Hicks on Holiday 2 - Done Brung the Kin Folk-Sept. 07 w/pics UPDATE 12/10/08 pg 41

[SlightlyGoofy]

MOM, back in the day we used to stay at Ramada because they offered free meals for kids so I can imagine what Free Dining means to you and your family.

I have a friend currently at DW so I know that it is being offered next year until Oct 1st! Make sure to book so that you can be there during F&W and enjoy all those FREE tastings!

I am sorry I slipped with the son/daughter thing. I remember your daughter well. She makes a very good impression. Please tell her I said hello?

I am betting it will be the CS option but I might be wrong. My family says I am always wrong but guess who they call when they make a mistake? :banana:

SG/Linda

[DisneyMom5]

MOM, back in the day we used to stay at Ramada because they offered free meals for kids so I can imagine what Free Dining means to you and your family.

I have a friend currently at DW so I know that it is being offered next year until Oct 1st! Make sure to book so that you can be there during F&W and enjoy all those FREE tastings!

I am sorry I slipped with the son/daughter thing. I remember your daughter well. She makes a very good impression. Please tell her I said hello?

I am betting it will be the CS option but I might be wrong. My family says I am always wrong but guess who they call when they make a mistake? :banana:

SG/Linda

DisneyGirl does not mind the mix-up, as she knows you're pretty ok. :thumbsup2

I'm betting on the CS being the free deal too.
WDW is all about the cost-cutting right now.

But this past time they allowed upgrades to Deluxe, (just pay the difference),
so I am HOPING they allow you to pay the difference and upgrade to basic.
If Fay has done what I think she has done,
combined with bad economy and gas prices,
I am HOPING it will be in WDW's best interest to entice my family to come to WDW.
I think they'd rather have my money than NOT have my money. Just a hunch. LOL

Have a GREAT trip!

[LuccaDrake]

I'm excited that you might get to go again next year! :banana: :banana: :banana:
I believe we will forgo free dining next year to be able to go at Christmastime! Plus, my parents really want to go with us, but Dad can't in september due to his job.

~Beka~

[DisneyMom5]

I'm excited that you might get to go again next year! :banana: :banana: :banana:
I believe we will forgo free dining next year to be able to go at Christmastime! Plus, my parents really want to go with us, but Dad can't in september due to his job.

~Beka~

We are sooooo torn between saying we're definately going and we're definately not. So we hang in an annoying limbo of denial.

Even IF there is free dining, it will all depend on John's job. He works in automotive production. Enough said. :sad2:

I can't seriously plan, because I don't want to be disappointed.

We had to cancel a trip in Feb. '05. Hated that. But it worked out, because then they offered free dining that fall.

I want to go in December some time, but the free food + seven kids is a hard combo to pass up.

[SlightlyGoofy]

Yes, I believe you are right oh wise one! Better to get some cash from us than none. I have been through it all and seen it all but want to go back again! :rotfl:

Each trip is unique and we can bend to the circumstances. As long as there is a Golden Corral nearby where I can load my dh up for a mere $5 or so before heading to the parks I am good to go!

Please tell DisneyGirl that I am honored with her comment. You cannot trick a child or an animal. They know who really likes them and who is faking it. I fake really, really well. :rotfl: Shame grownups have to go and spoil kids. Well, not YOU too much, as you still have the child in your heart. :laughing: :love:

Did I tell you that my bil's who think woman are stupid want me to take them to DW for Christmas this year? One is a Victoria and Albert's type and the other is a McDonalds dollar menu type. Should be an interesting trip, if we go. :scared1:

SG

[DisneyMom5]

Yes, I believe you are right oh wise one! Better to get some cash from us than none. I have been through it all and seen it all but want to go back again! :rotfl:

Each trip is unique and we can bend to the circumstances. As long as there is a Golden Corral nearby where I can load my dh up for a mere $5 or so before heading to the parks I am good to go!

Please tell DisneyGirl that I am honored with her comment. You cannot trick a child or an animal. They know who really likes them and who is faking it. I fake really, really well. :rotfl: Shame grownups have to go and spoil kids. Well, not YOU too much, as you still have the child in your heart. :laughing: :love:

Did I tell you that my bil's who think woman are stupid want me to take them to DW for Christmas this year? One is a Victoria and Albert's type and the other is a McDonalds dollar menu type. Should be an interesting trip, if we go. :scared1:

SG

Did you read Marivaid/Marina's trip report about taking her sis to WDW? OY!
Makes me realize how GREAT our trip actually was!

Sounds like fun. If they get annoying, just ditch them and blame senility. LOL

[SlightlyGoofy]

MOM, I doubt I would get away with ditching them. One is a retired judge, younger than I and the other some sort of international man of mystery, retired from the IRS. They could track me down and would. :lmao:

They look upon me as an oddity, sort of like a dog that can talk. I do not have to know everything, they are amazed that, as a woman, I know anything at all. :dance3:


I will have to check out that travel report. I would be afraid to post some things for fear that the person I wrote about might find it one day, and track me down. :scared1:

SG/Linda

[Hedy]

Yepp, the bounceback for free dining is available. I saw the paper yesterday.

[DisneyMom5]

MOM, I doubt I would get away with ditching them. One is a retired judge, younger than I and the other some sort of international man of mystery, retired from the IRS. They could track me down and would. :lmao:

They look upon me as an oddity, sort of like a dog that can talk. I do not have to know everything, they are amazed that, as a woman, I know anything at all. :dance3:


I will have to check out that travel report. I would be afraid to post some things for fear that the person I wrote about might find it one day, and track me down. :scared1:

SG/Linda


They sound interesting. I'm sure John would love it if someone referred to him as an International Man of Mystery. Ya baby!

Here's Marina's trip link: Why I didn't talk to my sister for a week (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1872155)

Tell her you found it here, in my report. It spreads the love around. LOL

Yepp, the bounceback for free dining is available. I saw the paper yesterday.

Better and better! Are you there now???

[SlightlyGoofy]

My one bil works overseas so he does not have to pay US income taxes so that is why I refer to him as such. He sets up tax systems in other countries. He has only been shot at once though. Hard way to make a buck. IMO. :scared1:

I went in and tracked down the TR and have saved the link for when I return home. I am too far behind in my work to read it and truly enjoy it right now. I will tell her or she will read this. :flower3:

Back to work and trying to keep my eyes open. :banana:

SG

[DisneyMom5]

Poch Jr. Meets the Real Deal
Animal Kingdom
Sept. 20, 2007

When we last left the Hicks they were on a train
headed for deepest darkest Africa.

Well, not really, but the “Wildlife Express Train” IS pretty cool.

I don’t think we even went to Conservation station our first trip,
but we did our second, and actually really liked it.

The Path to Conservation Station, Rafiki as host:

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There are a lot of cool veterinary displays, and a lot of other exhibits.

Sometimes you even get to see a surgery!

Cool mural (w/ lots of hidden mickeys!):

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My kids are a big fan of the “sounds” exhibit.
You go into little soundproof rooms, put on earphones,
and Grandmother Willow talks to you about sounds in the wild.

It is really cool! :thumbsup2

And receives very little advertisement.

We had to stumble across it ourselves.

We were in luck for some character interaction, as we noticed Jiminy Cricket was receiving guests.

D. Nephew Stitch Jr. (notice Mom in the background! LOL):

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D. Niece Poch Jr.

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The bunch (and Mom, LOL):

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Then, much to Poch Jr.’s joy, Pochohantas appeared!

Poch and Poch Jr.:

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DisneyGirl and Poch:

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I spent the majority of this time sitting on a bench with Babycakes.

I was tired, and she was hungry.
[I have nursed in the most unusual WDW locations,
but I've been doing it a long time, so it doesn't faze me.]


Then, the group decided to go out and check out the petting zoo area.

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I like the fact that guests do not feed the animals, so they tend to be less agressive.

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The Mickey Butt sheep:

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Wow, that's flexible!!!

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Yup, they are soooo much less agressive, they are practically comatose:


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IM000956.jpg

:lmao:

We looked over the merchandise for sale by the petting zoo,
and then decided to head back to the train,
as it was almost time for our fastpasses for the safari.

Next Up: “Wow, those Animitronic Animals look Very real!”

[LuccaDrake]

We also didn't bother with conservation station until our second trip. But we also did the listening booths. I liked going over there if not for the fact that it's not crowded and there's no lines for characters! Last year I got to pet a burmese python! Me, who's scared of the little snake in the garden! I guess I knew it had to be safe if it's at Disney! :thumbsup2

~Beka~

[DisneyMom5]

We also didn't bother with conservation station until our second trip. But we also did the listening booths. I liked going over there if not for the fact that it's not crowded and there's no lines for characters! Last year I got to pet a burmese python! Me, who's scared of the little snake in the garden! I guess I knew it had to be safe if it's at Disney! :thumbsup2

~Beka~

Very brave! :thumbsup2

Yeah, the character interaction is pretty good. I didn't write it, but knowing that's where you can meet Pochahontas is part of the reason we went back there. Didn't want to let dniece down! :wizard:

I noticed how soon your trip is! Yay!!! :banana:

Have a GREAT trip!!!

[arieljasmine]

Great day so far. I would love to meet Jiminy Cricket, I have never seen him around the parks. One for the list.

Laur's princess:

[HeatherSue]

I love the talking palm tree conversation! Tessa was pretty disappointed when we didn't see it this time.

Climbing on the ruins? You rule breakers!

I've never seen the sample cars! Sounds cool! I could sit in it with Sawyer if he's too small to ride! ;)

We took Tessa into one of those sounds booths when she was 2. The animals sounded so real that she tore off her headphones and cried with fear! It was really cool! :rotfl:

Hey, I've never seen anyone other than Stanley back at the Conservation Station! How cool that you saw Pocahontas AND Jiminy Cricket!

"Now that's flexible" :lmao:

I'm a little slow. I never figured out why these goats were so much nicer than most goats in a petting zoo!

[DisneyMom5]

“Wow, those Animatronic Animals look Very real!”
Animal Kingdom
Sept. 20, 2007

When we last left the Hicks, they had been to the
Wildlife Express/Rafiki’s Planet Watch/Habitat Habitat
/Affection section/Conservation Station area of AK.

Typing all that plus the time it takes to ride the train there
takes more time than touring the actual place.

No, not really, but sometimes it seems that way.

We actually had spent quite a bit of time there.

But now it was time to move on to our Fast Pass for the Safari.

Have I mentioned that we LOVE the safari. Love, love, love it!

The first time we went on it, we saw tons of animals.

The second time, we even saw the lions!

That time was the funniest, though,
due to Princess K’s very excited 2 year old running dialogue.

“Cow mommy, cow!!!” (Wildebeest, I think.)

“Crock-a-gators mommy!”
(Now our family name for those animals that are either crocodiles or alligators, but none of us desire to get close enough to find out.)

“Mangos mommy!” (Translation - Flamingos)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IM000989.jpg

We were hoping this time would be just as successful,
but I was a little worried,
because usually it is best to go first thing in the morning,
especially when it’s hot.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IM000958.jpg

Even with a fast pass we had to wait probably 15 minutes.

But, the newbies were terribly impressed
at how we had walked past hundreds of people in the stand-by line.

That's right people, I'm good, and don't you forget it!

I do not know what it is about Animal Kingdom,
but I have not been there on an empty day yet!

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We have read several anecdotes
about people thinking the safari animals are animatronics.
:lmao:

Notice the fine crafting on these animatronic Watusi cattle

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That cracked us up,
so now we always have to make a fuss about how “real” all the animals are.
I mean, WDW is good, but not that good! LOL

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The newbies loved the ride as much as we do.

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We even had a close encounter:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IM000996.jpg

And some elephants:

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We finished the safari,
and decided this would be a good time as any to get lunch.

I had thought it might be a good time to try Restaurantasauras,
as we were ready for some basic, McDonald’s type food.

We walked through Africa, around the big tree,
and paused for a moment,
confused by the good smells emanating from Pizzafari.

I knew that dnephew and dniece would eat pizza.
And that Pizzafari had GF pizza available.
It sounded like a good idea.

But something in the back of my brain was saying “you didn’t plan on this for a reason!”
:confused3

We even parked the stroller,
pulled the small children out of it,
and started to walk in.

But then I remembered that they didn’t have pizza on the kid’s menu.
:eek:

I spoke up.
:scared:
We all stopped,
and with some mild grumbling we did an about face,
re-loaded the stroller,
and continued on our way to Restaurant-a-sauras, and an tour of Dinoland.

[Thanks to DisneyGirl for all the pics.
I never am able to take fast enough pics on the safari.
I usually have a baby bouncing on my lap! LOL]

Next up: Dinos a Go-Go

[aspcamhreditor2]

Seriously lacking in cool hick-ish language (is there such a thing) to say "Woo Hoo ... I read the whole thing".

Excellent TR. Can't wait to read more.

AHR

[micandminforever]

DisneyGirl did a great job taking pictures.

[arieljasmine]

You have some lovely pictures of the safari :thumbsup2 I especially like the elephant ones, we only ever seem to see them from afar.

Laur's princess:

[DisneyMom5]

Seriously lacking in cool hick-ish language (is there such a thing) to say "Woo Hoo ... I read the whole thing".

Excellent TR. Can't wait to read more.

AHR

Welcome! Thanks for the TR love. I'm taking so long to write it that I'm having trouble hanging on to readers. But I'm trying to fix that. :thumbsup2

DisneyGirl did a great job taking pictures.

I'll pass that along. She loves photography. (so did I at that age, and still do)
Her camera's not quite as good as mine, and she keeps saying "I think you need to get a new camera, and give me that one." LOL

You have some lovely pictures of the safari :thumbsup2 I especially like the elephant ones, we only ever seem to see them from afar.

Laur's princess:

Thanks! Like I said, I never have gotten good safari pics. DisneyGirl was on the money that day.

Thanks for reading everybody!

I'm off to my mom's for the weekend, no updates to after that. She has dial-up and none of my pics. LOL

Have a great weekend!

[HeatherSue]

Croc-a-gators! That is perfect. I also never want to get close enough to find out which one they are.

Pizzafari doesn't have pizza on the kid's menu? That is absolutely rediculous!

[micandminforever]

Have great family time at your Mom's and traveling mercies.

[LuccaDrake]

Very brave! :thumbsup2

Yeah, the character interaction is pretty good. I didn't write it, but knowing that's where you can meet Pochahontas is part of the reason we went back there. Didn't want to let dniece down! :wizard:

I noticed how soon your trip is! Yay!!! :banana:

Have a GREAT trip!!!

Thanks Sarah! Have a nice holiday weekend! And I loved the pics of the animatronic animals! :thumbsup2

~Beka~

[aspcamhreditor2]

Welcome! Thanks for the TR love. I'm taking so long to write it that I'm having trouble hanging on to readers. But I'm trying to fix that. :thumbsup2



I love coming in when a report is further along ... gets me a little more invested and interested in coming back!

[TPCShauna]

PIZZAfari doesn't have pizza on the kid's menu? :scared1: Um, what's up with that? :sad2:

Great update! DH and I have been tossing around trying out Rafiki's Planet Watch. We might just have to take a quick trip over next time.

[DisneyMom5]

I'm BAAAAAACK!

Croc-a-gators! That is perfect. I also never want to get close enough to find out which one they are.

I knew you'd understand. LOL
My kids are getting such a kick out of seeing pics of Tessa at WDW.
"Mom, we know her!!!" :thumbsup2

Pizzafari doesn't have pizza on the kid's menu? That is absolutely rediculous!

Nope, just PBJ and quesadillas. Neither of which my allergic kids can have.
I'm sure they'd come up with something, but I didn't want to hold everyone up.

Have great family time at your Mom's and traveling mercies.

Thanks! The trip went very well.

Thanks Sarah! Have a nice holiday weekend! And I loved the pics of the animatronic animals! :thumbsup2

~Beka~

They are so real, aren't they? :lmao:

I love coming in when a report is further along ... gets me a little more invested and interested in coming back!

Well...then you should be VERY invested in mine. LOL
Thanks for joining in!

PIZZAfari doesn't have pizza on the kid's menu? :scared1: Um, what's up with that? :sad2:

Like I said, it's crazy. Pizza Planet, on the other hand....:thumbsup2

Great update! DH and I have been tossing around trying out Rafiki's Planet Watch. We might just have to take a quick trip over next time.

Yeah, there are mixed reviews on the place, but if you are not in a rush, it's kind of a nice change of place.

Thanks for reading everyone!!! :wizard:

[DisneyMom5]

Dinos a Go-go
Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007
Animal Kingdom

When we last left the Hicks,
they were journeying back to the Cretaceous Period
to try to find some lunch, and perhaps, some dinosaurs.

[Note: I only picked Cretaceous because it’s one I’ve heard of
and because my spell-checker spelled it for me.
I have no idea if there were dinosaurs then.]

Anyhoo...We walked past Dinosaur on our way to lunch,
and decided to grab a fast pass for after lunch.

Then we did manage to have some lunch at Restaurantasaurus –
you can read more about that in my food report, listed in my siggie.

Refreshed from our McDonald-esque repast,
we moseyed over to have the McNuggets scared out of us at Dinosaur.

I never get a lot out of this ride,
as I am usually helping a small child work through their fears,
or just hanging on for dear life.

I don’t recall having a big wait here with our fastpasses.
In fact, I’m pretty sure they allowed us to walk right on.

I hadn’t learned about taking Redneck ride photos,
so I have no photographic evidence of the event.

But it went something like this:
Stitch Jr. - “THIS....IS....AWESOME!!!!!!”
Everyone else - “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!”

LOL

Personally, I just shake my head when I hear adults say
they were so scared on this ride that they can’t ride it anymore.

Seriously.

I mean, these are FAKE dinosaurs.
If you are not under the age of 5, what’s to be so scared of???
:confused3

It is a THRILL ride, granted. I like that aspect of it.
And I can see why someone would be scared of a ride like Tower of Terror,
because you could be afraid that your seat belt might malfunction
and you could plummet to your death.

I’m just sayin’.

Well, the Hicks survived their trip back in time,
and after delivering our “stowaway” to the lab,
we decided it was time to re-group, read the map,
and make a decision.

Mom, of course, had graciously volunteered
to watch the little ones while we were being chased in our time rovers.

We gathered our troops,
and decided to head over to Festival of the Lion King.

Have I mentioned that I detest how you have to go around the hub
to get to anywhere in AK. Ugh.
It takes forever to get anywhere! :sad2:

In our long trek over to FOTLK,
we decided we were hot and thirsty,
so we got some frozen lemonades,
that we then had to gulp down,
because it was closer to show time than we had anticipated.

I love all the live entertainment at WDW,
as I have already discussed regarding MGM,
but the Festival of the Lion King is the one that in all of my follow-up trips
I have found myself thinking, “I forgot how GOOD this actually is.”

The performers are just top notch,
whether singing, or dancing on stilts,
or performing gymnastic stunts as the Tumble Monkeys.

Everyone agreed this was a must do,
even Mom who has never seen the movie.

We were hot, we were tired,
and there was only one more thing left on our list at AK –
It’s Tough to be a Bug.

It was at this point in time that my dh, a pretty patient man all in all,
had had enough of the chaos.

He decided to opt out of ITTBAB and get himself a soda.

I think he just was hot, tired,
and aggravated with the constant noise and naughtiness
that comes with traveling with 11 children,
two of whom are not your own,
and your sister,
AND your mother-in-law.

Give that man a Diet Coke on me!

Besides, he tends to be an “alone time” kind of guy,
and he had had NONE up to this point.

I have found after 19 years of knowing him,
that sometimes it is best for all involved
if you just let him be alone for a little while.

So the rest of us headed into Bug.

Poch Bug, and Bionic SIL

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Chef Bug (w/ Poch Jr., and Stitch Jr.)

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Bitsy Bug

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I really think this movie is cute.
It can be a little scary for little ones, but ours all seemed to do ok.

Besides, it’s nice to sit in a dark, air conditioned room.

We came out to find John refreshed and ready to deal with us all again.

We were done with our touring,
and DisneyGirl announced that we had been in WDW for 4 days
and she still had not had a pretzel, her favorite WDW treat.

I got in line at the pretzel vendor,
only to find that they were done with pretzels for the day.
Why?
Well, to make way for the parade, of course.

Here’s where they story goes awry.
You who are faint of heart might want to skip ahead.

IF you are not in the right spot at the right time, there is NO way to exit the park during the parade.

I can’t tell you how awful it was.

The horror!
The chaos!
The utter disorganization!

Ok, the CMs claim that you CAN exit the park,
you just have to wind your way through every shop in AK,
go down the hidden path by this restaurant,
work your way back to the crowd watching the parade,
squeeze through said crowd,
and voila’ (Heather!),
you’re there.

In the meantime, half of our group had started ahead to get out,
while my half were stranded by the parade.
Or so I thought.

I made it around through the maze and was almost ready to escape,
when I saw the foreward group on the OTHER side of the parade blockade!

I had to yell across to them HOW to get out of this mess,
and back track myself to get them.
Let’s just say, any peace that had been achieved
by a cold coke and a moment of silence
had totally been undone at this point.

And everyone else besides John wasn’t too happy either.

We tried killing some time in a gift shop, but it happened to be a really big one, and we kept losing members of our party.

We finally managed to worm our way to the front,
and we almost giddily skipped down the path to the exit.

Well, it's actually hard to be giddy and/or skip when you are exhausted,
but we were happy to be getting out of there none the less.

We did pause a moment
to see the animals on the little paths near the front of the park.

You know,
the ones that you shield your children’s eyes from on the way in,
so they don’t get distracted and try to stop and see them?
Yeah, that’s the ones.

Then, as we were heading for the buses,
we spotted some characters out.
Poch and Stitch Jr. hadn’t met Donald yet,
and they were so excited,
so we stopped and let them meet him.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0363.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0364.jpg

We dragged our sweaty, nasty selves over to the Pop bus stop,
and climbed aboard the next blissfully air-conditioned bus.
Ahhhhhh.

We had a 6:40pm ADR at Chef Mickey’s and we wanted to clean up and maybe rest a moment in the air before heading out again.

On the bus back,
I noticed a mom holding a WDW stroller card
that said “Heath and Javen.”

Well, as many on the Dis know,
there is a DIS-er named “Heath and Javen’s Mom.”
I had met her on the Pop Glow Party thread.

I thought to myself "what are the odds???"
So I, quite bravely and intelligently, asked
“Are you Heath and Javen’s Mom?” [Well...Duh.]

And Farrah quite graciously replied yes!

I explained who I was, and we had a nice conversation.
I think they may also have been going to Chef Mickey’s that evening!

And my family once again expressed their amazement
at me knowing people at WDW!

We made it back to Pop with plenty of time
to collapse and cool off and clean up before heading out to Chef Mickey’s. You can read all about that trip in my food report,
but here are a couple of pics:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0365.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0366.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0370.jpg

So that concludes the Hicks 4th day at WDW.
The next day would be the Bionic SIL’s last day,
and we wanted to make it count.

Next up: An early morning at MK - cause I can’t think of anything witty, though DisneyGirl suggests "The Bionic SIL bids a fond farewell to WDW."

[TPCShauna]

Great update! And yes, the Cretaceous did have dinosaurs and you were even more right by choosing it because the carnotaurs in the Dinosaur ride actually lived during that era. So, you didn't randomly choose - you shared your knowledge of dinosaurs (just go with it. ;).)

I didn't realize the parade blocks you in at AK. I'll have to remember that on the day we are trying to escape around that time. Where does it block you?

[arieljasmine]

I love Dinosaur! It is my favourite ride in the whole of the World, and I can never see what there is for adults to be scared of either - and I am the world's biggest wuss! Yuk, at getting blocked in by the parade - especially as I don't even like that parade!

Laur's princess:

[DisneyMom5]

Great update! And yes, the Cretaceous did have dinosaurs and you were even more right by choosing it because the carnotaurs in the Dinosaur ride actually lived during that era. So, you didn't randomly choose - you shared your knowledge of dinosaurs (just go with it. ;).)

I didn't realize the parade blocks you in at AK. I'll have to remember that on the day we are trying to escape around that time. Where does it block you?

If you google for AK maps, you can find a park map, but basically, if you are by the tree, you can't cross the street at all, and if you are on the other side of the street, you cannot walk down the street. You have to cut through shops. If you are in Africa or Asia and the parade is going, you will not be able to cross over the bridges until the parade has gone through.


I love Dinosaur! It is my favourite ride in the whole of the World, and I can never see what there is for adults to be scared of either - and I am the world's biggest wuss! Yuk, at getting blocked in by the parade - especially as I don't even like that parade!

Laur's princess:

I don't mind the parade, if I CHOOSE to watch it! LOL

I see baby is almost here! Hurray! Remember to fill us in when he or she arrives. :cheer2:

[HeatherSue]

The kids look so cute with their bug glasses on!

Awww...you said voila, just for me!! No walla from Sarah!

So, you actually made your way out of AK during the parade?! You rule!!

Heath and Javen's mom!? She's practically a celebrity!

Sorry it took me a few days to read this update! I've been working on a super-secret project for Teresa and Brian's 20th anniversary party (which is tomorrow). I finally finished it today! Phew!

[arieljasmine]

I
I see baby is almost here! Hurray! Remember to fill us in when he or she arrives. :cheer2:

I know, I'm so excited! I bought them a Halloween outfit on Monday and can't wait for them to wear it! I will be sure to let you know about the new arrival :thumbsup2

Laur's x

[Mckymousefn]

bumping

[DisneyMom5]

Thanks for the bump!

Mini-update: I will get around to updating soon.
I have been busy with our homeschool co-op, where, for some reason, I got talked into teaching two classes.
So I am currently knee-deep into Intro to Shakespeare:Hamlet and Basic Composition.
Did I mention that the group discovered I was the only English Major? LOL

There has been major construction going on here on my street, which has had the boy's attention all week.
Diggers are cool!

Soccer has started, and I have three playing.
Therefore, three practices, and three games. Enough said!

Also - things are looking more favorable for a trip next year.
Especially with all the talk of free dining.
Here's hoping!

This weekend will be one year since we went to WDW. Sniff.

We've been enjoying music from WDW on live365.com.
[search for disney]
There's even a channel for the DIS!

I think that's all for now.

More later!

[Mckymousefn]

DisneyMom5 - Thanks for the bump!

Not a problem! I just found this thread on the bottom of your siggy yesterday morning and i just now finished it. You should become a writer... i find your report very addictive and interesting.... thanks for sharing with us. It keeps me wanting to get to Disney even quicker!! ;)

[DisneyMom5]

DisneyMom5 - Thanks for the bump!

Not a problem! I just found this thread on the bottom of your siggy yesterday morning and i just now finished it. You should become a writer... i find your report very addictive and interesting.... thanks for sharing with us. It keeps me wanting to get to Disney even quicker!! ;)

Oooo - you get to go in two months. Yay!

Thanks for the compliments. :blush:
I like to fancy myself a frustrated writer, but I don't put enough time into it to get all that frustrated. LOL

I figure, even if no one reads this at all, I am still getting enjoyment out of it, so it's all good. :wizard:

Thanks again, you made my night!

[Mckymousefn]

Oooo -I figure, even if no one reads this at all, I am still getting enjoyment out of it, so it's all good. :wizard:

Well, it seems that there are a lot of us that enjoy reading your thread!
:thumbsup2

[DisneyMom5]

Well, it seems that there are a lot of us that enjoy reading your thread!
:thumbsup2


Thanks! :goodvibes

I'm hoping to get an update done today.
We're supposed to have three soccer games mid-day, but it's pouring rain and threatening thunderstorms.
I was praying it would quit, but now I'm praying they cancel early!

ETA: Here's what the National Weather Service has to say. Keep in mind, this is for MICHIGAN!

* THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LOWELL MOVING THROUGH THE REGION TODAY... AND THEN A SECOND PUNCH FROM THE LEFTOVERS FROM HURRICANE IKE ON SUNDAY WILL LIKELY PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS AS HIGH AS 5.5 INCHES BY EARLY MONDAY MORNING CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING.

Those hurricanes sure get around, don't they?

Princess K will be sooooo disappointed to miss her first game, but momma will deal. LOL

[SlightlyGoofy]

MOM, you would all be so jealous of me. We got stuck on the Safari because two giraffes were blocking our way. I got to see every wrinkled inch close up. When we finally got to move, not that I minded a bit, we moved a mere few feet and were surrounded by rhinos. Interesting but a whole lot scarier. I have never had this happen before. Made me late for an ADR but I did not mind one bit. AK is one of my favorites for the safari, the shows and my favorite parade bench.

SG

[HeatherSue]

How is your yard looking? I remember it used to flood every spring. I imagine it got pretty pond-like after all that rain last weekend! Our road was flooded and our neighbor's basement was filled with water (not my mom and dad, but the guy on the other side). I went shopping on Sunday and the road in front of Target was covered with over a foot of water. Little cars were adrift!!

[DisneyMom5]

MOM, you would all be so jealous of me. We got stuck on the Safari because two giraffes were blocking our way. I got to see every wrinkled inch close up. When we finally got to move, not that I minded a bit, we moved a mere few feet and were surrounded by rhinos. Interesting but a whole lot scarier. I have never had this happen before. Made me late for an ADR but I did not mind one bit. AK is one of my favorites for the safari, the shows and my favorite parade bench.

SG

That is amazing! Did you take pics?
I've never had to use the excuse "Sorry I'm late, there was a herd of rhinos across the road.":lmao:

Glad you're back...it was kind of quiet around here. :rolleyes1

How is your yard looking? I remember it used to flood every spring. I imagine it got pretty pond-like after all that rain last weekend! Our road was flooded and our neighbor's basement was filled with water (not my mom and dad, but the guy on the other side). I went shopping on Sunday and the road in front of Target was covered with over a foot of water. Little cars were adrift!!

Well, the good news is, we now have lake front property! :rolleyes:

It's really, really bad. I'll post a pic later today.
Your old yard is flooded up way past the little trees.
All the apples floated into my yard.
The willow tree was surrounded, and the basement of the garage was full. Thankfully we don't store anything down there.

We have had standing water before last year, but not flooding.
That has only been since they worked on the school behind us, so, the last year.
I am hoping that the storm drain major construction they are doing will help in the future, but YIKES!!!!

[DisneyMom5]

Here's the pics:

Keep in mind we don't live near a river or a lake. This is just run-off from all the neighborhood. Sigh.

front yard

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1321.jpg

side yard from the driveway (that's part of your old yard Heather)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1322.jpg

Around the willow tree, before it was even finished rising

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1325.jpg

Back yard

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1326.jpg

Back yard at about the highest point (sorry, blurry - we took this one through a window.) Notice the swings are now floating

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1329.jpg

All of the neighborhood yard trash has now gathered in our yard. Yippee.

Hoping to do a real update tonight!

[Hedy]

That's a lot of flooding, Sarah. :scared1: :scared1:

[DisneyMom5]

That's a lot of flooding, Sarah. :scared1: :scared1:

I'm sayin'!

I forgot to add that our over 48 hours of rain were, according to the Nat'l Weather service, courtesy of Tropical Storm Lowell (never even heard of him) on Saturday, and Hurricane Ike on Sunday.
We're in MICHIGAN people. I live here to avoid things like Hurricanes!!!

Boy, do I have a smidgen more compassion for the good folks on the southern coasts! :sad1:

[k_reile]

do you have flood insurance??

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Wow!! We got rain here near Indianapolis, but not anywhere near that!! I had to laugh that we were worried about getting hit by Ike when we were in Disney. Now it's finally hit us - IN INDIANA!!!!

I'm really enjoying your report! I think you're a very brave woman. :rotfl2: I'm a teacher, and if I homeschooled my kids, I'd probably kill one of them. :scared: I can stay home with them for a while (currently on maternity leave), but I don't think I could be mom and teacher.

Keep going on the great TR!

[DisneyMom5]

do you have flood insurance??

Only two weeks until baby is supposed to arrive! Yay for you! :cheer2:

Oh, heaven's no!
We don't live inside a flood plain, so we were told we didn't have to buy it. :sad2:
Thank goodness it didn't get into the house!!!

The yard will eventually recover. And we won't have to mow in the meantime. :thumbsup2

Wow!! We got rain here near Indianapolis, but not anywhere near that!! I had to laugh that we were worried about getting hit by Ike when we were in Disney. Now it's finally hit us - IN INDIANA!!!!

I'm really enjoying your report! I think you're a very brave woman. :rotfl2: I'm a teacher, and if I homeschooled my kids, I'd probably kill one of them. :scared: I can stay home with them for a while (currently on maternity leave), but I don't think I could be mom and teacher.

Keep going on the great TR!

Tell me about it. Gotta love those midwest hurricanes.

Congrats on the new baby! Girl or boy, and how old?

Patience is something you learn. No one is born with it.
That's the little secret no one tells you. LOL

That said, I'd rather deal with my kids than a classroom of 25,
so I applaud you on that! :flower3:

Besides, teaching your own kids is a different set of rules.
It is more of a one on one tutoring process, and less classroom control.

Thanks for reading!!! :wizard:

[SlightlyGoofy]

MOM, seems that everywhere I go people say it were quiet when I was gone. You all trying to tell me something? My friend who went with me on this last trip commented that I was willing to talk to anyone. I told her that I was like the dirty old man on the street corner. I got slapped occasionally but I also got kissed a lot. :lmao:

Feel free to use my rhino excuse cause I did and it worked!

Yikes on the flooding but it will make bobbing for apples very easy. :cool1: It is the season you know. Hopefully it did not invade your interior. We had bad flooding here (south of Indpls (Hi ya Jen!) Hardly anyone had flood insurance because it had never flooded here. Scary. Over a thousand homes were damaged or destroyed.

SG

[DisneyMom5]

MOM, seems that everywhere I go people say it were quiet when I was gone. You all trying to tell me something? My friend who went with me on this last trip commented that I was willing to talk to anyone. I told her that I was like the dirty old man on the street corner. I got slapped occasionally but I also got kissed a lot. :lmao:

Feel free to use my rhino excuse cause I did and it worked!

Yikes on the flooding but it will make bobbing for apples very easy. :cool1: It is the season you know. Hopefully it did not invade your interior. We had bad flooding here (south of Indpls (Hi ya Jen!) Hardly anyone had flood insurance because it had never flooded here. Scary. Over a thousand homes were damaged or destroyed.

SG

I tease, because I care. :flower3:

We do have apples bobbing out there...

Which is scary, as we don't happen to own an apple tree.

The neighbors "upstream" do though. LOL

I drove past out local rivers, and it is scary high.
Our little local zoo has water up to the animal cages,
and our farmer's market it flooded out.

I've always been so thankful to be on a higher plot of ground! :thumbsup2

[HeatherSue]

:scared1: WOW!! I have NEVER seen the yard like that! That's a huge amount of flooding! I bet the ducks were happy!!

Nobody has flood insurance around here, do they? I was starting to think maybe we should call our insurance agent and sign up for some on Saturday!:rotfl:

ETA: I can't believe how big "my" apple trees are getting!

[DisneyMom5]

:scared1: WOW!! I have NEVER seen the yard like that! That's a huge amount of flooding! I bet the ducks were happy!!

Nobody has flood insurance around here, do they? I was starting to think maybe we should call our insurance agent and sign up for some on Saturday!:rotfl:

ETA: I can't believe how big "my" apple trees are getting!

Shocking, isn't it?

Yeah, like I said, all the apples are floating in the cess pool in my back yard. LOL

Ok, I'm off to sleep now.

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Your title caught my eye. :thumbsup2 Wow what a big beautiful family you have!

[arieljasmine]

The flooding looks awful, hope it clears up for you soon :hug: For once, here in England, we are having a respite from all the rain.

Laur's princess:

[DisneyMom5]

Your title caught my eye. :thumbsup2 Wow what a big beautiful family you have!

Thanks! Working on a update, but we had 3 soccer practices last night. Hopefully today!

The flooding looks awful, hope it clears up for you soon :hug: For once, here in England, we are having a respite from all the rain.

Laur's princess:

I hear it can get rather soggy there. I
suppose Florida's rain doesn't bother you a bit, because you're used to it!

We still have a couple feet at the lowest part, but it has gone down some.

Thanks everyone! :wizard:

[DISNEY4XMAS]

I tease, because I care. :flower3:

We do have apples bobbing out there...

Which is scary, as we don't happen to own an apple tree.

The neighbors "upstream" do though. LOL

I drove past out local rivers, and it is scary high.
Our little local zoo has water up to the animal cages,
and our farmer's market it flooded out.

I've always been so thankful to be on a higher plot of ground! :thumbsup2

UUHHHGGGG Flooding! We are purchasing our First house and because there is a little river behind us we have to have flood insurance. FEMA just "updated" all their flood maps and the Currant owners DON"T have flood insurance but we have to, due to the update. Let me tell you it is VERY EXPENSIVE! Our first quote they gave me was a DISNEY TRIP for 5 of us! YES I am not LYING HERE! $5100. My house has never flooding since it was built in 1924, but I needed it! We managed to get the price decreased to 1390 a year! That is still a a down payment on a DISNEY trip.
I hope all the water goes away! I don't suggest that you BOB For apples! YUCK:sick:

[DisneyMom5]

UUHHHGGGG Flooding! We are purchasing our First house and because there is a little river behind us we have to have flood insurance. FEMA just "updated" all their flood maps and the Currant owners DON"T have flood insurance but we have to, due to the update. Let me tell you it is VERY EXPENSIVE! Our first quote they gave me was a DISNEY TRIP for 5 of us! YES I am not LYING HERE! $5100. My house has never flooding since it was built in 1924, but I needed it! We managed to get the price decreased to 1390 a year! That is still a a down payment on a DISNEY trip.
I hope all the water goes away! I don't suggest that you BOB For apples! YUCK:sick:

:scared1:

Holy Cow! Is that a one time only, or a once a year???

I'm not sure I could come up with $5100 at some points in my life, and definately would not have when I bought this house.

We paid $600 out of pocket for this house, along with a gift of $1000 from a relative, and we have NO idea where we got the $600! [It was cheap, and we got in on a first time buyers, no down payment kind of thing]
It was a little here, a little there. It truly was miraculous. We were so poor back then! LOL

God has really blessed us since then.

I have NO desire to move, partially due to cost, and that flood insurance story helps me keep feeling that way. :thumbsup2 Thanks! LOL

[DISNEY4XMAS]

:scared1:

Holy Cow! Is that a one time only, or a once a year???

I'm not sure I could come up with $5100 at some points in my life, and definately would not have when I bought this house.

We paid $600 out of pocket for this house, along with a gift of $1000 from a relative, and we have NO idea where we got the $600! [It was cheap, and we got in on a first time buyers, no down payment kind of thing]
It was a little here, a little there. It truly was miraculous. We were so poor back then! LOL

God has really blessed us since then.

I have NO desire to move, partially due to cost, and that flood insurance story helps me keep feeling that way. :thumbsup2 Thanks! LOL

That a once a year thing! YES Now I have to come up with 1390 every year because it has to be paid in FULL:scared1: can't just add it on to my car insurance!
If you look just past the pool you can see the murky River!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb47/snuffy1991/pool.jpg
Yes that is going to be OUR pool ! Just need a closing date already! Been waiting a month! The currant owners have said that the water has never reached the pool ... Thank GAWD! but that is why I didn't fight having the flood insurance because I figure if it did the pool would get flooded and I would never be able to replace it!

[DisneyMom5]

That a once a year thing! YES Now I have to come up with 1390 every year because it has to be paid in FULL:scared1: can't just add it on to my car insurance!
If you look just past the pool you can see the murky River!

Yes that is going to be OUR pool ! Just need a closing date already! Been waiting a month! The currant owners have said that the water has never reached the pool ... Thank GAWD! but that is why I didn't fight having the flood insurance because I figure if it did the pool would get flooded and I would never be able to replace it!


Yikes, yikes, yikes. Wow.
Makes basic home owner's seem like a bargain, no?

Hope you close soon! When we were waiting to take possesion of our house, we would stalk it. LOL They probably thought we were nuts.

[k_reile]

:scared1: WOW!! I have NEVER seen the yard like that! That's a huge amount of flooding! I bet the ducks were happy!!

Nobody has flood insurance around here, do they? I was starting to think maybe we should call our insurance agent and sign up for some on Saturday!:rotfl:

ETA: I can't believe how big "my" apple trees are getting!

it wouldn't have done any good calling last sat for flood insurance. There is a 30 day waiting period before flood insurance takes effect.

And DisneyMom...just because you are not in a flood zone does not mean that you could not flood since you are not near rivers or lakes...your subdivision sewer problems can come into your house from the outside too...and since you are not in a "true" flood zone...then it is normally pretty cheap for the year though I do not know what it costs in Michigan...just Ohio since I sell it here. I'm really glad that it did not come into your house. And also it does not cover contents in the basement, just the 1st floor and above. Flood insurance does cover the structure of the baserment though.

We had major flooding here in NW ohio last year and most people did not have flood insurance, so they did not even know that their homeowners insurance did not cover flood. We are now required when we sell a homeowners policy to offer flood insurance or at least let the customer decline the insurance....but it has to be offered either way now because there has been soo many problems.

Ok...enough about flood education....I would just hate to see it happen to someone else and I truly did not know about flood or that it was not even covered on my homeowners policy until I became an agent.

[DisneyMom5]

it wouldn't have done any good calling last sat for flood insurance. There is a 30 day waiting period before flood insurance takes effect.

And DisneyMom...just because you are not in a flood zone does not mean that you could not flood since you are not near rivers or lakes...your subdivision sewer problems can come into your house from the outside too...and since you are not in a "true" flood zone...then it is normally pretty cheap for the year though I do not know what it costs in Michigan...just Ohio since I sell it here. I'm really glad that it did not come into your house. And also it does not cover contents in the basement, just the 1st floor and above. Flood insurance does cover the structure of the baserment though.

We had major flooding here in NW ohio last year and most people did not have flood insurance, so they did not even know that their homeowners insurance did not cover flood. We are now required when we sell a homeowners policy to offer flood insurance or at least let the customer decline the insurance....but it has to be offered either way now because there has been soo many problems.

Ok...enough about flood education....I would just hate to see it happen to someone else and I truly did not know about flood or that it was not even covered on my homeowners policy until I became an agent.

Very educational! :thumbsup2
Thanks!

Heather will probably never need flood insurance, as she literally lives at the top of a hill, and no where near a river/pond/lake, AND no where near a subdivision or sewer line. LOL

We're on a city line, so if something went wrong with our sewer that was not our fault, would the city be liable?

Anyway, always good to have an education. I suspect the reason Flood Insurance is so high is because of the catastrophic loses that many have experienced over the last 20 years. (St. Louis has had several that I can think of.)

Insurance is a fascinating subject, as I tend to know little about it! Thanks!

[DISNEY4XMAS]

Yikes, yikes, yikes. Wow.
Makes basic home owner's seem like a bargain, no?

Hope you close soon! When we were waiting to take possesion of our house, we would stalk it. LOL They probably thought we were nuts.

Oh yes we Are STALKING IT too! My DH drove by the other day and the Current owners we moving boxes out and he had to call me on the cell to let me know. We live 5 miles down the street! He couldn't wait to get home to tell me!

[DisneyMom5]

Oh yes we Are STALKING IT too! My DH drove by the other day and the Current owners we moving boxes out and he had to call me on the cell to let me know. We live 5 miles down the street! He couldn't wait to get home to tell me!

:rotfl:

My SIL would drive by and call me "They took down the curtains!!!" LOL

Ok, back to my update, up next...

[DisneyMom5]

A morning at MK - cause I can’t think of anything witty
Magic Kingdom Little Ones Extra Magic Hour
Friday, Sept. 22, 2007


We awoke bright and early that Friday morning.
It was going to be Bionic SIL & Co.’s last day at WDW,
and we were going to make it count.

WDW had launched this nifty little program for hurricane season called
“Little Ones...Something, Something,”
which, along with having special musical programming at MGM,
also had something called Little Ones Extra Magic Hour at MK.

The name is a bit deceiving,
as all Disney Resort guests were able to attend,
but the focus would be on little ones.

In honor of that, only Fantasyland would be open, for one extra hour.

In addition, characters would be out to play with the kids.
This sounded good to us, and we had waited to visit Fantasyland until this morning.

Apparently, this program will no longer be offered,
as WDW did not announce it for 2008.
But it was a cool idea.

The night before, as we were making our plans,
Mom spoke up and said
"Can we wear our matching blue Mickey shirts again before Bionic SIL and kids leave?
It just looks so neat when we are all matching."
:eek:

Well, it took a little laundry, but we were all clean and ready to go by the next morning.
:laundy:

Mom had so few requests the whole trip, it was a pleasure to accomodate her on one like that!

As we were waiting for the bus that morning,
Princess K and the Inquisitor were standing there holding hands.

Then they smiled at me and said "Momma, we are best buddies."

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0373.jpg

Sniff.

This is why we go to WDW people!
It just causes a feeling of happiness and contentedness
that spreads liberally throughout your children.
[Yup, I'm sticking with that theory.]

We arrived there early enough to enter,
and immediately headed straight back for the castle
so we could walk through the tunnel and admire the decorations.

The mural inside the castle is stunning!
I was able also to point out to Bionic SIL
the restaurant that we will probably never eat at due to cost. LOL

It was nice to be there without the huge crowds.

Peter Pan and Wendy were out and about playing hide and seek with some kids.

We also saw Mary Poppins come to ride the carousel with a Make a Wish child.
We thought that was pretty cool.

None of the characters were doing autographs,
as this time frame was for playing only.

I also thought that was pretty cool,
as it gave kids a chance to get up close and personal with the characters
without all the standing in line and pushing and shoving.

We headed straight for Dumbo.
Of course, there was still a wait, but not as long as usual.

I decided to sit out with Babycakes. The rest got in line.

Here are some pics of the experience.
They contain actual family members.
But as they are pretty blurry, you'll have to take my word for it. LOL

Back of Mom's head (right)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0378.jpg

Bionic SIL

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0375.jpg

John

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0376.jpg

Me getting creative

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0377.jpg

Personally, and Disney fanatics will probably consider this sacrilege,
I think Dumbo is one of the most over-rated attractions at WDW.
Yeah, I said it.

But, my darlings love it, so I indulge them.

Not to mention John doesn’t mind riding it with them, so it’s all good.

While the kids were in line, Stitch was taking turns riding Dumbo with different kids.
I was hoping one of ours would get this honor, but no such luck.

Next We headed for the Winnie the Pooh ride. I really like this ride.
It is gentle and fun, just like Pooh himself. Sigh.
The honey pot’s motion to match the different themed rooms is just so cool.

Some time around here the park opened.
But it definitely took a while for the crowds to get back here.

Then we made our way to It’s a Small World.
Mom was REALLY looking forward to this.
Why?

Well, it all stems from a set of Disney Read-along LPs we had as children.
I could quote the entire movie of Robin Hood to you, yet I did not see it until I was an adult.

One of the records was It’s a Small World, with narration:
“We now enter the snowy hills of Switzerland, where young children skip and frolic and yodel.”

So, Mom knew the song, and thought that the ride would be her cup of tea.

She was right.

After riding, she said “I think I might go on that again. Maybe twice!” LOL

Once again reinforcing the idea that anything that is historical
(or geographical, in this case)
and animatronic, was ok with Mom.

As DisneyGirl and I were sitting here, trying to account for all our time that morning,
we remembered that at some point in time,
we made a bath room stop back behind Pinocchio Village Haus.

Did I mention we visited many of the WDW bathrooms?

We give this bathroom a thumb’s up, as it was clean, very pretty, and virtually empty.
We have found that a lot of the more out of the way bathrooms are the best.

We then headed to Philharmagic.
This is my favorite of the 3-D movies.
It might be because of the Dessert-type scent that is emitted.
But it’s probably just because it is really cool.

The Agraba scene is one of the few motion simulator type experiences that doesn’t make me dizzy.

We all had a great time at this movie, and vowed to come back again before the trip was over.

We spent a little time in the Philharmagic gift shop.

Then we decided it was time to ride Peter Pan.

I also really enjoy this ride.

The only bad ride I ever had on this was when the Inquisitor was two,
as I had Princess K in the baby sling,
and Inquisitor next to me,
and it kept feeling like he was going to slide out.

They say that when the lights are on you’d be shocked how close to the ground you actually are.

Ok. If you say so.

I still don’t want my two year old to plummet down onto it.

John also had an experience with the Inquisitor on this ride when he was four.
Inquisitor was still a little slow moving from his accident,
and moving side walks were hard for him.

They and DisneyGirl made it into the pirate ship at the last minute,
but the guard in front never came fully down.

It wouldn’t come down even when John pulled on it.
John was REALLY afraid one of them would fall out!

This time the ride was uneventful. Whew.

It was around 10 am at this point,
and we had a 10:30 ADR for Crystal Palace.

So we decided to take a leisurely walk back toward Main Street.
We went the back way around the castle, and saw Cinderella’s fountain.

Having since seen pictures of people “bathing” in the fountains at WDW,
I am not feeling as nostalgic about them.
But at the time I thought they were pretty.

We arrived at Crystal Palace with time to spare,
which was a good thing,
since, as I mentioned in my food report (see my siggie),
and not an original thought to me, but someone else on these Disboards,
the entry way to Crystal Palace much resembles the Atlanta scene.
in Gone With the Wind
where the wounded are lying all over the town square.

It is CHAOS!

So, word to the wise, check in early.

We sat awhile in what was becoming stifling heat, and finally were seated.

You can read all about it in my food report, but here are a few pics for your enjoyment.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0390-1.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0387.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0386.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0385.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0384.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0379.jpg

DisneyGirl was feeling a bit under the weather that day, so there are not many pics of her, or by her.
Thus the lack of photography for this day.

Next up: The Hicks Meet the Local Royalty

[DISNEY4XMAS]

:rotfl:

My SIL would drive by and call me "They took down the curtains!!!" LOL

Ok, back to my update, up next...
Ok subcautiously I just stalked them I meant to leave the school and cross the street to the store but ended up driving around the block pass the house!

Yes on to the next update I need to know what to look forward to for next years free dining!

[TPCShauna]

I don't get the Dumbo thing either but I also don't have kids. It's just so boring!

I had those Disney read-along books also. I knew every single word to Cinderella by the time I was 3.

Great update! The kids look like they were having a ball at CP!

[HeatherSue]

Sarah, you done made me cry. The picture of Princess K and the Inquisitor (I have a real hard time calling them by those names) and the quote "Momma, we are best buddies."...Where's my happy cry smiley when I need it?

I wish they would do that extra magic hour for little ones again! That would be great for our February trip!

Those are some GREAT Dumbo ride pics :rolleyes:

I love that you remember the narration to the It's a Small World LP. :rotfl:
I still remember most of the "Fox and the Hound" read along. My favorite line was "...and he fell to the river below..." complete with sound effects. I also liked "We'll always be friends forever, won't we? Yeah, forever." Did you know that Corey Feldman was the voice of either Tod or Copper? Yep, he was. ::yes::

I also approve of that bathroom! I didn't know it was there until our last trip, but it was very nice, clean, and pretty.

This was one of my favorite updates! I just love Fantasyland!!

Flood insurance: If it doesn't cover the contents of the basement, I don't think I'd ever buy it! Better to put the $$ in savings and save for an emergency. That is, unless you live in an area where it's more likely to happen!

[k_reile]

Sarah, you done made me cry. The picture of Princess K and the Inquisitor (I have a real hard time calling them by those names) and the quote "Momma, we are best buddies."...Where's my happy cry smiley when I need it?

I wish they would do that extra magic hour for little ones again! That would be great for our February trip!

Those are some GREAT Dumbo ride pics :rolleyes:

I love that you remember the narration to the It's a Small World LP. :rotfl:
I still remember most of the "Fox and the Hound" read along. My favorite line was "...and he fell to the river below..." complete with sound effects. I also liked "We'll always be friends forever, won't we? Yeah, forever." Did you know that Corey Feldman was the voice of either Tod or Copper? Yep, he was. ::yes::

I also approve of that bathroom! I didn't know it was there until our last trip, but it was very nice, clean, and pretty.

This was one of my favorite updates! I just love Fantasyland!!

Flood insurance: If it doesn't cover the contents of the basement, I don't think I'd ever buy it! Better to put the $$ in savings and save for an emergency. That is, unless you live in an area where it's more likely to happen!

Heather: It covers the basement structure....just not your personal property items. So if the walls are damaged by water, it will cover up to the amount of damages or upto the amount purchased. Each individual house of course is different. We don;t have a finished basement, our house sits high and we do not have many valuable items in our basement...so for DH and I we decided not to purchase.

[DisneyMom5]

Ok subcautiously I just stalked them I meant to leave the school and cross the street to the store but ended up driving around the block pass the house!

Yes on to the next update I need to know what to look forward to for next years free dining!

Where are you staying next year?
We LOVE the free dining!
Lots of info on that on my food report.

I don't get the Dumbo thing either but I also don't have kids. It's just so boring!

I had those Disney read-along books also. I knew every single word to Cinderella by the time I was 3.

Great update! The kids look like they were having a ball at CP!

I think we had the Cinderella one too! LOL

We love CP, especially for breakfast. Mmmmm....

Sarah, you done made me cry. The picture of Princess K and the Inquisitor (I have a real hard time calling them by those names) and the quote "Momma, we are best buddies."...Where's my happy cry smiley when I need it?

It was a good day.
I've been having trouble remembering to use their aliases also. LOL
Choice I made for security purposes.

I wish they would do that extra magic hour for little ones again! That would be great for our February trip!

Those are some GREAT Dumbo ride pics :rolleyes:

It was fun. We didn't do any of the concerts at MGM.

Yeah, my Dumbo pic skills are nil. LOL

I love that you remember the narration to the It's a Small World LP. :rotfl:
I still remember most of the "Fox and the Hound" read along. My favorite line was "...and he fell to the river below..." complete with sound effects. I also liked "We'll always be friends forever, won't we? Yeah, forever." Did you know that Corey Feldman was the voice of either Tod or Copper? Yep, he was. ::yes::

Fun!
Interesting tidbit there.
And I thought I was the queen of useless knowledge! LOL

I also approve of that bathroom! I didn't know it was there until our last trip, but it was very nice, clean, and pretty.

I'm Heather, and I approve this bathroom.

This was one of my favorite updates! I just love Fantasyland!!

:goodvibes :hug: :flower3:

Flood insurance: If it doesn't cover the contents of the basement, I don't think I'd ever buy it! Better to put the $$ in savings and save for an emergency. That is, unless you live in an area where it's more likely to happen!

That's what I was thinking. If that was the worst rain in the history of this area, it can't get any worse. Right? :confused3

Thanks for reading everyone!

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Congrats on the new baby! Girl or boy, and how old?

Patience is something you learn. No one is born with it.
That's the little secret no one tells you. LOL

That said, I'd rather deal with my kids than a classroom of 25,
so I applaud you on that! :flower3:

Besides, teaching your own kids is a different set of rules.
It is more of a one on one tutoring process, and less classroom control.

Thanks for reading!!! :wizard:

A boy, 5 mo. old now (and already been to Disney, lucky guy!!). Unfortunately, I go back in a month. :sad2: Maybe because it's my last one, I'm just really not ready! I've enjoyed spending the extra time with my other two, as well. I enjoy teaching - I'm just enjoying being a mom more right now.

I had to laugh when I read about the Robin Hood album. We had those, too! My DH looks at me funny when I quote that movie as the kids are watching, but it's because I listened to the thing so darn many times as a kid! I had the Fox and the Hound, too - I saw someone else describing that one. Fun memories. :goodvibes Great update! We did CP for the first time when were were there two weeks ago (eek! Has it been that long???) and enjoyed all of the interaction. I'll have to hop over to your food report to see what you thought. Looking forward to the next installment!

[DisneyMom5]

A boy, 5 mo. old now (and already been to Disney, lucky guy!!). Unfortunately, I go back in a month. :sad2: Maybe because it's my last one, I'm just really not ready! I've enjoyed spending the extra time with my other two, as well. I enjoy teaching - I'm just enjoying being a mom more right now.

I had to laugh when I read about the Robin Hood album. We had those, too! My DH looks at me funny when I quote that movie as the kids are watching, but it's because I listened to the thing so darn many times as a kid! I had the Fox and the Hound, too - I saw someone else describing that one. Fun memories. :goodvibes Great update! We did CP for the first time when were were there two weeks ago (eek! Has it been that long???) and enjoyed all of the interaction. I'll have to hop over to your food report to see what you thought. Looking forward to the next installment!

Thanks, I'll be looking at your report. Curious what it's like to take a smaller baby to WDW. (Did you take him?) If we were ever in that situation (somewhat unlikely, but you never know) I want to be able to say "It CAN be done!) LOL
Princess K was 10 mo. old the first time we went. That worked out pretty good.

Thanks for reading!

[teresajoy]

I'm sayin'!

I forgot to add that our over 48 hours of rain were, according to the Nat'l Weather service, courtesy of Tropical Storm Lowell (never even heard of him) on Saturday, and Hurricane Ike on Sunday.
We're in MICHIGAN people. I live here to avoid things like Hurricanes!!!

Boy, do I have a smidgen more compassion for the good folks on the southern coasts! :sad1:

And the rain rain rain came down down down..... That was SOOO much rain, wasn't it! Thankfully, we had no flooding here. But, man, your yard! :scared1:


I still remember most of the "Fox and the Hound" read along. My favorite line was "...and he fell to the river below..." complete with sound effects. I also liked "We'll always be friends forever, won't we? Yeah, forever." Did you know that Corey Feldman was the voice of either Tod or Copper? Yep, he was. ::yes::ncy. That is, unless you live in an area where it's more likely to happen!


Yep, those were her favorite parts, she would set the arm of the record player back over and over and over and over and over and over and over again (wait, maybe there was a scratch in the record?) just to hear those lines! I can hear it in my head clear as day!


And, on to my notes on the TR:

Oh, the "Best Buddies" thing got me all teary eyed!

Very nice Dumbo pictures!

I agree, Dumbo is a HIGHLY overrated attraction!!!

We had the It's a Small World and Robin Hood read alongs too, and one I really liked about a hat...

Wow, what excitement you guys have had on the Peter Pan ride!

I'm thinking we should do Crystal Palace on our next trip.

Sorry DisneyGirl wasn't feeling well.

[arieljasmine]

I hear it can get rather soggy there. I
suppose Florida's rain doesn't bother you a bit, because you're used to it!


That's true - when I see people putting ponchos on at the first sign of rain, I always want to say to them, "Come to England and see some real rain" :rotfl:

Great update, the little ones extra magic hour sounds like an excellent idea to gt some rides knocked off early on.

Laur's princess:

[DisneyMom5]

And the rain rain rain came down down down..... That was SOOO much rain, wasn't it! Thankfully, we had no flooding here. But, man, your yard! :scared1:

It's finally starting to look a little better, though the spot that joins the two yards is still really deep.


Yep, those were her favorite parts, she would set the arm of the record player back over and over and over and over and over and over and over again (wait, maybe there was a scratch in the record?) just to hear those lines! I can hear it in my head clear as day!

We must have only had a couple, or REALLY liked the Small World and Robin Hood ones, as that's what I mostly remember.


And, on to my notes on the TR:

Oh, the "Best Buddies" thing got me all teary eyed!

Very nice Dumbo pictures!

I agree, Dumbo is a HIGHLY overrated attraction!!!

We had the It's a Small World and Robin Hood read alongs too, and one I really liked about a hat...

Wow, what excitement you guys have had on the Peter Pan ride!

I'm thinking we should do Crystal Palace on our next trip.

Sorry DisneyGirl wasn't feeling well.

I haven't really seen a bad review on CP (though I am sure there is one out there). We MUCH prefer going when it is emptier. The more people in there, the worse it gets. The buffet line is sort of unorganized. But the food is worth it. I recommend a late breakfast. Those have gone well for us!

That's true - when I see people putting ponchos on at the first sign of rain, I always want to say to them, "Come to England and see some real rain" :rotfl:

Great update, the little ones extra magic hour sounds like an excellent idea to gt some rides knocked off early on.

Laur's princess:

Any MK morning emh works really well for knocking off at least one land.
The trip before this, we hit 11 attractions and rides before 11 am, and that included walking right on Buzz Lightyear about three times in a row, and space mtn twice.

Thanks for faithfully reading!

[DisneyMom5]

The Hicks Meet the Local Royalty
Friday, Sept. 21, 2007
Magic Kingdom

After having brunch with the 100 Acre Crew,
we decided to check out the princesses at the Toon Town meet and greet.
Why meet the princesses, when we already had met them at breakfast?

Well, because Snow White and Cinderella were missing from our breakfast.
And there was no way we were going to let Poch Jr go home without meeting those two ladies.
We rode the train from Frontierland Station (is that what it’s called???),
a very popular past time for all of our kids,
but especially for the Inquisitor,
who is a fan of all kinds of Disney Transportation.

While we would stand in line for the princesses,
John volunteered to take the boys (w/ the exception of the Chef)
on Goofy’s Barnstormer.

That is until Babycakes decided she had had enough of this standing around.
Mom came to the rescue,
and she and the Chef walked around the gift shop with Babycakes to entertain her.

It took a long time to get to see those princesses,
and when we got there,
we discovered that Snow White was also MIA from the meet and greet.
:confused3

We decided that Snow White must be on vacation, perhaps to Disneyland???

But, we did have the privilege of meeting three very gracious,
very kind,
very lovely princesses,
so we have no complaints.

We also decided to get our monies worth of PhotoPass pictures.


Poch Jr and Cindy

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image166.jpg



My girls and Cindy

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image170.jpg



Princess K and Cindy (Aw, sooo cute!)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image177-1-1.jpg



The little girls wanted Cindy to meet their big sister. Sniff.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image180.jpg



Tinkerbell!?!?!

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image205.jpg



Belle and the girls

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image214.jpg



Poch Jr and Aurora (Or as Disneygirl used to call her Seeping Booty. LOL) :lmao:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image217.jpg


And from my camera -


Love the way Cindy is picking up her dress

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0393.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0394.jpg



Belle

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0396.jpg



Aurora

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0399-1.jpg

We met back up with the boys, who gave Goofy’s a big thumbs up.

We headed to Frontierland, possibly on the train, but who knows,
and took one more ride on Splash Mtn and BTMRR.

We then decided it was time to leave MK for Epcot,
which was our next destination.

We headed through Adventureland,
and decided to grab some dole whips and rootbeer floats. :thumbsup2

As we were walking from Adventureland to Main St.,
we witnessed a duck heading into Casey’s Corner.
Apparently, Donald’s relatives are big fans of hotdogs???
I wish I had a picture, because it was really funny.

Next up:
Pics Of Hicks, a Nap, and PM EMH @ EP, due to MNSSHP

[SlightlyGoofy]

The princesses were absolutely lovely and the CM dressed up were not so bad either! :love:

I love the younger gals wanting to share with big sister. Not one bit surprised though.

My favorite is Belle. She is a reader and I love readers.

SG/Linda

[DisneyMom5]

The princesses were absolutely lovely and the CM dressed up were not so bad either! :love:

I love the younger gals wanting to share with big sister. Not one bit surprised though.

My favorite is Belle. She is a reader and I love readers.

SG/Linda

Me too! :goodvibes
Disneygirl says that's why she loves her too. :thumbsup2

She also says that Belle seems like she could kick Cinderella's bottom, and that Cinderella always seemed a bit of a wimp.

I always thought that if the only pre-req for being a Princess was small feet, I was not going to make the cut. LOL

Thankfully John doesn't mind about the feet. ;)

[SlightlyGoofy]

Disneygirl and I are like minded. I already knew that. BTW, she might try getting the 'original' fairy tales as the sanitized versions they read nowadays do make the Princesses seem to be wimps. They were much tougher in the old days. I remember when the Old Lady in the Shoe used to spank her kids and nowadays she kisses them.:confused3

Many men will not think of marrying an independent woman but then who wants one of THEM any old way.:rotfl:

Big feet make for a good foundation. I am well grounded as well. :laughing:

Please tell DG that I have established a library for the daycare center across the street and go over and read to the wee ones along with teaching the older ones to read now. Keeps me off the streets and out of trouble, mostly.:dance3:

I am betting you will get really good prices on next years vacation. Not many are going to be able to afford anything extra and you strike me as the kind who is prepared. Me too.

SG

[Hedy]

Such cute pictures. I agree with Disney girl about Cindy. ::yes::

[TPCShauna]

How sweet that the girls wanted their Big Sis to meet Cindy. You have some good kids, Mom.

[HeatherSue]

Here I go, getting all teary-eyed again. The look on Princess K's face is just priceless! She is SOOO excited to see Cinderella! I love it!

The ducks were one of my kid's favorite parts of Disney. :rolleyes:

[DisneyMom5]

Disneygirl and I are like minded. I already knew that. BTW, she might try getting the 'original' fairy tales as the sanitized versions they read nowadays do make the Princesses seem to be wimps. They were much tougher in the old days. I remember when the Old Lady in the Shoe used to spank her kids and nowadays she kisses them.:confused3

No wonder her kids are running around crazy! :rotfl:

Many men will not think of marrying an independent woman but then who wants one of THEM any old way.:rotfl:

What's that old saying "A woman chases a man until he catches her?"

A little initiative isn't a bad thing. As long as you are not a brazen hussy about it. DisneyGirl will need a strong dh, as she's a first born girl. Enough said!

Big feet make for a good foundation. I am well grounded as well. :laughing:

Mine grew with each of the first three kids. DisneyGirl is concerned for herself due to this fact. LOL

Please tell DG that I have established a library for the daycare center across the street and go over and read to the wee ones along with teaching the older ones to read now. Keeps me off the streets and out of trouble, mostly.:dance3:

I had to teach a Shakespeare class for our Homeschool Co-op just so she could have someone to discuss Hamlet with. Sheesh. Am I a good mom or what???

I am betting you will get really good prices on next years vacation. Not many are going to be able to afford anything extra and you strike me as the kind who is prepared. Me too.

SG

From your mouth to the Mouse's ears. LOL :thumbsup2

Such cute pictures. I agree with Disney girl about Cindy. ::yes::

Thanks!

How sweet that the girls wanted their Big Sis to meet Cindy. You have some good kids, Mom.

They ADORE their big sister. She's pretty sweet on them too. When they are being good and not getting into her stuff.
DisneyGirl just got her own room this last weekend, and is THRILLED to have some space. LOL :cloud9:

Here I go, getting all teary-eyed again. The look on Princess K's face is just priceless! She is SOOO excited to see Cinderella! I love it!

Princess K is soooo excited about EVERYTHING! She's a pretty happy girl all around. That's why it's a pleasure to take her to see the Princesses.

I told you the story about how I knew Princess K would like WDW? We were walking to the library and she saw a flag and said in her best wide-eyed exuberance "A FLAG momma, a FLAG!!!!" We figured if she was that excited about a flag, WDW would be over the top. :lmao:

The ducks were one of my kid's favorite parts of Disney. :rolleyes:

They are quite entertaining.

I have to tell you all, my kids saw SANTA at Princess K's soccer game the other day. When asked what he was doing there, Bitsy replied "He's watching the boys and 'glirls' to see if they are good." She was remarkably good the rest of the day. All the way home she was singing "He know when you are fweeping, he know when you awake. He know if you been good or bad so be good for Heaven's sake." :rotfl2:

Ok, don't fall over. New update coming right up!

[DisneyMom5]

Pics Of Hicks, a Nap, and PM EMH @ EP, due to MNSSHP
Friday, Sept. 21, 2007
Magic Kingdom

When we last left the Hicks they were leaving MK for Epcot on the Bionic SIL's last day at WDW.

On the way out of the park,
we saw some other families getting their pictures taken.

Again, I was haunted by the $99 I had spent on the prepaid Photopass CD,
so I insisted that we get some pics done also.
I recommend that if you want pics done in front of the MK Castle,
that you do them first thing in the morning,
or at night, after dark,
because in the afternoon you get the lovely squinty-eye effect.

My Hicks

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image24.jpg


My Hicks and Mom


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image37.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image41.jpg


Bionic SIL's crew

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image06.jpg



Poch Jr and Stitch Jr, and there was supposed to be something in their hands, but that never happened. LOL

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image13.jpg



The Whole Hick Ensemble

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/image20-1.jpg


It was hot, and we were getting cranky,
but at least I can say we got some pics!

We had intended to head directly to Epcot on the Monorail,
as I thought a second Monorail ride would be nice.

Instead, we decided to go back to the room for a short nap
and to let Bionic SIL to pack a little,
allowing us to stay later at the Epcot PM EMH.

Did I mention that the reason for this whole plan
was that we wanted to visit Epcot and MK both again,
Bionic SIL was on limited time,
AND MK was closing early for MNSSHP,
a closed, ticket-required party
that has the honor of having one more initial than MVMCP,
making it the longest special event acronym at WDW.

MNSSHP is a bit classified in the DMZ, gotta go ASAP, you know, strictly BYOB.

May I say once again
that although I am not a fan of hauling my seven kids
back and forth on the busses multiple times a day,
that afternoon nap in the A/C is soooo refreshing!

Naps and packing accomplished,
and it seems like Poch and Stitch jr may have gone swimming,
we decided we were ready to deal with the parks again.

We hopped on the Epcot bus, and found our way to Futureworld.

We honestly can’t remember what all we did here,
but I don’t think that it was much, because...we were all hungry.

We had voted on eating at Epcot vs. eating at Pop before leaving.

So, we made our way to The Land,
looked at the waaaaay too long line of Soarin’,
and promptly visited the bathroom,
which was very crowded and noisy.

Did I mention that we’ve visited ever freakin’ bathroom in WDW. :rolleyes:

Not that I’m bitter, or anything.
A hick’s gotta do what a hick’s gotta do.

Ahem.

We grabbed some supper at the Sushine Seasons,
and found it to be a bit of a mixed bag.
[Review in my Food Report, see my siggie.]

Before leaving Futureworld,
we saw they were already handing out the now defunct PM EMH wristbands. So we lined up and slapped them on.
We weren’t sure how long we’d actually stay,
but we wanted to be prepared.

We then headed to the World Showcase to tour the countries that we had not yet hit.

We spend a lot of time exploring all the nooks and crannies in Morocco,
which was pretty cool.
It was dark by then, and there were very few people around.
It was nice back there.

We then ended up near Japan in time to watch Illuminations,
something we had missed on all of our family trips.

I am still not of the mind to sit for over an hour with small children
in order to see this Spectacular Evening Event,
but it was pretty good for being a few rows back.

Bionic SIL gave it a big thumbs up also!

My only complaint is that I got several hot cinders in my eyes,
irritating them for the rest of the week.
I suppose that all depends on where you are standing
and where the wind is blowing.

But it smarted! :sad1:

We jumped in with the big crowd and herded, I mean headed,
back to Futureworld.

Here is my only pic from that night.
My camera is not so good with the night time photos,
yet I think it is tre' artistic, no?

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0402.jpg

On the way, there was this group in front of us,
and they were having a REALLY good time.
One guy in particular, who was speaking really loudly with some accent,
sounded VERY familiar to me.

?!?!?!

Who does he sound like?

Suddenly, I realized...
He sounded JUST like the Geico Gecko. :lmao:

Just then, John leaned down to me and said,
"If you want a muffin, they literally hand you a muffin with butter and jam.
Mmmmm...Tasty!"

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I started laughing so hard I almost snorted and choked at the same time.

AT LEAST, it wasn't just me!!!!

We then decided to try standing in line to ride Soarin’ again.

Bionic SIL and crew had decided that it was the one thing they wanted to do
before we left.

The wait time was posted at around 25 minutes,
but we decided to chance it,
and left Mom and John in the food court with the littles.

As we were standing in line, people kept pushing past us,
in theory to join their group.
Bionic SIL was having a fit over it,
but couldn’t bring herself to body slam the next person that tried it
as she was thinking of doing.

The wait time may have been as posted,
but once we got to the virtual gaming area,
it seemed to go really fast.
We were doing pretty well with the games,
at first,
then we seemed not to be able to win anything! LOL

We made it on Soarin in due time,
and really enjoyed it once again.
It probably is my favorite,
though you probably will find me saying that about many things at WDW.

After Soarin we were beat,
and decided not to fight the crowds anymore.

Morning EMH is about not being crowded.

Evening EMH is all about joining the masses.

The upside is that it is cooler.

The downside, longer lines.
And the fact that my littles,
no matter if they nap or not,
can not really make it longer than 8 pm.

We grimly trailed back to the buses,
glad that our immediate family was still staying,
but sad that the cousins would be leaving.

On the bus, Princess K was ready to drop,
and there weren't any seats left for her and DisneyGirl.
She was whining about it, and a little boy, about 8 years old,
offered his seat to her.
K gladly took it.

His dad, obviously proud, said "You remembered our talk about being a gentleman.
Now I'm going to be a gentleman and give you MY seat."
The little boy settled in, then looked at his dad with big eyes,
"Dad, do you need to sit down again?"
"Nope, I'm fine."
"Oh, good. I was afraid I would have to be a gentleman again."
:lmao:

And thus ends the Whole Hick Ensemble's Last Night Together at WDW.
Sniff.

Next up: The cousins leave, Breakfast with the Mouse, and bad bus service.

[FairyGodmotherJen]

I love the Gecko story!! My DS1 is NUTS about him. We pulled up to the school to have lunch w/DD, and as I'm getting the baby out of the car and into the stroller he starts yelling, "It's the lizard, Mommy! It's the lizard!!!" He's jumping up and down and laughing and yelling, and I'm figuring he's gone out of his gourd...when I realize that someone who obviously works for Geico (since the logo and the silhouette of the Gecko is plastered all over the car) is picking up his Kindergartener. :lmao: I really shouldn't be so ready to doubt their sanity...

Great update! I still have to head over to your food report and see what you thought about Sunshine Seasons - always wanted to try that one.

I also loved the story in the post before about Princess K singing about Santa. I need one of those experiences, too. The same DS has drawn with marker all over his and DD's room, chewed the feet off of two different Barbies, and smuggled a toy into his pre-K class in the past two days! :scared:

[DisneyMom5]

I love the Gecko story!! My DS1 is NUTS about him. We pulled up to the school to have lunch w/DD, and as I'm getting the baby out of the car and into the stroller he starts yelling, "It's the lizard, Mommy! It's the lizard!!!" He's jumping up and down and laughing and yelling, and I'm figuring he's gone out of his gourd...when I realize that someone who obviously works for Geico (since the logo and the silhouette of the Gecko is plastered all over the car) is picking up his Kindergartener. :lmao: I really shouldn't be so ready to doubt their sanity...

That's hilarious! My kids usually DO know what they are talking about, whether I think so or not. LOL

Great update! I still have to head over to your food report and see what you thought about Sunshine Seasons - always wanted to try that one.

I also loved the story in the post before about Princess K singing about Santa. I need one of those experiences, too. The same DS has drawn with marker all over his and DD's room, chewed the feet off of two different Barbies, and smuggled a toy into his pre-K class in the past two days! :scared: :scared1:

Good Heavens, he does need a dose of Santa-spying. LOL
Chewing the feet off of Barbie. That's un-American. LOL
Should I tell Santa to go to Indy? Oh, wait, I think he's already there, helping the Colts pull off a win! :thumbsup2

[arieljasmine]

Great updates as always.

And I wanted to let you know that I have a son! My Disney prince, Eric Joseph, was born on 25 September, weighing in at 7lb 9oz. I was booked in for a c-section on 26 September as he was breech, but he decided he'd been in there long enough so was born by emergency section. Here is a picture of him with his mom after his first bath at home.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f168/andlaur23/PregnancyPics032.jpg

And I'll stop hogging your thread now!

Laur's princess:

[DisneyMom5]

Great updates as always.

And I wanted to let you know that I have a son! My Disney prince, Eric Joseph, was born on 25 September, weighing in at 7lb 9oz. I was booked in for a c-section on 26 September as he was breech, but he decided he'd been in there long enough so was born by emergency section. Here is a picture of him with his mom after his first bath at home.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f168/andlaur23/PregnancyPics032.jpg

And I'll stop hogging your thread now!

Laur's princess:

He is BEAUTIFUL!

I had to have my first by c-section, and opted for a repeat with #2, but after that I decided I didn't want any more surgery, and have had a VBAC for the other 5.
I don't regret having to make that decision with the first one, or even the second one, as no one would tell me all my options.
So here's a :hug: from someone who has truly felt your pain!

Congrats again! Sniff his sweet baby head for me! :lovestruc

[arieljasmine]

He is BEAUTIFUL!

I had to have my first by c-section, and opted for a repeat with #2, but after that I decided I didn't want any more surgery, and have had a VBAC for the other 5.
I don't regret having to make that decision with the first one, or even the second one, as no one would tell me all my options.
So here's a :hug: from someone who has truly felt your pain!

Congrats again! Sniff his sweet baby head for me! :lovestruc

Thank you :hug: I am so in love with him, it is all I can do to stop looking at him for 5 minutes! The pain is slowly improving, though my wound is infected, ick!

Laur's x

[DisneyMom5]

Thank you :hug: I am so in love with him, it is all I can do to stop looking at him for 5 minutes! The pain is slowly improving, though my wound is infected, ick!

Laur's x

ugh. Hope you're feeling better soon. Take it VERY slowly. You will heal faster if you take it easy. You will feel sooooo much better in a few weeks!

[k_reile]

Great updates as always.

And I wanted to let you know that I have a son! My Disney prince, Eric Joseph, was born on 25 September, weighing in at 7lb 9oz. I was booked in for a c-section on 26 September as he was breech, but he decided he'd been in there long enough so was born by emergency section. Here is a picture of him with his mom after his first bath at home.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f168/andlaur23/PregnancyPics032.jpg

And I'll stop hogging your thread now!

Laur's princess:

My son was also born on Sept 25, 2008. Caleb Allen. THough you are further along than me (internet wise). I have not even uploaded any photos on my computer but my excuse is that my husband has been dragging us all over ohio looking for mini vans since we realized on our way home from the hospital that our car was way too small. We found one tonight so hopefully I will get a chance to upload my photos this week.

[DisneyMom5]

My son was also born on Sept 25, 2008. Caleb Allen. THough you are further along than me (internet wise). I have not even uploaded any photos on my computer but my excuse is that my husband has been dragging us all over ohio looking for mini vans since we realized on our way home from the hospital that our car was way too small. We found one tonight so hopefully I will get a chance to upload my photos this week.

Yay! Congrats to you too! Amazing they were born the same day!

Post a pic when you get the mini-van matter settled. LOL

[arieljasmine]

My son was also born on Sept 25, 2008. Caleb Allen. THough you are further along than me (internet wise). I have not even uploaded any photos on my computer but my excuse is that my husband has been dragging us all over ohio looking for mini vans since we realized on our way home from the hospital that our car was way too small. We found one tonight so hopefully I will get a chance to upload my photos this week.

Congratulations :goodvibes How strange that they were born on the same day. Looking forward to seeing a pic.

Laur's x

[SlightlyGoofy]

Congratulations Arieljasmine! It is so true, that love you feel instantly when you have your children. It only gets better with time, no matter what, like teen angst etc. :lovestruc My baby will be 37 Tuesday.

MOM, the pictures are fab u lous!! How you manage to keep them all happy and in line (Shoe???) I cannot imagine. Us teachers learn as much, if not more than our students. Keeps me hopping to keep ahead of some of mine. Folks like you deserve to get to go to DW often and for long periods of time. I am making plans to go back next year, and hopefully in better fettle so I can really enjoy things. I wish you all could go at Christmas. What a way to celebrate the holiday!! Free Food too!!:banana:

SG

[TPCShauna]

His dad, obviously proud, said "You remembered our talk about being a gentleman.
Now I'm going to be a gentleman and give you MY seat."
The little boy settled in, then looked at his dad with big eyes,
"Dad, do you need to sit down again?"
"Nope, I'm fine."
"Oh, good. I was afraid I would have to be a gentleman again."
:lmao:

This is darling! It makes me so happy to witness young children that are well behaved and well mannered. What a sweetheart for giving up his seat even though he was obviously tired.

Great updates as always.

And I wanted to let you know that I have a son! My Disney prince, Eric Joseph, was born on 25 September, weighing in at 7lb 9oz. I was booked in for a c-section on 26 September as he was breech, but he decided he'd been in there long enough so was born by emergency section. Here is a picture of him with his mom after his first bath at home.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f168/andlaur23/PregnancyPics032.jpg

And I'll stop hogging your thread now!

Laur's princess:

Congratulations on your beautiful prince. He is darling!

[DisneyMom5]

Congratulations Arieljasmine! It is so true, that love you feel instantly when you have your children. It only gets better with time, no matter what, like teen angst etc. :lovestruc My baby will be 37 Tuesday.

MOM, the pictures are fab u lous!! How you manage to keep them all happy and in line (Shoe???) I cannot imagine. Us teachers learn as much, if not more than our students. Keeps me hopping to keep ahead of some of mine. Folks like you deserve to get to go to DW often and for long periods of time. I am making plans to go back next year, and hopefully in better fettle so I can really enjoy things. I wish you all could go at Christmas. What a way to celebrate the holiday!! Free Food too!!:banana:

SG

It is harder to organize a big group for a picture, I'll grant you. I think they were all too exhausted to fight back. LOL

I forgot to ask, how did you like Pop? I know you are usually an All Stars kinda girl.

We sure would enjoy WDW in December once we got there, but packing and going that time of year...well, the thought gives me hives.
I think I could do it though! LOL

This is darling! It makes me so happy to witness young children that are well behaved and well mannered. What a sweetheart for giving up his seat even though he was obviously tired.


I agree! I prefer to believe there are still MANY people with manners out there, they just happen to be quiet and well-behaved, so no-one notices them most of the time. :thumbsup2

[SlightlyGoofy]

Howdy there MOM!

Having manners is easy when things are going well but when things are not it is a different matter. For instance, I am usually a rules type of gal and do not lie, as a rule but this trip I told a whopper to get a free cup of water. Granted. it was not for myself though. :lmao:

Parents who teach their children to have manners are giving them a great gift that will stand them in good stead.

I will be returning to Sports. The only good thing about POP was the food court and when you are all the way in the back it was not that accessible. They spoil me at Sports. :lovestruc

Have you considered that packing up to go to DW for Christmas is much easier than writing cards, shopping, wrapping presents, decorating, baking cookies and all that? Make DW the present. Bet your family would agree. I am aiming for next year. Please join me?:banana:

SG

[DisneyMom5]

Happy Halloween!



http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0202.jpg

I will get back to my updating, I promise.

Babycakes has had two outpatient surgeries in two weeks,
and I'm only now catching up on things.

Hoping to update this weekend.

In the interim, here are our pumpkins for this year:

Toy Story 1 & 2

Rex

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1416.jpg

Woody

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1418.jpg

Buzz Lightyear

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1419.jpg

Jesse the Cowgirl (not my favorite creation, but I tried)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1420.jpg

Bo Peep

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1425.jpg

Tour Guide Barbie

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1421.jpg

Hamm

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1424.jpg


Have a great weekend! :wizard:

[Hedy]

Impressive pumpkins. Poor Babycakes. :grouphug:

[DisneyMom5]

And, here is the crew....

Karate Kid (aka Danger Boy)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1435.jpg

The Inquisitor, as Darth Vader

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1434.jpg

Ballerina Princess K

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1433.jpg

The Chef, in the role of Indiana Jones

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1432.jpg

Baby Cakes, as, who else, Cinderella

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1431.jpg

Snow Bitsy

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1430.jpg

The whole gang (minus DisneyGirl who had a better offer by being invited to a friend's slumber party! LOL)


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_1428.jpg

They had a great time trick or treating with Daddy,
and I handed out candy to waaaay over a 100 kids.
(Next year, I'm keeping a tally!)

Hope everyone had a good night!

[SlightlyGoofy]

I love Halloween! I had a great one, lots of visitors and the weather was so good I could sit, barefooted, on my front porch to hand out the goodies.:cool1:

The only thing better would have been if this group had shown up. :love:

Please tell Babycakes that I am having outpatient surgery too so we will heal together. :hug:

SG

[DisneyMom5]

Impressive pumpkins. Poor Babycakes. :grouphug:

Thanks! and Thanks!

I love Halloween! I had a great one, lots of visitors and the weather was so good I could sit, barefooted, on my front porch to hand out the goodies.:cool1:

The only thing better would have been if this group had shown up. :love:

Please tell Babycakes that I am having outpatient surgery too so we will heal together. :hug:

SG


I really enjoyed sitting out on my porch handing out candy that night also. :thumbsup2

We'd have loved to be there. I bet you give out the good stuff! LOL

Babycakes had a small "ventral hernia" repaired. Basically it was a tiny whole in the muscle wall above her bellybutton.
BUT, it got infected.
(Doctor: "That never has happened to any of my patients before!
You only have a 1% chance of that happening!"
Gee, thanks.)

So she had to have a second surgery to get rid of the infection.

Yeah.
It was bad.

So thanks for the hugs, and I hope yours goes MUCH better! :grouphug:

Later!

[SlightlyGoofy]

Being 'special' is not always a good thing. I am sorry that Babycakes had to be THAT kind of special. Everything is alright now? :love: My son had a hernia but I put a quarter on it and it went away. Now I read that those things go away any old way. :lmao:

My surgery is very run of the mill. Tom did not even barely notice that he had any, even though he did spend two weeks in bed "recuperating". I think the eye drops will be the hardest part for me. I hate them.

I gave out free McD's coupons (12 for $1) for free hamburgers, apple slices, ice cream cones, etc. and they went over well. I also made 12 dozen PB cookies for the adults. The police came by twice for cookies so I am guessing they turned out well. :rotfl:

Please tell Babycakes that I hope that her bellybutton is all healed up so that she can laugh hard once again. :cheer2:

SG

[akayek31]

I finally finished both treads. It had me laughing all night. :lmao: Wow how kids grow so fast. My DS will be 16 on Christmas eve and DD is 12. Also had two c-sections. I hope Babycakes is feeling better!

[DisneyMom5]

I finally finished both treads. It had me laughing all night. :lmao: Wow how kids grow so fast. My DS will be 16 on Christmas eve and DD is 12. Also had two c-sections. I hope Babycakes is feeling better!

Thanks so much for joining in! I hope to continue this report this weekend!

What a great Christmas present! Does he resent having his birthday the same time as Christmas?

Babycakes is doing great! She looks like she's gonna have a nasty scar, probably due to her secondary infection and the surgery for that.
Maybe she just doesn't tolerate surgery well???

Thanks again for reading!

[akayek31]

Thanks so much for joining in! I hope to continue this report this weekend!

What a great Christmas present! Does he resent having his birthday the same time as Christmas?

Babycakes is doing great! She looks like she's gonna have a nasty scar, probably due to her secondary infection and the surgery for that.
Maybe she just doesn't tolerate surgery well???

Thanks again for reading!

He was born 2 and a half hours before Christmas so he was real close. I usually seperate the days as my family celebrates on Christmas Eve but I don't let him have his Christmas presents until the 25th. Sometimes his aunts and cousins forget his birthday so he resents that but I make up for it! All i have heard for the last month is how he wants his license :scared1:

[DisneyMom5]

He was born 2 and a half hours before Christmas so he was real close. I usually seperate the days as my family celebrates on Christmas Eve but I don't let him have his Christmas presents until the 25th. Sometimes his aunts and cousins forget his birthday so he resents that but I make up for it! All i have heard for the last month is how he wants his license :scared1:

Yeah, we're about a year and a half away from the license thing. Scary. LOL
Have a great weekend!

[pixiefairy]

Finally caught up! I read your food report first...then found your TR. I think I was just excited to see a large family, lol! We have 5, and we just took them all for the first time to WDW in June. We have 4 boys and one lone girl, who is smack dab in the middle. At least you didn't lose any of yours! I giggled when I saw that you all were sitting exactly where we were at the Crystal Palace (which is, incidentally, where my 3 y.o. ds decided that Eeyore was taking too long, and he went to look for him *sigh*).

Can't wait for more updates! Your crew of kiddos are just precious, and I hope that Babycakes is doing well!

[DisneyMom5]

Finally caught up! I read your food report first...then found your TR. I think I was just excited to see a large family, lol! We have 5, and we just took them all for the first time to WDW in June. We have 4 boys and one lone girl, who is smack dab in the middle. At least you didn't lose any of yours! I giggled when I saw that you all were sitting exactly where we were at the Crystal Palace (which is, incidentally, where my 3 y.o. ds decided that Eeyore was taking too long, and he went to look for him *sigh*).

Can't wait for more updates! Your crew of kiddos are just precious, and I hope that Babycakes is doing well!

Yay five! We had five the first time we went, and they were 10mo-9 years.
I wonder how we did it, though they stuck pretty close. LOL

It's easier when the oldest are older.

Thanks for reading, and we, ahem, DO happen to lose someone in an upcoming report.

[pixiefairy]

LOL...all I've heard from my family (none of whom have more than 3 kids) is "how did you DO Disney with ALL of the kids?!?!?!?!". I was really worried about my 3 y.o....he's the adventurous, no fear type, unless a character sneaks up on him. :eek:

Can't wait to hear more!:goodvibes

[DisneyMom5]

LOL...all I've heard from my family (none of whom have more than 3 kids) is "how did you DO Disney with ALL of the kids?!?!?!?!". I was really worried about my 3 y.o....he's the adventurous, no fear type, unless a character sneaks up on him. :eek:

Can't wait to hear more!:goodvibes

Yup. Most people don't even understand doing Disney at ALL, let alone doing Disney with seven kids.

I'm glad my Mom came along this time, because even if she hasn't become a total Disney convert, she does better understand what the allure is for us.
:wizard:

Hopefully more will be up tomorrow, if DisneyGirl and I can get together to reconstruct the next day. :thumbsup2

[pixiefairy]

:)The original plan, when we spoke of a trip a few years back, was to have my mom and sister come with. Then....my 3 year old came along. Ok, mom can still come with..it's a 7 passenger van. THEN, my 19 month old came along....ok, no seats. :confused3 My mom said we have to rent a van (or buy a BIG one) so that she can come with next time. I would have loved an extra set of adult hands.:)

Hope you are able to reconstruct the next day....looking forward to more!:cutie:

[SlightlyGoofy]

When we took our young grandkids a stroller was our best friend. It saved their legs and my energy. Containment, it is all about containment. :rotfl:

All I heard about from the time my oldest grandson was 13 or so was about him wanting his license. Now all I hear about is the next vehicle he wants to buy or the latest gadget he is going to put on his truck. Wish tires were at the top of his list instead of hubcaps. :confused3

Even when I go alone with just my DH I wish for an extra pair of adult hands. :lmao: My friend that went with me this last trip needed a lot of care as well. I think I will go alone next time. :cool1:

I am not able to chase any children but if you have the small kind that just want to be held and rocked I am available and well trained. :love:

SG

[DisneyMom5]

When we took our young grandkids a stroller was our best friend. It saved their legs and my energy. Containment, it is all about containment. :rotfl:

All I heard about from the time my oldest grandson was 13 or so was about him wanting his license. Now all I hear about is the next vehicle he wants to buy or the latest gadget he is going to put on his truck. Wish tires were at the top of his list instead of hubcaps. :confused3

Even when I go alone with just my DH I wish for an extra pair of adult hands. :lmao: My friend that went with me this last trip needed a lot of care as well. I think I will go alone next time. :cool1:

I am not able to chase any children but if you have the small kind that just want to be held and rocked I am available and well trained. :love:

SG

It totally is all about containment! Chaos control. LOL

Unfortunately, my one that is small enough to rock, HATES to be cuddled (sniff), and my ones that like to cuddle are getting chunky. LOL

But if we meet up, they will still LOVE you! :goodvibes

We just keep praying that Daddy has a job next year so we can go again!

Have a great week! :wizard:

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hey, I had a 17 year old BIG boy on my lap last weekend. Not something that happens often anymore but I still loved it and can feel it too, my knees still ache. :lmao: I miss having wee ones who want to be rocked and held. When they get bigger if you can get them alone in the car you can get close again and talk. Those were good times. :lovestruc

Yikes!:scared1: What kind of work does your DH do? I think this is just the beginning of a long and hard road but I sure hope I am wrong. I will keep my fingers, eyes and anything else crossed that all goes well and you are able to return. It does not matter how good the rates are if folks do not have the money to go. I will buy a lottery ticket and if I win enough I will take everyone! Would that not be great? As many wonderful folks as I know we could fill a whole resort ourselves! Now to pick which one. :rotfl:

SG

[DisneyMom5]

Hey, I had a 17 year old BIG boy on my lap last weekend. Not something that happens often anymore but I still loved it and can feel it too, my knees still ache. :lmao: I miss having wee ones who want to be rocked and held. When they get bigger if you can get them alone in the car you can get close again and talk. Those were good times. :lovestruc

Yikes!:scared1: What kind of work does your DH do? I think this is just the beginning of a long and hard road but I sure hope I am wrong. I will keep my fingers, eyes and anything else crossed that all goes well and you are able to return. It does not matter how good the rates are if folks do not have the money to go. I will buy a lottery ticket and if I win enough I will take everyone! Would that not be great? As many wonderful folks as I know we could fill a whole resort ourselves! Now to pick which one. :rotfl:

SG

He works in...dum dum dum...AUTOMOTIVE. Gasp!
Yup, not a good industry.
I believe he and your dh had a little chat at the Pop Glow Party about manufacturing.

Hmmm...if you win the mega lottery, I think we should stay at a value. Then we can take more people. I'd pretty much stay anywhere on property to be at Disney!
I always chuckle at people who say that they could never stay in a value.
Honestly, the values are the NICEST hotels our family has ever stayed in.

I know, we're Hicks. LOL

Update coming up.....

[DisneyMom5]

The cousins leave, Breakfast with the Mouse, and bad bus service.
Sept. 22, 2007
Contemporary Resort and Downtown Disney

YUP, it's an update.
I know, I know, don't fall over in astonishment.

When we last left the Hicks, which, I know, was MANY months ago,
they were bidding a fond adieu to the cousins and the Bionic SIL who
had to catch their Magic Express Bus to their flight back to Michigan.

We said our goodbyes the night before,
as we had intended to sleep in,
but I was up in time to poke my head out and say goodbye.

Everyone else was snoozing.

The only thing we had planned for the day was a late breakfast
at Chef Mickey's,
and a tour of Downtown Disney.

We had been to Chef M's for dinner twice,
but never wanted to take the time out of touring the parks
to have breakfast there.

I had heard good things about it, so I made this ressie on our DTD day
figuring it would be as good a time as any to give it a try.

You can read all about our meal in my Food review
(see my siggie - there is an itemized lists of restaurants in the first post.)

We finally got up, got ready, and took the bus to Magic Kingdom.
From there we walked to the monorail, and were off to Contemporary.

We had a fine time at Chef Mickey's:


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0409.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0408.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0406.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/IMG_0403-1.jpg

Then...there was the incident, with the bus.

After our breakfast, we gathered up our stuff,
stopped at the bathroom :rolleyes:
[And may I just say I HOPE that they have put in another bathroom
at Chef Mickey's with all of this rehab. That one is a PAIN to get to.]
and took the elevators down to the first floor.

I asked a Cast Member where the bus stop was, and headed that direction.
On the way, another CM, a younger guy,
possible a maintenance crew member :confused3
Stopped to say high to the kids, and gave them a bunch
of Mickey stickers.
It was one of those nice Disney surprises.

What was also a surprise, was the horrible bus service at the Contemporary.

When we got to the bus stop, we noticed it was one of those free-for-all stops that you just watched for the right bus.

I guess, you watched for the right bus when BUSES ACTUALLY COME!!!

That's right, although this resort only needs buses for DTD, AK, and DHS,
they must have decided NOT to send any.

We waited, and waited, and waited.

Watched the DME luggage drivers unload all the fancy luggage.

Waited some more.

Saw one bus to DHS, I believe.

Waited some more.

Let me just say, if I had been the one that had paid $$$$ per night to stay
at a Disney Deluxe, especially one as nice as the Contemp,
I would have been TICKED.
As it was, I was NOT happy.

When we got to the 1/2 hour mark of waiting,
I was about to go in to the desk and complain,
Something I had been putting off
in fear that the bus would come while I was gone,
when suddenly, off in the distance, we saw the words in lights:
Downtown Disney!!!

So we loaded up, and were off to DTD.
Actually, NO, we were off to the Polynesian resort.

You see, the fancy schmancy resorts sometimes SHARE buses.

Then, after fearing that we would be going to the GF also,
but dodging that one, we were off to DTD.

At DTD, there are two (at least) bus stops.
One at the Marketplace (where we were headed)
and one at the (now defunct) Pleasure Island entrance.

Of course, while we were there,
they were refurbing the Marketplace bus stop,
so we had to disembark at the PI stop, and
waaaaaalllllllkkkkkkk
alll the way down to the Marketplace.

John and I had spent an evening at PI on our honeymoon,
but that's been a long time
and not a lot of the other DTD stuff was there.
So it didn't look very famliar to me.

We were off to find the Mecca of Disney Stores,
A Bastion of Candy Goodness, and,
be still their itty bitty beating hearts, the LEGO STORE!

Next up: Don't shop on Saturday, and Mom finally loses it....

[SlightlyGoofy]

MOM, it is now officially confirmed, we are BOTH Hicks. I agree with taking more people and staying at a Value. I can afford the fancy schmancy places but do not want to stay anywhere that I would be required to comb my hair and wear shoes. It is a vacation and I do not even do that at my work! :lmao:

Okay, you got me. I have selective memory and cannot remember the life of each and every person. I barely remember mine. :upsidedow

Double yikes! My son makes parts for Chrysler. Maybe he can get on at the new Honda plant that just opened up the road. I hope, I hope. He has 4 kids.

I would like Chef Mickey's more if I had kids to play with the characters. My last trip I did get my picture with Goofy. If only I had also gotten a refill of my iced tea along with my mandatory bill/tip. :headache:

Off to go play with some children and read them "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus". Love it!:cloud9:

SG

[DisneyMom5]

I hope to update sometime over the holiday break, but in the meantime...

Merry Christmas!!! :santa:

And to get you in the holiday mood:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/th_MVI_0239.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b341/disneymom5/?action=view&current=MVI_0239.flv)

Have a good one!

[SlightlyGoofy]

MOM, what a great picture. I love those bare toes! lol That is what I miss most about Christmas these days, no little ones. I have an eleven year old asleep in the other room and my oldest grandson will be here later but it is not quite the same.

Know where I can find a 'rent a kid' place?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Linda