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

[DisneyRunner2009]

While on It's a Small World earlier in the day, Deesa mentioned eating at the restaurant that over looks this ride. I asked what they serve.

Well, as we walk up to the place, after Tom Sawyer Island, there is a menu outside. We look at it and decide to go in. I had the mediteranean salad. The others had the chicken orzo pasta. For dessert, one strawberry cheesecake, two chocolate gelato and one mango gelato. The gelato was not shown outside and Deesa has been talking about how good gelato is. So, we'll give it a try. Our table was near the Small World entrance and over looked the ride. We watched the boats go by as we ate. We saw the wheelchair boat and an empty boat was sent every once in a while. We didn't know why? The cost of the meal was $62.71. But for me, thanks to FD, $0. After I ran out a snapped some pictures of the new FLE, we left.

The path we took was through the castle. We stopped and snapped pictures like these.

Walking down Main Street, we ended up here. Where a CM was taking pictures for another family. So we asked, too.

I then disappeared. I don't know where I went. I do remeber Callie was with me. She said, "Deesa and Dad are taking pictures from the train station.

The time must have been around 7:30.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

It has to be coming up on 8pm. I don't know if we stopped near Crystal Palace to take more pictures or was that earlier in the day? However, we are making our way to Frontierland, to use all the FPs for Splash and BTMRR. I thought maybe I'll go on Splash, since I got those FPs from TSI, only if I can sit in row three or four. I don't want to get soaked. That's not going to work out well, as there are three of us. This would create a single rider situation. So, I passed. The girls rode while, DH and I waited. Next up, BTMRR. Again, I don't know if I made it on this round of this ride. There was a point where I was in line and I had to get out of line NOW! Everybody else rode three times, while I rode twice. The girls rode Splash, I believe, three times. One time, they wanted DH and I to watch for them. At this point it is dark, but I'm giving it a try. I did spot them as they came around the corner, after the drop. DH and I were waiting for the evening parade, the girls met us. All of us, watched some of the parade. Some point in here I tried getting another FP for BTMRR. Only one pass came out. So, I asked the CM. He gave me a pass that worked for three people. The reason for no more FPs, was attributed to them running out for the day. It was decided early on that we would skip Wishes. Last year, we were in Frontierland when the fireworks were going on and it was dead. I would recommend wathing them, in this location. Of course, they are not panoramic and you don't see Tink, but they are as good as any local show. Eventually, we end up on Main Street looking at shops. I'm trying to pin trade, too. Pin trading seems to be fast and furious at this point, with all the adult traders out. I did end up with a few good ones. I just missed out on one, to the couple in front of me. Oh, well. It was now, after park close. I thought the crowds were suppose to be lighter?

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I always read, if you stroll the shops after park close the lines at the buses would be shorter. We took our time exiting MK, after park close. CMs were directing people to the ferry, I believe. As I came upon the side B queue, I encoutered a line. I asked, "What line is this?" It was a line for the TTC. Fine, that's not my line. POP is the last stop on side B. There was a refurbishment going on at one of the stops, so we had to walk past this as we waited in the POP bus line. There were transport guys directing the crowd. Look for the bus crowd picture in this TR, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2790314&page=4, post #57. Thanks to justacrazymom for the photo. That's what our bus line looked like. Buses were stacked again to load people. It took us six buses before we got on. I went to bed about 1:30am. What did we do the next day? At this point, I don't even remember!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Looking back at my journal, I see Bryan went running in the morning. I was probably in the food court, shopping, pin trading and wondering the resort taking pictures. Like this one.

When I met back up with DH, the two of us decided to go to Port Orleans. We would meet the kids for dinner at

To get to PO, we had to go to a park and transfer to the PO bus. DH and I hopped in the EPCOT queue. I don't know how we ended up in this queue, but we had a coach type bus take us there. Perhaps the line was short?? Upon arrival, we searched out the PO bus stops. After a number of buses going by, one finally stopped. It was a woman bus driver and she asked, "Are you going to Riverside?" I said, "Sure." We actually wanted to go to FQ, but that's ok. We like both resorts and don't mind walking. Here is a picture of DH and flat Minnie enjoying the ride to PO. We were the only ones on the bus.

The bus driver told us she had been hit in the leg by a scooter and how it hurt. As we pulled into POR, she asked, "Are you going to DTD?" I said, "No." She dropped us off under the porte cochere. That word is fun to say, porte cochere. It sounds so fancy. It's the porch roof projeting over a driveway entrance. We checked out the food court at POR. They didn't have what we were interested in, so we headed over to the food court at POFQ. Bryan was looking for the yogurt parfait. None were to be found, so he got basic yogurt. I ordered, biscuits and gravy. The cost was $6.05. Don't forget, we have FD. I had an Emerald nut breakfast to go pack with me. I offered it to Bryan, so he could mix it in his yogurt. I think he ate some, but I know he didn't mix it into the yogurt. He also, ate the remnants of my biscuits and gravy. Now, it was off to walk around the resorts.

Why, it's flat Minnie waiting at POFQ.
After our tour, we boarded the boat to DTD. This is one of my DH favorite things to do at PO.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

DH and I arrive at the dock, disembark and I get a phone call. It's DD#1 who says she just saw us. I'm not very good with my phone. I usually don't have it turned on and get yelled at. "Why do you have a phone,if it's not on and you don't use it." I use it for emergencies only. Bryan and I are heading to WPE for lunch. The kids have already eaten at EOS. Their meal cost $21.24. They will meet us at WPE. It has been decided, DH and I will share a bbq pizza and creme brulee. The pizzas at WPE are as big as a dinner plate, plenty for us to share. Especially, when you add dessert. The cost $23.28. All of us chat outside, but the kids want to get going to CSR. They've done everything at DTD. DH and I will meet them at CSR, after we do a little looking at the shops. Earlier in the day, the girls stopped at the Candy Cauldron for a cake pop. One snack credit used, at a savings of $3.85. Done looking, we head to the bus stop for CSR. A CSR bus is exiting the loop, as we are walking up. Now, lets play the waiting game. Let's see how many buses for the same resort stop, before even one comes for yours. It wasn't to bad, but I forgot about stopping at Pleasure Island. And of course, there is the bus driver exchange, too. And the stop at Typhoon Lagoon. How soon will we be to our destination? A person, could take a nap. We did make it to CSR, along with flat Minnie. Minnie arriving at CSR.

Minnie playing in th trees and brush.

Now, to find the girls. I send a text, but don't receive a quick reply. So, DH and I make our way to the main pool (after looking in the gift shop). The kids don't seem to be there. We searched all of the areas around the main pool. Some how, we spot the girls walking across the deck. All of us sit down and watch the pool activities going on. A lot of the resorts, are now doing these activities. Including, an evening movie by the pool. I first learned of this, a few years ago when I stayed at ASMu. After watching a few children getting water balloons popped over their head, we decide to move along and eat.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Pepper Market is one of my DH favorite CS restaurants. He wanted to eat here multiply times this trip. Dinner consisted of: a cranberry juice, three milk (the chocolate milk was white with chocolate syrup, it wasn't well mixed), four desserts (most were the oreo chocolate cake thing), two nachos, a mozzarella chicken sandwich and a steak burrito. This time, Pepper Market did not live up to our expectations. I'm sure we will give it another try, next vacation. The cost, $72.95. The receipt shows I have 42 QSDP credits left. Deesa was going on about gelato, again. Rix Cafe had some. Deesa used a $3.19 snack credit, toward a single scoop of coffee gelato. We still have 57 snacks. All of us stepped outside, while Deesa ate. Then another stop in the shop, before heading to the bus. CSR is a quick hop to DHS, so that is the bus we were waiting for. Someone had drawn comments on the ground with sidewalk chalk. The comments were in regards to bus queues. I hope a CM did this, but I cannot be sure, as I did not witness anyone writing. Off to DHS to catch a bus back to POP. The bus karma was pretty good.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Here is the day we've been waiting for, my DH meets with the Disney engineer (DE). To recap, Bryan got a phone call from a Disney engineer at work. He said we would be down at WDW in a few weeks. The two decided to meet. DH is dressed for work. He would like to go get a yogurt parfait. He eats yogurt and fruit every morning for breakfast, at home. It's a work day, why change. The cashier couldn't find the yogurt parfait on the register, so the snack credit of yogurt, was charged at $2.12. Every morning at 8am, I've heard join our CMs for the twist.

If you are part of the group, the CMs hand you a button that references you doing the twist with them.
The phone is on waiting for the DE to call. Done eating and waiting in the lobby, a call comes in. The DE will be here in 15 minutes. Originally, my DH was going to go to MK to look at the part cheer2: DH gets to go behind the scenes at MK), but now the two will just meet at POP. After some keen observation and Test Track being sponsored by GM, we know a GM car will be picking up my DH. My DH was told to look for a Disney Engineering car. What does that look like? There is a Disney car, at the stop sign with a triangle on it, that must be the car.

DH driving off with the DE.

Meanwhile, I'm outside, acting like a tourist taking pictures, like these.

After a few more pictures, I decide to head back to the room. DH arrives shortly there after. The meeting was pretty uneventful and we move on with our day. Where will that be? Oh ya, I remember.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I'm sure we got in a line for the MK bus. Our goal was to get to the Poly. We like to eat at

I'm sure we took the boat over to Poly from MK. Bryan likes to ride as many different transport options as possible. First stop would be the GF. We got off and made our way to the shop, upstairs, near the monorail stop. After shopping, we hit the monorail and got off at the Poly. Lunch consisted of two adult grilled cheese with fries, two aloha pork sandwiches with fries, three Nesquik milk, a vitamin water and four Dole whips for dessert. The Dole whips for dessert are the reason we eat a meal there. No snack credit usage for those. The total, $58.40.

Flat Minnie with a Dole whip.
Flat Minnie playing outside.

The Dole whips make us cold, so we always move outside to eat them.
DD#1 making another silly face in her picture. Now her sister is doing it, too.

Just before this, Deesa made a rule for every picture taken of flat Minnie, a picture of someone else needs to be taken. As the vacation went on, this rule really didn't hold up.

Heading back to MK, via boat, to catch as bus, back to POP. What will we do next??

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Has anybody been to MNSSHP recently? Are you able to get in a 4:00pm, like previous years, or has this policy changed?

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

WASH! Wash is what you do next, of course. You silly animal. Everybody changed into their pool attire and headed down to the computer pool. Nothing like multi tasking, pool time and laundry. We believe this pool should be less crowded, than the Hippy pool. Notice I said, "Should." Well it wasn't wall to wall people, but it wasn't one or two. The girls played in the pool, while my DH walked to the concierge to get a roll of quarters. In the past, I brought my own quarters, but why, with a change machine right there. The change machine had an out of order sign on it. Wash is going, as the clouds start to move in. An unexpected cleaning has closed the pool. With DD#2 being on swim team and having been in lessons, I am very fimiliar with the net on the long handle. The kids go to the room to change, since the pool has closed and the weather has changed. DH and I are waiting for the dryers to finish up. I check the clothes and they are 'hot'. I decide to take them out of the dryer and head up to the room. Wouldn't you know, the rain starts to fall. So, we wait it out. Then we make a plan to move from one spot to the next. Now, we are in a holding pattern. The rain has lightened up, so we make the move from one building to the next and so on.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Back in the room, it's after 5pm. We are sorting the freshly laundered clothes. Finished with this job, we head to the food court to eat dinner. Let's see what's on the menu for this evening. Dinner consists of three chicken flatbread pizzas, a beef n blue sandwich, two sundaes, a Mickey ice cream bar, a tie dye cheesecake, two types of juice, a vitamin water and a Nesquik chocolate milk. I always tried to take a juice for my drink option, while DD#2 always took Nesquik. The meal came to, roughly, $64.69. Some members of the family don't always remember the change amount. I'm tracking my FD, to reiterate. Tomorrow is EPCOT, so we stayed at the resort for the rest of the evening.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Everyone is up. The plan, be to the EPCOT bus queue by 8am. Mission accomplished.

The lines for the buses, were not as long as the Saturday before. Arriving safely at EPCOT, we are amongst the first 100 people, give or take. We pick a scanner line and wait about 40 minutes. After entering the park, we are in another holding pattern. While standing here, my DH and I hear about a couple's experience with the previous room guest stealing the comforter off the bed at POFQ. I spot another couple wearing Green Bay Packer Superbowl shirts. I ask, "Are you from Wisconsin?" They say, "Yes." They are from Whitewater, where DH and I went to college. Once unleashed, along with the masses we head to Soarin' to ride and get a FP. Since we can't get another FP for a while, we ride Living with the Land.
Bananas.

Brussle sprouts. My family likes these, especially the Green Giant brand in butter sauce.

Now, DD#1 noticed the plants that are by the Behind the Seeds tour desk. They are $9, but not many are left. The CM tells us more will be coming, check back in a hour. Next stop, clam mobiles. Here is a poor picture attempt. It was too bright.

More time to kill, we hit Mouse Gears. The store is not crowded, making for a pleasant shopping experience. Too early to get a FP for TT, DH and I will wait here. The girls will go back and check on the plants. I see this in the sky, while waiting.

We've seen this guy before. It was a few years ago, when we stayed at POR.
It was 11am and I could get the TT FP. The return time is 1:45-2:45. Deesa and Callie are not back yet, so I tried to text them about meeting in Mexico. Well the college age kid, did not see the text. We are still waiting for them at TT. I spot them exiting Mouse Gears, we proceed to Mexico. Deesa has purchased a venus flytrap type plant for her boyfriend. Will this make it in a carry-on? On the way, I have to stop at the Kim Possible kiosk. Italy, was the mission given to us. We've never done that one.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

First stop, Mexico. We spent a long time here. We rode Grand Fiesta and shopped. And shopped some more. Deesa and her boyfriend like the hand painted ceramics available here. She purchased a vase and we purchased a gift. A side note, between the two of us (Deesa and myself), we had seven packages the next day for pick up at the resort. I also, looked at the sterling silver jewelry in the shop next to the boat ride. What has flat Minnie been up to? Let's take a look.

She's in the flowers on the cart. How did she get there?

Now, she has a sombrero on? How'd that happen?
The sombrero was Callie's idea. It's about time to move on. Next up, Norway and the school bread.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

It's a good thing Norway is up next. I've been waiting to try the school bread. I've read good reviews about it. It's on my to do list. A snack option, it would have cost $2.12. Next time I would pay OOP for it. It was inexpensive, using a snack credit on this was questionable. Deesa and I split it. It is after 12pm. An ADR awaits us at 1pm. After everything I've read, I was not impressed. The school bread reminded me of a bismark donut. Only, the chocolate frosting was replaced with some type of crumb coating. Disney's policy is to arrive twenty minutes early for your ADRs. We better high tail it to ours. I planned this reservation around the entertainment schedule. Upon arrival there is a line and it is not moving very fast. There is a walk up party of 12 in front of us. My family waits to see if they will get in. They do. We are next. Silly me, our ADR is at

The male host comes out to call our name. He tells us our name is German. Why yes, it is. Being of german decent and living in an area where german food is prevelant, nothing was surprising. It was a thoroughly enjoyable meal, including the entertainment. Paying out of pocket, the bill was just under $100 for the four of us. We would definitely go back. Minnie even made an appearance.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

The plan is to walk through all the pavilions, then come back to the ones that need to be revisited or a purchase needs to be made. After looking through Italy, we come upon this photo op.

Then, I hop into this line up.

Notice the package Deesa is holding, that's the plant for her boyfriend.

Then everybody gets into the action.

My DH has never been in so many character pictures.

A lot of 'Earning my Ears' CMs were out taking the pictures. I think the characters were also, gaining experience. Minnie's autograph was not as good as another Minnie autograph, we obtained previously.
I buy an Orange Bird tshirt in The American Adventure. On to Japan, where flat Minnie meets her friend Choccat.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Japan took a little time to get through. DD#1 was eyeing up gift ideas. There was some thought about giving pick a pearl a try, but it was busy. So, we passed. Morocco was uneventful, on to France. Finished in France, the wind kicks up and clouds are darkening. My idea, walk quickly to the UK, where there are a lot of buildings close together. Then we will have a lot to look at while it's raining. The band, on stage behind the UK shops, was just finishing up. Shoot, they sounded pretty good. I would have liked to get a picture with Mary Poppins and Alice, but lines were a few people deep. With the bad weather moving in, I didn't know how long the characters would be out anyway. The rain is falling, now. Looking around my DH has the idea, flat Minnie needs to wear something.

My family is scattered among the different stores. Callie is trying to decide on a shirt to buy. This takes up some time. People are huddled in the doorways trying to stay dry. Moving on to Canada without getting wet, is not looking good. DH watched the Canada movie last year. It's a must do for the rest of us. I think I had an umbrella. I vaugely remember holding it in the Canada store, where we are now. Callie had an anorak on. As the rain lets up slightly, run to the movie queue. This is a covered area and it's not too crowded. There was a short wait time until the next showing began. The CM said they would open both sets of doors. Allowing those waiting on the other side, to view the movie as well. I don't think anyone from that side joined in. Martin Short was a good choice. The Disney puns were good, too. By the kidcot fun stop, more people are waiting for the rain to stop. A Showcase Plaza store is the next stop. At this point, it's from A to B, between the rain drops. We end up over by Club Cool. This is always a must do. I'm cold inside any building at time. So, I wait outside, under an overhang. I notice characters walking around inside the hallway of the adjacent building. I went to scope it out. Not to much is going on. A lot of people are just milling around until the rain stops. We have our FPs for TT to use, but I'm sure the ride is down for an extended period of time.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

The rain has let up. We are on our way back to WS to do our shopping. With the shopping out of the way, we hop the boat to Mexico. Why doesn't the boat go to the Showcase Plaza area anymore? It is still gloomy, but there is no rain. The plan is to return to FW and eat at Sunshine Seasons. Looking at my receipts, I forgot to mention we purcahsed snacks in Germany; two Werther gourmet cookies for $8.50 and a chocolate carmel fudge for $4.21. The time was just before 6pm. The food at Sunshine Seasons was purchased after 7:30pm. Dinner consisted of: two mongolia beef, OJ, chocolate milk, banana cake (it was ), and key lime pie, cost $34.02. The girls got: mahi mahi, sweet n sour chicken, key lime pie, creme brulee, and two chocolate milk. The cost, $34.55. After dinner, we use our FPs to ride Soarin'. Then off to TT to use up those FPs. We only made it on TT this one time. Flat Minnie in line with us at TT.

Illuminations was going on while, we rode TT. Going against the crowd, we make our way to Maelstrom. The line is long, it's EMH, so we decide to pass. Earlier in the day, I thought about grabbing a FP, but didn't. It sure would have come in handy here. Joining the direction of the exiting crowd, SSE is the destination. I think riding this on the way out has become a custom. One last look at shops, we exit the park. I notice a small line of people still coming to EPCOT for EMH. There is less than an hour left of EMH. Are we in the mass exodus?

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Thanks everyone for reading!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Coming upon the bus queue, it looks like the bus situation is not as bad as MK was on the previous Saturday. We won't make this bus, but we'll be on the next one. Somehow, part of a group was in front of us and part behind us. How does this happen? I don't think we cut in front of anybody? Now, DD#1 and I hear them talking about saving seats. Really, really. As we are waiting to see how this plays out, the transport guy is telling scooter people to get in the regular line. No special loading. A family with a wheelchair also gets in line. These families were not very happy with this turn of events, you got the feeling a fight was going to break out between them. I think the transport guy could feel this, too. It is my opinion he called for another bus right away. A second bus pulls up and the transport guy tells the driver to start loading the scooter and wheelchair, immediately. There was no seat saving, needed. We are on our way back to POP, crisis averted.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Today starts off with a run for DH and I. DD#2 wakes up and is not feeling well. Not much is planned for today, that's a good thing. All of us head to the computer pool.
The kids.

Time to head back to the room and get ready for our day, we've deciced to eat lunch at POP.