Halloween, Food & Wine, and a Birthday, Oh My!-A Sept/Oct 2011 Trip Report

I can't believe 2 weeks ago I was in the Magic Kingdom for my first MNSSHP, my how time flies. I hope you all are ready because here starts my first attempt at a trip report!

Introduction:

Welcome to my very first attempt at writing a trip report! I’ve been reading everyone else’s trip reports for some time now, and have been inspired to write one of my own!!! So let’s start with a little introduction!

The cast for the trip:

(Left): Mom (Diane)-The greatest mom EVER because she’s taken me on 13! WDW trips and she got me into this website so if not for her I wouldn’t be writing this right now! Mom's favorites are Mickey, Stitch, and Tigger and her favorite ride is definitely Toy Story Mania I couldn’t tell you how many times we’ve gone on that!

(Right): Me (Jessica)-22 year old Walt Disney World fanatic (thanks to Mom) who is currently seeking a job as a Mechanical Engineer (if you guys know of anything open let me know! Sorry had to put in the little plug there ) My favorite ride is the Tower of Terror and my favorite characters are Ariel, Prince Eric, Goofy, & (newly favorite) Flynn Rider.

As mentioned above this is my 13th trip to the world and Mom's 14th. She went once when she was a little girl in ’74.

Details about the trip:

When: September 26-October 3 This is the first time we’ve ever gone at this time of the year, because I was always in school.

Resort: Pop Century We’ve stayed at this resort many times and have always loved it, even though we talked about changing and trying a different resort, we didn’t. But are looking into it for next trip!

Just a FYI: the pictures in this report are taken by both me and my mom. (There will be many, many pictures in this report since I took over 800!) The ones that I have taken were mainly in Aperture and Shutter Priority mode. I wanted to go manual but realized that I would have a much harder time with it. Av and Tv mode proved successful and I had fun playing around with the settings a bit. Thanks to Tom Bricker (wdwfigment), he has inspired me to take better pictures during my trips and in everyday life! (I was able to tell him this in person as you will read later in the report!)

We also ordered the photopass CD because we knew we would be getting a lot of photopass pictures this trip. We haven't looked at them yet, so I will add in some of those pictures at the end of the report once we go through them and get the CD.

Now let the memories and trip reporting begin!!!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Monday September 26-Arrival Day & Downtown Disney

On the night before a WDW trip one can never sleep. Well, that continues to be true because I was so excited to be going to Walt Disney World that I hardly slept!

We had a 1:45pm flight on Southwest that would have us landing in WDW at 4:40! Unfortunately, right before we left for the airport we noticed it was delayed by 15 minutes when we checked online. Once my dad dropped us off at the airport (my dad doesn’t like theme parks so we go along without him and he doesn’t mind) and checked our luggage, security was a breeze. We went through those new x-ray screenings, but not everyone did. IMHO I think everyone should go through those, but that’s for a different discussion.

We grabbed some lunch at Quiznos along with a Frappechino (sorry spelling) from Starbucks and off we went to the gate! Once the plane arrived we settled in nicely for our 2 hour and 55 minute plane ride from Providence to Orlando!

Ready to go!

The flight was a tad bit bumpy due to rain in FL and other areas along the east coast, but not too bad. We ended up arriving at the originally scheduled time, even though we didn’t take off until 2pm!

This is a great sight, and always lets me know that I am finally in MCO!

Went down to baggage claim, and then all the way back to Terminal B to get on Disney’s Magical Express!!!

Mom is excited!

We were ushered onto a bus right away, but had to wait for 20/25 minutes until it left. There were not many people arriving at this time I guess and the bus was making four separate stops. Luckily POP was the second one.

This is one of my proudest pictures this trip: An empty DME bus. There’s just something about this picture that I absolutely love.

Let’s get going already!

Once we finally got onto the road, it started to pour!! The sky was really dark and there was a crazy thunderstorm going on. Our DME driver was Cesar and I have to say he was really good! What really stood out was as we approached the Walt Disney World sign he got on his microphone interrupted the video and said:
“Welcome to Walt Disney World! Wave to Mickey and Minnie!” beeped the horn as we went through and we all cheered. I thought that was a really nice touch and something that no other driver has done. (That I have witnessed anyways).

As you can see it was pouring and you could hardly see!

After stopping at Caribbean Beach, we finally got to POP Century! They originally assigned us a room in the 90s, but I don’t really like it way out there and asked if we could have the 50s, and the 50s they gave us!

This lil guy was hanging out on the bed!

And on the windowsill!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

No time to rest though because we had a mission to get to Downtown Disney!!! Our first stop: Earl of Sandwich for some grub because we were starving!!! This place is definitely in my top 5 restaurants in WDW, everything is just so good. I had the Best BLT sandwich and my mom had the Chicken Ceasar Wrap. Both were excellent!!!

Next it was off to our favorite store: Trend D. I always love looking at the décor in the store. It’s just so well done, and I love the type of clothes they have here as well! I ended up buying a new over the shoulder Disney NERDS bag here to take with me around the park instead of carrying a separate camera bag and purse around my shoulder. It was cute!

I thought he was so cute!

Mirror shot #1-Shoutout to Holly!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

As we went through the store I kept seeing these chocolates everywhere and I love the sayings so I had to take pictures of all them!

Next up was a walkthrough around the surrounding stores, a stop in Basin to smell the soaps and of course the traditional stop at Ghiradelli’s for a free sample of chocolate! We continued on into the World of Disney where we didn’t buy anything because we wanted to come back a little bit later in the week.

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Of course a trip to DTD would not be complete without trying on some hats!

After trying on some hats and looking fashionable, we went through Once Upon a Toy and stopped to buy my dad a souvenir, a Lightning McQueen stuffed car! My dad loves this movie so it would be a good addition to his NASCAR room. (Yes, we are huge NASCAR fans!) A pit stop through the Christmas store (my mom’s favorite!) and back home on a bus to POP to rest up for our first full day in the World! Of course we had to stop for some more hat pictures in the resort gift store:

Next up: Hollywood Studios and MNSSHP!!

 

[Yanks07]

Aww, Thanks for sharing! You guys are so cute glad you had a great time!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

OMG- I adore those Pluto ears! Also jealous of all those towel creations in your room at Pop. We always seem to get the short end of the towel :ROFLOL: Can't wait to read more!:wave:

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

:wave: Great start to the TR! We flew out of Providence when we went in May. That airport is soooo easy to manuever. So much smaller than Boston!!

Can't wait to read more!!

 

[tiaragirl]

Jesssicaaa - I'm so glad you're writing this! Can't wait for my shout out (hehe) - the picture of you with the witch hat + witch Minnie is excellent. Keep 'er comin'!

 

[WDW_Princess24]

Hooray for starting your TR!!! It is amazing (yet sad) how quickly the time flies as soon as you get home it's like you never left..ugh!! I am so jealous that you got a BLT by the way! Loving the pics, can't wait for more!!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Great start to your TR! I love your Mom's Mickey hipster bag. Is that relatively new, and where did she get it? I want one!!

Thanks for showing some of the Halloween merchandise in your pics. We will be there at the end of the week and I enjoy seeing all of the things we will get to purchase!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Aww, Thanks for sharing! You guys are so cute glad you had a great time!

Thank you!

OMG- I adore those Pluto ears! Also jealous of all those towel creations in your room at Pop. We always seem to get the short end of the towel :ROFLOL: Can't wait to read more!:wave:

Thank you! :wave: :lol: Usually we would be with ya, we never get any towel animals..but don't worry this was the only day we got any.

:wave: Great start to the TR! We flew out of Providence when we went in May. That airport is soooo easy to manuever. So much smaller than Boston!!

Can't wait to read more!!

:wave: Thank you!!! Oh ya, Providence is much much smaller than Boston that is why we always fly Providence, plus for us its a much shorter drive and less traffic

More will be coming! Most likely tomorrow morning sometime

Jesssicaaa - I'm so glad you're writing this! Can't wait for my shout out (hehe) - the picture of you with the witch hat + witch Minnie is excellent. Keep 'er comin'!

Thank you Kenzie!! And yes you're shout-out is coming!!!

Hooray for starting your TR!!! It is amazing (yet sad) how quickly the time flies as soon as you get home it's like you never left..ugh!! I am so jealous that you got a BLT by the way! Loving the pics, can't wait for more!!

I know it's just crazy how time flies! And you want to go back so bad!
I was on the look out for you when we were in WDW but I never saw you! And I noticed you started yours as well, haven't gotten a chance to read it yet, but I will!

And Thank you!

Great start to your TR! I love your Mom's Mickey hipster bag. Is that relatively new, and where did she get it? I want one!!

Thanks for showing some of the Halloween merchandise in your pics. We will be there at the end of the week and I enjoy seeing all of the things we will get to purchase!

Can't wait to read more!

Thank you!!! I appreciate it!

And my mom actually got it awhile back from AVON. We actually saw another lady who had the same bag while we were there.

Have fun on your trip!!! Halloween is such a great time to be there! All the Halloween stuff was so cute!

 

[jesemeca]

YAY! :sohappy: You started! I can't believe we stayed at the same hotel and never ran into each other. I'm glad we did bump into each at least once though. Maybe we will need to see if any future trips will coincide. :lol: Can't wait to see more.

I am trying to wait until I get my photopass pictures before I start my trip report. I will let you know when I do though.

 

[lbrad]

Great TR so far ... can't wait to read more.

You were lucky with your Magical Express ... on my recent trip our DME bus stopped at 5 resorts and we were dead last to be dropped off

We landed at MCO at 10pm ... didn't get to CSR till after midnight and everything was closed ... which meant no food ... we went to bed hungry

Boy did that sandwhich of yours look good :slurp:

 

[fractal]

You weren't kidding about the rain!

Earl of Sandwich is somewhere I've wanted to get to but never have - those sandwiches look awesome.

Trendy is my wife and daughter's favorite shop. Looking forward to more good stuff!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

YAY! :sohappy: You started! I can't believe we stayed at the same hotel and never ran into each other. I'm glad we did bump into each at least once though. Maybe we will need to see if any future trips will coincide. :lol: Can't wait to see more.

I am trying to wait until I get my photopass pictures before I start my trip report. I will let you know when I do though.

I know right? I was thinking the same thing. Pop is just so huge though. I'm definitely glad as well that we ran into each other. And definitely! Our next trip most likely won't be until November of next year But we want to go for Christmas since it's been a long time since we've been at that time of the year. What about you??

And I was thinking about waiting for the photopass pictures as well, but we haven't even looked at them yet, so I will just add them at the end. I have so many pictures already anyways. :lol:

Great TR so far ... can't wait to read more.

You were lucky with your Magical Express ... on my recent trip our DME bus stopped at 5 resorts and we were dead last to be dropped off

We landed at MCO at 10pm ... didn't get to CSR till after midnight and everything was closed ... which meant no food ... we went to bed hungry

Boy did that sandwhich of yours look good :slurp:

Thank you!!

Oh wow, that really stinks That must have been a long time on the bus, I can just imagine the anticipation..when are we going to get there already? At least you were really hungry for breakfast the next day!

And yes that sandwich was the best BLT I've ever had, I would definitely suggest it on a future trip!

You weren't kidding about the rain!

Earl of Sandwich is somewhere I've wanted to get to but never have - those sandwiches look awesome.

Trendy is my wife and daughter's favorite shop. Looking forward to more good stuff!

Nope, but luckily that was the only time it ever down poured like that during the week we were there.

You definitely have to go there next trip!!!! I have many more sandwiches on my list that I want to try, they just all look so good!

And thank you! Keep a look out, I have a shoutout to you since your trip report inspired one of the pictures that I took.

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Tuesday September 27-Hollywood Studios & MNSSHP

Unfortunately, I only got 2 hours of sleep overnight due to an upset stomach. It was not a fun night, but it didn’t matter because I was up and ready to go today! But I had to watch what I ate so I wouldn’t be sick again. Therefore, this was my breakfast this morning:

My mom I believe had a bagel for breakfast, but I forgot to take a picture of it.

Some pictures around the resort:

Our View

Then it was back to our room to decorate our window before we headed out! Those stuffed animals at the bottom of the window are mine. I always have to take the best friends Chip and Dale back to their home. Also, it was a first trip for Pascal (from Rapunzel) my boyfriend had bought him for me when we went to see Disney On Ice 10 days before my trip. And the bear is dressed up as Mickey Mouse for Halloween. He is my favorite bear and I’ve had him since I was born. He has been on all WDW trips! And the funny thing is he has a musicbox inside him that actually plays “When You Wish Upon A Star” (My mom never realized this until now after we washed him when we got back)

Onward to Hollywood!!! Before I continue, I just wanted to tell you all that Hollywood Studios is my favorite park. I always say it is because we were born in the same year just a month apart. I just love the atmosphere of HS, especially the Citizens of Hollywood and the attention to detail on all the shops along Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards are just amazing. I could seriously sit all day and just watch the Citizens of Hollywood and not ride anything. Anyways enough of that.

We made it into the Studios just in time for rope drop!

My favorite!!

Lightning McQueen and Mater were chillin just outside the turnstiles

Packed at bag check!

Gazing out towards Hollywood (I actually didn’t know my mom took this until I downloaded her pictures, it’s one of my favorites)

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Then of course it was the mad rush to Toy Story Mania!!! We jumped right in the standby line and hardly waited at all. As always I won

The look of sadness:

The look of victory!

We then were able to score fastpasses for TSMM for a time right after our ADRs! Score!!!! :sohappy:

We continued on towards the Streets of America and met these fellas:

Before continuing on, we snooped around the Muppets Studios Store. I love this store and all the details that go into the building on the outside and the inside.

Now it was off for my first ride on Star Tour 2.0! (My mom doesn’t do thrill rides so for the big stuff I was on my own) I’m not a huge Star Wars fan (sorry!) so I don’t know all the different places and such, so I couldn’t even begin to tell you where I went. All I remember is that we went Pod Racing which was really awesome and I saw Princess Leia (I apologize if I spelled that wrong) Overall, I thought it was a great update to the original Star Tours and loved it. Unfortunately, I never got to go back to see what kind of different sequence I would have gotten.

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

After Star Tours we headed back towards Muppets 3D and then went to hang around the hat so we could meet some characters dressed in their Hollywood wear!!! We waited in line to grab a picture with Minnie and were able to snag a spot in Chip and Dale’s line. Unfortunately, I wanted to get Donald and Daisy but the line was already cut off and this was their last outing of the day so we made plans to come back in the morning on Thursday.

We hung around the hat a little bit taking some pictures:

When we started heading towards Sunset Blvd. we ran into some Citizens of Hollywood!!! Starting with Officer William Club! He was great and spent a pretty long time talking to me and he even gave me an autograph (he told me I was lucky enough to get one because he only gives his autograph usually when he gives out tickets)

Next we ran into Ben Appetit and Beau Rangler. They came up to me and started talking to me about what I was celebrating (my college graduation) and then continued to ask me about my degree. They were really funny (sorry I don’t remember any of the exact conversation) and they fed well off each other. (Beau actually became one of my new favorite Citizens his accent is just the best)

As we continued on our way along Sunset Blvd. we came across Shelby Mayer and Jack Diamond who also took the time to talk to me.

Sadly, this was the only time I ever saw the Citizens of Hollywood out of the three times we were at Hollywood Studios. I guess we were just never around at the right moment. I also didn’t get to see Officer Les Manly who is one of my favorite Citizens, maybe next time!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

But now for the best part! We were finally making our way towards my favorite ride in all of WDW: The Tower of Terror!!!! The themeing for this ride is what takes the cake for me, it is just so detailed and follows the storyline so well. And of course the drop sequences! This first ride had one of the best sequences of drops that I’ve ever experienced I felt like it was going to go on forever! The more drops for me the better!

I decided to skip over the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster for now due to our ADR’s at the 50’s coming up and the Single Rider line was looking a little bit long. And I know there have been a few times that I have waited a very long time in the single rider line so I decided not to chance it. Onward we went towards 50’s Prime Time Café!

It had been a little while since we had eaten here and we were really looking forward to it. Side story: As we were walking towards the 50’s a spot rain shower showed up. It was very strange because it was only raining in one portion of the park because you could see the sun shining over the Chinese Theater.

We were finally seated after waiting a little while and were put kind of in a little corner, which was not ideal, but we didn’t mind.

Our waiter ended up being JL. Who was funny, but it was more of a serious funny which kind of worked for him.

What I really love about 50’s Prime Time is watching everyone else’s experiences with the different waiters. There was an especially funny one in the next room over and low and behold Cousin Joey decided to peak in on the neighbors!!

For lunch Mom had the Chicken Pot Pie and I had the Chicken Noodle Soup since I didn’t want to eat much seeing as I didn’t feel well the night before. Sorry I remembered to take the picture when it was already half eaten :slurp: