NEW DAY 4 UP- Two 30-somethings@ WDW- artificial insemination before the mouse!

[Jennifer48]

ANother great update...although I was cringing as I read about all your encounters with rude people! Kudos to you for keeping your cool! With rude people, swarms of people, and heat, I don't think many people could have negotiated that much better. Can't wait for the next installment!

I second that! way to go on keeping your cool. I yelled at a woman behind me that took pictures of EVERY scene in POTC and she didn't listen even though she says to her friends "how come we can't take flash photos?" DUH its in the dark for a reason!!

 

[exwdwcm]

DAY 4, PART 1

Today we are doing the morning at Epcot, one of my favorite places! We are up early and arrive at Epcot by 8:45am for the 9am opening. We follow the giant mob over to Soarin. Tacking Soarin and Test Track was our goal this morning. We had bypassed it on our trip to Epcot the other day due to lines and knew this morning was our best chance to get on and get fastpasses. So we arrive at the Land Pavilion among the graveyard of strollers. I tell DH to wait outside and I'll go in to get Fastpasses. I move a lot quicker than he does, well, i am just more motivated i guess! So i get in, get fastpasses and it wasn't too bad. The line was about 20 minutes. But we had plans to head to TT. So with FP in hand for Soarin, we head over to TT, and there is about a 5 minute wait, not bad at all. This is a first for DH. He used to work for GM in Arlington, TX at the plant on the assembly line while we were in college. It was third shift too, but good money for a college kid. I wished he still had his GM id valid to get in the GM lounge at TT, but oh well. His brother still works there to this day as a journeyman. DH is a big car nut- he used to drag race although he hasn't in years. But we still own the four mustangs to prove it. Lol

So onto Test Track. We decided not to rush once again, letting everyone filter out of the prep room into the queue ahead of us. We weren't in a huge hurry, so why fight the folks scrambling to be first in line. Usually I would. We have a great ride on Test Track and DH enjoyed it. We exit and head back over to Soarin. The good thing about it being just DH and me is that we can backtrack as needed. So back to Soarin. We are hungry, had not eaten breakfast yet, so we find something to eat in the food court at the Land- I think it is called Seasons now? I can't remember. I had some frosted flakes, milk and oj. DH had oatmeal and coffee. We used the balance of our snack credits here and paid OOP for the coffee I think and milk. We weren't trying to save or maximize our credits, we wanted to use them and then would pay OOP later if needed. We were leaving in a day and half anyways.

So after our breakfast, we boarded Soarin and enjoyed the ride. DH does get motion sickness on these type of rides usually, but he was okay. We were in the third row, so seeing the feet actually helped him, since he had a static point to look at if needed. We enjoyed Soarin and waited about 15 minutes even with our FP I guess because they can only load so many at a time and it is slow loading. After Soarin, we headed to Journey into your Imagination. I wanted to look for my old college program roommate who works at the Kodak pavilion as you exit the ride- she plays the mad scientist there that gives a little interactive sketch for folks. She wasn't working though and I forgot her number at home. OH well, i had just seen her in April on my business trip, so no biggie. I see her once a year usually on that business trip every April. So we rode the ride, which was okay, but i still miss the original with DreamFinder. There was no one in line, as usual. DH asked if we were in the right place because it was so empty! We skipped the 3D movie, not a big fan of the honey i shrunk the audience, it is outdated.

So onto the countries! Time to be a world traveler. We head first over to Mexico for me to eat lunch. I love the nachos at the Cantina there outside. It was just 11am, so they were just opening the WS, a great time to go and avoid crowds. So i ordered my nachos and DH had a seat on the patio and was making some business calls.. Again. Ugh! Get off the phone man, you are on vacation. I used a counter service credit here, and got nachos (which would have fed 3!) and a drink and a churro. I ate half my nachos and we had fun watching the birds and ducks try and steal food.

heart attack waiting to happen, right?


DH had decided he wanted to try the fish and chips in the UK for his lunch, so we would wait and he would eat later. So we head to Norway since we had already checked out Mexico earlier in the week. We took time to explore eveyr nook and cranny of the countries. We checked out the Stave Church and shops and rode the boat ride. DH was impressed with the ugh....girls from Norway that were working as cast members. I offered to take his pic with one of them (beautiful blondes!), but he was too shy and thought it was stupid. I thought it was funny. So that was a joke the rest of the trip- how hot the Nor-vay girls were and how he was going to Nor-vay.

We continued through the WS with no crowds. We checked out China, Germany, Italy etc. We decided we would buy DH's mom something in each country for her birthday. So we started getting ideas on what to get. DH wanted to come back another day to actually get everything, since a lot of it would be chocolate and melt. So we would come back tomorrow and strictly buy that stuff and get out.

We stopped and did the American Adventure show- this was a must on my list, since I had skipped it on prior trips. DH is a big history buff, so I knew he would enjoy it. It was a nice break from the heat of walking through the WS too. I really enjoyed it tremendously. It was made even more special by our perfect timing! The next show wasn't for about 15 minutes or so, so we explored the lobby area and I found a quote from my favorite author, Ayn Rand, who wrote Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. I know, why couldn't I find an author that wrote shorter books? I love her work though, and was surprised they had a quote from her on there. I am hoping Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie get the Fountainhead movie produced, they are huge fans too and it's been rumored to be in the works for years, but still hasn't sealed the deal. I can only hope they made it a movie.

Okay- back on track---we strolled the lobby and then the Voices of Liberty came out. One of them was pregnant. I mean pregnant, looked like she could give birth at any moment, poor lady. But she sang her heart out. They were just incredible. The crowds had tears in their eyes and the lady next to me, who had a thick accent and seemed like she was from abroad was just balling. It was very touching to see how their incredible singing affected the crowd. This is a not miss if you like music. They are worth the stop.

After our stop in the good old USA, we headed to Japan. We just did a quick stop to get me a kaki gori, cherry! Kaki Gori is like shaved ice/snow cone. It is so good there! I paid OOP for it, but it was only like $2. We skipped the rest of the countries to head to the UK because DH was starving by now. We get there and see that the counter service place is closed and undergoing rennovations. So we head into the Rose and Crown pub and they said they are serving the counter service version of fish and chips in the bar area. So we found a seat in the bar and he got his fish and chips. He said it was good, but nothing really special. He enjoyed a beer there too. I was just having water and the kaki gori still. We enjoyed just relaxing in the pub and people watching. What was funny is that there were lots of folks sitting at the tables next to us enjoying some brew as well, but they were all from the UK. I guess they felt at home. I love hearing that accent. I froze my bottom off in the pub though. I had come prepared with a lightweight jacket just for instances like this. So I put it on, but still froze in there. It's a good place to cool off in the heat I guess.

After our stop in the bloody good UK, we decided to call it a morning. It was near 2pm or 2:30pm by now, so we headed back to the hotel for a break.

HIGHLIGHTS
yum nachos!
voices of liberty
riding TT and Soarin with little waits!
Hot Nor-vay girls (DH)!
refreshing kaki gori

LOWLIGHTS
birds attacking while eating (seems to be a trend throughout this trip!)
UK counter service closed
freezing ac in the pub!


MONEY SPENT
1 counter service credit at Mexico
Paid OOP at UK for fish/chips/beer, about $15
3 or 4 snack credits (balance of them left) at the Land for breakfast

 

[tkd lisa]

I'm really enjoying your report!

I LOVE the Voices of Liberty too! And I've seen the high soprano every time I've watched them. She's really good.

Our paths probably crossed as you were going into EPCOT that first Saturday. My kids and I had gone to AK early that morning, and over to EPCOT about 10:30. We left right about 5, which is when you were going in. We did get caught in the downpour on our drive home.

 

[exwdwcm]

I'm really enjoying your report!

I LOVE the Voices of Liberty too! And I've seen the high soprano every time I've watched them. She's really good.

Our paths probably crossed as you were going into EPCOT that first Saturday. My kids and I had gone to AK early that morning, and over to EPCOT about 10:30. We left right about 5, which is when you were going in. We did get caught in the downpour on our drive home.

yes, she was amazing. they all were. i remember watching them when i was a kid too. so it brought back good memories!

Well here' s a 'baby' update in the midst of the trip report. WE did our second IUI (artificial insemination) this morning. So we are giving it another shot. I'll find out the end of September, in about 2 weeks, if it worked. So i'll post then with the results for our second try! hopefully we'll get some pixie dust!

 

[dawn8226]

Good Luck.

 

[Mic_n_Min]

Here is a bit of pixiedust for you!

 

[ProudMomTo3Boys]

Just wanted to say I am loving your trip report and I am sending some pixie dust your way. A friend of mine went through what you are going through and she was blessed with beautiful twin girls. So heres hoping for the best for you.

 

[KarenP99]

Great report!

I was a CP fall 96' too! MK, Hall of Presidents, LOVED IT!

 

[Scot-n-Michelle]

Loving your trip report - sending lots of pixie dust your way!!!

 

[corinnak]

This is great reading! I am liking your laid-back touring style - it sounds so pleasant. Thanks for sharing your journey to WDW and your journey to pregnancy, too! I am crossing my fingers for you this month.

 

[tammyandtommy]

Im sendin you two all the Pixie Dust I can!

 

[exwdwcm]

Great report!

I was a CP fall 96' too! MK, Hall of Presidents, LOVED IT!

howdy fellow cp'er! surely we ran into each other at some point! lucky you working at the MK! Don't you miss the CP? It was the best experience of my life and that's saying alot considering i was bussing tables and playing cafeteria lady. oh how the pixie dust can cloud your normal judgment!

thanks all who are still reading along- i'll post another day here shortly. and thanks for all the well wishes, support and 'baby' dust!

 

[momamy]

i love this report! hehe just read it all in one sitting! good luck with TTC im sending ya +++++++++baby dust++++++++++! your child is gonna be so lucky to have such a disney loviong mommy!! Like i told my sister who concieved after a year of fertility treatments! Just think how loved and appreciated your child will be!!

Amy

 

[exwdwcm]

DAY 4, PART 2

I decided I had to hit the pool at least once. DH is fair skinned and freckled and burns. So he passed on the pool. It isn't as fun going by myself. So I didn't stay long. Plus I didn't feel that great in my bikini from some weight I have put on due to all the fertility drugs messing with my hormones. Not fun. I found a spot by the main pool at Port Royale and got some sun for about 20 minutes.

the main CBR pool

I just enjoyed the atmosphere and people watched and soaked in the pool a bit. Then i heard it, a guest causing a rucus. A gentlemen who sounded like he was from the UK was totally berating this poor lifeguard. I couldn't hear the conversation, but it sounded like the man had been told to stop doing something by the lifeguard and went off on her. Later, I saw a manager lifeguard come by and have words with him and he calmed down finally. Don't know what that was about, but it was a pretty explosive situation. I was waiting for him to push one of them into the pool, since they were standing near the edge.

After I had had enough sun.....about 20 minutes worth LOL- i headed back to the room and laid down and then freshened up. We were going to MGM tonight for EMH until 11:30pm. I know, crowds. But we decided we would deal to try and get in a few extra hours of time, since this was our only trip to MGM. So by 4:30, we are at MGM and head straight for Tower of Terror. We waited only 10 minutes at like 5pm. Not bad. We had this couple in front of us, probably our age, 30s, and they were making out the whole time in line. I'm not talking a few pecks etc. I mean full blow total PDA. Right next to the many families and kids. Full on slobber, groping, the full nine yards. They seriously needed a room at the Hollywood Hotel. So we finally get on the ride and sit behind the making out couple. I was sure they were going to keep at it on the ride, but they stopped for a bit. DH wasn't sure what to expect, but he liked it. We are both Twilight Zone fans (the originals). We had decided to skip RnR, since Dh does get some motion sickness and I thought it might be too much for him going upside down etc.

that's us in the last row, on the right- the make out king and queen are in front of us (second row on the right!) I'm holding onto my hat for dear life- i didn't want to take it off and submit my fellow riders to my horrible hat hair!

So now we headed to the Backlot tour and did that. It wasn't as bad as I remembered. We got to see some glimpses of the LMA show which looked good, but we had decided we didn't want to sit in the hot sun to see it. DH enjoyed the special water effects section the most probably. He also took some pics of some of the stuff in the AFI gallery when you exit.

DH had to take a pic of the Planet of the Apes costume on display- told you we were nerds!

After Backlot- we hit the Walt Disney walk through. I had done this with my family in December and really enjoyed it, especially that film at the end. I really wanted to see it again. So we strolled through a bit, and just missed the film as we got to the doors. It would be another 15 minutes at least for the next film and we had dinner reservations at Sci Fi at 6:30 to catch, and it was already 6:15. So no way we could do the film. I was very disappointed, since this attraction wouldn't be open later on during EMH. Oh well. At least I saw it once. So we rush over to Sci Fi and it is an absolute mob. That is the craziest restaurant we went in. I've eaten here before and so has DH, but his last time here was 11 years ago. We checked in once we could get through the crowds inside. But then we had to wait- probably a good 20 minutes. Anyone without reservations was being turned away. We were finally seated in the last row of a car near the back. It was great. DH loved this. We are both Sci Fi nerds, so this was right up our alley. We had a great time chuckling at the old b-movie clips- attack of the 50foot woman etc. It was greatness. And I love all the old concession stand ads. I remember those from when I went to the drive in as a kid.

DH is having a blast, i can tell by the smile on his face!

I don't particularly care for the menu here, but did enjoy their artichoke/spinach dip last time. So I had decided we would just use one table credit for dining here and I would pay out of pocket for some soup. I am a big soup lover. So DH ordered the chips and dip for his appetizer and we shared those. He ordered a chocolate shake for his drink too which we also shared. Both were very yummy! I had a coke. Then he had the barbeque chicken sandwich for dinner and I had the BLT soup. I could have eaten another bowl, that stuff was fabulous! We really enjoyed our meal here. For dessert, DH ordered the cheesecake, but I just helped eat the M&Ms and caramel corn that came with it. We were stuffed after dinner and decided to check out NY street.

We went into Muppets and timed it just right. I saw the 'net full of jello' and the key under the mat. My family thought the key was cool on our last trip. We timed this perfectly and just as we entered the waiting area, the theatre was loading. So we didn't wait at all. DH and I enjoyed the Muppets.

After Muppets we walked by Star Tours and I figured we would skip it due to DH's motion sickness. But he decided to give it a try saying if he could find something stationary to focus on he would be fine. So we gave it a shot. We waited probably about 15 minutes. I do enjoy the ride, but it would be nice to give it an update. We spent some time in the store, but didn't buy anything. DH didn't get sick either.

After Star Tours, we grabbed our bracelets for EMH. It was nearing 9:30pm probably by this time and the park usually closed at 8:30. We found a place they were doing the bracelets back by the 'Sounds Dangerous' area. It was hidden and not many folks knew it was there I guess, because when we got out onto the main street in front of the hat, there was a huge line, at least 200 people long waiting for bracelets at a different station. Crazy! We stopped near 50s Prime Time and DH asked what it was and I told him. He seemed interested, so we'll have to do that next trip. I eat there every trip with my family (including in December)- but since we only had one night at MGM, we chose Sci Fi for me and him. I love their s'mores though! I also stopped to show him my old stomping grounds, Hollywood and Vine. I worked there in 1996 (eek, almost ten years ago) on the college program. It was a cafeteria that served breakfast and lunch only back then. No dinner, no buffet, no characters. Strictly cafeteria style and so was the costume- same costume they wear today- light green and light pink skirt, blouse, apron, and a lovely handkerchief and hairnet for the complete 'cafeteria lady' look. Oh how I hated that costume. At least disney cleaned it for me everyday!

After our brief stroll down memory lane, we headed to Great Movie Ride. I love this one. Mainly for the movie clips at the end. I could watch those AFI best of shows all the time. I am a big movie fan, so seeing some of these classic clips is great. DH enjoyed it too. They have of course added a Pirates clip! We ended up waiting about 15 minutes for this ride.

After our visit to the movies, we decided to give the Animation tour a try. I was hoping they still had the video there too they used to play at the beginning or end. It had tons of animation clips and we always walked out with tears in our eyes. But lo and behold it was long gone. There was the cute animation sketch movie instead. After that, we weren't interested in doing any of the activities or 'drawing class'. DH actually loves to draw, but we were just beat by this time. I hate that the animation tour is not what it used to be. I remember coming into work every morning and the shuttle from the cast member parking lot would drop us off back behind the animation building. I would always see the animators getting out of their cars (they had primo parking of course) and I would walk by the back of the animation building (back stage area) and see them working away at their desks through the window. But they are all gone now. So sad. Oh well, I hope they do something better with the tour.

After our so-so tour, we did some window shopping and just decided to call it a night. It was probably 10:30pm or so. It was open another hour, but we were beat and had done everything we wanted except Fantasmic. I've missed that show the last few trips and I didn't really remember it from the one time I did see. It didn't stand out in my mind, so I wanted to give another chance. But we didn't get a chance. As we walked out of the park, I could hear and see fireworks and smoke over by the theatre. I guess they had a late show scheduled too, but I didn't know about it. I guess my DIS info slipped on this one. I would have stuck around to catch it if I knew there was a later one. Oh well. Something else to do next trip, right? So we leave my old work place of MGM and drive back to the CBR for a good night's sleep. WE were in bed by 11:30 probably.


HIGHLIGHTS-walk through Walt attraction
-Sci-Fi dinner, awesome BLT soup!
-finding the right bracelet location with no line!
-showing DH where I worked and moved away to leave him for 5 months! (yes, we were dating 10 years ago, it was long distance while I worked for the mouse)

LOWLIGHTS
long wait for Sci Fi dinner and the mob
missing Fantasmic
Animation tour is lacking
make out couple----ew! we aren't in HS folks!


MONEY SPENT
one table service credit for DH's dinner
about $7 for my soup and drink at Sci Fi
$2 for bottle of water (we had used up our snack credits already!)

 

[KarenP99]

howdy fellow cp'er! surely we ran into each other at some point! lucky you working at the MK! Don't you miss the CP? It was the best experience of my life and that's saying alot considering i was bussing tables and playing cafeteria lady. oh how the pixie dust can cloud your normal judgment!

It was the best experience ever, and for me I think it is because I was a senior & over the partying thing...so I really took in and appreciated the fact that I got to work at the coolest place on earth!

 

[exwdwcm]

It was the best experience ever, and for me I think it is because I was a senior & over the partying thing...so I really took in and appreciated the fact that I got to work at the coolest place on earth!

same for me- I was a senior, one class (3 hours) short of graduation when I did the program. My roommates, fortunately were older too!

 

[exwdwcm]

DAY 5, Tuesday, August 22
Well our trip is nearing an end. How sad. But we are worn out and feeling ready to go home by tomorrow. DH has had his fill of Disney! We actually slept in today which was nice. We didn’t eat breakfast either and just arrived at Epcot at 10am. We had already done all the big attractions we had wanted to in the parks, so today was just for enjoying second rides or the world showcase. We decided to check out the Land boat ride- Living with the Land. I actually enjoy this ride. Who doesn’t love a mickey shaped pumpkin? I mean come on folks! Lo and behold, it was shut down. We knew it was down yesterday morning, when we were there eating breakfast and riding Soarin, but I figured it was a breakdown or something. So I asked and it turns out it was closed for refurbishment. Either I am losing my mind, or they did this as a surprise. I don’t remember reading on the board or in my AllEars newsletter that this attraction would be down. I knew all about tea cups going down and Millionaire etc. So we didn’t get to ride it. Bummer. So instead, we checked out Innoventions and did the obligatory email pictures. Here are a few.

We decided to check out the ‘house of innvoation’ attraction- the walk through house where they show you all the coolest new technology. We were not far behind in line, but we didn’t realize they only take like 12 people in at a time and it lasts 15 minutes or so. So we waited and waited. But given we weren’t in a hurry to do anything, we just waited it out. We overheard the CM talking to the family in front of us. They had 4 children, and I swore these kids looked all the same age. 3 boys and one girl. Turns out, it was two sets of twins, a year apart. Talk about crazy! Those parents were great and so were the kids, very well behaved, especially given the long line. We finally did the tour and it was okay, but not worth the wait. Many people walked out in the middle of the CM giving his spiel in different rooms. And then the exit door wouldn’t shut properly since they ‘snuck’ out early. I felt bad for the CM.

After our tour of the innovative house, we headed to Le Cellier for our 11:15am reservation for lunch. I have eaten here before twice and love it. We checked in and waited. We were finally seated and were the first ones called actually. We sat in the Yukon section at a table for 2, right next to another table for 2. Talk about being close! You can see how close in this picture!

We enjoyed our lunch immensely. I ordered the popular cheese soup for appetizer and it was so good. DH has the shrimp cocktail and he said it was good, but very spicy. We both had the filet for lunch with mashed potatoes- cream cheese mashed potatoes. Talk about heaven. Both were delicious. For dessert- DH had some berry concoction and I ordered the chocolate ‘mousse’ off the kids menu.

It was so cute and very good. The waitress didn’t question a thing. And we left again, with a $100 tab, and didn’t pay a dime. We did tip extra as we usually did at each sit down meal. We were done eating by 12:30pm.

Next, we headed off to tour the World Showcase and do our actual shopping for DH’s mom’s bday. We stopped in the UK and bought her some tea. In France, we got a selection of chocolates. Canada was a small bottle of maple syrup and a cranberry chocolate bar. In Japan, we got her some Japanese candy and then what looked like a trail mix sort of, but had dried fish in it. Like small dried fish, sardines maybe? It looked disgusting, but we thought it was cool and all the writing was in Japanese. His mom laughed when she got that one and DH’s brother tried one of the fish and said it was disgusting! Lol. In Morocco, we got her some incense and then tons of chocolate in Germany. DH got some for himself too and said it was amazing. I got my usual gummy stuff! Love those gummy cherries. In Italy we got some cookies and more tea in China. In Norway we settled on more chocolate! I mean it is for his mom, she loves chocolate. We did see the taffy maker in Japan and that was very cool. Worth the time to stop.

here's a pic of everything we bought her

After our shopping extravaganza and walking off that heavy lunch, we hit up spaceship earth one last time. A favorite of mine, no matter how out of date. Btw- it was worth mentioning, there were very small crowds during our tour of the world showcase, it opens at 11, so I guess most folks were still in future world. So it’s a great time to tour it.

And then we said bye bye to Epcot. So sad. We did really enjoy Epcot as I knew we would. After our ride on spaceship earth, we departed the park, and it was near 2:30pm. We headed back to the hotel for a quick nap and to pack.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Le Cellier meal and chocolate mousse
Shopping around the world with no crowds
Seeing the Japanese taffy maker

LOW LIGHTS
Living with the Land closed
Gross Japanese dried fish!
Long wait for house of innovation

MONEY SPENT
2 table service credits
My DH spent at least $50-60on all the stuff for his mom