AllyandJack
* Here is where a picture of my girls would be, if
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2001
- Messages
- 4,074
Cast of Characters: Me, 28, multiple trips to Disney as a kid and adult; Scott (DH), 37, multiple trips to Disney with me as an adult; Jen (my bestest friend in the whole world), 28, second trip to disney; Shaun (Jen's DH's), 27, first trip to Disney
Our Dates: 9/24-10/4
Our Location: AKL
***************************************
So, Scott and I begin our meander down Main Street. We normally go in July/August, so this was HEAVEN to us. It was really empty. We took our time and headed toward Mickey's Philharmagic. When we got there, we weren't sure if it was open...in fact, we weren't sure anything was open because there were no lines.
We asked the CM if it was open and she said it was and to go on in. So, we did! The inside waiting area is really nice. There were 20 people in the waiting area. This was about the time the sore throat started. I tried to ignore it. Really, I did.
After about 5 minutes of standing in the waiting area with 20 other people, we went in to the theater. This is the first time I saw Philharmagic. For anyone that has never seen it: when you get to MK, go there first. Then go there often. It's incredible. It's amazing. Bring the kids, it's not even scary or loud! I absolutely loved it and it really set a great tone for the rest of the day.
Since Fantasyland was so empty, I wanted to ride Peter Pan. We walked right on to that, too. That ride never gets old for me. I remember when I was a kid that I really believed we flew. Afterall, you saw the track end as you took off!
We HAD to be flying, right?? I'm not sure when, exactly, I realized how it happened (and I won't say and ruin the magic for anyone else). I think I don't realize when it happened because it didn't ruin it for me. It's still magical and still amazing and still one of my favorites. I still laugh when my sneakers and socks light up under the black lighting. Scott and I still point at each other's hats to see what's lit up on them. 
After Peter Pan, we headed over to Tomorrowland, where I had to ride my favorite ride: Buzz Lightyear. I know this sounds like a lame excuse, but my gun really did malfunction. Something was definitely wrong. Scott didn't buy it. Later in the trip, I redeem myself (twice!) and he had to admit that my gun may, in fact, have been malfunctioning.
After Buzz, we went on another favorite: The Carousel of Progress. Everytime I go on this ride, I go on it as if it's my last time. You just never know with this one, huh?
I make sure to take it all in so I can remember it forever and tell my kids about it if it's something else 10 years from now. One of my favorite memories from this attraction happened during my wedding celebration in 2002. The "adults" and the "kids" decided to separate. So, the "adults" were my mom, dad, uncle, aunt, and a few family friends. The "kids" were me, Scott, and my friends. The "kids" decided to go on The Carousel of Progress. We heard some people behind us singing "There's a great big, beautiful tomorrow...." every time it moved. They were the only people in there with us (which is normally a good thing, but we need as many people as possible going on this thing to show it's still popular). So, we started singing along with the people in the back. When it was over and we all got up to leave, we realized that the people behind us were actually the "adults" in our group! 
We were all in there together!
After The Carousel of Progress, we decided to head over to the other side of the park. We had done all this and it was still only 10am!! We had PS at the Crystal Palace for 11:45. We decided to get slush and we walked around to the Haunted Mansion. This is the only attraction I don't mind standing in line for. Afterall, it moves fast and you can read the headstones along the way. There was no line and we just walked right in. I had learned that Scott never saw the man hanging up above in the Haunted Mansion. I learned this while watching the movie. So, when the lights went out, I grabbed his head and forced it to look up!
Hey, he got to see it this time, didn't he?
We walked over to Pirates of the Caribbean and went on that.
Then, we decided to head over to Crystal Palace for our PS. It was about 11:30 by now. What a mob scene!! Despite the park being nearly empty, they were not accepting walk ins at all. So, a little PSA: ALWAYS make PS, even if you're going during the slow season! We met a lovely couple who had to be evacuated due to the impending hurricane and decided to come to WDW. I got some great pictures with Pooh. The food is pretty good, too. Our waiter was fantastic. It was a good experience. I'd definitely recommend this place for lunch.
After lunch, we did some shopping. We went into the store in the Castle and, much to my dismay, I discovered that I pretty much had everything in there.
I walked out empty-handed. We walked down Main Street and did some shopping. I bought some T-shirts (I HAD to get the Grumpy State Debate Team: We're Right, You're Wrong, Debate Over shirt...I'm a lawyer, it's what I do). I got to meet that Lion who plays the organ in the Main Street Electrical Parade (who is that guy?). He's always been my mom's favorite character, so Scott and I got a picture with him. She loved it and blew it up and framed it and it's hung in her room. It was about 2pm now, so we decided to take a seat up for the parade.
As we're sitting there, we're listening to someone talk on their phone. This is what we heard: "No, it's going to hit us here as a Cat 3.....they're telling people to be off the roads by 6pm....the weather guy is saying 125 mile per hour winds...." We start to debate whether we should leave (we've seen this parade many, many times) or stay. We wanted to get to Goodings and get supplies and we started to worry about there being nothing left. At that moment, there was an announcement.
The Magic Kingdom would be closing at 5pm.
Jen called me right after the announcement to tell me she's landed and she's on her way now. She's listening to the radio and they were, indeed, telling everyone to be wherever they were going to be by 6pm. They said there was no water left on the shelves and there were massive lines for gas. As she's driving, she says that they've suspended the tolls. OK...we decide to leave. They don't know how to get to Goodings, so we told them to call us after they checked in. We got to Goodings and it was mass chaos!
There wasn't a shopping cart to be had! Scott and I each grabbed two baskets and were very happy to see that the place was really well stocked. We grabbed water and soda and breakfast foods and snack items. Jen called to ask directions. She calls back to say she's lost. She calls back to say she's going to the Winn Dixie. She calls back to say the Sheriff's office was standing there telling everyone it was closed. We finally get her to Goodings just as we're leaving. Carrying those two baskets and water and soda, I was pooped! 
Then my mom calls...the first of many, many calls. She's watching The Weather Channel. Need I say more?
We get back to the resort and self-park (away from any trees) and lug our stuff up to the our room. There is a message on the phone that says we should hit the Food Court while we can because it's closing and probably won't reopen until Monday. We run down there and grab some staples - cookies, apple crisp and potato chips - and, of course, a chocolate covered Rice Krispie Mickey Head. 
Jen calls and we decide to meet up in the lobby. This is where I start to get a little freaked. They had sandbags near all the doors. We were still free to move in and out of the resort, so we decided to take a walk. We went to the arcade. Me and Jen got on the motorcycles.
We walked around by the pool. We walked around to the animal viewing areas. To the person smoking on that trail, YES, the NO SMOKING sign DID apply to YOU, too! 
As we walked we wondered where the animals would go. Do they take them in from the storm? Why are they still out here? How will they get them in on time??
We went back in and sat on the lower level of the lobby in the big rocking chairs and watched people fall over the sandbags as they came in.
Nobody got hurt. Around 8pm, we decided to hit the Gift Shop for cold medication (the sore throat turned into a full on cold) and called it a night.
This was the night of the infamous Flashlight Incident. I reported on that in my AKL review over on the Resort Boards. No need to revisit it here....but, I did stay up until 1am peeking out the slider to see if the storm had arrived and watching Storm TV (all storm, all the time!).
We got notice that the parks would be closed the next day. I was sort of happy since I didn't feel well. I figured a day of rest would do me good. My mother called a few more times during the night until I went to sleep. Jen called to say Good Night and, thanks to the wonders of cold medication, I drifted off to sleep.
Our Dates: 9/24-10/4
Our Location: AKL
***************************************
So, Scott and I begin our meander down Main Street. We normally go in July/August, so this was HEAVEN to us. It was really empty. We took our time and headed toward Mickey's Philharmagic. When we got there, we weren't sure if it was open...in fact, we weren't sure anything was open because there were no lines.
We asked the CM if it was open and she said it was and to go on in. So, we did! The inside waiting area is really nice. There were 20 people in the waiting area. This was about the time the sore throat started. I tried to ignore it. Really, I did. After about 5 minutes of standing in the waiting area with 20 other people, we went in to the theater. This is the first time I saw Philharmagic. For anyone that has never seen it: when you get to MK, go there first. Then go there often. It's incredible. It's amazing. Bring the kids, it's not even scary or loud! I absolutely loved it and it really set a great tone for the rest of the day.
Since Fantasyland was so empty, I wanted to ride Peter Pan. We walked right on to that, too. That ride never gets old for me. I remember when I was a kid that I really believed we flew. Afterall, you saw the track end as you took off!
We HAD to be flying, right?? I'm not sure when, exactly, I realized how it happened (and I won't say and ruin the magic for anyone else). I think I don't realize when it happened because it didn't ruin it for me. It's still magical and still amazing and still one of my favorites. I still laugh when my sneakers and socks light up under the black lighting. Scott and I still point at each other's hats to see what's lit up on them. After Peter Pan, we headed over to Tomorrowland, where I had to ride my favorite ride: Buzz Lightyear. I know this sounds like a lame excuse, but my gun really did malfunction. Something was definitely wrong. Scott didn't buy it. Later in the trip, I redeem myself (twice!) and he had to admit that my gun may, in fact, have been malfunctioning.
After Buzz, we went on another favorite: The Carousel of Progress. Everytime I go on this ride, I go on it as if it's my last time. You just never know with this one, huh?
I make sure to take it all in so I can remember it forever and tell my kids about it if it's something else 10 years from now. One of my favorite memories from this attraction happened during my wedding celebration in 2002. The "adults" and the "kids" decided to separate. So, the "adults" were my mom, dad, uncle, aunt, and a few family friends. The "kids" were me, Scott, and my friends. The "kids" decided to go on The Carousel of Progress. We heard some people behind us singing "There's a great big, beautiful tomorrow...." every time it moved. They were the only people in there with us (which is normally a good thing, but we need as many people as possible going on this thing to show it's still popular). So, we started singing along with the people in the back. When it was over and we all got up to leave, we realized that the people behind us were actually the "adults" in our group! We were all in there together! After The Carousel of Progress, we decided to head over to the other side of the park. We had done all this and it was still only 10am!! We had PS at the Crystal Palace for 11:45. We decided to get slush and we walked around to the Haunted Mansion. This is the only attraction I don't mind standing in line for. Afterall, it moves fast and you can read the headstones along the way. There was no line and we just walked right in. I had learned that Scott never saw the man hanging up above in the Haunted Mansion. I learned this while watching the movie. So, when the lights went out, I grabbed his head and forced it to look up!
Hey, he got to see it this time, didn't he? We walked over to Pirates of the Caribbean and went on that.
Then, we decided to head over to Crystal Palace for our PS. It was about 11:30 by now. What a mob scene!! Despite the park being nearly empty, they were not accepting walk ins at all. So, a little PSA: ALWAYS make PS, even if you're going during the slow season! We met a lovely couple who had to be evacuated due to the impending hurricane and decided to come to WDW. I got some great pictures with Pooh. The food is pretty good, too. Our waiter was fantastic. It was a good experience. I'd definitely recommend this place for lunch. After lunch, we did some shopping. We went into the store in the Castle and, much to my dismay, I discovered that I pretty much had everything in there.
I walked out empty-handed. We walked down Main Street and did some shopping. I bought some T-shirts (I HAD to get the Grumpy State Debate Team: We're Right, You're Wrong, Debate Over shirt...I'm a lawyer, it's what I do). I got to meet that Lion who plays the organ in the Main Street Electrical Parade (who is that guy?). He's always been my mom's favorite character, so Scott and I got a picture with him. She loved it and blew it up and framed it and it's hung in her room. It was about 2pm now, so we decided to take a seat up for the parade.As we're sitting there, we're listening to someone talk on their phone. This is what we heard: "No, it's going to hit us here as a Cat 3.....they're telling people to be off the roads by 6pm....the weather guy is saying 125 mile per hour winds...." We start to debate whether we should leave (we've seen this parade many, many times) or stay. We wanted to get to Goodings and get supplies and we started to worry about there being nothing left. At that moment, there was an announcement.
The Magic Kingdom would be closing at 5pm. Jen called me right after the announcement to tell me she's landed and she's on her way now. She's listening to the radio and they were, indeed, telling everyone to be wherever they were going to be by 6pm. They said there was no water left on the shelves and there were massive lines for gas. As she's driving, she says that they've suspended the tolls. OK...we decide to leave. They don't know how to get to Goodings, so we told them to call us after they checked in. We got to Goodings and it was mass chaos!
There wasn't a shopping cart to be had! Scott and I each grabbed two baskets and were very happy to see that the place was really well stocked. We grabbed water and soda and breakfast foods and snack items. Jen called to ask directions. She calls back to say she's lost. She calls back to say she's going to the Winn Dixie. She calls back to say the Sheriff's office was standing there telling everyone it was closed. We finally get her to Goodings just as we're leaving. Carrying those two baskets and water and soda, I was pooped! Then my mom calls...the first of many, many calls. She's watching The Weather Channel. Need I say more?
We get back to the resort and self-park (away from any trees) and lug our stuff up to the our room. There is a message on the phone that says we should hit the Food Court while we can because it's closing and probably won't reopen until Monday. We run down there and grab some staples - cookies, apple crisp and potato chips - and, of course, a chocolate covered Rice Krispie Mickey Head. Jen calls and we decide to meet up in the lobby. This is where I start to get a little freaked. They had sandbags near all the doors. We were still free to move in and out of the resort, so we decided to take a walk. We went to the arcade. Me and Jen got on the motorcycles.
We walked around by the pool. We walked around to the animal viewing areas. To the person smoking on that trail, YES, the NO SMOKING sign DID apply to YOU, too! As we walked we wondered where the animals would go. Do they take them in from the storm? Why are they still out here? How will they get them in on time??
We went back in and sat on the lower level of the lobby in the big rocking chairs and watched people fall over the sandbags as they came in.
Nobody got hurt. Around 8pm, we decided to hit the Gift Shop for cold medication (the sore throat turned into a full on cold) and called it a night. This was the night of the infamous Flashlight Incident. I reported on that in my AKL review over on the Resort Boards. No need to revisit it here....but, I did stay up until 1am peeking out the slider to see if the storm had arrived and watching Storm TV (all storm, all the time!).
We got notice that the parks would be closed the next day. I was sort of happy since I didn't feel well. I figured a day of rest would do me good. My mother called a few more times during the night until I went to sleep. Jen called to say Good Night and, thanks to the wonders of cold medication, I drifted off to sleep.
