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[mommapants]

It was now time to leave TSI and there was a raft approaching and a small number of folks to get on. When the raft docked the “captain” had to make a phone call and I heard him say while he was steering he heard a loud crack sound. We needed to wait for a supervisor to come over on the next raft and make sure everything was ok. I guess it was because we didn’t need to switch rafts and we didn’t sink either.

Now my original plans were us to come off TSI and find a spot to watch Festival of Fantasy parade. However our day was going very well and we were actually a little ahead on our time. It was really stinking hot and I didn’t want to just sit there baking in the sun waiting for the parade. We figured our time would be better spent back at the resort with a nice swim.

First we took the train from Frontierland to Main Street and then from there we made our way into The Emporium to do a little shopping. We browsed around. Evan kept looking at the huge monorail sets. We have the starter set but he saying he wanted to replace it as it was broken. Huh? It isn’t broken. Then I realized he was looking for a toy monorail, not the one that comes in the big box sets. Last trip we bought a monorail but it was much smaller, I think it was in like a large bin or just loose in a container. It has 4 cars attached to each other. Ours is broken as one of the clasps holding the cars together fell apart. We still have all the cars they are just not all linked together anymore. I have no clue where we bought it but we couldn’t find them in the Emporium. Oh well, maybe next time. We did both buy a T-shirt and I bought my sister’s family a pack of candy bars and there is a story there.

We left the Emporium with purchases in hand and exited the park. We decided to take a spin on the monorail. Evan loves trains and stuff so this was a slight detour but nothing major. Exiting off the monorail back at the Magic Kingdom we now trudged out to bus stop 34 and proceeded to wait for 20 minutes for the bus. We were about the 3rd family from the font so I knew we would get seats.

AHHH! How nice it was to sit down when the bus came. It is so funny isn’t it? This was one of the best bus rides I had. Evan and I were sitting in separate seats and as the bus was filling up and people began to stand in the aisles I told him to sit on my lap. He of course didn’t want to but when I explained that someone else could sit down he was OK with that. So his seat is free and the family in front of us start to bicker about who it going to sit in the seat. Or should I say NOT sit in the seat. It went something like this …
Middle age mom/daughter “Dad sit down”
Senior citizen dad “No, I’m fine”
“DAD, sit down”
“No you have the seat”
through gritted teeth “DAD, sit down!!!”
“I’m good, let her sit down” speaking of teenage granddaughter –“Her knee is worse than my back”
Rolled eyes from middle age daughter and then teenager sat down and stretched her knee out.

I was laughing and I said to the woman sounds like me and my mom. We, the group of adults all in that immediate area, just began talking. It was very pleasant. Just about life, and getting older and how Disney has changed and how travel has changed since 9/11 and how hard it is to have small children and aging parents. Nothing special but really helped pass the time. Then we all got off the bus went our merry way and we will never see each other again. Ships that pass in the night I guess, just funny.

Back at AOA if felt like a storm was approaching. You could hear thunder but I couldn’t see any lightning and it wasn’t raining. I needed gas so we drove to the Hess station to fuel up. We went inside and got some fuel for our bellies as well. We each got a soda and a snack. Evan wanted chips. Really? I have an entire unopened bag of potato chips in the room but he wanted cheese curls. Figures. I never can guess right. If I had bought him cheese curls for the car ride he would have wanted chips. So cheese curls and Gatorade for Evan and for me a Diet Dr. Pepper and soon we were back in the room.

We quickly changed into our bathing suits and went to the Little Mermaid pool but it was closed. There was no reason just a sign stating it was closed. I figured it was because of the storm or a problem with the pool. We decided to walk to the Big Blue pool to see if that was closed too. Along the way we passed a Cast Member and she told us all 3 pools were closed. I guess the storm was closer than we thought. As a side note we found out later in the trip if lightning is going cloud to cloud then everything is ok, they don’t close things but when it goes cloud to ground then thing close – how you like to the person that has to make that determination?

So what is a momma to do with no pool time??? Why take a nap of course. I fell dead asleep for about an hour. I had set my alarm as I knew I was going to zonk out. Evan sat quietly and played on his Kindle so he rested too but just didn’t fall asleep – God forbid that boy would EVER take a nap.

After I woke up I called the front desk and all pools were still closed so we took our time cleaning up and then headed back out for a night of fun at MK. Neither one of us was very hungry even though it was dinner time so I just figured we would grab something in the park later on.

Coming up next: The story of the candy bars, our night in MK

[Tara O'Hara]

Great update, Holly!! it sounds like you really needed that nap! I thought it was weird how the pools closed at seemingly random times. I asked a cast member and got the same info as you and she also told me that they have a 'lookout' person that monitors the thunder and lightening and then radios the pool! I can't wait to hear about your night and the candy bar story!!

[SharonK0527]

So sorry the pools were closed, but mid-day naps are good too

[Cam22]

Bummer the weather did not cooperate with your pool time! But I'm always happy to take a nap.

[Colexis Mom]

Sorry about the pools being closed!

[tcmary]

Loving your tr. I am happy you were able to leave your mom as planned and enjoy your time with Evan.
Your town sounds as if it has some great community activities. Kudos to you for taking advantage of them and Evan for winning the bicycle.

[mommapants]

So let me tell you the story about the candy bars. As I mentioned in my last update I had bought my sister and her family a pack of candy bars as a little souvenir. It was a 5 pack of candy bars and they are a family of 5, just perfect.

Of course it being June in Florida it was hot outside and I had chocolate that I was afraid would melt. No worries I thought we will buy the candy go right out to the bus and head right back to the hotel and put them in the fridge. We took quick spin on the monorail first but that was all in the AC. Then we proceed out to the bus stop and stand there waiting for like 20 minutes. The whole time I’m thinking to myself I hope this chocolate isn’t melting into a giant pool of mess.

Back at the resort I pop the box into the fridge for the rest of our time – whew. I didn’t squeeze them or anything because I was hoping if they were melting they would harden back into somewhat of a bar form.

The entire journey home to NJ, I was very cautious with them. They spent their time in the cooler and each night I would bring them into the hotel so they wouldn’t get hot. I was very careful with them and presented them to my sister when we saw her. I told her I had hoped they didn’t melt all over the place but knew even if they did her kids would still eat them. It was still chocolate after all, even if it was misshapen.

My niece staked her claim right away and had share the day after I delivered them. My sister, being on a “diet” and all took hers to work and had it for lunch and being the good wife she is also took her husband’s to work as he is on a “diet” too. She didn’t want to tempt him. See told you she was a good wife, even if not a good dieter. My youngest nephew ate his and then being home alone the following day looked around and saw there was one left and ate that one too – unbeknownst to anyone.

The next time I see my sister I ask her how did the chocolate bars survive and she said fine and my oldest nephew was like “I didn’t get mine” was were all there and begin to retrace who ate what and what night. We realize the youngest ate 2 and my sister starts to read him the riot act. He was like “mommy always shares with me so I just figured I could eat yours” When my sister tells him that wasn’t hers and that she had taken Daddy’s then he (her husband) gets all up in arms and there was this giant rigamoral. All over candy bars?! My sister is like FINE I will go to Walmart and get you both a candy bar. There may have been a few choice adjectives thrown in there but this is a family site.

She goes to the store gets her dieting husband a replacement candy bar and he eldest son one as well…Hold on it gets better. The next day my dear BIL is home and eats is candy bar. A few hours later he is hunger sees the other one and then eats that too (some diet huh?) SO my poor, poor nephew got jipped again. I think for Christmas this year I’m gonna buy him a huge king size Hershey bar just for him. So really nothing amazing just the saga of the WDW chocolate bars.

Returning to AOA now…

After our afternoon break it was time to head back to MK. We drove the car over to the bus stop and got in line. I don’t remember this trip at all so it must have just been completely uneventful

Arriving at the MK we made our way back to the new Fantasyland. I thought we might stop for dinner at Pinocchio’s but we just were not hungry. We made our way back and rode Dumbo. This was the first time for us in the new location and then we hustled over to Barnstormer. This, along will all of Toon Town was closed on our last visit so Evan was really excited for this ride.
When exiting through that really yucky fencing area we counted 4 hats inside the area.

Next it was onto Under the Sea with Ariel. I really love this movie and Sebastian is my favorite. We stopped to get a special photo op include my favorite crustacean. While walking through the queue line there were some cast members trying to rescue some baby ducks that had gotten into the little ponds. The ride was a walk on. I thought it was really cute. A great new dark ride and one I’ll go on again.

Ever since the afternoon there had been rolling thunder but no rain and Evan kept saying he wanted to go. He was just scared of there being a storm and getting hit by lightning. We took a little break and got a soda and popcorn to share. We still had a FP for 7DMT so I had to have a talk with him about we were not leaving and there is NO WAY I would put him in danger and the CM would close a ride if it was unsafe so as long as the ride was operating then the storm was far away.

By now FP+ number 3 was ripe. We headed over to the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train and took a spin. I’m glad we had the FP because we got right on. The line was never below 60 minutes and more often was 90-120 minutes every time we walked by. I liked the ride but would never wait 2 hours for it. The description of a cross between Goofy and Big Thunder I though was perfect. We both really enjoyed it and would have gone again expect the line was too long. My only complaint is the seats had grooves in them to hold butts much smaller than mine so it was a little uncomfortable. If the seat had just been a flat bench seat it would have been better.

On a side note I don’t remember there being an issue with any lap bars in the difference in size of me and Evan. I have been places where they give Evan a little pillow type thing to make the bar a little fatter and fit him more snuggly. Disney must have more split lap bars as I don’t remember Evan sliding around on anything.

I really enjoyed this area of the new Fantasyland. I did think it felt a little closed in when you walking by the UTS and then on the other side of the walkway is the giant rock wall mountain from 7DMT. I really hope next visit I can spend more time exploring and taking in the atmosphere a little more. We found a hidden Mickey in the ground and had to snap a picture and text to everyone back home.

After the Mine Train we headed toward Tomorrowland. The raceway had too long of a line so we went on the WedWay instead. Now we were getting a little hungry it was getting late after all so we had some dinner at Comic Ray’s. Evan was still nervous with the thunder so we didn’t sit near Sunny and watch his show we sat way at the top away from any doors or windows. We could see some of the MSEP during our meal. This was tap for tomorrow so I was looking forward to that. After dinner the speedway line was still just too long, we decided we had done everything we wanted to and we left by the secret back exit, it was after the 9pm MSEP but before Wishes.


Coming up next: The bus ride back to the resort and getting to Legoland

[Colexis Mom]

Great time at MK!!

[Tara O'Hara]

What a fun night at MK!! That candy bar saga was just too much! Your poor nephew!! I am excited to hear about your day at Legoland!!

[Cam22]

Too funny about the candy bars! Sounds like a great evening at MK, except for the thunder.

[lauriep]

Love the candy bar story. A family can turn anything into a drama!

[benchley]

Really looking forward to hearing about legoland. Our son has enough Lego for the whole of the UK (ok, I exaggerated slightly) and we are thinking about a trip there when we arrive next year

[mommapants]

So as you might guess by the title of this update that we had another fun ride on the bus.
I don’t know what it was about this trip but we had some memorable bus trips that’s for sure.

It was now starting to get late and we were leaving the MK the first MSEP was over but Wishes hadn’t started yet and we were leaving by the “secret” back exit behind Main Street. We get out to the bus stop and you know the routine everyone is tired but fortunately we are ahead of the masses since they are all still waiting for Wishes.

We are at the very front of the line and a bus arrives. The driver loads on a wheelchair couple and then we get on. Evan of course picks the very first 2 seats on the passenger side. Here the seats face across the aisle and are not 2x2. The wheelchair couple is directly across from us. The bus fills up and there is now a bunch of people standing in the aisle and the last family to get on the bus is a mom and her son, about 7 and the dad with the folded up stroller and holding 2 children in his arms, about a 2-3 year old and a baby. And he is planning on standing! I get up and offer him my seat. And he is like “oh no I’m OK” I insisted “sir – please take my seat” His wife is like “Honey take the seat”. Seriously who else was going to do it – the wheel chair guy? The gentleman in the wheelchair actually did hold the folded up stroller and I propped my foot against it too. I told Evan to stay in his seat. He wanted to stand too but the only railing was overhead so he would have had nothing to hold onto. I myself was a bit concerned with only having overhead hand rails as that meant I had to keep my arms up. I was praying my deodorant hadn’t stopped working.

The man sitting in my seat thanked me and we made small talk about him really having his hands full. Evan, well - being Evan, begins talking to the man and the little boy in front of him. Let’s just say he was the entertainment committee for the ride back. He was just jabbering away and killing himself laughing and the little boy was laughing at him. Then the toddler would look at him like he was crazy and then she kept leaning over and touching his arm. Then Evan would laugh and make silly faces at her and it would all start all over again. Sometimes little kids will touch his hair because it is so curly perhaps she had never touched black skin before. I don’t know. I think with everyone being so tired from the long day it just made everything else sillier.
By the time we got back to the hotel Evan had the whole front of the bus laughing. It was certainly the most awake bus I have ever been on at that time of night.

As we were exiting the bus I told the man with the 2 children that I would grab his stroller and again he was like “no, I’ve got it” I didn’t even acknowledge it. I just grabbed the stroller and carried it off the bus and handed it over to his wife. They thanked me and I wished them a pleasant night and off we went.

We heading to the car and back to our Little Mermaid room and it was off to dreamland.

Rather than get into too much about the day of Legoland I’ll start by giving my review of Legoland.

For anyone who doesn’t know, Legoland is a child size theme park with all of the attractions having a Lego theme. It is in the old Cypress Gardens and is about an hour’s drive from WDW.

It was fairly expensive to get into Legoland $90.00 per person. I had a coupon for a free ticket for Evan if I purchased an adult, non-discounted ticket. At the gate I was able to add on the water park to both our tickets for $15.00 each. The premium parking was only $3.00 more than regular parking so I broke the bank and upgraded. I had looked into booking the newly opened Legoland Hotel but the rooms were all over $300.00 a night so didn’t look twice. However the Legoland hotel is literally steps away from the entrance so for convenience factor you couldn’t beat it. Plus all the rooms are themed. It reminds me of rooms at Great Wolf Lodge but all with Lego.

The drive to Legoland was easy and only took about 45 minutes. We left the bubble early and got to Legoland before rope drop. Leaving Legoland was not quite as easy, basically there is only one main road out of Legoland and the resort area back to the main road which would lead you to the rest of the Florida attractions. When we were leaving there was an accident at the end of this one road and the main road. So the one road was really backed up and it took about half an hour just to get out of the traffic and onto the main road.

My biggest problem with Legoland is that it isn’t Disney. But that really is the biggest problem with most places. I compare everything to Disney and there is nothing better once you’ve had the best. So once I get that through my head the day can move on nicely.

My general overall felling was I liked Legoland, Evan loved it so that was good but I would really need to go back again to truly see if I would give it a thumbs up or down. The absolute worst thing was it was HOT – like melting hot!!! Because the park is still so new there are no big trees so not much shade. Pretty much everything is outside. There are a few things inside but the rides themselves are all outside. The queue lines are all outside (and not interactive). Some queue lines are not even covered and the ones that are don’t have fans or anything. It is just HOT, HOT all the time. There was just no break from it. Now it is no hotter here then at Disney or Universal but many of the attractions there are inside in the AC and the queue lines are also inside in the AC. It was just brutal and therefore tainted my total perception of the park.

My other biggest complaint is just the nature of the beast, this is a kid’s park. The rides are smaller and often times only the child can go on it or only the child would WANT to go on it. Plus they are all the slow loading type rides. Many times I just sat there doing nothing while Evan enjoyed the ride, which is completely fine expect I spent 90 bucks to stand around doing nothing. I think this so many times “there ought to be a place where kids and adults can have fun together” Thank you Mr. Disney.

So here is an example Evan was on a boat ride where you drive yourself. They had 7 boats out on the canal and about 30 kids waiting and they had 25 boats sitting there not being used. Hello-put some more boats out there would ya? But more on that in the details of the day.

So overall I would go back to Legoland if Evan was still young and wanted to go. I’d give it one more try but I would not, ever, NEVER go back during the heat of the summer days. I’d go in any other season. Unless they make some major changes I wouldn’t go again in the summer.

Coming up next: Chef Mickeys and heading to LEGOLAND

I'm off to North Wildwood to my sister's shore house. I'll work tomorrow (Friday) and will try to check on the boards but probably won't be back on until after Labor Day. I'm looking forward to the down time and a few day trips and sleeping in. Also getting Evan back to school. He had his first soccer practice this week and I can tell he missed playing and being with the other kids.

[lauriep]

Ugh, you're a really nice mom to put up with a day like that at Legoland! I just love the story of Evan entertaining the bus. What a charming kid!

[Cam22]

As two adults, and even though we both love Legos, we've never had a desire to visit this park. Your review confirms much of what we feared. Enjoy a relaxing week away!