Croaker Trip Report: 9/4 - 9/9 2007

Planning a trip? Just get back? Talk about it here.

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disneydreamer58
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Post by disneydreamer58 » Sep Fri 28, 2007 1:48 pm

I am at work reading this post, I was so engrosed in your descriptions and story telling that I let an incoming call slip by (no idea how many times it rang :oops: )and one of my co-workers yelled "Hey are you deaf in there!" I jumped cause I was so involved in this post....LOL

Great report and awesome pics! Thanks for sharing!


AKLRULZ wrote:KUNGALOOSH!! And your friend totally scored with those walk ons! 8)

Your photos are fantastic - what kind of camera do you have?!
I was about to ask the same thing, those are sure crisp and clear, totally awesome pics. I feel like I am there. I think I need to get one of those cameras!!
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Post by DisBeamer » Sep Fri 28, 2007 11:12 pm

Mmm, I miss going in early September. Such a nice time in the parks. Those are some great pictures too. Thanks for sharing the report. :)
~ Caroline

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Post by Esmeralda » Sep Sat 29, 2007 12:01 pm

Love the pictures - they really make the report come alive! Now I'm wishing I could be there right now.

As for the Sci-Fi, I really enjoyed their malts (we just went for dessert) and the atmosphere made me giggle.
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Post by D Rae » Sep Sat 29, 2007 2:41 pm

Great report. Love the pics! you have a great eye for the unusual.
Thanks for sharing with us.
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Post by boilerbabe » Sep Sun 30, 2007 11:15 am

We're big Sci-Fi fans, I guess b/c I love that era and drive-ins. We've always been there for really hapy occaisions too, so I think that has something to do with it. Thanks for sharing all of your pictures Croaker!
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Post by Croaker » Sep Sun 30, 2007 4:35 pm

Side note...if you notice the picture of Animal Kingdom Lodge, i took that from the Concierge level. I asked the front desk if they could give me a quick tour since i was considering it for my next trip. typical Disney fashion they took me up for a tour...the food they have looked awesome, along with buckets of beer and soda which are all free for concierge level. i'm starting to feel a temptation.
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Post by boilerbabe » Sep Sun 30, 2007 7:48 pm

Note to your side note...My husband and I stayed concierge level for our honeymoon at the Polynesian, the food was fantastic and you can grab beer, wine etc...whenever you want! It was great!
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Post by spaulo » Oct Mon 01, 2007 11:25 am

Side note to your side note to the side note... ditto for the Grand Californian in Anaheim, where my wife and I spent the first part of our honeymoon on concierge level.

Croaker, great pics, fun descriptions... we're just 67 days away from our own trip and this kind of stuff gets me super excited. Thanks for sharing, and SHARE MORE! :D
~Steve

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Post by Croaker » Oct Tue 02, 2007 1:34 pm

Morning of official day 2 and coffee is in the system, dressed for a long day in the parks! Rather than mess with a front entrance I decided to park in Boardwalk’s parking lot. I figure why not park here as opposed to the front lot? (read on and you’ll find out how I got away with this). Epcot was just opening as we hit the turnstiles, headed into England and had to get a nice solitary shot.

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Moving along we headed straight for Soarin’ While on the way I couldn’t pass up this one either

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Next on the agenda was Test Track. If your there in a slow time of the season…skip the regular line and take the singles line….we would have saved the extra 2 minute walk around had we done this, since the ride was sparsely populated. This ride is set up so nice…the thrill of 60+ mph at the end…what a way to end a ride! We wandered about a bit grabbed some more coffee. Bleh…it wasn’t good…but its coffee so it will work. I liked the way the sphere looks in this shot…the sun was blocked by some clouds but still bright.

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The showcase’s are now open and we start on our tour around the world! Clockwise of course.

Mexico! I’m actually getting to like this pavilion more and more as I come here. ChickeEatsa!

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Upon leaving the jungles of Central America we lost our way and luckily for us found a guide for hire at the Cantina….she led us to Norway! Notice her rugged wear. Bet you didn’t know that world renowned adventure guides can be spotted by their pink and white outfits…her she is pointing the way to our destination to which we graciously thanked her and we were on Ourway to Norway.

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Hidden Mickey’s? looks like the Fantastic Four is getting into the business!
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They say there are more people in China than anywhere else in the World…obviously they haven’t been to Jersey…but by the looks of China in Epcot…they aren’t here. I think they misrepresent China…they should just stock it with regular Disney merchandise…its all made in China!

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Onward to the European Continent! First Stop GERMANY!

I love this shot. Look at the time…yup quarter till 12:00.

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Looks like everyone went to Universal today! Their loss my gain! Germany is one of my favorite pavilions because of the scaling that they do with the backdrop buildings. Makes the town square look as if it’s a village nestled up to a castle. I imagine its right on the boarder with Switzerland and as I head over to Italy. But of course the only way to Italy is via the rails

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……….to be continued in Italy!
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Post by Croaker » Oct Fri 12, 2007 12:14 pm

Italy

Arriving in Italy the restaurant was closed as well as the majority of the back plaza. Now normally I would pull out my cynic hat and start rambling on with opinion, I’m working on fixing that attitude. So I decided to look at the pavilion in whole. I found a Gondola that I never have seen before and I also noticed the bridges (toward the lake) that give a representation of Venice (this is where I took the picture from!) having the area mostly closed allowed me to slow down and realize how much Disney has added in subtlety. Next time you look at something and think “boringâ€
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Post by disneydreamer58 » Oct Fri 12, 2007 1:12 pm

I am really enjoying your trip, the pics are awesome. Keep the reports coming, who knows when I will get to WDW so I live vicariously through others trips :wave:
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Post by DisBeamer » Oct Sat 13, 2007 2:16 am

Really enjoying this report - thanks for posting!

Just based on the pictures alone I'm thinking I'm going to need to find a way to get to WDW in early September again. So peaceful... :wink:
~ Caroline

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Post by AKLRULZ » Oct Mon 15, 2007 10:58 am

Nice! I love seeing photos of nearly empty Epcot! Last time I was there and it was like that was January 2006. Great report, great shots. :mickey:
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Post by danimal3114u » Oct Mon 15, 2007 11:21 am

DisBeamer wrote:Really enjoying this report - thanks for posting!

Just based on the pictures alone I'm thinking I'm going to need to find a way to get to WDW in early September again. So peaceful... :wink:
Completely agree. Wonderful report Croaker!

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Post by Croaker » Oct Fri 19, 2007 5:18 pm

Wow official day 3 and I’ve already seen so much, I originally planned to take it slow but with the Crowds so low we were able to fit in so much. The morning started off with a call to the Lost and Found (look back for my missing battery). I explained to them that the last time I remember having the batter was on Dinosaur. The Cast Member asks me for a description…I’m thinking…yeah right …so I told him it’s a camera battery half the size of a matchbox car with yellow and blue label. He replies. “yup we got itâ€
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