My 'Wow! We Got A Free Illuminations Cruise" Trip Report. Day 2

Tink10

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Day 2 7/21 - Wednesday

My Mom & Dad didn't go into any parks because they're moving back to Florida & were house shopping. There was an E-Ride night scheduled for the 21st, so we spent half the day at Epcot (my DD's favorite) & then headed on to MK.

I was amazed at the number of rides that my niece was afraid of. She's almost 10 & has been on tons of rides at Six Flags. During the trip, the crying sort of became a pre-ride ritual.

My DD, Sister & Niece got up at about 9:00 and went to the Boardwalk Bakery for our first breakfast. (A vacation tradition for my DD & I) We entered Epcot through the back entrance & it really felt like coming home. Thankfully, Epcot wasn't wery crowded.

Because of the lack of rides, my Sister & Niece weren't too thrilled with Epcot, but that didn't take away from my DD's experience. They've only been to WDW once, when my niece was 2 & they thought it would be more Six Flags-like.

My DD & I rode Mission Space (niece cried & I had to take her off), which was amazing. The 4 of us rode everything else except Test Track. We were in Future world until about 3:00 then headed over to WS to have lunch at Liberty Inn (Another Tradition). I saw that my sister & niece were having a pretty bad time, so I suggested heading over to MK.

We took the Monorail to the TTC & were able to ride in the front. I thought that might perk them up, but I was wrong. We were also able to ride up front on the Monorail to the MK......Again, they weren't thrilled.

We walked along main street & made our way to Adventureland. I got a Dole Whip & thought I was in heaven! My sister & neice wanted to ride Jungle Cruise, so we headed there. After, we hit Pirates (niece almost cried).

At this time, I thought that my sister & niece might have more fun if they could explore on their own, so I suggested that we split up. My DD & I had a wonderful time & we ate at Cosmic Ray's & just took in the sights & sounds. We decided to wait until the crowds thinned to go on any of the really good rides & met up with my sister at 9:30, just before E-Ride night started.

Once the E-Rides cleared off, we went on Buzz, then headed over to Splash Mountain (niece cried). After that, we split up once more & my daughter & I stayed til the end I had the time of our lives.

The bus transportation back to the Dolphin was wonderful. The bus was almost empty & when we arrived at the Dolphin, we went to Tubbi's & had a little late night snack. My Sister & Niece were asleep when we got back into the room.
 
Hi,

Joined in a little late and I was wondering how you got your free cruise.

Thanks
 
Hi Tinkermom!

We had taken an Illuminations Cruise on our first night (7/20), which we paid for. On our fourth night there (7/23), my DD & I were meeting my Mom & Dad on the Boardwalk & my DD saw our boat captain from our cruise on the first evening.

She wanted to go over to say "hi".....When we did, he looked a bit upset. He told us that he had a birthday cruise booked & that the party hadn't shown up. (it was 8:45).....He told us that if the family didn't show by 8:50pm, his manager told him to find another family & go.

The family who booked the cruise never showed up, so he took us out again at no charge. The boat had drinks, cake & balloons.

It was wonderful!:sunny:
 

Wow!!!

That was great. I love when things just magically happen. Well I must get packing we are driving down this week!
 
glad you decided to split off from the rest of the family - you can't always make people enjoy themselves - sounds like you did better without them!

how cool about the free cruise!
 
Okay... a little confused. Niece = cries on rides & Niece = disappointed because there were fewer and less intense rides than at 6 Flags.

What a shame that your sister and niece weren't having a good time. Was the niece getting sick? Or perhaps they were fightingg? Otherwise I can't imagine NOT having a good time at Disney. So happy that you could let it roll of your back.

I'm enjoying your trip report very much.. look forward to reading the next installments.
 





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