Although I absolutely love going to Disney World, I have to say I’m not a fan of flying. The actual airplane ride doesn’t bother me, it’s the process especially security and going through the scanners. I get a bit of anxiety over the whole process as there is so mac to it: take out lap top, take off belt, take off shoes, take off jacket, nothing in pockets and do it all quickly! Ugh can’t stand it but today we got through the pre-check so it was very quick. Now is the wait for the flight. But soon we will be in the happiest place on earth!

We are flying out of Philadelphia tomorrow morning to Orlando to begin our vacation in Walt Disney World. We will be in the happiest place on earth from Sunday, October 5th until Friday, October 10th. Since we have an early flight in the morning we are staying at a hotel near the airport so we have time to relax and don’t have to stress and rush in traffic in the morning. I can’t wait to begin this vacation which will be highlighted by two nights of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

Saturday, September 13, 2014 we took a bus trip to Hyde Park, New York. Our first stop was at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum where we got to see his home, gravesite and library. It was very informative and interesting. The special exhibit was about Madeline Albright and her pin collection.

Our next stop was with Empire Cruise Lines to take a guided boat tour of the Hudson. We got to see some of the historic sites along the river. As we finished the two hour tour, the tide came in and the pier was flooded. After waiting a half hour, the tide came in a bit but they have us plastic bags to put over our feet as we crosses so we wouldn’t get wet.

The last stop of the day trip was to the Hyde Park Brewing Company for dinner. It was a buffet with salad, bread, ziti, potatoes, vegetables, sausage & peppers and chicken Marsala. The food was pretty good!

You know what they say….all good things must come to an end.

After the Frozen Sing-Along we used our Fastpasses for the Great Movie Ride. We really didn’t need them as the standby line was only 5 mins. We then had lunch at the ABC Commissary. I had to get the Olaf cupcake which was carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

It was then off to Star Tours with our Fastpass. The sequence was Darth Vader, Hoth, Princess Leia, & Naboo. We then did some window shopping but have to admit we were exhausted. It was going on 4 PM and our Magical Express pickup time was 5:30 so we headed back to the resort. Our flight out is at 8:30 which means I won’t get home until pretty late.

It is our last day in Walt Disney World (at least for this trip!). We got up and finished packing and even did some last minute shopping at the gift shop at the resort. We then headed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

After a brief stint of window shopping we found a spot and began waiting for Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome. During this event, there is a processional of skiers and characters down Hollywood Boulevard. They stop at the stage by the hat and Anna and Elsa leave their coach and come on stage. After receiving flowers from a cast member and addressing the crowd, they lead a sing a long of “Let It Go”.

We then walked to Wandering Oaken’s Frozen Funland which is where they have different photo ops, a snack bar and even an ice rink where you can rent skates to ice skate. They have a new ap they are using called Aurasma which is where you point your camera at a spot and it captures a digital scene that you can pose with. This is how you can see Sven! Also at different places in the park you can have your photo taken in front of a Frozen scenery.

I also, for the first time, had my picture taken with Phineas and Pherb. Next we have Fastpasses for “For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration”.

After taking a rest during the rain we used our Fastpasses to see Anna and Elsa in the Magic Kingdom. Both were very good but Anna was very good. She was talking non stop and a total joy to have a photo op with.

We then went to Voyage of the Little Mermaid which had about a 20 minute wait. After that we met Ariel in her grotto for another character photo.

Dinner was next as we had reservations at Be Our Guest. I have to say the service was a bit lackluster. Our waitress was late coming to our table so she took our drink and food orders at the same time. She brought us unsweetened iced tea but didn’t leave sweetener. I had to ask for it and it took a while to get. Then they brought my steak and I had to ask for a steak knife. Not the usual service. It was awesome though that at dessert they brought me a small piece of the gray stuff icing with a candle in it. But I also got a personalized birthday card signed by Belle and Beast. We then got our photo taken with Beast.

Out night ended with the Pirate and Pals event. It starts at the Contemporary resort and there is a big dessert party which includes a photo op with Captain Hook and Mr Smee. You are given a bandana to wear that signified you are part of the party. We then were taken out on a boat to watch Wishes. On the boat ride our host, named Patch, played games, sang and took pictures with us on the boat. As the boat docked back at the Contemporary, Peter Pan was waiting for us and we had another photo op with him.

It was truly a great birthday!

September 7th is my birthday and I decided to celebrate this year at the happiest place on earth. Our day was spent in the Magic Kingdom. As soon as we got to the park, I played Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom since the game for me is along Main Street USA right now.

We then went to the meet and greets for Mickey Mouse and then Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell told me to tell Peter Pan “tag, you’re it and now tag backs”.

We then walked back to New Fantasyland and did the meet and greet with Gaston. From there we had lunch at the Pinocchio restaurant. I treated myself to the slushie in the Olaf bottle.

We then went and did a meet and greet with Peter Pan so that I could get a birthday picture with him. It was then time for our Fastpass for Peter Pan’s Flight. As we walked from Peter Pan’s meet and greet on the Adventureland Veranda to Fantasyland it began to pour raining. Fortunately we were under cover when most of the rain started coming but there were downpours for a few minutes.

When we got on Peter Pan’s Flight, the ride stopped for a few mins right as we were over Captain Hook with the Crocodile. This afforded me some great pictures.

We had Fastpasses for the Seven Dwarf Mine Train but had time to spare so we walked around. As we were walking we saw a line forming and it was for the White Rabbit so we got our pictures taken. It was then time for Seven Dwarf Mine Train and it was awesome. I’m not normally into roller coasters but this was a lot of fun. The part where the dwarfs are singing is really cool.

We then went to Storybook Circus and did the meet and greets with Daisy Duck & Minnie Mouse and then Goofy & Donald Duck.

After some window shopping at some stores we went on the Carousel of Progress as we were feeling a bit tired. We then went to Cosmic Rays to get some iced teas as the skies turned real dark and it began to thunder and lightning.

The full gallery of pictures from Saturday’s visit to Walt Disney World is now posted!  http://outlandcantina.net/walt-disney-world-trips/akershus-epcot–mickeys/

After Maelstrom, we went back to the resort for a short while. We then headed to Magic Kingdom as I had to pick up our tickets for Mickey’s Backyard BBQ at Guest Relations.

On our way to Magic Kingdom, it started raining. And not just raining…HEAVY down pours. Even with a poncho on I got drenched. After getting our tickets we went to the boat launch to catch the boat to Fort Wilderness but due to the weather the boats weren’t running.

So we had to go back to the buses, getting more soaked on the way. We took a bus to Wilderness Lodge. Then we had to take a bus from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness. We got to Mickey’s Backyard BBQ just in time!

Mickey’s Backyard BBQ was cute. They had a country western band that lead a dance party, the rope performer and Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale were there dressed as cowboys. Mickey and Minnie did meet and greets throughout the night but not the others. The food was good. It was a buffet with hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ, chicken, ribs and all kinds of salads. They had fountain drinks and freezers with ice cream bars.

We had intended to go to Hollywood Studios for Frozen Fireworks but the BBQ didn’t end until after 8 so we wouldn’t have had time. Besides we were still pretty soaked.

After breakfast we used our Fastpass for Soarin’. Interestingly, when we got to Soarin’ the wait time was only 20 mins for stand by riders which is quite unusual.

After Soarin’ we went on Living with the Land. There was no wait at all! From there we visited Figment with Journey Into Imagination with Figment. It was then time for our Fastpass for Mission: Space. Mission: Space was odd as you entered on the opposite side today and the lines were very disorganized. We then did some shopping at MouseGears then we went to Innoventions for the Chase Character Spot. Today it was Minnie and Pluto. Pluto was hilarious as he motioned for me to pet him and when I did he jumped up and down.

We then went to the regular character spot and saw Mickey, Goofy and Minnie. Next we took a break in Club Cool and had some of the sodas. Duffy was our next stop and he was funny as always.

We went to Mexico and rode the Donald Duck ride and the. Got our pictures taken with Donald Duck. Then it was over to Norway where I bought Geir, the cologne and found some Frozen pins. We took a break at the bakery in Norway but I just had a bottle of water.

Next is Fastpass for Maelstrom.