Ten Sleeps in Disney World!! - An Aug Trip Report *5/9 Departure Day & Final Thoughts

[wdwgirl03]

Great update! AK is my second favorite park.

We all get a kick out of that line of Stacy's on resort TV too...in fact, when we were riding it my dad had to go and repeat it when we got to that part.

I remember seeing FOTLK on our first trip to AK and then we didn't see it for a long time. I have a newfound appreciation for that show...it's great isn't it?!

 

[mirandag819]

Great updates! You all got so much more done that day at AK then we did the same day.... I really wanted to see both shows and we didn't see either of them. I would have totally freaked out loosing 1 child, I can't imagine how you held it together when it happened a 2nd time.

LOL! Glad you didn't have to bring 500 bunnies home.

Yeah I don't know what happened with RFC, but I swear on that day they were taking the dining plan....we had Laundry's giftcards for our bill, but they were asking about Dining Plan and I heard numerous people tell them they were on the dining plan. Did they just do that for free dining or what?

 

[wendy3]

Joining your fan club. What a great trip report so far!! Awaiting the next installment

 

[ellajeansmom]

Got a little behind but I'm caught up now!

A fabulous MK day - lots of rides but at an easy pace Too bad about the missed meeting time with the boys I paid an extra $40 to have my cell plan upgraded to US coverage while we were at WDW (DH's cell already has US coverage because he needs that for work). I think I only used it 3 or 4 times in the week but it was worth the $ just to know we could do that. Oh and great pics of the fireworks

Glad that all ended well with the missing kids episodes at AK - our girls tend not to wander too far but those few seconds/minutes when you can't see them feel like an eternity. My parents had trouble with my youngest brother taking off - and he was fast. We once lost him at one of the big hospitals in Toronto...we'd been visiting someone and he jumped on the elevator and the doors closed before the rest of us could get on. Luckily we found him in the lobby but my mom was freaked out.

We loved both the Nemo and Lion King shows - they are really well done, glad you enjoyed them We missed both EE and Dinosaur but they sound so fun...next time!

Can't wait to read about Epcot and Teppan Edo (another item on my next time list!).

 

[mickeysmyboy]

OMG! Your story about losing Ariana on Alex's b-day made me cry! I lost DD once in Best Buy when she was 3 and was so freaked out!! It was one of the most awful times of life!

Sounds like you had a great day in AK, aside from losing the kids!! Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oh my goodness! What a scary update! I'm glad everything worked out in the end. Phew!

I kinda feel the same way about Animal Kingdom, I always seem to get really discouraged while I'm there for some reason. I'm hoping that when I go in January it will be cooler so I might be able to get more done.

 

[Jennyfer]

Just caught up and I'm ready for more.

You have an awesome family!

 

[cjackearl]

Your family is just so sweet. I love Alex's camera tricks. And Arianna's laughing pictures are just precious. We didn't make it to Finding Nemo, but it looks great. I'm so, so sorry the end of it included a missing Demetri. What a good boy to do what you instilled in him to do if he was lost. And then Arianna too! Oh, you poor mom. I had a missing child at Typhoon Lagoon our last trip (the story is in my PTR) and I just about lost my mind! I'm glad that all ended well. Great shots of FOTLK! We love the show as well and the movie was a huge, huge hit here also. I think we even have two copies of the Lion King game still.Want one? Good job keeping those bunnies apart. Although baby towel bunnies would be so cute!

 

[Angies1274]

Wow!! Great updates!!!! But...oh my...How scary about Demetri and Ariana getting lost!! I'm so glad that they were found and everything was fine.

I understand your feelings about AK now that we've gone in August too. It was so hard getting everything accomplished that we wanted to because it was just sooooo HOT!!!

You got some really great pictures in FOTLK and Nemo!!! I didn't even attempt to get pictures during the show this time...not sure why??

Loved EE and Dinosaur!!! So much fun!! That's one of the great things about bringing the parents along, we were actually able to go on rides we hadn't before because the boys were too scared.

It looks like you had so much fun on Kali!!! I can't wait to hear what you thought about Teppan Edo.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

GREAT update Glad the kids were only lost for a short period, though I know short periods of lost children can feel like hours as I often find myself running in two different directions when my kids wonder, they can't wonder in the same direction

It's an instant want-to-throw-up feeling when I can't see them. Ugh!

Bummed you didn't eat at Flame Tree, but Pizzafari sounds good too.

It was! But next time (I love saying next time!) I'm going to at least sit at the Flame Tree even if George grabs something else!

Can't wait to see what happens next.......

Holy smokes! I don't see how you stayed as calm as you did when you had not one but two children get lost in such a short period of time. Just when you think your children never listen to you, they do something that you've pounded into their heads.......stay put and wait for somebody to come get you. That's what I told our kids too.

Luckily that was the first time Demetri had to make practical use of my "when you can't see Mommy/Daddy/Alex" mantra and he was rewarded with many hugs and kisses when we found him!

We never have a real plan when we tour the Animal Kingdom either. Well, I take that back, we know that we need to get Fastpasses for Expedition Everest and go on the safari early in the day. But, other than that, we just kinda go with the flow too.

It looks like your love/hate relationship with the Animal Kingdom worked okay this trip. Like you said, you can always do the things you missed on your next trip.

Its so bizarre, I've been reading other TRs from around the same time we did and they all saw animals. It's like they go to sleep knowing my family is on the way!

Looking forward to reading more.

Holy Moly...I don't have children of my own but after 11 years in childcare (started when I was 16) losing a kid is a very scary experience!! You handled it perfectly and it speaks highly of your parenting that Demetri listened and when back to the spot he was and stayed waiting for you guys!!!

Thank you

I just love your attitude that you know what we didn't get to something this time we'll just have to do it next time (don't you just love having a next time LOL)

I'm always afraid each time we go will be the last time, but Demetri and Ariana are helping my cause to convince George for Dec 2010 And of course with all the huge changes to Fantasyland, that is now a must see!

Your pictures of the FOTLK were amazing!! I haven't seen this show yet but I'm so seeing it in a couple of weeks I can't wait!! Thank you for posting those!!

Oh I cannot wait for you to see this, you will love it! And your pictures will be just like mine!

Okay, I have caught up now!!!

Finished MK day -- YOU GUYS WERE EVERYWHERE!!! buzz buzz buzz! Lots of great rides in and seems like a lot of fun was had by all, and you know I have never been to Columbia House either, but I hear it is good!!

It was a fantastic day! Darn my picky hubby... he's just going to have to get 'take out' from Cosmic Ray's and come join the rest of us at CHH!

You are really an excellent shot with that camera!! Nice photos of the fireworks, and "surprise" Spectro!

BUT in the AK, your photos of Nemo and FOTLK were fantastic!

Thanks! I love to take pictures. A LOT of pictures.

Your day at AK looks wonderful too! Isn't Kali the best way to beat the heat??!! We were PRAYING to get soaked when we were there!! It was the best "cooling system" we could ask for!

We're the family that laughs at people wearing rain gear on Kali. We love getting soaked!

Looking forward to Epcot dinner!! Never been to Teppan Edo!!

There may have been a small glitch before we got there!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Well the best I guess you can say for lost children is that when everyone is back together it does make a good story...

I think that I would have been gravitating between...trying to stay calm and collected on the outside and feeling hysterical on the inside...

Yep, that's pretty much it. You're trying to appear calm to your other children but on the inside your heart is beating like a thunderstorm

The story of Ariana being lost when she was younger at Alex's 9th b-day...also a big... (One of the things with kids anywhere on the spectrum is that they are really so very trusting...they usually don't have a mean bone in their bodies...they assume everyone is like that as well...David assumes that everyone is well intentioned -until proven otherwise-wish that were true...)

So glad everyone finally got back together...

It's tough... I don't know how to teach her not to trust people.... how to separate the good samaritans from the non. Sigh. It was a while before I wasn't holding her hand extra tight.....

EE so fun-just did it for the first time...-sorry for Demetri-He's sure to make it next time...

Love Dino-too-scream like a baby on it...

Demetri and I talked about these two rides last night. George told him "when we go next time" cool1 you'll be tall enough. I told him he had to eat all his vegetables and drink all his milk!

Um...other the the trauma of losing Demetri-I'm glad you liked Nemo-I like it too-some people seem not to, I wonder if they thought it would be just like Lion King-both different, both excellent...

We love them both for different reasons. I personally don't think one is better than the other.....

Looks like you guys took it on the chin...second time around on Kali-it's pretty easy to get soaked...

I love that Ariana loves Lion King so much...it makes you feel great as a parent when they find something that blissed them out that much...

She's still asking daily to go see the Lion King Musical in NY. George and I were joking this morning that one day she's just going to present us with a completed itinerary for a trip to NY. Transportation? check! Tickets? check! She'll have used my credit card and booked everything out for us!

Great update! AK is my second favorite park.

We all get a kick out of that line of Stacy's on resort TV too...in fact, when we were riding it my dad had to go and repeat it when we got to that part.

Good to hear we're not the only ones!

I remember seeing FOTLK on our first trip to AK and then we didn't see it for a long time. I have a newfound appreciation for that show...it's great isn't it?!

Love it!

Great updates! You all got so much more done that day at AK then we did the same day.... I really wanted to see both shows and we didn't see either of them. I would have totally freaked out loosing 1 child, I can't imagine how you held it together when it happened a 2nd time.

Ah but you guys saw moving animals on your safari! You'll definately have to see them next time you go. Next time!

LOL! Glad you didn't have to bring 500 bunnies home.

Yeah I don't know what happened with RFC, but I swear on that day they were taking the dining plan....we had Laundry's giftcards for our bill, but they were asking about Dining Plan and I heard numerous people tell them they were on the dining plan. Did they just do that for free dining or what?

Hmmmm, maybe they were just warning people ahead of time they're not thru the DDP. I'll try another booking next time. It was loud when we walked thru but it looks so much fun!

Joining your fan club. What a great trip report so far!! Awaiting the next installment

Thanks!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Got a little behind but I'm caught up now!

A fabulous MK day - lots of rides but at an easy pace Too bad about the missed meeting time with the boys I paid an extra $40 to have my cell plan upgraded to US coverage while we were at WDW (DH's cell already has US coverage because he needs that for work). I think I only used it 3 or 4 times in the week but it was worth the $ just to know we could do that. Oh and great pics of the fireworks

Oh the extra cell costs are definately going into the budget next time. It was crazy without it.

Glad that all ended well with the missing kids episodes at AK - our girls tend not to wander too far but those few seconds/minutes when you can't see them feel like an eternity. My parents had trouble with my youngest brother taking off - and he was fast. We once lost him at one of the big hospitals in Toronto...we'd been visiting someone and he jumped on the elevator and the doors closed before the rest of us could get on. Luckily we found him in the lobby but my mom was freaked out.

Ack! Glad that turned out! Imagine trying to search an entire hospital?!

We loved both the Nemo and Lion King shows - they are really well done, glad you enjoyed them We missed both EE and Dinosaur but they sound so fun...next time!

Can't wait to read about Epcot and Teppan Edo (another item on my next time list!).

I love next time lists!

OMG! Your story about losing Ariana on Alex's b-day made me cry! I lost DD once in Best Buy when she was 3 and was so freaked out!! It was one of the most awful times of life!

Sounds like you had a great day in AK, aside from losing the kids!! Can't wait to read more!!!

Ugh it's too easy to take things for granted isn't it? Everyone go hug your children and/or loved ones today!

Oh my goodness! What a scary update! I'm glad everything worked out in the end. Phew!

I kinda feel the same way about Animal Kingdom, I always seem to get really discouraged while I'm there for some reason. I'm hoping that when I go in January it will be cooler so I might be able to get more done.

I can't wait to hear how it works out for you! Although the animals will still know its us when we go again.

Just caught up and I'm ready for more.

You have an awesome family!

Thanks! That's so nice of you!

Your family is just so sweet. I love Alex's camera tricks. And Arianna's laughing pictures are just precious. We didn't make it to Finding Nemo, but it looks great. I'm so, so sorry the end of it included a missing Demetri. What a good boy to do what you instilled in him to do if he was lost. And then Arianna too! Oh, you poor mom. I had a missing child at Typhoon Lagoon our last trip (the story is in my PTR) and I just about lost my mind! I'm glad that all ended well.

I remember your TL story! Its crazy how quickly they could end up anywhere and the extra element of water would freak me out even more too.

Alex's camera poses are a hoot! Wait till you see our day at DHS!

Great shots of FOTLK! We love the show as well and the movie was a huge, huge hit here also. I think we even have two copies of the Lion King game still.Want one? Good job keeping those bunnies apart. Although baby towel bunnies would be so cute!

Awww that would be cute!

Wow!! Great updates!!!! But...oh my...How scary about Demetri and Ariana getting lost!! I'm so glad that they were found and everything was fine.

Thanks!

I understand your feelings about AK now that we've gone in August too. It was so hard getting everything accomplished that we wanted to because it was just sooooo HOT!!!

Yep! They need more outdoor fans. Mmmmm, outdoor misting fans!

You got some really great pictures in FOTLK and Nemo!!! I didn't even attempt to get pictures during the show this time...not sure why??

That was me last time. I was going over the pictures and there was nothing from the show. This time I compromised and only snuck a few so I could watch the rest.

Loved EE and Dinosaur!!! So much fun!! That's one of the great things about bringing the parents along, we were actually able to go on rides we hadn't before because the boys were too scared.



It looks like you had so much fun on Kali!!! I can't wait to hear what you thought about Teppan Edo.

Kali = fun fun fun !
Teppan Edo = ??? Soon!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Just a quickie update today and I'm hoping to get my next one done tomorrow.

Hmmmm, I thought I’d taken some pictures of our early swim and late dinner after our day at AK but I seemed to have actually set the camera down for the evening… what’s with that?! Must be because I don’t have a waterproof digital camera.

Our swim started out at the 50’s bowling pin pool and then after awhile, just for fun we went to the 60’s main Hippy Dippy pool to check it out. It was a bit tougher to keep my eye on both Ariana and Demetri at the same time but it wasn’t all that crowded and we checked out the fun flower spouts. I was struck by how polite everyone was at both pools. Sometimes you can get some pretty rowdy folks that don’t always take the people around them into consideration, but it was a great swim and a great end to the day. I can’t really remember what we all had for dinner at the Pop food court, but I know I had nachos and cheese….yum! I asked for extra cheese on my plate, and then I just went ahead and asked for a small container with more cheese to dunk the nachos into! Oh so yummy and it felt like such a shame that I couldn’t finish it. Then it was back to the rooms for a bit of TV and night-nights.

I’ll finishing off our AK day by listing what the kids told me were their favorite and not-so-favorite things of the day.

ALEX:
Expedition Everest
Standing on the buses

ARIANA:
Festival of the Lion King
Nothing!

DEMETRI:
Kali River Rapids two times! and the towel bunny!
"I couldn't go on Expedition Everest."

 

[KathyRN137]

Tracy, I can't believe I've missed your report... and I remember following your PTR, too!

Somebody throw something at me...

I was absent from the boards a lot in August... I'm going back to start over... be back soon!


Kathy

 

[jenjolt]

Thanks for the quick ending to your day!! I'm glad you guys were able to really enjoy some pool time, that is fantastic!! Hmmm...nachos sound really really good right now!!!!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Tracy, I can't believe I've missed your report... and I remember following your PTR, too!

Somebody throw something at me...

I was absent from the boards a lot in August... I'm going back to start over... be back soon!


Kathy

Hey Kathy!

Thanks for the quick ending to your day!! I'm glad you guys were able to really enjoy some pool time, that is fantastic!! Hmmm...nachos sound really really good right now!!!!

You have 7 days!! Another trip report to follow! (Not that I'm rushing you back or anything!)

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Sounds like a great end to your day! Those nachos sound soooo yummy! I'm thinking the nachos in Mexico will have to be my lunch next month on our Epcot day, along with a margarita! YUMMY!!

I'm glad you had a nice swim! I've heard that the main pools at Pop etc can get pretty rowdy and sometimes unenjoyable because of that! That's no fun on vacation!!!!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Angies1274]

I didn't take any pictures of the pool this time---no waterproof camera here, either. We only did the Hippy Dippy Pool because it was so close to our room. It was so funny, because the water was so warm, and hardly refreshing but the flower spouts were great. I think we spent most of our time under them.

Nachos--yum!! I agree with Alex!! EE is so much fun!!!! That's too bad Demetri couldn't ride.

 

[KathyRN137]

Ah... all caught up! I feel so much better now!

*What a lovely mother-daughter breakfast with Cindy... and that picture!

*You got to do so much inthe MK that day, despite the time lost waiting for the boys.

*So glad Demitri knew what to do when he got separated from Alex! And then to have Adriana wander off...Your poor heart!

*That picture after your last Kali ride looks like its a shot of a family of wet cats! Oh well, it was refreshing, right?!

Looking forward to more...

Kathy

 

[cjackearl]

A swim at the end of a Disney day is the perfect nightcap. Except of course for an actual nightcap. And if said nightcap is at the pool where you're swimming? PERFECT!