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Ground / Goofy's HUGE!
/ John and John's Weekend Excursion...Day 2(Long) |
jobro912
Cast Member
Posts: 76
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 11-07-02 09:46 PM
Cast: The Johns. 1 age 42, 1 age 9. Frequent Travelers to WDW. DVC
Members at Boardwalk Villas, but have never stayed there due to our
love for Old Key West.
Parks Today: Animal Kingdom, MGM, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom. Hey, we're
only here for 3 days. A man's gotta do, what a man's gotta do.
Weather: Why can't it be this gorgeous all the time? Christmas??
Please?? Nah. Overcast, drizzling, and cool to cold. At least the
last 4 years. Anyway, the blue skies and temps in the low to mid 70's
suit me just fine.
What a Day!! I had no idea that we would hop, and hop, and hop to all
four parks today. However, we did, and it was quite enjoyable.
Anyway, hop on with us, and for God's sake don't forget to get your
hand stamped.
We were up early for a coupla guys who got to be around 1:00AM. Got
ourselves together, and we were off to Animal Kingdom. We arrived
around 9:15, and I was surprised by the line of cars in the parking
lot. However, it turned out to be not very crowded. Just a parking
lot illusion. We entered and immediately went to Guest Relations to
buy the Meal Plan coupons. I said it in May, and I say
again...People!! Listen to me!! These are a great deal. At $11.99
for adults, $6.99 kids, you get a coupon for a drink, one for either
ice cream or popcorn, and one for a counterservice meal that includes
large drink for the adults. I will break down our useage of the just
over $19 spent as we continue.
As we entered John picked up his AK Kid's guide. This has a place for
6 stamps, and one large one if all 6 are acquired. In each land of
Animal Kingdom there is an activity station. All are ecological in
nature...Hehehe...I thought that was kind of funny...Allow me to say
it again, "Ecological in Nature." Okay I am over it. This was John's
goal for the day, and it was a fun quest. In Africa he had to track
an animal on the Harambe Jungle Trail. They had footprints, the kind
of plants it would eat, and poop, feces, choose your name. The kids
had to guess what the animal was from the clues. On the Maharahjah
Jungle Trek the had to smell boxes to decide what was in them. In
Dinoland they had to put Dinosaur Jaws together. Behind It's Tough to
Be a Bug, they talked about the value of cockroaches, and how
Tarantulas eat cockroaches. The "Circle of Life" thingy I guess. At
Conservation Station they had a animal scavenger hunt, locating
animals and insects on a plastic card in a small garden area. Camp
Minnie Mickey was sticking hand into a log and guessing what they were
touching. John had a great time with this, and hey, it was free!!
Oh, I seem to have rambled, but I thought this was a cool deal. After
entering, we went to the Kilamanjaro Safari, got Fast Passes, and went
to Tusker House for breakfast as is our custom. Breakfast was simple,
but we made a new discovery at Tusker House. Did you know, I'm asking
because I didn't, but did you know that there is a seating area behind
Tusker House. It was wonderfully quiet. Do look into it sometime.
After breakfast we began the quest. First off, Safari. Very quick
line with Fast Pass. Standby wasn't too bad either. Safari Guide was
a dud. Said what he had too, with as little enthusiasm as possible.
"There's a giraffe. They are tall." Said in my best Eeyore voice.
We did see quite a few animals which made for an enjoyable trip in the
range.
Next we went to the jungle trail to find the Kid's Station. We saw
alot of the Gorillas this time. Very unusual for us. Must have been
the perfect weather. They knew it, too...they're no monkeys...well,
they are, but you know. Next was Conservation Station. The only
purpose for this was for John to do the activity. This was one we had
done in May, so it was a quickie.
By the way, Smaller was a pin trading fool this trip. He was trying
to get Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He is now the proud owner of
Snow White and the 5 Dwarfs. I had to stand over him and make sure he
only traded the allowables. He runs around WDW with a Candlelight
Processional 2001 pin and Christopher Robin on his lanyard. Both
rare.
Next we went to Dinoland and got a Fast Pass for Primevil Whirl before
heading to Dinosaur. Dinosaur was about a 10 minute wait. The ride
once again seems to have been toned down. It was fast, somewhat
darker, but alot less bumpy. I liked it. We then went back to
Primevil Whirl aka to me as Primevil Hurl. I love the ride, but the
repeat riding of my dear son was almost equivalent to his "I told you
I was going to spin it" at Tea Cups the night before.
Our next stop was Asia. I always enjoy chatting to the Thai CMs, but
alas, I saw very few Asians in Asia. Poop!!
Now we eat. We had our drinks earlier. I had a water, and John had
Powerade. $5.50. For lunch, we went to Flame Tree. It seems that it
has reopened permanantly. Anyone know? I had ribs with baked beans
and corn on the cob. John had PB&J. Total was right at $15. Figure
it out. The tickets are past paid for, and we still get Ice Cream.
Lunch was great. We sat at the area by the lake. There was a small
alligator right up against the seating area. A little boy nearby
about had heart failure when he spotted the gator. Started running
around, hyperventilating, saying, "Oh my God, Oh my God." Really kind
of funny.
After lunch we finished getting the book stamped, got our ice cream,
Simba's Pawprint for John and a Frozen Banana for me, then headed out.
Next we went to MGM to see the Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade.
The park seemed busy, though not real. There was about a 40 minute
line for the Great Movie Ride, which surprised us. Didn't ride it.
Next time. We saw Muppet Vision, then went back to Hollywood Blvd. to
get a place for the parade. While waiting we were entertained by a
couple of jugglers, on of which was Matt.
We loved this parade. We enjoyed the emcee, and the interaction. The
cars were fun, and there were a load of characters. Two Thumbs Up.
After MGM we went back to OKW for a brief repose. I attempted to make
a PS for Mexico with no luck, so we ended up making one for Le
Cellier. We got to Epcot around 4:00. We went to the Land, and rode
the boat. Then saw "Food Rocks." There was a honest to goodness Head
Banger in the audience, and he really got into the show. It was fun.
Next we made our way to the World Showcase. They have moved the UK
toy store way back. They have a Pooh and Friends greeting area in the
store now, and we were able to get a pic with our friend Eeyore.
They are also having characters from Mary Poppins and Alice in
Wonderland back in the garden throughout the day again. Have I
mentioned that there are Characters everywhere. It is incredible.
And we're talking out of the ordinary. Tailspin characters, Country
Bears, Friar Tuck and Little John.
Oh, I digress. It was now close to dinner PS time, so we made our way
to Le Cellier. We both had Cheddar Cheese soup. I also had a salad.
John ordered Spaghetti, and I had a Pan Seared Trout on Spinach with
Green beans. YUMMY!! Highly Recommend. Our server was on her last
night, and was a bit preoccupied. She pulled a 15% vs my normal 20
for tip. After dinner we hit the Single Rider line at Test Track and
were on in a jiffy. We actually ended up together. Time to leave. We
need to get to Magic Kingdom.
Ah, we board the monorail and off to MK we are. It is about 8:00PM.
Spectromagic is at 9:00. Main Street is jammed. So, I look at my
travelling companion and say, "Come on." He is very inquisitive, but
I just tell him to trust me. AhHa!! Just as I thought. No one in
Frontierland/Liberty Square. Well, not really no one, but plenty of
front row parade space. We enjoy visiting with the College Program
CM, and I chat with another teacher for awhile. The parade starts at
9:00, and MK closes at 9:00. Very strange. I wanted a bite from the
Bakery, but it was already closed. The parade was wonderful. I like
it better than MSEP. Sorry. I just do.
Thus ended our 4 park excursion. What a blast going to all 4 in one
day.
Tomorrow is our last day. Get ready for a way cool random act of
Magic.
John
DVC 94
OKW 12/22-29
John
Mr. Darling
DVC 94
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inkydinkydoo
Cast Member
Posts: 112
Registered: Sep 2002
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Posted 11-08-02 05:07 PM
John, where did Smaller pick up the AK Kid's Guide, and is this something new? It sounds like such fun; I think the grandkids might like it. Didja get the impression it's something they're going to continue? I ask because we won't be there till nexxxxt December.
Thanks!
Inky
(edited to add) P.S. Bring on that Disney magic!!!!!!
[Edited by inkydinkydoo]
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julie
Cast Member
Posts: 78
Registered: Sep 2002
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Posted 11-08-02 05:51 PM
More,
more, more!!!! Can't wait for the finale. I wonder
how much longer they are doing the meal vouchers for
at AK? All 4 parks in one day is so cool 
"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others
cannot keep it from themselves"
~ James M. Barrie
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LSR
Cast Member
Posts: 20
Registered: Oct 2002
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Posted 11-09-02 08:19 AM
quote:
julie wrote:
More, more, more!!!! Can't wait
for the finale. I wonder how much longer they are
doing the meal vouchers for at AK? All 4 parks in
one day is so cool
Me too! Can't wait and have loved reading about it.
The kids guide in AK can be picked up at any of the stations if you don't get it ahead of time (I think they also have them at the front of the park).
Laura
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Common
Ground / Goofy's HUGE!
/ John and John's Weekend Excursion...Day 2(Long) |
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