SK's Trip Report: September 13 - September 19

Well I am back from the World and of course wish I was still there, but what are you gonna do right???
I had alot of fun, despite some minor setbacks which I will get into later. These events did ruin some of my fun, but I was determined to pull through and try to get accomplished what I had set out to accomplish.

This trip was just my mother and myself. This was our first trip going as just the two of us and both of our 5th trip to the World. This was our first time going in September (we mostly go in late October) and our first time with free dining. I think my favorite thing about this trip was getting to experience the dining. We barely ever splurge on meals because of the cost. Prior to this trip we had only been to Biergarten, Rose and Crown, 50's Primetime, Sci-Fi Dine In, and Cinderella's Royal Table so it was absolutely awesome to experience some new places in the parks and at different resorts as well.
Which brings me to Day 1....

Sept 13 - Day One: Arrival and The Magic Kingdom

Our plane left from Detroit at 9:15 am this day and we arrived in Orlando around 11:45 or so. I was extremely surprised to find no lines at DME. We did not even have to check in like we had last year in Oct and we went straight to our bus line which was also short. We were picked up within 15 minutes and were off to POP which was thankfully the first stop. Our room was ready for us upon arrival and I had asked if we could be placed in the 50's. I guess our room was not originally in the 50's so the CM made a call and got us a room there. We were in the 80's last year and I didn't really care where we were but I was hoping to try a change of scenery in a different location. We were behind the Tramp statue on the first floor in the back overlooking the lake. I liked the location and it was relatively close to the main building. The room seemed a bit more run down then I remember it being last year but it was still fine for us as we are never there anyways.

We immediately headed to the Magic Kingdom. As always - I love the Halloween decorations. The crowds seemed light and it was pretty hot but not unbearable for a first day.

We went straight back to the Columbia Harbour House to have lunch and use our first CS credit. At this time it was about 2 pm and we were starving. Briefly watched part of the show on the castle stage on our way to eat but only stopped for a minute as our mind was on the food! I had the Shrimp Platter and chocolate cake and my mom had a chicken salad and apple crisp. They were both really good and we had our fuel for the afternoon.

 

[Shere_Khan]

At this point we only had about an hour before our reservations at Kona, so we went over to catch the monorail so we could check out the Poly a bit more before dinner.
I’m sorry, I know everyone loves the Poly but I don’t really see the appeal from the lobby alone. Granted, I have never been in the rooms or pool areas. We did go to the Luau a few years ago and while I loved that, I think I felt the same way about the resort atmosphere. For that money I would gladly go to Boardwalk or Yacht & Beach anyday.

Kona however was simply fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mark this down as my favorite table service all week. The bread was wonderful!!
I had the shrimp and scallops and mom had the teriyaki new york strip which she said was unbelievable.
I decided on the White Chocolate Cheesecake although I really wanted the chocolate torte (but I had gotten chocolate desserts at almost ever other restaurant this week). But it ended up being a wonderful choice. Because mom was so stuffed she got the fondue.

After dinner we went back into MK for Spectromagic and Wishes.

Around 7 Main Street was already looking a little packed so we thought we would try Frontierland this time. We have never watched a parade anywhere but Main Street before.
Upon walking over to Frontierland we found it was way less busy. We thought we might have time to jump on the Jungle Cruise and still find a spot for the parade. So that is what we did.

 

[Shere_Khan]

After the ride we went back and still found a spot to sit down right behind the rope for Spectromagic, which as always was fantastic. Got a few decent shots although I still need to figure out the settings on my camera because most of these were blurry.

This next one I just think is kinda funny. Bashful was right in front of us and I think he was trying to look shy at some of the kids. I could not get my camera to take a picture and it finally took when he was literally right in front of me. The pic looks like he is covering his eyes because the flash went off, but really he was just trying to look shy.

Wishes was also awesome as usual. Only got a few that I thought were decent.

After Wishes we shopped for a while. People walking through the shops just to get out is extremely annoying. I just found this out at a time when I actually wanted to shop and could not get through the masses of people who are just trying to leave the park and avoid Main Street. I don’t think it gets them there any quicker.
We stayed around for a good 45 minutes and thought at this point the bus line might be better. We left to THE worst bus line experience I have ever had at WDW. Keep in mind I don’t go during summer, spring break, or Christmas, so I am sure it has been much worse then this before.
All the resort lines were to the very back of the line. POP itself was taking up sections 17 & 18.

I am just finding out now that this may have been due to the bomb scare thing that day. We were totally oblivious that this even happened until just this week.
Overall – GREAT day. I had my moments of ill feelings but we would quickly get in somewhere cool and it went away. I was glad I actually go to do something at normal speed today.
Thanks for reading!!!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Great update! Sounds like a wonderful day. I was waiting for you to feel yucky again but you made it thru alright. Yaaaayyy!!!! :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

 

[HollyBelle]

Great report and pictures! I've really enjoyed reading it. I agree with you about Kona, I think it's one of the best restaurants on property. And the white chocolate cheesecake is soooooo good!!

 

[Jerm]

Sept 16th – Day Four: DHS and Downtown Disney

We decided to go on the Great Movie Ride first. We asked for the cowboy scene and was told there wasn’t one. That was one of the things that the book I bought told me to ask about. I wonder if they only have that in the event of large crowds. Oh well – we saw the gangster scene.

The Western scene is only done during peak times really. I think both scenes are great, but just the fact that you hardly ever seen the western one is what makes it special.

Next we hit American Idol for an 11 o clock show.
Question though…so the winners of the finale each night get a pass for a real American Idol audition. What about if someone wins who is over 30??? There was a guy we watched who had to be in his 40s or 50s. He didn’t win, but if he had, what really would that have gotten him? He can’t audition for the real show. Unless…the rules have changed?

if someone over or under the age limit wins or someone does not want to go to the real thing they can give the pass to someone. I don't know all the in's and out's of it but that was built into the attraction just for that reason.

 

[Shere_Khan]

Sept 18th – Day 6: Epcot

We had barely spent any real time in Epcot this trip. We normally spend almost three full days here. So far this trip we were only there one night for dinner and one morning that was supposed to be almost a full day but was cut short because I had to get ill feeling. So I was particularly excited about this day.
Except…we slept in!!
It wasn’t my idea, we woke up at 6 and I remember saying let’s just sleep one more hour or so and then we will get up and get ready. We woke up at 9:45!!!!!!!!!
Oh well – we did need it. My mom was starting to get a small cold now too!

We got to Epcot at about 11. I guess that is not terrible. We did accomplish most of Future World the other times so we mainly wanted to walk around World Showcase, see the movies/rides we missed, and take pictures of the countries.
Upon arriving we saw Daisy with a short line! I don’t recall ever meeting Daisy before so I was so excited!

After meeting her, we started our trip into the World Showcase, since it was nearing lunch time we decided to use our CS at Yorkshire County Fish Shop. We have eaten at the Rose and Crown before but have never gotten the fish and chips from the fish shop so I think it was a good choice. We almost chose Tangerine Café, which I still want to try. But basically it came down to the fact that we got to the fish shop first!

We browsed some more stores, I almost bought a Rose and Crown t-shirt, now wishing I had. Then headed into France to see Impressions de France. I saw Sleeping Beauty from a distance and I went into a full on sprint!!!!! We caught her just in time, once again no one waiting.

We would not be so lucky with Belle and Beast however, each time we saw them the line was outrageous so we didn’t even bother. I was surprised at how much I loved Impressions de France. I have never been interested in it before. Perhaps it is because I am growing up and now I appreciate things like this instead of trying to find the next thrill ride. What a beautiful presentation. My mom and I want to go to France now as our next destination (yeah right in our dreams!!).

After this it was nearing 1:30 and we had been wanting to go and do our Disney Visa character meet n greet all week. When we got there we still had ten minutes before 1:30 and there was already quite a line. I groaned a bit because last year we were farther up in line and it still took FOREVER!!!! Surprisingly, we waited only about 15 minutes.
They must have caught on to the ridiculous wait time last year because before they only let one family in. The characters were hiding and they would come out and surprise you. They took a good amount of pictures and then you left before the next family came in.
This time we went in and the characters were still finishing up with the last family so they were already out. We went up and met them, got like 3-4 pictures taken and then we saw the next family waiting, so we felt we should wrap it up and get out of there. Last year I think my Photopass had at least 10-15 pictures to choose from. When we went to choose our photo this time at the end of the night, there were only 4. Regardless…we got a really nice one to take home.
The characters this time were Goofy, Mickey, & Minnie.

After this we went back into the World Showcase, this time starting in Mexico. We hopped on the Gran Fiesta Tour. And of course I could not get that song out of my head the rest of the day!!!

Outside the pavilion we saw Donald!!!! YAY!

In Norway we went on Maelstrom which is another favorite of mine although that movie needs a drastic change!

Next was China, we had been looking forward to seeing the Circle Vision here as well since we have both never seen it. We saw Mulan before going in, once again in a nice hidden spot and no line. In fact, they were waiting for us to walk up because she had no one waiting.

I also loved this Circle Vision. If I had to rank the three movies at WS I would say

1. Impressions de France
2. O Canada
3. Reflections of China

 

[Shere_Khan]

In Germany we saw the Snow White fountain and I knew she had to be close behind so we stopped for a bit and waited. Shortly after, here she came!

We stopped in Germany and mom got a beer while I looked around the shops. They had these beautiful ceramic cats last year whose heads were shaped like moons. I did not see them this time and was so disappointed because I have wanted one ever since I saw them. If anyone knows where I can find these, please let me know!

I took the most pictures around Italy, such a beautiful place.
These guys asked me to take a picture of them.

Some other pics of Italy:

While looking for the olive tree we took a few pics.

 

[Shere_Khan]

Me trying to be artsy (and the beginning of my love of street lamps as you will see later)

We headed over to America and had intentions on watching the show, however we were told it was 37 minutes long and we had dinner reservations at Chefs de France in exactly 37 minutes.
So we thought we would just walk slowly over to France and take some more pictures and see some shops.

In Japan – we walked back to the Yakitori (sp?) House. I never even knew this path existed. In all the times I have been to WDW, I never knew it existed. Such a beautiful area and it must be no one else knows either because it was deserted.

We were looking for the candy artist but never found her.

Some shots from across the lake

OMG It’s a lamp!!!

 

[Shere_Khan]

We arrived at Chefs de France and did not have to wait too long for our table. We were seated in the glassed in part closed to Impressions de France. Our waitress Lydie was so sweet and just too cute for words. She was making me laugh. She was extremely busy and was running around like a chicken with their head cut off. Luckily we didn’t mind a little extra wait because we were having a grand ole time being in the restaurant.

I had the Beef Tenderloin (fantastic!) and mom had the Salmon (also good). For desert I had the chocolate mousse cake (surprise surprise!!!) and mom had some vanilla ice cream puff concoction.

It was getting dark so we decided to head back into Future World so we could shop and get our photo from the Visa meet and greet while Illuminations was going on. On our way back my obsession with lamps continues.

That last one was some sort of event that was about to happen. They had food set up. I am guessing it is to view Illuminations. Anyone know how to get in on that action???

We got back into Future World, did our shopping and slowly wandered out.
This was our last night in WDW!
I still have half a day to report for Day 7, but thanks for reading Day 6!!!

 

[WDWFigment]

Excellent pictures. I really like the ones from AK (never seen that many different animals) and the ones of the MK Halloween decorations & those from the Halloween party.

 

[Shere_Khan]

Excellent pictures. I really like the ones from AK (never seen that many different animals) and the ones of the MK Halloween decorations & those from the Halloween party.

Thank you so much! Your pictures are phenomenal so you saying you liked mine is a great compliment! Thanks for reading.

 

[mousefan1972]

OMG, Katie!!! We came up to Princess Aurora right as you and your Mom were leaving on Sept. 18th! I totally recognize you guys. That day was my b-day and we went to Epcot for the morning. Ah, I wish I knew that was you or I would have said hi! I'm sorry you got so sick; the heat was brutal while we were there. Glad you still had a good trip, though.

 

[Shere_Khan]

OMG, Katie!!! We came up to Princess Aurora right as you and your Mom were leaving on Sept. 18th! I totally recognize you guys. That day was my b-day and we went to Epcot for the morning. Ah, I wish I knew that was you or I would have said hi! I'm sorry you got so sick; the heat was brutal while we were there. Glad you still had a good trip, though.

Omg that is so crazy!!!!!!!! I wish I would have known!!!! Have you posted up a report yet??

 

[KingStefan]

LOVING your report! Thanks!

 

[Heatherbell]

Aww you and your mom are so cute. I am dying to go on a girls trip, just me and my mom! Your pictures are beautiful. I always say that I am going to get a really good camera for Disney pics but then I never do...lol. I love your trip report. Great job!

 

[TakeMeThere81]

Excellent castle pic! We discovered this vantage point last trip, it is beautiful! And I love that with the foliage, you can get a picture like this even on the busiest days!

We thought we might have time to jump on the Jungle Cruise and still find a spot for the parade. So that is what we did.

So did you find the big tarantula in the queue?

Beautiful picture! I love how you've captured the entire pavillion in this shot.


All of your pictures are wonderful. I'm enjoying your report! I have one question, is it just me or do the princesses seem a little awkward and strange-looking? Is it their makeup or is someone in casting not finding the right person for the part? Weird. That aside, I think it's cool how many characters you got to meet!

 

[Shere_Khan]

So did you find the big tarantula in the queue?

We didn't.
I actually completely forgot and the line was moving quickly.

All of your pictures are wonderful. I'm enjoying your report! I have one question, is it just me or do the princesses seem a little awkward and strange-looking? Is it their makeup or is someone in casting not finding the right person for the part? Weird. That aside, I think it's cool how many characters you got to meet!

Yeah now that you say that I am noticing it.
I thought Snow White was good, but Sleeping Beauty and Mulan were not exactly right.

We saw this Sleeping Beauty the day I got sick when were back in France wondering how the heck we were gonna get out when I couldn't even walk more then 5 feet.
She had a longer line and she was leaving for a couple minutes, I felt bad and didn't want to wait. I didn't get the best picture but I think she was more spot on.

 

[mickey's mamu]

I'm loving your trip report! Can't wait for you to finish it!

 

[Shere_Khan]

Last Day - I totally forgot about this but I have to finish!

Sept 19th - Day 7: Magic Kingdom and Our Departure

This was our final morning and the surprise for my mom of breakfast at the Crystal Palace. She was so happy and I was so glad I was able to take her since it has always been a place she dreamed of going. She kept wanting to go look inside all week and I was telling her we couldn't! She probably thought I was crazy!

I enjoyed the breakfast although it was probably my least favorite of the table service we had all week. But I was really excited to go there.
We saw Tigger, Piglet, Pooh, and Eeyore. We almost left before Eeyore came to our table, we didn't know that he was there.

Pooh gave the thumbs up!!!! I always do the thumbs up, why didn't I think of that???

 

[Shere_Khan]

After breakfast we headed straight back to Peter Pan's Flight which was a walk on since it was just a few minutes after 9. We hadn't gotten on the dang ride all week because of its wait times, and we never grabbed a fast pass. I don't understand why this one takes so much longer when the ride vehicles are constantly moving with the moving platform.
We rode twice in a row just to get our fix.

It was still early and not super hot yet but I wanted to go on Splash again.

Saw Frontierland Donald on the way.

The wait was only 5 to 10 minutes so we got in line.

We then went on Big Thunder Mountain again with no wait, however, something was terribly wrong with the ride this time. It was going extremely slow and was terribly shaky. Has anyone experienced this? I am not sure what was going on but it was not normal like the other rides we had this trip.
However, there is something to be said for getting back in Frontierland early in the morning. Frontierland is always packed when we are there because it is always later in the day. I am kind of a freak about starting at the start of the park and working my way around, we almost always head to Tomorrowland first. I kind of hate heading to the back and getting out of order. Control freak maybe???? But this time going straight back to Peter Pan and then over the Frontierland was a breeze.

Went on HM once more.

Headed back to Fantasyland to look around Ariels Grotto and Pooh's Playful Spot which I have never really done. Not much to see here, so glad about the refurb to Fantasyland.
We then went towards the castle and saw the Fairy Godmother down the path.

We took the path down and went into Adventureland to ride Pirates one last time. I wanted to end on Pirates because I love it so much. After we got off the ride we saw Peter Pan and Wendy walking towards the spot where they would meet with guests. We followed them to get in line.

It was now around 11:30 and we needed to be back to POP at 1:30 for our bus. We decided to start heading towards the entrance slowly and enjoy our last moments there.