Disney Day 6 - Hollywood Studios

It will always be MGM Studios to me. Our last day at Disney was spent at Hollywood Studios. Jim, Mom and I headed over early- did some shopping in the stores and had breakfast at the Pastry shop. We also took Noah over to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, saw Prince Caspian and the sets of the movie, met Sulley and Mike from Monster's Inc and then headed over to the Sci Fi for lunch. We were sat pretty quickly and had one of the rudest waitresses there. She did the same thing that the guy did the night before (ripping the salt and pepper shakers from Noah) and she even insisted that she charge us for Noah's juice (which is fine- but since we were on the dining plan and this was our last day- we hadnt been charged until then). Had a relatively LONG lunch - since she also happened to be the SLOWEST waitress too. After lunch, Noah fell asleep and we headed over to the Animation exhibit. Mom and I went through well Jim stayed out with Noah. Did some of the stores around there (and I was a bit irritated by the snack vendors over there since they all had trouble taking our cards for our snacks on the dining plan). When Noah woke up we went over to Indiana Jones and then headed back to see the characters of Up (which he loved-especially the doggy), then on to Toy Story Mania (we had fast-passed). We left pretty early and headed back. By then- we were SICK of Disney Counter Service food- so we took Noah swimming and opted for ordering Dominos (which was probably the best food we had all week). When we left the next day- we had issues with Magical Express (which I won't go into). Suffice to say- I was glad to finally get home. I have some new pictures of the house I will post soon (maybe this afternoon). I have to finish cleaning the house and I finally got Noah unpacked from Disney. Need to also do some Christmas shopping.

Have a good one! J

Disney Day 5

Epcot!! Jim hates it- I like it! It turned out to be a pretty warm day too. We arrived at Epcot and rode Spaceship Earth - which actually has been revamped and now has this cute video in it- that starred Noah (it takes a picture of you in the car...oh never mind- just trust me- it was cute!). After waiting for the in-laws and not having much luck- Mom, Noah and I hit the gift shop- picking up a stuffed Pluto for Noah and a ball and some other miscellaneous stuff. We then decided to have lunch and start the countries. We started in Mexico and took the "new" boat ride- much better then the old one- actually has Donald in it- really cute! Then we were Norway bound - where we rode the boat - Noah was *okay* on this ride- certainly no match for the Carpets of Aladdin! Onward we walked to China and purchased some Peach Iced Tea (not bad- could have used less peachyness) and then Noah fell asleep. We meandered through the rest of the countries- stopping for fried ice cream in America and even taking in the Japenese Marketplace. Mom and I hit the shops in France and the shop at the edge of the World Showcase. By this time- Noah was up- and it was warm- and he was warm- so we changed him into a swim diaper and his shorts and some sandels and let him run through the splash pads. He had a blast. People stopped to watch him, take pictures of him, and one person even took a video of him. It certainly cooled him off- and I think it helped us get him moving again. After we changed him - we went to The Seas with Nemo and Friends. They brought back the old Living Seas ride- it was fun- really interesting and Noah loved all the fish. We hung out there for a little while, took him up to the observation decks to see the fish and stuff. When we headed out from there we went to the Land. We took the boat ride in the Land (not one of his favorites) and headed to the Garden Grill for dinner (meeting up with the in-laws there). We were sat in this booth- that faced the Living Seas boat ride. The restaurant actually rotates too. It was a tad bit annoying- as they stuck Noah's high chair in between two tables- so his back was actually to my in-laws for the entire dinner. Our waiter (Jeffrey)- also proceeded to take things (namely the Salt and Pepper Shakers) out of Noah's hands when we sat down- and he basically was rude to us the whole rest of the meal. We have a sneaking suspicion he didnt like the baby- cause he was nice to my in-laws- just not to Jim and I. Our characters were Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale. The food was decent- even though our service left much to be desired. When we left the Garden Grill (after a two hour meal) - my mom and I headed to the bus- we made it- and by the time they were done loading mom and the scooter- Jim made it to. We went back to the hotel- and Noah feel pretty much right asleep. Jim watched Noah and mom and I checked out Downtown Disney. It was raining a bit when we got back- but Jim and I still hit the hot tub- and then off to bed we went- ONE more day in Disney to remain!

Disney Day 4

Disney Day 4 - Food Posioning Day

Woke up that morning with HORRIBLE food posioning. We had breakfast reservations at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom. I really didnt want to miss it- so we treked ourselves over there. We saw Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Daisy. Had breakfast- didnt eat anything- but the waitress still charged us a dining service (which I didnt think was right- given that I was sick). Rode the safari - Noah LOVED it- he loved the animals, the ride and everything. Walked through the Pandgoni (sp?) Forest Expedition- saw Gorillas and other Monkies. Then walked over to Asia to see the Tigers. Felt sick to my stomach- so left eveyone back at Animal Kingdom and Jim and I took Noah to the hotel for a nap. We napped for like 3 hours- and then took him down to the pool. He had a blast swimming. Met the in-laws for dinner (at the cafe in the hotel) and then got ready to go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. The Magic Kingdom was all decorated- and I was feeling "marginally" better by then. Rode the Carpets (AGAIN) and took Noah to the Carosel and to ride Dumbo - another big favorite - also let him run around in the Pooh Corner. Rode Small World again and then headed back to the hotel. Jim and I did the hot tub again - and surprisingly I was starting to feel much better- but Jim was starting to get a cold.

Disney Day 3

Day 3 - Monday

Headed to the Magic Kingdom. Ended up at the end of Main Street outside the Barber Shop waiting for Jim's sister. Noah had fun chasing the ducks and other birds. Took Noah over to the Carpets - AGAIN - and then on to Pirates. We fast passed Splash Mountain and ate at Pecos Bill (note to anyone who goes- DO NOT EAT THE CHICKEN WRAP!!). Rode Splash Mountain and mom got Noah to take a nap. Ate a funnel cake while he was napping and then headed over to Fantasyland. Almost got to see Pooh and Tigger but everytime we got in line they took the characters for their *break*. Rode the carousel and then let Noah run around in the little Pooh thing and then took him over to Toon Town to see Mickey. Saw Mickey and Minnie (Noah was awesome with them and the characters were really good- they even got on the ground next to him when he sat down). The line was a little long, but overall he did good. Walked through Tomorrowland. Met the in-laws at Crystal Palace for dinner- was VERY dissappointed. First, we checked in around 4 (our reservation was scheduled for 4:30- which they then told me was really 4:45) the lady at the podium told me it would be like 15 minutes. So at 4:30 - I went up to the door and asked. They said we were the next table. At 4:45 - I went back and asked AGAIN- they said- "This is your reservation time and we are only seating 4:25" - we got sat at 5:05 and our waiter didn't show up at the table until 5:15. He was horribly RUDE. In fact he basically ignored Noah the whole time. By this time- Noah had enough sitting around- we did manage to see Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore and Piglet. The food wasnt all that good and once again- the selection was horrible- but it was the first time we actually got Noah to eat something solid instead of french fries. After dinner, we went over to Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin. We headed back towards Liberty Square to watch the Spectromagic Parade and the fireworks. People were very PUSHY and rude, plus it was way more crowded then I thought that it would be. Hung out a bit after the fireworks and then rode Haunted Mansion (since it was technically Disney Magic hours). Walked back up toward the Jungle Cruise, Jim and the in-laws rode it, and I took Noah on the Carpets (again!!). Headed back to the hotel- Noah falling asleep on the bus again and Jim and I hit the pool. We were going to do the Hot Tub- but I walked up on some people doing....you...know...what...in ...it - eew!!

Disney Day 2

Bright and early on Sunday we hit Magic Kingdom. We had breakfast in the hotel and took the bus over to the park. It was a tad chilly (Noah had jeans on) and we all had sweatshirts. The first ride was the Jungle Cruise. Our guide was REALLY loud- so Noah wasn't a big fan. The second ride of the day were the Magic Carpets of Aladdin which Noah LOVED. It was his favorite ride while we were there. We also rode Pirates of the Carribbean (which he also wasnt a big fan of), took in Small World (which he liked) and the Carousel (another favorite of his). Also rode the tea cups. Then we headed back up Main Street and checked out Santa- Noah had a good smile (and it is definately the photo for the Christmas Card). Took a train ride and then headed over to the Contemporary for Chef Mickeys. Jim's sister was going to meet us there for dinner. Checked in and were sat pretty quick. His sister ended up meeting us and got to see Noah's first experience with the characters. He loved them. Thought that they were funny and most of all wanted to touch their noses. We saw: Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Mickey. Noah's absolute favorite was Pluto, and even followed him around the restaurant. The food was okay- I didn't think that the selection was very good for a buffet, but we had a very good server. Left Contemporary on the bus and headed toward Hollywood Studios (formally MGM Studios) to check out Fantasmic since that was going to be our best opportunity to see it. Met the in-laws there- had a rather good seat in the handicap section because of mom's scooter. Noah liked parts of Fantasmic and then parts not so much. After walking out with the swarms of people for Fantasmic (we really should have waited till it cleared), we headed to under the Sorcers Hat (my father in-law and sister-in- law and her boyfriend rode Tower of Terror and then met us there). Headed back to the Osbourne Festival of Lights which danced to the musci (very nice), and then stopped so the in-laws could have dinner at ABC Commisary. Took Noah back to the hotel (he fell asleep in the boss) and then DH and I went to the pool, we even managed to take in the hot tub too.

Disney - Day 1

Disney Day 1:

Arrived on Saturday - checked in- had some issues with the hotel having the corrected information. Also had to convince the lady that I really wanted a crib, not the pack and play in the room. Then signed for my box that was supposed to be delivered to the room with the rest of Noah's diapers and swim stuff. Headed to the room (which was really far from the lobby- given that we were checking in at 1pm). Let Noah explore the room and took some pics of the animals outside our room (we got the Svannah View at Animal Kingdom). Took a walk to the counter service restaurant by the pool, bought out mugs and some quick lunch for the starving little boy. Checked out the animals by the pool and the gift shop before heading back up to the room to chill out. Didn't end up getting the box till around 4:30 in the afternoon. Headed over to Animal Kingdom in the evening for our dinner at Rainforest Cafe. Sat by the elephants and enjoyed a relaxing dinner of BBQ chicken wrap (for me), Ribs (for Jim), Stir-Fry (for mom), and Chicken nuggets (for Noah). Headed back to the hotel- watched some TV- put Noah to bed and then Jim and I hit the pool.

Back from the overpriced, horrible customer service, most infant unfriendly place in the world - Disney!

Now don't get me wrong, the whole trip wasn't HORRIBLE - but there were moments that made me NEVER want to step foot in a Disney Resort again.

I'll recap it soon- I promise- we had some fun times, like Noah LOVING all the characters, him playing in the water at EPCOT, and the Giraffes and animals on the safari.

The low parts included the horrible customer service at some of the restaurants (i.e. the two waiters/waitresses who ripped the salt and pepper shakers from Noah's hand), the Magical Express people who apparently thought it was okay to arrive by magical express but who truly wanted to make it difficult returning to the airport with an infant, to the people doing some "extracurricular activities" in the hot tub. Overall I found the customer service to be very disappointing. And let's not forgot the day I got food poisoning from Peco's Bill in the Magic Kingdom.

I was never MORE happy to get home and sleep in my OWN bed. I'm craving some home cooked meals - so I am off to the grocery store today and to Walmart. Might also check out the new house.

I'll follow up later!

Judy