Dreams come true...WDW 8/30-9/16

[LindaBabe]

Yes, the photo with your dear man in it DID come out. And, after y'all left, I had an 'encounter' with another handsome man - the infamous black Jack duPree. You'll be amused by that photo too. heheh.

 

[jaycns]

I am really loving your report! And congrats on your upcoming arrival!
Looking foward to more

Thanks!!

Wow! I can't believe all the "magic" you were blessed with!
I loved the pictures from the parade.

We were very blessed. Our little "Goofy" had one of the best nights ever!!

Hey Jay!

Thanks for all the great info about ASMovies. I'll have to see if it's available during our stay.

You're the best!

No problem! I think it's hard to go wrong at Disney. I think a lot of what people don't like about one resort but love about another just comes down to personal preferences. Then again, a value is a value for a reason and a deluxe is a deluxe for another reason...but most people know that going in!

Yes, the photo with your dear man in it DID come out. And, after y'all left, I had an 'encounter' with another handsome man - the infamous black Jack duPree. You'll be amused by that photo too. heheh.

Linda, if I didn't know better I would say that B is in trouble! He might have to fend off black Jack for his wife!!

I will have another installment up later tonight. I just wanted to pop in and say good morning! Thanks for sticking with me everyone.

UP NEXT: A day at the Magic Kingdom

 

[newjmom]

WOW! Great Trip report. We are staying at AKL in Nov. (DS 7 and 5)and you have really made me feel great about our choice. I hope to have as much time to do the bead activities as it sounds like your boys really enjoyed them (Do you get a daily schedule at check in?)
Is there a "must do" for the boys at the hotel?

Your Pirate party pictures look like so much fun, we are thining of doing MNSSH but are afraid it may be too late for the boys, do you recommend it?

Oh, and BIG Congrats on your newest Prince Boys are so much fun! i loved your big reveal story!

 

[jaycns]

Back to the Magic Kingdom we go!!

This morning found us barely getting to the lounge in time for breakfast. After our late night at the P&P party and topping that off with me being the "up and at 'em" one in our group (and being way too tired myself) it was a miracle we even made it to the lounge in the morning!

Once awake and in the lounge we grabbed a light breakfast (lunch was coming soon) and made our way down to the bus stop.

**STOP THE PRESSES...did Jay just say she was going to attempt riding a bus?! Jay the hater of buses. The one who swore she would never be hearded like cattle? YES, I was going to try it. Those bus stops at the parks looked so temptingly close to the front gates. And walking for two led me to believe that anything that saved me a few steps was at least worth trying. So, I would be brave and try the bus. As we walked out to the bus I was expecting to hate it. I had grabbed enough cash that we could take a cab back to the resort if I hated it as much as I feared or the long lines I had heard about materialized.**

One of my sole complaints about AKL is the smoking areas. To get to the bus stops you need to walk past a smoking area set up right to the right of the main entrance. We learned to just cut through the marketplace instead of walking through the smoke but it still seems like poor placement to me.

So past the smoke plumes we walked (holding our breath) and to the bus stops. I was happily surprised to see just one other family waiting for the bus to the Magic Kingdom. Within five minutes of our arrival at the bus stop (which was closer to our room then our parking space) we were on the bus with only 5 other people total. Being as AKL doesn't share buses with any other resorts, you aren't fighting an already boarded crowd for a seat. Thus far I was happy with my "get on the bus" decision. No crowd, clean, cool. Nothing like I had feared. The Magic Kingdom bus stop is "right there" so you have a very short walk once you pull up.

We were finally here! And our first stop? A visit with Pinocchio and Geppeto. "Aladdin" saw them out of the corner of his eye and wanted to meet them. He hadn't seen Geppeto in a few years. The line was about 5 families long so within a few minutes we were meeting the wooden boy and his father.

It wasn't long after the boys walked up to them that Geppeto started to play with "Stitch's" hair. He would fluff it, push it, try to mohawk it. It was so funny!! Then he did a lot of pointing at Pinocchio's hair and back to "Stitch". I am not sure what he was really saying...but we figured he either thought "Stitch" had hair like Pinocchio, "Stitch" was the real live boy version of Pinocchio or Geppeto just liked hair! You can see in this next picture that "Goofy" was afraid of what would happen to his head when he went to stand next to Geppeto.

All of the playing aside, we got a pretty cute shot of all five trouble makers.

And then it was time to head to Cinderella's Castle. We were about to have lunch with the princesses!!

Although this was a two credit meal on the dining plan, it came with two sets of photos (because our group had 5 in it) that were included in the price of the meal. Another neat thing that came with the meal were the swords the boys got upon entering the dining hall.

My three princes, "Aladdin", "Goofy" and "Stitch" (in that order).

You might think I am a bit mean to drag a family of boys here...but THEY LIKE IT! I swear! Actually, this was the day that "Goofy" chose to celebrate his birthday at WDW and this was his specific request of where
to do it. In his honor, our table was sprinkled with golden castle and silver pumpkin coach confetti. Our server also brought him over a card signed by Cinderella herself. As the rest of the characters made their ways to our table, he collected the rest of their signatures.

First up was Mary Poppins.

After Mary, my favorite princess, Belle came by. She spent a good bit of time talking with our little princes.

Yawn...up next was Sleeping Beauty. She was very sweet.

Last (but never, in this castle, least) was the Fairy Godmother herself. She spent a long time talking to "Stitch". She was trying to hook him up with one of her other "Goddaughters". It was a very cute and funny exchange.

This meal was not all about characters, we also had some delicious food.
Dh and myself chose the Major Domo's Pie. OH YUM! So rich and hearty. We both really enjoyed this meal.

Our boys however, all reverted to hot dogs (of course ). Even "Aladdin" who is on the adult plan chose an adult size portion of the kid's offerings. Not sure about their tastes....but we love them anyways.

They had a cute wishing ceremony where the boys lifted their swords above their heads and the girls lifted the wands they were given above their heads and the lights twinkled and they all wished on a wishing star.

Then came dessert. All of my boys chose the crown sundaes...including my biggest boy, dh. He (along with "Aladdin") got an adult size portion and lapped it all up. I had the raspberry sorbet which I thought was delicious. And light enough that I was able to take at least a few bites after such a big lunch.

The birthday boy also got a cupcake that had melted white chocolate all over it. Our server even put a candle in it! It was a very nice ending to a very enjoyable meal.

It was a very hot day. So we walked over to Mickey's Philharmagic and enjoyed that (and it's air conditioning). We also took a ride with Snow White and hopped on IASW again. But by then the heat was zapping my energy. Usually Disney in September doesn't get me, so I am guessing being pregnant had a lot to do with it. I went and sat on a shaded bench while dh took the boys to do Splash Mountain. By the time they got back we had about 45 minutes before the afternoon parade. So we grabbed a bench, some bottled water and popsicles for the boys and did some people watching. The boys also had a great time interacting with the CMs who are out there with toys/games before the parade starts. "Stitch" especially ate the activities up. He played hop scotch, fling a frog (or something like that where you throw a stuffed frog and the other player tries to catch it on a paddle), turtle toss (like bean bag toss) and hula hoop. The boys also hopped up and caught just about every CM walking by in order to trade pins with them. They have become quite the little pin traders, if I do say so myself!

And then it was time for the parade!!

To be continued...

 

[kokotg]

ooh, subscribing! I remember reading your report last year....I always enjoy reading about other 3 boy trips!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Congratulations on the new little prince!

And wonderful news about your father getting better!!!!

I will be praying for you, your new prince and your dad.

The attention your one son got during the party had me in tears. I can just imagine him being so nervous about his outfit and then he got TONS of special attention because of his outfit! Love it!!! Disney is so amazing, I can't wait to take my little one there!!

 

[jaycns]

Although it was hot (and by hot I mean I felt like I was in a dryer), the parade route was uncrowded. So we were able to retain our seats by setting our day pack in front of us and just lounging around on the bench. Did I mention, I love Disney in the off season!! Although we had gotten there early, just 5 minutes before parade time we could still see some front row openings along the curb line! After the parade started we saw the final gaps start to fill in, but nobody was more then two deep anywhere in sight!

Now on with the parade!!!

Mickey Mouse!! How fitting for him to help kick it off!

The next characters that went by us were naughty indeed! They tried to motion to "Stitch" that he should run away!

And something about "Stitch's" hair must attract Pinocchio characters since he too stopped to tossle his hair! "Stitch" was loving the attention!

And then came Pooh! Always one of my favorites!

Mary Poppins sure had dressed down since we had last seen her at lunch!

maybe to fit in better with her friends, the chimeny sweeps!

To be continued...

 

[brookelizabeth]

Mary Poppins sure had dressed down since we had last seen her at lunch!

Can you imagine wearing that long coat and scarf in that hot weather?! I hope Mary gets paid well!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Great parade shots!

 

[jaycns]

And yet more parade!!

Now I love Stitch, but he just didn't seem to fit in with this group!

And an up close encounter with a mouse! She came over and gave each of the boys a high five!

One of my favorite shots!

And that's all folks! Well, all of the parade that is. Once the end rolled by we all decided that it was time to head over to the Hall of Presidents and cool down while enjoying the show. All of us actually LIKE this show. I think that the animatronic figures are amazing. They are so lifelike. They even fidget a bit as others are speaking. My boys really enjoy it too. It's a must see each trip (for our family at least). And on this day in particular, it gave me the bit of cooling down time I needed.

After the Hall of Presidents we headed over to Tomorrowland and had a bit of late afternoon fun. We rode Buzz Lightyear 3 times in a row. There were no lines to speak of and we were having fun competing. Next up we headed over and rode of the TTA.

Following that tour around Tomorrowland we split up, dh took "Aladdin" to ride Space Mountain and I took the younger boys back to Buzz Lightyear. They were able to walk on with about a five minute wait. It was a great time to be in Tomorrowland. Who should be at our meeting place but the crazy alien himself, Stitch! He had no line so the boys were able to play with him for almost 5 minutes! That was a special time for all of them!

Our last ride in Tomorrowland was the Carousel of Progress. Except for dh (who would skip it for the rest of his life) we all really like this ride. The boys and I got the song in our heads and sang "it's a great big beautiful tomorrow" off and on for the rest of the day. Hey, it's a catchy tune!!

Singing our way out of Tomorrowland we made our way over to the Liberty Tree Tavern. We were still a bit full from lunch, but looking forward to a good dinner there.

To be continued...

 

[jaycns]

I have used this description many times before, but I think it's the best I can do. The food at LTT is a cross between Thanksgiving dinner and Sunday dinner. It's comfort food plain and simple. A plain yet tasty salad. Lots starches (potatoes, rolls, stuffing, macaroni and cheese) and meats (roast beef, roast turkey and ham) and gravy. With really good green beans on side. It's a good stick to your ribs kind of a meal. Nothing fancy or gourmet, in fact so far from it that you will be very disappointed if that is what you are coming in to find. BUT...our family rates it way up the list of Disney table service restaurants. It's homey, yummy and comforting. Not to mention the great character interaction and the awesome setting (a colonial tavern)! LTT is tops in our books!

Our little chip lover had to grab a few extra hugs when Chip made his way around!

And here it looks like Minnie is trying eat "Stitch" (but she was really trying to kiss him).

The boys were really enjoying this meal. See the glass mug in the picture below? We have a set of those that I love to use! They are about $5 each and you can buy them from your server at the end of your meal (you get fresh, unused ones all boxed up to go).

Here is the Goofy with our "Goofy". Those two had a special bond.

After hugs Goofy did a bit of what he does best, he goofed around.

Another rascally dog followed Goofy. Our next visitor was Pluto. He was SO very funny. He first tricked "Stitch" out of his seat by pretending to want a hug. Up went "Stitch" and down at Goofy in his chair! He then proceeded to try and lick "Stitch's" plate clean.

Then his ever so sneaky self tricked "Goofy" out of his seat by motioning to take a picture. He once again didn't stop to pose but instead plopped down in his seat. In this next picture, you can see "Stitch" giving him a lecture about good dog behavior!

That seems to have finally worked. Pluto then stood up and grabbed them all in a hug. Finally, he gave the birthday boy, his very own hug and moved on.

Speaking of our birthday boy, at the end of the delicious meal, "Goofy" got another birthday treat. This one was WARM chocolate cake covered in melted white chocolate with blue and red sprinkles (very patriotic looking). He was also given a card signed by all of the characters. He was ear to ear smiles once again!

After what was a very good (we ate way too much) dinner we called it a day (at least as far as parks were concerned) and headed back toward the MK bus stop area. Upon arrival there, my worst nightmare about bus travel once again proved to not be true. We were the only ones waiting for a bus and it pulled up within 10 minutes. On we hopped and we were very shortly back "home" at AKL.

To be continued...

 

[SkyGirl]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOOFY!

One thing I especially love is your pictures. You can tell just by looking at them that the boys have such ease with having their picture taken and don't mind posing or just being themselves. I love pictures like that -- my daughter was the same growing up. (She still is!)

Your next trip and ours are falling on nearly the same days. We go from November 26 until December 5th! Can't wait!

 

[MouseTriper]

Oh yes....another TR from Jay!!! I loved your last one!!! I have been waiting to hear all about your recent trip. I just finished reading and I want MORE!!! More, more and more!!! Hahaha!!!

Your family is just adorable and I love all the pictures!!!! Awesome job on the photos Jay! The ones you captured on the safari are brillant and the ones of the boys are just way too cute!

The Princess and Pirate Party sounded like a blast. Goofy's magical moments were so sweet and I am sure he is not the only one that will remember those forever....I have a feeling you will cherish them for a long time to come. That one picture of him with Aladdin doing the "Princely" pose tells it all. That's a keeper and one that should be blown up and framed!

I am happy to read that you took breaks when needed. I am so excited for you and your family - a new little baby boy! My congratulations and prayers go out to you and your family!!! The cake surprise was awesome and looked scrumptious. The expressions on your boys faces were priceless!! Big brothers to be!!!

I love how you guys relish all the little things...like the family time before parades and whatnot!! I think reading all those things is what makes me love your TRs that much more!!!

Now....hurry up and write some more!! I am not very patient! Hahaha.

 

[jaycns]

WOW! Great Trip report. We are staying at AKL in Nov. (DS 7 and 5)and you have really made me feel great about our choice. I hope to have as much time to do the bead activities as it sounds like your boys really enjoyed them (Do you get a daily schedule at check in?)
Is there a "must do" for the boys at the hotel?

Your Pirate party pictures look like so much fun, we are thining of doing MNSSH but are afraid it may be too late for the boys, do you recommend it?

Oh, and BIG Congrats on your newest Prince Boys are so much fun! i loved your big reveal story!

You did indeed make a great choice of resorts! I am so torn...where do I make our next reservation...AKL or the CR? I love them both dearly, for totally different reasons!

Actually they have a schedule posted in the lobby over near the bell stand. Make sure you grab a pen. I never found one printed up. Although they do have a printed schedule for the bead activities, the rest of the many activities were not listed.

As far as must do...the boys loved the animal tracking. Actually working on and getting your "totem" bead is super cool so all of the bead activities were must dos for my boys.

Thanks for the congrats! We cannot wait to meet him!

ooh, subscribing! I remember reading your report last year....I always enjoy reading about other 3 boy trips!

So do I (love reading other trip reports with little boys starring in them).

Congratulations on the new little prince!

And wonderful news about your father getting better!!!!

I will be praying for you, your new prince and your dad.

The attention your one son got during the party had me in tears. I can just imagine him being so nervous about his outfit and then he got TONS of special attention because of his outfit! Love it!!! Disney is so amazing, I can't wait to take my little one there!!

Thanks!! I had tears in my eyes too! It was such a special time for him. And the other boys were loving watching their brother so happy. It was a great night all around!

Thank you so much for your prayers. They are very appreciated!!!

PS When do you think your little prince will make his big "first trip" to WDW? Will he be staying at AKL?

Can you imagine wearing that long coat and scarf in that hot weather?! I hope Mary gets paid well!

HA HA! Dh said something very similar when we saw her float go past!

Great parade shots!

Thanks, I think I go a bit crazy...but I sure do have fun snapping away!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOOFY!

One thing I especially love is your pictures. You can tell just by looking at them that the boys have such ease with having their picture taken and don't mind posing or just being themselves. I love pictures like that -- my daughter was the same growing up. (She still is!)

Your next trip and ours are falling on nearly the same days. We go from November 26 until December 5th! Can't wait!

I hope the doctor gives me the okay for our next trip, however, at this point, it is not as likely as I would like...but I can always keep wishing and hoping!

And those poor boys have no choice on the picture front, I have stuck a lens in their poor faces since birth.

Oh yes....another TR from Jay!!! I loved your last one!!! I have been waiting to hear all about your recent trip. I just finished reading and I want MORE!!! More, more and more!!! Hahaha!!!

Your family is just adorable and I love all the pictures!!!! Awesome job on the photos Jay! The ones you captured on the safari are brillant and the ones of the boys are just way too cute!

The Princess and Pirate Party sounded like a blast. Goofy's magical moments were so sweet and I am sure he is not the only one that will remember those forever....I have a feeling you will cherish them for a long time to come. That one picture of him with Aladdin doing the "Princely" pose tells it all. That's a keeper and one that should be blown up and framed!

I am happy to read that you took breaks when needed. I am so excited for you and your family - a new little baby boy! My congratulations and prayers go out to you and your family!!! The cake surprise was awesome and looked scrumptious. The expressions on your boys faces were priceless!! Big brothers to be!!!

I love how you guys relish all the little things...like the family time before parades and whatnot!! I think reading all those things is what makes me love your TRs that much more!!!

Now....hurry up and write some more!! I am not very patient! Hahaha.

THANK YOU!! I took tips on the safari pictures (and the others) from you. All failures are my own...but a lot of the good results are due to the tips you gave me. So THANKS again!

 

[LindaBabe]

Oh WHAT fun you are all having! Even if your husband isn't the world's biggest Disney fan, all he has to do is look at these photos to remind himself why he does these trips. They're priceless - and oh how your future grandchildren will love looking at them before you take them to the world, some 20 odd years from now.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Thanks, I think I go a bit crazy...but I sure do have fun snapping away!

You are talking to the Queen of going nuts with the camera. I came home with about 3000 photos from our 8 day trip.

 

[swankybeth]

It was a great night! I am working on that update right now. However off topic this may be, I just have to ask, have you had any bubble tea lately? I thought of you while I was at EPCOT and debated getting a cup. I chose to skip it this time with my morning sick feeling tummy. I consoled myself that you said it wasn't the best there anyway. Next time I am in the China Town area, I am going to track down a cup!

I haven't had any lately. The Chinatown type area that I get it from isn't that close to where I live and the traffic over there is a nightmare, so it's been awhile. I've been craving it and I think I'm just going to make DH go with me one day!

Anyway, loving the report of course. Loved reading about the Pirate & Princess Party, sounds like a great time.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Our big lug of a dog ate garbage once again (he LIVES for dining on garbage, the more rotten, the better). He is the dog Houdini...he can break into locked cabinets, open closed garbage containers and do it all quietly enough that nobody knows he is into it before we find the mess.

Well, last night he binged on enough day old gross stuff to make himself sick (I said Houdini, not Einstein!) . We all spent the better part of the night running him out and cleaning up after he didn't make it out. NOT a happy family moment!

Oh no!!! What a mess! I had a dog once that got ahold of some raw round steak that I had left on the counter to thaw - he ate the whole thing Cleaning up the aftermath of that was no fun at all, so I can empathize

 

[brookelizabeth]

PS When do you think your little prince will make his big "first trip" to WDW? Will he be staying at AKL?

That is a tough one for DH and I. We aren't sure what age is good to take a little one to Disney for the first time-and we are trying very hard to get out of debt ASAP. So....I am hoping for next September when he is one, but we'll see... I'm not sure if one is a good age or not, or if we should wait until he's a bit older so he can do more...? We are at a loss about all that.

As far as AKL, I would LOVE to stay there again, but DH really wants to try the Boardwalk. We ate lunch there one day and just walked around it-he gushed about how awesome it was...so that is where we will probably be. And while I loved AKL soooo very much, it would be nice to try a new resort too! We'll have to get breakfast or dinner at AKL no matter what though!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I was out of town for a few days and just finished getting caught up. It sounds like Goofy had a wonderful birthday. We've never been to LTT, but we may have to give it a try - that is if I can get my Disney grump of a DH to agree to another trip

I love all of your parade photos, my boys won't stop for the parades - they are just too busy, so I never get to see them. Therefore, I am living vicariously through you! Thanks!!