Category Archives: Disney

Friday & Saturday

Posted on by

Took quite a while to pack.  FILLED the Owner’s Locker tub up to the top and still had stuff left over.  I’ll take out the dividers when we go back down and see if I can get it all in next time we’re there.  I think we’ll have to get a second locker.  I wanted to go over to Hollywood Studios to get an AP Limited Edition Star Wars pin for Chris at work, but we were just too late in leaving to make it over.  Sorry, Chris.

The ride home started off nice enough.  A little overcast in parts but the rain didn’t really come down until Pam started driving (as usual).  I took a nap and then we drove until we needed fuel again.  43.7 mpg – gotta love it.  Check out the little FUELLY widget on the side to see what my average MPG is.  We stopped for the night at Holiday Express again.  I didn’t tell the clerk that we wanted a regular room so . . . we got a suite.  Only $10 more per night I think, and we were too tired to go back and argue.

Got a pretty good night’s sleep and we were back on the road at about 8:00am.  Rolled home around 3:00pm and called to see if we could pick up Teddy, but there was no answer on the home phone so we left a message.  Should have called the cell phone, boarder always has that one with her.  Finally she called back around 6:00 and said to come on over and pick him up.  He was glad to see us!  Funny, but it didn’t take him long to zonk out on the floor . . . I guess the anxiety left him and he finally really relaxed.  Also, with no other dogs to play with, I’m sure he felt like just winding down.  That made THREE of us

Only 76 more days until next trip!

Thursday night – Magic Kingdom

Posted on by

Went over to Magic Kingdom once the rain came through.  Lots of people leaving the park when we got there.  We went over to Pecos Bill’s and had a quick dinner.  Then walked on Pirates.  No line at all.  Went into Tiki Room.  Last show of the night I think (8:00).  Went to Haunted Mansion, walked right in and when we got out of stretching room, not a soul in sight.  Walked on to Small World as it was raining a little and we needed some cover.  We then got some popcorn and sat down to wait for the fireworks.  SpectroMagic parade had been cancelled because there was still some rain.  It was only about 9:15 and with 45 minutes until Wishes, we decided to see if Buzz Lightyear was a walkon.  It was, so we did it 3 times in a row.  Walked out and stood in front of the castle for Wishes.  I wanted to stay for the Kiss Goodnight since I hadn’t heard it yet.  Once the crowd cleared a bit we saw there was a guest lying in front of the castle with a couple of people around him/her.  It didn’t appear that the person was in much distress, and as we turned around, 2 paramedics and an officer arrived with a stretcher.  We walked down Main Street and heard the Kiss Goodnight.  Waited quite a while for a bus, and got home at 11:00pm.  We’ll pack tomorrow morning, too tired tonight.

Our plan is to pack, then go over to Hollywood Studios and ride Toy Story Mania one more time.  I want to see if I can pick up that Annual Passholder’s Limited Edition pin for Chris at work.  Then we’ll start our way back home.  We hope to make it up to Virginia before stopping for the night.

Catch you all again when we get home to Chalfont.

Thursday – Diesel Fuel at DisneyWorld

Posted on by

Today I decided that I should fuel up for tomorrow’s ride home so I didn’t have to look for a station selling diesel and could just get on the road.  I had already stopped at the Hess station by the Boardwalk, but they didn’t sell diesel.  I went online and there was a report of diesel prices for the Hess station at the Car Care Center by the Magic Kingdom.  I’m sure that there is a place closer with lower prices, but I know where that station is so we headed out and sure enough, that Hess sells diesel fuel.  Filled up and on the way back, we decided to drive over to Epcot and use our Fast Passes for Soarin’ that we got in our D23 packet on Sunday.

When we got into Epcot, we went on Ellen’s Energy Adventure (Stupid Judy, Stupid Energy).  You can really tell they refurbed the sound in there.  It’s been several years since we went on that attraction.  We then went over and walked on Soarin’.  We got the last row, so we were lowest.  I don’t remember being in that row before.  I really like the first row where you’re up high.

We decided to come home and have the leftovers from yesterday’s lunch at Olivia’s and then go over to the Magic Kingdom for the night.  But once home, I started working on these posts again and Pam put on her bathing suit to hit the pool.  I said I would be right behind her, but before I could even get changed, she was back saying there was a lot of thunder, so she’d read on our balcony.

AH . . .  all caught up with posts.  I’ll post an entry on the boards to point here for those that want to follow us, and then I’m going to join Pam on the balcony for a bit.  I’ll catch you up later.

Tuesday – Up, Up and Away ! ! ! (and wine)

Posted on by
John post flight

John post flight

Tuesday morning we went to Downtown Disney for some shopping.  Pam saw the Characters in Flight balloon floating over the area and wanted to go see it.  When we got there, she wanted to go on it, so I sucked up the courage and we went on.  There is a great write up on AllEars.net about the whole experience so I’ll point you there for a description of the balloon and such.  Just let me say, “DO IT”!  I’m a wuss, and truly terrified of heights if I get even the smallest feeling that I could fall.  But I felt completely secure on this ‘ride’.  It was great to be up 400ft and see all around.  All the way up to Orlando, and all the areas of the resort.  The only complaint is it is a 10 minute ride, and you spend almost 4 or those minutes going up and down, which by the way is smooth as silk.

We then spent LOTS of money and came back to OKW for a dip in the pool.  After the pool, we came back in to shower and hang when I remembered that Tuesday nights were ‘Wine nights’ at Epcot with Owner’s Locker.  Pam and I went over early and went to Yakitori House for some Japanese counter service.  I had never been there before, but it was suggested to me by a co-worker.  Thanks Chris!  I really liked it.

John van Meter and HeyHeyJP

Me and John van Meter from Owner's Locker

At 7:15 we went over to France and sat way back in the shade to keep cool.  At 7:30 sharp, John van Meter from Owner’s Locker showed up.  We went over and introduced ourselves.  John bought me a glass of wine and we sat down to talk with him.  Within 15 minutes Beverly and her daughter Emily showed up.  Within the next hour we had about a dozen people there, all having a great time.  Matt Roseboom from Orlando Attractions magazine was there too.  I didn’t get everyone’s names, but there was Rouxchef from the Owner’s Locker boards with his family and there was Lisa.  3 other ladies showed up, one of whom had just received her Masters of Education.  GRATZ on that!

Another great view of Illuminations from next to the wine kiosk at France.