"Space Mountain, Can I Please Have My Glasses Back?" FINAL UPDATE-1/31!

[klacey1]

The Royal Pacific looks so pretty! I'm glad you enjoyed your time there! And it sounds like you two had a blast at the WWoHP. I'm not much of a Harry Potter fan, but it does look very impressive! I have a feeling most of it would be lost on me since I don't know much about the books, but I would still like to see it someday!

It's definitely a beautiful area, and FJ is an amazing ride, but I do think a lot would be lost on you if you haven't at least seen the movies. Go during a super-low crowd time so you at least don't have to deal with the masses! It's so worth seeing!

Wow! I can't believe how empty WWoHP is! It was pretty crowded when I was there last year. Maybe that's because it was only a few months after opening and around Halloween - HHN is a huge thing there. I feel the same way. They hit a homerun with WWoHP and I can't even describe the ride. I said it was 'Soarin meets Dinosaur' if I have to compare it to any ride in Disney (but nothing compares!) Love, love, love it!

I see your rocking a Slytherin shirt. We would so be BFF if we lived closer LOL.

During the week, it really is pointless to have an Express pass. You don't need it. On the weekends however? Necessary. Universal just doesn't have the crowds Disney has.

When are you going to Disney again? Next year, first week of October right?

Have fun at the Rangers game! I'm jealous. And so happy to be rooting for a good team for once lol. Tell Henrik and the boys I said hello!

I was SHOCKED at the lack of crowds! I can't really describe the ride, either! It was just amazing. Haha, yess love a fellow Slytherin fan What's wrong with being ambitious? (...and having a secret crush on Draco Malfoy )
Ahhh, I SO want to go back next October! It's all about wearing Zach down-- he says that I wanted to go back after the FL expansion, which is true....but I want to go before as well!
Rangers game was fun even though they lost. Henrik was amazing as always, it just seemed like the others didn't feel like taking shots on the goal.

Reading your update brought me right back to Universal. It really is a lot of fun,as long as I can go back to Disney after

Too bad Zach isn't into water rides- Dudley Do-Right was our FAVORITE ride of almost ever. And Bluto's Barge-thingee was awesome, too. Though we only rode them while wearing swimsuit-esque clothes and we got soaked!

I've toyed with the idea of a US-only weekend, but Zach says that he doesn't think I could do it-- probably not!
I've ridden Dudley Do-Right before and loved it! What an incredible drop!

The WWoHP sounds greattttt!!! Ahhh I can't wait to finally see it! I will hope and wish and pray that we get low crowds...I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it with my own eyes in your pictures! So empty! I was thinking your stay at RPR was gonna be essential but either way, I'm sure it was nice to experience a new, beautiful hotel

I remember loving the Mummy roller coaster when I was in US in 2005 lol I don't remember anything about it, just that I liked it...I hope I haven't become an old fart since then and hate it now

Excited to hear what you have coming up next! Oh, and LET'S GO RANGERS! I'm sure you're probably leaving soon to go and you won't see this until after the fact but they're doing so awesome and it gets me so excited! I <3 King Henrik <3 lol

You will lovee WWoHP! It's amazing!! I'll hope for low crowds for you guys, too!!
The Mummy is awesome! Just a fun, not too intense coaster. Nothing to dislike about it (according to me...Zach thought it was a bit intense! )
The Rangers game was awesome!! Sad they lost (actually the first game I've attended where they lost!), but it was still great! Speaking of Henrik, I am SO convinced I saw him at my favorite pizza place around the corner from my office! When they asked him his name (to call out his order), he said Henrik! AND, the pizza place is only about 8 blocks from MSG, so it wouldn't be totally unusual if it were him! Zach doesn't want to believe it-- I think just because he's so jealous! I wish I said something to him, but if it WASN"T, I would have felt so dumb!

Great update! I wish I knew something about Harry Potter...anything, so I'd have an excuse to go there, but I haven't seen the movies or read the books! It looks like such a cool little place, and the ride sounds great! And the butterbeer sounds amazing! Glad the crowds were low for you guys!

Butterbeer was delicious! You should go over to US anyway-- both parks are totally worth seeing!

the WWoHP looks awesome! Never been to US or IOS and I've been wanting to go to WWoHP and i keep hearing good visit stories from family and friends that have been there! Can't believe their were barely any crowds!

Definitely make an effort to go over there! Apparently the end of August on a Sunday was a good time to go-- unless we just got freakishly lucky!

 

[klacey1]

Happy two weeks before Christmas Eve!! The countdown is definitely going on here! A bunch of stuff that I ordered offline finally came yesterday and the day before, so I was able to start wrapping some stuff. I love beautifully wrapped gifts even though I’m not the neatest wrapper! I spend a lot of time selecting coordinating paper, ribbon, and gift tags. Pretty sad when you consider they’ll be quickly ripped into and thrown away! Today we’re doing some more shopping (will it ever end?!) and tonight heading to a bar for a surprise party for one of Zach’s coworkers. Will be a nice busy weekend-- like always!

We woke up extra early on Day 6-- it was EMH at the MK! Even though our previous day had been pretty tiring, our night of rest had totally rejuvenated me. Plus, I was so excited-- I was finally seeing the MK rope drop more than once in a trip!
When we arrived around 7:30, we headed to the left, as Space Mountain was no longer on the agenda. (I could never get Zach to ride it again, and probably never will) Instead, the plan was to ride Splash and then grab an FP or ride BTMRR. We were pretty close to the front, so I had no worries that we’d be able to get right on Splash.

After tearing up at the opening show (due to the emotionality of the show itself and the nagging feeling of “this is our second to last full day”), we quickly walked back to Frontierland.
What we were greeted with was Splash down. And BTMRR. To say I was irritated was a bit of an understatement. We still hadn’t had the chance to ride Splash yet and these were the main reason we wanted to take advantage of the short lines of EMH. I grabbed FP’s for BTMRR, and not wanting to go far in case they opened, I suggested we ride Pirates.
True to what I thought, BTMRR was up and running by the time we were done with Pirates (not Splash, though), so we rode stand-by. Unfortunately, we were in the first car in the front and the ride just felt SLOW. I don’t know if it just had to do with being in the front or if it was still working out the kinks that had it down, but it really wasn’t that fun of a ride.
To cheer us up, we did the HM, which always delivers! Stopped for some PP pics, too!

In an effort to slow down and really savor our vacation, we meandered through Fantasyland and read all the updated descriptions of the new attractions. I am so excited for the changes, but am really hoping they don’t bring TSMM-esque crowds!

After a spin on Buzz, we pondered our lunch choices. Nothing in the MK was really grabbing us. To be honest, we just weren’t really feeling the MK that day. Splash and BTMRR being down started us on kind of an upset note and I was already a little down about our trip ending soon. I also had envisioned us riding Space as many times as we could fit in, but every time we passed by Tomorrowland or saw its spire, I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. I knew we’d never get the glasses back and I was upset that my former favorite ride, which I thought Zach would really love was ruined for him.
So as magical as the MK is and always will be for us, we needed to get out of there that morning. Around 11, I suggested we take the monorail over to Epcot and have lunch at one of their fabulous CS places. Zach happily agreed (of course!).
I love that monorail loop into the park-- it really builds the excitement even more!
I suggested Sunshine Seasons for an early lunch-- yum! We both got food from the Asian station and loved it! Definitely a must-do for us!
Since we hadn’t visited Club Cool yet, I decided a trip over there was in order and convinced Zach to try Beverly again, as “I didn’t remember how bad it was.” Yeah, I can be mean like that.

Suffice to say-- it was worse than he remembered from two years ago!
We made our way into the WS in great moods-- I hated that we felt so down in the MK that morning, and would enjoy it again that night and the following night, but for some reason, there was something about that morning. It was the rides being down, but I think it was also just the memory of what happened the last time we were in the MK in the morning. I didn’t want anyone to lose anything else!
We beelined to something that will forever put a smile on our faces-- Maelstrom! If this ever gets torn down, I will be inconsolable!

A light rain began to fall, so we made our way into the UK, where we can spend loads of time in the stores. Zach was looking at soccer jerseys, so some dad started talking British club soccer with him. The mom from that family began talking to me about her daughter, who was autistic. The mom was walking a black lab and said the dog was the daughter’s-- that instead of grabbing and touching things in stores, the daughter would pet the dog. The family was lovely, but not sure how effective the dog was, as I did not see her pet him once-- she grabbed and threw soooo many things off the shelves. Maybe the dog is more effective in less visually stimulating places, but WDW might be too much.
Around 2:00, we were ready to take a break. We had an early ADR-- one we wanted to get dressed up for!

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and has a great weekend!!

 

[Joyciemc]

We've definitely had those mornings at MK, too. You want it to be magical, but sometimes it just isn't happening. We always find a good dose of Epcot to be the perfect cure, though!

 

[MEK]

Caught up again!

Glad that you were able to do the Harry Potter ride (I forget the name...doh) so many times. I've heard its fantastic and it really is the only reason I would like to return to Universal. Good to know that the crowds were so low when you went. I'm glad you did enjoy your time at RP. I stayed there years ago and loved it.

I love the picture of you two near the haunted mansion. Definitely cute. I can't believe the splash and BTMMR were both down at the same time. That stinks! Going over to Epcot was a great choice. Smart move!

Fun updates!

 

[Mrs T 2009]

BOO to the rides being down!!!

That would put me in a mood too! Though I LOVE LOVE LOVE HM!!! lol

Can't wait to hear about your dinner ADR And I can not believe your trip is almost to a close

 

[xoktenox]

You will lovee WWoHP! It's amazing!! I'll hope for low crowds for you guys, too!!
The Mummy is awesome! Just a fun, not too intense coaster. Nothing to dislike about it (according to me...Zach thought it was a bit intense! )
The Rangers game was awesome!! Sad they lost (actually the first game I've attended where they lost!), but it was still great! Speaking of Henrik, I am SO convinced I saw him at my favorite pizza place around the corner from my office! When they asked him his name (to call out his order), he said Henrik! AND, the pizza place is only about 8 blocks from MSG, so it wouldn't be totally unusual if it were him! Zach doesn't want to believe it-- I think just because he's so jealous! I wish I said something to him, but if it WASN"T, I would have felt so dumb!

I can't wait for IoA (especially WWoHP) and US again!

I was thinking of you when I was watching the Rangers game the other night! It was sad that they lost but they're still doing AWESOME. OMG I totally believe you about seeing my lover at the pizza place! Ahhhh so lucky! Last night I was watching the game and he was talking to Biron at the end since he played last night and he kept smiling his big, gorgeous smile and I was just melting, Chris was laughing at me

I'm sorry you guys didn't have the best luck at the MK that morning! At least you made a good decision in heading to Epcot. SS is one of my favoriteeeee CS places! I did love the PP pictures you had taken in front of the HM though, so cute!

We'll be in NYC on Saturday...let me know if you can make it in to meet up!

 

[klacey1]

We've definitely had those mornings at MK, too. You want it to be magical, but sometimes it just isn't happening. We always find a good dose of Epcot to be the perfect cure, though!

That's totally it! Epcot "saved" our moods more than once this trip!

Caught up again!

Glad that you were able to do the Harry Potter ride (I forget the name...doh) so many times. I've heard its fantastic and it really is the only reason I would like to return to Universal. Good to know that the crowds were so low when you went. I'm glad you did enjoy your time at RP. I stayed there years ago and loved it.

I love the picture of you two near the haunted mansion. Definitely cute. I can't believe the splash and BTMMR were both down at the same time. That stinks! Going over to Epcot was a great choice. Smart move!

Fun updates!

I like those HM pictures too-- we usually just get ones in front of the castle at the MK, so I was pleased to get some different shots!

BOO to the rides being down!!!

That would put me in a mood too! Though I LOVE LOVE LOVE HM!!! lol

Can't wait to hear about your dinner ADR And I can not believe your trip is almost to a close

The HM is the best, but we rarely wait in line for it. That's what EMH is for-- taking advantage of the headliners! I know things break down and try to be patient-- but I was not happy!

I can't wait for IoA (especially WWoHP) and US again!

I was thinking of you when I was watching the Rangers game the other night! It was sad that they lost but they're still doing AWESOME. OMG I totally believe you about seeing my lover at the pizza place! Ahhhh so lucky! Last night I was watching the game and he was talking to Biron at the end since he played last night and he kept smiling his big, gorgeous smile and I was just melting, Chris was laughing at me

I'm sorry you guys didn't have the best luck at the MK that morning! At least you made a good decision in heading to Epcot. SS is one of my favoriteeeee CS places! I did love the PP pictures you had taken in front of the HM though, so cute!

We'll be in NYC on Saturday...let me know if you can make it in to meet up!

:-( So sad they lost! You're totally right, though-- it's been an awesome season! Haha, Zach would be the one here melting over Henrik's smile!
We're going Saturday, too! Not sure of our plans yet, but wanna exchange #'s and we'll text and see if we're in the same area around the same time?!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Haha - I love Zach's Beverly face!

Ugh, don't you hate it when you walk all the way to an attraction just to find out it's down?! That happened to us one day at the MK on the honeymoon and it was so frustrating!

I spend so much time coordinating the wrapping paper and the ribbon, too! I match it all to the tree, and since I have kind of odd colors on my tree it's hard to find paper. A couple of years ago I found the perfect paper and the next year I went back to the store I bought it and ordered it in bulk! I actually spent all afternoon wrapping presents today. It's so much fun but it wore me out!

 

[jenny105]

Sorry the Rangers lost at the game you went to. They're still doing amazing though. Last night after the game, I was literally dancing around my house and singing 'My team is good, my team is good!' It's an odd feeling to root for a winning team for once.

Sorry you had a lousy morning in MK. Bummer

I can't wait for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train. That looks too cool!

Can you believe my cousin actually likes Beverly?? I made him try it during our trip last year and he said 'This isn't bad.' Wha???

 

[klacey1]

Haha - I love Zach's Beverly face!

Ugh, don't you hate it when you walk all the way to an attraction just to find out it's down?! That happened to us one day at the MK on the honeymoon and it was so frustrating!

I spend so much time coordinating the wrapping paper and the ribbon, too! I match it all to the tree, and since I have kind of odd colors on my tree it's hard to find paper. A couple of years ago I found the perfect paper and the next year I went back to the store I bought it and ordered it in bulk! I actually spent all afternoon wrapping presents today. It's so much fun but it wore me out!

Yes! The logical part of my brain totally understands that rides break down, but the part of me that wants to ride a certain attraction is just annoyed!!
I remember your beautifully wrapped presents from last year-- gorgeous! Definitely smart to order your paper in bulk! I'm not crazy about the kind I picked out this year. I went to a couple places and had to settle on a few rolls-- wish I thought ahead like you!

Sorry the Rangers lost at the game you went to. They're still doing amazing though. Last night after the game, I was literally dancing around my house and singing 'My team is good, my team is good!' It's an odd feeling to root for a winning team for once.

Sorry you had a lousy morning in MK. Bummer

I can't wait for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train. That looks too cool!

Can you believe my cousin actually likes Beverly?? I made him try it during our trip last year and he said 'This isn't bad.' Wha???

They are doing fab! Have you been watching the 24/7 Road to the Winter Ice Classic? The first episode was so great!
We managed to recover from our lousy morning though, which was good! I cannot WAIT for the expansion. The Mine Train looks absolutely fantastic! I think if at least some of it is ready next October, I might have a better shot at convincing Zach to go in 2012 instead of 2013...

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I really, really hope to get an update up before Christmas, but this week is shaping up to be absolutely crazy, so I just don't know. I feel like I'm still not ready for the holidays-- lots of wrapping and still a bit more shopping to do. BUT- I automatically get off Dec 26/27 and took off the rest of the week, so I should have time next week, though!
We headed into the city yesterday for shopping and fun. We did some touristy things, including going to see the tree:

It was absolutely crazy over by this area-- so many people! Lots of people using strollers as battering rams-- reminded me of a crowded night on Main St. USA!
Overall we had a great day, but it ended up kind of scary. We got on our train when I noticed the tub of guacamole I purchased at Grand Central was a bit watery. We still had about ten minutes before the train was to depart, so I decided to drain the liquid out in the garbage can on the platform. I hopped off, drained it, and turned around to walk back onto the train when I see a homeless man with a beer behind me. I don't know if he thought I was throwing away food or something, but he SCREAMED something at me that I couldn't understand. He ended it with calling me some pretty horrific profanities. Now, I am not always Ms. Proper with the language, but this shook me to the core. Especially after he yelled at me-- he started to come at me. I RAN back onto the train, got back to Zach and told him what happened, still shaking. I then glance up and see him standing on the platform, leaning against the train window, STARING at me. He then got on the train and yelled at me again. Zach stood up and used his body to shield me and told the guy to calm down and get off, which he thankfully did (not after screaming at Zach and spitting at him).
Now, I went to college in a city and have worked in the city for awhile, so I like to think I'm pretty street smart, but this was really scary! We went to Dick's Sporting Goods today and got me a thing of pepper spray. I'm sure I'll never need to use it, but the incident kind of reminded me that you do need to be on your toes-- even when you're in a safe area with a bunch of people around.
Sorry to be a downer, just wanted to give a little PSA about being aware of those around you! Not going to lie-- a LITTLE nervous about travelling alone to GCT today. I don't think he'd recognize me or anything if I saw him again (he was obviously drunk and probably more), but it's just a scary thought...
Have a wonderful week before Christmas, my lovely readers!!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

That's really scary! I'm glad you and Zach are both okay!

 

[Tracy161]

Yikes!!! I would have been scared too! Glad to hear that you and Zach are okay and that you know how something to give you a little peace of mind. I keep pepper spray with me too... better to be safe, right?!

I can relate to the week-before-Christmas to-do list... so don't worry about getting up another update immediately... we'll be here when you do!

 

[jenny105]

That's scary! I love NYC but you've gotta watch your back there all the time, especially in the train stations & subways. Glad you guys are ok!

 

[xoktenox]

Girllllllllllll I'm so upset I didn't get back on here to exchange #s with you before Saturday! We were at the tree around 6:00...O.M.G. total mob scene. I was yelling "I've seen this tree 100 times, I don't need to see it again this badly!" But we were stuck, as you know, in the mob of people.

That's so scary what happened with the homeless man on the train! I've taken the Metro North before and it's always been nice! Same with the LIRR thankfully. The subways are obviously a little less taken care of. I'm glad you and Zach were ok!

 

[Joyciemc]

Oh man, that would have shaken me up big time! Very glad to hear that you got out of that ok!


Have a very merry Christmas!!

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Goodness that sounds like a very scary incident! I would be shaken up after that!

I have many presents to wrap still. It seems never ending! hahaha!!!

Hope you have a good few more days before Christmas and a wonderful Christmas Eve and DAY

 

[Nermel9]

OMG that's so terrible, what happened in NYC! People are freaks there. I'm glad you were ok!

I used to go to the city every year for Christmas, to see the tree and walk up 5th ave...you know on 5th Ave where everyone gets super crowded, right by Saks? Well the last time we went, we were in a crowd that just stopped walking on the sidewalk to stare at the building. We tried to walk through and some woman seriously shoved her way in front of me and hit herself with MY shoulder! I think she thought I did it on purpose, so she turned around, glared at me, and shoved me! I was like "*** why are you shoving me"! I was so mad that I shoved her back-I can't believe I did that!!! I honestly don't remember how it ended, I think she just kept walking, or she just stood there and we kept walking, but that was it! I haven't been back to the city for Christmas since! Sad too, because it's so beautiful, but I can't deal with the crowds!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I have always wanted to go to NYC during Christmastime one year! I bet it is a madhouse, though. Oh my goodness, your story about the homeless man is so scary! I would have probably burst into tears!

 

[klacey1]

That's really scary! I'm glad you and Zach are both okay!

It was, but I'm much better now! Thanks!

Yikes!!! I would have been scared too! Glad to hear that you and Zach are okay and that you know how something to give you a little peace of mind. I keep pepper spray with me too... better to be safe, right?!

I can relate to the week-before-Christmas to-do list... so don't worry about getting up another update immediately... we'll be here when you do!

Yup-- that's how I feel now. Better to spend $15 on pepper spray now and NEVER use it than wish you had it!

That's scary! I love NYC but you've gotta watch your back there all the time, especially in the train stations & subways. Glad you guys are ok!

I usually am very aware of everyone around me-- that's what makes this incident so weird! I was so surprised!

Girllllllllllll I'm so upset I didn't get back on here to exchange #s with you before Saturday! We were at the tree around 6:00...O.M.G. total mob scene. I was yelling "I've seen this tree 100 times, I don't need to see it again this badly!" But we were stuck, as you know, in the mob of people.

That's so scary what happened with the homeless man on the train! I've taken the Metro North before and it's always been nice! Same with the LIRR thankfully. The subways are obviously a little less taken care of. I'm glad you and Zach were ok!

I knowww! Well, I'm ALWAYS in the city, so I'm sure our paths will line up to cross again!!
Haha, I feel the same way about the tree! The area was NUTS and I wanted to just forget about it, but Zach really wanted to go to the NBC store, so we pushed on, quickly grabbed a pic and dashed into the store!!

Oh man, that would have shaken me up big time! Very glad to hear that you got out of that ok!


Have a very merry Christmas!!

Thanks-- it was scary and I was kind of nervous about commuting alone the next day, but I'm better now.
I hope you and Ben and your furry ones have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's!!

Goodness that sounds like a very scary incident! I would be shaken up after that!

I have many presents to wrap still. It seems never ending! hahaha!!!

Hope you have a good few more days before Christmas and a wonderful Christmas Eve and DAY

I don't know HOW this pile in the closet just grows and grows-- and yet nothing gets wrapped! I'm taking a half day at work tomorrow, so that's the goal-- to get everything done! Have a wonderful Christmas as well!!

OMG that's so terrible, what happened in NYC! People are freaks there. I'm glad you were ok!

I used to go to the city every year for Christmas, to see the tree and walk up 5th ave...you know on 5th Ave where everyone gets super crowded, right by Saks? Well the last time we went, we were in a crowd that just stopped walking on the sidewalk to stare at the building. We tried to walk through and some woman seriously shoved her way in front of me and hit herself with MY shoulder! I think she thought I did it on purpose, so she turned around, glared at me, and shoved me! I was like "*** why are you shoving me"! I was so mad that I shoved her back-I can't believe I did that!!! I honestly don't remember how it ended, I think she just kept walking, or she just stood there and we kept walking, but that was it! I haven't been back to the city for Christmas since! Sad too, because it's so beautiful, but I can't deal with the crowds!

There sure are some freaky people here! OMG! WTH is wrong with people?! I totally would have shoved her back if she had dared to lay a hand on me. I totally understand why you haven't returned to the city!
I work in SoHo now, where a bunch of great shopping is-- the amount of tourists that crowd the sidewalks is ridiculous! I hope it gets better after the holidays!

I have always wanted to go to NYC during Christmastime one year! I bet it is a madhouse, though. Oh my goodness, your story about the homeless man is so scary! I would have probably burst into tears!

NYC really is the most magical place in the world for Christmas-- although I haven't been to WDW at Christmas It's crazy but wonderful!!

 

[klacey1]

Merry Christmas to my readers who celebrate! I hope everyone had a fantastic day! We had a wonderful time here-- party with Zach’s family on Christmas Eve and then opened presents with them in the morning. Later in the day, I went out to dinner with my mom, brother, and his girlfriend to exchange gifts and celebrate my brother’s birthday (12/25!). I was spoiled rotten by Zach-- gorgeous Michael Kors purse, Kindle Fire/MK e-reader cover, cardy Uggs, and some other great things. I also got some sweaters, a pair of winter boots and other things from his/my family.
If you want to check out pictures from our fun time, check out my Facebook album (and feel free to friend me if we’re not already friends!)
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150482401269526.383686.501169525&type=1&l=8021ee9421

Also-- today is Zach's birthday!! We are going to lunch with his siblings and out later tonight with our friends. I'll treat him to dinner at the Melting Pot tomorrow night and some point this week (we're both off), we're going to go somewhere for an overnight-- maybe Mystic, CT. Not sure yet!

So, back to the business at hand! Continuing day six...
We did our usual rest, change, and freshen up thing before heading to the bus stop around 4:00 p.m. No bus issues-- we were back at the MK by 4:30. Since our ADR was at 6:00 p.m. and I wasn't sure if we'd need to wait for a boat or not, I decided we should just hang around Main St. for forty-five minutes or so.
I absolutely LOVE the old ride posters under the train station. Zach had some choice sentiments for Space Mountain:

I did pop into a shop and picked out a light blue v-neck with a picture of the castle with pictures of other MK attractions super imposed on it. So pretty! I was going to carry the bag around before I remembered one of the better things about staying onsite-- resort package pick-up! Happily, I sent it over to POR.
After poking in the shops, we went over the resort boat launch and waited only a few minutes. Again, Zach and I couldn’t get over how much we loved taking the boat over to the WL! For some reason, I imagined that it would be super slow or uncomfortable-- absolutely not! It was very romantic. I wish we would have taken advantage of the boats from POR to DTD!

Since we had been to the WL for WCC only a few nights prior, I hadn’t expected to be wowed again. However, from the moment we stepped on the property, I just felt content and still awed by the architecture and design. I’m really hoping we stay here our next trip!

We checked in at about 5:45 at Artist Point-- they could take us early! There was literally one other family there when we walked in. A couple more eventually joined, but it was very quiet-- in a nice, peaceful, not weird way!
I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant.

I didn’t love that it overlooked the pool, but we couldn’t really see it, so it was fine. Do people really enjoy being dressed up and eating nice food and looking out over a bunch of people running around in bathing suits and swimming?! We had seats right by the window at Yachtman’s once and felt the same way! I feel like it kills the fancy atmosphere!
All I have to say is...wow. Zach and I decided this was absolutely the best restaurant meal either of us has ever had in our lives. It was THAT good. We got the BLT appetizer and paid out of pocket-- SO happy we did. It was delicious and both of our entrees were amazing as well. We skipped dessert due to plans later that night, but...yum! We’ll definitely be back!
Our service, on the other hand, was a bit odd. Our waiter was very efficient, just a touch...strange. He kept telling us these stories that cracked him up, but were honestly just not funny. It was very difficult to do the polite fake laugh and smile! Plus, when another couple (honeymooners) sat next to us, he told them the same exact stories, with the same hysterical laughing. They were better at fake laughing than Zach and I were...probably because he brought them free drinks and an amuse bouche for their honeymoon. Lucky!
We left satisfied, but not grossly stuffed. Since we were heading back to the MK for the Wishes Dessert Party, this was perfect!
A boat quickly pulled up at WL and we were treated to a ride-long argument between a husband and wife about the pool bar at their friend’s resort being closed and what were they supposed to do while the kids were swimming?! I hope they resolved this tough dilemma.
After getting to the MK, we stopped for a PP pic. I am always very pale, but in this picture, I’m practically glowing:

It was way too early to check into the WDP, but I wanted to stay close, so we decided to visit Stitch’s Great Escape. I know a lot of people aren’t crazy about this ride, but we actually like it! I think it’s cute and decently funny-- could do without the smell, but overall, it’s fun! Zach wishes he could have visited when it was alien-themed, but definitely agrees a ride that scary (which I loved when I was younger!!) doesn’t really belong in the MK!
We also decided to do something totally new for both of us-- Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor. I always love new rides and we had just enough time to kill. I texted in a joke while we were in line and it was picked! I also suspect I may have been one of the few to actually write in a joke, as the theater wasn’t very full!
Zach was selected as “has the urge to get up and dance,” which he did, even though he was super embarrassed! “That guy” was hysterical! I’m not sure he spoke English or had too much of an idea of what was going on, but he always gave the camera a little wave! I thought it was really funny! We probably wouldn’t do this more than once a trip, but I’ll try to fit in next time!
Around this time, it was time to check in for the WDP. We were about six or so families back from the front of the line, so we were checked in quickly.

When we were let in, we were escorted to...a front-row table! I was so ridiculously happy!
After dropping our stuff at the table, I noticed a PP photographer and we got some shots. I wish I liked them more! The kissing one is kind of awkward and I think the other looks like a bad prom pose!

We settled in as the Main St. Electrical Parade began-- I’m not a fan! I really don’t like the music and I don’t think it’s as “Disney” as Spectromagic! I hope they bring Spectro back soon! Our view was pretty decent, though:

As far as the party itself...we probably won’t do it again. It was a bit pricey ($45 for the two of us), which is fine had I felt the view and desserts made it worth it. As some have noted, it does look like the fireworks are going off-center to the castle and you don’t really get that view of the castle as the centerpiece.

We couldn’t see any of the Magic, Memories, and You, either. Way too far away. It was nice to watch Wishes leaning against a rail, not crowded by a million people! It was very relaxing-- and of course I bawled! (Zach teared up too-- I love that Wishes affects him like that!)
The desserts were...meh. SO very rich. Even washing down every other mouthful with milk and fruit couldn’t cut how heavy everything was. I enjoyed the mango shooter the best, even though it was very sugary. Zach stuck to brownies and coffee.
Zach didn’t tell me about it until we were in our room that night, but a reason he was having trouble enjoying the desserts before we stood up for Wishes was the woman sitting behind him. I don’t know if the wind was blowing a certain way or something, but he said she just smelled so awful that he was having trouble eating his food! Ick. People, it’s FL in August! Showers and deoderant are so necessary!
So the party wasn’t that wonderful, but I’m still glad we did it, just for the peace of watching Wishes. We were herded out of the Tomorrowland Noodle Terrace pretty much the moment Wishes was over. Those CM’s want to get home!
Bus line was long but not too bad-- they had one lined up after another so we got home quickly.
It had been a day that started out kind of rough, but ended wonderfully with some fantastic food! I dreaded going to bed, though-- when I woke up, it would be morning of our last full day at Disney