2belles'mom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2000
- Messages
- 406
The Cast:
Me, 36, Disney Addict
David, DH, 36 Disney Addict NOT
Katja, DD, 7
Annika, DD 4
Mumu, Mom of DH
Tuta, Dad of DH
PART FOUR--Mission Space at Last!, (December 28, Day 3 continued)
After leaving Epcot, we stopped at a grocery store on the way back to WL and loaded up with groceries. I called and got our room number and, once back at the WL, we started the unloading process. We said our good-byes to Mumu and Tuta, and they took off to return to West Palm Beach while it was still daylight outside.
To our surprise and delight, we got a GREAT ROOM! 1505, 1st floor, walk right out the slider to the quiet pool! Also walk right out, across the breezeway, and we were in the main lobby of the Lodge! MUCH closer to EVERYTHING than last year. Also, the laundry room was 2 doors away (luxury, sigh ) and very close to sturdy branches, the fitness room. ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. The studio villa has a cute little kitchenette, which consists of a sink, counter-space, cupboards stocked with paper bowls, plates, and plastic utensils, paper towels, a microwave and a refrigerator.
Once we were settled in, the girls were ready for a trip to the pool. It was so nice to just open the slider and walk a few short steps to the pool. David took a nap while I enjoyed a book poolside and the girls swam and played. Again, the weather was warm and sunny and the setting absolutely perfect.
Later, when we were dry and showered, we caught the bus (right out front, boy oh boy!) back to Epcot. This time, we entered through Future World. The place was packed! We picked up a stroller for the kids, and made our way to the American Pavilion for the Candlelight Processional. It was difficult going because of the thick crowds, but we were holding reserved seating so even though we arrived 10 minutes prior to showtime, we got seats. I knew we couldnt stay for the entire show if we wanted to make our 7:35 Fast Pass deadline for Mission Space. In this, I was a bit disappointed since last year we had left early as well--due to cold weather and everyone being too frozen to finish the beautiful processional! So once again, after a moving and wonderful start, we found ourselves leaving early (but it was much easier to leave for Mission Space than because you were frozen to death!). Also, there was no way I was going to miss Mission Space after Katja's marathon whining session about it, and the adventure we had getting fast passes hours and hours earlier!
We arrived at Mission Space and went to the Fast Pass line, where we also got child-switch passes. David decided to wait with Annika (too short L) in the child-switch area. I must say, this is the BEST child-switch area Disney has ever done. It is complete with slides and tunnels and a space ship for the kids to play in, and it is INSIDE. When Annika saw the tunnels she forgot all about the fact that she couldnt go on Mission Space. Nicely done.
As Katja and I waited in line, she started to freak. I couldnt believe it!!! After whining all day when are we going on Mission Space, when are we going on Mission Space is it time for Mission Space...NOW she is chickening out! She told me she was worried it was going to be too scary. Scary???? This is a girl who can't get enough of Tower of Terror, who LOVED Rock-N-Roller Coaster..I couldn't believe it. She was shaking and her knees were buckling. She was disintegrating before my eyes! Good golies, were we going to have to bail????
Luckily, a teenage girl--Jessica--who was with the family behind us, came to the rescue. She took Katja under her wing, explained that the ride was so much fun she was doing it again, and told Katja she would sit next to her. This calmed Katja a great deal. I could see the terror draining from her body. The wait was about 15 minutes, and then we were getting our pre-mission instructions. As promised, Jessica made sure that she would be riding with Katja, and indeed was next to her in our ship. The ride was great! I didnt get sick at all--something I had been very worried since the teacups and other evil spinning things make me woozy for hours. I made sure to keep my head back and to keep my eyes on the screen (with one quick cut of my eyes to see how Katja was doing--and she was loving it!). The blast-off really felt like we were going straight up into the atmosphere. The ride isnt wild or crazy--nothing like that, but to me, it was very REALISTIC--you feel as if you ARE in a space craft leaving Earths atmosphere and gravitational pull. Very cool.
It took Katja and I about ½ an hour from start to finish. We met David in the child-switch area and he took Katja for another Mission to Mars while I joined all of the little ones frolicking around the tunnels. Katja, of course, downplayed any fear she had experienced and made a point of explaining to her Dad how GREAT the ride was. The kids in the child-switch area were having a ball. There also is an entire MISSION CONTROL area where about 20 or so people play this interesting simulation game. It was quite popular, and looked like a lot of fun too. David and Katja emerged about 25 or so minutes later. We all agreed that it was a fantastic ride.
It was getting late now--8:45, and we had plans to get up early for Magic Kingdom in the morning. We left Epcot and caught a bus back to Wilderness Lodge.
Me, 36, Disney Addict
David, DH, 36 Disney Addict NOT
Katja, DD, 7
Annika, DD 4
Mumu, Mom of DH
Tuta, Dad of DH
PART FOUR--Mission Space at Last!, (December 28, Day 3 continued)
After leaving Epcot, we stopped at a grocery store on the way back to WL and loaded up with groceries. I called and got our room number and, once back at the WL, we started the unloading process. We said our good-byes to Mumu and Tuta, and they took off to return to West Palm Beach while it was still daylight outside.
To our surprise and delight, we got a GREAT ROOM! 1505, 1st floor, walk right out the slider to the quiet pool! Also walk right out, across the breezeway, and we were in the main lobby of the Lodge! MUCH closer to EVERYTHING than last year. Also, the laundry room was 2 doors away (luxury, sigh ) and very close to sturdy branches, the fitness room. ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. The studio villa has a cute little kitchenette, which consists of a sink, counter-space, cupboards stocked with paper bowls, plates, and plastic utensils, paper towels, a microwave and a refrigerator.
Once we were settled in, the girls were ready for a trip to the pool. It was so nice to just open the slider and walk a few short steps to the pool. David took a nap while I enjoyed a book poolside and the girls swam and played. Again, the weather was warm and sunny and the setting absolutely perfect.
Later, when we were dry and showered, we caught the bus (right out front, boy oh boy!) back to Epcot. This time, we entered through Future World. The place was packed! We picked up a stroller for the kids, and made our way to the American Pavilion for the Candlelight Processional. It was difficult going because of the thick crowds, but we were holding reserved seating so even though we arrived 10 minutes prior to showtime, we got seats. I knew we couldnt stay for the entire show if we wanted to make our 7:35 Fast Pass deadline for Mission Space. In this, I was a bit disappointed since last year we had left early as well--due to cold weather and everyone being too frozen to finish the beautiful processional! So once again, after a moving and wonderful start, we found ourselves leaving early (but it was much easier to leave for Mission Space than because you were frozen to death!). Also, there was no way I was going to miss Mission Space after Katja's marathon whining session about it, and the adventure we had getting fast passes hours and hours earlier!
We arrived at Mission Space and went to the Fast Pass line, where we also got child-switch passes. David decided to wait with Annika (too short L) in the child-switch area. I must say, this is the BEST child-switch area Disney has ever done. It is complete with slides and tunnels and a space ship for the kids to play in, and it is INSIDE. When Annika saw the tunnels she forgot all about the fact that she couldnt go on Mission Space. Nicely done.
As Katja and I waited in line, she started to freak. I couldnt believe it!!! After whining all day when are we going on Mission Space, when are we going on Mission Space is it time for Mission Space...NOW she is chickening out! She told me she was worried it was going to be too scary. Scary???? This is a girl who can't get enough of Tower of Terror, who LOVED Rock-N-Roller Coaster..I couldn't believe it. She was shaking and her knees were buckling. She was disintegrating before my eyes! Good golies, were we going to have to bail????
Luckily, a teenage girl--Jessica--who was with the family behind us, came to the rescue. She took Katja under her wing, explained that the ride was so much fun she was doing it again, and told Katja she would sit next to her. This calmed Katja a great deal. I could see the terror draining from her body. The wait was about 15 minutes, and then we were getting our pre-mission instructions. As promised, Jessica made sure that she would be riding with Katja, and indeed was next to her in our ship. The ride was great! I didnt get sick at all--something I had been very worried since the teacups and other evil spinning things make me woozy for hours. I made sure to keep my head back and to keep my eyes on the screen (with one quick cut of my eyes to see how Katja was doing--and she was loving it!). The blast-off really felt like we were going straight up into the atmosphere. The ride isnt wild or crazy--nothing like that, but to me, it was very REALISTIC--you feel as if you ARE in a space craft leaving Earths atmosphere and gravitational pull. Very cool.
It took Katja and I about ½ an hour from start to finish. We met David in the child-switch area and he took Katja for another Mission to Mars while I joined all of the little ones frolicking around the tunnels. Katja, of course, downplayed any fear she had experienced and made a point of explaining to her Dad how GREAT the ride was. The kids in the child-switch area were having a ball. There also is an entire MISSION CONTROL area where about 20 or so people play this interesting simulation game. It was quite popular, and looked like a lot of fun too. David and Katja emerged about 25 or so minutes later. We all agreed that it was a fantastic ride.
It was getting late now--8:45, and we had plans to get up early for Magic Kingdom in the morning. We left Epcot and caught a bus back to Wilderness Lodge.
