Family of 6 visits the Mouse - **NEW Day 8 - MK**

[MyHappyPlace]

Hurry, Hurry ..... I can't wait to hear about the next day! You guys are all having such a good time! I can't wait until we get to go again which is not for a while Reading trip reports is a great way to remember the magic between trips! Thanks for sharing!

 

[dismom9761]

I am LOVING your report.I have a question-I am renting a scooter formy dad in October and was thinking we would be stuck using Disney Transportation all the time. Where did you rent your mother's?We didn't think we could rent one that we would be able to put in our van.

BTW the pictures are great!!

 

[iamdopey]

I'm splitting this day up into two reports because I keep getting an error when I'm trying to post... I think I may have exceeded the size limit - if there is one...

Anyway, Day 5 - AK - Part 1

Even though AK was the park that I felt the least compelled to get to for opening, we managed to do it, but we cheated. We had an 8:00 PS at Restaurantosaurus. We arrived at AK early... I'd say around 7:15ish? They let us into AK around 7:30 and it was really nice having the park almost all to ourselves - even though they had us on a very restricted path with happy CM's cheerfully telling us we couldn't wander off any of the paths. Anyway, we arrived at Restaurantosaurus and they seated everyone one room at a time - which completely made sense to me so they could herd the characters into and out of one room without any confusion but overall, I was really disappointed with this particular character meal. The food was okay (DN1 loved it and completely got his (DM's) money worth of food but they really rush the characters - or at least that was my impression.

First off, character meals are really stressful - don't you think? Just when you put a bite of food in your mouth - in walks a character. You have to quick chew, swallow and make sure nothing is sticking out of your teeth so you can quickly put your arm around the character and smile. Then you have to quick grab your camera to take pictures of the rest of your group. You just get re-situated - put another bite of food in your mouth and in walks another character and so on and so on. Contrary to what I might sound like, I really do (usually) enjoy character meals because it's the one time you don't have to stand in a line to get a picture of a character and you do get sudo one-on-one time with them, however, I really felt like these characters were rushed and for what you (DM) pay for, you better quickly get some good pictures so you know you really were at a character meal. Here are a couple character pics we did manage to snap:

DD is seriously eyeing something up on my plate… OR she's embarrassed that I took so much food...

After we shoveled in our food, we were hoping to get a jumpstart over to Everest since the park would be opening to the public in about 15 minutes. Nope. They made us wait right outside of the restaurant until the park opened AND until the people caught up to us a bit! They finally let the rope drop and we all did one of those speed walk/jog/run things all the way to Everest. Where else do you, as an adult, run with other adults to a ride??? The kids were all having a ball and the adults were all laughing because we were all secretly slightly embarrassed that we were that excited to get to a ride, yet we couldn't wait, nor could we walk – we had to move fast because I think it was beginning to turn into an adult race to the finish. Once we got almost all the way to Everest (which, by the way, I’m pretty sure I won) they stopped us AGAIN with another rope. Once all the slow pokes caught up, the CM's walked us - with the rope - to the ride and let us go. Everyone but DM rode Everest and DS and DN1 are slightly ride wimps. They'll try any ride (minus spinny ones) once, but that's about all they can handle. DS really, truly almost lost it on Everest (which I have to admit would have been kinda funny to see.) The rest of us LOVED it. Everest is a GREAT ride and I really appreciate all the details Disney puts into the line queues and the ride itself. I had pretty high expectations and there's nothing like going on a ride for the first time - not really knowing what to expect. We were able to get right off the ride and back on again with no wait that early in the morning but it didn't take long before the line was a good hour wait. Here’s a great pic of the three kids in front of Everest:

After Everest, we made our way over to Safari. Here’s a great picture I snapped of two cousins sharing a moment and if you look real close, it looks like DN1 might even be enjoying himself – at Disney – on spring break.

I always enjoy the Safari and the animals were very active. I’d show you some pics of animals we saw but they look very humanlike – because someone’s head always managed to get in the way – just as I was snapping the picture. That’s what happens when you get stuck in the middle of the truck.

Part II coming right up...

 

[iamdopey]

Off topic here for a sec, but bear with me - there’s a reason. DM is retired and she has a very active internet life.?. Wait, that didn't come out exactly right - she belongs to a lot of boards – like the Dis – and has "met" some very nice people - or should I say she corresponds with them and even chats on the phone with some of them. Anyway, DS and I, being the loving, supporting daughters that we are, are always teasing DM about the fact these people aren’t “real” – they’re “those internet people.” Well, our worst nightmare came true. DM announces to us, as we’re planning our trip, that we’re going to meet one of her internet families at Disney! Since DM was footing the bill for the entire trip, we really couldn’t complain a whole lot because really, what were our options? So… in all honesty, DS and I were a little apprehensive about meeting these internet people but they couldn’t have been nicer people – really. We couldn't have enjoyed our time with them more. Here’s a group shot of DM and her/our new friends:

The mom in the family we met did something really special for my birthday (which is the next day – and I’ll get to more on that in the next day’s report) and I can’t thank her enough. Without even knowing me – only knowing my DM, she went completely out of her way to make my big 40 very special.

So… now we have now gone from a one-scooter family, to a three-scooter family – two of them having blue and white striped canopies on them! Yeah. We pretty much took up the entire walkway in AK – because the walkways are so dang narrow anyway - so I’m guessing we were quite a site.

We made our way over to Dinosaur and I wish I could post the ride picture that DS actually purchased because it was hilarious. I’m in the front, along with both nephews and DD and when they snapped the picture, I’m almost coming out of my seat (trying to get away from the dinosaur that I thought was going to eat me), both nephews are covering their ears but it looks like they’re covering their faces in fear and DD also has a look of horror on her face but the funny thing was, we weren’t playing it up for the camera. It was genuine. And I guess what added to the humor of the picture is the fact that the four of us in front have the reactions we do and everyone else in the rows behind us look like they’re bored out of their mind. Cracked us all up.

I think we did Lion King next. I can't say enough about this show. I absolutely love it and I get the goose bumps every time the Circle of Life song starts. In my opinion, this show is worth AK's admission alone. For whatever reason, I think this one monkey (who was by far the best monkey) had a thing for me... every time he would look at me, he would make this face - which I'm guessing was some type of mating call or something???

After Lion King, we meandered over to It’s Tough To Be A Bug, which is another one of my favorites - not in the same league as Lion King, but fun. While we were walking into the theater, our large group got a little split up and I somehow ended up sitting next to the smallest child of our new internet family friends. I think he's 5?

Well, you know the part where the bug takes that bigger-than-life can of People Raid and begins to spray the audience? My new little friend starts screaming at the top of his lungs, "I WANT MY MOMMY!" who, by the way, was not in the theater. Dad and brother are a few seats away. I immediately try to comfort him - even though we've only "known" each other for about an hour or two and it's not working. He continues to cry and scream "I WANT MY MOMMY" and just as I really start to slightly panic, the theater lights up a bit and something pretty comes on the screen (can't remember what at this point because I'm trying to console the screaming child) and he sees the pretty flower or bug or whatever it was and starts laughing. Crisis averted. I wish I could change my moods like that. Well, I do - but I wish I could be that public about it. He/we enjoyed the rest of the show and when we walked out of the theater, he ran up to mom and tells her how much he enjoyed it. She asks if he was scared at all and of course his reply was, "No! I LOVED it!" ????? Hellooo??? Were we even at the same show?

We all realized how famished we were (because it had been at least an hour or two since we had eaten something) so we decided to grab a bite to eat at Tuscar House. Great food but holy crap was that line long and sssssllllllloooooowwwwwwww. I was in line for a good 45 minutes but like I said, the food was great (chicken sandwich, salads, burgers) and it was nice to sit down and rest for a while. When we left Tuscar House, these men were performing right outside. I could so do that...

It was seriously about 90 degrees at this point and because we were at AK, it felt like it was at least 110 so we actually decided to leave. We had seen and done everything we wanted to - minus Kali River Rapids because the wait was 70 min so we left around 4:00ish.

We couldn’t wait to walk into our nicely air conditioned house and we were very surprised to find it warm in there. We started messing around with the thermostat, waiting for the AC to kick in and it just wasn’t. DN1 finally fesses up that when he was playing pool the night before in the garage - the AC was too loud and it was distracting him so he SHUT IT OFF. Fortunately, it was a matter of flipping the switch back to ON and the AC immediately kicked back in. Kids. Ya gotta love ‘em.

Next up - my best birthday ever!

 

[iamdopey]

dismom - here's the info of where my mom rented her scooter..

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837

The scooter didn't collapse all that much and you do need a bit of strength to get it into the van - but it's very dooable. Good luck!

 

[patterbones]

Great report-it feels like I am there with you because of the details, thanks for that! Can't wait to hear about the 4-0 surprise, what a place to spend a big birthday, wish I would have thought of that!

 

[antree]

I just found your report and caught up on all the reading, I am loving it. It made me cry when you were talking about your DD and how she turns into a little girl holding your hand again. My DD just turned 12 and looks alot older, I too noticed how the men were now checking her out when we were in Disney this January. She is going through her preteen yrs. and is to busy for me or to be my little girl but when we are in Disney, no matter what is going on at home she is my little girl all over again, calling me Mommy and holding my hand. That is what draws me back to Disney over and over again, the Magic it brings out in everyone, I Love my Family but when we are in Disney, it is different and more intense and I wish I could keep my family in that Loving Mood forever. Keep the reports coming.

Maria

 

[iamdopey]

Antree... I couldn't agree with you more and know exactly how you feel. Disney's magic definitely brings out the kid in everyone - even the adults. If someone could only figure out how to bottle that feeling...

 

[fizz13]

Looking forward to your birthday details now, wonder what the secret could be Just wanted to say not all of us internet people are too weird, we just like disney a little too much Glad you had a good AK day,

Claire xx

 

[dismom9761]

dismom - here's the info of where my mom rented her scooter..

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837

The scooter didn't collapse all that much and you do need a bit of strength to get it into the van - but it's very dooable. Good luck!

Thanks for the info.

 

[luciloo]

just subscribing, i love reading your trip report can't wait to hear about your 40th.

 

[MyHappyPlace]

I wish I could have spent my birthday at Disney. What a great place to spend it!

I just can't imagine walking around Animal Kingdom with 3 scooters. That had to have been a riot!

Can't wait to hear about your birthday!

 

[roberrl187]

Great report. I'm really enjoying it. We are going in August and are meeting our first internet "friends". I'm kinda nervous, but it will be fun. Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to your B-Day celebration.

 

[iamdopey]

When we were in Florida and I was talking to the three kids about doing this trip report, we were trying to figure out names for all of us - you know, cute Disney names to be referred by? DN1 really wanted to be Hercules (which I thought was pretty cute) and even though he hasn't officially read the report, he found out he's referred to as "DN1" and was very disappointed that he wasn't Hercules but when I first started writing the report, I kept forgetting who we were supposed to be (remember, I'm not very bright) and it ended up being too much work so I went with the old standby DS, DM, etc. So... in honor of DN1, I mean Hercules, DN1 will hereinout be referred to as Hercules. I should be able to remember one name.

 

[DISchick]

Patiently waiting (kind of!)
LOVING your TR--especially the pictures. Reports like yours are helping the time pass until our 10 person adventure begins! Thanks and keep 'em comin'!
Jill

 

[tictoc]

My kids and I are loving this report! Thanks for sharing your family!

 

[awesomepinktink]

Great trip report so far! Can't wait for the next

 

[iamdopey]

Day 6 - My b-day.

Here it was. My birthday. The big 4-0. I had been dreading this day for pretty much the last five years or so? Unfortunately, you can’t stop time and as much as I tried really hard to put the brakes on, it still came.

I woke up fairly early and went out to sit by the pool. When you hit a milestone birthday, it’s a good time to reflect on your life. I have a pretty nice life. I have a beautiful daughter who is my world. I have a wonderful family, great friends, great job, etc. I really don’t have much to complain about.

I was sitting by the pool thinking how lucky I was when I turned around and my family was standing there with matching shirts on! Their t-shirts said, “We’re with the birthday girl!” and my huge face was on all their shirts. The back of their shirts said “Disney Trip - 2006”. I was shocked for a few reasons: 1) they totally pulled the wool over my eyes and that’s not an easy thing to do because I’m a very suspicious person by nature; 2) the t-shirts were very creative and my family (me included) is not very creative; and 3) the kids were wearing them. DD is a girl and it’s not a big deal for her - but my two nephews were wearing them - flowery t-shirts with my face on them! Poor nephews... good thing I’m their favorite aunt because they never would have done this for anyone else! Here is a picture of the t-shirts...

Remember the internet friends I was telling you about? The mom in that family is VERY creative and she came up with the design of these t-shirts and she created the iron-on thingy and sent DS all the stuff and DS bought the t-shirts and ironed them all on (which I understand is quite a production and she ended up getting her whole family involved - and they all let me know it.)

Now, my family knows that I’m kind of an attention hog and as much as I hate to admit it’s true - it IS true. So, I suppose, since it was my 40th, they knew they had to do more than just wake up and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and I suppose I should be slightly embarrassed that they knew that wouldn’t be enough - hence the shirts but nah... it’s my family - they get me.

We had a great morning. We ate a nice breakfast (at the house), the kids swam in the pool and we slowly got ready for the day at Epcot.

Since this was our second day at Epcot - we didn’t feel quite so rushed so we didn’t show up until 11:00ish or so. We knew we were going to focus most of the day in World Showcase because that’s my absolute favorite - and since it was my birthday – it was all about me so off we went.

Oh, but first, we wanted a family picture of us in front of the Epcot golf ball because of the way we looked (matching t-shirts and all.) We had a couple photographers all over us - it was great - exactly what I was going for. One of the photographers grabbed a birthday pin for me (just in case people couldn’t figure out it was my birthday) and I managed to find a space on my shirt that didn’t have writing or my FACE on it and managed to pin it on without poking myself.

So... after we posed for pictures in front of the ball and everyone was done gawking (because we really were quite a scene), we made our way over to World Showcase.

This is what we looked like from the back…

We started out in Mexico and the family wanted to ride the lame Mexico ride and I knew we had all day there so what the heck - I caved and we rode it. Still lame as ever, but it’s nice and cool in there and it’s something we can all do but doesn’t it remind you of a Mexican version of It’s a Small World? I’ve never eaten in Mexico - but the atmosphere sure is nice - wonder if the food is as good?

We walked outside of Mexico and all commented that it couldn’t be a nicer day. The sky was a deep blue and it was crystal clear out - plus, it wasn’t quite as hot as it had been the previous days. I think they forecasted mid 70’s. Perfect. Of course - it was my birthday. Sorry... I’ll stop now. Here we are enjoying the beautiful day…

There was a Mariachi band playing outside of Mexico and we stood there for a minute to watch them and I wondered what it would be like to really be in Mexico - watching a Mariachi band - because I’ve never been to Mexico... I’m guessing if you’ve seen one Mariachi band, you’ve seen them all. Ahhh... back to reality - wait, not “real” reality - Disney reality. Onward to Norway.

Here’s DN2 with a… what IS this thing?

We stopped in Norway to get some sweet treats. We got a sweet pretzel - which looked really good - but it kinda tasted like a dry sweet roll - but it sure looked pretty. DM got a funky looking coconut roll thing that she said was good. A little too much coconut for me – eww… couldn’t try it. Hercules (following me?) got his first of 3, I think, chocolate mousse (what’s the plural of mousse - misse?) Anyway, we nibbled on our snacks outside - again commenting on how beautiful Epcot is - and what a gorgeous day it was - and commenting on how EVERYONE is staring at us - always - oh yeah, it’s the shirts.

We finished up our snacks and in honor of ZZUB, we had to ride Maelstrom, which sadly yes, is a fastpass. I had a smile on my face the entire time, fondly thinking of ZZUB and Maelstrom and then my left foot got completely drenched on the ride. Maybe it’s not so bad if you have matching drenched feet - but one isn’t good. I’m tough though - plus it’s my birthday - I’m not letting anything get me down. No, actually, it wasn’t all that bad - I’m just trying to think of anything funny that happened - and nothing really did so... onward to China.

If you like egg rolls (is egg roll one word or two - let’s go with two), you have to try the egg rolls in China. Even if you don’t like egg rolls, try them in China - they’re that good. And if you are starting to see a pattern here, you are correct - we ARE eating our way through the countries - but isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? We all shared a few egg rolls - we all went on and on about how good they were - or at least my family was agreeing with me - and maybe that’s all they were doing - because it was my birthday. Maybe the egg rolls aren’t even that good - but they knew they had to agree with me. No... they’re that good. Even Hercules, who said he doesn’t normally like egg rolls, commented that he liked/loved them. “Nuff egg roll talk - on to Germany.

I don’t really like German food all that much, which is a good thing, because I really wasn’t hungry at this point. The fun part about walking through all the countries was having everyone wish me a happy birthday and the CM’s were wishing me happy birthday in their native language and after I’d give them that deer in the headlight look that meant, “huh?” they would then say (in English) happy birthday. I tried to say “thank you” in their language but I really only knew thank you in two languages - French (merci) and English so I’d try to mumble something that sounded like something. The CM’s would then give ME that deer in the headlight look and then I’d say “thank you” in English and then I think they would give me that “poor loser girl” look as I’d walk away. It’s all good though - it’s my birthday. Nothing happened in Germany that I can think of... off to Italy.

Actually, we skipped Italy at this time because we had dinner ressies at Alfredo’s so we moseyed on over to America. I’ve never had the pleasure of listening/experiencing Voices of America and I’ve heard such wonderful things about them - so much to the children’s dismay, we plopped down to watch them.

Before the show started, the conductor walked up to us and asked whose birthday it was - duh - so he asked me my name, etc. The conductor started the show by saying, “we have a special guest here today (me) and it’s her birthday!” He pointed me out and said where I was from, etc. Voices of Liberty then sang happy birthday to me and it was the most beautiful goose-bumpy thing that has ever happened to me. It was amazing and everyone was staring at me - which was slightly uncomfortable because I didn’t know where to look. Do I look at them as they’re singing to me? Which one do I look at? Do I look at the pretty ones or the ones that look funny when they sing - kinda like they’re in pain? Do I look at my daughter who is leaning on me whispering in my ear, “Mom.... everyone is staring at us - make them stop.” Do I look at all the people staring at me? By the time I had all the questions answered, they were done. It was truly amazing and they completely made my birthday. As if they didn’t do enough by singing to me - when they were finished, each one of them walked up to me and wished me a happy birthday - it was very special.

Since we already saw the movie in America (remember, the kids fell asleep), we hung out for a bit talking to the singers and the CM’s were trying to usher everyone into the theater. The lobby was clear so we decided to finally leave. As we were walking out the front of the building - they had the door roped off - since the movie was about to begin - so we had to detach the rope to walk out. Hercules, being the young little gentleman that he is, was holding the rope for us to leave when a rush of people outside of the building started coming in. It was hilarious because we knew they weren’t supposed to be going into the building and Hercules also knew it but he didn’t know what to do because he’s 15. So... he stood there and held the rope and let all these people in as we stood there and laughed at him. They finally stopped rushing in and he quickly reattached the rope and slinked away. As we were walking away from the building, we looked back and the rush of people were all being ushered back out of the building. Maybe you had to be there, but it was pretty funny. Okay... now on to Japan.

As we were on our way over to Japan, we saw a few characters - those slightly creepy Country Bear Jamboree bears. They are probably my least favorite characters but we really hadn’t stopped at all to get pictures of characters so we tried. Of course, they were just finishing up so I walked up to one of the CM’s (thinking she’d see my t-shirt, my button, AND my entire family of t-shirts and she’d give me that special Disney birthday treatment) so I said, “Hi!” (again, waiting for the special treatment) and she barely looked at me and said, “the characters are done signing - they’ll be back again in blah, blah, blah...” I looked at her and said, “... not even for the birthday girl?” to which she barely looked at me and very curtly said, “No... they’re done.” I stood there with my mouth agape - not that I REALLY expected “special treatment” but she was just plain rude - birthday or not. I had never been treated like that before by a CM and she must have sensed it because she turned right around and whispered to us to walk over by this little hidden gate and stand there and wait. I told my family (minus DN2 - not quite sure where he was) and we all made our way over there. She kindly escorted the creepy bears over to us and let us take a few pictures with them! We had our own little private picture moment with them - it was very special and this CM was wonderful! Maybe she was disgruntled because everyone else gets the good characters - and she gets stuck with the creepy bears. I even told her that this was what Disney was all about and she kinda patted me on the back and said, “Yeah, whatever...” No, she didn’t - she was very kind and again - it really does pay to advertise the fact that it’s your birthday at the parks! Here’s a pic of us with them:

Wow... this day is getting long. I’m getting exhausted re-living it again. Umm... oh, Japan. We listened/watched the drum people again. We’re always fascinated watching them. I think the middle drum girl kept messing up though because she and the drum man to her left kept giggling, which made me giggle. Either that or one of them had gas, I’m not sure which. That’s all that happened in Japan.

I think it was probably about this point that we headed back over to Italy for our dinner (early dinner reservation - 3:00ish.) I was really mixed about Alfredo’s. Years ago, people really raved about this place - nonstop accolades. At least, that’s what I remembered so when we (me) was trying to figure out where to eat for my birthday, I wanted to do Alfredo’s. But it seems like everything I had been reading about Alfredo’s in the last 6 months was pretty negative. Bad service - food had gone downhill, etc. but we thought we’d risk it anyway. I had never been there before - I love Italian food - my birthday (in case you had forgotten) so we ate there. LOVED it! Absolutely LOVED it! As we were waiting in the lobby, all the CM’s were wishing me a happy birthday (so much for those rude Italians) and they were asking us where we were from, etc.

While we were sitting there, I was checking out all the cute Italian waiters (that’s just what I do - I can’t help it) and I couldn’t wait to get a cute waiter and flirt a little - cuz it’s my birthday - and he’d have to flirt back a little - cuz it’s my birthday. So... as we were seated at our table and waiting for our waiter, up walks this little, non-Italian-looking man and I just knew it. He was our waiter. Here’s a pic of him and me...

Now, I know what you’re thinking... he’s not bad looking - and he really wasn’t - HOWEVER, had you seen some of the other waiters, ooh, la, la, he just wasn’t as cute as they were. That said, he was an awesome waiter - we loved him - loved the food and better yet - they ALL sang happy birthday to me - in Italian (I think) and it was fun and I still got to see the rest of them up close so it was a wonderful moment. I loved this place and I’d definitely go back again.

When we walked out of the restaurant in Italy, we were walking around admiring the scenery and I came across this sleeping man…

I don’t know why this struck me as so funny, but come on! There was soooo much going on and he’s over there sawing logs! I mean, he was down for the count. How can you possibly sleep with all this stimulation going on around you? My apologies if this is you, or your dad, or your brother, etc… but I couldn’t resist. He did jump a bit when I took the picture, but he went right back to la-la land. When I snapped the picture, DD was mortified. She couldn’t believe I did it. I knew it would make good trip report material… or maybe not.

Okay, this is getting too long. We went to Canada to watch Off Kilter (loved them) and then over to UK to watch British Invasion (also loved them) and then we went to France for dessert - yes, we were getting borderline sick at this point but I think I heard once that everything you eat on your birthday is free (calorie wise) so again, had to take full advantage of that. We then we sat and watched Illuminations. Another perfect ending to an even better day. Couldn’t have asked for anything more... well, I could have... nah, it was pretty much perfect.

 

[awesomepinktink]

Awesome Birthday shirts How cool is that Can't wait for the rest of your trip report!

 

[calstitcher]

I'm enjoying your report so far! I especially love that your family save you the best room and left you stuffed characters on your bed!