WDW Annual Pass Farewell Tour Oct 2010: Complete!

[sand2270]

This morning we were going to Hollywood Studios and had planned to go early and take an afternoon swim break, but again we slept in instead. We are not morning people so I am not surprised we did not make one WDW rope drop. We always have the best intentions of making at least one but it never happens.

After we got ready we took our pastries from the French pavilion and some drinks over to tables outside the food court to have breakfast. DD's croissant got very hard overnight so she didn’t eat much and got something else to eat.

We drove to HS and walked to Sci Fi diner for our lunch ADR.

We didn't make our ADR last trip and I was excited to finally eat here. Our ADR was for the first seating at 11am. There were already quite a few people waiting. We checked in and took a seat. Shortly after they opened we were called and taken to our car. We were in the 3rd row of a 3 seater car behind a family of 4 in a car in the front row of cars.

Tom and Jerry was playing...

I ordered a burger and cherry coke, DD ordered a side salad (she loves salads…orders them all the time), side of fries and a chocolate shake. We really enjoyed this restaurant. It was a little chilly (and of course we did not bring jackets again) but the atmosphere was great and we had a good time watching the movies. I enjoyed my burger and coke and DD enjoyed her salad and milkshake. We really didn’t need the extra order of fries, I had enough that she could have just shared with me. She shared some of her milkshake with me.

I kept trying to get a picture of us and they wouldn't come out well. Our server saw me and offered to take our picture. She was very patient and made sure a couple of them came out well.

After lunch we walked around the Streets of America since we missed this last time. We had fun taking pictures.

We rode Toy Story Mania...

We spotted this on the way out…the little green men are my favorite!

I like all the little details of the Toy Story area and took a lot of pictures...

We looked in the store across the way after and DD bought a Vinylmation, which turned out to be Wheezy.

Obligatory "hmm what it is picture"...

Wheezy!

Next we went on the Great Movie Ride. I didn't really want to go on again, but it was a short wait and DD wanted to ride.

DD collects pins and wanted to look in the pin store under the hat. We bought some special haunted mansion pins.

My DD's pin…

and mine…

DD saw a pin collectors guidebook and wanted it. It was expensive but she really wanted and used her money. She was very happy with her purchase.

We wanted to return to the Animation Academy again. The artist asked people to raise their hands if they had already drawn a character he called out. This one family must spend a lot of time there because they raised their hand every time! After he mentioned about 8 characters he asked if they would mind drawing Tigger again and they were fine with that.

DD loved this on our first trip in May 09. When we went to the one in Disneyland that year in October she got frustrated and we ended up leaving. This time they were going to draw Tigger. I sat behind DD like last time. Near the beginning she got frustrated again and started crying and gave up. Ugh why does this keep happening?? I took over and started sketching, she calmed down, thanked me for helping, took over and finished her drawing. She decided to give Tigger crazy eyes…so he ended up with multiple little eyes.

We made our way over to Rockin' Roller Coaster. As we were walking we saw the afternoon parade going on. We didn’t stop to watch but I just want to say…

YAY little green men!

Ok at my pic max will continue in the next post...

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

I'm glad to hear you liked the Sci-Fi Drive Inn, we will be going to it for dinner in December. I have always wanted to go and would have gone last time, but they are not part of the Fantasmic dinner package, wish I would have known I would not like Fantasmic could have just gone to Sci-Fi to begin with

I guess I must really not be a show person, I love them on stage at home, I just don't think I like paying to go to a park and watch a show, who knows I'm weird.

Love the pic at the restaurant by the way can't wait to have ours taken as well

 

[sand2270]

I'm glad to hear you liked the Sci-Fi Drive Inn, we will be going to it for dinner in December. I have always wanted to go and would have gone last time, but they are not part of the Fantasmic dinner package, wish I would have known I would not like Fantasmic could have just gone to Sci-Fi to begin with

I guess I must really not be a show person, I love them on stage at home, I just don't think I like paying to go to a park and watch a show, who knows I'm weird.

Love the pic at the restaurant by the way can't wait to have ours taken as well

It was fun, I thought the hamburgers were good and my DD's shake was good.

We don't do a lot of the stage shows when I travel with my DD, she seems to be all about the rides. Though I usually make her see Fantasmic at Disneyland, I have not attempted it at DisneyWorld.

Actually thinking about it, the only one I have really seen is Finding Nemo and that was on an adult trip. Guess I am not that interested in them either LOL.

 

[sand2270]

We headed over to Rockin' Roller Coaster…

DD decided she wanted to try it…I wasn’t sure about riding it again but decided I would go on again. I am not crazy about rides that turn me upside down.

They see us…

I was so anxious before the ride started, it takes off so fast! It was still a little much for me. I was glad I did it again, but I am not sure if I will ride it again.

You can see how much I was enjoying this...

We looked around in the gift shop, there was a shirt I liked but I walked away. When we left I decided I wanted it, but when we went back they didn't have my size.

DD wanted to ride again but I was not up for it. I walked her through the line and a cast member told me how to get to the exit to wait for her. After the second ride she said that one made her head hurt a little LOL.

We walked through some gift shops, I was trying to find these cute boxers I saw but couldn't find in my size. I didn't have any luck finding them so we left.

We drove back to the hotel. DD was hungry and got a cheesesteak and pasta salad at the food court and I got an iced coffee. We were both tired and decided to skip swimming and take a nap. We also skipped our second Via Napoli ADR. We woke up around 7:30pm and wanted to play minigolf at Winter Summerland.

We drove to the course, but had a little trouble figuring out where the entrance was so we ended up parking on the far side. I got a 50% discount with my Annual Pass. We decided to play the winter side first. We had a good time playing, the weather was great out and it was not crowded at all.

When we finished the course we decided to play the summer side.

When we were done we got our free souvenir golfballs that have Donald Duck on them.

Tonight was MK EMH and we drove over there. There were no cars driving in and our tram was empty which was funny listening to the CM give her tram spiel when we were the only ones on it.

When we entered the park we rented a locker…but I can't remember why.

After we entered Mainstreet the ELP parade had just started. We found a good spot and watched. It was great to see it again.

I don't remember too much of what we did this night. I know I was hungry and there wasn't much open. We went to Cosmic Rays but only a few stations were open which meant our food choices were limited. We kept walking up to stations and they would tell us they were closed, so we finally figured out which station was open. I can't find my receipt, but I know I had a greek salad, coke and a carrot cake and DD had a chix ceasar salad and water. We ended up sitting in there talking for quite awhile I think we were both tired.

I think we went on Space Mountain. I don't remember what other rides we did, probably Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder. We really ended up not doing too much this EMH.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

LOL no need to apologize! You may be my only reader I don't want to upset you

As per RoRC I can't believe you don't like it is soooo much fin, but I have to say I am a thrill rider person I have bungy jumped twice and did a thing called a gorge swing, like bungy except but you jump off platform and fall but instead of bungy you swing and then they pull you back up. Yes.... yes... I'm crazy I know Which mini golf side id you like the best, we played the winter side last September and had fun, though I still think I like the Fantasia one the best. I golfed that one in 2008 Look at me I sound like a mini Gold pro.... Lets see I went pro in 2006, after that went on world tour, WDW does have the best greens, er blues...

 

[sand2270]

As per RoRC I can't believe you don't like it is soooo much fin, but I have to say I am a thrill rider person I have bungy jumped twice and did a thing called a gorge swing, like bungy except but you jump off platform and fall but instead of bungy you swing and then they pull you back up. Yes.... yes... I'm crazy I know Which mini golf side id you like the best, we played the winter side last September and had fun, though I still think I like the Fantasia one the best. I golfed that one in 2008 Look at me I sound like a mini Gold pro.... Lets see I went pro in 2006, after that went on world tour, WDW does have the best greens, er blues...

LOL

I want to like RoRC...but my body does not like it. I am not a big thrill ride person. Shoot standing over the tank on the plexiglass sidewalk at the Sealife aquarium in Tempe last weekend gave me vertigo .

I think the winter side is a little funnier as far as the sight gags go, haven't tried the Fantasia court yet.

 

[sand2270]

This was our last full day. The plan was to take it easy, spend some time at the resort and go to the Halloween Party that evening. I had a couple ADR's booked, Chefs de France for lunch and Kona Café for dinner. We ended up not making it to either one.

We walked around POFQ for a bit to check out the grounds and take some pictures than took the boat to POR.

We wanted to try cane pole fishing. Once we found the fishing hole we got set up. First thing we had to do was put worms on the hooks. I thought DD would want to do this since she has gone fishing with her dad. We accidentally knocked the worm cup over so dirt and worms went everywhere! I had to scoop them up….bleck. Than DD was squeamish about hooking the worms so I had to do it…yuck. We did not get any bites and eventually gave up. It was not as much fun as I thought it would be .

DD was given this at the fishing counter I believe…

We walked over to the dock and rented a water mouse for 30 minutes.

This was nice, we were able to go past the tree houses and than turn around near Key West. However it was getting warm and the trip back I think we were ready to get out. But it was a nice leisurely ride.

After that we decided to take the boat to DTD and get some lunch. We didn't feel like going back over to Epcot so we decided to skip our Chefs de France lunch ADR, it was just easier to take the boat and get lunch at DTD. We ate lunch at WPE. I had spaghetti and a soda. I don't remember what DD had, I think she had fettuccine alfredo. She also bought a chocolate chip cookie. They have the best cookies and brownies.

Afterwards we went shopping. I had still been looking for these Nerd boxer shorts in my size. I found them at World of Disney. ..YAY! DD bought a Cheshire Cat pookaloosh.

We stopped in Ghiradelli for dessert. I had a caramel sundae…it was huge and so good I ate the whole thing. DD had chocolate ice cream. We finally took the boat back to POFQ to take a nap before the Halloween party.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

How crazy is this... we have a MNSSHP ticket and also had a late luch planed at Chef u France except we actually made our ressie . Next time you go to WDW you should take the time to go to a resort on the lake by MK the small boats are much faster there , you get more for your money.

How sad you are almost done...

I demand you start over form day one and retell the story from your daughter's perspective

 

[sand2270]

How crazy is this... we have a MNSSHP ticket and also had a late luch planed at Chef u France except we actually made our ressie . Next time you go to WDW you should take the time to go to a resort on the lake by MK the small boats are much faster there , you get more for your money.

How sad you are almost done...

I demand you start over form day one and retell the story from your daughter's perspective

It's depressing me even writing about it LOL.

Do you mean the watermice? We have used them at BC and POFQ mainly because we were staying at those places, so convenient. But I have thought about trying the Bay Lake ones, though not sure when we are getting back to WDW.

My DD would just say something like "We had fun...can I go play now?"

 

[sand2270]

We took the boat back to the hotel and took a nap before the Halloween party. The vacation really caught up with me and I was completely exhausted.

DD woke up when the alarm went off and started getting ready. Ok...I can never get this kid up but she knew we were going to the party and she was excited to wear her costume so she popped right up. Me on the other hand, I could not wake up. I was so tired and I did not feel good...I was actually considering not going. Now that would have meant giving up our tickets, etc. so I had to be really really tired to be thinking that.

DD kept telling me to get up and put my costume on...this was such a role reversal...it is the opposite every morning. I eventually woke up and told her I wasn't feeling well and was not going to dress up. She was very disappointed about that but I really didn't feel good and it was taking all of my energy to just go to the party.

We were supposed to go as the two women from ABBA, we had matching disco costumes and I had a crazy wig. My DD is an ABBA fan, loves Mamma Mia, etc. My costume does not breath well and it was warm, I now know I would have been miserable wearing it and glad I didn't. DD got ready, did her makeup and I curled her hair. She looked very cute. I did really feel bad about not dressing up but I just did not feel good.

We drove over and took the monorail to the park. We could see a lot of people leaving and people going towards the park, a lot in costume.

We got our wristbands and bags and headed to Tomorrowland for the Alice in Wonderland treat trail. I think I bought a cream cheese pretzel when we were over there, I love them and had not gotten one yet. It was not really open yet, so we waited for it to open and than walked the trail. I think we rode Space Mountain…but not certain.

We walked through Fantasyland passing the Seven Dwarfs on the way. We did not wait in line for a picture since the line was long, but I snagged a picture between families.

We walked over to the Haunted Mansion. They had a lady outside making jokes and talking to the audience. She saw DD and started singing the YMCA. She was a riot. We stopped and listened to her for a little bit.

When we exited I saw a Photopass photographer in front of the horseless carriage with no line. I wanted our picture taken here so we got a few fun photos.

DD wanted to ride the Magic Carpets. I didn't feel like it so she went on and I waited.

We were walking towards Pirates and saw Smee, DD took her picture with him.

We rode Pirates and looked around in the shop afterwards. We bought a few MNSSHP pins. We took the walkway by the bathrooms over to FrontierLand and saw the dance party going on. We walked in and saw Jessie dancing!! Now there is a whole story behind Jessie.

My DD goes through character phases where for a time period she is focused on a character...Tinkerbell, Pocahontas, Eeyore...well last year for a bit it was Jessie. When I went to WDW in January as much as I tried to find a Jessie doll or pin I had no luck. I eventually ordered a doll from the Disneystore, I still have not found a pin. So when we saw Jessie dancing there I kind of turned into "that" parent...let me preface this by saying I am not proud of how I acted. I kind of pushed DD over and forced Jessie to take a picture with her. Not one of my prouder moments.

The dance party was pretty cool, there were lots of characters dancing with the kids and the parents. DD didn't feel like dancing so we decided to find our spot for the fireworks.

We found a good spot on the hub to the left of the castle by the entrance to Frontierland. I set up my tripod since I wanted to try and get some good pictures. DD was thirsty, she walked over to a kiosk to get water. I kept an eye on DD the best I could, there was a bit of a line. I could see her as long as the lights were on. Well the lights went off to start the fireworks and she was not back yet. She found her way back to me before they started. I had been trying to give her a little more independence on this trip (letting her go on rides alone with Aye's kids, walking her through lines but letting her ride rides alone, etc.) but I don't like it, it makes me nervous.

We had a great view of the fireworks and really enjoyed them.

After the fireworks I wanted to get our spot for the parade. We were close to the start of the parade route right outside splash. I set up my tripod so I could get video of the Headless Horseman. I got great video but my pictures from the parade didn't come out very good. Probably because I decided to be lazy and keep sitting and kept getting the rope in my pictures .

I am having trouble with the headless horseman video so I will post it in a separate post.

After the parade we looked in another gift shop. I saw another party pin with Pluto and the headless horseman that I decided not to buy. We walked over to Aloha Isle and got dole whips. After we walked to the hub and watched the Villians show for a little while.

I couldn't get a good picture...

After that we walked over to the Tomorrowland dance party. They were winding down so we got there for the last dance. Literally…the song playing was "Last Dance".

We danced a little than headed towards Main Street still dancing a little. I decided I wanted to buy that Pluto pin but the stores were locking up so I was out of luck.

We left the park and drove back to the hotel.

 

[kungaloosh22]

I've really enjoyed your trip report, both the Universal leg and the WDW section. Great photos, and I'm impressed by how much detail you've been able to remember several months later. Thanks for taking the time to share it all!

 

[jane2073]

I am enjoying your trip report!
It looks like the keychain your daughter got was Snow White-yellow dress, blue sleeves, red bow. Cute!

 

[sand2270]

I've really enjoyed your trip report, both the Universal leg and the WDW section. Great photos, and I'm impressed by how much detail you've been able to remember several months later. Thanks for taking the time to share it all!

Thanks! I started jotting down notes after we got back. It was really for myself I wasn't going to do a report, but I finally decided I might as well. Thanks for reading!

I am enjoying your trip report!
It looks like the keychain your daughter got was Snow White-yellow dress, blue sleeves, red bow. Cute!

Oh my gosh Snow White!! We have been trying to figure it out for months...I knew it looked familiar! I guess I didn't think about a princess in vinylmation form. Thank you!

 

[sand2270]

Video of headless horseman is below.

This isn't too scary...now imagine this chasing after you in the dark in the woods! Now that was scary!

[URL=http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk26/sand2270/Orlando%20Trip%20Oct%202010/POFQ%20and%20DTD%20and%20MNSSHP/?action=view&current=MVI_9548.mp4][/URL]

 

[sand2270]

Well it was here, our last day. The day I always hate. We had an ADR at Kona this morning which I knew we probably wouldn't make. We didn't we slept in a little bit. We packed up the room and loaded the car. We got breakfast at the food court, me an iced coffee and beignets, DD a croissant and water.

We walked around the resort grounds to get some pictures.

There was a man in the lobby who was always giving the kids coins.

We left and drove to the airport. I forgot to get gas on the drive to the airport so I thought oh great I am going to have to pay the rental cars crazy fees. When we got there we got a really great attendant. I told her I forgot to get gas, kind of made a joke of it. She said "let me see what I can do" which I thought was really cool of her. She came back and only charged me for about half of what I needed. I thought that was so nice of her especially after all the problems I had with the first rental car.

The end of the trip was otherwise uneventful. Once we dropped off the car and checked in, we wandered around the stores a little before going through security. My DD got some food from Wendy's and ate that while we waited for the plane. The flight was fine and the hotel shuttle got us back to our car and we drove back to Tucson. Boring.

So that was it…our 2nd trip to Orlando was over! We had some great memories and pictures. We don't have any trips planned for awhile…our next big adventure was supposed to be Tokyo in 2012 which included a few days at the Disney resort.

I have traveled there before (trip report in my signature) and wanted to take my DD. We had recently been talking about Greece or somewhere tropical since I have been wanting to go somewhere different. Now with the earthquake part of me feels like we should return and at least contribute our tourist dollars to the rebuilding. But I am not sure yet.

Any readers I had were for the most part quiet so I hope whoever read enjoyed this!

If there are any questions please let me know.

 

[DizDragonfly]

Any readers I had were for the most part quiet so I hope whoever read enjoyed this!

From one of your (mostly) quiet readers, THANKS! I really enjoyed both sections of your trip report.

 

[jane2073]

I think it is so cool how well you and your daughter seem to travel together!
Sounds like a really good relationship!

Supporting Japan sounds like a good idea to me. I have heard such wonderful things about Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea.

We did the Headless Horseman wagon ride at Fort Wilderness years ago. So creepy and very fun!!

 

[sand2270]

From one of your (mostly) quiet readers, THANKS! I really enjoyed both sections of your trip report.

LOL thanks!

I think it is so cool how well you and your daughter seem to travel together!
Sounds like a really good relationship!

Supporting Japan sounds like a good idea to me. I have heard such wonderful things about Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea.

We did the Headless Horseman wagon ride at Fort Wilderness years ago. So creepy and very fun!!

Thanks, we have a pretty good relationship, I am glad she likes to spend so much time with me. That may change as she moves into her teenage years .

I had decided to put off going back to Japan for awhile because emotionally I don't think I am ready (my time there was with my ex-boyfriend, etc., etc.). but after the earthquake happened I again remembered how special my time there was and how much I loved it and wanted to share it with my DD. I don't know by next year if there will be anything we can do to help...onsite...I will have to look into that. It would be nice if we could do something charitable as part of our vacation.

When the horseman came out we were all so scared! 3 girls and 2 women and we were all losing it! But it was so much fun.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

thanks for sharing!! I enjoyed it very much

 

[sand2270]

thanks for sharing!! I enjoyed it very much

Thanks!!