Our Magical Vacation (including the new WDW hurricane ride) - Completed About This Page:

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update Tracy (and George)! How fantastic that you don't have to wait in any lines

Sounds like a very yummy dinner!! Hurry back with more

[Tracy M.]

9/21 - Day 3

OW! That was the on going theme of the day.



All my prior trips to WDW had come at times where I was doing gym work outs of 3-4 hours a day so stamina and conditioning weren’t a problem. This time however I was coming off of a long layoff due to the aforementioned medical problems in the prior days’ report and I think I managed to pull every muscle in my legs on our first full day of romping in the parks.



So I started off the day with liberal dosing of Advil with my morning tea.



Since we had planned (okay I had planned) to hit the MK today we headed to the bus stop at about 8am since on our all prior visits main street had been opened at least ½ hour before the park. However I guess I should have confirmed that was still the case since we got there and they didn’t let people into the park till 9:00.



Once again on day 2 in the parks the question was “where were the crowds”? Prior to coming down there had been some doom & gloom predictions on crowds due to the hurricanes and people pushing back their vacations to later in the month. To me the parks looked busy but the lines were almost non-existent. I’d hate to see what the parks looks like during the busiest times of the year, must be wall to wall people.



First order of business for the day was breakfast at the bakery on main street and more coffee for the DH of course. If he had his way he still would have been sleeping at this point.



<font color="blue">(Yup)</font>



After pounding down a few cheese Danish and more caffeine we headed to Splash Mountain which we rode 2x in a row without getting off in the front seat. Needless to say after we were done with SM we both were completely soaked. I blame the DH for this one



We rode all the usual favorites, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates (DH’s favorite ride), Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain then we went and saw Mickey’s Philharmagic for the first time which was one case where the show exceeded all expectations of it and I had mine set pretty high.



<font color="blue">(Mickey’s Philharmagic is so completely great. Go see it.)</font>



By this time it was around 11:30 so we decided to head over to Epcot for lunch at Norway since I had never eaten at Akershus and it’s been on my to do list for a long time. We hopped on the monorail from the MK to get to Epcot and otw through future world grabbed a fast pass for test track, which had an actual wait at it.



We don’t usually bother with PS reservations for lunch time since we keep our daytime schedule pretty flexible but we didn’t have to wait too long to be seated.



I had mixed reactions to the cold buffet, several things I loved like the goat cheese and shrimp salads but the herring in it’s multiple forms and smoked fish were a little too fishy for my taste. I love spicy food but not fish dishes that are too strongly flavored. DH liked the herring a lot more than I did. We also ordered to hot dishes, Braised Lamb and Cabbage and Seared Atlantic Salmon both of which were excellent.



Overall impressions of Akershus were favorable but I was disappointed to read on the boards yesterday that they are stopping lunch at Akershus as of 10/24. I enjoyed Akersus but I don’t’ think it’s going to replace any of our favorite restaurants that we do for dinner each time we’re in WDW.



<font color="blue">(I agree, it was different and good. Not wonderful but worth a stop, but too bad they are canceling lunch.)</font>



After lunch we rode test track, always a favorite of ours and then went back to the hotel for a swim in Stormalong Bay instead of taking an afternoon nap.



<font color="blue">(The best pool at Disney. If you are staying at the Yacht or Beach and the weather is warm, check it out!)</font>



For the rides done on this day only Space Mountain really threw off my balance and required assistance afterwards. Big Thunder and Test Track left me a bit off balance but not enough where I couldn’t function on my own afterwards.



After our playtime in the pool we went to DTD for a few hours till it was time to head over to the California Grill for our 7:10 PS reservation (Wishes were at 9:00 this night).



This was our first time back to the CG since they changed the check in procedures and had us check in on the 2nd floor before being escorted up to the restaurant. We were lucky enough to snag ourselves a window seat in perfect view of the castle for the fireworks as it didn’t appear there were many tables left available by the window and I sure didn’t see many people leaving before the fire works started. The couple behind us played the b-day card trying for a window seat but they had already put in the request for ours so I have no idea if they got a window seat or not. This whole trip of ours was one big celebration for our 9th anniversary and my recovery from multiple illnesses but we never actually told anyone when they asked us each night if we were celebrating anything special.



Dinner was incredible as usual.



Our usual routine when we go to the CG is to order one item only at a time to share and stretch out our meal till the fireworks with desert during the fireworks.



We started off with the Alfredo flat bread (delicious but not the best thing for my low sodium diet. 4 cheese + some form of pepperoni) followed by the Spicy Sensation which had to be one of the best sushi rolls we’ve ever had (scallops, tuna, avocado, tobiko and a fireball sauce). If you like spicy sushi and it’s on the menu when you go to the CG do not pass it up After this we had the Warm Castroville Artichoke stuffed with crab and gulf shrimp and instead of getting a 4th appetizer item to share we got a second spicy sensation to share before getting the chocolate volcano for desert. There also was significant quantity of wine consumed during this meal.



<font color="blue">(This has to be the best restaurant at Disney, even though I have a soft spot for the Yachtsman. The food is just superb, and very pricey. And they definitely have the most romantic setting on property.)</font>



We were at the CG for about 2 hours and each time I went to stand up I wasn’t sure if my legs were actually going to support me they were so sore ROFL. Once I got up and moving the pain was never that bad but those first steps each time were a killer. By the time I got my legs back in WDW walking shape it was almost time to come home.



At 9:00 the lights dimmed and we saw Wishes for the first time and we were both just amazed at how incredible a show it was. Fantasmic is still my favorite WDW nighttime show but Wishes is a close second.



<font color="blue">(For those that haven’t seen Wishes before, it is remarkable. I’ve never seen fireworks that create geometric shapes and patterns like this. I won’t spoil it further, but wow. Just wow.)</font>



After the show we went back to the room and passed out after yet and another magical and very long WDW day.

[Happymommy]

Tracy,
We were in WDW at the same time (19th-25th-- we actually cut our trip short due to Jeanne, didn't want to spend days in the airport w/2 small children). I couldn't believe the lack of lines-- we rode Pirates (as well as a few others) with no one else even in sight. We were at Epcot the same afternoon you were, and at MK for Wishes on Tuesday night!! We ate dinner at the Coral Reef 2 nights after you did-- I agree it was terrific. My third time eating there, and I've loved it each time!

I also sympathize with you. I know how hard it is to be in Disney in pain. I have Osteitis in my pelvis. Luckily my doc gave me a pretty high dosed anti-inflammatory-- but there were times I got off of rides and just felt like my pelvis was going to fall apart-- that was also because on the days we went to Epcot, I didn't take my meds because I enjoy having a drink or two in World Showcase-- so that was pretty much my own fault. I'm starting the cortisone shots and physical therapy next week. So, I can only imagine how hard it must have been for you. I hope you were able to get through the rest of your trip ok!! Can't wait to read the rest of your TR!

[luvnwdwgal]

Wonderful update!! So glad you guys are having such a great time!!

[Tara O'Hara]

Tracy (and George!), I am just catching up with your wonderful trip report again! Isn't the California Grill the best?! It sounds like you guys are having a wonderful, romantic vacation so far!! Can't wait to hear more!

P.S. I also te Coral Reef!

[buckysmom]

Great update, y'all are still cracking me up...

[Minnie Lor]

Great report! Love your style on paper and in the parks. We always buy a park hopper and then rarely hop. Your trip sounds magical!

[sarah_belle]

I just caught up with your report ...and I can't wait to read more! It sounds like a wonderful trip so far.

Sarah

[Colexis Mom]

Another great day Tracy What a fantastic dinner

Hurry back with more

[wdwlovers]

Just got caught up on your TR Tracy!! Fantastic! Glad to see you and George are having a great time! Looking forward to reading more!

[Tracy M.]

9/22 - Day 4

After rolling out of bed still full from stuffing our faces the night before at the CG we wandered over to the AK to be there at opening time of 9am.

First order of business was riding Dinosaur and Primeval Whirl.

Since Primeval Whirl was new and reported to be a bit on the rough side I wasn’t really expecting to walk off of it unassisted and it definitely was up there with RnRC for affecting my balance afterwards. Still it was rather enjoyable and I didn’t hesitate it to ride it again on another stop through the AK later in the week.

Primeval Whirl is basically the tea cups on steroids. In addition to spinning round and round you go up and down hills all while spinning. If you go on Primeval Whirl with just one other person make sure that you and your partner are each wedged in a corner or else you’ll get through around quit a bit.

<font color="blue">(It’s hard on the back and neck. If you have any spine problems, skip this one.)</font>

The next stop for the day was “It’s tough to be a bug”. I could spend hours just exploring the Tree of Life.

We also saw 2 shows in the AK before heading out for our afternoon nap, Flights of Wonder and Festival of the Lion King.

Flights of Wonder is definitely worth the time to see it during a visit to the AK. The birds are amazing to watch and the show is entertaining. Just a small warning though the birds to get very close to you, in fact a few times they hit me or DH in the head as they flew by so sit near the sides if that would bother you.

<font color="blue">(It’s a great show, as the birds are beautiful and right up close. It has a heavy conservation theme, which is typical Disney. Sometimes I ponder the irony of Disney’s focus on conservation, while operating such a huge and sometimes wasteful operation there in Orlando. For example, couldn’t they have a few more recycling trash containers in the parks? I’m not an environmental nut or anything, but I feel kinda bad about the amount of trash we generate while on vacation, that could easily be recycled.)</font>

The Festival of the Lion king is a Broadway quality show and is always packed. I think my favorite part of the show is the tumble-monkeys. It was on the hot side this day so it was nice to get out of the sun for a little while.

We didn’t make any formal stops for Lunch today and instead I had the delicious and always nutritious nestle ice-cream sandwich. I’m sure DH had something equally as healthy but I can’t remember what it was atm .

<font color="blue">(I think I was so stuffed from all the hard-core eating that I skipped lunch that day.)</font>

After our naps DH went out to the driving range to warm up for his round of golf the day and I visited the concierge to adjust some PS reservations. We always make (or I should say I make) a full slate of PS dinner reservations ahead of time but we wind up changing ½ of them after we actually get to WDW.

<font color="blue">(The driving range at Osprey Ridge/Eagle Pines is as nice as you’d expect. The hitting surface is natural grass, which is something you don’t see often due to the obvious maintenance work required to keep it up. They let me use a cart to cruise the 30 feet from the clubhouse to the range also, which is good cause I’m lazy and the wife had been walking my toosh off.)</font>

Up to this point we’d stayed pretty much on schedule regarding planned dining choices and nighttime activities but that would soon change, in no small part due to an unwelcome visitor about to make an appearance named Jeanne. It was about this part of the vacation that we started to take the weather reports serious that Jeanne had a possibility of heading back into Fla. Usually the predicted land fall locations aren’t accurate till about 12 hours ahead of time but the forecasters actually got it right with Jeanne including the weird loop it had to do in order to head back into Fla.

After the DH got back from the driving range we headed back over to MGM for dinner at Mamma Melrose and Fantasmic, my favorite nighttime show.

We still had a bit of time before our PS reservation at Mama Melrose so we spent some time exploring the exhibit &amp; movie of Walt’s life, Walt Disney: One Man's Dream.

Even though we all know the story of Walt’s life it’s easy to forget what a pioneer he was and the vision he had. It’s a real shame that he didn’t live to see WDW completed.
On to dinner (you’ve prolly noticed by now we tend to eat a lot at dinner, this started during our honeymoon trip and has continued on through each trip).

I really need to research the various meal plans you can get and see if any of them would save us money on future trips. We don’t eat a lot during the daytime but our bills for dinner are pretty high.

<font color="blue">(She’s not kidding, folks. Our food bill makes me gag heh.)</font>

Mama Melrose has always been one of our favorite restaurants and is on the “must do” list we have every trip to WDW. We started out sharing a portabella mushroom flatbread and a carafe of Sangrina and then George had the Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan while I had the Fra Diavolo. We also shared a desert of Honey Hazelnut and Ricotta Cheesecake even though neither of us was really hungry at that point.

After dinner we browsed through the shops till about 7pm when we went and got seats for the 8pm Fantasmic show. We were in the Pocahontas section, which was a few rows over to the left and sat near the top so that it would be easy for us to get out the theater quickly after the show was over.

The rudeness of people always amazes me. While we were waiting for the show to start the guy in front of us proceeds to change his infant right there in the stands. Why he couldn’t have just walked a few hundred feet to the bathroom and used the changing station is beyond me. I’m pretty sure he was with his family so he wouldn’t lose his seat but even if he was alone it wouldn’t have been a problem if he asked one of us that were near him to save his seat for him. The woman sitting next to us just shook her head and told us she saw someone changing a baby on the MK picnic tables the day before.

<font color="blue">(Really, what the heck is up with that? Have a little dignity, please.)</font>

After a wait of about an hour the show started right on time. The show was as good as I remembered. The only down part was the direction the wind was blowing which caused all the smoke from the fireworks to blow into the stands.

<font color="blue">(Not to mention some spray from the water show. Add to that the dropping temperatures and the wind from the outskirts of Jeanne, and it got a bit chilly.)</font>

After the show ended we made our way out of the park with the rest of the hoard and headed back to the room to read our books for a few minutes before we passed out for the night.

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

Tracy and George I just have to tell you I am really enjoying the trip report!

[gumby74]

Thanks for the wonderful trip report. Your details are just fantastic. Makes me want to be there even sooner!

I love the two-person narrative you too have. Can't wait to read more.

[katspjs]

[ QUOTE ]
The woman sitting next to us just shook her head and told us she saw someone changing a baby on the MK picnic tables the day before.


[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't see this as my back was towards the door, but my DH did. While we were at Beaches and Cream, he said the lady that had just left the table behind us, changed her 3 year old on a chair (he was standing) by the door. Ick!

[Jillybean]

I love this trip report! You guys sound like such fun - - and I can tell that you love to eat just as much as DH and I do! That hazelnut martini sounds delicious! Our dinner at CG sounds so similar to yours - - what a night that was!

I can't wait to read the rest!

Jill