Who Turned on the Heat?! Our sweaty 2 weeks in May! Final Thoughts.

[chicagoshannon]

We left off with us heading down (up?) Main Street.

We were off to Splash Mountain for fast passes. Now, should we ride Big Thunder while we wait? I wanted to ride it in the dark so we left that one for later and decided on the Haunted Mansion.

I enjoyed the ride much more this time then the previous week. I noticed a lot more of the changes this time.

We still had some time before our fast pass and it was still light so we decided to take a ride on the paddle boat.

It was a very relaxing ride. There is a nice story they tell while you're riding the paddle boat. It was also the first time that the heat didn't bother me.

It was now time for our fast passes for Splash, but first we grabbed FP for BTMRR for later.

We got nailed with water from the falling log. We were soaked!

I really wanted that ice cream sandwich so we headed over to Main Street for that.

We headed back to Frontier land to eat the ice cream and wait for Spectro Magic to start. The plan was to watch spectro then head to BTMRR for our ride and then watch the fireworks.

cont'd

 

[chicagoshannon]

We found a nice spot right by the path to the mountains. We had or escape route established and were ready to bolt when the parade was over. This was when I started wishing Madeline was with us. We were sitting next to 2 families with kids her age. They were very friendly and Madeline would have loved playing with them. The whole time we were there Madeline would introduce herself but the kids would just stare like she was an alien. These girls would have been perfect little playmates for her. Oh well.

The parade finally started

just before the parade was over we snuck out to hit BTMRR. I love this ride and had only been able to ride it once this trip. We got there and it was down DOWN! UGH We waited around a bit and then they announced it would be down for the rest of he night. Splash Mountain was also down. Double wammy!

It was almost time for the fireworks but I was determined to ride another ride. I heard the jungle cruise was cool at night so we headed that way. It was us and one other family. It was a very nice ride and our skipper was much better then the previous one.

About 3/4 of the way through our ride the fireworks started. After the ride we headed toward Main street admiring the fireworks on the way. We just headed out. Left the park and instead of being directed to the express monorail they blocked it off and we had to go around to the resort monorail BUT when we got around they had opened the express one up again. It was too late and they wouldn't let us go over there. GRR So our plan to beat the crowd didn't work so well. We got back to the parking lot and headed home. Traffic was not bad at all.

I think it was about 10:30 or so when we got back to the condo and mom said Madeline had only been sleeping for about 30 minutes. YIKES! Luckily the next day was an off day.






I'm just going to throw our next day in here since it wasn't that exciting. We woke up and dad again slept til 11am at least. We headed out Old Town and Checkers for lunch. We walked around there for a short time. Boy has that place turned into a dump! A dump with rides but still a dump! We jumped back into the car, made a quick stop at Walgreens and then back for nap. I think we might have actually skipped swimming today. It was overcast and actually started raining by the time we left for dinner. Tonight was Sweet Tomatoes night. I think it rained for a while off and on.

Wednesday was Epcot for Behind the Seeds tour. Would my parents be impressed?

 

[crocko]

Old Town! I remember that place.

When I was 6 (so, 1987, I believe) was the first time we went there.
It was a blast! Back then, they had a really cool arcade area on the east side that had a whole bunch of fun games...I remember even as a little 6-year old that I had a crazy-good winning streak on the horse races (where you roll the balls into the holes).
We've been back a few different times (last was 2002) and it has definitely become less exciting each time. No doubt that in the last 7 years it has probably gotten even dumpier. Sad.....one less reason to leave WDW property

 

[Johnson1220]

Chicago Shannon - I really enjoyed reading your TR ! Your pictures are fantasic. Can you tell me what type pf camera you have. I am in the market for a new one and want to get it before our sept trip so I can perfect my skills for the Big Cheese

 

[my2disneyboys]

Sounds like a great date night! (Except for Big Thunder and Splash being down!) I am the same way- I love going out with Wayne alone but when I do and I see other kids around, I always wish mine were with me. Disney would be great to have one night alone without them.. especially so that you and your DH can ride some rides together. We did lots of I go with Owen- you take Myles...

 

[mickeystoontown]

For years and years, we stayed in suites beside Old Town and it was fantastic. About five years ago, we started noticing how it was just going down the tubes and stopped staying there. Especially after our room was broken into and they stole all kinds of things (jewelry, cash, credit cards, etc.) from us while we were swimming . You can't tell me the staff wasn't watching our comings and goings. Otherwise, they wouldn't have know we were in the pool for just 45 minutes.

Anywhooo, we still like to drive over to Old Town and eat a Checkers slaw dog and go to Black Market Minerals. Other than those two places, we walk right past it all. Last year, someone said they were supposed to be revamping Old Town. They sure need to.

I am looking forward to eating at Whispering Canyon in August. It will be our first time there. My husband would love to have one of those HUGE glasses.

 

[crocko]

My stomach started to hurt just looking at the pics of that big drink. Wow!

 

[wlwilliams9]

WCC looked yummy. We were supposed to eat there one night, but cancelled and ate CS instead. Now I'm bummed we missed it! Bummer BTMRR was down when you wanted to ride it. Isn't that the way it goes?

 

[longing2Batdisney]

glad date night turned out great... we have never been to Olde Town; I always have so much planned in a short span; and when we passed on our way from the townhouse it did not look very appealing this year...that entire strip looked bad this go round...

 

[chicagoshannon]

Old Town! I remember that place.

When I was 6 (so, 1987, I believe) was the first time we went there.
It was a blast! Back then, they had a really cool arcade area on the east side that had a whole bunch of fun games...I remember even as a little 6-year old that I had a crazy-good winning streak on the horse races (where you roll the balls into the holes).
We've been back a few different times (last was 2002) and it has definitely become less exciting each time. No doubt that in the last 7 years it has probably gotten even dumpier. Sad.....one less reason to leave WDW property

I went to that same arcade as a kid. We used to get the coupon books that gave you free tokens for that place.

Chicago Shannon - I really enjoyed reading your TR ! Your pictures are fantasic. Can you tell me what type pf camera you have. I am in the market for a new one and want to get it before our sept trip so I can perfect my skills for the Big Cheese

it's a Nikon D40 DSLR camera. I like it but it's a big bulky camera. If you're looking for a point and shoot I've heard good things about the Canon Elph.

Sounds like a great date night! (Except for Big Thunder and Splash being down!) I am the same way- I love going out with Wayne alone but when I do and I see other kids around, I always wish mine were with me. Disney would be great to have one night alone without them.. especially so that you and your DH can ride some rides together. We did lots of I go with Owen- you take Myles...

Maybe next time you can do the Neverland club. Will Owen be old enough then?

For years and years, we stayed in suites beside Old Town and it was fantastic. About five years ago, we started noticing how it was just going down the tubes and stopped staying there. Especially after our room was broken into and they stole all kinds of things (jewelry, cash, credit cards, etc.) from us while we were swimming . You can't tell me the staff wasn't watching our comings and goings. Otherwise, they wouldn't have know we were in the pool for just 45 minutes.

Anywhooo, we still like to drive over to Old Town and eat a Checkers slaw dog and go to Black Market Minerals. Other than those two places, we walk right past it all. Last year, someone said they were supposed to be revamping Old Town. They sure need to.

I am looking forward to eating at Whispering Canyon in August. It will be our first time there. My husband would love to have one of those HUGE glasses.

Old Town used to be really nice. They took away the doll/teddy bear store and we went in the candle store and no one was even making any. I used to love watching them carve them! We used to go to Church Street Station too but last time we were there it was awful so we didn't even attempt it this time.

Tell you husband to chug the first drink and then he'll get one of the massive ones.

My stomach started to hurt just looking at the pics of that big drink. Wow!

yeah it's not something I could have handled!

WCC looked yummy. We were supposed to eat there one night, but cancelled and ate CS instead. Now I'm bummed we missed it! Bummer BTMRR was down when you wanted to ride it. Isn't that the way it goes?

You'll have to go to WCC next time. I am surprised at how limited the Disney menu's are though. There was only like 4-5 things on the menu.

glad date night turned out great... we have never been to Olde Town; I always have so much planned in a short span; and when we passed on our way from the townhouse it did not look very appealing this year...that entire strip looked bad this go round...

you made the right decision. Definitely not worth the time we spent there (and I think it was only 15 minutes excluding lunch)

 

[MagicShell]

Sounds like your MK day was great. I loved Madeline's pictures with the princesses. Too bad you didn't get to ride BTMR at night. I have never done that but I would like to. We got to ride Dumbo at night last trip and it was fun. I like theme parks at night with all the lights turned on.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Sounds like your MK day was great. I loved Madeline's pictures with the princesses. Too bad you didn't get to ride BTMR at night. I have never done that but I would like to. We got to ride Dumbo at night last trip and it was fun. I like theme parks at night with all the lights turned on.

we'll have to try Dumbo in the dark next time. IF we're there at night. I think MNSSHP is going on most of the week we're there.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I'm ready to wrap up this TR!

We had a Behind the Seeds tour booked for 11:45 I think it was. We headed to the park at about 8:30am. I didn't feel the need to be there super early this day. Even though we were later then the previous time it was a lot less crowded.

We had our matching shirts on today so we had to do this

We didn't care to see rope drop again so we headed off to find our picture.

This came as part of our package on our honeymoon in 2004.

After taking a stroll down memory lane we headed off toward the Character spot. I think we had about a 10 minute wait. This was right after opening. I'd hate to see it a little later in the day.

It was neat they had the fab 5 and they each had their own little area.

I think this was the 4th time we saw Pluto. haha

We then went in search of butterflies.

Then Tinkerbell's garden

They had a little playground in the garden. This is where Madeline was trying really hard to make a friend and the girl just stared and stared at her. Madeline kept introducing herself "hi, me Olson, Madeline" (she had just learned to say her last name and was getting it confused lol) It was so cute but I felt horrible that the other girl wasn't responding. I could tell Madeline was missing playing with her friends back home.

I have to say I think it had finally made it back into the high 80's this day. It was definitely cooler then the previous week and a half!

cont'd

 

[chicagoshannon]

On the way to the Land we stopped into Mousegears. I love this store so much more then WOD. I think WOD is too big or something. I miss when DTD had more individaul shops. Anyway, we picked up a baby Dumbo in a blanket for Madeline here and looked around.

was next. We wanted to ride living with the land before our tour. I think it was only about 10am at this point. We walked right on. I do NOT like that they took out the "driver" of the boat. The ride through the greenhouses is so, so boring now. It was much nicer when the driver would go over everything in there.

After the ride Eric took Madeline off for some fun. My parents and I got a snack from Sunshine Seasons and then checked in for our tour. This is a very nice tour. We even got to sample some of the produce they grow! Here are some pictures.

our tour guide

that's a grapefruit

that plant was so cool! It's needles folded back when you touched it.

cont'd in a few Madeline just woke up.

 

[crocko]

Love Living with the Land ride and the unique ways that Disney is growing plants.

Back in 2002, I believe, we did this tour and loved it. It is extremely affordable, doesn't take a lot of time out of your schedule, but is really fun and informative.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Love Living with the Land ride and the unique ways that Disney is growing plants.

Back in 2002, I believe, we did this tour and loved it. It is extremely affordable, doesn't take a lot of time out of your schedule, but is really fun and informative.

I agree it was very affordable! One day I would love to do Keys to the Kingdom.

 

[chicagoshannon]

After the tour we met up with Eric and Madeline by Spaceship Earth. Eric had taken a survey while they waited. He said they had eaten at Electric Umbrella and went on the Nemo ride again. They also did the kidcot station in there and went inside Bruce. I wish they had had a camera.
I took some more pictures on the way out

But we werent' leaving yet! NOPE! We decided to hop on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom.

That was the last picture I'd take with my camera in any of the parks. I wanted to just enjoy the last couple of hours.

Madeline wanted to see Daisy and ride a couple of rides again.
When we got to the gate I took Madeline ahead while the others went through bag check. We got this picture.

We then headed to Fantasy land. It was MOBBED! I think we got there around 1:30pm NOT a good idea. We ended up riding the carousel and then heading to Snow White. The sign said 20 minute wait. EEK! I don't think it took that long.

Madeline wanted to ride pirates again so we headed over there. We walked right on. Madeline is now obsessed with pirates. I think I hear about it at least once a day.

After Pirates everyone was pretty much done. On the way out Eric stopped by City hall to upgrade his ticket to non-expiring. Can you believe he got THE SAME CM that screwed up my ticket the week before. GAR! She tried charging him at least $50 more then it was supposed to cost so he passed. While he was taking care of that I took Madeline to see Daisy.

We then headed out. We got Giordanno's for supper and then went swimming.


Next up our last day.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Great day at Epcot!!! That is where I messed up on the characters. We were there for the EMH one night and I had seen the fab 5 and shouldva taken Ashton than but I wanted to catch the rides (but, good thing I did it the way I did--you'll find out why in my TR later) and it was raining pretty good that night and he just looked washed out.

I think we will have to try a tour next time; if my dad comes I know he would love the "Behind the Seeds", sounds interesting...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

LOVE this picture; we skipped Daisy; each time we passed there was a 30 min wait--which meant 45 min (with breaks)

 

[lisalonglash]

Holy crow!!! You've been a busy little poster! All your pictures are fabulous, as usual! I can't wait to try WCC - it looks like you all had a blast there! I'm so jealous of your date nights - heck, we barely get any of those at home, never mind on vacation!

I'm sad that you're up the last day though