Flying 2 days for 3 days at WDW is a SNAP! Final Thoughts 01/02

[shushh]

Again, sounds like a lot of fun. DH would love the "wrecks"! I see that your ticker is up! So what are you up to on Jan 21? We're heading straight to an LAX airport to dump our stuff then we'll be free until we have to the airport for our 1045pm flight. I was planning to go Santa Monica but I can be swayed...

 

[PrincessInOz]

I like the shots outside TSM. I always forget to look up!

Just noticed the new ticker. Wish DH could get a job based in the US, but that will never happen.

You'll definitely have to remember to look UP next time.

I agree that you don't need to take the backlot tour too many times! Yay for a new ticker! When are we going to meet up in your trip? I love making plans, and then I can put the appointment in my new phone if it get it!

Sent a PM...looking forward to it. I'm thinking of starting a new PTR....maybe NOT!

I agree that the backlot tour is nowhere as good as Universal Hollywood, but we all enjoyed it just the same .

Great photos! Looking forward to hearing about what you did with the rest of your day!

Thanks.

Again, sounds like a lot of fun. DH would love the "wrecks"! I see that your ticker is up! So what are you up to on Jan 21? We're heading straight to an LAX airport to dump our stuff then we'll be free until we have to the airport for our 1045pm flight. I was planning to go Santa Monica but I can be swayed...

We haven't worked it out yet. We're thinking we might need to start driving up towards San Francisco on that Friday. Santa Monica could be good....for lunch?

 

[PrincessInOz]

When Firefly and I met up this morning, she told me that she had yet to have breakfast. But we both knew that we needed to head straight for TSM before being able to think about food. I’m not sure why we didn’t stop for food immediately after I got beaten on TSM instead of jumping on the backlot tour.

Nevertheless, at way past 11 am, it was time for a major snack and breakfast stop. And there was only one place that Firefly and I wanted to stop at…

“How about we head in this direction?”

“Ooh…can we stop for an autograph first?”

We ran into a green Toy Soldier and we added his signature to Firefly’s collection.

And then it was time to head towards….Starring Roles.

Firefly picked this up for breakfast.

She offered to share it with me; but I only wanted a little taste so that I could report here that it was really yum. I had something else in mind…..

Yup! That Butterfinger cupcake had my name all over it! I had enjoyed one such cupcake in May.

In May, I had shared the cupcake with DH and DS…and had the luxury of eating it at our room in BCV complete with plates, forks and running tap water. But, I bought the cupcake and it sat in the fridge for over 3 days before we finally got round to eating it. It was still beautiful; but it made me wonder how good the cupcake would have been if we had eaten it fresh on the day of purchase.

So, today was the day! Not only had I been dreaming about the day where I would be able to stuff another one into my mouth; but also about being able to eat it immediately after purchase.

I still had to figure out how to eat this monster and appear dignified at the same time; despite the presence of plastic cutlery. So, I tried cutting it in half.

Look at all that slob of delicious chocolate fudge icing embedded in that rich chocolate cupcake and slathered with the buttercream icing frosting covered with butterfingers!

I knew that I would still not be able to cram the half a little beauty into my mouth....so I then cut it into quarters.

I could finally be able to at the cupcake in a semi dignified manner. And Firefly was happy to share some with me.

We sat there on the outside of Starring Roles enjoying our treasures; and for once....I experienced no order envy.
In case you've never experienced it, order envy is when you look at everyone else's order when it arrives and wish that you had ordered that instead of your own.
I was more than satisfied that Firefly and I were the cause of order envy in the Starring Roles terrace....and for everyone else walking by.

The cupcake was as scrumptious as I remembered. And for the record, the cupcake was as good fresh as it was eaten a few days after purchase.

At this stage, we were getting close to the time of Firefly’s lunch ADR. She had offered to bring me along so that we could hang out together.

I know it sounds awful…but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for the afternoon.
The lazy me just wanted to keep enjoying the day and walking about with Firefly until it was time to hit MNSSHP.
The obsessive compulsive me knew I had to think about packing. DH and I were flying out to San Francisco the next day and there was a pile of packing waiting in the resort. I had wondered when I would get round to it as tonight looked like another late night.
The travelling me had also thought of providing myself with the opportunity of getting to AK.

But the lure of more food turned out to be too great to resist. I would need to forego going to AK. So, I agreed to have lunch but decided that I would need to get back to the resort before MNSSHP and pack.

Firefly also wanted to get on a couple of the big attractions at DHS; and wanted to get some fastpasses for them. So, we headed down Sunset Boulevard….

…..via the airconditioned shops.

Where she picked up a fastpass for the ride that I am NOT ever going to get on.

As I was heading back to the resort to pack, I would have no need for a fast pass that afternoon. So I got her one for this attraction.

And then it was time to head back to Firefly’s chosen lunch spot.


Up Next: MORE Food

 

[manntra]

I love the rope drop at DHS...any interaction with the Streetsmosphere really make me laugh
I agree with you on the CM's at work....sewing etc and Walt's Florida prospecting plane being the best parts of The Backlot tour
Oooh that Butterfinger cupcake looks delicious! I remember from your previous TR how you coveted thee I stopped in there the morning we did rope drop and was looking forward to my banana concoction but alas it wasn't there....probably a good thing though
for your new ticker!!

Tracy

 

[PrincessInOz]

I love the rope drop at DHS...any interaction with the Streetsmosphere really make me laugh
I agree with you on the CM's at work....sewing etc and Walt's Florida prospecting plane being the best parts of The Backlot tour
Oooh that Butterfinger cupcake looks delicious! I remember from your previous TR how you coveted thee I stopped in there the morning we did rope drop and was looking forward to my banana concoction but alas it wasn't there....probably a good thing though
for your new ticker!!

Tracy

You might need to consider the Butterfinger cupcake when you're there in May. Your ticker is gorgeous!

Both of them!

 

[stephielela]

I had the butterfinger cupcake on our trip and it was very good, but very hard to eat. On our next trip I am going to try the peanut butter one!

 

[shushh]

Princess, would love to meet up for lunch. However, I am not sure what time I will get to Santa Monica. I've heard reports of the port of LA being horrendous with regards to customs and immigration. I would hate to make plans and then have me be late! I don't want you to go out of your way just to end up having to wait for us.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I had the butterfinger cupcake on our trip and it was very good, but very hard to eat. On our next trip I am going to try the peanut butter one!

YUM! I hope you'll take a picture and post it on your TR!

Princess, would love to meet up for lunch. However, I am not sure what time I will get to Santa Monica. I've heard reports of the port of LA being horrendous with regards to customs and immigration. I would hate to make plans and then have me be late! I don't want you to go out of your way just to end up having to wait for us.

Let's play it by ear. We're not sure what we are doing on the Friday. I'll PM you my US cell phone number. If not, we can try for another DisMeet either in Sydney or Melbourne....
Although; it might be any easier to coordinate

 

[PrincessInOz]

Lucky for me, Firefly had chosen to eat at one of those places that I had wanted to try for quite a while. So, it wasn't any hardship on my part to accept the invitation to lunch and forego a visit to Animal Kingdom.

As always, dining establishments have their fair share of positives and negatives at WDW and this one was no exception. But there was one indisputable fact about this place – the ambience was fantastic; especially if you are a geek like me!

Yes, Firefly had chosen to eat at SciFi Diner.

This is one place where you definitely cannot get an ADR for one as both Front and Back seats are for a minimum of 2 people! So, we had no qualms about checking in as a party of 2.

We waited all of 5 minutes before a CM rolled on by to show us to our parking spot.

We really had to get our skates on to keep up with him; but we managed to catch up with him….eventually.
This was the view from our car.

And food is served and eaten from the ‘dashboard’.

Mini Pooh and mini Eeyore found a spot to park.

They were also tired and collapsed in a heap.

SciFi Diner has a big movie screen to the front of the room. They screen the previews of all the old B-grade science fiction movies from the Black and White age of Hollywood. Just perfect for a geek like me. For the record, I love the Classic SciFi movies – they are so bad that they’re good. After all, who can resist watching The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Attack of the 50-Foot Woman, The Giant Gila Monster, The Mysterious Mr Wong, The Crawling Hand and various incarnations of Flash Gordon.

Turns out that we were not the only geeky people in the diner. All the diners were glued to the screen.

The kitchen is located at the back of the room away from the big screen.

Tony, our server, came to take our order. I was relieved to see that he was walking and not on roller blades. I was in no mood to eat off the floor today or for any food accidentally being tipped on me.

Our drinks got delivered first. I decided on pink pomegranate lemonade.

Firefly got the Strawberry MilkShake.

Mini Pooh and mini Eeyore were just relieved to be able to cool down.

And then our meals arrived.

We both ordered the Hamburger. Firefly had hers straight up with fries.

I decided on the mushrooms and swiss cheese options; and the cucumber salad as my side.

For anyone that has read my May TR, you would know that (surprisingly) I did not enjoy any of the 3 burgers that I had ordered during that vacation. The reason was simple – the various 3 kitchens could not cook a burger medium rare, even when ordered rare! All 3 burgers in May were too overcooked for my tastes.

Imagine my surprise when I bit into this burger. I had ordered it medium rare and it WAS medium rare! YUM!
Finally found a cook who understands that the best way to cook a burger is to cook it the way the customer orders it!
To cap it all off, that cucumber salad was just delicious. Thin slices of cucumber marinated in vinegar, salt, pepper and a little bit of sugar. I have since come home to replicate that salad and I add thinly sliced ginger to the mix. It is just delicious and a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Even DS loves it.

Firefly was on the Dining Plan; so she finished up with this super sundae!

Tony, our server, checked on us a number of times during the course of the meal. He had just the right touch – always friendly, never pushy and managed to anticipate our needs just a little bit after we had worked out what we wanted.

It must have been our lucky day that day because when he brought us the bill, he also gave us this gift.

I know mini Pooh and mini Eeyore were very happy with the present; but no more so that Firefly and I. It was a lovely way to walk out of the Diner.

And the caramel popcorn was delicious!

Up Next: Ticking a few attractions off my 'NOT' list

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I think Sci Fi is my favorite restaurant, to be honest. I love the ambience But I couldn't finish that sundae I was way too full I ended up dumping the caramel corn and will be sending the cup to my niece. Did you know it glows in the dark? I found that out about a week after I got home, since it was sitting on my desk and I turned my light off and it was glowing

 

[franandaj]

Fran and I ate there back in 1997, I don't think she could get into the cars any more, but we had a really great time...I'm glad we did it back then, maybe in the future, but we'll see...

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Fran and I ate there back in 1997, I don't think she could get into the cars any more, but we had a really great time...I'm glad we did it back then, maybe in the future, but we'll see...

They also have picnic tables in the back and some HA seating I've seen pictures of those tables on another site, but I forget which one. I think it was AllEars.

 

[skier_pete]

Love the Sci-Fi! I only wish the "loop" they show was a little longer, every time we go, we end up seeing much of it twice. WE don't go every time because DD7 doesn't like the "scary" movie trailers. Can't say I blame her, because I hated that stuff at that age. I'd probably go there every trip if I could, especially since it's the only food worth eating at DHS! Can't walk out without ordering a Oreo Cookie Shake....yum!

Also, its possible you have a hard time finding a medium rare burger in the states because a lot of restaurants are discouraged from allowing burgers to be cooked rare or medium rare. In fact, some restaurants will NOT give you a burger less than medium. It's a health thing - actually it's a lawyer thing - the ground beef is supposed to be cooked to X degrees before it can be considered to have all the bacteria killed...and with worries of law-suits many restaurants just won't risk it. It's possible many Disney restaurants are under orders that "even if the burger is ordered rare - cook it to medium".

 

[manntra]

Sci-Fi is such a fun restaurant......I love the BLT soup with a real cherry coke Mmmm mmmm!!
In 2009 I took one of my nieces in January....we ate at Sci-Fi....then I took another niece (her younger sister) and we also ate at Sci-Fi....in the same EXACT car and in the same EXACT row!!! What are the odds of that?!! I was sitting there thinking...wow this all looks familiar from this area...so I got out my camera and still had the images from January on there and it really was the same!!
I will try and find a recipe of my mothers for cucumber salad....I really like it even though it has onions in it....they are needed for the flavor I guess She makes it often in the summer because I tend to grow more cucumbers than I can eat

Tracy

 

[PrincessInOz]

I think Sci Fi is my favorite restaurant, to be honest. I love the ambience But I couldn't finish that sundae I was way too full I ended up dumping the caramel corn and will be sending the cup to my niece. Did you know it glows in the dark? I found that out about a week after I got home, since it was sitting on my desk and I turned my light off and it was glowing

I did not know that the cup was glow in the dark. I'm going to have to check this out tonight!!

Fran and I ate there back in 1997, I don't think she could get into the cars any more, but we had a really great time...I'm glad we did it back then, maybe in the future, but we'll see...

Maybe, you'll have to go BACK TO THE FUTURE!

They also have picnic tables in the back and some HA seating I've seen pictures of those tables on another site, but I forget which one. I think it was AllEars.

Yup. Most definitely...back to the future.

Love the Sci-Fi! I only wish the "loop" they show was a little longer, every time we go, we end up seeing much of it twice. WE don't go every time because DD7 doesn't like the "scary" movie trailers. Can't say I blame her, because I hated that stuff at that age. I'd probably go there every trip if I could, especially since it's the only food worth eating at DHS! Can't walk out without ordering a Oreo Cookie Shake....yum!

Also, its possible you have a hard time finding a medium rare burger in the states because a lot of restaurants are discouraged from allowing burgers to be cooked rare or medium rare. In fact, some restaurants will NOT give you a burger less than medium. It's a health thing - actually it's a lawyer thing - the ground beef is supposed to be cooked to X degrees before it can be considered to have all the bacteria killed...and with worries of law-suits many restaurants just won't risk it. It's possible many Disney restaurants are under orders that "even if the burger is ordered rare - cook it to medium".

I wished the 'loop' was also longer. There is so much material on the internet to choose from these days that it is possible to almost loop for 2 hours and not see the same clips in the one dining session.

I did not know that litigation had to this degree of food rareness in the US. The burgers I ordered in May were not all at a Disney restaurant. I think I had one at a CS in DHS (completely charcoal but cold!! Wonder how the lawyers deal with that one) and a couple in California.

Sci-Fi is such a fun restaurant......I love the BLT soup with a real cherry coke Mmmm mmmm!!
In 2009 I took one of my nieces in January....we ate at Sci-Fi....then I took another niece (her younger sister) and we also ate at Sci-Fi....in the same EXACT car and in the same EXACT row!!! What are the odds of that?!! I was sitting there thinking...wow this all looks familiar from this area...so I got out my camera and still had the images from January on there and it really was the same!!
I will try and find a recipe of my mothers for cucumber salad....I really like it even though it has onions in it....they are needed for the flavor I guess She makes it often in the summer because I tend to grow more cucumbers than I can eat

Tracy

If you find that recipe, can I have it?

OMG - Exact car position!! What are the odds? Thanks for warming the seat up for us.

 

[PrincessInOz]

The Plan

..I realised that there are some rides at WDW that I have NOT been on. In my life, I have spent a grand total of 20 days at WDW so far; and sad to say, I have NOT managed to complete the grand sweep of riding or seeing all attractions! So, here is my revisited....

Rides at WDW that I have NOT been on (yet)


Animal Kingdom
Maharajah Jungle Trek
TriceraTop Spin

Magic Kingdom
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Country Bear Jamboree
Halls of President
Many adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Epcot
Ellen's Energy Adventure
The Seas with Nemo and Friends (*This was the Living Seas in 2005, Turtle Talk had been opened and we did NOT go back to see this in May!)
Reflections of China
American Adventure
O Canada

Hollywood Studios
Sounds Dangerous
Great Movie Ride (I can NOT believe this one either!)
Journey into Narnia
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Magic of Disney Animation


I am hoping to be able to remove some of the above attractions from this NOT done list!


The reality

After lunch, we figured it was time to use those fastpasses for TSM and went back to see what sort of score we could achieve this time. I’m glad that I managed to snap my photos earlier in the day…the fastpass line headed straight up the stairs and we were on the ride within 10 minutes.

Yes – I got whooped again by Firefly. But I came close to breaking the 100K mark! Thanks to Firefly, I had learnt some tricks on how to score on this game….maybe next time!


I knew that I needed to head back to pack; but there were a number of attractions that I had yet to get on at DHS. I was keen to try and mark a few more off my list; having already marked off a couple at MK and at Epcot.

On the way out, we peeked in to the Great Movie Ride and as the queue wasn’t bad, we decided to go for a ride.

It was nice to see a couple of my favourite movies being featured. I am a big fan of musicals (I've already claimed to be a geek) and Gene Kelly is on my top 10 list of best dancers!

And who can resist Mary Poppins and Bert on the chimney tops!

He might no longer be the mayor of Carmel; but he’s still a ruggedly good looking hunk.

And there’s always the man that helps me remember how to spell Indiana correctly!

Yet another classic scene from a classic movie. Play it Once, Sam. For old times sake.

And then we moved on to OZ!!!

Love those ruby red shoes.

My Oz sure doesn’t look like this.

But I did wonder if there was any resemblance to some of my old high school classmates….

Yes, time to hit that Yellow Brick Road!

Up Next: A mermaid and back to pack

 

[franandaj]

I did not know that litigation had to this degree of food rareness in the US. The burgers I ordered in May were not all at a Disney restaurant. I think I had one at a CS in DHS (completely charcoal but cold!! Wonder how the lawyers deal with that one) and a couple in California.

I think that it is mandated in the US that all ground meat has to be cooked medium It has something to do with the whole e-coli thing, but they won't let burger places server medium rare or rare. I am amazed that places even ask (this is rare). Ha! I didnt realize the pun here!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I think that it is mandated in the US that all ground meat has to be cooked medium It has something to do with the whole e-coli thing, but they won't let burger places server medium rare or rare. I am amazed that places even ask (this is rare). Ha! I didnt realize the pun here!

"Well Done!"

 

[PrincessInOz]

I knew that I needed to head back to the resort to start packing; but couldn’t resist the opportunity to check out the Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Back in 2005, this attraction was very popular and was strictly fastpass entry only. I managed to get fastpasses for an after 5 pm showing. Unfortunately, DS, who was then 5, decided to have a meltdown in the early afternoon. So, we had to depart the park and I missed out on seeing this show.

In May 2010, I was determined to catch it – but I was sick and left the park early because of a splitting headache.

So, Firefly graciously waited with me so that we could catch the show.

I’m glad that I can finally check this attraction off the list. And I’m also glad that DS wasn’t with me … he really doesn’t like princesses or anything remotely girlie!

I guess having a tail makes it difficult to sing AND dance around the stage; so the projects on the screen provides some colour and motion for the audience.

I haven’t seen this movie in a while; but you can definitely tell the vintage of this movie from the hairstyle of the Prince. The Prince in Tangled definitely won't be sporting a hairstyle this short!

Ursula makes a great Villian. She just seems to have her fingers…or tentacles….everywhere!

I thought that the contract-signing scene was rather well done. I love the way that the paper just seems to float to the right spot with the ‘cloud’.

And I wish that Sebastian featured more in the DHS condensed version.

The Happy Ever After ending!

It was now after 2 pm and, despite wishing that I could stay longer, I knew it was time to head out as I really had to pack. So, Firefly and I parted company and agreed to meet up for our second ADR dinner – she headed towards ToT and RnRC with fast passes in hand and I headed out the door.

I meandered down Hollywood Boulevard taking in the view.

And got to the bus stop. I didn’t have long to wait – the resort bus practically pitched up within 5 minutes.

I headed back to the resort and packed as best I could. Really, for some reason, my heart is never in packing up to go home – especially when I’m packing from anywhere within Disney.

I managed to get all my items packed and most of DH’s. I pretty much organized my clothes for the next day as we were traveling to San Francisco. All that was left was to pack away the toiletries and the clothes I was wearing today; but that was a tomorrow task.

So, with that chore done, I headed back to a bus stop to get back the Magic Kingdom.


Up Next: Day 3, Part 4 Conclusion

 

[PrincessInOz]

No matter how tired you think you are or how late a night you’ve had, it’s never too early to wake up to make Rope Drop at the World.


If you make Rope Drop at DHS, chances are, you’ll get to ride TSM twice (I still suck at this game!).


There is no dignified way to eat Butterfinger CupCakes from Starring Roles.


The Chefs at Sci Fi Diner really know how to cook a burger – exactly how the customer orders it! Tony, our Sci Fi server on the day, was OUT OF THIS WORLD!


I’m glad I’ve ticked off a couple more NOT rides from my DHS list.


Up Next – Day 3, Part 5 Back to the Magical Realm