Back So Soon?! A "Blink and You'll Miss It" TR.

It feels like I just finished my very first TR from my never-ending August trip (er, that's cause I just did). I ended my trip with a stay at Celebration Hospital, due to a crazy, random leg infection.

Feeling some post-WDW doldrums in the office upon my return, I woke up last week and suddenly had a realization:

October 1, the 40th anniversary of WDW, was on a Saturday. Hmmm.....

I had a credit on Southwest Airlines, and for the heck of it, checked the rates to leave on Friday and return on Sunday. Not bad - it would all be covered!

Okay, so I told myself I would bid a ridiculously low amount for a 3-star hotel on Priceline, and if it was accepted, I would go.

I bid $40, and the Sheraton Safari took it. Then, I got a midsize rental car direct from Alamo for $23...total!

My brother and father offered to buy my 1-day park hopper for my birthday (this is where, had I not had a hospital stay, an AP would have come in handy, but oh well!).

While I technically should not have spent the money, the entire weekend cost me $115, plus food. $115 - for a weekend in WDW. How could I not?!

And thus, I spent this past weekend in WDW. It was an amazing weekend, and believe it or not, I took a ton of pictures Here's a sneak peek:

I don't have a tripod, and I'm not a photographer, but this is what I call one of my "garbage can" pictures :lol: I use my camera's night scene mode, then hold it realllly still on a garbage can!

I'm uploading the rest of my pics to Photobucket now, and will be coming back soon with part 1 of my "blink and you'll miss it" TR. Thanks for checking it out :wave:

 

[Nemo14]

So glad you got back there! Escaping for a weekend is always fun!

 

[fractal]

That's pretty awesome! Looking forward to the rest of your report.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

$115 for a weekend in WDW?! I'll take that any day of the week!!!

Can't wait to read all about it!! :wave:

 

[diddy_mouse]

I love hearing about other's weekend trips! My husband and I took one last year for our anniversary, and had more fun than we imagined in such a short amount of time.

Can't wait to read!

 

[plaz10]

$115 for a weekend at WDW! So lucky!! Glad you had a good time. Can't wait to read the rest of the report.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

So glad you got back there! Escaping for a weekend is always fun!

It really was fun - thanks!

That's pretty awesome! Looking forward to the rest of your report.

Thanks, fractal! I think that my picture quality increased incrementally since August, but we'll see

$115 for a weekend in WDW?! I'll take that any day of the week!!!

Can't wait to read all about it!! :wave:

I know, right?! There was no way I couldn't go when I realized how cheap it would be!

I love hearing about other's weekend trips! My husband and I took one last year for our anniversary, and had more fun than we imagined in such a short amount of time.

Can't wait to read!

Thanks, diddy_mouse! After this weekend, I think that mini-trips might make their way into my regular WDW rotation. Such a great way to get a good dose of the magic

$115 for a weekend at WDW! So lucky!! Glad you had a good time. Can't wait to read the rest of the report.

It was SUCH a good deal! Thanks for following along :wave:

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Day 1 - Friday, September 30

Well, today is the day! I booked my trip on Monday evening, and my plane was leaving at 2:20 on Friday. I worked some extra hours during the week to placate my boss, and my dad picked me up at work at 12:45. I usually like to get to the AP super early, but I couldn’t get out before 1 (I rounded up a bit, since everyone was on lunch ), so I just had to have everything ready to go.

I went through security very quickly and sat down at my gate at 1:04. My trusty iPad distracted me during the wait, and I was B16 to board, so I figured I’d get a decent seat.

I ended up on the aisle in the second row, so not too bad. I was next to two elderly gals, who were kind of quirky. I made some pleasant conversation while everyone else was boarding, and they were boozing it up during the flight (maybe they were nervous travelers? Seemed a lil early to me!), but they were nice gals. I offered to get their bags down for them when the flight landed, but they were continuing on to Ft. Myers and were staying on the plane.

“Your mother raised you well,” they told me as I started leaving the plane.

That got me a little misty .

Now, the flight had left on time, and we pulled up to the gate at 5:02, since I had turned my phone on right as the seatbelt light went off. It was scheduled to land at 5, so I was doing well already!

Heading on the MCO monorail to the terminal:

I booked my rental car directly through Alamo, and checked in online for them as well, so I had my paperwork (printed at home), and bypassed the counter, going right to the garage and picking out a car.

There weren’t many midsize cars, but I picked a dark Kia (I couldn’t tell if it was black or gray, lol), and was on my way. It was literally 5:12! I couldn’t believe how well I was doing with time.

Now, my 1-day hopper for Saturday was covered, but I decided to splurge earlier in the week and added a ticket to MNSSHP (luckily, before it was sold out!). So, I was especially eager to get settled in and make it to the party (woo hoo for extra magic!).

Zero traffic on 528 and 1-4 helped me in my travels, and I pulled into the Sheraton Safari at 5:42pm. I was seriously rocking on time so far! I checked in without a hitch (the customer service agent who checked me in was really impressed with my Priceline bid, lol), and made my way to building 3.

There was some construction, which was a little confusing, but I found the entry to my building, took the elevator up, and dropped off my bag. I took a few minutes to get settled, and snapped a few pics of the room:

Not bad for $40! Rack rate was like $129, so I really did well!

After taking about 10 minutes to get settled, I was back in the Kia and onto 535 to make my way over to MK. The drive was about 15 minutes - not bad at all!

I’ve always wanted to take this picture:

I paid the $14 (was it $14?) to park, and was rewarded with some candy for my efforts (that’s one expensive Twix!). Then, I followed the long line of cars to my parking space.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Now, on my first trip to WDW back in 1986, I remember all to well wandering the lot with my mom, dad, brother and sister, desperately looking for our rental car. We wandered for what felt like hours on my tired, 5-year old feet! So, whenever I drive now, I take a picture of my parking spot.

Everyone remember this!:

The parking lot was packed, and guests were very eager to start the party:

For some reason, I really have an abnormal fascination with signs in WDW, so I documented every...last...step as I made my way onto the monorail:

Monorail silver!:

I walked into MK at about 6:30. Not bad considering my plane pulled into the gate at 5:02! I had driven to my hotel, checked in, gotten settled, and made my way through TTC in about an hour and a half. Considering this was a short weekend, every minute mattered, and I couldn’t believe that just a few hours prior, I was at work!

I was so geeked out and excited that I asked a CM to take my pics outside the bag check:

Then I started snapping again:

Aaaand asked another CM to take my pic, lol:

I was just so excited, I wanted to document the entire weekend!

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

I’ve been to MNSSHP before, in 2005 and 2007, and I just love the details in the park during the party. Soooo, I kept snapping away!

These guys looked good:

And I asked another CM to take a pic of me all excited and giddy:

Now I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, so I was totally starving, but I had to get on the #1 MNSSHP attraction first. So, I made my way into Liberty Square.

Never noticed this before:

Love the details in LS:

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Here we go, the #1 must-do during MNSSHP:

I love the details at HM during the party. This southern belle is really cool:

Just messing with my settings in the queue, which was slightly backed up:

Even the lighting just looked cool. Here’s the pet cemetery:

HM broke down right in front of the caretaker, and I sat there for about 10-15 minutes - it was pretty cool . But, I was also starving, having bypassed lunch to get out of work for my flight. So, after HM, I was hankering for some Columbia Harbor House.

To document, I took a pic:

And...it was closed! I didn’t realize that it wouldn’t be open, but that’s okay. I figured I’d make my way into Fantasyland.

I really thought about Peter Pan, since I missed it in August, but I was just SO hungry:

Even though they don’t have Figaro Fries anymore, I figured I’d just grab a small bit at Pinocchio Village Haus:

And...they were closed too. For the love of pete, I simply needed nourishment at this point! And guests were still eating in there, too...taunting me! A CM was cleaning up, and I asked her who was open. Cosmic Ray’s - sounds good! I hadn’t been there since 2004, and at this point, I just needed something edible, so I headed into Tomorrowland.

Yet, even with my hunger, I had to stop and take some more “garbage can” shots:

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

The crowd at Cosmic Ray’s was understandably packed (people need sustenance, lol), but I headed over to Bay 2 and stepped in line:

Now, I was on a budget, so I chose some chili fries, and a glass of ice water (glass of ice water = free!). Then, I made use of the toppings bar (mmmmm, toppings bar). My delicious meal:

Now that I had eaten, I sauntered into Mickey’s Star Traders and found this cute magnet:

I didn’t remember seeing it in August, and it was land-specific, so I was going to buy one for me and one for my sister. See how tiny it is? Yeah, it was $6.95. It was literally the size of a quarter! Had to pass on that one. I did pick up an MK umbrella for $16.95, though. Too cute to pass up, and I needed a new umbrella anyway.

Now, you may notice that this TR is light on attractions. That’s because my goal for the weekend was to soak up the magic and relax. So I really took a “Whatever I do, I do” approach. It totally worked. Sorry, though, for anyone who is looking for all attractions!

I, of course, had to head to my favorite attraction in all of WDW. This should come as a surprise to no one:

What’s with the construction - does anyone know? I don’t recall seeing those walls there last month.

Now, I had seen some pretty cool costumes. But, as I got in line for the Peoplemover, I saw these folks. Their costumes were...interesting...and they were so captivated by the music, they felt compelled to dance. I felt compelled to photograph:

I’ll let that image speak for itself.

Great news - while I was on the Peoplemover, it broke down twice! What does that mean? It means more “garbage can” pics, without the gross garbage can! I whipped out my trusty Casio Exilim and put the Night Scene mode to more use:

I just love Tomorrowland at night. So much ambience - and one of my favorite park music loops!

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

After my first spin on the Peoplemover, the CM let me ride again - you know there is nothing that makes me happier .

One “garbage can” shot I had to get after TTA was of Space Mountain. The spider web projections looked so cool! It was hard to find a garbage can with a good angle, though - lol!:

This dance party looked pretty fun - guests were really into it:

I used this huge construction “box” as my garbage can on the way out of TL:

More spiffy projections:

I made my way across the hub into Adventureland, and spotted Gaston with no line! I have never met this handsome fella, so I had to stop for a pic:

He thanked me for noticing his bulging biceps

I stopped at Aloha Isle for a Dole Whip (mmmm, Dole Whip), and was going to head over to POTC when I spotted Abu and Aladdin doing M&Gs! I have never met Abu, so I hopped right in line. It moved painnnnfully slow. I waited 35 minutes, and there was only one family ahead of me - I was so excited.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Then a CM came over and said the family in front of me was last. Jasmine and Genie would be coming out instead. I was so sad! I didn’t have any interest in Jasmine and Genie, so I stepped out of the line and went to take in more atmosphere in Adventureland. Then, I headed to POTC:

I always go to the left, but for some reason I went to the right this time. I waited about 10 minutes - not bad at all - and of course there was no line to the left. Oh well - more time for pics:

No flash or screen, but the boats were backed up so I tried (and failed, lol) for some in-ride pics:

After Pirates, I realized I was totally parched, and made my way to Main St and Casey’s for some Sprite (sometimes you just need pop instead of water...no, I don’t drink soda..I drink pop, lol).

I don’t know if this is new, but I’ve never noticed it! I’ve only ever noticed the menus behind the registers. I also noticed the price increase for pop that went into effect right after I got home from my last trip:

I almost always go to the registers on the right, but headed left this time. Noticed these cool details above the condiments:

I strolled the shops on Main Street while sipping my drink, and looked for birthday gifts for my sister (whose birthday is on the 10th). I found a cool 40th bracelet that my sister and I considered buying on our trip and skipped due to funds, and picked her up one. I also picked her up a Mickey casserole dish at the Emporium. Last month, I had gotten the last one at Jackson Square in POFQ, and my sister really wanted one. I left enough room in my carry on so that I could bring it home for her, and thankfully they had them in stock!

At this point, I was starting to feel the effects of a long day, so I contemplated skipping the parade (I had missed Hallowishes while I was in the Abu line. I wasn’t too upset, though, because I’ve seen it before, and because the whole weekend was a bonus, so whatever I saw or did was just fine with me!). I relaxed on a bench by Guest Relations, and at about 10:40, the parade made it’s way to the end. There were people sitting on the curb, but no one standing behind them, so I easily snagged a great spot!

I don’t know anything about taking parade pics, but I was pretty pleased with how these turned out, considering my skill level (or lack thereof!) and camera:

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

More Boo to You:

So glad the Country Bears got some love:

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

I love Clara Cluck!

Watching Boo to You was a great way to end the night! I made my way to the monorail and over to...what was it again? Hook 91! I called my sister to “walk with me” to my car, since it was dark and I was walking alone.

I went to Hook 91 and I walked...up and down...back up again...uh oh.

What was my rental car again?

It was dark...and a Kia. Oh, and when you locked it with the remote, it didn’t beep, so that wasn’t much help.

But it was definitely Hook 91 - I knew it was...

Finally, after walking up and down the aisle 3 times, I found my “dark” Kia. I still couldn’t tell if it was gray or black, lol.

Relieved to have found my car, I got in and started driving away from TTC. I had my sister on speakerphone on the seat, and she was keeping me company on the 15-minute drive back to the Sheraton Safari.

Then I noticed blinking lights behind me...

I looked down at my speed, and I was going the speed limit. I said, “Goodbye” to my sister and started hyperventilating.

I pulled over, and suddenly heard over a loudspeaker “Driver, turn on your lights.”

Oops, my car at home has lights that automatically turn on. I turned on the lights and froze, not knowing what to do next.

“Garbled murmur murmur,” came from the loudspeaker.

Wait, did he tell me to drive away? What did he say?! I was so nervous I didn’t quite make it out. I didn’t want to pull away and have him think I was leaving the scene!

“Driver, pull away,” he said again. For some reason, at this point, I was so freaked out by being pulled over, I froze again.

“GO!” he yelled.

So I went.

And I made my way back to the hotel without another hitch

Coming up: A tranquil and amazing Saturday in WDW!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Don't you just hate driving an unfamiliar vehicle? Great story though!

I'm loving the MNSSHP pics. We have tickets to go on 10/18 and we can't wait. Your pictures make me that much more excited to go!

Boy, I sure would love to be able to go by myself for a weekend. I'm so jealous!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

The MK umbrella you got.... It's in one of those small ones that can fit in your purse? I'm in the market for a new umbrella and nothing would beat an MK umbrella!! I'm just not sure how I would get it home on the plane if it were a bigger one... Hmmmm....

Love the parade pics!! Sounds like you are having a great time so far!!

 

[diddy_mouse]

I love the pics from MNSSHP! Boo-To-You is definitely one of my favorite parades, ranks right up there with Spectro.

Oh, and I love your EPCOT shirt.

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Glad to hear you got to go back so fast!!!!!!

I was in the MK all day Saturday as well so I'll be looking for myself in the background of your pics!!