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Dates: Nov. 4th to Nov. 8th
Cast: Pam (playing the role of tourguide Barbie)
Brian & Suzanne (1st timers to WDW and FL)
Monday Nov. 4
We arrived in Orlando and got to our hotel around 3pm. Our first 2 nights were at ASMu. We walked right in and checked into our room. We
did a quick tour of the area. They loved the motif of the hotel. They are musicians. I called and got a PS for O'Hana's for 5pm. We went a
little early to walk around the Poly. I have never eaten there so this was a first for everyone. Absolutely LOVED it!!!!! We sat by the
windows overlooking MK so we got to see the good night kiss. All the food was fantastic. The salad dressing was to die for!! Loaded up on
Shrimp and steak. Well worth the expense. When we got done dining we walked around the resort some more. Then got our car and drove to DTD
to watch SC2. Enjoyed the movie. Seemed kind of slow in parts but we all had a good time. We had coupons for free popcorn from DC but we
were still stuffed from dinner so we didn't use them. We went to Marketplace and went to Ghiradelli's for ice cream. By that time it
was almost 11pm, so we headed towards walmart to get our drinks and snacks for the trip and headed back to the hotel for the night.
Tuesday Nov. 5
Well today we go to MK. Called and got a PS at Concourse Steakhouse for noon. We drove to MK and parked. Since I had an AP and old
passports to convert, we bypassed the ticket windows and headed straight for the boat. I wanted to save the monorail for later. I
think it is just sooo impressive to get your first glimpse of MK from the boat. Pluto joined us on our ride over. We rode on the upper deck
at the very front so we had an unobstructed view. We got to the main entrance and went to guest relations. I turned in my AP voucher and
converted the old passports. Then I showed them my brick on the walkway and my parents brick. Both are in front of MK entrance.
Killed some time on mainstreet and took the obligatory photos of the castle and main street. They've got a digital camera and so do I.
Took the pictures, checked them to make sure they were smiling and then did some more picture taking. As we were walking down
Mainstreet, I started singing, Walking right down the middle of Mainstreet USA. They are used to me doing some silly things, but I
really surprised them on this trip!! I pointed out the different windows along Main Street and showed them Walt's window, also some
other info about that area and the "secrets" of Disney. Also got a few extra tourists in my group for this one, even a few questions
from some strangers. By the time we finished Main Street, it about time to head to the Contemp. for our meal. We took the monorail over
there. Walked around there for a little bit so they could see this resort too. I've eaten at the Concourse Steakhouse before so I knew
the food was very enjoyable. We ordered appetizers: onion soup, seafood bisque and oh geez, something with chipotle sauce. They both
ordered burgers and I ordered the pasta with shrimp and sundried tomatoes. EXCELLENT!! Headed back to MK. The temps were in the 80's
and the humidity was high. We bypassed JC cuz the wait was 45 minutes and he can't really handle heat AND humidity so we opted for
PotC. Good thing. We walked right up and only stood in line for about 10 minutes. Now of course we also wander through the stores too. We
watched SM. Brian & Suzanne are not thrill ride riders. So we bypassed those rides. It was about 25 minutes to parade time so we
found an empty spot near the start of the parade and settled in. Brian went and got a fan cuz he couldn't take it any longer. They
loved the parade and it was great seeing it again for me. It started clouding up towards the end of the parade, we headed toward HM and
got in line for that (no FPs available). It was about a 45 minute wait and they had us standing in the middle of the walkway to
Fantasyland. There was a CM there talking with people and trying to organize the line but he never opened up the que to get us out of the
walkway. I suggested to him he might want to consider it since people were cutting in line not realizing that there was a line out in the
crowds of people walking around. He just looked at me like I was nuts!! Suzanne didn't want to go on HM cuz she doesn't like haunted
houses but I told her this is a DISNEY haunted house, how bad could it be?? When she got off I asked her how she liked it and she did
enjoy it. It was kind of starting to rain so we headed to It's a Small World. Brian didn't want to go on it cuz he rode the original
at the NY Fair. But I talked him into it. When we got off the ride we realized we missed one of the infamous FL downpours!!!! Talk about
great timing! It stayed overcast for the rest of the day. We wandered through Fantasyland but didn't go on any other rides cuz the waits
were over 45 mminutes. Headed towards toontown to ride the RR cuz Brian's a big RR buff. He loved it!! We rode around the loop and
ended at Mainstreet. And decided to stake out a spot for the spectromagic parade. They liked that parade too. Then we headed up
mainstreet to watch the fireworks. After the fireworks, waited for some of the crowd to leave. Then wandered through the shops on
Mainstreet again. Decided to go get something to eat on 192. Then headed back to the hotel foar the night.
Wed. Nov. 6th
Forgot to mention that when we ate at O'Hana's the dessert they brought to the table was pineapple with caramel sauce.
Scrumdillyicious!!! I would never thought of that combination but it was excellent!
Today we changed hotels from ASMu to PO-R. I've stayed here before with my mom so I knew what to expect. Brian & Suzanne liked the
atmosphere here too. Dumped our stuff in our room and headed to EPCOT. We went on SE first, there was a very short line like 10 min.
From there we went to Ice Station Cool and sampled the different Cokes. Had alot of fun watching them and their responses to some of
the flavors. It was very overcast and looked like it was going to rain sooo we went into Mousegear and picked up 3 ponchos (good for
souvies). It didn't rain at all and was partly cloudy the rest of the day and in the 60s. So we figured the ponchos did their job and
chased away the rain. Headed towards The Land to eat downstairs and to do the boat ride. We had sandwiches for lunch, I had the turkey
with gouda cheese. They had the Tuna Salad sandwich. Lots of meat and very tasty bread. When we got into line, they had Cinderella's
Pumpkin Soup and I wanted to try that but by the time we got up there, they took down the sign cuz they were all out of it and not
making anymore. The CM said they didn't make alot cuz they didn't think it would be a big seller. (Boy were they wrong!) Rode the boat
ride, about a 20 min. wait. It had been a loooong time since I rode it sooo it was almost like seeing anew for me. Very relaxing and
informative. Next we headed to see Figment. YES!!! This version is definitely better than the last one!! We walked right on this ride.
There was absolutely nobody in sight!!!! Do wish that Dreamfinder was there with Figment buuuuut I'm just glad that Figment is back in a
major way!!!! We played with almost everything after the ride. I had a blast in there. Directing music, jumping on sound pictures, etc.
They both just looked at me at first but started to join in after a little while. Now we are on our way to World Showcase. This time we
went to the right and started with Canada. They teased me about going right cuz I was always sending them to the left. We stopped and got
some food in some of the booths along the way then headed into O Canada! They had never experienced a 360 movie before and loved it.
Stopped and listened to Off Kilter. Headed to England, stopped to get a tall beer at the stand outside Rose & Crown and got Fish & Chips to
go with that. Headed over the bridge into France and the Living Statue was out. I noticed it as we were coming across the bridge and
started walking real fast and kind of yelling "It's the living statue, the living statue" They thought I'd lost it until they saw
what I was talking about. Walked some more, got more food and wine. Caught the parade. Still LOVE the music to it! Stopped at Am. Adv.
but the main entrance was closed because of some preview thing. Cuz it was late, the Voices of Liberty were done for the day. But we
could come back in a half hour to catch the show. We walked around some more, listened to I think Little Richard?, then we got in line
to go in the exit to see the show at Am. Adv. This is always a must see for me. As we were coming out of the show, we caught the tail end
of the 2nd running of the parade. We stopped in Germany to shop. I picked up a Hummel to add to my collection. (I needed another one of
those like I need another hole in my head buuuut) We each did a shot of Jaegermeister in memory of a friend who's birthday it was today.
Got some more food and wine and started to scope out a spot for Illiminations. Found a nice one and prepared to wait the half hour
for the show to start. Watching if for the first time for me in a totally different spot from where I usually go. I like the other spot
better cuz you have a better view of WS. Suzanne liked the MK fireworks better. From where we were at, the globe was hard to see,
seemed farther away from where I usually watch it. Didn't get to see the rest of WS, so we headed out and I picked up my annual Wine Fest
wine glass on the way. We were a little hungry so we headed to 192 to look for some food. Headed back to our room and hit the hay.
Part One, Part Two
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