Trip Report Another one of Dray's live trip report attempts (How we learned to love 2008) Now with pictures!!

First off, kudos to you if you got my vague reference in the title. Here's a hint, Stanley Kubrick.

Ok, the cast contains the 4 usual suspects:

Me, Dave. 30 something. I like long romantic walks on the beach and cuddly kittens. Oh, and MMA, the History Channel and my family.

Amy, 30ish and a stay at home mom. She loves to craft stuff and Hocus Pocus.

Ashley, 15 years of age and she is infatuated with Monster High dolls and anime.

Justin, 14 and he also loves anime and video games.

Peanut, our bun in the oven and her interests include kicking momma in the ribs and being lugged around like luggage.

We flew in back on the 10th. We landed around 2:45 and grabbed our stuff from the claim area and headed to the Alamo area. Had a little hiccup there, we found out that Florida now charges some fee that's $2 per day, which explained the difference in the price on my itinerary and what the kiosk showed.

After a few minutes in line, the kind fellow at the counter squared us away and we headed to the garage to pick up our horseless carriage. We have 8 suitcases and a huge over the shoulder bag, so we always get a mid size suv. We prefer a Ford Escape, but the only one they had was taken. So, we grabbed an available Nissan Rogue, which barely fit our stuff. Lesson learned, from now on it will be a standard suv.

Anyways, we headed to grab a bite at McDonald's and then to check in at the Super 8 Orlando. We were extremely surprised at how nice the rooms were, and only at $59 a night. We headed to the outlet malls on International Drive and the one at Vineland. This was just a one night stay, so we headed back to the room and got some shut eye.

The next morning we packed up and drove over to the Royal Pacific Resort to check in and get our Express Passes. The room wasn't ready, so we parked and grabbed our Express Passes and walked to the parks. We picked up our renewed APs and off we went. I believe we hit Men In Black first and then headed to E.T. before taking in a viewing of the Horror Make Up show. We absolutely love that show.

We generally split up for about half of the day because the ladies like to partake in the thrill rides, while us two gentlemen like to take it easy and relax. We absolutely love Universal and we spent 3 days there. On Sunday we managed to take in two Make Up shows and during the final one, I was "that guy" that didn't help Mickey James when she was "dying". Even when you know what's coming it's still hilarious.

We checked out of the RPR this morning and checked into the French Quarter today. Our room wasn't ready but he told us we'd be in building 3, so that's cool. We didn't have any breakfast, so we high tailed it over here to the Studios and ate at Pizza Planet. Now we're standing in line to see Phineas and Ferb, and that's where I'm writing this little TR from.

One thing I must say is WHAT HAPPENED TO SEPTEMBER? Holy cow, is this NOT dead.....

It's very crowded. I would compare this to April. Too bad we were spoiled by having the Express Pass. Now back to third class with the rest of the peasants.

Also, if you're familiar with my style then you know I won't be adding pictures until we get home on the 23rd. Sorry folks, but I'm not good at using Photobucket on the go.

And one more thing.....my son and I have now maxed out on Men In Black. As a matter of fact, I've done it 3 times now.

......to be continued.
 

draybook

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Maybe I should have titled this TR as Zzzzzz, because all we ever do is sleep in. So after another rest day, we're here at the MK. Crowds aren't too bad and there's a slight drizzle, so it's not blazing hot either.

We missed our first two sets of Fastpasses, but we still have the Mine Train set to go. Justin found his courage so he'll be trying it with the ladies while I sit it out.

We have 4:15 reservations at Be Our Guest followed by 10:45 reservations at Raglan Road, so I predict a lot of gluttony and sloth today.
 

draybook

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Be Our Guest was delicious as always. We had a really awesome waiter, Kurt. However, I was tempted not to tip him because my daughter found him to be very cute. Have I mentioned that I'm a very protective dad?

From there we headed to Jungle Cruise and it was about a 45 minute wait. The skipper was cheery and all, but a comedic roll isn't her thing.
 

draybook

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We had a pretty good night at the MK, but earlier in the day we noticed that they had pushed back closing from 9 pm to 10 pm. Our ADR for Raglan Road was for 10:15 so I called and got it moved to 10:45, thinking that it would be okay.

Well, we got on the monorail around 10:10 and normally we probably would have made it, but this is where one of my rants comes in. The MK parking lot exit.....totally unacceptable. I know they're doing demolition on the Raceway for the parking expansion, but having three lanes of terrible drivers condense into one lane at the end of the night is about as bone headed as it gets.

Due to that fact, we didn't walk into Raglan Road until 11:15. This is where we learned another cool fact. After 11 pm, they serve from a highly altered, aka shrunk, menu. Not only that, but they have different music and no dancing. This did NOT go over well with the wife and kids. We were on the verge of leaving but they muddled through it.

Personally, I enjoyed the music and food, but it was lacking the true "Irish experience" that we enjoyed from our last trip.

Now for a quick observation and a mini rant. First off, I'm endlessly amazed at how many people will walk right towards me when there's 80% of the pathway free for them to use. I must have bounced 4 or 5 people today. And it seems like every year, people's lack of upbringing and manners gets worse and worse.

Anyways, it's bed time and this old guy is feeling his years. Thanks for hanging in there with us and I hope you stick around for more.
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
We had a pretty good night at the MK, but earlier in the day we noticed that they had pushed back closing from 9 pm to 10 pm. Our ADR for Raglan Road was for 10:15 so I called and got it moved to 10:45, thinking that it would be okay.

Well, we got on the monorail around 10:10 and normally we probably would have made it, but this is where one of my rants comes in. The MK parking lot exit.....totally unacceptable. I know they're doing demolition on the Raceway for the parking expansion, but having three lanes of terrible drivers condense into one lane at the end of the night is about as bone headed as it gets.

Due to that fact, we didn't walk into Raglan Road until 11:15. This is where we learned another cool fact. After 11 pm, they serve from a highly altered, aka shrunk, menu. Not only that, but they have different music and no dancing. This did NOT go over well with the wife and kids. We were on the verge of leaving but they muddled through it.

Personally, I enjoyed the music and food, but it was lacking the true "Irish experience" that we enjoyed from our last trip.

Now for a quick observation and a mini rant. First off, I'm endlessly amazed at how many people will walk right towards me when there's 80% of the pathway free for them to use. I must have bounced 4 or 5 people today. And it seems like every year, people's lack of upbringing and manners gets worse and worse.

Anyways, it's bed time and this old guy is feeling his years. Thanks for hanging in there with us and I hope you stick around for more.

As for the lame people who walk directly into your space, I had to laugh--especially at the part about you "bouncing" 4 to 5 people" yesterday! People just get so distracted; that happens a lot down there.

Your (unavoidable) late arrival at the restaurant was unfortunate.:( Let's hope your family's dinner experience is better tonight. :)
 

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
Now for a quick observation and a mini rant. First off, I'm endlessly amazed at how many people will walk right towards me when there's 80% of the pathway free for them to use. I must have bounced 4 or 5 people today. And it seems like every year, people's lack of upbringing and manners gets worse and worse.

I've noticed it too more this trip. I, actually, enjoy just stopping and letting them walk into me. I can take the hit quite well and they usually can't.:D
 

draybook

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Another late day and today is Epcot. We cruised on in around 11 am and headed straight to the outdoor Mexican quick service. Had some delicious nachos and then headed to some rides.

The ladies went to Soarin and we hit up Imagination and now we're in the EO pre show. It's sweltering hot but man do I love this park.
 

DisneyGigi

Well-Known Member
We had a pretty good night at the MK, but earlier in the day we noticed that they had pushed back closing from 9 pm to 10 pm. Our ADR for Raglan Road was for 10:15 so I called and got it moved to 10:45, thinking that it would be okay.

Well, we got on the monorail around 10:10 and normally we probably would have made it, but this is where one of my rants comes in. The MK parking lot exit.....totally unacceptable. I know they're doing demolition on the Raceway for the parking expansion, but having three lanes of terrible drivers condense into one lane at the end of the night is about as bone headed as it gets.

Due to that fact, we didn't walk into Raglan Road until 11:15. This is where we learned another cool fact. After 11 pm, they serve from a highly altered, aka shrunk, menu. Not only that, but they have different music and no dancing. This did NOT go over well with the wife and kids. We were on the verge of leaving but they muddled through it.

Personally, I enjoyed the music and food, but it was lacking the true "Irish experience" that we enjoyed from our last trip.

Now for a quick observation and a mini rant. First off, I'm endlessly amazed at how many people will walk right towards me when there's 80% of the pathway free for them to use. I must have bounced 4 or 5 people today. And it seems like every year, people's lack of upbringing and manners gets worse and worse.

Anyways, it's bed time and this old guy is feeling his years. Thanks for hanging in there with us and I hope you stick around for more.

The people who directly walk into you and the ones that stop and have a family conference right in the middle of a pathway or doorway. Is it that hard to move to the side?? I have a very pixie dusted nature but I did tell a very rude family off trying to go out the door to a table carrying a tray at Casey's Corner. They just stood and looked at me while spread out trying to figure out why their wi-fi wasn't on, blocking the entire doorway.
Enjoying the report! Hope you have a great time today. :)
 

StageFrenzy

Well-Known Member
Today, we did something that we've never done in our 7 year, 11 trip history. We went to see the American Adventure. It was pretty cool. It's been a good day here and we just finished a great meal at San Angel Inn.
Have you tried to slow down and take in more, or do you find you are going at a high pace to see it all still?
 

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