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

[Lbg206]

With my own TR, my new PTR, my new job, and working on Disney plans and itineraries I haven't gotten a chance to read many updates lately, but I'm finally all caught up. Yay!! Great pics by the way....LOVE the pool at the new hotel. Sad that you only have one full day left....I hate the end of vacations...even when it's not my own. LOL

 

[pinkxray]

With my own TR, my new PTR, my new job, and working on Disney plans and itineraries I haven't gotten a chance to read many updates lately, but I'm finally all caught up. Yay!! Great pics by the way....LOVE the pool at the new hotel. Sad that you only have one full day left....I hate the end of vacations...even when it's not my own. LOL

I am finally starting the last day update right now
I hate how the trip goes by so fast. Even with 10 days it seemed so quick. Okay... off to work on the last day.

 

[pinkxray]

MAY 31 -Last Day

We were up early today b/c we had to make it to the GF by 9ish to check in for Caitlin's pirate adventure. Originally I had scheduled the one out of the Yacht Club so that we could check out the BC/YC area, but ended up changing it so that we could head over to MK afterwards.

We left the hotel around 8. Way too early but after the time we went to the Poly and got stuck in traffic and being late for CM I wasn't taking any chances.

We arrived at DH's favorite place, the GF, around 8:30.
This time we parked in the parking lot for GF instead of trying to make it over from the TTC on the monorail. It really stinks parking across the street to visit.

I really wanted to stop and take a bunch of pictures of the beautiful lobby but once again DH rushed me though.

We headed to Gasparilla to have a quick breakfast. We picked up a pastry, breakfast platter, and bagel for Caitlin. We ate outside at some tables that overlook the marina. I thought Gasparillas was really cute. They had a pretty decent set up.

The pirate adventure starts at 9:30 and you have to check in a little early. Once 9 hit I started to get Caitlin ready, trip to the bathroom, sunscreen etc.

Finally we headed over to check in. There were a bunch of people here already. I don't know how we missed it. When we first arrived for breakfast no one was there and no it seemed the whole boatload was there. They must have shown up while we were in the bathroom.

You check in and pay. Next, the kid is fitted for a life jacket, given a bandana and pirate tatoo.

And soon they were off.
They put the kids in pairs. This made me a little nervous b/c DD is a little shy. Most of the kids seemed to have someone they already knew. Lots of brothers and sisters. Most of the kids were boys so the CM put her with another little girl who had two siblings with her. I was hoping they would include her and she wouldn't feel all alone. She said they were nice though.

Once they left DH and I had two hours to kill. A romantic stroll around GF or maybe the Poly. Browsing the shops in the monorail resorts like I orginally planned. Nope, we hopped on the monorail and headed to the lost and found at the TTC. We decided we would check one more time for our camcorder.

We described the camcorder to the lady and neither one of of us could really remeber exactly what it looked like. We just bought it in Dec for xmas. Was it blue or silver. The old one was blue right, so this one is silver. Wait maybe it is the other way around. Anywho, we told her the last video would be at CRT.
She went the the back and brought out what looked like ours. We played back the tape and there it was. Our dinner at CRT! Yay!!!! It was found at CRT. I don't know how we missed it when we left since I remember doing a check of the table, maybe we left it on the seat.

Apparently I never finished uploading the pictures of the last day..so to be continued

 

[TinksThree]

Soooooo happy you found your video camera!! I lost a camera once down the side of a mountain. That was 14 years ago and I still remember the agony realizing it was gone!

I always want to make it to GF and never do! It looks so pretty. I have passed it a bunch on the boat but that obviously is not the same!

I can't wait to hear how Caitlin enjoyed the Pirate cruise. It looks so cute so far!

The delay on my own TR is due to thinking I had uploaded pics, and they weren't there!

 

[heaven2dc]

Your DD looks so cute in her pirate costume! (also a little lonely looking) I hope she had a great time!

Congrats on finding the camera! It is always great to hear there still are kind people out there who won't steal an item they find. My daughter lost my camera on an Easter egg hunt this year, it dropped out of her pocket while she was running to catch up with her little boy. Fortunately a kind man and his little girl found it, looked at the most recent pics and found us searching for it.

 

[ksl5f123]

We saw some kids out doing the pirate adventure while we were there. They seemed to be having a fabulous time. Hopefully, your DD had fun too. My 6 yo wants to do it next time while her sister goes to BBB.

for finding the camcorder!!!

 

[MHTeacher]

So glad you found your camcorder! I would have been sick with worry!

Hope Caitlin had fun on her Pirates cruise.

 

[pinkxray]

Soooooo happy you found your video camera!! I lost a camera once down the side of a mountain. That was 14 years ago and I still remember the agony realizing it was gone!

I always want to make it to GF and never do! It looks so pretty. I have passed it a bunch on the boat but that obviously is not the same!

I can't wait to hear how Caitlin enjoyed the Pirate cruise. It looks so cute so far!

The delay on my own TR is due to thinking I had uploaded pics, and they weren't there!

I couldn't believe we found the camera. I was so sure it was gone forever. Then, we would have had to plan another trip to redo everything and retape it.

GF is beautiful but DH hates it. I have removed it from my list of places I would like to stay, although I wouldn't rule it out on an all girls trip or something.

Caitlin seemed to enjoy the pirate cruise. She said the kids were nice eventually and she was thrilled with the little goody back of pirate treasure they received.

Your DD looks so cute in her pirate costume! (also a little lonely looking) I hope she had a great time!

Congrats on finding the camera! It is always great to hear there still are kind people out there who won't steal an item they find. My daughter lost my camera on an Easter egg hunt this year, it dropped out of her pocket while she was running to catch up with her little boy. Fortunately a kind man and his little girl found it, looked at the most recent pics and found us searching for it.

We were so happy we found the camera. I had gotten in on Black Friday and fought the crowds at the electronic store to buy it. It was only a few months old and we haven't used it much. This trip was the first time besides xmas really using it.

Caitlin did look a little lonely heading on the boat, but she seemed pretty happy when they got back. I was a little nervous when I saw the two girls and boy that she was paired with but I have heard the CM's are great about including everyone in the group and making the trip fun. She even asked to do it again the next day so it couldn't have been too bad.

We saw some kids out doing the pirate adventure while we were there. They seemed to be having a fabulous time. Hopefully, your DD had fun too. My 6 yo wants to do it next time while her sister goes to BBB.

The pirate cruise was fun. The kids all seemed to enjoy it. I ended up booking the one out of GF instead of YC b/c I read the boat holds a few more kids and I was hoping there would be a few more girls but I think the total of girls was 3. DD always choses to play with boys anyway so I figured she's find someone to hang out with. I was nervous when she said she wanted to do it but she really seemed to enjoy it.

So glad you found your camcorder! I would have been sick with worry!



finding the camcorder. I would have been pretty said if we lost our whole trip. I wouldn't be too sad about getting a new one but the disc inside had BBB and CRT and I hate to miss seeing those again.

 

[pinkxray]

Last full day continued

After we retrieved the camcorder from lost and found we had about an hour before we had to head back to GF. Our car was parked in the parking lot at GF and once DD returned we were all going to head to CR so that DD and DH could ride the sea racers.

Since we had some time to kill we walked from the TTC to the Poly and checked it out again. We were going to take the monorail but it seemed easier to just walk over to the GF. It was a nice walk and only took about 10 minutes at the most, but it was so hot. Once we got to the GF i decided I would head to the parking lot to move the car over to the TTC and try to make it back to meet DD coming back. If I didn't make it I would just meet them at CR.

It only took me a few minutes to move the car to the TTC and luckily I got a parking space right across from the walkway. No waiting for the tram or anything. I had plenty of time to get back. Of course for some reason the monorail was down and the everyone had to get on the boats which were packed. I didn't really know which boat was for the GF so I decided to walk from the TTC, through Poly to the GF taking the route we used this morning. It really wasn't too bad at all. If it wasn't so hot outside it would have been a very nice walk. Once I got to the GF the monorails started running again.

I got there with a few minutes to spare.

Here they come

Caitlin was thrilled with her treasure bag and her pretzels that were left over that she saved for us.

I forget what was in there. I remember a little plastic treasure chest with some coins, a patch, a few bead necklaces and a few other trinkets


We took the monorail and headed to CR. We found our way to the marina and the sea racers.

DH didn't really care where he went out but I picked CR b/c I wanted to check out the pool area in case we decide to stay there sometime.

They headed out for about an hour. I headed inside to check out the gift shop and ended up being Caitlin a new star Wars set she saw a kid playing with the night we were waiting for Fantasmic.

Afterwards I just hung out at a table in the shade until they returned. I was trying to spot them on the water but it is too hard to tell people apart. I was watching for a few minutes and then I saw some one doing a u turn a little quickly. Everyone else is slowly cruising along and as soon as I saw this I knew that was them. A minute later the boat patrol people told DH to go back in. I guess he found the sea racers to be to boring so he would wait for the big boats or ferries to go by and ride over their waves.
Only my DH could get in trouble on the sea racers.

Caitlin was miserable by the time they got back. I think she was too hot and pretty hungry.

We were all hungry so I suggested we take the boat over to WL to try Roaring Forks. WL is another deluxe I would love to stay in and I really wanted a chance to check it out in person.
We only waited a few minutes and the boat arrived. It traveled from CR, stopped at Fort Wilderness, and then stopped at WL. It was a very nice ride. There was a nice breeze and it was a nice break.

Once we arrived we headed straight to Roaring Forks which was much better than I expected. They had a good selection. I was debating what to get and of course I didn't like what I got. I had ziti and meatballs which looked so good, but apparently I just don't like the sauce they use at CS locations. DH had a burger which was really good and I wish I could have shared but after a few bited he ruined it by putting mayo on it. DD also had a burger and she ruined that one with mayo too, so I was let with french fries and grapes for lunch.

This was another CS location DH had to pay OOP. I want to say it was like $28 or something. He seemed to be liking the dining plan more and more.

After lunch we checked out the main lobby and the pool area. I didn't get any pictures b/c we were starting to cut into our MK time.

 

[TinksThree]

I am so glad Caitlin enjoyed the Pirate's Cruise!

What fun to resort hop and get to check out the different places. The only thing I do not like about doing that is it always makes me want to stay there....that is until I get to the next one! By the time I am done, I want to plan a trip that includes all of the resorts!!

My DH would probably get sent back in on the Sea Raycers also because I know he would be wave hopping!!

 

[pinkxray]

I am so glad Caitlin enjoyed the Pirate's Cruise!

What fun to resort hop and get to check out the different places. The only thing I do not like about doing that is it always makes me want to stay there....that is until I get to the next one! By the time I am done, I want to plan a trip that includes all of the resorts!!

My DH would probably get sent back in on the Sea Raycers also because I know he would be wave hopping!!

I was determined to check out all of the resorts that I would like some day. I had such a hard time booking our resort b/c I hadn't seen any of the resorts in person(or just didn't remember from when I was a kid) The only one I remember was the GF and that was just from taking the ferry from TTC to MK.
I was torn between Poly and just choosing POR but I just couldn't spend the money only the Poly not knowing what I was walking into. We had some meals at the Poly and I was very glad I had saved money and picked POR. The Poly just wasn't what I was thinking. I would love to stay there some day but it's not as fantastic as I thought it was. I didn't really like the separate bulidings or the GCH for some reason.

I know that as long as we can afford AKL we will pick that next time. We loved the lobby and the DD wants to stay at the animal hotel. I want to do a split stay with another resort but that will depend on if I am paying full price for the rooms or not. If Disney really does away with the specials maybe Pop/ AKL or if they continue with promotions maybe a monorail resort/AKL or BC/AKL. Ugh. Even now I can't make up my mind. Luckily I have a year to decide. The only deluxe I would like to stay at that we didn't check out was BC. If I had it my way we would do BC/AKL/ MONORAIL RESORT(CR OR POLY) but there is no way DH will change three times.



I couldn't believe DH got in trouble! Everyone else looked happy just slowly riding around, enjoying the scenary. I guess that was too boring for him.

 

[pinkxray]

I did a post right after the last and was almost done and of course the internet shut down.

After our lunch at Roaring Rorks we headed to MK. I can see why people love the boat ride from WL to MK. It was so quick!

Once we were in MK we hopped right on the train to get to Toontown. I had to see Mickey's house one more time in case it is gone by the time I get back.

Once we got off the train DD saw a little play area and had to stop there.

Next, we stopped at Mickey's house.

We also stopped at Minnie's house but it was packed so I didn't take any pictures.

It was approaching parade time and I wanted to head over to see it but then DD announced she wanted to meet the Fairies. I was hoping the line would be shorter since everyone else was at the parade but the wait was 45 minutes. I think it was 30 for the princess side.

The line seemed to never move, while the princess line moved pretty quickly. I just told myself it was due to better character interaction and I would appreciate it when it was DD turn.
We saw Silvermist, Tink and Rosetta. DD likes Silvermist the best(although she isn't really into Tink and the others, I think she just wanted them to sign her book) so she was happy.
All the fairies kept calling her a ladybug b/c of the spots on her shorts

The fairies really did spend a good amount of time with DD. They were all great esp. Tink who was very chatty.

We headed to Goofy's roller coaster. I don't think I had ever been on this before.

It was a little too quick but very cute. I wish they weren't retheming it. I love Goofy.

 

[pinkxray]

Now we were mostly on the lookout for characters that hadn't signed the book. We headed to Fantasyland to find Buzz.
While DH and dd waited to see Buzz I went on COP. I love COP of progress. I remember the last screen when I was a kid and it looked so cool. Now it is a bit outdated but it is still fun to see.

They meet buzz and ended up riding the Buzz ride since apparently I was taking too long.

We hit the tea cups and while we were on the white rabbit and red queen were out. They were gone once we got off so we decided not to wait.

While on the tea cups DD decided she was done having her picture taken.

I don't see anymore pictures so I think I all done. We called it a day around dinnertime. We left MK and headed to Sonic one last time.

We headed back to the hotel to swim, relax and pack. So sad.

 

[pinkxray]

So I guess this is the end. I think I will steal the popular way to end a trip report of picking 5 favortites. I think I took pictures of most of our sovenuirs too.

 

[Believeinfairytales]

What great PP pics with the fairies! I love the "no pictures" faces your daughter is making and the hand over the camera one. I have a little one who can get like that, too.

Aw, too bad you didn't get to see the Queen and the White Rabbit. That would have been awesome! Maybe next time, right??

 

[TinksThree]

I will be so sad to see Mickey and Minnie's houses go away! I hope they sue them somewhere else! I think maybe DHS would be a good fit! I also love COP and that last scene takes me back to my childhood....it seemed so futuristc back then!

 

[tinacaplan]

Checking out your trip report! Have quit a bit to catch up on, though.

 

[pinkxray]

What great PP pics with the fairies! I love the "no pictures" faces your daughter is making and the hand over the camera one. I have a little one who can get like that, too.

Aw, too bad you didn't get to see the Queen and the White Rabbit. That would have been awesome! Maybe next time, right??

I am so glad we waited to see the fairies! They were all very talkative and fun, esp. Tink.

The hand over the face was annoying. I am glad it didn't happen until the last day of the trip.

I am sure we will be on the character hunt again next trip. DD already said I have to make her another autograph book.

I will be so sad to see Mickey and Minnie's houses go away! I hope they sue them somewhere else! I think maybe DHS would be a good fit! I also love COP and that last scene takes me back to my childhood....it seemed so futuristc back then!

I really hope they find somewhere to put the houses. I will miss walking through them.

COP is great. I will have to drag DH and DD next time. I don't know if DH and I went on our two trips together. I remember thinking it was closed b/c there was no line. I think that there really was just no line.

Checking out your trip report! Have quit a bit to catch up on, though.

Thanks for coming over. I hope I get to start another pre-trip report soon. Just waiting for the final okay from DH.

 

[pinkxray]

I swore when I started this trip report I would finish it. I hate when I read a trip report and I get to the end only to have it abandoned.

To finish off this great trip I guess I'll leave off with my top 5 favorites of the trip. I can't seem to put them in order b/c I loved them all.

1.

Star Wars Weekend
Caitlin watched the movies for the first time a few weeks before the trip and now she is hooked. Now, she has the Star Wars shirts, shoes, backpack, lunch box,etc. She is sad that we aren't going to go back in May so she can see Princess Leia and Luke.
I would love to return to do SWW again but I want to try going at a different time of year, it was way too hot and crowded.

2. POR

I loved, loved, loved POR. The grounds were so beautiful and perfect. They look nice in pictures but you really need to see it in person. I love the look of the mansions along river. It is such a nice,relaxing place to stay after a hectic day at the parks. I wish we had more time to just hang out and explore. The pool was really nice, the slide was fun. It was nice to have the quiet pools right next to your building when you didn't want to deal with the crowds at the main pool. (Even Memorial Day weekend it was never that bad)
It also seemed that EPCOT is only a few minutes away. It seems like you just pull out the driveway, go down the round, make a right? turn and there is the ramp for EPCOT.
The food court is great and the boat ride to DTD is a nice way to get there.
I had a tough time picking a resort and I made the perfect decision. Even DH loved it. The only think that could make POR better is a face lift in the rooms. Maybe some flat screens?

3.

Animal Kingdom
I loved Animal Kingdom. I know some people think it only deserves half a day, but I would love to really spend the whole day, maybe two exploring and really seeing everything it has to offer.
It was great having an early morning ADR at Tuskerhouse and heading right on the Safari. The animals seemed much closer than I remember on previous trips and EE is a perfect addition to the park. I wish we had headed there early in the trip so that we could have returned again during the week. We spent most of the day there and still never got to see the Bug show in the tree, Festival of a Lion King or Nemo. A full day at AK is at the top of my list for next trip.


4.

Character hunting
Not much to say other than I the characters. I loved watching DD with the characters. It was too bad that she spent two days being shy in the beginning. She missed out on meeting Marie and Alice which she regretted later.



5. Character Dining

We all loved the character meals. Even DH said he liked the meals with the characters. He didn't like waking up early though.
I loved DD face waiting for the characters arrive. I think it was a great idea to pack in so many in this trip. DD has already changed so much since May and I don't think she will have the same excitement next trip. Her princess days were really winding down last trip, even to the point of me just canceling BBB and CRT but we kept it anyway. She ended up loving seeing the princesses and that interaction was priceless. She is pretty much over princesses now. Unless you count Princess Leia.

Personally, I loved the 8:05 adr when you could either walk into an empty park or have breakfast at a resort and still make it on time for rope drop. I was the minority on this though and most likely will let them sleep in a bit next trip.

So there you have it. My Disney trip.

 

[ksl5f123]

Somehow I missed your last couple of updates. I am so happy that you came back to post your top 5!!

Going back to the last post I missed, about your DH being told to go back on the Sea Racer.

I have never seen the pool at CR before. It looks nice although there really isn't much theming, is there?

I am so happy that you thought the food at Roaring Forks was OK. WL is my dream resort and my biggest concern is that we wouldn't like Roaring Forks. I am really happy to see that there is some decent food there.

I wish that we had made the time to take some pictures in Toon Town. Yours are great! Your fairy pictures are great too. Yours is the 2nd trip report to confirm what I had heard about Silvermist being there in the afternoon. I kind of wish that we had tried again so that DD4 could have met her.

Wonderful final pictures. Thanks so much for sharing your trip!