Epcot & Magic Kingdom
Day 10 - Sunday 28th August 2005
I'm up and sipping coffee on the patio at 7.00 this morning - soon joined by Joyce and it's a cracking morning too - the sun is up and there's not a cloud in the sky.
A couple of hot air balloons make their way across the skyline and we chat for a half hour in this balmy atmosphere before anyone else rises.
I love holiday mornings - full of promise of the day to come - warm and sunny - spending time in the company of family members without having to rush of to work or school - if only.............!
Ok - lets get on with it shall we?
We load up Jaunty for the short trip to Epcot. I'm still not on speaking terms with him after the door slamming incident!
Plenty of cold drinks in the cooler bag today - it's gonna' be a scorcher! Bottled water, Minute Maid lemonade (Ricky's favourite) and Vanilla Coke(My favourite!) and lots of ice packs.
This is an essential part of park hopping as you are always boiling hot by the time you get back to your car - particularly if it's right at the back of the car park. To get back and crack open an ice cold drink is sheer bliss!
I'm going to insist on everyone riding Soarin' today and also we will be taking the Living with the Land tour as none of us have ever been on this before.
We hit the park running - well - I hit the park running while the others amble!
I rush over to Soarin and get 6 x Fastpasses then rush back to Mission Space to meet the others.
This is a walk-on so we leave Joyce and Cyril at the entrance while we four "intrepid space adventurers" ride the rocket.
It's just as good as I remember from last year - brilliant.
Once again - I feel that I was the best "button pusher" in the family!
We wander over to test track next and this too is only a 5 minute standby line.
The Jammitors are playing outsie the entrance.
Hannah gets to the doors and starts to feel a little queasy so she and Lena take the emergency exit leaving me and Ricky to ride alone.
Superb ride - the speed of this car seems even faster than on our previous trips. Perhaps it is because there are only two of us in the car - the clock at the end says 64.M.P.H.
We do a lot of drooling over the monster trucks in the GM showroom -
Now THAT'S what I call a Happy Bus!!!! (Don't tell Jaunty!)
and after a couple of purchases (only Arial toppers I'm afraid - not trucks) we exit and make our way over to The Land for our fastpass at Soarin.
The standby queue is now showing 70 minutes and the fastpass is already up to 3.00pm this afternoon.
I preen and nail rub for a few minutes - puffing out my chest as every good Disney-Dad should.
"I'm not just a pretty face you know I say to the rest of the group (who are not really as appreciative as I feel they should be!).
"We know that" comes the sarcastic reply.
Huh! No idea these tourists - do they think that this holiday "Just Happens"?
It takes careful planning and a lot of hard work on my part to make certain that when it all goes "Bosoms up" there is a contingency plan in place.
One day I will be appreciated!
We get front row seats on Soarin and this is even better on the seconds trip. Fantastic - everyone loves this ride - "Job done".......!
While the rest of the "holiday-makers" in my party had been chatting before our entry to Soarin' - I had nipped to the fastpass machine for the Living with the Land ride and secured six more tickets for our next adventure - so as we exit Soarin' we have a mere 20 minutes to kill and grab a quick coffee and a Cinnamon Danish for Cyril while we get our breath back.
The elastic chin strap that I have neatly sewn on to Cyril's hat is doing the trick and he has not misplaced it at all today. However - I do think that the matching knitted mittens that Joyce has insisted on are taking the whole ensemble a bit too far in my opinion.
The Land is very interesting - especially that huge tomato tree and the "Mickey" shaped pumpkins.
Wow! I wouldn't fancy trying to make a Halloween pumpkin out of that one!
We exit the land and catch a boat ride over to Germany to start part two of our trip around the world. China is next followed by Norway for another Danish pastry (or should that be Norwegian Pastry?) for Cyril in the Kringla Bakery. He really is in to these cakes in a big way now!
It's great to capture moments like these - they look so happy together.
We take a wander around the shop and ride on Maelstrom.
Finally - Mexico and El Rio Del Tempo.
It's been a brilliant morning so I decide to stop here while we are all in a good mood and head out of the midday sun.
We have tended to have one or two arguments in the World Showcase in the past - in particular - last year when the kids almost came to blows! I suppose it may be a little dull compared to the "full on" thrills of some of the other parks but I love Epcot.
It's not Ricky's favourite - he turns into a bit of a monster when we come to this park - just look at him here with Hannah!........
We go back to the villa for a swim and snooze.
Joyce and Cyril decide to stay in again tonight so the rest of us go to IHOP for dinner.
I had the Chicken Caesar salad, Lena also had the Caesar Salad except she had shrimp, Ricky had Chicken Strips and Hannah had the Fish and Chips.
$40 including drinks and tip - great food and great value.
We get to Magic Kingdom at about 6.30 and go straight to Tomorrowland to ride Stitch as this is one ride we have yet to try.
I wish we had not bothered actually as I think that this is aimed at a much younger audience than us! It all seemed a bit pointless - and these have to be the most uncomfortable seats in the whole of Orlando!
We do Buzz Lightyear next - ah! thats better! Then the Carousel of Progress and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Train.
Quite a good little combination in a short space of time really.
Then - over to the Ice Cream Parlour on Main Street for a Cookies & Cream ice cream while we watch wishes from just in front of the Walt and Mickey statue down by the railroad station.
What a great day again and what a fabulous ending to it.
The last piece of music from Wishes always makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck!
It would probably make it stand up on my head too if I had any left!
We board the monorail ahead of the majority of the crowds but it is still very packed. I am sitting next to Hannah when a couple of "New Yorkers" board and stand in front of us.
He is the spitting image of an over weight Danny De Vito and she looks just like Jennifer Coolidge (the Beautician in Legally Blonde). You know - the one with huge lips and a husky voice? She's about two foot taller than him and looks like she may well enjoy a bit of light dominatrix behaviour!
Well - their clothes are almost as loud as their voices - he has a very fetching "string vest" with the requisite shorts, long white socks and Reeboks and is sweating profusely.
She is head to toe in pink designer labels and diamonds.
Obviously not short of cash - just taste!
As we set off - he accidentally places his armpit in her face and a loud argument ensues.
We get to hear about her whole day and how she has to put up with him - ranging from his disgusting eating habits to his overactive sweat glands! I look at Hannah - she looks at me - we both know what the other is thinking (remember that episode of Friends with Amanda Bouvamonteezy - Phoebe & Monica's old friend who puts on a fake British accent?) and we find it very hard not to roll around the carriage clutching our stomachs with laughter.
I resist the urge to start to video the whole episode so that I can send it in to "You've been Framed" on our return!
Ricky is beside himself and is really struggling to stifle his laughter.
We cannot even look at each other until these two get off at the Polynesian. What a relief - we burst out laughing. A really funny end to the day and something to remember. Hannah still chuckles when I mention this.
We pick up Jaunty from the car park and head for home - via one of those "tacky" gift shops with a huge wizard above the door!
"Why?" I hear you ask.
"Because it would be rude not to" I reply.
We're Brits, we're tourists, we're gullible and these shops are for our benefit.
Where else could you buy a plastic replica of as real alligator skull (and why would you?) or a T Shirt that shows the complete Karma Sutra for rabbits!
Back at the villa there's just time for a quick swim before bed.
Tomorrow is another water park day - followed - I'm afraid to say - by - more shopping!
Oh goody........! (Not)
Day 10 - Sunday 28th August 2005
I'm up and sipping coffee on the patio at 7.00 this morning - soon joined by Joyce and it's a cracking morning too - the sun is up and there's not a cloud in the sky.
A couple of hot air balloons make their way across the skyline and we chat for a half hour in this balmy atmosphere before anyone else rises.
I love holiday mornings - full of promise of the day to come - warm and sunny - spending time in the company of family members without having to rush of to work or school - if only.............!
Ok - lets get on with it shall we?
We load up Jaunty for the short trip to Epcot. I'm still not on speaking terms with him after the door slamming incident!
Plenty of cold drinks in the cooler bag today - it's gonna' be a scorcher! Bottled water, Minute Maid lemonade (Ricky's favourite) and Vanilla Coke(My favourite!) and lots of ice packs.
This is an essential part of park hopping as you are always boiling hot by the time you get back to your car - particularly if it's right at the back of the car park. To get back and crack open an ice cold drink is sheer bliss!
I'm going to insist on everyone riding Soarin' today and also we will be taking the Living with the Land tour as none of us have ever been on this before.
We hit the park running - well - I hit the park running while the others amble!
I rush over to Soarin and get 6 x Fastpasses then rush back to Mission Space to meet the others.
This is a walk-on so we leave Joyce and Cyril at the entrance while we four "intrepid space adventurers" ride the rocket.
It's just as good as I remember from last year - brilliant.
Once again - I feel that I was the best "button pusher" in the family!
We wander over to test track next and this too is only a 5 minute standby line.
The Jammitors are playing outsie the entrance.
Hannah gets to the doors and starts to feel a little queasy so she and Lena take the emergency exit leaving me and Ricky to ride alone.
Superb ride - the speed of this car seems even faster than on our previous trips. Perhaps it is because there are only two of us in the car - the clock at the end says 64.M.P.H.
We do a lot of drooling over the monster trucks in the GM showroom -
Now THAT'S what I call a Happy Bus!!!! (Don't tell Jaunty!)
and after a couple of purchases (only Arial toppers I'm afraid - not trucks) we exit and make our way over to The Land for our fastpass at Soarin.
The standby queue is now showing 70 minutes and the fastpass is already up to 3.00pm this afternoon.
I preen and nail rub for a few minutes - puffing out my chest as every good Disney-Dad should.
"I'm not just a pretty face you know I say to the rest of the group (who are not really as appreciative as I feel they should be!).
"We know that" comes the sarcastic reply.
Huh! No idea these tourists - do they think that this holiday "Just Happens"?
It takes careful planning and a lot of hard work on my part to make certain that when it all goes "Bosoms up" there is a contingency plan in place.
One day I will be appreciated!
We get front row seats on Soarin and this is even better on the seconds trip. Fantastic - everyone loves this ride - "Job done".......!
While the rest of the "holiday-makers" in my party had been chatting before our entry to Soarin' - I had nipped to the fastpass machine for the Living with the Land ride and secured six more tickets for our next adventure - so as we exit Soarin' we have a mere 20 minutes to kill and grab a quick coffee and a Cinnamon Danish for Cyril while we get our breath back.
The elastic chin strap that I have neatly sewn on to Cyril's hat is doing the trick and he has not misplaced it at all today. However - I do think that the matching knitted mittens that Joyce has insisted on are taking the whole ensemble a bit too far in my opinion.
The Land is very interesting - especially that huge tomato tree and the "Mickey" shaped pumpkins.
Wow! I wouldn't fancy trying to make a Halloween pumpkin out of that one!
We exit the land and catch a boat ride over to Germany to start part two of our trip around the world. China is next followed by Norway for another Danish pastry (or should that be Norwegian Pastry?) for Cyril in the Kringla Bakery. He really is in to these cakes in a big way now!
It's great to capture moments like these - they look so happy together.
We take a wander around the shop and ride on Maelstrom.
Finally - Mexico and El Rio Del Tempo.
It's been a brilliant morning so I decide to stop here while we are all in a good mood and head out of the midday sun.
We have tended to have one or two arguments in the World Showcase in the past - in particular - last year when the kids almost came to blows! I suppose it may be a little dull compared to the "full on" thrills of some of the other parks but I love Epcot.
It's not Ricky's favourite - he turns into a bit of a monster when we come to this park - just look at him here with Hannah!........
We go back to the villa for a swim and snooze.
Joyce and Cyril decide to stay in again tonight so the rest of us go to IHOP for dinner.
I had the Chicken Caesar salad, Lena also had the Caesar Salad except she had shrimp, Ricky had Chicken Strips and Hannah had the Fish and Chips.
$40 including drinks and tip - great food and great value.
We get to Magic Kingdom at about 6.30 and go straight to Tomorrowland to ride Stitch as this is one ride we have yet to try.
I wish we had not bothered actually as I think that this is aimed at a much younger audience than us! It all seemed a bit pointless - and these have to be the most uncomfortable seats in the whole of Orlando!
We do Buzz Lightyear next - ah! thats better! Then the Carousel of Progress and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Train.
Quite a good little combination in a short space of time really.
Then - over to the Ice Cream Parlour on Main Street for a Cookies & Cream ice cream while we watch wishes from just in front of the Walt and Mickey statue down by the railroad station.
What a great day again and what a fabulous ending to it.
The last piece of music from Wishes always makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck!
It would probably make it stand up on my head too if I had any left!
We board the monorail ahead of the majority of the crowds but it is still very packed. I am sitting next to Hannah when a couple of "New Yorkers" board and stand in front of us.
He is the spitting image of an over weight Danny De Vito and she looks just like Jennifer Coolidge (the Beautician in Legally Blonde). You know - the one with huge lips and a husky voice? She's about two foot taller than him and looks like she may well enjoy a bit of light dominatrix behaviour!
Well - their clothes are almost as loud as their voices - he has a very fetching "string vest" with the requisite shorts, long white socks and Reeboks and is sweating profusely.
She is head to toe in pink designer labels and diamonds.
Obviously not short of cash - just taste!
As we set off - he accidentally places his armpit in her face and a loud argument ensues.
We get to hear about her whole day and how she has to put up with him - ranging from his disgusting eating habits to his overactive sweat glands! I look at Hannah - she looks at me - we both know what the other is thinking (remember that episode of Friends with Amanda Bouvamonteezy - Phoebe & Monica's old friend who puts on a fake British accent?) and we find it very hard not to roll around the carriage clutching our stomachs with laughter.
I resist the urge to start to video the whole episode so that I can send it in to "You've been Framed" on our return!
Ricky is beside himself and is really struggling to stifle his laughter.
We cannot even look at each other until these two get off at the Polynesian. What a relief - we burst out laughing. A really funny end to the day and something to remember. Hannah still chuckles when I mention this.
We pick up Jaunty from the car park and head for home - via one of those "tacky" gift shops with a huge wizard above the door!
"Why?" I hear you ask.
"Because it would be rude not to" I reply.
We're Brits, we're tourists, we're gullible and these shops are for our benefit.
Where else could you buy a plastic replica of as real alligator skull (and why would you?) or a T Shirt that shows the complete Karma Sutra for rabbits!
Back at the villa there's just time for a quick swim before bed.
Tomorrow is another water park day - followed - I'm afraid to say - by - more shopping!
Oh goody........! (Not)
