We're back - sorry for the delay. Now, where were we...
Thursday December 11, 2003
After yesterdays relaxing, take-life-more-slowly pace, were in for a busy Disney-day! Alarm is going off at 6:00, and the troops are ready todays likely our last visit to the Magic Kingdom. I know weve still got Friday and Saturday to go before packing up and heading home on Sunday, but Saturday is MGM only, and tomorrow is Epcot during the day, and Fantasmic in the evening.
Kinda brings a tear to your eye doesnt it? Knowing today is your last day to walk up Main Street, taking in those comforts and sights
Back to reality.
Breakfast in the room gotta keep Auntie K movin shes not a morning person remember? I think we may have her convinced that EMHs are worth getting up for though, especially at MK!! Were out at the bus stop for 7:15, and off we go! Bonus! No stopping at ASMo or ASMU today. That means were going to be early. So DW and Auntie K can watch the opening ceremony again
The bus ride over was fun, DS played with his breakfast fairly empty and typically quiet. I guess the early risers arent your party-hardy kind of folks. Either that or we just sleep with our eyes open and only wake up when we get to our destination.
We had confirmed our plan to add another day to our park itinerary, so we used the extra time today to take pictures with the 75 Mickeys out front, and to purchase the single park-single day tickets. Then we stood in line to watch the official opening more mistiness for DW and Auntie K- something about the music, the songs, I dont know, I wasnt paying much attention. I couldnt seem to find my AP
Hmmm, I know I had it this morning before we left the room. Ive got the room key, the safe key, the keys to the rental car (why, I have no idea) but no pass. Great! This is more like my kind of Disney day! Feeling that Magic yet?
I announce to my crew that I dont seem to have my pass. They look at me like Im an idiot.
And we trusted you with our vacation? Gimme that safe key
I go see Denise at Guest Services, and get a new and revised AP this one has Minnie on it. See? All better. Maybe this day isnt a right-off yet. In we go, grab the stroller and guide and begin day 6.
This is the 4th day or part day that we have been in Mk so we can spend more time doing the character thing if DS wants. And he does. And were in luck because theyre out in full force today around the square. He got to meet, and get autographs and pictures with: Capt Hook and Mr. Smee , Robin Hood, Pinocchio, Daisy, Geppetto, Rafiki Prince John, and Gov. Radcliffe.
No shopping this morning, were off to Ride Buzz! I ride with DS again hes pumped about his last score (411,100) and figures hes going to best it today. He was only slightly disappointed afterwards however, with 3950. I think he was actually trying today! Mom and Auntie had fun, and tried videotaping and taking pictures. We checked the posted photos at the rides end, and DW wanted to buy the one of DS and me, so she and Auntie stood in line to buy while we exited to ride again!!
More fun! We exit, and after a quick look for mom and Auntie, cant see them, we head outside to the stroller.
Theyre not here! Okay. Maybe they decided to ride again too! So well wait.
Father-son bonding time is good, Right?
Okay, weve waited long enough Where would they go? They wouldnt leave us here and go too far. Would they?
Im not ready for another AK FOLK stroller exit mishap again, so we take a quick stroll around the area. Luckily its practically a ghost-town, but we still dont see them. Okay. I dont want to scare DS that weve maybe lost Mom and Auntie K. Weve never discussed what to do if we got separated here Hmmm, maybe we should have
Suddenly Mom and Auntie K are coming out of Buzz!! Seems the slow teller form DTD is working the photo desk today at Buzz!
But I looked? (Well, I glanced, actually ) I lost them in the gift shop. Figures, I guess. Oh well, the picture looks great! Lets continue.
Can anybody guess where were off to now? Thats right! THE TEA CUPS!!! TWICE MORE!!
Then its time for Peter Pan walk on DS and I ride together We had a blast watching the show, and looking at the scenery and details. This is one of his favorite movies, and hes really enjoying the ride. Wheee! I love this ride too!
We have to see the best 3-D show at Disney again! Mickeys Philharmagic! DS still tries to grab all the goodies in front of him! WOW! Im still blown away by the crispness of this show! And I love the ending!
Weve moved through Fantasyland toward Liberty Square, and I took some pictures along the way. Here's another Were headed to Adventureland, thinking about the Swiss Family Treehouse. And Im pleasantly surprised by this one. It offers great views of the park, and an interesting glimpse into the classic story. Well that, and I still love tree houses!
We ride the Magic Carpets of Aladdin again today, and Auntie is still giggling about the Golden Camel exit instructions. Too bad its not warmer. Shed have been hysterical if it had spit at her!
The weather is a little cool this morning 50s- and our throats are a little sore so we stop for hot chocolate. DW surprises me with a light-up Holiday 2003 travel mug full of the warm treat! You gotta love her! Ds shares his muffin with the birds that have come closer, and a squirrel is behind him, on the top of the bench, watching anxiously too.
We walk through the country-bears short cut into Frontierland, on our way to BTM Railroad. Mom and DS decide they dont want to try it, but Auntie and I are game. I cant imagine that queue area full of people in the heat of summer! Wow! Cmon people! Go early avoid the crowds!
That was FUN! I really enjoyed this one too! The special theming around the track is cute too. I love all those little details. I think DS would have liked it. Dw was able to take a quick shot of us as we zoomed around.
We realize weve left the stroller in Agrabah, so head back to fetch it, and walk back toward Splash Mountain through Adventureland. We decide to take the train around to Toon Town Auntie hasnt taken a ride on the train yet, so we try to find the station around SM. As we cross over the bridge, I recognize Brenda and her DD2 Thea from back home, waiting for her husband Richard and DD7 Eston.
When Brenda heard about our planned trip to WDW back in June, she started getting the itchy-trip-planning-feeling and went about organizing a weeks stay for them as well. Richard has never been to WDW (hes the self proclaimed purse-holder in the family- Brenda has been here many times as a child and loves the rides!) so we had talked on the phone yesterday after their arrival about possibly meeting with them for supper tonight.
They had done a CB with the Mary Poppins group at the GF this morning, and were just getting started. Apparently the purse-holder had been talked into SM with his daughter!
Hes seen the ride, right? He knows about the water? Well, good for him!
We plan to meet for lunch Friday at noon in Epcot at Morocco, since well be at the Candlelight Processional tonight, and wait a while longer to see if Richard survived his SM adventure. Finally they emerge, a little wet, and we visit for a bit. We bid them farewell, and walk up the stairs to board the train. We didnt ride this leg of the railroad last trip here, so it was an interesting change to see behind BTM and the Indian village etc along this route.
We grab a new stroller and go see who is waiting in the Hall of Fame. DS wasnt keen on meeting the Princesses, but wanted to see the Hundred Acre Woods friends, and possibly, if we had time (and the lines werent too long) Minnie and the Mice from Cinderella. We waited a short bit for our chance to see Eeyore, Tigger and Pooh Bear.
We have a special spot for Winnie the Pooh as were from the city where he got his name; Winnipeg. Every summer, Disney hosts the Winnie the Pooh Friendship Day in our Assiniboine Park it attracts 20-30000 kids and parents to a day of music, activity tents, a Hundred Acre Sandbox and other Pooh-themed events. And of course the long lines associated for meeting the real Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore for a photo ALL TOGETHER! Try that in WDW! Needless to say the lines get VERY long, VERY quickly. Its more Disney magic! And nice to see the corporation paying tribute to their most profitable characters birthplace.
But I digress.
We decide to skip Minnie since the wait is longer than wed like, and its 11:40 and weve got a 12:00 PS at the Castle! So we walk back to Fantasyland to use the time. DW and Auntie want to fill the time with a trip to Sir Mickeys. Me? Im taking the boy on Snow White! We scare the witch as much as we could, and join DW and Auntie in the store. DW has found a beige hoody for me that I really like! So I buy it!
Its close to our PS now, so its off to the castle lobby
Link to Part 12
Thursday December 11, 2003
After yesterdays relaxing, take-life-more-slowly pace, were in for a busy Disney-day! Alarm is going off at 6:00, and the troops are ready todays likely our last visit to the Magic Kingdom. I know weve still got Friday and Saturday to go before packing up and heading home on Sunday, but Saturday is MGM only, and tomorrow is Epcot during the day, and Fantasmic in the evening.
Kinda brings a tear to your eye doesnt it? Knowing today is your last day to walk up Main Street, taking in those comforts and sights
Back to reality.
Breakfast in the room gotta keep Auntie K movin shes not a morning person remember? I think we may have her convinced that EMHs are worth getting up for though, especially at MK!! Were out at the bus stop for 7:15, and off we go! Bonus! No stopping at ASMo or ASMU today. That means were going to be early. So DW and Auntie K can watch the opening ceremony again
The bus ride over was fun, DS played with his breakfast fairly empty and typically quiet. I guess the early risers arent your party-hardy kind of folks. Either that or we just sleep with our eyes open and only wake up when we get to our destination.
We had confirmed our plan to add another day to our park itinerary, so we used the extra time today to take pictures with the 75 Mickeys out front, and to purchase the single park-single day tickets. Then we stood in line to watch the official opening more mistiness for DW and Auntie K- something about the music, the songs, I dont know, I wasnt paying much attention. I couldnt seem to find my AP
Hmmm, I know I had it this morning before we left the room. Ive got the room key, the safe key, the keys to the rental car (why, I have no idea) but no pass. Great! This is more like my kind of Disney day! Feeling that Magic yet?
I announce to my crew that I dont seem to have my pass. They look at me like Im an idiot.
And we trusted you with our vacation? Gimme that safe key
I go see Denise at Guest Services, and get a new and revised AP this one has Minnie on it. See? All better. Maybe this day isnt a right-off yet. In we go, grab the stroller and guide and begin day 6.
This is the 4th day or part day that we have been in Mk so we can spend more time doing the character thing if DS wants. And he does. And were in luck because theyre out in full force today around the square. He got to meet, and get autographs and pictures with: Capt Hook and Mr. Smee , Robin Hood, Pinocchio, Daisy, Geppetto, Rafiki Prince John, and Gov. Radcliffe.
No shopping this morning, were off to Ride Buzz! I ride with DS again hes pumped about his last score (411,100) and figures hes going to best it today. He was only slightly disappointed afterwards however, with 3950. I think he was actually trying today! Mom and Auntie had fun, and tried videotaping and taking pictures. We checked the posted photos at the rides end, and DW wanted to buy the one of DS and me, so she and Auntie stood in line to buy while we exited to ride again!!
More fun! We exit, and after a quick look for mom and Auntie, cant see them, we head outside to the stroller.
Theyre not here! Okay. Maybe they decided to ride again too! So well wait.
Father-son bonding time is good, Right?
Okay, weve waited long enough Where would they go? They wouldnt leave us here and go too far. Would they?
Im not ready for another AK FOLK stroller exit mishap again, so we take a quick stroll around the area. Luckily its practically a ghost-town, but we still dont see them. Okay. I dont want to scare DS that weve maybe lost Mom and Auntie K. Weve never discussed what to do if we got separated here Hmmm, maybe we should have
Suddenly Mom and Auntie K are coming out of Buzz!! Seems the slow teller form DTD is working the photo desk today at Buzz!
But I looked? (Well, I glanced, actually ) I lost them in the gift shop. Figures, I guess. Oh well, the picture looks great! Lets continue.
Can anybody guess where were off to now? Thats right! THE TEA CUPS!!! TWICE MORE!!
Then its time for Peter Pan walk on DS and I ride together We had a blast watching the show, and looking at the scenery and details. This is one of his favorite movies, and hes really enjoying the ride. Wheee! I love this ride too!
We have to see the best 3-D show at Disney again! Mickeys Philharmagic! DS still tries to grab all the goodies in front of him! WOW! Im still blown away by the crispness of this show! And I love the ending!
Weve moved through Fantasyland toward Liberty Square, and I took some pictures along the way. Here's another Were headed to Adventureland, thinking about the Swiss Family Treehouse. And Im pleasantly surprised by this one. It offers great views of the park, and an interesting glimpse into the classic story. Well that, and I still love tree houses!
We ride the Magic Carpets of Aladdin again today, and Auntie is still giggling about the Golden Camel exit instructions. Too bad its not warmer. Shed have been hysterical if it had spit at her!
The weather is a little cool this morning 50s- and our throats are a little sore so we stop for hot chocolate. DW surprises me with a light-up Holiday 2003 travel mug full of the warm treat! You gotta love her! Ds shares his muffin with the birds that have come closer, and a squirrel is behind him, on the top of the bench, watching anxiously too.
We walk through the country-bears short cut into Frontierland, on our way to BTM Railroad. Mom and DS decide they dont want to try it, but Auntie and I are game. I cant imagine that queue area full of people in the heat of summer! Wow! Cmon people! Go early avoid the crowds!
That was FUN! I really enjoyed this one too! The special theming around the track is cute too. I love all those little details. I think DS would have liked it. Dw was able to take a quick shot of us as we zoomed around.
We realize weve left the stroller in Agrabah, so head back to fetch it, and walk back toward Splash Mountain through Adventureland. We decide to take the train around to Toon Town Auntie hasnt taken a ride on the train yet, so we try to find the station around SM. As we cross over the bridge, I recognize Brenda and her DD2 Thea from back home, waiting for her husband Richard and DD7 Eston.
When Brenda heard about our planned trip to WDW back in June, she started getting the itchy-trip-planning-feeling and went about organizing a weeks stay for them as well. Richard has never been to WDW (hes the self proclaimed purse-holder in the family- Brenda has been here many times as a child and loves the rides!) so we had talked on the phone yesterday after their arrival about possibly meeting with them for supper tonight.
They had done a CB with the Mary Poppins group at the GF this morning, and were just getting started. Apparently the purse-holder had been talked into SM with his daughter!
Hes seen the ride, right? He knows about the water? Well, good for him!
We plan to meet for lunch Friday at noon in Epcot at Morocco, since well be at the Candlelight Processional tonight, and wait a while longer to see if Richard survived his SM adventure. Finally they emerge, a little wet, and we visit for a bit. We bid them farewell, and walk up the stairs to board the train. We didnt ride this leg of the railroad last trip here, so it was an interesting change to see behind BTM and the Indian village etc along this route.
We grab a new stroller and go see who is waiting in the Hall of Fame. DS wasnt keen on meeting the Princesses, but wanted to see the Hundred Acre Woods friends, and possibly, if we had time (and the lines werent too long) Minnie and the Mice from Cinderella. We waited a short bit for our chance to see Eeyore, Tigger and Pooh Bear.
We have a special spot for Winnie the Pooh as were from the city where he got his name; Winnipeg. Every summer, Disney hosts the Winnie the Pooh Friendship Day in our Assiniboine Park it attracts 20-30000 kids and parents to a day of music, activity tents, a Hundred Acre Sandbox and other Pooh-themed events. And of course the long lines associated for meeting the real Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore for a photo ALL TOGETHER! Try that in WDW! Needless to say the lines get VERY long, VERY quickly. Its more Disney magic! And nice to see the corporation paying tribute to their most profitable characters birthplace.
But I digress.
We decide to skip Minnie since the wait is longer than wed like, and its 11:40 and weve got a 12:00 PS at the Castle! So we walk back to Fantasyland to use the time. DW and Auntie want to fill the time with a trip to Sir Mickeys. Me? Im taking the boy on Snow White! We scare the witch as much as we could, and join DW and Auntie in the store. DW has found a beige hoody for me that I really like! So I buy it!
Its close to our PS now, so its off to the castle lobby
Link to Part 12
Great reports, Chico. Keep 'em coming. 
