-38 degrees again?? Goodbye Alaska Hello Disney! January 2009 (Updated 4/17)

[chicagoshannon]

Cant' wait to read it!

 

[wonderlanne]

your family is just beautiful!

 

[blestmom]

Day 3: “Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures” - Part 1

We were up early, and ready to head to the Magic Kingdom. We were surprised how quickly the busses ran from Pop Century. We were there in plenty of time to catch the opening. We then high-tailed it over to the Harmony Barber Shop to get “Mr. Energy” a much needed haircut.

We were the second family in line.

At the end of the haircut, the barber asked if he wanted Pixie Dust in his hair. His answer was, “No way!” So, she grabbed “Sweetness” and gave her the Pixie Dust instead. I thought it looked cute, but “Sweetness” was not thrilled. It took days to get the sticky stuff out of her hair.

We got to see the horses get ready for the horse-drawn carriage.

After that, we headed to Big Thunder

and Splash Mountain. It had been awhile since we had ridden Splash, as it was down for refurbishment the last time we went. Fortunately, it had just reopened from its most current refurbishment. It was great!

Then Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Swiss Family Treehouse. I always thought as a kid it would be so cool to live there.

We then continued on to Carousel of Progress, and we got to meet Stitch.

Next, a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Space Mountain, and Buzz Lightyear.

One recommendation from others here on the DIS was to try the cream cheese pretzel. We got one at the Launching Pad. At first I wasn’t sure about it, but then, I really, really started to like it. Okay, I’m getting hungry right now just thinking about it. I don’t think the kids cared for it much, but yum! It was really good.

At this point, we decided to take a little detour. I had read how fantastic the Kona coffee was at the Polynesian. So, we left the Magic Kingdom, and took the monorail over to the Polynesian. Now, at the exit of the Magic Kingdom, they had a propped up sign on the ground saying “This way to Resort Monorails.” So we went that way, but now, looking back, it was more of a sign directing you out of the park, but long story short, we ended up at the TTA, instead of the direct monorail like I was hoping to get to the Poly. No problem…we’d just walk over.

Well, I didn’t realize just how twisty turvy the paths are over there! We were walking in circles looking for the main building. It was cool to see the resort, though.

“Sweetness” didn’t like all the tiki stuff…kind of creeped her out.
Finally, after walking and listening to “Mr. Energy” lose his energy (and how he was “starving”) we found the main building. We grabbed some lunch at a counter service place there, since the younger two were really tired of walking. Then we went to the Kona Coffee Bar. I had told “Princess” the coffee was so good, it was worth all the trouble. We get up to the coffee bar, and…there is a guy there with a jack hammer, and sign saying “Closed for repair. For coffee drinks, please go to the Kona Café.”

Sigh. Not exactly what I was looking for. So, I go up to the hostess at the Kona Café, and tell her that we were just trying to get two coffee drinks to go, since the coffee bar was closed. She said they didn’t do coffee drinks to go, but if we’d like to sit down, we could order them. I said, “Fine, I guess we’ll do it that way.” So another lady comes to show us to a table, but on the way, stops and shows us each and every dessert and describes them…in detail. By now “Princess” and I are cracking up, because we just wanted a cup of coffee. The waitress comes, and by now I’m feeling very guilty having made such a big deal and wasting everyone’s time. So I tell her we just wanted two coffee drinks, and she asked if we wanted them in to-go cups. Finally, we get the bill, and now I have to add in a tip…those were some pretty pricey coffee drinks!

So we get out of there just as quick as we can. We wanted to head back to the Magic Kingdom and slowly savor our coffee drinks over there, but we think we can’t really walk onto the monorail with them. So “Princess” offers to put them in her purse!

What a couple of gals won’t do for their coffee drinks!

Okay…back at the Magic Kingdom. We decide to split up for a little while. I needed to go get the balance of my Disney Rewards added to my card. The girls go ride Big Thunder and Space Mountain.

“Mr. Energy and I watch the new parade.” We got lucky…we had been at Guest Services and when we came out, the parade was just coming around. Since we hadn’t gotten there early, I was happy to just stand in the back and watch. But there was a garbage can up front that no one was around, so we went over there, and could see great.

 

[blestmom]

Day 3: "Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures" - Part 2

Over in Frontierland, “Mr. Energy” got to try the Shootin’ Gallery. He did great!

After that Mr. “Energy” and I went on Snow White

and Pirates before meeting up with the girls again. Together we went on It’s a Small World

and the Haunted Mansion,

and Pirates of the Caribbean again.

Then, it was time to meet our DIS friends…“debbieandroo,” “Soarin,” and “mrsdon.” I wasn’t exactly sure how we were going to recognize each other (except that Soarin told me what she was going to wear). I’m so glad she did, because I found her right away, then the other two found us. Our first choice of Columbia Harbor House (my favorite Magic Kingdom restaurant) was closed, so we went over to Cosmic Rays. It was so fun to meet other DIS members! “Mr. Energy” lived up to his name by talking a lot…to everyone. “Sweetness” fell asleep, and “Princess” took advantage of the time to text friends back home (typical teenager). We got to visit for a long time, and then, all too quickly, it was time to go.


Once it was dark out, we went on Jungle Cruise and Aladdin’s Magic Carpets.

Then it was time for the fireworks. I’ve watched them from Fantasyland before (didn’t really care for that…too crowded) and from the bridge going to Tomorrowland (that was a pretty cool location.) But this time, we just happened to be on the quieter walkway in the back between Adventureland and Frontierland…kind of by Liberty Square.

We loved it from over there! No one was there. The Liberty Riverboat was so pretty.

My kids aren’t all that into fireworks, so they kind of ran around and had fun in the area, and I got some really pretty pictures. That area in Frontierland is my favorite in the entire park. I just love, love, love it there.


We were in no hurry to leave, so we slowly walked through the park, around Frontierland to Adventureland, taking pictures.

We went to the Ice Cream parlor and got ice cream….yum…

and watched the “Kiss Goodnight.”

Then, it was time to leave. What a great day at the Magic Kingdom!!
We took the bus back, and got to Pop Century. The younger kids went swimming, and then we were all ready to get some sleep.

Tomorrow: No way…..from Wasilla? Really??

 

[hill6]

Great review so far. Can't wait for the rest.

 

[debbieandroo]

And to think, I was at all those places, too - but only ran into you when we planned it on purpose.

Beautiful beautiful pictures.

I can so see myself doing all that for a good cup of coffee. Yummm...

 

[studentmom]

Keep it comin', blestmom.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Lovin the TR! Ditto on the gorgeous pics.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I love the pictures of the fireworks! I think we'll have to try out that spot. That ice cream looks so yummy too!

 

[Rags]

I'm hooked!!!!

 

[4 Little Bears]

Enjoying your trip report...thanks for sharing!

 

[disneyaddicted]

This is a fun TR. I love the pictures, especially the one flying over Alaska. I have always dreamed of going to Alaska. DH said when he retires...maybe...Don't know if he meant maybe Alaska or maybe one day he'll retire, didn't ask.

I am looking forward to an update.

Sincerely, Ty

P.S. Gorgeous kids!!

 

[SomDayMyPrnceWillCom]

I'm glad I ran across this Trip report. I moved from deep south Mississippi to Alaska in August with DD13. I'm teaching in a bush village. I understand about not minding and enjoying the cold weather here, but I'm ready to get back down south myself. I went ahead and booked our next Disney trip for 2010, but we have to go during the summer since I teach.

I'm really enjoying this and your pictures are lovely. Looking forward to the rest of the report.

 

[blestmom]

I'm glad I ran across this Trip report. I moved from deep south Mississippi to Alaska in August with DD13. I'm teaching in a bush village. I understand about not minding and enjoying the cold weather here, but I'm ready to get back down south myself. I went ahead and booked our next Disney trip for 2010, but we have to go during the summer since I teach.

I'm really enjoying this and your pictures are lovely. Looking forward to the rest of the report.

Nice to "meet" you. DH tried to get me to teach in the bush. I've had several friends do that. I hope you have a great Disney trip in 2010.

 

[blestmom]

Day 4: "No way…..from Wasilla? Really??" (Part 1)

Even though we’ve gotten up early the last 3 days, we get up early once again. Today is “Disney Studios.” It only took 15 minutes from the time we left the hotel to the park. We wanted to get there early to get to Toy Story Mania. We’ve never seen the opening of the park there. We follow the crowd over to Toy Story Mania. We were one of the first there, so we got to walk right on.

We loved the ride! It’s so fun to try a new ride.

Since “Princess” has been a real trouper, we decline getting fastpasses for more rides on TSM, and instead get 4 fastpasses for “Princess” to use on her own at Tower of Terror. Although I really don’t like that ride, I would be willing to go on it. But “Sweetness” and “Mr. Energy” refuse. So, we split up for an hour, and “Princess” goes on the thrill ride by herself.

In the meantime, I take “Sweetness” and”Mr. Energy” on the Great Movie Ride. “Sweetness” simply adores musicals. She is a beautiful singer, and this is her favorite ride.

We also have time to sneak in one ride of Star Tours, for “Mr. Energy’s” behalf.

After meeting back up with “Princess,” we get a late breakfast at Starring Rolls…chocolate croissants and blueberry muffins. Mmmm!

We then went to see “Indiana Jones.” I think the first five minutes are the best part of the show.

We also rode “Rock-n-Roller Coaster.” I was excited because it was my first time sitting in the very back…way cool.

After that, we just kind of meandered around and took our time exploring. We were pleased again with low crowds.

Exploring the streets of New York:

We decided since we’d been going at a pretty fast pace, we would head back to the hotel for lunch, a swim and a time to rest. Great decision.

 

[blestmom]

Day 4: "No way…..from Wasilla? Really??" (Part 2)


We headed back over to Disney Studios, because “Princess” was excited about a preview showing of the “American Idol” experience.

We gathered in the outdoor area, and the warm-up guy and cameraman came out to get shots of the audience. Then he announced the participants for this evening. You should have seen our jaws drop when he mentioned one of them was from Wasilla, Alaska. No way! We NEVER meet anyone from Alaska, much less from Wasilla!! Unfortunately, our guy didn’t win, although he was good. The guy who won did a really lively rendition of the song “La Bamba.” We thought it was a lot of fun, and we enjoyed it a lot.

One thing about being at Disney during the off season is that the parks close a little earlier. That was okay with us, because we were pretty tired by this time. We headed back to the hotel, had dinner and let the kids swim.

Tomorrow: “Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me…!”

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

It really is a small world (LOL -- sorry, couldn't resist). I have family in Wasilla, and we moved to Georgia from Anchorage (after living there for 10 years) almost 9 years ago. Small world (don't worry, I won't sing).

I'm enjoying your trip report! I remember how desperate we always were to get OUT of Alaska during January, just to see a little sunshine and feel some warmth!

 

[blestmom]

It really is a small world (LOL -- sorry, couldn't resist). I have family in Wasilla, and we moved to Georgia from Anchorage (after living there for 10 years) almost 9 years ago. Small world (don't worry, I won't sing).

I'm enjoying your trip report! I remember how desperate we always were to get OUT of Alaska during January, just to see a little sunshine and feel some warmth!

Oh that is small world...(and I don't mind...go ahead and sing the song! ) How cool! Nice to "meet" you.

 

[onelilspark]

I came over to say hi! I'm enjoying your TR!

 

[studentmom]

Hey there, blest!