each time a new book comes out I read the first chapter. Then, I flip through the book until I get to the part where they reveal the killer. Why? I can’t stand not knowing the whole way through where this book is going. DH thinks this is crazy and will ruin the book, but the usually the writing is so good that I can still read through the entire book and wonder- how can that person possibly be the killer?


Another bit of info about me. Every year that I lived at my parents house I headed to my parents closet where my mother hid our x-mas presents and peeked. Usually if they were wrapped I didn’t bother but if I could peel back a piece of tape to see what was inside , I did it. This was not something I did just as a child. I did it every year I lived there and if I was to visit the house in Dec. this year and I saw my mother hiding presents in the closet I would probably peek again.


Why am I telling you this? I don’t like surprises. I like to know the end of the story first. Instead of waiting until the end of this trip report to reveal our new favorite resort, I am going to tell you all about it now. Hopefully, you’ll still read along with the rest of the story to see how we got to the end.

What resort could possibly make me toss my dream of staying at the Poly next trip?

That’s right- Animal Kingdom Lodge!

It was AMAZING! I loved everything about it. DH and Caitlin are all in agreement that we will be heading back next time. Gone is my desire to try all the resorts Disney has to offer. I don’t care about watching Wishes from the beach at Poly or strolling from my room at the Boardwalk Inn to Boardwalk Bakery. I could spend every trip at AKL and be happy.

I am going to post a resort review later but AKL worked for us for many reasons. Apparently as much as I want to be a park commando and spend all my time at the parks, my family does not. AKL is where it felt like there was the most to do at the resort. DH took a nap one day and Caitlin spent about an hour sitting on the balcony checking off the animals she saw from our balcony. Never once did I hear her whine “This is so boring”, which she did many times at VWL and BCV.

We also don’t use Disney transportation. We go offsite so we will always rent a car. I did force DH to take the bus a few times and didn’t have any issues. We never waited long for bus, most of the time our bus was either waiting there or pulling up when we got to the bus stop. Not sure how they would be during a peak time though.

There is nothing better than waking up in the morning and opening you curtains to see what animals are outside your window. When we were at AKL I felt the most comfortable with our resort time. When at VWL and BCV having the parks so close I wanted to leave the resort and head to the parks. At AKL I was perfectly okay being on my balcony or touring the resort.
We won’t be back for a few years but I already know that when we do we will be spending a night or two at Pop and the rest of the stay at AKL.

 

[pinkxray]

Just take Caitlyn alone to get your Disney fix! Mommy-daughter trips are magical and it's so much more relaxing to not have to worry about making the husband happy. Trust me, I know, LOL. It's stressful. We are going to go back the week after Thanksgiving for a short trip, just to do the Christmas stuff, and this time I am not even factoring my husband into the equation, he hasn't been able to go the last two times and if I am completely honest with myself, he would hate it anyway. I don't know if I could enjoy myself knowing he wasn't having as good of a time as us and worrying about that. She's the right age, do it!!! It's an entirely different experience when it's just the two of you.

My Mom and brother joined us on this trip and by the end of the first day together I kind of swore I would never go again unless it's just me and Kassidy. Other people bugger up your plans too easily. LOL I just want to do what we want to do and not factor anyone else's agenda's in. I didn't ride nearly as many rides this trip as I wanted to, and it's in fault, mostly, to the fact that we were factoring in what they wanted to do, which was mostly eat and not ride, LOL. Never again!!!

I am thinking about taking her alone one day. I think whatever year we go back as a family I will get APs and maybe take her to see the xmas stuff over a long weekend or something. We'll see what happens. The only way I'll be able to go back sooner is if I start working more, which to be quite honest I don't want to do. (Lazy, I know) If I was willing to work full time there could be many more Disney trip coming my way, but right now I'd rather be home and take less trips. Of course, I change my mind like the wind and could decide in a few months to work every shift available to get me to Disney.

Caitlin and I have also talked about going with my sister at some point so we'll see how that works out. As much as her husband complains he actually does go back each year with her. He doesn't really like kids so I'm not sure Caitlin would love going with both of them.

Are you definitely staying at the Poly again? How was the wristband situation at the pool?