Disney dangled the visual weinee & Mickeystoontown gobbled it up! 10/26

[mickeystoontown]

Finally all caught up! My DH and I had a large computer issue (old computer full of viruses, got a new computer and it wouldn't turn on after 2 days...UGH!!! New computer on Thursday...YEAH!!! and it's still working!) I left off on page 36 and just got done with this page! I just love how you name the installments and your adventures are great. Our DD is now 30 and lost her love of Disney at 18. Disney is the ONLY vacation destination for my DH, no cruise either! Glad everything is going OK with your mom. Got my back sac out that you made me last year, our trip is in 28 days. Think I'm rushing things???

My home computer is slowwwwwww so I can certainly sympathize with you. I need a new one but the tightwad in me is waiting on the other one to die.

Oh no! Lost her love for Disney? I sure hope that mine never do. Lacey and Jesse can't wait to go back with us next year. Mama is getting better slowly but surely and goes back for another check-up/possible adjustment this week.

Just 28 days! You lucky girl you!

Lisa, I'm interested in your Disney backsacks. Can you send me the link? I'd appreciate it.

I'll shoot you a private message with my personal facebook info. Or, you can look up Mickeystoontown Flair on Facebook. I have fabric choices and backpack samples on both. I need to post some here on my report to make it easier.

coral reef has gotten poor reviews lately, and I am SO happy to hear your good review.! I have always loved it.. we have eate ther for lunch only.. a few times.

I jsut am not happy that they took awasy the blackened catfish.. I LOVED! that! I was hesitant to order a steak at a seafood restaurant, but your steaks look great!

I just wish coral reef would have more seafood options...given the theme..

It's odd that Coral Reef gets so many mixed reviews. We have always liked it and have gotten good service there.

This has got to be the cutest dessert EVER! OMG! I totally want that!

Your dinner looks and sounds amazing. So glad everyone enjoyed it, even Hunter who had to be force fed the chocolate cake.

I would have totally noticed the dynamics at that table too. I can't help it. I always notice stuff like that. It drives my family crazy but that's just the way I am.

Fun update!

The food and especially the desserts were delicious!

I am like you and can't help but notice other people. I'm a total people watcher and so is my mama.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Following along. Staying at CBR in November and glad to read some positive stuff about it!! Sounds like a great trip so far.

Welcome! Welcome! I'm glad to have you along for the ride. Please feel free to post as often as you'd like because I love meeting new Dis friends.

I'm going back a little ways, and I apologize if anyone already explained this, but the blue lights in the fish tanks are for the corals to grow! Blue has a longer wavelength than yellow or red light, so they put blue lights in fish tanks with the photosynthetic corals so the light goes deep enough and cuts through the water and they get plenty of light to snack on. Wow I'm a dork!!

It's been a long time (2008) since I've been to Coral Reef. I love the atmosphere in there, it's so beautiful! Sounds like you all had a wonderful meal, and your dessert is one of the most adorable desserts I've ever seen!

See, this is why I love the Dis (along with a ton of other reasons). If you are wondering about anything, then somebody will know the answer. That's so cool about the blue lighting! You are soooo not a dork!

Our meal was delicious and it was nice to sit down together at the end of the day.

 

[mickeystoontown]

It’s Slinky! It’s Slinky! Everyone knows it’s a slinky!

Finally, after having been at Disney for three days, it was time. Time to go to the Magic Kingdom!

My original plans...let me take that back....I don’t remember my original plans because I changed them up so many times. Anyway, after a bunch of changing around, the plan was to be in the Magic Kingdom on our fifth day at Disney. There was no stinking way that I could wait that long so I moved it to our second full day. That wouldn’t work either because as a wonderful Diser reminded me, that would be Memorial Day and the park was, more than likely, going to be full. I did some rearranging and the Magic Kingdom was on the books for Tuesday, May 27th.

During past trips, we were rope drop people or at least attempted to be. We would try to be there when the parks opened and wouldn’t leave until the park closed. Over the years, though, I have added days to our trips so we don’t feel like we absolutely have to be there at rope drop. Then, Disney added Fastpass which helped a lot and now, with FP+ it works even better for us. Plus, with John’s epilepsy, he sometimes needs to go at a slower pace.

So, on this day, we weren’t in any big hurry to run out to the bus stop by a certain time. However, we did have FP+ for:

Big Thunder Mountain: 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.
Pirates of the Caribbean: 10:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Space Mountain: 3:05 to 4:05 p.m.

I knew that we wouldn’t be at the park by 9:15 a.m. but we would definitely be there within the hour time frame. We all put on our handy dandy magic bands and were off! We walked past the construction area and heard saws going and a little knocking around but nothing obnoxiously loud or anything that would disturb the guests. I did a little peek inside the fencing and saw nothing more than what I saw before.

The bus stop was completely empty and we didn’t even sit down before a bus was pulling into the resort via the side entrance which is located very near the Jamaica bus stop. As it turned, we could see that it was one of the new buses with the accordion looking middle. We had seen them parked at the Magic Kingdom bus stops but hadn’t ridden on one yet.

We hopped on and walked through the middle towards the back. The middle section is so neat looking. It had a platform in the middle that turns with the bus’s movement and the sides move/expand too. The middle reminds me of a slinky.

It’s Slinky! It’s Slinky! Everyone knows it’s a slinky!



Nooo, I’m not talking about John and Hunter, I’m talking about the bus and the middle:



We arrived at the Magic Kingdom in short time and were in the most magical place on the planet people! Now, let’s get a move-on because we have a FP to get to.

My itinerary says that we had FP for Big Thunder Mountain and then Pirates of the Caribbean but now that I am looking at my pictures I’m remembering that I switched them around a little bit the night before and that the times were a little bit later. Not by much, maybe, ten minutes or so.

We hung a left when we got down Main Street and entered Adventureland!





The standby wait time was a bit longer than we had seen it in the past and, from what people on the Dis had reported prior to our arrival, seemed to be the new normal. We scanned our bands, walked right on through to the loading area and were shown to our boat. Talk about good service. I was liking the new FP system and bands.

Like I always do, I attempted pictures but I guess that I’ll never learn that my pictures are going to turn out looking like:



Yeah, I warned you. But, did it stop me from taking more? Uh, no?!







Oh well, I’ll know not to try next trip. Yeah, right. I’m totally going to try taking pictures again.

**Up next: Will Hannibal Lector make a surprise appearance again?

 

[maryj11]

Loving your trip report so far
I have a question about the Behind the Seeds Tour. Was it in air conditioning ? I was just checking out the times that there are to reserve and if it is not air conditioned I don't want to make reservation for in the middle of the hot day. If it is air conditioned the middle of the day would be perfect

 

[mickeystoontown]

Loving your trip report so far
I have a question about the Behind the Seeds Tour. Was it in air conditioning ? I was just checking out the times that there are to reserve and if it is not air conditioned I don't want to make reservation for in the middle of the hot day. If it is air conditioned the middle of the day would be perfect

The only time that we were "outside" was when we were walking out of the main building and into the other buildings. We weren't out there very long. The other portions are indoors and inside the actual attraction itself. There are pathways behind all of the crops/areas that we took. We have taken the tour in the middle of the day and it was fine.

 

[maryj11]

The only time that we were "outside" was when we were walking out of the main building and into the other buildings. We weren't out there very long. The other portions are indoors and inside the actual attraction itself. There are pathways behind all of the crops/areas that we took. We have taken the tour in the middle of the day and it was fine.

Ok thanks That's good we may go for an afternoon tour

 

[JanaJohn]

Annnnnyway, our entrees came out and they were just as delicious as they look. I ordered the New York strip steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus

Great Updates as usual!

I'll never understand why they place the steak on top of the mashed potatoes and asparagus. Does anyone actually cut their steak while its sitting on top of the potatoes? While presentation is something nice I go to a place for the taste - not how pretty the food looks when its placed in front of me. Also, I agree with you on the smooshy rolls. I don't want no crusty rolls on my plate!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I liked your picture of the new articulated buses at disney world (aka bendy busses) we actually have a bunch of them in toronto and they are really cool looking on the roads

 

[rteetz]

Great update! I saw the Articulated buses a lot but we never got to ride on one I really wanted too, but oh well. FP+ also works out well for us too, instead of getting a random time we get to pick our FP time.

 

[themommy]

Those big busses remind me of trains. They're cool huh?

Pictures on PoTC never turn out. I wonder if anyone EVER gets them to come out well. I already told DH to practice taking pictures in the dark before we go again. Maybe he can figure something out.

 

[horse11]

Wow it is so funny you mention the bus system at CBR. We had the same luck! Most times the bus was either just pulling up or was already there waiting! With all the negative talk about CBR's bus system I think people have to hear how good there bus system really is. I just love that resort!

 

[MEK]

I have been wondering what it's like to ride in one of those double buses. The first time I saw one I was It must be crazy when the first half turns and the second half hasn't. I feel for the bus driver. I don't think I would ever be capable of driving something that long. Watch out!

Never give up on pirates pictures. I see some that are literally fantastic. I'm not sure if my camera has the settings to let that much light in, but there are some ways to use your manual settings to let more light in and get better pics. You just need a few instructions before you go again!

 

[natebenma]

Too funny about the slinky bus. I love trying to figure out what your update will be based on your titles. I had no clue on this one!

I agree- 5 days is WAY too long to wait to get to the MK.



Good choice to move that up on the schedule!

I am not happy to hear that the wait times for Pirates are longer now with FP+ in place. This is always one of our go-tos when we have some time to kill.

I usually don't take many pictures on pirates, mainly because I always seem to be seated next to a scowling guest (my DH)

 

[themommy]

I usually don't take many pictures on pirates, mainly because I always seem to be seated next to a scowling guest (my DH)

 

[ddstratton]

Great bus mojo this morning! No wait, and one of the new busses. They just look so neat. Pictures on Pirates are hard to get because of the low light, and a lot of cameras just don't like the low light.

 

[kidsfirsttrip]

Welcome! Welcome! I'm glad to have you along for the ride. Please feel free to post as often as you'd like because I love meeting new Dis friends.

Thanks!! So glad to hear you had good luck with the buses at CBR! That is one of my biggest worries. We are in the pirate rooms so I'm bummed to be far away from the action, but it is my kid's first trip so we'll mostly be at the parks anyways.

 

[shan23877]

Got behind again! Oops!

Yay for making it to Magic Kingdom! I always make us go on the first day, I just can't wait.

I noticed much more crowds than I had seen in May in the past, and it seemed like most afternoons EVERY ride at line of at least 30 minutes.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Slinky busses! we have them here in Chicago. scary stuff...


as for the camera? if you ever need help i will be more then happy to help you!

loving Pirates!!!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

All caught up again. Loved your day at Epcot. So happy that you found your wandering way to the resorts area. Those resorts are sooooo beautiful. Though I was disappointed with the Beach CLub stay we had last summer. But being in that area cannot be beat. LOVE walking in and out of the parks from there.
If you are looking for a great place to eat in that area, I highly recommend going to Big River Grille. You can sit inside or out. The food has always been great (and we have gone there several times), and it isn't outrageously expensive. It is on the Boardwalk. If you are there in the evening (after 6), there is entertainment along the Boardwalk area as well.
The buffet at Cape May for dinner is good. Sort of pricey, however. But if you enjoy crab legs/mussels and such, you would probably enjoy it.
We've never eaten at Yachtsman Steakhouse, but it always gets good reviews. But it is $$$$$$$$$$$$.
Your MK morning looked enjoyable so far. Can't wait to read more.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I liked your picture of the new articulated buses at disney world (aka bendy busses) we actually have a bunch of them in toronto and they are really cool looking on the roads

Hey a fellow SW Ontarioan! Have you seen the new articulated streetcars?? OMG talk about HUGE! Oops soo sorry for the momentary thread-highjack