My First Trip Report OR A Girl, Her Camera, and The World: May/June 2011

Let’s see. First things first, Hi! My name is Emily. I occasionally post, and tend to do so while sleep deprived. I thought I’d try my hand at a trip report. Here it goes!

My story begins, like many others, at the airport. My flight left at 7:45 AM from Hartford on Southwest Airlines. I opted for the early bird check-in and due to their amazing open seating plan I got a nice window seat in the third row. I have always had good luck with Southwest and ended up with a wonderful older woman as our lead flight attendant. Her pre-flight speech included such memorable lines as “If you care to smoke, I’ll let you out on the wing to do so. Because, as I say, if you can light it - you can smoke it!” and “Don’t you dare ask me if we’re there yet. I’ll put you on the wing in the smoking section.” I knew it was going to be a good flight.

We landed around 11 and I hopped on my Magical Express to the Boardwalk Villas. My parents own the vacation club and we go as a family once a year. The points leftover are mine to use! I am one lucky girl. Then something happened at the Boardwalk Villas that I can’t every remember happening before. I had a towel Mickey!

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I took the towel Mickey as a good omen and went to my patio doors. Lo and behold, the sliding glass doors opened to reveal…Leaping Horse Libations, the poolside bar. All signs pointed to a good trip.

After settling in and grabbing some quick groceries (Does The Screen Door General Store have significantly less groceries than before? Or is it me?), I headed off down the path to Hollywood Studios.

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First up on my list, single rider line on Rock N Roller Coaster. There’s nothing like a good launch to get me going for a trip.

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Then on to Tower of Terror.

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And then on to wandering and pictures:

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aka_emilicious

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
After my safari was cut short, I decided the park was getting a bit too crowded (not to mention humid) for my taste. So I decided to check out something I had heard about, but never visited. I went out to the bus stop and jumped on the bus heading to Fort Wilderness. Half an hour later, I stepped off the bus and did something very stupid. I pulled up the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and decided that it wasn’t THAT far to walk to the marina. Boy was I wrong. Now I understand why they rent golf carts there. Not to mention, on more than one occasion I was afraid an alligator was going to jump out and eat me. Some of the campsites were impressive! It almost made me want to go camping again. Almost.

After a long, exhausting, sweaty, and asthma-flaring hike to the marina area of Fort Wilderness, I ended up at the stables. Got to be honest, I love horses. That’s one of my favorite parts of Main Street actually – the horse drawn trolley. I always hit the magic kingdom early to see it in action. Anyway, they have a nice little set up with the old organ they used to pull during the parade. Here are some pictures from my time at the stables!

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aka_emilicious

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Whew! After my arduous walk to the stables, I decided I’d be better off taking a boat to a resort. I hopped on a bus to Downtown Disney and did some window-shopping. I then took the bus to the Polynesian for some dinner. I enjoyed sushi and poki salad at the Kona Café. Finally cooled off and refreshed, I made my way to Hollywood Studios for Fantasmic! I sat down at 7:45 PM next to two lovely middle-aged women who had ditched their children with their husbands to enjoy the show. I munched on my Minnie Mouse apple and chatted with my neighbors. We passed the time watching the kids from the Magic Music Days entertain the crowd and taking bets on how long it would take before the managers made them sit down. I prefer the Disneyland version of Fantasmic!, but still enjoy the Florida one. I got a few good photos.

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aka_emilicious

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Before I took my leave of Hollywood Studios and turned in for the night, I took a few photos of the neon signs on Sunset Boulevard.

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And then I headed back to the Boardwalk for some well deserved sleep before getting up early for park open at Hollywood Studios.

Stay tuned for my third day!
 

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
LOVING your TR!!! Boy how I hate it when real life interrupts a vacation! DH used to have a job (for like 5 yrs) that did this to us every single day multiple times per day on each and every trip. At least it sounds like you got everything done that needed to be done. Neat pics from your HIKE to the stables! and really enjoyed your Illuminations shots. Can't wait to read more!!! :wave:
 

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Oh wow! Okay. I had half a dozen comments to make but they all evaporated when I saw the horse-drawn organ at the stables. When I was in college (in a small, southern Alabama town) I spent a lot of time at a local stables learning about horses, helping with their care, and on many rides. All but 1 of the horses there were Tennessee Walkers. Anywhoo, hubby has been saying for years he wants to take me for an early horse ride at WDW. With stuff to actually **see** at the stables, I think the Fort Wilderness stables just made my 'WDW stuff we haven't seen but need to' list. Thank you!!! :wave:

Can't wait for more! Loving all your pics! :sohappy:
 

foreverbelle

Well-Known Member
Still loving the report.

Oh how I hate when real life gets in the way. Boo...And I hate when offices close like that but expect everything to get to them and all.. Its like well gee thanks...

I love going and checking out the horses...as one of my favorite animals I enjoy it so much, but I don't remember looking at the display. Then again it has been quite a few years since I have gone to the stables myself.

Your fireworks shots are great. Really thank you for posting them. Its getting me incredibly excited for my upcoming trip.
 

aka_emilicious

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
No, its not an update.

For those of you who have subscribed: Thank You! I'm really amazed at how many views its gotten so far. Though I know a few hundred are from myself, lol. If you happened to stumble upon this trip report: Hello! How are you? Pull up a chair. My new goal for this trip report is to finish it before I go on my next trip. It's been a month, and I'm still not done! Apparently I have no real sense of deadlines, lol. Anyway, I just wanted to respond to the comments left because I enjoy acknowledgement and thought "do unto others" or something like that. And give you an update about the update and to tell you its on the way! I'm currently working on it! I'll post it as soon as I can.

Also: If I missed your comment, I apologize. You see, I have this habit of posting when I really should head to sleep (like now). Consequently, I miss things. Such as: comments, questions, concerns, replies, grammar, spelling, miracles, and plot lines. I also tend to get a bit wordy/ odd (see previous).

These are in no order in paticular:

I agree what a lucky girl indeed!

I have never stayed at Boardwalk, we have tried using out DVC points but have never had any luck. But its on our list of ones to check out. How is the resort??

I love how you jumped right on in and hit the parks, we are heading there in a month and plan on doing the same thing, its just a great feeling.

I also like the fact that you hit up HS first, and RNRC! That is a park we always seem to get around to when we can. LOL!

Love the TR thus far and can't wait to read the rest.

Still loving the report.

Oh how I hate when real life gets in the way. Boo...And I hate when offices close like that but expect everything to get to them and all.. Its like well gee thanks...

I love going and checking out the horses...as one of my favorite animals I enjoy it so much, but I don't remember looking at the display. Then again it has been quite a few years since I have gone to the stables myself.

Your fireworks shots are great. Really thank you for posting them. Its getting me incredibly excited for my upcoming trip.

I love Boardwalk because of how close it is to Epcot/HS. I'm so impatient when it comes to the bus system there that I'd rather walk than wait (hence the ridiculous Fort Wilderness hike, lol)

I use to have horses, so it brings back fond memories! I'm always amazed at how big the horses are, but they seem like big teddy bears.

I've taken so long to write this trip report, you're probably on your trip already! If you are I hope you're having fun! :wave:

great report so far! I'm gearing up for a semi-solo trip in July (my husband has to go to Orlando for work and I'm tagging along to play while he works) so this is definitely getting me in the mood for some quality Disney "me time!"

There's really something nice about wandering the parks by yourself. Its peaceful to me, lol. Again, I've taken so long to write this trip report, you're probably on your trip. So have fun! :sohappy:

LOVING your TR!!! Boy how I hate it when real life interrupts a vacation! DH used to have a job (for like 5 yrs) that did this to us every single day multiple times per day on each and every trip. At least it sounds like you got everything done that needed to be done. Neat pics from your HIKE to the stables! and really enjoyed your Illuminations shots. Can't wait to read more!!! :wave:

I'm glad that my interruptions were kept to a minimum, but I agree - I hate real life interruptions!

Oh wow! Okay. I had half a dozen comments to make but they all evaporated when I saw the horse-drawn organ at the stables. When I was in college (in a small, southern Alabama town) I spent a lot of time at a local stables learning about horses, helping with their care, and on many rides. All but 1 of the horses there were Tennessee Walkers. Anywhoo, hubby has been saying for years he wants to take me for an early horse ride at WDW. With stuff to actually **see** at the stables, I think the Fort Wilderness stables just made my 'WDW stuff we haven't seen but need to' list. Thank you!!! :wave:

Can't wait for more! Loving all your pics! :sohappy:

Half a dozen? I hope they were all nice! Lol. As I mentioned above, I used to have horses. Well, a horse and a half. We were sort of a retirement home for a miniature brood mare (aptly named "Minnie"), a quarter horse who's previous owner upgraded horses, and a gelding. Anyway, I'm working on convincing my family to go for a ride, but I'm losing at the moment, lol. If you go, tell me how it is!

Also, I believe you have a craft post? I plan on posting on that as well. I'm putting it in writing that I will so I remember/actually do it and hopefully don't take as long as this trip report!

AWESOME pictures, especially the ToT one. Love it!

Why thank you! I give full credit to my fancy smancy camera.

Loving the TR! Your pictures are gorgeous.

And thank you again! There are more to come. I took pictures of Wishes, but need to find my memory card :lookaroun
 

xsupaxmanxsfnex

Well-Known Member
I am really enjoying your PTR also!! Great descriptions and wonderful pictures! What type of camera do you use? I got a new one that I have yet to use at WDW and can't wait to try it out down there! I got a Cannon Rebel and then I got a new zoom lens for graduation so I can't wait to see what I can work with down there in August!
 

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
Hi Emily!! :wave:

Great TR.. You sound like a girl on a mission! You don't waste any time seeing the things you want to see. That's my kind of approach as well. When you're on your own you can go at your own pace.. I've yet to visit the world solo but I don't think I would mind!

Love the Fantasmic pics!! (It's my fav show!!!) :)
 

aka_emilicious

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Its a bird! Its a plane! No! It's another installment of My First Trip Report (finally)!


Day 3:
To kick off my last full day of Disney fun, I got up super early for Hollywood Studios. I love staying at Boardwalk because I can walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Yay for not waiting on buses! I headed out the door down the path to Hollywood Studios. On the way, I snapped this picture of Tower of Terror.

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It was a little cloudy out, but it was before the boats started running, so it was extremely calm (as you can tell). I was through security and in line for rope drop by 7:55 AM and enjoyed the scenery.

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And then I power walked my way to Star Tours 2: The Adventure Continues (Aside: How is it The Adventure Continues? Doesn’t it take place before the original Star Tours? In between Episodes III and IV? Therefore, shouldn’t it be Star Tours: The Adventure Begins? /rant)and rode twice in a row. First trip was: Vader > Kashyyyk > Ackbar > Death Star. Second: Vader > Tattoine > Leia > Death Star. Both rides proved that the back row is still the best by far. I headed over to Tower of Terror and then Great Movie Ride. GMR wasn’t open just yet (The rest of the park wasn’t open either), so I took some photos of the building.

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And then rode:

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After a wonderful morning of Star Tours, Tower of Terror, and more Star Tours, I decided to head to EPCOT for lunch. First stop: Hotel room for sunscreen. Somehow, I managed to skip that step. While walking back along the path to Boardwalk, I checked my twitter feed. I highly suggest following WDW_Weather if you have twitter. He tweeted about a heavy storm heading towards WDW, so before I left my hotel for EPCOT, I stopped in to the gift shop for an umbrella. As soon as I stepped on to the boardwalk, it started pouring. It was a heavy thunderstorm! I tracked its progress on my phone while I huddled near the restrooms by Canada to ride out the worst of it. When it looked like the storm had passed us, I dashed out to Living with the Land for lunch (again, lol). I couldn’t believe how packed it was! Livin’ With The Land had the longest line I have ever seen. I grabbed a table and ate lunch while the storm kept on. After another delicious lunch at the land, I head out towards Test Track. The ride is closed (due to lightening), but another quick look at my phone shows the storm has passed and I hang around. No sooner do I put my phone away, but the ride reopens and I head right on to the ride! Due to the excessive rain, there are no photos, but I have more to come!
 

aka_emilicious

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I left EPCOT and took the monorail to Magic Kingdom! It was still rainy, but tolerable so I pulled out my camera once again. I headed over to Haunted Mansion to take a look at the new queue.

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I’m glad to see these tombstones are still around!

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Then I went inside (Insert creepy laugh here)! Unfortunately, I didn’t get any good pictures from my time at the mansion. So I enjoyed the other sites of the Magic Kingdom:

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It started to rain again, so I put my camera away and road the TTA until it passed. I kept checking the weather maps on my phone to see if the worst had passed. Once the rain had passed I walked over to Space Mountain and noticed it was down. I headed towards the fastpass machines when the ride reopened again! They had cleared the queue, so my wait time was about 5 minutes once I got on.

By the time I got off, it was about dinner time and I was starving! I stopped by the Pecos Bill Café for a yummy Taco Salad and to charge my phone.

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aka_emilicious

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
As you can see, it was a little bit busy that day. This was my last night at the parks and I was determined to have a good spot with a trashcan for the fireworks. I picked a spot by the rose garden, and refused to budge.

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With the conclusion of Wishes, I power walked my way to the buses and headed back to the hotel for the night. Following with tradition, my last day is spent at Magic Kingdom.
 

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