hildasmuriel
<font color=magenta>I'm a really really scaredy sc
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 3,893
Wednesday 18 August
We were in the Manhattan for breakfast again today. As we were eating, we saw the depressing sight of people scurrying by outside with their hoods and umbrellas up. More rain.
We wrapped ourselves up and set off for the Park, making Buzz our first call as usual. Finally I won a round!
Space Mountain was out of action (in fact we could see men halfway up the cannon working on it) so we went over to Fantasyland and went on Peter Pan. D and I then went on Dumbo for the first time this visit. We got chatting to the woman in front of us we were all British so we talked of the weather of course. But wait! As we got off Dumbo we realised....the rain had stopped. It was not going to be another whole-day-downpour after all.
We went for a walk round the upper floor of the Castle. We always like to go and see the tapestries and the stained glass windows and listen to the suits of armour snoring. D always says they remind her of me and H on a Sunday afternoon. Cheeky. Truthful, but cheeky. We took a couple of photos from the balcony.
We then decided to go down, down, down then to see the dragon in his lair.
It was nearly time for rope drop so we went and waited near the entrance to POTC. It was hardly any time at all before we were riding that, then H and D went on Indiana Jones while I went and got us FPs for BTM. These started at 11.05 so we decided to see if the Keel Boats were running the gates were open so we went in all the way down to the dock which was open we could even have got on the boat but there were no CMs around at all. We assumed the gate had been left open by mistake so we went back and got on the Mark Twain instead.
Even this glimpse of BTM is enough to put me off going on it.
Here was old Joe, sitting and fishing in the sun..
What an awful old wreck in this photo - of course I mean Phantom Manor.
No coat, no poncho - yay!
Our FP time was open minimal queues on the FP lane so H and C were soon riding BTM. After this we intended to cross Central Plaza, but it was more of a case of skirting round the edge, as the Character Express was there and lots of people were attempting to get autographs and photos. We went to the back of Fantasyland to ride Casey Jr I do love this little train. You know this is a rollercoaster to me! We followed that with a ride on LPDCDF.
The train was once again going down Main St, tous en train woo-hoo etc etc and it was just gone midday. We had had breakfast at 7 oclock so we were glad now to go to the Village and get take-out from New York Deli. It was warm enough now to sit outside and eat we had a hotdog and chips and a cheese and ham Panini and chips. Split between the 3 of us it was plenty, especially as we knew we had a big meal coming tonight.
We were approached by a man there he had come up to us the day before with a laminated card asking for money as he was homeless. This time he had a small child trailing round with him. I know opinion is divided on whether you should help people like this, so I am just putting it here so you know it is likely to happen in the Village around the middle of the day.
In the Art Gallery I bought my Christmas mug and a Christmas tealight holder (yes, I know its August, but as I explained to H, it made more sense to buy it when we had the car with us, rather than when I travel by train. Heh heh). After this we went back to the HNY. We sat outside in the sun (!) while I wrote a postcard and then we went up to our room.
We all love the Parks and hustle bustle parts of our holiday but this time of the day is great also. H decided he would go to Starbucks for a nice coffee and to watch the world go by, D had her nose buried inside a book and I had a little doze until the pool opened. H decided not to go in the pool as he was well into his book (Forgotten Voices of the Somme) so once again he sat reading by the open window with the sounds of the Park drifting in on the breeze.
D and I decided it was warm enough to go in the outdoor pool. For a long time we were the only ones out there but eventually we were joined by a few other hardy souls (all Brits, as it goes).
Eventually we went back to our room to get ready for the evening. The Village was quite busy as we made our way through and for the first time this trip we saw the vendors of tacky souvenirs outside the station (I think the rain kept them away before) in fact it looked like a row was going on between 2 factions. One flipped the sheet of another seller over, tipping up all his Eiffel Towers and lots of shouting ensued. We just hurried on by. Disney Security was heading their way anyway.
We went into DLH and upstairs towards Inventions. We had a superb meal in here and returned several times to each bit of the buffet to try out the many delights they had on offer. As usual the character interaction was good.
They wont leave anyone out and H ended up in several photos whether he wanted it or not. Eeyore came back to our table and made photo gestures at D until she took a photo of the oldies with him. If you're wondering about my red looking nose - I had actually caught the sun while I was in the swimming pool.
H ended up wearing Ds Minnie ears (as you do) and Goofy stopped and was holding his stomach as if laughing and pointing at H. Then he took the ears, put them on himself and was doing a very camp, hand on hip pose.
Our meal was at 6.30 so I agree with other recent posters who say this seems to be a good time for good fun with the characters. Of course, when D wore her ears, she had them flipped several times by passing characters that seems to be standard.
Tigger and Pluto were chasing each other and at one stage Tigger seemed to be pole dancing! (Did you worry it was me doing the dancing when you saw this thread title?)
After our meal we strolled through the Park towards IASW but that seemed to have a surprisingly long queue so we explored the Labyrinth. It was a very nice view from the castle in the middle of the labyrinth - Panoramagique was high in the sky.
POTC was in the middle of a breakdown as we passed so we went and climbed the Cabane des Robinsons instead. Again we gained great views over the Park as the light faded from the day.
H and D went on Indiana Jones and we then went back to Fantasyland to see what the queue was like for Snow White. Pinocchio was really busy but SW was a walk on. We got off at 7 minutes to 10. Was there time to get over to Phantom Manor before it shut at 10 oclock? There was, we were just scooting through the gates in time. As we got to the door of the Manor the CM suddenly appeared round the door, making D and I jump. We were laughing at this and didnt notice (although H did) that he followed us into the lift and whispered into the ear of the CM in the lift. The lift CM then homed in on D, making spooky eyes and passing close by her. When the lights went out in the lift he got up really close in her face so when the lights came on, he was right there. Oh my, did she scream? Everybody else in the lift really laughed. We were the last ones out of the lift and the last ones in the doom buggy just H behind us. We were also the last ride of the day. We were in the darkest bit of the ride when suddenly KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK on our doom buggy.
I nearly fainted. I was stage-whispering round the back of the doom buggy to H was that you? no answer... so Im saying even louder did you do that? and D is saying Da-ad, did you knock? and he answered in this silly doom-laden voice ye-es. I could have slapped him!
When we came off the wait time showing on BTM was 50 mins, which would have taken us up to 11.05 but we decided to queue anyway. They were back off the ride by 10.50 so they had time to go round again and this time it was nearly a walk-on. The fireworks started just as they were coming round the mountain (when she comes). We left by the arcade and just managed to beat the main bulk of the crowd out of the Park.
We stopped in the NYC bar for a cocktail for D and me (same as last night) and a beer for H.
Then it was time for bed.
We were in the Manhattan for breakfast again today. As we were eating, we saw the depressing sight of people scurrying by outside with their hoods and umbrellas up. More rain.
We wrapped ourselves up and set off for the Park, making Buzz our first call as usual. Finally I won a round!
Space Mountain was out of action (in fact we could see men halfway up the cannon working on it) so we went over to Fantasyland and went on Peter Pan. D and I then went on Dumbo for the first time this visit. We got chatting to the woman in front of us we were all British so we talked of the weather of course. But wait! As we got off Dumbo we realised....the rain had stopped. It was not going to be another whole-day-downpour after all.
We went for a walk round the upper floor of the Castle. We always like to go and see the tapestries and the stained glass windows and listen to the suits of armour snoring. D always says they remind her of me and H on a Sunday afternoon. Cheeky. Truthful, but cheeky. We took a couple of photos from the balcony.
We then decided to go down, down, down then to see the dragon in his lair.
It was nearly time for rope drop so we went and waited near the entrance to POTC. It was hardly any time at all before we were riding that, then H and D went on Indiana Jones while I went and got us FPs for BTM. These started at 11.05 so we decided to see if the Keel Boats were running the gates were open so we went in all the way down to the dock which was open we could even have got on the boat but there were no CMs around at all. We assumed the gate had been left open by mistake so we went back and got on the Mark Twain instead.
Even this glimpse of BTM is enough to put me off going on it.
Here was old Joe, sitting and fishing in the sun..
What an awful old wreck in this photo - of course I mean Phantom Manor.
No coat, no poncho - yay!
Our FP time was open minimal queues on the FP lane so H and C were soon riding BTM. After this we intended to cross Central Plaza, but it was more of a case of skirting round the edge, as the Character Express was there and lots of people were attempting to get autographs and photos. We went to the back of Fantasyland to ride Casey Jr I do love this little train. You know this is a rollercoaster to me! We followed that with a ride on LPDCDF.
The train was once again going down Main St, tous en train woo-hoo etc etc and it was just gone midday. We had had breakfast at 7 oclock so we were glad now to go to the Village and get take-out from New York Deli. It was warm enough now to sit outside and eat we had a hotdog and chips and a cheese and ham Panini and chips. Split between the 3 of us it was plenty, especially as we knew we had a big meal coming tonight.
We were approached by a man there he had come up to us the day before with a laminated card asking for money as he was homeless. This time he had a small child trailing round with him. I know opinion is divided on whether you should help people like this, so I am just putting it here so you know it is likely to happen in the Village around the middle of the day.
In the Art Gallery I bought my Christmas mug and a Christmas tealight holder (yes, I know its August, but as I explained to H, it made more sense to buy it when we had the car with us, rather than when I travel by train. Heh heh). After this we went back to the HNY. We sat outside in the sun (!) while I wrote a postcard and then we went up to our room.
We all love the Parks and hustle bustle parts of our holiday but this time of the day is great also. H decided he would go to Starbucks for a nice coffee and to watch the world go by, D had her nose buried inside a book and I had a little doze until the pool opened. H decided not to go in the pool as he was well into his book (Forgotten Voices of the Somme) so once again he sat reading by the open window with the sounds of the Park drifting in on the breeze.
D and I decided it was warm enough to go in the outdoor pool. For a long time we were the only ones out there but eventually we were joined by a few other hardy souls (all Brits, as it goes).
Eventually we went back to our room to get ready for the evening. The Village was quite busy as we made our way through and for the first time this trip we saw the vendors of tacky souvenirs outside the station (I think the rain kept them away before) in fact it looked like a row was going on between 2 factions. One flipped the sheet of another seller over, tipping up all his Eiffel Towers and lots of shouting ensued. We just hurried on by. Disney Security was heading their way anyway.
We went into DLH and upstairs towards Inventions. We had a superb meal in here and returned several times to each bit of the buffet to try out the many delights they had on offer. As usual the character interaction was good.
They wont leave anyone out and H ended up in several photos whether he wanted it or not. Eeyore came back to our table and made photo gestures at D until she took a photo of the oldies with him. If you're wondering about my red looking nose - I had actually caught the sun while I was in the swimming pool.
H ended up wearing Ds Minnie ears (as you do) and Goofy stopped and was holding his stomach as if laughing and pointing at H. Then he took the ears, put them on himself and was doing a very camp, hand on hip pose.
Our meal was at 6.30 so I agree with other recent posters who say this seems to be a good time for good fun with the characters. Of course, when D wore her ears, she had them flipped several times by passing characters that seems to be standard.
Tigger and Pluto were chasing each other and at one stage Tigger seemed to be pole dancing! (Did you worry it was me doing the dancing when you saw this thread title?)
After our meal we strolled through the Park towards IASW but that seemed to have a surprisingly long queue so we explored the Labyrinth. It was a very nice view from the castle in the middle of the labyrinth - Panoramagique was high in the sky.
POTC was in the middle of a breakdown as we passed so we went and climbed the Cabane des Robinsons instead. Again we gained great views over the Park as the light faded from the day.
H and D went on Indiana Jones and we then went back to Fantasyland to see what the queue was like for Snow White. Pinocchio was really busy but SW was a walk on. We got off at 7 minutes to 10. Was there time to get over to Phantom Manor before it shut at 10 oclock? There was, we were just scooting through the gates in time. As we got to the door of the Manor the CM suddenly appeared round the door, making D and I jump. We were laughing at this and didnt notice (although H did) that he followed us into the lift and whispered into the ear of the CM in the lift. The lift CM then homed in on D, making spooky eyes and passing close by her. When the lights went out in the lift he got up really close in her face so when the lights came on, he was right there. Oh my, did she scream? Everybody else in the lift really laughed. We were the last ones out of the lift and the last ones in the doom buggy just H behind us. We were also the last ride of the day. We were in the darkest bit of the ride when suddenly KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK on our doom buggy.
I nearly fainted. I was stage-whispering round the back of the doom buggy to H was that you? no answer... so Im saying even louder did you do that? and D is saying Da-ad, did you knock? and he answered in this silly doom-laden voice ye-es. I could have slapped him!When we came off the wait time showing on BTM was 50 mins, which would have taken us up to 11.05 but we decided to queue anyway. They were back off the ride by 10.50 so they had time to go round again and this time it was nearly a walk-on. The fireworks started just as they were coming round the mountain (when she comes). We left by the arcade and just managed to beat the main bulk of the crowd out of the Park.
We stopped in the NYC bar for a cocktail for D and me (same as last night) and a beer for H.
Then it was time for bed.
Hmm there's an idea
