The Long Awaited, Much Anticipated Trip To WDW: Part 3: Layering In Florida

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

(Sorry for the delays folks. I got a killer cold. Maybe go, go GOING in WDW and no sleep had something to do with my lowered resistance. I'm still working on the reports in between holiday preparations and massive cookie baking!)

Starring:
Me: Most folks call me Beth, some call me Liz and when I’m in serious trouble I’m Elizabeth. Disney-holic. Been planning this trip for what seems like eons.

SDS: Dearest husband and best friend. Disney-holic.

Co-Starring:
M&A: Good friends from the other side of the pond. DVC owners at the OKW Resort. If they had not invited us to stay with them, this trip would not be happening.
It’s chilly in Florida today and supposed to get quite cold this evening. Is this Florida or NJ (oh, wait there’s no snow here!). I forgo shorts and go for jeans and a very cool looking dark long sleeve Magic Kingdom shirt that I got at the Character Warehouse when it was here in NJ. Too bad not many people will see it because I’m wearing a zippered sweatshirt over it!
I awoke this morning to the sound of lawn mower. Such is the curse of having a room right on a golf course. It’s better than an alarm clock (though not better than a Mickey wake up call – something I missed on this trip).
SDS & I head out early for EMH at MGM today. Get to the park right at opening and am pleasantly surprised to see that they are actually checking resort IDs. Guess they wised up – after all it’s common knowledge what days are “early entry”.
I am supposed to meet Dan Murphy at 9 AM right outside the Christmas Shop (where there is a melting snowman). SDS wanted to try Rock N Roller Coaster this time around. I have always been a coward when it comes to this ride. I have an irrational fear of going upside down, but having been told that the whole ride lasts only 58 seconds, I figure I can tolerate it. Right?
But 8 AM the crowds are all heading right as we enter the park. So instead of going with the flow to ToT or RnRC, we go left towards Star Tours (and in the general direction where I am supposed to meet Dan). There is no wait at Star Tours. As a matter of fact there is no one at Star Tours. Or so it seems. I pause to take a few photos in the queue area and watch C3PO and R2D2.
It’s nice and warm inside and I’m in no hurry, but we find that there are a few other people ready to take a flight to Endor, so we are hurried in and get on the ride.
I did feel a little “oogie” after the ride. Took my time walking through the corridors and into the gift shop. My brother (who is taking in our mail while we are away) had asked me to purchase a glass for him here, but I can’t remember which one he wants. I’m thinking the Mos Eisley shot glass, but I’m not sure. I decide to pass and will give him a call later.
We head over to the Muppets 4D. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!! This attraction. The pre-show is almost finished when we go in. I’m kind of sad we missed some of it. It’s so clever. We entered just as Sam Eagle was about to introduce, “Mr. Mickey Mouse.” Of course, it’s only Rizzo the Rat. Ah, we’re just tourists, what do we know?? So maybe the 3D effects are not up to par in today’s world, it’s still the funniest show and by just being the Muppets it automatically rates as my favorite 3D show in the world.
Coming out, it’s almost time to meet Dan. But there’s no one around the area and the shops are closed. So Steve & I wander to the nearby bathrooms. After that, we hang around the Muppet area and I keep checking back to see if Dan is there. No luck. I go back to the bathroom area where there are some payphones to call my brother to find out what glass he wants.
Amazingly, at 9 AM he is awake. “You’re in MGM already?!”
Hey, its 9 AM, I’ve already been to 2 attractions and am ready for more!
He tells me it’s the Mos Eisley BEER glass that he wants. He also told me he trekked through 4 inches of snow to get my mail yesterday and that there’s about 8 inches on the ground now and the snow is still falling. Maybe being cold in Florida isn’t so bad after all.
Wander back to the gift shop area again. Still no Dan Murphy. But the shops are now open. I check out all the Muppet stuff and once again restrain myself from making purchases. (The new Muppet toys are so cool, but I cannot justify buying them with our poor budget. If I hit the lottery, you know I’ll be rushing back and buying just about everything I can get my hands on). Then I wander back out and look for Dan. No Dan.  Check out the Christmas store. No Dan there either. I stick my head outside and Steve is signaling me. He’s signaling for me to run to the area where the Muppet Show lets out.
I get there and get a truly magical moment. Just coming out the side door of the shop is none other than Kermit the Frog (and assistant). While I have heard that the Muppets have been seen in MGM, I (one of the biggest Muppet fans out there – I can remember the very first airing of Sesame Street when I was 3 years old) have never seen them. So for a couple of minutes it’s just me (and SDS) and Kermit (and assistant). This is cooler than cool! This is the magical moment that I have been waiting for. And I soak it up. And I LOVE it! And then I see a little boy and his family come around the corner. My moment is up and it is time for me to let someone else have theirs.
SDS & I head back to the melting snowman. Still no Dan Murphy. It is about 9:30 and I know that “stuff” happens. Schedules change. People get held up. So as much as I want to meet Dan, I decide it’s time to move on.
SDS & I return to the gift shop at Star Tours and purchase the glass my brother wanted and have it shipped back to our resort. Then it is time…
Time for me to face that fear.
There is only a 10 minute wait posted at Rock N Roller Coaster. There is no backing out. There are little kids here anxious to try it. I can do this right?
Soon we are ushered inside where Aerosmith are doing their recording. The pre-show is cute (I like Ileana Douglas as their manager), but I am not a big Aerosmith fan (sorry guys) and I am getting more and more nervous.
And even sooner we are on line for the limo. I watch one “blast off”. Boy they go fast!
Then we’re in a limo and ready to go. We take off and my eyes are closed tight. I can feel us go upside down and I don’t like it. I open my eyes. I see some of the cool Hollywood signs. But then I close them again. And I don’t open them again until the end of the ride. I survived! Even if my head did get knocked around a bit.
SDS loved it! (He can’t stand Space Mountain). He wants to go again. I’m willing to try it again, but not now (and probably not this trip). We take a look at our photo. SDS looks like he’s having a great time, my eyes are closed tight and I’ve got a death grip on the harness.
Time to try something else that we’ve never done: One Man’s Dream (wasn’t there the last time we visited). We take our time wandering around. Some very cool stuff on display. We spent a good amount of oohing and aahing over the memorabilia. We enjoy the movie, but it just seems a bit disconcerting to watch Walt’s life unfold with narration by Michael Eisner (especially in light of Roy’s resignation which occurred right before our trip down).
We do one last attraction before our scheduled lunch. The Great Movie Ride. We didn’t look at the wait time outside the attraction, and we should have. Every time we have done GMR, there has never been a wait. This time there is a huge line that goes all the way out to where some of the movie memorabilia is (the chess board from Star Wars, the carousel horse from Mary Poppins). We probably had a 25 minute wait. Maybe this attraction won’t be going any where (as I was afraid it might based on rumors and the fact that it’s no longer the first thing you see when wandering into the park – it is blocked off by the giant hat).
The ride looked cleaner than I had remembered it and our “driver” Rebecca was quite good (enthusiastic, but not falsely so. She made me believe that she really was a big movie buff, and if she’s not, she certainly pulled it off well). We had the gangster scene, which is the one I prefer, so I was a happy camper.
We then head over to the Sci Fi Dine In. Originally, when we were supposed to meet up with Dan, he was going to have lunch with us. I thought I might see him hanging around, but unfortunately, I didn’t. We had to wait a bit to be seated (probably 10 minutes or so) and they were turning away people who didn’t have a PS. Based on what I saw, I would definitely recommend getting a PS if you wanted to eat there.
We had never eaten at the Sci Fi before, but had heard good things about it. Plus SDS had spoken to the chef a week ago and she had seemed very nice and concerned about my food allergies – going so far as to read ingredients from the Kaiser rolls over the phone to him (which is what they serve their burgers on).
We are seated in the front of a car and have a HYSTERICAL server by the name of Mike, who insists that the “driver” of the car (that would be me) has to pay for the whole car (little did I realize that 2 other couples would fit in our car). Mike takes our drink orders (I get a coke with a glowing ice cube – red to be festive for the season) and gets the chef out to speak with us.
I cannot speak highly enough of Chef Aerran (she was the one that SDS spoke to over the phone). I was really looking forward to a bacon burger and she said there would be no trouble. She even assured me that the fries were done in a separate fryer than anything else. I was definitely set for a yummy meal. Aerran came back with a booklet which listed the ingredients of all the purchased products and a small flashlight so that we could read the list with ease (it is pretty dark in there, but it all adds to the atmosphere).
As I said, Mike was excellent, he brought us our food right away and I have to say it was the BEST bacon burger and fries I have ever had (too bad SDS could not say the same about the ribs. I guess you should stick to the burgers). Mike was so much fun, especially when asked to take a photo. He would shout cheese in the most unusual way. He was so good that I had another server (though not one who was on roller skates, there were quite a few of those), take a photo of the three of us in the car. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the drive in with the cheesy film promos (I find it hard to believe that some of those movies are for real! What were they thinking???). I am so glad we tried out the Sci Fi and we will definitely be back again for another burger (I salivate just thinking of it).
After lunch we headed back to the OKW for a “rest.” My idea of rest is doing a load of laundry and sitting out on the back porch/patio/deck to try and get some sun. Since the area is somewhat sheltered, I am able to get a little bit of sunshine while reading my book, while SDS naps inside (a good idea, but this my “go, go, GO!” vacation so I didn’t nap). I only “allowed” about an hour of rest because I wanted to go to Downtown Disney’s Marketplace to check out World Of Disney before we headed to the Magic Kingdom for an evening of fun.
The main reason I wanted to do World of Disney is because of the 10% discount that AP holders get. I was hoping to get most of the things I wanted at this shop with the discount.
Before we left, I packed my heavy (for FL) jacket and fleece pull over in my bag (for that evening). We had hoped to take the boat there, but we had just missed the boat and it was quite breezy, so we figured the bus might be the way to go.
Arriving at DtD, it was JAMMED back. Guess the idea is NOT to go around 3 PM on a weekend. The walk to World of Disney seemed far and crowded (although there was a nice choir singing on the walk there). WoD was more jam packed than I had ever imagined. I was trying to do a quick run around to pick up what I wanted. Unfortunately, most of the things I wanted didn’t seem to be there. So much for the discount.
I did, however, pick up some scrap booking items (more bucks than I wanted to spend) and a few other things (like a Rudolph Mickey antenna topper for me and my brother back home). Finally find a place to check out (all the lines were worse than some of those you might see for an attraction!). I get a good portion of my packages paid for by my Disney Rewards (one good reason to have a Disney Visa. I had intended to use this for a meal, but kept forgetting. Just like I forgot to mention my AP when we dined at Akershus, Olivias and Concourse Steakhouse for lunch. If I had, I could have gotten a discount). Just as I’m paying for the rest, I realize that one of toppers is missing its red nose. Now I have to go find another one.
Thus brings us to a truly UNMAGICAL moment. I am unable to find the topper. I find other toppers, but the Rudolph one isn’t there. I’m running around (among huge crowds) to try and find it, but am not having any success. And just when I am ready to give up, I realize I can’t find the check out where SDS is still waiting. The store is getting larger, the crowds are getting bigger and I am getting smaller and more and more panicked. I felt like the child that has lost their parent. I am trying NOT to have a panic attack, but as I keep looking and not seeing SDS, I really am getting ready to cry and don’t know what to do (I admit I felt like sitting down in the middle of the store and just crying).
Finally, I stop SDS waving to me. I cannot tell you what a relief it was. But I still don’t have the topper and all of my packages have been pretty much wrapped up and the cashier is waiting on other customers. I explain that I can’t find the topper, and she was another CM use a radio to see if they can find any more.
It’s getting pretty hot, even more crowded and I’m feeling like this excursion was a big mistake. Plus our MK time is ticking away (we are supposed to meet M&A by Tony’s Town Square by 5). Frustration has long set in.
Then comes a magical moment. A man in line behind us comes up with the toppers I had been looking for. He must have heard us on line. He saves the day. We are able to pack everything up and head out. I don’t know who that angel was, but he really did save the day for me and made me feel so much better. Whoever you are/were, this frazzled shopper wants to say thank you once again (even though I must have said it 10 times while we were still there).
Now we can hurry back to the bus stop. SDS just needs to make a quick stop to the Art of Disney store. We have so many attraction posters in our home that there is not much more room on our walls, But the monorail poster is calling his name and I have to admit that I like it to. Luck is with us at the Art of Disney store, SDS quickly gets on and there is a cashier standing there just waiting for us. SDS pays for it and arranges to have it shipped home to us (we are still waiting for it, but I’m sure it will get here after the holiday. Then we just have to have it framed).
We decide to catch the bus that goes to the Contemporary and then walk over to MK. We don’t have to wait too long for the bus and it’s only one stop at Pleasure Island before we are on our way to the Contemporary (and I have to mention that as you’re turning into PI there is a traffic light and then a big light up sign that tells of the attractions at PI. It said something like “Party!” Then “Midnight Fireworks!” “Open Till 2 AM!” and finally the best of all “Long Light, Huh?” Only at Disney!”)
We get to the Contemporary and walk over to MK. Entering we see the park is PACKED (though probably not as bad as WoD). We head straight over to the Exposition Hall and Tony’s because it is so crowded at the end of the street. That is because they are just finished up the Flag Retreat (which I really enjoy) and the afternoon parade is coming down the road (even though it is 5 PM). The Share A Dream Come True parade has been replaced by the Christmas parade (probably because they are filming for the Christmas Day show). From the porch of Tony’s Town Square we are able to watch a bit of the parade in the fading daylight (we will see the parade when we attend MVMCP later in the week). We also are able to spot M&A who are standing not too far away. We bring them up on the porch to watch with us and about ½ way through the parade go check in for our PS. Since everyone else was out watching the parade, we get in with no problems.
We have a nice dinner at Tony’s, though nothing to rave about. (It’s hard to top Chef Aerran and her incredible burger). The chef does come to speak with me and the sole that I had was good enough, but nothing to shout about. The others seem to feel the same way as well.
As we finish up dinner, the restaurant is now packed (all those hungry diners who had been watching the parade). We head over to Tomorrowland, which is pretty busy. First stop is the TTA. Love this. It’s a nice restful way to check out Tomorrowland. And since it is so dark out, when we head into the Space Mountain part of the ride, my eyes have adjusted and it easy to make out the SM tracks. While I would love to see the ride when it is “down” and the lights are on, this came pretty close. I find it fascinating to see what it really looks like.
M&A have Fastpasses for Buzz, so they head that way, while SDS & head for Timekeeper. Turns out we got into the last showing of the evening. While we missed the pre-show (bummer) we always love this presentation and can’t believe that it’s only a seasonal attraction. It’s funny and has a great heart, although it is hard to see the filmed bit of the Twin Towers from NYC (the last time we were here, the towers were still standing).
M&A meet us outside the attraction and we make our way over to the Haunted Mansion. There was a bit of a wait for this, but we don’t mind. It’s a favorite for all of us. Unfortunately because there was such a crowd I was unable to get a good view of the new Leota tombstone that I had heard so much about. I could kind of see it blink, but didn’t see Leota nod. I was also disappointed that we were hurried into the stretch room and that the room stretched before the door was completely closed (that RUINS the whole presentation). However, the hanging body, was very well lit and much easier to see than in the past.
I got another magical moment once we were in the doombuggy. As the voice of Paul Frees says “I will lower it for you,” the CM passed his hand over the front of the car (without touching it) and the bar lowered. I thought it was a nice presentation and said thank you. Seconds later as we are actually heading in, the CM sticks his head into the buggy and says in a ghostly tone, “Your welcome.” Enhanced the experience and a big thumbs up to whoever was manning that station on the night of Saturday, December 6th.
After HM, we see the cart with all the HM goodies. I could have spent a fortune. We go into a shop nearby and there is even more HM collectibles and goodies. SDS purchases a book and I ward off temptation, but telling myself I will return later to make a purchase, which will give me time to think about what I should and should not buy (I wanted just about every shirt they had in there, plus the bobble head ghosts, plus the antenna toppers…well you get the idea).
Over to PotC. HM and PotC are definitely classics. We can do them over and over again without getting tired of them. Imagineering is at its best here.
We part company with M&A and plan to meet up around 9:30 by Casey’s for the fireworks.
We head over to the Jungle Cruise as there was no wait. We get Pat as our tour guide and he was very funny (for those of you South Park fans, it we had our very own “Big Gay Al” in the guise of Pat). The Jungle Cruise really depends on its guide/skipper and I was really happy that Pat was our guide.
When we finished up with the cruise, the first parade was going by, so we hoofed it over to Fantasyland, which was not too busy. We couldn’t pass by Philarmagic. We had to go in, even though it looked pretty crowded. I LOVED the posters inside. It is these clever details that make Disney Disney (hear that Mr. Eisner?). We LOVED the show (is there anyone out there who doesn’t?). I even thought the CG Tink was pretty good (I am very critical when it comes to Tink) and Donald getting stuck in the wall at the end was a classic (although I think some people missed this). I knew we would be back again during our trip to see this show.
Since the fireworks would be starting soon, people were being diverted out of Fantasyland into Tomorrowland. There was no way we would be able to make it to Casey’s to meet M&A (and some other friends). We ended up close to the castle in Tomorrowland (where the two sort of meet). We thought this would be a good viewing place. WRONG! Although we did have a great view of Tinkerbell’s flight, it was a poor viewing spot for the fireworks (so be warned). We also seemed to be in a spot that was prime “ash area”. Yes, the ash, ash, ash came down, down, down (could this be because we were not too far away from the Winnie The Pooh attraction? As last as the crow flies, you can’t get there directly). I was also not that thrilled with the children singing “Wishes” over and over again. Or maybe it was just that it was quite cold by now, even though I had on my long sleeve shirt, pull over fleece, and jacket on (all zipped up). And I had donned mittens as well.
After the fireworks, we made our way to Main Street. The crowds were thinning out and we decided to stake out a spot to view SpectroMagic. We easily found a spot on the benches that surround the circle at the end of Main Street. The only problem is that it was COLD. And I had to make a trek to the Ladies Room and there wasn’t one very close by. Since most of the people were heading towards the entrance, I decided to power walk into Fantasyland and hit the rest room that borders Fantasyland and Liberty Square. That’s when I discovered why they close off Fantasyland. Fireworks must go off nearby, or even more ash must fall there. The place was sopping wet (I’m assuming they do that to make sure that there are no problems with the falling ash) and CMs were doing their best to brush the puddles away).
After my quick pit stop, I power walk back to SDS and we didn’t have to wait too long before Spectro started. We both enjoyed it, although we were both pretty cold. And we were probably pretty happy when the parade was over and we could head back down Main Street to the warm bus.
Again, we lucked out and didn’t have to wait long for a bus back to OKW. And there was plenty of room. (We never had to stand during our trip).
Back at the room, M&A are still awake (and it’s after midnight!). They tell us that they will be unable to spend tomorrow (or is it today?) with us as they are meeting up with a friend who lives in the area. So we’ll be on our own for the entire day. We’ve enjoyed spending part of our day with them, but we’ll manage on our own, although I am sorry that the 4 of us will not be able to do breakfast at the Whispering Canyon Café together (M had promised that she would ask for the ketchup).
SDS & I both take WARM showers before jumping into the sofa bed. We are glad that there are 2 blankets! Whoever thought that FL could be so cold! You’re not supposed to wear 3 layers in the south!
I drift off to the end of Saturday Night Live (I can never stay awake long enough when we are at home, but somehow when we are in WDW, I have the energy to go, go GO! Onward Commando!)
Tomorrow promises to be an “interesting” day.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanx for sharing.