Come One Come All,Maybe 4 trips in 1? WHAT DID WE DO??? 6/29!

[MissMichelle]

Previously titled "The Promise to fix a broken Dream" as that title didn't catch much attention....hmmm...Let's try a change....

THE TRIPS BEFORE *THE* TRIP:

First off I need to say Hello to anyone who is tuning in on this TR that is going to give lots of background info and tons of detail. I have attempted TR's before but I have always started off strong then fizzled. This time I am promising myself and the loyal readers of this board that it won't be the case ---oh no, you see, because for the FIRST TIME ever the 4 of us are going to WDW for a REAL trip. This trip will take place 8/24-9/2 2007.

My name is Michelle, I am 26 and celebrated my last birthday in the MK and loved every ounce of it

A little background. Dfiance and I have been together since our sophmore year of high school. ( I am going to add some controversy and stereotyping in here but follow along with me and you will see that it worked out fine. ) At the time Dfi was a 15 year old boy...with a BABY. He was a high school daddy who was busting butt in school, working long night and weekend hours at a grocery store and raising his little girl. The mom? She was pretty much non-existant from Day 1. We had known each other since the 5th grade and we began dating at 16. Before I knew it I was becoming a mother to a spunky now 11 year old girlie girl named Ashley. A few years down the road came a new bundle of joy. My son Trae who is a HUGE book reader and lover of bats and most things involved in nature. He recently started calling himself the "Talking Encyclopedia". I love it

After many fights and struggles to have Ashley live with us we finally had our day in court. At the age of 5 we applied for and were awarded FULL custody of Ashley and as sad as it is some days her mom cut off all contact with her shortly after. Since this will have a big part in this TR I will add that Ashley has been diagnosed by 2 different psychologists with ADHD inattentive type (as you can tell we didn't like the 1st answer and went for a 2nd). She currently isn't being medicated but then again that is being saved for another controversial thread.

My love of WDW didn't start until the fall of 2004. I had been many times previously including a 1 day visit with DFI, Ashley and Trae in 2001, but nothing started my love like the 2 night stay my parents took me and Trae on. We got word my grandfather was in failing health and we rushed down to see him. Ieft TC and Ashley behind as at the time we couldn't afford it and they didn't really know my Grampy. It was an amazing visit with him and after a few days of staying in with a 4 year old and nothing to do in a horribly broing town called Frostpoof Florida we headed up for a 2 night stay @ Pop Century. We got a great rate of $55 a night and knew we'd need to get some time in for Trae after enduring the last few days. We only got to do the MK and DTD but I vowed then I would save and take the kids back ASAP.

Fast forward 1 year later : My mom fell ill and started missing a lot of work. She finally found out that her gall bladder was to come out and after not 1 but 2 surgeries (since the first wasn't the usual gall bladder removal success she needed some happy thoughts. I decided that it was time to spring an offer on her she couldn't refuse. Take a trip to WDW with myself, my 2 children and my then 9 year old niece. She quickly agreed and we booked that day. We were to do 8 nights 9 days @ POR and enjoy the DDP for the first time. We spent MANY days and nights reading the DIS and looking over menus/reviews and we settled on the places we would eat and what parks we would visit when (with the wonderful help of TGM!). Unfortunately we had no idea that a HUGE speed bump would land into the middle of our plan and there wouldn't be much of a way around it except leaving someone behind. But I'll get to that in a bit.

The plan took some turns and some changes were made to the Itinerary and we ended up booking a night onto the beginning to stay @ AKL Savannah view with Bunk Beds as a treat (and a surprise) for the kids and we booked a Wishes cruise with some other TGM members. I also booked the Pirate cruise for Trae to go in search of buried treasure while the girls enjoyed breakfast @ 1900 PF (later to be canceled as he was boarding the boat and decided he didn't like water when mommy isn't there---sigh).

I'm going to add some photos here and then return to add on to this story with a sad twist.

Trae about to board the Pirate Cruise from the GF

Taken @ AKL

Long day in the parks, relaxing @ POR

 

[iamtheprincess]

I get to be first!
I have been a long time lurker and decided recently to join in. I have seen your post on others trip reports and you are always sweet and funny.
Can't wait to hear the rest!

 

[MissMichelle]

Hey Thanks!! It's great to have someone come out of lurkdum and if I can help in that I am all for it Welcome to the DIS and I hope you stick around..I will be posting the next installment in a bit

 

[Lan]

I see in your signature that the kids found out about the surprise trip. I can't wait to hear how they found out.

 

[Poohbear67]

I can't wait to read more. I understand about ADHD my 21yr old son was diagnoised with it when he was 12 or 13.

My ex-husband and I went through custody battle for my former step-daughter(but I still call her my daughter)and the mother was mentally ill so it was a bad situation all the way around.

 

[dvc at last !]

subscribing.......................

 

[MissMichelle]

I see in your signature that the kids found out about the surprise trip. I can't wait to hear how they found out.

All I'll say is I blame it o free dining lol

 

[MissMichelle]

I can't wait to read more. I understand about ADHD my 21yr old son was diagnoised with it when he was 12 or 13.

My ex-husband and I went through custody battle for my former step-daughter(but I still call her my daughter)and the mother was mentally ill so it was a bad situation all the way around.

Ashley's mom also battles mental illness... She has severe anxiety and has been medicated for years for it. She has 2 more children (Ash being the oldest) and she only has the baby which is 6 months old. She contacted Ashley a few times last year and then once she had the baby---We set up a meeting for Ash to meet that baby at her grandmothers house without her mom there...It is so tough...I feel like there is a fine line between doing the right thing for Ash and the siblings and the wrong.

 

[MissMichelle]

Over Christmas break we finished paying off the trip and finalizing all of our plans. The excitement was growing as we realized that we were coming up on the 1 month mark. The kids were making a countdown calendar and writing down their favorite things from the For kids by kids Birnbaum book so they'd know what we were doing ahead of time and they'd get a chance write a report for school based upon how much their perceptions changed once there. Mom and I went out and loaded up on Valentines decorations and items to decorate the AKL room once the kids were asleep and when they awoke they would be told that Mikey came and had Tink work her magic


And then it happens.


We are called into Ashley's school (which isn't unusual) to discuss the next steps as far as extra help. She is on a 504 plan and we were working on getting her an IEP. At the meeting we were faced with her guidance councelor, the principal, her Title 1 reading teacher as well as her homeroom teacher. We are told that if she doesn't bring up her grades that she was facing retention. Knowing we had a trip coming up and she would be missing 5 days of school we were advised to keep her home. I cried and knew that it was a mistake to book during school, but when the trip was originally planned she had mainly B's and it seemed like she may have a good year. Bad judgement on my part and I promised I'd fix it and we'd do Disney HER WAY the next time. (I am still getting sad thinking about that day).

She bounced back and actually became increasingly excited that she was staying home with her father and they could get in some bonding time. Together him and I started planning activities for them such as movie night and inviting over her cousins to spend a night with her. She helped make dinner a few nights with meals that she planned herself. I called nightly and everytime we spoke she sounded happy and it made me feel a tad bit more at ease.

So here are some photos of My son and DNiece

One of my moms new obsessions:

Before our Wishes Cruise:

Our flight was @ 7 am on jetblue and the first experience with DME was better then I expected...I had read many conflicting reports and none of the issues I had read were true for us. Our stop was last and I took pics of Pop Century where I had stayed a year and a half prior and also of CSR, not knowing that in just 7 months I would be staying there. Funny how things work

We enjoyed the AKL greatly.
We decorated the room as we said we would for Valentines Day and left treats for the kids to find when they awoke. Day 1 went off without a hitch and though we arrived to 45 degree weather we still took a dip in the pool @ AKL.

Moving the next day was bittersweet, but once we layed eyes on POR and the lush green landscaping we knew we'd be just fine Funny though--as much as we liked AKL we decided that POR was just as nice for us and the $$ difference wasn't justifiable for us. Now staying @ the Beach Club is my goal at some point --- Hopefully a girls weekend with my mom and my best friend who lost her mom to cancer last year.

I am going to find my old notes today and start on a mini TR and hopefully I can finally get that finished...I wonder if I can find my start to it from last year here on the DIS...

 

[Poohbear67]

Ashley's mom also battles mental illness... She has severe anxiety and has been medicated for years for it. She has 2 more children (Ash being the oldest) and she only has the baby which is 6 months old. She contacted Ashley a few times last year and then once she had the baby---We set up a meeting for Ash to meet that baby at her grandmothers house without her mom there...It is so tough...I feel like there is a fine line between doing the right thing for Ash and the siblings and the wrong.

I totally understand our circumstances sound similar so if you would like to talk at any time please pm and i will give you my number and you can call me.

 

[MissMichelle]

So I find my old posts and they are pretty boring..Not how a TR should be...LOL

But I'll include excerpts from them in italics and RED and add on comments from my memory to spice up this new and improved TR

So here I am about to head out --THEN:

5 hours!!!

We are leaving for the airport in just 5 hours!!! Even after the fear of a canceled flight, as of now all seems to be going as planned.

I am SOOOO wide awake that I am HYPER!!!

NOW: Ok so we were petrified we weren't flying out that morning. Boston had canceled most flights in and out for that Monday morning and all planes had been grounded on Sunday so I knew there would be delays.
Well OUR FLIGHT TOOK OFF---ON TIME!!! It was the first flight allowed out that day and I knew we just got our first dose of pixie dust and we hadn't even left good Ole Massachusetts!

OK..Here is where I am going to start on what I posted way back when...I think I only completed (generically) 4 or 5 days of my trip and that is just plain old pathetic...I'll try and do much better this next trip.

So here is what I had to say about Day 1:
Cast:
Me, Michelle (about to be 26 but got a lot of comments on how could a 17 y.o have a 5 y.o? lol)
Mom (aka Gramma) 53 and proud of that---a lil too much lol
Trae (5 and a veteran of Disney, this is his 4th visit)
Briana (9 , first timer---never been out of MA)

Well here it was 2 am and I still wasn't asleep. Knowing I had to brave the cold and snow @ 4am to head to the airport I began getting ready.

Awoke the kids shortly before 4 and we all headed out to the car. Had the most uneventful, non turbulent flight of my life on Delta Song. Reached MCO 20 minutes ahead of schedule and quickly ran to the DME counter. Not sure what I was expecting but didn't seem as "Magical" as I was picturing. But all was well and within 15 minutes we boarded our shuttle and were on the way to AKL

2 stops along the way---Pop Century and then Coronado Springs. Finally AKL just 55 minutes after landing--Already Pixie Dust and happy thoughts.

First thought of AKL---AMAZING! How would I leave this resort to go to POR?!? We took in the sights, snapped photos, and breathed in the air as we sat on the Savannah View balcony watching the zebras. It was about 47 degrees @ the Lodge that day and we took a cool brisk walk over to Mara for lunch. YUMMMMMY!

After lunch we hit the arcade and decided we would brave the cold for a dip in the pool and hot tub---brrrr...we did it (and I have pictures to prove it haha). After the swim it was time to shower and think about whether we would stay to eat @ Boma (we had ADR's) or head to Downtown Disney---we cancelled Boma.

After reaching DTD we decided we would try Wolfgang Puck Express...YUM! I got the Cheese Quesadilla, mom got the pasta with Bolognese sauce and the kids Mac and cheese. It was great. My one complaint was the cold outside when we sat out there as we thought "Hey this is FLORIDA, let's just do it!" haha

Time for some shopping and photo op's, pin collecting and trading then off to AKL for some sleep.

Tomorrow:
Check out of AKL and into POR----was it uneventful?!?______________________________________________________________

I can't help but laugh...I didn't put pics of the start of our trip:

Or the DME ridebtw --why am I the only happy one?)

I didn't even TELL you what we ate for lunch!!! And never mind that--I didn't post PICTURES OF THE LUNCH...So much I had to learn here on the DIS. So I will now tell you I had a chicken sandwich while my son enjoyed a pizza...Just looked..haven't uploaded lunch...I'll find them and try to remember to post them.

Dinner and photos of DTD:

Sorry...Started eating--and YUMMM I love Wolfgang Puck!

I'll add photos of us @ AKL in next post...

 

[MissMichelle]

I totally understand our circumstances sound similar so if you would like to talk at any time please pm and i will give you my number and you can call me.

That is really sweet...I may take you up on it...We have had a really hard time and there is just so much to it. I hope you stick around and read my TR's and get to know me and my quirky family a little bit better

 

[Poohbear67]

That is really sweet...I may take you up on it...We have had a really hard time and there is just so much to it. I hope you stick around and read my TR's and get to know me and my quirky family a little bit better

You betcha I will.

 

[MissMichelle]

So here is our first glimpse of AKL

and the next thing we see:

All I can say is AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

View from room # 5579

The kids with gramma in the hot tub--shhhh don't tell her I posted this one! HAHA

Last look before we checked out as the sun rose

 

[MissMichelle]

So we are moving onto Day 2...

This is what I had to say (and I am wondering why I rehash who the cast of this trip is )

Cast:
Again, ME, Michelle (25.5 --hey I just came from Disney, I heard that .5 a LOT)
Mom, AKA Gramma (53 and loving it---especially @ Disney)
Trae (5 and veteran Disney boy, so much he begged to leave the parks days since it was BORING grrr)
Briana (Niece, 9 who has NEVER been to Disney, wait never been out of MA on vacation! LOL)

These reports may not be as fun as others, but I will tell you--this plan just worked I enjoyed every SINGLE second of my trip...EVERY SECOND. I wouldn't change a thing. Hope you all enjoy

I am sure I will miss details that MADE my vacation what it was, but this is the gist even though fairly long.

We awoke @ 6 am to start cleaning up the room and called bell services to pick up our luggage @ 6:45. We had decorated the room for V-Day after the kids went to bed and left "Disney surprises" for them to find after they awoke. It was awesome to see their faces as they found Mickey and Minnie heart stuffies, candy and cards.

We headed down to check out and hail a cab @ 7 and headed to POR. We quickly checked in. We went to find our room--# 3445. Which was close to the leisure pool and West bus Depot. Pretty good location, just very far from the food court and main building.

Left for MK for opening after a quick bite to eat @ the food court we headed to our bus stop. We waited a few minutes then the bus came, there were 4 stops after ours.
Finally making it to the MK (after opening EEEEK!) we ran to Space MTN and grabbed a FP then off to Buzz...There was a wait time of 5 minutes--NOT, we ran thru the que and jumped on---4 times in a row!
Off to Space with a wait time of---5 minutes! HAHA Jumped on and ran back through for our FP. Off to Toon town as it had just opened. did our Mickey Meet & Greet and then through Minnie's house. Skipped Barnstormer even though the kids asked, but they weren't too bummed, as we ran back and hit Pooh, Snow White, and Mickey Philharmagic. Wait time for Peter Pan was up to 30 minutes at this point so we decided to catch it later in the week. Next up It's a Small World (CAN *I* say ICK?!? I hate this ride but Mom wanted to do it). Jumped off and headed to The Haunted Mansion. Trae HATED it and cried when the ghost caught a ride with us--he would have been fine but started off spooked by the CM who greeted us walking in. Hit Country Bears then LUNCH @ Peco's Bills...which was a fave last trip--not so much this time. The changed the kids hot dog meal (it is now hot dogs IN beans) and my son wasn't very happy. Total Bill $35, total Paid $0 on DP
Next up, Big Thunder! One of my faves. We rode it with just a 10 minute wait time and grabbed fast passes to use a bit later. It was only in the 50's so we skipped Splash *and vowed to get back but never did this trip!!*
Decided to hit Pirates (which for some reason I thought was closed) and ooops I forgot NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY and got yelled at! :::blushing::.
slowly made it out to adventureland and got Mickey IC bars and walked Swiss Treehouse. At this point we decided to go back and check if our luggage was there (it was getting chilly and we needed winter coats that night)...The luggage was @ POR but hadn't made it to our room (*change from AKL to POR*)and they apologized and sent it down. quick change and back to MK for our dinner ADR's @ LTT. I LOVED this meal! It was a lot of fun, and the food was good! Total bill: $140...Total paid: $0! Dining Plan rocks .
We decided to mosey around until Wishes and we got to film a bit (the V-DAY hearts added in was awesome!) then headed back to POR for bed.

Next up---6 am wake up for our day in Epcot!!!


I'll be back later to comment on this day...;0)

 

[MissMichelle]

OK, so where was I?

Right---about to talk about Day 2 Of Trip #1 in this report that will take us through 3, yes 3 full trips.

Let's talk Pecos Bill's...I read in my TR that they changed the menu for the kids---but when I went in Sept they had changed it AGAIN from even what I remembered in February---And I am thinking they may have even changed it again recently...By checking out the wdwinfo menus this is what I am told is being served now:
Kids' Picks: Sloppy Joe or Chilled Chicken with Carrots & Celery - All meals include choice of two side items: grapes, carrot sticks, or applesauce and choice of beverage: 1% milk, small bottled water, or apple juice. French fries and soda available upon request. - $3.99


Ummm..oh yah---my thoughts? Crap, not doing Pecos Bill this time since I KNOW DS won't touch either one of those choices. Dang b/c it used to be one of my fave CS locations.

Oh, and about that flash I used on POTC, I didn't know the flash was on. Shame on me..I hate when others don't follow the rules and I shake my head at them (oh YES I do ) So for that I will apologize. I have learned my lesson

So now I am reading back and thinking I must have been stuck on a Disney High or something since I remember NOT liking LTT and saying I'd never book there again...Ok well why is it that I posted that I enjoyed my time there? Is my memory failing me? If I really did like eating there then why didn't I choose to eat there this trip? Oh geesh, I refuse to second guess my schedule now. Not during free dining, no way no how.

Ok..Time for photos since I am more interested in photos when I check TR's (okay I admit it! I read here and there but mainly just look at photos and the words directly around them---come on, it's ok, I know you do it too!)

Just checked in and found our room:

Finally inside the MK---DNi's first time seeing anything like this. First time visitor:

LOVE PLUTO

this ride gives me nightmares! DANG, now I am singing

More to come in the next post.....

 

[MissMichelle]

A few more pics from that day--including the infamous flash photog pic from POTC and also LTT photos

And a trick I learned on the DIS...whic is chip and which is dale? Chip has the black nose like a chocolate chip Oddly I have only pics of Dale...

And nights end....

On to Day 3 of Trip #1...Here is what I had to say back then:

OK, if you don't know the cast, refer back to Days 1 and 2

Well I am blasting these out so I can start posting pics all over afterwards and write reviews for dining and probably forgetting a few things, plus since I am posting a on a few different boards the same report I need to leave out some details that incriminate myself lol

Well we start to all stir just after 6 am---I had forgotten but every morning we recieved our wake up call @ 7 right before we headed out the door (*so we were awake enough to listen* lol). We strolled over to the food court by 7:25 and grabbed a small breakfast. To back up and add: I had bought a pair of CROCS which I used to think were ugly but for the first time I didn't wake up on Day 2 with hurting feet.
We hopped were about to hop the bus to Epcot when the 3rd MK bus rolled through...DING DING--Let's ride THAT bus, get the monorail to TTC, transfer and head to Epcot--HAHA well we made it--AFTER Park opening (we WILL make an opening I swear).
I forgot my plans that I had printed up, written notes from all my planning guides etc) woops, but we'll make it, after all I had MEMORIZED this stuff (or did I?). It is much different when you ACTUALLY do it.
Anyway off through the turnstiles, and Snap Snap, Photopass pics then a dash into the park. Ugh, Trae is dragging me into Spaceship Earth. We run in as there is NOBODY there and ride this depressingly long (what seemed it) ride while knowing precious park time was fading. Out we come and run like mad to Test Track, NOTHING is going to stop me, excpet---More Photopass opportunites! YIKES! I kept the motto, characters later, rides now...Nope stop in to see them in Characters from Disney Classics.
Then off to Test Track, which still has a 5 minute wait (scratch head). Ride quickly (with a small protest from Trae who is 5 and still afraid of fast rides). I LOVED this ride, and decide it is a MUST to get back to later this trip.
Head over to Ellen (whom I LOVE) and see it s a 45 minute ride---ick. Sorry Ellen, I'll see you on channel 10.
Now to The Living Seas---Just for Turtle Talk--Not to be missed..the kids will LOVE IT! I had the biggest laugh of the trip during this show when a child was asked by Crush how he got to Disney--He answered " Virgin" *the airline* which set off Crush making faces and saying it over and over wondering how "Virgin brough him there". and the whole crowd laughing while the kids wondered what was so funny.
Off to Innoventions but decide to stop off for an early lunch before crowds hit. Off to Electric Umbrella. Well I had a burger, which I didn't enjoy at all. But it was lunch and we had ADR's for dinner @ CM's so it was ok Total for lunch :$23...Why? B/C we asked for bottled water which would have up'd the price by $10 but they gave us SINK WATER that tasted worse then a chlorinated swimming pool! ewww..line was too long and my mom didn't want to complain.
So off to Innoventions. Crowds were teeny, so we had the place almost to ourselves. We hung out and played for a bit before heading over to Soarin. Grabbed FP's and then ran up to The Circle of Life--Kids loved it. Downstairs we hung out for a bit then jumped on Soarin with the FP's. Can I just say this is the most BREATHTAKING ride. Nobody can do it justice with description. I adore this ride and wish I could live on it. We were in B1...WOOOHOO! Center front...So perfect.

Well by this point it was getting warm and we all had on long sleeves . This jump to 70 degrees killed us New Englanders lol. We headed into the World Showcase. Hitting each country but not stopping to do much but stroll through the shops rather quickly. The kids got their names in Japanese on Chef's hats which my niece wore for the rest of the day.
We got some pastries while in France and we did the most horrible thing of the trip--stopped at Impressions De France. I am SO sorry for anyone who likes this ride but it had me in sleep mode. It was pretty crowded, I saw some people asleep and it made me lazy , something about that HUGE screen and that music. Off from there finally stopping at a kidcot in China. The kids made masks while I bought necklaces for my nieces with their names in Chinese. We wanted to head into Reflections of China but it was packed over there and decided to skip it since we needed to head out within the hour. We stopped by Mexico and and jumped on the lil river ride there...Cheesy but ok, for a relaxing time down the river while watching guests dine in San Angel Inn.

As we made our way out to the Monorail we bid goodbye and headed for the Contemporary for a WONDERFUL buffet with Mickey and pals. I really enjoyed this. Our Waitress was wonderful and kept us going. The kids got their first taste of napkin twirling and laughed their butts off.
Dinner total would have been $107.

Headed back to MK for the bus to POR. NEED SLEEP haha

Next up MGM. Will they brave Tower Of Terror?!?


I am headed to bed early tonight as I just got a call to come into work tomorrow for 7, so I will leave this until tomorrow
Here are some pictures to hold it over till then.

Catching the monorail in:

The hat from Japan:

And dinner @ CM's...where I still only have pics of DALE

 

[MissMichelle]

Ok, so I almost forgot about my PRETRIPPIE!! EEEK>>I still have to get through 2 trips of TR's before writing my actual pre trip report so that in just 50 days I can head out on a new adventure that will soon become my fixer trip.

So I know there is so much that I need to put in to get to the point we are at now, but last night we hit the Disney Store...I was shocked and AMAZED when DH picked up matching Pirates of the Cariibean shirts for him and DS. I literally almost cried. He was like a kid in a cnady shop...You see, DH HATED Disney---the idea of it anyway. I always wanted to go and he always worried about $$ and wondered why I had such an obsession. When we went alone for his first real trip last September he truly learned the magic behind the mayhem and now we have a a creature emeging from the closet. He used to be a Disneyphobe, but now he LOVES it I must be doing something right.

Ok on with the 2/2006 trip. Here is what I had to say:
MissMichelle Day 4 MGM

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CAST: Again listed on days prior
WHEW, I need to take a breather, but I am rearing to post these. Then I can clean my house, do some laundry (OMG it's taking over the house), put away luggage...OK on to day 4.

Determined to hit a park opening we got up @ 6, showered, dressed and headed to the food court. Ate as QUICKLY as a human can and headed to the bus. WOOHOO first bus to arrive--MGM, we get to the park 30 min before opening and hang out.
10 of it is through the turnstiles with a dash----to the ROPE. we stop and get ready to bang a right onto Sunset BLVD, along with EVERY OTHER guest and their kids, with people pushing and yelling. We watch the lil opening with Mickey down the end of the road and quickly sneak by a stopped crowd and run as soon as the rope drops---Off to Tower of Terror. I had absolutely NO idea that this ride took you though the lil dark maze first---then onto the drops...That really made the anticipation rise. My son was whimpering ever so slightly with fear of the unknown but said "I can do this" and he did! He said it was ok but wouldn't do it again. I actually enjoyed it, all but my pocketbook that rose up and floated in front of my face--CREEPY. WHEW--I swear there were 7 drops. It was a really cool experience.
Next to RnR, which had a 5 minute wait--WOOHOO, I grabbed a child swap pass and headed in, with mom to look after the kids. What a rush! I hadn't recovered yet from ToT but was so filled with adrenaline I could have burst! I came out glowing and passed off the FP to my mom who who has always been Miss Motion Sickness, who proclaimed her unity to this ride. She said it was the best roller coaster she had EVER been on.
From here we decided to head towards Star Tours. My son was in love and made us ride----3 times. UGH it gets old but we did it 2 more times later this trip. Next up Muppet Vision 3 D...I LOVEd the bubbles, very cute. I am a 3D freak. I really enjoy those shows, but thought there was a better selection elsewhere (see It's tough to be a bug day 5). Time for lunch as it is about 11:15 so we wait for Backlot Express to open. We were the first in and ate quickly. I liked the food here but if not on the dining plan probably wouldn't pay the $$ for it. Total $47
We decide to head back to the hotel to swim but stopped off @ Drew Carey's show, I didn't like it. I have no issues with the dark, but sitting there for 7 minutes in the dark got nerving.
so we head out and go swimming @ POR. The air was cool, so we didn't stay long, plus the pool was crowded. so off to shower and head back to MGM for dinner @ Sci-Fi. We popped in just in time for the parade which was AWESOME and we got nice front viewing, and then decided to have a leisurely walk around the park, meeting up with the Power Rangers over @ Streets of America. I am really bummed for my son as the Power Rangers are his fave, but the lines had already formed SO long and we had ADR's @ Sci-Fi, we had to skip them So we took a few photos sitting on some stoops and posed by some "movie set" store fronts.
We headed for our 4:45 ADR's and enjoyed every second of this meal. I got the shrimp pasta--To DIE for, and my mom got the salmon, which she LOVED. I can't say enough about how good my meal was, and the atmoshere was tied with 50's for our favorite. Total: $101. This DIning plan stuff really ROCKS.
We then ended up being dragged over to Star Tours for 1 more ride of the day (with 1 more later that week to come)before heading out of the park ---yes we missed Fantasmic, but we were ok with that.

Next up: Day 5 AK. Who can ride Expedition Everest 4 times and still want more?!?! ME! ME!

I will try and post day 5 later..I really need to get back to the cleaning I neglected yesterday


There isn't much I can add to this day except pics so that is what I'll do.....

During our "midday break" checking out the mansion section of POR

Back at MGM

catching part of the parade

Oh we are so cool

Bad pic..bad pic...riding along in my automobile (singing)....

partly eaten salmon

Let me see if I can find Day 5...

 

[MissMichelle]

So here is Day 5:
MissMichelle's Day 5 AK

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this will be a VERY long installment so please stay with me. (HAHA, This is funny to me....I thought THIS was long? I must have needed to read Barbie, Glenda, Lesley and many other reports before making such a statement!)


Well we decided once again we HAD to get up for a park opening, so we started to shower and dress around 6:15, and headed out for a quick bite by 7:15.

We arrive @ AK and head through the turnstiles at 10 of, running to the rope.

We decide we will take the "Dinoland" way a CM had mentioned to another family to get to EE.

It worked as we grabbed FP's and my mom and niece jumped on (also getting a child swap pass)<insert restroom stop with my son here>. So after they rode (and my niece decided she hated it) I quickly jumped on for one of my FAVORITE rides! Our FP time was in 30 minutes by this point so we hung out in the area, and as soon as we were able to grab new passes we did, then each rode again taking turns with the kids.

After that to pass time we headed to Kali. It was fairly cold that morning so we grabbed ponchos as not to get soaked to the bone and ran to Kali--with NO wait since everyone was hovering @ EE. They said since there was no wait to just keep staying on until either 1. We had enough or 2. they wanted us off...So we rode 3 times before heading out to dry off (our butts STILL got soaked)<insert restroom stop with my son here> and head back to EE to get MORE FP's and ride again...

So you know what comes next--more EE rides, with each time better then before---Oddly, I got row 13 (since I was a single rider) twice and row 7 twice. We decided we may or may not use our FP's and headed over to Dinoland where we HAD to ride Dinosaur. Now the pics on this ride (which we purchased) are a riot! You'd think we all went to a comedy show...It scared the CRAP out of me at one point (pic time) yet me and all the other guests on our car burst into a fit of nervous giggles. haha <restroom stop again *there is a point to this*>

We head over to Primevil Whirl which my son saw and we learned he was too short to ride--so since he couldn't go, we all decided to pass. Off to ITTBAB. I LOVED this show! I however didn't enjoy getting stung! For some reason it really irritated me. But the kids didn't feel it. My son started crying at the end when the bugs crawled under our butt...He jumped SO far and wanted out---NOW! But luckily stayed put until the stampede of people started on out.

BACK to EE, to catch our FP time and by this point I was satisfied and decided it was the last ride on it for this trip. By this point we were all starving and had heard so much rave over Tusker House that we headed on over and figured we could get FP's to the safari---the FP time was 2.5 hours later!
So lunch (which was REALLY good Total: $45) and then we jumped on the train and headed to Rafiki's Planet Watch which we all enjoyed very much.<immediate restroom stop> I really love the affection section and even got tto see a goat drink his own pee (EEEEW!!!). A few goats took a liking to a man sitting on a bench and he got the beating of his life when they all wanted to rub their "Horns" (or lack of) on his thigh! haha. We washed up and headed into the Conservation station and got to talk with a CM about the baby elephant born just 2 months ago. We learned about turantulas which my son found highly fascinating. We slowly headed out and walked the trail towards the train stop, stopping along the way to take in the scent of "Clean Green Air" (which my son called it) and look at the bugs, and trees, and flowers along the way.
Back into Africa we still had 30 minutes until the safari so we got the kids temporary tattoos (Briana got Tink and Trae got a shark) from s nearby stand. then waited for our FP time. We had an AWESOME and extremely animated female CM for our safari and it really made the experience. Of course we all cheered when we saved Lil Red in the end


After the safari (which was a much needed rest) we figured it was time to head out and get cleaned up as we had ADR's @ Le Cellier that evening.
We walk past the turnstiles and make our way to the shuttle. As we are boarding my son wiggles with "I have to pee".<start reasoning for comments previous> We ask if he can wait to get to the resort (since going BACK in and through bag check and all would take awhile) and he says sure, but oddly pees his pants! Out of shock I almost cry for him as he looked so upset with himself. THere were 2 wonderful women in line with us who quickly offer up wipes to clean him up and then we had to get this pee child onto a bus and back to the hotel. (I almost cried just now reading this and remembering his face!)Finally after what seemed like the LONGEST bus ride, we make it back to POR and get Trae in the shower.


Now cleaned up and ready to roll we ALL make sure we go potty (lol) and head out to the Epcot bus....30 minutes later one showed and we boarded with the other 20 people who has gathered just moments before.
Since we hit Epcot earlier then planned (7pm ADR's and it was 4:30) we decided to ride Mission: Space....Well Trae decided against it so I sent mom and Briana on, while I waited for my turn. They came out SICK, and I mean "I'm not going to dinner" kind of sick. I asked them to walk it off, and they agreed. So we head into a few shops (spending most time in Mouse Gear) and get pins (Have I mentioned that we came home with a total of 66 (I think since Trae lost 2 and Briana lost 1) pins? EEE!)

It is now 5:45 and we head into World Showcase stopping briefly at times for photos. When we reach Canada, we ask if we could get an earlier seating (NOPE, bummer but we tried) and then head over to O' Canada and quickly decide not to go in. "Photo Op" time since the flowers in front of Le Cellier are gorgeous, then it is time to check in (20 minutes early).
This was the BEST meal of the trip!
Me; Cheedar Cheese Soup,Free Range Chicken , and the Maple Creme Brulee
Mom; Steakhouse Ceasar, Prime Rib, Whiskey Cake
Briana; (kids are allowed adult apps) Beef Kabob, cheeseburger, Moose
Trae; Mixed Field Greens, Hot dog, Smores
We all loved every second of this meal (except I was the only one not fond of the pretzel bread! )
Total: $140.

We are all exhausted by this point but all agree on staying for Illuminations and head over to the bridge by Mexico. Getting blinking Minnie Ears, glow necklaces and a Light Saber we were ready. GREAT show (even though my fave is STILL Wishes) and a perfect night to see it.

Next up : Trae's Pirate Adventure Cruise and girls go to 1900 PF...Or is that how it happens? Stay tuned to find out Yo Ho Ho


Here are more pics to add:

LOVE DEVINE!!!

I have to Add....We call DH "T" and he wasn't with me on this trip..After lunch my mom pointed out my leg and took a pic of something I SAT ON!:

ok...so I have TONS more pics...but can't put them in here ---so I'll put them on the next one.

 

[Poohbear67]

Please more more I need more please