GaDisneyDad
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2002
- Messages
- 76
Cast:
Norm (me) (39); husband, father, trip planner, scribe and photographer
Robin (39); wife and mother with veto power over trip plans, wants a more relaxed Disney trip this time (Ha!)
Kent (14); teenage son, not interested if its not fast, loud, or scary (preferably all three)
Whitney (13); teenage daughter, into thrill rides like her brother, but will do the others with less complaining (usually)
Setting:
7 days at Port Orleans Riverside, plus 1 offsite at Islands of Adventure (sons favorite, of course). This is our second straight year at POR, and third WDW trip in four years. Due to finding a discounted resort rate back in January, we decide to stay longer than our usual 4 or 5 days to have more time to stop and smell the roses.
Scene 6 Wednesday, June 19 Its raining again
Up with Mickey at 7:00 and check TWC. Looks like rain later need to get an early start. Got the kids up and ate breakfast together for the first time this week. At bus stop by 8:30 so far, so good. Then we had to wait 20 minutes for the MGM bus. So much for our early start. Got to MGM and ran for RnRC. Rode and got FP for later. ToT line already 40 minutes not worth it today. Got a FP for Millionaire as our RnRC FP was still only a few minutes out and then rode The Great Movie Ride while waiting. Again, something I had put on my skip list for this year, but we needed something to kill time with until our FP. Only waited about 10 minutes or so, and it was nice and cool (and dry!) inside. We then went back for our RnRC FP (still love it, even after 4 rides this week) and then checked out The Little Mermaid show but line was 75 minutes. Walked around some, did some shopping, etc. and then went to our Millionaire show (11:40. I believe). I think I had mentioned earlier that we missed this last year, so this was our first visit. We all absolutely loved it. By now the park is starting to get crowded, but the weather is holding up, so we decide to take a shot at Blizzard Beach.
After changing back at the hotel, we catch a bus fairly quickly, and get to BB about 1:30. As I mentioned in one of my earlier trips, this is the first year we have tried the Disney water parks, but we loved them both. First thing, we rode around the park in Castaway Creek (I believe thats the name, or I could have it confused with the one at TL; anyway, whatever BBs lazy river thing is called), and then after several minutes of trying to figure out how to get up to the top of Mount Gushmore, we stand in line for the ski lift to the top (we later found out you can walk up). None of us were brave enough to try the Summit Plummet, so we all rode the Teamboat Springs. This was our favorite ride; similar to the one at TL, but a much longer ride. We rode a few more rides together, and then sent Kent and Whitney off by themselves, while Robin and I go back to rest by our bag.
Three minutes later we hear thunder. Then the announcement, Due to inclement weather, yada, yada, all water rides are closed, yada, yada, etc. So after waiting for the kids to find us, we grab our stuff from the locker and head for the gate along with everyone else. Just as was the case at TL a couple of days ago, upon returning my locker key, I had the choice of either getting $2 back, or a nice large plastic cup. I, along with just about everyone else I saw, opted for the cup. A good deal for us, since those things usually sell for $4 or $5, but an even better deal for Disney, since they make $0 profit on my $2 if I get the cash back. Looks like a win-win.
Anyway, its about 4:30 now, all the water rides are still closed, and everyone is pouring through the exits. Now the rain is starting to come down. My biggest complaint here is that unlike the regular parks, there are no lines at the bus stops here, just covered waiting areas. So instead of a nice orderly line to get on the bus, we get a mob of people standing in no particular order. And to make matters worse, the first bus in came from AK first and is full only 4 or 5 people can squeeze on here. Oh well, I guess well wait for the next one. Now its really pouring, and very dark skies. Next bus was empty, so we were able to get on.
After getting back to the hotel, we all showered and went over to the food court for an early dinner. 6:30 - its still raining. 7:30 its still raining. Everyone is going bonkers in the room now, so we decide to go to Epcot even in the rain. We get to the bus stop and find out Whitney forgot her sweatshirt (it is kind of cool), so we sent her and Kent back to the room. Youd better RUN, we said, because the bus will be here any minute. Sure enough, here it comes. I try to hold the bus, and were just about to give up and tell them to leave, when the kids show up. Just in time.
The rain is starting to let up some now, so maybe we can get some stuff done. Robin shops at the Mouse Gears store, while Kent, Whitney, and I go do the Mexico ride. We also stop in the Coke Ice Station place, so we can try some of the different flavors of Coke I hear so much about on the Disney boards. We have the same sort of thing at the World of Coca-cola back in Atlanta, but its been several years since weve been. The apple flavored one was okay, as was the Mezzo-Mix one. I tried the Beverly and HATED it. Tasted like well, Im not sure exactly what it tasted like, but it was terrible. Neither of the kids would try it.
Next, we caught back up with Robin and stopped at Canada and bought a Beaver Tail. Another first for us, but again, I had read a lot about it. Very good tasted like cinnamon toast. Went out the back of Epcot and walked over to the Fantasia Gardens miniature golf course. My son has been bugging me all week about playing miniature golf, and this looks to be our best shot. Nice course (at least the Fantasy, or Gardens, or whatever they call it side is more about the other side in tomorrows report). Robin wins, as usual. I come in last, also as usual. Catch bus from the Swan/Dolphin back to MGM and then the bus back to POR. I got Robin her nightly pina colada, and Whitney got a thing of Jello. Back to room by about 11:30.
Day six:
The best the Millionaire show at MGM, honorable mention to Teamboat Springs at BB
The worst the rain (what else?)
Norm (me) (39); husband, father, trip planner, scribe and photographer
Robin (39); wife and mother with veto power over trip plans, wants a more relaxed Disney trip this time (Ha!)
Kent (14); teenage son, not interested if its not fast, loud, or scary (preferably all three)
Whitney (13); teenage daughter, into thrill rides like her brother, but will do the others with less complaining (usually)
Setting:
7 days at Port Orleans Riverside, plus 1 offsite at Islands of Adventure (sons favorite, of course). This is our second straight year at POR, and third WDW trip in four years. Due to finding a discounted resort rate back in January, we decide to stay longer than our usual 4 or 5 days to have more time to stop and smell the roses.
Scene 6 Wednesday, June 19 Its raining again
Up with Mickey at 7:00 and check TWC. Looks like rain later need to get an early start. Got the kids up and ate breakfast together for the first time this week. At bus stop by 8:30 so far, so good. Then we had to wait 20 minutes for the MGM bus. So much for our early start. Got to MGM and ran for RnRC. Rode and got FP for later. ToT line already 40 minutes not worth it today. Got a FP for Millionaire as our RnRC FP was still only a few minutes out and then rode The Great Movie Ride while waiting. Again, something I had put on my skip list for this year, but we needed something to kill time with until our FP. Only waited about 10 minutes or so, and it was nice and cool (and dry!) inside. We then went back for our RnRC FP (still love it, even after 4 rides this week) and then checked out The Little Mermaid show but line was 75 minutes. Walked around some, did some shopping, etc. and then went to our Millionaire show (11:40. I believe). I think I had mentioned earlier that we missed this last year, so this was our first visit. We all absolutely loved it. By now the park is starting to get crowded, but the weather is holding up, so we decide to take a shot at Blizzard Beach.
After changing back at the hotel, we catch a bus fairly quickly, and get to BB about 1:30. As I mentioned in one of my earlier trips, this is the first year we have tried the Disney water parks, but we loved them both. First thing, we rode around the park in Castaway Creek (I believe thats the name, or I could have it confused with the one at TL; anyway, whatever BBs lazy river thing is called), and then after several minutes of trying to figure out how to get up to the top of Mount Gushmore, we stand in line for the ski lift to the top (we later found out you can walk up). None of us were brave enough to try the Summit Plummet, so we all rode the Teamboat Springs. This was our favorite ride; similar to the one at TL, but a much longer ride. We rode a few more rides together, and then sent Kent and Whitney off by themselves, while Robin and I go back to rest by our bag.
Three minutes later we hear thunder. Then the announcement, Due to inclement weather, yada, yada, all water rides are closed, yada, yada, etc. So after waiting for the kids to find us, we grab our stuff from the locker and head for the gate along with everyone else. Just as was the case at TL a couple of days ago, upon returning my locker key, I had the choice of either getting $2 back, or a nice large plastic cup. I, along with just about everyone else I saw, opted for the cup. A good deal for us, since those things usually sell for $4 or $5, but an even better deal for Disney, since they make $0 profit on my $2 if I get the cash back. Looks like a win-win.
Anyway, its about 4:30 now, all the water rides are still closed, and everyone is pouring through the exits. Now the rain is starting to come down. My biggest complaint here is that unlike the regular parks, there are no lines at the bus stops here, just covered waiting areas. So instead of a nice orderly line to get on the bus, we get a mob of people standing in no particular order. And to make matters worse, the first bus in came from AK first and is full only 4 or 5 people can squeeze on here. Oh well, I guess well wait for the next one. Now its really pouring, and very dark skies. Next bus was empty, so we were able to get on.
After getting back to the hotel, we all showered and went over to the food court for an early dinner. 6:30 - its still raining. 7:30 its still raining. Everyone is going bonkers in the room now, so we decide to go to Epcot even in the rain. We get to the bus stop and find out Whitney forgot her sweatshirt (it is kind of cool), so we sent her and Kent back to the room. Youd better RUN, we said, because the bus will be here any minute. Sure enough, here it comes. I try to hold the bus, and were just about to give up and tell them to leave, when the kids show up. Just in time.
The rain is starting to let up some now, so maybe we can get some stuff done. Robin shops at the Mouse Gears store, while Kent, Whitney, and I go do the Mexico ride. We also stop in the Coke Ice Station place, so we can try some of the different flavors of Coke I hear so much about on the Disney boards. We have the same sort of thing at the World of Coca-cola back in Atlanta, but its been several years since weve been. The apple flavored one was okay, as was the Mezzo-Mix one. I tried the Beverly and HATED it. Tasted like well, Im not sure exactly what it tasted like, but it was terrible. Neither of the kids would try it.
Next, we caught back up with Robin and stopped at Canada and bought a Beaver Tail. Another first for us, but again, I had read a lot about it. Very good tasted like cinnamon toast. Went out the back of Epcot and walked over to the Fantasia Gardens miniature golf course. My son has been bugging me all week about playing miniature golf, and this looks to be our best shot. Nice course (at least the Fantasy, or Gardens, or whatever they call it side is more about the other side in tomorrows report). Robin wins, as usual. I come in last, also as usual. Catch bus from the Swan/Dolphin back to MGM and then the bus back to POR. I got Robin her nightly pina colada, and Whitney got a thing of Jello. Back to room by about 11:30.
Day six:
The best the Millionaire show at MGM, honorable mention to Teamboat Springs at BB
The worst the rain (what else?)
