Halloween, Food & Wine, and a Birthday, Oh My!-A Sept/Oct 2011 Trip Report

I can't believe 2 weeks ago I was in the Magic Kingdom for my first MNSSHP, my how time flies. I hope you all are ready because here starts my first attempt at a trip report!

Introduction:

Welcome to my very first attempt at writing a trip report! I’ve been reading everyone else’s trip reports for some time now, and have been inspired to write one of my own!!! So let’s start with a little introduction!

The cast for the trip:

(Left): Mom (Diane)-The greatest mom EVER because she’s taken me on 13! WDW trips and she got me into this website so if not for her I wouldn’t be writing this right now! Mom's favorites are Mickey, Stitch, and Tigger and her favorite ride is definitely Toy Story Mania I couldn’t tell you how many times we’ve gone on that!

(Right): Me (Jessica)-22 year old Walt Disney World fanatic (thanks to Mom) who is currently seeking a job as a Mechanical Engineer (if you guys know of anything open let me know! Sorry had to put in the little plug there ) My favorite ride is the Tower of Terror and my favorite characters are Ariel, Prince Eric, Goofy, & (newly favorite) Flynn Rider.

As mentioned above this is my 13th trip to the world and Mom's 14th. She went once when she was a little girl in ’74.

Details about the trip:

When: September 26-October 3 This is the first time we’ve ever gone at this time of the year, because I was always in school.

Resort: Pop Century We’ve stayed at this resort many times and have always loved it, even though we talked about changing and trying a different resort, we didn’t. But are looking into it for next trip!

Just a FYI: the pictures in this report are taken by both me and my mom. (There will be many, many pictures in this report since I took over 800!) The ones that I have taken were mainly in Aperture and Shutter Priority mode. I wanted to go manual but realized that I would have a much harder time with it. Av and Tv mode proved successful and I had fun playing around with the settings a bit. Thanks to Tom Bricker (wdwfigment), he has inspired me to take better pictures during my trips and in everyday life! (I was able to tell him this in person as you will read later in the report!)

We also ordered the photopass CD because we knew we would be getting a lot of photopass pictures this trip. We haven't looked at them yet, so I will add in some of those pictures at the end of the report once we go through them and get the CD.

Now let the memories and trip reporting begin!!!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

I think it's so awesome that you had the opportunity to meet with Sarah, Tom, Brett, Holly, Shelly, and Jason! I still can't figure out how we missed each other, I was at the party on 10/2, at the same mix and mingle, in the same area! :ROFLOL:

You really had the right idea doing the Halloween party two nights, I didn't realize how much I really missed until reading your report. There just wasn't enough time during 1 party to do everything!

It was really awesome, those were the highlights of the trip meeting all these great people!

That's really funny! I'm really upset we always missed each other!!! There was just so many characters and things to do the party, you were always on the go..and alot of waiting as well if you wanted to get a good spot for the parade or the fireworks! There is just not alot of time! I seriously don't think we ever stopped, both nights.

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Monday October 3-Leaving Day

Ahh, and we have arrived at the worst day of the trip…leaving day. Definitely the most unmagical day of any trip.

And this one was very uneventful. We were up, took one last check to make sure we had everything, and off we went for breakfast. I think this was around 830/9 I can’t really remember. I couldn’t even tell you what I had for breakfast because I didn’t even take a picture of it!

But I did take one last minute pictures of the hotel…

Disney’s very un-magical express came and picked us up at 11 am. At least we got a cool Disney Water Park bus!

It was time to board and I was very very sad to be leaving….

We had no problems on our flight home, and made it back safe and sound. It was nice to come home for a change to still pretty warm weather for New England standards. We had gone in January the past four times and always came home to snow.

Unfortunately, we have reached the end but I wanted to show you guys the notebook my mom made me to take notes on this trip. She is so creative

Front Cover

Inside Front

Back Cover

Inside Back Cover

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Halloween Portion

Food & Wine Portion

40th Anniversary Portion

She also made me the beautiful camera strap that I was using. It was her first attempt and it was very good! She is going to try to make another one. Also that clipboard you saw in a lot of my character pictures was holding blank card stock for autographs because she is making a character book with autographs and pictures of us with the characters.

Overall Thoughts about the Trip

-This was definitely is hands down the best trip we’ve ever been on. We met so many great people from WDWmagic that will become lifelong friends.
-The weather was absolutely perfect. It only rained the day we arrived, had a freak short shower on Tuesday, and a drizzle on Wednesday. Other than that it was sunny all the time! It was a little bit too hot some days, but I would rather sweat my butt off than freeze like we did in January.
-It was our first time going down in Sept/Oct and I will definitely go back at this time! It gave me a new appreciation for Halloween. I loved all the fall decorations.
-It was our first time attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and I would definitely go back at this time of the year just for that! Boo to You definitely became my favorite parade at WDW.
-It was also our first time experiencing EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival. This was awesome! There were so many different food and drink options that we didn’t even get a chance to try them all so definitely an excuse to go back!
-I was so glad we spent a lot of time in Hollywood Studios, my favorite park, except I wish we would have stayed until closing one night.
-Also, after reading other trip reports here, I really missed Animal Kingdom. This is strange because it is my least favorite park. But I guess you don’t realize how much you actually like something until you don’t visit it…so definitely making a stop there next trip!
-We never had a bad CM from what I can remember, except for one. (the one mean character attendant at the Villains Mix & Mingle) Everyone was really nice. I wanted to give a shoutout to one CM who made an impression this trip and that was Maria over at Beaches n’ Cream. We’ve had her both times we have gone there and she is one of the best waitresses we’ve had. So thank you!
-Crowds were definitely more than I expected, and more than when we were there in January.
-There were a lot of rude guests there too, I noticed. This is unfortunate

We just ordered our photopassCD the other day, so hopefully it will be here soon! And when it does get here, I will post a lot more pictures! There was a ton of good ones in there that I just can’t wait to share with all of you! So look for a post from me with photopass pictures in the next 2 weeks!

We are looking at a next trip for Nov/Dec 2012, we haven’t been at Christmas for awhile so we are definitely looking forward to that. We are also looking to stay at a different hotel this time too. We are crossing our fingers the standard Little Mermaid rooms will be open at Art of Animation, but I think I read not until Dec 31, 2012 so who knows maybe they will move it up! If not, we are looking to stay at a Moderate Resort for the first time, particularly Port Orleans, so we’ll see what happens.

I want to thank each and every one of you for reading this report and taking the time to comment! And to all of those I met along the trip, it was so great meeting all of you! And I want to thank my Mom for taking me on all these trips, I know you’re lurking out there reading this…and she finally made a username! I love you Mom!

Thanks for tuning in!! :wave:

 

[WDW_Princess24]

If our trips next year coincide we are going to have to make plans to meet up! Boo for it all being over, but so glad you shared your memories with all of us! Props to mom again for the awesome book she made!!

Now we have what...380 some what days till the next trip :brick:

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

If our trips next year coincide we are going to have to make plans to meet up! Boo for it all being over, but so glad you shared your memories with all of us! Props to mom again for the awesome book she made!!

Now we have what...380 some what days till the next trip :brick:

Definitely! That way we absolutely make sure we see each other! :lol: But it's not quite all over! I got those awesome photopass pictures to share...especially my favorite one with Flynn Rider <3

Waaaay too long

 

[Kristia]

:sohappy: Great report! Loved all your pics!

 

[enchanted_belle]

Halloween Portion
Also that clipboard you saw in a lot of my character pictures was holding blank card stock for autographs because she is making a character book with autographs and pictures of us with the characters.

I can't wait to see the pictures of that book... I need motivation! Though, the notebook idea is a really good one that I may have to steal! Send your mommy to me so she can help me!

We are looking at a next trip for Nov/Dec 2012, we haven’t been at Christmas for awhile so we are definitely looking forward to that. We are also looking to stay at a different hotel this time too.

I definitely told my mom that we needed to go during that time this morning during our walk... maybe we'll get lucky and be there at the same time?? :lol:

 

[NewfieFan]

Awesome TR! Loved how you described your feelings and thoughts, made me feel like I was there sometimes!

Looks like we crossed paths for only a couple of days (I left on the 28th). You met so many other WDWMagicers - isn't it great meeting "friends" who you have so much in common with!?!

Cool costume as well... I dressed up as Cinderella in her work rags too (great minds think alike :animwink.

It's funny that you mentioned that the Fairies are awkard b/c I find them the best with my kids. They are so engaging for young children and they seem to get even the shyest of kids to talk. Maybe their more suited for kids, who knows!?!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[HollyBelle]

Great stuff, Jess! ALL OF IT. :sohappy:

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

:sohappy: Great report! Loved all your pics!

Thank you!:wave:

I can't wait to see the pictures of that book... I need motivation! Though, the notebook idea is a really good one that I may have to steal! Send your mommy to me so she can help me!



I definitely told my mom that we needed to go during that time this morning during our walk... maybe we'll get lucky and be there at the same time?? :lol:

I will show you! She hasn't started on it yet, but plans to soon.

Yes maybe we will!!! Love Disney at Christmas time!

Awesome TR! Loved how you described your feelings and thoughts, made me feel like I was there sometimes!

Looks like we crossed paths for only a couple of days (I left on the 28th). You met so many other WDWMagicers - isn't it great meeting "friends" who you have so much in common with!?!

Cool costume as well... I dressed up as Cinderella in her work rags too (great minds think alike :animwink.

It's funny that you mentioned that the Fairies are awkard b/c I find them the best with my kids. They are so engaging for young children and they seem to get even the shyest of kids to talk. Maybe their more suited for kids, who knows!?!

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! :wave:

It was really great meeting so many different people!

Yes great minds do think alike! Did you go to the party on the 27th as well??? Seems like there was so many people down there at this time.

And I'll have to say this about the fairies: they did their job very well. I can imagine how great they are with children. I think it was because I went in with the notion that I really don't like the fairies and Tinkerbell so for me it was awkward.

Great stuff, Jess! ALL OF IT. :sohappy:

Thank you Holly!!!!!

 

[fractal]

Wonderful report and great pictures! Looks like you and your mom had a bunch of fun.

Thanks for taking the time and sharing!

 

[enchanted_belle]

I will show you! She hasn't started on it yet, but plans to soon.

Yes maybe we will!!! Love Disney at Christmas time!

You better, you promised don't forget! lol. And I've got my fingers crossed, Christmas is one of those Disney dreams of mine! Maybe we can get the boys to go too?

 

[Fashionista007]

Yay I loved every minute of your report! We had SO much fun that day with you and your Mom at EPCOT! I think we had so much fun that we all forgot to take pictures. Well that and Jason and I were a little bit pictured-out by then

And thank you for posting that link to the blog post on Touring Plans! I hadn't seen it yet! That was such an awesome time!!

I can't wait to see you guys again - maybe next year for F&W? Or Christmas!! My family is already planning to go down for F&W next year since Jason and I will be living down there! We can't wait!!

Yay for lifelong friends made on the interweb :sohappy: ::hugs::

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Wonderful report and great pictures! Looks like you and your mom had a bunch of fun.

Thanks for taking the time and sharing!

Thank you so much!!!

You better, you promised don't forget! lol. And I've got my fingers crossed, Christmas is one of those Disney dreams of mine! Maybe we can get the boys to go too?

Yes! My boyfriend hasn't been to Disney since he was little, I really want him to come!!!!! Crossing my fingers!! I wish I was going for this Christmas!!!

Yay I loved every minute of your report! We had SO much fun that day with you and your Mom at EPCOT! I think we had so much fun that we all forgot to take pictures. Well that and Jason and I were a little bit pictured-out by then

And thank you for posting that link to the blog post on Touring Plans! I hadn't seen it yet! That was such an awesome time!!

I can't wait to see you guys again - maybe next year for F&W? Or Christmas!! My family is already planning to go down for F&W next year since Jason and I will be living down there! We can't wait!!

Yay for lifelong friends made on the interweb :sohappy: ::hugs::

That day was the best!!! I definitely think so, we definitely were having too much fun to take pictures!!!

And you're welcome! I was excited to see our picture in the blog post!

I know! I miss you and Jason!! We would love to go down sooner rather than later. I would love to go for food and wine again!! And haven't been in Disney for Christmas in awhile. Just saw a picture on twitter of the castle dreamlights tonight, and made me really really wish I was there for that. Wish we lived closer to you and Jason! (well as of right now you're not too far away) So glad your family is already planning on going down!! :sohappy:

I can't wait to hear all about your trip in Feb when you go house hunting!!!

SO glad you and Jason became family to us and who would have thought meeting on the internet! :sohappy: Misss you!!!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Received our photopass CD!!!! Going to try to get them on here tomorrow night!!!!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Photopass pictures have landed! We have over 200 photopass pics and took some of the best to post on here. Hope you enjoy!!

The seven dwarfs!

The photopass guy insisted Mom take a picture by herself with "The Prince"

**hugs*** <3 Ahh one of my favorites

Mickey was thrilled that Mom was also a Mouse!

Pirate Mickey and Princess Minnie!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

The step-family teaching me how to properly scrub the floor

As you can see the evil stepmother was trying to take back her key!

It's only appropriate Cinderella takes a picture with her carriage

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Duffy was so cute in his Halloween wear!

Mom with Pooh and the gang

Thanks again for tuning in!!!!
See ya real soon!

 

[enchanted_belle]

Those turned out great!!!! Make it be Feb, I'm ready to go down for my turn. :ROFLOL: :sohappy:

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Those turned out great!!!! Make it be Feb, I'm ready to go down for my turn. :ROFLOL: :sohappy:

Thanks! I wish it was Feb...that means the closer we are to winter being over! :lol: and you can go to WDW! :sohappy: