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

[klacey1]

We never got to One Man's Dream on this trip and I'm a little bummed now when I was reading your update! The last time I was in there all I could think of was watching The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday evenings with my family when Peg and I were little girls and who could have imagined the joy he would bring to all of us decades later

Awww, that's such a sweet memory! He really has added so many memories and happiness to the lives of so many families!

I echo the same thoughts as you about One Man's Dream. I love it and it makes me teary.

That stinks about the annoying family during BATB. I find my annoyance with people is how oblivious they are to other people. They just think that we should accept the fact that their kids are shouting and screaming and just obnoxious. Especially when it comes to shows. I had a similar experience at Mickey's Philharmagic. Up and down during the show. It was the most annoying thing I've ever encountered.

I know-- people are so focused on their little family and world that they just don't think. Don't think that they are infringing on other people's enjoyment of the parks.

The beads from the PO resorts really are just a souvenir to add to the New Orleans theme. The comment was bizarre though. I am not sure what the CM meant. Perhaps they were alluding to the stereotype that the only way to get beads is when ladies in New Orleans get them from lifting their shirt on a balcony in the French Quarter. However, most beads that people get come from parades. The float riders toss beads and other throws (dubloons, stuffed animals, cups, etc) into the crowds.

I also really enjoy One Man's Dream. I don't recall the last time I've seen Beauty and the Beast. I'll have to try to catch it the next time I'm at WDW!

Haha, I thought they were just a souvenir, but that "use them" comment really threw me! BATB is just wonderful. My absolute favorite live show in Disney.

One Man's Dream is great We make it a priority to always walk through it!

We have a son (now 3.5) and he sat through BATB last year when he was 2.5; We didn't get the chance to watch it this last trip and I don't think we would have made it all the way through- it's the age where their attention span contains zero patience! LOL If that were my children I would have taken them out as to not disrupt the others. BATB is my favorite movie and favorite show to see at DHS, but if I have to pass it up to please my kid, so be it

I have yet to get the cowboy on GMR- I am jealous!

See, considerate people like you recognize when their kids can't handle certain shows/rides without disturbing others. I do hope you get to see BATB on your next trip, though!

I'm all caught up! We didn't have internet until yesterday and work usually blocks pictures but for some reason, I can see yours today!

I was lucky enough to be picked for the opening show at DHS back in 2009! It was so much fun. They drive you off to your choice of ride (ToT or RnRC) and you get to ride it by yourself. I invited the CM to come ride with me and she did. They gave me a complimentary picture from ToT plus a certificate stating I helped open the park. This was also when TSM was new and the CM was nice enough to get me an FP to use since I was planning on going there first, not ToT. I love Disney

So the new Star Tours, it's possible to get a different ride each time? There's a different movie option? I'm looking forward to that next year. It's been awhile since I've been on it. It was closed last year.

I love One Man's Dream. I can't believe he created all of this!

I teared up during the Lion King too. I hate the part when Mufasa dies. I also teared up during the credits because I love that movie so much and couldn't believe I got to see it in a theatre again.

Ok, enough of my babbling!

I remember reading in Stacikristine's TR that she ran into you and you got picked to be in the opening show! What a cool experience-- and so awesome they gave you a TSMM fastpass!
Yeah-- the new Star Tours has a couple of different scenes, etc. So you could ride it three times and have a different experience every time! I'm not sure exactly how many outcomes there are, but I know there's a few different ones.

 

[klacey1]

We got to the bus stop around 5:30ish. After a uneventful ride to the MK, we arrived around 6:00ish. Our ADR at the WL was at 7:35 and I wasn't sure how long we'd have to wait for a boat or how long the trip would take, so we stuck around Main St. We poked around in the stores and checked in Guest Services for the glasses before heading out at 6:45.
While waiting for a boat, we learned just how badly Irene was predicted to hit New York. A family from Long Island in front of us had planned to fly home the next day (Saturday, 8/27), but their plane was canceled. (Amanda, I was thinking of you then and hoping you would be able to get out of NY-- glad you were able to!) The parents had to get back to work and the next available plane wasn't until the following Thursday (!), so they decided to rent a car the next day and drive up! I hope they made it back okay-- I can't imagine the rain they ran into! Anyway, the boat ride was wonderful. Zach nor I are water people, but this was so peaceful. Pulling into the WL was amazing. Since we were so early, we took some pictures around the beautiful property before heading inside.

We both fell in love as soon as we walked into the lobby-- the rustic look is just our speed. Just incredible. After we checked in, we walked around and browsed in their shop. I wished Port Orleans had as much resort-specific merchandise as WL, but since we'll be staying there our next trip (fingers crossed for a good pin code!), I'll just have to wait to have resort pride!
Relaxing in the lobby before dinner:

Dinner at WCC was fantastic! Zach was only mildly embarrassed by our waitress and made it a personal mission to finish as much of the huge refill as he could!

It was PM EMH that night at the MK, so we took the boat back to the park. This ride was even more wonderful. We got to see the end of the water pageant, which is always great. The dark made the ride very romantic.

Main St. was a madhouse, as the Magic, Memories, and You show was just starting. Fortunately, we were able to duck around the crowds and cut through Adventureland to get to Frontierland to ride BTMRR, which is always more fun at night!
HM was next-- as we were leaving, we watched a family get turned away from riding, as they were offsite guests. The little boy started throwing a huge tantrum, crying and screaming “We NEVER stay at a resort!” The parents pretty much ignored him-- even though the kid was acting pretty bratty, I felt bad that his parents clearly had no idea about EMH and planned poorly.
I was interested in riding Splash, but the wait was 45 minutes. We decided to do Pirates instead with a 10 minute wait-- so strange, since I've only even ridden it as a walk on!
By then it was about 11:00 and we were done for the day. I feel like we always do a poor job of taking advantage of PM EMH, but that's okay. We get so much done during the day that it doesn't matter.
The line for the bus was pretty long, but we talked about our day and didn't mind waiting. There were some annoying teens smoking in line (don't think they're supposed to do that...) and making fun of the CM who was directing people to their lines. So obnoxious! Eventually, a bus pulled up and whisked us home. Another wonderful day was complete!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I'm glad you guys enjoyed dinner! I can't believe the huge refill they gave Zach! I really, really want to try WCC, but I'm so worried I would be embarrassed. I embarrass so easily, and Miguel is even worse than me.

Love your dress for the evening! You two look so cute as always.

 

[Joyciemc]

Your trip sounds like so much fun (aside from those snafus early on)!

Glad you enjoyed WCC- we loved it! Ben just got up to our lunch there in the TR he is writing. We also fell in love with WL... it's beautiful!

 

[klacey1]

I'm glad you guys enjoyed dinner! I can't believe the huge refill they gave Zach! I really, really want to try WCC, but I'm so worried I would be embarrassed. I embarrass so easily, and Miguel is even worse than me.

Love your dress for the evening! You two look so cute as always.

Next time, we're going to ask not to sit in the main dining room and hopefully we'll have a calmer waitress. Ours was nice but SO loud! The food is too good to stay away, though!
Aww, thanks!

Your trip sounds like so much fun (aside from those snafus early on)!

Glad you enjoyed WCC- we loved it! Ben just got up to our lunch there in the TR he is writing. We also fell in love with WL... it's beautiful!

It definitely started to get more fun at this point! Is he writing a TR for the Disboards?! (ETA: Yes, yes he is. I just found it!) I was actually thinking of renting points for the WL our next trip-- so jealous you guys have DVC!

 

[jenny105]

I love WL. I stayed there in 2009 and fell in love with it. I wanna try out WCC next trip just so I can go back to the lodge!

Ugh. Does it make me a horrible person to say I hate teenagers? I feel bad for whoever had to deal with me when I was one but I really don't think I was that obnoxious! They seem to have gotten worse.

 

[IheartDDuck]

That was a giant glass of soda!

Glad you enjoyed your meal at WCC. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a good pin code for your stay at WL. It's a very pretty resort for sure.

I never feel like I take good advantage of PM EMH either. I think it's the same thing, we get so much done during the day that it feels like you don't really need it.

 

[Queenofallthings]

We love the boat ride from the MK to WL and I agree about the rustic feel...I really want to be able to stay there one Christmas!

We loved WCC when we went in 2009...we had the best waiter and MM wasn't feeling well that evening and he fussed so much over her and by the end of the meal she was feeling much better!!

We don't make PM EMH very often ... we're more of the morning people type

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Wilderness Lodge is gorgeoud!!! I have eaten at WCC a few times, but I don't like it. Don't get me wrong- the food is great, but I don't like attention or people watching me when I eat (can't stand it!) so if we don't HAVE to eat there (DH LOVES the refillable milkshakes) we don't lol

Seems like you have been encountering some rude/whiny/roudy people! I feel so bad for you, but am glad that you don't let it ruin your time

Excited to hear more about your trip!

 

[klacey1]

I love WL. I stayed there in 2009 and fell in love with it. I wanna try out WCC next trip just so I can go back to the lodge!

Ugh. Does it make me a horrible person to say I hate teenagers? I feel bad for whoever had to deal with me when I was one but I really don't think I was that obnoxious! They seem to have gotten worse.

Haha, as a rule, I find many teenagers annoying. Those kids were just ridiculous!

That was a giant glass of soda!

Glad you enjoyed your meal at WCC. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a good pin code for your stay at WL. It's a very pretty resort for sure.

I never feel like I take good advantage of PM EMH either. I think it's the same thing, we get so much done during the day that it feels like you don't really need it.

We like EMH because it gives us something to do after dinner, but we rarely ride more than one or two rides. I feel like getting there at rope drop works much better for that!

We love the boat ride from the MK to WL and I agree about the rustic feel...I really want to be able to stay there one Christmas!

We loved WCC when we went in 2009...we had the best waiter and MM wasn't feeling well that evening and he fussed so much over her and by the end of the meal she was feeling much better!!

We don't make PM EMH very often ... we're more of the morning people type

I would love to stay there at Christmas, too! The pictures I've seen of their tree are just amazing.

Wilderness Lodge is gorgeoud!!! I have eaten at WCC a few times, but I don't like it. Don't get me wrong- the food is great, but I don't like attention or people watching me when I eat (can't stand it!) so if we don't HAVE to eat there (DH LOVES the refillable milkshakes) we don't lol

Seems like you have been encountering some rude/whiny/roudy people! I feel so bad for you, but am glad that you don't let it ruin your time

Excited to hear more about your trip!

Next time, Zach made me promise to request to sit NOT in the main part of the dining room. He wasn't crazy about how loud it was!

 

[klacey1]

So, for the past two weeks, I've been keeping a little secret from basically...well, everyone. It started about six months ago. My mom, grandmother, and a few of my extended family members decided to go down to Orlando for a long weekend in October. I was invited, but being that I was going to Disney in August, I decided to say no.
Then, things started to get kind of crazy at my job. I mean, I've never really loved it, but things were really coming to a head. I was constantly stressed out. Way too stressed considering what they paid me and how long my commute is. So, I put feelers out for other other jobs...
Soon enough, I found a new position! It's more aligned with my degree and what I truly want to do. Plus, it's more money! The commute is still long, but it will be much more worth it. I start Monday-- I've already met most of the people I'll be working with and they seem really great. I'm nervous but excited!
So what does my new job have to do with the fact that my family was going to Disney? Well, I put in my two weeks almost two weeks ago. When I told my mom, she said "Great, now you can come to Florida! Just call in sick during your two weeks!" At first I resisted...I just didn't think it would be right, being that I had a ton of stuff to wrap up at work. She slowly wore me down-- guilting me that family time is priceless...that kind of stuff. Even Zach told me I should go (even though he had to work and couldn't). So I said yes!
So I spent last weekend in Florida! It was my quickest trip ever-- I landed at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday and left MCO at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday! In a lot of ways it was great-- I am very close to my grandmother and loved seeing some of my cousins. The best parts of the trip were the dinners with them.
The not-so-great parts were being in the actual parks . Don't get me wrong-- I enjoyed being in Epcot (Friday) and IOA/US (Saturday). It's just that going with Zach is wonderful-- he lets me plan to my heart's content and will go with the flow of what I think we should do. Plus, we enjoy the same things-- exploring the shops, riding everything, eating great meals. Going with my mom and grandmother was a bit frustrating to my Type-A side. They didn't want to go into any of the World Showcase countries! By two o'clock, my grandmother commented "Wow, you can really do this entire park in half a day!"
We also did both IOA/US in a half day-- skipping so much, of course. It was really a test of my patience and ability to let go of the planning reins. It was hard! Also, we stayed offsite. It was at a very nice Marriott timeshare condo (Cypress Gardens, near Sea World), but it wasn't Disney! Driving under the arch, as well as seeing the resort buses, was so difficult! Honestly, when we parked the rental car and came upon the resort bus stop at Epcot, I wanted to jump on one of the buses and check into whatever hotel it was going to!
It was during the Food & Wine Festival, which I loved. My mom and grandmother griped that there weren't enough choices I tried the prosecco from Italy (light and delicious on a warm day), chocolate lava cake with Bailey's ganache from Ireland (tiny but very yummy), and the empanada from Argentina (filling and spicy for a great price!).
I know I said our next time wasn't going to be until 2013, but honestly...not sure I can wait! This little teaser trip made me want to go back again and do it the right way-- longer, on-site, and with the DDP! I'm going to crunch some numbers and see if maybe we can do both Vegas and Disney next year-- and putting off other trips until 2013. I'd still love to go in October during F&W. We'll have to see!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Congratulations! Life is too short to not enjoy what you're doing! I am so happy you decided to join your family....family time is precious and we should grab as much of it as we can

 

[jenny105]

Epcot in half a day? Not enough choices at Food and Wine???

Now that I've recovered, awesome that you got to go to Florida. And congrats on your new job. Good luck!

I think you should go during the first week of October next year. Just sayin....

 

[disneybarbie]

Congratulations on the new job! That's really great news

Sounds like a fun but 'different' weekend going to Orlando without DBF.. it must have been hard to be in the parks but not tour them in the way that you guys normally do.. and Epcot in half a day?! hehe.



Emma x

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Congratulations on the new job!!! I definitely understand how you feel about working somewhere, where they do not appreciate you and the $ and drive doesn't compensate- making changes (like this one) will be a HUGE difference to your life and happiness!

YAY for a lil trip to WDW!!!! I bet it was hard not to be the planner, but I am sure you had an awesome time!!!

 

[klacey1]

Congratulations! Life is too short to not enjoy what you're doing! I am so happy you decided to join your family....family time is precious and we should grab as much of it as we can

Thank you! I completely agree- I am very glad I decided to go. I am very close with my family and haven't spent time with them in awhile. It was wonderful!

Epcot in half a day? Not enough choices at Food and Wine???

Now that I've recovered, awesome that you got to go to Florida. And congrats on your new job. Good luck!

I think you should go during the first week of October next year. Just sayin....

I KNOW! I tried three different things and would have had much more if I was there for longer. When they were ready to leave at 2:00 p.m. I was so close to saying that I would stay and just take a cab back to the hotel!
I would kill to go that week! (Dismeet!) I'm actually talking to a guy about renting points...fingers crossed!!

Congratulations on the new job! That's really great news

Sounds like a fun but 'different' weekend going to Orlando without DBF.. it must have been hard to be in the parks but not tour them in the way that you guys normally do.. and Epcot in half a day?! hehe.



Emma x

It was fun in ways that had nothing to do with Disney. I had fun being with my family-- the setting was sort of incidental. I definitely didn't get to enjoy Disney the way I like!

Congratulations on the new job!!! I definitely understand how you feel about working somewhere, where they do not appreciate you and the $ and drive doesn't compensate- making changes (like this one) will be a HUGE difference to your life and happiness!

YAY for a lil trip to WDW!!!! I bet it was hard not to be the planner, but I am sure you had an awesome time!!!

Thank you very much! I started yesterday-- still very overwhelming learning all new things! I know my quality of life will start to increase!
It was nice to be with my family and have a surprise trip to the World!

 

[jenny105]

I KNOW! I tried three different things and would have had much more if I was there for longer. When they were ready to leave at 2:00 p.m. I was so close to saying that I would stay and just take a cab back to the hotel!
I would kill to go that week! (Dismeet!) I'm actually talking to a guy about renting points...fingers crossed!!

Oh I hope you get to go!! Keep me posted Renting points is SUCH a good deal.

 

[Joyciemc]

October 2012 is clearly the COOLEST time to be heading to WDW!

 

[klacey1]

Oh I hope you get to go!! Keep me posted Renting points is SUCH a good deal.

Me too!! I definitely will! I found such a great deal-- it's about about convincing Zach that we don't want to wait until the Fantasyland expansion is done!

October 2012 is clearly the COOLEST time to be heading to WDW!

Well, if all the cool kids are going in October 2012...

 

[klacey1]

I was so excited when I woke up that Saturday morning! We were going to Animal Kingdom-- a completely new park for Zach. I was so excited to see him react to everything new-- watching him experience MK, Epcot, and DHS for the first time our last trip was so magical.
Also, at the end of the night-- we would not be returning to POR to sleep! For one night one, we were switching to a different hotel. More on that later, though!
It wasn't until we got on the bus that I realized just how far AK is. I always knew that everyone described it as far, but this was the first time I had ever taken Disney transportation there. Geography isn't exactly my strong suit (it took me years to understand how the Hudson River worked)!
We passed Coronado Springs, which Zach and I agreed was very pretty. However, I doubt we'd ever want to stay somewhere so far out. We get up early enough staying at POR, which is fairly central (from my understanding anyway!).
It was just past rope drop when we arrived at AK. Normally, I'd be in a rush to get into the park, but there didn't seem to be hoards of people, so we stopped for some PP pictures (finally got my CD!):

This one is pretty ridiculous haha. Zach's face just shows how nervous he was, I think. (Always nervous about new things!)

Magic shot!

After we headed toward EE, I realized we could have taken a half hour PP session! The park was absolutely empty. I grabbed FP's for EE and then inquired about the single rider line. The CM told me that they weren't planning on opening the single rider line at all that day-- crowds were predicted to be that low all day! It was literally a walk-on.
I loved it, as always! I had been seated next to a girl who was probably about 10 or 11 who conversationally chatted with me up the hill about her past trips to Disney and Atlantis in the Bahamas. She was so cute!
When I got off, Zach had mapped out our plan for the day. I was glad he found something to occupy himself! Dinosaur was to be our next stop...
Dinoland USA was eerily empty! We were pretty much the only people there:

Dinosaur was a walk-on-- Zach loved it! He agreed that the area was kind of weird-- and the ride itself didn't even go with the carnival theme.
It was already pretty scorching at this point, so a ride on Kali River Rapids was in order! We agreed that it's pretty lame as far as raft rides go. Neither of us got that wet and it was pretty short-- especially compared to the one we had ridden earlier that summer at Lake Compounce, a park not too far from us.
It's Tough to be a Bug was next- our short-line luck had continued. A show started about five minutes after we entered the holding room. We both thought it was very funny; it was supposed to be refurbed while we were there and I was so glad it wasn't!

We hadn't been too interested in doing the safari, but since we had done pretty much everything else we had wanted, we figured why not. On our way over, we stopped for a few more pictures!

After we walked away, the dad of the family who was next next in line winked at us and said “You two are going to have a surprise when you get home!” Hehe.
KS was the only ride we waited for-- maybe 15 minutes tops. I checked my cell phone as we boarded our car-- 10:30! I couldn't believe everything we had accomplished!
I was surprised how much we loved the safari. Zach couldn't believe how close the animals got to us-- I could have pet a rhino!
The giraffes and ostriches also wandered near the car. Am I the only person who thinks ostriches are kind of terrifying?! Their eyes freak me out!

We discussed seeing FOTLK, but we weren't in the mood to sit in a theater. Instead, we wanted to head to my happy place. I love sheep and goats. Especially sheep. They are just darling little creatures. Clearly, I was in heaven at the Affection Section!

This goat just parked himself in front of Zach-- he was just begging to be pet!

On the whole, we're not crazy about Rafiki's Planet Watch (not so interested in how to make our home green friendly), but AS is great! We saw many kids who really loved brushing the animals with the combs. I hope they never get rid of it-- so simple but great for kids (….and me!).
It was around noon when we took the train back. We were just starting to get hungry...