Wall Di Kneeee Wuuuurrrllllll !!!!!! *

[Micklessor]

*the only words I understood our DME bus driver say!

Cast: Me (Disney Dork) and DF, Cassie (Disney Fanatic)
Dates: 7/8-7/11

Story:
To celebrate their 30th bday’s last yr, Cassie and her roommate, Wesley, took a 2 week vacation to WDW, ending with a 3 day Disney Cruise. Cassie always puts together fantastic videos after her vacations, but she was missing some shots for her storyboard. In May, my husband and I were visiting Cassie in NYC and she mentioned that she wanted to go to WDW. I said “let’s go!” – I am planning a trip with my brother and his family for 2013 and wanted to check out the parks from a 2 yr old’s point of view. And thus, a spontaneous trip was formed….

The Plan:
Cassie and I are both in the business of “show”; so our time was very limited. We found a time where we both had Monday and Tuesday off and started from there. Fortunately, DH had miles for the flight, I had an unused ticket that was given to me in 2008 as a Christmas gift, so my only real expense would be the resorts. I wanted to stay somewhere new on property, so we booked the BC and WL. I flew in on Sunday to have a half-day to get my stuff done, and Cassie flew in on Monday. The plan was to hit all 4 parks during our stay focusing on the shoot list.

Disclaimer:
We pretty much did everything “wrong” as far as touring goes, in fact our trip will confirm why you want to follow all the advice that the experts will give on this forum. However, we had so much fun!




Next up: Day 1 - how many parks can be done in 6 hrs. on an arrival day???

[pfalcioni]

I'm in! Sounds interesting :)

[Janine]

This is going to be good.

[EricBlitz]

Yep. Looking forward to this one.

[catnapfan]

I'm in! Can't wait to read more.

[nolarookie]

I'm in

[josh]

You can't have fun if you don't follow the advice to a "T." That's ridiculous.

[George]

I think I had the same bus driver! Totally unintelligible, rotten PA system on the bus, and heavy Spanish accent. I loved it!

[Micklessor]

@Josh- Right? plus I was "literally" weighted down with all these gifts for you in case I had a sighting (like a wine opener, some items from the Art of Disney, and a bottle of Scotch) - but to no avail, the total trip was a FAIL

@George - the whole bus was laughing and then everyone was asking "what resort is this?" "do I get off here?"

[Claire]

Oh, this will be good!

[Micklessor]

I hope I don’t disappoint all of you who think “this is gonna be good” – I’m not a great writer and there will be no pictures….

Day “1/2”: Travel from Dallas to MCO

Highlights:
•I love the DFW airport – so easy to park, get thru security and get to the gate.
•I wished my husband was going along – not only for his company, but also because he has Platinum status with American Airlines and I would be boarding the plane first (not necessarily in that order)
•My first experience flying with a Brazilian tour group.
•We left 30 minutes late due to a floppy headrest…not kidding.

I arrived at MCO (McCoy Airport – always thought it was cool that we share a name), got my carry-on and headed out to experience the DME for the first time. As most of you know, the airport is split into “A” side and “B” side, the DME is on the “B” side level 1…of course, I landed on the “A” side. I was excited that there were no lines at the DME and the bus to BC was parked and loading. Was pixie dust already in the air? Would I really just get on that bus, the doors would close, and I would be on my way? Um…..no. I got on the bus and sat for 30 mins….argh! Finally we were on our way to Wall Di Kneee Wuurrrllll! During the 30 min trip to the resort areas, I was re-thinking my touring plans. I don’t really have a clue as to where anything is once on the WDW property – even with George’s “MK at 12” analogy – I still can’t figure it out. I think my brain goes on vacation when I do. Anyway- my hope for the first stop to be BC was dashed. The bus stopped at POR, then BW, then BC, and finally YC.

It was my first time at the Beach Club (I’m a spoiled GF girl) and it was okay for me. The “beach scent” that they pump into the lobby was extremely strong as I entered, but once thru the lobby it dissipated. I had done on-line check in, but I still don’t know what the advantage of that is. My expectation was – “here’s your key, here’s your room location – Have a Magical Day!” Instead it was – can I see your credit card, what’s your email address, how would you like to pay – ummmm, I put ALL of that online! Anyway, after 15 mins, I was headed to my room. I also was expecting just a standard room, but apparently, I was booked into a Garden room – nice view of greenery out the window, so bonus!

I put my stuff in the room, made a plan and headed out….by now it’s about 4:15pm and it’s HOT!


Where do I head first? AK as planned or DHS because I’m behind schedule and it’s closer?

[josh]

With no pictures you can't necessarily "prove" you had fun though.

[Micklessor]

Oh, the pressure! You'll have to take my word for it then...

[josh]

No I won't. I refuse to believe you had any fun if you DID NOT FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF THE WEBSITE.

[Micklessor]

Day “1/2” part 2:

It was hot and I was a little loopy from flying, being on a bus, and not really eating - but I was determined to hit all 4 parks today. My “rule” was to either do a ride, show, or get an autograph in each park. I decided to head to DHS first and try and catch the 5:45p BaTB. Now, how to get there from the BC? I know I could walk (did I mention it was hot?) take a boat (and check out the a/c ‘controversy’) or take a bus (or could I?). I asked for directions at the concierge desk and headed towards the marina – a boat was pulling in just as I hit the dock – pixie dust already! The boat from BC to DHS makes one stop at the Swolphin, it’s a very pleasant ride that took about 15 min. (would probably’ve been longer if there were people to load at the Swolphin, but there weren’t). As to the a/c, fan issue – they have both on the boats but they are totally useless. I sat up near the front to get some air from the open doors.

I arrived at DHS around 4:40p and promptly got a water and frozen banana (my personal Dole Whip). Feeling better, I headed to see the Characterpalooza at the Animation Bldg. I wanted to get a card signed for Cassie’s b-day (some of you helped me with ideas on how to give her the iPad). I got Winnie, Sorcerer Mickey, Mary Poppins with Mr. Penquin, and Bolt ‘s signatures all in about 20 minutes. (I skipped Lilo and Stitch and the Incredibles) At 5:00p ish, I headed over to BaTB. I have a friend that is in the show and had texted her that I would indeed make the last one. She told me to check in with the CM at the front – more pixie dust! I got to sit in the VIP section (second row – center). It was the first time I’ve seen this show – very cute and it was great to see my friend up there as well. I don’t know how those kids perform in those costumes in the heat – they must lose 5 lbs per show! Afterwards, I visited briefly with my friend and then headed out. The afternoon thunderstorm decided to hit just then and it POURED for longer than what I’ve experienced in the past. My poncho and flip flops were back in the room – so I waited out the storm in one of the stores with 252 of my new best friends .

This storm was eating up my time, so I bought the cheapest pair of flip flops and a poncho and headed out to begin my “taxi touring” plan. FYI, the taxi’s are not close to the entrance – they are located where the charter tour buses park. So dripping wet, I got in a cab and headed to AK. Since this is my least visited park, my goal was to get the lay of the land a bit and see ITTBaB. The ride took about 15 min. and $20 (ok, so the fare may have been $13 or $15, but I had no time to wait for change). The park was closing at 8pm – I was walking in around 6:50p and headed to ITTBaB. I waited a bit, decided the show wasn’t that bad (I didn’t get stung – don’t know why) – then headed back out, into a taxi and headed to EPCOT. Another 15 min and $20 later, I was at the entrance. I was starving and headed directly to the UK and got some fish and chips at the QS window. I sat down outside of the Rose and Crown, watched the crowds and listened to the Police cover band that was playing across the way. The heat and the multi-national crowd provided great people watching entertainment while eating! The Brave highland games area was closed by the time I arrived (it must’ve been after 7pm, plus it was the last day) but it looked like a cute area for kids. I rode Spaceship Earth (walk on) on the way out and took the monorail over to the MK.

When the monorail got to the TTC, a CM was directing people to the ferry – apparently the express monorail was down – what a shocker! So, another first, I took the ferry over to MK (while loading I was reminded of the movie War of the Worlds) – when I got off I hit the wall of humanity. The other parks throughout the day were very manageable, but omg – you could not move trying to get into the MK. Granted, the MSEP was going on when I arrived – so I got behind a CM with a push cart that was making her way up the right side of Main St. I felt sorry for the parents with strollers who were trying to get thru – I got jostled quite a bit. If you must do this – head into the stores, they are connected and you get thru much faster! Finally making it up to the Plaza – I turned right and there was still a mass of humanity. I couldn’t believe the lines for Stitch at that time of night either….I saw my favorite, Philharmagic and then was faced with a dilemma – how do I get out of the park with the parade ending and Wishes starting? I turned left out of Phil, busted a move thru Liberty Square (dodged the water dripping off the roofs – they water them down for the fireworks – who knew?) – took the path by Tiana’s meeting place, over the bridge by CP (where CM’s were lined up keeping traffic flowing) and then cut thru Casey’s and all the stores. I was out of there just as the opening chord of Wishes was starting – more pixie dust as the bus to the BC was waiting and pulled out just as I sat down. I arrived back at the BC, one tired puppy at 10:30p. I had accomplished my goals in 6 hrs. (and I had fun!)

Next up: Day 1 Cassie arrives…who do I see at the airport?

[pfalcioni]

Whaddaya mean, no pictures? What the heck??

Great report so far, I'll bet you slept like a baby when you got back to your room, I know I would!!

[blyday]

Wow....you got a lot in on the first day even with the later arrival!!! Guess you got to see first hand what an EMH really does for a park. Looking forward to reading more (although it might be a few days since I head to Utah in the morning and my internet time will pretty well be limited to helping clients.)

[3Caballeros]

I had done on-line check in, but I still don’t know what the advantage of that is. My expectation was – “here’s your key, here’s your room location – Have a Magical Day!” Instead it was – can I see your credit card, what’s your email address, how would you like to pay – ummmm, I put ALL of that online! Anyway, after 15 mins, I was headed to my room.

I totally agree!! When we checked in to our resort, we got through faster than the people next to us that approached their 'on-line check in' que the same time we did the regular line.

[Micklessor]

(although it might be a few days since I head to Utah in the morning and my internet time will pretty well be limited to helping clients.)

It will be a few days for me to update...working 2 wks. straight w/o a day off.

[jillyb]

I'm in!

[Bunny]

Wow - great start! Looking forward to more!

[featherface]

Sounds like alot of fun,...

[Micklessor]

Day 1 – Cassie arrives…

I forgot to mention that my phone died while at DHS (my first park of 4), so when I got back to BC, I just used the phone in the room to call my DH….fyi – 20 min phone call is $30 at Disney (these are the details Josh won’t reveal )

I woke up at 5am to a text message notification (the phone was so dead, I couldn’t turn off the ringer).I tried to go back to sleep, but to no avail. I did notice that the BC was quiet until around 8am or so – that was very nice. I got ready, and took a cab ($20) over to the GF for some fact finding. I asked at the front desk if I could see a RPC, theme park view room and the lounge. The CM was very helpful and gave me a great tour (I also patiently, listened to her story of how she fell at work, broke her kneecap, had surgery, has been out for 6 wks, rehab is over and she will never be the same – bless her heart!) The room was really no different than the standard theme park view room we usually get in Sago Cay, but the concierges (conciergi?) were very gracious and the lounge was large, clean, and very peaceful. The buffet was plentiful and spread out . If my brother and his family want to stay here, I can now give them a full report. After the tour, I went and had b’fast with the sparrows inside Gasparillas. Those birds freak out a lot of people, but they have been in their every year I’ve stayed at the GF – maybe with the “renewal” they will find a way to keep them out. I also hope they relocate the games – it’s just a weird combination. I then took a cab to the airport to meet Cassie. ($75 – Could’ve rented a car cheaper – but the valet at the GF said that Mears raises its’ rates during certain times of the year).

This is just a short update – gotta get back to work…

[annethomas]

I can't wait to hear more

[gorsh]

I'm in too!

So typical that you do something like four parks in a day and then get woken up by something at 5am, never to go back to sleep. I thought this kind of thing only happened to me!