The 40th, MNSSHP, Food & Wine, A New Camera and 3200 Pictures. Sept/Oct TR.

Welcome to my 3rd trip report, for my 11th trip, that includes a few 1st and a 40th. Now we all know about the 40th, but the 1st's will be talked about later.
I have been home for two weeks now. Shame, for having waited this long to start. But I just wasn't feeling it yet. I have finally started editing some of my pictures and I am ready to get this going.
On this trip there were only two travelers. First there is me. This was my 3rd trip in 17 months and I am already ready to go back. I purchased a new camera, Canon SX30, before the trip. So, hopefully, my pictures have improved since the last trip. I still need more practice on low light pictures, but that is what the next trip is for.



Then there is my dad. This was his 13th trip, his first being in April of 72. His most recent trip was in May/June 2010. He videoed more of the trip than I did, while I took most of the pictures.



We stay at Pop Cenutry from September 30th till October 6th. We had free dining for most of our trip and we had 5 day Park Hoppers. We also had tickets to the September 30th MNSSHP. Add in the 40th and Food & Wine and it was a very busy 5 days.

In this trip report you will find out about how we met a dozen characters in just over an hour, our adventure of all four parks in one day, and just how crazy the 40th really was. Stay tuned for all that and much more, including many many many pictures.

 

[jesemeca]

Time for the Mouse himself, Mickey!





The rest of the characters we met this afternoon were part of the surprise group. Every fifteen to twenty minutes a new set of characters would come out. We met them all except Minnie and Pluto. There was a little girl behind me who really wanted to meet Minnie. Her dad was telling her that he wasn't sure if they would make it because of how long the line was. The little girl was whispering c'mon, c'mon hurry up. At this point I realized that I didn't really need to see Minnie again. So we stepped out of line and the little girl made it to see Minnie.



Stitch didn't like that I had Mickey and Minnie on my shirt, instead of him. I tried to tell him that they didn't have any shirts with him on it, but he didn't believe me.

So, I had to kiss him to make up for it.

 

[jesemeca]

Belle insisted we that we hold our skirts up like this. She also asked all about the books I was reading.







We made our way over to One Man's Dream next.





Can you imagine what was discussed in this office? What major decisions were made here?

 

[jesemeca]

The Man himself, Walt Disney.

We watched the movie, which I don't think I have done before. I loved it.





At this point we decided to take our chance on the line for Fantasmic. As we turned the corner onto Sunset Boulevard, I didn't believe my eyes. There was no line at all. I even asked a Cast Member to double check.

I made it quite far down the path before I came upon any crowd.

This was my first time seeing Fantasmic.

 

[jesemeca]

Framed this one!

While I enjoyed the show, I don't think I will ever wait in line for it. If I happen to get there and the timing is right and there is no line, I will watch it again. Otherwise, give me Wishes any night.





We did some more roaming around, trying to decide on dinner. The problem was that it was now EMH and not everything was open. We had to hunt around for dinner.







We finally found some at Rosie's.

I was having fun taking pictures of my food tonight.

 

[jesemeca]

We went on one more ride on Toy Story. The sign said 70 minute wait, but it only took about 35 minutes.



My dad won again, but not by much this time.





Photopass time!





After our photo shoot, we made our way back to Pop.

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

We will be staying at Pop again. What can I say, it's my favorite. I don't think we are going to MNSSHP this time either. I enjoyed myself that night, but not sure if I want to pay extra for it again. Maybe in another year or two. I think we are gonna go to Epcot Friday night. Maybe we could do a little eating around the World. We should find out if any of our fellow cruisers will be there Friday night, we could all meet up.

Definitely, let me see the map once you get it. We plan on being in Magic Kingdom that day, but if I can, I would love to come cheer you gals on.

Really not sure what we're doing on Friday night, but if anyone else is there that will be awesome to meet up!

I'll definitely let you know when they release the map, it should be soon since it's now full to capacity so it's definitely going to be a packed weekend. Wish I could stay for the 30th of EPCOT are you going to be there on the 1st for that? Have you seen some of the stuff for merch they have coming out? Definitely getting myself a few things.

And I never thought to look up in the queue of the Great Movie Ride that picture is beautiful!!

For your info also..Park opening at DHS is no longer like that...now they open the park at 830 ish or so no opening show or rope drop anymore and it's so much better where there are no crazy FP lines for TSMM. When I went down in Feb I believe they had just started implementing that.

 

[mamamouse]

tee hee guess who else will be at Epcot Friday evening???? hint hint nudge nudge!!:wave:

 

[ILDisneyFan]

Does anyone else cry during the One Man's Dream movie or am I all alone on this? :lookaroun

 

[jesemeca]

Really not sure what we're doing on Friday night, but if anyone else is there that will be awesome to meet up!

I'll definitely let you know when they release the map, it should be soon since it's now full to capacity so it's definitely going to be a packed weekend. Wish I could stay for the 30th of EPCOT are you going to be there on the 1st for that? Have you seen some of the stuff for merch they have coming out? Definitely getting myself a few things.

And I never thought to look up in the queue of the Great Movie Ride that picture is beautiful!!

For your info also..Park opening at DHS is no longer like that...now they open the park at 830 ish or so no opening show or rope drop anymore and it's so much better where there are no crazy FP lines for TSMM. When I went down in Feb I believe they had just started implementing that.

It seems that there will be quite a few people from here down there around the same time. We definitely need to plan a meet up or something. Did you see who is playing at Eat to the Beat that night? Night Ranger. I love 80's music. Can't wait to see them. Maybe we could catch a show together and then a snack or two.

We are going to be there on the 1st for Epcot's 30th. That is why we are going. If they don't have the merchandise out before you leave and there is something in particular you want, let me know. I could pick it up for you and mail it to you.

I always look up and usually take pictures of whatever I am looking at. :ROFLOL: Haven't you noticed yet that I like to take pictures of odd things?Thanks for the compliment!

I had heard about the new park opening routine. Did it make that much of a difference? We are leaving in 19 days, so I want to know how our plan of attack should look like. I'm about to post ALL of day 3. Stayed tuned!

tee hee guess who else will be at Epcot Friday evening???? hint hint nudge nudge!!:wave:

Well then, guess who just got invited to the party? :sohappy: As it gets closer we all need to plan a meet. I would love to meet ya'll.

Does anyone else cry during the One Man's Dream movie or am I all alone on this? :lookaroun

You are not alone. I shed a few tears.

 

[jesemeca]

Day 3
Today we started our day off at Animal Kingdom. There were morning EMH's, but we didn't make it till about 8:30. It was okay though, we weren't interested in riding anything before breakfast. We just wanted to be able to take our time getting to Tusker House.







We made our way in to get a locker and this lady was there to greet us.



Time for another photo shoot.

 

[jesemeca]

Now off to search for some food.



The welcome committe was out this morning.

I grabbed some fast passes for The Safari, before breakfast.





We listened to the band for a little while, then made our way to Tusker House.





The food was delicious. I love Mickey waffles!

 

[jesemeca]

Goofy was first this morning.



Sorry, it's so blurry, but it's the only one I have of Daisy and I.

Mickey asked for a kiss. Who am I to say no?

I love the look of Tusker House. Lots of little details that most people probably overlook.

It was now time for our safari.

I think someone is following us. I love having the backseat on the safari. Great views in multiple directions.



My favorite one from the safari and it doesn't even have an animal in it.

 

[jesemeca]

Flamingos!



After the Safari we walked through the Pangani Trail.



Next up, Rafiki's Planet Watch.





Jiminy Cricket, the reason we went to Rafiki's.

 

[jesemeca]

At this point, we took the long way around to see It's Tough To Be A Bug.







Lion King was next on the agenda. I love the Tumbler Monkeys.



My friend joined us again for the Jungle Jammin Parade.

 

[jesemeca]

This was the first time in years that I had seen the parade, without getting rained on. The last time I tried to watch the parade it started pouring in the middle of the parade, so I had to watch from inside a store in Africa.

It is such a beautiful parade.

 

[jesemeca]

Last, but not least, Mickey!

After the parade we made our way out of Animal Kingdom and onto MGM. Once we made it there it was time for more PhotoPass pictures. Are you ready, cuz here comes a bunch?

 

[jesemeca]

After watching Mulch, Sweat and Shears for a few minutes, we headed on out. We still had more stops to make.









We decided to walk to Epcot, instead of taking the boat. Next time I will definitely be talking the boat. That was way too long of a walk in the heat.



At least we had nice scenery while we walked.

 

[jesemeca]

Oh, how I miss you, Food & Wine. I will be back soon.

Photo shoot time!





I never would have seen this if the nice guy didn't point it out to me. He saw my camera and thought that I might be able to get a nice picture of it. Thanks!

We did a little shopping while waiting for my best friend to meet us at Epcot. We didn't stay long in Epcot, because we still had one more destination. Any guesses on where we were off to?

Yes, Magic Kingdom. We went to all four parks in one day. Granted we didn't do a whole lot in two of them, but it was still kinda cool to go to all of them.

We made our way thru Adventureland, hoping the Tortuga Tavern was open. It wasn't. So instead we went to Pecos Bill. I had the Taco Salad. It was so good. I love that I can add as much cheese and banana peppers as I want.



It was now time to fight the Evil Emperor Zurg.

 

[jesemeca]

I rode with my friend, so I won out of our car. But my dad beat us both.







After our last photo shoot of the day, my dad decided to make his way back to Pop. My friend and I stayed in Magic Kingdom awhile longer. We sat in the alcove near The Plaza and talked for over an hour without even moving. What a way to end the night, watching Cinderella Castle change colors, while catching up with my best friend.

Finally we decided it was time to leave. Trust me, I didn't want to, but my friend had work the next morning.

We did a little shopping on our way out. (Doesn't everyone?)



Back to Pop for some more catching up and then it was finally time for bed. It was another long day, but very much worth it.

 

[bethymouse]

I really like the Photo Pass Pictures!

Very nice pictures! You really know your way around WDW!:wave: