Trip Report Day 8: 11/29/13

Epcot

We started the day at Epcot with a Fastpass+ at Soarin'. That ride is more of an experience than an actual ride, and it is so relaxing and fun. You have to ride it to know what I am talking about. After we finished, we had breakfast at Sunshine Seasons. The multigrain croissant was surprisingly good.

When everyone was able to finish riding, we headed over to Test Track to wait in the single rider line. We were able to ride in 40 minutes, as opposed to the 110 minutes that it said for the stand-by line. Then, I walked around with Jax so he could fall asleep while some of my family rode Mission Space. When we met up, we headed over to to the World Showcase, as I had planned on having a brat and a beer at Sommerfest in Germany. Tom and I were able to get brats, beers and Nudel Gratin for Jax, and we were even able to swing a table. Jax was still asleep, so I saved the Nudel Gratin for him to have when he awoke.

Afterward, we were all able to head over to America so the rest of my family could have their lunch an dthen to Japan to shop in Mitsukoshi for a little bit. In America, we bought a Peppermint Hot Cocoa that had Peppermint Schnapps in it and it was delicious. I bought a few items in Japan and we headed over to Imagination while Georgie, Uncle George, Garrett and Paige went to go check in for Dive Quest in the Living Seas. Jax was able to ride Imagination and then we headed over to the Garden Grill for our dinner reservation and Candlelight Processional Package.

Candlelight Processional

While eating dinner, we saw Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale and Jax squeezed their noses. The dinner was OK, but the dessert and the rolls were very good. We got Jax a light up Buzz Lightyear clip-on and a Toy Story cup with his meal. After dinner, we went over to Nemo and Friends and were able to ride that with Jackson. He also watched Turtle Talk with Crush, but wasn't totally interested in sitting down quietly. We waited for Dive Quest to end and took Jax around to look at the fish in all of the tanks.

By the time they were out, we had to head over to the Candlelight Processional. The line for advanced tickets was so long that it lined the fence from America to Morocco. The line moved pretty fast and were able to sit in the back with the stroller because Jax was sleeping. I found some of the cast members that night to be very irritable and rude, and others to be extremely nice. I guess everyone deals with crowds differently. The show was lovely and festive. Gary Sinise did a great job narrating and the lighting for the event was pretty cool. It was a great way to begin the holiday season.

After the show, we got a hot cocoa and Chai tea latte because it was so cold out. We raced to the bus stop and the bus came right away. Fortunately, Jax slept through the show and all the way back to the resort. He even slept through his diaper change. I was amazed, but he must have been wiped out from the day.

WDW Day 6

Thursday, August 20
Highlights: Magic Kingdom, Tony's Town Square Restaurant, Epcot

My family took my advice and did not head to Magic Kingdom during a weekend or at the beginning of the week because that is when I heard everyone else goes. Well, I was slightly correct. When we got into the park, we headed straight for fast passes for Thunder Mountain Railroad. I always miss it because the wait is always so long. Then we headed over to The Hall of Presidents and it was amazing to see the likeness that the imagineers created for Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama. It was really moving. After the show we went to the Haunted Mansion and I laughed and fake screamed the whole time. TK knocked on AR and UG's doom buggy to frighten AR, and he did. It was a lot of fun. After leaving Liberty Square, we headed to the Country Bear Jamboree to see if the we could waste some time before our fast passes were ready. It was cute but it needs a slight update. Then we headed to Splash Mountain to wait on line to get soaked. We always get pretty wet and enjoy seeing who got the wettest. We made ridiculous faces when the photo was taken before the plunge. I just love the song, "How do u do! Pretty good sure as your born!" After getting drenched and not being able to save our silly picture to our photo pass, we headed over to Thunder Mountain to use our passes. With Space Mountain closed, we had to make sure we rode this coaster. Riding with TK is not as bad as riding with my brother. When we were younger he would squash me against the side with every turn of the train. I think I felt my ribs touch in the center at one point. When we were finished riding, we headed over to Fantasyland and watched TK, CG and Mom spin in the teacups. They were making me nauseous just watching them spin. Mom loves it though, I don't really get it. I did enjoy the soft pretzel I had in the meantime though. All of the rides in Fantasyland had too long of a wait so we traveled to Adventureland for the Tiki Room, which I love, and Pirates of the Caribbean, which I love the most. I am a BIG fan of pirates, fact and fiction. That ride has the best queue too with the cool dark cement caves and flickering lanterns. It is perfectly themed. We got pretty embarrassed on the ride because we got stuck under Davy Jones and held up a whole line of boats. Oops! By the time we got out of Pirates, it was time for a snack so we got ourselves some Dole Whips and they are the BEST dessert in all of WDW. Cool, refreshing and pineapple...perfect. After our treat we had to head to Tomorrowland and try to gain some fast passes for Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. That is a family favorite. While we waited, we took a rest in the Carousel of Progress. "It's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day!" Another song that gets lodged in my head after a visit to Magic Kingdom but, I love it! Then we walked right into the Laugh Floor Comedy Club. We sat in the front row and the show was really funny. When we were done laughing, we headed back to Buzz Lightyear and took our Space Ranger Spin. TK always kicks everyone's tail. I think he cheats because he turns the car just as I am shooting Zurg. It is just not fair!

By the time we were done playing around, it was time for our lunch reservation at Tony's Town Square Restaurant in the front of the park. We had never eaten there before so we were excited to find out what it was like. It was themed after Lady & the Tramp and serves Italian food. For starters, I had the cheesy bread with bruschetta and tasted AR's cream of tomato soup. Both were very good. Then I had the shrimp scampi but it was a bit under-seasoned so I was satisfied but not delighted. Then for dessert, I shared the ice cream bomb with TK and it was a great ending to a good meal. Mom's dessert was more interesting because there was a picture of Lady & the Tramp made of chocolate dust on her plate. Nice touch!

After lunch, we left and went back to the resort. We got refreshed and headed back to Magic Kingdom to squeeze in some last minute rides. We were able to see Mickey's Philharmagic, It's a Small World and took a ride on the Tomorrowland Speedway. Then...it started to thunder and lightning. I wasn't too effected but the Spectromagic Parade and Wishes Fireworks Spectacular were. We headed back through the stores, which were packed, to get to the front of the park. No fireworks this vacation...darn!

When we got back to the resort, I decided I would head back to Epcot for extra magic hours by myself. So, I sat at the bus stop as bus after bus passed by and then...here comes Dad. He didn't want me to have to walk around Epcot alone so he kept me company. The bus finally came and we made our way around the countries first stopping at Mexico to ride the Gran Fiesta Tour practically alone and then continued through the countries to ride Maelstrom in Norway. It was nice to spend some time with my Dad alone. That usually doesn't happen on a family vacation of 9+. We got back pretty late and went straight to bed. Tomorrow we are heading to Hollywood Studios pretty early. Ready to ride my favorite...

WDW Day 2

Sunday, August 16

Highlights: Epcot, Whispering Canyon Cafe

Up early on a weekend to head to Epcot Center. One of my favorites. We took the bus to the park for Extra Magic Hours and started at Future World. We made sure to head to Spaceship Earth first because it had been refurbished and I cannot remember the last time we actually rode it. We enjoyed the end when our photos got placed on cartoons that we could email to ourselves. Then we scooped up fast passes for Test Track but headed to Soarin'. I do love that ride but didn't wear flip-flops so the wind couldn't blow through my toes. The scents and the breeze are my favorite parts of that ride. 

Then we headed back to the other side of Future World and did Energy, Mission Space, and by that time, our fast passes were ready for Test Track. We were done with all of Future World that we cared about by 1 p.m. and were shocked. So then we traveled to the countries, which I love.

We started from Mexico but just viewed the countries from the outside because we were starving. My Dad said we never ate lunch in the countries and decided on China for our midday meal (I would have chosen the Electric Umbrella if anyone asked me, but have to branch out). I ordered the vegetable stir-fry and was very displeased. Tofu lovers would be happy with this dish but I think tofu tastes like a dish sponge so I was not a fan. Good thing Mom got a funnel cake in the U.S. and AR got a Grand Marnier smoothy in France. I mooched off of both. My Dad actually saw a friend of his from back in NY while in France. What are the chances? The only country attraction we partook in was America and we saw the Voices of Liberty while we waited for the show to begin. They can make some crazy faces while singing but have very beautiful and powerful voices. I enjoy their rendition of Oh Susanna when they make banjo noises with their mouths. It is great. Then the American Adventure show made me get a little misty, especially when I saw the images of 9-11. Good thing it was dark in there or I would have been made fun of. 

After America, we walked through the other countries and did a little shopping. We stopped at the Rose & Crown, of course. I love it there. I ordered a Cider & Black because I love Strongbow, TK ordered a Black & Tan, and UG, CG, and Dad ordered beers. We never eat there, but we do drink! After we finished our beers, we headed to Innoventions to see if the characters were there for our Disney Visa photo shoot, and THEY WERE! We took pictures with Mickey and Pluto, and they even made TK get down on one knee like he was proposing to me ... again. He was embarrassed. Then we left the park to return to our resort.

After relaxing for a little bit, we got ready for dinner and headed to the Wilderness Lodge. I had never been there but knew exactly what I wanted to see when I walked in: the humongous fireplace, Humphrey the Bear at the bottom of the totem pole so I could rub his nose, and the Fire Rock Geyser. I checked in at the podium and waited forever, but that just meant I had enough time to sightsee and to build my ravenous hunger. After sitting on a rocking chair in front of the fireplace for a bit, TK and I took a walk to see the geyser and it went off just two minutes after we got over there. I felt kind of lucky. The Wilderness Lodge is just immense and amazing. It is a huge atrium with wood carvings, dark fabrics, and a rock formation pool. If I had the money, I would choose to stay there. Then, my pager went off.

We ordered our drinks, which came in a mason jar, and the skillet. It began with a bowl of salad, cole slaw, and cornbread. The salad had a wonderfully tart vinaigrette dressing that I really enjoyed. Then they brought the big bowl of meat. It had pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken. The pulled pork was my favorite and the ribs weren't messy enough for me. The skillet also came with beans and mashed potatoes. TK is a mashed potato aficionado and he thought they were some of the best he has ever had. Then the games began. CG asked for one too many sodas so the waitress brought him a huge jug of Coke Zero. Then he tossed AM's fork on the floor and the waitress brought over a huge wooden fork. We were cracking up but were prepared for the antics. After we filled our bellies and said, "see y'all" to the Wilderness Lodge, we returned to our room and played cards well into the night. Tomorrow we are going fishing.