Aug 2nd - Aug 7th: First Trip Report

Posting my very first trip report! Had a blast and am still recovering (mainly my feet)!

Players: Myself (31) and DH for the week of his 40th Birthday (he totally doesn't look it or act like it.

Day One - Aug 2nd
We took an early 7:45 flight out of DFW to Orlando! Even though we are up so early, we are not tired! We are so excited and ready to reach our final destination of Walt Disney World!!

We check into our hotel, Contemporary Resort around 1:30. We were both so excited! It was our first deluxe experience and a childhood dream of ours to stay at the Contemporary. The check in service was great and fast! However, we were disappointed to find out we did not get our request of a room with a king bed. Although, we did receive a room on the 11th floor (MK view). The view was gorgeous!

Pictures from our balcony!

After settling into our room, we immediatly headed towards the monorail. I just have to say how much we LOVED having the monorail access during the week! We went straight to Epcot! First mission, stop by Soarin' for a fastpass. By this time, we are both starving (it's around 2:30). We go to the Pub in Rose and Crown. Beer with Fish n Chips. Our first meal in WDW! For us, a great way to start the trip!

We then immediately headed over to Norway. My DH and I are both fans of The Deadliest Catch and my DH's favorite crew is the Northwestern. It was their last day of meet and greet! We arrived just after 3:00 in line. The line was VERY slow moving. Then they stopped at 4:00 for a break and were coming back at 5:30. The group in front of us received fast passes but us along with everyone behind us, had to stay in line and wait. It was a LONG wait! However, we did meet some really nice, cool people who were in line behind us! Two of them were CM's who had just gotten off of work. Was fun talking with them and were really nice. One guy kept going to get drinks and snacks for everyone. Even though we waited a long time, it went fast for we were in great company.

Here we are with the crew of the Northwestern. Got in line just after 3:00 - meet them around 6:00!

Can you tell we are from Dallas and are big Cowboys fans?

While in line, one of our new friends was eatting a school and was saying how it's the best! So, my DH had to stop by Kringla Bakeri og Cafe to try one. Needless to say, he LOVED it! He said he has to have one everytime we go to Epcot!

Here he is enjoying his new found love!

We then went to our favorite ride at Epcot, Spaceship Earth! We actually rode the ride, got off and went back around to ride it again!! I love that ride!!! It was then time for our Soarin' Fastpass time! So off to Soarin' we went! We then decided to call it a night for we were now hungry for dinner and just wanted to relax after a long day!

We went to the Contempo Cafe in the resort and brought our food back up to our room and watch the old Mickey cartoons (I love that channel). It was then time to watch Wishes!!! We have NEVER seen Wished before. We changed the channel on the tv, set up our camera and sat back and watched the fireworks. Immediately fell in love with Wishes!!!!! Favorite fireworks EVER!! I knew I had to see it again!

Here are some pictures of Wishes from our balcony!

More to come soon!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Looovin' your TR! Keep it coming!

We've stayed in the Contemporary w/MK view twice and love it. It's the best resort location IMO. And I'm so jealous y'all got to meet Sig, Edgar, and Matt. We're huuuge fans of the show and the Northwestern is our favorite boat/crew, too. I've heard the guys are very nice. A friend of mine lives in Fairbanks, AK and her grown daughter spotted Edgar in the airport once. She blurted out really loud, "OH my God! That's Edgar from the Northwestern!" He didn't miss a beat, went into a loud dramatic spiel, "Oh my God! That's a Deadliest Catch fan!" She said he had a great sense of humor and was very personable. I'm still jealous, tho.

 

[TxNewsies]

And I'm so jealous y'all got to meet Sig, Edgar, and Matt. We're huuuge fans of the show and the Northwestern is our favorite boat/crew, too. I've heard the guys are very nice.

There is truth to that! They were so nice. Totally awesome, cool guys!!

 

[tink68]

I would love to have met those guys. Love that show. Go Cowboys! :sohappy:

 

[mouselvrmom]

Loving your report! Can't wait to read more!

 

[TxNewsies]

Okay - take two on this. It logged me off as I was posting and lost everything.

Day Two - Aug 3rd

Magic Kingdom Day! We woke up early for our 8:05 breakfast reservations at Crystal Palace. Our first character dining experience! Pooh and Friends are my favorite! Plus, I've never met Piglet - Piglet rocks!

We take the nice walk from Contemporary over to MK. How awesome it is to walk down Main Street with just the few guest who also have early reservations before the park opens. I love it! First thing we had to do was have our picture taken in front of Cinderella's Castle! Happiness!

Time for breakfast! We immediatley fell in love with Crystal Palace! First of all, it's simply gorgeous, beautiful! Love it! And the food - totally awesome! The french toast - omg - the best! My DH is a HUGE fan of breakfast and having it as a buffett - he was in heaven! We new instantly we have to come back every year!!!!

Here I am with Piglet and Tigger!! Love them!

The service was the best! Our waiter was so nice! When our glasses barely were half done, he was back refilling them! Such great service! We totally must go back!!!

Here we are sitting at our table.

We finished just before 9:00! We experienced our very first rope drop! I never knew about this! We usually arrived at 9:00 so we never knew they actually opened earlier and walked you into the different front sections for the rope drop! We were in front of Frontierland. I LOVED how when the rope dropped the CM's would walk you to the rides and such. Totally awesome! Loved it! Everyone walking together.

We went immediately and rode Big Thunder Mountain! We then got a fastpass for Splash Mountain. Off to The Haunted Mansion we went! While on the way, we met Donald Duck! Our first time meeting Donald!

My DH loves the HM - I love the ride too but I don't think my love is as great as hid. We rode the ride, got off, and went on it again!!!

We then went over to Tom Sawyer Island. We have never been. And after going, we were asking ourselves, why have we never been! What a totally awesome place! We had so much fun exploring! Loved it! However, as soon as we got off the raft the only thing my DH wanted to do was find a paintbrush! He was determined! There was no stopping him, no taking pictures, nothing until he found a paintbrush! And victory! He found one!

Here I am with it!

A view of Thunder Mountain from the island

Then it was time to ride Splash Mountain. Another first for us - this is because I HATE water rides! I HATE getting wet! But my DH was dying to go on it! So I went. And of course, we got the front seat. My DH was so excited!!!! I was not - LOL!! The ride is really cool! Loved it! However, I did NOT like the getting wet part (my DH loved that part!). He LOVED our picture. His hands were up in the air all excited and then there was me, bag in lap, head down not happy to be getting wet. DH laughed so hard at our picture!

After drying off, it was time for rice krispie treat! I love the chocolate covered mickey ear ones! Totally awesome - a must have for me! Then it was to PotC! I love this ride!

We then headed over to Tomorrowland and watched Philharmagic. One of our favorites of all the parks! The best 3D show in our opinion! Then we used our fastpass from TSI to ride Peter Pan.

Off to Tomorrowland we went! We went on CoD and then rode Buzz. I was kicking my DH's butt! He was going down, down, down! And then, the ride came to a stop! It said everything would stop which I thought ment the shooting. I tried shooting but I saw no points being added, so I stopped. However, DH did not. He found a target and kept shooting. The ride then started back up and BAM, his points went up majorly! In the end, he won. :brick: I wasn't very happy! I like to say, he cheated!

We then decided to go back to the resort to relax before coming back to watch the Spectro and Wishes. We picked up dinner at the Contempo and relaxed while watching a movie (we love traveling with our portable dvd player and hooking it up to the tv). It was so nice to kick our feet up and relax after a long, fun day!!

More tomorrow!!!

 

[Pluto Princess]

Very good trip report so far... cant wait for the rest!

 

[luvlifeinfl]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[blackthidot]

Where are the food pictures???

Your balcony pics are awesome!

 

[diddy_mouse]

Really like the pictures so far! I'd love to be able to watch Wishes from the Contemporary one of these days...

So far it sounds like you guys had a blast!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Ugh! I'm soooo feeling your TR (and missing our "home" at the Contemporary). The walk to the MK is oober cool and pre-opening ADRs at Crystal Palace so I get that magic time on Main Street and in the hub is one of the big highlights of our trips for me. There's just nothing else like it. I can't stand getting wet on water rides either because I think the water smells like funky feet. Eeeww! Makes me want to take a shower and wash my hair. OMG! And the chocolate covered Mickey ear crispy treats are my faaaavorite treat. I dream about them. I love that they come on a stick, too, because then I don't have to get sticky fingers. LOL!

Hhmmm...are you my long-lost twin???

Lovin' your report. For a 1st TR, you sure are rockin' it, girl! :sohappy::sohappy:

 

[sueuk]

Fab pics from your balcony ... I've never wanted to stay at Contemporary, but these views are persuading me. We have ADR for Cali Grill, during Wishes next month (another first) so we'll have a good look around the resort. :wave:

 

[TxNewsies]

I would love to have met those guys. Love that show. Go Cowboys! :sohappy:

Woot Woot! They are the Best! We just took a tour of their new stadium - Awesome!

Very good trip report so far... cant wait for the rest!

Thanks!

Thanks for sharing.

Where are the food pictures???

Your balcony pics are awesome!

Sadly I didn't take too many food pictures. I did when we went to California Grill - a new love for us!

Really like the pictures so far! I'd love to be able to watch Wishes from the Contemporary one of these days...

So far it sounds like you guys had a blast!

We did have a blast however we came home the most exhausted after a trip - we did too much! We usually come back relaxed. Next trip - less preplanning. Wishes is awesome from a balcony although, nothing is like watching it right down Main Street!

Ugh! I'm soooo feeling your TR (and missing our "home" at the Contemporary). The walk to the MK is oober cool and pre-opening ADRs at Crystal Palace so I get that magic time on Main Street and in the hub is one of the big highlights of our trips for me. There's just nothing else like it. I can't stand getting wet on water rides either because I think the water smells like funky feet. Eeeww! Makes me want to take a shower and wash my hair. OMG! And the chocolate covered Mickey ear crispy treats are my faaaavorite treat. I dream about them. I love that they come on a stick, too, because then I don't have to get sticky fingers. LOL!

Hhmmm...are you my long-lost twin???

Lovin' your report. For a 1st TR, you sure are rockin' it, girl! :sohappy::sohappy:

I think you just might be!!! My DH bought me a box of Mickey Rice Crispy treats to bring home. Although, the box has four in the box and he keeps saying, he has two and I have two. Umm........I just might eat all four! LOL!!

Fab pics from your balcony ... I've never wanted to stay at Contemporary, but these views are persuading me. We have ADR for Cali Grill, during Wishes next month (another first) so we'll have a good look around the resort. :wave:

You are going to LOVE Cali Grill! We ate there this trip and it was our favorite meal ever! Will have more about it soon!

 

[TxNewsies]

Day Two Continuted

We really lucked out with our timing! Not long after we returned to CR to relax, it started pouring rain outside! It was some heavy rain. And it kept raining and raining and raining. We were happy to be inside with our dinner, watching a movie while relaxing on the bed! We were just hoping it would stop by the time we left to head back up to MK.

Around 7:30 we went on the Monorail to head back to MK for Spectromagic and Wishes. We found a spot on the circle, looking right down Main Street! We made ourself comfy and relaxed until 9:00.

There was a slight drizzle, so of course, since I hate getting wet, I had on my poncho (I still use my yellow poncho from high school!) And my DH was not for he was enjoying the slight rain!

Here I am, poncho and I!

Main Street and Cinderella's Castle!

I LOVE Spectromagic! It's my favorite parade! Growing up, my mom and I loved the music to the Electric Light Parade and always wanted to see it. But unfortunately, evertime we went to WDW, it was never on. =( On our honeymoon, I was so excited when we learned about Spectromagic! I immediately had to call my mom and tell her! So this trip, my DH took pictures while I filmed the parade for my mom since we finally have a video camera! I can't wait to show it to her!!

Favorite picture of the parade! Credit goes to DH! I love Mickey Mouse!

Around 10:00 it was time for Wishes! I was so excited (when am I not excited at WDW?) The night before was the first time we had ever seen the fireworks and it was from our balcony. So this was our first time watching them while in the park. Wowee - how awesome are those fireworks! How they have them perfectly timed to the music. And the fireworks they use - Love It! Tinkerbell!!! Totally awesome!!! Music - perfect! You can't help but smile the entire time!!! Loved every minute of it!

Was sad when it was all over. =( Time to head back to CR. We caught the monorail and crashed! However, I do have to say, having the MK view at CR - every night, if I happen to wake up - I had to get up and walk over the balcony and look outside at the Castle! Was so awesome to wake up and see it everytime! And it stayed lit up all night! =) It truly is a magical place!

More to come shortly!!

 

[TxNewsies]

Disclaimer: I should have said this in the earlier posts also. Warning that my spelling stinks! So please forgive any words that are spelled wrong! I'm horrid! Thank You. =)

Day 3 - Aug 4th

Since we were enjoying our balcony so much, we decided to go to Contempo Cafe, get something to drink with our mugs and a muffin and head back up to our room and enjoy our breakfast while sitting on the balcony. Was so relaxing and a nice way to begin our day!

We then caught the bus to Hollywood Studios. I don't know how we do it but every trip, we have hardly waited on a bus. We were maybe seated for a minute when the bus arrived. Works for us!

Here, we witnessed our second rope drop. This was probably my favorite! I love how they make everything seem like a show - a movie! Was awesome to watch. It also really made you even more excited for the park to open!

As soon as the rope dropped, we headed straight to Toy Story Mania. We got a fastpass and headed towards Sunset BLVD

Here we are!

Yes, here we are again supporting our Cowboys! This time in our jerseys! Go Witten and Ware!

We went straight into line for RnR! Love this ride!!!!! We then headed back over towards TSM and went to Walt Disney: One Man's Dream. Another first for us! The entire time we are walking around and reading - DH kept saying to me, "How is it we have never come in here, it's awesome!" I have to totally agree with him! How cool it is! The movie is also really good! We enjoyed everytime minute we were there!

Here is DH listening to the speech with Mickey!

It was then time for our fastpass to Toy Story Mania. I was so excited! I love this ride. I was kicking DH's butt last year until the last round and I was determined to win this year. And what do you know - I was totally kicking his butt through out the entire ride until the very end again! I just can't go fast enough during the final bonus round! =( Augh! One of these years I am going to beat him!

Right when we left the ride - there was the toy soldier!!!

We then headed over towards the other side of the park. Here I am along the way!

We went to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids set. So much fun and great places to take pictures! Then off to Muppets 3D! We LOVE the Muppets! Last year I bought a Fozzie Bear stuffed animal (he's my fav!) and I had to get him a buddy! Took me awhile deciding but decided to get Kermit. "Good Grief! The comedian is a bear!"

We then became VERY hungry! We decided to head over to Studio Catering Co. I love their chicken ceaser wraps! On our way over, we saw Lighting McQueen and Mator!!! YAY!!

 

[HollyBelle]

Great report!!! I heart the Contemporary and can't wait to stay there again. The Swedish Chef joined our plush collection on our last trip. But I agree, Fozzie Bear is the best!

Can't wait to read more. :sohappy:

 

[TxNewsies]

Day 3 Continued

After lunch we were about to head over to The Great Movie Ride when DH pulled me in a different direction - he was very excited! I didn't know where we were going! We rounded a corner and there was Sulley!!!! YAY!!

After Great Movie Ride (which we always get the ganster scene - I hear there is a Western theme also - is there for we never get it!), we headed over to see Lights, Motor, ACTION!!!! I LOVE this show! How they do it, I just do not know! However, this time, there was a wreck during the first scene! Two of the black cars hit on their sides. They stopped and cleaned up and then started back up where they left off. I had never seen that before. I guess it is bound to happen every so often - those cars do get soooooooooo close to one another!!

When we left, DH was so excited to meet the Power Rangers. He was bummed when he missed them last year. I wanted to strike a pose with one of them so bad! Here I am trying very poorly to be cool like the power rangers. DH laughs at this photo of me.

We then rode Star Tours and we were then on a mission to find an Indy hat for DH's nephew. It was his 9th birthday when we got back home and he LOVES Indy! He has an Indy whip and loves it! So we finally found him the perfect hat (which was the smallest they had and yet is still too big on him). We were able to give it to him the day after we got back. He LOVED it! He got his hat, turned to his dad and said, "Look! I can now play Indiana in the backyard with my hat and whip!"

We then went to The American Idol Experience! We LOVE this show every year! We really liked the Idol Experience. We think it would be fun to one time try out for it. Looks like an awesome experience!!!

We then decided to go back to RnR and try the single rider line. After about 15 minutes in line a MAJOR downpour began. It was major! Luckly we were under covering but those who were not either ran out of line or just stood there, getting drenched! It was crazy. People shouting at others to move up to try and get more under covering and such. We finally were inside, watching everyone getting onto the ride when the ride stopped! Technical difficulties. After about 10 minutes, it was still down and I was in need of a restroom. So we left and on our way out, they gave us a fastpass to use at anytime. Works for us! This made DH very happy!

Off to The Magic of Disney Animation. Yet another place we had never been. LOVED it! DH was very excited for he got to meet the Incredibles (his favorite Pixar movie!)

If you haven't noticed by now with the photos, DH is very dramatic and corny. He cracks me up! He loves getting into character - it's the theatre in him!

It was then time for our ADR at Sci-Fi Dine In. We were excited to eat here! We LOVED the atmosphere! And the trailers. Wowee - how times have changed. Was so much fun to watch! DH has the ribs while I had the Italian Chicken Sandwich. Was good and boy oh boy did I love the fries. Then again, I love fries, period!

We then headed back to CR and relaxed while watching Finding Nemo in our room an then stopping to go out on our balcony to watch Wishes! I love it!!! My favorite way to end the day!

To Be Continued.......

 

[corey154]

I love the trip report, thank you for sharing your pic of the NW guys with us, we love deadliest catch too and unfortunatly this year i couldn't go. (i went last year & met them so i can't complain too much) I love the pictures you took!!

How do you feel about TO being gone from Dallas this year?

 

[TxNewsies]

Great report!!! I heart the Contemporary and can't wait to stay there again. The Swedish Chef joined our plush collection on our last trip. But I agree, Fozzie Bear is the best!

Can't wait to read more. :sohappy:

YAY for Fozzie! I plan to find him a buddy every year. =)

I love the trip report, thank you for sharing your pic of the NW guys with us, we love deadliest catch too and unfortunatly this year i couldn't go. (i went last year & met them so i can't complain too much) I love the pictures you took!!

How do you feel about TO being gone from Dallas this year?

Thanks! DH was soooooooooo excited when he found out they were going to be at Epcot when we were. It was a must stop for us.

We were VERY happy to see him go! Goodbye - don't come back! We will not miss him at all!!

 

[disneygirl1]

Loving the report!! Awesome pictures too!!! Looks like you and the DH had an incredible time!!! Love that you supported your team while in WDW!!! We do the same thing, but just for a different team!!! GO EAGLES!!!! While we maybe rivals, one thing we can agree on and understand, is that T.O. is like a posion to any team he touches!!! :ROFLOL::ROFLOL::ROFLOL: Can't wait for the next installment!