Disney World May 2012 Trip Report Part 1
One of the things I miss most about the first few trips we took together was the amount of planning that went into each trip. We’d sit down months in advance and determine where we wanted to eat and when, and the anticipation would build from this time until the 180 day mark when we could make advance dining reservations, and would continue to build as we awaited the trip.
Planning where we wanted to stay was very similar. We would target some resorts, look for discounts, and finally book the resort (or resorts) that had the best combination of what we wanted and discounts.
All of this planning really made for some fun anticipation, and effectively made the trip about 200 days longer than it otherwise was (although I’m in no way suggesting sitting at a computer in Indiana is anywhere close to as much fun as wandering around Walt Disney World, but it was fun, nonetheless).
We rarely make advance dining reservations more than a couple weeks before a trip now. We rarely follow rigid Touring Plans these days. We recently booked a hotel at Disneyland less than a week before the trip. Suffice to say, the anticipation for trips and the planning stages just aren’t quite the same.
All of that said, we still have just as much fun on each trip as we’ve always had by experiencing new things and because we see the parks in a different way, but the build-up that we loved is definitely gone.
Part of the reason why I resist everyone’s urging to move to Florida is because I fear that we’d lose even more by having such immediate access to the parks. Already, I can be jaded at times, and I don’t want to be a local who takes the parks for granted. Visiting whenever we want would be pretty awesome, but there are always trade-offs.
This trip, however, was a bit of a return to old form for us. Not only did we make Advance Dining Reservations nearly 180 days in advance, but we actually made multiple sets of lodging accommodations, some over 7 months in advance. I’ll get to this story later, but for now I just want to build anticipation. It’s a long, boring story and the end result is mostly just me patting myself on the back, so don’t get too excited!
The importance of this, early in the story, is that we were excited for this trip. Very excited. We had done enough planning that we knew plenty of ways we’d be having fun on the trip, but we didn’t do so much planning that our every move was orchestrated in advance. No matter when or how often you travel, I think this is crucial.
Like most of our recent trips, this one began after a partial day at work, leaving in the late afternoon for the Indianapolis International Airport. We’ve received a lot of questions about how we take so much time off of work to take “so many” trips, and the answer is that we don’t. Each trip we take entails about two days off work, and we usually make up for that by going into the office on weekends (in my case) before and after the trip, or going “on call” (in Sarah’s case). Not that we feel we owe anyone an explanation as to our work schedules, but inquiring minds seem to want to know.
When we arrived at the airport, we immediately headed to my favorite place there: QDOBA!!!!
Actually, just Sarah headed there. How she manages to stomach that garbage when there’s a glorious McDonald’s right next door boggles my mind. It’s not just unpatriotic, it’s unconscionable. By the way, I should mention that this portion of the trip report is brought to you by a considerable endowment from the McDonald’s Corporation. You wonder how we really travel so regularly, well, my ringing endorsements of their food and their sponsorship dollars go a long way!
Obviously, I’m kidding, and I’ll be the first to acknowledge that my ritualistic consumption of fine McDonald’s cuisine before each of our Disney trips is a bit odd. What’s even more odd, or awkward, is taking the photos for these portion of the trip report while we’re at the airport. They’re probably wondering why some guy is so impressed by a $1 menu burger that he’s photographing it. I take these photos not because I want to share with you all beautiful photos of McDonald’s food (pretty sure you’ve all seen McDonald’s food in your lives and are relatively unimpressed by photos of it!), but because I need to get in rhythm photographically, and taking photos of food are a great way to do get rid of some of the rust.
All of the food pictured was for me, and I probably (definitely) ordered too much. For the rest of our time at the airport and while on the plane, I sprawled out in a chair, moaning like a beached whale from over-indulgence in this delicious fare.
The flight itself was nice and short, lasting only 2 hours. We have been doing most of our flying from Indianapolis to Orlando on AirTran lately because they have more direct flights at better hours (for us) than Southwest. It seems that Southwest has been dramatically scaling back their flights from IND to MCO in general, and placing a stop somewhere in them. I have no idea why this is occurring, be it demand or if it’s because Southwest and AirTran are beginning the initial stages of integration. I hope that once the airlines are integrated, even fewer options exist at even higher prices (as it stands, a round trip is $260 for October, which is relatively absurd in comparison to what we have been paying), but I fear that’s exactly what will happen.
On our February 2012 trip to Walt Disney World, we were the first people on a Disney’s Magical Express bus, and it took forever for them to load the bus. This time, we were the very last people on the bus (I thought we’d be on a later bus), but again, it took a while for the bus to leave after we boarded. Not nearly as long as it had in February, but still longer than on previous trips. I have no clue whether we’d just been lucky with Disney’s Magical Express operating efficiently, or what, but I’m already like a rambunctious 6-year old eagerly anticipating these trips once we get on the bus, and delay doesn’t help that. Sarah’s just lucky that I don’t poke her shoulder constantly asking, “are we there yet?”
The bus looked dramatically different than buses we had previously used, with much larger TV screens (woo hoo!) and a somewhat different layout. At one time I recall seeing a news article about Disney buses, but bus transportation isn’t especially high on my list of interests (“You see that? That’s a SIR1995 model Greyhound–it’s the rarest and most regal of the fleet!”), so I didn’t actually read the article. If you are a bus enthusiast, you probably already know all about these new buses.
Our first hotel on this trip was Port Orleans – Riverside. We had last stayed here on our relatively short engagement trip in 2007, and that trip was mostly a blur of nervous excitement for me, so I didn’t really remember the resort. I had also stayed there a couple times as a kid, when it was still Dixie Landings, and I didn’t really remember that, either. Actually, most of the memories I had from there as a kid are mashups of memories of staying there and at Shades of Green. That is, unless they’ve seriously redesigned the layout of the resort since then. Given that I also “remember” when my family got a pet Stegosaurus right around the time Jurassic Park premiered in theaters, I’m guessing it’s just my mind deceiving me. Funny how the mind does that.
One thing I did remember about those childhood trips to Dixie Landings was getting awesome cajun fries at Riverside Mill. I had done some research before our trip and discovered that these fries were no longer offered, but during the course of this research, a current bartender at River Roost informed me that they could still make the fries upon request. Ordering these was my first mission after we checked-in. I wasn’t all that hungry since I had eaten half of the McDonald’s menu only a few hours earlier, but I wasn’t passing up cajun fries!
While doing this research, I had also discovered a few menu items that looked good at Riverside Mill. Unfortunately, I was fixated on those fries, so I didn’t pay careful attention to these. I could have sworn one of them was the Muffaletta. I didn’t know what, exactly, this was, and there was no description on the menu, but it looked like it was filled with delicious meats, so I went with it. Plus, it reminded me of some of the legendary sandwiches at Sunshine Seasons. I figured there was no way it could be anything less than awesome.
I was absolutely wrong. This was the type of result (minus the fancy bread) you would expect to come out of a frat house fridge raid at 3 am on a Saturday night. It’s as if the kitchen staff randomly threw together what was lying around the fridge and called that a sandwich. Except, in this case, as I later found out, the Muffaletta is a real sandwich that is popular in the South! I’ve been to New Orleans a couple of times, and I’ve only encountered delicious food–not any culinary crimes against humanity like this sandwich.
On the plus side, after some initial confusion, the kitchen staff was very helpful in making my cajun fries (not just helpful–downright awesome), and we ended up with the largest side order of fries that I’ve ever seen. The fries were absolutely delicious, and reminded me of those we used to have at Dixie Landings when my whole family stayed there (pet Stegosaurus and all!). We didn’t even end up eating the whole olive spread-laden Muffaletta because the fries were so good.
From there, we wandered over to River Roost to catch a few minutes of Yehaa Bob’s show. Yehaa Bob is a cult favorite in some corners of the Disney fan community, and this was our first time seeing a portion of his show. It was excellent, and he had the crowd in stitches. He was very engaging, and was able to obtain a lot of audience participation.
Yehaa Bob’s website indicates that he’s performed at Walt Disney World for over 14 years, which is quite incredible given his show. He is always on the move, and always giving it his all. I don’t know he constantly has the energy and enthusiasm for his act, but kudos to him for being one of those Cast Member performers who really, truly loves making magic for guests. Given his energy during the portion of the show that we watched, it’s really easy to see why he’s a fan favorite. In retrospect, I wish we would have stayed longer to enjoy his show, but I was eager to get to Epcot and run my new camera through its paces, so we left.
Before leaving, I captured a number of fun photos of Yehaa Bob:
That said, part of me is glad that we didn’t stay, as I think I had a really great night of photography while we were at Epcot. It’s rare for me to be “in the zone” on our first day, but I think I was…
There are multiple pages in this Walt Disney World trip report installment. Navigate to the next page below!
As previously stated, Central Grocery in the French Quarter is where to find a muffaletta worth eating. And just FYI as a Louisianian born and raised it is pronounced MUFF-A-LOTTA.
Great read!
I can not get over how great your photos are! I wish I could capture images like you do.
Your photos of the inside of Spaceship Earth made me feel like I was in the ride. I could almost smell the “Spaceship Earth smell” (as my kids call it).
Thank you. I love your posts…I will be back for more.
Tamara
Glad you enjoyed this installment. Thanks for reading!
LOVE your trip reports, and the photos! The photos truly illustrate how I see these places and scenes through my own eyes! I can’t even begin to describe what you manage to show through a lense! Beautiful and spectacular!
When I’m missing my magiccal, happy place, or are in desperate need of a dose of Disney magic, trip and photo reports like yours make my day, and get me excited for my next trip!
Love your work, and “getting it” like only true Disney fans can!
Keep up the great magic!
So sad to hear about the not so great muffaletta experience. It is one of our favorites, but I’ve never had a Disney version, only an authentic NOLA one. Give it another shot next time you’re down south…Central Grocery is a good place to start. Boscolis olive salad is the best if you make your own. Mmmm…might need to make soon now that I think about it…
Tom, love your trip reports and I always look forward to your new ones. You have great insight on the parks and I love your commentary.
As a rookie Disney photographer, I’m always interested in what new photos you are going to present and your late night adventures in photography. Your work always inspires me to try and get better and I’m going to try some late night sessions in my upcoming October and December trips.
Keep up the great work and keep writing those trip reports!
a GREAT start to your report – I have no idea where you get your energy from!! Our first night in “The World” I end up eating something (while spilling half of it down myself) and just sort of collapsing into/onto bed…. though I suppose coming from the UK with a five hour time difference puts me at a slight disadvantage!;)
Loved the photos you took of the China pavilion: they gave such a sense of depth and scale whereas a lot of the time it feels as though people capture the ‘front’ of the pavilion before just moving onto the next.
Tom,
Thank you SO much for the return of the WDW trip reports!! I was one of the many that commented on facebook and requested that you continue the trip reports…did you seriously think no one was reading these?? You underestimate the fan base you have in cyberspace 😉
I also found my way to your blog from your trip reports on wdwmagic and appreciate your dry humor, self-deprecation and objective commentary. As you stated above, you are a Disney lover but you are not automatron spouting the company approved commentary. On the other hand you are not one of those depressing breed of Disney haters daydreaming about the “good ‘ole days”. Having strong opinions doesn’t make you less objective, as long as you have something to back up your opinions…which you always do.
I also want to give a thumbs up to your dining reviews, DDP analysis and photography section. Again, objective discussion of the DDP and its pros and cons…not just a blanket statement that “the DDP has single-handedly caused the decline of all restaurants at WDW”.
Keep up the good work! I realize that while my husband and I are at a totally different point in our lives than you and Sarah (being in our 40’s with preteen/teenage boys), we look forward to visiting WDW just as you and Sarah are now….alone, still in love, without children and just as enamored with WDW as we are now.
Dear Tom and Sarah,
I discovered your website last fall while doing a google search for people’s Disneymoon trip reports. Yours was the first that came up. My fiancé Chris and I have been planning a pretty epic Disneymoon, and we can’t believe that now we are only 9 days away from our wedding, and 11 days away from going to Disney. We will be staying at the Boardwalk Villas for 2 days, then we are off on a cruise on the Disney Dream, then back to WDW for 4 more glorious days at the World, this time at Wilderness Lodge Villas.
While anticipating this trip for almost a year now, I have read your trip reports over and over, and I love them. I also enjoy your reviews and I like your objective reporting on various things, but your trip reports are fabulous, and your photography is nothing short of stunning. I even started writing a trip report from a past trip and posted it on wdwmagic.com, but didn’t completely finish it yet. I plan on doing a huge one after this honeymoon! I even bought the photography book you recommended, Understanding Exposure. I have always loved taking pictures and hope to get better at it, and maybe buy a DSLR camera someday if I get really good with my point and shoot.
Please keep up the great work, I love reading your reports, and I hope to be even half as good at it someday!
Thanks for the incredibly kind words. Most importantly, have an AMAZING wedding and Disneymoon! It sounds like you’ve done all of your homework, so now it’s just time to go enjoy it! Send me a link to the trip report you write once you start it, please!
As for me being objective…I’m not so sure about that! I have very strong opinions about a lot of things, and they definitely color my writing. I try to see both sides of the coin and not present reviews that are overly positive or too jaded, but it can be difficult. It seems many fans/bloggers either think “Disney can do no wrong” or “Disney has fallen from grace.” I’m somewhere in the middle. Some things I love, some things I think are downright bad. Hopefully I’m fair in what I write.
Hi Tom. I too love your Trip Reports; they’re what got me hooked on your blog this past summer (I’m a teacher, so I had some free time to live vicariously through you guys).
That said, I really enjoy reading these. A friend and I just stayed at Riverside for 3 nights and were complimentary upgraded to a ‘Princess Suite.’ 🙂 The grounds, pool, flora… it’s all just beautiful. We’ll definitely be back (we’re Florida residents and AP holders).
I’m going to have to try the cajun fries next time. Did ya’ll try the pasta station? It’s yummy, and VERY filling. And as far as Muffalettas go, have you ever heard of Schlotzky’s? It’s a sandwich shop that specializes in Muffalettas, and they are KILLER! I didn’t think the one at Riverside was all too great myself, but if you ever have a chance to eat at Schlotzsky’s, give it a try. I think it will redeem the Muffaletta for you.
Can’t wait to see what’s next in your adventure!
After this first Muffaletta, I don’t know if I’m ready to brave another one. I might be scarred for life! 😉
I find that replacing the olive spread with an entire container of Morton’s Salt gives you the same flavor with out the olive bits.
So bummed to hear about the muffaletta. I greatly enjoy them. But then again, I LOVE olives and deli meats… a lot.
Looking forward to part 2!
I love deli meats too. It was the olive spread that was suspect.
Tom, I enjoy reading your trip reports. It’s a great buffer for those of us who need a little magic on our wait for our next trip. What I want to know is… how do you live on such a small amount of sleep?! We love our Disney trips but they wear us the heck out, and I can’t imagine doing them on the amount of sleep you do!
I am actually a terminator sent from the future by Skynet. My kind doesn’t need sleep. This whole blog is a clever ruse so that you won’t suspect anything. Don’t tell anyone! 😉
That would explain why your pictures are so good…
That explains why Tom doesn’t use a tripod. He pretends he doesn’t have the patience for one, but since he’s already a precision machine, he doesn’t need a tripod’s stability.
I’m so happy to see a new trip report from you guys! They are definitely my favorite thing about your site and I can’t wait to read the next part.
My girlfriend and I are so jealous of you two! As broke college students, we don’t make as many trips to WDW as we’d like, but we just went in July and followed a lot of the advice and tips that you’ve given. It really goes a long way in making the most of the trip.
One day we’ll be DVC members and annual pass holders!
Ahh, being a broke college student. I remember those days. While actually having money is nice, I would trade it in an instant for living the “college life” again!
I have to say I love your TRs the best! It is the main reason I visit your site.
Next on the list is seeing your images. They really enhance your story telling skills 🙂
The trip reports are what got me interested in your site. I can see attraction/resort/restaurant reviews on various other Disney sites, but the trip reports are what make your site unique, for me. I appreciate your sense of humor in them and love to live vicariously through you and Sarah.
This report got me thinking – I wonder if parents would support my teaching extra math classes on weekends so I could take days off during the school year to head to Disney?! I’m sure they would support me in this endeavor as taking trips to Disney during the school year would make me a happier, and thereby more effective teacher. You guys have the right idea! More work = more time to play.
So basically what you’re saying is that I need to add a lot more humor to the reviews to distinguish them from other sites? Perhaps just a quick note at the end: “P.S. I thought this restaurant was okay–6/10.” 😉
It never hurts to ask. What, with the internet and the television and the iPads, kids these days basically teach themselves (VERY thick sarcasm here). Lawrence of Arabia is marginally educational, and really long. Pop that sucker in and just have your students watch that for a few days while you go play! 😉
I’m actually taking a day off Friday, Sept. 28th so I can come into town for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler. My students will be thrilled beyond belief when I leave my sub with a movie. I’m sure they would be fine with that at least a few days each semester, I’m just not sure my boss would agree. Some people just don’t get Disney…geez!
I love your reports. This one is close to home… I live in south Louisiana just 30 short minutes across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. As many times (meaning somewhere over 20. I’ve lost count) that I’ve been to Disney I have yet to stay or even visit Port Orleans resorts. I guess in a way I felt, “I live there every day, why would I stay there on vacation?” But seeing from your photos, I am definitely going to visit the grounds while we’re there for the Holidays! They haven’t definitely captured the cajun feel while staying Disney whimsical. 🙂
You are an amazing photographer and I’m looking forward to part 2 of this trip report! Keep up the amazing photos!!
Oops typo “They **have** definitely captured the cajun feel while staying Disney whimsical.”
If I were in your shoes, I’d only visit. I think the theming wouldn’t be nearly as impressive to you given that you’re immersed in the real thing on a daily basis.
Fantastic, makes me miss my “Second Home” so much. I adore Riverside, would be hard pushed to stay anywhere else in all honesty!
What a great first part! I’m so excited to stay at Riverside for the first time in a few weeks! 🙂 Btw, I ALWAYS love your shots at EPCOT! Gorgeous as always.
Throwing in my vote for you to keep these. I’m a big fan of trip reports. Not only from you guys, but all around. They can prove very beneficial to those planning a first trip, or those going on their hundredth. Everyone takes something different away from them. So you never know. Keep them coming! Great job as always with everything.
The trip reports aren’t going anywhere. Thanks to the resoundingly positive response from regular readers, I’ve realized that it was a mistake on my part not keeping up on them better. They may be a lot of work to write, but they’re also a lot of fun to write. Thanks for the feedback!
Had no idea you were at Hoosier! My wife and I are headed down in October with our two boys for their second trip in two years! Glad we have become Disney geeks! We are actually flying out of Lexington, Kentucky. The fare is $75 cheaper per person 🙂
I just put my thumb on why I love your reports past what I said on Facebook. Since you are one of those who “gets it” and write for those of us that do, you know where to look for the magic and your skills with a camera allow you to capture it.
…and I LOVE the low shot of the light up pavement. From that angle you can’t see the pattern but you can see the sparkle. I’ve tried to capture those in a way that conveys the emotional impact and this really does it.