We braved the 4th!!! AND the rain...and the crowds??? 7/1-7/8 BOOKED NEXT TRIP!!!!

[brookelizabeth]

Did you really have a logic puzzle book on vacation with you? If so, THAT ROCKS! I love me a logic puzzle book - and often bring them as well! My husband things I'm crazy, but I love it! A cup of coffee and a logic book sounds like a wonderful way to start a morning.

I was a bit bummed when I heard they changed the menu at the eats near Honey I Shrunk the Kids. They used to have a really, really good chicken meal with rice and black beans. I have read the sandwiches are good though.

Georgina rules!

Oh......my.......GOD, I am so STUPID!! I just spend the last 40 mins writing an update about dinner...and the dessert party and just x-ed it out by accident!!!! UUUUGGGGHHHHH!!! That is soooo frustrating!!! Sorry, but I just can't go on today after that! You'll have to wait for dinner at Paradiso at the dessert party until tomorrow.......

I've don't that. So frustrating.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Lol ouch! Well maybe after what he went through he changed his ways.

Sorry about the update, I hate it when that happens. I had to redo a PM three times because when I scrolled down off of the text box I hit back and it went back to the inbox, argh rage!

Yeah, I think they realized that they maybe made a mistake with children around the world now TERRIFIED of Lotso!! He was super friendly and huggable!

Just got back from the World in the wee hours of the morning today. (Why do Disney trips have to go by so fast?!)

So today I'm catching up on some other people's TR's before I get around to starting mine!

I am so glad that you and some of your readers are clappers! As someone who works in theatre, I can tell you that it take SO MUCH energy to get up there and put on a show. The applause helps immensely! It's good energy! (And even clapping for non-live performances are a good way to keep in practice! haha!)

I have to say that you were SO LUCKY to have such low crowds! It was really busy this last week down there. Thankfully, we are Disney experts and know how to handle the FP's and strategize our way through the parks. I felt so bad for an obvious first-timer. I overheard someone say to her DH, "Next time we come, we have to see which rides have Fast Passes and plan to do those first." Clearly, they had missed the boat on many of the rides.

And we're totally right there with ya on DHS - our least favorite park. Although, we rode Star Tours three times, as DH is an insane Star Wars freak. He wanted to ride a bunch before they close it for the remodel. And ToT is one of my absolute favorite rides ever!!! And I totally agree - they definitely changed it for this summer!

Welcome back! I'm with you on the FPs! Even in the most crowded times, I never wait more than 20 mins for a ride. DH is the same with Star Tours. We go back to DHS later in the week and spend a LOT of time taking pics in the Star Tours queue. I think he wants to capture it ALL in case they change everything!

Did you really have a logic puzzle book on vacation with you? If so, THAT ROCKS! I love me a logic puzzle book - and often bring them as well! My husband things I'm crazy, but I love it! A cup of coffee and a logic book sounds like a wonderful way to start a morning.

I was a bit bummed when I heard they changed the menu at the eats near Honey I Shrunk the Kids. They used to have a really, really good chicken meal with rice and black beans. I have read the sandwiches are good though.

Georgina rules!

I've don't that. So frustrating.

YES! I absolutely brought a logic puzzle book! I bought it for the plane ride but since Tom was sleeping in that morning, I brought it to the pool with me. I LOVE doing logic puzzles. Such a fun way to pass the time!!

I'm sure the sandwiches there were good but we weren't in the mood for sandwiches that day.....

Georgina is the BEST!

 

[DisneyClown]

When we got back to our room, Georgina had left one more surprise for us.....this was NOT her last one! Stay tuned!

That's so cool you got surprises like that in your room! I thought Mousekeeping would leave at least one for our kids but no luck! I left them tips everyday too!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

That's so cool you got surprises like that in your room! I thought Mousekeeping would leave at least one for our kids but no luck! I left them tips everyday too!

We left a tip every day too. Some days she didn't take it but I made sure to leave it out the following day with that envelope too. I think it just depends on the person you get. Georgina was the BEST!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I am glad that you took a down day. (I think being in all of the rain makes it easier to have one; it is exhausting being in constant rain.)

I had my update wiped out the other day; it stinks!!!

We wanted to do the animation studio - I will put it at the top of the list for the next trip! I don't know what Tattoine Traders is- I will be googling soon. Thank you for teaching me something new!!

I am glad you found your ears! You look so stinkin cute in them!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I am glad that you took a down day. (I think being in all of the rain makes it easier to have one; it is exhausting being in constant rain.)

I had my update wiped out the other day; it stinks!!!

We wanted to do the animation studio - I will put it at the top of the list for the next trip! I don't know what Tattoine Traders is- I will be googling soon. Thank you for teaching me something new!!

I am glad you found your ears! You look so stinkin cute in them!

Hey! I was JUST commenting on your last post! Funny!

Oh Tattoine Traders is the Star Tour store! Nothing special....well, maybe for Tom it is....

Aren't the ears the best?! I was soooo happy that I finally found them!

Animation studio is still on my list since we didn't really do it...just went in to meet Lotso!

 

[knewton64]

Oh, another quick note about Soarin'...

If you feel the need to comment on every scene...please don't! First of all, that is NOT Nevada, that is NOT Florida and that is NOT New York. It's all California. Secondly, I can see that my feet are about to touch the water and yes, I did see that golf ball that almost hit me.

Does anyone else hate when they get stuck next to a talker? Or someone who feels the need to give commentary to their children? It totally ruins it for me! I just want to sit back, relax and hear nothing but the music!

......the theme music to that attraction and to the Dreams fireworks show is what I listen to every night just right b 4 I drift off into Neverland.


Finally got all caught up in yer tr -


P.S. Looking forward to my very 1st pair of ears in a few more weeks!



T.T.F.N.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Okay....let's try this again!

Day 5 cont. ~ Dinner at Paradiso 37 and Wishes Dessert Party
July 5, 2010​

When we got back from DHS, we got cleaned up and put on the weather channel....something that I haven't mentioned yet but, trust me, it was on ALL THE TIME! And it would always say the same thing....they didn't know! It might rain, it might not...DEAL WITH IT! Well, those weren't their exact words but it was really frustrating! I decided to risk it and go with the skirt that I had planned in advance for this night. But we weren't going to risk not taking the "rain bag" so we packed that and we were off to DTD around 4:30.

We had the whole bus to ourselves!!

We got off at the PI bus stop, which I think is in a horrible place by the way. There is nothing there! It's not near the entrance to anything! They need to shift it, like 4 parking space lanes to the left so at least you are right near Planet Hollywood/AMC theaters when you get off the bus, because that's where everyone is walking anyway! Didn't there used to be a 3rd bus stop just for the West Side, like down by the other end or am I making that up? How did I get so far off topic?! Moving on....

We had a little time to kill before our 5:30 ADR so we decided to stop in a few stores on the West Side. There was this one store (don't remember the name) that was all about the Vinylmation thing so we stopped in there. Then Tom had to call his friend to tell him about a shirt he found to see if he wanted it. This was something that happened almost EVERY DAY!! Keep in mind, this friend is just as huge of a WDW fan as we are and he was there just weeks before!!! But this is what they do.....he calls Tom everyday when he's there, Tom calls him everyday when we're there and they buy each other things!

Some pics from that store...

On our way over the bridge from West Side to PI, I snapped this pic of the balloon.

Again, there were not too many people at the restaurant and we were seated right away. I ordered a margarita, first thing!

(I finally found those ears and I was NOT taking them off! I only had 3 days left!)

We ordered the Mexican Dipping Trio to start and it was soooooo delicious!!
Mexican Dipping Trio - Chunky Guacamole, Chili con Carne & Spinach Queso Dips. Served with Corn Tortilla Chips $7.99

Tom got the mangled margarita which was a margarita mixed with a frozen sangria!

We ate sooo many chips (we even asked for more!) and we were getting full so we decided to split some sort of combo meal. I can't find it on the allears menu but there was some sort of flank steak, chorizo, maybe a taquito? I'm really unsure. It was good but not as good as the dips!

The plate in the front is my plate, the one behind it is the plate that all the food came on.

Look at my food upside down! Doesn't it look like a hidden Minnie?? I didn't do it on purpose!

We left the restaurant STUFFED and just as we were walking to the bus.....it started to drizzle. At that point, it was just so frustrating. When is this rain going to stop!! I haven't seen the sun in 5 days!! I was not happy on the bus to the Poly!

By the time we were on the way, it wasn't drizzling anymore...it was POURING! Here's a vid I took on the bus...

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmLX

It was still pouring when we got off at the Poly so we hung out under the bus stop for a few minutes hoping it would let up!!

We made a run for the lobby and got soaked.It was at this point that I realized the skirt was a big mistake and the risk did NOT pay off! Not only was it down to my knees and white, it also was the kind of skirt that you take out of the wash and roll up to dry so that it has that wrinkled look, ya know? It also has 2 layers so it was kind of heavy....when wet! And it did not take long for the purposeful wrinkles to disappear with the rain and humidity and it really looked stupid with my rain jacket.....oh well!

We hung around the Poly lobby once again waiting for the rain to stop. I actually think it was THIS time that Tom got his Vinylmation, not last time....

I even thought about buying a pair of shorts but I knew I wouldn't be able to find ones that would fit. Again, we waited for it to let up, but it was just so steady so we headed to the monorail and decided we were just going to be getting wet and, like what we imagined the weather man, had to deal with it. Honestly, if we didn't have the dessert party booked, we most likely would've gone back to the resort and called it a night....

Funnily enough, the rain did NOT keep the crowds out tonight! Here is what it looked like on the walk from the monorail to the MK entrance.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmLk

Another thing that's annoying about the rain....you try so hard to keep you bags dry and comfortable, cross body under your rain jacket...making bag check a HUGE pain in the A!

But we made it through and as we were walking through crowds under the train station, we both felt a good shove followed by someone saying, "Security!" Oooooh, some action! When we got out from under the train station, we spotted the security officers approaching 2 men, one older, one younger and an older woman. The older man looked like he was trying to calm down the younger man who decided he was leaving (or asked to leave?) when security came over to them. The older woman left the scene and security continued to talk to the older man who looked like he was trying to say that everything was fine. THEN, out of nowhere, we hear this sobbing and the older woman is walking, practically carrying, a younger woman who is just hysterical! She was doing the "I'm so upset I can't even stand up" sobs! Security then came over to talk to her but she couldn't even talk! We had hung around rubbernecking long enough so we decided to move on but of course, we made up about 6 different scenarios of what could've happened as we walked up Main Street!

We had plenty of time to kill, and at this point in our trip, it was NOT fun to just be standing in the rain. The excitement that we had in the pouring rain in Epcot on our first night had completely gone and we were just miserable. To make matters worse, the more people made it harder to move around AND a lot of people were not being very considerate of the fact that most people do NOT want to get wet! SO PLEASE DON'T SPLASH AND KICK AROUND THE PUDDLES! RUDE!!

We decided we'd take a spin on TTA to pass the time so we walked through the Noodle Station to Tomorrowland. On the way, they had set up 2 photopass photographers right next to each other, past the noodle station, just before you get to the main "road" of Tomorrowland, ya know where I mean? So we got some pics there...

On our way, we noticed that TTA had completely stopped and there was no sign that it would be started up again soon so that was a bust. We really just wandered around Tomorrowland aimlessly in the rain and it was probably the worst 45 mins of the whole trip. We were just uncomfortable and not happy. I did snap this pic of the wait time sign for Buzz......

It was more crowded that night but not THIS crowded!! Turns out it was a glitch because just a few minutes later, it was back down to 20!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Around 8:30, we walked back over to the Noodle Station and got in line for the dessert party. Some women came around with a clipboard and we gave her our name and she gave us our table number and wristbands.

Pic I took from that line...

We were let in at 9 and found that we had the BEST seats in the house! I think the 2 person tables always get the best seats! We were right in front and right under the tinkerbell wire, althought because of the rain, she did not fly that night.

I set up my gorillapod and took some pics of the castle while the rest of the crowd got their desserts.

See my skirt? Not the best for the rain!

Tom and I decided that we like the white/blue castle best.

Then I got up to get my dessert. Tom was not feeling well so he didn't really eat much but I was getting my moneys worth!!

This was my plate!

They also had a photopass photographer set up at the party, which YOU KNOW we took advantage of!

Here are some pics we took of the fireworks!

And here's a little video from the fireworks...
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmL1

It was really nice that we were able to watch the fireworks while out of the rain and sitting down, having coffee!! If it wasn't for the dessert party, we wouldn't have seen these fireworks at all, and I'm so glad that we did.

They had canceled the 9:00 MSEP and although we had planned to stay and watch the 11:00 one, we were in no mood, nor were we even sure they were going to even have it. The rain let up a little bit but it was still drizzling as we left...

This woman does the silhouettes and she just looked so peaceful sitting there by herself, with the wet ground, as crowds of people came rushing by...

Another rainy night down and only 3 days left....will we ever see the sun? Will we ever have our crazy days of drinking in World Showcase? We shall see!!!!

Up Next: Donald's Safari Breakfast/Morning in AK!

 

[anjalee6]

I am so sorry it was another raining evening, but the desserts look so good. You guys are truly great sports about the whole thing. I thought our vacation was going to be like that when I heard 60% chance of rain each day we were there, but it only rained twice for about an hour each time. The rest of the time the heat was so bad. It was really hot. By the end of the week, when it finally started raining again....we were thinking "Yes...finally some rain!".

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I am so sorry it was another raining evening, but the desserts look so good. You guys are truly great sports about the whole thing. I thought our vacation was going to be like that when I heard 60% chance of rain each day we were there, but it only rained twice for about an hour each time. The rest of the time the heat was so bad. It was really hot. By the end of the week, when it finally started raining again....we were thinking "Yes...finally some rain!".

I would MUCH rather the heat than the rain....but I'm sure if it was 100 degrees and sunny for the first 5 days, I would have gladly welcomed a rainy, cooler day!

We were reeeeally trying to be troopers but by this point, we were so fed up with the rain and the weather channel who kept saying "scattered t-storms" then showed the radar with green blobs all over central florida!

 

[taymacsmom]

More rain!?! That just plain sucks! I hope it lets up for the rest of your trip!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

More rain!?! That just plain sucks! I hope it lets up for the rest of your trip!

I am THRILLED to say that that was the last of the rain.......

 

[anjalee6]

Yay! I am so glad to hear that was the end of the rain for you guys! When is enough enough??? I hope when you go back next year (if it works out for you) that there is no rain in sight. You deserve a rain free vacation. I think you guys have a fantastic sense of humor though and I am so glad that Tom likes to play along with all your pictures (my husband tries, but it gets old fast!!!) Tom really looks like he enjoys all the pictures as much as you do!! You guys are too cute!

 

[knewton64]

underscore all of your wdw pics with the following classic songs:


1) "Raindrops keep falling on my head."
2) "Fire and Rain."
3) "It's Raining Men"
4) "Drip Drip drop little April Showers"
5) "Rain Rain go away come again Another day"
6)




Anywho - glad 2 c ya had fun. That's what matters most.



P.S. I am heading out to Ireland in June ....and we all know rain is very prevelant over there so hey - I promise to pack a rain poncho.



T.T.F.N.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

underscore all of your wdw pics with the following classic songs:


1) "Raindrops keep falling on my head."
2) "Fire and Rain."
3) "It's Raining Men"
4) "Drip Drip drop little April Showers"
5) "Rain Rain go away come again Another day"
6)




Anywho - glad 2 c ya had fun. That's what matters most.



P.S. I am heading out to Ireland in June ....and we all know rain is very prevelant over there so hey - I promise to pack a rain poncho.



T.T.F.N.

Haha, seriously! It's easy to find the humor in it now but by the night of the dessert party...it was NOT funny anymore!

Definitely bring the poncho or rain jacket!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Rubbernecking excitement! I just read a thread about the undercover security at the parks; I am glad something was able to perk up the rain filled entrance. (It is a shame that it was a sad situation for someone else.)

Your dessert party outfit was great especially with your ears! I am sooo glad you were able to book the dessert party. What a wonderful way to spend a rainy night with treats and coffee! (I hope Tom was only under the weather (okay I didn't intend on the pun, but...) for the night.

I hope that you report seeing the sun soon! Otherwise, you will begin next July's thread title with WET instead of HOT!

 

[Cheryl726]

I love your PP pics at the dessert party!

 

[tksbaskets]

Your trip report is making me realize how much we haven't done! That dessert party looks and sounds WONDERFUL! Our sons (and my hubby) have to be bribed for PP and character pics now. Those desserts would do the trick

Looking forward to the AK adventure!

 

[brookelizabeth]

You are adorable in your ears!

So sorry to read about MORE RAIN! Not fun at all. Beautiful pictures of the fireworks though, and I think you might have had the same table we did last year! It was excellent! I love that dessert party. Sigh.

I saw your comment back that this was the last of the rain!

YES! I absolutely brought a logic puzzle book! I bought it for the plane ride but since Tom was sleeping in that morning, I brought it to the pool with me. I LOVE doing logic puzzles. Such a fun way to pass the time!!

You rule! I'm so glad there is someone else out there who isn't 95 doing logic puzzle books! All my friends and family think I'm nuts! I haven't had one in a while, I think I might need one for the upcoming trip...