David
Active Member
Hi everyone!
I just got back from the world and wanted to share some of the fun visiting our favorite Mouse again! (This is a long post, so you might want to pop some popcorn before you start Forgive any typos you see!!)
Saturday, October 6:
After months of planning, the time had finally come for us to head back to Orlando and visit WDW again. Going on the trip were me, my wife, our 9 year old son, and my in-laws. (No in-law jokes here---they are great ) This was the third trip all of us had made to WDW together. Our son was their first grandchild, and you know how grandparents are!
Anyway, our day began early, around 4:00 am when the limo came to pick us up and carry us to the airport, about an hour away. I know that it seems silly to hire a limo, but the first time we carried our son to Disney, he was 4 1/2 years old, and we thought he would get a kick out of it. He did, and we did, so this trip made the third time we have done that.
Arrived in Orlando at 11:35 and by 2:00 we had checked in the All Star Movies, and were on our way to Downtown Disney. Had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, then went to Disney Quest. We had a blast there, playing all the games, "riding" the rides, but by 8:30 we were a little tired so we headed back to the hotel.
Monday, October 7
We had never gone to Sea World, so we went for a visit on Monday. It was interesting and the shows were fun. Light crowds in comparison to Disney, but that made it easy to ride the water ride Atlantis and the coaster, Kraken. In fact on the coaster, it was possible to ride, get off and almost immediately ride again, which I did three times. We had lunch at Sharks, an underwater grill much like the restaurant at Living Seas in Epcot, in that you are seated in front of large windows where you can watch sharks, fish, etc.
We did the Shamu show, and nothing would do except my son and I sit in the appropriately named "Soak Zone".
The park closed at 7:00, but by 5:00 we were on our way back to the hotel. Got on the Disney bus and headed over to the MK, had a hot dog at Casey's Corner, then claimed a spot on Main Street to watch Spectromagic at 8:00
Tuesday, October 8
We took advantage of Early Entry to go to MGM. Went straight to TOT, then RRC. I am the only one in the family who likes these types of rides, so I only rode these once each. We did the GMR, Beauty and Beast show, Millionaire, Star Wars, Honey I shrunk the kids playground, and my son got into pin trading. BOY, did he get into it. Thank goodness again for grandparents!!
We had made a Fantasmic Dinner show package reservation at the Brown Derby, but the only time we could get one was at 4:00, which meant missing the parade. But that day, a big rain storm came and we never heard any music or saw any sign of the parade, so I believe it was cancelled, but am not sure about that.
Afterwards, we did other attractions untill it was time for Fantasmic. We really like this show, and always make sure we see it.
Wednesday, October 9
EE day for Epcot, so that's where we headed. Went straight to Spaceship Earth then Test Track. We would have gone to Universe of Energy, but it was closed due to technical problems, so we went to Innovations, Wonders of Life, Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Good seeing Figment again, too!
Had lunch at the Rose and Crown, and visited some of the countries again. The Voices of Liberty were at the American Pavillion, so we listened and enjoyed them very much, then stayed for the film. After 911, it is more moving then ever.
Our son really wanted to make a return visit to Disney Quest, so we left around 5:00 to head over there. Illuminations would have to wait for another day.
Thursday, October 10
We went over to Animal Kingdom. I don't know why, but we enjoyed if much more than our last trip in 2000. Saw more animals on the Safari than before and maybe that helped. We had to ride Kali River Rapids three times before the youngster thought he was wet enough! The second and third times, I wore the poncho.
We rode Primeval Whirl and the wife and son rode T Spin. As I waited for them at the exit, I noticed that the "Exit" signs on the gates were actually car tags that had been painted over. Thought that was strange as it has nothing to connect to the ride, but whatever.
Saw Tarzan Rocks, Tough to Be a Bug, other attractions, but had to hurry, because we had promised our son a trip to a water park. Since we had been to Blizzard Beach, he wanted to go to Typhoon Lagoon. I thought it was fun, but I really like BB better.
That night, Grandad and grandson went to the arcade on the hotel, and my wife and I went back to Epcot for TT, SE and Illuminations.
Friday, October 11
FINALLY, a full day in my favorite park, MK. We had tickets to Mickey's Not So Scarry Halloween Party, so rather than go to 2 parks in one day, we decided to make Friday an all day MK event. Got there for the opening, and did every ride we could, as quickly as we could.
They had troulbe with the parade in the afternoon. Once again, technical difficulties made an appearance, so the parade was 20 minutes late startiing.
After the parade, we were walking through the castle, and saw Bert and 2 penquins from Mary Poppins giving autographs, just to the right as you walk through. We rushed over to get in line. Mary P was not there, but while my son waited to get the autographs, I walked beside the castle, where the back of Snow White, Pooh building ends. I saw a wooden gate door, and was curious if it would open. Well, it certainly did, and boy was I surprised when I say Mary Poppins heading our way. I think she was shocked too. I muttered something like, "I couldn't resist a peek" but she did not say anything. However a few minutes later she came out, "smiled" and said "Please do not do that ever again." Well, my son still got her autograph, and I suppose she was right. I am curious how the whole Disney thing looks "behind the scenes, but have never taken the tours because the son is too young, and I don't feel right leaving them for 1/2 or whole day. But I think next trip I just might do it.
MNSSHP was a lot of fun. A lot of kids and adults were in costume and a good time was had by all. Free candy, smaller crowds, parades and fireworks. The fireworks had a neat effect because rather than just having fireworks from behind the castle, at certain points, fireworks were exploded in a circle from behind Main Street, to Toontown Fair, behind Tommorland, etc.
Saturday, October 12
We checked out from the hotel at 8:30, stored a back pack with a change of clothes in the showers by the pool, then went back to the MK and did some repeat riding again. The time went by entirely too fast, though, and by 1:00 it was time for the traditional end to the trip---I take my son to the "Picture Spot" on the Tommorowland side of the castle where I take his picture. Every time we do that, we know the trip is about over, and as silly as is sounds, we both get kinda choked up over it. And we always promise each other that we will be coming back.
Soon, we were on the bus back to the hotel for a shower, and catch the bus to the airport. We got back home around midnight, ready to start planning another trip to the most magical place on earth.
It was a great trip, but not a perfect trip.....perfect trips to WDW woud not end!
I just got back from the world and wanted to share some of the fun visiting our favorite Mouse again! (This is a long post, so you might want to pop some popcorn before you start Forgive any typos you see!!)
Saturday, October 6:
After months of planning, the time had finally come for us to head back to Orlando and visit WDW again. Going on the trip were me, my wife, our 9 year old son, and my in-laws. (No in-law jokes here---they are great ) This was the third trip all of us had made to WDW together. Our son was their first grandchild, and you know how grandparents are!
Anyway, our day began early, around 4:00 am when the limo came to pick us up and carry us to the airport, about an hour away. I know that it seems silly to hire a limo, but the first time we carried our son to Disney, he was 4 1/2 years old, and we thought he would get a kick out of it. He did, and we did, so this trip made the third time we have done that.
Arrived in Orlando at 11:35 and by 2:00 we had checked in the All Star Movies, and were on our way to Downtown Disney. Had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, then went to Disney Quest. We had a blast there, playing all the games, "riding" the rides, but by 8:30 we were a little tired so we headed back to the hotel.
Monday, October 7
We had never gone to Sea World, so we went for a visit on Monday. It was interesting and the shows were fun. Light crowds in comparison to Disney, but that made it easy to ride the water ride Atlantis and the coaster, Kraken. In fact on the coaster, it was possible to ride, get off and almost immediately ride again, which I did three times. We had lunch at Sharks, an underwater grill much like the restaurant at Living Seas in Epcot, in that you are seated in front of large windows where you can watch sharks, fish, etc.
We did the Shamu show, and nothing would do except my son and I sit in the appropriately named "Soak Zone".
The park closed at 7:00, but by 5:00 we were on our way back to the hotel. Got on the Disney bus and headed over to the MK, had a hot dog at Casey's Corner, then claimed a spot on Main Street to watch Spectromagic at 8:00
Tuesday, October 8
We took advantage of Early Entry to go to MGM. Went straight to TOT, then RRC. I am the only one in the family who likes these types of rides, so I only rode these once each. We did the GMR, Beauty and Beast show, Millionaire, Star Wars, Honey I shrunk the kids playground, and my son got into pin trading. BOY, did he get into it. Thank goodness again for grandparents!!
We had made a Fantasmic Dinner show package reservation at the Brown Derby, but the only time we could get one was at 4:00, which meant missing the parade. But that day, a big rain storm came and we never heard any music or saw any sign of the parade, so I believe it was cancelled, but am not sure about that.
Afterwards, we did other attractions untill it was time for Fantasmic. We really like this show, and always make sure we see it.
Wednesday, October 9
EE day for Epcot, so that's where we headed. Went straight to Spaceship Earth then Test Track. We would have gone to Universe of Energy, but it was closed due to technical problems, so we went to Innovations, Wonders of Life, Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Good seeing Figment again, too!
Had lunch at the Rose and Crown, and visited some of the countries again. The Voices of Liberty were at the American Pavillion, so we listened and enjoyed them very much, then stayed for the film. After 911, it is more moving then ever.
Our son really wanted to make a return visit to Disney Quest, so we left around 5:00 to head over there. Illuminations would have to wait for another day.
Thursday, October 10
We went over to Animal Kingdom. I don't know why, but we enjoyed if much more than our last trip in 2000. Saw more animals on the Safari than before and maybe that helped. We had to ride Kali River Rapids three times before the youngster thought he was wet enough! The second and third times, I wore the poncho.
We rode Primeval Whirl and the wife and son rode T Spin. As I waited for them at the exit, I noticed that the "Exit" signs on the gates were actually car tags that had been painted over. Thought that was strange as it has nothing to connect to the ride, but whatever.
Saw Tarzan Rocks, Tough to Be a Bug, other attractions, but had to hurry, because we had promised our son a trip to a water park. Since we had been to Blizzard Beach, he wanted to go to Typhoon Lagoon. I thought it was fun, but I really like BB better.
That night, Grandad and grandson went to the arcade on the hotel, and my wife and I went back to Epcot for TT, SE and Illuminations.
Friday, October 11
FINALLY, a full day in my favorite park, MK. We had tickets to Mickey's Not So Scarry Halloween Party, so rather than go to 2 parks in one day, we decided to make Friday an all day MK event. Got there for the opening, and did every ride we could, as quickly as we could.
They had troulbe with the parade in the afternoon. Once again, technical difficulties made an appearance, so the parade was 20 minutes late startiing.
After the parade, we were walking through the castle, and saw Bert and 2 penquins from Mary Poppins giving autographs, just to the right as you walk through. We rushed over to get in line. Mary P was not there, but while my son waited to get the autographs, I walked beside the castle, where the back of Snow White, Pooh building ends. I saw a wooden gate door, and was curious if it would open. Well, it certainly did, and boy was I surprised when I say Mary Poppins heading our way. I think she was shocked too. I muttered something like, "I couldn't resist a peek" but she did not say anything. However a few minutes later she came out, "smiled" and said "Please do not do that ever again." Well, my son still got her autograph, and I suppose she was right. I am curious how the whole Disney thing looks "behind the scenes, but have never taken the tours because the son is too young, and I don't feel right leaving them for 1/2 or whole day. But I think next trip I just might do it.
MNSSHP was a lot of fun. A lot of kids and adults were in costume and a good time was had by all. Free candy, smaller crowds, parades and fireworks. The fireworks had a neat effect because rather than just having fireworks from behind the castle, at certain points, fireworks were exploded in a circle from behind Main Street, to Toontown Fair, behind Tommorland, etc.
Saturday, October 12
We checked out from the hotel at 8:30, stored a back pack with a change of clothes in the showers by the pool, then went back to the MK and did some repeat riding again. The time went by entirely too fast, though, and by 1:00 it was time for the traditional end to the trip---I take my son to the "Picture Spot" on the Tommorowland side of the castle where I take his picture. Every time we do that, we know the trip is about over, and as silly as is sounds, we both get kinda choked up over it. And we always promise each other that we will be coming back.
Soon, we were on the bus back to the hotel for a shower, and catch the bus to the airport. We got back home around midnight, ready to start planning another trip to the most magical place on earth.
It was a great trip, but not a perfect trip.....perfect trips to WDW woud not end!
