Celebrating Halloween Disney Style (reprised for those in the midst of planning for 2001)
Premier Homes Oct. 26-31, 2000
Goblins invade Disney I (Pre-trip)
Cast of Characters:
CDisney (32), DH(33), DS(5), DS(3), DN(8), DB(28), DM(55)
Experience was on my side as I planned the second trip for our extended family of seven. With three children and four adults to contend with, the driving principle of all the arrangements was minimize the potential for aggravation.
·We stayed at the airport hotel the night before our 8 a.m. flight so the kids could sleep a little later and we didnt have to rush.
·We booked a non-stop flight from Syracuse to Orlando. Mom nearly had a full-blown asthma attack racing for the connecting flight the last trip.
·We rented two vehicles, a Caravan that could accommodate all of us, and a Neon so we could go our separate ways.
·To maximize privacy and comfort, we rented a four-bedroom, three-bath house from Premier Homes.
·During the planning stages, I outlined a schedule for the trip and posted it for comment so everyone had an opportunity for input.
Experience, excellent weather, and the extra planning paid off exponentially. With a strategy in place to alleviate the major stressors, the stage was set for a memorable, hassle-free vacation.
Goblins invade Disney Part II - Arrival, Premier Homes, Epcot (Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000)
The kids didnt quite understand why we had to stay at a hotel the night before our flight to Orlando, but Im sure they appreciated it when the alarm went off at 6 a.m. instead of 4. I certainly did. We had a quick breakfast at McDonalds and then the hotel shuttle took us to the airport. As an added bonus for staying overnight, we didnt have to pay for airport parking.
Although I did everything possible to keep the morning stress-free, one thing was beyond my control and I was dreading it. My 3-year-old DS is afraid of flying. I think he gets his phobia from his mother. While my reaction is a racing pulse and profuse sweating, his is heart-wrenching sobs. As we settled into our seats, he began his mantra, Mommy, Im scared. I want to get out of here. Mommy, Im scared. I want to get out of here. Mommy . . .
As the plane began taxiing out to the runway, the crying started. I apologized to the people around me and promised that it would only last about 5-10 minutes. I distracted him with new Halloween books between sobs. As soon as the plane leveled off, the tears dried up much to the relief of fellow passengers.
The rest of the flight was uneventful and we arrived in Orlando early. We picked up our luggage, moved quickly through the rental procedures at Dollar and set out to find the main office for Premier Vacation Homes. Premiers directions were flawless, but the house wasnt ready, yet. Although official check-in is at 4 p.m., we would have been allowed in upon arrival if housekeeping had finished its work early.
Rather than going directly to Epcot during the hottest part of the day, we stopped for a quick lunch and headed to Wal-Mart to pick up groceries. With enough supplies to fill the refrigerator and pantry, we backtracked to Premier, picked up the keys, and drove to our house with just a little trepidation over what wed find when we got there.
Our apprehension was unwarranted. The house was beautiful, clean, comfortable, spacious, and exceeded our expectations. It was located about 7 miles west of Disney in the Lindfield Subdivision, just off of Route 192. We rented a four-bedroom three-bath executive home, which was fully equipped with all of the modern conveniences: kitchen appliances, dishes, utensils, washer, dryer, two televisions, VCR, barbecue grill, covered lanai and a private screened-in pool.
The house had a parlor, great room, two-car garage, laundry room, kitchen, dining room, master suite with king bed, guest room with double bed, and two additional rooms each with two twin beds. I also believe the couches were the pull-out variety. My husband and I quickly laid claim to the master suite and put the boys in one of the rooms with twin beds. My brother claimed the double bed and my mother and niece shared the other room with twin beds.
As I unpacked, the kids shed their shirts and leaped into the pool, splashing about until the 72-degree waters turned their lips blue. I expected the Florida sun to be adequate and hadnt planned on paying the extra $35 per day or $150 per week to have the pool heated. But the water temperature was too chilly for our comfort so I called Premier and they warmed things up for us. The kids spent a lot of time in the pool, so the extra money was worth it. Generally, they swam before breakfast, at lunchtime and again before bed. We had to coax them to go to the parks.
There were plenty of towels for the seven of us. Because of the extensive use of the pool, we did use the washer and dryer to maintain a fresh supply. There was a starter supply of toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags and mini bar soaps. We had to purchase more to meet our needs, as well as dishwashing soap, laundry supplies and bar soap.
The house was close to plenty of restaurants and grocery stores. We were within about 2 miles of Publix and Goodings grocery stores. With 192 under renovation, the traffic did get heavy at peak travel times. The inside lane tends to move faster because of all the cars turning onto the outside lane from the multitude of hotels and restaurants. If we left at 8:15 a.m., we were at rope drop at MK by 9 a.m.
Refreshed from the afternoon dip in the pool, we all loaded into the van bound for an evening at Epcot. The plan: upgrade DNs hopper to an annual pass, Body Wars, Universe of Energy, Spaceship Earth, the Maelstrom, and Illuminations. The park was not crowded so the agenda worked well with the exception of waiting a little too long to find a spot for Illuminations.
My 3-year-olds list of phobias extends beyond flying to include dark spaces, loud noises, storms, heights, and scary animatronics, so he and I soaked up the sights while the more adventurous souls enjoyed the attractions. He was amused by the interactive areas of the Universe of Energy and played hopscotch with the lights in the sidewalk beneath Spaceship Earth. We brought Cobra FRS radios, so it was very easy to split up and reconnect as necessary.
On the return trip to the house, we got our first taste of the traffic tie-ups that we would face during peak travel times. But, the reward of the Premier Home waiting at the end of the journey was worth the minor inconvenience of an extra few minutes of drive time.
I was impressed by the fellow drivers I encountered on the way to and from the parks. Overall, they were very considerate and forgiving as people tried to merge into traffic and navigate their way to their exit.
Goblins invade Disney Part III - Magic Kingdom and MNSSHP Friday, Oct. 27, 2000
The goal this morning was to get to the Magic Kingdom by rope drop at 9 a.m., an easy feat with my 6 a.m. risers and ready-to-eat breakfast foods. The plan: stay together for Dumbo, Peter Pan, Its a Small World, and Pooh, and then separate so DH, DB, DN and 5-year-old DS could tackle Tomorrowland.
Because my immediate family had vacationed at Disney only eight weeks prior, my 5-year-old quickly grew impatient with Fantasyland. He longed for the speed of Space Mountain, the centrifugal force of Astro Blaster and the battle against Zurg. So, we went our separate ways after three Fantasyland attractions.
Since I couldnt find the right colored ribbon, I attached lime green pipe cleaners to my backpack in hopes of meeting someone from the DIS. They worked! LisaIN noticed my ribbon at Pooh and we chatted while we waited for an available honey pot. I was her third DISer of the day.
We left the MK about 12:30 p.m. so we could rest before the MNSSHP later that evening. With the call of the pool so close, the kids resisted napping so I finally gave in and let them swim instead of sleep. At least I got to lay down for 30 minutes. Mom was skipping the Halloween party in favor a quiet night at home. My 3-year-old opted to stay with her. Although I was a little sad he wasnt going with us, it did free me up to enjoy the attractions and festivities.
My 5-year-old donned his Captain Hook costume and my niece her red ninja outfit. My husband was a golfer, my brother had a black mask, and I had a gold sun mask. I was surprised that more people didnt wear costumes.
With lessons learned on the DIS boards, I booked Crystal Palace for a 5:30 p.m. dinner so I didnt have to exit the park and re-enter for the MNSSHP. We arrived back at MK at about 5 p.m. and was told at the gate that we could pick up our lime green MNSSHP bracelets near the castle. I dont know if they actually cleared the entire park between the 6 p.m. closing and 7 p.m. opening since we were inside the Crystal Palace. With the number of people inside the park at 6:30 p.m., I dont think so.
The meal was delicious and we were among the last to leave the Crystal Palace so the character interaction was wonderful. We saw the characters several times as we ate a leisurely dinner.
After dinner, we picked up maps and treat bags from the front of the park and started celebrating Halloween Disney style. The lines for the treat stations and free family photos were long toward the front of the park, so we made our way deeper into Tomorrowland. The kids picked up a few treats and then we noticed that the line to Space Mountain was non-existent. We rode three times before other people started to find the attraction. Although a little longer than Space, we also took advantage of the shorter line of the Speedway.
We spent the rest of the evening absorbing the atmosphere and trick-or-treating. We caught the fireworks before my 5-year-old fell asleep and ended the night with the late parade. We had a good time and would go to MNSSHP again. However, I would skip the parks in the morning and try harder to get the kids to sleep so they could endure the late night.
Goblins invade Disney Part IV - Mini-Golf and IoA - (Saturday, Oct. 28, 2000)
Todays philosophy was divide and conquer. DB, DM, and DN left bright and early for IoA. They said they thoroughly enjoyed the parks theming and its attractions, especially Spiderman and the Hulk. Technically, DN was about a half inch shy of the height limit for the Hulk, but the attendant let her ride much to her delight. She is a roller coaster hound.
Meanwhile, the rest of us spent a leisurely morning at the house before going to Winterland Miniature Golf for 18 holes. I remembered to use our AP to get the discount. The course is easy for young golfers with many of the greens sloping toward the hole.
Little tummies started to rumble after sinking the final hole, so we headed for the Wilderness Lodge to eat at Whispering Canyon Café. The primary reason for eating there was to see the resort. It truly is impressive. Our server was Galloping Gabe who told us the tale of how Pocohontas changed him from a horse into a man. The kids smiled as they listened to his story.
We had the all-you-can-eat family-style platter with beef, chicken, ribs, corn, coleslaw, and beans. It was good, but I dont think Id pay the dinner price for the same meal. The shakes were delicious. The crowd was relatively light, so there wasnt a lot of shenanigans for entertainment. The kids did get to gallop around the dining room in honor of one guests birthday.
After lunch, we went to Fantasia Gardens for another 18 holes of miniature golf. This course was more challenging with obstacles and inclines that were difficult to overcome for my two young ones. My 3-year-old threw in the towel on the sixth hole, so he and I headed to the refreshment stand for a soda. The attendant was kind enough to give us a rain check so we could have another go at it later.
After the round, the cool waters of the pool beckoned so we returned to the house for a swim. The temperature was steadily climbing now that the heater was on, which only served to entice the kids to stay in the pool even longer. Can you say prunes? My DB, DN, and DM put in a full day at IoA before they joined us in the pool.
With everyone home, it was time for my husband and I to sneak away for an evening alone at Epcot. The plan: eat my way around the world. The Food and Wine Festival made that lofty goal possible. We split the appetizer-sized samples as we moved from country to country around the World Showcase. Cheese puffs, chicken satay, venison stew, and baklava were a few of the items we tasted at a price of $1.50 to $4 for each item. It seemed like a nice revenue stream for Disney.
At 9 p.m., we hopped over to the Magic Kingdom to catch the MSEP, but my energy level took a dive and we exited without seeing it. Maybe next time.
Next: National Car Classic, Animal Kingdom, MGM - Goblins invade Disney Part V (Oct. 29)
Goblins invade Disney Part V - National Car Classic, Animal Kingdom, MGM
(Sunday, Oct 29, 2000)
Today was my husbands dream day. He was excused from the family festivities to attend the final round of the National Car Rental Golf Classic with Tiger Woods as the defending champion. The highlight for him was getting to shake Tigers hand. I was just in the right place at the right time, he said. For the record, Tiger didnt retain his title.
Meanwhile, the rest of us explored Animal Kingdom in the morning to see some of the attractions that my DN had missed on her last visit. The kids played for about 90 minutes in the Bone Yard. Then, my 3-year-old blew bubbles with Grandma while the rest of us experienced Dinosaur. My DN said it freaked her out a little bit. All three kids enjoyed the high energy of Tarzan Rocks, even though it was hard on their eardrums. I really dont understand why Disney has to pump up the volume to the point of discomfort.
After a quick lunch at Flametree Barbecue, we headed back to the house for a swim to get refreshed for a late afternoon at MGM. The plan: The Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, Backstage Tour, Tower of Terror and Rockn Roller Coaster. Tower of Terror continues to rank #1 on my 5-year-olds list of favorite attractions. He is an adventurous soul who fears nothing other than being too short to get on a ride. He rode ToT twice with my DB, while I took my niece on RnR. She is a Pokeman fan and was delighted to meet two women from Japan who recognized many of the characters on her Pokeman shirt.
Leaving MGM around 7 p.m., we set out on a mission to find cheese enchiladas, beans and rice. We were raised in Texas and Tex-Mex is hard to come by in Central New York. Taco Bell doesnt count. My DB had spotted a Don Pablos on International Drive on an earlier excursion. After a few wrong turns, we found the restaurant and were not disappointed. The food was delicious, the portions large and the prices reasonable. We ordered take-out for my mother and husband. Mom gave it two thumbs up.
Goblins invade Disney Part VI - Universal, Islands of Adventure, Haunted Horror Nights (Monday, Oct. 30, 2000)
We had a few false starts this morning. My 3-year-old wanted to stay home with my mother, but he also wanted to come with us. When he couldnt make up his mind, I sent my DB and DN on ahead. Finally, we hit the road bound for Universal but had to turn around about three miles later. I miss grandma. I want grandma.
With him back into grandmas arms, we set out once again for Universal and found the park empty. We did Twister, Kongfrontation, Earthquake, Jaws, Men in Black, Woodys Coaster, and Back to the Future in less than three hours. My 5-year-old loved them all, especially Back to the Future.
With the major attractions under our belt, we hopped over to IoA to meet up with my DB and DN. I was very impressed with the theming and the attractions at IoA and only wished that we had skipped Universal so we had more time to explore IoA, which was also empty. We walked on to the Hulk (awesome), Storm Force, Spiderman (awesome), Bilge Rat Barges, Ripsaw Falls (two times), Jurassic Park, and One Fish, Two Fish.
After going to these two parks, I found out that sometimes its kind of nice not knowing too much. Im a chronic planner and too much research spoiled some of the surprises at the Disney attractions. Other than jotting down height requirements, I didnt know much about the attractions at Universal or IoA, which I think heightened the enjoyment. IoA exceeded my expectations.
Mom had her heart set on a traditional steak dinner so we headed back to the house before the park closed and took her to the Outback Steakhouse on 192. The food and the service were both excellent. The steaks were juicy, tender and tasty and the server attentive.
After dinner, my husband and I headed back to Universal Studios for Haunted Horror Nights. For this event, the park did fill up making it difficult to see everything. It took us about two hours to get through the lines for two of the haunted houses. They put a lot of work into the haunted houses, but because there were so many people going through at once, it was difficult for the hidden ghouls to catch anyone off guard. I was tired and we arrived late, so I think that also contributed to my disappointment with the event. Its something Id try again, but I would get there early, go directly to the haunted houses, and then see the rest of the venues.
Goblins invade Disney Part VII Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney, Home (Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2000)
Our final day was pick-a-park day. My niece and brother opted to go to Downtown Disney to shop with their MKC card and then spend the rest of the day at the pool. Since my 3-year-old spent so much time at the house with grandma, the rest of us decided to go to his favorite place: Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom. Both of my sons enjoy scampering about Sawyers hideout, which resembles a ship with looking glass, climbing rope, and ships wheel. Theres also a fort, caves, and other fun places to explore, but theyd rather stay onboard the ship. They played for about two hours while my husband and I relaxed with a soda.
It was funny to watch people. The simplicity of Tom Sawyer Island appeals to many kids. They can run, play, climb, imagine and generally burn off energy. Most families allowed their children about five minutes on board the ship and then hurried them along to the next venue. The comment I heard time and again was I didnt pay thousands for you to play on something like this. We can do this type of thing anywhere.
I felt a little sad that they didnt understand the magic of simplicity. So, my advice is: factor in enough time for your children to truly enjoy Tom Sawyer Island or dont venture over there at all. Its like taking your child to your community park for five minutes and then telling them its time to go.
To close out our pick-a-park day, each of the kids chose their favorite rides Space Mountain for my 5-year-old and Its a Small World for my 3-year-old. We bid our farewell to Disney and headed back to the house to swim and pack.
We dropped the keys off at Premiers main office, returned the rental vehicles and caught our flight without any trouble. Luckily, the kids were so exhausted from their fun-filled vacation that they were a quiet crew for the flight home, even my phobic 3-year-old.
Premier Homes Oct. 26-31, 2000
Goblins invade Disney I (Pre-trip)
Cast of Characters:
CDisney (32), DH(33), DS(5), DS(3), DN(8), DB(28), DM(55)
Experience was on my side as I planned the second trip for our extended family of seven. With three children and four adults to contend with, the driving principle of all the arrangements was minimize the potential for aggravation.
·We stayed at the airport hotel the night before our 8 a.m. flight so the kids could sleep a little later and we didnt have to rush.
·We booked a non-stop flight from Syracuse to Orlando. Mom nearly had a full-blown asthma attack racing for the connecting flight the last trip.
·We rented two vehicles, a Caravan that could accommodate all of us, and a Neon so we could go our separate ways.
·To maximize privacy and comfort, we rented a four-bedroom, three-bath house from Premier Homes.
·During the planning stages, I outlined a schedule for the trip and posted it for comment so everyone had an opportunity for input.
Experience, excellent weather, and the extra planning paid off exponentially. With a strategy in place to alleviate the major stressors, the stage was set for a memorable, hassle-free vacation.
Goblins invade Disney Part II - Arrival, Premier Homes, Epcot (Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000)
The kids didnt quite understand why we had to stay at a hotel the night before our flight to Orlando, but Im sure they appreciated it when the alarm went off at 6 a.m. instead of 4. I certainly did. We had a quick breakfast at McDonalds and then the hotel shuttle took us to the airport. As an added bonus for staying overnight, we didnt have to pay for airport parking.
Although I did everything possible to keep the morning stress-free, one thing was beyond my control and I was dreading it. My 3-year-old DS is afraid of flying. I think he gets his phobia from his mother. While my reaction is a racing pulse and profuse sweating, his is heart-wrenching sobs. As we settled into our seats, he began his mantra, Mommy, Im scared. I want to get out of here. Mommy, Im scared. I want to get out of here. Mommy . . .
As the plane began taxiing out to the runway, the crying started. I apologized to the people around me and promised that it would only last about 5-10 minutes. I distracted him with new Halloween books between sobs. As soon as the plane leveled off, the tears dried up much to the relief of fellow passengers.
The rest of the flight was uneventful and we arrived in Orlando early. We picked up our luggage, moved quickly through the rental procedures at Dollar and set out to find the main office for Premier Vacation Homes. Premiers directions were flawless, but the house wasnt ready, yet. Although official check-in is at 4 p.m., we would have been allowed in upon arrival if housekeeping had finished its work early.
Rather than going directly to Epcot during the hottest part of the day, we stopped for a quick lunch and headed to Wal-Mart to pick up groceries. With enough supplies to fill the refrigerator and pantry, we backtracked to Premier, picked up the keys, and drove to our house with just a little trepidation over what wed find when we got there.
Our apprehension was unwarranted. The house was beautiful, clean, comfortable, spacious, and exceeded our expectations. It was located about 7 miles west of Disney in the Lindfield Subdivision, just off of Route 192. We rented a four-bedroom three-bath executive home, which was fully equipped with all of the modern conveniences: kitchen appliances, dishes, utensils, washer, dryer, two televisions, VCR, barbecue grill, covered lanai and a private screened-in pool.
The house had a parlor, great room, two-car garage, laundry room, kitchen, dining room, master suite with king bed, guest room with double bed, and two additional rooms each with two twin beds. I also believe the couches were the pull-out variety. My husband and I quickly laid claim to the master suite and put the boys in one of the rooms with twin beds. My brother claimed the double bed and my mother and niece shared the other room with twin beds.
As I unpacked, the kids shed their shirts and leaped into the pool, splashing about until the 72-degree waters turned their lips blue. I expected the Florida sun to be adequate and hadnt planned on paying the extra $35 per day or $150 per week to have the pool heated. But the water temperature was too chilly for our comfort so I called Premier and they warmed things up for us. The kids spent a lot of time in the pool, so the extra money was worth it. Generally, they swam before breakfast, at lunchtime and again before bed. We had to coax them to go to the parks.
There were plenty of towels for the seven of us. Because of the extensive use of the pool, we did use the washer and dryer to maintain a fresh supply. There was a starter supply of toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags and mini bar soaps. We had to purchase more to meet our needs, as well as dishwashing soap, laundry supplies and bar soap.
The house was close to plenty of restaurants and grocery stores. We were within about 2 miles of Publix and Goodings grocery stores. With 192 under renovation, the traffic did get heavy at peak travel times. The inside lane tends to move faster because of all the cars turning onto the outside lane from the multitude of hotels and restaurants. If we left at 8:15 a.m., we were at rope drop at MK by 9 a.m.
Refreshed from the afternoon dip in the pool, we all loaded into the van bound for an evening at Epcot. The plan: upgrade DNs hopper to an annual pass, Body Wars, Universe of Energy, Spaceship Earth, the Maelstrom, and Illuminations. The park was not crowded so the agenda worked well with the exception of waiting a little too long to find a spot for Illuminations.
My 3-year-olds list of phobias extends beyond flying to include dark spaces, loud noises, storms, heights, and scary animatronics, so he and I soaked up the sights while the more adventurous souls enjoyed the attractions. He was amused by the interactive areas of the Universe of Energy and played hopscotch with the lights in the sidewalk beneath Spaceship Earth. We brought Cobra FRS radios, so it was very easy to split up and reconnect as necessary.
On the return trip to the house, we got our first taste of the traffic tie-ups that we would face during peak travel times. But, the reward of the Premier Home waiting at the end of the journey was worth the minor inconvenience of an extra few minutes of drive time.
I was impressed by the fellow drivers I encountered on the way to and from the parks. Overall, they were very considerate and forgiving as people tried to merge into traffic and navigate their way to their exit.
Goblins invade Disney Part III - Magic Kingdom and MNSSHP Friday, Oct. 27, 2000
The goal this morning was to get to the Magic Kingdom by rope drop at 9 a.m., an easy feat with my 6 a.m. risers and ready-to-eat breakfast foods. The plan: stay together for Dumbo, Peter Pan, Its a Small World, and Pooh, and then separate so DH, DB, DN and 5-year-old DS could tackle Tomorrowland.
Because my immediate family had vacationed at Disney only eight weeks prior, my 5-year-old quickly grew impatient with Fantasyland. He longed for the speed of Space Mountain, the centrifugal force of Astro Blaster and the battle against Zurg. So, we went our separate ways after three Fantasyland attractions.
Since I couldnt find the right colored ribbon, I attached lime green pipe cleaners to my backpack in hopes of meeting someone from the DIS. They worked! LisaIN noticed my ribbon at Pooh and we chatted while we waited for an available honey pot. I was her third DISer of the day.
We left the MK about 12:30 p.m. so we could rest before the MNSSHP later that evening. With the call of the pool so close, the kids resisted napping so I finally gave in and let them swim instead of sleep. At least I got to lay down for 30 minutes. Mom was skipping the Halloween party in favor a quiet night at home. My 3-year-old opted to stay with her. Although I was a little sad he wasnt going with us, it did free me up to enjoy the attractions and festivities.
My 5-year-old donned his Captain Hook costume and my niece her red ninja outfit. My husband was a golfer, my brother had a black mask, and I had a gold sun mask. I was surprised that more people didnt wear costumes.
With lessons learned on the DIS boards, I booked Crystal Palace for a 5:30 p.m. dinner so I didnt have to exit the park and re-enter for the MNSSHP. We arrived back at MK at about 5 p.m. and was told at the gate that we could pick up our lime green MNSSHP bracelets near the castle. I dont know if they actually cleared the entire park between the 6 p.m. closing and 7 p.m. opening since we were inside the Crystal Palace. With the number of people inside the park at 6:30 p.m., I dont think so.
The meal was delicious and we were among the last to leave the Crystal Palace so the character interaction was wonderful. We saw the characters several times as we ate a leisurely dinner.
After dinner, we picked up maps and treat bags from the front of the park and started celebrating Halloween Disney style. The lines for the treat stations and free family photos were long toward the front of the park, so we made our way deeper into Tomorrowland. The kids picked up a few treats and then we noticed that the line to Space Mountain was non-existent. We rode three times before other people started to find the attraction. Although a little longer than Space, we also took advantage of the shorter line of the Speedway.
We spent the rest of the evening absorbing the atmosphere and trick-or-treating. We caught the fireworks before my 5-year-old fell asleep and ended the night with the late parade. We had a good time and would go to MNSSHP again. However, I would skip the parks in the morning and try harder to get the kids to sleep so they could endure the late night.
Goblins invade Disney Part IV - Mini-Golf and IoA - (Saturday, Oct. 28, 2000)
Todays philosophy was divide and conquer. DB, DM, and DN left bright and early for IoA. They said they thoroughly enjoyed the parks theming and its attractions, especially Spiderman and the Hulk. Technically, DN was about a half inch shy of the height limit for the Hulk, but the attendant let her ride much to her delight. She is a roller coaster hound.
Meanwhile, the rest of us spent a leisurely morning at the house before going to Winterland Miniature Golf for 18 holes. I remembered to use our AP to get the discount. The course is easy for young golfers with many of the greens sloping toward the hole.
Little tummies started to rumble after sinking the final hole, so we headed for the Wilderness Lodge to eat at Whispering Canyon Café. The primary reason for eating there was to see the resort. It truly is impressive. Our server was Galloping Gabe who told us the tale of how Pocohontas changed him from a horse into a man. The kids smiled as they listened to his story.
We had the all-you-can-eat family-style platter with beef, chicken, ribs, corn, coleslaw, and beans. It was good, but I dont think Id pay the dinner price for the same meal. The shakes were delicious. The crowd was relatively light, so there wasnt a lot of shenanigans for entertainment. The kids did get to gallop around the dining room in honor of one guests birthday.
After lunch, we went to Fantasia Gardens for another 18 holes of miniature golf. This course was more challenging with obstacles and inclines that were difficult to overcome for my two young ones. My 3-year-old threw in the towel on the sixth hole, so he and I headed to the refreshment stand for a soda. The attendant was kind enough to give us a rain check so we could have another go at it later.
After the round, the cool waters of the pool beckoned so we returned to the house for a swim. The temperature was steadily climbing now that the heater was on, which only served to entice the kids to stay in the pool even longer. Can you say prunes? My DB, DN, and DM put in a full day at IoA before they joined us in the pool.
With everyone home, it was time for my husband and I to sneak away for an evening alone at Epcot. The plan: eat my way around the world. The Food and Wine Festival made that lofty goal possible. We split the appetizer-sized samples as we moved from country to country around the World Showcase. Cheese puffs, chicken satay, venison stew, and baklava were a few of the items we tasted at a price of $1.50 to $4 for each item. It seemed like a nice revenue stream for Disney.
At 9 p.m., we hopped over to the Magic Kingdom to catch the MSEP, but my energy level took a dive and we exited without seeing it. Maybe next time.
Next: National Car Classic, Animal Kingdom, MGM - Goblins invade Disney Part V (Oct. 29)
Goblins invade Disney Part V - National Car Classic, Animal Kingdom, MGM
(Sunday, Oct 29, 2000)
Today was my husbands dream day. He was excused from the family festivities to attend the final round of the National Car Rental Golf Classic with Tiger Woods as the defending champion. The highlight for him was getting to shake Tigers hand. I was just in the right place at the right time, he said. For the record, Tiger didnt retain his title.
Meanwhile, the rest of us explored Animal Kingdom in the morning to see some of the attractions that my DN had missed on her last visit. The kids played for about 90 minutes in the Bone Yard. Then, my 3-year-old blew bubbles with Grandma while the rest of us experienced Dinosaur. My DN said it freaked her out a little bit. All three kids enjoyed the high energy of Tarzan Rocks, even though it was hard on their eardrums. I really dont understand why Disney has to pump up the volume to the point of discomfort.
After a quick lunch at Flametree Barbecue, we headed back to the house for a swim to get refreshed for a late afternoon at MGM. The plan: The Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, Backstage Tour, Tower of Terror and Rockn Roller Coaster. Tower of Terror continues to rank #1 on my 5-year-olds list of favorite attractions. He is an adventurous soul who fears nothing other than being too short to get on a ride. He rode ToT twice with my DB, while I took my niece on RnR. She is a Pokeman fan and was delighted to meet two women from Japan who recognized many of the characters on her Pokeman shirt.
Leaving MGM around 7 p.m., we set out on a mission to find cheese enchiladas, beans and rice. We were raised in Texas and Tex-Mex is hard to come by in Central New York. Taco Bell doesnt count. My DB had spotted a Don Pablos on International Drive on an earlier excursion. After a few wrong turns, we found the restaurant and were not disappointed. The food was delicious, the portions large and the prices reasonable. We ordered take-out for my mother and husband. Mom gave it two thumbs up.
Goblins invade Disney Part VI - Universal, Islands of Adventure, Haunted Horror Nights (Monday, Oct. 30, 2000)
We had a few false starts this morning. My 3-year-old wanted to stay home with my mother, but he also wanted to come with us. When he couldnt make up his mind, I sent my DB and DN on ahead. Finally, we hit the road bound for Universal but had to turn around about three miles later. I miss grandma. I want grandma.
With him back into grandmas arms, we set out once again for Universal and found the park empty. We did Twister, Kongfrontation, Earthquake, Jaws, Men in Black, Woodys Coaster, and Back to the Future in less than three hours. My 5-year-old loved them all, especially Back to the Future.
With the major attractions under our belt, we hopped over to IoA to meet up with my DB and DN. I was very impressed with the theming and the attractions at IoA and only wished that we had skipped Universal so we had more time to explore IoA, which was also empty. We walked on to the Hulk (awesome), Storm Force, Spiderman (awesome), Bilge Rat Barges, Ripsaw Falls (two times), Jurassic Park, and One Fish, Two Fish.
After going to these two parks, I found out that sometimes its kind of nice not knowing too much. Im a chronic planner and too much research spoiled some of the surprises at the Disney attractions. Other than jotting down height requirements, I didnt know much about the attractions at Universal or IoA, which I think heightened the enjoyment. IoA exceeded my expectations.
Mom had her heart set on a traditional steak dinner so we headed back to the house before the park closed and took her to the Outback Steakhouse on 192. The food and the service were both excellent. The steaks were juicy, tender and tasty and the server attentive.
After dinner, my husband and I headed back to Universal Studios for Haunted Horror Nights. For this event, the park did fill up making it difficult to see everything. It took us about two hours to get through the lines for two of the haunted houses. They put a lot of work into the haunted houses, but because there were so many people going through at once, it was difficult for the hidden ghouls to catch anyone off guard. I was tired and we arrived late, so I think that also contributed to my disappointment with the event. Its something Id try again, but I would get there early, go directly to the haunted houses, and then see the rest of the venues.
Goblins invade Disney Part VII Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney, Home (Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2000)
Our final day was pick-a-park day. My niece and brother opted to go to Downtown Disney to shop with their MKC card and then spend the rest of the day at the pool. Since my 3-year-old spent so much time at the house with grandma, the rest of us decided to go to his favorite place: Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom. Both of my sons enjoy scampering about Sawyers hideout, which resembles a ship with looking glass, climbing rope, and ships wheel. Theres also a fort, caves, and other fun places to explore, but theyd rather stay onboard the ship. They played for about two hours while my husband and I relaxed with a soda.
It was funny to watch people. The simplicity of Tom Sawyer Island appeals to many kids. They can run, play, climb, imagine and generally burn off energy. Most families allowed their children about five minutes on board the ship and then hurried them along to the next venue. The comment I heard time and again was I didnt pay thousands for you to play on something like this. We can do this type of thing anywhere.
I felt a little sad that they didnt understand the magic of simplicity. So, my advice is: factor in enough time for your children to truly enjoy Tom Sawyer Island or dont venture over there at all. Its like taking your child to your community park for five minutes and then telling them its time to go.
To close out our pick-a-park day, each of the kids chose their favorite rides Space Mountain for my 5-year-old and Its a Small World for my 3-year-old. We bid our farewell to Disney and headed back to the house to swim and pack.
We dropped the keys off at Premiers main office, returned the rental vehicles and caught our flight without any trouble. Luckily, the kids were so exhausted from their fun-filled vacation that they were a quiet crew for the flight home, even my phobic 3-year-old.
