Day 4 - AK / Epcot / Honey, I need a Cider
Cast:
PoohFanKC, 39, dad and husband (me);
DW, 39, lets me do the planning, but has veto power;
DD, 11;
DS, 9;
DS, 7.
Dates: June 1 - June 8, 2002
Resort: Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings)
Trip: Second trip for all of us, first was in 2000.
Starting the morning with a trip to the Food Court, this time getting some croissant and muffins from the bakery - yummy!
Since last night when we told the kids we were headed to AK, the kids could talk about little other than the Kali River Rapids. Last trip we had (foolishly) experienced this attraction early in the day and subsequently walked around in wet shorts for the rest of the day. This time we told the kids that we would do Kali later in the day, just before heading back to the resort. Besides, it would be hot by then and we would want to get drenched.
We were in line at AK at rope drop and joined the African stampede toward Kilimanjaro Safaris (remember the wildebeest herd in Lion King? - no surprise that Mufasa was trampled to death). We went standby (ten minutes). Most of the animals were awake and out, except we received a lecture about the evolution of the land in the Savannah as there was NO wildlife in sight in this area. Lots of photo opportunities throughout. The hippos were particularly active, bringing to mind and lips the description we had heard on the Jungle Cruise a few days ago- The hippo weighs 5,000 pounds and can jump up to 25 feet in the air. Isnt that amazing? [See trip report Part 2 for details].
SPOILER ALERT - Little Red was saved and the poachers were captured. SPOILER OVER.
We toured both trails and then headed to the first show of Tarzan Rocks! (a very visually stimulating and active show and one of DW and my favorites). We rode Dinosaur (FP) (bumpy but fun), did the Cretaceous Trail, shopped a bit, tried a few carnival games in Hester and Chesters (lost), Kali River Rapids (FP) (DW and I wore ponchos - looked silly, but stayed relatively dry while the kids bragged about getting wet), caught Its Tough to be a Bug (FP) (still a very fun show), went back for Primeval Whirl (FP) (OK, but not worth a long wait), and finally saw Festival of the Lion King (I had heard good things about this show and insisted on going - we all really liked it). We left AK by about 2:30, which was, like every other day, a little later than originally planned .
Weeks before the trip, DW had started a running joke about *meeting* Tarzan. Therefore, I asked a CM near the Character Meet area if there was an opportunity for a private candlelight dinner with Tarzan. I suggested that DW would be happy to experience that particular Character Meal. We left him laughing.
I enjoyed Tarzan Rocks! more this time because I wasnt trying to capture it all on video. We left the video camera at home - on purpose. We figured that taking lots of pictures (about ten rolls if you count the kids disposable cameras) would more than capture our visual vacation memories. We just got the pictures back last night. They prove that I am not a professional, but are passable for the album we will make this weekend commemorating the trip. There are enough close ups of Tarzan to keep DW happy and my picture with Snow White turned out nicely. And we have some with the kids in them, too!
After a late lunch in the room and a swim at the pool, we headed to Epcot for World Showcase. On our prior trip, we had shorted the World Showcase, focusing mainly on getting passports stamped and moving on since the kids were younger and not that interested. This trip we planned on much more time in the countries. We arrived after the first Tapestry parade (yes, later than planned) so we planned to catch the second parade. We caught the boat to Morrocco, and started touring clockwise from there. The pace of our tour was changing. We had arrived after many of the street performers were done and looked forward to a relaxed evening of global travel, Epcot style. We didnt even take the camera with us, which turned out to be a mistake. In Morocco, we started the 2002 Epcot World Showcase Smashed Penny Collection. This is about the cheapest souvenir we could find and the kids liked looking around the shops trying to find the machines. We nabbed Japan and Morocco in the Morocco machine - I felt like Sid in Toy Story, Alright! Double prizes! We toured Morocco, just missed a meet with Alladin, and went to France. The live statute was emerging from her break and took her place on her pedestal. People began lining up for pictures and the antics began. I figure anyone who stands in front of her gives their consent to whatever actions she takes. It started with bunny ears over one couple (that always makes a nice picture) and progressed from there. She was very entertaining. After watching her for a while we toured France. The smashed penny for France was obtained. As we worked our way out of France, we emerged into an empty courtyard - empty other than Belle, Beast and their guide CM. Did I mention that it was a mistake to not bring our camera tonight? DS7 went up for hugs and received a lot of attention. DD and DS9 werent interested - No, I cant explain it either. I think that the characters probably find it refreshing not to have to sign autographs and pose for pictures with everyone. At least thats how I rationalized not having the camera with me.
On to the United Kingdom. We had the good fortune five years ago to spend a month in England as a family and looked forward to reliving the experience in a minor way at Epcot. I headed for the Rose & Crown counter service area for fish & chips, ale and cider. I first drank hard cider while in England and am always happy to re-experience that aspect of our trip there. Besides, DW needed an Ale and I NEEDED a cider. We shared the fish and chips with the kids. We planned on consuming our English fare curbside while watching the parade. I did not realize (largely because I had not taken a look at the park map and Time Schedule) that the Tapestry of Dreams parade didn't come through the UK. I know that we watched this parade's predecessor from France in 2000. Well, we could hear and see the parade in the distance across the lake, but we hardly had a front row view. A second oops for the night, but we would be back to Epcot later. I was determined to see Tapestry, which I really enjoyed in its previous version in 2000. We continued the reminiscence tour of the UK, nabbed two UK smashed pennies and headed out.
BRIEF DETOUR - Here is as good a place as any since it has an UK connection. I had forgotten to include in our Day 2 Trip Report that while in MK we also enjoyed the Diamond Horseshoe Review , the show is fun and the air conditioning is great. For some reason I had thought this was later in the trip, but when I got the pictures back last night, there was one picture that set things straight. The picture was of a young boy named James from Puddletown, UK. He had been called up on the stage by the magician to act as his assistant during the show. James was quite charming and the magician really knew how to adjust his show to the assistant. I noticed near the end of James fifteen minutes of fame that his family, although enjoying the show, was not taking any pictures. I had time to snap one before James exit and after the show, I found James parents and offered my business card. I told his mum that I had taken a picture of James and if she emailed me her address that I would send it to her. To make this long detour even longer, we have been in email contact and I am mailing the photograph today. If we did any Disney Magic on our trip, this was it. I just wish now that I had thought to take a few more pictures earlier in the show.
Now, back to the regularly scheduled Trip Report-
We were tired and DD was getting a cold, so we headed back to POR for the night. Once again, we walked out via Ice Station Cool, walked out during Illuminations and caught the first bus back to the resort. For some reason, DD9 really wanted to return to the resort early enough to hear the Disney Radio bedtime stories. He would skip fireworks, etc... just for these. Tonight we were back early enough and we listened to two different stories. It is surprising what clicks with each child. My trip to Fultons General Store for childrens cold medicine for DD and the food court for drink refills ended the evening. The Dixie Landings mugs were noticed by another guest in the short line at Fultons. After three days of fairly intense theme park touring, we were looking forward to sleeping in, treating DDs cold and having a relaxing day outside of the theme parks.
Best Experience of the Day: for the kids - Kali; for DW - Tarzan; for me - a cold pint of hard cider.
Worst Experience of the Day: Missing Tapestry of Dreams for the second time.
Next Report - Day 5 - Disney Quest / Planet Hollywood / Fantasia Gardens / "Honey, I thought this was supposed to be the relaxing day"
Cast:
PoohFanKC, 39, dad and husband (me);
DW, 39, lets me do the planning, but has veto power;
DD, 11;
DS, 9;
DS, 7.
Dates: June 1 - June 8, 2002
Resort: Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings)
Trip: Second trip for all of us, first was in 2000.
Starting the morning with a trip to the Food Court, this time getting some croissant and muffins from the bakery - yummy!
Since last night when we told the kids we were headed to AK, the kids could talk about little other than the Kali River Rapids. Last trip we had (foolishly) experienced this attraction early in the day and subsequently walked around in wet shorts for the rest of the day. This time we told the kids that we would do Kali later in the day, just before heading back to the resort. Besides, it would be hot by then and we would want to get drenched.
We were in line at AK at rope drop and joined the African stampede toward Kilimanjaro Safaris (remember the wildebeest herd in Lion King? - no surprise that Mufasa was trampled to death). We went standby (ten minutes). Most of the animals were awake and out, except we received a lecture about the evolution of the land in the Savannah as there was NO wildlife in sight in this area. Lots of photo opportunities throughout. The hippos were particularly active, bringing to mind and lips the description we had heard on the Jungle Cruise a few days ago- The hippo weighs 5,000 pounds and can jump up to 25 feet in the air. Isnt that amazing? [See trip report Part 2 for details].
SPOILER ALERT - Little Red was saved and the poachers were captured. SPOILER OVER.
We toured both trails and then headed to the first show of Tarzan Rocks! (a very visually stimulating and active show and one of DW and my favorites). We rode Dinosaur (FP) (bumpy but fun), did the Cretaceous Trail, shopped a bit, tried a few carnival games in Hester and Chesters (lost), Kali River Rapids (FP) (DW and I wore ponchos - looked silly, but stayed relatively dry while the kids bragged about getting wet), caught Its Tough to be a Bug (FP) (still a very fun show), went back for Primeval Whirl (FP) (OK, but not worth a long wait), and finally saw Festival of the Lion King (I had heard good things about this show and insisted on going - we all really liked it). We left AK by about 2:30, which was, like every other day, a little later than originally planned .
Weeks before the trip, DW had started a running joke about *meeting* Tarzan. Therefore, I asked a CM near the Character Meet area if there was an opportunity for a private candlelight dinner with Tarzan. I suggested that DW would be happy to experience that particular Character Meal. We left him laughing.
I enjoyed Tarzan Rocks! more this time because I wasnt trying to capture it all on video. We left the video camera at home - on purpose. We figured that taking lots of pictures (about ten rolls if you count the kids disposable cameras) would more than capture our visual vacation memories. We just got the pictures back last night. They prove that I am not a professional, but are passable for the album we will make this weekend commemorating the trip. There are enough close ups of Tarzan to keep DW happy and my picture with Snow White turned out nicely. And we have some with the kids in them, too!
After a late lunch in the room and a swim at the pool, we headed to Epcot for World Showcase. On our prior trip, we had shorted the World Showcase, focusing mainly on getting passports stamped and moving on since the kids were younger and not that interested. This trip we planned on much more time in the countries. We arrived after the first Tapestry parade (yes, later than planned) so we planned to catch the second parade. We caught the boat to Morrocco, and started touring clockwise from there. The pace of our tour was changing. We had arrived after many of the street performers were done and looked forward to a relaxed evening of global travel, Epcot style. We didnt even take the camera with us, which turned out to be a mistake. In Morocco, we started the 2002 Epcot World Showcase Smashed Penny Collection. This is about the cheapest souvenir we could find and the kids liked looking around the shops trying to find the machines. We nabbed Japan and Morocco in the Morocco machine - I felt like Sid in Toy Story, Alright! Double prizes! We toured Morocco, just missed a meet with Alladin, and went to France. The live statute was emerging from her break and took her place on her pedestal. People began lining up for pictures and the antics began. I figure anyone who stands in front of her gives their consent to whatever actions she takes. It started with bunny ears over one couple (that always makes a nice picture) and progressed from there. She was very entertaining. After watching her for a while we toured France. The smashed penny for France was obtained. As we worked our way out of France, we emerged into an empty courtyard - empty other than Belle, Beast and their guide CM. Did I mention that it was a mistake to not bring our camera tonight? DS7 went up for hugs and received a lot of attention. DD and DS9 werent interested - No, I cant explain it either. I think that the characters probably find it refreshing not to have to sign autographs and pose for pictures with everyone. At least thats how I rationalized not having the camera with me.
On to the United Kingdom. We had the good fortune five years ago to spend a month in England as a family and looked forward to reliving the experience in a minor way at Epcot. I headed for the Rose & Crown counter service area for fish & chips, ale and cider. I first drank hard cider while in England and am always happy to re-experience that aspect of our trip there. Besides, DW needed an Ale and I NEEDED a cider. We shared the fish and chips with the kids. We planned on consuming our English fare curbside while watching the parade. I did not realize (largely because I had not taken a look at the park map and Time Schedule) that the Tapestry of Dreams parade didn't come through the UK. I know that we watched this parade's predecessor from France in 2000. Well, we could hear and see the parade in the distance across the lake, but we hardly had a front row view. A second oops for the night, but we would be back to Epcot later. I was determined to see Tapestry, which I really enjoyed in its previous version in 2000. We continued the reminiscence tour of the UK, nabbed two UK smashed pennies and headed out.
BRIEF DETOUR - Here is as good a place as any since it has an UK connection. I had forgotten to include in our Day 2 Trip Report that while in MK we also enjoyed the Diamond Horseshoe Review , the show is fun and the air conditioning is great. For some reason I had thought this was later in the trip, but when I got the pictures back last night, there was one picture that set things straight. The picture was of a young boy named James from Puddletown, UK. He had been called up on the stage by the magician to act as his assistant during the show. James was quite charming and the magician really knew how to adjust his show to the assistant. I noticed near the end of James fifteen minutes of fame that his family, although enjoying the show, was not taking any pictures. I had time to snap one before James exit and after the show, I found James parents and offered my business card. I told his mum that I had taken a picture of James and if she emailed me her address that I would send it to her. To make this long detour even longer, we have been in email contact and I am mailing the photograph today. If we did any Disney Magic on our trip, this was it. I just wish now that I had thought to take a few more pictures earlier in the show.
Now, back to the regularly scheduled Trip Report-
We were tired and DD was getting a cold, so we headed back to POR for the night. Once again, we walked out via Ice Station Cool, walked out during Illuminations and caught the first bus back to the resort. For some reason, DD9 really wanted to return to the resort early enough to hear the Disney Radio bedtime stories. He would skip fireworks, etc... just for these. Tonight we were back early enough and we listened to two different stories. It is surprising what clicks with each child. My trip to Fultons General Store for childrens cold medicine for DD and the food court for drink refills ended the evening. The Dixie Landings mugs were noticed by another guest in the short line at Fultons. After three days of fairly intense theme park touring, we were looking forward to sleeping in, treating DDs cold and having a relaxing day outside of the theme parks.
Best Experience of the Day: for the kids - Kali; for DW - Tarzan; for me - a cold pint of hard cider.
Worst Experience of the Day: Missing Tapestry of Dreams for the second time.
Next Report - Day 5 - Disney Quest / Planet Hollywood / Fantasia Gardens / "Honey, I thought this was supposed to be the relaxing day"
! We missed the Lion King show when we were there but I hope it is around long enough to catch next time. I just loved the world showcase in the evening. It is so magical 
