I got laid off, but HEY I went to Disney!!! Update 10/27

[Christine9125]

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is typically my most favorite thing during our Disney trips. I look forward to it more than anything else! I love the parade, love the fireworks, and I LOVE trick or treating. On MNSSHP days we have learned (the hard way) that it’s best to dedicate yourself to just the party. Otherwise, someone is bound to get cranky and spaz out.

So we slept in. Think 10:30 sleep in. In Disney. Ya – that’s how we roll.

The plan for the day was to hit the outlets again to see if the Character Warehouse had anything new, and hit Downtown Disney for a little shopping and people watching before our late lunch reservations at Grand Floridian Café.

I asked one of the cast members at the Warehouse a few years ago when they got their shipments. Supposedly they get new merchandise every day. Well, we didn’t see much new stuff this day. We were, however, able to pick up a shirt for Mark’s brother (who was watching Tori and Mini) and a few more pins for my growing collection.

We then headed to DTD. If anyone ever wants to see a dead Downtown Disney, I strongly encourage visiting on a Tuesday. The place was EMPTY! I have never seen it like that before. I was actually in the Princess room of World of Disney by MYSELF!!! I picked up a couple pair of really cute earrings, and then we headed back to the room to get traveling Mickey, and ourselves, ready for 1:40 ressies.

This year was the first year that I pre-purchased tickets for the party. The cast member I talked to when I made my ADRs was just so sweet and funny – he talked me right into buying them. I will never do that again. I swear – I gave myself an ulcer worrying about stuff I have absolutely no control over…like weather. I did get a big kick out of getting them in the mail though.

I would pull them out randomly to shake them at Mark and do the “I’m going to Disney dance”. You know the one I’m talking about. The full on spider monkey hyped up on Mountain Dew. That was fun.

Every year we take traveling Mickey to the party with us. Last year we actually bought him a little costume that matched with ours. We were all three pirates. pirate It got a good bit of attention from the cast members, so I decided to do it again this year. Want some photographic proof that I have no real life?

I preferred Stitch, Mark preferred Buzz. Since I picked the Pirate last year, we went with Buzz. Mickey didn’t have much of an opinion.

Originally, we were going to wear World of Warcraft shirts that I made, but I’m still not comfortable with the full extent of my nerdiness.

The plan was to each lunch painfully slow at the GF, then head over to MK for early party entry at 4:00.

I was very excited to be eating in the Grand Floridian. I’d never visited the hotel before, and my expectations were extremely high.

Let me tell you – sour grapes are a dish best served cold. As soon as I walked in, I was hatin’. I saw a stain on the carpet, and had to comment….”if I were paying X number of dollars to stay here I would blah blah blah blah.” Other comments included “What’s so special about this place?” and “I prefer the Pop.” Classic case of sour grapes. In actuality, the place is beautiful. The staff was very nice, and I would love the opportunity to stay there one day. However, I know the chances of that happening reside somewhere between slim and none.

Mickey let me know very quickly that I shouldn’t hate the player, but hate the game. He loved it…and made himself right at home.

Mark and I discovered that he secretly wants to be in a jazz band.

Mickey also got to ride his first ride of the night….

We made our way to the Grand Floridian Café for lunch. This restaurant was very quaint. We were seated right by a window and were able to do some unexpected people watching. Score.

For lunch I ordered the steak:

Yes – it was as good as it looks. Cooked perfectly. That plate was VERY clean by the time I was done. I say any place that gives you a butter knife to cut your steak with is very confident in their steak cooking capabilities.

Mark had the GF Burger:

Mark surprised me again here. I thought he was going to go for the steak. When he ordered the burger, our server’s eyes got really, really big….all she could get out was “MAN – that’s a good burger.” It was pretty funny to witness. It lived up to the hype too. It was one of the best burgers I have ever tasted and Mark still raves about it. This was also the first time either of us have eaten asparagus, and we both liked it.

For dessert, we both had the fondue:

I really liked this too. The chocolate was nice and hot, so it didn’t cool too quickly. The fruit was very fresh, and sweet. My favorite was probably the marshmallows though.

We paid, tipped, and rolled out of that restaurant. I really had to take a potty break, so I headed into the bathrooms that are located outside of the GFC. This became the birthplace of the TP WARS.

To give you a little background – Mark and I are TP snobs. We’ve noticed through our travels that most hotels/restaurants/theme parks tend to use the cheapest TP money can buy. We’ve also noticed that eating rich food that you are not used to tends to wreck your stomach and make you use massive amounts of the aforementioned cheap TP. This is not a good combination. Things get a little irritated.…let’s just say it’s not pretty and leave it at that. To solve this problem, Mark and I always bring TP from home when we travel. Cottonelle to be specific.

At the Pop, it was no surprise for us to find said cheap TP on the roll, with extra supplies on the back of the toilet. We simply smiled at each other and broke out our special stock. Well – at the Grand Floridian, guess what was waiting for me on the roll? Angel Soft. With nice decorative flowers and everything. This made me giggle pretty loud, and I know the other guests in the bathroom finished quickly to escape the crazy person who would soon be exiting my stall. I also found quality TP at The Polynesian, and The Contemporary – BUT the cheap stuff resides at the boat dock outside of The Contemporary for any posers that want to fake the Contemporary funk. I guess the message is, pay for a deluxe and Disney will give you deluxe TP. I honestly can’t remember what we had when we stayed at The Wilderness Lodge, and we didn’t get to visit on this trip.

I have now added Grand Floridian Cafe to our meal list-that burger looks awesome!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I'm subscribing! Love your TR!!!!!

Thanks for sharing and waiting for more.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

fabulous job!!

 

[Trentmom]

Thanks. I am hoping to get another update up today, before the weekend. I tend to have less time to write on the weekends. How does that happen?



Thanks! Mickey always gets a good bit of attention from the cast members, and from other guests.

MNSSHP is an absolute blast!! I can't say enough about it. The parade and fireworks are worth the price of admission.

Your getting close now....

I've visited your PTR on the CB....There's a lot going on there!

Come on over and post

I have all the links to our updates in post number one if ya want to skp the chip chat for now

Or jump right in and chat with us

 

[team weasel]

After all of the festivities the night before, Mark and I were dragging a little bit more than usual. We arrived at Epcot at the crack of 11. Yeah, you read it right. 11:00. We were doing it the Weasel Way….where alarm clock offenses are punishable by multiple shots of Beverly. Followed by a dip in the P.O.P with no unexpected cleaning.

We had exactly two objectives for the day. #1 – see the Jamitors. #2 – Hit the American Adventure.

We hopped on SE to play with our future again, and continued to get a big kick out of it. By now, we’d figured out to make funny faces at the camera to increase the entertainment value for ourselves as well as those around us. On this particular adventure, Mark decided to give me bunny ears. Unfortunately, to achieve his goal, he leaned wwwaaaaay out of the picture zone. So while I showed up as a woman with a funny looking growth coming from her head, unlike my rogue cowlick, Mark ended up being a half-moon of nothingness. No face, no smile, nothing. Just a black half-moon shape. Seeing that shape during the “future” section of the ride was hilarious.

We made our way to the Innoventions Plaza to find a bench and wait for one of our favorite little things. The Jamitors. It’s kind of “Stomp”, Disney style. LOVE THEM! Granted, I am a former band geek, so I am partial. In part, this little show reminds me of high school pep rallies.

They never draw much of a crowd for some reason, but Mark and I always stop. Or sometimes, as in this case, we purposely track them down.

The middle guy, who plays the role of the group leader loves him some football. We’ve had conversations with him two years in a row now about SEC and professional football. To be fair, I had a conversation with him. I am the sports fan, not Mark.

We made our way slowly to the World Showcase, and began to head towards The American Adventure. On the way, we stopped in France to get Mark a crepe and a cappuccino:

This got a resounding egh from Mark.

I got a Grey Goose lemon lime slushie:

YUM. This was good. Not too slushie, but good nonetheless. For $9, it should have been.

Soon, we arrived at the American Adventure. This is one of my favorite attractions in all of Walt Disney World. As far as non-moving attractions go, it IS my favorite. I am a very patriotic person. It was instilled in me as a child, and it did not waver as I grew into an adult. My grandfather served in the Army as a Drill Sergeant, and my uncle recently retired from the Navy as a Master Chief.

If you would have asked me 20 years ago what I was going to do, I would have answered very confidently that I would be in the Navy. That was my life plan. I wanted to be in their marine biology program, and I scored high enough to be able to do so. Apparently, there were other plans for me. I could not pass the hearing test. I’ve always had issues with hearing, and a few years ago had to have surgery to repair some of the damage. I remember coming home and crying uncontrollably as my future slipped out of my hands. Thank God for unanswered prayers. I met Mark 12 years ago, and the rest is history.

My favorite part of the American adventure is the montage at the end. Specifically, “Golden Dream.” That song. That amazing song.

America, spread your golden wings
Sail on freedom's wind, across the sky.
Great bird, with your golden dreams
flying high, flying high.

Restless one in a world of change,
keeping dreams aloft in the rain.
Spirit free, soaring through the clouds
of time, of time.

America, you must keep dreaming now
Dreaming the promised vow of your pioneers
America, keep on flying now.
Keep your spirit free.
Facing new frontiers.

America, spread your golden wings
Sail on freedom's wind across the sky.
Great bird with your golden dreams,
Flying high, flying high,
Flying high, flying high!
Just seeing those lyrics in print gives me chill bumps. As our country faces great economic distress, this song gives me hope, and a sense of promise for our future.

Mark’s favorite part of the American Adventure doesn’t really happen IN the American Adventure. He likes the drum and fife core that plays about 30 minutes before the show.

While we were watching the drum and fife show, we noticed a family surrounded by Disney employees. Specifically, Disney suits. Then a dream team member came to visit them. I remembered thinking; “Man they must have won something big, good for them.” It was a mom, dad, and three our four kids.

The Dream Team member handed each one of the kids a lanyard, stocked with pins. They were all specialized too. I remember one of the little boys liked Indiana Jones, and there were Indy pins on it. He was so happy. I also remember DT guy saying, “and that’s just the beginning.” I got kind of excited thinking I was going to witness them getting one of the grand prizes, but then it kind of calmed down and fizzled out. Soon, we found ourselves in the rotunda of the American Pavilion waiting for the Voices of Liberty. Their singing is unmatched by anything else.

The VoL started their set as usual, but at the end of the second song, the DT member showed up again.

Turned out his name is Elton.

It also turned out that the family that was getting all of the attention was the family (son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids) of none other than Randy Bright. Imagineer all-star and writer of “Golden Dream.” Elton went on and on covering some of the great accomplishments of this great man. If you’ve never heard of him, here’s a great article.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=ww060830ws

I was honored to witness this family getting the welcome that they were. That’s when it happened. I was sideswiped by a dream. Elton turned to the VoL and asked them to sing “Golden Dream” in honor of the Bright family. Let me tell you, that song has never been more beautifully performed. I lost it. Tears rolling down my face, I leaned on Mark for support. I was so happy. So happy to be in my favorite place, with my favorite person, hearing my favorite song being sang so beautifully. God bless Walt Disney, and God bless the Bright family.

 

[team weasel]

I have now added Grand Floridian Cafe to our meal list-that burger looks awesome!

You will not regret it.

I'm subscribing! Love your TR!!!!!

Thanks for sharing and waiting for more.

Thanks! And WELCOME!! Update posted.

fabulous job!!

Thanks!

Come on over and post

I have all the links to our updates in post number one if ya want to skp the chip chat for now

Or jump right in and chat with us

Will do!

 

[Leger13]

Gawd I am so behind on dis. I keep missing your updates! *puts hand out for you to slap*

Anyways, late or not I LOVED your update. Absolutely adorable costumes for Mickey. I'd have to say I liked the Stitch costumes better as well but I am biased

I'm glad that you enjoyed the GFC. We were going to eat there this year too when we were still doing free dining but alas.... Now I see what I missed out on. I must eat there some time. I love steaks you can cut with a butter knife! *drool*

I'm really glad you had fun at MNSSHP. It's always so great and you are right, it is worth the extra $ for sure and if you are going to the party you really have to rest yourself before had. We learned the hard way too. I have actually found that the 2nd parade is less crowded but that's just my opinion. Either way it is a blast. Did y'all get any photopass pictures during the party??

 

[Leger13]

Wow great update of your day at EPCOT too. Your decsriptions of things just give me chill bumps and wish I could go back and re-do me and Chris' vacation because we were both so fowl at WDW this time. Especially at EPCOT. Ugh! Anyways, I'm really really glad you got to do and see the things you wanted to do and see while you were at EPCOT this day. Sounds like you had a fantastic time!!

 

[Trentmom]

WOW, what an incredible thing to witness .

I clicked that link to read about him and I had no idea he had passed away like that. How tragic.

 

[scottny]

Hey Scott!!!

FYI - I got the package..thank you. I had the opportunity to distribute three of the cards.

Thanks, just in time as we are changing hosts. same name and will be much easier to find.


Great update and pics.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I am not much of a trip report reader but I love yours. OMGosh, I so want that hambutger! Do you remember what it cost? Do you have to have reservations?

 

[team weasel]

Gawd I am so behind on dis. I keep missing your updates! *puts hand out for you to slap*

Anyways, late or not I LOVED your update. Absolutely adorable costumes for Mickey. I'd have to say I liked the Stitch costumes better as well but I am biased

I'm glad that you enjoyed the GFC. We were going to eat there this year too when we were still doing free dining but alas.... Now I see what I missed out on. I must eat there some time. I love steaks you can cut with a butter knife! *drool*

I'm really glad you had fun at MNSSHP. It's always so great and you are right, it is worth the extra $ for sure and if you are going to the party you really have to rest yourself before had. We learned the hard way too. I have actually found that the 2nd parade is less crowded but that's just my opinion. Either way it is a blast. Did y'all get any photopass pictures during the party??

Wev'e stayed for the second parade in the past, and have seen it both ways; packed and empty. I think it just depends on the mood of the crowd sometimes. We were actually going to watch both parades, but the crowd just got a little too out of control.

We got our first photopass card at MNSSHP. Want to know how many pictures we got taken? 1. Just 1. We usually get tons of photopass pics throughout vacation, but there always seemed to be a line for the photog. Esp where characters were involved. We didn't care though, we've had the opportunity in the past so I guess it was our time to share with others.

Wow great update of your day at EPCOT too. Your decsriptions of things just give me chill bumps and wish I could go back and re-do me and Chris' vacation because we were both so fowl at WDW this time. Especially at EPCOT. Ugh! Anyways, I'm really really glad you got to do and see the things you wanted to do and see while you were at EPCOT this day. Sounds like you had a fantastic time!!

Sorry to hear you had some grumpy adventures. Sometimes its just like that. Sounds like you need a reDo.

WOW, what an incredible thing to witness .

I clicked that link to read about him and I had no idea he had passed away like that. How tragic.

I know, right. I had heard of him, but didn't know the whole story. As soon as we got home, I started to research. What a loss.

Did you know that the second statue on the right as you enter the AA theatre is cast in his likeness? I heard his son talking about that, and thought that was cool.

Thanks, just in time as we are changing hosts. same name and will be much easier to find.


Great update and pics.

I am not much of a trip report reader but I love yours. OMGosh, I so want that hambutger! Do you remember what it cost? Do you have to have reservations?

I'm glad to have you FF. I want to say the hamburger was around $15.00, but to be honest I can't remember. The GFC isn't all that popular, so I don't think you would need reservations, but I def recommend them to guarantee a seat.

 

[Leger13]

Wev'e stayed for the second parade in the past, and have seen it both ways; packed and empty. I think it just depends on the mood of the crowd sometimes. We were actually going to watch both parades, but the crowd just got a little too out of control.

We got our first photopass card at MNSSHP. Want to know how many pictures we got taken? 1. Just 1. We usually get tons of photopass pics throughout vacation, but there always seemed to be a line for the photog. Esp where characters were involved. We didn't care though, we've had the opportunity in the past so I guess it was our time to share with others.



Sorry to hear you had some grumpy adventures. Sometimes its just like that. Sounds like you need a reDo.

Yeah I suppose that is true with any disney special event. Stinks you couldn't watch the 2nd parade too this time. Glad you got to enjoy it once though.

Wow only 1 photopass picture the whole time you were there or was that just at the party? I hear you on skipping out on pictures with some of the characters. We usually only hit up the characters with really short lines. We got lucky a few times.

Yeah, we really do need a reDo...hopefully it will happen in 2010. All depends on $ issues

 

[team weasel]

After such an amazing time at The American Adventure, we decided to take advantage of a little down time. We headed back to the Pop, made our daily phone call to check on Mamaw, and then snuck a nap.

We had 5:45 reservations for Ohana, so I was excited! Last year, Ohana became an instant favorite for me. I love the atmosphere, and the food. This year was just eh. Checking in for Ohana is always an adventure. That area just always seems so packed. Mark and I were able to snag a couple of chairs and I wanted to take some pictures. Want to know how to tell your husband is tired of having his picture taken? Say cheese:

Want to see what happens when you get on to your husband for not smiling? NOW SMILE!

Yeah, that was the end of the camera for that night.

When we were seated, the kids were in full-blown limbo mode, so it was a little chaotic. Mark and I don’t mind situations like that, especially in Disney since it’s kind of expected. However, our waitress didn’t make her appearance until well after the limbo contest was over. She wasn’t rude, just wasn’t very friendly, and definitely wasn’t up to the Disney standard that we love.

She had an assistant that was in charge of bringing all of the food, and she pretty much just brought drinks, so I can’t understand why she was so stressed. But, she was, and I have never waited tables – so I cannot judge. I was just ready to get my food! Bring it on! Here’s a simple, basic review:

Salad = best dressing on property
Bread = yum
Sticky Wings = cold, but good. Mark doesn’t like them.
Dumplings = best part of dinner for me. Mark said they were okay.
Noodles = I wouldn’t eat them. I wanted potatoes. Mark said they were okay.
Skewered Shrimp – Super yum.
Skewered Pork – Yum
Skewered Turkey – A little too dry.
Skewered Steak – Too dry.
Dessert – Slap yo mamma good.

All in all, it wasn’t the same experience we had last year. I miss the potatoes, as those were my favorite last year, but I really like the dumplings. It's still an experience that I can't have at home, so we will return.

 

[team weasel]

Yeah I suppose that is true with any disney special event. Stinks you couldn't watch the 2nd parade too this time. Glad you got to enjoy it once though.

Wow only 1 photopass picture the whole time you were there or was that just at the party? I hear you on skipping out on pictures with some of the characters. We usually only hit up the characters with really short lines. We got lucky a few times.

Yeah, we really do need a reDo...hopefully it will happen in 2010. All depends on $ issues

One photopass pic the whole time we were there. I'm really glad we didn't pre-purchase the cd, or participate in a swap.

I hope it works out for the redo!

 

[Leger13]

omg those pictures of Mark at Ohana remind me of something Chris would totally do/has done at disney when he was sick of getting his picture taken.

Sorry your meal wasn't what you remembered from last year but glad at least some of it was good. I want some "slap yo mama good" desert!! love your descriptions of food girl. You crack me up!!

 

[Trentmom]

Slap yo momma, love it

Bummer it was not up to par, but at least your dessert was good

 

[photobob]

Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us! I don't read too many but yours just drew me in. You have a very nice writing style, I've really enjoyed it. Maybe the Pool of Poop culprit knew of the cheap TP at Pop so he/she decided to take care of business during pool time.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Epcot update was very touching

Bummer Ohana's wasn't as good as it could/should have been A server has such influence over how you view your meal, sorry yours wasn't up to the job.

Slap yo mama good

 

[team weasel]

On Thursday the 18th, we had our one and only ADR at Hollywood Studios – Sci Fi. This had me excited for two reasons. #1, I liked Sci Fi last year, and was ready to try it again. #2, I needed to perfect my strategy on TSM and finally defeat my husband.

It was about 10:30 by the time we got to the park, but based on our previous day’s experience at HS, we weren’t worried. We noticed immediately that the park was more crowded as we made our way to TSM.

Yeah – you see it. A 60-minute posted wait time. Oh well, I really REALLY wanted to ride again. So I did what any good wife does. I stood there with my lip poked out and used my super sad puppy dog eyes to con my husband into standing in line for an hour to ride an attraction that takes approximately 3 minutes to complete. SCORE!

Now that I am looking back on my pictures, I must have been really fascinated by the TSM queue, because I have more random pictures in there than of anything else. Here’s just one of the twenty or so that I have:

So we make our way through the looooooong line, board our ride vehicle and head off to score some points. Guess what? I won!

I was player one, Mark was player two. I didn’t rub his snout in it too hard though. Yeah, right. I smiled, and sang, and skipped my way through the entire exit queue telling every person I could that I beat him.

Once back on the street, Mark made the suggestion that we visit the Animation Academy. I nearly fainted at the suggestion. Why? It was the scene of one of the worst vacation crimes in history. Let me take you back.

In 2005 I discovered the Animation Academy and immediately fell in love. So in love, that we drew four characters in just one day. Most know that you enter a barely lit room lined with desks and chairs, with an overhead projector and type of stage that the artist uses to teach you to draw a random Disney character. On what would become our last visit to the AA, the artist chose to do Stitch. I was pretty excited about it too! I was mid-stroke with my pencil, when out of the corner of my left eye I see Mark start to lean towards me. And it happened. The squeaker.

Have you every tried really, really hard not to laugh at something? Have you noticed that trying not to laugh makes the situation ten times worse? After the squeaker escaped, I looked at Mark who had this huge grin on his face, and said “that’s not funny.” Well, yes it was….and what started as a giggle grew into a full fledged crying laugh by the end of it all. In between my laughter I kept repeating…”that’s not funny, that’s not funny”, and Mark kept telling me…”well, stop laughing then.” I was hysterical by the time we left that place.

We learned a valuable lesson that day; do not choose your Disney vacation to introduce extra fiber into your diet.

So when Mark said lets go back to the AA, that’s the thought that ran through my mind. I have to say, I was a little worried.

When we entered the room, the artist informed us that we would be drawing Dopey. We were both excited since we’d never had the opportunity to draw him before. I am happy to report that we completed our drawings, squeaker free, and here are the finished results:

My Dopey:

Mark’s Dopey, who looks more like a cracked out Keebler elf:

After we were done in the academy, it was time for our lunch ADRs at Sci Fi.

The check in area was very crowded, with lots of families being turned away without reservations, and this was the one and only time that we were seated past our ADR time. We ended up waiting an additional 15 minutes. Of course, as a party of two, we were seated as hitchhikers along with another party of four.

Mark and I both ordered the same exact thing…the ribs

and a hot fudge sundae

I love the ribs here, Mark just likes them, but we both agree on the sundae – outstanding.

After our great meal, we made our way back over to TSM to see if the line was any better. It wasn’t, but I did snap a pic of this guy just kind of wondering around.

I knew we needed to walk around for a bit to help our food digest a little, so we headed towards the hub to look around. Once I saw the crowds, I new it was getting close to parade time. We’ve never actually seen a parade at HS before, so I figured we would stay and watch. Since we arrived kind of last minute, the space we got wasn’t all that good, but I thought it would be okay. There were two people in front of me, and I was standing about a foot behind them (I’m all about giving you your personal space). All of a sudden, out of nowhere, this woman comes and wedges herself between me and the person I was standing behind. Didn’t say anything, didn’t look at me, nothing. She didn’t even have any kids in tow – she was just a side-swiping spot stealer.

Usually I would have made a fuss and asked her to move, but since I was trying to have a stress free, laid back Disney experience I said nothing. It still irritates me. Once the parade started, I discovered very quickly that I, therefore she, couldn’t see anything from that spot and moved. When I left, she was still standing there, looking irritated because she couldn’t see over the people in front of her. Karma is a butterfly.

We moved down the street a ways and found a good spot closer to Rockin’ Rollercoster.

This parade, which really isn’t a parade, is so cute. The music is infectious, and I found myself singing along quite loudly in a few spots. The performers have such high energy, and seem to be having such a great time. In the future, I will make time to stake out a good spot to see this one in its entirety.