Trip Report And At Last I See the (rivers of) Light: A Much Too Short Trip Report *COMPLETED*

Hello Humans!

For those just joining, my name is Nicole. (Sorry if you were expecting Buddy Boil!) :p

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I am just a wee bit toooooo obsessed with Disney World and all things Disney, but is there ever really too much of a good thing? I’m just one of “those people”. The kind that doesn’t understand the need to travel anywhere else on this planet besides Disney, the kind that has more Disney clothes than work attire, the kind that stalks cast members instagram profiles… but we’ll gloss over those more intimate details. :p

I just returned from an extremely short trip to the World. And although short, I still feel the pain. It’s like when someone loses a limb, such as an arm or a leg, and they say they can still feel it. That is exactly how I feel about the removal of my Mickey ears. I have phantom limb pain from taking off my Mickey ear headbands. The ears are off, and the pain real. You mean to tell me I can't wear my rose gold ears to go grocery shopping? What kind of world do we live in?

After throwing a temper tantrum on the ground to my fiancé, complaining he doesn’t love me because he’s dragging me to Hawaii for our honeymoon, I decided the more mature, adult way to deal with post Disney depression is to share my story with you fine people. So let’s begin.

Who: Myself and my Bestie (we went in 2013 and 2014 previously)

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Where: All Star Music (We nicknamed this trip the budget trip. No park hoppers, no dining reservations, no dining plan, carryon luggage only so we wouldn’t come home with a bazillion souvenirs. A budget in Disney… that didn’t work so well. You mean that green Mickey lighting up was racking up my credit card? WHO KNEW?! :)

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When: Friday, January 19th to Tuesday January 23rd

Why: Why not? The best way to escape wedding planning is Disney planning! :p

Jan 19th
Our flight wasn’t until 7 PM out of Newark, New Jersey. I currently live right outside of Philadelphia with Joe, go Eagles :p but it was easier for me to get to Newark than my friend to get to Philly. And me flying alone is never a good idea. I once found myself in an airport closest. Yeah, no idea. I decided to work a half day instead of using a vacation day, because I’m trying to bank all my days for my honeymoon and secretly another Disney trip come fall. Don’t tell anyone. It can be our little secret. Hardy har har! ;);)

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Did not sleep a wink the night before, not sure if it was the excitement, the nerves about my carryon being TSA compliant, or the fact that I was fighting off laryngitis. Ursula, take my legs but give me back my voice!!!!! Some people were too ecstatic I was speechless, cough JOE cough. I could not rub in his face that I WAS GOING TO DISNEY WORLD.

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Wore my little mermaid leggings to work because I am a child. I work for an orthodontic team and having all my patients ask me about going to Disney World just amped up my excitement level. My age category is definitely 8-12 because that is who I most relate too. HA!

Clocked out early and made my long trek to North Jersey. Got back in record time, must have been those pixie dust fumes in my gas tank. :p My friend’s brother was our designated Uber and I’m sure he kicked himself for offering to drive us two crazy loons.

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Strapped on my magic band and admired the beauty of all that is Mickey’s outline. I love the new shape, didn’t think I would! It actually looks like a watch, IT’S MICKEY TIME.

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On the ride there, we received a text message that our room was ready! Don’t judge me that I never deleted my 2016 room notification message.

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My friend and I had been joking all week that we’d be put in country. NOT THE COUNTRY BOOT! And lo and behold, there we were. She called up Disney to see if they could switch us to jazz, we’d been practicing our jazz hands for months! The cast member laughed, and apologized that the resort was fully booked; we could maybe switch our room later on during the trip. TOO BAD OUR TRIP WAS SO SHORT. :(

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Nothing screams Disney World more than a pair of country boots! Am I right?! :p

We got through security quickly and made our way to the gate. Upon arrival, our flight is delayed. From 7 PM to 8:30 PM. WHAT! Lose an hour and a half of Disney time!? I cannot deal.

The terminal was packed. There was not a seat to be found. We circled round and round, myself rolling my carryon like I’d had one too many drinks. It’s hard steering a suitcase! We were antsy and then it hit us. One little spark of inspiration. LET’S SEE IF THE EARLIER FLIGHT HAS ANY SEATS AVAILABLE.

Turns out, it did! And for a mere fee of $75.00 each, we could arrive in Disney at 8:30 PM. We went back and forth… if we got there early we could eat in the food court, we’d have more Disney time, we could get to sleep earlier and be less cranky for parking opening. Budget trip my behind.

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We were soon on the plane, vowing to not tell a soul we paid $75 to arrive in Disney an hour and a half earlier. Whoops!

The flight attendants asked if we could be the heroes of the flight, and of course we obliged.

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Throw the plane door out the window and save all the innocent lives on board? Ain’t no thing for Princess Nicole. Watch out Mr. Incredible. I’m coming for your costume.

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Heroes need their nourishment, so cheers to the first food pictures of the trip!

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Touched down in Orlando much earlier than expected… money comes and goes but Disney memories are forever. That’s what I keep telling myself at least!

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The Magical Express area was dead, and we hoped we didn’t just miss the bus. Turns out the bus was waiting right outside for our arrival. What great service! I don’t know if I credit this to the fact that I’m now a hero? Hopped aboard that big beautiful red beauty of transportation and prepared myself for my ride back home. The butterflies were fluttering about in my stomach, I could not stop giggling, and I felt it deep down to my core that I was back in my happy place. You know that warm fuzzy feeling of being on property? That moment where you know your trip to come is filled with endless possibilities? Don't ever take waiting in the Magical Express line for granted!


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Would our room be the very last room in the very back of our resort? Did they separate us from the general public on purpose because we are certifiably insane? Would my jazz hands feel betrayed about nothing getting their moment to shine?
:)
 

ELeigh

Well-Known Member
""


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Thanks for a great trip report! I’m sure you will be back before you know it!



And so marks the end of the most magical trip to date. I swear they get better every time! I got to see Rivers of Light, I rode both new Animal Kingdom attractions, I ate until my heart's content, I met Ariel in her dress AND in her fin, and I created the most magical memories that will last a lifetime. My best friend and I are already scheming up ways we can return. All you need is faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust, right?

I thank you all for supporting and understanding my Disney addiction, and I'm glad we can all come to a place to share our experiences and memories. It's nice to look back on these trips, and to remember all the magic. I'll leave ya'll with my all time favorite Disney quote.

"I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing- that is was all started by a mouse."
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
I'm so glad that Rivers of Light lived up to your expectations. I really enjoy the show as well, I think it is the perfect show for Animal Kingdom, beautiful and elegant in the visuals and music. I listen to the music a lot as well. I actually recorded it the first time we saw and and then on our next visit I saw the soundtrack for sale at at cart (I think it was near Flame Tree) and I freaked out a little. The cast member and my husband were probably laughing at my excitement.
 

Heatherbell

Active Member
....aaaannnndddd I'm crying (while my husband rolls his eyes at me; "are you really crying about a trip report on a Disney website?"-grounds for divorce I tell ya!)
As always, awesome report. Thanks for writing and letting me live vicariously through you.

PS. I bought adorable Disney themed Lulas that I wore to Disney Studios. The day I wore them I was walking and they were literally shredding off my body. I have never seen anything like it. The more I moved the more holes appeared. I went into the bathroom and looked down and there was a softball size hole in the rear end area. Thankfully my cousin had packed an extra pair of leggings in her bag the day before in case she got soaked on Kali River Rapids. If it wasn't for that the patrons of Disney Studios would have had a very interesting show or I would have had to buy a very expensive pair of pants in one of the stores haha
 

LeighM

Well-Known Member
So sad your trip report is over. But your thoughts on Rivers of Light are making me so excited for our upcoming trip. Only 12 more days and only 14 until I get to (finally!) see Rivers of Light for myself. Animal Kingdom is tied with MK for my favorite park. I love the nostalgia and fantasy of MK but AK is something that's so close to my heart. I can easily spend hours with the birds along the trail and my husband has to pull me away :)
 

CaliKris

Active Member
WHAT?! Your trip report is over? I just got back from WDW a week ago and now one of my favorite trip reports is done? This is a double Disney depression. I just love your love for all things Disney and your words just describe so perfectly what it is to truly adore Disney. Animal Kingdom absolutely is the best WDW park. I don't know what it is about Flight of Passage but every time I ride my eyes overflow with tears. It is just such a joyful experience. And ROL! I am so glad you got to see it and loved it so much after all the anticipation. Thank you for taking the time to write another amazing trip report! I don't think we will make it back to WDW for a year, but it is trip reports like yours that keep me going during the down time.
 

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So glad you finally got to see ROL and that it was better than you ever could have dreamed!! :happy:

I am so happy I finally saw it in person! It was so beautiful! I could cry :)

I am so glad you enjoyed it and were not disappointed - the start of it with animals in the trees was pretty awesome I just don’t think the rest followed suit - that said I had to watch HEA twice to full appreciate it - maybe ROL needs another chance!

Yes, you must give it another chance! I am still upset about Wishes soooo... maybe I should take my own words of advice :p
 

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Great trip report as always!! Very entertaining!! I'm glad you enjoyed Rivers of Light!!

Thank you so much for reading and commenting. It means the world to me! I am glad to bring my Disney friends along for my adventures, wish they could happen more often! LOL

:hilarious::hilarious::hilarious:
But on a serious note so bummed your TR is over !

Me too :( And I don't have a new trip planned. What is this life that I'm living! :(

Noooooo why is it ending?!

I've wanted to try one of those nutella fruit waffles, looks yummy!

The waffle was sooo good! And super filling. It was warm and the fruit tasted so fresh, definitely a must do breakfast for me from now on! And I wish it never ended! I need to move to Disney :p

Great TR Nicole!
As I mentioned before I love your story telling style.
Thanks for sharing

Max

Thank you :joyfull::joyfull: Wish I was a Disney lifestyle blogger and could just go everyday. Maybe one day LOL

Aww we had the same breakfast that day!! I was probably about an hour behind you.

Sad your report is over!! :cry: Loved reading your reaction to RoL, and I'm just so glad you loved it :inlove::inlove::inlove:

I wish we knew we were in MK together! It's funny we did the same things, just different times! I ate the waffle, watched muppets, did haunted mansion... if only we bumped into one another again :(

Currently stalking the app for Flower and Garden Ears. I may have to take you or @Longers up on the offer to snag me a pair! :p

You finishing your report makes me think I really need to finish mine!! LOL

Thank you for writing this - I loved every second of it :)

Cheers to Disney friends!

I don't want you to finish yours it's all I have left to remember! :p But I am glad you enjoyed! I am soooo happy we got to meet up! Now we must plan a visit together. :p Disney friends are the best friends!

You should! I LOVE WS. It's my favorite and has been since the first time we went to Epcot. I love browsing the countries. When we went in 2016, my DS was 8 and DD was 10...DS has Autism and does not do well with waiting or being patient and it was not his thing. DD is much more into learning and she loved it, so we ended up splitting up and DD and I went to the WS and DH and DD went to FW, but we only had the one afternoon and I was DYING to see the Voices of liberty, so we spent a lot of time in the American Pavilion. I wanted them to sing 50 nifty United States, because I am from Wyoming and they never get anyone from Wyoming. So we saw very little of the rest of the World Showcase that trip. We are hoping to get back in 2019, when DD will be 13 and DS will be 11, and we're working on patience, so maybe we can swing some extra WS time.

That's nice you were able to split up and have everyone do what they enjoyed! :) As much as I love browsing and slowly strolling through World Showcase, I can understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea. The Voices of Liberty are amazing, I always end up tearing up when I hear them! So emotional! I will hope and send pixie dust your way that you get to go back in 2019 and stroll your way through the world! I am trying to plot another trip for this year, but probably won't return until 2019 as well. We can be strong together through our Disney droughts!
 

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