April 2008 BC and Spring Break

[dawz1026]

So a year later Im finally typing my TR! LOL


Cast of characters-Me-40 phycho planner,Dh Mike 38 the man who turned me on to WDW,DD Alexis 12 Goofy Fan and DS Michael age 22 months and already on his 2nd dis vacation!

Our trip started out at 3am...on April 3rd 2008.We pulled our rented Toyota Siena out of our driveway in Long Island NY ready for a long haul to Florida!(we much prefer the drive than to fly anymore) with a bag of dollar store toys and some dvds Michael was quite the trooper!

The rain started coming down in buckets as usual on every trip down.It pretty much poured all the way until Maryland.DH has this goal every year of getting to the Maryland border in 3 hours its kinda funny seeing him so determined over this venture...but he did it! Even in the downpour!

We were making good time until VA.Poor dh barely slept the night before so we pulled over for about a half hour break and from there cruised uneventfully down 95 aside from potty and snacks and refueling.We did the cheesy South of the Border stop because we can never get over the atmosphere lol there really is nothing like it! We then hit the road to to Jacksonville where we decided to stay the night.We arrived 530pm and went to Wendys for dinner and decided to spend the night at the Holiday Inn because we knew it was a nice place from previous trips.. End Travel Day 1

 

[dawz1026]

Day 2

We were up and back on the road by 10am.We were scheduled to go to Clearwater for two nights to visit DH's Grandma.We ended up in Orlando pretty early and we were not checking in to our hotel until around 4pm in Clearwater so DH suggested we go to Seaworld! YEAH! An unexpected event which we were all happy about.It was so nice out that day and once you get to Orlando you really feel like the vacation has started.

We had not been to Seaworld since 2001 when dd was much younger and we really remember having a great time and really enjoying it.Things have changed there as they had put more shops and eating in as well as some big coasters.DS did not enjoy the dark attractions where the sharks were..he did enjoy the penguins though.Its funny he was not too inpressed with things.I think maybe the age..dd liked it but was not as enthused as she was at a younger age.We missed Shamus show and did get caught in a downpour which kinda drenched us.Luckily the sun came out blazing soon after.
Seaworld was a nice day..a short day because we had to get back on the road but I don't know if I would go back too soon.As we enjoyed feeding the sea lions and seeing the peguins it was not at the top of our list next time..Busch Gardens we feel is better and more worth it,IMO.

Michael when we got to the entrance to Seaworld!

Enjoying the stingrays

Michael having fun with the sea lions

Michael n Myself

Mike and Alexis at Shamu Stadium

Looks like Seaworld tired someone out!

After leaving Seaworld we hit the road again to Clearwater..we arrived at the Fairfield around 4pm to check in.Michael already loved the room..

We went to see Grandma for a while and I wanted to find the Hogans house so badly after seeing how beautiful it was on tv and long behold we found it!

End of Day 2

 

[dawz1026]

Day 3 always starts off for us down at the beach..Dh likes to hit the pier and get some fishing time in before we visit Grandma again..

After our beach visit we had lunch in Sand Key and then went to see Grandma again in Largo.This visit my dh and ds encountered a snake right in the grass next to the sidewalk..not what we needed to see..ugh It certainly made us look down alot more throughout the trip!

We had dinner at Shephereds overlooking the gulf and called it a day..tomorrow WDW!

 

[dawz1026]

Up early and ready to go!
We hit the road after a nice short stay at the Fairfield Inn and gased up and off to The Beach Club!.We took this one after our welcome home comment at the gate!

Upon checking in I was surprised to hear the magic words..You have been upgraded to Concierge Here is a view from our room..

It was soooo nice! We waited for our luggage and took advantage of the free snacks right awayha! We then did our usual and ran to Epcot for a couple of hours.

Our favorite!

DD could not wait to put her Goofy hat on!

So excited!

We had a quick lunch in Mexico-I had to have the Nachos and they were yummy and then we decided to hit MK for the night!

Waiting at the bus stop...

On our way!

The Castle was sooo beautiful!

End Day 4

 

[heaven2dc]

What a great start to your trip - Sea World plus your upgrade!! The view is awesome. I have always wanted to stay at the Beach Club resort and am anxious to hear how you liked it!

 

[hgbluesparkles]

Woo hoo upgrade!

You guys had a busy trip! Can't wait to see more.

 

[dawz1026]

I just could not wait for DS to meet the playhouse characters at HS so we woke up early and had an ADR for Cape May!

Michael got to know all the staff that morning while we waited to be seated!

Enjoying his meal!

Goofy really spent some ideal time with DD!

awww Minnie!

Another Great Meal!

Off to HS via Boat from the Yacht Club! When we arrived we dashed to see Donald and Daisy!

DS already needs a nap! Cuddling his doggie!

Meeting Little Einsteins

After this point I remember ds having the meltdown of the day lol...He finally took a nap in the stroller and we hit the shops!We ended up carrying him on Great Movie Ride twice..once he was awake and thankfully sat for the whole thing.Love that ride!

We had opted out of TOT and RnR because of my bad back and dh still not getting past his last RnR experience lol...I think he is still "off" from it!

Since we are so close to HS we decided to leave and take a ride to other resorts which I forgot to take photos of ..We did hit POR and Coronado and then back to BC for some pool time!

It was Epcot for a German dinner.....

Germany is by far one of our favorite choices when we are at WDW..DS had a blast whenthe band came out and actually held his sippy cup up for the toast!Toooo funny!

This was one trip to WDW where i never could get on Test Track.It was that crowded everyday..120 minute wait was the average and the fastpasses gone in a flash..oh well.We did however manage a great seat in Italy for Illuminations that night and some great shopping time and a ride on Spaceship Earth.Love the updates!

After Epcot We always take a walk on the Boardwalk and then I take ds to the room and dd and dh hit the arcade.

I am tired just remembering all we did..

End Day 5

 

[OhMari]

We loved the BC too.
I didn't know the Hogans lived in Clearwater.
We went to the beach in Clearwater, last November.

I know what it is like to have a bad back, and I'm betting
holding a toddler, doesn't help much, but you do what you can.

 

[dawz1026]

We loved the BC too.
I didn't know the Hogans lived in Clearwater.
We went to the beach in Clearwater, last November.

I know what it is like to have a bad back, and I'm betting
holding a toddler, doesn't help much, but you do what you can.

The bad back is terrible..I get epidural steroid injections and they make me fat as well..ugh I cant win lol...I am jealous u are going in a couple of days!

 

[dawz1026]

AK Day!

I must admit it is my favorite park right now.I feel as if I am somewhere else in the world when I go there..Lets see if my memory serves me right after a year has passed lol..

On AK days we do not usually rush to get there as it is an easy park to navigate.We had breakfast this day down in the Marketplace because I remember letting DH get ready last and take his time and when ds saw we where leavingthe room without Daddy he screamed all the way down th elevator through the lobbyA moment I think why did I do this??why??and then it passes as he is handed whatever I could grab in the moment lol...off to AK after breakfast...

Had to get a photo!

Such a nice pnd!

The Gorillas are a favorite stop..we spend at least 45 minutes here..

DS-Passed out

A quiet shot on the trail...

He has recharged his batteries and he is off...

It was flaming hot at Planet Watch...poor kid is sweating..

DS was soooooo tired this day we ended up back for a nap by 3pm and missed LeCellier at 4pmnext trip...

So AK was good..VERY crowded and I have not seen that many people in a while at WDW.We managed to all go on Kilamanjaro Safari,Planet Watch,Dinosaur a few times and Triceratop Spin..DH took DD on Everest and he was not thrilled with the backwards part...at all..I watched the parade a bit at this point as buckets of rain hit.We shopped we did get to eat at Flame Tree and as usual it was awesome!

We spent the evening at Epcot and we missed our ADR at Le Cellier so we went back to Germany as we love it so much.Dessert this night was in Norway and I had Strawberry Cheescake and DH a chocolate croissant..dd was ill from eating too much at dinner
Again...no test track..so we walked and shopped and walked and shopped..fireworks and our usual me to room with ds...dh and dd out on the town lol...