Go with the Flow....A Summer Trip to Remember! July 2012~ **Completed**

[Angies1274]

Hello! and to my 4th trip report! We just got back from a wonderful trip to the world. Yes, it was hot, crowded and the tour groups were everywhere but we still had an amazing time!!! I’m not going to sugar coat it and say every moment was perfect because the heat certainly made us more tired and grumpy many times during the trip but we persevered and we were able to accomplish a lot. If you happened to read my PTR, you know that I am a planner…maybe an over planner if you will. When it comes to our Disney trips, I like to know what we are eating, where we are going and so on. I guess my goal is to avoid those conversations that go something like this….”Where do you want to go?” ….”I don’t know?” and back and forth. We usually stick to a plan and it works for us or at least it did on our other trips. But, we found out that going in the summer is different….very different. Between the heat and the crowds, there were many times that you needed to just “go with flow”. Hence the title of this trip report. Needless to say plans got changed many, many times on this trip. But, when we got stressed or things didn’t go as planned we took a deep breath and kept going. I think in the end it made an even more relaxed and enjoyable trip for all of us.

So, who are we?


Well, I’m a 38 year old stay at home mom, who just graduated college in the spring. It took me long enough to go back but I’m so happy I did. I love all things Disney and always have but my love for Walt Disney World didn’t begin until 5 years ago when we took our first trip. When I have time my other passions include traveling, scrapbooking and reading. Something I would love to do one day is run in the half marathon at Disney…definitely a goal of mine for the near future. My favorite character is Mickey and I love the classic Disney movies like Lady and the Tramp and Peter Pan but I also love the new Pixar movies as well such as Finding Nemo and UP. My favorite rides would be Peter Pan, Soarin’ and Tower of Terror.



My DH is definitely a more laid back kind of guy. He’s very easy going and is happy to sit back and let me plan our trips. He doesn’t like crowds which surprised me when he agreed to a summer trip. His favorite characters are Grumpy and Donald Duck. I’m not sure if he has favorite Disney movie but he enjoys watching them as much as the boys and I do. He loves BTMRR especially at night and his favorite night time show would definitely be Fantasmic.



Nick is my oldest and just turned 12 before this trip. We could definitely see the change in him this trip as he inches closer to becoming a teenager. Gone are the days of getting up at the crack of dawn at Disney ready and willing to head to the parks. He was all about wanting to sleep in this trip. Nick is my quiet one. He does excellent in school, is in band and chorus and enjoys playing basketball and soccer. He graduated from sixth grade in June and is on his way to Jr. High this fall. Nick’s favorite character is Goofy. He loves BTMRR and Space Mountain.



Noah is 9 and my youngest. Noah is a very sweet boy and my daredevil. He loves thrill rides and I’m happy that he does. I finally have someone to ride with since both DH and Nick don’t enjoy them. Noah is an excellent student and loves to read. He also loves to swim and take pictures. He brought along his camera this trip and got some great shots! Noah’s favorite character is Goofy and his favorite movie is Hercules. He loves Splash Mountain, BTMRR, ToT and Dinosaur.



A picture of the boys together...during a rare moment when they were actually getting along.



So, now that you know who we are I’m sure you are wondering about the details of the trip. We stayed at Pop Century and our travel dates were July 9-July 16 2012. If you are interested in learning more about us or our trip you can check out my PTR.All you need is to believe...Our Sizzling Summer Getaway July 2012 I took a ton of pictures and can’t wait to share them with all of you. I hope you decide to join me!!


And now we invite you to relax and enjoy the ride….. We’ll be home soon.

[Angies1274]

Handy Chapter Links!!

July 9-10, 2012
Arrival Day/Downtown Disney
I Can Go The Distance--Part 1 and Part 2-- posted 7/24
When There's a Smile in Your Heart--Part 1 and Part 2--posted 7/26

July 11, 2012
Epcot
The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down--Part 1 and Part 2--posted 7/30
Rumbly in my Tumbly (T-Rex)--posted 8/3
In the Big Blue World....(AoA Resort)-Part 1 and Part 2--posted 8/7

July 12, 2012
Magic Kingdom
A Kingdom full of endless dreams...--posted 8/15
Mother Knows Best!--posted 8/20
When I see an elephant fly... posted 8/24
Following the Leader... posted 8/29
Walkin' right down the middle of Main Street USA posted 9/3
Hawaiian roller coaster ride.... posted 9/7
There's a great big beautiful tomorrow! posted 9/7

July 13, 2012
Animal Kingdom
I'm on my way.... posted 9/12
Remember fish are friends, not food!!! posted 9/17
There's far too much to take in here..... posted 9/18
We wish you a Sizzling Christmas...(Winter Summerland Mini-Golf) posted 9/25
It's a beautiful night.... (Part 1) and Part 2 posted 10/1

July 14, 2012
Hollywood Studios
Hooray for Hollywood! posted 10/5
Woody's Roundup...Come on, it's time to play! (Part 1)and Part 2 posted 10/10
There's 104 days of summer vacation.... posted 10/15
These Little Wonders.... (Part 1)and Part 2 posted 10/23
Mysteries and Magic, Visions Fantastic! posted 10/30

July 15, 2012
Magic Kingdom
Ever Ever After posted 11/2
Everybody has a laughing place!! (Part 1) and Part 2 posted 11/9
I can show you the world.... posted 11/13
When you wish upon a star....(Wishes Dessert Party) posted 11/15
A dream is a wish your heart makes.... posted 11/30

July 16, 2012
Epcot
You'll be in my heart....(Part 1) and Part 2 posted 12/3

Final Thoughts posted 12/12

[mickeystoontown]

I'm here! I am soooo excited to hear all about the trip!

[DisMomAmy]

Joining in!!

[Harters2WDW]

Looking forward to reading along! We head to Pop in 18 days for our first summer trip (other two were March). Any good Pop tips or other??

[mommytothreeboys]

YAY! I'm here and ready for this TR! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[15isto2]

Cant wait to see more

[Angies1274]

Originally Posted by mickeystoontown

I'm here! I am soooo excited to hear all about the trip!

Yay!! So glad you are here!!

Originally Posted by DisMomAmy

Joining in!!

Hi Amy!!

Originally Posted by Harters2WDW

Looking forward to reading along! We head to Pop in 18 days for our first summer trip (other two were March). Any good Pop tips or other??

You'll have a great time!! Is this your first time staying at Pop? The one big tip that I can share is that the food court is crazy in the morning. As long as we got there before 7:30, we were okay but any later and we had a hard time finding a place to sit.

[Harters2WDW]

Originally Posted by Angies1274

Yay!! So glad you are here!!



Hi Amy!!





You'll have a great time!! Is this your first time staying at Pop? The one big tip that I can share is that the food court is crazy in the morning. As long as we got there before 7:30, we were okay but any later and we had a hard time finding a place to sit.

First time at Pop!! We are usually a breakfast in the room type of group other than filling our mugs! What building did you stay in? Did you like it?

[ShortStuff]

Happily awaiting more, as we are going to POP for the first time in September. Your intro was fun and I'm looking forward to more!! If the pictures in your intros are anything like those to come, this should be a fantastic trip report!!!

[Angies1274]

Originally Posted by Harters2WDW

First time at Pop!! We are usually a breakfast in the room type of group other than filling our mugs! What building did you stay in? Did you like it?

We stayed in the 80's section this time. I didn't put a request in but I kind of wish I did. We've stayed in the 80's before but we were facing the parking lot. Which was actually a quick walk to the bus stop and we really liked that. But, this time we were in building 7, behind the pool and it was quite a walk to the bus stop and Classic Hall.

Originally Posted by ShortStuff

Happily awaiting more, as we are going to POP for the first time in September. Your intro was fun and I'm looking forward to more!! If the pictures in your intros are anything like those to come, this should be a fantastic trip report!!!

I'm so glad you joined in! You're going to love POP! It's such a fun resort!!

[nessz79]

Subscribing! We have 2 boys as well so I love seeing a similar family to our own.

We also loved Tom Sawyer when we visited it for the first time after many trips to the MK. It's also a great way for the parents to sit back and relax while the kids explore for a while.

[Angies1274]

Originally Posted by nessz79

Subscribing! We have 2 boys as well so I love seeing a similar family to our own.

We also loved Tom Sawyer when we visited it for the first time after many trips to the MK. It's also a great way for the parents to sit back and relax while the kids explore for a while.

Welcome!!! I'm so glad you joined in!!

Tom Sawyer Island was one of the highlights of the day for us!! The boys loved being able to explore the different parts of the island. It was a really nice escape from all the crowds over in Frontierland that morning.

[eandesmom]

Bummer about not feeling well but glad to hear he rebounded. I know sometimes after that kind of hot morning, mine eat too fast, don't drink enough and then don't feel so great. Nice that you were able to meander your way out like that though, some hidden gems!

[solana131]

I've never seen that Goofy statue! I have to scope it out next time...he's my FAVORITE!

It's so funny to hear about other people's experiences with the tour groups. I was surprised with how many there were, but they really weren't that big a deal to us....sometime made the rides loud if you happened to get on with them, but we managed