What Do You Do With a Nine Pound Lemon?? LINK TO NEW TR!

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

A pre-trip report update!

So I decided I'm just going to write about my February trip in this thread instead of making everyone follow me somewhere else. There will for SURE be a separate TR for it, though!

So we've got lots planned already and I'm really excited about it! This time, we're still doing 4 nights but we're leaving Wednesday MORNING instead of night so we'll really get in almost a full extra day.

Wednesday February 1, 2012

9:00am Land at MCO (yes you read that right! LANDING at 9am!!)
10:00am Check into Wilderness Lodge, drop bags at bell services (if room isn't ready
Boat to MK, do some MK things, lunch at Pecos Bill or Tortuga
Boat back to WL, relax, hang at resort, maybe get a drink

5:00pm Bus to Epcot
Lap around World Showcase!
7:45 ADR @ La Hacienda! (I am sooooo excited for this! When I was younger, I distinctly remember getting the Queso Fundido at San Angel Inn and was so disappointed when we ate there in 2006 and it was no longer on the menu. BUT I was THRILLED to see it BACK in Mexico at La Hacienda. I'm hoping it's a similar dish! I'm also hoping this ADR time will allow us to view Illuminations from the restaurant.)

Thursday February 2, 2012

8:00am Bus to AK, traditional cinnamon bun and frozen cappuccino (or hot coffee depending on the weather!) from Royal Anandapur Tea Co while we listen to the monkeys scream and watch the guests race by to get to Everest.
After breakfast, we're going to head straight to Conservation Station in hopes to catch some vet action! Then maybe do the Safari and walking trails, which I LOVE!
Hopefully, we'll hit up EE and Dinosaur, maybe Finding Nemo the Musical. We really have most of the day so we can take our time.

At some point, we'll go back to WL and get ready for the evening festivities which will take place at DTD!
5:00pm Bus to DTD, do a little walking around, shopping, etc.
7:00pm ADR @ Raglan Road - I'm hoping we'll have enough to keep us entertained and we'll spend the rest of the night here. If not, we might possibly head to Jellyrolls.

Friday February 3, 2012

8:00am Boat to MK, bang out most of Fantasyland first thing. Spend morning in MK.
12:00 bus to Epcot
Lap around World Showcase!
2:00 ADR @ Via Napoli - We just decided on this one last night after a week of trying for Le Cellier lunch. I'm actually very happy with this decision.
Rest of the evening in Epcot!! Dinner will be snackies around the world!!
Oh and Epcot has EMH that night. Bonus!

Saturday February 4, 2012

9:05 ADR @ Whispering Canyon Cafe - We had an ADR for a breakfast here last summer but canceled it because it is just too much of a pain to travel from resort to resort, especially for breakfast. But since we're staying at WL, this is the PERFECT time to do it! Breakfast skillet anyone? ME!!!

After breakfast, we'll head to DHS. There are a few must-dos on the agenda including the art of animation class, Beauty and the Beast show, maybe the Muppets? We usually get out of DHS fairly quickly so hopefully we'll hang around long enough to do the things we never get to do! Oh and One Man's Dream! I want to see that again....
3:00 ADR @ Sci-Fi - We've eaten lunch here a few times but THIS time, we're planning on JUST drinks and apps! YUM!

At some point, we'll head to the Magic Kingdom for the nighttime happenings! (Ooh, actually I better check that nighttime happenings are actually happening that night! I'm used to going in the summer when everything is ALWAYS happening! These park hours are SHOCKING to me!)

Sunday February 5, 2012

Departure day....guess where?!?!? Do I even have to say it?



I'm especially excited about the ADRs we chose this trip. The only repeat is Sci-Fi but we're not going for the burgers this time. Can't wait to try lots of apps! And we've eaten at WCC but not breakfast. Can't wait to try Hacienda for the aforementioned Queso Fundido and the Raglan Road menu looks AMAZING!! Finally, Via Napoli will be a great addition to our Epcot restuarant repertoire!

 

[anjalee6]

We were there the same say so it is interesting to see how our touring plans matched up. I am really surprised we didn't see you at all while we were there because we did a lot of the same things as you. Glad you liked the new Star Tours. We went on it three times that day! My son loves it. He was so disappointed that we got there for rope drop and the Jedi Academy line was already so long. We got out of line when the CM announced that the next time slot was for 4:30. We knew we were heading to see La Nouba that night at DTD so that wasn't going to work. He was very disappointed. Have to do it next time. It was a really crowded day at HS compared to what I thought it would be. Can't wait to read more!

 

[PopArtGal]

That would be really sweet.

Thanks girlie!

 

[ronnmel]

Great plans! Good choice of ADR, especially Via Napoli.

If you manage to hang around HS late enough, you should head to the Magic of Animation building around 5pm because that's when lots of random characters come out, with usually pretty short lines.

Hope you'll get better vet action than we did. 5 people around a teeny tiny rat ain't exactly exciting!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

That would be really sweet.

Thanks girlie!

You're welcome! BTW, I just put in the Duffy cd you sent me. Wow, it's sooo different from Rockferry! It's like a different person. Good though, just wasn't expecting it.

We were there the same say so it is interesting to see how our touring plans matched up. I am really surprised we didn't see you at all while we were there because we did a lot of the same things as you. Glad you liked the new Star Tours. We went on it three times that day! My son loves it. He was so disappointed that we got there for rope drop and the Jedi Academy line was already so long. We got out of line when the CM announced that the next time slot was for 4:30. We knew we were heading to see La Nouba that night at DTD so that wasn't going to work. He was very disappointed. Have to do it next time. It was a really crowded day at HS compared to what I thought it would be. Can't wait to read more!

Oh weird! Yeah, too bad we didn't run into each other. That's too bad about the Jedi Academy. I saw the loooong line going into that building when we walked by in the morning. I had no idea they did it that way now. I thought it was still just random picking out of the audience but I guess too many people complained that their kids didn't get picked so they wanted to make it more fair.

Great plans! Good choice of ADR, especially Via Napoli.

If you manage to hang around HS late enough, you should head to the Magic of Animation building around 5pm because that's when lots of random characters come out, with usually pretty short lines.

Hope you'll get better vet action than we did. 5 people around a teeny tiny rat ain't exactly exciting!

Oh thanks for the tip Mel! We might head there right after Sci-Fi then....but actually, I have to check what time MK is open until that night because if it's closing at 8, there won't be enough time to hang around DHS at 5 pm.

 

[Dream426]

We took a 6:00am flight once and it was the best thing we ever did. We had a full extra day there. I thought it would be very hard with no sleep but it wasn't. I guess because anything is possible when you go to Disney World. We were up at 3am and I was wide awake. I was thinking about it that morning it was so easy but you know I can never sleep the night before we go to Disney so I guess that is why it is so easy. You will be very happy you are taking an early flight. Our room was ready also when we got there so hopefully yours will be as well.

 

[PopArtGal]

I have to admit it took me a while to like her new cd. But now I'm really into it.

 

[dvc4life]

How lucky for your 6:00 am flight to be able to get to MCO by 9:00. When we get a 6:00 am flight we still don't get in to MCO until 12:30 or after. But then again we are coming from the center of the United States, not on the East Coast like you. Wish we could so change that.

Your dining plans look great! We have eaten at all of your choices and have enjoyed them all very much. Love La Hacienda! It was wonderful. Via Napoli, well, it is pretty expensive pizza IMHO. We will not be going back anytime soon. Raglan Road has been a hit and miss for us. But the atmosphere is great! WCC is lots of fun. And Sci-Fi, cool!

Your excitement is just bubbling over. You can really tell that you love your WDW trips. Have fun with the rest of the planning on your upcoming trip!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

We took a 6:00am flight once and it was the best thing we ever did. We had a full extra day there. I thought it would be very hard with no sleep but it wasn't. I guess because anything is possible when you go to Disney World. We were up at 3am and I was wide awake. I was thinking about it that morning it was so easy but you know I can never sleep the night before we go to Disney so I guess that is why it is so easy. You will be very happy you are taking an early flight. Our room was ready also when we got there so hopefully yours will be as well.

Yeah we usually take the earliest flight out when we go in the summers. It's really awesome!

I have to admit it took me a while to like her new cd. But now I'm really into it.

Oh good...I'll have to give it some time then!

How lucky for your 6:00 am flight to be able to get to MCO by 9:00. When we get a 6:00 am flight we still don't get in to MCO until 12:30 or after. But then again we are coming from the center of the United States, not on the East Coast like you. Wish we could so change that.

Your dining plans look great! We have eaten at all of your choices and have enjoyed them all very much. Love La Hacienda! It was wonderful. Via Napoli, well, it is pretty expensive pizza IMHO. We will not be going back anytime soon. Raglan Road has been a hit and miss for us. But the atmosphere is great! WCC is lots of fun. And Sci-Fi, cool!

Your excitement is just bubbling over. You can really tell that you love your WDW trips. Have fun with the rest of the planning on your upcoming trip!

Glad to hear your good reviews of the places we chose. I'm excited to try all the new places!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Guess what I just booked for my February trip............

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[disneybarbie]

SAFARI TREK!!

Sooo jealous!! Would love to do this tour on a future trip

 

[ronnmel]

Ooooh, awesome!!

 

[jenseib]

WooHoo!!!!

 

[anjalee6]

That sounds like so much fun! When we went in September, one night the bus driver took us a back way home from Epcot to AKL and we went through the backlot of AK. It was so cool. They showed us where the animals sleep. The bus driver used to work at AK doing the safari and gave us all this background on AK. It was like our own private tour. We saw where they keep the safari vehicles. They were all parked in rows. It looked so funny. He showed us where the floats and things come out of, where the staff eats at AK. I didn't even realize the staff has their own cafeteria. It was cool! I love stuff like that. I can imagine the the Safari Trek will be awesome!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

SAFARI TREK!!

Sooo jealous!! Would love to do this tour on a future trip

I'm so excited!!

Ooooh, awesome!!

Right?!

WooHoo!!!!

That sounds like so much fun! When we went in September, one night the bus driver took us a back way home from Epcot to AKL and we went through the backlot of AK. It was so cool. They showed us where the animals sleep. The bus driver used to work at AK doing the safari and gave us all this background on AK. It was like our own private tour. We saw where they keep the safari vehicles. They were all parked in rows. It looked so funny. He showed us where the floats and things come out of, where the staff eats at AK. I didn't even realize the staff has their own cafeteria. It was cool! I love stuff like that. I can imagine the the Safari Trek will be awesome!

That's reallly cool! There was another backstage tour but the description sounded kind of boring. I actually got to see A LOT of backstage AK on this past trip during the 5K. I'll post lots of pics, of course!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Now that I'm all excited about the plans for the our upcoming trip, I'm feeling like doing another post!!

Day 2 cont. Thursday September 29, 2011

So we last left off doing a terribly HOT boat ride from DHS to Beach Club and even even hotter walk through the International Gateway. But I have just entered my "happy place" so I am just thrilled!

We start off going clockwise, stopping first to take a picture with the UK phone booths.

This was of particular significance because at one of our planning parties, we had a LOT of fun calling these phones and talking to unsuspecting guests of Epcot who really didn't believe us when we said we were in Pennsylvania!


We continued around and saw so many Food and Wine booths with looooong lines. The first one we stopped at was Hawaii.

For a pork slider!!!! (Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicey Mayonnaise)

How good does that look?!

Tom and Erin each got one and I didn't THINK I wanted any but Tom gave me a bit and O. M. G! It was amazing! Funnily enough, that turned out to be the very first and very last Food and Wine Festival item we ate!

It's very possible that we took a turn into Future World at this point to get some FPs for Test Track then headed right back to World Showcase. We parted ways with Gary and Erin at this point because they had a late lunch ADR for Le Cellier. We weren't joining them because we had dinner with MY family at Biergarten for 6:50. So they went one way and we went the other.

Our first stop was, of course, Mexico! As we approached, I could practically hear the choir of angels and see the rays of sun shining on the Margarita stand! I ordered the mango margarita and as I was trying to lap up the overflowing melty drink and pay at the same time, the guy in line behind me announced, "Anything with mango...I'm getting it!" And as I was still trying my best not to lose any of the drink, he ignored the fact that I looked like an animal and asked, very enthusiastically, "Is it amazing?!" "Yes...it is amazing!"

With drink happily in hand, we moved on and stopped next at the F&W stand in China for Pork Pot Stickers and a Xinjiang Barbecue Chicken Stick. Both were sooooo delicious!!

We sat in the old smoking section in China, which is near the ponds. We tried to find some shady benches because it was reeeeeally hot.

After that we finished our food, we actually strolled through the China store just to cool off even for only a minute. Then we moved on.....

We stopped in Italy where we saw a photopass photographer right in the middle of the pavilion. We never saw one there before so we, of course, had to stop for a pic!

This photographer was really great! He took a lot of time with us and had us in different poses and stuff.

In his words, "Anybody can take-a the pictures. I make-a the memories!" (He was, of course, Italian!)


We moved on, passing LOTS of stands on the way...but we really had to choose carefully because we DID have a dinner planned so we couldn't just eat everything!! (Not yet, anyway!)


Our next food stop was Morocco, where we tried the Kefta Pocket...

.....the Harissa Chicken Roll.....

....and sangria!!!

The Chicken Roll was delish!! The pita pocket...not so much. The drink was really good too!!


Moving along the loop, Tom stopped next at the Ireland stand for the Bunratty Meade Honey Wine.

He said it was pretty gross!!

At this point, we decided to just hang around that area and wait for Gary and Erin to be done with their lunch. We walked right through the Le Cellier arch and up to the restaurant. Tom took this as an opportunity to sit while I took it as an opportunity to test of the setting on my new camera!!

Pretty soon, they were out! We had jokingly asked them to steal us some pretzel bread while they were in there, and would you believe....they actually did!! That AND leftover steak which I somehow just sat there and devoured!!

Gary was full.

We walked briefly over to the Off Kilter stage to see when they were playing and even though we were optimistic about being able to see them later, I kind of had a feeling that it wasn't going to happen.....and neither was something I had been reeeally looking forward to since we started planning this trip: seeing Taylor Dayne as part of the Eat to the Beat concert series. It just wasn't in the cards. My sister, Jamie, had texted at this point that they were on their way to Epcot and we had TT FPs to use, after which, we would be meeting up with my family.

Anyway, Tom stopped and got a beer somewhere in WS before we left to head to TT.

I remember we had to chug that because we walked there faster than he was drinking it and we just wanted to get in line!

This was very exciting for us because for the longest time, Conor had been talking about where we were all going to sit on Test Track. Mommy and Daddy in the back....

And Conor sitting in between Aunt Nik and Uncle Tom in the front!

We decided on doing sad faces for this pose but Gary and Erin had a little surprise for us when we saw the picture!!

Up Next: The Gang's All Here!!!

 

[ronnmel]

What a great update! So much to comment on.

Ok, first, it's awesome that there was a photopass photographer in the middle of Italy. Your pictures are gorgeous! And I really love that swirly twinkly border. I didn't see that when I made my CD a month ago! I probably would have used it for everything...
The way you wrote is Italian accent is funny.

I LOVE your second picture of the water in Canada. You need to remember that setting and use it a lot.

What is it that they are holding in the TT pic? I should remember sad faces, I'm always looking for something new to do for those pictures.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Mmmmm....you're killing me with those food pictures! I'm so excited for F&W.

Love the Test Track picture! I'm always trying to figure out new faces and weird things to do in ride photos.

 

[PopArtGal]

what are Gary and Erin holding in the TT picture?

 

[Dream426]

All the food and drinks look so good. I have never been there during the F&W festival. Will need to add this to my list of times I need to go to Disney World. Love all of you pictures again. That is a great camera and I am def. going to look into getting one now that you said it all worked out. Love the TT picture also. We always try to make silly faces on the rides. Makes it more fun.