your trip report is wonderful!
Thank you so much
I am DYING laughing at Lauren PASSED OUT in the stroller, that girl is go go go, so to see her like that is too funny! I was also cracking up at you "dead lifting" her into the van! Luke was too funny with his light up clip earrings! Lauren had a BAD food day that day, awful Rico the ice cream swiper and don't forget about the door jammed goldfish!!!! GREAT UPDATE!!
You are too funny Diane!!! I forgot about the goldfish.... poor Lauren!
Wow, you're not kidding Lauren was OUT.

I have read so many great reports about how convenient and cheap a cab ride is if you need it. I will keep that in mind.
It looked like the people standing next to the iron fence during Illuminations in front of your bench crouched down? Is that what they did? I was wondering if people would stand in front of your view since you were on the bench.
Way for Tim to speak up at Coral Reef. The wait staff can really make or break your dining experience. We love Coral Reef just like Luke. How did Luke feel about Coral Reef? What a great idea to save their light-up thingys and bring them to dinner at Coral Reef!
Yes she was OUT, cab was a life saver that night.
You know, the people in front of us were SO nice, they came in and respectfully sat down to watch them, the person you see to the left was in an
ECV and her husband sat next to Tim on the bench, just nice people that night. We have always had good luck in Morocco, not that crowded back there and a great viewing spot. Luke really enjoyed Coral Reef, we hid our disgust of Rico from him for the most part, didn't want to ruin his restaraunt experience.
Still catching up on reading ,and I am on page 31,but I have to reply about the comments you made about Ariel and the bus.First...OMG,I so agree with you about this girl as Ariel.I find it hard to believe that Disney couldn't find someone better to fill this role. Nothing against the girl herself really,but she just seems older then Ariel should be,she even seems to be out of character..her face just has this whole I don"t want to be here,I don't care sort of look....and with all the kids out there competeing for roles like this at Disney,I don"t understand why this girl was chosen to fill this role....she must know someone!!!
Second...I know what you mean about how men and grown boys won't stand for others who obviously need a seat. Once we were on a bus and were in the back,however there was a woman who was pregnant and carrying a sleeping toddler,trying to hold on because she didn't have a seat. We didn't notice at first since she was more towards the middle and other people were in standing in front of us. My husband heard someone else who was standing make a comment about this poor woman,and then he stood up and told the person to have her come back and she could have his seat.Well...would you believe that another guy in his 20's just quickly plopped right in the seat my husband had been sitting in ,before standing up to give it to the preganat woman!!!!

Of course my husband got a bit loud as he made a comment to this guy,and so did alot of others around us. The guy stands up looking all embarrassed and apologizes and said he didn't know,and I felt bad for him at first,as maybe he didn"t. Well,the lady sat down,we arrive at our hotel,and all get off the bus.And guess what we see as we are walking away. The same guy was walking ahead of us,and there was a woman with him,who had been standing right aside of my daughter,and the two of them are all cozey and snuggly with each other as they are walking together. The woman was young too,but still...whether she was his girlfriend or wife,I just couldn"t quite grasp that he would choose to sit down instead of offering what he thought was an open seat(since obviously my DH wanted to stand up...

) to his own wife or girlfriend! That is bad,but then to not offer it to some poor woman struggling to balance herself while holding a sleeping child,that was just obscene! So my 19 year old daughter says ,"Oh,he's quite a catch! I hope for her sake they use some good birth control!" I couldn"t help but bust out laughing!
that is a TERRIBLe bus story, halarious about your daughters comment though. Glad you are getting caught up. Yes, that Ariel just wasn't what you see in the story books at all!
SSR has never erally appealed to me but after seeing the pics I am lovin the pool.

Great update. I told my husband today that I found your report and he was all "oh really? I wanna read that". I was SHOCKED..he is not usually the DISsing type.
Illuminations is wonderful
That is so funny, hope he likes it. Yeah, the pools at SSR are great!
Wow, Luke really looks grown-up in these photos!
I know, my baby is growing up SOOOO fast! I'm trying to soak it in because he still thinks mom is the best and I know that won't last long!
Another great update
How cool your family and Diane family running into each other again..so much fun
Bummer about your meal at Coral Reef. Good for Tim speaking up
Yes, we had a great time with Diane and her family. Yeah, Tim isn't one to hold his tongue : )
Love the update, as usual. Illuminations is such a great show! I listen to the music from it constantly.
Lauren's dancing is too cute!
Glad you guys had such a great day.
Glad you enjoyed the update. Illuminations music is the greatest!
Another great day as usual! Looks like a really fun morning at the pool!
How nice you got to spend time with your friends as well! Can't believe the rudeness of Rico the waiter! And imagine taking a kids ice cream away without asking! That really would have caused a rucus in my camp!LOL
Lauren looks so funny - she really was out cold wasn't she! Great idea about the cab tho -will need to keep that in mind!
Carreen
xxx
Hi Careen, yeah it was a great Disney day. Rico was the worst! Luke wanted me to tell everyone that he shared his ice cream with Lauren : )
Mental note. During our Sept trip, ask to be moved if placed in Ricos section!
Maybe we'll avoid him though as we are going for lunch!
You did great on the podcast! Asked a great question also! Hope Luke enjoys getting all done up!
Fantastic pictures!! How fun to have a nice relaxing morning!! I also thought the kids meals were particularly bad at SSR. We would share with the boys and use Connors credit to get them something different later.
Poor Lauren was all the way out for the count!!
Yeah, avoid Rico at all costs. Glad you enjoyed the pics. Yeah, she was out cold!
I am also giggling at Lauren passed out in the stroller. Disney tired is the best kind of tired!
What a great day - despite the Rico Suave experience. I also love the non-frenzied touring style. What a luxury!

Your pool day sounds delightful and how nice to get to experience it with friends.
You guys are getting me so excited to save the world with Kim Possible!

Are fast passes required for this or could you walk up?
I also

Illuminations. Nothing like it! "We are gathered here, around the fire,...." Love it!
Good call on the taxi!
Yes she was quite passed out after Illuminations, the non frenzied touring style was incredible! I guess you could walk up for KP but getting a FP is so easy and then you are guaranteed a phone, also it doesn't count against any other FP's so you might as well.
Wow! Did you check her pulse? That is pure Disney exhaustion right there. I wish I could sleep like that every night!
I want to know if people stood in front of you at Illuminations too???? How far in advance did you snag that bench? We had to watch it from about 4 rows of people back!

But it was our fault b/c we tried to squeeze in one more TT run before the show and we got there about 5 minutes before it started. Next time we will go early.
The KP missions look like a REALLY good way for DD to entertain herself while I am in WS. Last time she just kept saying, "Where are the rides?" and whining. Maybe this will keep her interest b/c I could stay in WS all week!
I've been debating Coral Reef for our next trip, but I think you have talked me out of it. I've read such bad reviews lately. Why in the WORLD did you leave him $5!!! He should have left YOU $5!!

That is just unreal! No matter how great the food is, if the service is bad, it just isn't good! Looked like an awesome day though otherwise!
I know, she was dead to the world wasn't she! The KP missions are awesome, saw more of the World showcase than ever this trip! I would vear away from Coral Reef, do Chef's De France, LeCellier and Teppan Edu instead in my oppinion!
This is just too adorable!
So sorry to hear about your Coral Reef waiter.

Had you considered speaking with a manager on your way out? We had a medicore waitress our first time at Coral Reef but she was nowhere near as terrible as Rico. I have to log that name in my head and remember it for our upcoming trips. Did Tim's Chocolate Wave
taste bad or just
look bad?
I would have loved to hear that band playing.

How cool. That's also cool you got a mission in Germany. That's our favorite country in the entire WS.
Jealous about Illuminations...my kids cannot stay up late enough for that so we still have to wait a year or two more to see that show again.
Glad you liked the pic. I don't think Tim ate much of his chocolate wave because he was so put off by the way it looked. The Bon Jovi band ROCKED! You'll see Illuminations some day... it will be worth the wait!
It's my first post here but I just wanted to say I'm loving your trip report. Only started reading it a few days ago so it's really keeping me entertained! Your family are beautiful, Lauren and Luke really are a credit to their Mom and Dad. It's wonderful to see such happy children enjoying the magic of disney, they are so lucky to be able to experience this adventure with such fun and loving parents. It really has done my heart good to read about your vacation.
I'm heading to WDW for the first time in October with DH. We've no kids, I'm around the same age as you Lesley but I couldn't imagine the responsibility of bringing up children. You seem to be natural parents who make it look so easy.
Thanks for sharing, looking forward to the rest of the updates
I'm honored you put your first post on our TR, WELCOME to the Dis boards! Thank you for your compliments, you are so so sweet

I am glad you are enjoying the TR
Lesley
Don't be jealous Sooze, you should COME TOO!! How fun would that be!!!
AGREED!!!!!