w8ting4pooh
Commando planner
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2001
- Messages
- 423
This was our very first trip to Disneyworld. The family is
Me - the mom, planned everything
Husband - Grumpy, didn't want to go, did no planning
Daughter - 11, princess with a major attitude
Son - 10, very much like Tigger, always bouncing off the walls
Son - 7, middle child syndrome, excited about the trip
Son - 4, a junior Stitch, too curious for his own good
Our first day was long but an indication of our luck for the whole trip.
We parked the van and took the shuttle bus to the airport - 9 suitcases, a stroller, 4 kids, and 1 mom. It was awkward and exhausting but we managed to get all of our stuff on the bus without losing anyone. I've already started counting 1,2,3,4 to make sure that I have all the kids. We were at the ticket counter by 6:30 and were able to get confirmed for a nonstop. We'll be arriving 5 hours early! Yes!
We arrived in Orlando before lunchtime. A skycap found us - must have seen the lost look on my face. He took all the luggage to a taxi and off we went! The kids were shouting out all the rides listed on the billboards and my 4 year old wouldn't stop smiling.
Our room was not ready when we arrived at the Dolphin. We leave the luggage and start to wander around the hotel. Did anyone see a woman in black pants, black loafers and a big black purse by the pool? That was me.
We decided to go to Fort Wilderness to go on the pony rides while we wait for our room. We found the ponies just as they are being put away. The cast member mentions something about heavy rain coming. What rain? We head back for the boat launch - and it starts POURING! We keep walking...jogging...RUN for your life! The boat is arriving just as we are.
Back at the Dolphin - did you see a lady with wet loafers, a see through white tank sweater and clinging wet black pants in the lobby? That was me. Our room is ready. It's just a standard view room. Wait. What's that all the way to the right? That can't be Cinderella's castle? YES! What's that all the way to the left? The Tree of Life? WOW! What's that noise? The kids jumping on the beds shouting "I Can't Believe We're Here!"
We change out of our wet clothes and decide to go to Beaches and Cream for dinner. We spit two vouchers and also bought 2 kids meals. Our server Brian was nice and split the food for the kids. We had No Way Jose and the Mud Slide sundaes for dessert. They were awesome. Jr. Stitch falls asleep holding his cheeseburger.
We head back to the hotel to wait for Grumpy (dad) to arrive. Dad knocks on the door at 8:30 and we head for Epcot to watch Illuminations. At 8:50 we are just getting on the launch - oops. Guess we're not going to make it to Epcot. Let's get off and get a snack. We get off at the Beach Club (Yacht club?) boat stop and just as we climb out of the boat, Illuminations starts. It's right in front of us! We stood on the dock and watched the fireworks and then got into a boat to go back to the Dolphin.
Dad picks up a sandwich for his dinner and we get some snacks and head up to bed. The kids are out immediately as are the grownups.
Tomorrow - Chef Mickey's and OHanas!
Me - the mom, planned everything
Husband - Grumpy, didn't want to go, did no planning
Daughter - 11, princess with a major attitude
Son - 10, very much like Tigger, always bouncing off the walls
Son - 7, middle child syndrome, excited about the trip
Son - 4, a junior Stitch, too curious for his own good
Our first day was long but an indication of our luck for the whole trip.
We parked the van and took the shuttle bus to the airport - 9 suitcases, a stroller, 4 kids, and 1 mom. It was awkward and exhausting but we managed to get all of our stuff on the bus without losing anyone. I've already started counting 1,2,3,4 to make sure that I have all the kids. We were at the ticket counter by 6:30 and were able to get confirmed for a nonstop. We'll be arriving 5 hours early! Yes!
We arrived in Orlando before lunchtime. A skycap found us - must have seen the lost look on my face. He took all the luggage to a taxi and off we went! The kids were shouting out all the rides listed on the billboards and my 4 year old wouldn't stop smiling.
Our room was not ready when we arrived at the Dolphin. We leave the luggage and start to wander around the hotel. Did anyone see a woman in black pants, black loafers and a big black purse by the pool? That was me.
We decided to go to Fort Wilderness to go on the pony rides while we wait for our room. We found the ponies just as they are being put away. The cast member mentions something about heavy rain coming. What rain? We head back for the boat launch - and it starts POURING! We keep walking...jogging...RUN for your life! The boat is arriving just as we are.
Back at the Dolphin - did you see a lady with wet loafers, a see through white tank sweater and clinging wet black pants in the lobby? That was me. Our room is ready. It's just a standard view room. Wait. What's that all the way to the right? That can't be Cinderella's castle? YES! What's that all the way to the left? The Tree of Life? WOW! What's that noise? The kids jumping on the beds shouting "I Can't Believe We're Here!"
We change out of our wet clothes and decide to go to Beaches and Cream for dinner. We spit two vouchers and also bought 2 kids meals. Our server Brian was nice and split the food for the kids. We had No Way Jose and the Mud Slide sundaes for dessert. They were awesome. Jr. Stitch falls asleep holding his cheeseburger.
We head back to the hotel to wait for Grumpy (dad) to arrive. Dad knocks on the door at 8:30 and we head for Epcot to watch Illuminations. At 8:50 we are just getting on the launch - oops. Guess we're not going to make it to Epcot. Let's get off and get a snack. We get off at the Beach Club (Yacht club?) boat stop and just as we climb out of the boat, Illuminations starts. It's right in front of us! We stood on the dock and watched the fireworks and then got into a boat to go back to the Dolphin.
Dad picks up a sandwich for his dinner and we get some snacks and head up to bed. The kids are out immediately as are the grownups.
Tomorrow - Chef Mickey's and OHanas!
