Our Crash Course in Disney 101 - Trip Report - COMPLETE 10/1 - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Great begininning! As another mom, I would say don't feel bad about forgetting your dh's stuff... it's hard enough to remember everything for the real kids... I forgot bandaids on my first trip and of course it was dh that got a blister! I'm glad you were able to feel the magic when entering MK!
How magical...leaving is always the hardest...so glad DH made it through the rides...(next time you go...and you will...tell him to try those bands that you wear on your wrists...worked for DD and she gets sick on everything...lol)
So glad the rain decided to take a break when you got back to the hotel...
What a magical first day!! Your DH sure was a trooper. And you did just about everything too, good work! Glad the girls got their swimming in. Looking forward to more.....
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I just read through your pre-trip report and I'm not going to get mushy gushy but... I'm so happy that you got to realize the dream of a Disney trip! I can hardly wait to hear what happens next!
Wow! The first day had really been a learning experience for all of us. And yes, I know ALL of you TOLD me that I wouldn’t get it all done on the first visit and not to expect to do everything – and you were right. I can see now why it will take many, many trips to WDW to be able to experience it all!
Everybody slept soundly that evening – even poor Alexa squashed into the trundle bed. We awoke the next morning to the sound of a steady rain falling outside – and a check with the Weather Channel called for possibility of rain all day. Well, everyone had advised me that of all the parks, Epcot was the easiest to do on a rainy day – and we were about to find out if that was true!
There was nothing for it but to get out the rain ponchos as we headed down to the bus stop. Our ponchos became our best friends on this trip. Even though I had only purchased the disposable Wal-Mart $ .97 brand (and they looked more like a large sheet of see-through saran wrap than ponchos!) they turned out to be quite sturdy and highly packable.
We caught the bus and arrived at Epcot just a bit after opening. There was only a sprinkling of people entering the park and it really looked quite deserted. Of all the parks, Epcot seemed the most confusing to me while planning our itinerary. And I was taken by surprise at the vastness of Epcot. It was a much larger park than I had imagined (probably the lack of people made it seem more so.)
The plan was to head straight for Soarin’ and then visit The Seas while Alexa (our FP runner) went and got FPs for Mission Space. Alexa had run ahead to Soarin’ to find the stand-by line already at 40 minutes, so she grabbed us FPs instead. While we were waiting for her, the rain was coming down pretty steadily and we spotted the indoors Characters Spot with Goofy, Mickey and others visible through the window. Wahoo!! We dashed inside to discover that everyone who wasn’t already at Soarin’ was at the Character Spot!!! We jumped in the very long line, but both girls were restless and just wanting to get on with ‘doing’ something. Kelley finally complained about needing to go to the bathroom, so we jumped back out of line.
Since we still had plenty of time before our FP were ready – and Kevin and Alexa said they thought they were suffering from caffeine withdrawal - we dashed over to Sunshine Seasons. Kevin had his much needed cup of coffee and Alexa enjoyed a cappuccino and we all sat at a table, people-watching and enjoying each other’s company. It was a very memorable moment – Alexa said it was her favorite part of the visit – she loves the rain and being out and about in it at Epcot made a happy memory for her.
Time for Soarin’ – and Kevin decided he thought it would be no problem for him. I loved the CMs there – we had some seniors who seemed to really love their job and made it feel very ‘real’ to us. Soarin’ was fantastic!!! We all loved every minute of it and hoped we’d have a chance to experience it again that day.
As we came out of The Land area, Alexa ran to get FPs for Mission Space, only to get there and be told they weren’t needed. It was still sprinkling outside, so on went the ponchos and we headed over to see Turtle Talk with Crush. Thankfully, we were a bit lost, because we thought we were entering the queue for TT – we were really in line for The Seas With Nemo and Friends!! Although it wasn’t on our itinerary, we loved it! That Peach is, well...a peach!
The line for Turtle Talk was probably the longest wait we had in all four parks – and we waited about 20 minutes for the next show. Luckily, we stood near the front and had fun watching the rays in their tanks and I had the chance to flirt with a very handsome young man of two who enjoyed playing hide-n-seek with me!
I had told the girls they could go up front to talk with Crush – but that since they were older and taller than a lot of the kids they needed to sit near the back. As soon as the doors opened, they never gave a backwards glance and ran up to sit on the floor. The show was just corny enough to be appreciated by all the kids and grown-ups, too. Crush didn’t talk to Kelley or Cory, but they forgave him.
By this time, it was almost 11:30am and since we had early ADRs at Akershus, we needed to get some food. Mission Space would have to wait…
The plan had been to walk to World Showcase and each of us would get something from a different country to share. (I had already perused the menus long ago and had decided when it was my time to pick something, I was going to choose Morocco!) The rain had slowed to a drizzle and stopped altogether as we entered World Showcase, but the time was flying by, the kids were getting hungry, the husband was getting cranky and we decided just to pick one country and eat quickly.
Mexico? No, Alexa said we eat it all the time at home and it hurt her stomach sometimes. Norway was out – we were having dinner there that evening. China? Looked good to Kevin, but there was very little on the children’s menu for the girls. How about Germany? Kelley and Cory voted for the hot dogs and brats, but no one else seemed enthusiastic. By this time, tempers were beginning to grow short and I think Kevin could sense that I was feeling upset trying to please everyone – so he looked at me in exasperation and said, “Just speak up – what is it *you* want to do?”
“Well…., I really wanted to eat in Morocco. The menu looked delicious and if I remember correctly, they had a great kids menu, too.”
“Okay then, how far is it to Morocco?” (Where else but at WDW can you say that?)
Ta-da!! Another magical moment! I got to eat in Morocco!!! And a wonderful choice it was. Of all the counter-service places we tried, Tangierine Cafe was hands-down the favorite of everyone in the group. Pizza for the kids menu (thank goodness!) and we had the lamb shawarma with couscous and lentil salad (think gyros, only better.) And ohhhh - the baklava!!!
There’s no point in going into detail after lunch – we ran amok at World Showcase, criss-crossing and back-tracking from country to country, thoroughly enjoying ourselves!! Kelley got her new Hello Kitty at the Japanese pavilion; we met Mary Poppins in the U.K. and caught a bit of “The British Invasion”, spoke with some lovely young CMs in Germany, had our photos taken in Italy!!
When we finally glanced down at our watches, it was almost time for our Princess Storybook Dinner! Back to Norway we ran – just in time to take a quick tour on Maelstrom and make it to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. “Now Seating the Royal Family Brockway!” That sounds so...right!
Belle was our Princess for the photo package – she was as lovely and sweet as could be. We sat near the back by the door the rest of the Princesses would emerge from and it was exciting to see who would be next. We visited with Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine and Pocahontas (who was by far the most genuine and kid-friendly of the lot.)
Kasper, our server, was from Norway and Kevin and I decided to delight him by ordering the Traditional Kjottkaker ( we know how to pronounce it now, but will decline to do so!) I enjoyed the Norweigan buffet the most – but we were disappointed in the food the little girls received and they didn’t eat much. However, Cory was presented with a birthday cupcake with icing a mile high and a birthday card signed by all the Princesses (even Cinderella!)
By now the time was growing short, and we needed to get back to Future World for the ‘big ticket’ rides we missed that morning. Test Track was up first – Kevin decided since it was just a car, he’d do fine – but we put him in the driver’s position for best ride. Again, we just walked on with little wait – and I think Kevin enjoyed the displays along the queue as much as the ride itself. In fact, that’s one of the most remarkable things about WDW – the theme-ing along each attraction is an attraction in itself!
Alexa, Cory and I were ready for Mission Space. Kevin wisely decided to skip it and Kelley followed his lead. They decided to explore Innovations East while we piloted the space craft. We were tempted to join the Orange Team…but we had just eaten, so we opted for the Green Team instead. Cory was the youngest astronaut in our group…and we had several senior citizens that joined the mission with us. We LOVED this one!!
After Mission Space, we called Kevin on his cell and found out that he was eating an ice cream with Kelley as Innovations had closed. Cory by this time was jumping up and down and begging to ride Test Track one more time, so we gave her one last ride.
I am embarrassed to say we had no idea a Cory Moment was awaiting us…AND the other riders. I did warn you that some of us can express our wants pretty intensely. Cory wanted to ride in the front of the car as she had done the first time. We told her there was no guarantee – the CM might put us in the back. And sure enough, we were directed to the back row.
Well, when Cory realized that, she stomped her little foot and (to our total embarrassment) cried, “I don’t want to sit in the back! I want to sit in the front!!” and then she did her little angry-dance and cried some more. (Can you say overly tired child?) Alexa and I looked at each other as I prepared to remove her Royal Brat-ness from the line - when the people who were in the front row kindly offered to switch places with us. I was mortified but extremely grateful to their kindness in helping us out of the situation. We had Cory tell them thank you (and she did, with tears still in her eyes). Oh, thank those people who sprinkled pixie dust on us at that moment! (And I sincerely hope none of YOU had to witness this little scene!)
Back outside, Kevin, Kelley and Cory were beginning to wear down. We debated the wisdom of staying for Illuminations, especially as I had planned to find our viewing spot about 30 minutes earlier. The sky was darkening as we walked across the bridge to World Showcase and we paused by the lagoon while Alexa and I checked our ‘best viewing spots’ map. Epcot has the most beautiful music playing all day – and we glanced over to find Kelley and Cory, dancing gracefully (ala Fred Astaire/Ginger Rodgers) and entertaining the crowd. We discovered that music at the parks motivated Kelley; she could be tired and asking to go and as soon as some music began to play, she was dancing and bouncing and full of energy.
Alexa and I decided to try the spot between Canada and the UK – which was close enough to Future World to make a quick exit after Illuminations. We found a spot by the fence; there were already a few people lined up, but we had plenty of space to peek through the gaps. Alexa made a quick popcorn run for her little sisters and got back just as Illuminations began.
I think it’s safe to say that although we were tired, we were all glad we stayed!!
Alexa led the way back to the buses – she is pure genius in maneuvering through large crowds (her trick is to stay near the edges) and we just held hands and trotted behind her.
Epcot, even in the rain, had been a success – but again, we didn’t get to see everything. Today we went for the ambience of World Showcase yet missed Innovations and Ellen’s universe of Energy and Club Cool. Just another reason we’ll have to go back and catch it all!
I LOVE reading your TR. You are having such a magical time and I'm thrilled for you.
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Alexa enjoyed a cappuccino and we all sat at a table, people-watching and enjoying each other’s company. It was a very memorable moment – Alexa said it was her favorite part of the visit – she loves the rain and being out and about in it at Epcot made a happy memory for her.
I love how the littlest thing that you absolutely did not plan for turned out to be a special memory. Another instance where you have caught the spirit of Disney.
Uh oh...the teaser to your next post sounds like DH didn't fare too well! I love that Alexa is just such a cool big sister, taking care of everyone and running for FPs and popcorn! I always have to allow for 2 days at Epcot...it is just too big! Thanks for your take on M:S. I am trying it, but it is the one attraction I am nervous about!
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Saturday, October 9, 2014 - Kaitlyn and I before the Happy Haunted 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports
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I'm so happy that you got to realize the dream of a Disney trip! I can hardly wait to hear what happens next!
so she grabbed us FPs instead. While we were waiting for her, the rain was coming down pretty steadily 
and we spotted the indoors Characters Spot with Goofy, Mickey and others visible through the window. Wahoo!! We dashed inside to discover that everyone who wasn’t already at Soarin’ was at the Character Spot!!! We jumped in the very long line, but both girls were restless and just wanting to get on with ‘doing’ something. Kelley finally complained about needing to go to the bathroom, 
so we jumped back out of line.
- we dashed over to Sunshine Seasons. Kevin had his much needed cup of coffee and Alexa enjoyed a cappuccino and we all sat at a table, people-watching and enjoying each other’s company. It was a very memorable moment – Alexa said it was her favorite part of the visit – she loves the rain and being out and about in it at Epcot made a happy memory for her.
because we thought we were entering the queue for TT – we were really in line for The Seas With Nemo and Friends!! Although it wasn’t on our itinerary, we loved it! That Peach is, well...a peach!
I love that Alexa is just such a cool 
big sister, taking care of everyone and running for FPs and popcorn! 
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