Auntie and Me take on an all new Disney - The TR - July 2014 Updated 12/4/14 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Auntie and Me take on an all new Disney - The TR - July 2014 Updated 12/4/14
Hello everyone and welcome to my Auntie and Me Trip Report! Sorry it has taken so long to start - I've been ill and away from the boards, but I feel somewhat better and look forward to sharing this trip with you. It wasn't the most perfect trip, but I feel we still made the most of everything and had a great time!
Here's a super short rundown of our trip details:
Me (Julie/the "Auntie") : I love photography, crafting, travel, and being Aunt Julie to 15 kids. Pretty laid back and quiet. Loves all things Epcot, Donald and pin trading.
Kenzie (The "Me"): At 8 years old, she is probably my closest niece and will be my park companion on this trip. She spends a lot of time at dance and loves Frozen and the Magic Kingdom.
Deonna - My mom. Loves hanging out at the resort pools with the family and shopping at the outlet malls when she can. Favorite park is Animal Kingdom.
Jim - My stepdad. He loves to laugh and joke and hang out with his family - especially his grandkids. His favorite park is Epcot and loves Mickey Mouse.
I flew from Dallas and the other three drove in from St. Louis. We stayed at my parent's timeshare - Wyndham Bonnet Creek from July 26 to August 1, 2014.
Here's a link to my PTR should you like more details >>> PTR
Friday 7/25: Day before departure
This morning I got up about an hour early, put the last items into the suitcases and headed for work. My suitcases were pretty full because I've got quite a few gifts in there for my niece and nephew. After I gave those away, I hoped to have plenty of room for souvenirs At work, I realized that I forgot a few things at home, but honestly I didn't feel that it was worth it to go back to get them.
The work day was pretty crazy since I was trying to get everything done before leaving, but it all worked out and I was able to leave on time! I drove to my dad's house to spend the night since he'd be taking me to the airport the next morning. We had IHOP for dinner then hung out and relaxed. I think I went to bed at 1030 so I'd get plenty of sleep before tomorrow. Well... I was too excited and I think finally went to sleep after midnight.
Saturday 7/26: Arrival Day!
I woke up today at about 530ish, got ready and dad and I left the house at about 620. Along the way, I got nervous and a little ill, but as soon as I got to the airport, I felt a bit better. I'm sure it was part anxiety and part excitement.
The front of Love Field:
Inside Love Field, I got to use the new Southwest "tag it yourself" machines. Basically it is like the touch screens they have at other airport locations, only it prints out your bag tag for you to attach it yourself. The lines looked long, though I probably was only there for about 10 minutes total (including getting checked in). They still had the regular check in lines open for those that wanted to use them.
Security was empty and soon I was headed for my gate. I stopped at the Art Travelers art gallery and a few shops since I had some free time. I was unable to get a photo of the plane, so I took a shot of another blue plane thinking it would work for my scrapbook. Turns out we were on California One which looks nothing like the photo I took! I was unable to get my phone on quick enough to get a photo before boarding. Oh well.
Thanks to my Early Bird check in, I was able to get an aisle seat in the exit row. It was nice to have that extra room A few people got off at our stop in Birmingham, though most stayed on the plane. Before departing for Orlando, I moved to the exit window seat and loved it! Now I had leg room and a great view!
Those clouds, though, gave us a LOT of turbulence. So much so that we even dropped once - far enough that my hands flew off my lap and up over my head! Lots of people were screaming and kids started crying. I was glad to finally get on the ground after that flight!
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Looking forward to reading more about this trip. We fly out of DFW since we use American. But I like it when I flew out of Love because it was a lot smaller and easier to navigate.
Sorry to hear about the turbulence. I'd have been done right then. I'd have rented a car to get home. I HATE flying with a passion, so only do it about once a year. We hit turbulence on our last trip to WDW, and it was terrible, but nowhere near your experience.
Glad you made it through and look forward to reading more.
Great start, although that turbulence sounded scary!
Yeah, it was not fun at all!
Quote:
Originally Posted by xwewhisper
glad you made it there safe and sound! Love flying out of love field!
Thanks! Love is so easy to fly in and out of.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Great start, Julie! That turbulence sounds terrible.
Thanks! That it was!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great start!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MayraLR
Great start! Looking forward to more.
Thanks! More is on the way shortly
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcmary
Nice start. Don't you love the special planes.
I do! I always get excited to see them, let alone ride on one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Great start! Although not the bumpy flight part
No, that part was not great!
Quote:
Originally Posted by princetoaprincess
Looking forward to reading more about this trip. We fly out of DFW since we use American. But I like it when I flew out of Love because it was a lot smaller and easier to navigate.
Sorry to hear about the turbulence. I'd have been done right then. I'd have rented a car to get home. I HATE flying with a passion, so only do it about once a year. We hit turbulence on our last trip to WDW, and it was terrible, but nowhere near your experience.
Glad you made it through and look forward to reading more.
I was so ready to be on the ground after all that! More is on the way shortly
Once inside the airport, I rode the fake monorail and headed for the luggage carousel and waited. And waited. Then waited some more. I paced around, took a pit stop, then took a photo of a poster for the Frozen Summer Fun. I'd forgotten how long it takes to get your luggage here. All total, I believe it was about 45 agonizing minutes. I was tired, hungry and cranky and maybe next time I will go get lunch, trade some pins at the Earport shop, then by that time the luggage would be ready!
With my bags in hand, I found a quiet spot and called the Super Shuttle number. He said to wait at bus lane #42, so I did. It was about a 5 minute wait. There were quite a few people in the van already so I asked if I could sit in the front, knowing it would be a prime spot to take a photo of the "Rainbow Gates" (as Kenzie named them many years ago). He said sure, and we were on our way to a Hilton to drop some others off. I was 2nd on the list and the driver slowed down a little to let me get this photo
We pulled into the resort to find the driveway was full of people and cars, so I quickly hopped out, and me and my bags squeezed through to the front lobby. I sat down and called mom who said they were about ten minutes out and I'd see them soon. About 20 minutes later, I spotted Mom, Jim, and Kenzie in the Check-in line. They'd come in the side door and I'd missed them. Kenzie ran across the lobby screaming my name at the top of her lungs. We were all finally here
A few minutes later, we got checked in, then went over to the ticket desk to buy some WDW park tickets for next year. It was taking forever and Kenzie was getting restless, so she and I went up to the room to take photos. I told her about Passporter and TRs and she asked if she could help. Needless to say for the rest of the week she would say things such as "Make sure to put this in the report" or "Don't forget to add this into the report"
We took tons of photos and I will try my best to explain the layout of the condo. (Please forgive the lighting in some of these photos. It is kinda wonky)
Fountain at the Front Entrance:
Our tower from the boardwalk. Our three bedroom was on the sixth floor and is on the left side of this photo.
When you walked in the front door, this is the view of the living area. The door to the left is a coat closet. To the right there is a hallway (you can't see it) that leads to two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a washer/dryer closet. The door to the right of the TV is the master bedroom.
Kitchen/dining area
Master bedroom
Master bathroom standing at the bed
Looking back into the bedroom
View from balcony and master bedroom. Can you see the Swan/Dolphin and a tiny SE?
My bedroom
My closet (with a closet monster)
My bedroom view. You could see the Characters in flight balloon when it was up.
If I smashed my nose against the window, and looked left, I could see this
Hallway sink. The door on the right is the washer/dryer combo unit.
Hall bathroom
Makenzie's room
Another shot from the boardwalk/clubhouse. Our tower is the one to the left. The lightest tower is the hotel.
And lastly, our balcony flowers. We put these out every year so we can see where our room is from the ground.
If you'd like any info about anything else at WBC, just let me know! Thanks everyone for reading along!
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About This Page: 
At work, I realized that I forgot a few things at home, but honestly I didn't feel that it was worth it to go back to get them. 
I was unable to get my phone on quick enough to get a photo before boarding. Oh well.
Lots of people were screaming and kids started crying. I was glad to finally get on the ground after that flight!
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Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
That turbulence sounds terrible. 
Us 
We were all finally here 
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