Versus, The Trip That Never Shoulda Happened, Update 5/2, Done!

[mmeb144]

We made it to the MK. We dashed back to BTMR (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad) and got fast passes for the crew. Yes, we actually call it BTMR in real life. Who wants to say “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” every time? Don’t you know it’s the wildest ride in the wilderness?

We knew that Tink would not be riding the ride, so that gave us an extra fast pass for Pluto or me. While we were waiting for the fast pass time, we walked back and rode Winnie the Pooh. Pluto had never ridden this attraction! We had to correct that omission. He found it to be ok, but he didn’t feel the need to ride it over and over again. In fact, he may be done with Winnie the Pooh for several trips.

By now, our fast passes were good. We rode BTMR. Pluto wanted to use the extra fast pass. I said that I would run back and get fast passes for the Jungle Cruise while he did that. Bad move! Tink and I almost got caught by the 3 o’clock parade. Who knew? I didn’t even know what time it was. I’m on vacation time. As Tink and I were coming back to BTMR from Jungle Cruise, they announced that the Parade Marshalls would be leading the parade and that they were coming through now. What! Oh man, what would Pluto do when he finished BTMR and no Mom. I sweated while we waved like crazy to the Parade Marshalls. Smile, people, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, being parade marshall. I got to do it once and it is sweet!

Finally, the parade marshalls were past, and I wondered if we would get to go to the other side of the parade route. The CMs announced that we could move, if we wanted to. Tink and I took off. We raced back to BTMR. No Pluto. Oh, great, now the opposite of what I was afraid of. Pluto gone! Tink spotted him, just now coming down the exit ramp. Sigh! Relief.

Pluto and I wanted to ride the Haunted Mansion. Tink said that she would wait for us on the porch of the shop nearby the attraction. When we got there, the Haunted Mansion was closed due to technical difficulties. That can only mean one thing, time to shop. We went back and looked at Madame Leota’s cart. Pluto spotted the soundtrack to the Haunted Mansion. We picked that one up. It’s totally cool, by the way.

Done with the shopping, we did the other thing it was time to do, snack! Two mickey ice cream sandwiches and 1 cookie ice cream sandwich sounded real good about now. Yum!

We moseyed on back to the Jungle Cruise. We got Justin, the skipper. His timing was real good, but I knew all his jokes. That may be my last time on the Jungle Cruise for a couple of trips. I almost blew a few of the jokes. No one would like that. Besides, I didn’t want to meet the piranhas when I got thrown out of the boat.

We nailed the Pirates of the Caribbean, since we were right there. No Tink, just Pluto and I. Pluto asked how they got the CM to do that all day, Captain Jack looked so real. I reminded him that Captain Jack is a new kind of animatronic. He so handsome!

We went back to the Haunted Mansion. Finally, some HM joy! We got to ride, Pluto and I. Tink waited on the porch. She took lots of very strange pictures of herself.

We decided to eat supper at the Columbia Harbor House.

Marie

 

[mmeb144]

Hagrid had his big day today. He was interviewing for a job back home, that’s why he wasn’t with us just yet. Interview complete, he phoned to let us know that he had made it to the airport. He said that his interview went well. His flight was delayed, due to “technical difficulties”. Sounded vaguely familiar. Was it related that the Haunted Mansion and Hagrid’s flight had technical difficulties? Indiana was due for a big snow storm, but not til Tuesday. Was there snow in the Haunted Mansion? I wonder…

Marie

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

We've got nicknames for about everything. My kids call BTMR the Rollercoaster Train.

 

[photo_chick]

I have been waiting to hear about Hagrid! Finally!

My 6 year old DD is one of those kids who demands everything be accurate. She would never let us call the rides by anything other than the offical name!

 

[mmeb144]

We did call Hagrid during those 3 days. We called when we landed in Orlando. Felt bad because it was beautiful in Florida, cold in Indiana. Talked to him a few minutes while we waited for the ME. Talked to him Saturday night, felt bad because we were in WDW and he wasn't. Talked to him Sunday night, felt bad because we were watching a cool fireworks show and he wasn't. Talked to him several times on Monday, coordinating our meet at the P&P party. We were looking forward to seeing him.

Here's how Hagrid felt about us leaving him behind:



Well, you get the idea.

Marie

 

[mmeb144]

The first order of business after supper was to track down the wrist bands needed for the P&P party. We found a station by the Rose Garden. We stashed our bags and admired our wrist bands. This was going to be fun!

Pluto & I rode Space Mountain. Fun! I left Pluto there to ride while Tink and I watched Wishes. Disney was running Wishes at 6:45 that night, because of the P&P Party. It was still a little light, but the show was totally awesome! Tink & I dashed to right in the hub, in front of the castle. We were so close to Tinkerbell’s flight that we could see her smiling. Wow! We felt pixie dusted by seeing her smile.

After Wishes, Tink & I raced around the castle to Dumbo. We thought that we could get in one ride before we went to get Pluto. There was a very short line. Score! We jumped in. It’s hard to describe the joy of riding with your daughter on her favorite ride in all of WDW. I wish I could post the picture from earlier in the day. Pluto took Tink’s and my picture in the Dumbo elephant that they have beside the ride. It’s yellow, which is Tink’s favorite color, so it was all good. Pluto says that I shouldn’t keep yelling at him to take the picture, he was working on it. I did take a picture of Tink in the elephant on the actual ride. She looks so happy.

I made an executive decision to leave Tink to ride Dumbo all by herself while I ran over to Space Mountain to pick up Pluto. The park was practically deserted. Dumbo had no line. I wish I’d a gotten a picture of that! You just don’t see that everyday.

When I got over to Space Mountain, I waited over by the exit for about 15 minutes. Finally, Pluto arrived. He looked very happy, too. Yay, 2 happy kids. We ran back to Dumbo to pick up Tink. She still looked happy. This is how a Disney trip should be, 2 happy kids, 1 frantic parent. Oh, wait, I’m supposed to be happy, too. Tonight we would get the parent population up by one, Hagrid would be arriving soon.

We rode Peter Pan’s Flight. Pluto hadn’t been on this one lately. What is it with this kid? He rides all the e-ticket attractions but neglects the really cool stuff that makes WDW what it is. Tink & I corrected his neglect. He thought the ride was ok. Pluto & I then rode Pirates of the Caribbean, again. As we were walking back over to the parade route, Pluto was spit on by one of the camels by Aladdin’s Flying Carpets. He was kinda upset about the whole thing. Tink & I tried not to laugh too much. The look on his face was priceless.

We got a snack, again! While we were waiting, we got to talking to a CM about our day. Pluto told the CM what grade he was in school, freshman. He told the CM about being spit on by the camel. The CM said, “No wonder you got spit on, you’re a freshman!” Later, the CM came walking by and pretended to spit on Pluto. Good Times! The other guests thought that the CM was rude, until they saw us laughing. We told them the story and they laughed, too. Pluto was a good sport!

We stayed for the parade, right by the snack cart. The original plan called for us to catch the second parade, but since there was no crowd, we decided to catch us some road and watch the parade. Tink was the only one to take pictures of the parade and they look blurry. You’ll just have to imagine what we say that night. Right before the parade started, we got a call from Hagrid. He was on his way from the Orlando airport. Yay! I told the kids that as soon as the parade was over, we were boogieing up to the front to meet Dad.

And, so we did.

Marie

 

[mmeb144]

This part is a blur to me. I remember taking pictures with the photopass photographer in front of the castle. You know, the whole family shot. I remember watching the Magic, Music, and Mayhem fireworks. I remember getting ice cream before the fireworks. It was such a relief to have someone else to keep the kids company. I’m pretty sure I didn’t abandon the kids to Hagrid. I only had to entertain one at a time, now.

We caught the Royal Guard Recruitment show. Tink & I wanted to be royal guards for Jasmine. Hey, it takes a princess to guard a princess. Or, something like that. We played along with the exercises. I still have my sword. I only use it for good.

We watched the Pirate Tutorial. Captain Jack is too funny! (And, cute!) He recruited a very pretty 20 something girl from the crowd to try out the pirate moves with the wooden sword. Now I know how they keep the show fresh.

Hagrid & Pluto rode the big rides, BTMR, Space and Splash. Tink & I decided to pillage and raid the treasure spots. We got some beads and lots of chocolate. It wasn’t too bad. We stayed until the park closed for the night, just about.

I haven’t seen the park that empty for a long time. I wonder if the P&P party will become a mainstay, like MVMCP or MNSSHP? I highly recommend the P&P party. The loot was great and the park wasn’t overcrowded. The special events are only offered during the party. What an awesome night!

Marie

 

[photo_chick]

Yay! Hagrid didn't miss all the fun!

That was a lot of time covered, where's Tink's version?

 

[mmeb144]

I have spoken to Tink about her update, but she's not really interested in continueing. Something about no one reading the report. Sheesh!

Marie

 

[mmeb144]

I made everyone get out of bed this morning. Not! What a late night. We got a chance to see what the food court looks like if you don’t get up at the crack of dawn for a Disney Day. Busy place! We waited for food, we waited to pay, we waited… I tried the western omelet. I LOVE the Mickey Waffle, breakfast of Disney champions, but this omelet was to die for! It may replace the Mickey Waffle as the ultimate breakfast.

We headed over to AK after breakfast. I talked up Expedition Everest (EE) to Hagrid. I really like this ride. The Yeti, the scary backwards part, the speedy part towards the end. (Go big vocabulary!) The fast pass times were too late in the day for us. The wait time for the regular line was too long for us. Hold up, what’s this? A single rider line? Yes! Hagrid & I hopped in the single rider line. We don’t care if we aren’t sitting together; we just want to experience the ride. Pluto didn’t care to do this ride again, so he waited with Tink at the special area. Hagrid & I got lucky the first time through and were on the same train. What a rush! We hopped on for another go. Not on the same train this time. Still fun!

I still wanted to try to catch the “Finding Nemo: The Musical” show. We didn’t get to see it the last visit to AK. We moseyed over to the theatre. The line looked really long, so we asked a cast member if this was for the current show time, in approximately 30 minutes. He said yes, so we got in line. What a big theatre! We were up toward the top of the theatre, in the right hand side. I remembered that there is usually not a bad seat in the house, just some are better than others, at Disney. I would like to see this one seated more toward the center of the theatre. I really liked this show. The music was really good. The actors were really good. The show seemed long, about 45 minutes, but I don’t know what I’d cut out. Pluto seemed really put upon to be in the theatre. Maybe there were other rides to be ridden? There was another teen in the row in front of us. He had the same look on his face as Pluto. Must be a teen thing.

It was starting to rain when we got done with the show and we were getting hungry. It must have been around 2, so we thought we’d try Rainforest Café. We got there just as it was letting loose with the rain. We got a table really quick. I expected to have to wait. It was storming in the restaurant, too, but we didn’t get wet. We had a very yummy lunch. I split sirloin steak, shrimp scampi, shrimp skewer, potatoes, and veggies with Pluto. The gorilla behind Tink wanted some of the food action, too, but she wasn’t sharing any of her chicken strips.

After lunch we split up. Pluto & I to start laundry at the hotel , Tink & Hagrid to pick up Hagrid’s windbreaker at lost & found. (Another story to be told there, next installment!)

Next up: A rainy return to the resort

Marie

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

We haven't seen the Nemo yet. We should. My DD loves Nemo.

EE is one of our favorites. What a hoot! I'm about half-dizzy when I get off

We showed up at RF cafe once and it was raining cats and dogs. Well, the line outside was incredible. There was no way we were getting in. So I went inside to look at the bar area and four people were getting up to leave. I asked them if they could stay just two more minutes to hold the spots until I found my family and they obliged. It worked out GREAT!

 

[yellowtink]

My mom is in to much detail so I need her to catch up to were I am.


Chapter 9: AK

Today we slept in till 9 am. Today is the first day dad is here. We ate at the food court again. I had a ham omelet and a cinnamon roll and split it with dad. Today is mom’s birthday. Then, off to Animal Kingdom. Mom and Dad rode EE. Then we went to see Finding Nemo, the Musical, it was cool but very long. They used live people to move the puppets, it looked sharp.
Now, we are off to Rainforest Café. I had a delicious pepperoni pizza and a coke. Dad and I dashed to the bus stop in the pouring rain to the Grand Floridian so we could go the TTC, so we could go the Lost and Found office to get his coat. Then, back the almost same route, finally got back to the resort. It took almost an hour and a half. Mom and I are off to tour sister resort POR to go to their pool. They have an awesome slide. We got back and took a bath to get the chlorine smell off.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Mom and I are off to tour sister resort POR to go to their pool.

If all WDW had were hotels/pools/slides, my family would still go every year!!

We just love those water slides.

Great reporting. Keep 'em coming.

 

[KimAshton]

My Dad is trying to get me to go on test track, I'm not buying it.

Tinkyellow

Oh test track rocks!! I was freaking before I went on it a few weeks ago cause I get motion sickness so I took something and loved the ride. Go for it!!

 

[KimAshton]

I am reading. I just found this thread. Great job ladies.

 

[mmeb144]

I can't do as good of a job as Kay7979, but I do appreciate people actually reading our trip report.

If all WDW had were hotels/pools/slides, my family would still go every year!!

Sometimes I wonder why I go to the parks at all. Those pools rock at POFQ and POR. I made it a priority to get back to the hotel as much as possible to swim and hot tub on this vacation.

Oh test track rocks!! I was freaking before I went on it a few weeks ago cause I get motion sickness so I took something and loved the ride. Go for it!!

I hope that Tinks reads this. Hagrid plays "test track" at home on this curvey bit of road near our house. She loves it, but she won't ride test track.

Marie

 

[luvngoofy]

I'm lurking and I'm sure there are others like me that haven't made known they are reading!
I'm loving the mother vs teen daughter views....keep it coming.
Rene'

 

[mmeb144]

The night before at the Pirate and Princess party, Hagrid and Pluto were riding Space Mountain. “I tucked my windbreaker right under my leg for the ride,” Hagrid said. “It just floated out on one of the hills.” Yeah, whatever. He talked to one of the cast members and they gave him the number for Lost & Found. He was supposed to call them the next day to see if it had turned up. I was slightly miffed about him loosing the windbreaker. The whole family had matching windbreakers, and he up and looses his! C’mon! He reassured me that it wasn’t an attempt to not match the family anymore.

The next morning, he called the number. The cast member has Hagrid’s windbreaker right there in his hand. Sweet! Hagrid says that he will take care of it later. We plan to do laundry this afternoon anyway. (I just had to use this smiley again.) He can go then.

After lunch, Hagrid & Tink made the run for the bus in the rain. Hagrid forgot that you can take the bus directly to the Transportation & Ticket Center from AK. They got on the bus to the Grand Floridian. Rode the monorail to the MK. Caught the ferry to the Transportation & Ticket Center. Picked up the windbreaker at Lost & Found. Rode the bus back to POFQ. Total time: 2 hours. Who needs help with the laundry anyway?

Pluto & I ran to the bus stop. We were drenched. Good thing it was warm. We waited forever for the bus. Finally, after about 30 minutes, it showed up. Maybe we should have followed Tink & Hagrid’s example and caught whatever bus showed up first. It was still pouring when we got back to the resort. We went to the room, quickly. I thought it was never going to stop raining. About 15 minutes later it cleared up. What a beautiful afternoon! I made Pluto help me schlep the laundry to the laundry room. I got that started. Tink & Hagrid showed up and told their story. Asked me if I wanted a snack. They were going to get milkshakes. I said sure, get me one. Nothing makes laundry easier than a yummy snack.

When the laundry was done, Tink & I went to POR to check out their pool. We could pool hop, since POR & POFQ are sister resorts. We pronounced POR’s pool as the better of the two. Faster slide, better theme, NICE hot tub. Well, actually, we like both pools. We’re just trying to figure out where the best rooms are at POR to stay there next.

After showers, we are ready to head over to EPCOT.

Marie

 

[mmeb144]

The bus takes forever to arrive. We make it over to EPCOT. While on the bus ride over, I have everyone check for their tickets. Pluto forgot to bring his wallet. Grrrr! Hagrid & I talk it over and decide that Pluto & I will take a taxi back to the hotel for the missing ticket. We walk over to the taxis lined up right next to the bus stops. Convenient! Pluto & I hop in the first one and head back to POFQ. Did you know that POFQ and EPCOT are only about 10 minutes from each other? I didn’t. All that bus riding has gotten me used to places being at least 40 minutes apart. The taxi driver pulls as close to the room as he can. I send Pluto out to get his wallet. We can see the room from where we are parked. While I’m waiting, I ask the driver where he’s from, since he’d already asked me where we were from. He’s from Haiti. He has a nice accent. I find out that he has a family. I’m thinking to myself, where’s Pluto, it’s not that far from the room to this cab. Just about the time I’m thinking of adopting the taxi driver, Pluto shows up, from the wrong side of the building. He had gotten lost! We head back to EPCOT and I hand over $22 for the cab ride. Maybe it was too much, but how am I supposed to know that? There aren’t too many cabs in Indiana for me to be able to know the going rate for cabs. It was worth it to not have to spend another 90 minutes on the bus to get the ticket. Besides, I was getting hungry.

We meet up with Hagrid & Tink at the Electric Umbrella. Pluto & I eat. I know that I had chicken strips, fries and a coke. I may have split my meal with Pluto. Hagrid & Tink took off. We will meet up with them later at the same spot that we watched Illuminations earlier in the trip. Pluto & I finish eating and go ride Test Track. We had time to do it twice before we had to meet Hagrid & Tink. We make it over to the spot by the stage, but they aren’t opening the stage for Illuminations tonight. Seems it’s too windy. We are right on the rope, next to the stage. This makes for an ok viewing spot. The CM that Hagrid & Tink were talking to for their Illuminations seating information is really funny. He’s up on stage, mouthing along with the soundtrack for the fireworks. He conducts the fireworks. He had a great time, and so did we.

Another day down, Hagrid’s first full day of fun. We found out this morning that a blizzard was hitting Indiana. Yay, we’re in Florida and not in Indiana. Boo, our dog is still back in Indiana. We called Hagrid’s brother to make sure that our dog sitter could get access to the house. He said that he would take care of it. He called the dog sitter. She said that she would be fine. When we got home, we found out that Hagrid’s brother believed her about being fine. There was a single line of footprints in the thigh deep snow up to our back door. Our dog sitter is in her 70’s. Sure she was “fine”, but for a lady that age it means “I can get along fine without your help.” Hagrid’s brother is an idiot. He needed to shovel a path for us so that the dog sitter could have easy access to our back door.

Hagrid had to shovel a path to the back door, about 100 feet, at 2 in the morning, when we returned. The snow as still so deep on Saturday that parking on the street would have been hazardous, so Hagrid wedged the van in the driveway. It took me a half hour to dig it out the next morning. Apparently, Hagrid’s brother didn’t know anyone who could plow out our driveway, either. Some help he was! Still, I was glad to be in Florida during a blizzard.

Marie

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

We love being on vacation when a snow storm hits. We just hate trying to get home DURING a snow storm!