kidsatheart thru and thru-parkin' it 1

[kidsatheart]

:hypnotict and now, to pick up where we left off :hypnotict

Easter Monday and the crowd predictor says expect crowd levels to be 10 out of 10. No getting around it--we're gonna have to get up early :tearsaref

I'm the drill sergeant :whistlebl (well, not exactly, but you know). Wake up call rings, I'm outta bed and into the kitchen making java juice and slicing up fresh fruit to give our troops a little bit of energy to make it to our first CS of the day.

We don't quite make the early cut, but are on the bus to a non-EMH MK around opening time. The touring plan from the unofficial guide is securely in my day-pak. Its' straight to Space Mountain, which we've all been on before. SIL remembers it from a decade ago and is excited, but nervous. She declares she's not a roller-coaster person (and does have to be careful of her back), but she's game and we're on in no time. Fun! :goodvibes

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/howboutnow_bucket/small_quinanddadsalute.jpg

We're on track to do Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain, but visit Peter Pan's Flight & Winnie-the-Pooh on the way.
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/howboutnow_bucket/small_swordinthestone.jpg

SIL wonders aloud, I guess this park doesn't have many big rides. [garsh, wait 'til we round the corner!] DS-16 is on the lookout for Pooh Bear, so he can get a photo to take home and give to his girlfriend who is a Pooh-fan.:pooh: Pooh's there doing photos, but we don't want to lose site of our objective, the Mountains with minimal lines. And, our tummies are getting a bit grumbly...We do Haunted Mansion :skull: then wander through Liberty Square.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/howboutnow_bucket/small_momanddadinprison.jpg

Pecos Bill's beckons and we must be the first customers of the day! Tummies full, we're off to get splashed and to ride the Thunder Mtn. RR. We FastPass Splash, but wait in line 20 minutes for the RR. Crowds are getting thicker now and we skip the line for Pirates and hop aboard the WDW RR over to Toon Town. We opt for the walkway to Tomorrowland; check the crowds and decide to retire to SSR to prepare for our early dinner at California Grill.

So far, so fun!

[administrator]

Great pics! Lol! :thumbsup:

[nono]

Likin' the pictures and the reporting. :reporter:

[kidsatheart]

Its the 2nd evening of our vacation and we're looking forward to being guests at the California Grill. :drool: Our guys find shirts with collars for the occasion and we two ladies put ourselves together for the evening. Then its off to MK to make the connection to CR.

The monorail is great! And, its so cool how it pulls right into the CR...my first time--I know it shows. As usual, we don't have much time to spare...seems to be a theme. We head straight for the check-in desk on the 2nd floor and don't get a chance to see what else the CR has to offer. Next time!

Its not long and we're riding the elevator up to the top floor. I know I'm going to love it as soon as the doors open. We're invited to enjoy the observation decks while we wait for our table to be prepared. Its a beautiful late-afternoon and we can see for miles!

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/howboutnow_bucket/medium_observationdecklbv2.jpg
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/howboutnow_bucket/medium_observationdeckmkmonorail.jpg

We're seated, cocktails arrive :margarita and the conversation flows. It is so good to be on vacation! :clappingh Sushi appetizers arrive; so yummy! We linger over them, then order our entrees. Take a look at one of them. Mmmmmmm. So good.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/howboutnow_bucket/medium_meal-2.jpg

Just as we're finishing our entrees, the Florida sky delivers a treat of its own...a perfect sunset.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/howboutnow_bucket/ObservationDeckSunset.jpg

After desserts and coffee, we trek back to MK for EMH. What a great day! No wonder they describe it as magical.....

[glypnirsgirl]

FAB TRIP REPORT!!! :cheerlead

[kidsatheart]

FAB TRIP REPORT!!! :cheerlead

Thank you, glypnirsgirl. :goodvibes

[7swans]

I am glad you picked up where you left off!

Kudos for getting your group to follow UG's touring plan!
Sounds liked it worked well for you.
Loved the CG sunset :sunny:

[harmrose22]

Great report! Thanks for sharing! That dinner pic had me drooling also! We are trying CG for the 1st time in Sept. and I can hardly wait!

[Colorado Belle]

Loved your photos! Especially of the castle from CR.
Ya know, for as much as I love the Poly, the trees have grown so high that it is difficult to see the castle from there. Your photo is the best ad for KT!!!!

[Rumblebuffin]

Great pictures from California Grill!! Thanks!

:woohoo:

[kidsatheart]

7swans; I was a bit nervous broaching the idea of getting up early on vacation! We didn't make it every day, but as the week wore on everybody could clearly see the value of the touring plan.

harmrose; I know the CG will treat you well. Enjoy!

Colorado Belle; we're so new to DVC that we don't know what any resort, other than SSR, is like. We were pretty happy there...although we like to "escape" when we return to the room, so the quiet is really our thing. Say some more about why people are so excited about KT, if you don't mind. Is it simply the convenient access to MK and Epcot?

Rumblebuffin; we're pretty stoked about how well the pics turned out too. These digital cameras these days are pretty idiot proof, I 've discovered! LOL.

[Hallfamily4]

Great pictures! Enjoyed trip report:sunny:

[newjerseynick]

Thanks for sharing!