McManus Family Vacation - GF Day 3

[TammiMcMan]

Cast of Characters: Tammi & Jim (mom-dad), Meg (16), Colin (12) and Casey (6). Our 13th trip to WDW

Monday 7/30: Good thing we had a relaxing day yesterday, because this was going to be a morning til night park day ~ Epcot. Taking advantage of valet parking, we decided to drive over to the Boardwalk. We were waved right through and pulled up out in front to drop the car there for the day. We did have big plans to hang out at Boardwalk after Epcot closed. We were all ready to walk across the bridge and enter through the gateway, but DH insisted that we wait for the boat. So we waited and we waited and we waited. For some reason, they were using the same 3 boats to shuttle passengers from Epcot to the Boardwalk and then over to MGM. Three boats came by, but they were all on the MGM leg of their trip, so we stood around for 20 minutes. Finally made it to the gateway and we were surrounded by a crowd of six people. Gotta love that back entrance! Strolled right on through. It's about 10:30am now, so DH takes all our tickets and heads to Test Track while we stroll to Spaceship Earth. Only about a 5 minute wait. This is actually the first time I've been on that ride since they re-did it and I kind of liked the original better.

Everyone was anxious to try the soft drinks at Ice Station cool, so we went there next. My favorite was Japan's watermelon soda.

Off to Imagination next. We walked right onto Honey I shrunk the audience. DH thought that they had toned it down a bit, but I still jumped when the mice went running through the audience. Our next stop was Figment. Liked the new style of this ride. It tied into the theme of the area much better.

By now everyone was getting hungry, so we decided to eat in the Land. Meg and I love the baked potatoes and DH had a great chicken parmesan dish. From here, we walked over to the Living Seas. Very disappointed that the manatee exhibit was closed. I really hope this attraction is in line for a rehab pretty soon. It's always been one of my favorites.

Getting close to TestTrack time now, so we walk across the park and right into Universe of Energy. Perfect timing as we walk off that ride and into the fast pass line. Stand by was over 60 minutes and by 2:00pm, the fp distribution line was closed. Casey loved this ride and our car got up to 65 mph on the track.

Then we started shopping our way around the world. I had given everyone bottles of water to carry, but Colin ended up getting a bit dehydrated. We had to slow down and give him some time to recuperate. We hit most of the kid spots and had our wishes all ready when the parade came around. We sat on the benches right outside Japan, perfect view and not crowded at all. Shortly after the parade ended, a pretty good size storm started rolling through. It was too bad, because we had just made it around to the UK and Canada, but the shows had to be cancelled due to the weather. They're my favorite.

We had PS for 7:40 at the Rose & Crown, but due to the storm they had to close the patio and they had very few tables available. Ended up having to wait about 30 minutes, but it was worth it. The storm had passed and they opened the patio again. We had perfect seats to view Illuminations. Dinner was great as usual. DH and I had the fish and chips. It was huge, I couldn't finish it. The kids enjoyed the shepards pie. Meg ate all of her's and part of Colin's.

I was amazed at how light the crowds were in the park. Other than TestTrack, there was never a wait for any of the other rides. As for our plans to hang out at the Boardwalk, well we were just too exhausted. Picked up the car and drove straight back to the hotel.

Tammi

 

[Fortune1211]

The manatee exhibit is closed???? That is my main reason for going into the living seas.....When I was younger dear old dad was great enough to stand there with me for hours while I watched them feeding the babies heads of lettuce....I sure hope that this is a temporary thing....if not I'll be way disspointed..you don't see too many manatees up here in pa....lol....

 

[TammiMcMan]

We were so disappointed. The first thing we did after getting off the hydrolater was to run right up to the second floor. At first I thought maybe I was on the wrong end or something, but there it was, closed down, with those big boards all around it. I hope they'll be back.

Tammi

 

[Fortune1211]

I do too...like I said the zoos around here obviously don't have them and the only time I've been able to see them is at epcot in years past...what a bummer..hopefully it's just temporary..by the way thanks for the great reports

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Sounds wonderful, the R&C patio for IllumiNations! We had lunch at R&C on my last trip, I actually really enjoyed the food!

 

[BbearRosenfeld]

I'm anxiously awaiting the rest of your trip reports. How many days total did you go? Did you love the GF? I'm going there in October to stay for the first time and can't wait. Of course I have the cheaper, garden view, but hopefully it will still be nice. Thanks for posting!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi Wendy,

We stayed a total of 8 days/7 nights at the GF. I am in love with that resort. I have become so spoiled that I can't imagine staying anywhere else. We've walked through the WL and AKL and I like both of them very much, but everytime I book a trip to Disney, I'm just drawn to the GF. You won't be disappointed. The garden view is very pretty also, it put's you right in that romantic, victorian mood. I've heard people say that it can be a much quieter area also because of less foot traffic. Gasparilla's is great for cheap eats. They're open 24 hours and the food is actually very good. I also like the Cafe, but they're only open for breakfast and lunch. If you go there, ask for Izzy to be your server, he is a treasure. 1900 Park Fare has a buffet character breakfast and dinner. More formal is Citrico's and Narcooses for dinner. Narcoose's is right on the water though, great spot for viewing the fireworks and electric water parade. (A hint on transportation to the MK, take the monorail over and the boat back.) Feel free to PM me if you need anything more specific. I know you'll enjoy it.

Tammi

 

[susy]

We also have a Ps for Rose and Crown for our upcoming trip.

We were thinking of getting the shepherd's pie. We don't care about seeing Illum from the patio,since our DS is afraid of "fireworks". He promised this time he would see them from far away. We will try to see some of them from the entrance.

AKL here I come!!!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

My DD highly recommends the shepards pie. There are a couple of fireworks that are launched from right in front of the Rose and Crown patio. Plus when they do the fire and water music section, you can definitely feel the heat while your sitting there. Good choice to watch them from further back if DS is a little afraid.

We were at GF in 2000 when our youngest was 4. The first night we watched the fireworks from inside our room, looking out the balcony window. The next night we were able to move outside and finally she was okay to go into the park and see them. Good thing, because it was 4th of July! I agree, you've got to let them adjust at their own pace.

We visited the AKL lodge (it's on my day 5 trip report), your DS will love the pool area and seeing all those animals. It was a beautiful resort. Have a wonderful trip.

Tammi

 

[Krissalee]

Another busy day! Illuminations is my favorite attraction - thanks for sharing your trip with us!

Krissy

 

[otownguy]

To all you manatee lovers, If you would like to see manatees in the wild, you need to check out Blue springs state park. It is off of I-4 between Orlando and Daytona. It is a natural spring park and when the weather starts to get cool the manatees in the St Johns river congregate in the springs constant 72 degree water. Last time we were there we saw dozens of manatees swimming freely in the spring.