annie
Cast Member
Posts: 321
Registered: Aug 2002
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Posted 11-18-02 11:21 AM
Cast: annie (me) 30something mom
Pat (dh) 30something dad
Day Three: No, I didn't ride Alien Encounter this time either, but dinner was great!
We'd planned to start with breakfast at the Kona Cafe, both to explore the Polynesian and to sample the Tonga Toast, but in the end sleep won. We arrived at the MK gate around 9:45. We'd driven the rental car, but we'd have been better off taking the bus. MK is the only park where Disney transport is always quicker than driving! After wiggling our fingers in the AP machines (they work for each of us about 50% of the time) we headed over to Space Mountain. Closed! CMs were guarding a rope and said they had no idea when it would open. But I had an epiphany... when they are fixing Space Mountain, they must turn on the lights. And the Tomorrowland Transit Authority goes right through Space Mountain... So, onto TTA we jumped, and sure enough, the interior of SM was lit. Very cool to see how the double coasters are laid out.
After TTA we walked by Alien Encounter, no wait... and I chickened out again. I wouldn't go on last time we were here, after my 9 year old son, who fears nothing, said he liked it but would never ride it again! Instead we rode Buzz Lightyear, where Pat beat me 804,350 to 500 or something like that. In my defense I was shooting lefty and spinning us madly with my right hand, so my aim was off a bit.
We headed over to Jungle Cruise. Our driver last summer was a bit too dry in his presentation, this CM told the same jokes but somehow they were much funnier this time. Next we headed into the Tiki Room, which we'd somehow missed last time. I still giggle when I think of "Hunky Tuna Tostada, what a STOOPID phrase."
Now we were hungry. We checked the menus and decided on Cosmic Ray's for lunch, but we took our time getting there. We stopped at Haunted Mansion for Fast Passes, then over to the restaurant, walking behind the castle. It was pretty quiet back there, we took out time and people watched. After lunch we noticed Space Mountain was open now with a short wait, so we went on. I don't know why but I don't remember Space being as bumpy the last time I rode. Came off with a headache. Maybe it was because I was in the back, maybe it's because Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is sooo smooooth and now I'm spoiled. On our way back to Haunted Mansion we snagged more Fast Passes, this time for Splash Mountain. Into the Haunted Mansion we went, right into the dead center of the stretching room. The ride stopped while we were in the dining room, but it was a good chance to really take a look at all the ghosts, this is my favorite part of the ride!
We still had some time till our FP for Splash, so we got on line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The wait posted was 20 minutes, but the line snaked outside. I thought they had closed off some of the queue inside, but no such luck. The wait was closer to 45 minutes. And BTMRR wins for most deceiving queue, that's a neat trick, an entire second room of line to wait in when you think you're nearly there! Anyway, the ride was fun, and it was time for Splash Mountain when we got off.
Now I have a love/hate thing with Splash Mountain. I love the ride through Song of the South, I sing along with Brer Rabbit, I love the dips and turns and the water fall as you go. But I HATE the big drop! I've decided it's just far enough to start to actually be painful, then you feel tremendous relief when you get to the bottom. After the ride we walked over to the little area behind Splash where I saw a baby gator last summer, and he was still there! A CM and a few kids were watching him. I don't know how fast they grow, but he looked about the same size (maybe 4 feet, hard to tell because he was hiding.) I guess they just let him hang out down there.
By now it was time for the afternoon parade, and we would have just skipped it except we were stuck on the wrong side of the park to exit quickly, so we decided to check it out (we'd missed it last time.) It's a cute little parade, and would have been much more fun if we'd had our youngest son with us. The participation of the kids is a lot of fun.
Parade over, we decided to ride the Liberty Belle, before we headed back to the hotel. It's fun to see the rides from that angle. Ride over, we headed down Main Street, and waited for the ferry, then waited for the tram, then finally drove back to the hotel. Dinner tonight: Artist Point!
Back at the hotel we rested a bit (still too chilly to swim, although that didn't stop everyone) then drove over to Wilderness Lodge for dinner. What a gorgeous hotel! We had some time so we explored a bit. It was dark so we couldn't see much of the grounds, but we got the idea. Artist Point is a beautiful restaurant. We were seated at a window (but couldn't see much because, as I've mentioned, it was dark outside!) Pat got a Dewar's on the rocks (his drink of choice this trip) and I waited to order some wine. Our waiter brought us bottled water when we asked for water on the side, ("have you tried Orlando water?" he asked us, explaining why we got the free bottle stuff instead). Turns out he was originally from NJ (Jackson, home of our own little theme park Great Adventure) and he was also waiting a huge table full of Jersey people next to us.
Pat started with Smoky Portobello Soup, and I had Field Greens with Goat Cheese Toast. For my entree I had the Grilled Beef Tenderloin, while Pat had the "Signature Dish" of Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon. Everything was incredible. We both ordered the paired wines with our meals, mine was a Syrah from Washington, very good. All the wines here are from the Pacific NW, quite a selection! For dessert we had coffee and split the Flourless Chocolate Whiskey Cake. I wasn't sure we'd finish it, but somehow we managed.
Tonight's plan is shopping. We drove over to Downtown Disney and broke out the room card! I only had a few souveniers to buy, thank yous for my parents and sister for watching the kids, something for each of the kids of course, and a little something for my bowling team buddies (and did you know there is nothing bowling themed anywhere at WDW? I would have been happy with anything, but every CM I asked had never seen anything.) Got an orange tree and some decorative stuff for my parents, and Mickey pens for my friends. Couldn't remember the Lego set my 9 year old had been asking for, but still came out of that store with the Lego Advent Calendar. Once Upon a Toy was fantastic, this hadn't been here when came in June. I stuffed a box with WDW themed Mr. Potatohead parts, even managed to fit a head in there (hint: fill the head with parts before putting it in the box.) When we got home I realized that we'd forgotten the special arms that can hold the Mickey pop, but somehow I'll get them. Also picked up key chain versions of Theme Park Monopoly and Haunted Mansion Clue, was tempted to get the full size games but not this trip. A few pins, and we were done. We considered going to Boardwalk for the rest of the evening, but again exhaustion won out. Tomorrow would be our last day in the parks!
[Edited by annie]
"Are the fires of Hell a-glowing? Is the grisly reaper mowing? Who can provide the world with the answer to these pressing questions?"
"The candy man can," Rumsfeld added grimly.
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