WDW 2018 - Day 7 - Travel day home

Travel days home are usually not my favorite, especially when leaving friends behind.  We had breakfast waffles for breakfast before heading to the airport.  AA and Lola got in their lyft at 9am to leave for their 11:30 flight. 

Hugs were given and off they went.  The lyft driver was a retired firefighter/paramedic with Disney, so he had some good conversation.  He also is a hockey fan and knew people from Edmonton.  His wife speaks 13 different languages and is a translator for Disney.

Our airport and flight were pretty uneventful.  Made it back to the land of ice and snow, and got back to our house just in time to have a quick nap, do a load of laundry, unpack and dress nice for AA's company christmas party. 

While all of that happened, the other travel buddies got to go to Disney Springs to finally do what the kids were anticipating all week, its gift shop day!   They browsed the shops and ended up both purchasing something from the Star Wars Section.  I am not surprised, they really enjoyed the storm troopers marching and meeting BB8.  The other got on their plane for 8 pm and got home around the same time AA and Lola left the christmas party.

Oh and we did pretty good on our Disney Dining Plan thanks to all the snacks MBMell purchased to take home.  Here is what we had left.  And really we got 4 extra quick service as we had a not so good experience so they gave us these back.

We all had a good night sleep.  Update this morning: BB8 robot is a hit, and driving lessons required!

Till next time!

Lola.

WDW 2018 - Day 6 (Epcot)

Today was our last day together at Disney.  We ventured out of our hotel room ON TIME and arrived at the bus stop well in advance of our bus.  The ride was relatively quick and we got through security without much difficulty.  We were early enough that we had to wait for the park to open.

Once inside, we made our way to take some pictures with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy.  We beat the crowd and had a nominal wait (10 mins).  After, we went and took more pictures - this time with Joy and Sadness and Baymax while AA went to get hot beverages from Starbucks to use up some more snack credits.

With coffee and tea in hand and pictures taken, we made our way towards the Frozen ride which as also nearby our breakfast reservation.  Both kids were not very excited for the ride, we couldn't really figure that out because they both love the movie and were dressed up like their favourite characters.

Eventually everyone calmed down enough and we took our ride.  Afterwards everyone was all smiles.  It was then time to go for breakfast with some princesses at Akerhaus in the Norway pavilion.

The twinkies really enjoyed the princesses, getting to take pictures with Cinderella, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Ariel and Snow White and then doing a mini "princess parade".

When everyone's bellies were full, we made our way to see Anna and Elsa since we were right beside the venue, and there wasn't a long wait (10 mins).  We practically walked right in and spent about 10 mins with Queen Anna and Princess Elsa.  They both really enjoyed the kids' outfits and T even got a big smooch from Elsa before we left.

Then, we made the trek back for some more rides - first was Soarin' which T and B both really enjoyed.  Then the crew split up - AA and DD went to Mission Space while the ladies and T went on the Living with the Land ride before regrouping and going to the Finding Nemo ride and Turtle Talk with Crush.

After everyone had their fill of rides, we made our way to the world pavilions, to wander around "at our leisure" as was stated in our schedule.  The kids fell asleep and had a good 2 hrs nap.  The adults enjoyed some drinks and snacks, trying to use up as many snack credits as possible.

Eventually the kids woke up and we were prepared with a snack of Edamame.  T devoured his but B wasn't feeling like Edamame.  Instead, we got pretzels for her and T.

Another lap of the world pavilions and then we got to our German restaurant (Biergarten) for supper.  The kids, having just eaten some snacks weren't very hungry but still enjoyed some food in between all of the Oktoberfest entertainment.  B especially liked her special chocolate gold coins that she got for all the dancing during the tree lighting ceremony.

After supper, the plan was to stick around until 9:30 for fireworks, but everyone was tired and the weather was starting to get cool so the gang started to make their way back to the bus.  However, a few stops were made for some dessert ice cream and a small dance party before boarding the bus and getting back to the hotel earlier than planned.  This was a good choice as everyone (adults included) was pretty tired and were ready to kick their feet up.

Now, bags for AA and Lola are packed and they are ready to depart the hotel at 9am.  MBMell, DD and twinkies have a little more time in Orlando, having to leave the hotel at around 4pm for their flight. 

Everyone is a little sad to have to go home but all enjoyed their vacation at WDW.  Plus, it will only be a couple more weeks before the Texan's return to MB for the Christmas Holiday's.

WDW 2018 - Days 5 Animal Kingdom

This morning we were successful getting to the bus on time and getting to the park before it opened.  B had a great breakfast made by AA.  We were efficient and headed to one of the newest rides at Animal Kingdom which was part of the Avatar section.  We only had a 10 minute wait when we got there, after we were done on the ride it was already a 30 minute wait.... at 9:10.

Animal Kingdom is one of our favorite parks.  So many plants and animals around, it just feels so natural everywhere you go.  Next up we headed to use our FastPass at the outpost to meet mickey and Minnie.  To our surprise, the location was maned by a very nice lady telling us that Mickey and Minne were at a different location and that our fastpass was converted to use on pretty much any ride.... ok, we were happy to be able to use it on Everest, as we didn't have a fastpass for that!

We waited in a long line to see holiday Mickey and Minnie but it was worth it, as the photos we got are one of the best.  While waiting in the long line, we talked about numbers that are bigger than each other, as well as animals and comparing sizes. 

Heading over to Kali River Rapids was next.  T had been waiting for this ride for a while, like talking about it for 6 months.  We all headed on the ride, about 2 seconds into the ride, B and Lola got soaked. Not just a little wet, but soaked....  Luckily B had a change of clothes, and Lola tried not to complain too much.  B was such a great sport about it, and everyone else was happy it wasn't them.

 

Off to Lion King Show then to Tusker House for another character meal. The food is amazing and the characters were so happy to see us all.  We met Tusker Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy.  B participated in the parade, T was in the washroom.

The kids sure love to make funny faces with some of the characters.

After lunch we went on the safari ride. Highlight for us was how close we were to a White Rhino!  This was T's favorite, and i am sure no one is surprised by that.  We saw elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos and so much more.  It was pretty good!  Lola was a little disappointing that we didn't see the lions as well as last time, but it was still really good.

We walked around the gorilla walk, seeing a swimming hippo, birds and of course the gorillas.  There were even 2 baby gorillas coming in for cuddles with the mom.  They were pretty cute.  This area was very busy, unlike the last time we were there.

Then we got some Starbucks, and headed to the main event, Flight of Passage.  B and T feel asleep on the walk, Lola and AA went on the ride first, then MBMell and DD went second.  This ride was amazing, and we are sure glad MBMell, our Disney Planner got the fastpasses for this ride as the ride got up to 2.5 hours.  That is a crazy amount of time to wait in the line. 

While MBMell and DD went on the ride, the 4 others went to Dinoland to enjoy the Boneyard playground.  The kids had a great time.  Once reunited we swapped again, and headed to Everest.  AA and Lola were excited to try this ride as last time it was closed and we didn't get to go on it.  I think this was our favorite roller coaster so far. 

After we did another child swap.  This time AA and Lola took B and T to see Monkey Island.  We were doing just fine, excited to see the Monkeys tight rope from one side to the other when we hear "uhhhh i have a shoe situation" from the tiny girl below us on the fence.  "I dropped my shoe in the water".... UM WHAT???  Oh yes, dear B got her shoe stuck tried to pull her foot out, and the shoe went in the enclosure, and the foot came back out. 

Lola told everyone to hold tight, texted MBMell there was a shoe incident and proceeded to the line workers at Kali River Rapids close by.  Explained the situation and the lady got on the phone.  The supervisor said that they have to get the people in charge of the monkeys to go in and get the shoe.  The Disney way, they proceeded to make sure this didn't ruin our day and gave us a brand new pair of crocks for B to wear.  This wasn't as simple as it sounds as the worker had to rush to a far place to get the "voucher book" and then make sure we got the shoes from the kiosk that was closing in minutes, and then explain to his boss why he wasn't manning his station.  DD and MBMell came back to find AA with the kids, and Lola still dealing with the situation.  With then saw a lady looking around the enclosure, we waited at the spot to help them locate the shoes.  Lady with hip weighters got the shoe and told B that this was like Cinderella.   They had to disinfect the shoes as it was in the water, and told us they would leave it at guest relations for us.  AA says he is not taking the kids alone again at Disney, as the last time this happened a light bulb exploded on them.

We had a great evening after we got shoes, heading to the River of Light shows, but first getting B and T a snack to get them through.  The show was amazing and highly recommend it.  Who thought you could project images on water fountains.  The kids really enjoyed it, and the adults did too.

Then we headed to eat some supper and 4 of us went on Dinosaurs the ride (which we all forgot how much we didn't really like it)

 Then we got some more Starbucks (trying to use those snack credits with our Dinning Plan), then headed to see the avatar section all lite up.  The new part of the park was pretty neat in the day and especially in the night.

The Tree of Life

Then to Guest Relations to get the other shoe and meet some fellow Winnipegers as well as hear a lady have a tantrum about the unfairness of the "height" measuring on rides, and how bad her day was ruined by it.

Too the bus and some adult time of video games and beer and then to bed.  We had a really great day today, and can't believe we only have 1 more day together. 

We had to stand on the bus!

Tomorrow is Epcot!  Time for bed as we have another full day!