GrumpyOne
Stresspuppy
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2000
- Messages
- 525
Cast:
Grumpy: Me, a 32 year old technical instructor for an alive and kicking dot com. Six trips to Disneyland and third to WDW
Goofy: 43 year old DW, Comp Sci student. Three trips to DL, 20th trip to WDW
Bashful: 7 year old DD. Two trips to DL, 2nd trip to WDW
Today is Sunday and that means church! We arrange to meet at Epcot and DW & DD are off. I take the bus from our cabin to the Fort Wilderness Marina to the Magic Kindom (MK) then transfer to a monorail to the Ticket & Transportation Center (TTC) then another monorail to Epcot. I found out later I could have stayed on the bus and it would have taken me to the TTC but they were making changes and bad info was still up.
The trip to MK was nice. I found out where the Hoop Dee Doo Revue was going to be, walked right up to a peacock and found the lawnmower tree, a tree that supposedly engulfed a lawnmower as it grew. The boat ride was quick but there was a short wait for the boat. I got a number of good pics of River Country, the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge from the boats. There's another boat that goes between Fort
Wilderness, the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge, if you have plans for a meal at either of those two resorts.
The trip to Epcot was both smokey and foggy so not much could be seen.I got off at Epcot just after 9am and could taste the smoke. As I entered, there was someone there asking Annual Pass holders their zip code. I gave mine since I'm hoping they'll target some more discounts our way. Since there was already smoke in the air, I figured adding a bit more from tires wouldn't hurt and I ran off to Test Track (TT).
The theming on TT is rather lacking on the standby side but is nice in the fast pass (FP) section. I went standby first because there wasn't a line but grabbed a FP anyway. The restraint system are belts that will come to where you are then not budge! If you're the type that likes an inch to wiggle around, sit up straight and expand your chest a bit. They also will start you off quickly without checking you are buckled in. All they are doing is moving you up a bit, the ride isn't starting yet. You'll go up a bit of an incline before starting the ride. This is one ride that will really tangle your hair! Imagine doing 65 in a convertable with the windows down. If you have long hair, make sure it's tied back.
After the first ride, I went over to Mouse Gear, the big store at Epcot. Here I found several items I would pick up later in the week, a Grumpy golf towel, a Mickey travel clock, a Mickey golf ball marker and some other stuff. I then wandered through the agriculture display and decided that once my current lawn mower dies, I'm going to get a Toro iMow. I may even help my current mower along! You can see the iMow in action near Test Track.
My FP for Test Track was close to expiring and DW called in on her radio saying they had hit the parking lot. I decided to use my FP and took lots of pics of an empty FP queue. I got out of Test Track to find DW & DD in line. They came out of line to join me due to a misunderstanding and were upset when I they found out I was telling them to stay in. So, we all grabbed FP for Test Track and we went over to the Wonders of
Life.
The Wonders of Life is a cool place. It's indoors and houses Body Wars which is a Star Tours type ride through the body, Cranium Command, The Making of Me and activity areas. As we arrived, I saw what I thought was typical of Disney, a Cast member (CM) standing on the sidewalk blowing bubbles. DD & DW went on Body Wars, that type of ride gives me a headache with all the shaking and bouncing, then we went on Cranium
Command. This is a sit down show with an audioanamatronic figure. Anyone who has been or had dealings with a 13 year old boy *MUST* go see this.
At this point, we need to use our Fast Passes for Test Track and then hurry on over to Japan for lunch. DW & DD like Test Track then we're off to Teppanyaki. Teppanyaki is located right over the shops in Japan. The restaraunt is one where they cook your food in front of you. Each table seats eight and you will probably have other parties there as well. Our chef was Wada and he was pretty good at making the food go where he wanted as well as adding in humor. The food was great! I had the Musashi (NY Sirloin & ocean Scallops) while DW had the Seto (Shrimp & Scallops). DD had the children's chicken. DW & I also split an order of Ika (squid steak) which was the best squid I've ever had. We all thought the food was terrific! My one complaint was that not only did I have to ask for some Wusabi but it wasn't even at the table! He had to go into the kitchen to get some, all while my scallops and squid are getting cold. We'll definately be back I'll just ask for Wusabi before the food is served.
I walked around the world more, DW getting two pearls for ear rings (7.25mm & 7.5mm) with DD getting one she'll probably lose (7.5mm). When we left, we were stopped by someone doing an opinion poll and I'm not one to hold my feelings in. I gave them good marks for most things, one I mentioned I disliked was how they termed the "Leave a Legacy" an attraction. Look at the attraction wait times and you'll see it listed. I was glad to see that they seem to be interested in what customers are thinking.
We went back to the room to check out when MouseKeeping had done. We seem to have had an uncreative housekeeper the first couple of nights. Stuffed animals were arranged in patterns as opposed to doing things. It got better later on though.
After resting, we went over to MGM for our PS at Mama Melrose's for the Fantasmic Dinner package. This package gives you seating in a reserved section, as opposed to a reserved seat, for the Fantasmic show. Fantasmic usually has people lining up two hours before the show starts, we were able to walk in 1/2 an hour before and had good seats. The reserved section also has a shorter walk to the exit so you get out quicker than most people. The dinner package doesn't cost anything extra, each adult must order an entree though. Neither of us were thrilled with the menu so we both ordered simple spaghetti. We got pasta soup. They didn't do a good job of draining the spaghetti nor of seasoning the sauce. DD's pizza was good though. We'll try the Brown Derby or Hollywood & Vine next time. We will do the Dinner again if it's available though.
We ride Tower of Terror and Rocking Roller Coaster again, this is the first time for DW. We actually ride each one twice. We also do the Great Movie Ride and MuppetVision 3-D. By this time, it's about 8pm and DW realizes she need fast film. We end up getting into Fantasmic at about 8:30, right when we were told to.
This is my first intense workout with my new digital camera and I learn a lot. By that, I mean I didn't get a lot of usable shots but later in the week I do because of the practice here.
Fantasmic remains, IMO, the best night show on Disney property. We didn't have adverse weather this evening so the dragon was out.
Highlights of the day: Lunch, Fantasmic
Low lights: Dinner
How our plans met expectations: We planned for a mid day nap and while we went back to the room, only one of us slept. We needed the break though and I'm glad we allowed for it.
Grumpy: Me, a 32 year old technical instructor for an alive and kicking dot com. Six trips to Disneyland and third to WDW
Goofy: 43 year old DW, Comp Sci student. Three trips to DL, 20th trip to WDW
Bashful: 7 year old DD. Two trips to DL, 2nd trip to WDW
Today is Sunday and that means church! We arrange to meet at Epcot and DW & DD are off. I take the bus from our cabin to the Fort Wilderness Marina to the Magic Kindom (MK) then transfer to a monorail to the Ticket & Transportation Center (TTC) then another monorail to Epcot. I found out later I could have stayed on the bus and it would have taken me to the TTC but they were making changes and bad info was still up.
The trip to MK was nice. I found out where the Hoop Dee Doo Revue was going to be, walked right up to a peacock and found the lawnmower tree, a tree that supposedly engulfed a lawnmower as it grew. The boat ride was quick but there was a short wait for the boat. I got a number of good pics of River Country, the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge from the boats. There's another boat that goes between Fort
Wilderness, the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge, if you have plans for a meal at either of those two resorts.
The trip to Epcot was both smokey and foggy so not much could be seen.I got off at Epcot just after 9am and could taste the smoke. As I entered, there was someone there asking Annual Pass holders their zip code. I gave mine since I'm hoping they'll target some more discounts our way. Since there was already smoke in the air, I figured adding a bit more from tires wouldn't hurt and I ran off to Test Track (TT).
The theming on TT is rather lacking on the standby side but is nice in the fast pass (FP) section. I went standby first because there wasn't a line but grabbed a FP anyway. The restraint system are belts that will come to where you are then not budge! If you're the type that likes an inch to wiggle around, sit up straight and expand your chest a bit. They also will start you off quickly without checking you are buckled in. All they are doing is moving you up a bit, the ride isn't starting yet. You'll go up a bit of an incline before starting the ride. This is one ride that will really tangle your hair! Imagine doing 65 in a convertable with the windows down. If you have long hair, make sure it's tied back.
After the first ride, I went over to Mouse Gear, the big store at Epcot. Here I found several items I would pick up later in the week, a Grumpy golf towel, a Mickey travel clock, a Mickey golf ball marker and some other stuff. I then wandered through the agriculture display and decided that once my current lawn mower dies, I'm going to get a Toro iMow. I may even help my current mower along! You can see the iMow in action near Test Track.
My FP for Test Track was close to expiring and DW called in on her radio saying they had hit the parking lot. I decided to use my FP and took lots of pics of an empty FP queue. I got out of Test Track to find DW & DD in line. They came out of line to join me due to a misunderstanding and were upset when I they found out I was telling them to stay in. So, we all grabbed FP for Test Track and we went over to the Wonders of
Life.
The Wonders of Life is a cool place. It's indoors and houses Body Wars which is a Star Tours type ride through the body, Cranium Command, The Making of Me and activity areas. As we arrived, I saw what I thought was typical of Disney, a Cast member (CM) standing on the sidewalk blowing bubbles. DD & DW went on Body Wars, that type of ride gives me a headache with all the shaking and bouncing, then we went on Cranium
Command. This is a sit down show with an audioanamatronic figure. Anyone who has been or had dealings with a 13 year old boy *MUST* go see this.
At this point, we need to use our Fast Passes for Test Track and then hurry on over to Japan for lunch. DW & DD like Test Track then we're off to Teppanyaki. Teppanyaki is located right over the shops in Japan. The restaraunt is one where they cook your food in front of you. Each table seats eight and you will probably have other parties there as well. Our chef was Wada and he was pretty good at making the food go where he wanted as well as adding in humor. The food was great! I had the Musashi (NY Sirloin & ocean Scallops) while DW had the Seto (Shrimp & Scallops). DD had the children's chicken. DW & I also split an order of Ika (squid steak) which was the best squid I've ever had. We all thought the food was terrific! My one complaint was that not only did I have to ask for some Wusabi but it wasn't even at the table! He had to go into the kitchen to get some, all while my scallops and squid are getting cold. We'll definately be back I'll just ask for Wusabi before the food is served.
I walked around the world more, DW getting two pearls for ear rings (7.25mm & 7.5mm) with DD getting one she'll probably lose (7.5mm). When we left, we were stopped by someone doing an opinion poll and I'm not one to hold my feelings in. I gave them good marks for most things, one I mentioned I disliked was how they termed the "Leave a Legacy" an attraction. Look at the attraction wait times and you'll see it listed. I was glad to see that they seem to be interested in what customers are thinking.
We went back to the room to check out when MouseKeeping had done. We seem to have had an uncreative housekeeper the first couple of nights. Stuffed animals were arranged in patterns as opposed to doing things. It got better later on though.
After resting, we went over to MGM for our PS at Mama Melrose's for the Fantasmic Dinner package. This package gives you seating in a reserved section, as opposed to a reserved seat, for the Fantasmic show. Fantasmic usually has people lining up two hours before the show starts, we were able to walk in 1/2 an hour before and had good seats. The reserved section also has a shorter walk to the exit so you get out quicker than most people. The dinner package doesn't cost anything extra, each adult must order an entree though. Neither of us were thrilled with the menu so we both ordered simple spaghetti. We got pasta soup. They didn't do a good job of draining the spaghetti nor of seasoning the sauce. DD's pizza was good though. We'll try the Brown Derby or Hollywood & Vine next time. We will do the Dinner again if it's available though.
We ride Tower of Terror and Rocking Roller Coaster again, this is the first time for DW. We actually ride each one twice. We also do the Great Movie Ride and MuppetVision 3-D. By this time, it's about 8pm and DW realizes she need fast film. We end up getting into Fantasmic at about 8:30, right when we were told to.
This is my first intense workout with my new digital camera and I learn a lot. By that, I mean I didn't get a lot of usable shots but later in the week I do because of the practice here.
Fantasmic remains, IMO, the best night show on Disney property. We didn't have adverse weather this evening so the dragon was out.
Highlights of the day: Lunch, Fantasmic
Low lights: Dinner
How our plans met expectations: We planned for a mid day nap and while we went back to the room, only one of us slept. We needed the break though and I'm glad we allowed for it.
