Fun in the Florida Sun! ~ Trip #3 w/many firsts, new friends & TONS of food!*NEW 9/30

[mermaid764]

Awesome update!

The castle looks awesome and the pic of your daughter with her wishing star is priceless.

It's awesome to hear such a positive review of CRT, since this is one we're really looking forward to trying next month.

Can't wait for more

 

[BabyEeyore]

I'm so glad you enjoyed CRT! Those are precious pictures. Our family absolutely CRT. We're going for our third time in September. It's one of our favorite experiences. And our daughter recently got to the age where she has favorite characters so I'm so excited. I can't wait for her to meet Ariel again... she's her favorite.

 

[martinolichfamily]

Today was 4th of July!! Usually at home, we would have time w/Family and blow up fireworks! But this year....we were watching some DISNEY Fireworks!!!

We woke up fairly early for us! We had a ressie for Akershus @
8:10a !! Before the park opened!! COOL...that was a first as well!

We all got ready in our patriotic clothes! Headed out of the room to get to Epcot! It was so neat getting into the park before everyone else!
Anywho...headed toward Norway in search of some more Princesses!

There was no wait at all...so nice! It was hot outside...just walking from the entrance to Akershus, I was sweating! No fun! We took a pic w/Bell..DH made me take the pic w/DD but I wish it was just DD in it b/c it was horrible...I looked horrible in the pic and ruined it! Boo....b/c this was a free pic too! Oh well! We enjoyed our breakfast.....we thought it was very good and would go back again! We also enjoyed meeting some more princesses...well DD did at least!

Please excuse the dark part of the pic again...I was still having troubles trying to remember to keep my fingers out of the way from the flash!!

Once we finished our breakfast...we headed out toward Test Track I believe! This is the first time DD could ride...so we tried to 'pump' her up and be somewhat excited to ride TT! We this ride!! So cool!

On the way to TT....

So....did my DD ride TT???






YES she did!!!!! She did great on it....but said she didnt want to ride again. That's ok.....at least she was ok on it!
After TT...the boys headed toward Mission:Space....DD and I once again made our way to a gift shop....Mouse Gears...love this shop...its HUGE!!
The boys met us in the shop...

DD ended up buying these Mouse Ears...so cute!

Once out of the shop....we were wandering around and I saw it....COOL CLUB! We have never ever been in here...BUT thanks to the DIS...I had read about the beloved "Beverly"! I kept the nice little 'secret' to myself!
DS tried it first.....then DH tried it....but for some reason, neither one liked it!

DS did find one that he really liked but not sure what it was...even DD got into tasting them!

Once we were finished in Cool Club, we went next door....DH was having a craving for some Ice Cream I think! We waited for the Fountain View Ice Cream shop to open up...once it did...DH and the kids got some Ice Cream....I just wasnt wanting any at the time..DH ordered one scoops but instead got two scoops for each one...that was a lot of ice cream..so I ended up having some of DDs. It was good! DD got chocolate....DS got his favorite...Mint Chocolate Chip and DH got Chocolate in a cone! It was a nice use of snack credits!

Next up we headed toward Imagination! w/Figment. Love that little purple guy...hes so cute! DD likes this ride too!
By this time it was getting close to our lunch adr @ Coral Reef. So we headed toward The Seas & The Land. It was sprinkling by this time I think.
DH went to get some fast passes for Soarin' I think too before our lunch.
Once he was back, we went into Coral Reef. Now...I will tell you that I was somewhat nervous about this adr....i had read so many negative reviews but DH had chosen this as our lunch this day...so I let it be. Let me just say that I was so glad that I just went with it and tried it! We had a great lunch! Good service and good food...as well as atmosphere!
DH had: Crab Cake (appetizer)
Mahi Mahi
Wave (dessert)
I had: Sea & Land (app)
Chicken Caesar Salad (I was wanting something light b/c we were going to have a big dinner too!)
Wave (dessert....so good!)
Kids had: Cheese Pizza Meal

After lunch it was getting close to 3p....we decided to head back to the room for a nap! Epcot was open tonight for EMH too..so we would be back!
We ALL fell asleep for a nap...it was great! We left our room in time to make it back for our dinner adr @ 7:10p......Garden Grill!!
This dinner was another first....we got checked in and waited a few mins before our name was called. We were seated on the outside part of the restaurant....if you have never been it is a neat place! I would go back for sure! Food was great....service was great and characters were great too..the atmosphere was pretty cool too! You rotate through Living with the Land ride. The meal is served family style at your table and they refill whatever you want. No pics of food just the desserts! lol
Strawberry Ruhbard Crisp...this was very good...DH turned his nose up to it.

Kids got Mickey "Mousse" Cookies and Cream...cool!

Some character time!

Some little friends...where we parked the stroller.

Also over by the strollers there were some squirrels that thought they would 'look' for some food in everyone's stroller baskets....it was so funny to watch...wish i took some pics!

I think we rode Soarin' at some point..missed out on Living w/the Land b/c DD again didnt want to ride for some reason. We rode Nemo as well....and looked at some of the fish tanks. We also watched Circle of Life....this was a first too. We wondered back into World Showcase....we have yet to walk through the whole WS...for some reason in past trips we only make it to Mexico! So I had a goal to wander each country.....rides...shops...some foods...all of it!! DId that happen!?? Um.....NO! I was kind of upset but maybe next time right!? Anywho....we made it to Canada to watch the O! Canada....DH had just got back from Canada the day before our trip.
Tonight was the special 4th of July Illuminations and Fireworks! We missed out on getting a good seat so we just walked around the World Showcase to watch...once they got to the fireworks...let me say......they were unbelievable to watch! The finale was incredible...beats anything at home! lol
Once Illuminations and the fireworks were over, we made our way over to one of the gift shops to hang out and let the park clear out a bit....it was EMH soon.

Cont'd in Next Post..................

 

[martinolichfamily]

Day 3 cont'd...

Once Illuminations and the fireworks were over, we made our way over to one of the gift shops to hang out and let the park clear out a bit....it was EMH soon. Once it somewhat cleared out...i think we headed back to TT and to The Land again to ride Soarin'. DD didnt want to ride anything so we took advantage of the Rider Switch policy! We parked it in the Sunshine Seasons area .... grabbed some drinks and snacks from there and just relaxed a bit. DD played w/her new Mulan figures she bought...just to let you all know up front.......wonderful Daddy was taking these pics!! lol

Some pics from Epcot that day & night!

After we were all done....and so tired....ready for bed...we headed out of the park and back to Pop to our beds!


Up Next: Day 4 ~ Would we make it in time for our 8:30a ADR???



I totally forgot a major 'event' that we watched from our MK Day.....I have updated that...if you are interested...please go back to see it...pics!

 

[adisneymama]

Love the shirts! Sounds like you guys had a great time. In two trips over 4th of July we have not made fireworks either time!

 

[accountingbabe08]

Cute outfits for the 4th. Akershus is one of our favorite breakfast places.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Amazing so far. Where is all of the rain everyone has talked about?

 

[Goofy442]

You got to see alot of characters in one day. We did 4th of July at Disneyland and I have to agree the fireworks were amazing.

 

[martinolichfamily]

Love the shirts! Sounds like you guys had a great time. In two trips over 4th of July we have not made fireworks either time!

Thanks! The fireworks were great....I liked the ones at Epcot better than MK! More patriotic I guess.

Cute outfits for the 4th. Akershus is one of our favorite breakfast places.

Thanks! The kids enjoyed their tie dye shirts! I enjoyed Akershus...DH didnt care that much for it....but it seemed more 'homey', 'cozy'...not too rushed maybe?? Not sure how to explain it!

Amazing so far. Where is all of the rain everyone has talked about?

Thank you!
Well....the rain....it was there but I just dont remember ALL of it...we just dlet w/it. After last year this years rain was a lot nicer!?

You got to see alot of characters in one day. We did 4th of July at Disneyland and I have to agree the fireworks were amazing.

We enjoy the character meals...can you tell??!!??
Fireworks! We have yet to make it to DL...maybe in the next year or two!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Great Updates Heather! Your dinner at the Castle looks amazing! You guys got in a lot of rides that day too! Busy day and Spectro that night! Great pix!

Also great food pix....yummmy! Looks really good! Love the pix from Club Cool - can't wait to stop there and try out those drinks. Beverly, huh...I'll remember that!

Can't wait to see what you did next!
Karen

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I would love to see the 4th of July fireworks at Epcot, I bet they were amazing! Heather, your tie-dye Mickey shirts came out really well! Looks like you added a little bling, too! I'm guessing you own a bedazzler!

 

[Charlefours]

Hi Heather!

Finally made it over to your TR!

I'm glad the drive went well. I hope we have the same luck! woohoo for getting your room request honored! Got to love that.

What a great day in AK! TFS all the great photos. I am glad to hear you like WCC--I want to try it but not this go around.

CP is on my list too. It seems like a classic to try one of these years.

You got a lot done in MK! How were the lines for you? The pictures from CRT are great!!

EP: Glad to hear that you had a good experience at CR. It is DH's favorite, so hopefully we will have good luck too. I have not really ever considered GG, but have to after your great review. The strawberry rhubarb crisp looks yummy. Your shirts were perfect for 4th of July at Disney!


**Are you going to show what souvies you got?? I am odd because I love seeing what others got.

 

[adisneymama]

 

[martinolichfamily]

Geesh! Where does the time go???!!! We have been gone camping for several days...getting ready for school to start back up on the 23rd. Hope to update today sometime!

Great Updates Heather! Your dinner at the Castle looks amazing! You guys got in a lot of rides that day too! Busy day and Spectro that night! Great pix!

Also great food pix....yummmy! Looks really good! Love the pix from Club Cool - can't wait to stop there and try out those drinks. Beverly, huh...I'll remember that!

Can't wait to see what you did next!
Karen

Thanks Karen!
Yes...Beverly is the one to try! Although.....I DID NOT!

I would love to see the 4th of July fireworks at Epcot, I bet they were amazing! Heather, your tie-dye Mickey shirts came out really well! Looks like you added a little bling, too! I'm guessing you own a bedazzler!

The fireworks were amazing at Epcot! IMO better than MK.
Thanks....I actually ordered the Tie-Dye shirts from etsy...and HAD to add the crystals to DDs shirt...she is a girly girl!

Hi Heather!

Finally made it over to your TR!

I'm glad the drive went well. I hope we have the same luck! woohoo for getting your room request honored! Got to love that.

What a great day in AK! TFS all the great photos. I am glad to hear you like WCC--I want to try it but not this go around.

CP is on my list too. It seems like a classic to try one of these years.

You got a lot done in MK! How were the lines for you? The pictures from CRT are great!!

EP: Glad to hear that you had a good experience at CR. It is DH's favorite, so hopefully we will have good luck too. I have not really ever considered GG, but have to after your great review. The strawberry rhubarb crisp looks yummy. Your shirts were perfect for 4th of July at Disney!


**Are you going to show what souvies you got?? I am odd because I love seeing what others got.

Loved Pop for giving us the room I wanted! lol
The lines weren't too bad for the time of year IMO.
Garden Grill was very good....more like home cooking!
You know....it's funny.....I had thought of taking picks of our souvies each day we bought some and totally forgot too until we were packing up to go home!

I know, I know! MIA a bit!

 

[adisneymama]

Can't wait to read the update!

 

[martinolichfamily]

YES....we made it to our 8:30a ADR for Hollywood & Vine!

While the kids and I headed out to find H&V, DH ran back to get some fastpasses for Toy Story Mania!! Our first time to ride, ever!!
I was somewhat hesitant for this breakfast too b/c of some of the negative reviews I had read, but I'm glad I didnt listen to them all again! Food & service was good....characters were GREAT!! This place was not crowded at all! It was nice! I do think that DS thought he was too old for this one though...he never said anything though.

June playing w/DSs "Cars" Bandz

JoJo messing w/DS hat...got a smile and laugh out of him!

Can you believe that my 'poor shy' child actually went up all by herself w/the characters??!!!??? I was soooo happy for her!!

Once we were finished with Breakfast, we made our way over to Walt Disney:One Man's Dream, this was a first for us. It was pretty neat to see everything that was in there! The kids a little bored though I think.

It was now time to use our FP for TSM!! So excited for our first ride!
We the ride..so fun!

Once we were out of TSM, it was raining...so....we went to ride Backlot Tour...nice ride to get out of the rain!

Then we ran into this little guy............

DD wanted nothing to do w/Mike W., so it was only DS.

Now it was time for lunch!!!
*Hint* You better keep those elbows off the table and clean your plate if you want dessert!!



Cont'd in next post....

 

[martinolichfamily]

So did you guess where lunch was???!!!

This was a first for us! It was so cute in there! We did have to wait a while though. DD had a major melt down while we were waiting. DH was ready to take DD back to the room for a nap but I talked him into staying and gave him space...it worked! Everyone was happy again!
Finally we were seated!!! We were seated next to some ladies from Texas..actually Magnolia area I think! What a small world!
Anywho....while we waiting on our food....DD fell asleep in my lap so she just layed on the booth. She really needed to sleep so we took her food to go.

DH had: Crab cake (app)
Fried Chicken
Dad's Brownie Sundae

I had: Crab Cake (app)
Fish Sandwich (dont think I would order again)
Smores

DS had: Chicken Noodle Soup (app)
Mac & Cheese

DD had: Chicken Noodle Soup (app - DH ate this)
Chicken Nuggets

We left 50s PTC stuffed as can be! It was time for Block Party Bash (we missed it last year)! DD & I found a bench (she was still asleep) and sat for a while!

I think DS & DH went to ride Star Tours while we sat and waited. They got back just in time and DD woke up just in time!!

Jessie saw DD holding up her Jessie Doll!

Next we headed to American Idol! We waited for a few minutes...well, actually 30 mins! The show was great! Enjoyed by everyone while we enjoyed the a/c! lol
We couldn't forget Indiana Jones now could we??!!

We headed back to our room with intentions of going to AK for EMH but we had changed our mind!
Instead we would head to DTD in attempt to see Toy Story 3 again.
Arriving in DTD, we were hungry and it was time for dinner....where to eat?
We finally decided on Fulton's Crab House. We enjoyed it but I dont think it would be a must do on a return trip. Once we were finished w/dinner, we walked out to get our stroller and it was raining..............POURING!!!!!!!!!! It was crazy and we had a long walk/run to the car or to the movies.
We made a mad dash to a store, hoping it would let up, but no luck...we were soaked! I told DH that we would freeze in the theaters! So....we skipped it and decided to head back to the room for bed!

Up Next: To waterpark or not to waterpark??!!??

 

[adisneymama]

Great pics! Too funny about Ashlyn not having anything to do with Mike W. That was Ashton's same reaction! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[martinolichfamily]

Great pics! Too funny about Ashlyn not having anything to do with Mike W. That was Ashton's same reaction! Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks!

I guess its a "3 year old" thing! Who knows?!!!?!

 

[Cory's Gal]

All right Heather, I am finally all caught up and I have enjoyed every bit of your TR so far!!! Ashlynn's Jessie doll is too cute and I love all the pics with her holding her!!!

All your meals looked and sounded so fantastic!! (especially all those desserts!!!) You guys sure packed in a lot on the 4th at Epcot! LOVE the Patriotic Mickey tie-dye shirts too! The Garden Grill seemed really nice, I may have to add that to our list, it's really neat that you rotate through Living with the Land ride! Both Princess meals looked nice, I didn't know the pic at the breakfast was included too! I will have to keep that in mind!! Ashlynn looked like she really loved those two meals!! Super cute of her dancing at H&V too! I love it when kids go out of their "comfort" zones a bit, especially at WDW, it makes things more magical!!!

Looks like a lot of fun at DHS! Block Party Bash is really really fun!! Glad that Ashlynn didn't miss it!!! Hunter's Star Wars t-shirt looks really cool too!! LOVE all the shirts!!!!!!!!!!!
Looking forward to hearing if you made it to a waterpark or not!!!!!!!!!!