We spent 3 nights in Orlando and took advantage of our annual pass for the Disney parks visiting three of the parks and Disney Springs. After getting settled at the Rosen Inn, we drove over to the new parking garage in "downtown Disney" and wandered the entire area much of which is new or refurbished. Some is still under construction including the huge "showboat" in the lake where we have eaten in the past. We had a great time watching an energetic fellow leading lots of "dancing" at the center stage. The primary participants were dozens of kids of all ages trying all the things he suggested. He had quiet a repetoire of the music of the day had them going through all kinds of girations. We had sandwich at one of the restaurants and enjoyed some ice cream at Ghirardelli's along with the one small piece of chocolate they give each customer visiting the shop. But mostly it was just fun watching the people and taking in the decorations and lighting around the area including all the trees with their flickering lights.
A new addition is rides in these cars starting at the Boat House restaurant. It is rather expensive but a unique experience that this family obviously was enjoying as the sun was setting.
We enjoyed several of the rides and activities at the park, much of which has changed since the last time we were there. In fact, to start with we had to park at the transportation center and take a ferry across the lake to the park. We enjoyed a musical performance in front of the castle that include a few fireworks. But the best part was being right down by the shops looking back at the castle to see the big fireworks and laser show at 10:00. After many many trips there we even got to see Tinker Bell flying from the castle to the shops area (that has to be quite a ride for the performer)
On Thursday morning we first went to Animal Kingdom where we enjoyed the Lion King show
Afterwards we enjoyed a wonderful lunch buffet at the Tusker House. Several of the Disney characters were there visiting tables, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Goofy was a great one for giving lots of big hugs.
Daisy posed with Ken and even gave him a kiss.
Donald Duck came by too.
And of course Mickey was there
We had Fast Pass tickets for Soarin over at Epcot so we hurried out to the parking lot, jumped in the car and drove over to Epcot arriving just before the alloted hour was up on the passes. What a great new adventure that is now. The "flight" takes you around the world to see the Opera House and harbor in Sydney, Fiji Island and the gorgeous waters around it, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, among other places.
We followed that with a ride at the GM Test Track and then visits to several of the pavilions in the World Showcase including China where we watched the film and then came out just as the gymnasts were starting their performance. By the time we got to Germany, it was near time for the evening show so we found a spot by one of the fences at the edge of the water and got a wonderful front view of the fireworks, laser lights, dancing fountains and globe with its moving pictures. What a delightful way to end the day there.
Friday morning we drove back to Animal Kingdom so we could do the Jungle Ride. There was a nice breeze and the temperatures were in the low 80s so we were lucky enough to see most of the animals up and moving about though most of the hippos chose to be in the water with just their noses jutting out. Afterwards we were off to see the animal conservation area via the train. Then on to the 4D experience under the tree of life - Its a Bugs Life which ends with the sensation of maggots crawling under you on the bench that you are sitting on. There was lots of screeching and reactions to the nasty smells emitted by the stink bugs, spit from other bugs, and buzzing in faces and ears by others.
From there we headed over to Dinoland where we had a quick hamburger while waiting for the Finding Nemo Musical, a clever production with the sea life held by humans dressed to "hide" them and doing the speaking and singing. There was a huge crowd in the theater all enjoying it along with us.
Once that was over we headed for the car and drove to Davenport to visit with our friends Dave and Donna Rumrill. They took us on a tour of their park including a visit to the pool and hot tub, a peak into the windows of the clubhouse which is in the midst of a makeover, and stops at several different homes to see what they were like. The Ercolanis who use to be in our Mid Florida Winnies group gave us a tour of their place and then took us across the street to visit a neighbors home that was smaller and up for sale. We then joined Kathy Black, the Ercolanis, Rumrills, and Clems for dinner at a local Irish place for fish and chips.
From there we headed back to our place arriving back after 9:00 ready to unpack and crawl into bed!
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