Sunday March 11 - Pixie dust:Swan-like! Bummer o'day: ice Poo...er..I mean Grotto Pool; Ride o' day: Dinosaur; magical Moments:TON, Illuminations.
Morning: Mickey woke us 7:00ish...getting used to it. Would be v. busy morning as had to be checked out of ASMo at 11:00, and wanted to squeeze in bit more of AK first (DS really wanted to go back on Kalhi, which turned out to be family's favourite ride at any park). Just missed park awakening, but ran back to Safari for an early morning outing. By now knew that posted wait times of "10 minutes" really meant "walk right on and don't bother with FP". Got to see quite a few more animals than other afternoon, esp. lions and rarely-seen cheetah. Then DH and kids went looking for relatives on Pangani Forest Trail while Bridget (Saint that she is) went off for Diinosaur fastpasses (finally!) and coffee. Had a bit of extra time in Dinoland after meeting up, so kids went to Digsite while DH and Bridget enjoyed quiet and coffee. Kids dug Digsite. Dinosaur (another first for us) simply stupendous! Wasn't as long, bumpy or scary as we thought it would be, but kids looked scared in picture (which we bought but accidentally left at ASMo...it's in the mail now. Then it was back to everyone's favourite, Kalhi River Rapids. DH took kids this time so Saint Bridget could take phots and video (except video camera had just run out of film - urrgh!). The three thrill-riders went twice in a row and got soaked. Time to go back to hotel...Bridget is freaking as we're gonna be late checking out and will no doubt be charged by Hotel Police, but DH's attitude is Hakuna-Mattata-like (no worries!) Called front desk when we got there (around 11:10, and gost last-minute reprieve from Governor Mickey as long as we were out by noon. Like Cinderella, just made it out as clock began striking twelve and lugged luggage back to car.
Afaternoon: Poor kids though we were leaving Disney Wrold! Such mean parent! Told them we could go to any Disney pool for dip before leaving so how about Swan/Dolphin..hear it has fabulous pool, etc." Drove through McD's first (pre-rat days). DH dropped me off at Swan lobby where I checked in and once again was able to score room right away (7th floor, east wing, v. close to elevators). Went back to car and gave kids "present" (had wrapped up small plastic swans from wedding-type store)...plus another poem/clue telling them we would be staying here for another two nights. Kids v. pleasantly surprised. Up to room; wow! Marvellous view, and so close to Boardwalk! Cannot believe we're here! First order of business: put suits on and check out famous Grotto Pool (was quite hot day - over 80 anyway). Walked across beach to Grotto and were awestruck..beautiful waterfalls, waterslides, hardly anyone in it...that last one should have been dead give-away, but it actually took a toe in the pool to tell me I'd not be going in...Arrgh! Surely must have been filled with ice cubes! Too cold even for hearty Canadians who swim in lakes in May just because summer's so short. DS somehow managed to get in, and DD followed bravely, but neither stayed in more than 5 minutes before turning purple and needing to thaw out. Urrgh! Biggest disappointment of trip. "Round" pool was warmer, but it was sort of a kiddie pool and full of...well, kiddies (probably urine too?), so headed back to Swan's lap pool. Thankfully, water much warmer there and one side of pool ok for non-lappers. Had quick dip, but couldn't stay long as had 3:00PS for Ice Cream Social at Epcot.
Tookk launch over to Epcot (cannot believe how close it is!) and high-tailed it (in heightening heat) through World Showcase all the way to The Land. Knew we'd never make 3:00, but thought we might possibly be ok if there by 3:15. Phew! Made it by about 3:16 and escorted right in. Hostess asks wehre we're from and DD replies "Canada." Hostess says family looks hot, and DD says "Well, we had to run all the way from Canada!" (was true as we ran from Epcot's Canada!) Hardly anyone there, served immediately (huge ice cream desserts - yummy!); some real characters (Mickey, Chip Dale and Pluto) came by at least once or twice for autographs, pictures and goofin' around. Leaving Land, kids and dad headed for Spaceship Earth, while St. Bridget once again volunteered to fo for fastpasses at Test Track (got there around 4:30, and got FPs for 9:20-9:50!) Met up again at Mouse Gear, did a little shopping, then off to Wonders of Life for Body Wars. Ride was v.g., but prefer Star Tours. Wandered around Fitness Fairgrounds playing mind and body games for a bit, but decided not to wait foro Cranium command (had seen it) or Making of Me (mom had wanted kids to see it, but kids didn't want to wait and mom didn't want to fight). Decided had better head back to hotel soonish as would be returning to Epcot in pm and didn't want to stay right through from 3-11. Took (wrong?) boat to Germany, walked by Italy, American Adbenture, and then stopped in Japan for a kaki-gori (shaved ice) for DD (delish!) and into the store for Pokemon cards for DS (real Disneyesque souvenier, huh?). Then on past Morocco and France, where Living Statue played with DD's pigtails - v. funny. Finally got boat to Swan.
Ate at Swan (or possibly forgot to feed kids that day?), then returned to Epcot...Drat! Just missed launch, so walked instead (not a bad walk though). Got there just in time for Tapestry of Nations Parade at 8:10. Whole family agreed TON was v.g., but DD not thrilled that she had been sitting next to v. cute 3-yr-old who kept reaching for performers and getting all the attention. Parade over, fought good fight for spot for Illuminations on the part that juts out into lake between France and UK (must be English Channel?) Great spot! Illuminations wonderful; better than ever!
Then had to decide whether to use TT FPs. DD was up for it, tired boys eventually convinced, so set off - accidentally taking LONG way around World Showcase (oops!) DS very nervous and late hour didn't help, but talked it up and all hopped on (close to 9:40 by then), even with FPs, was longest wait of trip (may 8 mins). TT fabulously exciting! Quite short though. Afterwards, sensibly took short route (if can call it that ) back (thus completing our circle or World Showcase...essentially the second of the day!) only to find out the launches were done for the day and we'd have to walk back to the Swan. Arrgh! Limped back and straight to bed!
Morning: Mickey woke us 7:00ish...getting used to it. Would be v. busy morning as had to be checked out of ASMo at 11:00, and wanted to squeeze in bit more of AK first (DS really wanted to go back on Kalhi, which turned out to be family's favourite ride at any park). Just missed park awakening, but ran back to Safari for an early morning outing. By now knew that posted wait times of "10 minutes" really meant "walk right on and don't bother with FP". Got to see quite a few more animals than other afternoon, esp. lions and rarely-seen cheetah. Then DH and kids went looking for relatives on Pangani Forest Trail while Bridget (Saint that she is) went off for Diinosaur fastpasses (finally!) and coffee. Had a bit of extra time in Dinoland after meeting up, so kids went to Digsite while DH and Bridget enjoyed quiet and coffee. Kids dug Digsite. Dinosaur (another first for us) simply stupendous! Wasn't as long, bumpy or scary as we thought it would be, but kids looked scared in picture (which we bought but accidentally left at ASMo...it's in the mail now. Then it was back to everyone's favourite, Kalhi River Rapids. DH took kids this time so Saint Bridget could take phots and video (except video camera had just run out of film - urrgh!). The three thrill-riders went twice in a row and got soaked. Time to go back to hotel...Bridget is freaking as we're gonna be late checking out and will no doubt be charged by Hotel Police, but DH's attitude is Hakuna-Mattata-like (no worries!) Called front desk when we got there (around 11:10, and gost last-minute reprieve from Governor Mickey as long as we were out by noon. Like Cinderella, just made it out as clock began striking twelve and lugged luggage back to car.
Afaternoon: Poor kids though we were leaving Disney Wrold! Such mean parent! Told them we could go to any Disney pool for dip before leaving so how about Swan/Dolphin..hear it has fabulous pool, etc." Drove through McD's first (pre-rat days). DH dropped me off at Swan lobby where I checked in and once again was able to score room right away (7th floor, east wing, v. close to elevators). Went back to car and gave kids "present" (had wrapped up small plastic swans from wedding-type store)...plus another poem/clue telling them we would be staying here for another two nights. Kids v. pleasantly surprised. Up to room; wow! Marvellous view, and so close to Boardwalk! Cannot believe we're here! First order of business: put suits on and check out famous Grotto Pool (was quite hot day - over 80 anyway). Walked across beach to Grotto and were awestruck..beautiful waterfalls, waterslides, hardly anyone in it...that last one should have been dead give-away, but it actually took a toe in the pool to tell me I'd not be going in...Arrgh! Surely must have been filled with ice cubes! Too cold even for hearty Canadians who swim in lakes in May just because summer's so short. DS somehow managed to get in, and DD followed bravely, but neither stayed in more than 5 minutes before turning purple and needing to thaw out. Urrgh! Biggest disappointment of trip. "Round" pool was warmer, but it was sort of a kiddie pool and full of...well, kiddies (probably urine too?), so headed back to Swan's lap pool. Thankfully, water much warmer there and one side of pool ok for non-lappers. Had quick dip, but couldn't stay long as had 3:00PS for Ice Cream Social at Epcot.
Tookk launch over to Epcot (cannot believe how close it is!) and high-tailed it (in heightening heat) through World Showcase all the way to The Land. Knew we'd never make 3:00, but thought we might possibly be ok if there by 3:15. Phew! Made it by about 3:16 and escorted right in. Hostess asks wehre we're from and DD replies "Canada." Hostess says family looks hot, and DD says "Well, we had to run all the way from Canada!" (was true as we ran from Epcot's Canada!) Hardly anyone there, served immediately (huge ice cream desserts - yummy!); some real characters (Mickey, Chip Dale and Pluto) came by at least once or twice for autographs, pictures and goofin' around. Leaving Land, kids and dad headed for Spaceship Earth, while St. Bridget once again volunteered to fo for fastpasses at Test Track (got there around 4:30, and got FPs for 9:20-9:50!) Met up again at Mouse Gear, did a little shopping, then off to Wonders of Life for Body Wars. Ride was v.g., but prefer Star Tours. Wandered around Fitness Fairgrounds playing mind and body games for a bit, but decided not to wait foro Cranium command (had seen it) or Making of Me (mom had wanted kids to see it, but kids didn't want to wait and mom didn't want to fight). Decided had better head back to hotel soonish as would be returning to Epcot in pm and didn't want to stay right through from 3-11. Took (wrong?) boat to Germany, walked by Italy, American Adbenture, and then stopped in Japan for a kaki-gori (shaved ice) for DD (delish!) and into the store for Pokemon cards for DS (real Disneyesque souvenier, huh?). Then on past Morocco and France, where Living Statue played with DD's pigtails - v. funny. Finally got boat to Swan.
Ate at Swan (or possibly forgot to feed kids that day?), then returned to Epcot...Drat! Just missed launch, so walked instead (not a bad walk though). Got there just in time for Tapestry of Nations Parade at 8:10. Whole family agreed TON was v.g., but DD not thrilled that she had been sitting next to v. cute 3-yr-old who kept reaching for performers and getting all the attention. Parade over, fought good fight for spot for Illuminations on the part that juts out into lake between France and UK (must be English Channel?) Great spot! Illuminations wonderful; better than ever!
Then had to decide whether to use TT FPs. DD was up for it, tired boys eventually convinced, so set off - accidentally taking LONG way around World Showcase (oops!) DS very nervous and late hour didn't help, but talked it up and all hopped on (close to 9:40 by then), even with FPs, was longest wait of trip (may 8 mins). TT fabulously exciting! Quite short though. Afterwards, sensibly took short route (if can call it that ) back (thus completing our circle or World Showcase...essentially the second of the day!) only to find out the launches were done for the day and we'd have to walk back to the Swan. Arrgh! Limped back and straight to bed!
