Hey Everyone, the trip was great. Thanks for all the suggestions. We sort of took some suggestions from everyone with taking it easy, doing some of our favorite attractions, spending time outside of the parks, and eating at great sit-downs.
Day 1:
Arrived at the Boardwalk Villas at 2:30pm, checked into our room then went to ESPN Club for a quick bite and a drink! Then, it was off to Epcot. We entered at the international gateway which the best part for me is the short distance to get a pint of Bass at R&C. Then we strolled around the WS at a pace to make 6pm reservation at Tuto Italia. Hit each pavilion on the way (France, Morocco, Japan, U.S.). Was the first time we really spent walking through the Moroccan bazaar and was great, really liked it and felt like we were really there (especially with no a/c). Got to U.S. just in time for a Voices of Liberty show which was really great. It got us into the pre-4th of July mood so we went into the American Adventure show. Haven't done that it a while and was great.
So, we got to Italy a little late because of that but was worth it. Dinner was good. Was our first time there since it changed from Alfredo's. In my opinion nothing really changed, inside is the same and the menu was pretty similar, food was very good though. We then continued through the WS with hitting my favorite Germany, then skipped the Outpost (no idea why that's there), skipped China for some reason, then went to Norway to ride Maelstrom!! Haven't done that in a few years and was just as good as I remembered. The movie at the end is dire need of updating. Screams of 80's with clothes and music, not to mention the Commodore 64 computer during the part about how technologically advanced they are today. Then We decided to not go into FW since it was getting towards 9pm for Illuminations and we still wanted to hit Canada and do the circlevision movie. We hadn't seen the latest version with Martin Short. It was good, he was a little korny but that's what he does I guess. What I totally forgot was how great the theming was up the steps and down the back of the pavilion. Truely felt like I was in the great outdoors of Canada! After the movie we just made it in time to catch Illuminations that ended a very, very relaxing afternoon/evening in the WS.
Day 2:
Morning - Went over to DHS. Was planning to get a FP for TMS but when we got there was only a 20 minute wait so just got in line. It was our 3rd trip since it opened and was the best time in the attraction for me. Think my point total was somewhere around 80,000, nowhere close to the 300,000 record for the day. Then saw the end of the new Luxo Jr. show which looked really cool but didn't get to see the whole show. They run every 15-30 mins and wasn't going to wait for the next one. We then headed back to do Great Movie Ride and One Man's Dream. I NEVER get to go in OMD when we are with the kids so this time I wasn't going to miss it. Might have been the highlight of DHS. All the models and clips/images of the early years were great and the movie was awesome. The animation industry owes everything to that man. On the way out of the movie my wife looked at me and said "what we would do if Walt was never born!?!?"
We then grabbed a bite and hit Star Tours as that is a personal favorite of mine and might be the last time before the new rumoured update. Then we finished off the a trip down Sunset Blvd to hit RnR. Standby was 70 minutes so we did the single-rider line which nobody seems to know about and got on in 10 minutes. After that we wanted to do ToT but standby was 60 mins so reluctantly skipped it. Then we hit the Sunset Blvd and Hollywood Blvd shops on the way out. Was a VERY good morning/afternoon.
We got back to the Boardwalk around 3pm and took a quick nap (yes, I said nap in WDW) as it was the first time in a LONG time without the kids and took advantage. We had 5:30 reservations at Yachtsman so fit in perfectly. Dinner was awesome as usual. Wife got the aged strip, I got the filet - Good Stuff.
Night - Off to MK for EMH until 2am! I didn't realize how lengthy my report was going so I'll shorten it up. MK was great and weird at the same time. I guess it's the park that feels the most like we should be with our kids. We hit our favorites (BTMR, Splash, POTC, HM). Started by going back and getting to see Hall of Pres for a special viewing for AP holders before it reopened. Was done very nicely, Lincoln speaks longer, GW speaks, and Morgan Freeman narates. Then hit HM right at dusk which was perfect. Was light enough to see the entire mansion but dark enough for the lightning effects too look/sound incredible.
BUT the best part was inbetween the attractions just walking around slowly, not rushing, taling it all in. Took advantage of people watching Spectro and was able to get BTMR and Splash in with little waits. Got to see wishes from the Hub (tried to get the new Desert Party but was booked up FAST!!!) then went into Adventureland for some egg rolls and Dole Whips before heading into POTC. Didn't quite make it to 2am but we did A LOT and was coming back the next morning so we headed out around midnight.
Day 3:
Morning - went back to MK to some Fantasyland favorites (Philharmagic and Pan) after stopping for breakfast at the Main Street Bakery. We did make on a couple more attractions and then spent the rest of the time walking around shops and just relaxed. Had lunch in Diamond Horseshoe wich I didn't know they had that, was a bonus! Great place for lunch. Went back to the resort early to hang by the pool and relax since the wedding was that night and scheduled until 1:30m!.
The Wedding at the Wedding Pavilion. I have to say it was pretty cool. I didn't think I was going to get that excited for it but when we got in there it was pretty hard to beat that settting for a wedding with the castle in view of the window right down the middle of the aisle. There were about 75 people there which was a good showing for a destination wedding in my opinion. The priest looked and sounded like Bobby Bowden (Fla.State FB Coach) so it made it hard to not laugh during the ceremony. Reception was in one of the GF convention center rooms that had windows overlooking MK and Wishes at 10pm. I don't get too excited about cakes either but this one takes the cake, haha! Relly nicely done with a solid white chocolate castle as the topper. Pretty cool.
So, the trip was awesome as always, just wished we had another 2 weeks there, as always. Of course on the plane ride back we started to talk about planning our next trip, which always makes the trip home bearable.
