A Dis Veteran and New Addict's WDW Vacation Jan .2009

[jjohnson]

We'll one of use HAS to go in 2010 so I can get my pin

 

[Nemo32]

We'll one of use HAS to go in 2010 so I can get my pin

That's incentive.

 

[Nemo32]

So, today was our DHS day. We woke at 7:15am and arrived at the park by 8:15am. While waiting in the nearly non-existent line at the turnstiles we had the pleasure of watching some Marathon runners go by.

When the park did open we were directed to the left to avoid the designated lanes for the Marathon runners. We had to wait for the go ahead to cross over to the right. To my surprise, as we power walked down Sunset Blvd. I realized there was no one else walking with us. In all of my trips at WDW, this was a first. Instead everyone else was power walking to TSM. *Note - there was no opening ceremony. Most likely due to the Marathon runners.

So, we were the first on RnR and picked up some FPs also.

This is us on RnR.

We then headed over to ToT and the CMs must've been having some fun because the Stand-by wait was 13 minutes. We walked right on.

We're in the front, lower left.

After this we waited for our FP window to open (only 10 minutes) and got a FP for ToT. We didn't use either FPs because I knew they'd honor them all day. So, we headed over to TSM and I was hoping that going against every WDW guidebook to hit this one first wouldn't hurt us right now.

But luckily, the wait was only 30 minutes! Nothing compared to what I hear it has been. And the queue line is worth the wait.

We got through the line in 20 minutes and it was SO MUCH FUN. Joe and I were laughing the whole time. It's a very interactive attraction and Buzz Light Year doesn't compare.

So, we got a FP.

After this we walked through One Man's Dream...which requires a lot of time, but was really neat. So, if ever given the time - do it!

We then went on the GMR, which is always fun and I forgot to get a picture of the Chinese Theater. We then went to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and got a decent seat for getting there 10 minutes before show time. I tried to get Joe to volunteer but he was too shy. Nonetheless, he thoroughly enjoyed it.

We then returned to RnR and ToT for our FPs. After this we decided not to go back to TSM since it was late and gave them away to a mom and her daughter.

We had a 2:00pm reservation at Chefs de France, so we caught a bus to Epcot. We arrived there around 1:00pm.

We explored the UK and Canada.

And we arrived in France.

We were still early so we sat outside of Chefs and were able to see the two guys that come out with the chairs, I forget their name.

At 1:45pm we checked in for our reservation and sat down on the benches outside of Chefs. And up until this moment my fears of getting sick were slightly going away, but then the possibility reared its head. Beneath the bench across from us was a lovely and quite gratuitous amount of vomit. I shot up and said, "Joe, we're moving far away right now." It took the CMs there a good 15 minutes to clean it up and then we were called in for our reservation.

Once inside, I calmed and we ate a lovely meal of French onion soup, beef tenderloin and chocolate mousse cake. After our meal I went to the bathroom to wash up. There it was again. I overheard a woman say the world virus and I asked her about it. She told me how it was spreading around POR and that her family was "a little sick," but she didn't think they had it. WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE PARK SICK SPREADING YOUR GERMS?! Anyway, I jetted on out of there and tried to put it out of my head.

Up next...a spontaneous adventure to DTD...

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Did your bench view affect your ability to enjoy your meal?

15 minutes to clean it up. I'd say that's another crack.

It's probably not the people who profess they are a bit ill but the silent ones that are deadlier. They'd be too ill to make small talk.

 

[Nemo32]

Did your bench view affect your ability to enjoy your meal?

15 minutes to clean it up. I'd say that's another crack.

It's probably not the people who profess they are a bit ill but the silent ones that are deadlier. They'd be too ill to make small talk.

We enjoyed our meal to the full extent. I feel as though your last comment was a proverb, lol.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Yoo Hoo!

Nemo-where are you?

Don't tell me you got sick again?

Tomorrow will be a week since you're last installement and since you are usually the first one to remind me I'm taking so long I thought I would return the favor.

 

[Nemo32]

EEEKKK...it has been a week! And you yourself has had 3 installments. I PROMISE I'll catch up and post tomorrow!

I've been super busy.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

EEEKKK...it has been a week! And you yourself has had 3 installments. I PROMISE I'll catch up and post tomorrow!

I've been super busy.

Where as I have been procratinating real life.

Oh well, Duty calls. Must leave the computer and interact with live people.

 

[jjohnson]

It looks like Disney waited until you left you redecorate:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2044659&page=13

 

[Nemo32]

It looks like Disney waited until you left you redecorate:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2044659&page=13

I got to see the napkins and T-shirts, oh well.

I promise an update late tonight!

 

[Nemo32]

Sorry for the long delay.

We woke up from a very long nap to board the bus to DTD around 8:00pm. We arrived by 8:15ish. I hadn't planned to make a trip to DTD, since I opted for our 1st night to be spent at MK. So, it was very exciting to get a chance to go, esp. since Joe had never been.

On the topic of a lot of extra time - it was a trend throughout the trip that we found we had more time than we thought we would. There was free time everywhere! Which is the most amazing thing at WDW - we actually "strolled" through the parks!

Anyway...so we arrived at DTD.

I really only wanted to visit the Marketplace, but as the night went on, we ended making it all the way through DTD.

Our first priority was dinner and I had heard so many good things about Earl of Sandwich, so I though why not. BIG MISTAKE. We got some ranch, chicken thing and it was drenched in dressing and mayo and we couldn't make it through the whole thing. Oh well.

So, we shopped around DTD, including stopping in Goofy's Candy Co. and the World of Disney.

Some photos:

And of course, my fav. part of DTD - the Lego Store. I was really excited to show Joe the oversized Legos. He was truly amazed.

After this, we ventured to the West Side and what was Pleasure Island. It was weird seeing all the doors to the clubs closed down and we heard lots of people talking about it.

We stopped in the Magic Store and watched a few tricks. We have a friend who is a magician who performed in Vegas. Joe was amazed and said he felt slighyly out of WDW when he saw the movie store and Virgin Record Store - but that didn't stop him from going in. Whenever we pass a music store, Joe feels the need to go in and check up on their Beach Boys collection - just in case he's missing something from his anthology.

Anywho, after our DTD adventures we boarded a bus back to POP and got back around 11:30pm.

Another WDW day down. But at the time, it did seem like we had a lifetime left...oh, how the days at Disney fly.

Next up...MK! and the crane...

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Sorry you didn't enjoy Earls. It's hard when you hear great things about a place on the dis and then get disapointed.

Maybe you had more time as you were more relaxed this trip. Last time you wanted your DBF to see and experience everything (you know to covert him over to the dark side aka us Disney lovers) and this time you were preaching to the converted?

 

[Nemo32]

Sorry you didn't enjoy Earls. It's hard when you hear great things about a place on the dis and then get disapointed.

Maybe you had more time as you were more relaxed this trip. Last time you wanted your DBF to see and experience everything (you know to covert him over to the dark side aka us Disney lovers) and this time you were preaching to the converted?

Yeah, we did quite a bit, including everything we did last time, but this time there was no hurry to get it done. The whole time Joe thought that since he had been once he knew EVERYTHING. He kept trying to tell me what to do and where to go next. I kept saying, "Leave it to the expert." He always feels the need to get everything done and then some, whereas I took a more laid back approach - something I've always wanted to do in WDW.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I notice your green light is on which means you are online.

Are you updating or just surfing?

 

[Nemo32]

I was surfing...

I promise an update later tonight...I've been super busy.

 

[jelloarms]

Question about the picture of your and your boyfriend's feet. Are your guys's pan'ts wet? Did you stand in a fountain or something? Or is it just the lighting that makes it look that way?

 

[Nemo32]

I believe it is the lighting - there waas no standing in fountains to be had.





I should probably finish this TR.

 

[Nemo32]

I really need to update, huh? Well, hopefully some readers have stuck around to hear the rest of my TR. I'm finally done with school and have some extra time to finish up...

So, I left off with our day at MK. In true obsessed planner Dis fashion, we showed up to the park 45 minutes early and were first at the rope. We had conversation with a girl who had just started her College Program at WDW - she didn't seem too happy to be there though.

Some pictures. My favorite park is opening is the one at MK, with AK a close second.

When we the rope dropped we didn't feel the need to run down Main St. in an attempt to reach Space Mt. in time - there really weren't many people in the park. So, we walked leisurely.

We then went on Buzz, which was a first for both of us. It was fun, but doesn't compare to TSM.

We then rode our favorite kiddie rides - Peter Pan, Snow White, Phillhar and IASW. None had a wait.

I love the Cinderella fountain.

We then went to have lunch at Pecos Bill's - which has really good pulled pork.

Afterward, on the way to BTMR we saw a dried up Splash.

And just so you can see the January crowds...

On the way back to Space Mt. for our fastpass we rode POtC also.

As we left the park, we saw the marching band play - which I've never seen. Ah, it's all of those Dis touches that make it so special!

And we took the arbitrary pictures with Roy and Goofy -

We left the park around 1:00 and had done everything we had wanted to that day. The weather had been awesome - around 60s and the crowds were near non-existent. It made for a very enjoyable, leisurely day and for the first time I didn't feel rushed at a park. That's the best way to experience WDW.

Next up...Epcot at night!

 

[CW4DW]

Glad you are back and finishing up the report. Can't wait for more!