No Children Were Harmed In The Making of This Trip Report 7/14-7/21 2011

[disneywatcher]

Oh your breakfast looks like it was a hoot!

Yours are the first pictures I've seen of the Pirate League! It looks super fun!!!!

Mmmm Pecos Bill's cheese sauce....

I didn't know you can ask to skip the stretching room...that is what freaks my oldest daughter out!

I don't remember where I heard about opting out of the stretching room, but it's easy. When you get up close to where the entrance to the ride is, look for a CM dressed as either a maid or a buttler and tell them that you've been through the que but would like to opt out of the stretching room. They then take you through the back way (kicking myself in the shins for NOT having a smaller camera so I could take pictures!) that takes you directly into the doom buggy loading area
There is also a whole thread directed towards the PL, when I showed my oldest that thread and the commercial on the WDW website she was soo psyched! Next time we go, I think we are going to be a whole family of pirates!

Loving all the pictures. We did alot of your firsts too.

We ate at GG for the first time. I really like how the room slowly turns. The only problem I had was our table seemed too small for all 5 of us but otherwise I really liked the food.

Another first was the pirates league. My two DSs and DD did this and next time DH wants to try it too. It was a great experience and I really loved the secret room and we ate at Peco's Bill right after that too!

I totally agree about the table...it seemed a little cramped to us. The food was delicious and so was the character interaction. We were seated on the lower level to so we got to re-see The Land but from a diffrent vantage point.
Pecos Bills is just so close to the PL and the food is awesome there! I still can't believe I never set foot in that CS! Next time we all go, we will have loads of new firsts with the Fantasy land Expansion!

I am so enjoying your trip report! We loved garden grill too......I think we were there the same day but our ADR was 7pmish......much later than yours. I love the Pirates League pictures...looks like so much fun. Haunted Mansion is my favorite ride too.

We honestly kept missing eachother on this trip I swear First at Epcot, then at Hollywood Studios. I remember talking to Ashley about R n R and the BTG's...we were both in the same park near the same ride at the same time and didn't realize it I will be posting more pictures that I couldn't squeeze in to the written part of the TR because I had to many pictures

 

[disneywatcher]

I awoke to the sound of our ceiling fan blowing a cool breeze on us as we slept. I rolled over and looked at the clock dreamily (is that even a word?) and realized THE ALARM DID'NT GO OFF!!!! Quickly I roused everyone from their sleeping states and had Buzz help me get the girls into their costumes! Double checked the bag (camera, sunblock, autograph books) and was soo glad I put everything in order the night before. Popped in my contacts, grabbed our sunglasses and began to beat feet down to the Epcot bus station.

We arrived at Epcot and had to activate our second set of 4 day military passes (Only Lotso had a full 8 day ticket) and rushed to get to the gate for Character Breakfasts. This is where I fully admit I DRUG Buzz and the girls through Epcot and World Showcase to make it to a meal. It's not something I'm proud of either and I was afraid it would come back to bite me in the rear!
We arrived at our destination and checked in. We were NOT the only people that morning with a reservation who were running behind. There was another family with a little girl who were on the same bus as us in the same predicament. I had tried to call Disney Dining to inform them that we were running late on the bus but they told me it would be ok. The lovely CM's in Norway however were not so sure. We were lucky though and they said they would be starting another breakfast seating shortly and to please wait.

Finally the doors opened and we went to see Belle in her beautiful yellow dress...she was just coming out to take her place.

Then we were escorted to our table by a lovely young woman. After being seated she took our beverage orders (COFFEE please!) and explained how the cold buffet worked to Buzz we got up to get our fruits, johgurts and pasteries before they brought out the hot dishes.
So there we were planning out our World Showcase day and eating our yummy breakfast when a door opens up behind us and a lovely vision in PINK steps out. The girls immediately began to twitch in their seats and clamored for their autograph books!

She was shortly followed by a lovely lady in blue..

Then a maiden in an array of colors ranging from red to blue....

Finally from under the sea came a lovely red head...

Food completely devoured and princesses met, we began to make our way for the door, right as they were about to begin the Princess Parade. So we stood near a wall and watched our girls make the rounds with the other little girls in the restaurant....

Yes, that is Barbie holding Snow White's hand and making the rounds...she was also wearing Snow White's cleaning dress that day.

World Showcase didn't open until 11 and we still had some time to kill so we made our way back to Future World to accomplish one thing we had missed on our Future World morning...MISSION: Space!
Along the way I took some pictures of the things around us...

 

[basketkat]

Oh no to the alarm not going off!!! That is my worst nightmare for sure! That is one of the most stressful parts of ADRs, but I'm so glad it worked out for you! It looks like you had a great breakfast!!! And the girls dresses were adorable!!!

Oh, and I am a sucker for a daddy/daughter hand holding picture!!!

 

[disneywatcher]

Buzz took Lotso and Rex on the ride first and although this was something new to Rex she LOVED it! She normally can't stand simulator type rides but this one had her over the moon! So much so that when we rider swapped out they both went with me to Mars.

After MISSION:Space, we made our way back over to Mexico in the world showcase. We had only just walked passed a whole slew of countries on our first trip (never fully realizing that each one had cool things to see and do inside them!). This time we were bound and determined to see as many as we could! First order of business: Get the girls their DUFFY bears to decorate and stamp...

Then we made our way into the cool dark interior of the pyramid and found...

and then

Although it's similar to the one ride I only do ONCE in any given Disney trip, I have to admit this was more fun and I enjoyed it!

Nummy Margarita on the ride!

Then it was time to goof around with hats! In this case some REALLY big hats!

I've been told this should be my new Facebook profile picture...what do you think?
From Mexico it was back to Norway to take a ride on the Maelstrom! Little to no wait here as World Showcase hadn't been open that long..on the way out we again had fun in the souvie shop...

If you think I'm going to put horns on my head you have another thing coming lol.
After Norway we walked over to China and saw Mulan making her way out for a break...dang it! Still we parused their back area as well....

Fun with HATS!

Then it was time for Germany and LUNCH@ Can you believe that it was already 1pm?

We walked into the cool vestubule and checked in...I was still taking pictures (much to Rex's dismay...apparently the sight of our large camera made her cringe at this point)

Inside we scored a nice table near the stage and waited for another family to come and fill up the seats...I mistakingly ordered a Liter Sized Beer (apparently I had NO clue what I was ordering because I got this)

I really wanted a drink that's known as a Radler in Germany (sprite mixed with beer is sooo awesome!) but it wasn't on the menu....I later heard from our server that they did in fact have a Radler button on their beer nozzles!

We were entertained by some very nice music and then invited to dance....the only one who really got up to shake her groove thing was Lotso...she however was born in Germany.

Before we left (and while I was in the restroom) Buzz did me a huge bonus and took a picture of the beautiful water wheel that was behind us...

 

[disneywatcher]

By now it was hot and the girls were in the mood to go swimming (I couldn't blame them and we also had an early dinner ADR at O'hana so back to the Lodge it was with us!
We had a blast swimming and then went up to the room to shower and get dressed for dinner. We then took the boat from the Lodge to the MK and got on the monorail to the Poly. I feel so bad here because we didn't take pictures! The only camera we had was on Buzz's cell phone (so he's in Afghanistan now with pictures on his cell of our girls acting goofy doing the hula!) Besides we had a surprise waiting for us back at the resort tonight!

I don't recall what time we got back to The Lodge, I just know we had some time to kill so we went up to the room and grabbed the camera and our mugs. We went down to Roaring Forks and got them refilled and sat on the patio drinking our fountain deliciousness all the while getting prodded by Rex. She couldn't for the life of her figure out what the surprise was! Soon it was time to go talk to the ladies at the Concierge Desk....we checked in a few minutes early and were asked to wait while our Ranger came out.

Some pictures taken in the lobby taken while we were waiting.

A lovely young Ranger named Tyler came out and escorted us through the first set of elevators near the check in desk and took us to the 7th floor! We had never been on this floor! We were offered some refreshments but we were to excited to be going where we were!
Up a few flights of stairs we went following Tyler who had to unlock a few until we were on the ROOF of the Lodge!
Patiently we waited and looked off towards the MK and sure enough they began...

We were up on the roof to see WISHES! It was a wonderful moment although only for Buzz, Barbie and myself. All Rex and Lotso wanted to do was swim, to them this wasn't cool *insert angry frustrated face here*! I explained that this was a ONCE IN A LIFETIME chance and that lots of people would LOVE to be seeing Wishes from this spot! They didn't care, inside I felt like crying. When it was over, Tyler escorted us back down and let us pause on the 7 1/2 th floor to check out the scenery some more. There are smaller Tee Pee lights near that level that I told Buzz I wanted put in my house. He laughed. We took the elevator down to our floor and got changed into our suits and took the girls down to the pool (after giving them a nice discussion on how much time the staff had put into that surprise for us and it was rude of them to whine most the entire time).

Swimming done for the night, we made a collective decision to cancel or morning ADR at Tusker House. We were ZONKED and needed to sleep in so that's just what we did!

 

[basketkat]

What a great day for you all!!!!

That is awesome that you got to watch Wishes on the roof!!! I'm sorry not everyone appreciated it or realized how neat it was...I wish I was in your family!

 

[DalmationGal29]

Finally made my way over to your TR and got all caught up!!! What a great start, you guys really did have a good time!!

My DD was looking over my shoulder as I read your updates and recognized your girls as her friends she played with boy was she excited to see them again!

 

[disneywatcher]

Oh no to the alarm not going off!!! That is my worst nightmare for sure! That is one of the most stressful parts of ADRs, but I'm so glad it worked out for you! It looks like you had a great breakfast!!! And the girls dresses were adorable!!!

Oh, and I am a sucker for a daddy/daughter hand holding picture!!!

That has to be my favorite picture of the 2 of them from the entire trip (next to the Pirates League pictures) even if it is from behind.

What a great day for you all!!!!

That is awesome that you got to watch Wishes on the roof!!! I'm sorry not everyone appreciated it or realized how neat it was...I wish I was in your family!

It was so neat to see Wishes from that height! If you were in my family I know you would have thought this was an AWESOME surprise!

Finally made my way over to your TR and got all caught up!!! What a great start, you guys really did have a good time!!

My DD was looking over my shoulder as I read your updates and recognized your girls as her friends she played with boy was she excited to see them again!

We still have 2 more days and pictures from the 20th! Give Mackenzie a huge hug from Lotso! They spent the most time playing together if I remember right. Well Lotso and Barbie...I think Buzz was just happy to be out of the sun

 

[celeste.]

Great TR!
Can't wait for more!!

 

[tinkerbell60]

I don't remember where I heard about opting out of the stretching room, but it's easy. When you get up close to where the entrance to the ride is, look for a CM dressed as either a maid or a buttler and tell them that you've been through the que but would like to opt out of the stretching room. They then take you through the back way (kicking myself in the shins for NOT having a smaller camera so I could take pictures!) that takes you directly into the doom buggy loading area
There is also a whole thread directed towards the PL, when I showed my oldest that thread and the commercial on the WDW website she was soo psyched! Next time we go, I think we are going to be a whole family of pirates!

I totally agree about the table...it seemed a little cramped to us. The food was delicious and so was the character interaction. We were seated on the lower level to so we got to re-see The Land but from a diffrent vantage point.
Pecos Bills is just so close to the PL and the food is awesome there! I still can't believe I never set foot in that CS! Next time we all go, we will have loads of new firsts with the Fantasy land Expansion!


We honestly kept missing eachother on this trip I swear First at Epcot, then at Hollywood Studios. I remember talking to Ashley about R n R and the BTG's...we were both in the same park near the same ride at the same time and didn't realize it I will be posting more pictures that I couldn't squeeze in to the written part of the TR because I had to many pictures

I think we must have had a similar itinerary! I am so glad we at least did the Dismeet!! I am totally enjoying your TR and the pictures.

 

[disneywatcher]

I think we must have had a similar itinerary! I am so glad we at least did the Dismeet!! I am totally enjoying your TR and the pictures.

I had fun at the Dismeet! Someday we should all get together again! I'm glad your enjoying the TR!

 

[1971DBday]

In late here, but great TR so far! We were originally going to stay at WL for our Oct11 trip, but I felt guilty cheating on the Poly. Plus, with this being a shorter then normal trip for us the monorail will make things more convenient.

 

[disneywatcher]

Welcome! Glad to have more people jumping in on the fun!

In late here, but great TR so far! We were originally going to stay at WL for our Oct11 trip, but I felt guilty cheating on the Poly. Plus, with this being a shorter then normal trip for us the monorail will make things more convenient.

 

[disneywatcher]

Sorry I haven't posted an update in a while. Were getting down to the last month or so with Buzz's deployment so I've been busy planning what we are going to do for that day...so far I have an outfit to buy for me, some signs to sit down and paint with the girls, car to clean out and decorate and groceries to buy for his favorite meal! Anyway back to our trip!
By this point, I had stopped writing in my TR journal. I don't know if I got swept up in seeing Buzz enjoy himself with the girls and the magic or if I just didn't want to keep a complete play by play of our days anymore

Tusker House canceled, we opted instead to eat at Roaring Forks. We all got waffles of some sort...and shared them with Barbie. Our stomachs full we then moved on to what we would have been doing after we finished at the Animal Kingdom...

Yep it was our Hollywood Studio's Day! This by far seemed to be our turn around day when it came to Buzz liking Disney! I had semi planned out the day with things we should hit up and things we should skip (sorry Backlot tour, your just not for me!). To start, we headed towards the Pixar area for

TOY STORY!
We had picked up FP's for the Ariel Show so we couldn't get FP's for Toy Story so we stood in the SB line. It actually wasn't that bad and the 50 minutes felt like 30. Maybe it was all the things to look at inside that made it go by so fast....

Buzz and Rex totally beat us score wise! But we all had fun...when we got off all the FP's were GONE for the day! Up next for us was a visit with some cool Toy Story Characters. Again the scenery helped although we did have issues with Lotso and Rex fighting. It was hot and cramped in the line to see Buzz and Woody but we all managed to have fun!

Ya know, if you couldn't see the ground beneath her feet, you would SWEAR she was on a rocket!
Finally we reached the end of the line and the girls got to meet some of their favorite characters! Well Rex and Lotso did, Barbie wanted NOTHING to do with these guys!

 

[disneywatcher]

By now it was time for us to head back towards the Ariel show...we traded in our FP's and somehow they miscalulated the amount of seats in the building...we ended up sitting on the floor at the back of the theater. We weren't complaining though, it was AC! Again, I'm just drawing from memory but at this point we were getting hungry and started our way towards a place we had to eat at....

Buzz took Barbie and Rex to look for a table while Lotso and I waited in line to order and get our food...but this place was JUMPING! There were NO seats inside and Buzz had to almost stand guard over one family to get the table outside we got!

On the upside, it was under an umbrella and near the trash can! By this point, I had decided I needed a baseball cap to wear so I went in the store across the way and got a KERMIT cap! Bellies full and purchases made, we walked to our next main event...

Muppet Vision 3-D! I seriously love the Muppets and we all enjoyed the show! Afterwards it was time to go get our next set of Fast Passes for...

STAR TOURS! I had been looking forward to this trip just for this ride! I had heard great things about the refurb and couldn't wait to see if they were true! Besides we are a SERIOUS Star Wars Family! We have all of the movies and watch them at least 3 times a year!
Fast passes in hand, we moved our way around a parade and went to try something MOM (that's me btw) wanted to try!

The GREAT MOVIE RIDE! At first the girls were not impressed by this attraction...I mean after all who want's to stand in line looking at movie props? Then we get into the main theater before you get sorted onto your vehicle and they saw all the old movie trailers! Buzz and I were going through the ones we know listing them off and just chatting and enjoying the AC. Finally we were at the front and I told the CM we wanted the Cowboy Side! Rex was a little scared because she just wasn't sure what to expect. The CM we were talking to in the line told her it wasn't scary but it would be loud and cool to see. She actually liked it (although she kept her head down for the Alien scene where I jumped like a frog out of my seat while Buzz laughed!

After the Great Movie Ride, it was time to keep a promise to Rex...she heard about the Animation lesson and wanted to go there, so we went to that area of the park and asked just to go to the class...they let us skip the tour and in we went to wait for the next class...while we were waiting some characters came out...

I told Jafar he was looking quite fabulous and I loved the whole look he was rocking...he bowed to me.

Oddly enough, Lotso and I were the ONLY ones to have our pictures taken with Mr. Incredible and Frozone!

We then got in line because the class would be starting soon. We grabbed seats at the back of the room and waited. Turns out we were to learn one of Buzz's favorite characters....The little green guy's from Toy Story!

I forgot to take pictures of what we drew but I will give a slight blow by blow account.
Lotso~Gave up early in the course and decided just to doodle on her peice of paper.
Rex~Finished the entire course but was not happy with her martian and continued to try to draw him perfectly through the rest of the day when she could.
Jessie~Did okay in the drawing of the martian but could have done loads better...I wasn't giving it my full attention.
Barbie~played behind us during the course hence making me turn around to check on her.
Buzz~Drew the MOST perfect martian out of all of us! From what he says he's still working on perfecting his little guy.
When we came out of the class more characters had come out but Lotso only had eyes for ONE lady in particular...

As you can tell, Barbie was being shy for this princess.
We came out and realized it was time to head to our Star Wars adventure!
I took Rex on first and somehow became a Rebel Spy much to her shagrin...
Rex:"MOM! Your embaressing me!" *sigh* She's only 10 I can't help but wonder how this will go when she's in her teens.
While Buzz and Lotso went on, Barbie and I made some phone calls and parused the gift shop. We bought Buzz a new mug for home with Yoda on it that he LOVED!
When he got off, we realized we were late for our ADR at 50's Prime Time!We checked in and delt with the flack from "Mom" and found a space to sit so the girls could play with some squeeky princess toys we got for Barbie...

We had a great server who was fun without being overboard (although I secretly kept testing her by putting my elbows on the table while she wasn't looking!) We decided this would be a great place to come to again!
When we got out we decided we only had 2 more rides to do that night...Rock n Rollercoaster and ToT so that's the direction we went in..along the way I found a Photo Pass guy or two...

By this point, everyone but me was Photo Passed out!
Buzz:"ANOTHER picture? How many are you going to get?"
Jessie:"As many as I can! I pre-paid for this CD so I'm going to get my monies worth!"
On our way over to the rides, we found a guy selling balloons and bought the girls each one. This made Barbie feel over the moon! Forget the rides she had her purple balloon!
We did a rider swap for Rock N Roller Coaster...Buzz took Rex and I waited with Barbie and Lotso outside...while they were on I took some pictures...

Sorry, I know the guitar is upside down...
I also took the girls to get some cotton candy and drinks while we were waiting.
Buzz came off and declared that he LOVED this ride and so did my scared and proud Rex! She wanted to go again, but forgot that she could go with her sister and I for the rider swap.
Then Lotso and I made our way onto the ride...she watched the cars take off and thought it looked incredible! She loved the ride just like her older sister had and even said she would go on ToT! Inside I was jumping up and down, I had been hoping to wear her down for that ride and she kept saying flat out NO! So we made our way over to Tower of Terror only to find out the ride was closed for the night
By this point, we realized that DHS was closing for the night so we drug our way back to the front of the park to leave. We took the bus back to the Lodge and took showers, and then climbed into bed...tomorrow would be our last full park day.

 

[basketkat]

What a fun day at DHS!!!!!

 

[Pimama]

Loving your TR!! No TOT We're WDW newbies so I can't really compare but it sounds like you packed a lot into your days. Looking forward to your final day!

 

[disneywatcher]

Loving your TR!! No TOT We're WDW newbies so I can't really compare but it sounds like you packed a lot into your days. Looking forward to your final day!

Although we didn't get to hit up ToT this trip, there is always other trips to go on it again and again We tried to fit as much in our day's as we could though!

What a fun day at DHS!!!!!

We had so much fun! The other bonus was that Lotso didn't complain but once and that's when I wanted to take them on the GMR but they actually it!

 

[lbuzz52]

Joining in late but loving it!
I can't believe you saw Jafar! Awesome! I live tge animation character time!