What -No fish?! No Mickey Mouse? What kind of Magical Vacation is this?! March 2010

[MHTeacher]

Sounds like a great day at EPCOT, despite the early rain.

 

[alleymaxx]

LOVE TT and Soarin'!!! Uggh!! Rain--been there, done that! YUCK! I hope it didn't last long! CUTE character pics! Oh--and love your hubby's shirt! ROLL TIDE!!

Glad that the rain didn't last long and that you had a nice evening!!

Oh - May 2009 was the worst rain ever down at WDW! I remember the local weather person saying they received 28 inches during the time we were there that May. This little shower was nothing - easy breezy.

That shirt has become one of the 2 "summer" outfits for my DH this year. My DH is funny - every season he usually has one outfit that he gravitates to. He'll wash it and re-wear all season. This summer he at least has two - he he. But at least he's 'representating'!!

 

[alleymaxx]

I did not know that, but, ahem, I am TEAM JACOB! hee hee....

Ah TEAM JACOB - well I consider myself on TEAM SWITZERLAND.

I still have not tried the slushies - that is DEFINATELY on my list for my next trip!

These 2 drinks have become a must. I've tried to recreate them at home but simply gave up. The Grand Marnier is easy enough to find but it requires an orange slushie mix that you must either have to buy in Florida or something. Anyways they are a little pricey. About $9.00 but they are worth every drop!!

 

[alleymaxx]

Sounds like a great day at EPCOT, despite the early rain.

It really was. It worked out well because my plan was to go back to the room around 2PM each day and rest then come back for nightly activities. So this really worked out.

 

[alleymaxx]

DAY THREE – Time to get reel and go fishing!
Here we are on Day 3 and if you had time to read my PTR then you know that our friend Bryan is an avid fisherman. For example, starting about 3 weeks ago he has been in a fishing tournament every Sunday. So Stacey and I booked the 2 DIS dads on one of the guided fishing excursions offered by Disney. After reviewing all the information on their website, we proceeded to complete the online BASS Reservation Request form and booked them a 10AM guided fishing tour for Mon., March 22nd. On the morning of March 22nd both DH’s headed to the Contemporary for their fishing trip.
After paying for the excursion they were introduced to their guide.

After they loaded onto the boat they would be fishing from, another fishing guide coming in stated to their guide “the artificial doesn’t seem to be biting today, you probably want to go with the live bait.” The guide for my husband and friend responded that they would have to stick with the artificial. She further explained that only those parties who choose the pontoon boat for fishing have the option between artificial and live bait. Now here’s the funny, but not so funny part, those who choose to use the bass fishing boat could only use artificial. WHAT?! I mean I know absolutely NOTHING about fishing but I can not imagine not being able to use live bait in an actual bass fishing boat!! Let me add too that at no point and time was this ever explained to me when I spoke to the CM who booked the excursion. Additionally, I have not been able to find any disclosure of that anywhere on the Disney site or any of the reservation emails.

So in the end neither husband caught a single fish. Well truth be known my DH did luck up reeling in this little beauty.

Don’t get me wrong in no way did I expect Disney to somehow guarantee catching a fish; however, I do feel that the guide should have provided them the best possible opportunity (i.e. live bait).

Upon the return of our trip I did take the time to send Disney Guest Services a letter expressing my disappointment and to offer a couple of suggestions that would have made this experience better. Such as, it would’ve have been nice for their guide and/or the fishing coordinator to at least offer to swap boats so that they could’ve utilized both baits. Understanding that this may not be possible due to availability, maybe at that point then the guide and/or coordinator could have given them the opportunity to opt out and refund their money since she was informed prior to leaving the dock that the fish were not biting using artificial bait.

So that my letter did not seem like an attempt at getting something free in return I made a point to let Disney know that this did not ruin our trip nor will it deter us from visiting Disney World in the future but that I don’t feel like we’ll ever plan a guided fishing tour again or recommend it to anyone. Believe it or not I have received no response! Shocked?! So am I – oh well.

Anyways, while the Dad’s were fishing Stacey & I stayed back at ASMo to let the girls go swimming. Around noon we headed over to CR to meet back up with the Dad’s and grab some lunch. After grabbing a quick bite at CR we all headed back to Epcot to finish up WS.

Pics of the lovely pool

and those that were not so lovely. Just kidding I'm not going to show Mr. Speedo.

Lunch at Contempo Cafe

A trip to China

Mulan & Emma

The Dad's in Norway

Okay now I said I would not do this but unfortunately I am going to have to pause here and finish up the Day Three momentarily.

Coming next, we end our day with a little magic!

 

[ladybugmom]

That's very surprising that you haven't heard back from Disney?! They are usually really good about following up on things?! Hmmm. . . GREAT pics from your day!! LOVE Mulan!!

 

[skysmom99]

Sorry the fishing trip was a bust but everything else looks so fun. I really must try one of those slushies on our next visit.

Oh, I'm guessing you must have been at WDW the week beginning Sunday May 17, 2009. I was there with a high school group and that Sunday evening the skies opened up and I heard it rained all week. We left on Monday.

 

[heaven2dc]

The orange side of Mission Space is something I'm going to have try next trip since I only have experienced the green side. I'm with you in that I may have to close my eyes on either side!

Too bad about the fishing experience - I think they should have opted to either refund their money, offer another boat or another day or time. At least something!

The girls are so cute in their hats (the husbands weren't too bad either in the ones they tried on ). Sounds like a fun trip!

 

[racefanof88]

That is a total bummer about the fishing trip . I can't believe Disney hasn't at least sent you some kind of letter offering an apology . They reported on the news last night that the Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo has been canceled this year due to the oil spill .

I'm enjoying following along on this trip with you; the Orange slushie sure did look good .

 

[GaRain]

The thing is, maybe that guide should not have said something, if the option wasn't open. But oh well, hind site is 20/20 right? I do hope that you hear back from Disney.

 

[alleymaxx]

That's very surprising that you haven't heard back from Disney?! They are usually really good about following up on things?! Hmmm. . . GREAT pics from your day!! LOVE Mulan!!

Yeah I was shocked too. But in the end it wasn't something that ruined our trip. It just wasn't the 'Disney experience' we expected.

Sorry the fishing trip was a bust but everything else looks so fun. I really must try one of those slushies on our next visit.

Oh, I'm guessing you must have been at WDW the week beginning Sunday May 17, 2009. I was there with a high school group and that Sunday evening the skies opened up and I heard it rained all week. We left on Monday.

The fishing trip really was a bummer. All the reports on the DIS were good. I've yet to hear anything bad so it was really surprising to be so disappointed. Cool thing was the guide was from Enterprise, Alabama. Such a small world - 'ya know.

Oh yes - there was quite a few DISer's down there during that time. During the day we could get in rides and such in between the downpours but the nights seemed to always be a bust.

The orange side of Mission Space is something I'm going to have try next trip since I only have experienced the green side. I'm with you in that I may have to close my eyes on either side!

Too bad about the fishing experience - I think they should have opted to either refund their money, offer another boat or another day or time. At least something!

The girls are so cute in their hats (the husbands weren't too bad either in the ones they tried on ). Sounds like a fun trip!

The thought of riding the orange side makes me wence Not sure what possessed me to ride it that time.

The fishing trip really was a bummer.

I tried to get a picture of the girls in a 'native' hat from each of the countries but somehow I always get distracted and forget to get the picture.

 

[alleymaxx]

That is a total bummer about the fishing trip . I can't believe Disney hasn't at least sent you some kind of letter offering an apology . They reported on the news last night that the Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo has been canceled this year due to the oil spill .

I'm enjoying following along on this trip with you; the Orange slushie sure did look good .

Luckily the fishing trip is one of things we can look back and laugh on. Crazy thing is about 2 weeks ago, there was a fishing show on ESPN and they were at WDW in bass boat fishing with live bait! I thought about sending them another letter refering that episode but decided against it.

Yes - the orange slushie is a must-do! Yum!!

The thing is, maybe that guide should not have said something, if the option wasn't open. But oh well, hind site is 20/20 right? I do hope that you hear back from Disney.

I agree I wish the guide wouldn't have said anything either. I just wish I knew why live bait was not an option to use on a 'fishing' boat - 'ya know??

 

[alleymaxx]

Sorry I haven’t been able to finish Day 3 yet. Wow – things have been a little crazy. I’ve had so much going on at work then my cable modem got hit by lightning so I had to get it replaced only then to realize my wireless router is fried too – ugh!

So where were we, well after we finished visiting all the countries and the girls got their passports stamped we decided to head on over to MK.
Since it was a Monday I was a little apprehensive about going to MK. I mean I’ve always heard that you should stay away from MK on Monday because it’s known for being really crowded that day. We arrived at MK a little before 7PM and Main Street was packed with folks that I presume were waiting for the 9PM Spectro parade. So we plowed our way thru Main Street then on over to Frontierland where we grabbed a dinner at Pecos Bill. Stacey and I both got a taco salad. It was kinda scary, the part that was supposed to be the meat looked suspicious. Not exactly sure what it was. Sorry I always forgot to take pics of the food. Not sure you’d want to see the suspicious meat product anyways.
After dining on our mystery meat, we decided to ride the PoC. The line was practically non-existent since almost everyone in the park seemed to be at Main Street and thereabouts watching Spectro. After PoC we then hit BTMR which was a lot of fun to ride at night. Afterwards the girls wanted to go back to SM so we made our way back over to Tomorrowland for that. Again the line was very short. Less than 5 minutes. Then it was time to take a spin on the teacups. Since both Stacey & I agreed that spinning madly after eating mystery meat sounded like a good idea so she & I teamed up. I tried to get some good pics but wasn’t very lucky with the exception of this one of Stacey. I think it’s priceless.

After teacups we headed back so we could rest up for Day 4 back at MK!

Here some pics:

Emma & Ash - not sure where this was taken

Eating at Pecos Bill

Cruisin' on PoC

DH & Emma

 

[alleymaxx]

Day Four started pretty much like the others. Before heading to the bus stop we made a quick stop by the Food Court so everyone could grab some type of breakfast item then we were on our way.

We got to MK about 9:45A. Our first stop was Main Street Bakery. Stacey was on mission to find some special water taffy for her friend at work. This was the first time we had ever been in the bakery – for good reason – it’s just too tempting! I mean look at this!

So while Stacey & I were shopping Emma, Ashley, Bob & Bryan stood outside watching some of the Main Street characters perform. Then one the characters (not sure who he is supposed to be) let Emma & Ashley each pick out a pin. They didn’t know what to do when he said they did not have to trade! Below are some pics and the pin that Emma picked out.

We are not pin collectors we just think they are cute and fun. Each trip we get a pin for the resort we’re staying at and then whatever strikes our fancy. This year Emma found a set of pins with quotes from Walt Disney (see pic below). Aren’t those cool?!

After the girls picked out their pins we continued up Main Street towards the castle. As we were heading back to the right of the castle towards ToonTown we noticed that they were shooting a commercial. Well Bob couldn’t help himself, he had to try and make himself ‘seen’ in the background. I have to reveal a little secret here. See my DH is a ‘photo crasher’. What do I mean by that? Well he loves to ‘hop’ into other peoples pictures. So if he sees a person posing for a picture he likes to make himself visible somewhere in the background. He also enjoys ruining my pictures. For example he thinks it’s hilarious to throw up his hand in front of the camera whenever I’m trying to take a picture.

Ha ha - real funny Bob!

Okay so once Bob was finished with his attempt to get his 15 minutes of fame we finally made it to ToonTown. First stop, Goofy’s Barnstormer.

The Photo Crasher

After the Barnstormer the girls wanted to take a tour of Mickey and Minnie’s house then we rode the train over to Adventureland so we could take a Jungle Cruise.

Continued next post......

 

[alleymaxx]

Bryan’s dad lives in near Orlando so we had planned to meet Bryan's family for lunch at the House of Blues in DTD. So after Jungle Cruise we headed out of the park and to DTD. House of Blues was a first for all of us and I must say I was impressed. The food and service were pretty good.

Love me some Elvis!!

Next we finish the day at Hollywood Studios. BTW, now that you know what part of my title refers to, have any of you figured out the rest?? If not – no fear it’s coming soon……

 

[MHTeacher]

Well, that just stinks about the fishing expedition. My DH doesn't fish (nor do I), so I don't know alot about it, but I would have no clue why your bait would depend on the type boat you were on. It seems like the type bait would depend on what sort of fish you were catching.

I love those pins with Walt's quotes. Where did you find those?

 

[alleymaxx]

It seems like the type bait would depend on what sort of fish you were catching.

That's what I was thinking too. I mean that's all I really wanted from Disney was an answer to that question so I could understand their reasoning. Oh well

I love those pins with Walt's quotes. Where did you find those?

Thank you! I'm not sure the name of the shop but it was at HS as you walk out the Magic of Animation. Where on your last trip you & your girls had so much fun learning to draw different characters.

 

[BippityBoo]

HI Your family looks like you were having a wonderful time!!The girls are so cute! I am loving your TR so far! Those bakery pictures are making me hungry!! Can't wait to read more

 

[alleymaxx]

Welcome Katie! Glad you're here! I'm hoping to finish up Day 4 tonight but I lost my wireless router to lightning the other night and I'm working with a broadband card right now and it's R-E-A-L-L-Y slow. Please bare with me

 

[MHTeacher]

I'm not sure the name of the shop but it was at HS as you walk out the Magic of Animation. Where on your last trip you & your girls had so much fun learning to draw different characters.

Got it! Thanks!