Summer Blockbuster - DDD with DDD part 2

[A Small World]

DDD with DDD - or - Doing Disney Different with Darling Disney Daughter
Part 2 – Day 1 Saturday 19th July - Rides, characters and SLEEP

Cast
DH
Me
DD – Charys (8)

After a long journey through the night did we really want to go into the park and go onto rides? Do I really need to answer that? Of course we did. We were raring to go. Lack of sleep wasn’t going to stop us.
We parked at New York and made our usual toilet visit. Once again Pluto was there to greet us.

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We headed towards the park really impressed with ourselves that we were even going to make it in for EMH. We noticed that they have now moved the entrance for EMH guests. On our last few trips it has been a separate bag check area with non EMH guests not being allowed through bag check until nearer 10.00 however this time it was the normal bag check and the EMH entrance was through the turnstiles at the side. We flashed our APs and headed through. Just as we got through the turnstiles we were stopped and asked to answer some questions for a survey. It was all about how often we visit, when was the last time we visited and where we usually stay etc.
We then noticed one of the main street vehicles nearby.

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We have never ridden on these before on all our visits to DLP or WDW so decided to make our first walk up mainstreet a ride instead. We climbed onto the top of the bus and reached the top of mainstreet in a different manner to normal. The park seemed really quiet considering it was almost 9.00 by now.
We usually head for Fantasyland first when we are doing EMH but decided this time to be different and make Buzz our first ride. We walked on and as usual DH got the highest score. As it was so quiet we decided to do it again.
We then wandered over to Fantasyland and managed to do Pinochio and the Carrousel.

By this time it was almost 10.00 so we decided to wait for rope drop near Peter Pan to be able to head for POC. Perfect timing – just as we reached the rope they removed it so we headed through to POC. We were then able to stay on for a 2nd ride and got front seats.

We then wandered through to Frontierland where we collected FPs for what else but BTM. We had bought some of the special FPs from EBay so this was the test – would they work – yes – brilliant it meant we had 6 FPs so 2 turns each.
We had about ¾ hour before FP could be used so just enough time to head back to Main Street for breakfast. We went to Cable Car Bake shop where we had breakfast almost every morning last summer. It seemed a long time since that burger so between us we got a selection of Mickey Brioches, Pains au Chocolat and DD wanted a doughnut.

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By now it was almost time for our FPs so we made our way back there and did what was going to be our first of many rides on BTM. Then as we had the 2nd lot of FPs we were able to do it again immediately. I love doing this ride twice in a row. I don’t know why but it always seems really good fun zooming back on again.

Whilst we were riding we noticed the keel river boats were running so decided to try and get on them. There was a small queue but it wasn’t too long to wait. Again it was a first as we’ve never ridden these boats. Im glad we did it but its not something I would rush to do again unless it was a walk on.

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DD wanted to play in the Pocahontas play area so we found a seat to flop on while she zoomed round full of life – a night of very little sleep didn’t seem to have affected her at all.

We then wandered over to try and see Woody or Jessie but neither were there however Goofy was. Having characters other than Woody and Jessie in the round up Village is new and one building looks as though its been made into Minnies House. We never saw Minnie there though so Im not sure if she goes there at all.
There was only a very short queue to see Goofy so he spent time playing about with people as well as posing for photos and signing autographs.

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By now we were flagging and feeling in need of a decent meal and sleep. Unfortunately we were going to have to wait a bit longer for the latter until we could book into Explorers but the former was an easy decision to make. It had to be Annettes – always our first meal at DLP.

As we were very close to Frontierland station we decided to catch the train. We got off at Mainstreet and headed out of the park. We felt we had done really well as when we booked the extra days we had decided that as it was a weekend we may not get many rides done but intended to just enjoy the park in a leisurely way however we didn’t feel we’d rushed round but had done quite a lot.

We were given a booth in Annettes and looked at the menu. Although we had half board plus vouchers for later in the holiday these 2 days were added on and booked separately at the last minute so we hadn’t got vouchers however the choice with vouchers looked good value here.

I always have a burger at Annettes and often long for an Annettes burger when Im not at DLP but today just didn’t fancy one. I couldn’t even decide if I was hungry or not – I think I was just so tired. In the end I opted for the Chilli dog – it was delicious, DH had the Mega Burger and DD the Children’s meal of Chicken Nuggets. None of us had dessert- we were too tired.
As we walked back through the Village to the car we noticed quite a few things at sale prices in the shops. A lovely Winnie the Pooh caught our eye- DD had nearly bought it at Easter but changed her mind. Im so pleased she did as it was now reduced to €10 from €25.99. It was just longing to be bought by us so… you can guess. We never usually buy things the first day – we prefer to have good look round first but this was turning into a holiday where we did everything different to usual.

We collected the car and drove the short distance to Explorers. We booked in and found our room. It was in a lovely quiet area – a very small corridor with only 2 rooms and an adjoining bunk room between them. This bunk room wasn’t used while we were there so we felt as though we had a private wing. The room looked out onto the food court area so we could look out of the window and people watch. However at the moment we had something more important to do – SLEEP. We flopped into bed and all fell asleep for a few hours.

When we woke up we decided to go for a swim. When we booked these 2 extra nights we wanted somewhere with a pool to be able to relax and have fun. We had been to Explorers before and really liked the pool and had seen recent photos which showed they had added more theming to it. It was great fun dodging the water guns and pirate tipping water out. It also helped to wake us up a bit.

We knew we would have difficulty getting DD out of the pool and really wanted to try and go back into the park to see Fantillusion and the Fireworks. As expected she didn’t want to get out so we suggested something we knew would work – cocktails at Sequoia Lodge (Non alcoholic of course for DD – she loves getting them in the shaker).

Once we suggested this she was happy to get out. We got changed and headed back to New York to park. We then walked to Sequoia and sunk into a comfy settee. We decided to order a sandwich as well. I cant remember what the cocktails were called but they were the first of several over the next week.

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We headed back into the park and claimed a seat on the pavement between the 2 lots of steps up to Main street station. It was a while before Fantillusion was due to start but it was nice to just sit there and watch the world go by. Before it started some characters walked by – Cruella, then Peter Pan. He asked if we’d seen Tinkerbelle and told DD to enjoy the parade. Then Alice came and Captain Hook.

Fantillusion was as good as ever.

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We then decided to go up onto the train station to watch the fireworks – we didn’t have a brilliant view as its at an angle and there were quite a few trees in the way but it was good enough and someone let DD through to stand at the front. They were brilliant much better than Wishes but we knew we wanted to try and watch them again from nearer the castle.

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We headed out of the park joking that we could go home as we’d done Buzz, POC and BTM twice each, had some character interaction, had some Mickey shaped food and a cocktail, been to Annettes, seen Fantillusion and the fireworks, had a swim… but we decided to stay for longer.

Coming soon – part 3 – More park fun, more characters, 2 shows and more cocktails

 

[gemmybear83]

Sounds like a lovely day and your making me hungry with all that talk about Annettes and mickey shaped food!

 

[ukstitch]

Sounds like you had a really good 1st day!

I think we take DB's disabled pass for granted a little - we almost always get front seats on IASW and POC and back row seats for BTM.

As for Minnie being in her house, she does appear there occasionally, as DB had his picture taken with her there. There's a picture somewhere among my July 2008 pictures.

 

[Cyrano]

Impressed you lasted until Enchanted.
We only managed keel boats once as they were only open at the weekends and the queues were often 40 mins

 

[A Small World]

Impressed you lasted until Enchanted.
We only managed keel boats once as they were only open at the weekends and the queues were often 40 mins

We only lasted to Enchanted as we'd had a sleep in the afternoon. We'd planned it that way as we intended having a lie in the next day.

Sorry we didnt get to meet up with you - forgot to arrange it beforehand- but we did keep a look out for you and your troops

 

[mummyal]

Wow, sounds like you did loads today!! Loving the trip report so far. More, more, more!! lol.

 

[kevankiki]

Even with that nap, I don't know how you all kept going, I felt exhausted just reading it all!

Now you have me curious about those cocktails and the shaker? Despite staying at the SQL at Easter, we never ventured into the bar, since we tend to avoid spending as much as possible.

I never understood what the Keel Boats were about either.

 

[Bolanette87]

Sounds like a fabulous day really..... Glad you had a nap in the afternoon though!!

Bob xoxoxo

 

[britchic4]

You're making me tired just reading it, but well done for keeping going and getting so much fun into your first day!

 

[DLPdaft]

I'm dead impressed that you managed all that on your first day, a Saturday, high summer season, and not having had a nights sleep beforehand!

Can you remember which room number you had at the Explorers? It sounds just the job, and I'd love a room like that next time we go, as I do like the hotel, its just the potential for noise in the corridors that puts me off a bit.

Elaine

 

[tennisfan]

Impressed you lasted that long even with a nap. A busy 1st day with fab photos

 

[cap'njack.]

Sounds like a good day. I'm hoping to stay up as long as you guys did when we drive to DLRP in October.

We had initially said that we would only go to DLRP on the 1st day to buy our AP's, that went out of the window very quickly!

 

[tigger300686]

Wow you got alot done on your frist day even with having a sleep !! I really love the last photo- its really lovely.

 

[J Marley]

Great first day Looking forward to the next instalment

 

[karenmoloney]

You got loads done - I admire your stamina! Great photos too.

 

[poppyolivia]

brilliant report, great photos...

 

[cookie334]

Wow you really got loads done especially for it being mid-July. Sounds like you had a fab time.

 

[ema74]

Great day - missed this post yesterday... More please

 

[hildasmuriel]

Sounds like a great day. Off to read the next part.

 

[Dianetigger]

What a fabulous (and filled) first day you had! We also loved the Enchanted fireworks and after the first night of watching at the bottom of Main Street we then moved up to the walkway alongside Central Plaza, a great view from there.
We only managed to ride the keel boats yesterday, didn't see them working at all before then (but we could have missed them) - we last rode them in 1993 and althought I enjoyed it yesterday (after a 30 minute wait) I wouldn't be in a hurry to do them again.