Sheaboys
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2005
- Messages
- 719
Cast of Characters:
Me- 34 lover of every and anything Disney
DH- 34 can take it or leave it
DS#1- 7 -like DH is a merry-go-rounder
DS#2- 5 -very stubborn
DS#3- 3 -we call him the "takes along time" kid
So, our 10 year anniversary was in June. Back in December last year there was discussion about what to do for our anniversary. I said I want to take the kids to Disney World. The boys have been several times, except for the youngest. My parents live "just north" of Tampa, so we have done 1 night trips. The last time at The World was Sept. 2001, so our oldest were 3 and 15 months. Then in December 2003, we went to Disneyland, dh's sister lives in San Diego. So this is our first trip with the kids for an entire week. We did Disney World for our honeymoon, that was DH's first time ever.
Ok, so it is Thursday, September 29th, and dh shows up home from work early, around 11:30, due to rain. This is another first for us, we are driving. We always fly to Florida at least 1x a year, sometimes 2x (but, that is byself with the kids only). Reason for the drive, our good friends moved to South Carolina and we were going to stop there on the way home. So he is loading up the minivan with a portable toilet, not just your run of the mill blow up, bag thing, but a full small toilet that needs some kind of blue liquid in it. So, I head to school to do some stuff with the 3 yr old and 5 yr old, and we also pick up our 7 yr old and head to Wal-Mart in the pouring rain. DH naps while gone. It was our intention to leave very early in the am (4:30am), but once home, dh decides we should leave tonight. His plan is keep the kids up until like 11, then leave. Our kids are always in bed by 7:30, so my plan prevails. Once home, we eat dinner, finish packing the car, get kids in their clothes (they are long pants that zip off to shorts, long shirt and sweatshirt). Now, you are probably saying, why not jammies. Reason, it was our intention to drive until around 11, stop and stay in a room, change into those shorts for the rest of the drive. I already had the overnight bag packed according to travel days and a nights stay. You will see later why this is a little important. So it is 6:45 pm, and we head out of our driveway in Brimfield, Mass. Our drive is going good, no more rain, until about 45 min. into the drive we have to make our first potty stop. Our "Takes along Time" kid (he says this over and over and over again for driving, line waiting etc.), has to go real bad. So we stop just past Hartford, CT, and don't you know nothing, but everyone else went. Back in the van, now it is about 8:30pm, I think we entered NY at this point, not sure, but we stop again. Dh looks at me and we both say this is going to be one long ride. He goes as did the other 2 boys and dh. Not sure why, but I get very few potty breaks during the ride down and back. I put DS#3 in a pull up, he was potty trained in July, and is only 3, so no chances here. We are off again. DS#2 is out by 9pm, DS#3 9:02pm, and DS#! is out by 10. All comfortable in their carseats and blankets. We are driving and driving, hit NJ at some point. DH announces, maybe we just keep going. OH, ok. Sure. However, I don't sleep well at night while some one else is driving also at night (plus he was up at 4:30 am for work, but did nap 2 hours while I was gone this afternoon). Anyhow, I nap on and off, in like 30 min. increments. WE hit DC, stopped in traffic at 1:30am, dead stop. They are building all sorts of roads and bridges on 95, so they were moving beams around. At about 3am, DH says maybe we should stop. What, stop, wake 3 kids up, to go into a room, to which they will now be wired, and us exhausted. So I say, can you make it further, yep he can. At 4am, it is my turn. I am a speeder by nature (I drove across country with my dad when I was 18, he woke up to me going 120 miles per hour in Nevada, I thought they did not have a speed limit), but since I am a bit tired, I stick to about 5 miles over the limit. I believe we were in NC at this time. I don't like how 95 S and 95N are separated by a small medium. I wear contacts and that night glare was bugging my eyes out. I stopped and changed into my glasses, to which I found out one of the nose pieces was missing, no biggy. At 6am, DH wakes up from his sleep. Yes, I say sleep, no on and off for him, once he moved to the passenger seat he was out cold. At 6:30am, all 3 boys woke up. We stopped about 8am, for bathroom and stretching and changing. I washed my face and put my contacts back in. In Georgia, they had construction zones all down 95S, however, I only saw about a total of 10 workers through the entire state. Not sure what that was all about. At this time, I have already called my mom 2x. She has Fridays off, where the heck was she. At around 1pm, she returns my call, I surprise her, we are just getting on 275 heading towards 10. WHAT!
She is expecting us Saturday evening sometime. Questions me about my driving 
Boy do they know me. Nope, I did not drive but 2 hours, so it was not me. So I get some back road directions from Dad. Get on the 301, don't go through Ocala, just get on 75S, and get off at 98/50. I know the way from there, it is, after all, the road we take to get to Disney. I call Mom when we get on 98. Now even I know it is only about 45 away from 19, Mom says, I am heading out, Dad is sleeping (he worked 2am-10am this day). She says we should be there in about an hour and half, she was going to Winn Dixie. AH, ok, but I know better. So we get to there house, I see her truck is not there. We go to Winn Dixie and sure enough she is loading the truck with groceries. Surprise, GIGI, we are here! She again insists it is due to speeding. BTW, we even stopped to eat and stretch on 75 and of course potty. So now, we have an entire day with my parents and 2 nights to relax before our week in Disney. This proved to be great for us and kids, but so much for my packing. I had to now get the large suitcase out to get bathing suits and various items out, that we needed while at my parents. These two nights and day were uneventful. Hit the beach for a few hours that was all, and did laundry.
Sunday, October 2nd:
We are all ready to head out of Hudson, Florida, but first my aunt, uncle and Memere need to visit. After about 1 hour with them, we head out around 11am. We stop for beer and sunglasses for me (I broke them getting in the van to leave), then off. We are in communication all this time with our friends from NC, they are meeting us in Disney today until Wednesday. We get Port Orleans Riverside at about 1pm. Checkin had a little line, but went quickly. We get our room assignment 3515. We did request close to main building and bus stop, after getting to the room, these were neither. Oh well, this won't bug me until Thursday this week.... We get to our room, unpack, call the friends, who are now getting into the Disney roads area, we head to the pool for a bit, this will be the one and only time I swim, it was chilly to me, kids and dh loved it. We are all going to the Halloween Party tonight. After our friends call us and give us their room number, we head over. We requested we all be close together, but again not met, they are a family of 4 and us being 5, we were in the Bayou, them in the other section, room 8079? I believe. What a walk, but we find it. We all give hugs etc. and head out around 4:15pm, for the bus stop. We go to theirs. We have a reservation at 5:35 for LTT. We were still at the bus stop at 5:10! Our bus experience is already, a nightmare...
We finally arrive at the MK, get through the gates, and all the boys want to get dressed. Mine are all Harry Potter. This consists of Capes, Glasses and Wand, DONE! Theirs, boys are 2 and 3yrs, are full blown Batman and Robin with the fake muscles. So after they get through the gates, which takes them about 15min. because of the battle of the wristbands with their children, they begin to wrestle with them getting costumes on. This was so funny to watch. Off come their shirts and shoes on the costumes. I have pictures of the wrestle. In the interim, my dh has gone to get 2 double strollers. We head out under the train, and to the Hall to get Disney Dollars, not for us, but it was our friends who wanted to do this. While the husband was in line getting money, their kids wanted out of their costumes, so yet another pictures of the wrestling those costumes off and clothes back on. He came back just nodding his head.. it was funny, but probably not for them. He hands me disney money for our kids birthday gifts. Very nice, I must say. By now, it is way late for our reservations. It is well after 6, I am convinced why bother even try to get into LTT, there is no way, so we find our way to Peco Bills. Dinner was not bad. DH had the burger, but could not get any where near the fixing's bar, so blah, I had the wrap thing, and the kids split 2 kids meals. My kids are not huge eaters, and with the dining plan we figured we could get some breakfasts meals out of the counter service by saving. It is now after 7pm. The one and only thing we enjoyed about the party was the lack of lines. They were quick, very quick. We enjoyed that, we were out of MK by 9:15pm. Yes, I know. But our friends travelled from NC in one day, they were tired. Now, if it was just my family I know we would have seen more than just Haunted Mansion and all of Fantasy Land. I was dissappointed at the money we spent. WE did not see a single parade or trick or treat at all. Saw a few good characters though. We got dropped off at our bus stop (West), and got very lost finding our room.
Day 2: Animal Kingdom
Just so you know, I never set the alarm the entire trip, I was up at 6:20 am everyday. DH and kids followed by 7 am or so.
We decide to all meet at the main building for 8am. WE were there. DH has to have a full breakfast. This does annoy me, because we have places to be. So he and his buddy head into the POR mad house of food area. As me and his wife go to get our Hoop Dee Doo Tickets for tonight, with all 5 boys! As we head to the cafe' area, I see her dh with "THE MUGS", I want one, but I already my dh is not going to spend that money on those things, when we are that far away and have a pot of coffee in the room. I laugh, come to find out, her DH had no clue how much those 2 mugs were going to cost him until they rung up. $25 for 2 (or about that). Then we laughed, because he had to carry them around all day. Ok, so we said he would, but his wife gave in and let him put them in her backpack. All my dh said was sucker... I guess they got use out of them, because they did refill with soda and coffee. I just knew, that with the dining plan, I would never fill up with soda (I only drink that enough to wet my whistle) or coffee. The soda I would share with the kids.
We are in Animal Kingdom by 9:30am. We head straight for Safari, seeing Flik and someone else on the way, no one but me wanted to stop . We do the Safari, then we have to get snacks for the kids, well we could have skipped this, but not their kids. So we get off the safari and there is a cart. WE use snack credits for a Frozen Bananna, Strawberry frozen treat, Nestle Cookie, Soda, and Chips. She says only 2 more items and you have the entire cart, funny lady, but true. We eat, wipe clean, get on the train to Rafiki's thing. What no strollers. After we get off the train, carry kids, we never even made it 1/2 way there and headed back to the train. If were again, just us, we would have done fine, but I think whining is contagious, dh started whining etc. Once back at our rental stollers, they went back to their room, we went to Dinosaur Area. On the way, saw Devine, very cool, almost missed her, until she moved across the walk way. We took the 3 boys on Dinosaur. We had done this before, but I don't ever remember it being so dark. Scared the pants off our 3 yr old, but he recovered. We did the Triceratop Spin, headed to Kali. It was a 20 min. wait, by now it was 12:30 or so. So we just headed out, on the way, characters were outside the gates. Took pictures. We have several pictures without our middle son, who just decides, nope he ain't going to do it. So he sat out for a few, then jumped in later. DS#3 fell sleep. Back at the hotel, had lunch in the cafe', with a sleeping DS#3 on my lap, not bad. I had the cajun shrimp salad, dh had philly and kids shared 1 chicken finger. But ate my shrimp and we still had leftovers. We met at our room at around 3:30pm. Headed out to MK to boat to FW to Hoop. This was a great show and we used 2 credits per person. WE had a Hoopin good time. I have pictures of their son, 2 (who is our god son), eating the entire bowl of beans for dinner, and I mean this bowl was cleaned! Their other son, took bites out of every single corn and put them back and ate the bread from the inside only. Oh well, that was their stuff. Again I found this funny, but I think I would have been mortified if my guys did this. But hey, I had Sangria, no worries here. We had a great waiter. Who kept those beer pitchers coming. Not that we are lushes, at least not the wives. I don't think I would had paid out of pocket for this, since we had never been before, but now that I have seen it, we just may. It was very expensive. Had it just been our family we would had headed to MK for spectro, but their crew was not up for that. So we all head to go swimming in the "quiet" pool by our room. I was going to head to the main building myself, to look into changing dining ressies for tomorrow, so I head out, and make it only about 100 ft away, it is way too dark to walk alone in my opinion. So I walked back and my friend, she came with me. The line for the concierge was long, I said for get it, I will call in the morning. The boys and men had a great swim.
Day 3- MK and Epcot for F & W
Today we decided on MK, since it was our friends last day and their kids seemed to really enjoy it at the Halloween Party. We met again at our room. Headed to the bus stop and we were at MK around 9am. We did Fantasy Land and Toon Town area. We did the lines for the characters, we did Stitch (again 3yr old, ours, scared senseless), Buzz lightyear(this is not what I expected, but we did stop in that tunnel thing....this made me feel very woozy), Orbiter and then the rain. Now, our original plan was early dinner at Mama Melrose, since we were supposed to be in MGM. So it is now 11:30pm. Raining, hard. We had a nice CM who gave us trash bags. We are looking for a Table Service, since our friends leave tomorrow and have 1 more to use. We tried walk up at Crystal Palace (I called in am, they had nothing for ADR), nope, ran into the Christmas Store, because we were going to go to the Chowder House place, then I look to the left and said our male friend to LTT to see if we can get in. Yep
, party of 9, two tables. We make a run for it, and park the strollers and get inside. It filled up with people very quick. This was by far one of the best meals we had. DH had the Pot Roast, I had the Pasta, Kids had .... can't remember, but they liked it, they liked the cheese plates, the fruit, the desserts etc. I had the fried cheese appy, and apple dessert, dh had the seafood something for appy and can't remember dessert. This meal would had been $115! Great service, we all enjoyed. After this we split up, the rain had stopped, only a light drizzle, they went back to the hotel we did HM again, Tiki Room, Tree House, Aladdin, and People Mover. Headed out, thought it was about 1:30, but when we got back to the room it was around 3pm! This entire trip we constantly thought it was earlier than it really was. I did laundry, while everyone else was supposed to rest. We met our friends and headed to Epcot around 5:30. We went into the Land, but they were not giving FP for Soarin' and it was over a 60min. wait. Hit the boatride in there, did Figment, headed into the showcase. It was mobbed. Guys made the rounds of beer, we ladies had a wine, I ended up at Morroco and split a meal for lamb and chicken with my kids and dh. Our friends headed out. Our godson was out cold and it was really packed with people, this was their last night, but we would see them Saturday, so off they went. Kids loved the show outside the Morrocco Building. I had trouble with my card. She said I had no credits. We had 26 cs left, and we had only been there 3 days, this was day 3....go figure, oops, worked. This did irritate to no end, but let it go, until tomorrow. We headed out after hitting the Mexico ride and saw Illuminations, with heads, my only comment on this is. We were far from the front, in the back, made sure we were not plopping ourselves in front of other people, then as the show goes on, people just stand right in front of you and your small kids. Our 7yr old saw nothing that was down low. Our 2 youngest, 3 & 5 yr old fell asleep on the bus. It was very difficult to carry the "baby" around and find our room again in the dark. But we made it. In bed by 10pm.
Day 4 - Epcot and MK
Up early again, and without alarm. We were at Epcot by 9:15 or so. We did stop in for breakfast before going though. DH needed his meal, and I got one two, along with 2 desserts of Cinnamon Rolls (HUGE), for kids. We hit the Spaceship Earth, FP Soarin', went to Figment ride, and Honey I shrunk the Audience (kids loved it), back to Soarin' to ride. "Takes along time kid", was falling apart. Saying it over and over again. He wanted no part of it. So dh, got a pass to get back in, and left with him. I rode with our 5 & 7 yr old, they loved it. So did I, we got off and ds#3 was asleep on dh. Put him in stroller asleep, and headed for Showcase to "use" snack credits. We saw the caravan of characters, this was our one and only attempt at a parade...We tried 2x to use the credits, but for some reason they would not work. I remember where we were, just that it was "taking along time" and we just paid out of pocket. WE got 2 adult meals in China, very good. WE all split and still had leftovers. We had dinner at the castle at 4:30, so we did not want too much. We hit that big Store kids bought a few things. This was their time buying so they were excited. We were back at the hotel by what we thought was 1:30, nope 3pm! Now, just so you know each time we went back we changed and either showered or freshed up.
MK for the evening. We went straight for the castle for dinner. We were greeted and seated promptly. I loved walking up the stairway to the dining room. We tried to do this on our honeymoon but were turned away. This meal was great. Two kids had the baked macaroni (just ok) and one had the prime rib, yummy. DH and I had the filet, great. I had the Shrimp Cocktail for appy and dh had the spring roll, very good, kids all had the cheese thing which they chowed down on. For dessert, dh had the sundea and kids had the castle dessert, I opted for the chocolate cake. Needed to walk that off. So good, but again saved the $161 it would have cost. Cinderella was down stairs. DS#3, wanted no part of her. I think it was because she was a real person. Eventually he went up to her and all got their pictures together, showing her their muscles, very cute. We went to Philharmagic, what an awesome show, by far the best 3D. It was pouring when we came out. It did not look like it would let up, so we headed out for an early night. I was very sad, since this was our last attempted at Spectro. This trip I learned to let go, of schedules and the fact that my guys are not thrill seekers like myself.
DAY 5- MGM and Epcot
At MGM by 9:20 am. We got a few pictures taken by those photographers (which later, never came out), went to the left. Saw, Lilo and Goofy. Went to see the Power Rangers. Now, they are trying to get the boys to pose like them, but my kids have never seen their show, they have no clue what to do
, they just look at them like their nuts. I say just smile, not sure why they love them so, since they really have no clue 
. Head to Muppets, kids love it. Saw Monsters Inc. gus, I did Star Wars with the older two, did the playground, did the backlot tour, then headed for snacks to take into the LMA show. I think that the show was good, but the process to get in and out was terrible. The area that you come out of and enter at is so conjested, I had no clue where we were. Made it out of there, went on the Great Movie Ride, then we were trying to look for something to eat quick before the next Bear in the Big Blue House show. I have to say, I have a pretty good sense of direction, but the MGM map just sucks. We were lost in that area of the Muppets and Star Wars, and then again, in the middle looking for food. We never found food, we were looking for Rosie's. By now, the rain is coming down full force. WE head to Bear, get in see it. The boys loved this show. They really don't watch it anymore, but enjoyed it all the same. We then ate at ABC Commissary. We all got a counter service this time, because I knew the boys would all want a dessert of strawberry parfait. It was your typical park food, but the price would had been $55! After this we headed out. Can't remember the time, but it had stopped raining and I am sure it was later than we thought.
Epcot- we had dinner reservations at Teppanyaki at 6:30. I wore wrap pants since if either my top is covered or bottom I am warm, the air in the restaurants is cool. DS#3, sleeps on the bus. We get off the bus, in the pouring rain. We stop out side the gates where buses pick up, to see if the rain was going to let up, like it did during the entire week thus far. It is now 5:55pm, still pouring, we decide to just go. We hit the store outside the gates and dh breaks down and buys ponchos. DS#3, finally wakes (if you have not figured this out, all this time I carry him, all 32lbs of him, we rented all week, so if we weren't in the parks he was being carried most of the time). WE suit up in our plastic and go to get in. Now it is just pouring buckets and this is the first time they don't have a line for just people without bags and those with. The lines were long. I get the boys through we rent the stroller. All 3 fit nicely in the double stroller by the way. We just about run to Japan. By now, my pants are soaked from the knees down. Well that totally defeats the purpose of keeping warm. We are 10 min. early. I run into the Japan store to buy something to wear. I find a skirt $65, ah nope, pant, nope not with the rain, been there done that. Last option.....Hello Kitty Pajama Shorts Terry Clothe too. I am a small, but they are short shorts, dh gives me that, no body should see your butt at dinner look, and I buy the larges, they had no mediums. Done, I change. We check in. Asked if we mind being sat with another family, I tell them as long as they don't mind us (we have 3 boys after all). I chat with another couple, telling her what the checkin person said, turns out they are seated with us, I apologize before hand. Well my kids are great, they usually are. They were entertained during the meal. And let me just say, they ate everything, from the Spicy Seaweed Salad, to the Ginger Dressing to the Mesho Soup (spelling I know), all had the shrimp. I had the Shrimp and Steak, DH had the Filet or was it Prime rib, no clue, it was all great, and ginger icecream for dessert. All 3 boys, and my self had the green tea. Our fellow diners, commented on how well my guys were and how she could not believe what they ate. Cool Mom and Dad points for us. BTW, my kids eat anything and everything they are given. Even if they don't always finish it. This was well worht the $170 it would have cost us. We decide to just head out since we have already done the illuminations thing. We were going to do Soarin' for dh, but that area closes at 7, not sure it was still open or not, but it was 8:30 by now. So no chances and the rain had stopped.
DAY 6 - MK and Animal Kingdom and DTD
MK Crystal Palace at 8:05. By now though, I am just about crippled from carrying our little man to the bus and from the bus and him falling asleep on my lap with me all slouched up. My lower back is throbbing. I had set the alarm for 6:30, just in case. I was up any way. We were running late, but that was due to the buses. We have not had good bus carma the entire trip. We waited at min. about 10 min. but mostly it was alway 20 min. or longer, much longer. So it is what 7:50am, no bus, 8 finally a bus. We are walking down main street late of course. WE checkin at Crystal Palace at 8:35, no problem. Up to this point we have done no buffets. That is due to the fact that I can not enjoy my meal, having to worry about the kids in line, what to get, juggling plates etc. I find this way too hectic when the kids out number the parents, and mom's well we never get a break. The characters make their rounds we enjoyed the meal. We hit all the rides the kids wanted to do again. The off to the TTC to get a bus to Animal Kingdom, I wanted to do Camp Minnie and Mickey and the Lion King and DS#1 really wanted to do Kali. We get there, just in time for Lion King show, what a mess down there. The walkways are so tiny. We get in, kids loved it and DS#1 was picked for the parade. We get out, dh looked at me with that you have to be kidding me look...we never did go to Camp Minnie and Mickey. It was also raining when we came out, then stopped. We hit Tough to be a Bug, this was great. None of us had ever been in the tree, so cool. The kids loved the show, only 1 part scared our 3yr old, but the rest he loved. It was raining again when we came out. We skipped Kali, because, we were already wet. We headed out, hit characters outside the park again. We got back at the hotel and did the food court of chicken parmasen and chicken nuggets, and I think that was all. When we left, we took the bridge to the Ol Man's Island. I have to say, this was way faster getting to our room this way! And again, I am still limping, my back is killing me. We hang out a bit at the pool, then go to DTD for some shopping. We were all, toast, from going and going, we poke around, bought a few photo frames, and grab bags from the $10 and under store and took the boat back. I apologize for "Takes along time" child, he said this over and over. And wow the lightning was in full force. We again took the Ol Man Island way back. Collapse well tried to too, but my back hurt so bad, I could barely get on the bed.
DAY - 7 Saturday 8th, leaving
I was up again by 6:30, packed stuff to wash, headed to do laundry. I got that going and began packing up the room. What a mess is all I will say. Everyone got up, I put the clothes in the dryer, 2 separate ones (the dryers suck), came back, put all other clothes in the suitcases. Some dirty, but oh well. It took us awhile to pack it all up. Got the rest of the laundry and finished all that up. In the interim, dh was going back and forth loading the van. WE drove to the Cafe' for breakfast it was 9am, and so mobbed. This was by far the busiest we ever saw. We turned around and left. We hit McDonald's off I-4. Talked to my mom. Then DS#2, got sick. In his carseat, all over himself, you get the picture. We pull over, clean up, change etc. We think it was a milk issue, since it curdled in about 10 min. He sleeps on and off. We are in SC and get off 95 to go to our friends, it is on this road, I think 77, that we realize he is really sick, he throws up again. Has a fever. We think we should have just stayed on 95 and went home. But we are too far on 77 and stuck in traffic. We make to their house at around 6:15. We wash up, take apart the carseat and clothes and wash them. We eat, we hang out. I go to bed with DS#2 by 7:30. Others follow at 8:30. We are up and out at around 8:45am. We did hit a little rain in NY and CT from the rain that was in Florida all week (Tammy I think), home at exactly 8:45pm on Sunday.
THOUGHTS:
Dining plan was great, would buy it in a second. Other than the F & W snack carts, no problems from cm's usings it. Did not have any bad service at all.
Perfect time of year for crowds, rain was not so bad.
Halloween party was good, but this year was a waste of money for us. Oh well, live and learn.
Port Orleans Riverside- liked the room with the rollaway bed, very comfortable. Not enough blankets for the rollaway though. But then again, if you walked by our room, you would have seen water on the window inside, yes it was like the Artic! Wonder why I was cold....
The food court food was good.
The bus service not so good. It was very long waits especially for MK, not sure if it was timing or not, but we did meet people at the stops who had been there along time waiting for buses.
Lastly, this will be the last time driving down to Florida with a 3 yr old. It was great driving straight through, but the ride home during the day times, was aweful. We never ever noticed how much that kid talked. Plus he has attachment issues, being "the baby" and all, and feels the need to say Mommy at least 1x every 2 minutes, and you have to look at him when he talks. I will fly with them in a heart beat though.
Here are pictures:
https://disneyphotopass.go.com/DPI/0/0/.TOP.System.Guest.SlideShow.aspx?sub=162580&iId=244911247
http://wm.eshare.hpphoto.com/en/home/welcome.asp?JobID=831f630b-d2d9-4406-b35c-fad8d3e560b3
Me- 34 lover of every and anything Disney
DH- 34 can take it or leave it
DS#1- 7 -like DH is a merry-go-rounder
DS#2- 5 -very stubborn
DS#3- 3 -we call him the "takes along time" kid
So, our 10 year anniversary was in June. Back in December last year there was discussion about what to do for our anniversary. I said I want to take the kids to Disney World. The boys have been several times, except for the youngest. My parents live "just north" of Tampa, so we have done 1 night trips. The last time at The World was Sept. 2001, so our oldest were 3 and 15 months. Then in December 2003, we went to Disneyland, dh's sister lives in San Diego. So this is our first trip with the kids for an entire week. We did Disney World for our honeymoon, that was DH's first time ever.
Ok, so it is Thursday, September 29th, and dh shows up home from work early, around 11:30, due to rain. This is another first for us, we are driving. We always fly to Florida at least 1x a year, sometimes 2x (but, that is byself with the kids only). Reason for the drive, our good friends moved to South Carolina and we were going to stop there on the way home. So he is loading up the minivan with a portable toilet, not just your run of the mill blow up, bag thing, but a full small toilet that needs some kind of blue liquid in it. So, I head to school to do some stuff with the 3 yr old and 5 yr old, and we also pick up our 7 yr old and head to Wal-Mart in the pouring rain. DH naps while gone. It was our intention to leave very early in the am (4:30am), but once home, dh decides we should leave tonight. His plan is keep the kids up until like 11, then leave. Our kids are always in bed by 7:30, so my plan prevails. Once home, we eat dinner, finish packing the car, get kids in their clothes (they are long pants that zip off to shorts, long shirt and sweatshirt). Now, you are probably saying, why not jammies. Reason, it was our intention to drive until around 11, stop and stay in a room, change into those shorts for the rest of the drive. I already had the overnight bag packed according to travel days and a nights stay. You will see later why this is a little important. So it is 6:45 pm, and we head out of our driveway in Brimfield, Mass. Our drive is going good, no more rain, until about 45 min. into the drive we have to make our first potty stop. Our "Takes along Time" kid (he says this over and over and over again for driving, line waiting etc.), has to go real bad. So we stop just past Hartford, CT, and don't you know nothing, but everyone else went. Back in the van, now it is about 8:30pm, I think we entered NY at this point, not sure, but we stop again. Dh looks at me and we both say this is going to be one long ride. He goes as did the other 2 boys and dh. Not sure why, but I get very few potty breaks during the ride down and back. I put DS#3 in a pull up, he was potty trained in July, and is only 3, so no chances here. We are off again. DS#2 is out by 9pm, DS#3 9:02pm, and DS#! is out by 10. All comfortable in their carseats and blankets. We are driving and driving, hit NJ at some point. DH announces, maybe we just keep going. OH, ok. Sure. However, I don't sleep well at night while some one else is driving also at night (plus he was up at 4:30 am for work, but did nap 2 hours while I was gone this afternoon). Anyhow, I nap on and off, in like 30 min. increments. WE hit DC, stopped in traffic at 1:30am, dead stop. They are building all sorts of roads and bridges on 95, so they were moving beams around. At about 3am, DH says maybe we should stop. What, stop, wake 3 kids up, to go into a room, to which they will now be wired, and us exhausted. So I say, can you make it further, yep he can. At 4am, it is my turn. I am a speeder by nature (I drove across country with my dad when I was 18, he woke up to me going 120 miles per hour in Nevada, I thought they did not have a speed limit), but since I am a bit tired, I stick to about 5 miles over the limit. I believe we were in NC at this time. I don't like how 95 S and 95N are separated by a small medium. I wear contacts and that night glare was bugging my eyes out. I stopped and changed into my glasses, to which I found out one of the nose pieces was missing, no biggy. At 6am, DH wakes up from his sleep. Yes, I say sleep, no on and off for him, once he moved to the passenger seat he was out cold. At 6:30am, all 3 boys woke up. We stopped about 8am, for bathroom and stretching and changing. I washed my face and put my contacts back in. In Georgia, they had construction zones all down 95S, however, I only saw about a total of 10 workers through the entire state. Not sure what that was all about. At this time, I have already called my mom 2x. She has Fridays off, where the heck was she. At around 1pm, she returns my call, I surprise her, we are just getting on 275 heading towards 10. WHAT!
She is expecting us Saturday evening sometime. Questions me about my driving Boy do they know me. Nope, I did not drive but 2 hours, so it was not me. So I get some back road directions from Dad. Get on the 301, don't go through Ocala, just get on 75S, and get off at 98/50. I know the way from there, it is, after all, the road we take to get to Disney. I call Mom when we get on 98. Now even I know it is only about 45 away from 19, Mom says, I am heading out, Dad is sleeping (he worked 2am-10am this day). She says we should be there in about an hour and half, she was going to Winn Dixie. AH, ok, but I know better. So we get to there house, I see her truck is not there. We go to Winn Dixie and sure enough she is loading the truck with groceries. Surprise, GIGI, we are here! She again insists it is due to speeding. BTW, we even stopped to eat and stretch on 75 and of course potty. So now, we have an entire day with my parents and 2 nights to relax before our week in Disney. This proved to be great for us and kids, but so much for my packing. I had to now get the large suitcase out to get bathing suits and various items out, that we needed while at my parents. These two nights and day were uneventful. Hit the beach for a few hours that was all, and did laundry.Sunday, October 2nd:
We are all ready to head out of Hudson, Florida, but first my aunt, uncle and Memere need to visit. After about 1 hour with them, we head out around 11am. We stop for beer and sunglasses for me (I broke them getting in the van to leave), then off. We are in communication all this time with our friends from NC, they are meeting us in Disney today until Wednesday. We get Port Orleans Riverside at about 1pm. Checkin had a little line, but went quickly. We get our room assignment 3515. We did request close to main building and bus stop, after getting to the room, these were neither. Oh well, this won't bug me until Thursday this week.... We get to our room, unpack, call the friends, who are now getting into the Disney roads area, we head to the pool for a bit, this will be the one and only time I swim, it was chilly to me, kids and dh loved it. We are all going to the Halloween Party tonight. After our friends call us and give us their room number, we head over. We requested we all be close together, but again not met, they are a family of 4 and us being 5, we were in the Bayou, them in the other section, room 8079? I believe. What a walk, but we find it. We all give hugs etc. and head out around 4:15pm, for the bus stop. We go to theirs. We have a reservation at 5:35 for LTT. We were still at the bus stop at 5:10! Our bus experience is already, a nightmare...
We finally arrive at the MK, get through the gates, and all the boys want to get dressed. Mine are all Harry Potter. This consists of Capes, Glasses and Wand, DONE! Theirs, boys are 2 and 3yrs, are full blown Batman and Robin with the fake muscles. So after they get through the gates, which takes them about 15min. because of the battle of the wristbands with their children, they begin to wrestle with them getting costumes on. This was so funny to watch. Off come their shirts and shoes on the costumes. I have pictures of the wrestle. In the interim, my dh has gone to get 2 double strollers. We head out under the train, and to the Hall to get Disney Dollars, not for us, but it was our friends who wanted to do this. While the husband was in line getting money, their kids wanted out of their costumes, so yet another pictures of the wrestling those costumes off and clothes back on. He came back just nodding his head.. it was funny, but probably not for them. He hands me disney money for our kids birthday gifts. Very nice, I must say. By now, it is way late for our reservations. It is well after 6, I am convinced why bother even try to get into LTT, there is no way, so we find our way to Peco Bills. Dinner was not bad. DH had the burger, but could not get any where near the fixing's bar, so blah, I had the wrap thing, and the kids split 2 kids meals. My kids are not huge eaters, and with the dining plan we figured we could get some breakfasts meals out of the counter service by saving. It is now after 7pm. The one and only thing we enjoyed about the party was the lack of lines. They were quick, very quick. We enjoyed that, we were out of MK by 9:15pm. Yes, I know. But our friends travelled from NC in one day, they were tired. Now, if it was just my family I know we would have seen more than just Haunted Mansion and all of Fantasy Land. I was dissappointed at the money we spent. WE did not see a single parade or trick or treat at all. Saw a few good characters though. We got dropped off at our bus stop (West), and got very lost finding our room. Day 2: Animal Kingdom
Just so you know, I never set the alarm the entire trip, I was up at 6:20 am everyday. DH and kids followed by 7 am or so.
We decide to all meet at the main building for 8am. WE were there. DH has to have a full breakfast. This does annoy me, because we have places to be. So he and his buddy head into the POR mad house of food area. As me and his wife go to get our Hoop Dee Doo Tickets for tonight, with all 5 boys! As we head to the cafe' area, I see her dh with "THE MUGS", I want one, but I already my dh is not going to spend that money on those things, when we are that far away and have a pot of coffee in the room. I laugh, come to find out, her DH had no clue how much those 2 mugs were going to cost him until they rung up. $25 for 2 (or about that). Then we laughed, because he had to carry them around all day. Ok, so we said he would, but his wife gave in and let him put them in her backpack. All my dh said was sucker... I guess they got use out of them, because they did refill with soda and coffee. I just knew, that with the dining plan, I would never fill up with soda (I only drink that enough to wet my whistle) or coffee. The soda I would share with the kids.
We are in Animal Kingdom by 9:30am. We head straight for Safari, seeing Flik and someone else on the way, no one but me wanted to stop
. We do the Safari, then we have to get snacks for the kids, well we could have skipped this, but not their kids. So we get off the safari and there is a cart. WE use snack credits for a Frozen Bananna, Strawberry frozen treat, Nestle Cookie, Soda, and Chips. She says only 2 more items and you have the entire cart, funny lady, but true. We eat, wipe clean, get on the train to Rafiki's thing. What no strollers. After we get off the train, carry kids, we never even made it 1/2 way there and headed back to the train. If were again, just us, we would have done fine, but I think whining is contagious, dh started whining etc. Once back at our rental stollers, they went back to their room, we went to Dinosaur Area. On the way, saw Devine, very cool, almost missed her, until she moved across the walk way. We took the 3 boys on Dinosaur. We had done this before, but I don't ever remember it being so dark. Scared the pants off our 3 yr old, but he recovered. We did the Triceratop Spin, headed to Kali. It was a 20 min. wait, by now it was 12:30 or so. So we just headed out, on the way, characters were outside the gates. Took pictures. We have several pictures without our middle son, who just decides, nope he ain't going to do it. So he sat out for a few, then jumped in later. DS#3 fell sleep. Back at the hotel, had lunch in the cafe', with a sleeping DS#3 on my lap, not bad. I had the cajun shrimp salad, dh had philly and kids shared 1 chicken finger. But ate my shrimp and we still had leftovers. We met at our room at around 3:30pm. Headed out to MK to boat to FW to Hoop. This was a great show and we used 2 credits per person. WE had a Hoopin good time. I have pictures of their son, 2 (who is our god son), eating the entire bowl of beans for dinner, and I mean this bowl was cleaned! Their other son, took bites out of every single corn and put them back and ate the bread from the inside only. Oh well, that was their stuff. Again I found this funny, but I think I would have been mortified if my guys did this. But hey, I had Sangria, no worries here. We had a great waiter. Who kept those beer pitchers coming. Not that we are lushes, at least not the wives. I don't think I would had paid out of pocket for this, since we had never been before, but now that I have seen it, we just may. It was very expensive. Had it just been our family we would had headed to MK for spectro, but their crew was not up for that. So we all head to go swimming in the "quiet" pool by our room. I was going to head to the main building myself, to look into changing dining ressies for tomorrow, so I head out, and make it only about 100 ft away, it is way too dark to walk alone in my opinion. So I walked back and my friend, she came with me. The line for the concierge was long, I said for get it, I will call in the morning. The boys and men had a great swim.Day 3- MK and Epcot for F & W
Today we decided on MK, since it was our friends last day and their kids seemed to really enjoy it at the Halloween Party. We met again at our room. Headed to the bus stop and we were at MK around 9am. We did Fantasy Land and Toon Town area. We did the lines for the characters, we did Stitch (again 3yr old, ours, scared senseless), Buzz lightyear(this is not what I expected, but we did stop in that tunnel thing....this made me feel very woozy), Orbiter and then the rain. Now, our original plan was early dinner at Mama Melrose, since we were supposed to be in MGM. So it is now 11:30pm. Raining, hard. We had a nice CM who gave us trash bags. We are looking for a Table Service, since our friends leave tomorrow and have 1 more to use. We tried walk up at Crystal Palace (I called in am, they had nothing for ADR), nope, ran into the Christmas Store, because we were going to go to the Chowder House place, then I look to the left and said our male friend to LTT to see if we can get in. Yep
, party of 9, two tables. We make a run for it, and park the strollers and get inside. It filled up with people very quick. This was by far one of the best meals we had. DH had the Pot Roast, I had the Pasta, Kids had .... can't remember, but they liked it, they liked the cheese plates, the fruit, the desserts etc. I had the fried cheese appy, and apple dessert, dh had the seafood something for appy and can't remember dessert. This meal would had been $115! Great service, we all enjoyed. After this we split up, the rain had stopped, only a light drizzle, they went back to the hotel we did HM again, Tiki Room, Tree House, Aladdin, and People Mover. Headed out, thought it was about 1:30, but when we got back to the room it was around 3pm! This entire trip we constantly thought it was earlier than it really was. I did laundry, while everyone else was supposed to rest. We met our friends and headed to Epcot around 5:30. We went into the Land, but they were not giving FP for Soarin' and it was over a 60min. wait. Hit the boatride in there, did Figment, headed into the showcase. It was mobbed. Guys made the rounds of beer, we ladies had a wine, I ended up at Morroco and split a meal for lamb and chicken with my kids and dh. Our friends headed out. Our godson was out cold and it was really packed with people, this was their last night, but we would see them Saturday, so off they went. Kids loved the show outside the Morrocco Building. I had trouble with my card. She said I had no credits. We had 26 cs left, and we had only been there 3 days, this was day 3....go figure, oops, worked. This did irritate to no end, but let it go, until tomorrow. We headed out after hitting the Mexico ride and saw Illuminations, with heads, my only comment on this is. We were far from the front, in the back, made sure we were not plopping ourselves in front of other people, then as the show goes on, people just stand right in front of you and your small kids. Our 7yr old saw nothing that was down low. Our 2 youngest, 3 & 5 yr old fell asleep on the bus. It was very difficult to carry the "baby" around and find our room again in the dark. But we made it. In bed by 10pm.Day 4 - Epcot and MK
Up early again, and without alarm. We were at Epcot by 9:15 or so. We did stop in for breakfast before going though. DH needed his meal, and I got one two, along with 2 desserts of Cinnamon Rolls (HUGE), for kids. We hit the Spaceship Earth, FP Soarin', went to Figment ride, and Honey I shrunk the Audience (kids loved it), back to Soarin' to ride. "Takes along time kid", was falling apart. Saying it over and over again. He wanted no part of it. So dh, got a pass to get back in, and left with him. I rode with our 5 & 7 yr old, they loved it. So did I, we got off and ds#3 was asleep on dh. Put him in stroller asleep, and headed for Showcase to "use" snack credits. We saw the caravan of characters, this was our one and only attempt at a parade...We tried 2x to use the credits, but for some reason they would not work. I remember where we were, just that it was "taking along time" and we just paid out of pocket. WE got 2 adult meals in China, very good. WE all split and still had leftovers. We had dinner at the castle at 4:30, so we did not want too much. We hit that big Store kids bought a few things. This was their time buying so they were excited. We were back at the hotel by what we thought was 1:30, nope 3pm! Now, just so you know each time we went back we changed and either showered or freshed up.
MK for the evening. We went straight for the castle for dinner. We were greeted and seated promptly. I loved walking up the stairway to the dining room. We tried to do this on our honeymoon but were turned away. This meal was great. Two kids had the baked macaroni (just ok) and one had the prime rib, yummy. DH and I had the filet, great. I had the Shrimp Cocktail for appy and dh had the spring roll, very good, kids all had the cheese thing which they chowed down on. For dessert, dh had the sundea and kids had the castle dessert, I opted for the chocolate cake.
Needed to walk that off. So good, but again saved the $161 it would have cost. Cinderella was down stairs. DS#3, wanted no part of her. I think it was because she was a real person. Eventually he went up to her and all got their pictures together, showing her their muscles, very cute. We went to Philharmagic, what an awesome show, by far the best 3D. It was pouring when we came out. It did not look like it would let up, so we headed out for an early night. I was very sad, since this was our last attempted at Spectro. This trip I learned to let go, of schedules and the fact that my guys are not thrill seekers like myself.DAY 5- MGM and Epcot
At MGM by 9:20 am. We got a few pictures taken by those photographers (which later, never came out), went to the left. Saw, Lilo and Goofy. Went to see the Power Rangers. Now, they are trying to get the boys to pose like them, but my kids have never seen their show, they have no clue what to do
, they just look at them like their nuts. I say just smile, not sure why they love them so, since they really have no clue . Head to Muppets, kids love it. Saw Monsters Inc. gus, I did Star Wars with the older two, did the playground, did the backlot tour, then headed for snacks to take into the LMA show. I think that the show was good, but the process to get in and out was terrible. The area that you come out of and enter at is so conjested, I had no clue where we were. Made it out of there, went on the Great Movie Ride, then we were trying to look for something to eat quick before the next Bear in the Big Blue House show. I have to say, I have a pretty good sense of direction, but the MGM map just sucks. We were lost in that area of the Muppets and Star Wars, and then again, in the middle looking for food. We never found food, we were looking for Rosie's. By now, the rain is coming down full force. WE head to Bear, get in see it. The boys loved this show. They really don't watch it anymore, but enjoyed it all the same. We then ate at ABC Commissary. We all got a counter service this time, because I knew the boys would all want a dessert of strawberry parfait. It was your typical park food, but the price would had been $55! After this we headed out. Can't remember the time, but it had stopped raining and I am sure it was later than we thought.Epcot- we had dinner reservations at Teppanyaki at 6:30. I wore wrap pants since if either my top is covered or bottom I am warm, the air in the restaurants is cool. DS#3, sleeps on the bus. We get off the bus, in the pouring rain. We stop out side the gates where buses pick up, to see if the rain was going to let up, like it did during the entire week thus far. It is now 5:55pm, still pouring, we decide to just go. We hit the store outside the gates and dh breaks down and buys ponchos. DS#3, finally wakes (if you have not figured this out, all this time I carry him, all 32lbs of him, we rented all week, so if we weren't in the parks he was being carried most of the time). WE suit up in our plastic and go to get in. Now it is just pouring buckets and this is the first time they don't have a line for just people without bags and those with. The lines were long. I get the boys through we rent the stroller. All 3 fit nicely in the double stroller by the way. We just about run to Japan. By now, my pants are soaked from the knees down. Well that totally defeats the purpose of keeping warm. We are 10 min. early. I run into the Japan store to buy something to wear. I find a skirt $65, ah nope, pant, nope not with the rain, been there done that. Last option.....Hello Kitty Pajama Shorts
Terry Clothe too. I am a small, but they are short shorts, dh gives me that, no body should see your butt at dinner look, and I buy the larges, they had no mediums. Done, I change. We check in. Asked if we mind being sat with another family, I tell them as long as they don't mind us (we have 3 boys after all). I chat with another couple, telling her what the checkin person said, turns out they are seated with us, I apologize before hand. Well my kids are great, they usually are. They were entertained during the meal. And let me just say, they ate everything, from the Spicy Seaweed Salad, to the Ginger Dressing to the Mesho Soup (spelling I know), all had the shrimp. I had the Shrimp and Steak, DH had the Filet or was it Prime rib, no clue, it was all great, and ginger icecream for dessert. All 3 boys, and my self had the green tea. Our fellow diners, commented on how well my guys were and how she could not believe what they ate. Cool Mom and Dad points for us. BTW, my kids eat anything and everything they are given. Even if they don't always finish it. This was well worht the $170 it would have cost us. We decide to just head out since we have already done the illuminations thing. We were going to do Soarin' for dh, but that area closes at 7, not sure it was still open or not, but it was 8:30 by now. So no chances and the rain had stopped. DAY 6 - MK and Animal Kingdom and DTD
MK Crystal Palace at 8:05. By now though, I am just about crippled from carrying our little man to the bus and from the bus and him falling asleep on my lap with me all slouched up. My lower back is throbbing. I had set the alarm for 6:30, just in case. I was up any way. We were running late, but that was due to the buses. We have not had good bus carma the entire trip. We waited at min. about 10 min. but mostly it was alway 20 min. or longer, much longer. So it is what 7:50am, no bus, 8 finally a bus. We are walking down main street late of course. WE checkin at Crystal Palace at 8:35, no problem. Up to this point we have done no buffets. That is due to the fact that I can not enjoy my meal, having to worry about the kids in line, what to get, juggling plates etc. I find this way too hectic when the kids out number the parents, and mom's well we never get a break. The characters make their rounds we enjoyed the meal. We hit all the rides the kids wanted to do again. The off to the TTC to get a bus to Animal Kingdom, I wanted to do Camp Minnie and Mickey and the Lion King and DS#1 really wanted to do Kali. We get there, just in time for Lion King show, what a mess down there. The walkways are so tiny. We get in, kids loved it and DS#1 was picked for the parade. We get out, dh looked at me with that you have to be kidding me look...we never did go to Camp Minnie and Mickey. It was also raining when we came out, then stopped. We hit Tough to be a Bug, this was great. None of us had ever been in the tree, so cool. The kids loved the show, only 1 part scared our 3yr old, but the rest he loved. It was raining again when we came out. We skipped Kali, because, we were already wet. We headed out, hit characters outside the park again. We got back at the hotel and did the food court of chicken parmasen and chicken nuggets, and I think that was all. When we left, we took the bridge to the Ol Man's Island. I have to say, this was way faster getting to our room this way! And again, I am still limping, my back is killing me. We hang out a bit at the pool, then go to DTD for some shopping. We were all, toast, from going and going, we poke around, bought a few photo frames, and grab bags from the $10 and under store and took the boat back. I apologize for "Takes along time" child, he said this over and over. And wow the lightning was in full force. We again took the Ol Man Island way back. Collapse well tried to too, but my back hurt so bad, I could barely get on the bed.
DAY - 7 Saturday 8th, leaving
I was up again by 6:30, packed stuff to wash, headed to do laundry. I got that going and began packing up the room. What a mess is all I will say. Everyone got up, I put the clothes in the dryer, 2 separate ones (the dryers suck), came back, put all other clothes in the suitcases. Some dirty, but oh well. It took us awhile to pack it all up. Got the rest of the laundry and finished all that up. In the interim, dh was going back and forth loading the van. WE drove to the Cafe' for breakfast it was 9am, and so mobbed. This was by far the busiest we ever saw. We turned around and left. We hit McDonald's off I-4. Talked to my mom. Then DS#2, got sick. In his carseat, all over himself, you get the picture. We pull over, clean up, change etc. We think it was a milk issue, since it curdled in about 10 min. He sleeps on and off. We are in SC and get off 95 to go to our friends, it is on this road, I think 77, that we realize he is really sick, he throws up again. Has a fever. We think we should have just stayed on 95 and went home. But we are too far on 77 and stuck in traffic. We make to their house at around 6:15. We wash up, take apart the carseat and clothes and wash them. We eat, we hang out. I go to bed with DS#2 by 7:30. Others follow at 8:30. We are up and out at around 8:45am. We did hit a little rain in NY and CT from the rain that was in Florida all week (Tammy I think), home at exactly 8:45pm on Sunday.
THOUGHTS:
Dining plan was great, would buy it in a second. Other than the F & W snack carts, no problems from cm's usings it. Did not have any bad service at all.
Perfect time of year for crowds, rain was not so bad.
Halloween party was good, but this year was a waste of money for us. Oh well, live and learn.
Port Orleans Riverside- liked the room with the rollaway bed, very comfortable. Not enough blankets for the rollaway though. But then again, if you walked by our room, you would have seen water on the window inside, yes it was like the Artic! Wonder why I was cold....
The food court food was good.
The bus service not so good. It was very long waits especially for MK, not sure if it was timing or not, but we did meet people at the stops who had been there along time waiting for buses.
Lastly, this will be the last time driving down to Florida with a 3 yr old. It was great driving straight through, but the ride home during the day times, was aweful. We never ever noticed how much that kid talked. Plus he has attachment issues, being "the baby" and all, and feels the need to say Mommy at least 1x every 2 minutes, and you have to look at him when he talks. I will fly with them in a heart beat though.
Here are pictures:
https://disneyphotopass.go.com/DPI/0/0/.TOP.System.Guest.SlideShow.aspx?sub=162580&iId=244911247
http://wm.eshare.hpphoto.com/en/home/welcome.asp?JobID=831f630b-d2d9-4406-b35c-fad8d3e560b3
