Hicks on Holiday 2 - Done brung the Kinfolk, Part 2, update 8/18/09, p.4 FINISHED!

DisneyMom5

DIS Veteran
Joined
Nov 11, 2003
Well, because I was slow as molassus in Ju-ly, they closed my original thread.
But, they didn't reckon on me being persistant, did they?

:lmao:

I made a promise that I would finish this report, if not for posterity,
then for my family's own enjoyment.
Besides, I need to get it done so I can do a Pre-Trip report for THIS SEPTEMBER!!! :banana:

[Hicks On Holiday 3 catchy title suggestions are now being accepted.]

So, for your continuing pleasure, I give you:

Hicks on Holidays 2 - Done Brung the Kinfolk, Part 2
A story of our family trip to WDW that took place Sept. of '07.

[Part one can be found here. ]

Here's a refresher course on the cast of "characters" (love ya, mean it):
Me (Sarah) - 39, SAHM Homeschooling mom, Disney compulsive planner.
Decided a Grand Gathering with dh’s family sounded like a good idea. Sigh. Always planning our next trip to WDW.

John, aka Ninja Guy/Indiana Jones - 37, My handsome dh of 15+ years.
He really has studied to be Ninja AND an archaeologist. Hoping to retire from manufacturing and just dig stuff.
He tolerates my WDW obsession, mostly because once we get there, he has a great time.
Wondering whether this “Mandatory Family Fun Trip” was a good idea.
He’ll be the one wearing sunglasses in all the pictures.

Disney Girl - My 13yo dd. The apple does not fall far from the tree with this one.
She says “Mom, can you teach me to plan a WDW vacation?”
I am so proud. *wipes a tear*

The Chef - My almost 11yo ds. Wants to be a chef when he grows up.
Knowledgeable in all things Lego, Star Wars, and animals.
Hoping to hit the LEGO store this trip.

Danger Boy - DS, almost 8. This one has “The Kavorka” AND two dimples to back it up.
(If you've watched Seinfeld, you know.)
Voted “most likely to get lost at WDW.”

The Inquisitor- DS, almost 6. Full of questions, 24 hours a day.
Loves the hotel, loves the buses, loves the monorail – why the heck did we buy park tickets?
Oh, yeah, because he LOVES the trains. Sigh.
Good thing we love him!

Princess K - 4yo dd. This one is cute and knows it.
She and her younger sis received princess dresses for Christmas and plan on using them at WDW.
Will be over the top in love with everything at WDW.

Bitsy - DD, almost 3. Always in cahoots with Princess K, getting into something!
Doesn’t remember the last trip, but has seen all the pics and is well versed in all things WDW.

Babycakes - DD1, this is her first trip.
Though she was quite possibly a souvenir from the last trip.
And worth every penny!

Also traveling with us:
Mom - MY mom, 69, who has never been to WDW.
She hasn't the foggiest idea what WDW is all about, and has seen very few of the movies.

Bionic SIL, 30 something -totally ready for the Disney experience and VERY happy to let me plan the whole thing.
That works for me. LOL

Pocohantas Jr. (d niece 10), and Stitch Jr. (d nephew 8) – their first trip, and they are REALLY looking forward to it.
B is one of Disney Girl’s best friends, even though they are 3 years apart. Really wants to meet Pocahontas..
N is Danger Boy’s best friend, and probably is the “2nd. Most likely to get lost at WDW.”
It probably will be big fun to have their best friend with them at WDW.


When we last left the Hicks they were:
...off to find the Mecca of Disney Stores,
A Bastion of Candy Goodness, and,
be still their itty bitty beating hearts, the LEGO STORE!

Next up: Don't shop on Saturday, and Mom finally loses it....
 
Don't shop on Saturday, and Mom finally loses it....
DTD - Sept. 22, 2007

We were very excited about our first trip to DTD.

There was one little detail that we had neglected to think about.

It was SATURDAY afternoon.

Apparently, like all good malls, DTD is the place to be on a Sat.
Locals and tourists alike.

So my one suggestion to you all is to visit on a weekday, preferably in the morning.
More on that later.

If you have boys, like I have boys,
there are two words that you hear a bit too much:
LEGOs
Bionicles

So our first stop at DTD was, of course,
the Lego store.

McDonald's next to the Lego Store

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Danger Boy checking out the windows

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Life size Bionicle, and some Hick youngins

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Lego Dogs

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Lego Tourists

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Close up of the Lego Tourist's camera

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Bitsy eyeing that Lego Sea dragon

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View across the inlet of the DTD lake (Rainforest Cafe)

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Let me just fill you in by telling you that for some reason, Babycakes was in a BAD mood.

In retrospect, although the rest of us had just had a ginormous breakfast at Chef Mickey's,
she had eaten very little,
not to mention we were heading for nap time.

She probably just wanted to nurse and sleep.

DisneyGirl took her outside of the Lego Store, and sat on a bench with her.

Apparently, Baby Cakes was making her own itinerary:

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She's looks all cute and innocent there, doesn't she?

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But this was the reality for most of the day:

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But I digress.

Here's my take on the Lego store: For all the hype, it isn't all that great.
My boys didn't really want to spend that much time there.
They weren't interested in any of the play areas,
and after dropping a few bucks on souvies (graciously sent back to our resort, whoo hoo!),
They were ready to move on.

More on this segment in an upcoming post...
 
Hicks on Holiday 3...The Tertiary Terror?
 
Hey! I am glad you are continuing your TR. I enjoyed reading your TR and dining reviews. Can't wait to read more. popcorn::
 


Hey, Sarah, I'm glad you're back. I see you all the time over on Brenda's thread. I do remember reading your report last year and I wasn't sure if I missed the rest, but this explains it!



"Hicks on Holiday: 3-D!"
"Hicks on Holiday: Third Time's the Charm"

I'll need more details to think of more catchy titles! :laughing: Any extra kinfolk coming this year?
 
Hicks on Holiday 3...The Tertiary Terror?

:lmao:

Hey! I am glad you are continuing your TR. I enjoyed reading your TR and dining reviews. Can't wait to read more. popcorn::

Thanks! Hoping to have more up tomorrow.

Hey, Sarah, I'm glad you're back. I see you all the time over on Brenda's thread. I do remember reading your report last year and I wasn't sure if I missed the rest, but this explains it!



"Hicks on Holiday: 3-D!"
"Hicks on Holiday: Third Time's the Charm"

I'll need more details to think of more catchy titles! :laughing: Any extra kinfolk coming this year?

Nice titles! Thanks for checking in. :goodvibes
 


More DTD...

We decided to leave the Lego Store area,
and head for what is known to be the biggest Disney Store...somewhere???
North America???
The World???
Well, it's the biggest Disney Store in WDW, that's for sure!

A few more Legos, before we go...

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The World of Disney store has several areas,
each with their own entrance.

Guess which area we found first?

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YUP, princesses.
After all the Bioncles and Transformers and Legos, we needed a feminine touch.

As it was Halloween, they had a lovely costume display.

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This store would have been sooooo much fun...
On a weekday...
in the morning...

As it were, it was SOOOOOOOOOOO chaotic.
Packed, packed, packed.

Check out lines 6 people deep.

John about had a coronary.
He does NOT like being crowded,
NOT to mention the possibility of losing small children.

:scared1:

We managed to shop the whole store though, spent quite a bit of moola.

But there was one item in particular I had come for.

I had seen it online, and knew it was available at this store.

I intended to use my Disney Visa, and get a discount.
(I actually FORGOT to use my Disney Visa,
but I did use my disney rewards, so technically it was free.)

What was this item I wanted so badly???

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Yup, a Belle Precious Moments.
I collect Precious Moments, though not actively.
But when I saw the Disney line...well, I HAD to have it!!!

It was part of the reason I insisted we go to DTD.

Later I saw it at a shop at MGM. Apparently, it's available outside of DTD.
Doh!

But anyhoo...

At one point, John was looking around, and I wanted to check out, so I had DisneyGirl stand in a very particular spot with the other kids to wait for me.
While I was gone, John came back, and asked where I was.
He then went looking for me, having decided we needed to stick together, and get out of that place.
While he was gone, Mom came up looking for me.
DisneyGirl explained the situation, and Mom decided to go looking for both John and I.
I returned, for some reason, and heard the whole situation. :rotfl:
Finally, both Mom and John returned, having been unable to find me,
as I was waiting where I said I would.

:confused3

Mom and I headed to finish checking out our last items.

The line to check out was PAINFULLY slow. Really Awful!

We finally got our items, and headed out through the Pirate section.

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We then went over to Once Upon a Toy.
I was really intrigued by this store, especially the "Make your own Lightsaber" section.

The girls had a great time dressing ponies, while John and The Chef made their own lightsabers, and Mom and I did some Christmas Shopping!

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This store was great, and the little girls ended up spending some money
on a My Pretty pony box full of pony princess costumes.
Cram it in girls, we're getting our money's worth of this one! :lmao:

Coming up:
Goofy's Candy store, and Mom finally breaks....
 
I just love World of Disney! Those Cinderella costumes are a little weird with the masks, aren't they? :rotfl:

Bring on the candy! Specifically chocolate dipped marshmallows, rolled in M&Ms!
 
I just love World of Disney! Those Cinderella costumes are a little weird with the masks, aren't they? :rotfl:

Bring on the candy! Specifically chocolate dipped marshmallows, rolled in M&Ms!

I'd like to go back to DTD when it's not so busy. But it won't be this next trip, as dh hasn't gotten over that last trip yet. :rotfl:
I won't be giving anything away to say that we did not get a chocolate dipped marshmallow. Sigh.

I can't wait to go to the World of Disney. I have read so much on here about it.

It really is a cool store. Just go when it's not busy. :thumbsup2
 
DTD - Sept. 22, 2007
Goofy's Candy store, and Mom finally breaks....


So...When we last left the Hicks, they were checking out at the Once Upon a Toy Store.
The clerk there was awesome.
I jokingly said "It's only ONE pony per box, right???"
He said "Let me see how much room you have in there?
Go ahead and get another pony."

:banana::banana:

I had two very excited little girls,
because they didn't have to share the one pony!

The boys had finished their light sabers,
and we thought they were a great value.
For around $20, you got the lightsaber, batteries
(installed, to be sure you had it together right and it worked),
AND a bonus Disney collector's pin,
which you could choose between a Jedi and and a Sith pin.
Batteries and the Pin alone were a good chunk of that $20.

We sent these things back to the hotel,
so we didn't have to haul a double edged red Darth Maul light saber on the bus!

:darth:

We then decided a visit to Goofy's Candy store was in order.
Who doesn't like candy? :confused3

Now is the time I need to remind you of an earlier comment:

Let me just fill you in by telling you that for some reason, Babycakes was in a BAD mood.

In retrospect, although the rest of us had just had a ginormous breakfast at Chef Mickey's,
she had eaten very little,
not to mention we were heading for nap time.

She probably just wanted to nurse and sleep.

Yup, she was still cranky.
We were all feeling her wrath.

We went into the store, and we all picked out some candy.

There was some discussion about what fudge to get.

We were waiting to check out when Babycakes REALLY lost it.

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And, apparently, so did Mom. :scared1:

She picked up Babycakes, said "That's enough of that."
And stormed out of the store.

YIKES.

In Mom's defense, she had put up with us for a two day drive,
and an entire week of HOT FL weather.

Considering this was her only meltdown (Mom's, not Babycakes),
we understood.

I went out and quietly talked to both of them, and said it was ok.

Later, when we realized that the baby's problem was that she needed MORE snacks (duh!),
Mom came to the rescue by carrying crackers in her purse. :thumbsup2

So, candy in hand, we headed back to the resort.

Tired of DTD, but happy.

We spend that night hanging out around the resort, and,
as usual,
:laundy:

Next up: I'm slogging in the rain, just slogging, in the rain...
 
I can't help but love that picture of Babycakes! We all feel that way sometimes!
 
No trip update, just wanted to pop on and say:



WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYWORLD!
:cool1:
:banana:
:woohoo:
:yay:
:dance3:
:cheer2:
:grouphug:

I was able to book Free Dining yesterday. FOUR rooms.
Yup, the WHOLE Hick gang is returning.
Bionic SIL and crew (still no BIL, sniff) are booked for a return engagement,
and Mom, shock of all shocks, has agreed to go back!!! :scared1:

This is ALL dependent on John still having a job in the fall,
and how my 97 year old grandma is doing at the time,
as Mom and Dad take care of her,
but I got the trip insurance and we're hoping for the best!

So Disneygirl just said a moment ago "Uh, you need to finish your report,
so you can start a pre-trip."
Yup, way ahead of ya sister.
Can't make ADRs until approx. June 22, but I already know where we are going.
Well...for the most part.
We will probably change our minds a million times. LOL

Oh, and today is Disneygirl's birthday,
and tomorrow is Princess K's,
so it's a Party, Party weekend here in Hickville.
party:
:bday:

Thanks for reading, as always! :goodvibes
 
I'll congratulate you over here, too! Maybe if you showed John some youtube videos of the band at Raglan Road and the dancer, you could convince him of the "allure". ;)

Tell the girls Happy Birthday! Mmm, I just realized that means TWO cakes at your house this weekend! I'll be over after while....
 
Yippee you get to go again. I saw the free dining annoucement and thought of your TR. I hope everything works out. Man 4 rooms did you have to pay $200 deposit on each room?
 
I'll congratulate you over here, too! Maybe if you showed John some youtube videos of the band at Raglan Road and the dancer, you could convince him of the "allure". ;)

Tell the girls Happy Birthday! Mmm, I just realized that means TWO cakes at your house this weekend! I'll be over after while....

Yup! Sometimes we only do one for the birthdays that are close together
(we also have 3 in August),
BUT, Grandma is making Princess K a Barbie Cake,
and DisneyGirl requested:

German Chocolate Cake (also known as "Better than..." Cake)
1 box of German chocolate cake, prepared according to box
When cake is done, cool for 10 minutes
After 10 minutes, poke holes in the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon (or something like)
drizzle over the top: 1 can of sweetened cond milk
3/4 of a jar of caramel topping
Allow to cool completely
Spread with 8 oz cool whip or enough whip cream to cover
Sprinkle with 6 crushed Heath bars or Butterfingers.
Refrigerate until serving

Yippee you get to go again. I saw the free dining annoucement and thought of your TR. I hope everything works out. Man 4 rooms did you have to pay $200 deposit on each room?

They counted John and I's connecting rooms as one ressie,
and then the other two as separate, so we only had to pay $600. :thumbsup2

Thanks for reading! :wizard:
 
Mmmm - that sounds really good! I may just have to make that (minus the whipped cream - DH has a cholesterol issue!). I love chocolate and caramel and the condensed milk just sounds so good!
 
Mmmm - that sounds really good! I may just have to make that (minus the whipped cream - DH has a cholesterol issue!). I love chocolate and caramel and the condensed milk just sounds so good!

It IS! LOL

Thanks for reading - I'm hoping to have time to do an update this week! :thumbsup2
 
I'm slogging in the rain, just slogging, in the rain...
Epcot and MGM/DHS
Sept. 23, 2007

In the interest of time, and considering I should start a pre-trip report soon,
I'm going to try to speed through the rest of this!

Please keep your hands and arms in the trip report at all times.
And no smoking.

Flash photography IS allowed.

Now sit back, and enjoy, as Sarah attempts to pull a trip report out of a hat.

When we last left the Hicks, they had visited DTD.
After spending the day at DTD, it was time to head back to the parks.

We decided to spend another day at MGM/DHS,
as there were a few things we had missed the first time.
Especially Playhouse Disney, which I knew the little kids would love.

We had a 4:00 ADR at Biergarten, so we needed to travel over there later.

I really didn’t want to walk to Epcot, as I knew we’d be tired,
and after the great Stomach Flu Disney Disaster of 2004,
Disneygirl refuses to ride the transportation boats.
So, that left the buses. But more about that later.

We entered DHS, and meandered around the park.

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To be honest, I don't remember WHAT we did at first.
Might have been on the Movie ride, as we usually do that.
But...
Our prime objective was Playhouse Disney, so eventually we made our way there.

Babycakes was loving it.

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The Bear of the hour

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Bitsy getting her groove on

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The kids always enjoy this. The only thing that bothers me is sitting on the floor.
Mom ended up standing in the back, and my knees would have preffered that!
Oy.

Then we headed the direction of the Narnia display.
The wait time for this was pretty long, and we weren't in the mood to wait around, so we took this picture instead.

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Then, we headed to the "Walt Disney, One Man's Dream."
In all of our visits, we have never done this.
I didn't even know there was a MOVIE in this exhibit.

As we were walking up, the CM at the door was trying to encourage people to come in, without much success.
As we approached she brightened right up.

Why, you ask???

Because her good friends waiting just around the corner inside were terribly bored.

Who, you ask???

THE YOMD DREAM SQUAD!!!

Yes, that's right, we were going to win another dream.
What was it?
Dream Fastpasses, AGAIN!

We were thrilled!

They even gave one to Babycakes.

:cheer2: :dance3: :woohoo:

Then we continued on through the exhibit.

Mom LOVED this, so apparently, along with It's a Small World,
it gets the Senior Citizen stamp of approval!

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Walt's school desk

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Sleeping Beauty Castle, DL

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Mary Poppins Costume

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Spaceship Earth Model

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Newspaper cartoon from the day Walt died

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Next up: More Touring One Man's Dream, and we get to the slogging in the rain part.
 

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