ALL ABOARD our June 2011 T/R! Autotrain, heat & lines oh MY! (12/05/11 Update)

[kittylady1972]

DAY 6: Happy Father's Day...back where we belong in the Disney parks! (CONT'D)

After spending a productive morning at the Magic Kingdom, we split up leaving the rest of the family behind to tour more of Magic Kingdom and we decided to head back for some pool time. We spent an hour or two at the pool, getting out around 4pm to get dressed and ready for dinner which was the Cape May Cafe Clambake. We last ate at the Clambake back in 2003 I think, and that was just our family of four (me, DH and the two older kids who were 3 and not-quite-one at the time) but I had read so many good things about this place and we had some seafood lovers in the family so it seemed like a good Father's Day meal.

We drove over there for our 6ish reservation. They seated us in a semi-private room off the right, but it worked out okay. The food was good and fresh and plentiful but the lines were a bit crazy. Stuff would run out but get refilled pretty quickly. We had a really good waitress though. At one point, my DH was getting up to go get dessert but realized that the flan was GONE! The waitress went to check on when more would be out and let him know when it was so he could get some right away!

Completely stuffed from dinner, we decided to stroll around to Boardwalk. We spotted this rainbow on our walk over to Boardwalk (not the best photo):

We took a few photos around the water, including the ONLY group photo of all of us. I love my camera and my Gorillapod!

We stopped and watch a street performer who did some card tricks and mind reading tricks which were cool. We then walked over and found another guy performing and the kids stopped to watch him as well. At one point he asked for volunteers, my DS6 raised his hand and he was chosen to help with a unicycle trick. The guy did tricks on a unicycle and asked DS6 to hand him stuff like a plate and sticks. He dropped on stick and asked DS6 to get it...and then acted like he was going to run him over. DS6 did not appreciate it...and then refused to pick up the stick so a kid in the audience got up to get it instead, while my DS6 remained frozen up in front. At one point the guy even went towards the audience like he was going to fall and the kids all scattered. It was quite entertaining...but poor DS6 was just not thrilled afterwards and I had to bribe him to get a photo with the guy. Rubber chickens are apparently also good bribes to get kids into photos:

DN6 also volunteered for a juggling act...and a similar trick was played on him. He handled it a little bit better. After the act was over, we walked back to our car at the Beach Club. We had a quick bathroom break at which point I insisted on some photos of my gang in what DH and I call the Mr. Peanut chairs in the lobby of Beach Club. It just looks like somebody hollowed out a peanut and made it into a chair!

While walking around the Beach Club, we spotted a bullfrog on the sidewalk. We stopped to look and as we did the frog hopped towards DN6...who burst into tears because the frog landed on his shoe. It took forever for him to stop crying for that one! Never a dull moment!

We returned back to the room for the evening.

 

[kittylady1972]

So if you haven't guessed, I'm working on getting this trip report up and DONE finally! It's amazing how just looking at the photos and reading my report can bring back lots of memories! Unfortunately I did stop my journal for the last few days of my trip, so that will have to be from memory...we'll see how much I recall. I keep remembering things but can't recall when they happened...so we shall see.

I've also already started on ANOTHER pre-trip report. I'll try to provide a link soon. As you can see from my siggy (hopefully) I have a new ticker up counting down to our very first Disney cruise. This was my 40th birthday gift to myself. We're going to try to squeeze in a few park days before and after the cruise, and also see about booking the Autotrain again. My in-laws will once again be joining us...but just MIL and FIL and not the rest of the group. I've invited other people to join, but no takers so far. I think for that trip I'm going to try to book us in a TREEHOUSE at Saratoga Springs. I get to book that DVC stay about 2 months...December 1st is when my next DVC Use Year begins and I get more points to book.

In addition to THAT trip, I think DH and I are going to do another adults-only trip in March during my birthday week. This one is going to be a touring trip where we are booking several adult-only Disney tours, one per day, as something new. For that stay we are hoping to stay on the cheap, probably in a moderate hotel in Disney.

Anyway, stay tuned as I hopefully *WILL* finally complete this June 2011 trip report!!

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

Great trip report! Super cute family!!!

I found your report while looking for reports that took place in early June. We are heading to Disney and Universal may 31st through June10th. Thanks for the line photos, I love the look of the crowds at universal. What time did ya'll hit the parks each day? It looks like rope drop. We might be doing off site this year just to get a condo with a kitchen and 2 bedrooms but we've never done off site and it makes me nervous to miss EMH and EEH.
Big thanks for the heads up on the ride times!!! Now I won't be freaking out about long waits. We usually try to go in the slow season but with a 7th grader it's too hard to pull her out of school.

I too will be turning 40 in 2012 and we are thinking about a Disney cruise out of Galveston during Christmas. I should say I'M thinking about a Disney Cruise... Dh hasn't been convinced yet.

I'll keep tuned to read about the rest of the trip and see if I can get any cruise tips.

 

[kittylady1972]

Great trip report! Super cute family!!!

I found your report while looking for reports that took place in early June. We are heading to Disney and Universal may 31st through June10th. Thanks for the line photos, I love the look of the crowds at universal. What time did ya'll hit the parks each day? It looks like rope drop. We might be doing off site this year just to get a condo with a kitchen and 2 bedrooms but we've never done off site and it makes me nervous to miss EMH and EEH.
Big thanks for the heads up on the ride times!!! Now I won't be freaking out about long waits. We usually try to go in the slow season but with a 7th grader it's too hard to pull her out of school.

I too will be turning 40 in 2012 and we are thinking about a Disney cruise out of Galveston during Christmas. I should say I'M thinking about a Disney Cruise... Dh hasn't been convinced yet.

I'll keep tuned to read about the rest of the trip and see if I can get any cruise tips.

Hey Becky!!! Yes we did do rope drop at the Universal Parks, especially IOA for Harry Potter. It wasn't too bad overall. This was our first real June experience and I'll be honest I think it requires more planning than we did, and that's coming from an experienced Disney person! We also have a 6th grader now, so taking kids out for Disney is not as easy.

I am sooo looking forward to our first Disney cruise. I just told DH that was what I wanted to do and hopefully we will enjoy it. I have a PTR up about my March birthday trip and I may add the cruise to that as well...but the cruise is not until 2012 so you will be waiting a LONG time...especially given that I'm still trying to get my June 2011 trip finished 3 months later!

 

[kittylady1972]

DAY 7: Pirates and Fishing and Other Fun Stuff

This was the day of many excursions that I had booked in advance. I really wanted my youngest son to experience the Bass Fishing as I'd read so many great things about it. Problem was that not all of us could do it and my MIL and FIL also love to fish. I think the boat would hold 6 but not 7 of us. Thankfully the older two kids had no interest in fishing, but I wanted something special for them as well. So I booked them on a Pirate Excursion...and invited DN6 to join them. They were all good with this before our trip began.

For some reason, at some point, the older two kids starter to waiver...didn't want to do the pirate thing. They really wanted to pull out, but with DN6 already booked I thought that would be not nice. I did at one point almost end up calling and cancelling it but my daughter then insisted that she'd go. So you can imagine how much I was looking forward to this day with them being so much LESS enthusiastic about it!

The fishing trip required my DH, DS6, MIL and FIL to be at the Contemporary Dock at 7am and my DS6 is not known for being a morning kid. Fortunately he WAS looking forward to this trip, so he had no problem getting up early with daddy to head out. They did call me a few times from the dock since nobody was there, and I ended up calling around to confirm that they were in the right place.

I'm so thankful for cell phone cameras and their improvements because DH got some GREAT photos from their trip!

Ok, I think his mom took this one with his cell phone, but here is DH and one of his catch:

Another fish:

One of Noah's (DS6) fish...how thrilled is he?

A great shot from the back of the boat, with Noah seated up front:

Awesome shot of another of Noah's fish:

I can't even tell you how much they all LOVED this excursion. My FIL was ready to book another one when they returned. DS caught two fish and MIL caught 3 and the other 10 fish were caught between FIL and DH. They said the captain of the boat was just AWESOME...and so GREAT with Noah as well. Noah loved telling him all about his fish at home (Noah has two prized goldfish in a tank in his room) and their captain spent a lot of time helping Noah while the other adults were fishing. I think we will have to do this excursion again in the future...I just wish there was a way all 7 of us could go together!

So while this was happening, I was getting the other two ready for their Pirate Adventure. We caught the monorail over to the Grand Floridian with my SIL, BIL and DN6. We arrived and easily found the vessel:

We checked the kids in and they all got these nice black lifevests:

They were ready to go, and things were looking good. The kids did seem pretty excited about it for the most part. There were lots of other kids there and several parents trying to also coax their kids into going. At one point, some parents did have to admit defeat as some of the younger kids were NOT happy. I felt bad for them...but hey it wasn't me...right?

Side story because this one just kills me. I may have mentioned before how much my DN6 is afraid...of just about everything. I'm surprised he got on as many things as he did on our trip, but there was lots of crying involved with him. Well my SIL, BIL and DN6 had gone off a few times on their own to parks without us. In fact, one of the days that the rest of our family went to Universal, they ended up at Animal Kingdom. SIL was determined that her son get lots of character interactions and autographs. However convincing him to get close to the characters was apparently not easy. So she decided to let him know that ALL of the characters were just people dressed up in costumes...it was the only way he would get close to them. Now that's all well and good for them...but for other parents, this is not information they want to share with their kids...do you see where I am going with this yet??

 

[kittylady1972]

DAY 7 CONT'D: Making Dreams Come True...and Shattering Others
Ok you have probably figured this out already, but here is the story. We are all sitting around waiting for our pirate excursion to begin...lots of little kids, all excited about their upcoming adventure. I overhear my DN6 and another little boy talking...but that talking soon escalates into an argument. Don't worry, no fists were flying but all I can hear is my DN6 exclaiming, as loud as he can (because he is also NEVER quiet) that MICKEY is just a GUY IN A COSTUME...and how he goes into the back room and changes costumes, while this little boy is arguing that Mickey is REAL! OMG why my SIL is not rushing over there I cannot fathom...because as his aunt *I* am horrified at what I am hearing. The little boy wanders over to his mom, in tears, who then has to explain to him that yes, you know that this characters are not really real. She explains it to him and all I hear is the little boy say to her "but I WANTED him to be REAL!" OMG...can you imagine?

Now I don't think this information filtered into too many other young and impressionable children, but I just cannot believe this. That poor mom and that poor boy!

Even my own kids, in their own way I know realize that the characters are not real, but I have never told them that. I think, like me, they just believe because you know every chance I get I am getting photos with them as well. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Sooo....they are ready to board the ship, the kids all line up and get a talk about the rules and soon they climb aboard the ship. Now I should say that in order to easy my daughter's anxiety about being away from me, I had given her my son's cell phone to use only in an emergency. I told her if she just NEEDED to call or text me, she could use it. Now DS11 wasn't thrilled with her having his phone, but he was good about it. Everything was going well and they were all seated and onboard the ship:

See the arrow? That points to where they were all seated. See that it's dark, so you can't see my daughter's face, but I think at this point it is beginning to change.

Sure enough, as the ship is ready to pull away, she jumps up and is running over to the side facing me and calling my name. I am smiling and waving and reassuring her that I will be RIGHT HERE WAITING when she returns! Thankfully the staff on the boat get her calmed down and do NOT allow her off because I know she will be fine once they are gone. However there are now parents looking at *ME* with sympathy because I probably have one of the oldest kids there...and she is crying for me. *SIGH*

So what is a mom to do when she is all alone at the World with a few hours to herself? Will she be waiting at the dock as promised when the kids return? Stay tuned....

I learned soon after that my DH and DS6 were back at the room. I didn't know if they would need a rest after their early morning, but they were okay. DS6 was up for hitting a park because he had just *ONE* goal he wanted to do. There was one VERY SPECIAL ride he wanted to experience...and DH and I had already promised him we'd find a way to make that dream come true. Anyone want to guess what that ride might be?

HINT: It is in the Magic Kingdom!!

 

[kittylady1972]

DAY 7 CONT'D: Making Dreams Come True at MK
So either there is nobody reading this or nobody is willing to make a guess on Noah's wish...so I'll continue anyway because I want to get this whole trip report finally finished.

I hopped on the monorail from the GF and headed over to the Contemporary, where I met DH and DS6 (Noah). We hopped on the monorail together and headed off to the MK.

We walked through the gates of the MK and immediately spotted this:

Can you see it? The ride that Noah is eager to ride?

Here it is again:

Yes Noah's dream was to ride the TROLLEY! So it stopped right in front of us at the train station and it was loaded with performers who got out and did their little show. When it was over, they walked off...and we saw them unhooking the horse and hooking it to the other side to pull the trolley back into the station.

We stopped a guy there and asked when we could catch the trolley? He said it would be out ONE more time for ONE more show...and it would do one circuit again...and that was at noon. We'd have to be there for it then.

So we knew we couldn't wander too far away and we headed down Main Street. We stopped at the end of Main Street for a snack:

Here's where it got even more fun for me. It was in the 90s of course and as we order the ice cream, both DH and DS6 order the cone and I get a float. Then DS6 REALLY REALLY REALLY has to use the restroom. DH heads off with him, leaving me to finish the ice cream transaction. So here I am holding TWO DRIPPING ice cream cones and my float in my hands...such fun! I am waiting and waiting, thinking I should try to lick the cones to keep them from dripping all down my hands but that was just pointless. I was a mess. I was sure they would return and I'd point out the puddle of ice cream to them both.

So it was an eternity, but you see they did make it back and ate the cones...over the rail and towards the grass:

Ice cream finished, the boys still had some time to wait for the 12pm trolley but I was supposed to be back at 11:30am at the Grand Floridian to meet the returning pirates! It was around 11am and I headed towards the monorail station while DH and DS went to ride TTA before coming back for the trolley.

Would I be waiting at the dock of the GF as I told my DD8? Would the boys make it back to ride the trolley? Stay tuned!

 

[kittylady1972]

DAY 7 CONT'D: Making Dreams come True at Magic Kingdom

So it was just after 11am or so and I was waiting at the Resort Monorail Platform in front of the MK so that I could ride over to the GF and pick up my DS11 and DD8 after their pirate excursion. As I waited for the monorail, my BIL and SIL also walked up to the platform...so we'd all be heading over together to get our kids.

We waited...and waited...and eventually the monorail did show up. Then we had to ride around...to the Contemporary. Then to the Polynesian. Then to the GF and I think at one point we sat on the rail for a while waiting. I looked out and was pretty sure I saw their pirate ship coming across the water...but I wasn't sure I'd be there before it arrived. Sure enough, I think we were at the Poly when I got the text from my DS11 that DD8 was starting to panic a bit. His text was "WHERE ARE U?" and talked about his sister being in a panic. I texted back that I was on the monorail and on my way and I would be there soon. As we arrived at the GF, my feet hit the floor and I was RUNNING through the lobby of the GF, across the grounds and over to the marina. No I was certainly not the last parent to pick up my kids...after all BIL and SIL were on the same monorail and they weren't hauling tail like I was to get to the dock. Everybody was fine though, really talking all about their trip and how much fun they had. So it wasn't too bad.

I had been in touch with my DH as well. The kids all decided they were up for the pool so DH and DS6 would meet us in the room. We hopped back on the monorail. When we got to the room my DH showed me these photos:

Yes, they were waiting in front of the train station when the trolley arrived...a few minutes early! The guy who we had talked to earlier asking about the schedule eventually spotted them and DH has a video clip of him talking to them, saying he was SO glad they made it because he was looking for them to make sure. DS6 was thrilled. They rode up to the castle and got some great castle shots there:

Back in the room we fixed lunch and then DH's parents ended up meeting us at the pool. We hung out there for quite some time, just relaxing and enjoying the day.

After about an hour of pool time, we started talking about what to do before our dinner, which was not until 7:25pm at the California Grill. Another one of DS6 big things for this trip was that he wanted to ride Expedition Everest for the first time. We decided we could make that happen...so we returned to our room, got dressed quickly and drove over to the Animal Kingdom, leaving around 3:15pm and arriving at the AK around 3:35pm.

Here is where I turned into an idiot. A tram was at the end of the row but I didn't see anybody boarding it. DH asks me to go get on and I look at him...the side of the tram are CLOSED...this is the first time I've seen this...so I'm thinking there are some kind of automatic doors and we aren't allowed on it unless they are open.

We walk up to them and notice the handles...AH! So we hop on, arrive at the gates to MK and head RIGHT over to EE. The wait time is 30 minutes. We decide to grab Fastpasses which have a 4:50pm return time on them, thinking that will work as we want to leave the park no later than 5:15pm. Then we get in the line for the ride.

I have NEVER been in the line queue when it goes outside of the buildings. EVER. This is all completely new to us! We wait in line, I'm feeding the kids some candy from my bag and we have a drink or two to keep them going. We waited about 20 minutes or so and then we were on...and DS6 LOVED it! We decided to get back in the standby line as it wasn't fastpass time. This time the wait was closer to 35 minutes...but again it went great and everybody was ready to ride it AGAIN! This time we used our Fastpasses to get a third ride in a row in on this one and then we walked out of the park.

That may have been the shortest time we've ever spent in a park. I mean, we never spend all day in AK ever, but less than 2 hours in a park? Crazy!

We get back to our room, shower and change. We met the rest of the family in the lobby of the Contemporary and were there at 7pm, quite early for our 7:25pm ADR. We did get right in and were actually seated right away. This time we sat for the first time in the Wine room, which has a nice view of EPCOT but not of MK. It was okay, like our own personal space, but I think I still prefer the main dining room.

Dinner was long but good as always. Afterwards I think some of the family was heading up to watch the fireworks at the TOTW lounge of our hotel, but we headed back to bed.

 

[dismagiclover]

I'm here! Now I just have to catch up

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

Sounds like a wonderful day! Why is it that months of planning every little detail and the spur of the moment things like Expedition Everest stick out the most?

 

[kittylady1972]

I'm here! Now I just have to catch up

Awesome! Welcome! Promise to get another update here soon and loving your Trip Report too!

 

[teachermommy78]

Whew! I'm sweating just reading about your day!!! Great update! How awesome that your son got to ride the trolley!!! You have the cutest family. I'm jealous of your next trip. Dh told me that if I worked summers we could get DVC. So tempting, but I love my summers off!!!

 

[kittylady1972]

Whew! I'm sweating just reading about your day!!! Great update! How awesome that your son got to ride the trolley!!! You have the cutest family. I'm jealous of your next trip. Dh told me that if I worked summers we could get DVC. So tempting, but I love my summers off!!!

Thanks so much...great to see you over here! It's funny that it took a lot of convincing from DH to get ME to buy into the DVC but now that we have I don't regret it. We ended up rolling the cost into an Equity Loan that is now part of our mortgage, but since I know we'll be using it for years and years to come I don't regret it.

Now off to update my other pre-trip...I just booked our March 2012 trip!!

 

[kittylady1972]

DAY 8: Hollywood Studios - things are not what they seem!

We got up early and met downstairs to catch the bus to Hollywood Studios as it was an early entry day. This was our first bus experience...and we learned a valuable lesson here. The bus was packed full when we got on it...only after our pickup we were headed to ANOTHER Resort! That's right, the bus picked us up at the Contemporary and then headed over to the Polynesian as well! There were NO seats when it got there and I felt so sorry for those people. I was also glad we weren't staying at the Polynesian!

Once in the park, it was a little while before opening and the streets were jammed with people ready to make the mad Toy Story Mania Dash!

CROWDS:

MORE CROWDS:

We had a plan though...and handed all of our tickets for our party of ten over to my DH and his dad (our designated Fastpass runners) who then made their way closer to the front of the pack. This would be the ONLY park where we really played it right with Fastpasses and planning, as later park visits would have us really disappointed we weren't using the best touring techniques.

We arrived at TSM and saw the line for the Fastpass machines...which was LOOOONG! Luckily DH and his dad were not too far away from the front, so the rest of us got into the line for TSM which was showing a 30 minute wait. DN6 refused to get a photo with Mr. Potato Head to his mom's dismay, and he was a little hesitant about the ride, but we got him on it and we only waited about 20 minutes.

Everybody loved the ride, of course.

The next big ride to hit was RnRC and I was okay with sitting that one out and waiting with the kids who did NOT meet the height requirement...which were DS6 and DN6. My DD8 *JUST* made it through and the wait time was showing 30 minutes. I knew we would be eligible for more Fastpasses pretty close to that timeframe, so before the rest of our party got into line I had them all hand me their park tickets.

As soon as our party of 7 entered the line, the wait times changed to 70 minutes, then 80 minutes, then 40 minutes, then 70 minutes. I just kept watching it change and updating them on their anticipated wait. The two boys and I just hung out, I got them some drinks and they actually sat and read the maps:

Soon it was close to 10am and time to get our next set of Fastpasses....which would be for TOT. Now the tricky part here was to get the fastpasses while sheltering DN6 as much as possible from actually seeing the ride or hearing the screams nearby! We managed ok, the boys each manning some FP machines and getting the tickets with my help and then we headed BACK to RnRC to do more waiting...and snap more pictures:

Then the rest of the gang finally emerged from RnRC after their 70 minute wait, it was time for our Fastpasses for TSM. So we ran back over to get another ride in on that one!

Once that was complete, our FP time for TOT was now here.

Now my SIL kept telling her son (DN6) that it was JUST like one of those big frog hopper rides he enjoys at the carnivals. He of course was NOT thrilled about tackling this ride at all. So it's a good thing we had the passes as we got through VERY quickly without time for him to do much thinking! Well my kids were doing a good job trying to keep him distracted by helping him search for hidden Mickey's while we were in line. This somehow got the attention of somebody else in line with us, because when it was our turn to get in line for our vehicle, this guy asked to stay with us...so he could hear us point out more Hidden Mickey's while on the ride. OK?

DN6 survived the ride...barely. He clearly was NOT happy about it!

He is in the back left, next to my FIL. As you can see our family of five is all dressed in matching dyed shirts we made at home. This was the only day I forced a dress code on the family...and I'm sure they were thankful. For past trips I've made matching shirts for other family members, but I just didn't have time this trip. As it turns out, that was fine because my SIL also made matching shirts for her family so their family of 3 are also wearing matching white shirts with logos on them that she made herself.

Once our ride was over, we had lunch plans for the Hollywood Brown Derby. I *LOVE* their Cobb Salad and on a hot day I knew this would be perfect. We were seated for lunch pretty quickly and I think ALL of the adults ordered the same thing...the Cobb Salad! Some kids ate, some didn't, and we did get a few desserts to share as well. It was a good meal as always and I recall we had a pretty friendly server. Oh I think the woman who seated us was actually from Maryland as well...but I can't remember where but we did chat with her for a bit too.

NEXT UP....heading to EPCOT for some diving!!!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

70 minutes! Holy moly!

 

[kittylady1972]

70 minutes! Holy moly!

YEP! Of course they would have NEVER waited in the line had it been that kind of wait time...it just jumped from 30 to 70 as they got into the line and it was too late then.

We would encounter similar ride waits throughout the rest of our trip and I will say that OUR family of five refused to do that kind of wait. However my SIL and her family had no problem with this wait, especially if it was something DN6 would ride. As I recall, they waited at LEAST that long for Peter Pan one day (and this was for a second ride on it...DN6 had already been on it once earlier in the trip) and I believe they waited about 70-80 minutes one day for a ride on Test Track. We refused to wait in that line with them, especially since DN6 was already going into crying/panic mode as they got in line...and we knew we weren't up for listening to that for 70+ minutes. Of course, we never did make it back to ride Test Track at all for this trip, which was kinda disappointing. I believe they also waited over an hour or longer for a ride on Soarin' one day...and again it was a second or 3rd ride on the same thing as they had already done it once. That was their method of touring though, and not ours, which was why we spent a LOT of our vacation touring separately. It was almost like we weren't even with them at times as little as we did parks together. However their family plan is to do Disney once every 5 years so I guess when they return in 5 years (2016), and DN will be 11, they will try again.

 

[kittylady1972]

DAY 8 CONT'D: EPCOT and Swimmin' with the FISHES!

Having finished a wonderful lunch at the Hollywood Brown Derby, we emerged back into the heat and sun to continue our day. DH was on a short timeline for afternoon as he had to report to EPCOT by 4pm for DiveQuest. Since we planned to take the boat over there, we figured we'd need to leave HS by 3pm at the latest.

The rest of the group split off to do their own thing and we made plans to meet at The Living Seas tanks around 4:30/5pm. We decided to head into Animation and while we were going to bypass the show, the kids really enjoy it so we stayed through the show. The plan was to then hit the Animation Academy for the first time and do some drawing!

Unfortunately when we got through we just missed one show of the Academy and we were not really too close to being in the standby for the next one. I don't recall what we did, but I think we just decided to head to EPCOT as it was closer to 3pm. We did stop for some photos on the way out of the park:

Now it was time for the nice, relaxing boat ride over from HS to EPCOT...or at least that was the plan. We boarded the boat...and it was HOT. I mean, there was NO air on inside the boat and no windows open for at least a little breeze. It was truly a sweltering ride and a long one since we had to make several stops at the other EPCOT resorts.

Of course, DH and DS6 didn't seem to mind too much:

The other kids and I were pretty warm though:

We arrived at the International Gateway and I went to get out all of the passes. One problem...Nicolas' pass was MISSING! Yes, AGAIN! What is it with his ticket that it insists on hiding from me.

Now normally this would be an easy fix...if you purchase tickets directly from Disney. They would just pull up you name and transaction and track the tickets and replace it for you. However I purchased these from Mousesavers to save some money...and getting a record of the transaction as well as the ticket serial numbers would be no easy task. I felt sure, if necessary, I could probably call them but we tried a few other avenues first.

So I have hot and thirsty kids, who are quite impatient at this point, and my DH eventually has to get going so I tell him we will meet him inside...really. I was at Guest Services with the guy trying to figure out if there was some way we could track down the ticket, which is when he made the suggestion to me that EVERYBODY should probably keep in mind! Take PHOTOS of your TICKETS including the serial numbers. This way, if you ever lose one, you can have it replaced easily.

I forget how long we spent trying to track down the ticket when I started flipping through my little Annual Passholder booklet I had received with my annual pass. It was small and the front pocket usually held my ticket and as I flipped through EACH PAGE for some reason I found Nicolas' ticket in between the pages! WHEW!!

So we finally enter the gates and the kids and I have some time to wander around. We snap some photos:

Then we decide we are hungry...and thirsty...and ice cream would REALLY hit the spot. We have no dinner plans so why not? We opt for some ice cream floats and we enjoy those while walking around.

This seemed to re-energize the kids a little and so we made our way to the Living Seas, riding through Finding Nemo first. We found the rest of the family near the upper tanks and we waited...and waited...and waited for DH to show. This is NOT easy for kids...imagine that!

We watch some fishies:

Turtle!

Hidden Mickey:

Here is DADDY!

Daddy swims with the fishies!

I was able to take photos and some video...then at one point my SIL and BIL were gone...yet DN6 was still there. He turned to my in-laws and told them his mom and dad said they could take him to Test Track next. What?? Apparently my SIL was experiencing some issues and she and BIL headed back to the resort...without letting anyone know they were leaving DN6 behind! OK then. Then the bathroom emergencies hit for my kids...and my FIL took DS11 to do that, but I trailed not too far behind...all the while DH was still swimming in the tanks. It was a bit chaotic, then DS11 discovered he had left his cherished Hidden Mickey's book IN the bathroom, so we had to run back and YES it was still there.

DH finally finishes his swim and we try to wait around for him to come out...but it's taking FOREVER as always. Plus my phone was pretty much dead, so I had to keep it turned off and therefore I couldn't arrange to meet him somewhere via phone so stayed near my in-laws so I could call him with their phone. Eventually we ended up outside of the Living Seas to wait and I got a quick message off to let DH know we'd be out there.

He met up with us, but nobody was up for much more park time...except maybe me! We didn't have any food so we decided to head back with MIL, FIL and DH6 and eat at the Contempo Cafe. As it turns out, SIL and BIL were there as well so we sat down and ate together.

I think I got some steak thing...but it wasn't very good. The kids ate pretty well for the most part.

We were all hot and sweaty (except DH who had a shower after his dive) and so I was looking forward to some time in the room...and a shower! However that's when DH asked if I would run his sister out to Walmart as she needed some emergency supplies...it's a woman thing. I agreed but I should have gotten my bearings before I left because I know the Walmart is pretty close...but we ended up way, way out of the way at a Walmart that I know was too far. We got there, she got her stuff, and we got out but it was a long trip back and forth.

I came back and was longing for that shower...but I was hungry too as dinner had not been that good. I asked DH if he would kindly return to the Contempo and snag me one of these that I had eyed up earlier:

So I hopped in the shower and cleaned up and he returned with my Black Forest Cupcake and some milk....so yummy and so worth it! I couldn't finish it but I tried my best! Then it was bedtime!

 

[dismagiclover]

Fun update! I don't like those Epcot Friendship boats either! They are just too hot and stuffy. We actually prefer the walk between the parks, but it is tough in the summer because it is too hot in the middle of the day. I love the pictures of your DH in the tank. That would be cool! And I love the look of that cupcake. We are staying at BLT in January so I might have to snag me one of those!

 

[kittylady1972]

Fun update! I don't like those Epcot Friendship boats either! They are just too hot and stuffy. We actually prefer the walk between the parks, but it is tough in the summer because it is too hot in the middle of the day. I love the pictures of your DH in the tank. That would be cool! And I love the look of that cupcake. We are staying at BLT in January so I might have to snag me one of those!

OMG they really were stuffy! I suppose on colder days they would feel great but in the summer...YUCK!

I'm not sure we've ever done the walk but will keep it in mind for the future for sure. I know it would have been much faster but we thought this would be relaxing. Obviously it was for some as you can see from the photos!

My DH has done DiveQuest several times now...he really loves it and it's really his only chance to SCUBA Dive anymore so that makes it even better for him. We enjoy watching him...it's just the waiting before and after that I don't enjoy. Maybe next time we'll just make a reservation in the restaurant and eat while he dives!

The cupcake was TOTALLY worth it...OMG! They had other varieties and I wish I had had the chance to try more. I have yet to get any of the other cupcakes known to be around the WDW area like the ones at Hollywood Studios. I might have to make that a mission for our next trip. There is always SOMETHING new to try for each trip...that may be mine!

 

[kittylady1972]

Day 9: There's no CRYING in Disney World!

This is, unfortunately, the last day that I kept up with my journal. So filling in on the details might be a bit tough. I'll give it my best shot.

This was a Wednesday, and an early entry day for Animal Kingdom. We were going to meet in the lobby at 7:30am and get there close to rope drop. However DD8 woke up cranky so we thought we'd stay and let her sleep. She didn't want to sleep...and so ended up leaving not too long after the rest of the family who we had sent ahead...around 8:15am we were at the park.

First some photos:

Yeah we all look happy here. That look would not last long.

We hit the safari ride first, which showed a 20 minute wait but it was about 10 for us. We saw some great animals and I think I took some decent video this time...which is rare. After that we headed over toe catch the 10am showing of the Lion King, since this was something we had never seen before and it was on my must do list this trip. We let DH's family know where we were headed...and we got into the LONG line of the crowd waiting to enter that area. And then...it got ugly.

DD8 did NOT want to wait...of course. The boys weren't much better about the wait but this was the ONE thing I wanted to see...and so we waited. DD8 continue to have a complete meltdown...just unruly and nasty and really this was just NOT like her. We have to believe it was the new drugs she had just started on for her migraines that were causing this...and it was not good. We were so tempted to leave with her but it was a big crowd and it was moving. When we sat down...she was still unhappy. Eventually we realized the yelling and threats were getting us nowhere...so I just asked her if she was feeling upset for some reason. And then she cried. And then I cried with her because I really felt like these mood swings were just not within her control and she didn't understand it...and as a female I knew all about that.

Eventually things were better and we did enjoy the show...but I must say I had it built up in my mind and honestly I think I prefer the Nemo show over this one. I was glad we saw it though.

We left and met up with the rest of the family who managed to get into the show right after it started. They had decided they were heading to EPCOT to do more stuff there since SIL, BIL and DN6 had done most of AK already earlier in the trip, the day we did Universal Studios. So we parted with them and we made our way over to Dinosaur!

We stopped and had some ice cream to cool off and DS11 was pretty insistent that he was NOT riding this ride. The younger two were okay with it...but he was not...figures! We made more idle threats I am sure and eventually convinced him to go...but he was NOT happy about it!

Here he is in line:

And my DD8:

So we survived Dinosaur...can you spot my family in the back row in this blurry redneck photo:

DS11 was not happy...and I'm not sure that we'll get him on it again but he survived.

Then some happier photos...my oldest son loves birds. So here he is with some pink feathered friends:

On the way out of the park, we spotted an Anteater and got a quick photo of him:

We decided to come back to the room and relax and we had all of the kids nap...even the oldest...for a while. My in-laws did some laundry in our room. We bribed the kids and told them if they slept that perhaps we could stay out later in a park that night. At least I think that was our plan...but did it happen???