The trip was the first Magial Gatherings I have ever taken part of. Magical? Maybe. It was my husband and 3 kids, my parents and my sister who is living in VA. My oldest has been to Disney a couple times as her grandparents live in Orlando and she spends the summers there. She is 11, I have an 8 yr old son and a 6 yr old princess. And I dont mean the attitude of a princess, its really all in her head.
We left on 4/12 to drive to VA. We stayed there with my sisters. One could not make the trip being 7 months preggo and having just purchased her first home. We left VA at Midnight on Friday/Saturday. Drove 12 hours to FL to get to Port Orleans Riverside at about 1pm Saturday. I had gotten some good advice from DISers to check in early to avoid the 3pm rush. Of course I hadnt been thinking that I would be driving 12 hours to get to hot humid FL. I checked in all sweaty and gross and all I wanted was a shower. Of course our room was not ready. This was a chance I knew I was taking getting there early but had thought of all the fun things we could do at Downtown while waiting. Between the 8 of us we werent going anywhere out in public without a shower .I mean it was bad. So we hung out on the lawn in front of our building. For 2 hours. And our room still wasnt ready .something to do with a maintenance issue. I called and complained that we did drive 12 hours and my 6 yr old is just getting over mono (ok, it was 3 weeks ago but still .) So they switched our rooms. I dropped everyone off at the new building so they could start unloading while my dad and I went to get new room keys. We get to the desk and they did change our rooms .back to the first building! So no one was happy to reload the car and drive back to the original building. Not happy doesnt really describe the animosity, lol. And our room was all the way in the back of the building so we had 8 sweaty smelly people dragging luggage for the 3rd time through the hotel walkways. It was really quite appealing. But the air conditioning and a long shower were all we needed and it was happy vacationing from then on.
We had reservations at Wolfgangs our first night. It was amazingly good. We were seated right away with a beautiful view and had great food. We spent some time in Downtown before getting some much needed sleep.
Day 1 Sunday- MGM
We got to most rides we wanted and saw the HSM Pep Rally show- that was really cute. The Backlot Tour was a complete let down. Some aspect of it wasnt up and running so we basically did a circled in the park and were let off. They really should have shut it down as it was a complete waste of time. That night we ate at Mama Melroses. It was recommended by AAA when I was making reservations. It was OK. We were seated late and the food was not spectacular. My son enjoyed the Indiana Jones show a lot and of course the Star Wars thing.
Day 2 Monday- Epcot
We started the day at BBB in Downtown for my 6 yr old. It was the greatest thing ever. I highly recommend anyone to do this. She looked so adorable and felt like a princess and got a lot of extra attention too. (Of course some lady wanted to take her pic in the bathroom while we were waiting in line so maybe a little too much attention!) We spent a lot of time in the World Showcase. My husband and I enjoyed some German beer and we had lunch in the German restaurant. Nothing beats a bratwurst with sauerkraut. It was delish! We took the kids on the ride in the ball I cannot think of the name. It scared the crap outta them and as soon as we got off they shut it down for technical difficulties! My dad did the Sea Aqua Tour and he loved it- also highly recommended by DISers. We had the magical gathering Illuminations dinner at the Oddysey. That was a great time! We had Aunt Roz and they whole show- the kids got to go up and take part in a story, we celebrated birthdays and anniversaries. Then Minnie and Goofy came in and danced with the kids. My youngest was miserable and did not want to get up- but then Minnie came to the table and motioned for her to join and she hopped right up with the BIGGEST smile on her face! It was great. We then were taken out by the lakeside where we had a dessert buffet while watching the beautiful fireworks show. Everyone was happy for a first!
Day 3 Tuesday- Animal Kingdom
We started the day tired and cranky and of course the park was completely packed. We were able to go on the Kilamanjaro Safari ride and took the train to the observation section. My son is BIG into animals so he was in his glory most of the day. The big kids group (my 2 older kids, my husband and my sister) went to ride the Everest ride. They thought it was ok- nothing like we saw on the Disney travel channel show. We were supposed to eat at the Rainforest that night but we ended up canceling. After the Jungle parade (which was really nicely done) we took off to the hotel. The kids finally got to go swimming and my husband and I enjoyed some drinks by the pool. We opted to order pizza for dinner. We were told by front desk that you can only order from within the hotel restaurant but after some yellow pages flipping found someone who delivered to the parking lot. We got 2 times the food for the same price our hotel wanted to charge.
Day 4 Wednesday- Magic Kingdom
After some let downs on not getting all the rides we wanted to in the previous parks we went in with game faces. The kids had seen most characters in the other parks and damn they take a lot of your time up! We went right to the Jungle safari grabbed fastpasses and went and got right on the Pirates ride. Kids loved that! I must say we had a GAC for my 6 yr old to use her stroller in line since just getting over mono- that helped here and there but for the most part we waited and I just held her in line. I felt weird having her be ok to walk and what not and I dont like to take advantage of anything like that. So we waited to ride the Dumbo ride for 35 minutes! That was one place I wish I just whipped out the card, but we made it. We went on most rides while the big kid group hit every roller coaster they wanted so it was over all very successful. Dinner time- I made reservations at Tonys Townsquare. I was super super excited as when I made the reservations I was told I was getting an outdoor table so we could watch the parade go by. The kids were excited and Lady became my youngests favorite toy. Well the whole system was down and people were waiting half an hour to be seated when the computer said they were already seated. Then they tell me there is no way I was told we were going to be seated outside. We had quite the argument where I lost it and told them to get their heads out of their um, *****. They told us the outside was full there was no way no how. We walk outside and there are 4 tables empty!! My husband went right in there and told them they will be cleaning the tables and seating us there. Then he walks over and stands right in between the tables .lol. My husband cant even make himself a hair appt and he completely resolved the situation. He even moved the tables to be put together when the manager said they couldnt fit that way. It was hilarious- and he saved the night. The staff was completely apologetic after the fact and the parade was more magical being enjoyed while having dessert on Tonys balcony. We watched the fireworks while walking to the bus as it started raining.
Day 4 Thursday- Going Home
We were sad to leave but the time had come. Let me say we saw not one towel animal, had way too much food on the dining plan and were tired and sunburned. Otherwise it was a magical time for all as long as they werent fighting or whining. I cant wait to go back already!!
We left on 4/12 to drive to VA. We stayed there with my sisters. One could not make the trip being 7 months preggo and having just purchased her first home. We left VA at Midnight on Friday/Saturday. Drove 12 hours to FL to get to Port Orleans Riverside at about 1pm Saturday. I had gotten some good advice from DISers to check in early to avoid the 3pm rush. Of course I hadnt been thinking that I would be driving 12 hours to get to hot humid FL. I checked in all sweaty and gross and all I wanted was a shower. Of course our room was not ready. This was a chance I knew I was taking getting there early but had thought of all the fun things we could do at Downtown while waiting. Between the 8 of us we werent going anywhere out in public without a shower .I mean it was bad. So we hung out on the lawn in front of our building. For 2 hours. And our room still wasnt ready .something to do with a maintenance issue. I called and complained that we did drive 12 hours and my 6 yr old is just getting over mono (ok, it was 3 weeks ago but still .) So they switched our rooms. I dropped everyone off at the new building so they could start unloading while my dad and I went to get new room keys. We get to the desk and they did change our rooms .back to the first building! So no one was happy to reload the car and drive back to the original building. Not happy doesnt really describe the animosity, lol. And our room was all the way in the back of the building so we had 8 sweaty smelly people dragging luggage for the 3rd time through the hotel walkways. It was really quite appealing. But the air conditioning and a long shower were all we needed and it was happy vacationing from then on.
We had reservations at Wolfgangs our first night. It was amazingly good. We were seated right away with a beautiful view and had great food. We spent some time in Downtown before getting some much needed sleep.
Day 1 Sunday- MGM
We got to most rides we wanted and saw the HSM Pep Rally show- that was really cute. The Backlot Tour was a complete let down. Some aspect of it wasnt up and running so we basically did a circled in the park and were let off. They really should have shut it down as it was a complete waste of time. That night we ate at Mama Melroses. It was recommended by AAA when I was making reservations. It was OK. We were seated late and the food was not spectacular. My son enjoyed the Indiana Jones show a lot and of course the Star Wars thing.
Day 2 Monday- Epcot
We started the day at BBB in Downtown for my 6 yr old. It was the greatest thing ever. I highly recommend anyone to do this. She looked so adorable and felt like a princess and got a lot of extra attention too. (Of course some lady wanted to take her pic in the bathroom while we were waiting in line so maybe a little too much attention!) We spent a lot of time in the World Showcase. My husband and I enjoyed some German beer and we had lunch in the German restaurant. Nothing beats a bratwurst with sauerkraut. It was delish! We took the kids on the ride in the ball I cannot think of the name. It scared the crap outta them and as soon as we got off they shut it down for technical difficulties! My dad did the Sea Aqua Tour and he loved it- also highly recommended by DISers. We had the magical gathering Illuminations dinner at the Oddysey. That was a great time! We had Aunt Roz and they whole show- the kids got to go up and take part in a story, we celebrated birthdays and anniversaries. Then Minnie and Goofy came in and danced with the kids. My youngest was miserable and did not want to get up- but then Minnie came to the table and motioned for her to join and she hopped right up with the BIGGEST smile on her face! It was great. We then were taken out by the lakeside where we had a dessert buffet while watching the beautiful fireworks show. Everyone was happy for a first!
Day 3 Tuesday- Animal Kingdom
We started the day tired and cranky and of course the park was completely packed. We were able to go on the Kilamanjaro Safari ride and took the train to the observation section. My son is BIG into animals so he was in his glory most of the day. The big kids group (my 2 older kids, my husband and my sister) went to ride the Everest ride. They thought it was ok- nothing like we saw on the Disney travel channel show. We were supposed to eat at the Rainforest that night but we ended up canceling. After the Jungle parade (which was really nicely done) we took off to the hotel. The kids finally got to go swimming and my husband and I enjoyed some drinks by the pool. We opted to order pizza for dinner. We were told by front desk that you can only order from within the hotel restaurant but after some yellow pages flipping found someone who delivered to the parking lot. We got 2 times the food for the same price our hotel wanted to charge.
Day 4 Wednesday- Magic Kingdom
After some let downs on not getting all the rides we wanted to in the previous parks we went in with game faces. The kids had seen most characters in the other parks and damn they take a lot of your time up! We went right to the Jungle safari grabbed fastpasses and went and got right on the Pirates ride. Kids loved that! I must say we had a GAC for my 6 yr old to use her stroller in line since just getting over mono- that helped here and there but for the most part we waited and I just held her in line. I felt weird having her be ok to walk and what not and I dont like to take advantage of anything like that. So we waited to ride the Dumbo ride for 35 minutes! That was one place I wish I just whipped out the card, but we made it. We went on most rides while the big kid group hit every roller coaster they wanted so it was over all very successful. Dinner time- I made reservations at Tonys Townsquare. I was super super excited as when I made the reservations I was told I was getting an outdoor table so we could watch the parade go by. The kids were excited and Lady became my youngests favorite toy. Well the whole system was down and people were waiting half an hour to be seated when the computer said they were already seated. Then they tell me there is no way I was told we were going to be seated outside. We had quite the argument where I lost it and told them to get their heads out of their um, *****. They told us the outside was full there was no way no how. We walk outside and there are 4 tables empty!! My husband went right in there and told them they will be cleaning the tables and seating us there. Then he walks over and stands right in between the tables .lol. My husband cant even make himself a hair appt and he completely resolved the situation. He even moved the tables to be put together when the manager said they couldnt fit that way. It was hilarious- and he saved the night. The staff was completely apologetic after the fact and the parade was more magical being enjoyed while having dessert on Tonys balcony. We watched the fireworks while walking to the bus as it started raining.
Day 4 Thursday- Going Home
We were sad to leave but the time had come. Let me say we saw not one towel animal, had way too much food on the dining plan and were tired and sunburned. Otherwise it was a magical time for all as long as they werent fighting or whining. I cant wait to go back already!!
