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

[horse11]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO jealous!!!!!!! Hopefully, they can bring a Stars Wars character breakfast to Disneyland one day. *fingers crossed*

I have only been to Disneyland once and that was when I was a child. Do they have Star Wars Weekend there? That would be cool!!!!!

 

[horse11]

I loved that update because I love hearing stories about how things often work out better than expected from a disappointment.... Every cloud has a silver lining!

There were actually several things in our trip that worked out that way. I guess in life if remain flexible things have a way of working themselves out.

 

[horse11]

That is frustrating about the ADR for SciFi. Sounds like they made you move to a totally ridiculous time so they could make tons more money instead on the SW breakfast! Glad it all worked out though!

I think they ran into problems trying to place everyone in a time slot. With it being that close Sci Fi was booked solid. I wonder how much more crowded Sci Fi was that afternoon with having to add more people to already booked slots. There is a strong possibility thay many of those people found out of the breakfast and booked it instead or they canceled all together.That was just it! I do believe that Disney was willing to take the heat because they knew that they would have plenty of people fighting to get a spot for the breakfast making them the all mighty dollar. My only problem with it is I think they should at least have informed us why they had to move our time. It would have cause a lot less stress.

 

[BebopAngel88]

I have only been to Disneyland once and that was when I was a child. Do they have Star Wars Weekend there? That would be cool!!!!!

No weekend. There is just one day a year where there is an unofficial Star Wars Day and this year is June 22nd. A bunch of fans just get to together and wear Star Wars tshirts because they can't wear costumes. This is their 10th year and it seems to get pretty big but nothing like what WDW has.

 

[horse11]

oh that is too bad! I always thought that they would would expand at Disney land. Add more parks there. Is there just not the room for that type of expansion?

 

[horse11]

It was finally here! Arrival Day! After three years of planning we finally made it to our arrival day but would we make the plane? Our flight was scheduled for 6:15am. We live an hour from the airport and my husband insisted we get to the airport no later than 1 1/2 hours before take off. I was amazed at how easily it was to wake the kids. Noah was more than willing to help dad load the luggage in the van. We managed to leave the house by 3:30am. Our yougest child wanted to know why we were leaving in the middle of the night. "To get the most of the day of course!" I replied. I was a bit nervous since I was the one responsible for making all the plans I also was the one who had all the information and would have to check us in at the airport. Did I have all the information? Did I have my ID? What if our luaggage is too heavy? All these questions made me very anxious. The one thing that calmed was was watching my boys with their luggage. I could not resist the temptation to take a picture after all this would be the boys first flight! How exciting!!!

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To my amazement it was actually quite easy to check in at the airport. We checked in using the assistance of a computer and wola our boarding passes printed out. Easy Pease! Our check bag weight was just fine so it was on to the scanning. Bill and I knew to wear sandels which made it easy to take them off during the scanning process. The boys being new to this and wanting to wear their Gym shoes took a little longer. Everything was a new experience to them. After making it through the scanning process we checked our boarding passes for the correct gate. After finding the gate it was just a waiting game from there. The sun had finally come up. Noah was taking everything in. while the other boys stuck there nose's in their Kindle Fire, Noah was learning how the planes come into the gates.

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It was coming close to six and yet no one seemed to be getting ready to load us. This seemed very strange. I looked at our boarding passes just to be sure we had the correct gate. Sure enough everything was correct. Once again since I was the one who made these plans I felt responsible to make sure everything ran smoothly. Not comfortable with the fact that no one mentioned anything about loading I decided to head up to the front counter and have a look around. To my amazement the sign said Minneaplolis . This could not be right! We were supose to fly to Atlanta! I nervously walked over to my husband and explained that there must be a problem. He brushed me off and said everything was fine. In my head I could hear a voice. "No No EVERYTHING is NOT FINE! There was something wrong! I started to head down the hallway frantically checking the signs by the gates. Mom sensed my nervousness and follwed me. Way down the hallway to almost the last gate was the sign Atlanta Ga. We ran up to the counter only to be told the gate had changed and we had two minutes to board. REALLY!!!! Not one person in my group heard them make any announcement of gate changes. Being that this is a small airport there really is no digital board alarming you of gate changes. We nervously explained that the rest of our group was WAY down the gates and asked if there was any way they could wait. The man applogogized and informed us there was nothing he could do. We RAN as fast as we could waving our arms in the air trying to get the attention of the rest of our family.Honestly it must have been quite a site! For a moment in time my world stood still. Would three years of planning come to this? I just could not believe this was happening! There seemed to be no way we were going to make it!

 

[debsters41]

Oh my Goodness!!! I can NOT believe that they did that to you! What are they playing at telling you that there was nothing they could do??? When passengers have checked in at the airport don't they announce their names when they fail to get on board??? I am feeling your anxiety and you are already safe at home .

The boys look so dashing in their matching traveling outfits.

I can't wait for the next installment!

 

[horse11]

Oh my Goodness!!! I can NOT believe that they did that to you! What are they playing at telling you that there was nothing they could do??? When passengers have checked in at the airport don't they announce their names when they fail to get on board??? I am feeling your anxiety and you are already safe at home .

The boys look so dashing in their matching traveling outfits.

I can't wait for the next installment!

I had an unbelievable amount of axiety!!! Honestly if I was not around a bunch of people I probally would have cried! Thank God flight fright mechanizm kicked in instead. Believe it or not when we got back to the rest of our group we quickly and were loudly explained what was going on there were SEVERAL people joining us in our race to catch the plane. they claimed they announced it but how could that many people have not heard it? I just know they would have had a lot of angry people. I can laugh about it now espically when I think about what we all must have looked like.
Yeah I thought it would be fun to get the boys matching outfits. I can get away with it while they are young but not sure how long that will last. It does make it easier shopping for all of them.

 

[horse11]

With no time to complain my mother and I ran as fast as we phyically could. When we got close to the gate our family was comfortably waiting at we started waving our arms wildly and yelling their names. My husband insisted they would have to wait for us but I was not so confident. Mom and I were pretty loud when we quicly explained that the gate was changed. To my surprise their were SEVERAL people in the same boat. Now imagine if you will a large amount of people running with carry ons in hand for the second to the last gate. Must have been quite a site. It sure was NOT funny at the time. With no seconds to spare they allowed us on the plane. I really do not think we could have cut it any closer if we tried! to this day I can not believe how close we were to not catching that plane and if that happened my TR would have had an entirely different title. So my husbands theory of getting to the airport so early really did not help us in this situation. Although I have learned a valuable lesson. Not only check your boarding passes for the correct gate but make sure the sign by the gate is the correct destination.

After catching our breath we found our seats. I arranged to have one adult per child since we were on a small plane at first which the rows were all two seaters. Since this was my boys first flight I set it up so they each got the window seat on each flight we took. Now most people do not get excited about airplane food but for our boys it was an assume adventure!

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I am not really sure who was more tired my dad or Jaden!

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Now for the people who love life to the fullest they were just excited to have made it to their seats!

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Making it safely to Atlanta. I learned real quick to check the gate AND the the sign for the correct Destination. The boys were very excited to get on the plane and hoped for more airplane treats! By the second flight they were a pro. Noah was already prepared for the snack and drink by lowering his table. The boys even earned their wings! They each recieved a Delta Wings pin! Now that would have made a great picture! Sorry folks, I learn as I go. Will definitely think about taking pictures in reguards to writting a trip report for or next adventure! Jaden and Noah both had gum to chew on the flight in preparation for the decent. Little Alex does not like gum but seemed to do fine on the first flight. So all was well and I started to relax a little catching a few winks here and there. I woke to the sound of the "DING DONG". I knew we were getting close and the plane was about to decend. My relaxtion turned into a nightmare! No worries no plane trouble! Had you worried there didn't I ? I turned to look at Alex who was sitting by me and he started to cry holding his ears. The pain on his face was too much to bare. I turned towards mom who was sitting with Noah in hopes to get a piece of gum and noticed Noah was too holding his ears and whinning about the pain and he even had gum in his mouth. I felt helpless and worrried. It would be a long and painful decend for them. We must have been traveling higher for some reason beacause I was not quite sure why this flight bothered them but not the first. We tried getting them to drink and eat in hopes to help them pressurize. For a moment I thought back to my first flight. With my husband and I both divers he taught me how to hold by nose and blow in order to equalibriate. I wished I had known that on my first flight. I remember the pain and I thought my head would burst so I know first hand what those boys were going through. I quickly thought of teaching them the tecnique Bill had taught me. I am sure we looked pretty funny attempting to teach the kids this technique. Unfortunitly nothing seemed to work until we made touch down. WOW what a day and our adventure was just begining!

When we got to airport we quickly found out that the airport in itself was and adventure for the boys. The monorail train was so much fun for them! They enjoyed sitting in the window as the train raced by through tunnels and differnent gates stops. Again would have made a great picture! Unfortunitly we live in a very small town. I do not take the boys to the mall often due to two reasons; it is an hour away and mom gets more done with all the males at home. This causes for a problem on our trip since my oldest and middle child are a bit nervous about the esculator. Yeah you heard me right the esculator. For some reason they think it is a dealth trap. Alex on the other hand goes up and down with no problems. Can you imagine how funny it looks when a big boy like Noah is screeming in fear for his life as we stand at the top of the esculator while dad is taking Alex up and down and up and down waiting for us to make it down once. Orlando airport quicly did not become our friend when we were faced with the largest esculator the kids had ever seen! We told Noah it was the only way to Disney World. He some how found the bravery in his heart and made it down the esculator! Once again I am sure we were quite a site as we all cheered at his accomplishment! The adventures and expirences these kids have had so far and we were just getting started! Finally we were off to find the Magic Express. Along the way we found this beautiful water fall.

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When we located the Magic Express it felt like we were being lead to heaven! I would not just share this with everyone but I even started to tear up. We finally made it! When we entered the bus I found it hard to even call it a bus! It was so luxurious and they even had a bathroom on it. Of course Noah had to try it out. So for the first time that day I felt truly relaxed. I found my self day dreaming about what our resort would be like and thought about how excited I was to begin this Adventure!

 

[horse11]

When we arrived to our destination we were dropped off at Carribean Beach Resort Custom House. We were imediately weclomed by the beauty of tropical flowers. I really thought the Custom House was quite pretty on the inside. The man that checked us in was very kind and informative. He spent a lot of time explaining everything to us from Magic Hours to how our dinning plan worked. He even gave us a few helpful hints. When we had all the information he pulled out one additional surprise! Each of the boys were given a pirate sword and a eye patch to help them transform Disney style. Of course it did not take long for the boys to transform.

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The man that checked us in was even able to provide us with some Disney Magic! We requested Jamica 45 and he came through for us! Our room was not quite ready and we were informed that we would recieve a text when it was. Since we had dinner reservation for Fulton's Crab House we decided to grab the bus to Downtown Disney. While waiting for the bus even Jaden got into the spirit!

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It did not take long and we were heading to Downtown Disney. At the entrance of the shopping area was a ground water fountain that appeared to be magical! The water would shoot up from holes in the ground and then disappear. It also seemed to be magnetic because from some reason our the boys were drawn to its power and were completley mystified!

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While exploring Downtown Disney we came accross a few photo opps to show off the boys pirate transformation Disney Style!

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Having boys has saved me a small fortune on this trip! If we had girls this would be coming home with us!

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Further along our travels the boys came accross what they felt was Heaven on earth!

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Once inside it was near impossible to get them out!

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One of my foundest childhood memories is when my grandmother would take me Downtown in Chicago at Christmas time. The windows would transform to a magical Christmas scene. I would find myself starring as if time stood still. For a brief moment I felt taken back in time as I gazed into the windows of this store front.

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It was getting close to the time for our dinner reservations at Fulton's Crab House. I was getting very excited to take my parents there and to begin the wine and dine process. We had an assume waiter! He took his time and explained how our dinning plan worked and went on to explain that we could have ANYTHING of the menu! He really treated us like we were royalty! It was the first that my family had been any where that offered hot lemon towels for clean up. My dad get use to the idea pretty quickly and decided to order the FULL lobster but was a bit lost on how to attack his meal. Our waiter was great and provided a demonstration for my dad.

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I was hoping this was not going to be a sign of things to come.

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After having a fantastic meal I recieved a text saying our rooms were ready. There had been a rummor that the rooms at CBR were to start being remodeled and the Finding Nemo Theme would be no more. I was excited to head to the bus which would take us back to our resort but would the boys be disappointed or would their dreams come true and see Nemo as we opened the door?

 

[debsters41]

Great update! Now I am beginning to agree that your vacation was indeed a very Grand Adventure! And you haven't even been to your room yet! There is no doubt in my mind that the boys will remember this trip forever, and could well likely inspire them to create grand adventures for their own children

I am with you on the tearing up... I tear up when....
... I book the vacation...
... I book the flights...
... I read trip reports like yours...
... I begin to pack...
... I get up on leaving day...
etc

I am so sorry about the boys and the ear/air pressure. The only thing that works for me is 'yawning' or even fake yawning.

Love love love the pictures of the boys 'discovery' of the fountains and with the swords. I can't wait to see their reaction to the room

 

[horse11]

Great update! Now I am beginning to agree that your vacation was indeed a very Grand Adventure! And you haven't even been to your room yet! There is no doubt in my mind that the boys will remember this trip forever, and could well likely inspire them to create grand adventures for their own children

I am with you on the tearing up... I tear up when....
... I book the vacation...
... I book the flights...
... I read trip reports like yours...
... I begin to pack...
... I get up on leaving day...
etc

I am so sorry about the boys and the ear/air pressure. The only thing that works for me is 'yawning' or even fake yawning.



Love love love the pictures of the boys 'discovery' of the fountains and with the swords. I can't wait to see their reaction to the room

I teared up several times on this vacation. I felt a lot better about it when I saw some one had started a thread on it. So I guess we are not alone.

Yeah we tried ahowing the "Yawn" as well but could not get it through to them.

 

[MamaP]

I love reading your report! We also have saved and planned for years to go for the first time this November, and I am a total super planner as well. And I also tear up all the time planning things! I even tear up during the intro of Disney movies when they show the castle. Sigh. I'm a big baby.

 

[horse11]

I love reading your report! We also have saved and planned for years to go for the first time this November, and I am a total super planner as well. And I also tear up all the time planning things! I even tear up during the intro of Disney movies when they show the castle. Sigh. I'm a big baby.

I teared up at the Disney movie Frozen and also at Disney World advertisements on TV. I just keep thinking of our upcoming trip and how happy it would make my boys as well as my parents. I have a feeling you will be shedding even more tears of joy once your trip is finaly here! I would love to hear about it if you decided to do a TR. Have a great time!

 

[DrTiger]

Just catching up and really enjoying your report!
Makes me remember (many years ago when I was about Noah's age) my first airplane trip.I even saved the napkins for my scrapbook.
Which airport did you fly out of? I've flown in and out of Peoria and Bloomington, and maybe even Springfield once, to visit family. My sister insists that arriving 45 minutes before the flight is plenty of time, but I'm used to the big airports and want to be there WAY early.
I had to chuckle as I pictured you running to your gate. But I can feel your panic!
Can't wait to hear more!

 

[horse11]

Just catching up and really enjoying your report!
Makes me remember (many years ago when I was about Noah's age) my first airplane trip.I even saved the napkins for my scrapbook.
Which airport did you fly out of? I've flown in and out of Peoria and Bloomington, and maybe even Springfield once, to visit family. My sister insists that arriving 45 minutes before the flight is plenty of time, but I'm used to the big airports and want to be there WAY early.
I had to chuckle as I pictured you running to your gate. But I can feel your panic!
Can't wait to hear more!

Do you know my Noah by any chance? That is him to a T. He saves EVERYTHING LOL! We flew out of Peoria. Never had any problems before. I can laugh about it now but man we came sooooo close. I have learned a valuable lesson from that experience. I actually have the opportunity to go to Tampa in October for a confrence for work if I would like to go. I was hoping to do a small two day side trip at WDW. Not sure what is going on but flights are higher then when we went in May plus the times are awful! It does not seem to be much better through Springfield or Bloomington. Bloomington seems to have the best rate but in order to get that price you have to fly out at 4pm and arrive at MCO at 12:55am. Most are 11 hour flights due to lay overs. You would think they would have better flights to MCO! Have my Disney Resort reservations but not sure if I will go due to the flights avilable plus not sure how I feel about going solo. Any ideas on what is going on with flights?

 

[horse11]

I was pretty excited to get back to the resort and bit worried as well. The boys were looking forward to the Finding Nemo decor. So would that be the room we get? It was dark when we arrived back at the resort so we really did not get a chance to get a good look around at the grounds. As we approached the rooms the boys nearly ran us over in order to be the first to use their Magic Bands. It took a few attempts for them to get it right. As they opening the door this is what they saw.....

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Yeah! Victory! The boys were elated on seeing Nemo. The simple joys of life! We had been up for nearly 20 hours by this point but some how you could never tell it on Alex's face.

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Alex had no problems showing off our tropical hideaway for the next 6 nights and IMOP did it quite well! Step aside Vanna White!

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The room was very clean and fresh. No oder what so ever like others had mentioned. I was very pleased. Call me crazy but I really like the green color furniture and the little stting bench. It opened up for storage which was quite helpful. The fridge was a bit hidden in the dresser so it really made the room look nice. It was a bit late to ask for our Garden Grocer order so I thought I would call and have it arranged for the morning.

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Noah found this little surprise in the bathroom. He was one of the first to find all the nooks and cranies. Of course we had to save them for him to take home.

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Now I once owned cats in my past. And to be a cat owner you learn real quick that they spend most of their time sleeping but for some reason they go nuts around 10pm for about 20 minutes. It is almost as if they go crazy running nuts through the house. That would pretty much describe the boys for the next 20 minutes. During this time they perfected using their magic bands. How you ask? Well since we had connecting rooms they would first run from room to room shutting and opeaning the inner doors. Then they would make a mad dash out one of the outside doors only to use their bands to get in the next door. Who would get to open the door depended on which child was staying in that room. Mom and Dad got Jaden and Noah and Bill and I got Alex.
Once unpacked it was time to call it a night. We would have a very early day since we planned on doing rope drop at Magic Kingdom in the morning. I called to have Garden Grocer deliver our groceries by 6:00 am. This would work out great since we planned on grabing a cereal bar and a water to eat on the run. I am almost glad I was so exausted other wise I would have been up half the night filled with excitement and anticipation about the next day. Would Magic Kingdom be MAGICAL for ALL of us?

 

[debsters41]

Love the pictures! The enthusiasm of the boys is catching. I bet the Magic bands were a lot of fun for them this day. I can just imagine that my girls would also have been suitably enchanted.

I am curious if the excitement at the prospect for Magic Kingdom would be enough to get 7 exhausted people out of bed bright and early the next morning

 

[belle79]

aww this looks like such a great start to a trip!!!!

 

[horse11]

Love the pictures! The enthusiasm of the boys is catching. I bet the Magic bands were a lot of fun for them this day. I can just imagine that my girls would also have been suitably enchanted.

I am curious if the excitement at the prospect for Magic Kingdom would be enough to get 7 exhausted people out of bed bright and early the next morning

There is a lot to fit in a once in a life time vacation. Here is a bit of a spolier alert or fore shadowing if you will. An important lesson in life is to be flexible.