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[teekathepony]

Congratulations to Bubba on passing her test!

Awesome luck on Soarin' middle of row one AND fastpasses for Test Track!
I lovvvve Epcot after the crowd has cleared out. I always wait around after Illuminations and take pictures and such. So peaceful!

 

[jenbear123]

Glad Bubba passed!!

I also wonder why it is taking so long to implement hydrogen cars. I do know that the filling stations are really expensive to construct.

Yeah, but that would be so cool!

Love the update, Jen. First, congrats to Bubba on passing her test!

for the fastpasses for Test Track. Gotta love that pixie dust.

Great shots of Illuminations.

Thanks Kathy! It was a great first night.

Congratulations to Bubba on passing her test!

Awesome luck on Soarin' middle of row one AND fastpasses for Test Track!
I lovvvve Epcot after the crowd has cleared out. I always wait around after Illuminations and take pictures and such. So peaceful!

We had some good mojo going. Definitely love the peaceful WS

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Hey, Jen! Just booked a trip for the end of September/early October with the whole family - and we're back at Port Orleans Riverside!

Teresa

 

[jenbear123]

Hey, Jen! Just booked a trip for the end of September/early October with the whole family - and we're back at Port Orleans Riverside!

Teresa

What! You lucky duck! I'm hoping to go back first week of October but we'll see....

 

[PlutosRHM55]

to riding Soarin' and Test Track! That's like the Epcot equivalent of a triple mountain whammy in my opinion So nice of those people to give you those FPs. LOL @ the couple on TT! That is probably what my mom or my dad will say to me next time I step on TT (since I will more than likely have my license by then). Love your pictures of the cool cars at the shop in TT, so cool!

Awesome that you got to meet Bubba's roommates! I've always wanted to ask CMs those questions about how authentic their pavilions really are. I mean, I think it's tough enough with so many differentiating cultures in one country and with how modernization has made every country so much more similar. I mean, the American pavilion is more like colonial America not modern day America, but either way, that's interesting you got to hear her side. Too bad you didn't get to ask her other roommate a lot about Japan, oh well!

to IllumiNations, wonderful show! That's great to hear Bubba already has her menu down pat, but I think being as big a Disney fanatic as you are, it'd be a shame if she didn't know it by heart

Can't wait to read more!

 

[jenbear123]

to riding Soarin' and Test Track! That's like the Epcot equivalent of a triple mountain whammy in my opinion So nice of those people to give you those FPs. LOL @ the couple on TT! That is probably what my mom or my dad will say to me next time I step on TT (since I will more than likely have my license by then). Love your pictures of the cool cars at the shop in TT, so cool!

Awesome that you got to meet Bubba's roommates! I've always wanted to ask CMs those questions about how authentic their pavilions really are. I mean, I think it's tough enough with so many differentiating cultures in one country and with how modernization has made every country so much more similar. I mean, the American pavilion is more like colonial America not modern day America, but either way, that's interesting you got to hear her side. Too bad you didn't get to ask her other roommate a lot about Japan, oh well!

to IllumiNations, wonderful show! That's great to hear Bubba already has her menu down pat, but I think being as big a Disney fanatic as you are, it'd be a shame if she didn't know it by heart

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for all the thumbs up. You know how to speak Canadian it's really neat to find out about how these pavilions shape up. I guess they take the stereotypical (I hate to say it) things from each country and use that. It would be hard not to offend someone from that country. I guess they try their best. Hey, you're going to be getting your license? Awesome! Good luck! I just noticed you have a PTR going so I'm gonna head over there. Also, a Quebec trip too? I just spent a weekend in Montreal. Love that city. Whereabouts are you going in Quebec?

 

[3prettyprincesses]

We waddled over to Soarin' to use our first FP of the trip

Well, it IS the land... Get it, waddling in the "land" like a duck. A duck would be living in the land. Oh nevermind! It sounded much wittier in my head than when I typed it out.

As we were walking towards the ride, this guy was yelling out that he had two FP's for 7:15pm, which was about 10 minutes away. At first we walked right by until we realized (at the same time) what he was actually offering. Bubba and I turned around and started chasing after him like he was a celebrity or something. We must have looked pretty comical.

Ya, the celebrity TT scalper! That's pretty hilarious Jen!

It's really neat how cars could potentially run on hydrogen and other forms of fuel. Why they don't implement these things is beyond me. The technology all seems to be there. And yet, we're still paying up the wazoo for gasoline?

Ugh, I won't even tell you how much it cost me to fill up my SUV! It made me want to cry.

The couple sitting behind us was hilarious. The husband kept saying comments to his wife about how the ride was so similar to how she drives. She was taking it all in good fun but we were just killing ourselves laughing.

Great picture! You and Bubba really seem to resemble one another here. Maybe it's the thumb's up? Actually I think you have the exact same expression!

Inside the store, I met Bubba's roommate Happy. Best name ever. Of course that's her English name but her Chinese name was a little hard to pronounce and I can't remember it. She was really nice though. I think she had this thing for saying everyone is beautiful. She called me beautiful and had already said Bubba was beautiful when they met. She was a genuinely sweet girl though. I asked her what she thought of the China pavilion (which is something I do with everyone I meet personally that is from the actually country) to see how right Disney gets it. Happy said that it doesn't really reflect what her country is like. Especially the merchandise and food that they sell. She was a bit upset about this. I don't blame her because, well, have you seen the Canadian pavilion?

Aw, you and Bubba ARE beautiful, how nice that Happy saw that too. She sounds very sweet. Interesting that she felt China didn't give a true representation. So you feel that way about the Canadian one too? What, don't you all read Anne and Green Gables and drink maple syrup by the glassful?

When the show finished, Bubba and I sat there for another half an hour, just talking and catching up about things. We were in absolutely no rush to get anywhere. It was nice not being part of the exiting herd of people. By the time we were leaving, most of the park had cleared out. There's something peaceful about an empty Epcot. More so than an empty MK. Must be the music…..

How fun! I love the time I spend catching up with my sister too. There's something special about that bond, isn't there. And I agree with you about Epcot's emptiness vs. the MK's.

On the way back to the resort, we stopped for gas and a car wash. Bubba had to study the menu for her test the next day as she was about to start serving. So I spent about an hour testing her. In case you're wondering, she passed with flying colours

Congrats to Bubba! So, what does she recommend off the menu then?

We went to sleep by about 11pm. I was EXHAUSTED. Little did I know I wouldn't be getting much sleep that night....

Can't imagine why you'd be exhausted...not after having traveled, eaten a gargantuan meal that would've fed a small country AND helped Bubba study. Nope, I have no idea why you were exhausted! Looking forward to what this foreshadowing of little sleep means too!

 

[jenbear123]

Molly you are hilarious!!! Just love your replies to my posts...okay replies are below. Just had to point that out

Well, it IS the land... Get it, waddling in the "land" like a duck. A duck would be living in the land. Oh nevermind! It sounded much wittier in my head than when I typed it out.


Yeah....the land...ducks....right.....

Ya, the celebrity TT scalper! That's pretty hilarious Jen!

I'm surprised we were the only ones chasing after him

Ugh, I won't even tell you how much it cost me to fill up my SUV! It made me want to cry.

It's such a travesty

Great picture! You and Bubba really seem to resemble one another here. Maybe it's the thumb's up? Actually I think you have the exact same expression!

It doesn't surprise me that we do. Its scary how similar and how much we think alike sometimes


Aw, you and Bubba ARE beautiful, how nice that Happy saw that too. She sounds very sweet. Interesting that she felt China didn't give a true representation. So you feel that way about the Canadian one too? What, don't you all read Anne and Green Gables and drink maple syrup by the glassful?

Hey, there's absolutely no way us Canadians spend our spare time like that *puts down the Anne of Green Gables book to take a sip of maple syrup* Yeah, that's right...it's Anne OF Green Gables. Jeez, get it right. I have total respect for that Anne, and here you are mutilating the title. I won't stand for it. Now look what you've made me do. I've spilt maple syrup all over my new moose pajamas. Darn it.

How fun! I love the time I spend catching up with my sister too. There's something special about that bond, isn't there. And I agree with you about Epcot's emptiness vs. the MK's.

It's nice to hear other sister relationships that are on good terms. Growing up everyone I knew who had a sister hated them. Must be that girl rivalry or something

Congrats to Bubba! So, what does she recommend off the menu then?

Oh boy, you'll open a whole can of worms on the one. She can really spiel the menu now!

Can't imagine why you'd be exhausted...not after having traveled, eaten a gargantuan meal that would've fed a small country AND helped Bubba study. Nope, I have no idea why you were exhausted! Looking forward to what this foreshadowing of little sleep means too!

it's funny because it's true! We ate so much food that night. I still don't think I've fully recovered

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Molly you are hilarious!!! Just love your replies to my posts...okay replies are below. Just had to point that out

Aw thanks. I grew up in a large family that used sarcasm like a condiment...it went with everything! Seriously.

it's funny because it's true! We ate so much food that night. I still don't think I've fully recovered

I'm still trying to figure out HOW you managed it all? You're such a tiny thing that I can't imagine your stomach holds more than a grapefruit at a time! I'm impressed! Maybe you should sign up for one of those disgusting hot dog eating championships? I'd totally cheer for you.

Oh, and please forgive my typo of Anne "OF" Green Gables! I'm actually mortified since I absolutely adore L.M. Montgomery AND Anne Shirley! I have all the books and bought the e-books as well to put on my Nook. I also love maple syrup too, the real stuff not that crappy Log Cabin or Aunt Jemima garbage.

You know, my sister and I didn't get along that well until we both became teenagers. She's four years younger than me. But now, we're the best of friends and I tell her everything. What's that cheesy quote you always see on lacey pillows and mugs...sisters by chance, friends by choice! That's the one I was thinking of. I also like this one...you can kid the world, but not your sister. Isn't that so true.

 

[jenbear123]

Aw thanks. I grew up in a large family that used sarcasm like a condiment...it went with everything! Seriously.

Love it! My DBF still isn't used to my "kind" of sarcasm. He thinks I'm being so mean sometimes but I always say "I'm just being sarcastic" He'll catch on eventually

I'm still trying to figure out HOW you managed it all? You're such a tiny thing that I can't imagine your stomach holds more than a grapefruit at a time! I'm impressed! Maybe you should sign up for one of those disgusting hot dog eating championships? I'd totally cheer for you.

I'll admit I surprise myself sometimes. And YES my stomach does hold more than a grapefruit. I'm not as tiny as you may think....harumph. I can't do eating contests though. I'm kinda scarred from when I was little and watched Beethoven. You know the part where the dad goes to a hamburger eating contest? And eats so much that he throws up? Yeah, so not for me. I'm glad you'd cheer for me though!

Oh, and please forgive my typo of Anne "OF" Green Gables! I'm actually mortified since I absolutely adore L.M. Montgomery AND Anne Shirley! I have all the books and bought the e-books as well to put on my Nook. I also love maple syrup too, the real stuff not that crappy Log Cabin or Aunt Jemima garbage.

Wow! You are a fan of that Anne. It's okay, I'll forgive your typo just this once.....

Aunt Jemima garbage it's pretty gross but all so cheap to make them pancakes taste yummy. Let's call it "Poor man's maple syrup"

You know, my sister and I didn't get along that well until we both became teenagers. She's four years younger than me. But now, we're the best of friends and I tell her everything. What's that cheesy quote you always see on lacey pillows and mugs...sisters by chance, friends by choice! That's the one I was thinking of. I also like this one...you can kid the world, but not your sister. Isn't that so true.

They'll put anything on a lacy pillow or mug these days Of course, anything with the phrase "happily ever after" or "magic" or "mickey" or anything of that sort does not count It's true about not being able to kid your sister! She just KNOWS when something isn't right.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Thanks for all the thumbs up. You know how to speak Canadian it's really neat to find out about how these pavilions shape up. I guess they take the stereotypical (I hate to say it) things from each country and use that. It would be hard not to offend someone from that country. I guess they try their best. Hey, you're going to be getting your license? Awesome! Good luck! I just noticed you have a PTR going so I'm gonna head over there. Also, a Quebec trip too? I just spent a weekend in Montreal. Love that city. Whereabouts are you going in Quebec?

LOL , the universal language (;

I think it's pretty hard not to be stereotypical of countries without showing a good dose of culture in just the few minutes you may be walking through a pavilion. Like you said, they do their best.

Thank you! I'm not in driver's ed, right now, but soon.

Yup, I've had that going, may have to close it down soon sadly, but I'd love if you jumped in for the Quebec trip. I'm going to Quebec City actually, though Montreal sounds lovely too. I can't wait only a few more hours until I'll be off on a bus right into the heart of French-Canadian territory.

 

[jenbear123]

At around 3:45am, I was startled awake by the fire alarm beeping back to life. I turned over to the clock on the night table to see it flashing. The power must have went out and now had just come back on. As soon as I became conscious, it happened…..

My stomach churned….

and churned…..

and churned…..

I felt nauseous….

I felt gross……

I felt hot and just plain yucky….

All that food I had eaten was coming back to haunt me.

I won't go into too much detail here but there were times where I thought I was going to be sick to my stomach. I spent quite a bit of time getting to know that tiny washroom that morning. I'm sure it was a mixture of anxiety, eating too much food, drinking too much food, and being excited about the fact that I was in Disney. I spent the next 3 hours tossing and turning, trying to fall back asleep. I may have dosed off for another hour but it wasn't long before 6:30am rolled around and it was time to get up.

Today was my solo day at MK. Hence where the semi-solo thing comes in. Bubba had to work so she got all dressed up in her work outfit while I put on the Disney touring clothes. At about 7:30am, we were out the door. I dropped Bubba off at work (how cool is it that she gets to call Epcot work?!) and drove to MK. I would have her car for the day. I was a bit worried at first that I'd get lost, driving around but it wasn't so bad….. or so I thought….

I got a parking spot at TTC nice and close, then took the monorail over to MK.

I got there an hour before rope drop, anticipating the President's Day crowds. This was considered the one and only "Recommended" day to visit MK. And I wasn't planning on wasting it!

I got a spot right up near the front. I wasn't able to see the opening show but I had other things to focus my mind on.

Like taking pictures to pass the time!

It was kind of weird not having anyone to talk to. I wouldn't say that I was lonely, just felt awkward at first. And what better way to cure that awkwardness by texting Marv to ask touring advice!

I really wanted to ride Splash first thing but I didn't want to sacrifice Space knowing it would get crazy busy not long after rope drop. I took my chances and went for Splash first.

People were RUNNING that morning. I was surprised the CMs didn't do anything about it. They were all heading to Space anyway so what did I care?

I headed over to an empty Liberty Square - literally, it was just me and one other guy and the CM walking along.

Then when we reached the next line of CMs to take us to Splash, it felt like a private escort. It was just me and this other guy and now a group of boys. Hmmm... maybe the crowds weren't going to be as bad as I thought....

There were a group of boys ahead of me so I can't say I was the first one to ride that day. Once I was waiting to board, I realized I may have made a mistake in riding Splash first. The first logs took forever to come. What was taking so long?! Finally I got on and enjoyed my favourite ride in MK.

The ride even stopped a few times while I was on it. The whole experience took away 20 minutes of my precious time. I tried to not to let it get to me as I grabbed a FP for later.

I sped walked over to Fantasyland to see what I could get on without too long of a wait. It was already getting pretty busy and it was only 9:30am!

Peter Pan seemed not too bad at a 20 minute wait. I knew it was only going to get longer so I jumped in line.

Don't you hate waiting for a ride that you know you can get on in under 5 minutes other times of the year? I kept my mind busy while walking through the convoluted queue by reading the Steve Jobs book on my iPhone. Yes, I'm such an Apple person. I also mastered the whole reading while walking thing. I didn't step on any small children either!

Peter Pan was fun and I liked having a whole boat to myself. I still felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb being the only 20-something year old getting on that ride by herself. Aw well, what did I care? I was in Disney!

After I got off Peter Pan, the other rides in Fantasyland were well over a 20 minute wait so I left to head towards Tomorrowland. I took some shots of the Fantasyland construction, which seemed to be coming along quite nicely.

Isn't it weird? No Dumbo!

Got to Space Mountain with a posted 20 minute wait. I waited those 20 minutes….. and that will be the longest I ever wait for that ride. I hated being stuck in that line up. This was when I started getting a little frustrated with myself. I hadn't toured MK like I normally do when I'm with someone else. Being alone, I wanted to do things my way but at the same time, I paid for it by having to wait in longer lines. Once again, that feeling of knowing you can get on this ride in under 5 minutes really bothered me. I was glad I got on when I did though because the line only got longer….

Next up, I went over to POTC

Jack Sparrow was out front, serving as a nice distraction so I could get on the ride with a posted 5 minute wait. Finally! Something that I could walk on! I took the right side to line up because almost nobody ever goes on that side. I was glad I did because I got a whole boat to myself AND got to sit in the front row!!

This definitely made up for all the other lineups and delays I had been going through that day.

I tried taking some ride photos without other people's flashes ruining the picture for once.

Next up was Haunted Mansion

This was also a good experience being by myself. I didn't have to make sure I stuck together with anyone. I was able to slip out of the stretching room right as the door opened, getting ahead of everyone.

After HM, I thought I'd try getting on Mickey's PhilharMagic.

When I got back into Fanstasyland, I was shocked

Holy Peter Pan Pandemonium

It was a sea of people. It was chaos. There were strollers parked on one side and that sea of people you see in that picture? There's one mob that was lined up for Peter Pan FPs (it was a 60 min wait already for standby). The rest of the people were the ones (including me) trying to snake through the mass of people. It was awful. Perhaps Dumbo does make a big difference to the crowd levels when it's closed?! Oh, and IASW? Let's see how long that line was....

Hmmm... this doesn't look good

Oh no this definitely doesn't look good!

I kid you not, the posted wait time for IASW was 25 minutes

I knew right then and there that it was CROWDED.

I thought maybe PhilharMagic wouldn't be so bad.... but NOPE! The line was practically out the door so I decided to forget about it and hightail it out of Fantasyland before I lost my mind.

 

[KatMark]

I was afraid I'd be far behind on your TR (with my son's engagement Friday night, things have been crazy and I'm way behind).


WOW WOW WOW! That is insane for Peter Pan and for It's a Small Boat to China. I would have wanted to get out of there quick too.

for front row on POTC! And getting ahead of everyone on Haunted Mansion.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Wow, a whole boat to yourself on POTC! That is kind of cool yet sort of strange at the same time. Sometimes I actually enjoy having others riding along. You got some great pictures though!

The Fantasyland construction looks amazing so far. Did you see that the Storybook Circus opened today (I think it might've just been soft opening though). I'm excited for the new Dumbo in April!

 

[PirateKate]

I can't believe how crowded that was in Fantasyland! I hope the rest of the park wasn't like that.

Other than that, it sounds like a great solo morning. Being the only person on Pirates would be awesome!

 

[teekathepony]

Holy Peter Pan Pandemonium

A perfect sentiment!! I was just starting to think "Wow, the crowds don't look bad at all!" when I came to that picture. Wow, that's incredibly crowded!
I'm glad you had some luck before hitting that crowd though!

 

[redlight]

I hate to be suddenly woken up. But a fire alarm in the wee hours after having had eaten and drunk too much would be awful.

 

[jenbear123]

A perfect sentiment!! I was just starting to think "Wow, the crowds don't look bad at all!" when I came to that picture. Wow, that's incredibly crowded!
I'm glad you had some luck before hitting that crowd though!

I had expected crowds but it wasn't a gradual thing at all. It was just like WHAM! crowds!!! Crazy. I did seek sanctuary which you'll find out in my next update

I hate to be suddenly woken up. But a fire alarm in the wee hours after having had eaten and drunk too much would be awful.

It was awful

 

[jenbear123]

I was afraid I'd be far behind on your TR (with my son's engagement Friday night, things have been crazy and I'm way behind).


WOW WOW WOW! That is insane for Peter Pan and for It's a Small Boat to China. I would have wanted to get out of there quick too.

for front row on POTC! And getting ahead of everyone on Haunted Mansion.

I love your terminology IASW was insanity though. I could not believe people were actually waiting in that line. I had an awesome time on POTC by myself

Wow, a whole boat to yourself on POTC! That is kind of cool yet sort of strange at the same time. Sometimes I actually enjoy having others riding along. You got some great pictures though!

The Fantasyland construction looks amazing so far. Did you see that the Storybook Circus opened today (I think it might've just been soft opening though). I'm excited for the new Dumbo in April!

It's fine on POTC when the people you are sitting with don't use their flash the entire ride :roll eyes: I did see the pictures of Storybook Circus opening! I'm so excited to see the new Dumbo!!! I'm heading back in May for a short weekend trip so hopefully I get a chance to see it.

I can't believe how crowded that was in Fantasyland! I hope the rest of the park wasn't like that.

Other than that, it sounds like a great solo morning. Being the only person on Pirates would be awesome!

Surprisingly the rest of the park wasn't that bad. Sure it was busy but not like THAT! I think the problem was there just wasn't enough space to accommodate the flow of people. Plus no Dumbo meant people went to the next best thing....Peter Pan.

 

[tinacaplan]

Hello! Since you were kind enough to stop by and check out my TR...I'm here, too! Gotta go back and catch up, though!