IvyandLace
Certified pixie dust user
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2000
- Messages
- 758
September 23, 2001
Schedule for the day: EE MGM; PS at Sci-Fi Diner at 11:05am; MK; Epcot
Time to rock-n-roll...
This morning we headed to MGM for early entry. The "big hat" as we liked to call it was still surrounded by a large blue wall, but we took pictures of it anyway. We then headed to TOT (yes, again!) to ride two times in a row. We did different poses so each picture was different. (I know, it's the little things ) Then it was on to Muppets by default the Great Movie Ride was not open yet. By the time we got out of Muppets (which is so good it always makes me smile especially the pre-show stuff!) and bought some stuff at the Christmas store ($10.00 for an ornament for my husband shhh! Don't tell!), we noticed that the Great Movie Ride was now open. I like this ride especially with all the clips at the end. Pun'kin had never been on the Animation Tour which was something that MM and I had done last tour and really enjoyed much more than we thought. Again, it didn't let us down. I love this tour it is so amazing how much time and imagination is put into every single scene in any Disney animation movie/short etc. It really makes you appreciate things that you take for granted in the great Disney movies. I especially like to look at all the cells in the gift store afterward; I always drool my way around the store and think, "Someday when I'm a millionaire, this will be mine! All mine!" I finally found my IllumiNation CD that I had been waiting for and promptly bought it. Used package service for both the CD and ornament, which is so handy.
After checking out the Honey, I shrunk the kids playground (which was being refurbished the last time we were on tour) and seeing some interesting activity surrounding the new Walt exhibit (looked like training of CMs are they gonna open it sooner than October 1st?), we decided to head to Sci-Fi for lunch. We were seated immediately. I had never been to eat here (MM and Pun'kin had) and liked it automatically. The environment and atmosphere was so cool! I ordered a ham sandwich with rosemary chips and a vanilla milkshake ($16.00). The milkshake was "to die for"! (I still have cravings for another one!) Enjoyed the "movies". Altogether, I was very impressed and couldn't believe it had gotten such a bad rating by so many on the DIS.
At lunch, we decided it was time to "do" the MK. We had originally planned to stay yesterday and experience MK, but the crowds convinced us otherwise. We noticed right away that the crowds were not as bad as yesterday which made us realize that we had made the right decision. We headed to Splash Mountain (our absolute favorite ride last tour). The wait said "20 minutes", but we timed it and it only took us 7 minutes until we were boarding "our" log. We clapped and laughed. I really love how long this ride is. We then grabbed FP for BTMRR and rode the Jungle Cruise (a big disappointment to us-it was closed last tour for refurbishment) and Aladdin. Loved Aladdin but did NOT like waiting in the sun for the ride. They should have this waiting area covered. We had a brief moment of insanity when Pun'kin donned a grass skirt and lei in a nearby shop. A passerby nicknamed her "Miss Hawaii" which, of course, fit perfectly. It was only when we got the pictures back that we realized how-umm, untanned "Miss Hawaii" was. **giggle**
We decided to catch Country Bear Jamboree since it had been at least ten years since we had all seen it. Okay, I know a lot of you out there love it cuz there were lots of people in there with us that were singing right along with the bears, but we just didn't get it. Pun'kin fell asleep. Sorry.
Onto BTMRR for our FP time. Walked past a 40 minute wait and got right on. I love FP! I almost lost MM and my water bottle-this ride was so much better than I remembered it! Woo-hoo! It truly is "the wildest ride in the wilderness."
We made it through the parade crowd to head to Epcot via the monorail. Our first stop-where else?-Test Track. The line was pretty long so I decided to use a DIS trick-the single's line. What a great idea! We noticed rumbles of thunder as we got toward the cars, and they were playing the "Due to inclement weather, it may be necessary to shut down this attraction "as we boarded. However, each of us got to ride. TT was shut down as soon as MM's car got through great timing! With drops of rain falling somewhat tentatively and the weather very humid, we decided to check out Maelstrom and the Mexico ride. I definitely was disappointed with Maelstrom-except for a couple of cool drops, all it told me about Norway were the trolls and Vikings. I really like the Mexico ride, though; I thought it really embodied the spirit of Mexico very festive. I also liked seeing the restaurant inside-MM and Pun'kin ate there last tour, but I never got to and would like to sometime.
We then decided to check out the Living Seas since we didn't make it there last tour as planned. We skipped the movie and headed to the aquariums. Really neat! I realized how much the "kids" would have liked this attraction and vowed to get them here next time. We especially enjoyed the seahorses. We were all standing around "oohing" and "aahing" them in "real life" when MM pointed out a tiny floating thing that looked like it had fins. She said, " Look! It's a baby seahorse!" Of course, we were duly impressed at both MM's knowledge and the baby itself and were watching it in awe as it "swam" about. It was at this moment that a big seahorse came up to the "baby" and swallowed it!! We all gasped in horror and then proceeded to laugh until we cried. It was the funniest thing-"Look there's a baby!! .oh." That still makes me smile. No one will ever know what exactly that "thing" was, but I sincerely hope it was NOT a baby!
We finished up at the Universe of Energy which was funny in spots but very long and drawn out. I was disappointed. Everyone was very tired and cranky at this point so we changed our plans again from checking out CBR to retiring early. There was a huge downpour as soon as we hit the bus stop at Epcot so we realized that we had made the right decision. Back to ASMu for food court pizza by the pool. This has got to be one of the best deals-we got a large pizza (8 big slices) with pepperoni, sausage, green peppers and onions for $16.99! It was nice to just relax by the pool. Pun'kin went for swim while MM and I collapsed in bed. I think all the park hopping was wearing us out!
Tip(s) for the day: I know everyone knows this but learn to use FP! It is helpful even when it is "slow" in the parks. Take the Animation Tour! Don't miss a milkshake at the Sci-Fi Diner! Sometime it's better to get to bed early and start fresh in the morning. Above all, if you go to the Living Seas, beware of the "baby-eating" seahorse! I still have nightmares.
Keep reading for the next installment: The Pixie Chicks' World Tour-Day Five: "The rain, rain, rain came down, down, down..."
Schedule for the day: EE MGM; PS at Sci-Fi Diner at 11:05am; MK; Epcot
Time to rock-n-roll...
This morning we headed to MGM for early entry. The "big hat" as we liked to call it was still surrounded by a large blue wall, but we took pictures of it anyway. We then headed to TOT (yes, again!) to ride two times in a row. We did different poses so each picture was different. (I know, it's the little things ) Then it was on to Muppets by default the Great Movie Ride was not open yet. By the time we got out of Muppets (which is so good it always makes me smile especially the pre-show stuff!) and bought some stuff at the Christmas store ($10.00 for an ornament for my husband shhh! Don't tell!), we noticed that the Great Movie Ride was now open. I like this ride especially with all the clips at the end. Pun'kin had never been on the Animation Tour which was something that MM and I had done last tour and really enjoyed much more than we thought. Again, it didn't let us down. I love this tour it is so amazing how much time and imagination is put into every single scene in any Disney animation movie/short etc. It really makes you appreciate things that you take for granted in the great Disney movies. I especially like to look at all the cells in the gift store afterward; I always drool my way around the store and think, "Someday when I'm a millionaire, this will be mine! All mine!" I finally found my IllumiNation CD that I had been waiting for and promptly bought it. Used package service for both the CD and ornament, which is so handy.
After checking out the Honey, I shrunk the kids playground (which was being refurbished the last time we were on tour) and seeing some interesting activity surrounding the new Walt exhibit (looked like training of CMs are they gonna open it sooner than October 1st?), we decided to head to Sci-Fi for lunch. We were seated immediately. I had never been to eat here (MM and Pun'kin had) and liked it automatically. The environment and atmosphere was so cool! I ordered a ham sandwich with rosemary chips and a vanilla milkshake ($16.00). The milkshake was "to die for"! (I still have cravings for another one!) Enjoyed the "movies". Altogether, I was very impressed and couldn't believe it had gotten such a bad rating by so many on the DIS.
At lunch, we decided it was time to "do" the MK. We had originally planned to stay yesterday and experience MK, but the crowds convinced us otherwise. We noticed right away that the crowds were not as bad as yesterday which made us realize that we had made the right decision. We headed to Splash Mountain (our absolute favorite ride last tour). The wait said "20 minutes", but we timed it and it only took us 7 minutes until we were boarding "our" log. We clapped and laughed. I really love how long this ride is. We then grabbed FP for BTMRR and rode the Jungle Cruise (a big disappointment to us-it was closed last tour for refurbishment) and Aladdin. Loved Aladdin but did NOT like waiting in the sun for the ride. They should have this waiting area covered. We had a brief moment of insanity when Pun'kin donned a grass skirt and lei in a nearby shop. A passerby nicknamed her "Miss Hawaii" which, of course, fit perfectly. It was only when we got the pictures back that we realized how-umm, untanned "Miss Hawaii" was. **giggle**
We decided to catch Country Bear Jamboree since it had been at least ten years since we had all seen it. Okay, I know a lot of you out there love it cuz there were lots of people in there with us that were singing right along with the bears, but we just didn't get it. Pun'kin fell asleep. Sorry.
Onto BTMRR for our FP time. Walked past a 40 minute wait and got right on. I love FP! I almost lost MM and my water bottle-this ride was so much better than I remembered it! Woo-hoo! It truly is "the wildest ride in the wilderness."
We made it through the parade crowd to head to Epcot via the monorail. Our first stop-where else?-Test Track. The line was pretty long so I decided to use a DIS trick-the single's line. What a great idea! We noticed rumbles of thunder as we got toward the cars, and they were playing the "Due to inclement weather, it may be necessary to shut down this attraction "as we boarded. However, each of us got to ride. TT was shut down as soon as MM's car got through great timing! With drops of rain falling somewhat tentatively and the weather very humid, we decided to check out Maelstrom and the Mexico ride. I definitely was disappointed with Maelstrom-except for a couple of cool drops, all it told me about Norway were the trolls and Vikings. I really like the Mexico ride, though; I thought it really embodied the spirit of Mexico very festive. I also liked seeing the restaurant inside-MM and Pun'kin ate there last tour, but I never got to and would like to sometime.
We then decided to check out the Living Seas since we didn't make it there last tour as planned. We skipped the movie and headed to the aquariums. Really neat! I realized how much the "kids" would have liked this attraction and vowed to get them here next time. We especially enjoyed the seahorses. We were all standing around "oohing" and "aahing" them in "real life" when MM pointed out a tiny floating thing that looked like it had fins. She said, " Look! It's a baby seahorse!" Of course, we were duly impressed at both MM's knowledge and the baby itself and were watching it in awe as it "swam" about. It was at this moment that a big seahorse came up to the "baby" and swallowed it!! We all gasped in horror and then proceeded to laugh until we cried. It was the funniest thing-"Look there's a baby!! .oh." That still makes me smile. No one will ever know what exactly that "thing" was, but I sincerely hope it was NOT a baby!
We finished up at the Universe of Energy which was funny in spots but very long and drawn out. I was disappointed. Everyone was very tired and cranky at this point so we changed our plans again from checking out CBR to retiring early. There was a huge downpour as soon as we hit the bus stop at Epcot so we realized that we had made the right decision. Back to ASMu for food court pizza by the pool. This has got to be one of the best deals-we got a large pizza (8 big slices) with pepperoni, sausage, green peppers and onions for $16.99! It was nice to just relax by the pool. Pun'kin went for swim while MM and I collapsed in bed. I think all the park hopping was wearing us out!
Tip(s) for the day: I know everyone knows this but learn to use FP! It is helpful even when it is "slow" in the parks. Take the Animation Tour! Don't miss a milkshake at the Sci-Fi Diner! Sometime it's better to get to bed early and start fresh in the morning. Above all, if you go to the Living Seas, beware of the "baby-eating" seahorse! I still have nightmares.
Keep reading for the next installment: The Pixie Chicks' World Tour-Day Five: "The rain, rain, rain came down, down, down..."
