"Is This A Ride"? Our Disney Honeymoon Adventure 5/16-5/24

[KatMark]

Kira, the wedding pictures are beautiful (I especially love the one of you holding Zoe) and, as I've already said before, you are a beautiful bride.

I love Josh's face after trying the Beverly. Way to be sneaky, girl!

It is great that Josh ended up loving so many of the rides.

Had that tour group cut in front of me, there would have been an exchange of words...and not friendly ones.

Sorryyour meal at Coral Reef wasn't very good, but Josh's steak looks really good. We'll have to get back there one of these days.

 

[ronnmel]

I didn't even notice you had posted a second part to the update!

Sorry your Coral Reef meal wasn't that great. DH is thinking about adding it to our trip, but I'm not. Since he wasn't too insisting, and I'm the one booking the ADRs, I haven't booked it yet. Maybe he'll forget...

I'm scared to try MS orange! I get motion sickness to easily... How was it?

 

[DisneyKira]

The wedding photos were gorgeous! We didn't try Mission Space when we were at Epcot. I was too much of a wimp this time but maybe I'll give it a try next time.

Thank you . You should at least try the green version. It is pretty tame.

 

[dilligaf212]

your wedding pictures are beautiful I loved your bouquet.. sounds like you are having fun on your trip so far

 

[DisneyKira]

Kira, the wedding pictures are beautiful (I especially love the one of you holding Zoe) and, as I've already said before, you are a beautiful bride.

I love Josh's face after trying the Beverly. Way to be sneaky, girl!

It is great that Josh ended up loving so many of the rides.

Had that tour group cut in front of me, there would have been an exchange of words...and not friendly ones.

Sorry your meal at Coral Reef wasn't very good, but Josh's steak looks really good. We'll have to get back there one of these days.

Thanks . I love that picture of Josh. I think he looks like he is going to be sick . I am so evil!

Josh seemed to like every ride. I'll have to ask him what ride he didn't like. I know he enjoyed all of the "big" rides.

I am a cranky person when it comes to tour groups (especially rude tour groups). I didn't say anything to them, but I am pretty sure I complained very loudly to Josh . I don't like that some tour groups have to do everything at the same time, in the same place. They go to the bathroom at the same time, eat at the same time, watch parades at the same time. Not to mention the fact that some large groups of people insist on walking side-by-side, blocking the entire path

Coral Reef wasn't bad. I just wish I had ordered what Josh ordered.

I didn't even notice you had posted a second part to the update!

Sorry your Coral Reef meal wasn't that great. DH is thinking about adding it to our trip, but I'm not. Since he wasn't too insisting, and I'm the one booking the ADRs, I haven't booked it yet. Maybe he'll forget...

I'm scared to try MS orange! I get motion sickness to easily... How was it?

Yeah, I am never that impressed by Coral Reef. My dad, my brothers, and my DH really like it, though. It seems like your DH loves it, too. What's up with guys and Coral Reef?

I don't think MS orange is all that bad. It can be a bit disorienting if you look to the side instead of at the screen (a little girl told me this when we were boarding the ride). I think the tea cups can be way worse (assuming you spin them really fast). If you do go on MS, it is probably best not to eat a huge meal right before. Also, don't go on it with an empty stomach (IMO, that is way worse than going on it with a full stomach). We ate dinner right before and I was fine (I actually felt worse before we got on). Josh said he felt a little icky afterwards though. That could have been from the meal itself, though.

 

[DisneyKira]

your wedding pictures are beautiful I loved your bouquet.. sounds like you are having fun on your trip so far

Thank you I loved the flowers at our wedding. So pretty

 

[KatMark]

I am a cranky person when it comes to tour groups (especially rude tour groups). I didn't say anything to them, but I am pretty sure I complained very loudly to Josh . I don't like that some tour groups have to do everything at the same time, in the same place. They go to the bathroom at the same time, eat at the same time, watch parades at the same time. Not to mention the fact that some large groups of people insist on walking side-by-side, blocking the entire path

I hear you. I remember when my boys were little (they are now 25 and 23), we were in a line for the characters. This was before they had a set line, but common sense could tell you there was a line. I had a "tour group" of 10 people cut in front of my kids after we had patiently waited our turn for about five or six minutes. I walked in front of them while my husband stood with my kids and loudly said, "in America, we wait in line and show common courtesy." My husband thought I'd lost it.

 

[DisneyKira]

I hear you. I remember when my boys were little (they are now 25 and 23), we were in a line for the characters. This was before they had a set line, but common sense could tell you there was a line. I had a "tour group" of 10 people cut in front of my kids after we had patiently waited our turn for about five or six minutes. I walked in front of them while my husband stood with my kids and loudly said, "in America, we wait in line and show common courtesy." My husband thought I'd lost it.

That is awesome

 

[shocky5]

Beautiful wedding pictures, Kira!! And your trip report is so fun to read! Sorry about your bride's ears! Did you ever get a new pair or is that later in the trip?

In preparing/planning for our last trip to Epcot ('09), I had read on the dis board about the Beverly... and as luck would have it, we were selected as a 'dream' winner at rope drop and had our own guide who walked our group onto the rides through the VIP entrances, took us around to meet the characters, and yep - you guessed it - introduced our group to the Beverly. I didn't drink it but you can bet I had my camera ready to go... the kids faces, DH's face... PRICELESS. They still talk about it!

Great memories!

 

[annmarieda]

Am I the only one who likes the Beverly? I like it since it is not too sweet.

 

[shocky5]

Am I the only one who likes the Beverly? I like it since it is not too sweet.

I can honestly say you are the very first person I've heard admit they like the Beverly.

 

[DisneyKira]

Beautiful wedding pictures, Kira!! And your trip report is so fun to read! Sorry about your bride's ears! Did you ever get a new pair or is that later in the trip?

In preparing/planning for our last trip to Epcot ('09), I had read on the dis board about the Beverly... and as luck would have it, we were selected as a 'dream' winner at rope drop and had our own guide who walked our group onto the rides through the VIP entrances, took us around to meet the characters, and yep - you guessed it - introduced our group to the Beverly. I didn't drink it but you can bet I had my camera ready to go... the kids faces, DH's face... PRICELESS. They still talk about it!

Great memories!

Thanks! I do get the ears replaced the next day. I'll post that in my next update (in 30 minutes or so ).

I love Beverley pics, don't you? That is awesome that you got to be a "dream winner". Do they still do that? I didn't notice a dream family at RD when we went.

Am I the only one who likes the Beverly? I like it since it is not too sweet.

Yes, yes you are. Beverly is icky.

 

[shocky5]

Thanks! I do get the ears replaced the next day. I'll post that in my next update (in 30 minutes or so ).

I love Beverley pics, don't you? That is awesome that you got to be a "dream winner". Do they still do that? I didn't notice a dream family at RD when we went.

Awesome! Can't wait to read your next update!

I don't know if they still do the 'dream winner' anymore. That was in May 2009 and I think that was their promotional from 2007 - 2009 and then in 2009-10 they transitioned into 'What will you celebrate' and now have the "Making memories" going on. I would think the 'dreams' would be something they could successfully continue, though!

 

[DisneyKira]

Before I start here are two other wedding photos that I want to share. Sorry, I am just so obsessed with my wedding pictures!

So the next day we got up at 6am. We had an ADR for Donald's Safari Breakfast and we got to be in the parks an hour before they opened! As we were walking through the empty park, I snapped a few photos.

Black Swan!

Roseate Spoonbills. I saw these guys in the wild when I visited Costa Rica in High School. Aren't they pretty? They do have those weird wrinkly heads, though.

Nearly empty park

So after we were done snapping pictures, we wandered over to breakfast. We waited in line to check in, and then we waited a little longer, and then we were led over to the line to wait for Donald. Josh's favorite character is Donald, so he was really excited to get a good picture with him. I handed one of the CMs my camera when we got up to the front of the line. Donald hugged Josh and I and then held out his arm for me to hold. A CM said, "Oh, now you're a Proper Duck" and snapped a picture . Here is the one picture that the CM took with my camera.

I wish I had known that it wasn't the best picture. I might have considered buying their professional photo. I really don't agree with how Disney does the pictures at Donald's Safari Breakfast. They print out the photos that they take (the entire package, including multiple prints) and "pedal" them around. If you don't spend the $30 or so it costs to get the picture, they just throw the prints away! I find that incredibly wasteful. Why can't they just make it a photopass picture that you can buy later when you get home, or include the photo in the cost of the meal? Okay, end rant.

Anyway, I was too excited to eat to look at the picture. Josh and I sat down, ordered drinks, and went out to get food. Here is a picture of my plate (I tried to make it look pretty). I personally like the food at Tusker, but Josh wasn't impressed. He said this was his least favorite meal. I love the POG juice, though.

Here are the pictures of the characters. We only have one picture with the two of us in it. When the last character came around (Goofy) the waitress noticed that we were taking pictures of each other. She offered to take a picture for us.

It was already almost time for the park to open, so we finished up our breakfast and went outside to go on EE. Josh was really nervous about this ride. I told him it was no worse that RR, but he saw the drop from the outside of the ride and was convinced that I was trying to kill him . He was a trooper and went on it anyway...and he loved it (of course)! We went on it two more times and then made our way to Kali River.

Now for those of you that read my PTR, you might remember those cute little crocs that I bought. I specifically bought them because I wanted a pair of shoes that could get wet on Kali and would dry. Well, I forgot to mention in my last update that I wore these crocs on the second day... They were EVIL and gave me a million blisters all over my feet! So instead of trading one horrible fate (wet soggy socks all day) for a much worse fate (blisters), I was smart and slipped a pair of flip flops (and a ziplock bag) into my backpack when I was getting ready for the day. Before getting in line for Kali, I put the flip flops on, threw my socks and our electronics in the ziplock bag, and threw my sneakers into a merchandise bag. Josh was wearing new hiking boots that were waterproof, so we didn't have to worry about his feet. I am glad that we went through these precautions because we both got soaked! It wasn't the wettest I would get on a ride this trip, though (but that is a story for later).

After attempting to dry off in the bathroom, I switched back to sneakers and we headed to the jungle trek. Here are some pictures we took of the animals.

Hello Mr. Bat...

So I forgot to mention in my last update that after we went back to Epcot for dinner, I told a CM what happened to my ears. I told them I didn't have the receipt anymore, but asked them if I would be able to return a new pair of brides ears if they did that again (I said I was going to buy a new pair and keep the receipt). The CM looked at me like I was crazy and told me that I could exchange the old pair without having to buy anything else. "This is Disney" she told me, "If it is a Disney Parks exclusive and it breaks, we will replace it without a receipt". But we didn't have the ears with us at the time. So when we went to AK on our third day, I brought the broken ears with me. After we were done with the jungle trek we brought the broken ears to a shop and exchanged them for a new pair . The we got FPs for KS and went to the Pagani trails (no pictures of that, sorry). After that we went on the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch.

When we got there, I noticed that they were doing a little show on the stage next to the petting zoo. We sat down and watched the keepers talk about hedgehogs and opossums. I personally think that both can be cute (IMO possums are very cute when they are cleaned up and hedgehogs are always adorable). Here is a picture of the possum.

We spent some time in the petting zoo but none of the animals really wanted to be messed with. It was getting really hot, so I didn't blame them. Josh and I enjoyed looking at the animals inside, though. Josh was particularly fond of the reptile and amphibian section. We even got to see a zoo keeper talk about the reptiles. Josh usually criticizes reptile/amphibian exhibits and their keepers, but he didn't seem to find anything wrong with this section at AK. At our zoo at home, some of the keepers don't really know what they are talking about. Josh got mad one time because a keeper told him the iguana he was showing to guests was female, but Josh was convinced it was a male. Josh even took a picture and sent it to all of his herpetologist friends, and they agreed that the keeper was wrong! So it was really nice to see that Josh "approved" of all of the information that the keepers were giving the guests about reptiles.

After that it was time to go on KS and then to HS. (Continued in Next Post)

 

[DisneyKira]

So after we got back from RPW, we headed over to KS to use our FPs. Here are the pictures we took. We went on the ride on a different day with Josh's more expensive camera, so there are plenty more animal pictures to come

He's just lion around!

You can be a big pig, too!

So after we got off of KS, we went shopping a little bit. I wanted to get Josh a groom's hat but they didn't fit on his big 'ol head, so we were looking at other kinds of hats for him. He had also left his sunglasses at home, so he was wanting to buy a pair of sunglasses. Well I found a hat/sunglasses combo for only $20 at one of the shops in Africa. It was perfect. Here is a picture of Josh's new hat.

I was kind of silly and got an ADR for Mama Melrose on the 20th...opening day for Star Tours. So to fit everything in, we decided to spend half of our first AK day at HS. We hopped onto a bus and went directly to HS (no nap that day). Our first order of business was to get some lunch. We went to staring rolls and split a ham sandwich. Josh got the dessert (a brownie with M&Ms, and I got the pop. Here is a picture:

Soooo yummy! I recommend splitting this.

After lunch we grabbed some TOT FPs and then grabbed some slushies (no pictures, sorry). I got a pina colada and blue raspberry slushie, and josh got a strawberry and blue raspberry slushie from the candy shop near Starring Rolls. They will give you two different flavors if you can't decide. Then we went on the backlot tour. It was so hot that walking across the park was exhausting, even with the slushies. We managed to survive, though and we made sure to stand in the first row (where we would get wet).

After that we passed Star Tours to see if it was having any soft openings. Unfortunately, they were not. I talked to the cast member about the expected crowd levels for the next day. He told me that the first few hours of park opening were going to be crazy, but the crowds were supposed to calm down by the time we were supposed to go to lunch.

After that it was time to take Josh on the famous Great Movie Ride! We both enjoyed it very much. After that, we grabbed some RR FPs and headed to TOT. Josh was really terrified of this one. But he did just fine. He actually liked the ride more than me! By this point, we were both very tired and hot. I didn't want to leave the parks yet, so we ducked into the Walt movie (yay for A/C). Josh fell asleep in the theater, but I stayed awake. I had never seen that movie before and I really enjoyed it. After that we went on RR again (Josh's favorite ride) and headed back to the hotel. When we were leaving we noticed a bunch of people camping in front of the park entrance, and a stage set up with a bunch of cameras. We were told that it was for a huge media event the next morning.

This little guy was waiting for us above our hotel room. Isn't he adorable? Josh tried to catch him but the gecko was a little too fast. He ran down the door, onto the floor, and then jumped off of the building (we were on the third floor)! I was so mortified! I thought the poor little guy was hurt. But we watched him scurry into the bushes, apparently unharmed. Josh said that they don't get harmed when they fall like that. They are arboreal and small, and their little bodies can handle falling a great distance. I still felt bad.

We rested a little bit in the hotel room before we went to dinner. I threw on a sundress and some flip flops (for no reason in particular other than to wear a dress) and we headed to the boat dock. Downtown Disney time!

The plan was to go to Wolfgang Pucks, but it was closed temporarily until after our trip was over. We went to Earl of Sandwich instead. Sometimes things happen for a reason. Earl of Sandwich was amazing! Don't be intimidated by the huge line. It moves insanely fast and the food is sooo worth it! I got an Italian sandwich and Josh got a ham sandwich with cheddar instead of Swiss. I got a cupcake for dessert and Josh got a cookie. Here are the pictures.

Mine.

Josh's

After dinner we decided to go shopping. While we were shopping, Josh started itching like crazy. He had been bitten or stung by something nasty, and his leg started swelling up. I went over to a CM and asked her what kinds of bugs were around. She said there wasn't anything that would really send him to the hospital (except for a widow bite or a brown recluse and we have those here). One CM said it looked like a fire ant bite, another thought it was just a bad mosquito bite. Poor Josh! We tried to find some calamine lotion but none of the shops had any, so I just put a little hand sanitizer on it (we were told that alcohol helps with the itching). That seemed to work a little bit, so we continued to shop. I bought my Dad a bag of sour character gummies and my siblings a bag of chocolate coins. I was planning on filling a mickey water bottle with chocolate coins for my little brother and sister.

After we were done shopping, we headed back to the hotel. We had another looong day ahead of us!

 

[swwake]

Wow that was a cram-packed day! Those sandwiches look great. I hope Josh stopped itching and swelling!
Thanks for the update.

 

[DisneyKira]

Wow that was a cram-packed day! Those sandwiches look great. I hope Josh stopped itching and swelling!
Thanks for the update.

All of the sandwiches that we ate that day were awesome! Josh said the itching only lasted a few hours. By the next morning, the swelling was gone. He is such a trooper. I never heard him complain about the bug bite after we stopped looking for the calamine lotion.

 

[dilligaf212]

That is awesome they exchanged your ears for free... the food looks soo good. i am definitely gonna have to try earl of sandwich next time we go.. i am so jealous everytime i go to AK i never get to see the lions they are always hiding

 

[Joyciemc]

Mmmmmmm, your Earl of Sandwich meal looks amazing!

Sounds like it was a very good day- except for Josh's bite, of course!

 

[shocky5]

YUMMMM! I forgot how much I like Earl of Sandwich...

Glad the bug bite turned out okay for Josh!