Lost wallets and broken bones. But at least we didn’t lose the dog this time!

[elizablake]

I sat outside for a bit during the afternoon and kept getting bitten by this aggressive yellow fly.

I didn’t realize that he bit me about 20 times. When we were getting ready for dinner I looked like I had chicken pox. I asked DH if they looked bad and he gave the standard husband answer, “No, I wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t pointed them out.”

DN told me the truth. “OMG! Aunt B what happened to your legs!!!”
The whelps seemed to get larger as the night went on. Of course, I packed everything in the medicine cabinet except cream for bug bites.

The girls wanted to dress like princesses for their date with Prince Charming. I was surprised since before we left, they both said they were too old for that non-sense. One can of hair spray and a pack of bobby pins later we were ready for our dinner at 1900 Park Fare.

We took the boat to MK and then the monorail to the Grand Floridian. We just missed both boats when we arrived at the dock so we were cutting it a little close.

I know how they feel

Our ADR was at 4:30 which is when they open. Normally we don’t eat this early but we have found that eating early at DW is nice because it leaves time to do other things in the evening. Plus the restaurant will not be running behind and the food on the buffet is fresh.

1900 Park Fare was great. We didn’t like our table because it wasn’t in the main dining room and the girls kept peeking out to see what was going on. The good news was that we were one of the last tables visited so we had a chance to eat without being rushed. The food was OK-exactly what we have come to expect from the character buffets. They had a kid’s food area with corn, broccoli, cheese pizza, pasta and tomato sauce, mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. Several cold salads, prime rib and pork loin, mashed potatoes, chicken marsala, salmon, a beef and veggie stir fry, paella, and two pasta dishes (can’t remember what kind). They had fruit, different types of bread, and four soups: cold strawberry soup, gorgonzola and onion soup, chicken noodle, and vegetable. DN loved the strawberry soup. I thought the gorgonzola and onion was too strong. The prime rib was good- especially with the horseradish sauce. All the cold salads were good. For desert they had rice krispy treats, brownies and cookies, key lime pie and cobbler (plus others I can’t remember) The highlight was the bread pudding! Overall we can’t complain. The character interaction was great and the atmosphere was nice.

Love the girls faces :

 

[elizablake]

A few photos from after dinner:

 

[rapriebe]

Great report. Love seeing those smiling faces on the girls. Makes me wish my Granddaughter had never grown up, love it when they are young.

 

[elizablake]

Great report. Love seeing those smiling faces on the girls. Makes me wish my Granddaughter had never grown up, love it when they are young.

Thank you.

 

[elizablake]

Here is video of BTMR from the AM:



And video of DD dancing with Cinderella:



After dinner we took the monorail to MK. The park was not very crowded:

DH went to get more FPs for BTMR since it had quickly become the girl’s favorite.

The girls and I used FP for Princesses. The posted wait time for the princesses and Mickey was only 15 mins. Later in the week it was much longer but never as long as it used to be in Toontown. Either people don’t know about he new location or they have more Mickey and Princess rooms. I counted at least 4 Mickey rooms earlier.

We met Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Belle.

DN and I rode Space Mountain. I LOVE SM!! Even with the FPs it took about 25 minutes to ride it. DN looks nervous :

DH and DD rode Buzz with only a 15 min wait. Then they rode Mad Tea Cups. We met them there.

DH and DN went to use the other set of FPs for SM and DD and I looked around Tomorrowland.

We stopped at Stitch’s dance party. Chip and Dale were there too.



DD wanted to ride It’s a Small World. I told her we would check the wait time. It was 5 minutes. Great, not going to get out of it this time.
We were in the last room and the boat came to a dead stop.

We waited and waited and waited but didn’t start moving. IASW is like Chinese water torture, at first it is just annoying but quickly becomes painful. People in the boat in front of us were yelling, “TURN THE MUSIC OFF!”
After about 20 minutes we started moving. DD loved it but I have PTSD and will probably never get on IASW again.

We met DN and DH by BTMR and used our FPs but got another set first. The posted wait time was only 20 minutes. The wait times had been surprisingly short all day.

Then we used our FPs to ride Splash just as it was getting dark.

The girls were getting cranky so we gave away the BTMR FPs and caught the last train ride to the park entrance. MSEP was going on and there was room to watch it from the train station but we were all tired. We got back to FW about 9:45 and tons of people were waiting at the dock. I think Mk was only open until 12:00 so I have no idea why there was a line of people back to the beach. The only explanation I can come up with is that they wanted to watch Wishes from the boat. Anyone know? Could they be leaving the Hoop-dee-doo?

 

[elizablake]

I think this was my favorite day of the trip! We all were looking forward to giving Blizzard Beach a try. We slept in a bit and ate cereal for breakfast so we could make a quick exit.

We actually had some good luck with the busses. An AK/BB bus pulled up as soon as we got out of the golf cart.

We arrived at BB about 8:30 with our water wallet in hand. There were very few people there. I would guess about 30. At 8:45 we entered the park and walked to a rope behind the chair lift where we waited until 9:00.

DN and DH wanted to ride Summit Plummet (crazy people!) and DD and I wanted to stay as far away from SP as possible. So DH and DN headed for the chair lift while DD and I went to Ski Patrol Training Camp to find chairs and have some fun.

We got a great spot in the shade near the bottom of the raft ride.
There were no other kids in the water at Ski Patrol so DD rode the raft ride. We saw DH and DN riding the chair lift. Then DD did another slide.



She also tried the icebergs. The lifeguards were sweet cheering her on.

She wanted to try the zip line but was a little nervous. DN and DH showed up after about 10 minutes with huge smiles on their faces. The LOVED Summit Plummet and they didn’t have to wait at all.

We wanted to ride Teamboat Springs before the park got more crowded. We rode the chair lift to the top and walked on the ride with no wait.

You can walk up rather than taking the chair lift:

You will need a minimum of 4 people to ride. It was sooooooo much fun. Possibly the best ride at BB. Here is a video (don’t forget to turn down your speakers, we are screamers):



DN and DH wanted to ride Slush Gusher so I told them to go for it.
DD did finally got the courage to do the zip line and it didn’t go as well as I hoped:



But she did it again anyway!:

Between the line at the chair lift and the line at Slush Gusher it took DH and DN about 30 minutes. It was a little after 10:00 by then.

 

[twinklebug]

Looks like your daughter did well with the ice blocks to get more than 1/2 way across - those are tough!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us! Can't wait for another installment

 

[jinia]

Elizablake we have been to DW a couple of times but we have waited to do the water parks until DS was older. Now that he is 9 I think its time after seeing your TR! Loved your last TR and loving this TR! Keep it coming.

 

[elizablake]

Looks like your daughter did well with the ice blocks to get more than 1/2 way across - those are tough!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us! Can't wait for another installment

Elizablake we have been to DW a couple of times but we have waited to do the water parks until DS was older. Now that he is 9 I think its time after seeing your TR! Loved your last TR and loving this TR! Keep it coming.

Thanks.

 

[elizablake]

We walked to the purple slopes by taking the path near SP. All three slide had a short wait. Downhill Double Dipper had the longest wait at 10 minutes. We all decided to ride it (even DD).

Of course it scared DD but at least she tried. It scared the heck out of me! The entire ride lasts about 6 seconds. You go very quickly down the first part in an enclosed tube and then over a hump as you come out of the tube and get hit in the face with water. You catch air a bit and then race to the bottom and skim across the water. It is a great ride! Here is some video from later in the trip. You can hear DH scream right at the beginning.



Next we all rode the Toboggan Racers with no wait. It’s an 8 lane slide that you race down on a mat on your stomach. We all liked it.
Next we rode Snow Stormers. The kids loved it and adults hated it. I don’t know much about skiing but the ride reminded me of this event in the Olympics:

This is what you feel like by the end of the ride:

You ride head first on a mat. Once you pick up speed, and the adults pick up a lot of speed, you get slammed from side to side. Not my favorite ride.

Next we walked to Run-off Rapids which is the only red slide. It is a double and single tube ride and you have to haul you’re tube up a ton of steps. There are three slides. The one in the middle is enclosed and for single tubes only. It was the mildest of the BB slides.

I rode with DN and DH rode with DD. We all enjoyed the ride but we were too lazy to walk back up the stairs to ride it again.



Next we rode the lazy river to the Ski Patrol Training Camp. I liked the lazy river at TL better but it was still relaxing. We sat in the shade and ate a snack.

We were able to keep an eye on the girls from our chairs while they played for a few minutes in the SPTC. I saw the lifeguards jump in 3 times in the short time we were there. They certainly earn their paycheck at the SPTC.

Chair lift:

Private area. No idea how much it costs.

Check out the sand pail

The girls wanted to check out the wave pool. It was crowded and hard to find tubes.

We stayed for a bit and then left the park about 12:30. We stopped for donuts near the entrance. They were very tasty even without the dipping sauce.

We loved Blizzard Beach! DN and DH liked it more than TL because of the thrill rides. DD and I liked TL better. I thought the lazy river and shadded areas were better at TL but the family raft ride at BB was one of our favorite rides of the trip.

 

[NONPROS]

awesome pictures, looks like a lot of fun

 

[cruising spud]

Looking at your pictures of your meal at the Grand Floridian-I'm thinking that when I retire, I'm going to head right down to Disney and get a job as the Wicked Stepmother. What a great job!!

And, I have a granddaughter who is 1 1/2 years old, and I am already talking about taking her to Disney as soon as she is old enough.

 

[Lyndria]

We enjoyed BB when we went. However, the chair lift was broken, so we did that long walk several times! LOL! Looks like you had a blast!!!!

 

[*Michele*]

Great TR! Enjoying following along!

 

[elizablake]

awesome pictures, looks like a lot of fun

Thanks! We had a blast.

Looking at your pictures of your meal at the Grand Floridian-I'm thinking that when I retire, I'm going to head right down to Disney and get a job as the Wicked Stepmother. What a great job!!

And, I have a granddaughter who is 1 1/2 years old, and I am already talking about taking her to Disney as soon as she is old enough.

The Wicked Stepmother is my DHs favorite character. She asked, "Why are there no vegetables on your plate?" The girls didn't think it was very funny. The step sisters are just silly though. A little boy a few tables down proposed to one of them and she was yelling, "Mother! I got a Prince!" The boys face was so red.

We enjoyed BB when we went. However, the chair lift was broken, so we did that long walk several times! LOL! Looks like you had a blast!!!!

That sounds exhausting. The chair lift was fun. I consider it a ride.

Great TR! Enjoying following along!

Thanks.

 

[elizablake]

My favorite day cont:

We were back at the RV by 1:00 and ready for some rest. The girls watched a movie and DH fell asleep. I sat outside in the shade and read my book. I kept swatting at a yellow fly would not go away. What I didn’t realize was that it was biting me every time he landed. It was really aggressive. I finally got up in went inside.

While I was cooking dinner, my legs started to itch like crazy. I had these huge red bumps where the fly bit me! I asked DH if they looked bad and he game me the standard answer, “No honey. You look fine.” I got the truth from DN when she noticed the bites. “AUNT B! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR LEGS! GROSS!”. I don’t know if I had a reaction to the fly bites of if they always cause whelps like that. Luckily no one else got bitten.

We decided to see Fantasmic! so we ate an early dinner and left about 4:00. Of course we waited forever for a bus.

We expected HS to be crowded because of Star Wars Weekend but it wasn’t that bad.

The girls wanted to meet characters so we stopped by the Magic of Disney Animation a little after 5:00. In addition to the normal characters, there are usually extra characters everyday around 5-6:30.

Tonight we met the evil queen:

Geppetto:

Pocahontas and Meeko:

Captain Hook:

Chip and Dale. They were mad at DD because she called them squirrels.

Minnie:

Mary Poppins and the Penguins:

Pluto. He rolled around with the girls and had them laughing so hard.

Winnie the Pooh:

I love Winnie the Pooh as much as the next guy but you can meet him at every park so why waste the space for Pooh at the Magic of Disney Animation? What about Phineas and Ferb? Why not put Rapunzel there to help with the mania at the MK?

 

[elizablake]

The girls were not interested in meeting the Incredibles, Green Army man Sorcerer Mickey or Mulan so we got in line for the Animation Academy-one of my favorite things to do at HS. The class was full but the CM said we could wait to see if she could fit us in which ended up not being a problem.

We drew Goofy – my favorite!

We still had some time before we need to line up for Fantasmic! so we stopped by Starring Rolls for a snack. I don’t know why this place is not more popular. Their deserts and coffee drinks are great. Also, they are on the dining plan. You can get a sandwich, chips/fruit, drink and dessert for a TS credit which sounds so much better than a cheese burger, fries, and pre-packaged brownie from ABC Commissary.

DH and I split a tiramisu and both got an iced mocha. DD got an éclair. Do you think she likes it?

DN got a banana split parfait that she highly recommends. We sat outside in the shade. Everyone was in such a good mood and it was such a nice night- low 80s- that we decided to skip Fantasmic and ride some rides instead!

DH went to get FPs for TOT since RnRC, TSM, and Star Tour were out for the day. Everyone decided that we wanted to ride Star Tours even if it meant waiting for an hour. We were walking toward the ride when a family of 4 asked us if we wanted their Start Tours FPs (good for 8:45)! We were so excited! We had given away so many FPs but never received any! We thanked the family and skipped off to the Great Movie Ride, which DH hates. I secretly like it especially the part at the end with the montage of movies. DD and DN love it. Which is funny since they have only seen a few of the movies.

Our FP window was open for ToT and DD said she didn’t want to try it. I didn’t care if I missed it so DH and DN got to ride it twice. DD and I went to see The Little Mermaid which I hadn’t seen since our first trip. We waited about 20 minutes but DD made friends with a little girl behind us in line and they sang Part of your World over and over again. The Little Mermaid was better than I remembered. I don’t know if it has been redone or if I was just enjoying the one-on-one time with DD.

After The Little Mermaid DD and I watched a few minutes of a Star Wars show by the big hat and then we bought an incredibly over priced light-up Minnie. DH and DD met us at a bench near Star Tours. The girls shopped at the cart beside it. DN found necklace with dragon and red marble that she had to have for $12. DD found necklace she really liked. DH suggested secretly getting it for her birthday so I distracted her while DH got the necklace. I thought the plan was to wait until July and give it to her for her birthday but DH slipped it on her neck while waiting for Star Tours. DD’s eyes teared up she was so excited.

We rode Star Tours at 8:45 on the dot. DH and I are not big Star Wars fans- we haven’t even seen all the movies and the girls have not seen any of the movies but the ride was a hit anyway. It’s in 3-D and very well done. I don’t want to give anything away but the tall copper robot that hangs out with the robot that looks like a trash can is your guide and the ride is different every time. The gift shop seemed nice but we rushed out to beat the Fantasmic! crowd. The bus was still packed but everyone had a seat. The girls both fell asleep and had to the carried to the golf cart. Back at the RV, they brushed their teeth and quickly feel asleep. We had an early morning planned.

 

[dindy]

Really enjoying your trip report! It looks like you guys had a great time! I think we are going to head back to typhoon lagoon this year b/c we haven't been there in several years. Somehow even though we stay at Disney for a week, we never manage to squeeze in time to go there -your pics are making me excited to head back!
Also love your pics and video of the girls at dinner with the princesses. We only have boys, so we never get to do any of the "girly" things !

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

I truely feel your pain with the yellow flies. We went last June and I could not stay outside the camper. Like you I did not know they were biting me until the WELPS showed up! and they itched all week! Mine got so bad I actually went to the front desk and asked if they knew anything that would help the itch - cream just wasn't doing it! The CM googled it and came up with putting onion or lemons on the welps. We had onion and I actually tried it but I only ended up smelling like onions. Later that day we had lunch at Prime Time and I asked for lemon slices - and those worked!! I was very descreet rubbing lemons on my legs in the restaurant!

I am enjoying your trip report. Love the photos!
Ellen

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I truely feel your pain with the yellow flies. We went last June and I could not stay outside the camper. Like you I did not know they were biting me until the WELPS showed up! and they itched all week! Mine got so bad I actually went to the front desk and asked if they knew anything that would help the itch - cream just wasn't doing it! The CM googled it and came up with putting onion or lemons on the welps. We had onion and I actually tried it but I only ended up smelling like onions. Later that day we had lunch at Prime Time and I asked for lemon slices - and those worked!! I was very descreet rubbing lemons on my legs in the restaurant!

I am enjoying your trip report. Love the photos!
Ellen

"When life gives you lemons",,

rubb'em on your welps ,



I will be try'n this