We Came, We Saw, We Froze

Jambo!

The Dinosaur Institue and I welcome you to my trip report. There was one theme to this year's trip, and that was...

It was FREEZING this past week in Florida. They haven't experienced cold like this in years. And of course it starts when we arrive. But that's okay...we were in Disney World, nothing could ruin our trip! Luckily we checked weather reports before leaving and packed accordingly.

A little background on everyone. First there's my family- mom, dad, me (19), Shannon (15), and Zach (12). This is our fourth trip to Disney World. We began planning a year ago and have been anxiously awaiting the trip ever since. I think my parents were more excited than the kids were. :lol:

Then there's my best friend of 10 years, Jamie. She is a part of the family, so of course she had to come along! This was her first trip to the World and couldn't wait.

I think that's all. Arrival day coming up next!

 

[Yanks07]

Love it! Thank You for sharing. Beautiful family too.

 

[Nicole220]

Shannon would stand in the corner of the safety video room, resulting in some worried looks from the other guests.

I took a nap again once back at the hotel before dinner. Dinner tonight was at Le Cellier.

For an appetizer, Jamie and I got the cheddar cheese soup, which was yummy. Everyone else got the caesar salad which they swear is the best caesar ever. Mom, dad, Zach, and I got the fliet mignon...soooooo good! Jamie and Shannon got the NY Strip which was also very good! For dessert, Zach, Shannon and I got the chocolate mousse. Jamie and dad got the creme brule. Mom got the apple tart. Yuuuuuum. While waiting for Illuminations, we rode our fav, Malestrom and then went on Mexico's ride for the first time. Meh. I wouldn't do it again.

Up next is Magic Kingdom...Luke (aka Pongo on the site) day!

 

[tiaragirl]

Man, your friend looks soooo familliar to me, ahha.

 

[maggiegrace1]

Hooray for Luke day..and my hammock night...

Your family is beautiful..and looks like a great trip!..

 

[disneygirl1]

Aw Nicole!!! Such an awesome report... Can't wait to read more!!! Great pictures and an absolutely adorable family!

 

[PotteryGal]

Loved the pic of you guys on Dinosaur! Never have rode it myself yet...don't feel like getting whiplash....:lookaroun

 

[harveyt0206]

Loving the trip report so far. I too love AK. It gets a lot of criticism but I think it is one of the most fun parks to just walk around and take in the sites. Looking forward to the rest of your report, especially the upcoming MK day.

 

[HollyBelle]

Great stuff, Nicole!

OMG I couldn't resist the mini yeti's face either... he came home with us too (a couple trips ago). He spent the holidays hanging on to the top of our Christmas tree!

I can't wait to see what's in store for your family at the MK!

 

[Nicole220]

Hooray for Luke day..and my hammock night...

Your family is beautiful..and looks like a great trip!..

Aw Nicole!!! Such an awesome report... Can't wait to read more!!! Great pictures and an absolutely adorable family!

Thanks guys!

Loved the pic of you guys on Dinosaur! Never have rode it myself yet...don't feel like getting whiplash....:lookaroun

Uh huh...:lookaroun

Love it! Thank You for sharing. Beautiful family too.

Thanks.

Loving the trip report so far. I too love AK. It gets a lot of criticism but I think it is one of the most fun parks to just walk around and take in the sites. Looking forward to the rest of your report, especially the upcoming MK day.

Great stuff, Nicole!

OMG I couldn't resist the mini yeti's face either... he came home with us too (a couple trips ago). He spent the holidays hanging on to the top of our Christmas tree!

I can't wait to see what's in store for your family at the MK!

Uh, well. There won't be much to report on MK. Since we're DL locals, we don't spend a whole lotta time there. Seeing as it's....inferior and all. :lookaroun Don't hurt me! :lookaroun

But thank you! And yay...another mini yeti fan! Love how he was your Christmas tree topper!

 

[Nicole220]

Thursday, January 7th. Magic Kindom and DTD.

My parents got a late start in the morning. They didn't wake up until 8:30...right when we were supposed to leave. Oy. So Jamie, Shannon, and I took off without them.

Hey...this looks somewhat familiar.

Woah. You're a lot bigger on this coast.

Our first stop was Space Mountain. I don't even want to talk about the state MK's Space is in. SO! After that we went on a magic carpet ride.

Aladdin was there to greet us when we landed.

Splash was unfortunately down for refurb while we where there. Boo.

Emptyyy...

Hi, can you maybe hurry it up, pretty please?

 

[Nicole220]

Big Thunder was next. It really threw me off...I'm so used to Disneyland's! We also hit up PotC and Buzz. Buzz. My goodness how do you aim and shoot on that thing? I got like, 100 points. I dominate on DL's version. Not saying winning is everything, it was just really difficult to play.

We were getting hungry for some churros, so we set off to get some. ....Why are there no churros in MK?! Did I just not look in the right place? :lol: So we settled for some cinnamon roles from the bakery and sat down while the Move it Shake it was going on. Disneyland's music selection, choreography, floats, etc are much better. Everyone else had finally arrived so we got some lunch at Cosmic Rays. Luke had called, telling me he was almost there, so I headed to the front of the park to get him.

Luke is a very dear friend of mine. He and I started talking in those crazy Magic Friends threads and got the chance to meet up in Disneyland (actually, DCA) when he was visiting in 2008. Thankfully our winter breaks matched up and we planned on hanging out and doing dinner sometime during my vacation.

Today was the day I was looking forward to the most. I couldn't wait to see Luke again! We found each other just outside the gates and walked up to Guest Relations. The plan was to use an hour shopping pass so we could hang in the park for a little while. Well, we went up to the window to get one, and the lady said he couldn't do it. Uh...what? Luke has gotten shopping passes before and never got that answer. Not knowing what to do, we hopped back in line and tried again, hoping for a different window. :lookaroun Luke tried again and at first they were going to give him a 30 minute pass, but then said he couldn't do it. Oy. Did they get rid of the shopping passes? I know Disneyland did...did WDW follow? We still didn't really know what to do, so I went back to my family for a bit while Luke got lunch.

After my parents and brother went on Space, we all met up at Pirates and went on it.

Haunted Mansion was next. I hadn't been on it since it's major refurb. It looks nice! And props to WDW for getting floating Madam Leota right! You couldn't see the wires at all, unlike Disneyland.

For Dot:

My parents decided to ditch us and go on a tour of the hotels. So us kids made one last stop...the Tea Cups! You can spin so fast on these ones! I couldn't even walk when it was over. DL's definitely don't go that fast.

 

[Pongo]

I'm too impatient for this.

EDIT: I... spoke too soon.

 

[Pongo]

Actually, I lied. I am WAY too impatient.

 

[Nicole220]

Actually, I lied. I am WAY too impatient.

Go watch Glee while you wait! This might take a while. :lookaroun

 

[Nicole220]

Luuuuke.


Can I borrow your pictures?

 

[Pongo]

Go watch Glee while you wait! This might take a while. :lookaroun

Just because there's so much to say about me, of course.

 

[Nicole220]

Luuuuke.


Can I borrow your pictures?

You missed this ^

Just because there's so much to say about me, of course.

You are correct.

 

[Pongo]

You missed this ^


You are correct.

You're right. I did miss it. Yes, you can borrow them.

Also, watching Glee while I wait may be the best idea you've ever had.

 

[Nicole220]

You're right. I did miss it. Yes, you can borrow them.

Also, watching Glee while I wait may be the best idea you've ever had.

I'm brilliant. :king:

Okay, back to writing. Stop distracting me!

 

[Nicole220]

We met up with Luke outside of MK and started to think of a backup plan. Jamie wanted to see DTD, so DTD it was. We rode the Monorail to the Poly, where Luke's car was parked. At DTD we walked through the stores while Shannon and Jamie took creeper pictures of Luke and I.

My siblings entertained us by asking Luke a billion questions. Questions ranged from "What's your major?" to "Limited too or Victoria's Secret?" :lookaroun Poor Luke took it like a champ (on the outside, at least. I'm sure he was dying on the inside) and answered all of their obscure questions.

Dinner time came way too fast, so we headed back to the car via boat.

Dinner tonight was at Sanaa. After parking and trekking through the never ending hallway of death, we made it to the restaurant. We were early so we went out to the savannah.

More creeper pictures.

While waiting, Jamie told us a story. It was about these two lovers:

Lukrisha aaaaand someone else. I forget his name. Long story short, they fell in love and now they live here in Disney World.