From Fantasyland to the Fantasy: We came, we saw, we kicked it's AFT! UPDATED 1/10!

[Misskitty3]

How awesome that you got to be the First Family!! So exciting!

[anewmac]

I think its so cool to be picked as 1st family for anything!!! and your own tranportation SWEET! The shirts came out AMAZING. Do you have a close up of the rinestones I wanna see. I found one to make a pink ribbon for my breast cancer walk and am going to try after seeing your shirts. I want to bling it out like your also but need tips. Did you glue them? Iron on?

btw saw this pic and just have to say i think she's going to give Savanah a run for the money! Love the pose and sass! lol

[nenner1]

After Pooh, we decided that Ron and the big kids would run (or walk fast!) to Space Mountain, get FP’s and ride standby. Sarah and I would get the stroller and leisurely meet them there.

Our stroller sure is easy to spot!




Looks pretty empty in Tomorrowland!







We thought Sarah would be big enough for Space Mountain this time. She is about 43” tall barefoot and it was really close with her shoes on. You can see here she has her chin tilted down. When she lifted her chin, her head touched the sign. I was pretty sure she would get to ride, especially as we waited by the exit for Ron and the kids we saw other kids smaller than her exiting the ride.



So…we waited….and waited. The Standby line said 10 so I thought we must have just really gotten over there too fast. Then I got a text from Ron. It said ‘Stuck on ride”

Waiting…


Oh boy. We sat and waited patiently. 10 minutes…15. Ron texts back- still in rocket. I ask him if I should take Sarah on TTA or something. He replies yes.
We go onto the TTA thinking for sure by the time we get off, they will be out and waiting for us at the Exit.





But as we cruise into Space Mountain, we see something that delights me. Something I have never seen in person before. THE LIGHTS ARE ON!





How cool! I was surprised to see how BIG the ride was, I had read how small and rinky-dink it seemed to appear when this lights were on. Didn’t seem that way to me.

The pictures don’t do it but the video is a little better. Click To Play (and stay with it, I tried to get a shot over the wall which didn’t work, but once the Plexiglas window comes around you can see it!)



We start to walk back over to Space, but run into Chip and Dale coming out for a Meet & Greet. The line is short, so we hop in. Why not? I’m pretty sure they were still stuck on the ride.



The Chip & Dale line moved slowly though so before we knew it, guess who showed up?









So by now the FP’s Ron had gotten for all of us to ride Space were valid, and since you have to return in the window now, we figured it made no sense to go elsewhere and come back. We headed over.

But on the way ran into Stitch with no line.









Finally back at Space Mountain, indeed Sarah was pulled out and measured. We tried to get her to stand straight but she just didn’t get it. If she put her head up, then she bent her knees. If she straightened her knees then she leaned over. She still looked big enough though. The guy at the entrance sent her through. We really thought she would make it!



But at the actual entrance to the rockets they pulled her out and measured her again. The lady tried to make her stand correctly but again she just didn’t quite make it.



We were allowed to child swap, and Ron and Sarah headed for the chicken exit.

The kids and I rode- LOVE this ride. It’s my favorite!



Afterward the kids were hungry so we stopped and got them some Popcorn and some drinks. The cloud cover was wearing off and it was getting HOT!!!



It also kept getting busier and busier. We hoped we would be able to ride everything we wanted to. Even with the delays (the Space debacle cost us a good hour), so far we seemed to be doing OK.



Now THIS looks like a fun ride!



We decide to head towards Big Thunder and Splash- get a fastpass for one and ride the other standby.

In the hub, however we have a disagreement about which is the fastest and most direct way to get there. Ron insists it is better to go through Liberty Square to get there. I’m pretty sure it’s faster to go through Adventureland and Caribbean Plaza.

I won, and we went my way, but I’m genuinely curious which way is faster. Anyone know?


(Continued)

[nenner1]

We got FP’s for Splash and then decided to ride Big Thunder Standby since it said the wait was only 20 mins.



Sarah was just tall enough for Thunder and Splash on our last visit so she had ridden before but didn’t seem to remember the rides.

She was quite excited to ride the “crazy choo-choo train”












Yep, it is better in the back. You have the full speed back there as the weight of the train is ahead of you. It is even better later in the day when the grease on the rails has heated up and melted!

Oh yeah, and this blocks your view if you are in the front anyway.



After Thunder we were shocked to see a 5 min Standby at Splash. It was still early and we were concerned about getting wet but how could we pass by a 5m wait?



We got lucky that it seems the obnoxious water cannons at the drop that usually soak you as you prepare to enter the first lift hill of the ride have been dialed back a notch and no longer reach across the briar patch to drench you. Hallelujah! Nobody really wants to get soaked do they?









Sarah loved the ride I expected her to freak out at the drop, but this is what she thought of it:



Yeah baby!




When we got off, we could get FP’s again, so we headed over and grabbed a set for Big Thunder. So far the FP situation was working out OK.
We headed to nearby Pirates of the Caribbean next. Could we be so lucky as to catch another short wait?


(You can see it if you look closely in the upper right hand corner of this otherwise horrible pic.)



The other thing funny about this picture is as soon as I snapped it some lady totally faceplanted right in front of me. The greeter CM had to help her up.
I wanted to snicker- only because she went FLAT down so fast, but I didn't. She wasn't hurt or anything and don't worry. I'll get that Karma right back at me when I get to Castaway Cay!

Yep 5 mins!
Yo Ho Yo Ho!



For once we had a nice boat with nobody taking a million flash pictures! Yay! Well, until Capt, Jack at the end. I guess everybody has to take that pic, don’t they?





After Pirates, our Splash FP window was up so we headed right back over there!



How Dy’a Do? Again!



After this trip on Splash we had a while before our Thunder FP’s would be good so we went back into Adventureland to check on Jungle Cruise FP’s. While Ron got those, the girls get a little crazy with the Drumming- er- now Squirting Tiki’s.






Adventureland is getting quite busy.



Even thought the line to Aladdin’s Magic carpets was CRAZY (it said 20 mins but looked ridiculous), Sarah wanted to go on it, so we did.



It was actually only 15 mins but it was so hot and slow moving it seemed like an hour.

You shall NOT spit at me, Camel.



(Of course his idiot brother on the ground almost got me as we exited the ride)

By now it was 1 PM and we were all hungry! Usually in the MK we eat at Columbia Harbor House (something about the smell of seafood and vinegar just screams Magical to me!) but this time Ron wanted to try something different. I did too. I had just recently heard of the new chicken waffle sandwiches at Sleepy Hollow. You had me at Waffle! So, after a stop at the restrooms, we passed through the Adventureland/Frontierland breezeway and headed for Liberty Square.



Up Next: Cover Girls (and Boys!): High Fashion Modeling in the Magic Kingdom!

[livsmom04]

I'm enjoying your trip report and look forward to reading more about it. We are thinking of taking a cruise in 2014 if we can afford it.

[livingis2me]

Originally Posted by nenner1

Ron insists it is better to go through Liberty Square to get there. I’m pretty sure it’s faster to go through Adventureland and Caribbean Plaza.

I won, and we went my way, but I’m genuinely curious which way is faster. Anyone know?


(Continued)

Liberty Square for sure!

[mouseears1]

Jen,

I love your trip report! Alan and I are anxiously awaiting your next entry. We miss all of you but are really grateful we were able to sail with you on the Fantasy in September. I love seeing pictures of your beautiful family.

Alisia

[anewmac]

1) have I taught you NOTHING, napkins in the shoes LOL
2) I really want to ride in the CLAW over the castle.. maybe even bungy jump from it. now that would be cool
3) is ron doing call me maybe in the splash mountin pic lol
4) faceplant lady.. I lmao I would so have done it out loud too... ya I have karma witch written all over me!
5) your video from the People mover, it will always be that to me from Dland freaks me out.. i kept waiting for something to jump up and scare me like those crazy videos people send LOL I know Im crazy!
6) I know its faster to get to the rides from the hub. Fronterland.. but then again im using Dland milage.. its what I know better LOL
7) ohhhhh chicken and waffels YUMMY darn you i now have a craving for some Rosco's famous.. and its way to far from where I live now. Hmm I do have a walmart rotissory chicken and some eggos.. but doubt they are the same LOL.

[nenner1]

Originally Posted by livingis2me

Great start Jen! I can't wait to see how the rest of it turns out!

I hope you remember how it turns out! I know some things were sketchy after that Martini Tasting on day 6&

Originally Posted by michigan829

Hey, remember me??? LOL

I really enjoyed reading your trip report, and so glad I was enjoying the same cruise! LOL

Take care!

Caroline (Go Blue)

Hi there Caroline!
Remember you? LOL! Im so glad you are enjoying the report! I hope youll stick around to see the part you star in! I promise not to post any incriminating Karaoke Video. (Of course you gals were fantastic up there! )

I hope you dont mind if I share some pics of the girls!

Originally Posted by lucas

Hey Jen,

Lovin' your report! Congrats on being First Family!

Thanks so much! It was quite an experience!

Not to be totally off topic (oh, why not?!) but I found something interesting about the Allure. She will have a 3 nighter for Valentine's Day 2013! Still expensive, but I wish we could do it. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findac...31&date=201301

Oh my gosh so do I. Unfortunately Jan through April are pretty much a no-go for us anymore due to Savannahs competition schedule and choreography private lessons. Even for only 3 nights. Unless of course I could leave her here with a friend&..hmmm&. :P

Too bad RCCL doesnt have FL Resident Rates! That is really very interesting. I wonder why they have that- Makes me think maybe the other 4 nights must be a charter or some kind of corporate private event or something along those lines. Maybe one of those Band cruises.

Originally Posted by jenseib

How awesome to be first family. I didn't even know they did such a thing.

Me either. I had heard of Family of the Day (and that is actually what I thought we were at first.) When I realized we werent going to be in the parade or anything then I knew it was something altogether different. Leave it to Disney- finding all kinds of ways to make peoples vacations extra special!

I had the same thought about the parking lot in March. I didn't remember them having two sets of trams like that and I thought the names had changed...but it's been so long since I last drove to the parks that I thought it might've changed years ago.

Strange, isnt it. I can only imagine how many lost people they have at the end of the night. Or however many random throngs trying to take the tram to get to Rainforest Café they must have &.snort!

That peanutbutter gold rush sundae looks sooo good. Thats my style. I am a huge fan of the no way jose at Beaches and cream and I bet this would be just as good. I have yet to make it into there yet.

Yep that is what I was thinking about when they got it- the No Way Jose! Weve been to Beaches and Cream a bunch of times too but weve never gotten that because we always get the Kitchen Sink! Im sure both are to DIE for! The Gold Rush was so good but I do have to say I liked the boring old Hot Fudge better.

I am surprised you had a good review of that fast food place (I am blanking on the name right now) I mostly hear bad reviews and I actually heard it may be taken out. I only used the bathroom there, but not eaten there myself.

I can actually understand why it might get some bad reviews. Its always VERY busy and chaotic. I didnt really care too much for the cheesy soundtrack they play - Latin hits interspersed with the top of the Adult Contemporary Charts from 1989&Michael Bolton, Miami Sound Machine, Jodi Watley, etc. It was a weird mix. Often dirty tables (goes along with the very busy part) And I can see where there could be an opportunity for the food to be hit or miss (like any big fast-food chain). But weve always gotten fantastic food there. Fresh and very tasty, fast food nonetheless, but very good. We liked it so much after the first time we had it that we drove a long way to the Pollo Campero in Tampa. NOT as good. Not good at all, in fact. So, I am quite sure the freshness of the food weve been lucky enough to have gotten is really what colors our opinion of the place. Id be surprised about rumors to close it- only because it is always so busy in there.

Poor Sarah. Was it just that she ate too much?
We had a puking incident at DHS one year. I push Claires head into a garbage can...gross I know, but I didn't know what else to do. Unfortunately she was sick the rest of the day and the next day we went home and she was very fussy on the plane. We had a good trip, but the last 2 days were hard.

Oh poor Claire! I think that was a genius idea with the garbage can. Im sure it didnt smell great but hey, when you are barfing you arent thinking about that sort of thing anyway! LOL!

Yep, Sarah just ate too much. She pigged out at dinner, which is a bit unusual for her, both of the girls generally eat like birds. The she ate the whole cone and we didnt think for a second about all of that food, the rest is history. I have to say that unfortunately this would NOT be our last run-in with VOMIT on this trip... Ill leave you with that tidbit to ponder but I will promise you that I did not take any photos of said vomit. It might be the only thing- aside from the spa- that I did *NOT* get a photo of!

Originally Posted by Fastpaks

We were originally on D10 for the '13 cruise, but the '14 cruise we are going to try and lower ourselves a deck. That said I'm still curious about it and glad you grabbed the shots. There was a thread on here about the aft cabins and how folks are concerned with the sight lines from Cabanans. We are going to go on the first eastern in '14.

Gotcha. Cant really see down. Well- you can see down to the deck that sticks out. 5 sticks out most on the sides of the ship but I actually think it is Deck 6 that sticks out most in the back. I know we could see the neighbors under us and to the right very easily from our Balcony, but looking down from above you couldnt really see Decks 10,9,8 and 7. Im sure you will be happy with Deck 9. Only thing about aft, and its been said often around here&.but we hated having to walk through Cabanas.

Heres the pics:

Coming Down from the Meridian Lounge on 12 into Cabanas outdoor seating.



From the side (starboard) approaching center: (that is Deck 10 you see and I was leaning over quite a bit. I think I actually held the camera over the railing to get as much of a view of the balcony as I could. So I don't think the first one is an accurate sight line.





Not stretched out or leaning over:



From center Aft Deck 11:

With all the craziness of trying to get my business venture off the ground, it should be the one bit of sanity to look forward to. I would love to think about doing what you and Ron were talking about, I guess that is why the whole be your own boss is intriguing to me. (Speaking of the business, I have a few ideas that involves your young dancer that I need to run by ya.)

Congrats on your new job- I applaud you working hard to get to your goal. I have no doubt you will get there!

You know where to find me! Im always happy to help, run all of your ideas by me and my dancers!

After showing Adam the facilities to OKW, I think he is warming up to a "hidden slide" and a place that has real sand. I didin't realize how I lived in Florida for soooo long and we had sand ever where. The first time he saw it was Sea World and Hotel Hell.

Thats right! Well, Ron Jon is good for that too! I know hed like the pool area there too!

Very cool to get a Front of the Line pass.... (TEACHERS PET)
I also never knew there was ice cream in DTD at Ghiardelli's. I thought it was just Candy. I'm putting that on the list of need to do when I come down next. (as well as a run to Earl)
Jonathan

Oh yes, on the other side of the Candy Store is the Soda Fountain/Ice Cram Parlor. Its awesome! MUST Try!

Originally Posted by podsnel

Great exit (puke-o-rama) and entrance (first family)! Yuck, yuck, yuck on the exit, tho. My boys did enjoy the story, however!

HAHA! Yes!
Brendan and Savannah (mostly Brendan) really missed having them around in the Edge on this cruise! Brendan had to hang out with GIRLS. Or, well maybe he wanted to hang out with the girls. Hmmm...

And this-

What a great shot!

Aww thanks, she is such a smiler. Well she WAS&until she got tired of it after I took the first 2,000 pics of her. I had to laugh I was scrolling through organizing the pics and by Day 3 most of her poses are eye rolls and evil eye shots. LOL!

Originally Posted by JKSWonder

Sarah's hair has gotten so long! Now I'm wondering if you got it braided again on this cruise (and if so, if she fell asleep this time!). Guess I will have to wait until further on in the report to find out.

OK normally Id make you wait but this is just such a funny story. Yes, she had her braids done and yes, she almost fell asleep again. The funny thing was a mom had brought the next girl in line over to watch Sarah get hers done. The girl, who looked to be about 3 or 4 was interested and watched curiously as Sarah just chilled out with her eyes closed while the lady braided her hair. When Sarah was done and we left, we went to go get ice cream and then when we passed back by the Braiding Station, the girl was getting her braids and crying her eyes out like she was being totally terrorized. Her mom was hugging her trying to calm her down. I felt bad for the poor kid, here she watched Sarah drift off thinking that the braids must feel good or something and they way she was screaming it must have hurt like heck. I wanted to apologize to the mom for Sarah making it look so easy, but she had her hands full at the time! LOL!

Did you know Ghiardelli's also gives a discount to military, fire and police? Me either! I thought for sure, military, but never thought about asking about the other two. Mike and his Mom were talking about something random about his job, the cashier overheard them, asked if he was a police officer, he confirmed and, bam, discount! And to think, all these years I've been paying full price for those sundaes.

No! That is awesome! Im sorry you didnt know for so long, but that is an awesome discount! WTG Ghirardelli!

Poor Sarah's little tummy. And the DTD bathrooms are unfindable. This happens to us all too often. Michael is the usual culprit. However, we just took a camping trip to go apple picking and on the way home, I kid you not, Michael, Allison AND the dog all got car sick. At different times, no less.

Oh no! Thats awful! Even the dog! LOL! You poor thing, I hope everyone made it out of the car first! Eek!

First Family? How cool is that!

Yeaa! It was awesome!!

Originally Posted by Mysteria

First family must have been such an exciting surprise!! Looking forward to reading more.

Oh it was! That was the first time anything special has ever happened at Disney for us, it was just so neat! We really felt like Royalty!
Thanks for reading, glad to have you onboard!

Originally Posted by Misskitty3

How awesome that you got to be the First Family!! So exciting!

It was so cool! I have to wonder if the Monorail department has their own First Family. (Our certificate specifically said Watercraft)&hmmm&could there be two First Families? LOL! It was great though!

Originally Posted by anewmac

I think its so cool to be picked as 1st family for anything!!! and your own transportation SWEET!

I know, right? What a way to start off the trip!

The shirts came out AMAZING. Do you have a close up of the rinestones I wanna see. I found one to make a pink ribbon for my breast cancer walk and am going to try after seeing your shirts. I want to bling it out like your also but need tips. Did you glue them? Iron on?

Thank you so much Drea! They certainly worked their magic! I thought I had pics of just the shirts but I'm not finding them. Here is a pic I've cropped where you can clearly see what I did. If you need to save it to your desktop and open it in a photo viewer and zoom in.


As far as making them with the Rhinestones..a few things.

Rhinestone 101 by Jen, certified Stoner!




There are two ways to affix rhinestones, (real ones) glue and what is called hotfix . I use the glue method, there are a couple of good glues I would recommend and those are E6000 (can get at WalMart, Micheals, Hobby Lobby, etc.) The other is Gemtac. It stinks to high heaven and is a little bit stringy but it works FANTASTIC. I put a little puddle of glue on a paper plate, put loose rhinestones on another plate, use a toothpick- dip it in the glue then use the gluey toothpick to snag up the back of the stone and carry the stone over to the shirt place it and slide the toothpick out underneath.

A few things about stones&If you want something to last and to look best, Swarovskis cant be beat. Preciosa are good too the difference is minimal but in general I prefer Swarovskis (those are the most expensive though). You dont want to use plastic stones (usually from China or Korea)- those arent worth your time.

You can get clear (color: Crystal) and Crystal AB (AB stands for Aurora Borealis, that gives it a rainbow like coating) often at Micheals in small quantities and sometimes you can find some colors. Ive seen Crystal Swarovskis at WalMart before even- but super expensive. Its better to buy them in bulk, look at Dreamtimecreations.com or Hotfixqueen.com. If you are using the glue method you want flatbacks. If you want to buy a hotfix tool and use that then buy hotfix stones. Hotfix stones are more expensive cause the glue is already on them.

Size- I like 20ss. 30 is better but a lot more expensive relatively. Anything under 16 is teeny tiny.

Colors: on the websites you can see there are a ton of colors available. AB colors have more sparkle BUT be aware the AB colors may not be exact- i.e. AB pinks could have a blue or yellow tinge to them. If color is more important than sparkle stick with straight colors, no AB.

Quantity- loose stones in bulk are sold by the gross. You probably need more than you think you do. I used 4 gross of 16ss on the three shirts. I outlined the Mickeys and then put scattered ones across the front.

IF you have found an iron-on premade design I dont really have a lot of advice. Ive never used those.

Hope that helps you a bit and isnt confusing. Let me know if you have any Qs& Im happy to help!

btw saw this pic and just have to say i think she's going to give Savanah a run for the money! Love the pose and sass! lol

Oh my, you have no idea. FOR SURE she is my lil sassy.

Originally Posted by livsmom04

I'm enjoying your trip report and look forward to reading more about it. We are thinking of taking a cruise in 2014 if we can afford it.

Thanks so much for reading, I hope it helps you decide if cruising is for you! We love it!

Originally Posted by livingis2me

Liberty Square for sure!

I think youre wrong. Adventureland to Caribbean Plaza is much more direct. Just sayin'...

[DLW8]

Originally Posted by nenner1

I hope you remember how it turns out! I know some things were sketchy after that Martini Tasting on day 6&

I hear you on the martini tasting, Jen....and i stayed to do movie trivia and had more REGULAR size martinis!

[livingis2me]

Originally Posted by anewmac

1) have I taught you NOTHING, napkins in the shoes LOL I tried that. She made it when the guy checked her in the front, but the thing at the end of the queue was a different height. I had Savannah on that ride when she was 3 (and much shorter). I'll get her some wedge shoes to put on before our December visit.
2) I really want to ride in the CLAW over the castle.. maybe even bungy jump from it. now that would be cool
3) is ron doing call me maybe in the splash mountin pic lol Yep. Savannah is too,but she is hidden. Savannah and I did that for all the ride pics.
4) faceplant lady.. I lmao I would so have done it out loud too... ya I have karma witch written all over me!
5) your video from the People mover, it will always be that to me from Dland freaks me out.. i kept waiting for something to jump up and scare me like those crazy videos people send LOL I know Im crazy!
6) I know its faster to get to the rides from the hub. Fronterland.. but then again im using Dland milage.. its what I know better LOL Same with WDW. Frontierland via Liberty Square.
7) ohhhhh chicken and waffels YUMMY darn you i now have a craving for some Rosco's famous.. and its way to far from where I live now. Hmm I do have a walmart rotissory chicken and some eggos.. but doubt they are the same LOL.

Ron

[livingis2me]

Originally Posted by DLW8

I hear you on the martini tasting, Jen....and i stayed to do movie trivia and had more REGULAR size martinis!

Wow Darcy!

Those were my first martinis ever. The class was fun! That was the first time on the cruise that I could really feel the effects of the booze.

Ron

[JKSWonder]

Originally Posted by nenner1

OK normally Id make you wait but this is just such a funny story. Yes, she had her braids done and yes, she almost fell asleep again. The funny thing was a mom had brought the next girl in line over to watch Sarah get hers done. The girl, who looked to be about 3 or 4 was interested and watched curiously as Sarah just chilled out with her eyes closed while the lady braided her hair. When Sarah was done and we left, we went to go get ice cream and then when we passed back by the Braiding Station, the girl was getting her braids and crying her eyes out like she was being totally terrorized. Her mom was hugging her trying to calm her down. I felt bad for the poor kid, here she watched Sarah drift off thinking that the braids must feel good or something and they way she was screaming it must have hurt like heck. I wanted to apologize to the mom for Sarah making it look so easy, but she had her hands full at the time! LOL!

Hehe! Little innocent Sarah lulling another child into a false sense of security!

Originally Posted by nenner1

Oh no! Thats awful! Even the dog! LOL! You poor thing, I hope everyone made it out of the car first! Eek!

Nope, no warning from any of them. Just a quck "Mommy, I feel weird" and that was it. And Michael gave no warning whatsoever. Neither did the dog! We had to pull over on the middle of the Taconic Parkway. So glad we had been camping so I had paper towels, wipes, plastic bags and towels for them to sit on in the car until we got home.

We had the same thing happen to us on the TTA....lights all on inside Space Mountain. That was August 26th. I guess they are having some problems? I told the kids to pay attention as we were going through because they might never see it that way again.

[jenseib]

I love the "wild" ride picture. I took one similar in March with a port a potty in the air like that too. We laughed so hard.

I think it might be fun to be stuck on the rocket...at least for a short time. I would love to see it with the lights on too.

[JustTJ]

SARAH rode Thunder Mountain? Don't tell my kids that If they knew that, then won't ever let me forget that Little Sarah isn't afraid to ride it, yet "I" AM Gee, perhaps, maybe, now, I will try it if we ever make it back to WDW