Mom, Dad isn't listening! WDW in July, another great trip! Updated final chapter

[Grooovertoo]

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

A great surprise reveal followed by the unforeseen intrusion of everyday reality…
That about sums up most TR first day posts. Glad SW did their best to fix the problems though. The worst part would be the not having good information bit throwing all other plans into limbo. Being information and detail driven myself, that kind of stuff make me the most nuts. A little better motel then “The Roof” would have been nice as well, but I suspect it beat sitting in the terminal.

Good that the Folks at Disney were able to adjust form the late arrival as well.

We’ve stayed at Pop a couple of times including out in the 70s building. We like that one as well because you could cut across a parking lot and end up with a fairly short hike to the bus stops.

Epcot on the first day is also a good choice. You can always relax out in the WS. You however did good to get onto TT with an acceptable wait. We found that the design part was fun enough (more so to the young’ens) but the rest of the referb was basically a “Tron”ification of the look of ride. Of course once you get out onto the open track… none of that matters and it’s still worth the time.

Add in the Fortified Slushies, a bit of time Off Kilter, MS-Orange and SSE to finish off the day…
Nicely done sir.
Nicely done.

 

[declansdad]

A great surprise reveal followed by the unforeseen intrusion of everyday reality…
That about sums up most TR first day posts. Glad SW did their best to fix the problems though. The worst part would be the not having good information bit throwing all other plans into limbo. Being information and detail driven myself, that kind of stuff make me the most nuts. A little better motel then “The Roof” would have been nice as well, but I suspect it beat sitting in the terminal.

Good that the Folks at Disney were able to adjust form the late arrival as well.

We’ve stayed at Pop a couple of times including out in the 70s building. We like that one as well because you could cut across a parking lot and end up with a fairly short hike to the bus stops.

Epcot on the first day is also a good choice. You can always relax out in the WS. You however did good to get onto TT with an acceptable wait. We found that the design part was fun enough (more so to the young’ens) but the rest of the referb was basically a “Tron”ification of the look of ride. Of course once you get out onto the open track… none of that matters and it’s still worth the time.

Add in the Fortified Slushies, a bit of time Off Kilter, MS-Orange and SSE to finish off the day…
Nicely done sir.
Nicely done.

We have always been in the 50s during our other stays at Pop but that location in the 70s was great. Our room was near enough to the end that we were almost at the bus stop.

The Red Roof Inn was ok for a short stay but I wouldn't want to be there for more than 1 night.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Following the breadcrumbs (er.....shameless plug) in here.


Now you've got me worried. I have one flight booked on SWA and I'm hoping that we don't have a technical glitch.


And congrats on making it all the way to departure day before breaking the news to DS. I don't think I could do that.

 

[declansdad]

Following the breadcrumbs (er.....shameless plug) in here.


Now you've got me worried. I have one flight booked on SWA and I'm hoping that we don't have a technical glitch.


And congrats on making it all the way to departure day before breaking the news to DS. I don't think I could do that.

Welcome.

I wouldn't worry too much about Southwest. From what I understand they are usually pretty good and they did look after us very well. For me it was just the first time using them anxiety and the slowness of getting the info and then the rush to get everyone looked after.

This was the 3rd surprise trip we have done with DS (2nd WDW trip) and we are getting pretty good at keeping the secret. The problem we had on this one was when he started looking for some of his clothes that had been packed.

 

[MeMom]

We have never had trouble with Southwest. Hope you have better experiences in the future.

The Epcot pictures are 'fab'. I'd love a stroll through Norway and a few more countries this morning.

Your artsy picture is beautiful!

 

[declansdad]

We have never had trouble with Southwest. Hope you have better experiences in the future.

The Epcot pictures are 'fab'. I'd love a stroll through Norway and a few more countries this morning.

Your artsy picture is beautiful!

Thanks MeMom, glad you enjoyed them.


One more weekend of soccer to get through and then I will get another update to the report posted.

 

[declansdad]

Chapter 3  A relaxing morning at AK.

So in our sticking with our decision to take this trip a little slower, we got out of bed around 7:30 am and took our time having some breakfast in the room and getting ready for the morning. We still managed to get to AK a little past 9.

This was the 2nd bus we have taken from Pop on this trip and the 2nd time we shared it with a tour group made up of teen-aged girls. The difference this time was the driver decided to pack the entire tour group on the bus. We were like sardines! I did notice that Declan seemed to be of interest to some of these young girls. It was difficult for them to check him out covertly in such close quarters. Or maybe they werent trying to be subtle.

Shortly after entering the park we came across a group of people staring at the trees, I wonder what they could have been looking at......


IMG_8320 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8321 by declansdadca, on Flickr

After checking the wait times, I headed to grab FPs for EE and then made my way across the park to meet up with the Family at the Safari. We had about a 20 minute wait to get to our safari truck and then we were off. It was our first time on the safari without the poacher angle. It was a different way but there were lots of animals out and about. The driver was ok but his delivery was strictly educational.


IMG_8338 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8341 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8354 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8359 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8372 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8378 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8381 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8384 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8389 by declansdadca, on Flickr



After our safari we headed for EE. We took our time getting over there, taking in the sights as we went.


IMG_8395 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8397 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8398 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8405 by declansdadca, on Flickr

Upon our arrival at EE we used our FPs for our first ride and then rode 2 more times using the single rider line. All in all we rode 3 times in about 50 minutes.

Next up was something we hadnt done in quite a few trips  Dinosaur!! I love this ride and was determined that this trip we would ride it at least once.


IMG_8415 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8428 by declansdadca, on Flickr


IMG_8432 by declansdadca, on Flickr

A little comparison, this one was taken in 2004 on our first trip.

After bringing back our dinosaur, we grabbed some lunch at our traditional AK spot, Flame Tree BBQ. Yummy!!!! We then headed back to Pop for some relaxation and pool time.

The plan for the next chapter an evening at DHS.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great pics of the animals and de-vine.

That's a great shot of your DS outside the dinosaur, contrasting the last time!

 

[MEK]

I love this picture! Very nice! I never try to do this, probably because it would never look like this.

Beautiful safari pictures, especially the close up of the giraffe eating.

Love the "then" and now pictures. Fun morning in AK, complete with a devine sighting.

 

[MeMom]

That zebra shot is great!

Little cutie has grown into a big cutie. Better watch those girls carefully!


Glad you got to have some relaxing time. Going to a park later and then back for pool time and relaxing in the afternoon is a very nice luxury on longer trips.

 

[declansdad]

Great pics of the animals and de-vine.

That's a great shot of your DS outside the dinosaur, contrasting the last time!

Thanks Princess. Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

 

[declansdad]

I love this picture! Very nice! I never try to do this, probably because it would never look like this.

Beautiful safari pictures, especially the close up of the giraffe eating.

Love the "then" and now pictures. Fun morning in AK, complete with a devine sighting.

Give it a try, that's the beauty of digital photography you can try and if it doesn't work, try again.

I love taking pictures on the safari, just wish you had longer to stop at each group.

 

[declansdad]

That zebra shot is great!

Little cutie has grown into a big cutie. Better watch those girls carefully!


Glad you got to have some relaxing time. Going to a park later and then back for pool time and relaxing in the afternoon is a very nice luxury on longer trips.

I really worked with that Zebra to get that shot. He had such a primadona attitude I almost fired him.

I kidded him about the girls checking him out but he didn't seem to in to it. I guess he prefers quiet girls.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Great update and great pics! Davine is something else! I find her fascinating to watch...how she moves with those stilts on is beyond me!

I love the comparison from your first trip to this past one! They grow up way too fast!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Great pictures! I have to confess...I'm in the minority that doesn't "get" Devine.

Still, you hit all the big attractions (EE 3 times? Nice!). What a before-and-after difference with your son! Man, time flies.

 

[declansdad]

Great update and great pics! Davine is something else! I find her fascinating to watch...how she moves with those stilts on is beyond me!

I love the comparison from your first trip to this past one! They grow up way too fast!

She is pretty cool but we didn't dawdle, there were FPs to be gotten!

He does seem to grow fast, and he keeps growing too.

 

[declansdad]

Great pictures! I have to confess...I'm in the minority that doesn't "get" Devine.

Still, you hit all the big attractions (EE 3 times? Nice!). What a before-and-after difference with your son! Man, time flies.

What I like about Devine is that you could walk right past her and not notice until she moves. I have watched her scare more that one person over the years.

EE 3 times, that's nothing. Wait until later.

 

[Jazzabelle508]

I'm in

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great pictures! I have to confess...I'm in the minority that doesn't "get" Devine.

Still, you hit all the big attractions (EE 3 times? Nice!). What a before-and-after difference with your son! Man, time flies.

She grows on you.