Epic Mickey - 10 day girls trip - Aug/Sept! *Updated 8/25 - 7 hours!!*

[cadek]

Your whale pictures are awesome! Looks like another great day, besides the belugas!

 

[Villainess]

Great Shamu pictures! Too funny about the belugas! Oh my!

 

[Kat in GA]

Your whale pictures are awesome! Looks like another great day, besides the belugas!

Great Shamu pictures! Too funny about the belugas! Oh my!

Thanks for the picture kudos. I love when things turn out the way they should!

And those randy belugas...they sure do give you a story to tell!

 

[Kat in GA]

After cleansing our minds of randy belugas with some affable PBS characters, the girls decided that the needed to get back to their goals for the day: ride roller coasters. Rinse. And repeat.

We went back to Manta for the girls to ride a few more times.

We bought a ride photo package deal – which now sealed Katie’s fate for riding Kraken – and now the girls had the task of providing me with good ride photos. Or they’d HAVE to ride again. Poor things.

After we got our Manta photo, we headed over to conquer Kraken.

Katie was still pretty nervous about this ride. The hills are big. And there are loops. But she decided that she could handle it. So. Here she is. Ready to face it all. She looks a bit nervous! (She on the edge – right at the curve – in her bathing suit and no shoes)

And after the ride was over – they both declared it fabulous!

With Kraken conquered, we decided that we needed to feed the sea lions. We went to buy our fishies – and we had customers immediately.

Note the sign behind the girls. It is quite an understatement. The girls had to work really hard to keep the birds from stealing the fish.

They were so brazen. Including this one who stealthily came up beside Katie. We lost a number of fish to those birds.

Next we headed back to Atlantis. And then we went on a search for tshirts. Katie wanted a Manta shirt – and Madalyn an Atlantis one. And after finding them. It was rather difficult to find someone working there to pay for it. And this was not just in one shop. We had to hunt down someone to ring up our purchases. I wonder how much walks out of the shop because no one is there?!

After the shirts were purchased (note – they were paid for – we kept hunting for that elusive sea world worker!) – the girls made a monumentous decision. They were going to ride Kraken again. In the front row. I was able to capture a little more of their ride than I do while they are flying on Manta.

We finished out our evening with a ride on Atlantis. They were the only one in the boat. But the park was closing. And we finally headed out to grab dinner at Wendy’s before going back to the house.

Up next:
Our final day – and finally we head to Disney World
Plans for trip #2 have been completed!

10 days until we leave for trip #1!!

 

[teachermommy78]

This is making me want to go to sea world!!! Would you go back again? Maybe we'll do a sea world/universal add on trip when the kids are a bit older. Love this update! You got great pictures. Your girls seem full of joy!

 

[Kat in GA]

This is making me want to go to sea world!!! Would you go back again? Maybe we'll do a sea world/universal add on trip when the kids are a bit older. Love this update! You got great pictures. Your girls seem full of joy!

I have had some negative things to say about Sea World - but I just have to remember that it's not Disney and judge it on its own merits! That being said - I would totally do Sea World again. We had a great time. And even with two full days - we didn't see all the shows. Yes, the girls spent a ton of time riding coasters - but we just couldn't fit it all in.

Thanks for the kudos on the pictures and the girls. The girls keep me on my toes, that's for sure!

 

[Becc1]

Once again, loving the pics of Seaworld. I am definately going to have a make time for us to the next time we are going down there! Love the pics of the girls on the coaster, they are like I was when I was younger, I could ride those things all day long!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I will say it again--- you have some very brave girls!!! Not sure I could handle those rides. Love the sea lion pictures. We missed that when we were there several years ago.


Oh, it is getting so close!!!!

 

[Kat in GA]

Once again, loving the pics of Seaworld. I am definately going to have a make time for us to the next time we are going down there! Love the pics of the girls on the coaster, they are like I was when I was younger, I could ride those things all day long!

I will say it again--- you have some very brave girls!!! Not sure I could handle those rides. Love the sea lion pictures. We missed that when we were there several years ago.


Oh, it is getting so close!!!!

The girls do love their coasters. I actually like them too - they just don't like the span of my hips - except at Disney - I'll ride 'em all!

 

[DrMomof3]

I had honestly never considered Sea World. Until my son started learning about orca's at school. He's totally obsessed with whales right now. Reading about your experience makes me consider Sea World. Not this summer but sometime...

Amanda

 

[Kat in GA]

I had honestly never considered Sea World. Until my son started learning about orca's at school. He's totally obsessed with whales right now. Reading about your experience makes me consider Sea World. Not this summer but sometime...

Amanda

I had never taken the girls because when we are on a Disney vacation - I want to be on a Disney vacation! It worked out so well during spring break because we got two days out of it - and then our bonus day was Epcot. As much as we loved it, I am not sure that I could take time away from the parks. Now, if we could ever get a deal for Discovery Cove, that I might be willing to do!

 

[Kat in GA]

Saturday finally dawned. The last day of our surprise vacation. But we were excited because finally we were going to make our way to Disney World. The girls chose to visit Epcot. Mostly because they like to eat around the world. But I was excited that I’d be able to see the Flower topiaries for the first time.

We didn’t quite make it to rope drop – but close – and I sent the girls over to get Soarin fast passes while I got situated with a scooter. They were just coming up the escalator when I got to the Land – and the decided that we needed to ride Living with the Land since we were there.

Probably not the smartest move time wise – but my girls have always loved this ride. They even want to take a Behind the Seeds tour during our “Year of Disney.”

Our fast pass time for Soarin came up quickly and before you knew it we were smelling the pine forests and orange groves. I love that scent. After our ride, we went ahead and got another set of fast passes for later. We walked toward the seas so that we could visit with Nemo.

I am not sure why the lines for this are non existent. I think it’s a cute ride. And I even love the queue and how you progress from the shore to under the sea. I think I’ll love this ride even more when we are there in a few days. July heat = love for an inside queue!

Nemo found, we went to check on Bruce

– and decided that we’d skip Turtle Talk in favor of getting fast passes for test track. With those FP in hand, the girls went ahead to ride Mission space while we waited for our time to come up. I went and checked out things in Mouse Gears while I waited. I stopped a CM and asked if they gave AP discounts – and he said YES! From what I have read online, I thought there were only discounts at the World of Disney at DTD. I didn’t realize there were merchandise discounts in the parks! He said that we should ask EVERYWHERE – and that sometimes it depends on who you ask! I guess I’ll be able to report back shortly if this is still the case!

I found some really cute stuff in Mouse gears – but would rather wait to get 20% off! So…I headed back to Mission Space to wait on the girls. When they got out, they tried their hands at a few missions of their own before we went on TT.

As we left Mission space we had to make a stop to get a picture in front of the Stitch topiary.

However, this was a difficult proposition because Madalyn left her sunglasses in the car. These pictures of the girls dealing with the sun in their eyes crack me up. Not so much at the time though!!

We rode test track using our fast passes – and got another set of passes when we were done. So now we had both Soarin’ and Test Track for later. We were starting to get hungry, so we made our way over to the World Showcase – heading for Mexico. When we tour WS – we always start at Mexico and work our way around clockwise. Do ya’ll do this or the reverse?

Our first stop was for nourishment! My girls love Epcot – and the reason they love Epcot is because they get to eat. We went to the Mexican counter service and got nachos and churros to share. We get them every time we are here – oh so yummy! Katie was pretty excited to see that they had apple soda which she had only tried once before. It was just as yummy as she remembered it.

Lunch done…we headed into the temple to ride the Mexican small world. And then it was time to try on hats and play the bongos.

Do people ever buy the hats and bongos? Or are they there for photo ops? Again I had to not think about all the people who have also tried on these hats. Does anyone else get squeamish about hats??

Before we moved on, I needed a picture in front of the temple.

Katie seemed to have found her sunglasses in her purse. Madalyn’s were still in the car. So she has to squint. Again. Still. Repeat.

Up next:

Maelstrom: It’s a fast pass!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

How exciting--you went to Flower and Garden. That is the one thing I still haven't done yet but so desperately want to do.

I had never seen the Stitch topiary before! Too cute.

Yes, we always start in Mexico and work our way around. However, we have decided we would try it opposite this year. I think I sent to overlook all the little things on the other side as I am worn out when I am done.

Can't wait to read more.

 

[beebeeryan]

YAY for Epcot!!! Ouch on forgetting the sunglasses, that had to be rough. Nemo and the whole Living with the Seas is great for escaping the heat in the summer. We spent a long time in there in August. Your pictures are fabulous!

We didn't try on hats last trip, I know I did it as a kid. I honestly wouldn't have thought twice about it till reading in here on the DIS...now I might be thinking about who's heads were in there.

 

[Becc1]

Love the Bruce picture with the kids. We missed Bruce this year

I am so with you when it comes to the hat thing, I cringe everytime my kids try on hats but it's like you can't stop them. My DS Sam especially, that boy tries on every goofy hat he sees

 

[Kat in GA]

How exciting--you went to Flower and Garden. That is the one thing I still haven't done yet but so desperately want to do.

I had never seen the Stitch topiary before! Too cute.

Yes, we always start in Mexico and work our way around. However, we have decided we would try it opposite this year. I think I sent to overlook all the little things on the other side as I am worn out when I am done.

Can't wait to read more.

Epcot was just beautiful - and the topiaries were so intricate. They should keep them up year round

We really need to start on the other side, too. I have never explored Canada or England. I hear that you can find cool things like "beaver butt" soap in Canada.

YAY for Epcot!!! Ouch on forgetting the sunglasses, that had to be rough. Nemo and the whole Living with the Seas is great for escaping the heat in the summer. We spent a long time in there in August. Your pictures are fabulous!

We didn't try on hats last trip, I know I did it as a kid. I honestly wouldn't have thought twice about it till reading in here on the DIS...now I might be thinking about who's heads were in there.

I don't know how my girls even exist without sunglasses. They both are on our neighborhood tennis team and they still don't wear sunglasses for matches. They are crazed.

Love the Bruce picture with the kids. We missed Bruce this year

I am so with you when it comes to the hat thing, I cringe everytime my kids try on hats but it's like you can't stop them. My DS Sam especially, that boy tries on every goofy hat he sees

Well...the hat thing really stems from when we went on a cruise about 3 or 4 years ago - and I discovered that Madalyn had lice on the last day. I am convinced it happened in Mexico when they were trying on sombreros. Katie didn't get them - but ack - just mentioning it makes my scalp itch! All I have to do is remind them of that and they don't put on the hats. But often it's too late - and they look cute. I just try not to (scratch scratch) think about it (scratch scratch!).

 

[Kat in GA]

We arrived in Norway and got in line to ride Maelstrom. I do not understand the warnings that are posted at the entrance – about how you MAY get wet. It’s such a dichotomy from Sea World. Where there are the same signs at Shamu stadium. Except there you get massively drenched. But. Here? At Maelstrom? Really? Who has gotten wet from this ride?

I really like this ride. But wish they had put more Vikings and Trolls. Of course that may be the mythology teacher in me

We finished the ride, walked through the movie. And naturally had to stop for the ubiquitous photo-op with the troll:

Then we did something we’ve never done – went into the exhibit that is in the church. It’s very small – but worth doing the pass through. I don’t think a lot of people realize there is anything in there. There are some pretty interesting things about the Vikings.

When we exited, we realized that the fast pass return time for Maelstrom was really quick – and shorter than waiting in line – so we got a set of fast passes and then went into the bakery to get a snack to split – aiding and abetting our eating around the world journey. I let the girls pick:

I think it’s a chocolate mousse cake. It’s too bad they didn’t like it at all.

Our fast pass time arrived that quickly – but rather than go ahead and go on, I sent Katie back to Test Track to get more fast passes for later. Madalyn and I decided to just hang out and wait for her in the courtyard.

I had Madalyn post in front of the waterfall. Where we finally discovered how to get a good picture – I had to lend Madalyn my sunglasses.

And then we got out of the sun – and Madalyn found her new boyfriend.

Next thing I knew, Katie was back. But there was a problem. She couldn’t get any fast passes. The machine wouldn’t read the tickets – and they told her she had to go to guest services to rectify the problem. Well. I surely didn’t want to go to guest services. So. We just ignored the problem. (Later I would realize that the magnets that held my purse sections together de-magnetized our tickets! Note to self: buy a lanyard with a pouch for our next trip!)

We went ahead and redeemed our Maelstrom FP – skipped the movie – walked through the shops – and back to the courtyard – where we found another photo op before progressing to China.

 

[lmbcdb]

Just got finished reading your whole PTR/mini TR up to this point. All I can say is whew. Makes me tired just reading about you planning three trips! Planning my one every year makes me tired. But it's good tired - I love doing it.

Let's see. Instead of lots of quoting:

• We surprised our DS last time and it didn't go well. So I feel your pain. He's a little OCD/a lot ADHD and doesn't do well with schedule changes. When we came to pick him up from school and leave two days early, he didn't want to go until we were "supposed to."
• Epcot - we have only done WS once. And we did it counterclockwise off of Ridemax's advice. I think we will go the Mexico route next time, just because we rushed through that section with it being the end of the day and we were tired.
• one week to go? You must be at "that" stage then. The one where your family just goes, "okay, whatever you say mom". I know I get a little crazy at that point.
• taking other kids with you? That ought to make for an interesting TR. Will you do it as you go, or when you get back?
• SeaWorld: done it 10 times here in Texas. From your TR, it seems we aren't missing much by not going to the one in Florida. And the food sucks wind at the Texas location, too!
• Your girls are dolls. I hope my kids want to ride the coasters when they are older. Right now, my DH and I go separately, which eats in to our time. But we always get a Rider Switch pass, which helps.
• Good luck with all your packing this week!

 

[PixieMama]

I'm back! The beach was great... I'm sure I'll tell you more about it soon. BUT. Here it is, 2:00 in the morning and I'm still awake. Checking my email. Catching up on PTRs.

The pics of M being a ham for the camera (and licking the plate) are CRACKING. ME. UP.

 

[Kat in GA]

Just got finished reading your whole PTR/mini TR up to this point. All I can say is whew. Makes me tired just reading about you planning three trips! Planning my one every year makes me tired. But it's good tired - I love doing it.

Let's see. Instead of lots of quoting:

• We surprised our DS last time and it didn't go well. So I feel your pain. He's a little OCD/a lot ADHD and doesn't do well with schedule changes. When we came to pick him up from school and leave two days early, he didn't want to go until we were "supposed to."
• Epcot - we have only done WS once. And we did it counterclockwise off of Ridemax's advice. I think we will go the Mexico route next time, just because we rushed through that section with it being the end of the day and we were tired.
• one week to go? You must be at "that" stage then. The one where your family just goes, "okay, whatever you say mom". I know I get a little crazy at that point.
• taking other kids with you? That ought to make for an interesting TR. Will you do it as you go, or when you get back?
• SeaWorld: done it 10 times here in Texas. From your TR, it seems we aren't missing much by not going to the one in Florida. And the food sucks wind at the Texas location, too!
• Your girls are dolls. I hope my kids want to ride the coasters when they are older. Right now, my DH and I go separately, which eats in to our time. But we always get a Rider Switch pass, which helps.
• Good luck with all your packing this week!

Yippee -- another reader!! Welcome!!

I am loving the planning for these trips. I suppose that I shouldn't mention the fourth one that is in the works And then I get to plan too by helping other people. Love doing that too.

We have the same WS issue. We never have time to explore England and Canada. That will change for sure this year!

I am really looking forward to taking the friends with us. I think it will make things easier. I don't think I'll be doing a live report - but I will be posting to facebook. And then hopefully get my act together for a TR and keep up with the PTR...hopefully I won't lose my momentum!