Day 3 - Second Full Day
The first part of this is really a continuation of Day 2. Watched the World Series Game 7, Cubs won - yippee! It would have been nice to be with my husband during this historic moment, but when I started planning this in March, I couldn't have known this would happen.
The other memorable part of last night was I had part of a tooth break off .. ouch! I wasn't sure what to do, decided that although when it happened was a big OW! it wasn't hurting. I have to admit my second thought (after ***?) was "What am I going to do about my Carthay Circle WOC lunch" and then ... should I be doing something?
Decided to sleep and see how things were in the morning, then call the dentist.
So, got up (closer to my planned time), decided as long as I kept to soft, relatively room temperature foods I would probably be fine, went out for the free breakfast and had yogurt, a banana, and a pbj sandwhich.
Headed over at 8ish for the 9 am MM. When I went yesterday the security lines were open; this time they weren't. They opened at about 8:40 (I meant to write down the time, but I forgot). People then RAN to the DL gates ... I walked.
And ... while it looks like the first few people were in fact by the turnstiles, soon after that it joined into one line per gate. In thinking about this while standing in line, I think it has to do with larger families (and this is NOT saying this is wrong, or a problem). When you get larger families, it gets hard to keep the tighter spaced turnstile lines, so people just line up behind them, and it turns into a single gate line. This actually could have happened yesterday too, but since I was at the front I didn't notice.
When the gates opened there was another mad dash. I ended up here waiting for rope drop:
At rope drop I went to the right, then towards Matterhorn, and ended up by Alice. I did Alice just about a walk on, Toad (a definite what is up ending? Guess I need to know the book to get it), Snow White (a definite "I think you missed a critical part of the story that makes it happy ever after" ending). Pinocchio was down, but expected to be up, so I rode the carousel, then caught up on some texts about my son (who is having an IBS flare up...). As that was winding down, Pinocchio opened, and I rode that. Had all of that done by 10ish. Walked through Sleeping Beauty's Castle, then headed to Buzz, and my score was down. Oh well.
Headed to DCA, did Monster's inc, and then went to Turtle Talk. Man, I LOVE turtle talk. I could go several times a day and enjoy every time. While there I took a pic of the billboard with the various times/characters for Animation Academy so I could refer to it as needed.
It was 11:20ish, so I headed over the Carthay Circle, only to find it opens at 11:30, so I had to wait until it officially opens. Caught up on more texts, then headed in.
I knew it was really nice in there, but I guess once again I didn't realize how nice. After checking in, I looked at all the pictures on the first floor, of Walt and various stars - pretty awesome. Went upstairs, and perused the seasonal fall menu.
With soft and easy to chew in mind, went for the soup, the tri-tip (figured I could cut it into small pieces, and it wasn't going to be chewy), and the Butterscotch Panna cotta. It was all wonderful. The soup is pretty spicy hot, so if you're contemplating it, be forewarned. I took my time (being careful), and while I didn't finish the blue cheese risotto (by then it was a bit overwhelming blue cheese), I thought the price was worth it, especially getting a premium spot for WOC with it. Usually for lunch I wouldn't do an appetizer, entree and dessert; heck, even at someplace like Chili's or Applebees if I had all three things, with two sodas and a coffee, it could easily get close to $40.
After lunch I went out and realized Goofy was right by the entrance, and got in line for a picture. Here he is feeling me up:
Not really, the person using my camera caught him mid-move to hug me, but I thought it weird/funny. I did look at the photopass pics, and there is one really good one there. Not sure it's worth the money, though.
Checked what was happening at Animation Academy, and it was Jack Skellington! And they did him dressed as Sandy Claws! And I am not sharing my attempted drawing because I am not good at drawing even with instructions from a professional!
After that excitement I went shopping ... for the kids. I was really missing them, and thinking about my next two trips, first with my daughter and then with my son, and what they would want to do and wouldn't want to do, etc.
I was pretty hot and thirsty, and it had been almost an hour and half since lunch, and I needed to get back to the hotel so the chocolate I bought wouldn't melt, but I was hot and thirsty so I headed to Ghiradelli for a shake to sip on on the way back. Noticed they still had fast passes for Radiator Springs on the way over there, so I picked one up; it was for 7:15-8:00, which seemed perfect for doing before heading over to WOC. Got my shake and figured out how to sip it and have it stay on one side of my mouth ... not as easy as you'd think.
Headed to the hotel, getting there about 2:30. It seems that about 5-6 hours is when I max out and need a break, based on the last few days. I may plan for that fact tomorrow. Had fun rinsing with salt water, then realized I never called the dentist - and found out they had closed for the day. Ooops.
Took a nap, had dreams of Mickey and Goofy and teeth. I wonder why ..
Headed back out around 4:45, going to DCA. Wandered through the shops again, then went on Ariel. It was just after 6 by then, and the app said 45 minutes for Toy Story, and I thought what the heck. When I got there (only stopping once quickly at one shop), the little placard in front said 25 minutes. Timing it, it was about 30 in line. When I got out, it was getting close to the time for my fast pass, so I headed that way, which is a bit circuitous. Got there just around 7:15, and they let me through. It was dark, and a lot of fun. I was in the second row, and when I went to look at the picture, the person in the front row had their hands up and covered my face completely. I didn't mention it, but the first time I was on Astro Blasters, the pic of me had me with the blaster in front my face and covered me completely as well. I see a theme here...
Decided to get a dinner cone to eat on the way to WOC, and got the chicken verde. UGH. Awful, gross, icky. I am not found of mac and cheese, and I was concerned about the crunchy fritos in the chili con queso (which I really like), or I would have gotten one of those. Ended up throwing half of it away.
Then had the joy of figuring out where I was supposed to go in. Figured it out, it was kinda hard because other lines were blocking the entrance. There was no line for the entrance, just other lines making it seem like there was a line.... Viewing area was very nice, I stood on the top step by a light. (attempt at a panorama)
Didn't win the wheel game, gosh darn it.
WOC (whatever version is playing now) is spectacular - worth every moment of standing on very sore feet after a long day (which was the most pertinent criteria to me at that point). Followed the crowds out, kind of surprised we had to be funneled into the single tent exit points off the esplanade, would have thought they'd have a few more open to get out at the end of the day.
Back in my hotel room, figuring out tomorrow.
Must dos:
Mickey's Magical Map
Pooh ride
Tangled
Pixar Play parade [edited to add: what the heck! It's on the weekly schedule, as running Friday-Sunday, but not on the online schedule.... I'll have to ask tomorrow what's up]
Want to do:
Pirates (again)
Haunted house (again)
Beignets (again)
fireworks ...
soundsational parade (again)
Animation Academy (again)
Turtle talk (again)
Enchanted Tiki Room
Downtown Disney
outside possibility of doing
Toy Story midway mania (again)
Mater's Jamboree
Luigi's tires
Matterhorn (right side)
That's a pretty full day!
(edited to add a few more things to do and some editing for clarity).
(edited to add panorama of WOC viewing location)