Trip Report I Was LIVE - creating some new Disney memories

Why heelloooo there (said in the voice of the dinosaur puppet at the video before the Dinosuar ride in Animal Kingdom) -You've all just done the voice haven't you? I know you have. Don't deny it. I know if you didn't, you are now going back to do it!

Anyhow, it's those little things that have kept me going whilst waiting for this trip, which is now almost here, and I'm guessing you are here as you fancied a bit of Disney magic too - well I can't say I blame you I would do exactly the same thing if I were where you are right now.

I absolutely LOVE Disney, i could literally talk about it forever and I mean forever!
I check the Disney news every day and if someone is willing to talk about Disney who am I not to join in.

Prior to this trip I've kept myself amused making window decorations and a countdown and reading @Tuvalu & @Doc Disney trip reports which as you know come quite frequently. I've also passed the last year watching Jo & Ashley SRYS on you tube until they announced no more videos for a while which literally crushed my Wednesday and Sunday's.
I met them last year but they now have a family to plan for so I fully understand - but these days of the week just aren't the same anymore.

So who am I?
I'm Tracey, As I've already said Disney obsessed, want to live in Cinderella castle (who wouldn't? - why won't they let me? ) etc etc.
Myself and my husband Chris are off to Disney for 14 days from tomorrow - yes tomorrow - flying from the UK and arriving around 5pm
This will be our 20th, 2 week plus holiday here (once in 1996 and then every year since 1998) we rack up 297 days in POR during this trip. As those of you who have read my previous reports will know I absolutely LOVE this resort and will get to a whole year of my life here.
It's my 2nd home, as soon as I arrive I beam with happiness and normally cry at actually being there, not just looking at those pictures on my iPad.

Here I am in 2015 - this is one of my favourite photos from last year.

This year my brother Mark and his wife Claire join us. They were meant to join us last year but it had to be postponed but this year we will all be together.
It's their first year staying in a Disney resort so I hope they love Riverside as much as me. My brother has been to Disney 4 times before & his wife 3 times but they have never stayed in Disney. They are in for a real treat!

My brother and I get on so well together so I think this will be another holiday packed full of great memories.

So what else is planned?
Lots of ice cream - those of you have read my reports before will know that I have to have an ice cream a day when on holiday - more if I can
We have a keys to the Kingdom tour booked. Myself and Chris did this in 2013 but have booked again so Mark & Claire can do it too
And I have a meet up with Nicole, @prfctlyximprct Megan @Doc Disney planned. Well we were all there the same time so we couldn't miss the opportunity to meet so have formally planned it so we didn't miss each other. (@LisaBelle we will miss you - I take it the lottery numbers didn't come up)

Ice cream pictures from previous years

Tonight we are headed to the airport to stay overnight before our flight at 11.40am tomorrow,
I just couldn't imagine getting in the car on Friday morning, getting caught in a traffic jam and missing my flight - that would be unbearable and something I simply won't let happen, so a hotel room for tonight it is.
We'll meet my brother and sister in law at the hotel and we will probably have a drink in the pub before going to bed.

So for the time being I will get back to packing the final bits and will update in the morning if I can get wi fi at the hotel/airport or you'll get an update when I get home to POR.

BTW I am having problems uploading any photos so this could all go horribly wrong (had internet problems here for days now) - but I'll hopefully be able to get that sorted in Disney - if not this will be the shortest trip report in history!

OMG the countdown that started at 350 odd days is nearly at 1 - I am nearly home in my Disney bubble.

Eeekkkkkk.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Sorry to hear about the crowds on Veterans Day weekend, and F & W, and filming. I think it is getting more and more crowded this time of year,too. I wouldn't go to Epcot on a weekend during F&W, though, but we don't like big crowds. Loved the Main st picture. We did KTTK a couple of years ago and loved it. Can't wait for more trip report!

 

[DimpledDevil18]

That's a very cute picture on Main Street and I can't imagine that you are the first person to do that, so I'm surprised the Photo Pass photographer thought it so strange. I can't believe how crowded the parks seem to be lately! I'm considering a Food and Wine trip next year, but I don't know at what point is the best time to go where the crowds are going to be the most manageable.

 

[Longers]

Sunday 13th November

Today has been full on!

We woke this morning and headed to Animal Kingdom

It was a bit cloudy but warm and turned out to be a beautiful day.

First stop Kilimanjaro Safari

The giraffe were just being let out for the day

We spotted a fast pass photographer so got this photo of us all

Myself and Chros then headed to Expedition Everest while Mark & Claire did conservation station.

A lot of the hair bands at the top seem to have been removed.

Myself and Chris also sneaked in a primeval whirl before we met back up with my brother and SIL.

We stopped for a spot of lunch and I also took the opportunity to meet with Tarzan, he was so funny and kept sniffing my hair.

We hopped onto its tough to be a bug as it was a 10 min wait and then we bidded our farewells to AK.

 

[Longers]

We were now in search of Bronco bits for my nephew. His had a tough year and before I left this is what he asked for. After a bit of driving around we found a sports shop not too far from Disney so we popped in. Result they had some bits - mum if you are reading this don't tell him!

Feeling chuffed with ourselves we stopped via the room to drop bits off, and so Claire could change - (she was cold! - even though it's lovely and warm out) and we headed back out to Epcot

Hello Space ship earth

First stop Baymax

Chris obviously had to do the fist bump as we left - Tra la la la la la

I just need my joy and sadness photos now and I will be happy.

We then headed here

Then we headed to Ellen - hotly cool, Cooly hot.

After Ellen Claire and Chris went to mission space to go spinning.
Myself and my brother made a video in the bit at the end of the ride and emailed it to ourselves - I will check that out in the morning

Next stop test track

Look at our car!

At this point we had about 30 mins to order and eat food and to get to the front of the park as we had A DVC meeting.

We ate our food so quickly and literally ran/walked so fast it we just made it to the van that had come to collect us

We spent around 2 hours finding out about DVC - not sure at this stage if we will sign up.

We were given $50 gift card and 3 fast passes each to use (but guess what there are 4 rides you can't use them on - and we all know what they are don't we!)

We were dropped back at Epcot and then stayed to watch illuminations - sorry no photos as for some reason I have never managed any good ones - but I do like watching them - easy to get to the park, easy to get out again, and good fireworks with music etc. My go to choice.

universal in the morning just to do Kong, Gringotts and a couple of other rides before going to MK for Rapunzel meet and greet, 7dMT and enchanted tales with Belle.

And forgot to add my SIL managed to get a reservation today for breakfast at crystal palace on Tuesday morning so I will have a chance for some more MK empty shots - fingers crossed.

Now in bed, going to sleep

 

[Longers]

That's a very cute picture on Main Street and I can't imagine that you are the first person to do that, so I'm surprised the Photo Pass photographer thought it so strange. I can't believe how crowded the parks seem to be lately! I'm considering a Food and Wine trip next year, but I don't know at what point is the best time to go where the crowds are going to be the most manageable.

I think it might have been because he was earning his ears?
And the parks are definitely busier than I have ever seen them. My friend came in Sept and she still did food and wine and the crowds looked good. So maybe around 13th is good now?

 

[prfctlyximprct]

I just saw the Pizzerizzo walls are down! And I'm home now I searched high and low to hide in your suitcase...

 

[Longers]

I just saw the Pizzerizzo walls are down! And I'm home now I searched high and low to hide in your suitcase...

So sorry you are home, I would have hidden you! Hope all your dreams came true

 

[Longers]

Monday 14th November

We were up early again to Ho to Universal to tick some bits off the list and to do some rides again..

First stop was here

This ride is really cleverly put together and was only a 20 min queue so why not!

After doing this we got on the Hogwarts express back to London - thankfully not the real London

We were on our way to Gringotts, and result it was showing a 10 min wait at about 11am (much quieter than our previous 2 visits)
We joined the queue and shortly after they were having technical difficulties and the ride stopped. We stayed in the queue mainly planning our next few days and contemplated leaving the queue, I was staying, which thankfully was the right choice as only 5 mins after our conversation the ride started - however by this point we had taken 45 mins.

We did a few other rides before leaving the park and ended up here - Disney Springs - this has really changed in a year

And I even found time for a quick ice cream as I realise I missed out yesterday so needed to play catch up.

 

[Longers]

Then at about 4.45pm we ended up here

We had fast passes and fireworks to see!

We headed to the teacups to take my SIL for a spin, and then took them to Enchanted Tales with Belle so they could see the magic mirror - it's so cool how they do that!

We then had a fab meet and greet with Rapunzel & Tiana - when we left my brother made a comment about how mad they both were - particularly Rapunzel - and then he realised why I am mad too - I must be a Disney Princess.......

We spotted a fast pass photographer on the way to Buzz so got this photo

And then at about 8pm it was time for another ice cream - caramel Sundae.
There is something about eating ice cream on a warm night outside that is quite special.
I took a warm jacket and it spent the whole night round my neck!

We then hopped onto a night time Indy speedway - and I drove the car very badly on purpose, we had a chuckle as Chris said that's how I always drive!

We had a fab night in MK, watched wishes and then did a few more rides and left around 10.30pm (park closed at 11pm tonight) we were tempted to stay out but we have a whole day in MK tomorrow.

It's now 11.45pm and we have breakfast tomorrow at Crystal palace - so we have an early start again so I am going to sleep now!

More tomorrow .......

 

[Tuvalu]

I liked your double-dip ice cream day!! (Although I cannot believe you actually missed a day!)

If you read this in time, please check the children's food area at Crystal Palace for Pooh's Puffed Toast. It's my favorite and I heard it is no longer offered?

 

[blreinsel]

Finally all caught up! I'm so jealous that you ladies (@prfctlyximprct @Doc Disney) got to meet up!! How special. Did you sign up for the DVC meeting beforehand or did you just walk up to one of the booths while in the park? I've been considering doing one of those but am never quite sure how to go about it!

Hope you've had a magical day!

 

[Longers]

I liked your double-dip ice cream day!! (Although I cannot believe you actually missed a day!)

If you read this in time, please check the children's food area at Crystal Palace for Pooh's Puffed Toast. It's my favorite and I heard it is no longer offered?

Sorry missed this before we left but did see Pooh shaped French toast in children's bit with the Mickey waffles, not sure if that's the same thing.
And I know - shameful with the ice cream but I've had 2 today and one if those was for breakfast!

Finally all caught up! I'm so jealous that you ladies (@prfctlyximprct @Doc Disney) got to meet up!! How special. Did you sign up for the DVC meeting beforehand or did you just walk up to one of the booths while in the park? I've been considering doing one of those but am never quite sure how to go about it!

Hope you've had a magical day!

As we were all going and our dates crossed it made sense as I think we've all followed each other's reports.
And re the DVC meeting, we were approached and asked if we wanted to go - it was 2 hours but interesting. I am sure if you walked up and showed interest they would let you go to find out what it's all about.
We don't think it's for us as we still have to factor flights etc but I can see why others sign up.

 

[Longers]

Tuesday 15th November

This morning we left at 7.40am for our first character breakfast.

We got on the bus and were on our way around POR on the bus when Chris realised he had forgotten his sunglasses! So he got off the bus to get them and we carried onto the Magic Kingdom.

As I have said before my brother and SIL were meant to join us last year but due to Claire work and an important meeting she had to attend they didn't come.
Her company agreed to buy us a meal while here and a few days ago when checking options this came up do she booked it.

We hadn't realised when booking that this morning there were early morning magic hours, so the ones where they pay so maybe not an empty Main Street!

We arrived and the reservation had been booked on only Claire magic band and obviously Chris wasn't with us.
It was around 8.25am and as tour or dining reservation people were arriving we were allowed in - the cast member could see us waiting (and getting frustrated, my opportunity for more Main Street shots was slowly ticking away)
He said to us to go in and said providing Chris confirmed the reservation name they would let him in. We didn't have a phone to tell him but made the decision to go in anyway. He knew what time breakfast was and where so he would find us.

We entered Main Street which I think because the park had been open and people were trickling in was just beautiful. It was very tranquil and just perfect.

We managed to get these photos - I am one very happy person!

We walked to the castle

There was a fast pass photographer so I got a photo (alone as still no Chris)

It was approaching 8.45am breakfast time so I ran back down Main Street (well I may have skipped) to see if I could find him.
The welcome show as on and just as I reached the tunnel - there he was!
Hoorah he had made it.

We got a quick photo while we could, and before the crowds

And then we ended up here

 

[Longers]

We had a lovely breakfast at a very slow pace and obviously had a few guests join us as well.

Of course we bounced with Tigger

And if somewhere is going to offer ice cream at 9.30am then obviously I am going to have some!

Ice cream with sprinkles

We headed to Pirates and then headed to TTA for a slow ride to a
allow our breakfast to settle

We then headed to the Hall of Presidents - as this will change for our visit next year.

We found a photo pass guy who took this picture for us

 

[Longers]

The park was noticeably quieter from the previous week or so which was nice, most things were 20 min queue or less during the morning into early lunch.

We got ourselves a quick bite to eat and parted so I could watch the parade again! My brother and SIL weren't bothered and were going to do their own thing for 45 mins.

Chris was going to go and do rides but he decided to come with me.
I am glad he did as we managed to get these photos before the parade started

And I obviously had to have one of these whilst waiting for the parade to start!

And then the parade. There is something about parade in Disney I just love! - I know I have said that before but........ Just but.......... Love them.

There he is - the love of my life - Beast.......

 

[Tuvalu]

So happy you saw Pooh's French Toast!!

Love the pic of you holding the balloons while Chris hangs on to you!

 

[Longers]

More parade pictures.....

We then met up with my brother and SIL to do buzz and we left the park shortly after 4pm as the MVMCP were on their way in and we were headed to HS for Fantasmic.

Sorry no HS or Fantasmic photos - you'll just have to take my word.
after Fantasmic we left and came home where I have been updating this ever since!


So that's the end of another great day.

Tomorrow we are going to HS to say our final goodbyes for another year.
We could end up somewhere else PM but currently we have no plans, we'll just see what happens. we're in Disney after all.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

The park was noticeably quieter from the previous week or so which was nice, most things were 20 min queue or less during the morning into early lunch.

View attachment 175229

View attachment 175233

We got ourselves a quick bite to eat and parted so I could watch the parade again! My brother and SIL weren't bothered and were going to do their own thing for 45 mins.

Chris was going to go and do rides but he decided to come with me.
I am glad he did as we managed to get these photos before the parade started

View attachment 175231

View attachment 175232

And I obviously had to have one of these whilst waiting for the parade to start!



View attachment 175234

And then the parade. There is something about parade in Disney I just love! - I know I have said that before but........ Just but.......... Love them.


View attachment 175235

There he is - the love of my life - Beast.......

View attachment 175236


View attachment 175237

View attachment 175238

Hey the beast is mine!!! BACK OFF LOL

 

[LisaBelle]

LOVE the almost empty Main Street photos. Ice cream with sprinkles is my favorite, especially when it's for breakfast!!

 

[Longers]

Hey the beast is mine!!! BACK OFF LOL

Sorry never gonna happen!,,,,

LOVE the almost empty Main Street photos. Ice cream with sprinkles is my favorite, especially when it's for breakfast!!

Thanks & ice cream for breakfast is the best.