WDW Trip Report - Day 1 - Do You Think Those Rocks are for Fantasmic?

I know, dear reader, I know! I've been promising an epic trip report for almost two months now, and I've not delivered on that promise, but all that is about to change! Ever wish the Christmas season would extend into February? Ever get sick of all the hearts and Valentines Day hoopla? Ever wish there was a place you could go to get away from the glitter and cupids and hearts and pink?! 

Fear not! I am here to save you from it all! Well, wait... sorry, I can't save you from the glitter and the pink because let's be honest, that kinda comes with me where ever I am, but I can promise that the trip report is commencing... wait for it... wait for it...

NOW! :)


Before I really get started, I want to explain something. We went to Disney World planning to tweet A LOT from the parks. I tweeted TONS of photos and fun tidbits, and Kyle did the same. It was a blast to bring our twitter peeps along with us on our trip. Because of that all of my photos are from my iPhone. Not a single one is from my fancy Sony camera. All videos were from my Sony video camera though. So the photos you'll see in this trip report are truly motivated by social media: what would people back home like to see? What will pull people in to our trip with us?

OK... where to begin? How about at the Orlando Airport? You all know me by now. You know I get lost easier than the average gal, and so Kyle's and my trip began with me getting off the plane and texting him to ask where we were meeting. He texted me back saying that we were in completely opposite ends of the airport and to head toward baggage claim, and he would be standing by the Christmas tree. Awesome except for one thing: I looked up from that text to see a GIANT Christmas tree but no Kyle. *sigh* I somehow made it to another Christmas tree only to see not be able to find him until he walked right up to me and had to wave in my face to get me to notice him. This might have been the point where Kyle began to wonder why he agreed to go to Walt Disney World with me again. ;-)


Quite possibly my favorite bus!

 Me getting lost aside, we quickly made our way to the bus to Pop Century, got checked-in to our room (two beds, folks!), and jumped in line to catch the bus to Epcot. (Oh, I also took a minute to shed my sweatshirt. It was crazy warm for December!)


Katsura Grill, Japan, Epcot

 We were both starving by the time we got to the World Showcase, and Kyle really wanted to try the newly open Katsura Grill in Japan. I was skeptical especially when the line stretched out of the door!


Seriously, these people were in danger of becoming
my lunch if they didn't order quickly!

 The line, thankfully, moved quickly, and lunch was quite enjoyable. The restaurant has plenty of seating indoor and out.  We found a seat across from a teenage couple at a large community table in the middle of the restaurant. I enjoyed a steamed rice and chicken bowl. It had lots of veggies, and it was filling without feeling heavy. Kyle will have to fill you in on what he ate. We were both so hungry that we forgot to take a photo! 

From there, we made good on our promise to you, my lovely readers, and checked the poll to see what attraction you chose for us to ride first:


Maelstrom pulled ahead while we were on our flights! 



Off we went to Norway to ride Maelstom! Join us in the video below as we look out for trolls! There's a special message from us to you at the very end of the clip.



Hurray for Vikings!



After Maelstrom we headed to Mexico to sing along with the Three Caballeros (oh, and sing I did)!  We ran into a couple of Twitter friends, but sadly, my camera decided to not work, so the video of them didn't make it home with me.  

**Pretend there's a cool video here.**

Remember how I was so sick for our June trip?  Remember how I didn't get to have my favorite snack, the Napoleon from France, then?  This time we didn't want to chance it.  I was feeling good, dinner wasn't until 8:30 that night, and we were getting snacky, so Kyle suggested that we go over to France for a pastry.  I readily agreed, so off we went.  Kyle opted for some crepes while I got my beloved Napoleon.  It really is one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth!  I was so glad he suggested we go there because I would have really been bummed if I missed that treat again.

This trip had an even more laid-back feel than June.  We focused on taking our time and just enjoying our surroundings.  We watched the acrobats in France since I'd never seen them.  We stopped and watched Off Kilter for a while, and then we headed back to get another fun song stuck in our heads: Imagination!

I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I told you in June how I pointed out some ducks that turned out to be tree stumps, so why not tell you this?  Hehehe.  As we were leaving the World Showcase, I said something that left Kyle completely speechless.  It's a wonder he didn't run away screaming and never return.  In fact, I'm amazed that it didn't ruin our friendship.  I can't believe I'm telling you this.  It's one of the worst things I've said in my life.  *deep breath to sum up the courage to tell you this* I, Joanna, the Disney loving chick that I am, pointed to a huge rock and asked, "do you think those rocks hide stuff for Fantasmic??"

I knew the second that I said it that it was wrong.  I knew from the look on Kyle's face that I was wrong.  I wished immediately that I could take it back, but it was out there, and there was no going back.  *face palm* Yes, those rocks hide something, but not stuff for a show in another park!  See, this is why Kyle keeps me around: I say the most absurd things.

After Kyle got over his shock and dismay at my total lack of knowledge of our favorite park, we made it to another attraction that I could sing through:



Immmmmmmaaaaagination!



And then we, of course, had to go live with The Land!  (Y'all are so lucky!  This day has THREE videos!)  We thought we could maybe get some FastPasses for Soarin'.

A Cast Member standing nearby laughed at us as we filmed that little bit.  We decided that if FastPasses were not to be had, we could still have some fun...



Did you know they don't play "Listen to the Land" on the
"Living with the Land" attraction anymore? I was so sad!

 We had enough time before our late dinner reservation to thanks the Phoenicians on Spaceship Earth.  You know me, I had to thank the Greeks for inventing mathematics while we were there, and Kyle always likes to give a nod to the unknown inventor in the garage.  Computers are his business after all!


Good night, Epcot!

 I cannot believe how long this post is getting, so come back in a couple of days, and we'll head over to the Contemporary Resort to see their Christmas decorations and then over to Fort Wilderness to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue!