10 days in Disney w/ pics

[kimwim8]

Sounds like you guys are having a GREAT time! I love the necklace that your DH gave you for your birthday. That might have to be my souvenier this year!

I'm really enjoying your trip report. Thanks so much for sharing it, and the pics. For me, that makes the report so much more enjoyable!

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Just wanted to chime in...

I've been reading your wonderful trip report since the beginning. Thanks so much for sharing it with us! I also spent my 30th at WDW...a few years ago! My 4-year-old nephew was a preemie and has the same gag reflex issue. He becomes sick when he's crying or sometimes even when he's just very worked up or agitated. Sounds like you handled things really well and didn't let it spoil your magical trip. Good for you!

Your children are so beautiful! My DS is 13 now and I miss the days of seeing WDW through the eyes of a child (since he's and "adult" in Disney's eyes!) It's been a lot of fun to see all of your pictures and hear your children's comments.

Looking forward to the next installment and I'll be sure to post my trip report when we return in a few weeks!

 

[kathymc]

what a great report and terrific b-day! thanks for sharing and your family is adorable!

looking forward to more - hint - hint

 

[Missus Toad]

OMG I am so glad I'm not the only one. Yes, hers is triggered by the coughing too. We do the exact same thing, everyone goes into "calm her down mode". She is now at the point where she can tell it's coming on and you can see her trying to calm herself down too. How old is your DD???
Lesley

She just turned 3. Isn't it the craziest thing? People must think we're nuts when they see us scrambling to calm her down, but better that than the alternative! Here's hoping they grow out of it real soon. Glad to find someone else who shares this little quirk though!

 

[TheZeppo]

This TR is awesome, your making me look forward to my Sept. trip just that much more and I didn't think that was at all possible.

 

[Raysplus1]

This trip report has been great. I look forward to the next report.

 

[momof2cutegirls]

Just a fellow Ohioan subscribing to your great trip report. Looking forward to hearing the rest of your story!

 

[timandlesley]

Day 7:



The alarm went off at 7:00 (seeing a pattern here??) and I woke up and hit the shower again as everyone slept. Tim awoke as I got out of the shower and went down to Roaring forks to grab breakfast. This was becoming our routine. We woke the kids around 7:45 so they could eat and we could get them ready to catch the bus by 8:30 to Epcot. (I like to get there at park opening if you haven’t noticed yetJ) We met my parents down in the lobby at 8:20 and walked to the stop. We got to Epcot around 8:50 and were in the gate as the park was opening. It was another beautiful sunny day.

My mom wanted to ride Soarin’ really badly, and I LOVE the ride so again Tim was our FP getter so he ran ahead to the Land to get Soarin’ FP’s for everyone. Our goal was to go to the Living Sea’s to see Turtle Talk with Crush’s first show at 10:00. I had heard that the line started at 9:30 for this and I wanted a good seat since we hadn’t seen it before so I told Tim we’d meet him there so we could all get in line.

We got the double stroller rental and were headed to living seas when I remembered reading about Epcot’s new character connection. I had read that it wasn’t popular at all first thing in the morning and to go there and see tons of characters without the wait.

I figured we might as well give it a shot so I asked a CM by the big board that tells you the wait times for everything where it was and she pointed to it (real close by). When we walked in I was AMAZED.

There was only one other family in there and no lines at all for all of the major characters.

We saw Mickey, Chip and Dale, Pluto, Donald, Goofy, and Belle all within 10 minutes. AMAZING

Here are some of the pics:

Here is Lauren after Mickey kissed her – she is pointing to her nose and saying “Mickey kissed my nose!!!”

Pic of dad and the kids with Pluto:

Pic of my mom, me and the kids with Minnie (I LOVE this one):

On our way to the exit Belle and Goofy were just standing there with no one around so we got to see them too. Lauren was SO excited to see Belle:

After that wonderful whirlwind of characters with no wait (I HIGHLY recommend doing this, I can’t believe it isn’t more popular). O.K. maybe I should SHUT UP now, I’m ruining my secrets. . .



We got a radio call from Tim saying he was already in the line for Crush (it was about 9:25) so we headed over there. The line was already forming but Tim was first in line (THAT A BOY TIMJ ) We are truly a Disney team!!!

My mom and the kids played in the area by where Bruce is (from Finding Nemo for those of you unfamiliar with this) for awhile until the line started getting really intense and I didn’t want to tick anyone off for them getting in line with us so about 9:40 I called them over to stand and wait by us. Here is a pic of Lauren by the Turtle Talk with Crush sign:

We went in and had front row seats. They let the kids sit on the floor in the VERY front by the screen. Luke sat right up front. Lauren was a little freaked out for some reason and sat with me on my lap. This show is GREAT!!!! I absolutely loved it. It is such a FUNNY FUNNY show. If you haven’t seen it, you MUST I mean MUST see it!!! Every single one of us loved it. Watching Luke’s face as Crush talked and cracked jokes was priceless, he was laughing so hard – heck so were we. FUNNY show (did I say it was a Funny, great show???) Anyway . . . . . GO!!!



We left Turtle Talk and headed to the Land so we could use our Soarin’ passes. My mom, dad, Luke and I went first as Tim and Lauren got some snacks in the Seasons foodcourt. We practically walked right on with our Fastpasses. I LOVE this ride, we rode it last year and it was excellent and it was great again this year. It was fun riding it with mom and dad too. We all had a great time. We had gotten a parent swap pass again (LOVE those parent swap passes – ALWAYS get one ALONG with your FP’s if you are traveling with young kids because they don’t expire and you can go again with up to 3 guests with that one parent swap ticket – a little advice from me to you).

Anyway, we had the parent swap ticket and Tim’s unused FP so Tim rode with my mom, dad and Luke again. I was happy they could experience it once again.

While they were on the ride Lauren and I cashed in 2 snack credits for an ice cream cone at the food court. (YUM- I LOVE that they have expanded the snack credit options).

When they got off the ride it was 11:00 already so it was the choice of should be go ahead and have lunch since we were in a really good food court and it wasn’t crowded or go hit more rides. We opted to go for lunch. HANDS DOWN Seasons was the best counterservice lunch we had this trip. Great Chinese food with so many side options and a ton of kids meal choices all included on the dining plan- HIGHLY recommend it. And convenient to Soarin’ which I am SURE you will be doing when you are in Epcot right??



After Soarin’ we headed over to Figment Journey into your Imagination. The kids and I LOVE this ride, and Tim HATES it. There was absolutely NO line and we walked right on, of course Tim had to joke about “I wonder why there isn’t a line here Lesley”. ..alright already!!! I had to be super crazy and over the top on the ride and sing the songs really loud and dance just to get a rise out of Tim (don’t worry we were the only ones on the ride anyway). . .it was a fun time. Again, the kids LOVED IT!!!



We got off of the ride to the kids favorite part the interactive imagination station. Luke was able to go on stage and do a test for the camera. The lady told him to make his silliest face:

Here it is displayed:

The lady told Luke he would be in super silly magazine. He still to this day thinks he is in that magazine by the way.



The kids had a blast playing around on the mats where you step on them and they make different sounds:

What a fun morning at Epcot. Tim and my parents wanted to go get some coffee and pastries from World Showcase and I wanted to head home with the kids because my plans were to go to MGM that night for the 5:30 parade, dinner, and catch Fantasmic since we weren’t able to go earlier in the trip due to the storms.



I headed back with the kids and the ONLY way I got them to go to sleep (every day it took us about an hour to get them to go to sleep and nap) was to bribe them with the parade which they were very excited about. I fell asleep too, I was tired.

Well. . . about 3:00 Tim wakes me up and says “Lesley, we have to talk” I rub my eyes and sit up “what?” He then informs me that everyone is too tired, himself included and that we aren’t going to MGM tonight we just want to relax here. “What???!!!”



O.K., anyone who knows me knows that I am a Disney maniac (hey that is a GIVEN), that I am a MAJOR planner (another given, especially when it comes to Disney) Well the other GIVEN with me is that you don’t wake me up when I am sleeping (I am a tad bit grumpy when I get woken up) . . . and I take a LONG time to process change- especially when I have other expectations in my head (please tell me I’m not the only crazy person out there like this).

Well, with this new news Tim had just laid on my sleepy (grumpy) mind I was a LITTLE upset and I started getting emotional and said how much the kids were looking forward to the parade, it was the only way I had gotten them to sleep, how I wanted to see Fantasmic SOOOO badly and how could he do this to me . . . . I never would have left Epcot early if I had known we weren’t doing anything tonight YADA YADA YADA, it was ugly. Anyway. Then I could see how upset I made him and I felt bad. I started thinking rationally and apologized and said to give me a minute to change dinner reservations ( I had scheduled Coral Reef at Epcot for tomorrow night but figured if I could get Mama Melrose at MGM tomorrow night instead we could still go to MGM and see the parade tomorrow night and see Fantasmic after all). Also the thought of actually enjoying the last night my parents with a swim and relaxing sounded better by the minute.

I got on the phone with Disney dining and was able to schedule Mama’s so all was good in the world. (sad but true)

Tim called my parents in the lobby (they had already checked out of their room at the Villa’s because they would be spending the night in the airport hotel due to their 7:00 a.m. flight the next morning). Funny. . .they had stayed down in the lobby awaiting Tim’s call because they DO know me and know I might not have been the happiest of campers with the new plans. . . .

They came up to the room, the kids woke up. We told the kids we were going swimming instead of the parade and being the great kids that they are they were excited.

We got all ready to go down to the pool and we got down there and it was Thunder and the pool was closed. BUMMER.

Lauren just said (pink floatie in hand and visions of swimming in her head) “OHHHH MANNNN!”

We wandered down to the beach and got drinks and relaxed while the kids played. O.K., this idea was better and better by the minute. I had wine in hand, relaxing on the beach with my loved ones in Disney- NICE NIGHT!!!

We finally were able to get into the pool and enjoy a swim and ate dinner at Roaring Forks. We got my parents all changed and packed up and walked them out front to the Magical Express for their 8:30 pick up time. We gave them hugs goodbye and wished them safe travel. We all weren’t expecting this but Luke BROKE DOWN crying – he was a MESS at the thought they were leaving – it made me tear up.

As the Magical express bus pulled off a VERY tearful Luke waved goodbye. He continued to break down several times that night.

We did some laundry that night since we had gone through so many dirty clothes and then relaxed watching t.v. in the room – another thing we really hadn’t done or had time for. I came to the realization on this day that I can’t be in control at Disney all of the time (talk about a REVELATION) and that taking others ideas and feelings into consideration needed to be done more than I realized (boy can’t you just feel me growing as a person before your eyes : ) I think future trips will be more peaceful because I now truly realize and appreciate this. I had a wonderful evening with Tim’s ideas and I felt like a jerk for having the reaction that I did.

O.K. . . .therapy over!

Goodnight!



Coming in Day 8: EARLY morning reservation at Crystal Palace, experiencing the MK before it opens, Is Tinkerbell awake?? MGM after dark with my little buddy. . . .

Stay tuned!!!

 

[natenapril]

Great trip report!!! Very inspiring!!!!
We are staying at POP next year but I would like to Secretly(sp? ) switch to WL for my DH's 30th birthday!

Anyway, KEEP IT COMING!!!!!

 

[timandlesley]

Just posted day 8 so I'm getting closer to the end, that kind of makes me sad.

Great to see other Ohioans enjoying the report, thanks for posting.
Thanks to those of you with kids with similar gag problems with Laurens posting, it does make you feel better to know others are in the same boat and you aren't the only one. Now does anyone know kids who HAD this and grew out of it, here's hoping for that reply
I am glad I am inspiring b-day surprises, nothing better than that, hope everyone with an upcoming trip has a great one(TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!) and great b-days at the World if you are planning them.
Hope this latest installment has a good tip for parents with young kids to get on more rides (read closely, it's in there).
Enjoy
Lesley

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I just wanted to let you know that I am really enjoying your report. The pictures of your family are wonderful

 

[daisy_77]

Great report! Thank you for taking the time to share!

I especially appreciate the tips that you have been giving all us disers with young children

Look forward to more!!

 

[LegoMom3]

Subscribing cuz I HAVE to keep following this report! Just love all the pictures, too.

 

[allisophie]

Now does anyone know kids who HAD this and grew out of it, here's hoping for that reply


Yes,our micro preemie HAS finally outgrown IT (she was1.5 at birth)
There are times when we are out and I can see her try and swallow and the brain goes into "OH NO!! puke mode!" the plastic bag comes out along with napkins or wipes (yes I still carry them and she is 6 and we have not had an "incindent" in a year) I am guilty of cutting her food into tiny bits tho her Drs. tell me to let her chew bigger pieces.. OK then are they there at the table while she's choking? k enough ...

Still waiting to see if you get to see fantasmic/will the rain hold off at MGM?

 

[SplashMom]

What a fabulous report! I can't wait to read the rest but it sounds like a great time (minus the vomit--been there, done that!).

 

[Mr._The_King]

Loving the report

 

[3princesses+aprince]

OOooohh, I Love your report! It's 10pm , my dh is waiting for me to watch a movie with him, and I keep telling him, wait 1 more minute i'm almost done. I have not been on in about a week, so i just read your whole report. I can't wait to read more. Oh and great pics too.

 

[dzneprincess]

u have me hooked

 

[timandlesley]

OOooohh, I Love your report! It's 10pm , my dh is waiting for me to watch a movie with him, and I keep telling him, wait 1 more minute i'm almost done. I have not been on in about a week, so i just read your whole report. I can't wait to read more. Oh and great pics too.

Thanks so much, I'm flattered . Hope you enjoy the movie. I will be working on the next part tonight and tomorrow and will post tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

u have me hooked

GREAT!!!!

Lesley