Holy heatwave, Batman! Mom + 5 kids do Disney [with PICS] -COMPLETED!!

[DebIreland]

OMG! That's one of the funniest photos I've ever seen on here!

 

[blestmom]

Day 11: Thursday, January 18

Our last day at Animal Kingdom. We are a bit sad, as this has turned out to be one of our favorite parks now. It is a beautiful day…not too hot or too cool. We head over first to Everest, and ride twice. We make go ahead and buy a ride photo....

...and play around in the gift shop...

Then we went to see the new Nemo musical. I’m excited to see this, as I’ve heard great things about it. Wait…what’s that? A sign? It says, “No showing of the Nemo Musical today.” Oh what a bummer! We won’t be able to see it this trip. And what really gets me is we could have seen it the other day, but thought we would catch it our second day. Oh well…I guess that gives us something new to look forward to on our next trip.

We ride Primeval Whirl a number of times. The kids like that ride. We also go to the “Flights of Wonder” bird show. We think it is very good.

We also really take our time walking through the other animal trails we missed last time. Lots of birds to see…

We go on the Safari again, but since I didn’t get the last seat in the vehicle, I didn’t get any good pictures. I’m glad I got some last time!

We had lunch at the Tusker House. It is very good, as usual!

We also saw “Festival of the Lion King.”

The kids like the Tumble Monkeys the best.

Since we saw the parade the first day, we decide to skip it and ride Everest as many times in a row as we can before the park closes. We rode it 10 times that day, 6 in a row. The castmembers were laughing at us as we kept coming back. It was practically a walk-on at that point. We would literally “run” off the ride and around to the front to get on again. Finally, we saw they closed the doors, and that was the end of our day. Man, we LOVE Expedition Everest!

We bought ANOTHER ride photo!...

We went to DisneyQuest for awhile, then back to the villa for the usual dinner, t.v., swimming and pool.

Next Day: “Time to Split”

 

[momoftriplets]

I'm just starting page 2, but I'm hooked. Loving it!

 

[Sooze]

This report is great... and your pics are so interesting! Thanks so much!

 

[blestmom]

Day 12: Friday, January 19

Are we tired of Disney yet? NO WAY! Are we tired of the Magic Kingdom? NO WAY! Are we tired of each other yet? NO…well, maybe just a bit. Okay, not really “tired” of each other, but we are realizing that we all want to do different things. The older two boys want to ride rides. That’s pretty much it. The older girl wants to shop. Mostly for clothes. The younger girl wants to meet princesses. And the younger guy is pretty much up for anything (except the princess part.) So we decide to spend the morning together, but split up in the afternoon.

We start the day in a great way by catching the Main Street Singers. My youngest daughter loves this, as she loves musicals. One of her all-time favorites is “Meet Me In St. Louis.” The singers start singing the “Trolley Song” from that movie, and my daughter sings along. One of the singers notices her, and smiles and sings with her. It was so cute!

We ride all of our favorite rides again…Space Mountain, Pirates, Big Thunder (Splash Mountain is down for refurbishment). We go get some special souvenirs (a dog food bowl for my daughter’s dog, and a dog collar for my son’s dog. This will match the Mickey Head ID tag we got on our last trip. She is a spoiled dog.)

Much to my boys’ dismay, the castle show is starting right when we walk by.

My younger daughter loved it, because it is full of princesses (including her favorite…Sleeping Beauty!) It is really cool, because Mickey and Minnie, etc. can move their mouths, and open and shut their eyes!

Aw…is there anything as sweet as Mickey and Minnie???

At the end of the show, I got one of my most favorite castle shots I’ve ever taken…

After some more favorite rides, we eat lunch at Pecos Bill. We find some seating in the back where no one else was sitting. Ah…it was so relaxing!

We are able to do pretty much whatever we want, as there are no lines for most rides.

After lunch, we split up for a bit. The older three go on rides together, while I take the younger two to meet some characters. We also catch the “One Man’s Dream” parade. I thought it was very good. I like the addition of “Walt”…

…and “classic Mickey”…

I have never seen the Sorcerer’s Apprentice brooms before in a parade!...

The “Mary Poppins” float was neat!

On the way back to the parking lot my son had me take a picture of the “Vikings tram.” Being a big Minnesota Vikings fan, he loved that all the trams were Purple and Gold!!!

We went back to the villa, had dinner, and swam. The boys played basketball. We went to DisneyQuest for a bit. Another ‘fantastic’ day!

Next day: In a Pickle

 

[blestmom]

Day 13: Saturday, January 20

We sleep in a bit, and head over to the Epcot. After a couple of rides in Futureworld (Soarin, and Test Track…mostly so we can get our staged picture), we head over to World Showcase. We catch the Chinese Acrobats. They are very good. We had a great spot to watch, but it was right by the speaker. Man…that music was LOUD!

World Showcase was pretty empty…

It was a gorgeous day again. I really like this time of year weather-wise.

My older son was thrilled to find a “pickle tree” in one of the shops. He loves pickles!

The kids enjoyed spending time just goofing around in some of the stores....

...and at the African Outpost.

After spending time in the World Showcase, my daughter really wanted to take the boat back Futureworld. While riding it, we got to see the skywriter.

We spent the rest of the afternoon doing things on that side. We spent a lot of time in Innoventions. My oldest son and I got a chance to ride the Segways there. That was fun!

Another great day…another fun day with my kids.

**My DS17 really wants me to add a bit about "Pooh's Bottom." While walking out of Spaceship Earth, right when you exit the building, on the pavement, there is yellow paint in a design that my son insists looks just like Pooh's bottom, sticking out of the honey tree. If you are taking a trip to Epcot in the near future, have a look...and see if you don't also see Pooh's Bottom!

So much fun…we don’t want it to end! We are not ready yet for bed, so we head to Downtown Disney to catch a movie. We saw “A Night at the Museum.” We really enjoyed it, and laughed a lot!

This has been a super vacation!

Next day: My very favorite place in the whole world…

 

[blestmom]

Day 14: Sunday, January 21

I am really looking forward to today. Today is the day that I get to go to my most favorite place in the whole world…Fort Wilderness. We have stayed in the cabins twice, and I love them. If money were no object, I would stay there every time. At least I can go spend some time there this evening.

We start out the day leisurely eating brunch at the villa, and swimming in the pool.

Then we head over to DisneyQuest one last time. Since my youngest son is very much into designing roller coasters at home, I let him design a wild one on Cyber Mountain, and purchase the souvenir DVD. It has turned out to be a great souvenir!

Oops…I had promised my daughter 2 years ago that when she turned 10, she could go on a horseback ride with me at Fort Wilderness. I had forgotten all about it (“Bad Mom”) Since we were going to the campground, my daughter asked me what time our trail ride was. Oh dear. I called them, and there were no times left that day, but…they did have an opening the next day…our last day. Yipee!

We went back to the villa for dinner, then headed over to Fort Wilderness. I just love it over there. It is so rustic, peaceful and beautiful. It really is my favorite place.

We walked around for a bit, then headed over to the Meadows Trading Post. My kids have asked me if I could work anywhere in Disneyworld, where would it be. I always answer the Meadows Trading Post! We purchase supplies to make ‘smores and head over to the campfire and movie.

My kids go back and forth between the sing-along and campfire, making me roasted marshmallows and ‘smores. Ah…this is the good life!

We watch “The Fox and the Hound.” I forgot what a cute movie that is.

We had back to the villa and right to bed, because tomorrow is a BIG day!

Next day: Best laid plans go awry…

 

[roxwithears]

Blestmom: Some of your pics are great. Especially the castle photos. What brand of camera do you own?

Can't wait for the last day.....

 

[MomofCKJ]

I am loving your report! Your kids are great and seem like they all get along so well! Sounds like you had a wonderful time and the pictures of the no crowds are great! I would love to go sometime when it is that empty!

Allyson

 

[blestmom]

Blestmom: Some of your pics are great. Especially the castle photos. What brand of camera do you own?

It is just a cheap little digital...an HP Photosmart R707. I don't even think they make them anymore! I've got my eye on some nice cameras to replace this one someday. I'm drooling over some of the photos I see on the DIS photography board! But in the meantime...this works!

 

[tiggerbell]

I'm really enjoying your report. The house you rented is great! And I love your pictures.

 

[blestmom]

Day 15: Monday, January 22

When I first heard about the Pirate and Princess Parties, I jumped for joy, because our last day was the first day of the parties! Oh yeah…we can GO! I planned out which park we would go to on each day, so that on the day of the party, we could relax, sleep in, etc. and be all refreshed for the long night. But…

…then came the Rock-n-Roller Coaster refurbishment. Bummer. That is one of our favorite rides. Oh…wait! It re-opens…on our last day! Yipee! We can still ride it, but we’ll have to schedule an MGM day along with our Pirate and Princess Party. Well, the kids think they are up to it, so that is the plan. At least we can relax between the two, right?

Well…

…remember that Trail Ride? The only opening they have left is…our last day! Okay…quick change in plans…

Go to MGM at opening…leave around 1:00 p.m….drive kids back to the villa….get to Fort Wilderness by 2:00…go on trail ride…get back to villa for a quick dinner…then head over to the Pirate and Princess Party. This will either work like a charm, or be a disaster. Time will tell…

We get up bright and early, excited to ride Rock-n-Roller Coaster. The kids try to talk me into Tower of Terror one more time, but hey, why mess with success? I’ll ride it next time. Probably. Maybe. Rock-n-Roller Coaster was great! It was my youngest son’s first time on it, and he really liked it!

We also caught the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” show. My boys informed me that up until that point, they had been able to avoid it at all costs. But I had ‘em trapped. They actually enjoyed it. Okay, they tolerated it. But they were good sports.

Then we did a very fun…and unknown…thing. We had never been to the “Animation” thing before. It was really fun! We all got to try drawing Goofy.

If you have some down time, or are looking for a quiet activity, I’d recommend it.

There is also an area back there for photo ops…

We did the Rock-N-Roller Coaster again, then decided that we needed to head out. A short day at MGM, but we had to get going!

We got to the car quickly, since we were there at opening. I drove the kids back to the villa, and left for the campground. It was so nice to spend some alone time with my daughter. We had about ½ hour to wait after checking in, so we got to explore a bit. I just love the atmosphere over there.

My daughter had a great time on the ride. We were the last two in the line of horses, so the cast member who rides in the back talked to us a lot. She told us about the horses that were going to be used that evening in the Pirate and Princess party, and about the rehearsals that had taken place for it. Pretty interesting stuff!

Then it was back to the villa to get ready for the Pirate and Princess Party!

Yipee! Finally! We get to go to the Pirate and Princess Party.

I was so excited for this, as I thought it was a great ‘finale’ to a great trip. The boys went all out and dressed up with…eye patches.

DS15 had his own flair by being “Mutebeard the Pirate.” A lot of cast members asked about it, and his brother would tell the story of Mutebeard the Pirate, and how he lost his mouth in a battle. He wore it like that for the entire night!

The girls got into the spirit a bit more and dressed up…DD13 as Jasmine, and DD10 as Cinderella.

After getting our party wristbands, we received our ‘treasure’ bags and walked on the red carpet into the Magic Kingdom.

It looked fantastic! The lighting on Main Street was pretty, and all the cast members were already in ‘princess’ or ‘pirate’ character. We headed first over to Tomorrowland…and oh oh…was that a rain drop? Oh, well, it’s just a little sprinkle. We decided to see what the ‘loot’ was at the first “X” spot. We waited awhile, since they were still getting set up. While waiting in line, it started to rain heavier. I started to get worried that we were going to get very wet. The first “X” spot turned out to be some plastic beads. Oh well.

We took the quiet back walkway over to ToonTown, since it looked like there were some activities over there. Once we got there, it really started to downpour. I was so bummed…even more so because I left the ponchos in the van. WHY??? I do that all the time. I lug them down from Alaska, lug them to the parks…then leave them in the van. I decided that we had already invested enough time and money into the trip to not have it ruined by being soaking wet, so I head off to buy everyone Mickey ponchos. Ah…at least WE are dry.

We walked over to the Fantasyland and stood under the Teacups deciding what to do next. While we were there, the rain let up. Of course…after investing $40 in ponchos, the rain stops! Oh well…it was a good investment!!! We decided to go catch the first Pirate and Princess Parade. We found a great spot by the Hall of Presidents. We waited…and waited…and waited. Apparently the parade was delayed due to the wet pavement. That was okay…a cast member was being really funny, having us cheer and clap at random people when they walked by. And we booed at cast members. It was really funny.

Finally the parade started, and it was GREAT! Jasmine rode on a real horse.

Sleeping Beauty and Prince Philip danced.

The floats were huge.

The pirate floats were great. One had Tinkerbell…

…and one had Captain Jack!!

After the parade, we went on some rides. There were NO lines. We rode ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’ Somehow, it was just more fun tonight!!!

Then it was time for the fireworks. WOW!!! They are by far the best fireworks we have ever seen at Disney. Absolutely amazing! At one point, it looks like the pirates are shooting off cannons from the castle! Then comes Tinkerbell to save the day! Just hearing the Pirates of the Caribbean theme music over the loudspeakers was wonderful!

We split up for awhile again, so the boys could ride rides, and me and the girls could meet characters. The girls got to meet Cinderella’s “Drizella and Anastasia.” We were told it was their first time out at a meet-and-greet…cool!

My DD13 was so excited to meet Jasmine and Aladdin…

…and DD10 was thrilled to meet Sleeping Beauty and Prince Philip…

There were great photo spots, too, like Cinderella’s glass coach…

During the evening, we stopped at other “X” spots and got lots of chocolate candy, which is always a good thing!

My daughters and I rode the carousel, and for our last ride of the trip, we chose “It’s a Small World.” There was NO ONE in the entire attraction…no one on the boats in front of us or behind us. I took the opportunity to take a lot of pictures, since I wouldn’t be bothering anyone.

We all decided that this was the BEST time we have had in the Magic Kingdom. It was so much fun. Usually we come during the off-season when the parks close early, and we don’t do EMH, so for us just to be in the park at night was a real treat. We really liked the Pirate and Princess theme. We didn’t want the night to end. Even though we had a very full day that started early, none of us were tired. We slowly walked out of the park…full of wonderful memories of a fantastic day, and a truly memorable vacation.

Next day: Back to the frozen arctic…

 

[blestmom]

Day 16: Tuesday, January 23

We got up, and had to go buy an extra suitcase to get all our stuff home! We let the younger kids swim one more time, then spent the morning cleaning the villa and getting ready to leave. My son thought the vulture on the garbage was a really cool thing…

After loading up the van, we went to Downtown Disney for our traditional “Ghiradhelli Goodbye.” We got the Dark Chocolate Mint and Dark Chocolate Espresso sundaes. They were yummy! We also took my youngest son to the Lego store so he could buy a souvenir.

Well, it was time to go. We dropped off DS17 with the luggage, and went to return the rental van. After meeting up, we checked in and waited for our flight. We only had two flights this time, and no problems. We arrived home at midnight, and Dad was there waiting at the airport. It was so cold! One thing that helps get over the sadness of the trip ending, is seeing Dad and all the pets at home. We needed to get right to bed, as the kids had basketball and ballet in the afternoon.

We dropped into bed, dreaming of our next Disney vacation!

Thanks for reading my trip report!!

 

[slyjly]

That was such a wonderful report! You have a very beautiful family, thank you for sharing your experiences!

 

[amytheobald]

I read your entire trip report, thanks for sharing...you give me hope that my children will be enjoyable when they are teens.

 

[sorul82?]

Great report!!

 

[mamaT]

That was a wonderful trip report!!!

 

[Katy]

I loved your report. You have a wonderful family and the time you spent together is truly priceless!

 

[princesstigerlilly]

What a great report! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us

 

[Disfan3]

cute TR

your pics are great!!

Glad you had a great time....