Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Trip Report for me! COMPLETED!

[creativeamanda]

Just back from our second ever trip to Disney World, I cannot imagine a trip where more things could have gone right!

Our trip report starts in a small town in South Carolina. My children are sitting quietly in their father's classroom waiting to go. . .



Okay, they were not quiet at all. They were rowdy and whiny. And the gray clouds were beginning to obscure our view of the road. After piling the three of them into our Ford Focus, we drove the 9 hour drive to Kissimmee, where we spent the least restful night ever at the Quality Inn Eastgate. Word to the wise--this trip is our last ever attempt at any off-site hotel. If the inexpensive ones are all like the ones we frequented, then I'd rather fork out an extra $50 to stay on site.

So, after sleeping a couple of hours, I wake everyone up. . .we are making rope drop at Magic Kingdom, after all!

Now, I must let you know, it was yet again, a rainy morning. So much so that these were my first images of Disney World. . .

Was I dismayed? Oh no! The weatherman promised a sunnier day later, and we had our ponchos and umbrella.

So, we make it to Port Orleans-Riverside. Here, I'm getting a little nervous. After all, the line is moving really slowly at the front desk and I immediately thought of Legomom when we got the CM who checked us in. No personality and no smiles. I think, "This is not going to put me down. I am still here." It was little matter, though, that we got Miss Janie Raincloud. Our location was in Alligator Bayou Building 15! Hooray!!!!!


Our car in front of the building. . .

The building Number

We were in room 1507, which was extremely close to South Depot. A walk to the main building was less than 3-4 minutes. Already. . .we have a sprinkle of Pixie Dust and it was just the beginning. . .

Up next. . .Rope Drop and a Tearful Moment For Me. . .


For those of you who like to jump to the next post without muddling through everyone else's comments, I'm making it simple for you. . .

Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Trip Report for me!
Rope Drop and a Tearful Moment For Me
Dumbo, Dumbo, Wherefore Art Thou, Dumbo?
Dumbo, Dumbo, the Kingdom for Dumbo!
Day Two--Do we get to Toy Story Mania? Or do we let Mean Queen down?
Downtown Disney and a Mousekeeping Surprise. . .
Indiana Jones and will all of Our Meals at DHS disappoint?
A Calm POR Morning and EPCOT with the Princesses
A Trip to the Ministry of Magic
Fish Aren't Friends. . .They're FOOD!
EMH On My Own. . .
A Note to All of My Avid Readers. . .
Backtracking a bit. . .
Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Priate's Life For Me!
Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me, part deux!
Lions and Tigers and Monkeys? (Oh MY! And close your eyes, LegoMom!)
The Boneyard Has Swallowed My Children
A Perfect Ending to a Not So Perfect Day

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Just back from our second ever trip to Disney World, I cannot imagine a trip where more things could have gone right!

Our trip report starts in a small town in South Carolina. My children are sitting quietly in their father's classroom waiting to go. . .

Okay, they were not quiet at all. They were rowdy and whiny. And the gray clouds were beginning to obscure our view of the road. After piling the three of them into our Ford Focus, we drove the 9 hour drive to Kissimmee, where we spent the least restful night ever at the Quality Inn Eastgate. Word to the wise--this trip is our last ever attempt at any off-site hotel. If the inexpensive ones are all like the ones we frequented, then I'd rather fork out an extra $50 to stay on site.

So, after sleeping a couple of hours, I wake everyone up. . .we are making rope drop at Magic Kingdom, after all!

Now, I must let you know, it was yet again, a rainy morning. So much so that these were my first images of Disney World. . .

Was I dismayed? Oh no! The weatherman promised a sunnier day later, and we had our ponchos and umbrella.

So, we make it to Port Orleans-Riverside. Here, I'm getting a little nervous. After all, the line is moving really slowly at the front desk and I immediately thought of Legomom when we got the CM who checked us in. No personality and no smiles. I think, "This is not going to put me down. I am still here." It was little matter, though, that we got Miss Janie Raincloud. Our location was in Alligator Bayou Building 15! Hooray!!!!!


Our car in front of the building. . .

The building Number

We were in room 1507, which was extremely close to South Depot. A walk to the main building was less than 3-4 minutes. Already. . .we have a sprinkle of Pixie Dust and it was just the beginning. . .

Up next. . .Rope Drop and a Tearful Moment For Me. . .

Just instituting the "New Rule", cause we all KNOW that you wouldn't change a thing!!

(photos redacted for brevity)

hehehehehehehe

 

[creativeamanda]

Just instituting the "New Rule", cause we all KNOW that you wouldn't change a thing!!

(photos redacted for brevity)

hehehehehehehe

Darn! Was just coming back in to type nevermind and end it all!

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

Wahoo! Tuning in for more

 

[creativeamanda]

Who cries at Disney World on the first day? Well, um, that would be me. But let me start where I ended. Having our Keys to the World in hand and a little spring to our step, we immediately gather our children who are watching cartoons in the lobby and proceed to Riverside Mill to take posession of our beloved refillable mugs. Being on the Deluxe plan, they were rightfully ours and would be used plenty. I had plans for those babies, I tell you (insert evil laugh here).

So we hop back into the car and drive towards Magic Kingdom. Only we miss our exit. So we make a U-turn and head back towards Interstate 4. As we leave Disney Property, our children begin to howl and scream, "NO!" Frankly, I feel the same way. We make our U-Turn in front of the Mariott and head back towards WDW.

One may think that was my tearful moment. Uhm, no. That was not a problem for me. We get back on track just in time to catch the monorail from the TTC over to Magic Kingdom. And yep. It was still raining. And nope. I was not dismayed one bit.

Waiting for the monorail. . .

So, we ride to MK and get to the front for rope drop. Magic Kingdom is all decked out for Halloween, and although in the past I would have said I hated Halloween, the prospect of and the atmosphere of it in Magic Kingdom made me, a hater, a lover of it all.

Our first sights of the Magic Kingdom. . .

The rope drop. . .

So, we make it to the line after rope drop, and for some inexplicable reason, I start crying. Not so that everyone around me knows, but I realize my planning has really paid off! We are at my second favorite place in the world (my fav being home) and we are facing a prospect of being in Magic Kingdom all day.

And then, as if it were a sign from all of the angels, the sun comes out!

And I take the most beautiful photo I could imagine with my cheap little camera. . .

So. . .I'm home (the guard at the entrance of POR told me so. . .he said, "Welcome Home"), the sun is coming out, and I'm on my way to Dumbo. . .or am I?

Coming up, Dumbo, Dumbo, Wherefore Art Thou, Dumbo?

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

That castle shot is amazing!

 

[Mean Queen]

That castle shot is amazing!

I agree totally! And I see nothing wrong with getting a little teary eyed at rope drop.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

I agree totally! And I see nothing wrong with getting a little teary eyed at rope drop.

I got teary several times during our trip. Especially during the Mickey's Philharmonic ride - I had never done it before and it was so awesome! Oh, and during the Nemo show too

 

[creativeamanda]

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for dropping in! More will come up later today.

That castle shot is amazing!

Thanks! It's one of two shots I took that when I uploaded them to the laptop, I thought, "Now that is a picture worthy of a postcard."

I'd been thinking of upgrading to an SLR. I think I'll stick with my Canon P&S for a while.

I agree totally! And I see nothing wrong with getting a little teary eyed at rope drop.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I had worked so hard on the trip and that is when reality hit that I was in Disney World!

I got teary several times during our trip. Especially during the Mickey's Philharmonic ride - I had never done it before and it was so awesome! Oh, and during the Nemo show too

It wasn't my only teary-eyed moment, but definitely the most pronounced.

 

[creativeamanda]

So, we had made rope drop. We were rushing in with everyone else in property. We were on our way to Dumbo for the stampede. When ds announced, "I have to go to the bathroom."

Dude.

So, we take a brief trip to the restroom and then keep on going to Dumbo. As we are walking up, it's like, Dude. No one is in line. Best. Plan. Ever.


NOT! Dumbo had no one in line because Dumbo was not running. So, I sadly look back at him as dh suggests we ride the Cinderella carousel. That way, we ar enear Dumbo and can see if he begins to run. Great idea. Only no such luck. We follow with a good run on Snow White, followed by Piglet, I mean, Winnie the Pooh. Still, no Dumbo. At that point, I suggest Peter Pan. Still near Dumbo. No Dumbo then, either. Dude. It's gonna be 10am soon. At that point, I give up on Dumbo.

We go on to Philharmagic, take some menacing turns through the teacups, run around the tomorrowland speedway, and fly through the Barnstormer. Still no Dumbo, and it's time for out first meal on the DxDP. It's okay, though. Dumbo comes into the picture later on. In an awesome way.

We make our way to Crystal Palace for lunch and are amazed. The park was crazy crowded. Later on, we discover that the park was near capacity!

Did I mention, Piglet is Boo's favorite?

My girls are in their element. . .

Now, I am not one to typically complain about service anywhere, and I did not while there, but the service was horribly lacking here. If it weren't for the fact that the kids absolutely love Pooh and Piglet, this would have been our last visit here.

So, we leave and go on to grab fastpasses for Jungle Cruise and queue up for Pirates of the Carribean, where I absolutely fawn over Johnny Depp each time.

We then ride the Haunted Mansion, which was a must given the time of year. However, the ride seemed dull to us. Don't know why.

We then grab some ice cream (it was hot and sunny by now) and board the Liberty Square Riverboat for a little cruise.

Dh was kind enough to get a picture of me and the kids.

These barrels are near the loading for the boat. I had to take a picture because Lawson is my maiden name. . .

We then move on to the Dreams COme True Parade. We called to see if our room was ready. It wasn't.

At least the kids had a good spot to watch the parade.

We then move on to dinner at Liberty Tree tavern after using the fastpasses at Jungle Cruise. The best of all of the character meals and I can't believe they are changing this. The meal was wonderful. The characters awesome. The service perfect.

Goofy with my kids. . .

Chip. . .

Sweetie took a picture of Dan and me.
I got him to wear the t-shirt

Minnie Mouse is the sweetest!

After dinner, we went to rest in the room so we could come back for Spectromagic. And no, my friends. I haven't forgotten about Dumbo. We'll see about him later!

Next up: Dumbo, Dumbo, the Kingdom for Dumbo!

 

[creativeamanda]

So, we go to the room, where dh takes a nap, the kids watch tv and color, and I unpack. The kids and I change clothes and we go back over to the Magic Kingdom. When we get there, it's already getting dark, so we meet up with Dan's brother, sister, and wife, who have a great spot for Spectro in Liberty Square. We are joined later by the BFF, his wife, and their daughter.

Boo is ready for a parade

or not.

We then watch what was until October 28th, my favorite parade in Disney World. . .Spectromagic.

Then, we decide to watch Wishes from behind the castle. Not a normal place, for sure, but when we get there. . .CUE THE CHOIR! Dumbo is up and running with almost no line. We get in line for Dumbo and as we are almost to the end of the line, the fireworks start. While riding Dumbo, we see the majority of the fireworks and they end at the same time our ride on Dumbo ends! What an awesome ending to that day!

Fireworks from Dumbo. . .

Next up. . .Day Two--Do we get to Toy Story Mania? Or do we let Mean Queen down?

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Interesting, you are having all that fun...

AND YET YOU STILL DO NOT PAY HOMAGE TO PIRATES!!!!!

such as your thread title suggests!!!


Hmmmmmmmm.

(you know, you COULD be jinxing your next trip!! hehehehehehe)

 

[creativeamanda]

Interesting, you are having all that fun...

AND YET YOU STILL DO NOT PAY HOMAGE TO PIRATES!!!!!

such as your thread title suggests!!!


Hmmmmmmmm.

(you know, you COULD be jinxing your next trip!! hehehehehehe)

I promise, I pay homage to them later on. When it comes to the Halloween Party.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

Fireworks on Dumbo?! That sounds amazing!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Fireworks on Dumbo?! That sounds amazing!

No..that easy..just have a couple of chillidogs and a brewski before riding!!!

oh

wait..

ya mean the purty colors in da sky kind?

nevermind.

hehehehehe

more report please!!!

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

No..that easy..just have a couple of chillidogs and a brewski before riding!!!

oh

wait..

ya mean the purty colors in da sky kind?

nevermind.

hehehehehe

more report please!!!

I'd expect that kind of talk out of a pirate. But I have to admit if I had a hot dog and a brewski before dumbo I might produce the fireworks you're talking about

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I'd expect that kind of talk out of a pirate. But I have to amit ff I had a hot dog and a brewski before dumbo I might produce the fireworks you're talking about

Well, you ARE the offical thread "fist shaker"!!

hehehehehehe

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

Well, you ARE the offical thread "fist shaker"!!

hehehehehehe

In my trip report I found myself shaking my fist a bit too much. Mostly at the flight delay, but they deserved it! *shakes fist*

 

[creativeamanda]

No..that easy..just have a couple of chillidogs and a brewski before riding!!!

oh

wait..

ya mean the purty colors in da sky kind?

nevermind.

hehehehehe

more report please!!!

That, my dear, is the reason why Magic Kingdom should remain a dry park. Think of the children!

In my trip report I found myself shaking my fist a bit too much. Mostly at the flight delay, but they deserved it! *shakes fist*

I agree. Next time I go (I'm pricing a solo trip right now, but don't know if I'll swing it), I'll be flying. Out of Myrtle Beach, which is a teeny airport. It would be my first flight.