Yet Another Review of 8 Days In WDW w/PICS!

[Len90]

Sorry it has taken so long, but I have decided to go ahead this year and do a day by day trip report. It is my first attempt at doing it like this and it has been taking me a while. I really hope you all enjoy reading all about my most recent trip as much as I enjoy typing/talking about it. So without further ado, I present "Yet Another Review of 8 Days in WDW"


The question: What Will You Celebrate? – I had never been a huge fan of this promotion, but there was a lot worth celebrating this year. First off, it was our parents’ 25th anniversary. Secondly, Mark was halfway through his school and I (if on the 4 year plan) am halfway done with college.

Day 1: The most exciting morning that you can ever have is waking up knowing you are now on your way to Walt Disney World. Woke up at 6AM and got ready. Finished packing the last few things that had to be packed the morning of and it was out the door to wait for our ride to the airport. Got to the airport a few hours early and had lots of time to spare by the gate. We decided to get breakfast at a sit-down place near the terminal. After breakfast we still had some time so I grabbed the camera and took some pictures of the terminal and airplanes outside. We had a smooth uneventful flight that got us into Orlando 30 minutes early. The luggage was out within 5 minutes of getting to the luggage carousel and we were off to get the rental car. We ended up using that 30 minutes in getting the car trunk packed but we were finally headed to the house of the mouse with a quick stop at the Hess Express for water and soda to keep in the room.

It felt great to see our beloved Yacht Club once again as we checked in with the security booth. Check-in was quick and easy and before we knew it we were off to our rooms on the third floor. We were greeted with a beautiful welcoming upon arrival to the resort and an even more breath taking view of the Boardwalk from our room. We quickly unpacked a few things that would be needed later and ran off to catch a bus to MK for 5:00 dinner at O’hana. It was already close to 4 PM and we were starving.

We were seated at O’hana nice and early at a table next to the window looking out at Cinderella Castle. The view was great and the food was amazing, especially the sticky wings! My only complaint was I think we might have eaten too much. Dinner was followed by a look around the Great Ceremonial House and then off to MK. We decided to take it easy in the park and only do one or two attractions. We caught a bit of that Tomorrowland Dance Party, which was actually a lot more fun that I ever thought it would be. I didn’t expect this to be something that I would enjoy in WDW, but there has to be something in the air. I somehow ended up dancing the Electric Slide next to Stitch and mom, Mark, and I did the twist with Chip and Dale. We went on the TTA Blue Line, which I was disappointed by the change in the narrator and Buzz, which was fun. We looked around at the Emporium while the 9PM MSEP drove by. There really is no way to get out of MK while the parade is going on and we were planning on seeing it the following night so we didn't want to watch it on this night. While looking in Emporium we saw Doc getting escorted in back. He must have had a technical difficulty. After the parade passed it was out of MK as we wanted to see what World of Disney had to offer at Downtown Disney. Being that there was no bus direct from the MK we walked to the Contemporary and took the bus from there. After Downtown Disney it was back to the hotel as the first day has come to an end.

Day 1Pictures: http://s885.photobucket.com/albums/ac53 ... 20Day%201/

Stay tuned as I will be posting each day as soon as it is typed up and proofread to my perfection!

[Amy]

Excellent report of your first day Len. Sounds like you got a lot in for having a relaxed day. I was thinking of a bad joke about Doc and the real reason he was being escorted backstage...it had something to do with the return of Captain EO and charges being pressed, but I decided not to go there
Waiting anxiously for day 2

[MadEye]

The luggage was out within 5 minutes of getting to the luggage carousel...

MCO has gotten better with that in the past year or so.

There really is no way to get out of MK while the parade is going on...

Big misconception. If you are facing the Train Station on/in Main Street, stick to the left sidewalk and you can follow it past the parade and out of the park. But you were on the Emporium side so you were blocked in.

Either way, nice first day. Yacht Club (of course), O'hana, and MK and not even a full day at WDW! Can't wait for more.

[Len90]

Madeye, you are correct about that but we were on the wrong side of the street. There actually are a few points in the parade where they did let people run across the street, but it was a lot easier waiting it out in Emporium.
Amy I think there was more to Doc going backstage than Captain EO.

[mindflipper]

Madeye, you are correct about that but we were on the wrong side of the street. There actually are a few points in the parade where they did let people run across the street, but it was a lot easier waiting it out in Emporium.
Amy I think there was more to Doc going backstage than Captain EO.

MadEye is right - if you're in Emporium during the parade, you're a prisoner. I used to think they did that on purpose - if you're stuck in the store, you're forced to look around and the odds increase you'll buy something!

Day 1 down, no weasels - looking forward to Day 2!

P.S. no photos?

[boilerbabe]

Love Day 1 Len!!! Sounds like you guys got alot in in for the 1st day! Did you find anything at World of Disney, or is that to follow?!

[Future Guy]

Good stuff, Len. Looking forward to more (and pictures!)

[Boilerdude]

Good stuff, but we need to see the video of you doing the Electric Slide.

Okay, new rule, if any Subsonicers' are dancing in Disney Parks it must be caught on camera and posted here

[mindflipper]

Good stuff, but we need to see the video of you doing the Electric Slide.

Okay, new rule, if any Subsonicers' are dancing in Disney Parks it must be caught on camera and posted here

I second this motion!

[Amy]

Good stuff, but we need to see the video of you doing the Electric Slide.

Okay, new rule, if any Subsonicers' are dancing in Disney Parks it must be caught on camera and posted here

I second this motion!

And I vow not to be caught dancing in the parks!!

[Len90]

Did I fail to mention that it was caught on camera and will be posted once we get the videos shrunken down to be uploaded to fb or photobucket!

Thank you all for your kind words about Day 1. Sorry for the delay, but here is Day 2 in it's entirety. I hope you enjoy this day and all the future days just as much!

Day 2: It felt good to get some sleep but this was not meant to be a vacation for sleeping. The first full day in Disney was beginning with a late morning breakfast at Cape May Café. As you might recall this was where Minnie and I had our little “thing” last year. We had agreed to make sure that we kept our little secret on the down low this year. We didn’t want to make any scenes in public The food was good and the characters were okay. However we were actually a bit disappointed with Cape May as it was not up to the level it had been over the past two years. Breakfast was followed (as it would be for most of the stay) with a trip to Stormalong Bay, the massive pool complex shared by the Yacht and Beach Club resorts. It really felt great to be back in the sand bottom pool and to ride the nicest water slide that is not in a water park. The pool still receives that 5 star rating and is just fascinating. We were even able to hold a friendly family water slide competition on who could go the fastest down the slide. We somehow got a lifeguard to judge the fastest family member. It came out to be close but I think I managed to win! It is amazing at how fast the time can go by when in the pool.

After the pool it was off to EPCOT. It was great to walk around Future World and hang around the Innoventions area where they play what has to be (IMHO) the best background music in the world. We accomplished some attractions in EPCOT and checked to see if Captain EO was doing any soft openings yet. However, that was still not open. After that it was off to Morocco for dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh. It had been numerous years since we had last eaten here and I was excited to try “something new”. The food was excellent and the service was great. It was a unique experience and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire dinner. The restaurant is not very crowded and I highly recommend dining there. Just be advised that it is true authentic Moroccan cooking so if you are a picky eater or have young kids who are picky eaters, it might be a bit difficult to eat here. After dinner Mark purchased his Fez, which is the true detail Mindflipper incorporated into the CATASTROPHE report.

Following EPCOT it was off to Magic Kingdom to hang around for the Summer Nightastic Fireworks and MSEP. We actually had some time to spare as we planned to see the 10PM fireworks and 11PM MSEP. We headed over to Adventureland and accomplished some attractions like Aladdin’s Magic Carpet, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates before heading back to Main Street for a snack at the bakery. We ended up getting pretty wet by the camel on Aladdin, our skipper on Jungle Cruise was so-so, and Pirates was a walk-on. We hit Main Street just as MSEP had ended and got to the bakery. We hung out until 5 minutes before the fireworks and then started walking down Main Street to get positioning. I had planned it perfectly and we were able to get the middle of Main Street right next to the Ice Cream Place. It was an excellent viewing location for the fireworks. The show was excellent, but I still missed Wishes. After fireworks, we camped out for MSEP on Main Street near the bakery. I will say that if you want to ever see the nighttime parade, stick around for the 11PM showing. It is a lot less crowded and you don’t have to camp out at all for much time. The parade was nice to see, but it didn’t go off without a hitch. Dopey, who drives the mine train, ended up getting stuck on the tracks in the road where it divides into two. We all laughed and Dopey even started dancing. The characters and everybody involved handled the situation perfectly. They just went on as if they had prepared for these things to happen! We were treated to the tow tractor, which sped down Main Street and pulled the stuck cars to safety. The tractor is one thing that I always was curious to see in person. We were lucky to be treated to front row seats of it. After the parade we slowly made our way back to the bus and headed back home for the night. Tomorrow would be another busy day as DHS was up and Prime Time was the next dinner. I had to get my rest for my upcoming performance!

Day 2 Pictures: http://s885.photobucket.com/albums/ac53 ... 20Day%202/

[mindflipper]

If you cram so much in the first two days - what did you leave for the other 6 days?!?

Great report, Len. But when do we get some pictures?

[Amy]

Did I fail to mention that it was caught on camera and will be posted once we get the videos shrunken down to be uploaded to fb or photobucket!

Yay! Anxiously awaiting the video!

After the pool it was off to EPCOT. It was great to walk around Future World and hang around the Innoventions area where they play what has to be (IMHO) the best background music in the world.

No argument here, I love the background music in that area!

The restaurant is not very crowded and I highly recommend dining there. Just be advised that it is true authentic Moroccan cooking so if you are a picky eater or have young kids who are picky eaters, it might be a bit difficult to eat here. After dinner Mark purchased his Fez, which is the true detail Mindflipper incorporated into the CATASTROPHE report.

Sounds like a nice restaurant but I doubt I would find anything that would work into my picky eating...here's hoping a picture of Mark in his fez is forthcoming.

The parade was nice to see, but it didn’t go off without a hitch. Dopey, who drives the mine train, ended up getting stuck on the tracks in the road where it divides into two. We all laughed and Dopey even started dancing. The characters and everybody involved handled the situation perfectly. They just went on as if they had prepared for these things to happen! We were treated to the tow tractor, which sped down Main Street and pulled the stuck cars to safety. The tractor is one thing that I always was curious to see in person. We were lucky to be treated to front row seats of it.

Oh, please tell me you got some photos of the tow train. I have never seen that happen before! That is cool that they worked it into the show...

[MadEye]

I will say that if you want to ever see the nighttime parade, stick around for the 11PM showing. It is a lot less crowded and you don’t have to camp out at all for much time.

Told you so! Wasn't it fun watching all the other families leave the park like a herd of cattle?

[mindflipper]

After that it was off to Morocco for dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh. It had been numerous years since we had last eaten here and I was excited to try “something new”. The food was excellent and the service was great. It was a unique experience and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire dinner. The restaurant is not very crowded and I highly recommend dining there. Just be advised that it is true authentic Moroccan cooking so if you are a picky eater or have young kids who are picky eaters, it might be a bit difficult to eat here. After dinner Mark purchased his Fez, which is the true detail Mindflipper incorporated into the CATASTROPHE report.

When we talked I promised not to reveal any of our conversation so there would be no advance spoilers for your trip report, and - I amazed to say - I didn't. Mark told me that story, and as our agreement didn't include him, the story about the Fez was fair game to be incorporated into the CATASTROPHE report.