We Stuffed our Faces and Searched for the Tronorail, It's Trip Report Time! *11/3

[RachelNinja]

Catching up!

Wow, the pics from Animal Kingdom are just amazing! There are so many places that look so secluded that it doesn't look like it's from a theme park at all!

Haha, I think DFi would have gone crazy if the Tronorail had come to pick us up to take us to our destination too!

OoOoo, those pullover windbreakers are great! What exactly is "on the expensive side"?

I'd do the same thing at T-Rex and order appetizers to split. They sound so yummy when I read the descriptions on AllEars!

Interesting info about the cowboys/gangsters stuff in GMR! I was trying to figure out if they had 2 separate tracks entirely, but I couldn't figure out where they would diverge. I'd like to see the cowboys one in February, and if we go when it's busy, I'm sure they'll show it. Oh wait ... haha, silly me, we're not going to DHS ...

Love the Mickey on the rollercoaster on the rug! I especially love it because of the banner my homeroom class made for Spirit Week. We had an amusement park theme and had a rollercoaster stretched across the entire banner. I took pics of the kids and we cut out their heads to put them on little bodies riding the coaster!

 

[racefanof88]

I finally caught up . I just don't seem to have the time for the Dis as much as I used to. I miss it very much though because I miss my Dis buddies.

Love the update .

 

[Bridora]

Good thing an umbrella table opened up or you guys would have been soaked! Glad that you were finally able to make use of the ponchos and jackets.

Yes, Max is great to have around for times like that! Always thinking ahead about rain, that one!

I want to do one mans dream again... we went through it last year and went to the movie, and there was a family that was letting there kids just have a regular conversation which was VERY annoying.. .and I'm talking pre-teenagers that should no better, but anywhoo... I love DHS anytime, you truely feel like you are in a movie. So sorry about having to leave your monorail view and BLT, but can't wait to read about the rest of your trip and boardwalk!!

Um, did they not know they were in a movie that other people might actually be interested in? Crazy!

Yes, it was sad leaving, but we really enjoyed the Boardwalk, too!

waaaaaaahhh!! I just miss DHS so bad!! That's really unfortunate about the lack of opened restaurants during EMH. I know the ONLY thing that irked my DHS was that Starring Rolls closes at like 4!! I wanted a second cupcake! (to take back to the room for later...I swear!! )

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the pics of ToT!! I'm in my happy place mentally now!

It's not like EMH is during prime dining hours, but still....we can't be the only ones to eat at random times when hunger strikes while there! Too bad you couldn't get that 2nd cupcake to take back to the room! I'm sure it would have been much too delicate to make the journey, though, and you'd have had to eat it right away!

You are very welcome! Glad to have helped your mental state.

Catching up!

Wow, the pics from Animal Kingdom are just amazing! There are so many places that look so secluded that it doesn't look like it's from a theme park at all!

Haha, I think DFi would have gone crazy if the Tronorail had come to pick us up to take us to our destination too!

OoOoo, those pullover windbreakers are great! What exactly is "on the expensive side"?

I'd do the same thing at T-Rex and order appetizers to split. They sound so yummy when I read the descriptions on AllEars!

Interesting info about the cowboys/gangsters stuff in GMR! I was trying to figure out if they had 2 separate tracks entirely, but I couldn't figure out where they would diverge. I'd like to see the cowboys one in February, and if we go when it's busy, I'm sure they'll show it. Oh wait ... haha, silly me, we're not going to DHS ...

Love the Mickey on the rollercoaster on the rug! I especially love it because of the banner my homeroom class made for Spirit Week. We had an amusement park theme and had a rollercoaster stretched across the entire banner. I took pics of the kids and we cut out their heads to put them on little bodies riding the coaster!

Thanks! That's one of the reasons we love Animal Kingdom so much...

I think that those jackets were about $45 each. Expensive for a spur of the moment we forgot our ponchos purchase. They did their job, though and they will last through many more Disney and other trips, I hope!

I finally caught up . I just don't seem to have the time for the Dis as much as I used to. I miss it very much though because I miss my Dis buddies.

Love the update .

Dana, I know exactly how you feel! I can't find the time lately, either as I'm sure you noticed. I feel like I'm missing out on so much, but "real-life" calls, and the Dis & all our Dis buddies will be here when we get back! (hopefully, y'all are still here! )

 

[Bridora]

Catching up!

Wow, the pics from Animal Kingdom are just amazing! There are so many places that look so secluded that it doesn't look like it's from a theme park at all!

Haha, I think DFi would have gone crazy if the Tronorail had come to pick us up to take us to our destination too!

OoOoo, those pullover windbreakers are great! What exactly is "on the expensive side"?

I'd do the same thing at T-Rex and order appetizers to split. They sound so yummy when I read the descriptions on AllEars!

Interesting info about the cowboys/gangsters stuff in GMR! I was trying to figure out if they had 2 separate tracks entirely, but I couldn't figure out where they would diverge. I'd like to see the cowboys one in February, and if we go when it's busy, I'm sure they'll show it. Oh wait ... haha, silly me, we're not going to DHS ...

Love the Mickey on the rollercoaster on the rug! I especially love it because of the banner my homeroom class made for Spirit Week. We had an amusement park theme and had a rollercoaster stretched across the entire banner. I took pics of the kids and we cut out their heads to put them on little bodies riding the coaster!

I guess I'm still thinking about the price of those jackets because after I answered that question I just skipped the rest of them!

I am so seriously behind on your TR....it seems like every time I get a chance to read I have to stop before I'm able to post a reply...I guess I'll just have to do it in increments! I'm excited you're going back so soon!

That is awesome about your rollercoaster--I can picture the kids' little heads now sitting in the cars! What a great idea! I'm sure the kids loved it!

 

[Bridora]

The day had come.

The end was near.

Check out time.

Can you find my family?

Look for Luke walking across the parking lot with a bag.

I guess this picture was taken just before the previous one I posted, though because Luke is not quite to the car yet.


I took those photos while standing on our balcony. Tear….


After loading the car, we walked over to Magic Kingdom. For the last time of the trip.

We had several Photopass shots taken. I still have to load those to Photobucket…

Space Mountain had a 30 minute wait, so we rode that. For the last time of the trip.

We also had to do Pirates one last time before we left. We did not get to ride that one enough this year! I think the count for Allison & myself was only twice and the boys rode three times, gaining the extra during EMH when Allison & I left early. Clearly, this was a strange trip.

We also met these guys for the first time!

After that, it was off to Boardwalk to check in for our one night stay.

Beautiful! There was a wedding party in the lobby when we got there to check in. I think they were having pictures made. We had done online check in for Boardwalk, too. (if you’ll remember, we had a bit of a delay when checking in to Bay Lake Tower) They had our folder and keys all ready. Hooray!

We went off in search of our room. The funniest thing is that we ended up being in the same area we had walked through the day before. We had walked right past our room while exploring! The kids ran right in and made themselves at home while I took some pictures.

I am standing in the kitchen area, looking into the living room.

Entry-way. That's a closet on the right. The door to the hallway is just behind me.

Kitchen area.

Living room/kitchen. I’m standing in front of the laundry closet, if I remember correctly.

I’m standing in the living room looking back over the dining area. That’s the laundry closet around the corner to the right of the big picture hanging on the wall. The open doorway is a bathroom.

And a nice, crooked picture from the same spot, looking into the kitchen.

The bedroom. (We also had a one bedroom here.)

Bathroom. It was separated somehow, but I can't remember what's on the other side of that door. The shower, I think. Max do you remember? There was a whirlpool tub to my right, just outside the edge of the picture.

Standing on our patio. We were on the 1st floor. This is me looking to my left, down the building.

And this was my view, just looking slightly to the left.

Blurry and looking to the right.


It felt pretty secluded on the patio with all the shrubbery around, even though we looked out toward the parking lot and road that leads to the main building.

The kids said at the time that they liked our room at the Boardwalk better than Bay Lake Tower. I think because it felt more comfy and homey than BLT.


After we got settled in there, we went out on the Boardwalk itself and walked over to Big River Grille & Brewing Works for lunch. Great place! We went for the 1st time last year and made a point to go back this year. While we were there it rained pretty hard. It was nice to be inside where we could watch the rain out the window while staying cozy and dry! We wandered around a bit more through one of the shops close by until the rain had gone. Then we walked over to Epcot-nice!

Will we be able to pack everything we want to do into our last night?

 

[wdwgirl03]

Boo for checking out of BLT but yay for checking into the Boardwalk! Even though I haven't stayed at the resort, I just love that area. It is a beautiful place for a wedding. Such fun pictures that couple must have.

 

[jundland]

Bathroom. It was separated somehow, but I can't remember what's on the other side of that door. The shower, I think. Max do you remember? There was a whirlpool tub to my right, just outside the edge of the picture.

Through the door were a shower, toilet, and a sink.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I hated to read that your time at BLT was over but I was excited at the same time. Your Boardwalk pictures are beautiful. I can see how the kids would like it there because it did feel "homey".

Yay for meeting the Tweedles. We saw them this trip too after having not seen them for many years.

 

[taymorel]

I am loving your trip report. We stayed at the Contemporary last May also, so I am enjoying seeing all the photos.


caroline

2010 CR
2011 AKL

 

[mermaid764]

Wow your suite at the Boardwalk looks amazing, and it must have been so nice to be able to walk to Epcot

Boo for it being your last night but I can't wait to hear all about it

 

[leamom2princesses]

Hiya B! Been MIA for awhile but just got caught up on your TR. Great updates girl!! Love Tweedle Dee and Dum. I haven't seen them in a long time.

We have made our way over to the Boardwalk on our last three trips. We will probably give it a try on an upcoming trip. I enjoyed your pics. It looks like a really nice place to stay. We are hoping for the Beach Club next October but who knows?? It would be nice to have a short walk from BCV or BWV to EPCOT especially during F&W.

 

[Bridora]

New flash! Max found the receipt for the red pullover windbreakers. They were $29.95 each, before tax. I was off by $15!

Boo for checking out of BLT but yay for checking into the Boardwalk! Even though I haven't stayed at the resort, I just love that area. It is a beautiful place for a wedding. Such fun pictures that couple must have.

It was kind of nice to have something like Boardwalk to look forward to at the end of our trip. I think a Boardwalk wedding would be sooo beautiful!

Through the door were a shower, toilet, and a sink.

Thanks! And thanks for finding that receipt, too!

I hated to read that your time at BLT was over but I was excited at the same time. Your Boardwalk pictures are beautiful. I can see how the kids would like it there because it did feel "homey".

Yay for meeting the Tweedles. We saw them this trip too after having not seen them for many years.

It was sad to leave BLT, but fun to get to experience a little bit of Boardwalk.

We could not pass up meeting those guys!

I am loving your trip report. We stayed at the Contemporary last May also, so I am enjoying seeing all the photos.


caroline

2010 CR
2011 AKL

Hi!

Thanks! Kinda makes you homesick, doesn't it?

Wow your suite at the Boardwalk looks amazing, and it must have been so nice to be able to walk to Epcot

Boo for it being your last night but I can't wait to hear all about it

It was very nice to be able to walk to Epcot. I'm starting to like this walking to a park thing!

Hiya B! Been MIA for awhile but just got caught up on your TR. Great updates girl!! Love Tweedle Dee and Dum. I haven't seen them in a long time.

We have made our way over to the Boardwalk on our last three trips. We will probably give it a try on an upcoming trip. I enjoyed your pics. It looks like a really nice place to stay. We are hoping for the Beach Club next October but who knows?? It would be nice to have a short walk from BCV or BWV to EPCOT especially during F&W.

Leanne! Don't worry about it, you know I'm behind, too!

I just love that whole area. We've got a trip planned for May 2011 and are hoping to be able to switch to Beach Club at 7 months--we'll see in about another week or so how that goes! That would be great for you to be able to walk over for Food & Wine Festival!

 

[Bridora]

I really enjoyed being able to walk to Epcot.

See?

Here’s what we did during the last half of that last day:

Saved Italy.

While sightseeing.

And bird-watching.


KP mission: accomplished.


Luke had really really been wanting to do the Sum of all Thrills attraction, so that’s where we went next. Max is super leery of simulators and can only just trick himself long enough to ride Star Tours. The original Mission:Space made him sick. That’s why Max chose to sit out on Sum of all Thrills. The line wasn’t bad. We found out that you could ride two to a simulator. Luke volunteered to ride solo while Allison & I shared. I thought that was very brave of him. I think as long as you were a certain age you could ride solo. You had to be a certain height in order to be able to build an inverted coaster, but Luke wasn’t that height. They handed each of us one of these cards when it was our turn to enter:

I can’t remember now which card this is. There was one color for non-inverted and another color for inverted capable riders.


Once inside we got a quick tutorial on how to use the coaster-building stations. There were several stations with touch screens and a few tools to use in calculating your track’s angles and other such important things. It was really a cool little lesson in physics and hopefully helps teach kids the value of learning. After our coaster was built a CM came over to get our info and lead us to an empty simulator. Allison & I stowed our bags in a provided locker. I put the key on my wrist, (it was attached to one of those stretchy, coiled bands) and we boarded our simulator. Luke was already in his at this point and all I could see were his little legs & feet hanging out as he took a ride on the coaster he designed. I was only thismuch worried about him.


When the thing comes down over your head you can see the track in front of you. There are also cameras inside so that you can see your partner and the CM on the outside can see you. When everything was ready, it was time to ride. Fun! It was so much fun! Definitely something you should all try.


We all came off with such glowing reviews and the kids wanted to go immediately again. Max even decided to join us. And I think he was glad that he did.


Luke had to take an emergency #1 break as soon as we were off our 2nd ride. Allison & Max weren’t finished yet, but there was no time to wait. Forgetting where the restrooms were, I opted to take him outside Innoventions to the restrooms near Test Track because I knew right where they were. When we returned, Innoventions was closed and we couldn’t get back inside to find Max & Allison. After quite a bit of waiting at the back door, we went up to the front and waited a bit more before we were reunited.


Sum of all Thrills: check!


It’s a sad list, the list of things we weren’t able to do this trip. What’s not on it?


Ice Cream! Normally, it’s the ice cream shop on Main Street on our last night, but Epcot’s was just as yummy!

Ice Cream: Eaten!


We took a ride on Living with the Land next, I think that was a request by one of the kids. Also requested was the Circle of Life movie starring Timon & Pumbaa. We had only seen it one other time, several years ago, so we went on in to watch it.


Since we were in the area, we dropped in on Figment one last time.


Epcot had Evening Extra Magic Hours that night. I think they had started by the time we bid Figment adieu, so that we were able to pick up a schedule of attractions and dining available. We were most interested in making sure we ate dinner before all the good places closed!
(Somewhere along the way we also squeezed in a trip on Spaceship Earth.)


It must have been getting close to 9:00 by that time. We decided to head over to China because the Lotus Blossom Café was open until 10:00.

Allison was really craving a turkey leg. After consulting our guide, I found that the only place to get a turkey leg was at a cart in America. Luckily, the cart was also open until 10:00. Leaving the boys behind in China, Allison and I began our mad turkey leg dash to America. As we neared the bridge over the channel they use to transport the fireworks barge we noticed they were getting ready to close it down to bring the barge through. The gates were already closed on half of the walk-way! We crossed just in time, and made it to America successfully!

Turkey leg in hand, we walked back leisurely to rejoin the boys in China.


With plenty of time left in EEMH, we went back over to Future World for some Test Track and Mission:Space.


We stopped off for some quality character greeting time in the Epcot Character Spot while on our way to The Seas with Nemo & Friends.


And then, that was it. It was time to go.


At least we were staying at the Boardwalk! We got to walk in the opposite direction of almost everyone else on our journey out of the park. That was nice.

We took our time, but finally arrived back at our room where we had to get ready for check out in the morning. Getting ready for check-out didn’t involve much, since we had packed a small bag just for our one-night-on-the-Boardwalk needs when we were packing to leave Bay Lake Tower. But still, we would be leaving Disney World for another year the next day, and that is always sad.

 

[heaven2dc]

Saying goodbye to WDW is always so sad I'm glad you got to stay at BWV - it is our only resort! But I have been persuaded to stay at least a couple nights at BLT on our next trip in a couple of years.

You have given us a list of must do's next month:

• Mission Space - Orange Side
• Kim Possible Mission
• People Mover

Plus a turkey leg, and Sum of all Thrills!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Sum of all Thrills sounds like a lot of fun. We need to check that our next time we go.

Ice cream, turkey legs, Lotus Blossum.....three great things to eat on your last day at Disney.

I hate that your vacation is coming to an end but at least you know you're headed back again next year.

 

[ladybugmom]

Hi!! I just spent my evening catching up on your TR! I've been MIA here on the DIS for several months but I'm back and counting down the days to our Nov/Dec trip!! I hope all is well!!

 

[Bridora]

Saying goodbye to WDW is always so sad I'm glad you got to stay at BWV - it is our only resort! But I have been persuaded to stay at least a couple nights at BLT on our next trip in a couple of years.

You have given us a list of must do's next month:

• Mission Space - Orange Side
• Kim Possible Mission
• People Mover

Plus a turkey leg, and Sum of all Thrills!

We loved BWV! I hope you'll love BLT, too!

Yay! I'm glad to have helped form your must do list! I'm pretty sure you will enjoy them all! Isn't it neat that you can always try something new at Disney?

Sum of all Thrills sounds like a lot of fun. We need to check that our next time we go.

Ice cream, turkey legs, Lotus Blossum.....three great things to eat on your last day at Disney.

I hate that your vacation is coming to an end but at least you know you're headed back again next year.

I think Hunter would love it! You get to "build" your coaster by choosing certain sections of track to put down, but you also have to make sure you will have enough energy to make it. Then you get to ride what you've designed, so cool!

You're right! And I need to get a new ticker up, but we're "7 months out" today scared1: because I originally thought our date was Thursday, so we've got to call ASAP!) and we're going to try for Beach Club. I don't want to make my ticker until our resort is set.

Hi!! I just spent my evening catching up on your TR! I've been MIA here on the DIS for several months but I'm back and counting down the days to our Nov/Dec trip!! I hope all is well!!

Hi! I'm glad you're all caught up....I desperately need to catch up on your PTR! I saw on Facebook recently that you were getting close! I hope you guys have a fantastic time!

 

[Bridora]

Leaving Disney is so sad!

Luke found and documented a few Hidden Mickeys is our room:

And then it was time to go.

Goodbye Boardwalk!


It’s our tradition to go back to Downtown Disney after we check-out each year. We get a few souvenirs that we’ve been waiting on, have lunch at Wolfgang Puck’s Express, and then hit the road.

Lunch.

All I remember by now is that it was good!


Earlier we’d spent some time in The Art of Disney store and found a print we wanted, along with a couple posters we planned on ordering from the customized art touch screens. There were so many options using that! We went back in there to order them and pick up the print. We got two vintage-style ride posters, one of the Hitchhiking Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion, the other of the Peoplemover. I will have to take pictures of them to post later. The print we bought has Walt Disney standing on the land that is to be WDW with Cinderella’s Castle kind of projected there behind him…it’s hard to explain, but it’s so neat! Again, I’ll post a picture later.

I picked out a coffee mug that fits me pretty well:

I can’t remember if I’ve already posted our Everest T-shirts or not. We bought them earlier in the week, not at Downtown Disney. I’ll go ahead and post them (maybe again!)

Mine:

Front

Back


Luke’s:

I also picked up a couple new antenna toppers at the World of Disney store:

This one is now faded from use!

Max bought this new cap when we made the big poncho purchase at Epcot:

Remember a long time ago when I mentioned a watch that had caught my eye in the Space Mountain exit store? I had been noticing them here and there throughout our trip and finally decided I needed one!

They had them in several different colors as well. I love it and I’ve worn it almost everyday since, but just last week the watch fell off while I was wearing it. When I picked it up I noticed that one of the links broke! Max said he may be able to fix it. I hope he can! I did have him take a couple links out at first because it was too big so hopefully we still have them somewhere and he can just stick one of those in in place of the broken one.


Allison added Jasmine to her Princess Court:

Did I show you Luke’s R2-MK already?

He was a little hard to photograph.


I also picked up a cute little Gnome Mickey rain gauge and a couple of WDW Tervis Tumblers.


At that’s about it. We all cried as we got back into the car and settled in for our long drive. We stopped overnight in New Albany, MS and continued on toward home the next day.


Wonderful trip!


We learned that we won’t be purchasing the Dining plan next time. Even though I thought I had our meals planned around our activities; we ended up planning or changing or cutting short our activities in order to make our meals. Foodwise it was a great experience, everything tasted wonderful! We got another meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table we wouldn’t have had otherwise and didn’t have to worry about the price of our choices, but overall we missed too many things. The Dining plan got the blame on that.


We got to see and ride the Tronorail, but left just before Summer Nightastic started, so no Main Street Electrical Parade or special Fireworks show for us. Hopefully we can watch the Electrical Parade when we return in May.


Yes, we’re going back!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I love all of the souvenirs! So, when's the next trip?

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I so loved loved loved your tr. Yes do please tell when you are going again!!! and of course where are you staying!! I love your antenna balls, I just wish I had an antenna on my car, and DH says that where he draws the line on his his truck lol I know exactly what picture you are talking about it. It is amazing ,and truely capture the dream that walt had!! Can't wait to read more