OUR not so scary annual fall vacation...10/15-10/23 COMPLETED REPORT Day 10!!!!
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angiek1024 · 11-08-2005, 10:21 AM

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

DAY FIVE: A Goofy Breakfast and a Delicious Trip around the world

When we awoke on Tuesday, we were in no big hurry. We have ADR’s for breakfast at Cape May at 10:30. It was an ordeal this year with our character breakfast arrangements. We had made reservations for our favorite breakfast at Ohana’s back in July. Then it happened!! I heard the rumors on passporter that Lilo and Stitch were coming to Ohana’s! It sounded awesome at first until I learned that Goofy was being taken away. Logan’s favorite character of all time is Goofy. He is a Goofy fanatic. He cares nothing about a breakfast without him there. So, in panic mode I started trying to find another breakfast with Goofy. I ended up choosing Cape May as we had never been to it before and I heard it was a good choice. The only time they had was 10:30 so we went with it. Since we had planned on doing the World Showcase in the evening, it worked out perfect for us!

When we arrived at the Beach Club we were impressed. Everything was peaceful and serene there. The grounds were beautiful and the atmosphere inside was great. We were seated very quickly at Cape May. It was not at all crowded and the food was good. Of course, the first thing Logan did at the buffet was to drop a load of eggs in the floor!! I remember telling him to wait and let me help him but alas a seven year old sometimes has a mind of his own! He was able to see Goofy, Minnie, Chip and Dale quickly. They took their time at our table as there was no rush with so few people there. Our new camera worked great and our mind was finally at ease over the whole picture situation. After breakfast, we walked around the Boardwalk area.

I had never been to the Swan and Dolphin hotels and I had actually been considering a stay at one of them. Obviously, from the outside they look really grand and that feeling continues when you go inside. We went in the Dolphin and it was very upscale and beautifully decorated. However, there were no families around and no Disney feel at all. They were having some type of computer convention and everywhere you turned there were people on cell phones, blackberries, and lap tops. They were very nicely dressed and we felt totally out of place in our shorts and t shirts. We were also getting funny looks from all the computer gurus there. Needless to say, we skipped a look at the Swan. We just love the Disney feel and were totally turned off by the atmosphere at the Dolphin. We won’t be planning our trips to go there anytime soon. I am sure it is a luxurious hotel but not what we want out of our Disney vacation.

We then looked around the Boardwalk area and in the shops there. I totally fell in love with the Beach Club and definitely want to stay there in the future. After our browsing, we headed back to the hotel. Logan wanted to swim and go to the arcade. We needed a break from the parks and it was a nice afternoon. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

That evening around five we headed over to the Boardwalk again. We parked at the Boardwalk hotel and took the boat over to Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival. This is the highlight of our fall trips for me. I love sampling the different foods and it is so fun walking around in the evening there. We sampled steak from Morocco, steak and shrimp from Australia, foccaica and pasta from Italy, quesadillas from Mexico, and crab cakes from America. We toured the world seeing the American Adventure, the movie at France, the Maelstrom at Norway, and of course, Logan’s favorite ride at Mexico. We spent the evening just eating, strolling, and taking it all in. Then we grabbed a spot for Illuminations and watched the fireworks dance in the sky. It was an end to a perfect evening!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

UP NEXT: Lights, Sound, Action and In Car Dining!!

**Colexis Mom** · 11-08-2005, 12:44 PM

Another great update [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Glad the breakfast was a success [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

PrincessSharon · 11-08-2005, 12:50 PM

What a great day! And glad your camera is working! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/Flash.gif[/img] Can't wait for more!

Joy J · 11-09-2005, 10:00 PM

Wonderful update! And I'm so glad that you enjoyed your breakfast at Cape May. We love it there too because of its casual, relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere.

Joy

bsblady01 · 11-11-2005, 09:41 PM

more please

angiek1024 · 11-20-2005, 10:30 AM

Wednesday October 19, 2005
DAY 6: Lights, Sounds, Action and In Car Dining

We woke up around 7:30 a.m. and got ready for a long day at MGM. We wanted to see Fantasmic so it would be a long day. We ate breakfast at the Pop Food Court. Still using our dining plan, we were only about $20.00 shy of what we paid for the entire trip. After lunch today our meals would be basically free because we will be going over what we paid for the plan with three more days to go!! Gotta love the dining plan!

We arrived at MGM around 9:30 a.m. We went straight ahead in front of the Great Movie Ride. The characters were out everywhere so we didn’t get to go forward to any of the rides but starting the line waiting for autographs. Logan and I got in line for Chip and Dale. He loves those guys! We waited for what seemed like a long time and we got lucky! We were the last family to see Chip and Dale before they switched out! Logan was so happy! We then went over and got in line for Goofy and Mickey. This was a really long line but it went pretty fast. Logan got some quality time with these pals! They really played around with him and we got several pictures. Ok, Logan was set for the day. Goofy of course is his main man and that made his day! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

We proceeded over to see Muppets 3D after our character interactions. We decided on it since there was virtually no wait time! Muppets 3D is so much fun! I think the adults were getting a bigger kick out of it than the kids! After the Muppets, we looked around the store there and went over to the new Lights, Motors, and Action stunt show. We arrived about 30 minutes before the show and got great center seats. This is just bleacher seating and after 30 minutes of sitting there my numb rear end was ready for the show. This show is really great. I am not a chase scene lover as far as movies go but it was neat to see how they do all the stunt work. Logan was glued to the show and had a great time. After the show, we went over to check out Indiana Jones but we couldn’t get in without a fast pass. They let about 5 people go in out of the regular line and that was it. So, we went over and rode the Great Movie Ride. We missed this ride on our last trip so it was not to be missed this trip. I had to hide Logan’s eyes during the Alien part but otherwise it was fun for him too! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

We started to check out the Little Mermaid but Logan didn’t want to see it. He is in this “that’s for girls” stage so we just skipped it. It was getting close to lunch so we headed over to the Sci Fi Dine In. With our ADR, we only waited about 5 minutes. It wasn’t very crowded at all in there. Logan loves this place! He loves sitting in the car and watching the movies. We let him sit in the front of the car. My hubby and I sat in the next row behind him. Logan got the fruit and cheese for an appetizer and macaroni. My hubby got the BLT soup (very good) and the Reuben. I got a salad and the BBQ chicken sandwich. We all got hot fudge sundaes for dessert. Everything was really good except my husband didn’t like his Reuben at all. He kinda griped about it the rest of the day! The upside is we met what we paid for the entire week of dining on the plan and then some. Food was free for the next three days!! How fun is that?? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

After the Sci Fi, we got fast passes for Indiana Jones. You weren’t getting in without them. Next we got a place to sit for the 4:00 parade. Logan has to be up front so we end up sitting for 30 minutes waiting. It was worth it though! The characters in their Hollywood best is wonderful! This is the most fun parade in all of the parks. And guess who we saw??? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] Yes, it was CHICKEN LITTLE!!! When the car turned the corner everyone was pointing and yelling. He is just too cute! This parade is just not to be missed even when you feel about paraded out!

After the parade, we went over and saw Indiana Jones. Again, we sat in great seats but waited about 30 minutes. This is the only drawback to MGM for me. My numb rear gets tired of all the sitting while you wait for shows but I guess after seeing the show you forget all about it. Well, maybe not entirely but for the most part. This was Logan’s first time seeing Indiana Jones. In years past, we skipped it for the younger type shows but this year he was ready for some action! He loved the show! He shopped after the show and got some action figures. Then, my husband was ready to ride the Tower of Terror and the Rock n Roller Coaster. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] I am not much for thrill rides (especially these two) so Logan and I went to see Beauty and the Beast. Logan wasn’t thrilled at the idea at first but he enjoyed the show. He left singing “Be our Guest, Be our Guest." So I guess it really wasn’t just “for girls”. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]We met up with my husband who was raving over the rides and headed over for Fantasmic. We had thirty minutes before show time and were a little worried about whether we would get good seats. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] Our seats couldn’t have been much better. We were right in the center! You won’t believe this but we had never seen Fantasmic before! After our many trips to Disney this was our first time. I guess we always skipped it because we were tired for the day and when Logan was younger he couldn’t hold out for it. We didn’t know what we were missing!! The show was so great! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] The lights dancing off the water were absolutely beautiful! Logan loved the end where the characters were on the boat cruising by. It was the perfect end to our MGM day!! We won’t be missing Fantasmic ever again!

UP NEXT: A Whispering good time and I’m not scared of Mickey’s party!

**DrDolphin** · 11-20-2005, 12:48 PM

Great updates!!! Sounds like Logan is having a fun time!

**Colexis Mom** · 11-20-2005, 01:09 PM

What a great day at MGM [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Tara O'Hara · 11-20-2005, 01:45 PM

What a wonderful day you guys had at MGM!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] Can't wait to read more!!

PrincessSharon · 11-23-2005, 02:14 PM

Great update! More, please!

KandJluvdisney · 11-23-2005, 02:41 PM

glad you guys are having a good time
more tr please

iamgrumpy · 11-24-2005, 10:17 PM

So glad you are having such a good time... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] the report!

Amy

angiek1024 · 11-25-2005, 10:52 AM

Thursday, October 20, 2005
Day Seven: A Whispering good time and I’m not scared of Mickey’s Party!

Today would be an easy day for us. We were going to the Not so Scary Halloween Party tonight and didn’t plan a park for the day. We wanted to be ready for the party! We woke up around 8:00 a.m. and ate breakfast in the room. We had brought cereal, cereal bars and fruit with us. We spent the morning relaxing and we let Logan swim for a while.

We had ADR’s for Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge for lunch at 2:00. We got ready and headed over about 1:00. We had never been over to the Wilderness Lodge before. When we walked in, we loved it! It kind of reminded me of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, the way it was laid out inside. We looked around a little inside. We were early but we were quickly seated for lunch. This is a really fun place to eat. Logan loved the Lincoln logs in the waiting area! Our waitress wasn’t one of the really loud ones but she immediately dropped a load of straws on my head when she brought the drinks. The servers seemed to be yelling things back and forth most of the time and the atmosphere was fun. It wasn’t very crowded in there so I suppose it gets really loud during busier times. We ordered Logan a kid’s meal and we got the family style skillet. YUM! The food was really good. Barbecue chicken, ribs, beans, potatoes, oh so good!! I was stuffed!! After lunch, we went out to the pool area to look around. We walked over to the beach area and the boat dock too. My husband and Logan starting saying how they want to stay at the Wilderness Lodge next fall. It was a really neat place but we’ll see I guess!

After we left the Wilderness Lodge, we went over to Downtown Disney for a while. We did some shopping and looked around. Logan was getting anxious for the Halloween party so we went back to the room to get ready. Logan dressed up as a Tennessee football player. We are huge UT vol fans (unfortunate for us this season) and Logan looked so cute in the uniform! We took some pictures of him at the resort and headed over by bus to Magic Kingdom. We always get so excited for the Halloween Party. It has become a tradition for us. We got our arm bands and treat bags and were off to enjoy the night!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

We were sent toward Tommorrowland first. We rode Buzz Lightyear a couple of times, my hubby rode Space Mountain, and they rode the cars at the Speedway. We hit all the rides in Fantasyland. Pooh, Snow White, Peter Pan, and Small World. Everything was completely no lines!! We were going to see Philharmagic but it was closed!!! Maybe it opened later but when we were there it wasn’t open! Along the way, we were collecting lots of candy!! The trick or treat areas were set up all over the park and this year they were giving out more candy!! Just what a seven year old needs! We went over to Pirates of the Caribbean and rode it. We also rode Aladdin’s carpets. Then we headed over to get a spot at the early parade. We heard that the headless horseman would only be at the early one and Logan couldn’t miss it. The parade was changed from last year. There were some things that were the same but some new costumes and floats. They were also giving out candy this year! Just what we need, more candy. Mickey was dressed in a really cute, jester type outfit. Goofy was riding in a candy car. The parade was so much fun. Then it was time for the new Hallowishes fireworks. We changed spots for a closer view. The fireworks were amazing! It was the best Halloween party we have been to. It just keeps getting better every year. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

After the fireworks, we went back and hit some rides for a second time. Then we did a little shopping. Logan got a Halloween party t-shirt, we got a Halloween party picture frame, and the Halloween party pin. We stayed to the last moment we could as the park was emptying out. We got a bus fairly quickly back to the Pop. I believe we got in bed about 1:00 a.m., exhausted but so worth it! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Day 8: It is tough to be a bug and Poly here we come! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]