Somebody turns 50 Celebration! The TR! 5/23-6/9/15 - UPDATED 1/13 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Somebody turns 50 Celebration! The TR! 5/23-6/9/15 - UPDATED 1/13
Finally starting this TR!
When: 5/23/15-6/9/15 Where: Walt Disney World Resort: POP Century and Floridays Resort Orlando Why: Celebrating our 50th birthdays Who: Me (Kim): Technically not that big 50 just yet since my birthday is in July. But I am 29 anyway so it really does not matter. I have been going to Disney since I was a kid growing up in south Florida. I am the planner in the family. I take care of it all. DH(Mike): He has already turned the big 50 in January. He has not been to Disney as much as I have since he grew up in Missouri but still a fanatic like me. DS:(Jonathon): He turned 12 in April. So hard to believe. We have been bringing him to WDW since he was 2. Totally loves it!
Let's get this started.
May 23
We left home around 5:45am for our drive from just northeast of Atlanta to Orlando. Our drive was pretty uneventful and the traffic was decent.
We saw some people with these really cool Mickey shirts at a rest area.
We searched all over for these during our trip, even saw others wearing them in the parks, but no such luck.
We arrived at POP around 2:30pm and our room was ready and they had texted us our room number for us to go straight to the room. That did not work out so well. We Got to our room and our MBs would not work. So we went to the front desk and they did what ever they had to do and said that the bands should work now. We went back to the room and they did work. We were able to access both rooms and all was well. Mike went to go and see if he could get a cart to help unload the car and while he was gone a CM came by to check to make sure that we were able to get into the room. That was nice. I forgot to mention we had asked for the 80s section but ended up with the 70s instead. It was okay, just further to get stuff from the car. Mike came back and no luck with a luggage cart. So he had to unload a little at a time. That took quite a while. I unpacked as he brought everything in. Jonathon was happy watching Mickey cartoons.
Once the car was finally unloaded and everything settled. We headed over to AK to upgrade our tickets to an AP and to get the TIW card and get Jonathon's DAS set for this trip. That took a bit as the CM was having trouble with his pad for the DAS but that finally got done and then we had to wait to get our APs. But it was not too long a wait. Since we were there we headed into the park for a little bit since we had some time to kill before our dinner ADR. We checked out some of the shops and stopped for some photopass shots.
After the photopass shots we headed out of the park and drove over to POR for our dinner reservation at Boatwrights. We got over there and I was waiting to check in when low and behold Sharon says hello. I was startled as she was supposed to meet us after dinner. But it was great to finally meet her.
She was very sweet and told us about her exploits with the 24 hour day and that she was off to get some sleep as she had not had much. It was really wonderful to meet her and she is just the sweetest! We said our good byes and I checked us in for ADR. That is after I was cut off by some man who apparently does not think he should wait in line.
We were seated very shortly afterwards and talked to the Chef about Jonathon's meal and then settled in for dinner.
Dinner was good. We had only had breakfast at Boatwright's before but sadly they no longer have that there.
Boatwright's Jambalaya - A New Orleans Dinnertime favorite! Slow cooked shrimp, Andouille Sausage, and Chicken in a spicy sauce served over rice - this was good.
Ponchartrain Pasta - sauteed shrimp with andouille sausage, sweet corn, bell peppers, onion, garlic and tomatoes in a light cream sauce - this was good too.
Kids Chicken nuggets and fries
We decided after dinner that we would head over to MK for a little bit. This was not the best idea. We got there and the fireworks were going off. The place was a mad house but we worked our way through finally to get over to Fantasyland and ride IASW which is Jonathon's favorite. We road it twice. Then we headed over to HM which said it had a 30 minute wait and was actually a walk on.
After HM we decided to head out of the park and back to POP. Well that was a feat unto itself. Getting out of the park was fairly easy. They tape off a path down the sides of mainstreet for those not wanting to stay for the parades and fireworks. So we were able to scoot down that fairly quickly. Once we exited though that was the issue. The resort monorail and the boats were the only thing running. The express monorail was shut down because of having been running for the 24 hour party the day before. The line for the monorail was just insane and the CMs were saying it was only a 20 minute wait, we said no way. It was at least a 40 minute or more wait. The bus lines were just as insane and we knew there was no way that Jonathon was going to tolerate all those people massed together. So we decided to do something crazy. We walked to the Contemporary and got on the monorail there. It took us maybe 20 minutes or so to walk over but we were moving and not standing in a mass of people. When we got to the Contemporary and up to the monorail station we literally walked on to the monorail easy peasy. We went to the TTC and got in the van and headed back to POP.
When we got back to the room we unpacked some more and tried to turn in for the night. Jonathon did not want to sleep, not even with the sedative his doctor had prescribed for us. He was just too keyed up. He finally fell asleep at 3 am or so. Something woke him up around 630 am and he was not happy. It took me forever to calm him down. Then he watched cartoons while I catnapped. Finally after 8 am he went into the other room with Mike. I then slept until just before 10am.
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Great start! How wonderful you were able to meet up with Sharon, although the situation with the monorail sounds like a nightmare. Glad you were able to head over to the Contemporary to get round the problem.
Smart move walking to the Contemporary! I always have a battle with myself about staying for Wishes or a night-time parade at MK as the lines for all transportation afterwards are just so atrocious. In my last few trips that included MK I've stayed at least one night at BLT just to do the late-night things without the hassle. Honestly, for me, much as I love seeing the park at night it's just not worth it otherwise. Any day that includes arriving at WDW AND seeing Princess Sharon is a banner day!!
Great start! How wonderful you were able to meet up with Sharon, although the situation with the monorail sounds like a nightmare. Glad you were able to head over to the Contemporary to get round the problem.
The whole monorail, boat and bus thing was just nuts. The worst I have ever seen it. It was quite a walk but worth it in the long run.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Smart move walking to the Contemporary! I always have a battle with myself about staying for Wishes or a night-time parade at MK as the lines for all transportation afterwards are just so atrocious. In my last few trips that included MK I've stayed at least one night at BLT just to do the late-night things without the hassle. Honestly, for me, much as I love seeing the park at night it's just not worth it otherwise. Any day that includes arriving at WDW AND seeing Princess Sharon is a banner day!!
We have stayed many times and this is the worst I have ever seen it. I think because the express monorail was shut down it really messed things up and it was memorial day weekend as well. It was a banner day meeting Princess Sharon and arriving in WDW!
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Great start! That was really great of the CM to come and check that you were able to get into the rooms. How awesome that you ran into Princess Sharon! What a nice surprise. Sorry about the nightmare with the monorail. Smart thinking walking to the Contemporary to get around the problem.
Great start! Glad your drive down went smoothly!
How great that you got to meet Sharon! Dinner looked delicious!
Thanks, it was a great night and a great dinner.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Great start! That was really great of the CM to come and check that you were able to get into the rooms. How awesome that you ran into Princess Sharon! What a nice surprise. Sorry about the nightmare with the monorail. Smart thinking walking to the Contemporary to get around the problem.
I was very happy that they sent someone to check on us. Sharon was actually supposed to meet us after dinner but she decided to move it up since she had had very little sleep the night before and was calling it a day. It was a surprise but a good one!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great start!
Thank you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Long, fun first day! Smart move to catch the monorail at the Contemporary.
Thanks. I just could not see it being good to wait in that monorail line for Jonathon. Frankly I might have had a meltdown myself in that. LOL It really paid off too. I really thought we might have trouble getting on at the Contemporary too but it was a breeze.
Sorry I have not posted. Too much going on. We are getting ready to head back to WDW in two weeks, so much planning going on there and then I came down with a bad sinus infection and have not felt like doing much of anything the last few days. But I am on antibiotics now and feeling better. So on with the TR!
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So after I got a little bit more sleep we decided to get the day started around 10 am. I got up and we got our showers and got ready and headed out. We drove over to POFQ and parked up and headed in and to the food court. It was breakfast time.
We went to the food court and found a table. I went and got some coffee and ordered some Beignets for Mike and I. I got Jonathon some milk and cereal for his breakfast. We had to wait for the Beignets to be done and I decided to take some pictures of the food court.
I actually find the masks kinda creepy.
Once the beignets were ready and we let them cool down, we dug in. I thought I took pictures of them but apparently not. They were ok. Honestly we have had much better. But now we can say we have had them.
We decided to explore the resort a bit while heading to the boat dock.
We had to wait for the right boat at the dock to get to DTD. It took a little bit probably 10 or 15 minutes. But we were finally on our way.
Some pictures from the boat:
Treehouse Villas
Finally we got to DTD and got off at the Marketplace.
We checked out Days of Christmas first and found the perfect tree skirt for our Disney tree. We had been looking for one for some time. So we were very happy. I will have to take a picture of it and post it later. Then we headed over to TRex for our lunch ADR.
We were seated in the room behind the Ice Cave. That was a good thing because that room was not as noisy and loud and Jonathon was better with that. Lunch took some time because our server had to get the Chef and then it was a while before she took our order and everything seemed to be moving rather slowly. But we were not in a rush so we went with the flow.
Mike and I decided to share the Supersaurus Sampler and we got Jonathon the Kids Prehistoric popcorn shrimp.
We were glad we decided to share the sampler as it really was a lot of food. Jonathon totally devoured his shrimp and fries. We then had our server get our Landry's card number as I had a 25 dollar credit we wanted to use. That took some time as apparently she wrote it down wrong and the manager came back to the table and we got the correct number. So once that was taken care of we left and continued our shopping.
We went to World of Disney and basically just looked around and made some notes of some things and then we went to the Toy Store briefly. We then stopped back by the Days of Christmas store and bought the tree skirt we wanted. Then we caught the boat back to POFQ.
Some more pics fromTRex and DTD:
Once we got back we got in the van and headed to Walmart to pick up a few things. Walmart was just crazy and a total madhouse. We got the items we needed as quickly as we could and left.
We went back to POP and put our stuff away then we freshened up and headed over to the Grand Floridian.
We got to the Grand Floridian, we tried to self park in handicap but it was full. So we circled back around and valet parked. Then we went to the Grand Floridian Cafe and checked in for our dinner ADR.
We did not have to wait long.
A lighting fixture
We were seated near a window.
We ordered dinner. It was nice and quiet in there and not too crowded.
Soon dinner arrived.
Jonathon's pizza
My Surf and Turf Burger - was absolutely delicious!!
Mike's NY Strip steak - he said it was really good.
We were all pretty tuckered out after dinner. We left and got the van and headed back to the room.
According to my fit bit we walked 15,572 steps and a total of 7.92 miles. Not bad for a non park day.
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I have been going to Disney since I was a kid growing up in south Florida. I am the planner in the family. I take care of it all. 
in April. So hard to believe. We have been bringing him to WDW since he was 2. Totally loves it! 
That was nice. I forgot to mention we had asked for the 80s section but ended up with the 70s instead. It was okay, just further to get stuff from the car. Mike came back and no luck with a luggage cart. So he had to unload a little at a time. That took quite a while. I unpacked as he brought everything in. Jonathon was happy watching Mickey cartoons. 
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