900 Miles, 5 Parks, 2 Resorts, 6 ADR's, and 3 days of Celebration!!! Update 3/8/13

[tazdev3225]

Looks like you all had fun. I've never done the coaster ride. I do not like to go upside down and don't like to push my back so I have a great excuse. Your stepfather looked bored.

Doing 50's PT for lunch my last day. I enjoyed it last year. We had a great Cuz waiting on us. Shall have to see how it works this year. At least I won't go home hungry.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

LOL, Mel. I see that you are attempting to switch places with your mom and watching over her. Bet you have just about as much luck at that as she did when she was raising you.

One of the things I enjoy at DW is watching the loving dysfunctional functioning families.

I always have a good time but get a bit overwhelmed with keeping someone else in line at times. Familiar places make it easier. If only I did not have to drive through Tampa to get to The Promised Land. The one thing I did not anticipate. Maybe I will get better with practice?

SG/Linda

 

[scottny]

early morning walks are fun when I can wake up.

Fun times at DHS. I have to get Vinny on TOT.

50's looked good. Can't wait to eat there again.

Great photos

 

[lovethattink]

I'm sure your stepdad preferred this time of year for the crowds! How did he fare with jeans in the heat?

We did the same as you did with the passes for Universal Studios. Made sure one of us had a pass for free parking, the rest got the APs with block out dates.

Too bad the picture of your mom and you went missing. I hope you find it.

That is too cute that your mom thought the helicopter was part of the scene!

Jonas sounds like my oldest on RnR. He would ditch me in a heart beat to be near that door. Now he's on his own. I can't do coasters. But I still ride ToT!

Love the ride photos!

I never considered the possibility of veneers falling out, especially after only a few years. I hope your mom's replacement lasts forever.

Hmmm, guess don't let Gramps drink on an empty stomach?



ScottyNY, I hope you get a chance to ride ToT together!

 

[jmskinner]

Looks like you all had fun. I've never done the coaster ride. I do not like to go upside down and don't like to push my back so I have a great excuse. Your stepfather looked bored.

Doing 50's PT for lunch my last day. I enjoyed it last year. We had a great Cuz waiting on us. Shall have to see how it works this year. At least I won't go home hungry.

Gramps doesn't like to go upside down anymore, but you are right, he looks bored there. Guess RnRC isn't that thrilling to him.

Have a great time at 50's Primetime.

LOL, Mel. I see that you are attempting to switch places with your mom and watching over her. Bet you have just about as much luck at that as she did when she was raising you.

One of the things I enjoy at DW is watching the loving dysfunctional functioning families.

I always have a good time but get a bit overwhelmed with keeping someone else in line at times. Familiar places make it easier. If only I did not have to drive through Tampa to get to The Promised Land. The one thing I did not anticipate. Maybe I will get better with practice?

SG/Linda

Most of the time with Mom I keep my mouth shut, you notice I didn't tell her no junk food, just let us to the healthy fried food at 50's.

We like to watch those loving dysfunctional functioning families too. Love watching the people enter the parks with the screaming kids.

To me, the best way to deal with the Tampa traffic was to get in the left lane and just go. When Jacob's class went to Universal, the buses went a different way besides I-4, I sure wish I knew which way they went, because we were in cars and thought we were way ahead of the buses, but they actually beat us. Wondering if you took the Skyway bridge if there is a back way to WDW where you don't have to get on I4? I never figured it out though.

early morning walks are fun when I can wake up.

Fun times at DHS. I have to get Vinny on TOT.

50's looked good. Can't wait to eat there again.

Great photos

I never plan to wake up early to take pics because I know I'll sleep late that day.

Hope you get Vinny on ToT. I say everyone needs to experience it at least once. So much more to it besides the drop(s).

Have the two of your ever considered the Premium or Platinum plans? I thought about it with Vinny not liking the rides that much. When Jonas and I did it, I had so many tours and other stuff planned, Jonas kept asking if we were going to ride any rides.

I'm sure your stepdad preferred this time of year for the crowds! How did he fare with jeans in the heat?

We did the same as you did with the passes for Universal Studios. Made sure one of us had a pass for free parking, the rest got the APs with block out dates.

Too bad the picture of your mom and you went missing. I hope you find it.

That is too cute that your mom thought the helicopter was part of the scene!

Jonas sounds like my oldest on RnR. He would ditch me in a heart beat to be near that door. Now he's on his own. I can't do coasters. But I still ride ToT!

Love the ride photos!

I never considered the possibility of veneers falling out, especially after only a few years. I hope your mom's replacement lasts forever.

Hmmm, guess don't let Gramps drink on an empty stomach?



ScottyNY, I hope you get a chance to ride ToT together!

Gramps has always worn jeans. Being a W. Texas boy he is use to the heat, even though it is a dry heat.

I'm noticing I can't handle certain rollercoasters as well anymore. Especially those where you hang under the track.

Yup, no more drinks for him on an empty stomach, will have to remember that.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

LOL, Mel. Getting to the left is the problem. I always end up at the airport and then have to get back on the interstate but since getting over to the left is so darned hard at that area it is just easier to take the detour through the airport.

It is sweet that you are worried about your mother and I am sure she appreciates it even though she is not going to listen all the time. All I hear from my dd is that she is worried that when I drop dead she is going to feel guilty. My take is that if she treated me better that would solve the problem however her take is to give me the silliest set of rules for ME to follow that I have ever seen. I try.

I am the same way, I wake up at the same time practically every single day, BUT if I set the alarm to make sure I get up at that time I cannot fall asleep and then want to sleep later. Contrary ain't we?

The people are what make Disney so interesting. I just want to go over to some of the frustrated families and tell them to sit down, relax and stop fretting over getting their monies worth and enjoy the moment.

SG

 

[jmskinner]

LOL, Mel. Getting to the left is the problem. I always end up at the airport and then have to get back on the interstate but since getting over to the left is so darned hard at that area it is just easier to take the detour through the airport.

It is sweet that you are worried about your mother and I am sure she appreciates it even though she is not going to listen all the time. All I hear from my dd is that she is worried that when I drop dead she is going to feel guilty. My take is that if she treated me better that would solve the problem however her take is to give me the silliest set of rules for ME to follow that I have ever seen. I try.

I am the same way, I wake up at the same time practically every single day, BUT if I set the alarm to make sure I get up at that time I cannot fall asleep and then want to sleep later. Contrary ain't we?

The people are what make Disney so interesting. I just want to go over to some of the frustrated families and tell them to sit down, relax and stop fretting over getting their monies worth and enjoy the moment.

SG

I've done that Linda. Driven into the airport instead of where I needed to be. Actually our trip to househunt in Tampa, once we got the rental car, we drove around the airport because we kept getting confused where to go.

I'm with you on wanting to tell people to sit back and enjoy. It can't all be done in a few days. How many times have I been and I still haven't done it all.

 

[natebenma]

I smiled through your whole update!

I love Jonas' shirt with the Muppets on it.

The RNR photos are great. Love the expression on Jacob's face and your mom's hair sticking up. My 11 year old hasn't been on RNR yet, but says he will try it next time we are at Disney.

Sounds like an interesting meal at Prime Time.

Cute picture on ToT, too.

 

[jmskinner]

After our trip in the Twilight Zone, my boys wanted to "Build A Droid", but first one more ride on Star Tours. Granny and Gramps didn't want to go, so I hung outside with them. Eventually I headed inside to wait on them, while my Mom went looking for a pretzel or something. Back to that junk food. I didn't say anything, it WDW.

Once I saw Jonas and Jacob leaving the ride, I hopped in line for Build-A-Droid. This was probably the longest line we sat in at the parks the whole week. I think we were there for an hour. Even Gramps kept walking up and checking on us. What was taking so long, we had two guys building every different type of droid possible. It was fun watching their families getting irritated. I figured we would be seeing them at Celebrations in a couple of days. Finally when they left, the line moved until you had another building 4 or 5. I felt like Disney should allow one build and then get back in line.

Here is what was built


I think Jacob's is the blue one, Jonas' is on top and mine is in the middle. I wanted just a regular R2D2 but with Mickey ears.

Jacob now wanted some ice cream, so Jonas took him to get the ice cream and I can't remember what I did with the folks, but about that time it started to rain. Granny and I took cover, but Gramps decided it felt really good



He has one foot bothering him, so he always finds something to lean on.

Once the rain stopped and we got back together. Jonas and Jacob wanted to go back to the room, Granny asked about the Magic Kingdom fireworks. I told them I would hang out with them, so the boys went back to the hotel and me and the Grandparents stayed at the park to see



Gramps hadn't seen the show before and he really seemed to enjoy it.

A little side note, Jonas and Jacob didn't go directly to the room. They stopped on their way out and purchased the following


The mug was for Jonas. We have more travel mugs than storage.

Jonas picked this out for me


Oh, and here are the drumstickes Jacob purchased


I think he got some gold coins too.

So back to me and the Grandparents. We headed out of the park to catch the TTC bus to get to MK. A bus pulled up and the driver only opened the back door, I thought maybe a scooter was going to be taken off or something. The lady in front of us ran to that back door and hopped on. Now I know you don't enter the buses through the back door. Well, the driver shut that door and then realized someone had entered. Turns out the driver was only dropping off. I couldn't help but laugh. This was one of those couples you could tell was very rude, you know, the kind that show up at the last minute to squeeze themselves in front of you to get a better view of the parade.

We sat and watched the ducks, trying to ignore the annoying couple, until an Epcot bus pulled up. I thought, "hey we can catch that one and then catch the monorail to MK." So that's what we did, and of course as soon as it pulled away a TTC but came up.

About this time I asked Mom if she wanted to see the MK fireworks or the ones at Epcot. "Are those the ones with the big ball? That's what I want to see." Ok, we were on the right bus.

We made it to Epcot, I noticed the line for SE wasn't long, so we rode it real quick. Then headed to the back of the park. Mom found an empty bench right near the rose gardens, looking out into the lagoon. Gramps and I headed to the UK for some fish and chips. Would you believe I have never had these? Jonas doesn't eat fish. We got our meals, made it back to Mom and sat to eat. About that time it started raining. Boy were we glad we had an umbrella over our heads. I had a childs rain poncho that I purchased for Jacob many years ago, so I kept looking for someone to give it to, but everyone either had more than one child, or the child looked to be having a blast walking in the rain.

We also had some entertainment


Mom started feeding the ducks




He got her


Finally the rain stopped and the show started. It was still sprinkling a bit, plus the smoke was coming right at us, so I couldn't get any good pics, so I put the camera away.

After the show, I warned Gramps about how packed the buses would be. Well, he totally forgot having a foot that bothered him and we moved ourselves out of that park to the bus stop, beating all the other people.

We got back to the resort and said our goodbyes.

Next up: Legoland, and check out the expression on my boys face!

 

[jmskinner]

I smiled through your whole update!

I love Jonas' shirt with the Muppets on it.

The RNR photos are great. Love the expression on Jacob's face and your mom's hair sticking up. My 11 year old hasn't been on RNR yet, but says he will try it next time we are at Disney.

Sounds like an interesting meal at Prime Time.

Cute picture on ToT, too.

We must have posted about the same time. We sold those at Kohls. Do you know how many of them I must have folded before I realized they were dressed like Run DMC?

I have a lot of pics of Jacob with that exact same expression. He doesn't like TT either, says it goes to fast. He shouldn't look at the spedometer on my truck at times then.

Hope your son enjoys his first ride.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm so glad to see your droids got ears! During SWW they ran out of ears.

 

[natebenma]

UGH! On the build a droid line!

Sounds like you had a nice afternoon/night with your mom and stepdad, and Jonas and Jacob had some time together, too.

Glad they enjoyed the Indiana Jones show, and I'm glad that you made it to the right park to see the fireworks!

Cute purchases.

 

[thumperjr9]

Sounds like it was a good day with your Mom and Stepdad. Sorry Jacob was getting "picked on" by the guys. What is it with the guys horsing around and wrestling. My DS25 is always doing that to my DS13. I'm told by my guys it toughens them up and builds character....whatever. My DS13 will soon get payback though, since at 13 he is almost 6' and will soon be bigger than his older brother. (BTW my DS13 secretly likes the attention, your DS probably does too)

Is DHS/Epcot on Tues.? If so I think we followed in your footsteps. We were at DHS during the day, then at DTD for dinner then to Epcot at night. Though we didn't get to Epcot till after Illuminations. It was an EMH night and we stayed till midnight.

When we were at Star Tours the line for Build a Droid was long too. In fact I don't think I've ever been in that shop when it hasn't been packed!!

 

[jmskinner]

I'm so glad to see your droids got ears! During SWW they ran out of ears.

I would have been upset if I couldn't get ears!

UGH! On the build a droid line!

Sounds like you had a nice afternoon/night with your mom and stepdad, and Jonas and Jacob had some time together, too.

Glad they enjoyed the Indiana Jones show, and I'm glad that you made it to the right park to see the fireworks!

Cute purchases.

I had a great time with the folks, might see them next week too. Haven't told Jonas that one yet.

Sounds like it was a good day with your Mom and Stepdad. Sorry Jacob was getting "picked on" by the guys. What is it with the guys horsing around and wrestling. My DS25 is always doing that to my DS13. I'm told by my guys it toughens them up and builds character....whatever. My DS13 will soon get payback though, since at 13 he is almost 6' and will soon be bigger than his older brother. (BTW my DS13 secretly likes the attention, your DS probably does too)

Is DHS/Epcot on Tues.? If so I think we followed in your footsteps. We were at DHS during the day, then at DTD for dinner then to Epcot at night. Though we didn't get to Epcot till after Illuminations. It was an EMH night and we stayed till midnight.

When we were at Star Tours the line for Build a Droid was long too. In fact I don't think I've ever been in that shop when it hasn't been packed!!

Jacob doesn't really like to be picked on, think it is part of the Asperger's thing, but he likes to pick on others.

Sounds like your older boy had better look out.

Yes, that was Tuesday, how funny. Tattoine Traders attracts so many people and then you have those exiting the ride.

 

[jmskinner]

Planned on doing an update, but just realized the Legoland pics haven't uploaded to Smugmug yet. It's going to take a few hours since I have a few hundred from that day.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

 

[lovethattink]

Look forward to the Legoland pics.

How was your weekend?

I'm back to updating on my other TR. We were at Pop twice recently, once on bounceback and two weeks later for MNSSHP. I still have the last day of C6 to go though.

 

[jmskinner]

Look forward to the Legoland pics.

How was your weekend?

I'm back to updating on my other TR. We were at Pop twice recently, once on bounceback and two weeks later for MNSSHP. I still have the last day of C6 to go though.

I need to check out you TR, I am so behind.

Those Legoland pics are coming up.

 

[jmskinner]

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been MIA. Spent last week cleaning house getting ready for the In-Laws, working, and then going to WDW. Had a great little weekend, but think I need more than one day without travel next time. I'll do a TR when I finish this one up.

This is Wednesday, August 22. If I remember correctly, Legoland didn't open until 10, so we didn't wake up too early. We hoped in the car and headed on our way.

I had my traveling mug full of coffee


Soon we saw this


I will say, the parking lot was a little confusing, obviously it was set up for cars to only go one way, but people were driving all over the place and parking wherever they wanted. We found our spot and made our way to the entrance.



Please pay attention to the look on Jacob's face. His expression the whole time at this park was so different than any other. He was so happy to be near his precious Legos!










Jacob said this looked like us


There were Lego creations everywhere, even the rooftops.






Look who else was at Legoland










Guard sleeping on the job




Our first ride was this little rollercoaster


Sadly, no ride photos because not only could I not have my camera out, I couldn't have my bag on the coaster. Jonas about freaked when he realized I had put my bag to the side with that rented lens in it. I wish I had sat it out and gotten pics of them riding, Jacob loved this little rollercoaster. It stayed indoors for a bit and there was a fantastic Lego Dragon. Sure wish they allowed the camera.

Next up he rode this


He was a little big for it, but was having fun.





Jacob decided he was too big for this one


I sure thought it looked like a cool ride. Jousting on Lego horses.

Continuing in the next post.

 

[lovethattink]

Looks like he really enjoyed himself. I am seeing some rides that weren't there the last time we were! You are right the parking lot is a zoo, very confusing!! My son loves the Joust. It's a cute ride.

 

[jmskinner]

Jacob decided to join the pack










The ride inside the building was like Buzz, we had a great time with it.



They really did a great job with the detailing in this park.






That was a great little wooden rollercoaster. This is about the size of the first coaster Jacob ever went on.

From here we went to Lego City, where Jacob was going to learn to drive.







First up was boating school




I found a good picture spot next to these guys




These boats are not on track, the kids actually have control of them. I know this because where I was standing was a stream of water, which I found funny since that is the side the parents are on. But while I was waiting, one kid turned his boat around because he missed the water.

Next up, the driving lesson.