Zombie Apocalypse and Pixie Dust - A 2 week Disneymoon (PTR link 11/14)

[ronnmel]

I have no official trip booked, and I'm not even done this TR, but I feel like talking about my possible next trip. We've been talking about it A LOT lately. So here are my random thoughts about this (so far) hypothetical trip.

It seems more than likely that we'll go in January. If Ron's DD comes with us, then the dates will be around the 2nd/3rd of January, to no later than the 14th. We don't want her to miss more than a week of school. But of course, that is only if her new high school and her mom accept that she misses school. If she doesn't come we have two choices. Obviously we'd like to do the 5K, so we'd be aiming at going from the 8th to who knows when. If for some reason the 5K is sold out by the time we are ready to book, then I guess we'll go end of January instead.

The other thing we've been talking about is where to stay. We briefly considered using his parents' time share, but that would require renting a car, and staying 20-30 minutes away from the park. Not that interesting, especially if we have to take lots of mid-day breaks. Obviously we could stay at a value again (DD13 is interested in AS-Music for some reason). But we looked into renting DVC points and we could actually get a studio for barely more than a value room! That would be so awesome! Only problem is, the cheapest studio (AK Villa) is also the one that supposedly sells out the fastest. Since we can't commit to anything before the fall, who knows if renting will even be possible.

Last thing we talked about is just how our schedule will have to change. I've read a couple of interesting blogs lately about bringing toddlers, including one today from Touringplans.com. It just gives me even more confidence that bringing a 6 months old is a good idea, as well as nice tips on how to make it work.

Random thoughts over.

 

[suorkaterina]

AK Villa sounds fun. I had a FB friend stay at Kidani Village and post tons of pictures. It looks fabulous! That's a DVC right? That might be an option.

So nice to be planning the next one, no matter how far away it is! Yay!

 

[kmedina]

I always start planning my next trip before I've even taken my current one, so I think it is perfectly normal to put that much thought into the next one. Hope everything works out. I have the same dilemna with my next WDW trip. DS will be on the first grade. He is going to private school for Kindergarten. If we can afford it, we will send him there for first as well. If not, he is going to public school. I am not sure if the private school will let him out for a week +. The policy book specifically states they can expell kids who miss more than three days in a row.

 

[ronnmel]

AK Villa sounds fun. I had a FB friend stay at Kidani Village and post tons of pictures. It looks fabulous! That's a DVC right? That might be an option.

So nice to be planning the next one, no matter how far away it is! Yay!

Yes, Kidani Village is DVC. I never even thought it would possible for us to stay at a deluxe resort, so to find out that renting points for a deluxe villa is pretty exciting.

I always start planning my next trip before I've even taken my current one, so I think it is perfectly normal to put that much thought into the next one. Hope everything works out. I have the same dilemna with my next WDW trip. DS will be on the first grade. He is going to private school for Kindergarten. If we can afford it, we will send him there for first as well. If not, he is going to public school. I am not sure if the private school will let him out for a week +. The policy book specifically states they can expell kids who miss more than three days in a row.

Expel kids who miss more than 3 days in a row? Yikes! So many kids at my school miss more than that! I even have a student in my class gone for a full month because of a funeral in another country!! But that is exactly the reason why we can't book anything until the fall. DD13 will be going to a new school, and though it's a public school, we don't know their policy for kids going on vacation. At least she has been on the honor roll so we're thinking she would be okay catching up with any school work. Plus she could always do some work while Peanut is napping.

 

[onnawufei]

I just wanted to pop in to say I've been reading your trip report for a few days (a page here and there in between other things) and am loving it! There's so much about you to that reminds me of me and my husband.

 

[ronnmel]

Day 9 part 2 - Hungry Hungry Hippos
August 19th, 2011

I wanted to update yesterday, but the Dis was not working well. Hopefully it's cooperating tonight!

Last time I updated, we were about to embark on our two weeks safari. Not only did we get the front row, but we got it all to ourselves! Woohoo! Since it was our third time on the safari I decided to not take as many pictures, and instead just try to enjoy the ride.

At some point we saw some CMs working.

I think they were watching these elephants.

We caught a glimpse of a rhino running after another rhino for a second.

“Those are some Hungry Hungry Hippos”, said our driver.

Speaking of our driver, he was HILARIOUS!!! He used a lot of dry humor, which I love (think Doctor House). I did not see his name, but I did thank him at the end of our journey for the great ride.

The lion was awake!!

Ron took most of the pictures this time, including this one of me enjoying the scenery.

After we exited, we saw DeVine!

We were allowed to get more FPs at that time, and we (okay, I) chose Kali River Rapid so we veered towards Asia. Almost immediately I spotted these Jungle Books characters. They had no one in line! Ron was not feeling it, so he found a bench while I went to meet them.

In Asia I decided I wanted a picture with this.

I don't think the monkeys were out at that time.

During our first AK day we skipped a show we had already seen in favor of doing new things, but there was no way I was missing it this time! We started walking towards Camp Minnie-Mickey to catch the 11am showing of Festival of the Lion King!

Up Next, Can I Bounce With You?​

 

[ronnmel]

Day 9 part 3 - Can I Bounce With You?
August 19th, 2011

We had a bit of time before FOTLK was set to start, so once we arrived on Discovery Island we got into a very long and hidden (and empty!) line to meet the characters of Winnie The Pooh. There were only a couple of families before us, but right before our turn all three characters go on a water break. While we were waiting for them to return we started chatting with the photopass photographers. One of them (there were three, one for each character) asks us if we plan on going to Downtown Disney. It just so happened that it was in our plans for later that day, so she tells us about a place at Guest Relation in DTD where we can take more formal pictures and have them put on our photopass card for free!

The characters soon come back. All three of them were very excited about the fact that we had just gotten married. First up was Winnie.

Winnie asked Ron where his ears are. Ron said he lost them. Liar! Haha!

Next was Eeyore. He came up to me and took me to his greeting spot. Then he gave me a giant hug.

Last was the very fun Tigger.

I asked Tigger “Can I bounce with you?” and he said Yes!

No more stops, we have a show to catch.

We made it in time, and got sat in the warthog section.

I didn’t take *too* many pictures, as I wanted to just enjoy it. Amazing acrobats, amazing songs, it’s my favorite show! I danced and sang the whole time. Now it’s your turn to enjoy the show!

Ron had forgotten how good the show was, and now ranks it above Beauty and the Beast. Finding Nemo remains his #1 though.


Up Next, Lunch By The Water
​

 

[ronnmel]

I just wanted to pop in to say I've been reading your trip report for a few days (a page here and there in between other things) and am loving it! There's so much about you to that reminds me of me and my husband.

Glad you are enjoying the read! How do Ron and I remind you of you and your husband?

 

[Starscream275]

Wow! That's so cool that you got to see hippos, rhinos and lions while you were on the safari. I would tell you what animals I saw on the safari but then you wouldn't have a trip report from me now would you?

Is it me or does DeVine look like Poison Ivy if she were to reject her normal human appearance for a more plant like appearance? Meaning Poison Ivy would be made out of leaves than what she normally looks like in general but whatever.

You got to see Baloo and King Louie?! Awesome sauce! Hell yes, Jungle Book is one of my favourite disney movies besides Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, all the Toy Story films (Yes I'm counting them as disney films), Peter Pan and the list goes on.

*Sees pictures of you and Ron meeting Winnie the Pooh and co* Why must there BE CUTENESS EVERYWHERE?! AAAAAAAHHHHH GOD! CUTENESS MY ONE WEAKNESS! I DON'T LIKE CUTENESS! I SHOULD'VE THOUGHT THIS THROOOOOOOUUUUUGHHHH! And then I exploded from too much cuteness, the end.

And before you say: "Oh Joseph you never saw Festival of the Lion King?" There are many things that I didn't see or do the first time I went to WDW I mean I have stated several times over that I haven't done most of the stuff that you did but I swear I'll make a list of all the things I haven't done at WDW and put them in action when I'm there next time.

Please oh please do my trip report for the next updates. It's been way too long now.

 

[suorkaterina]

Great updates! DF and I got SOOOO confused when Pooh and Tigger at World Schowcase were trying to get us to hold hands. We have yet to perfect the art of character silent communication. hehe

And I am looking forward to hearing about this DTD formal pictures thing! Do tell!

 

[ronnmel]

Wow! That's so cool that you got to see hippos, rhinos and lions while you were on the safari. I would tell you what animals I saw on the safari but then you wouldn't have a trip report from me now would you?

Is it me or does DeVine look like Poison Ivy if she were to reject her normal human appearance for a more plant like appearance? Meaning Poison Ivy would be made out of leaves than what she normally looks like in general but whatever.

You got to see Baloo and King Louie?! Awesome sauce! Hell yes, Jungle Book is one of my favourite disney movies besides Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, all the Toy Story films (Yes I'm counting them as disney films), Peter Pan and the list goes on.

*Sees pictures of you and Ron meeting Winnie the Pooh and co* Why must there BE CUTENESS EVERYWHERE?! AAAAAAAHHHHH GOD! CUTENESS MY ONE WEAKNESS! I DON'T LIKE CUTENESS! I SHOULD'VE THOUGHT THIS THROOOOOOOUUUUUGHHHH! And then I exploded from too much cuteness, the end.

And before you say: "Oh Joseph you never saw Festival of the Lion King?" There are many things that I didn't see or do the first time I went to WDW I mean I have stated several times over that I haven't done most of the stuff that you did but I swear I'll make a list of all the things I haven't done at WDW and put them in action when I'm there next time.

Please oh please do my trip report for the next updates. It's been way too long now.

I've never thought of DeVine that way, but I guess you are right. I prefer to think of her as something pretty and not poison ivy though.

I haven't seen Jungle Book in forever! I know it was one of my favorite movie as a child. Speaking of which, I just got two Disney movies for my birthday. My mom got me Bambi 1 & 2. We are not big fans of direct-to-dvd sequels, so I exchanged Bambi 2 for Tangled.

Hahaha, exploding from too much cuteness! Winnie is really cute though!

How is that trip planning coming along? Festival of the Lion King is a must see in my opinion, especially if you like the movie.

Darn pregnancy brain, I was forgetting about your TR again. In my defense, March and April have been crazy busy! The search is not working right now, so can you post on your TR so it shows up in my subscribed threads?

Great updates! DF and I got SOOOO confused when Pooh and Tigger at World Schowcase were trying to get us to hold hands. We have yet to perfect the art of character silent communication. hehe

And I am looking forward to hearing about this DTD formal pictures thing! Do tell!

Character silent communication is an art I've yet to master! Sometimes it seems obvious, but other times, like with Mexican Donal at Epcot, it's a lot harder. Remember when he made Ron "propose"? Well we had some miscommunications, and I got on my knees too! Donald "told" me to get up, and finally we understood what he meant.

I'm thinking it's going to be another 2-3 updates before I get to the DTD part, but it's coming.

 

[ronnmel]

Day 9 part 4 - How To Look Bored On Dinosaur
August 19th, 2011

After we exited FOTLK, it was time for lunch. Ron loves Flame Tree Barbecue, and since we had not eaten there on our first day this is where we went.

These drink thingies are kinda cool.

We found a seat at the same place as 2 years ago, by the water overlooking Expedition Everest. It was nice to be out of the sun.

I’m pretty sure we got the same thing as we did on our previous trip. Ron got ribs (which he said tasted great), and I got the BBQ chicken salad. I didn’t like it much, and neither did Ron (he finished a lot of my meals).

The dessert, however, was key lime mousse and was wonderfully yummy! I’m pretty sure I ate both desserts. Haha

After our bellies were full we went to grab FPs for dinosaur. The standby wait time was 40 minutes, and the FPs were for 40 minutes later, so why would anyone voluntarily wait in line, we don’t know.

Here’s a view of where we ate from the walk between Dinoland and Asia.

And here are a couple more Asia pictures.

Since Expedition Everest makes me queasy, proof being the 90 minutes I spent lying in bed after riding it on our first day *thanks, motion sickness) and Ron hates getting wet, so we each grabbed a set of FPs and headed our separate way. My destination? Kali River Rapids, of course!

My first ride I barely got wet.

The second time I was much luckier and got the full wave. Yay! For being drenched!

Both times I got to chat with nice people. I’m usually very shy, but I love how it’s so easy for strangers to strike up a conversation in Disney!

On my way back to meeting Ron, I saw the monkeys monkeying around and stopped for a photo or two.

It was now time to check out the Boneyard!

I really wanted to do that, partly to dry up, but mostly because I was curious and am a big kid.

Oh no! I’m being eaten by a dinosaur!

I didn’t dry up at all, but we hit Dinosaur anyway. On the ride photo, Ron looks utterly bored. And I forgot to take off my ears, so I was holding on to them.

He had been grumpy and low on energy all morning (how do I say “blasé”, in English?), so I knew he needed a rest. Good thing we were done with AK for the day. My clothes were still completely soaked anyway, so I scratched the “visiting another resort (probably AKL or Port Orleans) and taking the bus/boat to Downtown Disney” plan in favor of going back to POP.



Up Next, A Restful Afternoon
​

 

[kmedina]

I love how you say you did not get a lot of pictures of the safari and the Lion King, and then post a lot of pictures. It is relative though. DH does not like taking a lot of pictures, so I was disappointed when I arrived home to see how he took so few or none at times where I would have taken 100 or so. He was in charge of the camera anytime I had Connor, which was most of the trip. You got some great animal pictures. How cute is that picture of you and Baloo! He looks so happy to see you, lol.

I did not even know Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger had a picture place at AK, so that place must be more hidden than you say. You got great shots with them, so it is good you waited for their water break.

Love your Kali River Rapids Photos. I have never seen anyone get action pictures of it before. Your camera is awesome. We got so wet last time we rode it that we skipped it all together last trip. Unless it is really hot outside, I am cool with skipping it every time. It is cool that you played in the Boneyard. Looks like you had fun.

 

[BrooklynnsMommy]

I have no official trip booked, and I'm not even done this TR, but I feel like talking about my possible next trip. We've been talking about it A LOT lately. So here are my random thoughts about this (so far) hypothetical trip.

It seems more than likely that we'll go in January. If Ron's DD comes with us, then the dates will be around the 2nd/3rd of January, to no later than the 14th. We don't want her to miss more than a week of school. But of course, that is only if her new high school and her mom accept that she misses school. If she doesn't come we have two choices. Obviously we'd like to do the 5K, so we'd be aiming at going from the 8th to who knows when. If for some reason the 5K is sold out by the time we are ready to book, then I guess we'll go end of January instead.

The other thing we've been talking about is where to stay. We briefly considered using his parents' time share, but that would require renting a car, and staying 20-30 minutes away from the park. Not that interesting, especially if we have to take lots of mid-day breaks. Obviously we could stay at a value again (DD13 is interested in AS-Music for some reason). But we looked into renting DVC points and we could actually get a studio for barely more than a value room! That would be so awesome! Only problem is, the cheapest studio (AK Villa) is also the one that supposedly sells out the fastest. Since we can't commit to anything before the fall, who knows if renting will even be possible.

Last thing we talked about is just how our schedule will have to change. I've read a couple of interesting blogs lately about bringing toddlers, including one today from Touringplans.com. It just gives me even more confidence that bringing a 6 months old is a good idea, as well as nice tips on how to make it work.

Random thoughts over.

I have been lurking on your report for a while and decided to finally say hi. I am really enjoying your report. I have to say traveling with a baby is super easy. My oldest took her first trip at 11 months old, my soon-to-be middle child took her first trip at 3 and a half months old (July) and a second one at 6 months (October) and a third one at 8 and a half months (December). I'm due September 11th with baby number 3 and we will be arriving in Disney on October 5th. Traveling with babies is easy, it's when they get to be toddlers and don't want to ride in the stroller. Can't wait to read more!

 

[kmedina]

Traveling with babies is easy, it's when they get to be toddlers and don't want to ride in the stroller. Can't wait to read more!

Could not agree more!!!!! My oldest DS got harder the older he got, and is just starting to get easier now that he is 5. When he was 3.5 he made me carry him through every line in the heat (June/July) trip. He would not let my DH or SIL carry him. Only me!

 

[shan23877]

I fell behind in all the Dis weirdness, but I'm caught up now!

We're not big show people, so we've always skipped FOtLK, but it's a must for this trip. I've never read a TR where someones says that they wish they had skipped it.

Where did you find the Jungle Book and Pooh characters? We didn't see any of them! I did see recently on another report that Russell may be out at AK, so I'm really excited for that!

Sorry Ron wasn't feeling it. Blase is blase in English too

How is the pregnancy going? Feeling good, getting excited, have the nursery done?

 

[Nermel9]

Your AK day looked like so much fun! I love all the pictures with the characters, they are so cute! I wish I could ask Tigger if I could bounce with him, but I'd feel too stupid! I haven't been on Kali River Rapids in years, I'm too afraid of getting drenched!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I'm all caught up on your updates, Mel! They were great as always! I love the pictures you got on Kali. That is definitely a perspective we don't get to see often! All of your character pictures are adorable! I especially love the Pooh photos. He is just too cute.

Yay for thinking about your next trip! I hope you all make it back to Disney soon!

 

[ronnmel]

Hmm, remember me? I haven't been on the Dis in over two weeks! Ok, so that's not totally true. Since the new dis update, it doesn't automatically log me in, so I've come a few times and checked a few threads, but I haven't logged in in 15 days. I was afraid of the amount of subscribed threads I'd have to catch up.

I thought it had been long enough, and I should drop by to give you an update and let you know everything is fine with me. I just have been even more crazy busy with work, appointments, etc. Also, the last two weekends have been spent working on my beautiful nursery! My friend came over to help me last weekend and she did a phenomenal job. I'll try to come back tomorrow to post pictures of it.

Other than fatigue, the pregnancy has been going well. I had an appointment today and the doctor was worried that she was measuring small, so she scheduled me another ultrasound next week. It's just for precaution really, as she thinks Peanut's probably just hiding behind my bones. I've had some stomach pains too, but they are not contractions. It's most likely either digestive pains, or muscles soreness. But between the stomach pains, the back pain, and the ribs pain, it's making it harder and harder to sit at the computer for long period of time. Add to that going to bed earlier, and it doesn't leave much time for the Dis.

My baby shower is Sunday, but tomorrow *should* be calm, so I'll do my best to come back to post replies, the nursery pictures, and maybe a Disney update. Speaking of Disney, I am so totally head over heels in love with the new Art of Animation resort. Isn't it just GORGEOUS??? We totally want to stay there for our next trip. And the good news is, regular rooms (Little Mermaid section) seem to be the same price as POP Century! YAY!!

I'll also try to catch up on all your threads, but seeing as I have so many, I hope you don't feel too bad if I jsut read and don't comment much.

I'm doing the single digits dance, but not for Disney. It's because I have less than 10 days of work left! 9 days left with the students, plus one ped day, but since I have one sick day left to take, it's only 8 days with the students! As much I love them, I'm ready to go on mat leave!!!

One last thing. Happy First Anniversary to my Baby love, Ron. I can't believe it's already been one year since we got married in beautiful Cuba!!!

 

[kmedina]

Hope everything goes well with the rest of your pregnancy and the ultrasound reveals she is fine. I hope you get to stay at AoA too and post lots of pics for us. Glad that you are almosy done working and the countdown to meeting Claudia is getting closer. Do not worry about posting too much toward the end of your pregnancy. I was so exhausted by the end of mine with Connor that I rarely logged in. I like to call that period one of my mini vacations from the DIS.