EVERYONE remembers their "FIRST TIME"TR by Timandlesley 11/27 Day5 pg.18

[kathymc]

I havent been over to these boards for a while and was so excited to see some of my favorite trip report writers had recent posts!

So I got totally sucked into your report and cant wait for more. We did the party last year and absolutely loved it - we even got the photo with all of the dwarfs!

I can feel you guy's excitement when I read your reports - cant wait to read more

 

[tiggrbaby]

I havent been over to these boards for a while and was so excited to see some of my favorite trip report writers had recent posts!

So I got totally sucked into your report and cant wait for more. We did the party last year and absolutely loved it - we even got the photo with all of the dwarfs!

I can feel you guy's excitement when I read your reports - cant wait to read more

Love the pic in your siggie!

 

[timandlesley]

Take your time writing, your TR is worth the wait. I actually just got back from your neck of the woods, really nice area. Can't wait to read more and hear how Tim's trip turns out!!


Melissa

Hi Melissa, thanks so much, I am working on the next installment tonight. Glad you enjoyed our "neck of the woods". I can't wait to see how Tim's trip turns out too : )

I'm all caught up! Great update. I know that CM seemed out of line but I have to say that I felt like yelling at a few people after being at WDW for only a few days. I can't imagine having to put up with idiots like that everyday. I don't have much patience for people like that. I don't think I could be a CM.

My DD was terrified by Dinosaur too. She loved Everest last year but wouldn't ride it this year after she got off Dinosaur. She was screaming and crying on that ride. It was awful!!!! I even thought it was VERY scary and WAY TOO jerky and I am 34! I will never ride it again and I am sure DD won't either. But the rest of your AK day looked great. Can't wait for more!!

Glad you are caught up and enjoyed the update. I agree, it would be difficult being a CM in those shoes and I know he was angry I was just shocked because I've never seen a CM act like that (even though it was warranted). Funny you didn't like dinosaur, I like it and have missed not riding it but that's what is great about Disney, everyone can find something that they love.

I havent been over to these boards for a while and was so excited to see some of my favorite trip report writers had recent posts!

So I got totally sucked into your report and cant wait for more. We did the party last year and absolutely loved it - we even got the photo with all of the dwarfs!

I can feel you guy's excitement when I read your reports - cant wait to read more

Well I'm glad you made it back to the boards and found us again. Glad you are enjoying it so far, working on the next installment tonight.

 

[timandlesley]

So after a MAGICAL night at the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party we were ready to head back to the Magic Kingdom for some rides on Day 4 of our wonderful October trip.
We slept in a bit on this morning and awoke to a HUGE fog, here is Luke on the balcony:

The view:

As we opened the door I was sad to see this hanging:

Ohhhh, that always makes me so sad.
We headed down to Contempo Café for some breakfast, here are the kids at breakfast:

Lauren was still clinging to her face painting, I had washed mine off.
Then we jumped on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom:

We started discussing what we wanted to ride most and Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad topped the list so when we got to the park we decided to head up to the train station so it would take us to the Frontierland stop. It was perfect timing because the train was right there about to pull out…. SCORE!

We got to Splash Mountain at around 9:45 and it had a FIVE minute wait time!!! Have I mentioned how much I loved traveling this time of year, check out this (LACK of) line:

INCREDIBLE!!!!!

It’s no secret that this is my favorite ride, here I am SUPER happy to be starting the day on this wonderful ride:

Happy Lauren on one of her favorites too:

We barely got wet this time around but still thoroughly enjoyed the ride. A phrase to live by:

Our ride photo:

Then we walked over to Thunder Mountain Railroad and it only had a FIVE minute wait and we literally WALKED RIGHT ON!!!

My boys on one of their favorite rides:

Lauren rode with me:

Doesn’t Luke just look SO happy to be in Disney in this photo:

So two rides down and no waiting, what should we “walk on” next? PIRATES!!!

Once again we walked right on and enjoyed a wonderful ride. The kids had fun in the gift shop after (we just love this one):

Then we were headed over to the Haunted mansion and we saw Hall of Presidents, Luke asked what it was about and we decided we wanted to experience that with them. This was AMAZING!!!!

Inside the theatre:

Tim and I hadn’t seen this since we were kids and both Luke and Lauren are learning about presidents in school so it was interesting to them. I have to say, when Abraham Lincoln stood up to give the Gettysburg Address I had CHILLS. Then when the curtain pulled back to reveal ALL of the presidents, WOW, WOW, WOW! It was incredible. I love the way they have re done this, you have to check it out.
So feeling proud to be American’s we headed towards Haunted Mansion. We heard a ton of singing and saw these ladies parading by in Mardi Gras type of outfits :

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST!

 

[timandlesley]

We had no idea what this was (turns out it was the DEBUT of princess Tianna and we MISSED IT!!!!!!) We couldn’t believe it (we read about it later that day and DIED!!!). So, you will have to stay tuned to see if we end up seeing her before we leave or not……… stay tuned!
So back to our regularly scheduled trip report. We headed over to the Haunted Mansion:
I think Lauren couldn’t believe we were going on : )

I got a picture of one of the ghosts inside:

Fun/great ride as always, just love the hitch hiking ghosts.
After that the kids were begging for snacks, so we stopped for these babies:

As we were eating the band was playing so we enjoyed them (what talent!)

We then headed over to Tomorrowland. At this point it was around 11:30 and there was NO WAIT for Buzz Light Year, COULDN’T BELIEVE IT!!! So we walked right on, Luke rode with Tim:

Lauren rode with me. I never pay attention to Lauren’s score because she can barely see over the gun and usually averages around 10,000. Well, as we were about to get off she said “mom, how did I do”, I looked down and couldn’t believe my eyes!!!! Check out LAUREN’S SCORE!!!!

To this day I have no clue what in the world that girl hit but she was QUITE proud of herself!
Here’s our ride photo:

The downfall of this ride is that STUPID ZURG won’t stop capturing my children!!!

So after Lauren killed all of us at Buzz we decided we needed a good laugh so we headed to the Laugh Floor:

The kids texted in a funny joke but they didn’t use it in the show this time, bummer – but the show was still funny.
By then it was time for our lunch reservation at the Plaza:

We checked in and were enjoying sitting in the sunshine waiting for our table. It was getting a little warm in the sun so the kids headed over to the shade. There are many times when I catch my kids who love eachother dearly doing wonderful things with eachother that just makes a mom’s heart melt. Well, they were over there in the shade holding hands and being sweet to one another, unfortunately when I tried to capture it Luke spotted the camera : )

As I was sitting there I was checking out all of the wonderful Halloween decorations, the theming is so detailed, check out the pumpkins above the plaza:

As we were waiting the parade was coming by so the kids and I walked over to the curb to watch it go by, PERFECT spot/PERFECT timing!

That is such a fun parade. RIGHT as it was done going by we were called to the table. The kids ordered comfort foods (grilled cheese and tomato soup):

I had a tuna salad sandwich and Tim had the club, VERY yummy! Then it was time for our FAVORITE part of the meal, DESERT!

Do you THINK Lauren enjoyed her ice cream ??? : )

After a yummy lunch we decided to head back to the resort. We strolled down Main street and enjoyed some shopping and the Halloween displays:

Then we were treated one more time to the wonderful talent of the Main Street Philharmonic:

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST!

 

[timandlesley]

The kids were thrilled to see some Main street residents, so we posed with them:

We decided to just walk back to the resort, LOVED being able to do this!

On our way back we decided we should rent water mice and hit the pool. We headed up to the room and put our swim suits on and cover ups and then headed down to the boats:

Luke drove with me:

My buddy and I had an outstanding ride, going all the way over to the Magic Kingdom, to the Poly, Grand Floridian, etc. WONDERFUL!

We stayed out for a half an hour and then came back. Tim and Lauren were nowhere to be found but they showed up about ten minutes later:

Turns out that they went out and their boat was dying so they turned around and got another boat so they added 10 minutes onto their time. They had a great ride too. Then we headed over to the pool. (there was a nice walking path from the Coontemporary resort boat rental area over to the Bay Lake Tower pool area.
We found seats in the sun by the splash area and the kids played:

And I enjoyed this (ahhhhhhhhhhhhh HEAVEN!!!)

What a wonderful afternoon, after we were done swimming we headed back up to the room to get changed and showered for the evening. When we were ready we went down to the bus stop to Hollywood Studios:

Tim and Luke enjoyed a game of rock paper scissors on the bus:

We were meeting a friend of ours (another Diser) that night for Fantasmic so we headed to eat dinner at counterservice while we awaited her text that she had arived. Lauren posed with a car on our way to dinner:

Kids with their Tower of Terror faces:

We enjoyed some counter service chicken:

Our goal for the night was to see Fantasmic but I also wanted to ride a few things. As we sat there at dinner I grabbed a times guide and was shocked that the park CLOSED at SEVEN!!! Geez! That sure was early (Fantasmic was at 7, so I knew we’d have to leave after the show). Well, when Darlene arrived we headed over to Rockin Roller Coaster to ride that, luckily there wasn’t much of a line:

Here is Darlene with me and the kids:

Luke rode with Darlene and Tim rode by himself:

Lauren and I waited for the first car. I was SO disappointed by our ride! The music wasn’t working, I’m telling you, this ride is NOT the same without the music. Major bummer – oh well, time for Fantasmic!
As we excited Darlene and Tim wanted to try one more ride so they headed towards Tower of Terror. Lauren started to freak out a bit (she doesn’t like riding it at night) so she and I decided to go get us seats for Fantasmic while Luke, Tim and Darlene rode TOT and they could meet up with us. Lauren and I scored good seats in the Pocohantas section about 30 minutes before show time:

We managed to save the seats until they got there (about 10 minutes before show time) and Fantasmic DID NOT disappoint, just LOVE that show! The kids loved it too (they hadn’t seen it in a few years).
After dinner we said our good byes to Darlene (it was great seeing her) and headed out to the bus stop and it was CRAZY crowded. Contemporary shares a bus with the Poly and the Grand Floridian (this is just ridiculous if you ask me). We honestly would have waited over an hour for a bus and there were multiple wheelchairs and ECV’s, so we decided to take a cab.

The cab driver was such a scum bag, GEEZ, but money well spent because we showed up at Bay Lake Tower 10 minutes until 9:00, I said to Tim “I wonder when the Magic Kingdom fireworks are tonight?” We walked up to the Top of the World Lounge Podium in the lobby and asked and they were at 9:00, SCORE!!!!! We were so thrilled. We asked if we could go up to the lounge and see the fireworks. She asked if we were DVC members and if we were currently staying at the BayLake Tower, yes to both so we were able to go up. I swear, they make you feel like royalty. She said “Michelle, will take you to your private elevator up to the tower”, NICE!!!! A beautiful young lady came up to us and escorted us to our private elevator, when the doors closed we were like kids in a candy store:

Doors opened and we made our way to the overlook area of the lounge:

Here I am by the speakers where they pipe in the Wishes music:

CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST!

 

[timandlesley]

There weren’t too many people up there, it felt so “exclusive”. I went into the lounge and took a few pics, but felt weird doing so, so there aren’t many:
This was like a VIP area behind a curtain:

Bar area:

Then it was time for Wishes, Lauren got on Tim’s shoulders:

The fireworks started and we had the best view and were on cloud nine:

The music was beautiful, just like being in the park but so much better. WOW, what an amazing night and experience that will forever be in our minds. So happy we decided to take the cab back or we would have missed this on our last night.
We went back to the room and got ready for bed:

The kids were asleep quickly after our action packed day. I was in mourning knowing this was our last night in those heavenly Bay Lake Tower beds (so comfy!)

Stay tuned, coming up in our next (Last)installment:
Princess Tianna is where??
Push
Who burned who with a cigarette??? SERIOUSLY!?!

 

[ladybugmom]

YAY!! What a great day!! I can't wait to hear if you saw Tiana or not!! My girls are soooo excited about The Princess and the Frog.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

What an action packed day! I loved the picture of the kids holding hands, so sweet!

 

[MAJ RN]

Another great update!! I hate opening the door in the morning and finding that ME packet on the door, I want to close the door and pray that it is gone when I open it again. Can't wait to read how your wonderful trip ends.


Melissa

 

[Trentmom]

What a great day you all had.

awesome how uncrowded it was there

WTG to Lauren for Buzz score


Watching wishes from lounge sound incredible

 

[praisehisname]

Sounds like your last full day was pretty close to perfect! I'm a little scared about the cigarette burning...

 

[thechesters420]

Seeing all the fall decorations makes me want to go during that time of year!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

What a wonderful day! You are so right about Hall of Presidents. My degree is in History/Education so I am a major history buff. We LOVED that show. We didn't get to see it last year b/c it was closed to add Obama. So we were very excited to see it this time. I wish we could have seen it last year too so we could have seen Bush give the ending speech. I really like President Bush and hate I missed that. But we still loved it though. We also felt very patriotic afterwards! I think that is a very overlooked attraction.

The rest of your day looked great too! Your uncrowded fireworks show must have been great. That was one of the best things about the Pirates and Pals cruise............. no madhouse on Main Street! And it was so quiet while we watched not having 1,000's of people around. I really got teary eyed watching it b/c it was just a beautiful experience!

I hated seeing that unmagical express tag on my door too, and I just got that same sick feling seeing it in your picture! Why can't it be a one way only ride???

 

[PrincessDreamer]

My dream is to go to Disney at the time you went, due partly to the fact that it could be a birthday trip for me. But, that probably won't happen for at least another few years, so thank you for sharing your trip as I wait!

The special treatment for fireworks sounds amazing!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

As always ypur TR is a fun read. The crowd level that you experienced was what I was expecting this past Sept. It had been that way on our last two Sept. trips. It seems that there has been a change as to when people travel to WDW. Next time we may try early Oct.

 

[sharonW]

Honestly, Lesley, your trips are ever so magical.
When I see you have a new update I get like a kid
on christmas morn, SERIOUSLY!!! There is no place
in they world like "The HAPPY Place"!!!! Anxious to
hear the finale!....sad too!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I love when I catch my kiddos being sweet to each other. It's not all the time so it's nice to see. The same thing with the music happened to me last year on RNR. We told the CM when we stepped off and she let us in a special backdoor for a second ride. It was so cool! Great update Lesley. I hate that your trip is ending though!

 

[CW4DW]

What a great last day... I hate seeing that envelope on the door too - makes the end seem too real. But I know y'all will be back and can start planning that trip if you haven't already!

 

[we3are1]

Loving your post - lots of helpful information
We went in September and lines were about the same but was still hot.
I am definitely going to make the MNSSHP a must do next time. We just didn't have the energy to do it this time but looks like a ton of fun. Watched the Scream fireworks on youtube - wow and I bet it is even better in person!

The picture from the BLT is available for sale here
http://ownthemagic.com/shop/article...ckey-Art.html?shop_param=cid=7&aid=DBLT-1000&

Just thought you would be interested.

Oh also loving the BLT - wondering if I can talk hubby into DVC -

Can't wait to hear more.