Trip Report Hot, wet, sunny, and too much time in Chilis; a June 2013 Trip Report

Hi folks!
This is my first ever full trip report so I hope you all enjoy it.
We’ve had a fabulous 2 weeks in sunny, slightly rainy, but mostly hot Orlando. We’ve had a lot of new experiences during our trip, more probably for hubster, and most for my parents.
If you would like to read my pre trip report, it’s here:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/its-got-so-bad-theres-even-a-jar-involved-june-2013-ptr.862626/

So we’re not ones to completely focus on Disney on a holiday, but we’ve certainly done more Disney than anything else this trip. I wanted to make sure I got in as much as possible so my planning started at 380 days out, including booking reservations on Christmas and Boxing day, and plenty of scouring the forum for ideas. Sad to say I haven’t been able to fulfill them all (Push you little minx, you alluded me once again!) but have still had plenty of new experiences.

We’ve had a 2 week stay at the Enclave Suites on Carrier Drive which is just off International Drive. Oh boy do I wish we had driven this trip. $12 per person to get to and from the World. No room tax though, but still. And because of all the rain we’ve had, it would have been just swell to have had a dry pair of shoes and clothes waiting in a car on more than one occasion.

I also took 3030 photos on this trip! I said I wanted to take more, but wow, I wasn't expecting to finish with 3030. This isn't including the ones took on James' phone either! Wowza.

Incase you haven’t read my PTR, the cast is as follows:

Me, Clare. 24 years young, dental nurse and Disney nut!

DH, James, 33 years young, dental technician, prefers white knuckle rides to Disney, but is still happy to participate in the goings on in the World.

My Mom, Yvonne, 61 years young, accounts clerk, likes Disney but not so much the heat.
And finally, My Dad, Clive, 63 years young, warehouse man, goes wherever the two women want him to go!



Coming up, Day 0: Longest work day EVER and driving down to London baby!

 

[pumpkin7]

Anyway, we decided to head over to Poseidon's adventure. It was bright sunshine when we entered.











This was really good because the staff member was completely besotted with the role. He threw himself into it, and we really enjoyed it.

Unfortunately, when we came out, we thought it was part of the ride. It was absolutely pouring down with rain! It was like a blizzard outside, and everyone was huddling in the exit. James needed the loo, so eventhough our trainers had just dried, we had to make a break for the toilets.

SOAKED!! Absolutely ringing wet by the time we got to the toilets, and of course, then it started to ease off.



We were both soaked and miserable, so we decided to head back to the hotel.

We met up with ma and pa at the hotel, they'd been to SeaWorld. Obviously, because of the rain, everything had shut apart from the penguin house so it was a waste of time them being there so they left early too. They didn't really enjoy SeaWorld. They said it ruined it not having the trainers in the water and the seal show was a waste of time, as you saw the seals for all of 10 minutes.

We all decided to go to Don Pablos after the rain had stopped, and boy, did we have a feast!



Next up: Day 9: Animal Kingdom!

 

[jkl2000]

I'm disappointed because I can't see any beer in that last Don Pablo's picture!

 

[jkl2000]

Wait, I do see one, over by the sauces. I think it's your Dad's!

 

[DisSplash]

Thanks for the great photos if Universal -- Harry Potter World looks AWESOME! I am with you on the butter beer, as I am not a fan of cream soda either. When we finally go, I'll know not to bother with it. And what is with these parents trying to get around rules that are meant to protect the safety of their children?!! I will never understand it. The rest of Universal looks pretty diverse, although it reminds me a bit of a Six Flags park, as the great rides are there, but the extra touches (aside from what I could see from your pics in Harry Potter World) are not always apparent.
So did your sneakers/trainers ever dry out?

 

[pumpkin7]

Wait, I do see one, over by the sauces. I think it's your Dad's!

Correct! We had to push all the beverages to the side to allow room for the food! Soooooo much food.

Thanks for the great photos if Universal -- Harry Potter World looks AWESOME! I am with you on the butter beer, as I am not a fan of cream soda either. When we finally go, I'll know not to bother with it. And what is with these parents trying to get around rules that are meant to protect the safety of their children?!! I will never understand it. The rest of Universal looks pretty diverse, although it reminds me a bit of a Six Flags park, as the great rides are there, but the extra touches (aside from what I could see from your pics in Harry Potter World) are not always apparent.
So did your sneakers/trainers ever dry out?

You're welcome, I'm glad you like them. The Harry Potter area is extremely well done. The queue to the Forbidden Journey, Hogwarts itself, the queue for Dueling Dragons. I also liked the School Choir they had with singing frogs like in the 4th film. We didn't see them but we heard them and they sounded great.
Like I said, the only issue I had was that you couldn't go into many of the shops. Olivanders was absolutely rammed with a 40 minute queue so we didn't bother going in but I bet that was awesome. We never got in the Three Broomsticks either, but the windows for the other shops all had interesting and usually moving window displays.
Universal is great, but it doesn't have the Disney magic. Themes clash (a la Jurassic Park and Harry Plopper) and there aren't many extra touches apart, but it's apparent with HP that they are starting to step up their game.
Our shoes; alas, they did dry out but only because we decided to wear flip flops on the last few days. I was saddened that my trusty theme park trainers didn't quite make it through the entire holiday but it's so miserable walking around with wet feet.

 

[pumpkin7]

Bonus Post!

Now for something completely different.... well, not quite, but due to the fact I used 2 different cameras which have been a pain to get in order, and the fact that they were 5 hours behind James phone, I haven't been able to include James' phone pictures so far as none of them match up. So! Get ready, be prepared, to see the holiday through the eyes of James and his mobile phone!

In the car driving to London



A Clare sized door



Me getting stopped at airport security and having to go in the big scanner.



In the pub!



Our Plane



About to board



Me and Goofy at Orlando Int



Our view



Me on the balcony



Sunrise



Zonked by the pool

 

[pumpkin7]

On the way into Universal





By the Universal Sign



Dancing to the band playing Johnny B Goode





Universal



3D glasses!



Inthe queue for the Simpsons



The DeLorian





Hello!



Bumblebee



James vision beer



In the queue for the Mummy



Me and Dad



James drink at the Hard Rock Cafe



James thought this knife was the coolest thing in the world at the Hard Rock Cafe



Me!

 

[pumpkin7]

The cat that we thought was the kitten we saw during our last trip.



Me at Epcot





Mission Space



In the queue for Mission Space



Hidden Mickey at Nemo and Friends



A really big starfish which I never saw!!



Me from the other side of the lense





Concept car in Test Track



The pub!



Sat in the Soarin' queue



Soarin'!



The pretty plate at the San Angel Inn



The not so pretty food:



World Showcase



Epcot



The Imagination Pavillion at sunset

 

[pumpkin7]

Ma, Pa and Me taking photos



I maaaaaaagin aaaaaaation...







Feelin' hot waiting for the I Ride!

 

[pumpkin7]

I Drive



Typhoon Lagoon



Lazy River



Map



Wish I was there now



James Beer thing at Don Pablos








Burrito!





Streets of America



These are not the droids you are looking for.



Which is good, because they then ran away!



Byeeee!



ToT



On the Monorail!





Main Street!



Excited to be back!



The Disney Horse

 

[pumpkin7]

Orientation Briefing at Stitch



Space Moutain



I am not impressed to have joined a 120 minute queue!



He said I looked miserable so I was forced to smile



The ride that was pure evil according to James...



It would have been more evil had it of broken down and we had been stuck on it for 2 hours haha



Clouds of Doom!



Me and the Castle





Me, Ma and Pa outside the Pirates Dinner Adventure



Dancing inside...



Smile!



Outside the christmas store at uni



Hogwarts



Me in the Forbidden Journey queue





This is meant to be the sorting hat...



A bewitching snowman



The Hogwarts Express

 

[pumpkin7]

And another chopped off photo of the Hogwarts Express



Me and the nasty butterbeer



And another!!! Chopped off photo



Tryceratops Encounter... but not really...

Ponchos at the ready

On the River Adventure

oooo Jurassic PArk!

a dino!

Woooosshhh

Me too mate..

Aww, thanks





And that's as far as we've got so far!
So, coming up next, Animal Kingdom!!

 

[jkl2000]

Loved the Bonus Post!!!

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

I'm disappointed because I can't see any beer in that last Don Pablo's picture!

If you look far in the back right hand corner of the picture.... the bottom of a draft is there!!! lol

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

Ma, Pa and Me taking photos



I maaaaaaagin aaaaaaation...







Feelin' hot waiting for the I Ride!

I love the pics of Spaceship Earth!!!

 

[pumpkin7]

Day 9: Animal Kingdom!

I was starting to get Disney with drawl symptoms so today we decided to head to AK. I have to say, it's not my most favourite park, in fact, I probably wouldn't have cared had we not been able to go. The first time we went was back when it first opened. We managed to get on KS and then we had to leave as the park just became packed to a point that you felt like a sardine trudging around. Last trip, it rained pretty much from the moment we stepped foot inside. So, I figured it wouldn't be as bad as either of those experiences so I was quite looking forward to experiencing lots of new stuff, and plus it was a proper first time for my rents too.

So we had breakfast, boarded our shuttle, and arrived at AK at about 9.30am.



My awesome bag. I also found it really helpful having the photopass card on an elastic band which i picked up at Typhoon Lagoon. It was much easier than having one in my pocket. The one day I did I ended up squashing it ha.



Indeed!



I love these lanterns.





I was completely and utterly stoked to see DeVine pretty much as soon as we entered the park.



She was walking around, until she settled on a lampost, at which point everyone started just walking past her.



James, Ma and Pa infront of the Tree of Life





We thought the best place to start would be to get FPs for EE, so we sent the men off to get them, while me and mom went to meet Mickey and Minnie, as mom hadn't met him since we did back in 1997. Also, there was no queue. I think quite a few people ust walk passed this outpost, as it's not very MEET MICKEY AND MINNIE IN HERE!!! But I was glad, so yay!





I really enjoyed meeting them.



Next up, we headed into Asia.

We were heading for the KS as we knew it would get busy the later the day went on. I snapped some pictures of the Tree of Life as we went around.





Drums!



A very interesting tree.



Me!

 

[pumpkin7]

The wait time at KS was listed at 30 minutes, but it was more like 15 by the time we got to the front.



Simba1!





Now, the reason why I have a picture of the strollers is because there was a very inquisitive squirrel and he was running around all over these strollers, diving in and out of peoples bags, and hats, looking for food! He's next to the red hat on the middle stroller.



He was quite comical to watch. But, we had just entered into Harambe Wildlife Reserve!



James and my rents about to board



One of the trucks.



We managed to get the very back row, which in my opinion was the best seat we could get. We could see everything and it had the best views. We also had a very good driver who really seemed to enjoy himself.





Hello Mr Hippo!

 

[pumpkin7]

Unfortunately many of the animals were on the opposite side to which I was sitting.



Giraffes



Elephants





Jamesy



I have no idea what this is called,



But he had a cool buddy with him



And another! He got realllllly close...



So after the KS, we'd got a bit shaken around on board. Have they taken out the bridge effect completely? We heard the sounds, but I'm sure the bridge used to move. We didn't get to see any lions either, well, we saw a lioness, but only the top of her head! But we really enjoyed KS.





Our FP times were approaching so we headed over toward EE. We ahd 4 FP but my mom wouldn't have gone on this. No way!

 

[pumpkin7]

I had a wonder around and took some pictures.





How cute!



We went and got in the queue, which was about 10 seconds long! Fantastic. The ride was brilliant. I noticed there was no smoke at load, but the bamboo had grown through a lot covering what I presume are the ride car vehicle housings. We thought we'd broken down at the point where Mrs Yeti pulls the track up, as we were waiting there long after the animation had finished. My dad never saw the yeti unfortunately! I did, I told him to look but he didn't see her. She was there in all her disco finery! My Dad really enjoyed the ride too, he'd never been on before.

After, it was ice cream time! I gots me an ice cream sand






We stopped and watched the monkeys swinging around for a bit





There's my dad eating his ice cream!



Next we decided to do one of the trails.



Hello, Mr Kimono Dragon





These guys were hilarious to watch. One was just lying there, but the other kept trying to get up higher using his friend as a stepping post. They both ended up falling off in the end.

 

[pumpkin7]

I got some really good shots of the tigers.



GIANT PADS!!



Sleepy pads



Hello!



One of these had fallen onto the ground so I picked it up and I'm planning on framing it.



And then, my dad spotted Mr Jiminy Cricket himself! I've never seen a 'wild' cricket before. He was just sat on a leaf half way round the trail.



More sleepy pads





We did enjoy the trail. The last time we did a trail it was raining and we were wet from the Rapids so we didn't really enjoy it, so it was nice to take the time to enjoy the animals.
Anyway, James was parched by the time we'd walked... all... that... way... so ooo look, beer....

And Mickey Prezels!