Welcome Home, Now Relax ~ Day 8 - Magic Kingdom

[wickesy]

Wednesday 1st April 2009

Once again I wasn’t awake until 7:15 but we were both up and out of the door by 8:10 and 15 minutes later we were parked up in Pluto 11 at the TTC. We got the express monorail around the lagoon and found a prime spot for the opening ceremony.

Once the park was open the first ride was Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Neither of us have got the hang of this and I scored a pathetic 20,000 and Dad got a measly 27,900. I find it really hard to actually see where I am shooting and the limited movement of the guns means it is nowhere near as good as it’s new brother, Toy Story Mania.

From Buzz Lightyear we wandered through Fantasyland and around to Big Thunder Mountain, which was a walk-on and for the first time we were right at the back of the train which seems to give a more intense experience.

After Big Thunder we went around to Pirates of the Caribbean which was also a walk-on, quite literally as a boat appeared just as we got to our assigned row. Now we have done the Disneyland California version this one is noticeably shorter and was over all too soon.

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[wickesy]

From Pirates we walked round to Jungle Cruise and got fast passes with a return time of 10:30 to 11:30 and then went into Enchanted Tiki Room and from there to Country Bear Jamboree. I know a lot of people think these aren’t worth the time but to me they are still must-do’s for every trip.

By now our fast passes were valid so we returned to Jungle Cruise and had a great skipper who, judging by her name badge, was on the college program.

After Jungle Cruise we wandered round to Philharmagic where we arrived just as the doors were opening for the next show. This is a great 3D film and it is always fun to watch the kids grabbing at things just in front of their noses. What wasn’t so great was that as we were walking out we saw four pairs of ‘opry glasses’ that had just been dumped on the floor where the wearers had been sitting moments before - is it really so hard to take them outside with you?

After Philharmagic it was time for lunch so we made our way round to Colombia Harbor House where I had the tuna sandwich and Dad had the chicken nuggets and fries. We also had a coke each and the total was $21.48.

After lunch we did a bit of shopping on Main Street. Dad bought a Grumpy figurine.

We also bought a couple of polo shirts for ourselves and a ‘Four parks, one world’ note holder for Custard Tart (Karen) as a thank you for inviting us on the Illuminations cruise.

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[wickesy]

As we were shopping the new Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It parade went past.

We left the park around 1:00 and drove over to Downtown Disney where the Characters In Flight balloon ride had been rumoured to open today. We didn’t see it in the air on the way over and once we got there we saw a Cast Member talking to another family and explaining that it was still in testing and was hoped to be opening early the next week, just in time for us to get a ride in before we leave.

We then went down to Marketplace and into World of Disney where I bought a book: Walt Disney World, Now, Then and Forever and a Walt Disney World suitcase. From there we went back to the studio to have a break before going out for dinner at Boma.

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[wickesy]

Our reservation for Boma was for 6:05 so we went back out at 5:20. As we approached Animal Kingdom Lodge we found that the new gatehouse just past the Sherbeth Road intersection was now open and the one at Jambo House was unmanned. We had a quick look around the shop before checking in at Boma at 5:45 and we were seated within a couple of minutes.

Dad started off with a salad while I did things a bit backwards and started with potatoes with Afritude, chicken and salmon. Dad then went up and got a plate full of ‘mains’ while I had lentil and sausage soup before going back for chicken pepper pot soup. Dad went back for a second plateful and I went back for some more lentil and sausage soup. I then finished with zebra domes and chocolate brownies while Dad had zebra domes and banana bread pudding with rum sauce. Many people don’t know but it is actually Florida law that if you eat at Animal Kingdom Lodge you must have zebra domes.

After eating we went back to the shop where I bought a couple of AKL prints before returning to the studio where we spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching the latest Lost before going to bed at 10:00 ready for our Segway Tour early in the morning.

Day 9

 

[Gaynor]

i'm really enjoying your report can't believe your half way through already
I love Pirates of the Caribbean and can't wait to try it in California

 

[Tink2312]

Many people don’t know but it is actually Florida law that if you eat at Animal Kingdom Lodge you must have zebra domes.

What's the wink for? That's 100% true - I'm a lawyer, I know these things!

Another great report We ended up in EPCOT on the 1st. Did you notice that by now the crowds were really starting to build? We got to EP for rope drop, but by about 10.30am, the TT wait was already 75mins

 

[Tammy Stringer]

Really enjoying your report David.

I must admit your description of Sweet Tomato's food makes we more convinced that we need to try this in May - sounds yummy

Looking forward to reading more

Tammy

 

[wickesy]

What's the wink for? That's 100% true - I'm a lawyer, I know these things!

Another great report We ended up in EPCOT on the 1st. Did you notice that by now the crowds were really starting to build? We got to EP for rope drop, but by about 10.30am, the TT wait was already 75mins

I think we managed to miss most of them because we got to the parks early and were out by lunchtime. The worst we saw was at Hollywood Studios on the day before we left when the traffic was backed up along Buena Vista Drive waiting to get in at 9:30am! I have read that the Studios closed because it reached capacity on that day and I overheard somebody on the plane home saying it was really bad.

Really enjoying your report David.

I must admit your description of Sweet Tomato's food makes we more convinced that we need to try this in May - sounds yummy

Looking forward to reading more

Tammy

Thanks Tammy. Definitely try Sweet Tomato's, there's something for all but the strictest carnivore there.

 

[CHEK]

Love the Grumpy figurine

We loved the Move it Shake it parade

Once again your meal at Boma sounds lovely especially the Chicken pepper pot soup, was it as good as it sounds ?

 

[wickesy]

Once again your meal at Boma sounds lovely especially the Chicken pepper pot soup, was it as good as it sounds ?

The soup was absolutely delicious.

 

[suzycute]

Yet another fantastic trip report! Your picture of the grumpy figurine has given me a GREAT idea for DH's Christmas present this year!!

 

[Pinky166]

Another lovely day.

Although not quite the same as getting one from WDW, they do have a grumpy plush on the UK Disney store site.......

http://disneystore-shopping.disney.co.uk/details/28819/Grumpy-Soft-Toy.aspx

 

[SusanEllen]

Wow, David, you and your Dad must be doing some major redecoration. You brought home so much framed art this trip.

Having read Tammy's reply, it looks like I'll probably be trying Sweet Tomatoes myself in May. We have a similar restaurant chain in this part of the US (Salad Alley, they're called) and it is a nice alternative to the usual fast food.

Having never heard of Characters in Flight until your report, I'm now excited about the possibility of doing this in May. How about it, Tammy?

 

[wickesy]

Another lovely day.

Although not quite the same as getting one from WDW, they do have a grumpy plush on the UK Disney store site.......

http://disneystore-shopping.disney.co.uk/details/28819/Grumpy-Soft-Toy.aspx

Thanks Claire. Dad's watching a couple on Ebay but if he has no joy with those at least we know where we can get one now.

Wow, David, you and your Dad must be doing some major redecoration. You brought home so much framed art this trip.

They're just prints at the moment, framing is the next step (and expense )

 

[Nubbedy]

Stop writing about food places - you are making my mouth water!! Boma sounds fabulous, and is definitely on my list for August.

 

[Lizzybear]

Yes zebra domes are indeed the law at Boma, the bf loved those though I must admit I preferred the bread pudding I must watch the MK opening ceremony and Country Bear Jamboree this year, never got round to them before. I agree POTC at DL is by far the best one

 

[irongirlof12]

crowds look a bit thin on the ground for the parade we have never been in the Tiki room- it's on my 'to do' list for this year .

 

[wickesy]

crowds look a bit thin on the ground for the parade we have never been in the Tiki room- it's on my 'to do' list for this year .

Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It is a mini-parade that happens a few times a day so it doesn't get that busy. We don't do the main day time parades any more as it tends to be too hot.

 

[Natasha&Matt]

Loving the report so far cant wait for more

 

[tennisfan]

Lovely day, the food sounds yummy