No Work and All Play – Disney on the Company’s Dime! (8/1 There and Back Again)

[thecapells]

I like the pics from SE. We managed to miss it on both our Epcot days in March so it's a "must do" for August!

Sounds like you had a lot of fun with the father and son who joined you on your space mission.

We've never had a good view of Illuminations so I don't really have an opinion on it but from what I've heard I would agree that it's probably the least "kid friendly" of the nighttime shows.

It's always fun with the little ones - especially newbies!!

CS in Japan sounds like the perfect place to go if you need a break from crowds; really peaceful and pretty!

Love that your son found a hidden Mickey in Cheesecake Factory!

I would love to hear what people were whispering when they realized you were there to see Snow White alone!

Can't wait to see how you pose with Lotso in January!

I agree with you about Illuminations...

Yeah, not sure what we're gonna do about Lotso...
We may all pose while pretend punching him or shaking our heads at him!

Beautifully awesome pictures of Mission Space in the dusk. So pretty!

Sorry you did not like Illuminations. I do enjoy it, but I think a lot has to do with your vantage point. I also wish there were more fireworks - call me picky! Truth be told - I probably do like Wishes better!

Wow - and here I thought I'd get blasted by Illuminations-lovers!
The goal is for the kids to finally see it in January.
We'll see what they think...

 

[eecteacher82]

I'm with you....I do not like Illuminations at all! It just seems so boring to me! We took our DD last September and she had more fun playing with her glow necklace! We are lovers of Wishes and Fantasmic! and would see them any night over Illuminations!

 

[WrightFamily06]

I've never noticed the Fountain View before , may have to check it out on our September trip Do you know if you can use snack credits on the Ice Cream ?

Great nighttime pictures of Mission Space

I don't really care for Illuminations myself . The fireworks are just OK and the globe is just lame ! lol

 

[TheCapellsMom]

I'm with you....I do not like Illuminations at all! It just seems so boring to me! We took our DD last September and she had more fun playing with her glow necklace! We are lovers of Wishes and Fantasmic! and would see them any night over Illuminations!

Yeah, it definitely seems like the kids would be bored.
We'll find out when we try it in January...

I've never noticed the Fountain View before , may have to check it out on our September trip Do you know if you can use snack credits on the Ice Cream ?

Great nighttime pictures of Mission Space

I don't really care for Illuminations myself . The fireworks are just OK and the globe is just lame ! lol

I believe you can use snack credits for the Fountain View but, honestly, I was paying cash so I wasn't really watching for that.
Thanks for the kind words on my pics - I really like the one of Mission:Space with the moon in the background.

 

[TheCapellsMom]

As the crowd headed out to the parking lot and bus terminal, I weighed my options.
I really wanted to try the evening Epcot stroll and wander through the World Showcase listening to the closing music and watching the lights.
However, since I was staying offsite this trip, I had to make sure I didn’t miss the last shuttle.
So while I didn’t have enough time for a full trip “around the world,” I did have a little time to shop in MouseGears.
I found a set of earrings for Mom and a PVC of Figment holding Spaceship Earth for myself.
I already bought the kids some souvenirs at Tattooine Traders a couple of days earlier.
After my shopping spree, I headed back to the entrance of Epcot.
The crowd had thinned so I took the opportunity to enjoy the topiary Cinderellabration.
Cinderella’s carriage was up first and looks all sparkly in the lights:

Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip are dancing nearby.

Across the way are Beauty and the Beast waving their goodbyes to the weary travelers.

And the Seven Dwarves are ready to march home from the long work day.
“Heigh Ho! Heigh Ho! It’s home from work we go!”

They lead to Snow White – the fairest one of all.

But at the head of the garden is the most famous princess of all.
Cinderella is dancing with Prince Charming at the ball.

Alas, my day had finally come to an end.
However, I couldn’t resist one more shot of Spaceship Earth

And, of course, one more visit to my friends in their khaki vests.
Look – after a long day, I was still able to hold up Spaceship Earth all by myself!

I just couldn’t bare for this awesome day to end…
So I snuck one for picture on the way to the shuttle lot.

Tomorrow would be my last day and I only would have a couple of hours before my flight.
However, I had plenty to see – including something entirely new!
Come join me for a short stint in the Magic Kingdom!
But for now, it was home on the shuttle to Buena Vista Suites.

 

[thecapells]

Oops - used Mom's computer for those last two posts.
My bad...

 

[MEK]

Beautiful topiaries last year. I can't believe that was a whole year ago. When you write I feel like you were just there.

So a little surprise in store?

 

[dawnbu40]

Those topiaries were so pretty! I preferred that setup to this year's even though they reused the princesses in WS. Looking forward to hearing about your final morning

 

[praisehisname]

Sorry you didn't get your walk around the world, but I loved seeing the princess topiaries!

 

[WrightFamily06]

I love those prince & princess topiaries !

Nice pictures of SE and the photopass one is soo neat !

Can't wait to see what your last day in MK will bring

 

[thecapells]

Beautiful topiaries last year. I can't believe that was a whole year ago. When you write I feel like you were just there.

So a little surprise in store?

Always!!
As for last year, I'm still impressed I can remember this stuff...

Those topiaries were so pretty! I preferred that setup to this year's even though they reused the princesses in WS. Looking forward to hearing about your final morning

Yeah, I saw via pictures that they moved all the princesses to their respective countries.
You don't think it looked as nice?

Sorry you didn't get your walk around the world, but I loved seeing the princess topiaries!

I would've loved the walk but I wanted to make sure I got home.
And those taxi's are way overpriced.

I love those prince & princess topiaries !

Nice pictures of SE and the photopass one is soo neat !

Can't wait to see what your last day in MK will bring

For only a couple of hours in the MK, it was jam-packed.
Stay tuned...

 

[dawnbu40]

Yeah, I saw via pictures that they moved all the princesses to their respective countries.
You don't think it looked as nice?

I didn't think the camping theme at the front of the park was as nice as the princess theme of last year. I thought the Cinderellabration made a bigger impact as you entered the park. It was nice that they used the princesses in WS this year though.

 

[thecapells]

I didn't think the camping theme at the front of the park was as nice as the princess theme of last year. I thought the Cinderellabration made a bigger impact as you entered the park. It was nice that they used the princesses in WS this year though.

The camping theme did seem kind of odd from the pictures I've seen of it.
I think I'm glad we got Cinderellabration for our trips...

 

[All7OfUs]

I am one of those who will DEFINITLEY agree with you on Illuminations! I really don't care for it too much either, and think you hit it right on with the middle part. I just don't "get" the ball thing just sort of floating around out there. Boring. Too many lasers and not enough pyro too.

Last day?!! I don't like that, but I DO like that you got to do something new! Excited to see what it is!

 

[HilJoy14]

We saw Illuminations for the first time in February. We actually missed the beginning fireworks (as we were closing down Test Track). And the rest was just plain boring! I wish we had seen the beginning! So, you're not alone in your feelings.

 

[thecapells]

I am one of those who will DEFINITLEY agree with you on Illuminations! I really don't care for it too much either, and think you hit it right on with the middle part. I just don't "get" the ball thing just sort of floating around out there. Boring. Too many lasers and not enough pyro too.

Last day?!! I don't like that, but I DO like that you got to do something new! Excited to see what it is!

Don't worry - I definitely jam-packed my last day.

We saw Illuminations for the first time in February. We actually missed the beginning fireworks (as we were closing down Test Track). And the rest was just plain boring! I wish we had seen the beginning! So, you're not alone in your feelings.

Wow - I can't believe so many people agree with me about Illuminations.
I thought I was gonna get blasted big time for that comment...

 

[thecapells]

I woke up for my last day in The World.
It was a Friday and my plane was scheduled for 6:30 PM.
That meant a 3:45 Mears Shuttle reservation – ugh.
And it also meant I had to rely on the stupid Buena Vista shuttles to get me home.
I figured I had to leave the parks by about 12:30/1 or so.
The good news? I had 3-4 hours in the Magic Kingdom!!

I grabbed a quick breakfast as usual (really, the only good part about staying offsite was that breakfast was included) and headed to my shuttle.
By this point, I was on good terms with the driver.
Such good terms, in fact, that he deferred to me when guests asked questions about the parks.
He had heard my discussions earlier and realized I knew my stuff.

We arrived at the TTC which was still an odd occurrence for me.
Being an onsite resort guest spoils you – as far as I was concerned, I only ever went to the TTC to switch monorails in order to get to EPCOT.
This time, however, I was dropped off in order to catch the monorail to the Magic Kingdom!

The TTC is a neat place to explore and is very welcoming for guests on the way to see the magic.
Even Mickey is waving you along…

The monorail arrived and I scampered down the ramp into GIC KINGD.
I think I need a wider camera lens…

But there above me rose the Main Street Railroad Station in all its glory.
Just seeing it gives you goosebumps knowing the Magic Kingdom is just steps away!

People were milling about taking pictures and kids were playing with hula hoops and other toys the CM’s brought out for their enjoyment.
My first stop, of course, was to visit my good ol' friends in khaki.
There were only so happy to oblige!

I was so early that I even got to watch the Opening show for the very first time!
After some singing and dancing (“Welcome, welcome, welcome…”), the train pulled into the station.
Mickey hopped off followed by a bunch of his friends including Alice and the White Rabbit

Mickey then found the family of the day and waved right to me!

Then the countdown – 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

I should’ve waited a split second more.
Instead of the “1”, the next second Mickey shot off confetti as the park opened for the morning.
The crowd scrambled down the tunnel and onto Main Street.
Rising off in the distance stood the awesome castle shining in the sunlight…

Guests walked, ran, and rode past me to get to all the thrill rides.
But today was a more relaxing day for me.
My agenda was full of little things I’ve never seen before and some favorites I don’t get to do very often – and never by myself.
So I was in no rush.
Which, of course, means more visits to the khaki-clad armada.
First, the castle shot:

And then TinkerBell decided to fly over and say ‘hi’.
How lucky can a mere mortal get?

I headed down to the hub to check out the Partners statue glowing in the radiant sun.
And to take more pictures, of course.
I really like this one – an angle and a pose I’ve never seen nor done before…

Finally I was off. I headed over a bridge and snapped a quick shot of the Happy Couple themselves:

It was time to start my day.
And the topiaries should give you faithful out there a hint as to my direction.
So, who among you are the best at Magic Kingdom Geography?
Where am I headed this morning?

 

[All7OfUs]

Not a clue..

Is it the direction they are LOOKING, or the direction they are leading you TO??

A wild, random guess would be Frontier Land- but that's about as random as all 52 cards in Bill Hickok's deck.

 

[dawnbu40]

Isn't the rope drop at the MK the best? I just love it!
Nice pp shots! I've never seen the one with the Partners before

I am guessing you are on your way to Tomorrowland because I recall that topiary being between the castle and Tomorrowland?

 

[praisehisname]

That was your first time ever to see the opening show? Did you like it enough to plan a rope drop with the family in January?

My first thought was that you were headed to Adventureland, but Dawn knows more about Disney than I do, and she says Tomorrowland. So now I'm not sure!