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

[my2disneyboys]

Great update! love the picture you signed off with...so, sweet!

I did not realize, like Jill, that you did not do all the attractions. We may be more alike on that aspect. Although, I do ride anything that does not have a major drop (that would be smaller than Norway--even that one makes my stomach anxious) or do a loop d loop. But, I do have to say I did Mission Space last trip and I think I would do it again I still have to try Splash Mountain, I think if it had a bar I would be better about trying it out I wish they offered a chicken exit right before the drop

Happy to hear that your GG did not turn into a major

Connie

Connie! I CAN'T believe you wrote what you just wrote!!!!! WAIT until you read about my last day and Splash Mountain. - I will just say that they did just install the bar and there IS NO CHICKEN EXIT right before the drop!!!!! Have I told you my story!!?? LOL

 

[mom2mek]

Great update, Nickie! Good for you for doing two thrill rides!! Isn't Soarin just the best?? I hate flying, I hate heights, but boy do I love that ride!!

Glad Owen was able to get on Soarin! Every trip has a first "something"! Love it!!!

Sara

 

[leamom2princesses]

Great update Nickie! So proud you rode some of the "big kid" rides. I understand the 40 inch frustration. It was hit or miss in May and July for Josie. She makes it no problem now though. We couldn't get on Test Track until October. I think that 40 inch bar might be a little taller than some others. We were able to do BTMRR, Splash, Soarin', TOT, but not Test Track.

I love the pic of you holding Owen. What a sweet pic!

 

[wlwilliams9]

Great update!! I had no idea you were a wimp!! I'm so proud that you rode the "big kid" rides!!! I can't believe you had never been on Soarin' That is the BEST ride! It's so relaxing! I'm hoping this group was able to drag you onto Tower of Terror!! That was Emily's favorite in December!! We're thrill ride junkies and are determined to make our kids that way too!!


So far, it looks like this GG was much better than the last! I can't wait to hear more about this trip.....and the next!!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Great update, Nickie! Good for you for doing two thrill rides!! Isn't Soarin just the best?? I hate flying, I hate heights, but boy do I love that ride!!

Glad Owen was able to get on Soarin! Every trip has a first "something"! Love it!!!

Sara

Hey Sara!! Love Soarin!!! I also do not like flying, or heights so was amazed how much I loved it! I am so glad though. Being a big "wimp" it is nice to have some big rides to add to my collection!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Great update Nickie! So proud you rode some of the "big kid" rides. I understand the 40 inch frustration. It was hit or miss in May and July for Josie. She makes it no problem now though. We couldn't get on Test Track until October. I think that 40 inch bar might be a little taller than some others. We were able to do BTMRR, Splash, Soarin', TOT, but not Test Track.

I love the pic of you holding Owen. What a sweet pic!

Thanks Leanne!! Yes I have to agree with Test Track bar being higher than 40 inches. You will see how the whole 40 inch thing isn't really an issue anywhere else. It just stinks because that was the one he was REALLY looking forward to the most!

Our next big adventure is going to be a split stay - Disney/ and then the Disney Dream. They have this Aqua Coaster- "the Aqua Duck" (I am sure you have seen it or heard about it!!!! But, they just lowered the height requirement from 48 to 42 inches.... so here we go again!!! Another year of measuring Owen. He is EXACTLY 40 inches. I think he will grow 2 inches in the next year, but we will see!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Great update!! I had no idea you were a wimp!! I'm so proud that you rode the "big kid" rides!!! I can't believe you had never been on Soarin' That is the BEST ride! It's so relaxing! I'm hoping this group was able to drag you onto Tower of Terror!! That was Emily's favorite in December!! We're thrill ride junkies and are determined to make our kids that way too!!


So far, it looks like this GG was much better than the last! I can't wait to hear more about this trip.....and the next!!

How did my good DIS Buddies not know I was a "wimp" LOL You know this is like my 5th trip report or something right! I like to ride things like Peter Pan, Dumbo etc... That is what I love about Disney though, the kids and hubby get to ride all the thrill rides, but they also love the slower rides, and the shows and everything else that I love!

TT brought lot's of DRAMA - you will have to read about that one on day 4 I think!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Wow, I didn't take many pics this night. Maybe two!? I guess that is a good indication that my night isn't going to turn out like I wanted it to. So, where did I leave off!? Oh yes, we took the bus back to the hotel. I carried Owen all the way back to the room HE IS HEAVY!!!! (Wayne offered to take him, but I didnt want to do the transfer and have him wake up from his MUCH needed rest!) I really wanted to lay down with him and have a little nap, and as soon as I put him on the bed.... his eyes are wide open! No nap for me! He was up and ready to go see his Uncle Scott! So, we all met up at the pool, and headed over to the kiddie pool. It was fun to catch up and finally have everyone in our group together. The kids had fun splashing in the pool. Then, I looked around and couldn't find Myles. I FREAKED! Wayne even panicked. (He is the calm one) We were yelling for him around the pool. All I could picture in my head was him at the bottom of the pool. UGH, then I spot him by the waterslide checking it out. I COULD HAVE KILLED HIM! I couldn't believe he ran off at the pool by himself. Myles doesn't know how to swim yet and had no bubbles or life jacket on because we were only hanging at the kiddie pool. OMG I can't even tell you how scared I was. Before our next trip, this kid is taking swim lessons!!!! We decided to all go back to our rooms and get ready for dinner and meet back at the bus stop at 5:00PM.

The bus at POFQ drove me nut's...... it never took more than 20 minutes to arrive but then it would stop at all 5 or so stops at Riverside. I had wanted to stay at Riverside but we decided not to because of the buses, and here we were stopping at all the stops anyway!

By the time we got to Epcot it was around 6ish?? We headed right for the World Showcase. First stop, Mexico. Wayne and his brothers went into the very busy cantina and got tequila shots. We all got split up in there, and time was getting close to our 7pm reservation at Teppan Edo. I have to say I was a little upset because "the plan" was to get to Epcot at 4 and tour the WS. But because we ended up staying at the pool longer and hanging at the hotel, we got to Epcot so late. We really didn't have anytime to tour at all. The kids were upset because they wanted to go on Donald's boat ride but we couldn't because we waited over 20 minutes for the guys in the cantina... I should have taken the boys during that but I didn't know it was going to take them so long! Then we couldn't find everyone and walked around looking for the group... of course they were in gift shops! You will see how FRUSTRATING the gift shop stops got to me in this report!!!!!!! At 6:55 we finally were all found and started walking very fast towards Japan for our 7:00ADR.

Arriving at Teppan Edo FINALLY (Long walk) we walked up a million stairs to a VERY crowded restaurant! WOW, it was crowded! We checked in, and they said we would be at seperate tables in a room with 4 tables..... When I made the reservation they said we would be right near eachother in a private room! But it was so crowded, the kids were tired and hungry, and I just let it go. They paged us after waiting 20 minutes or so, and said one table was ready and that the other one would be ready soon. Being the control freak that I am I was just getting more upset. So Wayne and his brothers were trying to be nice and said, you girls go sit with the kids and we will take the next table..... So, as I am sitting there with Owen - who is a handful!!!! and with all the ladies, I got sad again. I wanted to sit with Wayne. I wanted all of us to be together. It annoyed me. I felt like it was barbaric, Ladies and children at one table, and all the men at the other. And then when they finally came in they were not near us and we had to shout across the room to talk to them! The food was really good. It just really stunk that our first meal all together had to be like that. It took a REALLY long time too. Especially when it came time to pay. (that took almost 20 minutes!) We went outside and the girls all went off to a gift shop while I waited there with Owen and Myles for Wayne. He finally came out and everyone was all over the place.... gift shops, bathrooms, who knows. Illuminations was about to start. I stood there and watched it with Wayne and the kids. Sad that my plan that I had dreamed about the last year didn't happen at all! I had pictured us having a fantastic meal in our private dining room and then all watching Illuminations together as a family. OH well. Instead I stood there and maybe even fought with Wayne a little because again he was telling me to "LET IT GO!" He was right. I needed to know that everything I planned wouldn't happen like I wanted it to. After Illuminations we all made our way back to the bus.... of course stopping in any gift shop that was open along the way.... when we finally made it to the POFQ bus stop (WHY WAS OUR BUS STOP THE LAST ONE AT EVERY PARK!!!???) The line was AWFUL. After waiting like 30 minutes a bus pulls up that says "POFQ" to the left of where we were waiting.... These people in this line start chanting "there's our bus" there's our bus" and we quickly learn that we were in the line for POR! So we get out of line and head towards the line for POFQ and all the people start yelling at us. Like we were going to cut them. It was a whole scene. A second bus actually pulled up and we were able to squeeze our way on. Standing there with Owen, who had fallen asleep on me so he was extra heavy, NOT ONE PERSON got up to give me their seat. I held him the entire bus ride, almost falling. Ok, so I guess you may be starting to realize why my trip is titled "Cab's are here" at this point..... because from this moment on, I didn't want to take another bus!

Sorry for my NOT so magical ending to Day 2. They can't all be perfect right!?

 

[Mrs. Sojourner]

I have enjoyed reading so far and can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip! I especially am interested in how you enjoyed the Grand Gathering part this time around. (We're trying to decide on that for our next trip.) I can't believe no one got up for you!

 

[my2disneyboys]

I have enjoyed reading so far and can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip! I especially am interested in how you enjoyed the Grand Gathering part this time around. (We're trying to decide on that for our next trip.) I can't believe no one got up for you!

Hi and welcome!!!

Congrats to you as well! Wow, 4 kiddos!! Very brave!!!!
It's funny, because no matter how many times I told myself, "plans will change with a big group- just go with the flow" it was really hard to not get upset when things didn't go as planned. I think with Grand Gatherings, it is really important for people to go there seperate ways while at the parks. We found that standing around waiting for people in the bathrooms or gift shops or waiting for people to arrive at the parks was very frustrating, and looking back, we really should have just done our own thing and said we will meet up with you at lunch or whatever!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hi and welcome!!!

Congrats to you as well! Wow, 4 kiddos!! Very brave!!!!
It's funny, because no matter how many times I told myself, "plans will change with a big group- just go with the flow" it was really hard to not get upset when things didn't go as planned. I think with Grand Gatherings, it is really important for people to go there seperate ways while at the parks. We found that standing around waiting for people in the bathrooms or gift shops or waiting for people to arrive at the parks was very frustrating, and looking back, we really should have just done our own thing and said we will meet up with you at lunch or whatever!

I have do ditto what Nickie says in the above. Our last trip was a GG and not anywhere as large as Nickie and Wayne's. It is very important to have time with your own family, it is fun to be with everyone but it can so frustrating to the person who is left standing there waiting for the group to reassemble; not to mention a waste of magic time.

congrats! on the new baby!!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Nickie, I am so sorry that you guys were seperated for dinner. I know you were so excited about the private room; but like you said things happen.

I bet you were having one when Myles went missing! I think he would have to wear the arm bands or life jacket anywhere near water. I fear Ashton is going to be like that and give me a heart attack when it comes to water. He was just learning to swim last summer and thinks he can just jump in.

I did not realize that POFQ busses were shared with POR; I learned last year that if I have to stand on the way back to the resort I will just wait for the next bus. They are not usually that far behind when the parks close.

I hope your group touring improves; I know ours did at the end of our trip. I remember saying I wish we would have do that sooner in the week.

Have a great weekend!

 

[jngwright]

the new ticker!

What a bummer that your first meal did not go as planned ITA that is is SO frustrating to plan and plan and have things go differently than you want them to. It is hard to let it go and go with it! Those of us that are anal retentive planners know just how you feel!

Did the bus pick you up and drop you off first at POFQ? We always had such great bussing there-it sucks that your had such a bad experience! And I can't believe people made you stand holding Owen I remember about a really heated thread on here one time about how people should give up their seats and it turned so NASTY ("you don't HAVE to get on the bus and stand-wait for the next one!" "I am tired too, and just because you have a kid doesn't make you more special than me" etc....) Seriously! Try some MANNERS people!

Can't wait for the next update! I am heading over to my very neglected, very unpopluated PTR to update. I will need major group planning guidance from you!

XO

 

[brdlyleon]

haha aweee itsounds like you were just in the worst mood possible! I titally get it though...when it doesn't go your way all you wanna di argue. ive been there before believe me lol

 

[chicagoshannon]

YIKES! Are there going to be any more grand gatherings in your future?

 

[my2disneyboys]

Nickie, I am so sorry that you guys were seperated for dinner. I know you were so excited about the private room; but like you said things happen.

I bet you were having one when Myles went missing! I think he would have to wear the arm bands or life jacket anywhere near water. I fear Ashton is going to be like that and give me a heart attack when it comes to water. He was just learning to swim last summer and thinks he can just jump in.

I did not realize that POFQ busses were shared with POR; I learned last year that if I have to stand on the way back to the resort I will just wait for the next bus. They are not usually that far behind when the parks close.

I hope your group touring improves; I know ours did at the end of our trip. I remember saying I wish we would have do that sooner in the week.

Have a great weekend!

Hi Connie! It was pretty awful! It all get's better though.

the new ticker!

What a bummer that your first meal did not go as planned ITA that is is SO frustrating to plan and plan and have things go differently than you want them to. It is hard to let it go and go with it! Those of us that are anal retentive planners know just how you feel!

Did the bus pick you up and drop you off first at POFQ? We always had such great bussing there-it sucks that your had such a bad experience! And I can't believe people made you stand holding Owen I remember about a really heated thread on here one time about how people should give up their seats and it turned so NASTY ("you don't HAVE to get on the bus and stand-wait for the next one!" "I am tired too, and just because you have a kid doesn't make you more special than me" etc....) Seriously! Try some MANNERS people!

Can't wait for the next update! I am heading over to my very neglected, very unpopluated PTR to update. I will need major group planning guidance from you!

XO

Yes we were always picked up first and dropped off first - so that was good. It was just at certain parks it would stop at the other resorts too. I think DHS and Epcot Days. We had great luck with the bussing getting to the parks each day- it was more at the end of the day.... POFQ was always the last bus stop and always had the largest line of people.

I am so excited for our next trip- it is hard to even focus on finishing this TR because I just want to start my PTR!!!!!

haha aweee itsounds like you were just in the worst mood possible! I titally get it though...when it doesn't go your way all you wanna di argue. ive been there before believe me lol

Yep- I wasn't too happy!!!! It all gets much better though!!

YIKES! Are there going to be any more grand gatherings in your future?

In the planning already!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Sunday, January 30th - Day 3!​

We had fallen into a very nice routine with waking up before the kids, Wayne going to get coffee for us, me getting ready, and then getting the kids up around 6:30 to get them ready. Today we had to meet everyone at 7AM at the bus stop. The family was so great at being up and ready with T-Shirts on! Right when we got to the bus stop, a bus pulled up for MK!

No stops this time, directly to the MK!

We arrive at the MK and notice how foggy it was, we take some pics while we are waiting in the special line for the character breakfasts.

About ten minutes later, they let us in! I LOVE that feeling on Main Street, when you take that corner and see the castle!

As we were walking up to the castle, the fog was lifting.

We took awhile there! Right around 8:00 we head on over to the Crystal Palace for our early AM ADR!

We were checked in and called to our table right away! - We finally got a table all together!

We had an amazing breakfast! Service was AWESOME!!! The food was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO YUMMMY! - PUFFED FRENCH TOAST!

Everyone agreed, it was the best meal so far of the trip and everyone LOVED it!

The characters were GREAT! Especially Tigger! As he came by he was bouncing like crazy and took Owen right out- he went flying across the room. He was fine- it was really very funny!!!!!

POOH Bear is my very favorite! Always has been since I was a little girl! So, I had to jump in that picture!!

Eeyore was so cute!

Lastly Piglet comes by for some hugs!

All the kids loved getting hugs from the characters. Breakfast was great and we had a wonderful start to our first day in MK!

Up Next: Fun times at The Magic Kingdom!!

 

[brdlyleon]

its so nice to hear you had a great time at CP! I;m trying it when I go in may and after seeing that yummy food there is no doubt in my mind about going there! Those pictures are stunning too! Really amazing! Its too bad its EMH the morning of my reservation...I'd really love just seeing it empty like that! Oh well...maybe next time

 

[britt_ji]

Loving the Jersey Shore quotes

Great pictures! It looks like you all had an amazing morning. Much improved from the night before! The character interaction is adorable. We'll be eating at Crystal Palace when we go this time, so I'm excited. Maybe I can convince my family to do the matching shirts...the pictures just look so great of the group together.

 

[jngwright]

Love the CP update! It looks so empty in there. How did they seat all of you together in there? It is one of the places that we will all be eating together, and I am worried about getting split up (especially after your TE experience!)

I am laughing at you wanting to finish your TR, so you can start your PTR.. I am excited for your PTR, too-but want to see all the pics from this trip!!!! Don't skimp, now, because you are so excited.