A Jan 2009 TR... twins, one parent and 103 degree fevers! **UD 11-28 w/ pics**

[Northern Disney Girl]

Great update!

Hope your little munchkin started to feel better soon! Not fun to be sick anywhere! But at Disney? Poor Girl!

I know the weather was cool that day! You guys missed the coldest day though! The day before was super cold ALL Day! If I remember correctly, it did warm up a fair bit that Thursday! We were at MK for AM EMH that morning and by the time we left the park at around noon it was around 60 degrees or so The day before we were at DHS all day and it never got warmer than about 45 degrees all day!

Here is a pic of our family at DHS on Wednesday January 21st 2009 -

Being from Northern Ontario, it was A LOT warmer than at home but still not what we were expecting! Glad it finally warmed up!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Man! I saw your counter and figured we would just miss each other! I love love love Disney in January, though!


I'm planning on 2 TS meals a day, and we'll figure out what to do with our other credit along the way. And, since we're doing the early arrival and late departure, we have almost 6 days to burn through... 45 credits and 30 snacks. Okay, it's a TON of food. I'll be lining my luggage with Mickey Mouse Rice Krispie treats!

See, this is how I justified the extra $250 to myself when I upgraded!

That will be a nice way to make your trip last just a little bit longer! Y'all can have some Disney treats with your lunches for a while and think Happy Disney thoughts!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Hi! I am enjoying your trip report. The WL is beautiful . Your girls are adorable. Thank you for sharing your photos with us. Can't wait for the next installment.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

hi Cheryl!

I'm here and looking forward to hearing all about your trip! Your girls are precious...so sorry about the fever though. That really does stink!

Oh....the abbreviation for Hoop De Doo Review is HDDR! LOL....just helping out!

Can't wait for more! I hope Sophia feels better and you make it to the MK.

 

[cdhale]

Great update!

Hope your little munchkin started to feel better soon! Not fun to be sick anywhere! But at Disney? Poor Girl!

I know the weather was cool that day! You guys missed the coldest day though! The day before was super cold ALL Day! If I remember correctly, it did warm up a fair bit that Thursday! We were at MK for AM EMH that morning and by the time we left the park at around noon it was around 60 degrees or so The day before we were at DHS all day and it never got warmer than about 45 degrees all day!

The first day was definitely the coldest, and really only bad in the morning and that night. I had (perhaps unwisely) left our winter jackets in the car in Maryland. We had wind breakers and sweat shirts and wore lots of layers the first couple days. You all look chilly!

Hi! I am enjoying your trip report. The WL is beautiful . Your girls are adorable. Thank you for sharing your photos with us. Can't wait for the next installment.

Thanks and welcome!

hi Cheryl!

I'm here and looking forward to hearing all about your trip! Your girls are precious...so sorry about the fever though. That really does stink!

Oh....the abbreviation for Hoop De Doo Review is HDDR! LOL....just helping out!

Can't wait for more! I hope Sophia feels better and you make it to the MK.

Hi Missy! Thanks for reading... next post we do actually make it to MK. It's really on day 2 that all hell broke loose!! I hope to have an update up soon.

 

[cdhale]

Because my ADR day is this Friday I need to make some choices. We're doing deluxe dining, and I'm going to try to book a Castle lunch. My girls loved character meals, so we're also planning on Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's (which I could do without, but we're staying at CR, so...), Garden Grill, Park Fare and Tusker House. Even though H and S are not into princesses like they once were, they really enjoy meeting them.

I also want to have some non-character meals, especially when my parents are there. I am thinking: Kona for breakfast (because we can take the monorail), Marakesh for dinner (we'll be spending an Epcot day with them) and SciFi (we need a dinner the night we arrive, and plan to go to DHS that day).

Any insight into these choices would be great!

Thanks!!
btw... when is Disney going to get with it and do a Fairy meal??

 

[BippityBoo]

NO JOKE! A fairy meal would be great. Maybe they will do it in the fairy area of the new Fantasyland expansion

We did 1900 Park Fare the night we checked in for dinner. It was really nice! All of the characters were spot on and the food was good. We were staying in the GF, so it made it convenient. However, being on the monorail, it will be SO easy for you.

One other to consider is O'hana at the Poly for dinner. Have you done it before? If not, then I HIGHLY suggest you check it out! The best meal we have ever had at WDW. The best part, aside from the amazing food, was that they kept the kids entertained the WHOLE meal. Nice Anxious to find out more about your trip and your ADRs!!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Your ADRs look good!

You should definitely consider 'Ohana, either for breakfast or supper. We loved the supper. In fact it was one of our faves of last trip! Unfortunately, Crystal Palace will be closed for refurb during the months of Jan and Feb so that option is out! I believe there will be a replacement character meal held at Liberty Tree Tavern during this time. We did the princess breakfast in the castle last time and LOVED it too! It is also a great way to get into the park BEFORE MK is open! We have some great shots of Main St completely empty!

Waiting patiently to hear more of your TR!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

For character meals we have done 'Ohana with Lilo and Stitch, Liberty Tree when they did characters, and Donald's Breakfastosaurus before it moved to Tusker House. The only one we didn't really enjoy was the dinner at LTT. I highly recommend 'Ohana...very good character interaction and the food was delicious! Plus you get to see the Poly!

We have eaten at Sci Fi and really enjoyed it. I've heard mixed reviews on the food, but ours was good. The service left a bit to be desired, but the atmosphere is like no other! LOVED IT and would definitely do it again.

Wolfgang Puck's at DTD was a fantastic meal. Not sure if DTD is in your plans, but it was one of our favorites.

I've never done Marakesh, but it's on my list of places I'd love to try. We are big fans of the counter service in Morocco..Tangierine Cafe...so if the food is as good as there it would be worth a stop!

How exciting that ADR day is so close!!

 

[ladybugmom]

Oh my goodness!! A fairy character meal would be AMAZING!! I'll bet they end up having one eventually due to the popularity of the movies!! And I second what Katie said about dinner @ O'hana! It was my favorite dinner we had at WDW!! YUM!

 

[cdhale]

I have an eye doctor appointment this morning near my house, so I'm not going to work until later. Rather than do something constructive (like folding laundry or putting stuff in the crock pot for dinner or working from home), I'm going to update.

We finally got into our room a bit after one (all time approximate; this was nine months ago). Sophia was feeling much better by then, and the fever was under control. I made her lie down anyway. Our bags were not yet there and I wanted to head over to Roaring Forks for some snacks. So here's my "I'm a terrible mother" moment of the day... I left H and S in the room while I quickly went for food. I think I was gone for 15 minutes. When I got back, our bags had been delivered. Yes, Hannah opened the door to a total stranger and let them bring the bags in. Great. I doubt she tipped.

After a snack and a rest we decided to find the boat launch and head to MK. At this point the sun was out and it was a lot warmer. I made the girls bring their jackets and sweatshirts anyway.

Hannah checking out the pool. WL is so beautiful.

Sophia not standing still. When she is well, she is perpeptual motion.

There's the boat launch!

We love the boat!!

See their pink bags? "Santa" picked those up from Claire's and they turned out to be sooo useful. They were the right size for the autograph books (official ones "Santa" bought from ebay). The straps held the pins for trading (a random lot of 30 that I picked up from ebay), and lots of loops on the sides for the keychains and things we picked up along the way. Sophia took to wearing hers around her neck rather than over her shoulder.

We went through security and finger scanning at MK, headed to Tomorrowland (the girls really wanted to ride Space Mountain) and ran right into Stitch! Our first character meet! The girls had their autograph books ready.

Stitch was so cute. Both my girls are really shy, but he picked some flowers and gave them to each. They carried those dead flowers around for the rest of the week.

We took a quick trip of the TTA (a ride I've always loved) to check out Space Mountain....

And then rode the Mountain itself. Now, Hannah is a daredevil and usually likes scary rides. Sophia, not so much. NEITHER of the girls enjoyed SM. I think what they said was "we're never never never riding this again." Too dark. There's no accounting for taste...

We spent the rest of the afternoon/early evening doing most of the rides in Fantasyland (including what became their first favorite of the trip... It's A Small World. We rode that about five times that day). The best thing about Disney in January... NO LINES!!! We didn't use one fast pass and the only ride with a more than 20 minute wait was Peter Pan.

Hannah took a picture of me on the carousel to prove that I really was on this trip. One of the draw-backs of single parenting is always being behind the camera.

Topiary!

As the evening progressed, and it started to get colder we decided to head back to the resort. Though we didn't have an ADR for Whispering Canyon, there was only a 20 minute wait. While waiting Sophia's fever came back with a vengeance and she just wanted to go back to the room and sleep. So we scrapped the restaurant, Hannah and I picked up some food from Roaring Forks, and we turned in for the night.

Demon eyes! Pretty castle! So cold!

Not a bad first day.

Up next... does Sophia wake up feeling better? Will we make our Akershus 9:50 breakfast ADR?

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Glad you were able to enjoy the MK for a while that day! We were there earlier in the day for the AM EMH and then again that evening for Spectro and Wishes! We very well could have passed each other on a pathway! As much as I hope your little sweetie was feeling better the next day, your allusions to the contrary have me in doubt! Can't wait to hear some more! You are doing a great job remembering so much detail so long after the fact! We loved WL too! Isn't it beautiful!

 

[cdhale]

I bought a new (to me, it came from craigslist) camera recently. It's a DSLR (a Canon Rebel). I'm still learning the ropes, and even though we had a rainy, cold weekend, I forced the girls outside before church on Sunday for a couple test shot.

Yes, Hannah has short hair now. I cried when she said she wanted to cut it off. It's been a couple months, so it used to be even shorter.

Can't wait to take the new camera to Disney!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Beautiful pictures! YAY for a new camera! We loved having our big ol camera on our trip! Sure it was a beast to carry around but we have some wonderful pics to remember our trip! Your girls are absolutely darling! So sweet!

 

[MaryAz]

Jumping on board, so sorry for the fever! Glad the first day turned out ok. Cute pics of the girls with your new camera. I just got a DSLR too.

 

[cdhale]

NO JOKE! A fairy meal would be great. Maybe they will do it in the fairy area of the new Fantasyland expansion

We did 1900 Park Fare the night we checked in for dinner. It was really nice! All of the characters were spot on and the food was good. We were staying in the GF, so it made it convenient. However, being on the monorail, it will be SO easy for you.

One other to consider is O'hana at the Poly for dinner. Have you done it before? If not, then I HIGHLY suggest you check it out! The best meal we have ever had at WDW. The best part, aside from the amazing food, was that they kept the kids entertained the WHOLE meal. Nice Anxious to find out more about your trip and your ADRs!!

One vote for O'Hana...

Your ADRs look good!

You should definitely consider 'Ohana, either for breakfast or supper. We loved the supper. In fact it was one of our faves of last trip! Unfortunately, Crystal Palace will be closed for refurb during the months of Jan and Feb so that option is out! I believe there will be a replacement character meal held at Liberty Tree Tavern during this time. We did the princess breakfast in the castle last time and LOVED it too! It is also a great way to get into the park BEFORE MK is open! We have some great shots of Main St completely empty!

Waiting patiently to hear more of your TR!

Boo about the Crystal Palace!!

Two votes for O'Hana...

For character meals we have done 'Ohana with Lilo and Stitch, Liberty Tree when they did characters, and Donald's Breakfastosaurus before it moved to Tusker House. The only one we didn't really enjoy was the dinner at LTT. I highly recommend 'Ohana...very good character interaction and the food was delicious! Plus you get to see the Poly!

We have eaten at Sci Fi and really enjoyed it. I've heard mixed reviews on the food, but ours was good. The service left a bit to be desired, but the atmosphere is like no other! LOVED IT and would definitely do it again.

Wolfgang Puck's at DTD was a fantastic meal. Not sure if DTD is in your plans, but it was one of our favorites.

I've never done Marakesh, but it's on my list of places I'd love to try. We are big fans of the counter service in Morocco..Tangierine Cafe...so if the food is as good as there it would be worth a stop!

How exciting that ADR day is so close!!

Three votes for O'Hana...

Not sure when/how we're going to squeeze DTD, but H and S want to go to "the really big Disney Store."

Oh my goodness!! A fairy character meal would be AMAZING!! I'll bet they end up having one eventually due to the popularity of the movies!! And I second what Katie said about dinner @ O'hana! It was my favorite dinner we had at WDW!! YUM!

Four votes for O'Hana!

I'm going to find a way to fit it in. Thanks!

 

[cdhale]

Jumping on board, so sorry for the fever! Glad the first day turned out ok. Cute pics of the girls with your new camera. I just got a DSLR too.

Glad you're here! The new camera is going to take some practice (for me), but I love it so far

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I'm glad Sophia felt well enough to enjoy the MK for a bit on your first day. They didn't love Space Mountain???? What kind of Disney girls are they?? LOL! At least they tried...good for them!

My kids also like It's a Small World....we rode it several times on our trip! I love that they enjoy the classics..they liked the Carousel of Progress too.

Oh boy...fever's back. I hope she sleeps it off!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I wanna join in too! First off, I have got to say that you have two very beautiful girls. Thanks for giving us the tip about the bangs or I would have been scrolling back to the first post every time.

So sorry to hear that the fever seems to be coming back. Hope it doesn't get too bad.

I see that you are an attorney. What kind of work do you do? I've been a paralegal for 26 years now and have always done domestic work....divorce, child custody, alimony, etc.

 

[cdhale]

First, as you can probably tell from the title, we DID make it to Akershus in the morning.

Now, to backtrack a bit. My girls are not "girly girls." They did go through a phase at around age 4 where they wanted to wear dresses all the time. They were princesses for Halloween 2 year in a row. But for the most part they wear jeans or shorts. Sophia is much more likely to wear a dress these days than Hannah, who, for the entire first grade year, refused to wear pink. Hannah and Sophia have taken ballet since they were 3, but for the past two years they've been in a ballet school where the emphasis is on form, posture, conditioning and terminology than on fancy costumes and tutus. For the recitals they wear white leotards and simple white skirts (but they do get fun costumes for their winter Nutcracker show). It's more like karate than ballet. Their other passion is swimming. The were on swim team in the summer and were the two fastest girls in their age group. This winter they're taking lessons to learn breast stroke and better diving.

This is a picture from the 2008 Nutcracker. Can you tell which mouse is Hannah and which is Sophia?

Just because they're not girly girls, however, doesn't mean they don't love to SHOP! And they come by that honestly. Prior to this trip they had each saved about $110 and they were ready to spend it. Their first purchase (at MK on day 1) was the Minnie Mouse ear headbands that will make so many appearances in the days to come.

Hannah bought black, Sophia bought silver. Hannah was bitter that she was stuck in a pink jacket all week, but it was purchased before her ban.

Anyway, we woke up on Friday and Sophie.... had no fever! BUT, she was now complaining of a sore throat. So I figured we weren't quite in the clear yet. We got cleaned up, got dressed, and headed for the buses to Epcot and our 9:50 ADR with Belle et al. It was a chilly morning (low 40s) and we each had on three layers. The sun was out and we knew it would warm up eventually! When we got to the gate I made the executive decision to rent a stroller (because Sophia was still not 100%, and she's not the best walker anyway; Hannah, on the other hand, wouldn't be caught dead in it. Turned out to be one of the best decisions I made on this trip). So Sophia got to ride to Akershus (with an out of the way stop at Soarin' for FPs) where we waited about 5 minutes for our table.

First up, Belle (at the entrance).

Very yummy family-style food, and the all important coffee. I am a major coffee junkie.

Lots of princesses (and Mary Poppins). Though I think you can tell from the pics that Sophia is sick. And sorry about all the red eye!

Jasmine in her winter coat!

We made it through breakfast without incident and headed to FW to ride Soarin' and others.

Up next, the fever returns and we find out what you do when you need emergency medical care at the happiest place on earth!