October 2009 Trip Report Part 4

JMarsden92 November 3, 2009
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View Towards The Balcony

Well, yesterday we checked out of Old Key West, and checked into Animal Kingdom Villas. We are in a studio savannah view room.  Upon checking into Kidani you get to self park your car under the building.  This is nice, as you don’t have to walk very long distances to get to your car.  The rooms are very nice.  One thing we found in the room… there are automatic exhaust fans through the bathroom.  Just walk in, and they go on.  Now that is something I could really use at my home.

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View Away From The Balcony

There is a balcony that views the savannah, and a piece of the pool.  The room has a 32″ LG flat panel tv(contrary to what I had read about them being Samsung HDTV units), dvd player, and a media control box in case you need to plug something up to the tv for viewing.  The kitchenette has a coffee pot, sink, microwave, and dorm sized refrigerator.

 

If you are looking to get a really good view of the animals, then I must tell you now…
Request a savannah view other than the savannah I got with my room.
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The Drawn "X" Is Where We Were.

We went into Hollywood Studios for a while.  First thing we did was we stopped, and watched the Block Party Bash parade.  When we finally met up with little brother E. we went on Great Movie Ride, Backlot Tour, and saw some characters.  On the Backlot Tour my wife, and I had to return the favor from years ago by volunteering little brother E., and his fiancee.  I asked the ride attendant to make sure she gave E. the wettest spot in the show.

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Yes...That Is A Very Wet Spot.

After Hollywood Studios we went over to the Grand Floridian to have dinner at 1900 Park Fare.  The meal is always good there, and being on the dining plan made it more worth it because without the plan it would have cost @$85.00 for 2 adults, and 1 child.  After dinner we were all so stuffed that it felt like we were all going to be sick.

We returned to the room, and all passed out by 10pm.  Our next venture is going to be going into Epcot with my brother-in-law, and his family.  We will see if we can get along here, as we see very little of him when we are at home.  Tonight we will be dining at the Coral Reef restaurant at the Living Seas.

More videos, and pictures are coming… Keep watching.

For more of this trip be sure to read…

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4 (This one)

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October 2009 Trip Report Part 3

JMarsden92 November 2, 2009
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mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-copy

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Tonight we went to Mickey’s Not So Scary party in the Magic Kingdom.  This is a party that turns the Magic Kingdom into a kid/adult halloween party zone.

Upon purchasing a ticket for this event you proceed through the turnstyle.  Once you enter the gate you are subject to doom if you remove a wristband that is placed on you.  A few steps later you are given a Trick or Treat bag.  We started the evening by watching the parade that goes through the Magic Kingdom 2 times per night.  The parade is opened by the Headless Horseman.  Another of the parade features was the ghosts from the haunted mansion.  A lot of the Disney characters are in the parade.  Some short video clips will be put up as soon as I can.  Keep looking for them.

Some of the rides through the Magic Kingdom are open for riding.  Taking advantage of the smaller crowds is one thing that I would suggest.  We went on People Mover, Speedway, Tea Cups, and Peter Pan.  Throughout the park there are candy stations for kids, and adults to get some candy given to them.  This was great because the little one wasn’t home in NJ to be able to go door to door trick or treating.

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Rare Photo Of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs

Along the way you will also find a few spots that have character greeting areas, and there was also a dance area in Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland.  We got lucky enough to get a once in a lifetime photo of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs during the party.  Other photo opps that we missed because of time were Pooh & Eeyore, Tweetle Dee & Tweetle Dum, Queen & White Rabbit, Buzz Lightyear, and others were scattered throughout the park.

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Wife & Little One Painted

There was a FREE face painting area setup in Toontown, and the wife, and little one got done up.  The party ends at 12 midnight, but there is a lot for everyone to do.  There is 1 fireworks show per night, and the music that is played seemed well placed with the show.  Prices vary based on when you purchase, and what day you are going to go.

For more of this trip be sure to read…

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3 (This one)

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October 2009 Trip Report Part 2

JMarsden92 November 1, 2009
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Yesterday we were off grounds for the most part, but did come back so the little one could participate in some good wholesome Disney Halloween activities.  We went over to the Boardwalk, and they had activities, and trick-or-treating for the kids.

OBFB_1_998OK, so today was the first day that we are going to be around Disney World.  When got up this morning we had totally forgotten about the time change, so we had to quickly get cleaned up, and ready for breakfast.  We were meeting with our friends at OHana in the Polynesian.  We got to the restaurant, and as usual had to wait a short amount of time.  The cost was $18.99 per adult, and $10.99 for children 3-9 years old.  Children under 3 are FREE.

Just a side note…Everyone is referred to as cousins, so that woman, or man you married… they aren’t married to you while you are there, as marrying cousins is illegal in most parts of the world.

We got seated at a table that had a great view of the Magic Kingdom.  Our server Michael greeted us at the table, and took our drink orders.  Naturally the adults all had coffee.  You can’t take me anywhere in Disney without me having my coffee.  It has something to do with the blend that they use because I love the coffee here.  Anyway… We got given bread when we came in, and they also brought some fruit plates to hold us until the food actually showed up.

ohana11The food that came was in a big bowl that was put in the middle of the table.  It had pork sausage links, smoked bacon, island style potato wedges, eggs, and biscuits.  You can have unlimited coffee, juice, and milk.  The server brought Mickey waffles to us manually, as they are being made on the fly.  During your meal 4 characters come around, and greet the children.  Those characters are Stitch, Lilo, Pluto, and Mickey.  There is also a mini parade where the children, and the characters walk around the restaurant making noise with instruments.

The bill came, and it was a rather reasonable meal.  We paid cash, as we aren’t on the dining plan until tomorrow.  Check out my other posts about the dining plan.  I have combined a lot of valuable information to get the most of the dining plan if you have chosen to get it.

The wife, and the little one went over to the Animal Kingdom, as I voted for me to be able to relax for a bit.  We are lucky enough to be going to Mickey’s Not So Scary tonight, and I don’t want to be dead on my feet.

Keep checking back, and you will get my full report on Mickey’s Not So Scary…

For more of this trip be sure to read…

Part 1

Part 2 (This one)

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October 2009 Trip Report Part 1

JMarsden92 October 30, 2009
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We just got in from the drive from *ell.  We left at @4pm on 10/29, and arrived around noon on 10/30.  Can you say SORE?

Coming through Downtown I noticed that they are once again working on the Holiday Inn.  Seems like years ago that it closed down.  Actually I think I am right… it was years ago.

We were put in the 54 building.  We have never been in that area before.  The room is slightly different from what I remember.  Upon arriving my daughter started playing with the plastic knobs on the new arrival… IPod alarm clocks.  I had to get packed, and the wife had a need for some “Much Needed” sleep.

Well, I will update you all after I get a nap in, and we decide everything that we are doing.

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Disney Trip 12/2008

JMarsden92 December 22, 2008
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My parents just returned from a short trip to Disney World.  They were only there for @3 days.

They stayed at the Boardwalk.  My mom told me that the parks were extremelly dead, and that restaurants were actually hawking people.  The weather was superb from what she described.

I only wish I could have gone down for the holidays this year.  I usually do, but with the money situation, and the work situation my family couldn’t afford to take it.  We are going in April for Easter vacation.  My daughter is out for 10 days, so we are going to enjoy that time.

We will probably get Annual Passes, as Easter 2009 is falling within the 364 days that the Annual Passes are good for.

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