"GETTING SPOOKED @ WdW" - OCT 28th-NOV 4th 2010 (W/PICS & VIDEO)

[knewton64]

My pre-trip report is listed below:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2457762&referrerid=208040


Anywho -


So where did I last leave you??


Oh yea....decisions decisions decisions.......

(photo shot while at Goofy's Kitchen; DL April 2010)



Just e-mailed my travel agent with a confirmation to see MK's trains via their "Magic Behind our Steam Trains" tour; November 4th at 7:30am..


I am thinking this tour will compliment what I saw in April while out at Carolwood Pacific train Historical Society (near Disneyland):


(JUST DOUBLE LEFT CLICK ON THE BELOW VIDEO AND IT WILL PLAY)




But -


I gotta hail/call a cab to get me there .....at 6:30-6:45am.

Ok.....that's a weeeeeeeeeeeeee bit early 4 me to be playing with trains but hey - I figure what's a few glasses (with my refillable drinking mug) of Mr. Pibb and Chex Mix and say - a few hits of Mickey Waffles via one last round of food at POFQ food court.
I figure this tour will be just the cherry on top of my ice cream of one incredible Disney vacation (with Dinner ressies at Narcooses pm the day before being the ice cream) since this will be my last Disney vacation.

** OOPS! **

Yes - this is my last Disney vacation as I am now moving onto new and different things as I have an upcoming 9 day vacation to Ireland; slated to begin June 11th. followed by a 7 nighter over in Hawaii (Oct 2011).









COMING UP NEXT:




Going ga-ga over Epcot's F&W Festival (while nibblin' on a "few" Ritas over @ the Mexico Pavillion, etc) & FYI: never never never....leave your Birnbaum's Guide book to WDW on the floor..within easy reach of a dog who likes to chew things cuz....

(anyone for a candied apple?)


T.B.C....



T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

(what's hanging up in my living room in Dallas Texas)


.....I will be in the House of Mouse!. And after umpteen days of being sold out (in the Hotel hospitality business), it will be QUITE A RELIEF to be checking out Mexico's Tequilla bar while at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival.

Mabey then I can drown my sorrows over "Ladybug" eating 1/4 of my "Birnbaum Guide to WDW" book just a few days ago.

- Seriously -


She actually ATE almost 1/2 that book! And she just LOOKED at me with an expression of ...... and "said," "That's whatcha get when ya don't play with me when I say so!"

BEAGLES ......gotta love em!


ANYWHO -



Winding down things at work as this Saturday OFFICIALLY BEGINS me zeroing in on my vacation and the heck with everything else. That and last minute details, packing, making sure "Ladybugs" hotel ressies are all a go, etc & catching up on any last minute Disney movies.


....like "The adventures of Davey Crockett." Will admit....pretty entertaining movie - never seen it before.


Oke-Dokey...... enuf 4 now.





UP NEXT:


Seeing what's all the fuss about with Alice & the Mad Hatter on October 29th @ MK -

(picture shot while out at DL; March 2010)





T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

(just left click on the below video & it will play; shot while @ DCA's Main Str Elect Parade; Apr 2010)


YYEEAA!! F-I-N-A-L-L-Y made it to just under 216 hours & I will be in the House that Walt built.. Received all my travel docs the other day (THANK U SHERRY!!) and finalized last minute plans -


One thing I can tell is this trip is going to be a little different on account of Epcot's F&W festival - so be on the lookout for a lot of food pics....



Anywho -



About Alice....


One of the things I really really really (did I say really?) r-e-a-l-l-y wanna do is find Alice and her friends during MNSSHP; from Lady Tremaine, Anatasia, Drissella. the old Hag, and hopefully.....Snow White and her 7 room mates The day oughta be fun and plan on heading on up there around noon.
While there - I will try my very first......DOLE WHIP!
and what trip into MK would just not be complete until I have seen (1st time too I add) Big Al belt out "Blood on my Saddle" while at the Country Bear Jamboree.



All rightee - 'tis time to turn off the computer. Got lots of things to celebrate while out at WDW and will let you on on them as the days progress. I have already utilized the WDW.com "on-line" reservation system (on 10-18-10) & found it to be easy to navigate through w/no issues.

So....




UP NEXT:



Having fun at Outback Steakhouse (Oct 27th), checking in L.B. at her "hotel" and OMG!!!! IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!

- MY ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME!!!! -



T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

(photo of trolley car; DL - April 2010)


With a little over 48 more hours to go until the "Official Official" start of my vacation, I can tell that I wish these next 2 days would just hurry on up and get here!

Ladybug gets a bath Wednesday, gets checked into her "hotel" @ noon (YEA! I GET AN EMPTY HOUSE 4 ONE DAY!) followed by me making a run up to Outback Steakhouse to celebrate the beginning of a wonderful adventure.

Then it's off to DFW airport early Thursday!


So until then -





UP NEXT:

(photo shot while at DL; March 2010)



Am I there yet? Am I there yet? Am I there yet?

....and my first taste of my very first Dole Whip and a jalapeno Margarita - NOT necessarily in THAT order.



but........will the weather hold up? Any rain in the forecast??


T.B.C.

 

[knewton64]

(photo shot while visiting Disney's Animation Studios; March 2010)



I will be in The House of Mouse in just a few short hours!!


**** BUT ****


Keeping with tradition, I am up WWAAYY to early so I thought a good thumping on my blog wud do me some good.
Yesterday, Ladybug got all checked into "her hotel" but did "threaten" the hotel mgr to get up a choral group of Labs and Dobermans in singing "LET'S GO GIANTS!" (I heard last time that she likes to do that and came home hoarse for about 3 days!).

HHmmmmm.....mental note - gotta inform her that's "LET'S GO RANGERS!"


Hope those Rangers give the Giants a run for their money - they didn't do that last night! RRRRRRRRRRRR.....


Anywho


Afterwards, heading out to Outback Steakhouse (7pm) was a total blast for mer cuz it was nice to step out and order food that u don't normally eat as I am such a grab and go kind of a person.

- all paid for by a gift card I received a few months previously.

Caught a little bit of the World Series but YOUCH! 6......S-I-X runs allows in one inning??

With a quick click of the tv remote, I was off to zzzzzz land for a bit - now I am up and ready.



So - got yer track shoes on?

Stay tuned for more exiciting and wacky adventures of this Disney nut.




UP NEXT:
ARE U READY FOR SOME FOOD PICS & DAY 1: "Chilling out @ Dnwtwn Disney, pin trading, LaNuba & other what nots"

(Pic shot at the Hub; DL - April 2010)

- and -

T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

Sure enuf and according to tradition, I was up and running out that door on Oct 28th as I arrived at DFW airport around 5:30am for a 7:55am flight.

But I was wired and ready to enjoy what wonderful adventures would come my way and day one was no disappointment as we touched down into OAI around 11:30am Eastern time ,( last year arriving into OAI, we hit a pocked of turbalence and must have dropped 500 feet in what felt like 5 seconds!), with no issues.

And yes - I FINALLY found the baggage claim department this time w/o getting lost not taking a long time 2 find it. Seriously, last year I must have walked right past those two pinkish colored circles.....not realizing that DUH! just walk thru those and viola! U will be on your way via the tram to the baggage claim dept!

SIDE NOTE: Next time,I will be taking a town car into the WDW area cuz Magical Express is O-K.....but WOW! I really miss seeing my name on a sign by the driver of the town car and it feels like you are really being pampered vs taking the b-u-s. But hey - before I knew it, my luggage was already under the bus courtesy of this guy:




ANYWHO -

I tumbled into the POFQ area around 1:30pm (early c/i perhaps?) and SCORE!!!!!! Room was ready as the hotel check in process was a breeze since I already went online a few days earlier and pre-checked myself in. Rachel, Megan and company made me feel right at home as they pointed me in the right direction and hey.....me a curious little bugger so I was off to see just where would they be putting me up for the next few days.


On the way to my room, I took a few pics of POFQ:


the entrance to POFQ (love those gators!):
a

Their logo:

My home away from home would be in building 5, 3rd floor, corner room (#5323) with just a beautiful view of the river.

AS I opened the door, my mouth just fell open as here is what I saw:

FYI: Mousekeeping was wonderful! - I made sure 2 let them know @ check out:

With a quick yip of joy, I took a deep breath and I was off to Sassagula to get some much needed food down me. What was SOOOOOO nice about POFQ is that everything is within easy walking distance from your room as it was only a quick 5 minute walk and there I met a bunch of wonderful people there for a family renunion (22 people total) so it was us 23 people for while munching down on some pretty good food court food (I had a Mufalatta, chips and my fefillable drinking mug filled umteen times with coca-cola).

But wait.....where is my milkshake?

So, I just HAD to hit up the very nice lady nehind the desert counter for a cookies and cream milkshake....with extra whip cream, chocolate surup and a cherry on top - for good measure.

YUM!

Now, my belly was filled with some much needed energy as I decided to skip taking a quick 90 minute nap (hey....you are in Walt's world) and boogied on down to the Downtown Disney area for some shopping to seek out my after lunch snack:

CANDY and a milkshake.




BUT......a few things delayed my much anticipated adventure into Goofy's territoy.


WILL I make it in time for Goofys? And what about LaNuba by 9pm?




Stay tuned -



and to keep ya in the mood for more, here's Stacey:




(JUST LEFT DOUBLE CLICK ON THE BELOW VIDEO & IT WILL PLAY)



T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

(a pic to keep ya in the Disney mood!)



Ok.....so where did we leave off?? Oh yea......so around 3:30pm, I was left Sassagula and walked about 150 steps and was right at the POFQ ferry boat service to the Downtown Disney area. It was just a quick 5 minute delay and we were off! And not a moment too soon as I was in the mood to do some much needed shopping while grazing on some wonderful food.

First place I hit up was the Ghiradeli chocolate place and YUM!!!! HAd a peanut butter chocolate milkshake that just couldn't be beat. And that just put me in the mood to head on next to the Christmas store followed by Once upon a Toy and then I was off to The World of Disney.

TWO HOURS later, I had all my purchases be sent back to POFQ (for Guest pick up the next day) as I then meandered off to Fulton's Crab shack area followed by a quick peek in Ragland Road for a soda break and a cheap excuse to sit down for a bit. Besides....the palce put me in the mood for my next adventure - Ireland - which is slated to begin June 11th.

ANYWHO -

From there, I just had to take a few pics of the Ballon attraction ride - BUT $18 bucks for a 10 min ride?? YOUCH!!. But off in the distance as I was taking pics, I head to drum bongo beat of my fav place to eat:


BONGOS.

So, I was off (for other things a nuch needed bathroom break) to my fav hangout place plus to flirt with the wonderful people who run that restaurant/bar.
One margarita later, I was out that door to do some shopping at LaNuba gift shop since by now, it was around 8pm.


EDITOR'S NOTE: If ya can't tell, I love margaritas.....as we will get into that much later when I visit the Mexico Pavillion during Epcot's food and Wine festival....


Ok.....so back to the story -


I hit up the bathroom once more at LaNuba and then went inside around 8:20pm and my seat was just a fantastic one as I was in the row less than 2 feet in front of where they all walk in during the introduction.

The show was just wonderul as I highly suggest for anyone to see it.
I did hit up LaNuba for some popcorn and a soda but I could tell I was beginning to say to myself that I would have to pay for all this come the next day....but hey......IT'S DISNEY.


Afterwards, around 10:30pm, I was off and walking off some of what I had eaten earlier that day. BUT.....FATe WOULD step in and I was back at Goofy's at 11:05pm.........as they were closing!!

RRRRRRRRRR


NO rice krispy treat!

Ok....something's not right here! nO RICE KRISPY TREAT for me....on a Disney trip????


Am I ?


I think I dreamed about the below pic overnight cuz...

....with much sadness in my heart, I headed out the door and bopped in for a few minutes at T-REX b 4 I headed back to the busses that took me back to my home. Grabbed some sodas out of my frig and chilled out nibbling on some Chex-mix and Coca Cola out all the while enjoying my view of the river while I was listening to some Disney music on my I-pod.

then I was beginning to notice it was 12:30am, so I closed my door, put back my circular table and called front desk for a wake up call.

Flipped on the "Stacey Channel" and listened to her all night long as I slowly drifted off into Neverland.



11am wake up call??

ME??

NOPE!

I was up a 4am....


WHY??


To check out MK and MNSSHP of course!



UP NEXT:


So how much candy does MK hand out over the span of MNSSHP & my top 3 Disney characters u just gotta meet!


(JUST LEFT DOUBLE CLICK ON THE BELOW VIDEO & IT WILL PLAY)

(video of main entrance to Magic Kingdom)




T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

(pic of a store front window display; MK)


I have no idea why, but I just decided to get up at 4am and tumble into the bathtub to soak my feet with some wonderful Disney bath products (it pays to really get to know Mousekeeping). After about an hour of slowly waking up and enjoying a really really hot bath, I meandered back to the tv and tumbled back into bed while turning up Stacey.

She's a great motivator as I was out that door by 6am for some much needed Cocoa Cola courtesy of the POFQ food court.

Speaking of POFQ, here is a video shot of the view just outside of my room - just double left click on it and it will play



ANYWHO -

Sassagula was just opening up as I took FULL advantage of their refillable drinking mug program and filled up with Coke until I was ready to pop.

OOPS!

7am was here before I knew it, so I was off for my Mickey waffle and sausage, orange juice, chocolate and umptten glasses of coca-cola. Nothing to write home to Momma about but it hit the spot - especially the coca-cola and chocolate milk.

So I waddled on outta there and back home for a quick 90 minute nap. Set that wake up call for 11am (love those STitch wake up calls by the way).

But before I caught that cat nap, I just had to nibble a bit on 6 beignets (to go) from their food court. Did that while sittin' outside on my front porch overlooking the river while listening to some Disney music on my Ipod speakers.

that became a daily ritual for me.


BUT ABOUT THAT CAT NAP....


I was just beginning to catch some really SERIOUS zzz's when Stitch was calling me - telling me, "Get up! No More sleeping!" sO.....I did what he "said" and was off and running to the Magic Kindgom.



Getting there was a breeze with the Disney transportation system as I was there in no time and once at the entrance, it was like everywhere I looked, I saw the color orange!

The Halloween decorations were out in full force and fun to see:

and....

(pic of Main Street; MK)



My very first stop was to take in the sights and sounds of main street USA. It is just a marvel to see the why's behind the how Walt, Roy and company put together for all of us to see and enjoy. From there, I was off to Adventure land to check out my very first:

DOLE WHIP!


Caught a quick shot of the balloon cm's on Main st:

and yes - if ya getta chance....inneract with the citizens of Main Street cuz they are such a delight to talk with:

and the Mayor -

But about that Dole Whip......


Ok......that bugger hit the spot and gave me some insight as to how they will taste when I check out the Dole Plantation (among other things) this same time but next year.

And the waiting que music just put me in the mood for Hawaii:



(JUST LEFT DOUBLE CLICK ON THE BELOW VIDEO AND IT WILL PLAY)




......but before I knew it, we were all off to see the Tiki birds.



That was fun as our row was in in unision singing along to the show and just plain acting Goofy.


But hey....what's a Disney adventure until u have seen the Country Bear jamboree??

Besides....I have NEVER seen it so I was off to see them.


That was a blast. Now I have seen "Big Al" and yes - he brings new meaning to singing when he sang, "Blood on the Saddle."


I then swung back to HM but before I arrived, I past by this wonderful attraction:

Been on it before and love it!

But Haunted Mansion was grabbing my attention (didn't check out BT Mountain! Boo! Hiss!) so I was off to see what was the big issue about the exterior of it.


I was to not be dissapointed as I FINALLY saw all the chess pieces ontop of that building. NOW - that's cool!


and yes, while I was in the waiting que, I FINALLY LOOKED UP for the 1st time and saw Master Gracey..... just "hanging" around.



OKEY DOKEY -


Liberty square was calling my name as I made a quick stop over there and saw Hall Of Presidents (NEVER SEEN IT UNTIL NOW).

COOL ATTRACTION! LOVED IT.


And the building's exteriors were fun to see - meaning all the detail and such.


So, after that - I boogied on back to Casey's to grab a hot dog, fries and A coke while doing some serious people watching. I tell u what, some of the things I saw people where RREEAALLLYY belong on that cable tv program, "WHAT NOT TO WEAR" but hey....that's a whole different topic & .

Casey's was a nice way to sit down for a while and nibble on some

while watching the birds nearby give you an evil stare...as if to say, "It's ok to not read the sign that clearly says 'Don't feed the Birds".......no one will notice....

Well....the birds lost out as that dog was gone in about 2 minutes! That hit the spot!

By now, it was begging to approach the 6:30pm hour, so I was off to take some pics of the MK's Halloween decorations:










NOW------let the fun begin as MNSSHP is about to begin!










UP NEXT:


getting booted out of MK at around 12:15am and what's up w/the Mexico Pavillion?? NOT OPEN UNTIL NOON??.

.....life just wudn't be the same until I have tried those Jalepeno margaritas.





T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

(pic of Cinderella's castle at dusk)



By now, the bewitching hour was upon me as my very first place to visit was Ms. Snow White and company followed by a visit to the White rabbit and then onto Lady Tremiane and her daughters.

(take note of the Mardi Gras beaded necklace I gave her!)

and....




and lest we forget....
HHmmmmm.....how come HE has more hair on his head than me??

Side note: It is very very important to be prepared when you inneract with Disney characters! I wasn't w/Anatasia and Drizella and wow! Did they ever let me have it - But I will discuss that in more detail later on as it was then time to boogy on down to see Alice and Company.

FYI: Guess how much candy is trucked in for this event!

Answer will be given later on - I promise!



ANYWHO -


From Alice, I headed off to ride Buzz Lightyear .....hmmmmmm - I STILL stink at that attraction - only scoring a little over 100K......YIKes! i FORGOT YOU CAN turn your seat right and left; thus I missed hitting the back of the large droid like creature that has a large # bullseye on his arm!

RRRRRR!


Ok - MOVING FORWARD (hey atleast it hasn't rained during my vacation) - I was off to the Hub to check out the fireworks. It was fun checking out the costumes of some of the Guests (from The Mario Brothers, Speed racer, you name it - people wore it) as I was making my way slowly back to the Hub.


the crowd level during this day really wasn't that bad as I was front center of the castle (got there at 9pm to stake out a good place to stand) just right in back of the Partner's statue.


LOVED HALLOWISHES! Went out and bought the cd later but hey....that's another story to tell. So, afterwards, I decided to head off and see the BOO TO YOU parade and meanded back to the exits and sat down (to rest my feet) just to the right of the Emporium and hey.....(Disney)flirted with two very nice ladies who were spending their pre-day at MK before heading off for a 4 day Disney Cruise.

I AM SOOOOO JEalous!!!!


Ok.....m-o-v-i-n-g- forward here....
yes.....e-mailed being exhanged later - I was off to the Villan's mix and mingle sorie and just had a blast standing to the front left of the castle.


My top 3 Disney characters u just gotta meet??
1) Shadow Man, 2) Cruella da Ville & 3) Jafar... are NOT to me missed!!



Being totally oblivios to time, midnight came upon me very quickly as it was time for me to leave Mk and head on back to my home.


But not until I had an opportunity to see what candy "followed" me home from the

ok......gotta go for now. Will keep ya in the mood for some Epcot F&W festival stuff by the below video clip:


(JUST DOUBLE LEFT CLICK ON THE BELOW LISTED VIDEO & IT WILL PLAY)




Until then -



T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

(pic of entrance to Epcot's F&W Festival)


Ok......had an issue with my camera verrry early this am and......accidently deleted all files!

ok......not cool! Tried to fix the issue but no luck! WWAAHHH!! So I tumbled back to bed. It's about 4am.

Boo!! Did my best to reframe - hey cud be worse ya know! Talked to front desk and wined a bit - they helped allowing me to express my frustration over soo many cool pics; gone!

So.....

9am arrived before I knew it (love those Stitch wake up calls!) as I tumbled out out bed & into a nice hot bubblebath (to get my feet ready & to WAKE UP!) but I decided to hit the pavement around 10:30am & was off to see Epcot's world of food & wine.

I wasn't disappointed as my first stop was Mexico to taste the nector of the Gods - aka - those Jalapeno margaritas.

and....

RATS!

They don't open up until 12 noon!

BOO!!

Ah well.....so the male in me was in full force as I turned left and was in the mood for some Belguim waffles (map anyone??). Hmmm....I was almost to the UK when I spotted Belguim. So with 4 hours sleep under me and an emtpy stomach, I nibbled on some waffles and beer (YYUUMM!!) before doubling back to the Mexico Pavillion (golf cart anyone??) and having 2 jalapeno margaritas.

(menu from Belguim)

had two orders of waffles and beer - YUM!

ANYWHO -
about that trek in the Mexico Pavillion....


pic of Mexico bar:

for some....

with me feeling no pain after a weeeee bit....

Thought of having some chicken tostatas but opted out since the place was just PACKED - and speaking of packed...those margaritas packed a punch as I was feeling no pain and for some odd reason, I decided reason, I decided to use my fast pass and check out the Soarin' attraction.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Know your limits on the above paragraph as I got a WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE on Soarin' after having 2 margaritas on an empty stomach but was well as no cookies of mine were tossed as I then meandered on over to see the American Adventure and all those neat aa's.....besides I wanted to see what was all the fuss was about since I was going to be returning there for a backstage tour of it in two days.

and yes.....in tribute to NIKKI (NIKKI LOVES WDW fellow DISser) - I just h-a-d to hopscotch on outta Mexico; much to receiving some funny looks from some of the park Guests.....

and I hopscotched on over to:

...for some

that's the Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's pie with a taste of lava cake -
** and their Bunratty Honeymeade wine was to me the best wine I have ever tasted!! **

Besides.....it will be served on day one of my upcoming vacation to Ireland in June (June 11th 2011 for 9 days) -



ANYWHO -


Had fun checking out the other countries and nibblin here and there before I was off to check out Mission Space with surprisingly no cookies being tossed there either (hmmm....someone check my constitution here cuz somehtings up!) . So, with me being done being a human yo-yo for a while, I decided to head back to F&W and nibbled my way back and forth a total of 4 times around all the Pavillions.

Opted in not doing a passport......what's up with this "Duffy" the Bear? and why does he/she/it look like a stowaway from the Disney Cruise line?? and before I knew it, it was 6:30pm!

Yikes!


I have a early day to next day! my "Keys to the Kingdom Tour" is slated for 9:30am!

So, I decided to make my way on over to the exits and head back to POFQ. Arrived back there around 7:30pm (ok....so i took my time getting back cuz I just didn't want the day to end!), grabbed a cookies and creame milkshake from their foodcourt and boogied on back upstairs....nibbling on some Halloween candy from the 29th...sipping on a wodnderful milkshake while watching "The Stacey Channel" for a while before calling it a day around 9pm.

oh.....I forgot to add - I just FELLLLL in love with the lady's at the snack section of SAssagula cuz they got me the hookup on those YUMMY milkshakes! - every day too!

GOTTA EXTRA SPOON??

But hey! Remember what happened earlier in the day with my camera?
Well - guess what was waiting for me when I opened the door:

along with:

Ok - I will admit it...I sat down on the bed and cried....who sent this to me??

HHMMMMmmmm..... the mystery continues -


All in all, a wonderful day as I knew my days were only gonna get better & better here in Walt's World.




UP NEXT: Getting Keyed up for the "Keys to the Kingdom Tour"



T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

......yes - I did it all in one day with my "Backstage Magic tour" looking over the horizon the next day but before we delve into that mystery, here's how October 31st unfolded.

4am hit me before I knew it as I turned up the volume of Stacey and watched her channel for about what seemed like 20 minutes before I realized it was 5am - so off I went tumbling back into that hot bathtub for a good soakin' (THANK U MOUSEKEEPING 4 keeing me well stocked!) as I was getting ready for the day around 6 with the Disney channel music on the tv in the background.

After some much needed grazing at POFQ's food court, I was off to the Magic Kingdom at 7:30am sharp.

(Nothing to write home to mamma about but the omlette hit the spot)


Arrived at about 10 til eight and was let into the park.

**** A MAGICAL MOMENT ****

why?

Here is an example:

(JUST DOUBLE LEFT CLICK ON THE BELOW VIDEO & IY WILL PLAY)

(video of Mainstreet USA firetruck)



There are more but this was truely a wonderful moment - just a small handfull of people in the park - mostly cm's. I took quiet full advantage of this a took as many video and pics as possible (and 2 bathroom breaks later) before 9am was upon me. I walked back to the City Hall area and check into the area just to the left of it. There I met our tour guide (Claire) who I might add is a wonderful tour guide as there were about 12 of us in her group - all ready to see MK from a whole new perspective.


Here is a pic of Claire. - FYI: Hey....didja know that it was Lilian Disney who came up with the idea for the CM's costumes? Reason - it would be timeless!

After strapping a mini bottled water onto my landyard and getting my earpiece all hooked up properly so I could hear her (she was set up for wireless talking via our earpieces so we could hear her even through crowd nose) we were off to see the magic behind the Magic Kingdom!

And what a new perspective it was as she began to explain how Walt imagined his park to look (like a movie theatre); complete with the upcoming attractions (the posters in the tunnels showcasing each land) to the names in the windows. It was right at the hub that we saw the very last named window as we all turned to our right and saw Walt's window:

Some of the made up company names Walt used in buying the land for "The Floridia Project":

She also went on the point out to us the nuances of each entrance to the lands as well as where WDW places/hides their speakers in relation to the Hub area. This part of the tour I really found to be quite interesting as I never picked up of these little subtleties of the park (DOH!) as we then made our way on over to Frontierland and it was there I had my very first experience going backstage at WDW.

No pictures were allowed of course as we made our way to where the parade floats are kept as it was truely a fun sight to see all the floats and such for all of their parades. the floats sure look different in the day - just sitting there being charged up and ready for that evening's events.

From there, we took a quick peek at the water system that controls Splash Mtn. Lotta water I'd say! And that morevoer it takes 2 minutes for the water trough to fill up 100%! WOW!

and while walking back to the front left of Main Street, Claire told us that there are 29 staircases all around Magic Kingdom - thus CM's can come and go without being noticed by Guests.

TTOO CCOOLLL!!!!


ok.....remember the Halloween trivia question I asked earlier? ABout Halloween candy?

Just in back of City Hall (off stage), she showed us TWO semi trailers (off stage just left of City Hall) filled with Halloween candy? That's a lot of candy for MNSSHP events!!


From there, we made our way to the Jungle cruise attraction (my 1st time) as that was fun seeing it for the first time as Claire let us in on all thew behind the scenes stuff; like how often the dye is put in the water to the natives chanting, "I LOVE DISCO."

** GOTTA LOVE IT! **

After that, we made our way back down Liberty square and stopped off for our group lunch at Columbia House. Had fun nibbling on my pre-ordered (before the tour began) shrimp basket w/fries and a huge glass of coca cola. That hit the spot as I chatted a bit with one of the restaurant's hostesses who helped me find where the nautical wheel is that WAS SUPPOSEED to be facing HM (They moved it). Found it with her help as all was well.

OOPS!

LEmme explain about that previous comment! I have been reading from the below thread and wanted to see the nautical wheel and other things inside Magic Kingdom and the other parks. Here is the thread listing:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2424077



But speaking of Haunted Mansion....

Feet tired yet? NOPE as we all rode the HM attraction next with Claire sitting right next to me (I was totally humbled by this!) as she pointed out for me all the little behind the scenes things that help to make up the attraction. Once done, she explained what the background behind the gravemarker (at the exit) that showcases Bluebeard and the dearly departed Husbands listed below (quite funny I say).

too funny - as the marker read in part -


".....some fat some thin,
but the 7th one -
she did him in."


But the servants quarters bells? Too funny!

She took us back down again through the utilidors and that I say was TOTALLY FUN! It was really neat to understand how things are layed out underground in realtion to what we the Guest sees on the 2nd floor. But alas, our tour was nearing the end as she took us back up to just off stage in back of Mainstreet confectionary and then back across to the meeting room just left of City Hall.

She handed us all a tour landyard (i collect landyard pins!) pin and gave us each a hug and sadly, that was it!

By now, it was approaching 4pm so -

I thanked her and said my goodbyes to the group and it was off again for more fun as I made a quick jump on the monorial on over to Epcot to ride Soarin' but to no avail!

Wait time?

70 MINUTES!

WWAAAAA!!!!

Made a trip run over over to the American Pavillion & got a chance to check out the attraction (in preperation for my backstage tour of it tommorrow) "The American Adventure" as well as this:


(JUST DOUBLE LEFT CLICK ON THE BELOW VIDEO & IT WILL PLAY)



But have no fear as I checked out a few of the other attractions there and then around 7pm , with great reluctance, I boogies on back home, ordered me some room service:

and look what's inside!

and lest we not forget ya need 3 liters of Coca Cola to go with it! YYUUMM!!


Why did I decide to call evening short and order room service?


I have a BACKSTAGE MAGIC TOUR starting at 8:45am; meeting a Guest Relations for a starting pint.

So after a quick much needed bubblebath, I was off with a pocketfull of wonderful memories as I slowly drifted off to Neverland listening to "the Stacy Channel."

....and a belly full of some yummy pizza!



S0 -what lies ahead for me??

and when am I EVER gonna taste my VERY FIRST Mickey Rice Krispy treat?

STAY TUNED.




UP NEXT:

 

[knewton64]

(my collection of towel animals during my vacation to WDW)



BUT.....I like this one the best!

I decided to sleep in a little today as Stitch didn't call me until around 5am. So with a tumble outta that nice cozy bed I was off to the wacky world of bubble baths and those nice bath products Mousekeeping was keeping me in stock with on a daily basis.
One hour later, I felt I was ready for another wonderful day here in Walt's World.

Out that front door around 6:45am and at Sassagula around 7. By now, I was beginning to tire of Quick service meals and such and was longing for a more elegant treatment but hey - we will get intot that topic later. For now, the food did it's job as I was out that door by 7:45 and at the bus stop #b. There, I was befriended by a bunch of wonderful people who were there for their family reunion (22 people). One of them even pin-traded with me which I thought was really nice.

Anywho -

The weather was once again cooperating as this day was just like the previous 4 - sunny skies with highs in the low 70's.

I was a Epcot Guest relations at the appropriate time and was met there by not one but three tour Guides. We all said our hellos and where are you froms and before I knew it, all 24 of us were off see our first stop; the American Pavillion and the "American Adventure" attraction.

After being shown the details of the building's architecture and such, we were all lead around back to watch how each aa scene is brought onto stage. OK - THAT'S IMPRESSIVE! It was such a treat to see each of the scenes being lifted on stage - then back into position behind the stage. Seeing the aa's that close was really something I will never forget.

And the computer system running that show? WOW! Was fun to see how each computer syncs up with the attraction just show and that each segment is timed. So, after that - we then returned to the entrance of Epcot and to our mode of transpo for the day:

Our airconditioned (YEA!) Mears motorcoach.

Wow! I really felt at home as I boogied towards to back to find my spot with the fold out card table as we were off to our next destinations which were all off stage - paint, repairs/rehab, & costuming departments. It was there that my mouth fell open as I saw them retrofitting Splash Mountain "logs" with lap bars. That really bummed me out cuz what "Child of Grace" would be that insipid to wanna STAND UP on that attraction??

GO FIGURE.

Ah well, from there, we toured the paint department (loved it) but the best place of all that I got a kick out of was costuming. Seeing all those outfits and seeing.....well......can't say cuz Tink will turn me into pixi dust if I say....

From there, we were all off in our Mears transpo to the Wilderness Lodge and lunch.

It was nice to see the differences between this hotel vs Disneyland's Grand Hotel as this one was smaller and the motif was of a different geographical one than of the hotel in Anaheim. But...without further adieu - lunch was served as I had my fill of chicken, corn on the cob, mash potatos, green beans and Lemon-aid.

But wait!

Life just wouldn't be complete without dessert as Apple pie was served with vanilla icecream on top.

YYUUMM!!

So, after lunch it was time for a quick bathroom break (as the tour guides were telling other Guests of the interior layout of the hotel) and then back onto the motorcoach and onto our next stop:

the utilidoors of Magic Kingdom (the upper ones just of the back on Cindy's Castle). That was pretty cool then were were off to the Animal Kingdom area to see more fun things behind the scenes....like their "Verizon Ficus" tree.

That was too funny!

We then exited to bus and checked out their plant farm area; a place where they grow plants, shrubs, make toparies and such. Really cool place as FINALLY! WE were allowed to take pictures:

and -

and just for good measure - a few more:

From there, it was time to see where they keep all of their floats for Mickey's Jamming Jungle parade. It was really entertaining and informational to see all their parade floats and such there. AS we were making our way back on the motorcoach, I couldn't help but notice some "very familiar looking" people walking down the sidewalk just adjacent to the paved road.......they were walking to their places in the parade!

RATS!

NO pictures were allowed because we were off stage! WWAAAHHH! And I don't think Tink wud like it if I said specifically WHO I saw walking down the sidewalk but rest assured that visual sight was one magical moment for me; just sitting in the motorcoach literally gawking thru the window marveling at this sight that well.....one just doesn't see everyday.


Ah well.

3pm was here before I knew it as I took plenty of pictures from the parade:

and...

One more for good measure!

Parade finsihed around 4pm as we all made our way back to the Mears transpo and drove back to the entrance to AK; said our good byes and were given a really cool looking landyard pin commerating this tour. Overall the tour (like Keys to the Kingdom) was a very fun, entertaining, informational and very enlightening one. I would highly reccommend them to anyone to go on and see for themselves.

Anywho -

So around 4:30pm, I decided to make a quick trip to Epcot and check out Soarin but to no avail; wait time was again 70 minutes!

Still; had fun with F&W for a bit then headed off to HS to shoot some exterior shots of some of the buildings there - then boogied on back to POFQ around 7:30pm and then took a quick ferry on over to Boatwrights (Port Orleans Riverside) for some wonderful cajun food:


Entrance to Boatwrights:

Their menu:

Jambalaya anyone?

Makes for great eatin'!


and of course this went well with my Blue Bayou:

followed by a wonderful dessert of:

(bananna foster angel food cake - YYUUMM!)


That helped treemdously as I stumbled back up to my home around 10:30pm; munching on some more of my Halloween candy (from MNSSHP) while sipping on some Cocoa Cola before tumbling off to Neverland around midnight.



(ferry boat ride back to POFQ - just double left click on the above video & it will play)


All in all - another wonderful day in WDW land.



UP NEXT:

Magic Kingdom camera reshoot day, playing putt-putt golf @ Blizzrd Beach & doing laundry stinks & just being plain lazy day and HEY - WHO BROUGHT THE RAIN??





T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

(a misc pic from my day at Animal Kingdom)



5am came earlly (I "slept in" late today!) before I knew it as I shook off the last of the sand outta my head (man do I ever miss the sandman some times!) and leaped into the bathtub for another good feet soakin as I mapped out mentally what's up for the day w/the Stacey channel on in the background. I got ready for the day about two hours later (I took my time) and headed out the door to bus stop #b and a date with Breakfast at Tusker House; Animal Kingdom.
AK was very peaceful in the early am as I slowly made my way up to Guest Relations and checked myself in then meandered slowly on up to the back left area of AK and a wonderful breakfast buffet. Why wonderful?
Well, I went there last year and for the quality and atmosphere, ya can't beat it!

Ooppss! Well...there is Chef Mickey's but hey - that's fer another topic!!

ANYWHO -

MAde my way thru the entrance to AK.....past this -

Made my way on over to Tusker House & -

Had fun grazing on some wonderful food for a bit -

....and then some long long friends of mine stopped on by to say hello and pose for some pictures:

(He's my favorite!)


and -

Hmmm....I think she was flirting with me there just a bit.

With a belly full of food, I decided to waddle on up outta there around 9:30am and check out the Tree of Life. LOVED IT! Can't get enuf of Hopper! Sat really close to him and enjoyed watching him speak. So...from there I boogied on over to the Primevel Whirl area (rode the Dinosaur attraction.......LOVED IT!) for a bit before I made a quick bee-line for the exits and zipped on over to Hollywood Studios for a bit.

But before I headed on outa there and for HS, I spied these guys:

So, they helped me celebrate a little with the news that I am heading to Hawaii Oct 28th-Nov 4th 2011. And yes.....they even signed my autograph book....

ANYWHO -

Remember the toparies we saw yesterday?? Well....overnight - the Imagineers had placed them out for all to see! And the Christmas tree (that were in thirds??)...well.....they were out on display too!!

TTOO CCOOOLLL!!!

To be able to celebrate Halloween and Christmas all in the same vacation!

TTOO COOLL!!

So after going thru the entrance...

I took a quick peek at -

I decided NOT to be a human yo-yo and enstead opt for an early lunch at:

While in their lobby, I noticed quite an unusual and very funny prop:

Where have you seen those lately?


their menu:

Had a big ol bowl of Shrimp salad that just cudn't be beat ...

with a wonderful dessert of -

SIDE NOTE: only gained 2 pounds after this vacation! What helped was all the walking I did. I just love those m&ms on that above pictured dessert!


ANYWHO (Ok....how many times have I used that word??)


Around 2pm, I decided to leave HS & skip on over to:

for some:

ok....."for the record," holes #6,9 17 &18?

OUCH!

But....it was fun testing out the game while relaxing to the tunes of Christmas music.


As I was having fun at the House of Mouse, I began to realize that the skies were beginning to darken!!

BOO! HISS!!

I began to quciken my pace and get done with golfing around 4 and head back to POFQ and not a moment too soon for as I was getting off the bus, the skies JUST OPENED UP BIG TIME!!

Hey......I began to realize - what a wonderful day to have planned to do laundry in the late afternoon!

HE HE HE....

Got laundry done around 5:30pm. Went to the hotel's gift shop and did some more shopping (amoing other things I bought TS3 on DVD so I could watch it evening of November 4th) then headed off to Concierge area and booked a last minute spa retreat at the GF hotel for the next day then headed off to Sassagula shortly thereafter. Once I was finished grazing on their food, I was off around 8pm to relax a bit in POFQ's outdoor jacuzzi (loved it!). SInce the rain had stopped about 30 minutes earlier, I had also wanted to go swimming BUT.....WHO PEEDED IN THE POOL! WHaaaa!! POOL WAS CLOSED FOR AN HOUR GETTING IT BACK TO PROPER CHEMICAL LEVELS! But all this was for not as I still had fun in the jacuzzi chatting with 2 ladies from England - who gave me plenty of tips on what to do when visiting their neck of the woods.


Anywho -

Decided to go back up to my room around 9:30pm. Got cleaned up from the jacuzzi / swim and tumble into bed munching on some more of my Halloween candy and FINALLY - FINALLY ----


I FINALLY FINISHED OFF MY MICKEY MOUSE SHAPED RICE KRISPY TREAT!!

here is what it looked like 48 hours previously....

Took me T-W-O full days to finish off that bugger....

ANYWHO -


Sleep gotta hold of me around 11pm w/yup....ya guessed it - with the Stacey channel on in the background.



UP NEXT: MORE DANG RAIN in the forecast as YIKES! It's Narcooses' day and last second plans for a spa retreat that I will never forget.





STAY TUNED -




T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

(Rats! - I missed out on Fantasmic on Oct 31st! Ah well....gonna have to be a "Next time" in the works!


I was having such a magical day that I wouldn't feel a thing being transitioned back into reality the next evening. But until then, I was out of bed again around 5 with a quick foot/body soaking via the magical wonders of Mousekeeping and their toilteries.

I decided to meander on over to POFQ's food court around 7am and then back upstairs (to my room) for a quick nap for 2 hours. And before I knew it, it was time for me to head on out that door and back to Magic Kingdom for one last time.

Cool!


X-mas decorations are up!

The first thing I did was head on over to the hub for some popcorn and a Sprite and well - I sat down on a bench a just people watched for a bit. That was fun....just munching on some popcorn and listening to the sounds of the park while people watching. Very relaxing and peaceful. Until.....I ran outta popcorn!!

Ah well - time to get up and see some more of the park but from a different perspective now since I went on the "Keys" and "Backstage Magic" tours. Is the magic gone because I went on these tours?

NOPE.


Still there.

Had fun walking around the Magic Kingom checking out the various building's architetchure and such, rode a few attractions and before I knew it, it was 12:45pm!

time for me to head on over to my spa retreat at the Niki Bryan Spa Center for the time of my life!

So I took the next available ferry boat on over and...

(pic from hotel looking back on over to Magic Kingdom)


...I arrived at my Spa appointment early but it gave me time to transition from a park mentality to a whole new world - a world where everything is all washed away and total relaxation is your middle name. I alerted the front desk I was here and got all checked in and everything and was lead to the Men's side of the building. Got all changed and such...

...and went out to their steam room for a while and alternated between that and their...

jacuzzi for about an hour before it was my Spa therapist calling my name to meet her for my treatment.

I put down my glass of lemon water and followed her into a small room that was dimly lit with a soft orange glow to it with the slight scent of incense and lest we forget - some sort of Tai-Chi music on in the background. I was in for a treatment of a lifetime!

What kind of treatment?

a full body massage followed by a Reflexology Massage for a total time a just a little over t-w-o hours of p-u-r-e bliss.


And what a treatment it was! She worked me over from head to toe and then toe to head. Flipped me over and then repeated the process using all kinds of oils, hot rocks (oops! they be called stones!) , cold stones. You name it and she used it!

WOW! I was t-o-t-a-l-l-y relaxed.


ok....mental note....when I go to Ireland in just a little over 170 days - a spa treatment I shall find!

I tell u what....I did NOT want to get up from that massage table! I felt totally relaxed! And YES! I began to feel myself fall asleep!

Ok.....gotta boggy on over to Narcooses!

BUT HOW?

As Pooh wud say......THINK!

THINK!

THINK!


And think I did

Ok....if I requested a golf car ride from the main hotel lobby to the Spa area......why N-o-t request a golf car ride FROM the spa area and on over to Narcooses for your 7pm dinner?

Cool idea!

Wait!

N-o-t yet!

Must go back to the jacuzzi room for a wee bit and get my legs back underneath me!

Which I did but to no avail!

I did not want to walk! I just wanted to take in the sights and sounds of such a wonferful place as I slowly am escorted on over to my dinner ressie.

So a very nice young lady took me on over to Narcooses in a golf cart and all was well for I had about 15 minutes to spare (hey....I loved their jacuzzi room!) and checked out their menu:

and of course I ordered two margaritas...

...during the course of my meal of -

(hmmmm...I shuda ordered the 12 oz steak NOT the 9oz)


but dinner wudn't be complete without dessert:

I chose -

(some key lime pie with a nice apple wine to compliment it)


Was about 3/4 the way thru my meal when it was time to see "Wishes" from a totally different point of view. Now mind you, I have never seen Wishes before so this something I was really looking forward to. So a few of us went outside and out onto the deck and had fun watching:


(JUST DOUBLE LEFT CLICK ON THE BELOW VIDEO AND THEY WILL PLAY)




OK... I will admit - that was pretty neat seeing the fireworks show like that as we all clammered back inside with me finishing my meal and shaking off the effects of the 'ritas.

So with my legs now firmly underneath me, I was ready to mossey on back to POFQ in "20 minutes" and viola! Off to Nerverland in nothing flat!

RIGHT!

RIGHT?


HHHmmmmm....famous last words as I headed on back to the ferry boat, we were all told that MK is closed and that we would have to take the Monorail to the TTC then take the TTC to Epcot T-H-E-N take the Epcot bus back to POFQ!

Uh.......h-e-l-l-o!

I have to get up at 4am the next day!

Oh boy do I ever live dangerously -

Ok...new adventure!

How much fun can you have walking uphill then downhill at the TTC when your legs and body just don't wanna work?

Somehow I survived and had fun at the same time (talked with a lot of people along the way) as I made it back home around 12:30am.

Jumped into bed literally, said my hello's to Stacey for a bit before nodding off around 1am (I did subsequently e-mail her thanking her for her tv channel and just being a great motivator for me while I am visiting WDW).

opps! I awoke and called front desk asking for ONE LAST 'Stitch' wakeup call.

She asked for what time?

I replied for 180 minutes from now.




to be continued........






UP NEXT:

Having fun playing on the trains ("Magic Behind the Steam Trains" tour) before I have to go back to my home country - which is:

"Reality land"








T.T.F.N.

 

[Disney_Jill]

GREAT trip report! Sounds like you are having a super time. That's really neat you went on those 2 tours and I know your train tour will be fun too. I can't wait to read about it.

 

[ChiCat]

Love the dessert and drink pics, they both make me drool

Your future trips sound amazing. I've never been to either place, but I'm thinking of planning a London/Dublin trip in summer 2012.

 

[knewton64]

GREAT trip report! Sounds like you are having a super time. That's really neat you went on those 2 tours and I know your train tour will be fun too. I can't wait to read about it.

I tell you what out of the adventures into Walt's World, this one was the best I've experienced cuz it wrapped everything all up into one neat circle as I got an opportunity to see Walt's world from his point of view

** LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT **

Love the dessert and drink pics, they both make me drool

Your future trips sound amazing. I've never been to either place, but I'm thinking of planning a London/Dublin trip in summer 2012.

......that you don't have to worry about dieting. I was completely floored when I weighed myself when I got home! Only a two poud gain!

....and ya oughta see the "coffee" I drink the am of Nov 4th! That's coming up in my next installment.


Anywho (gotta get in that word) -


London / Dublin? Ya oughta go! I locked in my incidental money when the euro was at 1.19 per USA. SO much to do and see & with me being 1/2 Irish - hey WHY NOT kiss the Blarney stone?

And yes.....I just ordered (amazon.com) the theme song to "Darby O'Gil & the Little People." Will be here in about a week. You will find it listed under a cd called "Music of Disney: Legacy in Song."



Glad 2 see you are enjoying my trip trip report! Thanks!


T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

UGH! For some silly odd reason, I decided to wake up around 3:30am!

Go figure! With one eye open, I managed to drag myself into that bathroom one last time for a quick bubblebath and not a moment too soon!
Just as I was beginning to feel the effects of that hot water on me, that dang ol 'Stitch' calls me and says "NO MOre Sleeping! Get up!"

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

So back to that bathtub I go for a bit before common sense rules here and I get ready for the day....

- with the "Stacey Channel" on in the background one last time


I somehow get the feeling that someone was watching over me this day as I really really wweeaallyy didn't wanna leave this magical place. It was sooooo much fun enjoying everything and to have to leave in about 10 hours and return back to my home country:


REALITY LAND



Just stinks!

BUT....... I vowed to hit the ground running one last time!

With the help of two -

YES -


TWO cups of coffee:

(cup #1 of "coffee")


&....

(rice Krispy treats and orange juice ......a.k.a. my cup #2 of "coffee")



I tell Stitch 'thank you' for my last wake up call at 4am -

and made it to POFQ's front desk / baggage drop off area by 5am. Got everything all taken care of with them - courtesy of this guy:

...and decided to plop myself down in their lobby couch area to watch some Disney cartoons while nibbling on the rest of my second "cup" of coffee.

Ok....I will admit it - that second cup of 'coffee" really hit the spot and before I knew it, I was really really getting into watching those cartoons.

Ok....I mean RREEAALLLY getting into watching those cartoons!
Mental note: when I return to my home country, I gotta lay off the sugar rush!



But it was just tooooo funny watching those Chip & Dale cartoons!

after what seemed like just a short while, I looked up at my watch (first time all vacation I actually looked at it) & it was around 6:20am! Time for me to catch my cab to Magic Kingdom!

YEA!

So I walk back on up to the front desk and ask where do I go for my cab and they looked at me like I was from another planet!

YIKES!

They hadn't called me a cab like I thought they had already prearanged for me the evening before!!

So - precious minutes tick away before one finally shows up...

at 6:43am!

Uhhhhh hheeelllllooooo!!!!


I am supposed to be a the entrance to Magic Kingdom no later than 7:25am for my Train tour!

So, I jump into the cab thinking all was well and that he would have me dropped off at the entrance to Magic Kingdom in no time.

RIGHT!


RIGHT??

It's dark outside and I could barely see and he drops me off somewhere and I pay him and I turn to face what I see is NOT the entrance to Magic Kingdom! I look back to see the cab already miles away!

WWAAHHHH!!!

Ok....so where the heck am I??????


I beagn to walk around frantically and then suddenly, across the water -

I see the familiar lights of the Magic Kingdom!

Ok....so where am I???!!

I finally track down a CM who says that.........

I am at the T.T.C.!

W-H-A-T!!



Ok breathe.......

I am about to become mentally/ verbally unglued but I decided to take a deep breath and ask him calmly how do I get from here to there (wildly using my fingers in guestering that I am needing to go "from here' to 'there').

His response??

"Take the Monorail."

WOW!!

I felt like I have never before ran that quickly to the Monorail but I did while choosing to relax while freaking out (Is there such a thing?) while taking the monorail.

mental note.....how many times did I just use the word "while" in the previous sentence?



WE pass the Poly.

We pass the Grand Floridian.

THEN...FINALLY -

MAGIC KINGDOM!

YYEEAA!!

I race off the monorail (Now I see how people feel when they are contestants in the tv show, "The amazing Race") and sprint to the entrance to Magic Kingdom.

The Time??

7:24am!



UP NEXT:

Learning how to get rid of my "2 cups of coffee," meet your train conductor tour guide, your fellow tour guests.......

all in 6 minutes.

- Who will be the honorary conductor for the day? -




Details coming up -



T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

(info on one of the trains at Magic Kingdom)



ok - so I had "fun" zipping in & out of the restrooms (just to the right of Guest Relations) and meeting all of my tour group - all in 6 minutes but somehow I managed to pull it off with no issues.
And even managed to keep my wits about me when explaining to Train conductor John why I wanted to be on this tour as my body was still in the process of waking up. Needless to say, I was here & ready for one more day of fun!
It was rather surreal though, being in front of the Magic Kingdom and NOT hearing any park music for a while. THAT was different to say in the least. But after our introductions, we all headed off to the entrance to Main Street for a bit to talk Walt Disney and the history behind why he was so much into trains and such. And it was there that my mouth fell open for all the X-mas decorations we saw behind the scenes during the "Backstage Magic" tour the day before were now up in all the parks! ** I gave ya a sneek peak of some pics yesterday **


Here are a few more -

and...

(X-mas pic of Mainstreet; Mk)

I could tell that the majority of the tour group was really really reaally into trains with one person even said her whole living room was decorated out in trains with a model train running through it.

And me?

Well, I just wanted to understand more of why Walt did what he did with trains and to see them up and close.

And we did just that and more!

After a brief 101 tutorial on Disney train history, we were off to upstairs section of the train depot to ride one of the Disney trains once around the park to get a feel of the train and a visual of where things are in relation to the train and its roundhouse.


** and yes, I was picked to be the honorary train conductor for the day! ** LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT **

After that, we got an opportunity to see where all the trains are kept and this is where I really felt the appreciation and love for Walt's affection for trains really kick in.

(exterior shot of the roundhouse)


and....

WHY??

Because its one thing to understand basic train hand signals, how switches are thrown while the train in in transit to what the colors mean while passing the switch but to me, it's totally different when you see the giant behemoths are there...all in one room like place be it coming or going. They were all there! TTOO CCOOLL!

And it was there in the Roundhouse that we got a briefing on how their trains get ready for the day. From firing up the engines to letting steam, it was a real treat to watch how all this goes in even before we see them in action in the parks.
Yes, pictures were allowed back in the roundhouse but we didn't have free rein to walk anywhere we chose. Nontheless, it was a treat to see all the trains there and listen to Conductor John tell us a little of the history of the trains at WDW.

After a while, we all climbed back into the Train and headed back to the Magic Kingdom and then made a stop off at Toon Town to refill the train with water. That was fun watching how the train gets its water supply and such. Had fun during this time talking to the people operating the train; the Roger Broggie.
And it was there that we all stop for a few pictures:

It was approaching 10am when we made it back to the train Depot station for one last final "WDW trains 101" talk by our guide before he handed us each a tour landyard pin as we all said our good byes.



(a video clip of some info when we got back at the train depot)
** just double left click on the above video and it will play **


As I looked back one last time at our tour group meeting area, I began to tear up a little because I knew my stay here at Walt's World was about to come to an end but I was realy glad it was being brought to a positive close in such a beautiful way as this. So, I decided to slowly walk up to Casey's and grab one more "dog" and fries and had fun for a while nibblin' on some Magic Kingdom park food one more time while people watching and taking in the sights and sounds....while fighting back crying.

Soooo much fun these last 8 days -

Soooooo many wonderful memories.


So around noon, I decided to leave Casey's and head out to POTC and check it out one last time as well at HM; thus remembering all the things Claire the WDW tour guide had taugth us a few days earlier about HM.

But before I knew it, It was "THAT TIME.


Time for me to make that fateful return trip to POFQ and thus back to OAI for a return trip back into my Home Country:

REALITY LAND.


BOOO!! HISS!!


SO as I was making my way back from Liberty Square and to the park exit, I spied a CM who had a landyard just full of pins. I stopped him and immediatley say a Saint Patricks day pin I just 'had to have.'

So we pin traded and -

I'll be dang if within 10 seconds after I pin traded with the kind CM another Guest walked up and wanted the pin I just traded with the CM!

TOO funny!!

The poor ol' CM didn't even have time to put on his landyard the pin I just gave him!

So there ya Go!

A double pin trade just in a span of about 30 seconds!


That bit of hilarity helped tremendously as I slowly made 'that walk' out of Magic Kingdom and onto the POFQ bus.

I arrived back at the hotel around 3pm -

Got on the OAI bus around 3:45pm -


Plane departed OAI around 6:45pm -

I arrived back into DFW very late. Around 11:30pm.






And as I made it back to my home and reality land, I just couldn't help it as I whipped out the TS3 movie I had bought a few days earlier from the POFQ gift shop -

popped it into the DVD player -

and had fun watching Buzz, Woody and company one more time while munching on a cheesesteak sandwhich and sipping on some coca cola.


It was now about 2 am. I decided to turn off the movie and get some sleep. I decided to watch the other half of the movie later on that day.


As I slowly drifted off into Neverland one more time, I felt the biggest smile come across my heart from one incredible adventure I will never forget.


THANK YOU WALT.

(pic of Walt & Lillian Disney; located in rear of the Lilly Belle; Dl - March 2010)


and -

UP NEXT:




(just double left click on the above listed video & it will play)


FInal thoughts. observations & other what nots; including an e-mail response from STACEY!

 

[knewton64]

(pic of some very recognizable roof tops of some buildings at MK; Oct 2010)


Well, 'tis time to bring to a close this trip report and move on to my next adventure - Ireland - which is slated for June 11th for 9 nights.

But before I go, I thought I would include a few thoughts and other what nots concerning this vacation.

This vacation has been the best out of all my adventures into Walt's world due to WDW's sense of professionalism in handling me and my requests and such to where it came off as one truely magical vacation that I will treasure for a lifetime.
Of course, I can't say the above for my vacation into Disneyland, D.C.A. (March 27th - April 4th 2010) as it was just the opposite as I feel that DL / DCA can take a cue from WDW on how to service the Guest and treat the Guest as a Guest and not a customer.

But hey ! this is a positive trip report & I plan on keeping it that way.


ANYWHO (Hey...I got that word in one last time) -


Moreover, how WDW molded their behind the scenes tours was also a sight to behold. I didn't feel rushed and really enjoyed seeing the inner workings of all the parks and such.


Top memory?

1) any of the behind the scenes tours. I highly recommend them.
2) my first Dole whip! - LOVED THEM!
3) MNSSHP!
4) POFQ - If I ever make a return trip to WDW, POFQ is where I wud stay.



ok - so where is my next adventure again?

It begins on the early am of June 11th when I arrive at the Shannon aiport and enjoy day one at Bunratty castle and it's surrounding Folk park.


Looking forward to it.



But I thought I would close with a final comment from Stacey:

Enjoy!



T.T.F.N.







T.T.F.N.