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[italyqt]

I want to start by saying that I am really sorry that I didn’t write this sooner. I wanted to write it all while it was fresh in everyone’s memory but it didn’t happen. I was sick the entire month after we got back and even then it lingered for a bit. After that time just got away from me. I am writing the trip report now. I really wanted to share with everyone because I know all the information I received here is what made the trip so smooth!!

Players:
Mike Age 34 (DH)
Alissa Age 32 (me)
Caroline Age 13 (DD)
Juliaun Age 9 (DS)

Day 0, Monday, May 17, 2010
Not really a whole lot exciting today other then our excitement. The kids stayed home from school and we headed out to the hotel early. We headed out around lunchtime and had a nice lunch. Then we went to the hotel to try to sleep early. No one was sleeping at 5pm. It was mostly us laying around, and then eating leftover ribs and shrimp in the dark at 9pm.

Day 1, Tuesday, May 18, 2010
3am, yep 3am as in “I didn’t know there was a 2AM!!” We are up and at ‘em and ready to go. Everyone is tired but super excited. I had everyone pack what they where wearing on the plane in their carry on so it was simple to get ready in the morning and out the door since we had no suitcases to deal with. We breezed into the airport, parked, checked in, waited a few minutes for security to open, ate a quick airport breakfast while awaiting our flight and then boarded. Once again, not too much excitement. In fact it was the easiest airport experience I think I have ever had.

We changed planes in Atlanta. Mike has been through there numerous times so he was our guide. Atlanta involved changing terminals and a trip on the tram. The tram there is TERRIFIYING!!! They where not kidding when they said hold on. The tram is fast and jerky. Okay it was terrifying but fun. Hopped onto plane two and off to Orlando.

We arrived in Orlando and the weather was beautiful. I was a bit worried about rental car desk wait horror stories. We got to the desk and where told that we could go right to the garage. Out to the garage and it was even faster, a couple quick signatures and ID glances and we had keys. I was a bit upset that the car was so dirty then I realized well if its already this dirty its one less thing I am responsible for. We checked it over for damage there was none so after a few minutes of trying to figure out how to shove our suitcases in the trunk we where off with the GPS set for Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The drive was smooth, the GPS worked great. We decided to go ahead and use the easy pass in the rental car. Paying tolls ourselves would have been cheaper for sure but at the time it just seemed like the fastest easiest and least likely to get us lost or a ticket in the mail from an unpaid toll thing to do.

We arrived at Animal Kingdom Lodge and decided to self park. As our suitcases where all in the trunk it just seemed easier to check in. It was earlier then we had planned on arriving and we where unsure if the room would be ready. I knew AKL would store the bags but they where all out of sight so no worries. Our room was ready upon arrival. We did do online check-in but she still gave us a lot of information when we checked in. There where also First Time Visit buttons for everyone and a Happy Birthday button for Mike. His Birthday was just before our trip but we decided that he would celebrate it on the day he attended Star Wars weekend. Off to the room now….. I’m going to deviate a bit from the report to report on the room here.

We trekked out to our room and I mean TREKKED. We where on the fifth floor almost all the way at the end of the building room 5572. Honestly, we where not all that happy with our room. We thought about asking to be moved but decided to just go with it. The room was tucked in a corner and with the way the building is set up we looked right at the balcony next to us. There was also a fence right at our main view splitting the savannahs, which meant we didn’t get a lot of just wandering animals. At night there was no viewing at all since we stared right at an emergency stairwell all lit up and the lights made it so you could see nothing. The morning it was right where the sun was so it was hard to see then as well.

It wasn’t all lost however, turns out the fence is right where they bring the animals through when they close the savannah. Also turns out that the time we where getting up to go every morning is the same time they close the savannah so we where able to watch them herd the animals though.

The laundry was very far away. On a side note laundry is free on that floor but there are only 2 washer and 4 dryers the dryers where also very slow to dry and we ended up just hanging stuff in the room so we could get on with the day. If I did a room again in the AKL-Jambo Villas I would upgrade for the in-room washer and dryer or I would plan a laundry-mat run.

The faucet didn’t have hot water in the wet bar area. I called the front desk and they gave us a choice of fixing it right away or the next day. We choose right away and they had it quickly fixed.

The studio rooms have a fold out couch for the second bed. The kids slept just fine on it together. I kept hitting my leg on the metal and scraping my leg so I had to wrap washcloths around it, but I am clumsy so it’s not that unexpected. We also had no trouble unpacking for the 4 of us in the provided storage in the room.

We then decided to head out to Wal-Mart to food items for the room. I know there are closer stores but Mike wanted to check out the Star Wars toys there as well. After we ooh’d and ahh’d over all the good food we can’t buy where we live we headed back. On another side note we ate very little of the food we did buy for the room.

In our stay the only animal we got was a washcloth mouse that was there when we arrived and that I will admit my daughter brought home. We did leave a tip each day. The room was always clean and in order up on return so no mouse-keeping complaints. Okay now that I am done talking about the room back to the trip!!
We had decided that we would eat at Boma that night instead of Sanaa and I must say it was an EXCELLENT call. It worked out to be our favorite of the trip. We ended up there two more times. The food and atmosphere where right on target for our family. The service was also great. The last night that we ate at Boma our reservations where right as they opened and they had a child playing the drums with one of the entertainers and I must say I got a bit teary over the whole experience and it wasn’t even my child. It was just beautiful with the water feature, the sounds, and the smells.

We then headed out to downtown Disney to check out Disney Quest. Sadly at this time I had a sinus headache and wasn’t really feeling all that Magical but I went along. DisneyQuest was HOT, I was hoping that it would be a bit cool inside but the temp was a good 10 degrees above comfortably cool. We played in the make your own roller coaster a couple times then took the kids around to the various floors. Juliaun loved DisneyQuest, the rest of us thought it just okay and better left to the locals looking to take the kids out for the day. Caroline really enjoyed human pinball and the Buzz lightyear car game where you shoot balls at each others cars. We walked around Downtown Disney a bit but with my headache it just wasn’t happening so the party pooper I am we headed back to the hotel. I really wanted to make the opening of Magic Kingdom the next morning anyway.

Day 2 Wednesday, May 19, 2010
I was up and tossing everyone out of bed nice and early. A quick look out the balcony and there where giraffes munching away. So we can check off Mike having a giraffe out his window when he drinks his morning coffee happening. YAY!! Funny the only day there was not a giraffe out the window was the day he left early for Star Wars merchandise.

We arrived just after rope drop to the Magic Kingdom. In fact right after, it dropped as the monorail pulled in. I was a bit bummed but oh well I’m still HERE!! We stopped for photos with the photopass photographer. Then we headed into the park and really at that point all our hard planning just faded away and we went with it. We did hop the train right away and headed out to Frontierland. We where able to hop onto Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with ease. In fact the majority of our vacation we avoided lines, the only place we really waited was Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Rock and Roller Coaster, and Expedition Everest.

When we walked into Frontierland they where dancing. Juliaun got drug into the dance much to his dismay. Caroline was drug in as well but she managed to escape at some point. Juliaun danced the whole song and after the song ended the cast member did not leave him till he confirmed that he was with his parents. I thought that was great.

When we went by Jungle Cruise it was closed but need not worry the cast members at the entrance had recreated it out of miniatures and water they poured on the ground, complete with Burger King King, and Toy Story Dinosaurs. It was an incredibly funny rendition.

We ate at Tony’s Town Square for lunch. I had read bad reviews and was a bit worried but we really enjoyed it. I also spilt my drink on Caroline (13) the funny thing about it was that she just started at me like “how are you that stupid?” after I did it. A quick clean up, and a whole lot of laughing and all was okay. The waitress there not only cleaned up the mess I made in the spill but also went out of her way to find Juliaun’s lost pin backing. There where tons of food. We where on the dining plan so Juliaun had to order off the kids menu but all of us had plenty of extras to fill him up and none of us are light eaters.

Over in Tomorrowland we did the requisite rides. Space Mountain funnily enough Mike barely fits in. I must say I hate astro-orbiter, it’s scared the heck out of me since I was a kid. I have no idea why. Monsters Inc laugh factory was incredibly funny. Caroline made us return because she really wanted someone in our group to be “that guy.” Stitch’s Great Escape we all enjoyed except Juliaun who did not like getting chilidog burped on him. Unfortunately for Mike his seat didn’t work right so he missed some of it. The effects where AWESOME but would be scary for a small child I think.

We had booked the Wishes dessert party for that night. It was okay. I think I was a bit turned off because the table next to us had the most obnoxious kids. I get it’s Disney but the kids where just in complete meltdown mode. There was a photopass photographer there and they kept insisting on getting child smiling photos with him and it was just not going well. We snagged photos with him, we looked hot and tired and we where but that’s okay I don’t require them to be perfect. There was a lot of desserts and they kept them coming. More desserts then you could ever eat. The fireworks viewing was also not bad, yes it was a bit off center. In the end I am glad we did it but I’m not sure I would again. We’d really like to do the Epcot one. I’d recommend it in the end.

We got in everything we wanted to today so it was all in all good. Don’t shoot me, but I will say that Mike and I both think for the “Magic Kingdom” experience that Disneyland is a better. That said Day 2, we had a great time!!

Day 3 Thursday, May 20, 2010
Today we headed out to Animal Kingdom for a 8:20am breakfast at Tusker House. I loves my some Donald Duck so of course we had to eat at his place. I was a bit annoyed at the family as we got out a bit late from the hotel but they still let us eat. Tusker house was a bit loud, thankfully we where over in a corner. Before we went in we took photos with Donald outside. Inside we sat down and they had a version of Jungle Juice that was pretty yummy. There where a lot of people and the characters where very busy but very nice. The handlers came by first and asked who was getting autographs, none of us where but we did let them know that Juliaun’s favorite character is Goofy. Goofy gave Juliaun a big hug and they took photos together. The food was good, and what you’d expect at a breakfast buffet of COURSE they had Mickey waffles which I tell you I wasn’t leaving Disney without one. The people coming around to sell the photos where a bit slow, we had finished eating and where ready to head out long before they came by. We stuck around a bit because I knew I wanted that photo!!

We decided that we should head up to the safari first thing to avoid the crowds. The line was about 20 minutes so not too long. The safari was best described as a live animal jungle cruise, the comedy mixed with the information. It is a must see for us if we where to return.

We then headed over to a nature trail near the safari. When we wandered into the “hippo house” there was a guide in there giving a mini show. Juliaun was selected to be part of it and was asked questions. After he was given a certificate of a “Magical Moment” which made his week.

We walked over to view drums that where set up by the water and the kids started to bang on the drums a bit, while banging on the drums a entertainer set up and played the drums with the kids and Mike, it was a GREAT photo op and they had a great time. It was very high energy. It attracted a crowd and everyone enjoyed it. The entertainer was TALL like really really tall.

We walked over to the rapids and had we waited in line hours would not have enjoyed it. We did get very wet but the ride needed another drop or two to be worth the wait in line. We would ride it if there was no wait and we wanted to get wet but otherwise we would skip it.

We saw a bird show and watched the monkeys climb around the ropes. Having worked at a bird show in a theme park for many years all I can say is it was a bird show, now my husband loved it but he loves Hyacinth MaCaws. The monkeys on the other hand where very awesome. We all enjoyed watching them.

Expedition Everest was GREAT!! We where lucky to avoid the lines for the most part and upon arrival at loading; we where at the back. The kids loaded into the last car and loved being whipped around. The roller coaster is great with the moving forward then moving backward. Plus I like to yell “HEY I CAN SEE MY HOUSE!!!” from anything up high even though I live states away. We returned to Expedition Everest later in the day and upon arriving at loading we where in FRONT!! Mike and I loaded the kids into the very front and it was even AWESOMER then the back. Unfortunately we where ushered right off the ride so had no chance to view our photo.

We walked around the tree of life during the parade. We don’t dislike parades but we’d rather use that as times with less crowds. We took the kids to “Its tough to Be a Bug” which Mike and I had seen in Disneyland but this was the kids first experience with 3D at Disney. I had warned them ahead of time that once you go Disney 3D you will never enjoy another 3D movie the same. They loved it. Also the tree of live was very impressive.

Another part of the day that was great was Dinosaur. Caroline has always been in love with dinosaurs. We where in the front and I sat next to her all I kept hearing from her in a matter of fact voice was “No that’s not the dinosaur we are looking for” the entire ride. It was sooooooo funny.

We had Fulton Crab Shack reservations but we ditched them and headed back to Boma. I told you we loved it. Then we crashed in bed.

Next update day 4!! It's currently being written, Takes a bit to get the writing done when I have to get everyones input.

[benjiboo25]

Great start!

Do not feel bad about waiting so long for your TR---Mine was done about 6 months after the trip, and I have yet to start posting (although I have started writing) the TR from our August trip.

You may want to break the TR up into more posts--Its sometimes easier to read one day/ or one park in a single post--especially if we want to make any comments.

I am not sure if I missed it--are you DVC members or did you reserve the villa as a regular guest?

[buckinghammr]

Very certainly better later than never!!

[carters_mom]

Enjoying your report! We tried Boma for the first time this past February, and I agree....it's delicious!
Thanks for the info on Disney Quest, we haven't tried it out yet but was considering it for my next trip. We have some old passes that need to be used up, but for us I think water parks may continue to be the best option.
Looking forward to more!

[Colexis Mom]

Great updates Alissa!

[Pinkyt177]

Awesome can't wait for more, what a fun trip so far, I can't wait to try Boma, I think I will love the food there!

[magic mickey]

Great start, you really packed in a lot so far.

[Cam22]

Great adventures for Days 1, 2 and 3, Alissa!

[italyqt]

Thank you everyone. I will be breaking the trip up into days from now on, and I also changed the font to make it easier to find the report itself.

Benjibo, we reserved the villa as a regular guest. We would love to do the vacation club but with where we live and my husbands job we can't guarantee a yearly vacation.

[italyqt]

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Day 4, Friday May 21, 2010 Hollywood Studios/ Epcot

It’s Star Wars day, and also Mike’s celebrated day birthday.

Mike got up at 330am and headed out with the rental car to wait in line for merchandise. He said that the others in line where all really happy and most where fans. In fact he said they where a bit hostile to the people that where just there for merchandise to resell. There where limits on the amount of items that you where allowed to buy and all the special merchandise was at one store which by the time of the kids and I arrival at opening had a few hours wait just to get inside. The merchandise buyers where given papers that listed the special items for sale and prices, you marked on the paper and then at the store they handed you those items. In fact I will find out where he stashed that paper and get it scanned into my flickr account in the next few days. Mike was to too far back in line and when he got to the store everything was still available.

The kids and I took the bus to get over to Hollywood Studios today and it was a bit of a mess. I understand it was Star Wars but the first bus was full, then we where told the second bus would be there in minutes and it was a good 20 minutes later before its arrival, then that bus filled too, I was starting to think that unless we where pushy we where not getting on a bus anytime soon. Just as I was about to call it and hop a cab a third bus rolled up. And we made it on that one barely. Sadly by this time we where very late.

I grabbed a few photos of the kids with the Photopass photographer and we made our way over to one of the quick-service restaurants to sit and wait to meet up with Mike. He had debated sending the stuff over to the hotel or dropping it in the car and in the end ended up having it sent over. Do NOT have collectible items sent to your room. When we picked them up the following day at the hotel most of the packing had been smashed, on a side note these where the only things all week that came to the room damaged.

We jumped in line for Star Tours and waited, and waited, and waited, when we got to the door to the building the cast member said “Happy Birthday!!!” While thanking her I looked over and noticed her name was Alyssa so I said “Hey nice name mine is too!!” she said that’s cool she has not met many. Then I looked down and saw her nametag said Clifton Springs, NY and I said “HEY WE ARE FROM UPSTATE NEW YORK TOO!!!” and she asked where and we told her. She then moved us over to the fast pass line and radioed down. It was a great birthday gift. When we got down to the shuttle the cast member noticed Mike was wearing a Han Shot first shirt and yelled “YES!!! HE DID!!” Han shot first then became the reoccurring theme of his safety brief. It was hysterical. The cast member looked at one of the kids and said “what is two plus two?” and the kids yelled out “HAN SHOT FIRST!!”

We ate lunch at the Sci-Fi diner. I had to have a glow cube, it was happening, it was required. The Sci-Fi was unique. I love those old movies. The food was okay, once again it was a lot of food we had no trouble with leaving hungry. I don’t think we’d return to Sci-Fi but I would recommend it, the speakers for the movies where very loud. I think this is a great place to at least do once.

Lights, Camera, Action car show all I can say is AWESOME!!! There is a lot of work put into that show. I could watch it all day. I think the rest of the family could too. I was a bit annoyed though because I seemed to end up right in front of the family that thought it was perfectly acceptable to lay their sleeping child across my back. I ended up having to move rows to be able to enjoy the show. Don’t get me wrong I have kids and know that every so often a foot or hand might make contact and that’s fine but at least make an effort not to drape your child over me.

We headed over to Tower of Terror. We LOVED IT!!! It was the first time in a long time Mike yelled on a roller coaster. He said it caught him off guard. The rest of the family we all yell on all of the roller coasters. Tower of Terror will be a must do for us, a few times, we all loved it. It was my favorite of the whole trip. The only thing that we disliked is there is no place to put bags so whatever you have you hold in your hands. It detracts a bit from the experience so I would recommend trying to travel light to Tower of Terror.

Mike spent the day trying to chase down the Star Tour Boarding party figures. It was pretty funny as between everything he had to go look to see if it came in and no one seemed to know what was happening with them.

Juliaun had his first pin trading experience with another guest while we where waiting for Mike to track down the figures. (Mike did say we could run off without him but we where content to sit and wait). The person that traded was super polite and asked me if it was okay for Juliaun to trade and if Juliaun had anything that he was just not allowed to trade. Juliaun loved it.

In the afternoon we finally decided we had had enough. Interestingly enough the Star Wars fans where decent it was the people at Hollywood Studios that where not there for Star Wars that where mostly the problem so we decided to pack up and head to Epcot. If someone had pushed me, shoved me one more time I was goanna go crazy!! Today was a day I was happy we had a rental car, I knew that no one would shove me, and would be nice and cool and quiet in the rental. Oh and on the way out the boarding party figures finally showed in store!! (on another side note when we returned to Hollywood Studios later in the week the figures where everywhere.)

We parked hopped to Epcot next…….

[Colexis Mom]

Sounds like a great time at DHS! Kudos to Mike for getting up that early to get merchandise! Sounds like he's having a great birthday!

[Cam22]

Sounds like lots of Star Wars fun at DHS! We were there the last two weekends and the buying of merchandise was a bit more chaotic than you described. It was kind of a free-for-all and very crowded in the little shop.

[italyqt]

Sorry all, I have not forgotten about this. We are still working on the rest of the trip report but its a bit more complicated to get the details together as we are on opposite sides of the world right now.

We are also in the process of planning a November 2011 trip!! Also if I can swing it in the budget I think the kids and I are going to try to make a short trip for the shuttle launch in February.