[libade]

Trip Report

This is my third trip to Disney with my girls (6 and 8).

TRIP #1 - The first trip, we just wandered around the park in awe and saw what we saw with no plan at all. The focus of that trip was autographs – the girls LOVED the characters, so we stood in lots of lines to meet everyone we could.

TRIP #2 – I have gone from a casual tourist to a TOUR GUIDE NAZI. I have done my research and found websites, guidebooks and have written every detail I think I need in my notebook. We followed the guides in the Unofficial guide, which work very well to avoid lines. The only problem is, I became stressed out about following the plan and was not very nice to be around.

The girls wanted to see the parades, so we made sure to see every parade in every park. The parades were all great, but I found out why in my 6 trips to Disney, I have never managed to see a parade. I hate to have to be scoping out a place to sit 30 minutes before the parade starts. But we did it and it was worth it!!

So now I hope to have learned from my last 2 trips and can find some happy medium!

DAY 1

Day 1 was our travel day. When the girls woke up, they knew that “today is the day”, but they had to go to school first – our flight was not until 5pm.

Bailey, (my 6 year old, who always wants to sleep 5 more minutes) woke up singing, “zippity doo da”. When I asked her who she was and what did she do with my real Bailey, she told me she just “couldn’t help singing!” It was very sweet!!!

The girls went off to school and I did my last minute things.

DH and I picked the girls up at school at dismissal and headed to the airport.

The flight was uneventful – got to Orlando at 10pm – got our car from National. National was very easy - no shuttle to the car lot. You just walk across to the garage from the baggage claim.

We checked into Pop Century and found our room. I didn’t request a specific building because I didn’t know what would be better – close to the Main Hall – close to the pool – further away from the crowds and noise???? So, when in doubt, I let them decide for me!!!

We were in the 70’s building (is that right? The one with the giant Mickey on the phone? Why don’t I know this? How old am I?) At first I was disappointed that our building didn’t have any cool icons like the bowling pins and the cell phones. It took a little while to realize that those ‘walls’ were 8 track tapes!

I was also disappointed at first, that our building didn’t have a pool. But since whenever we were at the pool, we wanted to be close to the Main Hall, it didn’t really matter. We hung out at the flower pool and it was very convenient.

This was our first ON SITE trip to Disney and we all enjoyed the resort, the giant icons, and I especially loved the words on the buildings!!!!! But other than that, there wasn’t any Disney Magic for me there. No towel sculptures – no balloon animals – nothing special at all. Maybe it’s only for the guests of the Moderate and luxury resorts?

Everyone was sleeping by 1am except me. Being the obsessive planner, I needed to make a plan for our first park day!!! We originally planned on going to Epcot, but I wanted everyone to sleep in, so I thought maybe a water park would be a better choice since they open later.

[MerlinMatt]

I am so looking forward to the rest of the TR.

For the record, once in a while, you do get towel animals at the Values.

To me, the Disney Magic at the Values is: having purchases delivered to the gift shop, the gift shop, and the buses.

[Erin]

Lovin' it so far!!
Bailey sounds very cute!

[PrincessJill]

Sounds like your trip is off to a good start! Can't wait for more! :)
By the way, I only got towel animals at a Value once, so maybe they just don't do it that often?

[libade]

DAY 2 – Wednesday 4/13

The girls woke up EARLY – before 7am – I guess they are very excited!!!

We were not sure what we would do that day – I didn’t think they could stand a park day without risking a huge meltdown.

We went to Everything Pop to have breakfast and decide. We got our mugs and breakfast for everyone.

At this point, we were leaning toward a water park, but once we saw the pools, the girls took over all decision making!! We went back to the room, got our suits on and went to the pool. Usually, when we are in the parks, we have no time to just slow down and enjoy the resorts – we are always running running running. So this was a nice change of plans.

We played twister when ever we walked by it. (I apologize for anyone who may have seen me playing twister in my bathing suit – not pretty, but we were having fun!)

We also stopped at the goofy water fountain play area. We settled in at the pool and the girls had a blast and DH and I sat and watched and RELAXED!!!!

Once they had their fill of water play, we changed again and headed out of the resort. We had lunch at Blackwater BBQ – it was delicious, but I cannot remember where it was! We were driving around just trying to get our bearings and found it.

We did more driving around and stopped at Publix for snacks and stuff.

It was an early night – the kids were asleep by 8:30.

Tomorrow – Magic Kingdom!!!!

[rlander]

Great report. I am taking notes because this next trip I plan to slooooowwwwww down.

[tiggerlover1971]

great trip report so far

[MerlinMatt]

WOW! I'm impressed. A whole day without going to a park???

I don't think I could stand it.!

[missy H]

How did you manage to be at WDW on your first day without going to a park?????
Great report be we need more more more

[EmpressJenny]

Originally Posted by missy H

How did you manage to be at WDW on your first day without going to a park?????
Great report be we need more more more

I agree, I would suffer meltdown if I wasn't in the MK first thing on day 1! And about the towel animals, I have stayed at the Floridian, Polynesian, and Animal Kingdom, I tip the mousekeeping and I STILL have never gotten a towel animal. So it's not the value resort, believe me. Just bad luck

I'm enjoying your report, can't wait to hear more!

[jk8]

Keep it coming. I feel relaxed just reading your report!

[_landry]

I could NEVER spend my whole first day away from the MK!! My kids would never let that happen anyway!!

Great trip report! Can't wait to hear more.

[queensmama]

Sounds great keep it coming, I hate the suspense.

[cinderbella]

Great TR! I also dont know how you stayed away from a park on your first day!!! It would have KILLED me!!!!!!!

[lovemysons]

Love reading your trip report. I admire your resolve & stamina! I,too, could not have stayed away from the parks on my first day. Patiently waiting for more of your trip report!!