These Kids Make Me Wish You Could Curse on the DISBoards (May '11 Trip) - DONE 9/14

[nilla]

After our mega-day at Magic Kingdom, we're up and ready to hit Epcot! Let's go!




Um...let's try that again. Let's go!!

Ok, Emily, I know this game. You see, Emily's our little actress, so when I pull the covers down, she's going to be wide awake and smiling. Alright, here goes. 1.....2....3!

Alright, so maybe she's NOT awake. And certainly not smiling. And probably won't be once I wake her up.

Much to their dismay, I pull the kids out of bed and tell them to eat their Chocolate Chip muffin from Rix. Breakfast is one meal Dylan will eat. Emily, not so much. She eats plenty during the day, so it's alright if she goes light on breakfast. I mean, I never heard anyone say that breakfast is really that important in the first place. Have you? Didn't think so.


The kids are sloooooow getting ready, but who can blame them? Certainly not me, but that doesn't mean I won't crack the whip to get them moving. We want to get to Epcot as early as possible! Today is our first of four Epcot days, and the plan is to stay in Futureworld all day, have dinner at Coral Reef, and then head back to the resort after dinner. This is actually one of the few ideas I've contributed to our trip planning over the years, and it worked out great last time. With no notions of getting back to World Showcase, we can take our time enjoying all that FW has to offer, including the often-overlooked stuff inside Innoventions.

Ok, ok...you need to keep the phrase "take our time" in perspective. We are NOT going to walk slowly. We are still going to maximize our FPs. We will NOT be wasting time, and we will certainly NOT be going back to the resort for a break (the horror!!!). This is still us, after all, and we only have one speed.

Now it's off to Bus Stop 1, where there are (not surprisingly) any Epcot buses coming anytime soon. This is the story of our Disney commute lives. I wonder what I did to offend the transportation people? In the meantime, Emily has a chance to improve her hula-hooping skills:

Wait, here we go! The bus is here! It's off to the happiest place on OUR Earth!

 

[nilla]

Once again, rope drop was not to be for this family. It's not my fault, though - it's just that my lazy family refuses to get on board with my "run yourself into a fatigue-induced nervous breakdown" touring strategy. Losers.

But we're not here THAT late - 10:00, which is only an hour after park opening. There are some school groups milling about the entrance...blech. Not a fan. I both deny and denounce what a complete idiot I was at that age, so I can look down my nose at them now.

No big deal, though, since there are two things you can generally count on with these groups:

1) Their chaperones did ZERO planning, and it will be surprising if they even get FPs.
2) The don't go into Innoventions. Or World Showcase, for the most part.

So it's off to Innoventions...er, actually, that's just the other three, since I'm off to get FPs for Soarin'. I like to make it a game trying to get around people without walking *too* fast.

I come back shortly, with a return time of around 2:00. Inside Innoventions, we park outside the Stormcenter. The doors will be opening in about 15 minutes, and Dylan suggests going somewhere else. We tell him it's only 15 minutes, but he starts complaining about not wanting to wait anyway.

Ok, where's that soapbox?

Cool, thanks. Now where was I? Oh yeah...

"Dylan, what is the longest you've waited in a line at a theme park in your life? 40 minutes for Tower of Terror last year. Before that, 30 minutes for Astro Orbiter a few years back. Beyond that, you almost NEVER wait more than 20 minutes for any ride. And that's no accident."

"I waited 2 hours for Spaceship Earth when I was your age. TWO HOURS. And you're complaing about 15 minutes. You don't even know waiting."

Alright, lecture over. Kristin and I (especially I) REALLY do not like complainers. We have no use for it. Just deal with it. But rather than argue, why don't we go do some of the activities they have here?

Dylan is sort of shy and unassertive, so he prefers to do the individual activities. Emily is shy, too, but when the opportunity for fun is there, she'll dive in.

The object of the game was to follow the CM's instructions about what items you need for your emergency kit. It looked fun.

We finally get our turn inside, which is somewhere we've never been. If you've never done it, it's basically a simulator where you get to make decisions about how to hurricane-proof your home. Interesting, and we all enjoyed it.

We exit, and - wait - what's going on? Why are all of these people in here? It's Innoventions! No one comes in here! Innoventions is sort of like our "hidden" gem anymore. It's usually not that crowded, and there's a lot of fun things to do that you'd otherwise overlook. Plus, it's inside, which is great when it's early May, and they're talking "near record highs".

Oh, there it is - it's POURING outside, and this is a good enough place to hide.

Kristin and Dylan ride Sum of All Thrills, which is sponsored by my brother's employer, so they should be able to go right to the front of the line, right? Not quite. Back to the end of the line for them, "connection" or not.

That was actually all, or mostly, in my head, so there was no mention of getting a line perk. At least outside of my mind, which is a pretty entertaining place to be, I tell ya.


What the-? What is he on about now??


Michael Bolton, we're gonna need you to focus up! Ok, we're back - While Mom and Son ride this...

...Emily and I return to defend our championship at this:

She whoops me AGAIN at the first touch-screen challenge, but we come together to close it out:

Wow, I'm Innoventionsed out, and the rain has stopped. What's next?

 

[nilla]

It's off to the Land, for lunch at one of our favorite CS spots, Sunshine Seasons. It's a bit crowded today, since the schoolies are in the house, but we eventually find a seat. We get the food. I get the Reuben Panini:

Kristin, as is Sunshine Seasons traditions, asks me, in disbelief, why I didn't get (insert name of something other than "Reuben Panini"). The sammy is really good, though. She gets the Ginger Mongolian Beef and Key Lime Pie:

I got the Butterfinger Cheesecake:

What an awesome dessert. Dylan actually eats, even if it's one of those half-dollar-sized PB&Js, so he's steppin' to me about wanting some of the cheesecake. Grrrr...

But I share. Usually do. But it IS a really good dessert, so it's tough.

While Kristin and the kids finished up, and went cross-Futureworld to get Test Track FPs. I ran into this on the way:

I'm guessing they're only in this incarnation during Flower & Garden, but they're good. I get the FPs, and head back to the Land...

It's on to Living with the Land next. We all love this ride, even though it's really not a technological marvel. HEY, hidden Mickey!

You call it "World's Hottest Pepper", but I call it a challenge.

I would SO eat that. And then wonder why I did. Not too smart when it comes to those kinds of things. I do love me some brussel sprouts, though:

Hey, those aren't brussel sprouts! Who's running this mess of a trip report?

That's more like it. As I was saying, I love me some bruss-HEY! Hidden Mickey!

I feel slightly guilty knowing that word association for this picture would result in "delicious":

Wait, huh? Wrong pic again, man!

There we go. Anyway, back to the gators - a small gator was found by a creek two miles from my house yesterday. In Pennsylvania. And it's the second this year. Scary! Now all we need is a series of theme parks in the area, themed according to the various productions of the Walt Disney Company. That would be perfect.

As we leave LWTL, Emily informs us that she is now a tour guide. Here we go

 

[nilla]

With Emily leading the way, we stop in to Circle of Life, or as I call it, "Humans Suck". Very informative and eye-opening movie, especially for the young'ns. My favorite part: "And everyone was 'ok' with this?" Gold!

Emily give me directions to Club Cool using the park map, which, if followed, would send me somewhere past the International Gateway. We walk over to the Imagination Pavilion, where Eric Idle is getting a visit from the good folks at Confuse-a-cat, Ltd. Or Figment. One of the two; I can't remember which. The kids love it, and they're really happy...

...until Emily flops face-down on the floor walking into the interactive section of the pavilion. Ouch. So she's miserable.

...for about 2 minutes, until she starts playing:

I don't think kids ever outgrow that one. Dylan is stuck on the slide whistle, since the two of us are huge slide whistle fans since the SpongeBob episode of the same name.

Once the kids have had enough, it's over to here...

...where Dylan starts complaining. He doesn't want to watch a movie. He doesn't like Michael Jackson. How long is it, like two hours?

I tell him that it's only about 20 minutes, and it's made by George Lucas, but he doesn't seem to care. I sit down next to him, and I'm ready for the critiquing to start. The movie kicks in, and before Michael Jackson can start dancing, I intervene:

"Dylan, Michael Jackson can defeat any villain...by dancing."

Knowing I think it's funny makes him think it's funny, too, and he loves it. And I love it. Jackson is the best action hero. I make sure to say as we walk out how this is George Lucas's greatest work.

After EO, it's outside to get pelted with the jumping water:

Emily benefits from lack of height:

I grab some fountain pics:

Where to next?

[POST=41328625](skip to next update)[/POST]

 

[nilla]

I know, crappy place to leave off, but that's it for tonight. More tomorrow!

 

[MEK]

Crap - Another update I can't see! ERRRRRRR!

 

[RobDIS]

Just read through your MK day, sounds like a great start to the trip! When we were there (April) we got in line for the Micky & Minnie meet and greet and thought it was actually a movie about Mickey Mouse. The line was very short and when they started letting in just a few people at a time we decided there must have been just a few seats left in the theater which they were filling in. I think the couple in line in front of us thought we were bonkers. When we went through and saw Mickey standing there it was an awesome surprise.

But anyhoo... Mayo on a burger!? (ikik) I was a very picky eater as a kid as well, so I can sympathize.

 

[KatMark]

I'm a little behind (or I'm just ignoring you ).

Your MK day sounds perfect! We've never done Cinderella's Castle. When the boys were young they wouldn't be caught dead eating in a castle with princesses and now that Mark and I have traveled our last six or seven trips without them, we leave that to the little princesses and pirates.

Your Epcot day looks fun too. You got quite a few hidden Mickey's in the Land...good job.

Emily sure looks quite comfy in those great queen beds at CSR.

 

[rndmr2]

Great update! I haven't been in Innoventions recently. I had hoped we would have time to do that type of thing on this last trip but we didn't. We never even made it to Imagination. We saw lots of school groups, too, and quite a few Brazilians (Fantasmic even had announcements in Portugese as well as the usual English and Spanish)

 

[TanzUnited99]

Sounds like a great Epcot day, apart from the tour groups! Eek at people coming into Innoventions and making the place crowded just beacause of a bit of rain!

I can't wait to try Sunshine Seasons and am also looking forward to Captain EO!

Great fountain pics at the end.

 

[saraheeyore]

lol pleased I'm not the only one with a picky eater. Abbie lived on chips or bread for every meal
Luckily I had taken cereal with us so she ate that in room most mornings if not i would have been stressing more over food. They seem to survive quite well with no food though don't they

 

[nilla]

First off, 10,000 VIEWS!! Thanks to all who made that happen. We're not even done with our second park day, and we already have around half of the views we got for the entire TR last year. Looks like I've got some high expectations to meet

And now for the feedback:

...we got in line for the Micky & Minnie meet and greet and thought it was actually a movie about Mickey Mouse.

Now THAT's funny It sort of reminds me of the girl at HS who, upon finally getting within view of the actual vehicle at RnR, said, "oh, so it really is a roller coaster!"

I'm a little behind (or I'm just ignoring you )

These types of comments will not get your trip report read any faster

Emily sure looks quite comfy in those great queen beds at CSR.

The queen beds are great, especially with the busy sleepers/cover thieves our kids are.

I haven't been in Innoventions recently. I had hoped we would have time to do that type of thing on this last trip but we didn't. We never even made it to Imagination.

I can't imagine having less that 3 days in Epcot, and that's not kidding!

Sounds like a great Epcot day, apart from the tour groups!

It's ALWAYS a great Epcot day! The tour groups weren't too bad; I would imagine if you're going to be at any park with them, Epcot is where you'd want to be, since it seems to absorb them the best.

 

[KatMark]

These types of comments will not get your trip report read any faster

I gave up on you ever coming over there! Seriously, I was just making sure you were paying attention.

 

[nilla]

They seem to survive quite well with no food though don't they

I don't get it, because if I don't eat every 5 or so hours, I start to fall apart. I think the main thing keeping me from trying out for "Survivor" is the food issue

 

[krhst25]

We went to Aker and CRT on our first visit and agree with you. The interaction and the food was MUCH better at Aker ( I can't spell it either). I am going to have to spend more time at Innoventions next visit. Sum of All thrills seems fun! We enjoy the piggy bank game-- have you tried the Segway?

 

[MEK]

Ah....Poor Emily looks like she really wants to sleep. Not surprising after your first very full day. And you are off to another very full day it seems. Lots of attractions before lunch and more afterwards. SOAT is a cool attraction and I like the storm chasers, too. I'm thinking you are coming up on FP time soon!

 

[nilla]

We enjoy the piggy bank game-- have you tried the Segway?

We did the bank game last year, and loved it. Have not done the Segway.

Ah....Poor Emily looks like she really wants to sleep.

Yes, but according to the wakeup call, "there's no time for napping!"

 

[nilla]

Sidebar:

I was trying to come up with ideas to improve the TR this year, and I thought, "why not rip off something I liked as a kid?" Great idea! So, for tonight's update, we are taking the story in a new direction.

What direction?

Well, YOU decide! That's right! It's "Choose Your Own Epcot Adventure", ONLY in this very report! So where were we? Oh, yeah, and now I'm talking in the second person.

You and your family have just done all there is to be done in the Imagination pavilion, and you're sitting on FPs for both Soarin' and Test Track. The plan for today is to stay in Futureworld, saving World Showcase for the next Epcot day.

Do you

[POST=41328633]1) Ride Soarin'[/POST]
[POST=41328633]2) Ride Test Track[/POST]
[POST=41328633]3) Go back to Innoventions[/POST]
[POST=41328643]4) Head over to World Showcase anyway[/POST]

Click to decide!

 

[nilla]

You've decided to stay in Futureworld, and that's a GREAT idea! You have FPs for the best two rides in this park, and you have three more days in Epcot to do World Showcase.

Unfortunately, on this day, this is NOT the right decision.

 

[nilla]

So here you are, on the way to World Showcase after all! Well, sort of. You're actually heading over to the entrance of WS to see if the kids can meet Duffy. Dylan has also been driving us NUTS, badgering about hitting up the store in Japan, which isn't exactly in Futureworld. The jury is still out on that one.

On the way, we pass this interesting advert for the new Nature movie:

And speaking of marketing, they're really pushing Cars 2:

There was a cool topiary of Lightning McQueen and Mater, too, which I may or may not have a picture of later in this TR. Suspense! Drama!

I do get this shot:

We finally locate where Duffy comes out, but we've got a wait:

It was aroung 3:30, so the wait wouldn't be too bad. No line yet, either. In the meantime, I get recruited to go get drinks in Mexico, which is AWESOME because it's killing me being this close to WS and not actually inside it. It's like a magnet. It's like a black hole. It's like the tractor beam in the first Star Wars movie. It's pulling me in, and I'm not fighting.

Upon arriving in WDW, as I mentioned before, DISBoards icon MEK texted me a recommendation for the Mango Blueberry Margarita from La Hacienda, so Kristin's ready to take her advice. Unfortunately, La Hacienda is NOT the tequila bar inside the pyramid, but the Full Service restaurant outside. And you can't get that margarita at the counter service. Or inside La Cava del Tequila, apparently. I call Kristin, because I really don't want to drink a margarita, which I will be doing if I bring back the wrong thing. She tells me to get her "whatever", so I get her a rasberry something or other. I get a Dos Equis, because I'm really in mood for nothing but beer on this trip.

I return back to find Dylan like this:

Apparently, he's checking out a bug. Entertaining himself. Whatever, I'm not going to stop him, because at least he's not complaining!

The line is a little bit longer now, with two very pro-Duffy Japanese guests behind us. In the meantime, Emily has become a photographer, forcing us to do these poses:

She's so funny when she's pretending that we do whatever she asks. Well, Dylan resists, but that's not unusual. They truly have a love/hate relationship; that's the best way to describe it.

I get another pic of the Duffy area, which explains the story behind him, if you could read it from this picture:

If you can't, look it up. It's worth knowing. Finally, Duffy comes out, and it's love and hugs all around:

Em really snuggled up to the characters this year. She tells Duffy she's glad that Minnie made him and it's off. But where to?