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

[Believeinfairytales]

Aw, what a great day!!!

 

[mel_ntu]

Your family is so adorable, almost makes me wish we had children. Course I can just borrow my nephews, which has the distinct advantage of being able to hand them back...

Sounds like an amazing trip, your food looks amazing, definately thinking about trying to make adr's if we stop onsite next

Mel

 

[Dug-says-HI-THERE!]

Oh, I just LOVE KONA CAFE, for any meal.....great pics (which make me hungry right now.....)

BTW, I definately see the young George Clooney resemblance.

 

[Harters2WDW]

Paris loved Donald's butt so I snapped a quick picture and hoped he wouldn't notice!

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We have a similar photo as my daughter loved the duck's butt too! She still laughs when she sees the photo! My husband even asked Donald to, "Shake your tail feathers" and he obliged. Of course, my daughter is still talking about that almost 18 months later!


Love the trip report!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Great update....and great shots of your lunch at Kona. We've never been for lunch, but dinner was fantastic. We're planning both breakfast and dinner there when we go in September!!

I can't wait to hear all about California Grill....it was our ultimate meal last trip....we had the best server ever and the food was to die for....then throw in Wishes.....

 

[BelleTinkMom]

Just found your TR and loving it. Your kids are so adorable. I remember our first trip like it was yesterday, and it was actually in 2007 and we have been a total of three times and are planning another trip in May of 2011.

We did Crystal Palace for breakfast two times and love it. The food has never disappointed.

We tried 1900 Park Fare Dinner for our 2010 trip. My girls loved the characters here. DD4 fell in love with Prince Charming.

We have tried Chef Mickey's twice. Our 2007 visit was fine and our 2009 visit was a huge disappointment. We are a little reserved about trying it again.

I would love to stay at a Mod or Deluxe, but the budget says if you want to go back, you must stay at a value. Oh well, we never really spend any time at the hotel anyways.

Can't wait to read more.

 

[jelloarms]

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

Man, that last picture is so freaky! Just look at Minnie! It's like she has no irises in her eyes, just the white parts. It's like something out of a horror movie!

 

[Jeanieblue114]

After our name got called we stepped into Crystal Palace. The air conditioning brought a welcome chill - it was extremely humid outside so the change in climate was refreshing. The hostess showed us to our table - it was round and seated 6 - what a perfect way to start our ADR experience!

A pet peeve of ours is when we get placed at a table for 4 with the intention of putting Max on the end as an after-thought. We have 5 people in our family so we need 5 proper spaces, not 4 and an add-on! I guess some people don't realize that toddlers grab anything they can, so placing them on the end of a table for 4 doesn't work at all! They need space away from plates, knives, forks, cups etc.

Sorry, back to the trip report. Traci went up to the buffet to fix the kids plates while I stayed back and gave the CM our drinks orders. Traci soon realized that fixing a kid's plate was an easy way to miss a character greet so she kept one eye on our table as she was getting everyone's food, ready to make a mad dash back to our table if Winnie or Piglet showed up.

One thing we really liked about Crystal Palace was the theme. There were these really nice, freshly made flower arrangements

which matched the Disney characters that came around

and even matched the desserts!

We thought that was really cool to have everything matching.

We knew that we would be seeing Piglet, Eeyore, Winnie Poohie (as Paris calls him) and Tigger so Traci had the neat idea of putting iron-on Piglets onto simple pink dresses. It worked out really well.

Eeyore was our first Disney guest to arrive at our table. The girls didn't know that they were supposed to go over and hug him and get some pictures taken but they soon got the hang of it.

We have read trip reports where the younger kids were terrified of the Disney characters. We also have a friend who's son refused to go anywhere near them! As you can see, Max had no problems getting all buddy buddy with Eeyore

The next one to arrive was Piglet. Paris loves Piglet so she was especially excited by his arrival. I love the way she is looking at his trotters in this one

We also love how Piglet holds Brooklyn's entire face in his trotters in this one

That's one thing we noticed from watching YouTube Disney videos - how the characters are not afraid to get right in the kids face and kiss them and give them big hugs.

After Piglet left, we had a few minutes to scarf down some food. We noticed with the character meals how little time there is between characters as they make their rounds. A couple of mouthfuls and quick - grab the camera, smile kids!

Our next guest was Tigger

who got a little too friendly with Traci

Easy tiger

He was kind enough to save a big kiss for Maxwell too though

For the food junkies, here are a few pics. We took better food pictures at the non-buffet restaurants as you'll see later.

This pork was delicious

Here's a selection of desserts - carrot cake, a chocolate chip cookie and this fruity lemon tart. I didn't realize that the lemon tart was lemon - I thought it was going to be some kind of yellow custard so you can imagine the surprise when I took a big bite!

This cake was really good - it had some kind of honey topping

Here's what we would have paid if we weren't on the DXDP

All in all this was a great success. The kids loved the characters and the whole place had a really good atmosphere. Definitely a must-do for our next trip

Up next... back to our hotel room (yes it was difficult not to want to stay all day in MK!)

We knew we would have a better experience if we could get our room in order though, so back we went.

I just came across your report...really fun.
I did notice something new.......they serve Pork at the restaurant with Piglet!!
There's just something wrong about that....so so very wrong.

 

[Purpleblanket]

Great TR. I just found it this morning and spent the last hour catching up!!
We go in December and I just made all my ADR's!
Looks like you got some great ressies! I can't wait to read more!!
I love the food part!!!

Debbie

 

[heathers4um]

I'm hooked! cant wait to hear more!

Your girls (Traci included) are absolutely gorgeous! And the outfits are too adorable! I love the pics of Max puckering up for the characters!! Hes so cute!

 

[thechesters420]

Love your trip report!! We will be at the Contemporary in December with three little ones so yours has be great for me to read!

 

[tracisup]

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.

Welcome! Thanks for the compliment about their outfits. I love picking out Disney outfits!

 

[tracisup]

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!

LOL

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.

I'm glad you found our updates. We have been busy just lately and didnt post any for a while but we are on a roll again! I like reading a trip report that is complete. Its fun to have one that takes ages to read from start to finish. When I first joined the Dis boards, I read a report that took me the WHOLE weekend. It was a while back and the little ones at that time were 4, 3, and almost 1 so I didnt just get to sit on the laptop the whole weekend but I picked it up every chance I had. It was a report about a hubby and wife trip with DXDP. The husband is asian and he forgot some of his camera equipment. I would love to read that report again but I can't find it If anyone knows the link for it, that would be great!

PS Most of our dolls have eyes to match their 'Mommy' so we can tell whos dolly is whos. The problem there is that they 'doll manufacturers' think that all blue eyed dolls should have PINK clothing and all brown eyed dolls should have PURPLE clothing. In our house, the blue eyed girls loved purple and the brown eyed girl loves pink. Some times we can just switch their outfits around but most of the times, part of the outfit is permanent and it doesnt work out. (OK, I'll get off my soap box now)

You all look so cute in your matching shirts, 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

Thanks! I did make the shirts. The shirts are granimals from Walmart. I got the iron-on from Ebay. The girls sat and watched as I made each one and when I pulled the backing off, they both said AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (so excited) I also ironed the piglets on to the pink dresses that you saw on the first day and the Eeyore on Maxwells 1st day outfit. I got those 3 iron-ons for $1.00 each and free shipping on ebay.

Max kept saying 'I no like Gumbo!' (Dumbo) It was so cute. Now that he is back home, he loves Dumbo and when I show him the ride online, he says he likes it. I think that he thinks he did like it. hee hee

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

We loved the DXDP because of all the character meals. The kids got to meet so many princesses and other characters and we were able to get great pics and didnt have to stand in any lines. The food was really good too. We got receipts at each meal and each of the character meals were about $150.00 to feed me, Adam, Brooklyn & Paris. Max was free. Our kids love to go out to eat and we enjoyed the time inside with A/C. Now I do need to say that each meal takes about 2-3 hours. We were actually at our table eating and such for about 1.5 hours each meal and then there is travel time. We were on a monorail resort and even with that, it took about 30 minutes from the time we stepped out of our room until we stepped into the restaurant and another 30 minutes to travel back or to the next place we were going. We are going in September with the free dining (DDP) so it will be different. We are going to compare the two trips when we return. We are thinking that the next trip we plan will have the DXDP but that we will add more (two credit) signature meals so that we will not have a reservation every single meal and we plan to take advantage of all the snack credits and use them for breakfast or even lunch. When every person gets 2 snack credits per day, they add up quick. We were getting snacks and treats constantly and I still had to go on a snack buying spree the day we left! I snached up pez and disney shaped chocolates to take home.

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!

Maybe she will change her mind once she gets there? If she doesn't, they make really cute t-shirts that say 'I dont do matching shirts' It looks really cute when everyone matches except the person wearing the funny shirt. (they are normally black)

... 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!!!

The Prince Charming conversation with Brooklyn was one of my favorite Disney moments for sure!!

I have to say, I dont see the Clooney comparison at all. I do know I have a hottie for a hubby tho

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.

I say LETS GO FOR IT!! I LOVE PINK!

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

You know I dont see that one at all!

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.

Yes, it does! I loved every single minute of it!

 

[pwdebbie]

Your TR is so delightful to follow -- I think your family must be one fun bunch. I don't think I've every enjoyed a TR as much as yours. I can't believe you are going back in September! Please finish this one before you leave -- I won't be able to take the suspense. Eagerly awaiting the next installment.

 

[PrincessMomofTwo]

Enoying your TR. Love the matching outfits, pictures, and hearing all about the different places you are eating at. Thanks for sharing!

 

[tracisup]

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

Thanks. The food was GREAT and so was the service. The strollers are from Babies R us and are the ones they always have. Cant think of the brand. They are both a little short to push. You will see later in the report we switched to a rented stroller for the girls. Adam convinced me to leave the hoods home but it does have them. I needed to use our double stroller for 3 days to get my moneys worth out of it. It was $58.00. I could have rented and put the $58.00 on the rental cost but I wanted to see if the double stroller was going to be good enough. In the end, I found out it wasn't. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Disney double stroller. It was worth every single penny!

Oh, I just LOVE KONA CAFE, for any meal.....great pics (which make me hungry right now.....)

BTW, I definately see the young George Clooney resemblance.

They make me hungry too! I still cant see the Clooney resemblance....Ill google some younger ones later.

We have a similar photo as my daughter loved the duck's butt too! She still laughs when she sees the photo! My husband even asked Donald to, "Shake your tail feathers" and he obliged. Of course, my daughter is still talking about that almost 18 months later!


Love the trip report!

We are going back in September, I will remember and ask him to 'Shake his tail feathers' hee hee

Great update....and great shots of your lunch at Kona. We've never been for lunch, but dinner was fantastic. We're planning both breakfast and dinner there when we go in September!!

I can't wait to hear all about California Grill....it was our ultimate meal last trip....we had the best server ever and the food was to die for....then throw in Wishes.....

Thanks! I didnt know Kona did Breakfast. I will keep that in mind for the future. Cali Grill was very special - SPOILER: We got to see from there Wishes too!

We have tried Chef Mickey's twice. Our 2007 visit was fine and our 2009 visit was a huge disappointment. We are a little reserved about trying it again.

I would love to stay at a Mod or Deluxe, but the budget says if you want to go back, you must stay at a value. Oh well, we never really spend any time at the hotel anyways.

Can't wait to read more.

What happened at Chef Mickey's to disappoint you?

We choose a Deluxe for the monorail. Max still needs a nap (the girls napped every day also. We felt it was the right choice for us when we made the reservation and in teh end it turned out to be the perfect choice for us. We are not the type to run run run all day. We need time to go back to the room, regroup and freshen up. When the kids are older we might choose differently though.

I just came across your report...really fun.
I did notice something new.......they serve Pork at the restaurant with Piglet!!
There's just something wrong about that....so so very wrong.

I know, right!

Great TR. I just found it this morning and spent the last hour catching up!!
We go in December and I just made all my ADR's!
Looks like you got some great ressies! I can't wait to read more!!
I love the food part!!!

Debbie

Welcome! Thanks for reading.

I'm hooked! cant wait to hear more!

Your girls (Traci included) are absolutely gorgeous! And the outfits are too adorable! I love the pics of Max puckering up for the characters!! Hes so cute!

Thanks for reading and for the compliments. I didnt feel too pretty with sweat dripping down my face! The first full day there was the warmest of our whole trip. Thank goodness!

Love your trip report!! We will be at the Contemporary in December with three little ones so yours has be great for me to read!

A Christmas trip! How fun!

Your TR is so delightful to follow -- I think your family must be one fun bunch. I don't think I've every enjoyed a TR as much as yours. I can't believe you are going back in September! Please finish this one before you leave -- I won't be able to take the suspense. Eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Thanks SO much! You are too kind. We ARE going to finish it before we leave again!

Enoying your TR. Love the matching outfits, pictures, and hearing all about the different places you are eating at. Thanks for sharing!

Your welcome -- Thanks for reading!

 

[BelleTinkMom]

What happened at Chef Mickey's to disappoint you?

We choose a Deluxe for the monorail. Max still needs a nap (the girls napped every day also. We felt it was the right choice for us when we made the reservation and in teh end it turned out to be the perfect choice for us. We are not the type to run run run all day. We need time to go back to the room, regroup and freshen up. When the kids are older we might choose differently though.


Our second trip to Chef MIckey's the restaurant was dirty and the food wasn't as good as other Character meals we have eaten at.

 

[MissJanice]

LOL



The problem there is that they 'doll manufacturers' think that all blue eyed dolls should have PINK clothing and all brown eyed dolls should have PURPLE clothing.

My problem is that manufacturers think that all blue eyed babies should have blonde hair and brown eyed babies should have brown hair! What about the blue eyes girls with brown hair?

But, anyway, I love your TR. (I have found completed TRs that take me an entire weekend to read. I those, too!)

 

[tracisup]

What happened at Chef Mickey's to disappoint you?

We choose a Deluxe for the monorail. Max still needs a nap (the girls napped every day also. We felt it was the right choice for us when we made the reservation and in teh end it turned out to be the perfect choice for us. We are not the type to run run run all day. We need time to go back to the room, regroup and freshen up. When the kids are older we might choose differently though.


Our second trip to Chef MIckey's the restaurant was dirty and the food wasn't as good as other Character meals we have eaten at.

It was clean when we were there. I'm a maniac about things being clean for my kids I'm one of thos moms that clorox wipe the table and booster seats and highchair. If it wasn't clean I would have noticed. Maybe if they had a problem while you were there, its corrected now. PHEW!

 

[Queenofallthings]

It was clean when we were there. I'm a maniac about things being clean for my kids I'm one of thos moms that clorox wipe the table and booster seats and highchair. If it wasn't clean I would have noticed. Maybe if they had a problem while you were there, its corrected now. PHEW!

You and me both!! One of the first things I bought was the Method wipes from Target to take along, I also put the remote in a plastic bag while we're there after seeing on one of those 60 minutes shows how filthy they are I also take wipes to the parks to wash the tables, Jasmine just rolls her eyes at me, but she sure notices when she goes to other friends house if they're clean or not