Live from POFQ-Minus a day-Day 1

[TiggeRia]

I always tell myself I'm going to write a trip report but I never seem to follow through. This time I'm going to try it live, by minus one day, and maybe I'll actually finish!

Background...
Myself (Ria) - 31, Disney nut
Fiancé (Chris) - 31, Likes Disney well enough but usually goes just to appease me

We decided a month and a half to go on a quick trip...just Mon to Fri. My family has had a pretty stressful time since Thanksgiving when my father had a heart attack and then wound up on a ventilator in ICU for two months and another month in step down. It's been a long and tiring recovery and we were definitely ready for a quick getaway to "forget about life for awhile".

April 30 - Day 1
At o'dark 30 (otherwise known as 2:30 am) the alarms went off and we were ready to go. Out the door at 3:30 and to Newark Airport by 4:30. We had an easy time checking in, going through security, and boarding. Had an easy flight too, for that matter. Took off at 6:05 and landed by 8:30. Magical Express was pretty much empty and we walked right onto an empty bus by 8:50. Waited for about ten more people and we pulled out by 9:00. Our resort was the first drop off! We made it off the plane all the way to our resort in under an hour-not too shabby!

We were greeted by name getting off the bus (they really do know where you are at all times!). We were escorted to the check in desk and told not only was our room ready, but were upgraded to a water view! Yay! Short walk to building six only to discover we weren't in a water view room -boo! Oh well. It was at least a corner room, a quiet area, and just a short walk to the lobby. Works for me. Added bonus-free wifi. This was new to me! A quick change, some Mickey waffles for breakfast, and we were good to go.

First stop was actually to buy some annual passes (thank you Intercot for the newly added October trip!). Here's a hint for some people that I just learned. You can buy AP's in the lobby of your hotel and they are plastic! They look just like a room key, but I'm happy it's not that flimsy paper ticket. Its ridiculous...if I'm spending that much on a ticket, you should be able to give me a plastic one!

A short wait for the bus. Our plan was to just spend a few hours at the park. We hit up Jungle Cruise (longest wait at 20 minutes) POTC (walk on) and Tom Sawyer Island. Doing that last one was an accomplishment for me. I have now officially tried every attraction at the MK! We ate some lunch at the taco place, which doesn't really serve tacos, apparently. We made our way out of the park, stopping to pick up a TIW card, waited for about 20 minutes for a bus, and made it back to the hotel.

Chris took a nap, but I wasn't about to waste my vacation time on a silly nap, so off to the pool I went for awhile to read and relax. Weather was absolutely gorgeous-mid 80's, sunny, but breezy. Perfect!

Washed-up and headed back to the MK for dinner. Busses were quick tonight. We made it from our room to passing through the turnstiles in 22 minutes had some time to kill so shopping it was!

Checked in at Tony's Town Square-a first for us. ADR at five and we were seated about a minute later. We split a caprese salad (yummy) and I had chicken parm and Chris had lasagna. We had a pretty good meal and a good waitress...we'd come back.

Tomorrow land called so off we went...COP, people mover, Buzz (I won!). Not much of a wait all around. Fantasyland was next and we did Dumbo (first time for Chris), railroad, Philharmagic, SW, and then off to a favorite, HM.

Made our way to the front of the castle for the memories show ( the name escapes me). I suggest standing close if you'd actually like to see the pictures. We stand closer to Casey's and they were too small (or maybe my eyesight i's just that bad). Anyway, the lighting effects are amazing. Wishes started, but Tinkerbell didn't pay a visit tonight...not sure why. We made it out if the park fairly quickly and right onto a bus. We promptly collapsed into bed, and I fir one fell asleep as my head hit the pillow.

Up next: EPCOT

[SBETigg]

Thanks for the trip report! Sounds like a wonderful, well-paced first day. I love that you've done everything in the MK. I'm still a few short to claim that honor.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Sounds lovely, thanks for the report

[faline]

Trying to figure out your resort - did I just miss it in our report?

Love those early morning flights and being in the park by lunchtime - the downside, of course, is that you've been up so early that you're tired by the end of the day!

[TiggeRia]

We are at POFQ. Put it in the title but forgot it in the actual report...oops!

[AJ Springfield]

Awesome report!! I admire you for getting so much done even though you woke up at o'dark 30. I am going to use that term when my family is faced with leaving home at 3:30 a.m.

[Princess'Mom]

Super Trip report! It feels like I'm almost there!

Have a magical time! I'm counting the days until I'll be there T-28 and counting!

[Bethanymouse]

Loved reading about your first day! Its always exciting! Glad you were upgraded!

[KylesMom]

A good travel day - and then some! Fun day in the MK - congrats on your Buzz victory, btw!

We usually get up at o-dark thirty too - I know how that pillow feels at the end of the day!

Thanks for taking the time to post - we all love reading them, and I know they can be daunting when you first begin!

[Bubsy]

Thanks for the great update!

I am going to be at WDW in June and will be on the same flight you were on leaving Newark at 6:00am. I love the early morning flights, as well. I plan on getting to Newark airport around 4:00am and will not sleep due to all of the excitement! I plan on going to MK first and will stay until the fireworks show, as well.

I will be at every rope drop for each park for the next 4 days and will close each park, too. (This is something that I have never done and am looking forward to accomplishing this objective).

Have a Magical day and enjoy the rest of your vacation!

[shadowden]

Sounds like it was a great first day!

I'm amazed you made it that long, having gotten up so early!

[emerzmom]

Wow! What a first day!

Julie

[Disneywarrior]

Full first day...thanks for reporting!

[January-2007]

Thanks for the trip report!