Castles & Hogwarts & Blizzards...OH MY! LAH LAH's TR *Update 12/18 ADOPTION DAY*

[LAH LAH]

Blizzard Beach looks like so much fun. I love tube water slides, not such a big fan of the scary looking rides. I'm much more the lazy river speed.

I am so so so GLAD that was the last of migraines for your trip! Woo Hoo!!

I can't believe you all won the stoplight! How cool is that!!!

I can't believe I am saying this, but if I had an extra day at Disney I would be willing to go to another water park. Look at me branching out!

It looks like you guys got a lot done at Universal! I love the pictures of the new Harry Potter Land. I am dying to go down and check it out, but I doubt that will happen for a couple of years.

Blizzard Beach has great theming! I went there once and we enjoyed it. I am a lazy river kind of girl myself. I don't really enjoy the slides all that much personally, but my husband does. I figure he can do all that stuff with DS2 while I relax in the shade!

WWoHP was awesome! You gotta get down there and do it!

Loved reading about Universal. Hoping to head there on the next trip. I’m sure my older 3 would love all the HP stuff. I’m not sure that my 5 year old knows that Harry Potter is more than a character in the Wii Lego HP game!

Love all the pics. Everything in WWoHP looks amazing and all the character pics are great! My 5 yr old loved the pics with Shaggy & Scooby and the Minions! He wants to know who those kids are and can we go there too!

How cool to meet up with a longtime friend at BB! (The older I get the more I say “longtime friend” vs “old friend!”) I totally wouldn’t do Summit Plummet when we were there. Did a similar ride years ago (pre-kids!) and I remember all too well what happened to my bathing suit bottom! So happy to read that was the end of the migraine for the trip!

Yay for Meema & Peepa arriving and the big arcade win! Cute traffic light!

She wanted that traffic light so bad (it lights up and it flashes intermittently) but now that it's in her room she found out she really isn't using it. Michael tried soooo hard not to be jealous that she was the one to get the light, so Elsa thinks she is going to gift it to him for Christmas.

I think the minions were the favorite character interaction at Universal. So funny!

 

[Jennifer48]

Meema & Peepa are here!

I had to laugh at the traffic light. Elsa directing traffic in the congested hallways of your house with all the children!

 

[LAH LAH]

Meema & Peepa are here!

I had to laugh at the traffic light. Elsa directing traffic in the congested hallways of your house with all the children!

Ok, this really made me laugh!!!

 

[LAH LAH]

An Underwear and Chip Emergency​

Woke up after sleeping soundly, ready for a day at EPCOT with the Meems and the Peeps! Elsa and I were down at the commissary by 8:20am. We were to meet Meema and Peepa at the bus by 9am, so we were counting on Michael to make it on time. He was going to have to eat breakfast in the room because he was being a slow poke this morning! I ate a wonderful blueberry muffin and Elsa had a a chocolate chip pastry:

A few minutes before 9 Michael shows up carrying a bag of chips. Why? He decides he's going to carry it around until lunch time. Ummmm, no. I told him to hurry back to the room, drop it off and hustle back to the bus stop. As soon as he grumbled off, Elsa and I started making our way to the EPCOT bus so we could meet Meema and Peepa. It was on the small walk over that Elsa decided she was having an underwear emergency. They weren't as comfy as they should be and riding up underwear is, in my opinion, an emergency. She runs back to the room, changes and we are ready to go! It's a bit after 9 and Meema and Peepa are no where to be seen, and to top things off the EPCOT bus pulled away before we got on it. Bummer. I texted them to ask them where they were and they informed me they were on the bus that just headed on off to EPCOT. Thankfully, another bus showed up within minutes. I felt bad I was so insistent on a 9am departure, seeing that we were delinquent. I hate being late!!!

Didn't take us too long and Meema and Peepa were waiting for us at the big golf ball!

...one of my favorite pics of the whole trip...
​

Spaceship Earth was our first stop. I love this ride! The four of us were in one car and Michael had one all to himself. He doesn't mind this at all! He really wants the controls all to himself.

We enjoyed the ride. We always do. We walked out of the building and were hit with the heat! Our trip started out surprisingly tolerable, but today the heat was really noticeable. We didn't have a game plan so I drug everyone into the Character Connection. I love the 5 up, 5 down concept. Quick, quick, quick!

Michael *really* wanted to go to Club Cool next, but we were surprised when the doors were locked. Turns out they don't open until 11am. You learn something new every day! We headed to Ellen's Universe of Energy instead:

Back to Club Cool, and much to Michael's delight it was open! We have a friend at home who is a die-hard Coke fan, so I took some photos to share the fun. I swear it wasn't to rub it in that we were here and he wasn't! Scouts honor!!!!

But really the fun is the free drinks! Somehow Elsa tricked Peepa into drinking the Beverly. I don't know how she did it because we are all Beverly alums. Her anticipatory excitement is obvious in this picture:

Poor Peepa! Hahahahaha​

Nearing 12pm we decided it was time for lunch. Michael and Peepa have to have the fish and chips. Every time. They surely love those fish and chips. The rest of us? Not so much. We sent them on their way to eat by themselves and Meema, Elsa and I ate at the Electric Umbrella.

I was too late in texting Peepa to ensure a pic of their meal...this was all that was left:

We did some pin trading while we waited for the guys to return and unanimously agreed to ride Mission Space. I wimped out and rode the green side with Michael and Peepa. Michael feels like he is going to explode on the intense side and Peepa has issues with motion sickness. I wanted to make sure my migraine stayed far, far away. We enjoyed it and took our responsibilities very seriously! Ha! The brave girls on the orange side enjoyed it too, of course. I hurried off to find a bathroom and left the rest of the group playing Advanced Training Lab. When I returned they were still at it, coming close a few times, but their team never bested the other team. I think if I hadn't drug them away they would still be there trying to win! Hats in this gift shop sparked an idea for fun that we continued throughout the trip:

UP NEXT: EPCOT-ed

 

[littlezar]

What a fun start to the day! My 14 yr old would think chips were a perfectly acceptable breakfast on the go. I absolutely agree that uncomfy undies is a good reason for being late and missing the bus!

Love the pic of the 5 of you in front of the fountain! Did you and Michael wear flippies (flip flops) the whole trip? I’m afraid to attempt wearing them at Busch Gardens (we have season passes in VA) and we usually don’t even stay more than 4-5 hours.

Great pics with the characters! I agree that Character Connection is fantastic with that 5 up, 5 down concept.

I’d have gone to lunch with Michael and Peepa! Love the fish n chips! Too funny that they inhaled their food before you had a chance to text them!

Cute helmet pics!

 

[LAH LAH]

What a fun start to the day! My 14 yr old would think chips were a perfectly acceptable breakfast on the go. I absolutely agree that uncomfy undies is a good reason for being late and missing the bus!

Love the pic of the 5 of you in front of the fountain! Did you and Michael wear flippies (flip flops) the whole trip? I’m afraid to attempt wearing them at Busch Gardens (we have season passes in VA) and we usually don’t even stay more than 4-5 hours.

Great pics with the characters! I agree that Character Connection is fantastic with that 5 up, 5 down concept.

I’d have gone to lunch with Michael and Peepa! Love the fish n chips! Too funny that they inhaled their food before you had a chance to text them!

Cute helmet pics!

Croc flip flops, in my opinion, are the only way to go! If you wear them around the house for a week or so before you go you shouldn't get any blisters. After my back surgeries I wear only Doc Martens in the Fall/Winter and Crocs during the Spring /Summer. They seem to be the most supportive out of anything else I have tried. My feet never hurt when I leave a park, and we are sometimes there for 12+ hours!

No Fish 'n Chips for Elsa and I. Ughhhh. So much grease!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love the space helmet picture, that is seriously cute.

I would have been with the Fish & Chips people, yum yum!! They are greasy though, greasy and delicious. Though to be honest, I can't stand any cooked fish these days.

Uncomfy underwear is the WORST. Smart girl going back to change.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm here! Finally! I will be catching up later today!!!!

 

[LAH LAH]

EPCOT-ed​

Walking out of Mission Space and we were hit hard by the heat! I understand that Orlando in September is most likely going to be hot, hot, hot and today was no exception, it's just that we were pretty spoiled by the first 4 days Everyone else stopped for a bathroom break and then we were off to Test Track!

Peepa wearing Elsa's lanyard:

We've tried before to talk Peepa into getting a lanyard and join in on the pin trading fun. It has always been a no-go. This trip I saw him checking out CM's lanyards and suggesting different "neat" pins to us. We never were able to get him to get that lanyard, but Elsa gave him a pin to trade and he traded it for a classic Mickey and kept it pinned to his shorts pocket for the rest of the trip. The important part is we actually got him to trade, even if it was only one time and only one pin!!!

We had to check out all the cars. Get in them, push the buttons, take some pictures...the works! I found a compact SUV that would fit our whole family and questioned whether we really needed a mini-van, and then I saw the price tag. Hahahahahahaha...in my dreams! I guess I will have to stick to used Honda Odysseys!

With the heat and the fact that we were mid-trip, we were starting to fade fast, so we stopped for a bit of a snack. Frozen cola's and jelly beans!

This was Meema and Peepa's 1st time staying on-site and we were pretty excited to enjoy Extra Magic Hours tonight! 12am was our goal. I love the idea of staying longer than everyone else. So we had to soldier on!

I tried to talk everyone out of it but they all insisted on doing Captain EO. We watched it in December and that was enough for me! My parents hadn't seen it since the mid-80's when it was in it's first run, and they wanted to see it again, seeing as they didn't remember any of it. Meema has never been able to see the 3-D stuff. I think it has something to do with her severe astigmatism, but she was sporting new and improved glasses and she was hoping she would be able to experience for it this time.

Apparently she still couldn't see it and fell asleep. There were no raving reviews from this group. Michael thinks it's pretty cool, but I guess any 14 year old would.

We Figmented and then headed over to The Land to ride Soarin' and Living with the Land. I tried to talk everyone into eating now, but no one seemed interested. It was only 4:30 so I couldn't blame them too much, but they had no idea how wonderful the Sunshine Season's potatoes are. I think about these potatoes often in between WDW visits. They would not be persuaded. I did talk them into this posing for this picture:

They are troopers. I make people on my trips stop often for pictures. By this point of the day Meema's foot was hurting her something fierce, to the point that she was contemplating finding access to a wheelchair. It's arthritis, if I'm not mistaken. We talked her out of it. I think because either we were too tired to trek back to the entrance or too tired to push her around. Either way, looking back I feel a bit guilty. Sorry, mom.

We hurried (well, Meema hobbled) over to The Seas and enjoyed all the sea life and I got to see Crush for the first time. Funny stuff!

UP NEXT: I Want Me Some of Those Potatoes!

 

[LAH LAH]

I love the space helmet picture, that is seriously cute.

I would have been with the Fish & Chips people, yum yum!! They are greasy though, greasy and delicious. Though to be honest, I can't stand any cooked fish these days.

Uncomfy underwear is the WORST. Smart girl going back to change.

Seriously, how do you all tolerate all that grease?!!

You can't stand the fish for a VERY good reason! I love it!!!

I'm here! Finally! I will be catching up later today!!!!

WOOT WOOT!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Marc & I usually split the fish & chips so maybe that helps cut down on the grease..??

Lovely update. I love eating at Sunshine Seasons, I hope you got back there for your potatoes at somepoint.

Poor Meema's foot. I had to do the wheelchair thing in 2009 because of my really bad blisters, I could barely walk, it was awful.

 

[Jennifer48]

I would consider uncomfortable underwear an emergency also. Good thinking Elsa for changing!

A few minutes before 9 Michael shows up carrying a bag of chips. Why? He decides he's going to carry it around until lunch time. Ummmm, no.

This made me giggle. Not sure if it was the fact that Michael thought it was a good idea to carry around a bag of chips all day or the fact that your answer was "ummmm, no."

Poor Peepa for drinking Beverly!

Nice that the boys enjoyed their fish & chips together.

I hope Meema's foot doesn't stop you all from EMH!

 

[brookelizabeth]

It took an extra day, but I'm caught up! As usual...wonderful report! I love how your family captures the fun and magic of it all.

Though, I do agree, it really is too bad your kids are so shy.




I LOVE that first pic of Elsa flying from bed to bed with the thumb up. Seriously awesome shot.

I have a bazillion more comments, but I'll refrain. The gift card gifting/re-gifting made me laugh out loud. Great replacement card too!

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Found your trip report and I am all caught up. Sounds like you having a great time and glad you were able to get through the migraine issues and solve your iphone problem.

Thanks for sharing your WWOHP experience. We are going in December and like hearing all the positive reviews.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[LAH LAH]

Marc & I usually split the fish & chips so maybe that helps cut down on the grease..??

Lovely update. I love eating at Sunshine Seasons, I hope you got back there for your potatoes at somepoint.

Poor Meema's foot. I had to do the wheelchair thing in 2009 because of my really bad blisters, I could barely walk, it was awful.

Even one bite is too much of the fishy food, so I don't think sharing it would help much

I would consider uncomfortable underwear an emergency also. Good thinking Elsa for changing!

This made me giggle. Not sure if it was the fact that Michael thought it was a good idea to carry around a bag of chips all day or the fact that your answer was "ummmm, no."

Poor Peepa for drinking Beverly!

Nice that the boys enjoyed their fish & chips together.

I hope Meema's foot doesn't stop you all from EMH!

The Beverly is the worst!

It took an extra day, but I'm caught up! As usual...wonderful report! I love how your family captures the fun and magic of it all.

Though, I do agree, it really is too bad your kids are so shy.




I LOVE that first pic of Elsa flying from bed to bed with the thumb up. Seriously awesome shot.

I have a bazillion more comments, but I'll refrain. The gift card gifting/re-gifting made me laugh out loud. Great replacement card too!

Comment all you want! Elsa read your post but hasn't read the trip report yet, so she didn't catch onto the sarcasm about how shy they are!

Found your trip report and I am all caught up. Sounds like you having a great time and glad you were able to get through the migraine issues and solve your iphone problem.

Thanks for sharing your WWOHP experience. We are going in December and like hearing all the positive reviews.

Can't wait to read more!

Yay!!! WWoHP was awesome. I know you will love it!

 

[littlezar]

I LOVE Test Track! The new vehicles at the end….not so much because of those pesky price tags!

Poor Meema not being able to see Captain EO. At least she was able to catch a nap! I love her pose in the pic in front of “The Land”. Hope she wasn’t in pain from her foot for the rest of the trip.

 

[LAH LAH]

I LOVE Test Track! The new vehicles at the end….not so much because of those pesky price tags!

Poor Meema not being able to see Captain EO. At least she was able to catch a nap! I love her pose in the pic in front of “The Land”. Hope she wasn’t in pain from her foot for the rest of the trip.

Michael loved the cars appearing from the rotating stages.

Unfortunately I think her foot will pain her the rest of her life

 

[jenjolt]

Holy cow I'm super late!!! But I'm here now and so ready to get all types of caught up!! Can't wait to see how this trip went!!

 

[LAH LAH]

Holy cow I'm super late!!! But I'm here now and so ready to get all types of caught up!! Can't wait to see how this trip went!!

The best part is you are here!!!

 

[Tarffri]

Dear Lah Lah,

Thank you for your wonderful posts. I could just cry with happiness after reading your reviews, as I just booked my first WDW trip for March 2012 for my daughter's 9th birthday. We will be staying at the POP and will be transferring from WDW to Universal for the last 3 days of our vacation. Our entire trip revolves around the Harry Potter theme park, so we are thrilled to know that you highly recommend it. I scrolled through your description but was careful to not look at any of the pictures. I want to be amazed by it all. Best wishes with your new adoptions - lucky children they are to be entering such a fun, warm, obviously loving family! We are so looking forward to our vacation!