Party of 28, your table is ready!!! ***Update 10/11/08-- chapter 6 beginning**

[thelittlemermaid83]

Oooh I'm subbing!!

 

[~Fisharefriends~]

just found your trip report and im really enjoying it. that must really take some planning with so many of you!!

Looking forward to reading more

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Chapter 2 continued…

After everyone got their rooms, it was time for showers, unpacking, and dinner!!!

My family headed out of the hotel room a few minutes early to stop and do some shopping at Everything Pop. I figured if I stayed at the hotel any longer, I would fall asleep. After browsing Everything Pop for awhile, we run into some family members that had the same idea we had.

Can I just say I love that store! Everything Pop is an awesome resort store. Of course, my son and nephew were being goofy again!!!!

And then my nephew/Godson spots something…..

Please excuse him. He’s 17 years old. I think this was his “first touch”.

On the way to the bus stop, the boys stop and complete their first pin trade.

Notice the rain drops on DH's shirt. Yes, it is still raining.

The plan was to meet at the MK bus stop at 3:45pm to take the boat to Fort Wilderness.

Guess what?

Everyone was there on time!!!!

A few of us discussed that if we were able to cancel dinner without penalty, we would have. We were exhausted! We should have been relaxing. But since dinner was paid, we were off to catch the boat at MK.

Our first bus ride! I think we took up half the bus!

We got off the bus at the MK bus stop. I glanced over at the entrance of MK and thought to myself how bad I wanted to go in! But we went and got in the boat line. While we were in line, my sister (staying at the ASsp) arrived and met up with us.

When we arrived to the front of the line, the CM asked how many. It was so fun to say 28!!!!

I thought sure we would have to wait for another boat, but we didn’t. However, the only seats that were left where we could sit all together were the seats in front of the boat. Only one problem. All the seats were wet from the previous rain. (at least it stopped raining for a little bit)

Here’s my tip to you: always carry a hand towel in your bag!

DH sat down first in my seat and then let me sit down. Wasn’t that sweet?

After we all got our seats, the boat took off to FW. The ride was the one thing I was hoping it wouldn’t be at that moment….

RELAXING!!!!!

Seriously—we all could have fallen asleep right then and there.

My mom was so proud of her Anniversay pin!

DH and I on the boat

More random boat pictures

After a fairly short, peaceful, relaxing boat ride, I spot this sign:

And then this:

Yeah! Time for our first real, true Disney experience!!!

I have to tell you—I was SOOOOO nervous! I was so afraid that they weren’t going to like it. I felt like this was my first test as the “planner” in the group. It really is stressful planning something that you know you’ll like but hoping they’ll like. And 28 people is a lot of people with different tastes. Will they like this????

I checked in at the podium….if that’s what you want to call it. Then the CM motioned us to get in line to get our picture taken. The line seemed long but it moved fairly fast.

The last time my family went to HDDR, we didn’t have time for the picture. I was happy to get the picture this time. There was about 4 CM’s getting us in position—really taking the time to get it right. They were really paying attention to making sure they could see everyone’s face. They even offered to take a picture with our cameras. It was a very nice gesture that I’m glad they did.

We bought the Photopass CD so here’s the picture they took!

After our pic, we got in line. We waited a good 10-15 minutes. Everyone was quiet and trying hard to stay in a good mood. No one is grumpy- just tired.

Listen to me!!! Planning something on arrival day is NOT a good idea!!! I’ve read that before BUT I always ignore everyones advice. I tried to take a pic of my sis and family but it didn’t work out very well.

After the dinner bell rang, we were escorted to our seats!!! Salad and very yummy cornbread were waiting for us.

As you can see, we were all seated at different tables, but right next to each other.

Once everyone started to eat and the show started, everyone woke up! Yeah—we are happy again!!! Looking around, I can tell everyone is really enjoying themselves. (what a relief!)

At HDDR, beer and wine are included.
Of course-- my DH and I took advantage of that. Can you tell?

Really, we are just really tired.

Seriously.

Believe me.

I wouldn’t lie to you.

Or would I?

My son took the picture. I think it’s all his fault.

Anyway......

My boys were having a GREAT time.

They clapped.

They hooted.

They hollered.

They laughed.

They cackled.

And yes, cackling is different than laughing.

They participated.

They couldn’t sit still.

They did the Hokie Pokie.

They were surrounded my Disney magic.

Can’t you tell?

My SIL said to me that she has never seen Brett carry on like that and she was impressed. Like I said…Disney magic!!!!  (Brett is a very shy, ADHD inattentive kid that doesn’t like to be talked to, messed with or bothered unless it’s under his terms. Remember that.)

During the show they asked for Anniversaries. (Of course I knew that—that’s why I wanted to book this ADR) My mom and dad stood up and proudly announced in the microphone that they are celebrating 45 years of marriage!!!

Seriously- that is short of a miracle for them.

So they have them dance!

continued in next post....

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

(I was adding too many pics...had to do separate posts)

Then it was time for birthdays! Remember, today is Alysha’s 18th! They sing. She’s embarrassed. I loved it.

I pre-ordered a small cake. I knew strawberry shortcake was served after dinner so I ordered the smallest one they had.

$12.50 plus tax and 18% tip. I personally don’t think bringing a cake to a table was worth 18% but whatever…..She LOVED it! It was perfect!

A CM came around to sell us the picture they had taken. I bought it and gave it to my mom and dad for their anniversary.

***fast forward to today—my dad cherishes that picture! My mom said that even at the hotel, he displayed it and looked at it every day. ***

The evening came to an end, and we gathered outside for a few minutes. And guess what?

Everyone said they liked it!!!!! And better yet, they are awake and refreshed after dinner!!!!

Punk teenagers that won’t smile for me:

On the way back to the boat, my sister spots a pressed penny machine and says “What’s this?”

I scream “DID YOU NOT READ YOUR NEWSLETTER?????”

My other sis then says “I did” and precedes to tell her. So she tries it out for the first time:

We take the boat ride back to the MK. This time we were in the back of the boat and everyone was a little bit more talkative.

It was even a little loud when the kids were chanting

HOOP DEE DOOOOO
HOOP DEE DOOOOO
HOOP DEE DOOOOO

It’s a song they sing at the end of the show.

Back of the boat pictures:

I love this picture:

Once we got off the boat, there was a decision to make.

What should we do? I mean, the MK is right there. But, we are tired. Should we go back to the room?

Stay tuned to find out what we do!!!!

 

[missj1975]

Great report so far. I am very impressed that you managed to organize the trip for 28 people. I can't wait to read the rest.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Yay a update!!

 

[cajunfan]

I sure hope that you have a lot of time on your hands and are a quick poster!

I am enjoying this Trip report and can't wait to see and hear more!!!!

BTW, what kinda of camera are you using? (I am in the market for a new one...)

Lynn

 

[LENNON500]

You have BEAUTIFUL feet!!!!
Love reading this report!

 

[ceemys]

I am loving your trip report!!! I never thought of doing one, but now that I see your's I really would love to have one like this. I can't wait for the next update!!! I am learning to love your family! Ya'll look so happy and you can tell you love each other bunches. I am from IN also. Where are you at?

 

[steph0207]

Loving your trip report!! I'm planning a trip in December for 8 people and almost going crazy........I have no idea how you did it for 28!!! Impressive!!

 

[lisalonglash]

Excellent updates!!! Your pictures are fantastic - what a lovely family you have The punk teenager pictures make me giggle I'm so glad you all had fun at the HDDR - it looks like a great time, but I was outvoted on attending by our group

A very belated HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to your parents - 45 years married is a HUGE accomplishment!

I cannot wait until you all go to the parks - I'm waiting for pointers on how to deal with different group members wanting to do different things, etc.

 

[castmemberb4]

Oh My Gosh ! I thought I was crazy for planning a family trip for 9 family members ! Hope I can pull it off with as much grace as you have so far, afraid I'll be more like your sister says she'd be, going off on someone. At least the one friend who can't follow directions isn't going with us this year, she's not afraid of me like the others are
And guess what we arrive for our stay the day after you and your DH leave in Sept., going down a few days ahead of the family to celebrate our anniversary. We didn't tell anybody until they all had their trips booked.
Can't wait to read the rest off your story.
Lynn

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Just found your trip report and I'm lovin it!! Great format and pics- Thanks for posting it.

Thank YOU!!!

I am sooo happy you are doing this report, it reminds me of my family, all the way down to the vast amount of people.

I am always the one that does the ADR's for our huge group, so much pressure, but I love it.

Kim

I LOVED all the planning!!! Thanks for reading!

Oooh I'm subbing!!

Welcome!!! Pass the popcorn....

just found your trip report and im really enjoying it. that must really take some planning with so many of you!!

Looking forward to reading more

Good! Thank you!

Great report so far. I am very impressed that you managed to organize the trip for 28 people. I can't wait to read the rest.

I can't wait to write the rest! Looking over all the notes I wrote for this TR makes me relive all the magic!

Yay a update!!

Hope you like it!!!

I sure hope that you have a lot of time on your hands and are a quick poster!

I am enjoying this Trip report and can't wait to see and hear more!!!!

BTW, what kinda of camera are you using? (I am in the market for a new one...)

Lynn

I have the laptop while DH watches football tonight. I don't type fast at all though!! My camera is a Nikon D40- it's a SLR-- my first digital. I got it at Best Buy about a month before the trip. I am so glad I did. I couldn't imiagine all the film I would have went through.

You have BEAUTIFUL feet!!!!
Love reading this report!

OMG- my DH (and BIL) says the same thing. I'm not sure if you are serious though. My sister on the other hand says they are ugly.

I am loving your trip report!!! I never thought of doing one, but now that I see your's I really would love to have one like this. I can't wait for the next update!!! I am learning to love your family! Ya'll look so happy and you can tell you love each other bunches. I am from IN also. Where are you at?

awww...thank you!!! That is sweet. We are all in Southeast Indiana. Where are you?

Loving your trip report!! I'm planning a trip in December for 8 people and almost going crazy........I have no idea how you did it for 28!!! Impressive!!

Thanks! Sometimes I wonder if my family knew how much I planned!!!

A very belated HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to your parents - 45 years married is a HUGE accomplishment!

Thanks! My mom should be reading all these updates so hopefully she'll see your anniversary wish! She'll never figure out how to post though so I'm thanking you!

 

[IATink]

I just got all caught up! Still loving your report. I'm glad your family all liked Hoop Dee Doo. We have done it twice now and my girls love it!

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Chapter 2 continued again....

Once we got off the bus, everyone started talking about what they wanted to do.

Most felt refreshed but ready for bed. Including my DH and my oldest son.

10 of us decided to go into MK. My sister Mindy and her family. My sister Crystal and 1 DD. And myself with 2 of my boys.

We said our good byes to each other and we headed to MK.

DH said the ride on the bus back to uneventful. Him and my BIL drank 2 beers and went to bed-- feel sleep right away.

So we are head to the turnstiles and insert our KTTW for the first time. A couple finger scans later and we are in the park!

We wait for everyone right inside. I take a quick picture:

My sister and boyfriend take off to the shops—we found out they like to shop! We turn the corner and see this:

No, not the castle. Al those people!!!!

It was soooo crowded. I quickly told the group that we are there for the atmosphere and to check it out. It was so crowded, I didn’t think we would be able to ride anything.

We stopped on Main Street and had our photo taken.

I had pre-ordered the CD so I tried to take advantage of every Photopass opportunity.

We walk down a little further to get a closer look at the castle….

I love the castle. Really. I could stand there all day, just looking….and taking pictures of course. If you haven’t figured it out, I am the “photographer” in the family. (I’m afraid to tell you how many pictures I took on this trip. Anyone care to guess?)

After viewing the castle, we walked to FantasyLand and noticed the 60+ minute wait on most of the attractions. Until we walk past It’s a Small World. It said 5 minutes!!!! I took a quick peak at the line and I could tell the sign was right. So we jump in line.

Let me first apologize to all the IASW fans. In fact, you may just want to skip the next couple paragraphs.

In line, I start cracking up laughing. It could have been the wine from the HDDR. It could have been the lack of sleep. It could have been either one of those things.

But it wasn’t.

I put my hand on my sister’s shoulder and say “I am soooo sorry that this is your first ride at Disney.” still laughing….. “please don’t hate me forever for this being your first Disney attraction experience.” I was laughing because for 1- I knew my boys were going to hate it 2- after all the planning I did, who would have thought that IASW would be our first ride!

At this point, no one still knows why I am laughing so hard. We wait our 2 minutes and board our boat.

Then it begins….

It’s a small world after all……

It’s a small world after all……

It’s a small world after all……

It’s a small world after all……

It’s a small world after all……

Now everyone starts cracking up. Especially when one of my boys says,

“Will they ever shut that thing up?”

And then the other says

“Are you serious mom? Get me off this ride.”

Can’t you tell he was so excited? This was before the ride even started.

When we exited I said “I told you I was sorry”

We tried to think of other songs to sing to get It’s a small world after all out of our heads.

Couldn’t think of anything.

It was like a brainwashing experience. Just couldn’t get it out of our heads.

So I have an idea.

Let’s scare it out of our heads.

They agree so we head to Haunted Mansion. No wait!!!! Awesome! We go immediately into the holding room.

That’s where my youngest son gets scared.

Almost crying scared.
Getting ready to see a ghost scared.
Going to pee in my pants scared.

So, I do the thing that only a mom would do. I take him by the hand and tell him if he doesn’t want to ride, we can leave and go back outside and wait for everyone. He agrees.

Check that.
That’s not what I did.
That’s what he wanted me to do.

Instead I look at him and tell him to stop crying because we are going on it. My niece Erika feels sorry for him, so she picked him up and consoled him. He is now mad at me—rightfully so—but I’m blaming IASW. I was still laughing that I got everyone on that ride.

So I ride with my niece Kelsey. Nolan rides with Erika. It is everyone’s first time riding this. Including mine. It has always been in rehab on previous trips.

Everyone but Nolan really enjoyed this HM. It really was so cool!!!!

From there we headed to the BTM and SM. Both had 50 minutes wait.

So we decided to leave. We were getting really tired so we decided to take the train to the front of the park. Big mistake. We waited what seemed to be forever!

Once we got up there, it was 9pm and the parade was just starting. We took a quick peek but decided that we needed to beat the crowd and head back to the resort. So we start to head out and realize……

Umm….what about my sister and BF. Where are they?

We call her on the phone. No answer.

We call her on the phone again. No answer.

We call her on the phone again. No answer.

We call her on the phone again. No answer.

We call her on the phone again. No answer.

We call her on the phone again. No answer.

We could not get ahold of her for anything. We even tried the BF’s phone. No luck.

Everyone was wanting to leave but we couldn’t leave until we found my sister. I have her daughter and they are stating at a different resort than us. So I have to wait. My boys were getting tired and losing patience so I send them back to the resort with my sister. I wait with my niece until I can find my sister.

(the next day my sister tells me the next day that she had a very hard time getting someone to open the door to let my boys in the room. DH was out! Finally my oldest opened the door.)

Back to me at MK- I thought to myself, “this isn’t good. I hope this isn’t a sign of what this week is going to be like”

I call her on the phone again. No answer. I’m getting very frustrated.

So I take a picture.

FINALLY she answers my phone call. I hear the parade in the background. She is watching the parade. I tell her where to meet me. She comes after about 5 minutes and says “Aww man, I had the perfect spot to watch the parade. It was awesome” I told her she could go back but I was beat and had to go back to the room.

I go to the bus stop—POP is the furthest one away. It makes a HUGE difference at the end of the day. I wait in line by myself for awhile and then get one of the last spots on the bus—STANDING UP!!!

Do I need to remind you of the long day I’ve had?
Do I need to remind you that I’ve only had 2 hours of sleep in the last 48?
Do I need to remind you that I had 3 glasses of wine at dinner and it now has worn off?

Okay, good. So I’ll tell you that the bus ride back hit me HARD!!! I was fully exhausted standing there on that bus, holding on for life on that rail. Seriously- I felt like I was going to collapse. I then started hearing things….

I’m pretty sure it was a group of Disers saying.....

“I told you so….”
“you shouldn’t wear yourself out the first day…”
“relax and take it easy the first day….”
“What were you thinking…”

Yeah, yeah yeah…. I NOW KNOW WHY YOU SAY THAT!!!!!

I finally make it back to POP. I crashed on the bed and fell immediately asleep……


Up next-- Chapter 3: Our first full day at Disney! We are headed to Animal Kingdom! Will everyone make it to rope drop? Who will attend the ADR? Will we meet the Dream Team?

 

[island cricket]

oh my heavens! i am SO loving your report, you are a fabulous writer and a great photographer but even better, your comments on all the pics are CLASSIC!! i'm bustin up out loud i mostly love that you don't make us wait for days to hear the rest i can't imagine 28, we did 14 in vegas and what a joke, it ended up...we'll meet ya when we meet ya OR this is where dinner is, join us, if can can, if no can, no can... i don't know how we'd do it at the world. you AND your whole family is amazing, very good looking, your husband is a gem for biting his tongue... etc etc!! i feel like i know you and oh my, we'd get along just fine. something about the humor we'd click very well together. mahalo for sharing this incredible experience with us, i guess i will listen better to what the diser's say...well, maybe we've got 9 days to take it all in and it takes 1 day to fly there...we got to cram cram cram

 

[lisalonglash]

We wait for everyone right inside. I take a quick picture:

]

That is a lovely picture

Check that.
That’s not what I did.
That’s what he wanted me to do.]

I’m pretty sure it was a group of Disers saying.....

“I told you so….”
“you shouldn’t wear yourself out the first day…”
“relax and take it easy the first day….”
“What were you thinking…”]

I really am trying not to

Up next-- Chapter 3: Our first full day at Disney! We are headed to Animal Kingdom! Will everyone make it to rope drop? Who will attend the ADR? Will we meet the Dream Team?

Oooooh, a cliffhanger!

Great update! I'm glad you were finally able to get some well-deserved rest!

 

[dominiki]

This is my second post here is just for you, I told you before, I only do this for your trip report, (excuse my english again, any mistake), I call my husband today when I receive an mail from Dis, it was a reminder for your trip, I'm so happy for you and your family, no matter what this gonna be with your family for ever, I'm wating for your next report and learning english. Bless you all.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Ohhh! I'm joining!! I always wanted to do a HUGE trip with my whole family! I'll have to finish reading when i get to work today!

 

[clomahony]

I have to say that I am loving your trip report. You were so brave planning a trip for 28. I planned a trip for only 7 and wanted to run away from them after a few days. And it's good to be reminded that I shouldn't plan anything on arrival day because we will drive as well and my kids completely melted down at Animal Kingdom after we arrived after 16 hours of driving.