Mean Queen
<font color=blue><marquee> If only life were like
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2007
- Messages
- 12,323
I got the chance to have a kid-free weekend with some friends and we all of course wanted to go to Disney World!!! We had been to the Food & Wine Fest a few weeks ago, but the kids kept complaining about wanting burgers and fries. So this was our chance to see... and eat... all that we missed.
We got up early on Saturday morning and headed to Cracker Barrell to fuel up for the trip. Once we ate our first of many meals of the day we headed off to Orlando. We arrived at Port Orleans French Quarter around 10:30. Our room was already ready! We put our stuff in the room and headed for the bus. After way too long a wait, we packed onto the bus and headed off to Epcot. When we got there, we first grabbed a fast pass for Soarin' then headed for the WS. It was about lunch time so we went to England for Fish & Chips. The weather was perfect, sunny with a cool breeze. We stopped again when we got to Oklahoma to try some Buffalo. It was tasty, very much like steak. Next was Morocco, we each got one item and split them. Again, all yummy but the baklava was my favorite. We split up the tour around the world between food and shopping. We spent the most shopping time in Japan looking at Hello Kitty stuff. By the time we made it to Mexico, we were very full but that didn't stop us from getting a Fiesta Margarita. It did stop us from going on any rides for awhile. We hit the Mouse Gears store and shopped some more. Finally, it was time to ride Soarin' so we headed over there. Luckily, the food and drinks were wearing off so no one was in danger of getting the contents of our stomach on them. Once we got off Soarin', we jumped on The Land then headed over to Figment. My one friend had never gone on it! We had fun doing the picture part after though the picture has yet to arrive in our email.
It was now time for dinner at Chefs De France. We took the boat across the lake and made it just in time for our reservations. The food was very good, but I'm still amazed I paid $28 for 4 shrimp, 2 scallops and a spinach flan. 
When dinner was over, we decided it was time to go so we would avoid the fireworks crowd. Well, the plan was good but it didn't work out. We got to the bus station right as a bus left. So by the time the next one came (a half hour later), the fireworks crowd had arrived. There was a lot of confusion, people in wheel chairs being loaded on, other people pushing their wheelchairs on even though the driver had already packed as many wheelchairs as he could on board. Luckily, another bus showed up and all of us without wheelchairs packed in. We finally got back to the room and got ready to get up early the next morning.
Living near WDW, I've been to the parks many times. But I've never gotten there for the official opening. I didn't even know about the rope drop until I read this board. We happily got up early the next morning, made much easier by the time change, and headed out for beignets. We then packed up our car and went to the MK. We got there at 8:45 and the front area was already getting packed. Thanks to my knowledge from this board, we went front and center for the show while most other people waited to go in. I was just a big old sap. I got teary eyed watching how happy the family of the day was throwing out their pixie dust. Here's a video of the train coming in.
Once we entered the park, we headed to HM and got right on. Next, we headed for Philharmagic. As we were shopping, we noticed a camera crew. We found out they were taping a segment for the Christmas parade. They were reuniting a family that won a night in Cinderella's Castle with the Dream Team member that presented the prize. They must have won it on the Carousel cause that's where all the action was. Next was more shopping, then we got to see the show at the castle. Our kids are never patient enough nor do we ever get good seats. This time we were right up front, waiting with our buckets of caramel corn. I love the new show! It amazed me how the characters mouths and eyes moved. Though I was a bit freaked at how Captain Hook and Mr. Smee looked. A very odd mix of real and character. After the show, we peeked in at the new BBB. It is very fancy looking! I hope to take my DD there sometime. We did more shopping then got on the People Mover and Carousel of Progress. We were hungry again and headed to the Plaza for lunch. Then it was time for more shopping as we made our way out of the park to go home. It was such a great time! While I love going with my family, it was nice to do stuff I can't do with them... like all that shopping.
Here's some video of the show.
We got up early on Saturday morning and headed to Cracker Barrell to fuel up for the trip. Once we ate our first of many meals of the day we headed off to Orlando. We arrived at Port Orleans French Quarter around 10:30. Our room was already ready! We put our stuff in the room and headed for the bus. After way too long a wait, we packed onto the bus and headed off to Epcot. When we got there, we first grabbed a fast pass for Soarin' then headed for the WS. It was about lunch time so we went to England for Fish & Chips. The weather was perfect, sunny with a cool breeze. We stopped again when we got to Oklahoma to try some Buffalo. It was tasty, very much like steak. Next was Morocco, we each got one item and split them. Again, all yummy but the baklava was my favorite. We split up the tour around the world between food and shopping. We spent the most shopping time in Japan looking at Hello Kitty stuff. By the time we made it to Mexico, we were very full but that didn't stop us from getting a Fiesta Margarita. It did stop us from going on any rides for awhile. We hit the Mouse Gears store and shopped some more. Finally, it was time to ride Soarin' so we headed over there. Luckily, the food and drinks were wearing off so no one was in danger of getting the contents of our stomach on them. Once we got off Soarin', we jumped on The Land then headed over to Figment. My one friend had never gone on it! We had fun doing the picture part after though the picture has yet to arrive in our email.
It was now time for dinner at Chefs De France. We took the boat across the lake and made it just in time for our reservations. The food was very good, but I'm still amazed I paid $28 for 4 shrimp, 2 scallops and a spinach flan. When dinner was over, we decided it was time to go so we would avoid the fireworks crowd. Well, the plan was good but it didn't work out. We got to the bus station right as a bus left. So by the time the next one came (a half hour later), the fireworks crowd had arrived. There was a lot of confusion, people in wheel chairs being loaded on, other people pushing their wheelchairs on even though the driver had already packed as many wheelchairs as he could on board. Luckily, another bus showed up and all of us without wheelchairs packed in. We finally got back to the room and got ready to get up early the next morning.Living near WDW, I've been to the parks many times. But I've never gotten there for the official opening. I didn't even know about the rope drop until I read this board. We happily got up early the next morning, made much easier by the time change, and headed out for beignets. We then packed up our car and went to the MK. We got there at 8:45 and the front area was already getting packed. Thanks to my knowledge from this board, we went front and center for the show while most other people waited to go in. I was just a big old sap. I got teary eyed watching how happy the family of the day was throwing out their pixie dust. Here's a video of the train coming in.
Once we entered the park, we headed to HM and got right on. Next, we headed for Philharmagic. As we were shopping, we noticed a camera crew. We found out they were taping a segment for the Christmas parade. They were reuniting a family that won a night in Cinderella's Castle with the Dream Team member that presented the prize. They must have won it on the Carousel cause that's where all the action was. Next was more shopping, then we got to see the show at the castle. Our kids are never patient enough nor do we ever get good seats. This time we were right up front, waiting with our buckets of caramel corn. I love the new show! It amazed me how the characters mouths and eyes moved. Though I was a bit freaked at how Captain Hook and Mr. Smee looked. A very odd mix of real and character. After the show, we peeked in at the new BBB. It is very fancy looking! I hope to take my DD there sometime. We did more shopping then got on the People Mover and Carousel of Progress. We were hungry again and headed to the Plaza for lunch. Then it was time for more shopping as we made our way out of the park to go home. It was such a great time! While I love going with my family, it was nice to do stuff I can't do with them... like all that shopping.
Here's some video of the show.
My DD stopped at the McDonalds booth to get chicken nuggets before we went to explore Food and Wine Fest! 
(as you know!) When I went there was a guy announcer, dressed like an old-time fireman.
I'd love to be those characters. They have so much fun and interact with guests.
