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

[Flossbolna]

An update!!

Those crowds are scary!! But I am glad you got to do at least two of the highlights of AK. Well done!

 

[All7OfUs]

I just can't get over how lovely your photos are! Even with frightening crowds, you were able to really get some very beautiful shots, Brook!

So glad you're back!

 

[howlongtildisney]

Thanks for the update, Brook! I was actually somewhere in those crowds on Dec. 29. We got there around 7:30, about half an hour before the rope was supposed to drop. We walked right in and onto Everest - it was an unannounced early opening! We were able to get everything done but Nemo by noon, and by then the crowds were just too oppressive and we left for DTD. I'm a total dork and I kept looking for us in your crowd shots.

 

[Lady Lallie]

The thought of those crowds makes me shudder. Eeek! I don't think I ever want to be there during Christmas week.

 

[bethk78]

Yay, you're back! Craaaaaaazy crowds. I felt stressed looking at some of those crowd pics. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.

 

[praisehisname]

Not only are you back, but you're back with a MEGA update!

I don't really like crowds, but I think I would have been OK if it was just me and my family. Like you said, though, I would have felt bad that my first-time guests were missing out on the "magic" of the place because of the overwhelming crowds. I hope your family still had fun.

 

[MeMom]

Those crowds look familiar, since we were right there in them. It's still cool, though, to be there at that time of year, as long as you make it a more relaxed kind of trip. Seeing all of the decorations, lights, special parades, etc. is worth the effort.

That Animal Kingdom Christmas tree could possibly be my favorite one in all of WDW.

If we could take a little of the cold from that trip and mix it with a little of the heat we're going to feel starting tomorrow , we'd have the perfect park touring weather.

Thanks for all the pictures. I hope you are feeling pretty settled in your new home and surroundings now.

See you on our new TR and as you finish out here.....

and on your next pre-trip.

 

[MEK]

Brooke -

Welcome Back! What a mega update you wrote! Wowsa! So much fun to read! What beautiful pictures you got and what a nice day at AK. The crowds are a tad overwhelming but you still managed to do and see a lot. Nice job!

 

[slightly_obsessed]

delurking to say I have loved your trip reports and I'm excited you are updating again! Henry is SUCH a cutie! Hope your transitioning is going well. I stole a glance at your blog; your new neighborhood looks like so much fun! We are moving soon but not to nearly as exciting a place as you.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Yippeee for an TR update!

Oh my! those crowds are totally insane!!!! WOW! I can totally understand being frustrated! I couldn't even deal with that!

Your AK pictures are beautiful! WOW!

I can't believe people were waiting online for their FP return time! Do they not understand the point of FP?!

I'm glad you decided to return to AKV to escape the crowds!

 

[ClaireW]

It's great to have you back and updating like crazy

Looking forward to planning a meet with you in September - we're coming from the UK so staying for a whole two weeks . Hoping we can swap and share some ideas about what we'll be planning with our little ones!

 

[burly]

Your back! yayaaaaaa

Great update. The crowds, ugh.

Can't wait for more......

 

[ptcrn]

Our dates are September 3-9, what are yours?

Bummer, we will miss you! We are going to be there 9/24 to 10/2. We'll be celebrating both David's and my birthdays while we're there, I can't wait!


Holy crowds, Batman!! I don't think I could ever handle going during the holidays and dealing with that! I would love to see all the decorations, but - wow! I think going back and relaxing at the resort was the right move!

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

It is nice to have you back! It was fun to see so many updates!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Welcome back Brook! Great, long update. I cannot believe those crowds. I think you all are awesome for keeping your composure with that MANY people surrounding you. I would have cried. I hope you got back that night and lots of those people went home. LOL! Though a relaxing afternoon at the Lodge does sound better than standing in long lines all day long.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Those crowds are C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!!!!

Finding Nemo...I played those videos just to hear the songs again....my favorite show at WDW....

Y'all got some great shots even some w/o people in them....

They really were - it was the worst day we had crowd wise. I think due to the winding paths in AK it always seems worse too.

I love the Nemo music too - such a great show.

I love photographing AK, it's beautiful. I know Poppa was loving it too - there is always something new to see each time we go.

Man i would have hated having to deal with those crowds.

It was not exactly fun...but we took it slowly and didn't let it get to us. We knew it was gonna be nuts that week!

The crowds were CRAZY!!!! Looking at the pictures of Henry from this trip shows how much he has grown in the past 6 months or so! Your pictures are amazing and I hope one day I can tak pictures like that.

And you should see him now...even bigger! He has REALLY grown up in the last few months, getting to be more and more of a big boy.

Thanks on the pictures compliment! We have a great camera, so that helps! Joe has a real good eye for photography and both Poppa and I have taken a couple photography courses, so we've gotten a bit of training. I would like to take more classes though and start to understand my camera a bit more.

BROOK!! You are back! How did I miss that?!

Great news about being able to keep your DVC and great update as usual. Love all the AK pictures.

I am!!! It's so great to be back - I've missed you guys! It's nice that life is slowing down a bit now again too...there is still plenty to do around our new place, but we aren't in a rush to get it all done.

I loved the Nemo musical. I was pleasantly surprised.

I was too the first time I saw it--even though Henry completely freaked the first time. Since that trip though, he's learned to love it. The songs are great and the entire production is done so well. Have you seen Lion King too? It's another great one.

those crowds alone will be the reason I will never get my DH to go at that time! LOL! But I want to see xmas decorations someday...so maybe I will convince him to early december when the crowds are lower!

I can understand why your DH would want to avoid it! They can be really intense. The worst of it all was when we were exiting Nemo - that was ridiculous. I would love to go again over NYE, but we'd do something like fly in on the 30th or 31st and just do the fireworks that first night and then do all our park touring during the first week of January when the crowds are slimmer and its less DVC points. The Christmas decorations are beautiful--the Castle is just amazing. It brings me to tears each time, so, so, so pretty! It's worth a trip in early December to experience it!

 

[DisGirlAllie]

Brooke, Joe, and Henry:
Thank you for keeping me sane until my next trip.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Too funny about Henry wanting Donald to join the ducks!

Hurray for making it into Finding Nemo!

Love the giraffes, of course, and all the other fabulous pictures from Animal Kingdom, but those holy large groups of people!!! I can't believe how crowded it was!!!

It was very cute when he attempted to shove his Donald through the rails! I'm really glad he didn't succeed though.

The crowds that day were nuts-o. It was the hardest day crowd wise and my in-laws do feel like they missed out a bit on AK because of that. We often, thankfully, found ourselves going right along with the crowd or in a spot where the crowd had a small gap, so it worked - but right out of Nemo was awful!

Great update Brook! I had to keep reminding myself that you were there Christmas week because I have never seen crowds like that I hope it's a bit calmer when you come back for the evening.

I had never seen that many people in one spot either after Nemo - I just remember looking at the family and kinda giving them a "good luck!" face and in we went. It was slooooow going with a stroller and a wheelchair!

WOW - those are crowds. I don't think I'd do well in that...I'd be too impatient.

You may have answered this before but I don't remember...did you think about renting an offsite scooter for Poppa instead of the wheelchair? We're going with my dad who is in great shape, but has bad feet and can't walk forever. I'm trying to convince him to go the scooter route. Was the wheelchair maybe easier? We only need it for when we are at the parks.

We didn't loose our cool with the crowds thankfully - we came very prepared for the worst and most often, except this AK day, were surprised at how well we could navigate. But with that said, I'm CERTAINLY looking forward to the low crowds in September again!

We did consider the off-site scooter; however, dealing with bringing the scooter back to the resort and dealing with it going on and off the bus--during Christmas week--is what changed our mind. I read a lot about them, and sometimes you have to wait for a wheelchair accessible bus to come and that sorta thing - and we just didn't want to deal with that over Christmas week when we knew we'd already be waiting long enough. Plus, being that Poppa has never really used one and getting onto a bus smoothly might have been an ordeal. And then there was the cost factor, a wheelchair is like $12 a day or something and it worked really well for inside the parks. Someone obviously had to push at all times, but I think that was easier due to the crowd level than a scooter would have been with stopping/starting all the time. And it was nice not having to bring the scooter back to the resort and store it somewhere in the villa too. If you do end up renting from the parks it's a VERY quick process to grab a chair and go, I don't think there was ever a line for that.

Great update! Ah the crowds of Christmas/NYE. I remember it being cold more n than I remember it being crowded.

I remember the cold very well too - it was freeeeeeeeeeeezing. NYE was the best night weather wise! You guys probably did a much better job of avoiding the crowds than we did because you are early risers. I so planned on doing that this trip, but it went out the window on day one.

Well when you do, I wanna hang out for a little bit! If we don't bump into one another at WDW first!

Love the update! Wow! I have never seen so many people at AK!

I love the safari, I always thought morning was the best time....but seems that the safari's I have been on in the afternoon have been much more memorable then the morning safari's. Glad to see you back finishing your TR!

Yes! We will definitely hang out when we come to Chicago at some point!

We have never been on the safari in the morning I don't think...we are still sleeping. I think we have been on before lunch before, but probably just before. Only one time did we get a meh one with hardly any animals and that was either directly before or directly after lunch and it was HOT. I still have yet to see the lion standing up though!

Yay you updated your report!!!

Holy crap, that's a lot of people! I've been whining about how it was more crowded than I expected it to be when I went in May, but I'm going to have to shut my mouth now - what we saw was nothin'!!

I'm glad you were at least able to see Nemo and ride the safari, but so sorry that you had to deal with that mess - I think dumping the park and heading back to the resort was a great idea!

AK was crazy that day! The part right after Nemo was the most memorable, it was like a giant mosh pit where you couldn't really move at all - thankfully no one was dancing or jumping though. You just sorta moved with the crowd and prayed!

I was a bit bummed we didn't fit more in, but Nemo is a big attraction that I knew the family would love, so it worked out.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Great update Brook. The pictures are beautiful.

Thanks! AK is such a great park for pictures! I just love walking around and snapping pictures there!

You updating fool!!! Wow was it crowded. I would go crazy with all those people

It was a BIG update, but you guys certainly waited long enough for it!

The crowds were crazy, but we prepared ourselves to just roll with it. It sure sucked our energy though, it was a lot of work just to go from one area to another that day.

Holy Guacomole (sp?)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a bunch of people!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You all are so brave-I think I would have given up before getting through the gates
Anyway, I love all the pictures you posted. Very nice I wish that I had a camera that took such good pictures. Especially on the safari. Mine are always blurry and yucky- too many bumps in the road. Love the ones of the giraffes- they are so beautiful And the pictures of the ornaments on the tree are great. Such creative ornaments.
Thanks for the update Cant wait for more

I bet some people did look at the crowds that day and then turned around and called it a day! It think it just looks so much tighter at AK due to their winding paths and stuff....but that makes it a lot harder to navigate!

A lot of my safari pics turn out blurry too - I need to play with the settings to get them better. I hardly remove my finger from the shutter button so I hope for a non-blurry one. I need a good zoom too because I always seem to miss a really nice shot...someday I'll get it!

The ornaments were awesome! I kept seeing a new one and taking more and more pictures. Just beautiful. I want the lion and the elephant!

Loved the update Brook! It's so great to have you back!

Thank you! It's great to be back!! And someday I WILL be caught up again on all the DIS news, PMs and TRs. I'm slowly getting there...

An update!!

Those crowds are scary!! But I am glad you got to do at least two of the highlights of AK. Well done!

Can you believe it? A four month hiatus, but a nice long update! Thanks for hanging around! I was happy to squeeze in Nemo and the safari for the family...and I'm just remembering this, but I think for some reason we had split up (or maybe that is later?) and they walked through Dinoland too, so they got a taste of that.

I just can't get over how lovely your photos are! Even with frightening crowds, you were able to really get some very beautiful shots, Brook!

So glad you're back!

Thank you! AK is such a great park for pictures, everywhere you look there is another beautiful shot it seems. Sometime I'd like to go there on my own and just take pictures (and ride EE ).

Thanks for the update, Brook! I was actually somewhere in those crowds on Dec. 29. We got there around 7:30, about half an hour before the rope was supposed to drop. We walked right in and onto Everest - it was an unannounced early opening! We were able to get everything done but Nemo by noon, and by then the crowds were just too oppressive and we left for DTD. I'm a total dork and I kept looking for us in your crowd shots.

NICE about the early opening!!!!! That is so smart to go early like that - we chose the non-DISer way and slept in (as usual!) I do the same thing with people that are there at the same time as me - you never know, you might see yourself! Wouldn't that be funny?

The thought of those crowds makes me shudder. Eeek! I don't think I ever want to be there during Christmas week.

It was intense...but we mentally prepared for it and just rolled with it. Christmas week IS an experience, but truly, the very best part of it all is the NYE fireworks. So arrive on the 30th/31st and then do all your park touring in January.

Yay, you're back! Craaaaaaazy crowds. I felt stressed looking at some of those crowd pics. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.

I remember being nervous for my family - and them somehow getting disconnected from Joe and I and getting lost in the crowd since they have never been there and aren't the aggressive type to just follow as close behind as possible. That stressed me out a lot during the trip!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Not only are you back, but you're back with a MEGA update!

I don't really like crowds, but I think I would have been OK if it was just me and my family. Like you said, though, I would have felt bad that my first-time guests were missing out on the "magic" of the place because of the overwhelming crowds. I hope your family still had fun.

I figured you guys deserved a very nicely sized update for hanging in here with me for so long!

They really did still have fun - and still talk about the trip to this day. I think they would go back in a heartbeat should they be able to swing it financially again. However, we all vote to NOT go again during Christmas week. It really wasn't all that bad looking back, it's doable. You have to take things slower and be mindful of that, and its an experience, but we'd all like to do it again during a slower time to experience a bit more of the attractions and soak in all the magic!

Those crowds look familiar, since we were right there in them. It's still cool, though, to be there at that time of year, as long as you make it a more relaxed kind of trip. Seeing all of the decorations, lights, special parades, etc. is worth the effort.

That Animal Kingdom Christmas tree could possibly be my favorite one in all of WDW.

If we could take a little of the cold from that trip and mix it with a little of the heat we're going to feel starting tomorrow , we'd have the perfect park touring weather.

Thanks for all the pictures. I hope you are feeling pretty settled in your new home and surroundings now.

See you on our new TR and as you finish out here.....

and on your next pre-trip.

Exactly! It is still worth it. It's a whole different experience and one I'm glad we did! I'd love to see the NYE fireworks again.

I'm with ya on the tree - it's so creative and the ornaments are amazing, little pieces of artwork.

I didn't realize your trip was NOW! That is so great! I forgot you were going for the 4th again this year!!! And I agree with the cold mixed with a bit of the heat. It was just a bit too chilly - and I'm sure July is just a bit too hot. October is a LOVELY month for park touring in general.

We are starting to feel a bit more settled here - we still have pictures to hang and that sorta thing, but it's really coming together. I feel like we have been here forever, but only a few days at the same time...if that makes any sense. It's been just over two weeks - and when I think about that we have made great progress from a living room full of boxes to a functioning home.

I gotta get caught up on your TRs...I might end up missing out on this past Mothers Day one and seeing you on the July one. I hope to finish out this TR by July and then do my PTR. I already just want to burst out and share all the plans, but I'm holding it in so far...

Brooke -

Welcome Back! What a mega update you wrote! Wowsa! So much fun to read! What beautiful pictures you got and what a nice day at AK. The crowds are a tad overwhelming but you still managed to do and see a lot. Nice job!

Thanks! I am hoping to get another update squeezed in today yet...we'll see! We did get to cover a lot of the park, just by walking - which is part of AKs experience, I just wish we could have done a few more of the attractions.

delurking to say I have loved your trip reports and I'm excited you are updating again! Henry is SUCH a cutie! Hope your transitioning is going well. I stole a glance at your blog; your new neighborhood looks like so much fun! We are moving soon but not to nearly as exciting a place as you.

Thank you! I'm excited to be back! I've missed the DIS and so much has gone on in the months I was MIA. Our neighborhood here in Queens is GREAT. I love it! There is always something going on it seems and so many families and nice people. Being close to Manhattan is a perk too. Where are you moving to?

Yippeee for an TR update!

Oh my! those crowds are totally insane!!!! WOW! I can totally understand being frustrated! I couldn't even deal with that!

Your AK pictures are beautiful! WOW!

I can't believe people were waiting online for their FP return time! Do they not understand the point of FP?!

I'm glad you decided to return to AKV to escape the crowds!

It was SO weird how the people were lined up waiting for their FP time to open. It was like they had given up trying to navigate the park and thought they would just wait instead?!?! I didn't get it. But I was very glad they were there and I was inside the queue.

It's great to have you back and updating like crazy

Looking forward to planning a meet with you in September - we're coming from the UK so staying for a whole two weeks . Hoping we can swap and share some ideas about what we'll be planning with our little ones!

Two weeks! VERY nice! Where are you staying? We definitely have to swap touring plans, etc. I'm looking forward to the low crowds-that should be even lower than normal due to no F&W during September, and Henry playing in the water fountains. September is a great month for Disney!

Your back! yayaaaaaa

Great update. The crowds, ugh.

Can't wait for more......

I am back! It's great to be back!

The crowds were intense, especially right there outside of Nemo.

Bummer, we will miss you! We are going to be there 9/24 to 10/2. We'll be celebrating both David's and my birthdays while we're there, I can't wait!


Holy crowds, Batman!! I don't think I could ever handle going during the holidays and dealing with that! I would love to see all the decorations, but - wow! I think going back and relaxing at the resort was the right move!

Late September/early October is going to be a great time to go - the hot hot heat of summer cools off a bit by then. I wish we were staying until the 24th to meet up. Can you imagine 22 days in Disney?!

Early December is much more enjoyable crowd wise than Christmas week...you get all the decorations and such, but low crowds. It was an experience, and at MK you basically get all the MVMCP going on all day long - special parade and fireworks, etc. Everyone is really excited and it is fun, but you truly have to take it slower and roll with it. We didn't get nearly as much done as I would have liked to show my family, but that just gives another reason for another trip!

It is nice to have you back! It was fun to see so many updates!

I hope to get another update squeezed in today as long as Henry is napping!

Welcome back Brook! Great, long update. I cannot believe those crowds. I think you all are awesome for keeping your composure with that MANY people surrounding you. I would have cried. I hope you got back that night and lots of those people went home. LOL! Though a relaxing afternoon at the Lodge does sound better than standing in long lines all day long.

Thank you! The hardest part of the trip was actually not the crowds for me, but dealing with the unending questions, being "Tour Guide Barbie" and worrying about the family being separated in the crowds, for the week. THAT exhausted me...as you will find out in the New Orleans portion of the trip.

Brooke, Joe, and Henry:
Thank you for keeping me sane until my next trip.

Your welcome! Our pleasure!