Come and Gone, can't believe its over already :( Lots of pix updated 100209

[Jakesmom1]

It seems like our trip should be still ahead of us, instead we have been home a week already

It went so fast and in hind site 6 days just isn't enough time. It was great, no crowds, no rain, did everything we wanted to (almost) with virtualy no lines. But I wish we could have stayed longer.

Our trip was over labor day , being the bad mom that I am I took my DS out of school for 3 days to go to Disney. ( no flames please) I had asked all of his teachers ahead of time for any work he would miss, and if they thought it would be a problem, and they were all fine, gave him his work before we left and all said " have a good time". I know you hear this all the time but he is a straight A student in his sophmore year in High School.

The other member of our little trio was my DH. He was lucky enough to have 11 days off from work, but I only had 7 days (need 1 day to recover).

We left home at 730 am to drop our puppy off at her hotel ( my DH says prison ) and then on to Disney. The ride is a little over an hour from our home, and we stopped for breakfast on the way. Its like our own ritual when ever we go away, we stop for breakfast first rather then eat at home because it makes the vacation seem real before we even get there.

As soon as we drove past the city of Orlando on I-4 and I started seeing signs for I-drive, I knew we were there. I always start to tear up when we get close. I cant explain the feeling I get when we go to Disney, I guess its just that you can forget all your day to day worries of work, etc. and just be a kid again. Then I saw it, the exit for WDW and I started to get really excited, my DS and DH just shake thier heads, they will never understand how I feel, even though they enjoy going they dont get the same feelings I do. As we got off the exit and onto Disney's property and the wonderful Disney arch I felt like I was home. The anticipation building with every mile we drove.

We got to POP about 10am and much to my happiness our room was ready. It was on the fourth floor of the 50's bowling pin building with a view of the lake. We had stayed in almost the same room last time we were here, and I really love this spot.













My curtain divider, what a nitemare, I couldnt find my tension rod that I had brought last time before we left so we stopped at Kmart to buy another one, but they only had the square one, you know the one you need a screw driver to change the lenght, and of course we didnt have a screwdriver, it took us about an hour to figure out how to put it up, we asked the maid, the front desk, and luggage and no one had a screwdriver Finaly I thought about my nail kit, a nail file worked perfectly.






This picture makes me sad, overlooking the never finished property of the Legendary years.





Next up DHS

[doodlesmommy]

I know that feeling of pure relaxation and relief once you drive under the arch. Its as if all worries and stress have been immediately lifted. Can you hear the ****AHHHHHHH***** I can also relate to the head shakes.....those I ignore. I am looking forward to your trip report! Keep it comin.

[Jakesmom1]

Originally Posted by doodlesmommy

I know that feeling of pure relaxation and relief once you drive under the arch. Its as if all worries and stress have been immediately lifted. Can you hear the ****AHHHHHHH***** I can also relate to the head shakes.....those I ignore. I am looking forward to your trip report! Keep it comin.

Thanks for reading, looks like its just you and me

[Jakesmom1]

Well, we finaly get in our car and off we go to DHS. I must admit, this is not one of my favorite parks, but my DS and DH love it because of RNR and TOT. Im not much of a thrill rider so maybe thats why not my fav. :confused
I guess thats why I dont have a lot of pix of this day.

We went directly to RNR and there was no line, it was walk right on

I walked the Que with them and then I took the chicken exit as they got into thier car. Just seeing how fast that takes off makes me a little quesy

I waited for them in the shop at the end of the ride, an then off we went to TOT. Again walk right on , we could not believe it, the two most popular rides and neither had any wait. Again I walked the que with them, and once again took the chicken exit out, (someday Im actually going to go on this ride !)

During our walk around , we came upon these guys, I really enjoy them.



They are really a lot of fun to watch and the audience interaction is always fun.

We trid to do Toy Story Mania, and thats when I realized why the park seemed so empty, everyone was here. The wait time said 60 minutes and of course all fast passes were gone for the day, so we decided to wait. We got on line and were inside the entire time, so at least it was cool. We moved a couple of feet about evey 10 min. After about a half of an hour we pretty much decided to give up, the wait time must have been a lot longer then posted. So this is as close as we got to seeing this attraction.



My DS just as happy as can be.



My DS loves the Great Movie ride so that was next, I do enjoy it, but kind of wish it could get a little updating. The robbery is kind of silly after seeing it for the umpteeth time.

I had never seen the Little Mermaid show, and once again our timing was perfect, no wait, no line, just go in, sit down and the show started. This was very well done, and even my 15yoDS who didnt want to go , enjoyed it.

My new favorite attraction at DHS is the American Idol experience. It is really done very well. We went into the 4:00 show, and really enjoyed it. We had great seats ( again no line or wait ) We got there about 5 min before the show started. It really felt like a big production tv show. I was very impressed with the entire show. We enjoyed it so much we decided to go back at 7:00 to see the finale of the day. The singers were all pretty good and even the judges were fun, This is one attraction I would suggest is not to be missed.

Next we did a quick walk over to Star Tours and once again I took the chicken exit, me and most simulators dont get along.

It was time for our ADR at SCI FI, my DS's pick of the day. We were seated as soon as we checked in, perfect timing.

Its so funny, I thought we had the car to ourselves till I posted this picture and realized we had actually picked up some hitchhikers in the back.



Can you believe just how happy my DS and DH are in this picture? Believe it or not they were having a good time.

After dinner we pretty much just took a slow walk to the exit as the park was closing at 10:00 and we were pretty tired.

Next up Animal Kingdom

[doodlesmommy]

Originally Posted by Jakesmom1

Thanks for reading, looks like its just you and me

HA! Well, I'm all ears....this is getting me so excited for our upcoming trip so keep on posting! DHS isn't my favorite either. We have it on our trip this time so we can give it a 2nd shot. I'm thinking that maybe we just didn't spend enough time there last trip. I figure we'll start out there and if we get bored we'll just run over to Epcot for a little food and wine.

[Jakesmom1]

Originally Posted by doodlesmommy

HA! Well, I'm all ears....this is getting me so excited for our upcoming trip so keep on posting! DHS isn't my favorite either. We have it on our trip this time so we can give it a 2nd shot. I'm thinking that maybe we just didn't spend enough time there last trip. I figure we'll start out there and if we get bored we'll just run over to Epcot for a little food and wine.

Glad your still here, otherwise I would b writing this to noone.

[Jakesmom1]

We decided to get an early start, and went to Everything POP to grab a quick bagel and coffee to take in the car. On my way as I passed the pool I couldnt help but notice these little guys.



It just made me laugh to see them swimming along in the pool.


Animal Kingdom was pretty empty when we got there, and we went straight to Kilamanjaro Safari. No wait, got right on, we were actually able to ride it two times in a row, the first driver was pretty boring, drove really fast, hard to take any good pictures. The second driver was wonderful. Really funny how much a difference the right CM makes. The animals were being fed, so they seemed to be everywhere.





















This is my very favorite part of Animal Kingdom. I do enjoy this park but it has got to be the hottest park in all of Disney.

Next my DS and DH wanted to go to Kali River Rapids, I do enjoy this ride, but for some unknown reason, I am the one in the raft that always gets the wetest. Dont really mind, it cools you off.

Walked by the Tree of Life, but DS did not want to go in, what??? I love this ride, but the heat was starting to get to me.

We decided we would have lunch and went to Flame Tree Bar B Q. This is by far one of my DH's favorite counter service restaurants in all of Disney.

This is the best lunch always.



After lunch we decided to call it a day at Animal Kingdom, just too darn hot. lol


We decided to go back to POP and relax for a little while before our next dinner ADR.

Next up Cape May

[doodlesmommy]

We have decided to skip AK this trip because we want to sneak over to Epcot for the Food & Wine Festival after DHS earlier in the day. I have to commend you on having the nerve to get on Cali River. I never do water rides because I am the one walking off the ride drenched while others around me are bone dry.

I'm still here so keep on postin even though it is just you and me friend!

[TaraLee4]

Great start!!

your pictures are great!! I'll be tagging along (i'm a lurker by nature, but i'll try and chime in once in awhile!!)

[Jakesmom1]

Originally Posted by doodlesmommy

We have decided to skip AK this trip because we want to sneak over to Epcot for the Food & Wine Festival after DHS earlier in the day. I have to commend you on having the nerve to get on Cali River. I never do water rides because I am the one walking off the ride drenched while others around me are bone dry.

I'm still here so keep on postin even though it is just you and me friend!

Thanks, for staying with me

Kali River is a fun ride even though I always get soaked.

Originally Posted by TaraLee4

Great start!!

your pictures are great!! I'll be tagging along (i'm a lurker by nature, but i'll try and chime in once in awhile!!)

Welcome and thanks for reading, now there are three of us, I am so excited.

[doodlesmommy]

I bet there are more lurkers just waiting for more; maybe they're shy.

[Jakesmom1]

Originally Posted by doodlesmommy

I bet there are more lurkers just waiting for more; maybe they're shy.

I dont know if there are or not, but thanks for reading along.

[D!SNEYgram]

Sorry you did not get to do Toy Story Mania. We purchased the Toy Story Mania Wii game that came out last week. It makes you wish you were there on the real thing.

Living so close do you ever go to one of the parks just for the day?

[doodlesmommy]

It was because of the Toy Story ride that we decided to go back to DHS again on this trip. I hope it is worth it. We are going there first so we can grab a fast pass.

[LastminuteLouLou]

I'm here, too.... am I #4?

*LOVE* the look on your DH and DS faces at SciFi!!!

I'm surprised that it was so empty (although I've seen that on a couple of other TR, too). I would've thought Labor Day was prime. What do I know?

Beth