Epic Mickey - 10 day girls trip - Aug/Sept! *Updated 8/25 - 7 hours!!*

[beebeeryan]

Love that your DD wore a t-shirt skiing!

Haven't been to Seaworld ever and still no desire to go. I'm not sure anything is worth the hassle of leaving Disney property just yet. Maybe when the kids are older. LOL

 

[PixieMama]

When we took the girls to Sea World a few summers ago, I could not talk H into going on Manta with me. I'm still bummed about not getting to ride it!

 

[Kat in GA]

Loving the mini trip report It's making me wish that I had planned the day at Seaworld that I was thinking of doing. Oh well there's always next year

We always need a "reason" to go back, right? Even with two full days there, we still didn't see everything. Of course a lot of time was spent riding the coasters again and again. And again. And again...

Love that your DD wore a t-shirt skiing!

Haven't been to Seaworld ever and still no desire to go. I'm not sure anything is worth the hassle of leaving Disney property just yet. Maybe when the kids are older. LOL

when we were skiing, she eventually put on a jacket - but that was just because the snow "hurt" when she fell down! I don't know why she is so hot natured!

I am sure that Disney is thrilled that you have no desire to go! I must say that it is not the same feeling that you get from Disney. I listened to one sea World worker complain that they were forcing her to work even though she had hurt her foot and couldn't stand. And mind you, this is not just general complaining I overheard - she was telling me!

When we took the girls to Sea World a few summers ago, I could not talk H into going on Manta with me. I'm still bummed about not getting to ride it!

I think that you need to borrow my girls! They LOVED Manta - and are still talking about how much fun that they had on it.

 

[PixieMama]

I couldn't get her to go on any of the coasters at Busch Gardens, either!

Oh, well. Guess it gives us a reason to go back, right?

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

It looks like so much fun to feed the dolphins. Will definitely have to do that whenever we go back whenever that will be.

We only saw about half of Sea World when we were there several years ago. It was rainy and nasty that day and by noon, we were done. Really enjoying your mini report.

 

[Kat in GA]

I couldn't get her to go on any of the coasters at Busch Gardens, either!

Oh, well. Guess it gives us a reason to go back, right?

Will your girls go on any coasters at all? What about your part 2 girls group? Have you done the coasters alone - or are there some you've never done? I am up for all of them - except that I don't do the ones where you get wet.

It looks like so much fun to feed the dolphins. Will definitely have to do that whenever we go back whenever that will be.

We only saw about half of Sea World when we were there several years ago. It was rainy and nasty that day and by noon, we were done. Really enjoying your mini report.

It was fun to feed the dolphins - especially the one that wanted to be petted! I would do it again.

I could see SeaWorld not working in the rain. I am actually hoping for rain this summer - and hoping that it might keep the crowds away - Disney is very manageable in the rain - but SeaWorld? Not so much.

I need to get to work on my mini TR! But with our trip to DC - and grading way too many final exams - my time is so not my own. Maybe I can get finished up tomorrow - and get back to it!

 

[PixieMama]

Will your girls go on any coasters at all? What about your part 2 girls group? Have you done the coasters alone - or are there some you've never done? I am up for all of them - except that I don't do the ones where you get wet.

Yes, they like coasters. I'm trying to remember what summer it was we went to SW/BG... I'm thinking M wasn't tall enough for any of the coasters when we were there???

On our 2007 WDW trip the only coaster M was tall enough for was BTMRR and it was closed for refurbishment! Bummer. In fact, we didn't do any of the coasters that year.

But last year we did all the coasters... RnR being the girls' favorite.

Now, for Part 2 of my September trip, I know Helen will do all the coasters (and ToT)... not sure about Heather. I'm pretty sure she'll do BTMRR but not sure if she'll do RnR. I have no interest in doing SM, but maybe Helen and Heather will.

Mom? Forget it. She won't ride coasters. We may be able to talk her into BTMRR. But that would be the only one!

 

[teachermommy78]

Hi! I followed you over from Erika's PTR. I can't believe I didn't find you sooner! I'm loving your PTR! Your family is adorable!

 

[Kat in GA]

Yes, they like coasters. I'm trying to remember what summer it was we went to SW/BG... I'm thinking M wasn't tall enough for any of the coasters when we were there???

On our 2007 WDW trip the only coaster M was tall enough for was BTMRR and it was closed for refurbishment! Bummer. In fact, we didn't do any of the coasters that year.

But last year we did all the coasters... RnR being the girls' favorite.

Now, for Part 2 of my September trip, I know Helen will do all the coasters (and ToT)... not sure about Heather. I'm pretty sure she'll do BTMRR but not sure if she'll do RnR. I have no interest in doing SM, but maybe Helen and Heather will.

Mom? Forget it. She won't ride coasters. We may be able to talk her into BTMRR. But that would be the only one!

Yeah, my mom won't ride any coasters either. There is a lot that she won't ride. But she does like all the people watching. This year she has promised the girls that she'll go on Kali River Rapids with them. We'll see if she follows through!

Hi! I followed you over from Erika's PTR. I can't believe I didn't find you sooner! I'm loving your PTR! Your family is adorable!

Welcome!! Thanks so much for joining in! Are you going to be there at the same time in June??

 

[Kat in GA]

I have finally finished grading final exams. The grades are entered - and final grades have been emailed to all parents! Yippee!!

And even better news:

31 days until we leave for Trip #1 - and our "Year of Disney" truly begins!

 

[Kat in GA]

The last show of the day for Shamu – Believe – was at 6:30. We found seats in the stadium. Completely skipping the splash zone. I didn’t even mention it to the girls because it was still so chilly. We were a little hungry while we waited, so I went to get some drinks and popcorn to share. Note: These are not part of our all day dining plan.

I am glad we got there early because that stadium really filled up quickly! The show started promptly. And the whales are just majestic.

And then. Everything changes. The trainers start a “Shamu” chant. And it’s chanted. And chanted. And it starts. What starts? Oh my. The splashing. I don’t think that you can truly appreciate the amount of water being sent into the audience from these photos.

And this is not from a whale diving and making a splash. This is from a whale thrusting it’s tail through the water and into the crowd. I would imagine that many a-camera died this evening. I suppose people were warned. And the seats are labeled “splash zone.” But. I had no idea that people would get that wet.

The water just kept raining down. You can see Katie in above photo heading down because she soooo wants to get that wet. But. Looking at the people RUNNING up the stairs and away from the cold. Pouring. Drenching. Water. Those people looked like they had jumped in with Shamu. Jumped in. It was crazy! Crazy. Really crazy!

Unfortunately. The girls did not get drenched. But I promised them that when we came back on Friday, that they could sit in the front and get as wet as they wanted. I on the other hand would stay up high. And dry.

After the show, we took a few pictures as we waited for the crowds to clear a bit. And you can see that the girls still haven’t quite dried out from all their Atlantis rides – so I don’t know what they were complaining about!

Because we were full from the popcorn, we didn’t go get dinner. But went to ride Manta. Again. And Again. And perhaps again.

We did take a quick tour through the little aquarium by Manta. Naturally, the aquarium is full of different kinds of rays. And interesting sea horses. Or rather leafy sea dragons. And an area where Madalyn could get into the middle of things.

Because the girls preferred to ride Manta. We didn’t eat dinner in the park. Which made our all day dining really not such a wise move. Lived. And learned!

We finally headed out of the park at 9pm. Stopping at Wendy’s to eat dinner in the van before arriving back at my aunt’s house.

Up next: Downtown Disney. And will those KTTW cards from 2007 have tickets on them? OR will our budget be totally busted?

 

[PixieMama]

31 days, woohoo!

And I'm still jealous of all the rides on Manta.

 

[cadek]

It looks like everyone had a great time, and those are some amazing pictures!

We went to Sea World about 3 years ago. We went because I knew my Mom wanted to go. We took a bus from TTC, and overall, I just hated it! To be fair though, it's because I was in Disney mode. It was doomed from the start. I didn't want to be there, I wanted to be in Disney, and felt like I was losing that all important time! I just picked it apart, how it didn't compare to Disney. I wasn't really into doing any shows, and the one that we did do, with the seals and walrus, well like you said, it hasn't changed since I saw it over 20 years ago! I wish I could go there and appreciate it... maybe if I lived closer, and could do more trips, or a nice short trip like you did. It's the same reason I haven't gone to Universal yet. I'm sure the kids would love it, and I probably would to, but not when I'm in Disney mode. I must be a Disney snob! We went to Hersheypark last summer, and I looked around, thinking how dirty it was, gum all over the place, dirty walkways. I wasn't really holding it against the park and it wasn't ruining my fun, it just made me appreciate Disney an all of their attention to detail, and how they hide anything behind the scenes or unattractive.

Sorry to ramble there.

 

[Kat in GA]

It looks like everyone had a great time, and those are some amazing pictures!

We went to Sea World about 3 years ago. We went because I knew my Mom wanted to go. We took a bus from TTC, and overall, I just hated it! To be fair though, it's because I was in Disney mode. It was doomed from the start. I didn't want to be there, I wanted to be in Disney, and felt like I was losing that all important time! I just picked it apart, how it didn't compare to Disney. I wasn't really into doing any shows, and the one that we did do, with the seals and walrus, well like you said, it hasn't changed since I saw it over 20 years ago! I wish I could go there and appreciate it... maybe if I lived closer, and could do more trips, or a nice short trip like you did. It's the same reason I haven't gone to Universal yet. I'm sure the kids would love it, and I probably would to, but not when I'm in Disney mode. I must be a Disney snob! We went to Hersheypark last summer, and I looked around, thinking how dirty it was, gum all over the place, dirty walkways. I wasn't really holding it against the park and it wasn't ruining my fun, it just made me appreciate Disney an all of their attention to detail, and how they hide anything behind the scenes or unattractive.

Sorry to ramble there.

I know EXACTLY what you mean! SeaWorld was not Disney at all. From the people that worked there (and I'll have a story to tell when I get to our next day there) to even the guests. And ohmygoodness - trying to navigate and find a place to sit with a scooter - next to impossible. BUT...we really did have a good time. It was not Disney. But it was fun!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Loved the Believe show when we were there several years ago! It is so amazing what those whales can do. Boy, you are right about that water! Luckily, we didn't set there but you could get soaked if you didn't know about it.

Yay for school being out. Jeremy gets out on June 3 and let me tell you, I am ready! I will have to say the last few days has really tried my patience--with Jeremy and with his teacher!

Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend!

 

[Kat in GA]

Loved the Believe show when we were there several years ago! It is so amazing what those whales can do. Boy, you are right about that water! Luckily, we didn't set there but you could get soaked if you didn't know about it.

Yay for school being out. Jeremy gets out on June 3 and let me tell you, I am ready! I will have to say the last few days has really tried my patience--with Jeremy and with his teacher!

Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend!

See...that's the thing. The seats say "splash zone" and you are told that you "may" get wet. But, SOAKED should be the key word. Absolutely, completely, immersed!

You have a great Memorial Day, too. Have any fun plans?

 

[petals]

How lucky to get two trips in during the summer and awesome seaworld pics! I love that park. We go every year. Still searching for good food in it but the shows are brilliant and I love the dolphin's.

 

[Kat in GA]

How lucky to get two trips in during the summer and awesome seaworld pics! I love that park. We go every year. Still searching for good food in it but the shows are brilliant and I love the dolphin's.

First of all -- Welcome!!

Yes - it all seems to be working out for our massive year of Disney. Those annual passes are burning a hole in my pocket - and we don't even have them yet!

The food at Seaworld is completely and totally lacking. I was kinda bummed that the all day dining was not a good deal. I was warned here on the boards - I hadn't seen anything positive. But I guess I had to find out for myself.

 

[Kat in GA]

I am working on the next installment of my mini TR - it's just that my life keeps getting in the way of my DIS obsession!

But...I have news!!

It appears that trip number 3 is ALMOST a done deal!



This is what's happening:

It's crazed how those annual passes - that I haven't even purchased yet - are burning a hole in my pocket!! The past few years when we have gone, we have gone during Free Dining in September - and enjoyed the beginning of the food and wine festival. And the F&W is my husband's favorite part about the world.

I was thinking that the kids and I might work in a few days there - because we are not getting my DH an annual pass. But, with me having to buy 2 day tickets for my girls trip to get the free dining - I will have some tickets for him.

And then, this weekend, I realized that I have a lot of points that we haven't used on one of our credit cards. We have enough to stay at a value for a long weekend. We could do a deluxe for a night. Or, I could stay in a one bedroom Mariott suite - and still have left over points! Guess which one won out?

Hotel - free. Tickets - I just have to upgrade my two day tickets to three days. And all we'll have to pay for is gas and food!

I am thinking the weekend after Columbus day - leaving right after I am done teaching on Thursday afternoon - and coming home on Monday. We'll have 3 full park days. And unless we upgrade Michael's tickets to hoppers - we won't do one park. Not sure which we'd leave out!

Oh...I am so excited!!

 

[PixieMama]

"Burning a hole in your pocket", LOL! You haven't even been on your FIRST trip yet, and you're already planning your THIRD?!?!?!