MKFan-PR
Certified MK Freak! Work is what I do for Vacation
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2002
- Messages
- 495
The Cast:
Me MKFan-PR, 37. Absolutely, 100%, government-certified WDW freak. Enthusiast doesnt quite cut it. Fell in love with the place since the first time my parents took me when I was 5.
DW, 41. Married with me for 11 years. Guess where weve gone on vacation for most of them? Doesnt like thrill rides but loves strolling, window shopping and dining on Epcot.
DD, 6. Well call her Cookie (my pet nickname for her). This trip is supposed to be celebrating her good grades and performance in 1st grade at school (at least thats what I tell people! ). Shes been dreaming about it since I mentioned the possibility way back in October.
Our previous installments:
Day 1: Were here!...Our bags will follow shortly
Day 2: MGM and the baked MKFan Family
Day 3: MK, ducks, and the grilled MKFan Family
Day 4: AK and the sautéed MKFan Family
Day 5-8/2: Soarin at Epcot with the roasted MKFan family
Today, as we wake up (of course, at the exact time of whenever-I-feel-like-it), I realize that this is day 5, the hafway point of my vacation. But i'm not going to start dreading the day it ends... I have to enjoy it as much as I can... live life to the fullest... live every moment and...
What?... Oh yeah... breakfast... Sure, honey. I'll be right back with your French Toast...
Nothing like your family to remind you of what's important...
While the ladies get dressed, I set up an AR for a late lunch Le Cellier. This is one of our favorite restaurants. And one lesson I have painfully learned is that if you want to eat at a certain place, make a ressie and lock it up. There are no guarantees that you'll get a shot as a walk-in.
As a matter of fact, if you try to get into Le Cellier as a walk in, they most probably do this:
Now that we're finished discussing restaurant philosophy, back to the Report.
We get on the bus, and after picking up our POR bus-brethren, we arrive at Epcot. As we go in, we get a Stroller for Cookie, since it was such a hit yesterday. After getting everything settled, we head towards The Land, where we deal with our first priority, while the ladies wait, I get a FP for Soarin. Everything on these first hours will deal around Soarin, since we are anxious to try it. The FP return time is for almost 4 hours later. Perfect, since we'll be able to do other stuff, plus have time for lunch.
We head into the direction of The Living Seas, to try out the much ballyhooed Nemo revamping. After taking pictures at the entrance sign (with the Nemo characters in the sign), we go in... and immediately like it, because... it's air-conditioned
! The sun today is set on DEEP-FAT FRY, so the air-conditioner feels so good I could marry it.
DW isn't jealous. With this heat she'd dump me for a 12,000 BTU console in a heartbeat!
After seeing the movie (I momentarily lost my senses and became a lemming, instead of bypassing it for the hydrolators...
), we enter the 'Seabase' through the hydrolators. There we explore around. Cookie loves the turtles, and is amazed by the Manatees. DW and I spend some time looking at the Jellyfish. Lots of stuff to explore here. The shark section was pretty cool.
We get into the line to watch Crush. They could do a better job with this; I believe there is only one room for the show, so the line is bottom-of-the-ketchup-bottle slow.
There was no shortage of entertainment, though; we were treated to the following show while we waited:
A lady asks the attending CM what the line is for. He explains the attraction and points (with the patented two-finger Disney pointing signal) to where the line starts. There is a separate line for the wheelchairs. The lady leaves. After we wait some more, it's time for the show. The first to be let in is, of course, the wheelchair line. But after the wheelchairs are done (all with their small groups), the CM notices that the last wheelchair appears to have quite a large 'extended' family. Noticing that this group contains the lady he had spoken to a little while ago, the CM stops them. Alertly, the CM asks the wheelchair group that just went in if they are with them. They say no. So the CM kindly explains to them that this line is for wheelchairs; the regular line is over there (you kow, where the people who are actually waiting are?). They start to raise a stink about how they were at this point in the line, that they would be going in anyway. CM says sorry, the line is over there. Then, while the CM starts dealing with the regular line, one lady in the detained group goes under the barrier and runs in! The CM sees her, stops us, then goes in after her.
I mean, what is this, high school? Sneaking in, like you're 15 and sneaking into a movie? All for a simple show? Just because you think you're so clever that you don't need to wait in line? Are you kidding me?
The CM brings the offender back, to some applause from the people-who-actually-waited line. The CM sees the woman that had asked him earlier about the show, and he tells her: 'Ma'am, I clearly told you where the line was. Please, you have to form in the correct line'. The group leaves with token indignation. CM is now the hero of the people-who-actually-waited line.
There were actually a couple of kids in the Crush-crashers group. Nice memory to give them
Anyway, the Crush attraction is incredible. The animation matching the voice is excellent. Both the kids and the parents are amazed. Crush is actually one of my favorite characters. Cookie and I spent most of the day saying 'Dude!' to each other.
After that, he head to Imagination. We do the ride, and I miss the old ride again. Thankfully Disney learned from this mistake and brought back Figment and the song, but it still lacks the charm of the old one. Hopefully they'll never try this again (if they even try it with classics like POTC or the HM, people will show up at the Disney headquarters with pitchforks!).
We spend some time at the ImageWorks, then do HISTA. Great, of course. Cookie is startled by the snake, but enjoys it. We then head towards Canada for our AR for LeCellier.
Inside the restaurant, while we wait for our table, one of the hostesses notices Cookie and her princess tiara. After greeting her with the now-customary 'Hello, princess...', she leaves and comes back with a big book. She explains that it's for autographs from important people, and that she can write anything she wants. Cookie is thrilled! Another memorable face! She draws one of her classic drawings (a heart with eyes, lashes and big, pouty lips), then writes her name and 'Puerto Rico' (the only thing missing is the flag!
). She loves it.
The dinner is fantastic. I decide to try the Cheddar Cheese soup. WOW! Fantastic! DW loves the bread, and the meat is excellent.
BTW, we are now saving with the DDE. And one more reason to love POFQ: the discount applies to the Food Court there! <- This bouncy icon is green, like the $$ I'm saving...
We now take a stroll through United Kingdom, stopping for pictures and autographs with Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore. Since the FP time is almost here, we retrace our steps, taking advantage that a FriendShip has just arrived, and we board it with destination back to Future World.
We walk gingerly (and by gingerly, I mean DW constantly saying: 'Honey, wait! You're going too fast!'
) we enter The Land and Soarin. The line now is HUGE, the FPs are all gone, but thanks to the FP we can bypass the 90 min. wait. 
Since this is new, DW is asking how the ride is (remember, she's not a thrill-seeker, she's a thrill-avoider). She reads the warning, and immediately starts to worry, since to her, any ride with a warning is to be avoided. I explain that it's just like Peter Pan, but with your feet hanging out. She's having second thoughts. Just then, but without her noticing, the people in front of us ask a CM if the ride is like Peter Pan. The CM says: 'No, ma'am. It's... it's a whole different animal...' I'm thinking: 'Man, shut up!
You're ruining this! Then a lady from the group in front decides to leave! Lord, please stop! 
Thankfully, DW is oblivious. We finally enter, and are seated. As soon as we elevate, she closes her eyes and grabs on to the handles for dear life. But somehow, she manages to relax and enjoy it. Cookie and me are wiggling our legs and going 'whooo!'
The verdict: Soarin ROCKS! If you don't want to see feet in front and for a better view, ask for Row 1. When we exit, DW says: 'Well, honey, you can tell everyone I survived Soarin. That was cool'.
'Thanks to me.'
'No, in spite of you. THAT WAS NOTHING LIKE PETER PAN! Man, if you can't trust your own spouse...'
While the ladies go to the restroom and to a shop, I go for a spin (literally) at M:S. There is still some effect from the child who died earlier this year: the single rider line is a walk-on, while the stand-by is just 10 minutes.
After reaching Mars and returning, the ladies are done window shopping, and we walk into SE.
After our journey through human communication, it's now about 7:00 PM. Since we saw IllumiNations last night, we decide to skip it for an early night. We return to our bus stop, where there's no one else waiting, and in no time one arrives and we're back in Room 3240.
The ladies freshen up while Daddy drops some quarters (quite a few, 'cause they're expensive!) at the Arcade. I check on our charges, to see how we are vs the limit, then go to the ATM. I go back for a shower and we head down to the Food Court for dinner.
After downing Quesadillas (DW), ribs (me) and nuggets (Cookie), we take a stroll through some of the Plazas in the Resort, then head back to the room to call it a night. The ladies fall quickly, while I watch some TV, and while changing the channels I stop briefly at Disney channel and realize... Man, how many Power Ranger shows are they making now??...
When I start pondering those deep philosophical questions, I know it's time to go to sleep...
Halfway-point-day was pretty good.
Tomorrow... Seat-of-the-pants for the boiled MKFan Family
Stay Tuned!
Me MKFan-PR, 37. Absolutely, 100%, government-certified WDW freak. Enthusiast doesnt quite cut it. Fell in love with the place since the first time my parents took me when I was 5.
DW, 41. Married with me for 11 years. Guess where weve gone on vacation for most of them? Doesnt like thrill rides but loves strolling, window shopping and dining on Epcot.
DD, 6. Well call her Cookie (my pet nickname for her). This trip is supposed to be celebrating her good grades and performance in 1st grade at school (at least thats what I tell people! ). Shes been dreaming about it since I mentioned the possibility way back in October.
Our previous installments:
Day 1: Were here!...Our bags will follow shortly
Day 2: MGM and the baked MKFan Family
Day 3: MK, ducks, and the grilled MKFan Family
Day 4: AK and the sautéed MKFan Family
Day 5-8/2: Soarin at Epcot with the roasted MKFan family
Today, as we wake up (of course, at the exact time of whenever-I-feel-like-it), I realize that this is day 5, the hafway point of my vacation. But i'm not going to start dreading the day it ends... I have to enjoy it as much as I can... live life to the fullest... live every moment and...
What?... Oh yeah... breakfast... Sure, honey. I'll be right back with your French Toast...
Nothing like your family to remind you of what's important...
While the ladies get dressed, I set up an AR for a late lunch Le Cellier. This is one of our favorite restaurants. And one lesson I have painfully learned is that if you want to eat at a certain place, make a ressie and lock it up. There are no guarantees that you'll get a shot as a walk-in.
As a matter of fact, if you try to get into Le Cellier as a walk in, they most probably do this:
Now that we're finished discussing restaurant philosophy, back to the Report.
We get on the bus, and after picking up our POR bus-brethren, we arrive at Epcot. As we go in, we get a Stroller for Cookie, since it was such a hit yesterday. After getting everything settled, we head towards The Land, where we deal with our first priority, while the ladies wait, I get a FP for Soarin. Everything on these first hours will deal around Soarin, since we are anxious to try it. The FP return time is for almost 4 hours later. Perfect, since we'll be able to do other stuff, plus have time for lunch.
We head into the direction of The Living Seas, to try out the much ballyhooed Nemo revamping. After taking pictures at the entrance sign (with the Nemo characters in the sign), we go in... and immediately like it, because... it's air-conditioned
! The sun today is set on DEEP-FAT FRY, so the air-conditioner feels so good I could marry it.DW isn't jealous. With this heat she'd dump me for a 12,000 BTU console in a heartbeat!
After seeing the movie (I momentarily lost my senses and became a lemming, instead of bypassing it for the hydrolators...
), we enter the 'Seabase' through the hydrolators. There we explore around. Cookie loves the turtles, and is amazed by the Manatees. DW and I spend some time looking at the Jellyfish. Lots of stuff to explore here. The shark section was pretty cool.We get into the line to watch Crush. They could do a better job with this; I believe there is only one room for the show, so the line is bottom-of-the-ketchup-bottle slow.
There was no shortage of entertainment, though; we were treated to the following show while we waited:
A lady asks the attending CM what the line is for. He explains the attraction and points (with the patented two-finger Disney pointing signal) to where the line starts. There is a separate line for the wheelchairs. The lady leaves. After we wait some more, it's time for the show. The first to be let in is, of course, the wheelchair line. But after the wheelchairs are done (all with their small groups), the CM notices that the last wheelchair appears to have quite a large 'extended' family. Noticing that this group contains the lady he had spoken to a little while ago, the CM stops them. Alertly, the CM asks the wheelchair group that just went in if they are with them. They say no. So the CM kindly explains to them that this line is for wheelchairs; the regular line is over there (you kow, where the people who are actually waiting are?). They start to raise a stink about how they were at this point in the line, that they would be going in anyway. CM says sorry, the line is over there. Then, while the CM starts dealing with the regular line, one lady in the detained group goes under the barrier and runs in! The CM sees her, stops us, then goes in after her.
I mean, what is this, high school? Sneaking in, like you're 15 and sneaking into a movie? All for a simple show? Just because you think you're so clever that you don't need to wait in line? Are you kidding me?
The CM brings the offender back, to some applause from the people-who-actually-waited line. The CM sees the woman that had asked him earlier about the show, and he tells her: 'Ma'am, I clearly told you where the line was. Please, you have to form in the correct line'. The group leaves with token indignation. CM is now the hero of the people-who-actually-waited line.
There were actually a couple of kids in the Crush-crashers group. Nice memory to give them
Anyway, the Crush attraction is incredible. The animation matching the voice is excellent. Both the kids and the parents are amazed. Crush is actually one of my favorite characters. Cookie and I spent most of the day saying 'Dude!' to each other.
After that, he head to Imagination. We do the ride, and I miss the old ride again. Thankfully Disney learned from this mistake and brought back Figment and the song, but it still lacks the charm of the old one. Hopefully they'll never try this again (if they even try it with classics like POTC or the HM, people will show up at the Disney headquarters with pitchforks!).
We spend some time at the ImageWorks, then do HISTA. Great, of course. Cookie is startled by the snake, but enjoys it. We then head towards Canada for our AR for LeCellier.
Inside the restaurant, while we wait for our table, one of the hostesses notices Cookie and her princess tiara. After greeting her with the now-customary 'Hello, princess...', she leaves and comes back with a big book. She explains that it's for autographs from important people, and that she can write anything she wants. Cookie is thrilled! Another memorable face! She draws one of her classic drawings (a heart with eyes, lashes and big, pouty lips), then writes her name and 'Puerto Rico' (the only thing missing is the flag!
). She loves it.The dinner is fantastic. I decide to try the Cheddar Cheese soup. WOW! Fantastic! DW loves the bread, and the meat is excellent.
BTW, we are now saving with the DDE. And one more reason to love POFQ: the discount applies to the Food Court there!
<- This bouncy icon is green, like the $$ I'm saving...We now take a stroll through United Kingdom, stopping for pictures and autographs with Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore. Since the FP time is almost here, we retrace our steps, taking advantage that a FriendShip has just arrived, and we board it with destination back to Future World.
We walk gingerly (and by gingerly, I mean DW constantly saying: 'Honey, wait! You're going too fast!'
) we enter The Land and Soarin. The line now is HUGE, the FPs are all gone, but thanks to the FP we can bypass the 90 min. wait. Since this is new, DW is asking how the ride is (remember, she's not a thrill-seeker, she's a thrill-avoider). She reads the warning, and immediately starts to worry, since to her, any ride with a warning is to be avoided. I explain that it's just like Peter Pan, but with your feet hanging out. She's having second thoughts. Just then, but without her noticing, the people in front of us ask a CM if the ride is like Peter Pan. The CM says: 'No, ma'am. It's... it's a whole different animal...' I'm thinking: 'Man, shut up!
You're ruining this! Then a lady from the group in front decides to leave! Lord, please stop! Thankfully, DW is oblivious. We finally enter, and are seated. As soon as we elevate, she closes her eyes and grabs on to the handles for dear life. But somehow, she manages to relax and enjoy it. Cookie and me are wiggling our legs and going 'whooo!'
The verdict: Soarin ROCKS! If you don't want to see feet in front and for a better view, ask for Row 1. When we exit, DW says: 'Well, honey, you can tell everyone I survived Soarin. That was cool'.
'Thanks to me.'
'No, in spite of you. THAT WAS NOTHING LIKE PETER PAN! Man, if you can't trust your own spouse...'
While the ladies go to the restroom and to a shop, I go for a spin (literally) at M:S. There is still some effect from the child who died earlier this year: the single rider line is a walk-on, while the stand-by is just 10 minutes.
After reaching Mars and returning, the ladies are done window shopping, and we walk into SE.
After our journey through human communication, it's now about 7:00 PM. Since we saw IllumiNations last night, we decide to skip it for an early night. We return to our bus stop, where there's no one else waiting, and in no time one arrives and we're back in Room 3240.
The ladies freshen up while Daddy drops some quarters (quite a few, 'cause they're expensive!) at the Arcade. I check on our charges, to see how we are vs the limit, then go to the ATM. I go back for a shower and we head down to the Food Court for dinner.
After downing Quesadillas (DW), ribs (me) and nuggets (Cookie), we take a stroll through some of the Plazas in the Resort, then head back to the room to call it a night. The ladies fall quickly, while I watch some TV, and while changing the channels I stop briefly at Disney channel and realize... Man, how many Power Ranger shows are they making now??...
When I start pondering those deep philosophical questions, I know it's time to go to sleep...
Halfway-point-day was pretty good.
Tomorrow... Seat-of-the-pants for the boiled MKFan Family
Stay Tuned!
Would you choose POFQ again?
