SBETigg
09-04-2007, 05:08 PM
Previous Report: Day One (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=114620)
Dates: August 19- 29.
Grand Floridian, MK View: Boca Chica 8507
Cast:
Sherri: AKA SBETigg,38, longtime WDW fan.
Sean: The DH, 42, desperate for a vacation.
The DS: 16, still willing to be seen with parents at WDW.
The DD: AKA SunshinePiglet, 14, shares love of all things Disney.
Plans to wake early and head to Epcot go slightly awry as the gang has trouble getting out of bed. I’m up, showered, and ready by 8 and work on rousing the teens. Once out of bed, teens take unexpectedly long showers. With some effort and needling, I manage to motivate the gang to head for the monorail by 9:30.
But first, a quick stop for a morning snack at Gasparilla Grill. The kids and I get Rice Krispies treats (breakfast on a stick?) and we all get water. The DH is a habitual breakfast skipper. We head for the monorail with snacks in tow. I’m pleased when the kids declare that my Rice Krispies treats are better than Disney’s, even though theirs are shaped like Mickey and tipped in chocolate. Oh yeah, I rock.
A monorail switch at the TTC proves the Epcot monorails are packed and we worry that we’re headed to a crowded park. Not so, really, it is just that we’re all headed there at the same time. We manage to FastPass Soarin’ and head back to start at Test Track, only a 30 minute standby wait, not too bad. And air-conditioned. Ah. Unfortunately, the man in front of us is drenched in cologne and we all fight off headaches and allergic reactions from the smell. Ugh. Still, I always love the quirky music and demonstrations in the Test Track queue. The chest impact simulation freaks out my poor DD, who may never want to drive as a result. I’m sure she will change her mind.
On Test Track, fun as usual, I always tease the DH about that corner with the truck. That one really startled him on our first trip and I can see him bracing himself in preparation for it so as not to scream like a girl when it comes. Haha! He manages to keep his cool, but we exchange glances and laugh as we round the corner. My ride photos always come out horrendous and this one is no exception. I would like to know why Disney ride photo cameras seem to add fifty pounds instead of the standard accepted ten. No fair!
We fit in a trip to Mission:Space before Soarin’ (Orange team, no Greenies in this family) and I fail my team by not pressing the Navigator buttons when I should. I chalk it up to hunger and we head for Soarin’. A kid runs in front of us to cut the line and pull his mother in with him just as we enter the FastPass queue. I let it go with a shrug- he’s British and I love the accents. But he’s climbing all over the rails. At first, he’s cute. Then, it becomes annoying. He never moves with the line, and why doesn’t Mum tell him to get down? And how about cutting his hair so he doesn’t look like a girl?
I secretly start to hope he falls then wonder what is wrong with me! How nasty. Of course, I really don't want him to get hurt. Startled, maybe. Must be the heat. Of course, it’s an air-conditioned line so I really have no excuse. What if I turn into one of those mean old cat ladies one day? The ones who keep neighborhood children’s balls that roll into the yard? Oh my! Fortunately, the line moves along, the boy and his mother are taken ahead of us, and I can turn my mind to wondering what row we’ll be in, which section?
My evil thoughts apparently have not doomed us to row three. We’re seated in row one, section A. Fantastic! I love Soarin! The lift-off, the smells, the feeling of flight, and it’s over all too soon. But it’s lunch time. Off to Mexico. We have time to kill, so we head for Norway first. Bad news- Maelstrom is down. Oh well, back to Mexico. The kids get water and the DH and I split a Fiesta margarita on the way. We’re still early for our 1 pm seating, so we ride the boat ride (no line!). I love the new version! I liked the old version, too, but the Fiesta ride in search of Donald is really fun and new, with some old touches remaining.
We get back in time to check in for seating, and we’re seated right away at a table for four in the middle, not near the river. I ponder asking for a river seat, then opt against. We’ve been there before, give someone else a turn (I have to make up for my morning evil thoughts with a good deed, right?). Turns out, a table of Disney execs are seated next to us and they are discussing the Haunted Mansion changes. One of the men exclaims that one of the changes really scares him. OooOoh! Can’t wait to see it!
After lunch (Mexico review) (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=114721), we head back to the monorail with plans for an afternoon rest. The DH and I soak up the atmosphere on the balcony (http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/13898/2634734460102098585S600x600Q85.jpg) and head back in to nap while the kids go off to try out the pools. A few hours later, we’re refreshed and ready to hit the MK.
At the Magic Kingdom (http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/15012/2707726460102098585S600x600Q85.jpg)(again, a crowded park), we start at Space Mountain, get a FastPass (60 minute standby line, no thanks), then ride Buzz Lightyear. The DH blows us all away with a 250,000 score and despite my tips from INTERCOT, I can’t get past 40,000. Drat! We ride the TTA and head back to Space Mountain, which is exhilarating as ever.
We have hot dogs and fries (no one wants the brownies, I save them for later) at Casey’s then head for Jungle Cruise. It’s almost time for Spectromagic, but we’ve decided to make it a ride night and not worry about parades. We manage to get FastPasses for Big Thunder, but Splash is out of FastPasses and we decide not to wait in the 70 minute standby line. After Big Thunder, it’s Pirates again (never more than a twenty minute wait for this trip, and usually under ten minutes) and then we’re all tired and decide to head back.
We pass the end of the parade on our way out (hooray! It always makes me happy) and ride the boat launch back to the Grand Floridian. Fireworks are going off as we get snacks and drinks from Gasparilla, and we catch some of them in the sky as we head back to our room. Another tiring but perfect Disney day.
Next: Day Three (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=114831)
Dates: August 19- 29.
Grand Floridian, MK View: Boca Chica 8507
Cast:
Sherri: AKA SBETigg,38, longtime WDW fan.
Sean: The DH, 42, desperate for a vacation.
The DS: 16, still willing to be seen with parents at WDW.
The DD: AKA SunshinePiglet, 14, shares love of all things Disney.
Plans to wake early and head to Epcot go slightly awry as the gang has trouble getting out of bed. I’m up, showered, and ready by 8 and work on rousing the teens. Once out of bed, teens take unexpectedly long showers. With some effort and needling, I manage to motivate the gang to head for the monorail by 9:30.
But first, a quick stop for a morning snack at Gasparilla Grill. The kids and I get Rice Krispies treats (breakfast on a stick?) and we all get water. The DH is a habitual breakfast skipper. We head for the monorail with snacks in tow. I’m pleased when the kids declare that my Rice Krispies treats are better than Disney’s, even though theirs are shaped like Mickey and tipped in chocolate. Oh yeah, I rock.
A monorail switch at the TTC proves the Epcot monorails are packed and we worry that we’re headed to a crowded park. Not so, really, it is just that we’re all headed there at the same time. We manage to FastPass Soarin’ and head back to start at Test Track, only a 30 minute standby wait, not too bad. And air-conditioned. Ah. Unfortunately, the man in front of us is drenched in cologne and we all fight off headaches and allergic reactions from the smell. Ugh. Still, I always love the quirky music and demonstrations in the Test Track queue. The chest impact simulation freaks out my poor DD, who may never want to drive as a result. I’m sure she will change her mind.
On Test Track, fun as usual, I always tease the DH about that corner with the truck. That one really startled him on our first trip and I can see him bracing himself in preparation for it so as not to scream like a girl when it comes. Haha! He manages to keep his cool, but we exchange glances and laugh as we round the corner. My ride photos always come out horrendous and this one is no exception. I would like to know why Disney ride photo cameras seem to add fifty pounds instead of the standard accepted ten. No fair!
We fit in a trip to Mission:Space before Soarin’ (Orange team, no Greenies in this family) and I fail my team by not pressing the Navigator buttons when I should. I chalk it up to hunger and we head for Soarin’. A kid runs in front of us to cut the line and pull his mother in with him just as we enter the FastPass queue. I let it go with a shrug- he’s British and I love the accents. But he’s climbing all over the rails. At first, he’s cute. Then, it becomes annoying. He never moves with the line, and why doesn’t Mum tell him to get down? And how about cutting his hair so he doesn’t look like a girl?
I secretly start to hope he falls then wonder what is wrong with me! How nasty. Of course, I really don't want him to get hurt. Startled, maybe. Must be the heat. Of course, it’s an air-conditioned line so I really have no excuse. What if I turn into one of those mean old cat ladies one day? The ones who keep neighborhood children’s balls that roll into the yard? Oh my! Fortunately, the line moves along, the boy and his mother are taken ahead of us, and I can turn my mind to wondering what row we’ll be in, which section?
My evil thoughts apparently have not doomed us to row three. We’re seated in row one, section A. Fantastic! I love Soarin! The lift-off, the smells, the feeling of flight, and it’s over all too soon. But it’s lunch time. Off to Mexico. We have time to kill, so we head for Norway first. Bad news- Maelstrom is down. Oh well, back to Mexico. The kids get water and the DH and I split a Fiesta margarita on the way. We’re still early for our 1 pm seating, so we ride the boat ride (no line!). I love the new version! I liked the old version, too, but the Fiesta ride in search of Donald is really fun and new, with some old touches remaining.
We get back in time to check in for seating, and we’re seated right away at a table for four in the middle, not near the river. I ponder asking for a river seat, then opt against. We’ve been there before, give someone else a turn (I have to make up for my morning evil thoughts with a good deed, right?). Turns out, a table of Disney execs are seated next to us and they are discussing the Haunted Mansion changes. One of the men exclaims that one of the changes really scares him. OooOoh! Can’t wait to see it!
After lunch (Mexico review) (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=114721), we head back to the monorail with plans for an afternoon rest. The DH and I soak up the atmosphere on the balcony (http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/13898/2634734460102098585S600x600Q85.jpg) and head back in to nap while the kids go off to try out the pools. A few hours later, we’re refreshed and ready to hit the MK.
At the Magic Kingdom (http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/15012/2707726460102098585S600x600Q85.jpg)(again, a crowded park), we start at Space Mountain, get a FastPass (60 minute standby line, no thanks), then ride Buzz Lightyear. The DH blows us all away with a 250,000 score and despite my tips from INTERCOT, I can’t get past 40,000. Drat! We ride the TTA and head back to Space Mountain, which is exhilarating as ever.
We have hot dogs and fries (no one wants the brownies, I save them for later) at Casey’s then head for Jungle Cruise. It’s almost time for Spectromagic, but we’ve decided to make it a ride night and not worry about parades. We manage to get FastPasses for Big Thunder, but Splash is out of FastPasses and we decide not to wait in the 70 minute standby line. After Big Thunder, it’s Pirates again (never more than a twenty minute wait for this trip, and usually under ten minutes) and then we’re all tired and decide to head back.
We pass the end of the parade on our way out (hooray! It always makes me happy) and ride the boat launch back to the Grand Floridian. Fireworks are going off as we get snacks and drinks from Gasparilla, and we catch some of them in the sky as we head back to our room. Another tiring but perfect Disney day.
Next: Day Three (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=114831)