A Surprise Spring Break Trip filled with Fun and Sun!

[manntra]

Ughhh that sounds like a long day...the surprise reveal and then the excitement of finally getting on the plane...and then getting OFF the plane thankfully you were able to commandeer the other plane and I bet the Atlanta people were mad!!
Maybe the ME buses are a bit more sparse after 10pm? Looking forward to your MK am after your good nights rest....how did you like FWV?

Tracy

 

[MHTeacher]

Glad to hear the airport drama turned out better than it originally looked like. I know at that time, though, it must have been very frustrating!

Looonnngggg day for all of you. I'll be curious to see if you're all up and going for MK rope drop.

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Oh, I love surprises! Can't wait to hear all about your first day!

 

[Wendy5055]

What a great report! I know how those late arrivals can be...it looks like everyone did quite well.

I can't wait to hear more!

 

[stace208]

The kids look like they had so much fun fishing, but I bet it was almost torture for them to have to wait all day before you could leave!

Oh my, that stinks about the flight, but at least you didn't have to wait 4 more hours like you originally thought. And then having to wait forever on the ME bus, I would have been exhausted.

They did have a good time fishing and it really helped the day go faster. I think it was torture for all of us to wait that long! But, in a way, I am glad they had that time to digest it and get even more excited!

Yes, I was exhausted by the end of it! We'd gotten up so early like kids on Christmas and then all the angst of the flight...I am thankful it wasn't as long as orginally thought though!

Subscribing.You guys look like you are a super fun family!I cant wait to hear more!

Thanks Jillian! Thanks too for joining in!

This is so FUNNY!!! I just finally got my tail over here, and when I saw the scrabble tiles, I was telling myself, wow, someone else thought about using scrabble tiles too...

HOW FUN!!!! Looking forward to reading along!!!

I thought you might get a kick out of me stealing your idea! I was going to use some letter tiles I have from school and then I was like, wait, I know what I can use from HD's TR!!!

 

[stace208]

UGH! What a drag with the flights, but better late than never! I have missed a few airplane fiascos this year, so I am glad that you made it despite the delay. Good to get some sleep I am sure. Looking forward to your first day in the MK!

Oh yes, better late than never...I really did think for a while there that we wouldn't make it at all that night. I hate feeling so out of control!

Ughhh that sounds like a long day...the surprise reveal and then the excitement of finally getting on the plane...and then getting OFF the plane thankfully you were able to commandeer the other plane and I bet the Atlanta people were mad!!
Maybe the ME buses are a bit more sparse after 10pm? Looking forward to your MK am after your good nights rest....how did you like FWV?

Tracy

You've got it right, Tracy...all the excitement and anticipation built until we finally crashed! Moreso for John and I since we knew about it all along! But, we made it and with no break downs to boot!

I think with ME it is a time thing...since not that many people arrive that late I guess they want to wait as long as possible. But, there were kids younger than mine on the bus and they were headed downhill quickly. I think that's why the driver wanted to go ahead and leave but they wouldn't let him.

Overall, we really liked the villas at Wilderness Lodge. Having the space of a 1 bedroom is REALLY nice. It just seems, and this appears to be true at several DVC resorts, that our room was just so very far from the main lodge.

Glad to hear the airport drama turned out better than it originally looked like. I know at that time, though, it must have been very frustrating!

Looonnngggg day for all of you. I'll be curious to see if you're all up and going for MK rope drop.

I was so grateful that they took that plane and gave it to us. Still felt bad for the other folks too...wish there was a way for everyone to go on time!

Oh, I love surprises! Can't wait to hear all about your first day!

Hi there, and welcome! Thanks for joining in!

What a great report! I know how those late arrivals can be...it looks like everyone did quite well.

I can't wait to hear more!

Welcome and thanks for joining in!
Yes, the kids did great with the late arrival. I think we were all running on pure adrenaline at that point!

 

[MeMom]

To me, this is where a trip starts to seem really real!
Sorry you had to sit there so long. We've had to do that before, too.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Ok, all I've done so far is watch your 'surprise' video, but I am cracking up because your son is a TRUE Disney Fan!!! I always tell my husband he could never surprise me with a Disney trip because I have to pack a particular way and I need certain things It's so funny that your son's first reaction was that he needed his certain bag for Disney I totally LOVE IT!!

 

[twinmom2003]

I am so glad that your plane situation worked out in the end! I love MK and can't wait to here about it!

 

[VAisforDisneyLvrs]

Just wanted to check in and say HI! Hoping to hear more soon.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I'm glad you finally made it! I don't get those waits on the ME....
Sometimes they are ready to go and other times you just sit and sit.
Can't wait to see the villa!

 

[disney2mom]

I'm in! I'm glad everything worked out at the airport! Looking forward to your MK day!

 

[stace208]

To me, this is where a trip starts to seem really real!
Sorry you had to sit there so long. We've had to do that before, too.

Oh yes, at that point it was REAL! We were going to Disney!!
We've waited a long time for a bus before but never that long ON the bus.

Ok, all I've done so far is watch your 'surprise' video, but I am cracking up because your son is a TRUE Disney Fan!!! I always tell my husband he could never surprise me with a Disney trip because I have to pack a particular way and I need certain things It's so funny that your son's first reaction was that he needed his certain bag for Disney I totally LOVE IT!!

I know, right? Seriously? Your park bag?? Cracked me up!!

I am so glad that your plane situation worked out in the end! I love MK and can't wait to here about it!

Thanks! MK will be up tonight, hopefully!

Just wanted to check in and say HI! Hoping to hear more soon.

More coming tonight but you won't be here to read it. Instead you'll be at MK seeing it all for yourself!! I hope you're having a great time!

I'm glad you finally made it! I don't get those waits on the ME....
Sometimes they are ready to go and other times you just sit and sit.
Can't wait to see the villa!

We've always just waited for the bus, not once we were on it. Oh well, we won't be flying again most likely for quite a few trips.

I'm in! I'm glad everything worked out at the airport! Looking forward to your MK day!

Welcome!! Thanks for joining in!!

 

[stace208]

First, I thought I'd post some pictures of Wilderness Lodge and our villa. Not all of these were taken on that first night because, well, it was dark!
This was our room number. I didn't make any requests but was thrilled with the first floor. I know some people don't like it but we do. Well, I do...the kids would rather go up and down the elevator!

One side of the kitchen

The sofa bed. John pulled this out while I was taking pictures in the bedroom. Honestly, we left it out the whole week so I never got a picture of just the couch. You can visualize it though, right?

The other side of the kitchen. There was a counter on the other side of the sink. You can see my backpack sticking up.

The table and chairs.

The bed side of the bedroom.

Chair and table in the bedroom.

The dresser and TV in the bedroom.

The bathtub and you can see a corner of the sink that was in this part of the bathroom. The window above the tub opened to the bedroom.

Shower and sink in the other part of the bathroom.

A friend welcoming us home.

The stenciling around the room.

Con't....

 

[stace208]

These pictures are of the lobby of the DVC building. Really nice area. Didn't see many people using it though. They also had tables set up with games and such. On a longer trip, with more time at the resort, this would be a great place to hang out.

This was outside our villa.

Both of these doors were to our room.

I didn't take many lodge pictures because we just didn't go in there much except to the snack place/mug refill. I got this one though!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Love your villa and the lobby of the DVC building! So rustic, I bet my DH would really like it.

I bet those 1 bedrooms could become addicting in a hurry! I'd love to have all that space

 

[stace208]

We left off with my travel weary mottley crew headed to bed a little after midnight. John scheduled a wake up call for 6 a.m.

True to form, I awoke a little after 5. I tossed and turned but finally gave up and got in the shower. John was up when I finished and took his turn in the shower. I got dressed and fielded the call from At this point, I went into the other room. The kids hadn't budged from the phone. I turned on the lights and got them moving. No one balked because they knew our destination!

Magic Kingdom!
We made our way to the bus stop. We weren't far from there at all, thankfully. It was dark. The painters were out painting the signs and such. We sat down to wait. One other family came. We waited some more. Finally a bus rolled up. I took a picture of the sign inside with the time but it was too dark and blurry. It was 6:38.

We arrived at the MK, got through bag check, and headed to guest services to exchange our vouchers for AP's. Our first comment, as we watched the opening show while walking, was that hardly anyone was there. This was spring break-where were the people?? Obviously not committed enough to get up and to the park by 7!

AP's in hand, Ellie and I headed in the park at 7:02. Ben stayed with John to buy the Tables in Wonderland card. My girl and I were going to ride Dumbo!

We strolled down Main Street. Just taking in all the happiness that it is to see the castle... You can see not many people joined us.

We made it through the castle and I immediately started eyeing Dumbo. I figured we'd have to wait 2 turns at this point. The closer we got, I couldn't believe my eyes


Are you expecting a huge crowd??
Well, not exactly...

NO Line!! We went right into the holding area as they were opening the gate to load the ride. We scored a purple elephant too!! Woot! As we got on, John and Ben walked up to the side and we called to them. The CM working the ride went over and asked Ben if he wanted to ride. The blue elephant right behind us was empty. Two trips ago we "encouraged" Ben to ride, just for fun, and he pouted because it was a *baby* ride. Last summer we didn't say a word to him about riding. This time he came through the exit ramp and got into the Dumbo behind us!

The sun coming up over the Magic Kingdom and a shot from Dumbo.

After our Dumbo spin, we headed over to Peter Pan. Walked right on! Loved it! Next was Winnie the Pooh, same walk on. I don't have pictures because I was just enjoying hopping on these rides. Fantasyland, and MK in general, is still a major favorite of mine so I love to just soak it all up.

After exiting our hunny pot, we headed to Tomorrowland to fight the evil emperor Zurg. Walked right on here too...I could get used to this 7 am stuff! I thought I took a picture of the score but can't find it. Sadly, Ellie whooped my tail. I didn't *let* her either...she really beat me! John and Ben had way higher scores than either of us. I had read somewhere that the photo op of Zurg was gone but he was here when we exited. It seemed to me he was moved. I wanted to take a picture but there was a family in front of it getting help from a CM.
Next was Space Mountain for Ben and John while Ellie and I headed to TTA. I took gobs of pictures while on this ride.

I definitely miss the old soundtrack to this ride and now when you are in SM and it is pitch black it's kinda weird but I still love this ride. Definitely has some good views of the park and is a nice place to enjoy a sit down/rest/pass the time with someone who can't/won't ride. Ellie loved it!

We met the boys at Carousel of Progress. We were the only ones in our showing! We then tried to head to Toontown on the back path but it was roped off. So, we headed to the main entrance. John ran for Splash fastpasses while the kids and I took a whirl on some teacups. It was too early for all that spinning on an empty stomach! For me, anyways!
I stopped to take a picture of the Alice topiary. Then went around the corner and found

She was hilarious!! She asked Ellie what happened to the top of her hat. Told her that we had to go back to the Mad Hatter and have him add a top. Ellie was tickled. We talked to her for quite a while. Great character!

We then went to wait at the rope for Toontown. The CM's were there so I knew it would be soon. We were just heading for Goofy's and I figured most folks were headed for Fairies/princesses.

John rejoined us right as we started to walk in. He and the kids rode this.

Me, I visited the ladies room.

After this, we checked the time and came up with a plan. We had a ressie for CP at 10 and already had gotten so much done. We set off for our next ride...

 

[stace208]

Love your villa and the lobby of the DVC building! So rustic, I bet my DH would really like it.

I bet those 1 bedrooms could become addicting in a hurry! I'd love to have all that space

Yes, Michelle, I am betting your DH would love it. It is Ben's favorite and pretty high up on John's as well. I love it too, but I am itching for our stay at Old Key West with some bright and cheery, beachy colors. I'm also sold on the Boardwalk after seeing wigd's photos.

1 br's ARE addicting. We are already trying to figure how we can juggle points to get that instead of a studio at Christmas! With your two boys, a 1 br would be perfect!

 

[manntra]

Wow I think I need a nap after all you got done in the am!!! It sure was worth it though!! Love your daughter next to Alice while she is signing her autograph book and the picture of the three of them is great!
Isn't the one bedroom awesome! Love the space and of course the washer and dryer! I really like the decor of the room too.

Tracy

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm in! We were there some of the same days as you were so I'm curious to see what you have to say.

We went to EMH at the MK when it opened at 7 too and thought it was DEAD! Good for us though, we were able to do a lot.