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

[serene56]

Awesome tips for dining. We will only have ONE 4 year old with us so it should be manageable- although I have not done the kids stuff for many years but have three boys all 2 years apart-- (LOL) i wonder if dining was like that for me back then- I guess you really do forget

 

[Sweetpeamd]

We are going September 10-16.

Tip: Make a buffet Family Style. I often go up and get 4 plates. I carry them stacked on top of each other (unless the buffet is very close to our table, if its very close, I deliver the plates) I fill the top plate with the food for all 3 of them and then dish it out to their individual plates at the table. Its WAY faster than going up for each plate and ensures that each kid is being served at the same time. While I am doing that, Adam gets the highchair from the host and passes out bibs and gets the sippe cup and wipes out and all. While I am putting the food on each of their plates, Adam goes to get his food and when he returned, I get mine. It works well and seems to be the fastest way to do it. We have been doing it this way for years and it works for us. It helps because we do it the same way everytime (home or Disney).

WOW!!! That is one of the best tips I have ever read! I wish I had thought of this when my little ones were too small to navigate the buffets on their own. We still rarely go to buffets b/c it was such a pain when the kids were young. I remember taking countless trips back and forth while DH held a sleeping baby at Biergarten. What a nightmare!!! I can't believe I never thought to fill one plate and then distribute individual servings at the table! Great tip!

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Those are great tips for eating out with kids. I will have to remember them for when DD gets a little older.

 

[fun4disney]

subbing!

 

[adamsup]

Day 3 - change of plans!

We were supposed to eat breakfast at Hollywood and Vine and spend the morning in Hollywood Studios but last night we decided to change our plans because we wanted to see more of Magic Kingdom. So, we cancelled our 9:30am H&V res and planned to spend the morning in the most magical place on earth!

That morning before we left our room, I wrote a little note to Mousekeeping asking them to please leave us some towel art because we have 3 little kids and they would really appreciate it. Fingers crossed - let's see if we get any!

Time for a quick pose on our way to the monorail

We boarded the monorail and made the quick journey to Magic Kingdom. I get this warm, exciting rush as I walk down the ramp to the MK gates every time. I love it! The sounds, excitement, smells... so electrifying... so.....

OOOOOOOPPPPPSSS!!!!

I left my DVD camcorder on the monorail

Traci and I decided that I should go back alone and she would take the kids into MK. We had two strollers though, which made it a little more difficult. Traci took the single stroller with Max in it and the girls walked while I took the double stroller and headed back to the monorail station.

Th monorail guy wasn't surprised at all, of course! He said he sees this all the time and that 99% of the time people get their stuff back. He said other people are just really good about handing lost stuff in because everyone knows the value of cameras and video cameras on vacation - not the cost but what is on the memory cards! The guy radioed the monorail driver who had left the station a few minutes before and asked him to check the carriages at the next stop. I spent a couple of excruciating minutes waiting to see if my DVD camcorder would be found, but finally the driver radioed back and said he found it and would deliver it on the next round!

It took about 20 minutes altogether. While I waited the monorail guy said that the number 1 lost and found item used to be a camera but for the last five years or so it's been a cell phone. I also managed to be able to appreciate the surroundings despite the little hiccup that started the morning off

So, once I got my camcorder back safe and sound (thanks monorail guys!) I headed towards Main Street Bakery because that's where we decided to eat breakfast.

I got a chocolate croissant

Traci got a cinammon pastry

and the kids got donuts

While we ate, everyone told me about the Main Street Parade and how they met the dancers

Next up... Adventureland, Dole Whips and PhotoPass pictures!

 

[eyor44]

All caught up and loving your TR. The black Minnie dot dresses with the green accents are adorable.

 

[JPFamilyMom]

The kids look so cute in their Mickey shirts. Sorry about the lost camcorder, but glad you were able to get it back quickly.

Can't wait to see what else you do, and hope you got that towel art

 

[Queenofallthings]

Thank goodness they found your camcorder....the memories are priceless!

That cinnamon bun looks delicious....I want one

 

[mermaid764]

What good news they were able to retrieve your camera

Breakfast looks yummy, especially that cinnamon bun.

Can't wait to hear more

 

[adamsup]

All caught up and loving your TR. The black Minnie dot dresses with the green accents are adorable.

Welcome!

The kids look so cute in their Mickey shirts. Sorry about the lost camcorder, but glad you were able to get it back quickly.

Can't wait to see what else you do, and hope you got that towel art

I'll be so mad if we don't get some towel art!

Thank goodness they found your camcorder....the memories are priceless!

That cinnamon bun looks delicious....I want one

Breakfast was very tasty. I didn't realize though that this is the place you can get the ice cream between two chocolate chip cookies or I would totally have gotten that!

What good news they were able to retrieve your camera

Breakfast looks yummy, especially that cinnamon bun.

Can't wait to hear more

I was so glad they found it ok. You can imagine we were overly cautious from that point on!

 

[adamsup]

 

[pwdebbie]

Yay, an update finally. You did promise to get this TR done before your next trip. I'm going to hold you to that! I love seeing your family, you all look like so much fun.

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Cute pictures, as always.

 

[Queila]

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.

 

[kate_wdw]

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

 

[Believeinfairytales]

Wonderful updates! So glad you retrieved your camcorder.

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

 

[cheshireqt]

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.

 

[pwdebbie]

Hmmm . . . seems to me somebody went back to WDW before they finished this trip report . . .

 

[Cindy-rella]

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

 

[adamsup]

Hmmm . . . seems to me somebody went back to WDW before they finished this trip report . . .