"It's Time for the MONORAIL PUB CRAWL!" April 2013 Trip Report**COMPLETE 7/14

[rachel09985]

It was about that time where we had to head to the tomorrowland terrace for our wishes dessert party!



The sky was this magnificent royal blue color!



Patty had to go to Cosmic Rays to get Emme mashed potatoes so I stood along the bridge to tomorrowland to try to take some nice photos on the rail.





The castle ones did not turn at all due to the trees in the way.

However, the tomorrowland ones did!





ghost people!









I got in line early for the dessert party, but it doesn't really matter.



I had a couple of people behind me that were talking about this event. She said that they had better not sit with anyone else because of how much money her mom paid for this. I informed them they will have their own table! Then they went on this rant about how people were so rude to them today and they pushed her son out of the way for this ride! It was kind of interesting to listen to.

Why is that I always have to butt in when I hear people talking about Disney and things I know the answer to but they aren't right. I always have to inform them of the truth. Anyone else like that??

We had a tiny table right by a pole about the middle of the restaurant. We were front row but it was still pretty far away from the railing.

I went here in 2011 and everything was changed around! The PP photographer was in a different spot, the buffets were on the other side, and where you enter you entered in on the other side.

Same desserts as last time except the addition of ice cream.











The desserts really aren't that great here. I still like it, but only for a special occasion. My favorites are the pistachio creme brulee, cannoli, tiramisu, and chocolate covered strawberries! The strawberries are the same size as in the parks where they cost like $4 each! You could eat your cost in the strawberries. Pistachio creme brulee is the same as Tony's- it is sooooo good! The tiramisu is surprisingly light and not too espresso-y. So if you are hesitant to try tiramisu because of the espresso, try this! The fruit was pretty tasteless, same as last time, but it is still nice to get some good food in.

Here was our view! Darn roof ruins the big fireworks!

 

[rachel09985]

We got to see the Main Street Electrical Parade, which I love! I don't really care that I didn't see it up close, I was just glad I got to hear the music. Anytime I hear it I instantly start skipping!



Emme made this friend!





I didn't take pictures of my food for some reason!!



By this time we started seeing people line up so I decided I should line up. I would be po'ed if I didn't get a rail spot.



I figured out that if I put my camera in between the rails and lay it it would be a good "makeshift tripod" and that I could take photos with a long exposure. So for the entire Celebrate the Magic and Wishes I was hunched over to reach my camera.



Now: Celebrate the Magic. I like this show more every time I see it. The graphics are just crazy good.









I love the Wreck It Ralph scene!











I just love how the scenes wrap around the entire castle front. I wonder how many projectors they use for this?



We had this really cool looking tree in our view to the left of the castle. It actually looked pretty neat in my photos.







Then the lights came on and it was almost time for Wishes!!

This spot isn't the best for the Celebrate the Magic. But I will take it for not having to fight for spots.

 

[rachel09985]

This is the update I was so excited to share with you all!

I am in love with my Wishes photos!!! They aren't Tom Bricker quality AT ALL, but for a new DSLR owner, I am pretty darn proud of them! They could have been better with a real tripid and a diffuser but I still love them!

By this time my back was really hurting! My camera was at my shin level so I bent over to press the buttons and make sure it didn't fall.



It was really hard for me to get the big bursts in my photos due to our location, so they aren't really in my pictures, especially the right side.











It was weird how that tree was perfect and we got to see the whole castle. If we were further left, the tree would have blocked the castle.

















We had some pyrotechnic kid behind us that would say whatever kind of fireworks they were when they went off. Patty was so annoyed by him haha.





Love this one! SO MUCH!











Also LOVE this one!!!!










I can definitely see where a diffuser would help with those bright fireworks like the finale, but I am pleased with my work!

I just love Wishes. I found out that for 4th of july week there would be only one night we were there that Wishes was playing, so now I have to rearrange EVERYTHING just so I can see Wishes. It makes me cry!

Anyways, hope you enjoy the pics!

 

[rachel09985]

All your pictures are so pretty! Magic Kingdom really is so gorgeous during that time of day. (Okay, during ANY time of day! )

I just did the Enchanted Tiki Room for the first time on my trip! It was definitely something!

It is gorgeous. That is so funny that you just did Tiki Room for the first. Haha, it made me giggle. I liked it though because it is so "disney"!

Oh, the tiki birds. Um...wasn't my favorite. But now you can say you have done it at least once in your life!

Lol, yes it was so funny!! I definitely don't need to do it all the time, but maybe if I am hot and my feet hurt.

Ah the RFID scanners; One of my favourite things ever. Clearly, I'm easy to please.

I don't think I've gone in the Tiki Room since I was a little kid. I really should if for no other reason than it was an original Walt creation. It's time for me to pay my respect!

And Thank God the wallet was still there... OMG I had flashbacks!

Yes, you do need to do it again! It is so disney! The RFID scanners are nice, i am anxious to see how efficient it will (or wont) be 4th of july week!

 

[wiigirl]

Awesome pics!

 

[ILGoofy]

Nice fireworks pics. Now I feel like I need to practice taking pictures on the 4th of July so that I'm ready for my September trip.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Awesome Wishes pictures!

 

[marDgreen88]

Ahhh the dessert party. I've always wanted to do that! It seems so awesome. You got some great shots! I know nothing about fancy cameras, but I think they turned out awesome!

 

[Nermel9]

I haven't done the dessert party since 2010, and I think I'd like to try it again! It's not the best view of Wishes, but it is fun, and some of the desserts are really good (like that pistachio creme brulee, YUM!)

I love your pictures of the fireworks, I really need a DSLR!

 

[rachel09985]

Awesome pics!

Thanks!

Nice fireworks pics. Now I feel like I need to practice taking pictures on the 4th of July so that I'm ready for my September trip.

Haha do it! I don't have any more time to practice.; i leave in 13 days! Yipee!

Awesome Wishes pictures!

Thank you!!!

Ahhh the dessert party. I've always wanted to do that! It seems so awesome. You got some great shots! I know nothing about fancy cameras, but I think they turned out awesome!

It is definitely fun! You would enjoy it i think. Thanks for the compliment!

I haven't done the dessert party since 2010, and I think I'd like to try it again! It's not the best view of Wishes, but it is fun, and some of the desserts are really good (like that pistachio creme brulee, YUM!)

I love your pictures of the fireworks, I really need a DSLR!

Yup, you do need a DSLR! I am telling you my camera is only like $400 right now! Great starter! The pistachio creme brulee is soooo good. I totally agree! It is the best dessert there.

 

[rachel09985]

After the dessert party it took forever to get our stroller out. They park your strollers on this ramp for you and someone was getting their stroller out before us and it took them forever! They were just standing there. I was like...um hellooo. do you not see me standing here waiting!?

We still had a little time before the park closed so we headed toward Buzz Lightyear. I really don't care for that ride so I decided I would do an old classic while they went on Buzz!



I just love this attraction. It is so funny and I love the music.



Good old John and Rover! I just wanted to pet him.

It is kind of neat how all of the characters light up when the dad is speaking to them.



As the family gets older, their house changes and they get more electrical things and even an ice box!





I really paid attention to the last scene this time because I knew there were lots of hidden mickeys!



I love this christmas scene because it is more like from when I was growing up. I still think its funny that the things in here never really did happen- such as the game with the hand thing and the talking oven. Did they think it would be like that by now?





Here is one of the hidden mickeys- the mickey nutcracker!



You can also see a stuffed mickey peeking out from behind the presents.



I had to laugh on this ride because there was a family behind me that was singing all of the words- exactly what I was doing! Disney dorks unite!

It was time to leave the park and say our goodnights and take our final photos.









When we got back to our hotel we noticed some awesome entertainment going on in the bar. I wanted to stop so bad!



We were heading to the food court to get Emme and Patty some substance. We really haven't ate real food today besides Chef Mickey's so they went to get some snacks. She got the make your own pasta.

Someone looked so adorable with her princess hat and dress on and she was still awake but so sleepy! She looked like she was on the walk of shame. Haha coming home from the MK!





We went back to the hotel room and ate. I had a couple bites. The sauce was good but the chicken I got was a little dark.

Next up: Our last full day

 

[Miss Potts]

I had to laugh on this ride because there was a family behind me that was singing all of the words- exactly what I was doing! Disney dorks unite!

I just love COP!!! When my family rides we are definitely the ones singing like you and the family behind you!!
I love the "Disney dorks unite!"

I love all your photos from this night! I want to take up photography as a hobby after all the awesome photos I see on the dis like yours!!!

The dessert party looked great! I'm so torn on if I want to book it or not....

 

[Nermel9]

Aww, Carousel of Progress! I feel like I haven't been on that ride in ages, and I love it so much! It reminds me of my first Disney trip!

Haha, I always find myself singing during Wishes and the end of Illuminations, and I quickly stop myself, I have the worst voice ever and I NEVER sing in public!

I love the make your own pasta at POR, but the chicken is always dark, which is kind of annoying. I mean, it's ok, it's just not my favorite!

 

[rachel09985]

After a rough start to the morning it was time for Animal Kingdom!



We have wanted to take pictures outside in the big chair this whole trip but finally did today!



Emme and her Mommy had adorable matching pigtails!



We drove Patty's car this morning because we were going from AK to AKL back to POR.

On the way there Patty put in Yo Gabba Gabba and we rocked out to that! Has anyone listed to that before?? It was hilarious and the songs actually had good beats. I enjoyed it. Definitely made for a good morning.

I don't believe we had to park too far away but we had to take the tram!! UGH I didn't like that. I don't like not taking the bus. I like being dropped off right in the front and hated to wait for the tram. Also our stroller did not fit in there. I don't know how Patty does this by herself!!

I made Patty document my first ever tram ride.





I was wearing my Snow White shirt today!

We stopped to look at the pretty pink birds on the way in. I don't know what these birds were called but they weren't flamingos.



I made Emme take a picture with me. She wasn't having it. Especially in the second one. lol





The first thing we did was go into the gift shop to use our 20% off coupon. I also had a trader vinylmation that I was dying to get rid of.

I have also been promising Emme a gift during times of stress to make her happy. I told her if she was a good girl I would buy her a present.

So this is what she picked out! A little Ariel toy set. We bought this for her right away, so remember that!! (foreshadowing)



I also bought some pins!! I didn't have a lanyard yet but I wanted to buy pins with my discount. I think I got three.

So, now it was time to vinylmation trade. Each park has only one box and this one is in the main store, island mercantile.



So, I asked the worker if I didn't like my trade did I have to keep it?? Every other trader box i have done they told me I didn't have to keep it. And they let me pick out two spots!!! This guy said no I had to keep the vinylmation I got, and he was serious. He was pretty rude but I think he thought he was funny. I was like, "Are you serious??!" I honestly thought he was joking around with me. But he said, "Yes I am serious do you want me to show you the rule book?". I was like no thanks. He didn't even let me have two spots to pick from, just one.

So I picked one, and I didn't even remember what the first one was but it wasn't good. Then, to be nice, maybe he realized he was being a jerk, he let Emme have a pick with it. She picked one and it was the girl from Phinneus and Ferb. I don't want that show but I kept it anyways. I was going to go back and try to trade again. I just thought he took trading too seriously!

After that disaster behind us, it was time to get fastpasses for the safari.





12:05-1:05! We still had time to kill so I thought it would be perfect to get a jalapeno cheese pretzel, aka, the most amazing snack ever.

Unfortunately, the pretzel place by the safari was all sold out.

So we had to trek it to the other pretzel place by Asia.



I finally found the pretzel place and literally inhaled it!

I thought I was supposed to meet Patty back at Yak and Yeti because that is the food they got but I couldn't find them.





It was the best ever. The cheese was so creamy and gooey.

I figured I should find Patty so I went back to the bridge to Africa. I still couldn't find them! Finally they showed up and we decided to meet Pocahontas.

 

[ILGoofy]

We stopped to look at the pretty pink birds on the way in. I don't know what these birds were called but they weren't flamingos.

Bird nerd here. Roseate spoonbill.

 

[wiigirl]

Cute pics!

 

[Nermel9]

LOL, we always rent a car, so taking a tram to get to the entrance is no big deal to me, but it IS nice taking the bus and getting dropped off right there! Especially in MK, parking there is the WORST!!!

Ugh that guy doing the Vinylmation trading is a jerk, I've always heard you can pick twice and you DON'T have to keep them if you don't like them! I really wish they would go back to having trading at more of the shops, because it makes it so hard to trade now, with only one or two places in the park that participate!

Yum, jalapeno cheese pretzel!!

 

[lisatav]

I've been a lurker for a while but i figured i'd stop in and say hello along with a question. We are staying at POR in a royal room next week. We requested oak manor. Do you think that was a good choice? I'm traveling with a six year old so she can walk distances but hoping its a good choice. Thanks!

 

[rachel09985]

Bird nerd here. Roseate spoonbill.

Thanks for the clarification, lol! I liked that bird!

Cute pics!

Thank you!

LOL, we always rent a car, so taking a tram to get to the entrance is no big deal to me, but it IS nice taking the bus and getting dropped off right there! Especially in MK, parking there is the WORST!!!

Ugh that guy doing the Vinylmation trading is a jerk, I've always heard you can pick twice and you DON'T have to keep them if you don't like them! I really wish they would go back to having trading at more of the shops, because it makes it so hard to trade now, with only one or two places in the park that participate!

Yum, jalapeno cheese pretzel!!

I wish there was trading too still. At least in a couple locations per park! I don't know why they got rid of it. I have never driven in disney We always take the buses. That is one of the perks of disney to me, is that you don't have to drive. Yes, it sucks to go resort to resort but it is not to have to pay money to rent a car.

I've been a lurker for a while but i figured i'd stop in and say hello along with a question. We are staying at POR in a royal room next week. We requested oak manor. Do you think that was a good choice? I'm traveling with a six year old so she can walk distances but hoping its a good choice. Thanks!

Hi! Thanks for reading. I think that choice is good! We stayed in Parterre and it was really close to the bridge but looking at a map it looks like the Oak Manor is even closer. Also, oak manor is closer to the east bus stop. I think that is a good choice!

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Rachel! I'm bummed they didn't have the pistachio crème brulee when we went to the Wishes Dessert Party - they only had the regular kind that wasn't that great. Your photos are fabulous!!

Goodness! That serious CM at the store with the Vinylmation - uhhh ok so he's a "by the rules kinda guy" well then!

I must try one of those jalepeno pretzels some day, they sound really good. I'm glad you showed the center but I don't see any jalepeno!

So is MK going to have another kind of fireworks show during the week of the 4th?? Since they have a nightly fireworks show I'm curious what you know.