After An Entire Year Of Planning We Winged It! May '10 with 1477 pics 3/26/11 update

[adamsup]

Hello everyone, just a quick message to say that we have just got back from our second WDW trip!

I have started a new trippie so feel free to head on over to that one too!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2558752

I guess I will have 2 trip reports going simultaneously

We had such a magical wonderful time, hope you enjoy sharing in our experience.

 

[4thgeermama]

We were there at the same time!
Saw you as we were getting off the boat at WL and you were getting on.
Hope you had a great trip!
Looking forward to hearing how it went!

 

[adamsup]

We were there at the same time!
Saw you as we were getting off the boat at WL and you were getting on.
Hope you had a great trip!
Looking forward to hearing how it went!

Cool! Do you have a trip report or something with pics so we can see if we recognize you?

 

[adamsup]

Great trip report! I love all of your pictures! Your photopass pictures are amazing!

Thanks, we were really pleased with them

I have enjoyed your trip report thus far, all caught up and eager for more. Your children are beautiful! Love the polka dot dresses for Cali grill, very classy! So glad you found the camcorder.

Glad you're here, thanks for reading.

Wonderful updates! So glad you retrieved your camcorder.

And the PP pics are wonderful, as usual. You just have such a beautiful family!

Thanks so much. Bad news about the camcorder... but you'll have to read our September trip to find out!

Wow - that latest bunch of PP pictures is really, really adorable!

Thanks!

Signing up!

What a great report. You have a beautiful family. Congratulations.
I have to say I love the girls matching outfits. They are adorable.

I can't wait to read more.

Q
PS. The gingery thing in your plate at Californis Grill is actually... well... ginger.

Welcome! I don't like ginger so you can imagine my horror when I took a big mouthful. Yuk! I usually sniff stuff before I eat it, but being in the CG.. I could hardly do that could I!?

Cute pictures, as always.

Thank you

 

[adamsup]

Day 3 MK and lunch at The Wave

After Main Street we headed to Adventureland, but first we grabbed some Dole Whips. We had read so many good things about those on dis that we had to stop and try for ourselves.

It was so hot and humid out that they were melting quicker than we could eat them so we went and got some cups so the kids could take their time and enjoy them without rushing.

I on the other hand didn't need a cup... or a spoon

Once we were done with the Dole Whips, we rode Jungle Cruise

I grabbed a Fast Pass in case we wanted to do it again

The wait was really long - we probably stood in line for 45 mins.

It was worth the wait though. The girls loved it. The "funny" cruise guide said that we should be safe because the the alligators are known to only eat little girls with red hair bows...

As you can see, Brooklyn was a little worried awww haha

We liked the cruise so much we rode it again using the Fast Pass this time (soo much quicker!), and was surprised to hear different jokes this time around. I guess I was expecting them to use the same jokes and script each time, but they didn't

Next up was Pirates of the Caribbean. We left our strollers in there somewhere... I can see now why some people tie balloons etc to their strollers so they can keep track of them more easily

Max crashed at this point, which worked out ok because the ride is dark and pretty calm so he wasn't disturbed too much. The wait time wasn't horrendous, about 20 mins.

By this time it was getting on and we had a lunch ADR at The Wave to keep so we headed slowly out. We were all really tired and were glad to have a lunch res in our resort so we didn't have far to go once we were finished. Naps were definitely next on the agenda!

We don't have any decent food pics at The Wave because our camera battery went dead at the park and we only had our iPhones. The restaurant was kinda dark so without a flash the pics aren't really worth posting. We needed to do a better job of charging our camera. It got used so much each day that we really needed to charge it every night.

The Wave was totally empty, we were the only ones in there. I wasn't really impressed with it or the food. Probs my worst ADR so far.

Once we were done we headed to our room for a much needed nap.

Did we.. did we... Yes!!! Towel art finally!

Next up... 'Ohana for dinner

 

[BelleTinkMom]

Yea! an update. Glad you had a good second trip. Heading over to your new TR.

 

[adamsup]

Yea! an update. Glad you had a good second trip. Heading over to your new TR.

Not much there right now, I have to do a better job of moving this along!

We had a really good second trip, we knew what we were doing much better - familiarity always makes things easier. We're planning to go back during the May free dining week too!

 

[adamsup]

We had a 7:20pm reservation at 'Ohana - we had read so many great things about it that we were really looking forward to it.

On the way we stopped for some pictures by that metal Mickey sculpture at CR

We took the monorail to the Poly

We got to the Poly and were instantly amazed by the tropical theme. This was our first experience at the Poly and it was pretty spectacular. We loved the jungle-like plants and fountains everywhere. We took our time walking around and admiring everything and finally spotted 'Ohana in the corner. We checked in and found a seat while we waited for our buzzer to go off.

After about 10 minutes our buzzer went off and we were given the tour of the desserts and cocktails

I immediately knew I was going to have one of those white pina coladas, not very manly I know, but I just love creamy drinks!

mmmmmm

We got a really good, round table off to the side that was plenty big enough (remember we like big tables!) so that got us off to a good start. Once we were seated I snapped a few pics of the grill - it was quite something to watch all those racks of steak, shrimp, pork and chicken! My mouth is watering just thinking about it all

About the time we ordered our drinks that uchelale playing guy started singing and then he had all the kids come to the middle to clap and play games.

Then the torrent of food started coming. WOW!!! They don't hold back do they!! We felt totally guilty but not THAT guilty haha!

"Would you like some shrimp and steak cousin?" they asked even though they could see my plate was completely full of wings, pork and chicken! "Oh...sure why not!"

Here are a few food pics

We definitely needed these

Think she's had enough?

BUT... OMG... as delicious as that food was... it was nothing compared to...

This was the best dessert by far that we had at WDW. Sooo good.

The kids enjoyed their desserts too

OK.. this picture is embarrassing but I had to take it! This picture explains what 'Ohana is all about..

Someone came around and gave us all lays, which the kids loved of course!

Of course, the obligatory 'Ohana sign pic

We all managed to fall out of our seats and waddle back to the monorail.

What a great dining experience. This was my favorite of all the places we ate in WDW. I loved the atmosphere and the food and especially the dessert!

Definitely a must-do restaurant from now on!


Next up - Day 4 - EPCOT, lunch at Coral Reef.

 

[pwdebbie]

Looks like you had a great time at Ohanas. So many people have said bad things about it that I didn't even want to try it. Seeing your pics makes me want to rethink that idea now. Looking forward to more updates. I'm enjoying your TR better than any other that I've read.

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

We're eating at Ohana in December and I'd been worried because I'd seen a lot of mixed reviews. I've seen a lot of good reviews since, including yours. I'm very excited to eat there now! It looks like y'all had a lot of fun!

 

[mermaid764]

Yah another update!

Ohana is soo good and I agree that the bread pudding is one of the best desserts in all of WDW.

Looking forward to more

 

[adamsup]

Looks like you had a great time at Ohanas. So many people have said bad things about it that I didn't even want to try it. Seeing your pics makes me want to rethink that idea now. Looking forward to more updates. I'm enjoying your TR better than any other that I've read.

We had read good and bad about 'Ohana's before we went. The bad was mostly that it was noisy and chaotic. Definitely noisy, but that doesn't bother us. In fact, the noise drowns out any of Max's yelling!

I took better food pics during our September trip, so I'll be posting those on that trip report.

We loved it so much we went twice in May and twice in September!

Glad you're enjoying the trip report.

 

[adamsup]

We're eating at Ohana in December and I'd been worried because I'd seen a lot of mixed reviews. I've seen a lot of good reviews since, including yours. I'm very excited to eat there now! It looks like y'all had a lot of fun!

As long as you're not expecting a quiet, elegant affair and are up for getting sticky in a noisy, fun atmosphere, then you should have a blast!

You might want to make sure you get a nice big table though because the plates really can stack up. If your table is big enough you can just stack them off to the side and not be bothered by them.

 

[adamsup]

Yah another update!

Ohana is soo good and I agree that the bread pudding is one of the best desserts in all of WDW.

Looking forward to more

And that delicious caramel sauce with the bananas in it mmmmmm

 

[adamsup]

Day 4 - 5/11/10 - Breakfast at Akershus

We had an 8:25am breakfast ressie at Akershus to start Day 4 off. The girls got dressed up in Cinderella outfits and we headed out. We knew we needed to get to the TTC and then take another monorail to EPCOT. This was our first EPCOT experience and were really looking forward to it.

We made our way through Future World and out into World Showcase heading towards the Norway section. It was extra magic hours so the park was completely empty at this time of the day

The little spec way off in the distance is Max and me. See how there is no one else in view at all!

We stopped for a few pics on the way

Traci found a little paving stone in the middle of these bushes to stand your kids on for a photo op. We thought that was a pretty special thing to do

We got to Akershus a few minutes past 8:30am. We noticed a long line outside and a crowd of people waiting around. We checked in but we ended up waiting about 45 minutes before we actually got in. Some CM's had a bubble machine to occupy the kids as they waited

Here are the kids posing on a rock wall as we waited to go in

Finally we got called to stand in line for the photo shoot with Belle. It was already starting to get humid so we were glad to start shuffling inside the castle.

The girls love Belle and were very excited to meet her

After the photo shoot we were taken to our table. It was unfortunately a table that seats 4 and they wanted us to perch Max on the end. We tried to get a bigger table but there were none available - so we had to make do.

We ordered drinks and waited for the food to come. The waitress said it was family style egggs, bacon and sausage and also a buffet with pastries and other goodies.

Then suddenly, Max knocked over an orange juice glass! The orange juice went all over the table so we had to scramble to move our cameras, iphones and Belle photo out of the path of the flowing juice

Right as we were mopping up the juice, the food came and the guy that brought it actually tried to put it down as we were wiping the table Who does that? I told him can he wait until we're done cleaning the table, at which point he gave it to our waitress who was buzzing around us to hold, and promptly left.

So... this was not a great start as you can imagine, and only served as more evidence to us that a table for 4 with a baby perched on the end does NOT work !

Once we got past that ordeal, we were able to eat and enjoy ourselves as much as we could with a small table. The assorted pastries were really good and so was the breakfast food.

The girls loved meeting Belle and some of the other princesses

Once we finished breakfast we headed outside and found a quiet spot to change the girls into more comfortable, cool, park outfits.

Next up, Future World and lunch at Coral Reef... maybe

 

[tracisup]

Finally we got called to stand in line for the photo shoot with Belle. It was already starting to get humid so we were glad to start shuffling inside the castle.

The girls love Belle and were very excited to meet her

When Max walked up to meet Belle, She said 'Well hello little tea cup!' I thought that was SO cute!!!

 

[tracisup]

Then suddenly, Max knocked over an orange juice glass! The orange juice went all over the table so we had to scramble to move our cameras, iphones and Belle photo out of the path of the flowing juice

It wasn't Bell, It was Aerial. Can you believe she tried pose for pics while all of that was going on?

I sent her away and asked her to come back later. LOL

 

[mermaid764]

Your girls look adorable in their Cinderella dresses and I love the pic of your son posing in front of the bushes.

Breakfast at Akersush looks yummy....we had dinner here in August and I thought the food was one of my favorites, but the service was awful. We felt very rushed to get in and out, and I thought the tables were too close together as is, so I cannot even imagine how cramped it must have been for you guys at a four person table..that would not be fun.

Looking forward to more

 

[adamsup]

Your girls look adorable in their Cinderella dresses and I love the pic of your son posing in front of the bushes.

Breakfast at Akersush looks yummy....we had dinner here in August and I thought the food was one of my favorites, but the service was awful. We felt very rushed to get in and out, and I thought the tables were too close together as is, so I cannot even imagine how cramped it must have been for you guys at a four person table..that would not be fun.

Looking forward to more

Our service was awful too! I figured it was just our waitress but I have heard several people say their service has been bad too - what's the deal? I felt the whole place was pretty cramped too. Traci said as she was leaving she heard another family complaining about the table size and location and wouldn't accept that there was just nothing else available. I don't like to settle either but it's not like they can just magically make the tables bigger so what's the point pursuing your complaint!?

 

[adamsup]

Sorry, no pictures in this next post. Our morning park plans didn't go according to plan and we were too grouchy to snap any pics!

Our reservation for Akershus was early but it took forever to get in. They must have over-booked because there were tons of people waiting to get in. So it was around 10am by the time we got out of Akershus. We found a quiet spot outside and changed the girls into cool, park clothes. It was unbearably humid outside already.

This was our first time in EPCOT so we weren't familiar with all the ride locations, but we knew we needed to head back towards the ball. That walk took us ages and the kids were in strollers without canopies so they were sweating. I ran off to get Fast Passes for Soarin' and left Traci with the strollers, which was a big mistake. It took me a while to get them an during this time the kids were getting hotter and hotter and Traci couldn't easily manoever because she had 2 strollers. By the time I got to them, everyone was miserable and we felt terrible because the kids were sweaty and grouchy and we didn't have any water handy, plus all they had done for the last hour was walk from one side of the park to the other. We had no idea how BIG EPCOT was until we experienced it! We decided that this wasn't fun and since Paris wasn't going to be able to ride Test Track anyway because she wasn't tall enough, Traci would take Paris and Max and head home, get into bathing suits and spend the afternoon at the pool instead. We knew this would give them instant gratification so Traci took off and I took Brooklyn to ride Test Track, then we would meet up with the rest of the gang after and swim for a few hours. We decided to skip Coral Reef too and just eat at the Sandbar next to the resort pool.

Test Track was really fun, Brooklyn loved it, bu was sad that her necklace broke off during the ABS brake test section of the ride!

Next up - afternoon by the pool and dinner at Whispering Canyon