SSR Monkey Trip Report

[SSRmonkey]

What a great day! I was the first little monkey into Epcot today. How cool is that? We got in early because today was the Segway tour and it was awesome! Unfortunately because I don't weigh at least 100 pounds I wasn't able to drive but I got to ride in the little pouch in the front. We learned how to weave through cones and go up and down ramps before we went outside. I couldn't believe it, but Mom was a great driver, so I switched over to her pouch. After the training session, we headed outside and over to the World Showcase. We got to ride around through the pavilions and see them fixing up some of the flowers and pressure washing things down. It was neat to see some of the things that go into making Disney look like Disney if you know what I mean. The tour lasted about two hours, including training and I was sad when it was over. I have decided that Koala and I are going to take our variety act on the road to earn some extra cash to buy a Segway for home. We'll need the off-road type, but how cool would it be to ride that around? Koala and I will just have to dust off our tap shoes and work on our Ginger Rogers/Fred Astaire routine.

After the tour we went to Test Track to get FP. We were suprised that the FP were only for 45 minutes after we got them. The stand by line was out the door so we decided to head to the Figment ride. As usual that was a walk on. We headed back to Test Track and this time the FP line was out the door. Apparently they were having problems with the ride. Koala wanted to help fix it, but I told him he probably didn't want to get his fur all greasy. Especially since we would see those nice ostrich ladies on the way out. He agreed and got back in the backpack. Luckily, we only had to wait about 20 minutes and it was totally worth it. I hope we get a chance to ride it at night sometime this week. I love going outside in the dark.

Since I didn't get to drive the Segway, Mom and Dad let me drive a Hummer around the showroom.

I couldn't really see out of the windshield and I didn't have any phone books with me, so I had to park it before I hit something.

After that we headed to DD for another Wetzel's Pretzel! I went with the original flavor this time with cheese and a diet coke--I have to watch my figure! There were huge birds there today that kept making all sorts of noise. They were a little scary. Koala and I took turns eating while the other one ran around waving our arms and yelling. That was rather effective, but I'm not sure everyone else there appreciated it. We were trying to do them a favor too!

We did some shopping and I got a new shirt. I love the eco-friendly stuff. It goes well with my Prius!

We headed back to go to the pool again. After about an hour the sky got pretty dark and we made it back to the room just in time to miss the thunderstorm. Now it's cooled off a bit, but still raining. We're heading to the preview center to look at AKV and BLT (or the sandwich as Dad says). Then to get some dinner (I'm hoping for something Italian...) and pick up Grandma and Grandpa at the airport. Koala doesn't want to go back there since the last time he got sent to another time zone, but I got one of those leashes they have for little kids. No way I'm losing him now.

Here are some more pictures from Epcot too!

Is this where the skunk smell in the Figment ride comes from?

 

[Claire L]

Great to see the live reports are back SSR Monkey. Some lovely pictures of the F&GF at Epcot

Claire

 

[Chellymouse]

Lovin' your TR SSRMonkey! It looks like you've had a great time so far! Can't wait to see more pics!!

 

[BigEeyore]

I loved your last TR, and I am enjoying this one just as much! Thanks for taking the time to share!

 

[SSRmonkey]

It turned into a rainy evening here, but it was nice that it cooled down a bit. We got a chance to look at the models of AKV and BLT. It's nice that DVC has something for everyone with different styles, but now I know why I am SSRmonkey and not BLTmonkey. Although I wouldn't mind a sandwich every once in a while. Especially if it comes with free fireworks.

We dodged the raindrops and headed to Olive Garden for dinner. I had to take off my cool new shirt so I didn't get spaghetti sauce all over it. As you might guess, I'm a sloppy eater, but the good thing is the red sauce blends in with my fur. I love those breadsticks too...they make nice drumsticks and aren't too hard when I get carried away with my air drumming. (Sometimes I hit Koala in the head--not on purpose of course.)

On our way to pick up Grandma and Grandpa, we passed the Orange County Mosquito Control Center. I tried to convince Mom and Dad to leave Koala there because he's being quite the pest today. Every time he hears a phrase he starts singing it to the chorus of "Zombie" by the Cranberries. Ice cream cone, ice cream cone, ice cream cone, co-ne, co-ne... Think that with every thing you see on the way to the airport...ANNOYING! So I knocked him out with a breadstick I smuggled out of the Olive Garden. (Not that I am promoting violence kids...or stealing for that matter. I did pay for the breadstick and now Koala is paying for it too.)

We drove to the airport and picked up Grandma and Grandpa and headed home. They were amazed at SSR and said, "Now I understand why you did this," meaning DVC. I realized that I am a very lucky monkey and am glad that we can share DVC with our family. I'm excited to show them around the resort tomorrow. We are headed to Epcot in the morning and are going to try to take Grandma and Grandpa to Beaches and Cream. I just hope it doesn't rain all day. I can't wait to show them all the cool stuff that has changed or been added since the last time they were here! Off to bed...I have to be on my best behavior with Grandma around.

 

[squitty]

Loving the report SSRMonkey. Photos are fab

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Hi, Monkey!!! See...I miss logging on for a few days, and missed one of my favorite trip reports ever!!!

Have a great time, and keep the pictures coming!

 

[podsnel]

Hi SSRMonkey! Will you still be at SSR this weekend? I'm arriving with my friends on Saturday- my friend loni & I have pedicures and massages scheduled at 2:00 at the SSR Spa- hope I run into you!! And thanks for helping me to get excited for my trip in 3 days!!

 

[aprince&princess]

Great trip report SSRMonkey. Thanks for including the pictures, they look beautiful. My dd, who is 11, will be thrilled to see your pictures when she gets home from school today.

 

[toocherie]

Yay! Another SSRMonkey trip report!

 

[Disney Princess]

SSRMonkey - sounds like you had a fun day at Epcot. I hope you have a great time with your grandparents. It is always nice to share DVC with others; that is great that you're able to treat them to this time with you.

 

[helenk]

Love your trip report, people think I'm crazy because I'm sitting here at work laughing out loud.
You always seem to have such a good time.

 

[SSRmonkey]

Lots of excitement today!! We went to Epcot first thing this morning and spent most of the day there. We got FP for Soarin right away and then rode Spaceship Earth. The ride stopped for about 5 minutes, but all in all it was a good trip to space and back. After that we checked out Test Track. Grandma was a little nervous, but she and Grandpa really liked it. We took a stroll through the Fairy Garden and saw some cool things, including Red Bananas...I've never seen those before!

I stopped to smell the flowers...

We also went through the butterfly garden.

After that we headed over to Soarin to use our FP. Their reaction to the ride was priceless. Grandma especially liked the orange grove and Grandpa liked the golf ball! Then we went to Beaches and Cream for lunch. I got extra sprinkles again--sweet! No pun intended! We stopped in the lobby and found a DVC staple.

Back to the park for a trip around the world. In France I thought I would try out some of the painting skills I learned from Michaelangelo in Spaceship Earth. I'm not quite as good as Michaelangelo, but I'm getting close don't you think?

Is this thing digital?

I did some cooking too.

Then I really got into some Pooh...

And Tigger too!

I went to Paris and instead of letting me climb the Eiffel Tower, Mom and Dad just let me wear this wierd hat.

Alladin said I had to take a safety course before I could fly on his magic carpet. I didn't see him tell Jasmine that in the movie. I'll have to watch it again to see. Or maybe if I looked as pretty as her he would have let it slide. I guess there should be helmets or something. Safety first!

At least I got to ride a donkey. (He doesn't look thrilled though...)

We saw some more pretty flowers too.

Now we are off to get some dinner and then head into MK for a couple of
hours. I can't wait to show Grandma and Grandpa the Laugh Factory. They're gonna love it!

 

[kikiq]

You're such a clever monkey! Love your reports, keep them coming!

 

[SSRmonkey]

Yesterday we got a chance to walk around the resort a little. It was nice to see all the pretty sights. I could stay here forever. Well, maybe not forever. I would miss the evil cat Chloe too much. Here are some of the things I saw!

I found this really cool carriage, but it seems to be missing a horse. I tried the Fred Flintstone thing...moving my feet real fast, but I guess that only works if they can touch the ground.

I rode in the basket of one of the bikes too!

Then it was time to relax for a bit.

We headed to dinner and then went to MK. It wasn't very crowded at all. We walked right into the Laugh Floor, Pirates, and Philharmagic. Grandma and Grandpa really liked Philharmagic. Donald is a duck after my own heart...a little mischievous!

We watched Wishes too. I had to plug my ears. Those fireworks are loud! I'm used to listening to my favorite music (I love the 80's) really loud, but that's different than those fireworks!

Today we are going to DHS for the morning and hope to catch Fantasmic tonight. I'll keep you posted!

 

[Ms. WDW]

Now it's time for a trip to Wal Mart to stock up on food and beverages (hopefully there's some Blue Moon in my future).

Do you know "my son"??? He loves Blue Moon!!!

Have a great time! I look forward to reading your trip report!!

 

[Ms. WDW]

You are too cute!!! I just scrolled through your post. Love, love, love your pic's!!! Made me home sick immediately!!!!! Sounds like you're having a wonderful time!!!

BTW...did you get your "Blue Moon"????

 

[SSRmonkey]

Today we started out at DHS. There were quite a few people there this morning. We arrived just after 9am and headed right to Toy Story for FP. It was already up to 11:40am by the time we got there. That was alright though, it gave us time to see some other things.

The Great Movie Ride was a walk on so we went there first. Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed it. We walked around the Streets of America for a while and stopped to rest for a couple minutes. (Doesn't this look like the set of Sesame Street?)

I re-enacted Singin' In the Rain and got some tips from people passing by. I was able to buy a big rice krispie treat with my take!

Then it was off to see Muppet Vision 3D. That never gets old. I always feel so bad for Bean Bunny. He's so cute and he just wants to help! I got to play in the props for a while after the show.

We checked out the Art of Animation and strolled through the animation stuff. The big hamster from Bolt wasn't there, so I was a little disappointed. My evil cat Chloe has a wind up hamster in a plastic ball that she plays with. I brought it with me to have the hamster sign for her, but no such luck. I'll have to try again. I guess I could just sign it. Probably can't tell the difference between monkey paw-writing or hamster paw-writing. Koala wanted to do the hamster dance with him...maybe later.

Then we walked through One Man's Dream. I learned some interesting Disney facts.

Then it was time for Toy Story! Grandma wasn't too excited when I told her that you have to shoot stuff, but as soon as the practice round was done she yelled, "We have to do this again!" I knew they would like it. After we were done, we got FP to ride again tonight. We're planning on going back for Fantasmic if the rain holds off. FP were from 7:40-8:40. Not bad!

Before we left the park, Koala and I went for a ride.

We headed off to DD to the Earl of Sandwich for lunch. I've never eaten there, but I will go back often. I got ham and cheese and it was really yummy! Two paws up from me! We did a little shopping and headed back to SSR. We went to the pool, but then it started to thunder and we saw some lightning. I jumped into the pool and the wet monkey smell really cleared it out! (I just wanted to make sure everyone was safe!)

It's raining now, but we hope to get to Fantasmic tonight. We'll see what happens!

podsnel--We are leaving early Saturday morning. I'm sorry that I will miss you! I hope you have a great time!

 

[Disney Princess]

SSR Monkey - I love your new t-shirt and all your pics. I hope you continue to have a great time. Tell me - did you beat Grandma and Grandpa at TSMM? Good luck at round 2 tonight.

 

[SSRmonkey]

Foiled again! Unfortunately Mother Nature had other plans for us tonight. We decided against wandering around DHS in the rain and figured Fantasmic would be a no-go anyway. We did have some time for some pictures around SSR between raindrops. And a ride on the horses!

I decided to go side saddle.

This one was taken right before Koala fell off. I told him he couldn't have Blue Moon and ride. He never listens!

Time to stop and smell the flowers again!

I wish I had a glass for my diet coke that was this big!

We decided we would stay in for a bit tonight and watch the season finale of The Office, my favorite TV show. I learn lots of things NOT to do in real life...and then I do them. Think calculators in jello...heeheehee!

Tomorrow will be MK in the morning and Epcot in the evening for EMH. My goal is another ride on Thunder Mountain Railroad, Test Track and Soarin. That will give me my fix until we get to come back again! See you tomorrow!