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

[Queenofallthings]

That happened to us one trip too....didn't find out until we were trying to get into Blizzard Beach! We had switched rooms but our actual passes were still on our first room key...made it very confusing

 

[adamsup]

Argh! The hassle with the KTTW would have driven me crazy! LOL! The little mickey head drawn on the new one was a great idea! Can't wait to hear more!

Arrgh indeed! It was really hot too and seemed to take Traci ages to get a new card. Plus we were excited! Definitely a hassle we could have done without!

That happened to us one trip too....didn't find out until we were trying to get into Blizzard Beach! We had switched rooms but our actual passes were still on our first room key...made it very confusing

just what you needed when you were trying to get into the park, which seems to be when people are at their craziest! (Although the first 10 mins after Wishes is over can get pretty crazy too!)

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Glad you got the kttw worked out. stinks she had to get two new cards.

can't wait to read about MK and Kona.

 

[adamsup]

Day 2 - Magic Kingdom

After what seemed like an eternity waiting for Traci to get a new KTTW at Guest Services, she finally came through the turnstile and we were ready to begin what we have been looking forward to for the past year - our first ...

I always count this as our first Magic Kingdom visit, even though we went yesterday (Day 1) to Crystal Palace for lunch. Since we only did lunch then left, I don't really count that.

... visit to Magic Kingdom!

First stop, Photo Pass guy at the entrance to Magic Kingdom.

We followed the swarms of people under the tunnel and made our way slowly up Main Street, trying to take it all in. Yes, it was busy and sweltering hot, but that was just a distant discomfort at this point because we were so excited and soaking up the atmosphere, noise and vibes that you get around people that are on vacation.

We knew we wanted to get to the back of the park and hit Dumbo, Tea Party and of course Minnie''s house so we headed in that direction. We took our time and didn't try to rush, too hot and crowded for that.

One thing we realized quickly was that lots of things happen all the time, like shows and parades etc. If we had been a little more savvy, we would have known when they all started, but it was kinda fun just to happen across them and stop for a while.

So we made it to Fantasyland and were pleasantly surprised by the short wait times.

First up...

Then we made our way over to Minni's House

Here's a picture of Max inspecting some of Minnie's ornaments.

The girls really loved all of Minnie's cute things, especially all the cheeses in the fridge and the pink gazebo. We have a gazebo and the girls want to paint ours pink just like Minnie's!

Next up... Dumbo

Max wasn't a fan though!

I'm a golfer and the only time I see really short, perfectly manicured lawns is on the golf course... and Magic Kingdom. I was amazed by how well the gardens and flowerbeds were kept. The lawns were immaculate too.

The girls liked the sculpted bushes too (topiaries?)

By now we were exhausted and hungry and ready for lunch at Kona Cafe. As we were making our way back towards Main Street, we came across a mother and daughter who were taking pictures of each other at a really good photo-op because there are no people in the background. Unfortunately there was no Photo Pass people around there so they were taking individual pics. I offered to take a pic of them both and in return could they take one of Traci and I. It worked out really well!

We came across a show outside Magic Kingdom and stopped for a few minutes. Couldn't stay too long though because we had an ADR to keep!

... zoomed in ...

Next up... lunch at Kona Cafe

 

[oboedm]

Great update! This picture makes me laugh, since you can't see Minnie's pupils (must be the angle). She looks like a demon or something. Scary!

 

[adamsup]

Great update! This picture makes me laugh, since you can't see Minnie's pupils (must be the angle). She looks like a demon or something. Scary!

lol must be a zombie show because look at Donald, either he has a human arm growing out of his jaw or he has just eaten someone!

 

[princessalexis]

Just started reading your TR today and am loving your pics! Your girls are so adorable in all their outfits! Looks like you had a great time for your first trip.

 

[RachelNinja]

I didn't realize you were updating because I was checking the title of the TR, so I actually had a chance to read a couple of updates in a row! I love being able to do that.

Traci's bracelet is so pretty! I like that it's clearly Micky but still very simple. A lot of the bracelets I saw were Mickeys all around, so it a bit TOO much.

Such great pixie dust planning! The dolls are really cute; they're the perfect size for travel! I also love that you got the two different eye colors for your daughters.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

You all look so cute in your matching shirt, and how great about the photo op with you and Traci. Did you make the girls shirts? if so where did you get the iron on or how did you do it?

What a great update...I'm so sorry Max didn't Dumbo

Looking forward to your lunch at Kona. yumm-o

 

[amyrella]

just caught up... great trip report!!! your kids are really adorable!!!

and that last "zombie" pic... i was literally LOL'ing!!

cant wait to read more, i'm especially interested in how DxDP went with the young ones and the running around... i'm still debating on what I should do for my trip next may so your thoughts will be greatly appreciated

 

[Queenofallthings]

Great update and great pictures! Love how you're all matching! I've been giving my DD17 a hard time about wearing matching shirts when we're there and I get the "not on your life mother" look

Can't wait to hear how you enjoyed your lunch at Kona, it's one of our favorities!

 

[ilovedevin]

... especially when he took her hand, kissed it and said "hello Princess". She said "can you believe this just happened". It was a really magical moment.

That is just too sweet I am so happy for her!! Your kid's are so cute I just love the cute outfit's the two of you put them into. Hey Adam has anyone ever told you that you look like a younger George Clooney, you go Traci!!!

 

[Christy729]

Love the trip report! As a fellow Hoosier, I totally understand the time goof for Chef Mickey's.

 

[mdsouth]

I think it is cute how your girls want you to paint your gazebo pink like Minnie's. What do you think?

I am sorry Max didn't like Dumbo, it is hard to tell what your kids will not like at times. Hopefully, he was able to go on and enjoy other rides.

 

[adamsup]

Hey Adam has anyone ever told you that you look like a younger George Clooney, you go Traci!!!

haha no... I've been told I look like Jay Leno before though

 

[gwiz5kids]

I must say you have a beautiful family. Everyone looks like they had a wonderful time. Doesn't it make your heart all warm and fuzzy when you can give your kids one great surprise after another. Looking forward to more.

 

[adamsup]

Day 2 - Lunch at Kona Cafe

We got to Kona Cafe with a few minutes to spare (getting better!) As you can see, we ordered some drinks as we waited to be called for our ADR. It was unseasonably hot and humid out there that day, so a nice cold drink was very welcome.

The family bathroom (in the pic behind me) was really nice and convenient We used it several times during our Kona Cafe and 'Ohana reservations.

After a few minutes wait, we were called for our reservation. We were tired, hungry and thirsty and really looking forward to our lunch. We had read good things about Kona Cafe on disboards so our expectations were high.

We enjoyed inspecting all the desserts. One look at that molten chocolate lava dessert and Traci was hooked! I had my eye on the chocolate fondue.

Our waiter, Teddy, was really nice. Paris was flirting with him the entire meal, calling him her Teddy Bear! So cute.

For appetizers, Traci ordered a salad

and I ordered the shrimp coconut soup

For entrees, Brooklyn got pasta and shared some with Maxwell

and Paris ordered a hotdog

Traci ordered the Island Chicken Sandwich, which she really enjoyed

and I had the pan-fried chicken with mango and coconut sauce. Honestly, I didn't particularly like this entree and wouldn't order it again. I didn't realize it was breaded, and it didn't have much flavor either, although the mango and coconut sauce was good.

The park had given us a great appetite so we all ate really well, but don't worry, we had left plenty of room for dessert

The girls got sundaes. This was their first sundae experience at WDW - they loved the little Mickey sprinkles. Traci and I thought they were a nice touch.

Traci ordered the molten lava cake, of course

and I loved loved loved the chocolate fondue

The white coconut balls were to die for, and so were those crunchy things at the back. So yum!

By now we were all stuffed and ready to go so we made our way out slowly, taking in the amazing Poly decor, bushes and fountains, got on the monorail and headed back to CR.

Our plan was to go back to our room and finish organizing our stuff (if you remember, our box of supplies had arrived earlier) while Max napped and the girls bathed and relaxed until it was time to head up to the California Grille for our 7pm res.

Next up, California Grille and Wishes

 

[adamsup]

I must say you have a beautiful family. Everyone looks like they had a wonderful time. Doesn't it make your heart all warm and fuzzy when you can give your kids one great surprise after another. Looking forward to more.

Hi gwiz, yes it's great to be able to give the kids such fun memories and experiences. Just now while I was looking through our pics and planning what to post next, I was thinking to myself how awesome it was to see the kids enjoying themselves and here you are posting exactly what I was thinking!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

YUM-O all that food looked so good at Kona.

Love love love the last picture of your kids with their hands up, too cute.
What kind of strollers are those. I like the double.

Can't wait to see what happens next

 

[natesmom11]

love the pictures