List of players: Me(Gingajane, 36), DH(35), DD#1(10), DD#2(7), DD#3(2), Queen Bee( MY Mom), H.E.(my DAD), Cowgirl(my sis, 28). Cowboy(sis's DH, 28), Hank(nephew, 7), Jenna-Bean(niece, 1.33). My oldest sister, we will call her Belle, visited us during our stay with her DH and 3 DS's.
November 8th
Our adventure started at 3:00 in the morning. We had a flight a 6:15 flight out of Philly and kneew we needed to be up and out by 3:30. We popped over, scooped up my parental units and Cowgirl and family and we were off. I had put the kids to bed in their clothes, so it really wasn't too bad. We used SmartPark to shuttle us to our gate (and to baby sit our vehicles). I was happy to see that we could check our luggage curbside...and then we had security. I am glad for the security measures... I really am. I have to confess that maybe it was not the best of all times for my Mom, Queenbee, to experience the flight experience for the very first time. They pulled her over for a random bag check, but she took it all in good stride. So, we all made it to the gate. We made it to our seats to find that Cowgirl and Cowboy had been assigned the same seats as Queenbee and H.E. . There were lots of free seats on this flight, so it was no big deal. It was a great flight. As a little note, they only provided a beverage on this early morning flight. We had plenty of snacks and drinks in our carry-ons, but for anyone else taking an early morning flight....make sure ya bring your own breakfast!! Our flight was acually about 10 min. early. Orlando was a welcome sight.
Now I am no shrinking violet, and I was not hesitant to board that plane, but I did have a real sense of relief when we landed with our family safe and sound.
I popped in the Disney store at the airport and purchased my annual pass. They are ssoo friendly in there. Wow! On to baggage claim...Tiffany guy was there waiting for us! All aboard for Publix and then...Polynesian here we come!
It was so sweet walking into that exotic resort. And so cool to see the expressions on the first timers' faces. It made all of the hard work worth it right there. Check-in for a party our size took a while...then...Cowgirl comes up to me, I notice she is splattered in a rather unsightly way and smells...well...NASTY. Jenna-Bean had just upchucked on her rather unhappy mom. The check-in guy managed to make one of our three rooms available to us immediately. Hey, it was only 11:00, he didn't have to do anything, but he did. Needless to say we let Cowgirl and family have the room that was ready(she really needed to tidy up a bit you know). The rest of us went up to the Kona Cafe where I tried Tonga Toast for the first time. I am hooked for life! We then went to see if Cowgirl smelled and/or looked any better and she indeed looked and smelled better. Jenna-bean was fine, she just does not take medicine very well! Off to the Animal Kingdom until check-in time!!
Yes, our wagons were draggin', but it was the best tired I have experienced in a long time. I love the Animal Kingdom. Dh and I and our kids lost the rest of our party. So they did stuff that we didn't and visa versa. Thumbs up for It's tough to Be a Bug and Kali River Rapids. Thumbs up for a great atmosphere! We figured everyone could make it back to the Polyneian w/o our guidence, so we went back to get our rooms. The room was lovely and did not have any of the funny smells that I'd heard about. We were in Tokelau, 1903. I got the house and floor that I requested. I was pleased. On the with the story...
Well, after we settle in, we hear someone at our door. It is H>E>, he is disgruntled and alone. It seems that Queenbee, Cowgirl, Cowboy and kids all went in a store in AK and never came back out. H.E. said he waited for over an hour and then looked for them and they weren't even in the store! H.E. is an old country boy who does not vacation for long or very willingly, so I felt bad for his first day at the park. I am happy to report that Queenbee, Cowgirl, Cowboy and kids did not let losing H.E. slow them down at all and they had a wonderful time at the AK. We had a PS at Ohana's for dinner so we all settled in and got ready.
Surprise!! Who is waiting at Ohana's for us but my big sis Belle and her tribe. The recptionist had no problem with adding 5 more to our PS and we were seated within 15 minutes. We had a blast! First of all, we don't get to see BElle and her family but twice a year, so this was really very special. I had a drink served in a real pineapple, that was special. The kids had fun doing all of the games. The food was tremendous. I have heard many comments concerning Ohana's and I have to say that everyone in our 16 member party was impressed. The quality was impressive and the quantity lavish. I believe that this is one of the better values available at Disney.
This concludes day one because at this point we all stumbled to our rooms, dove into our jammies and snuggled down under the blankets and slept until day 2.....
PS....please ignore any mispellings etc...MJ
November 8th
Our adventure started at 3:00 in the morning. We had a flight a 6:15 flight out of Philly and kneew we needed to be up and out by 3:30. We popped over, scooped up my parental units and Cowgirl and family and we were off. I had put the kids to bed in their clothes, so it really wasn't too bad. We used SmartPark to shuttle us to our gate (and to baby sit our vehicles). I was happy to see that we could check our luggage curbside...and then we had security. I am glad for the security measures... I really am. I have to confess that maybe it was not the best of all times for my Mom, Queenbee, to experience the flight experience for the very first time. They pulled her over for a random bag check, but she took it all in good stride. So, we all made it to the gate. We made it to our seats to find that Cowgirl and Cowboy had been assigned the same seats as Queenbee and H.E. . There were lots of free seats on this flight, so it was no big deal. It was a great flight. As a little note, they only provided a beverage on this early morning flight. We had plenty of snacks and drinks in our carry-ons, but for anyone else taking an early morning flight....make sure ya bring your own breakfast!! Our flight was acually about 10 min. early. Orlando was a welcome sight.
Now I am no shrinking violet, and I was not hesitant to board that plane, but I did have a real sense of relief when we landed with our family safe and sound.
I popped in the Disney store at the airport and purchased my annual pass. They are ssoo friendly in there. Wow! On to baggage claim...Tiffany guy was there waiting for us! All aboard for Publix and then...Polynesian here we come!
It was so sweet walking into that exotic resort. And so cool to see the expressions on the first timers' faces. It made all of the hard work worth it right there. Check-in for a party our size took a while...then...Cowgirl comes up to me, I notice she is splattered in a rather unsightly way and smells...well...NASTY. Jenna-Bean had just upchucked on her rather unhappy mom. The check-in guy managed to make one of our three rooms available to us immediately. Hey, it was only 11:00, he didn't have to do anything, but he did. Needless to say we let Cowgirl and family have the room that was ready(she really needed to tidy up a bit you know). The rest of us went up to the Kona Cafe where I tried Tonga Toast for the first time. I am hooked for life! We then went to see if Cowgirl smelled and/or looked any better and she indeed looked and smelled better. Jenna-bean was fine, she just does not take medicine very well! Off to the Animal Kingdom until check-in time!!
Yes, our wagons were draggin', but it was the best tired I have experienced in a long time. I love the Animal Kingdom. Dh and I and our kids lost the rest of our party. So they did stuff that we didn't and visa versa. Thumbs up for It's tough to Be a Bug and Kali River Rapids. Thumbs up for a great atmosphere! We figured everyone could make it back to the Polyneian w/o our guidence, so we went back to get our rooms. The room was lovely and did not have any of the funny smells that I'd heard about. We were in Tokelau, 1903. I got the house and floor that I requested. I was pleased. On the with the story...
Well, after we settle in, we hear someone at our door. It is H>E>, he is disgruntled and alone. It seems that Queenbee, Cowgirl, Cowboy and kids all went in a store in AK and never came back out. H.E. said he waited for over an hour and then looked for them and they weren't even in the store! H.E. is an old country boy who does not vacation for long or very willingly, so I felt bad for his first day at the park. I am happy to report that Queenbee, Cowgirl, Cowboy and kids did not let losing H.E. slow them down at all and they had a wonderful time at the AK. We had a PS at Ohana's for dinner so we all settled in and got ready.
Surprise!! Who is waiting at Ohana's for us but my big sis Belle and her tribe. The recptionist had no problem with adding 5 more to our PS and we were seated within 15 minutes. We had a blast! First of all, we don't get to see BElle and her family but twice a year, so this was really very special. I had a drink served in a real pineapple, that was special. The kids had fun doing all of the games. The food was tremendous. I have heard many comments concerning Ohana's and I have to say that everyone in our 16 member party was impressed. The quality was impressive and the quantity lavish. I believe that this is one of the better values available at Disney.
This concludes day one because at this point we all stumbled to our rooms, dove into our jammies and snuggled down under the blankets and slept until day 2.....
PS....please ignore any mispellings etc...MJ
