Trip Report Frozen No More: a live birthday TR *Completed*

What: A mother/daughter long weekend to celebrate a Valentine birthday
Who: Myself (Tuvalu) and Emily (@TrolleyFollower91)
Where: POP! (70s building, yeah!)
When: Feb. 13-17, 2014
Why: I have never posted a trip report but was inspired by @coachwnh and @disneysince71 to go live!

Until about six hours ago, when our plane actually departed, I wasn't sure this trip was actually gonna happen. We live in Atlanta, a place that is not equipped to handle winter storms. You may have seen photos from "Snowjam/Snowmaggedon" (as the locals called it) from a couple weeks ago, where thousands of commuters were trapped in their vehicles from 8-12 hours and schoolchildren had to spend the night in their schools since the buses were unable to transport them home. Emily's usual 15 minute ride home from the elementary school where she student teaches took her over 3 hours, including having to abandon her car and walk the remaining two miles home.

After that storm blew over (so to speak!) I remarked to Emily how fortunate we were that the storm didn't happen the day we were scheduled to fly to Orlando. She replied, "Don't worry, that won't happen again."

Until this week.

Monday the forecasters began predicting a "catastrophic" snow and ice storm (I hear all you northerners laughing!) The governor of GA declared a state of emergency through the weekend. Schools and businesses
were closed beginning Tuesday. We began to see our long-awaited trip drift away...

Our Wednesday flight was cancelled at lunchtime on Tuesday. Sleet and freezing rain began that night and everything was frozen Wednesday morning.

Wednesday was a mix of sleet and snow. I was able to rebook our flight for late Thursday afternoon, doubtful we'd get to leave. And this is what we woke up to this morning:

 
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coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Grabbed a quick bite at Ghiradelli's for dessert. Downtown Disney was mobbed. On the bus back to pop now. Took us 17 minutes to get to the west side bus stop from the marketplace. We may be going without Earl's for awhile until the downtown Disney mess is cleaned up!
I don't think I've ever been to DTD when its not mobbed. What are the plans for tonight?
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Did you happen to notice if there is a bounceback offer ? In the middle of that little booklet?
35% off select Deluxe and Deluxe Villas
30% off select Moderates

Offer valid for stays most nights: 3/6-4/12, 4/20-5/22, 7/28-8/2, 8/17-10/4, 10/17-11/6, 11/9-11/21 and 12/11-12/23

I booked WL for two future stays and saved $300 on our spring break trip at POFQ.
 

jlsHouston

Well-Known Member
35% off select Deluxe and Deluxe Villas
30% off select Moderates

Offer valid for stays most nights: 3/6-4/12, 4/20-5/22, 7/28-8/2, 8/17-10/4, 10/17-11/6, 11/9-11/21 and 12/11-12/23

I booked WL for two future stays and saved $300 on our spring break trip at POFQ.

I just used that pin code to book GF 8/17-8/24. I was afraid there there would be no bounceback offer with any August dates. Looks like there are some really good dates on the bounceback though. I bet that bounceback offer for GF on those same dates I had the pin code give you the same rate of $ 329/nite.
 

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
This ~ finishing up today's report! I have been up since 6 a.m. and we toured over 12 hours without a break, so we're beat. Plus we expect the parks to be super crowded (MK open til 1 a.m.) and after the DTD mob scene we need to be by ourselves!
Have a relaxing night! Its been fun following along
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
I forgot to mention yesterday that when we arrived back to our room last night there was not one, not 2, not 3 but 4 cards signed by Mickey Mouse wishing me a Happy Birthday. There was also a voice message greeting from Mickey and Minnie.



I will recycle the cards!
 
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PartOfYourWorld

Well-Known Member
Catching up from the events of the past few days! Happy Belated Birthday and seems like you had a great day!!!!!! :) Glad to see everything was great today as well, besides the DtD mess...it always seems to be crazy over there no matter if there is construction going on or not!

Have a great night! It's been awesome to read a live trip report!

35% off select Deluxe and Deluxe Villas
30% off select Moderates

Offer valid for stays most nights: 3/6-4/12, 4/20-5/22, 7/28-8/2, 8/17-10/4, 10/17-11/6, 11/9-11/21 and 12/11-12/23

I booked WL for two future stays and saved $300 on our spring break trip at POFQ.

And this makes me sooooo happy!!! going back in May and only have 30% the Beach Club so this will definitely save us some extra $$$$ :) Hoping it's in our room next week at the Poly!
 

Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
Many of you enjoy a good, hearty breakfast. I have read many reviews singing the praises of Tusker House, Boma, 'Ohana and Captain's Grille for breakfast.

Emily and I are not big breakfast eaters. This was today's:



We were able to chow down quickly and leave the high-pitched estrogen volume of Everything Pop. We waited less than 5 minutes for an AK bus and arrived in time for the 8 a.m. opening. It was not extra magic morning (that was at DHS); it just opened early due to the holiday weekend. Not many folks were aware of this, because the park was fairly empty until around 10 a.m.

We had the funniest ride on Kilimanjaro Safari. That's right, funniest. I wish I could have talked to our jeep driver afterward, to ask him if he was intentionally trying to be funny or if he was serious. When he spoke, he varied between a normal speaking voice and a very bad British accent. When he named various species of animals, that's when the British accent was most pronounced. But it was forced-sounding, not natural. it was like listening to an American actor trying to play a British role and failing miserably. Emily found it so amusing that she recorded his spiel on her phone to play back for her brothers when we get home.

There were people in front of us in the jeep but none seated behind us, so I could not tell their reactions. Maybe they were paying attention to the animals and not listening closely. Because we have ridden the safari numerous times, his voice sounded so fake. It made for an interesting ride.
 
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Tuvalu

Premium Member
Original Poster
We brought back the Iguanadon.




Not a soul on Kali River Rapids. Watched several rafts go by. No one wanted to get wet on a chilly, overcast morning!



We really enjoyed watching the monkeys play in their habitat next to Kali. There was a baby monkey that was adorable. Unfortunately the pics came out too dark.
 
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