Day 6 November 13, 2009
Who: DisneySunflower (35), DVC Mom
DH (35), DVC Husband
DD (12), DVC Daughter
DD (8), DVC Daughter
DS (4), DVC Son
Plan: Breakfast at 'Ohana's Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch, Swimming at Luna Park Pool, Lunch at Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Epcot (Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure), Dinner at Electric Umbrella
Actual: We got off to a slow start this morning. Five people sharing one small bathroom, enough said. On top of that, the shower drain was SLOOOOOOW! I called Engineering Services before I left for my conference. We had breakfast reservations at Ohana for 9:30 am. Because, I was coming from the first hour of conference, we decided to drive over. So, DH took the wheel and with the help of GPS, we were at the Magic Kingdom parking gate in under 10 minutes. We didnt have to pay, because we were staying on Disney property. We just showed our Boardwalk parking pass and off we went. The wrong way! We had missed the ramp to the right toward the Polynesian Resort. We had to circle around and (Disney thinks of everything and knew this happens) we took the turnaround back to the Magic Kingdom parking gate. We re-showed our Resort parking pass and went to the right. We arrived at the Polynesian Resort with 10 minutes to spare.
Aloha! Disneys Polynesian Resort is beautiful. My DS get telling me to take pictures of the waterfalls (there are several). He didnt remember that we were just here in June for the Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau . He acted as if he were seeing everything for the first time. I love it when that happens!
We got checked in, took our family photo and waited to be seated. About 15 minutes until 10am, we were seated. Ooh, the Hawaiian bread smelled good. DS and DD(8) carried our 2 baskets to our table. Great view! We were at the window in front of the Seven Seas Lagoon. We could see Disneys Grand Floridian Resort and the Magic Kingdom. We had a blast! DS and DD(8) enjoyed the character parade with all the other kids around the restaurant. The food was remarkable good.
http://allears.net/menu/menu_ohb.htm My DH was jealous of the attention Mickey Mouse was giving me!
We finished breakfast just after 11:15 am and shopped for a few items at BouTIKI. We made it back to the resort, changed into our swim clothes and made it to Luna Park Pool by Noon. We were on a mission! Ha!
The weather was a sunny 72 degrees, but there was a breeze. And it was a noticeable breeze in the pool. The lifeguard on duty said the water was 83 degrees, but it did not feel like it. It was slow to get DH and DD(12) into the pool, but it warmed up after we were all the way in and they agreed. Everyone except DH did the Keister Coaster Slide. FUN! We enjoyed playing around, but missed the Hilton Head Beach House and the volleyball. I think I will bring some water activities with us next time. We got dried off and went back upstairs to the room to shower and dress.
Well, the shower drain was fixed, not sure when, but glad not to stand in dirty water.
We were supposed to be at Epcot at 2pm. I purchased the convention attendees after 2pm park tickets for both days at the parks. A good savings and I never know the conference topics until registration. So, I never know if I will send the family along without me for fun, or if I will tag-a-long. This option is a good one for us. Well, it was 2pm and we were still at the resort. I was mad! I dont know why I thought 5 people could get ready in under an hour. We were thinking we would take the bus to Epcot (we are used to taking the bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge when we stay there), but then I had a wonderful idea. Lets walk to Epcot! Isnt that why we are staying so close? Besides, the conference. But, how long will that take? We are wasting time. Wait, what is that I see, a boat! You mean, we can take a Friendship Boat to Epcot? Why, of course we can! JOY! We arrived at International Gateway at 2:08 pm. Woo Hoo!
We were meeting our neighbors at Epcot. They had been there since earlier, so we sent a text letting them know we had arrived. We made our way to the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure and picked up a Kimmunicator. First mission United Kingdom to save Earth from Duff Killigan. This is an excellent activity for kids! Our DD(12) even enjoyed this. The mission lasted about 40 minutes, I guess the timing would depend on your ability to follow the clues. We completed our first mission and chose to begin the next mission in China. Our neighbors were watching the Acrobats in China at 3:00 pm. We made it to China, by way of Mexico and my Margarita, a little after 3 pm. We also tried the taquitos and got a sprite for the family to wash them down. In China, our littlest neighbor had fallen asleep and was stroller covered with legs and shoes out (too cute!) We completed the mission in China to save the Earth from Monkey Fist and agreed to meet up with our neighbors a little later. DD(12) wanted a turkey leg, so off to Future World we went.
We picked up FASTPASSes for Test Track, got 3 Turkey Legs, a pretzel and a sprite. DH decided he wanted java and a pastry. We had to return to Test Track between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm and it was only just after 4:30 pm. We headed to Innoventions for The Great Piggy Bank Adventure. We had 2 teams DD(12) and DH on one and DD(8), DS and I on the other. We only made it to the first task, when DD(8) had to go to the Restroom. I dropped DS off with the other team so he wouldnt miss the game and took DD(8) to the restroom. Well, when we returned we had to start all over. But, our new team of 2 had fun! We saved for our Ultimate Vacation. DH, DD(12) and DS were waiting for us at the end. They let us know that soon after we dropped DS off, he too, needed to go to the restroom, so they didnt get to finish. Now, I asked DS if he needed to go before I dropped him off, and he said no. But, what 4 year old would want to stop having fun to go potty. I should have known better. We offered to wait for them to redo the game, but DD(12) was over it, so we headed over to The Land. We love Living with the Land (no wait). We had time to ride The Seas with Nemo & Friends (no wait) and Journey into Imagination with Figment (no wait), before heading to Test Track. DS and I shopped while DH, DD(12) and DD(8) rode Test Track. DS began his Christmas Wish List for Santa in MouseGear. Once we were finished shopping, DD(12) and DD(8) got a few things as well, we headed back to World Showcase to meet in Germany for dinner with our neighbors.
DH says that he is going to buy a stein every time we are in Germany and every time he cant find the one he wants and leaves empty handed. Well, not this time! I was determined to buy him a stein, whether he likes it our not! But, no way, he didnt find one he liked and no one could encourage him to just buy one. He is such a penny pincher sometimes. DD(12) decided that she didnt want a Bratwurst, we can have a Brat at home!, she declared. So, we said farewell for the evening to our neighbors and let them know we would call tomorrow when we arrived at the Magic Kingdom
. DD(8) wanted to complete another mission, but the Kimmunicator would not work. It kept saying to return it to China, were we had completed the last mission. We checked the map for the nearest Kim Possible station and it was in Italy. When we found the station, it was closed. I explained to DD(8) that all the missions had ended for the evening, so we needed to find a CM to return the Kimmunicator. No such luck, the CMs were not knowledgeable about the Kim Possible missions (at least the few we ran came across). So, we had no choice, but to return to China and truly complete the mission. DD(8) was happy to place the Kimmunicator in the secret location. A happy ending, afterall. We stayed in China and ate dinner at the Nine Dragons. A special treat window view of IllumiNations! :-D A Magical Meal and delicious, too!
http://allears.net/menu/menu_9dd.htm and
http://allears.net/menu/men_9dk.htm
We stopped by Japan, Morocco and France on the way to International Gateway. We caught the Friendship Boat back to the resort. We stopped for hot cocoa from the Boardwalk Bakery and were tucked in by 11:30pm. Night Night.
So, we asked someone was this a Walmart with a grocery store? Oh no, you need to go to Publix, but they close at (look at watch) 10 pm (scrunch face). Why? Because it is 9:45 and there is no way I can get there and get groceries in 15 minutes. No amount of Pixie Dust could help me at this point. So, we bought a few things and came home. Everyone was pooped. Night Night.
He got me! I was in the HAPPIEST place in the World and I was HAPPY! Night Night.
Again, we really hate this part, the leaving part. 
