"This is NOT the once in a lifetime trip I was hoping for!" - (NEW x2 5/19)

[AvasMommy526]

Originally Posted by ronnmel

I'll come back later to do the rest of the replies as I'm about to go to bed, but I wanted to write this one before I forget since it's something I already forgot once.



Thanks. I knew about that tip, but at AoA they don't have coffee makers in the standard rooms (I think they have one in the suites). Then at Beach Club they had this little new generation coffee maker that only makes one cup at a time. We tried it once, but it took so long, we decided we preferred to walk to the food court.

Aww man, I didn't know they didn't have coffee makers?! All rooms should have coffee!! I NEED coffee in the morning, just one cup but I have to have it while I get ready
My Kuerig runs hot water only too, mines pretty quick, that stinks BCs took so long I need to find out whic coffee makers BLT studios have! Thanks for the reminder lol!!

And I totally want to hang out in a cozy cone!

[shan23877]

Loving the resort pics Mel.
I think that even bigger boys would enjoy the Cars section. My DH thinks it looks "awesome".

[ronnmel]

Originally Posted by AvasMommy526

Aww man, I didn't know they didn't have coffee makers?! All rooms should have coffee!! I NEED coffee in the morning, just one cup but I have to have it while I get ready
My Kuerig runs hot water only too, mines pretty quick, that stinks BCs took so long I need to find out whic coffee makers BLT studios have! Thanks for the reminder lol!!

And I totally want to hang out in a cozy cone!

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't remember seeing a coffee maker at AoA. Getting the hot water through the coffee maker at BC wasn't *that* long, but Ron didn't like doing it that way and I didn't care enough to argue.

I want to hang out in a cozy cone as well! I'm sure you have to get there early though to get one.

Originally Posted by shan23877

Loving the resort pics Mel.
I think that even bigger boys would enjoy the Cars section. My DH thinks it looks "awesome".

Heck, I'm not a Cars fan at all and even I think it looks great! I do love FN and LK even more though.

Originally Posted by katt789

I was really impressed with all the choices of food and stuff in Landscape of Flavours! It was all a little bit different than other value food courts, and was all delicious! I liked it a lot! There's a high chance we'll be walking over from Pop to eat there this trip! Hhaha

I didn't get to try much at the food court since I was sick, but Ron LOVED the Tandoori Chicken. He's mentioned it several times since we came back. Pop has some great choices too though.

Originally Posted by PhoenixStrength

That section looks great! I really like that they have all of the cars where you can take pictures of them! And the cones for shade around the pool are fantastic!

They really should have some sort of cabana/cone/whatever to provide shade at every pool.

Originally Posted by cheekypoppins

I definitely want to take full advantage of all the cool "statues" to take pics with when I'm there

AoA is full of photo ops. You'll have lots of fun with it!

[Queila]

Hey Mel!

I have a late start today at work so I ran here so I don't fall too behind. Made it to page 6.

What a bummer you guys were feeling sick right from the start. That sucks.

I am sure shoveling that pile of snow did not help. I am so glad we decided to pay for snow removal this year. Got to stay inside that day and wait for the truck and do the dirty job. Lazy bums.

Flying with a little one is always an adventure but at least she fell asleep right away. Weren't there any available seats so you could have put her down? In my experience, sometimes the flight attendants can be quiet accommodating that way.

Too funny she chose the best moment to have her number two. Haha. Typical. The life of a parent. Never a dull moment.

When Beatriz was 18 months old I took her to Brazil by myself and she threw up all over me in the plane and we still had 10 hours to go. To say I wanted to cry is an understatement.

Oh my those AoA pictures look great. The lobby and the food court look like they are a lot of fun and I keep reading about the delicious food. I am trying to convince Joey to go to Disney for the Expedition Everest Challenge in May and I would not mind staying there. Beatriz would have a heart attack in that Little Mermaid room. Just too cute.

I have to run now but will try to get back tomorrow.

See you!

[FancyNancy]

I always love your walking tours! This one was spectacular! AOA looks really nice.

[Fantasyland Mom]

Originally Posted by ronnmel

And what you will love even more is that when the CM gives you directions to your room (or any other directions I presume), they tell you "Swim to the left towards the Lion King section, etc." So cute!

That is FANTASTIC!

Yeah, I'm not a Cars fan, either, and I can't get my kids to watch it (even the boy), but that area looks really amazing for any kids who are fans. It's neat that you can walk up to the cars. That's probably some boy's dream come true!

[KatMark]

Wow....what little boy (or "big" boy in my case wouldn't love the Cars area?
That is just so cool.

[GrammyJudy]

I am enjoying your report and I must say your baby is GORGEOUS! AOA looks beautiful. We have said we don't want to stay value anymore but that sure looks tempting.

I have a friend going there in a couple of weeks and her 5 yr old son is a HUGE cars fan, he will love it.

[Aurora1972]

You got some really great pictures! The themeing at AOA is really incredible.

It is super cool that there are sounds underwater in the pool.

I'm really looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.

[gatormommy07]

Enjoying your trip report so far!! Your little peanut is so stinkin' cute!! The first time our youngest went to Disney it was a day at EPCOT and he was 4 months old, it was so fun, eventhough it rained most of the day. It is quite an adventure to take a little one to the parks, but so worth it! His first time at MK he was about 15 months and that was even more fun, the 2 older kids were a few years old each the first times they went, although I was about 7 or 8 months preggo with our daughter one time we went to EPCOT, but that doesn't count!! I LOVE your AoA pics!! We are hoping to stay there in 2014, October hopefully, and the pics make me so excited for it!! My 3 all love all of the movies featured there, and obviously, with a family of five we will be in a suite, I honestly would be happy to stay in any of them!! Sucks you were sick before you left and on travel day, no fun! Glad you feel better later on. I also enjoy the fact that your step-daughter is proud to embrace her nerdiness!! I too proclaim my nerd-ness, especially my love of all things Star Wars, Dr. Who and DISNEY!! Luckily the hubs is right there with me, for the most part, he makes fun of my Dr. Who love, oh well, the kids all love the same things we do, and my oldest boy is as big of a whovian as I am, so it is cool!! I also wanted to say, I read all about your wedding, a long time ago, but never said anything, it was stunningly beautiful, I loved it!! Anyway, I will quit rambling now, I just realized how long this is!! lol can't wait to read more!!

[ronnmel]

Originally Posted by Queila

Hey Mel!

I have a late start today at work so I ran here so I don't fall too behind. Made it to page 6.

I'm glad you are here!

What a bummer you guys were feeling sick right from the start. That sucks.

It was the worse.

I am sure shoveling that pile of snow did not help. I am so glad we decided to pay for snow removal this year. Got to stay inside that day and wait for the truck and do the dirty job. Lazy bums.

We don't have a driveway and must park on the street, so we have to remove it all ourselves. Plus we had to shovel the balcony so it wouldn't become too heavy and break. Oh how I wish I could do like you!

Flying with a little one is always an adventure but at least she fell asleep right away. Weren't there any available seats so you could have put her down? In my experience, sometimes the flight attendants can be quiet accommodating that way.

The flight was really full. Plus, it's rows of 3 so we were all together. Otherwise we would have had to separate, either by having Otaku sit alone, or have me be alone with the baby. I preferred to be with Ron so we could help each other. Plus, she doesn't sit much on her own yet. Well now she does, but back then not really. Anyway, she's always trying to climb on me now.

Too funny she chose the best moment to have her number two. Haha. Typical. The life of a parent. Never a dull moment.

Oh yeah, she keeps us busy and "entertained".

When Beatriz was 18 months old I took her to Brazil by myself and she threw up all over me in the plane and we still had 10 hours to go. To say I wanted to cry is an understatement.

OMG, I would have wanted to cry too!

Oh my those AoA pictures look great. The lobby and the food court look like they are a lot of fun and I keep reading about the delicious food. I am trying to convince Joey to go to Disney for the Expedition Everest Challenge in May and I would not mind staying there. Beatriz would have a heart attack in that Little Mermaid room. Just too cute.

I hope you succeed in convincing him. The Expedition Everest 5K challenge looks so much fun! Beatriz would be in little girl heaven in that room!

I have to run now but will try to get back tomorrow.

See you!

Responses above in turquoise.

Originally Posted by FancyNancy

I always love your walking tours! This one was spectacular! AOA looks really nice.

Thanks, I love doing those walking tours! Ron doesn't like it much, I'm glad somebody else enjoys them with me.

Originally Posted by Fantasyland Mom

That is FANTASTIC!

Yeah, I'm not a Cars fan, either, and I can't get my kids to watch it (even the boy), but that area looks really amazing for any kids who are fans. It's neat that you can walk up to the cars. That's probably some boy's dream come true!

Maybe they'll want to watch the movie Cars after seeing the resort. Or maybe they still won't care, and just enjoy it for what it is, a beautifully themed area.

Originally Posted by KatMark

Wow....what little boy (or "big" boy in my case wouldn't love the Cars area?
That is just so cool.

I cannot imagine any boy who would not love this area, big or small.

Originally Posted by GrammyJudy

I am enjoying your report and I must say your baby is GORGEOUS! AOA looks beautiful. We have said we don't want to stay value anymore but that sure looks tempting.

I have a friend going there in a couple of weeks and her 5 yr old son is a HUGE cars fan, he will love it.

Thank you!Even if you choose not to stay at AoA, you should think about just going for a visit. It's a lot of fun to walk around, and the food court is awesome! Your friend's son will flip out!

Originally Posted by Aurora1972

You got some really great pictures! The themeing at AOA is really incredible.

It is super cool that there are sounds underwater in the pool.

I'm really looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.

Kids already love swimming in any pool, but with the sounds underwater I can imagine it's hard to pull them out of the pool.

Rest of the trip coming up soon. I'm hoping to get the photopass CD early this week. I only have one more update I can post otherwise. Unless I do the Beach Club review now, but I would prefer to wait until we get there.

Originally Posted by gatormommy07

Enjoying your trip report so far!! Your little peanut is so stinkin' cute!!

Thank you!

The first time our youngest went to Disney it was a day at EPCOT and he was 4 months old, it was so fun, eventhough it rained most of the day. It is quite an adventure to take a little one to the parks, but so worth it! His first time at MK he was about 15 months and that was even more fun, the 2 older kids were a few years old each the first times they went, although I was about 7 or 8 months preggo with our daughter one time we went to EPCOT, but that doesn't count!!

4 months, wow! It's is more complicated to bring a baby, but it's nice to see them smile and react to things around. I'm sure they enjoy seeing things different than just their own house, it's a different stimulation.

I LOVE your AoA pics!! We are hoping to stay there in 2014, October hopefully, and the pics make me so excited for it!! My 3 all love all of the movies featured there, and obviously, with a family of five we will be in a suite, I honestly would be happy to stay in any of them!!

I hope you get to stay there! Any suite will be amazing. They are all so wonderfully themed, and only one of the Cars' building is really far from Animation Hall.

Sucks you were sick before you left and on travel day, no fun! Glad you feel better later on.

It took a while, and I'm pretty sure I over medicated myself, but I eventually got over the sickness!

I also enjoy the fact that your step-daughter is proud to embrace her nerdiness!!

I love that she is confident enough to be herself, nerdiness included.

I too proclaim my nerd-ness, especially my love of all things Star Wars, Dr. Who and DISNEY!! Luckily the hubs is right there with me, for the most part, he makes fun of my Dr. Who love, oh well, the kids all love the same things we do, and my oldest boy is as big of a whovian as I am, so it is cool!!

We love Doctor Who! OMG, wasn't the Christmas special just freakin' AWESOME!?! I usually take a while to warm up to a new companion, especially since I liked Rose so much (I love Amy too now), but I ADORE Clara/Oswin. She's amazing and I'm super excited for the rest of the season.

I also wanted to say, I read all about your wedding, a long time ago, but never said anything, it was stunningly beautiful, I loved it!!

Thank you. Getting married over there was the best decision I could ever make. I cannot envision a wedding more perfect, both for the wedding itself, and the week of fun with our friends and family.

Anyway, I will quit rambling now, I just realized how long this is!! lol can't wait to read more!!

Don't worry, I love the rambling! Gives me something to read. I replied above in turquoise.

[gatormommy07]

I am a bit behind on my Dr. Who watching, I sometimes watch old ones on BBCA, most of the time I watch on netflix, I was so sad when Rose was gone, but I love the Amy ones, at first I did not care for Donna, but I warmed up to her after a while, I really need to catch up!! Who is your favorite Dr.? I love 9, 10, and 11 but I think my favorite is 11, he is the awesomest!!
I am glad you like rambling, I tend to do it a lot, staying at home with my five year old and keeping my 1 year old nephew everyday, while the hubster is at work, I tend to go on and on to grown-up types!! Can't wait to read more about ya'll's trip!

[Nermel9]

I love your pictures of the Cars area at AoA. I haven't seen the movies, but that area of AoA and Carsland at DLR look amazing! I was hoping to check it out when I was there, but we just didn't have time!

[ronnmel]

Originally Posted by gatormommy07

I am a bit behind on my Dr. Who watching, I sometimes watch old ones on BBCA, most of the time I watch on netflix, I was so sad when Rose was gone, but I love the Amy ones, at first I did not care for Donna, but I warmed up to her after a while, I really need to catch up!! Who is your favorite Dr.? I love 9, 10, and 11 but I think my favorite is 11, he is the awesomest!!
I am glad you like rambling, I tend to do it a lot, staying at home with my five year old and keeping my 1 year old nephew everyday, while the hubster is at work, I tend to go on and on to grown-up types!! Can't wait to read more about ya'll's trip!

The part I bolded are my thoughts exactly. As for my favorite Doctor, I have no idea. I love them all! I asked my husband and he's just as torn as me. Maybe if I watched a few episodes of 10 and a few of 11 on the same weekend, I'd know better.

I so understand the needing to do grown-up stuff. I'm at a point now that when it snows, I'll happily go shovel while Ron stays inside with Claudia, just to get out a little. I never thought I'd see the day where I would say that!

Originally Posted by Nermel9

I love your pictures of the Cars area at AoA. I haven't seen the movies, but that area of AoA and Carsland at DLR look amazing! I was hoping to check it out when I was there, but we just didn't have time!

It's hard to find time to look around a resort, when the parks are so appealing! Plus, you were only there for one night. Next time.

[ronnmel]

Day 1 part 2  The One With the Hunger


I want to apologize for the lack of pictures for this first day. Between being sick, having just arrived at Disney and having to care for a baby, we kinda forgot about the camera.

We didnt stay in the room for long. We dropped off our luggage, and then walked back to Animation Hall. We wanted to go to Landscape of Flavor, the food court. Ron got Tandoori chicken and a mango smoothie, while Otaku got a banana-strawberry smoothie. Also, something wonderful happened. For the first time in days I felt HUNGRY! I knew my appetite wasnt that big though, so instead of getting a full meal I just got cheesy pesto bread. These little beauties taste really good, yet are just a snack credit (if you are on the dining plan)! Rons food also tasted great. Dont believe me? Look what was left of everything by the time I remembered to take pictures.








Oops. Im a bad trip reporter.

We quickly checked out the Ink & Paint Shop (souvenir store), then went back to the room to rest.




We all lied down for a nap. Unfortunately, Claudia had a different idea. Ron and I flipped a coin to see who would get to rest. He lost, so he put Claudia in the stroller and left the room. Otaku, being a teenager, said she couldnt nap and went with them. They went to the arcade (such a great place for a baby to rest ), but did not take any photos (thats not ture, thats when he took the pictures of the gingerbread houses that are in the review). I slept a little, but not much. The bad thing is, I woke up feeling worse. The pixie dust (adrenaline) of arriving in Disney was gone and I was back to feeling sick. Still, I decided to go with them to a park anyway. We gathered our things and walked out, taking a few fun photos with the props along the way.








First though we had to sort out the big mess of the front desk not finding our package of baby items (diapers, wipes, food, etc.) that I had delivered. Finally with a lot of text messages between me, my TA and the guy who delivered the stuff and a phone call from my TA to the front desk, they found it. Ron brought it to the room while we took a few more photos of the lobby (which are in the AoA lobby update).




Look who decided to sleep NOW.




Ron came back and we were on our way. We did not have to wait long for a bus to...


I know this is a super short update, but I need my photopass CD before I can finish talking about the rest of our first evening. I got an email saying it was shipped on the 31st of January, so hopefully it will be here soon.