A grand adventure of a lifetime! May 2014 ( THE FINAL)

[kidsfirsttrip]

I think you will LOVE CBR!!! By then you probally have a good chance of getting a reburbuished room with the queen size beds.
Oh you poor thing what do you do on thirds? Actually I love it! I work in a hospital lab so it is usually more quite on thirds then during the day. The unfortunite thing is when all hell hits at night it is only me to have to deal with it. So be it though I have gotten use to that and I am comfortable with it. Enjoy your trip! I would LOVE to read your TR if you choose to do one.

Unfortunately we got one of the last rooms they had at CBR so we are booked into the Pirate Rooms. I'd much rather be closer to the pool and Port Royale but the hotel will be booked up with FD. My understanding is the pirate rooms are the only ones not being refurbished. We figured DH and I would sleep with a kid each night for more room (DS8 and DD5). I'm an RN at a children's hospital. Same thing some nights can be quiet and other's holy hell with so many less people around. Will have to think about the trip report. Tough to find the time!

Love the parade pics. Amazing!!!

 

[horse11]

Unfortunately we got one of the last rooms they had at CBR so we are booked into the Pirate Rooms. I'd much rather be closer to the pool and Port Royale but the hotel will be booked up with FD. My understanding is the pirate rooms are the only ones not being refurbished. We figured DH and I would sleep with a kid each night for more room (DS8 and DD5). I'm an RN at a children's hospital. Same thing some nights can be quiet and other's holy hell with so many less people around. Will have to think about the trip report. Tough to find the time!

Love the parade pics. Amazing!!!

I still think you will love CBR! I have not stayed in the Pirate rooms but they really look cool! I think your kids will love the Pirate rooms! We did the same as you one adult sleeping with one child and worked out fine. My husband and I are use to sleeping in a King size bed but really I was very comfortable in the full. A queen is only 6 inches bigger so really no big deal at all.
Wow a nurse at a childrens hospital! My hats off to you! That is a tough job! I bet your are ready for a vacation! I can understand not having the time for a TR but Iwill be the first to read it if you do decide to do one

 

[horse11]

After quickly gathering up the family there was only one direction to go due to the way traffic was flowing. We were on a mission to get the kids to Jedi training but it was slow going due to the crowds. When we finally got there we were told to go to another building to check in and they would take the children to the stage. We made it to check in and they had already started but did alowed our boys to stay. Once given all the rules and robes they lead all the children to the stage. The boys were very excited! Jaden was hoping to fight Darth Mal. Once we got to the stage I just had to get a picture.

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This was the Jedi Master that was to be responsible for training the boys

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Of course he had to show off his skills.

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While each of the boys were each given training Jaden seriously started to feel the force.

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All the children had recieved their training just in time for it was not long after when the Dark Side made their appearence.

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Darth Mal would make his way toward the new young Jedi's that were down stage.

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This would leave Darth Vader to fight our boys.

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Now for safety reasons they never really let the kids make too many fast moves. Every move was well controlled and they only did one move at a time. Jaden found this to be less than desirable and had really hoped to let them have it! Well I have to say unless they had those guys padded down that will NEVER happen. All and all the boys had a blast and were given a certificate such as the one in the above picture. As much as I enjoyed watching them I was releaved that We had made it through the more stressfull part of the day. It would be smooth sailing from this point out or would it?

 

[debsters41]

Another great update. The pictures of the boys are really great, and it's true, you can tell they are really feeling it!

Having only girls and going to Disney only after they were teenagers, I have never seen the Jedi training. Do they do that all year round or only during SWW? It seems like a great experience, and there isn't an extra fee, right?

I am confident that it was all smooth sailing after this!

I know you said that this part of the day was stressful, but honestly, looking at those pictures, you know it was well worth it!

 

[mickeystoontown]

What fun the boys had fighting the dark side a/k/a Darth Vader! You can tell that they are totally taking in the whole experience. Back when Hunter was young, you used to have to stand in the crowd and keep your fingers crossed that they'd pick your child. There sure were a lot of disappointed kids in the crowd.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I love that they do the Jedi Training academy - and your boys seem to be soaking it in ... even though they wouldn't let them go all out

We haven't shown Star Wars to the kids yet (last time while on the line for Star Tours my daughter asked if the Ewoks are good guys or bad guys) but definitely something I hope we participate in some day

 

[horse11]

Another great update. The pictures of the boys are really great, and it's true, you can tell they are really feeling it!

Having only girls and going to Disney only after they were teenagers, I have never seen the Jedi training. Do they do that all year round or only during SWW? It seems like a great experience, and there isn't an extra fee, right?

I am confident that it was all smooth sailing after this!

I know you said that this part of the day was stressful, but honestly, looking at those pictures, you know it was well worth it!

Yes they do do Jedi Training year round I believe but it is more popular during Star War weekedns it seems. No extra fee .

OH my yes!!! It was totally worth it!!!! Those boys had the time of there lives!!!!

 

[horse11]

What fun the boys had fighting the dark side a/k/a Darth Vader! You can tell that they are totally taking in the whole experience. Back when Hunter was young, you used to have to stand in the crowd and keep your fingers crossed that they'd pick your child. There sure were a lot of disappointed kids in the crowd.

Oh wow I am sooooo glad they do not do it that way any more. That would really be tough.

 

[horse11]

I love that they do the Jedi Training academy - and your boys seem to be soaking it in ... even though they wouldn't let them go all out

We haven't shown Star Wars to the kids yet (last time while on the line for Star Tours my daughter asked if the Ewoks are good guys or bad guys) but definitely something I hope we participate in some day

They loved it!!!

You guys really should try some time to go if you are at all Star Wars fans. Your kids are still pretty little so you have time. By the way enjoy your trip! I am so excited for you guys!

 

[ElenaJane]

Everytime I see pictures of the Jedi Training in the summer I worry about how hot it must be!!! Did your boys get overheated? Or are the robes lighter material than they look? Either way, it looks like your boys got into it! What a great mom fighting through crowds for them!

 

[horse11]

Everytime I see pictures of the Jedi Training in the summer I worry about how hot it must be!!! Did your boys get overheated? Or are the robes lighter material than they look? Either way, it looks like your boys got into it! What a great mom fighting through crowds for them!

The material is lighter and them seemed to fine. I never heard them complain at all but I have a feeling that was due to their excitment. Although that area is right in the full sun for the most part. I just wish I could have made it better for them for the parade. The kids are already asking when we can go back and they are requesting to do everything the same. With that in mind I will save a little extra and watch these boards like a hawk to make sure we get the special tickets for the Star Wars Desert party for the special area (which is shadded) for the parade and the fireworks.

 

[horse11]

Over all the rest of our day at Hollywood Studios went very well. We never waited long in line for anything and we fit in pretty much everything we wanted to with the exception of Tower of Terror which all the adults in our group would have loved. Since the boys just are not ready for that level of adventure yet we choose to avoid it. Now looking at the rest of my pictures for this park I realize I could and should have taken much more intresting ones but once again this was put away in my brain for future refrence. Since we had photo pass plus we really took advantage of the photographer shots avaliable.

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Alex decided to make a funny face and I think jaden was trying to make sure his belly did not go past the picture frame.

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The rest of our day was a mixture of planned events and spontanity. Bill took advantage of the unplanned time and decided to lead the group to the Backlot Tour. The boys really seemd to like the truck that caught on fire the best.

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Bill on the other hand loved this plane.

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While growing up I spent Saturday nights watching the Muppet Show so I really wanted the boys to see Muppet Vision 3D. Bill really did not think it would be something the boys would care to see but went along with the plan. Right outside the show before going in we found this really cool waterfall.

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Well I have to say the boys LOVED the show!!! I never heard so much giggling like I did while they watched it. Nothing is sweeter than hearing your children laugh.

We had a FP+ for The Toy Story Mania so we decided to head over. Boy all I can tell you is I was soooooooo glad we had a FP+ the line was 160minutes!!! We got right in and were the next ones to board when the ride went down. We figured we made it this far we might as well wait. It was not long before they got the ride going again. It ended up being our favorite ride at Hollywood studios. Out side the ride we ran into this green fellow. The boys love it and of course Noah had to get an autograph.

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We still had time to kill before our FP+ for The Great Movie Ride which had been my favorite ride at HS on my first visit to WDW. When the boys were younger one of their favorite movies was the Little Mermaid. This was also mine as a young teen growing up when the movie first came out. I decided to run up ahead and see when the next showing of Voyage of the Little Mermaid was in hope we would have time to fit it in. What luck the next showing was going to start shortly as long as we could get in. We decided to go for it and got in line as the line began to move in to the building I got worried we would not make it but sure enough we got in! Of course this show was a big hit with the entire family except Bill whom found it too girly. Some where else in the Park we found this waterfall which I loved. It only seems natural to post it after the little Mermaid show.

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The great Movie Ride Was Next. I just love this ride! The boys really seemed to like it as well. Mom Loved it! I had made some attepts to get pictures on this ride but none of them seemed to be on my camera. Not quite sure what happened unless I did not have the camera on for some reason. I guess we will just have to come back to get those pictures.

We all enjoyed Hollywood Studios but it can be one of the hotter parks at WDW since there does not seem to be much shade. The boys were getting hot , thirsty, and hungry. Just in time since our Dinner reservation at Mama Melrose was coming up. Eating here would also assure us a reserved spot for Fantasmic. The boys really enjoyed watching the cooks prepare peoples meals. It helped keep everyone quite while waiting to be seated.

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I managed to get a picture of everyone just before they lost steam.

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Shortly after dinner Jaden had asked if we were going to go back to the resort. After we told him we had another show planned he nearly begged us to go back to our resort, Little Alex was also loosing steam very quickly. Noah however wanted to stay for the show even though he looked as tired as his brothers. Bill offered to take the boys back and assured me he would make sure they got a bath and headed to bed early. This lead me to think about our near future plans. I had planned the perfect Pirate Adventure and had reserved the Pirate Pals Cruise to see Wishes from the water for a special last night at WDW. It was to be our 2nd MK day and the same day I had reserved the Pirates League for the boys. They could be dressed like pirates and go on a grand adventure. At that moment looking at my exhusted boys who had completely lost steam I realized a late night adventure may be too much for them. May be R& R poolside at the resort after our MK day would be a better choice. Since we were just in the 48 hour window I thought it would be best to cancel Pirate Pals Cruise. This was a very hard decision for me and I had only hoped it was the right decision. "No worries," I told myself. We we still have Epcot to look forward to in the morning. There would be no need to get to the park at rope drop so sleeping in would be a great way for everyone to recover.

So the four of us that were remaining headed off to Fantasmic. Noah had the time of his life and really enjoyed special time alone with us while he watched the show. We managed to get a great picture with the Tower of Terror in the background. After Fantasmic I took care of getting all our pictures on my photo pass card while Noah and my parents were treated to a special Star Wars fire work show. It was the perfect way to end the Star Wars Adventure!

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[mickeystoontown]

Another great update! Isn't it crazy how popular Toy Story Mania is even though it's several years old? I'd never wait 100+ miute to see or do anything. Good thing you guys had FP and decided to wait out the ride shut down. I agree with you that Hollywood Studios seems like a hot park...hot as in.."man, it's hot out here"...park.

We have eaten at Mama Melrose's several times and I hadn't noticed that you could watch the chefs at work. Probably because it's been busy in the waiting area so we go outside to wait. I'll have to be sure and look for the chefs.

 

[DrTiger]

What fun magic shots you got!
It's funny how you think you are taking a million pictures at the time, but later you wish you'd taken even more! I'm working on scrapbook pages from my trip about the same time as yours (your trip report is inspiring me today!) and I have a lot more pictures in my head than in my camera!
I'm always torn between rest and pool time, and seeing that late night show or fireworks. Wish I could clone myself!
Looking forward to the EPCOT update!

 

[horse11]

Another great update! Isn't it crazy how popular Toy Story Mania is even though it's several years old? I'd never wait 100+ miute to see or do anything. Good thing you guys had FP and decided to wait out the ride shut down. I agree with you that Hollywood Studios seems like a hot park...hot as in.."man, it's hot out here"...park.

We have eaten at Mama Melrose's several times and I hadn't noticed that you could watch the chefs at work. Probably because it's been busy in the waiting area so we go outside to wait. I'll have to be sure and look for the chefs.

That is exactly what I meant by "Hot Park" just seems like one you are looking for indoor things to do to get out of the Florida sun and heat.

Yeah it was kind of fun watching the cooks at Mama Melrose but more importantly it keep the kids entertained instead of asking, " When are we going to eat?"

 

[horse11]

What fun magic shots you got!
It's funny how you think you are taking a million pictures at the time, but later you wish you'd taken even more! I'm working on scrapbook pages from my trip about the same time as yours (your trip report is inspiring me today!) and I have a lot more pictures in my head than in my camera!
I'm always torn between rest and pool time, and seeing that late night show or fireworks. Wish I could clone myself!
Looking forward to the EPCOT update!

I do I fore see a TR in your future??? I would live to read about it!

Yes that last day is kind of tough to choose what to do.

 

[horse11]

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After a great nights rest with no real hurry to get up early our family slept in for the first time in four nights. Although this was my favorite park and the park I was most looking forward to it was important for the rest of the family to be refreshed. We got to the park a little after 10 so there would be no rope drop for Bill to be concerned about. In fact this would be just a relaxing day just taking our time and taking in the beauty of the worlds. I was looking forward to finding some of the topiaries. To my surprise there would be one at the front entrance.

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Now Noah had become pretty good at finding some meets and greets to add to his collection of autographs. I have to admit this can become addicting even for an adult. Pluto was right there as soon as we entered with hardly any wait at all. He Was soooo adorable I had to laugh though watching him sign Noah book. Apparently his eyes are on top of his head beacause he had to hold the book way up high I really should have gotten a picture of that.

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Moving on towards the Seas where our first FP+ would be we came across this little guy. I believe this is were some of the special garden seminars were which I would have loved to check out but since the boys would have no intrest in it we focused on the rides that they could do to keep it enjoyable for them. Of course I still had to take a picture because he was just too darn cute!

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We went on the Finding Nemo Ride first and everyone adults and children in our group really enjoyed this ride. once the kids got off we noticed they could have their picture taken in the mouth of a shark. With our ADR to Coral Reef coming up we thought it may be fun to come back to get the photo opp but infortunitly we forgot all about it. Once we got in side the restaurant I noticed how pretty the lights were as well as the neat seahorse design on the doors.

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Since we had the very first time slot I got to take a picture before the most people came into the dining room.

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We loved the atmosphere of this restaurant but we were not too impressed with the food. Guess we were getting a little spolied. We did get a chance to get a group shot so we could remember how neat it looked inside.

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The most memorable part of the dinning was desert. They really were fancy and the kids loved it! Alex had the cup cake with the sugar crab on top. At first he did not want to eat it thinking he could save it and take it home. It did not take long before he changed his mind.

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I ordered the cheesecake and gave it to Noah and Bill did the same for Jaden.

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Mom ordered a desert that looked so pretty I just had to get a picture.

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When everyone was done with there meal the kids could nor resist getting a closer look at the fish in the tank. I tried to get a shot of the shark as he was swimming by but he was too quick for my camera.

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After our relaxing lunch we were off to our FP+ for Mission Space. Before entering the ride I had to have a picture of yet another topary

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looking at the wait time it did not even make sence to use our FP since it was only a 10 minute wait. As a group we were all chicken and went on the mild side without all the spinning. Wish I took a picture of Jaden. He really thought he was controlling the ride. He was so worried that he had that type of reponsability. I could not hel;p but chuckle inside and played along. Bill and I both told him what an amazing job he had done Noah went with mome and dad. Well that was it. The boys were hooked. They rode three more time bacb to back. When we got off the ride for the last time they found a jungle gym area were they could crawl through to tunnels. I swear if it was not for the fact that we had another FP we would never get have gotten them out of there. It was kind of fune watching the other parents attempting to get their children oout of there. Kids are smart and they know the last thing an adult wants todo is crawl in there after them. Our next FP was for soaring. I never thought of taking pictures of the screen. What an amazing ride! I loved the smell ot the pine trees and the orange orchards. WOW that adds a whole new aspect to rides.

Finally it was time for the part I was looking forward too. A trip around the WORLD!!!!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

glad you had a good rest of the day at DHS ... especially that the boys loved the Muppets 3D as that has the connection to your childhood - love being able to see my kids enjoy things I did as a kid (hmmm, maybe that is why we like Disney World so much )

That is great that things worked out and Noah got some alone time with you and his grandparents - I am sure he appreciated it.

I am sure it was tough to cancel the Pirates and Pals trip but pushing kids too much is just never a good idea and would impact future days as well. Plus, they still have the Pirate League as a special thing that day!

EPCOT is my favorite park as well - just love walking around it, especially the World Showcase. Glad your kids enjoyed Mission Space so much. Is funny that there is all this amazing technologically advanced attractions but sometimes it is just a play area or water feature that the kids enjoy the most

 

[horse11]

glad you had a good rest of the day at DHS ... especially that the boys loved the Muppets 3D as that has the connection to your childhood - love being able to see my kids enjoy things I did as a kid (hmmm, maybe that is why we like Disney World so much )

That is great that things worked out and Noah got some alone time with you and his grandparents - I am sure he appreciated it.

I am sure it was tough to cancel the Pirates and Pals trip but pushing kids too much is just never a good idea and would impact future days as well. Plus, they still have the Pirate League as a special thing that day!

EPCOT is my favorite park as well - just love walking around it, especially the World Showcase. Glad your kids enjoyed Mission Space so much. Is funny that there is all this amazing technologically advanced attractions but sometimes it is just a play area or water feature that the kids enjoy the most

I agree. II love sharring with them the things that made me happy. Hearing them giggle was icing on the cake!

Oh don't let Noah fool you. He has a way getting his one on one time which the other two have not picked up on yet

Yes canceling that trip was VERY hard but I also knew it was the right thing to do.

One of these days I am going to take a photgraphy class and when I go back to EPCOT all I am going to do is photgraph the World Showcase.
Oh yes simple example of that is the water spirting out off the sidewalk at DD posted at the beginning of our trip. We are in the Amusement capital of the world and they could have stayed there the whole time and been content.

 

[horse11]

I love EPCOT and I also love flowers so we would be there at the perfect time. I could hardly wait! On our way there we came accross a Topiary of one of the kids favorite shows so I knew I could get them to take a picture by it.

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Since we had a 6:00 pm ADR in Canada we started our journey in Mexico. I remember the boat ride and the beautiful candle lite restaurant that layed just with in it's borders. It was getting pretty hot outside so this worked out perfect! the boys enjoyed this ride and and it was great way to cool down. Now I know for sure something happened to some of my pictures because I know for a fact I took pictures on the boat and inside. Some how they were not on my disk when I loaded them for this part of my TR. Unfortunately I have since reformated my memory card so those picture are lost in cyber space some where Moving on to our next stop we found ourselves in Norway. Would you believe I for got to look for the ride here! Guess we got a little side tracked by the opportunity to get a photo op. Now do you remember my posting this Disney Bound out fit? Did any one ever guess who I was trying to be?

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What I failed to show you due to not having a picture of it was the one shoulder light blue top that you see me in in these previous EPCOT pictures. I was hoping that seeing the one should top will help. If not, here is one more clue. Notice the blue strip of hair.

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Noah also got a close up

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And us together by the Troll Topiary

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and finally my Disney Bound character reveiled!

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If you have not guessed it I am Silver Mist. Yeah that may be a stretch but it was the best I could do. I felt a fairy just some how belonged in the Flower and Garden Fest.

Since I air headed it and completley missing the Maestrom Ride we headed to China.

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We seemed to spend a lot of time here for some reason. We got there just in time for the Acrobat show.

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After the Acrobat show mom thought she saw that the meet and greet for Mulan was up next. Since we had twenty minutes to kill until her meeting time I went and got a green tea mango flavored. OMG that had to be the best tea I have ever had!! I also got mom Plum Wine. Mom use to get that when we went out to a Fancy Chinese Restaurants at home so I could not resist getting it for her. Mom said it was assume! Probally the best she had ever had as well. It was then time for the meet and greet but instead of Mulan gracing us with her presence the Chinese Acrobats came out again. Now I really liked their performace but not enough to watch it all over again. Not sure what happened there but the boys seemed to find there own fun! They went shopping and found some Chinese plastic swords they just had to have. Then Alex found a stuffed dog marionette. It was really neat watching him try to make it dance. Of course then the other boys also had to have one. For some reason they could not get my maagic band to work in order to pay for them so the man kindly led me to the other gift shop. They did manage to get it to work but we lost a lot of time there between that and waiting for the meet and greet that did not happened. We then made our way to Japan

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Once we hit Japan we were lucky enough to run into another Photographer.

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In Japan we got pretty lucky because the drummers show had just started. They are amazing to watch.

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Once the show was over I quickly looked at my watch. With time ticking away and getting closer to our ADR time we would have to step it up a notch.