A Dis Veteran and NEW Addict's Vacation Jan. 2009

[Nemo32]

Hi all

This will be my second PTR/TR. My first documented my May 2008 trip w/ my DBF, which can be found in my signature if you feel ever so inclined to read it. I first started this particular TR back in Jan. 2009, but never had time to finish it and well, now I am. You can find the PTR for this TR as well as our first 3 days of the trip here : http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2035628

Sorry for the re-routing!

However, I will continue from Day Three HERE.

So, the cast:

Me (Katie): I'm a Dis FANATIC. However, I am not impressed by Disney's latest creations, such as things like HSM...don't flame me! But I am true to the Dis classics and of course, my obsession centers around WDW. I love planning for it, even if it means planning for others. And like the rest of us on the Dis, my dream job would be to plan WDW vacations and spread the magic to others.

DBF (Joe): Joe was introduced as a 24 yr. old to WDW last May. Kinda sad he never experienced the Dis as a youngin'. And prior to our trip he thought I was CRAZY for my obsession and didn't understand all my planning. However, he is a changed man. He LOVES Disney and compares all to its wonders. He isn't as bad as me and didn't see this trip as a NECESSITY...just an option.

Here's a pic of us on the monorail from our May 2008 trip:

So, I promise for LOTS of pictures, esp. with my brand new Nikon Coolpix S550 and an awesome, fun-filled TR! I also promise for easy navigation in my first post.

In the meantime, if you'd like to get to know us better, you can read my previous TR plus re-route to the first 3 days.

 

[Nemo32]

So, we arrived in Epcot by 5:00 and went to Spaceship Earth - we were saving the big rides for our full day at EP.

We then headed over to one of Joe's favorite rides - the Gran Fiesta Tour

Before leaving we stopped to look at the animal figurines being painted - they had such detail!

We then grabbed dinner at the Cantina in the Mexico Pavilion, which was delicious, along with some margaritas (which were a tad overpriced for what you got). It was nice to sit and people watch.

We then headed over to Maelstrom, which double confirmed from our last trip that the Gran Fiesta Tour was way better. From here we traveled through Italy and as we did it slowly got darker and the lights in the trees came on. I was in heaven! I love WS at night - it is sooo beautiful. We stopped in Italy to get some bellinis, which were delicious and refreshing.

We found a spot in France for Illuminations and sat at the iron tables. I was so happy we had a table. We had some time to kill so Joe ran to get us crepes and the cheese plate along with some champagne (glass that glowed included). The crepes were out of this world! So, was the cheese plate, but I much preferred the crepes. Sorry I've no pictures - my camera doesn't do well in the dark.

Illuminations is one of my favorite shows at WDW and I'm sad to hear they'll be changing it. After Illuminations we took our time getting to the buses and arrived back at POP around 10:30.

Next up...DHS! Stay tuned...

 

[Nemo32]

So, we woke up one our DHS day to a chill outside, but we had came equipped with sweaters...hats and even gloves. Not your typical Florida weather! I was also still feeling tired and achy from a flu I had just gotten over before we came to Florida. So, the mornings were a little rough, but as soon as we got going we were excited.

We arrived around 8:30 and the park opened at 9:00. We were able to see the opening show - something I had only heard, but never seen up close.

Something weird happened - I didn't feel rushed like on all my other trips. Sure there were a lot of people but as we neared RnR and TOT, the crowds thinned and no one was running! So, we FP RnR and rode it. Then we headed to ToT and when we got off grabbed a FP for it. Never in my life had I such ease in riding the rides multiple times in one trip!

After this, while heading down Sunset Blvd., we saw some Streetmosphere actors and decided to stop and watch.

This girl is getting schooled by a police officer on how to drive.

And these guys were taking people from the audience and trying them out as actors.

We then headed over to TSM and decided not to FP it since we rode it twice earlier in the trip.

Here is Mr. Potato Head in all his glory.

We rode Star Tours and then grabbed lunch over there. This consisted of the usual chicken nuggets. It was a little less than exciting to not be on the Dining Plan and have every option open to us. But since it was a last minute trip on a budget we opted that sharing some less than stellar food for lunch would be fine.

We then returned for our FPs for RnR and TOT and then browsed some shops down Sunset Blvd. Joe had been hankering to see the Lights, Motors, Actions show so we did.

On the way there we saw the HSM3 parade.

The stunt show was pretty neat and exciting, but I wouldn't see it again. It involved getting there early, waiting a while and even in the January weather we weren't very comfortable being exposed to the sun.

We then rode...yes, you guessed it...RnR and ToT AGAIN. There was only a 10 minute wait, so why not? How often do you get to WDW? Well, twice for us in ONE year!

We arrived back at the resort by 3:00, napped and headed out again to arrive in MK by 5:15. We were bundled up because the weather predicted in the low 50s for the night. We got a lot of the smaller things done and I always love walking around MK at night over during the day. Before we headed out it had started to rain a little, which did clear out the park a little.

Oh, those January crowds!

I also decided that the only place in the world I could wear a crown and get away with it was WDW! So, before doing anything I bought a crown and Joe bought his ears.

Here we are, crown and eared up.

We then headed to Monster's Inc. - something we both never saw and it was pretty funny, but much better suited for kids. We walked on Space Mt., HM and BTMR (which is always better at night!). We ate at Casey's Corner, which was delicious! as some ducks tried to eat our food. You may not know this, but I am deathly afraid of any bird - so as I freaked out, onlookers just laughed.

BTW - in case you didn't know - it was FREEZING. I could see my breath! But I was glad to be in Orlando, because at the time a cold front was hitting the US and New York was below 20 degrees! So, upper 40s felt like a nice day at the beach compared. The poor Floridians had never experienced such a thing, though!

Anyway, for Wishes we watched from the middle of the hub as we munched on some popcorn (I can smell it now).

Here's a shot of the castle right before.

Watching Wishes with Joe was truly magical and something I thought I'd never get to do, let alone twice!

Next time...finally AK! MY favorite park!