Edinburgh to Orlando - our holiday was "awesome!!" (did I say it right??)!!! (+pics)

[ScotsMinnie]

Well I started with a pretrip report and couldn't figure out how to move it to the trip report board so I have started again!!!! (sorry - quite new to the boards!).

First of all a wee catch up on who we all are:


I am 32 and live in Stirlingshire in Scotland. I have been a Disney fanatic since birth I think and always loved the sense of make believe and wonder which the films and stories give you. I have been to WDW many times and DL once (and DLRP once on a conference and it is officially the worst place. Does not even start to compare with WDW and I will never be back.)

DH is 33 and was not a Disney fan until I made him go just after we got married and now he loves it. i don't think he totally "gets" it but he loves going on holiday (vacation!) here.

DD Emma is 6 and loves all things Disney. This will be her 3rd trip to WDW and she is exceptionally excited about this upcoming trip. I'll call her DE!

DD Katieis just truned 2 and does not yet know what a holiday is!!!! Even so she is very excited about her "oidays" and loves everything about Aurora. I'll call her DK!

Mum and Dad are also having 2 weeks at WDW - they are leaving 4 days before us so we will have about 10 days with them. Mum is as Disney daft as me and is always the one wiping tears away during the opening ceremony (I hide mine behind sunglasses!). Dad is going to spend time with the girls - he is not too bothered about Disney at all. But it is rule of the trip - you must be excited so he is doing his best! I'll call them Granny and Grandad in the report!
Both Mum and Dad dote on my girls so we are going to have a lot of fun experiencing it all together.

We have bought a 21 day ticket for WDW which gives us unlimited access for 21 days to all parks and water parks for DH and DD6. DD2 does not need a ticket and I have bought an annual pass to save money on the car parking and to get the discounts at the World of Disney store. This is a good saving for us.
We also have tickets for SeaWorld and a one day 2 park pass for Universal.
So it is going to be a busy 18 days and we plan to fill them up.

Next post..........

Our travel day.........................

 

[ScotsMinnie]

We got to Edinburgh in plenty of time and checked our bags straight through to Orlando which was great as we didn’t have to wait for our bags to do Twilight Check-in at Gatwick as we had already done it online. We gave the girls something to eat at the airport and by the time they were finished it was time to go. Flight was fine – DK was a bit upset during take off and landing but all in all not too bad.

Found out at Gatwick that the plane in the morning was due to be half full hence the reason we were moved around so much. Dinner at the Hilton was great and our room was huge and comfortable. DK and DE were amazed by the bidet and enjoyed hiding in the huge cupboard!

In the morning our flight was delayed by 3 hours so we had a long wait in the departure lounge which was less than ideal. Eventually we got on the flight and DK fell asleep straight away – before the wheels left the ground. 8 hours passed and we were all still in good humour but desperate to get off the plane. Granny and Grandad met us at the airport and we were off!

We decided to go via Downtown Disney in order to validate my annual pass to save time in the morning. It was lovely to get a wee taste of what was to come. Downtown Disney is a lovely place with so much going on.

So it was back to the villa , unpack the PJs and to bed. We hoped the girls would not get up too early with the time difference………………………………….

 

[ScotsMinnie]

3.46am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s when DK started to shout on Mummy! Not good! She did go back to sleep in bed with us for a bit. DH got up and got showered, shaved and dressed before he realised he had got up at 5am by mistake as his clock was wrong!!!!

I took the girls in for a swim as the sun was coming up which was great. The water was a bit nippy but you soon get used to it. Showers and then out of the door by 7.45am.

The Magic Kingdom was very quiet when we arrived in the morning, We parked in Minnie and walked to the TTC. We caught the monorail to the MK – my fave way to go. We got a good spot in front of the Mickey flower display in front of the railway station and both girls sat on the wall and waited for the Welcome Show to begin.

This would be DK’s first taste of what was to come and I wondered if she would be a bit scared but she loved it. DE has obviously seen it before but was just as excited as ever. I don’t know what it is about that show – must be the angle of the sun but it always makes my eyes water!!!! Ahem……..

We walked under the station and came into Town Square. DE was excited to see Chip and Dale come our way and they made a big deal of the fact that DE had similar teeth (she has 2 front teeth missing at the top – actually 3 now but more of that later!!!!) which was really funny.

DH and Grandad went to Splash Mountain to get fast passes so we made our way up Main Street USA slowly to meet them at Buzz. There was no line for the Astro Orbiters so we walked straight on and were the only ones on it! Then it was on to Buzz where I managed to hit something which gave me 999999 points – max score!!! Wish I could remember which target I hit! That was near the start of the ride so had to move over to the other gun which was in front of DD2 to play more! Buzz is a good ride though.

Grandad and DE on the Speedway.

DK on her favourite ride!

We then did the Speedway, Philharmagic, Carousel, and It’s a Small World before heading off to Splash Mountain. DK loved the carousel (she calls it the sasselle) and It’s a Small World – think we will have to go on them again before we go home!! As usual we all got very wet on Splash Mountain. Most of the soaking came from the bit where you ride past the big drop as others are coming down. I got wetter from that bit than the drop itself. Always good fun though! After collecting fast passes for Big Thunder Mountain we went to the Columbia Harbour House for lunch. Thunder Mountain is by far my favourite ride at the MK – its just so much fun. I could happily ride it all day. In Frontierland DE was lucky enough to be picked to take part in Woody’s Roundup which was a lot of fun. And doesn’t that song stick in your mind for ages afterwards? I still find myself humming it now – 3 weeks later!!

The parade at 3 was lovely as usual but not too busy. DK was looking for Aurora but she was nowhere to be seen. All in all the MK today was very quiet I thought. Not as busy as the last time we were here at this time.

And how can you leave the Magic Kingdom without a balloon???

By this time we were all tired and hot and bothered so we headed home for a nice cool dip in the pool. The day was finished off with a trip to Sizzlers for dinner and an early night.

A busy first day – just as we like it!

 

[macheath]

So glad you started your TR! I've been wondering how your trip went! Can't wait to hear more..

Your arrival and 1st day sound great ( well, except for the 3:45am wakeup from Katie!! ) I guess her body clock told her it should be 8:45am!

Congrats on your max points on Buzz! Can't wait to get back on that ride.

Following along for the fun
Heather

 

[Joie29]

Great start-- What a beautiful family you have!

Can't wait to read more

 

[irky416]

Your girls are cute!


I'm impressed that by 7:45 not only were out the door, but had already been for a swim and a shower. And everyone looks wide awake and ready to go in that first picture!

I can't wait to hear more.

 

[jmskinner]

You started your trip report!

Great start and love the pics! Looking forward to more.

 

[~Fisharefriends~]

great start to your trip report. we are always up at 4am with ds no matter what time he goes to bed, luckily we wear him out enough on the first day he gets up at a normal hour byt he next day!!!

Look forward to reading the rest of your trip.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

great start to your trip report. we are always up at 4am with ds no matter what time he goes to bed, luckily we wear him out enough on the first day he gets up at a normal hour byt he next day!!!

Look forward to reading the rest of your trip.

Thanks! Sometimes its good to have jet lag - saves having to drag your selves out of bed!

So glad you started your TR! I've been wondering how your trip went! Can't wait to hear more..

Your arrival and 1st day sound great ( well, except for the 3:45am wakeup from Katie!! ) I guess her body clock told her it should be 8:45am!

Congrats on your max points on Buzz! Can't wait to get back on that ride.

Following along for the fun
Heather

Buzz is a great ride. I have never got that high before. If I didn't have DKs gun to use I would not have been able to play for most of the ride!!!

Great start-- What a beautiful family you have!

Can't wait to read more

Thanks!

Your girls are cute!


I'm impressed that by 7:45 not only were out the door, but had already been for a swim and a shower. And everyone looks wide awake and ready to go in that first picture!

I can't wait to hear more.

Would it surprise you to hear that it was still dark when we swam!!! I am always ready to go when I get to the Magic Kingdom! How can you not be!!! Glad you are enjoying my story so far!

You started your trip report!

Great start and love the pics! Looking forward to more.

At last eh? I have about 2000 pics to sort through and its taking ages. Lots are being deleted but I can't remember taking so many at the time!!!!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

This morning we were off to Epcot for opening which was not difficult as the girls were up super early again!!! As a joint birthday/Fathers Day present we had bought Grandad a place on the Around the World on a Segway tour so we headed straight to guest services where he had to register.

As he waited DH went off to Soarin for the fast passes and the rest of us went to Test Track. Granny and DE went in the line as it was only 10 mins and we got a Rider Switch ticket for me and DH when they came off as obviously DK is too small to ride. We took DK to the exit area where she played happily around the cars and went to the Kidcot Funstop and coloured in a traffic cone to hang on her little lanyard. We found the rider switch system to be great and DE certainly did as she got to ride twice!

After that we had a wander round Innoventions and as we turned a corner there was Grandad on his Segway in the training area! I think the shock of seeing us nearly knocked him off it but after taking a few photos we left him to it. He said it was an amazing tour to do and the Segways are fabulous fun to ride. When they went off round the World Showcase in the 2nd hour the tour guide told them a lot of interesting things about the World Showcase too which made it really interesting.

Having fun in the Imagination Pavillion.

We have a ride on Journey into Imagination which I love (sad I know!) and we have a lovely lunch in China. After lunch we go to use our fast passes on Soarin. Its Grandad's first time on Soarin and it blows him away. This really is one of my favourite rides – they do it so well. We then head home to the villa to escape the heat and have a swim in the pool to cool down. The girls stay in for ages and I am sure they will have webbed feet by the time we get back!

Tonight we plan to go to DownTown Disney for a little wander about. Eventually we found a parking place – it seems a lot busier than last time. DE loves the Lego people and gets photos with them all. She wonders how the Lego monster in the lake (who she thinks is the Loch Ness Monster) doesn’t fall over.

DK is overjoyed to see her favourite type of ride – a sasselle (carousel to me and you!) so we have to ride that – a lot! As we get a table by the lake to enjoy our ice creams from Ghirardellis DE spots the dance party and can’t resist joining in. Therefore we are there for hours as she does every dance the DJ can think up along with lots of other kids (and adults). This is definitely a highlight of her trip (and we make a return visit for more!) and I must admit to enjoying doing a bit of the Birdie Song which I don’t think I have done for about 15 years!!!!

Tomorrow, a date with Alice for a tea party……….

 

[irky416]

Sounds like you had a great time at Epcot! I would love to try the Segways!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Sounds like you had a great time at Epcot! I would love to try the Segways!

Wish I had done it with my Dad now as it looked great fun. Maybe next time.
Lx

 

[averill94]

Whar a great start to your trip! The girls are adorable.

How long did it take to adjust to the time difference?

Looking forward to more!

 

[CHEK]

Great start to your trip , Magic Kingdom is just the place to be on your 1st morning , just like your family we're always up mega early on our first morning so we make the most of it! Looking forward to reading more , beautiful pic of you all at MK.

 

[macheath]

So glad your Dad enjoyed the Segway Tour...I would love to try that! Oh, well, maybe someday.

I love Soarin'. I'm glad your Dad liked that also.

Pics at Imagination Pavilion are too cute. Thanks for sharing1
Heather

 

[WDW Fan]

Your girls are so adorable!!! My mom is from a little town on the outskirts of Glasgow and I always enjoy reading TR's from Scotland! Sounds like the girls really enjoyed Epcot. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[caz1712]

What a small world - (oh no the song is coming into my head)

I'm from Falkirk and I don't know how but I recognise your face from somewhere! Probably just around town or something! Your girls are gorgeous!

Great trip report can't wait to read more!

Carreen
xxx

 

[ScotsMinnie]

What a small world - (oh no the song is coming into my head)

I'm from Falkirk and I don't know how but I recognise your face from somewhere! Probably just around town or something! Your girls are gorgeous!

Great trip report can't wait to read more!

Carreen
xxx

How strange is that??

Wish i was still looking forward to my trip! Another 3 years for us now......

Lx

 

[caz1712]

I know bizzare!

My countdown can't go quick enough really! I am an obsessive planner and I have lists for lists! So finding this forum has been great! Knowing that there are other obsessive people like me out there!

DH thinks I'm mad for all the planning I'm doing (well he thinks I'm off my rocker anyway so really doesn't make much difference! ) but he just doesn't seem to understand how much planning this holiday will take!

Oh he will thank me I can tell you

Three years is probably what we will have to wait for after this holiday as its cost an absolute arm and a leg!

Carreen
xxx

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I feel your pain! I too am an obsessive planner but I think if you don't plan then your holiday to WDW can be a nightmare. Some people wing it but never seem to have the same enjoyment that you get if you do your homework.

Your countdown will pass very quickly I'm sure.

Lx