So here we are again… Another amazing trip is over.
My original title for the is report was:
The Best-Laid Plans Of The Mouse & Men… because so many of our carefully thought out schedules & plans were completely turned upside down by Irma and other “forces” along the way.
However, Ross and Julia who do not share my love for Robert Burns or John Steinbeck vetoed that and came up with their own title. Before I begin our tale, I want to express and offer our thoughts and prayers to all who suffered in Hurricane Irma as well as Harvey & Maria. There are times when I joke about the fact that we were in Florida during the hurricane, but in no way do I not realize the devastation that was caused to so many.
That being said... Let the Trip Report begin! Who’s in?
We were all sweltering and needed some hydration. I had Hope’s apple juice with me but the rest of us got a frozen treat. I got a frozen Chai Tea and Julia got a lemonade.
Ross got a tropical something - it may have been mango. I asked him for a picture but my prince charming wasn’t feeling the camera, so this is what I got.
Side note: As I sit here barely in double digit weather writing this, I would take that sweltering weather anytime!
We had a FP for Dinosaur so we journeyed back in time. Last year, Hope wouldn’t even walk over to this attraction without flipping out, so I held my breath to see if she would ride. We strolled her in and when we got passed the second FP check, we were directed to an elevator. She wasn’t turning back and seemed positive.
As we got on the elevator, another wheelchair party came on with us. They really should have made them wait because we were all crushed on the elevator – it was very uncomfortable. They were also very loud and upset over something. When the doors opened for us to exit, there was another group of very loud people waiting to board in the disability line. They apparently were with the wheelchair that was in the elevator with us. Now if there’s one thing I know Disney insists – the wheelchair (or stroller in our case) always stays in front of the rest of the party. I don’t know what happened with the motley crew ahead of us, but they definitely did not follow that rule. They immediately started yelling at us that they were there first and we needed to let the rest of them go ahead of us. Honestly, I really could have cared less, but they were so unbelievably rude. They person rolling the wheelchair just stormed past us almost running us over.
We ended up waiting there at least another 10 minutes to board, which was strange because the ride itself was a walk on – we didn’t even need to use our FP. But eventually we boarded and headed back into time. I’m happy to say we made it back and we had another success with Hope – she loved it!
Could she keep her streak up? There were still two Disney Dollar experiences for her to attempt here at AK.
It was removed prior to the grand opening weekend (in anticipation of the hordes of guests who would be lining up outside the park) and hasn’t been replaced.
Speaking of Disney Dollar rides, our next one was ready with a FP – EE here we come!
Hope seemed very certain she was going to “get the Yeti”. So on line we all went. Julia wanted to sit next to her, but I felt more comfortable with me or Ross sitting next to her on her maiden voyage. Julia was sad so I tried to joke with her and told her If Hope goes flying out, I don’t want her to feel responsible.
Ross flips out when I take pictures on the rides. He insists I’m going to drop my phone. But I did manage to get a smile even though he was yelling at me.
Yes indeed, Hope LOVED it! I was so excited because this is my favorite ride and its awesome we can all ride it together!
We managed to squeeze into the next Nemo show, but because we were so late, we ended up sitting very close and right next to the stage. So we had to sort of stretch our necks to see the show. We all love the show, and I always end up tearing up at the end.
Back to Dinoland for Hope’s last Disney Dollar attraction – Primeval Whirl. Once again, 6 Flags helped us out because there is a similar ride at the park which is similar – on a much smaller scale. So she had no problem going way back in time!
Then it was time for Hope to cash in her Disney Dollars. We walked into the gift shop in Dinoland. All day, she kept asking for a Tsum Tsum “cottage”. I had no idea what she was talking about until she held up this beauty…
It was Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs Tsum Tsum Cottage – and yes, they were all in there. Then I saw the price tag - $50.00!!!! I hesitated but Ross would have nothing of my sticker shock – and took things into his own hands – literally - and got on line to pay for it.
By now we were starving – so it was a good thing we had an ADR and I was very excited about it where we were eating tonight.
Tiffins… a new experience for us! Like Skipper Canteen, Ross was nervous – he doesn’t like to spend 2 credits on a meal and he is not an adventurous eater. I think we were fighting at this point. Nether of us were wearing our Happy Anniversary pin and they didn’t ask if we were celebrating anything so I think we missed an opportunity for a special experience. However, the restaurant is beautiful and the food was delish!
We booked the meal as the ROL package so that meant we could get an appy and not have to worry about getting seats for ROL later on. We got a pretty art sketch as well. Overall, it was an awesome meal and I would love to do it again.
We returned to ride the river journey. Again, I was hopeful that I would like it as I liked FOP.
Now we are from NY – about an hour from Bethel Woods & Woodstock. Bethel Woods has a 60’s museum with all things honoring Woodstock –black velvet paintings with all the fluorescent colors, etc... So when we left the boat ride, Ross asked me how I liked it and I replied that I think we just sailed through Bethel Woods. Not my cup of tea at all.
Pandora as a whole… Well, as I took notes for my TR I wanted to use words such as awestruck, breathtaking, amazing, etc… However, to be perfectly honest all I can say is – it was okay. I would ride FOP again – it was an awesome ride. I hope that’ a tease to what’s coming to Star Wars Land. And… I would like to go back and try the food - it was wayyyy to crowded to bother to wait. Other than that… AK is still a one day park for us – except maybe to ride FOP or Everest.
Speaking of EE, We all wanted to ride once more before ROL. Even though we had a preferred seat from Tiffins, we knew we would need to sit in the disability section, which wasn’t very large, so we decided to play it safe and get there early. But felt we had time for one ride on EE so off we went.
We let Hope & Julia ride together and they were very excited to do so.
At the end of the ride, he was in such a hurry to see our picture… guess what he forgot? Yep – as we were walking into the entrance for ROL, he realized he left his phone on the ride! The girls and I settled into ROL while Ross ran back and thankfully got his phone!
He rejoined us only to tell me he really wasn’t feeling good. I asked if he just wanted to go but he gave me a crazy look. I searched to see if I had any cough drops with me but I didn’t. He decided to go by some frozen lemonade and bought some for the girls to since he didn’t want to share his germs with anyone.
As we were waiting, the sweetest CM, Christian, came over to take talk to us. He addressed Hope as Pocahontas and she corrected him and said “Hopeahontas” He busted out laughing and spent several minutes talking to us. I shared with him that Hope was Autistic – because he kept talking to her but she wasn’t answering him. He shared that he had family with special needs and we both agreed that Disney was a magical place for all – and great therapy! He was truly such a sweet young man!
Then, the moment we waited for was upon is… Rivers Of Light.
It was Ok. Again, I wanted to be blown away, but it just didn’t happen. It was beautiful, the music was pretty, but I didn’t connect any further. It was not a Fantasmic! Or a HEA… nope I just didn’t like it very much. Julia and Ross agreed. Hope loved it.
As we were getting ready to leave, Christian reappeared and presented Hope with a bucket of popcorn! He told her he had never met royalty before and wanted to give the princess a gift. OMG it was so sweet!!!! I had to get a picture for Hope’s scrapbook to remember him - and she does. Her treasured popcorn bucket is the home to many Shopkins!! I couldn’t thank him enough. Disney magic is awesome!
We had hoped we could try to get one more ride on FOP, but the park was closed after we exited ROL So we made our way with a herd of people to the exit. We felt like ice cream so we were happy to see there was a bus to DS.
Needless to say the bus was packed but we all managed a seat. I had Hope on my lap to give someone else a seat but Ross who usually stands, wasn’t feeling good so he kept his seat tonight. The bus driver PACKED us in! Soon enough, we were off. Ross who was sitting next to me and still not feeling great leaned over and whispered, “The little girl next to me is peeing.” Now, I have to admit, this is one of my greatest fears that my child will pee in public – so my heart went out to her mom and the little girl. Then Ross whispered again, “It’s dripping down my leg.” It wasn’t funny, it was a little bit gross, but I couldn’t help but laugh.
We couldn’t get off the bus fast enough. Ross went into the men’s rooms to “clean up” before we walked around. Ghirardelli’s was busy tonight – but we were happy to wait. Instead of eating our ice cream on a race to the boat, we had time tonight to sit and relax. Hope had fallen asleep so no vanilla for her.
We looked around a few stores before heading to the boat for a ride back to POR. We got the girls into bed and then walked to the lobby to clear our bill. I also needed to pick up a B-Day button for tomorrow.
I have to agree with you about ROL. It doesn't do much for me. I've seen it twice(so I could give it a fair chance) and left both times feeling the same way--not too enthralled. Nice show but wouldn't go out of my way for quite awhile to see it again.
So sweet what Christian did for Hope. Such great memories!! People like that make Disney so special!!
Poor Ross--I feel so bad for him. At first I thought it was kind of funny but as I read along my laughter quickly stopped. It is pretty gross.......
