vellamint
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2000
- Messages
- 3,745
Well, I am finally going to do a trip report
.last year we went for 10 days and it just seemed too overwhelming
.this time only 5 days so it should be manageable.
Travelers:
Me 43 Married/5 Kids
"J" 35 Married/2 Kids
"M" 48 Unmarried/No Kids
"B" 32 Married/No Kids Yet
Dates: Thursday, 1/16 Monday 1/20
PRETRIP
I wasnt sure how this trip would turn out as we are from different lifestyles .!
J and I are Disney fanatics thats how we bonded when our daughters went to kindergarten together 3 years ago. She is a DVC owner and went to WDW on her honeymoon! M and B are friends of hers that I really dont know that well. J kept saying to me how all I have to do is say the word and she would go with me for a trip. Well, in October I said the word. Our husbands gave us the go ahead and the planning began. I never thought I would go to the world without children hee hee.
Day One: Thursday, January 16th
Car picked us all up and took us to LaGuardia airport not my favorite place to fly out of but heck the end result is WDW so away we went. Uneventful flight, uneventful car service ride to resort. J booked us into a one bedroom at the Beach Club and it was beautiful although, compared to the timeshare my family stayed at in Williamsburg this summer, very small. J and I shared the king bed while M and B had the pullout couch.
Changed our clothes and went immediately to DTD for the 6:00 La Nouba show .very good show excellent show. Went to Wolfgang Pucks Café for dinner..J and B had the lobster, M had steak and I had a pasta (Alfredo I think). Then we hit Pleasure Island until New Years Eve. When we came in there was a band playing that sounded just like "Styx"...really good! We only managed one show at the Adventurers Club in the library and a short skit in the Mask Room. We left and had a quick dance at Mannequins- very smoky and a young crowd but we had a great time. I was disappointed that 8Trax was closed. We left with full intentions of coming back at least one more time and I was able to extend my pass for 5 more nights for only $5!!! I thought that was such a great bargain! That way I didnt have to use a plus option on my hopper pass and could save it for a water park the next time we come down.
Got home and crashed .sleeping arrangements with J and I were fine considering she needs to sleep with the TV on and I need total darkness. Popped my earplugs in, took a Tylenol PM (these are tactics I use at home for hubbys snoring!) and slept until 6 a.m.
We kept the Zipidydodah channel on the whole trip .we both love it!
Day Two: Friday, January 17th
I cant believe we are getting up at 6:30 am to make it to the Animal Kingdom for EE. We drag ourselves up and actually get ready by 7:15 not bad for 4 women!!! Catch the bus to AK looking forward to a delicious meal at Donalds Breakfastasaurus. It was my job to actually plan our days and J's to take care of accommodations, air and car service. We had a priority seating for 8:20. Buses ran great the whole time we were at the Beach Club. My only complaint is the number of hotels we had to stop at we were the first stop but we also stopped at the Yacht Club (ok I understand that) and then the Swan & Dolphin. Oh well it wasnt too bad. We got to the AK at 7:50 but OH NO B didnt have her ticket with her she had left it in the room. Off B goes back to the hotel while we get on line to get in for EE. We have cell phones so meeting up wouldnt be a problem. We would wait outside of the restaurant for her. But OH NO, B put her pass in the safe and the key is safely in MY fannybag. Okay..she is willing to buy another pass because she will just save the other for the next time. We waited at Breakfastasaurus from 8:10 until 9:40 when she finally got back. The hotel came up with a master key and let her in the safe.
This was NOT a good start to our day I was NOT happy as I usually have 4 kids with me and this trip was supposed to be about not dealing with STUFF. Breakfastasaurus was a disappointment I didnt think they had enough of an assortment. What they had was good but I wont take my kids there in August as I had planned. Not cost effective in my book. I was starting to get nervous that the group I was with was willing to spend whatever necessary to have what they wanted and believe me, my family is budget-conscious!! Plus I dont eat 3 full meals a day and it seemed as if that is what some of us were planning!!!!
After breakfast we went on Dinosaur (yeah our first ride of the trip). It was great I was scared and didnt realize how bumpy this was. Then we went to Its Tough to Be a Bug. Loved it. Last time I was on this we were short one seat in our row so I sat in between seats on the hump and didnt feel anything! This time was much better. Next we hit the safari and the walking trail near it. After that we went to Conservation Station and the trail on that side. (sorry not good at those names). I saw the walking/talking trash can but unfortunately did not see Lady Devine despite asking two CM about her. Caught the Tarzan show and then got a seat for the parade. This was something I really wanted to see my kids dont have the patience to sit for 1 1 ½ hours to wait for a parade so we usually skip them. This trips goal ..sit and see all the parades!!!!! Being as the park was pretty quiet it wasnt hard to find a seat 20 minutes before it started. Yes there was the usual show up at the last minute and try to push your way in family but I stood my ground (or should I say sat my seat). This parade disappointed me. It just didnt have whatever it is that TOD, Spectro, Electric parade has .plus all the anonymous families in the floats detracted (distracted?) from it.
Did I mention all the SHOPPING-unaccompanied by children I found that shopping at WDW was FUN and J and I decided we wanted to shop at almost every shop!!!! I bought 2 sons a dinosaur egg that has a mini dinosaur in it to be extracted and 2 daughters leather bracelets with their names engraved on them. I needed a camera case for the new digital camera so got one in the fannybag format AND a red/white/blue Mickey antenna topper.
We were exhausted from staying out late the night before and all the walking so we headed back to the room to take a nap
Yeah right, J and I couldnt sleep we just watched Zipideedoodah until M & B were finished with their naps.
We headed over to Epcot through the International Gateway to get to our PS at Mexico. San Angel Inn was a nice surprise. I didnt think I would like the food but figured I would give it a try as J wanted to eat there. I had the sample platter .chicken enchilada, beef burrito, black beans with cheese, rice something or other and a steak marinaded in something else or other. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!!! J and M were happy but B wasnt feeling well and didnt have an appetite. Finished dinner and sat on benches in front of Italy I think to watch Illuminations. I must say it is a different experience watching this without kids ..no fighting .no whining about how long is it going to be etc, etc. Dont get me wrong .I love my kids to pieces and cant wait to bring them back in August. Saw the whole show from beginning to end. IT WAS GREAT. Then headed back to the hotel.
We were exhausted .and did I mention it was COLD if I didnt let me just say it was COLD!!!!!!!!!!!! I am glad we are from a cold state and came dressed for cold.
At the last minute we decided to walk the Boardwalk because it was right there and I, B and M had never seen it. It was exciting to see the restaurants that everyone here have discussions about. I would have loved to try Spoodles but I am more disappointed that we were too tired to go to Jelly Rolls. It was on my and Js list of things to do that cant be done with children but we were just too exhausted. Went to a store there and bought bagels and butter. I dont feel up to an early breakfast out. Got back to the room by 11 and were asleep by 12.
Day Three: Saturday, January 18th
Mickey woke us up by 7. J and M went to Cape May for breakfast while B and I stayed in the room getting ready and had a bagel.
Caught a boat to MGM .very nice and pretty quick too. We entered for EE although our first ride was the Great Movie Ride and it opened at 9. Then we saw One Mans Dream which I missed on our last trip. I really enjoyed leisurely walking through the exhibits- so much so that J, M, and B went into the movie theatre and I was shut out!!!! Thats ok Ill shop until they get out. When they came out J said I had to go in because I cant miss the movie. Okay but later ..we went to the Animation tour next another first for me. Then we played WWTBAM they loved it . After that my friends went to guest relations to make PS for Primetime while I caught the movie I missed. We met up under the hat and proceeded to Indiana Jones. It was okay but I dont know if I can sit through it a third time in August with my family. Star Tours was next on the list but I decided against it as virtual rides sometimes dont agree with my stomach. I happily shopped instead. We met at Muppets 3d, enjoyed the show and then went for lunch.
What a hoot the Primetime was. Our servers name was Mark and he was great!! Teased the heck out of us-especially me as I had a drink on an almost empty stomach and was being quite silly!!! Unfortunately somewhere between asking him to take our picture and getting the camera back, someone touched the camera lens and left a greasy fingerprint on half of it. All my pictures from this point on were blurry on one side!!!! Oh well .I cropped out a lot of the blur. I asked Mark if I could take my alcoholic beverage with me and he said I could if I had it in a red cup and he promptly asked a boy he dragged (about 12 years old) from the next room to go to the front and get one for me. LOL-it was hilarious. I grabbed my drink and M came with me and we went to get a spot to watch the parade. I enjoyed this parade and took quite a few greasy-looking pictures!!!! J and B caught up to us and we left MGM. (After we shopped - bought one son a skeleton necklace from Indiana Jones, the other one of those balls that light up and make a noise when they bounce and both daughters lipgloss did I mention our shopping!!!)
We went back to the hotel by boat and B took a nap while I called CRO to book a reservation for August using the BAQ code. This is a code I learned from the DIS that needed to be used FROM a room at Disney..to make you come BAQ!!! LONG funny conversation with a man at CRO but reservations made we got ready to go to MK. (First we jacuzzied our feet!).
MK was pretty crowded but being as there was a 7 and 9 oclock parade the rides werent that busy. We arrived about 6:30 and headed for Tomorrowland where we attended Alien and rode the People Mover. In Fantasyland J and B did the teacups and we all did Snow White. Went down a path to watch Tinkerbell fly and then headed to the carousel to watch the fireworks. I like the fireworks better when I am in front of the castle!! We then rode Its a Small World and went to the Haunted Mansion .B said she would have bad dreams!!! I cant believe we got 6 rides done so quickly!! We found a GREAT spot where the parade turns into Frontierland which had a bench crowds were non-existent. A great CM was right there and entertained us with stories of the Tale of the Haunted Mansion. We watched Spectromagic in the freezing cold (people had blankets from their hotel room!!!) and it was fantastic!!!
When it was over we shopped down Main Street and I found a warm hat with a Disney Logo on the front of it at a register. I had been looking for one since yesterday and up till now could only find plain ones. I grabbed it up and boy what a difference it made. We went back to the hotel. J and I went into the Jacuzzi together ..at least we got to actually put the bathing suits ON this trip. J and B were hungry and wanted room service which took 40 minutes to come. We went to sleep at about 12:30 with a wake up call for 8.Day
Four: Sunday, January 19th
Today we had to move to Old Key West so we got up at I dont even remember what time packed our bags called Bell Services for the transfer and headed out to the Magic Kingdom. We arrived in time for Ee and my plan was to head into Adventureland and try the strategy of starting from that side of the park but OH NO the ropes are up there and at the entrace to Liberty Square. We quickly recalculate our options and decide to go to tomorrowland for Space Mountain .J and B head for the line while M and I shop what else!!!! They come back and say the line is 45 minutes long so they will fastpass it. We then head to Buzz I love that ride!!!!! i dont know what I hit but ended up with a really high score! After that J and B go back to Space Mountain while M and I go back to shop!!!! Space Mountain complete we head through Fantasyland and ride Peter Pan while Fast Passing Winnie the Pooh. Fast Pass was fast that day because after Pan we went right back to Pooh! Those rides done we head to Adventure and Frontierland. We shopped-then did POC-then shopped-then fastpassed Thunder Railroad. While waiting for our time we went to see the Diamond Horseshoe Review .I heard good things about it and we managed to get 4 seats by asking someone if they minded if we shared but J and B didnt like it and wound up leaving. J said it was too loud and B just didnt like it. Maybe we were all just too tired. M and I stayed another 5 minutes but I felt bad making J and B wait outside so we left. Too bad I just read on the boards that this is closing within the month so that was my only chance to see it. I should have stayed and told them all I would meet them later. Anyway, time to ride the railroad .I really like this ride. That done we went to our PS at the Crystal Palace.
This buffet was GREAT!! Will definitely bring the family when we come in August. Great selection and great taste.
Done with lunch we waddled up Main Street .J and B went to OKW to check in while M and I went to get a haircut. Very fun experience and I am very satisfied with the haircut. Interestingly in the time I was there 3 women and 2 men received haircuts. I was third in line when we got there and we were entertained by a barbershop quartet. Loved the pixie dust although M said she could have done without it. I cant wait for the kids to go! (Are we noticing a theme developing here ..the longer I am away from home the more I keep thinking about how the kids would love this or that!)
After the haircuts M and I SHOPPED what else and then headed to OKW. Rude bus driver who couldnt even help us with which bus stop to get off at!!!! After walking a few blocks back and forth we found J and B. B had been sleeping an hour. We stayed another hour and then headed out to DTD to (what else) SHOP.
Before we shopped M, J and B wanted an aquamassage so we headed there...I got a chair massage.....not anything special and M was disappointed with the aquathing.
Now I needed to get serious I wanted to bring my kids back more than one thing and J had the DC discount in DTD so I had put off buying but we were going home tomorrow so I had to get what I needed. I needed to get my darling, sweet, wonderful husband who let me go to Florida without him while he stayed home with four kids a REALLY REALLY GOOD PRESENT!!!! We shopped from 6 till about 8:30. Didnt find that present but did get an "Armchair Quarterback in Training" T-shirt at ESPN store and sleeping shorts with shadow Mickeys playing all kinds of sports on them. Got one son Legos, one a flashlight with Mickey on it, one daughter a Tinkerbell Journal and the other a box of lie a million trillion stickers that I will find stuck to everything and everybody in the house till I want to kill myself. I purchased for me one set of fuzzy dice with mickey in them and a 100 years of Magic Magnet. Laden down with bags we decided to cab it roundtrip to OKW and back to drop off the loot. I also wanted to get my Pleasure Island pass that I had extended because I had forgotten it. 15 Minutes and $18 later we were back. Now ..where to eat.
I really wanted pizza but Wolfgang express had outdoor seating .did I mention how COLD it was? That was out of the question. Wolfgang Café had a 30 minute wait but I really hadnt been thrilled with the menu on our first night soooo we decided to try Planet Hollywood (too bad all my printed out menus were back in the room!). On the way there I saw a shop that sold cigars and thought hubby would love a good cigar but I/we were passing out from hunger because it had been 8 hours since we had eaten so I decided to get him one when we came back. We got to Planet Hollywood at about 9:15 and by the time we were seated and had finished eating it was 11 oclock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOO HOO no Pleasure Island for us we were too tired and the next show at the Comedy Club was 12 what a disappointment. Pleasure Island was one thing J and I had REALLY wanted to do because we never could with the kids (Did I mention this was my only trip EVER without a significant other or kids). I was really, really exhausted otherwise I would have tried to go no matter how late it was!! Almost made it though = close but no cigar!!! (Pun intended!)
Oh man hopefully next trip (hoping for another girls trip one day).
Got home by 11:30 and was sleeping by 12:00
Day Five Monday, January 20th OUR LAST DAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Get up on our own about 8 oclock .boy do I feel better getting a good solid 7-8 hours sleep. We pack and shower quickly, call bell services and head to Olivias for breakfast. Good breakfast!
Headed over to Epcot and arrived around 11 .we fastpassed Test Track. Then we shopped I bought an adorable plate that they personalize with your name and wedding date. It has Minnie and Mickey in wedding clothes and will be ready after 2 oclock. I also found little change purses with the princesses on them that go around your neck for my daughters. I figured I would put the lip glosses in them and the girls can use them on our next trip instead of the wallets they have. Then we went to see Honey I Shrunk the Audience. HOLY COW is that Journey into Your Imagination right next to it ..YEAH I havent seen this since 1988. After that we went back to ride Test Track .M went off to the World Showcase as she didnt want to ride this.
Now for the World Showcase ..J and B went to Morocco as they wanted Henna tattoos while I went in search of the Living Statues. We all found what we were looking for. After the Living Statues I shopped in China. I found light up Chinese fans for my girls and bought the boys those lightup light saber thingys that light up. I met up with J and B but had to part again while they went to Germany and I went on to Japan to look for those paper umbrellas for my daughters didnt find what I wanted but I DID find the candy lady she really is entertaining. I couldnt help thinking though that with 4 kids in August there is no way they will all get a piece of candy maybe I will be the one to get a piece of candy and I will share thats an argument settled.
Anyway it is time for lunch/dinner as we have an 8 oclock flight. PS at Alfredos for 3:20. We all meet up and have the worst meal of our entire trip for the most amount of money too!! I had the sample platter of gnocchi, lasagna and alfredo. Gnocchi was horrible and the other two were tasteless and too heavy. What a disappointment!!
We left Italy and separated to finish shopping ..I went to get the plate .another disappointment. My anniversary date was written so that the letters were covering and they lived happily ever after now what to do we gotta leave!!!!!!!!! The nice CM behind the counter offered to fix it he erased (with a pencil) the bottom of the J an Y in July and redid them slightly higher up. He did a good job but it was all completely too low into the bottom words. I took it because I really wanted it and but am not happy with it at all. The month is written twice as tall as the year ..I dont think the person doing it did a good job at all. I am tempted to bring it back in August and have them do it again. I dont know what else to do.
We left the park by cab (B took a long time in China buying things to be wrapped and shipped) so we had to hurry. Our driver was meeting us at 5:45. We get there at 5:30 and OH NO where is my winter coat today was the one day it was warmish so I had latered some shirts and worn my Disney sweatshirt. Bell Services took my coat and now it is missing. And stayed missing. I had to come home in a sweatshirt and it was 20 degrees here!!!! I am still waiting to here from them if they cant find it they said they will work something out .
Anyway flight delayed by 30 minutes due to high winds but it sure was nice to be home ..I missed my kids and truthfully it wasnt the same without them AT ALL!!!
Ending notes: We had a really, really good time.....no major personality conflicts. I think we did it wrong though......we should have slept late so we had the strength to do the adult stuff at night..that was what this trip was about. I am really glad to be back home with my family and have learned alot more stuff that I can use to plan our family trip this summer.
Hope this wasn't too long...............................
Travelers:
Me 43 Married/5 Kids
"J" 35 Married/2 Kids
"M" 48 Unmarried/No Kids
"B" 32 Married/No Kids Yet
Dates: Thursday, 1/16 Monday 1/20
PRETRIP
I wasnt sure how this trip would turn out as we are from different lifestyles .!
J and I are Disney fanatics thats how we bonded when our daughters went to kindergarten together 3 years ago. She is a DVC owner and went to WDW on her honeymoon! M and B are friends of hers that I really dont know that well. J kept saying to me how all I have to do is say the word and she would go with me for a trip. Well, in October I said the word. Our husbands gave us the go ahead and the planning began. I never thought I would go to the world without children hee hee.
Day One: Thursday, January 16th
Car picked us all up and took us to LaGuardia airport not my favorite place to fly out of but heck the end result is WDW so away we went. Uneventful flight, uneventful car service ride to resort. J booked us into a one bedroom at the Beach Club and it was beautiful although, compared to the timeshare my family stayed at in Williamsburg this summer, very small. J and I shared the king bed while M and B had the pullout couch.
Changed our clothes and went immediately to DTD for the 6:00 La Nouba show .very good show excellent show. Went to Wolfgang Pucks Café for dinner..J and B had the lobster, M had steak and I had a pasta (Alfredo I think). Then we hit Pleasure Island until New Years Eve. When we came in there was a band playing that sounded just like "Styx"...really good! We only managed one show at the Adventurers Club in the library and a short skit in the Mask Room. We left and had a quick dance at Mannequins- very smoky and a young crowd but we had a great time. I was disappointed that 8Trax was closed. We left with full intentions of coming back at least one more time and I was able to extend my pass for 5 more nights for only $5!!! I thought that was such a great bargain! That way I didnt have to use a plus option on my hopper pass and could save it for a water park the next time we come down.
Got home and crashed .sleeping arrangements with J and I were fine considering she needs to sleep with the TV on and I need total darkness. Popped my earplugs in, took a Tylenol PM (these are tactics I use at home for hubbys snoring!) and slept until 6 a.m.
We kept the Zipidydodah channel on the whole trip .we both love it!
Day Two: Friday, January 17th
I cant believe we are getting up at 6:30 am to make it to the Animal Kingdom for EE. We drag ourselves up and actually get ready by 7:15 not bad for 4 women!!! Catch the bus to AK looking forward to a delicious meal at Donalds Breakfastasaurus. It was my job to actually plan our days and J's to take care of accommodations, air and car service. We had a priority seating for 8:20. Buses ran great the whole time we were at the Beach Club. My only complaint is the number of hotels we had to stop at we were the first stop but we also stopped at the Yacht Club (ok I understand that) and then the Swan & Dolphin. Oh well it wasnt too bad. We got to the AK at 7:50 but OH NO B didnt have her ticket with her she had left it in the room. Off B goes back to the hotel while we get on line to get in for EE. We have cell phones so meeting up wouldnt be a problem. We would wait outside of the restaurant for her. But OH NO, B put her pass in the safe and the key is safely in MY fannybag. Okay..she is willing to buy another pass because she will just save the other for the next time. We waited at Breakfastasaurus from 8:10 until 9:40 when she finally got back. The hotel came up with a master key and let her in the safe.
This was NOT a good start to our day I was NOT happy as I usually have 4 kids with me and this trip was supposed to be about not dealing with STUFF. Breakfastasaurus was a disappointment I didnt think they had enough of an assortment. What they had was good but I wont take my kids there in August as I had planned. Not cost effective in my book. I was starting to get nervous that the group I was with was willing to spend whatever necessary to have what they wanted and believe me, my family is budget-conscious!! Plus I dont eat 3 full meals a day and it seemed as if that is what some of us were planning!!!!
After breakfast we went on Dinosaur (yeah our first ride of the trip). It was great I was scared and didnt realize how bumpy this was. Then we went to Its Tough to Be a Bug. Loved it. Last time I was on this we were short one seat in our row so I sat in between seats on the hump and didnt feel anything! This time was much better. Next we hit the safari and the walking trail near it. After that we went to Conservation Station and the trail on that side. (sorry not good at those names). I saw the walking/talking trash can but unfortunately did not see Lady Devine despite asking two CM about her. Caught the Tarzan show and then got a seat for the parade. This was something I really wanted to see my kids dont have the patience to sit for 1 1 ½ hours to wait for a parade so we usually skip them. This trips goal ..sit and see all the parades!!!!! Being as the park was pretty quiet it wasnt hard to find a seat 20 minutes before it started. Yes there was the usual show up at the last minute and try to push your way in family but I stood my ground (or should I say sat my seat). This parade disappointed me. It just didnt have whatever it is that TOD, Spectro, Electric parade has .plus all the anonymous families in the floats detracted (distracted?) from it.
Did I mention all the SHOPPING-unaccompanied by children I found that shopping at WDW was FUN and J and I decided we wanted to shop at almost every shop!!!! I bought 2 sons a dinosaur egg that has a mini dinosaur in it to be extracted and 2 daughters leather bracelets with their names engraved on them. I needed a camera case for the new digital camera so got one in the fannybag format AND a red/white/blue Mickey antenna topper.
We were exhausted from staying out late the night before and all the walking so we headed back to the room to take a nap
Yeah right, J and I couldnt sleep we just watched Zipideedoodah until M & B were finished with their naps.
We headed over to Epcot through the International Gateway to get to our PS at Mexico. San Angel Inn was a nice surprise. I didnt think I would like the food but figured I would give it a try as J wanted to eat there. I had the sample platter .chicken enchilada, beef burrito, black beans with cheese, rice something or other and a steak marinaded in something else or other. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!!! J and M were happy but B wasnt feeling well and didnt have an appetite. Finished dinner and sat on benches in front of Italy I think to watch Illuminations. I must say it is a different experience watching this without kids ..no fighting .no whining about how long is it going to be etc, etc. Dont get me wrong .I love my kids to pieces and cant wait to bring them back in August. Saw the whole show from beginning to end. IT WAS GREAT. Then headed back to the hotel.
We were exhausted .and did I mention it was COLD if I didnt let me just say it was COLD!!!!!!!!!!!! I am glad we are from a cold state and came dressed for cold.
At the last minute we decided to walk the Boardwalk because it was right there and I, B and M had never seen it. It was exciting to see the restaurants that everyone here have discussions about. I would have loved to try Spoodles but I am more disappointed that we were too tired to go to Jelly Rolls. It was on my and Js list of things to do that cant be done with children but we were just too exhausted. Went to a store there and bought bagels and butter. I dont feel up to an early breakfast out. Got back to the room by 11 and were asleep by 12.
Day Three: Saturday, January 18th
Mickey woke us up by 7. J and M went to Cape May for breakfast while B and I stayed in the room getting ready and had a bagel.
Caught a boat to MGM .very nice and pretty quick too. We entered for EE although our first ride was the Great Movie Ride and it opened at 9. Then we saw One Mans Dream which I missed on our last trip. I really enjoyed leisurely walking through the exhibits- so much so that J, M, and B went into the movie theatre and I was shut out!!!! Thats ok Ill shop until they get out. When they came out J said I had to go in because I cant miss the movie. Okay but later ..we went to the Animation tour next another first for me. Then we played WWTBAM they loved it . After that my friends went to guest relations to make PS for Primetime while I caught the movie I missed. We met up under the hat and proceeded to Indiana Jones. It was okay but I dont know if I can sit through it a third time in August with my family. Star Tours was next on the list but I decided against it as virtual rides sometimes dont agree with my stomach. I happily shopped instead. We met at Muppets 3d, enjoyed the show and then went for lunch.
What a hoot the Primetime was. Our servers name was Mark and he was great!! Teased the heck out of us-especially me as I had a drink on an almost empty stomach and was being quite silly!!! Unfortunately somewhere between asking him to take our picture and getting the camera back, someone touched the camera lens and left a greasy fingerprint on half of it. All my pictures from this point on were blurry on one side!!!! Oh well .I cropped out a lot of the blur. I asked Mark if I could take my alcoholic beverage with me and he said I could if I had it in a red cup and he promptly asked a boy he dragged (about 12 years old) from the next room to go to the front and get one for me. LOL-it was hilarious. I grabbed my drink and M came with me and we went to get a spot to watch the parade. I enjoyed this parade and took quite a few greasy-looking pictures!!!! J and B caught up to us and we left MGM. (After we shopped - bought one son a skeleton necklace from Indiana Jones, the other one of those balls that light up and make a noise when they bounce and both daughters lipgloss did I mention our shopping!!!)
We went back to the hotel by boat and B took a nap while I called CRO to book a reservation for August using the BAQ code. This is a code I learned from the DIS that needed to be used FROM a room at Disney..to make you come BAQ!!! LONG funny conversation with a man at CRO but reservations made we got ready to go to MK. (First we jacuzzied our feet!).
MK was pretty crowded but being as there was a 7 and 9 oclock parade the rides werent that busy. We arrived about 6:30 and headed for Tomorrowland where we attended Alien and rode the People Mover. In Fantasyland J and B did the teacups and we all did Snow White. Went down a path to watch Tinkerbell fly and then headed to the carousel to watch the fireworks. I like the fireworks better when I am in front of the castle!! We then rode Its a Small World and went to the Haunted Mansion .B said she would have bad dreams!!! I cant believe we got 6 rides done so quickly!! We found a GREAT spot where the parade turns into Frontierland which had a bench crowds were non-existent. A great CM was right there and entertained us with stories of the Tale of the Haunted Mansion. We watched Spectromagic in the freezing cold (people had blankets from their hotel room!!!) and it was fantastic!!!
When it was over we shopped down Main Street and I found a warm hat with a Disney Logo on the front of it at a register. I had been looking for one since yesterday and up till now could only find plain ones. I grabbed it up and boy what a difference it made. We went back to the hotel. J and I went into the Jacuzzi together ..at least we got to actually put the bathing suits ON this trip. J and B were hungry and wanted room service which took 40 minutes to come. We went to sleep at about 12:30 with a wake up call for 8.Day
Four: Sunday, January 19th
Today we had to move to Old Key West so we got up at I dont even remember what time packed our bags called Bell Services for the transfer and headed out to the Magic Kingdom. We arrived in time for Ee and my plan was to head into Adventureland and try the strategy of starting from that side of the park but OH NO the ropes are up there and at the entrace to Liberty Square. We quickly recalculate our options and decide to go to tomorrowland for Space Mountain .J and B head for the line while M and I shop what else!!!! They come back and say the line is 45 minutes long so they will fastpass it. We then head to Buzz I love that ride!!!!! i dont know what I hit but ended up with a really high score! After that J and B go back to Space Mountain while M and I go back to shop!!!! Space Mountain complete we head through Fantasyland and ride Peter Pan while Fast Passing Winnie the Pooh. Fast Pass was fast that day because after Pan we went right back to Pooh! Those rides done we head to Adventure and Frontierland. We shopped-then did POC-then shopped-then fastpassed Thunder Railroad. While waiting for our time we went to see the Diamond Horseshoe Review .I heard good things about it and we managed to get 4 seats by asking someone if they minded if we shared but J and B didnt like it and wound up leaving. J said it was too loud and B just didnt like it. Maybe we were all just too tired. M and I stayed another 5 minutes but I felt bad making J and B wait outside so we left. Too bad I just read on the boards that this is closing within the month so that was my only chance to see it. I should have stayed and told them all I would meet them later. Anyway, time to ride the railroad .I really like this ride. That done we went to our PS at the Crystal Palace.
This buffet was GREAT!! Will definitely bring the family when we come in August. Great selection and great taste.
Done with lunch we waddled up Main Street .J and B went to OKW to check in while M and I went to get a haircut. Very fun experience and I am very satisfied with the haircut. Interestingly in the time I was there 3 women and 2 men received haircuts. I was third in line when we got there and we were entertained by a barbershop quartet. Loved the pixie dust although M said she could have done without it. I cant wait for the kids to go! (Are we noticing a theme developing here ..the longer I am away from home the more I keep thinking about how the kids would love this or that!)
After the haircuts M and I SHOPPED what else and then headed to OKW. Rude bus driver who couldnt even help us with which bus stop to get off at!!!! After walking a few blocks back and forth we found J and B. B had been sleeping an hour. We stayed another hour and then headed out to DTD to (what else) SHOP.
Before we shopped M, J and B wanted an aquamassage so we headed there...I got a chair massage.....not anything special and M was disappointed with the aquathing.
Now I needed to get serious I wanted to bring my kids back more than one thing and J had the DC discount in DTD so I had put off buying but we were going home tomorrow so I had to get what I needed. I needed to get my darling, sweet, wonderful husband who let me go to Florida without him while he stayed home with four kids a REALLY REALLY GOOD PRESENT!!!! We shopped from 6 till about 8:30. Didnt find that present but did get an "Armchair Quarterback in Training" T-shirt at ESPN store and sleeping shorts with shadow Mickeys playing all kinds of sports on them. Got one son Legos, one a flashlight with Mickey on it, one daughter a Tinkerbell Journal and the other a box of lie a million trillion stickers that I will find stuck to everything and everybody in the house till I want to kill myself. I purchased for me one set of fuzzy dice with mickey in them and a 100 years of Magic Magnet. Laden down with bags we decided to cab it roundtrip to OKW and back to drop off the loot. I also wanted to get my Pleasure Island pass that I had extended because I had forgotten it. 15 Minutes and $18 later we were back. Now ..where to eat.
I really wanted pizza but Wolfgang express had outdoor seating .did I mention how COLD it was? That was out of the question. Wolfgang Café had a 30 minute wait but I really hadnt been thrilled with the menu on our first night soooo we decided to try Planet Hollywood (too bad all my printed out menus were back in the room!). On the way there I saw a shop that sold cigars and thought hubby would love a good cigar but I/we were passing out from hunger because it had been 8 hours since we had eaten so I decided to get him one when we came back. We got to Planet Hollywood at about 9:15 and by the time we were seated and had finished eating it was 11 oclock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOO HOO no Pleasure Island for us we were too tired and the next show at the Comedy Club was 12 what a disappointment. Pleasure Island was one thing J and I had REALLY wanted to do because we never could with the kids (Did I mention this was my only trip EVER without a significant other or kids). I was really, really exhausted otherwise I would have tried to go no matter how late it was!! Almost made it though = close but no cigar!!! (Pun intended!)
Oh man hopefully next trip (hoping for another girls trip one day).
Got home by 11:30 and was sleeping by 12:00
Day Five Monday, January 20th OUR LAST DAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Get up on our own about 8 oclock .boy do I feel better getting a good solid 7-8 hours sleep. We pack and shower quickly, call bell services and head to Olivias for breakfast. Good breakfast!
Headed over to Epcot and arrived around 11 .we fastpassed Test Track. Then we shopped I bought an adorable plate that they personalize with your name and wedding date. It has Minnie and Mickey in wedding clothes and will be ready after 2 oclock. I also found little change purses with the princesses on them that go around your neck for my daughters. I figured I would put the lip glosses in them and the girls can use them on our next trip instead of the wallets they have. Then we went to see Honey I Shrunk the Audience. HOLY COW is that Journey into Your Imagination right next to it ..YEAH I havent seen this since 1988. After that we went back to ride Test Track .M went off to the World Showcase as she didnt want to ride this.
Now for the World Showcase ..J and B went to Morocco as they wanted Henna tattoos while I went in search of the Living Statues. We all found what we were looking for. After the Living Statues I shopped in China. I found light up Chinese fans for my girls and bought the boys those lightup light saber thingys that light up. I met up with J and B but had to part again while they went to Germany and I went on to Japan to look for those paper umbrellas for my daughters didnt find what I wanted but I DID find the candy lady she really is entertaining. I couldnt help thinking though that with 4 kids in August there is no way they will all get a piece of candy maybe I will be the one to get a piece of candy and I will share thats an argument settled.
Anyway it is time for lunch/dinner as we have an 8 oclock flight. PS at Alfredos for 3:20. We all meet up and have the worst meal of our entire trip for the most amount of money too!! I had the sample platter of gnocchi, lasagna and alfredo. Gnocchi was horrible and the other two were tasteless and too heavy. What a disappointment!!
We left Italy and separated to finish shopping ..I went to get the plate .another disappointment. My anniversary date was written so that the letters were covering and they lived happily ever after now what to do we gotta leave!!!!!!!!! The nice CM behind the counter offered to fix it he erased (with a pencil) the bottom of the J an Y in July and redid them slightly higher up. He did a good job but it was all completely too low into the bottom words. I took it because I really wanted it and but am not happy with it at all. The month is written twice as tall as the year ..I dont think the person doing it did a good job at all. I am tempted to bring it back in August and have them do it again. I dont know what else to do.
We left the park by cab (B took a long time in China buying things to be wrapped and shipped) so we had to hurry. Our driver was meeting us at 5:45. We get there at 5:30 and OH NO where is my winter coat today was the one day it was warmish so I had latered some shirts and worn my Disney sweatshirt. Bell Services took my coat and now it is missing. And stayed missing. I had to come home in a sweatshirt and it was 20 degrees here!!!! I am still waiting to here from them if they cant find it they said they will work something out .
Anyway flight delayed by 30 minutes due to high winds but it sure was nice to be home ..I missed my kids and truthfully it wasnt the same without them AT ALL!!!
Ending notes: We had a really, really good time.....no major personality conflicts. I think we did it wrong though......we should have slept late so we had the strength to do the adult stuff at night..that was what this trip was about. I am really glad to be back home with my family and have learned alot more stuff that I can use to plan our family trip this summer.
Hope this wasn't too long...............................
