We're back! Trip report
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| Mon, 06-05-2006 - 5:51pm |
We had another wonderful trip to Disney! I swear that place does have some sort of magic! We left Thursday and arrived at Fort Wilderness at about 2:00. I wasn't feeling well (which, unfortunately isn't that uncommon for me) and I almost decided not to go into the parks that evening, but Epcot is usually pretty laid back and that was first up on our plans. So we headed to Epcot and it was wonderful! An hour or so into the park and I felt soooooooo much better! We ate at Morocco (the fast service). It was extended hours night which was really nice. We got to see Tony Orlando and Arlo Guthrie was in the audience. That was a blast! Then the fireworks...always cool. I rarely get an upfront view (I don't like hanging around waiting), this time we got up front...but the fountains either didn't work or aren't part of the show...that's what I wanted to be up front for! Oh well...still cool. Then after the fireworks, we just leisurely wandered around until closing!
The next day's plan was AK and MK. We went to AK and did the main things on my daughter's list, had lunch, then went to the Dinosaur carnival area. DD won 4 stuffed animals! She only played 3 games! She won 1 smaller stuffed animal at one (when she was only competing with dad lol) and lost another one...then..on the game where you just toss the balls and if they land in a color cup you get a corresponding prize...she got in in the colored cups in 3 out of 4 tries! 3 large, colorful dinos are now part of our family! She was so excited! Then we had the nearby store send them back to the campground for us to pick up the next day. We'd never used that resort feature before!
Then back to the campground for a swim. Then MK was on the schedule. So we took the boat from FW to the MK and on the way over the sky got black and BOOM some scary lightning started!!! We got to MK right as the storm really hit, so we took the OTHER monorail to the contemporary instead! We got under the monorail roof just as the clouds let loose! So ...off to the contemporary for dinner and the arcade (that was part of the next day's plan anyway..so we just reversed things). My dd is just getting into the pin trading thing (We will buy her one pin every trip and she got a couple for xmas). Turns out Friday nights is a pin trading 'event' at the contemporary. She ended up making a couple friends, traded a pin and got a free one! We were bored, but she had a good time ;-)
Back to sleep at the campground...didn't even need our A/C..in JUNE...in FLORIDA! We were amazed!
Next day...oops this was that day I was going to avoid MK due to the 'gay days' schedule, but since we had been stormed out the night before...we followed the red t shirts to MK lol. It just added a slightly new dimension to people watching, but was never a problem. Let's just say Mickey and Minnie weren't the only 'characters' we saw! lol lol We used fast passes for POOH and Philharmagic which got us right in, so we never had an issue with long lines. We figured if any group was going to get rowdy and if we weren't going to be able to stand the heat of the midday sun...we'd leave at parade time...so then we headed over to MGM. We had paid for the Fanstasmic Dinner pkg and needed to be there by 4:40 anyway. We ate...and ate and ate and ate at the Hollywood and Vine buffet. I MUST find the recipe for the green beans! I've never gone back for more veggies before! ;-)
More exploring and then Fantasmic! Fantasmic is totally unlike the other nighttime shows. It's more of a HUGE stage show. We went in at 8:25 and it seemed like the 'theatre' was packed, but people kept streaming in until 9! It's much more of a group/party atmosphere...kinda like a ball game..while you are waiting. We even did the wave! Sitting on the metal bench waiting for 1/2 hour was the worst part....because of that I don't know that I'll be anxious to go again...but it was way cool...a must see... at least once, learn more about it before you sit down front though!
Sunday was time to head home. We did our now traditional stop at the mall...mostly 'cause we must eat at California Pizza Kitchen. :-)
It was really great!!!! Can't wait to go back. Actually, we might go back in a week or so...but unfortunately...our season tix won't be any good (DH has a conference and possibly a free hotel room). Anyone know how to get around the season ticket black out dates???
The only negatives were in using bus transporation...I don't like waiting for the bus and figuring out the systems, etc. When we came back from the contemporary that one evening...we realized if we'd have driven we could have been back at the camper at least 45 minutes sooner! That can be rough after a long day. We also figured out a more savvy way we could have 'worked' the busses for that trip...but it can get confusing.
I am always reminded of how stressful the trip can be for some families that are trying to 'do it all'. My advice...don't overplan, be flexible and plan for some down/calm time. Even though it's the happiest place on earth, whatever your kids behaviors are that drive you nuts at home....will still be there (and probably more so) at Disney. Just go knowing that, and planning for it!
Pam

Welcome back..glad you had a great trip!
I personally dislike the bus system to the parks. Okay, I haven't given it much opportunity, but what I have given it--it's not good to wait for when it's SLOW (too much time in between buses) and it's definitely not good to wait for when it's BUSY (even though the buses keep coming one after another, it takes a long time to load). I don't think I'd have the patience (and I'm a very patient person!) to wait for buses if I HAD to. I like my car VERY much more, even if it is hot....I deal with that nearly year-round anyway...lol.
Alysha
Val
WDW Trips: April '72, June '85, June '91 - offsite; May '03 - VWL, Nov '04 - BCV, May '05 - VWL, March '06
Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations