Will The World Survive us??! Updated 5/29/05
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MickeyMAC · 05-23-2005, 07:52 PM

Great start, I'm so glad we're finally getting to hear all about it. I know how you feel about the sign....I cry everytime I arrive and leave.

**DrDolphin** · 05-23-2005, 07:53 PM

Terri's turn - Day 1

I left Jacksonville at 830am - right after my gym appointment. I know I needed this trip. I was SO tired and stressed that when I worked out that morning -my heartrate was so elevated from stress that it would not come down and halfway through the workout Alicia let me stop and just lift weights.

So - after my workout and shower, I got dressed, pointed the car south on I-95 and headed to DisneyWorld!! I made excellent time - 2 hours flat. I took I-4 and at that time of day - there was little traffic. I did talk to Tara once- her plane was delayed, and at that point we thought it would only be 45 minutes. I arrived at 11am at AKL, drove up under the canopy and valeted the car and checked my bags. The entire backseat was covered in bottles of water (4 cases of it) and the CM looked at me and asked how long I was staying.... I told him "One night" I about died laughing!! I explained that I was transferring to "The Grand" the following day. He reminded me that I should let Bell services transfer the 8 (count 'em 8) items to the Grand. I thanked him and went inside to wait for Tara's arrival.

I waited about an hour. I took photos, walked around, found hidden mickeys, shopped in the store.... basically killed time. Tara called at noon to tell me she was on the ground and was on her way to get her car. She told me to go do something - but I told her I would wait - I was relaxing and enjoying the comfy couches, smells and sights of the AKL.

At about 1230 (or was it 1245) this bubbly woman in pink with a HUGE smile on her face comes across the lobby - almost at a run yelling "Terri" and gives me a huge hug!!! Yeah!!!

We checked in, went to the room (2545 I think) on the zebra trail (new for both of us) and awaited the arrival of the bags. About 10 minutes later - all of the bags in the room (and the bottles of water - I felt sorry for our CM) - so we headed to MK in my car.

Tara called Jill and promised we were on the way to MK. We were both STARVING!! Tara had not eaten much for breakfast and my breakfast had been eaten at about 9am. We parked at the TTC, hopped the tram, then the monorail, called Jill and told her were were still on the way - but would see her at 3pm in front of the bakery on Main Street.

We made it through the gates and both of us practically ran to Caseys. I didn't even look at the castle!!!

I know, I know....

After eatting at Casey's, we crossed over to the Bakery and waited for Jill and Mary Devall and within a few moments they were there. After hugs and introductions all around - Mary Devall annouced she was hungry - so we headed into the bakery for a "lellow" cupcake. And while Tara gave me credit for sharing the cupcake - she forgot the carrot cake I ate!!! While we ate, the parade came by = and Mary Devall and I went out to see Peter Pan, Wendy and the princesses on their floats right at the end of the parade.

Then we decided to walk to Tomorrowland and see what was up. We met with Buzz and Stitch, took a race around the Indy Speedway (Mary Devall beat both of us) and toko a ride on IASW.

Here are some photos:

Zebra trail - we were in the last bldg facing the savannah (I took this before I knew we were staying there).

3 of the 4 cases of bottled water

Little Miss "Lellow cupcake"

Waiting in line for Buzz/PLaying with CM Charlie

Tara and Buzz

Terri and Tara and Stitch (with Mary Devall too)

This is how she drives at home too!!!

lauren-roxy · 05-23-2005, 08:06 PM

Great reading your part of the report Terri!! You guys are off to a great start!! I had to laugh when I saw the water, we always take about 3 cases with us! Your pictures are really cute, especially the one of Tara driving!! Can't wait to read more!!

**LizardCop** · 05-23-2005, 08:09 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I called her three times before I got her because I think cell phone reception in the parks is a bit spotty. (Do you hear that, Bill?! )

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, that's probably true.

I'll bet the reception would be better on your phone if it wasn't laying on the bottom of your purse

Great tag team report!!!

jakenjess · 05-23-2005, 08:19 PM

Great start! This is going to be a very enjoyable trip report!

kimdisneynut · 05-23-2005, 09:16 PM

Great start

Thanks

Kim

Jennifer2003 · 05-23-2005, 10:45 PM

This is hilarious! Thanks for the updates Terri and Tara!

Jennifer

**DopeyGirl** · 05-23-2005, 11:04 PM

Well, at least Tara makes faces and uses ALL of her fingers in the car and not just one finger, you know!!!

Speaking of Tara . . . did you and Jill coordinate your outfits that day?!

Great start Terri . . . this tag team report thing is fun to read!!!

**chezp** · 05-24-2005, 02:43 AM

Great updates both of you!

I'm sorry to hear about all the flight delays Tara

I kept reading your installments and thinking "thank goodness" for cell phones. What would we do without them?

Annabel · 05-24-2005, 03:08 AM

Great updates ladies

They're fab so far, and so are the photos

Tara, I'm the same - by the time we're going under the Walt Disney World sign I'm a blubbering wreck - especially when I catch sight of Pop Century and the rubiks cube then I'm totally gone. Thankfully hubby is used to me by now

More please!

**Colexis Mom** · 05-24-2005, 05:37 AM

Great update Terri

Love the pictures, especially the one of Tara in the car

More please

luvnwdwgal · 05-24-2005, 07:03 AM

I'm LUV'N this!!!!

Hurry back with more!!!!

Tara O'Hara · 05-24-2005, 08:25 AM

May 11th- Day 1, Part 2

Dinner at Jiko with Sheila!

Terri and I took the monorail back to the TTC and found our car, no problem. We headed back to AKL and got changed for dinner. Then we headed down to the bar at Jiko to meet Sheila. We had no idea what Sheila looked like but we weren't worried! Terri and I both post enough pictures that we are easy to spot! Within about ten minutes, a pretty woman with dark brown hair came up to us and introduced herself! It was around 5:45 and our dinner wasn't until 6:30, so we sat at a little table in the bar and chatted for a while. It honestly was like hanging out with old frineds! Sheila and I each had a glass of delicious African wine. I had Riesling (Melissa! I will have to show you all of the great Rieslings that WDW offers in December! This is definitely one of them! ) and she had Chardonnay. Terri had an iced tea. We talked about work, kids, school and of course, Disney! Sheila had been down for a few days so Terri and I grilled her on what she had done, the weather and the Beach Club. We had a little debate on AKL vs. Beach Club vs. Wilderness Lodge!

Then it was time to go and eat!! All I can say is poor, poor Mary from Wisconsin! Man, did we torture her!! The first thing I did when I sat down was drop my fork! It sort of went downhill from there. Mary kept saying that she was coming back to the table and took a long time to do so. It was pretty busy, but it just cracked me up that she'd say, I'll be right back and fifteen minutes would go by! Finally, I waited for her to say it again and said to her, "You always say that!" For some reason, the three of us and Mary thought that was hysterical and we teased her for the rest of the dinner. She was wonderful! She got really busy by the end, but we had a terrific time with her and she even took our pictures with each of our cameras.

Now to the food! Sheila had a wonderful looking salmon dish, which she said was delicious. Terri had a cucumber, tomato and red onion salad with watermelon dressing that she said was to die for and the scallops. I had braised lamb shank with spinach and couscous that just melted in my mouth! It was wonderful! We also had another glass of wine with dinner and we weren't sure what we wanted, so Mary brought out a couple for us to try. I love when a restaurant does this! It's just a classy act. I wound up with a great Merlot and Sheila, I think, stuck with the Chardonnay that she had had earlier. None of us had room for dessert and we had planned to do EMH, so we figured we'd get a treat at the MK.

Well, that didn't happen because it was raining lightly all through dinner and still coming down pretty steady when we left, so we all decided to bag EMH that night and Terri and I invited Sheila back to see the view we had. Sheila is a Beach Club fanatic and I know that it took alot for her to admit that she was pretty impressed! But she did and she was! It was so peaceful and relaxing to stand out on our patio and see the animals, the savannah and listen to the softly falling rain.

Anyway! We would see Sheila again tomorrow night for the Illuminations Cruise and she wanted to get back to get some rest, so we said our goodbyes for now!

Really, this was a perfect start to vacation. It only rained while we were inside and this would be the last of it for the entire stay! It was a long, but wonderful first day and I was thrilled to be down here and very much looking forward to tomorrow!

Before falling asleep, I must tell you that I woke my self up snoring! Terri was working on her lap top and we both just started cracking up! I rolled over and she said I was good the rest of the night-honest!

Terri, Sheila and I

Next: Breakfast at Boma!