A Short but Sweet Trip to The World: June 17-21, 2011 Trip Report

Hello everyone! Before I get started, I'd like to say a big thank you to Hollybelle for teaching me how to link my pics from an online picture hosting site. (I use Picasa....I'm a Google girl!) Thank you, Hollybelle! :wave:

You know, I thought summer was supposed to be a restful time for teachers but it has been very busy for me so far! Things have finally settled down enough that I can FINALLY write my trip report from our recent trip to WDW. For any of you who read my pre-trip report (click pre-trip report if you'd like to read it), you may have noticed that I changed the name for my trip report. Well, there was still a retiree, a teacher, and a princess visiting WDW, but this trip turned out to be about so much more than just the three of us! (More about that later.)

So, here’s our cast:

Me (in black)
This was my 5th trip to WDW. (More info about my trips in my signature.)

DM (in red)
This was her 3rd trip to WDW, although I really don't count the first one because it was in 1972. She didn't take pictures and she can't remember very much about it.

DD (guess which one she is? )
This was her 3rd trip to WDW.

DCousin (DC), DCousin’s Wife (DCW), DCousin’s Son (DCS)

They also have a daughter but she wasn't with us on this trip because she was visiting her grandparents and other family and friends in Ohio. They live about 2 hours southwest from WDW and they’ve been so many times that I’m not sure they can count all of them! They stayed at a Marriott off property for most of the trip.


I do feel the need to warn you that I have a tendency to go on a tangent about certain things and digress. Since I’m totally not in denial about this little issue, I’ll give you little warnings for these tirades like this: SN (meaning Side Note). Yes, that’s my disclaimer statement. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

(SN ABOUT DCW) I feel weird calling her this. We’re friends and scrapbooking buddies and calling her just my cousin’s wife seems so wrong! I feel like I should call her DFriend (DF) instead! Yeah, I like that much better, DF it is! Family by marriage, yes, but friends by choice! (END SN)



For those of you who don’t have time to go back and read my PTR, here’s the Reader’s Digest version:

Friday: Flight super early, Check in at Port Orleans Riverside, Go to Magic Kingdom, Meet DC, DF, and DCS around 8pm, DF and Me to spend late night just the two of us in MK;

Saturday: Epcot with lunch at Les Chefs de France;

Sunday: Hollywood Studios, DC, DF, & DCS leave;

Monday: Breakfast at O’hana, Animal Kingdom;

Tuesday: Visit a park that we didn’t see enough of or chill at the resort to take pictures, shop, or swim.

Of course, not everything went as planned and some of the unplanned stuff was totally better! I’ll point out those things as I go along.

Also, one last thing: Like many other Disney fans, I love trying to do as many new things as possible during every trip to WDW. So, I’m going to indicate our new experiences like this: (NEW). These will be a new experience for me or DM or DD. I think DC, DF, and DCS have pretty much done everything but there were a few new things for them, too.

OKAY, SO ON WITH IT!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gnuts0306]

Ive never heard of taking pics of your room keys...is that something i should be doing ? lol

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Ive never heard of taking pics of your room keys...is that something i should be doing ? lol

It was a tip I received when I booked my trip with a travel agent in 2009 (I'm a Disney travel agent now so I'm planning to give that hint to others as well!)

I was told (and I'm probably going to call and verify it) that Disney would replace Keys to the World if they were lost or stolen. The pic I included in my TR was of our theme park ticket (long story as to why they were separate from my Key to the World, usually it's all on the KttW) and I'm not sure if the place I ordered the tickets from would've replaced it. I would think that Disney could just deactivate the one lost or stolen and replace it. I'll post here if I find out a definite on that.

I belong to the club of "better to be safe than sorry." If something bad were to happen to our KttW, at least we would have proof that we did have them. We take pictures of the front and back. (Didn't include these pics in my TR because they have our complete names on them. I like a measure of anonymity on these boards.) Then if we didn't need them, I just delete the pictures. I haven't decided if I'm going to keep the pics for scrapbooking purposes.

 

[ashley_marie]

Bob!
I can't believe he's still there!
It's been so long since I last saw him.

Great TR

 

[gnuts0306]

Good to know....sounds sensible! Thanks for the tip!

 

[HollyBelle]

You're off to a great start, Beth! I'm really enjoying it. Thanks for the Poly pic - I don't think I'll ever get enough of Sunset Point! My mom and I stayed at Riverside in April and it was fabulous. So much so, that I think it took over CSR for my top choice in moderates! The grounds are so well maintained and stunning.

 

[grwnupprincess]

I'm really enjoying your report so far!! and I must say...kudos to you for being persistent about your mickey ears, because I think they turned out perfect!

 

[disneygirl1]

Great start Beth! I am really enjoying your TR. Your DD is adorable! And I can TOTALLY relate to your whole bathroom crisis! My DS informs me he has to go at the most inconvenient times too! :lol:

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Bob!
I can't believe he's still there!
It's been so long since I last saw him.

Great TR

Yeah, Bob is still there and he really put on a great show! Thanks for reading!

Good to know....sounds sensible! Thanks for the tip!

You're very welcome!

You're off to a great start, Beth! I'm really enjoying it. Thanks for the Poly pic - I don't think I'll ever get enough of Sunset Point! My mom and I stayed at Riverside in April and it was fabulous. So much so, that I think it took over CSR for my top choice in moderates! The grounds are so well maintained and stunning.

Thanks, Holly! Glad to hear that you liked POR too. I had already looked at the pics of it online but it really did blow me away! I haven't stayed at CSR but since POR took over your fav as a moderate, I'm afraid it would be a let down to stay there now.

I'm really enjoying your report so far!! and I must say...kudos to you for being persistent about your mickey ears, because I think they turned out perfect!

Thanks! And thanks about my Mickey ears! I'm really pleased with 'em. I guess sometimes a girl just has to be persistent!

Great start Beth! I am really enjoying your TR. Your DD is adorable! And I can TOTALLY relate to your whole bathroom crisis! My DS informs me he has to go at the most inconvenient times too! :lol:

Thanks! The joys of parenthood, right?

 

[Teachr4Disney]

I cannot actually believe that I haven't updated my trip report since August 3rd. Well, I can believe it actually considering how stressful this school year has been for me. Let me just tell you, teaching can be rewarding but it can also be VERY challenging! So, anyway...we've got 7 more days out of school and I HAVE A SERIOUS CASE OF DISNEY FEVER! How else to cure it than by updating my trip report?

SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011

HELLO EPCOT!

I was more excited than usual (if that’s possible) to visit Epcot today because the last time my mom was here (in July 2008), it rained most of the day. I mean, it poured and poured and poured all day when she was here last. It wasn’t one of those fleeting Florida showers; it was sheets and sheets of rain.

So, needless to say, we did not get to visit World Showcase and I knew that it would be one of my Mom’s favorite parts of WDW. She can’t always get into the “kiddie” stuff like I can and WS is very “grown-up.” Plus, I always love to be able to share some part of WDW with someone who hasn’t experienced it yet. I just love to watch the person’s expressions and I get enjoyment from their enjoyment. (Does that make me a total goof ball?)

Now, did I mention earlier that I really would like to be a morning person but that everyone in my family (me included) is a night owl? DM, DD, and I were ready to go by 11:00 am and were headed to the bus stop to wait for the Epcot bus. We didn’t have to wait too long, which is good because my mom isn’t a fan of public transportation. Me, I don’t mind taking the buses back and forth but she would rather rent a car. I just can’t see the extra expense when I’ve never had any problems with the bus service at WDW.

We had already communicated with DC, DF and DCS and they were already at Epcot and had been on some rides (can’t remember which ones). We had a 1:10 ADR for Les Chefs in WS France (NEW) (for us all, including DC, DF, and DCS).

We got through the entrance relatively quickly and I was able to rent an ECV pretty quickly too. (Not sure if you remember but I was in a car accident in 1990 which left my foot in pretty bad shape when it comes to doing a lot of walking.)

By 12:00, we were hitting (NEW for DM)

The many faces of DM at Club Cool (I just love this…)

(Guess which one this one was? :lookaroun)

In the end, we just treated ourselves to a frozen Coke!

 

[Teachr4Disney]

After a quick pose with Lightnin’ and Mater and a few monorail shots, then we were off to WS.

We didn’t stop in

Or

since DC, DF, and DCS were waiting for us.

We did stop for a quick pic on the bridge headed over to France.

When we met up with the rest of our crew, we asked them to join us for lunch. Originally they weren’t planning to eat lunch with us at Les Chefs but we insisted, they agreed and we called to change the reservation from 3 to 6, at which time the reservation clerk explained that the earliest we could get in would be 2:30. UGH! We were all hungry right then and we didn’t want to chose another place to eat. DC went in to the restaurant to see if something could be arranged. Sure enough, the CMs at the restaurant said that it wouldn’t be quite that long but there would be a little wait. Thanks DC! :sohappy:

Even though we were hungry, we didn’t mind waiting because look who we found

(NEW for all of us....none of us had ever met Marie!)

After a little bit (can’t exactly remember how long….seems like 20 minutes or so), we were seated. We started with appetizers. DM and I had the bisque de homard (lobster bisque)

The lobster bisque was okay but it would’ve been nice to have just a bit more lobster in it. Of course, that was the first time I had never tried lobster bisque before so I had nothing with which to compare it. It was more like a creamy soup with a hint of lobster flavor and one or two pieces of actual lobster.

DD had the salade maison.

I glanced outside and saw…

We’ve never had pics with Beast so I would’ve loved to run outside and get pics really quickly and then come back in for lunch. After seeing how quickly the line grew when he and Belle came back outside, I realized that wasn’t a good idea.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

So, speaking of WDW celebrities, before our trip I had read about Remy sometimes making an appearance at Les Chefs but I had also heard that he was going to stop coming out. Since I was unsure whether we would see him, I hadn’t told DD anything about him possibly being there. Just a few minutes after the appetizers arrived, lo and behold…

DD was thrilled but DCS’s response was just priceless. He was totally enamored with Remy. He got very quiet and watched Remy intently. He was just so funny to watch.

After a quick pose with the little chef, then it was time for entrees.

DM and I had the Quiche Lorraine (don't even ask me why we had the exact same thing! )

DD had Blanc de Poulet aux Nouilles.

For dessert, we shared

Overall, the food was just okay. I don’t know if I would eat here again unless we were with kids who wanted the interaction with Remy. That alone was worth the visit to this restaurant.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

When we visited in 2009, all of us were playing the fountain outside of Les Chefs and a Photopass photographer just started snapping pics. I loved the shots!

Here's just one:

When my brother saw these pics, he asked, “What’s up with all the fountain pictures?” I don’t think he got it, but I thought they were cool. I thought they were spontaneous and showing that you can have simple fun at WDW with just a fountain. I’m not exactly sure why I was thinking I should try to replicate the “playing in the fountain” pictures but when I saw the fountain, I thought, why not?

For this trip, it didn’t quite work. But since I was trying to experience new things on this trip, why was I even trying to do that again anyway? Guess I was just reminiscing former good times. (Am I rambling again? :zipit

When we came out of the restaurant, we saw

I loved this show. These two were real characters! When I held my camera up to take a random picture of them as they were going back in, he stopped and posed for my pic!

Don’t ya just love Disney characters?! (By the way, I Googled the name of this show and was unsuccessful. If anyone can tell me the name of this show and/or these characters, will you share that info with me? I would like to include it in my scrapbook.)


Now, just a little side note about my Mom: she is a shopaholic and she’s what I call a “girly girl,” meaning that she likes the color pink, her shoes, purse, and jewelry must match her outfit, and she likes lacy, frilly things. So, of course, what caught her eye after the show was over? The umbrella stand. We waited around for a few minutes to see if a cast member would be back to wait on her. She wanted to get DD (DGD to her) a personalized umbrella. No one showed up so we went on to explore more parts of WS. (More about the umbrella later.)

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Next up was Morocco.

We stopped for a few minutes to enjoy another show. (NEW)

(I don’t know the name of this one either. Anyone? )

Next was Japan.

For this country, DD decided to stop at the Kidcot stop. In 2009, we took the time to collect all of the Kidcot goodies but I knew this wouldn’t be that kind of trip. DD didn't seem to care either way. Besides, we already did that and I was seeking to do as many new things as possible.

I took a minute to learn a few Japanese words while we were there, even though I already knew the ones for thank you and goodbye.

We also took a minute to explore the pavilion there which also gave us an excuse to get out of the heat.

Doesn't DC look thrilled?

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Then a pic of SSE from Japan

and a few minutes listening to the drummers:

We continued to tour the World. I was a little disappointed to see that the American Adventure was being refurbished. I’ve never been inside the AA and it would’ve been another first. Oh well, maybe next time!

How about another shot of SSE from across the lagoon?

At this point, DM decided that she wanted to go back to France to see if there was a cast member at the fancy umbrella booth. So, we continued on around WS while DM and DD went back to France. Since we all had phones with us, we would get back together after they were finished in France. I can’t exactly remember why I went back (not sure if I was getting impatient or maybe we just thought it should'nt have taken them that long to get her umbrella) but I went to France to see what was up.

This is what I found.

While we we waiting for him to finish painting her umbrella, I took a few more pics.

Doesn't it look like I'm actually on the water, like in a boat?

While we were waiting, another of this show started

(Still don't know the name )

Finally, he was all finished. Isn’t her new umbrella just the cutest thing? (I suppose I'm a little tiny bit girly-girl! )

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Then we were back on our journey around the world. A quick breeze through Italy…

And then on to Germany to stop for a beer and a pretzel. (NEW for me)

This was a first for me. Yes, I know, I know, how could I have ever gone through Germany without getting a beer?

The beer was good. The pretzel was horrible. It was dry and very bland. Yes, I know pretzels are not known to have the most exciting of flavors but trust me when I tell you that this was inedible! Even the mustard couldn’t help it out. Thought about feeding this to this little fella

but not sure he would’ve gone for it either!

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Next, we did a little shopping in China

and a little troll hunting in Norway

DD decided she wanted to stop at the Kidcot stop in Norway.

DF wanted school bread from Kringla Bakeri og Café.

I hadn’t tried school bread before so I got one too. It looked scrumptious but I really wasn’t a fan. I don’t really like custard and there was a ton of it inside.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Next up was Mexico

I was very excited to visit this pavilion again. I hadn’t been inside the Mexican pavilion since 1998. DM and DD have never been inside. It’s such a simple little place but yet I just love it!

I’m not sure if it’s the dark lighting or the water ride (water is soothing, after all) or Donald or maybe because it was a first for DM and DD but I just loved it! (NEW) (Wait, did I say that already? )

(And I promise there was no flash photography used while on this ride!)

DM and I decided that we want to eat here on our next trip.

We decided to do a little shopping while we were there. I found crystal Mickey head earrings that I’ve wanted for a while. DM was shopping for some souvenirs and well, just shopping (did I mention that she likes to shop?).

While we were waiting for DM to finish, we struck up a conversation with just the nicest cast member. I can’t really remember the gist of our conversation but I do remember that she was just genuinely kind. She seemed to really love her job.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Well, until next time, Mexico...

DC picked up some nachos somewhere along the way and shared them with us just outside the pavilion.

They were yummy! Thanks DC!

Well, TTFN to WS! Hope to see ya again soon!

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Next up was

(NEW for DM)

This is one of DD's favorite rides.

DM loved it and we both commented that my DF would love that ride. We just have to get him back here soon! (We didn’t get to this ride in ’08 unfortunately.)

Then a little cruise after the ride

I don’t even want to begin to think about DD driving!

Next over to one of my favorite rides in

We rode Soarin’. I love it! I can’t believe that I didn’t take any pictures of it. Of course, it wasn’t new for any of us so maybe that’s why. But I’m such a picture nut, I just can’t believe I didn’t snap at least a few!


I was a little disappointed that Living with the Land was closed for refurbishment. It’s a simple little ride but I really like it. Maybe it’s the teacher in me and the educational aspect of it that makes it appealing to me. Then again, I do seem to find pleasure in the simplest things!

So, after Soarin’ it was about 8:00 pm. I knew that I wanted to get a good spot for Illuminations but DD needed to eat and also DM and I were hungry. DF said they weren’t hungry so they offered to go secure a good spot for us.

 

[Teachr4Disney]

Here’s my dinner from Sunshine Seasons:

I’m not quite sure why I didn’t snap pics of DM’s and DD’s dinner. Maybe I was thinking about hurrying up to get to see Illuminations.
It was as beautiful as ever.

Do you see that dark figure on the right-hand side?

Well, it was some kind of obstruction, a pole, or some kind of structure that partially blocked our view. DC and DF explained that they had secured a really good spot for the show and they got edged out by this couple. It seems like they said something about “We’re visiting from another country and we’ve never seen this before, can we squeeze in here?” (DF, help me out here…is that how it went?) Since, we had seen it before and DC and DF were nice enough to get us spots, I certainly wasn’t going to complain. We were still able to see it.

DC grabbed DD and

She loved this!

Then it was a CM farewell.

This was something else NEW for me. I don’t remember seeing the CMs saying good night to us in ’08 after we left Illuminations. It was a nice touch.

Goodbye Epcot! Hope to see you again soon!

(The camera I had at the time takes horrible night shots! I have a new one now and can't wait to see how the night shots come out on our next trip!)

DC, DF, and DCS went back to their hotel room and we agreed to call each other in the morning to coordinate a time to meet.

When DM, DD, and I got back to our room, this is what we found:

(NEW)

DD brought her princesses with her on this trip and the Mousekeeper left us a nice little surprise! We've had towel animals left for us before but never one with cute little colored dot accents! What a nice thing to come back to after a great day in The World!

Time for bed…just thought I’d include this shot of DD in her trundle bed, especially since this isn’t something you can find at all the WDW resorts.

Night, night!

NEXT UP: Lots of NEW for DM at Hollywood Studios!