Trip Report Meet the Floridians

Hello humans!

Most of you know me by now, but for those of you who haven't followed my past TR's (particularly my most recent), I'll do some brief introductions. Feel free to check out my past reports (in my signature) if you'd like!

Who: I'm Brittany! I'm 25 and completely Disney obsessed. My better half is Dylan, also 25 and not quite as Disney obsessed. Prior to meeting me, he had never been to WDW! It was obviously top priority to remedy that.

This is our baby, Tink. She also loves Disney.

We got engaged in Magic Kingdom in June.. my dream come true! Though our wedding won't take place in Disney, it will be Disney themed.

While we were enjoying our time in the World, I accepted a 1st grade teaching position in Osceola County, Florida. Fast forward a month, and we packed up a U-Haul to relocate from Pennsylvania to the Sunshine State!

We currently live 20 minutes from Disney property, and one of our first purchases should come as no surprise. This report will be a collection of our adventures as annual passholders, and I'll update it with a Table of Contents as we go. Now, without further ado...

To all who come to this happy place, welcome!

 

[Doc Disney]

I can't wait either!!! Hopefully when you're down here in a few weeks! What are your dates?

I will be there August 8-13 and then again Aug 29 - Sept 3

 

[sheriffwoody]

I will be there August 8-13 and then again Aug 29 - Sept 3

Megan you should come with me to take engagement pictures of them! It's going to be super early on the 13th (my last day too). We'll probably get breakfast after!

 

[Doc Disney]

Megan you should come with me to take engagement pictures of them! It's going to be super early on the 13th (my last day too). We'll probably get breakfast after!

AH really ?How early? I have to check our flight time but I think we leave fairly early that day

 

[osucbsb]

Hello humans!


While we were enjoying our time in the World, I accepted a 1st grade teaching position in Osceola County, Florida.

Is the pay good in Florida? Maybe I could convince my wife to look for a teaching job near Disney (a win-win for the whole family). Teaching in Oklahoma costs more than it brings in.

 

[sheriffwoody]

AH really ?How early? I have to check our flight time but I think we leave fairly early that day

We're taking pictures at 7am, so probably wrap up around 8 and grab a bite. I'm thinking about booking a breakfast at the Grand Floridian mainly just so @blgauger can park there

 

[Doc Disney]

We're taking pictures at 7am, so probably wrap up around 8 and grab a bite. I'm thinking about booking a breakfast at the Grand Floridian mainly just so @blgauger can park there

Aw bummer it looks like my DME would come around 7:30. That might be a tight squeeze

 

[blreinsel]

Watch, that's going to be our luck

I hope not!! I'd definitely request B glider just to be safe. I was blown away when we rode there.

I will be there August 8-13 and then again Aug 29 - Sept 3

Megan you should come with me to take engagement pictures of them! It's going to be super early on the 13th (my last day too). We'll probably get breakfast after!

We're taking pictures at 7am, so probably wrap up around 8 and grab a bite. I'm thinking about booking a breakfast at the Grand Floridian mainly just so @blgauger can park there

I was just going to suggest this!! Maybe we can all meet up at some point on the 12th if @Doc Disney can't join us for breakfast??

Is the pay good in Florida? Maybe I could convince my wife to look for a teaching job near Disney (a win-win for the whole family). Teaching in Oklahoma costs more than it brings in.

Pay is better in FL than in PA, but I don't have much else to compare it to. Based on my Google search p), I'm starting out at significantly more than what Oklahoma teachers start out at. From what I understand, my district pays more than others, but I'm not positive about all of that. I highly suggest moving close to Disney for a teaching job.. It's proved to be a fantastic idea so far.

 

[blreinsel]

Friday, July 14 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

It's the happiest day of the year! Okay, maybe just in my world. I had been looking forward to celebrating my 25th birthday in my happy place for months... I couldn't believe it was finally here!

We started the day by meeting up with Adam and Kaitlin again for lunch at Disney Springs. We parked in the lime garage and were very impressed with the ease of doing so. I love the lighted parking spaces and the signs that show how many spots are left on each level. Well done, Disney.

We decided on Blaze Pizza because Dylan and I had loved it so much in June! I took a picture of mine but apparently didn't keep it. We all loved our meals and enjoyed visiting for awhile before they had to get on the road back to PA.

After we parted ways, Dylan and I headed to Hollywood Studios. But first, some birthday pictures! He was a good sport and didn't complain about taking pictures today. It was my birthday, after all.

We stopped in one of the shops to grab a birthday button.

Birthday selfie!

Our first FP+ was for Rock n' Roller Coaster, my favorite. Dylan said, "I tried to look like I was sleeping but it just looks like I closed my eyes." I think he did okay! I'm clearly not capable of keeping a straight face.

We had a FP+ for Tower of Terror a little later, but I ended up being able to move up our time to ride right away so we didn't have to waste time and energy wandering around waiting! We got to enjoy an extremely obnoxious man who literally screamed (to be "funny," not because he was scared) when the thunder cracks in the stretching room, and again on the ride. Not only was it annoying, but I also felt bad for the kids that were in our group who I'm sure were already scared without his assistance.

Next, we got in line for the Frozen Sing-a-Long! We waited in line behind a teenage girl who could have worn her bathing suit and have had more skin covered. It was offensive... and she was with her parents! We couldn't believe it, and we enjoyed watching everybody who passed her in line have the same reaction that we did.

We were fortunate enough to have the very best historian there ever was (Ben, I think is his name)! I would stand in line to meet this guy!

Some of his humor this show:
- He alternated between calling Kristoff "Clip Clop" and "Flip Flop."
- There was an older man sitting in one of the front rows who was wearing sunglasses... he harassed him for the entire show about "falling asleep." He referred to him as "grandpa" every time he addressed him.
- He got nose to nose with Anna and then sniffed her loudly followed by, "You smell like a Dole Whip."
- He took ballet instead of Arendelle History 101.
- While singing "In Summer," there were of course some people who said "puddle" instead of "happy snowman." He stops singing and screams NO. GET HER OUT OF HERE! CASH ME OUTSSIDE, HOW BOW DAH.

Dead

Here's a video of him for your enjoyment.

 

[becca_]

Maybe I should see Frozen next time I'm at HS!! You always make it seem like it's a great experience

 

[blreinsel]

Friday, July 14 cont.

We stopped by to say hi to Olaf after the show. As always, we walked right in with no wait!

Talking about the fact that it was my birthday.

Star Tours had a short wait, so we hopped in line for that. We went to the Wookie planet, though I have no knowledge of Star Wars whatsoever so it's all the same to me.

We had skipped over Muppet Vision in June, so we went there next. Dylan mentioned that the show didn't seem to have a point... It was just a mish mash of random things put together. I completely agree with that evaluation. The Muppets are entertaining, but this show needs some help. Still no water in the fountain.

We decided to hit the single rider line for RnRC before our next FP+. I think this single rider line takes longer than the others because of the preshow.

 

[blreinsel]

Maybe I should see Frozen next time I'm at HS!! You always make it seem like it's a great experience

Oh my gosh... It's a must do for me!!! You have to see it!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Looks like you had a good birthday!

 

[blreinsel]

Friday, July 14 cont.

Our final FP+ was for the Pixar show, something else we didn't have time for in June. I was really looking forward to seeing it after all of the positive feedback I'd heard!

First up was Toy Story, and yes there were tears.

I believe Cars was next, but I didn't take any pictures. Following Cars was Up... More tears. Finding Nemo was in there somewhere too, but I think I made it through without tears.

My emotions got another break with the Incredibles.

But no worries, the tears came right back at the end of the Monsters, Inc. portion.

Though it was a little long, I loved this show! Being a "band geek" myself, I appreciate a live orchestra immensely. It's amazing how many emotions simple music can evoke, even without the dialogue. My only other complaint is the lack of airflow in the theater, which is always my sole complaint about Beauty and the Beast, too. Sarge and company were hilarious to watch before the show started... a great way to pass the time.

We headed out after the show and found ourselves at the Poly for a birthday beverage! @amjt660, bet you can't guess what I had. You'll never know for sure because I apparently didn't save the picture I took as proof. But I will tell you that it was delicious and made me anxious to come back for more. We enjoyed some down time at the Poly before eventually taking the monorail to Magic Kingdom. A girl has to see her castle on her birthday.

When we arrived, we caught the tail end of Move It, Shake It, so stood on the corner and watched.

 

[blreinsel]

Looks like you had a good birthday!

The best one yet!

 

[drcasey]

I so happy for you/jealous that you get to hang out at Disney all the time now! That's my dream come true. Maybe I can snag a residency down there?! A girl can dream

 

[blreinsel]

Friday, July 14 cont.

More birthday pictures!

One of my new favorites.

We had a FP+ for Big Thunder, so we made the long walk to the back of the park. We had a wild ride in the wilderness before heading to check in for my birthday dinner!

They were running behind, so we waited around 20 minutes. We wandered a bit while we waited, and eventually found ourselves a spot on the wall to sit.

Our server was Jon and he took great care of us throughout our meal!

Yes I will most certainly accept this rose!

We started with some yummy Moscato... much better than my terrible Cali Grill wine. Jon also brought us some rolls to enjoy while we waited for our meals.

I simply can't go to Be Our Guest without French Onion Soup.

We both went with the Grilled Strip Steak... delicious as always!

Unfortunately, we didn't save room for dessert. I've literally never eaten at BOG without having dessert... It felt so wrong. I actually took some of my steak to go because I was stuffed!

A wonderful meal as always... I love this restaurant!

 

[lostpro9het]

We started with some yummy Moscato

AKA: Adult kool-aid.

 

[blreinsel]

Friday, July 14 cont.

We finished up at our table and went to say hello to the Master.

I reminded him that the last time we saw each other, we danced together and agreed to not tell Belle. He then pushed Dylan off to the side and leaned it to give me a beastly smooch.

The look of a man who knows he's the third wheel.

Still keeping Dylan at a distance.

I tore myself away from the Beast so we could get to our last FP+ of the night. The park closed at 10pm, but our FP+ technically didn't expire until 10:15pm. I honestly didn't think anything of it until we walked up at 10:02pm and were turned away by a very un-Disneylike CM. I told her we had a FP+ and thought maybe she'd let us through, but she was more concerned about the phone conversation she was having than dealing with us. I wasn't upset about the FP+, I was upset about how she treated us. I was also irritated when I glanced over and noticed a huge group of people being let into the standby line.

We slowly walked toward the exit and stopped for one last birthday picture before heading out.

25 feels pretty darn great.

 

[blreinsel]

I so happy for you/jealous that you get to hang out at Disney all the time now! That's my dream come true. Maybe I can snag a residency down there?! A girl can dream

Stranger things have happened! I never imagined I'd be living this dream life. Make it happen!

AKA: Adult kool-aid.

I'll drink any variation of Kool-Aid Disney has to offer.

 

[becca_]

You guys really make such a cute couple together, I hope you had an awesome birthday!! I've only had one birthday at Disney & it was my 16th... it was definitely "sweet"!!