Trip Report "Dreams Really Can Come True" 6/1/09-6/8/09 - COMPLETED 7/19 - Page 13 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Glad you love AKL. It's my favorite resort. I think that little fenced area outside your room is actually one of the "people" corrals, where people would stand if they needed to evacuate the hotel for any reason. The Mara is one of my favorite food courts because they have some unusual choices. Glad you all were happy with what you got. Can't wait to hear about your first park visit!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
I can not believe I have missed this TR! Just read all the way through and you put so much excitement and organization into your PreTR I KNEW you would be having a great time. DH and I have not done AKL but hope to have that in our future. We are DVC but when Disney does specials like 7 for 4 the opportunity just can not be missed! We did WL in May and checked that off of our list.
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Glad you love AKL. It's my favorite resort. I think that little fenced area outside your room is actually one of the "people" corrals, where people would stand if they needed to evacuate the hotel for any reason. The Mara is one of my favorite food courts because they have some unusual choices. Glad you all were happy with what you got. Can't wait to hear about your first park visit!
Thanks! The "people corral" was our next choice...
The Plan: Touring Plan Afternoon Plan
The boys head to Adventureland while I get fps for Buzz Lightyear. Ride Jungle Cruise, Dream Along with Mickey at the Castle, Swiss Family Treehouse, Haunted Mansion, Liberty Belle Riverboat, ADR for Tony’s Townsquare, ride RR back to Tomorrowland and ride Buzz Lightyear, Tomorrowland Speedway, Spectromagic, then Wishes at 10pm.
What really happened:
We boarded the bus to MK - the driver was nice. He gave lots of tips and trivia. We would learn that there are these kinds of drivers and those that just play the music and get you where you want to go. Both are fine. We got to MK around 1pm, it was sunny and hot, but not too humid. It seemed crowded to me, but I’m not sure, maybe it was just a lot of people hanging out on Main Street. The Castle comes into view and I knew I was in Disney World. I tried not to freak out, but it was so cool!
I wanted to rush over to TL to get the BL fastpasses while they went to Adventureland as in the Plan. But first we (very astutely) decided to get a stroller for DS4. That stroller would be the source of bickering throughout the week… DH had his video camera out just sauntering along enjoying the sites, while I was more like Hervé Villechaize on Fantasy Island going, “The Plan, The Plan!” He thought that it wasn’t that crowded and that we should all go together instead of separating. I admit that he was right (all week!), but I was still sort of indignant that I had done all this planning and he was changing up stuff!
We made it to Tomorrowland and found Buzz Lightyear. It took a little searching, but I found the fp machines.
DH was now asking, “What’s next?” He thought that doing all the rides and attractions in TL all at once would be good since it wasn’t that crowded. Stitch’s Great Escape had no waiting and we walked right in to the next show.
DS4 did well considering that it was not only his first Disney attraction, but it was DARK, and kind of freaky if you ask me. He likes Stitch, but this was Experiment 626! He got “spit” right in the face. He took it well, considering. Later on in the day, he wanted to go back on the “Stitch ride”, so it was okay. DS7, however, developed a strictly “hate” relationship with any rides that were dark or gloomy for the rest of the week. DH and I liked it, but ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was my favorite ride on my first trip.
Next up was Buzz Lightyear’s Spaceranger Spin. The cool thing about fastpasses is that you can practically walk right up to the ride. It’s too bad that you miss all the themeing in the queue. Many times I want to snap pics, but I just didn’t have time – we were walking that fast! BL was lots of fun. I knew to just press the trigger, but I wanted to spin the ship around too. It was a hit with the boys too. And even though my little one only got 3000, he would later open up a “can” on me on Toy Story Mania – stay tuned!
Tomorrowland Speedway was up next. The wait said 30 minutes, but we only waited about 15. DS4 had me crackin’ up – he was so serious! The boys got their licenses and they were so proud. Our first pin-trading experience happened here with a CM and it was a hit! For the rest of the week the “hunt” was on…
June 1 – Day Zero continues at Magic Kingdom (con’t)
We were plenty thirsty after showing off our driving skills. We had left our camelbaks at the resort, so we stopped by The Lunching Pad to get frozen cokes and water. (Paid with cash, not snack credits.) We were happily refreshing ourselves when we heard some cool music. It was Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration! (Wait! That’s not on the plan until tomorrow! ) It was really fun. There was an area on the ground in front of the stage where you would sit if you wanted to be part of the show (a la Turtle Talk with Crush). It was cute seeing the little ones (and tall ones!) being talked to by “good” Stitch. There was plenty of shade from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority track above and it was a good show.
We were on our way to Toontown Fair when we passed Mad Tea Party. Now I’m not a “spinning rides” fan, but the line seemed to be moving quickly. I think we ended up waiting about 20 minutes. DH took a sit-down while me and the kids got on. It was fun and I really didn’t get dizzy like I thought I was. (I had brought Dramamine for this ride and for Mission Space.)
Next up was Barnstormer! The boys had been looking forward to this one. The wait said 30 minutes, but again, we only waited about 15. I loved the themeing (“squash”!) The ride was actually a little faster than I thought it was. Here begins the father/son lesson of “put your hands up!” DS7 is cautious and careful by nature, so this was a week long lesson…
It was getting closer to our ADR for Tony’s Town Square. The boys were moving past Cranky Town and settling in to Whinyland. It was time for food, A/C and a sit-down. We walked back through Main Street, going through the stores to cool off (thanks for that tip folks!). We ended up being right on time for the Flag Retreat. It was a nice, solemn ceremony – very patriotic. The Main Street Philharmonic Band led the way after a lucky little girl got to say the Pledge of Allegiance. A service member, a veteran, I think was the special guest of honor.
Next time: Tony’s Town Square Restaurant review and the end of our 1st day
Sounds like fun! But sorry SGE had to be your first attraction. It's not that bad, but it could be a lot better! Can't wait to hear what you thought of Tony's.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
"The boys were moving past Cranky Town and settling in to Whinyland" You got me rolling with that one
My little one will be 4 on our next trip and I was wondering about Stitch's Great Escape. Since your's tried...maybe I'll try with ours too (since he likes "spooky" stuff).
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