GrammieMame
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- Joined
- Jan 6, 2000
- Messages
- 640
New Group: Me again, with DH , his DS John, DIL Judy, DGD Linda (age 11 and ready for anything); DGS1 Tommy (age 9 and not ready for anything) and DGS2 Matt (age 5 and lover of all characters)
Thursday, April 4: Today is Adventureland day, going to do the other side of MK, taking in the Mountains (Splash & Big Thunder) and other attractions in Adventureland. We were a bit farther back in the line at opening, but still right there, and went directly to Splash Mountain. Everyone rode. I love this ride. I never get tired of all the Song of the South themed scenes going up; theres so much going on that theres always something new to notice. It was all new to the others, though, and they really liked it. The big drop is always fun, and DGD finally got her first thrill. We were all in one car, and got the picture. We didnt get the front seat, but Im all scrunched down, DGD is looking like this is the best thing she every did, DS & DIL have DGS2 so penned in all you can see is his face (no way is he going to fall out of that thing), and DH & DGS1 look like they are having a good time. We went over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and did it with pretty much the same lineup. I got FPs for both rides, since only a few people wanted to do repeats. We went back into Adventureland and everyone but me went up Swiss Family Robinsons Treehouse while I sat in a cool shady place and waited. It was really pleasant to just slow down and watch the people go by. Then we did Jungle Cruise, which was fun for everybody. We had a kind of cynical guide, but he was pretty funny. The line was pretty long, but there was so much stuff to look at along the way we really didnt mind too much. By that time, our FP times were coming around, so the daring-do girls headed back to the mountains. The boys took in Aladdins carpets and the Tiki Birds (I think) while we were gone. DIL was determined to keep her eyes open on this trip, and all three of us got in the front seat. Coming over that ridge and looking down looks way different when you are in front with an unobstructed view. It was really fun, and we liked the picture so much, we got another one (DIL wanted to prove that her eyes were open). Then DGD and I rode Big Thunder Mountain RR, giving our extra FPs away to someone in the line. Boy, they were really happy. Enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
Headed back to join up with the boys; we didnt realize we had been gone so long. Splash Mountain takes a good bit of time, what with the leisurely ride before you get to the thrill part. We stopped and took a break at that point, in the nice shady spot we had found earlier. DH had found some citrus flavored ice cream that tasted really good to me, and there was a store across the way that everyone explored. DS & DIL bought DH & I some tropical print shirts that were really nice. We decided at that point to go back to the hotel. Again, we were fading fast and had plans for that evening that I really didnt want to miss. One thing we missed that I really regretted was the Cinderella Castle show, since its so romantic and traditionally Disney that I knew DGD & DIL would really like it, and it also has enough excitement to keep the men-folk happy.
We rested up for the evening trip back to MK for the Liberty Tree Tavern character dinner. This turned out to be somewhat of a comedy of errors. We were late getting out; & DGS1 got misplaced from the group at the monorail station. DS had to go looking for him, but he turned up safe & sound. Then I thought it would be a good idea to take the RR train instead of the long walk up Main Street, except I took us up the exit ramp instead of the entrance, so we had to backtrack and go to the right gate. Got there just as a train was leaving, so we had about a 15 minute wait. Then DGS2 had to go to the bathroom, so DS took him just as the train arrived. We said we would meet DS at Liberty Tree. When we got down from the train, the crowd was unbelievable just the kind that makes me claustrophobic and want to be out of there. The area around Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain is always congested anyhow, and the park was packed. We made our way to Liberty Tree, but we were about 50 minutes late and I was sure they wouldnt keep the reservation for us. Surprise they let us in anyhow. We were waiting and worrying that DS would never find us we parted company so suddenly I really didnt have time to tell him exactly where it was. But he got there, and we sat down for our 6:30 PS at about 7:20. Everyone really liked this character dinner, though. The food was wonderful, and the kids had a great time with the characters. Again, DGS2 seems to have a natural affinity with these guys, especially Chip and Dale. When Chip came around, the three kids started chanting Chip, Chip, Chip and he (or she) really got into it. Then every time Chip tried to leave the table, the kids would say Good-bye Dale and he would have to come back to the table and straighten them out. Minnie, Goofy & Pluto also came around. We finished our meal just as the Parade was beginning. I had planned to try and be done by that time, and get one of those great viewing spots across from Liberty Tree, but we didnt quite make it. So we took a break between our meal and dessert and stood on the Liberty Tree steps to watch the parade. We had a good view, and everyone thought it was beautiful. Back for desserts, which were spectacular. I had a really huge and moist piece of chocolate cake, DH had some kind of apple and caramel thing, DGD had a huge sundae. I cant really remember all the details, but there wasnt anything bad in front of anyone, and all of them were huge. We caught a few minutes of the fireworks from the front steps. I believe they are much larger and in your face here than they are in front of the Castle. Then made our way out via Adventureland. Main Street was a mob scene, but once we made it out of the gates we got back quickly via monorail.
Thursday, April 4: Today is Adventureland day, going to do the other side of MK, taking in the Mountains (Splash & Big Thunder) and other attractions in Adventureland. We were a bit farther back in the line at opening, but still right there, and went directly to Splash Mountain. Everyone rode. I love this ride. I never get tired of all the Song of the South themed scenes going up; theres so much going on that theres always something new to notice. It was all new to the others, though, and they really liked it. The big drop is always fun, and DGD finally got her first thrill. We were all in one car, and got the picture. We didnt get the front seat, but Im all scrunched down, DGD is looking like this is the best thing she every did, DS & DIL have DGS2 so penned in all you can see is his face (no way is he going to fall out of that thing), and DH & DGS1 look like they are having a good time. We went over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and did it with pretty much the same lineup. I got FPs for both rides, since only a few people wanted to do repeats. We went back into Adventureland and everyone but me went up Swiss Family Robinsons Treehouse while I sat in a cool shady place and waited. It was really pleasant to just slow down and watch the people go by. Then we did Jungle Cruise, which was fun for everybody. We had a kind of cynical guide, but he was pretty funny. The line was pretty long, but there was so much stuff to look at along the way we really didnt mind too much. By that time, our FP times were coming around, so the daring-do girls headed back to the mountains. The boys took in Aladdins carpets and the Tiki Birds (I think) while we were gone. DIL was determined to keep her eyes open on this trip, and all three of us got in the front seat. Coming over that ridge and looking down looks way different when you are in front with an unobstructed view. It was really fun, and we liked the picture so much, we got another one (DIL wanted to prove that her eyes were open). Then DGD and I rode Big Thunder Mountain RR, giving our extra FPs away to someone in the line. Boy, they were really happy. Enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
Headed back to join up with the boys; we didnt realize we had been gone so long. Splash Mountain takes a good bit of time, what with the leisurely ride before you get to the thrill part. We stopped and took a break at that point, in the nice shady spot we had found earlier. DH had found some citrus flavored ice cream that tasted really good to me, and there was a store across the way that everyone explored. DS & DIL bought DH & I some tropical print shirts that were really nice. We decided at that point to go back to the hotel. Again, we were fading fast and had plans for that evening that I really didnt want to miss. One thing we missed that I really regretted was the Cinderella Castle show, since its so romantic and traditionally Disney that I knew DGD & DIL would really like it, and it also has enough excitement to keep the men-folk happy.
We rested up for the evening trip back to MK for the Liberty Tree Tavern character dinner. This turned out to be somewhat of a comedy of errors. We were late getting out; & DGS1 got misplaced from the group at the monorail station. DS had to go looking for him, but he turned up safe & sound. Then I thought it would be a good idea to take the RR train instead of the long walk up Main Street, except I took us up the exit ramp instead of the entrance, so we had to backtrack and go to the right gate. Got there just as a train was leaving, so we had about a 15 minute wait. Then DGS2 had to go to the bathroom, so DS took him just as the train arrived. We said we would meet DS at Liberty Tree. When we got down from the train, the crowd was unbelievable just the kind that makes me claustrophobic and want to be out of there. The area around Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain is always congested anyhow, and the park was packed. We made our way to Liberty Tree, but we were about 50 minutes late and I was sure they wouldnt keep the reservation for us. Surprise they let us in anyhow. We were waiting and worrying that DS would never find us we parted company so suddenly I really didnt have time to tell him exactly where it was. But he got there, and we sat down for our 6:30 PS at about 7:20. Everyone really liked this character dinner, though. The food was wonderful, and the kids had a great time with the characters. Again, DGS2 seems to have a natural affinity with these guys, especially Chip and Dale. When Chip came around, the three kids started chanting Chip, Chip, Chip and he (or she) really got into it. Then every time Chip tried to leave the table, the kids would say Good-bye Dale and he would have to come back to the table and straighten them out. Minnie, Goofy & Pluto also came around. We finished our meal just as the Parade was beginning. I had planned to try and be done by that time, and get one of those great viewing spots across from Liberty Tree, but we didnt quite make it. So we took a break between our meal and dessert and stood on the Liberty Tree steps to watch the parade. We had a good view, and everyone thought it was beautiful. Back for desserts, which were spectacular. I had a really huge and moist piece of chocolate cake, DH had some kind of apple and caramel thing, DGD had a huge sundae. I cant really remember all the details, but there wasnt anything bad in front of anyone, and all of them were huge. We caught a few minutes of the fireworks from the front steps. I believe they are much larger and in your face here than they are in front of the Castle. Then made our way out via Adventureland. Main Street was a mob scene, but once we made it out of the gates we got back quickly via monorail.
