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

[Stefy]

Oooh Passion Fruit Magaritas sound awesome!!!

We haven't booked but if we go at that time, our dates will definitely be September 28 - October 2.

I think we will defo cross paths then and we actually check out on the 2nd to go home too

If you like, nearer the time when I start planning again shall I PM you?

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Hi Nikki, I read this today about the new La Hacienda in the Mexico Pavillion, and thought of you!

La Hacienda update - Disney Parks Blog

mmmm new Margeritas!

Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing that, Emma! Excellent information! I can't wait for that to open.

Oooh Passion Fruit Magaritas sound awesome!!!



I think we will defo cross paths then and we actually check out on the 2nd to go home too

If you like, nearer the time when I start planning again shall I PM you?

YES! Absolutely! I'll let you know when we have our definite plans, too.

 

[Robmom]

Aww, too bad. Robin could've watching him for a while! J/K...next time!

I was joking with her that I need a margarita because Brandon was whining so much, but she just rolled her eyes like teenagers do so well!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Day 7 ~ DHS
July 7, 2010​

So we last left over leaving the land of international libations to take the longest boat ride that ever sailed. But eventually we made it to DHS!!

Remember when I explained about the entrance to Epcot and how most people go to the left turnstiles after going through bag check? So if you just LOOK at the other turnstiles, you JUST might find some that are empty! But you know how people love to follow the crowd!

Here's a video showing how that works in DHS.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmR7


First thing....photopass pictures!

See how tired we look? The drinkies had caught up with us and the boat ride made it worse! But we tried out best to look excited, even though we really don't care for DHS.

The first thing we did was head to Star Tours. This is one of Tom's favorite being a crazy Star Wars fan, and with the refurb coming up soon, he wanted to soak it all in one last time! So we got a FP and took some pics!

Tom is afraid that with the refurb, they might change the CM's costumes so we asked these nice ladies if we could get a picture!

After getting our FPs, we made our way to One Man's Dream. We LOVE this attraction and I am really afraid that it's not gonna make it much longer. Aside from it's lack of popularity, it's proximity to Pixar Place, which is home to only ONE ride, makes me nervous.

But now One Man's Dream welcomes D23 members!! Oh, I happen to have my D23 card with me!

Tom took LOTS of pictures in One Man's Dream but I'm not going to post them because they just don't do it justice and I prefer pictures with US in them!

I cried my eyes out at the One Man's Dream movie...as always! How could you not! I mean, seriously! If it wasn't for this one man, all of us wouldn't have this wonderful place that we all love or the movies that we grew up with or the most iconic figure in the world: Mickey Mouse. How could you not cry when you think about the magnitude of that!

After drying my eyes, we made our way to American Idol because I wanted to see the finale show!

Tom so did NOT want to be there so he passed the time by taking about a thousand Seacrest pictures! Here's just a few of the funny ones!

Here are our 7 contestants! I had to get a pic of all of them in case one of them ends up on the real American Idol!

I thought the show was fun but it really was long, being the final show, and the fact that we had been drinking all day and now this is the second theater we were trapped in....we were really starting to crash!

But the "Randy Jackson" kept us entertained because he looks like one of the guys from SNL and every time he spoke, it was soooooo affected that it was seriously like watching an SNL skit! People around us were looking at us like, "Why are they laughing?" but we just couldn't stop!

There's my old friend from the Adventurer's Club!

Oh, in case you're interested...the guy in the second picture, green shirt, won. He sang, "I Can Go the Distance" and I can pretty much guarantee
I won't be seeing him on American Idol...

After the show, we made our way back to Star Tours for our FP.

A video of me enjoying the tv theme songs that play near the ABC Commissary!
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QctnDFo2bsmSE

Tom took a TON of pictures in and around Star Tours...I'll just post a few!

When we got off the ride and were walking the hallway to the store entrance, we passed another star speeder that was open and empty!! So we had to stop and take some pics!

Since it didn't look like anyone was entering that vehicle I told Tom, "Quick! Run in there, I'll take your picture!"

We thought we were being very sneaky!!

The whole reason we decided to go to DHS that evening was because of this "Summer Nighttastic" they've been advertising. I wanted to see the TOT glow! And we were hungry. So we made our way to Sunset Boulevard.

Why, oh why, are there three CS location all right next to each other? DHS has some serious problems! It just makes it more confusing....and crowded. I ended up getting a burger at Rosie's and Tom didn't feel like eating at all.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Do you see the glow? Oooooooooh.

At that point, Tom had the brilliant idea to go to the MK to see that Main Street Electrical Parade!! When they first announced that this was coming back, I was very excited, but with the way things turned out this trip so far, we hadn't seen it and I didn't think we were going to.

Photopass on the way out of DHS!

We took the bus to the MK and got there around "there's a crapload of people on Main Street waiting for the fireworks" o'clock!

I hadn't ridden on Splash Mountain yet and Tom wanted to do a little shopping so we decided to part ways and meet up for the parade. Well, anyone who know anything about the MK at night KNOWS you MUST walk through the stores if you want to get anywhere! So that's what I did. I excited our of Casey's and hung a left. There were sooooo many people in that area around the front of Crystal Palace, it was like walking through Times Square on New Years! People were just stopped...because they were waiting to watch the fireworks which were starting in like 5! But I had a mountain to go down so after a ton of "excuse mes" and a few stepped on toes, I made my way to Adventureland and walked to Splash.

Now, I don't know if I said this about me, but I HATE being alone. I get so uncomfortable and try to avoid it most of the time but occasionally I'll get up the nerve to do something. I'm fine if I'm doing something but just standing around alone terrifies me. Anyway, so I get on line for Splash with about a 20 minute wait. I'm really uncomfortable but I think I can handle it for 20 mins. Well, of course, I get the WORST line neighbors imaginable!

Ya know how there's an unspoken personal space rule when standing in lines? There people were so in my personal space, it was almost like they were with me, you know what I mean? Like, when the line would stop and I would lean on the rail on one side, they would lean on the opposite rail right next to me! They were sooooo in my personal space that I eventually just let them pass me when the line started moving. But since then, I just didn't like them and didn't want to be standing near them anymore.

I texted back and forth with Tom a few times and once I got on the boat, I was fine. UNTIL, my phone started to blink, like it was going to die any second!! I totally freaked because Tom and I did NOT pick a meeting place and I was having horrible thoughts of us wandering a crowded MK looking for each other. I texted him real quick saying my phone is dying, if I don't hear from you, meet me....somewhere, I don't remember!

After the ride, my phone was still hanging on, so I called Tom and he said he was in the Pirate's store so I met him there. It was that night that we decided on meeting places in each park in case that ever happens again.

MK - Pirates
Epcot - Mexico (DUH!)
DHS - Star Tours
AK - Chester and Hester's

By then, the fireworks were long over and we made our way to Liberty Square to find a spot for the 11:00 parade.

This picture came out really good but the rest of the pics I took of the parade came out blurry.

This one's not bad...

It was really cute and I'm so glad we got to see it, after all!!

We hung around a little for the crowds to leave and eventually made our way out of the MK for out last night at POR.

Now, you've heard me talk about our lovely Mousekeeper Georgina before but she really outdid herself tonight!!

I had lots of 4th of July paraphernalia laying around...flags, stars, light-up necklaces, etc. So we got home to find that Georgina made us some towel animals and adorned them in all my goodies!!!

Up Next: Last day in WDW! Where do you think we go?!?!

 

[taymacsmom]

OMG!!! I want Georgina next time! We left a tip every single day and only got two towels animals. We were so excited everytime we went back to see what we got. We would have flipped if we saw something like that!

 

[hannymom]

i love the special touch that georgina left you. just curious, did you have her the whole week and were you leaving an envelope every day?

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

OMG!!! I want Georgina next time! We left a tip every single day and only got two towels animals. We were so excited everytime we went back to see what we got. We would have flipped if we saw something like that!

We usually get towel animals but she was the best we've ever had!

i love the special touch that georgina left you. just curious, did you have her the whole week and were you leaving an envelope every day?

We had her the whole week and we left her a $3 tip every day.

 

[heaven2dc]

What's with people invading your personal space when they see someone alone in line?!! I had the same thing happen when I was solo for the first 4 days of our trip in Dec 2008 - I finally put my arms out and stood like I was holding onto both sides to prevent this from happening PLUS people would shove by me as I was going through the line (like I didn't even exist). Finally at ToT a couple in front of me stopped this lady & her kids from pushing her way past me and scolded her. She said she was just trying to join her husband and when they let her by, she just stood in front of them (no husband). They finally told her to go back to the end of the line and she huffed and puffed and left. I felt sort of embarrassed yet glad.

You certainly look like you had a blast on Splash Mountain!

 

[dolfinjuls]

Nice update! I'm glad you guys finally got to see the MSEP! I can't wait to see it...I'm glad they extended the dates!

You look a little tired in those HS pics! haha

Very sweet towel animal/people that she left for you! I love when they get creative!

And maybe last day is EPCOT???

 

[PopArtGal]

Ok, question for a Star Wars fan from someone who never saw them. Should I start by the old ones? Or follow the numbers?

I love to see you sing the theme song! Who doesn't love that theme song!

 

[tksbaskets]

Great update! How do you take such great night photos? Mine all look like motion blurrs.

TK

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

What's with people invading your personal space when they see someone alone in line?!! I had the same thing happen when I was solo for the first 4 days of our trip in Dec 2008 - I finally put my arms out and stood like I was holding onto both sides to prevent this from happening PLUS people would shove by me as I was going through the line (like I didn't even exist). Finally at ToT a couple in front of me stopped this lady & her kids from pushing her way past me and scolded her. She said she was just trying to join her husband and when they let her by, she just stood in front of them (no husband). They finally told her to go back to the end of the line and she huffed and puffed and left. I felt sort of embarrassed yet glad.

You certainly look like you had a blast on Splash Mountain!

If Tom was with me, I would have been more agressive about not letting them pass but because i was alone, I just let them go by me.

Nice update! I'm glad you guys finally got to see the MSEP! I can't wait to see it...I'm glad they extended the dates!

You look a little tired in those HS pics! haha

Very sweet towel animal/people that she left for you! I love when they get creative!

And maybe last day is EPCOT???

Haha, yes we were tired! Wasn't Georgina the best?! And you got it right! Last day in Epcot!!

Ok, question for a Star Wars fan from someone who never saw them. Should I start by the old ones? Or follow the numbers?

I love to see you sing the theme song! Who doesn't love that theme song!

Oh I am NOT a Star Wars fan....you'll have to ask Tom that!

But I'm sure he won't even be able to answer it for you because he grew up with the old ones and didn't see the "new" ones until he was already a huge fan. So for him, I guess it's hard to say how a new potential fan should watch them.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Great update! How do you take such great night photos? Mine all look like motion blurrs.

TK

I have a "night landscape" and a "night portrait" option on my camera AND I have to either put my camera on a mini tri-pod or something to steady it. A garbage can was probably used for the TOT one! Or sometimes I use DH's shoulder!

 

[PopArtGal]

Ok, I had to hear the song again and see the opening sequence. Here it is lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRmKzxhMzwo

Awe what cute towel animals! We only got 2 this trip. The first 2 days. Then they disapeared

 

[Dancegrl624]

You got the best towel animals!!! When we stayed at Pop last year we didn't get a single one and we left a nice tip every morning. Oh well...next time! My fav is the "lounging person" on the bed. Too cute!

I hate being alone too, but since we have a not-very-adventurous 7yo daughter, I have to wait in lines alone sometimes (mostly the single rider line at RNRC and the FP line for ToT). I have actually talked to some other people in line, but most of the time I keep to myself (which is quite hard because I'm a very talkative person). I was actually lucky enough to ride RNRC with some off-duty CM's who worked that attraction. They were a ton of fun and wished me a Happy Birthday (I had on my birthday button).

 

[disneybarbie]

Wow... three parks in one day!

I hate that when people don't understand 'personal space'.. particularly in Disney! very brave of you to go on Splash Mountain alone, I would get soo scared on the dark drop by myself

Emma x

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Ok, I had to hear the song again and see the opening sequence. Here it is lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRmKzxhMzwo

Awe what cute towel animals! We only got 2 this trip. The first 2 days. Then they disapeared

I love ALL TV theme songs!

You got the best towel animals!!! When we stayed at Pop last year we didn't get a single one and we left a nice tip every morning. Oh well...next time! My fav is the "lounging person" on the bed. Too cute!

I hate being alone too, but since we have a not-very-adventurous 7yo daughter, I have to wait in lines alone sometimes (mostly the single rider line at RNRC and the FP line for ToT). I have actually talked to some other people in line, but most of the time I keep to myself (which is quite hard because I'm a very talkative person). I was actually lucky enough to ride RNRC with some off-duty CM's who worked that attraction. They were a ton of fun and wished me a Happy Birthday (I had on my birthday button).

We really lucked out with mousekeeping this time! Sounds like you got a good person to sit next to! Splash isn't bad because single riders can sit alone. On rides like R&RC and EE, you are put next to someone, which I do NOT love!

Wow... three parks in one day!

I hate that when people don't understand 'personal space'.. particularly in Disney! very brave of you to go on Splash Mountain alone, I would get soo scared on the dark drop by myself

Emma x

I know! It didn't even seem like we were rushing and we weren't even trying to do 3 parks in one day! And remember, we didn't even leave for Epcot until 11 so we could've probably done all four if we tried.

The personal space thing drives me crazy. I definitely didn't want to go on by myself but Splash Mountain just might be my favorite ride in all of WDW and this was my last chance to ride it!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I love that towel animal 'guy' in the bed - awesome!!!

 

[Tracy161]

Georgina is the best!!! I completely agree with you on One Man's Dream - I cry every time because I just think about what an amazing man it took to make all of his dreams possible and... OUR dreams too!!!

As for being alone at Disney... you'll never guess but I went BY MYSELF four years ago! Prior to that, I hadn't been to Disney since I was in early high school (so I was determined I HAD to go) and none of my family or friends were able to go with me, so I just went by myself! And, I must admit, I had an amazing time. It was strange at first, but once I got used to it, it was great! No compromises over what to do, where to eat, etc. and I could go at my own pace (which means FAST!!!). I highly doubt I'd ever do it again, but at the time... it worked!

Ugh, you're down to your last day already... Why is it vacations go by so fast?!