Our Christmas 2003 adventure!!! (Complete) About This Page:

[DopeyGirl]

DAY 5 – “The wait’s only 15 mintues . . . no, 60 minutes . . .WHAT???”





Started the day out like every other . . . except for the fact that today was CHRISTMAS DAY!!!

Wandered down Main Street USA, took a right into Tomorrowland and THAT’S when it happened . . .



We hadn’t been in the park an hour when Emilie looked up at me after debarking our car at the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and says “Mommy, I wet in my pants . . . “ I check and, darn it, did she ever!!! We’re talking pull-ups soaked and all . . . I think “No problem, I’ll change her pants and she’ll be fine . . . Yeah, if I had remembered extra pants!!! I could NOT believe I had forgotten to pack an extra outfit for her . . . I am still kicking myself now about that!!! Well, not to fear, Grammie came to the rescue and within a few minutes, we were inside Merchant of Venus and mom was buying her an outfit!!! So, $36 later and all cleaned up, we were off to Fantasyland!!!



Rode a few rides in Fantasyland then ventured over to Adventureland and took a Jungle Cruise . . . will the corny jokes EVER stop? After we had stopped for a quick bite to eat, and realizing that we were about to get caught up in the parade crowds (waiting for the Very Merry Chistmas parade again), we ducked onto a raft for Tom Sawyer Island. We explored the island for a while . . . I was a bit confused for a good part of the time we were there . . . couldn’t tell what side of the island I was on!!!









Once the parade was over, we headed over to Splash Moutain and everyone declined a trip into the briar patch but me and Mike, so we got in line. I think I jinx myself by thinking the whole time I am in line “Please don’t let me get the front seat.” Because everytime I think it, I get the front seat!!! This time was no exception!!! I like Splash Mountain more and more everytime I ride!!!



While we were diving headfirst into the prickers and thorns and sailing through the Laughing Place, mom, dad, Tina, Julie and Emilie were at the toddler playground near Splash Mountain. I tell you, Disney sure can hide things!!! I never knew there was a playground near Splash Mountain . . . guess I should start paying attention!!! We purchased the picture, and I would have posted it because it is REALLY funny, but our scanner is on the fritz!!! Let me describe it to you . . . me and Mike in the front row, me scrunching my whole face up, Mike with his arms straight up in the air and sticking his tongue out. How could you not buy that picture?



After Splash we headed over to see the Country Bear Jamboree Christmas . . . what better to see on Christmas than animatronic bears singing Christmas carols?







We headed over to Tomorrowland for a treat and to get in line for Buzz Lightyear . . . when we approached the end of the queue area, the wait time said 15 minutes, but as we started to walk in, dad said “It just changed to an hour. Are we sure we want to wait for this?” We decided we weren’t going to wait and instead take a ride around the track at the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. Again, no one wanted to go but Mike and I, so I took Emilie with me and Mike followed us.



If anyone has ridden this, you know that they are very diligent about telling you “Do not bump the car in front of you” What do you think Mike did to us the whole time? I swear we came out of the ride with whiplash!!!



By the end of our ride, it was time to go grab a spot for SpectroMagic . . . we ended up landing right at the corner where the tip board is on Main Street, which worked out for the best sinc we were hungry and right next to Casey’s Corner!!!



While we waited, we all chowed down on some hot dogs and french fries, then the lights all went down. Emilie got scared, but once she saw the floats and characters come by she was entranced!!! I really love SpectroMagic!!! No photos of it this time, though!!! Once the parade was over, we attempted, very slowly, to make our way towards the gates, but ended up ducking into the Emporium. It was just as well as I have done some shopping every trip in the Emporium and had yet to get any good souvenirs!!! A picture frame, magnet, scrapbooking kit and color book later, we were out the door, just in time to catch Wishes again. Plus, we were VERY close to the gates, so as Wishes was coming to a close, we made a mad dash for the exit!!!



UNFORTUNATELY we hit a snag with the monorail!!! Once we got up there and were trying to get on, it was the same thing of “push-push push” to get past and on the monorail . . . Mike had managed to get on with Emilie in the stroller, but none of the rest of us did!!! We ended up catching the next one and meeting him at the TTC. THEN, when we lined up to catch a tram back to the car in the lot, we were separated AGAIN!!! Some people from a larger party in the line next to us cut over and got in the row we were headed into . . . ended up that Mike, Tina and dad were on the first tram, while mom, Julie, Emilie and I had to wait for the next one. Needless to say, my elbows were up and NO ONE was getting past me unless it was my mother!!!



Our backseat driver on the tram sang carols to us all the way through the parking lot (albeit, out of tune) but it was actually a perfect way to end our Christmas Day at WDW!!!



NEXT: Our Universal day . . .

[mac]

Great report Sarah!! How nice that you got to play mini golf for half price.

[DrDolphin]

Great report Sarah!!! I can't wait to read more and Princess emilie is a DOLL!!!

[DopeyGirl]

DAY 6 – Who Lives in a Pineapple Under the Sea?

Well, we decided since had one more day in Orlando and had used up all of our days on our 4-day park hoppers, we would venture somewhere else in the area. We ended up at Universal Studios. Now, I had been a few times and Mike had been just once or twice, but my family had NEVER been. They were excited, at first, to see what it was like, but when we were getting ready to leave that night they said they didn’t like it. “Just wasn’t Disney.”

My primary objective of the day was to find Spongebob Squarepants and just give him a huge hug. I love Spongebob . . . how can you not? He’s kind of a doofus, but yet, he doesn’t mean to be . . . and he is so gentle and good natured. He reminds me of what I was like in high school, really!!! (How scary is that?) After getting hung up at the turnstiles waiting for a spot to open up so security could check our backpacks, we were finally in. Decided that the FIRST thing we needed to do was make our way to the Nickelodeon Studios area and see if we ran into my Sponge. Didn’t see him outside, so we wandered around a minute, taking some photos then got in line for the Nick Studios show . . .





The show was pretty cute, but we were scared at first!!! They put us in the front row and with what we have seen on TV, usually if you are in the front row of ANY of their shows, you get messy. Again, we didn’t plan on changing clothes, so we were hoping they wouldn’t make a mess!!! They didn’t and we all breathed a huge sigh of relief!!! Anyhow, the show got over and we made our way towards the Jimmy Neutron ride and Shrek 3D, both of which had wait times of 120 minutes – 2 HOURS, people!!! Even their FastPass ticket thing’s return time was HOURS later so we just ducked into the NICKSTUFF store . . . and, wouldn’t you know it, CLEAR in the back of the store, on a little set looking stage, was my Sponge . . . Spongebob Squarepants!!!



After everyone pulling me away from my little yellow square man, we wandered through the store a little while longer and then set out to see what else we could find. Our walking took us through streets that looked like they could very well be in New York and came out in what looked like San Francisco (what a QUICK trip!) We ducked into Louie’s Italian Restaurant, because inside, there’s a Starbucks . . . no one had their caffeine yet, so it was about time!!! Before we got to Louie’s, we realized that Kongfrontation was closed and that they were in the process of finishing a new thrill ride “Revenge of the Mummy”.

After a quick refuel, we set off through “San Francisco” and grabbed a FastPass thing (I don’t know what they’re called!) for Earthquake! and decided we’d just take a walk around and see everything then decide where to go from there. By the time we had made a full circuit around the park, our time was up for Earthquake, so we headed back. It always amazes me, that ride!!! Even though I KNOW it is all fake, I still flinch at the subway train that “jumps the track” and heads for our train . . . is that silly?

After Earthquake, we headed to Jaws to grab a FastPass then we were off to grab a bite to eat. We decided on the International Food and Film Festival restaurant . . . BIG mistake!!! It was packed and we ended up waiting almost 30 minutes just to get fried chicken!!! Don’t get me wrong, the food was all pretty decent but the waits were HORRIBLE!!! On the way over to get lunch we stopped a minute on the bridge and took a couple of pics . . .


Emilie (in stroller), Mike and me (I was tired already!)


Sisters Tina and Julie, and a rare photo appearance by MOM!!!


More in next post

[DopeyGirl]

After we had filled up on our lunch, we headed off to the “kiddie” area . . . first stop, Fievel’s Playland. Everything was HUGE . . . it was basically Universal’s answer to “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” movie set at MGM . . . basically. Once Emilie had slid down every slide, bounced on everything that would bounce and finally conceded to the fact that she WAS NOT going down the “water slide”, we moved on to Curious George Goes to Town. Word to the wise . . . if you don’t want to get wet, follow the red footprints or else you WILL be soaked!!! It is water, water everywhere!!!





Emilie and I inside a Curious George van . . . LET US OUT!!!





We were disappointed in that the person working at the Woody Woodpecker kiddie coaster wouldn’t let us on, despite the fact that Emilie was standing under the measuring stick and she was JUST tall enough . . . the kid said “She’s not tall enough . . . about a half inch too short.” Don’t know what he was seeing . . . oh, well!!! A good thing about the kiddie area is that it is a Heaven Sent for potty trainers!!! In the bathrooms outside the Barney thing, there are 6 stalls – 3 labeled “Big Girls” and 3 labeled “Little Girls”!!! (And Mike tells me it was the same in the “boys” as well . . . ) Emilie is scared of big potties and the automatic flushers, so when we saw these little ones and that they weren’t auto flush . . . that was a happy moment!!!



After having our quota of “kiddie” fun, we headed over to Back to the Future . . . truthfully, this is the only part of Universal I can't go without!!! After we took a spin in our DeLorean, we headed over to E.T. The Ride. This ride is just sweet . . . Emilie liked it because she got her own seat on the bicycle and E.T. said “Goodbye Emilie” at the end . . . her face just lit up!!!



By then, the sun was setting and we were getting tired of walking . . . we wandered down to Terminator 2: 3D and saw that . . . and Emilie sat still with her glasses on the whole time!!! Guess we should have tried some of the Disney 3D movies, huh? Oh well, there’s always next time!!! We saw that the waits for Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast and Shrek 3D were still just as bad as they were that afternoon, so we headed over to Twister . . . Ride It Out! It wasn’t quite what I expected (pretty “calm” compared to what I thought it would be) but the inside queue area was really cool!!! It really did look like a tornado had ripped through there and at a couple of points I was ducking my head, afraid something was going to fall on me!!! Once we took a head count and realized we were all tornado survivors, we headed towards the exit . . . then walked through Universal CityWalk (had to find some Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream!!!) then we headed for the home . . . well, the hotel at least . . .



Oh, and did I mention that I managed to walk out of the park only having spent $4 on souvenirs . . . a magnet and a postcard just about did it for me!!!



. . . and thus brings the end to our Christmas in Orlando . . .







DAY 7 – Heading home



We got up around 9am the next morning and packed all of our stuff up and loaded up the cars . . . we checked out and headed on our way. Mom, dad and the sisters were following us to Pensacola, so we lead the way!!! Finally arrived home about 6pm and took them to their hotel . . . had some dinner and were about worn out!!! Next morning, we did our family Christmas . . . opening gifts, dinner that night and all that good stuff. Their second day in Pensacola, we toured the National Museum of Naval Aviation here on Naval Air Station Pensacola. If you are ever in the area, this is a must see!!! Admission is free and it is open to the public, you just have to go through base security for a quick search!!! It’s a beautiful museum and there is LOTS to see!!! Check it out next time you come through the city!!! Anyhow, we toured the museum and then met up with Mike’s parents, who had come into town that day. This was the FIRST time our families had met . . . it was very stressful and I am glad it’s over!!! The next day, December 30, my family flew back home . . . no glitches in their plans this time, thankfully!!! They flew into the airport closest to home, which is also where their car was sitting waiting for them . . . and we were all left with nothing but our great memories (and LOTS of photos) of our trip!!!



The day they left, I started feeling a little Disney withdrawl, so I started looking at another trip . . . decided I wanted to go for my birthday in October and the pestering of the hubby began . . . he caved!!! Two weeks later, I made our reservations . . . The same day I made our ressies for October, my sister Julie told me that she, too, was having the Disney withdrawls and she put her foot down and told her fiancee that they are going to Disneyland for their honeymoon . . . Two weeks after THAT, my mother in law called and told us that they are going to WDW in March 2005 and are taking us with them, their treat!!! They also are buying our seasonal passes!!! CAN’T SAY NO TO THAT!!! So, now I am sitting her counting the days until I will be celebrating my birthday with my favorite mouse at the Happiest Place on Earth!!!





Quick update: Something I forgot to mention when I first posted this marathon of trip report posts . . . as Shay pointed out below . . . we are getting Florida Resident Seasonal Passes for our next trips!!! I studied up a little on the price differences and it most definitely made more sense to go that way. Since the in-laws are insistant on paying for them, we thought that would be the most economical way to go as well. With us wanting to buy park hoppers for October and them going to buy our 5 day hoppers for March . . . mucho dinero!!! This way, we'll be covered for both trip periods (with the exception of March 19th, which is the first day in one of the blackout periods AND just happens to be the day before we go back home.) So, we have planned that since we will not be able to use that last day of our trip at WDW, we will, more than likely be visiting Sea World . . . whether the in-laws and their friends decide to go, we may not know until that day, but we are planning on it!!!

[DrDolphin]

Great report Sarah!!!

[tammyr]

Great report Sarah, I loved all the pictures!!

[luvnwdwgal]

Awesome trip report Sarah! Emilie is such a cutie!! My brother and SIL use to live in Pensacola and I've been there a couple times. I love the beaches!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us and how lucky for you that you've got 2 trips already in the plans!!

[Jennifer2003]

What a great memory! I was there the 1st week of December and I'm having a tough time differenciating between that trip and my May trip.

We're looking at Oct or Nov for a return trip! Maybe we'll run into you!

Thanks for all the cute pics of Emilie! She's a little sweetheart!

Looking forward to another report!

Jennifer

[Colexis Mom]

What a great time you all had Sarah Thanks for sharing, and loved all your pictures

[MegglesMom]

Fantastic report Sarah!!

[Grammy Grumpy]

Wonderful TR Thanks for sharing.

[buckysmom]

Sarah,
I'm just back from leave and catching up with your TR!
It was great-especially your pictures, which were wonderful.
I'm still not brave enough to drive to Orlando, so that was verrry interesting to me.
Don't know if you've looked into the FL Seasonal APs which block out the big holiday times (but not Oct definitely and I'm pretty sure not May) but they are really pretty reasonable. I got mine and DDs for $190/160 at our MWR. Check them out, think that would make a lot of sense if you're going to do 2 trips. Just a thought...
Anyway, thanks again for the great report and pictures of your sweet girl,

[DopeyGirl]

I just posted this as an update to my final installment of my TR, but thought I would post it separately as well . . .



Something I forgot to mention when I first posted this marathon of trip report posts . . . as Shay pointed out above . . . we are getting Florida Resident Seasonal Passes for our next trips!!! I studied up a little on the price differences and it most definitely made more sense to go that way. Since we are military, we can get them on base for $190/adult and $160/child with NO SALES TAX!!! We are pretty good about using our Navy "perks"!!! Since the in-laws are insistant on paying for them, we thought that would be the most economical way to go as well. With us wanting to buy park hoppers for October and them going to buy our 5 day hoppers for March . . . mucho dinero!!! This way, we'll be covered for both trip periods (with the exception of March 19th, which is the first day in one of the blackout periods AND just happens to be the day before we go back home.) So, we have planned that since we will not be able to use that last day of our trip at WDW, we will, more than likely be visiting Sea World . . . whether the in-laws and their friends decide to go, we may not know until that day, but we are planning on it!