An oh so late trip report!

So I did a semi trip report a little while back (also late). But I just figured out how to add pics so I'm going to do another one. Sorry about the late-ness. I'll understand if noone cares by this point lol

What? Our Spring Break Birthday Trip!
When? 4/3-4/11 2009
Who? Megan (myself), Brett (my 7yo), Steph (my best friend)
Why? Beacause we are Disney fanatics!

Day 1: Departure day!
I went to work, Brett went to school, and Steph went to bed after working the night shift @ the hospital. I couldn't work, Brett couldn't concentrate, and Steph couldn't sleep. We were entirely too excited! After having to get new tires (an unexpected $200+ right before vacation!) and my boyfriend somehow cramming my little Grand Am full of 2 adult suitcases, 2 adult rolling duffles, 1 child suitcase, 1 child duffle, a cooler, a bag of snacks, a folding bed, and multiple other bags (it was impressive) we were off from So. IL by 6:30 pm! (right on time!) I drove the first leg, stopping only for fuel and McDonald's. I drove until we got through TN and into GA. Now, I am going to apologize in advance for my next statement to anyone who lives in GA. I hate your state. Now, I'm sure it's a nice state and all, but entirely too long and too many people and not enough roads! Where else can you get stuck in 2 hours of stand-still traffic @ 2:30am?! Anyway, that of course was during MY sleep time and could not sleep. I finished driving into FL until I was so tired I thought I would kill us, and made Steph drive until 1 hr outside of Orlando.

Brett @ 3am stuck in Atl traffic (note the chocolate face from Milano's yum)

Day 2: April 4 & Steph's birthday!
The whole reason for this trip! Steph's 21 bday! We arrived @ CSR around 11am and check-in was easy! I had done online check-in 10 days prior, and we picked up our packet, birthday pin, and off we went to find our "water view" room in Ranchos 7B. (by "water view" I mean 3rd floor looking at the quiet pool) But still nice

We didn't stick around long, as exhaustion was setting in and we were afraid if we stayed in our room, we would sleep until the next morning! So we headed to DTD and T-Rex for a birthday lunch!

Steph's first drink being 21!

We didn't stick around, as we wanted to get back to CSR for exploring and the Dig Site!

Next: remainder of our first day @ Disney!

 

[meganw1985]

Showers were next on our agenda, and off to the Poly (we drove, got lost ) for a birthday dinner!

And our first park of the trip...Magic Kingdom of course!

I was very tired, and didn't take many pictures. I think we only made Space Mtn, TTA, and Pirates that night (maybe Jungle Cruise but not sure) before calling it a night and going back to crash!

Next post: Day 3 & EPCOT! :sohappy:

 

[meganw1985]

Day 3: Trip around the World!

We got up pretty early, and headed to what I am debating as my favorite park, EPCOT. I love the atmosphere. Anyway we headed straight to the Land for Soarin' FP's.

Imagination Pavilion

Fountain of Nations

Now the next part of the trip was very unexpected. Brett had hated Test Track when we went on vaca in '08. We had to beg him to ride this time. And it turned out to be his fav ride of the trip and we rode it over and over. And over and over. And you get my drift.

Just a little nervous for the first ride

And next to blast off into space! (he actually believes you go into space, and sits outside waiting to see the ship blast off of the roof lol). We do the green team, I am a chicken when it comes to all things spinning haha.

And the all time classic, Spaceship Earth! (which noone appreciated as much as I do)

We wandered over to the Living Seas to see if we could find Nemo...

Next up: World Showcase

 

[mousebymarriage]

Great report and pic's so far, can't wait to hear more.
I love reading trip reports, it helps pass the time between my own trips. Unfortunately we don't have one planned right now!

 

[meganw1985]

We decided to go over to the World Showcase and eat lunch, maybe do a lap, and head back to the resort for a quick dip in the pool or a nap before coming back for dinner that night. After some fish and chips and a pint @ the Yorkshire Co. Fish Shop, that plan changed to a condensed version of "drinking around the world"...we sampled, sipped, and shared drinks from *most* of the countries.

 

[meganw1985]

I don't know what happened to Germany? hmmm... Anyway, just as we were walking toward Mexico, here came Senor Donald and we were first in line!

Gran Fiesta Tour, mine & Steph's vote for most entertaining ride of the trip!

It was starting to get warm, and we were tired of walking, and margaritas

So where else better to head than Ellen's Energy Adventure!

We went to Mouse Gear @ this time, and did a little shopping. We decided to change into our new shirts before dinner, because we wanted to be a little "fresher" for our nice dinner.

Steph's first taste of Beverly ever!

A quick photo op by the fountain

 

[meganw1985]

We decided to try and check-in a little early for our ADR @ the Coral Reef. We didn't have to wait long. I love the atmosphere of this restaurant. The food is good, but it isn't one of my "must-eats". Steph had never eaten here though, so we did it.

Back to the Magic Kingdom!

Once again, getting tired, so didn't take many pics. We went back to the resort to get a good night's sleep because we had an early morning ADR!

Day 4: Birth of a new "must-eat" and first HS trip of the vacation!

We got up BEFORE dawn and drove over to the Contemporary to test out breakfast @ Chef Mickey's.

 

[meganw1985]

I must say, I love this place. The whole thing. I realize the Contemporary is an "old" resort. But it's wonderful! I can't wait to stay here some day! And Chef Mickey's is great! The character interaction is good, the food is good, and we had a ball swinging our napkins in the air! I will do breakfast here every trip from here on out!

Yes, I was as tired as I look

We'll continue on with our HS experience later :animwink:

 

[meganw1985]

Great report and pic's so far, can't wait to hear more.
I love reading trip reports, it helps pass the time between my own trips. Unfortunately we don't have one planned right now!

Thanks! I figured I better get this trip report done before we go on our next trip in November! :lol: I'm sorry to hear you don't have a trip planned, I try to ALWAYS have a trip planned even if it's a couple years off!

 

[jjbuster2]

Day 1: Departure day!
Now, I am going to apologize in advance for my next statement to anyone who lives in GA. I hate your state. Now, I'm sure it's a nice state and all, but entirely too long and too many people and not enough roads! Where else can you get stuck in 2 hours of stand-still traffic @ 2:30am?!

We Alabamians don't like their state either...Atlanta is evil. :lookaroun

Love your report so far...5 more work weeks 'til i'm there. I have to read a couple of trip reports every day to get me through...:ROFLOL:

 

[DisneysRedHead]

Good report so far! I wish I had spent my 21rst Bday in wdw!! It looks like you guys had lots of fun!

 

[luvlifeinfl]

loving the trip report.

 

[disneygirl1]

Enjoying your report Megan!!! Me, my BFF and my 7 year old DS are heading to Disney next month and are so very excited. I am actually sending DS to school the day our flight leaves too!!! Oh boy! why do I have a feeling he is not going to be concentrating either. I am preparing myself now that there is a good chance he will be getting in trouble in school that day for talking his head off!!! :ROFLOL:Can't wait for your next installment!

 

[Jenna]

We decided to go over to the World

Great choice on having the orange rather than the lemon! I miss Disney and the nicest drink I've ever tasted Great TR!

 

[mouselvrmom]

Better late than never! :lol:

I'm loving all of your pictures!

 

[corey154]

LOVE your trip report!! Better late than never, I'm so glad you decided to still write it!!!

 

[RiversideBunny]

Great format for a trip report.
A pictorial report.

Thanks.


BTW- The 'Mine Mine Mine Mine' T-shirt is nice. I think I'll get one.

 

[meganw1985]

Ok so after celebrating with Chef Mickey, we drove over to Hollywood Studios. We tried to get there early, but we stuck around the Contemporary a little too long. Alas, all FP for TSMM were into the late afternoon (and we would not be there). This was pretty much the story for the whole trip.

We got Brett on TOT, which was a feat. Last year I got him to ride it and he cried from the moment the doors closed until we got on the next ride! But Steph promised to buy him a t-shirt so he was brave. (but still wouldn't do it again lol)

Outisde Tattooine Traders, right by Star Tours (an all time fav)

Went to take Brett to his first Muppet 3D!

We ran into these guys before heading out...

I was starting to get strangely hungry, considering the big breakfast I ate (but it was awfully early). So we decided enough of HS, and back to CSR for some Pepper Market and pool time!

Pool time didn't work out the way we planned. Just as we were getting settled, and Brett had been down the slide enough to get him warmed up, some kid did a #2 in the pool and they made everyone get out for OVER AN HOUR so they could clean it! Parents, please monitor your un-potty-trained children!
We had early dinner ADRs at the Yak & Yeti so we hopped on a bus to....

One of my fav pics: Brett and Steph in their matching TOT t-shirts

 

[meganw1985]

Heading into Asia toward the Yak & Yeti

Now, I really liked this place. I had heard mixed reviews, and wasn't really hyped up to go, but wanted to give it a whirl. It was really good! We ordered Yak Attacks to drink, got the mussels for an appetizer (which Brett went on and on about the whole rest of the trip), and I got the steak and shrimp, which was not only tasty, but pretty!

Brett was trying to use my shrimp skewers as chopsticks (he actually can use real chopsticks, just not these flimsy things)

Now is when things got interesting. We unanimously decided we wanted to do EE (which Steph had never been on), so we headed over. The stand by was...

Which I didn't think was too bad so we waited. About 40 min into it, Brett and I had to go to the bathroom. Which is not a surprise when I'm involved. I'm completely obsessed with making sure everyone has gone to the bathroom before we get in line and I always seem to need to go. For some reason, we didn't this time, and it was a huge mistake. We had already waited in OVER half the line, so decided to hold it. By the time we got in the train, Brett and I were both about to cry! But let me tell you, EE is the best cure for that! We totally forgot we had to go until we got off the ride! haha. After making a bee-line toward the nearest rest room, I snapped a couple pics.

We rode Kali River Rapids and of course I went backwards and got drenched and noone else hardly got wet. I thought I had a pic of me, but I can't find it...

Then we decided to head to DTD for some shopping. Since there are no buses from the parks to DTD, we got on the Saratoga Springs bus because I knew that was close, and we were just going to walk over to the marketplace via the bridge I always read about. This bridge is a farce made up only to put in Disney planning books to confuse people. It was dark. We were lost. And noone would stop their stupid little golf carts to help us. And btw, SSR is HUGE. I have no pics of this because I have to whole expedition on video. Finally we made it to a bus stop and caught a bus to DTD. It was starting to get chilly, I was tired and cranky, and we had to wait for a bus going to CSR for over and hour. I was so cranky I decided I was ready to go home and never come back to Disney ever. Steph told me she was starting to get concerned about my mental health, and said I needed to get to bed ASAP. Which as soon as the bus came, I did.

Next up: Day 4!

 

[meganw1985]

Day 4: Toto, we're not (supposed to be) in Illinois anymore!

After some rest, I decided Disney wasn't so bad after all, and wanted to stay. We got up, got dressed in capris, a t shirt, and flip flops and headed out! Well let me tell you, we headed RIGHT back in. Being in Disney, I never watch any TV channels that aren't Disney related. We fell asleep to the DVC channel every night (which Steph swears is filled with subliminal messaging b/c we were ready to buy one before we left) and watched the classic cartoons while getting ready. We watched NO regular TV, no weather, no news. So we had no idea it was 40 degrees outside! Oh no. I did NOT leave cold IL to come to cold FL. That's absurd! So we changed into our only jeans and sweatshirts we had, and of course tennis shoes. And off to the Magic Kingdom we went (passing all the frost covered cars all the way).

I'm tellin you what, it was so darn cold! We had corn dogs and hot chocolate for breakfast haha. But then a lightbulb came on. NOONE will be in line for Splash Mountain! So we donned our plastic ponchos and hopped right on!

Haunted Mansion was up next.

I think we hit PhilharMagic too. Then caught a few min of the stage show on our way to Tomorrowland.

This was the first day of Easter week. The crowds were insane. I found out later that the Magic Kingdom was closed due to capacity. And I wish I could find my pic I took off of the TTA of the Tomorrowland crowds. So everything was toooo long of a wait. We were cold and tired and decided to go over to our fav CS place there, Cosmic Rays (where we had to sit outside and freeze b/c it was full inside). We then rode the Monorail to EPCOT, but the crowds weren't any better, so we just went back to the resort to take a nap.

Next up...more EPCOT and one of the best...Le Cellier!