Castles & Hogwarts & Blizzards...OH MY! LAH LAH's TR *Update 12/18 ADOPTION DAY* [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

LAH LAH

09-30-2011, 08:51 PM

Let's just get right to the point...
WE HAD A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL TIME!!!! :goodvibes

My name is Melissa and this trip report is from my point of view. Michael is my first born son and he is 14 years old. Elsa is my one and only daughter and she just turned 12. We are in the process of adopting 3 little brothers. We have been caring for (and loving) them for the past 19 months. E just turned 3, C will be 2 this month, and Baby N is 6 months old. This was our final trip before the adoptions become final and a chance for one last "trio" trip!

(feel free to check out our PTR (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2706384) to get the inside scoop!!)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u-miRHEEFYM/ToJhIdCAmiI/AAAAAAAAL2c/RpXnrI0cJKE/s640/IMG_0012.JPG

My parents joined us for this adventure!!!

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/2053_47728100892_590345892_1389652_7486_n.jpg

The one on the left is my dad, Garry, but the kids call him Peepa and sometimes Peeps (although he doesn't care for it all that much). He gifted all his children (and his two grandchildren) with a 6 day trip 4 year ago. That's when the extreme excitement (dare I say obsession) with Disney started for me. He loves the Disney magic as much if not more than we do. He takes the time to sit for the parades and call me crazy, but I think he feels like a kid when he is there! He once pushed my mom in a wheelchair all over Disney for a week following a serious surgery she had 2 weeks earlier. Dedicated? Oh yes he is!

The one on the right is my mom, Donna, but the kids call her Meema and sometimes the Meems (she doesn't mind that at all). She is a selfless go-with-the-flow Disney-er. I have definite ideas of plans and she willingly goes along with them. She came along with the kids and I on our trip in 2008 and again with my dad in 2009...what a trooper! She ends up carrying most of the essentials and is ALWAYS good for an anti-bacterial wet wipe!

The kids and I have traveled to Disney once a year for the past 5 years and we love it more and more every time! This trip was to be our longest and most involved. Seeing that life for us will change a great deal in the next few months, forever altering how and when we do Disney again, I decided that each of us would get a special wish this trip, to be granted by, well, me! Including our travel days we were gone for 9 glorious days. So...now that you have "met" us, it's time to get down to business! Thanks for joining me for this TR. I have lots and lots of pictures and memories to share! :hug:

TRAVELING
Hotel Fun (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42832806&postcount=6)
And Away We Go! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42848741&postcount=10)

DAY 1 ~ Magic Kingdom
The Kingdom of the Magic (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42871589&postcount=17)
CRT ~ CRT ~ CRT ~ CRT (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42885006&postcount=22)
Full and Ready for More MK (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42908066&postcount=27)

DAY 2 ~ Universal Studios and Hoggi-Hoggi-Hogwarts!
Cheating on Disney (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42944951&postcount=38)
Cheating on Disney ~ Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42946458&postcount=40)
Enjoying Our Day (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42954524&postcount=46)
Universal, Here We Come (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42962781&postcount=50)

DAY 3 ~ Blizzard Beach
Bracing for the Blizzard (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42971405&postcount=53)
Blizzard's Over...Back to Summer Fun (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42977926&postcount=57)

DAY 4 ~ EPCOT
An Underwear and Chip Emergency (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43028667&postcount=64)
EPCOT-ed (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43048658&postcount=69)
I Want Me Some of Those Potatoes (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43086989&postcount=82)

DAY 5 ~ Animal Kingdom
It's an Animal Kingdom Kind of Day! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43129694&postcount=88)
Meems is Back (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43146233&postcount=96)
Meema on a Mission (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43151669&postcount=101)

DAY 6 ~ Hollywood Studios
Hooray for Hollywood (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43163092&postcount=108)
More MGM, errrr, Hollywood Studios (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43175075&postcount=114)

DAY 7 ~ Magic Kingdom
Kingdom, Here We Come (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43346872&postcount=138)
Last Day, MK Style (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43480223&postcount=147)
All Good Things Have to Come to an End (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43481507&postcount=154)

TRAVELING HOME :(
It's Easier Going Home When You Have Babies Waiting For You! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43481832&postcount=156)

ADOPTION DAY!
Part One (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43491190&postcount=162)
Part Two (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43491328&postcount=163)

Lady Lallie

10-01-2011, 04:15 AM

ScotsMinnie

10-01-2011, 11:37 AM

So excited to hear about your trip! Glad you had a great time!

Jennifer48

10-01-2011, 07:30 PM

welcome back!! I can't wait to hear all about it! :goodvibes

LAH LAH

10-02-2011, 06:36 AM

Yay! I am so excited that the TR has begun!

I have to laugh at your Dad not liking being called Peeps, it's cute!! :rotfl2:

I really can't wait to hear about your fabulous trip and I love your title! Very cute indeed.

We had such a wonderful time! (still so excited about your pregnancy!)

So excited to hear about your trip! Glad you had a great time!

:goodvibes

welcome back!! I can't wait to hear all about it! :goodvibes

You're probably going to hear more than you want! Hahahahaha

LAH LAH

10-03-2011, 01:14 PM

HERE WE GO!

I lead a glamorous life. This is evident by the cleaning, cooking and all the diapers I tackle daily. If that isn't proof enough you could drop by any day of the week to find me either still in my jammies or slubbing around in sweats. It's glamorous because I love it. I love my Michael and Elsa and we love our little boys!

E (who is 3) and C (who is almost 2) have been living with us for the past 19 months. Baby N is 6 months old and came home from the hospital to our family. It looks like the adoptions for E and C could be finalized as early as this November! We have to wait a little longer for baby N, but that is on the horizon.

Knowing that our baby-free Disney days were quickly slipping away, we decided to take just one last final big kids trip. This is that trip:

School here starts after Labor Day, so Michael and Elsa spent a grand total of 4 days in school before I pulled them for our trip. I was hoping this would be a little easier than pulling them at the end of a grading period like we did in December, and I think it was. Packing up for vacation is fun. Packing up 3 little boys for 10 days in respite is slightly less fun. Thankfully the boys would be staying with some of our closest friends, who also happen to be foster parents! It's a little easier to leave them knowing they will be greatly loved while we are gone. This family also took in our puppy for the duration of the vacation. They are some mighty good friends!

I dropped off the boys, said my goodbyes and shed a few tears. It is so hard to leave them, but I knew this was our last chance for a final just-the-three-of-us Disney trip. I have worked hard during this foster experience to help make Elsa and Michael feel important and special. I find ways to attend all their special school things and try to make sure they don't miss out on things because of the boys. This will all change once they are adopted. Michael, Elsa, E, C and baby N will all be on an even playing ground. Being stretched by 5 kids with 5 different responsibilities will not be easy. That is why I knew this last trip was so very important. Life for us is about to change...in a wonderfully, huge way!

After dropping off the boys (and the puppy) I headed home to find Michael and Elsa home from school and ready to go, go, go! Our flight wouldn't leave until the next morning, but we were headed up to the big city to spend the night in a hotel. We live 1.5 hours away from the airport and with our 7am flight we thought this would be our best bet!

ON OUR WAY!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u-miRHEEFYM/ToJhIdCAmiI/AAAAAAAAL2c/RpXnrI0cJKE/s640/IMG_0012.JPG

I had been battling a migraine for days and this day was no different. The drive out was rough and I was really hoping I could find a way to make it go away! We made it to the hotel safely and were excited to check in. Other than Disney, this was their first time staying in a hotel. Unfortunately, my migraine only got worse on the drive over. :sad2: I wasn't sure what this meant for our trip, but I knew I would push through the best I could. Had my head felt better, I would have joined the kids in this; their first jumping on the bed escapade:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PfUDeLGIawA/ToJhJ_crByI/AAAAAAAAL2g/Hxx0G4EYxCU/s512/IMG_0014.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9SNfjwVYBso/ToJhK5IblKI/AAAAAAAAL2k/Ku3x__hTo1o/s512/IMG_0019.JPG

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https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rvu2fq9e7zk/ToJhNM9uVVI/AAAAAAAAL2s/uDwk7vPoIzk/s512/IMG_0023.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HSuITKaywMM/ToJhODU10FI/AAAAAAAAL2w/_bCCwtzGeds/s640/IMG_0026.JPG

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https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DEFdH0QcTqs/ToJhQzspn4I/AAAAAAAAL28/WVML-LkYO30/s640/IMG_0034.JPG

They had a bunch of fun! We quickly settled into the room and found out there was no pool, but their was a hot tub! Thank you, Jesus! This was exactly what I needed! We suited up and headed on down. Just sitting in that 104* water was relaxing enough to take the edge off of the pain!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f3lkja3NIB8/ToJhTo0cB3I/AAAAAAAAL3E/wf-c2BD4GjM/s640/IMG_0037.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rAdgcwdHvMk/ToJhVEA7IAI/AAAAAAAAL3I/AnxKUG-ipD8/s512/IMG_0038.JPG

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Once we returned to the room, we got ready for bed, repacked our suitcases and tried to fall asleep early. That 5am wake-up call was going to be brutal! :headache:

UP NEXT: And Away We Go! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42848741&postcount=10)

Jennifer48

10-04-2011, 10:46 AM

You're probably going to hear more than you want! Hahahahaha NOT POSSIBLE! :thumbsup2 Unless of course there is vomiting then please, warn me first :rotfl:

I know I've said this before but its worth repeating, :worship:. You are an amazing woman doing everything you do for those 5 children. I wish nothing but the best for you and your entire family!

Those action photos are awesome!! Love the one of Elsa pointing her "gun" at the camera! :thumbsup2

So sorry to hear about the migraine but I'm glad the hot tub helped!!

Lady Lallie

10-04-2011, 11:24 AM

You are amazing, 5 kids all on your one is simply amazing. :hug:

The kids really got some height on their bed jumps! My goodness! I'm so glad the hot tub helped to ease your migraine a bit. I've been experiencing those the last few weeks for the first time ever and I don't like them one freaking bit! :headache:

LAH LAH

10-04-2011, 03:29 PM

NOT POSSIBLE! :thumbsup2 Unless of course there is vomiting then please, warn me first :rotfl:

I know I've said this before but its worth repeating, :worship:. You are an amazing woman doing everything you do for those 5 children. I wish nothing but the best for you and your entire family!

Those action photos are awesome!! Love the one of Elsa pointing her "gun" at the camera! :thumbsup2

So sorry to hear about the migraine but I'm glad the hot tub helped!!

Thank you! :goodvibes

We've never done the jumping on the bed stuff before so I think they gave it all they had!

No vomiting, so I am in the clear!!! :rotfl:

Because of the migraine I never got to paint my nails all fancy :(

You are amazing, 5 kids all on your own is simply amazing. :hug:

The kids really got some height on their bed jumps! My goodness! I'm so glad the hot tub helped to ease your migraine a bit. I've been experiencing those the last few weeks for the first time ever and I don't like them one freaking bit! :headache:

Migraines are the WORST! I started getting them after I delivered Elsa. Thankfully they haven't ruled my life like some people I know who have them!

I love doing what I do, so it doesn't seem so much like work. Kids and babies are the best!!! :hug:

LAH LAH

10-04-2011, 08:39 PM

AND AWAY WE GO!

Right before falling asleep I went to plug in my iPhone so it would be fully charged for tomorrow morning. I pulled out the USB cord and searched and searched for the adapter:

http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/public/w25AbfyNnVCXg7vEy8a7pAnHm2Hw_6jkhZzXFmhu_fkVVF6b2F JRvyTkNKOpEI-F6XroRQVo3ovkJe0DNlg_XHCLnxXRY7bwvLAcbTWVs9ZURegxi waw7ODFRaJ7ZuXayMGoqdacEZKB

IT WASN'T THERE. :scared1: When I started packing I originally chose to bring my computer. I could easily recharge the phone with my laptop so I only brought the USB cord. Right before we left for the hotel I pulled out the computer deciding that without internet access the laptop would just be something I was lugging through the airport. I never even thought about the adapter. After freaking out, I walked down and asked the hotel manager if they might have one that was left behind that I could borrow or buy. Sadly, they didn't. I turned off the phone for the evening and hoped the battery would last until I could purchase what I needed.

5am came quicker than I would have hoped for. Waking up early and migraines just don't really mix. :( I showered, then Elsa showered and then we rolled Michael out of bed. We ate a nice Continental breakfast of waffles, muffins, eggs, bagels and orange juice. YUMMM! I love when things are figured into the cost of your room. It all feels so free. :) The hotel shuttle took us across the street and we were through security in the blink of an eye! The airport was so empty. Had I been feeling better I would have taken a picture.

We easily found our gate and then went in search of an adapter for my iPhone. After much inquiry we were told of one store that might sell something like what we needed. It was at the opposite end of the terminal. With my head pounding, we booked it on over to the small boutique. They had what we needed!!! :thumbsup2 It was $50 :sad2: Because it wasn't manufactured by Apple I was concerned about he compatibility of the adapter. The cashier offered to open it up and let me try it before I bought it. I thought that was so kind! I plugged it in and heard that tale tell beep that it indeed was charging!! So I sucked it up, paid the money and we hurried back to our gate, but not before we took our classic saluting picture:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a4QPp1obkCc/ToJhbfY56sI/AAAAAAAAL3c/afp2qQXlHK8/s640/IMG_0051.JPG

We had about 15 minutes before they started boarding so we found an outlet and plugged in the phone, hoping to get enough of a charge to use it for the rest of the day. It did charge, but only for 45 seconds. After the initial 45 seconds it would state it was not compatible with the phone and stop charging. WHAT?!!!! :headache: No matter how many times I plugged it back in it gave me the same error before it made it to the minute mark. What a bummer. Wouldn't you know we threw the packaging away on our way to the gate and with the store being so far from our airplane we couldn't even return it. Poop!

We eventually boarded and enjoyed our individual tvs, but as the flight progressed, so did my migraine. I spent the second half of the flight dizzy, nauseous, shaky and terrified of what this meant for our park day today, let alone the whole week. Thankfully the tvs kept Michael and Elsa preoccupied and oblivious to the fact that I was holding onto my barf bag, praying I wouldn't need to use it. We had big plans for today! We are supposed to be in the parks by 12 pm and we have reservations for Cinderella's Royal Table @ 4:15. WE CAN'T BE SICK. NONE OF US!

We touched down 36 minutes early (great tailwinds or something like that) and it only took Elsa one glance to realize I was feeling far from ok. I explained that we might need to go straight to our room so I could sleep this off and hopefully we would be able to still make it for our CRT ADR. Remember? The one that took me 4 months of checking every day, multiple times a day to finally land that ADR 2 days before we left? Yes, that one. The kids understood 100% and they truly felt bad for me. They knew it must be bad if I was willing to miss ANY time at the parks. I am so grateful for them!

We grabbed the rest of the barf bags from our row as I didn't think I was even going to make it to the fake monorail. We did make it without incident, and for this I am thankful!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UrSCGzVUcQA/ToJhcxJcjWI/AAAAAAAAL3g/Py3OEeWtR9k/s512/IMG_0056.JPG

As we passed the Orlando Airport Disney Store, Michael and Elsa were excited to take some pictures. I realized that I was being negligent in my picture taking. Apparently when I feel like death warmed over, I don't even hear that "you must take pictures of everything!" voice. I knew I needed pics for the TR so I snapped these two:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xlfGqjiXelU/ToJheTMfC3I/AAAAAAAAL3k/HykbnapeGoY/s640/IMG_0057.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FCz9ElYBAcM/ToJhfzexxzI/AAAAAAAAL3o/uda35_Y1qR0/s640/IMG_0058.JPG

In our excitement (or in my case, migrainedness) we went to the wrong side of the terminal. We ended up on side A and went the whole way to the end only to find no Magical Express. :sad1: We were in good company. 3 other families were as disappointed as we were, so we trekked together and I was so relieved when we finally sat down on the ME bus! The Excedrin Migraine was starting to take the edge off and it was the first time I thought maybe, just maybe we would make it to Magic Kingdom today!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BJX3jAHt9ro/ToJhg_lDGtI/AAAAAAAAL3s/HZeYBGQ1yf8/s640/IMG_0059.JPG

And by the time we crossed this sign I knew the day would be rough, but I would make it through. :yay:

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We made it to POP by 11 am, and after an uneventful check-in we sat down to eat lunch (or in Michael's case breakfast):

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sKOuoyFPxfE/ToJhmb4csMI/AAAAAAAAL38/YdmUItSJrgw/s640/IMG_0067.JPG

We were excited to find out what room we would be in. Each of us had a special wish granted during this trip. Michael's biggest wish was to be in the 60's section close to the pool, close to the commissary, and most importantly close to the arcade :) I had paid for a preferred room and we got just that! Michael was thrilled with where our room was located! Once we checked out the room I checked the adapter for the iPhone one more time and it was still a no-go. Double Poop!

I stopped at concierge and asked them if there was any chance they might have one in lost and found I could borrow for the week. They checked and they had no adapters. :sad1: How in the world was I going to contact the babies? My phone was about an hour from losing all battery function. How would I keep in contact with my parents who were coming in 2 days? I was starting to freak out. I went to the gift shop in POP and explained my situation to the manager. I was hoping he could tell me where on the WDW property I could buy one. He called around and even the Business Center in the Grand Floridian doesn't carry one. So let me make it clear to all you iPhone users; one cannot buy a charger for an iPhone while staying on property, so bring yours with you!

But the manager did a lovely, lovely thing. He went to the Cast Member break room tucked away behind the scenes and within 5 minutes he came back with an adapter from one of the cleaning ladies. I was allowed to keep it all week. I cried. I hugged the manager and I hugged Joanne, the cleaning lady. I told them what this meant to me and that now I would be able to call my babies. I LOVE WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!! :goodvibes

*I promise we will be on photo overload from this point on. As I started to feel better my photo count went way up!*

UP NEXT: The Kingdom of the Magic (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42871589&postcount=17)

BerrysGirl

10-04-2011, 09:16 PM

Here I am! Your trip sounds like it started a little rough but I think I'm predicting clear skies ahead ;) Can't wait to read more.

LAH LAH

10-04-2011, 09:52 PM

Here I am! Your trip sounds like it started a little rough but I think I'm predicting clear skies ahead ;) Can't wait to read more.

Happy you made it! :goodvibes It was a very rough start...but the skies do get pretty clear!

:woohoo:

Lady Lallie

10-05-2011, 07:41 AM

Oh my goodness, that was a nail biter of an update. I can't believe the charger you bought would only work for 45 seconds. UGH. Talk about crummy luck.

I'm so happy though you had a bit of Disney magic and they let you use that charger for the whole week, no where else would you get service like that. That is seriously awesome. That is why I keep going back to Disney, little moments like those. :goodvibes

LAH LAH

10-05-2011, 12:26 PM

ScotsMinnie

10-05-2011, 02:56 PM

What a nice thing for them to do. Sorry you were out of pocket for the other adapter.

Isn't little things like that what makes Disney so special? :lovestruc

Jennifer48

10-06-2011, 11:28 AM

Who cares about a minimal photo update, we are just glad that you are starting to feel better!

Gotta love Disney getting you that iPhone charger!! :thumbsup2

LAH LAH

10-06-2011, 10:21 PM

The Kingdom of Magic!

Armed with the borrowed iPhone charger and extra Excedrin Migraine, we were ready to go! We boarded our bus and made our way to the Magic Kingdom. Hands down our favorite park. We always try to have at least one and a half days here. Today would be a short one as MK was closing at 7 in preparation for the very first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween of the season. I was doing my best to keep smiling and ignore how crappy I felt. Thankfully I was feeling better than I was on the airplane, but still feeling bad enough to have to fake it a little bit. Michael and Elsa kept asking me how I felt and that made me feel worse. I made a deal with them; they work on having as much fun as possible and I will work on feeling better.

We found another Elsa right when we entered the park! This is only the second Elsa cast member we have ever seen! Elsa and Elsa were awfully excited:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bT-6g-4oxos/ToJhnpvsdHI/AAAAAAAAL4A/kjHPc1gy188/s640/IMG_0068.JPG

Classic Main Street pics:

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I was worried that Disney in September was going to miserably hot. It really wasn't that bad! It was in the mid-90's, but somehow it was tolerable. In 2007 we went the first week of August and it was brutal. I was prepared for the worst and was pleasantly surprised!

We hurried on over to our first ride. Our first ride at the Magic Kingdom has always been (and I hope forever will be) Carousel of Progress. Something happened during the show and we had to watch one of the scenes twice. This ride never gets old for us.

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Next, Michael and Elsa went off to ride Space Mountain (one of my disappointing can't ride-rides) and I took two turns around on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. I almost fell asleep on my second time through. Thankfully resting on the TTA helped quite a bit! We met up at the Space Mountain gift shop and decided to do a bit of Buzz Lightyear target shooting! Michael beat us all and that probably made his day!

The exhaust from the Speedway was making me nauseous so we decided to head on over to Fantasyland. We seem to work our way through the Magic Kingdom in the same fashion every time we visit. This trip was no exception.

Waiting in line for Winnie The Pooh:

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We quickly rode Pooh and then Snow White, which brings me to this question; wasn't this attraction supposed to be closed permanently? I was so sad when I heard that a while ago. Maybe it was just a rumor, but I heard they were closing it and putting a meet and greet with the princesses in it's place. I was so happy we were able to ride it again!

Off to Mickey's Philharmagic, one of our favorites!

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I wish my kids weren't so shy.

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https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SmWNHOUi3VY/ToJh7YIUhzI/AAAAAAAAL4k/20zq94bb1ss/s512/IMG_0083.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YGriw9VP8Zo/ToJh-TbgPHI/AAAAAAAAL4o/FCbNb5IeIws/s512/IMG_0084.JPG

Turns out watching this with a migraine diminishes the 3-D affect. The screen was just a bit blurry. :confused3 Who knew?

Peter Pan and then off to it's a small world:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5lP5JFlZXzU/ToJiBL8dTYI/AAAAAAAAL4w/Rh_IZqslJ5A/s512/IMG_0089.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-agLl5XXwr_k/ToJiCfgb-6I/AAAAAAAAL40/fclJQ0iUbPA/s640/IMG_0090.JPG

The time was 2:45 pm and our Cinderella's Royal Table reservation was inching up on us. In an hour and a half we would be inside the castle dining with royalty! But for the time being we were mere peons and hustled over to The Haunted Mansion:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hoQFFWS_Wo8/ToJiDiEroMI/AAAAAAAAL44/LLcSNw5Ypbs/s640/IMG_0091.JPG

...again, it's a shame my kids hold back so much...

Elsa and I shared a doom buggy as Michael braved it alone:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9O442yFPzKw/ToJiEgiTu4I/AAAAAAAAL48/M9lU9YVq8oo/s640/IMG_0092.JPG

I respect the whole "no flash photography" policy, but we were stuck on this ride for a while and I decided to take a few of Michael:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ew1PWwH71Xg/ToJiF6lPqnI/AAAAAAAAL5A/KfgqorTq2KQ/s640/IMG_0096.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cja-D3TXFEc/ToJiG-MWXpI/AAAAAAAAL5E/YHQWp_yp524/s640/IMG_0097.JPG

Then not long after this we got stuck again. This time with Michael behind us so I hoisted the camera way up high and pointed it in his direction and took a few more:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pXjP8XrDG9g/ToJiH01HKgI/AAAAAAAAL5I/AXG6NbPgQIY/s640/IMG_0098.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WtWZn_r7JDQ/ToJiJC0OGeI/AAAAAAAAL5M/dbx3HNT3eEc/s640/IMG_0099.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CehisJ6HbYA/ToJiLFerR0I/AAAAAAAAL5Q/4AbFhkkxnTw/s640/IMG_0101.JPG

We had just enough time to hoof it over to Splash Mountain before our reservation, so we power walked on the boardwalk that hugs the water. This was our only way to get through because the afternoon parade was in full force! I managed to get a picture of the best character while we rushed by:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C8YzBN_WDE4/ToJiMneyikI/AAAAAAAAL5U/DBlcgGispOA/s512/IMG_0104.JPG

We arrived at Splash Mountain only to find it wasn't functioning properly and we would have to wait till later to ride it. Bummer. Thankfully Woody and Jessie were out and about and they were two characters we have never "met", plus right now E is obsessed with Toy Story, so you know we had to get it line!!!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AOuldx5z3oY/ToJiOThreAI/AAAAAAAAL5Y/gG1ZdLWsktk/s640/IMG_0108.JPG

This was the first of many character interactions where they were obsessed with Elsa's toe shoes. (VIBRAMS (http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/womens_footwear.htm))

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FYPhsIVcAt0/ToJiP0o33-I/AAAAAAAAL5c/smWTK-iV8xo/s640/IMG_0113.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gKCEFdjU9UU/ToJiR0__ymI/AAAAAAAAL5g/Ky0Hu5yV7rQ/s640/IMG_0114.JPG

UP NEXT: CRT ~ CRT ~ CRT ~ CRT (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42885006&postcount=22)

LAH LAH

10-06-2011, 10:34 PM

What a nice thing for them to do. Sorry you were out of pocket for the other adapter.

Isn't little things like that what makes Disney so special? :lovestruc

It was a big bummer, but I am so thankful it all worked out in the end. Disney is the best!

Who cares about a minimal photo update, we are just glad that you are starting to feel better!

Gotta love Disney getting you that iPhone charger!! :thumbsup2

:goodvibes

Lady Lallie

10-07-2011, 07:08 AM

BerrysGirl

10-07-2011, 10:02 AM

I thought Snow White was suppose to be closed too! Maybe they decided to keep it open for the 40th or something? :confused3 I made DBF ride it when we were there because I wanted to say a proper goodbye :)

LAH LAH

10-07-2011, 02:05 PM

What a wonderful update. I love starting my Friday morning off with a dose of Magic Kingdom.

I love that your family's first ride is Carousel of Progress, that is the perfect first ride in my opinion. I can never get enough of CoP.

I love the pics of your kids, you can really tell they just LOVE Disney. :goodvibes

Love Elsa's toe shoes! They are crazy cool looking.

Best picture of Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way. ;)

Happy we could help fill your Friday morning Disney needs! :rotfl:

I am so happy they love Disney as much as they do!!!

I thought Snow White was suppose to be closed too! Maybe they decided to keep it open for the 40th or something? :confused3 I made DBF ride it when we were there because I wanted to say a proper goodbye :)

Glad it wasn't just me! :laughing:

LAH LAH

10-08-2011, 01:07 PM

CRT ~ CRT ~ CRT ~ CRT ~ CRT ~ CRT

We finished meeting Jesse and Woody and knew there was no time to spare. Our reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table was in 10 minutes! So we hurried back to the castle! Thankfully by this time my head was only at a dull ache and the nausea had passed. I was starting to feel human again! We stopped for a moment to capture the very castle we will be eating in.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2v98R7qWMLA/ToJiVLYBSbI/AAAAAAAAL5k/Hx5Fy4VQQW0/s512/IMG_0116.JPG

We waited in line with a bunch of other families who looked as excited as we were. And then they called our name and let us in the castle. It was every bit as magical as I was hoping it would be!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sj39XyVon44/ToJiYTr_5bI/AAAAAAAAL5s/CXxH5Qxpjn4/s512/IMG_0118.JPG

By this point of the day my phone was dead, so while we were waiting for our turn with Cinderella I found an outlet and starting charging the phone. Soon we were getting pictures taken with the namesake of the castle.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hvYE21nrvFo/ToJicJBwqMI/AAAAAAAAL50/0ag1HabzVAY/s640/IMG_0120.JPG

We took the winding stairs up and we were so excited to finally be here. This was only our second sit down meal we have ever eaten at Disney, so it was a super big treat for us. I must admit that it wasn't the princesses we were after. Elsa has long outgrown the little girl phase. For us it was about eating in the castle!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zYwtCm5omvU/ToJieFpUezI/AAAAAAAAL54/dXrE0wOZU1M/s640/IMG_0124.JPG

We asked our server if they might have a place to charge my phone while we ate and she happily helped us giving us enough of a charge to make it through the day!

They start by giving out wishing stars for each of us and a plastic sword for Michael and a sparkly wand for Elsa.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zcHcg-s_mrg/ToJif6fNGMI/AAAAAAAAL58/5VO6ZaOao4c/s640/IMG_0126.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--dogB4WsALM/ToJioLnyuNI/AAAAAAAAL6Q/eCRQYLaL3uQ/s640/IMG_0133.JPG

When Michael saw this picture he told me that wasn't the look he was going for. He was trying to look manly, not mad. Ha!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Hs3memTiY-4/ToJihfjirUI/AAAAAAAAL6A/Ts4QeLXaVcI/s640/IMG_0128.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QG4Kd92-g34/ToJije3In1I/AAAAAAAAL6E/NcxBY746Fm8/s640/IMG_0130.JPG

Michael got the cheese trio...and he liked it!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oGVmgsDiKrI/ToJikqk2jpI/AAAAAAAAL6I/kunqUrL670I/s640/IMG_0131.JPG

Elsa and I got the salad...it was good!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SElsjzIVIpc/ToJimqKBFhI/AAAAAAAAL6M/sLg7DcSHV18/s640/IMG_0132.JPG

Dinner for Michael and Elsa was the Chicken and Macaroni and Cheese...yum!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qondlTxzYH4/ToJipt9PO5I/AAAAAAAAL6U/JvNDD0c6k7U/s640/IMG_0135.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J1IC034mmoE/ToJis2TSF-I/AAAAAAAAL6c/AAJO7Psz9Aw/s640/IMG_0138.JPG

I got the Roasted Beef Tenderloin...it was fabulous!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ybyB-LFve7A/ToJirWplTxI/AAAAAAAAL6Y/83bHYyHdNuQ/s640/IMG_0136.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PSfcFk8A1y0/ToJiuZIZ9nI/AAAAAAAAL6g/ZMxeq4CMjCA/s512/IMG_0139.JPG

And then the princesses came along!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RzDMuZ-BQEU/ToJiwM42rEI/AAAAAAAAL6k/_yv-Mpatjuk/s640/IMG_0143.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7WMef5ZtNk4/ToJixQoU7uI/AAAAAAAAL6o/wEdiyLFZcB0/s640/IMG_0144.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VhffLcIdk-M/ToJizBVBtAI/AAAAAAAAL6s/PFZuzRmp6Qc/s640/IMG_0148.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zsvYTapo1Yg/ToJi1__LQ3I/AAAAAAAAL60/pjrHrLG2aoE/s640/IMG_0150.JPG
...one of my favorite pics of the whole trip...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GBfIkhGutcU/ToJi3o50UZI/AAAAAAAAL64/5v0hWZUdE6s/s640/IMG_0152.JPG

A little break for the wishing ceremony. It was really cute. They instructed everyone to wave their wand or sword and repeat some things.
Then they told us to pick up our wishing stars and make a wish.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t7bIgGreXt4/ToJi66ZEBxI/AAAAAAAAL7A/10lwwN6_wWA/s640/IMG_0159.JPG
...I wished for a husband...

DESSERT!!!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YBYI3qgchsw/ToJi8PeULoI/AAAAAAAAL7E/Is-iEplQBvo/s640/IMG_0160.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8C5vbyoV4TM/ToJi92YmcBI/AAAAAAAAL7I/_8epCbH-UEU/s640/IMG_0161.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cvGLMPdgllY/ToJi_JTIkYI/AAAAAAAAL7M/pVkvFkhaTQw/s640/IMG_0166.JPG

It was all sooooo good!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Wt7OkgFPSps/ToJjAlDc42I/AAAAAAAAL7Q/g8IVxzXF8dk/s640/IMG_0167.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0uI7XonoXmU/ToJjD6Y1WjI/AAAAAAAAL7U/DFqN_P3bPYk/s640/IMG_0169.JPG

It was a wonderful, wonderful time and worth every penny and all the time I spent trying to secure this reservation! We had heard such poor reviews of the food. Maybe we are just easy to please, but we felt totally spoiled and everything was fabulous!

UP NEXT: Full and Ready for More MK! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42908066&postcount=27)

Lady Lallie

10-08-2011, 04:41 PM

BerrysGirl

10-08-2011, 07:41 PM

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zYwtCm5omvU/ToJieFpUezI/AAAAAAAAL54/dXrE0wOZU1M/s640/IMG_0124.JPG

On the far left of your picture, where the couple with the bride and groom ears are sitting is where my boyfriend's brother proposed to his now fiance!

It's been a few years since I've eaten at the castle but I've always wanted to be "forgotten" in there so I could wander around until I find the apartment :rotfl: that's likely to happen, right? ;)

jecskc

10-08-2011, 08:20 PM

I thought I would stop in to say the I am enjoying your report so far. And to let you know that I think you are the bravest woman on earth. Not only are you adopting 3 boys under the age of four, but you went Magic Kingdom with a full on migraine !! You are my hero !! :worship: :rotfl:

I get migraines, too and I often have them for days on end. :headache: I have had them as long as I can remember and they got even worse with the birth of my second child. I see a neurologist and I take Relpax for when I get a bad headache and it really helps me get through them and it isn't a narcotic and it has very few side effects. I was even on a daily preventative for many years, but I'm not now. So I completely understand about your migraine and I hope to be reading that it got better as the trip progressed.

I get about 3-4 migraines a month and it really sucks. But I love my neurologist and he really helps me cope. If you get them a lot, see your doctor and get some meds to have on hand so you can get through the day better. I panic when I'm running low on meds.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading more !! :woohoo:

LAH LAH

10-08-2011, 10:45 PM

I've eaten at the Castle twice and I have loved the food both times, maybe I'm easy to please too. :rotfl2:

I love the picture of Michael and Ariel and I laughed out loud at your wish for a husband, my husband actually asked me what I was laughing at. :thumbsup2 I think that is a very worthy wish.

I love being easy to please!

I pray every day for a husband who loves the Lord, wants lots of kids and wants to be married. (loving disney would be a great bonus :rotfl:) I figured it wouldn't hurt to use my only wish on it too! :lmao:

On the far left of your picture, where the couple with the bride and groom ears are sitting is where my boyfriend's brother proposed to his now fiance!

It's been a few years since I've eaten at the castle but I've always wanted to be "forgotten" in there so I could wander around until I find the apartment :rotfl: that's likely to happen, right? ;)

I loved the whole experience. I think I would DIE if I was proposed to in Disney. Die in a good way, you know?

If you ever want to sneak around the castle and have an accomplice, I'm all in!

I thought I would stop in to say the I am enjoying your report so far. And to let you know that I think you are the bravest woman on earth. Not only are you adopting 3 boys under the age of four, but you went Magic Kingdom with a full on migraine !! You are my hero !! :worship: :rotfl:

I get migraines, too and I often have them for days on end. :headache: I have had them as long as I can remember and they got even worse with the birth of my second child. I see a neurologist and I take Relpax for when I get a bad headache and it really helps me get through them and it isn't a narcotic and it has very few side effects. I was even on a daily preventative for many years, but I'm not now. So I completely understand about your migraine and I hope to be reading that it got better as the trip progressed.

I get about 3-4 migraines a month and it really sucks. But I love my neurologist and he really helps me cope. If you get them a lot, see your doctor and get some meds to have on hand so you can get through the day better. I panic when I'm running low on meds.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading more !! :woohoo:

Happy to have you join the report! :hug:

I started taking migraine meds in 2004. That is when my migraines were the worst. Almost unbearable (you know the drill...under the covers blocking out all noise and sound, trying not to vomit. Searing pain behind your right eye. Hoping that it won't last for days and then praying you won't be drained of all energy once it does end)! The meds helped, but shortly after starting it I passed out while teaching. Taken by ambulance to the hospital where I was admitted. I couldn't sit up for 3 days without passing out. It was scary!

Thankfully after my second back surgery the migraines are a bit less debilitating! I hope you find wonderful, permanent relief. Migraines are the worst!!!!

Have you tried massage therapy? Not the froo-froo kind, the kind that make you want to kick and swear at the therapist because they are working the muscles so hard. (and I don't even swear!!!)

LAH LAH

10-10-2011, 09:06 PM

Full and Ready for More MK!

We loved our CRT opportunity and were very, very full! After gathering my mostly charged iPhone we were ready to finish the park! It was 5:30 pm and we only had an hour and a half left of our first park day, so we decided to soak up as much as we could in that time!

I'm not sure how many times these kids have pulled on this sword, but it's obvious when you watch them try that they truly believe that one day they will remove it from the stone:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qbVT-IbsQpo/ToJjGQfPXvI/AAAAAAAAL7Y/eMlgu_sCGmA/s512/IMG_0171.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-McwUfE1i1dk/ToJjJZoh8WI/AAAAAAAAL7c/g8RBse68rdU/s512/IMG_0174.JPG

Sadly, today was not that day :(

Because we missed Splash Mountain earlier we moved in that direction first. We were really hoping it was open again. A trip to the Magic Kingdom just doesn't feel complete without a ride through all the Brier mischief. It was open and within a few minutes we were floating along!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sFQOm-XbZis/ToJjK5IH9YI/AAAAAAAAL7g/5QJKyP0bPec/s640/IMG_0175.JPG

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https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cP4x8GShhTw/ToJjOfonA3I/AAAAAAAAL7o/KZW5hCdm5lU/s640/IMG_0180.JPG

On our way to Pirates of the Caribbean, we passed our first costumed family getting ready for the party. I have seen a lot of references regarding the Halloween party here on the boards and always thought it seemed like an awful lot of extra money to pay to trick-or-treat in the park. It wasn't until I saw that first family that I changed my mind. Oh how I wish we had bought tickets! I think we will try to experience it at some point!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A7HiyhsgW4k/ToJjQgU2XrI/AAAAAAAAL7s/wmiIrj1Pkmw/s512/IMG_0181.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-klFNVWeWqYk/ToJjStFvCwI/AAAAAAAAL7w/eNtaxA_s-U8/s640/IMG_0182.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iD17bhe2Sh4/ToJjT38CffI/AAAAAAAAL70/qif5-8qJPnc/s512/IMG_0183.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ycg3IIv7dfQ/ToJjYccyYhI/AAAAAAAAL8A/m6Qoi4p4WPA/s512/IMG_0188.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HaLDUpOU0-A/ToJjaC5ON2I/AAAAAAAAL8E/pC1jIH7DPiQ/s512/IMG_0189.JPG

We rode Buzz one more time and the clock was telling us we had to call it a day. I am so thankful I made it through the day. When we started, I wasn't sure what our 1st vacation day would hold, and I am relieved it held a great day at MK!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-45xqttiRx4k/ToJjVgDaqzI/AAAAAAAAL74/-Z4upUpwro4/s512/IMG_0184.JPG

Our bus pulled into POP Century and I was spent. Migraines are exhausting, and this one was no exception. I crawled into bed at 8:30pm. Elsa traipsed off to the pool to swim while Michael chose the movie out on the lawn. We were all in bed and asleep by 10pm and thankfully I slept hard!

UP NEXT: Cheating on Disney (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42944951&postcount=38)

Lady Lallie

10-11-2011, 06:41 AM

BerrysGirl

10-11-2011, 09:33 AM

What a wonderful turn around for your first day!

I really hope you get the opportunity to go the Halloween part someday. This was my first experience and it was amazing! There are so many extra special things they do that we didn't even trick or treat... plus it's surprisingly fun to get dressed up and go to the Magic Kingdom! I finally get why all those little girls want to walk around all day in those hot itchy dresses... now I wish I could every day too :rotfl:

LAH LAH

10-11-2011, 01:47 PM

I'm so happy that you were able to make the best of your 1st day even after charger problems and your migraine. I can't even imagine having a migraine in Disney, no fun at all. :hug:

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is a A LOT of fun, we have been twice and even though it is a lot of money it is worth experiencing. Hallowishes is my very favorite firework display in all of Disney. And the Boo to You parade is so adorable.

This was my first time feeling less than 100% for a Disney trip. Thankfully it wasn't worse! I am so thankful for Excedrin Migraine! :thumbsup2

What a wonderful turn around for your first day!

I really hope you get the opportunity to go the Halloween part someday. This was my first experience and it was amazing! There are so many extra special things they do that we didn't even trick or treat... plus it's surprisingly fun to get dressed up and go to the Magic Kingdom! I finally get why all those little girls want to walk around all day in those hot itchy dresses... now I wish I could every day too :rotfl:

Great, now I need to go back! :rotfl:

BerrysGirl

10-11-2011, 02:20 PM

Great, now I need to go back! :rotfl:

Darn... what a shame, right? ;)

LAH LAH

10-12-2011, 07:13 AM

Darn... what a shame, right? ;)

Terrible shame! :rotfl:

littlezar

10-12-2011, 08:06 AM

Jennifer48

10-12-2011, 09:42 AM

I love that your first ride at MK is Carousel of Progress :thumbsup2 I hope you are able to keep that tradition.

Those shoes that Elsa has are so funky! It looks like she's wearing some kind of water flippers! I'm sure she got a lot of strange glances while wearing them!

We've eaten at CRT before and I have to say I like breakfast better than dinner. I didn't care too much for their dinner food with the exception of the pretzel rolls, yum! So glad the meal was fantastic for you with all the calls you made!!

You're not supposed to tell us your wish!! We want it to come true for you! :hug:

I love that the CM was able to help you get your iPhone charged, hooray again for Disney!!

Curiouser&curiouser!

10-12-2011, 01:32 PM

I was away for a while and missed the beginning of the TR! Oh no!

Now back to read what I missed!

Curiouser&curiouser!

10-12-2011, 01:54 PM

Okay. Now I am all caught up!

I can't believe how much you do with 5 kiddos! And three under 3! I only have 1 (who just turned 2) and I feel like I can't do it all sometimes! I am on the fence about having more and reading your posts always inspire me to think I could handle it after all!

Anyhow . . .

Looks like a great start!

Bummer about the migraine, but glad you got to feel better. I have only eaten in the castle once (I think) and the atmosphere was totally worth it! I am glad that all your hard work for the reservation paid off!

I can't wait to hear more!

LAH LAH

10-13-2011, 08:33 PM

Joining in! Awesome reason for a trip!

Love the jumping on the bed pics! Big bummer on the charger and migraine. Hope the migraine didn't last.

You guys seemed to do quite a bit that first day! The food all looks super yummy at CRT.

Welcome! :goodvibes

So happy to have you join us!

The kids had so much fun jumping on those beds. :yay:

I love that your first ride at MK is Carousel of Progress :thumbsup2 I hope you are able to keep that tradition.

Those shoes that Elsa has are so funky! It looks like she's wearing some kind of water flippers! I'm sure she got a lot of strange glances while wearing them!

We've eaten at CRT before and I have to say I like breakfast better than dinner. I didn't care too much for their dinner food with the exception of the pretzel rolls, yum! So glad the meal was fantastic for you with all the calls you made!!

You're not supposed to tell us your wish!! We want it to come true for you! :hug:

I love that the CM was able to help you get your iPhone charged, hooray again for Disney!!

Pretzel rolls?!!! They must have been holding out on us. We saw no such thing :(

I actually almost didn't tell my kids what my wish was, 'cause I was afraid it might not come true :lmao:

I was away for a while and missed the beginning of the TR! Oh no!

Now back to read what I missed!

Okay. Now I am all caught up!

I can't believe how much you do with 5 kiddos! And three under 3! I only have 1 (who just turned 2) and I feel like I can't do it all sometimes! I am on the fence about having more and reading your posts always inspire me to think I could handle it after all!

Anyhow . . .

Looks like a great start!

Bummer about the migraine, but glad you got to feel better. I have only eaten in the castle once (I think) and the atmosphere was totally worth it! I am glad that all your hard work for the reservation paid off!

I can't wait to hear more!

You should have more, everyone should have more. Heck, I wish I had more! :lovestruc

Thank you for the encouragement! It means a lot :)

LAH LAH

10-14-2011, 01:12 PM

Cheating on Disney

Today is a day I have waited for since June 18th, 2010. We were visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter this very morning! I had many moments of guilt planning this part of the trip. I am a die-hard Disney park fan and think visiting other parks while in Orlando is somewhat blasphemous. Seriously.

Ironically, this was my big wish granted on this trip. I read my first Harry Potter book and was hooked! I thoroughly enjoy the books and the movies. We have a group of adults in our community who share my enthusiasm for the series. None of them are crazy, none of them are weird. We just love life, and love the things we love in life! This is evident in the fun we all had during our Harry Potter Party this summer! (ok, each of us is a little weird, but I embrace my inner weird-ness!)

So, way back when I added a 1 day-2 park pass to Universal Studios and boy, were we excited to see this new park! *guilt*

I woke up 2 minutes before our wake-up call from Stitch and was happy to be feeling about 75% better. Today was going to be a fabulous day! We showered, dressed and hurried off to breakfast:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xmUTAM1Ll7k/ToJjcU5TZMI/AAAAAAAAL8I/5QWBZXEjT1U/s640/IMG_0190.JPG

We kept a close eye on the time because Mears was slated to pick us up at 8:20 and take us to Universal! It was part of a package I purchased through AAA and I assumed when I scheduled our pick up for 8:20 that a car would be coming to pick us up. By ourselves. I was wrong. Around 8:35 I called to check on the status of our ride and it was at this point I was informed that it was indeed a bus coming to take us (and many, many more) to various spots, with Universal being the last drop off. Bummer. I was hesitant to ask any of the CM's about transportation to Universal because I really felt guilty about going. Hahahahaha. Mears was 22 minutes late and I wouldn't chose to travel this way again. I chose our pick-up time hoping we would walk right in when it opened but unfortunately we were 28 minutes late. :sad2:

But that won't keep us down!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tn89s3aGqh8/ToJmkb9oRVI/AAAAAAAAL8U/eP3QDTxR93A/s640/IMG_0199.JPG

2 days before we left for vacation I started trying to figure out a game plan. I looked over the maps, not knowing which rides were a must, and was overwhelmed with trying to decide what we would ride and when we would ride it. So we agreed to head straight to WWoHP and spend as long as we wanted there and then anything else we got to ride was a bonus! I have never walked so blindly into a park before and felt a little unsettled.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c7WcNdiQfWs/ToJmm6H453I/AAAAAAAAL8c/JahvumTG7as/s512/IMG_0200.JPG

We made it! We are really here!!! Islands of Adventures holds a World of magic and imagination...and I can't get to it fast enough!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zNKBLO0uzxU/ToJmpIaYJUI/AAAAAAAAL8g/WGcR-vLeEsM/s640/IMG_0201.JPG

We quickly made it to Dr. Suess Land (I don't know the technical names of all the Universal stuff, so I am sorry if you are greatly versed in all things Universal Studios and are offended. Feel free to make as much fun of me as you want):

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CPQQdK2vv1s/ToJmrGw3f-I/AAAAAAAAL8k/znB7cSGDb0U/s640/IMG_0203.JPG

We had to walk past many attractions to get to the WWoHP and I promised the kids we would return to anything that caught their eye, but we have to go the whole way back first!!! With each step I got more and more excited. I could barely breathe. My kids were excited and they really like Harry Potter, but this was MY thing and I felt like I was 11 years old taking the Hogwarts Express for the first time! What would it be like? Would I love it? Was it worth the extra money and the day spent away from Disney?

And then far away in the distance I saw it. I saw the top of Hogwarts Castle. It was beautiful!!! We were close...and getting closer with every step. I purposefully didn't look at any pictures before we went. I wanted it to be a magical moment...and it was. It really was!

The Hogwarts Express was the first thing that greeted us and I seriously thought I might pass out!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cFRLQMZjcbY/ToJmtLiWs0I/AAAAAAAAL8o/jglz8ibvlDw/s512/IMG_0204.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GqCFifl68KM/ToJmvEOWgRI/AAAAAAAAL8s/NGJw3wHT-vU/s640/IMG_0205.JPG

It was like stepping into the book. It was everything I had hoped, and more. They captured the feeling and the magic in a way I thought was impossible.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RviAw0-7Pws/ToJmwzB4-XI/AAAAAAAAL8w/yJL8rgYvlo8/s640/IMG_0206.JPG

We hurried on over to the Dragon Challenge and really enjoyed the line. There was no wait (:cool1:) so we could speed through and stop at the fun things in line!

In line with the Castle in the background:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JwUkzi80Cc4/ToJmziusm0I/AAAAAAAAL80/N_3NFSeylNo/s512/IMG_0207.JPG

I was so excited it looks like my cheeks are going to pop:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0ZGVaNg5iFg/ToJm2hQUtxI/AAAAAAAAL88/1wdBXLreBug/s640/IMG_0208.JPG

Arthur Weasley's Ford Anglia that Ron and Harry flew to Hogwarts (the engine was running and the lights were working too):

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jsrA2qN_kcU/ToJm5udEzyI/AAAAAAAAL9A/7CFNooSs3v0/s640/IMG_0209.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JwUkzi80Cc4/ToJmziusm0I/AAAAAAAAL80/N_3NFSeylNo/s512/IMG_0207.JPG

We rode the right side and then less than 5 minutes later we rode the left side! This was by far the smoothest "dangling" roller coaster I have ever experienced! We all gave it two thumbs up! We never got to "duel" with the other coaster, but it was a great ride!

After the coaster we walked around and just soaked in the Harry Potterness of it all!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YfCsF5aqesk/ToJm74Cuh1I/AAAAAAAAL9E/xfAgbliRxCQ/s512/IMG_0210.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-natkSRsjx9Q/ToJm9pansSI/AAAAAAAAL9I/flzmbEm9YxI/s640/IMG_0211.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2xcBWhiWpZo/ToJm_gLIk0I/AAAAAAAAL9M/9igdYATP_HU/s640/IMG_0212.JPG

Off to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yWYwMRyyNE0/ToJnBp-jQNI/AAAAAAAAL9Q/m1sbwZ47vrU/s640/IMG_0214.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6jYKEmQEQLw/ToJnDOr49vI/AAAAAAAAL9U/HfJdCEp0zec/s512/IMG_0215.JPG

We might as well have been in the actual Hogwarts Castle...it was that amazing! In my opinion Disney could not have done a better job at putting this World together. It pains me to say that, but Universal really knocked this out of the ball park. Good job Universal, good job!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q92KZ7XIgAY/ToJnG6StLwI/AAAAAAAAL9Y/FbOsWZRRgDg/s640/IMG_0216.JPG

A lot of the paintings actually moved and interacted with one another:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VAxmsJyQjFg/ToJnIl4244I/AAAAAAAAL9c/BmkWVkBrbZs/s512/IMG_0217.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZdNwYTe5Umg/ToJnKHMQ4AI/AAAAAAAAL9g/hbPI19p_SYc/s512/IMG_0218.JPG

Dumbledore's Office (it's hard to see him, but he was talking while we filed past):

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RJvv8hi_tw4/ToJnLrLZCHI/AAAAAAAAL9k/KUbNLqmaD0o/s640/IMG_0221.JPG

One of the classrooms:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LUBTQA54E0Y/ToJnMy9LlwI/AAAAAAAAL9o/gGWkoGukTpg/s640/IMG_0224.JPG

The sorting hat was amazingly realistic. I was ready to be sorted and I know I would have ended up in Gryffindor:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XH3Hf4GDbMY/ToJnOf7wDZI/AAAAAAAAL9s/1xq9ZtbXHdE/s640/IMG_0227.JPG

I know I'm pretty darn close to the photo limit, so I guess I will have to start up again on part 2...

UP NEXT: Cheating on Disney ~ Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42946458&postcount=40)

Lady Lallie

10-14-2011, 02:39 PM

LAH LAH

10-14-2011, 03:39 PM

Cheating on Disney ~ Part 2

So...what did we think of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey? WE LOVED IT!!!! Hands down my favorite ride of all time! (not coaster, as they are in a league of their own...but favorite ride-ride). The kids loved it as much as I did and wanted to ride it again, immediately. I didn't want to. I was afraid riding it again would make it lose the magic. I talked them out of it and bribed them with a Butterbeer instead:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tS-SMVZqgZI/ToJnPZ2p-TI/AAAAAAAAL9w/9hlpf8ueSdA/s512/IMG_0228.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_lgIzzxDkKU/ToJnRFy89lI/AAAAAAAAL90/uGPpFOwTzVk/s640/IMG_0229.JPG

I got the frozen kind and Elsa and Michael both chose the soda version. It was fantastic! I am somewhat of a goob, but I totally felt like I was a part of this world. :rolleyes: Drinking my Butterbeer whilst standing in Hogsmeade, it was magical! Michael and Elsa loved their drinks too, but they probably could have shared one. It was super sweet and wonderfully butterscotchy. I, on the other hand, had no trouble finishing my frozen treat. It seemed a bit less sweet than the soda kind. We sipped while we watched some of the Hogwarts Choir:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vx7j88fRNm4/ToJnTPbWQnI/AAAAAAAAL94/_lW0vkRU4dA/s640/IMG_0233.JPG

Honeydukes and Zonkos! Could it be anymore like I imagined it?!!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RBUv8WqCGpo/ToJnU77hjAI/AAAAAAAAL98/oq106Di_M3o/s640/IMG_0234.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oo1i_-FR3FA/ToJnWituhhI/AAAAAAAAL-A/7ZdKryWRrsY/s512/IMG_0236.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uF-F3itspcA/ToJnY0oUJFI/AAAAAAAAL-E/BOLru5mnmBE/s640/IMG_0237.JPG

Elsa and Michael were to get one (reasonably priced) souvenir here and one more in the Disney parks. They poured over every item in this store and wanted to buy it all! Of course everybody wants a wand. The wands cost $29.95. It seemed like an awful lot for something that would just sit on a shelf. We decided to keep looking around Hogsmeade and see if anything really caught their eyes!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nGyGUlIZ8PQ/ToJnbv9d3rI/AAAAAAAAL-I/A52cfa2MNw8/s640/IMG_0238.JPG

I took the above picture and asked someone walking by to take one of all 4 of us. I will never understand how some people take pictures with the main part cut out of it. This is what we got:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VGulUru-gAo/ToJnfFPGaJI/AAAAAAAAL-M/4x81IP-uHNA/s640/IMG_0239.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NoBekVo74B0/ToJniqAx1jI/AAAAAAAAL-U/Ze8BULqjYU0/s512/IMG_0241.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1V4O2-x76VY/ToJnkCjw7wI/AAAAAAAAL-Y/01TCv3LPf9Q/s512/IMG_0242.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AxNq9HNY0jI/ToJnmZvWEUI/AAAAAAAAL-c/mjC51VG1Biw/s640/IMG_0243.JPG

Michael came out of the bathroom to inform me that Moaning Myrtle could be heard from inside. He really got a kick out of that!

A cleverly disguised ATM

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fYXx1lc1-8s/ToJnoZSCAzI/AAAAAAAAL-g/UMe5nWd9Bbo/s640/IMG_0244.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m4ALXy6hFgI/ToJnqawhp8I/AAAAAAAAL-k/-R_LsqeCztU/s640/IMG_0247.JPG

After walking around and finishing our Butterbeers, I decided I really wanted to go on the Forbidden Journey ride again. It didn't take much to convince the kids. It was just as magical the second time. So we enjoyed it one more time before leaving this most magical land!

UP NEXT: Enjoying Our Day! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42954524&postcount=46)

LAH LAH

10-14-2011, 04:04 PM

I am in HARRY POTTER HEAVEN right now.

Swoon.

I am a huge Harry Potter fan and I just have to make myself go to Universal so I can see all the fabulousness. You have pictures that I haven't seen around before so thank you! :wizard:

It was worth every penny spent, and worth all the guilt I felt about cheating on Disney. If you really love HP, this experience is a must!

Lady Lallie

10-15-2011, 06:30 AM

Oh my goodness, all those pictures just make me want to go to Universal! Oh my goodness. I think if we were still going in January that I would totally add a side trip to there.

I totally need to try a Butterbeer. The theming of the area just looks so great, they did an excellent job!

LAH LAH

10-15-2011, 01:06 PM

ScotsMinnie

10-15-2011, 01:28 PM

LAH LAH

10-15-2011, 01:56 PM

What a wonderful day! I am in the process of planning a day there for my Harry Potter mad DD. I am sure she will love it too.

Was the frozen butterbeer better than the drink?

Can't wait to hear more!

I really, really liked the soda version, whereas I LOVED the frozen kind!

I asked Elsa, and she said both drinks were too much in volume, but that she could have finished more of the frozen one.

Yummmm! I have to go back for more :love:

Your daughter will love it!!

LAH LAH

10-15-2011, 03:20 PM

Enjoying Our Day!

We left the WWoHP and surprisingly I was ready to see what else Universal had to offer! I was so thankful that the whole WWoHP experience was better than I could have ever imagined. It was amazing!

Moving on...we knew our time was going to flit away so quickly and we wanted to see as much of the parks as we could, so off we went for more adventure. Nothing at The Lost Continent caught our eye so we hurried back to Suess Landing where EVERYTHING had caught Elsa and Michael's eye! Ha! I decided for the rest of the day I would go where the kids wanted to go. I had my Potter experience and was really ready to let them take the lead. Elsa's first choice was The High In The Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. I don't know what she was expecting, but she kept apologizing while we rode it and even after. It was Dr. Suessy and it was silly, but definitely not what we are used to riding.

Michael was really excited to ride The Cat in the Hat. It was really fun, but it was here that I noticed the subtle differences between Disney and Universal. While moving around on our couches and seeing all the silly stunts that Thing1 and Thing2 were up to, I noticed many things that needed to be touched up. Either Disney has spoiled me, or my OCD has gotten out of control. I'm hoping it's not the latter because my issues don't need to amp up at all!

I only wish we had held up 3 more "things" :)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dmt90XpptdQ/ToJnsIvlKjI/AAAAAAAAL-o/pqK5-RQLA9A/s720/IMG_0248.JPG

Moving on to Marvel Super Hero Island we stopped first at The Incredible Hulk.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310911_10150324783485893_590345892_7964171_3792733 63_n.jpg

Michael was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed at this point so he decided not to join us on this roller coaster. He found a quiet bench and hung out while Elsa and I experienced a whopper of a coaster!! You know how you usually click, click, click, click your way up to the highest drop? Well, this one tricked us and half way through our "clicking", the train shoots up the rest of the hill at 40 MPH...and it never slows after that until you come to rest at the exit! WOW! It was intense and wonderful! :cool1: Our only disappointment was that Michael didn't join us. We hoped we could talk him into it later!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GN8qyZoPwj0/ToJntkrGLTI/AAAAAAAAL-s/IzuSw_W-SBk/s640/IMG_0249.JPG

The theming here is so much more intense than at Disney. WDW leaves me with a happy go lucky-feely good feeling, where US made me slightly anxious. Only slightly, and I really did enjoy it. I just felt a bit more aggressive! :confused3

Michael couldn't wait one more moment for the 3D Spiderman ride, and we all gave it 2 thumbs up! Michael actually placed this in his all-time top 5 favorites!!! If they brought the 3D graphics up to date, I would agree with Michael and this would be a hard one to beat!!

A few super heroes!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lAt7slrWq6w/ToJnu5s-GGI/AAAAAAAAL-w/fb7OX55abPc/s512/IMG_0251.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-suAr0uC361Y/ToJnwuI4SpI/AAAAAAAAL-0/jSdFtZxWcJA/s640/IMG_0252.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-da19F-HH1u0/ToJnyS3uw5I/AAAAAAAAL-4/rSCZLZea9v0/s512/IMG_0253.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ueiEgyd75Zg/ToJn0DkyeyI/AAAAAAAAL-8/FQvuhPXuImE/s640/IMG_0254.JPG

Our plan-on-the-go was to leave Islands of Adventure, head over to Universal Studios, ride everything there that we could, then if we had more time we would head back to Islands to ride what we hadn't, and finish our day at the WWoHP. (I just had to go back!)

It was 12:30pm and we snapped a few on our way out of the IslandsOA:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eym5QLSPj-E/ToJn12R2eTI/AAAAAAAAL_A/7D0G78nkN9A/s512/IMG_0255.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EOlKLRLgBg0/ToJn3lBjXFI/AAAAAAAAL_E/SGjO83FQLGM/s640/IMG_0256.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1rhiw0164IQ/ToJn5PU_z7I/AAAAAAAAL_I/jlQFet9euIk/s512/IMG_0257.JPG

We had to stop at ticketing before we moved on so we could exchange our gift card for Universal dollars. It's a very odd system, but we were cashing out this card! Ha! My brother-in-law bought this for me for Christmas in 2008 for our Disney trip. He thought WDW and Universal were kind of the same thing. Well, we have been gifting it back and forth for Christmas and birthdays ever since. Finally it is realizing it's destiny and would be our lunch money for the day! (I just bought him a gift card for a restaurant that is only available in the western states. I am hoping for many more years of gifting back and forth!)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_DSqzwrvlTY/ToJn6o72TgI/AAAAAAAAL_M/Lvy4i8SgzVU/s640/IMG_0258.JPG

They handed me a very thick stack of Universal ones. Again, very odd system. We were ready to check out Universal!

UP NEXT: Universal, Here We Come! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42962781&postcount=50)

Lady Lallie

10-16-2011, 06:40 AM

That is too cute about the gift card, I love family things like that. At our Christmas swap we had a crockpot going back and forth for YEARs with different gift cards hidden in it. Fun stuff.

jecskc

10-16-2011, 07:33 AM

I love being easy to please!
you want to kick and swear at the therapist because they are working the muscles so hard. (and I don't even swear!!!)

I've tried everything. Sometimes when am having one for several days, it helps to go to the chiropractor to get my neck popped, but other than that, nothing really works 100%. I just keep my Relpax handy at ALL times. I'm allergic to pain !! Looking forward to reading more.

LAH LAH

10-16-2011, 08:52 AM

That is too cute about the gift card, I love family things like that. At our Christmas swap we had a crockpot going back and forth for YEARs with different gift cards hidden in it. Fun stuff.

I hope he finds the humor in his Christmas gift! :laughing:

I've tried everything. Sometimes when am having one for several days, it helps to go to the chiropractor to get my neck popped, but other than that, nothing really works 100%. I just keep my Relpax handy at ALL times. I'm allergic to pain !! Looking forward to reading more.

I'm sorry to hear that :( Chiro work has always been beneficial for my migraines. I just hate that you have to keep going to see the extended benefit. I hope they settle down for you! :hug:

LAH LAH

10-16-2011, 02:41 PM

Universal, Here We Come!

My wallet was bulging with 25 Universal Dollars and we were hung-a-ry! Someone pointed us in the direction of the Universal entrance and we hurried off to see what else this amazing place had in store for us!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6fIPQgUzSsI/ToJn80a-NCI/AAAAAAAAL_Q/y5vLAzHgQ_0/s640/IMG_0260.JPG

Elsa was slowly melting down by this point and couldn't understand why we weren't already eating. *folded arms and a slight foot stomp* We stopped at the first counter service we came across, the Beverly Hills Boulangerie. Apparently this was too fru-fru for the kids and we had to move on and find a more "classic" eatery. Thankfully Mel’s Drive-In wasn't too far away and we happily ate our burgers and fries.

This was the aftermath:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fpDYmXin_rg/ToJn-gi3WjI/AAAAAAAAL_U/RiARwXlESHk/s640/IMG_0261.JPG

As soon as Elsa's belly was full her grumpiness melted away and we were ready to soldier on! We even found an almost Hidden Mickey:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uEGYq32kQZg/ToJoBpv-1zI/AAAAAAAAL_Y/TNgKtwDSOFU/s640/IMG_0262.JPG

ET was the first ride for us in this park and we thought it was great fun! I'm not sure I have ever seen the movie the whole way through. It was super fun to "bike" in the ski and save the day! We exited the ride and kind of got stuck in Woody Woodpeckers Kid Zone. Unbeknownst to us it was a dead end. I couldn't help but think of how much C and E would have loved this part of the park! I missed them terribly. Every time I called home the first thing C (2 years old) would say was "Cookie?" Hahahahaha! At least he knows what he wants!! E would jabber about his day and it was very clear they were enjoying their time with the respite family. Knowing they were being loved helped quite a bit.

We left the kiddie section and entered The Expo, which held Men In Black, Alien Attack. Sooooooo much different than Disney! :rotfl: Michael and Elsa both decided they loved their guns that weren't fixed to the ride. It was a lot of fun!! Again, so different then WDW...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Bb-MCauxo_I/ToJoCtRN9eI/AAAAAAAAL_c/OrDDm7RMg_Y/s640/IMG_0263.JPG

Off to see Jaws. I was hoping this wouldn't be too scary and it wasn't. It was pretty goofy. Extremely goofy!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T0Rey1U3yYU/ToJoEbiDyWI/AAAAAAAAL_g/XqGRM2UamJ4/s512/IMG_0264.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P14T70EYiR0/ToJoF5fOudI/AAAAAAAAL_k/nyHoFJ-szpQ/s512/IMG_0265.JPG

DISASTER! was up next and a weird, weird thing happened. I was sure I have seen this show before, but today was my first time setting foot in this park. Many times during DISASTER! I had deja vu! :confused3 I would put money down on the fact that this wasn't my first time seeing this, but I'm not sure how this could be. It was a great show and Elsa was the first to be picked from the audience to be a part of the filming. My only complaint was the 2 very obvious drug references in the pre-show. I just find that kind of garbage unacceptable for a place that kids visit.

Anywho...

All of the people picked for the filming:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AdsJC8wgRSw/ToJoIkE2IDI/AAAAAAAAL_s/ghpHKa4zis0/s640/IMG_0269.JPG

Elsa doing her scene:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0-kIHQA9jyQ/ToJoJ4TgjfI/AAAAAAAAL_w/IiwyuqovWGQ/s512/IMG_0270.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-plrQZjg2BIM/ToJxfGHHXuI/AAAAAAAAL_4/U2IPZ5nFWI8/s512/IMG_0271.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nbD4WnxK3Wc/ToJxg-RO2ZI/AAAAAAAAL_8/NrNpCoDSt94/s512/IMG_0273.JPG

It was hilarious! My only regret is they were very clear about the fact that there would be no video taping of the actual "film". I wanted to sneak and tape it, but I follow the rules and I didn't do it. I really wanted to do it, though. *pout*

Next up was Revenge of the Mummy:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YSW7fBqhkWo/ToJxkuUjb7I/AAAAAAAAMAE/oIiIczZkvR4/s512/IMG_0275.JPG

I'm gonna be honest and admit I am a bit of a sissy when it comes to dark and scary rides. I feel unsettled for a while even after riding The Haunted Mansion, which makes me a big sissy. So the stone faced stares by the workers while we walked through the line was freaking me out! I was holding tight onto Michael (what was he going to do to save me?!!!) when I made the mistake of telling one of the blank staring people that they were freaking me out! The line took us down a dark corridor and when we rounded the corner that same worker jumped out and scared us! I screamed so loud! Boy was I on edge after that! We really enjoyed the ride, but I am thankful Disney CM's don't jump out and scare you! Hahahahaha

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Tn_pRW4gvM/ToJxmq2ypJI/AAAAAAAAMAI/j58y6ZFvFcY/s640/IMG_0277.JPG

Twister was closed (boo) and the only ride left was Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. This one looked like so much fun, but sadly it doesn't have the correct harness and I was going to have to sit this one out. Michael wasn't sure about it and Elsa begged and begged for him to ride it with her, but he wasn't convinced and she had to ride it alone. She hates riding alone, but she only had to do it once because Michael rode it on her second time around! They thought it was fantastic that you get to choose your own music and then you get to watch a video of yourself after it's all done! Pretty clever!

We hurried back to Island's of Adventure with three different agendas; I was excited to return to WWoHP, Elsa wanted to ride the water rides and Michael was eager to head back to the Suess ride. We let Elsa lead us back towards her precious water rides but not before she convinced Michael to ride the Hulk coaster. He loved it!!! We promised him we would ride the Spiderman 3D ride if he did the Hulk and we did just that.

Scooby was quite impressed with Elsa's funky shoes:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3TpZwfGTtKM/ToJxoDPZuWI/AAAAAAAAMAM/0jD2PpXWEUs/s512/IMG_0279.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n3bFw9r_4_0/ToJxqvMKo1I/AAAAAAAAMAQ/bccM_5xE4Rw/s640/IMG_0281.JPG

These guys never stopped bobbing up and down...so cute!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zD_0Dg682o8/ToJxv86cOSI/AAAAAAAAMAU/93CcVd9j1Ds/s640/IMG_0283.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B6Q-9Yyt3nU/ToJxxspSybI/AAAAAAAAMAY/6IWt7gxAsrs/s512/IMG_0285.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_qP7DMCjLzw/ToJxzXbGQyI/AAAAAAAAMAc/tIcpyu78s68/s640/IMG_0288.JPG

We finally made it to Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls and Elsa was in heaven. I ride these types of rides because my kids want me to, but I gotta be honest; I do not like it when my head gets wet. Probably won't surprise you, but we got soaked...my head too. Hee hee hee

I figured because we were already soaked we should ride Jurassic Park River Adventure, and this made Elsa really happy!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--QB9vYV5q6c/ToJx1fhdPkI/AAAAAAAAMAg/ZgxYcmEISqA/s512/IMG_0289.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IP1XsdZ2dyg/ToJx2xERXFI/AAAAAAAAMAk/01SBjc6cxHs/s640/IMG_0290.JPG

We made it back to the WWoHP and rode Flight of the Hippogriff. It was great to get to see Hagrid's Hut during this ride, but I didn't do my research and thought this was more of a kiddie ride. It was rough and didn't have a pull-down shoulder harness. I walked off with a stiff neck, hoping the dreaded migraine would not return. We rode the Forbidden Journey one more time and then decided to get our souvenirs. I chose the collectable mug full of wonderfully delectable frozen Butterbeer:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nWcfwuKGwZ0/ToJx4EGuyqI/AAAAAAAAMAo/v5AzUV1WLjM/s512/IMG_0292.JPG

Elsa decided on a chocolate frog and Michael got a jar of Sherbert Lemons:

http://bonanzleimages.s3.amazonaws.com/afu/images/8743/5126/_MG_6065_b_copy.jpg

http://bonanzleimages.s3.amazonaws.com/afu/images/9315/4981/_MG_6069_b.jpg

We also bought a jar of U-No-Poo for a dear family at home:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/bonanzleimages/afu/images/9315/5047/_MG_6060_b.jpg

We rode The Cat in the Hat one final time and that ended our whirlwind of a day at Universal. We enjoyed it so much more than I wanted to. I guess it was OK to cheat on Disney, just not all the time!

We returned to POP, ate some pizza for dinner and filled an arcade card with $20 for Michael. He decided this would be his Disney souvenir. I wasn't terribly surprised!

He arcaded while Elsa swam and I filled out postcards. It was on the Jurrasic raft ride that I came to this conclusion: Universal is definitely something to experience, but Disney is something to treasure. And I treasure it greatly!

UP NEXT: Bracing For The Blizzard (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42971405&postcount=53)

Lady Lallie

10-16-2011, 03:56 PM

I went to Universal back in 2003 and while I enjoy the Men in Black ride, Back to the Future (which I think is gone) and Jaws, everything else was just a little lackluster for me. I will admit that I would like to go again someday. I especially want to ride the Simpsons ride, my husband and I are HUGE Simpsons fans so that would be a lot of fun for us.

I'm totally with you, I would have picked the Butterbeer mug for my souvenir as well!

Oh and I love that they sell U-No-Poo! That is great! :rotfl:

LAH LAH

10-16-2011, 05:28 PM

LAH LAH

10-17-2011, 11:55 AM

Bracing For The Blizzard

I love waking up at Disney! :goodvibes Today was Elsa's big wish and she chose Blizzard Beach. This girl is basically a fish. She loves the water and can't get enough of it! It worked in our favor that Blizzard Beach doesn't open until 10am. This allowed us to sleep in and helped keep my migraine at bay. That Hippogriff ride really wack-a-doo'd my neck. The extra sleep sure did help!

After a quick breakfast in our room we showered and dressed for the water park! We were meeting a friend I haven't seen in 19 years (can I really be that old?) and I didn't want to be late! We have never visited a water park before and I wasn't sure what was in store for us. I envisioned plopping myself in lounge chair and watching from the sidelines. I am not a huge fan of the water. Don't get me wrong, I am always up for a good time and I don't shy away from thrill rides...even the water kind, but if I am going to swim I want to do it in the ocean!

As soon as we bought our tickets and walked through gates I was blown away with how vast this place was. Elsa was so, so, so excited! :yay:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u3BOLqPs8bY/ToJx6Q5JoLI/AAAAAAAAMAs/a9E_R_GDpss/s640/IMG_0293.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gPQaQBp3t70/ToJx72YLxzI/AAAAAAAAMAw/lpp6D1nJviQ/s512/IMG_0294.JPG

We found a place to stash our stuff and quickly caught up with Carly and her children, Corey and Emma. It was great to see Carly again and to meet her kids!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7rLFZ8MEyI0/ToJx-yZ0qPI/AAAAAAAAMA0/H0WR2yaHQVs/s640/IMG_0295.JPG

A plan was quickly hatched. Elsa and I were going to choose a water ride while Carly hung out with the rest of the kids in the wave pool. Turns out Emma is a complete dare devil, but wasn't tall enough to ride the big ones Elsa had her eye on. Corey and Michael were very content to hang out in the wave pool.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312415_10150314136257207_577372206_7889242_1446418 65_n.jpg

Elsa and I stood in line for the ski lifts. It was fun to be doing all this snow stuff in 90 degree weather! We got to the top and somehow I talked Elsa into riding the Summit Plummet first. We were terrified while waiting in line and I made her promise that if I went first she would actually follow next. I wasn't really worried that she would chicken out...she is a dare devil!

http://orlandofunstuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/1311188426-47.jpg

This ride is literally straight down, and I don't know how it keeps you from tumbling forward. It was extremely intense and truth be told, the water smacked my skin so hard on the way down that it was less than enjoyable. I am thankful I did it, but I wouldn't do it again. Elsa zoomed down and stated it was very painful for her too. I think everyone should try it once, but I wouldn't be surprised if once was enough!

We strolled over to the rest of the group and decided to try some of the other rides. We rode Snow Stormers as a group and loved the curvy swervy nature of this ride:

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/309572_10150314138252207_577372206_7889247_1946470 407_n.jpg

I thought laying down on a mat and swerving down wouldn't be a big deal. I was wrong. It whipped me around and I knew I had to be more careful in what I chose to ride. We rode the Toboggan Racers and my head started to pound. I asked Carly if she would be willing to keep going and I would try to relax on the lazy river. She was more than happy to oblige. She has dealt with migraines before and knew I was doing whatever I could to keep it from going full blown!

I took one full lap on the lazy river, which circles the whole park and went back to the chairs to wait for the rest of the group. They were off riding tube rides. By this point I started to feel nauseous again from the headache, so I laid down, pulled a towel over my head and fell asleep. Who sleeps at Disney during the middle of the day? *ashamed*

After about a half hour everyone came back and Carly was so sweet to locate some over-priced tylenol for me and drinks for everyone else. :goodvibes It was time for lunch and it was hot, hot, hot! None of us had shoes on and we hopped from wet spot to wet spot in hopes of keeping the soles of our feet from burning. A lot of the walk-ways have small sprinklers at the edge for this very purpose. Disney thinks of everything! :lovestruc

We ate a nice meal and decided to go on the lazy river as a group.

Elsa and Emma, Emma acting like a turtle shell:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/314771_10150314138592207_577372206_7889251_1073962 451_n.jpg

It was great to slowly float around and talk to Carly! She was adopted when she was pretty young and I was hoping to pick her brain about what I need to know about making this as positive as I can for the boys. She shared a lot that I will draw from later. I am grateful for her honesty and to hear it from her side was eye opening! The tylenol was taking effect and I am happy to say this was the LAST time any migraine symptoms popped up during this trip! :cool1:

Once our loop was finished we went over to the younger kids section for Corey and Emma:

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/302024_10150314139402207_577372206_7889258_5795572 37_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300889_10150314140017207_577372206_7889264_2657218 7_n.jpg

We enjoyed a ride for all 6 of us, Teamboat Springs. Disney says this is the World's longest family raft ride, all I know is it was fun, fun, fun! At the bottom they had this great picture op:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d3tQXWmpg4s/ToJyNNQ_EDI/AAAAAAAAMBQ/ssAmR29ZW7U/s512/IMG_0311.JPG

Elsa and Emma:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u_61REolAJs/ToJyGXE53sI/AAAAAAAAMBA/bMuKN5K7rqU/s640/IMG_0299.JPG

We went for one more turn on the Lazy River (our ultimate favorite!) and floated around and this time I brought the camera:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7suz0V_PIDs/ToJyH2trrFI/AAAAAAAAMBE/BEyiOJsq0Pw/s512/IMG_0303.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N7Gdu_1bKy4/ToJyJVnjPvI/AAAAAAAAMBI/BpDcX_2mNbk/s640/IMG_0306.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NdtdBYHXPwY/ToJyLhYsmjI/AAAAAAAAMBM/eYnhVNRuBKQ/s640/IMG_0309.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5LBQm5lwRLU/ToJyP_s2doI/AAAAAAAAMBY/6XfFvcvnxvI/s640/IMG_0317.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rK7N-PowiAI/ToJyQ5w4YOI/AAAAAAAAMBc/1mXOfcO1pRQ/s640/IMG_0318.JPG

We had a great time and the 7 hours just flew by! We all decided to head back to the resort, eat dinner and hang out.

UP NEXT: Blizzards Over...Back to the Summer Fun! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42977926&postcount=57)

Jennifer48

10-17-2011, 12:33 PM

I'm a huge Harry Potter fan also and I love your photos of WWoHP! I must get down there but I feel the same way you do. I don't want to waste precious time away from WDW! :rotfl:

It was on the Jurassic raft ride that I came to this conclusion: Universal is definitely something to experience, but Disney is something to treasure. And I treasure it greatly! I love this, its perfect way to describe it! :thumbsup2

What a fun day at BB! So glad to hear that your migraine didn't show its ugly face anymore!

ScotsMinnie

10-17-2011, 03:42 PM

Universal is definitely something to experience, but Disney is something to treasure.

I love this sentiment. Your trip looks wonderful so far!

LAH LAH

10-17-2011, 08:25 PM

I'm a huge Harry Potter fan also and I love your photos of WWoHP! I must get down there but I feel the same way you do. I don't want to waste precious time away from WDW! :rotfl:

I love this, its perfect way to describe it! :thumbsup2

What a fun day at BB! So glad to hear that your migraine didn't show its ugly face anymore!

I really recommend a day at Universal, specifically for the WWoHP, but only if you can add a day to your vacation without having to sacrifice a WDW day!

NO MORE MIGRAINES IN THE REPORT! WOOT WOOT!

Universal is definitely something to experience, but Disney is something to treasure.

I love this sentiment. Your trip looks wonderful so far!

Thank you, and it truly was a great trip!

LAH LAH

10-17-2011, 09:19 PM

Blizzard's Over...Back to Summer Fun!

I had much more fun than I thought I would! It's not that I hate water, I think it's more of that fact that I have an issue with getting my head wet. I usually get over it after a while and as soon as that happens I am ready for more water fun. I couldn't believe how big Blizzard Beach was!

We didn't have to wait for the bus as Carly drove us back to POP. We made it back, just in enough time for the Hustle!!!!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TjPELZrhFEo/ToJyS50UOzI/AAAAAAAAMBg/dFPnm0nwnNM/s640/IMG_0319.JPG

http://hphotos-iad1.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/306880_10150314140512207_577372206_7889269_9782098 78_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307169_10150314140627207_577372206_7889270_1410973 159_n.jpg
(those are my feet doing The Hustle)

Dinner was enjoyed in the POP commissary:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zqBvu5aFcqY/ToJyVGmIyjI/AAAAAAAAMBk/4SF_ZZZ45vc/s640/IMG_0320.JPG
(my dinner with Elsa's replacement goggles)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ziZANd5cIJA/ToJyXu4LJlI/AAAAAAAAMBo/vCbzbKNqMik/s640/IMG_0321.JPG
(Michael's dinner, almost finished)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1AOtaO2ijVE/ToJyYu8IylI/AAAAAAAAMBs/OCnWHgnuFq4/s512/IMG_0322.JPG
(Elsa eating the rest of Michael's noodles...I love this pic of her. I can't remember why she didn't get her own meal)

After dinner we somehow ended up at the arcade where everyone took turns playing fun games:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QdFtDAdHXG0/ToJyapd-n6I/AAAAAAAAMBw/D1zWXrNbPxY/s640/IMG_0325.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aDH9SnW5g8k/ToJyc7YgTlI/AAAAAAAAMB0/wvT1DIpGW0c/s640/IMG_0326.JPG

When we exhausted our arcade cards, it was pushing 7:30 and it was time for Carly and her kids to head home. Emma and Corey had school in the morning and they were tired from the long, water logged day. We bid them farewell and Elsa immediately decided to get back into the water. She just can't get enough of the water! Michael swam for a while and then headed on over to the movie on the lawn. I found a lounge chair by the pool, and watched Elsa make friends in the pool.

We were excited because Meema and Peepa were already at WDW!!!! We were just waiting for them to finish their day at Hollywood Studios! We didn't have to wait long. It wasn't much after 8:30 that they came walking up behind my chair. :woohoo: We hung out for a while (waiting for Michael's movie on the lawn to finish) and somehow we ended up back in the arcade. Before we knew it, Peepa filled an arcade card and we had tons of fun trying to win the big 1,000 ticket jackpot! Elsa had her eye on this:

http://www.darkaslight.com/images/projects/sam/stoplight.jpg

Long story short, we won the jackpot and she got the stoplight light! It was close to midnight when we exited the arcade and we decided to call it a night. We planned to meet up the next morning at 9am to tackle EPCOT.

Meema and Peepa were finally here and we were ready to get back into real WDW park days! :goodvibes

UP NEXT: An Underwear and Chip Emergency (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43028667&postcount=64)

Lady Lallie

10-18-2011, 08:11 AM

Curiouser&curiouser!

10-18-2011, 08:57 AM

It looks like you guys got a lot done at Universal! I love the pictures of the new Harry Potter Land. I am dying to go down and check it out, but I doubt that will happen for a couple of years.

Blizzard Beach has great theming! I went there once and we enjoyed it. I am a lazy river kind of girl myself. I don't really enjoy the slides all that much personally, but my husband does. I figure he can do all that stuff with DS2 while I relax in the shade!

littlezar

10-18-2011, 09:12 AM

Loved reading about Universal. Hoping to head there on the next trip. I’m sure my older 3 would love all the HP stuff. I’m not sure that my 5 year old knows that Harry Potter is more than a character in the Wii Lego HP game!

Love all the pics. Everything in WWoHP looks amazing and all the character pics are great! My 5 yr old loved the pics with Shaggy & Scooby and the Minions! He wants to know who those kids are and can we go there too!

How cool to meet up with a longtime friend at BB! (The older I get the more I say “longtime friend” vs “old friend!”) I totally wouldn’t do Summit Plummet when we were there. Did a similar ride years ago (pre-kids!) and I remember all too well what happened to my bathing suit bottom! So happy to read that was the end of the migraine for the trip!

Yay for Meema & Peepa arriving and the big arcade win! Cute traffic light!

LAH LAH

10-18-2011, 01:08 PM

Blizzard Beach looks like so much fun. I love tube water slides, not such a big fan of the scary looking rides. I'm much more the lazy river speed. :laughing:

I am so so so GLAD that was the last of migraines for your trip! Woo Hoo!!

I can't believe you all won the stoplight! How cool is that!!! :banana:

I can't believe I am saying this, but if I had an extra day at Disney I would be willing to go to another water park. Look at me branching out! :rotfl:

It looks like you guys got a lot done at Universal! I love the pictures of the new Harry Potter Land. I am dying to go down and check it out, but I doubt that will happen for a couple of years.

Blizzard Beach has great theming! I went there once and we enjoyed it. I am a lazy river kind of girl myself. I don't really enjoy the slides all that much personally, but my husband does. I figure he can do all that stuff with DS2 while I relax in the shade!

WWoHP was awesome! :dance3: You gotta get down there and do it!

Loved reading about Universal. Hoping to head there on the next trip. I’m sure my older 3 would love all the HP stuff. I’m not sure that my 5 year old knows that Harry Potter is more than a character in the Wii Lego HP game!

Love all the pics. Everything in WWoHP looks amazing and all the character pics are great! My 5 yr old loved the pics with Shaggy & Scooby and the Minions! He wants to know who those kids are and can we go there too!

How cool to meet up with a longtime friend at BB! (The older I get the more I say “longtime friend” vs “old friend!”) I totally wouldn’t do Summit Plummet when we were there. Did a similar ride years ago (pre-kids!) and I remember all too well what happened to my bathing suit bottom! So happy to read that was the end of the migraine for the trip!

Yay for Meema & Peepa arriving and the big arcade win! Cute traffic light!

She wanted that traffic light so bad (it lights up and it flashes intermittently) but now that it's in her room she found out she really isn't using it. Michael tried soooo hard not to be jealous that she was the one to get the light, so Elsa thinks she is going to gift it to him for Christmas.

I think the minions were the favorite character interaction at Universal. So funny!

Jennifer48

10-18-2011, 01:50 PM

Meema & Peepa are here!

I had to laugh at the traffic light. Elsa directing traffic in the congested hallways of your house with all the children! :rotfl:

LAH LAH

10-18-2011, 09:28 PM

Meema & Peepa are here!

I had to laugh at the traffic light. Elsa directing traffic in the congested hallways of your house with all the children! :rotfl:

:lmao: Ok, this really made me laugh!!!

LAH LAH

10-22-2011, 10:05 PM

An Underwear and Chip Emergency

Woke up after sleeping soundly, ready for a day at EPCOT with the Meems and the Peeps! Elsa and I were down at the commissary by 8:20am. We were to meet Meema and Peepa at the bus by 9am, so we were counting on Michael to make it on time. He was going to have to eat breakfast in the room because he was being a slow poke this morning! I ate a wonderful blueberry muffin and Elsa had a a chocolate chip pastry:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9EWvcyiY71A/ToJyeYMZAdI/AAAAAAAAMB4/VcaCZztvwXI/s640/IMG_0327.JPG

A few minutes before 9 Michael shows up carrying a bag of chips. Why? He decides he's going to carry it around until lunch time. Ummmm, no. I told him to hurry back to the room, drop it off and hustle back to the bus stop. As soon as he grumbled off, Elsa and I started making our way to the EPCOT bus so we could meet Meema and Peepa. It was on the small walk over that Elsa decided she was having an underwear emergency. They weren't as comfy as they should be and riding up underwear is, in my opinion, an emergency. She runs back to the room, changes and we are ready to go! It's a bit after 9 and Meema and Peepa are no where to be seen, and to top things off the EPCOT bus pulled away before we got on it. Bummer. I texted them to ask them where they were and they informed me they were on the bus that just headed on off to EPCOT. Thankfully, another bus showed up within minutes. I felt bad I was so insistent on a 9am departure, seeing that we were delinquent. I hate being late!!!

Didn't take us too long and Meema and Peepa were waiting for us at the big golf ball!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pL6xWVG4OcI/ToJyipVm0EI/AAAAAAAAMB8/XMUDvE4QzUo/s512/IMG_0328.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6Dm-PTqPkiw/ToJymE8C4II/AAAAAAAAMCA/23fUqfbYdto/s640/IMG_0331.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oaLGNRm_rHQ/ToJyockKKXI/AAAAAAAAMCE/lNmEsep0FJ0/s640/IMG_0332.JPG
...one of my favorite pics of the whole trip...

Spaceship Earth was our first stop. I love this ride! The four of us were in one car and Michael had one all to himself. He doesn't mind this at all! He really wants the controls all to himself.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KQCIul5GztU/ToJyqKb0TpI/AAAAAAAAMCI/dm3IZhXwCnk/s640/IMG_0333.JPG

We enjoyed the ride. We always do. :goodvibes We walked out of the building and were hit with the heat! Our trip started out surprisingly tolerable, but today the heat was really noticeable. We didn't have a game plan so I drug everyone into the Character Connection. I love the 5 up, 5 down concept. Quick, quick, quick!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7fZ32ba2w40/ToJyueiYteI/AAAAAAAAMCQ/Ywbi58SdqT0/s640/IMG_0336.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZblBBmhS6Aw/ToJyyMO_qmI/AAAAAAAAMCY/-9nvgIG4LnM/s512/IMG_0340.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xMS8uvFSG18/ToJy6B4lyBI/AAAAAAAAMCo/2BFoarQaugw/s640/IMG_0348.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-V1yj6Jee92Y/ToJy-ZriQYI/AAAAAAAAMCw/8AwvnNJdPyE/s512/IMG_0352.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-coJ54_hV3R0/ToJzD_QawFI/AAAAAAAAMC8/dCbjzJD_xNc/s512/IMG_0358.JPG

Michael *really* wanted to go to Club Cool next, but we were surprised when the doors were locked. Turns out they don't open until 11am. :confused3 You learn something new every day! We headed to Ellen's Universe of Energy instead:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-boo0BuXHBWM/ToJzGq_wPHI/AAAAAAAAMDA/ZzP46g-fBi8/s640/IMG_0359.JPG

Back to Club Cool, and much to Michael's delight it was open! We have a friend at home who is a die-hard Coke fan, so I took some photos to share the fun. I swear it wasn't to rub it in that we were here and he wasn't! Scouts honor!!!!

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/309748_10150324789875893_590345892_7964189_1177075 155_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/305245_10150324788930893_590345892_7964185_6370985 09_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310613_10150324787990893_590345892_7964183_8642870 05_n.jpg

But really the fun is the free drinks! Somehow Elsa tricked Peepa into drinking the Beverly. I don't know how she did it because we are all Beverly alums. Her anticipatory excitement is obvious in this picture:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OhPydaEHmM8/ToJzH_PlxTI/AAAAAAAAMDE/4o28e0cMBB8/s640/IMG_0361.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RNk43xPvkkc/ToJzJzMX-DI/AAAAAAAAMDI/58yjLvgu8Pw/s640/IMG_0362.JPG

Poor Peepa! Hahahahaha

Nearing 12pm we decided it was time for lunch. Michael and Peepa have to have the fish and chips. Every time. They surely love those fish and chips. The rest of us? Not so much. We sent them on their way to eat by themselves and Meema, Elsa and I ate at the Electric Umbrella.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7FaYFlLeEdg/ToJzL3YWPZI/AAAAAAAAMDM/M5jR8CQFEao/s640/IMG_0363.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bvO_Kt9CilE/ToJzNfjIewI/AAAAAAAAMDQ/zEQjxFZBX0Y/s512/IMG_0365.JPG

I was too late in texting Peepa to ensure a pic of their meal...this was all that was left:

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310383_10150324785145893_590345892_7964175_1260007 608_n.jpg

We did some pin trading while we waited for the guys to return and unanimously agreed to ride Mission Space. I wimped out and rode the green side with Michael and Peepa. Michael feels like he is going to explode on the intense side and Peepa has issues with motion sickness. I wanted to make sure my migraine stayed far, far away. We enjoyed it and took our responsibilities very seriously! Ha! The brave girls on the orange side enjoyed it too, of course. I hurried off to find a bathroom and left the rest of the group playing Advanced Training Lab. When I returned they were still at it, coming close a few times, but their team never bested the other team. I think if I hadn't drug them away they would still be there trying to win! Hats in this gift shop sparked an idea for fun that we continued throughout the trip:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3hoZBSeqZBU/ToJzPPke8gI/AAAAAAAAMDU/NAastVD_Y_4/s640/IMG_0366.JPG

UP NEXT: EPCOT-ed (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43048658&postcount=69)

littlezar

10-23-2011, 11:37 AM

LAH LAH

10-23-2011, 01:07 PM

What a fun start to the day! My 14 yr old would think chips were a perfectly acceptable breakfast on the go. I absolutely agree that uncomfy undies is a good reason for being late and missing the bus!

Love the pic of the 5 of you in front of the fountain! Did you and Michael wear flippies (flip flops) the whole trip? I’m afraid to attempt wearing them at Busch Gardens (we have season passes in VA) and we usually don’t even stay more than 4-5 hours.

Great pics with the characters! I agree that Character Connection is fantastic with that 5 up, 5 down concept.

I’d have gone to lunch with Michael and Peepa! Love the fish n chips! Too funny that they inhaled their food before you had a chance to text them!

Cute helmet pics!

Croc flip flops, in my opinion, are the only way to go! If you wear them around the house for a week or so before you go you shouldn't get any blisters. After my back surgeries I wear only Doc Martens in the Fall/Winter and Crocs during the Spring /Summer. They seem to be the most supportive out of anything else I have tried. My feet never hurt when I leave a park, and we are sometimes there for 12+ hours!

No Fish 'n Chips for Elsa and I. Ughhhh. So much grease! :laughing:

Lady Lallie

10-24-2011, 10:17 AM

brookelizabeth

10-24-2011, 10:58 AM

I'm here! Finally! I will be catching up later today!!!! :yay:

LAH LAH

10-24-2011, 09:19 PM

EPCOT-ed

Walking out of Mission Space and we were hit hard by the heat! I understand that Orlando in September is most likely going to be hot, hot, hot and today was no exception, it's just that we were pretty spoiled by the first 4 days :rolleyes: Everyone else stopped for a bathroom break and then we were off to Test Track!

Peepa wearing Elsa's lanyard:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fCCeWjzBbsY/ToJzSF5BmRI/AAAAAAAAMDc/utbvqVma8sE/s512/IMG_0368.JPG

We've tried before to talk Peepa into getting a lanyard and join in on the pin trading fun. It has always been a no-go. This trip I saw him checking out CM's lanyards and suggesting different "neat" pins to us. We never were able to get him to get that lanyard, but Elsa gave him a pin to trade and he traded it for a classic Mickey and kept it pinned to his shorts pocket for the rest of the trip. The important part is we actually got him to trade, even if it was only one time and only one pin!!! :laughing:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UTdzaNh-rVU/ToJzUNY0OmI/AAAAAAAAMDg/4GzUP9HAKQc/s640/IMG_0371.JPG

We had to check out all the cars. Get in them, push the buttons, take some pictures...the works! I found a compact SUV that would fit our whole family and questioned whether we really needed a mini-van, and then I saw the price tag. Hahahahahahaha...in my dreams! I guess I will have to stick to used Honda Odysseys!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ld8J9qUSsPQ/ToJzV6dShQI/AAAAAAAAMDk/K21G5RVYKGU/s640/IMG_0372.JPG

With the heat and the fact that we were mid-trip, we were starting to fade fast, so we stopped for a bit of a snack. Frozen cola's and jelly beans!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-udZANZfYkD4/ToJzXyGKfvI/AAAAAAAAMDo/-l2TAFd8cB0/s640/IMG_0373.JPG

This was Meema and Peepa's 1st time staying on-site and we were pretty excited to enjoy Extra Magic Hours tonight! 12am was our goal. I love the idea of staying longer than everyone else. :goodvibes So we had to soldier on!

I tried to talk everyone out of it but they all insisted on doing Captain EO. We watched it in December and that was enough for me! My parents hadn't seen it since the mid-80's when it was in it's first run, and they wanted to see it again, seeing as they didn't remember any of it. Meema has never been able to see the 3-D stuff. I think it has something to do with her severe astigmatism, but she was sporting new and improved glasses and she was hoping she would be able to experience for it this time.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FVDb8mSD0sk/ToJzagFPIcI/AAAAAAAAMDw/CsilRJJOLHA/s640/IMG_0377.JPG

Apparently she still couldn't see it and fell asleep. :rotfl: There were no raving reviews from this group. Michael thinks it's pretty cool, but I guess any 14 year old would.

We Figmented and then headed over to The Land to ride Soarin' and Living with the Land. I tried to talk everyone into eating now, but no one seemed interested. It was only 4:30 so I couldn't blame them too much, but they had no idea how wonderful the Sunshine Season's potatoes are. I think about these potatoes often in between WDW visits. They would not be persuaded. I did talk them into this posing for this picture:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hT07f2M4qPc/ToJzdHo4qXI/AAAAAAAAMD0/QYXrtRTUQNQ/s640/IMG_0378.JPG

They are troopers. I make people on my trips stop often for pictures. By this point of the day Meema's foot was hurting her something fierce, to the point that she was contemplating finding access to a wheelchair. It's arthritis, if I'm not mistaken. We talked her out of it. I think because either we were too tired to trek back to the entrance or too tired to push her around. Either way, looking back I feel a bit guilty. Sorry, mom. :sad1:

We hurried (well, Meema hobbled) over to The Seas and enjoyed all the sea life and I got to see Crush for the first time. Funny stuff!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yk13HDRgOoQ/ToJzfGmH7tI/AAAAAAAAMD4/3Wag3kkDx5g/s640/IMG_0380.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2R2JaaKXgxY/ToJzgt3CzTI/AAAAAAAAMD8/6M_YoPRyd_g/s640/IMG_0381.JPG

UP NEXT: I Want Me Some of Those Potatoes! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43086989&postcount=82)

LAH LAH

10-24-2011, 09:21 PM

I love the space helmet picture, that is seriously cute.

I would have been with the Fish & Chips people, yum yum!! They are greasy though, greasy and delicious. :laughing: Though to be honest, I can't stand any cooked fish these days.

Uncomfy underwear is the WORST. Smart girl going back to change.

Seriously, how do you all tolerate all that grease?!! :sick:

You can't stand the fish for a VERY good reason! I love it!!!

I'm here! Finally! I will be catching up later today!!!! :yay:

WOOT WOOT! :cool1:

Lady Lallie

10-25-2011, 07:13 AM

Jennifer48

10-25-2011, 01:22 PM

I would consider uncomfortable underwear an emergency also. Good thinking Elsa for changing! :thumbsup2

A few minutes before 9 Michael shows up carrying a bag of chips. Why? He decides he's going to carry it around until lunch time. Ummmm, no. This made me giggle. Not sure if it was the fact that Michael thought it was a good idea to carry around a bag of chips all day or the fact that your answer was "ummmm, no." :rotfl:

Poor Peepa for drinking Beverly!

Nice that the boys enjoyed their fish & chips together. :goodvibes

I hope Meema's foot doesn't stop you all from EMH!

brookelizabeth

10-25-2011, 01:46 PM

It took an extra day, but I'm caught up! As usual...wonderful report! I love how your family captures the fun and magic of it all.

Though, I do agree, it really is too bad your kids are so shy.

:rotfl2:

I LOVE that first pic of Elsa flying from bed to bed with the thumb up. Seriously awesome shot.

I have a bazillion more comments, but I'll refrain. The gift card gifting/re-gifting made me laugh out loud. Great replacement card too! :laughing: :thumbsup2

Disneybuckeye

10-25-2011, 07:24 PM

Found your trip report and I am all caught up. Sounds like you having a great time and glad you were able to get through the migraine issues and solve your iphone problem.

Thanks for sharing your WWOHP experience. We are going in December and like hearing all the positive reviews.

Can't wait to read more!

LAH LAH

10-25-2011, 10:10 PM

Marc & I usually split the fish & chips so maybe that helps cut down on the grease..?? :confused3

Lovely update. I love eating at Sunshine Seasons, I hope you got back there for your potatoes at somepoint.

Poor Meema's foot. I had to do the wheelchair thing in 2009 because of my really bad blisters, I could barely walk, it was awful.

Even one bite is too much of the fishy food, so I don't think sharing it would help much :rotfl:

I would consider uncomfortable underwear an emergency also. Good thinking Elsa for changing! :thumbsup2

This made me giggle. Not sure if it was the fact that Michael thought it was a good idea to carry around a bag of chips all day or the fact that your answer was "ummmm, no." :rotfl:

Poor Peepa for drinking Beverly!

Nice that the boys enjoyed their fish & chips together. :goodvibes

I hope Meema's foot doesn't stop you all from EMH!

The Beverly is the worst!

It took an extra day, but I'm caught up! As usual...wonderful report! I love how your family captures the fun and magic of it all.

Though, I do agree, it really is too bad your kids are so shy.

:rotfl2:

I LOVE that first pic of Elsa flying from bed to bed with the thumb up. Seriously awesome shot.

I have a bazillion more comments, but I'll refrain. The gift card gifting/re-gifting made me laugh out loud. Great replacement card too! :laughing: :thumbsup2

Comment all you want! :goodvibes Elsa read your post but hasn't read the trip report yet, so she didn't catch onto the sarcasm about how shy they are!

Found your trip report and I am all caught up. Sounds like you having a great time and glad you were able to get through the migraine issues and solve your iphone problem.

Thanks for sharing your WWOHP experience. We are going in December and like hearing all the positive reviews.

Can't wait to read more!

Yay!!! WWoHP was awesome. I know you will love it! :love:

littlezar

10-27-2011, 06:19 AM

LAH LAH

10-27-2011, 09:27 AM

I LOVE Test Track! The new vehicles at the end….not so much because of those pesky price tags!

Poor Meema not being able to see Captain EO. At least she was able to catch a nap! I love her pose in the pic in front of “The Land”. Hope she wasn’t in pain from her foot for the rest of the trip.

Michael loved the cars appearing from the rotating stages.

Unfortunately I think her foot will pain her the rest of her life :sad2:

jenjolt

10-27-2011, 08:31 PM

Holy cow I'm super late!!! But I'm here now and so ready to get all types of caught up!! Can't wait to see how this trip went!!

LAH LAH

10-28-2011, 08:19 AM

Holy cow I'm super late!!! But I'm here now and so ready to get all types of caught up!! Can't wait to see how this trip went!!

The best part is you are here!!! :goodvibes

Tarffri

10-28-2011, 10:38 AM

Dear Lah Lah,

Thank you for your wonderful posts. I could just cry with happiness after reading your reviews, as I just booked my first WDW trip for March 2012 for my daughter's 9th birthday. We will be staying at the POP and will be transferring from WDW to Universal for the last 3 days of our vacation. Our entire trip revolves around the Harry Potter theme park, so we are thrilled to know that you highly recommend it. I scrolled through your description but was careful to not look at any of the pictures. I want to be amazed by it all. Best wishes with your new adoptions - lucky children they are to be entering such a fun, warm, obviously loving family! We are so looking forward to our vacation!

LAH LAH

10-28-2011, 12:14 PM

LAH LAH

10-28-2011, 03:36 PM

I Want Me Some of Those Potatoes!!!

We spent a big chunk of time looking at all the sea life and being that it was 6pm, no one could deny it was time for dinner! I didn't give anyone a choice about where we were going to eat. Seasons is my favorite dining at EPCOT and I was more than ready for the potatoes! :cool1: Everyone was easily able to find something they liked:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eFDP9eZ_l5A/ToJzihaCexI/AAAAAAAAMEA/Fo2lybl846s/s640/IMG_0382.JPG
...Peepa is obviously ready for dinner, fork and knife crossed at his chest...

I always choose the key lime mini-pie here. Funny thing is I don't like key lime pie, but it's so darn cute I end up grabbing it every time. This time I chose the s'mores treat. It was fantastic!!! (I highly recommend it!)

After dinner, Meema really wanted to ride Soarin' again, but seeing as Peepa can't ride it and the fact that no one wanted to stand in line, we promised her we would come back before ending our day. We had all of our Extra Magic Hours in front of us!!!! Off we traipsed to see the Countries. We :lovestruc them! I won't bore you with all the details. We went into all of the shops and rode Maelstrom and Gran Fiesta Tour...I'll let my photos do the rest of the talking:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Qx-B1jdDCRQ/ToJzkXLuu-I/AAAAAAAAMEE/id8uRxnnVnM/s640/IMG_0383.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7LbJCTFiELY/ToJzmSN6Z_I/AAAAAAAAMEI/eud-8AlMbDM/s640/IMG_0384.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cNTnen8osn0/ToJzn03vA1I/AAAAAAAAMEM/K21FZ50Z3ps/s640/IMG_0386.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EqnpcN6XfMs/ToJzq9pWh3I/AAAAAAAAMEQ/VnlYyN1nYTs/s512/IMG_0387.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fogRNWj47Rg/ToJztJDcerI/AAAAAAAAMEU/PHp79Mn4kas/s640/IMG_0388.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jRVeBhZ2gtA/ToJzuuWHrfI/AAAAAAAAMEY/lltz6taPDzs/s512/IMG_0389.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k6y1Qug1U5g/ToJzx5GVXsI/AAAAAAAAMEc/2AmCsj-ovoE/s512/IMG_0391.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qEYNBTnlz80/ToJzzPrFIvI/AAAAAAAAMEg/9akEz5afsS8/s640/IMG_0392.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KG5ljbKdhlA/ToJz2bENZgI/AAAAAAAAMEo/Od6IIgkl6NY/s640/IMG_0397.JPG

It was close to 9pm and we were very tired. I was desperately hoping for a second wind for all of us! Meema and Peepa really enjoy Illuminations and we didn't want them to miss out on it just because it wasn't our favorite. (I know this isn't the popular vote, but we skip it when it's just us). It always amazes me how "empty" the parks can be during the day, but when the fireworks or night shows are about to start there isn't a free space anywhere! Tonight was not the exception.

We squeezed in with lots of other people and unfortunately ended up having a tree blocking some of the view. We really enjoyed what we saw, and Michael, Elsa and I wondered if they had changed the show since the last time we had seen it. :confused3

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-30FMgYaKBI0/ToJz38ohWLI/AAAAAAAAMEs/bsAgdKGfR5M/s640/IMG_0398.JPG
...Elsa waiting for Illuminations to start...

So here we are, this go-go-go Disney family, and we were pooped. Like completely hit the wall pooped. We all decided between Meema's foot and all the tiredness we would call it a day. But not before we headed back to Soarin', because a promise is a promise. I love that ride! Peepa even rode it, although he has to close his eyes through most of it or he spends the rest of the day/night trying not to lose his lunch.

A couple of photos on the way out, and we officially called our EPCOT day done:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TL4tJN20QO0/ToJz9OhphJI/AAAAAAAAMEw/OEIzZHCjIBU/s640/IMG_0400.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d6_zpBtG6Q8/ToJz_ACablI/AAAAAAAAME0/awQzPMb2ONQ/s512/IMG_0403.JPG

It's funny, I look at those pictures and nothing about them says "tired". I guess we are all very good at smiling on cue. :) Now this next picture is truly how we all felt:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kZbE7g07xVw/ToJ0ArhoAUI/AAAAAAAAME4/xdIHRkz9pDQ/s640/IMG_0405.JPG

That's my girl, sound asleep while waiting for the bus to come pick us up, at 10:20, no less. I have never seen a line for a bus as long as this one, but thankfully we didn't have to wait as long as we could have. They doubled up on busses and before we knew it we were back at POP, ready for bed. It didn't take any of us long to fall asleep! And sleep we did!

UP NEXT: It's an Animal Kingdom Kind of Day! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43129694&postcount=88)

LAH LAH

10-30-2011, 01:35 PM

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Our local college opens up the dorms for Trick-or-Treating. I love it because it's warm, safe, and controlled! Any of the girls who want to participate put a small pumpkin on their door and then it's as easy as searching for the pumpkins!

Last night was T-or-Ting and we had a fun time!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tOkQB5rI8Bg/TqyqzxJwofI/AAAAAAAANK4/H6Xf6jeQSm4/s512/DSC02218.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oR9ii3vRRV0/Tqyq3hgwr-I/AAAAAAAANK8/7-iK9gnxqxI/s512/DSC02220.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lnQuwAIQxH8/Tq2VBkKEGxI/AAAAAAAANL0/84kkNTXQBl0/s512/DSC02216-2.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GXhv6P-0lsE/Tqyq5TC1OGI/AAAAAAAANLA/oQy2ItEL3Ho/s512/DSC02222.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xIXITds1ZGY/Tq2Va_PFCpI/AAAAAAAANL8/pJRUk7Lv-PI/s720/DSC02236-2.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KjZyJXmeox4/Tq2UmHnzmSI/AAAAAAAANLs/tqIHSBG6ox8/s720/DSC02242-2.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LMexq2_TQLQ/TqytVO0GHPI/AAAAAAAANH8/JJZje9PgdpI/s720/DSC02272.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q0b9p-0ACyo/TqytX0w66sI/AAAAAAAANLc/OIXXjdE4Xvw/s512/DSC02276.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-adN3_Um290U/TqytWgJbkOI/AAAAAAAANLY/fcJNF8tgB9A/s512/DSC02275.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-df7qSRgOG5o/TqytbGQEQUI/AAAAAAAANIM/rwUfEBVt-Uo/s720/DSC02279.JPG

This was baby N and C's first time, and little E loved it just as much as he did last year! My zoo and I had a lovely time!

Jennifer48

11-01-2011, 09:53 AM

What an adorable zoo!! Such a fantastic idea!:goodvibes

Lady Lallie

11-01-2011, 10:26 AM

Oh my goodness! A zoo! How cute is that!!! You are so creative.

I'm so glad you were able to eat your potatoes.

I'm not a big fan of Illuminations either, it just doesn't do it for me like the other shows and parades. :confused3

GaRain

11-01-2011, 01:55 PM

I am caught up and joining the fun now!

LAH LAH

11-01-2011, 06:47 PM

What an adorable zoo!! Such a fantastic idea!:goodvibes

:goodvibes It was a lot of fun! :love:

Oh my goodness! A zoo! How cute is that!!! You are so creative.

I'm so glad you were able to eat your potatoes.

I'm not a big fan of Illuminations either, it just doesn't do it for me like the other shows and parades. :confused3

We found the monkey costume for .99 cents at Salvation Army, brand new!!! It all started from that! I love those potatoes a lot, can you tell? :rotfl:

I am caught up and joining the fun now!

Yay! More to share in the fun!!! Glad to have you on-board! :hug:

LAH LAH

11-02-2011, 11:44 AM

It's an Animal Kingdom Kind of Day!

When we left EPCOT we were tired enough to schedule a lazy start for the next morning. Thankfully, we all slept hard! Michael, Elsa and I ate pop-tarts and cereal bars in our room and headed over to the buses to meet Meema and Peepa at 9:30 am. Much to our surprise, Peepa came walking up solo. Apparently, Meema had a serious reflux episode at breakfast :sad1: She thought it would be best for her to lay down, for us to head on over to AK, and she would try to catch up with us as soon as she was feeling better. We felt bad that Meema would be missing out on part of the day, but the show must go on!!!

WDW creates the best photo ops!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rc7kqQCrv2U/ToJ0DiatvJI/AAAAAAAAME8/yI8e3fsOK4s/s512/IMG_0406.JPG

Once Elsa reaches a goal in her pin trading, she asks me to take a picture so she can remember and start trading them away:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mWrS_PPG7bo/ToJ0I5ULMzI/AAAAAAAAMFA/ntRIm_ib0Hg/s512/IMG_0409.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Sk8vbi_Q3p4/ToJ0LQua7jI/AAAAAAAAMFE/LX2kQz4A8t0/s512/IMG_0411.JPG

We didn't have much of a plan for the day, but the safari is one of our all time faves, so that is where we ended off to first! It was a good safari and we got to see lots and lots of animals:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ebR-u6dxjlA/ToJ0NTCzivI/AAAAAAAAMFI/HiD8ba4nKTk/s640/IMG_0412.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m3PrVIT3W2s/ToJ0OzN9PZI/AAAAAAAAMFM/lFwx0wBTX28/s640/IMG_0416.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OaCyBsHKZC0/ToJ0RfevYdI/AAAAAAAAMFQ/7ewI8f1_21U/s640/IMG_0422.JPG
...the baby elephant was so cute...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VR_WNivikWs/ToJ0UTR3MAI/AAAAAAAAMFU/oPsrZj06Emw/s640/IMG_0426.JPG
...this guy came within a few feet of our truck...

It was a great safari, and when we were leaving our truck the driver mentioned a mostly skipped opportunity to see a gorilla and have your picture taken in front of a waterfall. All we had to do was go right instead of left towards the exit. We were the only ones who checked it out. :confused3 It was BEAUTIFUL!!!!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PgleFdprPhM/TrFefrSScMI/AAAAAAAANMk/AcFDnE9uSIs/s512/DSC02310.JPG
...I took a picture of the picture in our photo book...I was too cheap to pay for the photopass CD...

There was even a photopass photographer back there!
We did get a glimpse of that gorilla. He was very, very tired...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gSMa30yQgFM/ToJ0VzMIa9I/AAAAAAAAMFY/bYjxLjRALwM/s640/IMG_0432.JPG

We went straight to the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, which I have never done before. I am so happy we did! I really enjoyed the otters, hippo and the meerkats!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LNAYP51oCKA/ToJ0Xq4ZG_I/AAAAAAAAMFc/-xEENXJVtVs/s640/IMG_0438.JPG
...blue fish for Elsa, her favorite color...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7YuXqm_lnRg/ToJ0ZEcWF9I/AAAAAAAAMFg/PpEVnZ4AwcY/s640/IMG_0440.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--rPW9fWqby8/ToJ0aasssrI/AAAAAAAAMFk/rjKe2Dx7GRw/s640/IMG_0443.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RFcIJPbbU40/ToJ0b-b__nI/AAAAAAAAMFo/3QjHmq_wXzw/s640/IMG_0445.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7ky6X1AGRoM/ToJ0d3T2odI/AAAAAAAAMFs/PKU-lcI687k/s640/IMG_0447.JPG
...the CM said he sleeps like this a lot...hahahahaha...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qQiemVRzuHg/ToJ0gzdiiPI/AAAAAAAAMFw/NZt49AKzXIc/s512/IMG_0449.JPG
...this guy was jammin' and we were dancing right along...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6oA_Pc4jF30/ToJ0jllhzvI/AAAAAAAAMF0/iykPXwtBziM/s640/IMG_0451.JPG
...classic photo...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kC_LHeEqG1s/ToJ0mTeTDAI/AAAAAAAAMF4/WjNIxcKtqAU/s640/IMG_0452.JPG

We were excited to start getting texts from Meema! She was feeling better and was ready to join us! :yay: We told her to make her way on over to AK and we would meet her for lunch! So happy our team would be whole again!

UP NEXT: Meems is Back! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43146233&postcount=96)

Lady Lallie

11-02-2011, 11:59 AM

littlezar

11-03-2011, 08:30 AM

Finally had an email this morning saying there was an update and I come to find I’ve missed 3!

You know how you should never go food shopping when you’re hungry? Well apparently I should never DIS when I’m hungry either because all that food from Sunshine Seasons looks delish!! Especially that s’mores treat!

Love the pic of Michael & Elsa with Spaceship Earth in the background. Can’t believe Elsa fell asleep on the ground!

Fantastic family Halloween costumes! Way too cute!!

Great pics from AK! Glad Meema is feeling better and will be joining you guys soon!

overthemoon4mickey

11-03-2011, 10:02 AM

Just found your TR and am totally hooked! What a super cute family you have. Thanks for the look into WWOHP. We'll be heading there this year because my DD12 and I are huge Potter fans too!

My heart goes out to you with the migraines. I had a violent one in EPCOT last time and thought I would just die (Thank goodness for the first aid lounge!). I don't know how you did it.

I'm going to go back and read your pre trip report because I'm hoping to find a little info on the foster/ adoption process. DH and I think this is something we would like to do in the next few years and seeing your family brought up some more discussions last night. Thank you for inspiring us!

I'm buckled in and along for the ride!

LAH LAH

11-03-2011, 10:10 AM

I love the way Elsa trades her pins, very good idea. :thumbsup2

Poor Meema, I'm glad she was able to join you for lunch. :banana:

I love how the gorilla sleeps, very funny. I wonder if he gets leg cramps? :rotfl2:

Elsa seriously gets on a mission with her pins. :rotfl: She loves crazy colored ones! I always think of it at the end of our trip, but we should take a photo of our lanyards the 1st day of vacation and another at the final day. See what we traded and see what we kept. Maybe next time I will remember! But at that point we will be bringing 3 more little boys with us... so I might forget. Ha!

I loved the gorilla! :lovestruc

Finally had an email this morning saying there was an update and I come to find I’ve missed 3!

You know how you should never go food shopping when you’re hungry? Well apparently I should never DIS when I’m hungry either because all that food from Sunshine Seasons looks delish!! Especially that s’mores treat!

Love the pic of Michael & Elsa with Spaceship Earth in the background. Can’t believe Elsa fell asleep on the ground!

Fantastic family Halloween costumes! Way too cute!!

Great pics from AK! Glad Meema is feeling better and will be joining you guys soon!

The s'mores treat was sooooooooooooooo good! *yum* Might be my most favorite over-the-counter treat...ever!

We had a lot of fun with the costumes. It feels like a zoo here ofter, so it only seemed appropriate!

Just found your TR and am totally hooked! What a super cute family you have. Thanks for the look into WWOHP. We'll be heading there this year because my DD12 and I are huge Potter fans too!

My heart goes out to you with the migraines. I had a violent one in EPCOT last time and thought I would just die (Thank goodness for the first aid lounge!). I don't know how you did it.

I'm going to go back and read your pre trip report because I'm hoping to find a little info on the foster/ adoption process. DH and I think this is something we would like to do in the next few years and seeing your family brought up some more discussions last night. Thank you for inspiring us!

I'm buckled in and along for the ride!

PM me with any questions you might have! I would love to help share any information I have!

Thanks for joining!!! :hug:

Curiouser&curiouser!

11-03-2011, 11:44 AM

Looks like a great morning at AK! Glad to hear that Meema was feeling better.

jenjolt

11-03-2011, 12:22 PM

What an awesome morning at Animal Kingdom!! Love your pictures!!!

Sorry to hear Meema couldn't join you in the am, but looking forward to seeing your afternoon adventures!!!

Your Halloween pictures were too cute! A zoo...what a creative idea!! LOVE IT!!!

LAH LAH

11-03-2011, 05:42 PM

Looks like a great morning at AK! Glad to hear that Meema was feeling better.

It was a pretty laid back morning, but that's ok! The animals were pretty active and we really enjoyed seeing them!

It would have been horrid if Meema missed the whole day, so we were happy she was on her way!

What an awesome morning at Animal Kingdom!! Love your pictures!!!

Sorry to hear Meema couldn't join you in the am, but looking forward to seeing your afternoon adventures!!!

Your Halloween pictures were too cute! A zoo...what a creative idea!! LOVE IT!!!

What did everyone else do for Halloween? I'd love to see the pics! :thumbsup2

LAH LAH

11-04-2011, 12:05 AM

Meems is Back!

We were venturing towards Dino-Land, and we were super happy that Meema was walking towards us! WOOT WOOT! We were ready to eat, and Elsa and Peepa had their hearts set on Turkey Legs! They ventured off to find them and Michael and I ordered our burgers:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nSaLrFsT_uQ/ToJ0ou6W6mI/AAAAAAAAMF8/Hl4AQumjtqs/s640/IMG_0453.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tBOQeeW0fAM/ToJ0qVsuziI/AAAAAAAAMGA/ORfjX6vZoQo/s640/IMG_0454.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LYQkIrSnNds/ToJ0rhP3k_I/AAAAAAAAMGE/lHMV2Xh4gY8/s640/IMG_0455.JPG?gl=US
...Meema's lunch water. She was still feeling a bit poorly...

We ate our fill and decided to ride some rides! The kids really wanted to ride Dinosaur, but that one is on my no-ride list, so Meema bit the bullet and rode with them. Peepa opted out. He was starting to feel sick. What?!!! How is it that we are getting so sick at Disney? He was starting to feel a bit feverish, scratchy throat, snarfles etc... Peepa isn't one to bow out of rides, so this was very surprising. We told the others we would wait for them in the gift shop, but who says you can't have fun while you're waiting?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-peLodXo3ppM/ToJ0vSGFuuI/AAAAAAAAMGI/_a8gcsTaHRE/s512/IMG_0456.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Uxgfm0G-5fI/ToJ0w1mrC7I/AAAAAAAAMGM/ypcmmpcyCrY/s640/IMG_0457.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lsPvwPqyTwA/ToJ0y8Q7nrI/AAAAAAAAMGQ/S4PEJSQrDq8/s640/IMG_0459.JPG?gl=US
...another one of my favorites from this trip...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PbKaNThSWtQ/ToJ0090tzPI/AAAAAAAAMGU/5B8G136IM_0/s720/IMG_0460.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RJpgEt4wQF4/ToJ03eAKrhI/AAAAAAAAMGY/emStHnUv7Lg/s512/IMG_0461.JPG?gl=US

:rotfl:

I think they had fun on the ride. I know we had fun with the hats! :laughing: Since we were already in the area Meema and Elsa somehow talked Michael into riding the Primeval Whirl. Last time they rode this ride it broke down and they had to wait for a while, and then they were escorted down the rickety stairs. Very nerve wracking. So it was a surprise they were able to talk him into it! Peepa and I decided to wait in the gift shop again, but we had already tried on all the hats. It was decidedly less fun during our second round of waiting. It wasn't too long and we got a text. They were stuck on the ride AGAIN! Hahahahahaha!

They told us to go ahead and try to make it to the Flights of Wonder, and they would meet up with us when they could. I snapped this shot on our way by. Michael was less than pleased.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bRd8lOaDPjA/ToJ06Jr58gI/AAAAAAAAMGc/_UNsA9WrF0M/s640/IMG_0462.JPG?gl=US

Peepa and I made it just in time and we thoroughly enjoyed the show. One of my all time favorites, and this was Peepa's first time seeing it. He really enjoyed it too! Thankfully the other three made it down safely and saw a good portion of the show. They were given fast passes for the Whirl, so Peepa and I knew we would have to wait in the gift shop again. :rolleyes:

I had braced myself for this very moment since we entered AK. We were on our way to Kali River Rapids. Let me make something clear. I am not opposed to getting wet, it's just that I hate that uncertainty of how wet am I going to get? Is it going to be soaked to your undies wet? Boy I hope not. And I have that thing about my head getting wet, but I knew how much Elsa wanted to ride this...so we headed on over, and I had a really good attitude about it! This was a first for Michael, Elsa and I and we really didn't know what to expect. I decided to take a before picture:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h9y3pap8cz0/ToJ0_zL1ahI/AAAAAAAAMGk/Iu3BeLtV7x8/s640/IMG_0468.JPG?gl=US

The closer we got to our raft the more excited I got! I guess once I determine to tackle things, it's easier to face. So we all strapped in and nervously sat, waiting to see what would happen. We all screamed and hollered as we floated along. The "oh-no's" and "ahhhh's" increased as we rode up the first hill, ready for the fast slide down. I was sitting next to Michael and we were facing backwards as we zoomed down. When we hit the bottom a huge splash jumped up and clobbered me on the head. Just me. Only me. Hahahahahaha. It was like a 20 gallon bucket was dumped right on top of me. Michael was splashed a bit and others got slightly wet, but I was dripping, soaked to my undies, wet, wet, wet! What can you do, right?!!! :laughing: We really enjoyed it, but Elsa was thoroughly disappointed with her lack of water so we got right back in line, but not before we took another "before" picture:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2AZyzjF0HCI/ToJ1BkHaccI/AAAAAAAAMGo/w5H3Xf_VGT8/s640/IMG_0469.JPG?gl=US

Second time through we knew what to expect and wouldn't you know it? Elsa was the only one who didn't get wet. Life can be super funny sometimes.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1c_ae5trUbc/ToJ1D5_QUMI/AAAAAAAAMGs/PAs0GKf1l9M/s640/IMG_0471.JPG?gl=US

We grabbed some snacks (love, love, love Free Dining) on our way to Expedition Everest:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E6_gETqKG0k/ToJ1GZ-7YmI/AAAAAAAAMGw/lHQCz1AXFsQ/s512/IMG_0473.JPG?gl=US

Oh, how we love this ride! We usually ride this multiple times in a day. Not today. It jarred us all more than we remembered in the past. Either we are getting old, or this migraine/reflux/weird-sickness was taking it's toll. We did take this great picture, though:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lRvKWRWZUrs/ToJ1IbhG-PI/AAAAAAAAMG0/G0afV_PsOjI/s640/IMG_0474.JPG?gl=US
...I love Michael in this one...

Still soaking wet, we returned to Dino Land so Elsa and Meema could ride the Primeval Whirl. This time they were unable to talk Michael into riding it. I would be surprised if he EVER rides it again.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y-5Z_oXbkRw/ToJ1J7PzztI/AAAAAAAAMG4/qgcVadhmlvk/s640/IMG_0475.JPG?gl=US
...on our way out of Dino Land...

We returned to Kilimanjaro Safari so Meema could experience it too:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W6dCNv7QF9k/ToJ1L4yqNEI/AAAAAAAAMG8/q3S3HmCGua0/s640/IMG_0478.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YzzcwFt20Ak/ToJ1NeFPqiI/AAAAAAAAMHA/018nlPLuXz0/s640/IMG_0482.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vL5WBIhIetY/ToJ1Ptf3g4I/AAAAAAAAMHE/aifMfR9osc4/s640/IMG_0485.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Tuj-th5-qpo/ToJ1R7mcU8I/AAAAAAAAMHI/Khw54iRg2V0/s640/IMG_0487.JPG?gl=US

It always feels like our AK days just fly by. It must be the early closing time. We had been planning to try and end the day with NEMO, but time was running out. We hurried on over and were so happy to sink into our seats with only moments to spare. This is a great show and it was worth all the hustling over. Elsa is determined to be a part of this show at some point in her life. She has never shied away from the lofty goals. :thumbsup2

The park was well past closed once the show let out, but that didn't stop us from taking one last picture:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KPaHogGljMU/ToJ1W8bMDzI/AAAAAAAAMHQ/s4I5FM2yxF4/s640/IMG_0493.JPG?gl=US

UP NEXT: Meema on a Mission (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43151669&postcount=101)

Lady Lallie

11-04-2011, 07:16 AM

jenjolt

11-04-2011, 08:37 AM

What a great AK day!! SO glad Meema was able to join you and you all had some great fun!!!

And oh how I agree with you...no water rides for me!!! I avoid them at all costs, I just don't like walking around wet!!!! So unless I have full on rain protection gear you aren't getting me on those rides LOL!!!

Curiouser&curiouser!

11-04-2011, 08:38 AM

I can't believe how much you guys got done at AK! I always feel like we leave with so much unfinished.

LAH LAH

11-04-2011, 12:46 PM

You really accomplished a lot in this part of your day. Wow!

I really love the picture with the blue wigs, very cute. That Michael is a clever kiddo.

You described exactly why I don't like wet rides, it's not the getting wet part it's the part of not knowing how wet you are going to get exactly!

Well, truth be told Michael's guest assistance card helps a ton. I am so thankful for it!

What a great AK day!! SO glad Meema was able to join you and you all had some great fun!!!

And oh how I agree with you...no water rides for me!!! I avoid them at all costs, I just don't like walking around wet!!!! So unless I have full on rain protection gear you aren't getting me on those rides LOL!!!

I once stole Michael's rain poncho when it started raining in Hollywood Studios in 2007. I had only brought one and it was specifically for Michael, but the rain on my head was freaking me out, so I actually grabbed it off of him. Not one of my finer moments. :laughing:

I can't believe how much you guys got done at AK! I always feel like we leave with so much unfinished.

I was sad we didn't get to The Festival of the Lion King, but all in all we covered the main parts!

LAH LAH

11-04-2011, 02:51 PM

Meema on a Mission

Meema was very disappointed when we checked the Dino Land gift shop for Mr. Potato Head pieces, only to find the display was all gone. :confused3 I had filled up a box last December and she was super excited to get some for her house. My sister has a little boy, Jack who is 14 months and lives the next town over from Meema and Peepa. He comes to visit a lot. We live a little over 4 hours away, but they are really good about having the right toys for all the boys when we come to visit. (Poor Elsa. 6 grandchildren and she's the only girl. I am one of the lucky ones who's family accepts the foster babies as their own family...and pretty soon I don't even have to say foster babies! They will officially be mine...all mine!!!!!)

Anywho, we were told the only place that now carries them is Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney. Well, that was all Meema needed to hear. The rest of us weren't so sure. We wanted to go back to the resort, eat, swim, rest, and just generally veg. Meems was really hinting about how much she wanted to go to DTD. :upsidedow She would have skipped it if we all put up a big enough fuss (remember the whole EPCOT wheelchair situation? She tends to back down fairly easily) but I made the decision that we would all go together. Peepa was starting to feel more and more under the weather and I know he really just wanted to go to the resort, but I felt like we needed to all stick together. I tend to be a bit bossy! :laughing:

So we hopped a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge and then waited for the next bus to Downtown Disney. I don't think Meema and Peepa have ever been there before. We were really jokingly giving Meems the business about not wanting to be there, and she had a good attitude about it. Elsa was a bit tired, so she hopped a ride on Peeps:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zpJy4ZQNP8g/ToJ1Y8zgzHI/AAAAAAAAMHU/f5qdPOBA9_s/s512/IMG_0495.JPG?gl=US

We quickly made it to Once Upon a Toy and the Potato Head display was fantastic! Meema set off to fill up a box (all you can fit in for $19.95) and it wasn't too long until Elsa, Michael and I started filling up a box for us to take home too. We worked hard not to get anything we bought last December. Did we need anymore? Ummmm...no. Did we have any trouble cramming in piece after piece? I think you know the answer to that!

On our way out we took pictures to text to the little boys. They love, love, love Toy Story, well at least E and C do. N is too little to like anything more than rice cereal and formula!

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/309089_10150292060000893_590345892_7776894_1483654 286_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/316994_10150292058890893_590345892_7776890_9321508 35_n.jpg

I think if Meema had her druthers we would have walked the whole way around. But we could not be convinced. We were hungry and tired so we didn't go any further. We walked through the pin store and took some pics:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rKWZAhKZ82Q/ToJ1a1DLBWI/AAAAAAAAMHY/B-wmAo6ul_w/s640/IMG_0496.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VjXOaqdsqok/ToJ1eODMWuI/AAAAAAAAMHc/-pe_Ngdu6bk/s640/IMG_0497.JPG?gl=US

And try as we might we couldn't get Meema to skip the Christmas store. I plopped in a plush chair while everyone wandered around. Boy, oh boy was I t-i-r-e-d. Meema purchased a few things and we were ready to go back to the resort and eat! It was close to 7:30, but that didn't keep us from a few more pictures:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mPPDYH-S01I/ToJ1ga13TaI/AAAAAAAAMHg/Q9mF91CM8Ks/s640/IMG_0498.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bJd9AJWCV-4/ToJ1i4V0tcI/AAAAAAAAMHk/yD0-_p913bI/s640/IMG_0499.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fk7PQtE6Dl4/ToJ1m4BhAfI/AAAAAAAAMHs/FpTI9V042y0/s640/IMG_0501.JPG?gl=US

On the bus ride back to the resort a competition of sorts was under way. I was telling Meema how I was sure I was superior in packing my Potato Head box, and how I was betting that I had more pieces than she did. So one by one we counted them out as the other bus riders watched. I lost :mad: by like 2 measly pieces. I hate losing. :mad: :mad: We did each have 20+ pieces in our boxes, though. That is a pretty impressive haul! Congrats Meems!!

By 8:30 we sitting in front of some Disney pizza and ready to eat. By this time in the trip the kids and I were a little soda and desserted out. We chose some veggies and fruits as our sides with some water:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wcdZ8NjpHEs/ToJ1pF1BVAI/AAAAAAAAMHw/EXCXpNPY0eg/s512/IMG_0502.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LBmehuqXtwY/ToJ1rpSlqwI/AAAAAAAAMH0/OJvHPFvLkzU/s640/IMG_0504.JPG?gl=US

Michael took his pizza outside to watch the movie on the lawn at POP while the rest of us ate our fill! Elsa was ready to swim and Meema headed off to do some laundry. Peepa wasn't feeling up to par, but we somehow got him to swim with Elsa.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OPn-H4NwVgM/ToJ1tSFqykI/AAAAAAAAMH4/qEOMdT0T-qw/s640/IMG_0505.JPG?gl=US
...Elsa with her treasures found on the bottom of the pool. gross....

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aRCYCWsIklM/ToJ1wIG-dzI/AAAAAAAAMH8/_J8KzRUc1lo/s640/IMG_0508.JPG?gl=US
...Meema and her $5 for laundry. Obviously the changer was not her friend...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GUNW_h-1ZIo/ToJ1xs_9BnI/AAAAAAAAMIA/uT8pCZA0Dpo/s512/IMG_0521.JPG?gl=US
...they worked on this for quite some time...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6kNlWvNg1lg/ToJ1z3XQd_I/AAAAAAAAMIE/st6QD5UO7rA/s640/IMG_0522.JPG?gl=US
...this too...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rQKgD3oeVWg/ToJ11stlK9I/AAAAAAAAMII/bVM_Jbg9gVE/s640/IMG_0525.JPG?gl=US
...Michael joined them when the movie was over...

I could tell you a funny story about how Meema dragged her laundry the whole way from the 1950's to the 1960's. I had told her there was a laundry outside her pool. So I was surprised when she showed up at the Hippy Dippy pool, tired from carrying it all. I asked her why she didn't just do it at her pool...and she said "What pool? We don't have a pool". I walked her back to her room laughing the whole way. Somehow she walked past the bowling pin pool for 3 days and never knew it was there. But I'll skip telling it as it might be too embarrassing. Hee hee hee

We were in bed by 11pm and Peepa needed every minute of sleep as he was about to battle the dreaded crud sickness. :sad2:

UP NEXT: Hooray for Hollywood! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43163092&postcount=108)

Lady Lallie

11-04-2011, 03:12 PM

jenjolt

11-04-2011, 03:26 PM

Another update!! WOOT WOOT!!! Loved it!! Seems like a lot was accomplished going down to DTD!!

Sorry you didn't win the pieces competition...however I think its a win win for all involved when you get to take home Mr. Potato head pieces...cutest things ever!!!

Love the way you ended your evening, Pizza, movie, and swimming!!! Sound awesome!!!

Jennifer48

11-04-2011, 03:31 PM

Oh no I don't like hearing when people get sick on Disney vacations! :sad1:

Meema on a mission at DTD! :thumbsup2

LAH LAH

11-04-2011, 05:08 PM

Yay! Another update! I love updates. Makes the last 20 minutes of work go by faster. :banana:

I'm very happy that Meema was able to get her potato head pieces, those are very important you know! I hate losing too, I feel your pain.

I really like that the resorts have the movies now, what a nice way to wind down at the end of a long Disney day.

I am so happy I could help your work day go by faster!!! :rotfl2:

Let's have a moment of silence for my uncharacteristic loss. :mad: <--- I made it a mad moment.

The only problem with the movie time being at 8:30 is Michael felt like he was missing out on something big while we were at the parks and the movie was playing at the resorts. :rotfl: That EPCOT day, when Meema's foot hurt so bad, he was continually telling her if she needed to go back and rest he would graciously go back with her. Seemed so generous until the movie started, he wasn't there, and the offers stopped. Bless that boy!

Another update!! WOOT WOOT!!! Loved it!! Seems like a lot was accomplished going down to DTD!!

Sorry you didn't win the pieces competition...however I think its a win win for all involved when you get to take home Mr. Potato head pieces...cutest things ever!!!

Love the way you ended your evening, Pizza, movie, and swimming!!! Sound awesome!!!

OK, I will have to agree! We have all but about 10 of the pieces they offer and we love them!!

It was a great evening to relaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaax! *happy sigh*

Oh no I don't like hearing when people get sick on Disney vacations! :sad1:

Meema on a mission at DTD! :thumbsup2

We have never really had to deal with sickness at Disney before, but this trip was knocking us down. :headache:

littlezar

11-04-2011, 06:26 PM

Yay for Meema meeting up on the way to lunch!

Love the hat pics! Bummer about Primeval Whirl. Glad the trio was able to make it for most of the show!

Too funny about Kali! I’d be the one to get soaked so I have decided that I’m more than happy to wait and take pics!

Love the Yeti family pic!! LOL @ the Potato Head Pieces competition!!

Pizza looked yummy ~ but that cupcake looks delish!! I know what ya mean about getting tired of soda & dessert. Oh no on Peepa getting sick!

(By the way, for Halloween my 5 yr old was Woody and my 10 yr old was a gangster and sort of growled "Thanks for the loot, pal!" everytime someone gave him candy. The 14 yr old had a scream mask & robe and the 16 yr old had a creepy skeleton zombie mask & gloves and they handed out candy. My 14 yr old said they didn't have to take off their masks for little kids as much as they thought they would! My 5 yr old was scared of the 16 yr old and he saw him put the mask on!)

LAH LAH

11-04-2011, 09:16 PM

LAH LAH

11-05-2011, 11:48 PM

Hooray for Hollywood!

Another 9am meeting at the bus, and this time everyone was boarding the bus together! Peepa was still not feeling well, but he seemed determined to push through. During this trip I was really working on the gentleman aspect for Michael. He was directed to keep standing until every single woman on the bus was seated. I can't say he was thrilled or excited about this, but I guess that's not the point. :rotfl: This is standard practice for Peepa and Michael is plenty old enough to be a gentleman, and so the training begins.

Anywho, we quickly made it in through the turnstiles and the hat was waiting for us!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Mbtg01Mr41g/ToJ13oytzZI/AAAAAAAAMIM/QKRSLmB4-j8/s640/IMG_0529.JPG?gl=US

The chipmunks were waiting too!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HkMlbmFj_Yo/ToJ1-HX5SNI/AAAAAAAAMIU/uH0vvL0nKDI/s640/IMG_0535.JPG?gl=US

After the Great Movie Ride (our CM's were greatly lacking :sad2:) we stopped to look at the busts. I don't think I have ever paid them any mind before. It's amazing what you find when you slow down just a bit:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X95mgfT8FwA/ToJ2Ar-TCAI/AAAAAAAAMIY/PRxe0EfTdqk/s640/IMG_0537.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wPDv4JFC25Q/ToJ2C8ZJbYI/AAAAAAAAMIc/ui2DZyrEAJQ/s640/IMG_0538.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tHm0rNNKYg0/ToJ2FXyomjI/AAAAAAAAMIg/VHRz1N_rEyg/s640/IMG_0539.JPG?gl=US
...I love how her joy just spills from her smile...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VWxqSM9mrBY/ToJ2HqhcPSI/AAAAAAAAMIk/arPX8C_wr-Q/s640/IMG_0540.JPG?gl=US
...opinions differed here...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6UzRhPIln4Y/ToJ2KAn6IaI/AAAAAAAAMIo/uUfpUs0-Mls/s640/IMG_0541.JPG?gl=US
...the man who started it all...

We quickly headed over to the new Star Tours. It was down and out on our last trip and we were ready to experience the hype! Peepa had to sit out...that simulation stuff really messes him up. Poor Peepa :sad2:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xvctSoO-IPs/ToJ2LiQVy8I/AAAAAAAAMIs/MApXIx7FWhY/s640/IMG_0544.JPG?gl=US

It was fantastic! Meema couldn't see the 3D clearly, but she thinks it's because of all the movement. :confused3 Michael had died and gone to heaven. It was pretty much like walking into a video game and this is one of his biggest dreams. We were told there was something like 40 different senarios. He begged us to ride it again, but we bowed out as Peepa was waiting for us. We did take a moment to capture this:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tuyECyNdgho/ToJ2OfANJpI/AAAAAAAAMIw/b0HoajAIjic/s640/IMG_0545.JPG?gl=US

We were excited to experience Indiana Jones, but it wasn't open yet, so we decided to head towards Tower of Terror! On our way we happened upon some of the funniest side shows we have ever seen. The first was Shelby Mayer and Melvin Macheezo:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mKZ3qI2vKuc/ToJ2Q6YS16I/AAAAAAAAMI0/AMW1vik4iUc/s640/IMG_0546.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ftdyFXrS6IU/ToJ2TVB00zI/AAAAAAAAMI4/xK5ftgCwnAc/s640/IMG_0550.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zHbK7r1C5V4/ToJ2WKwi1WI/AAAAAAAAMI8/wRTexdihR7I/s640/IMG_0551.JPG?gl=US

He kept trying to hand Elsa a business card and pulling it away at the last minute and asking her "Are you drunk child?". We were laughing so hard! He asked if she ever had a boyfriend to which she answered "yes". He then wanted to know why they were no longer together and she just kept giggling and saying "I don't know" (she was in Kindergarten) which prompted him to start calling her a hussy! It was hilarious!!! Then he turned on Michael harping on the fact that he didn't have full time employment and getting angry at him for being taller than him:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dJvT9i6-uRc/ToJ2YRyiDjI/AAAAAAAAMJA/_v-SETwwZ2w/s640/IMG_0553.JPG?gl=US

Michael usually doesn't like to be singled out, but he was really enjoying this! They drove away and we didn't make it 20 feet down the road before we got pulled into another situation. Officer Percival Peabody was trying to pick up a single piece of litter, which he was terrified of. He was trying to get the director's shot clear of all debris, but his screams and ruckus was making the Director very nervous. He called on Elsa to hold his billy club and help protect him from the litter and had Meema rub the directors shoulders to calm him down.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uyy39ztKXwk/ToJ2aGBXsyI/AAAAAAAAMJE/WXQkJdY_J-A/s640/IMG_0554.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7q5qBmQpZVY/ToJ2bw1k35I/AAAAAAAAMJI/7IV2hjIpVMg/s640/IMG_0555.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A-yN30d_C-I/ToJ2dk-RusI/AAAAAAAAMJM/vL9Hw2GaQ9A/s640/IMG_0556.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V7hly3JLDHE/ToJ2f47aTWI/AAAAAAAAMJQ/hzgqzjwuTZk/s640/IMG_0557.JPG?gl=US

As the officer was working up the courage to pick up that piece of paper, he instructed Elsa to continue to guard him but once he used the tweezers to pick it up, she must run over and open the garbage can with the club. After many false alarms he finally picked it up and off they went!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mLzChCq0ruY/ToJ2h_PCr4I/AAAAAAAAMJU/cNt-71PIDqY/s640/IMG_0559.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cp76oCO8fS8/ToJ2jgUFW5I/AAAAAAAAMJY/r5XVd2nZt-4/s640/IMG_0560.JPG?gl=US

I don't think any of us have laughed that hard in a looong time!

UP NEXT: More MGM, errrrr, Hollywood Studios (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43175075&postcount=114)

Lady Lallie

11-06-2011, 06:10 AM

jenjolt

11-06-2011, 07:23 AM

Oh that is so awesome!! I just love the steetsmophere people!! What a great experience!! They are hilarious and I'm so happy for you guys that you got to be a part of it!! What great fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LAH LAH

11-06-2011, 12:36 PM

Gentleman training for Michael is a good thing, that whole bus scenario is a VERY good example of being a gentleman. :thumbsup2

Oh my goodness, sounds like you had a great time interacting with the characters. I just love those little shows they do but I watch with slight trepidation as I do NOT want to pulled into it. I just like to watch. :laughing:

It was a whole vacation learning experience for him...he wasn't too thrilled. It will do him good with the ladies later on in life and is the right thing for a young man to learn now!

Those characters were extremely funny!

Oh that is so awesome!! I just love the steetsmophere people!! What a great experience!! They are hilarious and I'm so happy for you guys that you got to be a part of it!! What great fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to go back and do it all over again! :goodvibes

reelmom

11-06-2011, 04:42 PM

I am loving your TR. I seems like you had a wonderful time. I also wanted to say that I think it is great that you are adopting.

LAH LAH

11-06-2011, 09:42 PM

I am loving your TR. I seems like you had a wonderful time. I also wanted to say that I think it is great that you are adopting.

Thank you! :goodvibes Happy to have you join in on the fun!

LAH LAH

11-07-2011, 10:44 AM

More MGM, errrr, Hollywood Studios

We walked away from the street actors ready to enjoy more of the parks! We had 200+ photo pass pictures taken on this vacation and I used them in our photobook, but I didn't like enough of them to justify the cost of the CD. There was one I fell in love with, but I am saving that for later! So, a lot of our group pictures are missing me.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yf4ZNnku-EA/ToJ2peOBj-I/AAAAAAAAMJk/QCBuqrVhBV8/s512/IMG_0563.JPG?gl=US

We made our way to Tower of Terror and enjoyed riding it, as usual!! Peepa was still feeling poorly, but was being a trooper! Back to Indiana Jones, just in the nick of time. Standing room only for us. We didn't mind, but Meema's foot was a paining her, so she sat on a ledge way in the back. I'm not sure she could even see. :confused3 Meema and Peepa had already spent their first day (half day) here, so anything else now is a bonus!!! Great show and then off to lunch!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ADy8sE-cFN8/ToJ2trxnPNI/AAAAAAAANM4/qcw8rlXg6Hk/s512/IMG_0565.JPG?gl=US
...that's a lot of french fries...

After lunch we headed over to Muppet 3-D and Meema could see it! :woohoo: Upon leaving the show it started raining. BOO. I hate when my head gets wet! :laughing: Michael, Elsa and I wanted to make a run for it, but Meema and Peepa weren't budging. So we waited it out. Peepa was fading fast, but doing his best to keep going.

We sat down for Voyage of the Little Mermaid, per Meema's request. Not one of our favorites, but we had a good Ariel and Meema was happy...so it was all worth it. Next we visited One Man's Dream and stayed for the film. It gave us all a chance to relax and get prepared for the rest of the day, plus it's about Walt and what's not to love about that?!! Then one of our most favorite rides: Toy Story Mania!!! Peepa was sure this was his first time ever riding this. We tried to convince him he rode this with us in 2009. He was sure we were wrong. Well, I am here to tell you *drum roll, please* WE WERE RIGHT!!! :cool1: (excerpt from my 2009 TR) Then we rode on Toy Story Mania while Meema waited in some shade...We all felt bad that the Meems was sick. The Peeps totally crushed all of our scores. I just don't know how he does that. I am not sure how someone forgets they ever rode this ride. I guess I will just have to chalk it up to old age. Hee hee hee (and what's up with all the sickness...then, now?)

Michael crushed all of our scores. Figures.

We made our way back towards Tower of Terror and Peepa sat out and kind of slumped down onto a park bench while we rode Rock 'n' Rollercoaster! It was fun, fun fun!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sZTia0zDet0/ToJ2vcqH2LI/AAAAAAAAMJw/MOcoWc3nVHI/s640/IMG_0566.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HsI_Lz7zwQk/ToJ2yI_mGFI/AAAAAAAAMJ0/H_KYLSLNjiI/s640/IMG_0567.JPG?gl=US
...Elsa ~ hahahahahaha...

When we came out it was clear Peepa could go no further. He was hoping if he could just go back to the resort and sleep, maybe he could recover enough for our final day tomorrow at the Magic Kingdom. By this point Peepa's throat was on fire, he had a fever, chills, and just generally hurt all over. :sad2: We felt so bad for him as he walked towards the exit.

But since we were already there we decided to ride Tower of Terror. 5 times. :scared1: Well, they rode it 5 times in a row. I only made it through 3 and bowed out. I had the start of a sore throat and was pretty tired, so I spent some time watching people exit ToT and I really enjoyed seeing the rush of excitement as they exited.

After our fill of ToT we grabbed some good seats for Beauty and the Beast:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5BcGPVvy9tA/ToJ22UDxK5I/AAAAAAAAMJ4/GInOMyZpUvg/s640/IMG_0574.JPG?gl=US

Elsa said she isn't all that impressed with the Disney shows. Ha! This is the strong opinion of a 12 year old. Take it how you see fit. :)

We headed back towards Toy Story (who could resist, right?) and I pulled us all in for this picture. Michael was less than thrilled:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hsYnj4qpufE/ToJ24WTG9oI/AAAAAAAAMJ8/ihjQNdez31g/s640/IMG_0578.JPG?gl=US

Michael beat us all again, but Elsa and I improved our scores and that's all one can ask when it comes to playing video games against Michael. I think Meema is sometimes just along for the ride, but that's ok because we love her.

We kept texting Peepa but we weren't getting any response. He must be awfully ill to leave a park and sleep during the day! Poor Peepa :sick:

Meema wanted to show us where the Singing in the Rain umbrella was, but had no idea where it might be. We wandered around and finally came across it in a very isolated area. I am not sure we have ever come this way before. Fun stuff though, when you step under the umbrella the rain starts!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZJoa7DHPTLI/ToJ26viGp8I/AAAAAAAAMKA/xcChuyWZlVs/s512/IMG_0580.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SMB-w_c62DI/ToJ285ujegI/AAAAAAAAMKE/FtvCYM5h-08/s512/IMG_0582.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rscc0zQpP10/ToJ2-9qybdI/AAAAAAAAMKI/4Ix8OP5EQaY/s512/IMG_0586.JPG?gl=US

And then we happened upon Coke stuff for our friends back home:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297865_10150324786695893_590345892_7964179_1180698 996_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300773_10150324785770893_590345892_7964176_2060171 608_n.jpg

It was getting late and we were ready for dinner. We all agreed on Pizza Planet, but I was so unsure of this area and we got lost. A couple times. But that's OK because we got another fun picture!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nKfR4ogEqMk/ToJ3Ao1CaHI/AAAAAAAAMKM/aCSE-yiWxiY/s640/IMG_0587.JPG?gl=US

We did finally find it and we ate, and ate and ate!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WWwaj6JymCE/ToJ3ENaX2SI/AAAAAAAAMKU/qV6RVonQoTc/s640/IMG_0590.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oHKcDMXWUAY/ToJ3GeeCfdI/AAAAAAAAMKY/J-On31fNe3A/s640/IMG_0591.JPG?gl=US

I got the veggie pizza and it wasn't something I would ever get again. Meema got the salad and she tried a piece of my pizza and she quickly set it down. Not so good. The kids cheese pizzas were yummy as always and thankfully they shared them with me. We all got the cappuccino cupcakes, on the recommendation of Meema (remember they were here earlier in the week). Now here's the deal, Meema loves coffee...Peepa does not, but he had said earlier that it was good. I don't like coffee at all and was unsure of getting this specific cupcake fearing I wouldn't like it and waste my dessert (it's a great day when that is all you have to fear during a day at Disney). Here is my two cents: if you don't like coffee, don't get this cupcake. Meema loved hers. Hahahahahaha

It gave us just enough energy for 2 more rides; Star Tours and Rock 'n' Rollercoaster!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DEwC6BvrY3Q/ToJ3Hxae7DI/AAAAAAAAMKc/kWYQMLBB-rM/s640/IMG_0593.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cW9d8TtOBKM/ToJ3JZHw9gI/AAAAAAAAMKg/qUNO_ImMctA/s512/IMG_0595.JPG?gl=US

We were the final group to ride R'n'R and the CM's were all waiting for us at the exits, clapping and cheering like we had just won the Super Bowl. :goodvibes We still hadn't heard from Peepa and we were hoping he was alright. We made our way to the exit, seeing as the park was closed, and were greeted with the longest line for our bus I am ever seen. Thankfully, they doubled up on buses again and we made it hope before too long.

It turns out Peepa had spent the afternoon sleeping and trying to break this horrible sickness. He slept restlessly through the night battling a fever and was so congested he actually took some over the counter medicine, which is HUGE for him. We were really hoping he could join us in the morning for our final day!

UP NEXT: Kingdom, Here We Come! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43346872&postcount=138)

Lady Lallie

11-07-2011, 10:56 AM

LAH LAH

11-07-2011, 11:00 AM

Oh no, poor Peepa and feeling sick! I can't imagine being sick enough at Disney to have to go back to the room. That must be a very depressing feeling! :guilty:

I can't believe tomorrow is already your last day! :scared1:

I went back and finished our day in the previous post.

I hate when the vacation is ending :sad2:

Lady Lallie

11-07-2011, 11:08 AM

I love it when the CMs clap for you! We had that happen when we rode Splash Mountain, they told us we had only been the third group to ride that day so far! It was crazy how excited they got. :rotfl2:

LAH LAH

11-07-2011, 11:34 AM

Curiouser&curiouser!

11-07-2011, 01:57 PM

Boy you had a fun day at HS, even with all the sickness! You really got a lot done.

Poor Peepa. Hopefully he feels better for the MK!

LAH LAH

11-07-2011, 02:13 PM

Boy you had a fun day at HS, even with all the sickness! You really got a lot done.

Poor Peepa. Hopefully he feels better for the MK!

Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studio days seem to just fly by. That's good because we are having so much fun, but slightly stinky because there is so much rushing around involved. But with WDW it's all good!!!

overthemoon4mickey

11-08-2011, 08:43 AM

I love the kids Flying in the pizza planet photo! So cute!!! What a fun day you all had. I hope Peepa's illness didn't last too long...and hopefully it stayed confined to one.

LAH LAH

11-08-2011, 09:18 AM

I love the kids Flying in the pizza planet photo! So cute!!! What a fun day you all had. I hope Peepa's illness didn't last too long...and hopefully it stayed confined to one.

My kids surely aren't shy! :lmao: It was a very good day!

Jennifer48

11-08-2011, 03:30 PM

littlezar

11-08-2011, 03:53 PM

Great pics at HS! Love the interaction with the streetmosphere characters! That’s awesome that you’re teaching Michael all the “gentleman” rules.

Boo for Peepa not feeling well and Meema’s foot bothering her but YAHOO for Meema being able to see the Muppets!!

ROFL that Peepa forgot riding TSMM!! Totally love that ride (and bought the game for the Wii as soon as it came out!)

Was the princess hat pic Michael’s punishment for beating all of you at TSMM?!?!

Cute Singing in the Rain pics!

Hope Peepa is feeling better for your last day!

Elsa cracks me up ~ totally NOT camera shy!

LAH LAH

11-09-2011, 07:02 AM

You got lots of great hat photos on this trip! :thumbsup2

I'm sorry to hear about all the sickies on this trip. Just wish all viruses vanished as you enter Disney property! :laughing:

I love the Streetmosphere at DHS! Always a good time! :goodvibes So wonderful that both Michael and Elsa got into the act!

Oh no your final day already! :sad1:

I love and hate last days. I wish it never had to end! Some people get bored with Disney, I don't think I ever would.

Great pics at HS! Love the interaction with the streetmosphere characters! That’s awesome that you’re teaching Michael all the “gentleman” rules.

Boo for Peepa not feeling well and Meema’s foot bothering her but YAHOO for Meema being able to see the Muppets!!

ROFL that Peepa forgot riding TSMM!! Totally love that ride (and bought the game for the Wii as soon as it came out!)

Was the princess hat pic Michael’s punishment for beating all of you at TSMM?!?!

Cute Singing in the Rain pics!

Hope Peepa is feeling better for your last day!

Elsa cracks me up ~ totally NOT camera shy!

If I punished Michael every time he beat us at a video game he would be grounded forever! :lmao:

Elsa just goes for it in life. Nothing will be able to hold her back!

LAH LAH

11-14-2011, 09:56 PM

I promise, I will return and finish our TR with our last day, but first I have an announcement to make!

DECEMBER 7th is the day that Easton James and Chase Nicholas officially become a part of our family!!!

These two guys are gonna be loved by us forever:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r8q3SvZD0rw/TopoAsa0ZxI/AAAAAAAANQw/3y6XowQauMI/s512/DSC01423.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BRoS7Q8Se7M/Tqyq_jJJ5xI/AAAAAAAANLE/Zm6RWVB_evo/s720/DSC02227.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KhmF2rRwCrQ/TmbPXE2fUlI/AAAAAAAALs8/Gf1q15EucRU/s720/DSC01200.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SDUb--KfEE0/TmbPbxTfTII/AAAAAAAALtI/YEam2l8xDOM/s512/DSC01244.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4Ip1v5c_4_4/ToMl3iS65ZI/AAAAAAAAMQo/d1v3pbtFBy8/s720/DSC01380.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PrX3U3Huhds/ThJkYDE60cI/AAAAAAAALaI/ycFGFaBGBZg/s512/DSC08679.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--lxdbBr11NU/Te5a7x0tRmI/AAAAAAAAJmM/lQ65w81NiAA/s720/DSC08204.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y9g5QWEGjiU/TfQgMLZRBtI/AAAAAAAAJu8/dCatzqcVDUk/s720/DSC08326.JPG?gl=US

We are so excited! Now we just need to get going on Baby N's adoption :woohoo:

Lady Lallie

11-15-2011, 05:58 AM

I am SO happy for you and your family. Those are two precious little boys! :hug:

partyof2

11-15-2011, 07:16 AM

Congratulations Lah Lah that is wonderful news about the boys!

I have been lurking for a few weeks and have read through all your old PTRs and TR, you caught my eye as I'm a huge adoption advocate.

Congrats again, the boys are very lucky to be part of such a lovely family.

Curiouser&curiouser!

11-15-2011, 08:04 AM

That's wonderful! I am over here tearing up for you guys!

It is so great to finally put some adorable little faces to all the stories you share!

GaRain

11-15-2011, 08:52 AM

What an exciting announcement!!!! :cool1::thumbsup2:thumbsup2:banana::banana::yay::y ay::woohoo::woohoo::dance3::dance3::cheer2::cheer2 :

LAH LAH

11-15-2011, 02:43 PM

I am SO happy for you and your family. Those are two precious little boys! :hug:

I could barely breathe yesterday when we found out! :goodvibes Thank you!

Congratulations Lah Lah that is wonderful news about the boys!

I have been lurking for a few weeks and have read through all your old PTRs and TR, you caught my eye as I'm a huge adoption advocate.

Congrats again, the boys are very lucky to be part of such a lovely family.

Thanks for the encouragement!!! :hug: We are so excited!

That's wonderful! I am over here tearing up for you guys!

It is so great to finally put some adorable little faces to all the stories you share!

The first thing I asked once we got the date was "when can I put faces and names up?" :woohoo:

What an exciting announcement!!!! :cool1::thumbsup2:thumbsup2:banana::banana::yay::y ay::woohoo::woohoo::dance3::dance3::cheer2::cheer2 :

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

So excited!

Jennifer48

11-15-2011, 04:03 PM

Congratulations!! What wonderful news!! :grouphug:

reelmom

11-15-2011, 05:34 PM

congratulations!!!!!!!!

littlezar

11-16-2011, 06:20 AM

party: Congratulations!!party:

The boys are absolutely adorable! So happy for you, Michael & Elsa! And Meema & Peepa, too!

LAH LAH

11-16-2011, 07:20 AM

Congratulations!! What wonderful news!! :grouphug:

We can't wait! Thanks for sharing in our excitement! :hug:

congratulations!!!!!!!!

Thank you!!! :goodvibes

party: Congratulations!!party:

The boys are absolutely adorable! So happy for you, Michael & Elsa! And Meema & Peepa, too!

Thank you! We are all very, very excited...it's like Christmas early!! :yay:

ditsypixie

11-16-2011, 07:46 AM

CONGRATULATIONS!! That is incredible news! What a beautiful family you have!!:yay:

I have lurked around on your TR and just had to comment on your wonderful news. I have really enjoyed reading all of it :goodvibes

LAH LAH

11-27-2011, 12:52 PM

LAH LAH

11-27-2011, 02:22 PM

Kingdom, Here We Come!

Our final park day has come. This was by far our longest Disney trip, and I don't think I was prepared for how tired we would be! But no matter how tired we were, we were going to soak up every moment at the Kingdom that we could! We woke up at 8am and didn't have a text yet from Meema and Peepa letting us know how Peepa was feeling. We were really hoping he could pull it together and join us. It's no fun knowing someone is sick in the hotel while we are Disney-ing it up!

We hurried down to breakfast at 8:30 so we could be ready at 9am to meet up with whoever was feeling up to a park day!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6Q_khxz7uNs/ToJ3L1WuOuI/AAAAAAAAMKk/tYQuwBfvKEk/s640/IMG_0596.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yWUloVxT6r4/ToJ3NWX1TYI/AAAAAAAAMKo/ZmJpgbNvmP8/s640/IMG_0597.JPG?gl=US

We ate a good breakfast and were delighted to see both Meema and Peepa heading towards us!! We all boarded the bus to the Magic Kingdom. It was obvious that Peepa wasn't 100%, but he was here and that made us all happy! If you have read any of my other TR's you know which ride we did first. It's all about the Carousel of Progress!

Elsa, Michael and Meema decided to tackle Space Mountain while Peepa and I rode the Peoplemover. I really miss riding Space Mountain :sad1: but we enjoyed the ride and were surprised when we rode through and found the lights on in Space Mountain:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FJYwEiSRKqg/ToJ3P8zeSgI/AAAAAAAAMKw/e78DJuPM7Z8/s640/IMG_0601.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XF7puRlq8mk/ToJ3OsiEajI/AAAAAAAAMKs/LIZ9_ccE8aQ/s640/IMG_0600.JPG?gl=US

Because the ride was down we figured the others were still waiting to ride it so Peepa and I took another round on the Peoplemover. Turns out they were waiting in the gift shop the whole time. Ooops. :rotfl: We Buzz Lightyear'd and then Laugh Floored! I was starting to feel a little off, so I sat out while everyone else took two rounds on the race cars. It wasn't wasted time, though. I bought some locking pin backs and secured everyones favorites onto their lanyards. :thumbsup2

We stopped for an early lunch. Meema had a hankering for BBQ and mentioned it about every meal, so she was super happy that Ray's Starlight Cafe had the coveted BBQ! We called the boys before we ate, and it was so cute to see Michael and Elsa talk to them:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0xTQ2F0dLGI/ToJ3UxZTxqI/AAAAAAAAMK8/2VcvFx48o8I/s512/IMG_0609.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LiNDlw6HOMo/ToJ3WA_RszI/AAAAAAAAMLA/z8MgjWrdc1Q/s640/IMG_0611.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u82X9YGdbUw/ToJ3RsQjgTI/AAAAAAAAMK0/QuaU5d-zeXI/s640/IMG_0607.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HYb0oqWIoQs/ToJ3TTxRd3I/AAAAAAAAMK4/Lj2Uys47j_Q/s640/IMG_0608.JPG?gl=US

I wish I could shout it from the rooftops how much I love free dining!!!! Not having to worry about budgeting for all the meals, getting our free snacks, not making Michael and Elsa share a meal. Ha! This was Meema and Peepa's first time on the dining plan and they gave it two big thumbs up! The free dining spoils you. Who would ever want to travel again and actually have to pay for their food?!!

Off to Fantasyland where we rode Winnie The Pooh. As we exited we ran into The Fantasyland Saxaphone Quartet! In all of my travels to Disney I've never seen them before. We really enjoyed them!!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k3yFjwlugvo/ToJ3XwSZfdI/AAAAAAAAMLE/Yuyc6jEL1z4/s640/IMG_0613.JPG?gl=US

After they played a few songs we chatted with them. They were a very nice group of guys. I hope we see them again!

On the Snow White ride:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aLLjOPkDG-4/ToJ3ZI4CAiI/AAAAAAAAMLI/9tMdZAtNRm4/s640/IMG_0614.JPG?gl=US

3-D glasses photo op at Mickey's Philharmagic:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kfsscgX68To/ToJ3a-ASXxI/AAAAAAAAMLM/tzDKZ0xwrc0/s640/IMG_0615.JPG?gl=US

...Peepa must be feeling better. Hahahahahaha...

When we exited the show, Michael wanted one last try at the sword. Both kids know this is our last trip for the foreseeable future. Michael always pulls on that sword like his life depends on it. I said a little prayer when we walked over. I was really hoping he would pull out the sword.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mZyrC4N5fa0/ToJ3c11zL3I/AAAAAAAAMLQ/6SsQbD9CF1Y/s640/IMG_0616.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GXr0i9SsTfM/ToJ3egzEdKI/AAAAAAAAMLU/Y9VSCcfuxAg/s512/IMG_0618.JPG?gl=US

...and then it happened...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gnk2xDLVHSE/ToJ3g-48sFI/AAAAAAAAMLY/My7C4_SaS18/s512/IMG_0619.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iXxacihEhEs/ToJ3jfyo5UI/AAAAAAAAMLc/v7pn9RHeTU0/s512/IMG_0620.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X2mWyEmG69M/ToJ3lgmH0TI/AAAAAAAAMLg/3OkssfWl5ak/s512/IMG_0621.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--fnOwVd1CHU/ToJ3nmFIBzI/AAAAAAAAMLk/GkaUGFmAHWM/s512/IMG_0622.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rdGQEmt0afI/ToJ3tmN9dDI/AAAAAAAAMLo/XHL91aUZ7To/s512/IMG_0623.JPG?gl=US

Elsa couldn't believe her luck, and Michael couldn't believe his non-luck. :laughing: Riding the wave of excitement we moved on to ride Peter Pan, it's a small world, and Haunted Mansion.

Up Next: Our Last Day, MK Style! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43480223&postcount=147)

reelmom

11-27-2011, 05:32 PM

That's awesome that Elsa pulled the sword out. We have never had that luck.

MagicShell

11-27-2011, 09:01 PM

Congratulations! You now have 4 beautiful children, and working on 5. You truly have a huge heart. Those little boys are so lucky.

I just caught up on your trip report and it sounds like you all had a great time. Too bad your dad didn't feel well for part of the trip.

Free dining IS great! Can't wait to hear about your last day.

Lady Lallie

11-28-2011, 09:18 AM

Oh my goodness, how AWESOME that the sword started to pull out! I have never seen that before at Disney or even here on the DISboards. :thumbsup2 Poor Michael though, at least he got his picture with the sword pulled out.

Curiouser&curiouser!

11-28-2011, 12:40 PM

Oh my Goodness! I can't believe Elsa pulled ths sword out! That's awesome!

LAH LAH

11-28-2011, 01:41 PM

That's awesome that Elsa pulled the sword out. We have never had that luck.

Our first time! She was so shocked!

Congratulations! You now have 4 beautiful children, and working on 5. You truly have a huge heart. Those little boys are so lucky.

I just caught up on your trip report and it sounds like you all had a great time. Too bad your dad didn't feel well for part of the trip.

Free dining IS great! Can't wait to hear about your last day.

Can't wait till everyone is adopted and officially a part of our family! :lovestruc

Oh my goodness, how AWESOME that the sword started to pull out! I have never seen that before at Disney or even here on the DISboards. :thumbsup2 Poor Michael though, at least he got his picture with the sword pulled out.

This is the story of Michael's life! hahahahaha

Oh my Goodness! I can't believe Elsa pulled the sword out! That's awesome!

The look on her face was precious!

Jennifer48

11-28-2011, 04:40 PM

Hooray for Peepa joining you at MK!

I didn't know that the sword even came out! I've never seen nor heard anyone that had done it before. Congrats to Elsa! :thumbsup2

LAH LAH

12-03-2011, 11:24 PM

Hooray for Peepa joining you at MK!

I didn't know that the sword even came out! I've never seen nor heard anyone that had done it before. Congrats to Elsa! :thumbsup2

I was so thankful he was able to enjoy the day!

We had heard it could be removed, but we had never experienced it before. It was a fun experience :goodvibes

littlezar

12-05-2011, 08:52 PM

Hope Thanksgiving was wonderful for you guys!! I bet you guys are super excited for Wednesday!! (I'm pretty sure the only reason I remember that is because it's my birthday, LOL)

Happy to read everyone headed out together for the final day!

So weird seeing Space Mountain with the lights on!

Cute pic on the Snow White ride!

Yay for Elsa pulling out the sword! When we went in ’03 there was a little ceremony that they did with Merlin. My husband (the big, bad Marine, LOL) was chosen to try to pull out the sword. Of course, he couldn’t. Then a petite little girl was chosen and she pulled it out. She was then declared queen for the day or something like that and had a robe placed around her shoulders. My husband had to hold it up as she paraded around that little area. It was too cute!

LAH LAH

12-16-2011, 09:00 AM

Our Last Day, MK Style

I promised my favorite Photo Pass photo would be shared and it really belongs in the previous post, but I suppose I will just share it here! :) I love it so much because it gives the illusion that we are set apart from everyone else at the parks that day. I love the trolley zooming by and it just seemed to capture the joy of the morning! It has been blown up to an 11 x14 and is now hanging on our wall.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xzmc_HF6lJI/TqHyup23cVI/AAAAAAAAMYI/ht5U2ZOIn3Y/s640/29013810000.jpg?gl=US

Well back to the day. Our last day. :sad1: After Elsa pulled out the sword we rode it's a small world, Haunted Mansion and then we were off to Splash Mountain. We didn't get terribly wet (which makes my head happy!!!) but we were ready for a break. We decided to stake our claim to good spots for the afternoon parade. I think the longer I wait for the parade the more I enjoy it!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kq8uMoXvAXY/ToJ34CScQZI/AAAAAAAAMLs/5Yqukyd1LAA/s640/IMG_0624.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bNTv3rVwEJo/ToJ3_HE0KGI/AAAAAAAAMLw/H2I907BL1rY/s640/IMG_0625.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g66Ma6IQh_U/ToJ4Bp_6S5I/AAAAAAAAML0/nM7_rXO3DeY/s640/IMG_0627.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dKtfZjbYrAU/ToJ4GCqRSmI/AAAAAAAAML8/leYK8Uo2rn0/s640/IMG_0629.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dmrv-DbwKg8/ToJ4PKk4abI/AAAAAAAAMMM/XsVvZvc1eO0/s640/IMG_0635.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JFyAMYpzKpk/ToJ4Rqp0k7I/AAAAAAAAMMQ/QOfAEH8wkko/s640/IMG_0638.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-chAE0vHxYlo/ToJ4Tr1z4EI/AAAAAAAAMMU/bLYsAK8mI24/s640/IMG_0641.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D9vhUaHABl8/ToJ4fSTF2BI/AAAAAAAAMMk/LGPCGUHcJZI/s640/IMG_0648.JPG?gl=US

We enjoyed the parade and the chance to sit and rest for a bit! :thumbsup2

We went straight over to the Riverboat, as Meema and Peepa have never ridden on this before. They were excited. It is so majestic, but has only been a background beauty for them in the past. We boarded the boat and I think it only took a few minutes for the excitement to fade when it became obvious its on a track. :lmao: Maybe I was just tired or maybe it was the fact that I already rode it, but it didn't hold the ":goodvibes" it did the first time I rode it. It did give us a chance to relax, so that is good!

We quickly disembarked when we got to the dock and went on over to The Hall of Presidents. Meema and Peepa have not seen this since they did the most recent refurb.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ydtg9jLcYqY/ToJ4uAuBNaI/AAAAAAAAMNA/9p_IqQIDibw/s640/IMG_0655.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e5RpaTqSCNY/ToJ4v1omFYI/AAAAAAAAMNE/p4dNJQSWfqU/s640/IMG_0656.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yWWif1qzV9U/ToJ4xeTleWI/AAAAAAAAMNI/gevDPNFisbI/s640/IMG_0658.JPG?gl=US

We had to wait a little bit until the next show, but passed the time wandering around the lobby. It never ceases to amaze me the knowledge that my dad is able to retain. He had something to say regarding just about everything and I don't know how all the information doesn't just slip from his noggin! Before long we were sitting for the show. I enjoyed it, as usual.

Off to Adventureland for a ride on The Pirates of the Carribean, one of my all-time favorites!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y_7hIbBZpe4/ToJ4y6UY5hI/AAAAAAAAMNM/i7IJ5ADmJLQ/s720/IMG_0659.JPG?gl=US

Somehow Peepa talked us into waiting for and experiencing the Enchanted Tiki Room, newly returned to it's previous "glory". Ugh. The kids and I disliked it as much as we disliked the Under New Management version. Meema and Peepa didn't say much about their like or dislike for it. How could they? They forced us to sit through it! Ha! A quick trip on The Jungle Cruise (cheese-arama) and we were ready for dinner at Pecos Bills!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZcvuVBgGsDM/ToJ41fI7dGI/AAAAAAAAMNQ/uSk0mvYrcnw/s640/IMG_0660.JPG?gl=US

After dinner Peepa was starting to feel poorly and I was joining him. I was hoping I was just super tired from the week long go-go-go and not sick. We decided to ride the train around the park while Meema, Elsa and Michael headed back over to Tomorrowland to ride the elusive Space Mountain!

They had their fun and we had ours. That was the first time Peepa rode the train. The plan was to get off at the Train Station and secure good seats for the Main Street Electrical Parade. The park was closing at 9 and we knew we only had a little time left to enjoy so we wanted to really get good seats for the parade! Meema was also dying to experience the Kiss Goodnight like the kids and I had on our last trip, so we were hoping Peepa would be feeling well enough to stick it out.

Before we even made it to the Train Station my stomach started cramping up and I felt miserable. :sad2: So once the train came to a stop I hurried off in search of a bathroom and gave Peepa instructions to find us good seats for the parade. Thankfully it ended up working out with us all meeting back up to find Peepa had gotten us really good "seats" for the parade!

Up Next: All Good Things Have to Come to an End (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43481507&postcount=154)

LAH LAH

12-16-2011, 09:05 AM

Curiouser&curiouser!

12-16-2011, 10:10 AM

Oh no! I am sorry to hear that you started to feel sick!

Thankfully it ended up working out with us all meeting back up to find Peepa had gotten us really good "seats" for the parade!

Hmmm. Why is seats in quotes? I wonder what Peepa did?!?!?!

LAH LAH

12-16-2011, 10:25 AM

Oh no! I am sorry to hear that you started to feel sick!

Hmmm. Why is seats in quotes? I wonder what Peepa did?!?!?!

Hahahaha It's only in quotes because some stand some sit on the ground, but no chairs...of course. :)

lovebeingmummy

12-16-2011, 10:30 AM

Great trip report:santa:

My Disney Blog (http://kerrylovesdisney.webs.com/)

LAH LAH

12-16-2011, 10:36 AM

Great trip report:santa:

My Disney Blog (http://kerrylovesdisney.webs.com/)

Thank you, and Welcome!!!! :hug:

Jennifer48

12-16-2011, 10:44 AM

I can see why it is your favorite PP photo! Love that it captures the trolley in the background! :thumbsup2

LAH LAH

12-16-2011, 12:30 PM

All Good Things Have to Come to an End!!!

Main Street Electrical Parade!!!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rBs782o0uPg/ToJ43rMJ3HI/AAAAAAAAMNU/9gDRJxu9wz0/s640/IMG_0663.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D3tqtslFhYw/ToJ450rfbmI/AAAAAAAAMNY/65T-utR2gnQ/s640/IMG_0664.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MATVMtjTG_k/ToJ47n_AxEI/AAAAAAAAMNc/I0LnaRB_UDk/s640/IMG_0665.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z1iyZagoxaI/ToJ4-72WOKI/AAAAAAAAMNk/gJABYcYJSc0/s640/IMG_0668.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lDFMeT6Npzc/ToJ5AZxjYcI/AAAAAAAAMNo/lWwmXKJo4jg/s640/IMG_0670.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L4QDHzsnr_c/ToJ5B9asv6I/AAAAAAAAMNs/89lXe60B_3k/s640/IMG_0671.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AE4c8YgrL30/ToJ5G_xsKwI/AAAAAAAAMN4/VaalPHzVfFQ/s640/IMG_0677.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HKNIhULB98E/ToJ5ScnzZTI/AAAAAAAAMOM/Q2i3s4sXuao/s640/IMG_0689.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ifyyzUO1gT8/ToJ5WyegM4I/AAAAAAAAMOU/XE8OiAwKI6Q/s640/IMG_0693.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eBpe3cSqbO8/ToJ5c6JQ5PI/AAAAAAAAMOc/-M8UwbUu8X8/s640/IMG_0695.JPG?gl=US

We had seen the show last December, but Meema and Peepa haven't seen this for more than 20 years! It was greatly enjoyed by all! We made our way over to the castle for the Memories show and Wishes, of course!

We thought The Magic, The Memories and You show would be good, because let's face it, Disney does good really well! We were not prepared for the level of amazingness that this show had to offer. It started and we were blown away. I mean pictures were flying across the castle, bricks seemed to be tumbling down, the castle changed shapes a couple of times, and just when you thought they couldn't top it all, they pulled out more spectacular things. My dad and I kept looking at each other and saying "what?!!!", "no way!!!" as Elsa just stood with her mouth open staring at the castle and all it had to offer. Meema and Michael weren't standing with us as it was too confining for Michael, but as soon as it ended they bounded over exclaiming their joy and astonishment for it all! I am a die hard Wishes fan, but I am not sure if I could only watch one which one I would choose. It was that good! I hope they keep this going longer than this year only.

Then moments later it was time for Wishes! :goodvibes

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3vAFhXIfRQU/ToJ5f1p5qSI/AAAAAAAAMOk/Etlx8t2NIYE/s640/IMG_0705.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MJdzh-kWY9U/ToJ5hw0Y-zI/AAAAAAAAMOo/SyzMNW3JPgA/s640/IMG_0723.JPG?gl=US

And then it was over. The park was officially closed, but we were on a mission to stay for the Kiss Goodnight! We headed over to Frontierland in hopes of hanging out until it happened. They didn't let us get very far, but they never told us we had to leave. :)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tFo4KEJ1Liw/ToJ5kryHhaI/AAAAAAAAMOs/Y6wNY3UCsd0/s640/IMG_0731.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1nETYU9Hyws/ToJ5mLl5-6I/AAAAAAAAMOw/Wk_fLvkdct8/s640/IMG_0732.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DBkQaC_L0h0/ToJ5n47F12I/AAAAAAAAMO0/hi4Y2wn5QcQ/s640/IMG_0734.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7G1maHiOap0/ToJ5p6thErI/AAAAAAAAMO4/rK2HJaSMOl8/s640/IMG_0736.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XFMhM6Z6tWw/ToJ5tFgr1CI/AAAAAAAAMPA/aRuG4s-qpCw/s512/IMG_0738.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y2RvnNZcbAk/ToJ5ubqzmhI/AAAAAAAAMPE/RUJvA7VHPNo/s640/IMG_0739.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hJgK9t3dQWU/ToJ5vxg2phI/AAAAAAAAMPI/VTcuJpzdpXM/s512/IMG_0741.JPG?gl=US

We were slowly making our way back to Main Street and all of a sudden it happened, the Kiss Goodnight. It was happening so much sooner after closing than it did for us last December. We kind of missed it. I guess they do it twice, soon after closing and later on when less people are there. It didn't have the same affect with everyone on Main Street, but we knew we were too tired to hang on for round two. It just means Meema will have to return to WDW to experience it the proper way, and that is a win, win situation!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cPWO5g0-zwA/ToJ5xQrt_ZI/AAAAAAAAMPQ/Ni5OG0xSAWM/s512/IMG_0744.JPG?gl=US

We stopped at the Main Street Bakery and used up the rest of our snack credits for treats we could bring home. Peepa patiently waited outside the bakery and was very thankful when we crossed under the Train Station and headed back to POP. It was a great day!

Up Next: It's Easier To Go Home When You Have Babies Waiting For You! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43481832&postcount=156)

MissDaisyofTexas

12-16-2011, 01:04 PM

I just started reading your trip report but I jumped to the Universal page because we are considering going there on our next trip. It looks fabulous! You all sure can accomplish a lot in one day! Our kids are younger (7, 4, and 1) so we move at a much slower pace, but we'll get there someday.

Congratulations on your expanding family! (2 of my 3 are adopted, I forget which ones):)

LAH LAH

12-16-2011, 01:16 PM

It's Easier to Go Home When You Have Babies Waiting For You!

We had 7 glorious vacation days and that made it a little easier to pack up to go home. Meema and Peepa had an earlier flight to catch so we spent a bit of time with them before they had to go. I am so happy they chose to join us for this vacation! Before we knew it we were hugging out our goodbyes and they were on their way.

We decided to get some lunch and settle into a booth so Elsa could do the rest of her work she had missed while out for the week.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7fecQDH4jG4/ToJ5ze6wQQI/AAAAAAAAMPU/BS5F0Jo6Stk/s640/IMG_0745.JPG?gl=US

Elsa worked for over two hours and completed it ALL! Michael left his at home, as he was sure he had finished it all already. He spent a good week after we got home trying to make up his work. :rotfl: We played some ping pong outside and walked around a little bit, but before we knew it we were boarding our bus and on our way to the airport.

I missed the boys so much and was excited to get home! We made it through security just fine, but our airplane was delayed by 2 hours. Finally we were on the plane and headed home!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nizE1jNpF4k/ToJ503Tp-nI/AAAAAAAAMPY/6Ja6ho5E4e4/s640/IMG_0746.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-prgswcDLSLk/ToJ52LqBYhI/AAAAAAAAMPc/nf0GzrG9VF0/s512/IMG_0747.JPG?gl=US

It was an uneventful trip until we pulled out of the airport and noticed the van was shaking horribly. I pulled into the closest gas station and checked on the situation. This is what I found:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FURj0vkiFYo/ToJ53obRb8I/AAAAAAAAMPg/F-0cqLISggI/s640/IMG_0748.JPG?gl=US

Thankfully I was able to fill it up and we made the hour and a half trip back home. I was feeling more and more under the weather the closer we got home. We entered the house at 10:30pm and pretty much put our stuff down and fell into our beds. I immediately knew I was very sick and not just tired from the length of the trip. I was freezing and shaking and just trying to go to sleep. At 1 am Michael came into my room to tell me he was throwing up :sick: and there was nothing I could do to help him as I had a fever of 102.7 :sad1: He was very brave and handled things himself. It was a long night. Ha! I dragged myself out of bed and got the boys in the morning and spent almost a week trying to feel better, but I finally made it to the doctor and was diagnosed with strep. It took almost another week to start feeling human, but I am so thankful for antibiotics!!!

Michael made a quick recovery and pretty soon everything was back to the normal chaos.

It feels weird not trying to figure out how we will book another trip as soon as we return. I think in my heart I know this trip was a goodbye of sorts. Goodbye to an easy going, kids are capable, let's go-go-go Disney vacation. We will go back, and when we do I get to take all five of my kids!

Thank you for hanging in there with me as I inched my way to finishing this report. It has been so fun to share the joy and excitement with you all! :hug:

Up Next: Adoption Day! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43491190&postcount=162)

LAH LAH

12-16-2011, 01:26 PM

(2 of my 3 are adopted, I forget which ones):)

I LOVE this!!!! ^^^^^

You should try to go, if you can! It was great!!! Welcome to the report :hug:

littlezar

12-16-2011, 07:44 PM

LAH LAH

12-16-2011, 08:56 PM

I love your favorite photopass pic too! What a beautiful picture!! I also love the pirate one!

LOL @ all of you disliking the Tiki room! You just might have to do it again when the little boys all go for their first trip!! Or maybe you can make Meema & Peepa sit through it with them! :lmao:

Hope you and Peepa were able to make it through your last night without feeling any worse.

Love all the pics you took after park closing! What pretty parade, fireworks and castle pictures!

UGH on the tire and double UGH on you and Michael getting sick! At least you both waited til you got home! How was Peepa? Did he end up sick, too?

What a fantastic trip! I’m sure it was wonderful having your parents there to share in the magic!

Peepa started feeling better soon after leaving Disney. Thankfully he didn't have strep, so I am not sure where I got it :confused3

It is always fun to have them along for the Disney ride!

I will totally make them take the boys into the Tiki room when we finally make it down there! :rotfl: I'm not doing it! Ha!

partyof2

12-18-2011, 05:16 AM

So sad it's all over :(

I look forward to hearing more adoption updates in future.

Do you have any idea when you'll take the babies for their first trip?

LAH LAH

12-18-2011, 07:50 AM

So sad it's all over :(

I look forward to hearing more adoption updates in future.

Do you have any idea when you'll take the babies for their first trip?

It was such a great trip, even with the sicknesses, tiredness and Meema's bum foot!

I've been wondering about the whole when question :confused3 Taking the three little ones with us would be too, too, too hard on my own. We usually stay for a week or so, but I am thinking we would be looking more at a 3ish day kind of vacation with maybe just Easton, Michael and Elsa when he turns 4 or 5 and then each of the other boys when they reach that age. The airfare for our whole family will be brutal, and if everyone went we have to choose a moderate or stay off-site. I LOVE being on-site and not having to drive and battle traffic.

I have to figure out how to afford it all first! :lmao: I keep trying to figure out how I am going to feed the three boys when they become teenagers!

LAH LAH

12-18-2011, 08:30 AM

ADOPTION DAY!!!

December 7th, 2011 was one of the most magical days of my life!! :lovestruc It was so different then the days I delivered Michael and Elsa. It was great to officially welcome two boys into our family while not having to wear a hospital gown and earn all the stretch marks! :rotfl:

I think the pictures will tell it best, so here they are:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4HyGS2zZJOI/TuJ84HUpF8I/AAAAAAAAN48/rzH3ZOFx3Zw/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day.JPG?gl=US

Baby N taking a nap before we left home and while everyone else got ready:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JFywPMarBxA/Tu337xOZxYI/AAAAAAAAOQU/ETMcXOsbWlQ/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-103.JPG?gl=US

Many of our friends were waiting right outside of this stairwell and started snapping pics as soon as we came bursting through. It was an unexpected surprise and I think it really captured the anticipation and joy of the day:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LphKvNk-yhI/TuJ87tp_QII/AAAAAAAAN5I/NuPQhMBiKBA/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-3.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kZvWuXdpB1w/TuJ88gnhSWI/AAAAAAAAN5M/kJWsmmduZng/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-4.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sBfMAaeEhNw/TuJ89mvcfSI/AAAAAAAAN5Q/YY-uurQyht0/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-5.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZbgbUHFEGAs/TuJ8_zlB1RI/AAAAAAAAN5U/8oAVo7MjK8o/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-6.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9u609MhQYjM/TuJ9BY-2BQI/AAAAAAAAN5Y/EYps6MZJGeo/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-7.JPG?gl=US

Easton just saw Meema! They drove the 4.5 hours and arrived directly at the courthouse. He was so excited, and this is who he is so excitedly running to:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vo78uOAjqvE/TuJ9DPEAmMI/AAAAAAAAN5c/qroafkNIoz4/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-8.JPG?gl=US

He is in mid-jump after spotting Peepa:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zm5_5PO1YiY/TuJ9EqvkFLI/AAAAAAAAN5g/t-BiZN9h2BM/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-9.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h-gY9oM7ZG8/TuJ9GdbkvxI/AAAAAAAAN5k/qjMLlM9AjaI/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-10.JPG?gl=US

Chase took a different, more reserved approach to the day:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sDMsUNwJkM4/TuJ9Ira6JkI/AAAAAAAAN5s/NjQB7NexkvQ/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-12.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GuOBf01fvaE/TuJ9LNzKcEI/AAAAAAAAN50/iT486qTzWfc/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-14.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ERCW2_MuKfU/TuJ9MXraXjI/AAAAAAAAN54/TnE3DnzfoDs/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-15.JPG?gl=US

Quite possibly my most favorite picture of Easton:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aD3HNvpe5AE/TuJ9NfImHZI/AAAAAAAAN58/tSuADWGqFw0/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-16.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aMQJfrW9GoU/TuJ9O9Q-vxI/AAAAAAAAN6A/artjid2mp2w/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-17.JPG?gl=US

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--nihNdedsnw/TuJ9PyzjkXI/AAAAAAAAN6E/iUcJXpk5E9g/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-18.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j53JPhSiuVo/Tu336bK5rZI/AAAAAAAAOQQ/ihHPFHDZ9Ac/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-102.JPG?gl=US

The Courtroom!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oUDUlxE1FDE/TuJ9ctjsqjI/AAAAAAAAN6s/WiTCumXI2gQ/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-28.JPG?gl=US

Getting set up at the counsel table:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J82KyciosNM/TuJ9d5mFpGI/AAAAAAAAN6w/QquUmmN5UJc/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-29.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Sn5d10MKQUM/TuJ9fZD22jI/AAAAAAAAN60/WtbHMMjmM-I/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-30.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oYQ6TcOS_No/TuJ9iDf_hEI/AAAAAAAAN68/V5jHzCelC6E/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-32.JPG?gl=US

...continued...

LAH LAH

12-18-2011, 08:56 AM

Adoption Day ~ Part 2

And then the Judge came in and it all started:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ml_ue9qkDVk/TuJ9jg8ooII/AAAAAAAAN7A/i11Kg_Ck36I/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-33.JPG?gl=US

He started by pulling out stuffed animals for both Easton and Chase from him suit coat pocket. After that there wasn't a dry eye in the room!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dKxUWGno21o/Tu3382ctgmI/AAAAAAAAOQY/BJOdyc7T7e0/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-104.JPG?gl=US

Within a few minutes the Judge was signing Easton's adoption into effect:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7HMo4CQjP3I/TuJ9wOKbb4I/AAAAAAAAN7s/K3QPL4G2xsI/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-44.JPG?gl=US

Everyone started clapping and the joy and love was so overwhelming:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B0GzE7cXw6Q/Tu33-JM9RLI/AAAAAAAAOQc/H-cy5wH_bNE/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-105.JPG?gl=US

At that moment Easton became my son, forever:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ECeSmKOpm08/TuJ90UUep-I/AAAAAAAAN78/1NHWnbvtqhU/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-48.JPG?gl=US

Chase was a little less enthused when his forever moment came along:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z2A5JLnk25s/TuJ968122SI/AAAAAAAAN8Q/c2YvXuMHZT8/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-53.JPG?gl=US

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DPXdQTJuYOs/TuJ97rA-GFI/AAAAAAAAN8U/Z6hgjsJVJuQ/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-54.JPG?gl=US

Our family with Judge Brown:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZxiJc_DRvnY/TuJ-4c2ezTI/AAAAAAAAN_I/w8yiX1f7qeo/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-99.JPG?gl=US

I made this cake a few days before the adoption (my first foray into fondant) and Easton had been eying it ever since. The morning of the adoption my good friend came to pick it up and take it over to where we would be having the adoption party. Easton flipped out. :laughing: During the adoption, right when the Judge was about to sign the paper, I leaned over to Easton and told him that this was the moment his name would change and that I would be his Mama forever. I asked him if he was excited and he said "no" and hung his head. About 30 seconds later he lifted his head and said (rather loudly) "I just want that cake!!!!" :rotfl:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zilDeWjLTjs/Tt5BFvqMk4I/AAAAAAAAN4k/haNzHW3rKR4/s720/DSC03097.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EXvTDi1n_E8/Tt5BCivrHrI/AAAAAAAAN4Q/sP15OsbiSFw/s720/DSC03089.JPG?gl=US

The first thing we did when we got to the party was to cut some cake for Easton!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g2PcwgGZeOc/TuJ-Tp7pP9I/AAAAAAAAN9g/grNJff__Zcc/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-73.JPG?gl=US

Chase still thinks if he closes his eyes that no one can see him:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kYlXjhtD-bA/TuJ-ZlWmGpI/AAAAAAAAN90/AKqrwAAwTAk/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-78.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gVktKmhrHlk/TuJ-bi75dMI/AAAAAAAAN94/hdBDO9jRPSg/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-79.JPG?gl=US

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sdBgR9UKt6k/TuJ-8fysCTI/AAAAAAAAN_Q/StXTBbGbY64/s512/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-101.JPG?gl=US

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--CCBKZTG9r4/TuJ-6EUnLKI/AAAAAAAAN_M/47zN57WI4DU/s720/12.7.11%252520Adoption%252520Day-100.JPG?gl=US

Such a wonderful, wonderful day! Now we can't wait to adopt their brother, Baby N!

mjem216

12-18-2011, 09:31 AM

We had such a wonderful time! (still so excited about your pregnancy!)

:goodvibes

You're probably going to hear more than you want! Hahahahaha

i just read your trip report and it was awesome, please keep them coming every time you go... thanks

jecskc

12-18-2011, 09:43 AM

You are so brave to adopt those little ones !! Such a special person !! My brother and sister are adopted and my husband is adopted. It is a special kind of mother that opens their home to a child like that. Keep us posted on baby N's progress. Have a Merry Christmas !!

partyof2

12-18-2011, 10:16 AM

Congrats Easton and Chase on joining your forever family!

Elsa looked so beautiful all dresses up, I really love her outfit, it's so cute. Well done Michael for agreeing to match his brothers!

You must feel so much more secure knowing that the boys are yours now no matter what, praying N's turn comes soon.

P.S. I love the idea of you taking Easton for his first visit with just you, Michael and Elsa. I think it would be so special for him.

MissDaisyofTexas

12-18-2011, 01:34 PM

Awwwww....the pictures of the adoption day made my tear up! I'm so happy for you all! Congratulations!

LAH LAH

12-18-2011, 07:05 PM

i just read your trip report and it was awesome, please keep them coming every time you go... thanks

Thank you! It was a really great trip. I love coming back months later and reliving it all. It is a great way to take a mini-trip in your head!

You are so brave to adopt those little ones !! Such a special person !! My brother and sister are adopted and my husband is adopted. It is a special kind of mother that opens their home to a child like that. Keep us posted on baby N's progress. Have a Merry Christmas !!

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too! This was an easy decision for us. We have loved them like our own for a long, long time. Great to make it official! :goodvibes

Congrats Easton and Chase on joining your forever family!

Elsa looked so beautiful all dresses up, I really love her outfit, it's so cute. Well done Michael for agreeing to match his brothers!

You must feel so much more secure knowing that the boys are yours now no matter what, praying N's turn comes soon.

P.S. I love the idea of you taking Easton for his first visit with just you, Michael and Elsa. I think it would be so special for him.

When we knew the adoption was going to happen I contacted someone on Etsy to create the ties for the three little boys. I showed Michael and Elsa in the morning and he expressed a desire to match them as well, which was a huge surprise to me! So I called her and ordered one for him and then ordered him a humungous pair of Chuck Taylors. He wears a men's 10 already. How do I make them STOP GROWING?!!!!

Elsa really cleans up nice! :lovestruc

It's been a long time coming for the boys. I am so proud to call them my own boys!! :goodvibes

Awwwww....the pictures of the adoption day made my tear up! I'm so happy for you all! Congratulations!

Thank you so much! We had a few people taking pictures and I am so thankful we were able to document it so well!

Lady Lallie

12-19-2011, 07:26 AM

What a lovely adoption day. :goodvibes

I started my morning off with sweet tears for your newly extended family. Thank you so much for sharing this special day with us. :hug:

LAH LAH

12-19-2011, 08:15 AM

What a lovely adoption day. :goodvibes

I started my morning off with sweet tears for your newly extended family. Thank you so much for sharing this special day with us. :hug:

I will always look back on that day as one of the few perfect ones in my life!

Your little lady is the size of an eggplant, how exciting is that?!!! :hug:

Jennifer48

12-19-2011, 09:33 AM

LAH LAH

12-19-2011, 10:16 AM

I'm so sad to see your TR come to an end but it was a wonderful end with Meema seeing the Kiss Goodnight!

I hate Mondays & you just brightened mine up by posting your adoption story. Congratulations on all your beautiful children and I wish you all the Merriest Christmas! Keep us posted on Baby N! :goodvibes

Finishing the TR made me contemplate how we might get the boys out there sooner than later, but that is still to be figured out!

Thank you so much for sharing in my joy and excitement over the boys. Can't wait till Baby N is ours officially!

Curiouser&curiouser!

12-19-2011, 10:29 AM

LAH LAH

12-19-2011, 12:48 PM

I am glad that you all had such a wonderful trip (except for the sickness at the end).

The Adoption pictures brought a tear to my eye this morning! I am so happy for you! (And I have a feeling that you will be back before you know it! It might not be a go-go-go trip like your used to, but I can't picture you staying away with that wonderful family you have!)

It really was a great trip! I would choose being sick at Disney than at home anyways! :rotfl:

I'm still trying to take in the awesomeness of the day :goodvibes

Lady Lallie

12-19-2011, 03:23 PM

I will always look back on that day as one of the few perfect ones in my life!

Your little lady is the size of an eggplant, how exciting is that?!!! :hug:

It is so very exciting. I'm truly amazed at how fast this pregnancy is flying by. I know she is going to be here before I know it!

littlezar

12-19-2011, 09:53 PM

Thank you for sharing the boys adoption day with us! Such beautiful pictures ~ they are just oozing love! Congratulations to all of you!!

brookelizabeth

12-20-2011, 01:19 PM

I'M BAWLING!!!!!!!!!! Catching up since November and seeing that WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC, GLORIOUS news has me with tears running down my cheeks! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :yay::yay::yay: What a very, very merry Christmas you have this year!!!!!

And your family just got even cuter - if it's humanly possible! :laughing: Lovedddddd the "Zoo" Halloween costumes too! LOL!

Okay, onto other comments....:goodvibes

During this trip I was really working on the gentleman aspect for Michael. He was directed to keep standing until every single woman on the bus was seated. I can't say he was thrilled or excited about this, but I guess that's not the point. :rotfl: This is standard practice for Peepa and Michael is plenty old enough to be a gentleman, and so the training begins.

I love this. I had a young man (probably around 10 or 12) do this for me on the monorail during a trip. I came into the car and he instantly stood up and said "Would you like my seat?" ZERO prompting from anyone. I did a :eek: then thanked him and sat. I later found out I was sitting next to his Mom and told him how amazed I was. She just grinned, it was a Proud Momma Moment for her!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hsYnj4qpufE/ToJ24WTG9oI/AAAAAAAAMJ8/ihjQNdez31g/s640/IMG_0578.JPG?gl=US

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2: GREAT picture! Poor Michael. ;)

That cappuccino cupcake looks yummy to me! That must be a new (or fairly new) offering there as well. Previously they had Mickey Rice Krispy Bars.

LAH LAH

12-22-2011, 12:14 PM

It is so very exciting. I'm truly amazed at how fast this pregnancy is flying by. I know she is going to be here before I know it!

You are going to hear this a million times, but won't fully understand it until she gets here: They grow up so fast! Treasure every moment!!!! :lovestruc

Thank you for sharing the boys adoption day with us! Such beautiful pictures ~ they are just oozing love! Congratulations to all of you!!

Thank you so much! Still on cloud nine! :cloud9:

I'M BAWLING!!!!!!!!!! Catching up since November and seeing that WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC, GLORIOUS news has me with tears running down my cheeks! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :yay::yay::yay: What a very, very merry Christmas you have this year!!!!!

And your family just got even cuter - if it's humanly possible! :laughing: Lovedddddd the "Zoo" Halloween costumes too! LOL!

Okay, onto other comments....:goodvibes

I love this. I had a young man (probably around 10 or 12) do this for me on the monorail during a trip. I came into the car and he instantly stood up and said "Would you like my seat?" ZERO prompting from anyone. I did a :eek: then thanked him and sat. I later found out I was sitting next to his Mom and told him how amazed I was. She just grinned, it was a Proud Momma Moment for her!

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2: GREAT picture! Poor Michael. ;)

That cappuccino cupcake looks yummy to me! That must be a new (or fairly new) offering there as well. Previously they had Mickey Rice Krispy Bars.

Thank you!!! :hug: What a journey it has been! I still tear up when I look at the pictures. It was just such an amazing day of love and support and joy! :yay:

Michael was a pretty good sport about all the hats. It's not really his thing to have all the attention, but it was a lot of fun. :)

I hope we quickly get to the point that Michael doesn't have to be reminded to stand! Ha!

I'm not sure how we are going to top the Zoo Halloween! I think we are going to do a Toy Story theme next year. Baby N can be one of the martians!