Yoyo and NNL back in WDW!

[yoyoflamingo]

So, after returning to Disneyland again and again the past year, NNL and I, settled in New York, decided it was time to head back to WDW for Labor Day weekend. We both have been suffering Disney withdrawals, and since WDW was a cheaper flight, and since we heard PI was closing, we figured it'd be a nice diversion from the stress at home. So, Friday night, after a debacle at JFK with Jetblue's computer system being completely down, waiting 45 minutes to get through security, and being delayed an hour, we finally arrived at our hotel and were greeted by this:



After checking in, we had a hard time finding our room. First, we were sent to the wrong floor. Then, we were sent to the first floor, which we thought only had restaurants. However, there is one hallway, of about 20 rooms, which we wound up staying in. What made it even nicer was that half of the rooms were being refurbed, so the hallway was very empty, and was close to the 24 hour cafeteria, and WDW transportation. We lucked out at this hotel in terms of rate and location.

A few pics of the room:

Most comfortable bed ever.


We had a corner room, so we had the patio, as well as a window behind the TV.


Our view of the pool area across the lake.

The next morning? We're off to the Magic Kingdom...

[kelly]

Love it so far

[NeverNeverland]

BTW... those pillows were the best ever too. And that room location was perfect. Very close to the EPCOT/MGM boat and the MK/DTD buses. Close to the 24 hour quick service restaurant which was PRICEY but so delicious. I really liked the Dolphin a lot.

One of the best things about it was their choice of bath products....

[Hakuna Makarla]

wo ho a trip report I have been waiting for!!! so far great keep it coming !!

[yoyoflamingo]

Magic Kingdom

We only had 2 and a half days in WDW, so we knew what we each wanted to do. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Toy Story Mania. So, we started at the Magic Kingdom:


For all my years coming the last week in August, this is the first year I've seen Halloween decorations.


NNL's first time seeing the Good Morning show. She enjoyed it, and it was nice to see it again.


Didn't know these were allowed in the parks. At least it's not KFC


Crane Preparing for Christmas lights.

So, how crowded was it?

About 9:45, we were half full on Big Thunder.


Walked right it.

Crowds were light, and due to the hurricane, things were cool for most of our stay. We had a list of things we had to see, and HM was definitely one of them. Truly a wonderful experience, and staying in the stretch room until everyone is out is a totally awesome experience, and very creepy!


NNL is upset there is no Casey Jr. here.


I don't remember seeing this posted before, but it was really cool.

We saw a lot of shows we haven't seen in a while, and we know are closing soon.

Hall of Presidents, which I am happy to say had no vocal people in it booing or cheering their choices.


Glad it's getting a refurb, but it was nice to see during our trip.


What was funny is Saturday we kept getting hit with rain, but NNL and I always managed to avoid it. We would be on the Carousel of Progress, Hall of Presidents, eating lunch, etc., and by the time we got out, the rain was over. We just lucked out with timing every time.


We spent some time enjoying the shops, such as the Town Square Exposition Hall.




Outside Tony's Town Square Restaurant.

Overall, we had a wonderful time seeing our old favorites. The weather held out for us, it wasn't crowded, and even though we didn't have much time, we didn't feel rushed to get through everything. We did what we wanted, ate where we wanted, and just enjoyed being in WDW together. We had plenty of time to shop, relax, and visit attractions, without the pressure of time constraints. And, even with all this, NNL had a surprise in store for me....

[TDLFAN]

Very nice TP so far. Love that huge single king size bed at the hotel and the amenities, which is the way to go when you stay at a hotel on Disney property..

[pratt55]

Great report but you know I want to know what the surprise is.

[yoyoflamingo]

Before the surprise, some Halloween shots of the MK:

Carved pumpkins related to the store they were above.

Lady and the Tramp


Ice Cream Cones


Overall look of the Main Street buildings.


These pumpkin characters were up all around Town Square.









At the hub, the characters are costumed for the holiday:

Princess Minnie


Donald and Pluto as Musketeers



Goofy as a jester


What we both found odd was that there was no Mickey at all. We assumed he would be the 3rd musketeer, but we didn't see him anywhere at all. Even the Photopass photographer we asked didn't know the answer.


Lighting decorations.

Now, for the real surprise. NNL, as soon as I booked the trip in June, secretly called and got us reservations at the California Grill! I had never eaten there before, and even though the reservation was for 9:50, it was her perfect plan to be there during Wishes!

So, after exploring the Contemporary for a little, it was time for the best meal I have eaten on Disney property. What a truly magical experience! And, after we ordered, they made an announcement that Wishes was about to begin, so we went out to the observation deck, and watched Wishes from a very unique and wonderful angle.















After Wishes ended, we were heading back in to eat, and we turned around and heard the start of the Electrical Water Pageant, so we were lucky enough to see Wishes AND the Electrical Water Pageant, right after each other, at the same spot.











After that, we sat back down, and our meals were served. Perfect timing, perfect meal, perfect night. We both had the filet of beef at the California Grill, which was outstanding! And, for dessert NNL had the cheese plate, which she was excited about, and I had the original, creme brulee with bananas, which I am so happy to have had. Now, the next step is to figure out when we can go back!

[yoyoflamingo]

EPCOT

Even though we had been to Disneyland many times in the past year, we both missed EPCOT a lot. It's a great park that is so unique, that it was hard to believe we had not been there since last August. So, our second day of the trip was devoted to EPCOT.

From the Dolphin, we were able to take a boat to the park.

Some Dolphin shots





Every time we opened our patio door, 3-4 ducks would come running to greet us.


Our patio.


A view of the fountain and the walkway to the boat dock between the Swan and Dolphin.

The boat is a pleasant way to get to the park. It also stops at the Yacht and Beach Club and the Boardwalk, so it was nice to see those resorts as well.

The boat ride:

Yacht and Beach Club pool, Stormalong Bay


Yacht Club




Boardwalk


More of the Boardwalk


Cute sign right outside of EPCOT.




Backside of France

Once inside EPCOT, be both agreed we could skip Soarin' since we had been on it many times in California. However, we were both excited to see Spaceship Earth revisited, as well as NNL's first trip aboard the Universe of Energy.


NNL having fun with pictures on SSE.


More picture fun.

We both found the ending of SSE fun the first time, but as stated by everyone else, they need to add something to look at at the ending. There is absolutely nothing to see, and that is really a shame on Disney for that.

As with the previous day, we enjoyed the slow crowds and cool weather. EPCOT I usually find brutal in the heat, but it was so comfortable, we loved basking in World Showcase.

After hitting the major attractions in Future World, NNL and I did some shopping, and hit Club Cool, and the EPCOT 25th Museum, which was a wonderful little diversion tucked away in Innoventions.








This picture was on the EPCOT timeline in the entrance to the museum. Wonderful to see a fellow MCer famous now!

We decided, as with the MK, to see a lot of the shows we normally don't do, such as the American Adventure, and Off Kilter. We experienced things at a more laid back pace than usual, and were still able to fit in the things we wanted to do in plenty of time. However, for dinner we needed to find a place to eat, and we both decided the perfect place just a boat ride away.


Beaches and Cream!

A great little eatery tucked into the Beach Club, we had a wonderful time sitting at the counter, having dinner and of course ice cream. Once thing we did not get, but were tempted was the Kitchen Sink.


Anything with a whole can of whipped cream is good enough for me.


It's a small place, but we were seated quickly.


Tables outside to eat ice cream take out.


NNL in the Beach Club lobby.

After our dinner, our plan was to hit Pleasure Island and the Adventurer's Club, as I had never been, and NNL wanted to wish it farewell. However, once we got there, we never realized we could only buy a multi-day ticket to get into the club. To pay twice the price to get in, when the only club we wanted to go to was the Adventurer's Club just didn't seem cost feasible, so we decided to abandon the idea. I will never experience the Club, but I am more upset NNL didn't get to go back again.

Up next: Last day.

[yoyoflamingo]

Last Day

So, quickly our trip was coming to an end. Although we both agreed we wanted to spend our last day in the Magic Kingdom, we also both definitely wanted to visit the Studios to try out Toy Story Mania.

We took the boat for a pleasant ride, and arrived before opening. As we got there, everyone stormed the gates to the attraction. We decided to hit the standby line, since the FastPass line was growing quickly. We walked in and were amazed at the queue.








We didn't get a close look at most of the stuff because there was no wait.

And while we were amazed by the queue, we were even more amazed by the attraction. FUN. That pretty much sums it up. It's a welcome addition to the Studios, and a welcome addition to WDW in general. It's a great ride, and we waited to get a Fastpass afterwards to ride it again, but unfortunately the return time was too late for our plans, so we only rode it once.

A look at Pixar Place












After TSMM, we took a quick ride on the Tower of Terror before returning to the Magic Kingdom. I missed this version of the ride, and we had a great random sequence that just kept going. LOTS of fun.








Our final leg of the trip brought us to the Magic Kingdom again to hit the big attractions we wanted to see one more time. On the way, we managed to stop by the TTC and see my brick.

Final Magic Kingdom shots:

Columbia Harbor House View



Tumbleweed


Monorail Window


Train Window








NNL's traditional picture


One last view of Main Street


Bye castle!



If you would like to see all the pictures, they can be viewed at my Photobucket here.

[dsnylndmom]

What great pictures And that was one wonderful surprise! Glad you had a good trip.

[penguinsoda]

What a great way to spend a weekend! I'm so glad everything worked out for you guys from the motel room to the surprize dinner at the California Grill! Its also nice to see Halloween decorations up already! Halloween will be here before we know it!

[dontbecheekin]

Originally Posted by yoyoflamingo

NNL is upset there is no Casey Jr. here.

Awww!

I miss you!

Looks like you guys had a great trip. Someday I'll make it out to WDW.