Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30

Joe User 99 · 07-31-2006, 02:36 PM

I finally was able to take the wife and kids to WDW for their first trip.

My wife was calling it a once in a lifetime experience, so I knew right away I would be in the dog house, if I tried to arrange a Mice Chat meet during "family time". So sorry for all who were there at the same time. I kept an eye out for familiar faces though, in hopes of maybe meeting anyone.

We had planned this trip for over a year, well, I should say I planned this trip for over a year, my wife wanted no part of the planning. I told her I would plan every little detail of the travel and arrangements, but once we got there, I was winging it. I wanted no part of any kind of stress (including any form of a minute by minute plan of attack), which is why we went with a Disney "Magic Your Way" package. I figured being stress free was worth the extra expense. So we ended up with the airfare, magical express, lodging, and basic dining plan.

btw....does taking over 2000 pictures, and still complaining that you didn't get shots of everything you wanted indicate you have a problem?
And just how much detail do you guys want to see?

Anyway, on to the report....

Day 1 (Mon, July 24th):
We selected the only non-stop flight available, Delta. (And a big thanks to the pilots union for not going on strike).

Of course, this left us with a tiny little plane, the Embraer-145. somwhere around 50 seats, and it's so small I could not stand upright in the isle, and had my knees butted up against the chair in front of me. I had to put my leg out in the isle to alieviate this, but of course on a little plane, everyone was up and down the isle, so needless to say, the most cramped ride of my trip, was the plane flight! (results may vary for others, but I am 6'5" and 330lbs, so I needs my space!)

Embraer-145

this is the view from row 15 of 18, so almost the very back!

Other than the seat discomfort, the flight was uneventful, and we landed at MCO and headed to the Magical Express counter.

Now, I've heard TONS of complaints about Magical Express, but knowing the way my wife packs, I HAD to try it.

When we got to the Magical Express counter, there was about a 2-3 minute wait, but I had all the documentation, and they sent us on our way. We went straight to the bus, this kind of scared me, as it wasn't a Magical Express bus like the others parked there, it was a Disney Cruise Line Bus. I asked the driver, and they said that they use the Cruise Line buses for Magical Express on days that there are no cruises. So, we trusted him, and went ahead and boarded. (At this point, I had forgotten to take pictures because I was so concerned about being in the right place.) The bus departed about 5 minutes later, so overall, we were less than 10 minutes from the counter to on our way...not bad considering the stories. The trip out was a long one. I didn't realize the airport was that far away. I think it took about 35 minutes before we got within sight of anything disney.

It was a combined bus, with stops at Old Key West, and French Quarter before our stop at Riverside.

Old Key West

Port Orleans - French Quarter

And by the time we got to Riverside, I forgot to take any pics because I was concentrating on Check-In.

As we took an early flight in order to maximize our park time, we arrived prior to the official 3 o'clock check in. So we went ahead and checked in, got our keys and decided to head to a park until our room was ready. We left our carry on bags with Luggage Services, and headed to Animal Kingdom.

Animal Kingdom was on the Evening Magic Hours for that night, so we figured we'd ride Everest until they closed....wrong!

When we got there the standby time was already at 120 minutes, and of course fast passes were long gone. So we did some of the other stuff.
It's Tough To Be A Bug a couple of times, Kahli River Rapids, Dinosaur a few times, etc.

The obligatory Tree Of Life shot

Queue Theming for "It's Tough To Be A Bug"
(For anyone who might not know, this attraction is actually IN the Tree itself)

"It's Tough To Be A Bug"
(This is a 3D movie with special effects)

Next was on to the Kali River Rapids. But, my wife won't let me use the digital camera on water based rides, I don't know why, I'm not THAT clumsy.

We had a waterproof disposable, but had forgotten it at the hotel. So all I have here are queue shots.

"Kali River Rapids" queue theming

I musta drank too much, I'm seeing pink elephants!

From there, we stopped by Flame Tree Barbeque for our first Counter Service dining plan meal. I was too hungry to take pictures

, but the total was somewhere around $68. Yup, I think we will definitely get our money's work on the dining plan.

After that "lite" dinner, went on to Dinoland USA...

Primeval Whirl

Triceratop Spin

And then on to Dinosaur...
(I tried to get some shots during the ride, but being a dark high speed ride, they all were nothing but blurs)

Yes kids, the dinosaurs really were killed by McDonalds falling from Space.

"Dinosaur" queue

Star Trek's own Uhura, Nichelle Nichols lecturing the non behaving.
(This is from the pre-story of the ride)

And with Everest having a 120 minute standby (even during EMH), we decided to call it quits for the day, and start fresh on Tuesday morning.

Obligatory Everest shot

More to come... (Days 2-7)
(Gotta resize all the pics (I had them on the highest setting), and upload them to photobucket first).

Let me know if you want more or less detail, I've never posted a trip report before.

And I have to say, the experience got better as the days went on (this first day was less than half a day!) My favorite was Friday...so stay tuned!

Hakuna Makarla · 07-31-2006, 02:42 PM

OMG this was freaking awsome!! your pics showed me things I never saw before, and I loved even the plane shots

thank you, I really enjoyed this report, more more more!!! I so want more pictures, I love seeing the pictures, this is an awsome trip report, and hey, welcome to micechat by the way. I think with this kind of report you will fit right in.

Hakuna Makarla · 07-31-2006, 02:43 PM

say, is dino land disney land property? that looks so fun!!!

DiSnEyFrEaK21 · 07-31-2006, 02:45 PM

great trip report and nice pics. cant wait for more!!

Joe User 99 · 07-31-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hakuna makarla

say, is dino land disney land property? that looks so fun!!!

Dinoland USA is kinda like a set of carnival rides inside one of the "lands" at Animal Kingdom.

Crazy Legs · 07-31-2006, 02:55 PM

Thanks for sharing

geekzapoppin · 07-31-2006, 03:58 PM

Thanks so much. It's nice to know what to expect when we get there this Thursday!

NikkiDancer · 07-31-2006, 04:51 PM

So far your doing an amazing job

cant wait for the rest!

-Nikki

A Disney Dreamer · 07-31-2006, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe User 99

btw....does taking over 2000 pictures, and still complaining that you didn't get shots of everything you wanted indicate you have a problem?
And just how much detail do you guys want to see?

Hell no.

Gregory_510 · 07-31-2006, 07:04 PM

Great report so far, I can't wait for more! Did you by chance get any pictures of the back side of Everest? I'd love to see some. As far as details go... the more the better! Can't wait to see more!

ragrobyn · 07-31-2006, 10:19 PM

Awesome report!!!! I want to see all 2000 pictures (it helps curb my excitement for my post Chrismas Trip) or at least a photobucket link

Roll on he next batch!

brerrbit1 · 07-31-2006, 10:21 PM

Great Trip report. Thank you for sharing !

BigPigletFan · 08-01-2006, 01:17 AM

Great pictures!!!

Can't wait for the rest!

Sounds like you had a great time so far.

mikeland · 08-01-2006, 07:39 AM

Great pics so far .... keep 'em coming!

danyoung · 08-01-2006, 07:48 AM

I really enjoy this format of text mixed in with pics. Keep the pics and the detail coming!

07-31-2006, 02:36 PM	#1
Joe User 99 Just your average Joe. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 161 Blog Entries: 7	Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 I finally was able to take the wife and kids to WDW for their first trip. My wife was calling it a once in a lifetime experience, so I knew right away I would be in the dog house, if I tried to arrange a Mice Chat meet during "family time". So sorry for all who were there at the same time. I kept an eye out for familiar faces though, in hopes of maybe meeting anyone. We had planned this trip for over a year, well, I should say I planned this trip for over a year, my wife wanted no part of the planning. I told her I would plan every little detail of the travel and arrangements, but once we got there, I was winging it. I wanted no part of any kind of stress (including any form of a minute by minute plan of attack), which is why we went with a Disney "Magic Your Way" package. I figured being stress free was worth the extra expense. So we ended up with the airfare, magical express, lodging, and basic dining plan. btw....does taking over 2000 pictures, and still complaining that you didn't get shots of everything you wanted indicate you have a problem? And just how much detail do you guys want to see? Anyway, on to the report.... Day 1 (Mon, July 24th): We selected the only non-stop flight available, Delta. (And a big thanks to the pilots union for not going on strike). Of course, this left us with a tiny little plane, the Embraer-145. somwhere around 50 seats, and it's so small I could not stand upright in the isle, and had my knees butted up against the chair in front of me. I had to put my leg out in the isle to alieviate this, but of course on a little plane, everyone was up and down the isle, so needless to say, the most cramped ride of my trip, was the plane flight! (results may vary for others, but I am 6'5" and 330lbs, so I needs my space!) Embraer-145 this is the view from row 15 of 18, so almost the very back! Other than the seat discomfort, the flight was uneventful, and we landed at MCO and headed to the Magical Express counter. Now, I've heard TONS of complaints about Magical Express, but knowing the way my wife packs, I HAD to try it. When we got to the Magical Express counter, there was about a 2-3 minute wait, but I had all the documentation, and they sent us on our way. We went straight to the bus, this kind of scared me, as it wasn't a Magical Express bus like the others parked there, it was a Disney Cruise Line Bus. I asked the driver, and they said that they use the Cruise Line buses for Magical Express on days that there are no cruises. So, we trusted him, and went ahead and boarded. (At this point, I had forgotten to take pictures because I was so concerned about being in the right place.) The bus departed about 5 minutes later, so overall, we were less than 10 minutes from the counter to on our way...not bad considering the stories. The trip out was a long one. I didn't realize the airport was that far away. I think it took about 35 minutes before we got within sight of anything disney. It was a combined bus, with stops at Old Key West, and French Quarter before our stop at Riverside. Old Key West Port Orleans - French Quarter And by the time we got to Riverside, I forgot to take any pics because I was concentrating on Check-In. As we took an early flight in order to maximize our park time, we arrived prior to the official 3 o'clock check in. So we went ahead and checked in, got our keys and decided to head to a park until our room was ready. We left our carry on bags with Luggage Services, and headed to Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom was on the Evening Magic Hours for that night, so we figured we'd ride Everest until they closed....wrong! When we got there the standby time was already at 120 minutes, and of course fast passes were long gone. So we did some of the other stuff. It's Tough To Be A Bug a couple of times, Kahli River Rapids, Dinosaur a few times, etc. The obligatory Tree Of Life shot Queue Theming for "It's Tough To Be A Bug" (For anyone who might not know, this attraction is actually IN the Tree itself) "It's Tough To Be A Bug" (This is a 3D movie with special effects) Next was on to the Kali River Rapids. But, my wife won't let me use the digital camera on water based rides, I don't know why, I'm not THAT clumsy. We had a waterproof disposable, but had forgotten it at the hotel. So all I have here are queue shots. "Kali River Rapids" queue theming I musta drank too much, I'm seeing pink elephants! From there, we stopped by Flame Tree Barbeque for our first Counter Service dining plan meal. I was too hungry to take pictures , but the total was somewhere around $68. Yup, I think we will definitely get our money's work on the dining plan. After that "lite" dinner, went on to Dinoland USA... Primeval Whirl Triceratop Spin And then on to Dinosaur... (I tried to get some shots during the ride, but being a dark high speed ride, they all were nothing but blurs) Yes kids, the dinosaurs really were killed by McDonalds falling from Space. "Dinosaur" queue Star Trek's own Uhura, Nichelle Nichols lecturing the non behaving. (This is from the pre-story of the ride) And with Everest having a 120 minute standby (even during EMH), we decided to call it quits for the day, and start fresh on Tuesday morning. Obligatory Everest shot More to come... (Days 2-7) (Gotta resize all the pics (I had them on the highest setting), and upload them to photobucket first). Let me know if you want more or less detail, I've never posted a trip report before. And I have to say, the experience got better as the days went on (this first day was less than half a day!) My favorite was Friday...so stay tuned! Last edited by Joe User 99; 07-31-2006 at 02:54 PM.

07-31-2006, 02:42 PM	#2
Hakuna Makarla Banned User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: well thats none of your buisness Posts: 41,151	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 OMG this was freaking awsome!! your pics showed me things I never saw before, and I loved even the plane shots thank you, I really enjoyed this report, more more more!!! I so want more pictures, I love seeing the pictures, this is an awsome trip report, and hey, welcome to micechat by the way. I think with this kind of report you will fit right in.

07-31-2006, 02:43 PM	#3
Hakuna Makarla Banned User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: well thats none of your buisness Posts: 41,151	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 say, is dino land disney land property? that looks so fun!!!

07-31-2006, 02:45 PM	#4
DiSnEyFrEaK21 Dreaming of Disneyland... Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: too far......san jose, ca Posts: 265	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 great trip report and nice pics. cant wait for more!! __________________ SUPPORT THE CM's!

07-31-2006, 02:55 PM	#6
Crazy Legs All you need is LOVE Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dland USA Posts: 10,830	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 Thanks for sharing __________________

07-31-2006, 03:58 PM	#7
geekzapoppin 1000th Happy Haunt Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Independence, KY Posts: 101	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 Thanks so much. It's nice to know what to expect when we get there this Thursday!

07-31-2006, 04:51 PM	#8
NikkiDancer Wish I was in WDW.. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Too far from WDW Posts: 485	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 So far your doing an amazing job cant wait for the rest! -Nikki

07-31-2006, 07:04 PM	#10
Gregory_510 Disney Cub Join Date: May 2005 Location: Merced, CA Posts: 83	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 Great report so far, I can't wait for more! Did you by chance get any pictures of the back side of Everest? I'd love to see some. As far as details go... the more the better! Can't wait to see more! __________________ "Disneyland is the star, everything else is in the supporting role." -Walt Disney http://www.myspace.com/gregoryj

07-31-2006, 10:19 PM	#11
ragrobyn SpitSpot! Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 567	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 Awesome report!!!! I want to see all 2000 pictures (it helps curb my excitement for my post Chrismas Trip) or at least a photobucket link Roll on he next batch! __________________ "First of all I would like to make one thing perfectly clear. I never explain anything." Mary Poppins http://www.flickr.com/photos/26132873@N00/

07-31-2006, 10:21 PM	#12
brerrbit1 Brrr...its cold out there Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 463	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 Great Trip report. Thank you for sharing !

08-01-2006, 01:17 AM	#13
BigPigletFan I was deleted. MiceChat News Team Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 14,474	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 Great pictures!!! Can't wait for the rest! Sounds like you had a great time so far.

08-01-2006, 07:39 AM	#14
mikeland World Traveler Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aventura, FL Posts: 3,732	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 Great pics so far .... keep 'em coming!

08-01-2006, 07:48 AM	#15
danyoung Video Engineering God Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 2,362	Re: Trip Report 7/24 - 7/30 I really enjoy this format of text mixed in with pics. Keep the pics and the detail coming!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kittie's first trip report. 10-26 Disney trip and 10-28 Trick or Treat party trip.	Kittiekyo	Disneyland Resort	11	11-03-2008 04:33 PM
Trekkie Dad's 3/16-18 Trip Report with bonus report from Death Valley	Trekkie Dad	Disneyland Resort	27	03-28-2008 10:32 AM
The 2Fer Trip Reports: Read One Trip Rport, Get The Other Trip Report for FREE!!!	Dan - Tasmic!	Disneyland Resort	26	03-05-2008 12:19 AM
"I Hate Giving A Name For My Trip Report" Trip Report for 02/10/08	Dan - Tasmic!	Disneyland Resort	25	02-15-2008 09:28 PM
The "Not another Clinkerbelle Trip Report" Trip Report featuring Xmas, Miley and More	sir clinksalot	Disneyland Resort	66	11-24-2007 02:42 PM