The cast:
Paul, 37 years young - a fully paid-up Disneyaholic
Helen, younger in years and looks - the most organised member of the family
Ryan, 5 months old - a Disney fan in the making
Today is Columbus Day, a national holiday in the US, so we are expecting everywhere to be pretty busy and wont be trying to do very much in the parks. Instead we decide to pool hop to the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge and then nip over to the MK for a few hours later on.
We loaded up the car with everything we were likely to need and then headed off mid-morning. Before hitting the pool we thought it would be nice to look around the nature trail with Ryan as he is fascinated by trees and bushes. However, the weather has turned particularly hot and humid so before very long we had turned round and started thinking about that relaxing dip. The main pool was a little busy so instead we went on to the quiet pool by the villas. This really is a lovely little area with a gentle soundtrack of light music that doesnt intrude on the overall peace and quiet. We took it in turns to swim with Ryan, and then grabbed a quick bite to eat from Roaring Forks chicken wrap and cookie to share.
Around 2.30pm we decided to pack up our swimming gear and head over to the MK, so wandered round to the boat dock to find a launch just ready to leave excellent timing on our part. By 2.50pm we were inside the park and managed to see the afternoon parade once again. We picked up FPs for the Haunted Mansion and Helen then sat and fed Ryan whilst I grabbed some drinks. This took longer than it should have as the iced lemonade machine broke down just as I reached the front of the queue! On the positive side by the time we finally got our drinks it was time to return to the HM.
We picked up some Winnie the Pooh Fast passes for later and headed towards Timekeeper newly re-opened due to the alteration of Alien Encounter. Getting hungry again so we picked up fish pieces for Helen from Columbia Harbour House and I got a chicken wrap from Peco Bills. Helen then took Ryan to the baby care centre for another feed and I nipped off for a quick ride on the Carousel of Progress. We had decided not to do Pooh again today so I found a Mum and her young daughter joining the back of the standby queue and gave her our FPs she was very appreciative of bypassing the 45 minute line.
We all met up again at the Plaza Pavilion just in time for the fireworks. This is a pretty good viewing location if you can get seats near the front and we managed to see Tinker Bell fly directly over our heads, too. We left the MK and headed for the WL resort boats and at that moment the skies began to open. Luckily we were under cover but the queue was so long that the rear section was in the open air and some people got pretty soaked. We managed to get on the second boat that came along and by the time we reached the WL the rain had passed on by.
We headed back to the room at this point and got ready for bed; although just before turning in I heard music coming from MGM. Stepping out onto the balcony I could see fireworks at the Studios and even hear the commentary they were running a special Sorcery in the Sky for the holiday. I grabbed the video camera and managed to tape the whole thing definitely a case of being at the right place and time.
Day 14, Epcot for the day
Paul, 37 years young - a fully paid-up Disneyaholic
Helen, younger in years and looks - the most organised member of the family
Ryan, 5 months old - a Disney fan in the making
Today is Columbus Day, a national holiday in the US, so we are expecting everywhere to be pretty busy and wont be trying to do very much in the parks. Instead we decide to pool hop to the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge and then nip over to the MK for a few hours later on.
We loaded up the car with everything we were likely to need and then headed off mid-morning. Before hitting the pool we thought it would be nice to look around the nature trail with Ryan as he is fascinated by trees and bushes. However, the weather has turned particularly hot and humid so before very long we had turned round and started thinking about that relaxing dip. The main pool was a little busy so instead we went on to the quiet pool by the villas. This really is a lovely little area with a gentle soundtrack of light music that doesnt intrude on the overall peace and quiet. We took it in turns to swim with Ryan, and then grabbed a quick bite to eat from Roaring Forks chicken wrap and cookie to share.
Around 2.30pm we decided to pack up our swimming gear and head over to the MK, so wandered round to the boat dock to find a launch just ready to leave excellent timing on our part. By 2.50pm we were inside the park and managed to see the afternoon parade once again. We picked up FPs for the Haunted Mansion and Helen then sat and fed Ryan whilst I grabbed some drinks. This took longer than it should have as the iced lemonade machine broke down just as I reached the front of the queue! On the positive side by the time we finally got our drinks it was time to return to the HM.
We picked up some Winnie the Pooh Fast passes for later and headed towards Timekeeper newly re-opened due to the alteration of Alien Encounter. Getting hungry again so we picked up fish pieces for Helen from Columbia Harbour House and I got a chicken wrap from Peco Bills. Helen then took Ryan to the baby care centre for another feed and I nipped off for a quick ride on the Carousel of Progress. We had decided not to do Pooh again today so I found a Mum and her young daughter joining the back of the standby queue and gave her our FPs she was very appreciative of bypassing the 45 minute line.
We all met up again at the Plaza Pavilion just in time for the fireworks. This is a pretty good viewing location if you can get seats near the front and we managed to see Tinker Bell fly directly over our heads, too. We left the MK and headed for the WL resort boats and at that moment the skies began to open. Luckily we were under cover but the queue was so long that the rear section was in the open air and some people got pretty soaked. We managed to get on the second boat that came along and by the time we reached the WL the rain had passed on by.
We headed back to the room at this point and got ready for bed; although just before turning in I heard music coming from MGM. Stepping out onto the balcony I could see fireworks at the Studios and even hear the commentary they were running a special Sorcery in the Sky for the holiday. I grabbed the video camera and managed to tape the whole thing definitely a case of being at the right place and time.
Day 14, Epcot for the day
