3 Princesses Hit the Parks!-A 2/13 Girls Trip TR!*Update 6/19, pg 23-The End!*

[Grumpy's Wife]

I've never ventured out solo before but I sure would love to stroll through all the countries in EPCOT by myself.

 

[KatMark]

Glad you got to ride TOT a few times...I know it is your favorite.

I think the new buses are kind of boring too. I'm with you...why does Disney have to change so many things?

I'm glad you got over to your WL as well...I know how much you love the place.

Diane probably had the best idea for the day before the race...just take it easy.

 

[MotherandDaughter]

I love the Muppets area. Its a really detailed.

 

[wiigirl]

I love the Muppets area. Its a really detailed.

Me too.

 

[jenseib]

I am guessing Caitlin didn't want to spend the evening in the room.

 

[teekathepony]

Great morning, getting on ToT twice!
WL is really pretty. I would love to go there and just explore some time.
AKL pool is better, eh? Now you've got me really excited to try it!

 

[Nermel9]

I can certainly understand why your sister would want to take it easy the day before the marathon. Makes sense. How nice that you all got to meet up at one of your favorite resorts - WL. It's just so gorgeous, isn't it? Love the pics.

Glad you all got to enjoy some Disney boat transportation.

Breakfast looks really yummy!

I don't know how she walked around Disney World for over a week, and then ran a marathon! If I ever run the Princess half, I'm going to get there the day before, run it, and then go to the parks the week after! She's much tougher than I am I guess!

I love my WL, and I love taking the boat from there! I wish I could stay there or the Beach Club on every trip!

It was! I love Roaring Fork!

Hooray for riding your tower! The Swedish chef doll sounds adorable! Too bad they didn't have it.

Did they change all the busses? I guess you wouldn't know hahah, but I've seen a couple pictures of the new busses but I guess they were all from around the time of your trip, and since then, I haven't seen or heard anything else!

Yay, my Tower! I wish I got to go a few more times! It was adorable, I'm so annoyed they got rid of it!

I don't know haha! Maybe they were just testing them or something? I mean, I assume if they came out with a new bus design, all of them would change eventually, but maybe people hated them so much they decided not to!

Yay for riding Tower of Terror! That ride is awesome. I really like the picture of the flags outside.

The new buses ARE really boring! I agree, the older ones are so much more fun looking.

Ugh, I wanted to go over to Wilderness Lodge this trip but we didn't make it. Oh well, if I'm there in December I will definitely have to go to see their decorations!

My favorite! I will never get sick of that ride! Thanks, I love that picture too!

Are all of the buses the new design now? Marissa just asked in her reply above yours, and I didn't know, but you were just there so maybe you know?

YES you have to go to the WL in December, the lodge looks beautiful all decorated for Christmas!

Sounds like a great start to your day!!!!

I have yet to use the buses as means of transportation. I need to ride a bus at least once!! just to say I did!! LoL

Boo to the pool being so cold! Weird!!!!

Thanks, it was!

Yeah, I used to be anti-bus, but now that I've done a trip just with the buses, I like them! I love that they play music on them that gets you excited for wherever it is you're going!

I know, it was really cold! So glad they have the hot tub!

I've never ventured out solo before but I sure would love to stroll through all the countries in EPCOT by myself.

This was my first trip where I really had a lot of solo time, and I really enjoyed it!

 

[Nermel9]

Glad you got to ride TOT a few times...I know it is your favorite.

I think the new buses are kind of boring too. I'm with you...why does Disney have to change so many things?

I'm glad you got over to your WL as well...I know how much you love the place.

Diane probably had the best idea for the day before the race...just take it easy.

It is my favorite, I'm glad I went super early to ride it a few times!

I don't know why Disney changes so many things! I guess because if they didn't, people would complain about that too! I mean, if you want to change the buses, fine, but maybe come up with something a little nicer than black and red?

It was nice going to the WL to eat breakfast, I didn't think I'd get there on this trip, so it was fun going there for a little while!

Yeah I definitely wouldn't want to do a lot of walking if I was running a race the next day either!

I love the Muppets area. Its a really detailed.

It is, it's really adorable!

Me too.

I am guessing Caitlin didn't want to spend the evening in the room.

Haha, well, that's one way to put it!

Great morning, getting on ToT twice!
WL is really pretty. I would love to go there and just explore some time.
AKL pool is better, eh? Now you've got me really excited to try it!

It was, even though I didn't do much at DHS, it was a nice morning!

WL is my favorite, I just love it there! You should go there to have dinner or something, both of the restaurants are really good!

I loved the AKL pool! I just loved AKL in general, it was perfect!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Sounds like a great morning!! The new Disney buses look cool - but kind of retro in a way to me!!

The WL is so gorgeous - I love the theme there!

 

[Nermel9]

Sounds like a great morning!! The new Disney buses look cool - but kind of retro in a way to me!!

The WL is so gorgeous - I love the theme there!

It was! I mean, I like the new Disney buses, if that's the way they were the whole time, I'd like them, I just like the old design better! They don't seem Disney-ish enough to me!

It is, it's my favorite! I can't wait to stay there again someday!

 

[Nermel9]

Saturday, 2/23, Part 2

When we left off, we were wondering what to do for dinner. Somehow, we decided to go to Downtown Disney. We didn't want to take the bus from Bay Lake Tower there, so I think we went to MK to get a bus to either SSR or OKW, whichever one came first, we would take and then get to DTD that way. The bus to OKW came first, so we hopped on that bus. I was excited, because I have always wanted to see that resort!

It took no time to get over there, and I learned where the road next to Fort Wilderness leads to finally, it goes to the road that the Port Orleans resorts are on! I always wondered what happened if you went left out of POR, and apparently, you can turn left, and get to Fort Wilderness! Good to know! There might be a few more turns in there, but it was nice to see how it's all connected, I hate not knowing where roads lead to in Disney!

We went into OKW and I was amazed at how big it was! It's just so spread out! It looked absolutely beautiful, the colors and the theme was gorgeous, but it took forever to get through all of the bus stops before we had to get off to get the boat to Downtown Disney! I always thought that maybe I would stay there, but now I'm not so sure, after seeing how huge the resort is, I'm totally overwhelmed, and I feel like I'd be lost!

We went in the main area, where the shop was, and bathrooms (I don't know what anything in OKW is called!) and looked around for a few minutes, and then we went down to the dock. It was really pretty over there, but these are the only 2 pictures I took:





I liked the feeling of the whole place, very tropical and laid back, but again, I don't think I could stay there! Unless I was like, right near the main building!

The boat took forever to get there, but finally we got on and made it to Downtown Disney. We decided to eat at Wolfgang Puck Express, so we had to walk all the way from the Pleasure Island area to WPE, and that's a long walk when it's hot and you're hungry!

We made it to WPE and ordered, and then sat at our table and waited for our food, which was brought out in a few minutes. I like that WPE is a quick service place, but they bring your food to your table!

Diane and I got the same thing, spaghetti and meatballs!



I think Caitlin got pizza, but I don't have a picture of it! I loved my spaghetti, I had it in November, so I knew it was good! I really love eating there, I need to try more things on the menu next time! Everyone loves the pizza, maybe I'll get that the next time I'm there!

When we were finished, I went in the Christmas store, because of course, I had to buy an ornament or two!



I think this was when Caitlin and Diane went ahead of me and went to some stores alone, because I wanted to get a sandwich from Earl of Sandwich to bring back to the room. I went and ordered one to go, I honestly can't remember which one I got though!

I found Diane and Caitlin somewhere, and we went in the World of Disney for a little while. I saw this bag that I really wanted



and then I found the perfect shirt to get Brandon!



He loves classic Mickey shirts!

We were ready to leave by then and we walked over to the bus stop and waited for the bus. I can't remember what we did next, but I think we may have went to the Grand Floridian for some reason. Maybe Diane was still looking for cupcakes? But I have this random picture of a bride in the GF, so I know we were there at some point during the day, lol!



We then went back to the room and that's when the trouble started...

Continued in next update!
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[Nermel9]

Saturday, 2/23 Part 3

So we went back to the room, and I hung out for a little while, and then I decided it was time to go to Epcot, it must have been around 5:30 or 6. I started to get ready, I was asking Diane what we were doing the next morning while she was doing the race, we got everything figured out, and I was ready to hop on the monorail and go to Epcot. Except for one problem. Caitlin wanted to come with me.

Now I pretty much never tell her no to anything. But for this night, I felt that she shouldn't come with me. All I was planning to do was leisurely walk around the World Showcase, have a drink, watch Illuminations from a good spot that I'd probably have to wait for for like 45 minutes, and then leave. I figured that would be boring for her, since she was bored in the WS the other day. So I told her no. I said she should go to sleep early, rest up for the next day because we were going to get up early and go to Epcot while Diane was doing her race, and we would do whatever she wanted. She wasn't having it.

I must have battled her for a good 15-20 minutes. I wasn't being mean, but I knew she wouldn't have a good time, and I was nervous if I drank a margarita with her, what if I got separated from her or something? But she was insisting on coming with me. Finally I just said no, and walked to the door, when she threw herself on the floor and cried. I felt awful, but I just left, I figured there was nothing I could do by then.

I walked all the way to the monorail, feeling like I should just turn around and get her, but for some reason I didn't. I tried to block it out of my mind and I just went to Epcot, but I felt guilty.

I was a little happier when I walked into Epcot and saw how lovely Spaceship Earth was that night!



The sun was setting and it had this glow, so I just stood there and took a million pictures!





I was feeling sad, so I just sat right in front of Spaceship Earth for a while and called Brandon to tell him what happened. He tried to make me feel better, and told me it was my vacation too, and Caitlin would get over it, but that actually made me feel worse. It made me feel like a selfish jerk. Yeah it was my vacation, but she's only 8, and when is the next time I'll be in Disney with her? I sat there so long talking to him that it was dark by the time I actually moved from that spot. I used up a lot of my Epcot time just sitting there, talking on the phone and taking pictures.





Finally I decided to do something, and since I had been staring at Spaceship Earth for so long, I figured why not just go on it?




Spaceship Earth was great for a while...until it got stuck. And it was stuck for a really, really long time. I'm going to say at least 20 minutes. I was just stuck there, in that part with the lights that hang above you at the end when you're designing your future. At first I didn't care, but after a while, it got really boring.

After I was released from Spaceship Earth, I went to Mouse Gear. At some point, Diane texted me and asked me something, and I asked if Caitlin was ok, and she said she was because she rented her a movie, but she cried for a good 20 minutes. Awesome. So I told her I'd buy her a Vinylmation the next day to make up for it. I felt horrible but there was nothing I could do at that point, so I tried to enjoy myself.



Mouse Gear is my favorite store in the parks, so I had fun browsing around there for a while!

I found THE most perfect wallet to ever exist:



which I almost bought, but it didn't have a section for change, which annoyed me.

I figured it was getting kind of late, and if I wanted to get a margarita and find a spot for Illuminations, I should get moving! So I walked over to Mexico...and just kept walking! I don't know why I didn't stop for a margarita, I think I was too nervous to drink one alone or something. Those margaritas from La Cava are STRONG and I was afraid I'd be stumbling around Epcot all alone, like some loser, so I didn't bother.

I kept walking and stopped in the America area for a few minutes.



I think I wanted to get popcorn here, but I decided not to. I don't remember my reasoning, I think because originally I wanted to get a spot on the bridge near England, but then I decided to go more near Canada so I could get out of the park quickly, so I'd just get popcorn there. Sounds like my kind of logic, but I really don't remember, my notes are horrible for this day!



I continued my loop around the World Showcase. I was kind of sad being there without Brandon, because we love the World Showcase more than anything in Disney, so it was weird being there alone.



Finally I got to Canada, where I went to the popcorn stand and got popcorn and a Coke and then I went to the fence right by the water to watch Illuminations. It wasn't the best spot, but it was pretty good. I was near a cute family with 2 little girls who were just amazed by everything around them and were excited for the fireworks. I think it was their first time to Disney, because they were talking about their plans for the next day and it just seemed like they were so excited to see everything new!

I love when they light the torches and my wonderful pre-Illuminations music plays!



Finally Illuminations started, and you will never guess what I did? I stood there and watched the entire thing, and didn't take one picture! I am never able to do that, but I finally did it! I loved it, it was wonderful! Towards the end, during "We Go On" I started walking to get a head start to the monorail, before everyone else started leaving, but I couldn't resist getting a few pictures on the way out!





Usually when I'm with Brandon, after Illuminations, I try to stay in the park as long as possible, but I was tired and I didn't feel like dealing with the crowds for the monorail, so I took those 2 pictures and basically ran up the monorail ramp and hopped on the monorail. Before I knew it, I was back at Bay Lake Tower. Diane and Caitlin were already asleep, and even though I was exhausted, I couldn't fall asleep. Finally I did, and I was woken up by Diane throwing a pillow at me because I was snoring really loud I guess. That made me all paranoid, so I would only sleep on and off all night, I was so afraid of snoring. Diane got up around 2 or 3 and got ready for her race, which was up most of the time for. I thought maybe after she left I'd go back to sleep, but when I did, Caitlin woke me up around 4:30 because I was snoring. So it was a bad night of sleep for everyone I guess! Ugh. I don't know why I was snoring so bad during that trip, I guess because I was getting sick!

Up next...The Princess Half and somehow, Caitlin and I get to Epcot!

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[wdwgirl03]

Old Key West is really huge but if you stay near the Hospitality House (aka the main building ) it is pretty nice. It does take FOREVER to get through all the stops...when my sister and I stayed there we didn't realize that it would've been easier for us to get off at the first stop instead of actually circling around to the stop at the Hospitality House.

Anyway...that ornament is super cute and thanks to your picture (I think I saw it on facebook maybe? I can't remember but I know you posted it!) I had to get one for myself.

Mmm, that spaghetti looks so good! Next time I need to go back to WPE!

 

[jecskc]

We love Old Key West !! I think it is one my DH's favorites. He likes that it is all spread out and that it is only two stories high. Probably because he carries the bulk of our stuff up for us. Anyway, we have a car with us all of the time, so the fact that it is spread out never really bothers us. We did ride the bus to MK one night and I thought we would NEVER get back to our room since we made so many stops. Same thing at SSR as well.

Ahhhhh kids !!! They can always pull that guilt trip out on you. But you know what ?? I don't blame you for saying no. Because I think you were right about her getting bored. And with kids, boredom equals whiny. And who wants that? Brandon was right, it was your vacation, too. I would love a night to myself in WS. I never feel like I get to truly explore it like a really want to.

We haven't seen Illuminations in a while. We are staying at Beach Club in September so we are looking forward to just walking over for just the fireworks a couple of nights.

 

[MEK]

I love OKW, but I can see why it would seem so overwhelming.

That spaghetti looks so yummy!

OMG - poor Caitlin. You must have felt so terrible, but I totally get why you wanted to head over to Epcot on your own. I mean, you could have gotten into the park and she could have suddenly got tired and wanted to go home. You made the right decision even if it really pulled on your heart strings.

That last picture of Spaceship Earth is so neat. Ugh - I would have hated getting stuck for 20 minutes.

Yup - those ritas are strong, but that would never stop me from getting one while I was solo.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

From the 14 seconds I've been there during ME dropoff, I agree, OKW looks like a really pretty resort!!

Awww, what a hard decision that must have been with Caitlin!! I totally and completely agree that you deserved some solo Epcot time though! Especially the meandering kind that she would have been bored during!!

 

[jenseib]

Don't feel bad aboutgoing alone. You told her no, you had plans and her tantrum was to get you to go her way. Not because she was so sad, but just because you told her no and she didn't wantto hear it. Been there myself with my own kids. Thre were times where i had plans out for the night and my son was famous for pulling that too. He would cry and plead. He just didn't want me to go or he wanted to go along. He was not scared for life either. It's a control thing. My son really had issues like that.
So anyways, don't feel bad, you did what you wanted to do and it probably would've been super boring for Caitlin.
I don't nomrally snore either, but I think sometimes when you have long vacation days you just tend to do it more. I know I have been told I do it then as well at times.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Aww it makes my heart sad when I do things without ry, but Brandon was right. It was your vacation too!

I'm glad you finally enjoyed your alone time in epcot

Some disney popcorn sounds delicious right now!!!

I hate when I have bad sleep nights! I bet that's why too-because then you got sick

 

[smile4stamps]

That Princess Happily Ever After Vinyl is so cute!

So sorry that Caitlin made you feel bad about going to Epcot solo. I think she would have been SO bored had she gone with you so it was better to go as you planned but the guilty feeling isn't very nice.

I hope the following morning with Caitlin went well.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Are all of the buses the new design now? Marissa just asked in her reply above yours, and I didn't know, but you were just there so maybe you know?

Sorry, I just saw this question. Honestly, I don't think I even saw any of the new buses when we were there. So who knows what's going on with that. I say just keep the old design.