Photo TR: Disney~aholics anonymous

[BeemerBoy]

After seeing some of these shots, is it safe to assume you're a fan of Tom Bricker and several others on Flickr?

[thrillrider]

Hi...

 

My name is Dave, and im a Disney- holic.

[jenseib]

After seeing some of these shots, is it safe to assume you're a fan of Tom Bricker and several others on Flickr?

 

Nope. I don't have a clue who he is. I'll have to go search flickr now. LOL! I do have a flickr account, but haven't posted on it in ages

[jenseib]

Hi...

 

My name is Dave, and im a Disney- holic.

 

Hi Dave...welcome to the group!

[jenseib]

A shot of Space Mountain and then I headed back inside for a bit.

 

 

 

I stepped inside the Poly for a bit and did a quick look around. I “should’ve” went and got my very first dole whip, but I was thinking.

 

 

 

 

I am going to be the odd one out here…but I wasn’t overly impressed with the Polynesian. I thought it looked worn and nothing super fantastic. Maybe if I had some day time experience there, I might change my mind, but the only great thing going for it was being on the monorail line. I think it is grossly overpriced. But again, I have never stayed there, and not been in a room…so if anyone would like to pay for me to stay, I will and get you an honest opinion!

It was around 11 now and I headed back to MK to catch a bus. It was PACKED at the MK bus terminals.. I wasn’t even thinking before hand, but I believe the park closed at 11 (though it had EMH’s till 2) I debated heading back to AS Movies or going to Animal Kingdom Lodge to check it out. I was just too tired though and got in line for Movies…..and waited…and waited…and waited some more. I saw about 3 of every other bus come by, but no Movies bus. It was still incredibly HOT, I was sweaty, near a bunch of other sweaty people, I was tired, thirsty, and I had the worst headache. I waited over 30 minutes before a bus came. It was ridiculous. But 2 did show up, so I made it on a VERY full bus…ALL going to Movies. No bus sharing this time around….YAY!

It was right about midnight when I arrived back at Movies. I quickly ran back to my room, grabbed my mug and went and refilled it before the food court closed. It was actually pretty busy in there too.

I took some ibuprofen and let it do it’s magic!

 

Time for a bit of a snack!

 

 

 

I ate about half of them and then went to explore some more…yes it is now almost 12:30 AM and I am going out for a stroll!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andy’s books.

 

 

 

 

 

I went and sat on a bench for a bit. It was still really hot. I was amazed how it never cooled down even slightly.

I started talking to some people there. One guy had recently moved to South Carolina. I said to him that he must not be originally from the South because he had no accent. Sure enough he was from New York state. Then something funny happened. I have mentioned this a few times in the past in other reports….he asked me if I was from Ohio. He said I definitely had that accent.

I must REALLY have the Ohio/Michigan sound. Though I think I sound completely normal…even monotone. But I have had this asked of me MANY times over the past few years. Most ask if I am from Michigan. When we traveled in Tennessee a few years back I had someone ask me… and then again that same trip as we were driving home and IN Southern Ohio a guy at a restaurant asked me as well. (Southern Ohioans do tend to have a bit of a southern accent). And since then I have been asked/told that randomly as well. No one says anything to my husband…just me. But I think we all sound the same. LOL!

After talking a bit to him and several other people, (it was amazing how many people were still out and about that late at night), I wandered around a bit more to get a few last shots for the night.

 

 

This girl posing was actually one of the people I had talked to earlier on the bench. She asked what I was doing and I told her, so she struck a pose. LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

I headed back to the room to call it a night.

First I played around with Phineas and Ferb and took a few shots to send Claire.

 

 

 

It was around 1 AM now so I lay down and wrote up some notes of the day and watch a little bit of Stacy. My eyes got a bit too droopy and close to 2 I was out like a light.

[gisco]

I really like the night shots. Were you shooting some of those on a tripod?

[jenseib]

I really like the night shots. Were you shooting some of those on a tripod?

 

The ones at Poly I did use a tripod, but at AS Moives I did not use one.

[jenseib]

Aug. 15 ~ Day 2

 

I believe I had set my alarm for around 6:30. I thought for sure I would be up before it rang, but I wasn’t. I showered and packed up, but I seemed to be moving at a slow pace.

I ate the rest of my pretzels for breakfast…yes, very nutritional…. in an all chocolate diet. LOL!

 

I went and filled my mug and called home to Skip and checked in with him. I strolled around a bit and took a few more shots of Phineas and Ferb.

 

 

 

Around 8:15 I dragged my bags up front and got a taxi, which was a very easy process. I was a little worried at how this would work, but several were waiting outside and I got in one immediately.

I was off to the Yacht Club!

 

I tried to take a few pictures on the way, but they were all horrid and I deleted them. The ride wasn’t very long at all and my cost was $10.45. I gave him $15.00.

I got out and Bell Services were right there. Such a different experience compared to a Value.

They told me they would store my bags till my room was ready and I went in to check in.

 

I was shocked to find that my room was ready! I was given my AEP packet and kind of browsed through it a bit while checking in. 5 day, water park and more, park hopper passes, a lanyard with pin and name tag, a couple of fastpasses and an updated itinerary.

 

 

 

They told me they would have Bell Services bring my bags right over.

 

I made the VERY long walk of twists and turns to my room. It was on the first floor at the farthest spot away possible. Room 1001. I walked in and we had a little hallway and then made a turn to the left to our actual room. It was HUGE. I was amazed at the space. For those who bring a stroller, this room would be perfect, as the hallway area was so big you could keep your stroller over there and never be bothered by it.

I was barely in the room for 2 minutes and the door knocked. The Bell Boy…well he wasn’t really a boy…he was much older than me….was there with my bag. I couldn’t believe how fast that was. He was very nice and told me a few things about the resort. He also said if I didn’t mind walking outside then it was faster to get to the lobby that way and told me where to exit.

 

As soon as he left, I texted Brook to let her know I was there and how big our room was. I then went to work taking pictures before I had a chance to mess up anything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking from here, if you turn right at the end, there is another little hallway to our door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On to the bathroom area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shower curtain close up.

 

 

 

 

More bathroom pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

I have no clue why they have a telephone in the bathroom…and it’s not hooked up either.

 

 

 

And a look down the little hallway to the door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out to the little patio.

 

 

 

 

And the view straight out.

 

 

 

And to the left

 

 

 

To the right

 

 

 

Back in the room for a few more pictures

 

 

 

 

 

I was impressed with the ceiling fan. I am not sure if they are in all deluxes, but this was a plus to me. I like air moving when I sleep.

 

 

I guess I didn’t take a full picture of the desk in our room. Maybe I did on another day?

 

After getting some room shots, I set Phineas and Ferb up for a few as well.

 

 

 

It was time to get moving and head over to Epcot. I took a picture of our door from the outside.

 

 

And onward to outside….where my camera lens fogged right up.

 

 

I probably took a zillion pictures of this lighthouse over the next few days.

 

 

I believe this is the door I had exited out of.

 

 

A couple of shots of the Boardwalk.

 

 

 

 

There’s the Beach Club off in the distance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gisco]

This area is one of my favorite places to stay. I Like how close it is to Epcot and the Studios.

[jenseib]

This area is one of my favorite places to stay. I Like how close it is to Epcot and the Studios.

 

It was nice. I felt special with a back door entrance

[jenseib]

It was such a beautiful day and I was going crazy taking pictures. My walk to Epcot wasn’t very fast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I swear, every step I took, I found something else I wanted to take a picture of.

 

 

There’s that sun interfering with my picture again….but if you look right in the middle of the ship..the purple colored glare…it looks like a hidden Mickey.

 

 

 

 

This next picture is one I have seen many others take, and always wanted one of my own…Now I have it!

 

 

Here, I was trying to be artsy, by focusing more on the weeds in the front and getting the background blurred.

 

 

 

This picture just kind of screams FLORIDA to me.

 

 

 

The Beach Club

 

 

 

 

 

[Efinz]

Hey Jen, I absolutely love your TR's ( actually I love all of the DIS trip TR's)! I like how you show your whole trip and not just some random pics from the parks. I never noticed how beautiful the Yacht Club is, it really is a gorgeous resort. I can't wait to see the rest of your updates!

[jenseib]

Hey Jen, I absolutely love your TR's ( actually I love all of the DIS trip TR's)! I like how you show your whole trip and not just some random pics from the parks. I never noticed how beautiful the Yacht Club is, it really is a gorgeous resort. I can't wait to see the rest of your updates!

 

Thanks so much. I really enjoy reliving the trips. so I try to be detailed. Also as a travel agent, I post this on my blog so clients can get more of a feel for the parks and what each offers.

[jenseib]

I totally forgot to mention that before I left the room, I did look over the AEP updated itinerary. Pretty much everything was the same…I think one resort was changed and maybe the times might’ve been moved around…BUT one thing caught my eye. It now read that on our Dream tour day, “Lunch on ship”…..or something along those lines. Originally, it had said we would have a boxed lunch on the bus on the way back from the tour.

I was jumping for joy. I was hoping for this “change”. I really had enjoyed our lunch on our boarding day of the Dream last Spring, and I knew it would be much better than a boxed lunch…and also would allow us more time on the ship as well.

 

 

Back to walking toward Epcot….

 

The dolphin and Swan were just across the way.

 

 

 

On to my very first trip through the International Gateway.

 

 

 

The sun was really playing around with my lens. If I wanted that to happen, of course, it wouldn’t.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was already steaming hot at 9:30 AM. I stopped for a drink of water and a quick rest. I am sad to say I picked the wrong shoes to wear that day. If you have read some of my past reports, you know I have AWFUL feet. They blister and bruise and hurt all the time. They are also huge. I have a very hard time buying shoes…and many times buy men’s tennis shoes to get them wide enough for me.

Today I chose a sandal…which was comfy and cushiony, BUT it rubbed my toes the wrong way. By the time I had made it this far, I was already seeing the skin rubbed away. I SHOULD’VE turned around and went back to get my tennis shoes, but I didn’t. I figured I would be going at a slower pace today, so it shouldn’t be too bad…Boy I was wrong. By the end of my Epcot tour I also had a nice blister on the ball of my left foot.

 

 

 

 

After a few minutes of resting my already sore feet, I proceeded on.

 

 

 

It was so weird walking through World Showcase practically empty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again, I was going picture crazy. I had never been in World Showcase while it was practically empty and it was such a different experience.

 

 

 

As I walked and took pictures…I had a thought… OH my, I’ll have to edit all these when I get home …and it is going to take me forever! LOL

 

 

 

 

 

On to future World!

 

 

I remember watching the show where they built this.

 

 

 

 

 

The first thing I wanted to do was get a Fast Pass for Soarin. I had a “free” Fast Pass already from AEP, but I wasn’t sure if we would all go as a group (my fellow TA’s from my agency) or not…so I thought I would just save that one for now…as well as the one for Test track.

 

 

I found this picture kind of funny. It looks like the middle duck has no head.

 

 

 

 

With a Fast Pass in hand I headed towards the front to get a few Photopass pictures…Taking a few of my own on the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop was Test Track…where I jumped in the single rider line. It was pretty much walk on.

 

 

 

 

It was great and since the line was nonexistent…I rode it a second time

 

 

After the 2nd ride I took out Phineas and Ferb and took a few shots of them and sent some back home for Claire to see.

 

 

[Chroniq]

Really enjoying your trip report. Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk are our collective three favorite resorts in all of Disney, so I''m enjoying reading your experiences as a Disney pro but a Crescent lake newbie. The detail in your report makes me feel like I'm there.

[jenseib]

Really enjoying your trip report. Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk are our collective three favorite resorts in all of Disney, so I''m enjoying reading your experiences as a Disney pro but a Crescent lake newbie. The detail in your report makes me feel like I'm there.

 

I enjoyed my stay there. My fellow travel agent and room mate Brook has stayed at Boardwalk a couple of times and she says it's her favorite. Her family has DVC and they go several times a year.....I envy her.

[jenseib]

It was so hot out, so I decided to walk through Mousegears and cool off for a second or two.

 

 

Again I pulled out the guys and took a few shots of them for Claire.

 

 

 

 

I then made my way towards the Seas. I peaked in here really quick to see how long the line was….LONG…so I kept going.

 

 

 

 

 

Of course I had to get the “Mine Mine’s”.

 

 

 

I’m really not sure why I rode this ride. It’s not a favorite of mine at all. I usually do it for Claire. Maybe I was missing her. I am thinking I did it to fill time till my Fast Pass time was up. I wanted to head over to World Showcase soon, so I think I just decided to fill time.

I did browse the dump shop and bought myself a combo pack of 2 tank tops.

 

I wanted them in XL, but the biggest they came were L. So I got it, as the one I pulled out looked good enough….BUT I didn’t look at the 2nd one till the last day…when I wore it home. It is MUCH smaller than the first one. I’m not sure if it was labeled wrong or if it is supposed to be that way…but needless to say, I won’t be wearing it again till I lose some weight.

 

 

 

 

 

I then went over to Soarin and used my Fast Pass. I lucked out totally!!!! I got the center, center, first row. I never had been in the center before. I LOVED it. I actually smelled the smells this time around. The first time ever I have been able to, but the other 2 times I have rode it, I have been in an end seat.

It was by far the best Soarin Ride I ever had.

I was starving by this time. I looked around and didn’t see anything that was nutritional in the area…and since breakfast was just 1 ½ pretzels, I thought I should eat something decent. I figured I would wait till I got to World Showcase and get something. But I had a headache from being so hungry, so I popped a few Ibuprofens to help. I wanted to do one more thing before heading to World Showcase….Captain EO. I have never seen it, and always wanted to. Back in high school (80’s) I was a HUGE Michael Jackson fan. But once he started getting weird and turning white, I lost interest in him fast. I still had that curiosity and needed to see this.

I walked in as the pre-show was coming to an end. Which I didn’t mind…I was hungry after all.

I have to say, I am glad I saw it, but it wasn’t anything great. And I don’t know if I had a bum pair of Glasses, but things kind of flickered every so often and it made me a bit motion sick. Probably being hungry didn’t help either.

It is definitely an 80’s film. I laughed at the costumes and thought the story was just awful. But now I know what I missed all those years ago…and back then, I probably would’ve loved it.

 

I can’t remember if I rode Figment or not. I keep thinking I did, but I didn’t write it in my notes….and I could be mixing it up with my last visit in April when I did actually ride it.

 

 

I headed off to World Showcase now. I knew where I wanted to get lunch. I had read reviews, but never been there myself…and since this was a learning trip…I wanted to try a few new things.

 

 

 

I did a quick walk through Mexico…my lunch destination was a little further away.

 

 

 

[gisco]

It sure is taking you a long time to get through Mexico to get to lunch!

[cfc]

^Perhaps she's trying on sombreros.

[jenseib]

It sure is taking you a long time to get through Mexico to get to lunch!

 

 

LOL! Yes it has. Life keeps getting in the way.

[jenseib]

^Perhaps she's trying on sombreros.

 

 

Yeah...Yeah, thats what I was doing. LOL

[jenseib]

My destination was now in sight!

 

 

Kringla Bakery….I know it’s a bakery….but what many people don’t know, is that it serves regular lunch items as well. I have read the food was good…and now I was going to find out for myself. This wouldn’t be a place Claire would chose for lunch, (she doesn’t like sandwiches) so I doubt we would’ve normally stopped here for lunch if we were all together.

 

When I walked in, there was a gal in there wiping the condensation off the cases. ( I later {in the week}put 2 and 2 together and realized she was one of the agents at AEP) She told me not to mind her, but she writes a blog and takes pictures of food. I told her no problem, I do the same thing.

So we both took some pictures of what they had to offer.

 

 

 

 

I believe I got the Roastbeef sandwich and chocolate mousse, and a milk to drink.

 

 

It was VERY good. It actually had a different taste, but not bad, just different. But I really enjoyed it.

 

 

The mousse was very good as well. I really wanted to get mousse from France, and debated on getting it here. I decided that you could never have too much mousse and went for it. I also expected we would be having mousse that evening. We were having a dessert party in France to watch Illuminations. I was sure they would serve it….and I was wrong, so I was even more glad to have gotten the mousse for lunch.

 

 

As I was finishing up, a friend came over to check things out.

 

 

I took several pictures of him, because he was RIGHT next to me, but I swear they all turned out blurry or he would look the other way. It was just like taking a picture of my own child.

 

I felt much better after eating and headed out, taking a few pictures on the way.

 

 

 

 

Maelstrom had a short wait, so I got in line for that. Not a favorite of mine either, but with a short wait…why not?

 

 

I got the front row of the boat to myself.

 

 

 

A little creepy, wouldn’t you say?

 

 

 

The ride was soon over and I made my way through the dump shop.

 

 

I took some pictures of the area before moving on to China.

 

 

[jenseib]

On to China….

 

 

 

I stopped and took a look at these parasols. They were so cute and they would write you name in Chinese for free. I thought it would nice to get one for Claire, but I decided to wait and come back. I should’ve just gotten it then. It was so hot that day and extra walking was not a wise thing to do.

 

 

I spotted Mulan and took a quick picture of her while walking by.

 

 

 

 

My next goal was to head towards France. I wanted to try a Grand Mariner Slushie.

 

I took pictures on my way…..of course.

 

 

This picture would be neat….if it wasn’t so dang blurry!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These looked sooooo good. Good thing I was now full.

 

 

 

 

I took a wander around the Christmas store…And just had to take a picture of the pickle tree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It started sprinkling then. I checked my watch…it was about 1:15….A little early for the 3 o’clock daily shower. LOL! It wasn’t much rain, but I put my SLR away and pulled out the point and shoot camera.

[jenseib]

The sprinkle actually felt wonderful in this 110 degree weather. It wasn’t hard at all, just a light sprinkle to cool me off a bit. I continued taking pictures with the point and shoot camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made it to France and took a couple pictures with Phineas and Ferb.

 

 

 

 

I also asked for a magical shot. This would be cool…if I didn’t have such a creepy looking look on my face. I think I might be possessed.

 

 

I also got the Grand mariner slushy. I debated between that and the Grey Goose one. The people in front of me in line also debated. I decided to go for the orange one this time and try the other next trip.

 

 

Ok, the verdict is…its just OK…. Nothing to write home about. I doubt I’ll get one again…for that price at least. It wasn’t orangey enough for me. I did drink it all, it was a very hot day after all, but I just didn’t love it.

 

At this point in time, Brook had texted me that she was making her way to the Yacht Club to check in and was going to show Joe and Henry our room as well. I told her I was ready to leave to, but had to go buy 1 more thing for Claire before I left. This is where I regretted NOT buying the parasol back when I was in China…it was a very LONG and HOT walk back there, plus my feet were hurting as well.

I worked my way there though, as I wasn’t sure if I would have a chance to get it later in the trip. I did stop and ask about the ones they had in France, but it was going to be a couple of hours before they could personalize one for me there.

So I just backtracked and took some pictures along the way.

 

 

 

The rain had stopped and it was just has hot, if not hotter than before.

 

 

 

 

 

I also stopped and had a few photopasses taken as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jenseib]

I just want to add, I do have a blog, with pictures from the trips, as well as other stuff I take every so often. It contains a few of the older TR's as well on it. I just thought I would post the link in case anyone would like to venture over there every so often.

 

http://jensmouseworld.tumblr.com/