MISSION POSSIBLE - Day 2 - What do mean we're not setting an alarm?

[Pugsly]

Pre-Trip Report
Day 1

Sunday, September 25th

Since it is vacation, we opt for no alarm. This goes strictly against my commando-style touring mode which I so readily employ when at WDW. But it IS Keith’s vacation too – and I need to not push Mickey on him too much. I think we left the resort somewhere around 9:30 (a full 30 minutes after the parks had opened).

Of course, we can’t head to the parks at this early hour and Keith calls for breakfast at the Waffle House (after attempts to locate an IHOP are unsuccessful, GPS was of little help here). It is here that I discover just how close to property we are and I’m excited at the mere sight of Mickey just across the street from the Waffle House (we’re a stone’s throw from Downtown Disney. Woo hoo!). Keith has a full breakfast of some sort, complete with waffles, eggs, bacon, toast, and we split the hashbrowns. I order one Texas-style biscuit and gravy - something that sticks to your ribs like cement. We both have to wonder (and giggle) and the Waffle House’s obvious fascination with Texas-style foodstuffs as there are several Texas-style offerings on the menu.

Are we headed to the parks now?

Not quite. Next up, we’re off to Shades of Green to purchase the 4-day park-hoppers on offer to active duty and retired military. This is certainly a bargain at $138 a piece. Keith is gutted that I didn’t want to go to Gatorland (where his admission would’ve been free and mine was going to cost a mere $19.95). We explore Shades of Green a bit, before I finally drag Keith back out to the TTC to park the car and get into the park.

Given the choice of Villains or Heroes parking lot today, we choose heroes and land in Pinocchio (I think). We have a brief stop at the TTC to exchange the park hopper voucher for actual park hoppers. And in doing so, the gentleman at the window, logs that the vouchers are for Keith and wife. Not to disappoint him, I sign my card with my new last name (my first practice run) even though we haven’t yet set a wedding date. I like how everyone just assumes we’re married – we must look “married” - which is a good thing.

We opt to take the ferry and enjoy the views of the Poly and the GF, and for me, watching the castle get closer. Somewhere around 11:00, we walk through the turnstiles and onto Main St.. Goosebumps are in place as the plaza is buzzing with activity, including the character meet and greets.

For me, I’m anxious to get my first glimpse of the castle (while standing on Main St.). Not surprisingly, a huge grin crosses my face as I see it. Of first order, is to have the obligatory picture snapped in front of the castle. Never mind the crane – or the arm coming out of my ear.

We head into Tomorrowland and practically straight on to Space Mountain (a 15-minute wait is posted). We barely have time to enjoy the new interactive games in the queue. Keith gives this a thumbs up, save the jerky motion, which causes a bit of discomfort to his back (he had back surgery earlier this year). I, of course, giggle throughout the whole ride.

 

[Pugsly]

I really want to take Keith on Buzz Lightyear, but he’s prone to motion sickness, and at the mention of ‘spinning’, he gives this a miss. We opt for the People Mover instead, for a nice, relaxing tour of Tomorrowland. The thought of AstroOrbiter practically makes Keith’s stomach turn, so we bypass this as well.

He can, however, handle the Carousel of Progress and we enter upon his request.

By this time, the heat is getting to us, so we opt for snack: a frozen banana for Keith and a Mickey bar for me. I manage to avoid spillage on my shirt, but the ground is a good target.

Traversing the park counter-clockwise, we’re in Fantasyland in no time. Keith is trying to remember what was behind the walls and at the mention of 20,000 Leagues, a see a small tear in the corner of his eye.

As Keith (and the kids) have not been to The World in more than 10 years, I think Mickey’s Philharmagic is a must (as I am intent on showing him all that is “new”). Keith loves it and states the obvious (to you and me, of course): Disney does 4D VERY well.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Fantasyland without a ride on Small World (Tam – I did this one just for you). I’m hoping to catch a flight on Peter Pan, but the wait is close to an hour and I’m not willing to give up that time. Even the FP return time was much later than when we had planned to be in the park today. Can someone please explain to me why Peter Pan is such a popular attraction? I mean … I know it’s my favorite Fantasyland ride, but is it really everyone else’s too?

By-passing Dumbo and the Carousel, we proceed to Haunted Mansion and amazingly, a 25-minute wait (once again the FP return time is not attractive to us). We decide to wait and take the walk through the cemetery. I think it’s worth one visit – maybe once and only if you haven’t already waited in line for a while. I’m not sure it’s worth a repeat visit. I love Haunted Mansion and Keith, well … let’s just say we have to agree to disagree (subsequent suggestions to ride it again throughout the week were met with a response to the negative – sacrilege, I know, but he did suggest a repeat trip on Small World, which I readily declined).

I love the new ending sequence – with mine and Keith’s heads switching between our two bodies – hilarious!

Columbia Harbor House sounds like a nice option for lunch and we both opt for the fried fish basket and share a bowl of clam chowder. It’s very noisy downstairs and I suggest climbing to the second floor. Ah … much quieter and not teeming with small, tired, hungry, and whiney wee ones. Satisfactorily filled, we agree we could’ve split an order of the fish (along with the clam chowder) and been happy. By the time we finish our meal, Haunted Mansion appears to be a virtual walk-on. Just our luck.

We stop by the Hall of Presidents, but decide we’re not ready to spend 22 minutes in a show right at the moment. For a ride, we would wait 22 minutes, but we won’t spend 22 minutes in a show. It’s no wonder Keith thinks this is a big theme park – all I want to do is ride rides … er … attractions. We bypass Frontierland and head into Adventureland for a trip on Pirates (which was a walk-on). I have to say, I miss Barbosa projected onto the “waterfall” at the beginning of the ride, but understand the placement of Blackbeard. We were greeted by rainfall upon our exit. Once it let up, we followed up with a cruise in the jungle (as is typical, a 25-minute wait). Keith is saddened that the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse was unavailable (rehab). I do, however, love the sound of the tiki drums as we leave Adventureland.

On Main St., I spot another throwback to my childhood – the colored Mickey balloons inside the bubbles. This CM made my day:

We plan to spend the evening in Epcot, so it’s time to make our way towards the exit. I want to show Keith the view of Main St. from atop the train station – I never tire of looking at the castle.

When we descend, the flag retreat ceremony has started and we stop to watch. It’s most moving as we place our hands over hearts, or in Keith’s case, a salute (which I’ve never seen him do before). If I wasn’t teary-eyed before, this certainly did it.

I love Disney transportation (save one hitch we had during the week)! And in no time at all, we’re headed to Epcot via our first “real” monorail ride.

 

[Pugsly]

Once inside, and the requisite pictures are taken,

we stop briefly while I explain the monoliths to Keith (he was curious about these, as well as the bricks at the TTC and MK). Despite Keith’s insistence that we stop to ride Spaceship Earth, I drag him straight for Soarin’ (promising we’ll return to SE shortly), where the wait is only 20 minutes – well worth the wait. We are seated in the second row, to the right, and I’m a little disappointed, not having been placed in the center (at least). No worries – it’s still going to be a great flight! Keith absolutely loves this ride. A ha! There’s a flicker of hope that my mission is on it’s way to being a success.

We follow this up with a turn on Spaceship Earth. I have to say, I’ve never really paid too much attention to the narrative on this ride, but today I did. And I was ever-so-slightly impressed. I was also amused with the ride ending (the activity they’ve created to keep you occupied on your journey back to earth).

We have missed our ADR at the Biergarten (which we could’ve made – but we weren’t ready to eat at that time). After strolling into World Showcase, we settle on dinner at the Cantina. Exorbitant prices, coupled with some so-so food (but really tasty margaritas), and at least we can say we have filled our stomachs. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about the new restaurant they had just opened – might’ve been a better choice. Dessert follows with a cream horn from the Norway bakery. And we perch ourselves for viewing Illuminations in what has become a favorite spot over the years – close to the Stave Church.

As always, I find Illuminations to be a moving performance by the good folks at Disney. Keith and I have a running joke about his love of dolphins and horses and when he asks if there will be ponies, and I tell him yes, he is pleasantly surprised. There is just something about this show that gives me chills – maybe it’s knowing I’m really at Disney World, maybe it’s the music that I find so moving. Whatever it is, I’m more than happy to be here, at this moment, leaning into the man I will soon marry.

Of course, we have to make a quick dash for the monorail and the attendants are yelling (yes, yelling!) for everyone to squish in, fill the cars, and as an added threat, they informed us that they would be sending only 1, maybe 2 more trains. I’d hate to see how this works in the heat of the tourist season! What a mess.

We were back to the car in no time, and back to the resort shortly thereafter. After about 2 pages of my book, it was lights out.

 

[csummerlin55]

Awww, he should've tried the Spaceranger Spin. My hubby gets motion sick too but he's ok with it. Although, he should make sure if he goes on it that he's not with a kiddo that will turn it on him.

 

[Tammy Stringer]

Sharon are you sure Keith is the right man for you - preferring It's A Small World to Haunted Mansion - seriously what's wrong with the man

Glad that Soarin' went down well.

Fond memories of clam chowder from Columbia Harbour House and those lovely pastries from Norway.

Sounds like a wonderful day. I can imagine how happy you were to be able to share it with Keith.

Tam

 

[Chilly]

the arm out the ear is funny

 

[DISWolves]

Columbia is always our first choice in M.K.
It's a small world is one I like but it is always struggle to convince DW & DD
I agree about the EPCOT fireworks, the music is amazing and so dramatic. My favourite display also.

 

[SusanEllen]

All my comments for this installment are about photos. First, the Castle photo with the unwanted additions--You could A) Photoshop away the crane and peculiar arm coming out of your head. or B) Make up a new version of that Magic Kingdom visit that involves body snatching aliens. Second, Keith under the Haunted Mansion sign, his expression looks like he's auditioning for a position as butler at the Mansion. And third, the last photo, the one of you on the train balcony--the best picture of you I've ever seen. Not sure it's the photographer's skills or the happy and pretty subject that made this such an outstanding photo. Actually, I think it's both.

 

[Pugsly]

csummer - we never did make it onto Buzz - he was always too hesitant. who says women are the ones with the superior memory? (one mention of the word "spin" and he wouldn't trust me.)

Tam - I'm still questioning whether this Small World-loving man, is in fact, the man of my dreams.

DISWolves - perhaps you and Keith could ride IASW together!

Chilly - why yes, the arm is quite hysterical. Imagine my surprise when I got home and actually saw it on a screen larger than my camera! (did I mention the photopass pic wasn't much better?)

Susan - thanks for the wonderful compliment! I do agree - maybe after we retire, Keith could certainly garner a position at the Mansion.