Life is a Highway

Going Home

On our last day at Disney World, we checked out of Beach Club and took the kids to see the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Wanted to see whether they'd be interested in staying there on a future vacation. Meghan really liked it, Connor wasn't as impressed. Given our problems dealing with the kids' behavior, we might be taking them separately from now on, so that could work out fine. Have to admit I've always thought that grandparents who split up the grandkids for vacation were wimps. Guess I understand it better now.

Anyway, Connor got his wish as we took a Disney Cruise Line bus back to the Orlando airport.

Long Final Day

Well, you probably noticed that the blog abruptly stopped before our trip ended. Our last full day turned out to be a rough one, as Connor and Meghan's constant fighting with each other finally reached a boiling point with Marie and me. We did some fun things on Friday, as you'll see below, but overall I think we were all ready to get home.

After a good night's sleep (note Meghan's new Nemo pillow, complete with one fin smaller than the other!)

we moseyed over to the Contemporary Resort for Chef Mickey's character breakfast. Or I should say that Marie, Connor and Meghan moseyed - I bolted through the gates of the Magic Kingdom as it opened and sprinted to Space Mountain to get FASTPASS tickets (which ensure you a ride at a later time). I then hoofed it back over to the Contemporary just in time for our reservation. (Only later did Marie and I notice that I appear as a sweatball in some of the photos of the event). Anyway, this was a lot of fun, with the characters coming to our table for autographs and photos; and the food was really good, too. Definitely a highlight and must do!

After breakfast, we headed for the Magic Kingdom, where our day was affected by deteriorating weather. First, we got in line to ride Splash Mountain, one of Meghan's favorites. After an hour wait, they closed the ride down as a thunderstorm moved into the park. Although we were under cover, we waited another 45 minutes for the ride to re-open. Climbed in the boat, round the mountain, up the big hill and down the flume for the big SPLASH! And then, right in the middle of "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah", the ride broke down! "Zip-a-dee doo dah, zip-a-dee-ay! My oh my what a wonderful day!"

Mercifully, they turned the song off after about 20 minutes. 15 minutes later, several boatloads of hot, tired tourists were set free.

We decided to go back to Beach Club to let the kids blow off some steam with one more visit to the pool. After ice cream sundaes for dinner, we headed back to the Magic Kingdom to ride Space Mountain and see the parade and fireworks. Space Mountain was closed for remodeling/updating last year, so this was the first time for the kids. After the ride, Connor and Meghan engaged in a spirited game of air hockey.

Marie and Meghan decided they'd had enough of Space Mountain, so Connor and I used the free FASTPASSes we were awarded for the Splash Mountain breakdown to ride two more times.

Finally, we watched the fireworks, then the late parade. Disney has brought back the Electrical Light Parade after years in Disneyland, so this was the first time for Connor and Meghan.

Back to Epcot

Yesterday we were supposed to go to Animal Kingdom, but the kids really wanted to go back to Epcot to ride Test Track (again) and Soarin' (for the first time this year). Frankly, they may also have remembered being parboiled at Animal Kingdom last year. I know it's supposed to be the jungle, but that is one hot park!

We did ride Test Track twice and Soarin' once, in between big thunderstorms and downpours. We also spent some time at the Character Spot, where Connor and Meghan got up close and personal with, as Connor would say, the Big Kahunas of Disney. Namely, Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy. The kids got their pictures taken - OK, Marie and I jumped in too - and got autographs as well. It was really fun and I highly recommend it if you're taking kids to Epcot.

 

We let the kids blow off some steam at Club Cool, where you can sample soft drinks from around the world (China's watermelon drink was great, Italy's drink made cough syrup taste like fine wine).

Meghan got her face painted

and we ate a late lunch/early dinner at the Coral Reef restaurant, where we were lucky enough to sit right by the aquarium windows. The kids, especially Connor, really enjoyed watching the fish and rays and sea turtles swimming by our table.

We dodged the raindrops back to our room at the Beach Club, then Connor and Meghan enjoyed a late dip in the pool, highlighted by watching the Epcot fireworks while floating on our backs. Nice.

Today we'll be eating breakfast with Mickey and friends at the Contemporary Hotel, then hitting the Magic Kingdom on our last full day here. I'm sure it will be busy and full just like our other days here.

Wet, Warm and Delicious

Yesterday we spent the first part of the day at Typhoon Lagoon water park. Meghan spent the better part of her time in the kids section, called Ketchikiddee Creek. Pee wee water slides, fountains and water cannons.

 

 

Connor and I spent most of our time at the wave pool, which spits out 10 foot waves every 90 seconds. Turns out you're actually less likely to get clocked if you're close to where the waves start rather than farther away. Simple logic - 10 foot wave starts off in 6 1/2 feet of water. By the time it gets to the shallows, all of that water is compressed to about 2 feet, cutting the legs out from under mom, dad and aunt Martha. And still they come. The actual highlight for us as a "family" was the ritual of getting (temporary) tattoos together. Connor went for the manly arm wrap, Meghan for a gaggle of princesses, while Marie and I paid homage to our favorite cartoon characters, Dory from "Finding Nemo" and Mike Wazowski from "Monsters, Inc.".

 

 

 

 

Afternoon thunderstorms ended our day at Typhoon Lagoon, so we spent the evening shopping and eating at Downtown Disney, where you can literally hear the money flying past your ears. One of the highlights was Connor in his glory at the Lego store

 

and Connor and Meghan both creating and tricking out rides at RideMakerz.

 

Boy, we cover a lot of ground in one day down here!

Fish Story

Yesterday we had to get up at the ungodly time of 6:15 to go fishing on the waters of WDW. Our appointment with Captain Bill was for 6:45, but getting an 11 year old and (especially) a 6 year old going that early is no mean feat. Turned out to be quite worth it, though, as we caught numerous largemouth bass, including a 5 pounder that Connor caught without leaving the dock. Everything is catch and release (it is Disney, after all). But all four of us caught fish, and Meghan was even casting like a pro by the end (my late father would be so proud).

 

 

 

 

 

 

One unexpected bonus of the fishing trip was seeing Epcot from the water. Pretty cool!