Another day, another missed rope drop opportunity. We got up around 7:30, dressed, and headed immediately to the lounge to scope out the breakfast offerings. I had oatmeal with dried blueberries, a mini blueberry muffin, and fruit. CP had fruit … Continue reading
Monday, May 9
After two days of blissful morning touring, we were officially rope drop converts and thus were up again around 7am. We quickly ate and got ready to drive to the Magic Kingdom, and after a relatively quick drive there, we got a parking spot in the first row of spots that wasn’t reserved for handicap parking. SWEET. I’m not sure if this is a normal thing or not, but the Express monorail wasn’t running, so we hopped on the Resort monorail and ended up in front of the train station at 8:25.
Good morning, Magic Kingdom!
The opening show was cute, but we were both impatient to get a move on, AND I realized while standing there that I had forgotten to put any sunscreen on this morning, save what little was in my foundation. Since my skin has two color options (blindingly pale and blindingly burned), I hid in the shade during the show and hoped for the best.
One the rope was officially dropped, we decided to actually follow a Touring Plan (we usually follow the spirit if not the letter of TPs, but I was game to try something new) and headed off to its first stop, Space Mountain. After a brisk jog up Main Street and through the Tomorrowland Terrace, we turned left toward SM and came to an abrupt halt. We were greeted by a solid human wall of Disney Cast Members, some costumed, others clearly managers, waving their giant stuffed Mickey hands away from Space Mountain – the ride was down, and no time could be estimated for its return. Well, CRAP. If we had known this at the entrance, we could have used the OTHER Touring Plan, which called for us to head directly to Big Thunder/Splash Mountains. In any case, not wanting to waste any more time, we skipped ahead in our current TP, bypassing Winnie the Pooh (just weren’t in the mood) and heading straight for Peter Pan’s Flight, which was an easy walkon. Next stop was the Haunted Mansion, which was also a walkon – not complaining here, but we still haven’t had a chance to really check out the new queue. The next stop was Big Thunder Mountain, which we rode twice, and which was a walkon both times. Have I mentioned yet how I LOVE ROPE DROP?
Looks scary, doesn't it? We wouldn't know because we didn't ride it this time.
Our next stop via the TP was Pirates of the Caribbean, a favorite of ours that was sullied horribly by the lady seated in front of us who must have taken a hundred flash pictures throughout the ride. Oh, well. At this point it was getting much hotter and I was growing even more afraid of the sunburn that would await me at the end of the day, so after a fruitless search of sunscreen in Adventureland and on Main Street, we headed out to the monorail to take a quick ride to the Contemporary Resort. There, we both took a bathroom break (love the quiet CR bathrooms) and I stopped into one of the shops to buy a horribly overpriced bottle of sunscreen, but seriously – can you put too high a price on avoiding a nasty sunburn? I can’t.
You know, you get to see some great things when you actually get up for rope drop...
After resting a bit and checking our e-mail, we headed to the monorail, where we disembarked at the TTC and transferred to the Epcot monorail. Yes, for those of you keeping track at home, we chose to leave our car in the TTC parking lot for two reasons: 1. We LOVE the Epcot monorail ride and 2. we planned to visit the MK later in the day, and figured we’d just monorail ourselves back.
Love these.
Our main Epcot mission this afternoon was to enjoy and take pictures of the Flower and Garden Festival, which we had really seen only in passing on Saturday and Sunday. We took numerous pictures of the Toy Story 3 topiaries at the entrance, and then made our way back to the World Showcase to take pictures throughout Canada, the United Kingdom, and Morocco, before stopping at the Tangierene Cafe in Morocco to split a vegetarian platter and refill our water bottles. (Note: for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike the Tangeriene Cafe is a fantastic deal AND offers really good food. You are ordered to eat there!) Our appetites satisfied, we continued on through Italy, China, and Germany, and then Norway and Mexico, where on the spur of the moment we decided to do the Mexico boat ride. It was pretty much as terrible as usual, but it offered a nice respite from the beating heat of the day. Now, before we move on, enjoy some lovely Epcot pictures:
Epcot just looks so beautiful during the Flower and Garden Festival.
Let's go fly a kite...
Saw this lovely lady in the fountain at the American Adventure.
I've said it before, but I love the level of detail in the Germany train village. Look at the tiny TS3 topiaries!
China.
Beautiful.
Anyway, our next stop was at the Cantina de San Angel for a passionfruit margarita, which CP claimed to have no interest in, but then helped me demolish. We both sipped on it as we walked through the other side of the World Showcase and back toward BWV, where we collapsed on the bed for a much-needed afternoon nap. It should also be mentioned that Monday was the day that both CP and I felt we were beginning a losing battle with sore and blistered feet. More on this later, ha ha!
After our nap, we awoke feeling sad about the fact that we now had less than 24 hours of fun left. We decided to drown our sorrows in ice cream, and walked down to Seashore Sweets on the BoardWalk, where CP had ice cream and I had a delicious Coke float. We watched the people wandering by and the boats honking their horns, and then took a few more pictures before heading back to our room to start packing.
Flower and Garden Festival in the late afternoon.
Once sufficient progress had been made on the packing front, we walked back to Epcot, stopping to take more pictures of the Flower and Garden Festival in the late afternoon sunlight, and then headed to Guest Relations at the front of the park to upgrade our current six-day Park Hopper tickets to Annual Passes, as doing so would save us money in the long run given our upcoming 10-day December trip. The upgrade process took a bit of time but was ultimately worth it, and like cats with canaries in our mouths, we headed out of Epcot, onto the monorail, and back to the TTC.
Now, you might reasonably expect that we were headed back to the MK for the evening, but decided instead to head to Downtown Disney to finish our souvenir shopping and grab some dinner before going to the MK for a late evening. This was partly because it was something like 95 degrees at 6pm, and our feet were very sore and torn up, so some time in the car – and in the car’s icy air conditioning, was certainly welcome.
Our first stop was Earl of Sandwich for – can you believe it? – a sandwich. Afterward, we ran over to
Watch out - he spits!
Once Upon a Toy to use the hidden bathroom in the back, and then headed over to World of Disney, which was an absolute madhouse. We then checked out the Art of Disney store, before heading to Goofy’s Candy Company and finally the pin store. Soon after, we headed back to the car, drove ourselves back to the TTC, and to be different walked to the Polynesian – one of my favorite places just to visit – to use the bathroom again, watch the Electrical Water Pagaent, and stroll the grounds a bit before monorailing back over to the Magic Kingdom. Once again, my momentary insanity led me to completely forget that we were AGAIN entering during the Electrical Parade.
Somehow – I can’t even really remember because I think I’ve blocked it out – we made it to Frontierland, where we waited out the parade and then headed directly to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which we road twice in succession, the second time during Wishes. Afterward, the wheels of our collective train completely fell off. We were tired. Our feet hurt. It was already late. So…we left. First, though, we headed back to Main Street to finish the shopping we couldn’t do at DTD. Again, temporary insanity must have made me forget what a bad idea this would be, as the stores were mobbed and the lines were long. Somehow we managed to survive it, but then we encountered the next mob at the TTC, where we waited an HOUR to board a tram back to our car.
This was truly the only time during our trip that I wished we had taken a bus instead of a car – while most parks’ parking lots are within walking distance and you can usually get to your car without relying on a tram, at the TTC you’re stuck waiting for a tram with everyone else. Also, CP getting her butt groped by some old lady while waiting in the tram line didn’t exactly improve the experience. Ah, well. Not the magical final evening in the MK we had on our October trip, but still a lovely day nonetheless.
Saturday morning, October 9th, was yet another beautiful sunny morning in Central Florida. We both got up around 7:45, went to the Mara for hot chocolate/coffee and some cereal. Today we were at the bus stop by 9:10a.m., easily caught a bus, and in a matter of minutes were at the gates to the Animal Kingdom.
Oh hai, Everest!
Walking briskly to beat the slowpokes and picture-takers, we arrived at Expedition Everest, which boasted only a 10 minute wait. After riding together we entered the single rider line and walked right back on, securing Fast Passes for later.
With Expedition Everest behind us, we leisurely walked toward the Africa section of the park, and took the train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, an area I admit we visited because of…the petting zoo. Yes, I am twelve! Or maybe four. In any case, we both were eager to see some goats and such.
As a bonus we watched some veterinarians perform an ingrown toe surgery on a tiny, tiny bird. We petted some goats. We did some learnin’ about nature. We saw some sheep. This is the stuff of exhilarating trip reports!
My idea of a good time...the petting zoo.
Anyway, soon we were back on the train, a bit peckish and in need of a decent cup of coffee after a couple days of nothing but Nescafe. While heading through Asia, we ran into Devine, who really is mesmerizing to watch. Eventually we ended up at the Royal Anandapur Tea Company where we each had chai and a muffin/cinnamon roll. We sat and ate in this tiny hut overlooking the water, and once finished headed back to Expedition Everest to ride again with our Fast Passes. By this time the lines were long enough to preclude even another run-through via the single rider line, so we headed out of the park, browsing the shops as we went. A quick bus ride and we were back at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
How hot must Devine be under all those leaves?!
Time for an update.
18 days until our spring getaway! Our dining reservations are set (until the next time I play around with them, which will probably be in, oh, another five minutes?), the basic plan is laid out (we’ll see if we stick with it; a recent analysis of our October, 2010 trip showed that we stuck to our plan from dawn-to-dusk on only four of our nine days. Still thinking about what that means.), and soon I can start pondering our packing list and debating the merits of online check-in. It’s been a long couple of months at work, and this lackluster spring isn’t making things any easier. This vacation is well-timed.
In other news, the nerds will again be visiting Disney with an entourage – our next trip (after our next trip) is 228 days away and counting! This December I will finally get to experience my childhood dream of seeing this:
Cinderella Castle at Christmastime. Swoon!
I don’t know what it is about the potential of seeing fake snow in Florida, but the idea of Christmastime in Disney gets me a little giddy in a way that I am loathe to admit to anyone over the age of, say, 10. I can’t help it. I’ve wanted to see it for years, and now it looks like (knock wood) I’ll have my chance.
The plans are still a bit unformed – it will be CP and my grandparents at the very least. Perhaps my aunt and cousin(s) will also join? We will be staying in a DVC villa on my grandparents’ points; we’ll find out tomorrow what is available. Hopefully it will be a two-bedroom villa with three bathrooms (especially if our travel party includes four women again), so that would make Kidani Village at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort the two best options. The former costs significantly fewer points than the latter, so that’s where I’m putting my money. Either option – or something else entirely – would be lovely. How can you resist this?
The Animal Kingdom Lodge, decorated for Christmas. (c) AllEars.net
In any case, it will be early December with family in WDW. I can’t wait.
On tap this week: some pre-trip thoughts before our imminent spring trip, and a comprehensive review of our October Food and Wine Festival- Animal Kingdom Lodge-Incredible 10-Day Extravaganza Trip ™.
Nerds in Wonderland 