Poncho Up, Find a Plug and Keep On Havin' Fun Trip Report

Hello, everybody! I guess I’ll start my report. Just to recap from my pre-trip report, I’m Jennifer. My hubby is Lance and two boys are Cameron and Wyatt. Our trip started on Wednesday, June 5th, the last day of school, and we got back on Thursday, June 13th.



I guess I’ll start on Tuesday the 4th. Although I normally get to bed before 10p, I was up ‘til 11 and woke up on the 5th at 3a. My mind wouldn’t calm down. So, we dropped Annabelle off at the Happy Mailman, got the kids off to school and ran a couple last minute errands.

Lance and I packed and ended up needing our really large suitcase and a normal sized suitcase, making sure our super duper sized suitcase was less than 50 lbs. without forgetting anything (ha!). We cleaned, since our neighbor was cat sitting, and left the house to pick up the boys 2.5 hours before the final bell. They were OK missing out on their last little bit of class time. We picked up our older son lunch and made it to the FastPark lot.

We got to the airport, through security and waited for the plane.


Our flight was good


but a little turbulent on the way down.

We got our bags and headed to Magical Express. We quickly got on our bus. Coronado Springs was the first stop – whooo hooo! We were checked in by a CM from France (I kept getting him to talk.) and were placed in Casitas. We wanted to be near the Dig Site and were relocated to Ranchos 7A.



Since it was past dinner time, we dropped off our bags and walked back for a chicken caesar wrap for me, hot dogs for the boys and a burger for Lance at Café Rix (no pics).

We mulled over our plans with the tropical storm and decided to make a final decision in the morning when we saw what they expected the effects to be.

I hope the pictures look OK and are sized well and hope you enjoy reading.
 
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Pooh'sBuddy

Pooh'sBuddy

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Original Poster
So, we walked to the bus stops, waited a couple minutes for the bus to DHS but then thought 'You know? We haven't been on the monorails yet?" So, we moved to the next stop over and got on the bus to TTC. It was there, and we needed air conditioning. I checked facebook and saw someone post that they read someone would be proposing in the rose garden near the castle and tomorrowland. Awwwww.

We made it to TTC and hopped on the resort monorail, riding that all the way around. It was tough explaining to the boys that we couldn't ride with the driver, but we were in the cab behind him. He was nice enough to stop for photos instead.




When we got to the GF, a wedding party was finishing pictures and hopped on with us. Lance offered to take pics of them all together. He's so sweet. They got off at the Contemporary. At some point we saw the Iron Manorail. Neat! We got off back at TTC and moved over to the EPCOT route, seeing the Monsterail in the process.

Getting to EPCOT, we went back through the bag check and made our way into EPCOT. We found another Photopass photographer to make up for the rainy days we couldn't find anybody. After a few clicky clickies, we saw a good line outside of Spaceship Earth and walked on to the International Gateway.

We caught a Friendship to DHS. I forgot about the stops on the way, but it was a nice way to travel. It's all in the journey.



Finally getting to DHS, we found another photographer who did a few shots of us and magic shots. It was time for a snack, so we got a Butterfinger cupcake at Starring Rolls.



 
Pooh'sBuddy

Pooh'sBuddy

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Original Poster
TheMouseFan said:
That cupcake looks delicious! I tried the chocolate peanut butter one last December. I think (ok, I know) when we go next June that I am going to have to try the Butterfinger one. Loving this TR! Can't wait to read more!
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There were so many more we could have tried, but there is only so much time in the day. Thanks, Amy. The rest of the day is long, so that will be a tomorrow task.
 
Pooh'sBuddy

Pooh'sBuddy

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Original Poster
To backtrack a little: while at AK, Lance found a cap. It's a reddish color with "Expedition Everest Summit Team" and cute quarter sized patches on it. The bill looks a little worn in a couple places. Oooh, authentic!
Secondly, while walking to International Gateway, Mary Poppins in her Sunday best on her way to her meet & greet said, "Happy birthday!" to him. Awww, she said the same thing to me during Spectromagic. :)

After that scrumptious cupcake (and here's where it all becomes a blur), we got fastpasses to TSMM! They were for 10pm something, but that's gold to us. It seems alot of the rest of the day was walking between TSMM! and ToT/RNRC. We tried RNRC a few times, but the lines were too long. I don't recall if fastpasses were already out or what, but we didn't get back on it. We did ToT and then trotted back over to Star Tours. Wyatt was in another "mood" because Cameron went in first instead of him and ended up sitting between Lance and me. The CM asked if he was OK, and I sheepishly smiled and said, "Yes, he's ...fine." Well, much to our surprise (1) we had the exact same journey as our last ride :mad: and (2) Wyatt was the rebel spy :cool: ! How cool was that?! We played up that it was really great that Cameron ended up going in first (right?). Oh, the child psychology we have to use.:rolleyes:

Well, it was just before 5pm - almost time for us to show up for our Jedi Training Academy. We found the CM early. He was from Indiana, close to Mishawaka where my father was from. I asked him, prefacing it with, "This sounds pretentious, but is there a plug I may borrow for a while?" He helpfully showed me the hidden plug in the floor. I guess he gets that alot. While the other kids filtered in, the CMs organized them by height, handed out robes and made sure they all had their tickets. Cameron started the trend of putting his hood up. I wish he hadn't because now they all looked alike. Oh, well, he was having fun. We heard thunder, not just from Indiana. Deja vu, all over again. The preemptive warning was given, but Mother Nature was merciful.

The recruits were lead out single file to hide their numbers and stopped near the stage. The Jedi padawan came out, checked their tickets and gave instructions. OK, showtime!

The Jedi trainer was fantastic. He was so funny.


I guess they have prepared jokes to insert in appropriate situations, but his delivery was great.


Vader came out, challenged the recruits, and good won over evil.






Everyone had fun; spectators laughed and cheered and all was well. Not just that I'm his mom, but Cameron got the loudest cheers from the crowd. Certificates were handed out and robes and sabers were returned.

I ran to 50s Prime Time Cafe to make our 6pm ADRs. The CM acknowledged my attempt to let them know we weren't late. She said they wouldn't forget about us but that they would check us in when the guys got here.
 
Pooh'sBuddy

Pooh'sBuddy

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Original Poster
Birthday dinner at 50s. I felt like I was transported back to a house I would have grown up in. We didn't have a long wait, but that's OK with the replays of tv shows to watch.


Our waitress was fun, nothing over the top. Of course, the boys thought it was 'cute' to put their elbows on the table. Funny story - there was a couple with a baby nearby. The baby cried non-stop the entire time from our arrival to their departure. A waitress walked by and loudly ask, "Is there a volume control on that thing?" I found much humor in that.

We ordered a cherry coke and a pb&j shake. I remember promising @real mad hatter a review.



It may not look extraordinary, but it was extremely delicious. I'm trying to put words to it. A great peanut butter taste with ribbons of jelly flavor intertwined in to boot. That's the best I can do.

Lance ordered Mom's Sampling and I the pot roast. Those plates of food didn't have a chance. It wasn't gourmet, but we really enjoyed it and were stuffed.





The boys' desserts


(family about to dig in)


and Lance got the birthday treatment, singing and everything. Being a shy person, he was such a sport.




We were out in an hour since daylight was burning. Missed the last Indy, but Cameron pulled the rope!


To condense the rest of the day, we rode Star Tours (at least) twice more. Yeah, we got different travel destinations AND Lance was a rebel spy on one of them! It was evening EMH, and the place was packed. It seemed we spent more time than we should have walking between TSMM! and ToT/RNRC. One hidden mickey I wanted to find was the title of the sheet music under the trumpet included 'Mickey Mouse' but we were in the wrong room.


Lance and Wyatt rode ToT one last time but Cameron was done with it. Lance, sans camera, saw the sheet music that time. RNRC had too long of a wait. We went back to TSMM! for one last spin and called it a night. EPCOT up next.
 
Pooh'sBuddy

Pooh'sBuddy

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Original Poster
real mad hatter said:
All that food looks yummy...Here's me having a wee plate of Chilli and rice..:(
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Right there with ya. I'm having a protein bar. o_O

Sumrdog said:
I am so happy to see you didn't get rained out of Jedi Training again!
50's Primetime looks fun, but my husband is totally against it. He hates restaurants where we get "harassed" :rolleyes: by the servers... Someday, maybe I can talk him into it, I know the menu is right up his alley.
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Thanks! The boys really liked battling Darth Vader. Regarding 50s PTC, you can let them know in advance you don't want to participate, if that helps. We had a tv at our table and watched clips from a couple shows I had never heard of. "I Married Joan" was one I recall. They run a loop that's an hour long.
 
Pooh'sBuddy

Pooh'sBuddy

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Original Poster
Tuesday, June 11th

EPCOT. Evening EMH scheduled for today. I think I learned my lesson – don’t do the morning in the Park with evening EMH. The bus took forever to get to the stop, although we started out early. Our driver was really, really nice and very chatty. We were the last to board and stood right behind the yellow line. He asked if we knew what the yellow line was for…so he had a head start out the door if anybody was angry. Bwahahahaha. But seriously, folks. He asked us where we were from, and Lance told him Austin, Texas. He said he LOVES Central Texas, riding his motorcycle out to Canyon Lake, Luckenbach, and a few other places. I, of course, mentioned the wineries I love in the Hill Country. Pleasant drive. So, we got to EPCOT and joined the masses already there. Lance threw himself on the grenade and went through bag check. I left my phone in my bag. D’oh! I kept looking for him getting through bag check, but we pressed on. I spotted a photog and asked for pics and magic shots, hoping that we’d see Lance. No luck. The boys and I got fastpasses and proceeded to stand in the LONG line for TT in the hopes that we’d see Lance, which we did. He got a fastpass, and instead of standing in that long line, we hit M:S.


We always did the green side for the easy ride and the wait times were always short. We caught most of Jaminators show. Being a band geek, I think they’re awesome, and I know awesome percussionists. It was already sunny, hot and humid.


Sunshine Seasons was still serving breakfast, so we caught Soarin’ and decided to grab lunch afterwards. Deciding on more basic food options, we went to Electric Umbrella. I forgot to take pics, but Cameron and I split the mushroom swiss burger and Lance and Wyatt split the bacon cheeseburger.

On to Oh, Canada! I love this garden.


We had to stop afterwards to take a photo of another shot we did on our last trip.


UK was calling. The boys found a couple sweet CMs with whom to trade pins, and we meandered our way through the shops.


It started clouding up and then sprinkled while we waited for the UK Players. They didn’t show up. So we walked over to see Off Kilter. The sprinkles came down faster but not bad. They cancelled their show. So, we went back to UK to catch British Revolution. They played, and we loved their song selection: a little Clash, Led Zeppelin, Modern English, Beatles and some song mainly drums that I didn’t know actually had words to it. But anyway, it’s been a long time since I rock ‘n rolled. They were great.


We just had time to see if Off Kilter would play. They did. It rained. They didn’t play Rush. Lance thought he should have saved one of his Rush shirts for today. They were good, but we didn’t like the songs they chose. A couple on their honeymoon got up and danced.


On to France. Les Halles made up for the rain. Again, I got to speak to a Frenchman. It was busy but we found a table. Just a table. All the chairs had been snagged by other people.


Lance absolutely adores crème brule, which I never knew. This crème brule was great.

After a good snack, we found it not raining anymore. Wyatt’s poncho was torn at a seam, so I spoke to another Frenchman and exchanged it for a new one. A photog was out in front of the fountain, so we got more pics and magic shots.


More photos in Japan.


The fifes and drums were calling, so we walked swiftly to the American Adventure. Those guys are good, and I know good piccolo players.


Voices of Liberty were preparing to perform in the rotunda. The boys pulled up a floor, sat down, and I found a plug against the wall.


After thundering applause, they ushered us through the doors, up the escalators and into the theater.


I mentioned to Lance that there has been hubbub about Armstrong being at the end – yada yada… We enjoyed AA, but here is where I’m going to get on a soapbox. Most of the time, I don’t mind flash photography (except PoC, that really annoys me), but people talking nonstop through attractions just annoys the living crap outta me. Seriously? Non stop! That happened during a few attractions. OMG! OK, back to it. The ending of AA – the lights go back up, and people start to leave. Lance and I overheard a guy one row in front of us make some kind of comment about Michelle Kwan and Lance Armstrong. Lance and I just smiled at each other.

It was time to decide on dinner. Which country would it be? Norway, here we come! The line wasn’t out to door, so we made our way in and ordered the apple and ham sandwich and club sandwich. Wyatt had the pb&j. Cameron wasn’t that keen on either sandwich, but he ate.



We also ordered these. I officially am not a school bread fan. That's OK. More for y'all.


Duffy was out, and I really wanted to get his autograph. Oh, the boys..I wanted the boys to get his autograph. Maybe, I can find a picture of them together.

We used our TT fastpasses and probably did M:S again. The crowds were making their way around World Showcase, so we did, too, finally nabbing railing space in Japan at 8:55pm. There was no time to be picky. It was not optimal but it turned out to be not so bad. The narrator began. I love his voice. Good evening…and welcome. Yes, Wyatt, those are happy tears.



Since it was EMH, we had time for M:S, TT (we used our Keys to the World), found another photog and SE.


Time to say goodbye, EPCOT. We caught a bus back to AKL and got to sleep. Only one more Park day.
 
Pooh'sBuddy

Pooh'sBuddy

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
pluto13 said:
Which one is older? I think it is the blonde Cameron, but I am not sure?
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Cameron, our dishwater blonde, is older by two years.

PUSH said:
So far we were at DTD, DHS, and Epcot at the same time. Looks like we have similar planning methods! :D
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How funny! Well, I guess our decisions were good after all. :) Too bad we didn't run into each other, PUSH.
 

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