Trip Report! Part 1

Two Canucks Walt Disney World Adventure!

2 Magic Your Way Tickets, Park Hoppers Pass with the Water Parks and more option for 5 days!

Motel: Super 8, Buffalo

Airline: JetBlue non stop to MCO

Resort: All Star Movies

Dates: August 27th-Sept 6th 2012

Parks Visited: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom,
Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Downtown Disney and Sea World

Well we are finally back from our 10 stay at WDW. It was quite a build up to the vacation. At first we were not sure whether we were going to drive or fly down. In the end, we decided to drive to Buffalo, stay over night at the Super 8 Motel and fly out the next morning. Now not all of this trip report is going to be good. I have a few complaints about some things. But I figure that it what a trip report is for. To help other learn from our experiences. So they can make their vacations as magical as possible.

The drive to Buffalo was okay. There was about an hour and a half wait at the US border. Which we were expecting, since it was close to the Labour Day holiday.
We made to the Super 8 Motel in Buffalo and the receptionist there tried to argue with me that we had not booked a long term parking room. When in fact I had book the room well in advance. And I also called prior to leaving just to make sure.
Needless to say from the look, stay and atmosphere of the Super 8 Motel, we would not stay there again. I cannot complain too much because the price was right. But I think next time we will look else where and pay a bit more.

So the morning after our motel stay we were up very early because we were excited to leave and get started on our Disney vacation. The motel did offer a breakfast bar of cereals, yogurts, juices, milk, make your own waffles and other foods. We took the complimentary shuttle to the Buffalo airport, and went through security with no problem.
Our flight was with JetBlue. Only 2 hours non stop to MCO. We boarded easily. The staff was polite and friend. The snacks were great and the trip was smooth.

When we got to the Orlando airport, we went straight to the Magical Express and were disappointed to find that we did not get a chance to board the big blue bus like we had expected. Instead they were using bright yellow Mears buses. Now this wouldn't have been a problem, except for the fact the bus was dirty, smelly and over all disgusting. The arrival video you get on the bus still played, but it was choppey and in black and white. Not at all what I expect from starting our Disney vacation.
To top off this first impression of Mears....the drive got -lost- on Disney property... completely disregarding the signs the directed him to our resort. And adding an extra 40 minutes to the drive while he tried to figure out where he was going.
So we finally make it to the All Star Movie Resort after our drive stopped to ask for directions.

I had done the pre-online check in. As well as called to book our preferred room. So I go stand in the empty line area for the online check in and get ignored for 10 minutes but the more then enough receptionist standing around. It wasn't so much that I minded waiting if they were busy. It was the fact that they saw me standing there, looked right at me, looked away and turned to serve someone else in another line. Finally I spoke up and was able to get us checked in.

We were in the Mighty Duck building. Room 3721, on the ground floor. It was a much quieter area away from the main pool. My husband and I were also very happy to see that this resort was not as large as the Pop Century(which we had stayed in previously). Less walking which was great. Opening the door to our room though, we find two beds. Not the one king sized bed I had requested and payed the preferred room fee for. We called the front desk and they said there was nothing they could do since all of the king bed rooms were booked. "Call back in the morning." was their answer. At this point we were just so tired and so frustrated since we had never had this back of an experience with Disney that we just let things be for the night and stayed in the room.

With everything that had happened so far, we decided to make the best of things and hit Downtown Disney to look around. We got on Disney's free transportation to DTD and walked around three stores and then of course with weather being like it was during Aug 28th, it rained. And when I say rain, I mean poured. We had brought umbrella with us, but it wasn't helping. We got soaked, but laughed it off and headed back to the resort for some much needed sleep!

After a whirlwind first few days of our trip, we were up bright and early the next morning, Aug 29th, to visit Animal Kingdom. We had a great time at this park, despite the muggy heat. But it's Florida and the weather was to be expected. The park attendance was not too high that day and we managed to get on all of the ride we wanted without much of a wait.
I forgot to mention that we had booked the trip with the Free Dinning Plan promotion and had the Quick Service Dinning plan.
For lunch we ate at the Flame Treehouse in AK. The ribs and chicken were good. I just would have preferred a better side dish then baked beans and cole slaw.

We still had lots of time that day after lunch so we decided to hit Blizzard Beach. A first for both my husband and I since we had never been to a Disney's water park before. The water slides were a great way to cool off. and we enjoyed ourselves. After that we headed back to our resort for dinner. The food court at the All Star Movie resort had lots of selection and also the refillable mugs that came with our stay were great.

Back at our resort that morning I had called to try and get us another room and was met with the same response. I was not impressed and finally asked to speak to a supervisor and indeed was able to get us a proper room for the next morning. We just had everything packed up(which wasn't much since we didn't really unpack in a room we didn't want) and left our stuff by the door while we went to the park the next morning.

The weather after the hurricane scare during this trip was great. It was hot and sunny. Maybe a few clouds and only rained in the evening but by that time we were usually in the pool so it didn't matter.

The next morning we went to check out Hollywood Studios and got to ride the new Star Tours ride. We are both avid Star Wars fans and that was a huge highly. No lines so we rode it a few times.
While we were gone, the resort moved out stuff into our new room 3715, with a king sized bed! Finally we were able to unpack fully and I was able to decorate my window and door!



I only saw one other door decorate while we were there. >.< But that didn't stop me. I had planned on decorating and I was gonna do it!

That night we headed to Epcot and were able to see Illuminations Reflections of Earth. It was an amazing show and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the park!

Part 2 Coming Soon!

Itty...Bitty...baby steps.

So after my last blog things are going slowly but surely back to normal.  At least I am hoping so.  Never want to go through anything like this again.  Now I am not saying that things are perfect and all "la la land" or anything.  Like I said things take time.  The fights have stopped which is good.  And communications has started it's rebuilding process. 

This incident has also given me a chance to sit back and take a looooooong look at myself, my life and the things I want for my family, and me.  I do understand that again things will take time.  Nothing happens over night.  Well unless you win the lottery and then you can make things happen over night.  But that's another pipe dream.

On a more positive note, 10 days until we leave for our trip.  So that is keeping me going! As well as the support from a lot of friends and family.  Soon I will be able to once again feed my addiction to WDW!

Shattered

That is the only way I can describe this blog.  Shattered.  As well as hurt, sad, but also angry and seriously pissed off.  I found out some very awful things yesterday about someone that has claimed to be my friends.  And if you read my last post.... I have trust issues and don't have a lot of people to talk to.  This sort of explains why.  I refuse to use names in the blog to protect all of those involved.  But I also know that certain people who read this will know exactly what I am talking about.

I know that I could make things easy and call said person who betrayed me some pretty awful things.  But I also know I really need to calm down and take a step back.  Look at the situation very thoroughly and figure out what is best for me.

Feeling Anti Social.

Been feeling somewhat moody lately.  I am sure everyone  it's normal.  Could be from not enough sleep, could be from just life in general.  But my moods tends to be up and down.  I am usually a pretty positive person in general.  Or at least I try to be.  There are just times when things get me down.  I tend to over think a lot of things that just aren't that big of a deal.  It could be just my own insecurities.  It could also be my constant needs for reassurance that things are good and fine in my life.


I don't have a lot of close friends and I used to think that wasn't such a big deal.  Though as I am getting older, I admit I am a bit jealous of getting to see many people I know still in their social groups from high school or even grade school.

The subject of being social and hanging out with friends has become a constant discussion between Chuck and I.  He tends to be a bit easier going then I am with people.  I take a very long time to open up.  Always have since I have been burned and hurt a lot in the past.  And the "discussion" tend to turn into arguments.  I bottle a lot up inside and don't let me feelings out.

I kind of wish I could find an easier way to be around people.  I don't want to be the weird chick that no one can talk to.  Or the control freak that I tend to get accused of being.  Maybe I should have tried to be a bit more out going as a young person.  But since there is no chance of that now.  I guess I will just have to deal.

Road Warrior to be

Had a pretty good day.  Got some driving practice in.  Beware all, I may just be brave enough to soon take my road test and officially drive the roads on my own.  Driving has never been a big deal for me.  If I sit down and think about it, it's probably because I have always had boyfriends with car that could drove me around.  Now I know that sounds bad, but in a way I have never had a need or want to drive myself.  But as I am getting older I have noticed how much I not only need to be able to drive myself.  But also how much I would like to have the freedom of not having to find a ride with someone.  Be it my husband or a friend or even my parents.  Who knows maybe I will get up the courage by the end of this year.

Actually the driving test is something that also scares me.  The thought of being in a small space with someone pretty much judging your every move.  And then they get to decided whether you can drive or not.  It's never wracking!  Here's hoping I can get past this soon.

Almost there....

So now we have our room vouchers, extra tickets and Magical Express package. We are down to 20 days to go!  Getting excited.  But also just wanting to get there and try to relax.  I have been working so much lately.

When I am home I am wondering why I not working and don't know what to do with myself.  It's also getting impossible to sleep in.  As you can see I am writing this blog at 7:32am.... those who know me well enough are looking at me like I am crazy.  But this what happens when you constantly start work at 6am all the time.

Day shifts are nice.  Very glad to be off midnights.  But I do miss a bit of the freedom during the day that midnights gave me.  What I don't miss though is the very strange sleeping hours and having to switch my days around on the days off I had.

For the trip so far I have a bit of thing ready.  If I had my way I'd be already packed.  But Chuck won't let me. >.< Which is understandable.  Can you tell I am ready to go?

Something else going through my head lately is that the holidays are coming up.  I can't wait!  I don't like months without holidays in them.  I am a huge Halloween and Christmas person and like to go all out.  Hopefully I will get the chance to this year.

Listening to "Root Before Branches"  Glee Soundtrack

Couldn't think of the title...

Plane tickets are bought and paid for.  That is such a relief.  Also hotel in Buffalo has been booked and already paid for. Not we just have to worry about the last payment for the trip.  Then it is on to saving spending money for the trip.

The trip is getting so close.  And I am going to be working non-stop at my job to make sure we can afford to have a great time together.  Chuck and I using this trip as a way to celebrate a a few thing.  One being his college graduation from the Personal Support Worker course.  So proud of him. This year is also my 30th Birthday! >.< Hard to believe.  But I thought we might as well do something great.  And a Disney trip is perfect because it is the best place in the world!

This year also marks our 3rd wedding and Chuck's birthday will also be celebrated on our trip.  Can't wait.  I am excited.  But I must admit I am bit tired of waiting.  Now I have never been a very patient person but I know there will be a reward at the end of waiting.