A Tale of [family madness in] Two Cities - Final Thoughts & PTR Link!

[praisehisname]

I'm in! Going back now to get caught up!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Can I just say how excited I was when I saw you had started your trip report? I even had to comment to Charles about it!

Can't believe Henry had a fever the night before! Thank goodness it broke!

Oh, I am so ready to hear all about this fun trip!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I nearly made the first page! SHUCKS!


But I found you!


Love the new pics in your signature. Gosh our boys are getting too big too fast!


Can't wait to hear the rest of the story.... I said that in Walter Cronkite's voice, just so you know.

Hate that you guys had a sickie on this trip, too. I know what that's like. I have a bit of a scratchy throat, and the sneezies. I'm sooooooooooo praying it's just because of the crazy temp swings and not the start of something more. Cus you know if I get it, the boys'll be right behind me.


I'm so excited that you are starting!

Love Tale of Two Cities btw. My fave Dickens by far. Hope it wasn't foreshadowing though....

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

Glad you found me!!

I had a slight cold two days before we left for WDW. One day I was totally drained and exhausted, but after that I bounced back. It just drives me nuts that no matter how careful I am, Henry catches it!

No worries on the Tale of Two Cities...no "worst of times" really!

YEAH!!! You started!! I was just thinking about your TR today, actually and here you are!

I had so much fun following you on Facebook so thanks for the effort you put into it!

I can't wait for the ride to begin....

Heather

Thanks for following me along on Facebook, it was really fun to post the tweets and the pictures each day. I tried to hold some stuff back for the TR....

Yea, you started! (I was never a cheerleader, but I think pom poms give everything that extra oomph! )

I'm in and waiting for the trip to begin!

That is true about the pom pom's, coming from another non-cheerleader.

Here I am!!

Yay! You made it!

You could have joined us on the Poly beach, if we had known. It was a beautiful place to watch awesome fireworks.

Brook, can't wait to see many fun pictures of an awake and active Henry and his nice mom and dad!

I was thinking that as well when I found out she was there the same time as us! I just wonder how many other DISers were there that didn't know about it....

about the "awake and active Henry"

you went stealth on me and started. Okay I am here now...

You found me! I was going to PM you this morning. I promise. I stink at PMing. I've been meaning to PM ClaireW for like uh, 4 months now? about blogs for activities with kids.

Anyway, glad you used your TR Board skills and found me!

Okay, I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't realize that you started this TR! I'm in, of course!

Heya! My TR and PTR were closed while I was gone so I didn't have anywhere to announce it, I'm happy to see all you guys are finding me!

I'm here. Headed back to read.

Hey Jill!

I'm here!

Hey Katie!

Agggg, I just noticed your link in your siggie! I'm here now!

I can't believe Henry got a cold just when it was time to leave for your trip, that just stinks! Poor little guy, I hope it was short lived and that no one else caught the bug.

Can't wait to hear all about your latest adventure!

It's OK - I just started yesterday, you are still early!

I was so very annoyed when Henry caught that cold. It just never fails!

I'm here!!

thanks for finding me!!

I'm here... can't wait. Going back to catch up.

Hey there!

 

[brookelizabeth]

So excited that you started. So three Disney newbies - this should be interesting. And one semi-sick toddler. Poor baby. Can't wait to read all about Kidani and your trip!

And a wheelchair.
And a stroller.

Can't forget about those.

Yay another brooke report!

Hey! Thanks for finding me and joining up again!

I'm in, too!

I'm in. I have lurked on all your other reports and thought I would actually say Hi this time! You have a beautiful family and a wonderful way of writing...hooks me everytime!!

Oh, thank you! I'm glad you said hello!

I'm here too! I enjoyed following along with your trip on Facebook, and can't wait to hear all the details! And see all your fabulous pictures!

I would tell you to come over to my TR too, but I guess I should go update it first... I'm afraid I've abandoned it a little!

I have your TR open, I will catch up ASAP, so don't update yet. I'm really looking forward to it!

Thanks for following me along on Facebook, it was really fun to do all that!

I never realized that you had not been to Disney before your Honeymoon.... you sure have made up for it with Henry, four trips in 2 years, he is lucky!

I know...we REALLY made up for it in a short time, didn't we??? I knew I would get hooked...but I figured "every other year" hooked.

I'm glad to hear that your flight made it out! Wasn't all of that snow crazy? Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

Heidi

I was very, very surprised all the planes were leaving on time! And impressed. They really had things going smoothly. A quick de-icing and that was it.

I've been a lurker (why does that always sound so creepy?) and am looking forward to your TR! Your little guy is too cute.

Thank you for posting a hello! And thank you for reading and the compliment about Henry!

yay another Brooke report!! The crowds were crazy that week. We were up for my sons birthday on the 30th. I cant wait to hear all about it!

It was nuts! I couldn't believe it at some points....and the wait times made me laugh!! Waiting 80 minutes for Buzz Lightyear?! Wowsers.

If I had known you were going to be there you could have joined us on the Poly beach for the fireworks too!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hi there I'm new to your TR but I have seen you around
This is going to be a great report.....Kidani...one of my favorite resorts and New Orleans...a place I have always wanted to visit.

Tracy

Hey there! I have seen you around as well! Thanks for joining up and reading along. Kidani was beautiful. Loved it! New Orleans is a very cool City!

I wonder wether I will still make it to page three or wether I will end up on page four... Your TR is already moving fast, will also need to send a PM to nodnol that you have started otherwise she will be very cross with me... You see we are all very much looking forward to your report!

Sounds like you had a bit of a stressful start to your vacation with fever and snow! I love the pic of your grandmother and Henry. I hope she is doing fine, I remember that there were some unpleasant things happening last year, I hope those are well behind her now!

Joe's picture is great, too! I know that you guys are into mirrors, but this one looks so much unplanned and a lot of fun. He looks really happy in the picture!

You made page 3! I was surprised this morning at how many replies I got since I last checked!

Joe and I have been discussing our next trip (details to be revealed in the future, perhaps a PTR, or whenever we get them settled I'll share) - and your name came up because there might be a day when I could go do the Ultimate Touring Plan at MK, and I was bummed because I knew you wouldn't be there to do it too! Then that worked into a conversation about sulfate free shampoo.... My hair is getting longer, so I need to switch to all that stuff soon.

Oh, that is so sweet about you remembering about my Grandma! She is doing pretty well, she's living with my Uncle and has been since the whole incident with her niece....which spurred some health problems. (grrrrrrr! that whole ordeal still makes me upset...) She hasn't had any major health issues for a while now, thankfully! We had a huge-ol-surprise party for her this past year, she turned 88. We were going to wait until she was 90, but honestly, with everything she has battled over the past 2 years, there might not be a 90. So we went all out this year just to be safe! It was a really great party and she was VERY surprised!

We do a lot of mirror shots, don't we?! It's not even planned, it just happens. And this TR is no exception....! That one wasn't planned at all, I was trying to take a picture of the desk area/mirror and Joe got in the way, so I told him to "smile!" and that's what I got....!

I'm in! Going back now to get caught up!

Hey there!!! Thanks for joining in!!

Can I just say how excited I was when I saw you had started your trip report? I even had to comment to Charles about it!

Can't believe Henry had a fever the night before! Thank goodness it broke!

Oh, I am so ready to hear all about this fun trip!

I'm so glad I'm not the only wife who talks to her DH about the "Disney boards" and he knows who a few people are. We spoke about you yesterday too due to the crazy weather you guys have been getting!

When I realized he had a slight fever I just sighed. It's always something before Disney!! But, it did break without a problem, thankfully. And the cold wasn't too bad either, just a bit of a runny nose. Which is standard with a toddler it seems! Messy face, runny nose. Always!


Off to church now, I will have an update later today!

 

[gopherdame]

Hi Brook,
I'm mostly a lurker but have followed your last 2 trip reports. I'm also in Minnesota and love seeing pics of Henry. He's so adorable! I've commented on him so much my dh knows him too. We leave in 13 days for what has become our 4th annual January trip with my dd's family. Can't wait and I'm glad we weren't there this week with the cold weather!

 

[RachelNinja]

I'm here! Glad that I caught it at the start of your TR! I love the pic of your grandma and Henry napping. I hope that Henry's sickness didn't affect your trip too much!

 

[KristiMc]

Yay - trip report time! I followed you on twitter/facebook. It was great to follow your trip and it gave me a little Disney fix until our trip next month.

 

[nodnol]

I wonder wether I will still make it to page three or wether I will end up on page four... Your TR is already moving fast, will also need to send a PM to nodnol that you have started otherwise she will be very cross with me... You see we are all very much looking forward to your report!

a new TR by brook!

Thank you, dear sister!

Brook, I'm here now, hope I didn't miss anything yet!

 

[MHTeacher]

You could have joined us on the Poly beach, if we had known. It was a beautiful place to watch awesome fireworks.

Thanks MeMom for the invite! We actually watched the NYE preview fireworks in the MK on the 30th (my DD's 16 birthday). We went to the Studios for NYE.

We've watched Wishes from the Poly's beach when we've stayed there. It's definitely one of my favorite places to watch it from.

yay another Brooke report!! The crowds were crazy that week. We were up for my sons birthday on the 30th. I cant wait to hear all about it!

How fun...we were also there for my daughter's 16th birthday on the 30th. We may have passed each other. I saw a lot of birthday buttons on the 30th and 31st it seemed.

**********************************************************

Brooke, I'm caught up and ready for some more trip report!

 

[Flossbolna]

You made page 3! I was surprised this morning at how many replies I got since I last checked!

Joe and I have been discussing our next trip (details to be revealed in the future, perhaps a PTR, or whenever we get them settled I'll share) - and your name came up because there might be a day when I could go do the Ultimate Touring Plan at MK, and I was bummed because I knew you wouldn't be there to do it too! Then that worked into a conversation about sulfate free shampoo.... My hair is getting longer, so I need to switch to all that stuff soon.

Oh, that is so sweet about you remembering about my Grandma! She is doing pretty well, she's living with my Uncle and has been since the whole incident with her niece....which spurred some health problems. (grrrrrrr! that whole ordeal still makes me upset...) She hasn't had any major health issues for a while now, thankfully! We had a huge-ol-surprise party for her this past year, she turned 88. We were going to wait until she was 90, but honestly, with everything she has battled over the past 2 years, there might not be a 90. So we went all out this year just to be safe! It was a really great party and she was VERY surprised!

We do a lot of mirror shots, don't we?! It's not even planned, it just happens. And this TR is no exception....! That one wasn't planned at all, I was trying to take a picture of the desk area/mirror and Joe got in the way, so I told him to "smile!" and that's what I got....!
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Yes, I guess everyone has been sitting around waiting for you to start your TR! I was hoping to read about it on your PTR, but that was closed??

That sounds intriguing about your next trip with a day where you could do the ultimate touring plan.... I would still love to do that! Even though I guess no one will ever be able to break the current record. Henry Works and Fred Hazelton (the IT guy and the statistician of the UG team) set a new record recently and they waited an average of about 2 minutes per attraction! But then, they really should know best, shouldn't they.

Well, who knows when I end up being in WDW next, it might still coincide with your visit - will be waiting patiently on updates regarding next trip!

Good to hear that your grandmother has gotten over her problems. I think it is wonderful that you celebrated the 88th birthday! In Germany we call numbers with two same digits "Schnapszahl" and they are supposed to be lucky numbers and tend to be celebrated in a fun way as well as the official big numbers!

And I always thought you had a family tradition of family photos taken with a mirror!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Hi Brook,
I'm mostly a lurker but have followed your last 2 trip reports. I'm also in Minnesota and love seeing pics of Henry. He's so adorable! I've commented on him so much my dh knows him too. We leave in 13 days for what has become our 4th annual January trip with my dd's family. Can't wait and I'm glad we weren't there this week with the cold weather!

Hi there! Another Minnesotan! That is so sweet about Henry - I know exactly what you mean, Joe knows of a bunch of the DISers as well...and their children.

I hope it warms up for you to better temperatures! I can't believe how cold it's been down there!!! Regardless, being in Disney is always good...but warm Disney is always better. I hope you have a MAGICAL TRIP!! (Do you do TRs? If so, be sure to post a link when you get back!)

I'm here! Glad that I caught it at the start of your TR! I love the pic of your grandma and Henry napping. I hope that Henry's sickness didn't affect your trip too much!

thank you for joining in here! Isn't that a sweet picture? Everyone was "ooohing" over them napping together.

Yay - trip report time! I followed you on twitter/facebook. It was great to follow your trip and it gave me a little Disney fix until our trip next month.

Glad to provide the fix! That is what I will be doing here on the DIS as well until our next trip, which is just much, much too far away....

a new TR by brook!

Thank you, dear sister!

Brook, I'm here now, hope I didn't miss anything yet!

Nope, you haven't missed a thing! I'm about to post an update-you made it just in time.

Thanks MeMom for the invite! We actually watched the NYE preview fireworks in the MK on the 30th (my DD's 16 birthday). We went to the Studios for NYE.

We've watched Wishes from the Poly's beach when we've stayed there. It's definitely one of my favorite places to watch it from.

How fun...we were also there for my daughter's 16th birthday on the 30th. We may have passed each other. I saw a lot of birthday buttons on the 30th and 31st it seemed.

**********************************************************

Brooke, I'm caught up and ready for some more trip report!

I'm looking forward to reading your report about how crowded the preview was...I was interested in doing that, but it just didn't happen.

Wouldn't it be fun if we saw each other in our pictures!

Yes, I guess everyone has been sitting around waiting for you to start your TR! I was hoping to read about it on your PTR, but that was closed??

That sounds intriguing about your next trip with a day where you could do the ultimate touring plan.... I would still love to do that! Even though I guess no one will ever be able to break the current record. Henry Works and Fred Hazelton (the IT guy and the statistician of the UG team) set a new record recently and they waited an average of about 2 minutes per attraction! But then, they really should know best, shouldn't they.

Well, who knows when I end up being in WDW next, it might still coincide with your visit - will be waiting patiently on updates regarding next trip!

Good to hear that your grandmother has gotten over her problems. I think it is wonderful that you celebrated the 88th birthday! In Germany we call numbers with two same digits "Schnapszahl" and they are supposed to be lucky numbers and tend to be celebrated in a fun way as well as the official big numbers!

And I always thought you had a family tradition of family photos taken with a mirror!

Yep, my PTR was closed, so I couldn't even reply to the last comments. Perhaps I'll do that over here instead....! From what it seems a bit of "house cleaning" was done the week I was gone. It's alright-I don't mind - I'm just glad people are finding me here now!

OH WOW! 2 minutes per attraction! And they did the Ultimate Touring plan doing that?! Wow, wow. That's INCREDIBLE!

I will keep you posted of whenever plans get settled...perhaps you will be there....!!!

That is very cool about Schnapszah! Very appropriate then for our German background! And wow, that is a mouthful to say it seems.

The mirror thing isn't really a tradition - though it has become one it seems.....! It's just convenient instead of asking someone to take a family photo!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Saturday, December 26, 2009.

As I mentioned, the snow was falling, falling, falling here in Minnesota. I haven't a clue what the total count was ever determined to be, I was too focused on what was coming. Disney. Florida. Warmer than here. Palm trees. Ahhhh.

Would the flight leave on time? We had no idea. Every time we checked it was listed as "On-Time", but we expected a delay. As you now know, there was ZERO delay. That Delta flight took off right on time. Our pilot was a fun one. He cracked jokes and had the whole plane smiling, "When you are seated, keep that seat belt on in case you find out about unexpected turbulence before I do!". Henry did great. Watched Cars. I could tell he wasn't feeling himself 100%, but was still doing good.

This was the very first flight for my MIL and FIL. Well, MIL once rode in a crop duster. I asked the steward for them to get wings or certificate, but apparently they didn't have any, or they forgot....because they didn't even get a "Happy 1st flight!" All well! This was also their first real vacation in 10 years. Their last vacation was camping. In Minnesota. They are not travelers. Yet.

The flight went smooth, except the landing. They held us in a holding pattern for a bit, which I do not like one little bit. But, we landed and soon we were boarding the fake monorail!

Look honey! It's the fake monorail!

We dumped out into the main terminal

and I suddenly got very confused on where to go. Where was ME? A side or B side? Everyone stopped with me. I was the leader. I had "all the answers". A bit of panic washed over me as I had a sudden thought of dragging everyone to the wrong side, my FIL who has a bad back and can't walk too far, they all had big carry-ons... I looked at Joe. He has a crazy awesome sense of direction, and sure enough, he led us directly to the correct location. No problem. Whew.

I glanced at my MIL and mentioned this area might be a mad house considering we were entering the busiest Disney season.

It was EMPTY.



I led the group past the desk and straight to the red carpet with our vouchers in hand. We were directed to our lane and we waited.

After about 48 seconds I was asked how long the wait was normally.

Well................we have waited less than 5 minutes, and we have waited over 30.

Thankfully, this was closer to the 5 minute mark. They directed us to a waiting bus that was headed for the All-Star Resorts and then onto Kidani.

The driver slowed down for everyone to take a picture under the sign, but this is all I managed. Someday I'll get a good shot!

Our driver was not speedy. Not even close. Quite the opposite. Our ride took well over an hour. Granted he had 3 stops at the All-Stars...but our plane landed at 5:30 and we weren't even to Kidani by 7:30.

But, what matters is that we DID arrive!

We stepped into Kidani and it was even more beautiful than I could remember from our brief September visit. The large Christmas tree sparkled in the back, ahhhhhhhhhhh....we were here. Our adventure was starting.

I think Joe was a little tired...these pictures aren't the best...there are better ones later, I promise!

Everyone wandered the lobby while I checked us in. The CM pulled up my name and mentioned our check-out date of December 28.



Hold up!

Nooooo......

Thankfully I had my confirmation numbers (I had FOUR!) written down right in my handydandy Passporter which was in my bag. I scribbled them down for him, he called a manager who hit a few keys on the keyboard and viola! there we were.

When we were given our room number I asked how close it was to the lobby. I was concerned about those long hallways and FIL's back. I had put a request in and they did note it was a medical need....and they delivered! We were the very first room on the left hand side (standard view) in the hallway directly after the check-in desk--"Red River Hog" side, 1st floor - #7607. Perfect.

We got to our room and dumped our bags. The grocery delivery came up and all was settled and groceries were put away. Our room was "explored". We were all in awe. It felt like the room went on forever and ever between the studio and the master! It was beautiful. Everyone was loving it.

Foreverly washing sippy cups...

Joe took this one

And a few minutes later I took this one:

The view looking left

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

A close-up of the lamp over the dining room table

Over the bench at the dining room table

This is the master bedroom - not a great picture, but the lamps have ostrich eggs in them, which I find very cool!

The door to the master bedroom

Master bath

Headboard detail

Poppa all relaxed out - Henry ready to tear up the place!

Back of the dining room chairs

The sleeper chair

The bathroom off the main entrance - 3 bathrooms in a 2 bedroom!

In case people want to know what this stuff looks like!

In attached studio

We had a lock-off, so a 1 bedroom with attached studio - their kitchenette area

The large piece is a closet with shelves

This was on the master bed

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

I don't know who did it, but since the weather was warm the patio doors in the living room and master were opened wide and Henry soon discovered the patio area. We heard a trio of African drummers that were playing near the lobby entrance (if you are looking at Kidani, our room was directly to the left of the lobby), and Henry loves a drum beat, so he and I went out onto the patio and danced to the beat.

Then he realized the the master and the living room patios are connected...he was shrieking in delight running in circles between the rooms! Soon he requested to climb on top of our bed in the master bedroom. He had been looking forward to something for quite a few weeks....

"Jump on Mah's (Mickey's) bed?"

It was a perfect way to start the trip. Lots of smiles and excitement! Happy boy means happy Momma!

We were STARVED by this time, so a couple frozen pizzas were put in. You know how everything tastes better when you are at Disney World? Frozen pizza is no exception.

And somewhere between the dancing, the running, the laughing and the eating, Henry pulled a phone off the cradle and dialed 9-1-1 on speaker phone.

"9-1-1 emergency, do you have a fire or police emergency?"
"No, I'm sorry, I have a toddler!"
"Oh, that's okay, ma'm happens all the time..."



Around 8:30 I shyly whispered to Joe that I wanted to go to MK. He looked at me a little funny and then quickly agreed.

The little one was put down for bed - he crashed instantly - and we were OFF.

And...

I DIDN'T TAKE A BAG TO THE PARK.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Wow Brook, your room at Kidani looks amazing!

I love that you forgot which way to go for ME too, glad I wasn't the only 'expert' that had a brain fart!

 

[RachelNinja]

Haha, I love how you make even the travel day sound so interesting.

I still haven't stayed on property yet, but I love the pictures of all the details like the ostrich eggs, the headboard, and the Lion King design on the back of the chairs. I'm the kind of person who gets excited over the IKEA catalog because I choose furniture for my pretend apartment! I can't imagine if I were an interior designer for Disney who got to choose/design furniture for WDW rooms!

I definitely agree with you about how everything tastes better at Disney! We eat at our condo quite often instead of eating out, but for some reason, the steak always tastes better (I'm not really a steak eater) AND the corn, from the same exact can we get at home, just tastes so so so good!

Anyway, so excited about this installment and looking forward to more! BTW, love the new signature pictures!

 

[KathyRN137]

Ahh, those pix bring back wonderul Kidani Village memories!!
It was fun to see pix of the attached Studio, too.
That big ole bed is just perfect for jumping!! And didn't you just love how the balcony stretched across both rooms?

Ooh, date night already! Can't wait to read all about it...

Kathy

 

[kimmylaj]

hey brooke, so glad you have this report going i love your trip reports. i had to laugh at the sippy cup washing brings back such memories. and heading to the park with no bag, now that is freedom.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Without a park bag!?!

I'm so glad your flight wasn't delayed, I was really worried for you!