7 Days at Disney & the MANY Lessons We Learned Along the Way! My Jan 2010 TR

[*DisMom*]

Joining in on the fun! Loving your TR so far...can't wait for more!

 

[celeste.]

I'm loving your TR so far!
your kids are very cute.
I love this picture:

can't wait for more updates!

 

[MelXThree]

Great Update I saw the photopass photos and they are cute! Glad to have something to read this afternoon....I don't feel like working

 

[PrncessA]

I love the photos of the Jedi training! Looks like he had a blast and was so proud to have his certificate!! I hope to get DS in one next trip!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Kim, You're too much! It's like learning a completely new language. So a padawan is basically an apprentice? Why not just call him an apprentice then? I can honestly say that I've never sat through an entire Star Wars movie. Nor can I say that I really want to. Don't tell Ken or I'll be banned from your TR.

Seriously??? They are actually REALLY good movies! Come on, Harrison Ford in his Prime?!! They have everything - action, drama, comedy, AND romance! We own (and watch frquently) all 6 movies!! They are actually Ems faves!

Just for informational purposes...A Padawan is MUCH more than just an apprentice! The Jedi Master is EVERYTHING to a young Padawan. Parent, teacher, provider, caregiver and disciplinarian. Most Padawans are taken right from their parents care when they are identified as "Having the Force" as infants!

I would encourage you to watch the Movies with Andrew when you are ready for him to see them - they are amazing movies!

 

[martinolichfamily]

All caught up now! Great TR...looking forward to reading more!

Those darn tour groups!!! We had alot of them in July....one group started chanting as we were in line waiting for Thunder Mountain...and another ride too...not fun!

Your kiddos are too cute!

 

[JoBird]

OMG- that Darth-Dude was very scary looking!

All the Padawoo-hoo's looked so cuuuute!

I'm so glad Andrew faced down evil and lived to tell the story AND got a laminated certificate to hang on his door.
Whew! He must be a very brave Padawoohoo.



Can't wait for the rest of the story!

 

[trixiequilts]

Your updates have been wonderful!

The kids look like they're having the time of their lives.

Way to hold out your snack credits for Dole Whips. That's my kind of thinking!

I, too, recommend the Star Wars movies. DH and I love them (the girls haven't seen them yet). You should definitely watch them with Andrew when the time is right.

We're slowly digging out. And by *we* I mean DH while I stay toasty inside.

I recommend you keep it that way...I was almost finished shoveling our driveway today and slipped on a patch of ice. I did some major damage to one of my poor 'ole legs. Don't let anyone sway you otherwise...stay inside where it's safe!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

I'm sure glad it didn't cause a Code V!


Well that is good to know about the Jedi Training. I thought something looked different over there by the stage in November, but couldn't tell what was going on with the crowd. I was glad the boys didn't feel the need to do it again this time. But they are already talking about maybe doing it next time. But I was wondering if maybe DS10 will be too old. Of course it may not even be open next time, Star Tours is supposed to be under rehab then. They are very excited about the new 3-D version of Star tours opening in 2011!

I want to say that the cut off was 12 but I can't fully remember. He may get to do it one last time- if his mama is willing to wait with him in line that is!
We didn't do Star Tours this trip. I was afraid it might be too much for him with all the excitement of Jedi Training. Maybe next trip we'll get to experience it in 3D!!!

Joining in on the fun! Loving your TR so far...can't wait for more!

Glad you're enjoying it!

I'm loving your TR so far!
your kids are very cute.
I love this picture:

can't wait for more updates!

Thanks! She was fascinated by all the scenery in Winnie the Pooh!

Great Update I saw the photopass photos and they are cute! Glad to have something to read this afternoon....I don't feel like working

A little sneak peek huh? How ever did you manage that? I'm happy to be providing you with some entertainment while you're at work.

I love the photos of the Jedi training! Looks like he had a blast and was so proud to have his certificate!! I hope to get DS in one next trip!

He loved it! I hope you get DS in it. My advice is to get in line ASAP as soon as you get into the park. The line filled up very quickly.

Seriously??? They are actually REALLY good movies! Come on, Harrison Ford in his Prime?!! They have everything - action, drama, comedy, AND romance! We own (and watch frquently) all 6 movies!! They are actually Ems faves!

Just for informational purposes...A Padawan is MUCH more than just an apprentice! The Jedi Master is EVERYTHING to a young Padawan. Parent, teacher, provider, caregiver and disciplinarian. Most Padawans are taken right from their parents care when they are identified as "Having the Force" as infants!

I would encourage you to watch the Movies with Andrew when you are ready for him to see them - they are amazing movies!

We've been talking about getting the movies for him for his birthday so I guess I will be brave and watch them. Maybe it's that I just don't know what I'm missing...plus "Harrison Ford in his prime" doesn't sound like torture to me.

 

[Monny2AE]

All caught up now! Great TR...looking forward to reading more!

Those darn tour groups!!! We had alot of them in July....one group started chanting as we were in line waiting for Thunder Mountain...and another ride too...not fun!

Your kiddos are too cute!

I thought the tour groups were only there in the off season. It's not so much the crowds. It's Disney there are going to be lines and crowds no matter what time of year. It's the loudness factor that gets me. No need to chant in the lines and make the wait more stressful.

OMG- that Darth-Dude was very scary looking!

All the Padawoo-hoo's looked so cuuuute!

I'm so glad Andrew faced down evil and lived to tell the story AND got a laminated certificate to hang on his door.
Whew! He must be a very brave Padawoohoo.



Can't wait for the rest of the story!

"Padawoohoo" Don't let Kim (Northern Disney Girl) hear you calling them that!!!! Good thing she doesn't live any closer or she'd be at your doorstep with popcorn and the whole set of DVD's. Can you say "Star Wars marathon!!!!!!" 3X fast???? I better stop yapping or she'll be at my house next!

Your updates have been wonderful!

The kids look like they're having the time of their lives.

Way to hold out your snack credits for Dole Whips. That's my kind of thinking!

I, too, recommend the Star Wars movies. DH and I love them (the girls haven't seen them yet). You should definitely watch them with Andrew when the time is right.




I recommend you keep it that way...I was almost finished shoveling our driveway today and slipped on a patch of ice. I did some major damage to one of my poor 'ole legs. Don't let anyone sway you otherwise...stay inside where it's safe!!!

Perhaps you should stay indoors until it melts. We're still digging out from all of this snow. It's going to be a while.

 

[Monny2AE]

DAY THREE: Part 2
Sunday, January 24th


Andrew had his fun so we headed over to here for Em to meet one of her favorite princesses. She loved it until Ursula came out.

Then we saw this guy be brave.

We arrived at the last minute and were seated in the front row!

Came out of Indiana Jones and navigated through these crowds! Craziness!!!!

There are 8, yup count ‘em, EIGHT tour group flags and that’s just what would fit in the frame of my camera! They were all trying to get their groups together and yelling so loudly. It was awful. We fought through the crowds to grab a quick lunch. As we were finishing, they started swarming the food places. One person even stood over our table while we were finishing eating. Not next to our table, literally right over Em's shoulder watching us eat and trying to rush us. I got up and politely said excuse me and squeezed myself between him and my daughter to get something from the stroller. I could have walked around the other way but at this point I wasn't feeling very nice. He got the hint and backed up a bit after that. We took our sweet old time and finished eating.

After our relaxing lunch we headed over to Pixar place to use our Fastpass.

Then we walked through one of my favorite attractions- never a line.

Took a picture with Walt and Mickey.

Headed over to Backlot Tour. The line wasn’t too bad. We waited about 25 minutes. Ate some snacks from the backpack to help pass the time.

Burned off some energy here…

It was very crowded and we soon grew tired of having to find Andrew (needle in a haystack) and remind him to stay where we could see him so we left and went to meet the characters from UP.

 

[Monny2AE]

Waved hello to this cute little guy on the way.

Got in a short line to meet Dug and Russell. Our favorite saying at our house these days is “I can smell you.”

As we were leaving Carl came out.

We also met Sorcerer Mickey but those pics are on the Photopass.

We decided it was time to leave DHS. The crowds were getting thicker and we were getting tired. We got to the hat and started heading towards the exit when Andrew panicked and reminded us that we forgot to do something VERY important. We had promised him after defeating Darth Vader that we would make a light saber before we left! So off we went to…

where Andrew made his very own light saber.

The kids hopped aboard this thingymajig (Kim, you’ll have to fill me in with the correct Star Wars name for it. ) I called it a pod racer but was told by Andrew that was incorrect. He doesn’t know what it is but he knows it’s NOT a pod racer!

We then left DHS and headed back to CBR to relax a bit. We swam a little bit more in the pools too. I don’t have any pics of swimming because I forgot to take my camera this time. It’s tough taking pics while swimming anyway.

After swimming we went back to our rooms and changed and then headed to Old Port Royale for some dinner. I took a few pics of CBR on the way to dinner.

We saw lots of these little signs throughout Disney while we were there.

Lessons Learned from DAY THREE:

• Avoid DHS on a day when they are having Fantasmic! It really IS more crowded on those days!!!!!
• Darth Vader is MUCH more intimidating in person and my little Jedi is very brave to have taken him on!
• One Man’s Dream is still one of my most favorite attractions at Disney. Some may find it boring, like my DH. I find it fascinating and inspirational. Walt was such an amazing man with such a wondrous imagination.
• Last but not least, I apparently need to brush up on my Star Wars knowledge!

 

[PrncessA]

Lessons Learned from DAY THREE:

• Avoid DHS on a day when they are having Fantasmic! It really IS more crowded on those days!!!!!
• Darth Vader is MUCH more intimidating in person and my little Jedi is very brave to have taken him on!
• One Man’s Dream is still one of my most favorite attractions at Disney. Some may find it boring, like my DH. I find it fascinating and inspirational. Walt was such an amazing man with such a wondrous imagination.
• Last but not least, I apparently need to brush up on my Star Wars knowledge!

Great lessons!

I just love One Man's Dream as well!! It was one of my favorite attractions for sure!!!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Another great update Kim! Too bad about the crowds and tour groups. And I agree, I don't like people hovering around you for a table - so lame.

This is a Speeder Bike!

More info here:
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Speeder_bike

A good site to bookmark so that you can be well versed in Star Wars.

Sea

 

[lisalisalisa]

Great trip report. Your children are adorable. I look forward to your next update .

 

[celeste.]

Great update!
You got to meet the Up characters! I'm jealous, haha. I'll have to try to meet them this summer.

 

[Monny2AE]

Great lessons!

I just love One Man's Dream as well!! It was one of my favorite attractions for sure!!!

It's a no frills kind of attraction but it's so meaningful. I like the history stuff.

Another great update Kim! Too bad about the crowds and tour groups. And I agree, I don't like people hovering around you for a table - so lame.

This is a Speeder Bike!

More info here:
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Speeder_bike

A good site to bookmark so that you can be well versed in Star Wars.

Sea

Oh my goodness the site name is hilarious!!! Wookieepedia I have so much to learn! Thanks for setting me straight so I don't get in trouble with Kim (NorthernDisneyGirl) again!

Great trip report. Your children are adorable. I look forward to your next update .

Thanks! Glad you could join in!

Great update!
You got to meet the Up characters! I'm jealous, haha. I'll have to try to meet them this summer.

I hope you get to meet them. I was amazed that the line was so short!

 

[Monny2AE]

I'm working on the next update! In the meantime here's some more snow pics from our second HUGE snow we got this week. I'm so tired of snow. The first 2 ft. was fun but the 2 more feet on top of that, not so much. I have no idea where they are going to put it all.

DH fighting a losing battle. Notice the tree limb that fell. The winds with this last storm were wild!

I spy with my little eye... my mailbox!

The kids loved it once it stopped falling and the winds calmed down.

I'm glad they got out in it when they did. Andrew's cold virus has now become pneumonia and Em is battling a double ear infection. Figures we get record breaking snow and they are both too sick to enjoy it.

 

[trixiequilts]

The poor little buggers! I hope they get well really quickly!

And here's a hug for the mommy, because it's so hard to have sick kids!

You have so much snow! Waaaaay more than we do! I knew it must be bad there again because my pal Michael (heehee) couldn't get a flight out to get to his meet in Missouri this weekend. I'm glad I didn't go all the way there to try to see him like many disappointed fans did!

I hope your weekend is full of rest for all of you...and totally devoid of snow!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Tried to post an update but photobucket is NOT cooperating with me!

I'll try again later when I'm not so grumpy.