Trip Report First Timer - Not Anymore!

Hello Everyone,

We are back from our first trip to Disney World. I hope you will enjoy reading about our trip. We had a terrific time.

Here is a link to my Pre-Trip Report: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/first-timer-super-excited.880293/

When: February 24 - March 3, 2014
Resort: Art of Animation - Little Mermaid

Introductions:

That is me Lori also know as LJ or Mom!
Visits to Disney: 1
Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Ride: The Haunted Mansion
Favorite Restaurant: Be Our Guest
Favorite Food: Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich
Favorite Character(s): Lady from Lady and the Tramp and Piglet
Favorite Princess: Snow White
Favorite Movie: Winnie the Pooh
Favorite Villain: Maleficent

This is Madison also known as Maddie!
Visits to Disney: 1
Favorite Park: Epcot
Favorite Ride: The Haunted Mansion
Favorite Restaurant: None (more on that later)
Favorite Food: Mickey Ice Cream Bar, Cherry Shaved Ice from Japan and Vanilla Dole Whip
Favorite Character(s): Alice in Wonderland, Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter
Favorite Princess: Pocahontas
Favorite Movie: Alice in Wonderland
Favorite Villain: Queen of Hearts

Sunday, February 23 - Travel Day 1
I wanted to book a direct flight and couldn't get one from our airport so we drove three hours on this day to Manchester, NH so we could fly direct on Southwest. We spent the night at the Holiday Inn near the airport where we did the park, stay and go package. This worked out great for us. Here is a photo of us heading down to Manchester.

We had McDonald's for dinner since it was across the street from the hotel, watched a little TV and went to bed early. We had to be up at 4:30 to get ready to head to the airport and tomorrow is Disney day!

 

[party like it's 99]

I can't wait to read how your first experience went!

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

Monday, February 24 - Travel Day 2, Arrive at AOA and Magic Kingdom
We got up at the crack of dawn to head to the airport. The van met us right out front at the scheduled time. We loaded our luggage and we were off. Checking in for our flight was uneventful but I had a slight issue going through security. Hint: If you are going to bring a roll of quarters with you make sure you take them out of the roll and put them in a plastic bag. I had to have my bag searched because of the long, tubular metal object at the bottom of my bag. Whoops!
Here we are enjoying our Starbucks waiting for our flight...

We arrived at MCO a little early and made our way to the magical express and pulled out our magic bands.

I changed our FP+ selection for Little Mermaid while sitting on the ME because I knew we were not going to make the scheduled time. It was super easy to do from the app on my phone.
Bus photos:

AOA Little Mermaid Room and MK next post!

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

Continuing - Monday, February 24 - Travel Day 2, Arrive at AOA and Magic Kingdom
We Are Here, We Are Here!

I can't even begin to describe what I was feeling when I saw this sign. I was so excited and ready to jump out of the bus!
We dropped some folks off at Pop Century and then it was time for AOA. I didn't take any pictures of our arrival because I was super excited to see the resort. I have been planning this trip for over 6 months and looked at so many photos online. It was awesome finally seeing it in person. We walked into the lobby and went to the online check in line. A really nice cast member took my name and told us to have a seat and she would be right with us. Of course we sat under this art work!

The wonderful cast member handed us our packet, reviewed some resort information, showed us our room location on a resort map and we were on our way. Super fast! Disney has the check in process down. The only request I had was to be assigned either building 7 or 9. We got building 9, 3rd floor. We were facing the parking lot but that didn't bother me. We were able to see Illuminations from the balcony.

We loved our room. It was super clean and the perfect size for us. I am really glad we decided on this resort. Maddie liked that it was kid friendly. The walk from the room to the food court wasn't that bad. It was actually a nice walk through the Lion King section. I would stay here again for sure. I just hope the rooms become a part of the discounts sometime in the future.

We dropped off our carryon items and changed into different clothes (way warmer then home even with the rain) and we headed for Magic Kingdom! It was raining while waiting for the bus so we had to wear the dreaded ponchos. I didn't like them at all and next time I would bring a rain jacket that can fold up. I would have preferred that. But it was all good. Nothing was going to put a damper on my first bus ride to Magic Kingdom.

 

[Betsyboo]

Following along. We were there last week too!

 

[Duckberg]

Mom + Maddie + Disney = MAGIC

 

[RMichael21]

I am really excited to see the rest of this trip report! I'm sure you had a great trip.

 

[Mommy2cooper]

Super excited to read....marking my spot

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Following along

 

[Princess Charli]

Following

 

[FlaggNL]

And following along Can't wait for the rest!

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

Here are some photos from the Lion King Section of AOA as we were walking to catch the bus to MK. I forgot to add them yesterday.

Continuing - Monday, February 24 - Travel Day 2, Arrive at AOA and Magic Kingdom
We arrived at the Magic Kingdom and to say we were overjoyed at the sight was an understatement. It was unbelievable. My childhood dream come true! Bag check was pretty fast and we had no trouble entering the Magic Kingdom with our Magic Bands.
Here is Maddie by the Mad Tea Party poster upon entering. Look at that smile.

The castle!

We stopped by the firehouse to pick up our Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom cards and have our training session. I read a lot about this card/virtual game online and knew it would be right up Maddie's alley and it was! She loved it. We worked on the first mission before we need to go to our first FP+.

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

Continuing - Monday, February 24 - Travel Day 2, Arrive at AOA and Magic Kingdom
We were getting hungry. Maddie had her first Mickey Bar and I had my first Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich, yum! Our first ride of the day was supposed to be Under the Sea with the Little Mermaid but I changed that to later on. Our first ride with FP+ was Winnie the Pooh which was okay by me. We loved this ride even though it did stop once toward the end. I bought a pin to commemorate that this was our first ride ever at Disney World.

We walked around Fantasyland just taking it all in and taking photos.

Our next FP+ was for Enchanted Tales with Belle. We had a snack of humus, pretzels and water before our FP+ time. We didn't have any lunch so this would hopefully tie us over until dinner. I thought Enchanted Tales with Belle was really cool but Maddie didn't want to meet Belle. She felt she was too "grown up" and it was more for little kids.

Maddie asked me if we could change our next FP+ from the Little Mermaid to Haunted Mansion. I was able to make this change on the fly with my phone using the My Disney Experience App. I had no issues and it worked great. We headed over to Liberty Square toward Hunted Mansion.

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

Continuing - Monday, February 24 - Travel Day 2, Arrive at AOA and Magic Kingdom
We arrived at Haunted Mansion and used our last FP+ for the day. We walked right in however we got stuck inside during loading. It was packed with people and the ride wasn't moving. We were like that for about 5 or 10 minutes and then the ride started moving again. Thank goodness the loading process is quick. It was getting a tad uncomfortable in there. We loved this ride! It is our favorite and you will see that we ride it more later on in the week. The ride stopped again overlooking the dining room but we didn't mind. It gave us a chance to really soak it all in. It was so fun, spooky and interesting. Loved it!

After Haunted Mansion we made our way toward the castle and the parade was happening. We hung out and watched for a while. We loved the music and danced on the curb!

We had an ADR for The Crystal Palace. We headed over there to check in. It was fun seeing the characters but this meal was not worth the price. Madison and I didn't eat enough to justify the price. However, the food was pretty good and I can see the appeal. I just wasn't for us. I did get some nice photos out of it which I guess is what character meals are all about.

We were exhausted after dinner and decided not to stay at the Magic Kingdom. You will see this as a theme in the days to come. We did a lot for our travel day but had so much fun. When we got back to our resort I decided to buy the length of stay refillable mugs. Since we aren't on the dining plan I wasn't sure if I was going to purchase these but I decided it was a good decision for us. I also picked up milk because we brought cereal with us to eat in our room for breakfast in the morning. Madison made her first big souvenir purchase from the Ink and Paint Shop. She bought a Minnie Mouse Purse. Our house was broken into in January and besides stealing the electronics they also stole her purse. She has been looking for a replacement and loved this one.

We unpacked, took showers, watched Stacy on TV and went to sleep. It was a long but fun day. Epcot and Downtown Disney in the plans for our first full day on Disney Property!

 

[tlev]

Following along--Can't wait to read some more!

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

Tuesday, February 25 - Disney Day 1 - Epcot and Downtown Disney
Welcome to our first full day at Disney World. We originally were planning to visit Universal this day but had a change in plans. Epcot and Downtown Disney here we come!
I didn't wake up until 6:30. I was hoping to get up earlier but was exhausted from our travel day. Maddie didn't want to wake up either and was a bit grumpy until she remembered where we were. After I was ready I walked to the Landscapes of Flavor to fill our mugs (coffee for me and hot chocolate for Maddie) while Maddie got dressed for the day. We ate cereal in our room which was a great idea because the food court was super busy.
We left the room and headed toward the bus stop. Epcot had extra magic hours and opened at 8 and we got there around 8:30. Epcot doesn't seem to have the magic band thing all figured out yet like Magic Kingdom does but we didn't have to wait in the resort guest line too long.

The day started out a little overcast but it became a very warm and beautiful day later on.
We rode Spaceship Earth first. We both loved the ride.

Here is our future:

Then we went to The Land and rode Living with the Land and we watched The Circle of Life. I tried to convince Maddie to try Test Track or Soarin' with a FP+ but she didn't want to do it. I kept trying throughout the trip. I am surprised I was the adventurous one.

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

Continuing - Tuesday, February 25 - Disney Day 1 - Epcot and Downtown Disney
Madison really wanted to go to Mouse Gears (we both love shopping). I bought a cute Minnie Mouse shirt and Madison bought a charm bracelet.

Our next ride is Figment. I don't know why this ride gets such bad reviews. We loved it. Yes, it is a little silly but we enjoyed it.

We decided to head to World Showcase. Madison wanted to go to Japan, I wanted to go to the bakery in France and we had a FP+ for Maelstrom. We walked the World Showcase from 10:45-1 taking lots of photos along the way.

We stopped in France at the bakery to get something to eat. We shared a ham and cheese croissant and a chocolate mousse. Madison ate most of the sandwich because it was awesome. Next time, I am getting my own and I am going to remember to take a photo!

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

Oops, forgot to post this photo in my first Epcot post.

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

We were lucky enough to get a preview of the topiaries for the flower and garden. It was fun to see additions each time we went to Epcot.
Some of my favorites...

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

Continuing - Tuesday, February 25 - Disney Day 1 - Epcot and Downtown Disney
Japan was next up on the agenda. I think Madison could have spend the rest of the day there. She loves all things Anime and Japanese, she was in heaven. She bought an Anime lanyard and some artwork. I decided to do pick a pearl. I saw this on a YouTube video and really wanted to do it.

I got a 7mm white pearl which I guess is a good size. It was fun and a wonderful memory. I bought a small white owl figure that means good luck and happiness from Japan too. It is sitting on my desk at work. Maddie also bought a cherry shaved ice from Japan (a favorite food item) and some pocky. I really failed at taking food pictures so far but I improve as the trip goes on.
I bought a caramel shortbread bar from Germany as my sweet treat and we sat down in Norway to enjoy our treats while waiting for our FP+ time for Maelstrom.

We enjoyed the Maelstrom ride, it was exciting but not too exciting. We finished our walk around World Showcase and stopped to get our picture taken with Duffy. He didn't have a line. I haven't downloaded my memory maker photos yet so I will post that photo later on. We got some good photos with Duffy. I got suckered in and bought a Duffy bear at the shop. He is just so darn cute and cuddly. We used a FP+ to ride Spaceship Earth again before heading out of the park. We needed a rest at the resort from all the walking before we head to downtown Disney.
Maddie's snack when we got back to the resort(finally some food photos).