"To Disney & Beyond" ~ Road Trip 2010 ~ Final Drive & Final Thoughts

[redsox721]

Thank you! Oh goodness...my shoes have their own little story. I am very much a "flip flops" girl. But Chris is always pushing me to get something more comfy and supportive for my feet...especially while in the parks, with so much time on the feet. I finally gave in and we checked out a few of the outdoorsy sports stores around our area. That is when we discovered KEENS. OH MY GOSH...SO COMFORTABLE! I wore them in the parks and my feet didn't get sore at all! No blisters...no break in time...it was great! Plus, I even used them for some of our lighter hiking in the Smokies. The KEENS were a little pricier than some sandals, but definitely worth it.

Thanks so much for the info on the shoes. I love flip flops too. Own about 20 or so pairs. I'll have to look into the Keens.

 

[Aburns8]

YES...you will definitely have to get there early...the FPs were gone by 11:00 a.m. on the day we visited DHS. The line we saw for getting a FP was longer than any ride wait time that we experienced on our trip! I SO want to take an Adventures by Disney trip! Did you enjoy it? I bet the Wii game is fun!!!

That Adventures by Disney was an amazing trip. I want to do it again. I also got to meet Melanie (Disneygrl36). We both happened to be on the same trip. You would love it! I can't even put in words how wonderful of an experience it was.

I forgot to ask you, have you ever hiked the Pictured Rocks? I read that you like to hike and I was just wondering. If you haven't it is a must do! I haven't hiked it in 7 years, but I did the 10 mile loop in one day and has been one of my most memorable hikes.

 

[Spartangirl]

Thanks so much for the info on the shoes. I love flip flops too. Own about 20 or so pairs. I'll have to look into the Keens.

You're welcome! I'm right there with you on the flip flops...I have a ton of them! Definitely check out the Keens...didn't think I needed anything other than flip flops for the parks, but my feet were definitely "happy" after wearing the Keens for our long days...

That Adventures by Disney was an amazing trip. I want to do it again. I also got to meet Melanie (Disneygrl36). We both happened to be on the same trip. You would love it! I can't even put in words how wonderful of an experience it was.

Glad to hear that your trip was such a great experience! I'm sure Chris and I will eventually take an Adventures by Disney trip in the future! That's so cool that you got to meet Melanie!

I forgot to ask you, have you ever hiked the Pictured Rocks? I read that you like to hike and I was just wondering. If you haven't it is a must do! I haven't hiked it in 7 years, but I did the 10 mile loop in one day and has been one of my most memorable hikes.

I'm actually embarrassed to say that I haven't, after living here in MI for so long! Thanks so much for the info......I'll definitely have to put that on my to-do list for the future! We might have to make a weekend trip out of it!

 

[Aburns8]

I'm actually embarrassed to say that I haven't, after living here in MI for so long! Thanks so much for the info......I'll definitely have to put that on my to-do list for the future! We might have to make a weekend trip out of it!

Don't be embarrassed by it. My husband Brian went to Michigan Tech and never hiked it either. That is more embarrassing since he lived up there for 5 years!

 

[Spartangirl]

Don't be embarrassed by it. My husband Brian went to Michigan Tech and never hiked it either. That is more embarrassing since he lived up there for 5 years!

Ok...I'm feeling better already!!!

 

[hlrababy]

Awww, I have always wanted to meet Sorcerer Mickey but haven't yet!

 

[ellie0311]

Hello from a fellow Spartan! Go Green! Loving your report so far

 

[Spartangirl]

Awww, I have always wanted to meet Sorcerer Mickey but haven't yet!

We were so excited to see Sorcerer Mickey again...this was our 2nd time! Chris and I didn't even realize he is now in the animation academy...that was a total surprise to us! The lines were a bit long to meet him, but of course it was worth the wait!

Hello from a fellow Spartan! Go Green! Loving your report so far

YAY! Welcome to my report! So glad you're enjoying it! I hope our Spartans play well today!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

Thursday, July 29, 2010
Future Animators, Mission Accomplished & Fantasmic!


After meeting Sorcerer Mickey in the Animation Academy, we decided to go to the drawing class.

However, we had about 25 minutes until the class began, so first we met these guys...what fun!

Chris and I soon made our way into the drawing room and we got a chance to sketch Goofy. Here are our best efforts...I don't think Disney will be looking to us to be future animators for the company!

Looking at my picture, I now know why I enjoy teaching 1st graders so much. My class is always so supportive of my "stick people" and they always tell me how great of an artist I am!

Here is the picture that Chris drew...I thought he did a nice job! One of his cousins did some animation work for Disney in the past, so maybe he inherited a "little" of that gene!

Upon leaving the academy, we decided to stop for pictures in front of the "hat" since we hadn't done so yet!

Chris declared that he was "melting" in the heat, so we took a break for ice cream.

After our delicious snack, we decided to walk around and check out the Streets of America. Of course we snapped a couple of pictures along the way...

We still had to get one more important photo for our nephew (Remember, we already got Mickey checked off of the list!). Chris and I came across Lightning McQueen and Mater...mission accomplished!

Chris and I decided that it would be a great time to head back to our resort to relax for awhile. On the way out, we caught Block Party Bash just before reaching the exit of the park.

Back at the French Quarter, we put our swimsuits on and headed for the pool. Just as we got out of our building, we noticed the dark clouds in the sky and heard the thunder boom. Shortly after that, the pool was closed. We were a bit bummed out because this was the second day in a row this had happened. Would we ever get a chance to swim at the resort?

We decided to make the best of the situation so we headed down to the food court to fill our resort mugs and then went back to our room for a little while. After about 40 minutes, we noticed that the sun was out again and the pool was open. Chris and I FINALLY got to swim and it was so refreshing!

When we came back to our room, we noticed this...SO CUTE!

We freshened up and headed back to the park around 6:30 p.m. We decided to go to the Great Movie Ride first. The line was pretty short and we were on the ride within 10 minutes.

Next up was dinner at the Pizza Planet.

We both had salad, pizza, and a Mickey rice crispy treat.

With our bellies full, we made our way over to Rock 'N Roller Coaster to use our FPs from earlier in the day. But first, we had to stop for a pic on the way...

We both just LOVE this ride! Here are a couple of shots I took before we got in line...

Check out our "redneck" ride photo...I'm screaming my head off while Chris sits back and laughs!

Before ending our night, we stopped to see one of our favorite shows...Fantasmic!

What a magical ending to another fantastic day!

Up Next: Crowds? What Crowds?

 

[klacey1]

What a perfect afternoon/evening! That's so cool that your DH's cousin did animation for Disney! What a neat job.

 

[Aburns8]

You have the greatest pictures of you two! I am hoping this trip I will be able to do more "couple" shots since we lack in that area! I am glad that you got to swim! I am planning on actually going to the pool on this trip. We are spending one night on property after all, and I definitely want to do the pool!

PS - You both drew some really nice pictures. I can't even draw a circle.

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

Our Spartans did well today! Victory for MSU!!!

Glad you finally got to take a swim! And I thought your drawings were quite good!

RNRC ~ . Never, ever again for me. But I'm glad you like it!

 

[MeMom]

Looking at my picture, I now know why I enjoy teaching 1st graders so much. My class is always so supportive of my "stick people" and they always tell me how great of an artist I am!

I have thought/said the same thing before about my class. I have been told by so many 7-8-9 year olds through the years what a great artisit I am, when in the adult world, I would be laughed out of town for my stick people.

That looks like one of the more difficult character drawings I have seen, being at a side angle like that. You did a wonderful job!

 

[Shannon84]

We still had to get one more important photo for our nephew (Remember, we already got Mickey checked off of the list!). Chris and I came across Lightning McQueen and Mater...mission accomplished!

Up Next: Crowds? What Crowds?[/FONT]

This is probably a silly question, but I havent ventured around DHS much the last few times. Where did you find these guys to get this pic? I would like to get one when we are there later this month

 

[Spartangirl]

What a perfect afternoon/evening! That's so cool that your DH's cousin did animation for Disney! What a neat job.

Kylie ~ We really did have a wonderful afternoon/evening!

I love hearing his cousin talk about the animation work he did for Disney...it's just so interesting!

You have the greatest pictures of you two! I am hoping this trip I will be able to do more "couple" shots since we lack in that area! I am glad that you got to swim! I am planning on actually going to the pool on this trip. We are spending one night on property after all, and I definitely want to do the pool!

PS - You both drew some really nice pictures. I can't even draw a circle.

Awww...thanks, Andrea! Definitely build in some time for "couples shots" if you get the chance. It makes it so fun to look back at the pics and to see all of the things you experienced together!

Definitely take some time to swim if you have the opportunity. I just felt so relaxed after having that down time!

Thanks for the compliments on the pics...we just tried our best! Goofy was HARD to draw!

Our Spartans did well today! Victory for MSU!!!

Glad you finally got to take a swim! And I thought your drawings were quite good!

RNRC ~ . Never, ever again for me. But I'm glad you like it!

Yes they did, Nicole! GO GREEN!!!

We were so happy to swim too! I honestly didn't think we were ever going to have that chance since the weather seemed to "turn on us" every time we got back to the resort!

Thanks for the compliments on the drawings...I think we both laughed a lot during the class, but we did try our best!

I have thought/said the same thing before about my class. I have been told by so many 7-8-9 year olds through the years what a great artisit I am, when in the adult world, I would be laughed out of town for my stick people.

That looks like one of the more difficult character drawings I have seen, being at a side angle like that. You did a wonderful job!

Aren't students the best? I LOVE that they give us so much support!

Goofy was definitely tough to draw! I think I got a little worried when the artist first mentioned that we were drawing him! Thanks so much!

This is probably a silly question, but I havent ventured around DHS much the last few times. Where did you find these guys to get this pic? I would like to get one when we are there later this month

Definitely not a silly question, Shannon! Lightning McQueen and Mater have their own little "garage!" You can find them on the Streets of America behind Muppets 3D...on the way to "Lights, Motor, Action!" Hope that makes sense!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I think both you and Chris did a great job on our Goofys!

Ice cream is always the perfect treat on a hot day!

I can't believe you weren't able to swim again at POFQ! I do hope you get a chance to enjoy the serpent pool later in the trip!

What a nice night at DHS! Cool rides, Pizza Planet, and Fantasmic! A perfect way to spend the evening!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I think you and Chris both did a great job on Goofy, I bet he is hard to draw!

Glad you were finally able to get some pool time in, even if it's just a short dip it helps so much to get refreshed from that Florida heat!

I scream my head off on RnRC too, I just can't help myself - so fun though!

Glad you were able to catch Fantasmic!

 

[Jennifer48]

What great days!

I think you both did an awesome job drawing Goofy!

 

[Spartangirl]

I think both you and Chris did a great job on our Goofys!

Awww...thanks, Jackie!

Ice cream is always the perfect treat on a hot day!

I agree! It's one of our favorite treats!

I can't believe you weren't able to swim again at POFQ! I do hope you get a chance to enjoy the serpent pool later in the trip!

The weather just didn't seem to be going in our favor whenever we wanted to take our afternoon break........thankfully the storms moved out and we did get a chance to swim!

What a nice night at DHS! Cool rides, Pizza Planet, and Fantasmic! A perfect way to spend the evening!

It really was perfect!!!

I think you and Chris both did a great job on Goofy, I bet he is hard to draw!

Thanks so much, Michelle! He really was hard to draw...I think I starting stressing out about drawing him as soon as the animator made mention that he was the choice!

Glad you were finally able to get some pool time in, even if it's just a short dip it helps so much to get refreshed from that Florida heat!

I AGREE COMPLETELY! Wow was it hot! The pool time was perfect!

I scream my head off on RnRC too, I just can't help myself - so fun though!

It is so much fun! Such a great ride!

Glad you were able to catch Fantasmic!

Me too! We ended up catching the 2nd show because the 1st show was so packed. It really didn't seem like the crowds were too high until Fantasmic time! EVERYBODY was in that show! But, I'm so glad we stayed to watch it...it never disappoints!

What great days!

Thanks, Jennifer! I really couldn't have asked for any better!

I think you both did an awesome job drawing Goofy!

Awww...thank you so much!

 

[Spartangirl]

Friday, July 30, 2010
Crowds? What Crowds?

We woke up nice and early, once again, and headed to the food court for our normal morning breakfast. Chris and I quickly ate and were on the bus by 8:20 a.m. and walking into the Animal Kingdom before 9:00.

Check out the outfit Chris has on...Chris is the ultimate outdoorsman. He loves to do all the "outdoorsy" type activities so this outfit is perfect for him. As we were walking to our first ride, someone stopped Chris and said that he looked like he worked in AK because of the clothes he was wearing. We were dying... I think I called him "Safari Boy" for the rest of the day!!!

Our first goal was to obtain FPs for Expedition Everest.

FPs in hand, we ran into Baloo! Nobody was in line to meet him, so we jumped at the chance for a picture!

We then decided to take the obligatory tree pics!

I felt the need to beat on some drums before continuing on...

Chris and I decided that it would be a great time to take a safari ride through Africa.

We were hoping to see some animals out and about since it was quite early. The ride didn't disappoint! Here are a few pics from the ride including a baby giraffe, a baby elephant, and a lion AWAKE! Now the lion may not look awake since I caught her "blinking," but I promise that she was!

With a successful safari under our belts, we headed back for our date with the Yeti! Look who we saw on the way to the mountain...DEVINE! Believe it or not this was a first for me! I was in awe...her movements...wow! Chris and I got a good laugh as people just walked on by her...looking at us and wondering what we were starring at!

We made our way to Everest and conquered the Yeti! Here's our "normal" pic...

And our "not so normal" ...

Chris and I couldn't believe the lack of crowds at the park! We didn't feel the need to rush around at all and we were able to walk right on everything. We were LOVING our start to the morning!

Up Next: Dinos & Tigers & Bugs Oh My!