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

[Lady Lallie]

I can't watch the video at work. BOO! I'll have to come back when I'm at home.

Too funny about your FIL getting in trouble. I can't wait to see the video.

I have a great mental image of you all jumping the fence.

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a fabulous update!! You got some cute pics of Henry in the HISTK play area!! I've not heard that they're going to redo it to be Toy Story-themed!! Cool! It looks like ya'll had a lot of fun at 50's Prime Time! How funny that Poppa had to stand with his nose to the wall!! And your cracking me up with all of you jumping the fence to get to AKL!!! That's hilarious!!

I cannot recall where I heard about the HISTK rumor...perhaps here on the DIS...it would make sense, expanding Pixar Place.

50s was a GREAT meal, a perfect way to kick off the trip.

Oh my gosh!!

The video of your FIL getting in trouble for tattling was the best! It made it even funnier knowing that you weren't sure they would like to partake in the shenanigans!

Sorry to hear that poor Henry had a major meltdown, I hope he starts to feel better on the trip!

Great Update!

Glad you enjoyed it! I love his reaction on there...!

A nap does wonders for a child, doesn't it?

I'll interpret:

Good report.
Looking for more.

I did plan to update last night, but all my energy disappeared...so today it is!

I sat and read all your lovely posts last night, and could have sworn I had commented, but can't find a thing. Must mean I never did- or it was eaten by the Cyber Monsters.



That video was hilarious of FIL! He sounds like such a fun sort of guy- and a bit of a rebel as well. Jumping the fence!!?? Classic!

Henry is so adorable in the playplace pix! What a cutie pie!

Good call to go back early, I know it's hard to cut into park time, but better to take a little out than to allow yourself to get totally sick and ruin the whole vacay!!

I couldn't believe how rebellious he was! I had no clue he had a wild streak!

It was a very good move to return to the resort, despite me really not wanting to leave, I feel like we got nothing done that morning!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Great update!

Wish I could watch the videos but I am at work, your FIL sounds like a hilarious guy. Makes me look forward to the rest of the TR even more!

Great pictures of the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. Everything looks so real there. I can't wait to get there in June! I am always amazed at the details in your pictures, it really makes me want to slow down this summer and enjoy the smaller details. Disney really does it up and it is worth noticing.

Lunch sounds great minus the tantrum from Henry. We are not enjoying the twos (the terrible part) either. Most of the time Brooklyn is fine but when she has a tantrum she has a tantrum.

Thanks for the tip about the APs. I need to look into them. I assumed they were somewhat like the theme park here that you have to purchase them then activate them by having your picture taken and such so I did not know this was even an option for us.

I love the little details at WDW, there are SO many, always something new to see and discover!

The HISTK playground is very cool - I also really like the Boneyard at AK. So much to look at, and so much for the kids to do!

Henry isn't too bad with tantrums, thankfully; however, they do happen from time to time. Sometimes I can calm him down quickly, but this one was not happening. He's only pulled the "kicking and screaming on the floor" a few times and probably only once in public. I think this would have turned into that if I hadn't quickly removed him though! He had good reason this time though, not feeling good + nap, a vicious combination!

Glad I could help with the AP! It really can save quite a bit of money depending on what you need/what discounts are out and only one person in your party needs it to get the discounted room or Tables in Wonderland card.

I hadn't heard that, but agree that it's a fantastic idea. I hope it's true!

I've never tried that, but it does sound yummy!

Mmmm...Nobody got fried chicken?

You rebel fence jumpers...

I hope it's true too, I think it would be an excellent make-over for the playground!

Nope, no fried chicken! I told the family that I knew the pot roast was good and the fried chicken got great reviews, but no one went for it!

We are rule breakers!

 

[DWGal210]

What a fantastic update! I loved all of the pictures.

It's too bad poor Henry wasn't feeling his lunch.

I was LOL as you were talking about your rebellious family. I bet that WAS a site to see all of you hopping that fence!

Have a great day!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I can't watch the video at work. BOO! I'll have to come back when I'm at home.

Too funny about your FIL getting in trouble. I can't wait to see the video.

I have a great mental image of you all jumping the fence.

Jumping the fence I'm sure was very entertaining to anyone watching us! The spaces between the fence ropes aren't huge (probably to prevent people like us!!! ), I really can't even figure out how we did it looking back!

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a fantastic update! I loved all of the pictures.

It's too bad poor Henry wasn't feeling his lunch.

I was LOL as you were talking about your rebellious family. I bet that WAS a site to see all of you hopping that fence!

Have a great day!

It really was!!!

I was worried about Henry because he ate NOTHING...that just showed me how icky he was feeling.

 

[Flossbolna]

Loved your update!! At the moment I can't look at WDW pictures without getting really excitd and thinking on this and that day I will be at that park...

I think just by looking at the pictures I can tell how much your DPIL enjoyed the trip. They just seem like small children having loads of fun! That's just the way it is supposed to be like. It's really wonderful that you were able to take them along for the trip.

Isn't the PBJ milk shake fantastic? I can't understand why nobody else has picked up this idea... If you not only want a recipe, but a full demonstration on how to make it, here it is: http://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyParks#p/search/0/j_j7Ea5vE6E

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off as Henry went down for a nap, Joe, MIL and I toured Kidani.

I will take this moment to explain a few things as well. As I noted in my first post I had been fighting a cold. It was hanging on. It wasn't anything serious, but it left me with a lovely cough and I pretty much lost my voice during our vacation. Which made communicating to everyone on "The Plan" quite interesting throughout the trip.

Me: explaining something in a faint voice.

Them: "What?"

Sigh.

Thankfully it didn't hurt to talk, and I felt fine beyond the cough and the voice.

Unlike Joe....

On the flight down Joe had trouble with his ears. And he caught my cold. So he had woken up with a sore throat and a cold. However, my MIL literally packed a pharmacy in her carry-on, so we had meds. Joe took some and he felt fine. When they wore off, not so much. I suggested he could hang back in the room, not to feel bad if he wanted to rest, but he truly didn't feel bad enough to just sit there/sleep. This continued throughout the trip. So, he kept ibuprofen with him and was good. I'll fast forward briefly and say our flight home from New Orleans was horrible on his ears though, he was in serious pain and his ears clogged up and he couldn't hear properly. He went to the doctor and had a really bad double ear infection!!

My MIL had been having trouble with her ears since the flight. The rougher landing sorta clogged them up and they wouldn't pop. But, otherwise she was good - it was just a tad annoying.

And you know how Henry is doing.

FIL and KK were good and healthy. They were the adults who took naps that day.

We are die-hards!!

So, as soon as Henry was asleep (oh, about 8 seconds!), off we go to tour Kidani.

Which begins with a few pictures of the room:

The living room

Detail on the lap on the end table in the living room

The whole lamp - not the 9-1-1 phone.

Out the door we go. First stop? The gift shop!

I really liked this, but $60 for something so simple!! thewesterberg said she could MAKE me one for the cost of a black sweatshirt. I gotta get on that!!!

Aren't these cute?

DVC Member wind breaker that both Joe and I liked....but didn't buy. Yet.

Since the big bead characters don't really go with the theme of our house, I thought a key chain guy might be fun to get...but I never did get one

The "I don't do mornings" coffee mugs that I like so much!

I think this one said "Mornings aren't magical"

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Bye gift shop!

Overall impressions of the gift shop: My MIL was looking for postcards, they didn't sell any. The selection is pretty small, but not bad. Compared to Jambo House's gift shop, it's TEENY though. I'm not a big souvie buyer, I just like to browse mostly and this fixed that need.

Onto the library! We enjoyed the coziness of the fireplace in here and the balcony is a wonderful animal viewing spot on a warmer day!

One of the Founder's Tapestry and a cool light fixture

Fabric on a chair

These chairs were quite comfy, a lovely spot to read a book!

Out on the balcony

Elevator doors

Next was Community Hall. There is SO much to do here. Very cool. I know when Henry is a bit older it will be fun to take part in some of these things.

Tables with games

Pool and Foosball

Big 'ol TV with a Wii. I wanted to try the Wii because I never have, but a child was there with a CM showing him how to use it, so it probably would have been a long wait. I just noticed a Sit & Spin in the corner there too.

Lots of games!

As we were leaving Community Hall I noticed a craft you could do for $1 - you could make your own button. This could be really fun I think when Henry gets older! Or if we are celebrating something....like Peep Fest 2012.

A brief stint in the arcade.

Lots of racing games

Games were anywhere between 80 points and 200!

This was kind of like a ride - the seats move. We didn't ride it here, but we took Henry to Chuck E. Cheese this past weekend and they had the same thing (for a quarter!). Pretty neat, but not worth much more than a quarter in my opinion!

And then out to the pool area.

Our room from the sidewalk

Pretty flowers along the path. Since Kidani is new, the plants are young - but it's still lush. I imagine it will be amazing once they all grow in!

Continued in next post
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CXOhG6GHlM

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Quick pit-stop to check out the fitness center. It was very impressive. And empty.

We were shocked to see 2 kids in the pool! It was much to cold to swim!

Pool bar

It was a short visit to the pool - and we didn't take too many pictures since we had taken quite a few back in September.

Back to the front...

Mickey!

I love how the 2 palm trees extend out of the top of the roof! We all had several discussions wondering if they were real and they built the lodge around them, or if they were fake...I can't imagine they could transplant them and still have them survive - they are HUGE! Anyone know?

Back in the lodge we noticed the animals were very close, so we went outside and enjoyed!

Pretty soon three giraffes were very close to the rock

They kept coming closer and closer...they seemed to be fixated on the building.

Then I spotted this guy:

It must be feeding time!

But, he started to talk to the giraffes.

"Sorry buds, I only have mulch. No food."

The giraffes didn't believe him at first, they hung out waiting!

"Whatcha got in that little bucket?"

The other animals had noticed some sort of commotion and had wandered over as well.

But soon they realized, the truth, it was mulch!

Little tree near the door leading out to the rock

Continued in next post
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CXOhG6GHlM

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

There had been a Gingerbread House competition between the CMs a few days before we arrived and they had them on display:

The welcome mat from the house above

Sanna is down in this area too

The view from the top of the stairs

On the way back to the room, the animals made me stop again!

After tour touring we went back to the room for a bit of relaxation.

Around 4:00 Henry had woken up, a nap had done him well! He was happy and I could tell he was feeling MUCH better. So we we all got ready and headed back to DHS.

A small video tour of the studio, family room and kitchen

 

[Flossbolna]

Kidani looks beautiful!! Thanks for the in depth walking tour of it!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I had some catching up to do!

First, after reading your update, I am even more ready to eat at Prime Time!!! I adore the picture of Henry laughing at Poppa who was getting in trouble. Too bad he became fussy afterwards , but I sure do hope I earn a Clean Plate sticker!

Okay, I am too much like MeMom -- I would have been afraid of getting in trouble for jumping the fence and would have walked clear around. You are much braver than I am!

Beautiful walking tour around Kidani. You should have seen me squinting at all the garlands and wreaths trying to figure out if I could replicate any of the decorations at home. The giraffes and all the animals coming out in the hopes of an afternoon snack are too cute!!! I bet they weren't pleased to find out it was just mulch.

Gingerbread houses!!! I wonder where I can get one of those miniature AKL welcome mats for my gingerbread house next year...

 

[MHTeacher]

Loved the walking tour of Kidani---everything's beautiful! Can't wait to hear more about your day at DHS.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Wow, I had no idea Kidani was so gorgeous! I might have to have a DVC chat with the ol' DH! I love the theming and details. The community room is pretty cool and looks like a great way to unwind and decompress from the parks. The gift shop is small and for some weird reason, I like a gift shop to be HUGE when I'm at Disney. It's not even that I always buy something it's more that I want to browse.

Super cute gingerbread houses. When we went in Oct., the Polynesian had a pumpkin contest and it was fun to pick our favorite.

Ok, love the giraffe dialogue! Who knew you spoke giraffe?? Poor little things, they were waiting for something better than boring mulch.

Glad Henry was feeling better after his nap. It is amazing what a nap can do for a child (and a parent!). Being tired and sick is no fun! Poor little guy!

Looking forward to the rest and thanks for the detailed tour of Kidani.

 

[PopArtGal]

Primetime cafe looks fun, but not for me. I'm too shy. And I wouldn't feel comfy.

 

[PopArtGal]

The gym looks nice. If I was staying there I might stop a few times.

Thanks for the update. I'm at home with a bad cold and couldn't sleep. It really helped!

 

[KathyRN137]

There had been a Gingerbread House competition between the CMs a few days before we arrived and they had them on display:

Ha! That reminds me of the Jack-o-Lantern contest they had on display when we were there! Looks like they had fun!

Thanks for the great pictures... the memories have all come flooding back! We never did make it over to the Community Hall not sure why.

The kids did have great weather for swimming, though.

Hope you guys felt better soon. We had a bit of the sickies during our last trip as well.


Kathy

 

[SoonerGirl]

My boys would be all over that pool table in the Community Hall! How very cool that they have that - I had no idea! Now I want DVC even more, and it's never going to happen

Thanks for the beautiful tour of Kidani!!!

Glad Henry was feeling better when he woke up, but so sorry that Joe was having so much trouble with his ears.

 

[praisehisname]

Fabulous tour of Kidani! I love the gingerbread houses!

Denise