Day 6, Wednesday May 12th
We set an alarm for the first time this morning. We had an 8:05 PS at the Crystal Palace, so we were up and at em at 6:15. Okay, we were up, but dragging. We were at the monorail station at 7:15 and caught the first monorail. We were held at the Magic Kingdom gates until exactly 8am. I guess were expected to jog down Main Street? We stopped for a group picture love the nearly empty Main Street in these photos and got to the Crystal Palace somewhere close to 8:05 and checked in.
We were seated almost immediately, and saw Pooh and Tigger almost right away. Tigger and DS bounced together. There are way too many things to eat on this buffet. Its impossible to try everything that looks good. We had breakfast pizza, breakfast lasagne (which is very sweet), waffles, cheesy hash browns, and a million other things I cant remember. We visited Piglet in the atrium. We were finished eating before Eeyore got to our table because there seemed to be a lot of people that didnt understand the character breakfast concept and kept chasing him down.
We left breakfast right at 9am and walked into a deserted Fantasyland. The crowds (which would be minimal all day anyway) were still making their way down Main Street. We managed to ride Dumbo, Pooh, the Tea Cups, Snow White, the carousel, Mickeys Philharmagic, and Peter Pan all in less than an hour. Small World was closed, or we could have done that as well. There were still very small lines when we left Fantasyland.
Next up was the Haunted Mansion. DS refused to go on. He is still traumatized by a genuinely scare haunted house ride we took him on at a local amusement park last year. Big mistake there was no convincing him that this one wasnt as scary, so DH sat out with him. There was no line here either, and the stretching room wasnt full. We had a few screaming teenagers in there with us, so it was good that DS didnt come with us he would have freaked out.
We headed to Frontierland next. Splash was closed until noon for repairs, so we walked onto Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. DS wouldnt ride this a year and a half ago, but he was ready for it this trip. He says he liked it. None of us had been to Tom Sawyers Island since we were kids because we never feel like waiting in line for the keel boats, but the line was nearly empty today so we thought wed give it a try. The kids had a blast here and burned off some energy climbing and running. They spent quite a bit of time running around the fort while we enjoyed the rocking chairs in the shade.
It was getting pretty hot now, so we decided to hit Toontown since that would not be open for the late night extra magic hours. We wanted to take the train over, but Toontown station was closed. DS really wanted to ride the train, so we ended up taking it around to Main Street and then walking all the way back to Toontown. We all rode Barnstormer (another ride DS wouldnt do last time) and the kids played around Donalds boat, which was occasionally spouting a small spray of water. I really wish theyd turn on all the fountains here it would be a lot more fun. We opted not to go through Mickey and Minnies houses and headed for the exit.
On the way out, we made a stop in Adventureland because mom wanted to try one of these Dole Whips she heard so much about. I got a pineapple float these are as wonderful as their reputation! The kids just got ice cream (they arent pineapple fans) and DH had some of my float. These will be on the agenda from now on.
We picked up our photos and headed back for a long afternoon at the hotel. We all went to the pool. DH and DD snuck out for a half hour on the mouseboats at some point. I took DS back to change for dinner and he ended up falling asleep. He got to sleep for about 45 minutes before we had to wake him to go to dinner at Ohana. Waking the boy is never a good idea, but Ohana is our favorite restaurant, and I couldnt get a later seating.
Ohana was wonderful as always, despite a slightly cranky, very clingy little boy that spent most of dinner on my lap. He perked up by the end in time for a coconut race. DD did the hula hoops I cant believe how good she is at it. Where the heck did she learn to do that? The steak and pork were the best part of dinner. The kids arent really into the meat, so we got them some mac n cheese. DS ate quite a bit of the rice and a few chicken wings as well (most of which ended up on my shirt). DSIL and I both ordered Lapu Lapus. No one told me how strong these were. DSIL ended up watering hers down with juice. I managed to drink mine and the rest of hers. Once you get past that first bite of rum, they are really quite good. We ordered a few desserts. I had crème brulee (which was cold and not particularly good) and DSIL had the coconut snowball (very good). The kids shared one of the snow cones in a bucket and barely made a dent it in.
After a quick clothing change, we were off to the Magic Kingdom for extra magic hours. MK was didnt do as good a job with the wristband distribution as EPCOT, but then again we got our wristbands at EPCOT on the way out, not the way in. They were directing all the resort guests that needed wristbands to the right-hand security tables and turnstiles which resulted in really long lines. There was literally no one on the left hand side. So we scooted over to the left to go through those security tables and turnstiles and then just walked over to the CMs that were handing out wristbands just past the right turnstiles. This was a mess. There were no lines, just hoardes of people surrounding the CMs waving resort IDs. The CMs were so stressed I dont think they were even looking at the IDs. We got our wristbands and headed down Main Street, only to find a dozen or so CMs standing around the hub holding wristbands and having nothing to do. Now we know what to do next time (if there is a next time).
We tried to make it to Adventureland for the last Tiki Room showing (it was nearly 8:30 and regular park hours were over at 9), but that attraction must close really early because it was already closed up. This was the only thing we hadnt done earlier that wouldnt be open during the extra hours. I was disappointed to miss it, but will just add it as a priority for the next trip! We decided to do the Jungle Cruise while we were there. Our captain was Allison, and she was hysterical. The best Jungle Cruise captain Ive had in a while. Or maybe it was the Lapu Lapus from Ohana either way, it was a good ride. The Jungle Cruise is extra fun in the dark, I think.
Next up was the Pirates of the Caribbean. It took some convincing to get DS to ride this. The movie was too scary for him, so he was afraid the ride would be scary. We reminded him that he liked it a year ago, but he didnt remember. He ended up loving it, but liked the gift shop even more. We had to tear him away from the toy guns, and get him to settle for a set of pirate dress up stuff.
We headed to Splash Mountain just as the fireworks started. Since everyone was watching fireworks, there was no line. We did see the CMs turning away people without wristbands at this point. Fortunately DS didnt get very wet since he wasnt so enthusiastic about this ride either. I dont understand how he can spend the whole day underwater in the pool but worry about getting splashed on a ride. This is my favorite ride, so I was happy we could ride it all together.
We decided to see the Country Bears next. The next show was about 15 minutes away, so we killed some time at the shooting gallery. The kids have only ever seen the Christmas version of the Country Bears. They liked the Christmas version better. We rode Aladdins Carpets next. The line here wasnt any shorter than it was in the middle of the day about 15 minutes.
We decided to see Philharmagic one more time before leaving. We noticed the wait times in Fantasyland were very short at this point (nearly 11) I guess most of the little kids are in bed by now. We got inside Philharmagic just after a show had gone in. We went through the turnstile to get into the waiting the area and got yelled at by a CM for not waiting for her permission to go through the turnstile. Maybe she should have gotten off her cell phone and stayed at her post. This was the only nasty CM we encountered all week. We had gone through that turnstile in the AM without any one there, so we didnt know we needed to wait for her blessing. And there was no need to be nasty to us.
After Philharmagic we called it a night, even though there was nearly an hour left as it was a really long day, and we wanted to make it to MGM sometime near opening in the morning.
We set an alarm for the first time this morning. We had an 8:05 PS at the Crystal Palace, so we were up and at em at 6:15. Okay, we were up, but dragging. We were at the monorail station at 7:15 and caught the first monorail. We were held at the Magic Kingdom gates until exactly 8am. I guess were expected to jog down Main Street? We stopped for a group picture love the nearly empty Main Street in these photos and got to the Crystal Palace somewhere close to 8:05 and checked in.
We were seated almost immediately, and saw Pooh and Tigger almost right away. Tigger and DS bounced together. There are way too many things to eat on this buffet. Its impossible to try everything that looks good. We had breakfast pizza, breakfast lasagne (which is very sweet), waffles, cheesy hash browns, and a million other things I cant remember. We visited Piglet in the atrium. We were finished eating before Eeyore got to our table because there seemed to be a lot of people that didnt understand the character breakfast concept and kept chasing him down.
We left breakfast right at 9am and walked into a deserted Fantasyland. The crowds (which would be minimal all day anyway) were still making their way down Main Street. We managed to ride Dumbo, Pooh, the Tea Cups, Snow White, the carousel, Mickeys Philharmagic, and Peter Pan all in less than an hour. Small World was closed, or we could have done that as well. There were still very small lines when we left Fantasyland.
Next up was the Haunted Mansion. DS refused to go on. He is still traumatized by a genuinely scare haunted house ride we took him on at a local amusement park last year. Big mistake there was no convincing him that this one wasnt as scary, so DH sat out with him. There was no line here either, and the stretching room wasnt full. We had a few screaming teenagers in there with us, so it was good that DS didnt come with us he would have freaked out.
We headed to Frontierland next. Splash was closed until noon for repairs, so we walked onto Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. DS wouldnt ride this a year and a half ago, but he was ready for it this trip. He says he liked it. None of us had been to Tom Sawyers Island since we were kids because we never feel like waiting in line for the keel boats, but the line was nearly empty today so we thought wed give it a try. The kids had a blast here and burned off some energy climbing and running. They spent quite a bit of time running around the fort while we enjoyed the rocking chairs in the shade.
It was getting pretty hot now, so we decided to hit Toontown since that would not be open for the late night extra magic hours. We wanted to take the train over, but Toontown station was closed. DS really wanted to ride the train, so we ended up taking it around to Main Street and then walking all the way back to Toontown. We all rode Barnstormer (another ride DS wouldnt do last time) and the kids played around Donalds boat, which was occasionally spouting a small spray of water. I really wish theyd turn on all the fountains here it would be a lot more fun. We opted not to go through Mickey and Minnies houses and headed for the exit.
On the way out, we made a stop in Adventureland because mom wanted to try one of these Dole Whips she heard so much about. I got a pineapple float these are as wonderful as their reputation! The kids just got ice cream (they arent pineapple fans) and DH had some of my float. These will be on the agenda from now on.
We picked up our photos and headed back for a long afternoon at the hotel. We all went to the pool. DH and DD snuck out for a half hour on the mouseboats at some point. I took DS back to change for dinner and he ended up falling asleep. He got to sleep for about 45 minutes before we had to wake him to go to dinner at Ohana. Waking the boy is never a good idea, but Ohana is our favorite restaurant, and I couldnt get a later seating.
Ohana was wonderful as always, despite a slightly cranky, very clingy little boy that spent most of dinner on my lap. He perked up by the end in time for a coconut race. DD did the hula hoops I cant believe how good she is at it. Where the heck did she learn to do that? The steak and pork were the best part of dinner. The kids arent really into the meat, so we got them some mac n cheese. DS ate quite a bit of the rice and a few chicken wings as well (most of which ended up on my shirt). DSIL and I both ordered Lapu Lapus. No one told me how strong these were. DSIL ended up watering hers down with juice. I managed to drink mine and the rest of hers. Once you get past that first bite of rum, they are really quite good. We ordered a few desserts. I had crème brulee (which was cold and not particularly good) and DSIL had the coconut snowball (very good). The kids shared one of the snow cones in a bucket and barely made a dent it in.
After a quick clothing change, we were off to the Magic Kingdom for extra magic hours. MK was didnt do as good a job with the wristband distribution as EPCOT, but then again we got our wristbands at EPCOT on the way out, not the way in. They were directing all the resort guests that needed wristbands to the right-hand security tables and turnstiles which resulted in really long lines. There was literally no one on the left hand side. So we scooted over to the left to go through those security tables and turnstiles and then just walked over to the CMs that were handing out wristbands just past the right turnstiles. This was a mess. There were no lines, just hoardes of people surrounding the CMs waving resort IDs. The CMs were so stressed I dont think they were even looking at the IDs. We got our wristbands and headed down Main Street, only to find a dozen or so CMs standing around the hub holding wristbands and having nothing to do. Now we know what to do next time (if there is a next time).
We tried to make it to Adventureland for the last Tiki Room showing (it was nearly 8:30 and regular park hours were over at 9), but that attraction must close really early because it was already closed up. This was the only thing we hadnt done earlier that wouldnt be open during the extra hours. I was disappointed to miss it, but will just add it as a priority for the next trip! We decided to do the Jungle Cruise while we were there. Our captain was Allison, and she was hysterical. The best Jungle Cruise captain Ive had in a while. Or maybe it was the Lapu Lapus from Ohana either way, it was a good ride. The Jungle Cruise is extra fun in the dark, I think.
Next up was the Pirates of the Caribbean. It took some convincing to get DS to ride this. The movie was too scary for him, so he was afraid the ride would be scary. We reminded him that he liked it a year ago, but he didnt remember. He ended up loving it, but liked the gift shop even more. We had to tear him away from the toy guns, and get him to settle for a set of pirate dress up stuff.
We headed to Splash Mountain just as the fireworks started. Since everyone was watching fireworks, there was no line. We did see the CMs turning away people without wristbands at this point. Fortunately DS didnt get very wet since he wasnt so enthusiastic about this ride either. I dont understand how he can spend the whole day underwater in the pool but worry about getting splashed on a ride. This is my favorite ride, so I was happy we could ride it all together.
We decided to see the Country Bears next. The next show was about 15 minutes away, so we killed some time at the shooting gallery. The kids have only ever seen the Christmas version of the Country Bears. They liked the Christmas version better. We rode Aladdins Carpets next. The line here wasnt any shorter than it was in the middle of the day about 15 minutes.
We decided to see Philharmagic one more time before leaving. We noticed the wait times in Fantasyland were very short at this point (nearly 11) I guess most of the little kids are in bed by now. We got inside Philharmagic just after a show had gone in. We went through the turnstile to get into the waiting the area and got yelled at by a CM for not waiting for her permission to go through the turnstile. Maybe she should have gotten off her cell phone and stayed at her post. This was the only nasty CM we encountered all week. We had gone through that turnstile in the AM without any one there, so we didnt know we needed to wait for her blessing. And there was no need to be nasty to us.
After Philharmagic we called it a night, even though there was nearly an hour left as it was a really long day, and we wanted to make it to MGM sometime near opening in the morning.
