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 to 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
A Brief Picture Interlude
Day 5: Soarin at Epcot with the roasted MKFan family
Day 6: Seat-of-the-pants for the boiled MKFan Family
Side Note: I've been following the news about Katrina and the aftermath. Being from an island in a hurricane-risk area, knowing how dangerous they are, and maybe because less than a month ago I stayed at a place that reminded me of New Orleans, I'm offering a prayer for the people of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. We should give them all the help we can give. I'm sure we can find many ways to help. I know I will...
Now back to our Report...
Day 7-8/4: The fried MKFan family around the world
I can't believe this is happening. Two more full days, and that's it.
But, amazingly, time apparently slows down in here because it doesn't feel like time has 'flown'. Unfortunatey, I have to start thinking about the logistics of the trip home (we'll need at least one more bag, the DME vouchers, set up the pickup at the airport when we get home, etc.). Oh, well...
I guess I'll have to force myself to have some fun today to relieve the stress... So for the sake of my DW and DD, I'll try to have some fun today!
Today our plan calls for a trip around the world... in half a day. That, of course, means a trip to WS at Epcot. We'll try to squeeze in a visit to the Boardwalk too. I set up an AR for an early dinner at San Angel Inn.
Of course, we take our own sweet, sweet time in getting ready. I have even some time to take a stroll early in the morning to POR while the ladies prepare. We haven't rushed so far, we're not going to start on the 7th day. Remember, even God rested on the 7th day!
After the customary breakfast service, we head towards the 'Bus transportation facility' at POFQ and soon we are at the gates of Epcot, again, at around noon. After procuring the now invaluable stroller, we proceed towards Canada. First, a quick stop at SE. Still a highlight. No line though. Remember the time when this was a highlight of Epcot, and due to the long lines all the guidebooks recommended leaving it for the end of the day? Man, I feel old.
After that, we stop at Test Track, which Cookie says she wants to try. She did it with me in our last trip, so I figured that it wouldn't be a problem.
Which shows how much I know about figuring out children...
As we make the 30 minute line, and along the way, everything's fine. I'm thinking that she's really going to enjoy this today
Think again, big boy...
By the time we are in the line to load, she is crying. We are sent to our position and, folks, we are having a meltdown... there's tears, pleading... With a sigh I do what I believe is the right thing... I find the nearest CM and head to the exit. I hand over the child to her Mom. I am simmering a little, by the situation, but the truth is if she's scared or upset, my thought is I'm not going to make it worse and possibly embarass her by dragging her in, no matter how much we waited in line. Anyway, she says 'Dad, I'm sorry. I liked it before but now I'm scared. I don't know what happened. That makes me sad!'...
Ah, @#(^%... she got me
We tell her that it's ok. That she shouldn't be scared, because there is nothing that we do together that can hurt her, and that Mom and Dad with her and we'll always take care of her...
Yes, the joys of parenting!...
We now proceed with our original plan, and go to Canada. The trip around the world is simple... DW browses the shops and soaks the atmosphere, while Cookie and me head to the Kidcot stop for the mask/stamp thing. Then DW joins us, and we browse some more, before moving on.
Believe it or not, this is one of the highlights of our trips, since it allows us to appreciate the details, maybe find a bargain or two, and generally have a very relaxed time while our DD gets entertained also.
We stroll the countries on the 'right-hand' side of Epcot: Canada, UK, France, Morocco, Japan. We find interesting things along the way... Tigger at UK; the film at France (awesome!) plus a print of ballerinas for Cookie's room; Aladding and Jasmine at Morocco, where also a CM from Morocco chats in Spanish with Cookie at the Kidcot stop; a tin toy exhibit in Japan.
By the time we reach the American Adventure (AA) pavilion, the time has come for our early (4:30 PM) dinner. Since we had a late breakfast, it's actually a (very) late lunch. So, after Cookie gets her USA stamp, we decide to haul a** to Mexico, then continue the tour in reverse after dinner.
At the San Angel Inn, the place is full, but since I have AR... WooHoo!
We are given the flying saucer thingy, and we browse around, with Cookie getting her Kidcot stamps. After a short while, the flying saucer thingy is vibrating, with lights flashing in amazing patterns! And it's speaking! 
Speak to me! Tell me the secrets of the universe!...
'Your table is ready... Your table is ready...'
Ah, yes. Apparently the key to understanding life is... have a good meal!
Excellent meal and excellent service. We order our favorite appetizer... Queso Fundido. Mmmmmmmm. Then we have the Mahi-Mahi (which is only my favorite fish), then for dessert, Pudin de Cajeta (Caramel/Butterscoth pudding). Positively heavenly (some would call it decadent... but anything that tastes this good has to come from heaven!). And, to top it all off... the 20% DDE discount!
Appropriately filled up, we proceed to continue our stroll around the world, with stops at Norway, China, Germany and Italy. At Italy, Cookie gets a small poster for getting all her stamps in her masks. She's thrilled and so proud!
A strong wind is creeping up, and its about to start to rain. Perfect timing, since we now enter the AA and the next show starts in just 5 minutes.
After the show, we decide to head towards the Boardwalk, so we exit through the International Gateway and board the FriendShip towards the BoardWalk. We stroll around, gathering the sights. We catch a nice show with a juggler, then grab a pizza from the Spoodles window. We sit and do some major atmosphere-soaking. Cookie even takes a picture of the ESPN Club, apparently sensing my morning-sports-news withdrawal!
After a while, we head to the bus stop, and after a layover and bus change at DD, we arrive at POFQ. Cookie and I drop quite a few quarters at the arcade, while DW looked at the bags that we could purchase to help us maintain the wieght limit. After I check on our balances in our account, we have some desserts at the bakery. After refilling on Pink Lemonade, it's back to 3240 for freshening up and sleep. Tomorrow is our last full day, and we plan to try evening EMH at MK.
Say a prayer for us!
Tomorrow... MK, EMH and the COOL 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 to 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
A Brief Picture Interlude
Day 5: Soarin at Epcot with the roasted MKFan family
Day 6: Seat-of-the-pants for the boiled MKFan Family
Side Note: I've been following the news about Katrina and the aftermath. Being from an island in a hurricane-risk area, knowing how dangerous they are, and maybe because less than a month ago I stayed at a place that reminded me of New Orleans, I'm offering a prayer for the people of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. We should give them all the help we can give. I'm sure we can find many ways to help. I know I will...
Now back to our Report...
Day 7-8/4: The fried MKFan family around the world
I can't believe this is happening. Two more full days, and that's it.
But, amazingly, time apparently slows down in here because it doesn't feel like time has 'flown'. Unfortunatey, I have to start thinking about the logistics of the trip home (we'll need at least one more bag, the DME vouchers, set up the pickup at the airport when we get home, etc.). Oh, well...I guess I'll have to force myself to have some fun today to relieve the stress... So for the sake of my DW and DD, I'll try to have some fun today!
Today our plan calls for a trip around the world... in half a day. That, of course, means a trip to WS at Epcot. We'll try to squeeze in a visit to the Boardwalk too. I set up an AR for an early dinner at San Angel Inn.
Of course, we take our own sweet, sweet time in getting ready. I have even some time to take a stroll early in the morning to POR while the ladies prepare. We haven't rushed so far, we're not going to start on the 7th day. Remember, even God rested on the 7th day!
After the customary breakfast service, we head towards the 'Bus transportation facility' at POFQ and soon we are at the gates of Epcot, again, at around noon. After procuring the now invaluable stroller, we proceed towards Canada. First, a quick stop at SE. Still a highlight. No line though. Remember the time when this was a highlight of Epcot, and due to the long lines all the guidebooks recommended leaving it for the end of the day? Man, I feel old.
After that, we stop at Test Track, which Cookie says she wants to try. She did it with me in our last trip, so I figured that it wouldn't be a problem.
Which shows how much I know about figuring out children...
As we make the 30 minute line, and along the way, everything's fine. I'm thinking that she's really going to enjoy this today
Think again, big boy...
By the time we are in the line to load, she is crying. We are sent to our position and, folks, we are having a meltdown... there's tears, pleading... With a sigh I do what I believe is the right thing... I find the nearest CM and head to the exit. I hand over the child to her Mom. I am simmering a little, by the situation, but the truth is if she's scared or upset, my thought is I'm not going to make it worse and possibly embarass her by dragging her in, no matter how much we waited in line. Anyway, she says 'Dad, I'm sorry. I liked it before but now I'm scared. I don't know what happened. That makes me sad!'...
Ah, @#(^%... she got me
We tell her that it's ok. That she shouldn't be scared, because there is nothing that we do together that can hurt her, and that Mom and Dad with her and we'll always take care of her...
Yes, the joys of parenting!...
We now proceed with our original plan, and go to Canada. The trip around the world is simple... DW browses the shops and soaks the atmosphere, while Cookie and me head to the Kidcot stop for the mask/stamp thing. Then DW joins us, and we browse some more, before moving on.
Believe it or not, this is one of the highlights of our trips, since it allows us to appreciate the details, maybe find a bargain or two, and generally have a very relaxed time while our DD gets entertained also.
We stroll the countries on the 'right-hand' side of Epcot: Canada, UK, France, Morocco, Japan. We find interesting things along the way... Tigger at UK; the film at France (awesome!) plus a print of ballerinas for Cookie's room; Aladding and Jasmine at Morocco, where also a CM from Morocco chats in Spanish with Cookie at the Kidcot stop; a tin toy exhibit in Japan.
By the time we reach the American Adventure (AA) pavilion, the time has come for our early (4:30 PM) dinner. Since we had a late breakfast, it's actually a (very) late lunch. So, after Cookie gets her USA stamp, we decide to haul a** to Mexico, then continue the tour in reverse after dinner.
At the San Angel Inn, the place is full, but since I have AR... WooHoo!
We are given the flying saucer thingy, and we browse around, with Cookie getting her Kidcot stamps. After a short while, the flying saucer thingy is vibrating, with lights flashing in amazing patterns! And it's speaking! Speak to me! Tell me the secrets of the universe!...
'Your table is ready... Your table is ready...'
Ah, yes. Apparently the key to understanding life is... have a good meal!
Excellent meal and excellent service. We order our favorite appetizer... Queso Fundido. Mmmmmmmm. Then we have the Mahi-Mahi (which is only my favorite fish), then for dessert, Pudin de Cajeta (Caramel/Butterscoth pudding). Positively heavenly (some would call it decadent... but anything that tastes this good has to come from heaven!). And, to top it all off... the 20% DDE discount!
Appropriately filled up, we proceed to continue our stroll around the world, with stops at Norway, China, Germany and Italy. At Italy, Cookie gets a small poster for getting all her stamps in her masks. She's thrilled and so proud!
A strong wind is creeping up, and its about to start to rain. Perfect timing, since we now enter the AA and the next show starts in just 5 minutes.
After the show, we decide to head towards the Boardwalk, so we exit through the International Gateway and board the FriendShip towards the BoardWalk. We stroll around, gathering the sights. We catch a nice show with a juggler, then grab a pizza from the Spoodles window. We sit and do some major atmosphere-soaking. Cookie even takes a picture of the ESPN Club, apparently sensing my morning-sports-news withdrawal!
After a while, we head to the bus stop, and after a layover and bus change at DD, we arrive at POFQ. Cookie and I drop quite a few quarters at the arcade, while DW looked at the bags that we could purchase to help us maintain the wieght limit. After I check on our balances in our account, we have some desserts at the bakery. After refilling on Pink Lemonade, it's back to 3240 for freshening up and sleep. Tomorrow is our last full day, and we plan to try evening EMH at MK.
Say a prayer for us!Tomorrow... MK, EMH and the COOL MKFan Family
Stay tuned!
