Guess What?? I added an episode 5/25 Valentine's Solo Valentine Trip Around The World
- Thread starter Valentine
- Start date
Hope to see the pictures soon.
Valentine
<font color=purple>BL II - Purple Team<br><font co
- Joined
- May 22, 2001
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I will do another update tonight.. I don't know how you folks with kids get any trip reports done!!! 
I had my nephew all weekend.. and I had time for nothing else!! Some freedom tonight.. so I will get cracking!! 
I can't wait to read all of the other new reports I see up also!!
Kathy
I had my nephew all weekend.. and I had time for nothing else!! Some freedom tonight.. so I will get cracking!! I can't wait to read all of the other new reports I see up also!!
Kathy
Valentine
<font color=purple>BL II - Purple Team<br><font co
- Joined
- May 22, 2001
- Messages
- 1,431
Okay... Please stand by... we are experiencing technical difficulties... 
That is how I have felt for the last few days. I consider myself pretty computer savvy.. but man o man.. this picture problem had me perplexed... I think I have worked it all out now.. so.. back to our regularly scheduled trip report!
When we last left off, I was surfing the Disboards and preparing to hit the hay after consuming a week's worth of points in one evening. I requested my very first wake up call.. (yeah, yeah.. I know.. what kind of Disney fanatic am I?? First Wake Up Call??).. Well.. I have this problem with asking people for things.. now I know this sounds a bit off to some.. but I never knew the wake up call thing was automated.. so.. I felt weird calling someone to say, basically, "Hi, I am too lazy to set my own darn alarm clock.. can you please call and wake me up?"
Well... I got up the nerve this trip and imagine my surprise when I got the automated system! 
I was thrilled! Whew! Wake up calls for me all the time!!! 
Since it was a very long day, I figured I would let myself sleep in a bit and set the wake up for 10am. Well, at 7:00 am, I heard the folks next door to me getting their wake up call... then the parade of in/out/in/out/in/out.. NO.. it's not what you are thinking!!! Geeeesh.. get your minds out of the gutter!!
.. it was the dreaded security latch used to prop open the door so every time someone went in or out of the door it would slam back onto the latch.. that was fun for a bit... it eventually stopped.. or I passed out again... and then at 8ish.. I heard the army of Housekeeping folks driving their little golf carts in and out of the courtyard area... I put the tv on to drown them out and pass out again... Well at 9:01 am my phone rang... so much for sleeping in! I thought it was my mistake on my wake up call.. Nope.. it was Ricardo, my DVC rep.... it seems that there was a bit of a mix up with scheduling appointments.. and he had gotten double booked for my 1:00 pm time.. would I be able to come a bit earlier... like when I say? He suggests now... Hmmm.. Okay.. I can be there in about an hour I suggest... No AK this morning for me.. but that is okay.. cause then I can have a whole day free with nothing to split it up... I shower and dress and make a quick stop at the Food Court for some Hot Tea.. hop in the car and off to SSR... I miss the turnoff into SSR as it still reads Lake Buena Vista Golf Course Very prominantly.. and SSR is there too.. but just not as obviously.... so.. I double back and am there right on time.. I pull in at 10:00 am. I am greeted by some very lovely CM's.. and notice immediately how very busy it seems there... you would have thought they were giving the DVC memberships away. I am sure it is not always that busy. I am given a name tag to wear (oops.. I just realized.. I think I left that sucker on all day!!! 
) and am shown into a reception area.. they have tea, coffee, muffins, pastry, juice.. and some other things there... for while you wait... but I didn't wait long. Ricardo comes bounding into the room.. we introduce ourselves.. and then it is off into my very own golf cart to see the sights... now.. Ricardo knew I had already decided to purchase.. he even had my deposit (see the above post) so.. I think I got the abbreviated version of the tour.. he didn't have to "sell" me.. so, I was shown the room types.. Very Nice!... and then brought back to the offices to review the paperwork.. we did not tour the entire resort.. no pool or any other place.. short and sweet.. but I did feel a little gipped.. 
That's okay.. I have 54 more years to tour the resorts!!! We went into this maze of offices.. all very nice.. sat down and I took out the paperwork I had prefilled at home and brought along (I do my homework) Ricardo was pleased that I had come so prepared (I think he had another appointment breathing down his neck!) He took my paperwork to be reviewed and said he would be right back... well... I am not one to sit idle... So.. I decided at that point to call Disney Dining and join DDE... I was just about through when Ricardo came back into the room with an envelope.. he handed it to me.. and said.. here.. I'll be right back.. but this is to thank you for switching your appt... I finished with the DDE rep who promised to fax my confirmation to the front desk of POP and I opened the Envelope... inside were 2 Q&C dining vouchers... that was so nice of him... it really was not inconvenient for me to switch... but it was a very nice gesture... Ricardo then returned with another Rep who he introduced as the finance guy. This one sat with me and Ricardo went off to his other appt. The new Rep told me I was approved for my financing.. and we got down to the nitty gritty.. Signing Near the Mickey Ears.. and Dating near the Palm Trees! 
I thought that was hysterical!! Anyway.. 5000 signatures later.. and I was officially an DVC'er. I was escorted out through the back way of the offices.. through the Ice Cream Parlor... (I was offered some Ice Cream.. but since I hadn't even had breakfast yet, it didn't really appeal to me! 
I saw a picture station set up... and I read somewhere that they take your picture when you join.. but I wasn't offered that.. so.. I just sort of said thanks, bye.. and took my backpack full of books and got back into my car... Hmmm.. sort of Anti-climatic... I guess I was expecting a bunch of balloons to fall out of the sky with some confetti... just seemed sort of ... flat... .... well.. nonetheless... I am the proud owner of points at SSR... and am considering an add on already!
Okay.. so.. here it is 11:00 am.. I am the proud Owner of a Piece of the Magic.. what should I do now??? Why go to Universal of course!! I figured a few Roller Coasters would give me the excitement I was lacking at the moment! So.. off I go..... I4 here I come!
Up next: Okay.. okay.. so I cheated on the mouse.. and I was very very bad at Universal!
That is how I have felt for the last few days. I consider myself pretty computer savvy.. but man o man.. this picture problem had me perplexed... I think I have worked it all out now.. so.. back to our regularly scheduled trip report!
When we last left off, I was surfing the Disboards and preparing to hit the hay after consuming a week's worth of points in one evening. I requested my very first wake up call.. (yeah, yeah.. I know.. what kind of Disney fanatic am I?? First Wake Up Call??).. Well.. I have this problem with asking people for things.. now I know this sounds a bit off to some.. but I never knew the wake up call thing was automated.. so.. I felt weird calling someone to say, basically, "Hi, I am too lazy to set my own darn alarm clock.. can you please call and wake me up?"
Well... I got up the nerve this trip and imagine my surprise when I got the automated system! I was thrilled! Whew! Wake up calls for me all the time!!! Since it was a very long day, I figured I would let myself sleep in a bit and set the wake up for 10am. Well, at 7:00 am, I heard the folks next door to me getting their wake up call... then the parade of in/out/in/out/in/out.. NO.. it's not what you are thinking!!! Geeeesh.. get your minds out of the gutter!!
.. it was the dreaded security latch used to prop open the door so every time someone went in or out of the door it would slam back onto the latch.. that was fun for a bit... it eventually stopped.. or I passed out again... and then at 8ish.. I heard the army of Housekeeping folks driving their little golf carts in and out of the courtyard area... I put the tv on to drown them out and pass out again... Well at 9:01 am my phone rang... so much for sleeping in! I thought it was my mistake on my wake up call.. Nope.. it was Ricardo, my DVC rep.... it seems that there was a bit of a mix up with scheduling appointments.. and he had gotten double booked for my 1:00 pm time.. would I be able to come a bit earlier... like when I say? He suggests now... Hmmm.. Okay.. I can be there in about an hour I suggest... No AK this morning for me.. but that is okay.. cause then I can have a whole day free with nothing to split it up... I shower and dress and make a quick stop at the Food Court for some Hot Tea.. hop in the car and off to SSR... I miss the turnoff into SSR as it still reads Lake Buena Vista Golf Course Very prominantly.. and SSR is there too.. but just not as obviously.... so.. I double back and am there right on time.. I pull in at 10:00 am. I am greeted by some very lovely CM's.. and notice immediately how very busy it seems there... you would have thought they were giving the DVC memberships away. I am sure it is not always that busy. I am given a name tag to wear (oops.. I just realized.. I think I left that sucker on all day!!! ) and am shown into a reception area.. they have tea, coffee, muffins, pastry, juice.. and some other things there... for while you wait... but I didn't wait long. Ricardo comes bounding into the room.. we introduce ourselves.. and then it is off into my very own golf cart to see the sights... now.. Ricardo knew I had already decided to purchase.. he even had my deposit (see the above post) so.. I think I got the abbreviated version of the tour.. he didn't have to "sell" me.. so, I was shown the room types.. Very Nice!... and then brought back to the offices to review the paperwork.. we did not tour the entire resort.. no pool or any other place.. short and sweet.. but I did feel a little gipped.. That's okay.. I have 54 more years to tour the resorts!!! We went into this maze of offices.. all very nice.. sat down and I took out the paperwork I had prefilled at home and brought along (I do my homework) Ricardo was pleased that I had come so prepared (I think he had another appointment breathing down his neck!) He took my paperwork to be reviewed and said he would be right back... well... I am not one to sit idle... So.. I decided at that point to call Disney Dining and join DDE... I was just about through when Ricardo came back into the room with an envelope.. he handed it to me.. and said.. here.. I'll be right back.. but this is to thank you for switching your appt... I finished with the DDE rep who promised to fax my confirmation to the front desk of POP and I opened the Envelope... inside were 2 Q&C dining vouchers... that was so nice of him... it really was not inconvenient for me to switch... but it was a very nice gesture... Ricardo then returned with another Rep who he introduced as the finance guy. This one sat with me and Ricardo went off to his other appt. The new Rep told me I was approved for my financing.. and we got down to the nitty gritty.. Signing Near the Mickey Ears.. and Dating near the Palm Trees! I thought that was hysterical!! Anyway.. 5000 signatures later.. and I was officially an DVC'er. I was escorted out through the back way of the offices.. through the Ice Cream Parlor... (I was offered some Ice Cream.. but since I hadn't even had breakfast yet, it didn't really appeal to me! I saw a picture station set up... and I read somewhere that they take your picture when you join.. but I wasn't offered that.. so.. I just sort of said thanks, bye.. and took my backpack full of books and got back into my car... Hmmm.. sort of Anti-climatic... I guess I was expecting a bunch of balloons to fall out of the sky with some confetti... just seemed sort of ... flat... .... well.. nonetheless... I am the proud owner of points at SSR... and am considering an add on already! Okay.. so.. here it is 11:00 am.. I am the proud Owner of a Piece of the Magic.. what should I do now??? Why go to Universal of course!!
I figured a few Roller Coasters would give me the excitement I was lacking at the moment! So.. off I go..... I4 here I come! Up next: Okay.. okay.. so I cheated on the mouse.. and I was very very bad at Universal!
Annie&Hallie'sMom
<font color=deeppink>Things turn out best for peop
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2001
- Messages
- 3,054
You celebrated your DVC purchase by going to Universal??? You need to turn over your DVC paperwork to me right now! You are BAD! And must be punished! ;
Valentine
<font color=purple>BL II - Purple Team<br><font co
- Joined
- May 22, 2001
- Messages
- 1,431
Off to Universal.....for those of you who have never been.. I have lots of pics to tell the tale.. so enjoy this section.. for those of you who are anti-universal.. skip this post.. I'll be back at Disney later in the day.. I Promise!!
Okay, so.. I am on my way to universal... a little background info here as well... I used to be a Universal snob.. dedicated to Mickey only... Well..last year was the year that changed all of that... (there are some trip reports out there that attest to my conversion.. although sadly.. I never finished them) The short version goes like this: My boss lives in Florida part time.. They LOVE Universal.. the coasters, water rides, thrills, etc. They are not so much into the "magic". Well.. as part of my vacation time is spent with them when come down here, I decided that time in a Theme park is better then time spent sitting on their "lanai" staring at each other... so.. universal it was. Now.. it is August.. Hot, Crowded.. what to do?? I read about FOTL.. Hmmm.. Intriguing.. so I investigate further and find that if I stay at a Universal hotel for 1 night I get FOTL access for 2 full days... Sounds great.. so.. I book 1 night.. but then I see the buy 2 days get 5 days tix.. and buy that.. well, I figure since I have the tix, I might as well make the most of it.. and book 2 nights at universal... So.. We go.. get those Magical room key cards (note: this will be important later) I got 3 as I booked a room for 3 adults even though only I would be actually sleeping there.. so I could have cards for all of us... something happened where the keys didn't work in the door of the room so they printed 3 more.. now I have 6.. .. Long story short.. we toured the parks.. got FOTL for everything.. rode lots of coasters.. had a great "thrilling" time... and decided that Universal is pretty cool! BUT it is still not Disney... So.. Universal feeds my need for speed.. while Disney fills my heart!
Back to present day: Since I am feeling the need for a little excitement.. and some breakfast!! I roll on into the parking garage which is about 5 miles from the parks.. I put on my hiking shoes and head on over to purchase my AP... I decide that the AP is the way to go ticket wise as I know I will be sure to be at Universal again when I spend some more time with the Boss! Also, you get free parking, 20% off of ALL food and beverages in the parks and on Citiwalk Counter service and sit down!!! And 20% off of all merchandise. There are some other great discounts also... but those are the ones I utilized most.
For those of you who are NOT Universal savvy, basically this is how Universal is set up. There is Citiwalk - their version of Downtown Disney; Universal Studios - the original park.. tamer rides, more 3d movies.. less thrill rides here; and, Islands of Adventure - The big coasters, Water Rides, Suess Landing. The parks have separate admissions.. unless you have an AP.. or 2 park tix... You have to leave one park and walk over to the other and re-enter... but everything is in walking distance. If you go during a non-busy time, it is feasible to hit both parks in one day.. but you will not see everything in both parks.... Universal is catching onto the idea of having stuff to look at while you go from attraction to attraction.. so, to stop and smell the roses in each park , you should really spend at least one day in each park. Okay... so, description done.. off to the parks:
Here is the first thing you see as you cross the bridge from Citiwalk heading towards Islands of Adventure
I start to feel my feet moving a bit faster... I am not sure if it is the promise of food or that first rush as you loop midair?? I head over to the ticket kiosk and see a small line... it moves pretty quickly and I am soon an AP holder 2x!!! Wow.... Disney, DVC and Universal.. I feel like I own the world!!
I head on into the park and am directed to go and have my picture taken.. (See.. that extra primping time for the Pic I expected at the DVC did not go to waste!! Someone wants my picture!!)
AP in hand.. (Oh.. and for those who care.. Universal AP's are Hard Plastic.. like a credit card.. This is one thing I think Disney should do also.. the flimsy cardboard tickets just don't hold up well) I head off to get some breakfast... not much to pick from at 11:30 am.. so I take one for the team and I have an apple danish.. yeah.. more points.. but Hey.. all the roller coaster riding will surely wipe them right off my butt!
Now.. off to ride...... As I turn the corner.. I hear it first.. almost feel it... The rumble.. then the "Whoosh"... and then I see it... a coaster of legend.. The Hulk
I feel a giggle start at the pit of my tummy... and work it's way out of my rapidly growing grin. I shoot off a few more shots and watched the faces of the people walking in who have never witnessed the Hulk before.. from amazement to terror to pure excitement.. you either love it or you hate it... I LOVE it!
I head on over to the entrance and I see there is no line... how exciting.. I work my way through to the loading zone and there it is... I get on and in no time I am shooting out into the loops, spins, corkscrews and speed. Wow... what a rush!! Again!!! I go around and ride it immediately! Here is the one and only pic I was able to snap of all of the ride photos... apparently the parks have gotten wise to folks taking pics of their pics and don't look too kindly upon it anymore! Oh well.. the one time I did it and I got busted!! that's me in the last seat on the right.. Oh.. sorta easy... the only girl!! Notice my HUGE grin!!
My first coaster of the day under my belt.. it's time to visit Spidey
I love this ride for 2 reasons.. it is lots of fun... I didn't get the hype the first time I rode it.. but since I have ridden it many times and am appreciating it more and more... the second reason is they have a single riders line which makes the wait non-existant... Gotta love that!! My visit with spidey done and I realize that I forgot to try and read the Manhole cover again.. so I go again right away... 2nd time through I still don't get it.. but I decide I will try again later... I ask a ride attendant on the way out if they know what the manhole cover says.. and they look at me strangely.. so I guess that's a no??? So.. if anyone knows.. Please PM me!!!! I never got to ride again during my trip.. so...I would love to know!
It's off to toon Lagoon.. no water rides for me today as the temps are just not too favorable... but I love the detail of this area of the park... here are some shots for you to appreciate
I was a bit bummed not to be able to do the water rides here because they are in my opinion, some of the best themed and wettest water rides around... I remember feeling as if I just got out of the tub each time I got off of a ride.. but.. that would have to wait.. hopefully the temperatures would rise during the next few days as right now it was a bit brisk!
So, I sadly pass through Toon Lagoon amazed at all of the people actually partaking in the water rides.. foolishing thinking that sad little poncho was any protection against the water power of Toon Lagoon... A place that is riddled with water cannons hidden at every turn... operated by park guests... at every turn you are in danger of being blasted... so.. tread carefully... keep your eyes averted.. and move quickly....
I head next into Jurassic Park... the detail in the area of the park is also very realistic... I can attest to this as my last trip to this park I ended up back in this area of the park rather late in the evening and found myself to be quite alone... completely alone.. not another human to be seen... it was dark, and I truly believe that there were things lurking in the foliage... quite frightening..
In this area there is a ride called River Adventures... I decided to give this one a try as the wet factor was pretty minimal.... So.. On I go and I see, once again, no line... .. I load myself into the boat and head off for my adventure... as we hit the drop... something hits me... apparently the guy in the very front row didn't listen to all of those "take off your hats" warnings.. believe me.. they are true... cause I almost lost an eye on this trip down the hill... His hat flew off and hit me square in the face.. bounced off of me.. and amazingly the guy next to me caught it mid flight... this is all captured in the ride photo which I do not have thanks to the photo guards!!!! But I am living proof... TAKE OFF YOUR HATS!!!!
Well.. by now that little old Apple Danish (although full of points) did not fill me. So, I end up grabbing a bite at the Enchanted Oak. I have a burger and a Non-alchoholic Beer and sit on the little patio that is set in the back.. I like this restaurant.. it is set inside the base of a tree.. pretty cool! The food choices are really good.. there are ribs, chicken, burgers, Corn.. there is a full service bar.. and Lots and Lots of tables.. but my favorite part of the restaurant is that it sits right across from my favorite ride in Islands of Adventure... Dueling Dragons..
The picture says it all!! The Blue track is Ice, the Orange is Fire.. they are 2 coasters that run simultaneously and sort of race... This is by far the smoothest coaster I have ever ridden... I have ridden this coaster over 50 times in only 2 trips!! Excellent!!
I get my fill of Dueling Dragons and head on into Suess Landing..
Okay, so.. I am on my way to universal... a little background info here as well... I used to be a Universal snob.. dedicated to Mickey only... Well..last year was the year that changed all of that... (there are some trip reports out there that attest to my conversion.. although sadly.. I never finished them) The short version goes like this: My boss lives in Florida part time.. They LOVE Universal.. the coasters, water rides, thrills, etc. They are not so much into the "magic". Well.. as part of my vacation time is spent with them when come down here, I decided that time in a Theme park is better then time spent sitting on their "lanai" staring at each other... so.. universal it was. Now.. it is August.. Hot, Crowded.. what to do?? I read about FOTL.. Hmmm.. Intriguing.. so I investigate further and find that if I stay at a Universal hotel for 1 night I get FOTL access for 2 full days... Sounds great.. so.. I book 1 night.. but then I see the buy 2 days get 5 days tix.. and buy that.. well, I figure since I have the tix, I might as well make the most of it.. and book 2 nights at universal... So.. We go.. get those Magical room key cards (note: this will be important later) I got 3 as I booked a room for 3 adults even though only I would be actually sleeping there.. so I could have cards for all of us... something happened where the keys didn't work in the door of the room so they printed 3 more.. now I have 6.. .. Long story short.. we toured the parks.. got FOTL for everything.. rode lots of coasters.. had a great "thrilling" time... and decided that Universal is pretty cool!
BUT it is still not Disney... So.. Universal feeds my need for speed.. while Disney fills my heart! Back to present day: Since I am feeling the need for a little excitement.. and some breakfast!!
I roll on into the parking garage which is about 5 miles from the parks.. I put on my hiking shoes and head on over to purchase my AP... I decide that the AP is the way to go ticket wise as I know I will be sure to be at Universal again when I spend some more time with the Boss! Also, you get free parking, 20% off of ALL food and beverages in the parks and on Citiwalk Counter service and sit down!!! And 20% off of all merchandise. There are some other great discounts also... but those are the ones I utilized most. For those of you who are NOT Universal savvy, basically this is how Universal is set up. There is Citiwalk - their version of Downtown Disney; Universal Studios - the original park.. tamer rides, more 3d movies.. less thrill rides here; and, Islands of Adventure - The big coasters, Water Rides, Suess Landing. The parks have separate admissions.. unless you have an AP.. or 2 park tix... You have to leave one park and walk over to the other and re-enter... but everything is in walking distance. If you go during a non-busy time, it is feasible to hit both parks in one day.. but you will not see everything in both parks.... Universal is catching onto the idea of having stuff to look at while you go from attraction to attraction.. so, to stop and smell the roses in each park , you should really spend at least one day in each park. Okay... so, description done.. off to the parks:
Here is the first thing you see as you cross the bridge from Citiwalk heading towards Islands of Adventure
I start to feel my feet moving a bit faster... I am not sure if it is the promise of food or that first rush as you loop midair??
I head over to the ticket kiosk and see a small line... it moves pretty quickly and I am soon an AP holder 2x!!! Wow.... Disney, DVC and Universal.. I feel like I own the world!! I head on into the park and am directed to go and have my picture taken.. (See.. that extra primping time for the Pic I expected at the DVC did not go to waste!! Someone wants my picture!!)
AP in hand.. (Oh.. and for those who care.. Universal AP's are Hard Plastic.. like a credit card.. This is one thing I think Disney should do also.. the flimsy cardboard tickets just don't hold up well) I head off to get some breakfast... not much to pick from at 11:30 am.. so I take one for the team and I have an apple danish.. yeah.. more points.. but Hey.. all the roller coaster riding will surely wipe them right off my butt!
Now.. off to ride...... As I turn the corner.. I hear it first.. almost feel it... The rumble.. then the "Whoosh"... and then I see it... a coaster of legend.. The Hulk
I feel a giggle start at the pit of my tummy... and work it's way out of my rapidly growing grin. I shoot off a few more shots and watched the faces of the people walking in who have never witnessed the Hulk before.. from amazement to terror to pure excitement.. you either love it or you hate it... I LOVE it!
I head on over to the entrance and I see there is no line... how exciting.. I work my way through to the loading zone and there it is... I get on and in no time I am shooting out into the loops, spins, corkscrews and speed. Wow... what a rush!! Again!!! I go around and ride it immediately! Here is the one and only pic I was able to snap of all of the ride photos... apparently the parks have gotten wise to folks taking pics of their pics and don't look too kindly upon it anymore! Oh well.. the one time I did it and I got busted!!
that's me in the last seat on the right.. Oh.. sorta easy... the only girl!! Notice my HUGE grin!!
My first coaster of the day under my belt.. it's time to visit Spidey
I love this ride for 2 reasons.. it is lots of fun... I didn't get the hype the first time I rode it.. but since I have ridden it many times and am appreciating it more and more... the second reason is they have a single riders line which makes the wait non-existant... Gotta love that!! My visit with spidey done and I realize that I forgot to try and read the Manhole cover again.. so I go again right away... 2nd time through I still don't get it.. but I decide I will try again later... I ask a ride attendant on the way out if they know what the manhole cover says.. and they look at me strangely.. so I guess that's a no???
So.. if anyone knows.. Please PM me!!!! I never got to ride again during my trip.. so...I would love to know!It's off to toon Lagoon.. no water rides for me today as the temps are just not too favorable... but I love the detail of this area of the park... here are some shots for you to appreciate
I was a bit bummed not to be able to do the water rides here because they are in my opinion, some of the best themed and wettest water rides around... I remember feeling as if I just got out of the tub each time I got off of a ride.. but.. that would have to wait.. hopefully the temperatures would rise during the next few days as right now it was a bit brisk!
So, I sadly pass through Toon Lagoon amazed at all of the people actually partaking in the water rides.. foolishing thinking that sad little poncho was any protection against the water power of Toon Lagoon... A place that is riddled with water cannons hidden at every turn... operated by park guests... at every turn you are in danger of being blasted... so.. tread carefully... keep your eyes averted.. and move quickly....
I head next into Jurassic Park... the detail in the area of the park is also very realistic... I can attest to this as my last trip to this park I ended up back in this area of the park rather late in the evening and found myself to be quite alone... completely alone.. not another human to be seen... it was dark, and I truly believe that there were things lurking in the foliage... quite frightening..
In this area there is a ride called River Adventures... I decided to give this one a try as the wet factor was pretty minimal.... So.. On I go and I see, once again, no line... .. I load myself into the boat and head off for my adventure... as we hit the drop... something hits me... apparently the guy in the very front row didn't listen to all of those "take off your hats" warnings.. believe me.. they are true... cause I almost lost an eye on this trip down the hill... His hat flew off and hit me square in the face.. bounced off of me.. and amazingly the guy next to me caught it mid flight... this is all captured in the ride photo which I do not have thanks to the photo guards!!!! But I am living proof... TAKE OFF YOUR HATS!!!!
Well.. by now that little old Apple Danish (although full of points) did not fill me. So, I end up grabbing a bite at the Enchanted Oak. I have a burger and a Non-alchoholic Beer and sit on the little patio that is set in the back.. I like this restaurant.. it is set inside the base of a tree.. pretty cool! The food choices are really good.. there are ribs, chicken, burgers, Corn.. there is a full service bar.. and Lots and Lots of tables.. but my favorite part of the restaurant is that it sits right across from my favorite ride in Islands of Adventure... Dueling Dragons..
The picture says it all!! The Blue track is Ice, the Orange is Fire.. they are 2 coasters that run simultaneously and sort of race... This is by far the smoothest coaster I have ever ridden... I have ridden this coaster over 50 times in only 2 trips!! Excellent!!
I get my fill of Dueling Dragons and head on into Suess Landing..
Valentine
<font color=purple>BL II - Purple Team<br><font co
- Joined
- May 22, 2001
- Messages
- 1,431
As a huge Dr. Suess fan.. I enjoy the whimsical nature of this part of the park... it just makes you want to skip...
I love the characters ... Thing One and Thing Two being 2 of my faves.. but of course.. who doesn't love
Apparently not too many folks were interested in this guy though..
He was always alone.. noone was in his line to get pics .. I felt sorry for him and went over to play with the coin press machine (yeah.. Universal has those now too!!)
I took a ride on the Carasuessel.. and then a ride on The Cat In the Hat..
Time to head over to Universal Studios!
Valentine
<font color=purple>BL II - Purple Team<br><font co
- Joined
- May 22, 2001
- Messages
- 1,431
Annie&Hallie'sMom said:You celebrated your DVC purchase by going to Universal??? You need to turn over your DVC paperwork to me right now! You are BAD! And must be punished! ;
Hee, hee!!! That is exactly how I felt!! I didn't plan it that way.. really.. I swear!!
It just sorta happened!
Kathy
Valentine
<font color=purple>BL II - Purple Team<br><font co
- Joined
- May 22, 2001
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I stroll on over to the Studios and find the crowds.. seems everyone is over here today! there are lots of signs about mardi Gras celebration on Sat nights... I think I may come back and check it out... but for now I have only one thing in mind.. The Mummy... It is such a really cool ride.. which also has a single riders line!!
I get on the line and as usual, encounter some really nice people while waiting... lots of people waiting in the line are not really sure what kind of ride this is.. they are asking me as I seem to be quite familiar with the ride.. I tell them it is fabulous... but as I am a coaster person.. to take that with a grain of salt!!
the Mummy is an indoor roller coaster.. it does not invert.. but it has it's own charm... A Must Do!! The ride operators are always in character and make the loading area a lot of fun!
I have a blast as usual on the Mummy and decide that there isn't much else I want to ride and I want to head back over to MGM for EMH. My thrill meter has been filled.. my heart is craving my Good old Disney!! So, I head on back to my car.. walk the 600 miles back to the parking lot in the FREEZING COLD!!!!
It really is getting a bit nippy. Luckily, I had left my jacket and sweatshirt in the car from when I got to Florida.. was that only yesterday??? So, I don the sweatshirt and Jacket and head over to MGM. It is a relatively short ride only about 15 -20 min. Not bad for park hopping!
I utilize the AAA parking here as well... they have moved the location at MGM.. it is a bit closer to the front.. but still a little bit of a walk... I hop out of the car and I head to the gate. I do my usual strip routine.. and hope that noone can smell the Universal on me... I avert my eyes from the CM's wishing me a magical evening... do they know?? can they tell?? I flash my AP in the hopes that will distract them from the ugly truth... I had just visited Universal on Disney time! Oh the horrors!!! It seems to have worked.. they even gave me my EMH Wristband.. Whew! I am still Family!! I wandered around for a bit and headed back over to Sunset to catch Fantasmic... all this week there is only going to be one showing a night.. even with EMH... so.. 7pm is it. As I get nearer to the theater I hear the CM's shouting Standing Room only... since it is only 6:15 at this point, I decide it is probably not the best night for me to try and catch Fantasmic! I still have quite a few nights left to catch it.. and as it is one of my favorite shows, I know I will definitely make time to get back here... Okay.. so no Fantasmic... what next?? well... of course since I am here. .TOT... Oh boy... the lines way too long.... same thing for RnRc.... Hmmm... seems like EMH at MGM may be a bust... or maybe I just have been running too much and it's too cold! I take a few nightime shots before heading out and back to the car. The hotel is where I am heading... the MK is my goal for the morning... EMH in the am.
I have to admit that although I am happy to be in Disney.. i am not quite feeling the magic like I usually do. Something is off.. I don't know what it is.. but there it is... nagging at me... Disney can usually wipe away whatever unhappiness is lingering in my heart.. it can make all of lifes big problems seem small. I wonder if I am feeling lonely ..for the first time... my solo trip is feeling a little too solo... Hmmmm.. gee.. I think I really am tired!!
I am probably just tired.. and crabby cause it's cold... and I usually take my long afternoon breaks by the pool. I haven't been able to do that cause of the cold.. so.. I chalk it up to that and brush it aside. It is at this point that i realize that I once again have forgotten dinner! Gee.. could that be the cause of my blues.. a little low blood sugar?? Hmmm?? Well.. we will fix that right up... I hit up the food court again.. and get a chicken wrap from the refrigerated section... and I have the carrots in my fridge...and since I am being sooooo good.. I throw in a peice of the chocolate cake for good measure! that will kick up my blood sugar! Who's better than me!!??
I use my DDE at the food court and it works like a charm.. the savings I had in the food court alone had to cover at least half of the cost of the card. And my trip in August will be a true use of the card.
I went back to my room and ate my dinner,..surfed the DiS for a bit, watched some Golden Girls and set up my wake up call for the morning!
Time to get some rest and dream some Disney Dreams!
Kathy
next up: Magic Kingdom in the Morning..will I find my Magic in Fantasyland?
I get on the line and as usual, encounter some really nice people while waiting... lots of people waiting in the line are not really sure what kind of ride this is.. they are asking me as I seem to be quite familiar with the ride.. I tell them it is fabulous... but as I am a coaster person.. to take that with a grain of salt!!
the Mummy is an indoor roller coaster.. it does not invert.. but it has it's own charm... A Must Do!! The ride operators are always in character and make the loading area a lot of fun! I have a blast as usual on the Mummy and decide that there isn't much else I want to ride and I want to head back over to MGM for EMH. My thrill meter has been filled.. my heart is craving my Good old Disney!! So, I head on back to my car.. walk the 600 miles back to the parking lot in the FREEZING COLD!!!!
It really is getting a bit nippy. Luckily, I had left my jacket and sweatshirt in the car from when I got to Florida.. was that only yesterday??? So, I don the sweatshirt and Jacket and head over to MGM. It is a relatively short ride only about 15 -20 min. Not bad for park hopping!
I utilize the AAA parking here as well... they have moved the location at MGM.. it is a bit closer to the front.. but still a little bit of a walk... I hop out of the car and I head to the gate. I do my usual strip routine.. and hope that noone can smell the Universal on me... I avert my eyes from the CM's wishing me a magical evening... do they know?? can they tell?? I flash my AP in the hopes that will distract them from the ugly truth... I had just visited Universal on Disney time! Oh the horrors!!! It seems to have worked.. they even gave me my EMH Wristband.. Whew! I am still Family!! I wandered around for a bit and headed back over to Sunset to catch Fantasmic... all this week there is only going to be one showing a night.. even with EMH... so.. 7pm is it. As I get nearer to the theater I hear the CM's shouting Standing Room only... since it is only 6:15 at this point, I decide it is probably not the best night for me to try and catch Fantasmic! I still have quite a few nights left to catch it.. and as it is one of my favorite shows, I know I will definitely make time to get back here... Okay.. so no Fantasmic... what next?? well... of course since I am here. .TOT... Oh boy... the lines way too long.... same thing for RnRc.... Hmmm... seems like EMH at MGM may be a bust... or maybe I just have been running too much and it's too cold! I take a few nightime shots before heading out and back to the car. The hotel is where I am heading... the MK is my goal for the morning... EMH in the am.
I have to admit that although I am happy to be in Disney.. i am not quite feeling the magic like I usually do. Something is off.. I don't know what it is.. but there it is... nagging at me... Disney can usually wipe away whatever unhappiness is lingering in my heart.. it can make all of lifes big problems seem small. I wonder if I am feeling lonely ..for the first time... my solo trip is feeling a little too solo... Hmmmm.. gee.. I think I really am tired!!
I am probably just tired.. and crabby cause it's cold... and I usually take my long afternoon breaks by the pool. I haven't been able to do that cause of the cold.. so.. I chalk it up to that and brush it aside. It is at this point that i realize that I once again have forgotten dinner! Gee.. could that be the cause of my blues.. a little low blood sugar?? Hmmm?? Well.. we will fix that right up... I hit up the food court again.. and get a chicken wrap from the refrigerated section... and I have the carrots in my fridge...and since I am being sooooo good.. I throw in a peice of the chocolate cake for good measure! that will kick up my blood sugar! Who's better than me!!??
I use my DDE at the food court and it works like a charm.. the savings I had in the food court alone had to cover at least half of the cost of the card. And my trip in August will be a true use of the card.
I went back to my room and ate my dinner,..surfed the DiS for a bit, watched some Golden Girls and set up my wake up call for the morning!
Time to get some rest and dream some Disney Dreams!
Kathy
next up: Magic Kingdom in the Morning..will I find my Magic in Fantasyland?
WDW Poly Princess
Needs a Disney Fix
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2000
- Messages
- 4,873
Just got caught up on your report- really enjoying it so far!
I feel kind of stupid, but I don't get the 222 joke!
Isn't ot funny how you can go in a park, check a couple of ride waits, take a few pictures, and feel done there? The wonder of AP's!
Who is the baby in your signature, btw? SO cute!
I feel kind of stupid, but I don't get the 222 joke!
Isn't ot funny how you can go in a park, check a couple of ride waits, take a few pictures, and feel done there? The wonder of AP's!
Who is the baby in your signature, btw? SO cute!
Valentine
<font color=purple>BL II - Purple Team<br><font co
- Joined
- May 22, 2001
- Messages
- 1,431
WDW Poly Princess said:
Hey Crystal! Thanks!! I am enjoying your reports as well....
The 222 joke is for us old folks!!
There was an tv show on called Room 222 and the star of the show was Karen Valentine... So.. I just thought since my name is Valentine and I got Room 222 that was pretty funny! Oh.. and the cutest baby in the world in my pics is my Nephew JoJo.. that is his tough guy face... and I am training him in all things Disney. He will be inheriting my SSR shares after all!!
Thanks for reading!
When is your next update???
Kathy
Valentine
<font color=purple>BL II - Purple Team<br><font co
- Joined
- May 22, 2001
- Messages
- 1,431
Okay.. I am Back!!! I can't believe I completely forgot the most important moment of my entire vacation... the one thing that made me jump up and down with Glee..
When I returned to POP after my long day of purchasing a piece of the magic.. I got a piece of magic of my very own in return.. My VERY FIRST Towel Animal!!!
I was sooooo excited.. in all of my stays at Deluxe resorts.. NEVER a towel animal.. never fun stuff in my room... NADA.. (and btw.. I happen to be a good tipper.. coming from the service industry myself.. I know how hard it is.. so I show my appreciation) and finally.. it took me staying at POP to get a towel animal!! Such fun!! I got a Minnie mouse Head... with heart stickers on it.. and Dumbo around the water spout in the sink... Soooo cool.. of course.. I forgot to upload those pics here.. so.. I will have to edit later tonight!
(insert pic)
So.. off to dreamland I went with visions of Minnie Heads.. and a huge grin on my face... Some of the Magic had reappeared!
So.. Day 3 arrives with another early wake up call... I want to head over to the MK for EMH and I am making very good time. I want to try and get there for the opening ceremonies I have heard so much about.. but have yet to see... I grab my refillable mug and head over to the food court a cup of tea.. grab it and decide to see what the bus situation was like... as taking the bus to the MK is a much better idea than driving cause the bus does leave right at the entrance to the MK.. good idea when you are travelling on a tight schedule... when I got outside to the bus stop, I see a long line.. but then I also see something I have NEVER witnessed before.. 2 busses being loaded at the same time.. the line was feeding into both.. so.. magically the line disappeared and I was on my bus and on my way. We made it to the MK in good time.. but not good enough to catch the ceremony.. I caught the tail end of the music.. but not the train/character thing.. Oh well.. something to look forward to!! I head down Main Street and right into Fantasyland.. I know from experience that this is probably the only time I will get to hit the Fantasyland attractions with little to no waits.. and being alone... it's the best time for me. When I get into Fantasyland I see something so exciting.. Dumbo is open! I didn't expect that during my trip.. there is just something so depressing about walking through fantasyland and not seeing Dumbo... It was like the whole world came to life.. there was Dumbo... and I went right to him... I only had to wait one loading and then I was up soaring in the early morning chill... A nice way to start the day...
(insert pic here)
I do the usual succession of Fantasyland rides.. with one exception.. Pooh is down... (this would be a recurrent theme this trip... the one time I did get to ride it.. I got stuck in there)... But I did get to ride Peter Pan and Snow White.. where I really observed this time how scary that ride can be for little kids... It is VERY dark .. both in theme and lighting. There was a mom (I think) and her little girl in line behind me.. and when we were loading the cm put me in the front row and them behind me.. I immediately offered to switch so the little one could have the front seat.. which they took.. without so much as a thank you.. btw!! and throughout the ride I could see how anxious the little girl would become.. she would shrink into her mom during the dark parts and sit up straight during the not so dark parts... at the end of the ride her mom was telling her that she was sorry for putting her on such a "stupid" ride.. I guess that was their cue or substitute word for "scary"... I found that I was so distracted watching this little girl's reaction to the ride that didnt' get appreciate the ride itself.. so, I went on again!
After that i headed over to The Tea Cups and had a flash back to some woman yelling at me on my last solo trip that I was depriving her little girl of her "purple" tea cup.. because i approached it and got in.. and wasn't psychic enough to know that they were coming from the other side of the ride to get the purple cup... She was YELLING at me.. and just sooo nasty... even so, I still offered the purple cup to her for her daughter.. who.. btw.. had already settled herself very happily into a pink cup across the way as she had decided that was the color she meant... the mother indignently stomped away from me without so much as an apology.. and left me feeling guilty for absolutely nothing... to this day.. I still remember this .. and that is exactly how I felt this morning as I carefully chose the green tea cup thinking that not too many kids would want that color.. amazing how people's bad attitude can stick with you... Oh well!... I enjoyed my trip on the cups.. but I think I need to go back to the gym.. cause my upper body strength is nonexistent.. I couldn't move that cup for anything!!
After my spinning time.. or lack thereof... I head past the Indy Speedway... and then rethought that.. recalling a thread of things never done in MK.. now.. I have been on the speedway before.. but not in many many many years.. because the line is always just soooooo longs.. but as I glance back to the attraction, I see the line is very short.. for that ride.. so i decide to take drive!
insert photo
Well.. all I have to say is that this is much harder than it looks!! LOL!! I was laughing so hard.. I couldn't keep the car straight.. I was bouncing all over the place.. it was a riot!! I would definitely do that again!! I had a good laugh! There were 5 year olds driving better than me!
At this point I have no idea where I went... so I have to wait till I get home to look at my photo trail to boost my memory! LOL!!
SO.. I will finish this later!
Kathy
Ron from Michigan
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
- Messages
- 5,938
Where Oh Where is the next chapter.
Disneygrl36
Happy DVC member!!!!
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2004
- Messages
- 4,269
Where's the rest.......??????
DisneyDame
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2004
- Messages
- 116
Can't wait for you next installment!!! I'm loving your report!!!
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DisneyDame
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DisneyDame
catherines_mama
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2003
- Messages
- 1,950
excuse me! We were reading here! Come on.. hop to! LOL
Loving the reports and cannot wait for more! Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. Seems like a blast. Can't really tell.. YOU STOPPED!
Loving the reports and cannot wait for more! Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. Seems like a blast. Can't really tell.. YOU STOPPED!
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