one_cat
Jack, you have debauched my sloth.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2000
- Messages
- 1,223
Background:
Me 35 years old Computer Programmer (when I can find work) Grew up loving Disneyland and now Loves WDW even more. Addicted to the DIS.
DW 28 years old Homemaker/Domestic Goddess Works twice as hard as I ever thought of working.
DS1 2 years old
DS2 2 years old.
We live in Saint Michael MN
Dates Saturday Sept 29 Tuesday Oct 2.
This vacation DS1 and DS2 were left home with Grandma. Definitely made this a relaxing adult vacation.
This was a surprise vacation in that we werent planning on a vacation at this time. We had taken a vacation in May to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. We also had vacations already planned as follows: Dec -Taking family to WDW. March 2002 DW and I taking a week to visit our Timeshare at Whistler mountain and ski. April, 2002 DW and I celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary at WDW.
I found tickets in August, MSP to MCO for 106.00, so I did what any red-blooded Dis-infected Patriotic American male would do, I borrowed some DVC points and we took another vacation.
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Day 3 Monday.
Yesterday we got a letter from WDW inviting us to the opening ceremony for the 30th anniversary of WDW and the 100 years of Magic. This event was at 9:30AM so we set the alarm clock for 7:00AM. We plan to eat breakfast at the hotel then go to the event. 7:00 AM pound that alarm clock. 7:06 AM pick up the phone, dial WDW dining and request a PS for Crystal palace Breakfast at 10:05AM. 7:08 AM Go back to sleep till 8:30. Oh boy we better get going if we are going to see the ceremony. 9:25 AM Pull into MK dock and find a place to watch the Festivities.
This was a highlight of our trip and Im glad we didnt miss it. The day is beautiful and warm. Not a cloud in the sky. As we pull up we notice the large crowd in front of the train station. There are also TV cameras set up to record the auspicious event. We set up camp behind a tree This is as close as we can get. The Main Street Marching band comes out. Then the WDW railroad pulls up with a whistle. All the characters are aboard and they wave cheerfully. Boom confetti flies everywhere. People around us try to catch the confetti. A 29 year CM comes out and gives a nice short speech. A woman sings a beautiful song from the balcony. Then with a boom and another shower of confetti the 100 year topiary is displayed. What a feeling we are a part of history now.
After the ceremony we walk into WDW and head for the Crystal Palace. We are seated about ½ hour later. We get to meet Tigger and Pooh.
For some reason about 11:00 all the characters disappear and we never see them again. DW is a little disappointed this is the second time weve eaten there and she didnt get to talk to Eeyore. I ask a CM he is also a bit mystified about what happened to the characters.
After breakfast we head for Pirates. On the way we are waylaid by a group of acrobats from Africa. They are amazing as they bend like pretzels and make pyramid shapes with their bodies.
We do POC, BTMRR then hit the train for Tomorrowland. In Tomorrowland we head for Space Mountain otherwise know as my WDW chiropractor. 2 years ago I came to WDW having suffered with backaches for some time prior. During E-ticket night we rode Space Mountain. On one of the dips I heard my back crack. Uh Oh. I got off the ride expecting to really hurt the next day. No, my back felt wonderful and hadnt hurt for over a year until just recently. So just as expected as I ride Space Mountain again - almost before getting started I hear crack. Boy does that feel good. Now my back doesnt hurt anymore. They should put this in the advertising.
On to Buzz Lightyear To Infinity and Beyond. I get my best score ever, 95900.
Its now 2:15 and the Share A Dream Come True parade is slated to start in 45 minutes. We head to Main Street to grab a hotdog and score a spot on the curb. This is the parade with the snow-globes that weve all seen pictures of. It is even better in person. It stops every 5 minutes or so and the kids head out to play with the characters.
-Unfortunately, the film with the pictures of this parade is still in my camera.-
Its only later that night that we find that sitting on the curb waiting for the parade to start, DW got severely sunburned. No hot tub for us this trip. We should have known better than to sit for 45 minutes in the hot Florida sun..
After the parade we head for splash mountain. We skipped this earlier because the line was 60 minutes long and fastpass wasnt operating. Now the line is 45 minutes but we want to ride so we hop in line. 10 minutes later we are chasing Brer Rabbit with Brer Bear and heading for the Laughing Place. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Boy are we in luck
Now its time to do some shopping at the Pooh store in Fantasyland. On our way we meet up with a rabbit. Not a disney rabbit this is a real rabbit. A brown rabbit who happens to live in the bushes around Toon Town. Boy has the wildlife been out for us this trip.
Time to go to MGM. We want to see Fantasmic again. We hop a boat to WL then a bus to MGM. We arrive an hour early for Fantasmic and score seats front center. If anyone has not seen Fantasmic Go. Thats all I am going to see.
After Fantasmic we head back to WL to eat. We are planning to eat a quick dinner then maybe take a swim but we pick the wrong restaurant. We end up at the Whispering Canyon café where the Wait staff makes up for the Canyon by not whispering. Bean Alert Weve got a Bean Alert here He wants more Beans. For some reason we dont get picked on but many patrons do. At the entrance to the restaurant is a barrel of stick horses. What are those for? Half way through our gargantuan meal we didnt eat more than half of it we learn that a woman is having a birthday. To celebrate she is to ride a stick horse, leading her grandchildren on stick horses and any other children who want to join in, on a gallop around the restaurant. At the same time she is to sing Happy Birthday To Me at the top of her voice. Half way around, the restaurant votes that she is not singing loud enough so she then gallops around the entire hotel lobby. Though very red-faced, she is a good sport.
After dinner its too late for a swim so we head for bed.
Me 35 years old Computer Programmer (when I can find work) Grew up loving Disneyland and now Loves WDW even more. Addicted to the DIS.
DW 28 years old Homemaker/Domestic Goddess Works twice as hard as I ever thought of working.
DS1 2 years old
DS2 2 years old.
We live in Saint Michael MN
Dates Saturday Sept 29 Tuesday Oct 2.
This vacation DS1 and DS2 were left home with Grandma. Definitely made this a relaxing adult vacation.
This was a surprise vacation in that we werent planning on a vacation at this time. We had taken a vacation in May to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. We also had vacations already planned as follows: Dec -Taking family to WDW. March 2002 DW and I taking a week to visit our Timeshare at Whistler mountain and ski. April, 2002 DW and I celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary at WDW.
I found tickets in August, MSP to MCO for 106.00, so I did what any red-blooded Dis-infected Patriotic American male would do, I borrowed some DVC points and we took another vacation.
*************************************************************************
Day 3 Monday.
Yesterday we got a letter from WDW inviting us to the opening ceremony for the 30th anniversary of WDW and the 100 years of Magic. This event was at 9:30AM so we set the alarm clock for 7:00AM. We plan to eat breakfast at the hotel then go to the event. 7:00 AM pound that alarm clock. 7:06 AM pick up the phone, dial WDW dining and request a PS for Crystal palace Breakfast at 10:05AM. 7:08 AM Go back to sleep till 8:30. Oh boy we better get going if we are going to see the ceremony. 9:25 AM Pull into MK dock and find a place to watch the Festivities.
This was a highlight of our trip and Im glad we didnt miss it. The day is beautiful and warm. Not a cloud in the sky. As we pull up we notice the large crowd in front of the train station. There are also TV cameras set up to record the auspicious event. We set up camp behind a tree This is as close as we can get. The Main Street Marching band comes out. Then the WDW railroad pulls up with a whistle. All the characters are aboard and they wave cheerfully. Boom confetti flies everywhere. People around us try to catch the confetti. A 29 year CM comes out and gives a nice short speech. A woman sings a beautiful song from the balcony. Then with a boom and another shower of confetti the 100 year topiary is displayed. What a feeling we are a part of history now.
After the ceremony we walk into WDW and head for the Crystal Palace. We are seated about ½ hour later. We get to meet Tigger and Pooh.
For some reason about 11:00 all the characters disappear and we never see them again. DW is a little disappointed this is the second time weve eaten there and she didnt get to talk to Eeyore. I ask a CM he is also a bit mystified about what happened to the characters.
After breakfast we head for Pirates. On the way we are waylaid by a group of acrobats from Africa. They are amazing as they bend like pretzels and make pyramid shapes with their bodies.
We do POC, BTMRR then hit the train for Tomorrowland. In Tomorrowland we head for Space Mountain otherwise know as my WDW chiropractor. 2 years ago I came to WDW having suffered with backaches for some time prior. During E-ticket night we rode Space Mountain. On one of the dips I heard my back crack. Uh Oh. I got off the ride expecting to really hurt the next day. No, my back felt wonderful and hadnt hurt for over a year until just recently. So just as expected as I ride Space Mountain again - almost before getting started I hear crack. Boy does that feel good. Now my back doesnt hurt anymore. They should put this in the advertising.
On to Buzz Lightyear To Infinity and Beyond. I get my best score ever, 95900. Its now 2:15 and the Share A Dream Come True parade is slated to start in 45 minutes. We head to Main Street to grab a hotdog and score a spot on the curb. This is the parade with the snow-globes that weve all seen pictures of. It is even better in person. It stops every 5 minutes or so and the kids head out to play with the characters.
-Unfortunately, the film with the pictures of this parade is still in my camera.-
Its only later that night that we find that sitting on the curb waiting for the parade to start, DW got severely sunburned. No hot tub for us this trip. We should have known better than to sit for 45 minutes in the hot Florida sun..
After the parade we head for splash mountain. We skipped this earlier because the line was 60 minutes long and fastpass wasnt operating. Now the line is 45 minutes but we want to ride so we hop in line. 10 minutes later we are chasing Brer Rabbit with Brer Bear and heading for the Laughing Place. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Boy are we in luck
Now its time to do some shopping at the Pooh store in Fantasyland. On our way we meet up with a rabbit. Not a disney rabbit this is a real rabbit. A brown rabbit who happens to live in the bushes around Toon Town. Boy has the wildlife been out for us this trip.
Time to go to MGM. We want to see Fantasmic again. We hop a boat to WL then a bus to MGM. We arrive an hour early for Fantasmic and score seats front center. If anyone has not seen Fantasmic Go. Thats all I am going to see.
After Fantasmic we head back to WL to eat. We are planning to eat a quick dinner then maybe take a swim but we pick the wrong restaurant. We end up at the Whispering Canyon café where the Wait staff makes up for the Canyon by not whispering. Bean Alert Weve got a Bean Alert here He wants more Beans. For some reason we dont get picked on but many patrons do. At the entrance to the restaurant is a barrel of stick horses. What are those for? Half way through our gargantuan meal we didnt eat more than half of it we learn that a woman is having a birthday. To celebrate she is to ride a stick horse, leading her grandchildren on stick horses and any other children who want to join in, on a gallop around the restaurant. At the same time she is to sing Happy Birthday To Me at the top of her voice. Half way around, the restaurant votes that she is not singing loud enough so she then gallops around the entire hotel lobby. Though very red-faced, she is a good sport.
After dinner its too late for a swim so we head for bed.
