Everyone else gets to ride the fun rides.. 1st Family Trip May2010(top 5..9/7)

[pinkxray]

The slide at AKL/V is a little lame! Just one curve but hey...the kids were fine with it. Kidani is the same but it does have the kids' splash area that was a big hit! oh and Kidani's slide has a stop light that tells you when you can go! The Pirate Ship slide looks a LOT cooler!

Too bad the slides aren't too great at AKL. The slide seems to be a main priority for DH, although I think he went down the slide 2 times at POR even though he insisted we couldn't stay at a value b/c he needed a slide.

I think we will try AKL next trip anyway. DH can go to BB if he wants slides.

 

[pinkxray]

Time for another update. I know that I have been getting worse and worse about updating. It is tough to come on the boards when you aren’t sure when you are going to return. I’m not sure if coming on and reading trips reports make me feel better b/c I can see all the Disney pictures and stories or if it makes me feel worse b/c I know I won’t be there for awhile.

I guess I’ve been going through Disney withdrawl. I was working the midnight to eight shift last week and when I was bored I tried to price a super cheap trip for this Oct. staying at Pop and Southwest having great fares. We could do it for under $2000 for a 4-5 day trip around Caitlin’s b-day. DH shot that down. It is too soon to go back. I asked if I could go by myself and he said sure, but I would have to explain to Caitlin why she couldn’t come. I also mentioned a girls only trip, but that wouldn’t feel right. Two years ago DD and I went to Six Flags alone and while it was fun it wasn’t the same. Dh really needs to be there.

DH has agreed that we can go back in Oct. 2011 for MNSSHP but I don’t know if that will happen. As I mentioned before we’ve been thinking about adding to our family and lately that idea has been creeping up more and more. In the beginning of June I traded my tiny Honda Civic for a Nissan Pathfinder and the DD just looks so alone in that big backseat. I told DH we should try asap to have another child and he is on board. Assuming we can get pregnant within the next few months that would lead us to cancel 2011, but I really want to return as a family of 3. So I guess we’ll just leave it up to chance. I am running with Oct. 2011 as long as I am not pregnant at all or under 6 months. If I am over the six months then I guess we will push it back to 2012.





Okay…back to the trip.
Sat was our Seaworld day. DH and I had been here in 2002 and had a blast. We had swam with the dolphins at Discovery Cove that morning and admission to Seaworld was free. I was looking forward to bringing Caitlin b/c she loves animals.

We arrived in the afternoon and it was pretty slow since it had just finished raining. As soon as we went through the turnstiles I had to stop to use the bathroom. I left DH and DD at the store right next to the restroom. I don’t think I even took 60 seconds to come back, yet DD had even time to convince Dh to let her buy a stuffed polar bear. Pretty much the exact same polar bear her Auntie Jenny had brought her two years early from Bronx Zoo.

We stopped to see the Flamingos. Caitlin also got her first glimpse of Manta and had a tiny meltdown about not being able to ride.

I wanted to see the Sea Lion and Shamu show while we were there but none were any time soon. They had both just ended. We checked out the Sea Lions, Dolphins and manatees.

At some point we checked out the sharks and penguins.

We stopped at the carousel which claimed to have a five minute wait. The line wasn’t too long either. We ended up waiting forever. I forget how long. Maybe over 45 minutes. The girl running it was awful. She was not even filling the carousel half way. She was also kicking grumpy kids off. There were two occasions where there little girls who were grumpy (probably about waiting so long) and she told the parent they couldn’t ride unless they stopped crying or whining) When they didn’t stop she told them to get off. One was with her grandparents. Her grandmother lead her off and met up with the granddad who was waiting. He was pretty upset and let the girl working know it. She didn’t seem to care at all. What a miserable person.
We would have just left but Caitlin wanted to ride on the dolphin and really what else did we have to do? Another thing was that even if you were just standing next to your child you could not bring anything on. No pocketbooks, backpacks,etc. It had to fit in your pockets or you had to leave it outside the gate. Weird, esp. since there is plenty of space on the half empty ride.

Next, we saw the cool looking climbing area which was of course closed.

We ended up seeing the Sea Lion show which was cute. After a few hours I was pretty disgusted with Seaworld and we ended up leaving after a few hours. It has really gone down hill since our last visit. It seemed dirty and the people were mean. I don’t think we will return anytime soon.

 

[pinkxray]

When we left Seaworld it was around 5pm. Just about dinner time. I wanted to head to Steak and Shake, but we had promised DD we would try the Mcdonald’s on Sand Lake after she saw it on the travel channel.

Once again our Tom Tom lead us on a huge detour (next trip that thing is staying home) and it took us forever to get there.

I already gave the review on my dining report so I’ll just post the pictures. It was okay. The play land isn’t as great as it looked on TV. We won’t go back unless we our staying in the area.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel and wanted to swim in the pool for a bit, but it was raining or thundering so we chilled out in the room. I let DD take a bath in the Jacuzzi tub and she insisted on using one of my bath balls from Basin. She was in heaven in the giant tub, esp. since the water was pink.

Overall all it was a wasted day. We would have been better off chilling out at the hotel all day.

Up next… our return to Universal Studios

 

[heaven2dc]

Wow - that big climbing thing would scare me if I were a child! Isn't it such a difference (sometimes) between the park attendants at other parks compared to the CM's at WDW? While I've never visited Sea World or Universal Studios in Florida, we experienced rude behavior on the West Coast and were so happy to be welcomed by wonderful CM's at Disney.

I hope you get to somehow plan a trip to WDW before a little one is on the way - how exciting that you are planning for another baby! Here is lots of pixie dust (and prayers) sent your way to make all your dreams come true

 

[pinkxray]

Wow - that big climbing thing would scare me if I were a child! Isn't it such a difference (sometimes) between the park attendants at other parks compared to the CM's at WDW? While I've never visited Sea World or Universal Studios in Florida, we experienced rude behavior on the West Coast and were so happy to be welcomed by wonderful CM's at Disney.

I hope you get to somehow plan a trip to WDW before a little one is on the way - how exciting that you are planning for another baby! Here is lots of pixie dust (and prayers) sent your way to make all your dreams come true

The climbing area looked like so much fun. DH and DD headed over to find the entrance not even realizing it was closed. I don't know if it was because it had rained early or if was always closed.

We didn't have an issue with any of the attendants at Universal. They were all great too. Maybe the girl wanted to work at Disney and got rejected? Maybe she was just having a bad day or week, but you need to let that go esp. when people are paying so much money to come to the park that pays for you to work.

Thanks for the pixie dust. I hope everything turns out well. I would love to return soon and before we have another kid but if we have to push the trip back there would be no better reason to do it.

I asked DD if she wanted a baby brother or sister or if she wanted go back to Disney next year. She said she wants a baby sister to take to Disneyworld. She even offered to hold the baby on space mountain.

 

[Believeinfairytales]

Well, first I want to wish you well with having another little one. I am so happy for you that you and hubby are both in agreeance on this! I would love to have more, but that is one sided right now.

May God Bless you and your family and any future little ones that may be on the way!

I am so sorry that Sea World was not what it used to be. I've never been, but after your glowing review, I think I will just stick with Disney while in Orlando. When my little one gets a bit older, we will probably start going to Universal, too.

 

[TinksThree]

Ugh...sorry to hear Sea World was a bust! We went to the one in San Antonio about 7 years ago and loved it! We had contemplated going to Orlando but I think I may be glad we decided not to!

I have also been to that McDonalds...it has to be the novelty of it. It is definitely not a place I would seek out to go to!

Good luck on the plans! I am actually in the same situation so I understand how the plans can be so iffy! I am hoping for a Dec 2011 trip for this very reason!! Otherwise it will be June...I really hope I am not planning a June trip!!

I can't wait to hear about Universal. I have not been here yet but plan to after the HP hoopla dies down!

 

[pinkxray]

Well, first I want to wish you well with having another little one. I am so happy for you that you and hubby are both in agreeance on this! I would love to have more, but that is one sided right now.

May God Bless you and your family and any future little ones that may be on the way!

I am so sorry that Sea World was not what it used to be. I've never been, but after your glowing review, I think I will just stick with Disney while in Orlando. When my little one gets a bit older, we will probably start going to Universal, too.

I am glad DH agrees too. We've always wanted more kids though and he adores DD so it is really no surprise.

Ugh. Seaworld was such a disappointment. We loved it so much last time. Maybe it was just an off day or week. Even the people who were in the park were ruder than other places. Maybe they were just annoyed after being kicked off the carousel though.

Next trip we will stick to Disney and maybe Universal if we have a chance. I am sure there are people who do love Seaworld though.

Ugh...sorry to hear Sea World was a bust! We went to the one in San Antonio about 7 years ago and loved it! We had contemplated going to Orlando but I think I may be glad we decided not to!

I have also been to that McDonalds...it has to be the novelty of it. It is definitely not a place I would seek out to go to!

Good luck on the plans! I am actually in the same situation so I understand how the plans can be so iffy! I am hoping for a Dec 2011 trip for this very reason!! Otherwise it will be June...I really hope I am not planning a June trip!!

I can't wait to hear about Universal. I have not been here yet but plan to after the HP hoopla dies down!

DH and I loved Seaworld on our trip last time about 7 years ago too. Maybe it was better since it was free (admission was free since we did Discovery Cove) but I swear there was something else. It was dirty and smelled. Hopefully it will improve so we can return again.

It is tough not knowing what is going to happen next year. Of course DH doesn't see the dilemma. Just push the trip back a few years. I just really want DD to have one more time just the three of us so hopefully that will work out. And then of course we can return again a year or two later.

We just loved Universal. I can't wait to see the Harry Potter area. We saw the bulidings and they looked great from a distance. I love seeing all the pictures in the trip reports of people who have been there. I am glad it wasn't open May 28 like was orginally reported. I could never have dealt with those lines. I am so jealous when I see people who have a ticker with WWOHP on it though.

 

[taymacsmom]

I am here!! Literally, here, in CT! Loving your report so far! Can't wait to read more!

Kelly

 

[pinkxray]

I am here!! Literally, here, in CT! Loving your report so far! Can't wait to read more!

Kelly

Thanks for joining in!
It's always nice to see others from CT.

 

[ksl5f123]

I guess I’ve been going through Disney withdrawl.

I SOOO understand. We are thinking about spring break for next year, but are worried that ours falls during high season which may make the price too high. If we can't go then, we might try for June again, but we meet friends for a beach vacation in NC every other year, so that may not work either. It just all makes me crazy!

DH has agreed that we can go back in Oct. 2011 for MNSSHP but I don’t know if that will happen. As I mentioned before we’ve been thinking about adding to our family and lately that idea has been creeping up more and more. In the beginning of June I traded my tiny Honda Civic for a Nissan Pathfinder and the DD just looks so alone in that big backseat. I told DH we should try asap to have another child and he is on board. Assuming we can get pregnant within the next few months that would lead us to cancel 2011, but I really want to return as a family of 3. So I guess we’ll just leave it up to chance. I am running with Oct. 2011 as long as I am not pregnant at all or under 6 months. If I am over the six months then I guess we will push it back to 2012.

First, that DH is on board!! 2nd, that it all works out!!!! I have to say, just reading about your situation made my head spin a little.

Sorry you didn't have the best experience at Seaworld. I think it is an adjustment from the magic of the Disney parks. We enjoyed our day there, but you will have to wait until I get to that part of my TR.

I have always wondered about that McDonalds. It looks so interesting. I am kind of glad to hear that I am not really missing much by skipping it.

 

[pinkxray]

I SOOO understand. We are thinking about spring break for next year, but are worried that ours falls during high season which may make the price too high. If we can't go then, we might try for June again, but we meet friends for a beach vacation in NC every other year, so that may not work either. It just all makes me crazy!



First, that DH is on board!! 2nd, that it all works out!!!! I have to say, just reading about your situation made my head spin a little.

Sorry you didn't have the best experience at Seaworld. I think it is an adjustment from the magic of the Disney parks. We enjoyed our day there, but you will have to wait until I get to that part of my TR.

I have always wondered about that McDonalds. It looks so interesting. I am kind of glad to hear that I am not really missing much by skipping it.

You think your head is spinning! It doesn't help that whenever I mention any plans to DH he says "Whatever you want to do" Ugh.

I didn't really walk to into Seaworld with high expectations so I was surprised I was still disappointed. I really hope it was an off day. Who knows
I can't wait to see how your time there was.

You are not missing anything by skipping that McDonalds. Just a headache from all of the screaming kids. Off to caught up on your trip report.

 

[pinkxray]

Sunday May 30

Originally we were going to go to Universal Studios to try the Simpsons ride. DH and I hadn't spent much time at the older side last time and didn't see the need to spend much time there today. I figured we would be out of there by noon and could spend a few hours at EPCOT since Caitlin wanted to go back and see Marie along with a few of the others she was too shy to meet at the beginning of the trip.

We arrived at US around opening. I stoppped at once of the places on City Walk to grab some coffee, but DH was rushing us along I never had a chance to drink it. I ended up throwing it away once we got to the Simpsons ride since it was still too hot to drink quickly. I guess next time I'll have to get iced coffee. I drink coffee every single morning and knew that I was taking a chance of getting a major headache but it turned out okay. I think I ended up getting some caffine a little later.

DH took this picture while I was finding a place to get coffee.

A few shots from the street.. I have no idea what the name is

We headed straight for the Simpsons ride. We have all been watching the Simpsons on Sundays night forever. DH and I watched it together since we were dating and Caitlin has been watching it since she was a baby, so we were looking foward to this.

This is the hot dog stand we ended up getting lunch at. They serve Nathan's hot dogs and have bags of chips. It was a nice quick lunch.


As you can see I took a bunch of pictures of the Simpsons area. I really like the ride. I kind of wish that they had a bigger section with a few more rides but I'm sure the Simpsons aren't popular enough for that anymore.

 

[pinkxray]

After the ride we headed back down the old fashioned street to find some breakfast. We came across :

They had all type of good looking danishes and cakes,etc but I wasn't too hungry so I just split with DH. In this entire splace Caitlin couldn't find anything she liked so DH got her a giant cookie.

I finished before everyone else so I ran across the street to an I love Lucy store and saw Scooby Doo and Shaggy arriving to their meet and greet spot

Scooby Doo

DH insisted we see the terminator 2 show. That kind of annoyed me since they had a show that had animals in it at the same time and I thought Caitlin would like to see but Universal days were his days so whatever. The first show didn't start until 11:15? so we had a bit of waiting. We just browsed the Universal stores for awhile and checked out the map to see what else to do.

I was hoping I would be able to ride Rip tide(that's the name right) using the single rider but everytime we checked the wait was like an hour and a half.

I also wanted to try Revenge of the Mummy since I have heard that was good. We walked over there and there was maybe a 30 minute wait for regular riders. I went through the single riders line and walked right on. One thing about this was that the walk to the ride was pitch black. It is a pretty long walk since you aren't waiting at all and you have to go up a few stairs. You can't see anything.

Anyway I tripped my way to the ride and there was no one waiting. I got right on the next ride when it arrived. Sweet!
I really liked the ride. It is a nice change from all of the simulator rides everyone keeps making.

Once I got off DH went to ride it. I guess he had to wait a few minutes. While we waited Caitlin was very fussy since she didn't want to wait for us to go on the fun rides. Afterwards Dh decided he really wanted to try riptide so we checked that out again. He decided he was going to wait so I took Caitlin over to try the Jimmy Neutron ride. She did not want to ride for some reason but I insisted. While we were in line DH called and said the line was too long and ended up meeting us a few minutes before we went in.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this ride b/c I've never heard about it before. It was so cute and ended up being Caitlin's favorite ride in Universal. When you exit the store Spongebob is there! We kept looking for him since he is listed as a character meet and greet but had no idea he was in the store. We were so glad we rode the ride otherwise we would have never seen him.

The time was starting to tick away and I was getting a little ansty b/c I wanted to go to EPCOT. There was a situation brewing and I knew it. Tomorrow would be our last day. Caitlin would go on her pirate cruise and then we would head over to MK. I really wanted to do MK since I was sick the last MK day and we already had 2 EPCOT days. I knew that if we didn't make it to EPCOT tonight I would have to hear Caitlin whine about going to EPCOT tomorrow. We didn't have park hoppers so this wasn't possible.

It was afternoon time, 1-2? and then DH and DD decided they wanted to go back to IOA and ride the Jurassic Park ride. Really?!?! I tried to explain about EPCOT to them but they insisted it wouldn't take long.
So we walked back to IOA. We did the Jurassic Park ride and then DH did the Hulk, we did the Storm ride. So much for not being there long. I decided to just accept not going to EPCOT by that point.

We ended up leaving around dinnertime. So much for noon.
Once again we really enjoyed Universal. We have a much more to see so we will hopefully go back next time. Although when DH and I were talking the other night he doesn't want to go for a week, maybe 5 days. If we take a short trip US is out.

After US I once again pleaded my EPCOT case but they wanted to go in the pool. We ended up spending the night at the pool. Around Caitlin's bed time I was relaxing in my nice jacuzzi tub and Caitlin comes in and starts talking about going to EPCOT tomorrow and seeing Marie and what other characters would sign her book. Um, we aren't going to EPCOT again. Major meltdown. I even considered getting the park hoppers and paying $150 to make the one hop. Then, I remembered how hard I tried to get us there today and refused. She had her chance to see the characters on the two EPCOT days and passed. We were going to MK tomorrow.

 

[MHTeacher]

There's always Epcot on the next trip..............!

 

[ksl5f123]

You had to throw away your coffee?! No, no, no. The morning coffee must be consumed like this !

I don't see a lot of people in your US photos. Was it pretty empty or were they all just gathered around the big rides?

Too bad about not getting back to Epcot - and about the meltdown that resulted. I don't think we are going to do hoppers next time because once we are in a park it is SO hard to get everyone ready to leave at the same time.

 

[TinksThree]

Isn't it hard to stand your ground and be the parent when you REALLY want to go to Epcot!?!?

Hopefully MK was a good day though....can't wait to read and see! I always try to decide if PH are worth it or not. Last year we were there for 7 days and liked going from park to park, but this year, I don't think it would have been worth it! We were either tired or filled the day in the park of choice! I was glad I decided not to spend the extra bucks!

I have never been to US but it looks like a Six Flags...very theme parky....is it like that when you are there?

 

[pinkxray]

There's always Epcot on the next trip..............!

I know and I can't wait to go back. I am going to make sure we have two full days at EPCOT next time. One day just for WS.

You had to throw away your coffee?! No, no, no. The morning coffee must be consumed like this !

I don't see a lot of people in your US photos. Was it pretty empty or were they all just gathered around the big rides?

Too bad about not getting back to Epcot - and about the meltdown that resulted. I don't think we are going to do hoppers next time because once we are in a park it is SO hard to get everyone ready to leave at the same time.

DH is not a coffee drinker so he doesn't get it. The coffee was sooooo hot and I couldn't get it down fast enough.

It wasn't too busy when we first arrived. It got busier as the day went on. It was very busy when we went over to the IOA side, I guess everyone was waiting for the new rollercoaster or went to IOA that day.

Isn't it hard to stand your ground and be the parent when you REALLY want to go to Epcot!?!?

Hopefully MK was a good day though....can't wait to read and see! I always try to decide if PH are worth it or not. Last year we were there for 7 days and liked going from park to park, but this year, I don't think it would have been worth it! We were either tired or filled the day in the park of choice! I was glad I decided not to spend the extra bucks!

I have never been to US but it looks like a Six Flags...very theme parky....is it like that when you are there?

We have always had park hoppers but since we had the DXDP we pretty much knew where we would be each day and they didn't seem necessary. I still am not convinced I will get them next time. DH just doesn't like to do a full day at the park. There is no Mk in the morning, afternoon at resort, night in EPCOT. Once he leaves the park he likes to stay at the hotel. I think the only time I get the hoppers is if we stay at an EPCOT or monorail resort and I can go to a park by myself at night.


I don't really think US is like a Six Flags. It is much better themed, but it more about thrill rides than Disney. DH and I have always enjoyed it but we love roller coasters. DD now loves it too, no baby rides for her.

 

[jonesephus]

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your trip report! Can't wait to hear about the last day!!!

We are taking my 4 years old and 1 year old DDs in a month, and we upgraded to the park hopper because I am afraid she will get fixated on something, and I am trying to minimize tears - hopefully my strategy will work!

 

[pinkxray]

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your trip report! Can't wait to hear about the last day!!!

We are taking my 4 years old and 1 year old DDs in a month, and we upgraded to the park hopper because I am afraid she will get fixated on something, and I am trying to minimize tears - hopefully my strategy will work!

Thanks for reading. I am off to check out your pre-trip report. I love hearing about Disney plans.