*prenote* while i'm typing this I have the
MVMCP CD on - Oh I love it!!!!
Earlier in the week, wed started talking about Saturday, and what to do. Friday we asked each kid what their favorite thing was, and if they could do something else what would it be. 2 said Epcot, 1 said MK. Steve was the decision maker and his 2 choices were AK or EPCOT. Friday night wed talked before going to bed and decided wed do Epcot. We wanted the kids to do Kim Possible.
Epcot was opening at 9am so we had some time in the morning to get going. We got up, dressed and ready and called for bell service to come get the bags. They were very quick to come pick them up and we were off to breakfast in no time. After eating our last breakfast and using the last of our CS credits we stopped by the front desk JUST to make sure we were all good. Hey, I get nervous. All good we head to the bus.
Deep breath.. just TALKING about this gives me anxiety. We go to wait for the bus and there are TONS of people there, TONS of buses there, it was an absolute insane scene. After a bit a CM tells us that is your Epcot bus. Umm OK it was a Dynamic Transport bus, but it had a Disney Transport logo printed in the window. We stow the stroller and get on, taking a seat in the 3rd row.
There was a family with 2 boys in the 1st row. We just sit there b/c of all the buses, he could not get out I guess. We finally pull away and on our way to do the POR loop we see like 10 Disney Transport busses parked in that large lot between POR and POFQ. Hmm?
Riding in the bus we are listening to some talk radio station and all they are talking about is Michael Jackson. I think I heard the word molester 3 times. I turned to Steve I do NOT want to listen to news right now. As we approach POR I see even MORE chaos. There were probably 8 buses at the main depot. We waited a ways back for awhile and then when traffic cleared pulled up and opened the door and waited, and waited and waited. Nobody was coming, lets go!
At this point, the talk ended on the radio and music began. Lets just say, it was NOT Disney music. It was highly offensive music. Before he pulled away from the depot, I walked to the front and asked the driver to please change the radio to something more child appropriate! I mean, I have 3 kids 8 and under. My big kids actually listen to music and ask what lyrics mean ALL the time. The little one, repeats everything she hears. Bad enough she sings,
beer is good people are crazy. Groan. At my request to CHANGE the station, he just turned it off. Whatever, just get me OFF THIS BUS!
We then proceeded to make the POR loop. Thankfully I think he was the only bus of the 8 to do so as we were quickly through the loop and on our way to Epcot. I could not get off that bus faster once we got to Epcot. Once arriving I told Steve to just head towards the front while I jogged ahead and stopped in the bathroom outside the gates. I had to take a moment to compose myself and adjust my attitude. This was our last day, our last park and I wasnt going to let the horrible bus ride ruin our day. Some water on my face and a sip from my bottle of water
and I was good to go!
After that episode, re-reading it takes me back, we need a dance break
By the time we made it through the turnstiles, Epcot had been open for 5 10 minutes. We split up for a quick bit. I went to get Soarin FPs while Steve went to get the kids recruited for Kim Possible AND got in line for Character Spot.
Rounding the corner towards The Land, I stopped in my tracks. The sign read: Soarin 55 min stand-by, all FPs Distributed. But I watched and ALL the rides said all FPs distributed. I could not believe it, not 5 min after opening! My attitude had been adjusted, I was due something good to happen! I took the gamble and went down into the LAND to see for myself.
Thankfully, the signs were malfunctioning and
I got 5 FPs for 11:30ish.
Thank goodness! As I went to meet Steve at Character Spot I saw people staring in amazement at the sign. I told them, no worries, its wrong.
I met Steve and the kids and they were just about to have their turn. Good timing! We were bummed that chip & Dale werent in there as we really wanted to see them, but thats okay, we still enjoyed it.
It was only about 9:30 and our Kim Possible time was not until 11:00 so we headed towards Mission:Space. We wanted to do Test Track again, but just didnt want to wait and we knew Mission: Space green side would not be bad.
While the kids and Steve did Mission:Space, Emma and I played in the hamster cage.
it was not long before they were done. And we headed towards World Showcase. After stopping for Test Track FPs, we still had time to kill so we stopped and enjoyed the garbage can band. Enjoyment had, we made our way to the Kim Possible stand in the International Gateway. Along the way Steve enjoyed the empty countries and took some good UK pics. Hes kind of gotten obsessed with Epcot. Our adult only vacation will mainly consist of Epcot and AK I think fine by me!
Along the way, my now photos of empty countries obsessed honey took some pics
He took more, but this was my favorite
We got there with still time to spare so we just sat and relaxed. When it was finally time we checked in and were given our instructions. Once the World Showcase rope dropped we headed to our 1st mission in France. Now, this was very fun, but I have to say
My soon to be husband does NOT stop to think before he leads the kids off in a direction. At one point, he even took them off RUNNING, down an incline. No, I am not the fun police, but Emma had JUST started healing from band-aid knees and it was all fun and good, but if she fell and hurt herself, NOBODY would be having anymore fun trust me. So she and I sat (not to her liking at all) while the kids (Steve included) figured out where they were going. After that, for the end of the mission I took over the cell phone. I made the kids think about the next move and THEN wed make it.
France saved.. YAY we decided on a 2nd mission and chose our favorite country Japan.
I love this pic of Japan. I think we might frame it for our bathroom
I know.. I'm a dork.
Once in Japan we worked very hard to save Japan from the BiBis (No photo included so I don't give anything away) then took some time to enjoy Japan again. After this mission we were hot and tired and ready to start heading back, so we declined further missions and headed back towards Future World.
In France we stopped for Icecream and just absorbed the environment. Emma was getting hot and tired and starting to be grumpy.
Along the way
Once in Future World, Steve offered to stay with her while we did Soarin. Luckily, her attitude turned around and she got to go with us. Nothing like a little A/C. While in line we decided that wed not ask for front, wed take whatever we got, and
we got front row, center! YAY!
Have I mentioned this is my FAVORITE ride? It was the 3rd time wed riden it and we loved it. Soarin ridden we headed towards Test Track. As we approached, we saw the LINE
LINE
LONG LINE!
The Fast Pass return line was out the building, about 20 people PAST the end of the rope, LONG! I asked the CM what she estimated it was, and she figured it was a 30+ minute wait, In the FAST PASS line. I approached a family walking up to the FP machines and offered them our FPs, they were very greatful, and we were on our way!
It was about 1pm by now and we still had lots to do before meeting my parents at their hotel. We took the bus, a DISNEY bus, back to POFQ. The kids and I went and got some snacks from the foodcourt to use all our credits while Steve got the luggage loaded up. I gave my mom a call and they were waiting at the hotel. They were checked in but didnt have a room. But they were waiting on the hotel patio for us to arrive. Once on the way we stopped at McDs for lunch and headed to their hotel. We sat and ate with them on the patio. It was very good to see my mommy again! I miss her!!!
This was it
the end of our vacation.
I kissed and hugged Catherine, told her how much Mommy loved her
, and off we went. It took us just under 2 hrs to get home. I had beyond crazy laundry to do, but hey, I had Sunday to get it done. I cant believe its over
a perfect vacation.. it really was.
Stay tuned! I have a nifty wrap-up and a bunch of Photopass Pics for ya!