Who knew choking each other would earn us fastpasses?

[mickeystoontown]

Saw your from Louisiana I'm in Houma. I love your TR. Can't wait to read more!

Hey fellow Louisiana resident! Hope you continue to enjoy the report!

Jumping on in here....loving it so far!!!

Hey there! Work and home have been busy so I haven't had much time to post another installment.

I'm relly enjoying your trip report! It's making me even more anxious to go back to WDW, lol.

Welcome! If I didn't have a trip report going and wasn't planning our next trip, I'd be going nutso right now.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I was just looking through my pictures and found one that I failed to insert into my trip report earlier.

If you were a reader of my last trip report, you already know that the two "themes" of last year's trip was: 1) John was always falling asleep somewhere at the oddest times, and 2) John would receive frequent calls. For my new readers, I've just provided a backstory that you'll see comes into play during this trip too.

Let's get back to present day....well....not exactly present day but this trip report. As we were in our room getting things unpacked (and giving Mama time to rest up a little), John got....surprise! surprise!....a phone call. It was the same person who called John the first time on our 2009 trip. Now he was the first phone call of this trip too.

When John said the guy's name outloud, I had to laugh. John told him why I was laughing which caused us to talk back and forth a bit through John. Then, he and John talked for just a little while. Once the conversation was done, John told me what he was calling for. John had done some work for him a while back. In exchange for John's work, the guy was supposed to get us a nice tiller to use in the yard and in the garden. John had called him over and over again and he would never tell us for sure when we would get the tiller (if he would even answer the calls). You know, just putting us off. Anyway, the guy said he had been in the hospital after having surgery and had lost his dog. He apologized and said he had the tiller for us.

So, the call wasn't all for nothing. Gosh, that went on a little longer than I thought it would but anyways, here's a picture of John laying across the bed talking on the phone:

***This won't be the first time you'll see John on the phone.

***Next installment: Our first full day at Disney!

 

[teedee]

Hooray for planning a new trip! I'm like you, I don't like not having a ticker to look at. I'm glad to hear your mom might want to go too.

I've started thinking about next year's trip. I wish I could check prices online, but it won't let me see prices past Dec 31 this year. I hope they update it soon so I can look at costs. Right now I'm trying to decide between a week at a moderate or 10 nights at a value. We'll be at Pop in September, if we like it I'll probably try for the longer stay there.

Terri

 

[mickeystoontown]

Ring ring! Ring ring! I woke up and looked at the alarm clock and then at the phone. When I answered it, Stitch yelled at me to wake up!: I had requested a 7:10 a.m. wake up call and it was right on time. I woke up John who, to my surprise, wasn't that hard to wake up. Usually, I'm having to push, poke, shake, rock back and forth, etc. to wake him up. Okay, so I don't have to do all of those things but pretty darn close to it.

I called Mama and told her that we were up and getting ready. She said okay. We started getting ready and I assumed that Mama and Hunter were doing the same. Boy was I wrong! I walked over to Mama's room to get his clothes out for the day (I had forgotten to do it the night before.) I knocked on the door, Mama opened it and there was Hunter still laying in the bed half asleep! What the heck? I told Hunter to get his behind in gear or we'd be late getting to the park.

Now, my Mama doesn't like for me to say anything that remotely sounds like I am getting on to Hunter. That's her baby and she'll let everybody in the world know it. I wasn't actually getting on to him but I could tell that she didn't like me saying anything to him. I just couldn't believe that Mama had let him just lay in the bed and not made him get up. Hunter got up and started getting ready and I went back to our room.

I told John about Hunter and Mama and he just shook his head. We finished getting ready and there was a knock on our door a little while later. It was Mama and Hunter and they were both ready to go.

We walked over to the bus stop (which, by the way, didn't take but a few minutes) and waited on an Epcot bus. This would be our first time riding a bus this trip and we were anxious to see how Mama did. We had bragged and bragged to Mama how wonderful the buses were, how they ran frequently and it never took long to get anywhere. We got to the bus stop and there were only three other people there. Good! Mama would be able to sit down while we waited on the bus.

I know we waited less than five minutes before the Epcot bus rolled up. Thanks Disney for not making a liar out of me! Now was the moment of truth, would Mama be able to step up onto the bus and would we have to stand? The doors opened and Mama stepped right on and the bus was virtually empty. Great!

We made the other stops around the resort and we were off for Epcot. I remember timing our ride and, if I am remembering correctly, it took 12 minutes. That's from the time we got on until we pulled into the bus stop at Epcot. We made it before the park had actually opened!

John and Hunter went through the "guest with no bags" entrance while Mama and I went through security. It was quick and easy and we were through in no time at all. We found the boys and went to stand in the line at the turnstiles. Here's a picture of Mama, John and Hunter looking all fresh and ready to hit the park:

I knew that there would be no way that Mama could walk over to Soarin' quickly enough to beat the crowds (or be in that first wave of crowds heading that way) so that we could obtain Fastpasses. I told them that I would go get Fastpasses and meet them outside Spaceship Earth.

First, we needed to have our Photopass picture made. Sorry, I don't have them back yet so I'll insert those later.

I took everybody's tickets and started off towards Soarin'. I saw a crowd ahead of me and realized that the park hadn't even actually opened yet. I positioned myself to the right of the crowd so that I could work my way through and over toward The Land. There were two women behind me that were talking about they were going to get Soarin' Fastpasses but they didn't know for sure where The Land pavilion was. I gave them directions and they thanked me. All the while I was talking, the opening ceremony was going on but I was so far back that I couldn't see a doggone thing.

After about 7 or 8 minutes, the rope was dropped and the crowd split. Half went towards The Land and the other went towards Test Track and Mission Space. I walked at a fast pace towards The Land and I heard the two ladies who were behind me saying "follow her she knows where she is going".

I could see ahead of me that it seemed like everybody was just standing outside The Land. What was going on? I kept walking and realized that there was only one door open to the pavilion. How stupid was that? I heard my cell phone ring but it was down in the bottom of my drawstring backpack. There was no way I could find it while standing back to back/side to side with all of these other people.

I finally made it in only to see that they only had one side of the escalator/stairs open. How stupid was that? Two stupid things in less than 10 minutes' time. Didn't those castmembers know that it would be easier on everybody if they opened up both doors and both sides of escalators?

Anyway, I get down to the Fastpass machines and get in line. What happens? My cell phone rings again. I dig it out and it's John asking where I was. I told him I had to go because it was my turn to get Fastpasses. Once I had the passes, I worked my way back through the crowds and out of the pavilion. I called John and told him that I had had to wait for the park to open and that I was coming back to meet them. They were sitting on the edge of a flower bed and I could see them ahead.

We decided to go ahead and ride Spaceship Earth since the sign said 0 minute wait. I was a little nervous about Mama getting onto the ride vehicle because of the moving platform. John and I stood beside her and made sure that she got into her seat before we got in our's. She did really well for her first time.

I guess I was so busy talking with Mama and Hunter behind us and with John who was with me that I forgot to take pictures. The only one that I took was a bad one. I was trying to take a picture of us in the cartoon thingie screen.

At the end of the ride, we told Mama that she'd have to step off onto another moving platform so John got out first so he could help her off if he needed to. She didnt' even need our help. This was looking good! She had already tackled two moving platforms and she hadn't even stumbled. Way to go Mama!

Just as we got into the game/display area, our faces appeared on the globe and I tried to take a picture but, again, it's a crappy one.

I looked at our Fastpasses and it said we had a little bit before we could use it. We started walking over towards the fountain and I took a picture:

Then, Mama took our picture. Bless her bones, she took it from waaaaay back so we are tiny in the picture:

John spotted Ice Cool Station and said he wanted Mama to taste of the different Cokes so that's where we went next. The place was almost empty. I guess everybody else was riding the thrill rides while we were sipping our favorite watermelon flavored Coke. A few pictures:

Mama asked me "what does this one taste like?" . "This one" being the Beverly. I told her it was yucky but to try it. Here's Mama's reaction to the Beverly:

We drank some of all of the flavors. Some of them several times because they were so good. Hunter wanted to know if he could get some of the cups so he could do cup speed staking. We told him yes and we stuck a dozen of them in our backpack. I figured a dozen little paper cups came with the price of admission.

We looked around in the store a bit and I took pictures:

We figured we better go on over to Soarin' and use our Fastpasses. Guess who we ran into when we entered? Dana and her family! I finally got to meet Dale. We talked for a little while and bid each other ado saying we'd see each other at 2:30 p.m.

It seemed to take us forever and a day to get down to the lower level. There were people standing around everywhere. Finally, we were at the Fastpass entrance and there was no one in front of us. We bypassed everybody standing in the stand by line and went right to the castmember. I took these two pictures as we walked:

We were waved through and were soon standing in a fairly short line. We waited about 5 minutes or so and the line moved on until we were asked how many were in our party. I told Hunter to just watch...we'd be put in row 1 again. For those of you who don't know it, I'm scared of heights. Wait, let me change that. I'm terrified of heights. I love Soarin' but I am deathly afraid of heights. There are a couple of parts of the ride where I turn my head (when we get to the top of the mountains and we are about to go over the tops) but the attraction is just so much fun.

Of course, the castmember directs us to Row 1. I looked at Hunter and he looked at me and just laughed. Mama said "What's the deal with row 1?" We told her and she said "Is that good?" John explained that it was a very good thing because you'd be at the top of the theater. Soarin' was one of the things that John really really wanted Mama to ride. He had been talking about it forever with her.

We watched the little presentation and were shown into the theater. We showed Mama how to strap in and we stowed her purse in the net thing underneath the seat. The seating arrangements were John on the far left, then Mama, then Hunter, then me and complete strangers to the right of me.

Our glider rose to the top of the theater/screen and we were Soarin' over California. I could hear my Mama giggling like a little girl. She would say something to John and then she'd say something to Hunter. We floated back down to the floor and unbuckled. John asked Mama how she liked it and she said "I loved it!". I looked at John and he was grinning ear to ear. He was so glad that she had enjoyed Soarin' since he had been telling her about it for so long.

***Up next, a ride on Living With The Land!

 

[Kelrykengab]

Great update! I know what you mean about having a family member taking pix from far away. Whenever we have my brother take one of us, you can hardly see us. Oh, and just in case, you know I am kidding about the flamingos, right?

 

[Kathy Jetson]

Sounds like a great start to the day! I wish we could make it to a park opening but we are not morning people. I get an 8:00am wake up call and that is as early as I can stand. I can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!

 

[MEK]

great update! So glad mama is having a good time and you had such a fun ride on Soarin. What a nice beginning to your trip! I hope mama never has to stand on the bus. And I hope she continues to get around well in the parks.

 

[charming23]

Great Update!!!! I too am terrified of heights but for Soarin I am willing to make an execption.

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[hmcfall711]

OK- I finally have to chime in. I lurked on the shoe/pee TR and I have gotten sucked into this one. I think that I have read another one of yours too but I am not sure? I always subject DH to my summary of every installation.

We drove down to WDW on our last trip (12 hours) and it rained on us also (seems like it does somewhere along the drive everytime) and I was sure that we would see a horrible wreck too. (We have seen a wreck every time we have driven.)

It is so strange because I feel like I know your family and your boss. I love the personality of Huter and Lacy that show through in their photos. John often reminds me of my DH on our trips. (inprompttu naps and work phone calls) We have stayed at CBR twice and loved it but now we are DVC and LOVE our home resort AKV.

I am also excited to see how "mama" fairs on this trip because we have often talked about taking the MIL and FIL to WDW but did not know how they would hold up. They are in their 70s but VERY active and social. FIL has had double knee replacements but gets around like a 20 yr old.

I look forward to seeing what new adventures await

 

[cherylsmike]

I just knew Mama would love Soarin'. I keep asking my grandmother to come with us on a trip. She of course is now a great grandmother and in her 70's but maybe someday.

 

[teedee]

I'm glad your mom loved Soarin. It's one of my fav's but I also have a fear of heights, so I'm fine with being in the second or third row!

Terri

 

[Nettaboo]

check out momma tackling the moving platforms with no problem!! sounds like you had a great start to your first day!

 

[MaryAz]

Great update! fun day so far. I just love your sayings! Yay for dates for your next trip. I hope you can squeeze in a trip before then. Say Sep when we are there I am not sure about our spring trip. Avery gets out really late next year. Hmmm.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great update! I know what you mean about having a family member taking pix from far away. Whenever we have my brother take one of us, you can hardly see us. Oh, and just in case, you know I am kidding about the flamingos, right?

Back in the day before digital cameras, we'd come back from vacation and have the most gosh awful pictures. Usually somebody would be headless, half faced, eyes closed or something similar.

And, yes, I did know you were kidding about the flamingos.

Sounds like a great start to the day! I wish we could make it to a park opening but we are not morning people. I get an 8:00am wake up call and that is as early as I can stand. I can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!

Don't go gettin' all excited thinking you're gonna see a bunch of park opening pictures, 'cause I think that was the only one we made the entire trip. I am an up-and-at-'em kind of morning girl. Hunter's pretty good too but John is not a morning person. He's a night owl to the nth degree.

great update! So glad mama is having a good time and you had such a fun ride on Soarin. What a nice beginning to your trip! I hope mama never has to stand on the bus. And I hope she continues to get around well in the parks.

John was so very happy that Mama enjoyed Soarin'. That was the one thing that he really really hoped she liked!

 

[leamom2princesses]

Sounds like a great start to your EPCOT day. I love the pic of your Mama and her reaction to the Beverly soda. It is so funny. She looks like she is thinking " what did you just do to me?". I'm glad she enjoyed Soarin' too. How fun!

P.S. I get a lot of calls, texts, and emails from work while we are at Disney and it drives Joe crazy. If I ignore them they just increase in frequency so it's best to answer them. I try to sneak and do it while we are in line for rides. He doesn't fuss to much if I do it then.

 

[PittypatBR]

Aww, Mama looks so cute in her pretty aqua top and her jewelry to match! I NEVER look that good at the parks - I go for comfortable and cool all the way! I'm glad you had a good start to the day. I usually don't get my crew up and going in time for rope drop, but they did it twice this last trip, and were soon after on most other days. It makes SO much difference in what you can see and do.

Hope y'all had a great Father's Day!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Get up HUNTER!! Don't you know you're at WDW and it's your first park day!! Good grief...kids. I practically JUMP out of bed when we're at WDW. It's a good thing he was up and ready in a timely fashion and you didn't have to "scold" him again!

Ahhh....Epcot. How I love thee! Great job getting Soarin' FPs for the group! I'm so glad Mama enjoyed it.

 

[jenniferkeala808]

Yay! So glad Mama wants to go back! And great job Mama on those moving platforms! LOL! Looks like she loved the Beverly! LOL! And so glad she loved Soarin’! Can’t wait for next update!

 

[MissLiz]

I am so with you on Soarin'! I'm terrified of heights and no matter how much I try to forget, I always am thinking "I am 30 feet above a concrete floor, I am 30 feet above a concrete floor."



I always try to ask if I can be in the 3rd row. It all depends on if the CM looks friendly or busy.

 

[Believeinfairytales]

So glad you made it to Epcot before the park opened. That is wonderful! Your mother looks so pretty with her matching jewelry! I am glad that she enjoyed Soarin' so much, too!!! I just loved your description of her first experience on this attraction. I've only done it once, but I can't wait to do it again!!!