Let's see what this family does flying solo - the POST trip report!

[nilla]

Upon arriving back at the Magic Kingdom, I had my wish come true when I was approached by a Disney survey taker. For years, I've longed for the opportunity to tell one of these CMs just how much we love WDW, how everything is perfect, and that nothing should be changed, ever. This was my chance.

After saying "Very likely" and "10 out of 10" more times than I can count, we climbed about the now-running train and took a full loop around the park. My favorite part of this ride - even more than seeing the inside of Splash Mountain - has to be when the recorded tour guide informs you that if you "listen close, you may just hear Pocohontas singing", just before "Colors of the Wind" is pumped in over the P.A.. I love this part because it always makes me think of Mel Brooks as Moses in History of the World Part I ("Moses, this is the Lord. can you hear me?" "I hear you! I hear you! A deaf man can hear you!")

The people behind us are obvious first-timers and certainly did not do their homework, so I'm having a blast listening to them. Apparently, there's a train station in Toon Town where you can board, but you can't get off. According to them, at least. My favorite, however, is what is said as we pass the massive construction going on behind Fantasyland: "They must be putting in a new ride." Yep, a new ride indeed

We tried to photograph and record the construction area, but the area is mostly obscured by trees. Let me describe it for you instead - it's big. And they haven't even begun to really expand yet. This will be a massive project, and will be a new era for the Magic Kingdom once it finally opens. Much awesomeness ahead, Disney fans!

After a full circle around the park, we walked through Cinderella's castle and grabbed lots of photos.

Kristin talked to the host in front of Cinderella's Royal Table, and it was decided that next year we will be dining there. Emily's at the perfect age, and I love to try places we've never been before. Ashkersus (or however it's spelled) could be a casualty of this plan, which means no shi-...pardon me - I mean, no "kjottkake" for me next year.

We made our way to Adventureland next, where we finally got to ride the Jungle Cruise. Our female captain was hilarious, possibly the best we've had. However, if you've never ridden this ride at night, do it. We did it last year, right before closing, and it was a blast. The CM was a riot, and it seemed like everyone on the boat was loaded, even though there's no alcohol served in the Magic Kingdom. High on Disney Magic, I guess. It was a great time, and I would recommend it to anyone.

After the JC, we hit Pirates, where Dylan posed with a Hidden Mickey.

Emily is somewhat scared of this ride all of the sudden, though I think it's just the opening sequence, which just so happens to be my favorite part. After Pirates, we hit the Haunted Mansion again, and I show Dylan how you can make it look like you're picking the hitchiking ghost's nose. He opts for punching instead, the big jerk. Even though it's completely indoors, I still like to ride this more at night than in the daylight. We try to get a picture, but our camera is a bit dodgy at night.

Next is It's a Small World. We ask to ride in the front of the boat, and the CM agrees, asking us to step aside for a moment. The family in front of us is boards the empty boat, with mom and one kid in the front, dad and the other kid in the second row, but the CM tells them they need to all sit together in the 2nd row. Why? Because the cool people will be sitting in the front row. It's like we're royalty!

Kristin takes some pictures inside. Go ahead, yell at her!

After IASW, we cashed in the Peter Pan Fast Passes we picked up earlier. A family tradition is to say "hi, Nana!" every time we fly over him, until the last day, when we bid him farewell. The kids are ride partners for this one, which is really fun to watch. Anytime they get along is nice, and they seem to get along much better here than at home. I wonder why?

We rode Winnie the Pooh twice after that...

...then took turns riding Space Mountain with Dylan. I'm really enjoying that ride this year, though I can't put my finger on why. The left-out parent took Emily on Buzz Lightyear during this time. She rode it four times total during this span, and is getting much better at it, though she's years off from being any real competition for us.

We rode ten rides in the past two hours, which should tell you something about the crowds today as opposed to the last day we were here, before the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down. Late April/early May rules! No more attractions for now, however, since it's time to stake out our spot for Wishes!

 

[nilla]

Dylan and I missed Wishes on Sunday since we were on Space Mountain at the time, and we won't get to see it on Friday due to the bane of my Disney 2010 existence, the "grads". You know, I graduated high school once. You know where I got to go? Graduation! That's right. No one needed to cut their magical family moment short just because I managed to squeak my way through high school. Kids today, they're way too coddled, if you ask me.

Ok, enough ranting, lest I miss Wishes tonight, too. We find a spot at the bottom of the circle in front of the castle, a spot that is probably technically out of the area where the CMs want people to be standing, but we use the failsafe "act like you have no clue you're doing anything wrong, and no one will say anything to you" which has served me so well over the years, and it's all good. Actually, a CM did tell us there was a big, open spot to the right of us, but upon further investigation, it was behind a big tree. Thanks, buddy. He's probably in cahoots with the grads and heard me speaking ill of them earlier. Or maybe he's a grad himself, disguised as a Cast Member. I think I spot a diploma falling out of his pocket.

...but I digress. Ok, we're here, and we're not moving. The castle is in full chameleon mode now:

Emily wants me to hold her. All eyes are on the top of the tower, in hopes that Tink will fly tonight. By the way, Tink is NUTS for doing that. You couldn't pay me enough. Then again, she is a fairy, and has flown a lot higher than she does here. I guess if you're not scared flying half a mile over London, this is nothing.

The clock winds down, and the fun begins.

This is, IMO, THEE BEST show in WDW. Forget Fantasmic. Forget Illuminations. Forget the Country Bears Jamboree. This is it. The castle backdrop is the icing on the cake. I tear up during this show every year. If you've been following this TR, you'll know that's not unusual for me, though.

My favorite part of this show, hands down, is the Sorcerer's Apprentice part. That short is one of my favorite Disney animations ever, and it's done brilliantly in Wishes. Great, great show, and our video camera's lack of a flash comes in handy.

And here comes the finale...

Whoa. Simply spectacular. Tink didn't fly after all, but that's ok. It's like saying, "I got to meet Elvis, but he wasn't wearing my favorite sunglasses." Emily falls asleep with her head on my shoulder as the show draws to a close, and he head back home to CSR. We'll sleep in a little again tomorrow, then it's back to Epcot for Day 3 in that park. Stay tuned!

 

[nilla]

Side note: now that I've figured out that putting an extra carriage return/line feed between consecutive pictures makes their presentation much nicer, I'll probably go back and do that for ALL of my posts. That's just how I am.

BTW, I am now officially over 150 posts! Nice work, Jon!

 

[saraheeyore]

loving this trip report. i have a twin little girl too she will be 4 and a half when we go next. taking a 20 month old too so should be fun. did you use a stroller? I'm hoping to only take 1

 

[nilla]

loving this trip report. i have a twin little girl too she will be 4 and a half when we go next. taking a 20 month old too so should be fun. did you use a stroller? I'm hoping to only take 1

We rented strollers for Dylan until age 6. At age 7 (Emily was 3), we bought a double stroller. Emily could sit in front, and Dylan could either stand or sit backwards in the back. It was a pain to push.

Emily was in a stroller this year, and absolutely will be next year, too. I would think she would be at age 6, too. With how fast we walk and averaging over 5 miles a day, she'd never be able to keep up.

I'm not sure how you tour, but if you're commando like we are, I would suggest getting a double for this year. Two strollers would be a hassle. If you can't get a double, you may want to consider renting one. They're expensive, but they ride nice and save you the trouble of taking two on the buses.

 

[saraheeyore]

We rented strollers for Dylan until age 6. At age 7 (Emily was 3), we bought a double stroller. Emily could sit in front, and Dylan could either stand or sit backwards in the back. It was a pain to push.

Emily was in a stroller this year, and absolutely will be next year, too. I would think she would be at age 6, too. With how fast we walk and averaging over 5 miles a day, she'd never be able to keep up.

I'm not sure how you tour, but if you're commando like we are, I would suggest getting a double for this year. Two strollers would be a hassle. If you can't get a double, you may want to consider renting one. They're expensive, but they ride nice and save you the trouble of taking two on the buses.

thanks. we are in no hurry as such as we have 14 days. was maybe planning universal for one or 2 but not sure we will be able to afford to do that so 14 days in disney parks and water parks it is probably going to be. wondering if we can get away with a stroller and a buggy board on the back. we found when she was 2 it was the walk back to the bus stop and hotel room she never managed. double stroller rental may be an option though or i will just keep getting her to go on huge walks this year to practice walking a long way

 

[nilla]

thanks. we are in no hurry as such as we have 14 days. was maybe planning universal for one or 2 but not sure we will be able to afford to do that so 14 days in disney parks and water parks it is probably going to be. wondering if we can get away with a stroller and a buggy board on the back. we found when she was 2 it was the walk back to the bus stop and hotel room she never managed. double stroller rental may be an option though or i will just keep getting her to go on huge walks this year to practice walking a long way

Training prior to the trip is a great idea

14 days? Wow - what are your park plans?

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

I love this shot. And I totally agree about Wishes. I hear this Summer Nightastic show is supposed to be great, but I am still bummed to be missing Wishes when we go at the end of the month.

 

[nilla]

I love this shot.

Thanks! I grabbed that just before we walked through. You conveniently cannot see the dried up moat

 

[saraheeyore]

Training prior to the trip is a great idea

14 days? Wow - what are your park plans?

not sure yet we are going next May. we are in the uk so we have to go for a while really to make the 9 hour flight worth it. was going to do 10 days but it worked out £200 more for 14 so we went with 14 and got a good deal for free dining plan. i'm reading trip reports as i miss disney sooo much we went last in 2008 and its such a long time. loving your report i try to find ones with kids simular age to my kids so i can work out what we could try doing. my daughter is not so brave though and neither are we so we won't be on any huge rides

 

[nilla]

Our 8th day in the World was another "sleep in day", a luxury that you get when you have ten days in the parks. We origanally planned to be here Friday to the following Sunday, but flight times made flying out Wednesday much more logical, and the price difference wasn't that big. Sure, we had to pull Dylan out of school for 7 days, but he's doing well so we don't see it as that big of a problem.

After doing our usual morning routine of getting ready, yelling at the kids to eat, grabbing our Cherry Coke and UNSWEETENED iced tea, yelling at the kids to brush their teeth, dealing with Emily's morning attitude, and watching multiple buses arrive with destinations no one wants to go to, we were on our way to Epcot. One of our Epcot days (I forget which), we literally had two buses sitting at the stop, both headed to Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach, when a third pulled up heading for the same location. No lie. To make it all the better, our Epcot bus driver this morning decided that he, too, wanted to first make an unadvertised stop at one of the water parks, though no one got off or got on when we got there.

To sidetrack, another reason we like Coronado Springs more than Wilderness Lodge - you don't have to stop at Fort Wilderness, or anywhere for that matter, before heading EVERYWHERE. We grew to hate Fort Wildnerness and everyone staying there. Please don't take it personally if you stay at FW, because you would probably like your own bus, too.

We arrived at 10:30 for our third day at Epcot. We knocked out most of Futureworld on our first day, then finished up FW and started on World Showcase on day 2, but there are still things we have not seen in this gigantic park. Day 3 is going to be mostly WS, but we will hit some of our favorites in FW as well.

We kicked off the day with a Photopass shot in front of the Ball. Back to the present, our Photopass CDs arrived yesterday, with over 700 pictures. Actually, it's only about 3 original shots with over 697 modifications Kristin made since we got home. Ok, I exaggerate, but not that much. Here's a sample:

I re-read the Copyright Release statement several times before posting this, because the last thing I need is for the kids to have to watch Mickey, Donald, and Goofy roll up to our house in police uniforms and escort Dad away in the Toon Police Car. Not the Disney memory I want them to have. No thanks, man. No thanks.

After the photo, it was off to Innoventions. Kristin ran over to the Land for our usual Soarin' Fast Pass grab, while the kids and I did the "star in your own video game" thing, which was really funny. We can even play it from home now. Once Kristin got back, we did the piggy bank investment game, which was also fun. The kids loved carrying the banks.

Innoventions is a treat that we mostly overlooked on prior trips, but the activities inside are all really fun. There are still things inside the two buildings that we missed on this trip. Emily was a tad too small to fully understand the games last year, but did great this year, so 4+ is perfect for these places. Dylan and I rode Sum of All Thrills next, which is a really neat ride. The basic concept is that you get to design a roller coaster, bobsled track, or jet flight path, then "ride" it in a simulator that actually banks, turns, and flips upside down. We did the coaster, but sadly, Dylan didn't add any loops. Still a really cool experience, and another one that offers additional activities once you get home from your trip. Meanwhile, Kristin took Em to the Pixie Garden, where she took further advantage of PhotoPass.

After numerous attempts to locate the elusive Fairy Wings "magic shot", Kristin finally tracked it down.

They got a ton of pictures there. I would have to say that if a value greater that 100% was mathematically possibly, we would use it that express our satisfaction with Photopass this year. More on that later.

 

[nilla]

Lunch at Sunshine Seasons again, which I mentioned before is one of our favorite counter service restaurants in WDW. So many different options, and it's almost never a problem finding a seat. Plus, it's in the spacious Land pavilion. After lunch, we all rode Spaceship Earth, then headed to the front, where I had seen Daisy and Stitch earlier. Daisy is one of Emily's favorites, and she's sort of elusive, compared to the other base characters.

Daisy's CM bodyguard was from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which is not far from us. Kristin tells him we're from PA, and he asks where. "Lehigh Valley". What the-? She has done this numerous times this trip, and I don't get it. Why not say "Bethlehem"? I mean, if you know where the Lehigh Valley is, you know where Bethlehem is. Just say "Bethlehem"!

Anyway, he asks us if we brought any Tastykakes with us. No. He asks if we brought any Turkey Hill ice cream. Again, no. No A-Treat soda, either. Sorry. He then informs us where the exit is

We get pictures with Stitch next, another character we've never met.

All four of these are Photopass shots, BTW. If you love pictures, look into it. Well worth it.

After that, we went into Art of Disney, where Kristin and the kids each got Light Boxes. Kristin got Cinderella, Emily got Little Mermaid, and Dylan got Bambi. I passed this year, but have the Hitchhiking Ghosts or Splash Mountain on my radar for next year. Sorry I don't have pictures; look them up if you're interested - they're like diaramas, but not made of shoeboxes and construction paper. And they light up. They're awesome.

We closed out Futureworld with FPs for Test Track, followed by another first for us - Mission Space: Orange Team.

Let me explain something - I will do any massive ride you put in front of me. Roller coasters, freefalls - I don't care what it is, how high it goes, how fast it goes, or how many loops it has. The crazier, the better. However, I do NOT like spinning rides. I will get queasy if I ride a carousel more than once. Spinning and I just do not mix. I blame it on a bad associations, since if I'm spinning, it usually means I've been doing a certain thing too much, and it never ends well.

However, I also do not like to be beaten by things, so I vowed that this would be the trip I'd ride this thing. We talked to a pair of older couples a few days earlier who told me that it was a must do. To top it off, Dylan's been asking about it, so here we are.

I don't know the last time I've been nervous while I was in line for a ride, but my heart's racing on this one. I'm cracking jokes about being terrified and throwing up to the others in line, who seem to share my sentiments, but it's not really consoling me. Dylan, of course, isn't fazed. We take our pre-flight instructions, and I'm worried I may not be able to turn on the navigation systems or pull back on the control stick in time to save us from certain death if I'm crouched over, losing my lunch in a barf bag. I guess there's no time for all this worrying, though, since the doors are now open and it's time to go.

Inside we go, and I'm ready. I've been on this many times in it's mild "Green Team" variation, so I know the basics, but it's the extra stuff that will be new for me. I'm secured in and the countdown starts...whoa. I know we're spinning because I know that's how it works, but what I'm feeling is more of my skin being pulled back into my skull and neck. Very odd, and very intense. The video image shakes, and I'm right there - this is real. We take off, and once we finally exit the atmosphere, the spinning stops. I now remember that we were spinning, since it takes my eyes a few seconds to adjust to what I'm seeing on the screen, but I'm surprisingly ok.

We go through the motions, turbulence added, then complete our mission. The verdict? AWESOME. I don't know if I can ride "Green Team" again, because THIS is how this ride is meant to be experienced. Mind you, I'm not getting back on this thing right away, but I loved it. Dylan loved it, too, of course, so we're sure to be back here next year. My advice - if you like spinning rides, or can even just tolerate them, ride this. It's really a one-of-a-kind experience.

We exit out into the warm Florida sun, and while I don't feel awful, I am a bit off from that ride. Fortunately, I have a cure for this feeling that works for me every time, and it's chilled and on tap back in World Showcase! First, though, we need to get another Magic Shot...

...and some Flower and Garden shots. Kristin and I agree that after 5 years of coming to WDW during this event, Epcot just wouldn't look right any other time of year.

Ok, enough photos - Daddy needs a beer. Let's get to Canada!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I really like the Soarin' Magic Shot.

 

[nilla]

I really like the Soarin' Magic Shot.

They wouldn't tell us what it was; they just told us to point and look amazed. We didn't find out until we got home. The magic shots are really cool

 

[nilla]

It's off to World Showcase, for part two of my "Drinking Around the World with a Guy with Two Kids" adventure! We stop in Canada, where I grab a Moosehead. Not the best beer, but any cold beer tastes good on a hot Florida day. Plus, I need to get myself evened out after that Orange Team experience, so here we go. Dinner's at the Biergarten tonight, so my beer journey leads right to the Promised Land!

Next stop is the UK for the beginning of Epcot-Character-Meeting-o-rama 2010. First on the bill is Alice - not Almost Alice, but full Alice. Animated Alice. Non-Tim Burton Alice. I doubt we'll ever see that Alice in the Disney parks, but that's ok, because this one is great, too. We've had many positive Alice experiences over the years, and this one is no different.

Emily is really cute interacting with her, but it's Dylan who takes the cake. One thing you should know about this boy is that he likes to talk. A lot. About things that only interest him, or that may interest other people, but not anywhere near as much as they interest him. To say he's long winded would be an understatement. He doesn't care who he talks to, either - adults, kids, it's all the same. I regret not letting him loose on the Buckinghams back on Day 5. "Ok, Dylan, come on," is a phrase heard all too often in this family.

So Dylan gets up to Alice, and she asks him some questions, and he is more than happy to answer, and elaborate, and elaborate some more. They're talking about rides, Pokemon, and who knows what else. We were up near the front of the line to start, so there are a lot of people waiting behind us, but the funny thing is that Alice seems just as interested in keeping the conversation going as Dylan does. He had to be up there five minutes. "Ok, Dylan, come on."

We finally take the picture and move on. We can tell he's really happy now, and if he's happy after talking to a female Disney character, that means he's that much further away from becoming a jerky kid who thinks he's too cool for all of that stuff. And trust me, that makes everyone happy.

I grab a Harp lager from the UK, and it's off to wait in line for Mary Poppins. Kristin sends me over to ask the PHotopass CM over on the bridge what magic shots she has, but "she don't have no magic shots". She is very helpful in telling us that the roaming photographers do, however.

We're first in line this time, and Mary starts by telling Dylan to be a good example by not standing on the curb. In- character child scoldings are the best, since he listens instantly. We would've had to tell him 3 times, then listened to "why?" With Mary, he was down in a heartbeat. Great photos again...

...then it's inside for Pooh and Tigger. There's a Photopass CM in here, so we defer to him for the pictures.

If you think I'm gushing about Photopass now, you ain't read nothin' yet.

The kids played in the hedge maze for a while, then we headed over to France, though not before stopping to get - you guessed it - more Photopass pictures! Kristin can spot a Photopass CM in a crowd of people from 500 yards away.

Back over to France, where Kristin refuels with a Gran Mariner Slushie. She enjoyed it for a moment, before being nearly assaulted by a hideous Beast...

...who was fortunately much nicer to our children:

This was our first Beast meeting, so I'm of course psyched about that. We've met Belle here a ton of times, but never this guy. It's really was nice of him to revert back to his Beastly form after breaking the spell and finally becoming human again, just so we can get our pictures taken with him. What a guy, what a Beast!

There was an adult couple in line in front of us, and when it was their turn, the man drew a toy sword and proclaimed, "kill the beast!" The beast backed away slowly. It was a really funny moment, and Dylan got a huge kick out of it.

That's all for tonight, but coming up next - "Holy crap, look at that getup!", "She threw it out?", the greatest Disney fans ever, and an Optimated Pennsylvanian shouting "Hoy! Hoy! Hoy!" Don't miss it!

 

[MEK]

More great updates! I forgot to tell you that I think the autograph books that Kristin made are really great!

You sure did use photopass to its full advantage. You got some great shots of the whole family and some great shots of the kids with the characters. Isn't it nice when you can take your kids out of school? Enjoy it while you can!

Your TR is really great! And congrats on reaching your 150+ post.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hi! MEK sent me over here and I'm glad she did. Your report is great! I'm only through the first few pages and you've had me laughing out loud. Can't wait to come back and hear more about your trip!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I'm here on MEK's recommendation too! You are so entertaining! I have two girls who are "twins" too. They get along much better atWDW. Love all the pics. I love that you are a Vikes fan- how'd that come about? Do you have ties to Mn?

 

[saraheeyore]

its making me want to spend a long time in world showcase reading your report

 

[nilla]

I love that you are a Vikes fan- how'd that come about? Do you have ties to Mn?

True story: Around the age of 8 or 9, I decided the Vikings had the coolest helmets, and became a fan. And it stuck. That's all - no connection to Minnesota whatsoever

We did finally get out there last year for the Detroit game, and had a blast. We're looking to come out for the Dallas game this year.

Updates will be coming tonight, even if I have to stay up until 2:00 to post them!