3 generations, Segway surprise, was there Disney magic 4 the 1st-timers?

[that's nice]

I think I'm disappointed that your DGS didn't get picked. I really thought he was going to be.

I hope the pool distracted him enough to take his mind off it. Or maybe there was some other MAGIC?

 

[MouseKTeer]

Hi - I came over following the link in your signature from a post on my TR, and thoroughly enjoyed catching up on yours! Great report, and what a wonderful family you have! So sorry your grandson didn't get picked for Jedi Training. He's a very good sport.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!

Leslie

Glad to have you aboard! And thanks for the kind words

I think I'm disappointed that your DGS didn't get picked. I really thought he was going to be.

I hope the pool distracted him enough to take his mind off it. Or maybe there was some other MAGIC?

In truth, I don't think the pool took his mind off the disappointment totally, but I think we all were just ready for a change of scenery. When I can get the next posting up, you'll see that he did have a good time the rest of the day.

 

[MouseKTeer]

~*~*~*~*~*~ uh, oh! Another oops: DH reminded me that he actually rode on RnR twice in a row—no wonder we remember being so hot—we were waiting for him to go as a single rider the second time, thinking it would be quick, but it wasn’t!


Heading back to the CR, I’m still thinking about the Jedi disappointment for DGS8. I decide that later tonight I’ll put a little something for the boys (next to their stuffed animals they’ve brought from home) as a surprise before bedtime. Hoping to erase any negative feeling and replace it with some magic !


Back at the Contemporary, the boys get into their swim trunks and they’re off. Remember, DGS3 has been trying to work up the courage to go down the waterslide each day so far. This time, with DSIL at the top and DD waiting in the water to catch him, DGS3 musters all the courage he can and goes for it! And he loves it so it’s over and over again, first DGS8 and then the little guy. DGS3 is so excited, proud and happy—a victory of sorts for him.







DGS8:

...and DGS3!

Before long, it’s time to get ready for our dinner ADR at Ohana. Then up the escalators, which puts a big smile on DGS3’s face, and toward the monorail. The CM at the CR monorail offers the boys monorail cards, and DGS3 holds onto his like it’s made of gold .

Once at the Poly, we take in the theming after we stand in line to check in and get our buzzer. Such a difference from the CR! I’m making a mental note to work in more visits to other resorts next time !


We head over to the gift shop where DSIL helps DGS3 try on some “hats.”

In the meantime, DH is taking photos inside the Poly:

We are seated about 20 minutes past our ADR time and we really like the location—close enough to look out 2 windows (one toward MK), but at the corner of the floor where the festivities will be happening. Great vantage point!


Views from our table:

Looks like we’re all full up in this post and haven’t even gotten to the food yet !

Stay tuned…will have the rest of the day’s photos up today…​

 

[MouseKTeer]

Our appetizers are brought to the table, and they are yummy, especially the wings and the sauces. The sauces are so delish!! I actually put them with as many of all the food choices as I can imagine (OK—not dessert ). Soon the music is starting for the kiddie activities. DD, DGS8, DSIL and DGS3 all join in the line to do the limbo behind the Poly lady.


A very short piece of video:




Next it’s time to dance along and shake maracas. Those are the boys and DSIL in the world’s shortest video clip (DH must specialize in that ):




As you can see, this is a popular place:

Then the server brings our dishes of vegetables. Next the servers are bringing around big skewers of shrimp, beef, turkey, chicken and pork. Ordinarily my favorite would be the shrimp, but here the pork is outstanding! I am so glad that we didn’t eat anything since lunch and are hungry, because you are well-fed at Ohana!

DD and DGS8:

You can kinda see that we decimated the food in this photo of DD and DGS3:

Even after the long day, the boys aren’t particularly antsy—maybe because the dancing has gotten their wiggles out—so we just enjoy our leisurely dinner. Before our bread pudding comes, the next set of dancing begins, so the boys join in again. But soon we leave to take in a little more of the Poly atmosphere.


A “don't blink or you’ll miss it” video clip of the Poly pool:




DH takes this photo of the rest of us after dinner:

Cute Mickey and Minnie artwork near the elevator:

So it’s back onto the monorail to the Contemporary. I hurry to the rooms before the others and “plant” the little toys I’d brought from the Disney store back home, along with the Krispy Mickeys they don’t realize that I got today at HS. DGS3 is excited to find them, and DGS8 wonders if the cleaning people put them there, like the towel animals


Once DSIL conks out with the boys, DH, DD and I head out the front door of the CR to watch “Wishes.” We get our mugs refilled and go back to the room to talk about what we’re doing tomorrow, our last full day in the World.


Can you guess what we’ll do and where we’ll go?

 

[jana616]

Hi, I'm joining after following you over from my TR! I'm loving it so far. You guys kept up a pretty fast pace, as did we. Were you exhausted by the time you got home? I swear, a full week after being back I am still tired!

I think my heart broke a little about your DGS not getting picked for Jedi Training, but it reiterated to me that I made the right choice not to even show my DS5 the show. I knew he'd do what yours did, not want to get picked until he saw how cool it was, and then it would be too late. Still, you'd wish that if a poor child tries to get picked 3 times they'd be able to make it happen!

And after reading about your DD, I am SOO glad I wimped out and did the mild side of MS. I had debated, and I felt bad making my DH do the easy side, but I got a concussion on a roller coaster at Kings Island last year, and I am scared of ever feeling that way again. I think I'm really glad I was a wimp!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[that's nice]

Looks like everyone was enjoying themselves at dinner. I think 20 minutes past your ADR time is pretty good at 'Ohana. That seems to be the 'normal' wait. We loved 'Ohana...even the salad was awesome. I think it is one of my favorite meals in WDW. Although they should warn you that you will be stuffed when you walk out.

It's great that your GS went down the slide. Once they get over that initial fear forget about it. They will do it 100 times!

I can't believe you only have 1 day left!

 

[Angies1274]

Yay!! for your DGS3 getting over his fear of the slide!!! It looks like both the boys had alot of fun!!!

Love the pictures at Ohana's. We have only had breakfast there but we are hoping to eat there for dinner next trip. It sounds so yummy!! I know my boys would just love all the activities.

Glad to hear the boys enjoyed the little surprise that you left for them.

Oh no....your last day?

 

[MouseKTeer]

Hi, I'm joining after following you over from my TR! I'm loving it so far. You guys kept up a pretty fast pace, as did we. Were you exhausted by the time you got home? I swear, a full week after being back I am still tired!

I think my heart broke a little about your DGS not getting picked for Jedi Training, but it reiterated to me that I made the right choice not to even show my DS5 the show. I knew he'd do what yours did, not want to get picked until he saw how cool it was, and then it would be too late. Still, you'd wish that if a poor child tries to get picked 3 times they'd be able to make it happen!

And after reading about your DD, I am SOO glad I wimped out and did the mild side of MS. I had debated, and I felt bad making my DH do the easy side, but I got a concussion on a roller coaster at Kings Island last year, and I am scared of ever feeling that way again. I think I'm really glad I was a wimp!

Can't wait to read more!

Glad you're on board!

It did take me a while to get back into the swing of things at home. I will say that we slowed down the pace a bit as the days went on, when we realized that we would be able to see most of what we wanted, even tho' it was crowded and hot.

Thanks for the empathy about DGS. I am a soft touch when it comes to him.

Wow--a concussion from the roller coaster! I hope you recovered OK. No wonder you have second thoughts about the thrill rides!

 

[MouseKTeer]

Looks like everyone was enjoying themselves at dinner. I think 20 minutes past your ADR time is pretty good at 'Ohana. That seems to be the 'normal' wait. We loved 'Ohana...even the salad was awesome. I think it is one of my favorite meals in WDW. Although they should warn you that you will be stuffed when you walk out.

It's great that your GS went down the slide. Once they get over that initial fear forget about it. They will do it 100 times!

I can't believe you only have 1 day left!

Was so stuffed that I had just one bite of dessert! This was definitely one of our best dinners in WDW.

Yay!! for your DGS3 getting over his fear of the slide!!! It looks like both the boys had alot of fun!!!

Love the pictures at Ohana's. We have only had breakfast there but we are hoping to eat there for dinner next trip. It sounds so yummy!! I know my boys would just love all the activities.

Glad to hear the boys enjoyed the little surprise that you left for them.

Oh no....your last day?

The dinner was so good--we're not much in the way of breakfast eaters, so it worked best for us.

The boys are practically fish when it comes to pools It does crack me up to see how tiny DGS3 looks in comparison to that enormous water slide!



...me too...

 

[MouseKTeer]

Friday:

Most of us aren’t super early risers, so getting out of the resort each morning (as we have been) will be rewarded today! We can sleep in and have a real breakfast right here. Yep, we have ressies for Chef Mickey at 10:50 a.m!


I am so-o-o looking forward to this! Just because the boys, big and small, aren’t as into the characters and didn’t spend time in lines waiting for them doesn’t mean DD and I aren’t overjoyed to be seeing them . So – I am channeling my excitement into taking lots of photos!!

After about a 30 minute wait we are seated and have plenty of time to go to the buffet before the characters begin appearing. Yummy Mickey waffles, fruit, casseroles, meat and potatoes (I’m not much of an egg person)--and pineapple juice, my fave!


First our girl Minnie appears and tries to make friends with DGS3, but he’s too shy:

I had thought that putting the character meal toward the end of our trip like this would be good since this is the boys’ first WDW trip, and I didn’t want to overwhelm them from the get-go.


Anyway, Minnie goes ahead and poses with DGS8:

We realize that the more we adults talk with the characters, the more comfortable DGS3 becomes.

Goofy is next, and he shows DGS8 his ketchup stain:

By the time Donald comes by, DGS3 is ready to hug and doesn't want him to go:

Mickey gets DGS3 to warm up to him:

Did you notice that DGS8 thinks he's a little too old for ears, so DD is happy to wear them?


And then Mickey’s off:

I love how Pluto gets down to the boys’ level:

DH takes this of the rest of us with Pluto:

Hooray! Goofy’s coming around again

And he’s messin’ with DGS3

DSIL and DGS3 getting ready to leave CM. I’m including this because I like the Mickey artwork on the wall (DH says these are “cells.”)

You may remember that this is our last full day at the World ….so where do you think we go now that it's already afternoon?

 

[MouseKTeer]

Without any recent replies, it seems like my fellow TR travelers have gotten off this bus before the trip is over. So I may just be talkin’ to myself, but I just have to go off-topic a minute to report that DH gave me something for my birthday last week that I was hoping, hoping, hoping to see under the Christmas tree—the new Toy Story Mania for Wii!! Now to find time to play…!

 

[Angies1274]

Hmm....How did I miss your last update?? SorryI seem to be behind in a few TR's I'm following. I guess I need to get busy and catch up!!

Aww....Love all the pictures at Chef Mickey's!! The picture of your DGS3 hugging Donald is adorable. Pluto was so much fun wasn't he? We always have such a great time at Chef Mickey's! I'm so glad you enjoyed it as well!!!

Oh and YAY!!! for getting Toy Story Mania!!! I'm hoping it see it under our tree this Christmas. You'll have to let me know what you think....can't wait!

 

[MouseKTeer]

Hmm....How did I miss your last update?? SorryI seem to be behind in a few TR's I'm following. I guess I need to get busy and catch up!!

Aww....Love all the pictures at Chef Mickey's!! The picture of your DGS3 hugging Donald is adorable. Pluto was so much fun wasn't he? We always have such a great time at Chef Mickey's! I'm so glad you enjoyed it as well!!!

Oh and YAY!!! for getting Toy Story Mania!!! I'm hoping it see it under our tree this Christmas. You'll have to let me know what you think....can't wait!

Hi Angie! Thanks for checkin' in! I know one of the folks following this is in the World right now, but not sure what's up with the others...

Anyway, we did love Chef Mickey's, and that's a good thing since it was our only character meal Also, since our breakfast ADR was so late, we didn't need to stop for lunch later--just a snack.

 

[MouseKTeer]

Forgot to include my mini-meltdown in the morning before Chef Mickey’s. The issue hanging in the air was what time we would start the drive home Saturday , and what we would do that day before heading out. We had park admissions for the full day, in case we were to decide just to drive straight through without stopping. DD proposed staying to take advantage of our passes and going back to Hollywood Studios so DGS8 could try again to be selected as a Jedi. I just couldn’t face the prospect of more rejection for my beloved DGS8—it seemed too big a risk to take. If he still wasn’t chosen, that would be his last memory of WDW, and I wanted his memories to be (mostly) happy ones. DH agreed, and added that he really didn’t see us driving back without stopping. So we told DD how we felt and she was fine with no parks on Saturday.

So after getting back from Ohana the night before, we’d stopped by the CR concierge desk to see what assistance they might give about figuring out a halfway point and a hotel to stay at Saturday night. Turns out, not much. We wanted to leave the general Orlando area about 1 p.m. and wouldn’t be ready to stop at a hotel until about 9 p.m. Didn’t want to leave WDW without a reservation when we’d be arriving relatively late like that. So Friday morning before Chef Mickey’s I went through all my AAA stuff but couldn’t find what I needed (remember, I’d booked this vacation through them). A big wave of anxiety came over me—the only planner on this trip—and I called the main AAA number. They also weren’t much help, so I called my AAA agent in Maryland. The Guy Upstairs was looking out for me -- not only was she there to take my call, but she also resolved everything and made the reservations for us. To top it all off, later in the trip I found the tourbook I’d needed to pick a hotel--it was in the minivan! I’d had it all along but didn’t realize it!


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

So-o-o, back to wrapping up after a good time at Chef Mickey’s:



Where do we go next ? Well, to Magic Kingdom of course! It’s the day for everyone to do their favorite rides and shows again, whatever they want. Stop and smell the roses, to coin a phrase .


However, there are 2 constraints. First, DD and DSIL will be leaving MK by 5 p.m. or so because they are meeting old friends for dinner. And second, on this, our 6th day of walking, my feet are seriously complaining…plus major blister (at least the Glide did its job for the first 5), etc. DH starts talking wheelchair but I prefer just to do a few things in the park and otherwise be the meeting spot for everyone between rides. So we do one of DGS3’s favorite events, the escalator to the monorail – funny how the little things make such a big impression – and ride to Magic Kingdom.


We decide to take WDW Railroad to Frontierland to get FPs for Splash and Big Thunder Mountain RR. Again, since there are 6 of us but only the 3 hard core thrill seekers will be riding, they are happy they can get all their FPs at once.


Another very hot day (of course ) and we head to the Haunted Mansion for a return visit. The crowds seem to be larger today than on Monday, maybe that’s always true on Fridays? Or maybe because tonight is EMH. After HM, we make our way over to Mickey’s Toontown Fair. DGS3 starts to ride Barnstormer with DD, but then gets scared so it’s a no-go. While the younger four spend time in Toontown, DH and I go to Cosmic Ray’s to cool off. When they return, DD, DH and DGS8 head out to use their FPs for Splash and BTMRR. DSIL and DGS3 go to ride Winnie the Pooh again, while I watch Sonny Eclipse in Ray’s with my cool beverage in hand and my foot propped on a chair. When the 3 riders return before the other 2, they decide to go on Buzz Lightyear again.


After we’re all back together, we check out Pooh’s Playful Spot for DGS3. We think about waiting in a line there to meet characters, but quickly veto that because of the long line and the heat. So it’s off through Tomorrowland for something cool. DD originally was looking for a chocolate-covered banana to commemorate her favorite snack from her trip here years ago, but that’s not very refreshing! So we get ice cream and smoothies at Auntie Gravity’s. Yum!

With TTA and Space Mountain closed, we decide to go on Carousel of Progress. No flames please, but I remember from years ago that I found it kind of boring—I wish they would update it to include recent advances. Anyway, as we head toward it, who do we see but Buzz Lightyear, with only 2 families in line! We hustle over there but the CM takes him away, saying he’ll be right back. Thankfully, he was!


He’s one tall guy!

After the CoP, we start back toward the Castle and take in a bit of the Move It! Shake It! Street Party.
One last stroll down Main Street …

I think DH is reluctant to leave too…look how many photos he’s taken in that last block on the way out.

So--what happens on our last night here? And is there still time for some Disney magic?​

 

[soldiersmom]

I just now found you and I'm enjoying my "vicarious vacation" with your family! I just became a grandma this summer, so I am fantasizing about our first trip with the little one...in about three years. Maybe just in time for the new Fantasyland changes.

Anyway, great report, and the picture of your little boys in their pirate costumes in your signature is DARLING! What very nice, sweet little boys they seem. (Yes, I know the big one isn't "little" but I had 3 little boys once upon a time, and I miss them.) (Even tho they still live nearby in their grown-up state)

 

[Angies1274]

Another great update!!

Awww.....Magic Kingdom. It sounds like you had a great time. It's always nice to try to "stop and smell the roses" especially at MK, when there are so many wonderful things to see.

Great picture of the boys with Buzz!! (he is very tall!!)--and the pictures of the castle and main street are beautiful!! I always seem to take alot of pictures as we are leaving MK for the last time because I just don't want to say goodbye either.

Can't wait to find out what you are doing on your last night.

 

[MouseKTeer]

I just now found you and I'm enjoying my "vicarious vacation" with your family! I just became a grandma this summer, so I am fantasizing about our first trip with the little one...in about three years. Maybe just in time for the new Fantasyland changes.

Anyway, great report, and the picture of your little boys in their pirate costumes in your signature is DARLING! What very nice, sweet little boys they seem. (Yes, I know the big one isn't "little" but I had 3 little boys once upon a time, and I miss them.) (Even tho they still live nearby in their grown-up state)

and congratulations on becoming a grandma! It's definitely one of life's greatest pleasures I don't blame you for imagining what it would be like to share WDW with your new little one! Not sure if yours is a boy or girl, but do enjoy each stage of his/her babyhood. Glad your grown boys and grandchild live not too far away so you can!

Thanks for the kind words about the boys! You picked up well on the sweet vibe between them--they love each other like no 2 little brothers I've ever known (I'm more used to the sibling rivalry--ha).

Another great update!!

Awww.....Magic Kingdom. It sounds like you had a great time. It's always nice to try to "stop and smell the roses" especially at MK, when there are so many wonderful things to see.

Great picture of the boys with Buzz!! (he is very tall!!)--and the pictures of the castle and main street are beautiful!! I always seem to take alot of pictures as we are leaving MK for the last time because I just don't want to say goodbye either.

Can't wait to find out what you are doing on your last night.

Thanks, Angie! And gotta have lots of photos of the castle--can never have too many of those--for taking us back there mentally if not physically.

Are your boys clamoring to go back?

 

[MouseKTeer]

We stop in Town Square to take care of our Photopass business and say a tearful goodbye to the Magic Kingdom, as we make our way to the monorail for our last ride to the Contemporary.

Uh-oh! I just realized that the photo I planned for this spot in the TR, of us on the monorail, is actually from another day! Oh well, since I didn’t use it on its correct day, and this is our last day on the monorail, it’s going here anyway! We’ll call this “poetic license,” hehe!


DH, DGS8 and me:

DD and DSIL go to get ready for their visit with DD’s friends from USF grad school. DH, the boys and I head to the 4th floor concourse.

This will be our first meal at the Contempo Café (sorry again, but no photos). The boys get flatbread pizzas for dinner. DH and I aren’t that hungry, but we get turkey sandwiches with fries and sesame bean salad respectively. (Brownies and cookies are to go for dessert later.) DGS3 starts playing with his food and otherwise acting up—he is probably just testing us to see what he can get away with, given the line of people standing right there waiting for dinner with Chef Mickey. After most of us have eaten, DH takes DGS3 away from that area for a “time out” while DGS8 and I head to the arcade.

It’s full of lots of older kids, but we stay and play about 30 minutes before DH and DGS3 show up. DH tells me that they went on the escalators—what kind of a “time out” is that for DGS3’s acting up? DGS3 loves escalators! DH is such a soft touch. After some more game time and mug refills, we go back to the room for the boys’ bath and story time.

The boys fall asleep pretty quickly. DH does too, and I wait up for DD and DSIL. (They went with their friends to Downtown Disney, ate dinner at Bongo’s Cuban Café, and spent more time with them back at their offsite hotel.)

We’re running out of time for more Disney magic! Stay tuned…​

 

[onelilspark]

That would have been a terrible time out for me! I hate escaltors!

 

[MouseKTeer]

That would have been a terrible time out for me! I hate escaltors!

Hi!

OK--next time we take you with us to WDW and you misbehave, we'll take you on the escalators!