Our best trip ever! 10/13-10/19

[torinsmom]

Just got back from Disney and had the best trip ever. It was just me and my son, Torin, who is 13, but still enjoys seeing the World with mom

We left North Carolina at 6:15am 10/13 with plans to arrive in Orlando around 4pm. Of course, as we got closer to South Carolina, I began hearning my son's usual pleas to stop at South of the Border and agreed to stop for "a few minutes", LOL. I know some people on the Dis have said that SOTB is tacky and not a very wholesome place to be, but I have great memories from when I was younger. If you stop during daylight hours, it can be a really unique experience. We ended up shopping there for an hour. I especially like the Myrtle Beach shop on the left . They have merchandise from all over the world and I bought a lot of little trinkets for the geography area of my classroom.Then we hit the road once again, with our estimated time of arrival changing to around 5pm.

The trip down was nearly free of drama, but then in southern Georgia, a boat fell off another vehicle's trailer right onto the left lane of I-95! I still don't know how all the cars around it managed to slow down and stop without it being a major accident, but at least as far as I could see, there were no collisions. We happened to right next to it, a little further back in the next lane, and after slowing quickly and pulling off the road in case there was a pile-up, we got back on the road and continued on before the traffic tie-ups began. As always, once we got into FLA, it seemed like we would never get to Orlando. We arrived at Pop Century around 6:00pm and checked in, anxious to begin our week of fun!

I had hoped to get a room in the 50's or 60's, close to Classic Hall. Instead we were assigned a room in the Classic 70's, building 10. It was actually closer to Classic Hall than many of the 50's rooms and ultra close to the bus stop and parking lot. I figured why not try something new? We already had a towel animal when we checked in and I figured that was a good sign.

We ate a quick dinner and then headed out to MK to see SpectroMagic, since our MK day was a MNNSHP night and we were not attending. Got there only 10 minutes before the parade, but got a few pictures at least...

 

[torinsmom]

Sunday, 10/14 was our first full day at Pop. I had managed to snag a few of the $25 tickets to Sea World and since Torin had never been, we headed there first. We had reservations at the Polar Expedition Tour and were excited to see the penguins. First we saw the dolphins and they were just a treat! I think next time we will do the Dolphin tour to get even closer!

We went into the Arctic exhibit and saw the polar bear and beluga whales. They were both very active and we got great pictures.

Then it was time for our tour. We had a really nice tour guide and got to see a lot of neat things. Torin was really excited to see the penguins. They were cute as could be, and everyone got a chance to touch them as well.

After we left the penguin area, we went to an observation room beside it. the funniest thing happened there. The penguin we were just touching went over to the other penguin and they, um......started having a private party, LOL. The poor tour guide was trying to avoid acknowleding it and the parents were all looking at each other with tears in our eyes. Some of the younger kids asked the guide what the penguins were doing and she told then they were playing leapfrog, LOL. Then another tour came in and the guide went in to get a penguin for them to touch. Her face when she saw what she was interrupting was priceless and she exited and found an unoccupied penguin, LOL. Then the "party" abruptly ended and the male penguin looked over at us and just stood there, as if he was seeing us for the first time. I could have sworn he was embarrassed, LOL. My son begged me to video the whole thing for youtube, but I couldn't do it!

After the Penguin Encounter, we headed over to see the Shamu show. All I can say is it was AMAZING! Those killer whales and their trainers were so cool to watch!

I was excited to see the sea lions and seals, because when I went to Sea World as a child, I spent all my souvenir money on feeding them. I think we ended up spending $20.00 feeding them this time. There was one that was almost blind and I think I threw 10 fish before he finally got one! There was also a HUGE bird that was taking fish out of people's hands.

It was a really fun day and I think we will be seeing Sea World again next trip!

 

[IATink]

Wow! You have some great pictures. We went to Sea World a few years ago, but I think my girls were too young. We're thinking about going on our next trip when they're a little older. They might enjoy it more.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[torinsmom]

Monday--10/15

Today was our Animal Kingdom Day. It was an early entry day, so we got to AK early. We were one of the first people on Kilimanjaro Safari and got some great pics.

Then it was off to DinoLand and a ride on Dinosaur. Unfortunately for us, the car in front of us broke down as we were queing up to get off the ride and we had to wait 15 minutes to get off. On the bright side, we were offered the chance to ride again immediately and we did. Only two other people accepted the offer, so it was only the four of us this time.

After Dinosaur, we had some time to kill before our ADR at Breakfastosaurus. So we went over to the Boneyard. I never would have imagined my big kid would enjoy the dig site as much as some of the younger kids!

At our breakfast, I learned that character breakfasts are not longer believed to be "cool" by my 13 year old. I wish I'd been told that BEFORE I paid for the DDP.

The highlight of the day was Kali River Rapids. Neither of us had ever gone on this ride. I brought ponchos to keep us dry, but noone told me that water goes down the back of the poncho, LOL. We went on three times and got soaked!

We got back to Pop pretty early and managed to get some decent rest. We were surprised to find a second towel animal added to the one that was there when we arrived. Last trip we only got one, and that was after specifically requesting one at the front desk(it was Torin's b-day trip) Monday night I left a note for the mousekeeper asking if we could keep the towel animal. I know there are varying opinions here at the Dis. I also left a tip, as I always do.

 

[sharonW]

Enjoying your TR...$25 tickets to sea world, please
clue me in on HOW

 

[torinsmom]

Tuesday, 10/16

This was our Magic Kingdom day and we had an early ADR at the Crystal Palace. Torin was not very thrilled, but hey, we had to eat. He managed to smile to have his picture made with Tigger and we got a great picture of the palace from the restaurant. Piglet is my favorite, so Torin took a picture of me with her.

MK was HOT!! Our favorite rides this trip were Pirates and the Haunted Mansion. Here are a few pics from the day....

Oh and we got a third towel animal, YIPPEE!!

 

[torinsmom]

Enjoying your TR...$25 tickets to sea world, please
clue me in on HOW

They were through the National Rifle Association. Someone posted the link on the Sea World board and I just happened upon it. It's over now, but maybe they will run it again.

 

[torinsmom]

Wednesday, 10/17

Today was our Epcot day. We got up bright and early to hurry up and wait, LOL. I swear we made it to Epcot in record time. We stood in the main line for 30 minutes and then rushed in only to have to wait at the rope for another ten. We were rewarded for our waiting by being one of the first to ride Soarin and we were in the front row for our first time ever! That ride never ceases to amaze me and front row was definitely the BEST!

We went on the new Nemo ride, and it was really cute. We especially liked the end, when the Nemo characters are being projected onto the real aquarium water. It was cool to see the real fish in the background. The aquarium was neat as always...

We went on the Figment ride and then played around in the Kodak Imaginarium. We wanted to go on Ellen's Energy Adventure, but it was down for quite awhile. We went on Honey I SHrunk the AUdience instead and may I please ask if you have a small baby who is screaming in the pre-show, please take them out. There were about 100 angry people in there who wanted to beat a couple of parents into the ground. I know, I know, Disney is about the kids, but 20 minutes shut in a room with a child screaming at the top of their lungs is a little much for anyone. That show was really short compared to the time in the pre-show area too.

By this time, the world showcase was open and so we headed that way. Rode the Maelstrom twice with just a tiny wait--Torin loves that ride. We tried to get a lollipop from the candy lady, but didn;t get picked despite being one of the first few people to get there and waited 25 minutes. Maybe next time.....

We continued around the World showcase and I snapped a few pictures of Torin in various hats.

We finally returned to Future World and Ellen's Energy Adventure was now working. We jumped onto this one and I struggled to stay awake. Sorry, but that is one boring ride! LOL

Just a few more pics from Epcot...

On getting back to Pop, we discovered that we had yet another towel animal and a note from the mousekeeper telling us that the towel animals were ours and that we could keep them. Yippee!

 

[torinsmom]

Thursday, October 18

Today was our water park day. Since we've never been to Blizzard beach, we headed there. No pictures since we were in the water all day. It was a great time though, THe family raft ride is pretty cool and the tube slides were as well.

When we got back from BB, we found that the Mousekeeper had made a fishing rod out of a flag stick and a phone charging cord. She'd stuck Pal Mickey in the window, perched on the curtain, holding the rod, with a note saying "Gone fishin'" On the window ledge were two fish towel animals that PM was fishing for. It was really cute and our towel animals now numbered SIX!

After resting for awhile, we decided to head out to Downtown Disney to get some shopping done, since Friday we needed to check out.

 

[torinsmom]

Friday, October 19

Our last day at Disney!! Boy the week went by FAST! We spent this morning checking out and returning the fridge from the Pop Fridge Swap. We packed everything up and headed to DTD and DisneyQuest. Had a great time and boy do they have some good burgers at Food Quest!

So that was our trip. We had a great time and can't wait to go back.....as soon as this trip is paid off, LOL

 

[Avivasmom]

Sounds like and looks like you guys had a great time...loved the pics.

 

[carrie1626]

I love knowing that your teen-age DS still enjoys WDW. My now 14 DS does, too. We won't be making a trip this year, but with a daughter going off to college next summer, I think a mom and son trip are in our future!!

 

[sharonW]

Enjoyed your TR..the towel animals
are so cute! Happy planning..for your
next DW trip that is!!!