How to Lose Your Child Without Even Trying....A VERY delayed trip report

[Ellester]

Thursday, February 12th

Today was our Animal Kingdom day. Having a full kitchen was so nice in the mornings. We could let the kids eat at their leisure while we packed up for the day. And we could make decent coffee! The kids cooperated and we got out the door in plenty of time. Once again, we made the rope drop. We had a date with a Yeti! My mom offered to bring up the rear with the baby and Andrew, so John, the girls, and I went on ahead to Expedition Everest. If you haven't figured it out so far, both the girls are avid thrill seekers. They are both ready to go on any ride at any time. Andrew is much more conservative. It will be interesting to see if that changes as he gets older.

Time for our Expedition!

We got our FastPasses and hopped in the queue. We pretty much walked right up to the train and we were off! Yeti conquered, we headed to Dinoland. We babyswapped Dinosaur. Andrew did go on it and thought it was OK. Scary doesn't bother him as much as fast does. John took the girls on Primeval Whirl. I knew the spins would be too much for me, so I sat it out with my mom and the littles. Triceratops Spin was down for rehab, so we let Andrew run around the Boneyard for a while. Once the Whirl was over, the girls wanted to spend some of their hard earned money on those tubes of sugar. I really don't see the appeal, but they had been talking about it all trip long and now was the time. Once Andrew saw the girls making their tubes, he had to get into the action as well. Nothing like artificially flavored sugar to keep you going! Sugar procured, the girls wanted to try out Kali River Rapids. We had never been on it before, but I was prepared with ponchos. Andrew had zero interest in riding so he hung out with John and the baby. John really didn't care to go either. So my mom and I and the girls donned our ponchos and headed in.


Kali was fun, I was very glad I was wearing a poncho! I'm way past the wanting to get wet stage. The girls wanted to take theirs off but I only let them uncover their heads. They got plenty wet just doing that, I really didn't want to listen to them complaining about wet pants all day! They were raring to go again, so my mom agreed take them on while I caught up with John and the littles.

Either Andrew is doing his monkey imitation or he's really mad.

Please keep in mind that I had just had a baby. Ugh! Does any woman like how she looks in pictures?

We were starting to get hungry, so we decided to try the Yak & Yeki counter service. We were pleasantly surprised. It was a nice portion and very good, plus they actually gave us real Kikkoman soy sauce not the carmel colored salt water that usually comes in the little packets. That won them lots of points in our book! Anabelle didn't want oriental, so she got a corn dog from a nearby kiosk. Well fed, we headed to the safari to get a FastPass. While waiting for our time we decided to check out Rafiki's Planet Watch. Another first for us. It was a royal pain getting the stroller on the train, but we managed and were off. They were not doing any procedures in the watching area but the kids enjoyed meeting Pochahantas, Jiminy Cricket, and Rafiki.

I think Andrew was a little over the character thing around now.

He totally bailed for Jiminy.

Anabelle bought a cute WWF Panda tee at the shop, she really likes Pandas. We had had our fill of Planet Watch, so we headed back to the train. Time for the safari. Andrew was a little freaked out by the slipping bridge, but we did get good views of plenty of animals.

We stopped to let the kids drum for a while. I believe Andrew is doing some interpretive dancing.

John took the girls back to ride EE, once in a day was plenty for me. I used to be a coaster junkie, but now that I'm the other side of 40 I just can't do them like I used to. I don't remember where my mom was, I think she must have gone to get a snack. I saw the Pooh character greeting area so I took Andrew and the baby down there. There was a family in front of us with a profoundly handicapped man with them. It was so nice to see how the characters spent plenty of time with him. They really made it a special moment. We were more than happy to wait our turn to visit with Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore.

Andrew was still not enthused about the characters, but he was a good sport.

We met back up with everyone and watched the Nemo show. Everyone enjoyed it, but shows are not my kids' favorite thing at the parks to say the least. They were itching to get back to the Boneyard. I made them go watch the Lion King instead, with the promise that we would come right back. We kept true to our word and headed back to Dinoland. We let them play until close to closing time and then headed to the Animal Kingdom Lodge for our dinner at Boma.

Digging for fossils.

Boma was as delicious as always. I love their soups, so delicious! The kids love the jungle juice and they can always find something they like on the buffet. We checked out the Lodge a bit and the kids checked out the gift shop before we headed over to Downtown Disney. It was getting late and we were pretty tired, but my mom had promised the kids we would hit DTD tonight (thanks, Mom!), so we did. Anabelle built a lightsaber and we browsed around a bit before exhaustion set in and we headed back to the villa. Only one full day left!

 

[dismagiclover]

Another fun day! Andrew does remind me of my youngest. Michael gets sick of the characters after a few days as well. I guess they figure enough is enough. And the Boneyard We have spent lots of time there. Last trip we literally had to chase Michael down. That is one place I don't think I"ll miss when the kids outgrow it! Love that Boma jungle juice

 

[lexmas]

Brave girls! I have yet to face the yeti...I went on my honeymoon the week before it opened, and then I found out I was pregnant with DD a few days before our trip last time. I'll face him someday!

How cute is that picture of Eeyore peeking in at the baby. So adorable. Makes me want to take a newbie next time I have a baby!

I'm glad Andrew is a good sport, anyway. LOL he looks so unhappy!

I had no idea you could dig for fossels at AK. I'm in so much trouble...DS plays in the one at the zoo for hours, we're going to have to drag him out of this one, screaming!

How did Anabelle like the lightsabre? DH wants to build one with DS (he wants to go to MNSSHP as jedi and they can build their lightsabres while we're at disney). Is it complicated?

Great update, as usual!

 

[Ellester]

Another fun day! Andrew does remind me of my youngest. Michael gets sick of the characters after a few days as well. I guess they figure enough is enough. And the Boneyard We have spent lots of time there. Last trip we literally had to chase Michael down. That is one place I don't think I"ll miss when the kids outgrow it! Love that Boma jungle juice

If it was up to my kids, between the Boneyard and the HISTK playground at DS, we'd never do anything else! We've had to chase Andrew down as well. Makes you want to avoid the whole area just so they don't see the entrance! Maybe if they had more benches for the parents, or a margarita stand or something.....

Brave girls! I have yet to face the yeti...I went on my honeymoon the week before it opened, and then I found out I was pregnant with DD a few days before our trip last time. I'll face him someday!

How cute is that picture of Eeyore peeking in at the baby. So adorable. Makes me want to take a newbie next time I have a baby!

I'm glad Andrew is a good sport, anyway. LOL he looks so unhappy!

I had no idea you could dig for fossels at AK. I'm in so much trouble...DS plays in the one at the zoo for hours, we're going to have to drag him out of this one, screaming!

How did Anabelle like the lightsabre? DH wants to build one with DS (he wants to go to MNSSHP as jedi and they can build their lightsabres while we're at disney). Is it complicated?

Great update, as usual!

Thanks! We did get some really cute pictures of the baby with the characters. I've finally got our PhotoPass pix uploaded, there are some really cute ones. The photographers really liked the baby too!

The fossils are over on the other side of the Boneyard, you have to go up and over to get to them. He probably won't even know they are there unless you tell him.

I didn't get involved with the lightsaber building, but it did take them quite a while. I felt it best to just stay out of it! Another kid helped them out as well and even then the cashier had to get a couple of pieces they didn't have to make it work right. Anabelle really likes it. She and a bunch of friends take theirs to the park and have these epic battles. I think she was pleased with her purchase. It is huge though. I'd say close to 6 feet tall when it's fully extended. I'm sure a single edged one would be a little simpler.

 

[Ellester]

I realized that I had never uploaded our PhotoPass CD. I'll throw some of my favorites in now.

This was the first pic of the trip, before the lost child debacle!

They are ready for a day of fun! But, lets get going to TSM already!!!

Jammin' out!

Me and my girls!

We prepaid for the Photopass CD, so I tried to take advantage of the photographers.

On to Epcot!

She really was so tiny then!

Time with Pluto!

Old pals!

More to follow....

 

[dismagiclover]

Love all the pictures! I love the Character greeting in Epcot. You get all Fab 5 with only one line

 

[kimmylaj]

hi, i'm late jumping in but i am really enjoying your report. i love the name anabelle, so sweet. all of your kiddos are just adorable. the baby with mickey is so cute. i hope to some day lose a little of my commando touring style and schedule an off day to just hang out by the pool. i cant believe it was an hour until you were reunited with your dd. i probably would have passed out. we lost my niece for about 10 minutes at the goofy dance party at christmas and it was terrifying. we also have been to the mary queen of the universe shrine. my son loved that the churcch had a gift shop

 

[jenn-n-okla]

Ok this has made me want to get one of those double strollers for my neice (age 3) and my DD (age 8). I hate the crowds the parades bring.

 

[Snappy in OK]

Ok this has made me want to get one of those double strollers for my neice (age 3) and my DD (age 8). I hate the crowds the parades bring.

We rented a double stroller from Orlando Strollers when we were there in September, and it was awesome!! DD3 & DS5 had plenty of room, we were able to recline one side for DD to nap as needed, they individual canopies were very large and provided lots of shade when needed. We plan on renting again for our next trip (currently unplanned ).

 

[Ellester]

Love all the pictures! I love the Character greeting in Epcot. You get all Fab 5 with only one line

Yes, I'm all for efficiency! Plus we were there first thing, so there was essentially no line. We were in and out in about 15 minutes. A hug from Mickey is always a great way to start the day!

hi, i'm late jumping in but i am really enjoying your report. i love the name anabelle, so sweet. all of your kiddos are just adorable. the baby with mickey is so cute. i hope to some day lose a little of my commando touring style and schedule an off day to just hang out by the pool. i cant believe it was an hour until you were reunited with your dd. i probably would have passed out. we lost my niece for about 10 minutes at the goofy dance party at christmas and it was terrifying. we also have been to the mary queen of the universe shrine. my son loved that the churcch had a gift shop

Thanks! It was tough to schedule a non-park day, especially since we had the extra day on our tickets because a 6 and 7 day were the same price. I think because of it, we weren't "quite" so exhausted at the end of the trip!

Ok this has made me want to get one of those double strollers for my neice (age 3) and my DD (age 8). I hate the crowds the parades bring.

We rented a double stroller from Orlando Strollers when we were there in September, and it was awesome!! DD3 & DS5 had plenty of room, we were able to recline one side for DD to nap as needed, they individual canopies were very large and provided lots of shade when needed. We plan on renting again for our next trip (currently unplanned ).

We did have the baby stroller but I doubt I'd have gotten the older kids in one. My dh is very anti-stroller. Our last trip, our son was not quite three and we did not bring a stroller. He spent alot of time on daddy's shoulders! I've heard good things about Orlando Strollers though! On future trips, the littles will have our cell phone numbers on their person the entire trip!

 

[Ellester]

A few more Photopass pix.

Please don't eat the baby, Donald!

Donald seemed to like my mom.

The whole gang.

Test Track! John was with the baby. I love Andrew's concerned expression!

Well, that's it for now. We've been fighting the stomach flu for the past week. Only the baby has escaped (we hope!). Today is dh's birthday, but we've been stuck at home nursing a sick 11 year old. We're hoping this bug is on the way out!

I should get some more posted this week.

 

[dismagiclover]

More cute pictures! I'm glad Donald decided not to eat the baby

 

[kcandbella]

Just found your TR. You have a beautiful family and a lot of wonderful pics. I cannot believe what happened with your DD-that must have been so scary for the whole family. I will have to make sure to train my DD on exactly what to do if lost! Thank goodness for those teenage boys!

 

[Suz D]

Vacations should be kinda fun right?
That said, I wanna try to add some more "education" friendly things to the next trip....

The year before we started homeschooling our daughter we took her out of school for a week to go to WDW (she was in 1st grade at the time). To justify taking her during the school year, I came up with an educational plan for her to do. I don't remember everything, but we did a couple of fun things.

First we made a list of all possible hair colors (natural that is LOL) and kept a tally for each of the countries in Epcot. We figured the percentage of each color to the overall population, then discussed why everyone in China had dark hair, Norway was mostly blonde, America was all over the place, etc. Fun lesson in genetics and history.

I made a pretend checkbook register for our DD for her souvenirs, gave her a budget, and had her keep a running total of everything she spent.

Finally, she kept a journal every day. We ran across that journal a few months ago and it was SO much fun to read. Her spelling was hilarious!

Sorry to hijack this TR thread-which BTW is a wonderful read with the pics adding so much. Don't be discouraged thinking that not very many people are reading. I rarely comment when I'm reading a TR but love to read them as a lurker.

 

[Ellester]

More cute pictures! I'm glad Donald decided not to eat the baby

It was dicey there for a while!

Just found your TR. You have a beautiful family and a lot of wonderful pics. I cannot believe what happened with your DD-that must have been so scary for the whole family. I will have to make sure to train my DD on exactly what to do if lost! Thank goodness for those teenage boys!

Thanks! It was pretty scary. I really wish I had been able to thank those boys and tell their parents how wonderful they were. We definitely have a more comprehensive "What to Do If You Get Lost" plan now!

The year before we started homeschooling our daughter we took her out of school for a week to go to WDW (she was in 1st grade at the time). To justify taking her during the school year, I came up with an educational plan for her to do. I don't remember everything, but we did a couple of fun things.

First we made a list of all possible hair colors (natural that is LOL) and kept a tally for each of the countries in Epcot. We figured the percentage of each color to the overall population, then discussed why everyone in China had dark hair, Norway was mostly blonde, America was all over the place, etc. Fun lesson in genetics and history.

I made a pretend checkbook register for our DD for her souvenirs, gave her a budget, and had her keep a running total of everything she spent.

Finally, she kept a journal every day. We ran across that journal a few months ago and it was SO much fun to read. Her spelling was hilarious!

Sorry to hijack this TR thread-which BTW is a wonderful read with the pics adding so much. Don't be discouraged thinking that not very many people are reading. I rarely comment when I'm reading a TR but love to read them as a lurker.

I love the checkbook idea! I think we'll use that next trip. The journal is great too, I love to go back and read their old stuff. So cute!

 

[Ellester]

I wish I had thought to put these Photopass pictures on Photobucket before I wrote most of the report! I'll stick a few more here and then get on with the final day of our trip.

There were a ton of pictures from BBB. There was a huge shadow in the ones that really would have been the best.

Princess Rebecca

See what I mean about the shadow? There were a ton of these that would have been really cute.

My regal daughters.

The gorgeous castle.

Animal Kingdom

Andrew seems to have caught Eeyore's gloomy vibe.

Only one day left. This trip flew by, like they all seem to do!

 

[lexmas]

Oh my, what beautiful pictures! We always get the photopass pictures taken, but we never actually buy them. Maybe when they're old enough to do the special pictures like Anabelle and simba.

That picture of Rebecca in the "regal" picture really has me cracking up. She has that look down, doesn't she?

And that "first trip" picture just melts my heart. SO adorable.

 

[dismagiclover]

More great pictures! You have a real thespian in Rebecca

 

[Ellester]

More great pictures! You have a real thespian in Rebecca

She's something, that's for sure! I will not be shocked if she makes it to the big stage someday.

Oh my, what beautiful pictures! We always get the photopass pictures taken, but we never actually buy them. Maybe when they're old enough to do the special pictures like Anabelle and simba.

That picture of Rebecca in the "regal" picture really has me cracking up. She has that look down, doesn't she?

And that "first trip" picture just melts my heart. SO adorable.

This is the first time I've bought any of the Photopass pix. I prebought the CD before we left so I wanted to be sure to get plenty of pictures. We didn't get all the special ones I wanted, but I'm happy with what we did get.

I look at those First Trip pictures and I cannot believe that it was a year ago already! They grow so fast!

 

[Ellester]

A year ago today, I was at Epcot. I was probably on TestTrack, enjoying a spin around the building. Today, I am sitting at my computer, looking out on a rainy, cold afternoon. Sigh. And, it's the final day of my report! Like all good trips, this one went by way too fast. It had its ups and downs, but mostly ups! No stomach flu this time (it made an appearance in my previous trip report). Losing Rebecca was most certainly a "down" but it ended up well. So, without further ado, our final park day.

Friday, February 13th

I always like our last day to be at the Magic Kingdom if possible. It's my favorite park. Maybe it's the nostalgia factor, maybe it's the atmosphere, I don't know but I do love the MK. We made it up for our final rope drop of the week, I was amazed we did so well. With four kids, including a newborn it was a minor miracle that we got out the door on time every day! Of course, the kids were much more agreable to waking up for a ride on Space Mountain than they are for getting up for, say, the dentist! We joined the masses making their way up Main Street. I love Main Street first thing in the morning. It is just so full of the promise of a great day!

Instead of heading towards Fantasyland, this time we headed towards Tomorrowland for our Space Mountain fix. On the way, we saw Lady Tremaine and the stepsisters in the garden off one of the paths up to the castle. We had never seen them, so we decided to stop and visit for a minute. They were in perfect character and hilarious! Drisella gave my mom a hard time about trying to cut in line, trying to get her in trouble with Lady Tremaine.

We hit Space Mountain and Buzz and headed back over to Fantasyland. The girls, especially Rebecca, wanted to see Ariel so we got in line at the Grotto to be one of the first when it opened at 10. Last trip, she was on hiatus while they spiffed up her Grotto so it was nice to see her back. Andrew had absolutely no interest in visiting with Ariel.

After Ariel, we caught a few more rides in Fantasyland.

Then we headed over towards Frontierland and Adventureland again. Did the Magic Carpets, which Andrew really enjoyed.

We caught Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial and Anabelle was chosen to be one of the participants. She did a great job and got to duel with Jack himself.

A quick visit with Hook and Smee.

Next up, Rebecca was chosen to be the assistant captain on the Jungle Cruise. She did a great job guiding us through all the dangers of the rivers of the world!

A few final rides in Fantasyland and we wound down our time in the parks. We let Andrew visit Pooh's again, I'm guessing he'll be too old next visit to want to hang in the 100 Acre Wood.

We caught the boat back to the Lodge and let the kids have a final, late night swim. Andrew was pooped, so my mom and I just took the girls down to the quiet pool since the slide was already off at the big pool. They played for a while and then we heard the music for the Electrical Water Pagent. I hadn't seen it since I was probably Anabelle's age, so it was special to share that time with the girls on the beach.

We made the final LOONNNGG trek back to our villa.

Spent some time packing up. That last night is always so bittersweet....