Birthday, F&G Festival and Passporters!!! May 28 to June 3 UPDATE 8/4 About This Page:

[ripkensnana]

Hey, Robin! I finally got to read your trip report! Sounds as if you had a grand time....ya know...we really need to get together again for a scrap! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[DVC_Increda_Man]

Hello? Anybody at home. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/coffee.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/popc1.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/whistling2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/questionicon.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[RobinKay6573]

Wednesday, May 31, Day Four, Part 5:

Exploring, Singing, Shooting and Wishing!

<font color="Purple">I snapped a few photos of the castle on the way back to Adventureland. I have so many castle photos that I have been trying to get pictures in different light or different views. I did get a couple of nice ones and a photo of the Cindy Fountain with the crown placed on her head.





I then headed back to JC for my FP time. Our boat captain was obviously on autopilot. He just recited the jokes and didn’t really “personalize” the cruise like I have seen other captains do. Here are some of the photos I took of the cruise. They aren’t that good but you get the point.




Hmmm…what do to next? I had not been to Tomorrowland so that was the next stop. I grabbed a FP for Buzz Lightyear. There was no line (as usual) for Carousel of Progress so I walked up the platform and waited for the next show. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] I am sorry more people don’t enjoy this attraction. I love it more and more everytime I see it. There were only about 15 people in the whole show (honestly I think a few were in there for a nap). I looked at the group sitting next to me before the show started and said, “I hope you don’t mind if I sing.” One of the ladies laughed and said she would probably be singing too. By the end of the show about half the theater was singing along with the soundtrack! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] How can you not?? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]



After the show my FP time still wasn’t up so I grabbed a ride on Tomorrowland transit authority. Sorry no photos I was actually trying to take a nap. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/snore.gif[/img] Finally my Buzz FP time was up so I headed over to the ride.

I blasted as many aliens as possible and got a pretty high score. I don’t remember what it was but it was over 300,000. The sun was finally going down so I figured it was time to find a spot for Wishes and Spectro. There was plenty of room in the hub so I found a spot along the fence and waited. The parade started about an hour later. I only took a couple of photos because I was so far away. Also a guy in front of me decided to put his little girl on his shoulders (again! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] ) Someone yelled at him [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/whistling2.gif[/img] and let him know he was blocking everyone behind’s view.



Finally it was time for Wishes! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] I can’t help it, I cry [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] everytime I see this show. I did get some nice photos:




Sometimes it is nice to be alone at WDW. I was able to snake through the crowd and get in line for the resort monorail in no time. I was caught the next train and made my way to TTC. Another advantage of traveling alone you can squeeze into the last seat on the parking lot tram. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]
</font>NEXT: Sleeping in? I think not!!!

[RobinKay6573]

Thursday, June 1, Day Five: Part 1

Sleeping in? I think not!!!

<font color="purple">I was up at 6:30 am. Even on vacation sans the dog I can’t sleep in! Sandy still wasn’t interested in going to back to the parks so I was off by myself again. My plan was to hit Epcot first, grab lunch there, drive to MK for the parade and a few rides, head to AK for a bit then back to Epcot for the PP Meet. I parked at Epcot (yes I paid this time!) and made my way to the park. I forgot to mention this but they moved the bag check at Epcot it is now about 40 feet from the turnstiles. When I got in I ran over to The Land first to get a FP for Soarin’. The time was 12:30 I made plans accordingly. I knew I wanted to do the Disney Visa Character Meet &amp; Greet so I went over to Innovations West to find out where the M&amp;G was.




I went to Living Seas to see how long the wait for Turtle Talk was. The line was pretty long so I walked around the exhibits a bit. I had a nice talk with the Manitee keeper. I didn’t realize that both manatees at WDW are slated for release someday. I thought that was very cool.

The line had gotten a lot shorter for Turtle Talk so I jumped in it. No matter how many times I see this show I still wonder “how do they do that?” Do I really want to know? Probably not…I think it would spoil the effect. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

My stomach was telling me it was time to eat lunch (I never did have breakfast) so I had a tough decision to make…where to eat. Should I walk over to the Tangierine Café which seemed like a million miles away in the hot Florida sun or should I try something closer? I decided to pick something closer. Electric Umbrella? I know they have good salads. Maybe eat at Seasons in The Land? I have not tried them yet Or walk over to Le Cellier and TRY to get a table. Well, I decided to try Le Cellier. I walked in and was told they had nothing all day [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Then she said she did have a table at 12:30. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] I could not do that one because my Soarin’ time was 12:30-1:30. She suggested I come back after Soaring and she would see what she could do. I went walked around the topiaries and back to the West Side of Future World.





My FP time was approaching so I made my way to Soarin’. When I got there I noticed the standby line was 120 minutes! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] In all my years going to WDW (and I have been to the parks on Christmas day, Christmas eve, New Years Eve and Thanksgiving) I have NEVER seen a wait time over 70 minutes so I was like [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] at the 120 minute wait time!

I walked through the maze of hallways and finally made it to the final line before the pre-show. I was the last person in line. The CM came though and asked “Single rider?” Yep that is me! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] I was able to cut about 45 people in line! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/sorry.gif[/img] People! I got on the next ride. The people who were in front of me obviously didn’t understand how the ride works…they got into the ride area and instead of going to their designated glider they walked to the another glider and I was left with two empty seats next to me. Since there were still two riders that didn’t have seats in the room they were quickly ushered next to me we were on our way over California.

There was a little kid sitting in the glider next to me (I was on the end). The poor kid was terrified. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] He quickly got over when we lifted up and were soaring though the air. By the end he was giggling and begging to go on again.

Finally we landed and I made my way back to Canada. There lady at the counter said that there were no tables. I let her know I was willing to sit and wait. Another lady (who I assume was her boss) came up behind her and said, “You can do this and this.” Then looked at me and said, “We can fit you in.” [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]

I was seated in New Brunswick. My waitress was a very chatty young lady from Ottawa City, Ontario. She told me all about her city and asked if I had ever been to Canada. I grew up in Vermont and now live in Michigan so I have been to Canada many times. She was excited when I told her that I thought Ontario was a beautiful province.

I knew exactly what I wanted! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] For an appetizer Cheddar Cheese soup (what else is there? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] ) As an entrée I had a grilled steak burger with Blue cheese &amp; bacon. Instead of fries I opted for the potato salad. The meal was delicious! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] The potato salad was a bit strange (it had a lot of dill in it) but I did eat it all [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] To my surprise I was served moose with a special birthday message. I thought that was so nice! I was not expecting it at all. See those birthday buttons pay off sometimes! I have made it kind of a tradition to do one fancy dinner each trip so the special moose was a nice treat!



When I was done lunch I decided to head over to the Disney Visa Character M&amp;G. The M&amp;G is located in Innovations West near the Fire Truck. There was a bit of a line so I just jumped in it and waited. The families around me were so nice. We got to chatting about where they lived and the kids told me they were having a great time at WDW. I know everyone was excited about meeting the Disney characters. The CM who was checking our Visa cards and giving us our certificates was very nice although no matter how much we begged her she would NOT tell us who was in the room.

Finally it was my turn. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] I was by myself but the characters had a lot of fun for me. I still had my birthday button on so they made a huge deal about it being my birthday. Mickey wanted to rub noses and Pluto gave me a HUGE lick. Donald danced with me and jumped up and down when I wanted my photo taken with just Mickey and Pluto. I spent about 10 minutes in there! It was such a wonderful experience, the characters, photographer and handler really made it extra special. There was no one else in there to compete with the characters attention. I had then literally all to myself.



</font>NEXT: You gotta love a parade!!!

[PrincessSharon]

Great update, Robin! I love your pictures, especially your castle photos! Can't wait for more!

[Colexis Mom]

Fantastic updates Robin, and great pictures! How great they could squeeze you in at LeCellier, and you got a great birthday dessert [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

You're having such a great time!

[MontiMouse]

Robin I am just getting a chance to read your trip report. It looks like you are having a great time. We love those frozen lemonades in Toontown too! Beautiful pictures, as usual. I can't wait to read more so hurry back. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[DawnDenise]

Fantastic updates Robin!!! Sounds like a great meal at Le Cellier and a wonderful time at the Disney Visa Meet and Greet. Looking forward to more!!!

[DisneyFanAnn]

Just got caught up...great report!! Love your pictures too! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/Flash.gif[/img] Can't wait for more...

[Grammy Grumpy]

Caught up now Robin, how great you got so much time with the characters. DH and I are going in mid October and it's just a couple of days off my birthday so I'm going to celebrate early and get those buttons!!!

[lauren-roxy]

Great updates Robin!!!! I love your castle photos!! Sounds like you are really having a great time at Epcot!! Can't wait for more!!!!

[DrDolphin]

Sounds like you had a fabulous time in MK, and w/the characters and the M&amp;G. And your dessert at Le Cellier looked great!!

[TinkerBelz]

Just lovin' it!!

[luvnwdwgal]

Great update Robin! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[iamgrumpy]

I just got caught up Robin and its great so far makes me miss it more and more!

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] cheddar cheese soup!