17 Days of Disney Magic (aka Brits, Pirates & Princesses) - Lots of PICS!

[dato63]

Maybe as other ssuggested it could have been Prince Charming's hair color. Maddie believed everyone was who they said they were - Mickie was a bit skeptical of the prince & of Lilo. She said she could hear someone breathing inside the Lilo "head".

AKL looks stunning. It is one of those "someday" places I'd like to stay. We have only been once so far, our 2nd trip is this November. Love the pics, sorry the cm was less than magical.

Can you tell me where the Pochontas show is? Is that over where the train takes you? We didn't see that, and we'd love to see Pochontas this time around.

 

[seobaina]

Seobaina,
I am back from shopping, my birthday is the day before yours, I am going to be thinking of you on yours 4/24 and have a yummy treat in your honor at WDW. They mail out these promotions for birthday discounts for use several weeks in advance which is quite nice, I did not read all of your post yet. I had to comment, OMG!!! your Prince, YOWZA what a cutie. I did not make reservations for that meal. I am majorly regretting it now. I will just have to settle looking at all of the cute guys in World Showcase

That is nice and yep, make it a really good yummy treat for me LOL I'm sure you'll cope with all the cute guys in WS

Maybe as other ssuggested it could have been Prince Charming's hair color. Maddie believed everyone was who they said they were - Mickie was a bit skeptical of the prince & of Lilo. She said she could hear someone breathing inside the Lilo "head".

Awww, that's a shame. How old is Mickie?

AKL looks stunning. It is one of those "someday" places I'd like to stay. We have only been once so far, our 2nd trip is this November. Love the pics, sorry the cm was less than magical.
Can you tell me where the Pochontas show is? Is that over where the train takes you? We didn't see that, and we'd love to see Pochontas this time around.

Yeah it is lovely but to be honest we weren't there enough to make it worth the extra money to us. It was nice to see it but we wouldn't necessarily stay there for the 2 weeks. But I am glad we got to experience it.

The pocahontas show was in Camp Mickey/Minnie area - just across from the Lion King show. I dunno if it's still there. To see Pocahontas herself go to conservation station (train) - that's where we've met her both trips.

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

We soon bumped into a familiar face. We actually met Lilo and Stitch here together in 2006 but Stitch wasn’t about on this day. Apparently he’s a late riser so he wasn’t going to be around for over an hour. As there were only a couple of people in the line we waited for Lilo instead.

My husband used to work at the little camera/film/battery cart right there! He made Lilo scream one day on stage! He came home and totally thought he was going to lose his job! Luckily screaming is pretty IN character for Lilo, so no one ever said anything about it to him.... I still laugh whenever I see that location though!

 

[seobaina]

After the Pocahontas show we had a look around the area more. It’s not that big but it’s very pretty and it’s the hidden things I love.

Then we spotted Koda and Kenai

We joined the line but were told Kenai was about to go. Still, Karen had never met Koda so we waited and despite almost melting in the heat, we finally met him.

Then we did a dash up to the Safari. The fastpass line had just clicked to our time and we joined it. The normal wait was about 40mins but we only had to wait about 10 at most. This time we were in the very back row. We were actually about to be placed at the front again and I asked if there was any chance we could wait for the next one as we’d been there the other day. The CM said we could get on the next truck and because there was a group that didn’t want to split up we actually ended up being on our own on that row. BOY is it bumpy. I dunno if the driver was going faster or whether it’s normal but there were a couple of points I literally left the seat by over half a foot!

When we went past the rhinos this one charged the truck

I know he couldn’t get to us but it’s still quite freaky seeing a large rhino running down the bank snorting.
Here’s a few more safari pics

See how close you get when you’re at the back?

Not that long after we got onto the savannah area we ended up in a parade!

There was a long line of waiting trucks all moving along the path slowly, led by this guy

Apparently, every now and again the animals get bored and like to hold things up. So he was leading the parade

More animals

They’d got part of the elephant section fenced off.

We got charged by this guy too…sorry it’s blurry

 

[seobaina]

My husband used to work at the little camera/film/battery cart right there! He made Lilo scream one day on stage! He came home and totally thought he was going to lose his job! Luckily screaming is pretty IN character for Lilo, so no one ever said anything about it to him.... I still laugh whenever I see that location though!

love it!

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

Maybe as other ssuggested it could have been Prince Charming's hair color. Maddie believed everyone was who they said they were - Mickie was a bit skeptical of the prince & of Lilo. She said she could hear someone breathing inside the Lilo "head".

AKL looks stunning. It is one of those "someday" places I'd like to stay. We have only been once so far, our 2nd trip is this November. Love the pics, sorry the cm was less than magical.

Can you tell me where the Pochontas show is? Is that over where the train takes you? We didn't see that, and we'd love to see Pochontas this time around.

The "Pocho" show isn't anywhere anymore.... My hubby was so sad to hear about it ending! He loved working the cart outside of that show and lip synching to the show and guest would think it was him singing if they were just walking by! Oh.... the good ol' days.... (lol! I'm only 25!)

 

[dato63]

That is nice and yep, make it a really good yummy treat for me LOL I'm sure you'll cope with all the cute guys in WS



Awww, that's a shame. How old is Mickie?



Yeah it is lovely but to be honest we weren't there enough to make it worth the extra money to us. It was nice to see it but we wouldn't necessarily stay there for the 2 weeks. But I am glad we got to experience it.

The pocahontas show was in Camp Mickey/Minnie area - just across from the Lion King show. I dunno if it's still there. To see Pocahontas herself go to conservation station (train) - that's where we've met her both trips.

Mickie and Maddie turned 5 while we were at WDW last year. Mickie still believed all the other characters were real - Stitch, Goofy, etc. Just not Lilo. So the magic isn't gone yet.

We'll have to make it to eh conservation station this time around. Thank you!

 

[seobaina]

Karen really wanted to see the Lion King show so we headed over to there next. I wasn’t so keen not because I don’t think the LK is fantastic, I do, but because I had 2 years of constant LK! See I was in the UK when LK came out at cinema, then in the USA when it came out on video, then back in the UK for the video release there. It was pretty much constant LK promotion for that entire period of time so I got a little LK’d out! It’s a beautiful film though. The show was not at all what I was expecting, or Karen. I think she was expecting something more like the B&tB show…the story retold. She was kinda disappointed by it but I was pleasantly surprised and thought it was fun. We were, naturally, in the lion section and made the most noise! Here’s some photos of the show

After the show we decided to check out Dinoland as neither of us had been there. As we got near to it we saw these familiar faces

We didn’t wait to see them, however, because we’d met them and were running out of time. Instead we went into Dinoland itself

A real dinosaur

We headed straight over to the Dinosaur ride, as I wanted to go on it. However, it was broken down.

We tried to get a CM to tell us if was worth getting a Fastpass or not cause we wanted to do the river rapids as well. They were a little non-committal so we gave up and just took some photos in the area before moving off.

Heading towards the Kali River Rapids we took a couple more photos

But we were really out of luck that day as the rapids had broken down too. We gave up and went to get some good spots for the parade. We found a shaded spot but it was still really hot. The kid next to us had one of those spray fans and we were actually really grateful that she kept catching us with the spray. We chatted to her a bit, I can’t remember her name but she was about six or seven and was there with her mum, dad and I believe brother. She was really sweet and got very excited during the parade itself.

 

[seobaina]

After a while it was time for the Jammin Jungle Parade. It’s not my favourite…I like my traditional floats, but it is fun. Here are some pics for those who haven’t seen it.

 

[seobaina]

The "Pocho" show isn't anywhere anymore.... My hubby was so sad to hear about it ending! He loved working the cart outside of that show and lip synching to the show and guest would think it was him singing if they were just walking by! Oh.... the good ol' days.... (lol! I'm only 25!)

poor old thing! That's sad about the show, they could have made it really strong and it was one of the few things they had to Pocahontas at WDW

Mickie and Maddie turned 5 while we were at WDW last year. Mickie still believed all the other characters were real - Stitch, Goofy, etc. Just not Lilo. So the magic isn't gone yet.

We'll have to make it to eh conservation station this time around. Thank you!

You're welcome, I hope you find her. Doublecheck at Guest Services when you enter the park, they'll tell you where she is for sure that day and what sort of times.

That's good about Mickie! See, this is what I keep saying to my brother. He's not a disney fan but I really think he should take my niece and nephew to one of the parks. My nephew Alex was 7 last november and my oldest niece, Maddy (Madeleine, is yours?) was 5 in december. I have a smaller niece but she's only 10months. I know WDW is great at any age but I want them to go while it's still really magic I'd take them myself but a) I don't have the money and b) I only get to see them a couple of times a year cause they live on the other side of the country and I think maddy in particular would struggle being away with just me for that long. Working on a trip at least to DLP with my mum as well cause she's seen them more often. Alex would be fine with just me but Maddy would miss her mum. I just want Mads to go while she's still a little princess! And Alex would love to be a Jedi!

 

[seobaina]

Nice and sweaty after the parade, we sort cooler climates by heading into the Nemo musical. Neither of us had seen this either, so we were looking forward to it. We were there early so we had really good seats but boy that place fills up fast.

I was a little dubious about how they’d do this with puppets etc but it’s like the broadway LK show and works really, really well. I didn’t take any pics cause I thought they said no pictures. Karen thought they said no flash so she tried a couple without flash.

We figured before it got too late we’d head back to Dinosaur and see if it was working…it was YAY!! So we had a go. Now according to the people we were on the ride with it wasn’t working fully and some of the scarier bits didn’t happen but that suited us just fine as we thought it was great!

It was still really hot and the park was beginning to close down so we went for one final walk around the lake (and ice lollies).

We were actually hoping to go on the Tiger walking trail but it had been closed off by the time we got there – apparently they close it before the rides. So we ended up just walking around and back towards the entrance.

Then with one last photopass photo and some shopping, we left the park and returned to the hotel

 

[seobaina]

Back at the hotel we each had a quick shower and changed for dinner. Our room btw was just to the right of this photo, by the bus line.

We had actually decided that we’d like to stay a third night in this hotel, rather than changing and we tried to get a room but they were all booked up. We could have got one of a different type but it was MUCH more expensive.

We had ADRs for dinner at Boma so while waiting we took some photos of the hotel

This is me looking bored as I wait for Karen. I actually wasn’t bored or fed up and the first pic she took showed that but it was blurry so she took it again

Then we headed down to Boma to check-in.

I’m glad we’d made an ADR because it was packed and even with one we had about a fifteen minute wait.

Me waiting for dinner

We were shown to our seats (still dark, even in the restaurant) and we had a really friendly server. She explained everything and was lovely. Karen has trouble with some spicy foods but I loved everything and she found plenty to eat. I even liked the soup again and as I said, I hate soup! You can tell I liked it cause we forgot the photos til we’d almost finished it . Food Porn time

Yummmy desserts

 

[seobaina]

After the meal we went for a walk around parts of the hotel we’d not been too and outside.

Outside we found the night-time animal watch and got to see some of the zebras and birds at night. It’s difficult to make some of them out but the nightvision goggles are good fun. We were chatting to the CM/guide who was there and he said he normally works over on an elephant reservation in Africa and was only over here for a year. He was fascinating to chat too and we were there for a lot longer than we intended. We finally sad goodbye and walked back towards the room, via the pool and enclosures.

I SOOOOOOO wanted to go swimming cause it looked so inviting and it was still warm out. But it was very late and we had an extremely early start the next day so I didn’t go in. I think I was wide awake cause I’d been sleeping so much with the drugs incident

This was our hotel room door

Back in our room, we packed our cases and went to sleep ready for our last full and very exciting Disney day

 

[shebaxric]

I cannot believe you are coming up to your last full day!!! Your trip report has been so much fun, I really don't want it to end!!

 

[dato63]

I cannot believe you are coming up to your last full day!!! Your trip report has been so much fun, I really don't want it to end!!

I agree. I have really enjoyed the way you write your report. It is entertaining as well as informative. And the pictures - wow. I'm sorry to see it coming to an end.

 

[seobaina]

Aww, thank you guys that's really sweet of you . Dunno if this is good or bad news then but I've kinda got the triprep bug, so I'm thinking of writing up my DLP and Disneyland trips and maybe the 2006 one of these (while I can remember some).

 

[seobaina]

Friday – our last full day. We had a good chunk of Saturday free before our evening flight but this was our last full day. And we had it packed full of activities! That night we had the Pirate and Princess Party but in the morning we had the Keys to the Kingdom Tour.

We had picked the early tour so we had a very, very early start. One downside of AKL is that it’s a long way from most of the parks so you have to allow longer. We also had to check out that morning. So we were up early and went to grab some breakfast. Then we went for one last look around the hotel. The morning was a bit overcast and it had rained during the night but the sun was beginning to come out and it was getting nicer.

There’s a giraffe hiding in the back of this pic if you can see it

The pool was so beautiful

It was so early that they were still cleaning out the flamingo enclosure

After checking out we left our bags with Disney to be transferred over to the Caribbean Beach Resort and we headed up towards MK on the bus. I love the bus system, it’s so handy and fast.

When we got to MK we had to go check in at City Hall and then wait for the rest of the party. They gave us our ID, checked what we wanted for lunch and gave us a drink while we waited. Outside the park was sooooooo empty that the only guests there were Donald’s relatives. They checked in near us

Then went off towards the castle

Now I don’t really have any pictures of most of the morning because you can’t take a camera on the tour. I didn’t realise until halfway through that the camera is only banned for the backstage bits so we probably could have taken more shots. Oh well. The KttK tour is fantastic! They take you down main street and into adventureland and liberty square mainly, pointing out all the little touches that you might normally miss and giving you a history of the park. We were given our own boat on the jungle cruise and told all about the mechanics of the ride, etc, and where one of the hidden Mickey’s is.

We were taken in the side door of the Haunted Mansion and told all about it and then told where to spot the hidden Mickey (turn around and look over your right shoulder just as you exit the cemetery). This is our guide

We were told a LOT more but you’re not allowed to tell other guests So I recommend you go on it.

Part way through the five-hour tour we stopped for lunch at the Columbia House.

It’s lovely in there and we were given a private section upstairs to eat in. Oh don’t worry about hearing the guide on the tour btw; you’re given a headset tuned in to his microphone.

After lunch the tour takes you backstage to see the parade floats and down into the Utilidors . You spend a good hour down there having things pointed out or told about the workings of the park. We were also told some cute stories about the opening of the park and Roy Disney’s comments on his brother…which yes had me in tears in the one place I wasn’t wearing my sunglasses. The tour ended at about 1pm and I would highly recommend it! Well worth the money.

Anyway, after the tour ended we decided to head back to our new hotel at a leisurely pace. We wanted to have time to relax and change before going out again for a late night! The first thing we discovered about the Caribbean Beach Resort is that it is HUGE!!! It’s a lovely hotel but we wouldn’t choose to stay there normally because it is so big! When we got to the room I found another towel animal

 

[seobaina]

After checking in and relaxing for a bit – Karen slept for about an hour - we got ready for the P&PP! Our friend Graham makes theatre costumes so he had made us something to wear each.

Then off we went! We got some very odd looks on the bus but others realised what it was for and gave us a thumbs up! I’m SO glad we dressed up for it because it made the whole night so much more fun. The cast really got into it too.

They had laid out a red carpet for the party guests, which was all smokey too. It was kinda cool walking through it.

There were little touches all around the park for the evening and a good number of guests had also dressed up (kids and adults).

We thought this lady looked great (Karen’s a big Mulan fan)

Our first stop was to go and see Captain Jack Sparrow. He was one of the major reasons for doing the party and I’d heard on dis that the lines got really big . So we found his meeting point and joined the line. There were about nine people ahead of us.

They actually opened the line a little before the official party start and we were shown into a waiting area. They’d themed the whole thing and it looked great.

You were shown in to see Jack in groups of nine people, but in a line. We were the first two of the second group. As we were waiting to go in the CM on duty said we looked great and ready to join the Black Pearl’s crew. He called us wenches and then said ‘oh, sorry ladies, I mean pirates’. I shrugged and said, ‘nah, we’re British, we’re good old-fashioned wenches’ which he laughed at.

Then we were shown through to Jack’s room

I was the first up to see Jack and he was SO funny. He pointed to my autograph book and asked if it was for him. I stupidly said yes so he grabbed it and threw it into his treasure chest behind. Then began about a five minute discussion of why I should have it back when I’d told him it was for him . We finally agreed that if he gave it back to me I would join his crew and help find him rum! He told us that as Karen and I were already dressed for pirating adventure we could join his crew anytime. Then we took a photo. Mine’s blurry cause it’s one Karen took and I think she was laughing too much. The photopass ones aren’t good at all for me.

Then Karen walked up. She was wearing an Aztec coin necklace and he immediately spotted it and recoiled.

Then he ran and hid behind a treasure chest. We had so much fun and he eventually came back out and bantered with Karen about it. I felt kinda bad for the other guests cause we were with him for ages but I think it’s because we’d dressed up and joined in the sarcasm with him. Eventually he took a photo with Karen and we left with him saying he’d see us on board the ship. You can see he’s STILL looking at the coin.

 

[seobaina]

Still laughing from Jack we went on the pirates ride (there was no queue) and then, with me hopping up and down, we went to find Pocahontas. I’d heard she’d be there, again thanks to dis, and that she would be with John Smith! We moved round to liberty square and there was no line for her (she was kinda hidden). This is what happens when you ask a CM to take a photo without being specific about what you want a him to take a photo of! lol

Then we met John and Pocahontas, who were lovely.

Our next ‘must’ for the evening was the parade so we had some time. We went for a walk around the park and gathered treasure. A good thing about being dressed up was that we had CM’s yelling things like ‘Oy, Captain, treasure over here’ at you LOL. We gathered lots of beads and a few jewels (although I lost my jewel bag)

We bought a couple of P&PP exclusive pins then headed to Tomorrowland to find Mickey. On route we took a photopass photo as we passed the castle

The line for Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Pluto was REALLY long but we wanted to meet them dressed up and this was our main chance. So we waited and it was worth it. We had these two plastic swords that we’d bought earlier in the holiday and all the characters got really into it, having sword fights and posing with them (partic Donald and Goofy). Again, I think they liked that we’d got dressed up.

With our main photos over we decided to give the swords to some kids as we didn’t need them. Would you believe it – we couldn’t find any kids that were just in a group of two and didn’t have a weapon already. It took us about ten mins to find some LOL but we finally found two boys and their parents were really grateful, so that was nice.

Finding a spot near the castle, we settled down for parade, which we’d heard, was really good. It was called the Enchanted Adventures parade so we had no idea who would be in it. It was good, here are some pics:

 

[seobaina]

After the parade we had a little time before the fireworks so we went to gather some more treasure. This is the door to the Christmas shop in Liberty Square. They’d told us that morning that this was dedicated to Walt’s grandfather who loved Christmas

Then we sat down in front of the castle for the show. It was AMAZING!!!! The best fireworks show I’ve seen. Unfortunately I was concentrating on filming it so my photos aren’t very good but I have a couple.

They blow up the castle!!!!

Spectacular!!!

After the fireworks, which we still talk about, we went for a walk in search of food. If I was doing the P&PP again I might book an ADR for just before it starts but we didn’t have time that day. On the way through fantasyland we saw the carriage. We’d have loved to take a photo by it but the line was about 40mins long so we didn’t bother.

We finally found somewhere to eat in Tomorrowland and while we were there Lilo and Stitch were dancing and partying with the kids. I have NO idea why we didn’t take a photo of it but somehow neither of us did. If anyone has one, please let me know.

After some food we did a couple of rides in Tomorrowland – there weren’t really queues for anything and you could have got lots done but we were more interested in seeing things like the fireworks and parade. Next we headed over to Adventureland. It was getting late now and we wanted to see the last Pirate show. As we walked towards it we saw these camels and the CM with them said they were going in but we could be there last photo, so we posed!!