Better Late than Never! MNSSHP from 10/24-11/4

[shellywalker]

Hello Everyone! We have just scheduled another trip in June/July, and well, before starting that pre-trippie, I thought I should complete a TR from our last trip!

The reason for the trip:
My husband was currently stationed in Iraq, and was due to have R&R in October...what better place to meet up with him than Disney World!?!

The Cast:

Shelly (Me): I am a 25 year old, stay at home mom to two beautiful children! I am the wife of a firefighter and Air Force Veteran. I love all things Disney, scrapbooking, making cards, playing with my kids, working out...the list goes on!

Alex (DH): He was 25, turning 26 in Disney World! He's an Air Force Veteran, a firefighter and currently working as a civilian firefighter in Iraq. He is the most self-less person that I know...maybe that's why I married him???? He loves his boat, his motorcycle, being outside, playing with the kids, and he loves to make me happy

Maddie (DD): 5 years old, the biggest girly girl, loves all things Disney...like her momma, playing baseball, dance, riding her bike, and bothering her little brother!

Jackson (DS): 9 Months old, loves everyone and everything!

This was our first trip as a family, Jackson's first airplane ride, both kids first trips to Disney World, DH's golden Birthday and our 1 year anniversary! Not to mention, we haven't seen him since June! It was sure interesting to see Jackson's reaction to him, since the last time he saw him, he was 5 months old!

We stayed off-site at The Liki Tiki Village! A short drive to Disney, and VERY accomodating to our family. We stayed in a two bedroom condo, which entailed...2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, full size kitchen, dining room, living room, washer and dryer and a screened in balcony! We could not have asked for a better resort! Now I've heard some complaints about this place. It is a time share resort, and I've heard they bother and bother about buying. The MENTIONED once, right when we checked in, that they offer a breakfast if we were interested in checking it out. That was the only time in 11 days we heard a single word regarding the time share! The rooms were clean, the water park, pools and all other extra curricular activities were AMAZING! I would recommend this place a million times over! Up next...resort pictures!

 

[shellywalker]

So sorry...I didn't upload the pictures of the resort...I figured people would just want to read about the Disney portion of the trip

This trip was a surprise to DD, she knew we were going to Florida...and that was it! DH wanted to be able to see her face when she found out where we were going...so we kept it a secret! We purchased 5 day park passes, had a few different ADR's, and made this trip all about her! As she had given up her dad for an entire year...it was the least we could do for her!

When we got to the resort, DH took the kids over to the pool and waterpark area so that I could sneak up to the room and put out the Tinkerbell surprises I had made for the kids! Since we would be doing MNSSHP, my mom made the kids trick or treat bags, and in them I stuffed all sorts of Disney surprises...I sprinkled green and silver glitter all over the floor to prove Tinkerbell had infact graced us with her presence! To my delight when I walked into the room, there were balloons, flowers, mickey peanut butter cups, mickey cookies, champagne, mickey suckers and a card to "The Woman in my life" and one to "Alexander". It took everything in me not to start crying...I had no idea who had done this....was it our friends who would be joining us for a few days? Was it my husband, who can also be the most absent minded person I know? I kept it together, and headed out to get the family! He could tell I had been surprised...but acted shocked when I walked into the room...ya know...for the kids sake The kids opened there stuff and I opened the card for Maddie and I...and Alex opened his card...and it was signed by every staff member that works at Liki Tiki! Are you kidding me? Alex, obviously, had contacted the resort and explained why we were headed there, and they set all that up for him...and gave him a thank you card for serving his time for our country! Unreal!

We didn't do much this day at all...went grocery shopping, took Maddie to a few little shops...broke the news to her that we were at Disney World. She didn't buy it! "Mom, this is NOT Disney World"...oh because you would know...you've been here before? Next up Day 2!

 

[shellywalker]

Day 2-Uneventful

Our friends had flown in the night before, but very late so we weren't expecting to see them until this morning. We had headed out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel and got the call that they were up and ready to meet up! Our DD and their DD were in the same 4K class, and now the same Kindergarten class...this is how we became friends. But the girls had NO idea that they were going to be seeing each other in Florida, muchless, in the same resort! We went back to the hotel, changed into our swimming suits and headed to the pool, where they were going to meet us! We got in the water and a few minutes later they walked up...the girls were speechless, it was so cute! We spent the day hanging out at the pool, mini golfing, going on a paddle boat ride in the lagoon (where I dropped my cell phone into the lake!) and playing on all the slides and swings! Our friends own a food distributing business, and the dad, was actually there for a convention...so him and Alex headed out that night to go to some party the convention was having...we called it an early night as tomorrow, we would be celebrating DH's Birthday at Chef Mickey's

 

[shellywalker]

We had a 10:50 ADR at Chef Mickey's for Breakfast...I think it finally hit DD that we were in Disney World when we started seeing these...

We got to the Contemporary, and got upstairs and checked in at the counter. As we were standing in line, I realized I forgot to grab an autograph book, so I ran to the gift shop and grabbed a book and a pen! Took a few pictures while waiting in line!

We were seated about 15 minutes after we checked in....I went up to the buffet right away as I knew characters would be coming out and I was NOT going to miss Jackson's first encounter with a big fuzzy animal! As I'm standing in line getting my mouth watering cheesey potatoes...I see Donald kissing Jackson...I look at DH...and I almost start crying...because HE'S NOT TAKING PICTURES?!?!?!?!?!?! I hopped out of line and told him since he wasn't taking pictures, he was now in charge of getting food. For all of us. I don't remember much about the food, other than the potatoes were sooooo good, and DD ate next to nothing! She had a blast though and you can tell by the pictures!

 

[shellywalker]

After breakfast, we headed over to Downtown Disney to do a little shopping and check out the scene. I'm the only one of our family who has ever been there before! Our first stop was for ice cream of course! As Maddie sat on the bench eating, we took in the beauty of the lake!

We headed over to the Lego area, where I swear, DH and DD could have spent the day!!!!

This is the point where my DD started telling me to "take a picture" and posing with everything she saw!

I don't recall buying anything spectacular here on this day...I think Maddie got some princess chocolates and Alex some sun glasses! We headed back to the hotel to get ready for DH's surprise dinner at Margartiaville! Next up...Animal Kingdom with our friends!

 

[shellywalker]

The next day we were up early and out the door! We made a quick stop at McDonalds on the way for breakfast...we met up with our friends here...and off to Animal Kingdom! We were there shortly after it opened and headed right back to get fast passes for the safari. While waiting to go on the safari, we headed to the camp to see characters...

Let me just say, my favorite thing about this park...was that there were NO lines, to any of the characters! We walked up to every single one of them! How perfect! Considering, if you'd like to see Mickey at MK...you're waiting an hour! Chip n Dale were my personal favorite! I love how funny they are, and they really show that! Chip was doing the polka with DD!

 

[shellywalker]

I want to say that Mickey was not over there at the time, and there was a little wait for Minnie. But it was coming up on the time for our Fast Passes for the Safari, so we headed back over there! I loved the safari! I feel like I didn't get to enjoy it because I was trying to figure out why my camera was taking crappy pictures

We were able to see a baby Elephant and some giraffees...among many others!

This ride is a must-do for me! I am an AVID zoo goer, have volunteered here at the zoo in Milwaukee! When DH and I go back in June/July, we both want to be able to do this again! Up next...lunch, The Lion King, more characters and the parade!

 

[shellywalker]

When I last left off...we were heading back over towards Camp Mickey to see the Lion King show. On the way over there, we stopped at the pizza place and grabbed some lunch. It was very delish! We were close to the front of the line, so we got some pretty awesome seats for the show...

Okay, apparently I was too caught up in the show to take pictures! It was so awesome though! So much like the musical! DH was picked by the "leader of the elephants" to lead our group! Here is showing how to put your trunk up and make the ele noise!!!

After the show, we noticed that Mickey and Minnie were out and there were no lines...again!

Okay, only Minnie was there After Minnie, we headed to get some spots for the parade!