Our WDW Trip - A Blessing in Disguise (new update 6/29/06)

[Yzma and Kronk]

Great TR

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Minnie]

Great TR

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for posting

I sent you a PM about

 

[Minnie]

When I last left you we were leaving the convertible ride with DS’s armed glued down with “the look”. Since DS was glued and all the “must do’s” - come on I know you too have a list of must do’s in a tidy little spreadsheet – you don’t that’s just me – hummm well just don’t tell my family – are done so it’s time for Flower Power!!!

Now DS was too thrilled about this section of the itinerary or so he thought. We first headed to Minnie’s Butterfly house as it was very close to Test Track. This little jewel was one of my favorites of the entire show. Surely my intrepid reader you can guess why???? (Hint – take a look at my Dis name ).

Before entering the house it was flanked by the gorgeous topiaries.

Inside the house we found my favorite little mouse.

After oohing and ahhing over the all the details of the little house we made our way over to the Character Connection area where the dump shop for the F&G Show was located. Come on you have to admit whoever thought that one up must be living high on the hog at this point

My DS’s arm was once more glued down with “the look” as many items were very fragile. My DM found a really cute snowman Mickey picture and I found several statues that I would have loved to purchase but couldn’t figure out quite how to get them home on the airplane without them landing in a gazillion pieces

As we went to exit this area we found these lovely specimens of new Disney stamps entirely made of flowers. My pictures really don’t do justice to how wonderful and intricate these designs really were.

After this my DS and DM found a cool bench near the balloon balls where my DS had a wonderful time playing with the CM while I headed to have his AP validated for entry that day. Okay remember earlier when I said to be careful about making sure that your AP allows you entry??? This is because if they only buzz you through those passes will not allow you the magical ticket know as fast pass. Thankfully the CM at Test Track allowed a plus one on my ticket for DS but did tell us to have it validated for future use so I took this advice and headed for Guest Relations

Now I have to say that Epcot must have been sprayed with a liberal coating of vanishing powder that day as finding that little building was nearly impossible. After much guidance I finally entered the building to find the line from you know where. I debated between waiting in the line and taking our chances with the CMs at entry and decided to wait. This would end up being a dumb move as we never grabbed another stinking fast pass that entire day

After waiting behind Tom, Dick, Harry, Sally, and, and, and, that must have been in the park that day the CM swiped my DS’s AP and I went back to find my family. The wind had picked up and the only way through to them was blocked by the fountains that were spraying the area in water. As I am not one to enjoy being doused (yes I wear a poncho on water rides – deal with it) I headed around the other way and found this wonderful topiary that played the theme song to Cinderella and turned like a music box. Absolutely charming!

As our ADR time was approaching we headed towards the World Showcase. Along the way I snapped several wonderful topiaries.

Since our ADR was in Italy at Alfredo’s we took the boat across the lake. On our way a young foreigner asked if I would snap his picture in front of his “home” country. I gladly obliged and then we headed off for lunch. I won’t due a real review here as I did one earlier for the restaurant board “Alfredo’s a Mother’s Day review”. I will say that it was the worst meal I’ve ever had in WDW and advice a quick trip to anywhere even crappy old McDonalds to avoid this joint. If this is what they call Italian I can happily have American Alfredo the rest of my life

With our stomachs not filled yet feeling kind of nauseous we headed off to walk through the counties in Epcot as we have never spent much time in this area. I have to say it is probably my least favorite section of WDW. The buildings outside and the landscaping was interesting but the rest just wasn’t our cup of tea. We did ride Maelstrom in Norway upon which I had to agree with ZZUB – this is a Fastpass????????

After this lovely ride (not) we were so hot and miserable that we decided to exit the park as a full afternoon just wasn’t happening here. The one thing I totally forgot to grab was pastries from France but oh well something for the next trip

Now remember when I said earlier that we were in a “close location” well that would be the joke of the afternoon. I had earlier sent my “new car” up to the front so my DS and I walked over there to pick it up. I though my DM was headed for the car but apparently we had a communication error and we missed each other

After what felt like hours searching that scorching parking lot I called DM’s cell phone. She was still waiting on us but would join us shortly. She easily found the car but we were no where to be found. That is because DS and I couldn’t find the darn car. I always laugh at the digital pictures of people parking spaces but now I finally understood. Eventually my DM found us and thankfully the car was like an icebox by this time as DS and I were close to collapsing. I’ve always crabbed about the busses but no more. We headed back to the resort for quick showers and air conditioning to try to find a way to enjoy the rest of our only full day in WDW

Once again fellow WDW lovers I will have to leave without finishing the day. I will hopefully get “Where oh where can we eat?, Paradise found, and Escaping the Yeti” up soon.

Thanks for reading and posting!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Minnie]

When I last left you we had finally located the “disappearing car” and had collapsed in our room due to the heat exhaustion

I rejoin you as we try to determine what next. Our plans previous to this had been to continue wondering through the rest of the countries in Epcot but at this point the last thing any of us wanted to do was to go back to the park. Our feet and bodies were just at the point of having enough. Instead we decided that a little shopping in the air conditioning was in order as we had promised DS that he could choose something and I had a few items I still wanted to purchase.

We drove to the marketplace once again disappointing DS by not using the busses. I considered it but after last year’s DTD bus issues we weren’t going to take the chance. This would end up being a major pixie dust moment as we found an upfront parking space that was just vacated

We walked into DTD at the Lego shop, which had new updates since our last visit. My DS instantly forgot his Mission Space ride vehicle upon seeing his favorite store. Now yes I know that Lego’s are available everywhere but the one he fell for was on sale, very reasonably priced, and we’d never seen it before. It also had much better value for the price considering the ride vehicle that he wanted previously that would just be another dust catcher on his packed shelf at home.

After I typed that last sentence I really had to laugh. We recently did a toy room clean up and he has a huge Rubbermaid container that is packed with Lego’s so it’s not exactly like he needed another but oh well

After he selected his Lego’s we headed to my favorite store the World of Disney. My DM had pointed out a Minnie apron on our first evening so I wanted to pick that up for her since it was Mother’s Day (gifts weren’t supposed to be purchased as this trip was our gift to each other but I still wanted to get something and this worked well). I had it in my arms when she walked up behind me (surely you’ve all been in those circumstances). I quickly walked into the next room and paid so I could tuck it safely into a sack

I then headed to my favorite store – the jewelry department – because I couldn’t leave WDW without a new link for my bracelet and earnings and okay let’s just stop there. My DM walked up during my purchases and I pointed out another link that I was considering but didn’t purchase. (These are the “real” links so I only purchase one or two each time.) My DS caught my attention so I wondered out with him. I wouldn’t know it until later but my DM being the wonderful woman that she is purchased that link for me. Love you mom!!!!!!!!! I added a few more things to my purchase list including a grumpy hat for my DF and we headed out of DTD.

Our next issue was where to eat. We had an ADR at Rose & Crown to try to watch Illuminations but my DM said she wasn’t up to walking around Epcot again so that was out. I called Disney Dining to cancel that ADR and try to snag another but all the places that interested us was booked solid (it was Mother’s Day after all). We decided we wanted to see the improvement to the Roaring Forks at the WL so we pulled in and were given the “welcome home” that we love so well at the ranger station and parked. This time we made careful consideration of where we parked as somehow the rental company had included a dang invisibility cloak on this particular model

We walked up to the WCC and were told it would be 60-90 minute wait. We grabbed a pager and walked around deciding whether to wait or not. The pagers are a very nice new edition that allowed us to roam very easily into different areas.

We checked out the new Roaring Forks (nice changes were made but I still think that during busy times the area is much too small). We then headed to the gift shop. On the way in we patted “Humphrey’s nose” and I found a wonderful purchase. My Nike swimsuit had been stolen at the Y previous to our trip so I had my eye out for a new one. I found a great black with white trim Mickey tankini with the Mickey heads just barely noticeable. It was a great price and with the special I ended up getting a “free” WDW beach bag. Now how can you beat that?????? As I was completing this purchase the magic of Humphrey’s nose rubbed off on us and our pager went off.

We were seated quickly and at the WCC and had a wonderful meal. I won’t go into what we had as I did a restaurant review earlier “A picky eaters dining reviews”. I will say our waitress was extremely nice and my DM selected an inside seat to avoid the “salad drop” that occurred on our last trip.

Okay I said I wouldn’t write about the WCC but this is worth repeating. The “famous” Bobby the Kid dropped a try full of salads last summer on my DM birthday, which ended up totally covering her in salad. It’s funny now but that is never a way one wants to “enjoy” their birthday. Believe it or not we actually paid for that meal

After our great meal we wondered out on the pool area of the WL to enjoy the atmosphere. As the pool area was largely deserted we were able to watch the water parade on a nearly deserted beach area. As we enjoyed soaking up “our home” and we heard words that had my family shaking their heads – the Magic Kingdom was open for EMH!!!!!!!!!

I planned to ride the boat to the MK after hearing this to at least see the castle but my DM surprised me saying that she too would like to go. (Go Mom!!!!!!!) My DS was of course willing to head to the park so we left “our home” and headed for the MK

Next time – Is the MK really open????????? Will they let us in????????

 

[Minnie]

We headed out to our rental car which for once failed to slip into its disappearing cover before we made it outside so we were quickly on our way. I’ve since found out that we could have valet parked with our DDE for free but oh well….

Anyways we headed for the MK. This was our first time ever driving to MK so we were very surprised at what we found. First off there was no traffic on the way in. Kind of spooky really as we parked very close to the entrance of TTC. We then took a quick monorail to the MK with a several others to make sure that the MK was really open for EMH. We arrived and yes the MK was open!!!

Now came the dreaded thought. We hadn’t considered this earlier as our dogs were barking so we didn’t grab DS’s room key. For EMH all people in the party must have their room key so I was worried. No problems though as we simply flashed our APs and room passes and walked right by the CM and was easily given the bracelets.

We walked through the shops to avoid the crowds exiting the park and was able to watch the castle turn colors. I don’t know about the rest of you but seeing the castle to me means I’m really in WDW. Silly yeah but it just feels right.

We wondered off to Buzz Lightyear which is my DS’s favorite to grab Fast passes. To our surprise there was no wait at all and we were shooting our way through the galaxy in under 5 minutes! Wow!!!!! We decided to give it one more spin and marveled at the lack of wait. My DS then wanted to go on the “people mover” so we went on a relaxing ride through future world. This would end up being our downfall though as it relaxed us to the point that we were done in. We decided to pack it in and head for the Pop.

The way out was more crowded for sure than the way in and the monorail was packed. We managed to get on the 2nd one that came though so not too bad. By this time we were exhausted so we headed our room. The next morning it was EMH day at the AK and I was determined to face the Yeti before leaving “our happy place”.

 

[missmun52]

great installment!! Reading this report just makes me more excited to go to disney.

 

[tinknme]

Look forward to reading more!