A January No Husbands Allowed Trip Report

[lledman]

We hightailed it up to Hollywood & Vine b/c by now we had 10 minutes to make it to our 11:20 dining reservation. The rest of the group had just arrived at the restaurant when we did so we checked in.
Alex & Devin waiting to be seated


We were called shortly and led to our seats – along the wall where we sat on our first visit here. We had 3 tables which I enjoyed b/c we had plenty of space and each family got their own table.


Our waitress took our order and not even a minute later June had arrived.


We fixed our plates (sorry no photos) and right when we sat down to eat they started the little dance thing in the center.








Back to eating and the characters. Oso was next to stop by our table.








Then came by Handy Manny – who motioned for Tyler to pose in a photo with him




Why is it that the 2 oldest boys in this photo aren’t looking at the camera – guess something else caught their attention.


Let’s try that photo again – and add Tyra into it this time


Another dance break






Finally it was Jake’s turn to visit with us. Devin loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates so he was really looking forward to this.








While we were waiting for our waitress to finish up with our check-out June came back around to visit. She was soo sweet and really spent a lot of time with the kids.

 

[lledman]

When we left Hollywood and Vine, much to Tyler’s dismay (remember he was itching to get on TOT & RNRC) we headed over to Star Wars. Cameron was exactly 40 inches tall and depending on the CM he could or couldn’t ride a few rides this trip. Jess & I took the kids that could ride and got in line. Janet was a little behind us and measured Cameron. A CM saw her measuring him and said looks good to me then gave her 2 fast passes so she could by-pass the line. Wasn’t that sweet, Jess and I in a 20 minute line with 8 kids didn’t think so as she waved her fast passes and walked on by. Another CM in line (Emily) noticed that we were all together and asked how many more fast passes we needed – I joked and said A LOT, her eyes got big when Jessica said 10 but she gave us each a fast pass and allowed us to cross lines – love pixie dust – and thank you Emily!!!!!!!









After we safely returned to planet Earth we went across the street to Muppets. It was now nap time for Tyra and she had a meltdown while we waited to go in.








The show was corny as usual and the kids really enjoyed it.

The line for Phineas and Ferb was outrageous again so we settled for Lightning and Mater (again).




We didn’t really have any plan so we sort of wandered back towards the center of the park. None of us have rode the Great Movie Ride before so we decided to give it a try. When we went to get into line, Max was out. The kids didn’t know who he was but wanted a photo – lol!!
Kiersten & Hunter with Max


Devin & Tyra with Max


Alex & Max


Ashlin & Max


Onto the ride – we choose the right queue and ended up with the cowboy.




















Nice enough ride but not sure we’ll try it again.

We sent Tyler to see if there were fastpasses for TSM left and of course there weren’t. For anyone interested the wait time posted was 70 minutes. We decided to go into the Animation Building we see what characters were in there.

 

[lledman]

Jess and family stopped to see the Incredibles (Mr. Incredible & Frozone), I don’t think any of us waited in line for Sorcerer Mickey but we all saw Pooh and the kids had fun playing with the little game things.









Tyra jotted down some trip report notes of her own in front of her autograph book


Much to Tyler’s delight we headed towards Tower of Terror and Rock N Rollercoaster. The wait time for TOT was posted at 13 minutes and the fast pass return time was for like 30 minutes later so we got some FP just as an insurance measure. Jess and Janet took Tyler, Danielle, Ashlin & Alex to ride RNRC (I want to say they had fast passes from earlier in the morning). Cameron had fallen asleep in his stroller so Elaine hung back with him at the smoking spot while I took the rest of the kids in search of ice cream. I didn’t know that the stand that sold sundaes was included in the dining plan so we went in search of a vendor for Mickey bars. We walked the entire Sunset Blvd with no luck so we went back to where we started and just outside the entrance to Beauty and the Beast was the ice cream cart – doh!!!!!!!!






Then the sillies kicked in










The bigger kids were done with their ride and since Cameron was still sleeping (so he couldn’t protest Janet leaving him again, they went on TOT next. Devin remembered the ride from our trip last May and waned to sit off. Kiersten had ridden that morning and didn’t like it so she also wanted to sit off. Tyra had never rode before but wanted to give it a try so she and Hunter went off with the big kids (yes I mean Jess & Janet in that grouping too) while I hung back with Devin & Kiersten.

Alex had chickened out that morning when they rode but not this time. Elaine loved the photo soo much that she bought it. (insert photo from photopass here – lol!!!!!)



I want to say the wait was basically a walk on and that most of them enjoyed it so Tyler, Danielle, Ashlin & Alex rode it again.

 

[lledman]

I’m not sure why but we split up with Janet and family here. I asked if it was rude for me to use my fast passes for TSM and Jess said of course not. They were going to give the standby line a try as the posted time was down to 40 minutes. We got in our separate lines and while we were waiting her family walked in one family after us. She said someone was walking by and asked if they would like fast passes – HELLO!!!!!!!!!! Sweet – more pixie dust for the day for them.We let the family between us go in front so we could ride together.





I wasn’t able to get a good shot of Jess’ family


But she got some great ones of us






Tyler had high score for our group – and I had 2nd.






It was now about 5:15 – the park closed at 7 but it was EMH evening – we wandered back to the Backlot tour (my family has never done this) – CLOSED – the last tram left at 5 – WTH – oh well. We backtracked through Pixar Place and the wait time for TSM was back up to 80 minutes – yikes!

One of the green army men was out. My kids have seen them before and were familiar with them. Hunter had not and thought the guy was a statue so went up and posed by it or touched him. I said something to the effect of you know that’s a real army man right and about that time the statue moved and Hunter freaked – it was hilarious for everyone but Hunter.


Hunter would only go back up if Jess held him (he’s smiling so he wasn’t traumatized to badly but still the poor guy)






We took a little break near the restrooms outside the Animation Building. Most of the crew was hungry for dinner. Kiersten wanted to see the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Since this is one of my favorites I offered to stay back with her for the next show. Surprisingly Tyra chose to go with Jess & the rest in search of dinner. They wandered around – looked in ABC Commissary but weren’t impressed and ended up at the pizza place over by TOT. Kiersten and I had about 10-15 minutes to wait for the show. In the mean time I guess Janet met back up with Jess or maybe Elaine called me – anyway they ended up sending Ashlin in to see the show with us and they went for pizza with Jessica & the rest. Each family was able to split 2 pizzas each which was cool to save counter service meals.








I must have been really hungry when I met back up with them b/c I have no food pictures.

 

[dara00]

I love the matching toy story shirts!

 

[lledman]

I love the matching toy story shirts!

Thanks we tried to coordinate for a couple of our days

 

[lledman]

Chris said again tonight that he wasn’t totally opposed to going back to Disney before the January 2014 trip Jess and I are planning – too bad I don’t see how we could afford it.

I think he knows he really missed out on this trip we just took

 

[lledman]

By now it was just about 7 and the park was closing. We only had one goal for the evening EMH and that was the dance party so we headed over there. I think it was more crowded this time than on our last visit but the kids still had a wonderful time.







Oh the balloon art we collected this night. I put my foot down and told them they could each only bring 2 back with us to the room and that they had to hold what ever they bought back on the bus – I was not (we ended up trashing them all before we left for home anyway).






No this isn’t an attitude – she was dancing – lol






My first DIS Meet – Marshay – it was nice chatting – sorry couldn’t talk longer without having to chase down some kids


Tyler trying to catch bubbles in his mouth?


Princess Kiersten


Court Jester Danielle – lol


Danielle & Hunter comparing balloon hats


I love how even the big kids can still have fun at Disney




Janet and one of the few shots of Cameron I was able to snap


Jessica all decked out




I guess Tyler had grown bored with the dance party and was sitting on a bench along the side wall. Mickey was having no parts of that and went over to chat with him.








The characters are magnets for crowds so Tyler’s quiet little corner soon became anything but

 

[lledman]

Some of Jessica’s photos from the dance party that I’m borrowing for my report








We danced for over an hour and then decided it was time to head back. We had to wait a while for a bus as a full one was about to leave as we got to the stop. The 2nd bus was very crowded. We made it back to the hotel by 9 so not that bad. We showered to wash out the BBB and everyone was in bed by 10.

Here are a few shots of our room too






Tyra made a “Hidden Mickey” with her glow sticks and wanted a photo with it

 

[lledman]

Park Day 3 – Animal Kingdom
I was up pretty early and so was Jess’ family so I woke my kids up at 8:20 and we were at the bus stop by 8:40. I think they ate pop tarts along the way but I don’t remember.

The boys waiting for the bus (can you guess what today’s shirt theme was?)


I have in my notes that we arrived at Animal Kingdom at 9:15. The kids were in awe of the animals as we walked through the entrance.



We posed for the obligatory photo pass photos in front of the tree of life then sent Tyler and Danielle off to get fast passes for Everest and to meet us near the safari. The line for the safari was showing about 20 minutes. Jess’ family had a 10:10 reservation for Tusker House (We all had this reservation but when I called to add on Alex a week before we left we had to move to an early lunch time – Jessica enjoys breakfast so decided to keep the original time for her family). I think it was about 9:30 and with the ride itself and the line she didn’t want to chance missing her reservation so they went to check-in early and the rest of us hopped in the Safari line. I think this may have been the best safari ride I’ve been on – I mean usually the animals are there but just laying around – this time quite a few of them were really active.



We had to stop for a couple of minutes for a family of giraffes to move on their way. Not these giraffes – they had already crossed the road and were in perfect view for us.




First time I saw a worker on the savannah feeding




Another giraffe up close and personal (no zoom used)




And back to the elephants again


Tyler wanted to bring a couple of these home so he could enter them into the local fair.




“Dirty” white rhinos


Another animal near the road – have to slow down again (but no one is complaining)


Our 3 week safari got cut a little short and we still had a few minutes left before we could check in for our 11:00 lunch reservation at the Tusker House so we just killed some time in the area. We stopped in the little shop there and I got 2 new autograph books for Tyra and Devin (they had filled their others already – they only had 15 pages) Then the kids went over to the drum area – this is always a favorite with them






A cast member approached me and said that there were some characters just ahead if we wanted to visit. Sure why not.





Posed pictures are on the photo pass

 

[lledman]

We checked in and still had to wait just a few minutes before we were called to have our photo taken with Donald.


I don’t remember this from the last time we ate here but apparently Donald doesn’t sign autographs but everyone inside does. We took our photo with Donald but didn’t buy it. We then waited to be seated – apparently they had to do some things to switch out breakfast to lunch (but when we went to the buffet it was still ½ breakfast foods – yum – everyone but Janet loves breakfast foods so it was a plus for the rest of us). Jess and family were just finishing up when we walked in so we told them we’d catch up with them later (they were going on the safai)

We were seated at the same table we were the last time we were there. Our waitress took our drink order and we then went to the buffet.

First character to come to our table was Mickey.



(Tyler wasn’t into posing with the characters at our meals but would if asked)

Daisy


Goofy had stopped by our table when I took Tyra and Devin to the rest room. Since we were technically 2 families sitting at 1 table he still visited and Tyler had him sign our books. When we got back I asked the handler who was in our room if we could get a photo with Goof before he moved onto the next room b/c he visited our table while we were in the rest room, explained we had the autograph but just needed a photos. Her response was very un-Disney like – very snotty tone – that’s not our policy but I will ask him. HELLO, I’m paying (not really thanks to the dining plan) for this meal strictly to see the characters. We did get our visit with Goofy so all was well but that’s the only little gripe I have from Disney restaurants this trip so I guess it's all good.


When we were done eating our waitress (who was super attentive the entire time) bought out a cupcake for Ashlin. Daisy was cycling back around again and stopped at our table and led everyone in singing Happy Birthday to Ashlin. It was very cute.







Daisy was a hoot, and requested posed pictures with everyone on her second visit.




I texted Jess and they were over at Rafiki’s planet watch or whatever it’s called now, we decided we’d just catch up some time later in the day. Janet wanted to use our Everest fast passes. When we got to the ride Devin decided he didn’t want to ride and Tyra wasn’t tall enough so I left Tyler with Janet, Ashlin & Alex. Elaine took Cameron to the smoking section and I took my little ones up ahead to dinoland.






I think they rode once and then Elaine stayed back with the kids for another mountain adventure while Janet bought Cameron up to dinoland - they were getting in the line for triceratops spin when we got off.

 

[lledman]

When we got off Tyra wanted to ride Primeval Whirl but wasn’t tall enough – she had to measure herself b/c she didn’t believe me. Devin wanted to see the “bug movie” so we headed towards the tree of life. There was no line and we only waited in the waiting area for like 3 minutes.






When we came out there were a couple of cast members along the walkway with all sorts of bugs for the kids to learn about. Devin was amazed by a tarantula (eeeeeee) and we walked down to the area where they have the kidcot stop so he could learn more.




After what seemed like an hour (probably just 5 minutes) I told him it was time to move on. When we got back to the hub area we saw Janet and crew getting ready to see the show – Tyler wanted to stay with them so that was cool. Flick was out and Devin wanted to visit.






I looked at the times guide and there was about 15-20 minutes until the next showing of the Festival of the Lion King. I thought the kids would enjoy it so we headed in that direction. Devin of course had to stop at the kid cot stop along the way.




We got to the FOTLK area and only waited about 5 minutes to enter the theater but boy was it hot in that waiting area. There were a couple of tour groups here – this is really the only place I saw them in line – we saw them plenty throughout the parks but never in a line so I guess we got lucky). We were seated in the Lion section














I don’t know if it’s because we were at the Animal Kingdom or if it really was that much warmer today but it felt like a scorcher. I talked Tyra and Devin into going back to the hotel for a swim and a rest. I texted Janet who said it was ok for Tyler to hang back with them and sometime in the afternoon they met up with Jessica’s family and did some stuff together. There was only one other family at the bus stop and it took about 10-15 minutes for a bus to come. I was dying of thirst so I got a bottle of water from the soda machine – smart move to put those there by the bus stop. The kids helped me finish it in about 2 gulps. It was nice to finally sit on a bust when leaving a park. When we got back to Pop we walked through the parking lot towards the 90’s section. The kids loved the playground area.

 

[mousescrapper]

finally caught up you kept posting each time i thought i made it to the end


wow alot going on here but looks like you are having a blast...I think it would be fun to go w/ friends and kids good for you all taking this trip on...seems like it is going so smooth!

love the matching shirts as well, especially the Toy Story ones, too cute and what a fun time it looks like you all had at the dance party at DHS


looking forward to more

J~

 

[lledman]

finally caught up you kept posting each time i thought i made it to the end


wow alot going on here but looks like you are having a blast...I think it would be fun to go w/ friends and kids good for you all taking this trip on...seems like it is going so smooth!

love the matching shirts as well, especially the Toy Story ones, too cute and what a fun time it looks like you all had at the dance party at DHS


looking forward to more

J~

Glad you got caught up. Photopass came in tonight - tomorrow is going to be photo overload

 

[lledman]

Today my cousin emailed Jess and myself asking for some information for a trip to Disney she wants to do this year at Thanksgiving. After running all the numbers and stuff for her both Jess and I are envious that she’s going for Thanksgiving so we got to talking and I think we are going to try to plan to go next year for Thanksgiving. We’ll leave Wednesday when the kids get out of school and arrive in FL on Thanksgiving day. Her husband has family near Tampa and I’d like to spend a few days at the beach so we won’t go to Disney until say Sunday maybe – hopefully when all the billions of people are leaving to go back home. We’ll spend a week and leave the following Saturday to come back home. We both really enjoyed having free dining but I have 3 hopper days left on passes from the first trip with my in-laws that we took and if I used those I could justify 2 day tickets to Universal (Tyra and Devin have seen a lot of commercials since we got back and have asked to go there several times) and also to do a night at the Mickey Very Merry Christmas Party. That being said I’m thinking we are probably going to stay offsite again but nothing is definite – all just a thought.

 

[lledman]

Photopass update time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our first day at the MK







Not sure if I’ve mentioned it yet or not but Cameron had a slight “aversion” to anyone other than Janet taking his photo – just wait they get better as the days go on – lol!!!!!!


Character meetings that Janet took the kids while the rest of us went off to get lunch.

 

[lledman]

BBB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone doing this I suggest purchasing the photopass – they take a million photos of your child. I am going to try to just post 25 but I’m sure I’ll go over – I have 6 kids that I’m posting photos of though so cut me some slack















My kids were on the opposite side of the room










Cameron’s reveal




Glitter & pixie dust for Devin






Hunter’s reveal




Not sure if Kiersten’s FGMIT was new or what but she started with the boys and was the last girl finished


Devin’s reveal

 

[lledman]

When Devin was done it was Tyra’s turn to start






Devin and Cameron killing time while waiting for the girls


Tyra loved the jewel thing on her cheek, she couldn’t leave it alone




Ashlin – I love how each of the girls picked something different




Ashlin’s reveal








Pixie Dust for Tyra




Tyra’s reveal – close your eyes

 

[lledman]

And finally Kiersten’s reveal

 

[lledman]

And from our meeting with Mickey and Minnie