Trip Report Day 6

Hey there everyone! I know, I know, it's been forever since my last post and I do apologize. But I am here now and so that means on with the trip report. So today, surprise surprise, we were back at Epcot. Can you tell what our favorite park is? We started out running over to soarin' to see what the waits were. We got on in the standby line with only a 20 minute wait. Not bad. After that we went over to Club Cool to check out everything in there. From there we headed over to Mission Space. It was only my girlfriend Jenea, my brother josh, and myself because neither of my parents thought they could handle the orange team. Let me tell you, that was the first time I had gotten to ride this attraction and I have never been on anything like it. It was a great attraction that kept us on the edge of our seats until the end. Next, we ran over to catch Test Track again, we just couldn't get enough of this attraction. It's definitely one of me and Josh's favorite attractions to ride together.

From there we met back up with my parents in Mouse Gears and headed back over to the World Showcase to catch some of the countries that we had missed or wanted to go see more of. Started in Norway, then to Germany, then over to Japan, shopping and taking pictures all the way. Though it was very hot outside, World Showcase was pretty calm and relaxing today. After Japan, my parents and brother decided that they were going to head back to the resort for a little break. That was fine with Jenea and I because we had a 3:00 ADR at the San Angel Inn.

We walked through the U.K. pavilion and wondered our way towards Mexico. When we got there, we had some time left so naturally I suggested riding the Grand Fiesta Tour again. So after we got off the attraction we shopped around the pavilion and then went over to check in for our ADR. We were sat and had our drinks before our 3:00 ADR time had rolled around. Jenea and I like to go out for mexican food when we are back home, so we were naturally drawn to the mexican restaurant in Epcot. And of course, the food did not disappoint. I had one the best margaritas on the planet while there which is good because it was nine friggin' dollars. lol. We both started out with the chicken tortilla soup, which was very good. As for the entree, we both got the Plato Mexicano which is a grilled beef taco, chicken enchilada, and cheese quesadilla with black refried beans, guacamole and Mexican rice. It was very tasty and very filling. I would definitely recommend the San Angel Inn for anyone who is craving good Mexican food while in WDW. After our early dinner we headed back to the resort to meet back up with the fam and head over for a night in the Magic Kingdom.

When we got there, we met up with my Aunt Lynn and her gang. We wanted to get a spot in the hub for Spectro Magic and Wishes so that's exactly what we did. When we found our spot Jenea and I decided that we wanted to run over and get on the Haunted Mansion one more time. We got back just in time to save our seats for Spectro Magic which was once again, an awesome parade. Then all we had to do was turn around and watch Wishes. This is a great fireworks show and just fills you with that sense of Disney, those of you who "get it" understand what I'm saying right?  From there we walked over and rode Space Mountain again, not that this is our favorite ride in the Magic Kingdom or anything. It was myself, Jenea, Josh, and my cousins Alisha, Sarah, and Meredith plus one friend Kate. We had a blast, as usual on Space Mountain. This ended another great day in the world. It's hard to believe that it's been two months since I was there. Well, guess that means it's time to start saving for another trip. Hopefully the next day won't be so far delayed as this one was. TTFN. Peace.

Trip Report Day 5

Today we kind of took it easy. We always try and take a day that we don't do as much so we don't all run out of steam before the trip is over. We started out the morning by going to the settlement at Fort Wilderness and having breakfast at the Trails End. All I have to say is Mickey Waffles. From there we went over to the Magic Kingdom to hit a couple more things that we missed. We went through the shops on the left side of Main Street making our way towards Tomorrowland. Once there we enjoyed the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. This was a well done attraction with a lot of good laughs. It was an all around fun attraction. From there we went over and rode Space Mountain, again. Can you tell what one our favorite attractions is? From there we went over and saw The Carousel of Progress. I love this attraction because it has been relatively untouched since it's debut at the World's Fair in I believe it was 1964. It's just one of those things you appreciate even more knowing that Walt himself had a hand in it. After that we made our way out of the Magic Kingdom to take in one of our unofficial family trip traditions. We hopped on the monorail and did the Magic Kingdom loop, resort hopping along the way. It's always been one of those things that we always like to do. We got around to the Contemporary again and hitched a boat ride back to Fort Wilderness for a little break before our night at Downtown Disney. 

We went to the 6:00 p.m. showing of Cirque Du Soleil La Nouba and I have to say that this was one of the highlights of the trip for me. I had an idea of how it was going to be from the previews I saw online. But nothing could have prepared me. It was a wonderful show and to all that are hesitant about spending the money to go, just do it. You will not regret it. From there we hopped in the car and drove down to the marketplace side of downtown disney. Not an easy task, from now on, I'm taking the bus. That parking lot was a nightmare and I encourage disney to do something about it. It was crazy! But once we got parked and out of the car it was time to find something to have for dinner. We ended up at Earl of Sandwich and were very surprised. It was our first time there and even though it was a bit loud to the point where we had to strain to hear one another, the food was excellent. I will definitely be going back and once again, if you haven't tried it, do it. After we ate we just hung around marketplace for a little bit and then went on back to the resort to end a bit more relaxed, but still eventful and fun day. Stay tuned for Day 6. Peace.

Trip Report Day 4

So today we went to to Animal Kingdom and all I have to say is man was it hot. We had all 11 of us there and we got there right at park opening to try and beat the heat but I think that Animal Kingdom is just the hottest park in Orlando. So the very first thing we did was run over to Expedition Everest since we hadn't ridden it yet. I will tell you, that has to be one of my favorite attractions in WDW just because of the Yeti. He was so large and his movement was so fluent, it was an awesome attraction. From there we went over to hit the Kilimanjaro Safari. On our way over to the Safari, walking through Asia towards Africa, we say Miss Devine. She was very elegant and just very interesting. I was just happy that I wanted to see her and I knew that she didn't have a set schedule of when she comes out. So then we went over to the safari  was awesome as usual. One thing though, no Giraffes! What's up with that! When we got off the safari we walked the Pangani Forest Trail. I love these walks and all the places to walk in Animal Kingdom but it was getting very hot out. Everyone was starting to get over heated and hungry by this time so we decided to head back to our resorts and take a break.

After our afternoon break, we headed back over to Epcot to get to our 3:30 ADR at Le Cellier. This was our first meal here but I had heard such good things about it, we had to go. Our first look at the menu showed that the options were a lot more expensive than we are used to. We learned from our dining at Coral Reef that there is no problem asking any question about the menu or substituting anything on that menu. I had the Filet Mignon over roasted red potatoes with a garlic mushroom butter sauce. Needless to say we were all sure to take our time eating this meal. It was so good that we couldn't help but take our time. This is definitely the one meal that we didn't mind paying for at all. We will definitely be going back to Le Cellier every time we go back to WDW.

After dinner we wanted to see the new O Canada film and we were very pleased with the new film. From there we went back up front to catch Spaceship Earth with it's new refurbishments and we were very surprised with it. The AA's moved very fluently and everything just looked very fresh. From there we headed over to World Showcase and started over in Mexico. I wanted to get on the Grand Fiesta Tour because I am a big fan of the Three Caballeros and couldn't wait to ride this attraction after I heard that it was being refurbed. After that my mom and dad were getting tired, but my little brother wanted to go by China before they headed back to the resort. So we went over to china and then my parents and my little brother went on back to the cabin. Jenea and I decided to stick around and catch Illuminations again. We were walking over towards Germany and found two opens spots on a bench right on the water. There were speakers right behind us that were cranked up and we thought that it was just about the perfect spot to view Illuminations. Once again, great day in the World. Stay tuned for day 5, Peace.

Trip Report Day 3

So today Jenea and I went to Blizzard Beach for morning extra magic hours. The best part about it is that we went with rain out tickets that we got in 2001. You have to love those no expiration tickets. We spent all morning at the water park and then came back to the resort, changed clothes, and went off to the Studios.

The first thing we did was to get fast passes for Rockin Roller Coaster. After that we just walked around Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard going in and out of the shops before we got our spot for Block Party Bash. I must say that this was a very cool parade. After the parade was over, we went over the ride Rockin Roller Coaster. Let me tell you, we have a coaster with a similar launch here in St. Louis, but it is nothing compared to the launch and the ride on Rockin Roller Coaster. After that we went towards Toy Story Mania to see what the fast pass times were for it even though I knew they would be crazy. They didn't have any more fast passes and there was no time on the stand by line because it was too long I think. From here we went looking for some place to eat and ended up at the Sci Fi Dine in Theater. It's the first time any of us had been there and it was pretty neat. We were all craving a burger so that what we got and I was very surprised at how good they were. 

After our early dinner we went right over and saw Muppet Vision 3D. You got to love this attraction, I mean it's the freaking Muppets! After that we went over to the Backlot tour since we knew we wouldn't have to wait and Jenea had never done it before. After that we went back up to the Great Movie ride and met up with my Aunt Lynn and her gang. We rode the Great Movie Ride and of course had a good time since when you get that many of us together it's always a fun time. Then we made our way towards the Fantasmic theater to get our seats early, since we had 11 people and we all wanted to sit together. Fantasmic was awesome, as usual, except when it's over and all those people are crowding to get out. So Jenea and I parted ways with the group so we could go take some night pictures around the Studios before we headed back. We decided as we walked down Hollywood Boulevard that we would stop by Toy Story Mania and see what the wait was. 20 minutes! That's right, and it was right before the park was to close, there were 5 people behind us and they closed the doors. I got some great shots of the interior of the queue. The ride was amazing, great fun, and awesome effects. This was a great day. Stay tuned. Peace.

Trip Report Day 2

Today was a bit of a late start because of our late night the night before. Today was time for Epcot. We had a 12:20 lunch ADR at the Coral Reef for my younger brother's high school graduation. We wanted to ride the monorail over so we took the boat over to the Contemporary and caught the monorail over to the TTC and switched monorails to get to Epcot. 

When we got to there, we went over and grabbed some fast passes for Soarin'. We decided to go and check in about a half hour early for our ADR just in case. We were seated within ten minutes of checking in. I must say, the setting of the Coral Reef is reason enough to go there for a meal. It a bit of a costly meal, but everyone was satisfied and we just had a great time at lunch.  

So after lunch we figured since we were already there we should go ahead and do the Seas with Nemo and Friends and Turtle Talk with Crush. Our first time on either one since that pavilion was all refurbed. Both top notch attractions that I would recommend to anyone. Next we headed over to Soarin' to use our fast passes. This has to be one of my favorite attractions in future world. While in the Land pavilion, we hit up Living with the Land which is just one of those attractions that we always ride every time we are there. Then went across innoventions over to Test Track. This is another favorite for my brother Josh and I. Then we went back to the resort for an afternoon break.

We drove our car over to the Boardwalk resort for an evening taking in the sights around there. We ate at the Spoodles pizza pick up window on the Boardwalk and I would have to say that is the best pizza I've had in the park I think. From there we went over to Epcot to meet my aunt and her gang for Illuminations. This is my favorite of all the night time shows and I got my girlfriend Jenea hooked on it after she saw it this time. What a great show and a great day. Remember, we kind of took it a little slow because of the blistering heat and lack of rain or clouds. But I still think we did alright. Day 3 is coming up soon. Peace.

Time for a Trip Report (Day 1)

Hey there everyone!  I'm back! I have to say that my entire family and myself had a great time. I will preface this trip report with the fact that it was unusually hot this trip. We have gone down at this time of year many times before and I think that the big difference was that we didn't have hardly any rain the whole time we were down there. Which means that there were no clouds, at all, ever. That means we had all sun all the time. This limited our stamina in the parks greatly but we still did a good amount and had a great time. So, on with the show! First, I'm going to say that monday was day zero since we weren't in the park and it was just a long boring day of driving. Now for Day 1 at disney world. We got in around 2:30pm and got checked in and unpacked at our cabin at Fort Wilderness. It wasn't long after that before we were in that boat on the way to the Magic Kingdom. We took our time getting down main street to take everything in. First thing's first, DOLE WHIP!  We were on our way to pirates, but then we saw aloha isle and decided that if we were any kind of disney world fans, we had to stop for a dole whip. 

After our dole whips, we met up with my aunt lynn and uncle mike with their 3 daughters plus one friend in front of pirates. I knew this was going down for refurbishment on friday so I insisted that we ride it right away. The new additions from the pirates films were great as I had heard they were. Next we all (all 11 of us) went over to Big Thunder Mountain. After that we walked through Frontierland and into Liberty Square to take in the Haunted Mansion and I must say that the additions in that attraction was awesome. After that we said good bye to my aunt and uncle and their gang since they had been there since opening and were out of steam and went over to Philharmagic. I would have to call this one of the best 3D/4D attractions that disney has. From there we stayed in fantasyland hitting some of our favorites, Peter Pan's Flight and It's A Small World. 

Next we decided to give Columbia Harbor House a try for dinner. I'm not too big on the standard counter service selections but I had the fish here and it was quiet good. Not the best I've had, but not bad at all. After dinner we headed over to Tomorrowland to get in some of our favorites there before Spectromagic. We hit Stitch's Great Escape (yeah, yeah, i know, so sue me for enjoying it, lol) and space mountain (one of our favorites). After this we decided we needing to get a seat for Spectromagic. It was raining a bit so we went into some of the shop along main street to kill some time and get down to the other end of main street in a dry way. We staked out a spot right across from the fire house right where the parade starts that way we could get out before a lot of other people. 

My parents and little brother went back to the resort after the parade and Jenea and I stuck around to ride some more attractions. We got on the tea cups because there was no wait right as Wishes was starting. So after we got off that we walked through fantasyland as the fireworks were going off around us which was pretty cool. From there we went back to ride Big Thunder Mountain again in the dark which is a totally different experience and I think I like it better at night. From there we decided to go hit the Jungle Cruise since I heard that was even better at night. And whoever I heard it from was right, it was a much different ride but I found myself enjoying it more in the dark. On our way out we went across the hub and through tomorrowland so we could get on Space Mountain one more time before we headed back. Then we went out to the boat dock, caught our boat over to Fort Wilderness, got back to the cabin and went to bed. How's that? I thought it a great first day in disney and there is more trip report coming here in the near future. Peace