My better late than never TR

[kschafer]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

:rotfl: I guess I can just look outside but it's not as nice.

Hope your year is exactly what you wish for and you get a trip to WDW!!! :wizard: Just mention that you have that great van and you need to get more use of it...:rotfl2:

Probably not as nice this time of year!!

Yeah, I tried that line but when we got the last van, we got hit by a rock 6 days later and cracked the windshield. You bet DH brought that up!

Katie what a great update!!! I loved your pictures in China, I have never seen that before so I'm going to have explore and find the place with the statues. (I'm beginning to realize the many times I've been there, how little I have really seen of WS).

Happy New Year to you and your family my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you have a blessed year full of many great memories!!

Cant' wait to read about your last day!


Definitely take the time to explore the pavillions. There are so many hidden treasures and a solo trip is the perfect time to follow your own whims (plus there are lots of booths with alcohol to enjoy too :thumbsup2 )

Happy new year to you too. ONLY 14 days JEN !!!!!!!!! :cool1:

[MeMom]

Definitely don't want to end with everyone in a bad mood, so I'm hanging on for the rest of the trip.

Do the parents have enough room for all of us to hang with them?
I'm looking forward to the Sea World part, because we are thinking about venturing off Disney property to take Brooklynn there one day during our summer trip. I took my kids when they were young, and I think she would really enjoy it, so it's on our loose agenda, at least for now. We probably won't mention it until we are actually on our way there, just in case we change our minds.

Minnie's house is fun because her kitchen is so interactive. If Mickey would ever get his contractors to finish his place, he might have some cool stuff going on over there, too!

[2xcited2sleep]

Oh, happy day! An update!! :goodvibes

Stupid last day envelope. :headache:

You got some great photos. Love the photopass of you and DH and the whole family in their Mickey ears.

I tried Toon Town in Oct and it was too crowded so I gave up. I have to try it again. The "palm" tree... :lmao: :rotfl:

:hug: Awww... sorry you left in tears. But you're right... you WILL be back!!! :hug:

I'll definitely stick around to hear about the rest of your trip. I haven't been to Sea World in ages! Can't wait! :)

[julezdisney]

Great update, Katie! Bummer about the monorail, it was indeed a dream of mine as well. NEXt tRIP!!! ::yes::

And OF COURSE I'll read on into your trip- can't end it sad!

[Happy Elf]

Sorry it was a bummer of a day. I'm hanging out for more. I would love to hear about SeaWorld.

[kschafer]

Do the parents have enough room for all of us to hang with them?
I'm looking forward to the Sea World part, because we are thinking about venturing off Disney property to take Brooklynn there one day during our summer trip. I took my kids when they were young, and I think she would really enjoy it, so it's on our loose agenda, at least for now. We probably won't mention it until we are actually on our way there, just in case we change our minds.

Minnie's house is fun because her kitchen is so interactive. If Mickey would ever get his contractors to finish his place, he might have some cool stuff going on over there, too!

Well, you will see a picture of where we slept at my parents place, it's pretty tiny! There is a reason my brothers and I took turns visiting them! :laughing:

I remembered going to SeaWorld as a kid but have very few memories beyond the Shamu show. It was interesting to go back but I am sure it has changed a lot. Not Disney for sure but also no Disney crowds which was nice. Loose plans are good!

Yeah, we should have visited Mickeys house first, it was a little downer after visiting Minnies. His kitchen reminds me of our house, it has been in various stages of remodelling for the last 8 years! :sad2:

You got some great photos. Love the photopass of you and DH and the whole family in their Mickey ears.

I tried Toon Town in Oct and it was too crowded so I gave up. I have to try it again. The "palm" tree... :lmao: :rotfl:

:hug: Awww... sorry you left in tears. But you're right... you WILL be back!!! :hug:


Thanks Christine, the Mickey ears were one of my dreams for this trip!

Toon town is cute but if I were going solo I would NOT fight the crowds to see it.

Gnomefest baby!! Seems like a long way away but at least gives me the feel of going back "soon" under 2 years between trips is better than the last break, 20 years :scared1:

Great update, Katie! Bummer about the monorail, it was indeed a dream of mine as well. NEXt tRIP!!! ::yes::

And OF COURSE I'll read on into your trip- can't end it sad!

Next trip, next trip. WDW isn't going anywhere! In the meantime I have the Dis. :woohoo:

Sorry it was a bummer of a day. I'm hanging out for more. I would love to hear about SeaWorld.

I'm glad so many of you are going to stick with me! :yay: We have some fun pictures from the next few days.

[jenjolt]

I am sorry for the bummer of the last day, but like you said there will be A NEXT TIME!!!!

You and I can ride upfront on the monorail in 2010 if you want??? I haven't done it yet either LOL :rotfl: Hopefully by then you'll have done it with the boys!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you're TR isn't over yet...can't wait to hear about Sea World...as a zoology fiend...I can't wait to hear about animals LOL

HAPPY NEW YEAR KATIE!!!!!!!!!!

[punkin413]

i'm sticking around! ray and i are thinking of doing sea world one day next trip (in 1 year and 11 months!) and i'd love to hear about it. i've been before but it was 17 years ago so i'm sure it's changed a lot!

i'm sorry your vacation ended badly. i won't go into details but our last day this past trip wasn't all that great either. it actually ended really good, but the day leading up to it wasn't so great. i hate being at disney world and not being completely happy!!! but we're all human.

i've never noticed the "palm" tree.....too funny!

oh, and ray and i felt the same way about the liberty belle: enormous waste of time. it just takes too long!

[MEK]

Katie -

Sorry your last day at MK was a bummer and you didn't get to ride in the front of the monorail. When the Martcettes go in April '10 it would be fun to drink around the monorail. That will give you three chances to get the front car. :rotfl: I have always wanted to do that!

Your pictures turned out great. Looking forward to the rest of your report!

[kschafer]

You and I can ride upfront on the monorail in 2010 if you want??? I haven't done it yet either LOL :rotfl: Hopefully by then you'll have done it with the boys!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you're TR isn't over yet...can't wait to hear about Sea World...as a zoology fiend...I can't wait to hear about animals LOL

HAPPY NEW YEAR KATIE!!!!!!!!!!

It's a date Jen, I'm sure I won't be there before then so it's you and I! :thumbsup2

SeaWorld was a nice different from WDW, a little more relaxed and slow paced.

Happy 2009 to you too! :hug:

i'm sorry your vacation ended badly. i won't go into details but our last day this past trip wasn't all that great either. it actually ended really good, but the day leading up to it wasn't so great. i hate being at disney world and not being completely happy!!! but we're all human.

i've never noticed the "palm" tree.....too funny!


I'm not upset looking back on it now. I think my expectations were just too high, I set myself up for it a little bit. I WILL BE BACK!!! That is my new mantra.

I must say, I'm pretty pleased with myself that I found something on my 1 trip this year that Dawn missed in her 3 trips!! :snooty:


Sorry your last day at MK was a bummer and you didn't get to ride in the front of the monorail. When the Martcettes go in April '10 it would be fun to drink around the monorail. That we give you three chances to get the front car. :rotfl: I have always wanted to do that!


Oooooh, drink around the monorail!!!!! I hadn't considered that one! Can you still get a monorail drivers licence if you have been drinking? And can you get busted for OWI? :rotfl2:

[punkin413]

I must say, I'm pretty pleased with myself that I found something on my 1 trip this year that Dawn missed in her 3 trips!! :snooty:

:laughing: the one time ray and i went into minnie's house it was INSANE - kids everywhere!!!!! we couldn't look at anything without getting pushed out of the way. so we've avoided it ever since.

[kschafer]

:laughing: the one time ray and i went into minnie's house it was INSANE - kids everywhere!!!!! we couldn't look at anything without getting pushed out of the way. so we've avoided it ever since.

A good lesson learned, if it's too crowded, go somewhere else. Fighting crowds loses magic! You should try to get back sometime (next year right!) although I personally would only go for Minnies house.

[kschafer]

A brief update this time!

Greg reminded me yesterday of something good that did happen right before we left MK. Remember the time we hung out in the gift shop in AK? Well, Patrick had gotten a couple pressed pennies and was carrying his book around. Well, he must have set it down to look at something and walked away from it. We had called several places but nobody had turned it in. They recommended waiting a day or 2 and checking with central lost and found outside of MK. Just before we left, we stopped by and they had it! :wizard: It was just a little thing but Patrick was so happy to get it back, thanks to whoever found it and got it there!

Day 13 - Saturday, June 21 continued

We arrived at my parents house after I drove through the blinding rain and all 3 boys slept. When it finally stopped raining, we went for a walk to tour mom and dads park (I use the term "trailer park" loosely, it is a very nice and well maintained park) and the boys splashed in the puddles as we walked. We basically just relaxed and talked.

Day 14 - Sunday, June 22

This was beach day! :woohoo: All of us went out in the morning and played in the sand

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and searched for shells and sharks teeth

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Later that day, Mom and I took Patrick to the pool while Greg and Daniel napped (see MeMom, not a lot of room, this was our bed in the living room :))

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip420.jpg

In the evening, Greg and I took the boys back to the beach to actually go into the water but I didn't take any pics, sorry

Day 15 - Monday, June 23

We did a few errands. My Dad's parents are buried nearby and I haven't been there since 1988 when Grandpa died. (Grandma passed away in Iowa in 1997 and her ashes were placed with Grandpa several months later and I wasn't there) so we visited their cemetery

We stopped at the farmers market and got a watermelon

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip418.jpg

After lunch, we took the boys to a local park to play in the jumping fountains

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I pretty much focused on laundry after that :laundy: (darn the crayons they give kids at restaurants!! Daniel put one in his pocket and we had BLUE crayon melted on 1 entire load of lights :scared1: what a mess!)

Day 16 - Tuesday, June 24

We packed up the car this morning and headed back to Orlando, that will be my next update. You can see these few days were very laid back and relaxing (and quite wet actually!). The touring will resume in the next installment.

[2xcited2sleep]

and searched for shells and sharks teeth

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/006.jpg

Looks like a nice relaxing contrast to the hustle and bustle of Disney. What are you all holding in this picture with the long handles? A shell/shark teeth finder?

[kschafer]

Looks like a nice relaxing contrast to the hustle and bustle of Disney. What are you all holding in this picture with the long handles? A shell/shark teeth finder?

Yeah, it was a basket on the end of the handle. The idea was to dig into the sand along the edge of the water then sift through it. I tired of it quickly but Greg did have quite a bit of luck (he usually is when he is determined!)

[2xcited2sleep]

Yeah, it was a basket on the end of the handle. The idea was to dig into the sand along the edge of the water then sift through it. I tired of it quickly but Greg did have quite a bit of luck (he usually is when he is determined!)

Neat! Did you make them yourselves? Very creative. I love searching for shells. Never occurred to me to look for sharks teeth... now I will!

[jenjolt]

What a great beach day!!! Sun was shining, water was gorgeous, and the sand looked white...nothing less than perfect!!!!

The boys looked like they had a lot of fun!!!

Okay Katie...I'm going to save my first ride in the front of the monorail....April 2010...you and me girlie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Happy Elf]

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip418.jpg


This is such a cute picture!


I pretty much focused on laundry after that :laundy: (darn the crayons they give kids at restaurants!! Daniel put one in his pocket and we had BLUE crayon melted on 1 entire load of lights :scared1: what a mess!)



:scared1: Sounds like something that would happen to me!

[kschafer]

Neat! Did you make them yourselves? Very creative. I love searching for shells. Never occurred to me to look for sharks teeth... now I will!

I think my mom found them at a yard sale. They were a good way to sift out quickly the sand and leave the bigger stuff. I have always just picked up whatever was on the beach, never in the water.

Mom says she has never found good sharks teeth but Greg found 2 nice ones. One of her neighbors had given her a couple to "plant" for the boys to find ;) (she had them in her pocket) but they were not very interested so she still has them I think.

What a great beach day!!! Sun was shining, water was gorgeous, and the sand looked white...nothing less than perfect!!!!

The boys looked like they had a lot of fun!!!

Okay Katie...I'm going to save my first ride in the front of the monorail....April 2010...you and me girlie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was a beautiful day and the water was so warm. You can see the adults didn't go prepared to get into the water in the morning. When I felt how nice it was, I knew I had to come back with my suit later that night! I had a blast too :thumbsup2

:woohoo: Jen and Katie: monorial drivers in training! Can't wait!!

This is such a cute picture!

:scared1: Sounds like something that would happen to me!

That little boy is such a goof sometimes. He is so quietly expressive.

I hate to admit, this was not my first crayon in the dryer experience :sad2: Lucily between stain stick and oxy clean, we got almost everything cleaned up.

[sunny_stace]

Yay!! More updates!! I'm definately sticking around for the rest! The last time I went to Seaworld I was 14! I love it there....or at least I did but I can never convince DBFF to go. She's not as much of an animal lover as I am...anyhow I will be glad to see it through your eyes!

I'm sorry to hear that your last WDW day wasn't full of pixie dust and magic. But I understand....once you get the "envelope of doom" it's all downhill. But yes you will be going back and you will get on HM! It's my fave and I will make you ride with me! ;)

I love the beach too! It looks soooooo wonderful! Especially since I'm looking out at freezing rain right now! And it's always fun to bunk with family for a few days!

And I know I say it every update but I love your pics! Your family looks so nice together! And you just seem to capture things so perfectly! :)
Hope you're having a wonderful new year!

[Lady Lallie]

I am finally, finally caught up. :goodvibes

I really have loved reading about your trip and your family. I can't wait to hear about Sea World! :thumbsup2

[MEK]

I pretty much focused on laundry after that :laundy: (darn the crayons they give kids at restaurants!! Daniel put one in his pocket and we had BLUE crayon melted on 1 entire load of lights :scared1: what a mess!)

.

Bad mom - you mean you didn't check the pockets????? :rotfl2: I am laughing because once I put my DS's new cell phone through wash because I didn't check the pockets - sorry pocket checking is NOT my job! Unfortunately that cell phone was about 3 days old! :sad2:

[k_reile]

ugg...you must have started a laundry curse. Caleb got sick on me yesterday and I was wearing a red pajama bottoms...well I threw them in with his clothes...I put all kinds of colors together with his clothes before. Well we just got a new washer, put in on the heavy duty cycle...and it must have been hotter water than normal but some of the items came out pink. I tried everything to get it out but I have cut my losses..it was just a couple of his wash clothes so it was not like I was out a lot

[ILuvCrush]

HI Katie!!
I'm finally all caught up. Sorry your last MK day was a bummer:confused:
At least it sounds like a few terrific days with your parents!! That's what every WDW vacation needs, a couple days to relax afterward:rotfl2:

I'm looking forward to hearing about Sea World, we will be going in July...not sure how excited I am about it, but DS really wants to:confused3

Paula

[kschafer]

Well I'm back after having lost internet service for a couple days. Boy have I missed all of you! The good news is, I worked on my TR and the next update is ready to go!

I'm sorry to hear that your last WDW day wasn't full of pixie dust and magic. But I understand....once you get the "envelope of doom" it's all downhill. But yes you will be going back and you will get on HM! It's my fave and I will make you ride with me! ;)

And I know I say it every update but I love your pics! Your family looks so nice together! And you just seem to capture things so perfectly! :)
Hope you're having a wonderful new year!

It's OK, I honestly think my expectations of this trip were unrealistic. Next time I will know to just enjoy the moment more. And YES, we will doom buggy together!

Thanks for the compliments :flower3:

I am finally, finally caught up. :goodvibes

I really have loved reading about your trip and your family. I can't wait to hear about Sea World! :thumbsup2

Glad you have you along for the ride LL. Seaworld coming right up!

Bad mom - you mean you didn't check the pockets????? :rotfl2: I am laughing because once I put my DS's new cell phone through wash because I didn't check the pockets - sorry pocket checking is NOT my job! Unfortunately that cell phone was about 3 days old! :sad2:

I had checked pockets and found like 3 1/2 crayons. I guess I should have looked a little harder for the missing 1/2 huh! :sad2:

I put DH's cell phone through the wash too. And yes, he blamed me for not checking his pockets :mad: this was after it had survived a trip through the snowblower last winter!

ugg...you must have started a laundry curse. Caleb got sick on me yesterday and I was wearing a red pajama bottoms...well I threw them in with his clothes...I put all kinds of colors together with his clothes before. Well we just got a new washer, put in on the heavy duty cycle...and it must have been hotter water than normal but some of the items came out pink. I tried everything to get it out but I have cut my losses..it was just a couple of his wash clothes so it was not like I was out a lot

I'm sure he won't care what color his washclothes are ;) Good thing you learned about the new washer this way!


I'm finally all caught up. Sorry your last MK day was a bummer:confused:
At least it sounds like a few terrific days with your parents!! That's what every WDW vacation needs, a couple days to relax afterward:rotfl2:

I'm looking forward to hearing about Sea World, we will be going in July...not sure how excited I am about it, but DS really wants to:confused3


Yes, the days of relaxation were nice! It revived us a bit for SeaWorld which was a fun change from WDW, my expectations were pretty low so it was fun to just go with the flow and not worry about lines.

[kschafer]

Day 16 - Tuesday, June 24

This morning we got up, packed our things and eventually headed back to Orlando (I think we left after lunch). We arrived to our hotel and checked in then promptly left again. We had tickets for SeaWorld that were buy 1 day, get a second day free. Our plans were really to spend tomorrow there but as long as we were getting 1 free day, we’d start this afternoon.

We didn’t do a LOT on this day and I can’t really remember what order we did things in but I have pictures of the manatees.

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We were fortunate to get there around feeding time so they were busy chomping away on lettuce.

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I love this picture!!

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We checked out these little guys, so cute when they are this size! I don’t know what it is about alligators, I am fascinated by them (but I’m not crazy, I prefer to view them from a distance)

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We went to the dolphin show which was REALLY good but we took no pictures, I don’t know why. There was a storyline complete with trapeze acrobats, dancers and divers. I highly recommend it :thumbsup2

We wandered through the penguin/puffin exhibit. What I thought was neat was that they simulate the Antarctic day/night cycle for them so we were there at “night”. I hoped to make it back tomorrow during the short “daytime” they have in June. Of course I couldn't help but think of the movie happy feet and wondered what they thought of the crazy looking humans as they went by on the moving sidewalk. ;)

We then had to choose between the cirque du soleil type show and the Shamu show, the boys choose Shamu. We got there a little late so we were up pretty high in the stadium. The show was fun, educational and touching. Just some various pics

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Check out the birds hanging out. They keep fish to reward the whales in those boxes along the back. These birds were hanging out hoping to pick up a dropped fish or two!

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip449.jpg

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Patrick was VERY disappointed that we were up high when he saw this

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/183.jpg

wait for it...

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip463.jpg

I promised him we would come back tomorrow and sit in the "splash zone"

Check out the roller coaster in the distance. I knew we wouldn’t have a chance to ride it but it plays an interesting role in tomorrow’s story.

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At this point we were getting hungry and left to find non-park food and call it a night, we had big plans for the morning that the boys didn’t know about :rolleyes1

[Lady Lallie]

I love, love, love manatees. There is just something about them that make me all gooey eyed. :lovestruc

Sounds like a nice, relaxing day at Sea World. I'm really intrigued about the roller coaster now...

[Megablocks]

The Shamu show looks wicked cool. The the manatees are soooo cute! I wish we had them at the New England Aquarium... :lovestruc

I am also interested in the roller coaster story and the surprise for the boys!

[Happy Elf]

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip423.jpg



That is such a neat picture! The boys look like they are taking everything in. The manatees are so cute!

[sunny_stace]

Oh I love all of those photos! I really do need to get back to Seaworld! I remember my mum and I sitting in the splash zone and just looking like we had stepped out of the shower! :rotfl2: I thought it was the greatest thing but she wasn't too pleased!

[julezdisney]

How fun! I love hearing about Sea World, I really hope to take the kids in December!

[punkin413]

sea world!!! :yay: we used to go there every time we'd go to orlando on our disney trips. i haven't been since 1992. i wanna go back next trip for sure! i just love all the wildlife - i've always been into whales and dolphins. from the first time i saw these shows at sea world as a kid i told my parents i wanted to be a marine biologist. funny.....i ended up being a court reporter! :confused3 :laughing: my brother and sister used to get MAD at those shows if they didn't get wet. thanks for the good memories! can't wait to see more!

[2xcited2sleep]

Can't wait to hear what the surprise in the morning is! And love the manatee pic with the boys hands on the glass looking up. Very cute!

[CanadianWDWfan]

I'm all caught up, don't know where I've been to miss the last updates. :confused: I always enjoy your tales, so keep them coming.

I guess everyone feels a little sad on thier last day. None of us ever accomplish everything we set out to do. You should just make a list for next time. :hug:

My goal on the next trip is to not be a commando and take my time. ;) It's so hard to not want to do it all....:laughing:

I love the beach, what a nice family pastime to look for shells. :thumbsup2

I want to visit SeaWorld one day, 2 days for 1 is a great deal!

[jenjolt]

Awwww...I love Sea World!!! It is such a great place!! I hope you guys made time to go and watch the Seal and Otter show...its my favorite!! I love Clyde and Seymore!!!! Anyways...I'm so glad you are back!! I missed ya!!

Can't wait to hear more!!!!!!!

[MeMom]

We've talked about taking one day to go to SeaWorld on this summer's trip, since we'll have ten days. We'll see if that happens or not.

I know that we will not be sitting in the splash zone!

When the girls are older, though, I'm sure they'll want to be right down there in the middle of it all just hoping to get drenched. That's one of those things you have to let kids do, and they'll remember it forever!

Your boys will look back on these pictures when they are big guys and it will be interesting to hear them talk about what they remember.

[kschafer]

I love, love, love manatees. There is just something about them that make me all gooey eyed. :lovestruc

Sounds like a nice, relaxing day at Sea World. I'm really intrigued about the roller coaster now...

Those big ol' manatees are cute. I thought they would just sort of hang out there but they were more active than I thought (of course it was feeding time :rolleyes: )

The Shamu show looks wicked cool. The the manatees are soooo cute! I wish we had them at the New England Aquarium... :lovestruc

I am also interested in the roller coaster story and the surprise for the boys!

The Shamu show was great. They have a nighttime version called Shamu ROCKS that's very upbeat and fun too :woohoo:

That is such a neat picture! The boys look like they are taking everything in. The manatees are so cute!

That is about one of my favorite pics. Something about how you can't see their faces but their body language tells so much.

Oh I love all of those photos! I really do need to get back to Seaworld! I remember my mum and I sitting in the splash zone and just looking like we had stepped out of the shower! :rotfl2: I thought it was the greatest thing but she wasn't too pleased!

Patrick begged on this day to sit in the splash zone but we promised we would do it the next day. I was not prepared to get soaked on this day. you'll have to wait to see if we get wet...:upsidedow

How fun! I love hearing about Sea World, I really hope to take the kids in December!

I thought it lacked the Disney :wizard: but there were some refreshing differences. The boys I think liked it equally to WDW

[MEK]

buggy together!


I had checked pockets and found like 3 1/2 crayons. I guess I should have looked a little harder for the missing 1/2 huh! :sad2:

I put DH's cell phone through the wash too. And yes, he blamed me for not checking his pockets :mad: this was after it had survived a trip through the snowblower last winter!



:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

They definately need a smilie that drinks and spits out coke, cause that's what I almost did when I read this!

[MEK]

I love, love, love your pictures of Sea World. I am embarrased to admit that I have been to Orlando 10 times (9 times at WDW) and I have not been to Sea world. I guess I really need to go! :thumbsup2 Hey - I just thought of something - if I go in June I can take Nobby! :rotfl: :rotfl: I wonder what Nobby would think og the splash zone!

[kschafer]

sea world!!! :yay: we used to go there every time we'd go to orlando on our disney trips. i haven't been since 1992. i wanna go back next trip for sure! i just love all the wildlife - i've always been into whales and dolphins. from the first time i saw these shows at sea world as a kid i told my parents i wanted to be a marine biologist. funny.....i ended up being a court reporter! :confused3 :laughing: my brother and sister used to get MAD at those shows if they didn't get wet. thanks for the good memories! can't wait to see more!

I wonder how many kids leave thinking the same thing. I've said before, I'm a major science geek so I'm all for anything that gets kids excited about the world around them. That's what I liked about the Shamu show, the whales did neat tricks and all but there was a lot of education mixed in too. :thumbsup2

Can't wait to hear what the surprise in the morning is! And love the manatee pic with the boys hands on the glass looking up. Very cute!

I figured I've been dragging this out long enough, I've got to keep a little suspense to keep you coming back! :laughing:

I'm all caught up, don't know where I've been to miss the last updates. :confused: I always enjoy your tales, so keep them coming.

I love the beach, what a nice family pastime to look for shells. :thumbsup2

I want to visit SeaWorld one day, 2 days for 1 is a great deal!

Thanks for the compliment! :flower3:

I was willing to pay the price for a 1 day ticket but the bonus day meant we got a little extra time.

Awwww...I love Sea World!!! It is such a great place!! I hope you guys made time to go and watch the Seal and Otter show...its my favorite!! I love Clyde and Seymore!!!! Anyways...I'm so glad you are back!! I missed ya!!

Can't wait to hear more!!!!!!!

That was one of the shows we missed. The park is not big but there are so many shows you can fill a lot of time waiting if getting a good seat is important to you (and seeing Shamu more than once took up time too, especially when you have to get there early to sit in the splash zone!)

We've talked about taking one day to go to SeaWorld on this summer's trip, since we'll have ten days. We'll see if that happens or not.

I know that we will not be sitting in the splash zone!

When the girls are older, though, I'm sure they'll want to be right down there in the middle of it all just hoping to get drenched. That's one of those things you have to let kids do, and they'll remember it forever!

Your boys will look back on these pictures when they are big guys and it will be interesting to hear them talk about what they remember.

You are right, getting splashed by Shamu is one of my few memories of going to SeaWorld as a kid. One piece of maybe helpful info, the second free day can be used anytime within a week of your first day. You could plan on visiting early in your 10 day trip and if you feel like it, head back for a bonus visit sometime later in your trip.

[kschafer]

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

They definately need a smilie that drinks and spits out coke, cause that's what I almost did when I read this!

Now THAT would be a funny smilie!!!:lmao:

I love, love, love your pictures of Sea World. I am embarrased to admit that I have been to Orlando 10 times (9 times at WDW) and I have not been to Sea world. I guess I really need to go! :thumbsup2 Hey - I just thought of something - if I go in June I can take Nobby! :rotfl: :rotfl: I wonder what Nobby would think og the splash zone!

I'm thinking a wet Nobby is a happy Nobby :cool2:

[kschafer]

OK, while you wait for the next installment lets play a game...

Name the owner of this shoe

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip489.jpg

The owner plays a big role in the morning surprise

[julezdisney]

Jo-jo??

[jenjolt]

OK, while you wait for the next installment lets play a game...

Name the owner of this shoe

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip489.jpg

The owner plays a big role in the morning surprise

I have no idea LOL...so I can't wait until you tell me LOL!!!!!!!!!!

[julezdisney]

Oh, it's killing me. I'm convinced it's Jo-Jo from Jo-Jo's Circus but you won't tellllllllllllllllll meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Update! Update!

[kschafer]

Oh just for the fun of it (my fun that is ;) ) I'm going to make you wait until the next update. Besides, I'm waiting to see what others think. Luckily the next update will be sometime later today.

But for your entertainment, I thought I would post some pics that really belong with the last update. I found these pics that Greg took on our first SeaWorld day. He was really into the flowers apparently

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/114.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/122.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/124.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/136.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/139-1.jpg

But he did take a couple puffin pics. They are so cute

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/129.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/131.jpg

[julezdisney]

You evil thing you

[MEK]

Katie -

I love your pictures (rather, you DH's) flower pictures. They are beautiful and so cheery cause the weather here s----ks!

[sunny_stace]

Oh those pics are great too! The flowers are gorgeous and I love puffins! I too have noooooooo idea whose foot that is! Could be Jojo....:)

[Lady Lallie]

I'm going to guess that the shoe belongs to some kind of character from Universal. :confused3

[kschafer]

Boy oh boy, not many of you up for my challenge today huh! :sad2: I guess the prize would have to go to Julez because she's the only one who really made a guess (even if she was wrong!) :flower3:

Day 17 – Wednesday, June 25

We woke up this morning knowing it was our last day of vacation, so sad! :worried: So we intended to make the most of it. We got the boys up for the morning surprise and drove to SeaWorld. They too offer an early morning entry option in the form of “Breakfast with Elmo and Friends”. We got our early entry and made our way to the restaurant. Surprisingly, the room where they do the breakfast was only about ½ full, maybe only 20 families :confused3

We went through the buffet line and began to eat. Soon, some of the characters came out and started to circulate around the tables. I thought Patrick maybe would think he was too old for Sesame Street but he surprised me by being pretty excited about meeting the characters, starting with Zoey

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip470.jpg

Daniel on the other hand, wanted NOTHING to do with them. When one of them came near, he would bury his head and not even look at them. Next came Super Grover

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip471.jpg

Then Cookie Monster

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip472.jpg

Then a few more characters came out and they did a little dancing. Big Bird and Elmo stayed onstage and families were invited up to come have their pics taken with them. We decided to not get in line right away. In the meantime Bert came by

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip476.jpg

And so did Ernie

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip475.jpg

Greg and Patrick then got in line while I waited with Daniel. We killed time by Daniel taking pictures…of the ceiling

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/212-1.jpg

Our waiter

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip513.jpg

The floor

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/223.jpg

His shoe

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip512.jpg
(nope, that wasn't the challenge question!)

And his food

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/a-3.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/209.jpg

Those French toast sticks were SOOOOOO good!! Between them and the bacon, I ate my daily calories and then some I’m sure.

[kschafer]

Bert was still circulating among the tables and Daniel took his pic

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/197-1.jpg

He noticed and started to play along

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip485.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip486.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip490.jpg

Recognize this shoe?

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip489.jpg

It was BERT'S!!

Soon Ernie went to the next table

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/b-3.jpg

And guess what, the same thing happened, he started playing with Daniel

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip500.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip501.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip502.jpg

By this time, Greg and Patrick made their way to the front of the line to meet Big Bird and Elmo

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip519.jpg

Then Greg wanted his pic with Bert and Ernie who happily obliged

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip521.jpg

At this point, we were just about the last people in the restaurant and all of the characters left except for Bert. SOMEHOW he and Daniel started to “talk”. Remember this roller coaster?

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/177.jpg

Bert was communicating with Daniel about it being too scary and to stick to the smaller rides. Patrick, Daniel and Bert had a lovely conversation, it really was a magical moment for me. Daniel had hardly let the characters come near him and here he was hanging out happily with Bert

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip529.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip530.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip531.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip533.jpg

Finally, one of the servers had to come over and basically tell Bert it was time to go and we headed out into the park to enjoy our day

thanks Bert for being so much fun and figuring out how to warm up my guy!! Who would have thought that you could find :wizard: outside of WDW?

[julezdisney]

Awww... that's awesome! And somehow more authentic since they actually ARE puppets, no? LOL :laughing:

[k_reile]

YOu just made my day with this installment!! WHy...you ask?? Caleb's Pampers diapers have seasme street characters on them. I know them all expect for the yellow haired girl. I would tell Caleb which character he is wearing and when I get to hers...i say "Its the girl we don;t know." Now we know....her name is Zoey. Thank you as it has been driving me nut who she is. Mystrey solved!

[MeMom]

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip533.jpg




What a sweet picture!
He is really checking his map out very carefully!

[Lady Lallie]

I guessed!!! ;)

That is so awesome that your boys were loving the Sesame Street characters. I love that Bert spent so much time with Daniel. :goodvibes

[Happy Elf]

What a cute update! I think this would be a fun breakfast! That is neat that Bert spent time talking to you DS.

[sunny_stace]

Ah ha! I had no idea SeaWorld even did character meals! That looks like so much fun! And you guys must have had the best time! Patrick and Daniel are so sweet, what a nice family memory for you all! My first guess at the shoe was Big Boy but he wears red so I knew that had to be wrong! LOL! The food at that breakfast looks amazing too! Thanks for sharing! :)

[jenjolt]

Awww...I'm so glad that Daniel finally came out of his shell!! Loved the interactions with the characters!!

I was another who didn't know Sea World had character meals...how awesome!!!!

[punkin413]

i love bert and his big unibrow!!!

i think we have a future food porn addict on our hands. :rotfl:

[Megablocks]

That's so sweet about Daniel and Bert! I would have loooooved a Sesame Street character meal when I was little!

[CanadianWDWfan]

Cute character breakfast, I grew up wjth those guys, my fav was Cookie Monster. AWWW....COOKIE!!! :woohoo:

I didn't know they had the breakfast either, I need to check out thier website. It seems all I ever look at is WDW and nothing else. :laughing:

We never know what will get our kids out of thier shell, so happy Bert took the time with Daniel. Patrick seemed to just be happy with everyone. Good call, you made a good choice.:thumbsup2

On with the last day.......:surfweb:

PS my guess would have been Chuckie Cheese???? :rotfl2:

[kschafer]

Awww... that's awesome! And somehow more authentic since they actually ARE puppets, no? LOL :laughing:

I thought Daniel would maybe still believe that the characters are real but he has told me more than once that they are just puppets or people inside costumes :guilty: so much for sweet innocence

YOu just made my day with this installment!! WHy...you ask?? Caleb's Pampers diapers have seasme street characters on them. I know them all expect for the yellow haired girl. I would tell Caleb which character he is wearing and when I get to hers...i say "Its the girl we don;t know." Now we know....her name is Zoey. Thank you as it has been driving me nut who she is. Mystrey solved!

Glad I could help! I suppose Caleb isn't quite into watching sesame street yet huh! :laughing:

What a sweet picture!
He is really checking his map out very carefully!

Yes, both of my boys love maps. We ended up having to be sure that we had 3 at all times so Mom and Dad could have one too! Of course with 2 teachers as parents, you know that they are encouraged to be map geeks too! Poor kids don't have a chance :sad2:

I guessed!!! ;)

That is so awesome that your boys were loving the Sesame Street characters. I love that Bert spent so much time with Daniel. :goodvibes

It was a really fun breakfast. The characters sang and danced and came around to all the tables. Patrick had a lot of fun meeting all of them :thumbsup2

What a cute update! I think this would be a fun breakfast! That is neat that Bert spent time talking to you DS.

It was cool that he stayed after everyone else had left. I just couldn't believe that he took the time to try to warm up Daniel, so sweet! I hope I remembered to thank him profusely!:flower3:

[kschafer]

Ah ha! I had no idea SeaWorld even did character meals! That looks like so much fun! And you guys must have had the best time! Patrick and Daniel are so sweet, what a nice family memory for you all! My first guess at the shoe was Big Boy but he wears red so I knew that had to be wrong! LOL! The food at that breakfast looks amazing too! Thanks for sharing! :)

I only found out when doing a little research online before our trip. The food was really pretty good. Those french toast sticks were drenched in cinnamon and sugar and were so YUMMMMMMMY!

Big Boy ! :rotfl2:

Awww...I'm so glad that Daniel finally came out of his shell!! Loved the interactions with the characters!!

I was another who didn't know Sea World had character meals...how awesome!!!!

It was a cool moment because other than CP lunch in MK at the beginning of our trip, he really wanted little to do with the characters. It was neat to see him let Bert into his bubble a little bit

i love bert and his big unibrow!!!

i think we have a future food porn addict on our hands. :rotfl:

I'm working on training him right! Someone else in the family needs to think I'm not crazy for taking pics of our food (although DH had to tell me it was probably not a good idea for me to call it porn in front of the boys :rotfl: )

That's so sweet about Daniel and Bert! I would have loooooved a Sesame Street character meal when I was little!

I sometimes think lots of us make choices for our kids based on what we never got to do (reference my mickey balloon and ears, 2 things I coveted during my trips as a kid) I would have gotten up and danced with them if I didn't think I would have looked so stupid!

Cute character breakfast, I grew up wjth those guys, my fav was Cookie Monster. AWWW....COOKIE!!! :woohoo:

I didn't know they had the breakfast either, I need to check out thier website. It seems all I ever look at is WDW and nothing else. :laughing:

We never know what will get our kids out of thier shell, so happy Bert took the time with Daniel. Patrick seemed to just be happy with everyone. Good call, you made a good choice.:thumbsup2

On with the last day.......:surfweb:

PS my guess would have been Chuckie Cheese???? :rotfl2:

They also do several lunch/dinner with the animals. Not really sure what it involves but maybe some upclose interaction. That would be a lot of fun when the boys are older I think, I wanted to grab this while they are still little.

With the small crowd that morning the characters were able to take their time at the tables but Bert really went above and beyond! They had to tell him more than once to "go eat his breakfast" :lmao:

************************************************** ********

I was going to start the next installment but then I realized it will probably be the last :sad1: I just don't know if I am ready for the end. Maybe in a day or two.

[punkin413]

(although DH had to tell me it was probably not a good idea for me to call it porn in front of the boys :rotfl: )

he's probably right! when i call it that to anyone other than DISers i get weird looks! but i don't even think about it any more before the term comes out of my mouth. :laughing:

[kschafer]

he's probably right! when i call it that to anyone other than DISers i get weird looks! but i don't even think about it any more before the term comes out of my mouth. :laughing:


I KNOW. You would think that I wouldn't need my hubby (who forgets his language A LOT around the boys) to remind me but it had become common vocabulary for me that I just really forgot! :rolleyes:

[julezdisney]

I thought Daniel would maybe still believe that the characters are real but he has told me more than once that they are just puppets or people inside costumes :guilty: so much for sweet innocence

My kids know it too, but just like me, they love it anyway! Isn't it amazing how happy we all get when a costume walks up?! :rotfl2:

[punkin413]

My kids know it too, but just like me, they love it anyway! Isn't it amazing how happy we all get when a costume walks up?! :rotfl2:

i was showing my boss's 6yo DS some disney pictures and when he saw one of the characters he goes, "that's not real. that's a person in a costume." i just sat there with my mouth hanging open, thinking....HOW DARE YOU RUIN MY MAGIC???? :rotfl2:

[MEK]

What a nice update. I love those pictures from breakfast. Your kids are adorable. The characters are pretty cute, too. ;)

[kschafer]

My kids know it too, but just like me, they love it anyway! Isn't it amazing how happy we all get when a costume walks up?! :rotfl2:

What surprises me is that they weren't fooled for a second but happily accept the existance of Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy :confused3

i was showing my boss's 6yo DS some disney pictures and when he saw one of the characters he goes, "that's not real. that's a person in a costume." i just sat there with my mouth hanging open, thinking....HOW DARE YOU RUIN MY MAGIC???? :rotfl2:

:lmao: Dawn, you are too funny. BTW, I like your new pic in your siggy! :thumbsup2

What a nice update. I love those pictures from breakfast. Your kids are adorable. The characters are pretty cute, too. ;)

My kids are so animated that they could be characters! :rotfl:

[tinkgurl]

Okay I'm all caught up. My little guy would love eating with all the Sesame Street characters!

[ILuvCrush]

Such nice pics of the Sesame Street characters!! boy there were a lot of them at that breakfast:woohoo:

We took the kids to Sesame Place years ago...they just adored Cookie Monster!!


Paula

[kschafer]

Okay I'm all caught up. My little guy would love eating with all the Sesame Street characters!

I don't think I have been chatting much on your TR but I have been following along and enjoying! I'm sorry you have had a tough year :hug: Will your cousin (do I have that right?) ever join your family on your trips? It's so fun seeing WDW through a kids eyes, very magical!

Such nice pics of the Sesame Street characters!! boy there were a lot of them at that breakfast:woohoo:

We took the kids to Sesame Place years ago...they just adored Cookie Monster!!


Oh, a couple years ago we talked about a trip there then never made it :sad1: . I think my boys are outgrowing sesame street so we probably won't go now. It's funny because the whole idea of that trip began when DH said he wanted to go to Philly for a real cheesesteak :lmao: maybe we'll get there eventually!

[kschafer]

Day 17 – Wednesday, June 25, Continued

OK, so we finished our magical breakfast with the gang from sesame street and headed out into the park that was just opening. My memory is quite fuzzy about what all we did so I will let my pictures guide us.

The first pics are from the dolphin nursery. This is where they keep their little ones who are currently in training. There was someone there talking about training them and answering questions. What was nice is the person speaking had a microphone on so you could be off to the side of the crowd but still hear what she was talking about. The dolphins looked like they were having a good time showing off their tricks

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip535.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip541.jpg

Greg apparently was really into the flowers here!

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip544.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip545.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip546.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip547.jpg

I know we visited some gift shops this morning. I purchased a really pretty etched glass candle holder that was on clearance! Patrick wanted one of the wood carved “whale tail” necklaces. He had been saving his own spending money leading up to the trip and had been VERY selective about how he spent it (in fact he brought some of it home) and being the generous guy he is, he bought one for Daniel too. Next, a random picture stop (look closely and you can see their whale tails)

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip548.jpg

We decided to let the kids run around a bit at the kiddie fun area (sorry, NO idea what it’s real name is). They have some little rides like a small roller coaster, a “hopper” type ride and a somewhat creepy looking carousel.

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip549.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip551.jpg

All the boys did some drumming

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip553.jpg

And the little ones did some climbing.

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip554.jpg

This area was HUGE and the boys had a blast. Warning though to parents, it is very hard to lose sight of your kids here and unlike the Disney play areas, there are multiple ways in/out of it. It was still very early and not very crowded yet so it was easier to keep track of the boys. Also, I made sure that Patrick stayed with Daniel, otherwise I would have been very nervous about Daniel coming down, getting turned around and wandering away from us. As fun as it looks and the boys really did have a great time, I don’t think I would recommend this to parents of little ones

I think it was at this time that we went to see Shamu again. Remember, Patrick had been disappointed about not getting to sit in the splash zone so we decided to give it a try. Daniel didn’t want to get wet and neither did Greg so Patrick and I got there early and found a couple good seats right near the spot where the whales jump onto a platform next to the audience. I had given Greg my camera because I didn’t want it to get wet and he didn’t take any pics.

Would you believe we didn’t get wet? :sad2: Not one drop! Patrick was so disappointed! The next pictures I have are of these really cute baby ducks.

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip556.jpg

These were right outside of the adult fun area. In case you are unaware, SeaWorld is associated with Busch Gardens. What is the history of Busch? Yep, beer. SO you can purchase beer at just about every restaurant and food/drink stand throughout the park OR you can head over to their hospitality center where you get FREE beer :thumbsup2 They have about a dozen or so different beers on tap and you get a normal size (not just a sample) cup of beer.

I think it was about this time that we headed out for a break. It was sunny and HOT so we went back to the hotel and went for a swim. It was a relaxing break and that’s where I will pick up for the next and final installment. :guilty:

[Lady Lallie]

That carousel is just a tad creepy. :scared1:

Greg got some great flower pictures. :thumbsup2

I am so sad that your trip is almost over. :sad2:

[MEK]

Crap - I can't see your pictures at work!

So sorry I never made it to Seaworld before they did away with the free beer! :rotfl:

[kschafer]

That carousel is just a tad creepy. :scared1:

Greg got some great flower pictures. :thumbsup2

I am so sad that your trip is almost over. :sad2:

I know right, the sea creatures theme is fine but don't you think they could find some not quite so creepy looking ones?

I'm sad too :sad1:

Crap - I can't see your pictures at work!

So sorry I never made it to Seaworld before they did away with the free beer! :rotfl:

No more free beer! :eek: When did that happen? we actually made a second visit that afternoon :rolleyes: In all honesty, I am not much of a beer drinker but we found a new beer that we have bought numerous times since our trip. So it did succeed in promoting their products with these visitors!

[jenjolt]

Good Morning Katie!!

I too am sad your trip is almost over...don't you wish you could just keep them going and going and going LOL!!!

Awww...bummer on the not getting wet in the Splash Zone what is up with that?????

Glad you guys had fun with you day at Sea World!

[punkin413]

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip541.jpg

so cute! i can't wait to go back here.

They have some little rides like a small roller coaster, a “hopper” type ride and a somewhat creepy looking carousel.

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip549.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip551.jpg

okay, so here is your "you learn something new every day" lesson for the day. i learned this from memom. i carousel contains horses only. a merry-go-round contains other types of animals. i've looked it up online just out of curiosity and i get both sides of the story. some places say that's correct and some places say the two words are synonyms. who knows but i think it's interesting!

Would you believe we didn’t get wet? :sad2: Not one drop! Patrick was so disappointed!

my sister and brother would always be disappointed when they didn't get wet at sea world. once my sister was sulking for that very reason as we were leaving the dolphin show and the trainer came by riding the dolphin and this HUGE wave of water just engulfed my sister. it was really funny!

OR you can head over to their hospitality center where you get FREE beer :thumbsup2

free beer? okay - all i have to do is mention that to ray and we'll be making a stop here for sure on our next trip! :laughing:

[MeMom]

I can't see your pictures at work!

Me either!

New Dis rule: You either have to post pictures in the morning early or after 4 p.m.

OR

you have to call us and tell us to stay home from work when you know you're going to post pictures.

Whichever you prefer. ;)


Naah, keep posting 'em. It gives me something to look forward to when I get home at night.

It's sort of like opening a present - you imagine what it is, but you don't really know, and then it's cool when you get to see the real thing.

[tinkgurl]

I don't think I have been chatting much on your TR but I have been following along and enjoying! I'm sorry you have had a tough year :hug: Will your cousin (do I have that right?) ever join your family on your trips? It's so fun seeing WDW through a kids eyes, very magical!

Yep he's my cousin. Sorry I don't like to use our real names on here so I thought it'd be easy just to call him the little guy. :laughing: We are in fact trying to figure out a trip for 2010 with all of us since we all want to be there his first time to WDW! I know he's going to have a blast. I just hope he likes the characters. But we'll never know until we try, right?!

[kschafer]

Good Morning Katie!!

I too am sad your trip is almost over...don't you wish you could just keep them going and going and going LOL!!!

Awww...bummer on the not getting wet in the Splash Zone what is up with that?????

Glad you guys had fun with you day at Sea World!

By the time I'm done, you'll be back and I will just have to enjoy your TR instead (still bummed though that I'm not joining you this week :sad1: )

Patrick was VERY disappointed about not getting so we had to promise to come back for the evening show. As much as I liked the first one, 2 times in 2 days was good! You'll have to wait to see if the third time was a charm.

okay, so here is your "you learn something new every day" lesson for the day. i learned this from memom. i carousel contains horses only. a merry-go-round contains other types of animals. i've looked it up online just out of curiosity and i get both sides of the story. some places say that's correct and some places say the two words are synonyms. who knows but i think it's interesting!

my sister and brother would always be disappointed when they didn't get wet at sea world. once my sister was sulking for that very reason as we were leaving the dolphin show and the trainer came by riding the dolphin and this HUGE wave of water just engulfed my sister. it was really funny!

free beer? okay - all i have to do is mention that to ray and we'll be making a stop here for sure on our next trip! :laughing:

Well, you learn something new everyday! ;) I alway think of a merry-go-round as the things on a playground that someone has to push :confused3

Yep, MEK got me worried so I checked and it looks like they still have free beer.


New Dis rule: You either have to post pictures in the morning early or after 4 p.m.

OR

you have to call us and tell us to stay home from work when you know you're going to post pictures.

Whichever you prefer. ;)


Naah, keep posting 'em. It gives me something to look forward to when I get home at night.

It's sort of like opening a present - you imagine what it is, but you don't really know, and then it's cool when you get to see the real thing.

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: memom, you crack me up! I hope you enjoy your present this evening!

Yep he's my cousin. Sorry I don't like to use our real names on here so I thought it'd be easy just to call him the little guy. :laughing: We are in fact trying to figure out a trip for 2010 with all of us since we all want to be there his first time to WDW! I know he's going to have a blast. I just hope he likes the characters. But we'll never know until we try, right?!

It's funny how some kids love them and some kids just don't want anything to do with them. I have one of each, luckily Patrick didn't feel like he HAD to see all the characters so Daniel wasn't stuck waiting all the time for Patrick to do his thing. I'm sure that trip will mean a lot to your family.

[tinkgurl]

It's funny how some kids love them and some kids just don't want anything to do with them. I have one of each, luckily Patrick didn't feel like he HAD to see all the characters so Daniel wasn't stuck waiting all the time for Patrick to do his thing. I'm sure that trip will mean a lot to your family.

Sorry to ask some weird questions...but how did you go about introducing them to their first characters?

[kschafer]

Sorry to ask some weird questions...but how did you go about introducing them to their first characters?

Hmm, I hadn't really thought about it ahead of time but Daniel seemed most receptive to them when we went to CP for lunch. I think I have read other parents who take the same approach, first meal as a character meal.

[tinkgurl]

Hmm, I hadn't really thought about it ahead of time but Daniel seemed most receptive to them when we went to CP for lunch. I think I have read other parents who take the same approach, first meal as a character meal.

So it was better letting them come to him than him going to them?

[kschafer]

So it was better letting them come to him than him going to them?
I think part of it was that eating made it seem a little LESS about the characters. Something else to focus on made a little less pressure. that's just sort of a guess though.

[jenjolt]

I wish you could have come with me too Katie!!!!!

[tinkgurl]

I think part of it was that eating made it seem a little LESS about the characters. Something else to focus on made a little less pressure. that's just sort of a guess though.

Okay thanks! :goodvibes

[MEK]

Love your pictures. Again - you boys are so cute and the flowers are so puurrty! Tell your DH - good job!

[Happy Elf]

Great update! The boys whale tails are neat. Too bad about the splash zone! And I'm sad your TR is coming to an end! :sad:

[kschafer]

I wish you could have come with me too Katie!!!!!

:sad1: Have a great time Jen!

Okay thanks! :goodvibes

Not sure if I helped but you're welcome!

Love your pictures. Again - you boys are so cute and the flowers are so puurrty! Tell your DH - good job!

He is truly obsessed with flower pictures. Just about everyday in the summer he is out in the yard snapping away with different lighting, different angles, etc. When download pics onto the computer I have a folder that is "flower pics", it has HUNDREDS of pics in it!

Great update! The boys whale tails are neat. Too bad about the splash zone! And I'm sad your TR is coming to an end! :sad:

Me too! I'm debating draggin it out a la MEK to see if I can hit 25 pages :lmao: but I only have 1 more update. Maybe I do a summary too

[MeMom]

He is truly obsessed with flower pictures. Just about everyday in the summer he is out in the yard snapping away with different lighting, different angles, etc. When download pics onto the computer I have a folder that is "flower pics", it has HUNDREDS of pics in it!




I can't wait to be at Flower and Garden Festival in March for this very reason. There are so many beautiful flowers in Disney World anyway, and then they do even more with the F&G Festival. A person could shoot thousands of pictures just of that stuff alone, if they were so inclined.

[MinnieLove]

Katie - This morning I had an extensive TO DO list. Inclusing sweeping, mopping, laundry, dusting, change bedding (4 beds), sweep stairs, pay bills, sort mail, sort school paperwork (twins in Kindergarten) and much much more. Then I found your trip report. 5 hours later I am still on this darn computer.

I feel like I have experienced your entire trip (highs and lows). Thanks for taking the time in documenting the whole 10 day experience.

We are taking our first family WDW in March and I am even more excited.

Thanks for sharing...

And I love my 2008 Grand Caravan (blue) and the kids love it too...
:wizard: :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

[kschafer]

I can't wait to be at Flower and Garden Festival in March for this very reason. There are so many beautiful flowers in Disney World anyway, and then they do even more with the F&G Festival. A person could shoot thousands of pictures just of that stuff alone, if they were so inclined.

Yeah, I'm not sure I'll be suggesting it to Greg anytime soon, he gets going and it would be HOURS of picture taking! But I'm sure you will take plenty for us all to enjoy!

Katie - This morning I had an extensive TO DO list. Inclusing sweeping, mopping, laundry, dusting, change bedding (4 beds), sweep stairs, pay bills, sort mail, sort school paperwork (twins in Kindergarten) and much much more. Then I found your trip report. 5 hours later I am still on this darn computer.

I feel like I have experienced your entire trip (highs and lows). Thanks for taking the time in documenting the whole 10 day experience.

We are taking our first family WDW in March and I am even more excited.

Thanks for sharing...

And I love my 2008 Grand Caravan (blue) and the kids love it too...
:wizard: :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:


Minnie - I feel so honored! :flower3: WELCOME to the Dis and be careful, it is thoroughly addictive!!! There are so many wonderful people around here.

I'm glad you have enjoyed the trip, it has been a lot of fun to relive, both highs and lows.

[kschafer]

Day 17 – Wednesday, June 25, Continued

So when I left you, we were relaxing in the pool at out hotel. It felt SOOOO good to just cool off and play in the water with the boys. We decided to see if we could get Daniel down for a nap since we wanted to return to SeaWorld and stay until closing. While Greg and I were discussing our plans, we heard a HUGE crash. I looked out the window and discovered it was POURING.

Patrick and I grabbed the laptop and went to the hotel lobby to play games while Greg tried to get Daniel down for his nap. We sat down at one of the tables, opened up the computer and it promptly shut down (dead battery). No problem, I had grabbed the plug so we moved over to the wall close to an outlet at just about the same time all the power in the hotel went out! We waited patiently figuring it would be back on in a minute or two but nope, didn’t happen. We just sort of sat there staring at the sheets of water coming down and listening to the thunder rumble. We wandered through the dark gift shop just looking around trying to kill time. About 10 minutes later we began to hear a pinging sound, we looked outside and it was hailing! Around 5 minutes later, it all began to slow down and we figured Daniel was asleep so we headed back to the room so I could pack bags while Patrick played on the computer.

The plan had been to return to SeaWorld in time to catch the last performance of the Cirque du Soleil style show. Unfortunately it became obvious we were not going to make it, I was so bummed :sad1: . But eventually we headed back hitting a nearby McDonalds on the way. This was not just an ordinary McD’s, it was a McDonalds Bistro :thumbsup2 . They had the standard menu plus some much more “upscale” choices for quite reasonable prices. I think I had a grilled pastrami and sauerkraut on rye, YUM.

OK, enough babbling! We made it back to SeaWorld and first checked out the turtles

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip562.jpg

Then the sea lions

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip566.jpg

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip569.jpg

There was this really cute little guy

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip571.jpg

I think next we checked out the penguins and puffins again (yep, Antarctica nighttime again so no pics again). Then we went to the aquarium

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip572.jpg

Can you see the animal here? I think it’s called a sea dragon?

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip578.jpg

They have one of those tunnels that goes through the shark tank so you can see them from the side

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip591.jpg

And from below, pretty cool!

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip590.jpg

We checked out the cydesdales then found ourselves in the hospitality center again so we felt obligated to have a couple more beers ::yes::

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip592.jpg

We decided to try Shamu one more time in an attempt for Patrick to get splashed. He and I went in early to get a good seat while Daniel and Greg played some carnival games in the kids fun area. Finally the show started. This time, it was their nighttime show Shamu ROCKS. Only 1 pic but it was full of lights and music and a lot of fun.

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip594.jpg

Patrick waited so patiently through it all. And waited, and waited and then the show was over, the crowd started to move out and Patrick was heartbroken. As we were sitting there waiting for the crowd beginning to file out, I was trying to comfort him when suddenly Shamu made one more round and FINALLY Patrick got splashed. It was just a couple dozen drops really but enough to completely thrill him!! :hyper:

After leaving Shamu, we had a little time to kill before the evening fireworks so we let the boys ride a few more times. Not as magical as Disney at night but they had a good time.

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/235.jpg

We decided to make our way back toward the front. Their nighttime show is meant to be viewed from 1 particular side of the lake, we had decided to avoid the crowd and watch it from the “back” side of the lake. Um, nope, big mistake. We ended up seeing very little, oh well!

Daniel is funny about noise. If you ask him if he likes fireworks he will say yes but he doesn’t like the noise. He has always been this way. He was born in September, on the 4th of July the year I was pregnant with him, he did sommersaults during the fireworks!! We actually brought earplugs on our trip knowing there would be shows that were too loud for him but we had forgotten them this night. He improvised with the prizes he had won earlier that night

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip600.jpg

On the way back to the hotel, we returned to the McD’s Bistro and grabbed a couple of YUMMY pieces of cake and fancy coffees for dessert. I wish we had one of these near my home!

Day 18 – Thursday, June 26 (Happy 7th Birthday Patrick)

Well, the day had come. :sad: We got up, packed the van, hit the McBistro one more time for breakfast (Canadian bacon and eggs on ciabatta bread with hollandaise sauce and hash browns, WOW). On the way to Sanford (about 45 min from Orlando), we stopped to fill up the tank on the rental car. I took the boys inside to use the bathroom and as we walked in, Patrick vomited on the floor (and he hadn’t eaten any breakfast). If you recall from Day 1 of this trip, Patrick threw up on the plane ride to FL. I think he was quietly nervous about flying and stressing himself out to the point of throwing up, weird!

We got to the airport to find our flight had been moved back an hour and we were WAY too early in this tiny airport. It was a challenge to keep the boys entertained. Patrick posed for one last picture with a Florida palm.

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip601.jpg

And I got one last shot of one of these cute guys.

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip603.jpg

After getting Daniel through one final meltdown, we boarded the plane and were on our way home.

Well my friends, this concludes my TR but think I will have one final installment with some thoughts and lessons learned. :thanks: hanging out with me!

[Lady Lallie]

That McDonald's bistro sounds really yummy.

I love the shark tunnel at Sea World but I always freak myself out while I'm going through. :rotfl:

Awww, poor Patrick stressed out about flying. :grouphug:

[julezdisney]

Awwww. :( It's over?!

We need to win the lotto. I want to go back NOW!

[Megablocks]

I kept on falling behind and now it's over. :sad:

I really want to go to Sea World at some point. I love, love, love the pictures of the dolphins--they are so cute! So are the sea lions. We have fond memories of sea lions, because some years ago, we went to the aquarium and saw their sea lion show. At some point in the show, the trainer asks for volunteers. Naturally, my dad raised his hand, and she called on "the big kid in the blue shirt" and pointed to us. We all looked over at my dad, who was the only one in our area wearing a plain blue shirt. He pointed at himself, mouthing, "me?" and the trainer nodded and gestured for him to come down. So, he was the lone adult in the show, surrounded by little kids. He got a kiss from the sea lion, and the trainer, for the entire show, called him "Kyle"--she asked what his name was, and he said Carl. "Kyle?" Carl. "Kyle?" Yes. :lmao: So, to this day, we still call him "Kyle" if we want to get his attention.

Daniel reminds me of my sister when she was younger--she didn't like loud noises, and she HATED the fireworks. On the Mexico ride, she kept on asking my mom if the fake fireworks were going to be loud, and my mom had to keep on reassuring her that they wouldn't be. She still kept her ears covered though.

I'm so glad that Patrick finally got splashed! I hope that he was okay after the initial throwing up. :hug:

[Happy Elf]

The sea loins are so cute! Sea World looks fun! Hannah is scared of loud noises too! To this day she hides when she sees the vacuum come out!

I'm so sad you TR is over! I've enjoyed reading about your trip!

[kschafer]

That McDonald's bistro sounds really yummy.

I love the shark tunnel at Sea World but I always freak myself out while I'm going through. :rotfl:

Awww, poor Patrick stressed out about flying. :grouphug:

Yum, I could go for some bistro lunch right now!

Patrick was NOT fond of the shark tunnel! We practically had to guide him through because his eyes were closed! Yeah, not really sure what was up with the flying but he was one of those little kids who would throw up when they cried too hard. He has a sensitive trigger!

Awwww. :( It's over?!

We need to win the lotto. I want to go back NOW!

I'm afraid so :sad1: I bought a couple tickets yesterday, if I win we'll make it a trip together!

I kept on falling behind and now it's over. :sad:

I really want to go to Sea World at some point. I love, love, love the pictures of the dolphins--they are so cute! So are the sea lions. We have fond memories of sea lions, because some years ago, we went to the aquarium and saw their sea lion show. At some point in the show, the trainer asks for volunteers. Naturally, my dad raised his hand, and she called on "the big kid in the blue shirt" and pointed to us. We all looked over at my dad, who was the only one in our area wearing a plain blue shirt. He pointed at himself, mouthing, "me?" and the trainer nodded and gestured for him to come down. So, he was the lone adult in the show, surrounded by little kids. He got a kiss from the sea lion, and the trainer, for the entire show, called him "Kyle"--she asked what his name was, and he said Carl. "Kyle?" Carl. "Kyle?" Yes. :lmao: So, to this day, we still call him "Kyle" if we want to get his attention.

Daniel reminds me of my sister when she was younger--she didn't like loud noises, and she HATED the fireworks. On the Mexico ride, she kept on asking my mom if the fake fireworks were going to be loud, and my mom had to keep on reassuring her that they wouldn't be. She still kept her ears covered though.

I'm so glad that Patrick finally got splashed! I hope that he was okay after the initial throwing up. :hug:

OK, I get the impression from your PTR that your Dad is a total kick! So funny about him being chosen to be in the show. That reminds me that as you are waiting for the Shamu show to start, they have cameras that pick people out of the audience, it's funny to see their reactions!

You would have thought that Patrick had won a prize when he got splashed! :lmao: I was so happy for him. When we met up with Greg and Daniel he yelled "that was AWESOME!!"

The sea loins are so cute! Sea World looks fun! Hannah is scared of loud noises too! To this day she hides when she sees the vacuum come out!

I'm so sad you TR is over! I've enjoyed reading about your trip!

Daniel had actually started wanting to help vacuum instead of running away so maybe we are making progress

I'm sad it's over too, it's been a lot of fun to go back and write about. I'll definitely have a summary entry in the next couple days.

[sunny_stace]

Oh I'm so glad Patrick finally got to be splashed!! Too bad he was feeling so rotten afterwards...I throw up when I get nervous too:crazy2: (TMI? LOL)

I don't want your trip to be over! I've loved seeing it all with your family and enjoyed learning about Seaworld too! I might have to make a side trip over there during gnomefest! I didn't know they had fireworks either! I fully remember the shark tunnel though. It was called Terrors Of The Deep and I was pretty nervous about going through, but since my daddy loved sharks I pretended I was really excited. It was cool but I was afraid the glass would break! I understand how terrifying it can be to kids! I would love to see it again as an adult!

Thanks for sharing Katie - you're awesome! :cheer2:

[punkin413]

oh, so sad it's over!!! i hope to see that shamu night time show - sounds really cool! and i'm glad patrick finally got splashed! :thumbsup2

[MeMom]

Day 17 – Wednesday, June 25, Continued

They have one of those tunnels that goes through the shark tank so you can see them from the side

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip591.jpg

And from below, pretty cool!

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r435/ktschafer/FLtrip590.jpg


Well my friends, this concludes my TR but think I will have one final installment with some thoughts and lessons learned. :thanks: hanging out with me!

Let me just say never, never, never will I go into one of these!
I have nightmares about things like this!
And it has nothing to do with the sharks.

I'm pretty sure we will reserve at least part of one of our days this summer for SeaWorld, but MeMom will be shopping or looking at something up on the surface where there is fresh air if the others choose to go down into this dungeon of death!!! ::yes::

[julezdisney]

Yum, I could go for some bistro lunch right now!


I'm afraid so :sad1: I bought a couple tickets yesterday, if I win we'll make it a trip together!


You would have thought that Patrick had won a prize when he got splashed! :lmao: I was so happy for him. When we met up with Greg and Daniel he yelled "that was AWESOME!!"

I'm sad it's over too, it's been a lot of fun to go back and write about. I'll definitely have a summary entry in the next couple days.

That McDonald's we stopped at when we got to Orlando had those bistro options too. I wanted to try them but I was too tired to want to think. I just ordered what I always do.

You bought tickets?! I'm always telling myself to pick up a few to keep somewhere safe - they are INVESTMENTS after all! :goodvibes

And that's funny about Patrick. My kids would love that too.

[kschafer]

Oh I'm so glad Patrick finally got to be splashed!! Too bad he was feeling so rotten afterwards...I throw up when I get nervous too:crazy2: (TMI? LOL)

I don't want your trip to be over! I've loved seeing it all with your family and enjoyed learning about Seaworld too! I might have to make a side trip over there during gnomefest! I didn't know they had fireworks either! I fully remember the shark tunnel though. It was called Terrors Of The Deep and I was pretty nervous about going through, but since my daddy loved sharks I pretended I was really excited. It was cool but I was afraid the glass would break! I understand how terrifying it can be to kids! I would love to see it again as an adult!

Thanks for sharing Katie - you're awesome! :cheer2:

hey if I can share about Patrick's woes, you can share yours with us!

Now that I have been going through the pics again, I'm thinking of a day during gnomefest too! Will you do the scary roller coaster with me (even if Bert adviseds against it? :lmao: )

oh, so sad it's over!!! i hope to see that shamu night time show - sounds really cool! and i'm glad patrick finally got splashed! :thumbsup2

It was quite a happy ending to our trip in Patrick's mind! I'm sad it's over too

Let me just say never, never, never will I go into one of these!
I have nightmares about things like this!
And it has nothing to do with the sharks.

I'm pretty sure we will reserve at least part of one of our days this summer for SeaWorld, but MeMom will be shopping or looking at something up on the surface where there is fresh air if the others choose to go down into this dungeon of death!!! ::yes::

OK, you and Stacy have permission from me to skip the shark tube! You can shop together I'm sure :grouphug:

That McDonald's we stopped at when we got to Orlando had those bistro options too. I wanted to try them but I was too tired to want to think. I just ordered what I always do.

You bought tickets?! I'm always telling myself to pick up a few to keep somewhere safe - they are INVESTMENTS after all! :goodvibes

And that's funny about Patrick. My kids would love that too.

Heck yeah, when the jackpot is over $100 mil I figure what the heck. An investment...yeah...that's it. When I win you and all my other loyal readers can join me for a ROCKIN trip to WDW and SeaWorld! We can have that elevator filled with Disers that MeMom keeps promising :thumbsup2

[sunny_stace]

Katie I will definately join you on the scary roller coaster!! It's a date! I'm all about scary roller coasters! :) Besides, what does bert know?! ;)

And thank you for letting me share my woes! Good luck with the lottery!

[CanadianWDWfan]

I will buy some lottery tickets too and increase our chances of a group trip. Wouldn't we have the best time and have a big bunch of great pics. We could have a huge joint TR with all of us. How fun to have our own Grand DIS Gathering. We would 'CELERBRATE' our love of WDW & the DIS and new friends!!!:thumbsup2

Seaworld looks like fun, the dolphin pic looks like a statue.I enjoy looking at flower pics, my DMom is a flower fanatic. Glad to hear Patrick got splashed after many attempts. You made his night. :thumbsup2

I wouldn't be afraid to go into the shark tunnel, I think it would be great!

I may decide to add it to my trip like MeMom.

[2xcited2sleep]

So glad Patrick got splashed! :upsidedow

I haven't been to Sea World in YEARS but I think I have to head back. I will confess that last time I was there I took the chicken exit rather than going on the moving sidewalk through the shark tank. Jaws totally ruined me! :sad2:

[kschafer]

Katie I will definately join you on the scary roller coaster!! It's a date! I'm all about scary roller coasters! :) Besides, what does bert know?! ;)

And thank you for letting me share my woes! Good luck with the lottery!

I'm starting to think that gnomefest is gonna have to be 2 weeks instead of 1 in order to do everything we want! I haven't checked my tickets yet so maybe we still can. Keep your fingers crossed! ::yes::

I will buy some lottery tickets too and increase our chances of a group trip. Wouldn't we have the best time and have a big bunch of great pics. We could have a huge joint TR with all of us. How fun to have our own Grand DIS Gathering. We would 'CELERBRATE' our love of WDW & the DIS and new friends!!!:thumbsup2

Seaworld looks like fun, the dolphin pic looks like a statue.I enjoy looking at flower pics, my DMom is a flower fanatic. Glad to hear Patrick got splashed after many attempts. You made his night. :thumbsup2

I wouldn't be afraid to go into the shark tunnel, I think it would be great!

I may decide to add it to my trip like MeMom.

You can join us at gnomefest! Always room for more. Who has the link in their siggy? Julez? Paula? LL?

At the time I thought SeaWorld was just OK after WDW but reflecting back on it, there were some really nice differences and if you have the time and budget for it, it's a nice side trip. :thumbsup2

So glad Patrick got splashed! :upsidedow

I haven't been to Sea World in YEARS but I think I have to head back. I will confess that last time I was there I took the chicken exit rather than going on the moving sidewalk through the shark tank. Jaws totally ruined me! :sad2:

LOL Christine! I must admit, I never saw jaws and I like sharks (but only with a THICK wall between us, no desire to see up close and personal!) You want to join Stacy and I during gnomefest? We'll hold your hand and if needed, guide you through like I did with Patrick :rotfl:

[MeMom]

OK, you and Stacy have permission from me to skip the shark tube! You can shop together I'm sure :grouphug:


Heck yeah, when the jackpot is over $100 mil I figure what the heck. An investment...yeah...that's it. When I win you and all my other loyal readers can join me for a ROCKIN trip to WDW and SeaWorld! We can have that elevator filled with Disers that MeMom keeps promising :thumbsup2

Oh yeah, we can do some shopping! You guys just take your time down there in the tunnel of death. No hurry.

The only elevator on the planet that I really look forward to getting in is Tower of Terror.

Count me in on the rockin' awesome jackpot trip. You are footing the bill on that, right? I'm good with staying value, so I won't cost you much.

I'm missing seeing those two little boys in action. Can't you hurry up and get another trip report under way??? :)

[sunny_stace]

Well, I do definately want to shop with MeMom, but I have gotten over my fears! I definately want to do the shark tunnel too! :)

[kschafer]

Count me in on the rockin' awesome jackpot trip. You are footing the bill on that, right? I'm good with staying value, so I won't cost you much.

I'm missing seeing those two little boys in action. Can't you hurry up and get another trip report under way??? :)

MeMom, there is NO way I would consider a jackpot trip without YOU!! I didn't win the big jackpot this weekend but I'll keep trying ;). Heck, we're staying at beach club, wilderness lodge or the polynesian on my dream trip!!

I wish I could say that I am going back soon but I'm afraid it won't happen in 2009 :sad1: I am planning a trip with some Dis friends in 2010 and I am thinking it might be a mommy and Patrick trip (while he still thinks Mom is cool and fun to hang out with :upsidedow )

As a 3rd grade teacher (OK, yes a biased one I know) how do you feel about kids missing a week of school for a vacation? DH doesn't like the idea but I figure in 3rd grade it's still OK to miss a few days.

Well, I do definately want to shop with MeMom, but I have gotten over my fears! I definately want to do the shark tunnel too! :)

I suspect there will be lots of shopping opportunities on my dream jackpot trip! MeMom I'm sure can keep busy taking pictures while the rest of us do the shark tunnel ::yes::

[k_reile]

My parents always took my brother and i out of school for our disney trips, but we only went every 3-4 yrs (3 times during my schooling--5th, 9th and senior year for me and my brother was 1st, 5th and 8th grade) so it was not like we missed a lot of school. And we brought our homework with us and had to do homework in DIsney:crazy2: We always went in Jan when it was nicer and less crowded and we were good students so it did not hurt us to be gone.

My mom wants to go again probably in Jan 2011 and take my newphew who is 2 now and Caleb before my newphew gets into school. Though I will take my kids out for a Disney trip in Jan (when the time comes) as long as I feel they will not be behind when they get back.

[jenjolt]

Katie...thank you so much for letting us join you on your trip!! I'm so glad you and your family had such a good time!!!

Love the McBistro...I really want one of those near me too...sounds so yummy!!

YAY for getting splashed I'm so happy for him!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BrooklynnsMommy]

I figured I could post that it really was better late than never. I just sat and read the entire report while at work today. I'm trying to catch up with everybody since I finally got the internet at home. After seeing your Sea World pictures I am more convinced we might have to take a day and go over there because Brooklynn loves animals and would love to see all the sea creatures.

[CanadianWDWfan]

I havn't checked my ticket yet....the lottery trip could be in our future. :grouphug:

[kschafer]

My parents always took my brother and i out of school for our disney trips, but we only went every 3-4 yrs (3 times during my schooling--5th, 9th and senior year for me and my brother was 1st, 5th and 8th grade) so it was not like we missed a lot of school. And we brought our homework with us and had to do homework in DIsney:crazy2: We always went in Jan when it was nicer and less crowded and we were good students so it did not hurt us to be gone.

I taught high school and I don't think it's a good idea when they get that old but I still think 3rd grade is fine. And if Greg doesn't think so, I will go without all of them and he can be responsible for both boys for a week :rolleyes:

Katie...thank you so much for letting us join you on your trip!! I'm so glad you and your family had such a good time!!!

Love the McBistro...I really want one of those near me too...sounds so yummy!!

YAY for getting splashed I'm so happy for him!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was a great trip and I would LOVE a McBistro nearby

Getting splashed was the sprinkles on the ice cream for Patrick!

I figured I could post that it really was better late than never. I just sat and read the entire report while at work today. I'm trying to catch up with everybody since I finally got the internet at home. After seeing your Sea World pictures I am more convinced we might have to take a day and go over there because Brooklynn loves animals and would love to see all the sea creatures.

WELCOME JILL!!! Better late than never is right :thumbsup2 How are you feeling? I can't wait to see pics of both girls at SeaWorld when the time comes!

I havn't checked my ticket yet....the lottery trip could be in our future. :grouphug:

I've got my fingers crossed for you! Did I read that you were in an accident? Is all OK?

[CanadianWDWfan]

:love: :love: :love: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY KATIE & GREG :love: :love: :love:

[julezdisney]

Hi Katie! I've been so absent this last week! I wanted to pop into your report to say Hi :wave2: and ask- Where's your final thoughts and lessons learned?!

LOL :laughing: I'm spending the morning catching up on reports and this is the perfect time! ::yes::

[kschafer]

:love: :love: :love: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY KATIE & GREG :love: :love: :love:

Thanks :flower3: same to you and your family!!

Hi Katie! I've been so absent this last week! I wanted to pop into your report to say Hi :wave2: and ask- Where's your final thoughts and lessons learned?!

LOL :laughing: I'm spending the morning catching up on reports and this is the perfect time! ::yes::

:rolleyes1 Ummm....yeah...well I never did write it and figured everyone had forgotten about my TR by now! ;) OK Julez, I will work on it just for you, I promise!

[sunny_stace]

I want your final thoughts too! We could never forget about you! :)

[OhMari]

Giving you a bump,
I read the first 2 pages and I loved the pictures.
Did your parents grow up in the UP of Michigan or lower Michigan.

[kschafer]

I want your final thoughts too! We could never forget about you! :)

:flower3: Aww, thanks Stace! I hesitate to write that final chapter because I'm just not sure what I want to put in it...maybe if I don't work tomorrow I will give it some serious thought.

Giving you a bump,
I read the first 2 pages and I loved the pictures.
Did your parents grow up in the UP of Michigan or lower Michigan.

Glad you are enjoying it! My mom grew up in Muskegon (on the Lake Michigan side) and my dad is from the Saginaw area (near the crook of the "thumb")

[bertegirl]

Made my way over from a food photo you posted. I love breakfast pizza. Thats reason enough to head to DTD!

[kschafer]

Made my way over from a food photo you posted. I love breakfast pizza. Thats reason enough to head to DTD!

Glad you found your way over! That breakfast pizza was SO GOOD!!! DTD is a great way to spend a day when you want a little break from the parks. Make sure you get to Goofy's Candy Company too - YUM

Out of curiosity, what "cornfield" do you live in?