OUR not so scary annual fall vacation...10/15-10/23 COMPLETED REPORT Day 10!!!!
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**Colexis Mom** · 11-28-2005, 12:40 PM

Another great update [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

angiek1024 · 11-28-2005, 05:51 PM

Friday, October 21, 2005

Day Eight: It’s tough to be a bug and Poly here we come!

This was a definite sleep in morning since we got in so late after the Halloween Party on Thursday night. We got up around 9:00 a.m. and had a few light snacks in the room. We got ready and headed for the Animal Kingdom. When we got there, we looked around a little and my husband went over and got fast passes for Kilimanjaro Safaris. We went over to Flame Tree BBQ for lunch at 11:00 a.m.. The sandwiches were good, my hubby didn’t like them too much but for a fast food type place, I thought it was really good. Logan got a kick out of seeing all the ducks walking around while we ate. They were like dogs and cats begging for your food. It is not every day you eat while sitting by a duck!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

After lunch, we headed over for It’s Tough to be a Bug. The last time we were at this show, Logan was about 3 yrs old. He had a major terror attack on us in there and we had to get up and leave. We hadn’t tried it again since that day. I can still remember it like it was yesterday. We decided to try again and it was fun. After the show, we took our fast passes and went over for a safari ride. I love this ride. A little bumpy but definitely worth it! We saw hippos, giraffes, lions, elephants, just to name a few. The Animal Kingdom for me is this ride. Logan loved it of course and we got some great photos. After the safari ride, it was off to Camp Minnie Mickey. I dreaded standing in line over there because it was miserably humid outside. To my surprise, there were virtually no lines! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] We just walked right up for pics and autographs. Logan and Scott even saw the bears from Brother Bear and I got photos of them all. We then went over toward Dino Land and got in line to see the Pooh Characters. Again, no wait. This was just too easy!! Then we went over and rode the Triceratop Spin. Logan wanted to play one of the games over there and won a stuffed animal. He wanted to play on the playground and dig for bones so we let him play. I will admit that the heat was getting to me. I was so tired. This was our 7th day straight walking around the parks and my legs were killing me. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I was basically hobbling. We normally build a rest day in our plans but this time we planned a little too much. Hubby and I were snapping at one another and Logan was exhausted. We decided to go back to the hotel and rest. We let Logan swim and just chilled for a while. We needed a break. We had 6:45 reservations for Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. We stayed last year at the Poly and loved it so much!!! It was surprising to us that we actually liked the Kona Cafe better than Ohana’s. So much so that we decided to skip Ohana’s on this trip and go to the Kona. We got dressed up for this meal. I wanted one meal to dress up and not be in shorts and t shirts. When we got there, it was like being home again. Did I mention how much I love the Poly????

Anyway, we ordered dinner and it was great. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] For appetizers, I got the crab cakes and Scott got the Kona salad. We both got the Teriyaki steak for our entrée. Logan got chicken, again. I got the volcano dessert (not sure what the correct name for it is), Scott got the cheesecake and Logan got a sundae. A huge sundae!! The meal was so good!! My husband said it was the best meal of the trip and I have to agree with him. Our steaks were delicious and perfectly cooked. I would have taken that meal over Ohana’s any day. After dinner, we strolled around and took a monorail ride. We just stayed on and took the loop. Logan missed the monorail this trip. It is a ride unto itself for him. We headed back to the resort around 9:30 p.m. and Logan wanted to go to the arcade. Scott took him and I think they stayed for a couple of hours. I was half asleep when they got back in the room. Our day wasn’t perfect but it ended very well. Our easy evening helped gear us up for our final full day at Epcot.

UP NEXT: Thunderstorms won’t stop us and time to pack for home!
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iamgrumpy · 11-28-2005, 10:42 PM

Great update! I am trying Kona Cafe on my next trip!

Amy

KandJluvdisney · 11-28-2005, 10:57 PM

great trip report so far sounds like you are having a good time

**Colexis Mom** · 11-29-2005, 06:22 AM

Another fantastic update [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

angiek1024 · 11-29-2005, 09:07 AM

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Day Nine: Thunderstorms won’t stop us and time to pack for home!

We left our ponchos at home. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] First mistake of this day. We got up around 9:00 a.m. and ate breakfast at the Pop. We were hitting the World Showcase at Epcot first so we didn’t have to be in a hurry. We drove over to the Boardwalk area and parked in what we believe was an employee lot. They were full at the Boardwalk hotel for parking due to the Food and Wine Festival so they told us to park in the lot across the street. We walked over to the Boardwalk and boarded the boat to the World Showcase entrance to Epcot. When we arrived, we went straight over to the Land Pavilion to get fast passes to ride Soarin again. Unfortunately, the fast passes were basically gone except for a very late 6:30 time. We knew we would be going to Downtown Disney for the evening so we didn’t get them. This is the first time on the trip that my heart kind of sunk. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I really wanted to ride it again but oh well. We ended up riding Listen to the Land again. I guess you can’t get enough of anything at Disney!!

After the ride, we headed over to Mouse Gears for some shopping. Since this was our last full day, we were trying to get our last minute shopping done. We did plenty in there. Logan collects the small characters that are dressed in different outfits. We get a ton of them each year. Ok, maybe not a ton but at least 10 or 12. He saves his money all year for the trip and buys them himself. He has quite a collection now! So, I think he got a couple of those and we bought some gifts for family at home. We had to have our package sent to the back entrance since it was too much to carry. We headed over to the World Showcase but before we got there we ran into a few friends on a bus!! Yes, it was those crazy characters. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] They had been there for a while so Logan only got to see his favorite Goofy but saw Max for the very first time. He was with Goofy and Logan was thrilled! It really made his day. I got some pictures of them with Logan and Scott even jumped in and had his picture made too!

After our chance meeting, we went over to Mexico. We ate lunch at the Cantina. We all had nachos and they were good. This was our extra day and we didn’t buy dining for it but we still had some credits left on our plan and we just had to use them by midnight on the day we were supposed to check out. So, it ended up that we even ate for free on our extra day! By the end of the day, we had spent $282.72 over what we paid for the plan. Now how is that for savings?? After lunch, we rode El Rio de Tiempo again. Logan had to ride it and I had the whole ride memorized by that point. Then we hit the Maelstrom again. There was a little bit of a line this time but we only waited about 15 minutes. After Norway, it started raining. I wasn’t concerned at first. Only a light rain. Then, it really started coming down. There was a huge burst of thunder and everyone scattered. I begged Scott for ponchos and he gave me that look. You know, the we have ponchos at home look. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] I wasn’t about to walk around in a thunderstorm without a poncho at least for Logan. He bought Logan and me one but refused to buy himself one. I tried to get him to get one for himself but he was determined to tough it out. Logan looked so cute in his poncho! He was having fun, just playing and skipping around in the rain. We started hopping country to country all the while trying to stay dry. I kept thinking that the rain would stop soon but it just got harder and stormed worse. We ducked into the Liberty Inn for some cokes and to get a chance to dry off. The singers came out and the band. It was entertaining to watch them. As the rain continued, our spirits started dropping. This was our last day and we weren’t able to do much. We ended up heading back to the boat because there were no signs of the rain letting up. This was the prelude to the Hurricane that came in on Monday. Looking back, I am glad we made it out before the real stuff hit.

We drove back to the resort and got dry clothes on. We ended up skipping Downtown Disney. We decided to go over to International Drive and look around. Our second mistake of the day. International Drive on Saturday night is gridlock. We knew this from years past but went anyway. Sitting in traffic, it was like a light bulb went off. Ok, this is why we don’t come over here much and won’t stay offsite. The little world of Disney inside the resort areas spoils you. We did get to look around and do a little shopping. We finally made it back to the resort and got a snack there. We used every last dining credit we had. After our snacks, it was time to pack. Ugh! I hate packing. That is when the tears started. I looked over at Logan and he had tears streaming down his eyes. He said he was going to miss the Pop and the characters. We go through this every trip with him. I tried to assure him that we would be back but he just cried harder. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Then my husband had a great idea. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] He told Logan that since we had another day’s ticket left that we would go back to the Magic Kingdom and spend the morning before we left on Sunday. This was a surprise to me because my husband is usually one to stay on schedule and since we had a nine hour drive he wanted to leave early so we would be home early. I, of course agreed with his new plan and Logan was happy!!! I was so excited to be going back to MK again before we left!!!

UP NEXT: A magical morning and time to say goodbye! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img]

debsta922 · 11-29-2005, 10:23 AM

I just got caught up with your report and you're already packing to go home... great report so far, and I hope your day at MK is extra special (and not to soggy)

PrincessSharon · 11-29-2005, 03:36 PM

Great updates! I'm sorry your report is coming to an end. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

angiek1024 · 12-06-2005, 04:08 PM

Sunday October 23, 2005
DAY 10: A magical morning and it’s time to say goodbye!

We got up early on our very last morning. We wanted to get the car packed so that as soon as we returned to the Pop we could leave. This is the hardest part of the trip. We finished packing and Scott started loading the car. My heart was sinking but I was glad for one more quick trip to the Magic Kingdom. We were going to drive over to MK and then leave from there but we ended up parking up near the bus stop and took the bus over.

We got to MK just as it was opening. Logan spotted Goofy right away and he went and got his picture made. This made his day! We headed over for Tommorrowland for Buzz but it was closed!!! The lady said it would be open later so we headed over to the Speedway. Logan wanted to drive a car this time! He usually makes Daddy drive because he is scared to. Well, he got his courage up and drove! Then we headed for the Tea Cups. Scott always makes us sick on those little cups. After that, we went over and rode Snow White, Peter Pan, Pooh, Dumbo and It’s a Small World. No lines at all. We just got right on and off them at ease. Then we hit Toontown! We rode Goofy’s barnstormer twice. SO much fun! Then we went over to the tent to see some characters. Logan saw Minnie, Donald, and of course Goofy! Goofy spent a lot of time playing around with Logan. He stood nose to nose with Logan and it was so funny!! We then went over to see Mickey. The funny thing is that Mickey was all alone! Logan had him to himself and got to visit for a while. There was hardly anyone around MK! The hurricane was due to hit the next day so with fall break ending and people leaving early it was perfect crowd wise. It was getting late in the morning so we went over to the Pirates of the Caribbean and Aladdin’s carpets before we had to leave. Then we headed back for Buzz and rode it twice! After we rode Buzz, we went by the Main Street Bakery for a quick bite to eat! Yum! We also went and did some last minute shopping. Logan got some Golden ears and we got some 50th anniversary stuff. We got the soundtrack for the Happiest Celebration on Earth. When we finished shopping, we knew it was time to go. It was already noon and we had a nine hour drive ahead of us! We got back to the Pop and got ready to leave. As we headed out in the car, we started up the soundtrack. The song “Remember When” was first and I was a little choked up. We had such a great trip and it was sad for it to be over. We listened to the soundtrack, both discs all the way through on the way home. It was fun hearing the music from the rides. You could just sit back and think about everything you’d seen and done. Of course, in my head I was already beginning to plan our next trip. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Within a week of arriving back home the special for Jan-Mar came out. I begged and whined to my husband and he agreed to go on a short 4 night/5 day trip in March. We will be staying at Coronado Springs. And then there’s our fall trip to plan for next year. I guess Disney just gets in your blood!!!!!
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KrisLuvsDisney · 12-06-2005, 09:27 PM

I so enjoyed your TR! When in March do you plan to go? Sheana1226 and I will be there (we begged and whined too)!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

PrincessSharon · 12-07-2005, 09:56 AM

Great report! Thanks for sharing it with us!

angiek1024 · 12-07-2005, 02:23 PM

We will be there March 2-6. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

**Colexis Mom** · 12-07-2005, 05:55 PM

Great job on the report [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Thanks for sharing your trip with us [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img]