A Disney Engineer, my DH and flat Minnie are sitting in ... Disney Mom's Panel or not

[DisneyRunner2009]

The story begins about two weeks before our vacation. My DH, who works in manufacturing, gets a call out of the blue from a Disney engineer (the Disney engineer will now be referred to as DE). The DE is looking for a replacement part for the cars at the MK Speedway. My DH mentions, that he will be down there in two weeks. The two could meet up and my DH could look at the part. How exciting is this! My DH will get to go behind the scenes at MK. As a family, we all are . After calling back and forth, they set up a time to meet, Monday at 8:30am. My DH tells the DE, he will be the one that looks like a geeky tourist with a black folder.
Now the two weeks has come, and it is time to leave for the airport. Here is a shot of the car clock.

If I recall, I did not get much sleep after 1:30am. I laid in bed until 3:30am, when the alarm went off. I got DD#2, Callie, up at 4:00am. The goal was to leave by 4:30am. Our DD#1, Deesa, was already at the airport in Minneapolis. She would be meeting us at MCO. Her flight departed at 5:25am.
Lets meet this cast of characters shall we. Here is a picture of DH and I on the flight.

Here is a picture of the girls on the teacups at MK. Deesa took it, while the ride was in motion. She likes to make crazy faces in most pictures.

And the last character joining our adventure, is flat Minnie. Here she is waiting, to board the flight, on one of those lovely airport chairs.

She flew free, as she was stuffed in my carry-on. I also decided to laminate flat Minnie, the day before we left. This proved to be a good idea later on in the trip. If she appears shiny in any of the picture, this is the reason why.

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

I'm in!!

Flat Minnie just gave me an idea...laminate a picture of DD and take it with so she can be in some of our pictures in Disney! She will be at home dog sitting and going to work every day. Is that mean?

Barb

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I left off with flat Minnie waiting to board the flight at the airport. Everyone is on board the flight, when Callie asks about the plane next to ours. Here is a picture of the mystery plane.

We couldn't figure out if the Green Bay Packers played Atlanta that evening, or if by chance another flight got to fly on the Falcons plane.

Minnie making an appearance during the flight.
The flight was uneventful, which is a good thing, and we arrived early. Here is flat Minnie watching the luggage, while everyone makes the bathroom stop after the flight.

Deesa sent a text, that she would also be arriving early. Then, I receieved a text stating that she had a 30 minute delay sitting on the runway in Atlanta. That's okay she managed to still arrive as scheduled. I decided it would be easiest to meet by the ME counter. Here, Minnie is waiting for Deesa.

While waiting, it was interesting to see the ebb and flow of traffic at the ME counter. With everyone together, we made our way through the queue and walked right on to this waiting bus.

It seems our party never gets the regular ME bus. It's always a cruise line bus. The transport karma was good so far (I'm big into karma). The next photo that everyone posts is the arch entering Disney property. I have to get the shot to post here. I'm lining up the photo op and ..... I miss it. So, no entering the property photo here. The bus driver announces the order of drop off, CBR, POP and AKL. Not to bad, we are

.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Upon being dropped off, I proceeded to the regular check-in line. I prefer to talk to someone about my room location. I requested building three or six, lakeview, upper floor. Requests are not guaranteed, I understand that. The room was ready and the CM told me we were located in the 90's building. She told me it was close to the dining hall across the parking lot. As we had previously stayed in that section, I was not a fan of walking across the parking lot. I asked if there was something else available. She stated the resort was at capacity, with 700 groups checking in. She mentioned I requested an upper floor. Which I did. After looking, she was able to give me a room in a 70's building. I met back up with my family and Callie said, "please tell me we aren't in the 90's building." I said, "we were but now we are in the 70's section." It was building number six, third floor, lakeside. This location was perfect, near the elevator and you could see the main building from the stairwell. After being home, I read my packet and saw we were originally assigned room 9259. That room was located in an 80's building on the second floor. Which is an upper floor, but not the fourth floor, which is the impression I got from the CM.
After putting our things in the room, it was around 1:30pm and time for lunch. First order of business, picking out your refillable mug color. The kids noticed, while I was checking in, the color of the mugs others had. They scoped out the food court during this time to see what colors were available. When pictures of the mugs first became available, Callie dibsed the pink one. I was glad to hear they were also orange, green and purple ones floating around. Bryan, Deesa and Callie purchased theirs, but the supply was running low and the purple and orange were missing. I waited, in hopes that they would be restocking and other colors would show up. Since, we were on the QSDP my meal comes with a drink so, there was no hurry in grabbing a mug. During our meal, I deceided to get up and see if anything new had appeared. And sure enough the display was full and I could choose orange or purple. I walked over to the table to ask for second opinions. I ended up with the orange, as I thought the purple was too subtle and didn't pop like the others. Here is a picture of our mugs.

As the week went on and traveling to other resorts, I never saw the availability of orange, green or purple again. I was very excited with our mug colors. Nobody had to double up. What did we have for lunch? You will have to tune in tomorrow to find out.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

The story left off at lunch time. Looking at my receipt, I kept them so I could track the use of free dining, we had four burritos, tie dye cheesecake, worms in dirt and this cupcake.

The meal cost, with unmentioned drinks and three refillable mugs, $107.20. So far, free dining is working out well.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

After walking around the resort, looking at turtles and fish, and some pool time it was time to eat again. For dinner, we had two of these.

It's the Mom's meatloaf tv dinner. Also, a fish of the day (salmon), more worms in dirt and tie dye cheesecake. Oh, I tried this.

I know people like these treats, but it wasn't for me. This meal cost $47.80. Dinner was finished around 7:30pm and we decided to call it a night. We had been up for quite some time and had big plans for tomorrow, MK.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Flat Minnie just gave me an idea...laminate a picture of DD and take it with so she can be in some of our pictures in Disney! She will be at home dog sitting and going to work every day. Is that mean?

Barb

I don't think it's mean. It makes her part of your vacation.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I forgot to mention, we were discussing the refillable mugs during dinner. What's your opinion? My DD#1 came back to the table and mentioned, she saw someone refilling a foam Chick-fil-a cup at the soda fountain. When we went to pick up the rental car later in the week, I noticed signage outside one of the conference rooms for Chick-fil-a at the Dolphin.

 

[justakrazymom]

We must have been very close.. we were in 70's by the lake 4th floor.. what were your dates?

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

After going to bed early, I only got four hours of sleep. I must have been too excited to sleep. The plan was to be at the MK bus stop by 8am. Past experience has proven, getting to the bus stop one hour before park opening, the line to board is usually short. Not this time. The queue was full with five scooters waiting to load. There were a number of MK buses in the distance, so that was a good thing. Another bus pulled up along side the bus loading scooters, and off that bus went. It took two buses before we were off to the park. We arrived before rope drop and always go to the right side entrance. We were very close to the underpass, the crowds were not as bad as the bus would lead you to believe. The plan was the kids would go to Space Mountain, ride and get FPs, while Bryan and I would ride Astro Orbitor. DH likes that ride, the line gets long during the day, and the kids could pass on it. So, I rode. Here is a picture DH took while the ride started.

We got off the ride and Stitch was out with a next to nothing line. So, I met Stitch.

We met up with the kids and they hopped in line to meet Stitch, also.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

We must have been very close.. we were in 70's by the lake 4th floor.. what were your dates?

We were there 8/19-8/27. On August 27, we were the only ones in line for the MK bus and on the bus. It was about a hour before park opening. The crowds must have been on a rapid decline. It was nuts for ME that afternoon. More on that later. Thanks for looking at my TR. I've been following yours.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I left off with the kids meeting Stitch. Now looking at their picture, I see it was wear black day. I did not get the memo. We continued toward the back of the park to Fantasyland. There was no line for the teacups, so we were in. I don't like any additional spin on this type of ride so my DH rode with me. The girls rode together. I'm sure they were turning that wheel to no end. Here are the pictures Deesa snapped with our camera.

And this one.

And my favorite. She is really good with the 'take your own picture'.

The journey continued with a stop at Pooh. I wanted to see the new queue area. A picture.

I give the queue a . I'm sure it keeps the little ones very busy waiting for their turn. No one could resist trying out the touch screen honey, even the adults. The picture I took of this, did not turn out well. With the rumor of taking out Snow White, due to the FLE, I wanted to ride. As a family, we have been going to WDW since 2005. I have never been on this ride, because I read it could be scary for young childern. After riding, I can see why. Deesa even said, "Caliie as an eight year old would have been scared." Peter Pan was up and hopped in line without looking at the stand by time. I think Deesa pointed it out as we went by. It was 25 minutes or something like that (longer than we would otherwise choose). This caused a discussion, should we get out of line? We stayed in line. It turned out to be about a 10-15 minute wait. Not too bad. As we walked through the queue, it was being expanded by a CM. Deesa wanted to go on the five minute wait, It's a Small World, next. So be it. After a restroom break, Haunted Mansion was the target. The opportunity was to go through the graveyard or straight to the ride entrance. Again, I wanted to see the new interactive queue. We touched everything and saw the man in the tub spray water. Deesa has always wanted to ride HM with Callie. Last year was not her year, but this year was. While in the elevator room, there was a young girl who was pleading, very politely to let her out. "Please sir let me out. Sir, Sir let me out." Her mother was working very hard to container her. I had a to do list for this vacation. It was a must do and I had to accomplish it here, at this park. It's tied in with the QSDP. What could it be??

 

[justakrazymom]

We were there 8/19-8/27. On August 27, we were the only ones in line for the MK bus and on the bus. It was about a hour before park opening. The crowds must have been on a rapid decline. It was nuts for ME that afternoon. More on that later. Thanks for looking at my TR. I've been following yours.

Yep... def there the same time 8/18-8/29 August 27th we were in Epcot..wonder if we were ever in the same parks at the same time!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Yep... def there the same time 8/18-8/29 August 27th we were in Epcot..wonder if we were ever in the same parks at the same time!

My family went to two parks. MK on Saturday and EPCOT on Tuesday. Then we attempted Typhoon Lagoon on Thursday.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

The time was around 11am, time for something to eat. Breakfast consisted of Clif bars or Emerald nut packs, I brought from home. The mystery... I used a snack credit to buy a funnel cake, at Sleepy Hollow! A funnel cake is not a snack option at the other parks, but here it is. Thanks Dis. In my forty something years, I have never had one. I ordered one powder sugar and one cinnamon sugar. I wanted the powdered sugar, I thought the girls were going to share the cinnamon sugar, but no. So, DH and I split the cinnamon. It tasted fine. It was more of a powdered cinnamon sugar. I asked for four glasses of water and the CM asked, "Are you going to pay cash for these?" I replied, "Yes." Fans were going inside the snack bar, I commented, "At least it's cool in there." I wanted everyone to stay hydrated, it was hot out. In the past, DD#1 had issues with dehydration, which put her out of commission. The cost would have been, $9.14, without the free QSDP.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I'm not sure what we did after our snack at Sleepy Hollow?? There was a little shopping at the Christmas store and the pin store in Frontierland. Now I remember, we went to see County Bear Jamboree. In all the years I've gone to MK, I have never seen this show. It was okay. Deesa was pleased to be sitting in A/C rather than standing in a hot queue. She told me this. Then we made our way to the back of the park to get FPs for BTMRR. I really don't have many pictures during this time. I'll move on to lunch, as I do have pictures. Deesa wanted to eat at

She ate here last year and wanted us to try it. Which was fine, as I read good things about it. Our FD amounted to $60.48. It was for: nugget w/fries, chicken/fish w/fries, fish w/fries, shrimp platter, four cokes and four apple crisps. Who is that in the napkin holder?

Why, it's flat Minnie making an appearance! After lunch, we headed back to Adventureland. During this time we toured the Swiss Family Treehouse

and rode

There was a lot of this

on our way to the TTA. DH, DD#1 and DD#2 love this ride. I can take it or leave it.

Flat Minnie enjoying her ride on the TTA. As we get off, it starts to rain.

And rain some more. As we stand under the TTA, with all the strollers and others trying to stay dry. This shower had to last at least a hour. As the rain lets up, we try to make our way, still under the TTA to ride SM with our FPs. After riding SM and the rain stopping, we make our way to the shops on Main Street. The goal is to leave the park and head to

DH now wants to ride the train around. As the train proceeds past the riverboat area, I remember DH and DD#2 want to go to Tom Sawyer Island. Time is running out, as it is near 5:30. The Island closes at 7:00. Now we have decided to ride the train around again, to Frontierland.

Minnie on the train. What do you do on Tom Sawyer Island? It gets exciting!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

The journey begins in the summer of 2008, when we were at Disney with my sister and her family. All of us are making our way to Tom Sawyer Island for the first raft over. Once we get to the other side, everyone on the raft scatters, including us. What is everyone doing? Looking for a paintbrush, of course. People are trying to move props that are fastened down. My sister is lost in a cave. Others are shooting off the rifles. I am trying to locate the paintbrush to no avail. As a group, we decided there aren't any hidden. It starts to drizzle. We head back to the mainland on the raft. My sister asks about the paint brushes and gets the impression today is not the day to find one. The rumor is, for those who don't know, find a paint brush left by Tom and you get a FP for BTMRR or Splash for your entire party. We did everything you were suppose to, arrive at opening. Now, my family is making our way to a raft, scrapping the Captain Cooks idea. DD#1 is not happy at this point, she wants to take a break, sit and eat. The rest of us are there to explore the caves and of course, shoot the rifles. Deesa lost us and ended up talking to her BF on the phone. I've always heard the paint brush can be in plain sight, down by the fence. I make my way across the barrel bridge. There is a small bump out off the main path. I decide, I'll walk this extra mile. Sure enough, I look down, lo and behold there is a paint brush.

Right there, between the sack and the barrel. Now, what do I do??

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I lift the paint brush straight up over my head and shout, "Bryan." I was super excited. I ask him to take a picture of me painting the fence.

The paint brush. It appears red here, but it was orange. Other people mention a story written on the brush, mine had nothing. I walked all over the island holding the brush in my hand. There was a CM over by the rifle roost, but I thought, "I'll wait to mention anything." I would have liked to put that paint brush in my back pack and bring it home to show my sister and her family. I'm all about karma, so maybe that was not a good idea. Then, there would be one less paint brush for others to find and share in the excitement. We see DD#1, by the dock, we are done and heading back over. Now my debate is, when should I say something to the raft driver. As I'm walking on?? During the ride back?? Meanwhile, there is a Minnie doll floating in the water. Everyone is watching the doll, when the driver mentions, "She's been there all day." I arrive back at the dock, let most people off the raft, before I say to the CM, "I have this." He says, "We will take care of that over this way, in just a minute." We move in the direction he motioned, while he finishes up. After he is done, we follow him to the office. He asks, "How many in your party?" I say, "Four." Now I'm trying to get my families attention, and ask them, "Do we want FPs for Splash or BTMRR?" Well it didn't really matter, as we received FPs for both! The FPs had times on them from earlier in the day. The CMs must collect them and then turn them in to the office. That's fine, they will still work for us. There is a lesson here. For those who wonder, if using FPs from earlier in the day will still work? The answer is heck ya. The CMs themselves are giving them out. Lets eat!

 

[KELLY]

Great trip report so far. We just got back from pop also. Our dates wre 8/26 to 9/5. We booked bounceback at pop for 14 nights for next year but I'm thinking of calling and switching to the ASMO instead. It has been a long while since we last stayed there.

Love your pics with Stitch. My older dd got choose to play guitar hero with him at the MK. She loved it.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Kelly thanks for reading! My DH liked the option of mor pools at the AllStar resorts. We booked the bounceback for ASMu. We will probably change it, as the time frame interfers with my DD high school athletics. An update is coming soon!!