You can take the girl out of Disney, BUT

[jenseib]

I like your pictures from Pirates. The one of the treasure room at the end is awesome!

Great story about your BIL- Rum. Cats. What's not to love???

45 minutes! Pirates is usually the ride you can go on while waiting for something else (FP for Big Thunder or Jungle Cruise) to come due. But I can sympathize. We had a 30 minute wait during a rainstorm during the class trip since the outdoor rides were down.

I do like that one too.
It was awful having to wait knowing this isn't a ride I normally have to wait for...but if we wanted to ride anything...that was what we had to do...and we just went with the flow and sucked it up.

 

[jenseib]

We decided to see how long the line for Splash Mountain was.

It was 110 minutes…we’ll pass for now.

I took a shot of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as it was getting refurbed.

And then we got a treat.

And I made the decision to go over to Tom Sawyers Island. Something I hadn’t done since Michael and Paige were little and I thought it would be nice to take Claire over to check it out.

We boarded our raft and it was hot..and we were jammed packed on that little thing…and then we had to wait for the boat to go around before we could cross.

It was just so hot and sweaty and Claire's ice-cream was melting fast. I think Skip finished it up. And we had a young couple who were all over each other. The girl was hanging on the guy like her life depended on it. It just really bugged me. She was just stroking his back with her fingernails and it was like a suggestive way…hard to describe…but it was more than I wanted to see and I couldn’t understand how they weren’t about to pass out from the heat. Probably because I was so hot and standing right up next to them is why it bothered me…any other time I might not have even noticed it.

We made it to the island…and I think it got 20 degrees hotter over there.

We just kind of wandered a bit.

Claire found a cave with some jewels.

And was very excited to run along the paths.

Skip and I found it boring pretty quickly on, but Claire did enjoy it, so we let her run around a bit….and I took some pictures.

You could get some different views of things from the island….that was nice.

We made our way to the fort and Claire took off exploring. Skip found a spot to sit…with many other adults. I was surprised how little they had available for sitting. Most parents were leaning on a wall or converting something to sit on….they need many more benches here.
I explored too and took a few pictures.

 

[jenseib]

I decided to try some artsy shots and have different focus points.

And a couple of more artsy shots.

I had some dirty looks from kids when I was waiting my turn to get to the gun and cannon. LOL

I actually lost Claire for a bit…and was scared. I asked Skip if he saw her and he said no…and I kept walking through the fort and couldn’t find her. She had been in there the whole time….we were just not in the same area at the same time and it kind of freaked me out a bit that it would be easy for kids to leave and no one would ever noticed.

We had had enough of the island…it was just too dang hot and though Claire liked it, I don’t like spending time at Disney doing this kind of run around play for too long. She got some energy out and that was good.

We had to wait for the raft again.

Another boat was coming around.

We loaded and we had a captain change too.

The lovey dovey couple were with us again on the return ride…this time I think the heat got to them as well and they weren’t so touchy feely. They are sitting right on the other side of this sign. And I’m sure they are a very nice couple…but it was hot and I hate being crammed up next to people.

 

[Caretames1]

We haven't been to the Island either, it always seems to get pushed aside. Maybe in Nov... I know if the Fantasy land expansion is open, we'll be spending loads of time there.

There are those artsy photos! I love doing that, it can change up a picture so differently. I still can't decide which ones I like better!

 

[jenseib]

We haven't been to the Island either, it always seems to get pushed aside. Maybe in Nov... I know if the Fantasy land expansion is open, we'll be spending loads of time there.

There are those artsy photos! I love doing that, it can change up a picture so differently. I still can't decide which ones I like better!

I do suggest going over at least once and take a look and it does give you some different pictures. It's just not super exciting...at least to me. I do remember Michael and Paige liking it over there in the Fort too.

 

[englishrose47]

Have to agree about Tom Sawyer Island it really is fun for kids , but for adults once in awhile is plenty!!!

 

[annmarieda]

I always like the island...even thought it is always the HOTTEST ride there and yes, like 20 degrees hotter once there.

As alway.... great pics

 

[jenseib]

Have to agree about Tom Sawyer Island it really is fun for kids , but for adults once in awhile is plenty!!!

they need a little something more for adults there. Some benches (maybe a beer...I know not allowed at MK...)

I always like the island...even thought it is always the HOTTEST ride there and yes, like 20 degrees hotter once there.

As alway.... great pics

I wonder why it's so hot over there...no air cirulating I guess. I am glad we experienced it with Claire, but I won't be rushing back anytime soon.

 

[mom2rtk]

We went over to Tom Sawyer Island on our last trip for the first time. Probably our last time too....... I left thinking we must have missed something.......

And it was really hot on that boat ride over....... in DECEMBER! Can't even imagine what it's like the rest of the year.........

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Cats fighting for scraps! I could just picture that so funny!

One of my GDs pulled the sword out of the stone. There was no recognition of her doing it. DH saw a little boy pull it out just a little later. You know when it's going to pull up because it easily pulls straight up.

When we used to go to WDW when the kids were small was mostly early June or spring break. The wait times were ungodly. You couldn't ride much in day, also no fast passes.

 

[petals]

I don't think we've ever done Tom Sawyers Island either.

 

[francis6306]

Yay! Caught up over here too!

Skip was just shocked that you listened to him when he said he didn't want to go to Disney. Probably didn't expect you to really plan a trip without Disney in there… Corey does stuff like that to me. Says he doesn't want something and then low and behold- he's SHOCKED if we don't do something.

We didn't ride POTC last time. I'm hoping to ride it next time. I think Catie will be too small to care and Cortlyn will be old enough to talk about it so it won't be scary… HOPEFULLY!!!

I want to take the girls to the island in Nov! I think they would both really enjoy wandering around over there!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

At least Claire had a good time on the island. We went to Disney for years and years before venturing over there. While we do enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle of the park, we only go to the island every year or two.

 

[stephielela]

We took Jack over once, he had a good time but it was SO HOT! Plus I think I heard they stopped doing the paintbrush thing?

 

[jenseib]

We went over to Tom Sawyer Island on our last trip for the first time. Probably our last time too....... I left thinking we must have missed something.......

And it was really hot on that boat ride over....... in DECEMBER! Can't even imagine what it's like the rest of the year.........

LOL...yeah...not super exciting...but something to do every so often. They need to do a little updating over there.

Cats fighting for scraps! I could just picture that so funny!

One of my GDs pulled the sword out of the stone. There was no recognition of her doing it. DH saw a little boy pull it out just a little later. You know when it's going to pull up because it easily pulls straight up.

When we used to go to WDW when the kids were small was mostly early June or spring break. The wait times were ungodly. You couldn't ride much in day, also no fast passes.

Claire would just be so happy to accomplish that feat of pulling it out.

Thats how it was back when I took Paige and Michael too. long waits and no fast passes...but we survived.

I don't think we've ever done Tom Sawyers Island either.

I can see you Mum over there.... She would be thrilled.

Yay! Caught up over here too!

Skip was just shocked that you listened to him when he said he didn't want to go to Disney. Probably didn't expect you to really plan a trip without Disney in there… Corey does stuff like that to me. Says he doesn't want something and then low and behold- he's SHOCKED if we don't do something.

We didn't ride POTC last time. I'm hoping to ride it next time. I think Catie will be too small to care and Cortlyn will be old enough to talk about it so it won't be scary… HOPEFULLY!!!

I want to take the girls to the island in Nov! I think they would both really enjoy wandering around over there!!!

I am behind once again too.. I know the feeling. I was gone most of the day today and came home to over 200 emails...most of them notifications from my Nov facebook group. Those girls can Talk!!!!!! I cleared most of those out and now tackling the Dis.

You must give Pirates a try. Claire had a few years where she was slightly scared of it...but that was one ride I made her ride and she never cried or anything and always liked it after.

At least Claire had a good time on the island. We went to Disney for years and years before venturing over there. While we do enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle of the park, we only go to the island every year or two.

Yes..it was definitely quieter over there. But sooo hot. I am glad we did it...but I don't think I'll be back anytime soon unless Claire requests it.

We took Jack over once, he had a good time but it was SO HOT! Plus I think I heard they stopped doing the paintbrush thing?

i had read they did away with that too.

 

[jenseib]

We weren’t sure if they were training someone or just moving a raft around…but this empty one was off to the side of the main crossway.

And where did we go next……the smoking section.

I became real familiar with several of these areas on this day.

Claire and I then headed off to find a bathroom while Skip stopped to get a drink.

We then decided to ride Haunted mansion since it was right there. Again the line was fairly long, but it moved pretty fast.

We did skip the interactive queue. I am not sure how that works really. It seems like you lose your place in line when you go that way, while in the regular line you keep moving. Maybe I am missing something?

The ride was fun…we didn’t have switching heads in the hitchhiking ghost area like I did last summer. I forget actually what did happen, but we laughed and loved it….Maybe our heads got bigger?

Believe it or not…it was time for another smoke break. LOL. So off through Fantasyland we went.

 

[jenseib]

I saw the crane in action so I took a quick shot.

And I kept moving. Skip then said “Jen, Quick take a picture of that”. So I looked up and this is what I saw….the newest, greatest Fantasyland ride.

I sure wish I had my telephoto lens for that. WE all were laughing and lots of jokes were made.

The smoking section is right near the castle, so I took several more shots.

And then we headed towards Pooh.

This is another shot I wish I had my telephoto lens as well. I actually cropped it down for the look I wanted, but it’s not sharp.

The people in front of us were kind of annoying. They kind of acted like the line was “theirs” and a little loud and annoying. It consisted mostly of adults and they were playing a little too rough with the interactive queue things.

Claire enjoyed running around and playing, but she would keep looking back at me to be sure she could see me still…..Skip did walk out there with her and kept a closer eye on her as well.

 

[dizneeat]

Caught up here again too!

You will not lose your place in line IF you use the interactive queue at the Haunted Mansion. They are kind of 2 lines now,which join again at the turnstiles.

Oh my! You had me in stitches about the crane ride!
We experienced the interactive queue at Winnie the Pooh last summer during our tour and it is pretty fun!

 

[jenseib]

Caught up here again too!

You will not lose your place in line IF you use the interactive queue at the Haunted Mansion. They are kind of 2 lines now,which join again at the turnstiles.

Oh my! You had me in stitches about the crane ride!
We experienced the interactive queue at Winnie the Pooh last summer during our tour and it is pretty fun!

Thanks....I just wanted to get on that ride fast...and we were too hot to try it out...mostly because our line just kept moving too. But maybe next year we'll stop and smell the dead roses!

I swear that is one of the funniest things I ever saw. We all just kind of stood there ....waiting for a guy to open the door and realize they were moving it with him in there using it.

 

[francis6306]

That's an AWESOME shot of the crane in action!!!

Cortlyn enjoyed what little time we spent in the Pooh que… I think we had very little wait, but there were people behind us, so we didn't let her play too long.