The Ups and Downs of Labor Day weekend 2010

[annmarieda]

OMG! I can't believe Bert! He was totally being snotty... they aren't allowed to do things like that. It is against the rules to be out of character. He is totally out of character in the other picture too! He has a "thug" face or something!

Your mom's story about the Castle is hilarious! I am sorry you had a bad lunch at Cosmic Ray's, but its awesome that Zoe got picked! Just think, if you had gone to CHH the line or service may have been longer and shorter-- meaning she may not have gotten picked!

It was strange. I couldn't figure out who was suppose to be with Mary until he signed his autograph. I just thought it was suppose to be some smug guy. I totally missed the face he made at my mom. I think maybe, he was just confused at who Bert was. In my mind, Bert was Mary's goofy, happy friend who had a gentle soul. Maybe he was trying for goofy...but it came across as snotty.

My mom and the castle did make both of us laugh. My mom has a pretty good sense of humor. (Kira and I are quite lacking)

Lunch wasn't bad...I mean, my burger was fine. Kira's hot dog was fine. It just wasn't the highlight meal. (which I didn't expect it to be) Course, for the guys back in Feb. I think it may have been. I think they literally ate there 3 times just so they could get the ribs and chicken.

It was so cool that Zoe got picked. I do think it was some special that we chose to go to cosmic rays instead of our initial plan. I am glad we did.

 

[annmarieda]

Last we left off, we were on our way to the Hall of Presidents. It was very hot. I don't think I every sweat like I was sweating. It was so nice to get into that building. It was a bit of a wait until the next show, but we didnt mind. It was SO hot out. We settle in and sat.

It was about then that Kira made a troubling discovery. She had lost her KTWC. Frantic, she began to search her purse for it. She was becoming more and more worked up. (just as her grandmother tends to do..and in that same frantic way ) I knew that I could handle it and that it wasn't a HUGE deal. Kira remembers when we stayed off site though, and you get the paper tickets. On those tickets it reads something to the effect of "Disney is not responsible for lost or stolen cards" In her mind, her trip is over.

I had alll the crazy people stay put while I ran (yes literally) to guest services. It took minutes (literally) to get a new card made for her. They even drew a little Mickey head on the back of the new one in case the other one turned up. As for the card, I am pretty sure that Kira handed it off along with a set of fps to Mickey's Philharmagic.

Now, did everyone stay put like I told them and thus taking advantage of the extra time in the ac? Of course not. Kira and mom were both worried so they wandered out into the heat. So now, not only did we miss the HOP show, but they were even hotter. Well, I figured this must be the time to get a snack. What snack?

A DOLE WHIP! of course. Kira and I collected them while mom and Zoe sat on a bench to wait for the Dream Along with Mickey Show. We sat and melted, as did our floats while we watched the show.

When it was over we intended to do so much more, but all we could handle was the Pooh ride. It wasn't enough of a break from the heat, so we started down Main Street. On the way out, we caught most of the Dreams Come True Parade. The heat was so horrid we could barely stop. We ducked into shops along the way. We still got some pictures, though.

Next chapter;
Back to Pop Century for some rest

 

[tankgirl427]

which day was your MK day?

 

[chunkymonkey]

I am wondering which was your MK day too...think it could have been the day we were at AK and the heat was unbearable...

Cute pictures of the parade!

I know I flip out too when I lose my key, which is every so often, luckily there were no key mishaps for us on this trip. I think it's because DH mostly held on to them the whole time, LOL.

 

[tinacaplan]

Believe it or not, if I'm not mistaken, authentic Philly cheesesteaks actually involve cheese sauce. Now, don't bit my head off anyone, if I'm wrong, but... Its weird to me, too, because I do not enjoy cheese that looks like it could survive a nuclear disaster.

And that was very sweet of Belle to spend so much time with Zoe. How great is that?

I wish they'd put Mary Poppins in something other than her super.... outfit. Don't know why, but I always think of her with her long coat and that umbrella. And you're right...the guy playing Dick Van ****'s character looked smarmy and a tad obnoxious!

 

[KatMark]

Tonight is catching up on everyone else's reports now that I got mine started last night. I love the pictures of the giraffes at the AK (my favorite animal); your dinner sounds really good at Boatwright's (we ate there three years ago and it wasn't very good at all...so hopefully it has improved)...and you handled the situation with Kira and your mom very well. Love your parade pictures at the MK.

 

[Simba22]

The first time I went to WDW was during September and my most vivid memories from that vacation are us sweltering in the heat! You guys stuck it out longer than we did! I remember we arrived at AK, did the safari and then headed right for dinoland. By the time we got there we were so hot and sweaty we decided to just leave and go back to the hotel for a swim.

 

[annmarieda]

which day was your MK day?

It was 9/5 (so the day before labor day). I think it was the worst day to go to MK. I have a feeling that locals might have been going that day to get in one last trip of the summer.

I am wondering which was your MK day too...think it could have been the day we were at AK and the heat was unbearable...

Cute pictures of the parade!

I know I flip out too when I lose my key, which is every so often, luckily there were no key mishaps for us on this trip. I think it's because DH mostly held on to them the whole time, LOL.

unbearable! Yes, if it was 9/5 (sunday...it was certainly unbearable. Those pics of the parade are taken in between me darting into shops. It really was just TOOOO hot. And as for the keys... I understand why Kira was upset. I just knew it could be handled...and therefor didn't want to sweat it. (I was doing enough sweating that day. ) Course, I also think that it may have happened to Kira so that she could have some compassion/tollerance. I mean after all, if it had been any of the rest of us who had lost their key..she would never have let us hear the end of it. Course...did she learn that? Well...lets just say that maybe not. Maybe she ends up losing something else. (stay tuned to find out what)

Believe it or not, if I'm not mistaken, authentic Philly cheesesteaks actually involve cheese sauce. Now, don't bit my head off anyone, if I'm wrong, but... Its weird to me, too, because I do not enjoy cheese that looks like it could survive a nuclear disaster.

And that was very sweet of Belle to spend so much time with Zoe. How great is that?

I wish they'd put Mary Poppins in something other than her super.... outfit. Don't know why, but I always think of her with her long coat and that umbrella. And you're right...the guy playing Dick Van ****'s character looked smarmy and a tad obnoxious!

Hmm, that is interesting about the cheesesteaks. (no biting your head off ). I guess the ones we have up here may be different. Typically, they melt a white american type cheese on it. So when my mom's had the yellow nacho cheese sauce on it. (that she may very well have put on herself) I just though "ewe, gross" I like that cheese sauce well enough on fries...actually, I really like it on fries. I just wasn't thinking it would go well on the meat.

I agree with you on Mary Poppins. I think she should be wearing the long coat and umbrella. That is definitely how I think of her.

Tonight is catching up on everyone else's reports now that I got mine started last night. I love the pictures of the giraffes at the AK (my favorite animal); your dinner sounds really good at Boatwright's (we ate there three years ago and it wasn't very good at all...so hopefully it has improved)...and you handled the situation with Kira and your mom very well. Love your parade pictures at the MK.

Welcome home! I have kinda lurked on your PTR....I will be subbing to your TR for sure! Hopefully, I can keep up with it better than I did with your PTR!
Boat Wrights was good. I didn't much care for the sweet potatoes (which I normally do like sweet potatoes) but other than that, the meal was very nice. (even with the drama )

The first time I went to WDW was during September and my most vivid memories from that vacation are us sweltering in the heat! You guys stuck it out longer than we did! I remember we arrived at AK, did the safari and then headed right for dinoland. By the time we got there we were so hot and sweaty we decided to just leave and go back to the hotel for a swim.

Luckily, we had planned to leave the park anyway...because Kira has a hard time if we go against the "PLAN". If we had planned to stay...I am sure she still would have despite the heat. even if the rest of us had left. I try and stick with the plan, but later in my TR for this day you will see that I go against the "plan" and Kira decides to stick with it. And who's choice was the better? I am sure you can guess.

 

[tankgirl427]

That was my day in Epcot. With the smaller storm that looked more menancing that it was in the afternoon. It was brutually hot that day too!

I'm guessing you were right to go off hte plan and Kira just about lost it staying on the plan..... why do I guess this? Because I'm finally figuring out that my parents were usually right about everything (~90%) that they told me, suggested I do, or the what not. I've started to take my parents word on what to do and not even question it. She will get there soon!

 

[annmarieda]

The day had already been so hot and a bit stressful. Once we got back to Pop, mom and Kira each took a nap. Zoe and I decided it was time to hit the pool. I am not a big swimmer. In fact, I don't know that I CAN swim. Still, it was fun to splash around a bit with Zoe. It was also just what we needed to cool off.

After our time in the pool (sorry, no picks) we went back to the room. We showered and got ready to head to DTD. We woke the two sleeping beauties and off we went. First, I had to get one of those pictures (I have seen them on DIS before) with the animals looking at the impending storm. Yes, a storm was coming in. We had got out of the pool just in time because they had closed it due to the thunder storm warning.

Not so long before this pic, the pool was full...FULL of people.

I already knew where we were going for dinner. Wolfgang Puck Express! Thanks to DIS boards, I knew that this would be a good use of a qs credit. We got to the restaurant just in time. There was barely a line. I ordered the salmon. Kira ordered an italian sandwich with sweet potato fries (she loves sweet potato fries). Mom ordered the chicken alfredo. Zoe had the chicken fingers.

For dessert, Kira and I both had the creme brule. YUM!

Mom and Zoe each got a cookie. (it was an easy dessert to pack up and take with us since it was in a wrapper)

At the end of dinner, Kira started to feel ill. I think the heat was really taking its tole on her and I wonder if she had kept herself hydrated enough. (or maybe it was cosmic rays )

We ended up spending a bit more time in DTD. We went into Goofy's candy store and then Once Upon a Toy store. In the store, I decided that since dh was not there to tell me it was a bad idea...that Zoe could get a box of My Little Pony parts. Dh, btw, is often wise when it comes to such things. He knows that all the little pieces end up everywhere and so he usually prefers that we stay clear of such toys. Course, I must win out more times than not since Zoe's room is full of small toys. ..that are all over the place. When picking out the parts, we had the help of a very nice cm. She stuffed the box so full...she said as long as one side of the box closed, we were good. So Zoe got a pony with all sorts of "dress up" costumes for it. We got one of each of the princesses and of minnie. The cm thought we needed a second set...just in case Zoe had a guest pony over. So in the box, she stuffed even more. Good grief that box was bulging by the time the cm was done.

Unfortunately the fun in the toy store sucked up the remaining shopping time. We needed to get back to MK.

Next Chapter; Extra Magic Hour not so Magical.

 

[tankgirl427]

I want that My Little Pony dress up box now too!

So far at MK EMH it was myself, you, and Joyce. And you know from reading my TR and Joyce's TR our MK EMH weren't too successful. I can't wait to hear how yours ended up!

 

[annmarieda]

I want that My Little Pony dress up box now too!

So far at MK EMH it was myself, you, and Joyce. And you know from reading my TR and Joyce's TR our MK EMH weren't too successful. I can't wait to hear how yours ended up!

I have wanted to get Zoe either the box of potato head parts for a number of years. They sell those inside some of the park stores. (like in AK near Dinoland) I have never seen the my little pony parts anywhere but at the toy store in DTD. It was time to get one, and even though I recently had to go through her room to attempt to gather them all back up to put into a case...I am glad I did.

As for EMH... successful? well, read on....

 

[annmarieda]

Now done in DTD, we needed to get back to MK. It was EMH and we planned to make use of it since it was one of the ONLY nights during our trip that the park closed later than 10pm.

First step would be to catch a bus. At this point in our journey, I despise the buses. With a great bit of trepidation, we make our way to the bus stop. Our best option would be to take a bus to CR and then go to MK either by walking or monorail.

We got on the bus and....wait for it.....


.........


.........


WE GOT SEATS

Not only was it the first bus that came, but the bus had so many open seats it was amazing! We sat across from a wonderful couple. I believe they were from Louisiana. They were there without their kids and were staying at BLT using their DVC points. They were super funny and even though I had a bit of a hard time hearing them. It was a wonderful conversation. It did make me long to be a DVC member...but...I can move on and past it. There are other places to go and I need to attempt to not always spend my vacation time and money in Disney. (even if it is my happy place )

By the time the bus pulled up to CR, the sun had really set. I wasn't the least bit familiar with CR and where to possibly catch the monorail. It looked like we were right at the path to walk to MK, so that is what we did.

The walk was really nice. We all stayed together and we neither were walking to fast or two slow. Once we got to Mk, we could see that other people had the same plan. (get back in time for wishes and stay for EMH)
The front of the park was packed and the parade had started. We could barely push our way into the park onto mainstreet. We got as far as the train station and Kira had a brilliant idea. "Why not take the train and get off in Frontierland?" Excellent! Mom loves to ride these trains. (which is never high on my list of priorities) It also would get us in and beyond the crowd hopefully in time to see the start of the parade as it made its way to Frontierland.

We made it on the last train departing for the night. Along the way, we saw the lights on the lake and could not figure out what it was we were seeing. Oh well, being on the train we couldn't enjoy it anyway.

Once in Frontierland, we got off and got to the bridge near Splash Mountain just as what should start to pass?

After the parade, we moved down near Country Bear's to watch wishes. It doesn't give you that special "fireworks behind the castle" view, but it is a nice view nonetheless. During Wishes, Zoe fell asleep. Not just a light "I am sitting in a stroller" sleep, but a dead to the world, flopping over kinda of sleep. (I think she may have just been a tad exhausted.)

Since we were right there, we decided to go watch Country Bear Jamboree. I thought that carrying Zoe in, might cause her to wake....Nope. Maybe the show...Nope. She was heavy and out!

One of my favorite characters in the Jamboree.

With Zoe still asleep, we made our way to Pirates. I was still able to get onto the ride with her in my arms.

Next we made our way to BTMRR. By this time, we had a few things going against us. First and foremost, Zoe was asleep...deep asleep. I really wish I had a picture of her completely zonked. Second, mom and I were pretty tapped. It had been a long day for me. Remember, I had not taken a nap. Third, something HORRID was happening to the crowd level. It almost seemed to be getting more crowded, not less. (look below in the picture of the Halloween decorations. You can kinda see in the background that there are quite a few people on mainstreet and this was after park closing.) In february, we went on and on and on BTMRR..no wait during EMH. The line was all the way out to the entrance. That was enough for me. I knew that this was not going to work for us and decided that we would head back to Pop. Kira wanted to stay. I didn't really think about that as a problem. She could stand in the lines herself. (remember she HAD taken a nap) So she stayed and mom and I left with the STILL sound asleep, nearly 50lb child. (remember for later...50lb child.) On our way out, we took some pictures of the decorations that were going up for Halloween.

For Kira, staying did not mean she got a bunch of rides in. I believe she went on one or two. For the time in the park that she had that is really low. When we stay on schedule with our ridemax plans, we can find more than double that in the same time frame. She agreed it was really not worth the stay to fit in the couple more rides. I think it was nice for her though to get some alone time.

For me, it was not a good thing at all. Leaving the park with a sleeping child and my mom would have been a challenge had Kira been there. How much of a challenge? You will just have to wait for the next chapter....

For now, one last picture to keep us in good spirits.

Now a picture of the castle at night...that IS magical!

Next Chapter;

Buses are trying to kill me

 

[KatMark]

What a great CM you had with the Little Pony items--that's what I LOVE about Disney. I am so sad we missed the Electrical Parade when we were there last month. I can imagine how it must have been with a 50 pound sleeping Zoe; we were with friends, and I had her 44 pound daughter in my arms after she fell asleep, and she was dead weight (plus, I'm a heck of a lot older than when my kids were little ). Your meal at WPE looks great.

 

[tinacaplan]

WOW! Sounds like it was super hot. I wonder if we will ever go in the summer... hmmm...

Sorry your late-night EMH's at MK didn't work out better for you. Nice pictures of the Main Street Electrical Parade. In February, MK was open 'till 3 a.m. that night, which I think helped the crowds thin considerably, particularly after around one in the morning. I'm surprised Kira didn't get to do more rides, though. I know that Max will not be making those kinds of hours when we go, but I am really looking forward to taking MK on by myself that night.

Good to know that Ridemax worked out that well, for you, though. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[annmarieda]

What a great CM you had with the Little Pony items--that's what I LOVE about Disney. I am so sad we missed the Electrical Parade when we were there last month. I can imagine how it must have been with a 50 pound sleeping Zoe; we were with friends, and I had her 44 pound daughter in my arms after she fell asleep, and she was dead weight (plus, I'm a heck of a lot older than when my kids were little ). Your meal at WPE looks great.

I know, right? I have such a hard time looking at any vacations outside Disney because they just seem to go out of their way (most cms) to make the guest happy.

WOW! Sounds like it was super hot. I wonder if we will ever go in the summer... hmmm...

Sorry your late-night EMH's at MK didn't work out better for you. Nice pictures of the Main Street Electrical Parade. In February, MK was open 'till 3 a.m. that night, which I think helped the crowds thin considerably, particularly after around one in the morning. I'm surprised Kira didn't get to do more rides, though. I know that Max will not be making those kinds of hours when we go, but I am really looking forward to taking MK on by myself that night.

Good to know that Ridemax worked out that well, for you, though. Can't wait to hear more.

I have my theories as to what was up with the crowds that night. 1.it was the night before labor day and I think locals may very well have come to one of the hotels for just a night or two and then taken advantage of EHM (I know if I lived near by that is what I would do) 2. The heat during the day was horrid. I would think that a lot of people left the park mid day thinking that they could return. 3. This EMH was really not all that late. 1am was not like a 3am closing. (for the life of me I can't understand why they are open later in Feb than in Sept.) I imagine that if people took naps in the day, staying up till midnight would be no problem.

 

[annmarieda]

Well, maybe some of this is really my fault...but...

Ok, so thus far I have not hid my disappointment with the bus system nor my frustration with my mom at times.

This now brings us to the night of 9/5. EMH has turned out to be too crowded and so mom, Zoe (sleeping) and I have left the park leaving Kira behind.

So we do our standard of waiting in line for the bus, waiting as various scooters are loaded, waiting for another bus..etc. routine. I anticipated this part of the routine. The part I didn't anticipate and should have was the part where I had to break down the stroller, grab the bags and load onto the bus while holding a sleeping 50lb child who still was just not waking up. (was she drugged? )

Lucky, unlucky...I am not quite sure which, but we were the last two/three people on the bus. I was struggling to get everything on so I attempted to enlist my mother. (actually need a head banging against a brick wall emoticon) She struggled a bit with the stroller. The stroller was already broke down and weighs all of 5lbs (ok well, maybe a bit more than that, but it is REALLY a lightweight stroller) This is where the bus driver grabs it for her and I. It only took him a moment to realize that neither of us were going to be able to hold onto the stroller during the ride so he stores it for us. (something we are told he is NOT suppose to do) I really did not care at this point what he was suppose to or not suppose to do. All I wanted was to get the very heavy child and my mother back to Pop in one piece.

As I mentioned, we were the last couple people on the bus. In retrospect, I should have waited for the next bus. I believe that would have been the fourth bus if we had chose to do that...and hence why I didn't. Anyway, so we are last on, and of course, no seats. I got my mom to carry the bags. She was able to hold on to them. I believe I still had the heavier diaper bag.

The ride from MK was the longest to Pop of any of the parks. This situation didn't help. I stood holding Zoe up with one arm while using the other arm to hang on (for dear life) to the rail. The driver (I swear) was trying to hurry to get people home and taking every curve at such a speed that we all would lose our balance.

I attempted several times to wake Zoe, even attempting to stand her up at one point. She just ended up being a bit belligerent and laid down on the floor (at everyone's feet) while kicking. Obviously, I could not have her kicking everyone (or laying on that gross bus floor), so up in my arms back she went.

Did I mention it was really hot that day? Well, the heat continued on into that night. The bus was HOT inside. Since it was hot and I was getting quite the workout attempting to hold up Zoe and myself. (and occasionally supporting my mom when she lost her balance), I was SOAKED by the time I got back to Pop. I am not normally a sweaty person. As I stood in the bus, literally sweat was dripping from my upper lip. It was disgusting!

Once back at Pop, would you have guessed Kira (who stayed for all of EMH) made it back just shortly after us? I swear, those buses made us lose time in a strange alien abduction sort of way.

Last thing left for that day was to shower. A long LONG shower, because...crammed into that bus, pressed up against me...um, there were other people going through the same sort of struggles.

Next Chapter;
Night and Day

 

[tankgirl427]

OMG! I think I was on that bus. I know we were standing up, because we ending up standing up for almost every nighttime bus. But I remember that EMH from MK BF made a comment about how the driver should not be going that fast, but we were standing right by the driver, so maybe we got him on his trip before or after? Because BF was watching how fast the driver was going and was kind of worried, since he drives all day long for his job. We left MK EMH around midnight, I have no idea how many buses it took for us to finally get on. But I think we got back around 1am. This is BF's annoying I'm not getting up until 9 for our 9:40 ADR for Tusker House tomorrow.

 

[Joyciemc]

I had a lot of updates to catch up on... let me see if I can remember what I wanted to say...

The poor duck at MK! This stuck out to me because on our trip (warning, this gets a little morbid), I randomly wondered allowed to Ben why you never see wild animals um... expiring. My mind works in weird ways...

I totally agree that the character should get major kudos for handling sweaty strangers (not just kids!) all day. Not a glamorous job, if you ask me!

As you and Betsy said, that Sunday MK EMH did not seem to be a highlight for anyone!

And I am a sweaty person (is that TMI?) so the heat was extra bad for me that week!

 

[tinacaplan]

I know, right? I have such a hard time looking at any vacations outside Disney because they just seem to go out of their way (most cms) to make the guest happy.



I have my theories as to what was up with the crowds that night. 1.it was the night before labor day and I think locals may very well have come to one of the hotels for just a night or two and then taken advantage of EHM (I know if I lived near by that is what I would do) 2. The heat during the day was horrid. I would think that a lot of people left the park mid day thinking that they could return. 3. This EMH was really not all that late. 1am was not like a 3am closing. (for the life of me I can't understand why they are open later in Feb than in Sept.) I imagine that if people took naps in the day, staying up till midnight would be no problem.

Hmmm....just imagine being able to drive there for an overnight! That would be so awesome. And you're right, I think that the fact it was only open 'till 1 had a whole lot to do with the crowds. Like I said, the crowds for us had thinned out considerably after about one. And I thinks its open so late in February, at least that week, because its one of the busiest of the year.