How Many Rides on Pirates of the Caribbean are Enough? Now Completed 11/4/10

[creativeamanda]

It's funny, because before the ill-fated not-quite-3-hour drive to Schlitterbahn whereupon we vowed we were NOT driving to Disney, DH had said that even though we'd have the truck there, he just didn't want to drive while on vacation and that the buses are part of a Disney vacation.

I can see how the three hours in the car with the kids can be aggravating. I was ready to throw my kids out of the car after 10 minutes going to Fayetteville last night.

If we were staying at POR again, I'd worry (is it me or are the buses there getting worse??), but, seeing as we'll be on the Monorail line this time......!!

The buses are getting worse at POR, no doubt. But of course, there have been recent complaints of the monorails--people being stuck for 30 min. Typically, it's opening and closing of parks.

I have not ridden ToT since they randomized it.......I'm trying to decide if I'm brave enough to try it again (they also only had a lap bar back then.....I'm much more into the seat belt idea!!)

I still found my not-so-thin rear flying off of the seat of ToT. I have no desire to get back on it. When I go in Dec, I'm doing 3 things at Hollywood Studios: TSM, RnR, and Osborne lights. NO ToT.

 

[LegoMom3]

I can see how the three hours in the car with the kids can be aggravating. I was ready to throw my kids out of the car after 10 minutes going to Fayetteville last night.

Actually it seems to be the shorter the trip, the worse they are. At least with mine! Still not driving to Disney, though, unless there's just no other choice.

The buses are getting worse at POR, no doubt. But of course, there have been recent complaints of the monorails--people being stuck for 30 min. Typically, it's opening and closing of parks.

Hmm......FERRY BOAT!

I still found my not-so-thin rear flying off of the seat of ToT. I have no desire to get back on it. When I go in Dec, I'm doing 3 things at Hollywood Studios: TSM, RnR, and Osborne lights. NO ToT.

I am terrified of RnR.......I love speed (as in Test Track) but the whole flip-you-around-and-upside-down bit, not so much. DS8 is going to be tall enough to ride it next time, so that will leave me as the only one not riding!!

Might be a good time for a Mickey Premium ice cream bar and a shady spot on the curb....

.

 

[creativeamanda]

Actually it seems to be the shorter the trip, the worse they are. At least with mine! Still not driving to Disney, though, unless there's just no other choice.

Oh, I can understand that!

Hmm......FERRY BOAT!

With the sun rising over the water!

I am terrified of RnR.......I love speed (as in Test Track) but the whole flip-you-around-and-upside-down bit, not so much. DS8 is going to be tall enough to ride it next time, so that will leave me as the only one not riding!!

Might be a good time for a Mickey Premium ice cream bar and a shady spot on the curb....

.

Sounds like my kind of plan.

 

[Bridora]

Hey, it's me again, behind again...

Great updates! I'm glad you were able to get that great picture of the Tree of Life from Everest without hurting that precious camera!

I feel the same way about the buses. We usually start off taking them places, but end up driving ourselves halfway through the week. It's just much more convenient...

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

It's a slap directly in the face of Tour Guide Mike and Unofficial Guide enthusiasts, but hey, why not?

Live a little, right?

And slap a little.

I can't believe it, but I'm officially at three weeks with no Pepsis. I can drink a Coca Cola and walk away, but I have an addiction to Pepsi.

I haven't had soda in, hm, 10 or 11 weeks? And I don't miss it except on the rare occasion.

I haven't figured what I'll use the refillable mug for, but I can assure you that I'll think of something. They still have plenty of non sugar sweeteners, right? I am thinking of tea. And coffee in the morning. Even if it is Nescapoop, I still have to have some kind of coffee to function.

I pretty much lived off of a light version of Minute Maid Lemonade they have. They also have blue Powerade. And some sweetened and unsweetened cold teas.

I keep thinking of Yak and Yeti. What's good there?

Although I was near-explosion at the end of my meal, EVERYTHING I had there was great. Including that insanely sinful dessert.

I think he was probably miffed, because he didn't try the nose thing again, even though all of the kids wanted to.

But you know what?

I got it:

The Tree of Life from atop Expedition Everest.

Photographical Awesomeness!!! Great job, lady!

It wasn't too long before we saw this, though:

How the heck did R2D2 get out of Star Tours so quickly?

And then, the king of mean, who Stinky still maintains is just misunderstood,

Connected by The Force as we are, this makes me think TK and I need to visit during Star Wars Weekends.

Boo and I waited about 45 minutes for the bus to get there. That was the point where I determined that I only take buses to Magic Kingdom.

The bus system is great, for what it is, but if you have another quicker option, you should take it every time.

Trust me.

I know I'm jinxing myself RIGHT NOW by saying this but...I kind of like the buses. And I've had very, VERY few poor or loooooong experiences.

 

[TarzansKat]

What an awesome parade! Mickey is so dang cute in his Jedi robes.

 

[TarzansKat]

Connected by The Force as we are, this makes me think TK and I need to visit during Star Wars Weekends.

DUDE! Are you offering???

 

[creativeamanda]

Hey, it's me again, behind again...

Great updates! I'm glad you were able to get that great picture of the Tree of Life from Everest without hurting that precious camera!

I feel the same way about the buses. We usually start off taking them places, but end up driving ourselves halfway through the week. It's just much more convenient...

It's okay--I know I'm behind with you, and I am sorry. I think in December, I'm just gonna forget about those buses and drive. Although the summer heat makes an air-conditioned bus so welcome!

I pretty much lived off of a light version of Minute Maid Lemonade they have. They also have blue Powerade. And some sweetened and unsweetened cold teas.

Not a powerade person, but love lemonadey-type drinks!

Photographical Awesomeness!!! Great job, lady!

See, ya'll get it, why doesn't Dan?

Connected by The Force as we are, this makes me think TK and I need to visit during Star Wars Weekends.

Not without me, you don't, after all, who showed you the pictures?

I know I'm jinxing myself RIGHT NOW by saying this but...I kind of like the buses. And I've had very, VERY few poor or loooooong experiences.

I may have a better experience at Pop, but I tell you, POR can be a nightmare at times!

What an awesome parade! Mickey is so dang cute in his Jedi robes.

I know, isn't he?

DUDE! Are you offering???

Again, not without me, ladies!

 

[PaMom001]

See, I'm glad all of my Dis friends get it!

Sometimes men just don't understand.

 

[TarzansKat]

Again, not without me, ladies!

Oh, I think Tink and I would readily agree, the more the merrier!

 

[creativeamanda]

Sometimes men just don't understand.

No, they don't.

Oh, I think Tink and I would readily agree, the more the merrier!

 

[creativeamanda]

After such a busy day, dinner that night was at 1900 Park Fare. We love the Grand Floridian, and although some feel it to be too stuffy, living in the South and being used to Charleston and Antebellum buildings and loving them, we love it. We took the bus over to the Magic Kingdom, then the monorail over to the Grand Floridian. Our first stop when we got to the Grand Flo?

Basin.

Words cannot describe my affinty for this store. I love the different soaps and bath bombs, and smells. Olfactory nerves get quite a work out there--first this and then this and ohmygracious!

Sweetie got a set of bath bombs, while I bought some soap with the little Mickey heads in it. It's so nice in the morning to wadh my hands with the Mickey soap before I put in my contacts!

So, we proceeded downstairs to the checkin for 1900 Park Fare. Our photograph was taken quickly, and we were seated fairly quickly. Having heard the horroe stories of the meal and seating, I got the feeling they didn't have as many reservations that night as normal.

We got our first plates and sat down.

It wasn't long before the stepsisters and stepmither came through, followed by Prince Charming and Cinderella.

And the dance:

Our experience there?

While it was a pleasant enough dinner, it was definitely lacking in Disney Magic. The characters were not in character and the kids really did not enjoy their meal. Our server was a very slow one, and really, we won't be back. We've had the experience, did not enjoy it, and feel that as far as a princessy-type meal goes, the breakfast at Akershus is definitely a better experience.

This was really the first bad meal experience my family as a whole has had--I had previously had bad experiences at Chefs de France and Yachtsman, but as far as a meal goes, I just don't think 1900 Park Fare lives up to its hype or its price.

 

[dismagiclover]

Sorry your meal wasn't great. We've never tried 1900 Park Fair, and sounds like we don't really need to. Where were the stepsisters? They are supposedly the highlight of the meal.

 

[creativeamanda]

Sorry your meal wasn't great. We've never tried 1900 Park Fair, and sounds like we don't really need to. Where were the stepsisters? They are supposedly the highlight of the meal.

They were there, but decidingly for us the worst part of the meal.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I went to the breakfast with some of my roomies and we enjoyed it but I'm not a breakfast person. The characters were ALL def. in character but it might have been because we had a late morning ADR and the restaurant wasn't very full. I would go back for breakfast but the dinner wouldn't appeal to me! I'm glad to hear a truthful review!

 

[creativeamanda]

I went to the breakfast with some of my roomies and we enjoyed it but I'm not a breakfast person. The characters were ALL def. in character but it might have been because we had a late morning ADR and the restaurant wasn't very full. I would go back for breakfast but the dinner wouldn't appeal to me! I'm glad to hear a truthful review!

See, the thing is people are always raving about this one, and I don't get it. I felt the buffet was limited, the food in many places cold, and the character interaction not what they claimed. I've had better buffet meals at Boma, Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, and Cape May.

 

[creativeamanda]

For those of you who don't know, the most common type of fertilizer is 10-10-10. Thus, my title for the update is not because of the trip, but in honor of the day.

On with the program. . .

We left from a not-so-delicious and entertaining meal for Magic Kingdom. Hopping onto the monorail, we felt a spring in our step. The Main Street Electrical Parade and the Summer Nightastic Fireworks that were supposed to wait another couple of days had a soft opening that night that apparently only the people on the DIS knew about.

We got near the entrance of the parade and the kids entertained themselves:

It wasn't long before the parade started:

Now a little warning about the music for this parade. . .while it is fun and uplifting, it's the kind of music that gets inside your head and NEVER LEAVES. Even looking at the pictures 4 months later, I can hear it in my head!

I thought this float was beautiful:

And the dragon everyone sees coming through the entrance:

This one made everyone feel very patriotic--lots and lots of people were cheering. I was so proud at that moment!

After the parade, we made our way over to the flag pole. The fireworks being perimeter fireworks, I wanted to see them. We probably should have watched the parade and the fireworks from the Main Street Station, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

About at that point, Boo sees a CM walk by with balloons. Now, we had been keeping her from getting a balloon, because it would be in our room the whole time. This night, we gave in. It was close to the end of our trip (*sniff, sniff*) and she could have one.

May I introduce:

BALLOON-EEEE

You read that right. Sha named it.

Soon after that, Boo and Daddy were tired, and decided to walk towards the bus stop and watch the fireworks from outside of Magic Kingdom. They keep telling me the fireworks are fantastic out there--watching from the Poly Beach is on my list of things to do in December.

Stinky, Sweetie, and I stayed were we were.

I really like the pictures from here--you can see all of Main Street. And we were so close, we were some of the first back on the bus to Port Orleans-Riverside.

It had been a long Saturday, and we had one more day left in the parks. Where would we celebrate our last day?

And note--no POTC trip--we really did not make it past the Barber Shop. POTC rides still =4 at this moment.

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

I love the name Great update

 

[TarzansKat]

I think there's one bad meal on every trip, whether it's food, service, ambiance, or a combination there of. This was yours. Sorry.

Who doesn't love Basin, though? I actually prefer the one in the GF to the one in Downtown. Don't know why, just like how it's more intimate of a setting.

 

[TarzansKat]

Dude! I love that music. I'm one of those freaks, savvy?