3 Families doin' a Surf & Turf Trip! AKL CL & Dream...Good-Byes

[WDWaddictt]

You're right...sooooo many things to do on the ship. We actually needed two weeks on board to get everything done!! Crazy, isn't it?!

Yall only have 2 months until your AKL trip! Are you excited, yet??!! Since you're staying in a villa, will you eat in the room more often or in the restaurants?

I am so excited I can barely stand it..haha. We still haven't told the kids, so I am very excited about that as well. I am reading some more info about AKL and everyone can't say enough good things about this resort. Soo excited!!

We probably won't be eating in the room, except for maybe some snacks. I don't like to cook on vacation.

 

[hstrickland]

I am so excited I can barely stand it..haha. We still haven't told the kids, so I am very excited about that as well. I am reading some more info about AKL and everyone can't say enough good things about this resort. Soo excited!!

We probably won't be eating in the room, except for maybe some snacks. I don't like to cook on vacation.

Me either!! It defeats the purpose of vacation

"Not" telling the kids is an awesome idea!! We did it once a couple of years ago. We didn't say a word until we got in the car....they looked at both of us like we had two heads. Not sure they believed us Good luck with keeping the secret!

If you have time on your vacation, try the Cultural Safari at night. They may do it at the Villas, too. My kids really enjoyed listening to the young man and looking at all the pictures.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Hi! Not sure if you remember me, but I followed your 2011 TR. I haven't been on the boards since, so I am joining this one quite late! But I really enjoyed your TR's, you take really nice pictures. We stayed at AKL last August and loved it!

 

[Lisa29]

The ship looks amazing in your photos.

After next year, unless we come into money(!), we will be going again in 2016 and I am definitely adding a 4 day cruise into the trip! My DH really wants to do one too so it is just a case of having enough money.

 

[hstrickland]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my DisFriends!!!!

Hi! Not sure if you remember me, but I followed your 2011 TR. I haven't been on the boards since, so I am joining this one quite late! But I really enjoyed your TR's, you take really nice pictures. We stayed at AKL last August and loved it!

Hi there and welcome....again!!! So glad you made it back to the TR threads!! And thanks for the compliment; however, I can't take full credit...some pics are Pop's....then a good camera and slight edits on Photobucket tend to help, also

And yes...AKL is awesome, isn't it?! I only wish it was a bit closer to my favorite park, MK. I know I've said this a 1000 times, but the cast members there are probably the friendliest we've encountered while on Disney property.

The ship looks amazing in your photos.

After next year, unless we come into money(!), we will be going again in 2016 and I am definitely adding a 4 day cruise into the trip! My DH really wants to do one too so it is just a case of having enough money.

If you come into a large sum...send some our way !!! My kids just asked us the other day..."when are we going to WDW again??!!" They are about to die to see the new Fantasy Land....of course I am, too Do you think you'll do the cruise before or after WDW?? I've heard some say go before and visa versa. Guess it just depends on your travel style.

 

[Pinkocto]

Heather, thanks for all the gorgeous pictures I can't wait to cruise again and you're making me want to be back right now!



Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[pas130]

Happy Thanksgiving Heather!!

 

[AvasMommy526]

It was kinda bitter-sweet...while I was totally happy that Stephen was having a blast at The Edge, it was kinda sad that he's not a little kid anymore They really grow up too fast. Enjoy your time with your little one. Jesse and Faith are both moving away from some of the shows on Disney Jr. This morning I asked Jesse if he wanted to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and he politely replied..."Mom, you ask me that every day...noooooo." I keep hoping he's changed his mind

Oh my gosh, I am sure! Haha, Jesse sounds like he is a fun kid! You want them to stay your babies forever!! I cannot believe how fast just 18 mths has flown by and how she more like a little girl than a baby. Im proud, excited and sad all at once I can't imagine when she's 12!!!!
I love, love these pictures! Such a beautiful ship! And it looks like there is a lot to do! The Mickey Detective looks like so much fun! Hope you had a greats Thanksgiving!

 

[hstrickland]

Heather, thanks for all the gorgeous pictures I can't wait to cruise again and you're making me want to be back right now!

Happy Thanksgiving!

You're welcome! Your cruise on the Wonder will be here soon. Where does the ship go? And before that, you're off to OKW??!!! You're like the eternal traveler, Pam Sounds like a great life to me!!!

I finally finished reading your TR last night. Faith sat with me for some time looking at all the pictures, too. Then she tells me to read the words to her. Then starts asking 1000 questions! She's exhausting Now she really wants to visit the new Fantasy Land!

Happy Thanksgiving Heather!!

Oh my gosh, I am sure! Haha, Jesse sounds like he is a fun kid! You want them to stay your babies forever!! I cannot believe how fast just 18 mths has flown by and how she more like a little girl than a baby. Im proud, excited and sad all at once I can't imagine when she's 12!!!!

Yep...it seems like they all of a sudden transform over night. Once she stops taking naps, then you'll really see a difference. And the day she goes to school........I'll stop there

I love, love these pictures! Such a beautiful ship! And it looks like there is a lot to do! The Mickey Detective looks like so much fun! Hope you had a greats Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving! Hope you did, too. It's always nice to be with family and friends.

 

[hstrickland]

Day 7
Pre-Dinner Fun​

!!WARNING!!….getting ready to bombard you with family photos!!

Before we even set sail, MaHopie and I decided that we needed to get family photos while on the cruise. You cannot book an appointment online or while onboard….you just have to show up. The photography sessions open promptly at 5pm in the Atrium….and ya better believe I was first in line (shocker, right?)

While the photographer was setting up, the kids spotted some of the princesses, and guess what…the lines were not long at all!! If any of you remember from my previous TRs, Jesse absolutely loves the princesses. Not exactly sure what he was saying to Tianna…. I didn’t ask…

It was really sweet to watch Ivy interact with the princesses The cruise was her first Disney experience, so she wasn’t quite sure what to make of characters….she just kinda stared at them. I would love to know what was going through her little mind.

Well….it’s finally time for our photo shoot! I’m so hoping that it goes well. With 5 children and 6 adults, things could get sketchy

Luckily, this guy was super patient….can’t say the same for Bill. Jesse was doing a superb job of pushing it to the limit!

So now for the final product…….

And the entire family….with 11 people to photograph, I think the picture turned out quite well.

It didn’t take long at all for the photo session, so we had plenty of time for more character interaction. Chip n’ Dale were just making an appearance, and we were first in line for pictures. Chip immediately took Jesse by the hand. These characters were awesome and spent a ton of time with my children.

We finally had to tell Jesse and Faith it was time to move on…they were becoming character hogs, and the people behind us were getting irritated (with just cause) .

Continued to next post….



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[hstrickland]

Don't miss the previous post...this is a continuation!




Notice MaHopie’s pose ….let me assure you that she doesn’t do this on purpose when taking pictures. The photographer told her to stand like this…Bill and I have a shot with this same stance …but it looks too silly to post

We spotted Belle outside of the theatre. She wasn’t our favorite Belle…not much personality at all.

The next string of events are somewhat comical in my opinion….only because the joke wasn’t on me ….


Long story short, the kids wanted to see Brave 3D. MaHopie and I took the kids into the theatre but couldn’t find enough seats together for all of us…the place was packed! So, I tried to call Stephanie and Pop to let them know….they didn’t answer (not my fault!)


So…the kids said “we want to go to the Oceanears Club!!” Good with us! Let’s go! We took them, dropped them off, and went back downstairs to find the others.


While MaHopie went to the theatre to find Stephanie and Pop (she did try), I sat down to enjoy a drink…(what else was I to do )


I believe I started with this Martini….

MaHopie came back and said there was no sign of them anywhere in the theatre…they still were not answering their phones! (again, not my fault)


So, while we waited a bit more, someone ordered this….and MaHopie went to check once again.

No sightings of the other two!


Since there was an obvious lack of communication, four of us (Bill, Sean, MaHopie and myself) were able to enjoy some kid free time at the ship’s local watering hole….



The bartender was terrific!

We asked…and she supplied….

We kept wondering if Pop and Stephanie would ever show up….and they did….an hour and a half later!! Bless their hearts…they sat through the entire movie WITHOUT kids. They assumed we were in the movie theatre, too. HA! Sorry bout’ that….


After we all had a good laugh (some of us weren't laughing), it was time to retrieve the children and head to dinner! Check out the weather through the window…not good.

Up next…dinner at the Royal Palace



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[WDWaddictt]

Love the pictures! They take such wonderful pictures!

Beautiful family!

I would agree, not you fault...funny but not your fault!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Your family photos turned out great! I think that they did really well for 11 people!

 

[Sue M]

Great updates! Looks like you didn't let the less then perfect weather dampen your trip. The ship sure is beautiful. Making me want to go on a Disney Cruise.

 

[Pinkocto]

Love all the family pictures, they turned out fabulously.

I do see the humor in the situation, but did they not enjoy the movie?

 

[jennyjinx3]

Great pictures Heather...that is a cute pose on your mom!

Hi Pinkocto!!

 

[Pinkocto]

You're welcome! Your cruise on the Wonder will be here soon. Where does the ship go? And before that, you're off to OKW??!!! You're like the eternal traveler, Pam Sounds like a great life to me!!!

Oh yes, I'm so excited. OKW in 12 days then Christmas then the cruise. I have a horrible habit of spoiling myself rotten. And now with DVC its even worse, I can't control myself. I am constantly thinking about vacation and plotting how I can take another one.

I finally finished reading your TR last night. Faith sat with me for some time looking at all the pictures, too. Then she tells me to read the words to her. Then starts asking 1000 questions! She's exhausting Now she really wants to visit the new Fantasy Land!

That's so cute! Good quality time They really outdid themselves in the areas that are open and I can't wait to see the other parts. I really want to see the 7 Drawfs Mine ride but that won't be open until 2014. Can I hear a drum roll for another trip

 

[hstrickland]

Love the pictures! They take such wonderful pictures!

Beautiful family!

I would agree, not you fault...funny but not your fault!

Thanks! We've been very blessed with a loving family. We have lots of fun together. However, that being said, I doubt my sister would enjoy one of my WDW trips....I'm up at the crack of dawn on vacations....she likes to relax (like most people) hence the word vacation

Your family photos turned out great! I think that they did really well for 11 people!

Thanks! I just realized that you're leaving for WDW in TWO WEEKS!! And your signature says "girls trip"! Where will yall be staying?? Are you doing MVMCP? One day we're going to take the kids there during Christmas...Disney is so beautiful during this time of year.

Great updates! Looks like you didn't let the less then perfect weather dampen your trip. The ship sure is beautiful. Making me want to go on a Disney Cruise.

The weather really didn't affect us at all. Suprisingly enough, the water wasn't rough. If it had been, I probably would have been sea sick That's always a big fear of mine on a cruise! Of course I've said this 100 times, but yall should try a cruise. If I told Bill we were going on a cruise instead of going to WDW, he would love it!! Too bad that's not gonna happen

Have you added any more days to your Disney trip?? Like I always say...what's one more day????

Love all the family pictures, they turned out fabulously.

I do see the humor in the situation, but did they not enjoy the movie?

Well....because the movie was in 3D, they said it gave them a headache. And while it was good, it's not something they would have gone to see without children. I'm thinking they would have much rather been with us

Great pictures Heather...that is a cute pose on your mom!

Hi Pinkocto!!

Thanks!!

Oh yes, I'm so excited. OKW in 12 days then Christmas then the cruise. I have a horrible habit of spoiling myself rotten. And now with DVC its even worse, I can't control myself. I am constantly thinking about vacation and plotting how I can take another one.

Why not??!! Right??! Ya only live once! I think it's awesome that you travel so much. Wish we could do the same, but with 3 children our vacations become quite expensive. Since you can go during the value season at WDW, I bet you get your money's worth with your DVC points.

That's so cute! Good quality time They really outdid themselves in the areas that are open and I can't wait to see the other parts. I really want to see the 7 Drawfs Mine ride but that won't be open until 2014. Can I hear a drum roll for another trip

I'm so surprised you're already planning another trip in for 2014! That's when we are definitely going back with my parents...staying in a villa of some sort...hopefully BWV or BCV. I completely forgot about the SnowWhite ride. Faith will love that area! I would like to sneak in a mini trip before then, but not sure it's going to happen. We're taking the family to Cancun in June (our big vacation for the year). Bill's excited about that trip because he'll be able to fish.

 

[Pinkocto]

Hi Pinkocto!!

Hi hope life is treating you well!

 

[pas130]

Digging the photobomb The family pics turned out great!!! Bet MaHopie and Pop are loving having a pic with all the Grandbabies

I think the cocktails were a great way to chillax.....it's EXACTLY what I would do