AC's Fort/Bay Lake Tower February 2013 Trip Report

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Looks like a great evening to me!

And are those bocce courts or shuffleboard?

Shuffleboard was on the opposite side but I did not take a picture.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Shuffleboard was on the opposite side but I did not take a picture.

Yes you did!! :rofl3:

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Good eye Dave. I guess I did. :)

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

2-10-13

Last night we went back to the Fort.

This morning we were headed to Epcot.

If you read my kind of/sort of live TR, you know one of our experiences from this day's visit.

I am not going to rewrite that whole incident from that morning, so when we get to that point........it is going to look and sound very familiar.

Don't fret though fearless fiends, that is only a small portion of our day.

Okay, here we are in out BLT room watching some of the boats leave the canal and into the lake:

I really enjoyed watching the boats come into the lake each morning.

On the way to the World of Tomorrow via the super exciting and technologically advanced highway in the sky:

We have arrived at Epcot, and I am trying to figure out what these tents and playground area are all about:

Almost to the station:

We headed straight to Test Track when we got inside because DS and DD both wanted to ride it. DS does not like thrill rides ao we needed to hurry before he changed his mind!

The ride was not open when we got there and there was a decent line of people forming. I quickly went and got 4 FPs, and met back up with the family.

We got to the point in line where the CM is waiting next to the measuring stand, to determine whether kids all tall enough to ride.

Here is the excerpt from my Live TR:

So the whole family is in line for test track right now and the cm decides he wants to measure DD to see if she is tall enough.....no biggie bc we know she is tall enough.....except the below db decides that is gonna take too much of his precious time so he moves my son out of the way while yelling excuse me and pushes his way past him. I yelled pretty loud toward him WTF? Not proud but was instantly pissed that he decided to physically move my son. I wanted to punch the loser out and am still very angry...can you tell. Anyway, here's to you giant db....i'll make you famous:

As you will see, I was trying to get a pic of him for awhile:

He kept his back to me the whole time, unless he couldn't and then he just kept his face down. That is the DB of all DBs.

I bet he got beat up a lot as a kid.

Anyway, we were about to ride TT with the entire family, which was a bit of a surprise.

Here is DS's design:

and DD's design:

here is the ride pic:

and the design results:

DD "driving" one of the showroom cars:

DS getting his picture taken at one of the photo ops:

The computer lets you pick your vehicle and environment and get your picture taken which is emailed to you. The problem is the emailed picture is taken when you are completely backlit so you show up as a black outline. Okay idea, but the final result is a total fail.

DS did not like the ride and DW is usually a one time per ride at a time girl, so of course I took DD back on with two of our FPs:

Continued in next post

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

After giving away the remaining FPs to an excited Mother-Daughter duo, we headed to Nemo and Friends:

Next, we headed over to see Crush:

The kids were enjoying the trivia screens prior to the show:

After Turtle Talk, we walked upstairs to the aquarium area:

Did you see the not so hidden, deliberate (or whatever) Mickey?

After getting our sea fix, we needed a land fix:

Did you see the Plain View Mickey?

After Living with the Land we ate a quick lunch and then were going to use some Imagination when deciding what to do next.

The next update will have to wait until later tonight or this weekend. We'll see.

[alexwyattmommy 181]

I love that she wore the seat belt for her 'test drive'. :D

DB are everywhere, unfortunately. But cool for you, you had a great day in spite of him.

We did the behind the seeds tour our first trip in 2006. It was lots of fun.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

That DB launched an entire thread. Come to think of it, we need to bump that thread with some new DB sightings soon...

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

CRT- We had good (not awesome) hot food at CRT. I wonder if it was timing or because we all ordered a combo of the regular menu, so they had to plate fresh. While it was for DD16th birthday, DS(almost)4 still talks about Ariel. So sorry, tell your son he can't check out the red head anymore. Or else. So cool about the extra time with characters. Kids enjoy that so much. Love the BTMRR pics because Z is so excited he can ride it this time.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

I love that she wore the seat belt for her 'test drive'. :D

DB are everywhere, unfortunately. But cool for you, you had a great day in spite of him.

We did the behind the seeds tour our first trip in 2006. It was lots of fun.

She wanted the seat belt on because she wants to be safe. She also would like to race cars. I would really like to get her a go cart with a roll cage.

That DB launched an entire thread. Come to think of it, we need to bump that thread with some new DB sightings soon...

I am sure there are plenty that could be added.....sadly.

CRT- We had good (not awesome) hot food at CRT. I wonder if it was timing or because we all ordered a combo of the regular menu, so they had to plate fresh. While it was for DD16th birthday, DS(almost)4 still talks about Ariel. So sorry, tell your son he can't check out the red head anymore. Or else. So cool about the extra time with characters. Kids enjoy that so much. Love the BTMRR pics because Z is so excited he can ride it this time.

BTMRR is DD and your truly's favorite ride.

That's cool that he still talks about her......he has good taste.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

After The Land, we rode Figment.

Figment is cool and sort of classic.

But it needs to be replaced.

I really feel like Imagination, Universe of Energy, and obviously the Wonders of Life pavilions need to be blown up and replaced.

Just my humble opinion.

The kids like to play the games and things at the ride exit:

After Imagination, we went to Universe of Energy:

Stupid Judy.

Stupid Energy.

Stupid ride.

I will readily admit I loved this ride when I was a kid.

But it has gotten old and stale.

The kids thought it was boring also.

They had no desire to go back on it and haven't mentioned it at all since.

Ellen is still funny I guess.

Maybe they could come up with a new ride featuring Ellen.

That I would be okay with.

But it needs to be a better ride.

After Universe of Energy, we went back to BLT and chilled in the room a bit while DD took a nap.

After nap, we ate dinner in our room and then headed back to Epcot.

The kids had someone they really wanted to meet.

When we got to the TTC we waited to board a monorail. When our ride showed up and the doors opened, I noticed nobody was exiting from the car we were about to board.

What the Fort?

That monorail came from Epcot.

And it would be going back to Epcot.

It does not go anywhere else.

Why were they not getting out?

I was dumbfounded.

So we got in that car and stood because none of them exited.

Here they all are:

It was very loud during our trip to Epcot.

And I couldn't understand a word they were saying.

None of the conversation was in English.

It was not Spanish but sounded a bit like Spanish.

I think it was Portugese.

Pretty sure they were Brazilian.

I figured maybe they were mistaken and thought the monorail would take them to either the MK or the resorts on the other line.

But when we got to Epcot, guess what happened?

Yup.

They all exited the monorail and went into Epcot.

Now my guess is that they arrived at Epcot via bus or car and then saw the monorail and thought it was an attraction maybe?

I am not sure but it provided me some comic relief.

In the next update, we will arrive for a much anticipated meet and greet.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Before I get to the next update, I forgot something. When we left Epcot after our morning in Future World, we switched to the resort monorail at the TTC.

DS and I got off at the first stop, the MK.

DD and DW stayed on and went to our room at BLT.

DS and I had an errand to run at the MK:

We got a couple packs of SOTMK cards and a popcorn.

We jumped back on the monorail and arrived at the CR in short order.

We crossed back over to BLT:

Okay, now that that blank has been filled in, I can work on the next update.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

After watching the Portugese Brazilians walk back into Epcot, we headed for a meet and greet with a VIB.

Very Important Bear.

He was not there when we first arrived but were told he would be back in just a couple minutes.

And here he comes:

This is what I call bear butt:

Pics with the kids:

I never got the Duffy before.

I still don't.

But the kids love Duffy's story time on resort TV.

Whoever thought of Duffy at WDW should get a nice raise or profit sharing check.

We have gotten away with only buying a Duffy storybook to this point, but I don't think that luck is going to last.

The "Duff-meister" (as he has been renamed) is very popular in our house.

After visiting the Duffmeister, we traveled south of the border:

You can't really go wrong with The Three Caballeros.

We looked around in the Mexico shop after exiting the boat ride:

Next it was music time in the Outpost:

Snack time in Germany would be next. We discovered the delight of the Germany caramel shop on date night and could not resist going back:

We also got one of these in Germany:

And I got glass of Altenmuster Oktoberfest but alas no peer born photo.

After taking our time to eat some of our snacks, we headed to the American Pavilion to see when the next show was playing.

We had some time to kill so we went in the shop where DS found a Babe Ruth book he wanted and DD found a Minnie wallet she wanted.

DD used a gift card she got for her birthday and DS used Disney dollars from our last trip to pay for their purchases:

We still had a bit of time to kill so we looked at the merchandise carts outside:

Time to go give my sick DD her medicine.....so the TR is "To Be Continued......"

[momof3kids-Yvonne 594]

The photos of your dd paying for her purchase. :heartsmiley: :heartsmiley: :heartsmiley: :heartsmiley:

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

I will try to get an update or two up today. Sorry I missed yesterday if youre reading along.

DD has ear infections in both ears and is miserable so it has been a rough couple days here.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

I will try to get an update or two up today. Sorry I missed yesterday if youre reading along.

DD has ear infections in both ears and is miserable so it has been a rough couple days here.

That's okay Aaron. Get you family healthy. Less than two weeks till Gettysburg...hope this dang snow stops soon.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Peer Born?

LOL!

You should have bought that Figment hat.

TCD

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

That's okay Aaron. Get you family healthy. Less than two weeks till Gettysburg...hope this dang snow stops soon.

 

No Snow.  I don't want Gettysburg to resemble Valley Forge.

 

Peer Born?

LOL!

You should have bought that Figment hat.

TCD

 

 I don't think I quite pulled off the look well enough to own the hat.

 

The photos of your dd paying for her purchase. :heartsmiley: :heartsmiley: :heartsmiley: :heartsmiley:

 

Thanks Yvonne. 

 

I thought it was cute so I walked behind the end of the counter and snapped some pics. 

 

I couldn't help myself.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

 2-10-13 (World Showcase Evening) continued:

 

Ok.  Sorry for the delay.

 

DD is feeling better and Daddy can take the time to put an update together.

 

The Fiends have had a couple TCD TRs to keep them busy anyway.

 

I am caught up on his latest TR so now it's time to update mine.

 

I left you after our silly ear hat pics at the merchandise cart in front of the American Adventure.

 

Now it is time to go inside and watch the movie:

 

 

 

I love the Hall of Flags:

 

 

 

 

 

I have several of those flags on the walls of our red, white, and blue TV room and bar......otherwise known as our basement.

 

Heading into the theater:

 

 

 

After the show, our family decided to show our patriotism by eating a truly American snack:

 

 

The kids loved our snacks around the world trip. 

 

They don't normally get snacks so often and in that large of quantity so they were excited at each stop.

 

Plus, we had caramel corn left over.  So DW and I would have something to snack on with our drinks later.

 

After our snack, we went back to our room at BLT.  We planned an early morning at Animal Kingdom.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

 And now I am having trouble with posting pics from the new Photobucket.  Going to download Mozilla Firefox on this new laptop and see if a different browser may help.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Wow.

You actually went in and watched the show at the America pavilion?

Good for you!

I love the show. Yes, it is outdated and a bit boring. But, so am I.

It's probably been two years since I've dragged the kids in to see it.

Maybe it's time for a visit.

And now I am having trouble with posting pics from the new Photobucket.  Going to download Mozilla Firefox on this new laptop and see if a different browser may help.

I am also hating the mandatory new photobucket.

I'm figuring it out, but it seems to be a lot more work than the old one.

TCD

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Wow.

You actually went in and watched the show at the America pavilion?

Good for you!

I love the show. Yes, it is outdated and a bit boring. But, so am I.

It's probably been two years since I've dragged the kids in to see it.

Maybe it's time for a visit.I am also hating the mandatory new photobucket.

I'm figuring it out, but it seems to be a lot more work than the old one.

TCD

 

We love the American Adventure show and the Hall of Presidents.

 

By we, I mean the kids too.

 

I also love that they love it.

 

Mozilla is now installed so we'll see if this gets easier.

 

If not, I will work through it.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

2-11-13

 

This morning we were headed back to Animal Kingdom.

 

The kids wanted to ride Kilamanjaro Safaris a couple more times.

 

That's right, we rode it twice back to back first thing.

 

I know I already bored you with Safari pics so I will not include all of the pics this time, but maybe just some of the better ones:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think Lou should tape this to his back so he can win the princess marathon:

 

 

 

The King sleeps:

 

 

Pumba's cousins:

 

 

Ok.  Enough of that.

 

We went into the shop near the Safari and DS found an animal book he wanted to buy with his gift card:

 

 

I also bought him a Kilamanjaro Safaris T-shirt.

 

DS had around $100 in gift cards and disney dollars to spend before the trip began and he had just spent the last of it on a book.

 

In fact, he spent all of his money on books.

 

Since we were so proud of his purchase choices, we went ahead and bought him the t-shirt that he liked.

 

Next we went over toward Camp Minnie Mickey:

 

 

We wanted to check out the Lion King show since we missed it when we were at AK earlier.

 

The kids wanted to meet some characters also.

 

The plan was to try to meet as many characters as possible prior to the show.

 

Camp Minnie Mickey was closed when we got there. 

 

While we waited for it to open, DS got in some reading with his new book:

 

 

 

After the CM opened the walkway to let us in, we approached the greeting trails area and noticed a couple chipmunks headed in our direction. 

 

One of them grabbed the kids on the way to his meet and greet area:

 

 

After they were blind-sided by Dale, we followed him to his meet and greet home:

 

 

We were able to meet a few more characters before the show as well:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Somebody pulled off a wardobe change before the Mickey pic!

 

 

On to Festival of the Lion King we went:

 

 

Alas, I did not take any pics inside the show.

 

I can dig some old ones up from prior trips if you want.

 

DD had another meet and gret that needed to be done before we could move on:

 

 

 

 

I honestly don't remember where we got this pic from?

 

 

I am thinking it was near the shop where we've met Lilo and Stitch before?  But they weren't there on this trip.

 

I believe we saw It's Tough to Be a Bug on the way out and then went back to our room. 

 

We had important things to accomplish at our resort this afternoon.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

We have not done any of the character meets in camp Mickey....maybe next time

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

I honestly don't remember where we got this pic from?

 

 

I think they have photo backdrops like that at the DVC information booth at the entrance to the Camp Minnie Mickey.

 

TCD

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

We have not done any of the character meets in camp Mickey....maybe next time

 

The kids liked meeting Baloo, King Louie, and DD loved meeting Pocahontas........since they are a little more scarce.

 

I think they have photo backdrops like that at the DVC information booth at the entrance to the Camp Minnie Mickey.

 

TCD

 

That would make sense as we were in that area most of the morning....and would have had to walk by there on the way out before heading to see Flick.