18 nights, 7 parks, and 1 family -6th full day complete- LIVE 8/6 -8/25

[MelanieC]

Great update. TSM is now the alltime favorite of I guess everyone. Ohhh that fried chicken is so good and makes me want some. Can't wait for more. Have fun today.

Thanks - They both love the chicken at Prime time!!

Really enjoying your report. Are you planning to keep up this pace for al 18 days?

Thanks - Yeah, we do keep a pretty busy pace and don't have much down time. We've always been like that.

As we get towards the end of the vacation though, I find that we will leave a park in the afternoon and go swimming, or go to downtown disney or something like that. But we do keep up a good pace. Bill is already planning on sleeping in one day (Him and Taryn) and usually when they do that, Ryan and I go to MK and have an early morning just the two of us.

For being such a busy day, it seemed like you guys were able to do most of the must sees! That is a good thing!
I look forward to reading about your adventures every day.

Yah- when we marked off what we had done, I was pretty amazed that we saw that much. That was seriously the most crowded I've ever seen there. It was scary!

 

[MelanieC]

Wednesday August 12, 2009 - Islands of Adventure.

I got up 30 minutes earlier this morning and we left 15 minutes earlier at 8:00am. We got to Universal before we normally get to a Disney park and were at the gate around 8:30am. Not sure how we got all the way to Universal quicker than we do at a park that is just right down the road.

Unfortunately there won't be as many ride pictures because at Universal so many of the rides they make you put your bags in a locker and almost every ride and show doesn't allow photography. Only a few do, and sometimes if I had my camera in line I took pictures. I tried to make up for it by taking pictures outside the rides.

We went on Hulk first, and it took us a few minutes to put our bags in the free lockers. It took me a few seconds to figure it out and to figure out you had to push the button to actually look at it. We basically walked on Hulk and of course we loved it because we are coaster freaks (all of us).

Next I thought we should ride Spiderman, but Bill said we should ride Dr. Doom's Freefall first since the lines are longer there. Ok, well since when is Bill a park expert, lol. Him and his friends went a few months ago when they were at a TDY with Bill's Air National Guard Unit. Thank goodness we listened because it said 5 minutes, but took a while.

Photo Opportunity

Next we headed over to Spiderman, and even though it said 30 minutes it moved quickly.

I convinced everyone we should wait until after lunch to ride the water rides so we weren't soaked. I also wanted to make sure it was warmer when we did it. I wasn't hot at this point. We headed to Jurrasic Park and rode the Jurassic Park River Adventure.

Walking over to ride Dueling Dragons

We waited for the front line of the Ice side. They only had one car on each track so the line went so slow. Then when we were a few from the front they added a second car and then had to test it 2 or 3 times before putting anyone on it. It was just past our 11:30am reservations for Mythos, so we headed to lunch.


The lobby of Mythos

The inside

The bread was a sesame seed bread and was so yummy

Bill had the Italian Panini. He liked it but didn't rave about it. He said it was just a paninini

Taryn had the kids cheese ravioli with alfredo sauce. She split her alfredo with Ryan for half his pizza. They both liked the ravioli, but liked pizza better.

Ryan had the kids pepperoni pizza - both of them thought the pizza was excellent.

I had the Blueberry and Pistachio Crusted Grilled Pork - With blue cheese and a port wine sauce. Served with smokey cheddar macaroni and cheese. It was excellent. The only thing that could have been better is if the pork wasn't as dry as it was. It wasn't the worst or that bad, but it could have been a little better.

 

[kmartin555]

Another great day! I hope that we will be able to fit in some Universal parks on our next trip. Thanks for the food porn as well!

 

[SunnieRN]

Wow, even on the days you say you don't do that much, you get a lot accomplished!!

Gotta love those military tickets!! We got them over Easter and upped them to annual passes as we have a trip next month and one in February planned.

I think that's so great that your husband was the one who wanted to stay and play at AK!! It does always seem stifling there!!]

Looking forward to more!

 

[MelanieC]

Another great day! I hope that we will be able to fit in some Universal parks on our next trip. Thanks for the food porn as well!

Yeah- I seriously think I enjoy the food just as much as Disney itself, lol.

Wow, even on the days you say you don't do that much, you get a lot accomplished!!

Gotta love those military tickets!! We got them over Easter and upped them to annual passes as we have a trip next month and one in February planned.

I think that's so great that your husband was the one who wanted to stay and play at AK!! It does always seem stifling there!!]

Looking forward to more!

We do pack it in. We've been so many times now that we are pretty good with getting in as much as possible in the least amount of time. We were going to get military tickets but when we got the free dining starting on 8/16 we decided that since we had to buy a 1 day anyway to split it up and get the military and buy an 8 day in the package.

Today we used the military free universal, 2 of the $89 companion universal tickets and my universal was free from the superbowl promotion.

 

[MelanieC]

See ya all tonight - we are heading out to Universal Studios today - keep your fingers crossed they open Rip Ride & Rocket, although I highly doubt it.

 

[MeMom]

I think you were at POP when we were there in July 07 - I think I wrote on a board you had on your door -unless I'm mixing you up with someone. Your son in law (maybe it was your son in law) or someone came to the door when they heard me writing on it. I was like - oops sorry!!!

That was us. That was my son who came to the door, and he thought it was funny! This year we stayed at Pop, but finished with two nights at WL. We're going to be back at Pop in December.

Yummy on the Goofy's treats!

Looking forward to many more pictures!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Loving the LIVE updates!!! You sure have got to see some unique characters!!! I sure hope we run into Koda! My DS would be thrilled!!! So you enjoyed Teppan Edo? We are trying it for the first time in Sept. and I am really looking forward to it! Enjoy!

 

[Capo]

Thanks for sharing this, I really enjoy it!

One question though, I notice you're eating a lot of "ADR" restaurants, do you have the dining plan for all four of you for 18 days? Some other combination? Or just paying cash?

 

[MelanieC]

After lunch we went across the walkway and did Poseidon's Adventure. Bill loved it, I thought it was a little dorky, lol.

Bill and Taryn playing a game in line. Taryn was laughing pretty hard.

We then wanted to head back over to Toon Lagoon to ride the water rides so we would have plenty of time to dry off before dinner. Taryn decided not to ride anything because she didn't want to get wet. We rode Dudley Do Right's Ripsaw Falls first. It was as fun as I rembered and maybe even more fun. My butt got wet, and my shirt a little - but it wasn't too bad. Bill got more wet than any of us. It was almost dry before we decided to ride the Bilge rat Barges. I didn't ride this the last time we were at Universal and I was surprised at how much fun it was even though we were drowned rats when we were done.

More photo ops

Next we headed to watch the 8th Voyage of Sinbad

We got in line for the front line of the Fire side of Dueling Dragons. When we were 2 cars from getting on, they closed the ride due to "lightning" in the area. We waited there about 30 minutes when they told people if they decided to wait they would have to pay for the locker fee. We sent the kids down to re-do it, since Ryan had done the fingerprint for the locker. Then 2 minutes after they left they opened the ride again. Even with a test, we had to let about 4 cars go before the kids were back. Apparently they had some problems getting someone to let them come back, even though the people at the ride told us they wouldn't have a problem. Finally we ride - yeah!

I must say, that Deuling Dragons was way better than I remembered. It's definately US/IOA's best coaster (love the ice side best) as of right now (I'm sure Rip Ride & Rocket will change that).

Earlier in the day Taryn had looked at the park map and saw a fountain listed on the map. She made fun of it, and then all the sudden we found the fountain and now we realize why it's on the map. This fountain was funny and entertaining.

Then we thought the fountain show was causing it to rain because the sky opened up but above us was a blue sky - it was so strange. The ground was already wet in the area because of the fountain.

It rained for about 30 minutes and we basically sat under stuff for about 20 and then went on our way.

Another Photo Op as we made our way to Seuss Landing

We waited about 10 minutes for the High In the Sky Suess Trolly Train ride

The Cat in the Hat

And One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Storm Force Accelertron was the last ride of the day. Bill and I decided we didn't want to ride a spiny ride.

We rode everything at IOA except for the CaroSEUSSel by 6:30pm.

 

[MelanieC]

We arrived at DTD at the T-Rex counter at around 7:15pm. I didn't bring the paper that showed my dining ADR's and I wasn't sure what time it was, so I checked in and she told us they were for 8pm. She told me to check back in at 7:45pm and to just walk up to her and not stand in line. We shopped at DTD and the time flew. Before we knew it we were checking back in. It's very chaotic at this restaurant and we had to stand in a line, yet there were names being called and people with names on cards. I asked and found out some of the people who are having the names called out don't have ressies/ADR's.

Ryan was hoping for the Ice room, but we sat in an area that had an octopus and fish.

Here is the really cool ceiling octopus and light fixtures.

The Wooly Mamoth

When we went to Yak and Yeti we were given a paper that you open when you go to another Landry's restuarant. They Open it and you do a scratch off to reveal a "prize". The person at Yak and Yeti said the least you could get was 10% off. We got a free Chef's appetizer. The two we got to choose from were:

Dexter's Dual Dip - Our phenomenal combination of shrimp and artichoke dip and spinach and pepper jack queso served with tortilla chips $9.99 OR

Artifact Stack - Dig in these fried onion rings, piled high and served with our BBQ ranch and ranch dressings for dipping $8.99

We choose the Dexter's Dual Dip. Bill did not like the one with shrimp, but the kids and I liked it. There wasn't enough chips to eat all the dip, but we had no problem getting more chips.

Bill got the Guacamole burger. He liked it, but he likes the Guacamole burger at Red Robins much better.

Taryn also got the Guacamole burger and felt exactly as Bill did about the burger. These burgers were huge and they both thought it was too big to eat and enjoy.

Ryan got the kids pizza and he really enjoyed it.

I got the Paleonzoic Chicken Sandwich - Fried pizza dough with grilled chicken, lettuce, bacon, pepper jack cheese, avocado, tomato and lemon aioli

The cool fish on our table

Bill went back to the hotel and Taryn, Ryan and I stayed and shopped at Downtown Disney.

Taryn shopping at Trend - D! She bought a really cute tube top dress.

Then we went to Goofy's Candy Company and got the 3 pretzels that you get dipped.

Mine was the one with nuts and we didn't realize till the kids started eating them back at the room that she mixed the kids up.

Mine was dipped in Dark Chocolate, walnuts, and caramel drizzle.

Ryan's was supposed to be dipped in dark chocolate, white and dark chips and drizzled in caramel - but his was dipped in white chocolate.

Taryns was supposed to be dipped in white chocolate, white and dark chips and drizzled in white chocolate. -hers was dipped in dark chocolate.

Taryn is not a huge regular chocolate fan, but loves white chooclate so she was really sad it wasn't correct. I'm still not sure if I should say something when I go back, but the whole experience there was a bit on the not pleasant side. When I went, the girl said I could pay ahead of time so I got in line to pay. When I got up there the other girl said I had to pay at another counter. That line was long, so I had been in it for a while. I asked her if I could buy something else from the case at the other counter and she said yes. So I get out of that line and get in line to wait in the other. The girl in the new line said I had to buy the item out of the case in the other line. When I told her that the girl in the other line told me I could buy it there, she acted like I had 3 heads and then said ok I'll get it what do you want. I told her forget it I'll just take the pretzels since at this point I was a bit annoyed.

The kids and I went and got in line to ride the bus back to Pop. I couldn't tell where to get in line because at DTD there are no line qeues. Twice I got into what I thought was the end of the line, just to get yelled at for two people telling me the line was over in another spot. The first person who yelled at me told me to go where I got yelled at again, lol.

We finally got into the right end of the line and missed the bus by a few people, but luckily another came along 10 minutes later. I really hate taking a bus from DTD.

 

[MelanieC]

Thursday August 13, 2009 Universal Studios


We left the room around 8am today and got to the park around 8:30am. Today turned out to be a very rainy evening but not until 5:00pm and the park was not crowded at all. Again, Universal doesn't allow photo's on many rides, so some are just pics of the front of the ride.

We wanted to go ride Mummy first, but that section of the park was not open till 10am. So we rode Jimmy neutron instead. There was no wait.

Next we rode Shrek 4 -D with no wait.

Next we went to ride Mummy but it was closed still, then went to ride Disaster and that was closed till 11am. Finally a ride that was open - Jaws.

Walking over to Men In Black

Then we rode the Simpsons. This was the first time for this ride, I haven't been since they opened it and I had high hopes because Bill had rode it back in the spring when he went and said it was awesome. It didn't dissapoint and was awesome.

Photo Op with Homer and Marge

We headed over to Mummy and rode that. The wait was abut 30 minutes or so.

 

[MelanieC]

Then we headed to Finnegans Bar and Grill for lunch. Our reservation was for 11:30am, but we were a few minutes late due to the time for Mummy.

Irish Soda bread and apple butter

Bill had the Guiness Stew and loved it.

I had the Shepards Pie with Cheddar Cheese and it was really good.

Both Taryn and Ryan got the kids fish and chips

As we came out of Finnegan's Bar and Grill The Blue's Brother's were about to come out so we waited to see them.

Ryan and I went over and saw Doc Brown from Back to the Future

Taryn wanted to see if there were any previews to see, but alas no!

Next we went on Twister with only a 5 minute wait.

The new Rip Ride rocket rollercoaster (that of course opened for a soft opening the past two days-in hindsight we wish we would have done Sea World first).

We were all excited to watch the one show we remembered as being our favorite when we went to US two years ago, so we headed to the Horror Make-up show and it did not dissapoint.

We were able to time it so we could go right over for the next Terminator. Taryn and I slept through most of it, lol.

Playing with the rocks in the gift shop (why is it that your just drawn to touch them)

Photo Opp

And then caught a Magic show (which turned out to be a pitch to buy magic tricks - which I thought was very tacky to do in a theme park like that).

After the magic show we headed to ride ET Since we missed it when we were over there.

We stopped in an air-condititioned counter service spot for drinks

 

[MelanieC]

And went over to watch the Beatle Juice show

It was almost 5pm when this ended and it started to rain so we RAN to Fear Factor which seemed like it was really far when running in the rain.

We were sitting at the top and it started to rain really hard, lightening and thundering and got windy. It was blowing into the theatre. Everyone on the top and the rows below moved down (we moved about 3 rows down) to get out of the rain. When the show was over they told everyone they could stay in the theatre to stay out of the bad weather but you had to stay seated. We stayed for a while before we decided to make our way to Disaster. We were pretty wet from doing this.

We decided we would go ride Mummy and then leave since it was still raining. We used the single rider lane and road it 3 times. Gotta love the single rider lane.

Photo Op at City Walk

We had dinner back at POP

Bill and Ryan ate at first while Taryn and I went back to the room to watch Big Brother.


Bill and Ryan had the Greek Salad so I didn't get a picture. This is the picture from the elevator poster.

Taryn and I got the Chicken with Penne Pasta and an extra order of breadsticks.

 

[MelanieC]

Loving the LIVE updates!!! You sure have got to see some unique characters!!! I sure hope we run into Koda! My DS would be thrilled!!! So you enjoyed Teppan Edo? We are trying it for the first time in Sept. and I am really looking forward to it! Enjoy!

We have loved Teppan Edo and do it every trip. We were really sad last trip when it was closed. You will love it!

Thanks for sharing this, I really enjoy it!

One question though, I notice you're eating a lot of "ADR" restaurants, do you have the dining plan for all four of you for 18 days? Some other combination? Or just paying cash?

Our eating style is typically eat breakfast bars in the room and eating an early sit down lunch and a 6pm-6:30pm sit down dinner. AK is our exception where we eat multiple times at Pizzafari (love the hot italian Deli sandwich). This year though, we have free dining starting on 8/16 where we will have to eat counter service for one meal a day.

We aren't dessert people though, so unless it was free it has never worked to where it was worth it for us since we like to eat two sit downs a day and we wouldn't buy desserts anyway.

 

[MelanieC]

That was us. That was my son who came to the door, and he thought it was funny! This year we stayed at Pop, but finished with two nights at WL. We're going to be back at Pop in December.

Yummy on the Goofy's treats!

Looking forward to many more pictures!

I thought it was. If he could have caught the look on my face when he opened the door it would have been priceless, lol!

 

[MelanieC]

Friday August 14, 2009 Islands of Adventure/Universal Studios - Our favorites day.

Look how beautiful it looked at POP this morning

Doesn't Taryn look super happy?? She is not a morning person

We went to Islands of Adventure first. This was a ride our favorites day, so only the best in our eyes got done twice. This day looked more crowded than Thursday, but we got a lot done and the lines were less crowded than Thursday

Hulk

Dr. Doom's Fearfall

Photo Op

Spiderman

Photo Op

Ripsaw Falls

Photo Ops

Up until this point we had no wait, except for Hulk which took about 15 minutes for them to open the line.

 

[MelanieC]

I'm a little behind, But I've started on Day 7 Friday IOA/US. Saturday we did Sea World and today we went to Animal Kingdom. We were back to Disney parks and we checked back in for our continuing reservations at POP for the last 9 nights of our stay for free dining. Today was day 1 on the free dining plan and boy are we full - we don't normally do desserts.

Stay tuned for more fun and I'll finish the days as soon as I can. I have to tell you all about the horrible lines checking back in for the continuing reservation this morning - yikes.

Tomorrow is Magic Kingdom!!

 

[mom2nate]

Very excited to find out how the crowds are now that free dining started. We leave on the 22nd and are staying at POP also !!! Please keep us updated on the crowds at the parks and your wait times. Thanks in advance

 

[Sleeping*Beauty]

Can't wait to hear more about your super long trip.