Back to Back trips in August-The How Could You's Ride Again!- Final Thoughts 4/14

[Tiggerrn2]

I'm caught up again Linda!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE AKL! I love your view of the pool. It's a much better pool view than we had our first AKL visit but heck, the entire resort is stunning so I'm happy no matter. I never thought to go over to Kidani and check out their pool. I'll be back at AKL in a about 3 months so I'll keep that in mind.

Be sure to check it out. It is a nice 5-10 min walk over from Jambo (or you can ride the bus around).

Great job with the Disney trivia! And spelling that big long Mary Poppins word.

Thanks. We had fun!

I ordered the buffalo chicken nuggets at Sci-Fi as well... and like you I say they were ok. Nothing great.

People suck sometimes. Why get upset with the CM who won't allow people without FPs to sit in that section. Come on people. It's good to know that the FP+ section is a great area.

I really do feel sorry for the CMs. They are caught between making great vacation memories for everyone and still having to enforce some rules that others just don't want to follow.

What a fun DHS evening!

We had a fun time.

I can't wait to hear about the show. It looks like you had a great view.

We did have a good view. K2 took some great photos, and I have a bunch as well. Hope to post the rest of the evening today.

 

[pamelasu1]

Probably! But then K2 went in search of food later as well.

Yes, I think she just had a snack at FF. I think I had the pulled pork. But she probably would have been hungry again no matter what.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Yes, I think she just had a snack at FF. I think I had the pulled pork. But she probably would have been hungry again no matter what.

You are probably right about that!
Hope she is feeling better.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

We left off awaiting the start of the show. We got a late start because of the storm, and it was risking our other plans for the evening (extra magic hours at Epcot). Would we make it?

I always take wayyyyy too many photos here. (i.e. way to many BAD photos) I will try to pick through them and only share the ones that didn't turn out so bad. You'd have to go check out Franklin's (AKA Pixeldust here on the Dis) photos to see some really good ones, but since you are here reading this TR, you are stuck with mine.

Let us begin....

This part of the show is so much better in DL. There it is a Peter Pan scene fought on the Columbia as it floats through. But here we get John Smith and co.

And DIG and DIG and DIG!

Funny thing-we were missing a princess tonight. Ariel or Prince Eric must have been ill because their float did not "float" by.

Welcome to a Nightmare Fantasmic!!!

Mirror Mirror!!

Now we'll see how Snakelike I can be....

And Mickey saves the day!!

And here they come. All safe and sound.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

just the end.... we made plans to make a beeline for the exit so we could hurry out of the park ahead of the masses. And you all know about the "masses" leaving from this theater!

We didn't stick around for the fireworks or Mickey at the top of the mountain. We scooted out ahead of everyone and made it out to our car. We had somewhere to be!!!

to be continued here....

 

[Tiggerrn2]

We left off entering here just after 9:30pm....

Magical sidewalks make us happy!!

Have you ever been on Living with the Land in the dark? No?! It's a bit different than during the day-looks really neat.

Guess it's not a big hit in the EMH line-up.

We headed over to the World Showcase to shop a bit. Very beautiful over here at night.

We were making our way back over to Future World to ride Test Track at night. We made it around to the bridge and had to come to a sudden stop! Something had occurred that I had never seen before! The bridge was going up to let something pass.

Just DD and I rode TT this time. K2 was hungry so Pam went with her on a walk back through World Showcase in search of something to eat. Love the guys in this photo!

We came in 2nd.

I love this fountain!

We met back up with the others and started making our way out of the park. But first I thought I'd lie down on the ground to try a more artsy shot.

time to head out

And this is what the parking lot looks like when you are one of the last to leave after Evening EMH! The white car was ours!

Next up...DD and my last full day in the World!! And our plans change up a bit.

 

[KatMark]

Linda, you are killing me with all of these updates. I think I'm almost caught up on everyone's threads and then see you've done a gazillion updates.

What a fun day at the Studios, then some pool time at one of my favorite Disney pools (Kidani), then back to the Studios and Epcot.

I didn't think the walk between Jambo and Kidani was that bad. Maybe you felt it because it was so hot?

Love the pics with the characters at the Animation Studio. And such fun ride photos (love the one from Tower of Terror).

Your pictures of Fantasmic turned out great. I NEVER get anything close to being good.

Yay...you made it to Epcot. We rode the Land (the girls and I) last June for EMH's....we were the only ones there.

 

[pamelasu1]

Just DD and I rode TT this time. K2 was hungry so Pam went with her on a walk back through World Showcase in search of something to eat.

K2 and I had a horrible time finding food. Almost all the places in Epcot were either closed or just serving "refreshments"! We finally made it all the way around to Mexico, where they were still serving actual food. It ended up being worth it, because we were the only ones there and we shared a plate of tacos at a lovely little lagoon side table. It was so pretty and quiet sitting there!

 

[pamelasu1]

We met back up with the others and started making our way out of the park.

Trying to remember here, but didn't TT break down or something while you were in line? All I remember is that we waited on a bench outside of Mouse Gear for you and the park was pretty much empty as it was quite a while after closing. The only people left in the park seemed to be the few straggles coming off of TT! I just can't seem to remember why TT was running so late.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Trying to remember here, but didn't TT break down or something while you were in line? All I remember is that we waited on a bench outside of Mouse Gear for you and the park was pretty much empty as it was quite a while after closing. The only people left in the park seemed to be the few straggles coming off of TT! I just can't seem to remember why TT was running so late.

Yes it did!!! DD and I spent some time sitting on the floor in line waiting because we were so close to getting on the ride and the CMs said they would get it going again "real soon"!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Linda, you are killing me with all of these updates. I think I'm almost caught up on everyone's threads and then see you've done a gazillion updates.

Sorry. Just seems like I have been doing this TR forever and no end in sight!

What a fun day at the Studios, then some pool time at one of my favorite Disney pools (Kidani), then back to the Studios and Epcot.

Kidani is a sweet pool!

I didn't think the walk between Jambo and Kidani was that bad. Maybe you felt it because it was so hot?

I agree. I think it just seemed that way because it was really hot out. In trips past, it didn't seem like such a hike.


Love the pics with the characters at the Animation Studio. And such fun ride photos (love the one from Tower of Terror).

We would sit and discuss our poses and then K2 would do something else! Always funny to see how they would end up.

Your pictures of Fantasmic turned out great. I NEVER get anything close to being good.

Thanks. I had fun with my new camera and lens. I really would like to get good at taking photos. I would like to take a class that would teach me how to use everything in manual mode. I do ask questions of PixelDust (here on the Dis) and he is very helpful!

Yay...you made it to Epcot. We rode the Land (the girls and I) last June for EMH's....we were the only ones there.

It was fun to do this one in the dark. Different perspective. I love being in the parks so late and walking out when everything is empty but the music is still playing and all the lights are still on. That's my little bit of peace for the day. Some day I would love to be the off shift worker in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Pixel Dust]

I always take wayyyyy too many photos here. (i.e. way to many BAD photos) I will try to pick through them and only share the ones that didn't turn out so bad. You'd have to go check out Franklin's (AKA Pixeldust here on the Dis) photos to see some really good ones, but since you are here reading this TR, you are stuck with mine.

Thanks for the plug!

Your photos of Fantasmic and Epcot at night turned out really well. Keep up the good work!

 

[RGirl]

Really enjoyed seeing your Fantasmic! pics - someday we will see it in person…..

The nighttime Epcot pics are great! I recall riding Living with the Land at night once - tried to recreate that in August, but it was closed early. TT at night is awesome!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

All caught up again! Glad to hear that the rain held off long enough for you to enjoy your time at Hollywood Studios and that you got to see Fantasmic. Your pictures from the show turned out great! Mine are always so .

Way to shut down Epcot! Just two cars in the parking lot and one is your's.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Thanks for the plug!


So glad you stopped over to join in!! and Any time!! Only speaking the truth!

Your photos of Fantasmic and Epcot at night turned out really well. Keep up the good work!

Thank you. I don't have any software to play with them after I take them, so they are what they are.

Really enjoyed seeing your Fantasmic! pics - someday we will see it in person…..

It is my son's favorite show. I am sure you will get to it soon enough

The nighttime Epcot pics are great! I recall riding Living with the Land at night once - tried to recreate that in August, but it was closed early. TT at night is awesome!!!

Epcot is beautiful at night. I love all the parks late in the evening and for Evening EMH! Many people are gone by then and the photos are so much less crowded. And I don't feel like I am in anyone's way when I stop to grab a photo. Living with the Land usually isn't one that stays open later. Guess we got lucky.

All caught up again! Glad to hear that the rain held off long enough for you to enjoy your time at Hollywood Studios and that you got to see Fantasmic. Your pictures from the show turned out great! Mine are always so .

Thanks! Fantasmic is tough to get photos with the lighting always changing. We were glad the rain stayed away, too. Rain has a habit of foiling those ever-so-carefully created plans.

Way to shut down Epcot! Just two cars in the parking lot and one is your's.

I know, right?! I LOVE closing the parks! (even more than opening them-but I will swing both ways!

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Oooh! Thanks for the Fantasmic! pics!!! I LOVE Fantasmic, but I haven't seen it my last few trips! I think I am going to DHS absolutely first on my next trip. I don't care what anyone else says, I NEED to get my F! fix!!!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Oooh! Thanks for the Fantasmic! pics!!! I LOVE Fantasmic, but I haven't seen it my last few trips! I think I am going to DHS absolutely first on my next trip. I don't care what anyone else says, I NEED to get my F! fix!!!

You are welcome!! It is a tough show to take pictures. Lighting is always changing. You can always watch the show on you tube!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

So sorry I have been MIA with updates lately. Seems DD dance schedule picked it up a few notches. She is getting ready for YAGP (Youth American Grand Prix) and Dance Convention. That means extra rehearsals and some private lessons as well. Very busy time but she loves it.

So I left you after a very late night in Epcot. We had closed the EMH portion of the park and had headed back to our lonely car! We got back to our resort and crashed.

Plans for our final full day originally revolved around the MK. However, DD and I still had some things not accomplished at DHS and we had pretty much done what we set out to do earlier in the week at MK. So while DHS was not a recommended park for this morning (it was EMH morning) DD and I decided to hit it at opening and then we would head to MK later to meet Pam and K2 for lunch (they were sleeping in after our late night). We had some awesome FP+ reservations later for MK today!!

So DD and I were up and out of the room early. She wanted to have breakfast at the Mara, but there wasn't enough time to eat it there. We grabbed some Mickey waffles "to go" and headed out to wait for a bus about 7am. (2 waffles with back and a water=$15.12).

We grabbed a spot in line at the turnstiles and sat down to eat our waffles while we waited. It was already looking to be pretty crowded, but we knew we weren't going to be there all that long so it should be OK. We headed straight over grab a FP and to ride TSM. I had a dismal showing here and went back to being a Beaver again. This ride will always get the better of me. I keep hoping I will figure something out.

Next we headed over to ride Tower of Terror. And I have an Attraction + receipt but this is one of the photos that was missing, and I didn't realize it until it was too late. After that we headed back to TSM and rode with our FPs. When we came off of the ride, it was just before 9am. The line for the Toy Story characters had just a couple of people in it. We'd never been in here before, so we hopped in line!

We were headed inside in no time!

Love the plug for this show!! It was one of my very favorite TGIFs.

Does this game actually exist somewhere? Would be great fun!!

We got to meet Buzz and Woody on Andy's bed!!

Here is a closer look at the backpack DD picked up at the Disney outlet we'd shopped at earlier in the week. It was the perfect size for her and she like the straps much better than string bag straps-said it didn't cut into her shoulder when it was a little heavier (with a water bottle and souveniers).

We headed on out of here and over to do something we had been hoping to do this trip but didn't yet have the chance. We went into the Animation Building and on over to the Academy. The line wasn't bad and a class was just ready to begin!

There was a vote-off for which character to draw-Tigger or Stitch. DD's favorite character is Stitch, so even though I love Tigger, I voted her way. But Stitch lost to Tigger anyway!!

I ran out of time to finish the shading in, but here are our efforts.

We headed out from there to shop a bit. We were still on the lookout for the Beach Club resort pin and headed to the Sorcerers Hat Shop to check out the pins there. DD found a cute Oswald pin. Then we headed into Mickeys of Hollywood. I picked up my Halloween flag that I had been eyeing during the week and some pens for my co-workers. DD noticed there were some characters greeting around the hat.

We'd yet to encounter the last of the Fab 5, and here he was with his lady love!!

DD had fun with this meet!

And a fun photo under the Hat!

It was getting really warm. We headed into a few more shops and then decided to make our way over to meet our friends for lunch. But first, a stop for a Photopass photo....

Time to go. We thought we'd get on the first bus to come along that would get us close to the MK.

Which one would it be?......

 

[pamelasu1]

It was fun to see what you were doing while we were sleeping! I don't even remember this morning....of course, because I hardly remember anything!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

It was fun to see what you were doing while we were sleeping! I don't even remember this morning....of course, because I hardly remember anything!

Didn't you do laundry while Kayla slept in or was that a different day? We had to maximize our every moment since we were leaving the next day-no sleeping in Disney for us!!