WHO WE ARE:
Zoe Dog -- Me; 41; went to MK several times as a child and to EPCOT once in late 1980s with DH; compulsive planner, list-maker, and tip-gatherer, but (much to my and my family's relief) was able to be flexible once we arrived
DH -- turned 41 during vacation; late 1980s trip with me was only foray into the World; was a little spooked by memory of how perfect and "Big Brothery" everything was and loved to tease me about my "disney obsession" but is a total kid at heart and began to lurk on the DIS and other helpful sites during the last weeks before departure
E -- DD (11 years) - has an incredibly vivid imagination and so was a bit apprehensive about "spooky" rides, but determined to be a big kid; loves interaction with characters and spotting live animals and noticing all of the little unexpected things
D -- DD (almost 10 years) - wants to do it all and then do it again and again . . . absolutely fearless and utterly enthusiastic
L -- DD (6 1/2 years) - doesn't like to be left behind by the big girls, but is not a thrill seeker; began to swim like a little fish thanks to daily access to warm pools
WHERE: 6 Nights WL; 3 Nights AKL
DAY NINE: Sunday June 30
Our last park day. How quickly it has flown by! I had thought we'd feel sad, but we have had an amazing vacation and already have had 5 days in the parks. We all just seemed to feel happy and ready to return to normal life. We decided to go to the MK at opening since we had had such a great time on two previous morning visits - we'd see a few things we'd missed and then go on a favorite or two as a sort of farewell. DH and D and E got FPs for Space Mountain and then rode the Indy Speedway while L and I headed to Fantasyland. She and I re-rode Dumbo, the Carousel, and Peter Pan - all with no waits. L was so funny on the carousel horse, imitating the exercises and "jumping position" she has seen E do at riding lessons. We met DH and the older girls at the tea cups (although DH requested to ride with someone who wasn't going to twirl - just didn't think his stomach could take it again!) and then headed to Future World so DH and E and D could ride Space Mountain. E LOVED it (go figure!) -- she said it was much better than BTMRR or Dinosaur because she couldn't see what was going to happen. Then we walked across the hub to ride the Carpets again -- L's favorite -- and the camel spit on us! Caught us quite by surprise! E and D and I re-rode Pirates and then we boarded the train for the entrance and lunch and a swim at the AKL.
After our break, we took the bus to Animal Kingdom, hoping to see some shows and the Parade, and to explore some of the trails (all things we had missed on our first extremely hot visit). But guess what?! It began to pour again!!!! We did manage to see both the Tarzan and the Lion King shows - Fantastic!! But the parade was cancelled and none of us felt much like wandering trails with the rain beating down on us. As we were heading out, D spied two young men painting caricatures. She had been enthralled with this type of artist since we first arrived and frequently stopped to watch. So she and L both decided to use (almost) the last of their savings to have pictures done - they are so cute! D's is especially neat because the artist caught something about the teenager-to-be in her 10-year-old's face. When looking at it, it is easy to imagine what she will look like in 6 years.
We all decided we'd like to see Illuminations again and D wanted to see Blast II-Shockwave again (her third time!) so we took the bus directly from AK to Epcot. We split up, this time E and I went to wander through the Living Seas again and DH took D and L to try again to get a FP for Test Track (still no luck), grab some hot dogs, and go to see Blast. (I was just as glad we never were able to do Test Track - D and I were in a terrible car accident in the winter where we spun on ice and I wasn't sure either of us could handle TT.) E and I arrived at the American Pavilion in time to catch the tail end of Blast. E and D went ahead to China to purchase some marionettes they had had their eyes on while DH and L and I strolled more slowly along and happened upon some lovely silent masked performers in Italy. L was entranced by one young man in particular. He played gently with her, bowing and being generally gracious, and then, just before they all left, he bowed ceremoniously and presented her with a red flower. (She still has it next to her bed). We watched the parade and Illuminations again -- LOVE the music -- and then munched on goodies from Norway while others rushed to the exit. Perfect ending to a perfect vacation!
Zoe Dog -- Me; 41; went to MK several times as a child and to EPCOT once in late 1980s with DH; compulsive planner, list-maker, and tip-gatherer, but (much to my and my family's relief) was able to be flexible once we arrived
DH -- turned 41 during vacation; late 1980s trip with me was only foray into the World; was a little spooked by memory of how perfect and "Big Brothery" everything was and loved to tease me about my "disney obsession" but is a total kid at heart and began to lurk on the DIS and other helpful sites during the last weeks before departure
E -- DD (11 years) - has an incredibly vivid imagination and so was a bit apprehensive about "spooky" rides, but determined to be a big kid; loves interaction with characters and spotting live animals and noticing all of the little unexpected things
D -- DD (almost 10 years) - wants to do it all and then do it again and again . . . absolutely fearless and utterly enthusiastic
L -- DD (6 1/2 years) - doesn't like to be left behind by the big girls, but is not a thrill seeker; began to swim like a little fish thanks to daily access to warm pools
WHERE: 6 Nights WL; 3 Nights AKL
DAY NINE: Sunday June 30
Our last park day. How quickly it has flown by! I had thought we'd feel sad, but we have had an amazing vacation and already have had 5 days in the parks. We all just seemed to feel happy and ready to return to normal life. We decided to go to the MK at opening since we had had such a great time on two previous morning visits - we'd see a few things we'd missed and then go on a favorite or two as a sort of farewell. DH and D and E got FPs for Space Mountain and then rode the Indy Speedway while L and I headed to Fantasyland. She and I re-rode Dumbo, the Carousel, and Peter Pan - all with no waits. L was so funny on the carousel horse, imitating the exercises and "jumping position" she has seen E do at riding lessons. We met DH and the older girls at the tea cups (although DH requested to ride with someone who wasn't going to twirl - just didn't think his stomach could take it again!) and then headed to Future World so DH and E and D could ride Space Mountain. E LOVED it (go figure!) -- she said it was much better than BTMRR or Dinosaur because she couldn't see what was going to happen. Then we walked across the hub to ride the Carpets again -- L's favorite -- and the camel spit on us! Caught us quite by surprise! E and D and I re-rode Pirates and then we boarded the train for the entrance and lunch and a swim at the AKL.
After our break, we took the bus to Animal Kingdom, hoping to see some shows and the Parade, and to explore some of the trails (all things we had missed on our first extremely hot visit). But guess what?! It began to pour again!!!! We did manage to see both the Tarzan and the Lion King shows - Fantastic!! But the parade was cancelled and none of us felt much like wandering trails with the rain beating down on us. As we were heading out, D spied two young men painting caricatures. She had been enthralled with this type of artist since we first arrived and frequently stopped to watch. So she and L both decided to use (almost) the last of their savings to have pictures done - they are so cute! D's is especially neat because the artist caught something about the teenager-to-be in her 10-year-old's face. When looking at it, it is easy to imagine what she will look like in 6 years.
We all decided we'd like to see Illuminations again and D wanted to see Blast II-Shockwave again (her third time!) so we took the bus directly from AK to Epcot. We split up, this time E and I went to wander through the Living Seas again and DH took D and L to try again to get a FP for Test Track (still no luck), grab some hot dogs, and go to see Blast. (I was just as glad we never were able to do Test Track - D and I were in a terrible car accident in the winter where we spun on ice and I wasn't sure either of us could handle TT.) E and I arrived at the American Pavilion in time to catch the tail end of Blast. E and D went ahead to China to purchase some marionettes they had had their eyes on while DH and L and I strolled more slowly along and happened upon some lovely silent masked performers in Italy. L was entranced by one young man in particular. He played gently with her, bowing and being generally gracious, and then, just before they all left, he bowed ceremoniously and presented her with a red flower. (She still has it next to her bed). We watched the parade and Illuminations again -- LOVE the music -- and then munched on goodies from Norway while others rushed to the exit. Perfect ending to a perfect vacation!
Krissy
