[PiratesFan]

Day 2, Mon May, 5

After some Kona coffee from the Kona Island, we headed to the MK around 9am. The first thing we did was stop to get my 2 DD's some character autographs and photos on the Main Street circle for the Character Meet-n-Greet. We then headed over to the Carousel and then to Buzz Lightyear with a 5 min wait. Next we headed to Mickey's Toon Town for a little while, and then caught the train to Frontierland. We thought we could see something there, but didn't realize the time (we had a 12:45 PS for the Crystal Palace). We should have only taken the train to the Main Street stop. No problem though, we were able to check in the CP and be seated by 12:25. The characters were great and the kids were excited to see them. We were there in 2001 and I didn't notice what the refurbishment was all about, it seemed the same to me. The food was pretty good, but the kids section was very limited, only chicken nuggets, corn, and mac and cheese. I remember there more variety from the last trip. We got lots of pics of the kids with Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger.

After lunch we did a little bit more shopping (we were not used to the heat and did not want to stand on long lines at rides (Fantasyland). At 3:00 we saw the Share A Dream Parade and then headed back to the Poly for a cooling off in the quiet pool.

For dinner, we took my Mom and Dad to the POR to the Riverside Mill (Colonel's Cotton Mill). I was disappointed that the middle food court section was closed. It was blocked off by a curtain and several potted plants. I was hoping to get my favorite there, the BBQ chicken, ribs, corn, BBQ beans, and corn bread combo, but had to settle for a cheese steak. I did notice that there were not too many people there. I've stayed there 2 other times and have never seen it that quiet.

The rest of the evening was spent back at the Poly pool since the MK closed at 7. We didn't get to do too many rides at the MK but we felt we would make it up later in the week, which we did. Anyway, we would be getting up early for Day 3 at EPCOT. :)

[goofygal1975]

Sounds great so far!! Glad to hear you were smart and were careful in this humid, hot weather we're having!! Keep the reports coming!:D

[Willbegone]

Thanks for reporting! You have sealed the deal on our March trip! We had thought about trying out May next year but my sister can't take the heat so we will stick with March! I didn't know they were going to close the food court at POR, I wonder if it was just because so few people were there?

[PiratesFan]

The POR Foodcourt was not completely closed, only the central counter that offered sandwiches and salads for lunch, and roasted chicken, ribs, and other hot foods at dinner. The counter for burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips was open, as well as the counter for pizza, sausage, and pasta. I was really disappointed I couldn't order my favorite dinner combo.

As for the heat, I'm back home in dreary 60 degree NJ, and still complaining about the FL heat. Low and behold, tomorrow, the Orlando highs go back into the mid 80s for the rest of the week, still hot, but not like it was. I am very serious about making sure the next trip is nowhere near the spring/summer months. The high heat/humidity can seriously put a hamper on your activities.