Where did this heat and all these people come from? The new PTR/TR link 5/7

[kschafer]

I love Fantasmic but I don't know that we will see it this summer. The crowds are too much with two little kids since they now only do it certain nights. Last summer we were in line for the 2nd show 30 minutes before the first show started. The crowds were insane and it was super hot! Not a fun way to end the night in my opinion.

I would check your dates because when looking at event times in August for my brother, I found they are having it every night. I must say though, waiting in that crowd for so long would have been very hard on kids and when we went the first time, we did the dinner package so we just walked right into the theater, got some popcorn and sat to wait.

I just adore Fantasmic. Your pictures are making me want to see it in September. Hmmm, I feel an itinerary change coming on.

I love the picture of the balloons on Sunset Blvd...is that the street name??

My vote is GO! Loved it and the light mist from the water screens was so refreshing!

We all love F! and can't imagine being in Disney and not seeing it even though we have seen it twice. Great pics. The thing I love about WDW is it is a different trip every time....with kids, without kids and even with the exact same people it can be a different trip each time. So cool!

I'm a sucker for any fireworks or parade, I plan my trip around them

So glad to hear that Beth's surgery went well!

What a lovely evening and a great seat at Fantasmic!!! Love your shot of the balloons on Hollywood Boulevard!

Thanks Jackie, I was thrilled with my spot!

Joining in
Great F! pics, I haven't seen it in a while, I'll have to get on that though!

Welcome!!! I forgot how much I liked it the first time!

 

[kschafer]

Katie, reading about your night makes me wish we had come over after dinner to watch Fantasmic with you after all! I still haven't seen it @ WDW, someday......

Yep, you should have joined me I guess you'll just have to plan another trip

Great update, Katie. Your pics of Fantasmic are much better than anything I've been able to get; I have a new camera but we won't be doing Fantasmic this year.

Thanks Kathy. I would love a really nice camera but don't have the desire to lug one around.

I enjoyed looking at your DHS pictures. I need to take my time on our next visit and tour the Walt Disney display.

We only wandered in there on our last trip because we had a little time to kill and needed something that wouldn't have a long wait. I'm SO glad we did, it is an excellent look on Walt's life

Nice update! We haven't went to see Fantasmic yet but may try it this year. My 2 grandchildren will be there and can't see them being happy waiting that long as we are going to DHS on one of the last days of the trip so we will play it by ear.

If you can manage the dinner package, it really cuts down on the wait time! There were certainly some parents having a hard time keeping their kids entertained.

Hi Katie. I finally found your TR and you're already at page infinity?

Glad to see that real Beth is doing well and I hope her post-op recovery is still going well. I had to laugh at the pics of flat Beth and it brought back great memories.

Loving your TR.

Not quite infinity...but I'm glad you made it over! I just remembered I need to put the pin you gave me for Beth in the pile of things to bring her!!

What a wonderful night!! I've never seen One Man's Dream and have made it my mission to see it the next time-- I've only heard wonderful things about it. That's what I love about Disney-- great with kids, great as a couple, great on your own!!

This trip was wonderfully different in so many ways. I'm defintely taking the kids next trip but this won't be my last without them!

One Man's Dream is excellent!

That is terrific news about Beth! I hope she continues to feel better and better!!

Love your evening at DHS pictures. Here's another confession from me... I've never seen Fantasmic! I take it you would recommend it?

I love your last shot looking back down the boulevard at the sorcerer's hat!

WHAT Your assignment for October is to get your bootie there! Failure to complete this mission will result in.......taking me on your next trip!

What a great TR! I am thoroughly enjoying your updates and can't wait to hear more Such a shame to hear about your friend Beth's problem but so GREAT that the operation was a success, the world of medicine is just amazing! I've often thought about a solo trip and how I would do it. I travel alot for work so I guess I'm used to being alone and working on my own schedule. I bet it's just incredible how much more you can observe, appreciate and do when there's no pressure to please anyone but yourself! You go girl! Bring on the next update

I was glad when Shelby arrived because I like having other people around too but there were a few times that she took an afternoon break and I went to the parks alone and it is so freeing to just do whatever YOU feel like and take it all in!

Glad you are here and enjoying

 

[kschafer]

I think your point and shoot did a mighty fine job taking nighttime pictures!! It has been awhile since I saw Fantasmic and I'm starting to think I need to see it again! Maybe I'll take C with me and she and I can see it!!!

Glad you enjoyed the show and glad you enjoyed having just some "you" time at Disney!!!!

Thanks Jen, you can help C accomplish her assignment!

I didn't venture into One Man’s Dream and I sooo wish I would have. I would also tear up. His life was amazing. I also have never seen F! It's on the "maybe next time" list. Great pictures!!

Oh my goodness...so much to do on your next trip! (What a tragedy )

I am happy to hear the good news about Beth!

And...ahahahahahaha a long sleeved shirt?!?!?? I was mad at myself for not bringing more SLEEVELESS! Needing a long sleeved shirt would have actually been kinda nice...

We didn't make it to One Man's Dream even though we passed it a million times and I wanted to go in. It looks really cool.

You got some really great shots of Fantasmic! We really enjoyed the show on Weds, we had the dinner package so didn't have to wait long at all. Bella was a little scared of the snake but still talks about how much she liked the show as a whole!

I remember Daniel hiding his eyes once or twice but overall he loved it too!

Long sleeves...I know! How I longed for the opportunity to want it

great end to day 1!! great pictures of Fantasmic! and also you got great seats! Sorry! I didn't see the previous post about Beth! Sending well wishes her way!! Can't wait to see more!!

did you make it to F! that night? I looked around for you but knew the chances were going to be pretty slim. Hope your birthday was great!

That is a very nice movie about Walt's life and work.

I can hear the music playing in my head when I see the Fantasmic billboard.

It is fun to wander around alone sometimes to take pictures, window shop, or just people watch.

Every true disney fan needs to make it in there!

The solo time was more enjoyable than I expected but I'm not sure I would want to do it for too long. A few hours here and there were great though!

Love the Fantasmic pictures! DH and I haven't seen it since 2008, when we walked in 5 minutes after it started and stood way in the back! I just never felt like waiting an hour for seats, but maybe this November I will, I'd like to see it once and actually know what's happening!

It's a really neat show, consider doing a dinner package if you can swing it, it really cuts on the wait and guarantees a seat!

How did I miss your last update? : I'm glad you got such a great seat at Fantasmic and your pictures certainly turned out well. You got all the main highlights and the content of the pictures are great!

When you have young kids and you are finally free of the restraint, it feels amazing doesn't in. You feel so light and floating like you could just wind you way through anything.

I love your CSR pics, too. It really is a pretty resort and I am glad you liked it there. So, do tell....did you change your room?????

thanks MEK, I'm sure your camera would have done much better

More CSR pics coming up as well as the room decision reveal...maybe tomorrow

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Hi

I'm all caught up on the first upadates. Great job so far!

You were lucky to snag a walk in to California Grill!

Fantasmic is awesome!

Can't wait to find out if you switched rooms....I kinda think you did....

 

[BippityBoo]

HI I have seen you on lots of reports, so thought I would come and catch up on your TR! Great job so far!! Your room was just beautiful I can't wait to read more about your adventure

I have a Christmastime PTR if you would like to join as well

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2468950

 

[cdotla]

Hi Katie! I am finally all caught up!

I am so, so glad that you decided to venture over to CG on your first night. Even if you had to eat at the bar, it still would have been worth it, but I kinda thought you would luck out on getting a table at that hour!

So glad that you were able to experience that delicious meal!

The crowds really were crazy in the parks, especially for Fantasmic with the reduced showings, weren't they???? Even though we did the earlier one, I assume it probably wasn't much better at the later showing.

Glad to hear Beth is doing well!

 

[praisehisname]

Great update! Travelling without kids can be a good thing sometimes! It's amazing how different it is, even though I missed mine when DH and I went without them.

 

[kschafer]

Hi

I'm all caught up on the first upadates. Great job so far!

You were lucky to snag a walk in to California Grill!

Fantasmic is awesome!

Can't wait to find out if you switched rooms....I kinda think you did....

HEY! Glad you found me!

It was a great first evening and a good way to spend some solo time!

Room news coming right up!

HI I have seen you on lots of reports, so thought I would come and catch up on your TR! Great job so far!! Your room was just beautiful I can't wait to read more about your adventure

I have a Christmastime PTR if you would like to join as well

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2468950

Welcome! I've seen you around other TR's too!

I'll have to come check out your PTR soon

Hi Katie! I am finally all caught up!

I am so, so glad that you decided to venture over to CG on your first night. Even if you had to eat at the bar, it still would have been worth it, but I kinda thought you would luck out on getting a table at that hour!

So glad that you were able to experience that delicious meal!

The crowds really were crazy in the parks, especially for Fantasmic with the reduced showings, weren't they???? Even though we did the earlier one, I assume it probably wasn't much better at the later showing.

Glad to hear Beth is doing well!

I figured if I showed up early I could get a seat at the counter, the table was a nice surprise!

The second show had empty seats in the far end sections but there were still a LOT of people there!

Great update! Travelling without kids can be a good thing sometimes! It's amazing how different it is, even though I missed mine when DH and I went without them.

I have to say, I thought I would wish they were with me, and although I missed being around them, I never really wished they were there, I was having too much grown-up fun!

 

[kschafer]

Day 2, May 2

In spite of staying at Hollywood studios through the late show of Fantasmic, I was up early this morning and in fact was already out of the shower and getting dressed when my wake-up call rang. I had decided I would walk over to the main building and ask what I would need to do about changing rooms. So I left this room, the number which I could never remember (and believe me, in the next hour I was asked a lot!)

Turning around this was the view, maybe you can see why I never really knew where I was because I twisted and turned through the hallways to get here then only saw a small patch of grass and trees

I channeled my inner MeMom and took a slow walk around the lake just enjoying the beauty of this morning! My building

The ranchos quiet pool

A glimpse of the Dig Site pool

The cabanas with their hammocks

I wandered into the pool area to check it out without the crowds of the previous afternoon

I knew I would look forward to being here in a few days…but not today!

El Centro, the registration area as well as gift shop and dining options

Pepper Market and convention center

Looking over to the Casitas

The moon was out this morning

Just a quiet side area

Looking back toward the cabanas and bridge to the Dig Site

It was still early, the gift shop was not open yet

Finally I wandered into the registration area and found it was not busy!

I talked with a very helpful CM about the process of changing rooms. She told me I would have to check out of where I was and have my luggage brought to bell services for the day. Later I could come get my new keys and have my bags brought to the new room. I figured since I hadn’t bothered to unpack my suitcase the night before and Shelby hadn’t arrived yet, it was worth the hassle today.

I inquired about staying in the room when we switched from our package ressie to room-only (one of the reasons we didn’t switch to a value resort for the room-only was to avoid the hassle of repacking/unpacking everything) She checked with her supervisor and I was promised we could stay in our new room in Casitas 4, my first choice. So of course I said yes!

I stopped at bell services and made arrangements for someone to come get my luggage in 20 minutes and stopped at the grab and go to get our refillable mugs and a small breakfast and finished my walk across the other side of the lake. I only took a few pictures because I wanted to be sure I was ready when they came for my luggage and I wanted to head out to my next park as soon as that was done

Some topiaries outside pepper market

One of the casitas hammocks (can you see the guy who decided to climb the dig site pyramid while nobody was around to stop him?)

Some of the theming of the ranchos section

I quickly packed and ate my breakfast

And waited for bell services, they were about 10 minutes late. By now it was 8:30 and I figured I wasn’t going to make rope drop which I was a bit bummed about but it turned out to be lucky because I had a special surprise ahead!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I find it hilarious that someone would climb that when no one was around. I mean, really!?

I'm glad you were able to solve your room problem and it's excellent that you were going to be able to stay in your room when the room only ressie switch happened!

Your breakfast looks delicious.

Can't wait to hear the special surprise!

 

[jenjolt]

Love early morning pictures of Disney!! Just something about quiet and empty Disney that is just so relaxing and beautiful!!!

OOOH...you got your room of choice! I hope in when I go next I get the room I want at POR...mansion you will be mine LOL!!!!!!

OOOH...a special surprise...I wonder what it could be YAY!!!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm thrilled that you got the location you wanted after all. Score!! The guy at the top of the pyramid makes me laugh. People never amaze me anymore.

Can't wait to read about your surprise!!!

 

[praisehisname]

I love the pictures you got while you were walking around in the morning. And that's great news about getting moved to where you wanted to be in the first place!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh my gosh! I can't believe that guy climbed to the top of the pyramid

We have many of the same photos, but I may have to steal yours from the empty Dig Site pool - we were right by there and I never thought to walk over and take some pics early in the morning

 

[MeMom]

Day 2, May 2

I channeled my inner MeMom and took a slow walk around the lake just enjoying the beauty of this morning! it turned out to be lucky because I had a special surprise ahead!

May 2nd is the morning I was driving back to Nashville in the blinding rain and the bad storm. I was in the midst of everything but a peaceful environment - trees and power lines down, rising waters everywhere, signs blown across roads. I sort of had a mix of Primeval Whirl, and Kali River going on, and I was nowhere near Animal Kingdom. It's nice to think of you having a peaceful morning walk in Disney World at that same time.

And a special surprise?!?!?

 

[KatMark]

Katie, I love the photos you took around the CSR. I especially like the Ranchos ones; this is the only section we've not stayed in during our eight stays and we're really looking forward to trying it in September.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

I'm glad changing your room didn't seem to be too much of a hassle.

I think you did a lovely job of channeling MeMom with your picture taking walk around the lake!

 

[MegansMom]

Sounds like you had a really nice walk that morning!!! So glad your room choice worked out for the best......BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE SURPRISE IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't leave us hanging too long!!!! Where are you headed this morning? I forgot!

 

[Cory's Gal]

LOVING your TR so far Katie!! I love all those great pics you took, especially the "lit up" palm tree!! It's sounds so lovely to be able to wander around like that! Your dinner at the CG looked amazing too, YUM!!!

I'm anxious to hear what you special surprise is!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dawsonsdad9401]

Waiting to hear more.