4 gigs of pics, 3 blisters, 2 pairs of new shoes, 1 bleeding toe = our great trip!

[WillowBelle]

At least you got some great night pictures of the girls and the castle!! YOu guys were able to ride a lot in the EMH too! Hoping it didn't rain for your last MK night and we get to see some great Wishes pix!!!

EMH's @ MK are always fantastic. If it weren't so darn late, I'd only go to them and stay at the pool all day long . There are times we'll just keep on moving saying, 'we can do that later tonight' and not even worry about it. Our trips are typically in the middle of the summer, we still ride everything we want to and still manage to not wait longer than 25 minutes, or so, for any ride.

Fantastic pictures! You've got a great eye for taking photos.

Thank you! I just checked out your Flickr photos - seems you've got quite the eye as well . You've got some beauties in there!

 

[WillowBelle]

We left MK, via monorail to GF. Got the van out of vallet and somehow found our way back to Pop. I don't think we ever went the same way back to the hotel twice .

Gabriella had her itching-stinging part on the back of her 'foot'. It was actually a blister developing where the top of her shoe was rubbing. Around her achillies heel area. OUCH! I felt so bad, I just knew this was going to happen .

I was very surprised to see that I too, had developed a blister. I was wearing Merrell hiking shoes that I had broken in PLENTY before we went. Thankfully, I had brought my Croc flip-flops (that I live in) as a backup pair of shoes, just in case.

Got into bed around 2:00ish.

6:15 comes with my phone call from Stitch waking me up for the day. Got my shower all handled and then started waking up the girls. We had to be at 'Ohana for a 7:40 breakfast reservation.

Drove again, so we didn't have to do all of the transfers to get from one resort to another. This time.....somehow......I ended up at the main gate to AK . They weren't open yet, there were orange cones blocking all of the enterances. Rolled my window down and asked the confused looking lady who was also trying to get in what time they opened the gates. She said 9:00. OK, that won't work. So I did what any lost out-of-towner would do....threw the Kia in reverse and backed all the way up until I was at a turn around lane. You think Gabriella was freaking out when I took the U-turn when we passed the light going to the GF was bad - you should have SEEN her when I backed up several hundred feet .

Get turned around right and back on the right road - pull in to the Poly and got a GREAT front spot in the regular parking log. It was actually the FIRST spot in a row directly across from the enterance.

Get all checked in with our buzzer thing and snapped off a few photos:

The waiting area:

The fountain from above:

Buzzer goes off and we're wisked to our table. We ate at 'Ohana for breakfast for the first time last summer. We were in hog heaven with this restaurant experience. I think 'Ohana has become a family tradition.

The restaurant area:

Our server brought us our yummy juice and big bowl of food and we started chowing down!

My plate:

I didn't take any pictures of the fruit but there was FRESH pineapple, canalope and grapes. We ate most of that. It was nice and cold and quite refreshing.

Of course the characters started coming around. I was very happy that they were making appearances almost as soon as we were seated:

The girls did the conga-line (which I video taped) with the characters and all the other kids there for breakfast. I actually got a bit teary eyed. Which is hard to explain. I had an overwhelming moment of joy. We were at WDW eating breakfast at our favorite breakfast restaurant. The characters were all there and my girls were getting to dance with them. Where else in the world can that sort of fantasticness happen.

OK, back to reality. Breakfast ended, our bellies were full it was time to go. We were off to EP to start our day. Up next we go to Epcot

And I explain why this guy is waving so frantically:

 

[momsavealot]

Great TR so far! I hope you don't mind if I tag along!

 

[meeko_33785]

Thank you! I just checked out your Flickr photos - seems you've got quite the eye as well . You've got some beauties in there!

Thanks so much. I do what I can, but yours are really fantastic.

Nice update. I'm very curious about the cliffhanger photo. No idea what's going on. Can't wait to see what the alien hat and frantic waving are all about.

 

[mousebymarriage]

Great trip report and wonderful pics. I love reading trip reports and your is great because it makes me feel like I'm in Disney. Not sure when but, can't wait to go back. Reports like yours make the wait more bearable!

 

[kckmom]

What a great report, I am enjoying this immensely, and can't wait to see the rest!

 

[WillowBelle]

Great TR so far! I hope you don't mind if I tag along!

The more the merrier - welcome aboard!

Thanks so much. I do what I can, but yours are really fantastic.

Nice update. I'm very curious about the cliffhanger photo. No idea what's going on. Can't wait to see what the alien hat and frantic waving are all about.

Coming soon . DH and I bought a new computer (tower) today. We have to move everything to it before I can complete the next installment. Hopefully it will be later this evening.

Great trip report and wonderful pics. I love reading trip reports and your is great because it makes me feel like I'm in Disney. Not sure when but, can't wait to go back. Reports like yours make the wait more bearable!

Awwww, thanks . I do the same though, read through and look at pictures. There are some great reports on these boards!

What a great report, I am enjoying this immensely, and can't wait to see the rest!

Thank you! I'm going to try to have more up tonight. I took so many photos that I get backed up trying to process them. Wish I could wave a magic wand and have them done for me .

 

[topdog]

If I had only 4 hours of sleep two nights in a row, I will look like this too the next morning.

I love Ohana. If you can get the right seat for dinner, you can see the "Wish" firework from there.

 

[mansionterror]

Thanks for coming out of hiding. I noticed earlier that my TR was at almost 1,000 hits with something like 40+ replies. Seems like lots are looking and not chatting with me.

Where in TN do you live? I see by your signature that you are another lover of Pop Century. Can't wait to take DH next year so he can see it. DDs and I have stayed there 2x's without him. We want to show him how much fun it is. DDs really, really, really liked playing ping-pong by the pool. They thought that was pretty cool.

I live in East TN, near the Smoky Mountains (Pigeon Forge). Pop Century is the only Disney Resort we have ever stayed at. There is just something about it, so much fun! My DS asked every day to play ping-pong and we never got to...just another reason to stay there again.

 

[Disneychix]

Great updates! I think Gabriella will soon be taller than you!

I can't believe you made it to a 7:40 adr after being up so late with no sleep the day before! You are brave!

ps...this is Rosie...

 

[WillowBelle]

I live in East TN, near the Smoky Mountains (Pigeon Forge). Pop Century is the only Disney Resort we have ever stayed at. There is just something about it, so much fun! My DS asked every day to play ping-pong and we never got to...just another reason to stay there again.

My DDs got to play ping-pong a few times. That was definately the highlight of going back to the room. The pool was 'eh' but the PPong tables were for them.

Great updates! I think Gabriella will soon be taller than you!

I can't believe you made it to a 7:40 adr after being up so late with no sleep the day before! You are brave!

ps...this is Rosie...

Hey Rosie! Readin' my report 2x's . I agree Gabriella is going to be taller than me soon. She literally grew an inch when she went to 4H camp last week. I was like, 'FANTASTIC, she just outgrew all of her jeans we bought her last year for school.

 

[WillowBelle]

Made it to EP by about 9:30. Actually drove straight to the park after leaving 'Ohana. GO ME.

Didn't take any photos of SE on the way in. Determined to get to Soarin' before a million people were in line in front of us. This is one of the 'bigger' rides that the girls will go on.

This is where we encountered this guy:

He is waving so frantically because he is:

#1 on Test Track and telling us we're going the wrong way?
#2 being attacked by a three eyed alien on his head?
OR
#3 because he is telling us good morning on our way to Soarin' and my camera settings were off?

You be the judge!

The line to the FP machine for Soarin' was a gazillion people long, so we decided we'd pick them up after we rode. Here's a few snapshots from in line.

Angelina was a bit nervous to ride this even though she rode it in 2006. She didn't remember much. Once we got going, she was on flying all around California. I must admit, this ride freaks me out a bit only because I know how high up we actually are. I have this fear of falling out of my seat. I actually put the strap between my legs and through my seatbelt like they advise you do if you have a younger child with you.

Off Soarin and grabbed our FP's for about 1.5 hours later. Went ahead and went on the:

ride because there was zero wait.

I really like this ride and seeing all of the vegi's that they grow right there on property:

found a notso hidden Mickey:

After that ride we wandered over and watched the Timon & Pumba movie. Angelina was a bit irritated that this wasn't a 'ride' but I made her do it anyway. I heard that a lot from her, 'is this a ride?' when I would reply 'no', she instantly didn't want to do it. Suffer through it kid, we're at Disney.

Decided that Gabriella's foot could wait no longer. Poor thing had a big red spot on her heel so we walked over to MouseGears and picked her up a new pair of Croc flip-flops. She couldn't believe how comfortable these shoes were and thanked me every few hours for the rest of our trip for buying them for her. I tried to talk Angelina in to getting a pair, while we were there may as well. She didn't want any - her tennies were doing her just fine.

Had discussed with the girls that they should start pin trading this year, rather than bring home a bunch of stuffed animals that just gather dust around the house. Gabriella spent her hard earned money and bought a starter lanyard with 4 pins on it.

Left MouseGears and headed towards:

It wasn't time for our FP's for Soarin' yet - the line wasn't too long for SE...it was a win win.

Once off SE, we went back to Soarin' and used our FP.

Took a few pictures around Sunshine Seasons:

Before Soarin' at park opening:

It's amaizing what a difference a few hours makes:

After Soarin' we headed towards:

Rode the Nemo ride and then watched 'Turtle Talk with Crush'. Both were darling and both were a first time for us. In 2006 the line was too long for me to comprehend spending the time standing in.

Went to the Imagination pavillion next and did this ride:

Then let the girls play:

Played with the morphing machines so the girls could send a few emails out to their daddy and friends.

Had this photo snapped after a quick potty break.

Up next, lunch, a goodbye, and a few snapshots of SE.......

 

[crocko]

Some more great pics!

That breakfast looked yummy at 'Ohana.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Your pictures are amazing!

Can't wait for more!

 

[meeko_33785]

Great update. Those Spaceship Earth photos really turned out nice!

 

[WillowBelle]

Some more great pics!

That breakfast looked yummy at 'Ohana.

It truely was delish. I love the breads and fresh fruit that come along side. The potatos are really yummy as well.

Your pictures are amazing!

Can't wait for more!

Editing photos this morning to do the next installment .

Great update. Those Spaceship Earth photos really turned out nice!

TY . I finally make it through the ride (later in the vacation) with the 'nifty-fifty' and get some great photos throughout the ride itself.

 

[MOmousefan]

Tennessee is my favorite part of our drive from Missouri to WDW. Freewayjim has some outstanding videos of driving on I-24. I wish we could go as fast as he does.

 

[WillowBelle]

After hanging out at the Imagination Pavillion for a bit. Decided it was time for lunch. Went to the Electric Umbrella where Angelina could have her typical 'chicken nuggets and french fry' meal. Gabriella had a chicken TENDER (not to be confussed with nuggets, two different looking pieces of meat) with french fries meal. I had a turkey club sandwich with fries (shocking, more ff's ). I can't believe it - I have no pictures from lunch.

After lunch it was time head back to Pop. We were really starting to drag. (For those of you doing the math, 2 nights in a row I'd only had 4hrs sleep/night for a total of 8 hours) It was time for some R&R back at the resort.

Snapped a few photos on my way out:

This one had an Abbey Road feel to me (AND it's Angelina's favorite ride .)

Made it back to Pop around 4:00. Everyone got in their suits and headed to the pool. Actually - Angelina went to the arcade and Gabriella went to look at pins at Everything Pop. I threw a load of laundry in at the laundry station THEN we met at the pool. It's amazing how refreshed you feel once you get all the stickiness off of your body.

While I was back and forth checking and flipping our clothes, the girls started up a game of ping-pong near the pool. They played with a brother/sister duo from another country. I never talked to the kids but the girls told me they spoke almost no English. They still made it work though, for a few hours! Amazing.

Girls got hungry so we went into the food court and grabbed some dinner. Gabriella had her world famous nachos again. Angelina had a personal pan sized pepperoni pizza. I had a breaded chicken breast with a side of alfredo with a garlic bread stick. It was REALLY good and definitely something I'd have again.

*due to the fact that I was swimming and doing laundry, I didn't carry the camera with me this evening.

After dinner, the girls played ping-pong for about 30 more minutes till I called it was time for bed. By 9:00, they were sawing logs real LOUDLY! I got the laundry all finished up and was in bed myself by 10:00.

Up next - it's a great big beautiful tomorrow while we go to the MK and say hello to the Mayor.

 

[crocko]

Really love those last 2 pics.

I can't believe how bright and vivid your pictures are. Awesome!

Also....are your daughters into pin trading? If so, any particular thing they like to collect?

 

[DiningPlanDevastator]

Your pictures are very good. You might have already mentioned but what camera are you shooting with and what type of fish eye lens are you using.

Thanks for the great trip report!