Trip Report Thank Heaven for Little Girls.

A few years back my son and I took a trip out West and along the way spent a few estrogen free days in Disneyland. This year was the girl's turn, even if that wasn't part of our original plans.

Planning vacations as your children get older can be a difficult task. Demands from college, high-school, camps, activities, and even part time jobs end up leaving very few open spaces on the calendar. Lately it seems that mid July to mid August is our sweet spot for getting away and so it was again this year. Based on a great deal on a condo found by my wife Val, we came up with a somewhat last minute plan to visit Clearwater Beach Florida...and oh yeah, we decided to drive down from Pennsylvania. I also had an eye to sneak away to WDW for at least a day during our week stay.

My son Sterg had to bow out of the trip. He's starting college at Penn State this year and since he's on their swim team he needed to stay behind and train. See what I mean about other demand? Don't feel too bad for him however, he has had a few nice trips of his own over the last six months. It may have also saved his life as I'm sure having to deal with him for 18 hours in a car would have stirred some primal blood anger in me.

Without Sterg it would leave myself, my wife Val, my 21 year old daughter Alex (about to become a college senior) and my 13 year old daughter Toni. Not quite "little girls" anymore but as most Dads will attest to; they are always little girls. Anyone who has read my previous reports knows that Val is not the biggest Disney fan - but how could we be so close to WDW and not go? After much deliberations on the scale of the Yalta conference we hammered out an arrangement to make one day on our trip "Chris, Alex and Toni get to go to Walt Disney World" Day. Where there is a will...

The big day came - we departed on a Saturday at 3pm in the afternoon after loading up our trusty stead/Ford Explorer. Leaving Sterg home by himself for a week brought it's own set of issues but he was all smiles and willing to play photographer as we said our goodbyes...

At this point we had no idea what we were getting into...

Sterg's long arms came in handy here...

Alex and Toni settling in for a long voyage and adventure while Sterg makes sure we say our goodbyes to Prince our dog.

We were on our way to Florida!

 

[pirategal]

Thank you so much for sharing your vacation! I have to tell you, I have enjoyed your report and pictures so much, I went back and read your previous trip reports! You might like to know that, years after the event, your commentary of your crazy night at World of Disney brought me to tears it was so funny!!
All so entertaining and getting me excited for my family trip. Thank you!

 

[fractal]

<like> x 10000

Thanks!

WOW, awesome pic.

Thanks @bebert !

Oh man! I was hoping for a review. We're set to try it for the first time over Christmas.


Now this I cant believe! First time on The Three Caballeros!?!?

Val and I went on it once before without the kids. You'll like 9 Dragons. Thanks for following along!

Hi, Fractal! Loving your report as always, and major dittoes on all the appreciative photo comments. You are very talented and there is definitely an art to your set-up! I am a huge fan of all of your SSE photos (I LOVE that ride!) including the one with yellow lighting, but most especially the one you took off center and from the vantage point of the fountain! That was an angle I don't think I've seen before. Very nice perspective.

We've never done 9 dragons, but I think that I will have to try it out next time - it looks very nice in there and if you say the food was good, what's not to like?

So, it really looks as if your day at all 4 parks is moving along at a successful rate, even if not everything is actually do-able. Those are just minor set-backs! I can't wait to see how the rest of the day/night pans out.....

Thanks @DisSplash ! If you like Chinese food you will love 9 dragons. I appreciate you following along and the comments!

Enjoying the trip through Epcot! As usuaul , the pictures are fantastic. Looking forward to more

Thanks @coachwnh !

Those outdoor pictures of MIssion Space were outstanding; you really captured the whole futuristic theme in those very interesting shots. The pictures of China were also gorgeous! (When I went there back in May, I saw the very talented Chinese acrobats in a performance, outdoors in that central courtyard area. That was a great show!)

You all looked so happy at 9 Dragons. Sounds like you had a delicious dinner and wonderful service.

Thanks so much @MinnieM123 At first I wasn't thrilled with those pictures, took them in a bit of a hurry trying to keep up with Toni, but after I worked on them a bit I do like them! Unfortunately we missed the acrobats We definitely were happy @ 9 Dragons! thanks for all the comments and following!

While your daughters may not have appreciated all the photos you were taking, I DO!!!! I am daydreaming I am in the World right now. Thank you soooo much.

Thanks @prfctlyximprct ! You really need to book a trip!

Thank you so much for sharing your vacation! I have to tell you, I have enjoyed your report and pictures so much, I went back and read your previous trip reports! You might like to know that, years after the event, your commentary of your crazy night at World of Disney brought me to tears it was so funny!!
All so entertaining and getting me excited for my family trip. Thank you!

Ha,ha. That was a crazy night! Thanks for following along and reading the other Trip Reports! Wishing you a magical upcoming trip!

 

[fractal]

We didn't spend much time in Germany put I managed a couple pics.

next was Italy.

This has to be an awesome spot to watch Illuminations!

Girls still happy from not only dinner but also a bit cooler air post rain storm.

Arrivederci Italy!

 

[fractal]

We hit the home country:

By the way, if you ever have the need for a restroom after a large Epcot restaurant meal - the new restrooms on the right side of American Adventure are not only roomy but not too busy ( at least they weren't that evening).

I was enjoying our slow walk around World Showcase.

Between countries we were debating whether to stay in WS and get a good spot for Illuminations or hit Soarin' during the fireworks hoping for a smaller wait. It was a any easy choice for Toni (Soarin') and that's how Alex was leaning. For myself, I LOVE Illuminations and am not afraid to say I listen to the CD often (in fact we played in on the drive down). The weather seemed perfect and we had our pick of spots. We could easily spend the necessary time until the start by exploring more of WS and grabbing a dessert and still have time for a good position. On the other hand, I didn't bring my tripod in the park which would limit the photos I could take of the fireworks. I also LOVE Soarin'. The debate raged as we continued our globe trottin'.

 

[Figment Forever]

Awesome TR! I can't believe how much your family has done in a day! Your pictures are amazing!

 

[DznyRktekt]

Wish we were eating here.

Kojak is having dinner at St Angel Inn.

 

[fractal]

Morocco was next. Another country we haven't spent time or ever had a meal in. When discussing this with the girls we started to make a list of things we haven't done at WDW to get ready for our next trip.

This also had me thinking of just spending a day or two here taking photos. On this day I just didn't have the time I wanted to explore, look for different compositions and details. The wide angle lens is great for a quick "take the shot - ok got everything, let's keep moving" but last trip some of my favorite shots came from my 50mm 1.8 that zeroed in on some neat details and I was able to use a thinner depth of field.

Hello girls - working on that list?

It was about here were we decided on Soarin' vs. Illuminations. Another thing added on my to do list - photograph Illuminations with a tripod.

We can sing, we can dance, after all this is France.

We stopped for a drink - I got a beer and purchased a Grand Mariner Slushie for Alex - which she loved, and Toni had a lemonade.
Alex's to do list now included "drinking around the World".

The sun was starting to set which made the beautiful and romantic "Parisland" even more so.

Ah, Paris in the summer.

 

[fractal]

Speaking of beautiful and romantic - I love this area of France and with the sun dropping I couldn't help but take a million photos. I don't know which one I like best.

Alex and Toni finally managed to drag me out of France. Continuing our quest back to the Land;

 

[gwhb75]

Really enjoying the trip report. Four parks in one day? That will definitely go on the "future trip challenge" list (maybe someone crazy out there can do four parks + two waterparks in one day? I'm not the one to attempt that).

I noticed the changes at the GMR when we were there too (the meet and greet, the change in the line). It's like they removed the hat and suddenly everyone remembered there was a theatre back there.

Sounds like your two girls are the same as my son and daughter when it comes to picking restaurants (i.e. they can never agree on one place they both want to do). Glad you enjoyed Nine Dragons. On our last trip we actually had San Angel Inn booked, but changed it at the last minute (which in Disney speak means at least 24 hours before your reservation), since one of our kids doesn't like Mexican either.

Looking forward to the Magic Kingdom part of your day (assuming you made it there after Illuminations (which assumes you stayed at Epcot until after Illuminations)).

 

[FlaggNL]

You convinced me to walk around the world in Epcot. Last year we didn't because of the crowd and the heath! Looking at your pictures gives me the feeling we really missed it! So we will do it during our next October trip.... just 39 days left

 

[fractal]

Epcot is just an amazing Park as there is no place like it in the world. I hope it's next on Disney's list of park investment money - they've put $billions into MK, AK and now looks like DHS - Epcot also needs a good shot in the arm. On that day though, it was still beautiful and wondrous and I took in it's grandeur as we continued on towards the Land.

No tripod so I used the top of a trashcan for a long exposure shot.

We arrived at the Land, headed downstairs and saw the standby time of 45mins. We were game so we entered the queue and eventually started up a conversation with the family in front of us. Despite looking beat up by the long day and heat they were very friendly - from Ohio and had 3 children (2 boys and an adorable little girl) all under 12 years of age. This was to be their last ride of their trip as they were leaving the next day. All the kids said they had a great time at Disney and didn't want to leave. We had fun talking with them and Alex and Toni enjoyed interacting with the young ins. They also had some laughs playing the games in the queue line.

Behind us, however was grumpy lady with her son (about 8) and daughter (around 6) and what looked like a grandmother. They were impeccably dressed and groomed. I tried to strike up a conversation with them but to no avail. Grumpy lady was Asian and after getting a few blank stares from them after my attempts at small talk, I thought perhaps they didn't speak English. After awhile I began to "get her game". Every time I would turn to talk to the girls and open up a little space between myself and the wall to the left, she we shove her kids there in an attempt to move in front of us! Boy did this tick me off. Each time she did this I would make sure to come back and position myself in front of them. I mean really - it's late in the day, everyone is tired and trying to get in one last ride and this lady thinks she's entitled to just jip everyone?

I told Alex and Toni what she was up to and loud enough for her to hear. After that she backed off; or so I thought. We and the nice Ohio family got into one of the queue games - the one where your shadow is projected on the wall and you can make thinks grow or shrink. Although the line wasn't moving, this left plenty of space between us and the left wall as we were playing. As the line started shuffling forward we stopped and I looked back to see "grumpy lady" and her family gone. For a quick second I thought they abandoned the wait - maybe they were "too good" to stand in line with us commoners. My little smile turn into a scowl as i turned and looked up the line and saw that "grumpy lady" had skipped in front of a least 5 families while everyone was playing the queue games! This was not a case of the line was moving and we stopped to play the game; the line was not moving and they slid along side the wall like a family of snakes while everyone was distracted.

She saw me look at her and as we made eye contact I said loudly "You are unbelievable Lady! Are you going to try to cut all the way to the front".

Alex, realizing what just happened surprisingly added "That's rude and bad Karma lady, I hope you get yours!"

I was stunned (and a bit proud) that my non-confrontational daughter would speak up like that, but Alex hates rude people.

Grumpy lady then bends down and puts her hands and her children's backs "Turn around kids" she says.

So she does speak English, which made me laugh. Then about 10 minutes later there's a commotion coming from behind; Grandfather has showed up and wants to catch up with his wife and daughter. Grandfather looked like he weighed 100 lbs, was 90 years old and if he could speak English he put on a good show. All he did we point forward and say "daughter" as he cut past one family after another. When he came to us, I was steaming. Again - It was a long day, we were all tired, my feet hurt, my sunburn hurt and this guy's daughter by her actions told me that she is and her family thinks they are important than us. He came up to me with a smile and said "daughter" pointing ahead.

"I know" was all I said and moved aside for him. In the end it was just not worth it and I felt bad for him in a way. I decided they were not going to ruin the rest of our dwindling time there. I can't stop people from being rude, but I said my peace to her and at least made her pay with a little embarrassment for her weaselly act. I was hoping our ride on Soarin' would let us forget the entire incident.

 

[sheriffwoody]

UGH that's infuriating! Line cutting really get's to me...so much so that I couldn't eat lunch in the cafeteria in school because people constantly cut line. I have to try to take deep breaths when people do it at Disney so I don't lose it. *in-two-three-four-out-two-three-four* haha! But I love that you and Alex called her out. Even if that doesn't change anything, I hope it at least embarrassed her.

 

[G00fyDad]

All he did we point forward and say "daughter" as he cut past one family after another. When he came to us, I was steaming. Again - It was a long day, we were all tired, my feet hurt, my sunburn hurt and this guy's daughter by her actions told me that she is and her family thinks they are important than us. He came up to me with a smile and said "daughter" pointing ahead.

"I know" was all I said and moved aside for him. In the end it was just not worth it and I felt bad for him in a way.

After his precious wife had snuck by us and pulled that one off I would have greeted that man like a welcome friend and ushered him loudly to his wife. Once there I would have (again, loudly) thanked him for his patronage, made sure that his wife knew he was finally there, and asked if he was having a wonderful day.

 

[Lyear]

Wow. Kudos to you and Alex for being willing to speak up. I've never been quite so brave myself. The pathetic thing is that on Soarin being a few places ahead in line, in all likelihood, is not going to save you any time since so many people go on the ride at once. Its simply a complete lack of respect to others in the line.

 

[catmom46]

UGH that's infuriating! Line cutting really get's to me...so much so that I couldn't eat lunch in the cafeteria in school because people constantly cut line. I have to try to take deep breaths when people do it at Disney so I don't lose it. *in-two-three-four-out-two-three-four* haha! But I love that you and Alex called her out. Even if that doesn't change anything, I hope it at least embarrassed her.

Yes, totally infuriating! But usually people like that don't get embarrassed or feel shame, otherwise they wouldn't be cutting lines in the first place. We can only hope that karma does one day come around and bite her in the butt!

 

[MinnieM123]

[QUOTE="fractal, post: 6889862, member: 65986" . . .]the line was not moving and they slid along side the wall like a family of snakes while everyone was distracted.[/QUOTE]

Well stated, my good man!! P.S.: You and Alex make a great tag-team!

Funny, as I was reading your story, I was thinking about the word, "entitled", for someone to exhibit this type of boorish behavior, in line. However, snake is far more apropos!

 

[fractal]

As we reached the end of the queue line, the family in front of us were stopped which meant we would be in the same group/row as them. It turns out we were the bottom row which meant that grumpy lady was in the middle or top row. Even though it didn't effect our position, the nice family would have been in the top row ( which IMO is the best ) vs. the bottom row. More anger towards grumpy lady!

Soarin' was great and better than I remember it last time. The film looked cleaner and all the scents were working. The three of us loved it!

Coming off the ride I was really feeling worn out, as was Alex who told me she was tired and starting to feel worse than she was before. We turned the corner to see the wait time on Soarin' had now dropped to 5 minutes! It was 8:50 so this was last, last ride time. Toni insisted we do it again, and Alex and I caught a second wind so on we went!

Toni asked for the top row which the CM graciously granted. As Patrick would say; "Nice work, pal!"

I took pictures during the ride (both times). Here is a compilation of them. It's not quite Virtual Reality, but if you have the Soarin' music turn it up and maybe you'll feel in a small way that you were on there with us.

 

[catmom46]

Cool pics! I've never been on Soarin' and most likely never will, as I don't do well in motion simulator rides, so it's nice to get a glimpse of what you see.

I love this pic best - reminds me of an angel.

 

[MinnieM123]

Those pictures inside Soarin were a blast! I scrolled quickly down through them, so that it was almost like I was "flying" through the movie, just like the people on the ride!! (Nice job with the photos--I'm impressed that they came out so well, considering that the theater is so dark, but I supposed there was enough light from the big screens to allow for some decent shots.

 

[LisaBelle]

Oh my gosh!!! I LOVE the Soarin pictures! Soarin is one of my favorite rides and it was great to be able to "ride along" with you. I always try to picture the scenes in my head as I listen to the music. Now I don't have to, I will just come back and browse through your TR. Thanks so much for sharing those with us.