Day Two 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
Well, I don't know who is more excited (me or the kids!) . . . at 4:30a.m. I awake and can't get back to sleep! I write some details down (to help with my trip reports!) and get the gang up at 7:00 (long day for me!).
We're out of the Lodge by 8:30 and get to MGM at opening. We could have taken our time actually because we are passing on the coaster and Tower of Terror in order to be first in line for Playhouse Disney (ahh, perhaps one day the wee ones will appreciate our sacrifices!
). Park was nearly deserted that early (or anyone who was there, was down at the 2 thrillers) and got some nice photos in front of the sorcerer's hat. DD was also thrilled to have plenty of time to explore the Princess Store located across from Playhouse Disney! Still no crowd and a CM was not only happy to take a family photo in front of Plyhs. Dis. but took the rope down so it wouldn't be in the pic! 
Just as we got into the show, I ran across the way to grab FP's for Mermaid to ensure we got into the show right after Plyhs. Dis. Kids really loved the Plysh. Dis. show!! It was so cute and my DS blushed as "Jamie" (the hostess with the mostess!)danced with him! Even my DD (the shy one!) was getting into it and bouncing around with the best of them!
Head over quickly to Mermaid and are among the last ones in. The show was "cute" and enjoyable (but I wouldn't have wanted to spend a long time waiting for it!). Then right into one of my favorites from my last visit as a kid - Animation Studios Tour! Kids thought it was great to see the animators working on their next big flick, "Brother Bear"! (Our last trip when I was 17, they were working on "The Little Mermaid" - the last film to be drawn all by hand!) While this may not be a big "draw" (like the pun!) for some, we love the inside peek at what's involved and the kids learned a lot, too!
Over to Toy Story Pizza Planet for lunch! We got the kids each their own meal, fearing that if it came in any sort of attractive packaging, there may be a battle between them if asked to share one. HOWEVER, there was no special effects, so to speak, and you get plenty in ONE meal for two little ones to share! So for those wondering about this, save your $ and get one!
Next got in line over at Al's Toy Barn to meet Buzz and Jesse (our first character greeting - of MANY to come!) Woody was over at MK we were told and wouldn't be back today.
Had just enough time to check out Honey I Shrunk the Kids movie set . . . A MUST SEE for anyone with little guys! They loved this gigantic playground and thought it was really neat to feel like a little bug in a big backyard!
Had to take a break for the p.m. and skip over to Grand Flor. for Alice's Tea Party! (Yeah, more characters!) I also rank this one up there in my MUST DO's for little guys! This was so cute, set up beautifully in a lovely setting at 1900 Park Faire. They get to decorate cupcakes and have "tea" - which DS declared tasted a lot like apple juice! Parents are asked to leave once kids are seated - a kids only event! DH and I enjoyed a stroll around the beautiful grounds and a "refreshment" from the poolside lounge! You pick them up an hour later and they have flower bouquets for Mom and a nice souvenir photo! They both thoroughly enjoyed it and it made for a nice break in the day!
Despite a blackening sky, we head back to MGM to finish a few more attractions. We had to put our ponchos on while waiting for the Beauty and the Beast show, but once inside, the theater was covered (outdoors, but covered) and rain had stopped when we came out! The show was great - top notch!
We spent some time in a Pooh's Corner gift shop and had a "magic" moment when kids asked to partake in Pooh Bowling! Each got a neat certificate! Okay, got to the counter to purchase a $10 item and that's when we discovered a MAJOR MISHAP on the part of the Lodge! Here's the details in a nutshell:
Using my resort ID charge, I was told it was declined, indicating to the cashier that it was maxed. I explained that I only checked in yesterday - that it couldn't have been! She phoned the W.L., was on hold for 10 minutes, had the CM at the WL speak to me, then put me on hold for another 5 minutes. Finally spoke to another CM at the WL who explained that the credit card we gave at check in had not been swiped and we had no charge priveleges until we returned to the front desk with our credit card! DH phoned them back (in a bit of a huff, I might add!
) spoke to a supervisor and explained that it was a grave error in judgement on their part to suddenly decide while we're at the park to shut off our account like that! It was only when he stated that he had two hungry kids at a park with more attractions to see (and no other means of payment on us!) that they realized it might be okay to reinstate the privileges for the remainder of the day! NOT a good experience for us! We were furious that we'd wasted nearly an hour at the park with phone calls and had to be subjected to this in the middle of a small purchase at the gift shop! DH further complained at Guest Services when we returned and the CM agreed that management should have simply left us a message explaining the error and asking us to come down to the desk when the message was received. 
The crowds after dinner at MGM had all dissipated (probably headed to Fantasmic - a pass for our timid DIStwins!) and we got right on Star Tours. Kids did not enjoy - a little too intense for them! Returned to the Honey I Shrunk Kids playlot and back to Lodge.
Monday evening's report (w/ first pool experience and "apology" surprise from WL) to follow later today! Have to get to work!
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
Well, I don't know who is more excited (me or the kids!) . . . at 4:30a.m. I awake and can't get back to sleep! I write some details down (to help with my trip reports!) and get the gang up at 7:00 (long day for me!).
We're out of the Lodge by 8:30 and get to MGM at opening. We could have taken our time actually because we are passing on the coaster and Tower of Terror in order to be first in line for Playhouse Disney (ahh, perhaps one day the wee ones will appreciate our sacrifices!
). Park was nearly deserted that early (or anyone who was there, was down at the 2 thrillers) and got some nice photos in front of the sorcerer's hat. DD was also thrilled to have plenty of time to explore the Princess Store located across from Playhouse Disney! Still no crowd and a CM was not only happy to take a family photo in front of Plyhs. Dis. but took the rope down so it wouldn't be in the pic! Just as we got into the show, I ran across the way to grab FP's for Mermaid to ensure we got into the show right after Plyhs. Dis. Kids really loved the Plysh. Dis. show!! It was so cute and my DS blushed as "Jamie" (the hostess with the mostess!)danced with him! Even my DD (the shy one!) was getting into it and bouncing around with the best of them!
Head over quickly to Mermaid and are among the last ones in. The show was "cute" and enjoyable (but I wouldn't have wanted to spend a long time waiting for it!). Then right into one of my favorites from my last visit as a kid - Animation Studios Tour! Kids thought it was great to see the animators working on their next big flick, "Brother Bear"! (Our last trip when I was 17, they were working on "The Little Mermaid" - the last film to be drawn all by hand!) While this may not be a big "draw" (like the pun!) for some, we love the inside peek at what's involved and the kids learned a lot, too!
Over to Toy Story Pizza Planet for lunch! We got the kids each their own meal, fearing that if it came in any sort of attractive packaging, there may be a battle between them if asked to share one. HOWEVER, there was no special effects, so to speak, and you get plenty in ONE meal for two little ones to share! So for those wondering about this, save your $ and get one!
Next got in line over at Al's Toy Barn to meet Buzz and Jesse (our first character greeting - of MANY to come!) Woody was over at MK we were told and wouldn't be back today.
Had just enough time to check out Honey I Shrunk the Kids movie set . . . A MUST SEE for anyone with little guys! They loved this gigantic playground and thought it was really neat to feel like a little bug in a big backyard!Had to take a break for the p.m. and skip over to Grand Flor. for Alice's Tea Party! (Yeah, more characters!) I also rank this one up there in my MUST DO's for little guys! This was so cute, set up beautifully in a lovely setting at 1900 Park Faire. They get to decorate cupcakes and have "tea" - which DS declared tasted a lot like apple juice!
Parents are asked to leave once kids are seated - a kids only event! DH and I enjoyed a stroll around the beautiful grounds and a "refreshment" from the poolside lounge! You pick them up an hour later and they have flower bouquets for Mom and a nice souvenir photo! They both thoroughly enjoyed it and it made for a nice break in the day!Despite a blackening sky, we head back to MGM to finish a few more attractions. We had to put our ponchos on while waiting for the Beauty and the Beast show, but once inside, the theater was covered (outdoors, but covered) and rain had stopped when we came out! The show was great - top notch!
We spent some time in a Pooh's Corner gift shop and had a "magic" moment when kids asked to partake in Pooh Bowling! Each got a neat certificate! Okay, got to the counter to purchase a $10 item and that's when we discovered a MAJOR MISHAP on the part of the Lodge!
Here's the details in a nutshell:Using my resort ID charge, I was told it was declined, indicating to the cashier that it was maxed. I explained that I only checked in yesterday - that it couldn't have been! She phoned the W.L., was on hold for 10 minutes, had the CM at the WL speak to me, then put me on hold for another 5 minutes. Finally spoke to another CM at the WL who explained that the credit card we gave at check in had not been swiped and we had no charge priveleges until we returned to the front desk with our credit card! DH phoned them back (in a bit of a huff, I might add!
) spoke to a supervisor and explained that it was a grave error in judgement on their part to suddenly decide while we're at the park to shut off our account like that! It was only when he stated that he had two hungry kids at a park with more attractions to see (and no other means of payment on us!) that they realized it might be okay to reinstate the privileges for the remainder of the day! NOT a good experience for us! We were furious that we'd wasted nearly an hour at the park with phone calls and had to be subjected to this in the middle of a small purchase at the gift shop! DH further complained at Guest Services when we returned and the CM agreed that management should have simply left us a message explaining the error and asking us to come down to the desk when the message was received. The crowds after dinner at MGM had all dissipated (probably headed to Fantasmic - a pass for our timid DIStwins!) and we got right on Star Tours. Kids did not enjoy - a little too intense for them! Returned to the Honey I Shrunk Kids playlot and back to Lodge.
Monday evening's report (w/ first pool experience and "apology" surprise from WL) to follow later today! Have to get to work!
