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"What an idea..A mad, crazy, wonderful idea." -A May '14 PTR!
I love Alice in Wonderland. I love the idea that a dream world can exist, in all its wonder and beauty and strangeness. I love the idea that the impossible is, in fact, quite possible.
This is a PTR about dreams.....About achieving impossible things. It's about still having an inner child who marvels in innocent wonder at the sight of a castle, or bursting fireworks, or a princess-come-to-life, or the very simple pleasure of sitting on a bench and eating an ice cream treat. And, I think, these are some of the very same reasons why so many of us here go to Walt Disney World, and return time and time again: it's MAGICAL.
So without further ado, here are the details I know y'all can't wait to read about!!...... ( ←, no, I'm not actually from the South, but I consider myself a displaced Texan currently exiled in the frozen North).
Dates & Location:
May 14-20, 2014. Split stay between POFQ and AKL villas! I have stayed at both previously and am head-over-heels in love with them. This is a girls get-away trip. And, for some, a much-needed mental health break.
Cast of Characters: Me (aka LegoMom, or, more formally, Maria) – I am “thirty-eighteen” years old by the reckoning of my birth certificate. I feel more like an even 30. And while at Disney, 10. Tops. I am a wife, and mother, and the staff to 3 cats. But none of them are accompanying me on this trip.
NK (aka Tink) – one of my dearest friends in the world. She has been a sounding board, a laugh machine, and an all-around “there when you need me most” kind of gal. They don't come much better than Tink. Shares my affinity for cats (and is, in fact, owned by two).
TK (aka Kat) – ditto for Kat what I said above about Tink. Also shares my affinity for cats, and is owned by 3 of her own. Which has nothing whatsoever to do with this trip, but it might be useful information in the future. You never know.
And just so you can put a face to the name (if you so wish), here is a pic of me [immensely] enjoying a Pina Colava at the AKL pool bar a few years ago:
(I should've cropped out Screaming-White-Shirt Guy in the background but.....meh, I was too lazy!)
As of this writing, we are at the 98 day mark!!! WOOT! Double-digit-dancin' baby! I would love to have posted this yesterday at the “official” double digit day, but alas, life just didn't allow for it. Today we are in the midst of a whopper winter storm and getting upwards of 14” of snow. The whole family has a snow day, so I thought what better time to start a Disney trip PTR. The coming months will highlight my plans, growing excitement, and maybe some past pictures for visual appeal. The actual TR will follow and should provide at least some measure of amusement (gauging from past trips.... For instance, during my last trip, I was treated to waiting in line for Spaceship Earth behind a family that included a 3-yr. old boy who was simply determined not to wear pants. Or the father in World Showcase who exclaimed in exasperation to his child, “We're in Disneyland!....we're not here to do Africa stuff!” I'm telling you, there are some interesting characters in the World, and I don't mean the ones in costume... ).
I will post links here to subsequent chapters and edit the title with each new update. I hope you'll come along for the ride!
Wow sounds like fun. I will be also be at POFQ with my girlfriend as well from May 12- May 19 so maybe we will run into some girls at the Scat Cat's Club. But we are a lot older than you all..although when at Disney we are all 10 again.
Checking in! Sounds like a lovely trip! This winter sure has been a beast! I must say I am still over the pants-less child and foolish man ("Africa stuff" my oh my...some people!!)
__________________
~ Jenn **Disney is REAL LIFE Magic, so much more than optical illusions **
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Wow sounds like fun. I will be also be at POFQ with my girlfriend as well from May 12- May 19 so maybe we will run into some girls at the Scat Cat's Club. But we are a lot older than you all..although when at Disney we are all 10 again.
Thanks for checking in and coming on board! And yes, 10 at WDW is almost mandatory.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Great start!!! Stay safe and warm up north! I am in CT and we are getting it too, but not as much
Aaaaaand it looks like another round this week!! Oy.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by JenniferLynneRose521
Checking in! Sounds like a lovely trip! This winter sure has been a beast! I must say I am still over the pants-less child and foolish man ("Africa stuff" my oh my...some people!!)
The guy and his son were walking in front of me around WS; if I remember correctly there's an African Outpost little tent/kiosk shop back there somewhere. The son wanted to check it out. The dad's reply was as I quoted. I wonder, does he even know about Animal Kingdom??! Perhaps not, since he didn't seem to even realize he was in FL.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great start!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great start! Luke and I will be there from May 12 - 20, so our trips will overlap. We're staying at VWL.
Thanks! I'd love to try the WL someday..... it's a gorgeous resort!!
Alice: This is impossible..... Hatter: Only if you believe it is.
A little back-story to this trip..... Tink and Kat and I all met online. It is really, really weird to explain that to people who don't spend time on message boards and/or don't have a passion for Disney. If you spend enough time in any one venue, eventually you get to know the other “regulars” and soon figure out who you really get along with. That's how we connected, and I now count them as my two best friends in the entire world. They are not only as Disney-nuts as I am, but they are true friends in every sense of the word.
So, it would only make sense that we'd want to spend time together in the place that we all love so much! Back in '09, we had a chance to do one day in the MK together. It was a blast, but we wanted more. And, life being what is so often is, it has taken 5 years to pull off the long-awaited Girls' Get-away Weekend! But it's finally happening. And it's nothing short of a miracle, an impossible thing that IS possible. By all rights I shouldn't even be able to go on this trip. Life has not been terribly kind to our family over the last 3 years, and luxuries like a Disney trip are just out of the question. But, through the absolutely amazing generosity of my friends, they made it happen, and something that seemed impossible, is in fact not only possible, but happening. I am beyond blessed.....
Now, coming back down to earth for a bit (!), let's move on to our accommodations, shall we?! As mentioned previously, this is a split stay for us. We begin with Port Orleans French Quarter.
Back in May of 2010, I took my very first no-kids/no-hubby solo to WDW. I chose to stay at FQ because our family of 5 always “had” to stay at Riverside (although we loved being there!), and I wanted to try FQ on for size myself. I loved it!! It still has that southern charm, a nice quaint feeling, and doesn't feel frenetic or rushed. And beignets for breakfast?!.......HECK yeah!!!
One of my very favorite things to do while staying at Disney is go for an early-morning “coffee walk.” There is nothing like a Disney resort in the very early hours, just about dawn.... the world is still asleep, hardly anyone else is around, and there is special, quiet magic in the air. On our family trips, I always relished the Coffee Walk because it was a chance for some quiet reflection before my busy family started our day. Now, on my adult trips, it's still a time to be alone and just soak in a different sort of Disney atmosphere. POFQ is great for a morning coffee walk. I always head out and fill my mug at the food court, then just stroll the pathways and enjoy the grounds. The walk along the river is especially delightful! You're apt to see wildlife at this hour, too, and I always like to see who's out and about!
Early a.m. at French Quarter
Pre-dawn "coffee walk" at Riverside
I will be sure to build in plenty of resort time; I want to sit on a bench and listen to the background music.....soak in the hot tub in among the garden......walk over to Riverside at night and listen to the horse-drawn carriages clop by.....have beignets for breakfast....swim in the pool and yes – go down the dragon slide!.....enjoy an adult beverage at Mardi Grogs....and enjoy an evening boat ride to DTD.
Oh tell me about when it comes to explaining online friendships to those who don't have them. The looks I've had over the years, especially when we've gone to stay with some of our friends we've met online!
Great start! I totally understand trying to explain to people that you've met your best friends online, but in the end it doesn't matter. We have each other - that's what matters. This is going to be a great PTR and TR! I'm looking forward to coming along!
I am here!! Thank you for the link! we are going to miss each other by one day! . We leave on the 13th. I love that you have made such good friend who share your passion for Disney! Sounds like some great plans so far!
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over the pants-less child and foolish man ("Africa stuff" my oh my...some people!!) 
~ Jenn 
Luke and I will be there from May 12 - 20, so our trips will overlap. We're staying at VWL. 
Deb
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
. We leave on the 13th. I love that you have made such good friend who share your passion for Disney! Sounds like some great plans so far!
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