What the hey? pt11

Mickey'sGirl · #1 08-31-2011, 09:43 PM

What the hey? Let’s just go to Disneyworld – August 14-24, 2011

Awesome cast of characters:
Me (Jennifer )
Brian (My partner in crime for 38 of my 42 years – CanadianWDWFan)
Harry (Just turned 13, is growing like a weed and is ALWAYS hungry)
Euan (7 years old and loves all things Disney, especially Mickey)

So this was our last full day at the World. We had been watching Irene’s path, and our departure plans would depend on what she decided to do. We decided to make a quick jaunt over to the Studios to ride Star Tours one last time. Which we did (and our parking spot was not so bad). So after doing Star Tours, and visiting the Muppets one last time, we headed back out of the park, and back to the Animal Kingdom.

We opted to try Mara for lunch. I wanted the vegetarian flat bread, but it had Pesto, and I am allergic to nuts, so I ordered the chicken flatbread, which when it came had PESTO DRIZZLED ON IT, so I had to ask for one pesto free … Cuz I really didn’t want to end my holiday at an ER somewhere. When it was all sorted and we were fed, we went back up to our room to change, as we all wanted to spend some time at the pool.

Later, after a fantastic time spent at the pool, we went back to the room and showered and changed, then went to catch the bus over to the Magic Kingdom. Just before arriving at the park, the black clouds rolled in, and one devil of a thunderstorm arrived. Honestly it was as if buckets of water were being dropped one by one down on the world. Lots of people were seen running FROM the park wearing ponchos, and many of us were huddled under the bus canopies waiting to run INTO the park. Eventually, we just went. We weren’t soaked, but it was quite cool and refreshing to be so very damp. J We had yet to ride the train around the park, and the big guys wanted to go on Space Mountain. So we headed over to Tomorrowland where we got 4 fastpasses. While waiting, we rode Buzz and the TTA (twice!), then Brian and Harry went to do Back to Back Space Mountain rides, and Euan and I went to see if we could get a ressie at the Plaza (we could not), so then we took some photos at the Partner’s statue, and went to see if we could ride Small World while the dissenters were otherwise occupied. It was a no go. You wouldn’t believe how crowded Fantasyland was … it was as if a cruise ship had just unloaded its guests right by the carrousel. So we opted to go and check out stuff in stores instead. Euan built some lightsabres, walked the robotic dog, and then we sat around and waited (in the drizzle) for Brian and Harry to reappear … BUT while doing that, we rediscovered the Intergalactic phone booth under the Astro Orbiter. We had fun calling all the different “numbers”, and when Brian and Harry came … we did it all again!

Euan had been jonesing to ride the Astro Orbiter for days, but the line is always so extreme. Now that it had reopened (it had closed during the thunderstorm that just passed), the line was not too bad, so Brian and Euan went to ride. So, now it was time for Harry to wait around in the drizzle with me. It had become a little heavier, so we moved over to sit at a table under the cover. Harry went and got himself a coke (I didn’t want to take a table without being a patron), and eventually we were joined by a family needing a spot to eat out of the rain, and then we were rejoined by our own family.

We decided to head over to Columbia Harbor House for dinner. I knew that we all liked the choices there, and I really was looking forward to a Lighthouse sandwich. We had a fabulous quiet table upstairs overlooking the HM queue, and our local friends arrived and met us up there (the Mr. hadn’t had his dinner yet, so this was a good place to meet!). When we were all done, we went through the Haunted Mansion together, then over to take the Jungle Cruise. Fantastic fun, before our friends had to leave (it was a school night for their daughter). So with lots of hugs and some tears, we parted for the final time this trip.

We headed back to the train station in Frontierland, because we still hadn’t gone around the park. We rode the train all the way around, and saw the backside of the Fantasyland refurbs. The Beast’s castle looks great! When we got off again in Frontierland we headed back towards Adventureland and the Tiki Birds. Harry wanted to see the Tiki Birds, so after a little wait, we did. Funny thing was that Euan was asking what happened to Iago? He must be the only one! We had just a little time to spare before the fireworks started (fireworks make Euan very upset), so we made a beeline for Mainstreet, and the Emporium. The parade was on, so the road was quite crowded, but we wanted to check out the Emporium anyway. Brian was looking for a t-shirt that he liked, and Harry had actually purchased earlier in the week … but he did not find it (and honestly did not mind that he did not find it). We made our escape across to the exit just as the dragon arrived, and we headed for our last bus ride home from MK until next time.

Travel back to the lodge was the normal 20 minutes, and we organized the bulk of our stuff for our departure the next day. Actually, Brian and Harry took a full load of stuff out to the car so that it would be easier in the morning.

ElenitaB · #2 09-01-2011, 12:32 AM

So sad that your holiday is coming to an end... What a relaxed time this last day was, no?

faline · #3 09-01-2011, 12:54 PM

The dreaded last day....at least you had some wonderful times, make great family memories, and shared fun and laughs with friends! A very successful vacation all around!

mudpuppysmom · #4 09-01-2011, 01:02 PM

It's over already......seems like we all say that! Glad you had a good trip!

DizNee143 · #5 09-01-2011, 03:57 PM

another great day..sad its the last full day!

pdrlkr · #6 09-01-2011, 04:09 PM

Thanks for the Report!

MississippiDisneyFreak · #7 09-02-2011, 04:32 PM

Great MK and shopping!

Joannelet · #8 09-03-2011, 08:29 AM

Ugh the last day is always sooo sad! What a great trip you had!

January-2007 · #9 09-04-2011, 09:19 PM

Thanks for reporting.

Dsnygirl · #10 09-07-2011, 10:23 AM

The last day is always the hardest, even when you know you have another trip out there!

Funny, you did many of the same things we did our last day... didn't realize we were walking in your footsteps days later!

Glad it was such a nice day, even with the rain... I remember that downpour, it was a doozy. I think we were in Epcot, buying our own set of ponchos...

KylesMom · #11 09-07-2011, 10:48 AM

Is it really time to pack up? I hate this day!

Good plan, hitting Star Tours one last time & spending your last evening at MK. You sure have had a wonderful time - and I know that alone sometimes makes it all the harder to leave! What great memories to take with you, though. I'm hoping Irene didn't make your drive home nasty!