How I Survived 11 Days at WDW with a Disney-Resistant Husband **2/20 THE END **

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Happy New Year!!!
great update and glad you had R&R at the pool.

 

[eandesmom]

Happy New Year to you as well! And thanks for understanding the lack of updates recently! It wasn't intentional at all...I just blinked and the entire month of December was history!


I think the 10am pool start time is the key for SAB! It is a madhouse there to find a loungechair after about 12noon, that is for sure!

I hear you on that. And look I blinked and wasn't sure I actually posted here last night.

Yeah, the lounge chairs are scarce though I swear, we'd try to find them and then no one would actually BE in them so I think we wasted some time with that effort, more than once!

 

[brookelizabeth]

The server wouldn't take your picture?? That's so weird! Usually they INSIST upon it at Sci Fi. I bet he's no longer employed as a server at Disney...

Great update - what a lovely relaxing day just hanging by one of the best pools on property. Good idea to take advantage of your resort before you left it!

Katie pretending to be scared by the "horror movies":

This is so cute!!

 

[cdotla]

Happy New Year!!!
great update and glad you had R&R at the pool.

Thanks! And Happy New Year to you as well!

I hear you on that. And look I blinked and wasn't sure I actually posted here last night.

Yeah, the lounge chairs are scarce though I swear, we'd try to find them and then no one would actually BE in them so I think we wasted some time with that effort, more than once!

That is my pet peeve about the lounge chairs....99% of the "taken" ones don't have bodies in them. Then again, once I get mine, I am certainly not prepared to lose it while I take a dip in the pool! So I have been on that side of it as well.

I was really so impressed one day that a couple (husband and wife) were lounging in 2 loungers with a towel thrown over a 3rd beside them that they gave up for me. The wife advised me that it was only for their son, who wld likely be spending most of his time in the pool anyway. I was so impressed with this kind gesture.

The server wouldn't take your picture?? That's so weird! Usually they INSIST upon it at Sci Fi. I bet he's no longer employed as a server at Disney...

Great update - what a lovely relaxing day just hanging by one of the best pools on property. Good idea to take advantage of your resort before you left it!

Thankfully I have never once experienced anything remotely close to the poor service we had at SciFi. Funny thing is, failing to take our photo wasn't even the worst of it. I agree...he is likely no longer working there. I am surprised that he even made it through traditions training.

And yes, it was a good call relaxing and enjoying SAB and all of the Beach Club offerings before we had to bid it farewell.

 

[cdotla]

Building a Light Saber

After lunch, we headed out of the Sci Fi and onto the Streets of America. I knew the plan was to head back to the Beach Club for some more pool time before check out the next day, but I was still keen to try and squeeze in a couple of attractions on our last visit to the Studios.

No one in the family (except me) had ever done Star Tours, and my last journey was probably a decade ago.

Declan had never experienced the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground.

And neither of the kids had seen the Lights, Motors, Action Stuntshow.

But....I was competing with a Pool. A Super Pool. On a very hot day.

As usual, I was dragging behind the family as I stopped to take some photos as we walked all over New York and San Francisco.

Our first stop was the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground.

And just like that the kids were off. Before we entered I warned Chris that this place should really be called How to Lose Your Child in 30 Seconds. There are so many passageways and twists and turns. Your kid goes in one area and comes out in a completely unexpected place. If you have kids like ours who love to get lost from their parents, this can be a complete nightmare.

I just about lost my mind in here on a solo trip with Katie back in March 2009. For about 10 minutes or more I had no idea whatsoever where she went. (Of course, that was completely intentional on her part.) Ultimately I had a couple of other parents and two Cast Members involved in trying to find her. Finally she emerged. But not before I had considered every worst case scenario.

This time I was prepared. Even though I warned the kids to stay together, stay close to me, and answer me when called, I knew the temptation of "getting lost" on mom would be hard to resist. So I assigned Chris the task of standing guard by the exit to ensure neither of the kids left undetected as I tried to keep watch and take some photos of their fun.

Unfortunately once again I lost sight of Katie very quickly. She is a slippery one. But knowing that Chris was manning the exit, I wasn't concerned about it this time. Until I noticed on a quick walk-by that he had left his post. Now I had a missing daughter and a missing husband. Fortunately we caught up with them pretty quickly and I encouraged everyone to move on. I had experienced enough of this place already.

Next stop was Star Tours. Since I hadn't experienced this attraction in a good 10 years I thought it would feel new and fresh all over again. I thought wrong. It was exactly the way I remembered it. And not in a good way. While I will likely ride this again when it is reopened, unless things change pretty dramatically I think I can safely sit this one out in future. Definitely not a favorite.

However, the one good thing about going on the ride was walking into the giftshop afterwards. That is where we discovered the Make Your Own Light Saber station, which proved to be the highlight of the afternoon for my family.

The kids had a fantastic time choosing and assembling their Light Saber. And they actually still get a fair bit of use at home too.

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[cdotla]

(Continued from last post)

While I tried to encourage a stop for the Lights, Motors, Action Stuntshow, the Pool won out this time. On the way out of the Park though, I did manage to get one little cheap thrill.

Unfortunately, we didn't have time to stop to see these folks. Next time!

Just as we were heading out the turnstiles, Chris caught sight of the Friendship Boat getting ready to pull out. He ran like crazy pushing that double stoller, with me, as always, huffing and puffing along behind him. Nothing like scoring a ride home just in the nick of time!

While the kids were hot and tired, they were still mighty pleased about their new Light Sabers.

Somehow Chris and I got a second wind on the boat ride home and came up with the brilliant idea to try try and save some time by getting off at the Dolphin and walking back to the Beach Club. Big mistake. We ended up only slightly beating the boat, but had to walk in the scourching sun in the process. Shoulda stayed on our relaxing boat ride.

Finally....we were home at last, and we didn't waste any time putting on our swimsuits and making a beeline for the Pool. As it was mid-afternoon, Stormalong Bay was of course jam-packed. So on the walk back to our room we decided to check out the quiet pool in the courtyard outside the Beach Club Villas instead. Although we had walked by this pool a couple times each day on our way to our car, we had never actually experienced it. What a good call! We had a grand time. Lots of space in the pool, and better still, plenty of extra loungechairs.

Again!

And again!

As you can see, some people's energy levels shot up dramatically once we hit the pool.

And other people took the opportunity to get a few zzzzz's.

All in all, it was a great way to spend our last afternoon at the Beach Club.


UP NEXT: Dinner at Narcoossee's

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Building a Light Sabre


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This is the most darling picture! What a cutie pie your son is!

Ah, competing with the pool. I so understand your pain! Our first Disney trip with our kids, all they wanted to do was swim in the stupid pool. Don't get me wrong, they loved all of theme parks but when I asked them their favorite part, they actually said the pool! I was like great, I could've saved $5,000 and went swimming somewhere cheaper!

The HISTK's playground is something we've never done for the very reason it made you nervous...losing your kids! I know they'd love it but I don't think I'd love all the mini heart attacks I'd be having!

The light sabers look awesome! DH would love to make one himself I'm sure.

 

[cdotla]

This is the most darling picture! What a cutie pie your son is!

Ah, competing with the pool. I so understand your pain! Our first Disney trip with our kids, all they wanted to do was swim in the stupid pool. Don't get me wrong, they loved all of theme parks but when I asked them their favorite part, they actually said the pool! I was like great, I could've saved $5,000 and went swimming somewhere cheaper!

The HISTK's playground is something we've never done for the very reason it made you nervous...losing your kids! I know they'd love it but I don't think I'd love all the mini heart attacks I'd be having!

The light sabers look awesome! DH would love to make one himself I'm sure.

Thank you! I think he is a complete cutie pie as well...but I am very biased.

As for the pool, sometimes you just have to stop fighting it. As great as the greatest Disney attraction can ever be, sometimes there is nothing better for the kids than the pool. I hate to admit that, but it is true.

As for that wretched playground...they should seriously have some type of sign-in, sign-out system. I know it would cause line ups and slow things down, but it is a complete maze in there. If your kids aren't the type to cling to your ankles (and mine have never been), I guarantee that at some point you will lose them in there. And if your kids get off even a little bit at trying to "hide" from mom and dad like mine do - forget it. It is game over.

Don't get me wrong - I love the playground itself. But be prepared to have a spinning head trying to keep your eyes on your kids in there!

As for building your own light sabers - I highly, highly recommend it. Even for your DH!

 

[princessjv]

I dislike that play area too!

A great afternoon by the pool is always a wonderful way to spend time together... asleep or not.

Can I ask what camera and lens you were using? You have some amazing shots!

 

[mom2mek]

Hi Trish! Hope you had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year! I have not been on the DIS in so long, but I'm glad I checked in tonight and got to read a couple of new updates! Your last BC day sounds great but I can't wait to hear about the Poly!!!

The HISTK is scary indeed! Along with the Boneyard in AK! Ack - I was attempting to watch 6 kids at once in there and almost had a heart attack! Not fun!!

Sara

 

[mermaid764]

Even the quiet pool at the Beach club looks fantastic....looks like a great way to spend your last afternoon there.

Can't wait to hear what you thought about Narcoose's

 

[eandesmom]

That is my pet peeve about the lounge chairs....99% of the "taken" ones don't have bodies in them. Then again, once I get mine, I am certainly not prepared to lose it while I take a dip in the pool! So I have been on that side of it as well.

I was really so impressed one day that a couple (husband and wife) were lounging in 2 loungers with a towel thrown over a 3rd beside them that they gave up for me. The wife advised me that it was only for their son, who wld likely be spending most of his time in the pool anyway. I was so impressed with this kind gesture.

My general rule is we will take 3, max for for the 6 of us. Unless of course the place is deserted. Otherwise it's just not cool. All 6 of us are never in the chairs at once and some are never out of the pool, they just need a place for their towel.

The light sabers would be fun, somehow we've escaped that every time but I can see where the kids would have fun. Very good call on the quiet pool although the contrast between Katie and Chris is quite amusing.

UGH on the missing husband who is supposed to be on kid escape point. That is a huge pet peeve of mine (with Jeff of course, not Chris) it makes my stress level go up like no ones business.

That pool looks so nice right now, is it May yet?

 

[missmun52]

You have such a wonderful looking family! I am so sad that your report winding down. I hope that your DH changes his mind about Disney one day! Cant wait for your next post.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Well, in the end it's probably a good thing that you skipped LMA. It is unbearably hot in there, I mean ridiculously hot. You probably would have had a very cranky group on your hands afterwards. That's a good attraction to save for a trip during the winter months

I'd love to be like Chris, sleeping in the warm sun in a lounge chair by the pool right about now!

 

[klacey1]

I like Star Tours, but we're pretty excited for the refurb, too. I think it's time. Sometimes the pool just beats anything else on a hot day! The kids look like they were having a blast-- love the matching bathing suits!!

 

[IdesOmarch]

I enjoyed reading your TR, very nice. I have had the same problem with DW in resisting theme parks, however I have recently won her over. I would suggest you next trying Universal studios and staying on site. I did this and converted DW into a bonafide theme park lover. She had been tainted by the long lines at Disney, but once we went to Universal, stayed on site so we could use the room key thing to always get to the front of the lines, she was converted. Maybe he has this same problem, just hates crowds and lines. You may try that. Plus Uni has stuff for more adult themeing kinda so you may try that on him, good luck on the conversion, and don't give up!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I've been lurking for awhile but finally caught up today so wanted to post and say hi. I've tremendously enjoyed reading along as I have a husband who wants nothing to do with Disney. I've had two trips with just the kiddos and then two trips with friends. He just has no desire and I know would be a lot like Chris about lines and such if I could ever talk him into coming with us next trip. I'm not giving up all hope though. I can't wait to read more!

 

[njtinkmom]

Ok I confess I have been lurking for a while trying to catch up and finally finished today! Glad I was along for the ride even with all the ups and downs! It still sounds like a great vacation! Sorry to see it coming to an end - now you need a PTR!

 

[cdotla]

I dislike that play area too!

A great afternoon by the pool is always a wonderful way to spend time together... asleep or not.

Can I ask what camera and lens you were using? You have some amazing shots!

It is hard to beat the pool, isn't it?

All of the shots this trip were taken with my baseline (now obsolete) Canon Digital Rebel XT, which I bought in August 2007 to replace the identical one I bought in April that year and lost on the kids' 1st trip to WDW in May 2007.

It is a great entry level SLR camera, and has served me well. Most of the time during this trip I was using a new lens I had purchased for it - the Canon 24-70. The only other lens I used was a 50mm lens. I mostly used this indoors, i.e. when taking the food shots in the restaurants.

Hi Trish! Hope you had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year! I have not been on the DIS in so long, but I'm glad I checked in tonight and got to read a couple of new updates! Your last BC day sounds great but I can't wait to hear about the Poly!!!

The HISTK is scary indeed! Along with the Boneyard in AK! Ack - I was attempting to watch 6 kids at once in there and almost had a heart attack! Not fun!!

Sara

Hey Sara - Happy New Year to you as well!

I can't wait to tell you all about the Poly! It is still my favourite resort, but unfortunately our stay there on this trip didn't exactly turn out the way I expected. More on that shortly.

Glad I am not the only one who has a hard time in that playground. I have never had much problem in the Boneyard. At least you can pretty well keep your eyes on your kids most of the time. Then again, I also didn't have 6 kiddos under my watch either! Poor you!!!

Even the quiet pool at the Beach club looks fantastic....looks like a great way to spend your last afternoon there.

Can't wait to hear what you thought about Narcoose's

As crazy as it sounds not to enjoy SAB our last afternoon at the BC, we really quite enjoyed ourselves at the quiet pool. And you are right - it is very nice! I wish I had taken a better photo of it now.

My general rule is we will take 3, max for for the 6 of us. Unless of course the place is deserted. Otherwise it's just not cool. All 6 of us are never in the chairs at once and some are never out of the pool, they just need a place for their towel.

The light sabers would be fun, somehow we've escaped that every time but I can see where the kids would have fun. Very good call on the quiet pool although the contrast between Katie and Chris is quite amusing.

UGH on the missing husband who is supposed to be on kid escape point. That is a huge pet peeve of mine (with Jeff of course, not Chris) it makes my stress level go up like no ones business.

That pool looks so nice right now, is it May yet?

Hey Cynthia! I wish everyone was as considerate as you guys when reserving loungechairs!

I am so jealous you get to go back there so soon...May will be here before you know it! I was reminded in October by Christine how relaxing it can be poolside at SAB without kids to watch. That girl knows how to live. Drink in hand. Kindle charged and loaded. Magazines a-plenty near-by. And did I mention the drinks?

And if truth be told, Chris actually only left his post when he spotted Katie and went to join her, after he saw that I had things under control with Declan. He was good to his word up until then.

 

[cdotla]

You have such a wonderful looking family! I am so sad that your report winding down. I hope that your DH changes his mind about Disney one day! Cant wait for your next post.

Awww thanks!

Yes, we are getting close to the end. But one of our best nights, and then perhaps the hardest (and worse) part of the trip for me is still to come. I am actually dreading reliving it.

As for DH, this trip has finally caused me to give up the dream up turning him into a bona fide Disney fanatic like me. But every now and then he will surprise me. For Christmas I got Declan a Disney Wheel of Fortune Game at Winners (the Canadian equivalent to Target / TJ Maxx). Can you believe who in the family is most eager to get the supper dishes cleaned up each night so we can play? Yes, really! Chris!

And he beats the pants off me every game. The kids fight over who can be partnered with him each night. I thought I would be the star of the game...afterall, it is all Disney trivia. Nope! Chris shows me up every night. Just tonite he guessed "Glass Slipper" under the "Magical Things" category, "Simba and Nala" in the "Famous Twosomes" and "You've Got A Friend In Me" in the Song Category. Heck, he even guessed "Elephant Boneyard" under the "Places" category. Even after he said it, I still didn't understand the context. He had to tell me it was from a scene in the Lion King.

Well, in the end it's probably a good thing that you skipped LMA. It is unbearably hot in there, I mean ridiculously hot. You probably would have had a very cranky group on your hands afterwards. That's a good attraction to save for a trip during the winter months

I'd love to be like Chris, sleeping in the warm sun in a lounge chair by the pool right about now!

Thanks for reminding me Michelle about that heat. You are right. We were definitely better off at the pool. You lived at WDW that week as well - remember how hot it was?

Like you though, I would sure like to be back poolside right now!

I like Star Tours, but we're pretty excited for the refurb, too. I think it's time. Sometimes the pool just beats anything else on a hot day! The kids look like they were having a blast-- love the matching bathing suits!!

Hey there! Thanks for the comments on the swimsuits....of course you know where they came from, don't you?

I enjoyed reading your TR, very nice. I have had the same problem with DW in resisting theme parks, however I have recently won her over. I would suggest you next trying Universal studios and staying on site. I did this and converted DW into a bonafide theme park lover. She had been tainted by the long lines at Disney, but once we went to Universal, stayed on site so we could use the room key thing to always get to the front of the lines, she was converted. Maybe he has this same problem, just hates crowds and lines. You may try that. Plus Uni has stuff for more adult themeing kinda so you may try that on him, good luck on the conversion, and don't give up!

Thanks so much for posting! I am so glad to hear you finally won your wife over - good job! Unfortunately I seem to be bit by the Disney bug, but not so much the universal bug. I sure wld like to get over there one day though. Harry Potter looks amazing, and I have never set foot in the park before so I wld definitely have some exploring to do. However, I think we will probably wait until the kids get a bit older to do it. These days I still can't seem to get enough Disney in the limited amount of time I have each year in Orlando!

I've been lurking for awhile but finally caught up today so wanted to post and say hi. I've tremendously enjoyed reading along as I have a husband who wants nothing to do with Disney. I've had two trips with just the kiddos and then two trips with friends. He just has no desire and I know would be a lot like Chris about lines and such if I could ever talk him into coming with us next trip. I'm not giving up all hope though. I can't wait to read more!

Thank you so much for coming out of lurkerdom! It makes writing these things so much more enjoyable when you know who is reading!

Good for you for taking your kiddos on so many trips as a single parent. I have done it twice now with Katie, but I expect I will get plenty more trips in with just the 2 of them in the years to come. While my preference is always to have the entire family come, I have to admit that my favorite trip was the first solo trip I took with Katie - just the 2 of us. The one-on-one trips with your kids is such an incredible bonding experience!

Hopefully though one day you will be able to convince your husband to join you, and all the better if you convert him into a true Disney fan!

Ok I confess I have been lurking for a while trying to catch up and finally finished today! Glad I was along for the ride even with all the ups and downs! It still sounds like a great vacation! Sorry to see it coming to an end - now you need a PTR!

Another lurker coming out to say hi! Yay! Thanks so much for posting! We are getting close to the end, so I am so glad that you did!

Still many more ups and downs to come before I wind this thing down, so hang on!

And as for that PTR....stay tuned!