4/2013 "The Plan" works (minus HS) and Hey guys - it's another Derp ride

[tinkerbells mum]

So glad you got to eat in BoG we had lunch there twice and it was the best QS we've had at Disney. Sounds like you had a great first day xx

 

[Disneymaddness]

Loving the report so far! We'll be there in 10 days so you're getting us really excited!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

BOG is amazing!!! The food was so good there and the details were incredible. Love it!

 

[Moosemomma]

I'm here, I'm here!
You, obsessive Disney planning mode? I may or may not have encouraged that

 

[elfling8]

I'm here, I'm here!
You, obsessive Disney planning mode? I may or may not have encouraged that

MAY have encouraged that???

 

[OhMari]

Oh, Thank you for the BOG pictures. We ate at Crystal Palace at 8:15 a.m. and were so full. We managed to do what we wanted by 10:30 and we were out of the park.

I am from the April 2013 Facebook Page-Marisa
and your moderator.

It was hot in the afternoons. We were at the MK on the 13th and we left and went to a car show over in Celebration for an hour. We swam too in the afternoon and went back at night to the MK. It was insanely packed, but we did rides we wanted to do and saw the parade and WISHES.

 

[Moosemomma]

MAY have encouraged that???

I plead the 5th!

 

[elfling8]

Here comes Wednesday!
We had the alarm set for 6:15 again, since we were heading to AK for EMH.
The first thing we had to do was sing Happy Birthday to DH and give him his birthday cards. Nothing like turning the big 4-0 in Disney
I had forgotten to mention that there was a happy birthday message from Minnie and Mickey on our voicemail when we arrived, and that he also got a signed Mickey picture in the room for his birthday. We had birthday confetti on the table at our Crystal Palace breakfast too. I think that was the only TS ressie I had not changed since I had had a CM on the phone and added the birthday, so it was the only meal we had the extra pixie dust

We made our 7am goal of leaving the room and heading to the bus stop after a quick in-room breakfast. Made it right about rd time:


We headed straight for Kilamanjaro Safari and I got some great pictures.

The termite mounds were cool and creepy

Running giraffe

These trees were my favorite. So cool in the morning mist


three lions!


After that we headed over to Expedition Everest. DD and I rode while DH and DS shopped, then DH and DD rode (4 times in a row!!!!) while DS and I headed over to Dinoland. He and I rode Dinosaur, then grabbed some FP for all 4 of us. DS started his pin trading obsession while we waited for the other two to catch up with us. He bought a pirates starter set, and did not come home with any pirate pins! We did all of Dinoland that they wanted to do. Played a few games and won some stuffed animals. I passed on Triceratops Spin. It did not get good reviews from the rest of the fam. Then it was time to head over to Tusker House for an 11:30 lunch. On the way, we passed by Doug the Dog walking down the path. I decided to be obnoxious and yell "Hey Doug - this is Doug too and it's his birthday" which got him a high 5.


We got to TH, and their computers were down. No one was going in. It was really hot, and people were getting grumpy. A CM poked his head out the side door, looked at DS and said (in a very familiar accent) "Are you DYING?" That got him to smile, and we chatted with him for awhile. He was from Hampton, NH - not far from where we live. He brought the kids and some of the other kids waiting nearby some cups of ice water. Finally got in to lunch, and it was great. My favorite buffet of the week. I love Indian and Middle Eastern food. Everyone found something they liked. The characters seemed a little more rushed than at CP, but I'm sure they were trying to play catch up. We saw Goofy, Daisy, then Mickey, and then I realized we hadn't seen Donald. I asked our waiter, who said we were supposed to see him before we came in and get our picture taken. With the computer mix up, we somehow missed that whole thing. So, we went out after we paid and talked to the CM with Donald. We had our picture taken and they said we could get it at the photo place at the entrance of the park on our way out. Alls well that ends well. We had a much nicer picture cooled off and well fed than we would have had hot, tired and hungry.

DD wanted to go to the Affection Station, and with DS grumpy about sore feet and heat we decided a train ride would be a good idea. DD found a not-so-hidden Mickey:

We pet a few goats, but most of the animals were hiding in the shade.
We also got to see Rafiki with only about a 5 minute line inside a nice air conditioned building, then we headed back to the train.

We did a little more shopping and ran into DS's school nurse and her husband! So funny. It was good to see her. We didn't manage to walk any of the trails, and decided not to do the Lion King show since we had seen the Broadway one. We had some ice cream and a frozen banana, and picked up our pictures on the way out to catch the bus to Epcot where we had a dinner reservation.

Derps of the day:

 

[elfling8]

On to Epcot!


Flower and Garden was beautiful!


Since we were going to have a full EP day at the end of the week we decided to stick to the World Showcase this evening. We picked up our Agent P transponders and the CM sent us off to Mexico since it was an all-indoor mission. We did that and rode the 3 Caballeros, then believe it or not were hungry again and got some Nachos. Then we crossed the bridge to Canada and did the loop that direction until we got to Germany for birthday beer (I mean dinner) at the Biergarten at 6:10. The kids did Pick-a-Pearl in Japan and loved the whole thing. They even got to show off their Japanese counting since they learned it in Karate. The CM was impressed. They both got beautiful pearls, over 7mm. At Biergarten we had a seat right up against the dance floor, and a great view of the musicians. So much talent! We all loved the show and the food was fine. There were hits and misses in the buffet. After dinner we continued around the world and rode Maelstrom in Norway. Then we headed back to POR. Can't remember if we took a swim or just crashed.

Here come the F&G pictures:

 

[elfling8]

Our third park day we were up early again, grabbing food in the room, to get to the bus at 7am. Off to MK for 8am EMH! We got there in plenty of time to put on our sunscreen and watch the opening show.



We headed right to Buzz Lightyear, rode that twice I think, then to Space Mt. DS decided to ride it! He liked it but didn't want to ride again. I was good with one trip through as well, since the tight turns in the dark wasn't great for my vertigo. One ride, great, two probably not so much. I know DH and DD rode again, but not sure of the timing.
It was already getting pretty warm, so we grabbed a smoothie and got in line for the speedway. I knew it wouldn't be worth riding later in the day with a wait - it looked just like every other track car ride. Good thing we rode in pairs even though the kids were tall enough to ride alone. There is no way DD could have kept that pedal down by herself the whole trip! DS and DH got a bum car, he said it was reallllly slow.
On the way toward POTC, we passed the Dole Whip line and it was short, so ice cream before lunch it was! We got one float and one cup and shared. Yummy. Got in line for Pirates, and heard the announcement that the ride was temporarily down and it was ok to wait in line or leave. We decided to wait, and people kept getting out of line the longer we waited. I want to say it was about 20-30 minutes until it was going again and we were on. Loved the new Cpt. Jack additions. They look so real! Then we rode Jungle Cruise, groaned at all the jokes, had fun.

Time for lunch. One thing I had not really researched was where to eat our CS meals. We spent a bit more time than we should have looking for a place to eat (DD is very picky, which did not help any). We wandered around Liberty Square checking out the menus, got to see the fife and drum band, and then we ended up at Columbia Harvest House. Can't find my receipt for that meal, and I don't quite remember what we had but most of it was good. I think that was where we had the disappointing desserts - some sort of chocolate cake with too thick frosting? Pretty sure we shared two or three meals again instead of getting four.

After lunch we picked up our next batch of SOMK cards, and played some more.


Then headed back to Tomorrowland and did a bunch of the rides we didn't hit in the morning. People mover, Astro Orbiter (DH and DD while DS and I shopped for pins), Carousel of Progress and Monster's Inc. (not necessarily in that order) I suggested the CofP since it was mid day heat meltdown time, and about half way through I looked at DH, laughed and apologized. DD absolutely loved it though, and DS was happy to sit and cool off. DD and were known to break out in a chorus of "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow......" at the drop of a hat for the rest of the week. Monsters Inc was hysterical. There was a poor lady from England that couldn't understand what the monster was saying. She was wearing a tube top, and he kept commenting on how she was "in a tube". She was with her boyfriend, who of course got asked when they were getting married. When he shook his head, the monster got all pouty and said "but... she's in a tuuuube" So funny. That's a phrase that keeps popping up around here since we got home

Then we headed back to Adventureland to do some more SOTMK and the Tiki Room. We climbed the treehouse, then I ran ahead to get FP to ride BTMRR again. We took the boat to Tom Sawyer Island while we waited for the FP time, and wandered around a bit. We enjoyed talking to the raft drivers while we went back and forth. DS especially liked the fort. One last ride on BTMRR, then we were planning to take the train back to the front of the park again. Unfortunately, it was broken down and we had to walk.

We got on the monorail to the Grand Floridian for our 5:50 ressie at 1900 Park Fare. We had some time once we got there, so we went into the gift shop and DS scored some prime pins from the CM's there. We hung out in the beautiful lobby for a few minutes, and I gave my folks a quick ring, since I had forgotten to call my Mom on her birthday a few days earlier. Checked in at PF and got our pictures taken, then we were seated. We thought the buffet was quite good. The strawberry soup was as good as we had read about. It reminded DH of his favorite dessert - a raspberry strawberry bavarian - only in liquid form. We saw the Lady Tremain first, who asked the kids if they got along with eachother. Then she complained that her girls were always arguing. She took a very proper picture with the kids and signed the books. Then came Anastasia. She was nutty and crazy, and had us all laughing. Drusilla was next. She asked DS how many castles he had. He said, none. She asked how many he wanted. He said 100. She said that will do, when are we getting married? He's turning bright red and DD is cracking up. Then for the picture, she grabs him by the arm and nudges DD out of the way. I was not going to post any character pictures here, but I just can't resist this one. It is my favorite along with some that the PP photog took with Goofy.


After that, Cinderella and Prince Charming had their dance, then all the kids were invited to join in (mine did not want to), then we finished up the meal visiting with Prince Charming then Cinderella. PC was impressed with DS's pen sword he picked up earlier in the day.

We decided instead of going back into the park to hop over to DTD then take the riverboat back to POR. We did some shopping, including using up some snack credits at Goofy's candy place. We got a big bag of trail mix and the kids got some sugar tubes (it's in a tuuuuube). We did more window shopping than purchasing. The Lego store was popular.




We all enjoyed the boat ride back to POR. Nice and peaceful. I wish we had gotten a chance to do it during the day to see the sights along the way, but it was fun at night. Back to the room for showers, and to get ready to get up and go the next morning!

Almost forgot the Derp of the day!


and a bonus, cause it made the girl and I crack up to do it (though our scores suffered)

 

[elfling8]

Jedi Training day!!! Our main objective of the day was to get the kids signed up for Jedi training. Since there HS was not the EMH park that day we got up a little later and went to the food court at POR for breakfast. We split three meals again - a kids pancake, a kids waffle, and an adult waffle platter. After we ate, DH ran the mugs back to the room, then we hit the South bus stop around 8am. I don't think we waited too long for a bus, maybe 10 minutes. We got to HS and they had already opened. DH went off to get FP for TSMM while I took the kids to sign up for Jedi Training.


I have to admit, I could not find my own %$* with both hands in this park. I don't know if the days of rides had twisted my brain or what, but every time I tried to get somewhere I got lost!
After a bit of a long way around, we finally got there and when we got to the front of the line, they were already signing up for the 12:40 show! Glad we got in though, and it was good timing given our 1:20 Mama Melrose ADR.
DH sent a text that our FP weren't until 10:10, so he headed our way and they went on Star Tours. I skipped that one, and just chilled out on a bench for a bit. I know they rode it a second time, but not sure if it was right away, or a little later.

Here's where the plan went awry (along with a slightly later than hoped for Jedi Training). We go over to Toy Story, get in line standby figuring we will make it through in time to get back in line for the FP. Ride breaks down. This time, no "feel free to wait" like POTC, it was "everyone please turn around and go out the way you came in". Bummer. This may have been when they rode Star Tours again.

On to RnRC. DS was on the fence about riding, so we asked a CM at the entrance if there were any drops (his main dislike). He told us if he was fine with the drops on Space Mt. he would be fine here, so he decided to ride (yes, we warned him about the corkscrews). We grabbed 2 FP then got in line standby. He got himself all psyched out about it by the time we got to the front of the line, but he did it. He liked it but didn't want to ride again, and it was a little dark and loopy for me to ride again as well. I LOVED the start though!

DH checked the MDE app (one of the few times we could get it to work - his phone with 4G could get it occasionally, mine with 3G never) and saw that it looked like TSMM was still down at our FP return time. Double checked with a CM who confirmed, so we soldiered on.
DD and DH got back in line and DS and I went to find what we thought was the "watch shop" we saw on our way in the park to look at watches. Remember, I can not find my way out of a paper bag this day Eventually found the shop, then couldn't find my way back to meet the other two! They had gotten some snacks - fruit and cinnamon roll, then with about 4 texts back and forth I finally found them.

At some point we had grabbed 2 FP for TOT. I went to ride solo, which was about a 15 minute wait even going as a single in the FP line. I was a bit disappointed in this ride. Not as scary as I'd hoped, and the drops weren't that great (I LOVE Dr. Doom at Universal). When I got off, DH got in line. We were expecting it to take him about 15 minutes like it did me, so we waited in the gift shop for him, figuring then he and DD could use the FP for RnRC then we'd head over for the 12:20 get ready for Jedi. Well, it took him more like 1/2 hr. Such was the day..... I finally headed over to Jedi with the kids and he caught up a few minutes later. They didn't get to use their FP after all While I was on TOT I had the brilliant idea to ask at TSMM if they would honor our FP later since the ride was broken. I mentioned that to the kids, who told me DH threw them out. DD said, "but I kept mine". File that info for later.

We had a blast at Jedi Training. I just took videos since we had the Photopass+ and the photographer was snapping pictures. I just got those in the mail the other day, I may add some of those pics after the trip report is done. DD got a big cheer when the Jedi Master said "A female Jedi!" when she got up to fight Darth Vader. DS was looking forward to it the whole trip. The kid has been wielding a light saber since he was 3. One of my other favorite pictures of the whole week is of him and Darth Vader. He is ducking, the the photog caught Vader's cape in a perfect swoosh.

After Jedi Training, we headed over to Mama Melrose for lunch. DH got a habanero lime margarita which I had to taste. It was really good. He ordered the sirloin and thought it was very good. I had the grilled chicken flatbread. Good, but nothing to write home about. DS had the chicken parm which he really enjoyed, and DD had the kids cheese pizza. Even though DD is the 10yr old, she usually had the kids meal and DS the adult. For dessert we had the cheesecake, chocolate cake, tiramisu and the kids make your own cupcake. All yummy.

We had decided during lunch, that it still wouldn't hurt to ask at TSMM if we could go in the fast pass line. DH went off to get more RnRC fast passes for him and DD, and I headed toward TSMM with the kids. We walked slow and looked at stuff on the way. Took their picture with Ducky Mo Mo and a giant coke bottle. The Green Army Men were walking around, and also got their picture with one soldier. Got to TSMM and the standby was over and hour with FP returns after 5pm. FP line looked pretty empty. We showed the CM at the FP line our ticket and told them that the ride was broken during our FP window and DH had thrown the rest away, was there any way we could use the ticket now. He asked another CM who called ahead down the line and let them know we were coming through with 4 people on 1 FP! Hooray for some pixie dust! So grateful for the CM, and happy we were able to ride. It was my favorite ride in the park for sure.

Next we headed over to the Muppets. I am a big fan and there was no way we were getting out of the park without seeing Muppetvision. The last time I was in Disney before this trip, it was MGM and I have a picture of myself with Gonzo. Speaking of Gonzo, DS spotted a "hidden Gonzo" on our way into the theater.


I was in muppet heaven. Pigs innnn spppaaaacccce!


I was a little bummed we didn't have time to catch the Indiana Jones stunt show, and sort of wanted to do the movie ride, but we decided to split up for a bit. DS and I went back to the POR for a swim, while DD and DH proceeded to ride RnRC four times in a row between the single rider lines and FPs.
Here is the one downpour of the trip while we were heading out of the park:


Derp of the Day: (DS is the little bit of red shirt next to DH. He asked that he be cropped out because he was less than happy looking, and not in a funny way)

 

[bluejasmine]

Loving the trip!! Monsters Inc can be pretty funny! My 19 son had to get up and dance and DH was the guy to buy everyone churros after the show but he wanted to be " that guy"! Lol

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & POFQ Sept 8-15, 2013

 

[elfling8]

DH was the guy to buy everyone churros after the show but he wanted to be " that guy"! Lol

ASMU/POR Dec 16-22, 2012 & POFQ Sept 8-15, 2013

mmm churros! LOL. Loved "That Guy"!

Going to finish up the HS now with an edit so it is all one post.

 

[pwdebbie]

We were at MK opening on 4/18 and I got straight-on absolutely great pics of the Family of the Day. Sure wish I could find them to send them my pics.

Monsters Inc. is one of my favorites. Our first time (2007) the camera landed on me and asked for a joke. My mind went blank. I told a knock knock joke that no one got. Oh well, my one chance at stardom and I blew it! Now when we go, I make sure to sit over the far left because they never seem to pick people from over there.

 

[elfling8]

Once DS and I got off the bus at POR, the showers seemed to be over. So, we went back to the room to change where towel animal number 3 awaited us! We had left our mousekeeper a note one day saying how we liked the little round toothbrush holder she had made with a washcloth. Well, she outdid herself with this toothbrush holder!


We headed to the pool, took a good long swim and multiple trips down the slide, and the roller coaster maniacs showed up some while later and dipped their tired feet in the hot tub. We went back to the room and got ready for dinner at the food court. We shared some more stuff. The boys chose a chili cheese dog and the girls each got a make your own pasta to share around. It was very good and filling. No way I could have eaten all the pasta myself!

Next we were heading back to MK for the Tomorrowland Terrace dessert party! We grabbed some more SOTMK cards on our way in, but did not play. We had a little time before the party so we rode the people mover in the dark. We had a nice table with our name on it for the dessert party, and stuffed ourselves with goodies.
This is my favorite color of the castle at night:


We had a little bit of a view of the parade while we ate. DS was exhausted after eating and wanted to go back to the room to sleep! Obviously that wasn't happening, and people were starting to line up at the rail for a good spot for wishes and fireworks so we moved over there. He sat down against the wall put his head on his knees and fell dead asleep! I made sure DD was standing directly under the zip line and she kept asking me what it was for. We managed to sort of wake him up at the beginning of the fireworks, and the first big bang woke him fully up.




After the fireworks, DH and DS headed straight back, and DD and I wanted to see how long the line for Space Mt. was. Apparently so did a lot of other people and the line was about 20 min. We decided to ride Buzz instead and then head back and hit the hay.

 

[jenniferreich]

Hi! I'm enjoying your trip report--thank you for sharing your trip story with us!

I just read a tip on your report and had to say, best tip ever!

"I had gotten a hanging shoe cubby thing, and we had put our PJ's in them. Swapped them out for the next days clothes when we changed so we'd be all ready to go in the morning!"

I just posted it, credited to you of course, to my FB page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-MD-Guides/151187998688

Thanks for sharing! I will definitely do this next trip! I hope you're having a great day! Jennifer

 

[elfling8]

Thanks for sharing! I will definitely do this next trip! I hope you're having a great day! Jennifer

You're welcome! I had read about using them on the dis boards. We didn't unpack our suitcases, just pulled out the next day's clothes each night and put them in, and we also brought a small fold up hamper to ditch the dirty clothes in. It worked really well for keeping the clothes clutter under control!

 

[Moosemomma]

You're welcome! I had read about using them on the dis boards. We didn't unpack our suitcases, just pulled out the next day's clothes each night and put them in, and we also brought a small fold up hamper to ditch the dirty clothes in. It worked really well for keeping the clothes clutter under control!

I don't think the DIS boards are the only place you heard those suggestions...

 

[Moosemomma]

We went back to the room and got ready for dinner at the food court. We shared some more stuff. The boys chose a chili cheese dog and the girls each got a make your own pasta to share around. It was very good and filling. No way I could have eaten all the pasta myself!

The first time we took the kids (when DS was 5) we got him the adult make your own pasta for dinner one night. He ate ALL of his plus half of his sister's!

 

[elfling8]

I don't think the DIS boards are the only place you heard those suggestions...

yes, I believe that was on your suggested packing list

The first time we took the kids (when DS was 5) we got him the adult make your own pasta for dinner one night. He ate ALL of his plus half of his sister's!

Yeah, but that's a growing Moose after a day of walking