Went to the World, came back to real world. First ever TR!

[MouseKTeer]

Am enjoying your trip report. The HM story is so-o hilarious!

We also had an 8 year old boy in our group (of 6) when we were at the world, about a week before you. So it's definitely fun to read your TR and get another perspective.

Agree that having the monorail go right into the Contemporary is awesome! We loved staying there. Have heard that Chef Mickey's is better at breakfast than dinner, so that's what we did. But it sounds like you all got more time with the characters, so that's a big plus, esp. since your son loved them!

And the quantity of food on the DDP! After a while, we stopped eating dessert because we'd be so full. So if there was a portable choice, like a cookie, we'd choose that, and then have it for snack later on. Sometimes they'd let you get a cookie even if it was only on the child's menu--we'd just pack it into the backpack!

Looking forward to more...

 

[swisely]

Am enjoying your trip report. The HM story is so-o hilarious!

We also had an 8 year old boy in our group (of 6) when we were at the world, about a week before you. So it's definitely fun to read your TR and get another perspective.

Agree that having the monorail go right into the Contemporary is awesome! We loved staying there. Have heard that Chef Mickey's is better at breakfast than dinner, so that's what we did. But it sounds like you all got more time with the characters, so that's a big plus, esp. since your son loved them!

And the quantity of food on the DDP! After a while, we stopped eating dessert because we'd be so full. So if there was a portable choice, like a cookie, we'd choose that, and then have it for snack later on. Sometimes they'd let you get a cookie even if it was only on the child's menu--we'd just pack it into the backpack!

Looking forward to more...

Thanks for reading! Good idea about getting a dessert to go. I'll have to remember that next time. I never thought I would stay so full!

 

[swisely]

The next morning we headed to Epcot and was there right before rope drop. We gave DH our KTTW cards, and he ran to Soarin' to get our FPs. The rest of went to get in line for The Living Seas with Nemo. DS loves this movie, and so do I. We had to wait about 30 minutes to go inside because there were some technical difficulties. During that time, DH showed up with our FPs in hand with a return time of 9:50. We finally got into Nemo and rode the clam shell ride, which DS loved, so much we had to do it twice. I rode it a second time with him while DH, DSIS and DSIL went upstairs to the aquarium section. DS and I met up with them there. We gawked a while at all the fish and watched them get fed, then headed to Soarin'. Now, my son did not even seem nervous about this one. We entered the FP line and came upon a sign that said that if you have motion sickness etc. beware and that there are sudden drops. Huh? We just strode right past this because I knew it could not have had anything like that. And it didn't. So, I had heard riding on the front row was the best. We got row 3. Bummer. But it was still neat and DS did love this ride! We rode again later on in the week, and got front row! And yes, it is much better than seeing people's feeet dangling in front of you. Here we are in front of SE.

We went and got in line for SE and loved it. Love the computer screen and how you can email it to yourself. Since we hadn't eaten breakfast, and usually didn't, we needed to eat. We usually tried to eat around 11 or so. We went over to World Showcase because no one in our group thought Sunshine Seasons offered anything that looked good. I wanted to tell them the the dissers say it is good, but I knew they wouldn't understand. So, off we went to WS, and we ran into these guys.

Dh wasn't in a Mexican kind of mood, and after wandering around endlessly, we ended up at the American QS pavilion. Yuck! Greasy burgers. Just not real good at all. And after having Pecos Bill's, it was a real bust! It was not at all crowded at WS, and not everything was fully opened yet, so we went back to FW. I had let DS in on a little secret a couple of months before our trip--the Beverly. He could not wait to trick his aunties. Here he and I are on our way to Club Cool, aunties in tow.

And here are there faces after trying the Beverly.

We messed around too long and FPs were gone for TT, and the wait time was long. I should have known better from the dis and gotten FPs sooner. We did ride later in the week though. We went to Figment's ride, and DS got autographs of Daisy and Chip and Dale.

Here are some random shots of the day at Epcot.

Mine mine mine mine.

And DS bought, with his own money, one of those fans that sprays water. He loved it but nearly drove me crazy with it. Here he is drinking the spraying water.

It was starting to rain, and it was time for our ADR at O'Hana's. Will continue in later post.

 

[swisely]

Sorry I have been away so long. Lots going on here with DS's school, and I am homeroom mom this year, so I've been a little busy with the new school year and all. So when I left off last, we were heading to O'Hana's for dinner. I have to say, this was the best meal of the trip! A definite must-do next time! We arrived and got checked in and only waited about 10 minutes to be seated. It is a family style meal where they bring out food a little at a time. You can have as much as you want you just have to ask for a refill. First came the bread--good! Then, the salad, which I really enjoyed. Next was the pot stickers (OMGosh good) and chicken wings. Then, they brought broccoli (are they kidding--I didn't even try) and noodles that were not so impressive. Next, the motherload of meats! Shrimp, steak, turkey and pork, all on skewers that was cooked on an open grill. Soooooooo good. We all really enjoyed this meal the most. Here we are at the table:

Here is DSIS and DH enjoying their drinks (Lapu Lapu?):

And more pics at O'hana's:

We left and went back to Epcot for EMHs. Remember I said DS tried on a lot of hats this trip.

Ran into these guys toward the end of their gig--they were great!

More pics of us there at night.

Another hat!

Oui oui.

Got milk?

We left Epcot around midnight, only because we were so darned tired and our feet hurt!!! We had originally planned to go back to the room during the day and rest, but it never seemed to work out that way. There was always something we wanted to do, or we had reservations to eat or something. I really think next trip we will have a better plan, and we will know how to get around better, and how long it will take to get from point A to point B.

Next, day 4 finds us at Hollywood Studios. Night night until then.

 

[swisely]

OK everyone, I am back after a lengthy break. This is our HS day. We arrived early at HS and was there at rope drop. And I mean, the rope was right in front of us. The plan was for me, DSIL, and DS to head to TSM and get FPs while my DSIS and DH went to ride ToT. DSIL nor myself wanted to ride that--the whole free-falling thing. And, needless to say, neither did DS. So, the gang at HS put on their pre-show for opening.

So, the rope dropped and off we all went in our different directions. We arrived at TSM and the FP machines. My DSIL got in line with about 6 people in front of her. When she finally got our FPs, the return time was 10:25. Wow! So, we decided to get in the stand-by line while we waited for the others to ride ToT. It took about 20 minutes to get thru. Needless to say, DS LOVED this ride. Now, I liked it and all, but later in the day, we walked by and the sstand-by line had a wait time of 170 minutes. That is almost 3 hours!!!!! I'm not sure I like anything well enough to wait that long to ride it. But guess what? There were people in line, hanging outside standing there like it was no big deal. Wow.

My DSiS and DH met up with us and we walked around a little before our FP return time was ready. Saw these guys.

Then it was time to ride TSM and all enjoyed it a lot. We had reservations next for lunch at 50's Primetime Cafe.

We had a great waiter--Mike I think is his name. He was so funny and messed with us--especially my DSIL. He asked us if we were on the dining plan and then told us that shakes and smoothies were included on the DP. Then, he went on to explain the rest of the menu, and my DSIL asked him to explain the drink thing to her again, because she was confused. Well, he went and sat right next to her, and using hand motions for drinking, explained it all again. Too funny! Then, he took our drink orders and told her to set the table while he was gone. When he came back, he took our lunch orders and told her to return the menus. She told him she didn't know where they go, and he grabbed her by the arm and paraded her thru the restaurant to return the menus. He then brought out our lunch, and was constantly getting his little digs in on her. We finished, and he returned to take our dessert orders. Well, DSIL had not finished her huge sandwich, and he told her she couldn't have dessert. She ordered one anyway and he just looked at her and rolled his eyes. He left and came back with our desserts--all except hers. He sat them down, looked at her, rooled his eyes and walked off. He came back about 5 minutes later and said, "i decided you can have dessert after all." He then plopped down a plate that had her left-over sandwich on it, which he had covered in ice cream, whipped cream and sprinkles and then he walked away. I thought my son would split a gut he was laughing so hard! Someone else eventually brought her real dessert out.

Here he is being civil with DSIL.

Anyway, we would definetly return. The food was great and the atmosphere terrific. Dsis and I both had the pot roast and it was delicious. DS had chicken nuggets--no surprise there--and liked them. Both DH and DSIL had the stacked sandwich (huge) and liked it a lot. For dessert, DSIS and I both had Dad's brownie sundae, DSIL and DS had ice cream sundaes, and I cannot remember what DH had, but I do remember him having the PB&J milkshake as his drink. He doesn't even like PB&J, but got it because I told him the dissers said it was good, and he really liked it! Way to go dissers. DS had yet another birthday cupcake, on top of his ice cream he had already. He was sang to again, and Mike had him a card that he passed around the room for other customers to sign--that was really neat.

Here is DSIL with her "dessert"

And DS with his birthday cupcake.

Next, we continue our HS day!

 

[swisely]

When I left off, we had just finished eating at 50's Primetime Cafe. We walked around and ended up at the Indiana Jones Stunt Show. Now, my son loves the movies and we knew he would love this. Well, we all agreed that it was just ok. We didn't like how they would stop in between scenes like they were on a real movie set. Just put on a show, we don't want to know all the details of how it works. But that's just us. DS didn't talk too much about it so I don't think it was one of his favorites either.

Next, we decided to try the Backlot Studio Tour. We started off where they choose volunteers from the audience to be a part of the show. This involves lots of water and getting wet. They re-enact movie scenes of an attack on a ship, etc. Then, you go thru a warehouse that has a lot of movie memorabilia and finally end up boarding a tram to take you on a tour of the backlot. Well, we waited and it was looking like rain--stormy. We boarded the tram and lightning struck so close and so loud that they made us get off. We waited and waited.

And waited.

Needless to say, after about 40 minutes, we decided that we could do without the tour. They did tell us to come back another time and just go directly to where the tram boards and go from there, which we did another day. The downpour was nearly over, and we looked around a bit more before leaving.

We left and went back to POR for some rest. We decided to have dinner at POR that night for convenience purposes. It was just OK. I had the muffeletta sandwich, and it was cold. Literally, right out of the fridge cold. They don't make them fresh. DSIS had a turkey sandwich, I believe, and DSIL had some other kind of sand. Don't remember what DH had, but the food here was pretty uneventful. Sorry I am not more specific, but I did not take pics of food this time, and did not keep good records, so please forgive.

We freshened up a bit and went back over to HS for EMHs. I thought DS would really enjoy Star Tours since he is such a Star Wars nut. Here he is on a SW vehicle of some sort--sorry all you SW fans, I don't know the names of all things Star Wars.

Well, we went to the ride itself, and it was a walk on--great! We got inside and DS started asking if it was scary, if it went fast, downhill, etc etc. etc. So, since I had not ridden it before, we stopped and asked a CM and she assured him it was not scary. Then, we asked another CM who was close to where you board the ride. He said it was not scary. I kept telling him it was OK if he didn't want to ride it, that I would leave with him. One minute he did want to ride, one minute he didn't. When we finally were about to board, right before the doors opened, he decided he did not want to ride. So, he and I left and went around the corner to wait for the others. He felt really bad and I assured him it was OK. The thing is, he REALLY wanted to ride it, but was afraid. Back to the BTMRR thing again. So, the others rode and met us down the hall. No big deal, but I felt bad for him.

Mostly the rest of the time at HS this night, we spent doing a bit of shopping. There are some really cool shops there. When we were so pooped we couldn't go one more step, we left and headed back after a long day. Coming up next, our first full day at MK.

 

[swisely]

Ahhh, Magic Kingdom--my favorite.

A little voice in my ear kept mentioning Haunted Mansion--over and over and over again.

Thant's right, DS. He loved this ride. And I love it too, so that is no big deal. And we always, for some reason, were able to walk right on. I am at a loss as to what we did in what order, as I did not keep notes, but I know we ate here again.

Wish we had one here! Burgers are sooooo good.

Got FPs for SM, and of course DS wasn't too keen on the idea--the big dip at the end was too much for him. DH and I rode first while DSIS and DSIL waited with DS. Then we traded off. Now, when DH and I rode, they put us in the front row and I thought, oh no. However, we actually got more wet from the rain that had started at the beginning of the ride, when the flume is outside at first for a little while. The people in back got more wet than us.

Did a little Tomorrow Land.

We went to do the Monsters Inc. Comedy Laugh Floor, which my son had been wanting to do for a long time. This CM in line was a hoot. He had my DSIS and DSIL calling the Hogs (Razorback fans we are!)

Did Buzz Lightyear, and drooled over Space Mountain that was closed for refurb.

All in all, another fun-filled day at MK. We headed back to the room because we needed to freshen up for our ADR at Cape May at the BC.

And so here we are on our way out.

We freshened up a bit and headed out to Cape May.

Took some pics at the beach area and outside of the BC.

DS was treated once again to a birthday celebration, and was given a card signed by Mickey and the gang again.

Then we walked thru the sand on our way to the ferry that took us to Epcot. By the way, food was just OK, not anything spectacular. Mussels and clams had sandy gritty texture. Yuck.

Then we arrived at Epcot by the International Walkway. Very cool to be that close. We did a little shopping in the World Showcase.

And we shopped til we dropped. I wanted, even tough I was so full, a chocolate crepe from the France pavilion. My DH waited in line and got me one. It was good, but probably would have been better had I been more hungry. I also had a Peach snap later at the Joy of Tea stand. OMGosh good!!!!! Thank you MickeyNicki. We wandered around until we could no longer feel our feet. Then, we caught the bus back to POR. BTW, that was the longest bus wait that night of the entire trip. Up next, we use day 6 as our catch-up day and do the things from the parks that we have not done yet, or want to do again. Tune in later.