Stop and Smell the Roses But Watch Out for the Bees! July '12 It's a Wrap Folks! 2.23

[amandaw]

Love the new Storybook Circus area! It's really cute, right?!? And It's a Small World....I will always love that ride.

Now, I have one complaint about your updates. Those sweet, nostalgic pictures of Maddie when she was 4. And you saying how it just seems like it was yesterday. We are in the middle of touring elementary schools for Reid for next year. It's really hitting me that he'll be 5 in March and going off to kindergarten next fall. And seeing in your pictures how they grow so fast just really hit me hard tonight. So, now I'm bawling on my couch. I want him to stay 4 forever!!!

 

[TinksThree]

Love the new Storybook Circus area! It's really cute, right?!? And It's a Small World....I will always love that ride.

Now, I have one complaint about your updates. Those sweet, nostalgic pictures of Maddie when she was 4. And you saying how it just seems like it was yesterday. We are in the middle of touring elementary schools for Reid for next year. It's really hitting me that he'll be 5 in March and going off to kindergarten next fall. And seeing in your pictures how they grow so fast just really hit me hard tonight. So, now I'm bawling on my couch. I want him to stay 4 forever!!!

I offer my sincerest apologies! I surely didn't mean to make you cry!! The closer we get to her senior year the more I realize the blur time has been since she started 1st grade!! I am not ready for this!

I loved the new Storybook area! The whole concept is great! and IASW will always be one of my favorites!! Maddie not so much!

 

[solana131]

Doesn’t it look like Madison is loving this ride?!

Maybe not!

Let's check back with Madison...

This is totally me....I love the ride and have to ride it at least once. I look all around like a bright-eyed little kid at the beginning, but by the end I am just like Madison!

For some reason this makes me think of a 1980’s Prom decoration!!

Yes! Actually, our prom was in '97 and we had these things at the photo area!

 

[TinksThree]

This is totally me....I love the ride and have to ride it at least once. I look all around like a bright-eyed little kid at the beginning, but by the end I am just like Madison!



Yes! Actually, our prom was in '97 and we had these things at the photo area!

I love this ride but it does get very long. I usually say we "must" ride it just to tease Madison! I know, I am a terrible mother!!

Whew! Glad I am not the only one that thinks this!!

 

[amandaw]

I offer my sincerest apologies! I surely didn't mean to make you cry!! The closer we get to her senior year the more I realize the blur time has been since she started 1st grade!! I am not ready for this!

I loved the new Storybook area! The whole concept is great! and IASW will always be one of my favorites!! Maddie not so much!

Oh, no need to apologize! Your nostalgic pictures just really hit home with what's been on my mind lately. I can only imagine what you're going through with it being her senior year. While it may be on opposite ends of the spectrum, our "babies" will both be going on to bigger steps in their life journeys soon.

 

[TinksThree]

Oh, no need to apologize! Your nostalgic pictures just really hit home with what's been on my mind lately. I can only imagine what you're going through with it being her senior year. While it may be on opposite ends of the spectrum, our "babies" will both be going on to bigger steps in their life journeys soon.

And no matter the stage...it is hard to let them go!

 

[TinksThree]

We finish torturing Maddie and head to Haunted Mansion. Yes we are out of Fantasyland which means I missed out on Mickey’s Philharmagic…again!!!

There are four eras represented in Libertyland! There is a New England feel surrounding Columbia Harbour House, Colonial Williamsburg near Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, a more modern Dutch Amsterdam near the foot bridge close to the hub and finally the New York Hudson River Valley by Haunted Mansion. Wasn’t the movie Haunted Mansion set in the bayous of New Orleans? Just a side note/question!

Entering into the land of hitchhiking ghosts and minimum waits!

So, just how does Haunted mansion tie into Libertyland? Well for one thing, in Columbia Harbour House on the second floor there is a section dedicated to a ghost ship, or a ship lost at sea. If you look out the front windows from the top floor you’ll notice the Haunted Mansion! This is our favorite place to eat in Magic Kingdom (counter service) and never even realized this! This picture is from last year:

We went through the interactive queue and had fun playing around with everything!

Soon we were in the stretching room. This was a walk-on pretty much too and we were basically “pushed” from spot to spot until suddenly we found ourselves in a Doombuggy!!!!

A few poor attempts at pictures on the ride…

Now where should we go!? To Frontierland!!!! So we begin walking and we see THEM!!! Not one “them”, not two “them”, not three “them” but FOUR them!! And when I say “them” I mean tour groups that have between 75 – 100 people in EACH “them” group! So what do we do? We head to the boardwalk and speed race by passing each group until we safely arrive at Big Thunder Mtn…which has a 75 minute wait and two additional “thems” walking up the hill!!!

Splash Mtn is much shorter….only 20 minutes so we queue up! It is 10am by now and we have only 1 ½ hours left! Thankfully we are right behind “them” are else we would not have been able to ride Splash or BTMRR!

Continued in the next post...

 

[TinksThree]

Splash is such a fun ride!! I had my good camera safely tucked away so I attempted a few phone pictures.

I tried to get the drop but due to my fear of it getting wet I brought it down too quickly…

And the Redneck Picture!

Well, it is now 10:30am and I want to be at the resort in one hour so we decide to head out. Thus I missed riding (all total) these rides that I had hoped to enjoy: Carousel of Progress, Monster’s Inc, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Big Thunder, Pirates of the Caribbean and Tiki House (I haven’t done this and wanted to give it a try!) But I am okay with this, at least we covered a lot of ground!!

As we make our way back to Main Street we see a semi-famous pirate!

The scrims on the buildings were down and I thought they were looking lovely!!

Balloons of course!!

Doesn’t the balloon boy look bored?!

I make a last minute decision…I want a cinnamon roll!! So we head to the Confectionary! Then I realize it is really the Bakery...that is now becoming a Starbucks! I hope these danishes and cinnamon rolls do not go away!!

A few pictures outside and then we move indoors.

The line was very slow due to non-English speaking talking to only English speaking but eventually a manager arrived and got it all solved. Honestly…we were in line for 15 minutes although it felt longer to me! I hate being on a firm schedule…well, one where Keith says “You are always late!” For once I had hoped to prove him wrong!!

These sandwiches really look good! I wouldn’t mind trying one someday.

Goodies purchased and placed in boxes out of MK we head! So long Magic Kingdom! This 8 day trip with 3 ½ hours spent with you was great!!!!

On the bus I thought to get pictures of the Danish and cinnamon roll:

Cinnamon Roll: OMGoodness!!!!!! This will be required from now on! Just do it and remember, it has ZERO calories and fat grams!! Pure health food here!!!

Cheese Danish: It was pretty good. I would definitely buy that one again!

Cherry Danish: I have no idea but apparently it was good since the family choked it down when we got to the room!!

The bus was empty. Appears everyone had been heading to MK and not AWAY!

Well, we have made other plans!!!

 

[sherylcin]

Well, I am impressed!! You all did a LOT in a very short time. You're right that rope drop makes a difference. Love seeing the pics of the new areas in Fantasyland. Can't wait to see it for myself!!

Almost forgot to say those bakery treats look very yummy! I love getting a quick breakfast in the Main Street Bakery!

 

[TinksThree]

Well, I am impressed!! You all did a LOT in a very short time. You're right that rope drop makes a difference. Love seeing the pics of the new areas in Fantasyland. Can't wait to see it for myself!!

Almost forgot to say those bakery treats look very yummy! I love getting a quick breakfast in the Main Street Bakery!

Once I did Rope Drop and saw how beneficial it is and how much we can accomplish, I was sold! Especially for those times when we have a small window to do things!

I really, really hope that they do not take away those cinnamon rolls! The Starbucks coffee is fine by me, but don't mess with things that are working!! And the cinnamon rolls are so good!!

 

[shan23877]

I got behind, but I'm caught up and heading over to your new TR next!

You got some more awesome pictures at MK, and it sounds like you had a great time.

Did you say a Starbucks? Inside MK? That's too much. It scares me. I do hope that it's going to be property of Disney unlike some of the DTD places.

 

[amandaw]

For only a few hours at MK, you really got a lot done!

And about the tour groups! That is never a good sight!

So, as I am reading about your cinnamon roll, I am actually eating a Cinnabon cinnamon roll. Yeah, I know it's 9 at night, let's just not talk about that. But, even though I have this yummy cinnamon roll I'm still envious of yours....because it came from MK!!

 

[Angies1274]

Great updates!!

We loved Storybook Circus!! You got some great shots of Dumbo!! Love that Believe and Soar sign!

Too funny about Madison and IASW! I'm usually so excited to ride but honestly by the end I'm usually more than ready for it to be done!

We had that same view of the Haunted Mansion on our trip a couple years ago (2010) from CHH! (Love that spot to eat!) Interesting info on the ghost ship section!!

Aww....tour groups! Yes....I remember that day very well!!

Great pictures on Main Street!! Despite missing a few things you wanted to do, you got a lot done that morning!!! Gotta love those EMH's!!!

 

[solana131]

I tried to get the drop but due to my fear of it getting wet I brought it down too quickly...

I think you got an awesome picture of the drop! I've never seen this angle before...really cool!

 

[TinksThree]

I got behind, but I'm caught up and heading over to your new TR next!

You got some more awesome pictures at MK, and it sounds like you had a great time.

Did you say a Starbucks? Inside MK? That's too much. It scares me. I do hope that it's going to be property of Disney unlike some of the DTD places.

I stay behind it seems so I understand having to catch up! It was a really great morning! I was slightly disappointed in not getting in the fireworks though!

The Main Street Bakery is to become a Starbucks. But some reports have said it will be like the one at Disneyland. I think what food and pastries remain is still questionable. From the complaints I saw, they would be wise to leave the baked goods alone and focus on the coffee/latte change!

For only a few hours at MK, you really got a lot done!

And about the tour groups! That is never a good sight!

So, as I am reading about your cinnamon roll, I am actually eating a Cinnabon cinnamon roll. Yeah, I know it's 9 at night, let's just not talk about that. But, even though I have this yummy cinnamon roll I'm still envious of yours....because it came from MK!!

Hey, I think anytime is a good time for ice cream, cake and cinnamon rolls!!!! Those tour groups were just beginning to get annoying!

Great updates!!

We loved Storybook Circus!! You got some great shots of Dumbo!! Love that Believe and Soar sign!

Too funny about Madison and IASW! I'm usually so excited to ride but honestly by the end I'm usually more than ready for it to be done!

We had that same view of the Haunted Mansion on our trip a couple years ago (2010) from CHH! (Love that spot to eat!) Interesting info on the ghost ship section!!

Aww....tour groups! Yes....I remember that day very well!!

Great pictures on Main Street!! Despite missing a few things you wanted to do, you got a lot done that morning!!! Gotta love those EMH's!!!

Thank you!! I really liked the new Storybook Circus area! And CHH is our favorite MK place to eat! I especially like "getting away" on the 2nd floor! The tour group annoyance is about to really kick into high gear!

I think you got an awesome picture of the drop! I've never seen this angle before...really cool!

Thanks! That angle definitely gives the drop a whole new perspective!

 

[TinksThree]

Back at the resort, one more resort picture while we go meet Keith and change.

Change? Oh yeah! We have decided that instead of our original “plans”:

Magic Kingdom until 1pm (with lunch at Columbia Harbor House which we love!!)
Meet Keith at Epcot
Epcot through the evening with Les Chefs de France at 6:45pm

We now have MK until 11:30am and back to resort at 12noon
Change and go to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach
Back to resort and then to….well somewhere where Keith has chosen for dinner (remember he won TSMM on Tuesday morning!)

So now we are at the changing stage to head to a water park. We decide to go to Blizzard Beach and give it a try. Then we get to the bus stop and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait until finally we decide whoever shows up first, that is where we will head! Then here comes Blizzard Beach. We make it to the park by 1pm and decide we have plenty of time. Normally after 2-3 hours we are good with water activities.

We arrive at Blizzard Beach and head off to find some chairs. Entering into the park it looks like we were plopped in the middle of a ski lodge.

In the distance we see the former ski slopes!

I turned my head briefly and realized I had lost my children!!!!

Thankfully Disney made it easy for me to locate them!!

Another Lazy River!!!

And another view of the quickly melting ski slope!

We found a chair (under a pavilion that didn’t cost money!) and headed off for the ski lift!!

We determine that the Summit Plummet was NOT made for us!! So we go for the Slush Gusher!

Okay that one is brutal enough!! After experiencing the effects on bathing suits, Keith and Chris wanted to observe some of the girls coming down. I pushed them along…..

Thankfully, the suit choices were much more appropriate at BB than TL!

Next we hit the wave pool but it was boring after the one at Typhoon Lagoon. Plus with no tubes we are just jumping on the waves.

We decide we are all a little hungry so time to head off to find some grub!!

We found ourselves at Lottawatta Lodge and began to decide what we wanted to eat!

I went with the grilled chicken wraps and fries. The wrap was good but definitely needed a little bit of something so I added Ranch dressing.

Keith and Chris had the hamburgers and fries. Again these were winners! Not much else you can say for Counter Service food….

Madison had chicken nuggets and fries. She liked them, I still quiver at the thought from Electric Umbrella in March! Ick!!!

Now what to do?

After finishing our lunch, we decided to try the lazy river. This one was not nearly as good as the one at Typhoon Lagoon! It is narrower and there were a lot of kids that were playing more than floating. We make our rounds and soon we are back where we started. We figure our food has settled so off for some water slides we go!

We gather up tubes and walk up the many, many stairs. After we catch our breath at the top we head down! This ride was a lot of fun (we chose the dual tubes since the single tube line was longer!) and we decide to go again!!

After the second ride is over, we head off to try the ……. This ride requires a little purple mat that you get just before you slide. I like that you don’t have to tote it up a ton of stairs!!

We race our way to the bottom and decide to hit the wave pool for just a bit longer.

A lot of the chairs in the pool area are now empty so we have a seat and just relax for a while. Before too long we decide we need to head back to the resort and clean up for the evening!


Comparison of Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon: Blizzard Beach was okay but if I had the choice, I would go to Typhoon Lagoon in a heart beat! We were able to enjoy more of the slides at BB and they were a lot of fun. I wish the rain had not interrupted our day so I could have compared the actual slides more. In the end, I wished that the bus that came (when we were giving up) first had been to Typhoon Lagoon. We had a blast at BB but TL was just more what I enjoy. To me BB seems older and more like the local water park that closed down here 7-8 years ago. I loved the theme at both parks and it could be that the theme and lushness of TL just appeals to me more! The wave pool and lazy river our hands down better at TL. In reflection, those two reasons alone could be why I preferred TL!

Once we get to the bus stop, we sit and visit with another family from Scotland for about 10 minutes when all of a sudden one of “those” tour groups arrives. They are staying at POR which of course shares a bus with POFQ. There are close to 75 in this group—I tried to take a picture but failed to get a good one without being obvious! This is where I really became frustrated over the tour groups. Before this it really had been no big deal but this experience nailed it and carried over to the following morning!

We had been waiting about 10 minutes for a bus and this group arrives. Guess what happens….a CM comes over and calls a bus to come pick the group up. That’s fine except that the bus does not hold everyone, so the next bus comes (not a specially requested one but one with guests already on it) and the tour group is allowed to get on….never mind we were there first and had been pushed to the back due to the last bus that was called first! And the CM knew we had been there a while before anyone else. Still not all of the tour group can get on the bus so more are left to wait it out. Well, we say something to the CM because by this time we have been waiting close to 30 minutes. Another bus comes and the CM holds the tour group back to allow us to enter first. Thank you very much!!! It took us 40 minutes to get on a bus and we are praying that it goes to POFQ first because another 15-20 minutes through POR will not allow us time to get very clean…not like we would like to be for the evening anyhow!

Thank goodness that bus goes to POFQ first!! By the end of the week, I determined the shared buses go like this: Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach goes POFQ 1st and POR 2nd while DTD/Typhoon Lagoon goes POR 1st and POFQ 2nd. I guess that is how they make it fair when resorts are sharing a bus. Buses to Epcot, MK and DHS were not shared during our trip.

Finally back at the resort we clean up and head to the bus. We are headed to Hollywood Studios and my trip full of Pixie Dust is about to begin!!

 

[saintstickets]

I really, really hope that they do not take away those cinnamon rolls! The Starbucks coffee is fine by me, but don't mess with things that are working!! And the cinnamon rolls are so good!!

According to reports...
"This location will be closed January 2013 through Early Summer 2013 to convert to a Starbucks location. The restaurant will still be themed to fit on turn-of-the-century Main Street USA. Offerings will include Starbucks beverages, artisan breakfast sandwiches and a selection of baked goods, including muffins, scones and specialty treats. They will still offer the same brownies, cookies and seasonal cupcakes that are currently available. The cinnamon rolls will be available at Gaston's Tavern in Fantasyland and the ice cream cookie sandwiches will be available at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street USA.

Known for the fresh baked goods, this counter serve spot also offers sandwiches, fresh fruit and hot breakfast selections. Limited seating available."

After experiencing the effects on bathing suits, Keith and Chris wanted to observe some of the girls coming down. I pushed them along…..

Awwwww...c'mon Tinks...they were just trying to admire some of God's creations...you know, like a snow-capped mountain, a field of bluebonnets, a beagle puppy or a curvaceous female with Slush Gusher altered bathing suit!

 

[amandaw]

Love your update! Sounds like a fun day at Blizzard Beach! We haven't done either of the water parks yet but we may have to start visiting them in a few years. The theming at both parks looks great!

UGH! The tour group! And the CM! That's absolutely ridiculous that they kept pushing y'all back for them to get on buses. I don't blame y'all one bit for saying something. Glad they finally got y'all on a bus.

Can't wait to hear about dinner and the pixie dust!!

 

[shan23877]

I really appreciate the water park comparisons. We've never done either, and I'm really glad to hear a definitive opinion for when we finally do. BB looks pretty cool though-love the theme.

That bus wait sounds super annoying-I'd have been very frustrated.

DHS huh? My guess is that Keith picked 50s PT.

 

[Angies1274]

Great update! It sounds like you had fun at Blizzard Beach. We have only visited Typhoon Lagoon so it was great to read your comparison between the two.

Ugh! Sorry about the bus wait!