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

[dawnbu40]

I've never thought of taking the Jungle Cruise at night but it sounds like fun. We'll have to try it next time!

 

[MeMom]

Yeah, there may be a changing of the guard on the top of DD's princess list.
However, Tiana is still new - let it sink in a bit and then we'll see who comes out on top!
The test will be when we head back to Disney.
Will DD be desperate to go to Ariel's Grotto or meet Tiana in Liberty Square (assuming she's still there)?

Tiana is definitely a hit with Brooklynn right now, too. She loved the movie and cried when it was over and we had to leave. She loves her 'Ariel Girl', but she is super excited to be seeing Tiana and the riverboat show in a couple of weeks!


So is her MeMom.

Wishes from Fantasyland is definitely a different experience. Not for the faint of heart.

Keep the pictures coming!

 

[All7OfUs]

I agree SWSA can be a bit dark and scary for the younger set.

Hmmm... a night cap? Sure. I"m game.

Raining shells? WOW! That is just weird. and they collect them, even weirder.

I'm really excited about trying Jc at night! It's on my TOP 10 list for Sept. That along with Splash, and BTMRR.

 

[WrightFamily06]

JC at night never thought of doing it before but now I will be sure to try it , sounds like alot of fun ! I'm not surprised that you food from Pinocchio's Village Haus was not very good , I think there one of the worst CS at the MK (IMO)! Your right I was disappointed on Wishes pictures I can understand wanting to take a brake from the camera & enjoy though My kids actually really like Snow White's Scary Adventures & they've been riding it every year since they were infants . lol Guess it depends on the child and we also watch the movie a lot

 

[thecapells]

I've never thought of taking the Jungle Cruise at night but it sounds like fun. We'll have to try it next time!

Definitely a different experience and worth doing!
I made sure to take the kids at nite when we came back in November.

Tiana is definitely a hit with Brooklynn right now, too. She loved the movie and cried when it was over and we had to leave. She loves her 'Ariel Girl', but she is super excited to be seeing Tiana and the riverboat show in a couple of weeks!


So is her MeMom.

Wishes from Fantasyland is definitely a different experience. Not for the faint of heart.

Keep the pictures coming!

We actually saw Tiana's Showboat Jubilee and met her in November.
That helped fuel DD's desire to see the movie.
But that's for the next trip report - you'll just have to stay tuned.
Know that both were alot of fun though!!

I agree SWSA can be a bit dark and scary for the younger set.

Hmmm... a night cap? Sure. I"m game.

Raining shells? WOW! That is just weird. and they collect them, even weirder.

I'm really excited about trying Jc at night! It's on my TOP 10 list for Sept. That along with Splash, and BTMRR.

Yeah, it was interesting to watch a CM running around collecting empty shells.
And even weirder to see/hear them landing in and around the crowd.

JC at night never thought of doing it before but now I will be sure to try it , sounds like alot of fun ! I'm not surprised that you food from Pinocchio's Village Haus was not very good , I think there one of the worst CS at the MK (IMO)! Your right I was disappointed on Wishes pictures I can understand wanting to take a brake from the camera & enjoy though My kids actually really like Snow White's Scary Adventures & they've been riding it every year since they were infants . lol Guess it depends on the child and we also watch the movie a lot

It's my 2nd time at Pinocchio's - the 1st was with the kids last year.
Since they changed the menu, it's been pretty bad.
I didn't want to go this time but ran out of choices nearby.
And Columbia Harbour House closed down for the night.

As for Snow White, it's not a bad ride.
Just not for the wee ones IMHO.
I know my kids would've been a bit freaked out.
Then again, this is coming from the Dad who took his family on Pirates as their 1st ride ever in WDW.
DS (then 4) almost refused to ride any boat ride after that.
We had to struggle to get him on Small World!!

 

[thecapells]

After exiting Snow White, I wandered back into Fantasyland and noticed Dumbo lacking the usual long line.
So I jumped into the queue and noticed my family’s favorite sign:
“No Stupid Dancing”

and in less than 5-10 minutes, here I was:

I videotaped the flight of the pachyderm but it creates a nice sense of dizziness so I thought I’d spare you the experience.
Instead we’ll leave Dumbo with a fun topiary:

When Dumbo returned to Earth, the clock was ticking and I needed a fitting “Last Attraction of the Night.”
So I chose one of my Magic Kingdom favorites where there never seems to be a line – Philharmagic!!

I always have to take the “backside” of this sign

As usual, the queue was empty so I was able to have fun with the camera a bit:

And a couple from inside the Opera House awaiting the automagical doors

I overheard some people talking who had never experienced Philharmagic so I struck up a conversation with them.
I told them this is one of my favorite rides in Magic Kingdom and explained a bit about the attraction without giving away spoilers.
In return, they snapped my photo (and, of course, I needed the obligatory 3-D glasses pic)

After the show, I ran into the family again and they agreed that this was an awesome attraction and they were not let down.
As for me – it was almost time I turned into a pumpkin (or at least until my shuttle left the TTC).
So I headed back towards Main St.
However, I still had one more thing on my checklist.
Stay tuned for a Main Street Detour…

 

[thecapells]

Main Street near the closing of Magic Kingdom, as you can imagination, is very crowded.
You can get kind of get a sense of the crowds from this shot:

So as the sheep were herded towards the gate (“Baaaaaa!”), I snapped some Celebrate Today! decorations:

After checking my watch and doing some math, I realized I had a couple of minutes before the shuttle departed from the TTC.
So I decided to take a detour and explore something I’ve heard lots about on the DIS.
Welcome to Exposition Hall

I headed past the photo shop and into the back and it was literally empty.
It’s a nice little air-conditioned area with some old Walt Disney relics and then a movie-style room with some old cartoons playing.
In addition to the cartoons are several awesome photo ops:
Steamboat Willie

Snow White & the Seven Dwarves

Toy Story

101 Dalmations

Finally someone walked in to where I busy snapping away so I begged them for one photo of me.
Snow White was closest so consider me the eighth dwarf:

After wandering around some more, I finally headed out of the park and past the majestic railroad station.

Then I hopped the Express Monorail.
Time was getting short before the scheduled departure of my shuttle so I was a bit nervous.
I got to the TTC and asked a CM where the non-Disney resort shuttles were.
I had to walk across the parking lot and over to this area where there was a couple of benches.
Several other people were waiting and I asked them which resort they were going to.
Of course, no one was headed towards BVS.
I immediately got nervous.
About 15 minutes later (yes, 15 minutes past the scheduled time), the shuttle arrived.
I had watched several others come and go and was getting very nervous.
Finally the last one arrived and was destined for several non-Disney resorts.
This was fine but we then proceeded to sit in the parking lot for another 15-20 minutes.
Finally we departed and headed to the resort.
Luckily, my stop was first so I headed upstairs and crashed in my room.
It was probably around 12:30 by now but I set my alarm as I had a busy day tomorrow.
My plans were to hit two parks back-to-back and complete them both!
Can anyone keep up?

 

[MEK]

I just found your TR and I am really enjoying it. I knew I was going to like it when I saw your introduction picture! I would love to take a work solo trip. I hope the conference doesn't cut into your Disney time too much! Too bad about the off site experience. I guess you can't complain too much, though, since it WAS a work trip.

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Echo queen]

I am keeping up Carry on.

 

[pipersmom]

I don't know how I missed an installment, but I did. At any rate, it sounds like you had a really good day! The JC sounds like it was a really different experience at night. Piper is not a boat person at all for some reason, I think it's a control issue for her as she also isn't crazy about swings..or bike riding! So..to prep her for our trip..I ermm..I ahh...I'm almost embarassed to say...told her all the boat rides in WDW run on tracks! *insert sheepish look here* I'm hoping when she sees nothing dire happens to her on any of the boats, and when I tell her most of them weren't on tracks, she'll be more willing to try the real thing. Then again...she might just end up wanting to kill me and never believe anything I tell her ever again. We'll see I guess!

 

[thecapells]

I just found your TR and I am really enjoying it. I knew I was going to like it when I saw your introduction picture! I would love to take a work solo trip. I hope the conference doesn't cut into your Disney time too much! Too bad about the off site experience. I guess you can't complain too much, though, since it WAS a work trip.

Looking forward to reading more!

Yeah, that darn work kept getting in the way.
Luckily, I had a day and a half to play before the conference started!!

I am keeping up Carry on.

Glad to hear it!

I don't know how I missed an installment, but I did. At any rate, it sounds like you had a really good day! The JC sounds like it was a really different experience at night. Piper is not a boat person at all for some reason, I think it's a control issue for her as she also isn't crazy about swings..or bike riding! So..to prep her for our trip..I ermm..I ahh...I'm almost embarassed to say...told her all the boat rides in WDW run on tracks! *insert sheepish look here* I'm hoping when she sees nothing dire happens to her on any of the boats, and when I tell her most of them weren't on tracks, she'll be more willing to try the real thing. Then again...she might just end up wanting to kill me and never believe anything I tell her ever again. We'll see I guess!

Ooooh, that's sneaky.
She may not forgive you after that one...

 

[thecapells]

So I was finally able to upload DS’ Disney Tributes.
I just posted them to my last TR but I’ll put them here too in case no one is checking that one anymore.

Basically, when we got back from our quick Disney D-tour, DS (our resident LEGO Brickmaster), decided to recreate his favorite attractions.
He designed and built two of them and I convinced him to give a “tour” to show off all of the details.

First up was Spaceship Earth.
Here’s a video of DS explaining his construction complete with quotes he remembered from the ride
(and no I didn’t coach him at all)


And then it’s on to Germany and the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure!
Once again, the voicetrack was all him without any coaching.


So what does everyone think??
Is my boy destined to be the next great Imagineer or what?

While you guys contemplate that, I’ll get to work on Day Two of my Solo trip…

 

[Echo queen]

Do you have his app yet? So creative.

 

[praisehisname]

Great updates! Glad you hadn't missed your shuttle!

 

[meeko_33785]

Well, I think I'm finally caught up from being gone at WDW this week. Sounds like you had a nice evening.

I've heard so many good things about the Jungle Cruise at night. I might just have to try it one of these days. I always figured that it would be too dark to see anything. Didn't realize that they had flashlights or spotlights.

That was nice that you got to get someone to take your picture at the Expo Hall. Great shot of you as the 8th dwarf.

 

[thecapells]

Do you have his app yet? So creative.

Maybe I'll just send the videos in as his application!

Great updates! Glad you hadn't missed your shuttle!

Thanks! It was definitely a new experience finding the non-Disney resort shuttles.

Well, I think I'm finally caught up from being gone at WDW this week. Sounds like you had a nice evening.

I've heard so many good things about the Jungle Cruise at night. I might just have to try it one of these days. I always figured that it would be too dark to see anything. Didn't realize that they had flashlights or spotlights.

That was nice that you got to get someone to take your picture at the Expo Hall. Great shot of you as the 8th dwarf.

Jungle Cruise at nite was definitely worth trying.
As is hanging out at the Exposition Hall - just try to bring people to take your picture!

 

[thecapells]

I woke up Sunday morning and headed to breakfast at the hotel.
I had read online that the BVS had a character breakfast on Sunday morning which I though was great!
I had never heard of Mickey showing up at a non-Disney resort.
And now I know why.
He didn’t.
In fact, nobody had any clue of what I was talking about.
Boy do I miss Disney resorts….

Breakfast was decent enough – your average spread.
Then I headed out to catch the 8:00 shuttle to Animal Kingdom.
If first stops in Magic Kingdom and then heads over to the jungle.
It was fun to watch 90% of the shuttle get off at Magic Kingdom.
I spent the drive talking with the shuttle driver and got to know him.
I also helped out some of the conventioners heading to the parks with tips and tricks.
By the end of the trip, the driver asked me to drive with him everyday since I was so helpful to the guests!

Anyway, we arrived at Animal Kingdom about 8:35 or so.
I had plenty of time to get in for rope drop – I was really interested to see the rope drop show at AK.
Last time we were too far away so we couldn’t really enjoy it – the stop to get the rental stroller really adds some time to the walk to Discovery Island.

So I headed across the parking lot which I now have a whole new respect for.
Apparently the Imagineers took time to actually make this look old with cracked pavement and lots of open space.
It’s supposed to be a nice predecessor to the jungles of Animal Kingdom.
It works really well when you come in from this side (also something new since I’m usually dropped off in front thanks to Disney transportation).

Along the way, I noticed the Celebrate Today! Signage was in full effect

I made my way to the entrance plaza for the perennial picture

Another random side note – ever notice that this entrance plaza differs from the other parks?
Magic Kingdom has the grand railroad with a small sign above indicating Magic Kingdom.
Epcot doesn’t even have any themed signs telling you where you are.
DHS has that Hollywood-style sign across the entrance which is nice.
But this one always stands out to me.
It just screams Animal Kingdom with that big elephant head and all the surrounding trees.
I don’t know – maybe it’s just me.

Anyway, I hopped on a line not many others were on – not sure why but one line was basically ½ the size of the others.
And, to top it off, nobody else seemed to notice.
The gates opened and I headed into the park and quickly down the left path (everyone else went right).
I made it through quickly - I’m a fast walker by nature and you wouldn’t believe how much faster you can travel without little ones in tow.
I basically was standing right next to the tip board about 2 or 3 people from the rope.
They brought a child up for the ceremonial opening of the tip board.
A boy got to "unwind" the covering and got a certificate and a cheer from the crowd.
Then Minnie and Goofy arrived for The Adventure Begins show.
I taped the whole thing to show the kids and it’s actually a cute show.
I think I even like it better than the one in Magic Kingdom.
The safari idea is much more fun than some random dancing on top of the railroad station IMHO.

Then the rope dropped and all heck broke loose.
People stormed to the left to make for Kilimanjaro Safaris.
The other half of the crowd stormed to the right to get to Expedition Everest.
I chuckled to myself and strolled along watching the people run frantically by.
Knowing that I’m a wimp and not into rollercoasters, can anyone guess where my 1st destination was?

Hint: if you’re a loyal reader, it’s one we missed last time since the kids couldn’t go on it…

 

[All7OfUs]

Hmmmm... I am a loyal reader, and for the life of me, I can't figure this one out. YOu don't do coasters, but the kids couldn't go on it.??

Bug?

Kali?

I just don't know! It's driving me crazy!

Yes, I"m one who would notice the signage stuff too. I love the little details that make each park what it is.

 

[dawnbu40]

I'm glad you got a good view of the opening ceremony. That really is such a cute show.

Since you don't do EE and as I recall you all did the safari and bugs I will guess Kali is your first stop?

 

[thecapells]

Hmmmm... I am a loyal reader, and for the life of me, I can't figure this one out. YOu don't do coasters, but the kids couldn't go on it.??

Bug?

Kali?

I just don't know! It's driving me crazy!

Yes, I"m one who would notice the signage stuff too. I love the little details that make each park what it is.

And here I thought it this was an easy one.
Keep trying!!

I'm glad you got a good view of the opening ceremony. That really is such a cute show.

Since you don't do EE and as I recall you all did the safari and bugs I will guess Kali is your first stop?

Apparently this wasn't easy as I thought.
There's not much left in Animal Kingdom - any other guesses?