"IT'S A TRAP!" A January 2012 trip report ~ *Updated FINALLY! 7/6*

[Megablocks]

You have another follower! Can't wait to see more!

Yay, I love new readers! and thanks for joining!

 

[Megablocks]

Just wanted to apologize for the lack of updates...I started back to school and my internship last Monday and it's been crazier than I thought it would be! Before I knew it, I hadn't updated for over a week and I'm behind on the DIS. I hate it when life gets in the way of DIS time!

I also tried to update last night, but I hit some wrong combination of keys on my laptop, and suddenly everything on the screen was HUGE! I could not for the life of me figure out how to back out of it, so I managed to copy/paste what I had into Word, and save it before just restarting the computer. I was updating instead of doing homework so I think it was a sign.

Day 2, part 1: Thursday, January 12

Since we had a really early morning the day before, we decided to sleep in and just get going whenever, since our only concrete plan was Chef Mickey's for dinner at 5:10. When I was getting ready, Mike woke up and asked if I'd gone to the food court yet. I hadn't, so we went down together. I believe we both got breakfast pizzas. I'm not sure what is on this besides scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese, but it is so good! It is kind of a lot for me, so I split one with mom a couple times.

I can't remember exactly when everyone else got up and we were on our way out, but I'd guess around 10 or 11.

Good morning, my favorite park!

Can you tell it was sunny?

We were going to ride SSE but the line was wrapping around both sides, so we decided to skip it and maybe ride on the way out. We headed to Test Track, instead, to check the wait and get FastPasses. We bypassed the standby line because it was something crazy, like an hour or more. Our FP time was 3:40-4:40, which was perfect! We decided we could hit TT on the way out with our FP's and then try to squeeze in a ride on SSE. After we got the FP's, we decided to split up. The guys went to get in the single rider line of TT, and me, mom, and Kailyn went over to Figment. I know it's cheesy, but I really love that ride. After that, we headed to Club Cool. I had tried Beverly years ago, but decided to try it again, since I forgot what it tasted like. UGH! It's so bitter! After that, me, mom and Kailyn found a bench right outside, near the WS entrance (closest to Canada), and waited for the guys. It was a gorgeous day!

Does it look empty? Yeah, that's because everyone was in line for TT or Soarin'.

I was SO excited about all the Christmas stuff still being up!

By this point, we'd been waiting kind of a while for the guys and were itching to get up and explore WS. So we headed in, on the Canada side. Kailyn and I stopped for a picture first.

Pretty much right when we stepped into WS, dad or Mike called or texted one of us, so we told them where we were and just hung out near the fence to wait. I took a picture when I saw them coming and didn't realize till I was looking at them later that dad had "posed."

We decided to just take our time walking around WS. We stopped for pictures, then Dad had a craving for tea, so he, Kailyn and the glasses enjoyed a spot of tea in WS.

We continued on to Japan. We got to see the drummers, and of course, stopped in the GIANT store. My mom and I in particular really love this store. After that, we knew that Germany was coming up, and my mom and I had been dying to check out the new caramel shop. Dad and Kailyn are not fans of caramel so they waited outside while Mike, mom and I went in. Mike didn't end up getting anything because there was such a huge selection, but mom and I did! She got some caramel/marshmallow swirl and I got the dark chocolate caramel with sea salt. I only have a picture of mine.

It was amazing! Definitely did not disappoint!

When we came to China, I wanted to try this frozen peach drink that I'd heard of. It was called a "peach snap" and from what I could tell, it was basically a frozen peach schnapps drink. I love pretty much anything peach, so I had to try it. Dad is not a fan of peach, but tried some anyway and really liked it. It was reallyyyyyy good but I couldn't finish it all because for some reason, it kept irritating the cough I had been battling with for about two weeks before we left. Dad helped me drink it, though.

We wanted to try to ride Malestrom, but when we got there, people were coming the other way, and one guy let us know as he passed by that it was closed! As soon as he said that, we realized that the doors were closed and there was no wait time posted. Tricky trolls, I guess. So we didn't get to ride it just yet. At this point, we were close to being able to use our TT Fastpasses, so we went to Mexico, rode Gran Fiesta Tour, and then headed over to TT, walking right up to the briefing room doors! LOVE Fastpass! The standby was still something ridiculous, like an hour or more. After that, we had time to ride SSE since the line was no longer weaving around both sides. I rode with Mike and let him pick everything since he hadn't gone on it since the refurb. I'm trying to figure out how to embed the video I took of it...I posted it on YouTube but my channel is private and I'm still trying to figure this stuff out. Once I figure that out I'll post it!

By the time we were done with SSE, it was time to head to our Chef Mickey's ADR. We planned to go to Chef Mickey's and then DHS to see the Osborne Lights! It was going to be our first time seeing the lights, and I was SO excited. I really wasn't sure I'd ever get to see them. I took some pictures on the way out.

I couldn't stop admiring all the Christmas decorations!

I was photobombed by a CM! He actually asked after, "did you get me?"

We headed out of Epcot to the monorail. We had to go to the TTC and then hop on a monorail to MK and get off at the Contemporary. Sometimes navigating the monorails feels to me like navigating the trains in Boston...except it's much nicer and much cleaner than here.

Next: Chef Mickey's and first time seeing the Osborne Lights!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

That's so funny that the CM photobombed your pic! Your caramel looks awesome! We stopped there, but that wasn't what we ended up getting! (Although I was definitely tempted!)

Can't wait to hear what you thought of the Lights!

 

[MeMom]

It was a gorgeous day!

And isn't that so nice in the middle of winter???

I was SO excited about all the Christmas stuff still being up!

I'm glad so many things were still decorated while you were there.

I got the dark chocolate caramel with sea salt. I only have a picture of mine.

It was amazing! Definitely did not disappoint!

Looks good. I will have to try it sometime.

When we came to China, I wanted to try this frozen peach drink that I'd heard of. It was called a "peach snap" and from what I could tell, it was basically a frozen peach schnapps drink.

Someone else was just showing this drink on a report. It might have been Poolrat Pat.

By the time we were done with SSE, it was time to head to our Chef Mickey's ADR. We planned to go to Chef Mickey's and then DHS to see the Osborne Lights! It was going to be our first time seeing the lights, and I was SO excited. I really wasn't sure I'd ever get to see them.

I texted you while you were at Chef Mickey's, and I was jealous (yet happy for you ) when you said you were there. I am super glad you got to see those lights. They were brighter than ever this year!

 

[sunny_stace]

The photobombing CM is hysterical!

Looks like a gorgeous morning at Epcot! That photo of the sun beams coming over Spaceship Earth is stunning!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Now I feel bad. I was the first one here, I forgot to subscribe and now I have 5 pages to catch up on!! I'm going to go click "Subscribe" right now!!!

ETA:
Okay, I'm subbed and all caught up! How great that you got so much pixie dust right away! I am surprised that so many Christmas things were still up! Very cool!

Your Dad - Those glasses crack me up! He sure looks like a fun guy!
I now feel the need for some salted dark chocolate caramel. Thanks. Now where will I find some here?

 

[IheartDDuck]

Hahaha, that CM photobombing your picture is hilarious!

The day looked really beautiful, such clear skies. Your dad and his glasses just crack me up. They're totally awesome.

 

[Tink9721]

Your dad is hilarious

Sometimes navigating the monorails feels to me like navigating the trains in Boston...except it's much nicer and much cleaner than here.

The good thing about our aquarium DIS meets...I never had to take the green line I have to take it to get to Fenway, but the past few times we've driven instead. It's easier than navigating the T, but the traffic is unpredictable. Which is why you were waiting for us at Remy's forever...and because we got lost I'm not sure what we'll do on my birthday. It probably depends on whether or not I skip class that day. I'm hoping to at least skip my second class, but my professor takes off points after three missed classes Of course the professor for my MORNING class on Mondays doesn't take off points for missed classes, but that's not gonna help me at all if I still have to go to my second class I'm gonna try really hard not to miss my monday afternoon class more than once or twice between now and then. Leaving campus at 4:00-ish for a 7:00 game on a Monday doesn't seem like a good idea to me since by the time we'd hit Boston it would be rush hour I'd rather just skip the whole day and go hang out in Boston, maybe eat at Remy's, and then get to the game early and walk around. No stress on my birthday

And isn't that so nice in the middle of winter???

I actually remember texting Meg one day while she was there, telling her that it was 60 degrees and sunny here in the middle of January

 

[ZehnJahren]

Saw a post you made on another TR and saw that you had a January trip too! I just got back from AKL less than two weeks ago and am writing my TR as well - thought I'd join up to hear how your trip was and see how many people end up wearing those glasses.

That's unfortunate it was so chilly; hope the whole trip wasn't that way!

I like how you actually took a picture with the sign that says "picture spot". That just cracks me up!

 

[photographymom517]

Loved the update!!!

We've actually had fairly decent weather here for January/February -- but tonight is super cold! It was so nice to see beautiful Florida weather in your pictures on a cold night like tonight!!!

I loved getting your texts while you were on your trip!!! I really needed a Disney fix & was so happy to follow along!!!

I would've stopped to take pics of all the Christmas decor too!!! I'm glad it was still up for you to see! I can't wait to see it someday in person!

Your dads glasses still make me laugh hysterically every time I see them!!!

Have you had any snow days yet?? Just curious because my DH & I were just looking through my pictures on Shutterfly. I have albums for 2010 and 2011 Winters & boy did we have A TON of snow! This year we don't have any -- I'm not complaining because I don't want it here! (But I totally understand why you & Christine want snow so you don't have school!!!)

I really need to try one of those Peach drinks next time we're at Epcot. It sounds really good! And that caramel -- YUM!!!!!!!! I have NO idea how I missed that on our trip this year! (I guess it was technically last year now that its 2012!)

Love all of your Epcot pictures!!! And your mom got awesome shots on the safari!!!!

 

[Megablocks]

That's so funny that the CM photobombed your pic! Your caramel looks awesome! We stopped there, but that wasn't what we ended up getting! (Although I was definitely tempted!)

Can't wait to hear what you thought of the Lights!

There was soooo much stuff in that shop, I definitely wouldn't have known what to get if I hadn't seen a picture of that already! It was a nice snack to tide me over till Chef Mickey's

I can't wait to post about the Osborne Lights...they were amazing!

And isn't that so nice in the middle of winter???

I'm glad so many things were still decorated while you were there.


Looks good. I will have to try it sometime.


Someone else was just showing this drink on a report. It might have been Poolrat Pat.


I texted you while you were at Chef Mickey's, and I was jealous (yet happy for you ) when you said you were there. I am super glad you got to see those lights. They were brighter than ever this year!

When it got warmer after those first couple days, I was actually regretting not bringing my capris. It was soooo nice!

There were so many decorations, and even the music was still playing! It was so cool to see it all for myself finally!

I remember you texting me. I think it was right when we were going to our table. And seriously, I cannot say enough how excited I was about seeing the lights. One thing to cross off my Disney bucket list!

The photobombing CM is hysterical!

Looks like a gorgeous morning at Epcot! That photo of the sun beams coming over Spaceship Earth is stunning!

After he asked if I got him and I said yes, he was like, "I'm sorry if I ruined your picture." I couldn't stop laughing, I said he made it even better!

It was soooo nice that day! It was still a little cool but I was okay without my hoodie at some point. After that, the weather was perfect - like seventies during the day and cooler in the mornings and at night. Still balmy for us Bostonians!

Now I feel bad. I was the first one here, I forgot to subscribe and now I have 5 pages to catch up on!! I'm going to go click "Subscribe" right now!!!

ETA:
Okay, I'm subbed and all caught up! How great that you got so much pixie dust right away! I am surprised that so many Christmas things were still up! Very cool!

Your Dad - Those glasses crack me up! He sure looks like a fun guy!
I now feel the need for some salted dark chocolate caramel. Thanks. Now where will I find some here?

Awww, I've done that often. Glad you're caught up!

I was really surprised at all the Christmas stuff still up! The only thing I knew for sure that we'd see were the Osborne Lights. I never expected so many decorations to still be up!

My dad's like a big kid, he's really a lot of fun and very funny. Christine Tink9721 got to spend time with us during our February '10 trip in AK so she can vouch for the fact that he really is as crazy as I say he is!

I've seriously been craving that caramel too! We need a shop in DIStown!

Hahaha, that CM photobombing your picture is hilarious!

The day looked really beautiful, such clear skies. Your dad and his glasses just crack me up. They're totally awesome.

I love that picture! It was so unexpected!

Those glasses were like ten or twelve bucks, they have more than paid for themselves. They even went to Scotland with my parents. I cannot imagine how thrilled my mother was when she found out.

 

[Megablocks]

Your dad is hilarious



The good thing about our aquarium DIS meets...I never had to take the green line I have to take it to get to Fenway, but the past few times we've driven instead. It's easier than navigating the T, but the traffic is unpredictable. Which is why you were waiting for us at Remy's forever...and because we got lost I'm not sure what we'll do on my birthday. It probably depends on whether or not I skip class that day. I'm hoping to at least skip my second class, but my professor takes off points after three missed classes Of course the professor for my MORNING class on Mondays doesn't take off points for missed classes, but that's not gonna help me at all if I still have to go to my second class I'm gonna try really hard not to miss my monday afternoon class more than once or twice between now and then. Leaving campus at 4:00-ish for a 7:00 game on a Monday doesn't seem like a good idea to me since by the time we'd hit Boston it would be rush hour I'd rather just skip the whole day and go hang out in Boston, maybe eat at Remy's, and then get to the game early and walk around. No stress on my birthday



I actually remember texting Meg one day while she was there, telling her that it was 60 degrees and sunny here in the middle of January

I am so glad you've spent time with us and can vouch for the fact that my dad really is as crazy as I say he is.

I will forever detest the green line. I can figure it out, I just choose not to. I'm glad that the orange line goes through my city and that most of the places I go to in Boston are right there. The red line also goes through the city right near me and I can easily walk to one of the stops. Did I tell you that there's a proposal for a green line extension that would be RIGHT near my house? I am soooo against it but it would sure make meeting up easier. Definitely let me know when you're gonna be in Boston for your birthday, I'd love to see you!

Saw a post you made on another TR and saw that you had a January trip too! I just got back from AKL less than two weeks ago and am writing my TR as well - thought I'd join up to hear how your trip was and see how many people end up wearing those glasses.

That's unfortunate it was so chilly; hope the whole trip wasn't that way!

I like how you actually took a picture with the sign that says "picture spot". That just cracks me up!

Glad to have you!

The weather was actually perfect. The day we arrived was pretty cold, even for us, and the next day was nicer. By the third day, it had warmed up a LOT and stayed perfect, like in the seventies. It was so nice to have that in January!

Yeah...we're a family of photo ops. We love those "picture spot" signs! And the picture of my dad with the peach drink? That was his idea. I believe he was also holding a parasol. That was his idea too.

Loved the update!!!

We've actually had fairly decent weather here for January/February -- but tonight is super cold! It was so nice to see beautiful Florida weather in your pictures on a cold night like tonight!!!

I loved getting your texts while you were on your trip!!! I really needed a Disney fix & was so happy to follow along!!!

I would've stopped to take pics of all the Christmas decor too!!! I'm glad it was still up for you to see! I can't wait to see it someday in person!

Your dads glasses still make me laugh hysterically every time I see them!!!

Have you had any snow days yet?? Just curious because my DH & I were just looking through my pictures on Shutterfly. I have albums for 2010 and 2011 Winters & boy did we have A TON of snow! This year we don't have any -- I'm not complaining because I don't want it here! (But I totally understand why you & Christine want snow so you don't have school!!!)

I really need to try one of those Peach drinks next time we're at Epcot. It sounds really good! And that caramel -- YUM!!!!!!!! I have NO idea how I missed that on our trip this year! (I guess it was technically last year now that its 2012!)

Love all of your Epcot pictures!!! And your mom got awesome shots on the safari!!!!

Hey Hope! How are you doing with your newest addition?!

We've had such a mild winter! I actually went through my FB pics...this was my front yard around this time last year

The snow in the corner (where it looks like the stop sign is coming up) was almost as tall as me...I'm like 5'5". That was when we hit the point of having so much snow that we literally had no place to put it! We've had maybe eight inches total this year. So really nothing at all. No snow days either! Last year, schools were actually considering taking away one vacation, or having early/extended days, or even school on the weekends just to make up for all the stuff that was missed last year because there were so many cancelations due to snow. This winter and last winter are total opposites...I'll take it!

That peach drink was sooooo good! So was the caramel! My dad and Kailyn aren't fans of caramel but my mom and I were reallyyyyy excited to check out the shop. We did make our way back one more time.

 

[Tink9721]

My dad's like a big kid, he's really a lot of fun and very funny. Christine Tink9721 got to spend time with us during our February '10 trip in AK so she can vouch for the fact that he really is as crazy as I say he is!

Yup

I am so glad you've spent time with us and can vouch for the fact that my dad really is as crazy as I say he is.

I will forever detest the green line. I can figure it out, I just choose not to. I'm glad that the orange line goes through my city and that most of the places I go to in Boston are right there. The red line also goes through the city right near me and I can easily walk to one of the stops. Did I tell you that there's a proposal for a green line extension that would be RIGHT near my house? I am soooo against it but it would sure make meeting up easier. Definitely let me know when you're gonna be in Boston for your birthday, I'd love to see you!

Your dad reminds me of my dad When I went on a field trip to NYC in 6th grade he was a chaperone and started a conga line with a couple of my friends He and my cousin also did pull-ups on the hand rails on the T

I wish I lived closer to a T stop! They have a couple of the commuter rails near me(there's actually one in Providence) but that's so much more complicated than the subway since you have to be there at a certain time. I was just looking at the website and there's a 1:30 train, and the next one isn't until 4:10. So if you don't get there on time you're in trouble That would be a really bad idea for a Sox game since there's no way to know what time the game's gonna end. There could be rain delays, extra innings, or, like my experience in July, a fight

I would love to meet up on my birthday again! And I promise I won't get lost and make you wait forever We found our way to Remy's/Fenway without any problems in July so we'll be fine

 

[MeMom]

I've seriously been craving that caramel too! We need a shop in DIStown!

And probably a gym right next door.

Sounds like everyone is having a mild winter. I know we are down here, and I am so thankful for it! We've had a lot of rain, but the temps are staying higher than normal. As long as I don't start the day off in a frozen state, it seems like I face the day with a better attitude.
And the heating bill is so much better.
And it is making it somewhat easier not to be craving that spring break Disney trip that I have to forego.

 

[Megablocks]

Yup

Your dad reminds me of my dad When I went on a field trip to NYC in 6th grade he was a chaperone and started a conga line with a couple of my friends He and my cousin also did pull-ups on the hand rails on the T

I wish I lived closer to a T stop! They have a couple of the commuter rails near me(there's actually one in Providence) but that's so much more complicated than the subway since you have to be there at a certain time. I was just looking at the website and there's a 1:30 train, and the next one isn't until 4:10. So if you don't get there on time you're in trouble That would be a really bad idea for a Sox game since there's no way to know what time the game's gonna end. There could be rain delays, extra innings, or, like my experience in July, a fight

I would love to meet up on my birthday again! And I promise I won't get lost and make you wait forever We found our way to Remy's/Fenway without any problems in July so we'll be fine

Sox games are loooooooong! At least with the hockey games you know unless something really bad happens, or it's tied or scoreless by the end, it's not gonna take super long. There's also fights constantly with the players...that's just part of it. Unless there's blood on the ice and they have to scrape it off, there's really no delays for fighting.

I am so excited that we might get to meet up next weekend, too! I'm so glad I just took off the entire weekend on a whim!

And probably a gym right next door.

Sounds like everyone is having a mild winter. I know we are down here, and I am so thankful for it! We've had a lot of rain, but the temps are staying higher than normal. As long as I don't start the day off in a frozen state, it seems like I face the day with a better attitude.
And the heating bill is so much better.
And it is making it somewhat easier not to be craving that spring break Disney trip that I have to forego.

Yeah, at least in Disney, you can justify all the eating because you do so much walking (that's what I tell myself.) A gym next door to a caramel shop would be perfect!

We've had more rain than we've had snow, which is really weird. And a couple of sixty degree days! I missed one when we were in Disney, but we had one last week.

I don't think I got to tell you this, but we're going back to Disney next year! I am soooo excited! My dad doesn't want to stay a whole week, and if Mike comes, he probably won't, either, but my mom and I, and probably Kailyn, will stay a week. It'll be in January or February. No dates yet, but I'm so excited to know we're going back!

 

[xoktenox]

Just got caught up! Oh Epcot, how I love and miss thee!!

Isn't the caramel store in Germany AMAZING?! Just the smell made me wanna melt!!

getting photobombed by the CM...Disney CMs make Disney the best place!

 

[Megablocks]

Just got caught up! Oh Epcot, how I love and miss thee!!

Isn't the caramel store in Germany AMAZING?! Just the smell made me wanna melt!!

getting photobombed by the CM...Disney CMs make Disney the best place!

I miss Epcot so much! And the caramel shop WAS amazing...my mom and I had been talking about going there for SO long. I was kinda surprised Mike didn't get anything but I think he said there was too much to choose from

He was hilarious!! We seriously had so many awesome CMs this trip!

 

[Megablocks]

Day 2 continued - Thursday, January 5

I left off with leaving Epcot to head to the Contemporary for our Chef Mickey's ADR. We LOVE Chef Mickey's and it's a tradition for us to come here. We've been on every single trip since our first trip in 1994. This is from our first time at Chef Mickey's, before all the characters were in chef gear. And yes, Tigger used to be there! Does anyone remember when Chip and Dale were, too?

Our ADR was for 5:10 and we arrived just before it opened. They picked a family to open the restaurant, and it was so cute! It was really weird getting there right when it opened, because it was rather quiet. By the time we left, it had definitely picked up, but I really liked being one of the first families there. We were given our buzzer and barely had to wait before it went off! I can't remember our waiter's name, but he was SO nice and really on top of everything.

This was my first plate:

Parmesan mashed potatoes, some kind of pasta salad, some kind of other salad I didn't care for, and roast beef. I can't remember what I got after that, but I know I went for more mashed potatoes and roast beef. I could fill up on just the potatoes.

I can't remember what order the characters came in, but they were awesome and we had some really great interactions. Dad wanted a picture with Minnie by himself

I'm 5'5", so I'm not some kind of an amazon, but Minnie is teeny-tiny! Hence my leaning over...

Mike surprised me by getting in pictures with the characters! He skipped Minnie

I think Donald was by far the cutest. Dad, Mike, and I sat on the outside, and mom and Kailyn were in the booth. Donald came up behind me. I had NO idea what was going on but I could not stop laughing

Somehow Pluto never made it to our table, which was kinda disappointing for Kailyn since he's her favorite, but we got to meet him later in the trip.

This was my dessert plate. I think Kailyn and Mike opted for ice cream with all the fixins they wanted.

I'm a lefty and my entire family is right-handed, so no one ever wants to sit next to me when we're eating. Dad happened to be sitting to my left, so we decided to take an exaggerated picture of "why no one ever wants to sit next to Meg at restaurants." It never fails, every time we go out, someone (either one of my parents, Mike, Kailyn, or my boyfriend) ends up on my left and as soon as we start eating, or as soon as I move my drink to my left, I hear, "oh, crap, I'm with the lefty."

Once we were completely stuffed, we left and headed for DHS. Mom, Kailyn, and I were dying to see the Osborne Lights. It was when we were leaving the Contemporary that I realized I could never stay at a deluxe...because they are freaking huge resorts! I am the most directionally challenged person you could ever hope to meet, so staying at a resort any larger than Pop would just equal disaster. So, finding the bus stops was a little bit of a challenge for us, but when we did find it, we had been sitting for maybe five minutes when the first bus pulled up...and it was a DHS bus!

The DHS tree was really cute. I loved how all the trees were themed based on the park they were in.

Continued in next post

 

[Megablocks]

Continued from previous post

I was excited for the lights, but I also really loved seeing all the different park's different Christmas decorations.

We made our way over to the Streets of America, and I got my first glimpse of the lights when I saw the top of some spinning thing covered in lights. I practically screamed, "I SEE THEM!" and started walking a little faster. When I finally saw them all, I was absolutely AMAZED and just started tearing up. Like the castle lights, video and pictures just don't do the Osborne Lights justice...they were amazing. I have video but I cannot figure out how to add it on here. I swear if I ever do, I am gonna do a post with just video.

I see a hidden Mickey! I had a lot of fun looking for these. Also, this display was really cool; it looked like the fire was moving!

I was also fascinated by the trees, because depending on how the lights moved, you could see another hidden Mickey!

I loved the horse and sleigh. And how the barrels were even themed!

Oh, the big round thing on the top? That's the spinny thing I mentioned seeing before we were even on the Streets of America.

Honestly, all the pictures don't do the lights justice. I was SO happy to finally see them in person. Dad and Mike stayed for a couple minutes, then went to ride rides. Mom, Kailyn and I spent a while just walking around, then sat down on a curb and just watched.

I think it was around 8 at this point, and the park was closing at 9. Mom, Kailyn and I decided to start heading out. First, though, Kailyn and I wanted to ride ToT! Mom does not really like the drops, but she was okay with waiting for us to ride. By the time we got there, it was like 8:20-8:30, so the park was closing in another 30-40 minutes. ToT had a 40 minute wait posted, but Kailyn and I jumped in line anyway, figuring it wouldn't be too a long a wait since they were closing, anyway. We were right! We only waited like 20 minutes! I absolutely love the entire ToT queue, I just stand and look around at everything.

I'm pretty sure that after the library, we were in line with this group of guys in maybe their 20's, and one of them was HILARIOUS! He reminded Kailyn and I of what Dad must have been like thirty years ago. He kept on grabbing things on the walls and pulling them, and his friends were just ignoring him or asking him what he was doing now. He spotted a spigot and was just staring at it, then asked one of his friends, "do you think if I stood on the railing, I could reach that?" His friend said, "I think I draw the line at a spigot." At that point, Kailyn and I just started laughing, and one of the guys was like "crazy, isn't it? We need to watch him." They were so entertaining!

When we finally got on, Kailyn and I were in the last row. We dropped SO many times! I didn't keep count (I probably would have lost count, anyway) but it was a lot of drops. Kailyn had a death grip on my hand the entire time and couldn't stop screaming. I was laughing and screaming and my legs were shaking when I got off (I was also still laughing.) Hands down one of my favorite rides in WDW.

By the time we got off, DHS was closed, so we headed for the bus. When we got back to Pop, we stopped in the food court for snacks before heading back to the rooms. Mom and I decided that we really wanted to do an early morning at MK the next day. The guys weren't interested, and Kailyn was unsure - she said to wake her up when we were up and she'd decide then. We've never seen the opening ceremony, or really done rope drop, period, so I was thrilled that we'd get to.

Next: Magic Kingdom morning!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

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I'm a lefty and my entire family is right-handed, so no one ever wants to sit next to me when we're eating. Dad happened to be sitting to my left, so we decided to take an exaggerated picture of "why no one ever wants to sit next to Meg at restaurants." It never fails, every time we go out, someone (either one of my parents, Mike, Kailyn, or my boyfriend) ends up on my left and as soon as we start eating, or as soon as I move my drink to my left, I hear, "oh, crap, I'm with the lefty."

My mom is the lefty of our group, and we always have to rearrange our seating! That's a fantastic picture of your dad's unfortunate seat!

I'm so glad you loved the lights!!! Aren't they just incredible??? I love your pictures of them! We literally had missed them by ONE DAY this past trip, I was super-annoyed about that!