Saturday, January 26th

Today was a non-park day (for the original vacationers). We hopped in the car(s) & made our way to Downtown Disney for some lunch at the Rainforest Cafe & shopping (sometimes just via the windows).

There was quite a bit of waiting for our table at lunch. Do you think that's why they have a gift shop there... just to bide the time... I did manage to find a clearance long sleeve shirt. So I was good. The boys were left to playing with small plastic toys... Whatever makes the time pass I suppose. (I tried to get pictures, but it didn't happen for some reason -- plenty of other "waiting" pictures though.)

After lunch we parted ways to do shopping in one form or another. Once Upon a Toy was a pretty cool place... Then there's the Art of Disney, Mickey's Pantry, World of Disney, LEGO Center... There were lots of little girls around who obviously came from the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. But we didn't notice any boys from the Bibbidi Bobbidi Barber! (We thought that would only be fair.) Then the boys found cigar shops... I personally liked the Irish Pub -- mmm, beer. Last but not least, House of Blues gift shop...

Sunday, January 27th

We had a later start today... giving us time to wander around the resort some more. (Of course we took Fred.)

Then we headed to Fort Wilderness to meet the others & take a boat over to the Magic Kingdom (Where Dreams Come True!). But first we had to wait for a boat... Fortunately we had some interesting sights to see while we waited! Then there were more sights once aboard... all to take us to some Magic!

We're almost there! (Look at all those people!!!)

The fireworks look lovely behind the castle (goal for next time).

It may have all started with a mouse, but it all began with a man.

Monday, January 28th

Today is our last day at the parks (boo hoo) & we're spending the day at Hollywood Studios (aka MGM Studios -- they're still in the process of changing it). We were going to try to do a park hopper to get over to Animal Kingdom this morning (Magical Morning Hours), but due to several factors, two parks didn't work out for us. Annette & Ray however, were able to go mid-day, so you'll have to ask them about it... (*Next time, a day devoted to Animal Kingdom.)
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There's Mickey greeting us upon our arrival! (He's such a swell mouse.) After eventually meeting up with the others we headed over to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster & the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Next we made our way past the blockcade to Muppet Vision 3D -- Keith & I love the Muppets, so this was a must see for us. ... We also enjoyed ourselves at Star Tours (sorry Reagan didn't enjoy it so much -- but you were brave & handled it well!). We were going to go to the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant for a late lunch, but found you were best off with a reservation... and to seat 8, it would be quite a wait... So we made our way to the ABC Commissary. (Keith & I came to the conclusion we can't pick a good line, next time we're sticking behind a couple from our group.) Eventually we made our way to the Studio Backlot Tour -- got a little wet, but the pictures are worth it! At this point Keith & I broke off from the group & went back to the Muppet Store so I could get a souvenir or two (Keith already bought his after the show.) & then met back up with the others for our last rides of the day. (Rock 'n' Roller Coaster & Tower of Terror if you're curious.)

My absolute favorite! We rode it just a few times... 4 to be exact! :) We got to take each path to the elevators, through both libraries, but never saw a hidden Mickey. (After the fact we found out it is on a book somewhere... next time!)

Keith's favorite! We rode it thrice. Thanks to you, kind stranger with free fasspasses! (We got to ride two times in a row!!! That made up for the slow goings at the beginning of the day.)
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Too bad for Fred he lost his sunglasses on it!

Tuesday, January 29th

Our last day in Magical Disney...
Our last day in beautiful, warm, sunny Florida...
Our last day of vacation...
What a sad day.
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That morning I made my last hike to the cafeteria for some breakfast. While waiting for Keith's Pop-waffle to cook I decided I too would have waffles. However, I opted for some Mickey waffles that were offered as a kids meal. They were so cute & yummy too! Upon my return to the room I realized I forgot utensils -- Keith's turn for a walk! (Lesson learned, after all that waiting for the food, to check out, to get your beverages... make sure you picked up your utensils at the end of the register!)
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We made sure everything was packed up safe & secure. Then said our goodbyes... Flat Fred to his towel friends; and us to Stacey. (It's just not a Magical day without Stacey to greet you.)
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With that, we headed to Fort Wilderness to say goodbye to Helen & Bob. It certainly looks different with the RV closed up & when all the little camping accessories aren't there to make the place festive. :( It just lets you know that vacation has come to an end. Just not for them. They're headed... well, they actually don't quite know where. But when you've got your bed, bath & kitchen with you, it doesn't much matter, now does it. Happy travels to you both. Enjoy the weather.

And we're off to the airport. If we can find it! It took a few tries, but it was a learning experience. Ultimately, we learned a good direct route to the airport; that you should drop off you baggage before returning the car (& check in at the same time); you never can get to the airport early enough for "first come first serve seating" and that Keith isn't a good navigator if he can't read signs (George discovered when returning the car).
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While we were waiting for George & Keith to return, we found a lovely little store called "The Disney Store" (ever heard of one?) Complete with items I passed up on before (so I got them) & workers with pins ready to be traded (which I did). It was a pretty good last experience for the trip, if I do say so myself. By then we met back up with more of the group, had a photo taken with Mickey & began our journey to security.
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More things to remember for next time... Take off your belt & phone so you don't set off the alarm; purse gets turned on it's side for the x-ray (learned & remembered from first flight); go to the boarding area 1 hour before boarding, not 30 minutes before (should they decide to board & you're not there, you lose you spot in line & go to the end -- not so great when there is no assigned seating)
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Once on board, we found seats, not together, but close enough. Keith, Zach & George had themselves positioned to play a game of Scrabble. Craig got his window seat in the back. Dawn made a friend a got a free drink. Jill & Reagan were close by too. As for the other 5, I really don't know where they got to... The flight itself was much smoother today. Yet not as thrilling when it's time for landing --looking down at Pittsburgh in the winter doesn't give you that same feeling as landing in Florida. (If I had a window seat I would have gotten pictures to share. But alas, I did not.)
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I will end with one last helpful tip... program your parking number/letter into your phone. It helps. :)

Videos & Silliness

1/26 Downtown Disney

"Volcano!" "VOOOL-CAAA-NOOO" "Vol-CANO"

~ Rainforest Cafe waiters

"Blue Mountain Chicken" ~ Keith

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1/27 Magic Kingdom

[Pirates Video]

"Yo Ho Yo Ho...

It's time to get off the boat."

~ Pirates worker (at end of ride)

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Look closely...you'll see our hitchhiking ghost!

[Haunted Mansion Video]

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He's fabulous! (I hear the chorus to a song from High School Musical 2 when I see this.)

[George Video]

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"Everybody now..."

[Carousel of Progress Video]

"You're not singing!" ~ Carousel of Progress worker (via intercom)

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1/28 Hollywood Studios


Tower of Terror worker (as preparing our ride) ~

"Raise both hands in the air.

Now wave goodbye to your neighbor.

If you need anything... just scream."

Don't Forget

This is going to be an open-ended post for feedback from those who went on this trip. Or anyone really that's gone traveling...


Use the "comments" section to add things you want to remember for our next vacation. Anything that you thought "oh, we've got to remember that," but really, in two years time, you're never going to remember. Except, now you (we) will! The more the merrier.


There will also be a link on the sidebar to take you directly to this post -- easy access to make it user-friendly.


So write on people, write on!

Souvenirs

I had to show off some of our souvenirs of Disney...
Some of the pins came with the hat I purchased 2 years ago. Others were purchased two years ago. Then there are some that I got from trading then, while others are from trading on this trip.

(You'll also find the "Roar" shirt that Keith found for me.)
*Click on an image to get it started, then move around slowly to see them pOp.*

MickTV

If I came across it, I tried to take a picture of it.
Be it Mickey himself, a hidden Mickey, or Mickey ears...
I felt I had to do something with all the wonderful pictures.
So here they are, via a Mickey channel...