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Cast: Cindy D., Gary, Nathan (5) and Zachary (almost 4)
From: Florida
Admission: Florida Resident Season Passes (soon to expire)
Accomodations: All Star Music ($49 per night rate)
Dates: August 31 - Sept 3, 2001
After rushing around Friday getting everything packed and ready to go, we dashed over to Nathan's school to pick him up from Kindergarten, buckle him
into the car, and off we went. We travel I-10 east to I-75 south. Once we're on I-75 south of Lake City, we start looking for the Seven Dwarves
that advertise the Disney Welcome Center in Ocala - we saw six of the dwarves but never saw Happy, but we saw Sleepy twice. We stopped at the
Welcome Center at 5:45 pm for a rest break (wonderful stop - they are open till 6 pm) and I made our P.S. arrangements for Saturday while we were
there.
We arrived in Orlando around 7 pm. Traffic reports said there were back-ups on I-4 west - right where we were headed, and we saw the traffic - yikes!
So we zipped off at the top of International Drive (big mistake - we should have gone down to the Sand Lake Road exit and then the drive down I-drive
would've been a cinch). But we finally got to All Star Music around 7:45 pm.
We checked in and were in Bldg 6 (Country Fair). It's as far away from Melody Hall (where you register, food court, bus stop, etc.) as you can be
without being off the resort property. I had failed to send in a request for one of the Calypso buildings. Our room was clean and comfortable and we
were around the corner from the elevator and ice machine but on the back of the bldg so it was really quiet and also convenient for filling up the
cooler. We were also near the Piano Pool which made it nice, too.
Because we hadn't eaten dinner, we went to the food court (with our ASMovies mugs from 2000) and had pizza for dinner. The boys were excited to be
there. We went back to the room and got showers and tucked the kids in to bed and then I packed up our backpack and camera bag so we'd be ready to go early on Saturday (early entry at Magic Kingdom). I had requested a 6:20
wake-up call from Mickey and told the boys that Mickey would be calling us on Saturday morning.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :)
Saturday morning's call came really early but instead of rolling over, I got up and got breakfast prepared for everyone, got dressed and made lots of
noise! We were out of the room by 7:20 and the bus was already there when we got to the bus stop. So off we went to the Magic Kingdom. DH loves
going for early entry even though it means getting up so early because 1) it's a lot cooler early in the day; and 2) the crowds are non-existent.
Our first ride was Buzz Lightyear - we've been heckling each other since our last trip in May about who would kick whose butt.... I was the champ! The
boys thought that was hysterical :) Then we did the Indy Speedway which was a blast though I thought Nathan was going to give me whiplash from his lack
of driving skills! Then a spin on the TeaCups, a Tigger bounce at Winnie the Pooh, a ride on Cinderella's Golden Carousel and it was suddenly a few
minutes after 9:00 a.m.
Because Zachary is JUST 40 inches, we wanted to see if we could get him on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. He cleared at BTMRR and
we all rode - it was nice to not have someone have to sit out :) Nathan wasn't very sure about it but Zachary loved it. Then we went over for
Splash Mountain where we talked our way past the measuring lady at the front - her stick must've been different or Zachary didn't stand up as tall
(I told DH not to get him a haircut before we left!) but she let us take him with the caution that if they rejected him at the top, it was their call.
Nathan chickened out so DH stayed with him while I took Zachary - he liked it, especially the buzzards telling jokes somewhere along the ride. FWIW,
he wasn't questioned or even looked at when we got on. We rode the Railroad next, all the way around.
Next stop, Adventureland for the Magic Carpets - it was really fun and we had just a short wait - the kids loved it and I enjoyed the breeze :)
Jungle Cruise is always hokey but what made it worse this time was we had a (Florida) Gator as the tour guide who just HAD to say something such as "Go
Gators!" which, IMHO, is so totally out of place (for any cheering of a sports team in the midst of an attraction). Of course us being FSU Seminole
fans didn't help :) The kids were parched so we went to get juice pouches from our locker and then caught the horse-drawn trolley back to the center
of the park.
We had lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern. It was really cool because we were there a few minutes before 11:30 and got to see the "bell ringing" that
officially opens the tavern - a family got to ring the bell and say "hear ye! hear ye!" We ate a wonderful meal there. Our server was Roberto and
was very engaging with the children, and best of all was able to get a small fruit plate for Nathan to eat since he didn't want anything else that was on
the menu ($2.95 for the small fruit plate that had strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, yellow apples and topped with two pieces of
watermelon cut into a Mickey head). We sat near a window and were able to see several characters who greet guests behind the Christmas shop in Liberty
Square.
After lunch we grabbed a fast pass for Peter Pan and then rode the Liberty Belle Riverboat and met a woman who used to work for the same agency that my
DH works for - she retired about 7 years ago and was asking about various people that we all knew. It was really neat. I met her in the seating area
on the second level of the boat - something that I didn't even know existed. Once the boat was moving, there was a slight breeze coming through - but
most importantly the benches were padded and I could rest :)
We trekked over to Tomorrowland to ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority but the line was backed up. Have you ever known there to be a line for
TTA???? We went to see Carousel of Progress (or the "Beautiful Day circle ride" as Zachary calls it). We always enjoy it - but this time we got stuck
in the 1940s and had to see that section twice. Then a ride on TTA and then back to Main Street to head over to Epcot.
We arrived at Epcot around 3 pm and after having another juice and getting a locker, we headed for Spaceship Earth where I dozed off in the air
conditioning :) Then we went straight to Ice Station Cool where people were still saying "oh yuck - that's nasty" about Beverly (the drink). DH likes
the watermelon one the best; I prefer the ginger ale; Nathan likes the lemon and Zachary likes the apple. Next stop was Journey Into Your Imagination.
I tried to talk the kids into going with just DH so I could play in the Kodak room but the boys wanted me to go with them. I don't like the end of
the ride so I was hoping to avoid it. Though I am still fascinated about the illusion with the butterfly and would love it if someone could tell me
how they do that bit of magic.
We caught the boat across the lagoon and went to France to see if we could find something a friend had asked me to look for, and then walked
counter-clockwise through the countries till it was time for Tapestry of Nations. Along the way, we spotted Aladdin and Jasmine (way in the back of
Morocco). They were almost ready to go for the afternoon so there was the "last call" for photos. The
boys didn't want to get their picture made, so I got one of Aladdin and Jasmine together (I wouldn't let DH get his picture made with
Jasmine - LOL). Anyway, we stepped outside when Zachary said "oh, wait - I wanted to tell Aladdin something."
When we went back in, Aladdin had already gone but Jasmine was still there. So Zachary went right up to her and said "I wanted to tell
Aladdin something." Jasmine said "Would you like to tell me and I'll tell him for you?" He said "Yes. Please tell Aladdin that I rode
his magic carpet this morning." And she very sweetly said that she would be sure to tell him and that she knew he would be very happy to
hear it :) Then he told her that he has a cousin named Jazmin (Jasmine) and she said "why, I bet she's a princess too." Zachary left with
a goofy grin on his face (LOL) and a happy heart :)
We stopped at Japan for a look at the fish and also to get one of those crushed ice things with the syrup (what do you call them?). Then as we were
finishing up, we heard the Drum and Fife Corps by the American Pavilion and they were presenting a young woman with the "daughter of liberty" ceremony
which was really cool to watch.
As we went by Italy, the mimes came out and Bella Fortuna (I think??) was playing in the courtyard - wonderful performance! Then off to see the
miniature trains by Germany, stopped for a drink at the Outpost and found seating for Tapestry of Nations about 15 minutes before the show started. I
love the ToN and was disappointed in May when we didn't get to see it because of the wind. It was as wonderful as I remembered it to be. Then
off to catch the bus back to ASMusic before the storm moved in. We saw quite a bit of lightning.
We got back to ASMusic and were wishing we had our mugs with us already so that we wouldn't have to trek back to get them - but DH took Zachary and I
kept Nathan and we got dinner so it was ready when they got back. It never officially stormed at ASMusic but there was enough lightning to pay
attention to - but we still saw people heading to the pools with the lightning flashing all around - YIKES!
We got the kids to bed pretty early and I tried to get PS for MGM Hollywood and Vine for breakfast but it was already after the Dining services had
closed for the evening. So we asked Mickey for a wake-up call for Sunday.
ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...........
Sunday morning we were up early and out the door by 7:30 - with an 8:40 seating for Hollywood and Vine character breakfast. The bus was pretty
quick and we were in the park by 7:50. Headed for Muppets 3D and then to breakfast.
ANECDOTE ON: A couple of days before we left, my soon-to-be-4 y.o. Zachary received a b'day card from Mickey Mouse (thanks to Maggie's wonderful
generosity!!!) The whole way down to WDW, he said that he was going to tell Mickey "thank you" for the card :)
Keep in mind that my children usually hide under the tables and run behind my skirts (not that I wear skirts to WDW, but you know what I
mean) when any of the characters are around. So I didn't expect Zachary to really do it when the time came to go see Mickey. In
fact, for the last 2 1/2 yrs we haven't even tried to see Mickey because of how much the boys are afraid of the characters.
Anyway, my 5 y.o. said that he wanted to help Zachary say thank you. We didn't see Mickey on Saturday except from a distance as we were
spinning furiously on the Teacups and he'd gone to the tent by the time we got off. But we had breakfast at Hollywood and Vine at MGM
on Sunday and when Pluto came around, Zachary asked him if he would tell Mickey thank you for the card. Pluto nodded Yes, so I thought
that would be the end of it.
ANECDOTE OFF
After breakfast we went over to Star Tours because Nathan really wanted Zachary to ride it since he's 40 inches. No problems getting him on and he
loved it. Then the Great Movie Ride. What was interesting about this is that we were in the second vehicle this time and saw a different "scene"
during the part of the ride that stops - it was really cool! Then I wanted to see Hunchback but Nathan wanted to do the Backlot Tour. I told him that
since I had done Imagination with him at Epcot, he had to do Hunchback with me. We enjoyed the performance even though Nathan catnapped through it (I'm
guessing he was pretty tired after two early wake-up days). We did the backlot tour next and the preshow had changed as well as the water special
effects demonstration so that was nice to see something different there, too. We were going to do the Star Tours again but the line was pretty long
and fast pass was still 45 plus minutes away so we decided to just go.
As we were leaving the park, Zachary fell asleep. We were walking to the bus when DH got his feet tangled up with Nathan who was walking beside me
and I watched my entire family (except me) fall to the ground. Fortunately Zachary wasn't hurt at all, Dh has two scraped knees and a scraped elbow,
and Nathan has two scraped knees, a skinned forearm, and a busted lip. We were first on the bus so I was able to get a good look over everyone again
before we headed for the hotel. And of course as the bus was pulling out, it stalled (but started again). Then at one of the traffic lights, the bus
stalled again. I had visions of my aching, scraped up family being stuck on a stalled bus in the heat of the afternoon. Yikes. But it started back up.
We got back to the hotel and took a rest. Then DH and Zachary went swimming while Nathan and I watched cartoons. Then I got restless and decided we
needed to head over to MK to do some more of that park. We generally go to one park and stay there all day, but it was nice to split the parks up this
time.
So we caught the bus to MK and looked around at the Exhibition Hall (where you pick up photos). We saw Donald Duck there as well as Prince John. Also
there were things for the kids to play on and it was air conditioned :) I had never been that far in before and it is so definitely worth going
through.
Then we headed to Fairytale Garden for story time with Belle. DH has a crush on Belle (LOL) ever since he got his picture made with her at
Disneyland in 1999 and he swears she waved and winked at him in the parade last May (VBG). So the boys always say Daddy loves Belle :) Anyway, during
story time, she picks out some of the kids to play various roles in her story, but she always gets an adult man to play the Beast. She picked a
fella from the audience who was really good, but afterwards DH said that he didn't like Belle any more since she publicly dumped him (LOL - it's all
just a running joke). He got over Belle in a hurry though when Cinderella blew him a kiss during SpectroMagic (though I think she was blowing a kiss
to the sweet little kids who were around us!). Seriously, we enjoyed the Fairytale Garden and it was something new to us.
We walked through ToonTown Fair to see if Mickey was home but the line was too long - and Goofy's Barnstormer was backed up, too, so we grabbed a fast
pass for Haunted Mansion and then went to eat dinner at Peco's Bills. Then we went to see DH's buddies at the Haunted Mansion - he has convinced the
boys that he grew up there (LOL).
We headed to Country Bear Jamboree next and while DH and the boys waited for show-time, I walked down to see if I could find the MFLers (Disney
Dollarless-ers) who were meeting by the Hall of Presidents. I found Mike and we enjoyed a quick chat and then I had to go back to meet the kids and
DH. We walked around a bit after the show and then found a spot to watch SpectroMagic which we thoroughly enjoyed. I like it better than Main Street
Electrical Parade, but DH likes MSEP best.
After the parade, we went to watch the fireworks by the Character Festival area in Fantasyland (old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea spot). It was
wonderful there, especially if you don't have a need to have the castle in your view. Totally unobstructed and plenty of seating. The only bad part
about watching the fireworks from the back of the park and staying at an All Star resort is the crowd at the end trying to get out and then the wait for
the bus. But Zachary managed to find the humor (as DH was carrying him so he wouldn't get squashed)
when about the time we got to Casey's, Zachary said "We need a FAST PASS to get to the bus." LOL LOL LOL :)
The kids fell asleep while waiting on the bus and stayed asleep even after we spent about 45 minutes just resting and refreshing in the food court (we
laid the kids on the booth seats and DH went to get the mugs). Someone said that the All Stars should rent lockers up front so you can leave your mugs
there -- but then my friend said that wouldn't make them any money because I know I for sure was ready to just buy a new mug! The kids stayed asleep
until morning....
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Monday morning and no wake up call even though we had hoped to get to MK for early entry. We were checking out so we had to finish packing up after
getting up at 7:30 a.m. We arrived at MK at 9 a.m. and went straight for Dumbo. What was interesting is that MK was so packed on Saturday and Sunday
but not too packed on Monday. We got off Dumbo (just a 10 min. wait) and went on Snow White (no line), grabbed a FP for Pooh with a 30 min. return
time, did the teacups (no line) and then went into ToonTown where we rode Goofy's Barnstormer (no line).
ANECDOTE ON: We had a short wait for Mickey and both of the boys went right up to Mickey like old pros.
Zachary said: Mickey, I have to tell you something.
Mickey leaned closer to hear him better.
Zachary said: Thank you for the card.
Mickey shook his hand and made a kissing noise over Zachary's head.
Zachary beamed from ear to ear.
Big brother Nathan stood to the side and then took Mickey's hand on one side while Zachary had it from the other and I stood behind and
we got a photo of the three of us with Mickey. And in true non- dollarless fashion, I bought the "official" one as it was better than
the one DH got of us (though that one was nice too and as soon as I get it up and online, I'll be sure to share it with y'all).
ANECDOTE OFF
As we were leaving, the photographer asked if we'd been next door to greet the other characters, and she just happened to mention that Cinderella was
over there. I laughed out loud and told her that "somebody" in our family thought Cinderella blew him a kiss at the parade last night and wouldn't you
know it, the photographer said "Well, scuttlebutt around the castle is that Cinderella and Prince Charming are on the outs." LOL. The line was long so
we didn't stop :)
We rode Goofy's Barnstormer again (again no line) and then went through Minnie's house, back on the Teacups (again no line) and then did the Pooh
ride again. Grabbed a FP for Peter Pan while Nathan decided he wanted to wait 45 minutes in line for it (our FP return was about 30 min later) so I
carried my fit-throwing 5 y.o. over to the Haunted Mansion where he settled down and enjoyed the ride. Then he wanted to do the Liberty Belle again but
I didn't and Zachary didn't care, so DH and Nathan rode that while Zachary and I went in search of a Dole Whip. On the way over to Adventureland, we
saw Robin Hood and Rafiki so we stopped for pictures. Zachary didn't want anything to do with Rafiki but he did like Robin Hood. So I took a picture
of Zachary with Robin Hood, and Zach took a picture of me with Rafiki. Then we found the Dole Whip stand (pineapple and vanilla swirl!) and got a cup of
ice. We went back to wait for DH and Nathan who were coming around the river bend. Nathan met a boy on the boat and DH said they talked and talked
and the other boy invited Nathan to his b'day party :) Don't you just love the innocence of 5 yr olds?!
We flew with Peter Pan and then went to get a FP for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We had 40 minutes till our time so we decided to ride the train
around the park twice. We sat on the back of the train and the conductor engaged the boys in conversation, and then at Toontown stop, she invited
them to stand in the back with them and let them say "All Aboard" and then push some of the buttons. They loved it! Just another bit of Disney magic!
I didn't know you could ride on the very back, but while we took our two trips around, two other kids got a turn to ride but none got to say All
Aboard.
BTMRR was a hit again, and then we stopped for a "itsakadoozie" popsicle for the kids while we walked over to Tomorrowland for our last Buzz Lightyear
adventure. I grabbed the FPs and then we rode TTA and did the Carousel of Progress again. And it got stuck AGAIN. AT Buzz Lightyear, Nathan was
"driving" our car and he only wanted us to face DH and Zachary who were behind us so that he could shoot Zachary with his laser gun. So of course
DH kicked my butt :)
Then we made our slow walk back down Main Street, picked up our picture with Mickey Mouse and went to catch the monorail. The boys asked to ride in the
cab and there was no one else waiting, so we got to do that on the gold monorail. The boys talked non stop to the driver. Then we rode the tram
back to the car and headed for home.
We got home about 9 pm. Nathan fell asleep about 5 minutes before we got home which was a blessing because he had school this a.m. and needed his
sleep. He took a map of the Magic Kingdom to his teacher today who loves WDW as much as we do.
The End.... at least of this visit. My next one is planned for a weekend in
December at ASMovies.........
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