Cab's are here!! - A Goody Grand Gathering. Update 5/7 Let's get this party over!

[jngwright]

Great update! Loving all the pictures.

So, you hyperspazzed about the kiddos? It is hard to not know where they are-esp at WDW! The boys go into the bathrooms on their own now, and I hover around the entrance. Guys come out looking at me like "what are you doing??"

I am glad that SWSA is hitting the road-the Dwarves coaster looks fun!

Love the resort pictures, too-you guys did such fun things as a group

 

[mom2mek]

That is definitely one of the challenges when traveling with a large group of people - keeping track of everyone (especially your own kids)! They aren't worried about it - they are just with their aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, but meanwhile you are wondering who in the heck has them? Do they know they have them? Are they watching them? Are they having fun?

It sounds like a great MK day! Love the hula-hooping pics!

I can imagine that WCC was a great success with your fun-loving crowd!!

Sara

 

[Charlefours]

Intro and Day One

you always have cute pictures of the boys heading towards Cinderella's Castle.

I have to say I am oddly looking forward to the ME. We have never done it so it will be a new thing for us.

That vinylmation trading sounds fun! I never knew the process until you mentioned it. Do you do trading pins too?

We really liked POFQ when we stayed there (almost six years ago now). It is such a nice resort--small and easy to get to the main building, bus stop and pool.

Lilian was devastated we could not get her on TT. I am working on Day 3 on my TR--it has the drama of our TT moment. We could get onto Soarin' though too.

I would have freaked too with the pool incident (we have a small one too on our trip--scared the s**t out of me!!

Sorry your night at EP did not go as planned. I think the one thing I learned the hard way on our trip was we could not control the others in the group--we had to move on if we wanted to do something (which, of course, caused drama).

Day Two

The shirts you did turned out great! Love the empty Main Street shots That breakfast at CP looks yummy--I am looking forward to trying it out in the fall.

The moment with Pinocchio melted my heart!! How sweet

You don't have to worry about Snow White in the fall--at least I don't think so. I heard it is being closed.

What are Duffy Bears?

Great updates!! I am looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip (especially since it is your favorite one!).

 

[my2disneyboys]

Great update! You've taken some great pictures of your trip. I love the extra special touch with the mousekeeping

Thanks!! We loved Maria our Mousekeeper. I even gave her a hug on our last day!

fun fun fun update!

Made my evening to hear your story of Owen and Pinocchino!

I want a Duffy Bear, ME--not Ashton , think I'll get one when we go and let him think it's his till we get home!

Funny you should say that because Myles kept trying to get me to get one, and I was like -"we just spent $25.00 on each of those!" but now that I am home I TOTALLY want one.

I don't blame you on how you felt with the kids! I had a hard time with my mom and Gwendolyn like that and it was only two of them.... could not imagine doing it with 14!

Yes- it was a little stressful. I am glad that was the only issue though- very little drama for a family trip!

Aw looks like you guys had so much fun! Sorry you didn't like Snow White. Madeline LOVES it and is pretty upset that it's closing.

Can't wait to hear about WCC!

WCC is coming up!!! We did have a BLAST!!!!

Great update! Loving all the pictures.

So, you hyperspazzed about the kiddos? It is hard to not know where they are-esp at WDW! The boys go into the bathrooms on their own now, and I hover around the entrance. Guys come out looking at me like "what are you doing??"

I am glad that SWSA is hitting the road-the Dwarves coaster looks fun!

Love the resort pictures, too-you guys did such fun things as a group

You will have an amazing time 11/11/11 on your group trip AND an amazing time on your girls trip- 5K!!!!!!

That is definitely one of the challenges when traveling with a large group of people - keeping track of everyone (especially your own kids)! They aren't worried about it - they are just with their aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, but meanwhile you are wondering who in the heck has them? Do they know they have them? Are they watching them? Are they having fun?

It sounds like a great MK day! Love the hula-hooping pics!

I can imagine that WCC was a great success with your fun-loving crowd!!

Sara

I love the Hula Hoop Pics too!! We had such a fun time. WCC is coming up, and you know you might be surprised!

Intro and Day One

you always have cute pictures of the boys heading towards Cinderella's Castle.

I have to say I am oddly looking forward to the ME. We have never done it so it will be a new thing for us.

That vinylmation trading sounds fun! I never knew the process until you mentioned it. Do you do trading pins too?

We really liked POFQ when we stayed there (almost six years ago now). It is such a nice resort--small and easy to get to the main building, bus stop and pool.

Lilian was devastated we could not get her on TT. I am working on Day 3 on my TR--it has the drama of our TT moment. We could get onto Soarin' though too.

I would have freaked too with the pool incident (we have a small one too on our trip--scared the s**t out of me!!

Sorry your night at EP did not go as planned. I think the one thing I learned the hard way on our trip was we could not control the others in the group--we had to move on if we wanted to do something (which, of course, caused drama).

Day Two

The shirts you did turned out great! Love the empty Main Street shots That breakfast at CP looks yummy--I am looking forward to trying it out in the fall.

The moment with Pinocchio melted my heart!! How sweet

You don't have to worry about Snow White in the fall--at least I don't think so. I heard it is being closed.

What are Duffy Bears?

Great updates!! I am looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip (especially since it is your favorite one!).

Thanks Stephanie!! That moment with Pinocchio was just so awesome. Owen still talks about it. Duffy is the NEW bear! He is at Epcot and he is AWESOME! I just love him. I thnk he is here on trial from Japan but he is already very much in high demand. Whereever we went people would stop us and ask where we got the Duffy Bears because they were selling out like crazy!

 

[MaryAz]

Great update. Owen's meet with P was so cute I am a semi ride wimp. Have not done TOT or SM yet.....Cayley got a Duffy bear and loves him!!

 

[my2disneyboys]

So before I get into my trip report I just have to say, that if it wasn't hard enough focusing on this trip report with having the Disney Dream Cruise in February just booked, then HAVING JUST BOOKED 4 DAYS IN SEPTEMBER FOR THE 5K WITH SO MANY OF MY DIS BUDDIES, AND THE MNSSHP is going to just be impossible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO happy!!! I can't even explain how excited I am!!!! My mind is spinning though with the planning details. I can't believe I have to plan this trip in ONLY 7 months!! Ok, I will do my best though. STAY FOCUSED NICKIE!!!!

I left off at nap time. We ended up going to the pool and having some drinks. The kids had discovered just how much they loved the Hot Tub, so they had to spend some time in there. We went back to the room to get ready and very soon we heard the girls yelling, "CAB'S ARE HERE!!!!"

We got 2 vans and I am not sure how this happend, but Uncle Chris got in the first taxi with ALL the kiddos! I guess what we missed in their taxi was quite a rock session! The driver was blaring the tunes, and the kids were all singing at the top of their lungs! Uncle Chris loved it!

As we pulled up to the Wilderness Lodge, we noticed a deer! Was it real!!?? It was moving and looked real but seemed to perfect.

We checked in and got a pager for our 5PM dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe. We had gone here last year and LOVED it. We thought this would be an AWESOME place for our group of smart a**'s!

We were paged shortly after and headed to our table.... make that table "S". We were split up. I was so bummed. They really could have put us together but didn't. This was the type of place you want to sit together with. Oh well! Chris and his girls and shannon sat at their own table. We all ordered drinks and looked at the menu- about 20 minutes later the waiter came over with drinks and took the order. Our waiter wasnt very funny but it wasnt for lack of trying. They did every joke but it was just kind of lost on us. Service was SO slow. Whne our food did come out, it all came out 5-10 minutes apart from eahother. The food really wasn't good. My BIL said his was disgusting and "BEAR LY" ate his. So they gave him one of these...

I knew from last time that I didnt like the skillet, so I ordered the pasta dish and it was ok.... but I felt bad that everyone else didn't like their meal! When you plan the trip, its hard to just think, "Oh well, we wont come back here!" You feel responsible for everyone wasting their money! Even Owen was like, "Get me out of here!"

But not before they did some pony races!

After dinner we headed to the boat to take us back to the MK for Wishes and EMH! I was SO excited for everyone to watch Wishes from the MK.

DRAMA MOMENT! So, on the boat, my nieces took Myles and Owen up front and we were in the back of the boat. When I sat down I was like, "OMG Where are the kids!!??" Wayne told me they were up front... Now, you all know that I do NOT like it when I cant see the kids.... NOT seeing them on a boat when they can't swim was even worse. What could have been a really beautiful and relaxing moment for me was AWFUL. Chris even snapped at me a little and was like, "Nickie, you dont trust my girls!?" and I was like DUH NO, I dont trust a 3 year old!!! Oh well... we got off the boat and headed right for Wishes.... Again, I wish I just remembered that not everyone loves MK/Disney like I do. So, I was shocked when I heard, we are just going to go do rides... we will meet you guys later! Whatever!!! So Wayne and I stood there with the kids, with one of his brothers and his wife and we watched Wishes. It was so GREAT!!!!! I loved the memories magic and you and watching the castle turn colors. It was so cool!! And I always get a little teary watching Wishes!

After dinner we did go on some rides. I LOVE the MK at night. It is just so beautiful!!!!! My poor SIL who is pregnant said her feet were numb and Owen was getting very sleepy, so I had a feeling maybe I would be going back early with her but before we did we had a mission for Owen. He wanted to ride Big Thunder!!! I was shocked that he wanted to, and even more shocked when he walked right on!! While I was waiting, I headed to the restrooms.....

MORE DRAMA: So I wasn't going to write this.... but I also don't want to leave out the drama that come from a big family trip. In the bathroom stall, I overheard one of my SIL's and her son's girlfriend. I was just about to say Hello, when I heard, "Where is Owen!?" and Kelly says to my SIL, "He is on Big Thunder" and then I heard my SIL say, "WOW, Nickie must be FREAKING out! I mean she freaks out when he is in his stroller!" I waited them to leave, and after a few tears from knowing it is the truth but still feeling sad, I went to go find Wayne. I had enough at this point and was ready to head back. My mood did change when I saw my baby boy looking so proud of himself that he went on Big Thunder and LOVED every minute of it!! So the group split up and some stayed and some headed back to the hotel.

I hope that I am not being too negative in my report. It is just that with a big group comes so many really, really good times but also some not so good ones.

Up Next: Day 4 - Hollywood Studios

 

[my2disneyboys]

Great update. Owen's meet with P was so cute I am a semi ride wimp. Have not done TOT or SM yet.....Cayley got a Duffy bear and loves him!!

Thanks Mary! I can't wait to get back so I can buy some clothes for them! I feel like I might be getting carried away! I know I want the sailor outfit!!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Congrats on booking the 5K. I didn't think you were going to be able to go.

Sounds like you'll have a few more good trip reports to write over the next year.

 

[Charlefours]

Uncle Chris seems like a wonderful uncle to have. Another place on our list for the fall--WCC! I think it will be a lot of fun. Hmm...after this review, maybe I should save it for another trip. With Ohana and several other new to us, perhaps WCC might be one too many. I would love to see WL though someday (and stay there--perhaps the next trip depending on the time of year we go).

Gosh, if you think your TR is negative--have you read mine? I decided that when I wrote my TR, I would be honest. There were some really low moments and some really high moments. All of them went into our first trip as a family. We learned A LOT and that is a good thing. I don't think it is negative (mine or yours) but realistic!!

You are an amazing mom!! Your boys are fortunate to have you for their mommy.

 

[jngwright]

Oh Nickie Those moments must have been so hard for you! I am pretty sure that I am going to have some major moments of losing my patience with the group on our Nov trip...

Great update!!!!! I'm glad you shared

 

[mom2mek]

I totally feel your pain, believe me. It's very true - some very wonderful memories are made on big family trips, but there is a lot of pressure and sometimes hurt feelings. Don't feel bad about including some of the drama - we know you love your family - just keepin' it real!

I'm shocked about WCC! What a bummer! Well, I'm glad you saw Wishes and your little guy got on Big Thunder!! How fun!

(I will be there for the 5k too....if I don't die training! LOL!)

Sara

 

[my2disneyboys]

Congrats on booking the 5K. I didn't think you were going to be able to go.

Sounds like you'll have a few more good trip reports to write over the next year.

Hi Shannon,
We decided to take our February trip that is planned and cut it in half. So the half that we were going to do at Disney- we will do in October. Then in February we will just do the cruise. I think it will work out great.

Uncle Chris seems like a wonderful uncle to have. Another place on our list for the fall--WCC! I think it will be a lot of fun. Hmm...after this review, maybe I should save it for another trip. With Ohana and several other new to us, perhaps WCC might be one too many. I would love to see WL though someday (and stay there--perhaps the next trip depending on the time of year we go).

Gosh, if you think your TR is negative--have you read mine? I decided that when I wrote my TR, I would be honest. There were some really low moments and some really high moments. All of them went into our first trip as a family. We learned A LOT and that is a good thing. I don't think it is negative (mine or yours) but realistic!!

You are an amazing mom!! Your boys are fortunate to have you for their mommy.

Thank you so much for saying that Stephanie. I know everyone has different experiences and the Wilderness Lodge is BEAUTIFUL! It stinks that two times now the food has been bad for us. But I know lot's of people say they love it!

Oh Nickie Those moments must have been so hard for you! I am pretty sure that I am going to have some major moments of losing my patience with the group on our Nov trip...

Great update!!!!! I'm glad you shared

Thanks Twin! Yes, not one of my favorite moments of the trip!!

I totally feel your pain, believe me. It's very true - some very wonderful memories are made on big family trips, but there is a lot of pressure and sometimes hurt feelings. Don't feel bad about including some of the drama - we know you love your family - just keepin' it real!

I'm shocked about WCC! What a bummer! Well, I'm glad you saw Wishes and your little guy got on Big Thunder!! How fun!

(I will be there for the 5k too....if I don't die training! LOL!)

Sara

SARA!!!!!! You are doing the 5K too!!!???? I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What are your dates and plans!!?? I need the details! Are you on our Group Facebook page????

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hey! Nickie
Sounds like Uncle Chis is the guy! how fun and sounds like overall wonderful memories were made. As for the boat I would have spazzed when now one asked ME if it was OK to take my boys to the front of the boat. I can tell you that I would have probably gone sit with them (I have on a number of occassions stayed with the kids to watch Ashton --and the older kids and sorry to say not enough where Gwendolyn was concerned). It is your right as a mom to protect/worry about your child as you see fit. As hard as I know it was for you at that moment in the restroom; sounds like wonderful magic was able to fill your heart afterward.

Thanks! for sharing and don't worry not a negative report just and honest family/group report and you guys are having so much fun it really outweighs the rest.

 

[jngwright]

I wonder if you will "have to" add on a couple of park days for the cruise trip

 

[my2disneyboys]

Hey! Nickie
Sounds like Uncle Chis is the guy! how fun and sounds like overall wonderful memories were made. As for the boat I would have spazzed when now one asked ME if it was OK to take my boys to the front of the boat. I can tell you that I would have probably gone sit with them (I have on a number of occassions stayed with the kids to watch Ashton --and the older kids and sorry to say not enough where Gwendolyn was concerned). It is your right as a mom to protect/worry about your child as you see fit. As hard as I know it was for you at that moment in the restroom; sounds like wonderful magic was able to fill your heart afterward.

Thanks! for sharing and don't worry not a negative report just and honest family/group report and you guys are having so much fun it really outweighs the rest.

Thanks Connie!! As the days go on and the group gets smaller and smaller we have less and less issues!

I wonder if you will "have to" add on a couple of park days for the cruise trip

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO We can't afford it!!!! You know I was thinking tonight how long it would be until we get back to Disney World though. LOL

 

[my2disneyboys]

Monday morning - Day 4 was here! It’s funny how you don’t mind Monday mornings in Disney!!! We all got up and met in the food court at POFQ. For breakfast we all sat the same table (they had some huge ones) and the kids could watch cartoons or go color, and it worked out great. We all used snack credits for our breakfast each morning and we loved the refillable mugs - kids had hot chocolate every day and Wayne and I would have a couple cups of coffee. I don't mind the coffee.... I don't know why everyone complains about it... I might even go so far as to say, "I LIKE IT!"

It was Auntie Carrie's Birthday today!!

We waited a few minutes for the bus to arrive and off we went to the Animal Kingdom. When we got there we headed straight for the Safari and got fast passes and then the "brave" people rode Everest. The weather was awesome. Sunny, hot, blue skies, just perfect!

We went to see the Lion King Show- we haven't seen this before. OMG it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were Pumba!

Next up was the Safari. We all loved it!!
When we got near the lions something must have spooked them because the lion jumped up real fast and started running a bit. Freaked us out, but we got a cool picture!

Dinosaur was up next and everest again and a few other things that I already forget. We were having a really good day!!

Here is cute picture of Owen.....

One with Uncle Scott

Goofy!

Here is Myles!

We stopped to get a bite...

Then off to see Nemo! We all loved it. If I have to choose between the two, then I like the Lion King better- but I really love them both!!!

We stopped in the boneyard and then had lunch at Yak & Yetti CS. It was REALLY good and I really like the area that you eat it. The only thing is that there was no shade and it was SO SUNNY and HOT!

After that we all headed back to the hotel.

It was time for some of the family to head home. We said goodbye to Uncle Jeff, Sheila, Shannon, Johnny, and Kelly. We were all sad to see them go.

Up next: Auntie Carrie's Birthday dinner at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Wonderful update! I cannot believe how big Owen is getting

looks like it was an absolute beautiful day!

 

[MaryAz]

Thanks Mary! I can't wait to get back so I can buy some clothes for them! I feel like I might be getting carried away! I know I want the sailor outfit!!

Thats the one Cayley picked!!

 

[KatMark]

Okay...I'm late to the party, but I'm here now. Back to read and catch up.

 

[MaryAz]

I am sorry for the rude comments. I am always needing to know where my kiddos are at as well.

You got some great pics at AK!!