Basking in the Glow of the (not so) Creepy Clown -2/11-Pictures, Final Thoughts, PTR!

[brookelizabeth]

Color me green with envy! The good thing is, if we don't go in Dec, and decide to go in March, we will most likely be there for some of your dates!

December is wonderful, but I secretly (or not so secretly) would love for you to go in March!!!

Wow, that's going to be a great trip. Congrats! I'd go broke just on food alone after 15 days.

I KNOW! Joe and I discussed that last night. We will have some food in the room - breakfast, snacks and that sorta thing. And there was some discussion of renting a car for a day or two to do some off-site things and re-stock on the groceries. Hopefully that will save us a wee bit.

And having a 3 year old at Disney who wants EVERYTHING isn't the smallest bill either.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

15 days. Awesome!!! I didn't realize the F&G show ran for so long. I'm going in early May and will catch the end of it. We can compare photos!

By the way... you are giving me DVC point add-on-itis.

 

[jenseib]

Brook, we have taken 3 trips in March, 2 the 1st week and 1 the second. Weather can be all over, and corwdes dependin on schools spring breaks and when Easter falls.
In 2007 our trip was much cooler. The last day did get to high 70's, but we left early that day. I still wore shorts most of the trip, but also mostly wore a sweatshirt too. The 1st night was so cold I had on a winter coat. The crowds were very high that trip too, but we also did alot of EMH days.
The 2008 trip was the best crowd wise. Easter was in March that year, which made alot of schools spring break earlier, so we missed that, and then the ones that fall over Easter were coming in about the time we were leaving. The weather was pretty good too. Mostly just sweatshirts for evenings. in 2009, we went the 2nd week and the weather was hot! Crowds were pretty doable. Some days were busier, and since we don't park hop, we were stuck in the park if it was busy. WE also learned to avoid most EMH days.
My parents went in late Feb (I think) this year, and it was very chilly for them. My mom said the wind was really strong.
I think Tim went the 2nd week of March this year, and his weather was chilly too. It can go either way, and it seems liek the last few years FL has had some unseasonable cold spells.

 

[brookelizabeth]

15 days. Awesome!!! I didn't realize the F&G show ran for so long. I'm going in early May and will catch the end of it. We can compare photos!

By the way... you are giving me DVC point add-on-itis.

I've wondered if the end is more beautiful than the beginning because all the flowers won't quite be in full bloom I'm sure.

I was wanting April at first, just right in the middle - but it wasn't working with the schedule and planning around flowers seemed a tad obsessive.

We have total add-on-itis as well. This is obviously an expensive trip, and will most likely be our only for 2011 (unless we do a cash trip), but we DO hope to buy more in 2012 if we are able to pay off the current in 2011. I want to be able to do 2 trips a year, and with our current points we can only do it if we borrow constantly....which is fine, but....it sure would just to be nice to have that many and not be concerned of it. And not that I've looked a few times, but BW points are cheap...

 

[dolfinjuls]

15 days! That will be amazing! I'm pretty sure our 10 day trip last year was the longest trip we'll be doing! And I think it's great that you'll be at both resorts, almost like two seperate vacations while you're down there!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Brook, we have taken 3 trips in March, 2 the 1st week and 1 the second. Weather can be all over, and corwdes dependin on schools spring breaks and when Easter falls.
In 2007 our trip was much cooler. The last day did get to high 70's, but we left early that day. I still wore shorts most of the trip, but also mostly wore a sweatshirt too. The 1st night was so cold I had on a winter coat. The crowds were very high that trip too, but we also did alot of EMH days.
The 2008 trip was the best crowd wise. Easter was in March that year, which made alot of schools spring break earlier, so we missed that, and then the ones that fall over Easter were coming in about the time we were leaving. The weather was pretty good too. Mostly just sweatshirts for evenings. in 2009, we went the 2nd week and the weather was hot! Crowds were pretty doable. Some days were busier, and since we don't park hop, we were stuck in the park if it was busy. WE also learned to avoid most EMH days.
My parents went in late Feb (I think) this year, and it was very chilly for them. My mom said the wind was really strong.
I think Tim went the 2nd week of March this year, and his weather was chilly too. It can go either way, and it seems liek the last few years FL has had some unseasonable cold spells.

Thank you Jen! The crowds, as per Unoffical Guide, are looking good - so I'm not too concerned about them - and like you, we avoid EMH, so that always helps. If we do EMH this trip, it will just be for EMH not for the day.

I'm totally cool with wearing a sweatshirt just at night, and I'm good with jeans a t-shirt or shorts and sweatshirt. I DON'T like the idea of a winter coat in the parks though! I hope we can swim!

 

[brookelizabeth]

15 days! That will be amazing! I'm pretty sure our 10 day trip last year was the longest trip we'll be doing! And I think it's great that you'll be at both resorts, almost like two seperate vacations while you're down there!

I really like the 2 separate resorts too - I've thought the same thing, almost like 2 vacations! Was 10 days just awesome? Did you have plenty of time to relax and enjoy?

 

[chloe770]

WOW! 15 DAYS! SOOOOOO jealous! I'm dying to get back to Disney. My last trip was a short 3night/4days mother/son trip back in May. DH says we can't go back again until DD(Meadow) turns 3. She's only 10 months old now. He just doesn't share the passion for Disney like the rest of us. Even Meadow at 10 months old gets excited to see Mickey. Still can't persuade him.
Oh well, atleast I can get my Disney fix thru your great TR's. You do an excellent job of really sharing the magic . Henry is so cute and I love little redheaded boys as my DS Jack is one too.

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off with us falling asleep with smiles on our face after a very smooth, and fun filled, travel day.

No alarm was set, our plans for the next day called for Animal Kingdom. Joe wasn't supposed to be at Disney yet, so he already told me to just run the day as I had planned.

So it truly was another miracle when my eyes flipped open at 7:00 am.

What is going on here people?!?! I DO NOT wake up this early - EVER - on my own. Yet here I was, wide awake, raring and ready to go!

I loved it. I wish I could be like that every morning - espeically at Disney.

Joe woke up shortly after I did and Henry...

Sound asleep.



We had a nice leisurely morning of getting ready without a toddler at our ankles. And I gotta say...it was pure bliss.

Around 8:30 am I broke my rule of "Never wake a sleeping child, enjoy the quiet! " and we woke Henry up. He woke up with a big smile, excited and happy about his breakfast of muffins, milk and Mickey Mouse Club House. We don't have cable anymore, so it was a HUGE treat for him to get to watch Mickey. It was the episode of Minnie's Birthday - which was funny because that is similar to the show they do at Playhouse Disney Live in DHS AND because the last time we saw that episode we were at CSR in September 2009.

Why I remember this stuff, I don't know.



Anyway - we didn't have the heart to turn it off, Henry was so happy and content just eating, drinking and watching. Sure, we could have made RD at AK, but we just decided to let him be.

After the show ended we headed to the bus stop

when the bus came it first stopped at the Swoflin and then off to AK,

Finishing up those muffins on the bus

we arrived at 9:25. The bus ride, even with the stops, was not bad. I was a bit nervous about all the sharing BWV does with resorts, but truly - not bad at all.

Right as we got off the bus I noticed this. Kinda cool

Joe going through bag check. With our stroller bag it was a breeze! The main part of the bag is see through and we just had to unzip 3 little pockets. It was much nicer than having to take off a Baggalini and a camera bag, plus pull a bag out from under the stroller. I would recommend a stroller bag to anyone with a stroller, well worth $20!

I don't believe I had ever noticed this before, and if I had, I forgot about it!

We saw this view a lot this trip. Henry loved walking around and being out of the stroller.

We stopped to watch the flamingos - Henry really likes them. Here he was showing me how they stand.

We brought Henry's camera along, but this is the only day he took pictures - we kinda forgot about it after that! I have yet to download his pics, but I will.

If you read my PTR, you will recall that I did "3 Things" for each park day. Here is what I had planned for AK.

1. Rafiki's Planet Watch
2. Flights of Wonder
3. Boneyard

Staying right on track, we pretty much headed straight back for Planet Watch.

Such great themeing on this bridge!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

We had never been back here before, so I explored the train station area a bit - which was awesomely themed, as all of AK is!

Video of the waiting area - 31 seconds

One of the signs posted in the station. I wonder what it really says, if anything?

Henry was excited to see the CMs in train outfits, "He drives train!"

Soon our transportation arrived.

Video of the train arriving - 41 seconds

A few sights along the ride, you get to see the backstage area where they keep the animals.

We got off the train and Henry headed straight to the elephant statue to climb on it. I felt a bit bad because there was a mother there trying to get a picture of her 3 on it and Henry just climbed right in there. Before I could even peel him off she told her kids to get down and they would get the picture on the way back.

Oops, sorry lady...I didn't mean to!

After playing on the elephants and Henry looking at all the posters for Oceans, we started on the path. We were probably the last family at the station, but we didn't mind - we were just taking it nice and slow!

We came to the station where the kids can look for (plastic) animals in the plants and mark them off on a board. I at first thought Henry might still be too young to understand this, but he proved me wrong!

He had a very fun time finding them all, with a bit of help from Mommy and Daddy.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

After he turned in his leaf board the CM asked him what animal was his favorite and he said the turtle. She took a few minutes to crouch down to his level and tell him a bit about the tortoise in excellent 3 year old speak. She was awesome with him, he was totally engaged.

Moving on...

Bat box in a tree

We arrived!

Very cool mural in a very cool building. The air conditioning was very much enjoyed by this family!

We explored a bit

Rafiki was out signing and taking pictures, but the line was very long, so we didn't join it, I figured we could go outside and enjoy petting the animals first, then come back in and meet him.

Henry LOVED petting the goats! He seriously could have stayed there for hours.

Henry recognized the playground equipment that the goats had and wondered where the slide was.

These goats sure do take a lot, I cannot imagine how many toddlers "pet" them each day. "Gentle hands!" was said more than a few times.

This is such a goofy picture!

While Henry petted and brushed, Joe and I took turns...

Ah yes, love those misting fans!

We eventually peeled him away from the goats, washed up and of course Disney has a dump shop out there, so we had to shop!

Henry really liked Squirt. I explained he could get ONE stuffed animal for the whole trip and told him that there might be a Buzz or a McQueen or something later that he might like better. He picked Squirt and held onto him, then about 3 minutes later put him back and said "No, Buzz." It amazes me that he actually understands stuff like this now, he's still a baby in my head!

They have some really unique shirts in this shop.

Back inside Rafiki was gone. Thankfully Henry didn't notice!

We explored a bit more...

Ew.

Shortly after we decided to head out - there was a bunch of stuff we didn't check out, but we can just save that for the next trip! We really enjoyed our time there, it was a very different experience, and Henry had a blast petting the animals. We will definitely be back to Planet Watch again. I'd like to see some of the animal care they do back there next time.

On the way out...

Henry found a Hidden Mickey! (with a bit of help from me....) He was fascinated that there was Mickey there! He finds Hidden Mickey's all the time now at home, it's pretty cute what he sees Mickey in.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Back outside, someone else took advantage of the misting fans

On the train ride back

We safely arrived back in Hambre

Gotta love the details.

A disco at AK? I'd be game!

As per my "3 Things" list we had the Boneyard or Flights of Wonder to conquer...where should we go next?

 

[jenseib]

What a great day so far. We did planet watch once, but I don't remember alot about it other than Skip wasn't impressed ...but he doesn't care for AK too much. We did run into the talking trashcan there though. I would like to go back and explore, but it seems we never have much time too....mostly because we now only plan partial days there since Skip doesn't like it.
I'm loving all your pictures

 

[norybell]

First off: fifteen days! That's amazing!

I've wondered if the end is more beautiful than the beginning because all the flowers won't quite be in full bloom I'm sure.

I'm sure it just depends a lot on the weather. We were there near the end of it this year, and it was unseasonably hot, meaning a lot more flowers were wilted than I've seen in the past. Oh well -- it was still beautiful!

Great update...I've never been to Planet Watch, since it seems a little pointless without kids. Someday, though!

 

[disneyfan61]

Phew. I have spent the last hour or so getting all caught up. Love the TR Brook!! I have followed all your other ones & was a little late to this one!!

What a great travel day you had & the view from your room!!

Loved the pics of H & Joe when he first arrived. So cute

What a great first night you had ending with Illuminations (my fav)

Isn't it wonderful just walking back to the resort after?? We stayed at BC in May & just LOVED it.

Great day at AK so far. Looks like H is having a great time.

15 days in March???? How great is that!!! Lucky you!! We have been for 10 days before & it was great. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

 

[KristiMc]

15 days!!!! I am jealous. We stayed at BLT in February and loved it. It was so nice being able to walk to MK.

 

[gellybean]

HOLY 15 days at Disney Batman!?


That's CRAZY Goodness right there!

So excited for you guys!! Mr. Incredible is never gonna be able to take more than 9 days off in a row! Maybe one of these years I'll go down with the boys early and let him join us.

Loved seeing Plant Watch. We've never made it back there either! Looks like a great thing for 3 yr olds though! Maybe on a trip when it's not so hot. Thank goodness for misting fans!


Can't wait to hear what you guys did next!

 

[manntra]

15 DAYS???!!!

​

I am beyond excited for you!!! How awesome to be able to plan such a long trip!!! What a dream!!!

Oh tell me about borrowing your points!!! That is ALL I do I like doing the 2x a year trip....this past year I did May and now October and doing the same thing next year. Perfect timing for the festivals and the weather is just starting to change in the NE I think the October trip might be BLT....I don't want to be the last one to stay there!!

I took the train out there once when my niece was younger.....had a fun time exploring Loved flamingo Henry

Tracy

 

[SlippinFalls]

Wow 15 days in Disney! An obsesive planners dream!

Looks like you had a great start to your trip. That picture of H sleeping is so flippin cute!

Are you still DVC members? I think I remember you saying something about trying to sell your membership. But I'm guessing you didn't since you'll be staying at DVC resorts.

 

[999ghostslover]

What a fun trip out to planet watch. WE took Abby when she was 2.5 and she was so unimpressed. She went to a Montessori then that had goats, horses, ducks, frogs, snakes, chinchillas and chickens so the whole petting live animals was just like a regular day to her. It was funny. Now she would love it! We skipped it last trip but I would bet we make it there this time. We had some foreign tourists on the train and they would not sit right. tHey kept sticking their legs way out the open train part. The conductor stopped the train and got them to stop and then they started again and the Disney police met us back at the train station. That was fun to watch. it was amazing how they had no comprehension of what was being asked of them until the police came to get them. Then their English was remarkably good.