I Don't Do Trip Reports.... **3 New Updates Added 9/04, Pgs 8 & 9 Linked on Page 1**

[cynderella]

What's VPK? I wanna watch WDW vidoes too!

Here you go! And, I lied; it's Erin, not Casey, but it hardly matters! It's WDW

https://secure.disney.go.com/wdw/myVacation/online/vpkVideoLauncher

 

[Anc96]

Here you go! And, I lied; it's Erin, not Casey, but it hardly matters! It's WDW

https://secure.disney.go.com/wdw/myVacation/online/vpkVideoLauncher

I don't recognize any of those people... But I FOUND KRISSA.. yes, it seems there's no T in her name, not sure if it's spelled right anyway..lol.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2726151869110888249&q=seven+disney&hl=en

you can compare the 2 of them because here's Stacy... ummm, not Casey, lol. I wasn't sure about her name and it does rhyme!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3565027122658478429&q=seven+disney&hl=en

So it's Erin, not Casey, and Krissa, not Krista, and Stacey, not Casey. Oh yea, and it's the top 7, not 10
Gimme another Margarita.

 

[Anc96]

(Taking a good look around to be sure I post this in the right thread... Yep, looks familar so here it goes...)


I didn’t know how to get to the Poly via car, so we asked a CM who said it would be much quicker to take the monorail. I was really hesitant, but DD thought that sounded great (we hadn’t ridden it yet this trip), so we took the monorail.
Took the Epcot monorail to MK, then the resort monorail to the Poly and got to sit up front (and the resort monorail driver gave me and DD our co-pilots licenses ).

We got to the Poly with only 10 minutes to spare for our ADRs. We check in… and go to wait. It’s too close to our time to look around much (I didn’t know the range of the pagers), so we went over to sit at the lounge (where a very nice gentleman insisted I take his seat)… and had a couple of drinks. Both were virgins.. .sigh… but both were fruity, pretty.. and good! We were called right at our ADR time… I had requested to be seated in the main room with a view of the cooking place, and got the request.

The food here was really good! I loved the salad they started you off with… and had it all to myself since it’s green. DD doesn’t do green (I’m not giving up though!). They had all kinds of meats served on a skewer. They come around constantly trying to give you more! Most of it was very good, though the pork was dry. There were some kind of glazed chicken wings that were wonderful… mashed potatoes that I liked, but DD didn’t (unusual), and veggies of course. I found the veggies underdone and not very tasty, and I usually like veggies a lot. I like them either raw, or cooked, but these were somewhere in between…
The entertainment was FUN! And my DD participated in it too! I was so glad for that because she’s usually pretty reserved. We’d talked about it before leaving. I reminded her that she won’t ever see those people again, and to have fun and be goofy if she wanted to! She did a pretty good job. She had fun sweeping those coconuts with the brooms… and learning to hoola! We had a wonderful time!
Total $47.79.

DD was pretty tired, but we both wanted to see the resort so we went exploring. DD took an interest in an Wyland Art store/gallery that had very pretty glass artwork of sea animals. She especially liked a stingray on the wall (what a surprise). I knew these were way out of our range… she insisted on asking about it though. The small one was $750, she didn’t bother asking about the big one she really liked . LOL! I smiled at her with an I-told-you-so-look, and she gave me a dirty look. Go figure.

Then we went to check out the pool area… it was nice, but not spectacular. We strolled down to the beach and DD had to try out the hammocks there. Now she really got mad at me while I was taking pics and videoing her trying to get out of the hammock instead of helping her out. She finally had to roll out and plunk down into the sand. Hehe.. it was pretty funny. I thought.
The sun was setting and I took a pic of the Grand Floridian across the lake.

It was pretty late by now and we decided to wait a bit more for the electric water pageant to come by. DD played by the shore, and I relaxed in a covered lounger until the pageant came by. It’s the first time either of us saw it and it was very nice. DD had no idea what we were waiting for and she really enjoyed it. Lots of ooohs and ahhhs.

Now it’s really late… and we have to take the monorails back to Epcot… groan. DD looks shocked. I guess she thought I could sprinkle a little pixie dust on us and we could fly back to the car

So, we start back. We’re on the monorail back to MK, no room up front. While we were waiting for the monorail from MK to Epcot on the MK platform, Wishes started. We actually had a really good view too! We only saw about 7 minutes or so until the monorail to Epcot came. There was room for 2 more up front, so we run up and get in. There we met the nicest brother and sister (late teens) and chatted a little as we all tried to watch the last of Wishes out the window. We all got our co-pilots licenses.. and sticker wings (first time we ever got stickers!). We got to Epcot and said our goodbyes and made our way to the car.
It’s a short walk to the AAA section, but DD was really exhausted and dragged.

We got back to AKL… there was no valet at the window . I went inside to the desk and asked the CM and they got someone to take the car. I was much too tired to find a spot to park. We checked with the CMs to be sure that our luggage had been brought to our new room (we hadn’t even seen it yet!), and they said it had been.
We were very tired, and very giddy and silly. I said to the CM’s there (Lauren and Alexandra) that we must be annoying to them being so silly. They said we weren’t.. and actually seemed to enjoy our giddiness. My DD suddenly realized we had forgotten to buy her hot cocoa for the morning! I asked if the Mara was still opened, but it was just after 11 so it wasn’t. I kidded with DD saying I would forego coffee in the morning to share her sufferring (haha.. like really.. No coffee in the morning! I don't think so... ). Then we started to say goodnight to Lauren and Alexandra, when Alexandra said “wait here for a bit.. I’ll be right back”. So we wait and chat, my dd talking poor Lauren to death… and Alexandra returns with 5 packets of Nestle instant hot cocoa mix! DD’s face lit up! Hot cocoa for the morning! I couldn’t believe her kindness (I also wrote to Disney guest relations when I returned and praised Lauren and Alexandra.. it wasn’t our only encounter). DD drew them a picture (she’s quite the young artist ) . I couldn’t thank them enough!

We left to go find our room. We had a wonderful view… and there were giraffes so close that night, it was amazing! I couldn’t take pics in the darkness. We watched for a bit… the went inside for DD to call home. Very short conversation as she was so tired! She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow… me too!


End of Day 6

 

[dwheatl]

What a magical Disney day! Thanks for sharing it.

Oh, and Stacy's dialog is the same as Luke's. That's the planning video they sent us for our trip.

 

[gopack]

OK, you are really making me want to stay at AKL!! I am enjoying your trip report. Your daughter sounds like a doll!

 

[Anc96]

What a magical Disney day! Thanks for sharing it.

Oh, and Stacy's dialog is the same as Luke's. That's the planning video they sent us for our trip.

I got the planning video too... but I was too busy planning to get around to watching it.

As nice as I'm sure it is, I'm pretty sure they're not showing me how to get the best prices and deals, no secrets are given away... and, no LGMHPC advice, so I skipped it and spent some extra time on the DisBoards!

Thank you for keeping up with my TR dwheatl

 

[Anc96]

OK, you are really making me want to stay at AKL!! I am enjoying your trip report. Your daughter sounds like a doll!

STAY,STAY!! You won't regret it!

And dd is a doll... though sometimes I'm not sure whether she's a Kewpie doll or Chuckie!

Thank you for reading!

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Great installments! I thought of you & especially your dd today with all the talk of the death of the Crocodile Hunter (so sad). What did dd think with him dying from a stingray or didn't you tell her? Yay to Lauren & Alexandra for being so sweet. Yay that you & Ruthie got to meet--very cool!

 

[rer1972]

I've been out of town Anc96 so I'm just now catching up.

The CM serving us at the Mara counter was VERY friendly… making rather odd noises.. a high-pitched laughing kind of sound. It was a bit startling… but it made me and DD laugh. When we were out of earshot DD copied him until I had to scold her a little.

If only there was audio on your TR .

So we go to the room, and it’s the first room after leaving the lobby. You might think this is a convenient thing…but when we went in the room my suspicions were right. I opened the curtains to the balcony, and saw people looking right back at us! One man even waved… uhhh.. “hi”. Eh.

Sounds great! People and animal watching from one view .

And who would be checking us in there but Laughing guy from the Mara.

I wonder where Laughing guy's "Laughing Place" is?

There’s a big purple dragon here? In Epcot? How come I never saw him before??

You didn't know who Figment was? Shame . You shoulda seen him in his prime.

Suddenly, Ruthie shoves the tiny girl out of the way and yells desperately! “Figment, it’s ME, RUTHIE! It’s MY turn.. come back, come baaaack!! “. After the child picked herself up, rather dizzy after having her poor little 5 year old body smashed up against the wall… she looked up at Ruthie and managed a pitiful little plea…”pwease lady.. it’s me turn… pwease I wanna see purpoo Figgy”. Flames shot out or Ruthie’s eyes and we all took a few steps back.

Now she really got mad at me while I was taking pics and videoing her trying to get out of the hammock instead of helping her out. She finally had to roll out and plunk down into the sand. Hehe.. it was pretty funny. I thought.

Funniest Home Videos funny?
Great update. I've never stayed at AKL just visited for dining. I really have to look into staying there some time.

 

[Luvchefmic]

DD is kind of quiet, I think checking Ruthie out. Ruthie was supposed to come with her sister and 2 DNs, but her plans changed unexpectedly. I was glad she got to have my DD around for a bit because I’m sure she was looking forward to sharing Disney time with her DNs.

Ruthie is GREAT! We seem to have a lot in common, and she thinks I have a sense of humor! (either that or she was just laughing at me )
So we finished our meals (I can’t remember what they were!..lol).. and we chatted away.
I commented on her t-shirt and asked who it was. She was surprised that we didn’t know who Figment was… and took no time at all taking us over to see him.

There’s a big purple dragon here? In Epcot? How come I never saw him before??
So we follow Ruthie to this “Figment” thing… wondering how we could have missed a famed character.

I think we found that Ruthie was just a tad obsessed with our large purple friend.
When we get to the Figment character meet place, we find that there is only one small child in line to see him… but Figment’s getting ready for a break. Suddenly, Ruthie shoves the tiny girl out of the way and yells desperately! “Figment, it’s ME, RUTHIE! It’s MY turn.. come back, come baaaack!! “. After the child picked herself up, rather dizzy after having her poor little 5 year old body smashed up against the wall… she looked up at Ruthie and managed a pitiful little plea…”pwease lady.. it’s me turn… pwease I wanna see purpoo Figgy”. Flames shot out or Ruthie’s eyes and we all took a few steps back.
This is Figment looking down at the fallen child.

Figment DID stay and had his picture taken with Ruthie. There were other children coming towards the building and I think they just wanted her the heck out of there before she took hostages...

LoL… so Ruthie.. isn’t this how you remember it too??

Hehe… ahem, well ok. May not have happened quite that way. There was one child waiting in line, and Figment was about to go on break. I think we had to wait for him to come back, but it was pretty quick. I had to talk my DD into posing with him… she said he looked scary Now that purple dragon has to be the LEAST scariest thing I’ve even seen! She finally went over to him and I got a couple of pics, but she didn’t look happy to be there.
Then Ruthie took her turn (politely) and I got a couple of pics with her giving Figment a hug.
I still didn’t know who this character was, so then Ruthie took us into Journey into Imagination to introduce us.
Well let me say DD LOVED this attraction. I liked it too, but I was surprised at how much DD liked it! This ride suddenly made Ruthie DD's new best friend…lol. We went back numerous times during our trip, and DD is the proud owner of 3 different Figments.

I don’t remember the order of the day…I remember going to the kennel to meet Dillon… and what a sweetie he was too! DD went with Ruthie to walk him (can’t keep my DD away from an available animal!) and I made a phone call.
It rained hard!
And, Ruthie took us to our second never before seen attraction, the Universe of Energy. Yes, we really have been to Disney several times before… I guess we were so interested in Mission Space and Test Track that we never looked to our left on the way over to them! We really enjoyed UOE too! I would have liked to do it again, but we never got to this trip (I think it’s almost 40 minutes long?). It’s so much fun getting to do totally new things! We usually spend a lot of time in the world showcase, and only go to the big 3, MS,TT & Soaring outside of it.
We also always do Innovations too because DD loves to play the game where you’re a robot in a race. Then you get to make a robot at the end of the game. And, we took Ruthie in there for her first robot making! (Did you do a purple one?). So we both got to share something with each other that we each hadn't done before.

The time went much too fast… I had made early ADRs at Ohana’s and we had to go We and say goodbye… and we thought we’d get to see each other again soon. But we kept missing each other

Now 1st of all...I am glad you clarified that I never knocked that child over....I did that on my LAST Day with Figment & you weren't there to see it 2nd when I saw you posted a picture, my heart was in my mouth thinking it was the one with Figgie & myself, I was about to speed dial my attorney as I did NOT give you permission to post I will say only this , when I saw the pics you sent me I was because I had no idea I am ...let me say as wide as in the hip area ..I mean I LOVE the big purple guy, but I don't want to look like his sister or something ..Jenny Craig here I come,

anyway we had a great time together...far too short really, & yes I believe the lousy cell phone reception throughout the trip is a plot by Disney Cellular to force us into yet another cash funnel...I mean I have Cingular for gooodness sakes but I kept D
R
o
p
p
i
n
g
the calls from you !

Loving your TR and give a BIG hug to DD!! Dillon says Hi! Hey you forgot to mention he was wearing a LGMHPC on his collar too

 

[Anc96]

Great installments! I thought of you & especially your dd today with all the talk of the death of the Crocodile Hunter (so sad). What did dd think with him dying from a stingray or didn't you tell her? Yay to Lauren & Alexandra for being so sweet. Yay that you & Ruthie got to meet--very cool!

Thanks S'Bellem

Yes.. I told DD. We found out less than half an hour after it happened. DD's daddy called to tell me. I don't know where he heard it. I couldn't even find info about it on the internet and I thought it was a rumor.
She loved Steve... It was a sad day.
Today before coming home from work I stopped at a Liztech boutique and got a mini glass kangaroo for DD. She loved it and named it Crikey in memory of Steve. I thought that was sweet

Ruthie is cool

 

[Anc96]

Now 1st of all...I am glad you clarified that I never knocked that child over....I did that on my LAST Day with Figment & you weren't there to see it

2nd when I saw you posted a picture, my heart was in my mouth thinking it was the one with Figgie & myself, I was about to speed dial my attorney as I did NOT give you permission to post I will say only this , when I saw the pics you sent me I was because I had no idea I am ...let me say as wide as in the hip area ..I mean I LOVE the big purple guy, but I don't want to look like his sister or something ..Jenny Craig here I come,

I wouldn't have posted a pic of you without you saying I could! I don't even show DD's face in the pics I post. And, I will spare EVERYONE, and not post any pics of me..lol. Ummm.. I think there's only 2 of me anyway, and both are with DD.
Oh... and you look great!! Your shade of purple is much more attractive than Figments

anyway we had a great time together...far too short really

Yes we did, and yes it was!

I believe the lousy cell phone reception throughout the trip is a plot by Disney Cellular to force us into yet another cash funnel...I mean I have Cingular for gooodness sakes but I kept D
R
o
p
p
i
n
g
the calls from you !

Whatever it was, it sure made us work to keep in touch!

Loving your TR and give a BIG hug to DD!! Dillon says Hi! Hey you forgot to mention he was wearing a LGMHPC on his collar too

Thank you.. and done, gave her an extra hug tonight from you... But I REFUSED to lick her face from Dillon, so I just pat her on her head.
Sorry I forgot to mention Dillon's atire.. he was very handsome in lime


Still anxiously waiting for your TR

Thank you for still reading!

 

[cynderella]

What a riot! I had to laugh at the image of sweet Ruthie bowling over kids to get to Figment. You know she didn't do that!! We all loved the Figment ride, too. It was so nice and cool in there and Nigel is the best. We never did get to do the Ellen ride...boo. S'pose it will be closed by the time we get back in 2008-09.

BB, at almost exactly four weeks after coming home (for me), your TR is making me soooo WDW-sick. I miss it...been talking to the fam and friends and telling them how much I really want to get back there. BTW, thanks for the links to the google videos. I miss Stacey. She was on almost all the time when we were "home" at OKW, so she'll always have a special place in our hearts. I had to agree that Krissa was really annoying, but we loved Stacey. Take us back there, Stacey!!! We don't want reality anymore!!!

Thanks for staying up with your TR updates, BB. They are totally appreciated. Looking forward to the next, and the next, and the next!

P.S. We are heartbroken about Steve Irwin, too. What a shame to lose such a terrific guy.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Thanks S'Bellem

Yes.. I told DD. We found out less than half an hour after it happened. DD's daddy called to tell me. I don't know where he heard it. I couldn't even find info about it on the internet and I thought it was a rumor.
She loved Steve... It was a sad day.
Today before coming home from work I stopped at a Liztech boutique and got a mini glass kangaroo for DD. She loved it and named it Crikey in memory of Steve. I thought that was sweet

Ruthie is cool

Ahhh hugs to her, that's very sweet. I was wondering what she thought about it being from a stingray. I know how much she loves them.

 

[Anc96]

What a riot! I had to laugh at the image of sweet Ruthie bowling over kids to get to Figment. You know she didn't do that!! We all loved the Figment ride, too. It was so nice and cool in there and Nigel is the best. We never did get to do the Ellen ride...boo. S'pose it will be closed by the time we get back in 2008-09.

I could have never kidded that way about Ruthie if she wasn't such a great person... she really is! I feel very fortunate to have met her and I hope to meet with her again in the future!

I enjoyed the Figment ride too... but DD loved it and we had to ride it sooooo many times!! It was there the male CM tried to buy my crocs from me

Is the Ellen ride going somewhere?? I know it's been through a couple of changes in the past (as has the Figment ride).. but I didn't know it was due for a change. I hope I get to see it again! I liked it!!
I have heard that John Lasseter has approved a 4th refurbishment for the Figment ride though. It's said that they will make it more like like the 1st version of it. It'll be closed for 8 months or so.. and will re-open in time for the 25th anniversary of Epcot. It's supposed to depend on how the refurbished POC goes. I guess we'll see... I'm just hoping DD still loves it like she does now!

BB, at almost exactly four weeks after coming home (for me), your TR is making me soooo WDW-sick. I miss it...been talking to the fam and friends and telling them how much I really want to get back there. BTW, thanks for the links to the google videos. I miss Stacey. She was on almost all the time when we were "home" at OKW, so she'll always have a special place in our hearts. I had to agree that Krissa was really annoying, but we loved Stacey. Take us back there, Stacey!!! We don't want reality anymore!!!

I get WDW-sick looking through the pics and remembering. I have to check the created-on dates of the pics so I know the order of where we went. I had 2 discs for my camera, 1 & 2 gb... and I stupidly changed them back and forth! I filled BOTH discs.. so I have literally HUNDREDS of pics and several videos... and no order. I had to figure them out anyway for when I made our picture books, and the TR is helping me do that too. It's just sad too... I really do miss being there.

P.S. We are heartbroken about Steve Irwin, too. What a shame to lose such a terrific guy.

DD immediately thought of his little girl (Bindi)... it's the first thing she said... "He has a little girl my age, I feel so bad for her". I love that yes, she's sad because her hero the Croc Hunter has died... But I love more her compassion for his little daughter who will miss her daddy.

That man had such passion... he really lived in every second of his life. Our prayers are with his family..

 

[Anc96]

Ahhh hugs to her, that's very sweet. I was wondering what she thought about it being from a stingray. I know how much she loves them.

Funny thing about DD.. she is a true animal lover. She accepts the nature of animals, completely. I sometimes have a hard time watching those nature shows where an animal will kill another for food or survival... she doesn't. She says that's nature. But when a human hurts an animal (as on animal cops), she gets angry. People hurting animals is not nature, it's cruel and she doesn't accept it. She also deals with the sadness of some of those shows (like animal cops) when an animal that had been abused, dies. When I ask, "doesn't that make you sad to watch that", she says that you have to think of all the animals the people help, and then the animals get good homes.
So, did she feel an anger or anything negative towards the stingray? No... not at all. She didn't even mention it. For some reason the stingray felt threaten, and to DD it reacted to the threat the way a stingray would. There's no fault, and it wouldn't phase her at all to go to Sea World tomorrow and pet and feed them like she always does.

She has a stuffed stingray from Sea World.... it's one of her favorties on her bed, and she slept with it last night, as always.

Lots of kids say they want to be a vet when they grow up. Most change their minds eventually. I don't think DD will. She says she wants to be either a vet or a marine biologist... and I think she will.

 

[Anc96]

You've exceeded your limit.. been trying to answer you since last night. Make some room!

 

[cynderella]

You've exceeded your limit.. been trying to answer you since last night. Make some room!

Haha! Ok, I deleted 50 messages. That should do it.

Yes, I feel so badly for Steve Irwin's daughter, too. She was co-hosting the show he was filming when he was killed. I only have to look at my DD7 to think of how devastated she must be...to say nothing of his wife. I have cried a little bit each day since I heard. It's as if we've lost a close family friend. I'm not usually so sappy, but he was, as you said, a GREAT human being.

And, now, back to your TR!!

 

[macrosswife]

I have heard that John Lasseter has approved a 4th refurbishment for the Figment ride though. It's said that they will make it more like like the 1st version of it. It'll be closed for 8 months or so.. and will re-open in time for the 25th anniversary of Epcot. It's supposed to depend on how the refurbished POC goes. I guess we'll see... I'm just hoping DD still loves it like she does now!

I hadn't heard this!! (Not surprising given that I'm still in the first-month-of-school haze... )
But still...we LOVED the first version!! The second didn't have Figment at all, and that was just W-R-O-N-G!!!!
Hoping to get DS hooked on this particular purple dinosaur on our next trip!

~Kimber

 

[cynderella]

Psst.