The Empty Nesters Magical Mystery Tour *1/28* Link to New Girl's TR p141

[MEK]

Decisions Decisions

Believe it or not we are now up to Day 5 of my trip! But even more outstanding is I’m getting ready to write about October 28, 2013 and we will still be in Disney another week. Another whole week!

Well, let me clarify - Another whole week of vacation, but some of it will be spent outside the bubble. But that doesn’t happen until Day 6.

So on Day 5 we had some decisions to make. I canceled our HS FP+ for the prior day so we could have some more family time, so today we needed to decide if we should go to HS or to a watermark.

It’s a little confusing, but if we didn’t go to a water park today we wouldn’t go at all during this trip. Why? Because we had friends coming to stay with us at the end of the week and water park was NOT on their agenda. I guess I should say the didn’t have water park passes and with only 3 full days and one evening in the parks, it didn’t quite make their cut.

So we weighed the pros and cons and decided on the Water Park! After all, we had a PAP and, dog-gone it, we were going to use it!

So I made FP + reservations for the following weekend at HS and we decided to go visit Blizzard Beach.

Once that decision was made, I set off for a run. I knew I couldn’t run the next morning because we were going to pack up and hightail it out of the bubble to go visit Saint Augustine.

The sun was in the process of rising while I was out on my run, so I took a few more pictures than usual.

I wasn’t far from the BW when I turned around to take a picture.



And I ran to the IG



And then I ran back towards the BC



I love this picture.



And this one



And a view of the sunrise



I ran over to the Swolphin and stopped for a picture of the fountain



Here’s a picture of the Dolphin from the Swan



Hey fishy fishy



Ok - I have no clue as to whether this is the Swan of the Dolphin pool



Either way - its beautiful. Perhaps its a shared pool?



I love running in the morning. So pretty!



I basically just ran around the Boardwalk out to IG, back to the BC, and then all through the Swan and Dolphin. Not a long run, but it was really all I needed.

When I returned to the BWV I took a few more pics.



This was my last morning at the Boardwalk, so it was a good way to say goodbye.

On our way to Blizzard Beach I caught this picture of ToT. Oh ToT, would I ever get there to ride you?



We passed CSR



and arrived here just before opening.



There were only a handful of cars in the parking lot.

I took a few hasty pics of the mini golf course.







And then we went to get our lift tickets…er, I mean use our PAP privileges.



Hidden Mickey



The Lottawatta Lodge



and Joe’s rentals



Our map



North Peak?



Continued In Next Post

 

[MEK]

The warming, er, I mean Cooling Hut



I snagged this picture of Summit Plummet as we were waiting to be let in.





Who knew that they actually rope off the entrances to the chairs and slides?

We waited about 5 minutes and were finally set free to find a seat.

We found some great chairs over near the Wave Pool (also known as Melt Away Bay). I took a few pictures, but I can’t remember if this was when we first sat down or later





Probably first since there are a heck of a lot of tubes available for use!



No trip to BB is complete without a few scenery pics.



The Lazy River was definitely on our list of rides



There are a lot of little huts available for reservation. I have no idea what they cost, but I can tell you that I didn’t see one in use.









Zoom in on one of the slides



So I bet you are wondering what we did besides the Lazy River



Well, we didn’t take the chair lift (the one time we could have because the lines were non-existent). We took the Lazy River over to the Rapid Runoffs. Obviously I have no pictures, but I can tell you that you have to hike about 115 steps to get to the top. How do I know that? Well, I counted them. Yup - at my age 115 steps is a lot of steps, so I made Denny carry up a double tube and we rode that twice. There are three slides up there, but you can only ride the double tube on two of them. I know we ascended a third time (before I succumbed to altitude sickness) and I think we may have carried single tubes up the last time.

The verdict - very fun, but it actually hurt my neck a bit. When we lazy rivered it back to the our chairs my neck felt like I was all out of alignment. Denny gave me a make shift massage and it worked. Yay! I was back in business. So we set out to find Teamboat Springs.

As you may or may not know, Teamboat Springs requires at least 4 people in a raft. That presents a bit of a dilemma when you are a party of two. But we got in line anyway. It was a little awkward, but once I figured out who was riding with who, I asked this nice family if we could get in a raft with them and they said yes. Woo Hoo! Love this ride. So much fun!

I know we lazy rivered it a bit more, just because we could and it obviously wasn’t crowded.



I took a bajillion pictures of Summit Plummet, but there is no way I was risking my life on that thing.



At some point we decided we should eat a light lunch.

But why not have an adult beverage to go with that lunch?



Can you guess which one I picked?

Well, if you said the grey goose then you are 100% correct!



This drink was amazing! Holy cow! Better than the GGS! If you are the fan of the GGS, you need to check this bad boy out! Yum!

We sat over here for our lunch (and my adult beverage). To say we had the whole place to ourselves was definitely NOT an exaggeration!



For some odd reason I decided I wanted a hot dog! I have no explanation for this.



Denny got a chicken caesar salad. We shared.



As we were sitting there I realized that choosing BB over HS for the morning was definitely a win-win. The crowds were minuscule, the weather was perfection, and the relaxation was wonderful. Can you say Love?

I took a few more post lunch pictures







which prove that the crowds had grown



Continued In the Next Post

 

[MEK]

We decided to check out the gentle waves in Melt Away Bay



By now all the tubes were gone. *sigh*

We still had fun and enjoyed the beautiful day.

When we finally settled back in our chairs we decided to call it a day.

Pretty flower picture I took somewhere



The Beach Haus



Fun T-shirt



Sleds



Low Low Miles. Somehow I believe that, given its Florida!



Cute




Of course, I had to take one more picture of the castle on the way out!



And before you knew it we were back here



These are all standard view villas. I would love to stay in that top floor two bedroom



Decorated for Halloween



I decided I needed a few more BWI pics to add to my collection. I just love this resort. I think you already knew that. You know - the whole Coney Island / Atlantic City theme just speaks to me.





Fun Board games



Am I giving away my age when I tell you that I remember having a Chinese Checker board?










I went out on the verandah





I thought it was cool that I could zoom in on the Beach Club



Back in the main lobby






Continued In the Next Post

 

[MEK]

Paul!!!!!!



How creepy you look in that view!

I’m not sure what time it was when we wondered back into Epcot. Our plan for the remainder of the day was to hit the food & wine kiosks, circle the showcase, then head over to MK for the evening.

We originally had a dinner ADR at the Grand Floridian Cafe but decided to cancel it so we could have a totally unscheduled day. Notice no DIS meets or family meets today. We were totally on our own and, as much as I love DIS meets and family meets, it felt pretty great to have no scheduled plans.

This was our 5th day in a row at Epcot and, once again, the weather was spectacular!







The Spice Road Table still under construction



Seriously? How cute are they?



Wave for the camera boys!









I don’t know what we ate.

I don’t know what we drank.

I just know the crowds weren’t atrocious and the going was easy.



This made me think of khertz

























By the time we had meandered our way around to Singapore things had picked up just a tad




We stopped for a PP picture before heading to the front of the park



And with that I am going to stop.

Tomorrow I leave for the world to reunite with my bestie Cynthia so replies will not be immediate.

And you know it always takes me FOREVER to get back to updating when I get home.

And I got behind on all my subbed TRs this week, so I will try to catch up on them today and tomorrow.

When I return - How we spend the rest of the day and Leaving the bubble for the historic old town of Saint Augustine!

 

[khaleesi]

Happy belated birthday!!!!!!!

Lattawatta Lodge!

I've never been to the waterparks... I like them here in the summer when it's too hot to move, but I enjoy being in the parks so much that I don't know that I'd be willing to take time out to do that. So I'll live vicariously through your great pictures!!!

Have a fantastic trip!!!!!! Tell Mickey I said hi!!!

 

[dawnbu40]

Looks like you two had a fantastic day at BB. I love all the pics

Safe travels and see you soon

 

[Wood Nymph]

I hope you have/had a great time at F&G with Cynthia. Let me know if you tried the pink Grey Goose slush over at the Epcot food booth. I fell in love with it.

My DH and I played Chinese Checkers one cold, rainy night in the Carolwood Pacific room at the VWL. It was a lot of fun. I haven't played it in years, decades maybe.

We aren't big fans of the BWI but I can see why you like it so much. It is beautiful there.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

We haven't been to any of the water parks. Partly due to our packed park schedules.....but probably also because I've been terrified of really tall and high water slides even when I was a kid. So I'm probably projecting my fear onto my kids

That Summit Plummet looks reeeeally high in your pictures.

Great Epcot pictures!!

 

[GoofyFan1515]

:woohoo for leaving tomorrow. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[dizneeat]

I LOVE your update. Such great photos of BB and Epcot lateron. Not to mention your photos taken during your run! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I just wanted to say ........

Have a safe trip and a magical time.

 

[MeMom]

The water parks and mini-golf courses are a few places on Disney property I have not been. My sons have been to both water parks. A group of DIS friends once met to go to Winter Summerland together, but we got rained out. We ended up just hanging out at DTD.

I enjoyed all the Epcot and Epcot area pictures. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip.

P.S. - I think the shortest one in the group of guys is cutest, so I'll take him in a taller, older version, please.

 

[MEK]

Happy belated birthday!!!!!!!

Thank you! :good vibes

Lattawatta Lodge!

I know!

I've never been to the waterparks... I like them here in the summer when it's too hot to move, but I enjoy being in the parks so much that I don't know that I'd be willing to take time out to do that. So I'll live vicariously through your great pictures!!!

The nice thing about the water parks, at least for me, is I can be perfectly happy to spend 3 hours there and then leave and go to a regular park. Because our DVC PAP included the water parks we decided to visit both of them just because we could. I guess we go to the parks enough that the diversion is good.

Have a fantastic trip!!!!!! Tell Mickey I said hi!!!

Thanks and I sure will!

Looks like you two had a fantastic day at BB. I love all the pics

We had a lot of fun. I'm glad we got a chance to check out each WP while we had the PAP. We won't have a park ticket when we go in October, but I still have non-expiring WP tickets from an old ticket so we'll just buy a single say ticket for Denny and head back for a day.

Safe travels and see you soon

You too! Can't wait!

I hope you have/had a great time at F&G with Cynthia. Let me know if you tried the pink Grey Goose slush over at the Epcot food booth. I fell in love with it.

I am sure we will. Thanks!

I have not tried the GGS yet, but I've seen pictures of it. Perhaps I'll get around to it next week. Slushes are great for the first drink of the day. They sort of ease you in slowly, if you know what I mean!

My DH and I played Chinese Checkers one cold, rainy night in the Carolwood Pacific room at the VWL. It was a lot of fun. I haven't played it in years, decades maybe.

Neat! I love that room, but I must confess I've never spent much time there. Denny and I are staying there for a couple nights in October so maybe we'll chillax there and do the same thing.

We aren't big fans of the BWI but I can see why you like it so much. It is beautiful there.

Here's the thing. I am a south Jersey girl at heart simply because that's where my grandparents lived. I used to spend several weeks there every summer. I loved it. I have such fond memories of going to the Steele Peer with my grandparents and my uncle. The BWV's takes me right back there and I get all nostalgic.

 

[MEK]

We haven't been to any of the water parks. Partly due to our packed park schedules.....but probably also because I've been terrified of really tall and high water slides even when I was a kid. So I'm probably projecting my fear onto my kids

Oh No! My brother has done that with his kids and only the oldest has no fear. The rest are afraid of everything. But I also understand that fear because I got left hanging upside down in a salt and pepper shaker (yeah - I'm that old) when I was a teenager and it took me FOREVER to get my fear of thrill rides in check.

That Summit Plummet looks reeeeally high in your pictures.

There is NO way I will go down that. It's really outside of my comfort zone. My older son has done it but the rest of us whimped out. I did do the one next to it (the name escapes me) and had a water wedgie that had to be indecent. I loved the ride but I never want a wedgie like that again.

Great Epcot pictures!!

Thanks! :good vibes

:woohoo for leaving tomorrow. Hope you have a great trip!

Thanks! I'm going with Cynthia, remember? How can I not!

I LOVE your update. Such great photos of BB and Epcot later on. Not to mention your photos taken during your run! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Karin and welcome back! Waiting to hear all about Italy!

I just got a new iPhone so I hope my run pictures from next week improve in quality over the ones with my old iPhone.

IAnd I just wanted to say ........

Have a safe trip and a magical time.

Thanks so much! I know we will! :good vibes

The water parks and mini-golf courses are a few places on Disney property I have not been. My sons have been to both water parks. A group of DIS friends once met to go to Winter Summerland together, but we got rained out. We ended up just hanging out at DTD.

I went to the water parks several times with my kids, back in the day. In fact, I bought a non-expiring park ticket once that still has about 5 water park passes left on it. The AVC PAP allowed Denny and I to check out both WP's this year. That was nice.

I have never gone to either of the golf courses. It's quite possible that we will in October since we will not have a park pass. They look so well themed, but they are also both fairly pricey.

I enjoyed all the Epcot and Epcot area pictures. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip.

Thanks and I am sure I will. I really can't wait!

P.S. - I think the shortest one in the group of guys is cutest, so I'll take him in a taller, older version, please.

I couldn't agree more. He really is a little cutie.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Have a safe trip! I'll see you soon!!! Yay!!!!

I'll text you on Friday. Our Star Tours FPs are at the same time, so maybe meet there? I can't wait!

 

[rndmr2]

Happy Belated Birthday!

Looks like you had a nice day at Blizzard Beach. I like it there, I think it was the Runoff Rapids that I liked when I was there a few years ago w/ my nieces. I love water slides. I didn't get to go on any when I was there in 2011, I really only did the wave pool and the Lazy river. They are always fun though.

Hope you are having fun on your Girls' Trip!!

 

[MEK]

Have a safe trip! I'll see you soon!!! Yay!!!!

I'll text you on Friday. Our Star Tours FPs are at the same time, so maybe meet there? I can't wait!

That sounds perfect! Yayayayayay! Can't wait!

Happy Belated Birthday!

Thanks! :good vibes

Looks like you had a nice day at Blizzard Beach. I like it there, I think it was the Runoff Rapids that I liked when I was there a few years ago w/ my nieces. I love water slides. I didn't get to go on any when I was there in 2011, I really only did the wave pool and the Lazy river. They are always fun though.

We had a great time there. It was a perfect day! Runoff Rapids was so much fun and so was Teamboat Springs. I agree - the Lazy River and the Wave Pool are always lot of fun!

Hope you are having fun on your Girls' Trip!!

I leave today! Can't wait!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

My GOD what a beautiful sight around the Epcot resorts. It does not get more stunning than that.

I have never been to either Disney Water Park, so it's always a treat for me to see them. Pretty cool.

Your experience at Teamboat Springs sounds like a perfect Disney experience. It's all about meeting new people.

Haha, nice Hanson shout out.

Have yet another wonderful time on your journey back to the WORLD and I sure do hope you enjoy that awesome Star Wars meal.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Happy Mother's Day Mary Ellen. Hope you have a wonderful day, smooth travels and a safe flight!

 

[jenseib]

Have a fun and safe trip!
darn I had water park tickets this past trip, but Claire did not. I should've suggested to Skip to go there for a few hours our last day as it would've been cheaper to pay out of pocket for the 2 of them than pay for 3 to go to Universal. I wasn't thinking!!!

 

[jedijill]

Happy Mother's Day and have a fantastic trip!

Jill in CO