Nala & pride + one tour WDW Final thoughts COMPLETE!
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Cinderbrella · 05-09-2005, 09:20 PM

I'm sorry that you missed FOTLK!! I totally agree with you on how wonderful it is. It's my favorite show at WDW.

If you have not seen The Lion King musical, yet, you need to go. It's incredible!!!

Sorry that your TR is coming to an end. Your pictures of AK were very pretty!!

More please!!

ilovelilo · 05-10-2005, 12:59 AM

That's so cool that you got to see AK at night! I hate that this trip report is almost over

. It's been so good! Can't wait to read about your last day there and then read about your next trip!

**Colexis Mom** · 05-11-2005, 08:26 PM

More great updates Nala

And such great pictures too of you and Kiara

More please

luvnwdwgal · 05-12-2005, 08:10 AM

I loved your take on the AK at night! Beautiful!

So glad Larry was reunited with his Mrs!

Nala · 05-14-2005, 10:44 AM

Friday February 4th

The next day arrived and as I got out of bed, as crazy as it sounds, my heart was heavy. I know this sounds impossible to happen in the “Happiest Place on Earth” but it happened to me. As it does every trip on our last full day. The fact that I am soon to go back to my reality and leave my happy place tears me up. I know, it’s weird. But somehow, overnight, I morph from Nala the kind lioness to Cruella DeVil the wearer of lioness fur.

We got ready for our day at MK and made sure to wear warm sweatshirts under our jackets. By the time we hit the MK we realized we needed much more than that. It was in the mid 40’s and a bit misty so the damp air made it seem even colder. As we made our way up Main Street we realized we needed to hit the shops for provisions. Hats and gloves! The bright side to the bad weather was we hoped it would keep the crowds low. But we were wrong!

We made a mad dash to the doorway of one of the Main Street stores only to find it blocked by a woman attempting to lean on it while putting on a new pair of sweat pants she had just purchased. She struggled and hopped on one leg in an attempt to get out of our way and before she fell down we told her to get her pants on and not worry about us! We all laughed and she stated that she was freezing. I felt her pain. The cold was making my hands hurt and my nose looked like a red ball on my face.

When we got inside the store it was easy to find what we needed by the large mass of people around the section. In fact there were CM’s standing in the store handing out hats and gloves from large baskets they were carrying. We found ours and headed to the check out. As we stood in line Peter Pan noticed the CM at the register had on a green lanyard. Even though he had long since traded all his pins he still checked them out. When it was our turn to pay he was able to get a closer look. The CM had a Splash Mountain pin on his lanyard that Peter Pan had seen before and loved. It was the one that looked like a primitive film strip with three frames. The first was Mickey and Goofy in a Splash Mountain car, the second was them making the drop and the third was them getting out of the car with water dripping off of them. Peter Pan and I were talking about how cool the pin was and it was too bad he had traded off all his pins and didn’t have his lanyard on him to make a trade for this one. Before we knew it the CM was reaching to his lanyard and removed the pin. He then handed it to Peter Pan. He was thrilled and the smile on his face was so big. What a wonderful thing this CM had done. We thanked him over and over again and I couldn’t resist the chance to say to Peter Pan, in front of that special CM, “Now that’s pure Disney magic”.

We made our way back out to Main Street and decided to hit Futureworld. The guys were really wanting to do Stitch’s Great Escape so I sent them on their way and took Kiara to do some shopping. I would have given my kingdom for a hot cup of coffee at that point. While the boys were on the ride Kiara and I explored the shops in the area. I found a sweatshirt I so loved and still am kicking myself for not buying. It had a tiny little Stitch in one corner casting a huge shadow of himself across the shirt and it said “Small package…..Big attitude”. If that is not my daughter I don’t know what is. Somehow, my kid is a perfect cross between Stitch and Tinkerbell. Part monster/brat yet totally adorable and completely lovable.

Kiara and I waited for a bit more after shopping and soon the guys showed up. I had hoped for rave reviews about this attraction but as soon as they saw us both started making the thumbs down sign. When we got close enough to talk about it both of them were firing off what was wrong and little about what was right. I had never been a fan of Alien Encounter but figured it was due to a faulty seat that didn’t have the special effects. My friend that I was with the one time I tried it was screaming/laughing her head off as she was getting the whole effect. I had so hoped this would have gotten rave reviews from the guys and would have inspired me to try it. Judging from their response and due to our lack of time I elected to pass. And Peter Pan complained for hours that he still could smell chili dogs!

We had little to do in Futureworld except Space Mountain and as we looked at the line it seemed short. It had a posted wait time of 20 minutes. Grumpy elected me to take Peter Pan on the ride and I put up no fight. We got in what we thought was a short line and waited. And waited. And waited. By the time we came off the ride it was well over 50 minutes. But Peter Pan had been on Space Mountain and loved it.

Now it was time for Buzz Lightyear! Once again we were fooled by the posted time wait. And in this queue we noticed the ever growing, ever chanting population of cheer teams. That explained the sudden crowd! As we made our way through the line a CM once again handed me the red card on a lanyard and before he could say “Please give this to the CM at the end of the line” I said “I’ll will safely carry this to the CM at the end of my line”. We both laughed and we went on our way into what seemed a never ending queue. Forty five minutes later we were on Buzz. A first for Grumpy. He rode with Kiara and I rode with Peter Pan. And like the three of us, Grumpy fell in love with this ride! This was put on the list as a must do for future trips for all of us!

By the time we came off Buzz we were all cold and hungry so we decided to find a place to eat. We really wanted a sit down meal and decided to make our way towards Liberty Square to check out the wait at LTT. It was only a twenty minute wait but there was room to sit inside out of the cold so we put our name on the list. I just love the way they call you to your table here. They called out our last name and our state and we were seated at our table after about fifteen minutes. We enjoyed a great lunch and the chance to warm up and I was grateful to have hot tea to drink! Our bill after DDE discount was $48 including tax and tip. Counter service would have cost us close to $30 so it was worth the extra money to have someone wait on us and get much better food.

We left LTT warm and very full and had to decide what to do with the rest of our day. There seemed to be a theme forming for us. Stay warm and find hot beverages. Peter Pan noticed the shooting arcade and Grumpy took him to try his hand at it. I waited outside with Kiara as I knew the noise would bother her. As we waited I noticed a pin shop right next door and told the guys we would be in there waiting for them. While I really needed to avoid the temptation of buying more pins it was warmer than standing outside. Soon the guys joined us and Peter Pan looked around and found a few pins to buy. I loved the Stitch takes over the MK series they had but forced myself to pass them by.

We then headed towards Splash Mountain which could have been a walk on and we still would have passed. There was no way any of us wanted to get wet. We went to BTM to check out the wait and it was posted at 45 minutes. Too long. We decided to try our luck in Adventureland and found the wait at POTC seemed very short. Once again Kiara declined this one stating her phrase “No, pirates scare me”. So Grumpy stayed with her and I took Peter Pan on the ride. Okay, vent here. What is it about the phrase “Please, no flash photography” that some people don’t get? I know it was not an issue with not speaking or understanding English because the people in front of us clearly spoke it. But still they snapped away. And with every shot I was blinded by the flash. After about the third time Peter Pan said rather loudly “Don’t they know they are not suppose to take pictures?” I said to him a little more quietly that I wished they would stop because the flash was killing my eyes. Guess they heard us because they stopped and I was able to see the ride once my eyes adjusted to the dark again. Geeeeseeee! Some people!

Up next ….. The rest of our cold day at MK and CP.

MAria R · 05-14-2005, 11:27 AM

Another great update, AK at night sounds truly magical. Sorry about the FOTLK, but you do have a trip coming up very soon I hope you can catch it. WOW, it must have been really cold for the woman to be putting on pants in front of the door.

Cinderbrella · 05-14-2005, 11:33 AM

Great update, Nala. Your cold day at MK sounded like a lot of fun!

BabieeMelly · 05-14-2005, 12:10 PM

Great update! Although it was cold it sounds like you guys had a great time

luvnwdwgal · 05-14-2005, 12:34 PM

Thanks for another great update!

**Colexis Mom** · 05-14-2005, 08:51 PM

Another great update

Boy, does it sound cold

But, your at MK, so I'd take a cold day there than anyplace else

How great for the CM to give the pin to Peter Pan

And glad you enjoyed LTT!

Hurry back with more

lauren-roxy · 05-15-2005, 01:53 AM

Nala, I just got caught up with your entire trip report in one sitting! It is fabulous!! You guys are have such a wonderful time!! Can't wait to read the rest!!

ilovelilo · 05-16-2005, 03:02 AM

I know what it's like to be at WDW when it's freezing--that's what happened to us in Jan. 2004! And of course we didn't bring any coats with us or anything because we didn't think we'd need them! At least it'll be much warmer for your next trip!

Nala · 05-18-2005, 12:15 AM

We made a point to dodge The Magic Carpets for the time being and went to take a break outside the Plaza Restaurant. We enjoyed the rest and had fun watching a little squirrel and a pair of ducks that where scurrying around under the tables for food. Three other adults came into the area and thought it was amusing to feed them popcorn. A personal pet peeve of mine (ok, one of many). Soon we were joined by a flock of seagulls and I don’t mean the one hit wonder band from the 80’s. To make matters worse, one of the adults was trying to grab the ducks from behind and terrifying the poor things. Before the approaching CM or I could say anything to him nature took its revenge. Just as he grabbed the female a seagull flew by and dropped a big load on his back. Bulls eye!!!

Grumpy and I thought we were going to die laughing but they were laughing too so no one took offense. We left the area soon after before we were confused with the offenders of nature and suffered the same fate. Sorry, but I just HATE to see someone messing with the wildlife there or anywhere. It is one thing for kids to do it who don’t know any better but a grown man? Come on. Grow up and show Mother Nature some respect.

Since we were in the area, we decided to head back to the Tea Cups and give my little darling one last spin on this beloved ride. And once again, I sat out. From there we went to take pictures on the Dumbo car that was out for a photo spot due to the rehab. Then it was off to the carrousel for a final spin on that. Peter Pan elected to skip the ride so I took Kiara on. The joy she gets from this is so precious.

Such a simple thing can make her so happy. As I stood next to her with a protective arm around her, my heart was warmed by her reaction. At least something on me was warm.

We met up with the guys and decided to head back to Adventureland. Just before the entrance we found Pocahontas and Meeko. She was so pretty and Meeko was loving Peter Pan’s mohawk.

We moved on into Adventureland and as we did I spotted Rafiki and Timone. And Grumpy, who was pushing Kiara in the stroller just kept on going. Even my calls of “Hello, wife is a Lion King freak in case you didn’t know” didn’t stop him. Grrrrr. Guess he just wasn’t in the mood to stand still. And I wasn’t in the mood to make him turn around in the crowd that was forming between us. I did a little sniveling to myself and forged on to catch up with him.

Before I had a chance to get over the skipping of my Lion King pals, I suffered yet another heartbreak. We walked past Aloha Isle. And even though I wanted a Dole Whip so bad there was just no way I could eat one when I was so blasted cold. Those of you who love Dole Whips know what I mean about how hard it was to pass this wonderful treat up. Ok, so heartbreak is a bit strong, but it was still disappointing . I got happy though thinking that I would get one on our next trip which would be next January. I made a mental note that if it was warm the first day we were in MK next year, it would be our first stop. After Buzz Lightyear, and after the tea cups, carrousel, Dumbo and the Magic Carpets. Ok, maybe the sixth stop.

The Swiss Family Treehouse was one of the few rides not swarmed by people as we approached it so we decided to take it in. What a cool place for some great shots. Not only of the tree itself, but the view of the MK from the top is pretty cool. Peter Pan thought this was really a neat attraction and I had to tell him the story of SFR or what little I know of it. Fortunately this was one story he knew nothing about so he didn’t challenge my version regardless of how off it was.

From there we checked out the line for Magic Carpets and it was about a 25 minute wait. So Peter Pan, Kiara and I jumped in while Grumpy waited. I was not looking forward to this ride due to the cold air. But I pulled my scarf up around my head and caught a big grim on Grumpy’s face as we passed him. I looked rather silly as this thing was big and fuzzy, but it kept me warm and I didn’t care what fashion rules I was breaking at the moment.

After MC we headed down to check out Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats. The kids, I mean the kids and Grumpy, had fun with this one and I enjoyed watching the boys playing so hard to move their little boats. I think Grumpy was feeding his computer game withdrawal with this one albeit primitive. From there we noticed that the Jungle Cruise had virtually no line even though the board posted a 25 minute wait. So off we went. We all did a search for Hidden Mickeys and found several but I don’t remember where they were now!

We came off the ride and scratched our heads about what to do next. We still had about an hour and a half before or PS at CP and it was too late to go back to the cabin and get back in time for it. So we decided to hang out. But a cup of coffee was in order to warm up. We figured the Main Street Bakery was the best option and a place the kids could get a snack before dinner. As we walked down Main Street it seemed everyone had the same idea. The line was huge but at least we were inside out of the cold.

Up next….. our last few hours and dinner at CP.