disneyboy98
07-05-2007, 02:41 AM
Boy is it LATE!!!:sleepin:
However we are back at the room and while my pics are uploading I thought I better write a post. I told myself to write a "Reader's Digest" vresion of the night but somethimes that doesn't happen with me.
Well after Cape May (delicious as always) we headed over to Epcot to get our passes. Mom and I vouched for a 7 day park hopper this year (if we stay longer we always get annuals) and dad got an annual pass just so we have one in case a "discount" comes up over the next year. First thing though we walked over to the Boardwalk to look around and, of course, it starte to do the "Florida Rain." You know, where it rains hard for a few minutes and then stops. Well after that, there was a rainbow out and as the family photographer I had to take pictures of it (with a little coaxing from mom and dad). So, enjoy all the rainbow pics everybody!
So after that we walked right into Epcot and made our way over to the American Adventure. You could tell that the crowd was going to be big that night as two and half hours before illuminations, people were already starting to claim their spots along the perimeter of WS. As for tradition, we Canadians made our way over to the American Adventure for the 8:15 pm showing. It was fantastic as always and yes we did see the "updated" version of the finale. I noticed Tony Hawk (skateboarder), mom noticed a couple of other people I can't remember right now and I don't want to wake her. We both, however, caught the little montage to 9/11. It was very tastefully done, showing some of the wreckage but more importantly showing the firefighters lifting the American Flag up (all of us have that picture engrained in our brains). The song has been extended, I would say, about 10 seconds (mostly instrumental). If you have seen the show alot, you would notice the change. If you haven't seen it alot, you probably wouldn't notice.
After the show we headed over to Norway to look through the store. We love Helly Hanson and that is definitely a store I like to look in as much as I can.
After looking through Norway (leaving Maelstrom for another day) we headed over to Mexico to check out the new updated ride with Donald. While I will miss the old ride (it was awesome for a no wait line just to cool of kind of ride) it was actually cute and I could see why kids would really like it. It still is one of those rides that I would not wait more than five minutes for, but it was still pretty good.
After taking our trip through Mexico, we walked back toward China and found a spot for Illuminations about five minutes before it started. I have said it for two years in a row, YOU AMERICANS KNOW HOW TO PARTY!!! Plus, you have so much pride for your nation, you could just feel it in the energy tonight. If you have never been to Epcot before for the 4th, belive me, you need to come here. I know that everyone says that the MK is the "place to be" but you really need to give Epcot a chance. That 4th of July finale for Illuminations is one of the loudest, colorful, and energetic fireworks displays you will see. The ending when all of the fireworks are going off is almost deafening!! Plus, after the show they play all kind of patriotic music. My mom and I were saying that America has all of the best "patriotic" songs because as they were playing them tonight at Epcot, I found myself humming along with all of them. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!:thumbsup:
Well after that, we decided that because the MGM was open until 1:00 tonight (EMH) we would head over there and see what was open. On the way there we walked around the Boardwalk and saw the cutest elderly couple in the world. They were hand in hand and just enjoying being at Disney together (they were proably around the late eighties). My parents said they hoped that would be them when they reached that couples age. But the best part was when these two teenage boys approached them and gave the older man a hug. You could totally tell that this had to be their grandpa or great grandfather by the look of them. But the best part was that this young man had absolutely no problem with giving one of his elders a hug out in public. My hope is that is the way he has been brought up and not just a "Disney" moment. But it was really awesome two see those two generations and the closness that they shared!
After reaching the MGM via the walkway from the Boardwalk to the MGM we got our wrist bands and headed into the GMR. Fantastic as alway!! The best part though was that it was a five minute wait to get in.
We then headed over to The "Art of Disney" store (attached to the animation tour) and looked around there for awhile while my mom called Beckie from a pay phone. We found tons of cool things in there especially some motivational posters based on Walt Disney. I have included some in the pictures (link at the bottom). We have all seen them before but these ones were "Disneyfied".
After looking through the store and the back part of the animation tour we headed over ot Playhouse Disney where that "Party" (sorry I can't remember what it is called) was happening with all of the characters from teh Disney channel and the classic Disney characaters coming out and hanging out with the kids. As you can see from the kids there is SOOOOO much character interaction here that this is an absolute must when you are here during EMH. The kids had an awesome time dancing and getting up close with Rolie Polie Olie, JoJo and Goliath, Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Chip and Dale. If you want your kids (and you) to remember a time when the characters weren't surrounded by their bodyguards then this is the place you have to be!! Sorry to sound so much like Stacey (that annoying, but cute, host of the WDW info channel)!!
Well after that, dad decided that he wanted to go on TOT. The wait time for TOT was over 40 minutes so we though, "ok, let's go on once, just for dad." Well we got through the entrance and kept walking....and kept walking....and kept walking....until thirty seconds after going through the entrance we walked right into the library. What about the 40 minute wait?? Well, there was none!!! LOVE THAT!!!!! So we rode it once and thought, "hey, let's see if lightning will strike twice. Sure enough, it did!!! In a matter of twenty minutes we had rode TOT twice. We were the last elevator of the night and then they shut the place down! It was the perfect ending to the perfect evening!!
Well that about wraps up our first evening here at WDW. The boats have stopped coming by so I guess they are shut down for the night. It's quite dark out and as you can proabably guess...I AM EXAUSTED!!
However, tomorrow is kind of a special day. You see, there is this retaurant called "Le Cellier". It's in my home country of Canada in WS. Well we are going to be trying that for the first time EVER (lots of trips and never tried it) for lunch. We are really excited and I can't wait to share my review with you tomorrow. Our actual plans for tomorrow are a bit sketchy. Luckily, for us, we take WDW as it comes. If we feel like doing it, we do. So I guess tomorrow will be a bit of an adventure. The one thing I did not to was get on SE and I have to do that before the 9th!! Other than that, whatever comes will come!!
Hope you had an awesome 4th of July!!
Have a great "Disney" day!:mickey:
To see today's pictures please click here (http://picasaweb.google.com/brettyoung321/WDWJuly4th2007)! As you can see I have switched from Yahoo to Picasa. I just like it better and you get bigger pictures when you click on them. You may also see a few pics of a certain neice on there!!:thumbsup:
Have a good one!
However we are back at the room and while my pics are uploading I thought I better write a post. I told myself to write a "Reader's Digest" vresion of the night but somethimes that doesn't happen with me.
Well after Cape May (delicious as always) we headed over to Epcot to get our passes. Mom and I vouched for a 7 day park hopper this year (if we stay longer we always get annuals) and dad got an annual pass just so we have one in case a "discount" comes up over the next year. First thing though we walked over to the Boardwalk to look around and, of course, it starte to do the "Florida Rain." You know, where it rains hard for a few minutes and then stops. Well after that, there was a rainbow out and as the family photographer I had to take pictures of it (with a little coaxing from mom and dad). So, enjoy all the rainbow pics everybody!
So after that we walked right into Epcot and made our way over to the American Adventure. You could tell that the crowd was going to be big that night as two and half hours before illuminations, people were already starting to claim their spots along the perimeter of WS. As for tradition, we Canadians made our way over to the American Adventure for the 8:15 pm showing. It was fantastic as always and yes we did see the "updated" version of the finale. I noticed Tony Hawk (skateboarder), mom noticed a couple of other people I can't remember right now and I don't want to wake her. We both, however, caught the little montage to 9/11. It was very tastefully done, showing some of the wreckage but more importantly showing the firefighters lifting the American Flag up (all of us have that picture engrained in our brains). The song has been extended, I would say, about 10 seconds (mostly instrumental). If you have seen the show alot, you would notice the change. If you haven't seen it alot, you probably wouldn't notice.
After the show we headed over to Norway to look through the store. We love Helly Hanson and that is definitely a store I like to look in as much as I can.
After looking through Norway (leaving Maelstrom for another day) we headed over to Mexico to check out the new updated ride with Donald. While I will miss the old ride (it was awesome for a no wait line just to cool of kind of ride) it was actually cute and I could see why kids would really like it. It still is one of those rides that I would not wait more than five minutes for, but it was still pretty good.
After taking our trip through Mexico, we walked back toward China and found a spot for Illuminations about five minutes before it started. I have said it for two years in a row, YOU AMERICANS KNOW HOW TO PARTY!!! Plus, you have so much pride for your nation, you could just feel it in the energy tonight. If you have never been to Epcot before for the 4th, belive me, you need to come here. I know that everyone says that the MK is the "place to be" but you really need to give Epcot a chance. That 4th of July finale for Illuminations is one of the loudest, colorful, and energetic fireworks displays you will see. The ending when all of the fireworks are going off is almost deafening!! Plus, after the show they play all kind of patriotic music. My mom and I were saying that America has all of the best "patriotic" songs because as they were playing them tonight at Epcot, I found myself humming along with all of them. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!:thumbsup:
Well after that, we decided that because the MGM was open until 1:00 tonight (EMH) we would head over there and see what was open. On the way there we walked around the Boardwalk and saw the cutest elderly couple in the world. They were hand in hand and just enjoying being at Disney together (they were proably around the late eighties). My parents said they hoped that would be them when they reached that couples age. But the best part was when these two teenage boys approached them and gave the older man a hug. You could totally tell that this had to be their grandpa or great grandfather by the look of them. But the best part was that this young man had absolutely no problem with giving one of his elders a hug out in public. My hope is that is the way he has been brought up and not just a "Disney" moment. But it was really awesome two see those two generations and the closness that they shared!
After reaching the MGM via the walkway from the Boardwalk to the MGM we got our wrist bands and headed into the GMR. Fantastic as alway!! The best part though was that it was a five minute wait to get in.
We then headed over to The "Art of Disney" store (attached to the animation tour) and looked around there for awhile while my mom called Beckie from a pay phone. We found tons of cool things in there especially some motivational posters based on Walt Disney. I have included some in the pictures (link at the bottom). We have all seen them before but these ones were "Disneyfied".
After looking through the store and the back part of the animation tour we headed over ot Playhouse Disney where that "Party" (sorry I can't remember what it is called) was happening with all of the characters from teh Disney channel and the classic Disney characaters coming out and hanging out with the kids. As you can see from the kids there is SOOOOO much character interaction here that this is an absolute must when you are here during EMH. The kids had an awesome time dancing and getting up close with Rolie Polie Olie, JoJo and Goliath, Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Chip and Dale. If you want your kids (and you) to remember a time when the characters weren't surrounded by their bodyguards then this is the place you have to be!! Sorry to sound so much like Stacey (that annoying, but cute, host of the WDW info channel)!!
Well after that, dad decided that he wanted to go on TOT. The wait time for TOT was over 40 minutes so we though, "ok, let's go on once, just for dad." Well we got through the entrance and kept walking....and kept walking....and kept walking....until thirty seconds after going through the entrance we walked right into the library. What about the 40 minute wait?? Well, there was none!!! LOVE THAT!!!!! So we rode it once and thought, "hey, let's see if lightning will strike twice. Sure enough, it did!!! In a matter of twenty minutes we had rode TOT twice. We were the last elevator of the night and then they shut the place down! It was the perfect ending to the perfect evening!!
Well that about wraps up our first evening here at WDW. The boats have stopped coming by so I guess they are shut down for the night. It's quite dark out and as you can proabably guess...I AM EXAUSTED!!
However, tomorrow is kind of a special day. You see, there is this retaurant called "Le Cellier". It's in my home country of Canada in WS. Well we are going to be trying that for the first time EVER (lots of trips and never tried it) for lunch. We are really excited and I can't wait to share my review with you tomorrow. Our actual plans for tomorrow are a bit sketchy. Luckily, for us, we take WDW as it comes. If we feel like doing it, we do. So I guess tomorrow will be a bit of an adventure. The one thing I did not to was get on SE and I have to do that before the 9th!! Other than that, whatever comes will come!!
Hope you had an awesome 4th of July!!
Have a great "Disney" day!:mickey:
To see today's pictures please click here (http://picasaweb.google.com/brettyoung321/WDWJuly4th2007)! As you can see I have switched from Yahoo to Picasa. I just like it better and you get bigger pictures when you click on them. You may also see a few pics of a certain neice on there!!:thumbsup:
Have a good one!