agotta
<font color=red>WISH Biggest Loser/Red Team</font>
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2004
- Messages
- 3,153
We were up with the sun again this morning. Bright and early at 5:30 a.m. We had to be ready and get our stuff together because today we were checking in at Saratoga Springs. We were almost on time, which becomes quite a pattern for us. I asked everyone to be ready by 7:00 and we didnt leave until 7:30. Today was EMH (Extra Magic Hour) at EPCOT and I wanted to beat the crowds. Bell services came and picked up our luggage. We felt horrible because it turned out that no one had cash on hand. The bellman was really great and deserved a nice tip too.
We arrived at EPCOT nice and early. They hadnt even let anyone in the park yet. Here again we run into dim-witted tourists. Unfortunately, one of them was in our party. We were waiting in line for security to check our bags and Dave asked if there would be a problem if he brought in his LEATHERMAN!! Seriously? Yes, seriously after he ran back to the car to put away the knife, the line was starting to move. That is when the dim-witted tourists not in our party started this conversation:
Woman #1 It looks like we got in the wrong line. Its not even moving!
Woman #2 Yea, those other lines are so much shorter
Woman #1 I cant believe this, we are never going to get in.
A minute or two goes by
Woman #1 Well there goes that. All the fast passes are gone! What are we going to do now?
Mind you that we were still in line and not ONE guest had entered the park!!
We were up front for rope drop and since we were slowed a little by the wheelchair, Kevin decided to run excuse me there is no running walk briskly to Test Track to get Fast Passes and then we would meet up at MISSION SPACE. Kevin had the bright idea of cutting through Electric Umbrella and by passed the hordes of dumb tourists. That worked out great and we hit Mission Space right away. Dave and Monica loved it, although so far didnt seem to impressed with anything. We headed for Test Track next, but our fast pass time wasnt for another 30 minutes. The stand-by line was so short we decided to just jump in. Bad idea, and we should have known better. Of course Test Track went down while we were in line. 10 minute stand-by turned out to be 35 minute stand-by. We finally got through and everyone loved it. We planned on going back later to use our fast passes, but that didnt work. We then hit Universe of Energy, Spaceship Earth and then went to the Living Seas. The manatees were out and so was the dolphin. We didnt spend to long here, as we were coming back to EPCOT later in the trip and we wanted to go to Animal Kingdom, as this was the only day we planned there.
We made it to Animal Kingdom right at lunchtime. The boys went to grab fast passes for Kilimanjaro while we headed for lunch. We ate at Flame Tree BBQ and it was better than I remember, although Monica didnt care for her chicken. After lunch we headed to Dinoland and while Kevin grabbed fast passes for Chester and Hesters Dino-Rama we got in line at Dinosaur! The line was about 20 minutes, but we got to steer around some of my favorite tourists because we had the wheelchair. Dave and Monica loved Dinosaur and I wish we had bought the photo. Dave, Monica and I had horrible looks of terror on our face, while Kevin comedically pointed in the other direction. We then went on Hester and Jesters, and that ride is definitely not made for 4 adults. Once it cut loose, we didnt stop spinning until the ride was over. Stupid centrifugal force.
After we stopped spinning, we went to Its Tough to be a Bug, which I hate, but did just once because everyone else was. As usual, it creeped me out. Afterwards we headed over to Kilimanjaro and the fast passes really helped, as did the wheelchair. Disney is doing a great job making all the rides wheelchair accessible, we didnt get to skip to many lines. The safari was great as usual. It was getting extremely hot now and we were leaving soon, so Kali River Rapids here we come! The line said 30 minutes, but it was definitely more like 45 minutes to an hour. The ride seemed so much shorter than I remember and we all got wet. Now it was time to head back to the hotel and check in, but of course we ran into the parade. What fun manoeuvring through stores with a wheelchair trying to avoid the crowds!! We headed back to the hot car and drove off to Saratoga Springs.
Check-in was a breeze and the cms were awesome! It was quick and only took about 5 minutes. Unlike Port Orleans, we werent required to check out and check back in due to the fact that our last night was on a different ressie number. We were in room 2330 and how awesome!! We had a beautiful view of Downtown Disneys West Side. I would have like a bigger balcony, like we had at the Boardwalk, but it turned out we werent really there to use it anyway.
While Dave and Kevin hit the pool, Monica and I took showers and started getting ready for our Priority Seating at the Polynesian. As usual we left late. I was hoping that the guard would just wave us through, but the Polynesian turned out to be quite strict. We were issued a 3 hour parking pass and then headed straight up to Ohana. We only had to wait about 10 minutes before we were seated. We were also lucky enough that two of my old friends from the College Program, Les and Michaela, were able to meet up with us for dinner.
Dinner was amazing and everyone stuffed themselves. We were seated right next to the window with a great view of the Grand Floridian and Cinderella Castle. After too much food and some great drinks it was time to head over to Fort Wilderness.
The 6 of us met up at Fort Wilderness and hopped a bus for the docks. Once there we were to meet up with 2 other families that we met from The Dis (www.disboards.com) and take out a pontoon boat for a Wishes Cruise. Wishes is the fireworks display that happens over Cinderella Castle. We checked in with a CM and immediately met Sarah and her daughter. While chit chatting about how our vacation was going, this stroke-inducing conversation happened.
(Kevin talking with a CM)
Kevin-Honey, its 360 right?
Me 360 what???
Kevin $360
Me Um, absolutely not!!
CM You wanted food and drink, right?
Me Absolutely not! Just the cruise please
The CM was great and took care of everything. Meanwhile we met up with Stacey and her family. The boat was all ready and we boarded. We couldnt have asked for a better evening. The sky was clear and the temperature was perfect. If it wasnt for those pesky crocodiles .
The boat first stopped right in front of Disneys Wilderness Lodge. It was so beautiful lit up at night. We then stayed there to watch the Electric Water Pageant. It was so cute and really fun to watch from the water. After that, we head to the Seven Seas Lagoon to wait for the fireworks to start. What a beautiful show!! From the water it was fantastic and they even piped in the music to the boat. I would highly recommend this to anyone, and with 9 adults and 3 kids, it was only about $12 a piece!!
We headed back to the hotel after that, saying good-bye to Les and Michaela. I really miss them and it was so good to hang out again. We had a big day ahead of us tomorrow, so off to bed.
Pre-Trip Report
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Recap
We arrived at EPCOT nice and early. They hadnt even let anyone in the park yet. Here again we run into dim-witted tourists. Unfortunately, one of them was in our party. We were waiting in line for security to check our bags and Dave asked if there would be a problem if he brought in his LEATHERMAN!! Seriously? Yes, seriously after he ran back to the car to put away the knife, the line was starting to move. That is when the dim-witted tourists not in our party started this conversation:
Woman #1 It looks like we got in the wrong line. Its not even moving!
Woman #2 Yea, those other lines are so much shorter
Woman #1 I cant believe this, we are never going to get in.
A minute or two goes by
Woman #1 Well there goes that. All the fast passes are gone! What are we going to do now?
Mind you that we were still in line and not ONE guest had entered the park!!
We were up front for rope drop and since we were slowed a little by the wheelchair, Kevin decided to run excuse me there is no running walk briskly to Test Track to get Fast Passes and then we would meet up at MISSION SPACE. Kevin had the bright idea of cutting through Electric Umbrella and by passed the hordes of dumb tourists. That worked out great and we hit Mission Space right away. Dave and Monica loved it, although so far didnt seem to impressed with anything. We headed for Test Track next, but our fast pass time wasnt for another 30 minutes. The stand-by line was so short we decided to just jump in. Bad idea, and we should have known better. Of course Test Track went down while we were in line. 10 minute stand-by turned out to be 35 minute stand-by. We finally got through and everyone loved it. We planned on going back later to use our fast passes, but that didnt work. We then hit Universe of Energy, Spaceship Earth and then went to the Living Seas. The manatees were out and so was the dolphin. We didnt spend to long here, as we were coming back to EPCOT later in the trip and we wanted to go to Animal Kingdom, as this was the only day we planned there.
We made it to Animal Kingdom right at lunchtime. The boys went to grab fast passes for Kilimanjaro while we headed for lunch. We ate at Flame Tree BBQ and it was better than I remember, although Monica didnt care for her chicken. After lunch we headed to Dinoland and while Kevin grabbed fast passes for Chester and Hesters Dino-Rama we got in line at Dinosaur! The line was about 20 minutes, but we got to steer around some of my favorite tourists because we had the wheelchair. Dave and Monica loved Dinosaur and I wish we had bought the photo. Dave, Monica and I had horrible looks of terror on our face, while Kevin comedically pointed in the other direction. We then went on Hester and Jesters, and that ride is definitely not made for 4 adults. Once it cut loose, we didnt stop spinning until the ride was over. Stupid centrifugal force.
After we stopped spinning, we went to Its Tough to be a Bug, which I hate, but did just once because everyone else was. As usual, it creeped me out. Afterwards we headed over to Kilimanjaro and the fast passes really helped, as did the wheelchair. Disney is doing a great job making all the rides wheelchair accessible, we didnt get to skip to many lines. The safari was great as usual. It was getting extremely hot now and we were leaving soon, so Kali River Rapids here we come! The line said 30 minutes, but it was definitely more like 45 minutes to an hour. The ride seemed so much shorter than I remember and we all got wet. Now it was time to head back to the hotel and check in, but of course we ran into the parade. What fun manoeuvring through stores with a wheelchair trying to avoid the crowds!! We headed back to the hot car and drove off to Saratoga Springs.
Check-in was a breeze and the cms were awesome! It was quick and only took about 5 minutes. Unlike Port Orleans, we werent required to check out and check back in due to the fact that our last night was on a different ressie number. We were in room 2330 and how awesome!! We had a beautiful view of Downtown Disneys West Side. I would have like a bigger balcony, like we had at the Boardwalk, but it turned out we werent really there to use it anyway.
While Dave and Kevin hit the pool, Monica and I took showers and started getting ready for our Priority Seating at the Polynesian. As usual we left late. I was hoping that the guard would just wave us through, but the Polynesian turned out to be quite strict. We were issued a 3 hour parking pass and then headed straight up to Ohana. We only had to wait about 10 minutes before we were seated. We were also lucky enough that two of my old friends from the College Program, Les and Michaela, were able to meet up with us for dinner.
Dinner was amazing and everyone stuffed themselves. We were seated right next to the window with a great view of the Grand Floridian and Cinderella Castle. After too much food and some great drinks it was time to head over to Fort Wilderness.
The 6 of us met up at Fort Wilderness and hopped a bus for the docks. Once there we were to meet up with 2 other families that we met from The Dis (www.disboards.com) and take out a pontoon boat for a Wishes Cruise. Wishes is the fireworks display that happens over Cinderella Castle. We checked in with a CM and immediately met Sarah and her daughter. While chit chatting about how our vacation was going, this stroke-inducing conversation happened.
(Kevin talking with a CM)
Kevin-Honey, its 360 right?
Me 360 what???
Kevin $360
Me Um, absolutely not!!
CM You wanted food and drink, right?
Me Absolutely not! Just the cruise please
The CM was great and took care of everything. Meanwhile we met up with Stacey and her family. The boat was all ready and we boarded. We couldnt have asked for a better evening. The sky was clear and the temperature was perfect. If it wasnt for those pesky crocodiles .
The boat first stopped right in front of Disneys Wilderness Lodge. It was so beautiful lit up at night. We then stayed there to watch the Electric Water Pageant. It was so cute and really fun to watch from the water. After that, we head to the Seven Seas Lagoon to wait for the fireworks to start. What a beautiful show!! From the water it was fantastic and they even piped in the music to the boat. I would highly recommend this to anyone, and with 9 adults and 3 kids, it was only about $12 a piece!!
We headed back to the hotel after that, saying good-bye to Les and Michaela. I really miss them and it was so good to hang out again. We had a big day ahead of us tomorrow, so off to bed.
Pre-Trip Report
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Recap
