TimNDansMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2000
- Messages
- 3,093
What more can a girl ask for, than to start the day with a wake-up call from Mickey Mouse! I was looking forward to starting my day with the new drop sequences at Tower of Terror and was ready to go in a flash. Dh was awake but was going to snooze for a while longer before heading out to look for an unsuspecting golf course. I told him that I probably wouldnt be back until late because it was E-Ride night at Magic Kingdom and I had almost made up my mind to go. I headed off to the Food Court for a quick breakfast of french toast before boarding the bus, which came along in no time at all.
A river of people was moving through the gates at MGM and I walked-half-ran, unzipping my fanny bag and readying my drawstring back pack, up to the security bag check tables. Then, the inevitable task of choosing which line was moving faster through the turnstiles. I chose a slow one, of course, but eventually I was standing on Hollywood Boulevard. No time to dawdle just yet, I was on a mission and I was already running behind schedule, according to the number of people already there.
A line had already started to form at TOT. Darn! All the other early birds had the same idea and it was a good half an hour before I got my turn on the elevator. Now, I really enjoy this ride and all the themeing around it but if what I had just experienced was a new and more exciting drop sequence, then I was disappointed. If there hadnt been so many people lined up, I would have gone on again to see what another ride was like. Oh well, another time. I wanted to go back on RnR and then head over to EPCOT to send off some electronic postcards before it got too busy.
After doing RnR twice in a row ~ WHEEEEEE! ~ I stopped in a shop on my way back down Sunset Boulevard and bought two different Mickey 75th Birthday pins and a matching display plate and had them sent back to the hotel. Just using it for the first time, I really liked this service!!
I really enjoy all the boat rides at WDW and take them whenever I can. My timing was perfect because one was just arriving at the MGM dock. It was a gorgeous morning and I headed straight for the outside seating area at the back of the boat. I struck up a conversation with a friendly woman who was taking her young granddaughter, who was not feeling well, back to their villa, while the parents enjoyed themselves at the park. We compared notes on the amount of snow that we had each left behind.
Its always such a pretty sight when the Boardwalk area comes into view, contrasted by the Swan and Dolphin hotels. I made a mental note that Dh and I would have to come back and stop in at Beaches and Cream for a treat. The boat made its final stop at EPCOT and I got off and headed through the International Gateway, first stopping at the security bag check again. World Showcase was just opening up as I made my way towards Future World and Innoventions, in order to send off electronic postcards to friends and family back home from the IBM kiosk. Luckily, it wasnt busy and I was able to send them all one.
Next on my list was Test Track and I hurried over to wait in the singles line. Almost immediately, I was handed a pass and directed on through along with several other singles. It used to be that you would go directly to the loading area via a side door, but now they send you through the pre-ride area. I really dont mind this because I like looking at everything as I quickly walk by. As always, I enjoyed the thrill of driving around the track with my hands up in the air (regardless of what the others I was seated with, thought).
From TT I wandered back to ride Spaceship Earth, managed to do the whole ride without it stopping and after that I went to find a CM to show me where a friends Leave a Legacy Tile was located. I took a couple of pictures to give her when I got back. Journey into Imagination with Figment was next on my list. I was so happy to see Figment back again and would later buy a Figment pin in the gift shop. After the ride, I played in the Kodak What If labs and sent another few electronic postcards back home. Just for fun, I coloured my picture orange to make it look like I was getting a tan. I also saw Honey, I Shrunk The Audience and this time was able to sit right in the middle. Whoa! That snake gets me every time! I was in a shopping mood by then so I went over to browse through Mousegears and bought the 2003 display plate and had it sent back to the hotel. Cant say enough about this convenience!
I decided to head around to the American Pavilion and have lunch at the Liberty Inn. I also wanted to see The American Adventure that I had always managed to miss in past trips. It was a leisurely stroll as I made my way around the World Showcase, stopping to watch the young children of the Dragon Legends Acrobats. They never cease to amaze me!
The very talented, high energy a cappella group, American Vybe, with their stand-up bass player and vocal percussionists, entertained in the entrance rotunda while we waited for the show to start. Once seated in the large theatre, I found The American Adventure to be 30 minutes of a very moving recount of the highlights and events in American history. As I exited the theatre afterwards, I realized I would have to re-enter through the front doors in order to see the flag that had been found in the ruins of the World Trade Center. There was a small crowd gathered to one side, standing before the damaged but still intact flag, mounted in a glass case on the wall. I waited my turn and was finally able to get close enough to take a picture. I found it very emotional standing there and thinking back to that terrible day.
I continued to make my way around the World Showcase, hesitating whether I should wait 10 minutes to see the group, British Invasion at the British Pavilion or see when Off Kilter would be performing at the Canadian Pavilion. British Invasion won out, as I love all those old Beatle songs. When I walked by the Off Kilter stage, I discovered that they wouldnt be playing for another 45 minutes so I decided to continue on and go for a Fiesta Margarita at the Mexican Pavilion that I had heard so much about and then catch the Monorail for MK. The drink was delicious but strong, I discovered, as I wove my way (not because of the number of people
) to the exit.
Once back in MK, I finally made up my mind to stay for E-night. It was close to 6 oclock and the park closed at 7. I stopped in at City Hall, paid for E-night and got my wristband at the same time. After that was done, I decided it was time for some dessert, especially after that Margarita and headed over to Aloha Isle for a Pineapple/Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip and sat down to people-watch for a while, until my head cleared. Afterwards, I went over to the nearby Jungle Cruise and was able to climb aboard after a short wait. We had a very funny Captain which always makes the trip more enjoyable. As I mentioned previously, I love boat rides!
It was wonderful to see the flowers and trees blooming and I took a few pictures before it got dark, while waiting for the last show of Cinderellas Surprise Celebration to begin. I think we were all eagerly waiting for Tinkerbell to fly overhead before the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks because I heard comments of Wheres Tinkerbell?, after the first explosion of cascading sparkles in the night sky. Oh well, I guess everyone needs a night off! As always, standing there before the Castle, with the fireworks lighting up the sky, listening to the music, it was the end to a perfect day. Only my day wasnt over just yet!
I wondered how I would feel doing E-night by myself and actually, I had fun. Its so relaxing to wander around MK in the quiet of the night. I went straight for Big Thunder Mountain and rode it 4 times in a row. This ride is so exciting at night! As a single rider and because we all had our hands up in the air, I had to plant my feet firmly to prevent myself from sliding from one side of the seat to the other as we sped around the track. What a riot! Next I headed over to Splash Mountain ~ once is enough for me and I wrapped my poncho around my shorts so I wouldnt be wandering around with a wet behind in the coolish night.
Because I had waited to watch Fantasy in the Sky, I lost about a half hour of my E-night but I still managed to ride everything except Astro Orbiter, Alien Encounter and TTA. I didnt mind not doing the first two, but I was disappointed that I didnt have time for TTA. One attraction that I hadnt seen since I was at WDW with Dan in the 80s was Country Bear Jamboree, so this was a definite must-do that night. I have to admit that the show is a hoot! Buzz Lightyear was a bit challenging, trying to steer and shoot at the same time. My score was very low, but it was fun anyway and I always enjoy going through that red light spinning my car round and round. Its interesting riding Space Mountain at night because the tracks seem to show up more in the darkness against all those little lights. The line-up was fairly long and I was only able to ride it once. All in all I had a great time and wouldnt hesitate to stay and enjoy the park after hours again, on my own. The evening seemed to fly by and then we were all slowly heading back up Main Street. I couldnt help but stop several times to look back at the Castle. I have pictures that I took from either end of Main Street, to remember that walk.
Outside the park, Mickey was walking back and forth along the WDW Railroad Station platform, waving goodbye and saying goodnight to everyone. I dont think anyone wanted to leave and we all just stood there waving back.
By the time I got to the All Star Sports bus stop, a bus was just leaving but we didnt have to wait long for another. Back at the hotel, Dh went down to the Food Court with me while I grabbed something to eat. We discussed our day and I think I had a much more exciting time than he did on the golf course. He keeps saying that one of these days hed like to go back to Magic Kingdom ~ he hasnt been since the 70s ~ maybe next time! We decided that the next morning we would go over to Kona Café at the Polynesian Resort for Tonga Toast.
to be continued ..
A river of people was moving through the gates at MGM and I walked-half-ran, unzipping my fanny bag and readying my drawstring back pack, up to the security bag check tables. Then, the inevitable task of choosing which line was moving faster through the turnstiles. I chose a slow one, of course, but eventually I was standing on Hollywood Boulevard. No time to dawdle just yet, I was on a mission and I was already running behind schedule, according to the number of people already there.
A line had already started to form at TOT. Darn! All the other early birds had the same idea and it was a good half an hour before I got my turn on the elevator. Now, I really enjoy this ride and all the themeing around it but if what I had just experienced was a new and more exciting drop sequence, then I was disappointed. If there hadnt been so many people lined up, I would have gone on again to see what another ride was like. Oh well, another time. I wanted to go back on RnR and then head over to EPCOT to send off some electronic postcards before it got too busy.
After doing RnR twice in a row ~ WHEEEEEE! ~ I stopped in a shop on my way back down Sunset Boulevard and bought two different Mickey 75th Birthday pins and a matching display plate and had them sent back to the hotel. Just using it for the first time, I really liked this service!!
I really enjoy all the boat rides at WDW and take them whenever I can. My timing was perfect because one was just arriving at the MGM dock. It was a gorgeous morning and I headed straight for the outside seating area at the back of the boat. I struck up a conversation with a friendly woman who was taking her young granddaughter, who was not feeling well, back to their villa, while the parents enjoyed themselves at the park. We compared notes on the amount of snow that we had each left behind.
Its always such a pretty sight when the Boardwalk area comes into view, contrasted by the Swan and Dolphin hotels. I made a mental note that Dh and I would have to come back and stop in at Beaches and Cream for a treat. The boat made its final stop at EPCOT and I got off and headed through the International Gateway, first stopping at the security bag check again. World Showcase was just opening up as I made my way towards Future World and Innoventions, in order to send off electronic postcards to friends and family back home from the IBM kiosk. Luckily, it wasnt busy and I was able to send them all one.
Next on my list was Test Track and I hurried over to wait in the singles line. Almost immediately, I was handed a pass and directed on through along with several other singles. It used to be that you would go directly to the loading area via a side door, but now they send you through the pre-ride area. I really dont mind this because I like looking at everything as I quickly walk by. As always, I enjoyed the thrill of driving around the track with my hands up in the air (regardless of what the others I was seated with, thought).
From TT I wandered back to ride Spaceship Earth, managed to do the whole ride without it stopping and after that I went to find a CM to show me where a friends Leave a Legacy Tile was located. I took a couple of pictures to give her when I got back. Journey into Imagination with Figment was next on my list. I was so happy to see Figment back again and would later buy a Figment pin in the gift shop. After the ride, I played in the Kodak What If labs and sent another few electronic postcards back home. Just for fun, I coloured my picture orange to make it look like I was getting a tan. I also saw Honey, I Shrunk The Audience and this time was able to sit right in the middle. Whoa! That snake gets me every time! I was in a shopping mood by then so I went over to browse through Mousegears and bought the 2003 display plate and had it sent back to the hotel. Cant say enough about this convenience!
I decided to head around to the American Pavilion and have lunch at the Liberty Inn. I also wanted to see The American Adventure that I had always managed to miss in past trips. It was a leisurely stroll as I made my way around the World Showcase, stopping to watch the young children of the Dragon Legends Acrobats. They never cease to amaze me!
The very talented, high energy a cappella group, American Vybe, with their stand-up bass player and vocal percussionists, entertained in the entrance rotunda while we waited for the show to start. Once seated in the large theatre, I found The American Adventure to be 30 minutes of a very moving recount of the highlights and events in American history. As I exited the theatre afterwards, I realized I would have to re-enter through the front doors in order to see the flag that had been found in the ruins of the World Trade Center. There was a small crowd gathered to one side, standing before the damaged but still intact flag, mounted in a glass case on the wall. I waited my turn and was finally able to get close enough to take a picture. I found it very emotional standing there and thinking back to that terrible day.
I continued to make my way around the World Showcase, hesitating whether I should wait 10 minutes to see the group, British Invasion at the British Pavilion or see when Off Kilter would be performing at the Canadian Pavilion. British Invasion won out, as I love all those old Beatle songs. When I walked by the Off Kilter stage, I discovered that they wouldnt be playing for another 45 minutes so I decided to continue on and go for a Fiesta Margarita at the Mexican Pavilion that I had heard so much about and then catch the Monorail for MK. The drink was delicious but strong, I discovered, as I wove my way (not because of the number of people
) to the exit.Once back in MK, I finally made up my mind to stay for E-night. It was close to 6 oclock and the park closed at 7. I stopped in at City Hall, paid for E-night and got my wristband at the same time. After that was done, I decided it was time for some dessert, especially after that Margarita and headed over to Aloha Isle for a Pineapple/Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip and sat down to people-watch for a while, until my head cleared. Afterwards, I went over to the nearby Jungle Cruise and was able to climb aboard after a short wait. We had a very funny Captain which always makes the trip more enjoyable. As I mentioned previously, I love boat rides!
It was wonderful to see the flowers and trees blooming and I took a few pictures before it got dark, while waiting for the last show of Cinderellas Surprise Celebration to begin. I think we were all eagerly waiting for Tinkerbell to fly overhead before the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks because I heard comments of Wheres Tinkerbell?, after the first explosion of cascading sparkles in the night sky. Oh well, I guess everyone needs a night off! As always, standing there before the Castle, with the fireworks lighting up the sky, listening to the music, it was the end to a perfect day. Only my day wasnt over just yet!
I wondered how I would feel doing E-night by myself and actually, I had fun. Its so relaxing to wander around MK in the quiet of the night. I went straight for Big Thunder Mountain and rode it 4 times in a row. This ride is so exciting at night! As a single rider and because we all had our hands up in the air, I had to plant my feet firmly to prevent myself from sliding from one side of the seat to the other as we sped around the track. What a riot! Next I headed over to Splash Mountain ~ once is enough for me and I wrapped my poncho around my shorts so I wouldnt be wandering around with a wet behind in the coolish night.
Because I had waited to watch Fantasy in the Sky, I lost about a half hour of my E-night but I still managed to ride everything except Astro Orbiter, Alien Encounter and TTA. I didnt mind not doing the first two, but I was disappointed that I didnt have time for TTA. One attraction that I hadnt seen since I was at WDW with Dan in the 80s was Country Bear Jamboree, so this was a definite must-do that night. I have to admit that the show is a hoot! Buzz Lightyear was a bit challenging, trying to steer and shoot at the same time. My score was very low, but it was fun anyway and I always enjoy going through that red light spinning my car round and round. Its interesting riding Space Mountain at night because the tracks seem to show up more in the darkness against all those little lights. The line-up was fairly long and I was only able to ride it once. All in all I had a great time and wouldnt hesitate to stay and enjoy the park after hours again, on my own. The evening seemed to fly by and then we were all slowly heading back up Main Street. I couldnt help but stop several times to look back at the Castle. I have pictures that I took from either end of Main Street, to remember that walk.
Outside the park, Mickey was walking back and forth along the WDW Railroad Station platform, waving goodbye and saying goodnight to everyone. I dont think anyone wanted to leave and we all just stood there waving back.
By the time I got to the All Star Sports bus stop, a bus was just leaving but we didnt have to wait long for another. Back at the hotel, Dh went down to the Food Court with me while I grabbed something to eat. We discussed our day and I think I had a much more exciting time than he did on the golf course. He keeps saying that one of these days hed like to go back to Magic Kingdom ~ he hasnt been since the 70s ~ maybe next time! We decided that the next morning we would go over to Kona Café at the Polynesian Resort for Tonga Toast.
to be continued ..
