Ridin' those rides and Trekking thru Africa, a Solo TR! FINAL UPDATE 10/28

[aprilisis]

Great photos!!! And OMG- your nails look so healthy! How do you keep them so nice? I always try, but end up breaking them.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Great photos!!! And OMG- your nails look so healthy! How do you keep them so nice? I always try, but end up breaking them.

Thanks, I actually noticed how good my nails looked in that Fastpass pic and was wondering if someone was going to comment on them! To be honest, they have always been that way. They are very thick and don't break easily. I can literally bend them in half and they don't break at all. I guess I'm just lucky! I can say I hardly ever wear nail polish, though I used to a lot as a teenager. And I've never gotten them done professionally. Never had acryllics or fake nails of any kind.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

So, no WDW this weekend. My friend Steve definitely has off all weekend, so I'm spending it catching up with him! I actually changed my flight so I'm flying down there this evening, then I'm be flying back up here Sunday evening. I can't wait! I'm seriously so very happy that I'm going to see him again, and can't wait. And I'm going to be able to help him with some things while I'm down there to make his life easier, which makes it even better. The divorce is great for him, but he is going thru a lot. A week after they separated he lost his job. He has, for the last 4+ years, run his own company as a side job and has been trying to turn it into his only job for the last few months. It's slowly coming along, but he is having set-backs that are stressing him out and making it harder on him. So I know this weekend having off and being able to just relax and catch up will really help him too.

And I realized I never posted a reason I've been having so much stress lately. My assistant quit the second week of May (it was a mess of a quitting too!), so I'm working 7 days a week now running the company, and also working as a sitter to pick up the slack. We hired one new sitter, but it takes a while before they can handle the full load so she is being slowly brought up to full time. I like the extra money, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I want to rip out my hair as I have no free time at all to even breathe! So having this weekend off is great for me too.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend! Mine was fantastic! I had a perfect weekend in Florida, and now I'm stuck back here in MD, at work

I just realized that I don't have the pictures from Day 2 uploaded to Photobucket yet, so I have to do that tonight before I can write the next installment. If I have time I'll put up the first Epcot day installment tonight, and if not it will go up tomorrow.

Have a great day all!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Glad to hear that you made it to Florida, had a good time and are back home safe and sound.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH, PART 1


I woke up early, around 6:30am I believe, and took a shower. After I got my stuff together for the day I went down to Everything POP to get some coffee in my resort mug.

That is the last time that mug looked so pretty. As I was walking to the EPCOT bus stop a little kid ran into me, making me drop my mug and the lid shattered to pieces. I got another lid the next day, but didn't have any coffee to start my day. And as I got in line I realized I forgot my breakfast bar. Not a good start to the day, but oh well, I was heading to EPCOT!

I didn't have to wait long for the bus to arrive.

I don't have my journal in front of me, but I think it took 15 minutes or less until we pulled into EPCOT. I quickly made it to the gate and thru bag check, and took some pictures while waiting to be let further in.

As would continue thru the week, we were let in early, I think about 8:50am, which was 10 minutes early. Where did I head to first?

Along with almost everyone else! Thankfully since I was alone I could walk fast and not have to wait for anyone to keep up, so I got in really close to the front of the group.

I got a Fastpass to use for later (which I never got to use) and then got in line. That que line takes forever to get thru, especially when there is almost no one in front of you so you walk straight thru to the ride.

That last picture is ALL of the people that were in front of me, total. No one had gotten to ride yet. We all had to wait there for a few minutes as the ride wasn't ready yet, since it still wasn't even 9am at that point. After a bit though I got let in with the first group and took my spot and watched the pre-flight info!

AND....nothing. The girl who let me in screwed up so there was one too many people in my row. So I had to wait until the next time to ride. But I managed to get to the first row for that time instead, which made me happy.

After my flight over California I was starving, so I went next door to Sunshine Seasons to get the breakfast platter, which I get every trip.

It is really yummy and I felt much better after eating. But now, what did I want to do next?



CONTINUED IN NEXT POST




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[PhoenixStrength]

Glad to hear that you made it to Florida, had a good time and are back home safe and sound.

I had a FANTASTIC time! I wish very much I was still there. I got to spend the entire time with Steve and it was great to just relax since I've been working every day straight for over a month, and he has been too. And it's wonderful to have a friend that you haven't seen in person in 5 years, but it's like you just saw them yesterday when you see them again. I'm already planning on going back down for another weekend this fall, probably October. Not waiting another 5 years to see each other again.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH, PART 2


Since I was already in The Land, I figured Living With the Land should be next. And since the wait was non-existant, I got right on.

The CMs at the beginning of the line thought I was hilarious for taking that picture of the Wait Time. I was soon sitting in my boat and starting my ride.

Then we were out in the greenhouse area.

Then the animals they breed for consumption.

And then the herbs and other foods.

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST



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[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH, PART 3

More pictures from Living With the Land

After I finished with Living With the Land I decided to head over to Test Track to ride that.

I got in the Single Rider Line and took some pictures as I wound thru.

I had almost no wait, I think there were maybe 2 people in front of me in the Single Rider Line, so I got on very quickly.

I got a picture of myself taking a picture in one of the mirrors before we went outside.

I was trying to look bored, but I didn't pull it off well.

I got a couple of pictures on my way out of the building, then started heading toward my next attraction, which would be (sort of) a first!

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST, HOW DID I SURVIVE THIS????




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[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH, PART 4


My next stop was Mission: Space

I have ridden Mission: Space a few times before, but always on the Green side, never Orange team. I decided this time to try Orange.

I'm not afraid of any ride, but reading this flyer almost made me chicken out!

I was soon watching Gary Sinise in the pre-launch video.

And then on the ride before I could chicken out!

I had no problems though, until I got off. No, not sickness. We were all escorted off the simulators by CMs and back out of the building thru the entrance line, which was now completely empty. I never found out exactly what happened, but apparently something happened on the Green side and they shut the ride down for a couple of hours. Good thing that happened without me knowing, or I wouldn't have rode it!

I decided to head toward the World Showcase then, since it was almost 11am, opening time!

I started out in Mexico. It wasn't open yet, so I waited at the top of the stairs at the ropes, one of the first people there. They soon came out to start the opening ceremony.

NEXT TIME: FUN WITH DONALD AND THE BOYS, AND A TROLL!


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[mickeystoontown]

I can't believe the wait times for the major EPCOT attractions. They are practically nothing!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I can't believe the wait times for the major EPCOT attractions. They are practically nothing!

I know! The beginning of the week was wonderful for low wait times for me. Good thing about visiting in February.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH, PART 5


At exactly 11am they opened the Mexico pavillion, and in I went. I went right to the Gran Fiesta Tour, and got on the first boat.

I walked around inside the pavillion for a bit, and bought myself one of those coins from around the world packs that have a coin from each of the countries. I also got myself a pressed pennies book here because I have a TON of them, and didn't have a book to put them in!

I was starting to get hungry when I walked out, so I went right across to La Cantina De San Angel for lunch.

I got the chicken soft tacos with nachos, and churros for dessert. They were all delicious. The only issue I had was that they did not tell you the chicken was spicy on the menu, and it was very spicy to me. I went thru several drinks eating them, but they were delicious.

I was SURROUNDED by birds the whole meal, so I got a ton of pics of them hoping for scraps.

Once I finished eating I got one more picture of Mexico, and then headed to Norway.

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

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[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH, PART 6


I headed to Norway next to ride something I never had before, Maelstrom. I don't remember why I didn't ride it the last time I was there, but I think it was broke down. I got a few Norway pics in first...

...then on to Maelstrom! It had a short wait, maybe 7 minutes? I got some pictures in line, but none on the ride itself.

Once I got done with the ride I wandered around the shop for a bit, but didn't buy anything. I did get a picture of the troll though!

I got a few more pictures in Norway before heading to China.

I stopped in the store in China to pick up some dragon statues for my brother-in-law, since he collects them. No pics of them though, sorry!


A couple pictures as I walked over to Germany next.

NEXT TIME: GERMANY!

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[mickeystoontown]

Loving your trip around World Showcase! Your pictures, even inside, are fantastic!

 

[aprilisis]

I'm loving your EPCOT photos! It has only been since May, but I am in full-on WDW withdrawal. Your photos help.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Loving your trip around World Showcase! Your pictures, even inside, are fantastic!

Thanks! I love my camera

I'm loving your EPCOT photos! It has only been since May, but I am in full-on WDW withdrawal. Your photos help.

Me too, and I have no trips planned right now.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I feel so bad that I've been away for over a month and a half from my own thread, again! I've had a ton of crazy stuff happen in real life, but it's slowing down and I should be back to finish this finally!

Real life: It was summer (still is, but keep reading). That is the busiest time of the year for us at work, so I've been working 12-18 hours a day, 7 days a week, since May. Doesn't leave a lot of time for doing updates. Now that school is back in session (well, it starts tomorrow here) it is slowing down so I'll be doing 10-12 hours a day instead, 6 days a week-ish, instead. Not as good for my paycheck, but better for me being able to sleep at least.

Be back shortly with an update!

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[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH, PART 7

So, I had just left Norway and was heading into Germany. As I walked into Germany I saw a familiar face:

She had a LONG line waiting for her, so I took a pic as I walked by and kept going. I walked around Germany for a bit and got some pictures.

I bought my father a mug in one of the shops (he's German!), but didn't get a picture of that either (I was really bad at taking pictures of the souvenirs I bought).


Italy was next:

And a picture of Spaceship Earth from across the water.

I walked through American Adventure, since there's not much to see there, but I did get 2 pictures.

And then it was Japan! I LOVE the Japanese pavillion. It's so beautiful, and it has my favorite souvenir, the Pick-A-Pearl.

I went into the main store in Japan to do the Pick-A-Pearl. I had bought 5 cages off the internet late last year. I got 2 for me, 1 for each of my sisters and 1 for my mother. I wanted to get pearls for each of them, so I paid for 5 of them and waited in line for my turn. It was a busy afternoon there, so I had 5 or 6 people ahead of me. I got a picture of the tank while waiting.

After about 10 minutes it was my turn. I wound up getting a few of the oysters in the center of that picture, and 2 from the tank on the other side. I did take pictures of the pearls I got, but I can't find them anywhere, so I'm going to have to come back later and post them once I do find them. I can say I got 2 BIG silver pearls, 1 gold, 1 slightly pink, and 1 white. They will all very nice pearls, and they made a huge deal out of it, as they do with everyone. When I was done I had several people come up to me as I was leaving asking how I picked the oysters so they could get the other colors too. I just told them the trick I learned on here, that you pick the ugliest, hairiest one. It worked for me!



I took a couple more pictures in Japan before heading to Morocco.

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST


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[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, MONDAY FEBRUARY 13TH, PART 8

After finishing in Japan and Morocco I headed into the next pavillion, France. I was soon attacked by a crazy Beast!!

Okay, so he was quite cordial, but was going to a break so I just got a picture of him and then walked around France for a bit.

I headed across the little bridge to England next, where I, what else, took some pictures!

I took pictures across the lagoon of the other countries. First up, Mexico.

Norway

China

African Outpost

Germany

And Italy

I got a quick picture of the pretty sky (and palm trees!), then headed to Canada.

I went down to see the movie, but had just missed the showing. I was starting to feel off, not really sick but not right, so I just got some pictureS of the waterfall and left.

I walked around the garden for a while too.

CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST


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