First Family Trip to WDW - Grandparents included :7/24 Updated with Day 6!!!

[BuzzPrincessMom]

Hi,

I received so many great tips and answers from this board, I thought the least I could do is try my hand at a trip report. Here it goes:
Cast Members: Myself (DW), DH, DD5, DS5, Nana and PopPop (my parents)

This trip has been in the works since I told my parents I was expecting their first grandchildren - twins! One of my Dad's first questions, when are we taking them to Disney! When they are 5 we always said - Wow it came fast!

Day 1
Children wake up to find Tinkerbell has left them a present and a note saying she can't wait to see them today from her window in the castle. DH and I had the goal of leaving the house by 9am for our 11am flight (airport 20 minutes away) - the kids were in the car waiting for us at 8:30am - so we left early (I marked my calendar that will probably never happen again!)
Flight uneventful - only a few tears on DDs part - but we arrive in Orlando about 20 minutes early. Followed map for Magical Express - checked in and in line for the bus before our flight was suppose to land!

Here is the goose bump part - on the bus we "The One" by Elton John comes on radio (We had a Mears bus - and no Disney movie) which was our wedding song and as the song is playing the Driver announces "Welcome to WDW". My kids cheer - and I have tears in my eyes!

Arrive at CBR - check in go to room - put on suncreen, shorts and off to bus to MK by 3:30pm. My parents arrived the day before so I called them on the cell - and they told me they would meet us at the gate - they wanted to see the kids expression when they walked in. Mom did more than that she actually was out near the turnstiles and actually photographed the four of us walking up, and got fantastic pictures of the excitement on my kids faces.

We walked in, gave hugs to my parents and the kids immediately wanted to go meet Minnie who was in front of the park. We got her autograph and some pictures. Then it was off to Main Street.

We walked down Main Street - stopped to have a Photopass picture and then stood near the castle. Since Cinderellabration had just finished we couldn't go thru as my DD wanted, so we went off to the side Tomorrowland. The plan was just to walk around for a little while, letting them see what it was like. No real time for rides, as we had a 5:30 ADR at Crystal Palace. This little walk around had another purpose - I was trying to figure out where Belle's story time was - Belle is my DD favorite and I wanted to figure the show into my touring plan. Imagine my surprise when we stumble upon the location, and a story time was about to begin. We went to the back. Me with my camera and DH with his video camera. Belle is picking her "actors" - And I need a Beast - "That man in the back with the white shirt and hat" - Yes you guessed it - DH! I took the video camera and have it all on film! He was such a good sport. DD and DS thought it was a hoot!

Right after it was time for dinner - so off to Crystal Palace where we only had to wait 10 minutes for our table. My parents are not fans of Buffets and thought it was wonderful! The food was great - so was the service. Character interaction was fantastic. I acheived a goal of having my picture with Eeyore, my favorite.

We left there and pretty much went back to CBR. Our luggage still hadn't arrived. DH called and had to call a second time - I think it got to our room about 11pm. I had packed PJs for the kids in their carryons so they were in bed sleeping when it finally arrived.

Day 2 tomorrow - Father's Day - 2 Dads and a Princess Storybook breakfast!

 

[BeckWhy]

Aww.. I wanna see the pics your mom took of the kids running towards the turnstyles! I can picture it now!

 

[Minniespal]

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[TLinden16]

What a wonderful first day! How cool that your mom was able to snap a picture of the look on your kids faces as they headed into the park. A wonderful memory for all of you.

Thanks for posting!

 

[Disney owl]

Great start can't wait to read more

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

Thanks everyone...the picture of the kids coming the turnstyles is cute - I don't have the .jpg - just was able to see it in my Mom's shutterfly account. I don't have her CD of pictures yet.

I'll try to do Day 2 tonight...thanks for reading... Off to Curves!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

It did sound like you had an awesome first day, I'll be looking out for day 2.

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

Okay here we go again...

Day 2 - Father's Day

DH made a list of 11 rides he wanted to go on during our week long trip - that was it, everything else would be gravy to him. This list was in response to my asking each person, 3 adults, 2 children and myself - "What is the #1 thing you want to do while in WDW - give me the #1 thing - I will make it happen in our schedule." When we realized it was Father's day during our trip we agreed that DH and my Dad would each pick one thing they would like to do that day. So on Father's Day we were going to pick one or two rides on DH's list. My Dad, aka PopPop, requested minigolf. So we planned the morning in Epcot - afternoon at Fantasia Gardens and dinner in the Studios. The last thing I did regarding Father's Day before we left was with the Dads' blessing I booked the Princess Storybook breakfast for the six of us at 8:30am Father's Day.

I must admit I could not sleep that first night. I was terrified I we would all over sleep and not make it to the breakfast in Norway. I was up at 5am and I ironed the special outfit I bought for DD. She isn't one for dressup - so I got her just a cute outfit and some special hairbows. DS was dressed to impress too as he was hoping to meet Mulan! Everyone was up, dressed and out of the room by 7:30am and off to Epcot we were!

8:30am on the dot we checked in at the Princess Storybook breakfast - we were the 2nd group to do so. Shortly after we were called. DD's favorite princess is Belle - her favorite color is yellow! She and her brother proudly showed Belle their autograph books and I took pictures and DH video taped. Soon after being seated we got our drinks and hot plates of food. DS ate the whole fruit tray himself! Nana and I loved the cinamon rolls. Good breakfast food. Within 15 minutes we could see the first princess come thru the door - Snow White, followed in about 10 to 15 minute intervals by Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, and Mary Poppins. They came around with the "official picture" for about $30 but we didn't get it as I checked my digital camera and my picture was better - theirs DD wasn't looking at the camera, but down. Overall we were all pleased with this breakfast and I would do it again and reccomend it to others.

It was 9:30am and it was time to start the "Father's" portion of Father's Day.
DH decided we would check one ride off his list - Soarin' something all six of us could ride. I got everyone's resort ids and ran ahead and got fast passes. During our wait, we investigated Innoventions West a little, found and bought the limited edition Father's Day pins for the kids, and had the Photopass people take some pictures. Soarin' was incredible - each one of us loved it, and since my sister lives in California it sort of made us feel she was with us. We came out and had some hungry kids so we went in search of chicken and fries. I took out my handy paper I printed from DIS with snacks on the DP and headed to the McDonald's. It cost me $16 OP because I didn't check with the clerk before I ordered on the sizes included in DP - I ordered one large chicken nugget and fry thinking the kids could share - Large was not on the DP. Oh well live and learn.

After the kids ate it was off to Fantasia Gardens. We got there via the boat at the International Gateway (Thanks to DIS advice) and landed at the Swan. Once we found the path to Fantasia Gardens it was a short walk. We arrived about 1:55pm. No one was before us, but they gave us a "tee time" of 2:02pm. And they insisted that we divide up, six of us could not play together. PopPop, DH, DD, and DS played together and my Mom, aka Nana, and myself "played" behind them. (we actually spent more time taking pictures and never kept our score - we should have as we both got one hole in one). Fantasia Gardens was a lot of fun - it cost us about $65 for all of us to play - comparable to what I paid last year here at home for the six of us to play for Father's Day. It was great downtime away from the parks - and it gave you the Disney feel.

Back to the Swan to take the boat to the Studios. The people at Fantasia Gardens did NOT reccomend trying to walk to the Studios. Once in the Studios we went to H&V to check which show our Fantasmic Dinner package was for - early - 9pm! So we went to Gerties and got and ice cream snack - this time I asked about DP before ordering and everything was great! We walked around a little, and did some shopping then it was time to go to H&V. This meal was FANTASTIC! Our server was great, very attentive. The Pot Roast was my favorite. They even had mini key lime pies my Mom's favorite! Server even refilled the kids cups before leaving so they could take them with them, and put my ice tea in a to go cup. Meal on DP for all of us and we left an extra tip over the DP!

We went over and went thru Animation before Fantasmic. It has always been one of my favorite in the Studios. The kids thought it was great and after the "movie" they had the interactive room with kids stuff - and they had a mural from CARS! My son went wild. We got tons of pictures with him and his sister standing near lightening McQueen.

I insisted we go to Fantasmic by 8pm - as our server said it would get filled up even in the "reserved" section before 8:30pm. We got up there, and decided to sit more in the middle and not in the "reserved" section. It was hard for the kids to just sit and wait - fortunately PopPop had just bought DS CARS Uno. So they sat and played the game for a while to mark time. Once the show stared they LOVED it. It ranks #2 for me behind Wishes. I do reccomend sitting and waiting a few minutes to leave. We waited just 5 or 10 and found it much easier to walk out. We made it out to the bus and back to CBR.

Sorry so long - but it was a FULL day!

Day 3 - Magic Kindgom - DH and me a night to ourselves - oh yeah and a lost resort id!

I have a cake to bake and frost - and many July 4th plans - I might not be able to work on Day 3 until after the 4th. Everyone enjoy your weekend plans!

 

[BeckWhy]

I absolutely love reading about your family. I hope when I have a family of my own my parents and/or my husbands parents and my family could all go together.

Don't worry about it being long. I love all the details. I can just picture being around when your family was there and just seeing all the excitement of your family.

Take your time... but I will be waiting for you next chapter!

 

[typod]

I am 13years old and I have been to disney 4 times it sounds like the first time I went to disney in 1999.write more

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July! I have basically spent all my time from my last post in a pool...and I don't have one!

Here we go on Day 3: Monday June 19th

Since we had done Fantasmic the night before, we didn't get an early start. They woke up about 7:30am, ate breakfast in the room, got dressed, off to Nana and PopPops room and we were off! We were at the bus about 9am - destination Magic Kingdom! I know some will think that is early, but my twins are normally up 6am and I have to "talk" them into staying in bed until 7am.

Now since we did something "special" for DD the previous day (The Storybook Breakfast) we, meaning the adults, agreed DS should get his pick of what we did first on Monday. He wanted to go on Buzz Lightyear and the Indy Cars so off to Tomorrowland. Buzz was posting a 40 minute wait, so we decided to get FastPasses and then head over to the Indy Cars. Nana and PopPop went up to the Observation area and took pictures. (Have you gotten the feeling that we are a family big into pictures, actually it is just Nana and myself) The wait was a little longer than we expected but I think we were in cars in under 30 minutes. I was with DD and, DH and DS were together.

A background story: Now I must tell you that DD's FAVORITE color is yellow. I know different for a 5 year old girl. One day last September, her preschool teacher was asking every person what their favorite color was, and making a list/chart. Every girl ahead of her picked, pink or purple. It was my DD's turn and she announced YELLOW as her favorite color. She comes home with a little paper that she practiced her name on and on it the teacher wrote, and my favorite color is YELLOW. Okay I did a double take, and asked her why yellow since she had just made me buy her all purple and pink clothes to start school because those were her favorite colors. She looked at me with her cute blue eyes and said "Mama, every other girl said pink and purple, and I wanted to be different". Now doesn't that just melt your heart. And since that day in September she has not waivered. Every time she has a color choice it is yellow, she was Belle for Halloween to wear the yellow gown. And that is why meeting Belle was so big to her, because Belle wears a beautiful yellow dress.

Okay so you know as we are waiting for these Indy Cars she tells me she wants the yellow car. I tell her Honey we will get what we get. Well with Tinkerbell's help we got a yellow car, and DS got a green car (his favorite color). And up on the observation deck, Nana and PopPop photographed it all. I tried to "drive" slow as all the books reccomend since off loading takes so long, but DS behind us wanted to drive fast. In all the kids loved the ride, and it brought back great memories for me from my first trip to WDW. After that we were off to Buzz. Even Nana and PopPop liked this ride. We got off, were trying to think of what to do next and PopPop exclaims - Look there's Buzz. So of course we go over near the Wheel of Progress and go to get Buzz's Autograph. DS happened to be wearing a Buzz shirt too, great pictures - Daddy even got in one. In the same area were, Stitch, and Chip and Dale. I thought it was great that Chip and Dale were together and I got a picture of the kids with both of them. I was pleased as my work on the kids homemade autograph books seemed to pay off, the pens were attached with a curling ribbon and since they were a spiral bound note cards it was easy to flip pages.

Now it was time to try to eat, we headed to Cosmic Rays to get out of the heat. It was prime time, but for some reason - maybe it is all those years of Day after Thanksgiving shopping with my Mom - my Dad - aka PopPop was able to "snag" a table for all six of us within 5 minutes. Being the experienced Mall shoppers we are, we knew to find a seat THEN get our food. We split up - DH going to Bay 2 for burgers for us, me to Bay 1 for Chicken and Fries for the kids. Nana stayed with kids at table. I was extremely pleased with the kids DP menu choice. Cute mickey ears plate filled with chicken nuggets and french fries, an apple sauce, a fountain juice and brownies. They ate most of it, I think the apple sauce and brownies went in the backpack for later. Our burgers were edible - Wendy's is the best, and I think DH got me carrot cake, he got chocolate cake. Nana had a salad and PopPop a burger, I think. Best part of meal the air conditioning, and sitting out of the sun. As we were cleaning up PopPop commented on this family (of six just like us - 3 generations) waiting for our table and that we should make sure they get it. I walk over to them, and told them we were about to leave, and I would hate to for them to miss out on our table, so please come stand closer, it wouldn't offend. I felt like I did a little bit of spreading the magic and they got a seat.

Out of Cosmic Rays we decide I will "find" a ride in Fantasyland for us. I got everyone's resort ids and we agreed we would meet up in Toon Town at Donald's Boat. Off I go, Fastpass for Pooh was during parade and that was on our agenda, so that was out, Snow White I deemed to scary from reviews I had read so that was out, Next stop Mickey's Phillharmagic - I know most reccomend not to "waste" a Fastpass - but since I could come back in 1 hour and we planned on doing one thing then parade I thought it was best for us. So off with my six passes to get our Fastpasses. I have this system. I hold all ids in my left hand between my thumb and pointer and after I take it out of the machine I put it between my ring finger and pinky. I always count passes and ids before I leave the machine. As I was getting the passes, a Castmember asks if I need help. We have a short conversation and I continue. I am out of ids so I count. I only have 5 fastpasses, I double check, I only have 5 ids! I stand there and go thru the ids, and check off in my head everyone in our party, and low and behold I AM missing one, MINE! I look down and around but no id. Okay it's lost. I don't panic...I have read DIS...I go over to a castmember - I explain that I was trying to get 6 fastpasses, my id is lost, Can I go to City Hall to get a new one issued? She immediately "gives" me another fastpass. But tells me unfortunately I will have to go to my resort to get a new id. After a quick check at Cosmic Rays and of my walking path, I arrive at Donald's Boat. I see DH " Just to let you know I lost my resort id/park pass, but I know what to do " . I think this was one of those moments that all my prep on the vacation seemed to "be worth it" to him.

We all went to Phillharmagic - the kids first 3D movie - and they loved it. I was grinning ear to ear - seeing them both trying to "catch" Donald and the sound of their giggles was precious. From there it was to the parade. Now I let my parents pick the parade spot. They said they found a good spot, on Saturday so they led the way. We ended up sitting on the curb right in front of City Hall. The exact end of the parade. We were able to get a seat about 3pm, the parade had started but no were near us yet. They sat and I went into City Hall to talk to someone about my lost id. I beleive Irene was the cast members name, and she was extremely effecient. As soon as she realized I was a resort guest. She picked up the phone to call CBR to have my id canceled - since it had charging privledges. She had to wait on hold - so she gave me a temporary pass that would allow me to go to Epcot that night for dinner without having to go to the CBR. In our chatting she told me the Fastpass machines are programmed to "suck" your resort id/pass back in after about 15 seconds if you don't take it out (so if you accidentally left it behind it won't get stolen) Our idea is that when the castmember stopped me at the fastpass machine, my resort id probably got sucked back in as we talked. I got out in time for the parade. Kids loved it. DS spent the whole parade waving at everyone on the floats.

After the parade we went over to Le Chapeaut (okay I know I spelled it wrong) to get the kids Mickey Ears. The day before they saw some in MGM and asked for them. I told them yes they could have them, but I would buy them in Magic Kingdom where I got my pair. DD picked the Minnie ears with the pink flower cap, DS picked the traditional pair. We got their names on them. And of course I took pictures of them being monogrammed (If I could figure out how to add pictures to posts I would add some). Had them sent back to room. (love that feature!)

Next we all went for a round trip on the WDW train. The kids and grandparents got on okay. DH and I went to try to get a seat in the back but had no luck. Since we knew the train would come back in 20 minutes we went out to Main Street and figured we would meet the train when it came back. I went down to the Watches store and bought myself a new Mickey watch. (of course sent back to room) DH found the air conditioning vent and stood under that. We met the train when it came back. And we went in to the AAA storytime. What a great benefit. We sat in this little autorium and the Fairy Godmother came and read the kids a story. Followed by pictures and autographs.

It was the kids special night with Nana and PopPop. They had them for dinner and they would spend the night in Nana and PopPops room. (Can I just tell you what a big deal this was to them, it was the first night since they were born that they were not with Mommy and Daddy - yes our first night ALONE in 5 years!) We would see them in the AM. We walked the four of them over to Liberty Tree tavern for Goofy's Liberate your Appetite dinner. DH and I headed to Epcot. It was about 5pm. Once we arrived in Epcot we were able to do Test Track in the singles line, Space Ship Earth, and Mission Space with out the spin before dinner. Dinner was at Le Cellier at 8:10. Of course they were running about 30 minutes late. We had a nice chat with the host...as we waited. Our meal was AMAZING. DH didn't want to have an appetizer, so I had him order the shrimp cocktail - as I couldn't decide between that and the cheese soup. Both great. I got the mushroom filet. I am not a fan of risotto, but I at it all. Drink - Berry Martini - server's suggestion (anyone have a recipe?) - awesome. DH got NY strip - larger than he expected - actually too big but cooked perfect. He liked the pretzel bread. We both got the Happiest Celebration cake. We ate mine and DH ordered his in a box. We got out of there late and got the LAST bus to
CBR. Stopped at Custom house and got me a new id and back to the room.

Whew...so ended Day 3 - next installment Day 4 Studios and a trip to Downtown Disney
Enjoy!

 

[KathyRN137]

It took us eight years before DH and I went somewhere overnight without kids!

It's wonderful that Nana and Pop Pop could be there with you! Looking forward to more.....

Kathy

 

[OhMari]

To back up a little, I'm glad you liked Hollywood & Vine, it is going 50/50 on the Dining Report board.

How did your kids do, with grandpa and grandma on their first nite without you.

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

To back up a little, I'm glad you liked Hollywood & Vine, it is going 50/50 on the Dining Report board.

How did your kids do, with grandpa and grandma on their first nite without you.

H&V was actually one of our favorites. I would reccomend it to anyone.

The kids did great. And so did Nana and PopPop! They all loved the Liberty Tree Tavern. Great pictures and character interaction. Their plan was to go to the CBR big pool after dinner, but unfortunately they heard thunder! So they went to POR and got ice cream and coloring books. At 7am I went to my parents room to say good morning and the kids were still asleep. Good experience by all, I think they would all want to do some special time again.
(My parents live only 1 hour away from us, so I bet it will happen again soon!)

 

[fizz13]

Just found your report, you're telling a great story here, really enjoying it and it sounds like everything is going smoothly. Glad you had such a great date night, I'm trying Le Cellier in August and i can't wait. Thanks for posting,
Claire xx

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

Hey everyone...

DH just told me he has to do some work tonight...actually a lot of work. So I won't be able to write Day 4 until this weekend (hopefully)...

Thanks for all your comments...this is my first Trip report...I am glad people enjoy it.

DD5 just asked me about going back to Disney...I told him once I have this trip paid off then we will work on planning the next.

 

[heaven2dc]

Can't wait til the weekend to read more - you are doing a great job

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

sorry...I haven't had time to get back...I taught Vacation Bible School last week, and was pooped and now DH has more work to do...maybe I should get a second computer.

Day 4, 5, 6 and 7 are still to come....

 

[byoung]

Thanks for reporting.

 

[jmskinner]

I am enjoying your trip report. I managed to lose my sons ID and my DMIL's. Just to let others know, we called the hotel using the number on our ID's, so they were able to cancel right away and have another waiting for her at the hotel. Luckily the DBIL was there and could pick it up for us.

It was absolutely wonderful that your parents kept your children one night for you!

Can't wait to read the rest.