Rach&Eric's Disneymoon fun/May 2011 TR

May 7th - Arrival/Downtown Disney

Well we got back from a great trip yesterday. The weather was awesome the whole time other than one little half hour on our last night there when a Thunder Storm rolled in...maybe to reflect our moods :shrug:

So a quick recap before I start. Eric and I got married on April 9th and this was our honeymoon, uh Disneymoon. We were there from May 7th - 14th and staying at POFQ. On May 6th we left after work and drove 3 hours to Bangor, Maine where we were taking the plane from there the morning after. I got no sleep...I tried, I really did, but come on. We were going to be in WDW the day after, who can sleep? Our flights were uneventful and we got to Orlando International about 25 minutes before our scheduled arrival.

The line to DME looked pretty long, but we were through and seated on a bus within 20 minutes.

Oh what a beautiful sight

POFQ was the third stop, but I didn't mind, I was finally back and it felt great. We got to the resort and the online Check-in was very quick, we got through in less than 10 minutes and, even better, our room was ready!

Building 4 on the second floor

Right outside our room door

Our room was great and during Illuminations we could step out and see the fireworks portions of the show. Here are a few pics of the room

We quickly got changed and headed for the boat to DD. We had dinner reservations at

We were seated right next to an aquarium

Ok, so we had a couple hours before our ADR so we went in a few shops and then discovered the Margarita stand....let's have a drink. Eric got a beer and I tried the "feature margarita" a very delicious Grapefruit Margarita. Now here's something you need to know, although I do drink I don't do it a lot...so needless to say I'm a cheap drunk. That baby had my lips numb in a matter of minutes and I was half in the bag by the time I went up to that podium to check in for dinner. I'm not super short but I'm not exactly tall either, the only thing the girl checking us in could see was my eyes and up. What transpired after I blame on the margarita. As we're patiently waiting for her to bring up the ADR I lean over and kiss the podium. Our conversation goes as follows:

Eric: Did you just kiss that thing?
Me: No ***break out in fit of giggles*** maybe
Eric: Oooookkkaaaayyyy, no more margaritas for you

Says the guy who after 1 beer looks at an aquarium like this

After dinner we went into a few more shops but then decided to call it a night as we were both really tired. The next day we were going to Epcot!

 

[Rach&Eric]

May 10th - Universal/IOA

I won't go into major detail here, we went off Disney property so I could go see Harry Potter. Mears picked us up at 8:25 am and we got there pretty much right at 9 am. So of course, like everyone else, we made a beeline straight for IOA and the Wizarding World.

Our first stop was...

The Forbidden Journey had only a 10 minute wait, but as we were going through the castle and got in Dumbledore's office it broke down. We waited probably another 10 minutes and it was up and running again. LOVED this ride, it was really well done. As we left there was a cart outside selling wands. So as opposed to going through Ollivander's (with the HUGE line) you can just get one there. I went back and forth and finally bought one...Hermione's wand is the one I got.

After that we went to see Hagrid

The Hippogriff coaster was only a 10 minute wait as well....our luck would surely run out right? Nope, we got to the Dragon Challenge and it was only a 5 minute wait

Finally we went through Hogsmeade

Had to have a Butterbeer

It was good, very sweet though so Eric and I shared. It kind of tasted like a cross between root beer and cream soda. We also went into Honeyduke's where I got a Chocolate Frog.

We did a couple rides in IOA and then headed to Universal. Did a few things there including The Mummy and The Simpsons. In one of the shops at Universal I broke down and got a Harry Potter house scarf....Ravenclaw as opposed to the usual Griffindor. I also just realized I know way too much about Harry Potter...HAHAHAHA! For supper we headed to Hard Rock Cafe. From there we called Mears, as you have contact them 2 hours before you want to leave so we would have time to eat and browse the shops at City Walk.

I had the Twisted Mac, Chicken and Cheese, it was delicious. We were back at POFQ around 8:30 pm

 

[ladycameron]

Lovin your TR! Love the Harry Potter pics. I get to experience it for the first time this September. Can't wait!

 

[Allygator]

love your TR! I am thinking about taking my daughter to Universal for a day on our trip to Disney next year. I was wondering, did you get the express plus pass?

 

[Rach&Eric]

Lovin your TR! Love the Harry Potter pics. I get to experience it for the first time this September. Can't wait!

I loved the Wizarding World....my advice is go first thing in the morning so you can do as much as you can cause it gets very crowded very fast. But I still loved it. We sat down on a bench for a bit just to take it in, it was awesome!

 

[Rach&Eric]

love your TR! I am thinking about taking my daughter to Universal for a day on our trip to Disney next year. I was wondering, did you get the express plus pass?

We didn't get the express plus pass, Wizarding World is the most crowded and I know that at least The Forbidden Journey (the ride in Hogwarts castle) doesn't accept the express pass. The Universal side wasn't crowded at all and it was practically walk on everything we went. Plus the express pass is $45 a pop, not something I'm willing to spend.

 

[Rach&Eric]

May 11th - AK & Ohana

Today was our AK day and afterward we had ADR's for Ohana. I couldn't wait for this one.

We went straight to Expedition Everest, with only a 10 minute wait we hopped right in line

We then backtracked and did KS. Here are a few pics

We took a lot of pics so I won't post all of them here as I'm sure you all have pretty much the same ones. Our driver was really good, she actually stopped quite a few times for us to take pics.

After that we went through the Pangani Forest

It seems we did a lot of walking all over the place at AK, cause then we went to Maharaja Jungle Trek but stopped by Flights of Wonder first

Here kitty, kitty....made me miss my own kitties

 

[Rach&Eric]

May 11th continued

Dinosaur came next

We had a bit of a late lunch at the Flame Tree BBQ since our ADR's were only for 6:45 pm that night. Trust me, you do not want to be around me when I'm hungry, I get so cranky.

After lunch we did our last attraction


I think you can figure this one out

Then found a spot for the parade. I'm not usually a parade person unless they have marching bands (having been in the Air Cadets myself for 5 years) but I do love the Jammin' Jungle Parade. I think it's very unique, I love the floats and the music. During this parade I got love from both Chip and Timon. First was Chip, he came right over, grabbed my hand and kissed it. Then a few minutes later as Timon was coming by, he did the very same thing.

After the parade we booked it out of there and took a bus to the Poly. I LOVE this resort and am hoping to stay there someday. We checked in for supper (without kissing podiums) and went to the bar for a drink while we waited for our table


I had the Tropical Ginger Lemonade....yummy

Our table was ready and we were seated right next to a window

Eric and I aren't too big on All-you-can-Eat places. Not because it's not good, but because there's so much food and we never feel like we eat enough to warrant the price you pay. But we still had to try this one and there are certainly no regrets. It was soooo good.


Those dumplings were awesome

BEST DESSERT EVER

Everything was so good, the shrimp was great, but that bread pudding was so awesome. Had we known it was that good we would have eaten less of the rest and had a second helping of dessert. All in all, I would go there again in a heartbeat!

Next up DHS

 

[Soaringirl]

Congratulations! I'm really enjoying the Disneymoon trip report.
I'm still in shock over the 10 minute wait for Soarin' after 10 am
Why doesn't this happen to me?! I loved reading about your trip to IOA, My family loves Harry Potter and would like to do this some day. I was wondering about the rides in Wizarding World, my husband has pretty bad motion sickness and doesn't go on many rides that spin, go upside down, etc. what do you think about the rides there? Would like your opinion if you don't mind.
Can't wait to read more, there is more, right?!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Love the TR so far and Congrats!!! The Wizarding World over at IOA is AMAZING!!! I went on the HP ride for the first time in November and again 3 weeks ago when we were there. Uni and IOA are definitely a different kind of park tha Disney so it's nice for that change of pace (even if it means cheating on Disney!! lol)
We tried to get into Ohana this upcoming november but they are already booked solid I'm gonna keep trying though because I've heard great things about it and your TR hasn't made me think otherwise (the pics made me hungry!!!)
Oh, and I sw you flew out of Bangor, ME... I didn't think anyone else in the world knew where Bangor was (I'm from Portland, about 2 hours south of Bangor!) :lol:

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Congratulations! I'm really enjoying the Disneymoon trip report.
I'm still in shock over the 10 minute wait for Soarin' after 10 am
Why doesn't this happen to me?! I loved reading about your trip to IOA, My family loves Harry Potter and would like to do this some day. I was wondering about the rides in Wizarding World, my husband has pretty bad motion sickness and doesn't go on many rides that spin, go upside down, etc. what do you think about the rides there? Would like your opinion if you don't mind.
Can't wait to read more, there is more, right?!

My mom gets motion sickness too and didn't do this ride and it's a good thing she didn't because it made me and my sister a little queezy and we NEVER get sick on rides. The HP ride makes you feel like your "flying" on a broom with HP and the gang. They use screens so it's like a simulator but your also sitting in a cart attatched to a long arm that swings you around and tips you up and down. Its fun but I definitely cannot do it more than once a day

 

[Rach&Eric]

Congratulations! I'm really enjoying the Disneymoon trip report.
I'm still in shock over the 10 minute wait for Soarin' after 10 am
Why doesn't this happen to me?! I loved reading about your trip to IOA, My family loves Harry Potter and would like to do this some day. I was wondering about the rides in Wizarding World, my husband has pretty bad motion sickness and doesn't go on many rides that spin, go upside down, etc. what do you think about the rides there? Would like your opinion if you don't mind.
Can't wait to read more, there is more, right?!

Yes there are two more days of the TR....wish there would be two more weeks but it was still a great vacation.

I LOVE Harry Potter as well, so it was a no-brainer for me to go. The Dragon Challenge roller coaster goes upside down, the Forbidden Journey is like a simulator ride where you're on a "broom" and there's a lot of jerky motion. It's a great ride if you can handle it, I loved it but I must admit even I was a bit queezy after, didn't last long though. The Hippogriff coaster isn't very big, lasts about 30 seconds and doesn't go upsidedown. But you know what, even if you can't do the rides, just being in Hogsmeade is worth it to me.

 

[Rach&Eric]

Love the TR so far and Congrats!!! The Wizarding World over at IOA is AMAZING!!! I went on the HP ride for the first time in November and again 3 weeks ago when we were there. Uni and IOA are definitely a different kind of park tha Disney so it's nice for that change of pace (even if it means cheating on Disney!! lol)
We tried to get into Ohana this upcoming november but they are already booked solid I'm gonna keep trying though because I've heard great things about it and your TR hasn't made me think otherwise (the pics made me hungry!!!)
Oh, and I sw you flew out of Bangor, ME... I didn't think anyone else in the world knew where Bangor was (I'm from Portland, about 2 hours south of Bangor!) :lol:

Thanks so much! Keep trying for sure, I hope you do get into Ohana, it was delicious....a lot of food but worth it. I do like Uni and IOA, like you said, it's a change of pace. Yes of course I know where Bangor is and Portland :sohappy:. We live only 3 hours from Bangor and we go there a couple times a year at least. It's so much cheaper to fly from there and we'll keep flying from there as long as it stays that way.

 

[Rach&Eric]

Sorry, went to see my parents for the weekend, will be back with the rest of the TR very soon!

 

[Soaringirl]

Thanks for the info. Rach&Eric and derelicte19!!!

 

[Rach&Eric]

Thanks for the info. Rach&Eric and derelicte19!!!

No problem!

 

[Rach&Eric]

May 12th - DHS and the 5th time someone offered us their kids

Today was our DHS day so we got up, got ready and headed for the bus stop where there was one pulling up. I'll say it again, we had great luck with transportation this trip.

We were actually early this time and got to DHS before opening, stupidly went into a shop and missed the welcome :ROFLOL:. We didn't do TSM this trip, so while everyone stampeded there we headed down Sunset Boulevard to my very favorite ride

I LOVE this ride, so much so that as we got off we grabbed some FP before going to what ended up being Eric's favorite ride of the trip

After getting off RNR, Eric browsed the gift shop and bought a ballcap (his 3rd one) then it was time for TOT again. But before that I couldn't deny Eric another spin on RNR so FP for that one too. After the second run on TOT we still had some time before RNR so we went to...

I'm not really a Princess kind of girl, I don't hate them or anything but I do have a soft spot for The Little Mermaid. The whole trip I was trying to find a Sebastien plush, but I never found one anywhere, so the only plush I came home with this trip is the big guy himself, Mickey.

We then backtracked back to RNR to finish that up and left Sunset Boulevard behind. However, before getting on RNR we did have lunch, I had pizza and Eric had a burger.

Continuing on, we did the Great Movie Ride and then booked it to AIE as a show was just about to start

This one was for Eric. I don't really like AI on tv, but Eric does so I "watch" it with him. I didn't mind this show at all though. The three that were competing were really good and the guy we voted for won and was going to the finale at 6:30 that night. I'm curious to see how he made out. After AIE we went to see Indy

Another one I wanted Eric to experience but there was one last show I knew he would like more. Before that show though we went to see Kermit and the gang

 

[fractal]

Loving the pics! :sohappy:

 

[HollyBelle]

I love that picture of you with the butterbeer... your rings are so pretty!

I'm totally with you on Mickey's Jammin' Jungle parade; I love it. I think, due to the small walkways, the likelihood of getting "love" from the characters is greatly increased. It's one of my favorite things about the parade.

Glad to see you enjoyed Ohana. We're not fans of buffets either, but that it one buffet where I feel like quality isn't sacrificed for quantity. Best of both worlds.

 

[Rach&Eric]

Loving the pics! :sohappy:

Thank you...we took so many it's hard to choose which ones I want to post

 

[Rach&Eric]

I love that picture of you with the butterbeer... your rings are so pretty!

I'm totally with you on Mickey's Jammin' Jungle parade; I love it. I think, due to the small walkways, the likelihood of getting "love" from the characters is greatly increased. It's one of my favorite things about the parade.

Glad to see you enjoyed Ohana. We're not fans of buffets either, but that it one buffet where I feel like quality isn't sacrificed for quantity. Best of both worlds.

Thanks, I love my rings, perfectly me!

Yes, that's exactly why I like the Jammin' Jungle Parade, more interaction maybe, the music is very catchy, I could go on and on...lol

We loved Ohana, very full after we left but a good kind of full. It will definitely be a repeat restaurant!