So the interesting part of the vacation has officially begun. We have kids with us. Right now all is well because they’re excited, but how about those times when they’re frustrated, tired, or downright irritable. We don’t deal with that on a regular basis. But for now, it’s a walk through the Toy Story and 101 Dalmations area of the resort, and they’re excited.
Time comes and goes, and we figure we need to leave about an hour beforehand to catch a bus to Downtown Disney. We head through the food court, and even though they left an hour ago, we run into Mommy and Daddy eating dinner there. The kids say goodbye one last time in a brief manner. After all, they’re more excited about all the Disney stuff around them.
I’ve never been a fan of the bus system at WDW. It seems slow and cumbersome to me. Our adventures of the next two days would simply confirm that. When we got to the bus stop, there was no one in line for Downtown Disney. No problem. We must have just missed the bus. So we begin our wait. 4 buses for Animal Kingdom go by, about 3 for Magic Kingdom, a couple for Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, but nothing for Downtown. After about 30 minutes, and us getting close on time, a bus comes rumbling down. They have enough room for 4 people on the bus. So while we got on, all those other families who had been waiting for so long had to watch the bus go driving away.
The bus system stinks.
And then another thing about the bus that annoyed me. We had two children with us. For safety reasons, I would expect someone to say, let the child sit here, but no. Niece and nephew had to hold on to my shorts for dear life because they couldn’t reach anything, and I was having trouble holding on because the turns were being taken so hard. Please, if you’re on a bus, make sure that kids can sit somewhere so they don’t go flying all over the bus when it turns.
The first treat of the trip. We’re hoping the kids will find the Rainforest Café fascinating. All the animals, the gorillas, the zebras, the snakes. Either they’ll love it or it will freak them out. What I loved about it was the fact that we had reservations. The line just to check in was long, so I butted in at the front and asked simply “Where do I go if I have reservations?” This would make all the people in line mad at me. Why? Because she took care of me right away. Handed me a slip of paper and said “Wait for your name to be called.” I then heard her tell the people behind me that the current wait was 2 hours outside and another 15-30 minutes inside. Within 30 seconds, literally, our name was called.
Next up is yet another line. This one is inside the Café. We walk up to the back of the line and figure it’ll take 15 minutes to reach the front. Nope. After about 2-3 minutes a server comes walking back calling out our name. “Please come to the front of the line” she says. So, let me get this straight. Walk ups have a 2 hour wait outside and 15 minute wait inside. With our reservations, from the time I walked up to the stand, it was less than 10 minutes, probably closer to 5 that we were seated. I love reservations.
Kids Mac and Cheese
Kids Popcorn Shrimp
Something with shrimp
Volcanic Cobb Salad
Volcano
The whole gang:
Up next: You have got to be joking.