Disney with 4 kids and a dog and we only lost one of them!!

[Shan-man]

I know you didn't ask me, but I just have to interject! We bought my wife a new camera recently and we LOVE it! It was Consumer Reports top pick for subcompact. It is the Canon Digital Elph Powershot SD 1100 IS, and I've seen it on sale locally for as little as $130! It is an 8MP and takes great pics... as nice as my $500 camera (except in low light, where my Lecia lens excels). And it is nice and small, my wife can carry it in her pocket. If I have any complaint about it, it's that it is prone to lens glare when strong light is raking across the lens and can cause a red, washed out area in the picture. If you are aware of it, it's easy enough to shield the lens with your hand. It's a minor complaint in an otherwise nifty, and thrifty, little camera.

 

[liv luvs disney]

REALLY enjoying your TR. It's like reading a very good book!

 

[elizablake]

I am really enjoying your trip report. Your pictures are amazing, very clear. I am thinking about investing in a new camera before our Dec. trip to WDW. What type of camera do you have and would you recommend it?

I'm not a photographer but my father is and he had been trying to talk me into an SLR for a while now. I got a Canon Rebel XT last year. The lens it came with is a 18-55mm and I use it a lot. I got a cheap zoom lens too. It's a 75-300mm. I plan to get a prime lens this year but I'm still doing the research. I plan to spend a little more so it's a big decision. I'm leaning towards an 85mm f/1.8.

I would recommend it. But only if you don't want a point and shoot camera. Any idiot can learn to use one, I'm proof of that. Just get a book.

I know you didn't ask me, but I just have to interject! We bought my wife a new camera recently and we LOVE it! It was Consumer Reports top pick for subcompact. It is the Canon Digital Elph Powershot SD 1100 IS, and I've seen it on sale locally for as little as $130! It is an 8MP and takes great pics... as nice as my $500 camera (except in low light, where my Lecia lens excels). And it is nice and small, my wife can carry it in her pocket. If I have any complaint about it, it's that it is prone to lens glare when strong light is raking across the lens and can cause a red, washed out area in the picture. If you are aware of it, it's easy enough to shield the lens with your hand. It's a minor complaint in an otherwise nifty, and thrifty, little camera.

One of my co-workers got the same camera and LOVES it. I rarely hear complaints about Canon point and shoot cameras.

REALLY enjoying your TR. It's like reading a very good book!

Thanks!

 

[elizablake]

I am really enjoying your trip report. Your pictures are amazing, very clear. I am thinking about investing in a new camera before our Dec. trip to WDW. What type of camera do you have and would you recommend it?

Sorry to answer you question twice but forgot to mention that the great thing about an SLR is that if you decide to buy a great lens later you can get better photos.

These were taken with a borrowed lens that costs more than I am willing to spend:

 

[nat1234]

I'm so glad that you were able find Scooter. I have a dog as well and know how I would feel if something happened to her. I'm loving your pictures. The kids look like they're having a great time. You take great pictures with your SLR. I have a Canon digital elph SD 800 which I love. I'm most likely going to upgrade to a SLR this summer and am looking at a Canon Rebel. Thanks for making me think this might be a good choice. Now I'm waiting for more of your trip.

 

[Boomer1]

Thanks elizablake and Shan-man for the reponse. I'm definately a point and shoot type of photographer or as my reporter friend says I need a PHD (push here dummy)camera. Perhaps when I can invest the time and money I will try a better camera and take some awesome pics.

 

[elizablake]

EPCOT Day!

My DH loves EPCOT. Last trip Soarin’ was one of our favorite rides. We had big plans for the day so everyone got up early and we arrived at EPCOT at 8:30. We decided to keep the golf cart another day just for fun.

No, we did not force the kids to wear the matching shirts everyday. They wanted to and we got really sick of washing them.

It was going to be HOT and no rain in the forecast so we brought extra water. We put on sunscreen in the line and at about 8:45 we were able to go through the turnstiles. We headed towards The Land and waited for it to open. DH and DN(10) went to get Soarin’ FPs while the girls went to meet characters. We were one of the first people in the Character Spot. Love this area. Cartoons while you wait, air conditioning, great backgrounds for photos and you get to meet several characters but only wait in one line.

When we were leaving we saw Belle in the hallway.

We met up with the guys and went to check the standby wait time for Test Track. 40 minutes was too long.

Instead we decided to ride Mission Space. We got a rider swap since DD(4) wasn’t tall enough. The rest of the kids went in with DH. DD and I took some photos and then went through the gift shop to the interactive area of Mission Space.

We found DN(11) there waiting, she had chickened out at the last minute. We sent e-mails to our friends- which no one received. And checked out the play area.

Everyone else was off the ride pretty soon and we headed toward Spaceship Earth. We had never ridden it before. DH and I loved it but the kids said it was lame.

Then we rode the Nemo clamshells and spent a few minutes checking out the aquariums. We decided not to see Turtle Talk.

All six of us rode Soarin’ and loved it.

Next we headed to the World Showcase and got Test Track fastpasses on our way.

Area to cool off near Test Track:

We started in Mexico and rode the boat ride-can’t remember the name. We made our way around the world stopping to at the Kidcot stations. We rode Malestrom in Norway but skipped the movie. We got icecream along the way. I wish I had remembered the shaved ice in Japan-it would have been perfect for such a hot day. By the time we got to Canada, we were exhausted, hot, hungry and cranky. I didn't take many photos.

We rode Test Track with our FPs except for DN(11) who changed her mind at the last minute. The DN(7), DN(10) and I used our rider swap to ride Mission Space. The kids rode the intense side this time but I stuck with green. At least they didn’t throw up. We visited Club Cool and suckered all the kids into trying Beverly. I wish I had gotten photos, their faces were priceless.

We were all beat so we went back to the RV to eat some lunch and hit the pool.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I have been a little busy the past couple of weeks, and I just now had a chance to read this great trip report! Great job! It was so nice of you to bring the cousins on this trip. You have created memories for your daughter and her cousins that they will have for life! Good for you!

TCD

p.s. If anyone is wondering where old TCD has been lately, you might want to check out the Disney Cruise Line trip reports section.

 

[chinsmom1997]

Great report. We were there last week too and didn't see or hear any of this.

Tester, we were your neighbors in 1700 loop! My Daughter and her friend were there for the search the night it happened. We were so glad to see you all and scooter near the campfire program. And Tester I was going to bring it up to you in one of our conversations, but we were being serinaded all day by a dog stuck in a pop up! LOL! Yes it was an eventful week at the Fort between 6/6 and 6/12 between dogs getting lost, sewers exploding, helicopters, dogs being trapped in pop ups all day. Who needs the parks, we had our own entertainment right at the fort
Sheri

 

[elizablake]

Tester, we were your neighbors in 1700 loop! My Daughter and her friend were there for the search the night it happened. We were so glad to see you all and scooter near the campfire program. And Tester I was going to bring it up to you in one of our conversations, but we were being serinaded all day by a dog stuck in a pop up! LOL! Yes it was an eventful week at the Fort between 6/6 and 6/12 between dogs getting lost, sewers exploding, helicopters, dogs being trapped in pop ups all day. Who needs the parks, we had our own entertainment right at the fort
Sheri

I remember you and your daughter! You were such a big help searching that first night. The girls were in a golf cart, right? Hope you had a great trip.

 

[elizablake]

I have been a little busy the past couple of weeks, and I just now had a chance to read this great trip report! Great job! It was so nice of you to bring the cousins on this trip. You have created memories for your daughter and her cousins that they will have for life! Good for you!

TCD

p.s. If anyone is wondering where old TCD has been lately, you might want to check out the Disney Cruise Line trip reports section.

Thanks. I actually thought about you on our trip. We were breaking into restricted areas looking for the dog and I thought I should be taking photos to post like TCD.

 

[momoffive]

I've been away for a while too. I have really enjoyed reading your TR. SO happy you found the pup, what an ordeal. I have to say you must be very special to take on the added responsibility of 3 extra children, but I'm sure you gave them memories they will cherish forever.
Loretta

 

[chinsmom1997]

I remember you and your daughter! You were such a big help searching that first night. The girls were in a golf cart, right? Hope you had a great trip.

Yes they were the ones in the Golf Cart and we also met you almost each morning for an update LOL! I am sooo glad he was found, being a ****z tzu owner myself, I was picturing your site bill after you stayed there all month looking for him!

 

[elizablake]

Sorry for the delay in the rest of my trip report. Life got in the way.

When I left off we were catching the bus at EPCOT. We were hot, tired and hungry. All the kids liked Futureworld but the World Showcase was not a hit. It was too much walking and just too hot. The kids liked the KIDCOT stations but we never found any characters. They all seemed to be on break. In hindsight, it would have been better to do Futureworld one day and the World Showcase another.

We decided not to go back to EPCOT for Illuminations and relax at the campground instead.

The pool was a huge hit with all the kids all week. I love the changes. The water slide always had a line but it moved quickly. The spray area is well designed. I thought the kids were too old/tall but the lifeguard said they were fine to play in there. They only stayed for a few minutes and I watched closely to make sure they didn’t run over any toddlers.

Look who finally came to the pool with us!

We had one huge development. Yesterday DD(4) couldn't swim. She wouldn't even get in the water without her life jacket. 24 hours later she was a pro. She wanted to go down the slide without her life jacket. I was concerned but she told me, "A kid's gotta do what a kid's gotta do." No idea what that means but sure enough she went down the slide, went underwater, swam to the surface and over to the side of the pool. Here is a photo of her swimming to DH.

DD(10) made a friend. A boy staying at the Fort with his father. DH and I got along with the father very well. They live in Florida and have season passes. (Where is the jealous smile). We all decided to meet up the following afternoon at the pool.

There was an alligator in the lake by the pool. He was about 4 feet. Glad I saw that after we found scooter.

Brave soul trying to catch him:

I wanted to stay and watch but the alligator doesn't sign autographs but this guy does:

We sat on the bleachers in the back. If your kids are serious about meeting Chip and Dale, sit on the benches toward the front. By the time the chipmunks got back there it was a free for all. I told the kids, “Follow the rules. Just sit and be patient and you’ll get you turn” but when Dale started to leave I said, “Never mind. Attack. Take no prisoners. It’s every man for himself”.

We went back to the campsite and had a light dinner. I took Scooter and the little girls to the playground/dog park. I thought Scooter would like to run around but he just sat and stared at me like, “Not this again, I’ve had enough of the great outdoors”. The kids played for a few minutes and we drove around checking out the other loops.

 

[elizablake]

We had visited all the parks except Hollywood Studios (except Fantasmic) so we got up early to make rope drop at HS. Everyone was super excited about Toy Story.

FYI, this is the look your husband gives you when you drop the camera and shout obscenities in front of countless of children:

Waiting for the park to open with "a few" other people:

As soon as the park opened DH went to get FPs for Toy Story. The kids and I took our time getting there. DH still had about 10 minutes in the FP line so he said to ride it without him. We only waited about 10 minutes in the standby line.

All the kids LOVED the ride. My score was the highest (kinda sad when you brag about beating little kids). We met back up with the DH. We couldn’t get more FPs till 10:50 and it was only 9:35. DN(7) and DN(10) desperately wanted to ride Rock-n-Rollercoaster. We warned them the standby line would be long but they said it was worth it to ride now so we all walked to RNRC and we got a rider swap so I could ride with the two dare devils later. The posted wait time was 60 mins.

DN(11), DD(4) and I stopped by Starring Rolls for a treat. Then we rented a stroller since ours needed some serious repair. It was well worn when we began the trip putting DD(7) and DD(4) in it at the same time finished it off. I picked up a double stroller thing “Great. Now the little girls won’t fight over it anymore”. But now the 10 year old wanted to ride in it. LOL. I can’t win.

DN(11), DD(4) and I were still waiting for the other three so we saw the show at Magic of Disney Animation. I thought it was cute but next time I might try to sneak in the back way. We got in line to meet the Up characters since Mickey's line was super long.

DD(4) scratched the dog’s belly and he shook his legs. Very cute.

Then we explored the interactive area. I can’t remember what it was called but we did the station where you answer questions and then it tells you what character you are most like. DD(4) is like Tinkerbell, DN(11) is like Cinderella and I am like Mulan.

By then the others had ridden RNRC and gotten FPs for Tower of Terror. We met at the Great Movie Ride. We waited about 30 mins. No one else wanted to ride it so I had 5 sets of angry eyes staring me down the whole wait. But everyone enjoyed the ride, especially DD(4). DH had a nice nap.

It was getting hot and crowded so we found a quiet spot to have a snack. We brought snacks to the parks everyday which really saved us some money. We also gave the kids $5 a day to buy ice cream or other treats.

It was about almost 1:00 so we rode Toy Story. Unfortunately, DN(10) beat my score this time. Oh well, one less kid to put in my will. Then DN(7), DN(10) and I used our rider swap to ride RNRC and 3 of our TOT FPs. DH, DD(4) and DN(11) saw Voyage of the Little Mermaid (another nice nap for DH).

"No kids, I said look scared not hot"

We met up at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground and DH took the dare devils to use their TOT FPs. Then we went “home”.

More sugar:

It hadn’t rained since Sunday so the pool was really warm but still refreshing. DN(10) met up with his friend from the day before and we all had a nice afternoon.

 

[JCJRSmith]

Great report, and as others have said, you really do take wonderful pictures. More, More, I'm Still Not Satisfied!!!!!

 

[campingfam]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time Always like reading these trip reports.

 

[guardwife66]

EPCOT Day!


We visited Club Cool and suckered all the kids into trying Beverly.

What is Club Cool and what is Beverly??

 

[Shan-man]

Club Cool is the free sampling station for international Coke products. You get to taste popular flavors from around the world, and it's free! Beverly is an aperitif from France (IIRC) and is something you just have to experience, it cannot be sufficiently described.

 

[elizablake]

Club Cool is the free sampling station for international Coke products. You get to taste popular flavors from around the world, and it's free! Beverly is an aperitif from France (IIRC) and is something you just have to experience, it cannot be sufficiently described.

I can sufficiently describe it as ear wax flavored soda water.

Some of the other flavors are yummy though.