Zeon Star's Trip Report has Begun!

[ZeonStar]

Hey all.

I finally started. It does not yet have the part you all are waiting for, but it's coming.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1177484

[jengold29]

Great first section. Now I'll have to hang around TheDis and wait for more

[crrees]

Ohhh dayum!!! tis begun the reign of Star!

[SuefromRI]

Good so far, don't worry about being "long winded", those of us who like details will read every word, and those who don't can just skim. BUT, don't leave us hanging too much longer--we've been waiting so long to hear about the proposal!!!!

[ZeonStar]

Here is a direct version of Part I that I linked above. Thought this might be easier for some. I'm going to post each report here and there now, only difference being pictures in the posts over on the DIS.

Part I: Personal History and The plan for my (our) first ever trip to Walt Disney World


Hello all!

Before I begin, a few things. First off, I am relatively new to the DIS boards, as you can probably tell by my number of posts. I frequent the Mouseplanet boards as well, which is actually where I got most of the help for the trip I am going to be posting about in the coming days. I like The DIS Boards too though, and wanted to post my trip report here for anyone and everyone to enjoy. I like that these boards let you post pictures IN the post. I think it just keeps the flow going to have them in the context of the report and not have to click out a link to go look at a picture. Anyway!

I also want to mention my report is definitely inspired by the ongoing one found here, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1082773 I hope I can end up making my report half as entertaining as his has been. Since they are sort of the same theme, I hope the readers of that one might like mine as well.

So first some History about me, and my history with Disney. I am a 28 year old male who has lived in California all his life. My experience and love of Disney has come of course from the movies, and from Disneyland, which I have been to many times in my life since I was little. I could not guess an exact number, but definitely well over a dozen. When I was little, it was my Mom who took me. I have a brother but our family was honestly kind of broken so I recall it being me and her most of the time.

I have had many good trips to Disneyland. I love the place and will never get tired of it. As I am sure any one of your know who has been to Disney park, they are anything but just a theme park. My single most favorite thing about Disneyland is how the second I step inside, I forget about the outside world completely. I mean I just simply do not know its there anymore if that makes any sense. I can never get that in any other park in the world, only a Disney one, and very specifically, Disneyland.

Going with my Mom was fine and good. But when I got older I remember one of my fun nest trips to date was the time my best friend came with us. I have never been with anyone but my mother and I and he had a BALL. I remember how much quicker 2 young guys could tear through that park.

Through the years, the way I went to Disneyland also evolved. I know I am getting long winded (and it will probably get worse) but this part really does play into the current report. As I have went over the years, how we got to go changed. What I mean is when I was very young we could only afford to go for one day and stay in like a Motel 6. But as time went on, eventually we were able to go for more than one day. Later, we were able to stay at better Hotels, even including the Disneyland Hotel for a night. And it just has went on from there. Over the years through when I started going on my own. I have been to Disneyland 3 times now as an adult. No Mom. 

Skipping forward to the near present. Last July, me and my Dear Girlfriend Erika, who had been together close to a year at the time, got to experience Disneyland during the 50th, which was wonderful and I am very glad I got to go. That trip was by far the best I had ever did Disneyland. We had 3 days for the parks, 4 if you include the day we left, we stayed in the Disneyland Hotel EVERY night, as opposed to only one like we often did when I was younger, and we had lets just say a lot of Souvenir money. Which is always nice. That trip was easily my best ever to the Disneyland Resort.

I have always wanted to go to Walt Disney World ever since I was younger. I remember seeing commercials where as I described it The Monorail went right through the building. A few Christmass ago, my Mom (who had also never been) got to go with her Husband and his family. I did not go, it was not really my place. But my Mom finally got to see it. Around this time, my interest in going had faded a lot, mostly due to thinking it was just not plausible for me to go so I was content with at least having Disneyland. Which by the way is 400 miles away. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I do not know how it began exactly, but 3 or so months ago me and my girlfriend Erika, or DGF I guess I should call her. (Thats how it goes right?) Anyway we started thinking about what we were going to do for our 2 year anniversary. (June 19th.) and somehow Disney World got mentioned and before I knew it, it was officially where we were going. I could not really believe it was happening, but one thing about my DGF, is she can make things happen. So with about 3 months to go, we had to start planning and saving. I am definitely the planner and researcher. I got help and information from all the boards. Early on we found out about Pirates being redone so we decided to push our trip a few weeks past our actual anniversary date to give us a bit more time to save, and to be able to see the new Pirates refurb. So our dates were quickly locked in for July 8th through the 16th. A day to arrive, a day to leave, and 7 full park days.

We took a long time to pick our Hotel. For a long time we held onto the idea of getting an AP just for Hotel Discounts. But we waited and waited for the rates to come out for the times we were going and they would not come out. But then they finally did and Disney decided to make the discounts for DVC resorts, none of which really interested us.

From the time she had first heard about those Animal Views on the Savannah at The Animal Kingdom Lodge, DGF wanted to go there. In the end, after the AP discount option did not work out, we ended up choosing the AKL and used a AAA package that included a 8 day Hotel stay, and 9 day park hopper tickets. After much thinking about it, we also did include the dining plan which ended up being a wonderfully good idea but more on that in the reports. The airline tickets I ended up getting separate from the package on my own through United.

So we were all set. I was going to finally goto WDW! And to make it better, I was going with my dear wonderful girlfriend, who had also never been. By the way, I do not know a ton about her past Disney History. I know she had been to Disneyland with her Dad when she was little. It was kind of a ritual for them two to go. She says she was a Disney fan always but I definitely think I have helped her to become more of a fan. She still isnt at my level for Disney though. Pretty sure about that!

This trip promised to be the most all out I have ever did Disney. 7 full park days, 8 days in a Deluxe resort, we had an insane amount of spending money, and the topper was we were going ALL out for Food. Before this time, that was the one thing I always went cheap on for Disney trips. I was of the mind that I rather be on a ride than eating. But for this trip since I wanted her to enjoy herself as well as myself, we went all out for food. I mapped out nearly all our meals, at least the sit down ones in Excel and decided which we wanted to use the DDP for, and which we would pay out of pocket. Before the trip I had about a dozen reservations made throughout our stay in WDW. These reservations would change as we were there, and you will read that as it happened each day to come. The first reservation I made was for Cinderellas Royal Table which would be our first breakfast, our first morning, in our first ever WDW park. Sunday morning July 9th. I reserved and paid for it, and it was then I knew this was really happening.

One very important thing you must note about all this. From just about the very moment I knew this trip was being planned, I secretly made plans of my own. To propose during this trip. I knew we both wanted it, and surely did not want to pass up a wonderful chance to give my DGF a most memorable proposal. I knew she was ready for it like a year ago, and she had waited long enough!

For a bit of background on this situation, you might want to go skim this post. http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=57003

Me and my DGF do not live together, but we know everything about each other. We both saved for the trip, but secretly had a special budget JUST for the ring. No matter what I might have had to alter/sacrifice about the trip, the money for that ring was a must. I knew the kind of ring she wanted, but I made sure she had NO clue I was going to do this. Each week I got paid (I have a temp job so I get paid weekly) I kept telling her I had bills and she never suspected a thing or put it together that I had WAY more money that I should of. I had my part of the trip money, and that was what mattered.

That just about wraps up the pre-trip report. I hate to end here, but I am going to have to for now. Stay tuned though, I WILL get Day 1 up soon which includes the proposal. So you wont have to wait long for the good stuff. I hope people will still want to read about the FOLLOWING seven days of our trip. Feel free to post and tell me what you think thus far of my long winded History.

Part II: Arrival Day and Will the people ever stop coming onto the observation desk?!?! Coming soon.
__________________

[ZeonStar]

Alternative Version over on The DIS with pictures in the posting:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...2&postcount=30

Part II: Arrival Day or “Will the people ever stop coming onto the observation deck?!?!”


Hey all!

Yes this is for real, finally going to get Part II out for all you super patient but very anxious people!

Not to delay the good stuff, but just a few quick things:

The Cast.

Me, Adam, 28 years old. Extreme Disney fan, based mostly in the Animated features and in the theme parks, that primarily being Disneyland until recently of course. I was the main planner and researched and researched and researched this trip, finding the best deals, best places to eat. What can be skipped and on and on and on. I am also a character animation major at The Academy of Art University. So I have an extra special love of Disney Animation.

DGF, or Erika, or Fiance or whatever I end up calling her throughout the course of these reports! Very sweet and loving, excited about this trip, had *NO* clue what was coming. This trip was our celebration of our 2 years together and it was originally her idea and she largely made it happen. Disney World was my dream trip for so long and I finally got to see the place… and with her. It could not of been better!

We had a flight from Oakland, CA at about 5pm. We live about 25 miles apart and we both took BART (Local Train Public Transportation) and me at the Station closest to the Oakland Airport. She was running a little late but she caught up with me and we got the shuttle to the airport.

At the airport, our first minor problem began. We had bought a case of water to save a bit of money. We each had a bunch of bottles in our main luggage, and to make a long story short, they put us over weight and we had to take out pretty much all of them. We just gave some of the bottles to a man at the airport and we tosses some others. Ah well.. so much for saving a few bucks that way!

Got our tickets and went through security. I went in a separate line just to be sure nothing happened when the ring went through, which was in the side pocket of my laptop backpack, same place I keep my spare battery. I think she wondered why I choose a different line, but she didn’t think much of it. Got through that, got on the place without incident.

Now we made a big boo-boo in our flight plans In one regard. We purposefully took a late flight the day before, thinking it would plop us into Florida nice and early the next morning and we would have a nice full “Free day.” But we simply did not think of the time change! We had 2 flights, from Oakland to Colorado, then to Orlando. Each flight was about 3 hours, with the second one being longer. On the first flight I did not sleep at all, I watched part of the Making of Lady and the Tramp on her DVD player. I think it was about this time we realized how we had misjudged the time. In Colorado we had 3 hours and the whole place was closed and it was barely 10pm. We thought that was odd. And the people were SO friendly. Ugh! I am being SUPER Sarcastic. My God. It was like the Airport of the damned or something. Dreary City. We finally ended up eating at our own places at the food court. Nothing like a hearty McDonald’s dinner at 10pm.

So on the second flight we tried to sleep. I think she managed too a bit. I did, but barely. I could not get comfortable to really fall asleep. And they were out of pillows!

But in any case, we arrive in Orlando at about 5am local time.

Here is our first picture, taken in Orland Airport.

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...nce=0&res=high

This area totally reminded us of a Hospital Wing! It was dreary. Made us laugh though. We flew United, if anyone cares to note.

We made our way through the deserted Airport eventually to the DME and got on our Bus for the AKL which was already there. One other family was on the bus. As we drove and they planned that little video, the sun just started to come up so It was good timing.

We arrived at our Hotel and proceeded to check in.

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...nce=0&res=high

Our trip was all prepaid through AAA and everything went smoothly. As feared, they did not have our room quite ready, so we had to alter our plan.

Planned the whole time this day was to see Pirates of the Carribean 2. I had bought tickets for the 2 pm show days before. We also had hoped and planned to do some water stuff this day, like try Parasailing, rent a little jet skimmer and so on. But with the movie at 2pm, (which was NOT an option to miss) as well as the VERY IMPORTANT (From my point of view) Dinner at 6pm at the California Grill. On top of all this, I knew DGF very much wanted to do some resort hopping. We knew right away all this was not going to be possible on this our only real “Free day.”

So I thought about it and we changed our day around. First I knew she wanted to see The Grand Floridian most of all, so that’s just what we were going to do. First I called the theater and got new movie tickets, for the noon showing. We were going to goto the GF first, have breakfast, then head over to Downtown Disney to look around and see the movie. After that, it would be check in time.

We took a taxi over to the GF to save some time. She of course loved the place and we will have to stay there on a future visit. (But too bad we loved the AKL so much!)

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...nce=0&res=high

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...nce=0&res=high

We walked the grounds a bit, taking some pictures. We were already commenting “the weather is not that bad.” Ha. I think we were trying to psyche ourselves out!

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...nce=0&res=high

A bit more looking around and we found the Floridian Caf. This first day was one of the only days (besides dinner) where meals were not really set, so this seemed like a fine place to have breakfast, and it was. I had a nice set of pancakes… and… well I forgot what she had. Might have been eggs or something. I told myself I was going to take pictures of the food and I just totally forgot till we were deep in the trip. I had a lot on my mind, cut me a break! I was Frodo carrying around the Ring of Power after all! And the eye is ever watchful…

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...nce=0&res=high

Our waitress was very friendly and treated us real good. After breakfast, which helped us to feel more energy, we took our first Disney Bus to Downtown Disney and strolled through, looking around until it was time for our movie at noon. No, we did not take Taxi’s the whole trip!

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...nce=0&res=high

The Jenny Boat from Forrest Gump:

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...nce=0&res=high


As our movie got closer, we headed to the theater. Surprisingly, it was not very crowded at this time which surprised me for a movie as major as Pirates 2. But then again I don’t know the theater crowds in Walt Disney World. We got a refund on the original ordered of the internet tickets for the 2pm show and went in to see the noon showing.

We both loved the movie of course, as I am sure anyone else has seen it will agree. After that, we hopped on another Disney Bus to finally check into our room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.


Oh, I hate to do this, but I am going to have to end here. I know that’s cruel of me. I started writing this and I didn’t realize how late it was going to get. I need to get in bed for work. Trust me in the long run this is better than me rushing through the rest of this day, especially the part you all want to hear. Because as I get more tired, I will just want to get it done.

I will have the second half of this day up tomorrow or Thursday at the latest. My apologies for making you all wait… again!

[Drince88]

Not through reading yet, but it shows your photos as not available on the links. Do you need to make them 'public'? (Not sure what the right terminology is with the Epson Photo Center)

[crrees]

awesome second part adam keep it up man dont rush yourself awesome pictures (looked at them on DIS boards)

[ZeonStar]

I don't know how to link those pictures! :-( I just copied the properties of thier location. They are public as far as I know. Anyone know abou Epson's photo sharing?

[ZeonStar]

I think I know how to fix the pictures but since I can't edit my post, it's stuck that way. Please just read the DIS version of Part II so you can see the pictures. I will have the links correct from now on.

[vamassey]

Great report so far. I'm going to subscrib on the Disboards. Pictures are great too.


Vanessa

[ZeonStar]

DIS Board Version Link:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.ph...2&postcount=35


**Continuing Part II**

Where was I? Oh yeah. After Pirates of the Caribbean II, we took a Bus back to our hotel. It was close to 3pm so our room was ready. We got our bags from the hold and got up to our room. We of course took the time to look at the amazing lobby, and just sort of took it all in. We were defiantly happy we choose this resort—and we hadn’t even seen our room yet! I don’t remember the room number off hand, but we had a Savannah View on the Arusha Savannah, Zebra trail, 4th floor. Our room was on the end of a “section, so we had no neighbors on one side and were literally 10 feet from a mini lobby with some artifacts and the elevator.

We got into our room and got unpacked and situated. We took in our first view from the balcony and we saw some animals. It was midday, so there weren’t many animals out, but we saw a few, Giraffes if I remember. (which is the animal we saw most I would say during our trip. From our balcony, Arusha Rock was almost directly ahead, and the little watering hole was to our right.

So we got unpacked and situated and got ready for our dinner. Once again we took a Taxi, this time to the Contemporary for our California Grill Dinner at 6pm.

Little side note here. When I was younger, I always saw the WDW commercials with the Monorail going through a building. I didn’t know what hotel it was back then, but I always dreamed of staying at that hotel. For a time during this trip, we thought about staying there, but in the end because of so many great reviews, we choose AKL and I am glad we did. Contemp from what we saw, could not touch the AKL. I know Contemp has an awesome location, but it’s not all about that to me.

I had on some nice jeans and a polo type shirt. I had the ring in the box in my left pocket. The jeans were kind of snug, so to hide the bulge I put my cell phone in there, which I usually have in a carrying case on my side. The whole time through dinner, the ring was in my pocket.

Anyway we check in for CG and get up and seated almost immediately. We did not get a window view, but were only a table away from the window, on the rightish side from when you come in.

Us before dinner.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/dat...67DSC00193.jpg


http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/dat...67DSC00195.jpg

Now, for the sake of this story I need to explain the layout of the CG, for anyone who might not know. It has 2 observation decks, that are sort of like wide catwalks, that come out sort of like a 2 prong fork. 2 go our towards the resorts/Magic Kingdom, which I call the “front” view and 2 go on the opposite side, looking south to WDW, where you can see Epcot and the Swan and Dolphin. We will call this the “back” view. The back view only had one catwalk accessible from
The restaurant. The front view had a forward walk, overlooking the MK and rest of the view, and a back walkway where you could still see it, but not quite as much.

This was taken from the front forward view:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/dat...67DSC00196.jpg
We sat down for awhile and talked a bit and enjoyed the view outside the window. I don’t remember the exact details of all this, but I know it’s important so I will get the jist of it the best I can. About this time we placed out order. It took me awhile to decide, but I chose the Filet and she had a Salmon of some kind.

Out of the blue, she starts crying a little! I’m like… uh oh. But she says it’s just because she is happy. I immediate start thinking this is the perfect time for you-know-what since she is already in an emotional happy kind of mood. So I suggest we take the cameras (still and video) and get our first look on the balcony.

We go out to the front forward balcony and enjoy the beautiful view. You can see the Grand Floridian perfectly, as well as MK, as seen in the last picture.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/dat...67DSC00197.jpg

So we get out there and take some pictures and shoot some video. I’m stalling for time because I want her to enjoy the view, but also, there are people around! Just when one group leaves, another would come. I wanted to have her alone. We stayed out here for awhile but went in after a few minutes.

One attempt failed.

I’m now getting a bit nervous. Not because I am worried how it will go, I am just concerned about when I can actually do it! Either before or after our food arrives, I take her out for a second view, again under the guise of taking more pictures. She does not think anything of it and comes out with me again. As before, people around, and just as one group leaves, another comes. One time I was alone with her and was psyching myself up to do it… when people came out again.

Two attempts failed.

So we went back in. Our dinner was there so we stopped and ate. I was nervous but luckily still had my appetite and quite enjoyed my filet minion, which by the way is one of my favorite dishes anywhere I go. She also expressed how great her salmon was.

After dinner, I alone went to check out the “back” view, the one with Epcot to see how it was. There was no one out there, but I didn’t like the view nearly as much. I thought to myself I would only use it as an extreme last resort. I went back to the table and got her and showed her that view which we proceeded to film and shoot. And wouldn’t you know it, a man with 2 kids came out. She always wanted to see that Epcot “Golf Ball” and this gave her a good view so she was excited about that. But was not going to do it here, so back inside we went.

Let me interject again. I was getting more and more nervous through all this, which makes me have to pee. I call it the nervous pee. Ha ha. Romantic setting now huh? Anyway in-between just about every solo visit I took to the catwalk decks, I also went to the restroom. Each time I was in there, I would adjust the ring to make sure it was sitting perfectly in the case.


We finished up dinner, (I think) and I went alone to the rear front view balcony to check that one out. At the time it was empty, but there were a ton of people on the forward one. Every time I went out, I used the “take more video” guise.
I came back and we choose and ordered our desert. I can not remember what ordered but I got this cake with chocolate of some kind inside, which was warm. But before dessert, I asked her if she wanted to go outside…again. Still thinking nothing of it, she came along. This time we went to the rear balcony, on the MK side. The less crowded one I just mentioned. When we got there, I believe some other people were there, but more were in front. So finally the people on our walkway left and we were alone. I took her to the “point” of the walkway and we looked over to the view of the MK.

Once again she started crying! So I was being loving and sweet and all that good mushy stuff and she was saying how happy she was. She was looking at the view and I took this time to pull out the ring and place the box in my hand, casually behind my back. I told her I loved her etc etc.

Then I said to her “I have something I want to ask you.”

She got all scared and nervous and her voiced raised up higher than usual (She has a voice like Minnie Mouse to begin with) and she said “What do you want to ask me.” Keep in mind she is already crying and even at THIS point she still does not know what’s coming.

I get down on my knees, open the box and say “I want you if you will marry me.”

Full water works, followed by “Oh God and Yes I will marry you.” I tip the box towards her a bit because she has not yet realized it’s a Tiffany Ring… which makes her exasperate even more. So hugging and kissing follow with lots of crying… me too a little… and happy happy thoughts.

Across the way someone yells that they saw us do it and congratulate us.

Taken moments after. You can see the ring on her finger.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/dat...67DSC00210.jpg

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/dat...67DSC00209.jpg

After a few more moments, we went back in and had our dessert which of course was waiting for us. We told the waitress and the people around us our news and got very kind words from everyone.

This was taken back at our table. Notice the red eyes? She ain’t drunk!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/dat...67DSC00213.jpg

Most of the day and some at Dinner, we had not decided if we wanted to go into MK and get a peek or not. During dinner, (I forgot to mention this) we decided we would drop in JUST for a bit and we would not go past Main Street. After the proposal I know she was not ready to go straight back to AKL so I knew for sure we were going to make a MK preview visit.

Around 8pm or so, Maybe a bit after we walked over to the Magic Kingdom. We got inside and immediately were aware a parade was about to happen, so it was about 9pm and SpectroMagic was starting. We pushed our way through the crowds a bit and looked around and got our first glimpse of the gorgeous, and much bigger than Disneyland’s castle, Cinderella’s Castle all lit up and pretty. Even though the Main Street at Mk seemed smaller to me that Disneyland’s, I immediately got that Disneyland Feel which of course made me very very happy. That feeling like I was in another world, and not just a theme park.

We never got much past The Emporium. We ducked in and took a around. This was the only picture we took inside Magic Kingdom that night.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/dat...67DSC00218.jpg

Because of the parade, and frankly our desire to get a GOOD night sleep for the first FULL day of Magic Kingdom tomorrow, we left after being there not even 30 minutes. That is amazing for me… to be able to WILLINGLY leave a Disney Theme park without a second though. But with the coming full days ahead, I was fine with it.

We took the bus back to our room and got back at a very good hour. But it was not bedtime just yet. That however, is where this day ends as far as you all need to know.

Here is all the photos from Day One: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...834&p=74540402

[crrees]

congradulations bro! I knew you could do it. Im glad you enjoyed the CG its such a wonderful restaurant

[HTanner]

Thank you for finally posting the proposal! LOL!! I was getting nervous for you and already knew her answer!

That reminds me of when my husband proposed. On Christmas. He was so nervous, he didn't sleep at all the night before. We all knew he was going to propose by the next morning - and I just wanted to shake him and say "Do it!" LOL!!

I am so happy for you two.

[jenjustinsmom]

Congrats Again!! I love the trip report. It is just not coming fast enough for me.

[ZeonStar]

I just wanted to add this, this picture goes with my very first post. It's me and my friend onl Splash Mountain.
http://myspace-763.vo.llnwd.net/0017...77276763_l.jpg

Makes more sense to see it in context.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread....4#post13705114

[crrees]

nice pic i have a real good one of ToT ill scan in later

[smurfy2525]

zeonstar where's the rest of the story?!?!?!

[SuefromRI]

Finally, the proposal report. Glad you were finally able to get the balcony to yourselves and popped the question, before you popped from excitment and nerves. Congratulations!!