You know, Im beginning to panic a little. Today was the first day since I began planning our trip that I have not been on the computer much at all. Sure, I have checked in on the DIS here and there, made a couple of posts, worked a little on my TR. But I fear the magic is fading that I am returning back to a pre Disney-trip-planning normalcy. And that makes me sad. I guess its time to plan a new trip.
Anyway, here goes Day Three I hope to capture all my memories before they fade. Sniff, Sniff.
Day Three Monday 3/26 Epcot, Maelstrom is a Fastpass?, and more Epcot
I am an early riser whether at home, on vacation, or visiting family. Notice vacation and visiting family are not one in the same. Just kidding. Good bed, bad bed, early night, late night. Doesnt matter. Im still up early. This particular morning is no different except that Im at Disney. And already I have the twinges of only six more days. This is the longest Disney trip weve ever taken and I can only think of how soon well be heading back home. All of the weeks of planning, packing, calling 1-407-WDW-DINE and pressing 1 since I wasnt making a reservation at Victoria & Alberts, checking the DIS, making sure TGM hasnt updated anything lately it will all be over so soon. Does anyone else ruin a perfectly incredible vacation by thinking about how the time is ticking away and theres nothing you can do to stop it? I quickly realize how bratty that is send up a prayer of gratitude, and get a quick shower.
If you arent careful, there is a certain prideful attitude that can come from DISing. All of a sudden you are clearly much better at a Disney vacation than the majority of Disney vacationers. Yes, the DIS may be the most popular message board on the World Wide Web (I actually read this somewhere The Unofficial Guide, maybe?), but on my entire Spring Break, I never saw a lime-green Mickey head. Now, I didnt sport one, either. As fun as it is to communicate with you all on line, I fear the personal interaction might be awkward. Those of you who have attended a DIS meet please chime in. Anyway, I think DISers are in the minority at the World. Most people that come to Disney, come WITH NO PLAN!!! Now, I know there are all kinds of DISers get to the parks at opening DISers, sleep late DISers, DISers who stay at a value for the weekend, DISers that spend two weeks at the GF RPC, DISers who ride rides, DISers who walk around taking it all in. But there is no DISer who comes to Disney uninformed. Regardless of how you choose to vacation at Disney, you are doing so with lots of info under your belt. Dont get me wrong, I am truly grateful for the uninformed them as Tour Guide Mike puts it. Because if everyone knew all the TGM and DIS tricks, well, they wouldnt be tricks anymore and wed all be in the same boat. Competing for ADRs with the folks who think you can just walk up and get a table at California Grill right before Wishes like you can at the Outback in your hometown. Actually, at the Outback in Macon, you cant just walk up and get a table. Ive never really figured out why. I mean, its a decent restaurant, but I will NEVER wait an hour to eat there. Anyway, if everyone knew about all the tricks, they wouldnt work for us anymore. So while I am glad the non-planners will always be the majority, I still dont understand it.
So my months of researching, planning and becoming informed, have forced me to conclude that despite the close proximity of the Epcot resorts to the International Gateway entrance at Epcot, and despite the fact that you can either walk or take the boat to said entrance very convenient this entrance will not position you properly for a rope drop sprint to Soarin. This will foil my plan. The only option that will allow a ride on Soarin at park opening, is taking a taxi to the front entrance of Epcot. So at 7:55 we are at the valet at YC requesting a taxi, at 7:58 the taxi arrives, and at 8:08 we are third in line at the Epcot turnstiles. With 52 minutes until opening. Thats a long time for a 7 and 3 yr old. It is only later in the week that I discover a much more productive way to be at the parks early.
But since we are 3rd in line, DH and DD are aboard the first of the Soarin liftoffs, and DS and I head over to TT and MS for FPs. Boy, if you dont DIS, you could never interpret that sentence. Thanks again to the friendly monorail driver, I score extra FPs for MS which we never need because neither myself nor DH will ride it for fear of needing the barf bag. We did the energy thing with Ellen DS thought the dinosaurs were cool. We did Turtle Talk with Crush it was pretty cute.
But my feelings on Epcot are complicated. There are plenty of reasons to love it. In my opinion, it is aesthetically the best park of the four. The architecture of the buildings in the World Showcase, the food, the lake, the fact that it is spread out and never looks all that crowded it makes it a really nice park. But for kids, there just isnt that much to offer. DD loved Soarin and so did we (especially Puddy (sp?) doing the pre-flight check). Test Track was good, too. But we didnt try Mission Space, and other than that, the rides are pretty lame. So we have covered plenty of territory in two hours and are ready for our ADR at Akershus at 11:20.
We walk through the World Showcase and as we turn the corner to check in at Norway, DH looks at the Maelstrom entrance. Maelstrom is a Fastpass? he says. WHAT? This is my DH the man I share everything with. How could he have not told me he is a DISer! What could his screen name be? DisneyDawg would fit. Or is it MyDWisahottie? I keep my cool and cut my eyes over to him as he looks at the ride, and I see that he is just innocently amazed that this ride - with a 5 minute wait during a Spring Break week - is a Fastpass. I dont really keep up on the Maelstromers thread on the CB it moves a little fast for me now that Im not DISin as much but no matter what those folks think of the ride, we actually enjoyed it. So there.
After a mediocre lunch at Akershus, we spend a good bit of time in the Norway shop. DDs school mascot is the Vikings. DS who cries everyday that DH and DD leave for school without him will get to start there next year. And hes very proud of that fact. So he HAS to buy a Viking hat and sword. I take a picture of them both in the Viking attire it will be cute in the school newsletter, and on my TR if I knew how to post pics and we head back to YC for a swim.
Stormalong really is a great pool. The big waterslide, the lazy river, and the beach area lived up to our expectations. We had a great time there all week and were happy with our decision to stay at the YC.
I have to pose this question, though. Am I the only one who looks at the teeny boppers in their barely there bathing suits WITH THEIR PARENTS and wonders What are you thinkin letting her sit out here NAKED? Granted, my DD is still 7. And I control what she wears. No short shorts. No shirts that say Flirt (yes, these are available for 7 yr olds) or Cutie or I Stole Your Boyfriend. In fact, she only wears bikinis in our pool when no one else is there. And she has no equipment. But it continues to amaze me at the downhill turn in clothing for young girls I hope Im not eating my words when DD is 14. But I digress.
Back at the room, we have the kids take a rest, and while they do, DH goes to Beaches n Cream to get us each an ice cream. Another ritual for the week is having a treat on the balcony each afternoon as the kids rest. However, the magic is somewhat squelched on this day as it is Monday and the work on the YC back entrance that wasnt going on Saturday or Sunday, is now being done right under our balcony. I dont mean we can hear it a little, or we can see it a little, or Isnt that the sound of someone using a saw in the distance? Nope right under us. Bubba (rednecks can make fun of other rednecks) and his crew are hollerin instructions to each other, using the loud, electric saw and pointing out that that level on the ladder cost 80 bucks dont let it fall and get broke. Now there is nothing against these hard workin men. They were just doing their job, and probably as quietly as they knew how. But this going on RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE really bothered me. So much so, that I called the front desk and expressed my displeasure. I could not look forward to the afternoon delight on the balcony everyday if my background music was construction conversation. I am left on hold for literally 15 minutes while they supposedly check to see if another room is available. This call is obviously futile, so I walk to the front desk and have great luck with a nice CM. He sets me up to move into a room further away from the action, and I leave very pleased. I get back to the room and share this happy news with DH.
Me: We can have everything packed up tomorrow morning and bell services will store it until we return in the afternoon and check in to the new room.
DH: Were not moving.
Me: But the guy showed me what room it was, and even had me walk down to it to make sure I thought it was OK it is even better than the view we have here and it will be so quiet.
No dice. Type-A, already settled-in and not in the mood to start over DH says the noise isnt that bad and he doesnt want to move. After some thought, I unfortunately agree that it is lots of trouble, and head back out to the balcony.
The kids wake up, we go back to Epcot via the International Gateway entrance because we are in no hurry, and have a good time puttering around until Illuminations. WOW I love that show. I dont remember being as impressed with it last time, but it really is good stuff. Back to YC for bed and next up Magic Kingdom.
What I learned from the DIS:
1. That Maelstrom is a FASTPASS!
2. To take a taxi to Epcots front entrance since it is a long walk from International Gateway to Soarin.
3. That if I dont like my room, I can request a change even if I dont take it.
4. That ice cream from Beaches n Cream is a must-do.