If only Tinker Bell was related to the tooth fairy... (FINISHED 4/26)

[Captain_Oblivious]

Quite honestly, I would not know what to do if we had a rainy day to contend with.

Rainy day at WDW beats rainy day anywhere else. Man Law.

It's amazing how kids can turn their most feared ride into their favorite ride.

Either that, or they're terrorized forever.

The CM then yells for one of the other CMs to take us back up to the ride... VIP status.

That's awesome!

It was really cool getting the VIP treatment for ToT. Still can't believe they "lost" our photo! But we got to do something we never would have experienced if the photo had been there!

But did you get a new one?

From there we needed another break from the heat. Hey! There's a heat-breaking ride there... The Great Movie Ride!

On the ride-awesomeness scale ranging from "Awesome" to "Decent" to "Air-Conditioned", that one is most definitely air-conditioned.

Where can I find Roast beef around here??

50's PT!

This will be the most boring update for those of you who have stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside resort before.

I disagree. To stay at POR is to love POR.

This photo did not turn out so well, but I found the architecture of the Riverside Mill to be really fascinating. I love seeing all the exposed beams.

I think it's one of the better food courts on property. Love it there. The big mill wheel is really cool.

The side effect to these adventure trips is the fact that we now want to stay HERE too! The charm afforded by the POR resort really cast a spell on all three of us.

You wouldn't regret it! We love that resort. In case that wasn't obvious.

 

[Emma's Dad]

Rainy day at WDW beats rainy day anywhere else. Man Law.

I'll remember this... if it ever happens to us! Where's that wood I need to knock on....

Either that, or they're terrorized forever.

That just sparked my memory of our trip to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, many years ago. "Europe in the Air" was previously the ride "Corkscrew Hill" which is a 4D ride that took the rider through a mid-evil town on horseback among other things. Well... DD started FREAKING Out shortly after the ride started. It was all I could do to keep her in the seat for the rest of the ride. She still does not like 4D rides to this day. Had to drag her onto Star Tours the first time.

That's awesome!

We thought so, too

But did you get a new one?

Sure did. I'll post it up here when I get it scanned.

On the ride-awesomeness scale ranging from "Awesome" to "Decent" to "Air-Conditioned", that one is most definitely air-conditioned.

So true!

50's PT!

Oh yeah. Oh that roast beef is much better, too. Where's the drooling emoticon when you need it.... oh Randall!!!

I disagree. To stay at POR is to love POR.

And now that they have queen beds... mmmm... more to love

I think it's one of the better food courts on property. Love it there. The big mill wheel is really cool.

We have more food courts to try Artist's Point was pretty good, too.

You wouldn't regret it! We love that resort. In case that wasn't obvious.

I found it rather oblivious.

 

[Emma's Dad]

May 2, 2010

A short bus ride later and we are back at DHS to finish up day 6 at the parks. The evening has cooled off to a very enjoyable mid-70's temperature and low humidity. And with enough time left in the park day to get plenty of rides under our belts. With FP's in hand we make our way over to TSM. A few pics on the way:







And we enjoy our breezy walk through the FP line at TSM... a ride loved by all! Honestly, have you ever heard someone say they did NOT like that ride??


Had to stop here and take pictures of the spot lights in the sky. Just wanted to see how well the camera took in the lights. Not bad for a point and shoot... but then again, not good either.




Back across the park we get on ToT again and enjoy our elevator ride. And even though we already had a ride photo from earlier that day, I went ahead and captured another ride photo... ghetto style! We are in the back left row.


With the crowd level so low, we then prance over to RnRC to get all dizzy. And yet again some ghetto ride photos are taken. Too bad my arm blocked DD's face on this one! And no... I have no idea who the guy is in front of me!


And DW by herself:


Well... the park is getting ready to close at this point. Time to say goodbye to DHS one last time... well, until next time! OK... I just had the closing song to the Porky Pig Show pop in my head (Sadly now we sing again to each and everyone...). Showing my age here!

Parting shots:






Yep... we had fun! Bye!


Next up - Day 7, Part 1: "Aquatica"

 

[dvczerfs]

great last 5 updates don!!!!!
theres so much i wanted to say but, after seeing you took a picture of a picture. im speachless!!
i think you have stayed at boardwalk since this trip havent you?

 

[afwdwfan]

And thanks for being my main TR supporter here!

No problem! I've been waiting for so long in eager anticipation. I guess you firmly believe in the idea of leaving the reader wanting more.

And we enjoy our breezy walk through the FP line at TSM... a ride loved by all! Honestly, have you ever heard someone say they did NOT like that ride??

No. No I haven't.

Back across the park we get on ToT again and enjoy our elevator ride. And even though we already had a ride photo from earlier that day, I went ahead and captured another ride photo... ghetto style! We are in the back left row.

Wow... really must have been very low crowds. Either that or a few people in your elevator got stuck in the Twilight Zone.

And no... I have no idea who the guy is in front of me!

But whoever he is, he's having a good time.

OK... I just had the closing song to the Porky Pig Show pop in my head (Sadly now we sing again to each and everyone...). Showing my age here!

Th Th Th Th Th Th That's all folks!

 

[Emma's Dad]

May 3, 2010

OK... show of hands... who knew that Sea World has a water park in Orlando, FL? Well... don't feel bad if you didn't. Aquatica opened in 2008 and is right down the road from Sea World. This park happens to be one of the parks that our Platinum Pass for Busch Gardens allows us to attend for FREE. Yep... FREE. We like that word. With that said, we felt compelled to check out the park to see what all the hype was bout.

In my research leading up to this visit I found that this is one of the busiest water parks in the area. I had even heard stories about people being turned away from the park due to capacity reasons. Perhaps since the crowds levels at WDW have been low, maybe there's a chance that our visit today would be a little better.

Transportation to get to the park and back was the only issue I needed to work out. We did not have a rental car and any other mode of transportation was going to cost about $30 or so. Well... if you had followed along with my previous TR you would know that we made an attempt at Orlando's public bus system (LYNX). It went well enough for us to give it another shot. The plan is to take the same route we took before. No prob... we're pros at this now.

A few more shots of the Jaguar pool before we head out... and YES... DD wanted to get in before we left!




Here's something I found when we were walking to bus stop 1... the very first use of duct tape that I have ever seen at WDW. I was shocked the moment I saw it... thinking surely I must not be seeing what I am seeing. But it was true. After taking the shot I investigated to see what was under this strip on wood. Turns out they had replaced the caulk and were just using the strip as a barrier while the caulk cured. No perma-tape here.


Well... heeding my own advice from my first TR, we grabbed a Disney bus from CSR to DTD. This move would be a time-saver instead of having to get from the resort over to the TTC. It was an uneventful ride to DTD. From the Disney bus stop we walk over to the LYNX bus stop and notice as we get closer that there is a LYNX bus approaching the stop! We were already about 8 minutes ahead of the scheduled stop and knew that if we missed this bus we would need to wait another 30 minutes or so. We weren't having any of that! So we disregard the crosswalk signs and make a break for the bus. Good thing we did... cause she was not looking like she was going to be stopping! Whew. Sweaty now... but now in the cold A/C and on our way to Aquatica. BTW... the forecast for this day had the temperatures reaching the 90's.

We ask the bus driver if there is a stop in front on Aquatica... he says no. But he said he would tell us when to get off for the closest stop. Little did we know that the stop was going to be a 15 minute walk! Apparently Aquatica was not set up for foot traffic walking into their park. The front of the park looks nice enough, but they don't even have a sidewalk that goes from the front entrance to the admission gates. With the temperature already reaching upper 80's and carrying all our stuff I was getting sweaty and cranky. None of our party was very pleased with how this was turning out. And it did not help that we were guessing at where the park entrance was at...since there were no signs that indicated which direction to walk. Our attitudes were quickly deteriorating. So... if you are deciding to take the LYNX bus to Aquatica... make sure you know you are in for a long walk!

Here is the front of the park... it's nice enough looking here:




The sidewalk on the right frame of this picture only lasts another 30 feet...



We were able to get through the gates just fine after we find them. Thank God there were no issues with admission! First order of business was finding a spot on the "beach" and stake claim to a chair with shade. This proved difficult since there is little shade here. We manage to score a couple loungers by an umbrella.









DD wastes no time digging in...


The wave pool was DD's favorite part of the park. We must have spent 2 hours in that thing! Was also did the Dolphin Plunge... which is a water slide that takes you through the middle of a dolphin tank! Really cool... although there is NO way you are seeing the dolphins as you slide down! HAHA! Oh... and one word of caution.... the slides for this ride are VERY bumpy. My rear end felt the wrath of every one of the seams on that ride! Ouch.

You can make out the tubes in the middle of this photo:








We were able to experience just about all the rides the park has to offer. I would have to say that the best park of the park (after the wave pool) is the Walkabout Waters. If you've ever been to a Great Wolf Lodge, consider this part of the park like an outdoor version of the water playground... but way cooler. There was a lot of water to play with there.

Another piece of advice I would like to offer if you plan to visit... wear water shoes!!! I cannot stress this enough. I'm not sure who the genius was that decided to paint the paths a terracotta color, but what I do know is that my feet paid a high price for not wearing shoes. Someone had to have complained enough for them to install little sprinkler heads along the paths so there are "cool" spots to jump to. Without them I think my feet would have been well done on the crispy side. Still... my feet came out on the medium rare side at the end of the day.

We left the park around 4:00 pm and took the same route back to the front of the park. This time we noticed there is a closer bus stop on the return route that is right across the road at the park entrance. And we must have just missed a bus because we ended up waiting almost 30 minutes for one to show up. We were pretty much burnt, tired, and frustrated... I think our days of using LYNX are done.

Would we visit Aquatica again in the future? Yes. But requirements for future visits would include a car and water shoes!

Next up - Day 7, Part 2: "Our last night at WDW"

 

[dvczerfs]

yes, i did. the last time i was there was around 1997 or so. you have seen one big fish jump out of water, you have seen them all!
great update don, you take more pictures in one park than i do the complete three weeks im in wdw a year.
thats about a 10 hour drive for you guys?

 

[Emma's Dad]

yes, i did. the last time i was there was around 1997 or so. you have seen one big fish jump out of water, you have seen them all!
great update don, you take more pictures in one park than i do the complete three weeks im in wdw a year.
thats about a 10 hour drive for you guys?

Not sure how long a drive it is... have always flown non-stop using Southwest. Prob closer to 11 hours though.

 

[afwdwfan]

BTW... the forecast for this day had the temperatures reaching the 90's.

That would make the water park an excellent choice.

So... if you are deciding to take the LYNX bus to Aquatica... make sure you know you are in for a long walk!

So, in hindsight, you probably would have just gone for a cab?

Still... my feet came out on the medium rare side at the end of the day.

Ouch... I don't know why they wouldn't think to make a water park a little more barefoot friendly?

Would we visit Aquatica again in the future? Yes. But requirements for future visits would include a car and water shoes!

Live and learn.

great update don, you take more pictures in one park than i do the complete three weeks im in wdw a year.

I don't think I've ever even taken a camera to a water park.

 

[Emma's Dad]

That would make the water park an excellent choice.

So, in hindsight, you probably would have just gone for a cab?

Ouch... I don't know why they wouldn't think to make a water park a little more barefoot friendly?

I thought the same thing.

Live and learn.

I don't think I've ever even taken a camera to a water park.

I don't normally take one, but I wanted to get a few shots while we were there. Always risky leaving the camera in the backpack sitting under a chair.

 

[trennr]

So how many more updates we gonna have for this TR?

I'm pretty sure we have a 2011 TR we are waiting on.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

OK... show of hands... who knew that Sea World has a water park in Orlando, FL?

This park happens to be one of the parks that our Platinum Pass for Busch Gardens allows us to attend for FREE. Yep... FREE. We like that word.

If it's free, it's for me!

We ask the bus driver if there is a stop in front on Aquatica... he says no. But he said he would tell us when to get off for the closest stop. Little did we know that the stop was going to be a 15 minute walk! Apparently Aquatica was not set up for foot traffic walking into their park. The front of the park looks nice enough, but they don't even have a sidewalk that goes from the front entrance to the admission gates.

Hmmm...this seems like a design flaw.

The sidewalk on the right frame of this picture only lasts another 30 feet...

What's after that? Do you walk down the middle of an 8-lane highway? Land mines?

Was also did the Dolphin Plunge... which is a water slide that takes you through the middle of a dolphin tank! Really cool... although there is NO way you are seeing the dolphins as you slide down! HAHA!

You would think they'd at least let the dolphins slide with you.

Another piece of advice I would like to offer if you plan to visit... wear water shoes!!! I cannot stress this enough. I'm not sure who the genius was that decided to paint the paths a terracotta color, but what I do know is that my feet paid a high price for not wearing shoes. Someone had to have complained enough for them to install little sprinkler heads along the paths so there are "cool" spots to jump to. Without them I think my feet would have been well done on the crispy side. Still... my feet came out on the medium rare side at the end of the day.

Just have your daughter carry you next time.

 

[Emma's Dad]

So how many more updates we gonna have for this TR?

I'm pretty sure we have a 2011 TR we are waiting on.

Not many! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...

If it's free, it's for me!

I soooo need to get that made into a bumper sticker for my DW!

Hmmm...this seems like a design flaw.

What's after that? Do you walk down the middle of an 8-lane highway? Land mines?

Actually... it's the service road that leads to the parking lot for the park. It's great for driving on! Not so much for walking.

You would think they'd at least let the dolphins slide with you.

They might have a difficult time getting up the stairs...

Just have your daughter carry you next time.

I was thinking piggy-back style...

 

[afwdwfan]

Just have your daughter carry you next time.

She'll be pushing him in a wheelchair by the time he's done with this TR.

 

[Emma's Dad]

May 3, 2010

The bus ride back to DTD took longer than it did to get to Aquatica. I suppose since it was later in the afternoon there were more people getting on/off the bus. Once we stepped foot off the bus we breathed a sigh of relief. So long, LYNX! And hellooooo Disney! Good to be back in familiar territory

Plans for dinner were to visit one of DW's favorite places to eat... Wolfgang Puck's Express. For some reason, though, we stopped at Rainforest Cafe for an impromptu photo shoot. Oh yeah... I believe it was the feathered friends that got our attention.











Show off








Who knew there were alligators at DTD??


Inside the place:




Ceiling:


DW loved this guy:


Or was it this guy?










From the Rainforest Cafe we walk on over to Wolfgang Pucks Express. The weather had cooled down enough to be able to eat outside on the patio. It was nice being able to sit down and enjoy the nice scenery. And the food is ALWAYS good here! I don't think DW will ever let me NOT visit this restaurant during future stays!

We get some more shopping out of the way using some of the snack credits we had left from the QSDP. I, of course, grabbed a bag of taffy from Goofy's Candy Store

Time to head back to CSR and enjoy a very relaxing evening before we leave. Here's a parting shot of DD playing in the fountains:


So long DTD... see you again some other time! The last night is always the hardest... knowing that the end is near. Pooh.

Next up - The final installment - Day 8: "Epcot and then we're outta here!"

 

[dvczerfs]

UPDATE!!!!! (ALARMS ARE RINGING, BELLS GOING OFF)
nice pictures and update don. we try to hit wgp express every trip. for some reason i like the pizza there and tammy gets the pasta. they just emclosed some of the outside seating area. earl of sand. for breakfast is another place we hit. all these timely updates!!

 

[Emma's Dad]

May 4, 2010

This has been the longest Disney vacation we have taken to date. Our bodies can feel the difference, too, because we were ready to be heading back home on our 8th day. I think maybe we tried to do too much this trip... or maybe not enough resort time. IDK... but we still had some things planned to do this last day before we needed to be back for the Magical Express bus at 4:30. I figured the best way to spend the day was to be in our favorite park. So... Epcot it is! Yay!

First, we needed to check out and put our luggage in storage. Last picture of CSR's lagoon as we walk up front:



She even looks tired here waiting for the bus!


DW smiling away


When we arrived at Epcot there was one ride I was shooting for... the Sum of all Thrills ride in Innoventions. This ride had just opened this year, and I was determined to ride it. Any time I get to design my own roller coaster and then get to ride it sounds like fun that MUST be had!



Not a very good picture here, but this shows one of the arms in motion


Here you can see DD in the simulator:


DD getting off the ride. She was still a little disoriented here... lol


My thoughts of the ride... it was cool! This is an interesting way to get people to think about the physics involved in making a roller coaster... and that this is just one way math can be used in real life situations. I choose the high thrill option and made a pretty interesting ride with plenty of inversions. You can make the ride as boring or thrilling you want! Can't wait to go back and do it again!

As we strolled around Innoventions we found ourselves being entertained by the various interactive demos in the place. One that caught DD's eyes was called Make Every Day Earth Day.



They were making paper at the kiosk. So we walk over and watch the process used to make the paper. Very interesting how they took pulp and made it into little sheets of paper. Here is DD watching the process:


I didn't get any close-up pics of the process, but DD did get to make a piece and it is in the house somewhere now! lol. I may actually find it some day!

Here are some other shots of exhibits in the building:






We ended up eating lunch at the Electric Umbrella. Not the best choice of food at Epcot, but it was right there and burgers sounded good at the moment. I was surprised by how few people were dining at the place during lunch. Seems this place is always packed when I walk by. Don't get me wrong... I was NOT complaining! lol! The food was actually better than I recalled from past experiences. Still... may be a while before we eat there again.





A final stroll around Future World, one last ride on Soarin' and our last day at the parks was quickly ending. DD even talked us into a last ride on Spaceship Earth as we were walking out of Epcot. Not that SE is a bad ride, but I still find it amazing that this is one of DD's favorite rides. I find it a nice place to enjoy the air conditioning

The mood on the bus was a little somber as we take our last resort bus back to CSR. Bye, Bye, Epcot! We were still a little early for the ME bus, so we did a little shopping at the resort shop. We were pretty good about keeping up with our snack credits this time. I certainly enjoyed my share of Mickey head ice cream bars and Goofy taffy! Even still... we walked away with a few more lollipops and rice crispy treats.

Here are some shots as we hang out at El Centro:










Well... I wish I could have said that our last moments here at CSR were wonderful and magic and all went well. BUT... there is yet one more story to tell of our departure. You see that brown laptop bag sitting to the left of my backpack in the last picture? Normally I have all the important documents sitting somewhere inside there as we are getting ready to travel. I figure I would be least likely to leave the expensive equipment behind somewhere or left unattended. So... I really could have SWORN I placed our Magical Express tickets in the side pocket of that thing! Just as the bus is pulling up I am checking the pockets of the bag and I cannot for the life of me find our vouchers for the ride back! So I explain this to the driver and he tells me to go over to the table at the luggage check in area. Had to wait for someone to get some paperwork, verify we were actually supposed to be on the ME ride and all that. I was a little embarrassed by the effort that was going on just because I couldn't find our vouchers! Sheesh. Of course, at this time the bus was loaded and everyone was waiting on me. So... here's your Disney tip for the day... make sure you have your vouchers ready BEFORE the ME bus arrives! :LOL:

We wave goodbye to Disney World one last time and settle in for the ride to MCO. It's been a good trip... but we are also ready to get home and relax.


Our flight back to Norfolk was uneventful and on time. We love flying Southwest and have had nothing but great, on-time service from them. Hope they stay in business! Oh yeah... one more thing... when I pulled the laptop out of the bag to watch a DVD with DD, guess what I found... yep... the ME vouchers! Ain't that a kick in the head?

This concludes my very LONG journey to complete this trip report. For those who hung in to see this final installment I must give you a mighty firm handshake. Imagine one of those Bud Light commercials right now... you know... the "real American Heroes" ones... yeah, I just made a commercial about you guys:

<queue music>
Emma's Dad presents: Real DISr's of Genius
<echoes> Real DISr's of Geeeennnius
Today, we salute YOU, Mr. Slow Boat to China Trip Report Reader
<echos> Mr. Slow Boat to China Trip Report Reader

If only I had the real creativity to complete that song! Seriously though... Each of you deserve a medal for reading the longest trip report ever taken to finish! Now the real question is... do I start a new one for our 2011 trip? Hmmmmmm

 

[trennr]

Seriously though... Each of you deserve a medal for reading the longest trip report ever taken to finish! Now the real question is... do I start a new one for our 2011 trip? Hmmmmmm

Yes...Yes we do.

Yes...Yes you do...

It's da' law!

 

[Emma's Dad]

Yes...Yes we do.

Yes...Yes you do...

It's da' law!

That law was broken a loooooong time ago!

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Now the real question is... do I start a new one for our 2011 trip? Hmmmmmm

Yes, please!!! I just came across this TR earlier this week and managed to read through the whole thing (following the handy links) in about 4 days worth of DD's naps! It was fun travelling along with you all, and you've got me thinking about working on my OWN April 2011 TR that I never got around to writing. (Come to think of it, I never finished the PTR I'd started either....)

We're (well...I'm) planning our April 2013 trip now, and it's all I can do not to start a PTR 350 days out!

Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to reading that 2011 TR over the next 14 months!