Part 11 2007: Sci Fi Goodbyes

When we said our Goodbyes to Epcot and headed back to CBR we realized it was only around 8:00 and we were not feeling an evening swim to end the night. Rob suggested- “How about we go to Magic Kingdom for Extra Magic Hours, leave the backpack and cameras here in the room and just enjoy Spectro and Wishes and the park for a while. It was a perfect idea.” We freshened up and headed back to the buses. When we got into Magic Kingdom we were given Mickey Mouse stickers upon entering for no apparent reason at all and I made Rob store them in his wallet so I could save them for my scrapbook. Lucky for us, smack in the middle of the hub, right next to the handicapped seating there was not yet a huge crowd. Apparently people thought that they were going to be able to stand in front of the ropes and were being moved, we shimmied right in, right up to the front of the rope line and had found ourselves perfect spots once again.

We watched the parade, and then the fireworks and really just enjoyed it fully not worrying about getting a great shot or if someone behind me, or carrying the backpack, or anything. Just me, Rob and some Disney magic. It was great. As the fireworks wound down we found a bench and had a seat while we waited for the crowds to part before continuing around the park. On our way around we got EMH wristbands and around midnight we headed towards Fantasyland. We rode It’s a Small World and some other classic favorites one last time. And when it was time to go, it didn’t seem so sad and bittersweet and I bid my favorite place in the world goodbye as we headed back to room 2629 in the Caribbean Beach Resort for our last night in paradise.

We checked out rather easily the next morning and I picked up some fresh maps for my scrapbook. Then Rob checked his carryon with Bell Services for the time being so we could head over to MGM for our lunch date. We walked over to the Barbados bus stop and waited for a bus to MGM for our last park experience before flying back to New York. Isn’t if funny how we miss people and pets? I didn’t miss our pup Liam the entire trip as much as I did that last day when I knew we were going home to him.




In any case we had plenty of time to make our ADR as it wasn’t until 2:30 and we had time to leisurely walk through MGM one last time, stopping to take some more pictures ourselves and by the Photopass photogs. We had a fabulous time (have I said fabulous too much in this TR?) at Sci-Fi and since we had a great experience the first time we didn’t expect anything less. I love the 50s diner feel mixed with that classic drive in feel mixed with the old science fiction movie motif…. It’s a wonderfully put together combination and as always Disney has perfected the art of making you feel like you are outside even when you are inside (like that of Pirates of the Caribbean and Mexico Pavillion). We started with salads, Rob had a burger and I had a sandwich with milkshakes to drink, and we finished with this adorable cheesecake decorated with m&ms and carmel popcorn. Our waitress was fun and adorable and she even took a picture for us.

After our grand finale meal we headed out, only to realize we had hung out at Sci-Fi for long enough that we had a perfect amount of time to get back to CBR for one more mug refill at Old Port Royale before heading to catch our Magical Express bus. So, that is just what we did. Our last 2007 refill mug refills, Rob got some apple juice and I got some lemonade. Mugs in hand and hand-in-hand we headed for the OPR bus stop one last time to get the internal shuttle back to the Custom House. We got there, grabbed a seat by the TV that played Mickey Mouse cartoons 24/7 and then got our bag from Bell Services. We sat for about ten minutes before the bus pulled up and off we went. 

It was really awesome to watch the sun go down on a plane and as we departed at about 8:00pm we settled into our seats with our headphones and flipped on some movies (I watched Elvis Presley’s Speedway then half of Legally Blonde and Rob watched The Last Samurai). Before we knew it we were back in New York. One thing about good ‘ol New York is that no matter how I come and go or how much I think I change, its always there to lean on- always the same New York. And when we got off the plane my parents smiles were there to greet us. If only you had been a fly on the window of the car during that car ride—you would have gotten the condensed version of this very same story.

Passporter Walt Disney World 2012 Review & Giveaway!

It is important to begin with WHAT a Passporter is because calling it a travel guide just does not do it justice.  A Passporter includes all the great information you may be looking for in a travel guide but it also has a unique organization and keepsake system.  It features really great planning checklists, worksheets, and the passpocket system is genius.

Passpockets are the yellow pocket pages that can be found in the back of your Passporter.  They give you space to write out all of your important confirmation information and plans.  Right off the bat you can see how helpful a day by day planner with all your dining, vacation, and flight information handy including not just confirmation numbers but times and plans.  Also, adding to the awesome and unique aspects of this guide you can slide maps and papers into the passpocket to store for that day (I stick my mouskeeping tip envelopes in here for each day before we leave and then replace them with receipts from each day).  And then (yes there is more) the back gives you space to do a quick journal (with guiding questions) of how your day went!

The best way to help you see is to show you.  I went to Walt Disney World three times last year and was able to utilize my Passporter for all 3 trips.  Check out some pictures from my 2011 Passporter below.

I am a veteran Passporter.  I have used the regular and deluxe versions, used them for approximately  a half dozen trips.  And I have used both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland versions.  The newest version for 2012 is the most fabulous.  Up to date information for attractions and rides as well as hotels, and the ability to update your Passporter by heading over to their fabulous website. Also on their site they have great forums- be sure to check them out!  I have literally made friends using the boards and they are an endless plethora of information.  Plus, authors Jennifer and Dave Marx frequent the board so you can often hear the information straight from them!


Bottomline: Once you try the Passporter you will agree it is the best way to start and end your days in Disney Parks. 


Are you curious? Or already hooked? Well, enter for your chance to win a copy of the Passporter Walt Disney World 2012 below! Thanks so much to our friends over at Passporter for sponsoring this contest and creating such a wonderful product! 

Part 10 2007: Sea Raycers and the Coral Reef Diver Package

Today we got a wakeup call from Mickey and Stitch. Only we went back to sleep. Our intention was to get over to Magic Kingdom and do all the classic rides before lunch, then grab lunch there and head back to CBR to enjoy the marina before getting over the Epcot for our final dinner ADR at the Coral Reef. When we got up and got to planning our checkout we realized we could never squeeze in the O’Hana character breakfast we had originally planned for the next morning. With a heavy heart I called and canceled. I had, afterall, gotten to meet Stitch once already this trip and there would be future trips to go to O’Hana. So we made the decision to have a lunch Table Service at the Sci-Fi Dine-In in MGM which we just adored during our first trip. It was the best choice since mousekeeping had approved us checking out late (at 1:00pm free of charge). So we made a plan of action- get up and swim one last time, get ready for the day, pack, check out, lunch at Sci-Fi, MGM, back to CBR for Magical Express. 

After we got Saturday squared away it was time to enjoy Friday. We headed over to have breakfast, refill our mugs and get to Magic Kingdom. Rob was on a mission to find the Spectromagic soundtrack. We had seen a store on the left hand side of Main Street as you enter that said “Books, Movies, Records” or something like that so it was our first stop. We found the CD, bought it and found a great little secret about the Main Street shops- they all connect! We walked from this story all the way up through Casey’s got some more photopass pictures and headed into Fantasyland. We hit all the rides we had set out to do. We did Peter Pan’s Flight, It’s a Small World, Mickey’s Philharmagic, and then took in the atmosphere while snapping some more pictures. Our last little stop was lunch at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. I totally prefer this over Pecos Bill even though it was the same food. Last year we sat by the robotics but this time we just say by the window with a sweet view of the castle. We both had burgers, carrot cake, and water bottles. Then off we went. 

Our plan: Sea Raycers! We decided to opt for 1 boat instead of splitting the time and getting two separate ones. Now, even though many people on the forums recommended splitting it up there were about 5 or 6 other people out so we knew we would hit the waves they were creating and the top speed wasn’t that high to begin with. We didn’t end up using the coupon for 30 minutes free with a 60 minute purchase because we were quite satisfied with our 45 minute ride and the CM at the marina only charged us for a half hour, which was an added bonus! It was great to see the resort from the view. You really got to take a look at the immenseness of CBR. There were 3 connecting Lakes… the one the marina was in, a small one off of it to the right where you could come up on one of the village beaches (Barbados, I think), and another big one under a bridge to the left where you could go far enough over that you could see the Pop Century bowling pins over the tree line and the unfinished section of Pop as well. It was a lot of water and we made our way back and forth and around and around following the Lifeguards instructions and taking pictures. What a fun way to spend an afternoon?!

We had a 5:00 ADR at Coral Reef and I was getting super excited for my little surprise! We made our way to the OPR bus stop and headed into Epcot. The bittersweetness of the end of vacation began to set in as we walked through Leave a Legacy towards the Seas. Rob snapped a few pictures and then I took over the camera as we headed into the Coral Reef. We were seated by the glass- as promised- and Rob and I were both incredibly impressed right off the bat. Now, there was some slight miscommunication I guess, but the woman I had been working with changed jobs so I am guessing that was it. We had personalized menus that said Happy Anniversary—our anniversary is July 5th so that isn’t too far off but I didn’t want words, just pictures so that was a little weird for me to have to explain. Our waiter had a note that we were on our honeymoon, which was also a little off since we weren’t married yet. Then, I see the diver come out, banner in hand and he goes to the other side of the restaurant! Then I heard someone read my banner out loud! I was so nervous Rob had heard but he didn’t so I said I needed to use the bathroom and was going to go ask someone who works there. Well- I went and told them about the sign instead and I was reassured all would be well.

Meanwhile, our waiter, Alejandro who was totally awesome had filled our wine glasses with Evian when we turned down wine and taken our orders: For Rob a Surf and Turf appetizer and the Salmon for an entrée, For me Crab Claw salad for appetizer and Mahi Mahi for entrée. Then, as our drinks had just come out the diver returned! He came right to our table, waved, and held up the sign! It was so precious! I loved it almost as much as Rob did! He had a waterproof sign that said “ Mel loves Rob!” And at the time I was able to set up all the surprises for free! The people around us oohed and ahhed and after the diver posed for a few pictures our waiter came over and took one of us. It was very special. 

Your Most Magical Moments Passporter Giveaway Winner

Inspired by my Passporter passpockets I asked the following question as entry to our first Passporter giveaway: Tell me "the most magical moment of all" from your last Disney trip (one of my favorite pass-pocket questions). 

The winner was: J. Price

But the answers put such a smile on my face I wanted to share your magical moments with all of our readers in case you didn't get a chance to read through them on the contest post! Keep your eye out this week for another Passporter Walt Disney World 2012 Giveway starting Wednesday! :)

Becky said...

We were on our first trip to Disney World last May (2011) and we were going to try the Mission: Space ride. When we walked up to go in, one of the workers walks up and says he liked our t-shirts (I made matching shirts for all the parks) and asks if we would like to learn more about the ride. Of course we did, we had no idea what it was! Here we are figuring he's going to explain how it works. No, he took us behind the scenes. We got to go into the control room, on the other side of the window watching everyone who was in line. They told us some facts about the ride, some facts about things in the control room, including where a hidden Mickey was, and we all got to sign our names in a book that all guests who go in there get to sign! When we were done with the short tour we got to go straight to the front of the line. When the ride was over the same worker was waiting for us and gave us a handful of Fast Passes that were good for 3 of the rides in Epcot! Needless to say, Disney World for the first time is special enough but this just made our day!!!

Am I Really Grown Up? said...

Watching my 4 year old daughters face on her first ride on Tower of Terror. We flagged down a Photopass Photographer as soon as we got off to get the most perfect shots of her proud face!

Jeffrey Stites said...

Our last trip to Disney World was a quick weekend visit to celebrate my son's 10th birthday. We arrived on a Friday, his actually birthday, and after checking in at POFC we headed to Fort Wilderness for the Hoop-De-Do-Review. It wasn't so much one moment as the whole experience of watching my son see Fort Wilderness for the first time. See, that was where my family stayed about every time we went to Disney, and it had so many good memories for me that seeing how intrigued my son was by everything from the stables to the lawnmower tree just melted my heart.

Cathleen said...

Having my high school best friend attend the trip for her very first time to Disney World with us. Just seeing how she's enjoying herself there and riding the rides next to her and keeping those secrets for the shows like the one at "It's Tough To Be A Bug" at Animal Kingdom, and kept the secret that there was going to be an smell during the show and having her tell us why she wasn't told, now that was fun.

McMasters Family said...

I have to honestly say that the whole trip was magical! It was the first time my Husband and Son had ever been to Disney. Everything from eating at The Royal Table to Turtle Talk with Crush, eating at Le Cellier & Akershus, my 8 month old son drooling over Goofy, and just all of the quality time our family was able to spend together. We were able to celebrate my Husband's birthday and Father's Day during this trip. It was such a magical experience :) and of course we used our Disney PASSPORTER :)!! I would love a new updated copy!!

Renee D said...

Spending time with my sister, showing her all the "best things" at Hollywood Studios, especially THE TOWER OF TERROR!!!!

cassie said...

We went to Daytona Beach this past Thanksgiving and my husband surprised me with a day at the parks. We hit AK first and had a couple hand us two fast passes for the safari, which was so nice! Then we got to Expedition Everest and had a 10 minute wait! Of course leaving we stopped in the shop and I got two new park 7 vinylmations neither of which I had. We decided to head to Epcot for lunch and got into Nine Dreagons with no ADR! After lunch we walked through World Showcase and stopped in Paris for a Grand Marinier slush. Of course we topped off Epcot seeing Mickey and Pluto and riding Soarin. We closed our day at Downtown Disney people watching...it was a perfect day!

JPrice said...

My last trip was about a month ago and I went to Hollywood Studios with my little sister. We hadn't been to Disney since we were really little. There is a 6 year difference in age between us but we are best friends. This was the first time that we went to Disney just the 2 of us and we had a blast the whole trip. We went to Hollywood Studios and we knew we wanted to go on the new Toy Story ride. So when we got in line it was pretty long. Well we got up a little bit more and since it was just the two of us they put us in the fast-pass line. We got to go right to the front of the ride. That seemed to happen to us all day. I don't know if it's something that normally happens but it made our day so much more magical because we got to go on a lot more rides and make a lot more memories.

Sheri said...

Seeing the picture of my 5 yr olds face when you get off of splash mountain. I will never forget the look on her face, she was both terrified and smiling at the same time. She wanted get right back on and do it again.

Marcia said...

I was able to take my niece to Disneyland for the first time last summer and seeing her watch the parade actually brought tears to my eyes. Knowing how much fun she was having at MY absolute favorite place really warmed my heart. It was amazing to be able to share that first with her.

Tabi said...

Riding with my 4 year old for her birthday on Splash Mountain. She was so scared, the entire time, and when we finished, she said "Where's the big hill??" I laughed- it had been so much bigger in her mind than what the real one was, she didn't even realize we were going down it!

stargatebarbie said...

we got picked to go on mickeys float in the studios in paris my daughter had her minnie mouse dress and we watched the parade from a VIP stop then as the last float came out we got on it with mickey chip,dale and pluto ,never been on drugs but we wre all on a hgh as we went round the park waving to people it was amazing we will never forget it xx

Jen M said...

I have not been there in 18 years. We are planning our first family trip and my kids cannot wait to go.

My favorite moment as a child in Disney was watching the fireworks on my Dad's shoulders every night and taking the boat back to fort Wilderness. It was a magical moment for sure!

disneylandgirl said...

Getting to spend some mother-son time with my teenage son during EMH @ MK! Those with teenagers will understand.

Misty McTexUs said...

My most magical Disney moment was when I was around 11 and the wishing well at Disneyland sang us a song when my friend and I dropped in our pennies! That would have been back in 1985 or so. My mom went a few years ago and tried to show my grandmother how it worked, but it wouldn't sing for her. She had to ask a Cast Member for the secret.

nicestguyinvideo said...

On my 19th Birthday, my mom took me on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. The story of the picture of Roy Disney with Mickey at the park's opening brought us both to tears. That if Roy could have Walt there with him, he'd like to have the next best thing.

Haylie said...

My family's first trip to WDW is coming up in September, so unfortunately I don't have a magical memory of our last trip. So far in planning this trip though, the best moment is envisioning how my kids will react when we tell them.

Shirley Boothe said...

My son proposed to his wife underneath the fireworks in front of Cinderellas Castle and then 5 yrs later, brought their 2 yr old daughter to watch the fireworks in the very same spot.. it was truly a magical moment...

Amy said...

We took my niece to Akershus for her first character dining experience. She loved spending time with the princesses and getting a chance to talk to them without waiting in line. Belle was the sweetest and chatted with my niece for several minutes, listening to everything she said. It was a wonderful experience.

karaleigh said...

Our last trip was for our DS who turned 9, he has a Goofy Character call getting off of Sum of all fears, he was so amazed that Goofy knew it was his birthday....

disneyjenn1 said...

Our one year old was having his first trip to WDW, and he was so excited about the whole experience. One night for dinner, we went to Chef Mickey's. All the characters were wonderful, of course. Minnie signed my kids' autograph book and wrote a special note to my son about how happy she was that her name was his first word (yes, some parents get "mama," but we got "Minn-uh!"), Goofy was goofy, etc. Then Mickey came around, and my son kissed him, which Mickey loved. And then he kissed him again. Mickey started pointing to his face, and the baby would kiss him on demand! When Mickey left, he kept stopping by the table, pointing to his face, and getting a kiss. I am not exaggerating when I say we have thirty or more separate kiss pictures! When people say they don't think a baby can enjoy WDW, I just show them the pictures of his delighted face!

ella704 said...

My family and I are planning our 1st trip in June, so I don't have any special memories. I can't wait to make wonderful, lasting memories with Mickey and the gang!

Laura said...

I'd have to say the fireworks at the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party in Magic Kingdom. I've never seen anything like them! I'm glad our friends we were with got us to go in front of the castle. It was so awesome!!

jess said...

Arriving home, after a 3 week vacation to WDW, DISNEYCRUISE and DISNEYLAND to find out we were Pregnant. Our very own little disney souvineer!
Jess (Australia)

debz said...

Last fall I visited Disney with my daughter and her family; we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge for the first time. My 4 y/o grand daughter was so excited everyday looking out from our balcony at the animals; she would fling back the curtains at the break of dawn just when the sun was rising and we would all wake to her squeals of look look at the animals come see everybody it was precious and a trip I will never forget!

Cathy said...

Our magical moment was having our youngest son's first haircut done at the barbershop in Magic Kingdom just after his first birthday. It was a great way to capture one of his memorable fisrts!

The Benge Family said...

My most magical moment of last year's trip was watching my two kids with my dad... we spent the whole week together and i figured by the end of the week he would be a little worn out (4 year old girl and 18 month old boy)..my husband and I walk out of Mouse Gears and he's just sitting there hugging my son with a huge smile on his face listening with rapt attention to a story my daughter is telling him as she's bouncing and spinning around..He's following everything she said like it's the most thing in the world (and like he wasn't there when it happpened) and the joy on everyone's face just makes me smile everytime I think of it..

audrey13 said...

Our last trip was our first with friends who had never been to Disney. Seeing the excitment on their kids' faces was like experiencing my kids' first trip all over again.

Jennifer Lissak said...

My favorite moment from our last trip was when we met up with my best friend and my son and her daughter instantly became best friends. They held hands and walked around together like they'd known each other forever, though they'd last met when he was only 6 months old! Watching them discover the magic together was awesome.

jan S said...

My daughters and I were at the tea at the Grand Floridian and we saw the horse and carriage go by with a young bride! They were on their way to the Wedding Pavilion.

Mindy1024 said...

last trip to Magic Kingdom my little who is in love with Snow White, was able to see her and SW kissed her forehead - my daughter was soooo happy to walk around all day with Snow's "red kiss" ;)

sdcharger30297 said...

We had a wonderful experience at Magic Kingdom. My daughter was celebrating her birthday and she had on her birthday button. We stopped in to get lunch at the Main Street Bakery. The cashier saw Maddie's button and gave her a very large cookie and came to sing Happy Birthday to her. Later the same day, we were at the Lunching Pad and the cashier saw Maddie's button and gave her a turkey leg and a bag of chips. She had a most wonderful day and loved getting the attention.

Tina said...

The last time I went to Disney was July, 2011 with my mom. It was just for a long weekend to celebrate my mom's birthday and visit her fave park EPCOT. I made sure to obtain her a birthday button immediately when we arrived. The most magical of all was walking through EPCOT, and having everyone, cast members and visitors alike wish her a Happy Birthday, give her little things like free ice cream, cookies, and even a fast pass! It was so wonderful seeing her face, I could have not rode one ride and had the best time ever watching her.

Brittany R said...

We went on a Disney Cruise last year. My daughter has food allergies. They assigned her a personal Chef. He was FABULOUS!!!! He would always try to help us make sure that our daughter had the best experience. So, he gave us a lot of pointers about the ship and activities. On the last day I had mentioned to him that she was upset because she hadn't gotten Belle's or Peter Pan's autograph yet. I didn't think much of it, I was just telling him why she was bummed. That night... the last night of the cruise, we got a phone call at about 10pm from our fabulous chef. He told us to run up to a lounge right then! When we got there, he was in his full officer uniform and he invited us into a private party. All of the characters were in the lounge. There were only a few families in there. She got to spend the next 15 minutes dancing, taking pictures with and getting autographs from all the characters. It was truly the best possible ending to the cruise. Thanks Chef Corey!!!!