NMAmy's Trip Report with no catchy title--Last installment FINALLY posted - 4/12/09

[NMAmy]

Wednesday--Continued:

Okay, when I last posted, Alex and I had spent a fun morning at the MK and went back to the hotel for lunch. I have no idea what we did for lunch that day--I didn't note it so I think I must have had a peanut butter sandwich in the room. I probably ate chips and dip but I can't confirm that for sure. But I know there were chips and dip in the room and I can't imagine just letting them sit there. I do know that Alex took another nap, bless his heart.

Surprise, surprise, the girls were still in bed. I tried to get them to go to MGM with me but they were lollygagging around. About 2:00, I couldn’t stand it anymore. I threw a book in my purse in case I got lonely and headed to MGM on my own. I'd stolen Caitlin's copy of Coraline before I left home--it was small enough to carry easily and also easy to read in a busy area. I did read a bit while waiting on the boat dock and on the boat.

The park was absolutely packed to the gills again. There was a 120 minute wait for Toy Story Mania.

I needed to get my great nephew a birthday present so I went to Star Tours to find him a Jedi Training Academy t-shirt. Even the Star Tours store was packed. I had thought about getting him one of those make your own light sabers but the line for that stretched out the door.

Here's some pictures from my stroll:

Outside Toy Story Mania:

I'd have taken a picture of the crowd there but, frankly, all those people were freaking me out. It was like leaving the MK after Wishes.

I have always wanted to see One Man's Dream and had never taken the time. Well, now I had the time and even this place was busy.

You know I think one reason I've always loved Walt Disney was because he reminded me of my grandfather. Here's Walt:

And here's my grandparents:

And Pa on his own:

And Walt:

Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled tour.

Sleeping Beauty Castle:

Animatronics:

The girls called and said they were on their way—of course, the parade was going on so the entrance was wall to wall people. I met up with them by Starring Rolls. The wait for RnR was 90 minutes.

We waited in a really long line just to get a drink and the girls both got a healthy snack—carrots and apples with dip. This was the first time I saw them eat something healthy during the whole trip so I had to document it.

I wanted to see Beauty and the Beast but the girls really wanted to see The American Idol Experience. Just a note--you cannot even eat in the line to get into the theater at AI. We had no problem waiting and still getting in, though.

We got into the 4:00 show. The contestants were great—the winner was a man who sang Sweet Home Alabama. We ended up sitting right behind his wife and baby and the family of a 16 year old girl who was another contestant. I did see the families peek around to see how others were voting--no pressure. I was impressed that 16 yo had the confidence to do this.

Of course, now Caitlin really wanted to do this. Cait is a really good singer and I'd been trying to get her to try out all week. When I told her the auditions were early in the morning, we knew it probably wasn't in the cards for her.

To Be Continued.

 

[NMAmy]

Aargh--I'm so irritated. I typed up a new installment this morning and apparently, I lost it somehow.

 

[MagicShell]

We were at WDW Dec. 15-21 and MGM was totally packed every time we were there. We have been a week earlier than that before and it wasn't nearly as busy. We did get lucky about the TOT though. The line for that was not too bad. Tower of Terror is my daughter's favorite ride. She can't wait to see the American Idol show. I am glad that you all enjoyed it. Too bad auditions are in the morning. I am not a morning person either, but I force myself to be at WDW.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Um...the Noodle Poodle wants to see pics of Aunt Amy!

 

[NMAmy]

Aargh--I'm so irritated. I typed up a new installment this morning and apparently, I lost it somehow.

I'm having some weird DIS stuff going on. When I checked this thread this morning, the last update wasn't here. Now it is.

Oh, and my apologies--I forgot to resize the pictures!

We were at WDW Dec. 15-21 and MGM was totally packed every time we were there. We have been a week earlier than that before and it wasn't nearly as busy. We did get lucky about the TOT though. The line for that was not too bad. Tower of Terror is my daughter's favorite ride. She can't wait to see the American Idol show. I am glad that you all enjoyed it. Too bad auditions are in the morning. I am not a morning person either, but I force myself to be at WDW.

You know, the whole week was so weird at MGM. It was packed on the day we went to the Sci-Fi and yet 3/4 of the tables there were empty. I hope your dd enjoys the American Idol show. I still can't believe I liked it.

Um...the Noodle Poodle wants to see pics of Aunt Amy!

Hey, guess what? There is a picture of me in Thursday's installment! Some nice man who was waiting for his family at EE took a picture of Alex & I together. So there is proof that I actually went on this vacation.

to the Noodle Poodle!

 

[AussieAngel]

I wonder why Hollywood Studios / MGM was so busy!!

I'm glad you went by yourself anyway... We didn't do One Man's Dream this time but really enjoyed it in 2006.

And your grandfather is totally Walt Disney!!!! Wow!!

 

[NMAmy]

I wonder why Hollywood Studios / MGM was so busy!!

I'm glad you went by yourself anyway... We didn't do One Man's Dream this time but really enjoyed it in 2006.

And your grandfather is totally Walt Disney!!!! Wow!!

It was kind of weird going on my own. I kept wanting to make jokes or tell someone something and there was no one to do that with! It's funny--I have no problem going to a movie or out to eat on my own but apparently WDW on my own isn't in my comfort zone.

And with my grandfather--I think he and Walt had the same mustache and hair. The resemblance always made me feel very kindly toward Walt Disney--I was very fond of my Grandpa.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

Wow, your grandfather looked so much like Walt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Great update, I cant belive how packed DHS always is. IMO its the worst of the disney parks and TSM and AIE dont add too much to it (though I do want to see AIE someday)

 

[NMAmy]

Wednesday - Continued:

After we were done with American Idol, we noticed that Star Tours only had a 10 minute wait so we hopped on that. We reminisced about how when Cait was about 5, she’d made me ride that over and over and OVER at DL. She just was over Star Tours. It did take some persuading to get her in there, though, after the stormtrooper incident she had before.

I made a pit stop at the ABC Commissary. For some reason, there was a little boy about 7 just blocking the door to the ladies room by standing there and playing with the door as people were trying to come in and out. This other older woman was trying to get in an he wouldn't move. Cait thought it was hilarious when I stepped around the lady and told the little boy, "Honey, you have to move out of the way so people can get in and out" and he scooted out of the way immediately. I told her that it takes a village and I have no problem being the mean older lady who makes kids behave when their parents aren't doing it.

She found this Ugly Betty sign on the way out and had me take her picture. She loves Ugly Betty.

It was almost time for dinner so I headed over to Prime Time to meet up with Alex. The girls went to see what time Fast Passes were available for RnR.

Here's a few pictures I took on the way over:

I found these shipping boxes:

And this one was particularly appropriate. It's a Wonderful Life is one of my favorite movies and one of my friends at work is similarly obsessed with it. She can quote almost the whole movie verbatim. And will. All the time at Christmastime. I made a copy of this picture for her, as well.

Indiana Jones was letting out so I found a bench and waited for the crowd to clear. When it thinned out, I found him on another bench by the front door of the restaurant. The poor guy had gotten bored by himself in the hotel room but hadn't brought his cell phone on the trip with us so he couldn't track us down to join us earlier.

The check in and Dad's Living Room at the Prime Time was just packed with people. The girls met up with us and then we stood around waiting to be called--it took forever. Cait told me I wasn't allowed to schedule dinner here again. Lunch doesn't seem quite so busy. Around 6, we finally made it in to meet our Uncle Herman. There was another server who was an older guy and he was hilarious. An old clip came on about dating and he was telling these little kids, "Now, you pay attention to this! When you go out on a date, you need to behave correctly."

Jen got the salmon, Alex got meat loaf, I had fried chicken, and Cait got onion rings and chicken noodle soup. Her onion rings were great, I thought. She was eating the breading and leaving the onions, though.

We got a good laugh when a young woman was seating a family with teens at a table near us. She told one young man, "You'd better take that hat off before Uncle Herman sees you! You're wearing it backwards AND you're texting at the table. You are going to be in BIG TROUBLE!" Cait decided elbows on the table were okay because Uncle Herman had so much ammunition at the other table.

Alex had finally gotten his appetite back and he got a sticker for being a member of the Clean Plate Club. I think he seriously considered licking the plate--he ate every smidge. I cannot eat a half a chicken so I didn’t get one but I didn't get in trouble because I'd eaten everything else. Mom gives too much food.

Cait and Jen, of course, had not come close to cleaning their plates and had to be fed with airplane noises.

Jen doesn't look like she think's Cait's chicken soup looks very appetizing.

Alex showing off his sticker:

The girls went over to check out the wait for RnR after dinner. Alex and I headed back to the BW to pick up jackets since it had gotten so cold. We returned our movie to the Community Center and then walked over to Epcot for Illuminations. I got my yearly margarita in Mexico and we sat in China for awhile and chatted. It was funny--we heard people arguing in every country until we got to China. Alex thought it might be the soothing music. As we got to the border of China, we heard a woman fussing at her husband and we both burst out laughing!

Rats--too many pictures!

 

[NMAmy]

Wednesday--Continued!

The park was really very empty—it was wonderful after the chaos at MGM. We walked to the very well lit American Pavilion and got Alex an ice cream. Alex thought it was funny that America was so bright when everything else was kind of dim. It was just so quiet there in the World Showcase.

Strolling through Japan:

We found an empty bench in Morocco and settled in to watch Illuminations:

Afterward, we headed out toward the International Gateway and back to the Boardwalk. We walked over instead of waiting for the boat. I really love being just 5 minutes from Epcot! I stopped and picked up Cait’s Christmas ornament at the Screen Door. It turned out wonderfully. It was our first full day and it was great.

When we got home, the girls were already at the Boardwalk. Jen told me she overheard a mother and a little girl in the bathroom.

Mother: We got here on Sunday and today is Wednesday. What does that mean?

Little Girl: It’s been four days since I’ve peed my pants!

 

[Hedy]

It's been 4 days since I peed my pants.
I'm disappointed Cait didn't do AI-Dniece14 is considering doing it, so DSIL is looking for experiences.

 

[nessz79]

Great update and I LOVED the pics of your grandfather vs. Walt Disney. They really did look alike! I can't wait to see One Man's Dream. I've never seen it, but it looks really nice and sentimental.

 

[dddisrunner]

WOW! You have been busy posting!! I am glad you got to go into One Man's Dream...I LOVE it in there!! Too funny about 50's Prime Time and Uncle Herman feeding the girls! Good for Alex getting the Clean Plate Club, no small feat for a man that wasn't feeling well! Great nighttime shots at Epcot...and too funny about the little girl saying 4 days since I peed my pants!

 

[AussieAngel]

Sounds like a fun evening!! And I'm so glad Alex was feeling better and had his appetite back!! Onion rings, yum!

I think we have the exact same photo of Snow White and Dopey! (I think it's Dopey!?) Funny!

What pretty Illuminations photos!!

 

[NMAmy]

Everybody was busy posting this morning while I was out running errands and out to breakfast! Now I'm working on my Disney scrapbook.

Wow, your grandfather looked so much like Walt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Great update, I cant belive how packed DHS always is. IMO its the worst of the disney parks and TSM and AIE dont add too much to it (though I do want to see AIE someday)

I think you're exactly right about DHS. Because there isn't much else to do for those with little ones or that don't like thrill rides. I think that's why TSM is such a madhouse. They need to add some other stuff for folks that aren't all about RnR and ToT.

It's been 4 days since I peed my pants.
I'm disappointed Cait didn't do AI-Dniece14 is considering doing it, so DSIL is looking for experiences.

We spent the whole rest of the trip saying, "It's Thursday. Do you know what that means?" "FIVE days since I peed my pants!"

I was disappointed that Caitlin didn't do it either. She'd made up her mind to do it on Friday and then woke up with a terrible sore throat. It was our trip for illness. She'd been coughing all week and refused to take the $10 cough syrup I'd bought her at the Screen Door.

Great update and I LOVED the pics of your grandfather vs. Walt Disney. They really did look alike! I can't wait to see One Man's Dream. I've never seen it, but it looks really nice and sentimental.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it nessz! I'd been meaning to do One Man's Dream for a long time and it always got put off when I was with the rest of the family. When I found myself on my own, it seemed like the perfect thing to do. There are a lot of really interesting items in there including Walt's office.

WOW! You have been busy posting!! I am glad you got to go into One Man's Dream...I LOVE it in there!! Too funny about 50's Prime Time and Uncle Herman feeding the girls! Good for Alex getting the Clean Plate Club, no small feat for a man that wasn't feeling well! Great nighttime shots at Epcot...and too funny about the little girl saying 4 days since I peed my pants!

Alex was very proud of the Clean Plate Club sticker. He's going to send that picture to his dad. Funny--those two shots of Illuminations were the only ones out of several that turned out good!

Sounds like a fun evening!! And I'm so glad Alex was feeling better and had his appetite back!! Onion rings, yum!

I think we have the exact same photo of Snow White and Dopey! (I think it's Dopey!?) Funny!

What pretty Illuminations photos!!

I was glad Alex got his appetite back, too. I knew he was on the mend, then!

We DO have the same photo of Snow White (and, yes, that IS Dopey.) I noticed when I read your TR after I posted this installment.

Glad you liked the pictures, Julie!

 

[tinkgurl]

I'm so glad you did One Man's Dream! We do this every trip and so many people just walk right on by it. We feel like it's paying a tribute to Walt so we always enjoy it.

That's so funny about the boy blocking the bathroom!

I can't wait to do the American Idol Experience!

Oh gosh, I have to find that crate from It's a Wonderful Life for my dad! Where is it exactly?

 

[NMAmy]

I'm so glad you did One Man's Dream! We do this every trip and so many people just walk right on by it. We feel like it's paying a tribute to Walt so we always enjoy it.

That's so funny about the boy blocking the bathroom!

I can't wait to do the American Idol Experience!

Oh gosh, I have to find that crate from It's a Wonderful Life for my dad! Where is it exactly?

I'm glad I did One Man's Dream, too. I think it was your trip report that talked me into it, my friend!

I'll have to look at a map but as you turn left off the main street toward the Prime Time. It was just past that Snow White topiary and they were right in the middle of the walkway. I don't think many people actually read what they said. I love those clever little things in WDW.

 

[NMAmy]

Thursday, 2/26

Once again I tried to wake the girls up to get to the parks at rope drop. Once again, unsuccessful.

Today, Alex and I were going to the Nimal Kingdom! See?

Okay, it was the Animal Kingdom. I had a little issue with my first attempt. This is better.

Alex and I got to Animal Kingdom just before opening. We went along with the crowd to EE and we managed to walk right onto the ride with no waiting. We had an adorable little girl in front of us. First she asked if this was our first time. It wasn’t hers, either. I've never had such long conversations with someone a row in front of me on a moving rollercoaster but she was a chatty little thing.

As we got to the mangled track, she turned around and told me, “I’m sorry. This is my worst favorite part and I’m going to scream really loud.” She apologized again when we got off the ride. She really wasn’t loud but she was very cute AND very polite.

I was trying to decide whether to get the girls a fast pass for EE or for the safari since I knew Caitlin wanted to do both. I’d finally settled on EE and then a nice gentleman took our picture while he was waiting for his family.

So just for the Noodle Poodle--a picture of ME! I DID go on vacation with my family!

A close up of the shutters above us:

And inside the gift shop:

Sadly, Alex wasn't feeling good enough to ride Expedition Everest twice but had done it once for me, bless his heart.

We headed off to go on safari. Along the way:

We had the best safari driver EVER, Amber. She rocked—very enthusiastic and engaged and she was just hilarious. She reminded me of Janeane Garafalo. So if anyone here knows a CM named Amber who drives on the safari, please tell her I said, "You rock, Amber!" When she dropped us off, I told her, "You did a great job!" and then everyone else in our truck began applauding. She was that good. Most CM's in my experiences on this ride have been so mechanical and sounded so scripted. I didn't take any pictures--I have so many pics of the safari in my scrapbooks that I decided to just sit back and enjoy the ride for once.

We hung around for a few minutes to get the girls a fast pass for the safari, too. I seemed to be spending a lot of early morning time picking up fast passes for the girls. I'm such a good mom.

I loved the new stand outside the safari that sells water, fruit, etc. It's about time they added something there for early in the morning. That's always been one of my huge complaints about AK. It was so hard to get a simple snack. So WDW! I had a whole lotta love for the AK this morning!

It was starting to get a little crowded, though. We decided to go to Dinoland. A tall man walked in front of my picture of EE. It was so bright that I couldn't see the camera screen and didn't notice this until later.

We then went to try Primeval Whirl but there was a 30 minute wait. I wasn't loving that but Alex told me he didn't think he was up to spinning anyway.

Instead we rode Dinosaur. Oh, sure, that didn't throw him around at all.

My notes say, "And then sat next to the world’s most obnoxious teens at Tough to Be a Bug." They decided to scream in absolute terror at everything in the show--scaring some little ones who probably would have made it through the show without crying if it hadn't been for them. I told them to shush. Mean lady again. I'm becoming the mean old lady character in tv shows and movies.

Continued--too many pictures!

 

[NMAmy]

Thursday - Continued:

From the Tough to Be a Bug queue:

The bugs!

It was getting crowded and we decided we were done with AK. I tried to call Caitlin to see where they were in the Park Preparation Process. Cait was in the shower so Alex and I found a quiet bench in the shade near the front of the park to wait for her to call me back. If they were coming here, we'd just wait for them.

Alex was fascinated with these flowers that climbed the trees. They were pretty.

There was quite a wind going and it was cool to watch the bamboo sway back and forth. Okay, we're easily amused. Did I mention it was shady and quiet here?

Cait called me back and it was decided that we'd meet them at the hotel and we'd all have lunch somewhere. We had to wait quite a while for a bus but finally made it back.

More to come!

 

[nessz79]

Great pictures! I think those were native orchids on the trees. Very pretty

I'm sorry Alex was so sick- it must have made it hard for both of you.