A January No Husbands Allowed Trip Report

[lledman]

Kiersten wanted to ride the tea cups so we backtracked. Tyler, Devin & Danielle didn’t want to ride so they sat off.




Surprisingly with all the weight in our cup they had us really twirling


One final castle photo and we decided to head back to the hotel. Between our 2 visits we had done everything we wanted and it was still crazy crowded.


As we walked towards the exit we handed off our fast passes to Splash to people who looked like they were just walking in for the evening.

OK, I lied that was just the last castle photo that I took. We stopped and posed for shots in the middle of Main Street




I hate it when people block your shot














Danielle was the only kid that would do something fun – the rest just wanted to pose normal




It was just before 5 pm and we headed towards our bus. On the pathway to the buses we saw some CMs with pin trading boards. The kids loved it – they monopolized these CMs – sorry to anyone else who wanted in on the action – no one else was appearing to stop so we just let them keep on trading.




When we got back to the hotel Janet and them were there. All the kids changed into their bathing suits.








It was pretty dark and gloomy looking but it didn’t rain – at least not until after we went to bed.


As the kids straggled out of the pool, we went into the food court and got them all dinner

 

[lledman]

After everyone ate we went back to our rooms. Tyra wanted a picture of Baby Simba on our bed where the maid left him.


And this meant Devin need a picture of Shamu on the boy’s bed.


Tie-dye cheesecake for a snack later on


The girls got into the left over BBB makeup and let me tell you – they made themselves beautiful


Devin with his cupcake dessert


Tyra thought that under the sink was a nice private area




Until Devin crashed her party


Not sure why they were posing but they were a hoot



Did I mention how much I liked having the adjoining room with Jessica

 

[lledman]

Last Park Day – EPCOT
We didn’t expect a major flaw in our trip planning – do not make breakfast reservations for the last park day of your trip. We all agreed how nice it would be to sleep in on this day and just lounge around then head to EPCOT later in the day for the evening EMH. Doh! We have reservations for Ashlin’s birthday breakfast with the princesses. I have no notes from this day so we are going to have to rely on photos and what little bit of my mind that is left.

It was pretty chilly this morning – windy more than anything and very overcast.






When we got to EPCOT I sent Tyler to Soarin to get fast passes for everyone while we explored the Innovations building.


We waited and waited for him to come back and finally decided that we needed to get a move on it to make it to our reservation. One glitch here is that Tyler had everyone’s room keys and being on the dining plan we sort of needed Tyler with us. I sent the others ahead while I walked around Innovations looking for him – I circled both buildings twice when I finally got a call from Jess that Tyler saw them leaving and followed them b/c he thought we had left him behind – errrrrr! So I then rushed over to Norway where we checked in and then had to wait about 15-20 minutes to be seated (they promised us that we’d still be served breakfast which was good to hear for me and Jess).






My family with Belle –


I like Jess’ photo better than the photopass photographer’s but they were included with our package so who can complain.










We were seated in the main area as soon as you enter – straight ahead. Tyler took his seat in the corner far out of reach from the princesses - lol




Our waitress was quick to take and bring our drink orders. And we helped ourselves to the cold bar. After we were finishing up with our first plates the table servings were bought. YUMMY Cheesy Hash Browns – just as good as before. The characters were making their rounds, first to stop at our table was Princess Aurora.

 

[lledman]

And then was Snow White






Next was Cinderella






And finally we were visited by Mary Poppins. We tried to enlist her services, you know we were traveling with 9 kids, she respectfully declined – lmao!!!




When we were done, our waitress bought out a cupcake and special birthday card for Ashlin.








We packed up and left the restaurant. Some of the kids took another spin on Maelstrom and then we headed around the World. Mulan was out at the entrance to China so we stopped to visit. She was very sweet with all the kids






We trekked on and stopped again shortly for slushy drinks somewhere between China and Germany I think.








Throughout the morning Jessica braided all the girls hair so it would stay out of their face in the wind.


Everyone who wanted one got a slushy drink and we were ready to get on our way when it started to rain – the sky really opened up. Luckily we all had ponchos and we were right at a covered area.

 

[lledman]

The rain let up and we started once again to walk on. I knew that there were usually characters in Morocco and that since it had rained our best bet would be the back of the bazaar. Sure enough there were Jasmine and Aladdin with only one other family in front of us. I guess Tyra still had a thing for Aladdin because notice she put herself front and center






And the group shots




Photopass shots –






The kids stopped to play at the Fez hat display.





I didn’t remember meeting the beast and didn’t have any photos of him on my camera (remember I took Alex and Devin to the restroom at that time so I didn’t meet him). Anyway I waited with the kids b/c they wanted to see Belle in her blue dress too. Belle signed autographs in line while we waited for the Beast to join her.















Jess called and said that Marie was out so we kicked it into gear and had some fun time with her.

A smooch for Tyler

 

[lledman]

Over in England Tigger and Piglet were out so we made our way to them next. The kids took a lot of pictures while we were waiting in line. I thought this one was cute so I’ll share – I’m sure you don’t want the 6 photos of the trash cans or the foliage (trees & dirt – not flowers and prettiness)


Finally it was our time to see the characters
















We just missed the closing of the doors to the character area – darn the luck. But there was still this Cat outside the doors – not sure who he is but he was a character so the kids wanted to meet him. We were the last family to get to see him

 

[lledman]

We stopped and shopped at the store right beside the Friendship landing for a little while. Then walked on to where we stopped and posed for some shots behind Spaceship Earth




Let’s play the “Where’s Cameron” game again
































We stopped into MouseGears and picked up a couple of things. Then we decided to take a break – Tyra, Devin and I took a nap while Jess took Tyler swimming with her family. I guess from these photos Janet’s family – or at least Ashlin & Alex joined them.

 

[lledman]

Rested and refreshed we stopped at the food court for dinner




Tyra made a “hidden” mickey with her hotdog pieces


We didn’t have to wait long for a bus to take us back to EPCOT. Jessica really wanted to ride Spaceship Earth so we stopped there first.


I think we had gathered fast passes for Test Track before leaving earlier so we rode that next.

















Tyler was super excited that we got to ride in the Tron car and then he got to take a photo in a Camero. Ahh the pleasures of a 13 year old – lol!!!

We must have crossed the park and went to Soarin next to use our FP from earlier that day. I think we split up from Janet and family – not sure why. Here’s the kids waiting to go into the loading area.








When we exited, Illuminations was beginning so we made our way to the lake along with the other masses of people heading that way. We didn’t try to go far and just found a spot near the boat ramp – not an ideal location but good enough.












My family had never seen this before and liked it – I liked how there were fireworks coming at you from every angle.

 

[lledman]

Jess decided to head back to the hotel. Devin said he was tired and ready to go so he went with her. I took the 2 Tys and we walked back to ride Nemo again. Walk on again. Afterwards we explored the tank area for a while. I don’t think we’ve ever been upstairs so that was cool to check out.








Janet and family must have had the same idea as us and we ran into them up there.






And one last picture with Bruce for this trip






Although it was evening EMH we really didn’t have anything else we wanted to do so we decided to head back to the hotel to finish packing up.


We slept in until about 8:30 – haha!! Did a walk through to make sure everything was packed and then headed to the food court for breakfast. I think we settled on 2 Bounty Platters again – you really do get a lot of food with that. The food court was full this morning but we were finally able to get a booth. Jess’ family came and joined us and when we had just started eating the booth behind us became available so they took that one to give us more room. Everyone finished up breakfast and then we headed over to the arcade. Devin and Tyler had tickets they wanted to claim from their visit the other day and there was also a couple of plays left on the card – they only used what came free with our package so I put another $5 on the card for them all to share.




The kids cashed in their tickets and split them on cheesy prizes. We then walked back through the food court and got 3 chocolate dipped Mickey rice crispy treats and 6 tubs of cotton candy – yes we had 9 snack credits left. We went back to the room and loaded up all of our bags, Jess had got a luggage cart. We packed the van and then did one last look over the rooms. I took my kids to the van and she took hers and Tyler to return the cart – I guess they posed for a photo along the way.


Jessica still had 4 counter service meals left so she ordered 2 whole pizzas that we were going to just eat as lunch on the road. I picked them up at the front of the resort and we were on our way. It was a pretty uneventful - I started off driving and then when we stopped for dinner she took over. We arrived home around 2:30 and decided to unpack the next day.

I know that's pretty anti-climatic compared to our trip but really there isn't much to report on the drive home. We did have a wonderful trip and will travel together again - we are both trying to figure ways to get back sooner than January 2014