Bethany ran in the Princess Marathon this past weekend and invited me to join her for a quick weekend trip.  I meant to do a pre-trip report last week but did not get a chance to get on the computer.  Work was absolutely horrible.  I went in for 6:45am a few days and did not leave until 6:30pm. I don't think I have ever come so close too quiting a job like I did last week. 

We left on Saturday.  I meant to go to bed early Friday night because I had to leave for 5:00am on Saturday morning for the airport.  Needless to say I did not get to bed until 11 and my dog woke me up at 2:30.  I planned on getting up at 3:30 so I just stayed up and cleaned up a little before taking a shower and getting ready to leave. I am an earlier riser but 2:30 am is early even for me. 

I get to the airport and Bethany is not there yet so I sit and wait for her before going through security.  For some crazy reason my tennis require extra security screening.  We finally board the plane and we are able to sit together because we both have an A boarding pass.  Right before take off the pilot announces that they have to de-ice the wings of the plane.  De-ice the wings of a plane leaving New Orleans in March.  Now that is a first.  The flight is very smooth and we are there in no time.  We don't have any checked bags so we really do not pay attention to the two gates that have the luggage. We are busy talking and as we come down the escalator we don't see a driver holding a piece of paper with my last name.  We quickly learn we went to the wrong gate. We go to the second escalator and sure enough our driver is there.

We are now on our way to the All Star Sports.  I have never stayed in any of the All Star resorts and ended up really enjoying it.  Our room was ready and we quickly walk all the way to the last building where our room is on the third floor.  We take a couple of pictures and head to the Wide World of Sports for Bethany to register for the race. 

Our first park is Animal Kingdom.  We are starving so the first thing we do is grab a quick pizza.  I usually suffer from motion sickness so I am very careful about what I ride. Bethany has dramamine so I decide to try it.  I have never ridden Primeval Whirl because I was always afraid of getting sick.  The line says 40 minutes but in no time they switch us to a second line and within 10 minutes we are on the ride.  I loved it and did not get sick at all.  I can't believe what I have been missing.  Funny story - we are in line and start a conversation with the family in front of us.  It sounded like this was their first trip.  The dad ask "What are other good rides at Disney World".  Bethany ask what park and his reply was "You know...the real Disney World".  He did not know the name was Magic Kingdom.   We next get in the single rider line and ride Expedition Everest.  I sat next to a little girl who was so much fun. 

Our next plan is to go to Downtown Disney but since there is no bus at Animal Kingdom to do this we take the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge.  I have never been here before.  We walk around a bit and I love this hotel.  We hop on the bus and we are in Downtown Disney in no time.  We meet up with Morgan and her mom in WoD and Lori (a friend of Bethany's) and her two beautiful little girls. We shop and then head to get something to eat with Lori and her girls.  Bethany gets Wolfgang Puck and the rest of us get Earl of Sandwich.  It is pretty late so we head back to the hotel.  Bethany has to be up at 2:30am for the race and I am really tired from getting next to no sleep the night before.

Thanks For the report Lori...........

I really like the All-Stars..... I have a ball when we stay there....... Even after our DVC rooms......

Off to read more......

Lori, think about de icing the plane...........didn't h-ll just freeze over?    It makes sense if you think about it..........Glad you got to go on this trip.......I think you needed the time away from work. 

Lori, I can't believe how fast you got this up! I was asleep when you were posting this on Tuesday night!

I was going to do a trip report, but it would read almost identical to this, so I'll just comment on this one! I agree with Lori about All Star Sports. I have never stayed at a Value, only deluxe and moderate level. My favorite level is actually the moderate, and it still is. The Values were fine except for one thing: NO COFFEE POTS in the room. I do NOT like Nescafe "coffee" and I won't drink it. I cannot tell you the last time I went three days without my coffee.

Aside from the coffee fiasco, I was pleasantly surprised with All Star Sports. The pictures of it don't really do it justice, it looks much better in person. The photos of it, in my opinion, make it look gaudy. In real life, they are just fun. I found the transportation to be quite good also. I rarely waited long for a bus. They came often since the All Stars have so many guests. ASSp is the first on and first off when the 3 All Stars share a bus; that was a nice perk. 

I would not hesitate to stay at All Star Sports again. I probably won't for awhile, because I'd like to try all the hotels before doing repeat stays. When I do stay at a Value again, I hope it's when I drive there and bring my coffee pot and coffee with me from home.

I had used online check in, and they had our info packet ready for our arrival and our room was ready when we got there. We had room 8356, on the 3rd floor overlooking the pool in the baseball section. We were two doors down from the giant Coke staircase between the two baseball buildings.

 I was really glad I got to see my friend Lori and her girls on this trip. We got so excited we forgot to take pictures of us!   She just recently moved to Florida from the New Orleans area. Just when I get to know her, her DH's job moved him out of state.

And Sarah...when is "next time"? You got another trip planned already?!?

Beast wrote I was a little confused my the multiple Lori's at first - thanks for clearing that up for me.

Same here Rhonda.  Sounds like you had a good first day. 

It sounds great!!! I would love to be at the Earl of Sandwich right now!

I want to put my two cents in