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Our Disney vacation continues folks, and today (Tuesday), it was a day at the Magic Kingdom! If there is any place that can magically transport me back to the memories of visiting Disney World when I was a child, it’s here. The crowds were not bad at all having read the warnings in the Disney books that you should not go to MK on Mondays because it’s jammed. Tuesday, this week – not so bad!
We woke up early and got there soon after it opened. We shopped a bit on Main Street USA, and I found the ultimate gift goodie for my co-workers that I vowed to come back and buy before I left for the day. A bit of faux bling, and we moved onto/into the park. First up…Adventureland! Bits and bites:
- Went on the full Swiss Family Robinson experience and while climbing the treehouse realized that Robinson really isn’t a very Swiss name.
- Had a great guide on the Jungle Boat Cruise – funny. While on the journey, we smelled wonderful candied almonds being roasted. Right after the ride, we got some and LOVED them.
- Enjoyed the updated Pirates of the Caribbean featuring some added Captain Jack Sparrow moments, and a neat Davy Jones illusion. Still have the creepy “Dead Men Tell No Tales” voice – which in my youth I transformed into “Dead men eat no snails…Dead men don’t do sales…Dead men…,” well, you get the picture.
Then onto Frontierland and Liberty Square:
- I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Haunted Mansion. When I was a child, I was very afraid of it, but now no holding back. I love it! First of all there were some updates from the last time we were here a few years ago, including a new bride scene which makes much more sense. Still, well themed and well beloved (and the Jim wants some of the eyes wallpaper so bad he has to mention it…often). Still good stuff. So good, we went on it twice right in a row (no lines).
After a light lunch at that place that sells fried fish and chicken nuggets we kinda of went our separate ways (all of us), and I think that was a good thing. So, alone I went on my own little journey, which essentially lead me to my favorite part of the park…TOMORROWLAND. Here’s what I did there:
- People watched for a little bit.
- Went on the TTA (Tomorrowland Transit Authority), ride which is old school but I love it.
- Went on Space Mountain, which is more raucous than I remembered and fun.
- Then delighted in the very old school and some are annoyed by, Carousel of Progress. I love this thing. Always have and always will. From the silly song, to the every changing family scenes to the continuity of the animatronic dog, it’s something that reminds me of my Mom and the good times with her. No matter if it puts you to sleep, I’m just glad that it’s still a part of the park. It makes me nostalgic and happy every single time I get to ride/watch it.
Pete and Jim then caught up with me and we:
- Rode Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin where I kicked the Jim’s bootay in my score.
- Rode TTA again. Yea!
- Went on Stitch’s Great Escape, which I preferred so much better when it was “Alien Encounter”. I also want a stuffed animal of that cute little alien that they have in the second room; alas, no cuddly alien for Anna.
- After this, we went on the train which experienced technical difficulties and had to get off early so, we revisited Pirates and ate more roasted Almonds. We watched all the people coming in to the park dressed up for “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” which is such a great idea for the kiddies that I hope we do this when we have that offspring we’d like.
We ended the night with a park hop to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for dinner at Prime Time Cafe. We had fun, but would have preferred a waitress who wasn’t annoyed to be working the last shift and not into acting like a “cousin”. Still, the fried chicken was good and was good for people who were simply exhausted and looking for some comfort food. All in all, another great day.
Today was my FAVORITE PARK day…Epcot! I love Epcot. Loved it since the first time I came here with my parents many moons ago. Somethings have changed, somethings have stayed the same (more have changed), but it’s still my very favorite of all the Disney Theme Parks. Where else can you enjoy some time in a “future” world, and then travel to other countries? All in a 12 hour day? Nowhere I know! Other than Epcot!
We got there when the doors opened and stampeded for Soarin’ since it was the one ride at Epcot that The Jim and I had not ridden previously. We got in on the FIRST RIDE! It was really nice, visual and sensory experience (wind, scents, etc.); but a small let down since we had built it up so much in our own minds. We followed that with The Land boat-ride (which I always love and reminds me that I would so garden if I could garden in such pristine conditions and lacking in bugs). Then on to Imagination, which is always cute. After that, we headed to Mission Space and barely waited any time at all. It’s still intense! Then we were at Test Track where we had the longest wait of our trip (about 40 minutes). Still it was very fun – I love this ride! A quick trip to the stores followed by a refresh at Cool Club – Coca Cola’s “try our other flavors” station (why in God’s green earth do people drink Beverly?), and we were off to traveling to faux-foreign-lands.
We ate lunch in Mexico and much unlike the real Mexico, I drank the water and it was good. My favorite world showcase moments included:
- the revamped Mexico Boat ride featuring the 3 Caballeros
- the Malestrom ride in Norway
- fresh-baked, hand-rolled pretzels and Rhine wine in Germany
- buying the Jim a Fez in Morocco
- buying waaaaay too many items in Japan (including some for the kiddo we know)
- cheese plate, Kir Royale and cream puff in France (followed by Anna’s first foray into expensive French perfume – oh how I love it)
- getting my picture taken with Alice (of in Wonderland fame)
- getting a swank glowing Tinkerbell pin that looks like she’s actually on your shoulder.
One of my favorite things of the day was going on the revamped Spaceship Earth (which was always my favorite old-school ride), and the improvements were AWESOME as they included some of the element that I loved from the old ride Horizons. All in all, a stunning day – weather beautiful, great food, good friends (even if The Dotsons decided they had enough of us half way through the world showcase and ventured out on their own).
Lastly, a gem of a find online – a trip through the old school Horizons which is no more.
Tomorrow brings the Magic Kingdom and more adventures, I’m sure.
After a 10 and some hour trip in a Chevy Uplander with only 1 fill-up en route and not a full fill-up at that, we arrived safe and sound. The ride up was fairly uneventful and that’s good. I drove a 5 hour shift, and then The Jim and Please Feed the Monkeys split the second half of the trip. Highlights included, some pit stops where there was a “pet exercise area” (made us miss the doggies); then a place where we got Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. Oh, and the check engine light came on but the car is running just fine so we’re not going to fret about it. Also, how awesome that the gas is below $3.00 when we’re on a road trip. Oh yeah.
So we arrived, and checked into our resort (The Sheraton Vistana), and we are EXTREMELY HAPPY with the place. Two bedrooms (one with 1 king size bed and a whirlpool tub, and one with 2 full size beds), which unfortunately has Please Feed the Monkeys on the couch (thankfully a pull-out couch), but I feel real bad nonetheless (and am not going to let him pay for his share of the rental car). The Jim and I get the king size room from Saturday – Tuesday nights, and then the Dotsons will have it from Wednesday – Friday nights. That way we both get to delight in the big room and the huge tub. There are 3 flat screen TVs and it’s just really nice and reminds me of a high class apartment.
Since today is officially The Jim and my 6 year wedding anniversary (love you babe), we all went out to The Crab House for dinner. It was YUM, YUM, YUMMY! I highly recommend it. Fresh crusty bread, great seafood. I had the twin lobster tails (delicious), and The Jim had the snow crab legs (which were super succulent). I have decided to not follow points this week but to eat light for breakfast and lunch, and then have a nice dinner. When I return home, I will get right back on those diet and points. Thanks Paula and Maria for making me feel better about not sticking strict this week.
The only downside so far is that I’m fighting a cold, but I have some Zycam, Echinacea, Vitamin C and my multi so hopefully I’ll fight it solidly. Other than that, things are great – the weather seems nice tomorrow and our plan is to go to Animal Kingdom (since it’s our first time for all of us). Full report tomorrow!
Or, VPC is what I think I’m going to start calling that tendency for me and other people I know to have a TON of things to do at home, work, etc; right before going on vacation. It’s like things get piled up and you feel stuck under the load until you finally break free and are sipping champagne on a sidewalk in Epcot.
We’re a day and a few hours away from leaving for DISNEY and I’m very happy about that. Before we leave, however, I have a lot to do at work, then come home and clean because we have a great friend housesitting for us and taking care of our babies (thanks Miss L). Have I mentioned that I haven’t packed yet? Well…it’s because I haven’t. Add to this, I’m trying to download movies from iTunes for the trip down to Orlando because we’re doing the ultimate cool thing – heading down in a minivan of madness with our bestest of buddies (Please Feed The Monkeys and The Dotsons). However, for some reason the iTunes store is not cooperating and keeps giving me an error message. Figures…it’s got VPC too I suppose?!
If you read that first paragraph, yes…you read right. Five of us will be heading out on a road trip like no other, culminating in sharing fun at the most fabulous place in Florida…Walt Disney World/Epcot/Hollywood Studios/Animal Kindgom/Universal. I’m excited to spend my 6 year wedding anniversary with my hubby going to a place we love and enjoy (it’s on Saturday by the way – feel free to send well wishes). I’m also excited to share my love of theme parks with such good friends. Especially sharing it with Maria who’s never been to all of the above. I think she’s like a kid at Christmas time, which will truly only add to the fun.
In the meantime, wish me luck as I continue to get through tomorrow so we can get on the road. I don’t think any laxative will help the situation either.
Okay, so it sounds more elaborate than it really is right? This is our little slice of internet nonsense, which basically is our on-going effort to keep our friends and family up-to-date on our lives, our love and our continuing pursuit of pomegranates. In this modern age of movement, we’ve realized that distance is not an excuse to not keep everyone posted, so please - stop by anytime - in person or internet-ly and know that you are all never far from our thoughts.
