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Who: me (Deb) mid 40's, 10th trip Best friend (BF), mid 50's, 2nd trip
When: Oct. 26-Nov. 2
Crowds: light
Weather: hot, humid
This is my first trip to stay in our new house just a few short miles from AK, so I'm pretty excited about the whole thing, not counting just getting to go to WDW! I left home on Thursday, Oct. 24, to go to BF's house, which is is south Missouri. While so close, I made a quick trip to the Disney Outlet Store in Branson (you'd think I wouldn't be buying Disney when I'm on my way there, but you just never know what bargains lurk!). The best buy I made was a watch with Tinkerbell on the face, with 4 face rings and 4 bands, for $20. It was one of their special sale items (they usually feature one watch), plus I had a coupon for 25% off, plus my frequent buyer card= great price! I bought a few other things, good buys but nothing spectacular. We went to bed early (7pm) because I wanted to leave by 3am Friday morning. This would hopefully get us through Atlanta before rush hour. BF thought I was nuts, but didn't say anything since I was driving. LOL We actually left at 2:58am, and it was very cold and raining very hard. Just after day break we were out of the rain, and stayed ahead of it for the most part. We took snacks, so we didn't have to stop to eat, and the trip just flew along. We also listened to an audio book, which certainly helps. BF didn't think she could stand to drive straight through, as I always do, but I did manage to get as far as Valdosta, GA before we stopped at a motel (Jolly Inn, $37). We grabbed a quick supper and went to sleep.
Saturday, Oct. 26-we left around 9am, arriving in Orlando at 12:30pm. First stop, Belz Outlet Mall. I thought while we were fairly close to that, we'd get our shopping out of the road first thing. We hit both Character Warehouse and Premier, with Premier being the best of the two (usually I find it opposite). We got some good buys, then ate at my DD's favorite place, Sweet Tomatoes. It's a reasonable place to eat, with very good food, plus it's just down the road from Belz so it was right on our way. I'd planned on getting to the house around 3pm, but we did make it there about 3:30pm. This was the first time going to the house since we owned it, plus we'd had renters leaving that morning so were not sure what to expect. It was spotless! Certainly renters I'd be glad to have back. They're from the UK so I wasn't really sure what it would be like. All the laundry was done and sitting on the counter, the bathrooms had been cleaned---WOW! I'd brought a lot of cleaning supplies with me since I knew there wasn't much there (who would expect renters to clean). We ended up spending the rest of the day thoroughly cleaning the house so we could play the rest of the week. I didn't sleep much that night-too exciting finally being in my own house!
Sunday, Oct. 27 - MGM-BF doesn't like to ride much of anything, but I did talk her into getting as far as the chicken exit on RnRC & ToT-I love the pre-shows and really wanted her to see them. She liked them, but was still nervous that there wasn't going to be an escape route! I rode RnRC twice, ToT 3 times, then felt guilty so we did things she'd do. Probably the main thing we did all week that I've never done was to hit pretty much EVERY store in all of WDW! LOL I saw places I'd never been. It was certainly a different trip then when I go with DH & DD, but fun, none the less. We rode the GMR, did the Millionaire show, watched the parade, ate at the Commissary (nice place, another first) the watched Fantasmic! I had planned on meeting Maggie at PO at 4pm, but all of a sudden time had gotten away from us & it was 4, so I knew there was no way we could get over there. Of course, I'd left her number in my new Palm Pilot (specifically for my WDW notes) on the counter at home so I couldn't even call to let her know I wouldn't be there. Sorry, Maggie, wanted to be! We stopped at a Publix by our house on the way home to pick up breakfast foods, plus I stocked up the cabinets for DH so he'll have some food when he arrives there Dec. 1 for his 1st stay at the house.
Monday, Oct. 28 - MK-We ate at home, then headed out to find a Dollar General to pick up what we'd discovered the house was lacking. I've learned that when a local tells you "it's just up the road" expect 20-30 minutes! I thought we'd never find it-it's way east on Hwy 192, but then again, all the stop lights make it seem a lot further, too. By the time we got what we needed and finally got to MK, it was about noon. I knew this was another park that I'd be doing some riding while she sat-but that was fine with her, too. Gave her a chance to rest since she was afraid I was going to run her to death. She knew I had to do the 3 mountains here. We first rode Aladdin's Carpet, PotC, the I headed out to Splash Mtn and BTM while she rested, then got us a place at the rope to watch the parade. I was gone only 35 minutes total for both rides, so I didn't think the crowds were bad at all. After the parade, we were SO hot, so we went to the Hall of Presidents to cool off. She'd never seen it and I hadn't seen it since Bush. Afterwards we grabbed some caramel corn (good stuff!) and went to ride the HM. Fun as always. Snow White was a walk-on, so we did that on our way by. We then headed over to Space Mtn, after riding TTA. I took a few pictures of the Tomorrowland Stage to show DD's dance teacher where they'd be dancing next July. We were out of MK by 5pm-I don't think I've ever spent so little time there, and still got to do all the important stuff. We took the monorail over to Epcot (where we'd parked, knowing this was where we were ending) and rode TT (BF wasn't too thrilled, but endured it-this is as wild a ride as she does!). We went straight up to the countries, and to check out all the food booths. We basically ate our way around the countries, which is great fun. We've both decided our favorite is S. Africa-love their spices! We went to the American Theatre to watch Mary Wilson of the Supremes. It was fun, but she certainly needs to think about redoing her wardrobe for something that fits! I'm certainly not small, but I don't wear clothes that are several sizes too small, either. Oh well, we enjoyed her show. While sitting there, we got to see ToD go by. I loved ToN, but just can't really get into ToD. After the show, we wandered around to the area just past UK to watch Illuminations-great as usual, then headed home.
Tuesday, Oct. 29-Epcot-Another day that didn't start real early, but we still go to Epcot around 10:15am (I'm used to being there when the parks open). We were suppose to meet Vicki Fairfield from KC & maybe Jen G., but didn't catch up with them. Was looking forward to seeing Vicki's family, but that meet just didn't work out. (but later.). We went to the Living Seas, JIYI (so much better than the last one-I really enjoyed it), then went to our PS at Le Cellier. This is one of my favorite restaurants, and the one place that BF wanted to eat again. Had a great server and a great meal. Now it's time for ALL those shops in the World Showcase! (and I think we hit them all). I knew that Epcot was BF's favorite park, and she'd been so patient to let me ride when I wanted to, that I knew this was her day. It was fun, though, and something that my family would never have the patience to do, so it was fine. We watched the Chinese acrobats (one of my favorites acts), but mostly just browsed. One "daring" thing we did was (thanks to Binnie-LOL) each got a henna tattoo. A while back I did something to embarrass my DD (10) and she said at that time that all I needed was a tattoo. Well, that was all it too-I knew about the henna ones, she didn't, so I had to do it. I got the cutest little lizard, while DF got a dove. What fun! We both got them on our ankles, so at least they could be hidden once we got home. When we called home and told them about it, BF's DD thought we must have had too much wine! LOL My DD was almost hysterical-thinking her mom had really lost it. Of course, by the next day, she'd named it Spike. Not an exciting day, but hot and fun.
Part One, Part Two
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