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

[WLfamily]

I couldn't resist that one!! I love how you just did the sight-seeing thing instead of rides at AK. If you will remember from my TR last year, the day we spent at HS when Brad was soooo sick (the day after I saw you and Tom at Epcot) we just walked around and enjoyed all the little details and never rode anything either. The kids still say that was their best day of the trip. Krista wants me to tell you that she "loves" your Tink pic and "has" to have that one when we go back next summer.

 

[JenSop]

Great update! We are also big lovers of AK!!! I've been looking forward to seeing the baby gorilla for months!! (We leave tomorrow and are headed straight to Pangani Exploration Trail after we check in at AKV!)

And we keep meaning to get out early in the mornings to see the vet check-ups but haven't gotten around to it yet.

I'll be looking forward to more updates when I get back from the World in a week!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

No! Because they're Macaws! LOL!!!

Exactly!

I couldn't resist that one!! I love how you just did the sight-seeing thing instead of rides at AK. If you will remember from my TR last year, the day we spent at HS when Brad was soooo sick (the day after I saw you and Tom at Epcot) we just walked around and enjoyed all the little details and never rode anything either. The kids still say that was their best day of the trip. Krista wants me to tell you that she "loves" your Tink pic and "has" to have that one when we go back next summer.

Yeah, sometimes just taking it easy is the best! Hope Krista gets her Tink pic on your next trip!!

Great update! We are also big lovers of AK!!! I've been looking forward to seeing the baby gorilla for months!! (We leave tomorrow and are headed straight to Pangani Exploration Trail after we check in at AKV!)

And we keep meaning to get out early in the mornings to see the vet check-ups but haven't gotten around to it yet.

I'll be looking forward to more updates when I get back from the World in a week!

I didn't even know about the baby gorilla! I was soo fixated on the sleeping old man gorilla! Grrr! Definitely try to make it to the vet check-ups. It's worth it!

Have a great trip!

 

[Eeyore18]

Loving your trip report- we were there from the 6th to the 13th. (at bwv)
The clouds must of been empty because we didn't have any rain from Tuesday until Saturday! I'm a teacher too-I like that idea for next year's Jewish holidays. We ALWAYS go in July and lately have been sneaking down in Feb. too during winter break. But would love to take a personal day or two when it's not so crowded! Looking forward to more!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Loving your trip report- we were there from the 6th to the 13th. (at bwv)
The clouds must of been empty because we didn't have any rain from Tuesday until Saturday! I'm a teacher too-I like that idea for next year's Jewish holidays. We ALWAYS go in July and lately have been sneaking down in Feb. too during winter break. But would love to take a personal day or two when it's not so crowded! Looking forward to more!

Yes...the last few days of our trip were dry...you JUST missed it!

The sneaky trips are the best!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Day 3 - Fireworks Cruise!
Saturday July 3, 2010​

So after a lovely day at AK, we got back to POR and I had to do some schoolwork. Booooo!!!

But it was nice to be "connected" for a few and I was happy to write a post or two on the July thread and my PTR!

Our T-Rex dinner was at 4:30, so I threw on my pre-planned fireworks cruise dress, braided my hair and we were at the bus by 3:30....except the sky looked VERY ominous!!! OF COURSE! It managed not to rain all day and now it was thundering the sky was BLACK! So we took our towel and rain jackets and extra flip flops and we were off.....

Here is a little vid of the sky from the bus stop. It doesn't look as bad in the video as it did in person but TRUST ME! It was bad. Bad enough to the point that I was texting my cruise-mates, Wendy and Pauline about how I would get in touch with them if I found out the was canceled.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmGy

I was very nervous about the weather!!!!!

Here we are at the bus stop!

We got to DTD and walked STRAIGHT to T-Rex because it was starting to drizzle!!!! NOOOOOO!!

We checked in and there was a loooong line! We were not happy about waiting with people who didn't have an ADR when we did but in just a minute, they called our name so the line was pretty pointless! Yay! We were seated at a small table for 2 near some friendly dinosaurs.

There was quite an interesting conversation going between the waitress and patron at the table behind Tom. We think they were sisters because the waitress was introducing her to all her waitress friends. Tom was trying to listen in and get some more info!

We decided to split some greasy, so-bad-for-you food! Cheeseburger and nachos! YUM!!

And our waitress suggested this delicious dessert which we were too full to even come close to finishing!

We left very full but a little underwhelmed by the restaurant. We're glad we tried it but most likely will not go back any time soon...maybe when we have kids.

When we left, the drizzle was going steady and I was so nervous about getting rained on that, even though we had PLENTY of time before we had to be at the Contemporary for our cruise, I practically RAN to the bus! It's a good thing I did, because it started actually raining at that point! We got on the Grand Floridian bus and figured we'd resort monorail it around.....

We got to the GF and were in desperate need of a bathroom but it was just too fancy everywhere we turned!! Seriously, the GF is gorgeous and all but I could never stay there! I'd be afraid I was going to get in trouble or break something!

Finally we found bathrooms near one of the restaurants and went out to the monorail.

Next we went to the Poly! Our favorite!! If you read my honeymoon TR, that is where we stayed and we LOVED it!

OH!!! I totally forgot to mention...VINYLMATION!! I have absolutely NO interest in things that don't have a use so I'm not a big collector of anything. But Tom is the opposite. Anyway, he had this one vinylmation in mind that he wanted so he bought one but of course it wasn't the one he wanted. (There's like a thousand!) But, for those of you who don't know, you can trade them. The only catch is, you have to trade them blindly! You pick a number, basically, between 1 and 20 and you get whatever one is behind that number. BUT, on top of those, there are also 3 that are on display at the registers and you can trade those too! So Tom tried once to trade blindly and that didn't work...now here's where the Poly comes in...we went into the gift shop, and wouldn't you know, on display in the "trade me box" is the exact one that he wanted! Hooray!! He was very happy he'd gotten the one he wanted and I was very happy we didn't have to stop at every register anymore!

So we walked around the Poly a little and hopped back on the monorail to our next stop...the Contemporary!

We were still very early, so we kind of just hung around. It was raining pretty steadily at this point so we actually went to the front desk and asked what the chances are that the cruise would be canceled. The lady said they most likely will NOT cancel! Woo Hoo!! So I texted Wendy and told her to give herself plenty of time to get to the Contemp because the monorail was starting to get crazy. (Remember, this WAS July 3rd!) To which Wendy replied...we're up in our room! Woops! I forgot she's be staying at the Contemp at that point...that's what happens when you stay at 3 resorts in one trip! I can't keep track! I texted Pauline the same thing and a little while later, Wendy and her kids, Ashley and Kyle met us in one of the gift shops!

We sat and chatted for a while and pretty soon her husband, John, joined us and we went down to the boat dock....in the rain. Soon after, Pauline and her two kids, Robin and Brandon joined us on the dock.

We had a wonderful captain.....Wendy? Pauline? Do you remember his name? Mike maybe? I'm soooo bad at remembering people's names! Anyway, he put towels down and gave us a bunch of extra ponchos. It was a little uncomfortable sitting in the rain but we were excited!

It was pretty cool seeing all the boats heading out in the same direction...

And my favorite was seeing all the people gather at the Poly!

All the boats got in position. We had snacks and drinks, which was nice! So I noticed that the barges for the Electric Water Pageant were pulling up and I was starting to get nervous. Ummm....they did know that the fireworks were starting in a few minutes, right? If they start this thing and my special patriotic fireworks were ruined, I was going to be PISSED! I mean, I love the extremely outdated water pageant as much as the next guy, especially the flags and stars and "everybody do the dinosaur!"...but not tonight!!

So the fireworks start and they are really amazing! We could hear everything perfectly because we had the music pumped in. There was a little echo from other boats but it wasn't too bad.

Here's some video I took! (It was still drizzling a little at this point but I had my waterproof vid cam!)

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmHF

Again, I'm sorry about the warped video! It's really making me mad but what can I do? I was hoping it would be fixed by now but guess not!

Okay, so remember the EWP barges I was so nervous, curious about? Watch THIS!

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmH2

I think I gasped when they lit up! How genius of them to use the stars and flags that are already part of the pageant and put it out, just for the people on the boats and at the Poly! I thought it was just so special!!

This is my favorite picture from the cruise!

So after the fireworks were over, our wonderful captain, (insert name here!) asked if we had any place to be or if we'd like to stick around a while and take a little tour of Bay Lake! How nice! We were all up for the tour so we listened as he pointed out the hidden Humphrey Bear at the Wilderness Lodge that you can only see at night, from the water! He also told us that Yogi Bear was taken from the original Humphrey character because they didn't think a bear who steals picnic baskets would be that successful so they sold it to someone else! (I think that's how the story went...Pauline? Wendy?)

Next he took us by River Country. And finally by Discovery Island, which apparently was one of the reasons that Walt chose this property for Disney World! It was very cool! But finally we made it back to the Contemporary. We said goodbye to Pauline and her kids but we forgot to take a picture before they left!!! I did take a pic with Wendy, Ashley and Kyle though!

Look at the bottom of my dress! Soaked!

Wendy so kindly offered to drive us back to our resort but we weren't in a rush so we decided to just monorail it to MK and take a bus from there back to POR.

Me in front of the mural with the 5-legged goat!

Some more video from the fireworks, if you're interested!
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmHn
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmHU
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmIK

Up Next: 4th of July!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sneak Peak:

 

[Robmom]

Nikki, I cannot remember the captain's name. It was a beautiful cruise. Too bad we missed the group photo. Brandon was pretty tired anyway, so we had to get back. He fell asleep on the bus.

 

[WLfamily]

Amazing fireworks show!! I'm so glad it didn't pour down rain on you guys. I'm going to try and search out your new video now....I'll let you know if I find it!

 

[WLfamily]

I found it!!! You, my friend, are the QUEEN of Disney vacation videos!!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Nikki, I cannot remember the captain's name. It was a beautiful cruise. Too bad we missed the group photo. Brandon was pretty tired anyway, so we had to get back. He fell asleep on the bus.

It was really nice, wasn't it? Yeah, I wish we could've gotten a picture of us all together but I didn't even think of it until you had already gone.

I found it!!! You, my friend, are the QUEEN of Disney vacation videos!!!

You found it! Haha, I guess it's not that hard to find if you really wanted to! I'm so glad you liked it! Hope it didn't spoil the TR for you though....

 

[trinaweena]

It has been raining here in CT all day and it's been miserable so it's good that you made the best of it down in FL!

I have to say we got a little bit hooked on the Vinylmations while we were down there. We had gotten a few last July but this year we got just a few more! haha BF and I both find them quite addicting! We didn't know about trading until this year though, and I found that most CMs will help you out when it comes to the mystery box thing. I had 4 different CMs tell me their 'favorite number' so i would get the ones I wanted! Obviously not the rules but they were nice about it and having fun! Needless to say i think we will continue collecting the vinyls!

 

[UncleOrville]

Wow, you move fast! Great updates! I may have to hire you to finish writing my TR from last September's trip. So glad the rain didn't stop you from getting to go on your fireworks cruise! We had a great Captain Mike as our GF boat launch driver (the little boat from the GF/ Poly to MK) a couple years ago - he was really young and awkward. It was awesome. If your captain was named Mike, hopefully it was the same guy!

 

[MissJanice]

Awesome update! Jealous of the fireworks cruise! No crowds or stalking a spot! Ahhh!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

It has been raining here in CT all day and it's been miserable so it's good that you made the best of it down in FL!

I have to say we got a little bit hooked on the Vinylmations while we were down there. We had gotten a few last July but this year we got just a few more! haha BF and I both find them quite addicting! We didn't know about trading until this year though, and I found that most CMs will help you out when it comes to the mystery box thing. I had 4 different CMs tell me their 'favorite number' so i would get the ones I wanted! Obviously not the rules but they were nice about it and having fun! Needless to say i think we will continue collecting the vinyls!

Yeah, I was even kind of getting into trying to find the one he wanted....there were a few CMs that tried to find the specific one for him but most places just didn't have it.

Wow, you move fast! Great updates! I may have to hire you to finish writing my TR from last September's trip. So glad the rain didn't stop you from getting to go on your fireworks cruise! We had a great Captain Mike as our GF boat launch driver (the little boat from the GF/ Poly to MK) a couple years ago - he was really young and awkward. It was awesome. If your captain was named Mike, hopefully it was the same guy!

I know! Ya know why? I finished another video and I really want to show it to everyone but not before I finish the TR! Haha! No, our captain was an older man...

Awesome update! Jealous of the fireworks cruise! No crowds or stalking a spot! Ahhh!

Yes, it was definitely the best for the special fireworks show!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

BTW, almost all the pictures you see of Tom and I, I took myself!! Am I not the BEST at that?!?!

 

[disneybarbie]

wow what a lovely day you had at AK and the fireworks cruise!

I also didn't 'get' Dinoland USA until I read that same All Ears article! I really love that land now, it makes so much more sense.

I love the photo of the Disney road signs! When I see those purple signs, I know I'm in WDW

I feel your pain on the frizzy hair! one day on our trip in October'08, I washed my hair in the morning & then thought it was a good idea to just wear a headband to DHS.. looked great for about 30 minutes, then the humidty got to it! .. definitely wear my hair up for daytimes in WDW hehe.

The videos of the fireworks aren't working for me right now, but i'll try again in a bit!
Btw if you had captain Mike for the cruise... that might have been the Mike that I had for an Illuminations cruise last year! was he from New Jersey?! that Mike is good friends with Lou Mongello and other disney podcasters!

Emma x

 

[Cheryl726]

We ate at T-Rex last year, there were 8 of us-4 adults and 4 kids (all boys) so it was perfect for them, but I found it kind of loud!

My son bought his first Vinylmation this year while we were there in May, he wanted one that looked like Goofy, a CM told us he could trade, which he did, the CM was trying to help him out but didn't have the one my son wanted.

Your fireworks cruise looked great!

Cheryl

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Glad to hear that your cruise was not cancelled and that you enjoyed your driver. Last Christmas night we were walking around by Storm A Long Bay and I asked my 5 year old nephew if he wanted to go on a boat ride. My plan was to take him on a Friendship boat across the lake. A CM stepped us and asked if we would like to go on a real boat ride and she gifted us with a free Illuminations cruise. Luckily my parents were not with us as the boat only would hold 10 and we had 9 with my family of 5, my sister's family of 3, and my single brother. We cruised down around by DHS and then parked under the bridge between England and France I believe. It was really neat being that close to the fireworks. Hopefully someday we can do a wishes cruise.

Anyway, sorry to hijack you TR. Looking forward to more.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

The video (2nd video) with the lagoon floats was TOTALLY AWESOME DUDE!! Love the TR.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

wow what a lovely day you had at AK and the fireworks cruise!

I also didn't 'get' Dinoland USA until I read that same All Ears article! I really love that land now, it makes so much more sense.

I know! Doesn't it make is so much more awesome once you know the backstory?!

I love the photo of the Disney road signs! When I see those purple signs, I know I'm in WDW

Definitely! That is why I had to take a pic!

I feel your pain on the frizzy hair! one day on our trip in October'08, I washed my hair in the morning & then thought it was a good idea to just wear a headband to DHS.. looked great for about 30 minutes, then the humidty got to it! .. definitely wear my hair up for daytimes in WDW hehe.

I know, it was so stupid of me! I NEVER wear my hair down, even at home it's very rare...I just had time to kill that morning...

The videos of the fireworks aren't working for me right now, but i'll try again in a bit!
Btw if you had captain Mike for the cruise... that might have been the Mike that I had for an Illuminations cruise last year! was he from New Jersey?! that Mike is good friends with Lou Mongello and other disney podcasters!

Oh too bad the videos aren't working. Oh that's funny! Well he asked us where we were from and I don't remember him saying he was from NJ, too so I don't think it's the same guy. I could be totally making up the name Mike!

Do you know that I teach in the town Lou Mongello lived in before he moved to Florida? (I could've been his children's teacher! That's a parent/teacher conference I wouldn't mind having!) He lived, literally, ten minutes from me! I once e-mailed him to ask him what car service he used to get to the airport and he recommended one for me! My sister was even on the same flight with him once. (To WDW, of course!) She saw him in the airport, this was years ago before he became really well-known, so she said hello and she said he was very nice!

Emma x

We ate at T-Rex last year, there were 8 of us-4 adults and 4 kids (all boys) so it was perfect for them, but I found it kind of loud!

My son bought his first Vinylmation this year while we were there in May, he wanted one that looked like Goofy, a CM told us he could trade, which he did, the CM was trying to help him out but didn't have the one my son wanted.

Your fireworks cruise looked great!

Cheryl

I bet T-Rex would be fun with a big group and with kids! Yeah, the CMs really seemed to be good about trying to help you find the ones you were looking for. Just a couple were strict about the rules...

Glad to hear that your cruise was not cancelled and that you enjoyed your driver. Last Christmas night we were walking around by Storm A Long Bay and I asked my 5 year old nephew if he wanted to go on a boat ride. My plan was to take him on a Friendship boat across the lake. A CM stepped us and asked if we would like to go on a real boat ride and she gifted us with a free Illuminations cruise. Luckily my parents were not with us as the boat only would hold 10 and we had 9 with my family of 5, my sister's family of 3, and my single brother. We cruised down around by DHS and then parked under the bridge between England and France I believe. It was really neat being that close to the fireworks. Hopefully someday we can do a wishes cruise.

Anyway, sorry to hijack you TR. Looking forward to more.

Oh what a great surprise!! How fun! That is an expensive gift he gave you! I would LOVE to do an Illuminations cruise, as it's my absolute favorite! But I hear that on some nights, if the wind is right, it can get very smokey near the boats, making it hard to see.

The video (2nd video) with the lagoon floats was TOTALLY AWESOME DUDE!! Love the TR.

Wasn't it so cool! Glad you like it!!!