First attempt at a Trip report

[mjmcca]

Be gentle this is my first attempt at a trip report.



Cast

Me MJ 37
DHC 22
DS 3
DD 2

Plan: there was none. I had no room ressies before I left NYC. I knew I was driving and since DH didn’t want to go I would be the only driver. I have driven this before by myself bother with and without the kids so that didn’t bother me. My last day of work before I was to go on vacation was 8/4. I knew I would have to pack after that and do laundry. I hate traveling on the weekends but due to my work schedule I knew that was what was going to happen.


We left about 10:30 am Saturday morning. Hubby was working we had said goodbye the night before. The drive down was uneventful. We stopped at Cracker barrel for lunch stopped for a stretch at a shopping mall for the kids to let off some energy. Had Pizza Hut for dinner, kept driving until I got too tired to continue. We got a hotel room for the night and slept until about 9ish. Showered dressed and we were on the road again. I called the friends we were planning on seeing while in Florida. She told me some really bad news about her father and had offered to call her brother in Newport News VA so we could stay with him. I told her my plans were to at least get into NC before stopping for the night



I called hubby and he said that his friends were expecting me that night in Cleremont! I was only in NC! I tried to cut down on stops but with diapers to change and kids who want to stretch their little legs that’s not so easy to do. We stopped for lunch some place that escapes me right now. Drove through to SC got off at the Hilton Head exit to go to the outlets. There used to be a Disney Store outlet there that is long gone. Instead we took the chance to let the kids walk a little and change the diapers.




Zipped through GA and thank goodness there is FLA! We stopped for some FF for dinner. When we got on I-4 it started raining. We called our friends and they said come over to the house. I then called hubby and he said get a room first. (Or you will be staying the night with her)



Traffic was really light on I-4 but it was late and all the parks were pretty much closed. I had planned on getting a room before I got to Hanane’s but I called one last time when we were near the Disney exits to let her know we were close and she told me her Dad and youngest sister were at Disney Quest and they needed a ride home. I told her not to come or send her hubby I could get them.


So the nest Disney exit I take off to the west side we go. We all get out of the car and start looking for Hanane’s dad and sister. I walked all over the area around DQ and the Virgin Megastore no sign of them. Inside the DQ store over by Cirque still nothing. I call Hanane and she tells me they have her cell so I try that. Her sister answers and thinks I am looking for Hanane (they sound a lot a like). I inform her that we are her ride home and we are outside DQ waiting for them. We meet up and change some more diapers. Then it’s off to Cleremont!


It’s now about 12:30 am and of course Hanane makes us stay. She has made arrangements for us to get CM rate rooms at POP. We finally get to sleep which is no easy task since Hanane has 2 kids the same age as mine and they are running around the house like little nuts.

 

[mjmcca]

Cast
Me MJ 37
DHC 22 (doesn’t speak much English)
DS 3
DD2


We got up around 10 hung around the house until some of our hosts got up. Hanane had gone to work early that morning. Once everyone was awake I asked them for the closest BJ's since that’s the only club I am a member of. Unfortunately the closest is all the way over by the Millennium Mall on I-4.I wanted to pick up bulk water. I left DD and DHC and took DS with me. We drove over there at first I had a problem finding the store as it is set back from the road. We bought the water and then of course DS had to have pizza so off to the small food area for pizza. On the way back to Cleremont I decided to check into the hotel so I would have 2 bored toddlers running the lobby. There were surprisingly few people on the line took all of 20 minutes. Drove over to luggage assistance dropped off the bags that I had with me (a few overnight ones were still in Cleremont). We checked out the room (50’s A building nice location) and then went back to Cleremont.



I stayed a while letting the kids play but DD was getting cranky. She had not napped and had been playing all day with the other kids. I told DHC that we had to go. She was outside playing with Hanane’s sister (the one we had picked up on the Westside the night before). I packed the car put the kids in the car seat and waited and waited and waited. She kept playing. Hanane’s sister even asked her if she had to go and she said no. I waited a little longer I looked at her she kind of ignored me so I said goodbye and left.

Needless to say I was a little annoyed at DHC. I drove to the hotel DD fell asleep on the way there and I had to carry her all the way back to the room since I had the stroller delivered to the room with the bags. Before going to the room I again went the luggage assistance because since I was alone with the kids I wouldn’t be able to carry much with me.

In the room I got the kids ready for bed and in a short time they were asleep. I called Hanane’s and got her hubby. I told him I wouldn’t be able to come back cause the kids were asleep. DHC spent the night in Cleremont.

 

[mjmcca]

Cast
Me MJ 37
DHC 22 (doesn’t speak much English)
DS 3
DD2


I had forgotten to put this in context for you this is 8/10 incase you were wondering when i had gone.

We got up got ready and went to the food court to feed the kids. I have never been one to be at the parks when the rope drops and now with 2 little one I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I decided to go to Seaworld since I knew that I would have to pick up DHC at some point in the day. The kids loved it for the most part. DD was a little frightened of the rays but DS really liked them same with the dolphins. She liked looking at them from the underwater viewing area though. I think it was too close for comfort in the area that you can touch them.

We went to several attractions including the Manatees the Alligators in front of the Manatees (which DS loved). The biggest hit was the penguins. They went through twice. They played in the fountains outside the Atlantis attraction. We then went to the Sea Lion show. We didn’t have good seats but it didn’t matter. I got a called from Hanane asking about when I was coming to get DHC. We left the show early and made our way out of the park, first stopping for them to play in the fountains in the new waterfront area.

In Cleremont I picked up DHC and took Hanane’s kids and her sister with us to go to the resort pool. We get all the car seats situated and we are off. In the room all the kids are put in bathing suits and swimmers if needed. (by me) The pools are really nice at POP. We went to the main pool.


The kids had fun in both of the pools there, the kiddie’s pool and the big pool. DHC and Hanane’s sister stayed in the big pool. I ordered a Pizza from the food court and we ate outside. Then we went back to the room. I wanted to take them to FW to the campfire and movie with Chip and Dale Hanane’s sister and DHC took too long getting dressed after the pool ( and left me to get all the kids dressed)so we made the movie but missed the characters. The movie was Pinocchio. The kids seemed to like it. I had thought it didn’t make an impression with DS but I found out a few days later that was not the case. Hanane’s hubby came to pick up the crowd from Cleremont and we went back to POP after the movie.
I have a big complaint with FW they haven’t updated the charts in the parking lot telling you which lines go where. We were waiting for a long time for a bus that doesn’t run any longer.

 

[KittyKitty]

Keep them coming.

Can't figure out what DHC stands for. Disney Hurricane Charlie, Darling her child............ darn heck cousin..................???

Let me know

Thanks

Susan

 

[CoolBreeze]

...right up to the point where you bring the non-resort guests to the resort pool and camp fire.

Adios.

 

[mjmcca]

Hubby's cousin she lives with us.

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by CoolBreeze
...right up to the point where you bring the non-resort guests to the resort pool and camp fire.

Adios.

She's allowed to bring guests to the pool where she's staying and especially the camp fire. It's only people to take it upon themselves to go to a resort pool unescorted by paying guests that are not allowed.

 

[my3girlstoo]

So we can bring non-resort guest to our(paying) resort pool but us paying resort guest can't go to a different resort pool? Is this correct or I'm I confused?

 

[mjmcca]

I forgot that after everyone got to bed I still had to do some shopping. Off to Walmart I go. We would need to do laundry soon. I needed detergent a cooler that I could keep in the room while I took the collapsible one to the parks and some milk for the kids. I got them some pens for their autograph books and a few other odds and ends ( ice!!!) and I got back to the room really late.

 

[mjmcca]

Well I am pretty sure I didn’t do anything too terribly wrong Hanane and her hubby both work for Disney. They knew where I was taking everyone. If there was a problem they would have told me that I couldn’t do it

 

[mjmcca]

Cast
Me MJ 37
DHC 22 (doesn’t speak much English)
DS 3
DD2


We got up when the kids woke up and got dressed. I had gotten some cereal bars at Wal-Mart yesterday so I gave them to the kids before we left the room. We decided to try the buses today. This is impossible if I am traveling alone since I can’t manage the double stroller the cooler with water and the diaper bag and 2 kids all on my own. In the past when I have gone with the kids I always drove parked and walked to the entrance.


When we got to the bus stop the MGM bus was there and there were still seats on it so that’s the park we hit. We exchanged 2 of the tickets for APs. Then we entered the park. First on my agenda was to get to Lilo and Stitch. They are DS’s favorites. Along the way we saw some of the Winnie the Pooh characters and stopped for them. After Lilo and Stitch the timing was off for playhouse Disney and Little Mermaid so we went to eat. We headed in the direction of Star Tours and since I know this ride is a bit rough I thought we should do it first then eat. We did a baby swap for DD she is way to small for this. DS rode with me, he seamed to like it but I know he won’t do it again.

We ate in Backlot Express hamburgers all around for the adults and hotdogs and chicken fingers for the kids. The reason I know DS wont do Star Tours again is he didn’t want to go past it thinking we were going to go in again. I convinced him that we weren’t and that he didn’t have to go if he didn’t want to. The line for Muppets was pretty long so we gave that a miss also. I took them to Honey I Shrunk the Kids. They loved it.

Time for a diaper change so into the bathrooms by the splash statue we go. We walked down Mickey Ave. I considered the backlot tour but it encompasses a lot of walking and I didn’t feel up to carrying DD for that long. I think you can take your stroller but trying to fold that double is a nightmare. A little further down the road and its time to see Mickey another BIG hit. It was really hot and the kids were getting cranky not to mention the adults so we decided to leave, with the thought to swim at the hotel. Well 3 of us did Ds never did nap. He did remain quiet enough that I was able to get almost an hour of sleep. Since I didn’t want him waking up his little sister I decided to take him for a ride in the car. I took the streets and was at first on I drive south then wound up on I drive proper. Before I hit the convention center he was gone. I drove most of the way to Beltz stopped for gas and a soda and then headed back.


When we got back I didn’t really want to eat in the food court, so back to the buses without the stroller (big mistake on both counts) and off to DTD we went. The kids played in the fountain by the bus stop. We then went and ate in Wolfgang Puck Express. Pizza is always a big hit with young adults and little kids. We also tried the cheese quesadilla.

The kids then rode the carousel and loved it of course. I looked at the pins and then we hit the toy store. They loved the Mr. Potato heads. One of the CM started playing ball with DD and she was enthralled. This is the reason I love going to Disney. Then we went to WOD and looked around but the place was jammed and the kids kept getting into stuff so we left but by this time the store was closing anyway.


The gates were open on PI and I thought to walk through to go to the Westside and catch the bus there but then I thought since we are here lets stay for the Fireworks. This is where I am kicking myself for not bringing the stroller. Both kids want to be held at this point. DS may be 3 but he looks like he is at least 5 and is heavy and hard to carry. They made it for the Fireworks and then we went to the bus stop. We met a family from California. They had 2 girls who were 10 and 7 or 8 I think. DS and DD were playing with them while we waited for the bus. Thankfully with lap seating we were able to get seats and free up some seats for the others who were waiting. This bus took a very very very long time to come. Some of the other resorts had 2 or 3 buses come while POP and none.

 

[disneyisfun]

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Thanks for the report

 

[SoCalKDG]

I'm getting tired just reading the report. Good work.

 

[lUVTOGO]

Great Trip Report! You have a lot of energy!!