The Slonecker’s Holiday Trip to Disney-Cape May, Mission Sp, Candl Proc(Part 4 of 10)

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

The Slonecker’s Holiday Trip to Disney-Cape May Café, EPCOT, Mission Space & Candlelight Processional(Part 4 of 10)

Slonecker Family:

Lisa-Obsessed w/Disney crazed planner; been planning this trip since last Christmas

Russ-DH, is a converted Disney-fan; read the Passporter this time

Holly-DD-15, even admits to her teenage friends that she loves Disney; future goal is to work at Disney as an architect and Imagineer

Emily-DD-12, spirited & creative–energy galore, happy to be out of school

Jana-DD-8, nothing holds her back–keepin’ up with the sisters; roller coaster rider

Trip:: 7 nights at Beach Club for our third family trip to WDW-first trip for Christmas activities. November 29-December 6

We all slept in this morning after a really big arrival day on Saturday and late night last night at MVMCP. I woke up early, however, as Russ’ alarm on his watch for some unknown reason went off at 7:30. I never can sleep in when I’m at Disney–too much of a commando tourist! So much to do, so much to see. However, I knew the girls needed sleep and we’d all be much happier with each other, so I showered and went outside. It was great! I sat on the swing on the beach overlooking the Lake. It was great to see the Boardwalk area waking up. It was cool, but the sun was shining–a perfect Disney morning! So relaxing and wonderful.

I headed back to the room to rouse the kids and get them going. We headed to Cape May Café for our p.s. at 10:00. We saw Minnie at the entrance and we enjoyed seeing her beach attire. We were impressed with the food selection–everything was delicious, selection was plentiful, and the service was great. We saw Chip, Dale, and Goofy. I was impressed with their interactions and they paid attention to Emily and Holly who are somewhat out of the character mode, but still enjoy getting teased by the characters. We would definitely do this breakfast again.

We walked to EPCOT–this a great convenience for staying at the EPCOT resorts! We got a locker and loaded our cooler and video camera in it. As we were heading by the plaza, we saw the character caravan there. We loved the Christmas outfits! We got in line for Mickey and a CM took a picture of our whole family with Mickey. The time was up for the characters, but we were pleased to get Mickey and I promised Jana we’d make it back again for more. We headed to Future World with Mission Space on our minds!!

There was a 45 minute wait, and we got fast passes. We zipped over to TT and joined the singles line. Last year, Jana joined the singles line and chickened out at the end and made a particular CM very mad, but she assured us that she could do single even if she was the only one in our family in the car. She just needed reassurance where we were going to meet. As it turned out–Jana and I were in the same car, so no need to worry. It was awesome as always. We joined the singles line again and I think Jana actually wanted to ride by herself just to prove she could, but as it turned out–she and Emily were together in a car.

We headed to Mission Space for our FP. The nerves were really kicking up at this point!! We decided to go 3 and 2 so no one would go alone. Russ, Jana, and I were together and Holly and Emily were together. I really think I was the most nervous of anyone. I have had trouble with my ears in the past, and I was so worried this would interfere with how I felt on the ride, but I was determined that I wanted to do it. Partly to say I did it, but partly because I feel it is my duty as a loyal Disney fan to try everything at Disney at least once!!

I was amazed at the whole process of the pre-ride. If you don’t chicken out then, you’re good to go! We got in our space ship and I was terrified!! I kept reminding Jana to keep her head back and look straight ahead. The take off was amazing!! It was indescribable. I know there were certain “duties” I was supposed to perform as the navigator–but I just couldn’t even look away to do my “job”. Jana was pushing buttons and working the joystick, but I was determined to look straight ahead and that was it. It really was over before I knew what happened. I did not feel sick, but did feel a pressure in my chest and some stomach flopping on take off. But, it was worth it–it really was incredible.

Here’s the family verdict on it: Russ: Liked it but ended up feeling dizzy and unsettled for an hour or so. Lisa: Found it amazing, but probably should have gotten more information about the sequence of events so she could relax and enjoy it more. Holly: Loved it, let’s do it again. Emily: Awesome! But, do what they say with keeping your head back and looking ahead(Emily always has to test things out!). Jana: Scary when it looks like you are going to crash and she thinks it gave her a little headache.

We went into the post-ride area and sent some video e-mails and Jana picked out a Goofy astronaut as a souvenir. Russ had to go sit down outside for a bit. The girls wanted to do it again. I really debated it, because I felt like I could enjoy it more since I knew what to expect, but didn’t want to push my luck. So, we got FPs for the girls to do it later.

I noticed on my schedule that it was time for Imaginum so we grabbed a friendship boat. However, it doesn’t go to Germany anymore, so we disembarked at Morocco and zipped over to Italy. We love, love, love watching this. For those that haven’t seen this, this living statue attraction is such great fun. We all got pictures taken with the statue(who is very unpredictable!) and just really enjoyed this again. We are amazed that someone can do this so well. This is a treat!

According to my handy, dandy schedule, it was time for character caravan again, so we grabbed the friendship boats back to the plaza just as the characters arrived. In a short time, Jana was able to see Minnie, Baloo, Donald Duck, Rafiki, Gideon(from Pinocchio), and Meeko(raccoon from Pocohontas). She was thrilled and I was thrilled to be “done” with this particular group!

It was fast pass time and the girls once again enjoyed the Mission Space. Russ and I looked through some shops and he stood in a mile-long coffee line(chilly day and he can’t get enough of his java!). The girls enjoyed MS again and we headed to WS. Our first stop was France for a cream puff, of course! We were encouraging Holly to try out her French, but she was a little hesitant. After she order the cream puff, she did say “thank you” in french and the CM replied in French and we stopped bugging her! The cream puff was delicious as always and we all managed to get the cream on our noses!

We decided to head out to check the lines for Candlelight Processional and there were lines forming at 3:45 for the 5:15 processional. We joined the line and the girls enjoyed their EPCOT maps of different languages and they had a good time comparing the maps. We got seats in the back–it’s a rather crazy way they fill up the rows, but it was OK except for the trees blocking the views a little. Ben Vereen was AWESOME!! We enjoyed him a great deal and I loved his expression and his powerful voice. However, as darkness crept in, it got downright chilly!!! We kept huddling closer and closer and I was aggravated that we had not gotten the sweatshirts from the locker when we passed by there. Oh well!

The girls’ favorite part of the whole thing was watching the lady doing the sign language for the group. She really was amazing. She not only signed the words to the songs, but the “expression” she showed with her arm movements was entrancing to watch. She was really enjoyable. I really, really loved this show, the girls were not quite as impressed. My only disappointment(besides freezing) was that it really wasn’t dark enough to be as impressive as it might have been.

However, the end did me in as Ben Vereen announced that he was going to stray from the script. He told a story about a lady he had met in the park that day. He was stopped by this lady who recognized him. She wanted him to take a picture with her daughter which he obliged. As they talked, the mother told him she was on leave from her duties in Iraq. The little girl wished for WDW while the mom was home so that’s why they were there. The mother had to head back to Iraq in a week. Ben Vereen told the audience, “I don’t care what your political beliefs are, I am only asking for your prayers and support for all the men and women who are there fighting for our country” and then the choir started “Let There be Peace on Earth”. Sniff, Sniff!! It was so awesome and the girls still tease me about being such a sap!

We headed to Liberty Inn(we were freezing in our shorts and t-shirts!). We were also starving so we got food for dinner. Russ and I had the chicken sandwiches which were too spicy for my taste. The girls enjoyed their burgers and Holly a chicken club sandwich. We warmed up a little and decided to head to the lockers for our sweatshirts. I didn’t know we could travel the World Showcase so quickly!! We were all much happier with our sweatshirts on–the night air was cool, but still comfortable for us Ohioans with sweatshirts! We had a quick debate about whether to stay for Illuminations, but decided to forgo it.

We headed back to BC and the girls decided to check out the water in the pool on our walk back. It felt warm to them, so we all impulsively decided to join in. We did have a laugh at the lifeguards who were bundled up like we bundle up in January! We basically had the pool to ourselves and the lifeguards had to ask, “Where are you from?” “Must be from up North!”. We did the pool for a while and had such fun in the spinning part where the water just carries you around in circles. We all headed for the hot tub and it was really, really great! The kids got a kick out of the “steam” rising off of any exposed body part that was wet. It was such a treat to be swimming outside in December!

We headed back to the room after debating who was brave enough to retrieve our towels in the cool night air and we all showered. The girls got a sudden craving for ice cream and I think they were shocked when I agreed to let them venture to Beaches and Cream in their pajamas! (I’m not usually an impulsive and “whatever” type of person. Twice in one night–first I swam in the cool night air and then I let them go for ice cream in their pajamas!! Oh My!)

They returned all smiles with ice cream and plenty of it! Their favorite was Jana’s selection which was the Frozen Sunshine(orange sherbert and seltzer water with little candied oranges). YUM! YUM! With the stomachs full, everyone was ready to settle in for a good night’s sleep before EE at MGM tomorrow!

Stay tuned for: “MGM, Sci-Fi, Illuminations”

 

[swankybeth]

Sounds like another fun-filled day! Thanks for posting.

 

[susy]

Okay, I knew you all sounded "familiar". I remember the incident with Jana and TT. We did swim the week before (Wed- Fri), but when Sat came, it was all over. Another great day!!!!

 

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

Susy--You have a great memory! I am impressed! Have a great day!