Adventures Down Under take on the World!!!

[carissanboys]

Both of your dishes at Planet Hollywood look awesome!! I've only eaten at one Planet Hollywood and it was the one in New York City. We only had sandwiches I think, though, nothing like what you had. Isn't there a Planet Hollywood on the Gold Coast?

Can't wait for more! Btw, you guys make a very cute couple

 

[downunder]

Great pictures and first installment! I wish I had gotten a picture of that Pop sign. We really enjoyed Pop too, we were in the 50's building. Can't wait to read more!

PM me your email and i will email you the POP sign photo if you would like!!!

I'd forgotten about your TR!! But, here I am again

So glad to hear you had such a magical time. And a big congrats on the souvenir!!

That cheesecake looks awesome, but yeah, dye tends to make it's way out of your body. Makes for a colorful exit!

You took some great photos. I love the one of POP.

I have a friend that is a manager at a Bunnings. How does it compare to Home Depot? I figured it was similar, but probably not as big?

On to the next installment...

Welcome back Murray worked at bunnings that is why he wanted to go there. It is what Bunnings is based on...but much smaller.

Both of your dishes at Planet Hollywood look awesome!! I've only eaten at one Planet Hollywood and it was the one in New York City. We only had sandwiches I think, though, nothing like what you had. Isn't there a Planet Hollywood on the Gold Coast?

Can't wait for more! Btw, you guys make a very cute couple

Thanks There is planet hollywood in QLD. there used to be one in Sydney but i think it closed.

 

[downunder]

Here is something fun i found on a friends TR. Please copy and post your responses!!!!

1. What is your favorite traditional animated Disney animated film? Lion King/ Alice in Wonderland

2. What is your favorite Disney/Pixar film? Monsters Inc

3. What is your favorite Disney stop-motion animated film? ?????

4. What is your favorite Disney completely live action film? Parent trap/Pollyanna

5. What is your favorite Disney mixed animated/live action film? Mary Poppins!(I agree Mel)

6. What is your favorite current attraction at the Disneyland resort? Definately the ALice in wonderland Ride

7. What is your favorite past attraction at the Disneyland resort? N/a

8. What is your favorite current attraction at the WDW resort? after this trip I would say thrill ride- Expedition Everest.... I also love Peter Pans flight

9. What is your favorite past attraction at the WDW resort? Um... I dunno...

10. What is your favorite Disney resort? So far- POP CENTURY(its the only one i ahve stayed at)

11. What is your favorite Disney song from a movie? Part of your world- Ariel
i also love all the songs form Pocohontas, Tarzan and Lion King!!!!...actually i really love them all

12. What is your favorite song from a Disney Theme Park? I always love the christmas parades!!!

13. What is your favorite Disney short?

14. What is your favorite Disney animated character? Alice/Simba/Mickey/Minnie/Boo

15. What is your favorite Disney television show? Gummy Bears

16. What is your favorite WDW park? Animal Kingdom

17. What is your favorite hotel at WDW? POP

18. What is your favorite hotel at Disneyland? never stayed there but i like the Californina one

19. What is your least favorite Disney movie? Not mutch into the ones like Treasure planet or herculus, i guess the boy ones.

20. What is your least favorite Disney theme park attraction? I used to hate that ALien encounter which is now stitches great escape

 

[erinstar]

Here are my responses

1. What is your favorite traditional animated Disney animated film?
Beauty and the Beast

2. What is your favorite Disney/Pixar film?
Monsters Inc

3. What is your favorite Disney stop-motion animated film?
?????

4. What is your favorite Disney completely live action film?
Peter Pan (the one made recently) or High School Musical 1.

5. What is your favorite Disney mixed animated/live action film?
Mary Poppins


6. What is your favorite current attraction at the Disneyland resort?
I've never been

7. What is your favorite past attraction at the Disneyland resort?
see above!

8. What is your favorite current attraction at the WDW resort?
ohh toughie - any of the mountains at MK... Test Track... Expedition Everest and Backlot Tour and Fantasmic.. i could go on and on!!

9. What is your favorite past attraction at the WDW resort?
I've only been once but I was never able to go when Who Wants to be a Milionare was at MGM so does that count??!!

10. What is your favorite Disney resort?
I've only stayed at Pop Century so I'd have to say that but I have a few others I'd love to stay at!

11. What is your favorite Disney song from a movie?
FFFaaaarrr to many to name only one but one that really stands out is "What Dreams Are Made Of" - By Hilary Duff in the Lizzie MacGuire Movie

12. What is your favorite song from a Disney Theme Park?
Wishes and Fantasmic Soundtracks are pretty good

13. What is your favorite Disney short?
????

14. What is your favorite Disney animated character?
Mickey and Chicken Little

15. What is your favorite Disney television show?
Don't really have a fave.

16. What is your favorite WDW park?
Magic Kingdom

17. What is your favorite hotel at WDW?
Pop Century

18. What is your favorite hotel at Disneyland?
I've never been

19. What is your least favorite Disney movie?
Some of the ones made specifically made for the Disney Channel aren't something you'd write home about!

20. What is your least favorite Disney theme park attraction?
again I've only been once so I'll have to go with an attraction I wouldn't be in a hurry to repeat - probably the Nemo ride at Epcot... or Star Tours... well done, I just don't like simulator rides, none of the others really stuck out to me...

 

[~Fisharefriends~]

Have just caught up reading your pre trip and your first installments of your trip report. sounds like you had a fantastic time and many congratulations on your surprise souvenior!

Cant wait to read more

 

[carissanboys]

That questionaire looks vaguely familiar Unless someone else borrowed it from me (which would be fine seeing as I "borrowed" it from another message board ).

Can't wait for more of your TR!

 

[alabamagirl]

1. What is your favorite traditional animated Disney animated film? Alice in Wonderland

2. What is your favorite Disney/Pixar film? Toy Story

3. What is your favorite Disney stop-motion animated film? I'm not sure what this is

4. What is your favorite Disney completely live action film? The Parent Trap (old version)

5. What is your favorite Disney mixed animated/live action film? Mary Poppins, and most recently Enchanted!

6. What is your favorite current attraction at the Disneyland resort? Haven't been there yet, but I know I would love the Alice in Wonderland ride

7. What is your favorite past attraction at the Disneyland resort?

8. What is your favorite current attraction at the WDW resort?
Soarin

9. What is your favorite past attraction at the WDW resort? I liked "Food Rocks" that used to be in The Land at Epcot

10. What is your favorite Disney resort? Wilderness Lodge

11. What is your favorite Disney song from a movie? Chim Chimaree from Mary Poppins

12. What is your favorite song from a Disney Theme Park? Splash Mountain soundtrack

13. What is your favorite Disney short? Steamboat Mickey

14. What is your favorite Disney animated character? Alice in Wonderland

15. What is your favorite Disney television show? Tailspin

16. What is your favorite WDW park? Magic Kingdom

17. What is your favorite hotel at WDW? Favorite hote I've stayed at: Pop, Favorite hotel ever: Wilderness Lodge

18. What is your favorite hotel at Disneyland? I would love to stay at either of them!

19. What is your least favorite Disney movie? Hunchback of Notre Dame

20. What is your least favorite Disney theme park attraction?Dinosaur

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Hey haven't heard from you in a while, I hope everything is OK. I really can't wait for the next installment.

 

[downunder]

Day 1 Part 1 3rd of January 2008

Sorry this has taken so long…Being 3 months pregnant is taking its toll on me at the moment. Happy Easter Everyone!!!

Before I start, I should probably give you some background information. When I went to WDW in 2000, I worked at the Animal Kingdom. This is therefore my favourite park. My husband Murray loves animals and I have been building this park up for a long time. Unfortunately, the early start and freezing morning wasn’t making our vacation feel very exciting to him!!!

We were on a 7:15 bus to Animal Kingdom. It was FREEZING this morning and Murray was not very impressed at being up at such an early hour! We went straight to the Safari as I always remember there being large crowds there. There was NO-ONE!! It was so cold this morning and it really didn’t warm up till after lunch time,

We rode the safari but there were not to many animals around…it was to cold for them. We did however get to see 2 lions !!!

We then went over to EE. This was our favourite ride of the whole trip (scary ride). I loved it and so did murray. We rode it twice and then got a FP for later on.

By now, Murray, who never gets cold….ever, he wears t-shirts and shorts with bare feet all winter….was so cold that it was starting to ruin our day. He already had on a really warm jumper but he was cold and miserable. To stop his complaining we went to buy him a new jumper. We walked from Asia, to Africa to Island Merchantile…Everywere the jumpers were $50 and I refused to buy it for him. We eventually walked down to Rainforest Café where we got a jumper for $20. he also bought some gloves (the first pair he has ever worn)!!!

Now that he was all rugged up./…and no longer complaining I got back to enjoying my day. We went back to do the Safari…there was still no wait time and we say a few more animals this time. We walked the Forest Trails but most animals were hiding and keeping warm.

We caught the train out to conversation. Murray loved ity out there and decided he would like to go back another day and spend a few hours out there. From 10am-1pm (I think, don’t quote me on the times) they do procedures on animals and he really wanted to see this.

For lunch we went to check out Yak and Yeti CS meals. I had read a lot about this restaurant and we have an adr for it later in the vacation. I ordered the Sweet and Sour pork and murray ordered the Kung Pow Beef. Both meals were delicious and so fresh.

By now, Murray was tired and since I really hadn’t explore POP Century yet. We headed back to the hotel at around 1pm. Murray relaxed while I explored and took more photos (now I realise why I managed to get 4000 photos).

Next up: My crazy dash to see the Grand Floridian Christmas tree, our ADR at Chef Mickeys and a Night at Magic Kingdom

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Wow, ask and you shall receive, I didn't realise a new part would be up this early . I really can't wait to go to Animal Kingdom I have a feeling that this might be my fav park when I get there. It is a pity it was so cold, I hope it didn't ruin the day too much. Looking forward to the next part, hey do you think if I ask you for a new segment right..... NOW, that it will be up when I check back next time . Have a happy Easter and long weekend.

 

[downunder]

Wow, ask and you shall receive, I didn't realise a new part would be up this early . I really can't wait to go to Animal Kingdom I have a feeling that this might be my fav park when I get there. It is a pity it was so cold, I hope it didn't ruin the day too much. Looking forward to the next part, hey do you think if I ask you for a new segment right..... NOW, that it will be up when I check back next time . Have a happy Easter and long weekend.

HA HA HA... you just gave me the polite kick that i needed to get the next installment done. It is so easy to get lost sometimes!!

Where in Australia are you from?

When are you off to the World?

 

[DL55]

Too bad it was so cold. We went in Dec. one year and had to wear slacks. I had always worn shorts. A bit disappointing. I'm glad Murray "warmed up" to the park. Enjoying the pictures.

 

[downunder]

Too bad it was so cold. We went in Dec. one year and had to wear slacks. I had always worn shorts. A bit disappointing. I'm glad Murray "warmed up" to the park. Enjoying the pictures.

DOn't worry the cold only lasted for the first 2 days! He was in shorts and t-shirts for teh rest of the time!

 

[downunder]

Day 2 Part 2 3rd of January 2008
We had a 5:00 reservation at Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary Resort, but before that I wanted to get the Grand Floridian to see the Gingerbread house and Christmas Tree. SO we set off on our journey at around 3:30pm (I think). When we got to the POP bus stop, the busses to the MK and EPCOT were so looooong. I knew it would take about 4 buses before we got there. So I decided to get on the empty DTD bus that was waiting there. We went to DTD without a problem and were now waiting for the bus to the GF. Just as we sat on the park bench, we saw the GF bus drive past…it was leaving. I was nearly in tears as I knew that we were going to miss our ADR at Chef Mickey’s.

Then we experienced our first bit of Disney magic. As he drove around the turning bay he saw us sitting on the bench and he pulled over, wound down his window and said come on over. We ran across the road and made it on the bus. I am sure he wasn’t allowed to do that but it made my day.

Anyway, now we were on schedule and on our way to the GF. When we pulled up o was so excited. I had been building up the tree and the gingerbread house to murray for the whole bus ride. I knew that this was my only chance to see it as it was Jan 3rd and I thought it might come down around the 5th of Jan.

We walked through the main entrance into the lobby and I nearly cried. The tree and gingerbread house were removed the night before as they were replacing the floor of the lobby. Not only was I distraught but I also knew I would have to hear it from Murray who thought it was insane to go all this way just to see a tree. I think he saw how devastated I was that he didn’t make a big deal of it.

We set off for the Contemporary Resort and were seated quickly at Chef Mickeys. We had a nice night here. The food was ok (probably the worst meal we ate in WDW) but the character interaction was excellent. They also made a big deal about our anniversary and gave us special placemats sighed buy the characters and bought out an anniversary cup cake.

After our meal we headed off to the MK to see the castle. I was so excited to see the lights as I had seen so many peoples lights on the boards previously. I can’t describe how amazing it looked. The photos just don’t do it justice. It was SPECTACULAR.

The MK was pretty crowded so we just did a few rides tonight in Tomorrowland. Buzz, stitch and Monsters Inc. I hated Stitch I thought it was terrible. (I also hated it wghen it was the alien encounter). I Love Buzz and I beat Murray’s score which was also a bonus. We then went to the Monsters Inc attraction. I loved it and murray was “THAT GUY” in the show. I have never laughed so hard in my life.

We watched the fireworks and headed home around 11pm.

Up Next: My solo adventures at MGM…..Murray slept the day away!!!!

 

[DL55]

Oh what a roller coaster. I was so happy that the bus driver stopped for you. Then I was so sad that you missed the tree and gingerbread house by a day. I'm glad you enjoyed the characters at Chef Mickey's. Love the pictures!

 

[downunder]

Hi ALL

well here is the first photos of our little disney peanut...12 weeks 6 days. Everything was the right size etc.. I am so excited

 

[DL55]

How exciting for you. Sonograms are great, makes it all more real.

 

[downunder]

Day 3 January 4th 2008


Sorry it has been awhile between updates but I am on School Holidays at the moment. Before I start a little baby update. We are now 15 WEEKS!!! It is flying past. I had an ultra-sound and it was amazing. I can’t believe you can see all that!!! We have bought the cot and the pram and the cradle so we are on track!!!


Well today Murray decided he was going to have a sleep in. (I know it is only day 2) but we had been in America for 4 days and we really hadn’t stopped yet at all. When we arrived we went to Universal and IOA. That first day at IOA and Universal we walked 36000 steps on a pedometer. Know wonder we were tired!!!


SO I set off at 8:30 am and arrived at MGM (it hadn’t officially changed names just yet) before the park opened. I wondered and explored the shop windows which were all decorated with Christmas decorations. I headed over to the big hat and waited for the HSM2 Pep-Rally. I really enjoyed this little show/parade. I love HSM and the music and dancers were really entertaining. (At this point I was greatful that Murray was at home asleep…he would of hated it!!!)

I lined up (the lines were short) and had my photo taken with Donald, Daisy, goofy and Minnie near the forequater of the Hat. I also got some great photopass photos here aswell. (I bought the photopass CD and loved it!!!!)

Overall, the amount of characters at MGM was excwellent. I also took photos of Sulley and Mike, Chip and Dale, Buzz and Woody, The Incredibles, Remy, Kim possible and Mickey.

I think my favourite part of the morning was the time I spend in the animation building. I loved learning about how the movies are made and I enjoyed the animation class. I can not draw to save my life but over my days at WDW I managed to draw Pooh, goofy and Minnie and they actually looked good. My advice is take your time to do this class it is worth it!!!

It is now about 1pm and Murray finally has woken up and called me. Can you believe that he slept half the day while we were in Disney. I should disown him!!! Actually I was kind of greatful. It meant that I had time to take my photos and line up to meet the characters without him complaining. We agreed to meet at EPCOT as we had a early dinner at Chefs de France. I caught the bus over to EPCOT and met Murray.


I though I should just totally humiliate my husband now. When I was planning the vacation, Murray really wasn’t involved at all. But one day he pointed to a picture of Space ship earth and asked me how big it was. He said that it would have to be pretty big to fit a theme park in there. He thought the whole of EPCOT was inside the ball hahahahahahah I have never laughed so hard in my life.

We had a late lunch at Sunshine Seasons in the land pavilion. Both our meals were enjoyable.We spent the next 3 hours exploring WS. Gosh I love that place. It is truly amazing.

Our dinner reservations were at 6pm for Chefs de France. I was both nervous and excited for this meal. I had read a lot of mixed reviews about dining here but I love anything to do with France so I was keen to give it a go. The service was excellent…. I love the French accent and the restaurant looked lovely.

Murray had a Filet Mignon and I had the Lamb. Both meals were amazing!!! Murray actually said it was the best piece of meat he has ever eaten. So now that the standards had been set. Can we find a better meal in WDW. I was positive we would as it was only day 2?

We wondered around a little and explore the shops. I spent a while in Mouse Gears (I love that shop) and the Art of Disney (I wish I was rich). We headed back home at around 9pm and had an early night and got ready for the morning.

Up next: Blizzard beach- the last 2 days have been in the 30’s….I am sure a day at the beach will be enjoyable….won’t it?

 

[gogo65]

Good to see another update,

Now you are on holidays I am sure we will get a few more updates in the next 2 weeks.

I can't believe baby is now 15 weeks, how quickly has this year gone!

I am going to high school musical on ice this week,
I didn't see any HSM shows when in WDW, I think I need to go back ( now where to find another $20-$25 thousand

Will catch up for coffee soon!
Say hello to Murray

Gab.

 

[DL55]

Just got back from my trip. Enjoyed your installment. Sometimes it is easier to just go alone so you don't have to hear the whining.