How "just one trip" became three (babies)... update 6/29, huge triplets photo update

[BTDTGB]

Thanks for the great plug-in Code!

 

[Code]

Wow, I have to install that when I get home.

Thanks for the great plug-in Code!

Hope it worked out for you.. I've been using it every day, great time saver!

So... I booked our flights today, something I should have done the INSTANT that Southwest released its fares for our dates a few weeks ago. Because I didn't jump on it then, the fares went up and now we're paying quite a bit more than either of our last 2 trips the dollar value of which was told once to Lease and will never again be spoken of

On the bright side, an appealing flight option popped up from a different airline, and we'll be flying a redeye from SLC at midnight into Orlando at 9am rather than arriving at 4pm (and our return is direct rather than connecting). Believe it or not, we're both really happy about this.. that's an extra half day in the parks! Also, we'll be able to start out in MK as is tradition rather than Epcot since MK has MNSSHP the night of our arrival day. Just have to make sure to get some sleep the day before after work and on the flight!

Next update coming soon...

 

[Lease]

Another TR installment is on the way, but I wanted to jump in because I got a surprise when I got home from work today.

Disney mail! Code ordered the customized maps a couple weeks ago without telling me. I love surprises! Disney related surprises are even better.

 

[pl'smama]

Another TR installment is on the way, but I wanted to jump in because I got a surprise when I got home from work today.

Disney mail! Code ordered the customized maps a couple weeks ago without telling me. I love surprises! Disney related surprises are even better.

Lease, that is a cool surprise! What exactly do they do to customize these things?

Suz

 

[Lease]

Lease, that is a cool surprise! What exactly do they do to customize these things?

Suz

They let you choose your favorite attractions/rides/restaurants which are listed and labeled separately on each map. There are two double sided fold out maps. MK and Epcot on one, AK and DHS on the other. There is a third map with the the overall Walt Disney World on it.

 

[Code]

The customized map page is here:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/myVacation/customizedMaps/index?id=CustomizedMapsWelcomePage

I'll post pics of our maps tomorrow...

 

[Code]

100 days!

I've been meaning to post this for the last 3 weeks, it's our countdown calendar hung on the pantry door... 121 Cricut-cut Mickey heads!

We've been tearing them off day by day.. this picture is outdated, so I put an arrow where we are really at...

100 days!!

Go to Day 5 Part 1 - Animal Kingdom Safari

 

[Hedy]

Yay for 100 days! I love the cri-cut Mickey heads-very chic.

 

[Code]

Day 5 Part 1 - Animal Kingdom Safari

Day 5 started out early. We had heard the stories about how AK tends to get "Africa hot" so we got up early and ate a quick & easy breakfast of bagels and Diet Dr Pepper before we were on on our way. After passing Coronado Springs (but of course!), we arrived at AK for the first time!

We didn't waste any time, heading straight for the safari in hopes seeing the animals more active in the morning. It's a fun ride and gets my thumbs up, definitely a unique experience and it is amazing how they have it set up. In this case, though, we had an exceptionally, err, enthusiastic driver that barely slowed down at all so getting any decent pictures was definitely a challenge! (I look forward to this one on our upcoming trip hopefully with a new, faster zoom lens )

Go to Day 5 Part 2 - More AK

 

[Nicole786]

That countdown calendar is so cool!! How did you do that?

 

[Code]

That countdown calendar is so cool!! How did you do that?

Just used Lease's Cricut (paper cutting machine) to cut out the Mickey heads, laid them out and glued them on.. hence they leave a little bit of themselves on the poster board when we rip them off .. oh well!

 

[Code]

Day 5 Part 2 - More AK

After the Safari I grabbed a few pics down the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail...

...though we didn't go very far down before we decided to head for the train to the Conservation Station. Petting zoos are not really our thing, but they had some very interesting displays to walk through. I enjoyed sitting down to rest for a few moments in one of the audio booths. I only really took 1 picture while we were there of this cute little frog...

...along with a quick meeting with Rafiki. Nobody else was around for some reason, so we had to use the XShot to get the pic. Rafiki seemed pretty impressed

While we were waiting for the train back, we saw a little girl suffering absolute meltdown due to losing some of the little charms on her Crocs. The cast member at the station swooped in and talked to her, and calmly explained that as a cast member she could help and gave her a voucher to get some replacement charms. It was really nice to witness a cast member going above and beyond to keep the Disney magic alive for a single guest.

The train ride was uneventful (nothing even remotely interesting to look at on the ride back from Conservation Station.. just a wall of vegetation) and it was time for food. We headed for lunch at Flame Tree, grabbing some pics along the way...

For lunch, we both had turkey sandwiches with coleslaw. For dessert (thank you DDP) I had chocolate cheesecake and Lease had the key lime pie. I think Flame Tree is probably my second favorite counter service place in all WDW behind Pecos Bills.

Next we walked right across the path to see It's Tough To Be a Bug. Pretty good show, but I was totally unprepared for the sting, and I must have sat in an extra stabby chair or something because I could feel where it got me for several hours after that. Obligatory bug eye shot!...

... and various other photos taken around Discovery Island after the show on our way over to Camp Minnie Mickey...

Go to Day 5 Part 3 - Festival of the Lion King!

 

[Abby's Dad]

Another good batch Code! For the amount of movement on the safari you got some really decent shots. Nice pose of the Lion up on the rock! In today's batch - I suppose that the starting "portrait" is a member of the monkey family - nice shot, and cool looking critter. Now you are certain that you ate turkey for lunch - after all, there does seem to be a lot of birds around over there But then again, most are too pretty, nice shots of the macaws. Great shot of the frog - poisonous? So, if I am guessing right, this is going to be a really long day - and lots more to come? Saw my first ad for an XShot the other day - the new Cyberguys catalog is carrying it.

Time to go

 

[Code]

In today's batch - I suppose that the starting "portrait" is a member of the monkey family - nice shot, and cool looking critter.

That guy is an Eastern Black & White Colobus Monkey. I only know that because I've seen them at our zoo several times, including a baby...

Great shot of the frog - poisonous?

Good question!

So, if I am guessing right, this is going to be a really long day - and lots more to come?

Not too much more.. FotLK, then dinner, then you and yours will be making an appearance

 

[Abby's Dad]

That guy is an Eastern Black & White Colobus Monkey. I only know that because I've seen them at our zoo several times, including a baby...

Certainly is an interesting-looking monkey, don't recall ever seeing one before. Quite the tale. And I thought that your portrait was good.

Good question!

I had always heard that the "pretty colored ones" were all poisonous, and it holds true for those in the amphibian house at our zoo.

Not too much more.. FotLK, then dinner, then you and yours will be making an appearance

Ooh, ooh - I had a feeling

 

[Code]

Day 5 Part 3 - Festival of the Lion King

Trying to make this a productive commute, one TR installment on the train to work, one on the train home Loving this new commuter rail!

We arrived pretty early for Festival of the Lion King, and waiting outside was one of the few times on the whole trip that the heat really got to me, as you can see...

... but soon enough we were herded inside and got to wait for the show to start in the nice cool theater. They prepped the crowd (I think we were in the lion section) and the show began..

WHAT A SHOW!!!

This one vaulted instantly to be my favorite WDW stage show by far. The high energy is infectious, the music is great (of course it is, it's the Lion King!), the costumes awesome, and the way the theater is set up is very cool.

Also, two words: TUMBLE MONKEYS!

On with the photos...

On our way out of the show, we had a major DIS sighting. A large family, in matching orange shirts with a logo from a Texas furniture store were walking along the path out of the theater. They had multiple items with DIS logos and even a lime green stroller. Sadly we didn’t get close enough to say hello. (but we would run into them again another day in MGM!...)

It was nearly time for our lunch ADR at Kona Café so we headed out of the park, stopping briefly to press some pennies at Outfitters and Island Mercantile. As we were headed out the front gate, we saw Chip & Dale and also FRIAR TUCK! (Oodelally!) We definitely had to stop for pics, especially with Friar Tuck...

We hopped on the tram, where we had another DIS encounter! A couple in front of us noticed our LGMH and gave us the "focker watch" sign. They were a nice couple from Connecticut, and somehow we forgot to ask for their usernames. Doh! Fortunately they remembered us and found this after they got home, it was Rootskate! Not sure if they are still reading though

Rootskate, are you still out there? If you are, please chime in

Next up.. lunch at Kona Café!

 

[Rootskate]

Rootskate[/b]! Not sure if they are still reading though

Rootskate, are you still out there? If you are, please chime in

Next up.. lunch at Kona Café!

Sure am!
It was so nice to meet you both!
Great trip report, I've been following along.

 

[4thgeermama]

On our way out of the show, we had a major DIS sighting. A large family, in matching orange shirts with a logo from a Texas furniture store were walking along the path out of the theater. They had multiple items with DIS logos and even a lime green stroller. Sadly we didn’t get close enough to say hello. (but we would run into them again another day in MGM!...)

Hey Code & Lease!!!You did remember us! You did! We were hard to miss - that is for sure!

I have been reading along with your TR - loving it by the way - the pictures make me feel like we are back in the World again! And I have been looking forward to our cameo! You are the only Disers we met while we were there...at least the only ones brave enough to talk to our intimadating bunch. Most of the time I was spinning, trying to keep up with our little ones and keep us on track with our itinerary. I didn't get to spend much time looking for other Disers.

But tonight I was reading and loving your photos of FOTLK, and I was thinking how much it looked like my photos (same perspective, but yours are far superior, also in the Lion section)...I recognized all of the key characters, especially the guy on stilts...he was right in front of us the whole time. Too funny that we were at the same showing and sitting close to each other!

Anyway just wanted to come out of lurkdom and say Hi.
Loving your report. Looking forward to more!
Amy of the Mesquite Furniture of Texas family

 

[abbybeth]

I.LOVE.TUMBLE.MONKEYS!!!

and you're lucky that you saw the lion - he wasn't anywhere to be seen on our safari adventure ... and you got some pretty good shots for having a driver that wouldn't slow down at all!

As always, love the pictures - the one with Chip and Dale is great!

 

[pl'smama]

Holy Cow, what wonderful photos you guys got! They are just lovely. First, let me just say I absolutely LOVE your countdown thingy! It is so bright and cheerful. I love it!

Your Safari photos are great for a fast ride, especially the lion. We just saw a tiny glimpse on our safari, but it was still a great trip to take.

I love your FOTLK photos! This is my all time favorite show to see at DW, I just adore it. We have been twice now and both times we had the same guy as the head singer ( I think he is supposed to represent both Moufasa and Scar) and he was amazing! Oddly enough you guys had a different guy, but I can just be he is as awesome as the other dude! That is hands down the most powerful show they put on and so many times during the day to. Did you guys see it again this past January and will you see it again this fall?

Unless I missed it, what section were you in?

Suz