Photo TR: Disney~aholics anonymous

[jenseib]

Hi! My name is Jen…..and I (OK take a deep breath)….am…a Disney~aholic!

 

 

There, I said it. Please help me!! ……. I feel the only cure is to do something Disney related as much as any human possibly can.

 

And that’s where my current job comes in. I was VERY fortunate to have an opportunity to become a travel agent this year. And not just ANY travel agent. I work for an agency that specializes in Disney travel.

Now before I get bombarded with questions…I have to say that I had a very unique experience at becoming a TA…and basically I talked to the “right” person at the right time and was given a chance to work with some fabulous people.

I took my classes last winter, right before my big Spring trip, which was on the Disney Dream and also a few days at WDW.

 

Once I got back, I got down to business a bit more. Let’s just say the potential clients were NOT breaking down my door to have me plan a trip for them right away. But as time wore on I have gotten more and more business and I must say it is feeding my addition quite nicely.

After returning from our Spring trip, I also didn’t expect to be back at Disney very soon. I was kind of hoping for a Spring 2012 trip with my family, but that won’t be decided till much later.

My DH is king of the last minute vacations. He is a Dairy farmer and swears he can’t plan anything ahead. Most of our trips are planned in about a months time. Our Spring trip was actually planned and booked in Jan. That was a miracle for us. We have never booked that far ahead. But then as fate would have it, my DH’s brother and partner in the farm broke his leg, which meant He, Skip, couldn’t go on the trip with us after all. My Mom ended up coming with us and really enjoyed the cruise. My Dad joined us for the WDW portion of the trip.

 

In May of this year, one of my fellow travel agents, Brook, who some of you know as Brookelizabeth on Dis, saw that there was an Agent Education Program (AEP) being offered in Aug of this year. I salivated over it! How fun would it be to go to Disney and LEARN about Disney as well. The dates were Aug 15th through Aug. 19th.

I got up the nerve and asked Skip if it would be Ok to go. I would ask MIL (Who lives right next door) to watch our 6 year old, Claire, and would make arrangements for Claire to get to school. (Claire’s school was to start right smack in the middle of the trip.) Surprisingly I got a yes without much pleading…..Who is this man? And where is my REAL husband? LOL

So before I could give him a chance to change his mind I applied for the program and with in a few days I was approved.

Several other agents from my agency also talked of going as well. Brook applied and then left for a semi solo trip to WDW before she got an answer. Brook and I requested to be roommates. Mindy decided to go as well, and she applied. Then Patty decided she would like to come also and applied and they requested to be roommates. By the time Brook came back from her solo trip, we were all approved!

 

Here’s the gang that went.

 

 

Mindy, Patty, Brook and I!

 

The first order of business was to book flights. I did a lot of shopping around. I was going to be flying out of Detroit Airport and they only had 3 airlines that had direct flights. I ended up booking with Spirit, my least favorite airline. But the price was much better than the other 2 and they had perfect times….if I flew in a day before. Even with paying for luggage and a carryon, the price was still cheaper than Delta, my next choice.

But be warned, Spirit has smaller seats than other lines. Basically NO leg room AND their luggage weight is limited to 40 lbs.

I got my airline booked and then I also booked a 1 night stay at AS Movies on Aug. 14th. I normally stay at Pop Century when we travel as a family, but since this was all about learning, I wanted to try some new things.

On the 15th, I would move over to the Yacht Club, which is where all the AEPer’s were staying.

The plan was to fly home then on Aug 19th in the afternoon. I now know that I should’ve booked another extra night. We just were so busy that we had little time to be on our own nor have much park time. I was kicking myself already about a month prior to the trip. It would’ve been $115 to change my flight so I just sucked it up and made the best of the time I had.

 

I also noticed that one of my favorite Disers (Dizneeat…..Karin and her brother Tom) was going to be down there the same time as I, so we made plans to meet up on the 14th.

I decided to forgo buying a park ticket for that 1st day as well. Our AEP package includes tickets, so I would just wait till I got those to visit the parks.

Our temporary agenda was emailed to us all and we were all excited about all the things planned for us to do.

For me, being a planner, it was a little hard to take. I am not used to having a whole trip planned out for me. But this was going to be like no other trip I have ever taken. I was going solo, going to classes each day and learning all things Disney, so I could deal with it.

I just had to wait…and boy did the summer seem go drag on! We had a record heat temps and it was so dang humid as well. But being that Claire is only going to be 6 once in her life, I made sure we did as much as we could this summer and tried to keep my Disney trip in the back of my mind till Aug.

 

 

 

 

Finally that day arrived!

[WFChris]

Can't wait to read on! Your TR's here made me finally take the dive and join the DIS

[jenseib]

Can't wait to read on! Your TR's here made me finally take the dive and join the DIS

 

Thanks for joining in! Dis is fun and has a lot of great info. I have met some really great people there too.

[gisco]

I'm shocked there was only two pictures in the first post!

[The SETGO Guys]

Yay!

 

You have some great trip reports. You always have great pictures of some of the small details that even frequent visitors (Though not as frequent as I'd like) miss. Your trips seem to capture great positive emotions and experiences that sometimes I don't get to experience at the parks.

 

Also, what is the "DIS"?

[jenseib]

I'm shocked there was only two pictures in the first post!

 

I know! And I am going really slow on this. I just have a lot going on right now. And we have decided to go back on the Dream next Nov (2012) so I have beeen pricing that out. My whole fmaily is going, so I have a lot of quoting to do. But hopefully I can get this thing going faster! I did take close to 3000 pictures this trip, so don't worry, pictures to come!

[jenseib]

Yay!

 

You have some great trip reports. You always have great pictures of some of the small details that even frequent visitors (Though not as frequent as I'd like) miss. Your trips seem to capture great positive emotions and experiences that sometimes I don't get to experience at the parks.

 

Also, what is the "DIS"?

 

Thanks. I am moving very slow on this one.

Dis is disboards, which is a forum that has all things Disney pretty much. I get some great info there and there are lots of trip reports. They also have a little info on Sea World and Universal, but most is Disney related.

[jenseib]

Aug 14th ~ Day 1

 

I woke up at 5:30 AM. For those who have followed me on other TR’s, you know I have a hard time sleeping the night before a trip, as well as during the trip. I slept like a rock. I was so happy to have a good nights sleep to start off this trip!

I got ready pretty quickly and woke Claire up as well. She LOVES to sleep, but she got right up. She knew Mommy was going to Disney school, BUT she also knew Mommy would be bringing home a few special prizes for her from my trip as well. Claire is a major Daddy’s girls, but I also know that even though she pretends at times like I’m not her favorite, she really does love and need her Momma. When ever she is hurt or needs ANYTHING, it’s me she goes to, not Daddy. It has now become a bit of a game for us. She will tell me thank you, but Daddy’s still the best, and then she laughs an evil laugh.

My Mom and Dad were taking me to the airport and Claire was also coming along, and then spending the day with them. After that they were going to drop her off at MIL’s.

We hit the rode at 6:30. The drive is about an hour long to Detroit airport. Believe it or not, but in that short drive we had to make a couple of bathroom stops. When Mom drinks her morning coffee she has to go frequently. LOL.

We arrived at the airport about 7:45 and I gave Claire lots of kisses and hugs. Mom told me later that after they left and only got about 2 miles down the road, Claire said “Whoever misses Mommy, raise there hand!” Mom said my Dad didn’t raise his hand and Claire was mad at him. But then my Mom told her that they had only left me a few minutes ago and they didn’t even have a chance to miss me yet. LOL!

I got checked in at the airport and then made my way through security. It has been years since I flew out of Detroit and I got my first taste of the body scanners. We usually fly out of Toledo, which does have the scanners, but I also always have Claire with me, and we get to forgo the full scanners and go through the old fashion ones.

I came out clean, no extra pat downs and made my way to the gate. I was hungry so I stopped at a store and picked up banana bread and a couple of drinks for the plane.

I sat and waited and munched on the bread and played a bit with my phone, checking out facebook.

 

Here is the beautiful weather Detroit was offering this morning.

 

 

I didn’t wait too long and it was time to board. Now if you fly with Spirit, be sure you follow the personal size bag rule. You have to pay for a carryon and it is in code on your ticket, so they know. If you didn’t pay and your personal bag doesn’t fit in the box they have…..you will PAY! Or not take it on. On both of my flights I heard people argue over this and try to smash their bags in the box, but they were strict! If you paid for a carryon, which I did, then they seemed more lenient. Basically they didn’t seem to question the size of anyone’s personal item that had paid for a carryon as well.

I was in my seat by 9:15. I think Skip called me then as well and asked how things were going, and had to throw in a few sarcastic remarks, as he loves to do that. Things like, I bet it will be raining in FL., etc.

I was thankful that I had an aisle seat. The seats were really tight in the leg room area and I could let my leg hang out in the aisle off and on. The seat in front of me actually was jabbing me in the knees.

Our flight left on time (around 9:45) and I was that much closer to Disney!

This flight seemed REALLY long. I think the reason being was because I was alone. On all other flights I have someone to talk to, or Claire to tend to and that kind of helps with the time. I read my magazine and did some crosswords, but the motion of the plane will only allow me to do that for so long and then I feel a bit queasy.

We landed on time, which was a blessing. If you read my Spring TR, we had been delayed and then once we got to FL we had to circle in the air for about 45 minutes to wait out the storms. I think I would’ve been jumping out of my skin if that happened again this time.

Now for my little rant about deplaning. Wait your TURN! I was about 1/3 of the way back on the plane. I knew it would slow getting off, but that’s ok, because my checked bag wasn’t going to be out and faster than the others. (Even though I wasn’t getting mine, ME was taking care of that) There was a large family in the back two rows of the plane. They quickly got up and started working their way to the front. The Dad got to my seat and stopped….with his whole crew behind him.

WELL……I have a big booty and I’m not afraid to use it when needed. LOL! I stood up and backed out of my seat into the aisle. If I saw that booty coming at me, I would move too. LOL! The Dad moved up in front of me, with his whole family behind me. One other note, is that they also spoke another language, so they quickly started chattering back and forth. I knew they were mad. I then let the father and child out in front of me that were in my row. Again, I heard more chattering from the other family. The Dad in my row goes, “that’s what happens when you don’t wait your turn.”

And of course the “mad” family hadn’t learn good hygiene and could’ve used a bath about then….just saying,…… if you are going on a plane with a lot of others, please use some deodorant!

We made it off the plane and I used the bathroom. Guess what, that family wasn’t in such a hurry after all. A couple of the teenage girls from that family were in the bathroom primping. (I guess they knew about hygiene, maybe they should teach some of it to good ol’ Dad.) They were still working on their hair when I left.

I headed to the fake monorail and made my way to the Magical Express.

 

 

 

I arrived at the Magical Express area. It is totally set up differently than it was last time we used it. Everyone just got in line and bypassed the desk? Is this what you do now? Only go to the desk if you have a question or something?

Anyways, I pulled out my booklet….1 of 2, since I would be coming home from a different resort, the guy scanned it and I got in line where he pointed me to. Hmmm, I looked at the sign and didn’t see AS Movies listed on it. I just waited a bit, then it hit me, I DID see Yacht Club listed. I looked at my booklet and I had pulled out the wrong one. This was where I was coming back from. I quickly pulled out the right booklet and told a CM about it and they directed me to the correct line.

 

The lines were amazingly long. It was very busy in this area.

 

 

 

They did move fast though and before I knew it, I was on a VERY full ME bus. So full in fact, that one family held a younger child on their lap as there wasn’t a seat left on the bus.

 

 

And off we went!

[jenseib]

I believe that Spetro Magic was playing on the bus while I was waiting too. I just LOVE that music. It was like it was meant to be!

 

Since I rarely use ME, well actually I have only used it once before, there was a little excitement for me. I took some pictures of the route, but they are not very good.

 

 

As you can see, the weather in Florida was much different than Detroit’s was. In fact, I think they said the heat index was like 104!

 

 

 

Hey there Goofy!

 

 

 

Getting Closer!!!!

 

 

We have arrived!

 

 

First drop off was All Star Sports.

 

 

 

 

Next stop All Stars Music.

 

 

 

 

And FINALLY …All Star Movies!

 

 

 

 

I grabbed a few dollars to tip the ME driver and went out and waited for my bag…..and you know what……I walked away with the stupid money still in my hand. I never realized it till I was in the check in line. I guess I was to excited to think about more than one thing.

 

The lobby was packed. I chose NOT to do online checkin because I wanted to be sure to get my requests, which were Dalmatians, first floor, in a refurbed room. I would say both lines were equally as long and it didn’t appear that the online checkin line was moving much faster.

 

I have my back to all the people in this picture, so it doesn’t look that busy, but it was!

 

 

 

 

After a bit it was my turn to check in. I had a really great CM checking me in. I asked if my requests were met and she said no, and then got on a phone to see if they could be. After a bit of talking, she said I could have Dalmatians 2nd floor, or Fantasia 1st floor. I asked if the Fantasia Room was refurbed and she said yes, so I went with that one. I got my packet and KTTW and off I went to find my new home for the night.

 

[jenseib]

I made my way to the right and was on the back side of the building. It wasn’t too far down at all. I was impressed with the room refurbishment too. It’s very similar to the ones at Pop Century now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took some of these later in the afternoon, but I’ll post them all here now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rumor has it that the Values are going to get frigs. In fact we asked about this one day and they even said it “may” happen in the future. I assume this is where they will go.

 

 

This is the divider curtain.

 

 

 

 

 

Bit of the shower curtain.

 

 

 

 

And the carpet.

 

 

And look who I found sitting on my bed.

 

 

I had brought Claire’s Phineas and Ferb dolls along. I took pictures of them all week, sent a few pictures to her via email during the week and then made a video for her to enjoy.

 

Here’s the video if you haven’t watched it yet.

 

 

Back to some more room shots.

 

 

 

Another shower curtain shot. I guess I really liked it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was about 1:50 now. I wasn’t going to meet Karin and Tom till 3:30, so I had time to explore and get some lunch.

 

Off I went with two cameras in hand.

 

Now that would make ANY dog happy!

 

 

A look back towards my room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At this time I decided I better eat. I was starving and I figured I better eat now, then do more exploring later.

 

 

At first I thought it looked really small in here, but after walking around I realized it was bigger than I thought.

 

[gisco]

Pictures at last! This is the hotel I stayed at last March. Not bad for one of the value places. But when your alone, you hardly spend anytime in the room anyway.

[jenseib]

Pictures at last! This is the hotel I stayed at last March. Not bad for one of the value places. But when your alone, you hardly spend anytime in the room anyway.

 

 

It was a great place. We are never in the room much, so we like values. In fact my DD wishes we would spend more time at the resort. I just never have enough time for a down day...but may try in the future. This was a "down" day for me and it was actually fun exploring and not going to a park that day.

[jenseib]

Time to eat! MMMM! Look at the choices.

 

 

That looks good!

 

 

I got my meal and found a spot to sit and of course a few more pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had the Chicken Alfredo Penne. It was pretty good too. I have had this at Pop before and enjoyed it.

 

 

At some point before lunch I had also called Skip and let him know I made it “there” and all was well.

 

After lunch it was time to explore. I wanted to try and get as many pictures as I could while there was daylight. I had planned on being pretty busy till evening and knew that even though I could take pictures at night, I wanted as many as I could take during the daytime as well.

 

I found the playground right away, which is funny, because the first year we stayed at Pop I never even saw the one there….and we had walked by it almost daily.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jenseib]

I found this guy to be pretty creepy looking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to comment on what a big dork I was. I was walking around, with my camera bag on my shoulder, the SLR around my neck and my refillable mug in my hand….with some diet coke still in it.

I was wearing my white Disney 2012 t-shirt I had made for our spring trip (nice to get another extra use out of it at the “world”.) I wasn’t even thinking and would lift the camera up to take a picture, with cup in hand….and spilt pop all down my shirt. I just laughed at myself. This is only something that could be done by me. I, of course, got it down my neck too. I just kept going on and made my way towards the room while taking pictures. I would have to change before meeting up with Karin and Tom, but I wasn’t in a hurry to do it yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like Herbie. I used to Love the movies as a kid and when the most recent version came out, I took Michael and Paige to see it (Claire was an infant then). BUT, I really do NOT see why this is an area at AS Movies. It’s old and not a classic like so many other Disney movies. There are so many Disney movies to choose from, and many that are still favorites and popular. I am NOT sure why this was chosen. I also feel that way about the Mighty Ducks section as well. They could’ve done a Mary Poppins area, or a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang area, or just went with some more of the animated movies.

 

 

Some more views/pictures from the Herbie area.

 

 

 

 

 

I was born 2/69!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I headed back to my room to change. I was sticky and hot as well.

 

 

I had a key that didn’t want to work the first try….and sometimes the 2nd or third. At one time I thought I might be at the wrong room and it finally connected.

 

I got freshened up and took a few more pictures of the room (which I posted earlier) and then decided to head over towards the Dalmatians, Mighty Ducks, and then on to the Toy Story area and take some pictures before I met up with Tom and Karin.

 

I also grabbed my tripod and attached it to my bag. This was a make shift attachment and became a pain in the rear lugging it around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see in this next picture, it was clouding up a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

I thought this was so cute. I can envision myself taking a picture of Claire here in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

Someone really likes Stitch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see it was 2:50. I still had plenty of time to walk over to the Toy Story section and take pictures before my 3:30 meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started making my way over to the Toy Story section….and wouldn’t you know it, I felt a few drops!

 

 

 

 

As I got closer to the Toy Story area, the rain picked up. Not real hard, but enough to be irritating. I also didn’t want to ruin my camera, so I found a bench with an umbrella over it near by and sat down.

 

I think I took this picture from that spot, and then I put the camera back into my bag.

 

 

I ended up sitting there for quite awhile. A lady sitting in the area mentioned it must be 3 because it’s raining.

There was another man sitting there and we started talking cameras and photography. He used to work in the TV industry (If I remember correctly) and he had many years experience with cameras of all kinds. He was starting a Wedding photography business. He said he was tired of people asking him to take pictures for free, so he was starting a business and for a flat fee he would take so many pictures and then give them the disc, and that way he didn’t have to worry about prints, etc.

He gave me some pointers (which I don’t remember any more...) and after a bit I realized it was getting fairly close to 3:30. The rain had pretty much stopped at this point too. I said goodbye and made my way to the lobby to see if Tom and Karin had arrived yet.

[jenseib]

I walked into the doors that go into Cinema Hall. As soon as I walked in, I spotted them just outside the gift shop. That was easy. I head worried I wouldn’t recognize them or find them.

We said hi and hugged. I have to admit, I was also relieved that I could understand them. They are from Austria, (for those who don’t know) and I worried about their accents a bit. I sometimes have a hard time understanding thick accents, but I had no problem at all with them. I asked Karin later if they could understand me OK as well, (I sometimes talk too fast) and they said yes.

 

They asked to see my room, so I led the way and showed them around. I knew this was nothing compared to OKW, where they were staying, but they seemed to like the refurbishment. They had stayed here several years ago themselves.

 

We then exchanged gifts. I gave them both a T-shirt I had made with a Disney Dream Design on it.

 

 

I also gave them each a t-shirt that had Skip’s tractor pulling logo on it as well.

 

They gave me a bag full of goodies.

There was a cookie kit for Claire, which we made once I got home and they were so yummy, and Karin had made these really cute “Mickey pants” tissue holders. I just love it and it is always in my “Disney Dooney purse(s).”

Also a pot holder from Austria, which is technically too pretty to use, but I have, so I get good use out of it.

 

 

 

Also in the bag was a bunch of candy. Claire loved it and gobbled most of it up with in a few days of me being home. And an Austrian CD as well.

 

 

After a look around the room, we headed off to their rental car…which was a Ford convertible Mustang! I was riding in style!

 

We headed off to OKW (Old Key West) to have a look around their room as well. After all, this was an educational trip for me and I needed to see as much as I could..right?

 

On the way over, Karin told me that they had already eaten at Wolfgang Pucks twice. They had just arrived the day before, but it is a favorite of theirs. I have to admit, when she said the name, at first I had no clue what she said, and she repeated it and then it clicked. She said it the “correct” way, not the American way that I say it! LOL! Wolfgang sounded much better the way she said it and she said Puck more like how I would say pook.

 

We soon arrived!

 

 

 

 

Tom did a fancy skid into the parking lot and the car did a 360 turn, landing us perfectly in our parking spot!

 

 

Ok, I might be exaggerating a bit on that one! LOL!

 

Karin showed me her little friend she had brought along.

 

 

Their room was on the 2nd floor so we headed up and I tried to get a few of the details.

 

 

 

Karin took me right out to the balcony and showed me their view. WOW!

 

 

 

 

She also took me around through the laundry room, bathroom and into the bedroom and I have to admit, I was a bad picture taker here. I was in awe at how much room there was and how nice it was. I missed a lot of the picture opportunities.

 

I did get a picture of the bed though.

 

 

A glance back at the bathroom.

 

 

The main living area with kitchen was so big. I was shocked at the size. This is bigger than some people apartments. I think I have personally lived in smaller space than this before.

 

 

 

 

 

Karin had Tom get us some glasses of wine and we sat down to talk. I’m not a super big wine drinker, but what ever they had…it was good! They kept on insisting I eat something or drink something. I then accused them of trying to get me drunk so they could laugh at me make a fool of myself. Every time my glass was about half empty. Tom would quick rush to the fridge to get more wine. Even if I told him no…he didn’t listen.

 

 

We chatted till about 5:30 about a little bit of everything. It felt like we knew each other forever. We talked about DVC and they told me why they would never buy it…and the funny thing is, on their last day of their trip….they bought! I am so happy and jealous!

 

At 5:30 I decided it was probably time for me to move on. I didn’t want to take away from any of their plans.

We decided to do a few pictures before leaving. I hadn’t pulled out my SLR, so I just set the timer on my point and shoot. It wasn’t too bad, but I really should’ve put it on a tripod for a better shot…I was too lazy.

 

 

And the one Tom took. He got us much better in the shot. I can’t remember for sure, but he might’ve had a mini tripod.

 

 

I then asked them if they would pose with Phineas and Ferb!

 

 

 

And they took one of me.

 

 

It was time for me to leave.

Karin then gave me a pin for my lanyard. I don’t collect pins, but had on the ones I earned from the Disney College of Knowledge. The average Disney goer does not have these, so I thought it was fun to wear these around. Karin gave me one for the “Mickey’s Magical Party” in Disneyland Paris. I was excited to have another unusual pin.

 

I had a wonderful time, but I didn’t want to take up too much of their day. I asked how to get to DTD and they insisted that they could drive me. I assured them that it was no big deal, but they were not taking no…kind of like the wine they were pouring for me all afternoon!

 

We headed out to the car and Tom put the top down this time!

 

I took a few shots on the way out. I wanted to capture some of the beautiful grounds.

 

 

Isn’t this cute?

 

 

I love this picture!!!!

 

 

 

 

Karin pointed out things to me as we drove along. Even though we usually have a car while at WDW, we mostly use the buses, and I never really do a whole lot of looking at details of the area.

 

We passed the Treehouse Villas. That was pretty exciting. I never knew really where they were, and I could catch glimpses of them.

 

 

And the fire station!

 

 

Before I knew it, we had arrived at DTD. We said goodbyes and I thanked them for driving me around in the “cool” car. I was very happy to have met them. They are just wonderful, friendly, generous people.

 

I turned and took one last picture as the drove away.

 

 

I turned to walk into Downtown Disney. This was the first I have ever seen the T-Rex.

 

 

Now that the sun was shining and I had time to explore a bit, I put the point and shoot camera away and pulled back out the big boy.

 

 

 

I took a picture of the T-Rex sign and realized I had some major fog on the lens…along with major sun on the lens. This is what you get when that happens…and I even tried to fix it a bit.

 

 

I stopped between the new lego store and World of Disney and let the lens defog.

After it looked good, I shot some of the new lego structures.

 

 

 

I wished I had a big ladder to stand on and get a good view of these. There were so cool, but hard to get good pictures of.

 

 

 

 

 

A lot of the clouds in the background look like it may rain at any moment, but it didn’t feel like that, nor did it ever rain. It probably was off in the distance somewhere though.

 

 

 

 

I wanted to get a picture of the lego family…BUT there was always someone there ……in my way, so I took a couple of partial pictures.

 

 

[gisco]

It is nice to see other areas of the World and not just inside the parks.

[jenseib]

It is nice to see other areas of the World and not just inside the parks.

 

I did a lot of touring outside the parks this trip. It was neat to see so many new things

[WFChris]

I don't know if its just the computer I'm using, but the vast majority of the pictures in post #10, #13 and #14 did not come through. I bet if you uploaded your pictures to the TPR servers, the mods would have these featured on the home page in no time! As you know though, I love your reports and they make my work day so much happier.

[gisco]

^ I have never had any trouble with the pictures. My guess it is on your end.

[triggernel]

I love the Dis style trip reports. These are the ones that really make you feel like you're along for the ride.

 

I have a question for you if I may. I am going as a first timer this December and am looking forward to exploring the resorts. Would you recomend sticking to the Deluxes more, or branching out and exploring some of the Moderates and Values as well?

[gisco]

^Do you mean to stay at or just look around?

[jenseib]

I don't know if its just the computer I'm using, but the vast majority of the pictures in post #10, #13 and #14 did not come through. I bet if you uploaded your pictures to the TPR servers, the mods would have these featured on the home page in no time! As you know though, I love your reports and they make my work day so much happier.

 

I have that problem on all sites sometimes. I think it's my computer...Usually when it happenes if i close out the browswer and reopen or go to another it will work. Sometimes I just need to restart my computer....but my computer is on its last leg. I am hoping to make it last longer, but I know it's acting up and it's time.....boo hoo.

 

They are all showing up for me though right now!

[jenseib]

I love the Dis style trip reports. These are the ones that really make you feel like you're along for the ride.

 

I have a question for you if I may. I am going as a first timer this December and am looking forward to exploring the resorts. Would you recomend sticking to the Deluxes more, or branching out and exploring some of the Moderates and Values as well?

 

It depends on what you want to see. The Values have a lot of BIG, in your face Disney stuff. They are fun. Also they have much better food courts than the Deluxes, so if you do some touring, go to a Value around lunch time. The Deluxes are very pretty and will have moe Christmas displays for the most part. I toured a few moderates thist trip too and they were very nice as well.

 

I don't know how long you will be there, but there is so much to do, especially on your first trip, so don't be disappointed that you can't fit it all in. Pick out a few must does and go with the flow.

[jenseib]

Next, I went over to World of Disney. It was such a strange thing to go in this store without someone with me wanting EVERTHING. Claire is good about shopping, but she does point out everything that she wants. I could spend as much time in here as I wanted and not worry about the over spending…….yeah right.

 

 

 

I made a beeline to the bathroom first. All that wine I had drank was catching up to me.

Then it was time for a few pictures and shopping.

 

 

 

 

 

I really love the 40th anniversary design of the Dooneys, but I can’t bring myself to pay the extra amount they want for these purses. I had a hard enough time buying the ones I do have. Ok, maybe it wasn’t that hard, but I can’t see myself paying extra for the same style of purse, only to have the 40th design on it. I wish I could though…I love them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now if you think I just went through this store taking pictures…you are sadly mistaken! I was on a mission to find a few things. I figured since I could get 10% off using my Disney Visa, I might as well get the items I KNEW I wanted to get now.

 

If you have read my past TR’s, you know I have a Disney sweatshirt/hoodie obsession. I have 1 hoodie and 1 sweatshirt with the year 2007, one with the 2008 logo, one with the 2009 logo as well as another hoodie I just couldn’t live without from that trip as well. I didn’t make it to Disney in 2010, but my parents did and brought me back the 2010 sweatshirt. While cruising the Dream, Claire and I both got Dream inaugural voyage hoodies, and then when at WDW I looked for a 2011 one. They had like 1 adult style and I did NOT like it. I was bummed. It was going to be my first trip since 2007 that I didn’t get a sweatshirt with the year on it. I decided on a pink tie-dye style one and I do love it. You probably wonder what one does with all these hoodies…..well I wear them ALL the time. Just this week I have worn 4 different ones for different things.

Recently, while doing some online shopping, I found a new 2011 styled hoodie and I liked it. So my mission was to find it and get it!

 

And sure enough, I did!

 

 

 

I also needed a new watch. I have had the same watch since 2007, which I bought in MK. I have changed the band several times, but this last time I seem to be having a hard time getting one to fit properly. The bands had changed the way they attach, and I keep catching the little clasp thing and the band falls off the watch. Luckily I have found the watch every time this has happened, but it’s time for a new one. (It actually happened this past weekend when I put that watch one to go shopping). I had looked for one here and there this past Spring, but never settled on one, so now it was time to do some serious looking. I narrowed it down to a few and then I decided this one was my favorite…and I might look at the others on a future trip.

 

 

 

I got Claire a baby Dumbo. I thought this guy was so cute last trip and had decided that I would get it for her this trip.

 

 

I also bought her some Princess tattoos, which I guess I never took a picture of.

 

I made it out of there alive, but a bit poorer.

 

 

I then notice the Arribas sign. I had heard in the past how others have gotten a glass slipper there for their little princesses. I decided I should check this out too.

 

I found several different sizes and decided to just go with a small one for Claire with her birthstone on it. I had it engraved with her name as well.

 

 

 

I then shot this picture because I just loved the window.

 

 

The next stop was on my list to do as well…….

[jenseib]

Once Upon a Toy was my next stop. I was on a mission to get Claire a box full of potato head parts.

 

 

 

 

 

I packed a box of parts as full as I could get it and had a CM double check to be sure it was “legal”. This ended up being a HUGE hit with Claire. We pulled the potato bodies out at home and she played with them non-stop for several days.

 

Some of the parts

 

 

And a few more…she was yelling at me for “moving” them so I never could get pictures of all of them. LOL!

 

 

That picture also includes the backside of the potholder from Karin and Tom…and some bracelets from AEP.

 

Of course she couldn’t let me take pictures with out her doing a little posing with a potato head.

 

 

I came out of the store with a heavy potato box and then set these guys up for a shot.

 

 

A few more random shots.

 

 

 

 

By this time, lunch was a distant memory. It was time to eat…..and this was the place I had been longing for, for quite sometime. I hadn’t had anything from here since our 2009 trip!

 

 

It was a little after 7 and the place was still hopping with a dinner crowd.

 

 

 

 

I ordered the Full Montagu. I normally order the Tuna…which is WONDERFUL…..but this was a learning trip, so I went outside my comfort zone again…and I am happy I did, the sandwich was great!

 

 

 

While eating, I called Claire and filled her in on my day and let her know that I had already bought her a few surprises. She was excited and doing well without me. She went to a movie with my parents and then got dropped back off at Skip’s Moms house.

 

I also did a little facebook updating from my phone and just sat and relaxed a bit.

 

After I ate, I went to explore the Christmas store.

 

 

 

 

It was getting a little late now. I wanted to stop off at AS Movies to drop off my bags before heading over the Poly, where I planned to watch the fireworks. BUT…I wasn’t leaving without a stop at Goofy’s, where I was going to get chocolate dipped pretzel rods. I have a major thing for white chocolate on pretzels!

 

 

 

I made my order of 3 pretzels and waited…taking pictures around the store. I swear it seems to take forever to have pretzels made here, but at least this time I got what I wanted. In 2009 the guy told me I couldn’t have white chocolate drizzled over a dipped white chocolate pretzel and he was slower than molasses. The girl today was perky and went right to work. It took awhile, but at least I could see progress. I got my pretzels dipped in white chocolate, rolled in peanut butter chips and then drizzled with white chocolate. MMMMMM!

 

 

 

 

These wonderful treats looked so good!

 

 

I was really tempted to get these as well….but I held off.

 

 

 

 

My treats were finally done! Boy, I didn’t expect THAT price! In 2009, the treats were a snack credit. They no longer are, but I still didn’t think it would be over $9.00 for 3 pretzels…….Oh well….I would enjoy them.

 

I made my way towards the bus stop.

 

 

 

I had to wait a bit for the bus, but it wasn’t too bad for DTD. I find the bus system there is the WORST of all of WDW. It just takes forever usually. There were some line guard type guys and I was impressed. They really made people stick to a spot, no leaning on the rope, no line jumping…it was kind of nice actually. The bus came and I rode in a pretty crowded bus back. Of course we had to stop over on the other side of DTD (where I never see people get on or off), and then stop at the other 2 All Star resorts as well. I talked to a lady next to me on the bus. She was very nice. She was there for an anniversary trip and was having the time of her life.

I made it back to Movies and took a few pictures. I actually should’ve went straight back to the room and left my bags and got moving again, but I didn’t.

 

 

 

I dropped off my bags, freshened up a bit, the best you can do with sweltering heat at all hours of the day and night and worked my way back to the bus.

 

 

 

I never actually went into the gift shop, something I wish I did do.

 

 

 

As I walked to the bus stop, I saw a bus just pulling out and the MK line was empty! Dang it!!!! I JUST missed the MK bus…..I should’ve moved a little faster. Time was flying by and I knew I would be cutting it very close at getting to the Poly before Wishes started.

 

 

I tried a few shots in the dark while waiting…but they really didn’t turn out so great.

 

 

A bus finally arrived and we were on our way. I quickly walked to the monorail and rode it over to the Poly. I watched my watch tick tick tick…I pulled out my camera and started setting it to the settings I wanted….tick tick tick…. I pulled out my remote shutter release and attached it to the camera…tick tick tick….I even got the tripod out and extended it as best I could….tick tick tick…..We made it to Poly and I went at a jog to get to the beach. The fireworks were starting already.

I have NEVER been to the Poly and had I known better, I wouldn’t have set up shop right there near the pool. I found out later…AFTER the fireworks, that there were better views just a little further down the beach.

OH well. I know for next time. I have to say I did not enjoy the view and I was just stressed and sweating so much at this point, that it took this neat, new experience and made it less magical. I am glad I did it though. I just wish I would’ve made it a bit earlier so I could’ve scoped out my options and play with my camera a bit.

This is what I took. I am NOT happy with the shots at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that’s the end of the half way decent pictures. I took many more, but they are big blobs OR I cut half of them off. One shot is very colorful…but you only see a very small portion of them because I didn’t have them in the frame well. I guess it was a good learning experience.

I then decided to try and take a few more shots of the view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw them bringing the water parade back and tried some shots of that too. They were actually putting it away and you could see them go forward and then back up and disappear into the unknown.