Our Rockin' Trip to the World~February TR! UPDATE 5/15 ~ LINK TO PTR!!!!!!

[All7OfUs]

I am determined to do CL someday. I think I'd spring for it at the Poly, but the AKL sure sounds dreamy too!! Congrats! I know taking it up a notch will be well worth it!

 

[PirateKate]

Club level sounds awesome! I'd love to do that someday. Is Max an early riser? The Sunrise Safari sounds cool, but we'd never get up early enough for it.

EMH at MK are such a fun way to end the night! Before we had the boys, Jeremy and I used to like to stay til the very end until we could ride one of the thrill rides again and again. Ah, those were the days.

 

[dizneeat]

Yeah for scoring CL!!

I am sure you are going to have a wonderful time! CL photos look wonderful, can't wait for your review!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

I am determined to do CL someday. I think I'd spring for it at the Poly, but the AKL sure sounds dreamy too!! Congrats! I know taking it up a notch will be well worth it!

Thank you! I certainly hope it will be. AKL has been one of my (two) dream resorts, so... I can check that one off the list!

Club level sounds awesome! I'd love to do that someday. Is Max an early riser? The Sunrise Safari sounds cool, but we'd never get up early enough for it.

EMH at MK are such a fun way to end the night! Before we had the boys, Jeremy and I used to like to stay til the very end until we could ride one of the thrill rides again and again. Ah, those were the days.

Max can be an early riser. It all depends. Truthfully, since we'll be off (my husband and I are teachers) in July, I'm hoping to re-set his clock a bit, so that he can stay up past nine this time! So, I'm still not sure about the safari.

And yes, I love EMHs, especially at MK! So much fun. My husband and I, when we went for fifth annivesary without Max, had a truly magical night there and this past trip was pretty spectacular, as well.

 

[tinacaplan]

Just stopping in and saying hello...on my own thread! It's still here... yup...it is... Just saying. If you've been lurking...say hello!

 

[tinacaplan]

So, I found myself standing in the hub, right in front of the Walt and Mickey statue and I was starting to freak out. I really wanted to hook up with Karin and Tom and felt that I had walked the park from one end to other more than once. It might have also been around this time that I panicked over how late I was staying up, as we had a breakfast ADR at CP for eight a.m. the next morning. A quick calculation and it finally dawned on me that I’d be lucky to get three hours of sleep!

And, finally...we connected! Thankfully, they were persistent and called a second time, when I had my phone in my hand so as not to miss another call. My only complaint about my current phone (Its a droid and a I do LOVE it, mostly) is that it doesn’t vibrate very well. I often don’t feel or hear it when it does, which hadn’t been the case with every other phone I’ve owned. Oh well...

Turns out that they were making their way into Adventureland, so we met by the big wall they have up there. I was so excited! We walked around for a bit, trying to decide what to do. At this point, the park was still pretty crowded and there were pretty long lines for things. I was content to let the much better informed two thirds of our party make the decisions for me! In fact, touring MK with them was like having my own insiders tour. Never noticed so many hidden Mickey’s before!

Let me apologize in advance for two things: the lack of pictures for this segment of the trip AND my poor memory. I should have gotten back to the room and taken better notes or taken more pictures, but I did not do either. I was super frustrated with my camera at this point (thus my desire to get a new one before we go in July!) and had put it away.

Anyway, I think the first thing we did was ride the Junglecruise, something I hadn’t done since I was a kid. I dont’ remember why we skipped it on our last trip, but we did. Oh, right...because when I went when I was a kid I think (and please correct me if I’m way off base here) they were still passing the ride off rather earnestly, as an honest to goodness Jungle trek and my dad, in particular, thought the ride was pretty lame. Ergo, so did I. I was unaware that the story had changed a bit and now included a full stand-up routine as part of the fun!

Our particular tour guide was very funny. Dry sense of humor, which I always appreciate. The ride was great and I really enjoyed it.

From there, I think we walked over to Liberty Square for a tour of the Haunted Mansion. Great ride. Karin pointed out a lot of little things that I had never noticed before. Truly, you could probably ride this a million times and never be bored. I’ve noticed new things every time I’ve been on it.

After that we went to Fantasyland and took advantage of the nearly nonexistent line for IASAW. And here, finally, I took a picture:

While IASAW might be a tad annoying, it is, in my opinion, truly Disney at its most Disney-esque, if that makes any sense at all.

Before getting on IASAW, we grabbed FPs for Peter Pan, which we rode next. Fun ride! I loved it as a kid and I love it still. The scene over London is beautiful.

We then made our way toward the ride I had been eagerly waiting for all night; its big and its a mountain and it is truly thunderous! I have to admit that this is pretty much as thrilling as I get when it comes to thrill rides. Well, that’s not entirely true. I actually love all of the coasters at Disneyworld...anywhere else...not so much. We rode it at least three times, like the gleeful children we had become. We had a short wait the first time, but after that, it was pretty much a matter of getting off and walking back around through the queue. Karin clued me into the fact that back cars are the fastest and most fun, so we waited each time. I absolutely cannot wait until Max is tall enough to ride this! Fingers crossed for July...but I have serious doubts!

After this, I think we hit up Pirates of the Carribean, which was a walk-on. Only problem was that once we had walked up to our pirate ship...the ride was down. We had a lovely chat with the CM running the ride, who I noticed was in the college program and was going to Brigham Young. Now, I don’t mean to offend anyone here, but I am fascinated with the Mormon religion for some reason, so I asked him a bunch of questions. He was very easy going and in a great mood, which was nice, since we waited for a bit. Maybe fifteen or twenty minutes? Personally, I am always so amused, entertained, and stimulated when I’m at Disneyworld that I generally don’t mind a bit of a wait for anything. There’s so much to look at.

Eventually, the ride got moving again and we boarded our ship. Being a true child of the eighties, I spent a fair amount of time watching 21 Jump Street and I have always loved Johnny Depp. Interestingly, I’ve never seen any of the Pirates movies, though. I find it incredibly amusing that he appears throughout the ride. Seems so strange.

After our pirate adventure, we went over to Tomorrowland to see if we could ride Space Mountain. We stopped for a bio break and came out to see a CM doing this:

He was amazing and seemed really happy doing his thing. He had put a rubber band around his broom, to make a really large paint brush and off he went, painting the sidewalk. He drew quite a crowd while we were watching and we all applauded when we were done. Just another example of what truly sets Disney apart from almost anywhere else.

We walked over to Space Mountain, only to find that it was down, as well. Drat! It was pretty late and we decided we were done. I believe it was about 2:30. We walked back over to the CR parking lot and drove back to our home away from home. It was super convient that their room was so close to ours. We bid our goodbyes, made some tentative plans to meet up at the pool the next day, and I was off to dreamland, even if my dreams would be rather short that night.

I had a wonderful time with Karin and Tom and am so glad we were able to make plans and got to spend so much time together. They are very warm, genuine people and I truly hope that our paths cross again. I have a feeling they will...sooner or later as we seem to share that same week off in February.

 

[glennbo123]

Eric Clapton.

Sorry to just zoom in....I just came in to check on something and saw that you had a new chapter up....I'll have to read later.

 

[glennbo123]

Okay, I'm back. Most shocking revelation in this chapter: you've never seen any of the Pirates movies. Get thee to the rental store. Or Netflix.

Sounds like you got quite a few rides in...after midnight. I guess you let it all hang out.

I'll bet it was tough getting out of bed a couple of hours later.

 

[dizneeat]

I think I can speak for Tom as well, and we both have truely enjoyed the evening!

BTW - hats up to you for getting up super early the next morning! WE were sleeping in!

 

[tinacaplan]

Eric Clapton.

Sorry to just zoom in....I just came in to check on something and saw that you had a new chapter up....I'll have to read later.

You are undoubtedly going to win this game...er...since you are pretty much the only playing. Though this is as much a challenge for myself as anyone else!

Okay, I'm back. Most shocking revelation in this chapter: you've never seen any of the Pirates movies. Get thee to the rental store. Or Netflix.

Sounds like you got quite a few rides in...after midnight. I guess you let it all hang out.

I'll bet it was tough getting out of bed a couple of hours later.

Yeah, I suppose I should do that... And the next morning was not easy, believe me! I won't give it away, but my planning resulted in me being exhausted for a good portion of the trip.

I think I can speak for Tom as well, and we both have truely enjoyed the evening!

BTW - hats up to you for getting up super early the next morning! WE were sleeping in!

Right back at ya! Yeah, don't know how I did it...but looking back at the pictures of Max at CP the next morning, I'd say it was all worth it in the end!

I'm planning on doing it all again in July, even though I'll be doing it solo.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

What a fun end to your EMH night at MK. Sounds like you all got a lot of rides in and had a fun late night together.

Yikes on having to wake up so early the next day, can't wait to read about how that worked out.

And Congrats to you on getting CL on your upcoming trip.

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Tina.

I'm with Glen...get the Pirate movies (we're watching UP tonight).

I'm so glad you and Karin and Tom got to spend some quality tiem together.

 

[tinacaplan]

What a fun end to your EMH night at MK. Sounds like you all got a lot of rides in and had a fun late night together.

Yikes on having to wake up so early the next day, can't wait to read about how that worked out.

And Congrats to you on getting CL on your upcoming trip.

We had a blast together! It was really amazing to meet people you'd only chatted with on-line and then to get along so well.

Well, I'm done with that update so you should be finding out how my whether my early morning hours were magical or not.

We got a great deal and I can hardly believe we're doing this. I want to pinch myself to make sure its all real.

Great update, Tina.

I'm with Glen...get the Pirate movies (we're watching UP tonight).

I'm so glad you and Karin and Tom got to spend some quality tiem together.

Thanks, Kathy! Mark and I will have to look into the Pirates, hopefully before July! UP is a wonderful movie; the scene where Carl sits down in the house and flips through Elly's Adventure Book never fails to make me cry.

Karin and Tom were great. I hope you get to meet them someday.

 

[tinacaplan]

Chapter Fourteen: You’ve Got to Get Up Every Morning...

...with a smile on your face and show the world all the love in your heart.


Crystal Palace Breakfast

I left everyone wondering whether or not I’d make it for this ADR. After all, I got in around three and didn’t go right to sleep. If I recall correctly, our wake-up call was for 6:30!

I was barely asleep when the phone rage...seriously?

Yet, I managed to get up and get ready and got everyone else up and ready to go, too. I think we left our room at about ten minutes after seven. Again, we had a very short wait for a bus to come. And again, it was practically empty.

The ride to MK from CSR is undoubtedly the longest, but I enjoy it. I just love being at Disneyworld so much, even the ride to MK is enjoyable to me.

In no time at all we were walking up the hill to see this:

We were early for our ADR and waited around outside the gate. I took a few pictures:

Not sure Max was fully awake yet...

We found the mailbox from Bridgeport, CT which I had first spotted in Tim’s (Thatsnice) TR. We’re from Connecticut and my husband teaches in Bridgeport, so finding this mail box was kind of cool.

Mark pointing at the mailbox, but not looking at the camera.

And this time actually looking at the camera:

Max’s first glimpse of the caste (not to mention my first glimpse of the castle in daylight since I was eleven!).

There is something truly special about walking up a nearly empty Main Street, U.S.A. For one thing, I feel like I’m inside the movie “Lady and the Tramp,” which is one of my all-time favorites. I’ve always loved Disney’s fake Victorian look.

The caste, with Walt and Mickey in the foreground.

The castle is truly amazing. You see it looming over most of the park, as though its this towering structure. And then you get up close and realize it isn’t even that big. Disney imagineering at its best. The optical illusions they pull off in terms of architecture and scale are incredible.

We stopped for a family picture.

I’m sure this was taken by a Photopass photographer, but I’m not sure. We had terrible luck finding photographers throughout our trip and had very few Photopass pictures taken. It seemed that the rare times we did stumble across a photographer, Max wasn’t in the mood to have his picture taken.

It was about quarter of eight. We were early for our ADR, so we wandered around the hub and I took more pictures of MK in the early morning mist.

Yup, yet another picture of Mark and Max walking away from me. I really need to remember to take pictures in front of them this time!

Finally, it was time for our breakfast at Crystal Palace. I was very excited for this one. Max likes Winnie and the gang well enough, but they aren’t his favorites, so I wasn’t sure what he was going to think about it.

We were greeted outside the restaraunt by super friendly CMs. We were called and escorted to our table. I have to say that CP is gorgeous inside; all that glass and light. Again, I felt like I was in another era, albeit one that included a breakfast buffet, but its still amazing.

The buffet was good, faily standard breakfast fare. Well, if your standard is Mickey Waffles and puffed french toast!

I had scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, and biscuits and gravy, as well some things that I don’t remember. Everything was very good. I took advantage of being able to get biscuits and gravy at breakfast, as its a dish that is virtually unheard up here in the North.

I know this isn’t the greatest picture, but I think its cute, with Pooh in the background, that mischevous grin on his face. Max had Mickey waffles, some fruit (of course), and puffed french toast. I don’t really remember how much he ate, nor do I recall what Mark had. Oooops...good thing this isn’t a dining review!

Unfortunately, all of my pictures of Max with Winnie are awful; all fuzzy and out of focus. But there were more characters to come. Max was obviously having a grand time.

You all know what Eyeore’s head looks like, right?

I love this one! It looks like Max and Piglet are having a full-on conversation.

Hugging Tigger

Our experience at Crystal Palace was definitely positive. The CMs were great and the characters were excellent. They took their time and went out of their way to really interact with Max. It was amazing to watch him.

And then we headed through the Castle, into Fantasyland. What will Max think of these classic Disney attractions?

 

[PirateKate]

Beautiful by Carole King. I'm still in the game. Only about twenty points behind Glenn.

Breakfast looked like fun! I'm glad Max enjoyed the characters. I love the picture of the Castle. Nothing like an empty Main Street.

 

[KatMark]

Tina, I love the pics of Max with the characters...especially the one where he seems to be having a conversation with Piglet.

Great Main Street photos; it's so nice to see/have a picture of the castle without the nasty crane in it.

 

[that's nice]

All caught up.. again.

Sorry, I'm not playing your game but I have been late to make the guesses. WTG GLEN!

Sounds like you had some great tour guides in the MK... once you met up with them! My Evo doesn't vibrate that great either.. I always miss calls and texts.

Love all your pictures from the am in MK... The mailbox I found was next to a light post on Main St. Looks like the one you found was on a building.. cool! Now I have to find 'your' mailbox!

I'm glad you guys had a good time at breakfast! CP is one of the best breakfast buffets in WDW! (This is my opinion)

 

[dizneeat]

And yet another great update, Tina!

I still cannot believe that you got up that morning (even though you told me there in person!)
I love how Max is having fun with the characters, you could see that at Cape May too!
Now I can finally go on with MY trip report and not spoil your cliffhangers (as if I would have time to do it earlier! )

Have a wonderful Sunday! Are you on Easter break too?

 

[tinacaplan]

Tina, I love the pics of Max with the characters...especially the one where he seems to be having a conversation with Piglet.

Great Main Street photos; it's so nice to see/have a picture of the castle without the nasty crane in it.

I love that pic, too! Now I'm wondering if we should do it again in July!

All caught up.. again.

Sorry, I'm not playing your game but I have been late to make the guesses. WTG GLEN!

Sounds like you had some great tour guides in the MK... once you met up with them! My Evo doesn't vibrate that great either.. I always miss calls and texts.

Love all your pictures from the am in MK... The mailbox I found was next to a light post on Main St. Looks like the one you found was on a building.. cool! Now I have to find 'your' mailbox!

I'm glad you guys had a good time at breakfast! CP is one of the best breakfast buffets in WDW! (This is my opinion)

Its good to "see" you, Tim. To be honest, this is a challenge for myself, as much as its a contest for anyone else.

Interesting....there are TWO mailboxes at MK from Bridgeport? That's weird. The one in the picture is just outside the main gate, to the left, near the store that's right there. That was a horrible description, but hopefully you know what I mean!

And yet another great update, Tina!

I still cannot believe that you got up that morning (even though you told me there in person!)
I love how Max is having fun with the characters, you could see that at Cape May too!
Now I can finally go on with MY trip report and not spoil your cliffhangers (as if I would have time to do it earlier! )

Have a wonderful Sunday! Are you on Easter break too?

Thanks, Karin. I can't believe I got up, either. What was I thinking? Evening EMHs at MK, in the middle of three straight days of early morning character breakfasts! No wonder I was so tired. Now I remember what the thought behind it all was: I wanted the first park days to start early, so we could ride some things before the crowds got too crazy. I'm planning on taking it much easier this summer, that's for sure. I really can't wait to explore AKL.

I hope you have a great Sunday, too. And yes, we're on break this week. Not doing anything special; just spending some extra time with my favorite boys. Oh, and spring cleaning! I'm determined to organize my house this week, even if it kills me, which it might. I suspect this also means quite a bit more updating this week. I so want to finish this TR just so I can start the PTR for AKL! Have I mentioned how excited I am about this trip?

What are you doing this week?

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Wow, Way to go waking up and getting to your morning ADR at CP on time

Cute pictures of Max with the characters

There must have been Mickey magic flowing through you to keep you from being tired? Looks like a great breakfast I'm so jealous, we were suppose to do the same on our trip, and I ended up cancelling it.