A Tale of 3 Duffys - a March 2011 TR - update 8/11: Finished!

[TinksThree]

And I was wondering about the whole DTD thing...I was thinking Vero Beach was first!! Oh for two days relaxing by the beach!

I have eaten at Bob Evan's once and it was very good!! We are never anywhere near one!

 

[ksl5f123]

Wow, you make Bob Evans sound so good. I have never been there. We might have to check it out next time we are near one.

Two days at the beach sounds like a great way to start a vacation.

I grew up eating at Bob Evans at least once a month. The restaurant started on the farm in SE Ohio. Early on, their "model" was to only have locations close enough to the farm for the food to be delivered fresh daily. I think they have strayed from this a little, but all of the locations are still 1 day's drive or less from the farm. For me, it is very nostalgic.

The beach was very nice although a little too windy for my tastes. If you stayed too long, you felt sort of "sand blasted".

 

[ksl5f123]

See, I knew you were reasonable! Bob Evans sounds yummy. We have some around here...maybe I'll have to try them out!

I really do love their kids menu. There are so many choices and you can actually get fruit and vegetables (real ones!). I find that a huge challenge on kid's menus when we are travelling.

I would cry driving by the exit! Big, sobbing tears!

It was VERY hard to drive by. We were all getting tired by this point and the idea of just getting into a nice bed at a Disney resort sounded so good. Oh, well. It was only 2 more days.

I can't wait for the return of princess hair!!!

You know my princess can't go without her princess hair!

 

[ksl5f123]

And I was wondering about the whole DTD thing...I was thinking Vero Beach was first!! Oh for two days relaxing by the beach!

Yeah, but I just couldn't help tempting DH with a quick stop at DTD for supper. It wouldn't have been that far out of the way.

I have eaten at Bob Evan's once and it was very good!! We are never anywhere near one!

I am starting to feel like a commercial for the place, but I really do love their food - and always have. It is a great treat for me.

 

[ksl5f123]

First, a note from Mama bear:

If you are new to my Trip Reports, you will notice a link in my signature to the one from last June entitled “9 days of princess hair”. On that trip DD5 (then DD4) went to BBB on our 2nd day and wouldn't let me wash out her “princess hair” until after the trip was over – 9 days later. She desperately wanted to do BBB again this trip, but we were trying to do a more affordable trip this time (and also a shorter one) and we just couldn't make it work. We compromised on “princess hair” done by me.

Monday evening, after spending some time at the beach and the pool, the princess cub came in for a bath and got her fur washed. She had made a deal with mama bear to get her fur styled that night. Mama bear brought along everything they had been given by their FGITs on their last visit including: hair bands, bobby pins, make-up, nail polish, the crown, and the Mickey hair barrette. Mama bear started by putting a large amount of gel in the cub's fur to make it lay tight against her head. Then she put in the ponytail holders – 4 were needed. Next she rolled the ponytail up into a bun and secured it with the bobby pins. Finally, she added the crown, Mickey hair barrette, and a lot of gold hair glitter (purchased on clearance after Halloween). Next, she painted the cub's claws with the nailpolish.

Tuesday morning required only a little touch-up with the gel and glitter and we were ready to go!

Mama bear thinks that it was probably a little too far back on her head on this day, but got better each day.

Up next: Wake up! Now, take a nap.

 

[BookTrout]

I am new to your TR's but, am enjoying the theme of this one, Mamma Bear. Can't wait to read more, please.
Sharon

 

[TinksThree]

Loving the Princess hair!! How cool that DD5 is a compromiser!!

 

[ksl5f123]

I am new to your TR's but, am enjoying the theme of this one, Mamma Bear. Can't wait to read more, please.
Sharon

Sharon! I am so glad to have you reading along. More coming soon.

 

[ksl5f123]

Loving the Princess hair!! How cool that DD5 is a compromiser!!

Thanks! She is really particular about how she looks and so I wasn't sure she would accept my efforts. In the end, I think I did OK.

 

[ksl5f123]

Finally, it is Tuesday, March 22 and it is time to head to Walt Disney World!!! Our day begins bright and early at grandma and grandpa bear's condo. Here are the eldest and princess cubs ready to go at 6:11 AM.

Unfortunately, youngest cub didn't look quite as chipper.

Note from mama bear: Now, let me quickly explain this ridiculously early departure. When I originally planned this trip, we were going to leave the condo at a decent hour (about 10 AM) and aim to get to AK by 1 PM. However, about a month before we left, MIL and FIL let us know that they would be paying for all of our meals (a VERY nice offer) however, that came with the string that we must have at least 1 TS meal per day. I didn't have one planned for this day, so I quickly found both a 1 PM ADR at Tusker House and a 6 PM ADR at Wolfgang Puck Cafe. Since I had chosen the rest of our ADRs, I thought it was only appropriate to let MIL choose this one. Sadly (at least for my touring plan), she chose both! There was no way we could arrive at AK at 1 PM, go straight to an ADR, tour AK, and make our 6 PM ADR. We HAD to have morning time at AK. Hence, the early morning departure resulted.

As the family left the condo, they headed into Vero and stopped at a Dunkin' Donuts to pick up some breakfast. This is another treat for our family – and another restaurant that doesn't exist where they currently live. Nothing says vacation like a chocolate cake doughnut at 6:30 AM.

All the way to the Dunkin' Donuts, the youngest cub cried for grandma bear. He didn't seem to understand that we were still going to be with them for the next 4 days despite mama bear's reassurances. So, while papa bear bought the doughnuts, mama bear moved the youngest cub's carseat to grandma & grandpa bear's minivan.

When papa bear came out, the eldest cub had a strawberry frosted doughnut, the princess cub had a blueberry cake doughnut, mama bear had her favorite chocolate cake doughnut, and papa bear had an apple pie doughnut. Mama bear grabbed some drinks from the cooler for everyone and we were off!

By 7:30 AM, we were on the Florida Turnpike and turned around to see:

Apparently, a doughnut for breakfast isn't enough of a sugar rush to keep them awake in the car.

They woke up just in time to see at 8:41 AM:

By 8:49 we arrive here:

Mama bear had done online check-in. She got in that line and there was only one family in front of her. However, they had asked for something that the CM didn't know how to do. Grandma bear checked in at the regular counter while mama bear continued to wait. The CM who helped grandma bear saw that mama bear was going nowhere so called her over. We were quickly checked in and on our way!

Up next, scary dinosaurs!

 

[pinkxray]

The girls look so excited at 6am, I can't believe they feel asleep only an hour later. Last year we left the house at 4am for the airport and I thought Caitlin would go back to sleep since we live about an hour away from the airport. Nope, she stayed awake the whole drive there and the whole flight to FL.

I can't wait to pull into WL.

I always seem to get stuck behind people who ask CMs questions or have problems. Just get your key and your packet and move on people!

 

[lexmas]

Oops, missed the princess hair! Well, it looks great! Very smart to do it yourself!

Sounds like an early morning. Your baby bear cub does not look ready to go at all!!!

Probably good that the girls slept in the car. They had already been through so much driving already! SO exciting to see that sign though! I look forward to your day at AK!

 

[TinksThree]

Poor little guy! How sweet that he was so upset about missing Grandma Bear! I love early starts!! And how awesome about the food being paid for!!

 

[ksl5f123]

The girls look so excited at 6am, I can't believe they feel asleep only an hour later. Last year we left the house at 4am for the airport and I thought Caitlin would go back to sleep since we live about an hour away from the airport. Nope, she stayed awake the whole drive there and the whole flight to FL.

I was really surprised that they fell asleep especially DD7 - she is usually the energizer bunny. I think it was good for them though to have that nap before the day started.

I can't wait to pull into WL.

It is a beautiful resort. I the lobby!

I always seem to get stuck behind people who ask CMs questions or have problems. Just get your key and your packet and move on people!

I have no idea what was going on with those folks but by the time we left there were 3 CM helping them.

 

[ksl5f123]

Oops, missed the princess hair! Well, it looks great! Very smart to do it yourself!

I want her to have it as much as she wants because I know it will be outgrown before I know it, but at $50 it just wasn't in the budget.

Sounds like an early morning. Your baby bear cub does not look ready to go at all!!!

He is my little night owl. He prefers to sleep 9PM to 9AM whereas the girls sleep 7:30 PM to 6:30 AM.

Probably good that the girls slept in the car. They had already been through so much driving already! SO exciting to see that sign though! I look forward to your day at AK!

I love seeing that sign. The excitement just builds from there.

 

[ksl5f123]

Poor little guy! How sweet that he was so upset about missing Grandma Bear! I love early starts!! And how awesome about the food being paid for!!

He just couldn't understand he would see her again. She said he settled right down in their car, ate his doughnut and went to sleep.

It was very nice of them to get the food. It made our trip come in WAY under budget.

 

[ksl5f123]

To the family's great surprise, their rooms at Wilderness Lodge had been upgraded from standard to courtyard view, were connected (which mama bear didn't even request) and were ready at 8:50 AM!!However, there was no stopping in the room just yet. There was a goal – to get here

While grandma bear and mama bear were checking in, papa bear moved the other cubs' carseats to grandpa bear's minivan and parked his. After checking in, mama bear took the cubs for a potty stop and somehow managed to lose the parking pass for their minivan. Ugh. They decided to just get a new one later. So, everyone jumped in the much cleaner grandpa bear minivan and we were off!

The family arrived at AK at 9:38 AM. Not too bad!

Now, when I told you in the last chapter that this one would be about the scary dinosaurs, how many thought about this?

(taken from wikipedia.com)

or maybe this?

(taken from allears.net)

or even this (OK, he looks friendly, but he is HUGE!)?

Well, you are all wrong. The scary dinosaurs were these:

Yep. Triceratop Spin had the scary dinosaurs – at least to the youngest cub. It all started off well enough. Grandma bear headed straight for the Safari to get fastpasses. Mama bear and the youngest cub got on one dinosaur and everyone else got on another.
So far, so good – still sporting a little chocolate doughnut on his face.

No problems here!

But then, it started moving. The youngest cub clutched onto mama bear's shirt and repeated over and over, “I don't like this ride. I want get off now.” There wasn't any yelling or any tears, but it was quite clear that he was NOT having a good time. Poor little guy.

The family got off the ride at 9:53 AM which meant that they still had 7 minutes until the Boneyard opened at 10 AM. So, mama bear asked the girl cubs if they wanted to go meet one of Pooh Bear's friends (the characters were changing out and it was unclear who would be out next) or ride Triceratop Spin again. The girl cubs chose this:

Up next, digging up bones.

 

[TinksThree]

Bless his heart being scared by Triceratop dinos!! So I take it he did not ride with the girls the 2nd time around!

That is awesome that the room was ready and an upgrade!! I requested rooms close together, the Disney reservation has us with connecting rooms requested, so I am expecting our rooms to be on opposite sides of the resort!!

 

[lexmas]

So funny that he was scared of triceratops spin. My nephew was afraid of the carousel on our last trip. Nothing else, just the carousel. Kids are so unpredictable!

 

[ksl5f123]

After a couple of spins with our Triceratops friends, it was now 10 AM and our family headed over to the Boneyard. We met up with grandma bear who had gotten the fastpasses with a 10:30 return time. This was the first indication that this spring break trip was not going to be the crowded disaster everyone feared. Who expected fastpasses with less than an hour before the window opened?

This day was perfect for playing in the Boneyard. It was sunny and about 72 degrees. While the climbing equipment is somewhat covered, if you are a parent standing on the ground there is next to no shade and nowhere to sit. It can quickly get miserable so it was fabulous to experience this attraction with such good weather.

The cubs started out on the big slides. The oldest cub came right down, but the princess cub was concerned about the sound of roaring dinosaurs coming from inside the slides. Yep, more scary dinosaurs have been found. She waited atop the slide until papa bear got up to her. She slid down with him, discovered it was just “sound effects” and then went many more times.

In the meantime, the youngest cub found the jeep and greatly enjoyed climbing on it and “driving” it.

Then all three cubs tried out the small slides. The youngest cub loves it when the girl cubs do something his size.

After a few more trips down the big slide, the eldest cub discovered the bridge and wanted to see where it goes. Mama bear insisted that she wait for everyone to go together. So, everyone made their first trip ever to the Dig Site part of the Boneyard. Unlike the playground section, the dig site is completely covered and shady. The girl cubs loved playing here, especially the oldest who very much got into the idea of digging up a mastadon, but the youngest cub hated the “dirt”. Now, for those who have never been here, the “dirt” isn't really dirt. It is tiny pieces of rubber – each piece smaller than a pencil eraser. The pieces easily get in your shoes and are rather uncomfortable. The youngest cub stayed on the edges where he could put his hands, but not his feet in the dirt. After several minutes of playing, mama bear dumped out everyone's shoes and the family made their way to their next destination.

After the Boneyard, our family's next destination was Kali River Rapids. It was now 10:47 AM and due to grandma bear's great fastpass running, it was possible for our family to get another set of fastpasses. In June 2010, Kali fastpasses had been gone before our family got to this attraction and they ended up in a 50 minute line. Ugh. This time, there was great determination to avoid a repeat.

When the family reached Kali, the posted standby wait time was 15 minutes and the family decided to just get in the line rather than getting a fastpass. Now came the moment of truth – Would the youngest cub be big enough to ride for the first time?

Up next: Mommy, I win! I'm the wettest!