Sorry, I didn't mean to attach this entire post... I can't quite figure out how this works yet! Anyway, I am late to reading this, but LOVE to hear another Nurse's take on the EPIC adventure you all had! And how cool was the mom and baby statue for a NICU RN!May 1, 2019
TRAVEL DAY
Before I get to Travel Day…I'm going to back up to how this trip all came about in the first place, since this was about a year in the making.
If you want the nitty gritty details, here's the link to the PTR started by Su-Lynn last July:
The Most EPIC Pre-Trip Report
But the cliff's note version is that Fallon mentioned in a group chat that we should all get together in WDW and there was a lot of, "Oh my gosh, yes!"
For me personally, I was super excited at the prospect but I also knew I had a BIG trip planned already for April. Nicholas is graduating high school this year and thinking that this may be our last April vacation together, we had booked the Fantasy cruise last year while we were on the Wonder. So when the group decided on early May for the EPIC trip, I was really thinking there was no way I could possible go since it was so soon after our April trip.
But that didn't stop me from wanting to go and I kept myself in the EPIC planning group chat while everyone was planning and booking their hotels. I talked about it with Mike multiple times and didn't really make a decision one way or another until Kari @kastoney texted me and asked if I wanted to be her roomie at the Wilderness Lodge. At that point, I knew I needed to make a decision one way or another and after talking it over again with Mike, I decided that I would HATE to miss out on this! And that was that. Once I committed to Kari, I knew there was no backing out and I got even more excited about going!
Side note, at the time, I was planning on only going for three nights, May 3-May 6th and since Mike doesn't fly, having him come along was not really an option. For those new to my trip reports, my husband Mike either takes the train down from CT, or actually next March, we will be driving down together. I also didn't realize so many husbands would be going and I was kind of bummed that he wasn't there because I think he would have really loved hanging out in the lounges and Geyser Point with us and Ariane's and Jenny's husbands. He is definitely coming down to the next EPIC trip!
So Kari and I were planning on staying at the Wilderness Lodge May 3-May 6th. I had my plane ticket booked, I got myself an AP on my April trip and everything was all set. But then a couple weeks before the trip, Su-Lynn texted that a super generous offer was made for us to have a VIP tour on May 2nd. What?? And I was missing that by ONE day!Liesa @Steppesister and I started texting back and forth because she was in the same boat and we decided that we would fly down a couple days early and try to find a place to stay together for those two nights. This is easier said than done and it was so last minute that there was very little available in all of WDW that wasn't exorbitantly expensive. Somehow she and I managed to piece together a couple nights at two different resorts and we were all set to go, until Liesa got a super generous offer from Jill @jedijill to stay in her room at Animal Kingdom Lodge for those two nights!
Obviously, this was much more appealing and we happily took her up on her offer!
So on May 1st, I left dreary CT,
and arrived in sunny Orlando around 7:30 pm…
I know it had only been a couple weeks, but it felt so good to see Palm Trees again
Liesa had gotten in earlier in the day and once I landed, she and I were texting back and forth about meeting at AKL. I was actually more than a little nervous because I really didn't know Liesa very well and I had never even texted Jill. When I explained to my friends at work what I was doing, I think they thought I was a little crazy. I'm not going to lie…I thought I was a little crazy for doing this too, but I figured, what the heck!? I also think a big part of this is that this was all happening in WDW and I am super comfortable traveling there by myself and figured if things didn't work out, I would figure something else out.
Luckily, not only did things work out, but Liesa and Jill are two of the nicest, easy-going people I've ever met. It makes me even happier that I took a chance on this
Anyway, after a not too terribly long ride on the DME,
I arrived at AKL around 9 pm.
For those who read my October trip report, you may recall that we didn't love Jambo House. I have to say, that after staying in Kidani Village with a Savanna View, I have changed my mind about AKL. BUT, and this is a big thing, I would only stay there again with a Savanna View, and not a view of the closed down under-refurbishment pool, like we had in October
Kidani also has a smaller, more welcoming feel to it that I preferred.
Liesa met me in the lobby, and despite what she says, she looked perfectly lovely and we hit it off right away! We brought my bags to the room and went in search of food. Our plan was to sit outside by the pool and have some drinks and appetizers, but when we got there, there was a very limited menu so we decided to head into Sanaa instead. Mike and I had planned to go here twice and somehow never made it and I have always wanted to try the bread service, so I was excited.
I love some of the cool art in there...
How much fun for a NICU RN!
We had a lovely server and after a short discussion, Liesa and I decided to just share the bread with all the accompaniments. This was just as amazing as people say, though a couple of the sauces were just way too hot for me.
I was also very excited to see that the had Trulys here and I had a couple of those as well, while Liesa had a glass of wine.
We sat and talked and got to know each other better and it was really such an awesome meeting and a perfect start to an EPIC trip!
Liesa and I closed down Sanaa and headed back to our room at 11, where I finally met Jill, our most generous host, who had been sleeping prior to us coming in! Despite this, she was absolutely lovely and just such a kind person who I am most grateful to!
We chatted for a bit before settling down for the night since we had to get up and go pretty early to start a most AMAZING day!
Up next…the VIP tour that I am SOOOO happy I didn't miss!
I think I was just very self-conscious and didn't know what to say to him so I felt weird.
I love character meet and greets and it sounds like you guys had a hoot meeting Mickey and Minnie. I love their birthday outfits and you got some great pictures even with the photo bombing
That Su-Lynn. She's like a rabbit who knows all the trix
She really is!
I was not expecting to get them either but I used every charm in the book and Steve was batting his eyelashes but apparently that was not enough...
All we had to do was drop our dashing VIP guides name, Jon Waters, and they were like, Jon Waters?!? He's a legend. And they just gave them to us! LOL.
So much fun!
What kind of nursing do you do?
OMG! What an amazing meet with Mickey and Minnie!
I didn't even think of that!
Amazing!The VIP group mostly dispersed and I walked over to Main Street and bought a Mickey Ice Cream Bar at a kiosk. While I was strolling along enjoying my ice cream, I bumped into Su-Lynn @chunkymonkey , her husband Steve, her sister Su-Queen, and Kari at a little booth on Main Street. Su-Lynn was talking to a CM and I missed the beginning of their conversation so I have no idea how she did it, but shortly after the CM tapped all of our bands and gave us all a FP to go meet Mickey & Minnie
I was excited because I hadn't yet seen them in their birthday outfits.
I love it! You guys had so much fun!! I had the best time with M&M in March as well and can't wait to bring DH to meet them next week!
I was a Cardiac Med-Surg RN before transferring to the Emergency Department. I LOVE it there and can't imagine going anywhere else. I guess I am a total adrenaline junky, and I love that every day is different!No worries. It can be kind of tricky until you get the hang of it
You're the first person that picked up on why I loved this statue
Once everyone was together, our guides gave us a rundown of how things would go for the day. We would pretty much stay together unless anyone decided to opt out of a ride, in which case we could split up. And we would use the FastPass line for our rides.
Amazing not only to do so much but visit all the parks
CM tapped all of our bands and gave us all a FP to go meet Mickey & Minnie
Hi Kelly
I love it I'm still so sad I wasn't able to go but happy I can follow along with your TR
Been MIA myself a spell, but am back to comment. What a great Meet you had with Mickey and Minnie! Pretty crazy antics there.
Super glad you ran into them so you could join in!
Have a great time in HH!!!!! I hope you have good weather and are able to relax. Hey, maybe you and Mike could drink some Sangria in a box????Sorry I've been totally neglecting this TR lately! I've been working a lot and busier than ever, despite it being summer! We are heading to HH a week from Friday. I'm hoping to get an update in before then, but if I don't, I plan on using some of my down time to get some updates in while we're down there. Thanks to all who are still sticking around to read this
