OKW Trip!

Saturday night we went back to MK because the group wanted to see Magic, Memories, and You and Wishes again.. so we grabbed some burgers at Cosmic Ray's.
Now, I know that this place showed up on the best burger thread and I had high hopes. But.. um.. yeah.. it was no better than a McDonald's burger. The only thing that put it over McD's was that you can put your own toppings.

Then we found a better spot for the shows (on the walkway from Main Street to the Tomorrowland Terrace just down from the bathrooms)...

After that we went on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and then headed back to the room...
Sunday was the day I was waiting for... EPCOT!!!

Sunday: EPCOT day!! hooray!!
On the bus ride over, my friend discovered that she had already filled her camera's memory card!! So I told her that we could go to the camera center and they could burn the card to a disc. They opened at 9am and we got there right around that time.

Before the camera center though, we made our way to Test Track, grabbed some fast passes, then crossed over for Soarin' (even though it's the same ride at DCA here). The line at Soarin was already 20 min, so after that we went back to front of the park so we could get the card burned to disc. She had a couple of movies on it too, so the burn was taking foreverrrr... the CM suggested we just come back for it, which we did.

Our fast passes weren't ready yet so we decided to go to the Seas to see if we could find Nemo.. which we did lol.. had a nice uncrowded view of the dolphins for awhile then we crossed back over to Test Track.
After Test Track, we HAD to go back to the camera center to get the card and disc.. it cost her $20 but I guess well worth it because she took a picture of everything she saw lol. By now we had to head over to World Showcase because we had an ADR at 1p for lunch at Le Cellier.

I was really tempted to try the burger but I just HAD to have the steak..

it was a good choice! My friend had the burger and she still contends it was her favorite meal of the trip! It DID look good --I will try to get her pic of it...(but I didnt try it because I have a thing about trying other people's food and people trying my food)
We couldnt resist the chocolate mousse moose!

After lunch we continued our journey around the World Showcase.. seeing the sights (but they wanted to skip all the movies) I went outside to see the drummers in Japan but they chose to stay in the store and shop. We decided we needed a rest so we went to see the American Adventure.. and to my surprise the kids found it interesting! I know I love it..
When we got to Germany, we bought some Caramels and an Apple at Karamelle-Kuche for the kids.. I was saving the little bit of room in my tum tum for something else...
I was surprised in China that over 1/2 the store was close for refurbishment... I cant wait to see how it comes out!
After China we hit Norway! YAAAY for Maelstrom! the kids really enjoyed it, I think they wanted to stay for the movie but I refused! I could smell the bakery!! I got in the line at the bakery in Norway and there was only about 4 people ahead of me.. I was so excited.. after reading here about the schoolbread I HAD to have it! But when I was the next in line.. I saw that the schoolbread plate was *gasp* EMPTY!! so when it was MY turn I asked if there was more and they said.. it's coming! so I was able to get a fresh one! HOORAY!!
This thing was amazing! New Rule: MUST HAVE SCHOOLBREAD every visit!!

After Norway, I found us a spot across from the margarita stand for Illuminations and sent the group off to Mexico. They got back about 10 min before the show (which they LOVED) and we hung out about 15 min after the show ended so that we didnt get caught in the wave of people exiting the park.
We headed back having spent the entire day at EPCOT.. Monday was Animal Kingdom day AND my friend's 41st bday.. so we had big plans!

Monday... Animal Kingdom day!!
The forcast called for rain but silly me thought.. eh.. Florida rain.. no biggie. it'll rain for 10 min at 3pm and we'll be done. Nope! at 430am the loudest longest thunder ever woke me up and scared me half to death!! It was raining when we got up and on our way... luckily we had ponchos from the 99cent store!
They had EMH and opened at 8.. we managed to arrive by 8:20... not too bad.. I think the rain kind of kept people away. Maybe they thought the rain would let up like it usually does.

We went over to Expedition Everest first, grabbed some fast passes and got in the 5 min stand by line. When we were done with it, we jumped right back in the still 5 min stand by line. When we were done with that one, we jumped right back in the 5 min stand by line! lol... My friend had had enough so we let the kids go on ride #4 and we waited for them at the exit.
The rain seemed to be getting worse so I suggested we make our way over to the safari.. I wasnt sure how the animals would be in the rain but to my surprise they were much more active than usual.. especially the rhinos an elephants. The lions were hiding though. The Rain safari was great!!
After the safari the clouds really opened up and we took cover under an umbrella at a cart..
my friend and her daughter...

We couldnt decide what to do next.. we were getting pretty miserable and wet so I said lets just keep moving! We took cover near that fast food burger place...
still pouring...

We made a break for Dinosaur and the line was only about 15 min... the rain really sent people away! My friend and her daughter got back on and rode a second time, while her son and I waited at the exit. After Dinosaur, we wandered in to Finding Nemo: the Musical. We got there just as it was starting so we had to use the standing room only area. When the show ended, the kids were cranky, and we were hungry, wet, and cold. So it was decided that we go back to the room and change clothes and find lunch. I didnt have an ADR so I was afraid that Olivia's would be crowded because of the rain. I figured people went back to the rooms so they'd hit the one restaurant at the resort. Once again I pulled out R2D2 and made an ADR on the bus ride over!
We hit Olivia's after drying off and changing..
They had a not-on-the-menu chef special--fried boneless chicken breast with country gravy and mashed potatoes! it was delicious! AND.. at Olivia's, Cast Members get 40% off!! woohoo score!!

After lunch we went back to the room for naps and laundry! Dinner was at Hoop Dee Doo Revue so I didnt want to miss that!!

still on east coast time so.. off to bed I go.. will finish tomorrow! oh by the way, Im going to Disneyland tomorrow!!

ok I'm back!...
soooo Monday night we had reservations for Hoop Dee Doo Revue which I was very excited about because it was my friend's birthday and none of my group had ever been there before (besides me)
We had a great table.. on the side (category 2) but way up in the front--the first table on the left side. We were right by the stage exit so we got a lot of attention from the players!

here I am with 6 Bits! by the way, all 4 times I've seen Hoop Dee Doo, this guy has been our 6 Bits.. we love him! he's hilarious! (his hat was really sweaty though, so that was kinda gross lol!)

Hoop Dee Doo Dessert!

The all loved the show and everyone had a great time... the players kept breaking character cracking each other up. From our table we could see Flora and Johnny backstage laughing! Even onstage 6 Bits had then all laughing and ad-libbing.. it was fun!
The show ends around 1130p and by the time we're back to the room it's well after midnight so we head to bed.. Tuesday is our last FULL day at WDW so we have to make it count! The plan was to hit the rest of EPCOT and possible try Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom again...

Tuesday--the final full day wahhhhh!

So I get up early because I know we still have a lot to fit in and only today to do it! Unfortunately, the rest of my group was still sleepy and we didnt make it over to Epcot until about 930a or so. So we had the horrible security lines to get through which took a good 20-30 min. Once we got through, we jumped on Spaceship Earth. The kids asked if it was a boring ride, so I said.."Well, a little.. but there's a funny part" They wanted to know why we were going on it and I told them "so you can say you went up in the golf ball!" That seemed to be enough and they really enjoyed the picture and our life of leisure in the future!
The kids started complaining about how thirsty they were so I said, well let's go to Club Cool!! We had fun there lol... I'll post one of the "Beverly" pics here.. (I'll put the rest on the Beverly thread)

my friend did NOT like it lol

From Club Cool we headed back to the Land because we hadnt gone on Livin' with the Land yet.. and you know that's a must do for me. For some reason, I just love it! After that we hit the Circle of Life--An Environmental Fable. I had never been on it but somehow I knew I was about to get a big ol lecture. I was right. Simba really told me!! lol...
They had these um.. interesting..plants at the Land for purchase lol..

We had reservations for lunch at 1p so we still had some time. I took them to meet Figment at the Journey into Imagination (which we all agreed was quite..uh.. well not good). Then I made the discovery of the trip--not a single one of them had ever been on Captain EO! *gasp* I mean, I could see that the kids were too young, but my friend had plenty of chances to have gone on it! So we went on that and they all loved it!
I took this pic because Disneyland does NOT sell the stuffed animals! WHY??! I dont know.. but they have them at WDW..

The kids played in the fountains after Captain EO for a little which was fine, took up some time before our last lunch ADR at the Rose and Crown. It's one of my favorite places so I was really looking forward to it. I was really tempted to try the Pub Burger but I knew I would regret not having the fish and chips! (also, I could compare it to Raglan Road) My friend got the Sunday Roast which.. I think I might have been a little jealous about! it looked SOO good! (You can see it in the backround here)

The Fish and Chips was delicious of course but I know you want to know whose was better.. Rose and Crown's, or Raglan Road's? Well.. Rose and Crown's was a little more greasy, BUT I must say that they used better fish... it was more of a fillet, where Raglan Road seemed more like fish bits pressed together? I dont know the correct terms but Rose and Crown's fish seemed.. flakey? just better fish ok?! The chips were better too. So I guess Rose and Crown wins!
After lunch we decided that we'd head back to Magic Kingdom, so I took them over the International Gateway and we headed to the Yacht and Beach Club buses. I love these resorts--they're beautiful! The kids were jealous of the Pirate Ship Water Slide.

On our way to MK, I reminded them that the park would probably be busy and we wouldnt have time for Fast Passes. Our final meal was at 'Ohana at 830! I asked what rides they wanted to try to ride again and they chose the mountains. (really? we HAVE them here at Disneyland! Let's go on WDW stuff!) So we headed to Space Mountain first. The posted wait was 50 minutes so I grumbled as I got in the line and we waited lol. After Space Mountain we had a good 3 hours before dinner so I though that a fun snack would be ok.. Auntie Gravity's here we come! I love soft serve!!

So the other two mountains were next, but I had my soft serve so I was happy. Splash Mountain had a posted wait time of *yikes* 60 minutes..but we got in it anyway. We didnt get very splashed which was nice so we got right in the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad line. Which was.. 60 minutes! ack. It was a hot day so I knew that queue was going to be rough. But... all for the kiddies soooo we got in line.

The plan was to ride the 3 rides then do the last bit of shopping, but by the time we were done with Thunder Mountain, it was time to catch the ferry or monorail to the Polynesian! But.. MK was open til 1am so I told them we could shop at the Polynesian after dinner and if they didnt have everything they wanted we could come back to MK. That seemed to please them so off to 'Ohana we went!
We were all excited about 'Ohana. They had never been there of course but I talked it up for the past week so they were READY! BRING ON THE MEAT!! (I apologize for the wing bones lol)

'Ohana dessert! plain ice cream, and upside down pineapple cake with banana fosters sauce!

After dinner we did shopping at both Polynesian stores, but still had to go back one last time into MK. We made it back to the room by 1215 am.
Our Magical Express came at 950a and our flight out was at 12:55p.

we made it safely although the flight was rather bumpy.
ok now to plan my next trip! hopefully October?? mmm food and wine!

thanks! I actually just try to stand REALLY still.. and be sure to EXHALE as you click the picture! Also, I watch when the fireworks are shot up and then I click a touch early so that I can catch it right when they explode. Annnnd.. I take several shots and just delete the ones that didnt work! For every good pic of fireworks you see, there was about 3 or 4 that didnt work out as well!

this one was clicked a touch too late..

but I kept right on clicking and got this one!

thanks all! I had fun writing and re-living the trip!!

I just got the food pics from the other camera.. so I'll post them in the food thread... that Le Cellier burger is in there too

oh I forgot one pic.. we saw John Hammond from Jurassic Park waiting to get in to Le Cellier!! hahaha
HE PHOTOBOMBED US! didnt notice til we got home!

yeah the strawberry shortcake was bigger this time. I cant believe I dont have pics of the past years that I've gone! weird!!