Oh, I: your parade pics with the castle in the background!
No wonder your PF flared up with all that park crossing.No worries, when we go there won't be any non-planners or people insisting to go with the flow and we can do things RIGHT!
about crossing the park! I've always wanted to try CHH (I'm a vegetarian) but I hate hummus-I usually do Peco's or Cosmic's instead.
Nice update! I had no clue Frontierland was being renovated.
No true Dis fan goes around the park in order! You must criss cross to avoid crowds.
If you are criss-crossing the park then you ARE doing it the Dis way!
Um, Stitch? Just sayin. Actually, that IS a FP ride, it's just that you never need them (the kiosks are usually closed) because it is such a suckfest of an attraction.
In my defense, these are my Teva MUSH and I have worn them at Disney before with no problems! 
No worries, by day 3 I had my running shoes on, even though it made me hotter. 
And I'm sorry, but I definitely laughed at the whole FP for Stitch and Laughing Floor. Stitch is definitely an interesting attraction. We LOVE Stitch (especially Matt), so we actually kind of like this attraction, but I know we are definitely in the minority! 
I did find it kind of nice that they got rid of the chili cheese dog burp smell though!
.WOW. After reading your update, I'm seriously shocked at how busy it was! I'm not going to lie, this makes me nervous for our January trip (which should be happening next year, still working on some details). I wouldn't be nervous but next year the dates are really weird. MLK weekend (which we always avoid and visit starting the Thursday after) is the 21st in January 2013, which is REALLY late. On top of that, we have to use DVC points before February 1st, so we're basically pretty much stuck between two options. Either suck it up and deal with MLK Jr. crowds, and go from Jan. 17th-27th, OR see if we can find out from DVC about the points and go from Jan. 24th-February 3rd. BUT NOW seeing how busy it was for you guys, I'm nervous at that second choice!
Oooh, that is hard! I just thought I was going crazy, and that I had picked the wrong day (at least on our MK day) but by the end of the week when they EXTENDED HOURS at MK on Friday, I thought maybe everyone else had just realized that this was a good week to go. I do think there were just lots of bodies, tour groups were abundant, so that made it seem fuller as well. I don't think it was horrible though, at least the waits were good, we really didn't wait much for anything! It also might be perspective (but you can judge when I post my crowd pics!) b/c I've only been in September and later October, both of which were less busy (body count wise) than this trip.
Basically we have some figuring out to do, because next January is looking like a weird month. I guess all we can do is prepare for it being a bit busier.
Anyway, sorry I ranted about that. It's something that's been on my mind and I'm sure when I start my next PTR for that trip, I'll be needing advice.
I'll be ready to give it, you know it's my favorite thing to do...tell people what I think!
I also cannot believe the UPSTAIRS was that full! We went to CHH twice during our trip and both times there was maybe one other family upstairs. Otherwise, it was just us! And that was even on the day we experienced terrible crowds at MK (I just talked about it in my latest update).. But we also ate at around 11:30 or so, so maybe we just missed the swarms?
Nope, it was 11:30-12 when we went as well. I was SHOCKED b/c I was acting all smug and telling the family that there was a little DIS secret upstairs and then we got up there and I was just eating crow!
Crowds aside, it looks like your day was still fun! I love how much fun the girls were having with the Spitting Camel.
I was waiting for the horrible stinky burp, no wonder it wasn't so bad! I'm glad I did it once, I would like to eventually do everything just at least once!
I agree, the Frontierland paving wasn't as bad as I pictured it.
Can't believe Savannah didn't want to do Splash! Though I can kind of understand why, you DO get wet and if you're not in the mood for some thrills, it's probably best to skip it.
Space Mountain is intense! It always makes me scream the most ridiculous screams ever. And it is pretty jerky because you can't prepare yourself for the sudden turns! Though on our trip, by our 3rd or 4th ride, I kind of knew where the most intense turns were, so that helped!
I was prepared for it to be jerky, so it didn't seem that bad, although when we went on RnRc later in the week, it seemed so SMOOTH compared to SM!
Can't wait for more.
But DS does not like dark rides so I have to ride alone this time since DD is not going AGAIN! This will be the second trip she has missed. I took your advice and called Disney today and changed my CP ressie to breakfast. DS better get up! I will go without him! I have never met Piglet so I am excited about this meal.
I'm in!! I read your last TR, the one with the in-laws and enjoyed it very much. Can't wait to read how the rest of your trip turned out
Hey Karen, just wanted to tell you that I just finished reading your TR from the trip you took with the in-laws. It was wonderful. I loved your DH's shirt in the first intro shot! Very original! I also loved the pic of your SIL with Mickey Mouse at Breakfast. I have a cousin who was born with Downs Syndrome, and although he is an adult now, he is still a child at heart, he loves Disney Characters so much, and this picture reminded me of him. I actually teared up a bit looking at it. That Mickey hey? He sure knows how to connect with everyone and make them feel special and important.
I had forgotten about that moment, it was so special!
Also, you should know that everyone seems so much smilier and happier this time around! Your boys seem more relaxed and your daughter has grown up so much! Our Dd is 9, almost 10. It's scary to me that she could change also so much in 2 short years! Your husband too, he seems more relaxed and happy in this vacations photos. Anyways, thanks for sharing your memories with us all. Looking forward to hearing more in the days to come! (oh, and feel free to check out my PTR if you'd like!)
He had a chance to redeem himself our last night though, so you'll have to wait to hear about that!
Is anyone keeping count? I wouldn't have been able to if I hadn't written this down as soon as we got back to the resort!
I had wanted to go here in 2009 as well b/c I KNEW Rey would love it, but we never made it! I do believe that if we ever go just the two of us, he'll want to stay here. He said he liked the "vibe" of AKL and The Poly. 
