No boys allowed! The birthday girl and Mom take on Disney

[Chelley00]

Welcome! DD7 and I are back from 11 wonderful days at Walt Disney World to celebrate her 8th birthday (Nov 30th) It was an amazing trip full of sunshine, low crowds, lots of suprises and Disney magic.

Link to our first trip report from 2008 Worst trip ever http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2009224

How the trip came to be:

DD has 2 older brothers and 1 younger brother. Her older 2 brothers both had huge blow out birthday parties when they turned 8 (not sure how it turned out to be the 8th birthday?) This summer we started talking about what to do for her 8th, and she sighed and said "I wish I could go to Disney, but I know we can't, so let me think" DH and I started talking about it, pricing it, and realized if just one of us took her, we could swing a trip for her birthday. DH was more than happy to send me off and agreed to hold down the fort. Talked with the boys, and not one of them was upset about being left behind. I planned the trip for her birthday week, but started reading about some people having trouble getting reservations, so I bumped us up a couple of weeks to try and avoid crowds. We usually go late October, so we've never had to wait long for rides, and I hoped by moving our trip up, that trend would continue!

I had great luck with making ADRs and planning surprises, and finally on Nov 12, R and I would ready to head off for our girls only birthday trip!

I took tons of pictures, and have started a dining review as well. Thanks for following along!


A quick sneak peak picture of DD and I at MVMCP on Nov 19th with DD's favorite character, Minnie!

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Day 1: First class? We'll take it! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34454058&postcount=4

Day 1: This isn't our hotel. Or is it? http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34455983&postcount=10

Day 1: AKL room pictures http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34455983&postcount=11

Day 1: Finally, a park! Epcot http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf34b3127ccef8ca3de6206a00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Day 1: "Home" again for naps and surprises http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34512339&postcount=27

Day2: DHS - If I ride this, you have to ride that http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34526193&postcount=33

Day 2 DHS - A little of this http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34526373&postcount=34

[Tink9721]

Yay! First reply :cool1: Can't wait to hear about all the mother daughter fun :thumbsup2

[praisehisname]

Great start!

[Chelley00]

Yay! First reply :cool1: Can't wait to hear about all the mother daughter fun :thumbsup2

Thanks for joining in

Great start!

Thank you!




Thursday Nov 12

The genius traveler that I am decided to book the first flight out of Indy to Orlando to maximize our first day. Yeah. That flight? SEVEN in the morning. That means we have to get up at 4:30am to get to the airport by 5:30am. Puke. Riley and I are neither one morning people. At all. Ever.

And, an important point in this part of the story. I HATE flying. LOATHE. DESPISE. I hate the way it feels. I hate the sounds. I hate the lack of control. Ick. But, for my daughter, I am getting up at FOUR THIRTY in the morning and boarding a plane to take her to the happiest place on earth......to ride roller coasters that throw me upside down (another thing I'm not a big fan of)


She better pick a freaking great nursing home for me when I'm old.


My directionally challenged husband turned the wrong way twice, but got us to the airport just in time for DS4 to burst into tears and decide he doesn't want me to leave. Poor baby :( Getting drug out of bed at 5am = grumpy kids.

At ticketing and bag check, the guy sees Riley's "It's My Birthday" shirt. He decides that any girl on her birthday trip taking her first flight needs to go in style, and gives us the complimentary upgrade to first class.


Score



Check our bag, head through security, and find our gate. God is good. There's a Starbucks right next to the gate. Riley guards the bags while I get our first meal of our trip: Starbucks perfect oatmeal. Coffee for me (yay, peppermint mochas are back again!!) and hot chocolate for her. We're both a tad nervous, so we don't eat much. Have I mentioned I HATE to fly? I was being all brave and not showing it. Promise. But man, was I totally dreading that plane ride.


Since we're first class, we get to board first. They flight attendants made a huge deal over the fact that we were flying on the Colts plane.

Get Riley settled, wait for everyone else to board, and the flight attendant informs us the plane is boarded and we are leaving 14 minutes early. What a good way to start a trip! Check out my first class girl

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The flight went well until Atlanta area, where we hit the backside of Hurricane Ida. It was pretty rocky. They even turned the seatbelt sign back on. Puke. Riley barely noticed. She was too busy watching UP on the laptop. I have to say, she did great for her first flight. She LOVED the take off, then after we couldn't see anything but clouds, she entertained herself with the movie and an activity book, and never asked for anything.

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Landing was smooth, and we arrived 10 minutes early. Snapped a couple of quick pictures of the Colts plane since it was too dark to see it when we boarded.



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A quick stop to pick up the rental car (which, by the way, was a total waste of money. We would have been fine with the bus service!) Finally, we were on our way. It was raining, 63 degrees and ugly cloudy, but how can you be miserable when you get a look at this?


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We usually drive to FL and come in the other side, so we rarely get to see the Main Gate entrance! It just made it all the more exciting. We were finally here!!!


Next up: DD's first surprise.

[Disneymoon09]

woohoo! I've been waiting for this TR!:cool1:

[Stacybaeasm]

I can't wait to hear more!

[heaven2dc]

What a great start (well after hubby getting lost and having to say goodbye to the boys) but getting upgraded to First Class :thumbsup2 Sounds like the makings of a great trip!

[JLR]

I am so excited to hear your report. I will be doing a Mommy and me in April.:cool1: You sound like a lot of fun! I can't wait to hear what you and your daughter did.
Julie

[Chelley00]

woohoo! I've been waiting for this TR!:cool1:

Welcome!

I can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for stopping by!

What a great start (well after hubby getting lost and having to say goodbye to the boys) but getting upgraded to First Class :thumbsup2 Sounds like the makings of a great trip!

I have to laugh at DH turning the wrong way, especially since he drives past the airport on his way to work EVERY DAY! :laughing:

I am so excited to hear your report. I will be doing a Mommy and me in April.:cool1: You sound like a lot of fun! I can't wait to hear what you and your daughter did.
Julie

You'll have so much fun on your Mommy and Me trip! We had a great time and it was fun to just hang out!

[Chelley00]

When we booked our trip, I gave Riley some choices. Stay at a value resort onsite and do some extra activities, like swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove. Or we could stay at a moderate resort and just go to Disney. I let her watch the Disney planning video, look at pictures online and make her choice.

She picked Caribbean Springs Resort. She liked the Nemo theme or pirate theme rooms, the pirate themed pool. Together we looked at pictures of Animal Kingdom Lodge, with rooms on the savannah overlooking animals. My future vet. The thought of being that close to animals made her drool. But alas, out of the price range. We were both perfectly satisfied with our Caribbean Springs Resort choice.

Until Disney had to come along and throw out some new deals....specifically a Buy 4 nights get 3 free. That put Animal Kingdom Lodge within my budgeted amount for out trip. After going back and forth for days, I bit the bullet and booked it.

But didn't tell my daughter.


So today, we are in Orlando and headed towards our resort, which Riley thinks is a Nemo room. I finally start making some lame excuse, trying to skirt questions without lying, that we can't check into Caribbean Springs and that I want to go to Animal Kingdom Lodge to look around. And she says


I don't want to go there.


Hmmm, at this point I'm really hoping it's because she doesn't want to go look at some place she can't stay because it will be depressing or something. I put my Mommy foot down and tell her we have to go there for awhile.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf34b3127ccef8cbcf88810100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We pull up to the guard shack and I hand them a note:


We're checking in today, only my daughter in the backseat doesn't know it.


He looks back at Riley and says he hopes he enjoys her look around the lodge, winks at me, and waves us through. Whew. Hurdle one down. Wonder how long I can keep it up.

Get into the lobby and I sent Riley off exploring while I check in. Thank goodness for the new online check in. All I need is my folder with my paperwork and we are done. Only someone in front of me in line is complaining, not in English, and everyone looks confused and upset. Finally someone else comes to help, I get in line, check in, they hand me a birthday button for Riley and a pin that says "I'm celebrating Riley's birthday" for me. We have our room number and key to the world card. We hike down the hallway and to a door. I tell Riley we have a key so we can go look at a room. Open the door, shove her in and hand her a note:


Dear Riley,

We know how much you love animals and thought maybe you'd like to stay here instead of the other hotel. Hope you enjoy it and take part in some of the animal activities when you aren't at the parks. We love you.

Mickey and Minnie
(and Daddy and Mommy too)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf34b3127ccef8ca39bc203200000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Are you serious?
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This is when my usually reserved daughter starts jumping up and down shrieking "Thank you thank you thank you thank you" She calls Daddy on my cell and shrieks "thank you thank you thank you" over and over again to him too.

[Chelley00]

A few room pictures

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[KatMark]

I've enjoyed following your dining reviews and now I get to follow your trip report. What a nice surprise for Riley, and a nice mon and daughter trip. Love the pics of AKL--one day we'll be able to do that (I keep telling myself that).

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

wow!! What a wonderful start!! I'm glad the surprise worked out for you. Just like your DD when my Dad surprised us with our first stay at WL, my brother and I threw fits in the rental car saying we wanted to go to POFQ to check in and go swimming and still yelling at him as he's telling the security guard we have a reservation and then Dad turns around and says SURPRISE! I cried lol.

Curiosity, what rental car company did you use and were you satisifed with them? We usually use National or Alamo but they quoted us $300. We were able to get Dollar for $200 but are still a little uneasy about never using them before.

Can't wait for more!

[Chelley00]

I've enjoyed following your dining reviews and now I get to follow your trip report. What a nice surprise for Riley, and a nice mon and daughter trip. Love the pics of AKL--one day we'll be able to do that (I keep telling myself that).

I never thought we'd be able to stay onsite, let alone a deluxe. Thank goodness for good discount codes! We used the buy 4 get 3 for the first 7 nights, then a 40% off code for the last 3 nights.

Curiosity, what rental car company did you use and were you satisifed with them? We usually use National or Alamo but they quoted us $300. We were able to get Dollar for $200 but are still a little uneasy about never using them before.


I went through carrentalsavers.com and got a great rate from Alamo. Everything was ready when we got there and we had no problems at all getting or returning the car.

[praisehisname]

Hopefully flying first class made it a little easier for you! I love the look on Riley's face when she realizes you guys are staying at AKL! :thumbsup2 Your room looks great!

[StefaniLyn]

What a great start to your trip report! Woo hoo for first class upgrade pixie dust and Yippee for pulling off your surprise! I can't wait to read more!

[Chelley00]

I love the look on Riley's face when she realizes you guys are staying at AKL! :thumbsup2 Your room looks great!

I wish I would have taken more pictures of her face, but she tackled me :)

What a great start to your trip report! Woo hoo for first class upgrade pixie dust and Yippee for pulling off your surprise! I can't wait to read more!

I'll have to hurry so you can read a lot before you leave for Bella's trip....in a week!!! :yay:



Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We went to ILs for dinner. Nothing exciting as we see them all the time :)

[Chelley00]

Finally, let's go to Disney and play

We brought in our luggage from the rental car and decided to head out to Epcot for the afternoon. Riley decides she wants to try the bus, which was fine since it was midafternoon I knew we'd have to park the car pretty far out. We found our way to the bus stop and walked right onto a bus. Good timing!

Through security, stick my ticket in, nothing. The lady tries it. Nothing. Apparently my ticket didn't activate, which makes me nervous paying for dinner since it's my only way to pay. The lady let me through the gate since Riley's ticket had worked and we were obviously together and told me to head to guest services at the hotel to take care of it. She said since I had used the ticket to open our room door it was probably just the ticket portion of my KTTW that didn't work.

Riley and I decided that our Starbucks oatmeal from 6am was long gone (it was after noon) so we worked our way back to the country of Norway for a snack from the bakery. Our first stop was 2 characters with zero lines.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf34b3127ccef8cbadf8007000000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf34b3127ccef8caa9c0200600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Our next stop was Spaceship Earth. We didn't ride this our first 2 trips (the last trip it was actually closed) Riley loved it, especially the part at the end where it takes your picture and puts it in a story about the future

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We stopped off for Test Track fastpasses, then headed back to Norway for a chocolate cake and a school bread. Since we were in Norway we knocked out Maelstrom and then stop to take the required picture with this guy
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Riley wanted to go ride the 3 Caballeros ride in Mexico. On the way Riley saw Donald coming down the walkway and was first in line
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We worked our way back to Test Track to use our fastpasses before dinner
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and then slowly made our way over to Canada for our early dinner reservation at LeCellier.
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All of our dining/snack reviews are in the thread listed below :)


My daughter fell asleep in her dinner. Literally. She took 3 bites of grilled chicken, put her head back and drifted off. I had them box her dinner, my dessert and we headed out towards the exit. She slept on the bus, but perked up once we got to the room and saw her next surprise!

[praisehisname]

That's so sweet that Riley was so tired she fell asleep in her meal! I bet you were relieved that your KTTW card worked for dinner!

[bballdiva]

Enjoying your report so far!!!!

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Figures your tickets would't work :( Were you able to get the tickets fixed at GR. It said you had to go to the resort, but I'm guessing that Epcot was able to fix it so go them!! How horrible would that be to have to bus allll the way back to the resort to have the tickets fixed :(

Can't wait for more!

[heaven2dc]

I can't wait for the surprise! How cute that your daughter fell asleep during dinner - sometimes those first days are so long esp if you have to get up at the crack of dawn to arrive. We always try to hit a park no matter how little sleep we got and we look like zombies on the bus ride back to the resort :rotfl2: Sounds like you are having fun already!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I'm here!! I am glad I get a bit of your TR in before I leave on Wednesday!! Looks great so far! Glad the surprise worked out for you! Yay!!!

[StefaniLyn]

Riley sleeping at LeCellier is so funny! I guess all the travel finally caught up to her! I'm hoping for one more installment before I leave on Thursday.;)

[Chelley00]

I bet you were relieved that your KTTW card worked for dinner!

I was even more relieved once I realized if my card didn't work, I had no other way to pay as I had left my credit card and extra cash in the safe in our room!

Enjoying your report so far!!!!


Thank you

Figures your tickets would't work :( Were you able to get the tickets fixed at GR.

I actually just swung by the desk at AKL and told them the ticket portion didn't work, and they reprinted my card. I had no problems with anything after that

We always try to hit a park no matter how little sleep we got and we look like zombies on the bus ride back to the resort :rotfl2:

There were quite a few nights that Riley put her head in my lap and snoozed all the way back to AKL!

I am glad I get a bit of your TR in before I leave on Wednesday!! Looks great so far! Glad the surprise worked out for you! Yay!!!

I can't wait to hear all about your trip!

I'm hoping for one more installment before I leave on Thursday.;)

Your wish is granted!!

[Chelley00]

For anyone who doesn't want to wait, I have a generic, less-information type trip report in our family blog. My family just wants to see pictures of Riley and not of food and rides and they don't care about crowds etc, so it's pretty basic.

Anyhow, if anyone wants to read that quick version while I keep up with this longer one, the web address is http://ourfabulousfour.blogspot.com/2009/11/no-boys-allowed.html

[Chelley00]

Let's see, we had just left Le Cellier, where my daughter slept through dinner :)

On the bus, she put her head in my lap and dozed all the way back to AKL. Once back, we went to the front desk and had my KTTW card reprinted since my ticket didn't work, the headed to our room, where Riley ran to the balcony to see all the giraffes outside
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf34b3127ccef8ca3b7d20f200000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Of course, that meant that she missed this little thing sitting on the table in our room.....our basket from memoriesbybetsy.com
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We ordered a gift basket containing a singing Minnie mouse, beach towel, activity book, Animal Kingdom Lodge tshirt and Birthday Mickey ears, which Betsy had embroidered with Riley's name. Riley was thrilled that "Mickey" sent her a basket.


I decided to unpack, while Riley spent her time on the balcony watching these
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If I ever had any reservations about not staying at AKL, I can say that this first day and watching my daughter's eyes light up when she could hear the giraffes eating made every single penny we spent on the upgrade well worth it.

While I was unpacking, bell services delivered the groceries I had ordered from a delivery service. We ordered bottled water, milk, OJ, muffins, donuts, juice boxes, Quaker oatmeal to go breakfast cookies, poptarts, mini muffin packages, apple slices and bananas. That was so much easier than trying to go to take time out to walk around the store and shop.

We laid down to "rest" and Riley fell asleep pretty quickly. I honestly thougth we'd be done for the night, but Riley woke up around 9:30 deciding she was hungry. We walked down to the food court to grab a late dinner. (reivew in the dining thread) We took them back upstairs to our room to eat while watching Disney Channel (ahhhh, cable, we don't have it at home! So deprived!) and then fell asleep pretty soon after.

Tomorrow, our first full day. Disney Hollywood Studios. Riley makes a friend, has a meltdown, and makes Mommy go upside down. Time after time after time

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

What a great view!! I will be looking at that same thing very soon!! I can't wait to hear more...and then I'll have some catching up to do when I get back!

[StefaniLyn]

Wow! The view is amazing and the basket is soooooo cute! I thought about doing something like a basket for St. Nick's Day on our trip but with three girls, it would get kinda pricey! LOL! So it's stocking stuffers and candy for them!

[ramsfootball92]

I can't wait to read more. I should take advantage of a girls only trip with my younger daughter while she still thinks it's okay to be with me in public :lmao: my teenager can't be parted from her phone long enough to appreciate it......

[DWGal210]

Great start so far!

How much fun to have a mother and daughter trip - AND to surprise her with the resort upgrade!! Awesome!!

Can't wait to read more!

[Chelley00]

What a great view!! I will be looking at that same thing very soon!!

You are going to love it. I had to drag Riley off the balcony to go to the parks!

I thought about doing something like a basket for St. Nick's Day on our trip but with three girls, it would get kinda pricey! !

Yeah, you notice I did the basket because I only had one kid with me. I couldn't imagine ordering them for all four!

I can't wait to read more. I should take advantage of a girls only trip with my younger daughter while she still thinks it's okay to be with me in public :lmao: my teenager can't be parted from her phone long enough to appreciate it......

I have 2 teens. Sometimes I have to put my face in front of their phones to get their attention. Ah, the joys of texting.

Great start so far!

How much fun to have a mother and daughter trip - AND to surprise her with the resort upgrade!! Awesome!!!

She really had no clue we weren't staying at CBR. I can't tell you how many times I almost blew it!

[Chelley00]

November 13th

Friday, the 13th :)


I didn't set an alarm or have a wake up call for this morning, but we were both up and awake at 7am. Happy vacation! Since we were up early, we decided to go ahead and make it for rope drop/park opening. After eating breakfast in our room (donuts and milk for Riley, coffee and muffins for me) we dressed and headed out. I was all set to drive, but my daughter wanted to ride the bus again. I should have just made arrangements to return the rental car right then!

It was chilly this morning. Where's our Florida weather? Oh yeah, this is OUR Florida weather. Last October when we went to Disney they set record lows 3 days in a row. I'm thinking we bring the cold weather with us! It was so chilly outside the windows were fogged!

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DHS all ready for Christmas
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Today Riley had one goal. Making me ride RNR. Now, I love roller coasters. The higher, the faster, the better. However, I hate going upside down. I always end up with a headache. I loaded up on Tylenol before we left.

When we arrived at DHS, we were the 3rd and 4th people in our turnstile. Now, this made things interesting, as when they let us through, we got to the rope and were first in line. Right in front of the Toy Story Mania guy. I start negotiating with Riley.

"Since we're right here, let's go ride TSM first. You know how long the line gets and it sometimes runs out of fastpasses. If we do it first and get fastpasses, we could probably ride it twice."

She's not buying it. Until I promise 2 rides on RNR. Then she bites.

What did I get myself in to?? But the rope drops, and we're soon speedwalking back to Toy Story Mania

Okay, whoever named it Mania was correct. It's a madhouse dash to get back and ride it. It's a fun ride but, to me, I don't think it's worth the 90 minute waits you usually see. Thank goodness for fastpass! However, thanks to our early arrival and some quick walking, we were number 19 & 20 to ride it this day.

Since we NEVER ride this standby, we've never seen Mr Potato Head before. Unfortunately, they had us speedwalking so quickly to get on the ride, we only got a brief glimpse and a couple of seconds to listen
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Load in, take off and almost half of our screens didn't work, but that's okay, because they pulled us off at the end and let us ride again! We had quite the competition shooting playing the 3D carnival games on the ride, but I beat her both times.
I may or may not have been rubbing in the fact that I tripled her score here.
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We grabbed fastpasses for later, then headed back up front to torture me for awhile. Time to keep my promise for RNR
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Thankfully it was only a 5 minute wait. Of course, they see Riley's birthday button, and put us in the front row. Oy. Thanks. I actually liked it, and I didn't end up with a headache! I bought the picture. I'll have to scan it and post it

A little more negotiation took place. Riley is a thrill ride girl. However, she hates scary things, Halloween etc. She was starting to refuse to ride Tower of Terror.....my all time most favorite Disney ride. This was not going to fly with me at all. She LOVED it last year, and rode it at least 15 times. I told her since I had to ride RNR, she owed me one trip on ToT for every ride on RNR. She finally relented, and of course, she loves it (the drops, not the theming)
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Again, we bought the picture. Her eyes are shut.

Can I just stop and say how much our family loves DHS. It gets such a bad rap on the disboards, but we spend tons of time here on every trip. We love the thrill rides, the older boys love the Indiana Jones and Lights Motors Shows, DH is a huge Muppets fan and Riley loves to draw. I knew before I even asked where our next stop would be. Animation Studios to watch the movie about how Mushu became a character, then off to play the animation games.
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We took the drawing class and tried our hand at drawing Piglet. Once outside we ran into the characters from the movie UP, which was appropriate as we had watched it on the plane trip to MCO.
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The character handler here was great. He made lots of small talk with people in line, and held out his pins for Riley. I had bought her 4 pins to go on her autograph book bag I had made for her, and she had never pin traded. She compared pins, he realized she was new, and explained the whole pin trading process to her. She ended up trading a Mickey pin for a Mickey and Minnie in front of the castle. After that, she was totally hooked on pin trading!

[Chelley00]

We headed towards Starring Rolls for lunch. I'm keeping my dining reviews in a separate thread, but I have to post this picture. The cupcakes are gigantic!
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We made our way back to the great movie ride.
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Every trip we take, I end up with a picture of my feet. It's a running joke in my family (and at work) Hey, I don't get pre-vacation pedicures for nothing!
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We kept working our way towards the rear of the park, and came across this
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We had to send Daddy a text from here. It's his favorite

Then this is a picture for Daddy, who works for PepsiCo
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Next up was a first time ride for us, Backlot Tour. We didn't get much of a view of the truck on fire, but we did have a great view of the Lights Motors cars getting ready to go
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We did a quick walk through the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground
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and then Riley decided to spend some of her spending money from her grandparents on something she's always wanted to do, and we've always said no, but since it's her trip and her money, I wasn't about to say no this time
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[Tink9721]

I can't wait to read more. I should take advantage of a girls only trip with my younger daughter while she still thinks it's okay to be with me in public :lmao: my teenager can't be parted from her phone long enough to appreciate it......

Most teenage girls I know are like that. They don't like spending time with their moms. I'm 16 and I love hanging out with my mom!

and then Riley decided to spend some of her spending money from her grandparents on something she's always wanted to do, and we've always said no, but since it's her trip and her money, I wasn't about to say no this time
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I've never had any desire to get my face painted. I had it done once a fair when I was little and I hated it! I hate the feeling of dried paint on my skin :scared:

[KatMark]

Love the update! And love the face painting...my boys used to do that when we'd take them to the Halloween Scare Fest.

[StefaniLyn]

Oh yea! I did get to see one more update before we leave! Woo hoo! and it was a good one too! I'm glad you didn't get a headache on RnRC and thrilled that she let you take her ont ToT!

Cute face painting!

[praisehisname]

Love the updates! Riley's face painting turned out really cute!

[heaven2dc]

What fun you both are having! DHS is my fav park too! I got a horrible neckache when I rode RnR and never went back on - maybe next trip :confused3 ToT is my fav ride at DHS. I'm glad Riley decided to go on it with you :woohoo: How cute was that face painting - she is absolutely adorable!

[pl'smama]

Chelly, I am loving your TR!! Your DD looks so much like you, it is uncanny. What a wonderful surprise for her to upgrade to AKL and the gift basket!! Her face is priceless.

My own trip with just my DD and I is just a week and change away and I am starting to get nervous. My DD is six, not seven until February, but she has been to DW twice before. Do you have any tips or advice you can share with us?

I look forward to reading some more of your TR before we head out next week.

Suz

[Flossbolna]

Wonderful TR! :goodvibes

I can understand your neck problems, I get them, too on fast costers. Actually sitting upfront always seems a smoother ride and my trick is to actually try to press my head hard against the head rest. This way it isn't thrown around as much! :thumbsup2

[pipersmom]

I just found your TR, so fun! I loved the look on her face when she realized you were staying at AKL. We're going on my daughter's trip in the spring (she's 8) with myself, her, and gram, so it's fun seeing Riley's pov on everything. Looking forward to the next installment!

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

great update!!! When I worked at AK, I would see sooooo many kids with the face paint and most of the time they were at the park and then headed to the pool for the afternoon..never quite understood that part but oh well!!!

The little tattoos are cute as well, as your DD gotten one of those before???

[StefaniLyn]

popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn:::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

sorry, I couldn't resist. I ought to stop though seeing as you're spending your time being helpful over on my TR. But seriously, I can't wait to read more!

[pacrosby]

Oh I'm lovin' this. My dd (9) and I (and grandma!!) are going in the Spring. She has 3 brothers too (although she is the oldest) so this will be some special 'girl time'.

Looking forward to following along!



Pamela:santa:

Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607

Matty's Wish Trip TR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids, and a Gingerbread Boy" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I'm back, caught up and waiting for the rest!! Can't wait!

[MeMom]

I love mother-daughter trips,
and mine also now include granddaughters! :cutie: :cutie:

I am enjoying this report, and you are definitely my newest hero, since I can see your pictures on my school computer. :cool1:

Agreed about the Starring Rolls cupcakes. My son-in-law got one of the Butterfinger ones once that was the biggest cupcake I have ever seen in my life, and the cinnamon rolls are huge, too!

Don't we get to see your Piglet pictures? :)

[addictedtothemouse]

I love AKL! :cool1: Mom and I stayed there two years ago and loved it! Can't wait to read more of your TR.

[Chelley00]

Thank you so much to everyone for keeping our trip report alive even though I completely fell off the face of the earth!


Once we got back, it was DS5's birthday, then Riley's actual birthday. Then 13 days later we celebrate DS14! It's a crazy time at our house, and that all leads to Christmas. After Christmas, it's my busiest time at work closing year end, doing new year stuff etc. In the middle of all of that, I promised myself I'd finish our scrapbook from the cruise DH and I took in June by Christmas. Not quite, but I'm happy to say I got the finished pages back today and am ready to move on to other projects! I'm almost able to breathe again, and since I seem to still have readers, will be dusting off our report and starting back up again.


Just have to figure out where I left off :rotfl:

[Chelley00]

When I left off at only day 2 (I'm such a slacker!!!) Riley had just gotten her face painted. Oy. I'm not a fan of the face paint, especially not the price of it, but she loved it and she got lots of attention. Of course, the little animal freak in her had to get the bird.

Our first thing after face paint was Star Tours. I've never riden since I always gets stuck with youngest DS :) No offense to anyone who likes it but I was bored on it. They need to take a hint from Universal and update it. Universal does their simulator rides so well.

After Star Tours, it was time for our Rockin Roller Coaster fastpasses.

(say this as sarcastically as you can) Yay

If you read at the beginning, I'm not a fan of going upside down on roller coasters. In our other 2 trips, I had managed to avoid RNR. This time, not so much

On the way, we had to stop and take a picture of Snow White and Dopey. I love the topiaries at Disney. I'd love to go during the Flower and Garden Festival, but we just can't make it that time of year.

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As we walked over to RNR, we saw kids doing some sort of sticker activity. Riley sat down to put the stickers on a cardboard CD, and soon was the only kid left. The cast member struck a conversation with her, asking her when her birthday was, who was on her trip, where she was staying, her favorite ride etc. When Riley said it was absolutely Rockin Roller Coaster, the CM reached in her pocket and handed Riley fastpasses for it. Then reached back in and pulled out Tower of Terror passes. Not done yet, she got ahold of a pass for Toy Story Mania. The total trifecta, all for us! This is our new best friend. Amanda. She's a cast member in the college program. Honestly, we could have just packed her in our suitcase and brought her home with us she was so great with Riley.

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Pardon the squinty eyes, but I had to get a picture of the magic
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We used our previous fastpasses on RNR, then went over to TOT. Oh, how I love ToT. It's my all time favorite Disney ride. We went back for another ride on RNR (seriously, I better get a really good nursing home!) It was almost time for our TSM fastpasses we had grabbed earlier, so we headed that way, stopping at the animation building.

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Riley loves the animation class. Last trip we did 2 - Mickey and Donald. This time it was Stitch. I need to scan them in. Riley's Stitch looks like it got ran over my a UFO, mine looks like Stitch is puffed up on steroids. Neither of us = great artistic talent :laughing:

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My rant for the day (and considering I will have ridden RNR SEVEN times by the end of the day here, I get to rant) The lady running the Animation Class was so obnoxious, I actually wrote a letter to Disney about her. First, she did this little half laugh after everything she said. That I could deal with, but she was totally condescending to everyone and went on and on about how kids shouldn't be in there because she had to go so fast that they got frustrated and got loud and ruined her classes. Two people just got up and left and when Riley leaned over to ask me how to do something, she said "see, I told you kids don't get it". We've done this 4 times in the past 2 trips, the first time when Riley was 5, and we've never had a problem in there. This lady was just horrible.

Lucky for us, we get her for another class later in our trip!!!

[Chelley00]

After finishing our crappy Stitch drawings (I just went and looked at them again....so bad!!!) we headed to use our fastpasses from earlier that morning on TSM. Again, I like it, but I wouldn't stand in line 90-120 minutes to ride it. Riley is super competitive, so that makes it more fun. This is when I noticed how much fun we were having together. She usually gets stuck with an older brother or her dad when we ride things like that since I'm with DS5. We don't get to do girls stuff much, and I realized how lucky I was to be able to bring her. And she was thinking the opposite since I beat her every single TSM game!!


My goal for our meals was to try all new restaurants. That didn't totally work out, but we did manage quite a few new ones. Tonight's choice, 50's Prime Time Grill

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When you are seated, you are given a list of rules: no elbows on the table, no hats, no whining, no backtalking, no spitwads, you have to eat your veggies or no dessert etc. Auntie Janice takes our drink orders, walks away, and


my daughter burst into tears?????



Apparently she got so stressed over the rules that she was afraid she'd forget one and have to leave the restaurant without dinner!!!! Overtired much??

After a quick explanation of how it was all for fun, and watching another waitress feed our neighbor green beans while making airplane sounds, Riley stopped crying, loosened up and began to enjoy herself. She ordered grilled chicken which came with green beans, pasta with sauce and fruit. I went for Mom's pot roast and mashed potatoes. It was really good. So much so, that I ate it all and got:

Wait, it's a picture of me! I did actually go on this trip! Me with my clean plate club sticker
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Look! Me again!!!
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Riley and I split a cheesecake for dessert and enjoyed watching clips from old 50's TV shows and commercials on the black and white TV. Mostly we watched the antics of the people around us, including the guy sent to the corner for spilling his Coke!

After our dinner, Auntie Janice made the "family" in the room sing Happy Birthday to Riley and brought her a cupcake


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We are stuffed to the gills at this point, and I'm thinking that the dining plan was a bad idea and just WAY too much food. That's when Riley announces

"It's time for more rides!!!"


Is there a puking smilie? There has to be a puking smilie.

[addictedtothemouse]

Oh poor Riley! :sad2: My middle DD hated that restaurant, she doesn't like to be embarrassed in front of people. :rolleyes1 I thought it was great fun and was excited when Brittany's friend chose it as one of our dinner locations on our upcoming trip. :woohoo:
RNR seven times?!!! :scared1: :worship::worship: I don't even want to go on it once!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Glad you're back! We love Prime Time...so much fun and that pot roast...yummmmmm!!!!

[StefaniLyn]

I'm so glad you're back! And with not just one, but TWO updates!

I saw that sticker table at RnRC while I was strollering a sleeping Bella around. I forgot to take the girls back there after they went on ToT. It's almost like Year of A Million Dreams all over again! Woo Hoo for CM Pixie Dust!

R isn't the only kid that has cried about the 'rules' at 50's Prime Time. I've read several stories similar to yours! Poor kid - Disney can be overwhelming sometimes. I'm glad to read that she seemed to enjoy herself despite the rules!

Did you have fun puking . . . . er, um, I mean riding on the rides with a full belly?:rotfl2:

[Chelley00]

RNR seven times?!!! :scared1: :worship::worship: I don't even want to go on it once!

Me either, but honestly, and don't tell my kids, it wasn't bad at all. As long as you are in the first 5 rows or so, it's fine. We rode it once in the back and I thought I was going to die

Glad you're back! We love Prime Time...so much fun and that pot roast...yummmmmm!!!!

We had never been there. Riley put it in on her mixed review list, probably because she was tired and nervous about being picked on.

Did you have fun puking . . . . er, um, I mean riding on the rides with a full belly?:rotfl2:

OMG wait until you hear the end of this night. I will be your hero!!!

[Chelley00]

We headed back to use our final fastpass for Rockin Rollercoaster. When we got there, Riley's new friend Amanda was working the inside lines seating people. She made sure Riley was in the front row (which meant I had to be there too) When the ride was over, she was at the end waiting on us, and took Riley through a special back door, and put us right back on the front row again.

When that ride was over, yep, you guessed it, Amanda was working stopping the cars and asked if we had the stomach for another. Of course, Riley said yes, so we rode it again. 3 times in the front row was all I could handle on a full stomach, so we gave Amanda a hug, told her how much we appreciated all the attention, and headed back to ride TSM one more time using our Amanda given fastpasses.


As we're headed out, or so I think, Riley starts bargaining. If I ride RNR one more time, she would ride ToT. I heart ToT at night, so I bite. Amanda sees us in line and laughs that we are going to ride it again, but makes sure we are in the front row.

For anyone counting, that equals SEVEN times, 6 of those in the front row.

We managed to squeak by in line for ToT right as they were closing the doors. Yay!



On the way out, Riley was talking about how we needed to do something for Amanda, so we stopped at Guest Services to put in a good word for her, which was emailed to her supervisor. Riley kept insisting to the Guest Service CM that Amanda get a day off. Very cute.


We didn't wait but just a couple minutes for a bus back to AKL, and decided to walk around a little. We stopped off in the gift shop where Riley bought a baby Simba. We also grabbed postcards and stamps to mail postcards back to all the boys, Riley's class and the grandparents.

Riley found the outdoor firepit and insisted we hang out there for awhile

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On the way back, we ran past Mara for dessert, because you know, we hadn't had enough food for the day! Hey, we had to use those snack credits somehow! Riley grabbed a paw print brownie, I went for the must have zebra domes.

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Soon after our snacks, I threw Riley in the shower to wash off the face paint, and then we were both in bed and sound alseep. The next day was a full day at Epcot.

[Chelley00]

This morning we slept in a little, ate breakfast from our grocery stash, and head out to Epcot for the day. Since it was Saturday, I thought maybe Epcot would be busier than our other Epcot days, so our plan was to stay in World Showcase and save Future World rides for our next Epcot day.

For today, we had something in mind. Kim Possible Missions.

For the mission you swipe your park ticket and then it gives you a ticket to turn in for your "Kimmunicator" a cell phone that you receive your missions on. We swiped our ticket for our time

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then wandered around Innoventions to play games until it was time to "save the world", starting to pick up our Kimmunicator at 11am in Norway

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We found this CM helping kids make paper. Riley found this most cool
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Finally, it was 11, and we headed to Norway to get our mission
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After our training, we headed out to save
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China!

[Chelley00]

Before I get back to our update, I want to catch up on our photopass pictures up to this point!

Our first day at Epcot. Please remember we had been up since 4am!!!

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Second day DHS

A cool shot for Friday the 13th
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[Chelley00]

Epcot Nov 14
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On the way into China, we saw Mulan standing off to the side completely alone. She almost looked relieved when Riley walked over, like she was bored standing there with no one coming in. With no one around, Riley got lots of time with Mulan.

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We were finally on our way to save China (well, the jade monkey). I won't go into all the details since there are tons of surprises and I dont' want to ruin them for people who might go later, but we had SO much fun doing these. We had to work together to figure out the clues, to look for the sights and other things. It's amazing the things they've hid in the countries.

Also, I love the fact that it forces you to go and explore. We usually breeze through the countries and don't go inside much. For our China mission, we had to go inside the Tomb of Soldiers. I didn't even know it existed. We give Disney a thumbs up on this one!

Jade monkey found and China saved, we decided to sit down and eat lunch. Riley believes there are only 3 food groups: Chinese, Mexican and seafood. We were very happy with the counter service in China. (shrimp fried rice was really good!)

Tummies full, we of course had to go throw ourselves around on something and use our Test Track fastpass. Follow the theme here? Eat, then ride to try and puke apparently.
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After that Riley was done. It was Saturday, the park was getting crowded, it was getting hot, and all she wanted to do was swim.

I'm not a break in the middle of the day type person. I'm an OCD commando, have to see as much as we can person, so it was a HUGE deal for me to leave the park. But, it was Rileys' trip. I'm an adult. I can handle it. But seriously, I felt like kicking and screaming all the way out the gate!!! :laughing:

The bus was pulling up just as we got to the bus stop. We never had a problem with busses! Back to the room to change and then Riley went for a swim and I hung out reading a book in the sun.

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This is the only time I noticed my daughter missing her brothers. It's boring playing in a pool by yourself.

We had noticed the time for crafts posted as we got to the pool, so I drug my waterlogged daughter out of the pool and made her go make a gecko suncatcher
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We went back to the room and changed and then walked around AKL taking pictures.

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Riley ended up taking in an animal lecture in the lobby
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Finally, it was time to head back towards Epcot to make it back in time for our dinner reservation. Another new restaurant for us! And it turns out to be one of our favorites of the trip!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Awesome update!!! Great photopass pix! How great of Amanda??!! Can't wait to hear about the dinner...there are so many great restaurants in Epcot! I think they have the best in WDW!!!

[Tink9721]

Wow Amanda sounds AMAZING!

Loving the TR :thumbsup2

Mother daughter trips are great! My mom and I are leaving in a little over two weeks :banana:

[Chelley00]

Can't wait to hear about the dinner...there are so many great restaurants in Epcot! I think they have the best in WDW!!!

Oh I know. And it's such a hard choice to decide where to eat there because so many get such good reviews!

Mother daughter trips are great! My mom and I are leaving in a little over two weeks :banana:

I'm so jealous. I'm ready to go back. That's so sad!

[Chelley00]

We made it back to Epcot with time to spare (late dinner ressie) so we decided to mark some rides off our list.

I don't think I mentioned that Riley had a plan. We were going to ride EVERY ride at Disney. We had a checklist for each park with every attraction listed, and we were determined to get them all done, especially the ones we've never done before. Wait to you see how we did!!


Our first thing was to grab a fastpass for Soarin, then we rode Living with the Land boatride. Riley has a strange fascination with this ride. She loves it.

Ah, thank you cacao plant, for chocolate!
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Then it was off to the seas for Nemo, Turtle Talk with Crush and a glance at the aquarium. The line for Bruce was hugely long, so we skipped it.

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We still had some time to kill before dinner, so we headed out of the Seas and towards a ride we had never been on, Figment.

My daughter FELL IN LOVE with Figment. Not sure what the draw was for her, but holy cow. We had to ride it twice in a row and she bought a Figment pin. She made me ride I don't know how many more times the next Epcot day.

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Finally, it wasn't too horribly early to check in for dinner. This was our first time at this restaurant, and I hadn't told Riley where we were going. Where else to take my seafood loving daughter, but to
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We checked in and were seated automatically, right next to the tank :woohoo:

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This quickly became one of our top 3 favorite meals of the trip. Riley loved watching the fish, sharks and sea turtles swimming around. Plus, there were divers in the tank that would come up to the window, blow kisses, dance and this one, who climbed upside down the tank like Spiderman


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Our waiter brought Riley a strawberry smoothie as a special birthday surprise. We both had lobster bisque to start (yum!) Riley had mahi mahi and I had the catch of the day, grouper. Both were really good. I had a Bailey's and Jack Daniel's chocolate mousse dessert that was out of this world! Our waiter was fabulous and treated Riley like a queen. The view was amazing and we didn't have a problem at all with people coming up to look . Riley called Daddy and told him ALL about her meal before we had even walked outside the door!


It was getting late, we were getting tired, and not really in the mood for Illuminations today (well, the Illuminations crowds) so we used our fastpass for Soarin, watched the fountain for awhile
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then hit up Spaceship Earth as we left. Riley was fascinated by Spaceship Earth and I think we rode it 7 times total! After our ride through time, we headed out, grabbed a bus back to AKL, and watched Phineus and Ferb and Hannah Montana. We don't have cable at home, so Riley was thrilled!

[Chelley00]

After a good night's sleep, we were up and ready to early. Check out my daughter thinking she's extremely cool for getting breakfast in bed!

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Today's plan, Animal Kingdom. I don't know why we rented a car. My daughter was hooked on the bus! I think she just liked the corn hole games at the bus stop. This morning there were quite a few kids playing, and Riley joined right in

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What's funny is that we waited longer for a bus to go to Animal Kingdom, from AKL, than we did to go anywhere else the rest of our trip!


So, my little adrenaline junkie had one thing in mind today. Everest.

Our last trip this child made me ride it so many time I was nauseous for days. And I knew she had one thing on her must do list.



The Front Row




Riley has at least 15 rides on Everest under her belt, and never has she ridden in the front row. (Big Thunder Mountain either...will we get to change that?) Now, Amanda from DHS taught her that you can ask to wait for the front row. I'm not a patient waiter, so I never ask. :) We get to EE, grab fastpasses, and then get in the 5 minute wait standby line. As we get closer to the front, Riley asks me to ask the CM. Nuh uh. You want, you ask :) We get to the CM who is asking "how many", Riley opens her mouth and he says

"Happy Birthday, how about the front row"


Seriously thought my daughter was going to kiss him. Check out this unhappy face

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Now, as a sympathy getter, can I tell you that just 2 days ago she made me ride RNR SEVEN times in one day, and already, at 9:30 in the morning, we will have had THREE back to back rides on Everest completed. I finally drug Riley away from EE and made her tackle some more of AK!

DS5 is a huge dinosaur fan. He only plays with dinosaurs, his clothes are 80% dinosaur related. His books are mostly prehistoric stuff. The fact that we were going to AK was the only thing that upset him about being left behind. Never mind the last trip he rode Dinosaur, came off and told the CM "I didn't like that ride" and then told us he was ready to go home, to our real home not the one we borrowed for the trip!

So, in honor of Owen, we headed to Dinoland to hit up all the rides there. Dinosaur first

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This is the worst ride. I hate it. So loud, so jerky. Ugh. Next we rode Primeval Whirl. Our first time (it was closed last trip) I think Dinoland should be called Brain Injury land. Between those 2 rides and all the jerks and stops, I was wishing I could visit a chiropractor!!! :laughing:

We stopped and played some of the carnival games....Riley won a seahorse, I won a turtle. We did a little pin shopping, and Riley snuck and bought me a Minnie's "World's Best Mom" pin with her birthday money while I was looking at pins :thumbsup2 I bought her a Minnie soccer player to replace what she had spent on me (don't tell her I had a motive!)



That part of the park done, we decided that my future vet needed to see some animals. Never mind she could look right outside her room at the resort, she was ready to do some treks, so we were off for animal searches!

[Chelley00]

We stopped for a quick bite to eat at Flame Tree BBQ. I wanted to order Picnic in the Park, but we didn't find the place in time. We had one more AK day scheduled, so I decided we'd to the picnic then.

If you sit behind Flame Tree, you get such a great view of EE
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The first trek we hit was Maharajah. My kids love dragging me through there, because it has bats. When I was in high school, I came in our front door, and a bat flew at me, and got stuck in my hair. I may or may not have a little bat phobia, so they always make me go through here.

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We made our way around the rest of the trek, stopping off to watch the tigers sleep
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Riley decided she was ready to hit the safari ride, so we started to make our way that way. On the way we found a couple of women in a gazebo looking building making fish and birds from leaves
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I stopped and pointed something out to Riley, and she was so amazed she didn't move for 5 mintues. We've never seen Devine, but caught the first glance of her coming out. Oh, to be that graceful!
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Love these guys! They just make AKL so festive
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[Chelley00]

We got a little sidetracked, and passed the safari in favor of the Pangani trail. We've never walked this one, or went to Rafiki's Planet Watch, so we switched up our touring plan. AK was not busy at all, and the safari ride was only a 5 minute wait, so I thought we'd be okay waiting until later.

My little Kim Possible groupie was uber happy to see actual real live naked mole rats!
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We got to the gorilla exhibit right as they were going for feedings, but we did see this one walk by
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We boarded the train for Planet Watch etc. Somehow we've missed this in all our trips to AK. I think Riley would have been most happy to stay there all day long.

Soon after we left the train, we stopped to do an animal habitat activity, then walked back to Conservation Station. Riley was in love! She had to get her picture taken with all the cardboard animal cutouts
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got to pet a lizard
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Met Pocohontas (first time)
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and Jimminy (first time)
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We went outside to Affection Section and watched the bird show and petted all the farm animals.

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I honestly didnt think I would ever get her to leave. We met a lady with her 19 year old daughter who was going to vet school, and she and Riley talked about their love for animals, while the mom told me it was okay for Riley not to be girly and that being so obssessed with animals could be a good thing. :)

I don't even know how long we were there, but I didn't want to miss the parade and we had other things on our list to do that day, so I did what any good mom would do to move her child along.



I bribed her with ice cream
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[Chelley00]

A quick train ride back, we headed towards Kilimanjaro and walked right on. Oh how I love to be able to visit during non-busy seasons

hippos
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elephants
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After the safari, we had plenty of time to kill before the parade, so I let Riley pick, and she decided on EE. Again. (I said Lion King or Nemo, she said EE) On the way we stopped to do an animal activity, and the poor CM knew all about the things she was supposed to teach, but if anyone asked her a question, she got all flustered. One kid asked if she knew anything at all! :rolleyes1

After EE, we decided to scope out a parade spot in the shade, then snack on our carrots and grapes leftover from lunch. On our way, we noticed the Flights of Wonder show starting. Another first for us, we headed in. Riley loved it so much she asked to put it on our list for a redo on our next AK day
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We found a great spot for the parade and waited, munching on carrots and talking with the CMs. One CM told us this was the first weekend for the Christmas parade at AKL, so that was exciting to be able to see it.
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Mickey stuck his hand right in his face :(
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After the parade, we had some time to kill before our dinner reservations (a place I knew Riley would FREAK over) We wanted to ride Kali, but the thought of sitting through dinner soaking wet was not all that appealing (I realized later I had packed our ponchos, so we should have gone!) Riley decided to go, where else, but EE

A couple of rides on that, in the front row again because everyone was leaving the park and there was NO wait. We headed out of the park, and towards dinner at:

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[MeMom]

Met Pocohontas (first time)
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and Jimminy (first time)
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That's one of the fun things about going back to Conservation Station - character greetings with little to no wait. :thumbsup2

Looks like you girls had such a fun time. She's a brave one to love Everest so much!

Don't you love the Jingle Jungle Parade? So much fun Christmas detail!

[djp0630]

Great review! I am enjoying it so far. It makes me want to take just my daughter when she's older! Can't wait for the rest!

[quest4dl]

Loving your trip report! Last summer I toured DC with my younger ds while the older one attended a conference. It was so wonderful and relaxing to just do what he wanted to do rather than figure out the 'group' needs constantly. I would love to do a Disney trip separately with each of my kids!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

You guys got so much done in that AK day!!! You know...I think that the characters up at Rafiki's are a bit of a hidden secret. We found them on our last trip, but a lot of people seem to not know about them...making them rare characters!!

[thechesters420]

I love your trip report!! Its so funny

[StefaniLyn]

Wow! You have been one busy lady! So many wonderful updates! I love all of the photos! R looks like she's having a blast! Do you ever let her borrow the camera so you have evidence that you were actually on this trip too?

You have inspired me to get back to my own TRing. I've been lazy about it lately!

[Chelley00]

Looks like you girls had such a fun time. She's a brave one to love Everest so much!!

She will ride anything and everything we throw at her. Last summer we did a quick trip to an amusement park for 2 days and she rode things that I wouldn't!

Great review! I am enjoying it so far. It makes me want to take just my daughter when she's older! Can't wait for the rest!

You should absolutely take your daughter. We had SO much fun I can't tell you how great it was, and she still talks about it all the time.

I really amazed following your dining reviews :

Thank you. I've read so many dining reviews and they were so helpful, I thought I'd try my hand at it this time.

I would love to do a Disney trip separately with each of my kids!

DS5 has already decided he wants to go to Disney with Mom for his 8th birthday

You guys got so much done in that AK day!!! !!

We did! And we still had one more AK day planned. We missed Nemo show, Festival of Lion King and Kali, so we had some things to mark off our list.

I love your trip report!! Its so funny

Oh, thank you!

Do you ever let her borrow the camera so you have evidence that you were actually on this trip too?


That's why we have photopass pictures!






Well, we've been having some fun at our house lately! Last Saturday night we were getting ready to leave for church, and Riley threw up. And proceeded to throw up every 10 minutes for 8 hours. Wednesday night I felt a little icky, but not as bad as she was. I thought we had it kicked, until Sunday, when DS5 threw up all over the indoor putt putt place (right in front of DS14's girlfriend!) He was sick from 4pm until 1am. Today DH sent me a text message that he was throwing up. He's been sick for 7 hours.

The big problem is that DS14 is scheduled for an endoscopy on Thursday morning. We've waiting for it since December. If he gets the flu (or if I didn't have it and get it now) we have to reschedule his endoscopy, and it could take another 2-3 months. Please pray, send good thoughts, whatever, that we stay healthy. Even if I'm sick and he's not, we still have to reschedule as DH can't take him as he's not a legal guardian, and my ex is in Mexico on business, so he couldn't do it either.

This is how I feel right now



:scared1:




But, since I'm hanging out on the couch tonight so I don't have to listen to DH (ick) I've got time for another update.



Let it be known that I slept on the loveseat all night Sunday night with Owen on the couch, then I worked Monday. I should be earning some serious Mom-of-the-Year points!!!

[Chelley00]

So, after our full AK day, we headed to Rainforest Cafe for dinner. Now, I had way many other places I wanted to eat (Boma being one) I knew this was the place for Riley. She's such an animal fan that I knew being surrounded by all the animatronic animals would be her thing.


And I was right
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf37b3127ccef8f40581495a00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf37b3127ccef8f4a79dc82700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

If you read our dining review, it was so so as far as food went. But, Riley insisted on calling home to tell them all about it, so it was good choice for her. After dinner we did some shopping because you know she had to buy a stuffed animal to bring home. Her entire top bunk is covered in stuffed animals, and that doesn't include the 3 trash bags full in the garage!

Something we've never seen. Animal Kingdom at night
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf37b3127ccef8f42461093200000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf37b3127ccef8f4e51949b200000040O38Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D3/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We went to the bus stop and a CM asked where we were going, put us on a bus and told Riley to enjoy her personal princess coach and we got to ride back to AKL, all by ourself.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf37b3127ccef8f45bc3c80700000040O38Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D3/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

When we got back to our room, our mousekeeper had hung Riley's unicorn from our lamp
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf37b3127ccef8f495b9492a00000040O38Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D3/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


Seeing how my children are all about bargaining, I told Riley if she did 30 minutes of homework without complaining, I'd take her swimming. She was all for it, and did 35 minutes just for good measure!!

Afterwards, we headed to the pool. Way too chilly for me, but she had a great time and pretty much had the pool to herself
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6o9jusJmB1I/Sw6WLfhKBtI/AAAAAAAABFM/WWD5_naeAHk/s320/IMG_6215.JPG

On the way back to our room, we ran across the sign for the night vision goggles, and got to watch the antelope and elands in the dark. That was way cool.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6o9jusJmB1I/Sw6WKzluCSI/AAAAAAAABFE/a9EQX5neF4U/s320/IMG_6223.JPG


I finally drug Riley away from the animals to go back to our room, take a shower and get to bed. We had an early morning the next day!

[Chelley00]

Today we had our first experience with the Stitch/Mickey wake up call. Even on speaker phone it was really quiet and we could barely hear it.

We had an early morning breakfast at Epcot at
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f68e1e513400000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

We got up at 6am, to get to the rental car by 7am and be at the restaurant by 8:05am. We don't even get up at 6am during the week!!!


It's so nice to be in the parks before opening with just a few other people
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6552890c700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f61f2e11d400000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


We didn't have to wait at all after checking in, and were soon led to meet Belle. She actually came out of her little alcove to get the kids by the hand and lead them in for their picture. I thought that was a nice touch.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f7473431ae00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


The late nights/early mornings were starting to get to us, or maybe it was all the food, but Riley and I neither one were feeling 100% today. We totally skipped the cold food buffet and just waited on the skillet.

Nothing like a cupcake at 8:30 in the morning
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f79371b0b100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Our 4 other princesses were:

Cinderella
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f66c1ad07100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Aurora
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f69305908900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Snow White
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f68cf351d800000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

And, Riley was very excited to meet Ariel in her ballgown
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6bbf9906100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Since we were close to the door, we got to see the princesses pretty quickly and we were out in the park before opening
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6441f515000000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We got to the backside of the rope before rope drop, and struck up a conversation with a CM, who told Riley he would take her to Soarin for her birthday. True to his word, he led us through the park in FRONT of the rope, through entrance to watch the CMs from Sunshine Seasons waving, and then right to the front row on Soarin! We've never scored the front row on Soarin before. There's such a difference not being able to see feet!!

We went to Circle of Life next (something new to us) and met a lovely couple celebrating their anniversary. They gave Riley a fortune telling paper fish which I thought was really nice.


Riley was clamoring to ride Figment since we were so close, http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f63642513400000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

and after that we hit the side of Innoventions we hadn't played in our last Epcot day.
I had to drag Riley away from the video games
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6132811d400000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Riley decided next on her list has to be Mission Space
On the way we stopped to watch the fountain. I could sit here for hours
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6bcc2d0c100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/



Okay, so here is my mommy moment of shame. Please remember at this point I have already ridden RNR 7 times and Everest who knows how many times. I'm not a fan of not being in control and being in a closed space. I know, I'm a weenie.

I chickened out and made my daughter ride Mission Space alone.


How humiliating to admit it, but I just couldn't. I tried. I even got in the thing and fastened my bar down, but that was it. The poor teenager running the ride let me out, and the nice young couple in the ride with Riley promised they'd look out for her. They let me sit right outside the exit door and wait. Riley called me a chicken, then asked to play the games in the waiting area, telling me it wasn't a bad ride and I should try it.

This from someone who thought RNR was a breeze at age 6.


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f618f5519400000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We rode Ellen's Universe of Energy next. Our very first ride on it. We almost skipped it since it said it was a 45 minute ride. Really? However the CM told us that they were boarding right then so it wouldn't be that long. It was nice to sit down, but that's a boring ride. DS5 would love it with all the dinosaurs.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f60db5114600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We took a quick ride on Test Track and decided to call it a day. (well, an afternoon) We had knocked out quite a bit, and we were tired and feeling icky. I told Riley I would be more than happy to take her swimming and I would read my book by the pool, but insisted we take a nap before coming back to Epcot for dinner. I hadn't even gotten the word "pool" out of my mouth and she was walking towards the exit :laughing:

We decided to leave the rental car in the front row parking space we had snagged early that morning, take the bus back to AKL, then bus back for dinner and Illuminations, and drive the car back afterwards.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Great updates!! Hope your family feels better and your son doesn't get sick so he can have his test done! I had a bad reaction to Mission Space...but didn't get out in time! I just updated about it in my TR!! LOL

[quest4dl]

Another great update!

There must be a bad stomach virus going around. My younger ds was up vomiting all of Sunday night and could not even lift his head on Monday. He's much better today after running a high fever on Monday night. If he feels okay, he might go to school tomorrow. Hope your ds14 stays healthy and everyone else recovers soon!

[Chelley00]

I had a bad reaction to Mission Space...but didn't get out in time! I just updated about it in my TR!! LOL

Honestly, was it really bad??

There must be a bad stomach virus going around. !

I think so. Tons of kids at school are out sick, and a lot of my friends have sick kids.




Well, DH seems to be doing better. Knock on wood, DS and I seem to be holding out. If we can make it just one more day, we can get his endoscopy out of the way. Then I can be sick all weekend. They are calling for snow here and I don't want to have to go anywhere anyhow :laughing:

[Chelley00]

We walked right on to a bus and got back to AKL very quickly.

You have to love walking in to see a sign like this
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f7561c711600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Mousekeeping had been busy in our room again
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6e84ed06700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f7538a311a00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


We changed and headed down to the pool. While we were in the elevator, a CM asked us if we were going down to watch the shuttle launch. I had completely forgotten! It was supposed to be on our arrival day, but got delayed due to weather. We had time to kill, so I settled in with my book and Riley headed to swim
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6965a517c00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I heard one of our pool neighbors tell his wife that he had just checked the NASA website and the shuttle was cleared for launch, and then he kept watch on the countdowns. He finally told everyone around us that it was lifting off in 30 seconds. I went over to Riley in the pool and told her where I was going and told her to come with me. She said she wanted to swim, so I pointed to the overlook near the pool and told her I was going over there to take pictures and that I wanted her to stay right where she was in front of our seat and I would be back in one minute.

I went over, snapped a few pictures of the launch
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6fca0d08300000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f73fc5b05300000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


I went back the pool, only Riley wasn't there! Holy panic!



I walked all the way around the pool and finally found her sobbing to a lifeguard that I was lost! I told her I had pointed to where I was going and told her to stay put. She, not having her glasses on, thought I was pointing to the exit because I wanted her to get out and go with me. Oy. She was a mess after that, and I knew it was time for a nap. However, she got completely distracted by how close these guys were to our balcony

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f7cff7b01900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f674a2d0c500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Chelley00]

When our wake up call from our nap went off at 4, Riley awoke with a headache and felt a little warm. If you read our Worst Vacation Ever trip report, you know that quite a few of us got sick on our last trip, so I was super paranoid about Riley getting sick on our trip. I gave her some Tylenol and we waited around to see how she felt. She said she was better and wanted to go to dinner. I was ready to cancel but she begged me not to because we had never been to this restaurant. I threw more Tylenol in the bag, along with grocery sacks in case she puked, and off we went.

She put her head in my lap on the bus and fell back asleep. Riley is not a napper, so I just knew we were pretty much screwed. I figured we'd just get off the bus and walk to the rental car we had left in the parking lot pre-nap and go back to AKL.

However, once we got back to Epcot, she woke up and looked much better and insisted she was fine. I was super paranoid that whole evening, but I'm happy to say that other than still having a slight headache, she did fine!

So, our new restaurant for tonight~
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6d838d00900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

You have to love her character pose (arm flung out)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f65abc51fc00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f790ecf0b500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Chip saw Mickey coming and drew a Mickey Head on Riley's autograph book and showed it to him
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f78eec718a00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6d654515200000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f68b99901900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Pluto balanced her autograph book on his nose
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f76bd6315a00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6820dd01100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Riley LOVED Garden Grill. She had great character interaction, and since she loves the Living with the Land boatride, she liked the fact that it rotated through all the scenes. The food could have been cooked a little better, but holy cow, is the blueberry buckle dessert good!!! She said that if Minnie would have been there, it would have been her favorite character meal!

[Chelley00]

After dinner we went to ride Living with the Land (of course) Riley said she had never noticed the restaurant on the top until this ride since we had just eaten there. After that we rode Soarin with fastpasses we had grabbed before dinner. Riley's next pick was Spaceship Earth

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f60075511800000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/,

then we debated leaving, but she said she wanted to stay for Illuminations. We have never seen Illuminations (so sad!) We had time to kill, so we decided on to knock out some rides.

Riley wanted another Mission Space ride. I told her she was on her own, she told the CM handing the cards out that I was a chicken, and he laughed at me and said there were 100's of chickens going through there everyday :) She rode it alone again. Bad mom
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f73522b0b100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We squished in a ride on Test Track. I have NEVER seen this ride that empty! We rode it twice in a row without getting out of the car
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6c458d06700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f6edcd114e00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We killed a snack credit and got a box of popcorn and went into one of the sit-down only areas to watch Illuminations. I don't think I'd want to sit there again as we watched everything through a fence posts, but we were pretty close and got to see everything
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f730ccf0c500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf36b3127ccef8f7d07d713400000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


One of the smartest decisions I made this entire trip was to drive the rental to Epcot for our early morning breakfast, park in that front row spot, leave it there during our nap while we took the bus to AKL and back. We walked out of Epcot and were in the car and on our way back to AKL while tons of people were still streaming to the bus stops.

We happily said goodbye to Epcot. Today was our last planned day here. We went straight to bed because we were both very excited for the next day.

FINALLY

Magic Kingdom!! :woohoo:

[Chelley00]

I keep forgetting to input our photopass pictures into my updates! :sad2:

From Animal Kingdom
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc24b3127ccef89fb1501c3e00000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc24b3127ccef89e3a80fd4f00000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


And from our Epcot day I just finished, in our "Birthday Girl" and "I'm with the Birthday Girl" shirts
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc24b3127ccef89e3195bdc700000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Chelley00]

DS's endoscopy went off without a hitch yesterday. He actually woke up before even leaving the OR and was back in his room out of recovery 35 minutes from the time he left. He felt so good today he went back to school

What kinds of 14 year old wants to go to school when his parents have arranged for him to miss it!?!?!??! Weirdo



So now we are hunkered down and watching it snow like crazy. We're only supposed to get 8-10 inches, but things shut down here because we're just not used to getting that much. I've lived other places where we got lots of snow and it wasn't a big deal. I'm waiting for them to call the snow emergency so DH can stay home from work!

Since we have no plans and are hanging out, I've got time to update a little more.


Finally, Magic Kingdom!!

[Chelley00]

Let's call this chapter "Our Secret Family Shame"


In our first 2 trips to WDW, we've probably spent 10 days at the Magic Kingdom.


And not once have we ever made it for opening ceremonies/rope drop.



Last trip we had it made. We were early. And the monorail was down, so they were diverting everyone to the ferries. We got to the launch right as one pulled away. We got to the MK just as the train was pulling away. I was so upset.


This year, we are going to make it. And today is the day we have to make it because the next MK day we have an early morning ADR and we won't be able to eat and make it back up front for the ceremonies.

But, guess what. Today is the one day we had to wait for the bus. We got to MK at the end of the song. We missed opening ceremonies AGAIN. We are NEVER going to see it. Ever. I honestly thought we had left more than enough "just in case" time. :(

But, it's okay. We are Disney. And it's decorated for Christmas. We have always gone for Halloween, so it was so fun to see it decorated another way!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff0d19fb1900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We walked under the train station just as the characters were leaving the station to come down for a meet and greet, and look what happened.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8feb1c85aea00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fecbb4db9b00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe58619b9f00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Daisy kidnapped my daughter and skipped off with her! Riley thought her day could not get any better, but I had a surprise for her later!



Riley had a surprise appt at 10am in Adventureland, however, she was pushing for Tomorrowland to see if Space Mountain was open from the refurb. I told her that if SM was open, it would probably open later that day for testing, so we should hit up all the rides to our left first :) She was not willing to listen, but I had to put my mom foot down, and we finally ended up going to
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8febd725a5600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

First ride of the day, Jungle Cruise. We had probably the best ever captain, David. Very funny, one bad pun after another! He totally made the ride. Later in the week we rode it again and the captain was not that into it and pretty dry.
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We still had a little time to kill, so we went for a ride on Magic Carpets. Riley loves trying to get the camel to spit on me
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Finally, it was close enough to 10am that we could check in and not be ridiculously early for her appt. She had no idea where we were going until I handed her an invitation then pointed out the entrance to
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fed43a1ab200000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[quest4dl]

Oh no! Don't stop here! I've heard great things about his place. It's nice that Disney is finally adding some 'non-princess-y' things back (e.g. had a Villains dinner which they took away).

Glad to know your DS14 breezed through the procedure.

[Chelley00]

Oh no! Don't stop here! I've heard great things about his place. .

I'm going to add some more great things!!!!


I had an update ready to go last night, and apparently my laptop cord wasn't plugged in all the way and the battery died and I lost the post!!!! Grrrrr



Riley is just not a girly girl. That's what happens when you have 2 older brothers, and then get a little brother. She's totally anti-princess and not into dresses, so BBB has never been a consideration for us. I thought she might like Pirates League, and really was excited when I read on the disboards that it would be half off the week we were there! Score!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff9ec0bb1100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We checked in and waited briefly and were directed to a lady with the nametag Christie......only I knew better! I had seen her pictures on the disboards and was thrilled to meet the infamous Pirate Brenna! I asked her about her name tag and she said that she had left hers at home and for today, was Christie!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ffdc6c3aac00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/



To set the scene a little so we can laugh at my daughter ;) Riley is normally a chatty Cathy and will talk our ears off. However, when she gets in a new situation, we sometimes have to remind her to listen and pay attention because she gets very nervous and quiet. We also have to be pretty forceful to get her to try new things (even if she knows she'll like it)

As poor Brenna is trying her best to draw Riley out by telling her silly jokes and asking her questions, Riley is pretty much just zoned out and staring. Brenna and I were laughing at her over her head.

So, we just kinda gave up and just went on with her makeover. First Riley had to roll the paradise box (so named because inside is a "Pair of Dice". That went right over Riley's head)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe75525a1200000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


Then a glance in the book of names, and Riley was given her new pirate name


Anne Yellowbellows


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We were taken inside to be seated to wait on our pirate, and I had a couple of seconds to snap some pictures

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A guy walked past us, stopped at an old man and yelled "ARE YOU ANNE YELLOWBELLOWS?" :rotfl: He kept asking all the men, walking past Riley twice before I finally had to shove Riley and say

"Honey, that's you!"

[addictedtothemouse]

How fun! Were there any adults/older kids doing the pirate league? I'm asking because my DD17 mentioned that it looked like fun and "when I take my kids I'm signing them up for this." her words. :lmao:
I thought maybe for her graduation trip in May I'd surprise her.

[praisehisname]

Oh my gosh, I was so far behind! :scared1:


The lady running the Animation Class was so obnoxious, I actually wrote a letter to Disney about her.

She sounded extremely un-Disney-like! Did you ever hear back in response to your letter?

Riley got tons of birthday pixie dust from CMs!!!

Can't wait to see Riley's pirate transformation!

Denise

[Chelley00]

Were there any adults/older kids doing the pirate league? I'm asking because my DD17 mentioned that it looked like fun and "when I take my kids I'm signing them up for this." her words. :lmao:
I thought maybe for her graduation trip in May I'd surprise her.

There was a couple of adults getting makeovers with their kids, and then when we went to the parade, there was a teenage girl in there. Riley said she wished I would have done it with her :)

Oh my gosh, I was so far behind! :scared1:
She sounded extremely un-Disney-like! Did you ever hear back in response to your letter?



I haven't heard anything back. It's ok. I felt better :)




Anne Yellowbellows was paged, and Riley finally realized it meant her :) She stood up and followed Pirate Ken to her seat. He had her pick her lip gloss and nail polish, which she got to keep, she picked out her blush and eye color, and then he tied her hair back for her bandana

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ffbac2bb0100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

The whole time Ken is doing his thing, he's cracking jokes and little puns, and Riley is just sitting. She was so quiet the whole time. Here he is making a joke about tatoos and she just stared.
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She almost cracked a smile when he told her how bad tatoos hurt, then pressed on her hand and yelled. Almost.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe9b9f5aa800000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff61307a3600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Nails first. Can I just say how funny it is to see the this big guy painting these teeny little fingernails?
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ffe5f07ab400000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Eyes next, in prostitute blue :laughing:
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Snicker. Lips next
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Blush, eyeliner and a bunch of glitter, then Ken handed Riley a sheet of jewels to pick from. She got to keep the rest of the sheet after she picked her red jewel
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe42bf1a7c00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Bandana next. While I was waiting, Brenna came over and gave us a Minnie pirate sticker :)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fff1e67aa800000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


I have to post this picture because it's a close up, just because Ken did such a good job on her makeup. He's way better than I am!!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff99ca7ab000000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

After her bandana, she was asked to stand up, raise her hand and take her oath. Riley was very serious about it, so Ken sped up and said it really fast, then stood like a statue waiting for her to repeat it.


But she was laughing. Hysterically.


I video taped it. Finally, she broke out her little shell, and she laughed. She never could finish that oath :)

Ken announced her a new pirate and everyone yelled. We were walked over to the corner, given her sheath and sword, and given the secret room instructions
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8feb91fdb0900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I can't tell you what happens in the secret room, but it's very cool. I need to scan in Riley's picture from the portrait session. It's amazing.

We came out and Riley had to sign her name in the pirate book
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff0dedfbed00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


This would be a must do for us if we go back again. She had so much fun, and when she was being timid, everyone did everything they could to try and bring her out, but they weren't pushy about it. The bonus was that we got it for half off, but it would have definately been worth full price.

[Chelley00]

What's a new pirate to do first, but go watch her captain teach her how to be a pirate?

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe3c2d9be100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff4daffb8f00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

and then in keeping with the pirate theme, a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean
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Okay, so I just paid for all this make up, and my daughter requests a ride on Splash Mountain to apparently wash it all off :rotfl:
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On the way we stopped to play with some friends, and had some of the best character interaction we had our whole trip. Just watch
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe542e1ae600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fec0f79b4500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

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[Chelley00]

My daredevil daughter is, of course, thrilled to finally get her first ride on Big Thunder
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After 2 rides on BTMR, we headed over to Splash. This is DS5's favorite ride. He made us ride this thing at least 20 times last trip. http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff71d7fbe900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

This is the only issue DS had with us going to Disney without him....he didn't get to ride Splash, so Riley promised him she would take tons of pictures for him
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After a ride on Splash, we were ready for lunch, and headed for Columbia Harbor House. It's our favorite counter service lunch in the MK. We grabbed a table by the window overlooking Haunted Mansion
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After lunch we decided to head over to watch Hall of Presidents. This was the first time for us since the last trip it was closed to add President Obama.
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Riley was asking for some Fantasyland rides, specifically Peter Pan, so we started to walk that way, stopping to catch the end of Tiana's Riverboat Show. Honestly, it was okay, but hearing that song 5 times a day or so gets a little old
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We grabbed fastpasses for Peter Pan then walked over to Small World.
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It's one of those rides that I just don't like, but it's such a classic that you have to ride it at least once a trip. And, we're riding every ride this trip, remember. Mark it off the list, Riley. Mommy does not want to do this one again! :laughing:

[quest4dl]

I really enjoyed Riley's pirate transformation! It seems so much more fun than BBB. I've also read several reports where the fairygodmothers were not that much in character but so far all the pirate reviews have been great! You're being a good sport letting Riley lead the way. I think I would have nixed the Splash ride after the pirate 'do' - though she does seem to have emerged unscathed.

[Bvcbell]

DS's endoscopy went off without a hitch yesterday. He actually woke up before even leaving the OR and was back in his room out of recovery 35 minutes from the time he left. He felt so good today he went back to school

What kinds of 14 year old wants to go to school when his parents have arranged for him to miss it!?!?!??! Weirdo



So now we are hunkered down and watching it snow like crazy. We're only supposed to get 8-10 inches, but things shut down here because we're just not used to getting that much. I've lived other places where we got lots of snow and it wasn't a big deal. I'm waiting for them to call the snow emergency so DH can stay home from work!

Since we have no plans and are hanging out, I've got time to update a little more.


Finally, Magic Kingdom!! What 14 year old boy wants to go to school you ask? A boy with a girlfriend!! Ha! Loving your trip report!

[Disneymoon09]

im so thankful that im not the only one who only rode IASW because i felt like i needed too. and promptly told DH that we never had to do it again! haha!:lmao:

[praisehisname]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff99ca7ab000000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

She looks great! So glad she came out of her shell and enjoyed it!


On the way we stopped to play with some friends, and had some of the best character interaction we had our whole trip.

That was great; so fun!

Denise

[StefaniLyn]

I love Riley's pirate makeover! I have 3 princesses, but I think even they would enjoy that experience! Your photos are teriffic and you have me dying to know what happens in the secret room! Any hints?

Woody and Jesse look like they're having a wonderful time with Riley as well! I wish I had known we could meet them together!!!

Looking forward to reading more. And I'm hoping to get around to an update on my own TR tomorrow sometime too!

[disprincess2002]

I am really enjoying your report. We are taking my dd7 on a birthday trip in 2 weeks, and we are getting soooo excited! I have the Pirate League booked on her Bday, so the pics of Riley are very encouraging that it will be awesome.
I must say all the shirts you made for her are adorable! I am totally not that put together, although your birthday girl shirt is giving me some ideas!:rolleyes

[Chelley00]

I think I would have nixed the Splash ride after the pirate 'do' - though she does seem to have emerged unscathed.

We didn't all that wet, thankfully.

What 14 year old boy wants to go to school you ask? A boy with a girlfriend!! Ha! Loving your trip report!

Exactly!

im so thankful that im not the only one who only rode IASW because i felt like i needed too. and promptly told DH that we never had to do it again! haha!:lmao:

It's a "one-ride-per-trip" ride for us :) A

She looks great! So glad she came out of her shell and enjoyed it!

I was so afraid she was going to be quiet the whole time.


That was great; so fun!

Denise

They were so great with her. There was no line behind us so she got a lot of attention



you have me dying to know what happens in the secret room! Any hints?!

Can't tell. We are sworn to pirate secrecy :)

.
I must say all the shirts you made for her are adorable! I am totally not that put together, although your birthday girl shirt is giving me some ideas!:rolleyes

I didn't make the shirts. Chelley=no talent :) I had them made from etsy, and a couple I found on ebay or at the local consignment store.



Riley and I joined my mom in Chicago this weekend for a quick girls trip. It was a lot of fun. We watched oldest DS's basketball games, went swimming and then to Medieval Times and watched a movie in our hotel rooms complete with room service popcorn. Riley's becoming quite the well traveled little lady! The kids don't have school today because of President's Day, but I doubt they would have gone anyhow because we got about 5 inches of snow overnight and it's still snowing. I'm ready for Spring! I usually work from home on days like this, but they are replacing my computer at work, so I have lots of time to update our trip report!

[Chelley00]

After our obnoxious ride on It's a Small World (complete with the flash taking picture lady in front of us) we found Peter Pan with no line. I didn't notice until we were up close that it was the famous "creepy" Peter Pan from the disboards thread about bad character interactions. I was a little more cautious than usual, but he was okay. Talked a lot about Riley having Crocs on her feet and how Hook hated crocs :)

Make a Hook
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe5c741ab800000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe13db5aa800000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

So, he was okay, until this kinda creepy moment
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I hadn't said anything to Riley, but as we walked away, she went "Okay, he was weird".

We walked over to ride Snow White (my hero is in there!)
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Riley had been invited back for a Pirate Parade at the Pirate's League at 2, so we decided to leave Fantasyland and head that way, stopping at Swiss Family Treehouse to kill some time
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http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ffd427bbd300000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Back over for the Pirate Parade, they lined the kids up (most were Pirate League makeover, but they were pulling kids off the street to join in) The passed out instruments, and then led them through the Pirate's League shop and around the street area shouting "Yo Ho" At the end they took a group pictures, they all got a certificate and a couple of jewels for their pirate pouches.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe7c299bc500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fff2e33a3400000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Parade finished, Riley was itching to get back over to Fantasyland to finish up the rides there.

[Chelley00]

We were headed to ride Mad Tea Party (puke) but we saw this guy behind the ride and decided to make a detour
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc24b3127ccef89f38be5c0c00000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Uncle Scrooge likes money and shiny things, so he kept trying to steal Riley's pirate loot and her medallion
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fface03a1800000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe80379ba500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc24b3127ccef89f73069d3900000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Finally, the teacups
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff7a913a0200000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Riley sent Daddy a text telling him we were riding, and she said he bet she wished he was there so he could spin her really fast, however, I think I did a pretty good job
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe19d25aa400000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fea0479bc500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Trying to walk straight off the ride is pretty much impossible :laughing: so we stumbled our way over to meet the White Rabbit and the Queen of Hearts
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff856bfb2f00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

It was time for our fastpasses to Peter Pan, so we went for our first of many flights :)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff9dea7a9200000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

And then, off to Dumbo.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff7c73bbd300000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Then we walked over and Riley scored Cinderella's personal horse with the golden ribbon
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe9c821a2e00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

and to finish up our Fantasyland stint, Philharmagic
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe51f5db9700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Chelley00]

Finally, she lets me ride Haunted Mansion. She's such a thrill girl, but she hates scary stuff. I love Haunted Mansion, but she wasn't too keen on the idea. This is when I pull out the "I paid for this trip and you will at least ride it once! Besides, what happened to the every ride at least once on our trip?"

She relented, but not nicely :)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fec2249b9700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff0f36fb3700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

and let me tell you how much she loved it when we got stuck right by the ballroom dancers!


We decided to save Tomorrowland for, well, tomorrow, and made our way back towards Big Thunder for a couple more rides before dinner.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe41e7db8d00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

on the way we caught the Tiana boat show coming back in. They made a big fuss over Riley (how funny, this is the movie we watched with my mom this weekend!)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff862ebbf300000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

2 rides on Big Thunder,
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe20f79b3500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/
and we made our way out of the park

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ffb212bbd500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

caught the monorail (our first monorail ride of the trip!) and headed to
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ffbf92fbcb00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Chelley00]

When we were planning our trip, Riley's really only true request for dinner was Chef Mickey's. It's been a stop on each of our trips. Last time we ate here I got the flu that night and I wasn't really keen on eating here just because of bad memories ;), but we moms do what we have to do. Off we go.

We checked in and were seated right away and Donald was right there.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff05647a5000000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff5fb17aa800000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

And Mickey right after
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ffbd91fbc900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ffea0abbe100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

After that we dashed to the buffet to try and get our food before the next round of characters came. The food was just not great, but that's in our dining report

Goofy next
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe50519bab00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Our waitress really just looked frazzled. She came and sat down Riley's birthday cupcake, but didn't light the candle.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe243f9bff00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

During the napkin twirling, she was running around trying to light candles and brought out a cake for someone else.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fed909db2f00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We were okay with it, honestly, but she ran back over and apologized over and over to Riley for not getting her cupcake lit during the song. Notice who is standing there while she was lighting the candle
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff0845bbdf00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Riley looks at the waitress and says "My candle just went out"
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff55ebfbc700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

and this is when the waitress pointed and Riley realizes that Goofy had blown her candle out for her
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff61b67ab000000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Finally, she got to actually blow the candle out :)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe8b86db8900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Chelley00]

Pluto was next

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff0ef73a5e00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff674b7a4e00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Minnie loved Riley's pirate Minnie shirt
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff1b26fb2d00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fff973fb0900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We monorailed over to MK and caught the bus back to AK. When we got back to our room, our mousekeeper had been busy
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff87b37ac600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe7ab31a6c00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fef3d55ad600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We went down to the lobby to participate in the parade.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fed08a1a0000000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

After the parade they gathered around the medallion in the lobby and listened to the CM tell about their country, and then were given a certificate
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ff0a0abb9100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

On our way back up, Riley decided to spend some of her money from her grandparents and get a cariacture done
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8fe23cd5aa600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I didn't take a picture of the finished project, but here you can see Riley's face. Our boxer, Duke, is in it and her shirt says "I love dogs". She looks like she's about 22 in it, but she loves it
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf00b3127ccef8ffec5bbbb300000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We decided to call it a pretty early night, because we had an early morning breakfast reservation the next day and were planning a full day back at the Magic Kingdom. Riley's wish for the day, that Space Mountain would open early so she could ride it. It wasn't scheduled to open until Sunday the 22nd, but we heard rumors on the bus that it was open for awhile on Monday, and they were planning on opening it this night (Tuesday), so Riley was really hoping they would have it open for awhile on Wednesday

[praisehisname]

You and Riley had an awesome day! I would love to do a mother/daughter trip some day!

Denise

[StefaniLyn]

Loving the latest installments. Riley looks so cute and you have totally sold me on my girly girls being pirates on our next Disney trip!!

Were the character lines long? You seem to run into them everywhere! Is it good timing or did you plan that out?

Bella snagged a ride on Cindy's horse too! The CM we had made sure of it! I'm surprised that not many people know that little Disney secret.

[Chelley00]

You and Riley had an awesome day! I would love to do a mother/daughter trip some day!

Denise

Oh you should if you can. We had so much fun! Riley has already put her dibs down to go again for her 13th birthday since that's when she'll get her next big birthday party. Gives me time to save!


Were the character lines long? You seem to run into them everywhere! Is it good timing or did you plan that out?

We only stop to see characters if the lines aren't long and we know we won't see them at a restaurant later. We bypassed all the princess meet and greets since we knew we had lots of character meals planned with them. If the line is really long, we'll probably skip it.


Okay, I just shoveled 7 inches of snow off the driveway for the 5th time this winter. I'm ready for spring!!!!!!!

[Chelley00]

The good thing about early morning ADRs is that you get in the park early and get all these pretty pictures of an empty park.


The bad thing is that wake up call comes really freaking early.



I made coffee and headed out to the balcony. Riley was dragging this morning and not wanting to go anywhere. I was a little nervous because we had a very full day planned. I decided we could afford to let her sleep another 15 minutes or so, and I got to enjoy this
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f1183cbf2500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Our view on the way to the bus stop
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f0ddc95e5600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Posing with Goofy after we entered Magic Kingdom
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f0c25f9f6700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We kept making our way up Main Street until we reached our breakfast destination
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f117ea7e5c00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f06b85df7100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We had eaten here on our first trip, and we really enjoyed it. I was sad to see so many bad reviews on it lately, but decided to keep the reservation, because honestly, can you have a girly trip and not eat in the castle?

First stop, Cinderella herself
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f0e82c9f0100000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We scored a table overlooking Fantasyland, and unfortunately, men in hard hats :)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f18506ffc900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

But who cares, we're in the castle!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f1ae25bf6700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

I put this in our dining report, however, it could be repeated. Yes, our food came out very quickly, but we never felt rushed. Our waiter even told us to take our time. The princeses came through pretty quickly, but since it was just 2 of us, we didn't need a ton of time, but they spent a good bit at the other tables. The food was good (oh, that puffed french toast. I could eat it daily) We were very happy with our breakfast!

Snow White
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f06f93df6500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Aurora
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f1ccd6bfa500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Jasmine
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f054951ed600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Belle
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f0d3e85e7000000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Laugh with me. I think she was making a wish, but she looks troubled (or in pain)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f02a061e7a00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Of course a cupcake
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f07fae5e6000000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

and a singing waiter, which I thought was so nice of him to do!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f1c0a33ee600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We left right as they had dropped the rope, and we were excited to make our way out and find Fantasyland open for business, with no people in lines yet!

[Chelley00]

We were headed towards The Many Adventures of Winne the Pooh, but made a quick detour to be first in line for this guy since we saw him walking to his Tree Farm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc24b3127ccef89f63291c2e00000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

A quick ride on Pooh, then we were off to Tomorrowland

My daughter had one goal. To ride Space Mountain. This was Wednesday, it wasn't scheduled to open until Sunday, but we had heard rumors of soft openings. She promised not to be too let down if it wasn't running (right!) We made our way over there, stopping to drive the race cars first. We are from Indiana, after all. Riley received a license for her trip. I got whiplash :rotfl:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f04387df6700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Space Mountain was a no go. The CM told us to check back after lunch because he was pretty sure it would be up and going then.

Off to Buzz instead
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f188c4bf9500000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

And then we took our first ever ride on Carousel of Progress. It was being refurbed on one trip, and then we just missed it on the other. Riley really enjoyed it. I liked being able to sit down for awhile, but man does that song stick in your head! "It's a great big beautiful tomorrow"
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f053025eda00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/


Remember earlier from our DHS day where I said there is always a picture of my feet from every trip? It's a family joke. Well, how about from the TTA?
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f06399df6900000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

God bless Teva Mush flip flops. The best flip flop ever invented. Trust me. I have way too many pairs and these are my favorite.

We went over to Stitch, got in the door and waited. And waited. Thankfully, Stitch is broken! We have to come back later. So happy to escape that one at least for now!!!! I'd totally skip it, but we're on this mission to ride every ride, remember? Blech.

We decided it was time to pay homage to Mickey and Minnie's house and the rest of Toontown before Disney does whatever they are planning to do back there. I'm so glad we got one final trip to see the old stuff before the new expansion is done. It makes me sad to see the changes. I'm not a fan of change :)

[praisehisname]

Riley looks so cute with all the princesses! I'm excited to try breakfast at CRT. I can make ADRs in May, and I'm on a mission to get it!

Denise

[Chelley00]

Minnie's house is always first. Riley has loved Minnie since she was teeny tiny. Minnie always gets first bids. Riley loves Minnie's house and could easily spend an hour here.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f1b7bc7e5a00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Mickey's house is next
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f119a6ff2700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Then it's off to Donald's boat to splash for awhile. Perfect time for me to sit for a few minutes and talk with Daddy and baby brother at home
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f057f85e2200000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f094b89fab00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Riley it itching for some speed, so we make the decision to take the train to Frontierland and ride Big Thunder and Splash.

Now, my DAUGHTER, my girl, gets to the train station, and passes time, by catching lizards

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf39b3127ccef8f1d8053e4c00000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

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We hopped off the train, and I decided we were going to head out to Tom Sawyer Island....another place we've never been. Riley had a great time out here and could have spent the whole afternoon exploring.
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After an hour, I drug her back the raft station and headed back towards the mainland, where we rode Big Thunder Mt twice
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And this is when we made a major mistake

[praisehisname]

Now, my DAUGHTER, my girl, gets to the train station, and passes time, by catching lizards

My daughter would do the same thing!


And this is when we made a major mistake

Uh oh...:sad2:

Denise

[pipersmom]

Eeks..I finally get all caught up only to be left with a cliffhanger! Seriously though, I have loved catching up and seeing all the fun you and Riley are having. I love the great character interactions you all are getting, and the pirate makeover looked awesome! I love rides, and Piper is insisting she's going to ride everything..we'll see! Looking forward to your next installment!

[MeMom]

I am enjoying all of the pictures. It's nice that you've got such a well-rounded daughter - a little pirate, a little princess, a little lizard catcher.... :)

It was sweet that she promised to take ride pictures for her brother.

[Chelley00]

My daughter would do the same thing!

[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Doesn't it drive you nuts? She plays with bugs and lizards and who knows what else.

I love rides, and Piper is insisting she's going to ride everything..we'll see! !

It's actually pretty hard, especially if you have one that wants to ride her favorites over and over and over again. I've been following along in Piper's Wish Trip planning. I can't wait to read your trip report!

It was sweet that she promised to take ride pictures for her brother.

They have their moments when they are nice together. 10 minutes ago they were fighting over who got to take a bath first. :headache:



So, ready for me to finish the cliffhanger?

[Chelley00]

And this is when we made a major mistake


Ah yes. Nice lovely day. Riley has just drug me on Big Thunder twice in a row. And now she makes her next decision. Our oops.

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How can sweet little Splash Mountain be a mistake. Well, the sign says it all.

We didn't may get wet. We got wet. Drenched. Not only were we placed perfectly beside the drop so that when we came around the corner and the other boat came down, the cannons shot off and all that water landed right in our laps, we were also in the front row. I've gotten wet spots on Splash before, but never completely drenched
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And we had ponchos in my bag. Putting them on first would have been a good idea, no?



Riley got the bright idea that riding Big Thunder would dry us off, and actually, after a couple of rides, it was actually better :)

We backtracked to watch the Tiki Birds (our first time)
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Then we went to watch Country Bears
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Riley insisted we stay and watch it again. I outvoted her. :)


I told Riley we should go check on Space Mountain. It was late in the afternoon, so maybe, just maybe we could catch a ride. We decided to take the train and walk from there
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I led Riley through Toontown just to check the wait time, and it was only 20 minutes, so we hopped in line. Riley wasn't the least bit happy, but we had said we'd do characters we've either never seen before, or wouldn't be eating with, and these were first timers for us!
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Tinkerbell was way perky. I'm glad we saved her for the afternoon and not first thing in the morning :laughing:
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The line here is very deceiving. I knew we were close to the door, but they take just a few at a time, lead them into a room and shut the door. We were freezing because we were still wet and the air was on, and people were getting cranky. It said 20 minutes but it was much closer to 30. The longest wait we had all week for anything!


As we were taking the path from Toontown through Fantasyland, my daughter could not be detoured
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and she insisted on this one again too (really?)
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Our next destination from the Speedway
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Finally, we make our way to check on Space Mountain.

Open or not?

[texfinn]

Thank you thank you thank you for the wonderful TR! I just booked a Mother/Daughter trip with my DD who is almost the same age as Riley. We won't be there as long and will be there in the summer but I think with careful planning, we will have a BLAST. Your TR is giving me some great ideas and getting me more and more excited! Thanks for sharing!

[Chelley00]

Thank you thank you thank you for the wonderful TR! I just booked a Mother/Daughter trip with my DD who is almost the same age as Riley. We won't be there as long and will be there in the summer but I think with careful planning, we will have a BLAST. Your TR is giving me some great ideas and getting me more and more excited! Thanks for sharing!

I hope you have as great of a time as Riley and I did. I wish everyone could take a mother/daughter trip.

[Chelley00]

All the way through Tomorrowland, I hear this little whisper "please please please". She wanted Space Mountain to be be open so badly!

Our original checkout date was on Saturday, but Space Mountain was scheduled to reopen from refurbishment on Sunday. I added a day in hopes she'd get to ride it. We had heard rumors of people getting to ride. I knew Riley would be heartbroken if it was still down, but we could still come on Sunday before we flew out and try again.

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But, when we arrived at the line, we saw this pretty little sign
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We made our way through the que and got to play a couple of seconds of the new interactive games throughout the line, but the line was moving pretty quickly, and there really weren't very many people in line.

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Finally, we're on. Think she's happy it's open?
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Still bumpy, but still fun. Riley insisted we go again.

And again.

After the third time, we had to leave to head out for dinner.

This is one restaurant Riley said she'd like to go to, but I couldn't get ADRs. She was okay with it and we talked about eating at Akershus instead. However, persistance paid off and I kept looking online and finally scored a ressie
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Tonight, an actual cake
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I don't know if it was just an off night, or because it was just 2 of us, or because we had a really early ressie, or what, but we were bored. There was no banter, the sisters were almost nice, the stepmother just made really big eyes and left. I was disappointed. They were that way with all the tables around us. I was hoping for something, anything, but really we didn't get it. However, the food was really good. (the cake was a total waste of money....we were so full from the dining plan all week, and full from the buffet. We took it with us, and nibbled on it a couple of times, but we trashed quite a bit of it)


On the way out we stopped to look at the gingerbread house. It smells so good in the Grand Floridian at Christmas! The house was beautiful and so big!
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We caught the monorail back to Magic Kingdom, and settled ourselves on Main Street to watch something we have ALWAYS missed out on.

[Chelley00]

In all our Magic Kingdom trips, we've always missed Spectromagic! Our first trip we were settled, and Riley decided to have to go to the bathroom, and we didn't make it in time, so we ended up leaving. Finally, we were parked on the curb on Main Street, and it was time!

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My hero
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After Spectro we caught the bus back to AKL, stayed up and watched TV for awhile (Phineus and Ferb...no cable at our house means that Disney Channel is a HUGE luxury for us!) Tomorrow we take a much needed day off.

And another HUGE surprise for Riley

[Chelley00]

Today was our off day. Riley and I were looking forward to spending the day exploring AKL and just goofing off. What she didn't know was that I had a surprised planned for her later this evening.

For now, our first stop was breakfast, and since we had counter service credits to blow from the dining plan, we made our way to the food court downstairs. Riley was most happy to find Mickey waffles on the menu!

We walked down by the pool to catch the first kids activity of the day, a lecture of flamingo feeding. They also did a lecture on how the cranes feed. After the demonstration each kid was given a bead. If you complete all of the bead activities on the activity sheet, you get a special tiki bead.

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I let Riley take the lead after the flamingo feeding, and she decided she wanted to swim. A quick walk back upstairs, we changed into swimsuits and grabbed our pool things, and headed down to spend the late morning/early afternoon at the pool. We took a break and headed over to the pool deck for the afternoon activity, piggy bank decorating
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After some more swimming, we took a break to head over to the rock formation to learn about animal tracking. They briefly explained the use of sonar equipment, and each child in the group took a turn hiding a stuffed Donald Duck with the sonar chip in it, and each child had a chance to carry the sonar equipments to listen for the beeping

Riley finding Donald
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Holding the sonar
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We headed back upstairs to change and then went to do the medallion rubbing in the lobby
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We had one counter service credit left and went to Mara (chicken flatbread good!!!!) We were so unbelievably full at this point, but Riley still wanted to go to Boma for the cookie decorating!!!

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At this point I insisted Riley go upstairs to take a nap. She had no idea why, but I just kept saying I was tired and needed a rest. However, when we got back to our room, Riley got completely distracted by this

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I finally had to drag her off the balcony and wrestle her into bed :) I did compromise to let her watch Kid Vs Cat first. We set up a wake up call, and drifted off, Riley not knowing what to expect when she got up!

[pipersmom]

You are so good at the cliffhangers, lady! :laughing: I can't wait to see what the surprise is, and love that you took a day off. AKL seems to have sooo much for kids to do, and I love that so much of it is educational AND fun. Can't wait to find out about the big surprise! :goodvibes:

[Sneezie]

Awwww... I've read through your trip report only to be caught at a cliffhanger. I noticed your very consistent at putting updates so I know I won't have to wait long for the next one, right? :thumbsup2

I'm off to read your dining report. I can't wait to read what you thought about 1900 Park Fare. I loved it when we went and the characters were great. I'm sorry you didn't have the same experience.

[Chelley00]

AKL seems to have sooo much for kids to do, and I love that so much of it is educational AND fun.

We loved AKL. Riley learned so much there, and there were tons of activities we didn't even get to do.

I noticed your very consistent at putting updates so I know I won't have to wait long for the next one, right? :thumbsup2.

I'm trying to get them done as fast I can. I hate getting all involved in a trip report and then person disappears and you don't get the finish!

[Sneezie]

I'm trying to get them done as fast I can. I hate getting all involved in a trip report and then person disappears and you don't get the finish!

That person would be me! See my tag :lmao: I've given up on writing them though.

[Chelley00]

I forgot to mention that this was our last day on the dining plan. When I booked, we did the Buy 4 nights get 3 free and added the dining plan and tickets. Our last 3 nights were a room only 40% off code. Before our nap, we ran down to "check out" and then checked back in under our room only reservation. It took a whole 2 minutes at the most. Honestly, I was so glad to see that dining plan go :rotfl: It was too much food for us!



At 3pm, the phone rang and I hit speaker so that Stitch could tell Riley to wake up. She had no idea what was in store for her.

Both of our last trips have been over Halloween week. Oh, I love MNSSHP!!!! They are so much fun and the whole atmosphere is just amazing. They had just started the Christmas parties the week before our trip, so I knew we had to go.

I handed Riley a Minnie Mouse Christmas "Joy" shirt, put on my matching one, and marched her to the bus stop, not telling her where we were going. She figured it out once she saw the entrance sign, but said she didn't realize there were parties for Christmas like Halloween, or she would have guessed much sooner!

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It was just a couple of minutes past 4, but we had no problem entering the Magic Kingdom with our party tickets at that time. I don't know that we would have gone that early, but, the only dinner reservation time I could get for this night was 4:15, and we just had to eat at
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I had heard horror stories on the Dis of people waiting a long time to get in, but we checked in and within a couple of minutes, we were called. You have to love the topiaries dressed for Christmas!
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Our table was all decorated for Riley's birthday
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First up, the main man himself, Pooh
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We ran to the buffet to beat back the rest of the characters. We were so stuffed from having counter service breakfast and lunch both that I don't know how we choked down any food at all. This was our last counter service credit, so I didn't want to waste it, but wow. We really didn't eat much at all!

Except for Riley who obviously has a mouthful of food here
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Tigger came by and grabbed Riley for the parade, then turned his balloon sign upside down and played it like a guitar
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Of course, a cupcake and a card for the birthday girl
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Then we had to wait a couple of minutes for our last 2 friends to come by
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Dinner done, we had almost 2 hours to head out to ride before the Christmas party activities started!

[Chelley00]

Our first stop was Jungle Cruise since it's closed during the party. Our ride earlier in the week was amazing with a great captain. This guy was pretty dry. But, you still have to love the ride
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fd0a0b628c00000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Next up was a ride on the Magic Carpets. I have no idea what my daughter's fascination is with this ride, but she insisted. The CM running the ride gave her an Aladdin pin, telling her Aladdin wanted her to have it for her birthday. I thought that was very nice of him!

See the laughter?
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She aimed our carpet right at the camel and I ended up with a lapful of water. Did you know you can get wet on that ride? Well, trust me, you can


If you've been reading our trip report, then you know my daughter has a need for speed. So of course, our next stop is to ride Big Thunder twice in a row (or 3 times...I've lost count anymore)
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We decided we wanted to be close to the front of the line to meet Christmas Minnie, so we hopped the train to ToonTown
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It was still not 7pm, so we had time to go through Minnie and Mickey's houses first.
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I let Riley pick her next move since we still had time to kill, and of course, the teacups were her pick. Getting me wet wasn't enough, now she's trying to make me puke 2 counter service meals and one table service meal.

We went back to Toowntown and still had 5 minutes or so before Minnie came out, so we took a quick spin on Barnstormer
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We walked to Minnie's gazebo, and saw a CM coming out, so we walked back and we were the first people in line for Minnie!
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And look! I do exist! And I get my pictures taken with characters sometimes too!!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc24b3127ccef89e8698fd0900000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

There was quite a line forming for Mickey, but we probably only had to wait 10 minutes once we got to his house.

It's me again!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc24b3127ccef89f724b5cdc00000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/



Once we were done with our Christmas pictures, it was time to decide what to do next. Those were the 2 biggies on my list (other than the parade and Christmas wishes for later)

So, I rattled off ideas to Riley and let her pick our next move. Any ideas?

[JLR]

I'm loving your TR - I hope I can be as good a Mommy on our Mommy and me trip in 60 days! I am really enjoying all these updates!

[Chelley00]

That person would be me! See my tag :lmao: I've given up on writing them though.

I'm too OCD to stop writing it. It may take me years, but I'll get it done :)

I'm loving your TR - I hope I can be as good a Mommy on our Mommy and me trip in 60 days! I am really enjoying all these updates!

You will have so much fun! I really enjoyed that one on one time with Riley!


I've spent all day running errands and grocery shopping, so I'm ready to sit down! At least this way I can do 2 things at once!

[Chelley00]

So, I rattled off ideas to Riley and let her pick our next move. Any ideas?

If you know my daughter, you know where she wants to go. Space Mountain.



Unfortunately, it wasn't running :(


Instead we rode Buzz Lightyear. And it stopped in the middle. The CMs came through and told us it was technical difficulties and to stay put. We were in there for almost 15 minutes. The fun part was that the scores kept adding, so we tipped it past 999,999!! I tried to take a picture but it's hard to take a picture when it flashes!

Next up an example of patient Mommy letting Riley do the trip her way.....Tomorrowland Speedway.......again

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Next up we headed towards Fantasyland and stopped to dance with Anastasia, Drucilla and Lady Tremaine. The sisters were fantastic, but Lady Tremaine was talking to people, and being NICE! I don't think she's seen her movie before. :laughing: She asked me which child was mine and if I was having fun etc. I was so thrown I almost couldn't answer!
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Riley insisted on a ride on Dumbo since there was no line
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And then we went to collect our "free" treats
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Bad flash on the cookies!
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There's nothing better than hot chocolate when it's almost 80 degrees outside!!!!!

We sat outside behind Pinnochios and got to watch Anastasia and Drucilla sing, er scream, the song "Sisters". Those girls had to be tired at the end of the night!


We had time to ride one more ride before I wanted to plant ourselves somewhere to watch Wishes, so Riley picked Peter Pan. There was not one other person anywhere in line, so I used my flash to take a picture (shhhhhh)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fdd351222200000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We walked to the front of the hub, not thinking we'd find a spot, and actually scored a spot in front of the fenced in area where we could sit on the curb!!!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fd37eea3df00000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Chelley00]

I love Wishes. The music and the words just get me all goose bumpy :)

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We took our time heading down Main Street to find a place for the parade. Riley was enjoying playing in the "snow". It was magical to watch all the little kids jumping around grabbing snow flakes on Main Street
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We had snack credits left, and decided to hit Main Street bakery for breakfast items to take back to the resort, but the bakery was closed :sad2: We ended up getting peppermint ice cream instead. We found a spot in front of the ice cream store on the curb and sat to enjoy our ice cream and people watch.

Note: Main Street snow likes to "jump" into ice cream. :rolleyes:


While we were waiting, I offered to take a group picture of the moms and kids next to us, so they returned the favor. Stef, are you watching? 3 pictures of me this night!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc22b3127ccef8928f55eee300000010O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We had some live entertainment stop by. These guys were fantastic. They sang, tap danced, played bells and told jokes.
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Finally, we heard the music and the parade was on its way!!!

[Chelley00]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fd3ad4e37b00000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fdc0e0620200000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fc2019c3f700000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Christmas themed pooper scoopers!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fdf5d422b400000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

snowfight
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fcdc81c31100000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

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And then the smells piped out from this. Candy!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fd55b1a3b100000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

and the gingerbread smell Yummy!
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These guys were the highlight of the parade. If you've never been, you should watch it on Youtube. It was amazing!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fc3efb422a00000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fce0e3c36d00000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fdf748a31900000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fca955836700000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Chelley00]

It started to get chilly during the parade. I was so glad I had shoved our hoodies in my bag before we left AKL. We learned the hard way to take them to party nights. Our last trip I left sweatshirts behind for MNSSHP, and we ended up having to buy some! Since Riley was chilly, we stopped in Liberty Square for some hot chocolate on our way to, where else, Big Thunder.

However, it was well worth the walk, as there was NO ONE there. I think everyone left after the second parade. We not only got front row, but rode it twice in the front row without getting off. Riley informed me we had never been in the front row before!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fdb593a3e300000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We skipped Splash since it was cold, and I told Riley to pick where she wanted to go. This was our last time at MK. She decided on Fantasyland, so off we went. On the way we ran across a great character meet. They were just standing in the middle of the "road".
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fcf6b4c33100000030O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

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Funny story. Our first trip we saw Liverlips out and his pants strap had broken and the CMs were holding his pants up for him :) Nice to see he got new pants this year!
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We rode Peter Pan, Small World (ick) and Snow White with no line, then went to Dumbo. The CM told Riley she could have her own Dumbo this time since there was no one else there.
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We rode it twice in a row, and were midflight on our second ride when Cinderella's castle's clock struck midnight. It was so cool to be in Fantasyland when that happened :)

On the way out to the bus stop, we decided to stop for one last Christmas-y photo op
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Riley slept all the way back to AKL, and basically crawled into bed in her clothes :) No alarm for tomorrow! We're sleeping in!

[Chelley00]

I woke up around 10, Riley around 11. This was a little later than I planned, but that's okay, she needed it. I gave Riley the option to either do Mara at AKL for lunch or head to DHS. She decided on Pizza Planet, so we hopped a bus to DHS and headed straight for lunch
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I think she picked Pizza Planet thinking she'd get to play arcade games, but I nixed that plan. That did not earn me Mom of the Year. :)

After lunch we headed for Toy Story Fastpasses, then stopped by the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show. Riley was not happy about it. She tends to get very anti-girl stuff, especially when she's already in a bad mood, but she enjoyed it after all the fuss.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fde31d227600000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

However, one complaint from me...it was COLD in there, and the misting water did not help at all. Turn the AC down, people!!!!

Since we were right nearby, Riley wanted to go take another drawing class, and while we were waiting found Frozone

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We had some time to kill before the next class started, so we played around
Check out my tomboy daughter laughing when it said the character she is most like was Cinderella :rotfl:

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However, it was dead on about me
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fdbeaae34700000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We went in for the Animation Academy, and I was not happy about seeing the same lady we had the first time around. She just made the whole experience not magical at all. She's just very abrasive and snotty
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Riley decided she wanted to ride RNR (of course!) so I bargained a ride on Tower of Terror in payment :) We grabbed a fastpass for RNR, but then rode it standby
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and then headed for TOT and rode it twice (yay!)
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When we were done, we did a quick potty break and it was time for our RNR fastpasses. We walked up to the fastpass return, and got the surprise of our life!!!!!!!! :woohoo:

[Sneezie]

Another cliffhanger! :headache:

[Chelley00]

Another cliffhanger! :headache:

I figure we're boring people, so we need to liven up the trip report somehow!!!





Riley and I were at DHS, getting ready to go through the fastpass return line, when we got the surprise of our life.

Remember Amanda, the College Program Cast Member from our first DHS day?

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The one who gave Riley fastpasses upon fastpasses and put us on RNR without waiting in the front row over and over? She was working the fastpass return line! She rememered Riley by name, asked if it was still her birthday :rolleyes1 and then asked Riley how many times she had ridden RNR that day. When Riley said once, Amanda said that was awful and handed Riley these
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Fastpasses for RNR. Then she let us go through line without taking the fastpasses we had brought with us. That gives us 4 rides on RNR. (scarcastic) Yay. Remember, Mom doesn't like going upside down, and had already ridden RNR 7 times the first DHS day. Again, I say without enthusiasm. Yay!

Oh, but it gets better. We went up and rode RNR in the third row. When we got to the end, who would be working the place where you stop, but Amanda. She told Riley "You know where the back door is" and pointed for us to go through to ride again. And when we got there, they put us in the front row. When that ride was over, Riley insisted on one more time. I said 3 was my limit, so we did it once again, in the front row, and then I said we HAD to go do something else.


We had few more minutes until our Toy Story fastpasses, so we headed over to see the Monsters Inc guys. Sully was bored and walking around, and came right up to me, so I took his picture
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Our fastpass return time was up, so we headed for Toy Story Mania.

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and then we headed towards our dinner reservation, with a little time to kill, Riley asked to watch Muppets.
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It was still a little early, but we went ahead to check in for dinner, once again a place we've never been.



And remember, we still have 3 sets of fastpasses for RNR.


Vomit.

[Chelley00]

Tonight dinner was at
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fde84462b200000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

We've never been to SciFi. I thought Riley would enjoy the drive in setting, especially being a TV junkie, I thought she would love to watch "TV" while eating.

I was wrong. My little "hate Halloween/scary stuff" girl HATED Sci Fi. She hated the campy horror flick clips. The only minute she was okay was when Tom and Jerry was on
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She spent the rest of the meal with her head down focusing on her dinner :sad2:

The setting was cute

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cf01b3127ccef8fd38fde35300000040O08Fasmzlu0B7e fBQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

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Food not so much. It was okay, but not great. Probably not one we'd do again. (the milkshakes were great though!!!)


As soon as we paid, we hurried over to catch Fantasmic. We got seated just as it was starting. Being so late I thought we'd have horrible seats, and we were pretty far to the right, but we were in the 6th row.

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After Fantasmic we headed over to use the rest of our Rock N Roller Coaster fastpasses. All 3 sets. And thanks to Amanda still working the end, she snuck us up for an extra ride, making it 4 times in a row. 7 total rides for the day. 14 total rides for the trip. I should win Mom of the Year award.

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We snuck in one more ride on TOT right at close. I love TOT at night.
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My biggest accomplishment in life is not hurling after all that flipping and dropping!


When we got back to AKL, there was total chaos in the lobby. It's the Friday before Thanksgiving week, and apparently everyone in the world had decided to check into AKL that night! Craziness!

When we got back to our room, Riley's stuffed animals were watching TV
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We went to bed early this night. The next morning I wanted to get to Animal Kingdom at opening so we could knock out the rest of the rides on our to-do list, then come back to let Riley swim and maybe pack a little since it was our last full day :(

[Chelley00]

Riley woke up this morning with a headache and stuffy nose. Not good. Especially since we were flying out the next day. Thankfully I had packed some kids cold meds, so I dosed her up and we headed to the bus stop.


Holy mess of people in the lobby. I knew that crowds would pick up this weekend, but I hoped we would be out of town before it got crazy. Not the case. We made our way through the crowds and headed to the bus stop for AK. The line was HUGE. For all the parks. Riley looked at me and said she just didn't feel up to a park today and could we go shopping or something. We went through all the rides we still needed to do at AK and how we were leaving the next day and was she going to be mad about missing out, and she insisted no. I was a little disappointed, especially since we wouldn't get to see Festival of the Lion King, but it was her trip, and she looked a little miserable, so I let her pick. To tell the truth, I'm not big on crowds, and I think after 10 days, we were both just tired of nonstop park action :) We had dinner reservations at Downtown Disney later that night, but she said she wanted to go there anyhow because it was too early/chilly to swim already. We detoured to the rental car and headed towards DTD.

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We spent the morning walking around, shopping for souveniers for family, Christmas presents etc. Riley was still not feeling up to par and not really hungry, so we split a sandwich from Earl of Sandwich and sat outside to people watch. I asked Riley if she wanted to head back to AKL, but she said no.

We decided we needed to do our make your own treats at Goofy's Candy Company. We've bought candy there before, but never done our own stuff! Rileyhad marshmellows dipped in dark chocolate, rolled in Reese's pieces and drizzled in more chocolate. I had a peanut butter filled Oreo type cookie, dipped in chocolate, rolled in pecans and drizzled in white chocolate. Oh how good it was.
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But, we saved those for dessert for later that night and the next day, and made a stop at Ghiradelli for dessert we could eat right now
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We headed back to AKL, but I talked Riley out of swimming. Her little nose was still so stuffy, and I was afraid of her getting sicker. I told her we could do few activities around the resort, we could spend her 30 minute arcade card from our resort package, and then I needed to start packing.

First the overlook to see the zebras.
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Then we went to do the hidden habitat activity
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Then I let Riley spend her 30 minute arcade time. Even taking my hands off to take a picture, I still won :woohoo:
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I convinced Riley she needed to take a nap so that she could feel better for her surprise dinner spot tonight. She was feeling pretty crummy that she didn't fight me much. I honestly thought we needed to cancel, but once I told her where we were going, she told me she HAD to go there. She laid down to rest and watch TV while I started packing
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[Chelley00]

Dinner tonight was back at Downtown Disney, a restaurant that I knew would be my daughter's favorite. Every year on their birthday, the kids' each get to pick where they want to go for dinner. Riley almost always picks somewhere she can get seafood. So this night, I'm going to feed her seafood addiction at Fulton's Crab House.


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This turned out to be our most favorite (and most expensive) meal of the trip. The food was so good, our waiter was fantastic. Riley was so happy to see crab legs on the kids menu!

At the end, our waiter brought Riley a huge slab of cake with Happy Birthday written in chocolate
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We walked Downtown for awhile. We wanted to try the balloon ride, but it was really windy so they could only take so many up at a time and it was over an hour wait. Instead we walked for around looking in stores and watching the street performers. Riley had to go in the Harley store and get her picture taken for my FIL, who has 2 Harleys
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It was getting late, so we needed to head back to AKL. We needed to get up early the next morning to finish packing, check out and hopefully leave enough time to hit one more park for awhile before we headed to the airport. On our way out, we stopped one more place.
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I sat on the edge of the chair, and he insisted that I was not to old to actually sit on Santa's lap and made me move!

[Chelley00]

Our last day. We were sad to see it end, but I think we were both ready to go home!

After breakfast, I finished packing while Riley took pictures of the animals outside. One of the giraffes was chasing another, and then we got to watch one drink. It's amazing how far they have to spread their front legs to bend over.

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We loaded up the rental car and said Goodbye to Animal Kingdom Lodge. I loved staying here. The staff was friendly, there was always something going on, the food court was good, bus service was awesome, and you cannot beat giraffes outside your room.

Riley took a picture of the entrance as we were leaving
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As were packing up, I gave Riley the option to pick our last park for the day. We went through each park and the rides that were at each. We also talked about how we had spent so many days at each park, but only one at Animal Kingdom. She surprised me. I really thought she'd pick either AK or DHS. Or even Magic Kingdom so she could get one last ride on Space Mountain.


Nope, she picked Epcot. We had already spent 3 days there, but she wanted to go back




To make me ride Mission Space :rolleyes:




I told Riley that if I had to fly on an airplane that night, I was not about to ride Mission Space :laughing:



The line to get in Epcot was HUGE. Since our flight didn't leave until 8pm, we had tons of time to kill, so we thought we'd go ahead in and do what we could.

What a difference a few days can make. The longest wait we had seen for Soarin was 30 minutes. Today
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When we left it was 120 minutes


We decided to skip rides, since we had pretty much hit everything earlier, and just head back to World Showcase and do Kim Possible missions. We went through Innoventions to swipe our tickets for a Kim Possible time. On the way back to World Showcase, we swung by Test Track for fastpasses. Remember this picture from earlier in our trip?
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Today the standby line was 80 minutes!
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I think Riley picked Epcot because she wanted Mexican for lunch, so we did a stop at Cantina De San Angel. We went to pick up our Kimmunicator and since we had already done a mission, he let us skip right past the instructions, asked where we had been and then sent us to Germany. We had people asking us over and over to set the beer steins off in the store
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We pushed for our next mission, and were sent to Japan. On the way we stopped in America to listen to the tail end of the Voices of Liberty, and the CM pulled Riley aside and told her there was a phone call for her. It was Goofy wishing her a Happy Birthday, and when she turned around, the CM gave her a certificate!
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We went through and "saved" Japan. You have to love being welcomed to places like this
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After the Japan mission, it made us give our Kimmunicator back. Boo! We were having so much fun we wanted to just keep going all day long, but it wouldn't budge, so we turned it in and kept walking the World Showcase. Riley was most excited to see Marie in France
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And then these guys walked right by us so we followed to watch
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On around to England, and we found Mary Poppins!
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[Chelley00]

We still had tons of time to kill, so I told Riley we could try to ride a few things. She was all for Figment first
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We actually had to wait for Figment, so I knew I was ready to go! We had fastpasses for Test Track, so we headed that way, stopping by Club Cool first.
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After Test Track we made our way out of the park, stopping for one final ride on Spaceship Earth,
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and then a final picture. Do we not look tired?
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We got out to the rental car just as it started raining. Another reason to be glad we were leaving. We had highs in the 80's pretty much all week, and they were calling for 60's and rain from then on.

We arrived at the airport, returned the rental car and went to ticketing to print our boarding passes. When the employee asked for my ID and confirmation number, he said "I see you came business class on the way here. You can't fly home in coach after being in business class!" and gave us the free upgrade to first class on the flight home. Score again!

We had quite a bit of time before our flight left, so we worked on finishing up Riley's homework. Unfortunately I packed my cell phone in our luggage and not in my carry on :rolleyes: so I couldn't call DH when we landed. Thankfully, a nice couple from Viriginia on their way home from a cruise let me borrow their phone when they found out so I could have DH just meet us in the airport.

Our flight home was smooth as glass. Riley finished watching UP on the laptop while I took advantage of XM radio and just relaxed.
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All our boys met us at the airport, and DS5 tackled me before I had a chance to set my suitcase down. It was so good to be home!!!!



Will be back to post a couple of photopass pictures I missed, and with a few final thougths

[JLR]

What a wonderful report and what a good Mom you are. I really enjoyed this TR. It is helping me pass the time until my own trip.

[Tink9721]

That was a great report!!! :cool1: It looks like you two had a lot of fun! I just got back last night from my mother daughter trip. We had a great time :goodvibes I wish I had gotten to ride RNR 14 times!!! I only got on once :sad2: The line was at least 90 minutes both days we were at DHS. I got a fastpass around 11 AM and the return time was 7:00! Then on our second day there they were out of fastpasses and it was about 1:30. But on that same day...the TOT line was only 20 minutes! My mom can't go on TOT so I rode once in the stand-by line, then used both of our tickets to get fastpasses two different times that day. 5 rides on TOT in one day :banana:

[praisehisname]

Finally all caught up, and now it's over. :sad1: I really enjoyed your report; thanks for writing it!

[Chelley00]

What a wonderful report and what a good Mom you are. I really enjoyed this TR. It is helping me pass the time until my own trip.

I can't wait to read your report!

I wish I had gotten to ride RNR 14 times!!! I only got on once :sad2:

You should have went with us, and you could have ridden it with Riley while I sat and ate ice cream or something!!

Finally all caught up, and now it's over. :sad1: I really enjoyed your report; thanks for writing it!

I enjoyed writing it. I try and get the report done so I can reference while scrapping!




I've been trying to make it back for a few final comments, but I've been in and out of the hospital for the last 2 weeks because of a kidney stone! Who knew those could be so horrible! Mine was almost 6mm, which apparently is pretty big, and I had to postpone getting it blasted because I'm on blood thinners for an autoimmune disorder that can cause clots and had to be off of them for 7 days. I spent 4 nights in the hospital after 4 ER visits to try and get the pain under control. I finally had to have a stint placed, then got to come home for a weekend and had the sound wave blasting last Monday. It was a little crazy here for awhile. I'm still tired and sore, but feeling so much better than I was. Now I'm ready to finish our scrapbook and our trip report!

[Chelley00]

Riley and I had a goal....to ride EVERY ride. I didn't realize she meant "rides that move" and not every attraction/show. A little miscommunication on our part, but once we got home, we went through her journals and the list of attractions on Allears.net and realized, we didn't do too bad at all if you take the non-moving stuff out!

The stuff we missed


Magic Kingdom
Astro Orbiter (have no idea how we missed it!)
Liberty Riverboat
Stitch's Great Escape (was down both time we tried!)

DHS
American Idol
Indiana Jones
Lights Motors Action
One Man's Dream

Epcot
Honey I Shrunk the Audience (Riley REFUSES to watch it)


Animal Kingdom - we had a second day planned, but the bus stop was busy and we were tired so we skipped it. This is my biggest regret of the trip!

Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo
Its Tough to be a Bug
Kali River Rapids




Everything else we rode at least once, and I'm happy to say that all the rides/shows/attractions we missed on this trip, we've experienced on another trip, so we can safely say we have ridden every ride, seen every show/parade/movie/attraction at Walt Disney World!!!

[Chelley00]

What I'd do again:

Stay at AKL and splurge on the savannah view room. Well worth the money and Riley LOVED it. We had no problems with busses, food court, check in or check out, mousekeeping etc. Our stay there was pretty much perfect. Also, the look on Riley's face when I surprised her with staying there instead of CBR was priceless!

Pirate League makeover. Riley thought it one of the best parts of her trip. She got lots of souveniers from it to bring home, and she got a lot of attention.

Let Riley call the shots (for the most part) We did a lot more downtime swimming and resort exploration than I would have never planned since I'm so park commando, but letting Riley dictate those things made it for a nicer, more relaxed vacation.

Pins! Riley loved buying and trading pins. I started her out with 4 and had I known, I would have bought more and encouraged her to trade more. It was a good lesson in eye contact and approaching CM's and speech as well, as Riley can be a little shy and introverted if you let her.

Coral Reef and Fulton's. Riley still talks about this meal, and her dinner at Fultons. Fultons made her feel all grown up and very special, and she loved eating near the fish at Coral Reef.

The birthday shirts made for Riley. She got a lot of attention and special birthday wishes because of them. She was almost sick of people wishing her Happy Birthday by the end of the trip! It was just an extra touch that helped make her birthday special.

Had our photopass taken every day. We do this every trip, and I use it on the scrap page for each day with park map etc. It's fun to see how we looked each day, what the weather was like, which park we went to when etc.

Ordered from Garden Grocer. It was a little more expensive than if I would have shopped myself, but having someone else shop, deliver it and bring it to our room was so well worth it. It was nice to have breakfast items in the morning, bottled water and fruit in the room whenever we needed it, especially on the last few days when we no longer had the dining plan.






Things I'd skip if we did it again

The dining plan. It was just too much food for us, but it was nice to have everything paid for in advance. We ended up wasting some snack credits, and a couple of meals we really couldn't eat because we were too stuffed.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It was okay, but not really worth the money. The parade was cute, but just so so. Now, I'd do the Halloween party any day. We enjoyed it way more, the atmosphere is so much more exciting and it just seems like we had way better of a time at the Halloween parties than we did for the Christmas party. I wish instead we would have gone to the campfire at Fort Wildnerness, or just finished all the bead activities at AKL and went swimming again.

Sci Fi. Riley hated the campy horror clips, and the food was just not that good. The atmosphere was cute, but it just wasn't great.

The basket from memoriesbybetsy.com It was cute and Riley enjoyed it, but it was more stuff I had to try and cram in our suitcase to fly home, and it was expensive.

We would have flown home on Saturday instead of Sunday. Sunday was the Sunday before Thanksgiving so everything was super busy starting Saturday. The airport was really busy. We also got back late Sunday night and getting up for school/work on Monday morning was not fun!

Skip the rental car! It was a total waste of money! We were perfectly fine with the AKL busses, and I'm sure we would have been fine with Magical Express too.

Scheduled later dinners. I don't think we were truely hungry for dinner at 5-6pm every night, especially after such large lunches on the dining plan.

[ToriPeanut]

great report!

are you going back again this year??

[pipersmom]

I don't know how I missed your updates before hon, but I loved your TR. It was so cool reading about another mother/daughter team doing the world! I like the list of things you would/would not do over again as well. Looking fwd to seeing the photopass piccies when you get them!

[MeMom]

This was a wonderful report! Letting it all be about Riley was excellent, Mom. I can't wait to take my grandchildren when they are a bit older and let it all be about them one kid at a time.

We had our last meal of the Christmas trip at AKL. We visit nearly every trip and dream of staying there someday.

Thanks for sharing your pictures and your mother-daughter fun with us. :)

[Luvamouse]

Love these pics! She is so beautiful! I loved the caption in the Pirate's League one ;) That's how I got to your trip report-- it is one of the best I've read! You are so funny and did a great job on balancing so many great pics with great captions!:thumbsup2




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Eyes next, in prostitute blue :laughing:
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[2littleprincesses]

Loved, loved, loved your trip report. Just wondering about the shirts you had. I love the pirate one for the pirate's league. Did you design it?

Also, more info on the pirate's league for girls. Do you know the pricing? How about the pink and black dress--how much was that? Thanks so much. Your daughter is great!!!

[reyasmommy]

I Love the close up of Sully. Too Cute!

Kudos to you for riding RNRC so many times. I LOVE that ride, but once is enough for me. I find myself with a slight headache and a little dizzy every time I get off. Couldn’t imagine going as many times as you did.

I too love ToT at night. I love that ride anytime, but especially at night. And I love how the building glows at night, so neat!

That sucks that Riley was feeling so crumby on your last day. Poor thing!

I understand the crowd thing. We were there from march 4th-14th. We chose that time so we could skip the spring break crowd. The crowds were light until our last full day. It was INSANE!! I’ve never seen Disney like that before. During our entire trip we mostly at 5 minute wait times, but on our last day it took us over an hour to get from where to pay to park to the front gates. I think we waited for 30 minutes just to get on the monorail. I will never ever going during spring break.

That’s so awesome that you were upgraded on your flight home. SCORE!

Thanks for sharing your report and pictures!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Hey!!! Sorry I have not been on her for a long time...home took me away!! I read through the whole report and it was great!! You guys got so much done and had a great trip!!! When's the next one?

[Kellybelly777]

"Until Disney had to come along and throw out some new deals....specifically a Buy 4 nights get 3 free. That put Animal Kingdom Lodge within my budgeted amount for out trip. After going back and forth for days, I bit the bullet and booked it.

But didn't tell my daughter....


Dear Riley,

We know how much you love animals and thought maybe you'd like to stay here instead of the other hotel. Hope you enjoy it and take part in some of the animal activities when you aren't at the parks. We love you.

Mickey and Minnie
(and Daddy and Mommy too)"

That is such a smart and nice ideafor your daughter!!! this was clearly an amazing trip!!!:thumbsup2

[jillianml]

subbing

[praisehisname]

So sorry you've been feeling cruddy. Is the kidney stone gone now?

[BippityBoo]

Your daughter looked precious after her Pirates transformation! So cute!!

PS: If you want, hop on over an sub to my TR! We both have 7 year old girls! I love the idea of a mother daughter trip :goodvibes

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2374556

[Chelley00]

Someone asked a page back when we were going again. As of today, we're going back in October! Totally unexpected! Come join our new pretrip journal and help me plan!!!!


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2509040