A Salute to All Orlando Area Theme Parks But Mostly Walt Disney World ***THE END***

[DisneyKid4Life]

ANIMALS, EXPEDITIONS, AND A FIREWORKS FINALE!
Day 3 – October 10, 2012 Part 7​

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For anyone who’s been to Magic Kingdom during the party months, you know that on non-party nights, things can get a little bit crowded, even in the lower seasons.

It makes sense since there are limited nights each week for nighttime entertainment without a party ticket; as little as 3, and at most 4.

Tonight was no exception.

We took a seat behind a few groups who were already on the curb right in front of the castle.

Eventually more and more people arrived taking up every inch of space around us to the point that I was becoming envious of those folks playing
“How many people can they squeeze onto this Disney bus?”

When the parade started and the lights dimmed, the folks in front decided to stand, which unfortunately forced us to stand as well.

There was a family behind us that consisted of mother, father, and 2 little ones, all of whom may or may not have spoken English.

I can confirm they spoke Spanish.

However, given that my total Spanish vocabulary consists of standing clear of doors, and since there were no doors nearby that required standing clear of, communication was spotty at best.

But I also can’t help but “think of the children” and in no way did they push their kids in front of anyone that I was aware of.

Watching the poor little things straining on their tippy toes was just too much for me.
I would have much preferred if everyone had just stayed seated.

So, using the universally understood hand signals for,
“Hey, you want to have your kids stand in front of me so they can see better?”
I motioned to allow the children to move in front of me so they could hopefully see a little better.

The Mother/Father unit was EXTERMELY grateful, and made no attempt to follow their kids into that spot, as most seem to do in that situation.

Thoroughly satisfied with my decision, I turned my attention to the oncoming parade, as our eardrums filled with electro-synthe-magnetic musical sounds.

Katie really enjoyed the parade, although I did have to explain that it was Pete’s Dragon towards the end and NOT Puff the Magic Dragon.

And yes, I bawled my eyes out at the end of Pete's Dragon.

I enjoyed the parade as well, as I always do, but I really do want Spectro back.

MSEP is great for my nostalgia as it was the nighttime parade of record when I was a child.
When it originally made its comeback I was stoked.
But I’ve seen it enough now and I’m longing for Spectro, or better yet, something brand new.

After the parade was over and the family behind us again showed their gratitude (which was appreciated by me), we walked around a bit before preparing to enter the Thunderdome for Wishes.

We ended up watching from just to the side of the Tomorrowland Terrace which isn’t a bad spot normally, but even that was completely packed.

In fact, that whole walkway was jam packed all the way to Main Street.

It was madness I tell you… MADNESS.

I think everyone visiting Walt Disney World was in the Magic Kingdom on this night as it was really wall to wall anywhere with a view to the castle.

But all that is forgotten when the music starts up and the lights go down.

One thing Disney does that nobody else can even come close to is to make you “feel”.

I can’t describe how Wishes makes me feel. I don’t think the words exist.

It is pure raw emotion.

If there is one thing in all of Disney that truly makes me feel like a kid, this is it.

It’s medicine for the soul.

I think Disney needs to start selling a take home version because I would buy it just so I can break it out whenever I’m feeling blue.

I have so many ideas for Disney merch, it’s ridiculous. I need to work there.

After enjoying the most emotionally fulfilling fireworks display is the history of infinity and beyond, we made the looooooooong trek to the exit.

And it was indeed a long trek, with the monorail queue line set up to control the hoards exiting simultaneously.

Yup, a queue line.

To leave.

Since the next roughly hour to hour ½ consisted of walking up then down then back then forth, finally ending at a monorail car (Por Favor Manténgase Alejado de las Puertas… chills again!), which ended at the TTC, which ended at the tram, which ended at the car, which ended at the condo, it was pretty uneventful for a trip report.

So I won’t tell you about that.

I’ll just leave you with a little Wish Upon a Star.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exgzSYnh6KM



UP NEXT… THE BEACH, THE BOOZE, THE BUCKET LIST, AND THE BIG BANG!​

 

[danimaroo]

Oh man, this is definitely preparing me for when we go in September! Non-party nights, MK is bonkers. Got it! That's to be expected. Hopefully we don't have to deal with too many insane crowds though! But that looks pretty bonkers from your photos.

I have never seen Spectro, but have such a deep love for MSEP that I'm okay with it being around. That being said, I wish I could have seen Spectro at some point; I imagine it's pretty awesome.

 

[natebenma]

A couple of great updates. I really enjoy your unabashed appreciation of the Magic Kingdom. There is a giddy feeling you get just being there!

CHH is by far my favorite CS at MK. I got outvoted on going there during my last trip (which was a class trip with 145 teens and surprisingly, too many chaperones ). Can't wait for a do-over in July. It is slated to be our first meal when we arrive in the World.

Your haunted mansion story is hilarious!!! We got to go backstage at HM, to watch the ballroom scene as part of the Y.E.S class in the above-mentioned trip. Definitely one of the highlights!

Great pictures of the castle. It is so beautiful in the reflections and in the different color schemes.

Bummer that the parade, fireworks and exit were so crowded. That was really nice of you to share space with the little kids, and as you pointed out, nice (and unusual) that the parents didn't try to take advantage.

 

[emmysmommy]

I agree - you need to be in marketing or merchandising for Disney!! So many great ideas.

There truly is something magical about the fireworks shows.... I don't ever want to get to a point that I take the magic for granted. I just love the chill that accompanies the first flash of fireworks in the skies. So beautiful.

That was so nice of you to let the little ones have a better viewing spot.

 

[teekathepony]

So nice of you to let the kids behind you step in front.
I love MSEP. I loved Spectro too. I wouldn't mind seeing Spectro make, say, a one year come back while they create a whole new one. And then bring back MSEP in another 5 years or so. I'm too sentimental, I want to hold on to them all!
I totally get the feeling of Wishes. My chest feels like it could explode.

 

[wiigirl]

Great pics!

 

[Cori Perry]

Your TR was wonderful. Anxiously awaiting your continued story

 

[SimplyGoofy]

I love the story about your dad and those two girls on the Haunted Mansion! That would've been hilarious! (Well, for you... perhaps not for them!)

How nice of you to let those kids step in front of you to see the parade! It was even better that the parents were polite and thankful rather than pushy and annoying. It just makes you feel better about doing the right thing when others do, too!

I LOVE Wishes! Medicine for the soul, indeed. I bought the entire Wishes soundtrack (now available on Itunes!) and listen to it all the time in the car. Is it sad that I occasionally tear up just listening to it? (Yeah, I didn't think so, either.)

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Oh man, this is definitely preparing me for when we go in September! Non-party nights, MK is bonkers. Got it! That's to be expected. Hopefully we don't have to deal with too many insane crowds though! But that looks pretty bonkers from your photos.

Hey Dani, yup, non-party nights (and days) at MK are pretty nuts so I would only recommend them for the nighttime entertainment. Spend the rest of the day elsewhere (if you have hoppers of course).
Most onsite guests hit MK when it has the longest hours so they just swarm on non party days.

BUT, the good news is the MK daytime with a party that night is wicked awesome! Since you're looking at September, I imagine you'll even have a bit less crowds overall.
Plus, on our MK day (we did the party on a different night), the park opened at 8am, so we had from 8am to 7pm and it was super quiet the whole day.

I have never seen Spectro, but have such a deep love for MSEP that I'm okay with it being around. That being said, I wish I could have seen Spectro at some point; I imagine it's pretty awesome.

Oh you really need to see Spectro if they do bring it back. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE MSEP, but I think I like Spectro more. I find MSEP to be musically more "lively" and Spectro more musically "emotional".

A couple of great updates. I really enjoy your unabashed appreciation of the Magic Kingdom. There is a giddy feeling you get just being there!

Thanks Dee!

CHH is by far my favorite CS at MK. I got outvoted on going there during my last trip (which was a class trip with 145 teens and surprisingly, too many chaperones ). Can't wait for a do-over in July. It is slated to be our first meal when we arrive in the World.

CHH is awesome! HAHA, I share your pain. I remember one trip when the closed early. I was devastated!!

Your haunted mansion story is hilarious!!! We got to go backstage at HM, to watch the ballroom scene as part of the Y.E.S class in the above-mentioned trip. Definitely one of the highlights!

Ahh I would love to go backstage. That's so awesome. I think the "Marceline to MK" tour goes backstage at HM. If I get to go the WDW in the next coming weeks solo, I plan to book the "Keys to The Kingdom" tour. Of course my main goal is the Utilidors!!!

Great pictures of the castle. It is so beautiful in the reflections and in the different color schemes.

Ahhh I love those shots especially when the water is completely still and mirror-like.

Bummer that the parade, fireworks and exit were so crowded. That was really nice of you to share space with the little kids, and as you pointed out, nice (and unusual) that the parents didn't try to take advantage.

It wasn't so bad since I knew it would be like that. Yes, the parents were lovely and clearly just wanted their kids to enjoy.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I agree - you need to be in marketing or merchandising for Disney!! So many great ideas.

Truth be told Brenda, I just want to work there period! One of my goals in life is to have a real WDW employee name tag!

There truly is something magical about the fireworks shows.... I don't ever want to get to a point that I take the magic for granted. I just love the chill that accompanies the first flash of fireworks in the skies. So beautiful.

Oh I agree so much. It doesn't matter how often I see them, they will never get old.
I know you'll never get to the point of taking them for granted. Remember, I saw your precious room upgrade video.

That was so nice of you to let the little ones have a better viewing spot.

Aww thank you. It was actually enjoyable to watch them watch the parade. They were so excited it was completely worth it.

So nice of you to let the kids behind you step in front.

Awww, thank you Wendy. It was fun to watch them and the parents were so nice (even if I couldn't understand them).

I love MSEP. I loved Spectro too. I wouldn't mind seeing Spectro make, say, a one year come back while they create a whole new one. And then bring back MSEP in another 5 years or so. I'm too sentimental, I want to hold on to them all!
I totally get the feeling of Wishes. My chest feels like it could explode.

I know right?! Maybe they should just alternate... one night MSEP... one night Spectro... repeat!

Great pics!

Thank you so much!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Your TR was wonderful. Anxiously awaiting your continued story

Thank you so much Cori.
According to your profile it looks like this is post 1? I deeply honored that you chose this little TR for that.
Thank you very much for being here and commenting.

I love the story about your dad and those two girls on the Haunted Mansion! That would've been hilarious! (Well, for you... perhaps not for them!)

HAHA thanks Jenny, it was amusing to us (not so much them). Though I do remember them laughing afterwards, so it must've been ok.

How nice of you to let those kids step in front of you to see the parade! It was even better that the parents were polite and thankful rather than pushy and annoying. It just makes you feel better about doing the right thing when others do, too!

Aww thank you. I really enjoyed doing that and the parents were very respectful and sweet. It was fun listening to the father point out the characters to his kids. It was all Spanish and then "Mickey Mouse!"... "Donald Duck!"... "Pinocchio!" I loved it.

I LOVE Wishes! Medicine for the soul, indeed. I bought the entire Wishes soundtrack (now available on Itunes!) and listen to it all the time in the car. Is it sad that I occasionally tear up just listening to it? (Yeah, I didn't think so, either.)

Bahaha, nice plug there Apple pusher... just kidding

And no, it would only be sad if you DIDN'T tear up listening to the Wishes soundtrack because that would make you "normal" and not a harp under the Disney sign hearing, Everest and One Man's Dream lovin' insane person like me!

 

[glennbo123]

Okay, getting caught up but I have to take a break, so before I forget:

- K8 had a great pose with Smee.
- Loved K8's description of how to find her during Fantasmic: "Look for the girl standing in front of everyone sitting" (or something to that effect).
- Thanks for reminding me about the pre-Fantasmic wave. I had forgotten about that.
- Great picture with Devine.

Hey, you know what ride is great at AK that you should try? Expedition Everest.

 

[khertz]

Oh man, we have been going during "party season" for 3 trips now, and those non party nights at MK are INSANE!!!!!! We usually hop there in the afternoon with no intentions of being able to ride anything but the TTA because everything else has a super long wait.

Anyway, that was really nice of you to let the kids in front of you, and even nicer than the parents were appreciative instead of trying to shove them in front or worse, shove themselves in front! I like MSEP, but having seeing it for a few trips now, I'd be happy for Spectro to come back again.

GAH I LOVE WISHES SO MUCH!!! Absolutely hands down my favorite nighttime show in WDW.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Okay, getting caught up but I have to take a break, so before I forget:

- K8 had a great pose with Smee.
- Loved K8's description of how to find her during Fantasmic: "Look for the girl standing in front of everyone sitting" (or something to that effect).
- Thanks for reminding me about the pre-Fantasmic wave. I had forgotten about that.
- Great picture with Devine.

Howdy Glenn, welcome back. Take all the break you need. I'll be here when you get back!

- Yeah, this became her "go to" move.
- Hahahaha. Oddly it worked.
- Yes, they still did it, but it's not the same when you have folks on microphones instructing it. I missed the spontaneity.
- Thanks. It was so strange that some trips I never see her at all, then this trip I saw her all the time.

Hey, you know what ride is great at AK that you should try? Expedition Everest.

Thanks dude... I will for sure check that one out.
What's it called... Everest?
I hope it's not scary!

Oh man, we have been going during "party season" for 3 trips now, and those non party nights at MK are INSANE!!!!!! We usually hop there in the afternoon with no intentions of being able to ride anything but the TTA because everything else has a super long wait.

Ain't it the truth. But MK with a party night is so amazing for low daytime crowds. We did that on this trip, and MK was almost barren for most of the morning.

Anyway, that was really nice of you to let the kids in front of you, and even nicer than the parents were appreciative instead of trying to shove them in front or worse, shove themselves in front! I like MSEP, but having seeing it for a few trips now, I'd be happy for Spectro to come back again.

Thank you. It really makes a big difference when the parents act appropriately.
Yay, another for Spectro!!!

GAH I LOVE WISHES SO MUCH!!! Absolutely hands down my favorite nighttime show in WDW.

Oh I so agree. I do get VERY emotional for Illuminations and Fantasmic as well, but Wishes is just something on a whole other level.

Need take home version NOW!!!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

THE BEACH, THE BOOZE, THE BUCKET LIST, AND THE BIG BANG!
Day 4 October 11, 2012 Part 1


Hello once again to everyone kind enough to follow along on this journey.
I appreciate it immensely and I am so thankful for all of you and I sincerely love hearing from you.

Today well be heading off to EPCOT, which represents day 4 of this 13 day journey.

But first (in my best Julie Chen Big Brother voice which admittedly is not particularly good)&

I finally have a few condo photos to share, as I snapped some off while waiting for K8 to get ready.

Its nothing fancy, but its certainly livable with a good amount of space which was definitely appreciated for a 2 week stay.

Plus, the TV had the Stacey channel! How awesome is that?!

We then jumped into the car and roared off (in a completely safe and responsible manner) to the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, or as its known to many,
Every Person Comes Out Tired!

Its a big park is what Im saying.

You're not legally allowed to enter into Epcot unless you immediately get a photo of the 8-story geodesic sphere known as Spaceship Earth, so&

That accomplished, we were given permission to carry on with our day.

Shockingly, I also had enough presence of mind to get the photo in front of the park icon first thing instead of at the end of the day like wed done up until now.

I know& Im surprised as well.

BTW, get your MGM (DHS) Sorcerer's Apprentice hat shots while you can. You never know when it might go away. Just sayin.

With Test Track down for refurb, obviously the destination was the Land to grab some fast passes for the Circle of Life, but figuring they were probably already distributed for the day, we settled for Soarin.

On the way over to the Land, I reveled in the wonderful and iconic Future World music in all its new age orchestral pop-i-ness.

Its just so& danceable.
And I dont normally dance, and not just because of all the NO Dancing signs all over the place.

Sometimes you just have to ignore Disney law and go for it.

By the way, I know there is a pin out there with this on it. Im not a pin trader, but oh how I want this pin! This needs to be on a shirt too!

I mentioned the pin to Katie who from this point would randomly ask various cast members if they knew where to get the No Dancing pin.
Usually this was met with a seriously confused response.
I found it so funny!

Anyway, youre not really in Epcot until you hear that music. Thats when the feel kicks in for me.

You could enter blindfolded and know exactly where you are.

We entered The Land, secured our fastpasses for Soarin, and then quickly exited back outside.

We had some very important friends to see, passing the beautiful Fountain of Nations along the way.

CONTINUED NEXT POST​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Day 4  October 11, 2012 Part 1 Cont.


After securing our Soarin fastpasses; we then hit priority number 2&.

The Fab Five meet and greet at the Epcot Character Spot.

It is really the ultimate opportunity to get the Fab Five in one shot;

One line equals one wait equals five meets.

That's one sweet deal, though I do find it a bit strange that this is the only place you can get this fab deal.

Now if there was only a way to get a photo with all 5 at the same time like this&

Only, you know... Real...

That would really be amazeballs.

Nonetheless, Mickey and gang were great individually as usual, offering up lots of hugs.

Plus, I just dont care how old I get, to me, that IS Mickey Mouse, that IS Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy.

Dont argue with me about costumes and such. I cant hear you.

I even get a bit jealous of the handlers and the like.
Seriously, they get to HANG OUT with Mickey Mouse. They KNOW Mickey Mouse.

Yes its crazy, but I think Ive already established my aversion to the real world.


CONTINUED NEXT POST​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Day 4 – October 11, 2012 Part 1 Cont.


We decided at this point that we’d seen enough of dry land, so it was time for The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

The Seas queue line is pretty darn long. Like REALLY long. Like ridiculously long.
This has to be one of the longest queue lines ever constructed.

No wonder Every Person Comes Out Tired.

It is a really a cool attraction though. K8 really liked it. It’s just so relaxing and zen, and it is just flat out awesome how they integrate the animated sea life with the real thing.

So cool!

And Peach the starfish at the end always brings a smile to my face.

After exiting our clam mobile, we took a quick tour around the Aquarium.

This was my first time seeing the divers in the tank which I found really cool but unfortunately…

NO DOLPHINS!!!!!

Seriously… WHAT!?

I have no idea where they were but I want a refund.
VACATION RUINED!

I had planned to ask somebody, but I guess no one was around so I did my little protest by leaving the pavilion.

That’ll show ‘em. Take THAT dolphin-less aquarium!


TO BE CONTINUED…​

 

[katt789]

Beach and booze?! You’ve got my attention! Lawl. The condo looks amazing! And awesome that they have Stacey! Amazing!

Wait…what? Are you hinting at something that you know that we don’t?!!

I HAVE THAT PIN!!! I seriously FREAKED out when I saw a CM with it and traded for it and could not have been happier, NO DANCING! Oh my gosh, it’s totally a disboard thing calling it “no dancing” the woman I traded with had no clue which one I was talking about when I asked for it! Lol.

Aw man, I love that you’re all “that’s Mickey…there is no costume…his tuxedo…yeah it’s great” Lawl. Mom caught onto that pretty quick with me, and with so many kids around, you can’t be saying that kind of stuff!

I love that character spot, any place I can wait in one line and meet multiple characters, I accept! Awesome updates! I love my Epcot mornings, they’re so awesome!!

 

[teekathepony]

Can you believe I've never gone to the Character Spot?? I don't know why. I get shy around the characters, probably because I am like you, that IS Mickey Mouse!
I enjoy the long queue line in Nemo. It makes me believe my clam-mobile is comfier than it really is.

 

[khertz]

I really enjoyed that you incorporated the Fabulous Chen-bot and her amazing BUT FIRST... Is it summer yet?! I am so ready for BB!

Anyway, how tragic that you missed out on Circle of Life FPs. How you moved on from that, I have no idea, but good for you! Soarin' is an acceptable substitute, I suppose...

I was so bummed on our trip that the Fab 5 meet ended up being only a Fab 3 meet because they are renovating that area! Talk about vacation ruining moments!!!

Pretty cool that you got to see a diver in the tank though.