The Tenth Honeymoon is the Best One of Them All! - May '14 TR - COMPLETED 4/19

[nilla]

But wait, there's more! Such as the fairies from Sleeping Beauty. They were on wheel, because Disney just has to go and make everything even cooler than it already is.



I'm guessing I just missed the shot of Aurora, because I don't have one. I have Prince Philip, though.



Upcoming movie promotion time!





And here's the dragon!



Whoa, he breathes fire! Now THAT is cool. Let me see if I can time this right...



No. Darn it! Ok, try again.



C'mon! Alright, this time.



Too early. There may still be time - here it comes!



Missed again! Well, you'll just have to believe me. This float is unbelievable. This parade is unbelievable. And it's not over yet!

 

[nilla]

But back to Maleficent. We saw the movie last night (in real time, not TR time), and we all LOVED it. They muck with the original Disney story A LOT, but that's what makes it so good. Oh, and the acting. And the imagery. And the costumes. And, well, all of it. GREAT film. Check it out!

Back to the parade, it time for characters who don't qualify for their own float.







More dancers!



See, even Pinocchio gets his own float! Well, ok - he has to share it with Dumbo. But at least they're not walking!



Donald and Daisy have a place, too...



...but they're renting space to Fantastia. Love that movie, though...and those ducks!



Oh, Pluto's on the back, too! We're at the A-list originals now!







That said, it can't be long until - hey, there they are!





I joked to Kristin before the parade that I'd be crying through the whole thing and would need my sunglasses. But when those Mice rolled into view, I'm 100% serious that it was full-blown waterworks. Of course, if you've ever read my trip reports, that shouldn't surprise you. I'm crying constantly in Disney World.



Ok, I guess the parade is over! Let's head on over and ride Buzz!

 

[nilla]

Our 'Ohana ADRs are for 6:00, but it's not even 4:00 yet now. We ride Buzz.







I must say I like this ride much less since Toy Story Mania debuted. Plus, for some reason, I am AWFUL at this ride anymore. Kristin's good. Dylan's incredible. Emily's worse than me, but she tries. But still, not my favorite ride. Of course, this picture is in order:



Afterwards, we can get more FPs! We think. With dinner coming up, it'll be tight.

We go to the kiosk outside Buzz, and the CM says, "oh, you're getting your sixth FastPass, so this is your last one." We all look puzzled, to which he replies, "just kidding!" Man, he got us! But really - sixth Fast Pass! And it's not even 5:00! Sure, it is mid-May and not a peak time, but for this week, I'm 100% behind FastPass+. Sorry I ever doubted you, Disney.

The selection this time was for Pirates of the Caribbean at 4:10. That's coming up, so we'd better head over there. But that's a story for another day


[POST=51569838](next update)[/POST]

 

[shan23877]

That new parade is really incredible isn't it? I've never been one to watch the afternoon parade, but I'm so glad that I made the time to see that one!

So glad that you got you HM/tattoo shot!

You guys did great with the FP that day!

 

[MEK]

For you







Fun update. I'm sure I missed some this week. I remember the Jesus skywriter. I was watching him at Epcot and sort of fascinated that the J had disintegrated by the time he got to the last S. Seems like a futile attempt. Oh well.

Love the pictures of the parade. I never saw it this trip. I know - lame because it does look really cool. And I won't be in the MK for that parade for about 2 years. So your pictures made up for it!

 

[Clarf]

Haunted Mansion. Awesome. The best ride ever, anywhere. My kids are still unsure about it, but we make them go on it because we're horrible parents. Great pics on the ride!


I'm so glad to hear FP+ is working great so far. I had my doubts too, but so far so good for you! And September is a slow month too, so hopefully we'll have the luck you did.

That parade is beautiful! We'll definitely make time for that. Everything about it looks amazing. I think only the Boo to You parade could trump it, and that's because there is a Haunted Mansion float.

I'm glad to hear Maleficent was good. Our kids are begging to see it, so hopefully next weekend!

 

[jdd]

Subbing! Loved your past trip reports, and this one's no exception

Currently don't have a ticker , so I'm living everyone else's trips - thanks!

 

[MonsterWDWmom]

My older daughter (5 years old) loves the Haunted Mansion! We have the Disney park music and that is one of her favorite songs. I know next time we are on it she will be singing right along!

 

[WishnDisney]

What a great day. 6 Fp+? Awesome. I will be interested in seeing how many we can get in mid-June.

I agree about HM. Love that ride. We are planning our first night time Jungle Cruise this time. Can't wait.

Question about the people mover...has the refurb not started yet?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

wow - glad to see how well FP+ is working for you! But then again, you only ever here positives said about it

Gotta love the HM ... and the TTA! Cool that they pushed back the refurp so you could ride it!

I agree that Jungle Cruise is better at night - same for BTMRR in my opinion, though there are both still really good during the day!

Oh, and you didn't miss Aurora - she isn't in the parade. Apparently it's because that the scene being depicted (when Prince Phillip battles the dragon) takes place during the time she is asleep so if they included her it would make the whole thing look like a funeral procession.

 

[nilla]

That new parade is really incredible isn't it? I've never been one to watch the afternoon parade, but I'm so glad that I made the time to see that one!

So glad that you got you HM/tattoo shot!

You guys did great with the FP that day!

Yeah, loving FastPass+! Let's hope that continues.

I could take or leave most of the parades, but that one was above and beyond anything else. Unreal!

Fun update. I'm sure I missed some this week. I remember the Jesus skywriter. I was watching him at Epcot and sort of fascinated that the J had disintegrated by the time he got to the last S. Seems like a futile attempt. Oh well.

Love the pictures of the parade. I never saw it this trip. I know - lame because it does look really cool. And I won't be in the MK for that parade for about 2 years. So your pictures made up for it!

Awesome Leota pictures! You take the best photos :

Won't be in MK for about two years? What?

Haunted Mansion. Awesome. The best ride ever, anywhere. My kids are still unsure about it, but we make them go on it because we're horrible parents. Great pics on the ride!

I'm so glad to hear FP+ is working great so far. I had my doubts too, but so far so good for you! And September is a slow month too, so hopefully we'll have the luck you did.

That parade is beautiful! We'll definitely make time for that. Everything about it looks amazing. I think only the Boo to You parade could trump it, and that's because there is a Haunted Mansion float.

I'm glad to hear Maleficent was good. Our kids are begging to see it, so hopefully next weekend!

Emily's scared of it now, which is silly, because she's never been scared of it before. And she's been going on it since she's been 8 months old!

By September, they should have it running even more smoothly. Should be great for you.

I want to see the Halloween stuff! Especially the HM float

Subbing! Loved your past trip reports, and this one's no exception

Currently don't have a ticker , so I'm living everyone else's trips - thanks!

I'll convince you to get a ticker yet!

Thanks for reading! Hope it lives up to expectations

My older daughter (5 years old) loves the Haunted Mansion! We have the Disney park music and that is one of her favorite songs. I know next time we are on it she will be singing right along!

I have that, too! What a great song...and ride!

What a great day. 6 Fp+? Awesome. I will be interested in seeing how many we can get in mid-June.

I agree about HM. Love that ride. We are planning our first night time Jungle Cruise this time. Can't wait.

Question about the people mover...has the refurb not started yet?

JC at night is great. We didn't do it yet on this trip, but we're not done yet!

wow - glad to see how well FP+ is working for you! But then again, you only ever here positives said about it

Gotta love the HM ... and the TTA! Cool that they pushed back the refurp so you could ride it!

I agree that Jungle Cruise is better at night - same for BTMRR in my opinion, though there are both still really good during the day!

Oh, and you didn't miss Aurora - she isn't in the parade. Apparently it's because that the scene being depicted (when Prince Phillip battles the dragon) takes place during the time she is asleep so if they included her it would make the whole thing look like a funeral procession.

BTMRR is great at night, too! Even more insane than during the day! That MAY happen this trip...stay tuned!

Ahhh, got it about Aurora. I was wondering how I would've missed that. Thanks!

I refused to listen to the horror stories about FP+. I'm sure they were real, but what's the point in going into it with negativity?

Day One ends after the next updates, which start NOW!

 

[nilla]

Of course, to get back to Adventureland from Tomorrowland, you have to trek past the Castle. And if you're going to trek past the Castle, you're going to get pictures of the Castle.





And if you're going to get pictures of the Castle, you're going to get pictures of people in front of the Castle. Or better yet, you're going to get a PhotoPass photographer to get pictures of people in front of the Castle.







Now, you may have noticed that those pictures were taken out of order, but that's irrelevant. It's a nilla Trip Report, so you've already resigned yourself to the fact that you have to suspend disbelief to follow along with this story. For those of you following along, we're now inside the Castle.



Hey, check out the mice!



Kristin is a BIG Cinderella fan, so she's loving it. Through the Castle and out into Fantasyland. Do we have time for Mickey's Philharmagic? Of course we have time for Mickey's Philharmagic!



The great thing about Mickey's Philharmagic is that there is never a wait for Mickey's Philharmagic. Except for when you get into the lobby. But that's not long.

I love this film! So much that I now call all 3D glasses "opera glasses". Favorites parts in this one are the Lion King, Fantasia, Beauty and the Beast, and turning around so the newbies can realize there's something behind them at the end

Kristin loves it, too, even though she can't see the 3D. After Mickey's Philharmagic, we get a shot of the kids' future, if they don't buckle down:

 

[nilla]

We're in Adventureland now, and our FastPasses are ready! Into Pirates, which means lots of pictures:







Into the boat, and onto the ride. I like the mermaid stuff they added after the last movie, but Blackbeard? Meh. Not a fan of that film much at all, and I loved the others. Here's hoping they either get it back in #5 or just don't do #5 at all.

Further on, and either our camera's not great in this lighting, or I'm not great with our camera in this lighting. But I try:







If you think the pirates or mermaids are dangerous, you should see the spiders in the gift shop!



Of course, this particular species of arachnid doesn't do much but induce indifference.



I look ahead, and Kristin and Dylan are one the move. Looks like we have to head out for dinner! We catch up...eventually. Then it's off the monorail. Next stop - Polynesian!

 

[nilla]

The others in our cabin must not come here often, because the mom and the young son don't know if that big, white dome is Space Mountain or something else. They do spot a big turtle on the lawn, though.

We reach Ticket and Transportation, and our cabinmates don't recall if they need to get off there. They stay on, which is good, because I believe they're trying to get to the Polynesian. But who knows.

I do know that we're there now, and we love it!



This or Boardwalk. That's where we'll stay if money allows it. But in the meantime, we'll "settle" for Coronado

Dinner's at 'Ohana tonight, if you didn't gather that from the day header. We get seated too quickly for me to get any more photos, but I'm not going to complain

'Ohana is largely empty when we get inside, but that's ok. The woman playing the ukelele isn't here tonight (I swear we saw here at the Magic Kingdom, doing something less spectacular), but there is a man with a ukelele, so I guess that's ok.

Our waitress brings the bread. Bread good!



She takes the "soft" drink order, and most of us get raspberry iced teas. They're delicious, but I want a Kona Fire Rock (beer)! But she's not coming back. Ok.

Family photo time!







A different server comes to the table, equipped with salad and dressing.



I have trouble understanding him, which is most likely my fault. He's from, I believe, the Philippines. Not sure, but for the sake of the next reference, I NEED him to be from the Philippines.

You see, every time I hear or read the word "Philippines", my brain immediately goes to the line from Mike Myers's "Cat in the Hat":

"Cat: This isn't just any old crate. It's the Transdimensional Transporterlator. It's kinda like a doorway which leads from this world to my world.

Conrad: But it says there "Made in the Philippines".

Cat: Yes, but not this Philippines."

(stolen from http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Cat_in_the_Hat_(film))

That little piece of unnecessary information aside, we start getting the appetizers. Pork pot stickers, sticky wings, thai noodles, and some really good bean stuff:







These come by means of our original server, but I decide to pass on the Fire Rock and go for another iced tea. No beer for me? What the-?

I cut down on drinking pretty much, but Disney is an exception. But not tonight. For no good reason, besides the raspberry iced tea is REALLY good!

 

[nilla]

Anyone who has been to 'Ohana knows that you are "cousin" to everyone there while you're dining. However, the shrimp skewer guy calls me "my brother". Alright, those shrimp look good!



Emily get in on the coconut/broom thing, with the rest of her cousins.





The server gives me the low-down on the best place to video record this mayhem, and it's near the finish line. Emily rounds the bend, and her sunglasses drop down off her head onto her face. She fixes them...and down they come again! And again! She looks over at me and smirks. The coconut goes into the bin, and it's back to the table!

We make the kids try everything, and the reviews are mixed. Emily likes the wings, though.



Kristin and I love this, though. So much our plan is to largely turn down the meat skewers, so we can eat more of the appetizers.

I don't get a picture of the steak or pork (no more chicken!), but they were better than I remembered. Not done as well this time, which is always a plus!

More shots of the restaurant.



And one of us.



Dessert arrives next, and I don't think I can eat any of it. At least four raspberry iced teas and countless wings, pot stickers, and noodles has me pretty darned full. Looks good, though - 'Ohana bread pudding a la mode with Banana Foster sauce (stolen from http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=25#menu).



Who am I kidding - I ate it. And I loved it. No regrets. This is Disney! Kids got some sort of cupcake.

 

[nilla]

We pay (using the Magic Band!), then head out, exploring Poly before we leave.









Dylan keeps saying that we should stay at this resort. Of course, he's not paying! More photos.







Outside now:







I like the CSR pool better, but the slide here is amazing! It would be great to stay here. Monorail to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Wishes from the beach. Someday!

But speaking of the CSR pool, I think we'll head back there. We pretty much beat down the Magic Kingdom - of course, we missed a lot, but we have two more days there. Let's swim!

But first, one more pic!

 

[nilla]

After a GREAT first day at the Magic Kingdom, it's back to Coronado Springs (a guy on the bus last year called it "Colorado Springs").

Straight to the pool (after getting changed of course), and we're in!



Others are in, too!



Back to us.







And then there's the pyramid, without anyone else. Just because it's the pyramid.







More out-of-order photos, but you'll come to expect that. It's dusk again.





Love the pyramid with the deep blue sky behind it!

Frozen is playing on the big inflatable screen over by the playground, but Emily would rather swim. Wow, that's a love for swimming!



One more pyramid shot...



Wait, I already showed you that one! Oh well, there it is again...and we're out!

Back to the room. It's still not THAT late (maybe around 9:00), so I'll upload the photos while watching the NFL draft. Emily digs into the snack she got from Dan and Jeanette:



As we all wind down, we all reflect. Wow...what a day. All three mountains, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, People Mover, Carousel of Progress (did I skip that in this Trip Report?), Dole Whips, Columbia Harbour House, the train, the monorail, 'Ohana, Mickey, Polynesian, the pool at Coronado...and this is only Day 2! 10 more to go! Are you in? Because we've got some typing to do!




[POST=51585073](next update - Day 3!)[/POST]

 

[disnic75]

Loving your trip report! Very entertaining

Your tattoos are awesome:thumbsup

I love the Goldbergs! I love everything 80s.

No more chicken skewers at Ohana Oh well, keep the shrimp coming and I'll forgive you, Disney Powers That Be!

 

[dramadrew]

Going back a few pages, it never occurred to me that there wouldn't be a non-talking Mickey at Town Square Theater now. But I guess problems can occur and they need back ups. Also, the Mary Poppins has a strong resemblance to the actress who originated the role in the Broadway musical version!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Oh yes, it's a given that you trek past the castle and you get pictures of the castle. You just can't look away.

Hey, your TR your rules right?

Philharmagic is a must do for me, every time. Mainly because I'm obsessed with Donald, but it's a great movie too!

No beer for you?! The shame of it.

I was gonna say! You better eat that bread pudding.

Poly is one of my favorites.

Sounds like you guys had an awesome day. Great ending too. Gotta love ending it at the pool.