The 2400mi Drive - A March 2012 trip to remember, and some parts to forget!

The 2400mi Drive - A March 2012 trip to remember, and some parts to forget! **7/1**

:wave:Jambo!:wave:​
I am Liz, and I will be guiding you through my most recent trip with my best friend Pat. When I returned from WDW in October, the free dining offer really made me want to book another trip. Yes, I know going during peak season and getting the free dining plan does not really save any money. But, if we had paid for it, we would have spent more than we saved.. :) There are hardly any pictures of myself or Pat in this TR because we both hate having our picture taken. I am better behind the lens, anyways!

A quick re-cap for those of you who did not read my PTR:

The whole vacation was supposed to take place March 22 2012 – April 1, 2012. Unfortunately, a friend and former teacher of Pat passed away earlier in the week that we were going to leave. The services were to be held Thursday night and Friday morning. We pushed our departure date forward one day. It was not a problem at all to do this because it meant we would be at WDW quicker than previously planned!

Here is the link to my PTR:​
​
Here are the links to the chapters in this TR:​
​
Chapter 1: Goodbye, Connecticut! Hello, Florida!​
1-1: Great Timing​
1-3: No Stopping?​
​
Chapter 2: The Kingdom of Magic​
2-2: Walk-On City​
​
Chapter 3: Pat's Birthday​
​
Chapter 4: EPCOT Day 1​
 
Click to expand...
emcclay

emcclay

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Resort Hip-Hoppin'

Arriving at the Contemporary, Pat was in heaven. He has wanted to stay there ever since he was younger.

7038865097_a0c2de6999_c.jpg


Beautiful sunset on BLT and Contemporary Tower. Saying “BLT” always makes me laugh.

6892771218_7c58da5ce8_c.jpg

549.jpg

6892770464_ac914af76d_c.jpg


Our next destination was the Wilderness Lodge! I was super stoked for it. We waited about 15 minutes for a boat. Bay Lake was slightly choppy that evening.

IMG_8493.jpg


It was funny to hear people on the boat talking about Discovery Island.. or talking about the abundance of vultures above the island “with a building on it”..

Our first stop was Fort Wilderness, then continued on to the Wilderness Lodge

6893098582_c37b6a0860_c.jpg


Ah.. so pretty. Are we still at WDW? Because if you blindfolded me and dropped me off here, I would think we were elsewhere.

7039216697_54d62bac0e_c.jpg


I would love to sit outside on a balcony here and watch the sunset. Hopefully I have convinced my mom to stay here next trip. As soon as my dad saw the pictures he said, “I want to stay THERE!” Two against one always wins!

The huge atrium lobby..

IMG_8514hdr-Edit.jpg

6893302672_dc4d0a8f82_c.jpg


Eagle totem!
7052417437_8972160773_z.jpg


Continued..
​
 
emcclay

emcclay

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I Don't Feel Like we are in WDW Anymore.. Cont.

As Pat and I walked around the Wilderness Lodge, I felt more at home there than at CSR. That should not be surprising. WL just has a special ambiance about it..

7039233211_6586435638_c.jpg


Sadly, we had to catch a boat back to the MK if we had any hopes in getting a good spot for MSEP or Wishes.

The moon and sunset from WL boat dock.. Who would not want to see this every night?!
7039400291_c1e2e64140_c.jpg

​
 
PolynesianPrincess

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
Love the TR so far!!! We're driving down to the world from Maine in 2 weeks... LONG drive!! lol

Awesome photos. The photos of the WL are beautiful. That's my 2nd favorite resort (next to the Poly) we had a pool view room last November there and it was so nice to just sit out on the balcony and soak in the ambiance. WL really does not feel like it's a short boat ride away from the hustle and bustle of the MK.

Can't wait to read more!!! :wave:
 
emcclay

emcclay

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
mamamouse said:
Oh my goodness,I'm glad your TR has started I've looked forward to it since reading your pre TR :sohappy:
Click to expand...

So thrilled you have been looking forward to my TR! Happy reading :wave:

dividedsky319 said:
Nice shots! I see from the EXIF info that you use an XSi, same here... what lenses?
Click to expand...

Thanks! :)
8mm Fisheye, Kit lens, 70-300 zoom, 50mm 1.8 prime.

derelicte19 said:
Love the TR so far!!! We're driving down to the world from Maine in 2 weeks... LONG drive!! lol

Awesome photos. The photos of the WL are beautiful. That's my 2nd favorite resort (next to the Poly) we had a pool view room last November there and it was so nice to just sit out on the balcony and soak in the ambiance. WL really does not feel like it's a short boat ride away from the hustle and bustle of the MK.

Can't wait to read more!!! :wave:
Click to expand...

:sohappy:
Good luck on your drive! We had a problem finding a hotel for a night on the way back home. If you have not driven down before, make sure you find somewhere to stay so you don't get stuck like we did!

Thank you for the compliment on my WL photos. I think if my mom actually stayed there, she would like it more than just the pictures!
 
mamamouse

mamamouse

Well-Known Member
I've definitely felt more at home at certain resorts than others,even one I havent stayed at before.So happy to read along because it should help me get through my withdrawals ( yay for my iphone app)Your pics are gorgeous and i'm jealous lol
 
emcclay

emcclay

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
emh1960 said:
I am really enjoying your report! Thank you!:)
Click to expand...

No, no- thank YOU for reading it! :sohappy:

fractal said:
Loving the trip report so far! Makes you feel like we are right there with you.
Click to expand...

Thank you! So glad you are enjoying it :wave:

iconjunkie said:
This is one of the best trip reports I've read! Love it. :sohappy:
Click to expand...

What a compliment! That means so much! Thanks for reading along. Hope the rest does not disappoint :cool:
 
emcclay

emcclay

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Main Street Electrical Parade

The MK was packed when we returned. Pat and I grabbed a spot in Frontierland. There was a nice family near us who let me get a spot closer to the rope! (If you are reading this, thanks!) MSEP is my absolute favorite parade, for now. When I went to WDW with my high school in December 2003, we saw SpectroMagic. Sadly, I don’t remember much. If I saw it now, it may become my new favorite. Who knows!

7074726351_8874ef662b_c.jpg

6928647518_648fcf48e8_c.jpg

6928648554_95a7727c43_c.jpg

7074728611_b6a27d9e87_c.jpg

6893304692_2c9d57a8cf_c.jpg

IMG_8617hdr.jpg

6903061908_08e5bde11a_c.jpg

6928649834_96022b78de_c.jpg

7074729869_46c84230b3_c.jpg

​
 
emcclay

emcclay

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
It's a Tough Battle..

We went over to Tomorrowland to watch Wishes.. when in reality we should have just stayed in Frontierland. The view was so obstructed and people kept cutting through the crowd. *Mental note for next time*

I did not get any pictures of Wishes because there was nowhere to set up. Sigh. Excuse for another trip!

EMH were up next! Unfortunately, I did not write down what rides we went on. We for sure went on TTA, CoP, and Splash Mountain.

Even though we were just in Frontierland, we headed back that way to ride Splash. It was a walk-on. Woohoo! We even got to sit IN THE FRONT. My favorite spot! Isn’t it lovely how Disney makes the exit of a ride a store? I knew going into this trip that I HAD to buy a Splash shirt. The one I picked out is green and blue tye-dyed with all the B’rer animals on it! A coffee mug caught my eye, also!

608.jpg

My morning coffee is religiously paired with this mug EVERYDAY now.

The sweet CM, Vivian, inside the Splash store handed me a tissue so I could wipe off my glasses. Disney goes the extra mile! Yes, it was just a tissue. But, if it were any other park and no one would have done this.

There was no wait for TTA. So, we went right up the moving walkway and were next to board. All of sudden we see this hefty, sweaty guy trying to walk to another car on the TTA while it was still in the loading zone. The ride operator stopped the ride. Hmm. “I couldn’t fit so I had to get out and try another one,” said the guest who had an “I’m Celebrating” button over one.. I guess I’ll call it his pectoral, and a “Happy Birthday” button over the other. He was hefty, but he was not large enough to not fit in a TTA vehicle. The ride operator started the ride back up. We had to wait a few minutes before we could actually board. It was an enjoyable ride, and we were far from the “guy who did not fit”.

We noticed CoP had no wait. It was only a couple minutes before we were let into the auditorium. I love CoP.. but, we should have made a better decision on rides that night. After this we were extremely tired. My original plan was to stay at the MK till 3am/they kicked me out for taking pictures. I’m sorry to let you all down, but we left and were back at CSR by 1:15am. I let myself down, too! :( There’s another excuse for a trip when the MK is open till the wee hours of the morning..
​
 
emcclay

emcclay

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
mamamouse said:
I've definitely felt more at home at certain resorts than others,even one I havent stayed at before.So happy to read along because it should help me get through my withdrawals ( yay for my iphone app)Your pics are gorgeous and i'm jealous lol
Click to expand...

You're too kind!

Withdrawls are the worst! So happy my TR can help cure that for a little while :sohappy:

At this point, I don't see a WDW trip for me till I graduate next year. But, I'm going to try to make it a DCL/WDW combo. Even then I'm hoping to get into the Disney Culinary Program. Everyday will be a vacation! :ROFLOL:
 
diddy_mouse

diddy_mouse

Well-Known Member
Love your pictures! And I must say I was glad to see some of CSR since I'll be staying there in August. :D The fisheye shots of WL were awesome as well...*sigh* I miss that resort.

Look forward to reading more! :wave:
 
mamamouse

mamamouse

Well-Known Member
OMG NO WAY!!!!!! I wish!!! I always say that I'd love to get into the culinary at Disney,I just wish I had known it existed when I was younger.I'd love to be a cake decorator there,loving the report great job :D
 
val002

val002

Member
Great TR so far! I was in the World March 27 - April 2, so I'm curious if any of our days overlapped! You got this report up so quick, I'm impressed!! I want to write one - hope I have the time next week! Can't wait to read more!:D
 
chrissyw14

chrissyw14

Active Member
its my goal my next trip to try a lapu lapu!! I have always wanted a drink in a pineapple!

and I never really realized it was funny to call bay lake tower BLT until now so thanks for that lol
 
Mikester71

Mikester71

Well-Known Member
Awesome trip report and GORGEOUS pictures!!! Makes me wish I was down there right now! :sohappy:

As someone who has driven down to WDW from up here in Canada four times, I could totally relate with the beginning of your trip report. Usually takes us about 20 hours total to make it down there, a full day of driving and a few hours the next morning. Have always gone during our March/Spring Break and I am usually like your friend, Pat and comment the further south we get on how green everything is and how cool it is to see Spring in full affect. :lol: Like yourself, I also take notes on the drive down. I usually bring along this old notebook that I have used for the last three trips and jot down when we cross into each State and when we fill up with gas and how much it cost, that way I have a reference for the next trip down.

Sorry to ramble there, your report just got me all excited about our past WDW trips! :p Anyways, great job and sounds and looks like you guys enjoyed yourselves! :wave:
 
Kristia

Kristia

Well-Known Member
Love love love your report! Your pictures are beautiful! I was especially interested to hear about your drive down since we are doing that for the first time next Wed. Like you we are going to try to do it in one shot with no overnight stop. According to Mapquest it should be 17 hours drive time from where we are in Jersey. Hope we can do it and not crash!

Like you, I always have grand plans to stay in the park until the wee hours of the morning but have never been able to make it. I think maybe I need a long nap in the afternoon to be able to accomplish this but I always find it hard to sleep at Disney! Too much to do, so little time!!

Looking forward to reading the rest! :wave:
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom