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

[Charlefours]

great updates Heather!!

 

[martinolichfamily]

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!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you got all caught up! Now I need to get busy on this TR!
Thanks! The kids loved all their shirts I think and wearing new ones each day...they are still wearing them here at home!

great updates Heather!!

Thanks for reading along!




I hope to get to update soon! It's been so crazy around here w/school starting and I was planning my brother's Wedding Shower (it was Saturday)...just everyday normal things happening!!

 

[martinolichfamily]

Finally....an update!! So sorry I have been MIA from my TR! lol

Here goes....

It's July 6...we originally had Boma planned for breakfast this morning but plans had changed so.....we had breakfast with some friends at....
O'hana!!! Loved this place!

First off....trying to wake up the kiddos each morning was not a fun job...it was a sloooow job really!

We finally made our way to the Poly...OMG...so pretty! I loved all the landscaping! Once we checked in, there was about a 30 min wait!
Everyone was starving so that made a wait seem even longer!
Anywho...we went for our pic...which actually came out pretty good I thought!

After our pic....we wondered around that floor of the Poly taking pics...DH got some much needed coffee for him....visited the gift shop and waited...

Then...our name was called!!

We got our bread....that was so great....I (and DS) loved the Pineapple Coconut Bread! I have found the recipe and need to try my hand at making it..it was that good IMO! IF you have not done breakfast here...I suggest it at least once....great food and character interaction!

DH & DD in the parade around the restaurant...DS didnt want to join in.

Time for characters! Oops....and guess what I forgot! Autograph books! Our waitress was great...she went and got the kids some paper for autographs!

After breakfast....we wondered downstairs and then outside to see the sights of the resort!

And yes...Jessie was still with us on our adventures! lol

Cont'd in next post..... To waterpark or not to waterpark??!! That was the question!!

 

[martinolichfamily]

So...the BIG question of today was...Do we all go to the waterpark or just let the boys go do their own thing today??

We left The Poly and headed back to our room so the boys could change into their bathing suits and grab towels!

I had decided to go ahead and let the DH & DS go alone to Typhool Lagoon...DD & I stayed back at our room. We had plenty of to get done! And maybe a nap??!!?? Yes, I do believe that we got a little nap in between the laundry loads. It was great to somewhat catch up a bit on sleep that we have been lacking w/all the late nights and somewhat early mornings!
DD & I went to the food court and had lunch...we shared the chicken alfredo..it was really good! We also HAD to get another piece of the Tie-Dye Cheesecake! I also took the time to get some souvies while DH away!
I picked up the 2010 Photo Album (the big one), 2010 magnet...cant remember what else. DD bought a pack of the Mickey/Minnie crayons and a Minnie color book.

The boys got back from a fun time at TL! It was easier for DS to get to ride anything he wanted...plus I really didnt want to be stuck in the 'kiddie' area by myself the whole time!

We had Dinner ressies at Cape May Clambake @ Beach Club Resort.....DS & DH have been looking forward to the crab legs there! We arrived before our ressie time but it only took a few mins before our name was called! It was great!

After dinner we made our way to Downtown Disney to FINALLY see Toy Story 3!! It was a great movie!! So excited for it to come to DVD in November!

We had some time to kill before the movie started...so we made our way to Goofy's Candy Co to spend some of those snack credits that we had so many of! Came in handy b/c we got candy for the movie! DD had fallen asleep at some point and stayed sleeping until we found our seats in the theater..she woke up just in time and in a good mood to watch TS3!

DS had his eye on those dipped oreos way before we left home...so he got this made for him...

Up Next....Someone turned into Cinderella! Instead of loosing her shoe...she lost something else!

 

[LisaKeys]

I just finished reading all 6 pages of your TR - and am looking forward to the rest. All of my children are grown (youngest is 21) and so many of the TR's that have children just wear me out reading them!!!

BUT - yours is quite different. The way your family interacts and allows each child to be able to do what they want without prodding is terrific. It obviously is key to the enjoyable time you are all having.

I especially thought you letting DH and DS go to TL alone was superb. This allowed laundry to get done , down time for you and DD and of course some more shopping!

Looking forward to future posts.

 

[TheThomsLuvDisney]

Great update! Have you been to O'Hana's for dinner? We have not been for either and was wondering what's best.

 

[Charlefours]

Love how your DD has Jesse in your pic at Poly! SO cute! Did you like the Cape May Cafe Clam Bake? I am looking forward to it (well, for DH anyway--he loves crab legs) and I cannot wait to see BC in person!

Oh no! I hope DD did not lose anything devastating...

 

[martinolichfamily]

I just finished reading all 6 pages of your TR - and am looking forward to the rest. All of my children are grown (youngest is 21) and so many of the TR's that have children just wear me out reading them!!!

BUT - yours is quite different. The way your family interacts and allows each child to be able to do what they want without prodding is terrific. It obviously is key to the enjoyable time you are all having.

I especially thought you letting DH and DS go to TL alone was superb. This allowed laundry to get done , down time for you and DD and of course some more shopping!

Looking forward to future posts.

Glad to have you joining in!
Yes...letting the boys go alone was the best I think for DS! He was very happy!

Great update! Have you been to O'Hana's for dinner? We have not been for either and was wondering what's best.

Thanks! We have not been to Ohana's for dinner...hopefully next time we can try it...I have heard great things about dinner! We wanted characters so that's why we chose breakfast.

Love how your DD has Jesse in your pic at Poly! SO cute! Did you like the Cape May Cafe Clam Bake? I am looking forward to it (well, for DH anyway--he loves crab legs) and I cannot wait to see BC in person!

Oh no! I hope DD did not lose anything devastating...

Oh yes....Jessie stuck with us for almost the whole trip riding around in the stroller...riding rides...taking pics....she was there for it all!
Cape May was good...I enjoyed it but I think DS & DH enjoyed it most of all! They are the crab leg lovers! Me..not so much. I wish I would've taken some food pics of the buffet but didn't. Sorry! We didn't tour BC at all...wish we would've like we did w/Poly.

Poor DD...at the time she was very upset and crying b/c she lost something.....

 

[adisneymama]

I remember that she lost something, but don't remember what! ACK! LOL I need to try to update. I will try to do it in a little bit. Can't wait for more. I just hope I remember what we did at this point!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Great Updates Heather! Love the family pic from Ohana! Very very nice picture of you all! All of the character meals look great - look like the kids really enjoyed them!

I had to chuckle when you mentioned how hard it was to get the kids up in the morning - we are just the opposite - they woke us up every single day! But we didn't do too many late nights, but even when we were up late they still woke up before us and would start playing and chatting in their bed.

Nice that you and DD hung back and had a relaxing day, plus some time just the 2 of you together!

Ohhhh..that Oreo sure looks good! We did rice krispie bars, but a dipped and covered oreo would be awesome!

Karen

 

[martinolichfamily]

I remember that she lost something, but don't remember what! ACK! LOL I need to try to update. I will try to do it in a little bit. Can't wait for more. I just hope I remember what we did at this point!

Yes...the missing _ _ _ _ _ was not a fun moment! A Crying Princess Cindy was so sad.
lol...Yes...remembering is KEY! Its not that easy when you didnt write any notes down! I'm going by pics now to hopefully trigger that "Mom" memory that I have!

Great Updates Heather! Love the family pic from Ohana! Very very nice picture of you all! All of the character meals look great - look like the kids really enjoyed them!

I had to chuckle when you mentioned how hard it was to get the kids up in the morning - we are just the opposite - they woke us up every single day! But we didn't do too many late nights, but even when we were up late they still woke up before us and would start playing and chatting in their bed.

Nice that you and DD hung back and had a relaxing day, plus some time just the 2 of you together!

Ohhhh..that Oreo sure looks good! We did rice krispie bars, but a dipped and covered oreo would be awesome!

Karen

Thanks Karen!
We had character meal overload but we all enjoyed them...I know some dont but this family sure does!
The summer spoiled us w/late nights and sleeping in on mornings! We managed..we were at DISNEY!!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Hey Heather! Just catching up. I for one am glad you've been slacking on updates - because I have too! If I'd come back on and everybody had been posting furiously in my absence, I'd have had a heck of a time catching up!

Great family pic at the Poly!

How funny about your 50's PT waitress being from Texas, that's such a coincidence because the last time we ate there, our waitress was from our home state. And not just our state, but our town, too! How weird is that?

 

[emmysmommy]

I'm jumping in here after reading the last 7 pages!!! Your kids look like they enjoyed 'Ohana. How did you enjoy the Poly beach? I wish we had taken the time to see more of the resort when we visited recently.

That dipped Oreo cookie looks amazing.

I'm looking forward to more....

 

[martinolichfamily]

Hey Heather! Just catching up. I for one am glad you've been slacking on updates - because I have too! If I'd come back on and everybody had been posting furiously in my absence, I'd have had a heck of a time catching up!

Great family pic at the Poly!

How funny about your 50's PT waitress being from Texas, that's such a coincidence because the last time we ate there, our waitress was from our home state. And not just our state, but our town, too! How weird is that?

Glad you're all caught up!
I think that our family pic @ Poly is my favorite from this trip.

I'm jumping in here after reading the last 7 pages!!! Your kids look like they enjoyed 'Ohana. How did you enjoy the Poly beach? I wish we had taken the time to see more of the resort when we visited recently.

That dipped Oreo cookie looks amazing.

I'm looking forward to more....

Glad to have you on board!
Yes...we did enjoy The Poly...the beach was pretty cool too! It would be fun to stay at that resort someday!! lol
Oh that dipped oreo....it was HUGE! It made it home and went into the freezer to keep it until DS wanted to try to eat it. That only lasted for a week.

Hoping to update here in a few minutes!!

 

[martinolichfamily]

We slept in this morning....we did have a Breakfast ressi for Crystal Palace @ 8:20a....BUT we did not make it! Imagine that!
We ended up getting ready and we were off...oh, but wait...the kid's had some 'letters' taped to our room door??!!

DD was invited to get a Princess Style makeover at BBB and DS was invited to get a Cool Dude hairstyle @ BBB. DS woke up on the wrong side of the bed I think....lol DD was super excited!

We read the letters and were off to Magic Kingdom! We were starving by this point so..we headed to Crystal Palace for lunch. DH told them we over slept and we had a ressie for breakfast....the CM working told DH that your ressie is good for the whole day if you miss it. I had no clue!! Maybe it's just at CP...who knows?!? Anywho...that was good news for us!
Oh...yes.....those Tour Groups!! Ugh! Thank goodness we got in and got our table and some food...because there was about 300 people coming in for lunch from a Tour Group...all you saw was yellow & blue! It was crazy!! They would cut in front of you and push there way to get the food before you...it was not fun! We ate...saw characters and got out of there as fast as we could! lol

DS was up getting food at this point I think.

lol...I think DS still had food in his mouth??

So...after our lovely brunch...we met up w/our Disney lovin' friends... Debbie & her family (adisneymama)!! I think this was our 2nd time to meet up during our trip?? We always had a great time together! It was fun! IS it time to go again??!!!

For the life of me...I cant remember what all we did! I am sure we were maybe back in Toontown...fantasyland... I have no pics to jog my memory!
We did meet Stitch this day...I thought it was last time we met up at MK but nope...it was this day!

It was time to say goodbye to Debbie and the family so DD & DS could get some makeovers! At this time it was about 3:30p.

We get to BBB and DD is going to become........CINDERELLA!!

It was cute..they have you go in the changing room and put on all the goods and then you have to go back up front to wait for you name to be called. Finally......Princess Ashlynn was called! It was just so neat to see her little face light up!!

DS was also suppose to get his Cool Dude makeover....BUT he just wasn't feeling up to it.....his "FGM" was trying her hardest to get him to go through with it but..no such luck!

Some pics of Ashlynn becoming Cinderella!

Introducing...............CINDERELLA!!

(cont'd in next post)

 

[martinolichfamily]

After the makeover is complete at BBB...you are instructed to go around the corner to a shop to get your photo taken for the photo package! We had a bit of a wait for the picking up the pics. They are taken and then are ready within minutes but sooo many poses are taken that it takes some time to look through them all to choose the best ones....you can pick up to 3 different poses for your package.

and my favorite......

In the meantime during the makeover...the boys had left to go ride SM and some others. They ended up getting finished and meeting up w/us while we were waiting to pick up our photo package. Since us girls we not ready...the boys set off again to go ride some more rides.
After getting the photos...DD & I left and headed out on a mission to get a Dole Whip float...this was on my list of "things to try". We got in line and DD decided she needed to go potty...so out of line to the restroom....afterwards...we went to get back in line to wait...then DD couldn't find her Cindy purse that we just got at BBB!! It had a brand new lip gloss in it too. She had a major melt down in line...so...back out of line...went back into the restroom looking for the purse...I asked a CM that was cleaning up in there but she said that she hadn't seen it. Poor DD was just a crying...I tried to calm her down but not much luck. So...we tried again to get back in line for the Dole Float...luckily a GREAT CM saw DD and asked what was wrong...we told him and he said to follow him...if he couldnt find the purse then he would get her one! The CM took us into the nearest Gift Shop (it was across from the restroom) and asked the CM working the register if someone had turned in a Cindy purse....
She pulls our a little blue Cindy purse out from under the counter...it had the lip gloss in it too! Yay!! Thanks to that great CM for making DD's day!! He was the best!! With DD all happy again.....we got back in line AGAIN to get a Dole float! Would I ever get to try this??!! NOPE!! Once I got in line I decided to just get a root beer float! lol Crazy me...I missed out trying the Dole Float. That's what next time is for..right?!? DD also got some ice cream...it was so hot outside that they melted super fast! We really couldn't enjoy our treats.
After all that craziness....it was time to meet the newest Princess! DD was soooo looking forward to this one! We had to wait for a good 20 mins...it was crazy...we tried to get in line twice before but the line was cut off.

Princess Tiana!

The boys came back and met up with us while we were meeting Tiana and Prince Naveen. Once we were done, we made our way out of the park to make our way to dinner! We had a very important date!

We decided to take the boat to Grand Floridian to have dinner w/Cinderell & Prince Charming!

The "Kid's" waiting in the lobby watching cartoons!! lol

Finally...our name was called and we were off to dinner!
We decided to skip the photo that they take...no one was feeling up to it.

We were seated right near the buffet at a table that was somewhat all alone. It was nice. We ate at 1900PF last trip and really enjoyed it...the characters were great...especially the stepsisters! We were looking forward to seeing them again this time BUT no luck..they had a parade to be in! So..we got to hang out w/some mice instead!

DD got to dance as well...

After dinner, we headed back to our room. We decided to take the monorail back to get our car at MK. We all so tired and full!

Back at the room...DD wanted a pic....she had a blast at BBB!

We finally all got to bed....what would tomorrow bring??


Up Next: Why must we be moody while we are at Disney??!!??
DH...you are not 12 and under...you cannot go w/DS!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Wow, I had fallen behind since school had started up but thanks to your links I'm all caught up again!
Your DD made the sweetest Cinderella, so glad her special purse was found. Isn't that some Disney magic?(Those little flip flops were perfect with that dress! )

I wonder if DS would have been more in favor of a visit to Pirates League?

We have been a few minutes late to an ADR and they didn't say anything but I had no idea that an ADR would allow you to come anytime during the day! Just another thing I love about the DIS you are always learning new things on here!
Maybe it was just at CP or that CM but it's worth a try if you are ever in that situation!

 

[martinolichfamily]

Wow, I had fallen behind since school had started up but thanks to your links I'm all caught up again!
Your DD made the sweetest Cinderella, so glad her special purse was found. Isn't that some Disney magic?(Those little flip flops were perfect with that dress! )

I wonder if DS would have been more in favor of a visit to Pirates League?

We have been a few minutes late to an ADR and they didn't say anything but I had no idea that an ADR would allow you to come anytime during the day! Just another thing I love about the DIS you are always learning new things on here!
Maybe it was just at CP or that CM but it's worth a try if you are ever in that situation!

Glad you're all caught up now! The links make it so much easier I think!
Aww...thanks...I too thought DD was a super sweet Cindy! So did another lady walking by I think...she stopped while we were in line for the Ice cream and asked if she could take a pic of DD. I thought it was kind of strange at first but said yes. Who knows..
Yes..that moment was some major pixie dust for sure that some sweet honest person had turned in DD's Cindy purse! DD chose those flip flops from BBB to wear w/the dress....we had bought light up Cindy shoes from the disney store here at home but had forgot them in the room. The flip flops were easier to walk in for her too. They were really cute!

I had no idea either about the ADR thing!

Yep..gotta love DIS!

Yes...I think DS would've done the Pirate League....the CM had mentioned PL and that we could take DS over there but it was already time for them to close. Cool Dude was just for DS to have something to do as well...but "his" surprise was the next morning really. BBB was DD surprise...but didnt want to leave DS out. Oh well...I tried!

 

[martinolichfamily]

This was our other "Do whatever/waterpark Day"...was it??

We awoke....well, I did! lol

Here are my sleepy heads...even DH!!

Once ALL of us were up and ready to go, it was time to make our way to Port Orleans - Riverside.....Hunter was going on a Pirate Cruise @ 9:45a!! Of course DS woke on the wrong side of the bed and was a bit moody! He didn't want to go on the cruise but we pretty much made him. We knew that he would enjoy it once he was out on it!

Once DS was off on his cruise, DH, DD & I left to head out for breakfast..Boma/AKL here we come! I think DD enjoyed the time alone w/us.

Breakfast was really good...we enjoyed outselves too! Our waiter was so great too!

After we ate, we headed outside to look around but didn't go too far since we had to be back to pick up DS.

Cont'd ............. Did DS enjoy his Cruise??????

 

[martinolichfamily]

YES HE DID!! DS had a big smile of his face when they returned! After the cruise, all the "Pirates" headed inside POR and found the Treasure Chest!

After the Cruise we had called Debbie and decided to meet up at Animal Kingdom for a while!

We finally found Debbie & her family.....I believe we went to meet some characters....

Not sure what got into the kids but they were all being silly while meeting the characters. At least they were all happy!

We then headed over to Festival of Lion King...this was our first time to see this show....it was GREAT! Make the time to see it if you haven't been before.

Aubrey (Debbie's DD) got to go out and dance! (on the right)

I believe we were in the Elephant section.

We wondered around....it was very hot out...not sure what else we did!
Debbie...help me out here!

I think we stopped and ate lunch at Pizzasafari!

We parted from Debbie & her family.....DH & DS went to see It's Tough to be a Bug (DD does NOT like this at all)...so DD and I waited on a bench...I got to try the Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel....I did not like it!

We decided to leave AK and headed back to our room to shower and clean up for our Dinner Ressie!


Up Next... Ready for some foot-stompin' music and food!! Where'd we eat??