We're Back! A brief recap of our 10th Anniversary Trip

[wed@wdw]

Hi everyone! Just got home last night around 11 after our magical stay in the World! Here's a quick look at our trip (okay maybe not so quick) .....

Sat. June 3 into Sun. June 4
My MIL and SIL arrived around 2 in the afternoon. They live on the western side of the state (PA) about 4 1/2 hours from us. They graciously agreed to take care of our three kids while we made an "adults-only" trip. We showed them everything they needed to know about surviving in our house for the next few days i.e. where we kept the Tylenol and hard licquor Just kidding...my kids are wonderful!!!

We ended up leaving our house at 5:15. We actually left at 5, but had to turn back around because we forgot the laptop. We got on the highway and drove for the next 18+ hours. Yes, we drove and drove straight through the night. It was reminiscent of our trips 10 years ago. We have learned we are not as young as we once were though! We stopped here and there for the necessary breaks and switched drivers occasionally. We arrived at SSR by noon and were in our room by 12:30.

We were not yet members of the DVC so we rented points for this stay. However, during our visit, my husband told me that for my anniversary gift, he is buying me the DVC. And I thought the trip itself was gift enough! Our room was a studio on the 4th floor in Congress Park overlooking the water to Downtown Disney. The nice thing was we were also able to get the meal plan.

We took our showers, got dressed and before going to the parks headed to get lunch at Artist's Palette. Good thing we did because just as we sat down, it started to pour! The brief thundershower was over by the time we finished eating. We headed toward AK since we had dinner reservations at Boma for 7:00. As soon as we arrived we headed straight to guest relations and bought our Annual passes. At AK we saw the parade, rode the Safari, and walked the Pangani trail. The animals were very active after the rain. No Everest today. The wait was over an hour so Nate didn't bother.
We left AK a little after 6 and drove over to AKL. We walked around the hotel and visited the gift shop while we waited to check in for dinner. We had never been to Boma before since we didn't think the kids would find too much appealing there. It was a great meal! As soon as we arrived, they gave us a card for our anniversary and when we were done eating, they brought out a special dessert tray with "Happy 10th Anniversary" written in chocolate. Yum!

After dinner we headed over to my favorite place, The Magic Kingdom. It was EMH and the park was open until 2 am! Of course, as soon as we got there, it started to rain again! I forgot to bring rain gear so we bought Mickey ponchos. The first SpectroMagic parade was cancelled due to the rain. We headed to CoP, and by the time we finished riding the rain had stopped. We rode TTA, and Buzz Lightyear twice. Nate & I have an ongoing battle on that ride. We are both very competetive! He won the first time, but I got my revenge and beat him by 200,000 points the next time! We watched Wishes and headed to Fantasyland. The crowds were not bad at all. I think alot of people left because of the rain. We rode Small World, Snow White, Pooh, saw
Philharmagic, and shared a hot fudge brownie sundae as a post midnight snack. We then headed over to ride HM. After that we called it a night. The long drive caught up finally and we were ready for bed!

Next day's plan...MGM!! More to follow!!

[wed@wdw]

Mon. June 5

Alarm set for 7 am so I could call home to make sure DS was awake and getting ready for school. After that call, I fell back asleep. I awoke to Nate checking his voice mail around 9:30. He too went back to sleep after his call and the next thing you know, it's 11:00 am. Oh well, we were tired and this vacation was to be relaxing.

We got to MGM about 12:30. We first went on Star Tours then headed over to Backlot Express for our counter service meal. After lunch, we walked toward RnRC so Nate could ride it. We saw that Beauty & the Beast was starting in 10 minutes so we stayed to watch it. After it was over Nate got in line for RnRC. The fast pass return time was for later in the evening so he went to standby. There was a 40 minute wait posted so I took his wallet and set out to do some shopping. Mainly I was just browsing, but I did buy myself a Mickey anklet. I went back to RnRC after about 25 minutes to visit the shop, but Nate had just gotten off the ride so it was perfect timing. Next we did the Great Movie Ride. I mentioned to Nate maybe they'll be running both the gangster and the western scene. He didn't know there were two different scenes. I have seen both, but he only ever knew of the gangster one. Sure enough, we were in the first car, and got to see the Western version. After that we went to visit the Narnia set. I enjoyed it more when I saw it in December before I saw the movie.

We left MGM to head over to Epcot. We had reservations for 7:00 at San Angel Inn. We got to ride Spaceship Earth before going into the Mexican pavilion. Our dinner was very good. I've always liked the atmosphere in there and find it to be a romantic place to eat. We usually eat there with the kids so it was nice to enjoy it just as a couple this time.

We walked over to Norway next. There was a line for Maelstrom so Nate decided not to ride it. I went on it once before, and remember not liking it so he usually just takes the boys on it. We walked into the shops and Nate got to smell his favorite perfume, Laila. I would love to buy some, but my allergies act up with certain scents and that's one of them. I dabbed a tiny bit on anyway just so he would find me irresistable lol

We left Epcot to go back over to MGM for the 10:30 Fantasmic. Hard to believe but this was the first time we had ever seen it. We never took the kids before thinking they would be too young to enjoy it or would be scared. I know the boys would love it! Emma would probably do okay with it too so that will be on our must-do list in August.

Back at SSR I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow! Next day's plan was AK.

to be continued........

[Disney Vault]

Oh so many memories! I want to go back when ever I read trip reports. Keep it coming

[brazen wench]

I dabbed a tiny bit on anyway just so he would find me irresistable lol

That's adorable!

Thanks for the great trip report! I'm looking forward to the rest.

[WDW heart]

Awwww! This is so sweet. I'm so glad you had a nice trip! What a great memory for you and your family.

[wed@wdw]

Oh so many memories! I want to go back when ever I read trip reports. Keep it coming

I feel the same whenever I read others' reports! It helps me relive my memories!

OK- here's some more.......

Tues. June 6

The alarm went off at 7am again so I could make my wake-up call to home. No going back to sleep today though since we had big plans for Nate to ride Everest.

We were at the park by 8:40 for the 9 am opening (along with countless others)! I think we made it through the gates about 9:10. We headed straight to EE and on the way saw there was a 20 min. wait posted already on the attraction board. We made our way over and Nate got in the standby line, while I went to get fastpasses so he could ride it again. I swear the fastpass line was longer than the line for the ride itself! I managed to get him 2 fastpasses using his & my tickets for a return time of 10:40. He said he only had to wait about 5 minutes to get on & gave it a thumbs-up. He votes it his new favorite ride. No way will I ever get on it! I will forever be a chicken! The drop on POTC is enough for me and I still get a little panicky when I go on it. It is one of my favorite rides though once I get past that part!

We walked around some more while waiting to get another fast pass for the safari. I think we were able to get another around 10:20 or so. Nate got a tea from the Anandapur Tea Co. & I got a frozen mocha. It was delish! We made our way over to Africa and watched DeVine on our way. She is amazing! We walked the Pangani trail again and then got our passes for the Safari. It was time for Nate to ride EE again so we made our way back to Asia. He got to ride it twice in a row with both fastpasses. He bought the picture from his last trip on it. The poor girl sitting in front of him looks totally terrified!

We decided on an early lunch at Flame Tree Barbeque, our favorite place to eat at AK. I love to sit down by the water to eat. It was really good as always! After lunch, it was time to return to the Safari. Fastpass, smastpass. I think we waited about as long the standby line. OK, it wasn't that bad, but we did wait about 20 min. to get on. After the safari, we headed out of the park. We were going to watch It's Tough to be a Bug, but there was a 30 min. wait so we decided against it. We wanted to swim and relax by the pool before going to Epcot for the night. We went to the quiet pool in Congress Park rather than the main pool. The water felt great! Just what we needed!

I went back to the room before Nate to get my shower since it always takes me longer to get ready. He stayed at the pool longer and was still ready before me!

We got to Epcot around 3:30. It was Epcot's night for EMH. Dinner was scheduled for 8:10 at Le Cellier. Thank you to all who have recommended this place! I had always overlooked it to eat at, but because of all of the great reviews, I had booked it for the Candlelight Processional when we went in December. Boy, was I glad I did! I have to say it is now a must-eat at restaurant!

Before dinner, we rode Spaceship Earth and Universe of Energy. Nate didn't want to do Test Track or Mission Space today so we made our way over to World Showcase. We skipped Mexico & Norway and started with China. We made our way around the World in time for our ressies at Le Cellier. We got seated right away and were done just in time for the start of Illuminations. By the way, I LOVE the maple creme brulee at Le Cellier! Oh how I am craving it right now! We watched Illuminations and then proceeded over to Imagination. We spent some time playing with the PhotoLab and e-mailed some silly pictures home to the kids. We headed over to The Land, but decided against riding anything. The wait for Soarin' was about an hour. We walked back to Spaceship Earth so we could ride that one last time before leaving.

I love Epcot at night! It is so beautiful with all of the lights. I especially like the tiny lights in the walkways by Innoventions. It's the little things that make me love Disney so much!

Next day is our last....time to head home

to be continued.....

[Disney Vault]

I love Animal Kingdom and reading that just makes me want to go so I can ride EE more. That park already has such a cool theme and I am sure it will only improve. I wouldn't doubt that I will someday like AK better than Epcot.

[wed@wdw]

Here's the final installment.....

Wed. June 7

Awake at 7:00 to call home. My MIL asked if I was going back to bed. I would have liked to but it was our check-out day, and I wanted to get packing so we could get some time in at MK. We did some souvenir shopping at SSR, took a few final pictures, and were on our way to MK. We got there around 10 or so. I noticed there was a difference in the crowd levels. It seemed to be getting busier at the parks as the week progressed.

First order of business was to get a fastpass for Peter Pan. It had a return of 12:35. That was perfect as we rode Haunted Mansion, had some burgers at Pecos Bill's, and bought the requested souvenirs for our children before riding it. We then headed over to Tomorrowland taking time to smell the roses...literally. Once in Tomorrowland we rode TTA and COP again. It was time to call it a day at the park. We planned on driving to mid-SC and staying there overnight. But first, we wanted to stop by the Wedding Pavilion to see our brick over there.

We got on the resort monorail and rode it to the GF. We walked over to the WP and took some pictures. We just so happened to be there when it was empty. We were allowed to go in and see it again. It was the first time since our wedding day that we've been inside. Of course, I lost it and the tears started flowing. Nate asked me if I was crying because I was having second thoughts. He's so romantic I told him they were happy tears of course! We met a nice couple with their daughters there, and they took our picture. We said our goodbyes and walked over to the Poly to get back on the monorail. Time to head home.

We had a wonderful trip! It was very relaxed with just the two of us. We just enjoyed ourselves walking around and taking it slow!

It's great to be home with the kids again! We did miss them, but I think it gave us some much needed time to reconnect. Nate comments on how happier I seem since we went away. And I am.

Final note....it is cold here at home! It's been in the mid 60's to low 70's, but after being in the 90 degree heat, I'm freezing!

Thanks for reading this not so brief trip report! If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. I'll do my best with the answers!


Our brick:
www.epix.net/~master/brick.jpg

[amc1217]

The drop on POTC is enough for me and I still get a little panicky when I go on it. It is one of my favorite rides though once I get past that part!

I SO identify with you there! I'm glad to know I'm not the only person on the planet who has trouble with that little drop. When I tell people I can't handle thrill rides, I ask if they've been to WDW, and if they have, I say, "Have you been on POTC? The little drop at the beginning? Yeah, that is too much for me." I usually get a funny look then. I hate to miss it because it's a cool ride, but I have a hard time coaxing myself on because of that stupid drop. I'm such a weenie, I hate it. I LOVE BTMR and Dinosaur because they're thrilling for me, but no drops. I haven't tried Test Track yet, that's on my To Do list. Anyway, thanks for making me feel less odd.

[WDW heart]

I hate to miss it because it's a cool ride, but I have a hard time coaxing myself on because of that stupid drop. I'm such a weenie, I hate it. I LOVE BTMR and Dinosaur because they're thrilling for me, but no drops. I haven't tried Test Track yet, that's on my To Do list. Anyway, thanks for making me feel less odd.

Do you think it has anything to do with it being in water?? BTMR seems like it would be so much scarier.

[justgeorgi]

Wow it sounds like you had a FABULOUS TIME!

Trips without the kids are always so much fun...you can get so much done or as little as you like without feeling guilty!

We will be going down in a few short days for our 15th anniversary!!

[amc1217]

Do you think it has anything to do with it being in water?? BTMR seems like it would be so much scarier.

Your puppy is SO cute!! No, I don't think POTC is scary for me because it's on water. I'm terrified of any drop that gives you that weird feeling in your stomach. BTMR is the right kind of thrill for me because there aren't any drops. I guess I like to be scared a little, as long as my stomach stays where it belongs. I feel like I miss out on so much having this fear, but I can't help it.

[Drince88]

Your puppy is SO cute!! No, I don't think POTC is scary for me because it's on water. I'm terrified of any drop that gives you that weird feeling in your stomach. BTMR is the right kind of thrill for me because there aren't any drops. I guess I like to be scared a little, as long as my stomach stays where it belongs. I feel like I miss out on so much having this fear, but I can't help it.

One of my sister is the same way about drops - but I don't recall if she had any reservations about Pirates on our last trip. But she LOVED Mission:Space and enjoyed Test Track as well.

[WDW heart]

One of my sister is the same way about drops - but I don't recall if she had any reservations about Pirates on our last trip. But she LOVED Mission:Space and enjoyed Test Track as well.

I guess I'm the opposite. Not crazy about rides that go round and round. Love roller coasters.

[WDW heart]

Your puppy is SO cute!! No, I don't think POTC is scary for me because it's on water. I'm terrified of any drop that gives you that weird feeling in your stomach. BTMR is the right kind of thrill for me because there aren't any drops. I guess I like to be scared a little, as long as my stomach stays where it belongs. I feel like I miss out on so much having this fear, but I can't help it.

Thanks, you are not missing out if it would make you feel bad.

[wed@wdw]

amc- Glad to know there is a fellow "weenie" out there! But you are braver than me! I haven't done BTMR yet. My husband keeps telling me I don't know what I'm missing. Maybe someday....

justgeorgi- Have a great time for your anniversary trip!!

Anne- off topic, but your puppy is adorable!!!

[WDW heart]

Anne- off topic, but your puppy is adorable!!!

Thank you, she is growing leaps and bounds.

[Drince88]

I guess I'm the opposite. Not crazy about rides that go round and round. Love roller coasters.

That's a different sister! She can handle Mission:Space and loves RnR and TOT, but won't do Astro-orbitor or Dumbo (or the Carpets or Triceratops)! Amazing the three of us (and one husband) could do anything together on our vacation!

And to attempt to recover this derail --- I'm glad you had a good time with just your DH, wed@wdw -- and that you didn't feel too guilty for leaving the kids at home!

[wed@wdw]

And to attempt to recover this derail --- I'm glad you had a good time with just your DH, wed@wdw -- and that you didn't feel too guilty for leaving the kids at home!

Thanks Drince! Guilt about leaving the kids? Nope, not after the first 10 minutes LOL! It was peaceful!
They were cool about us going without them, so long as we brought them home the toys they requested. Which we did. And it helped that their grandma and aunt were with them. They don't get to see them that much so it was a vacation for them too in a sense.

[WDW heart]

Sounds like an incredible trip!!!

[Disney Vault]

Thanks Drince! Guilt about leaving the kids? Nope, not after the first 10 minutes LOL! It was peaceful!
They were cool about us going without them, so long as we brought them home the toys they requested. Which we did. And it helped that their grandma and aunt were with them. They don't get to see them that much so it was a vacation for them too in a sense.

My parents would have never heard the end of it, if they had gone to WDW without me.

[WDW heart]

My parents would have never heard the end of it, if they had gone to WDW without me.

We went to WDW in October without our kids. We told the kids we were just going to wine seminars and such. Not 100% accurate. When, we were at Storm a long Bay, we joked that the kids would be having a fit if they knew we were there.

We had the best time and may go back next year. The plan is still up in the air.