I don't have a catchy title September 2011 anniversary trip report

We've had a couple of weeks to decompress and I've had a little while to deal with my Disney depression, so here's our trip. You'll notice that there are absolutely no pictures. That will be explained below.

Now I present our first trip without a kid.

When: September 16 - 22, 2011
Where: Pop Century, room 0434 - building 10

Here's the good:

- We had a fantastic time!
- The weather mostly cooperated. It was hot, but not horrible. It rained every day, but not for long.
- The crowds were not Christmas crowds. The parks were busy, but wait times were very manageable and most rides we walked right on to. We're only used to Christmas crowds, so anything less than that is awesome.
- We wore our "happy anniversary" and were singled out by the fairy godmother during the dreams come true parade.
- We arrived 5 minutes before the Indiana Jones show started and were offered VIP seating.
- I've been wearing Laila for over 10 years. We figured while we we where in Epcot we'd purchase a new bottle in Norway. While there, we were able to meet and have a conversation with the perfume's creator, Geir Ness. He's really personable and signed everything we purchased and threw in a few free gifts.
- Picked a pearl and got a silver one. I was really excited about that. I watched 5 or so people before me get all smaller pearls and whitish in color. I had chosen a small oyster because I read somewhere online that the smaller the oyster the bigger the pearl.
- The food was ok. We had the QS plan and the best meals were in Morocco, the UK, and Pop. At Pop we tried the TV dinners, specifically turkey. It was really good. I seriously think it's the same food served at Liberty Inn.
- I was able to drink my fill of Nescafe. I love that stuff!

Here's the bad:

- Our trip is over.
- No kona coffee. Apparently we missed the memo and there's no kona coffee anymore. Or every cast member we asked at the Poly had no idea what we were talking about. However, we did get a monorail trip out of it.
- Our very last day at the park (MK to be specific) - I erased 6 days worth of pictures on my camera. Luckily we still had the photo pass that came with our vacation package. We hit almost every photo pass person at MK, Epcot, and HS. So, that means no pictures. I tried my best to not cry over it and mostly succeeded.
- The heat and how it affects people. We're used to heat and humidity, so we were ok with it. I really think the heat has a lot to do with peoples attitudes. Lots of crying and angry kids....and even a few adults.
- Less than impressed with the quality of QS dining options at MK and HS, but I shouldn't complain. My main purpose for visiting disney is not to eat, but to have fun.
- Lots and lots of obliviots. We came across a lot of people that are just flat out dumb or just don't care what they do.

And finally, the ugly:
- We saw WAY TOO MANY people in shorts with their butts hanging out. I cannot imagine wearing something like that trying to get onto Space Mountain. I'm sure the cast members working the restraint check see more than they ever want to. Another thing...why, why, WHY would someone wear heels to tour the parks?

That's the quick overview of our trip. I'll also post for each day of the trip.

 

[imahistorygeek]

Day 1 - Arrival

We arrived around 4pm at Pop. We checked in and swam a little. The resort was really busy. First order of business was to pick up our mugs and get a drink. Second, we're off to our room. We requested a room on the top floor close to transportation. I think we got pretty lucky with building 10 on the top floor. It's pretty close to food and transportation. Next, we head out to the buses. There are a lot of people in the lines.

Our plan was to go to Epcot due to EMH. The park was busy, the lines are not bad and we were even able to fastpass Soarin. We moved on to other rides with even less a wait. After riding everything we wanted to ride, we headed over to the World Showcase. Our first stop is Morocco for supper at Tangierene Cafe. I seriously believe this to be the best quick service restaurant in the World.

We finished up supper and walked around for a bit and rode Maelstrom and Mexico (I can't remember the name at the moment). We also looked for some hidden Mickeys and found a few. We noticed people were starting to gather for Illuminations. This was one of my must-see things for this trip. Illuminations is over...hmmm...I'm undecided. I wanted to like it more, but found myself wishing it were over or at least just wanting to watch fireworks. We stayed for a bit after it was over and then headed back to the buses.

Night one @ Pop was pretty quiet. This is a good location because there are trees right out front and an unfrequented walkway.

 

[imahistorygeek]

Day 2 - Epcot

We decided to go to Epcot again the next day. We rode all the major rides and scheduled a Behind the Seeds tour. All the rides are in pretty decent condition, however, I was a little disappointed by the graininess (or whatever you call the dirty screen) of Soarin. You'd think Disney would fix that. As for Test Track, I am in love with the single rider line. You don't have to watch the video. On to Mission Space. I didn't man up and ride the more intense version. Maybe next time...

We did do the Behind the Seeds tour. It was really good. I had these two great pictures of this plant when you touch it, the leaves immediately close up. It was pretty cool.

We at lunch at Sunshine Seasons. Another place I really wanted to like more but didn't. However, that was only after trying one thing. I did like the selection of desserts.

After lunch, we looked around a bit more and then headed towards the World Showcase. I forgot to mention above that we were also doing the drinking around the world. I made a list of all the drinks we wanted to try. We purchased a passport and after every drink, we'd write it down in the matching country and make a few notes.

Skipped Illuminations and headed back to Pop.

Day 3 - MK

I had been anxiously awaiting our 1st day at MK. I couldn't wait to see the decorations. We arrived before it opened and watched the opening ceremony. It makes me cry every time.

I LOVED the Halloween decorations! Very nice and fall-looking. We immediately head for Space Mountain but it wasn't ready so we made our way to Fantasyland and checked out the new construction. It's coming right along. We spent the rest of the day riding rides, eating QS food (today was Pecos Bill and Casey's), and dodging the rain. We caught the Dreams Come True parade and I'm watching the floats and characters go by. Sean turns to me and makes me look up at the Fairy Godmother on a float. She had waited for me to turn around to wish me happy anniversary. I cried. Of course, I cry at pretty much everything.

We witnessed the flag retreat. This was a neat moment because both of us work at a military college in Georgia. At 5pm every day we have retreat and it was nice to know that while we were witnessing the flag retreat at MK, the same thing was happening at home. If you haven't had a chance to see this ceremony, you should. It's very special and a veteran participates in the ceremony.

We stayed around for the electrical parade, the magic, memories and you show, plus wishes. The parade was nice. I was very impressed by the magic, memories, and you show. The technology was amazing and the pictures and the happy message were nice. A little while ago, we'd heard that the laser show at Stone Mountain park in Georgia used the same type of technology. We decided to check it out because it's a pretty close drive from home. Yeah, the laser show technology was terrible and didn't fit into the show. Disney did it right though. The Wishes show and fireworks were good. We stayed at the park a bit more and then headed to the buses. This was the longest bus line of our entire trip.

Day 4 - HS

We decided to only spend one day here and planned to take advantage of the evening EMH. We arrived before park opening and of course took part in the mad dash for Toy Story. I actually rode ToT again after I swore I wouldn't. That's the scariest ride. We were excited to ride Star Tours. We experienced several scenarios, Hoth and Wookie planet (I think).

Another one of my must-do things was Fantasmic! I had read up on this, knew what time to be there, where to sit, etc. I was really looking forward to it. I was overwhelming underwhelmed. The line was huge and the show was an all-around "meh." That's the first and last time I'll see that show.

We stayed for a while after the show and looked around shops and rode a few more rides before heading back to the hotel.

 

[imahistorygeek]

Day 5 - Epcot

Day 5 at Epcot was more of the same as the 1st day at Epcot, with one exception. As I mentioned above, I've worn the fragrance Laila for over 10 years. Sean and I discovered it on our first trip to Epcot back in 1998. I've been wearing it ever since. Well, we decided to go ahead and pick up a bottle before we left because I was almost out and no store less than 1 hour away carries the fragrance. Here's our experience http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?p=4754645&postcount=14

It was a pretty awesome experience.

Oh, and this was the first time I have ever ridden the Monorail. I loved it! This was another must-do. We rode the resort route and I must say that I really want to stay at the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian.

Day 6 - MK

This was our last day at the World. This was a much more relaxed day. We stopped by Main Street bakery and I really wanted that cinnamon roll that was the size of my head, but we were on a mission for space mountain. It's not a eat on the run kind of food.

Today was also the day to run down all the characters I wanted pictures with. After we finished that, we just took our time exploring and riding rides.

We took another monorail trip to the Polynesian to experience some kona coffee. We get there, ask around and we're told there is no kona coffee. The coffee bar had been replaced by sushi. That was a disappointment, but we amused ourselves by fiddling around the gift shop. There's a huge difference in merchandise when you compare it to Pop.

Now comes the absolute worst part of the trip (besides leaving and coming home). We're resting and I'm going through my camera and deleting all the pictures I didn't want and some videos that my daughter put on there. Well, in the course of pushing buttons, I deleted every single picture on the camera. I just sat there in shock, staring at the camera. I got upset and cried a little but realized nothing could be done. I moved past it and enjoyed the rest of our day.

We left early this day (before electric parade) and headed back to the hotel. We were treated to a solitary bus ride. We wanted to eat supper there and decided to try Mom's tv dinners, specifically the turkey. I was a little skeptical, but let me tell you, it was one of my favorite meals and the perfect way to end our stay.

Overall, I was a little worried that this trip may be a little less magical than trips with our daughter. It wasn't. We had just as much fun, just in a different way. I think everyone needs to take and adults-only trip to WDW at least once, if possible. It's fun even without your kids (even though tons of people wanted to know why we would go without kids). We only encountered one or two negative cast members, but on the whole, they were all very nice and helpful.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip, although I'm sad for you about your pictures.
We've gone without our DD several times, and always enjoy our adults only trips. The first time we went without her she was 3, and we told her we were going to Las Vegas. We didn't take a camera on that trip so there would be no photographic evidence. I have to say it was quite freeing to not have the camera!
Regarding the Kona coffee.....I'm pretty sure it's still a coffee bar in the morning, and they switch it over to sushi in the afternoon.

 

[mrerk]

Pineapple Princess is correct. The Kona Coffee bar is only open during certain hours, then switches to a sushi bar at night. If you are coming from the monorail, it is on your left as you enter the building next to Kona Cafe.

As to your deleted pictures. If you haven't used the card since, you may be able to recover some or all of your deleted picures. When you delete something it doesn't really go away. It just marks that area of your memory card as OK to write over. As long as you haven't written over that area on the card, the file is still there. If you know someone who is computer savvy they may be able to recover them for you. There are also programs available online that may help. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

 

[imahistorygeek]

That would be fantastic if we could recover the pictures. Thanks for the suggestion.

As for the kona coffee, we'll trying hitting it again in the morning.