Day Four at the Lodge
New Jersey's Fab Four's First Trip to the World!
Participants: Myself (age 32)
DH (age 36)
DisTwins (age 5)
Week of Aug. 24th to 31st
I am happy to report that we finally had a goof-free day with no mishaps! (And what better way to spend it than at the MK!)
We were at the dock by 8:15, but the first boat does not leave until 8:30. (So for those going in the off-season, no need to rush it!) We were excited to arrive with the early morning throngs of people and see the "magical" opening by Mickey and his gang! They all arrive on the train, sing, and throw confetti and Pixie Dust! We then rush to the castle and wait for the rope to drop (Yes, we're among the "Dumbo . . . Do or Die" folks!
) Rush right over to Dumbo and get on the second run. Then quickly over to Pooh, followed by Peter Pan. While Dumbo is okay, it's not a big thrill for the kids. However, their faces were shining through Pooh and Pan as they were amazed with each twist and turn! Then over to MY favorite, "It's a Small World!" As a doll collector, I could ride over and over and delight in each detail! I know some find it's annoying and I have some pics from my trip as a teen, but just have to take a few more to remember the magic! 
This was the perfect sequence, as there wasn't ANY waiting at all (other than waiting one ride for Dumbo).
(We're passing on Snow White, BTW, as I'd read numerous times that many little ones find it quite frightening. With so much else to see, not worth the risk in my book!)
We still have some time before our Princess Breakfast, so we squeeze in the Magic Carpets in Adv. Land before it gets busy later. Then over to Cinderella's Royal Table!
We wait in line in the lobby to meet the Fairy Godmother and with just one other family ahead of us, we are called! However, the CM says I have the option to give up that table and be called for the next one (an important tip to know for those who may have spent some time waiting and don't wish to get out of line!). She was very personable and got the kids really excited for the breakfast!
BY FAR, CHARACTER MEALS ARE THE WAY TO GO! DH and I agree hands down (now THAT does not happen everyday!
) that this is the BEST MONEY we spent at Disney! The food was absolutely delicious with PLENTY of it offered and we were just thrilled to see every character stop and spend time with each of the kids! The princesses and Mary Poppins all loved that they had their own pages made in our homemade scrapbooks and even commented on my Li'l Prince's crown and Li'l Princess's shirt. (We had 2 more character meals Thurs. and Fri. with each impressing us as top-notch!) We were all on cloud nine afterward!
Well, DS can not WAIT to hit Splash Mountain (he is disappointed Big Thunder Mtn is closed, so more than a little eager to hit one of the few "big" rides he is able to ride!) so he and DH go to get FP's while DD and I secure a nice spot for the Cinderella show in front of the castle (Note: We found it best to hang back behind the crowd, rather than try to be directly in front of the stage). We all found the show very cute (even in the hot FL sun!) and were excited to get autographs/pics w/ the mice, Suzy and Perla, and Gepetto. TIP - ask the CM standing by the stage before the show WHERE the characters you want will be stationed. They all have a designated spot to go to after the show!
DD is NOT a fan of big thriller rides, so she is happy to get a cool drink with her 'ol Mom and check out Country Bears Jamboree (a "cute" show to cool off or take a break in the day, but I wouldn't make any extra efforts to see it!). After the Treehouse in Adv. Land, we see Jasmine and Aladdin are next to the Magic Carpets so we line up to meet them. They were terrific! Aladdin was so impressed to have his own page and DS was so impressed to meet his first "prince"!!
Though DH and I could call it a day at this point (especially since we plan to return for fireworks that evening), kids really want to see the parade at 3:00. So DH got FP's for Jungle
DH had got FP's for Jungle Cruise while kids met Jasmine/Aladdin and after a snack, we take the cruise and get off just in time to get a good spot for the parade. Parade was great and we were thrilled that kids were asked to join the pirates for some fun! Lots of cute pics of them "searching" for other pirates, "pointing" at Peter Pan, and dancing!
We're back at the Lodge by 4:00, rest up a bit, and order pizza (delicious!). Then to the pool/hot tubs! Some bad weather rolled in and while we waited to see if it would pass before heading back to MK for fireworks, DH and kids check out the arcade (where we can hardly pull them away!).
Grab the boat back to MK at 7:30 (sky is now clear), stop in a couple of shops on Main St., then find an EXCELLENT location right by the "reserved seating" section in front of the restrooms off of Main St. We are right below the "wire" that guides TinkerBell at the start of the show. (While DH gets it all on video, my camera battery dies and I miss a GREAT shot of Tinkerbell!
). It is fun, BTW, to watch the castle change beautiful colors while waiting for the fireworks!
No trouble getting a boat right away and we're back to the Lodge by 9:15. Tomorrow is Early Entry and we will return at 8:00am! (Don't know why Disney schedules fireworks and E.E. back-to-back!)
New Jersey's Fab Four's First Trip to the World!
Participants: Myself (age 32)
DH (age 36)
DisTwins (age 5)
Week of Aug. 24th to 31st
I am happy to report that we finally had a goof-free day with no mishaps! (And what better way to spend it than at the MK!)
We were at the dock by 8:15, but the first boat does not leave until 8:30. (So for those going in the off-season, no need to rush it!) We were excited to arrive with the early morning throngs of people and see the "magical" opening by Mickey and his gang! They all arrive on the train, sing, and throw confetti and Pixie Dust! We then rush to the castle and wait for the rope to drop (Yes, we're among the "Dumbo . . . Do or Die" folks!
) Rush right over to Dumbo and get on the second run. Then quickly over to Pooh, followed by Peter Pan. While Dumbo is okay, it's not a big thrill for the kids. However, their faces were shining through Pooh and Pan as they were amazed with each twist and turn! Then over to MY favorite, "It's a Small World!" As a doll collector, I could ride over and over and delight in each detail! I know some find it's annoying and I have some pics from my trip as a teen, but just have to take a few more to remember the magic! This was the perfect sequence, as there wasn't ANY waiting at all (other than waiting one ride for Dumbo). (We're passing on Snow White, BTW, as I'd read numerous times that many little ones find it quite frightening. With so much else to see, not worth the risk in my book!)
We still have some time before our Princess Breakfast, so we squeeze in the Magic Carpets in Adv. Land before it gets busy later. Then over to Cinderella's Royal Table!
We wait in line in the lobby to meet the Fairy Godmother and with just one other family ahead of us, we are called! However, the CM says I have the option to give up that table and be called for the next one (an important tip to know for those who may have spent some time waiting and don't wish to get out of line!). She was very personable and got the kids really excited for the breakfast!
BY FAR, CHARACTER MEALS ARE THE WAY TO GO! DH and I agree hands down (now THAT does not happen everyday!
) that this is the BEST MONEY we spent at Disney! The food was absolutely delicious with PLENTY of it offered and we were just thrilled to see every character stop and spend time with each of the kids! The princesses and Mary Poppins all loved that they had their own pages made in our homemade scrapbooks and even commented on my Li'l Prince's crown and Li'l Princess's shirt. (We had 2 more character meals Thurs. and Fri. with each impressing us as top-notch!) We were all on cloud nine afterward!Well, DS can not WAIT to hit Splash Mountain (he is disappointed Big Thunder Mtn is closed, so more than a little eager to hit one of the few "big" rides he is able to ride!) so he and DH go to get FP's while DD and I secure a nice spot for the Cinderella show in front of the castle (Note: We found it best to hang back behind the crowd, rather than try to be directly in front of the stage). We all found the show very cute (even in the hot FL sun!) and were excited to get autographs/pics w/ the mice, Suzy and Perla, and Gepetto. TIP - ask the CM standing by the stage before the show WHERE the characters you want will be stationed. They all have a designated spot to go to after the show!
DD is NOT a fan of big thriller rides, so she is happy to get a cool drink with her 'ol Mom and check out Country Bears Jamboree (a "cute" show to cool off or take a break in the day, but I wouldn't make any extra efforts to see it!). After the Treehouse in Adv. Land, we see Jasmine and Aladdin are next to the Magic Carpets so we line up to meet them. They were terrific! Aladdin was so impressed to have his own page and DS was so impressed to meet his first "prince"!!
Though DH and I could call it a day at this point (especially since we plan to return for fireworks that evening), kids really want to see the parade at 3:00. So DH got FP's for Jungle
DH had got FP's for Jungle Cruise while kids met Jasmine/Aladdin and after a snack, we take the cruise and get off just in time to get a good spot for the parade. Parade was great and we were thrilled that kids were asked to join the pirates for some fun! Lots of cute pics of them "searching" for other pirates, "pointing" at Peter Pan, and dancing!
We're back at the Lodge by 4:00, rest up a bit, and order pizza (delicious!). Then to the pool/hot tubs! Some bad weather rolled in and while we waited to see if it would pass before heading back to MK for fireworks, DH and kids check out the arcade (where we can hardly pull them away!).
Grab the boat back to MK at 7:30 (sky is now clear), stop in a couple of shops on Main St., then find an EXCELLENT location right by the "reserved seating" section in front of the restrooms off of Main St. We are right below the "wire" that guides TinkerBell at the start of the show. (While DH gets it all on video, my camera battery dies and I miss a GREAT shot of Tinkerbell!
). It is fun, BTW, to watch the castle change beautiful colors while waiting for the fireworks!No trouble getting a boat right away and we're back to the Lodge by 9:15. Tomorrow is Early Entry and we will return at 8:00am! (Don't know why Disney schedules fireworks and E.E. back-to-back!)
Thanks for clearing that up!
