Not exactly the way it all began- Sept.2010 TR

[Belle_princess]

So funny Kristin, I disagree about the Christmas party! I think if you are there, you NEED TO GO, that was my favorite thing that week! It was so much more magical! But I have never been to MNSSHP before, so I guess I can't really say.

Maybe you are right. However, the Christmas party I went to wasn't as magical as I would have liked. Perhaps DH had something to do with that. Anyway, our part was rained on. They didn't do snow on Main Street, and they eliminated a few things from the parade for safety. It was still a great party! I just feel MNSSHP was so much better! - - Quite frankly, I never celebrate Halloween anymore. Nikki really wanted to go to MNSSHP, so we decided it wasn't a big deal. We had so much fun- it could have lasted until 2 in the morning, and we still wouldn't have seen everything. It was wonderful and so much fun!

 

[ladybugmom]

Todd sounds like Brent!! He likes to freeze me out! I'm always cold and he's always hot no matter what time of year it is! The pool looks like soo much fun and that pic of your boys is precious! Sooo excited that your friends finally arrived!!

 

[francis6306]

Hey there! thanks for joining my trip!!!

So jealous you're going in December! That was the BEST time of year to go!! We went with Tracey and Adam (my trip report is below my siggie, if you're interested) in December of 2008, LOVED going that time of year and we stayed at POP that year, too! We just love POP, we have just outgrown in now that Cole is in a bed.

Are you doing a PTR? You and Shelley are going to have a fab time!! BFF trips are the best!!!

Thanks for reading!!!

Yes, I have a PTR started (link in my siggy!).

We are looking forward to the Party! I've only ever been in the spring, so I have nothing to compare it to! It's my husband's first trip and we have a 2 year old little girl... I cannot wait to experience WDW through their eyes! Makes me tear up just thinking about seeing my little girl's face when she first sees the Castle!

I can see Shelley and I having MANY more Disney trips in our future!

 

[princess&her4princes]

We left off with us all finally together again in the lobby of POR! It was SO nice to finally see my neices and nephews and hug Tracey and Adam again!!

Tracey and I quickly ran over to Conceirge to pick up our tickets for HDDR later that night. We caught up about how their flight was and how we couldn't believe today has finally come!!!!

Their room wasn't ready, so we all took a walk to our room, for them to use the bathrooms, drop their carryons and freshen up some before grabbing lunch at the POR food court. We went and had a quick bite to eat, the kids all got chicken nuggets, grapes and cookies, Tracey and I had make your own salands (to cancel out the cinnamon bun I ate earlier that day!) and the guys both got huge roast beef sandwiches. It was good and hit the spot so we could head back for a swim.

Tracey and Adam still hadn't heard if their room was ready, so we stopped by to check and it was still not done. We asked if their luggage was there but it wasn't, so this made for some issues as far as our swim time went. They didn't think to pack their bathing suits in their carryon's, so we went back to our room, I gave Tracey an extra suit of mine (which was huge on her, but made do!), and let Zach and Hailey wear some of Ethan and Lucas' stuff. Hailey wasn't happy about wearing a boys things but it worked and she got to join in the fun. Adam sat on the side lines with Emmi, who later came in in a swim diaper. We made do and it killed the afternoon.

Since we have 5:30 p.m reservations for HDDR, we had to catch the bus to MK, and then the boat to FW. It took some coordinating. The front desk recommended we be on our way by 4 p.m. Well, by 2:45 we still didn't have access to Tracey and Adams room.....SO....all 10 of us had to get ready in our little room! We managed to give my boys showers and Todd & I got quick ones, too, but they had to just make due. By the time we werej ust about ready, Tracey got a call on her cell saying her room was done! Perfect timing!!!! (sorry for the lack of pics above, we were too busy swimming and catching up!)

We all made our way to the bus stop, a short walk from our rooms and before we knew it, the MK bus was there!!! We had an uneventful ride (and what a tease to be THERE and not be going in!) and got in line for the boat ride to FW.

We couldn't have been on the boat for more than 2 minutes when Cole crashed and fell asleep for a good hour!

Some of the views on the way, it was just gorgeous out!

Tracey, Adam, Zach, Lucas and Emmi

We made our way off the boat and checked in for HDDR, we had plenty of time to kill, but at this point both Emmi and Cole were sound asleep. The guys made sure we were set up on a bench outside and they took the big kids over to the playground for a bit. I remember it being SO HOT out, the back of my shirt was just soaked by the time it was time to go in for dinner (lovely, I know!) just from sitting there with Cole is my arms.

continued....

 

[princess&her4princes]

We finally were called in for dinner, it was cute, they rang the triangle and we filed in. Our tables were in the back area, which I wasn't sure of, but they worked out perfectly, they were high tables and directly centered to face the stage.

Here is a pic from my seat:

Before too long they came around and got our drink order, beer and wine were "free" as well as soda, ice tea, milk, juice for the kids. Tracey and I got a glass of wine, it was good, but I didn't take advantage of a second glass, as I was fighting a cold, and knew I didn't want to have any reason not to feel good for the next day (our 1st day in the parks!). And soon after, the food started coming out....salad 1st, with bread, and then fried chicken, ribs, baked beans, it was DELISH!!!!!!!!!!! I would highly recommend it!

kids having the salad

Cole still waking up...LOL!

Tracey and Emmi and our bucket o'salad

Mom, stop taking pictures!

Suppose to be a light fixture pic for LL!

And the show started!

Todd and Cole watching the show

Hailey and Ethan

Some more food porn!

At one point, they asked if anyone was celebrating any birthdays, anniversaries, that sort, and Adam announced that Todd & I were celebrating our 10 year. Here one of the guys are making the announcements:

They had Todd & I (and the other couples...) get up and dance a song...the kids got a kick out of that!

Cole & I enjoying the show

At the end of the show, they passed our washboards for the kids to play, we all had fun with that! Here is Emmi & Adam playing the washboard!

It was funny, cute and we all enjoyed it very much! They danced, they sang, the told funny stories and it was a fun 1st night. If you haven't done it, you need to, if you've done it, I don't think you need to go back, make sense? And yes, my kids loved it, they were cracking up most of the show, too!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

I just LOVE that picture of Cole at the table still waking up. It's precious!

 

[Belle_princess]

Another great update! Those pictures are great! I've never done HDDR, but it looks like fun! The ribs look wonderful!!

Your kids are so expressive- good and bad! They are funny! I'm really enjoying your TR. Was HDDR on Wednesday, September 22? If so, we haven't crossed paths yet!

 

[SoonerGirl]

HDDR looks like so much fun, if the menu was different I'd give it a try. I don't like fried chicken, ribs or cornbread though so I'm afraid all I would eat is salad - that would be one expensive salad!

 

[cjnix29]

So glad to see pics of HDDR! We have talked about doing this sometime, but have never gotten around to it. That's why I love the TR boards! You get a sneak peek!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I cannot imagine 10 people getting ready in one room! Great seats, and great pics of HDDR! Did you think the humor would be entertaining for a 5 year old and 3 year old, or will they be too young?

 

[Scampi]

Love your TR so far! You have a beautiful family. Wish I was going again soon.

 

[princess&her4princes]

I just LOVE that picture of Cole at the table still waking up. It's precious!

Thanks Meg, I do, too, so funny!!

Another great update! Those pictures are great! I've never done HDDR, but it looks like fun! The ribs look wonderful!!

Your kids are so expressive- good and bad! They are funny! I'm really enjoying your TR. Was HDDR on Wednesday, September 22? If so, we haven't crossed paths yet!

The ribs were SOOOO good!!

My kids are so expressive, they don't hold back!! LOL!!! And you're right, that's good and bad!! LOL!

Yes, this was 9/22!!

HDDR looks like so much fun, if the menu was different I'd give it a try. I don't like fried chicken, ribs or cornbread though so I'm afraid all I would eat is salad - that would be one expensive salad!

It was really fun, something different and a great way to start off our trip! And yes, that meal just wouldn't work for you....maybe the laua would be a better fit for you! But it was good salad....

So glad to see pics of HDDR! We have talked about doing this sometime, but have never gotten around to it. That's why I love the TR boards! You get a sneak peek!

Don't you just love DIS for just that reason? It's the best!!!!

I cannot imagine 10 people getting ready in one room! Great seats, and great pics of HDDR! Did you think the humor would be entertaining for a 5 year old and 3 year old, or will they be too young?

I know, it was NUTS! We might have killed each other later in the week, but it was fun, being our 1st day together and we were just so excited to be with each other!

My boys are 7,5, and 3 and they had fun! Ethan and Lucas were cracking up at some points, it's definately entertaining! I'm not sure the kids "got it" but enjoyed the music, the washboards, and some of the jokes, too!

Love your TR so far! You have a beautiful family. Wish I was going again soon.

Hi there! Thanks for joining us!! And thanks for your nice compliments!!! I'm with you....wish I was going again, soon, too!!!! Thank goodness for DIS!!!!

 

[manntra]

Ughhhh I am sooooooo late!!!! You need to knock me over the head and let me know about these important things!!

I can't wait to read all about your trip!!! And I better go get caught up right now!!

Tracy

 

[princess&her4princes]

Ughhhh I am sooooooo late!!!! You need to knock me over the head and let me know about these important things!!

I can't wait to read all about your trip!!! And I better go get caught up right now!!

Tracy

You are not!!! Right on time!! Besides, you have better things to do...like going to DISNEY!!!

Have a fabulous trip!!!

 

[ladybugmom]

How cute!! It looks like we need to put HDDR on our list of things to do on our next trip!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Todd sounds like Brent!! He likes to freeze me out! I'm always cold and he's always hot no matter what time of year it is! The pool looks like soo much fun and that pic of your boys is precious! Sooo excited that your friends finally arrived!!

He did it to me all week long! I swear every night about 2:30-3 a.m. I was wide away and FREEZING!!! Yes, sounds like our guys are a lot alike!!

Thanks Becky, we had a great time at the pool! So much fun to just have a down day!!

Yes, I have a PTR started (link in my siggy!).

We are looking forward to the Party! I've only ever been in the spring, so I have nothing to compare it to! It's my husband's first trip and we have a 2 year old little girl... I cannot wait to experience WDW through their eyes! Makes me tear up just thinking about seeing my little girl's face when she first sees the Castle!

I can see Shelley and I having MANY more Disney trips in our future!

I'll have to go and check our your siggie, thanks for letting me know!!

You are going to have such a magical trip! There is nothing like experiencing it through your childs eyes.....it will totally make you cry!!!

How cute!! It looks like we need to put HDDR on our list of things to do on our next trip!!

It was fun, I bet the girls would like it!!

 

[pinkxray]

Love the HDDR review update. I just can't decide if we should do it this trip. I'm thinking maybe I'll wait until the next trip. So much to do, so little time!
It looks like everyone enjoyed it.

No Strawberry Shortcake picture? That would be my favorite part.

 

[manntra]

Thanks again Kristen and I sure will!!! My flight is at 5:40 so I am having a glass of wine or two to "relax!!"

Oh I love Jet Blue...the tv and the leg room....even though I am only 5'2
That is the one bad thing about arriving at night....loss of direction at the resort...ugh

Your dinner looked delicious and I love how you canceled out by having a salad earlier in the day....I thought Disney food didn't have any calories Well that is what I believe

I will catch you when I get back....I will likely post on FB while I am gone

Tracy

 

[joelp]

I'm here!!

Now to start reading ...

BTW - I'm planning a Daddy and Danielle trip to WDW in Spring 2011 (no DW - just us "kids" ...) ... any particular dates look good?

 

[Tickanee]

I laughed out loud about Todd and the A/C. My DH freezes me out during the Summer with the A/C in the bedroom, but then complains when I won't turn on the heat in the winter when it is the exact same temp.

The HDDR looks like alot of fun and the fried chicken looks yummy. It makes me think of my grandma and her fried chicken...she grew up in the South and I miss her cooking.