Our "30 Year Anniversary" Disney Vacation 2014 [February 7-14] - Page 10 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
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There are other changes as well.
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We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
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Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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We had awesome weather during this trip, I think the best overall of all the trips we've taken to Florida. Actually, while we were there, Florida was pretty much the only state that wasn't getting snow! I checked in with Mom every day to see how things were at home, and it was the same every day....COLD!
We weren't in any hurry again this morning, another thing I loved about this trip, it was very laid back. Since we hadn't spent much time at Hollywood Studios yesterday, we decided to go back today.
The bus stop had been a bit crowded this week {due to the gazillion cheerleaders staying at the resort-more on this later}, but there seemed to be less people going out to the parks a little later in the morning, which worked great for us. When we got on the bus this morning, I just had to get a picture of this little guy!
OMG...Peter Pan! Now isn't he cute?!
Once we got in the park, I got in line to get fast passes. I was hoping to get one for Toy Story Mania, but no luck, they were all gone for today. Peter walked over to watch the street performers......
Lunch options, in my opinion, are limited in this park, but we chose Pizza Planet since we knew the food was good there.
We both got the personal pizza, Caesar salad, and soda. The dessert options were either a cookie or a cupcake......Peter picked a boring chocolate chip cookie, but me.......
.....I got the Valentine's Day Cupcake: Red Velvet w/chocolate frosting and was it ever YUMMY!
Cost: $36.58 {or 2 QS Credits}
Around the corner from Pizza Planet is cutest little holiday shop and the perfect spot to take a family Christmas card photo......except remember, my family doesn't do photo Christmas cards! I always get pictures anyway.
Peter wanted to watch an American Idol show, but I wanted to see if I could ride Toy Story Mania. As we walked back, I got a few pictures of an almost empty "Streets of America". It is almost always less crowded over there.
Over at Pixar Studios, I ran into this guy before getting in line for the ride.
The stand-by line for Toy Story Mania was 50 minutes, but since this would be my only chance to ride, it was worth the wait. The time went by pretty fast, plus I had plenty of time to get pictures as I moved through the queue.
When I came out, Peter was already in the next AI show, so I headed over to Rockn' Roller Coaster for one last ride.
Almost gave in and rode Tower of Terror alone, but chickened out again! That ride definitely calls for a partner....scary!
I met up with Peter and we rode the Great Movie Ride. We hadn't done this one in several years.
When we came out, it looked a little stormy, so we decided to head back to the resort until dinner.
Even though the weather looked threatening, we left the resort without our ponchos. We had dinner tonight at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney and it was awesome! Peter got a big ole' steak and I got the surf and turf.
Cost: $87.62 {or 2 TS credits} + cash tip.
When we came out it was pouring!!!!! We were spending the rest of the night at Downtown Disney, so we bought two more ponchos. Our plans for the rest of the night was to see a movie, but the next showing wasn't until 9:15. Since it was raining, I suggested going to Disney Quest for an hour or so. Normally, we probably would have skipped the 5-story interactive theme park, since (a) we really aren't that big on video games and (b) admission is $45.00 each! But, we had 2 coupons for FREE admission that came in our resort packet, so why not? It was pretty fun, and we were just ready to sit and relax for awhile (and be dry). Not sure we would we go back without the free admission, since we aren't big gaming people, but this is a great deal for those of you that love video games and/ or have kids that do. Disney Quest is certainly a video gamers heaven!
The AMC theater at DTD is huge! It has 24 theaters and also Dine-In Theaters, which sounds fun {future trip idea?}! Peter had been wanting to see Lone Survivor....it was awesome!! We love going to the movies and normally that is something we never do at Disney. Add dinner and a movie night in Disney to our future trip must-do list!
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What another great day! I have always wanted to go to a movie there - we did once a really long time ago - want to try the dining movie someday. However, for me it must be a Disney movie
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What another great day! I have always wanted to go to a movie there - we did once a really long time ago - want to try the dining movie someday. However, for me it must be a Disney movie
We are trying to fit in dinner & a movie again this trip.
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The movie was a great idea for a rainy night. We haven't really done too much in DTD the last few years. It just seems there are too many other options in the theme parks and resorts. Maybe one of these days, after the refurb, we will spend some time there.
American Idol..... Something else I really, really miss.... I absolutely loved it and watched several shows two trips ago.... I was truly bummed that it closed down just before our most recent trip.
As for Characters In Flight.... We did this for the first time in December and truly enjoyed it. It really wasn't scary at all.... The balloon goes up (and down) very slowly and there are rails all the way around it.... FYI: Flights are just $10 per person before 10am... We came upon Characters in Flight just minutes before 10am and unknowingly scored a great deal
Another great day! Although I would've done ToT and wouldn't do RnRC.
We've thought of seeing a movie while at the World, but never have.
ToT scares me to death (but I'm fine with a partner!). We love going to the movies and dinner & a movie @ DTD is a great date night while on vacation!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Looks like you all managed lots of fun in the two latest updates!
We really had a great trip...relaxing and fun!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Another great day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMA
The movie was a great idea for a rainy night. We haven't really done too much in DTD the last few years. It just seems there are too many other options in the theme parks and resorts. Maybe one of these days, after the refurb, we will spend some time there.
We've been to WDW several times now, so we've become more laid back and have started adding some non-park stuff like going to the movies. We were happy we had planned a movie for such a rainy night!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by B.M.
American Idol..... Something else I really, really miss.... I absolutely loved it and watched several shows two trips ago.... I was truly bummed that it closed down just before our most recent trip.
As for Characters In Flight.... We did this for the first time in December and truly enjoyed it. It really wasn't scary at all.... The balloon goes up (and down) very slowly and there are rails all the way around it.... FYI: Flights are just $10 per person before 10am... We came upon Characters in Flight just minutes before 10am and unknowingly scored a great deal
Peter is a little sad about AI closing. He doesn't like rides like me, so this gave him something to do while I did RnRC and also the drawing class. I would join for a few shows (mainly to take a break!). Thanks for the CIF info!!! Hopefully, we'll get to ride this trip.
Today was supposed to be check-out day for us, but we decided a few days ago that we would add another night to our stay. After all, we had one more park day left on our tickets, as well as a couple quick service meals on our dining plan. Besides, we had the next few days to get back home-no need to rush!
We were heading back to Magic Kingdom today, but we weren't in any hurry this morning. We did some laundry and had breakfast, something we rarely do on vacation.
You can't go to WDW and not eat at least one Mickey waffle.
It was a little chilly, but no rain today. The weather had been so nice during our trip. It had been winter everywhere else- low temps, snow, ice storms, and wind. Who would want to leave sunny, warm Florida for that?
We ran into the parade when we entered the park.......
and then these characters........
After walking around a bit, we decided to have lunch at Pinocchio's Village Haus. It had been redone since we were there last. I like the new outdoor area, but it was a little too chilly to eat outside today.
Lunch was really good, especially the Caprese Flatbread that I got. Peter got chicken strips & fries, and yogurt for dessert. I got the chocolate gelato {which was very yummy!}.With drinks the cost was $33.28 {or 2 QS Credits}.
We rode Voyage of the Little Mermaid next.....
then walked over to see if we could ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
The stand-by wait was too long, so we rode a different railroad instead....
We love riding the train all the way around Magic Kingdom. We got off at the front of the park, since we had some shopping to do! We ran into Mary Poppins there.
After some shopping, we left the park...one last look at the castle until next year!
We had talked about where to have dinner on our last night at Disney and when I suggested doing Hoop Dee Doo, Peter quickly agreed!
We had planned to take the boat over to Fort Wilderness from MK, but it was very windy and the boat wasn't running. So, to the bus stop we go!
We had a little time before dinner, so we walked around the campgrounds.
A game of checkers......good thing for Peter I was rusty!
Since we had booked this last minute, the only time available was the first show. I picked Category 3, since we prefer the balcony to a floor table. We ended up being seated right in the middle of the floor on the main level. They do this when they don't have a full show. We didn't like our seats as well as those in the balcony and we got the most unenthusiastic waiter in Disney, but other than that, we had a great time!
As part of the show, we were asked where we are from and what we were celebrating, and guess who slow danced again right in the middle of the restaurant?! This had been an awesome "just the two of us" vacation!! And, we ended the night with this......
Straw*Berry*Short*Cake
The boat was running again after the show, so we enjoyed the ride back over to Magic Kingdom.
We skipped going back in the park, since it was cold and we wanted to spend the rest of our time at the resort.......and it was time to pack up.
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Our plans for the rest of the night was to see a movie, but the next showing wasn't until 9:15. Since it was raining, I suggested going to Disney Quest for an hour or so. Normally, we probably would have skipped the 5-story interactive theme park, since (a) we really aren't that big on video games and (b) admission is $45.00 each! But, we had 2 coupons for FREE admission that came in our resort packet, so why not? It was pretty fun, and we were just ready to sit and relax for awhile (and be dry). Not sure we would we go back without the free admission, since we aren't big gaming people, but this is a great deal for those of you that love video games and/ or have kids that do. Disney Quest is certainly a video gamers heaven!
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