I must be completely insane or not! June/July 2009 TR Updated Nov. 10

[mdsouth]

Hello!

I followed your trip report over from...hmmm...I forget now...

anyhow I'm enjoying reading your report-I've been reading a lot of nice things about the CSR recently-I'm interested in possibly staying there...love the pool photos....

I love your nickname for your son Rand McNally....My DS who just turned 7 has Asperger's also and could identify the states by sight when he was 4-he knows all about them and other countries as well...it's a helpful skill-we haven't been able to use him as our personal navigator yet-maybe in a couple of years...

I'm so with you on the Snow White Ride-It is such a beautiful film and that ride is just -uhhh......

sorry about the rude people in the morning...that stuff bugs me extra at Disney...

PracPerfPatricia glad to have you aboard!
It sounds like our sons have lots in common! My DS rocks at geography! It is amazing how he and your son can identify the states just by shape! My son can identify between 100 to 200 countries around the world! Needless to say, the kids at his school love to be paired up with him for certain projects!

So, are you planning a trip currently?

 

[mdsouth]

Chapter 10 Family Time at MK

At lunch the kids enjoyed watching the boats head into It's a Small World. So, of course, right after lunch we headed onto the ride as a family. You just can't go to MK without riding this ride at least once!

In this photo it looks like I am wearing white Minnie ears. They are actually being worn by the little girl sitting behind us. My DD is on the other side of her brother, unseen in the photo.

Before lunch, we had picked up Fastpasses for Peter Pan, so we headed there next. It was lots of fun going on the ride again. This time, I was able to introduce the ride to my son for the first time! He really liked the scene over London streets the best! He is always creating cities with his Hot Wheels road tracks. He also loves to draw his own cities - bird's eye view. He spends hours plotting out the layout of the city - roads, parks, stores, it all. So, flying over London's city scene was ideal for him!

After Peter Pan we headed over to Frontierland and Adventureland.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Excellent Update. We didn't get to PP this past trip

I love the pic of the "boys" in the stocks. Every family has one of those. It is a must do.

Can't wait for more.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

PracPerfPatricia glad to have you aboard!
It sounds like our sons have lots in common! My DS rocks at geography! It is amazing how he and your son can identify the states just by shape! My son can identify between 100 to 200 countries around the world! Needless to say, the kids at his school love to be paired up with him for certain projects!

So, are you planning a trip currently?

Yeah-DS loves geography so much that he actually went out as "The Scrambled States of America" for Halloween-(there is a kids book called that by Laurie Keller...

AS a matter of fact we are currently planning a trip-lol-we'll be there next Tuesday-staying at AKL...

Chapter 10 Family Time at MK

At lunch the kids enjoyed watching the boats head into It's a Small World. So, of course, right after lunch we headed onto the ride as a family. You just can't go to MK without riding this ride at least once!
I agree-in fact I think its a "Disney rule...":

In this photo it looks like I am wearing white Minnie ears. They are actually being worn by the little girl sitting behind us.
Yep-it does look like you are wearing them-it's ok-looks cute...

My DD is on the other side of her brother, unseen in the photo.

Before lunch, we had picked up Fastpasses for Peter Pan, so we headed there next. It was lots of fun going on the ride again. This time, I was able to introduce the ride to my son for the first time! He really liked the scene over London streets the best! He is always creating cities with his Hot Wheels road tracks. He also loves to draw his own cities - bird's eye view. He spends hours plotting out the layout of the city - roads, parks, stores, it all. So, flying over London's city scene was ideal for him!

Aww-I love that ride-sentimental favorite-we were actually fortunate to be in London a couple of years ago...DS was ...3 1/2 I think...I didn't think he'd remember anything_i wouldn't have when I was 3 1/2-but with his photographic memory-he actually does remember some stuff-so he likes watching PP, Mary Poppins & 101 Dalmations...because he was "there"...


After Peter Pan we headed over to Frontierland and Adventureland.

Looking forward to hearing more...

 

[Echo queen]

Nice installment

 

[mdsouth]

Yeah-DS loves geography so much that he actually went out as "The Scrambled States of America" for Halloween-(there is a kids book called that by Laurie Keller...

By son loved that book! He loved the line with the soggy corn due to the state moving close to the coast. There is also a board game of some type that is based on the book. I saw it at Barnes and Noble!


AS a matter of fact we are currently planning a trip-lol-we'll be there next Tuesday-staying at AKL...

Wow, lucky you! Have lots of fun and make sure you report back on how your trip went!




Looking forward to hearing more...

By son loved that book! He loved the line with the soggy corn due to the state moving close to the coast. There is also a board game of some type that is based on the book. I saw it at Barnes and Noble!:thumbsup

Have lots of fun on your trip next week and make sure you report back on how your trip went!

 

[mdsouth]

Nice installment

Thanks for the positive reinforcement. I am going through our tons of photos to find ones to upload for the next installment. So check back in later for more!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I was like your DS - facinated with Cities when I was younger...when I got to college (went for computers), I stumbled across the wonderful degree of City Planning!

Now, 10 years later...I work in computers!

You guys got a lot covered in Fantasyland that morning-I hope ours sounds similar in a couple weeks!

 

[mdsouth]

I was like your DS - facinated with Cities when I was younger...when I got to college (went for computers), I stumbled across the wonderful degree of City Planning!

Now, 10 years later...I work in computers!

You guys got a lot covered in Fantasyland that morning-I hope ours sounds similar in a couple weeks!

We have often talked about how DS would make a perfect city planner. I have even done a little research to try to find out what type of degree someone needed for such a job. I was thinking Civil Engineering. I didn't know there was actually a degree in City Planning.

 

[mdsouth]

I last left off as we were headed towards Adventureland.

We headed towards Adventureland but never made it over there. Instead, we stopped to watch the 3:00 Celebration parade. It was quite colorful! I was impressed with how the dancers managed to keep up the pace in the sweltering heat.

After the parade we decided to check out Main Street USA a bit more. Our DD wanted to pick out her Mickey Mouse ears. Prior to the trip, she had told me several times that she wanted some black Mickey Mouse ears this trip since she already had pink ones. She looked over all the options. She was overwhelmed at all the choices there were, especially now that you can design your own. She told me that it was very hard to choose. In the end, she picked the standard black Mickey Mouse ears that she had originally wanted. I have to say she looks awfully cute in her ears! My DH and son used the time to play a game of checkers. On this trip, it was really nice to take things a bit slower and enjoy the little things that make WDW so special.

While the boys were playing checkers, my DD and I headed down the street in search of ice cream. Instead of ice cream, we ended up at the Main Street Barbershop. The barbershop has only two barber chairs, one just happened to be open so we got right in! DD needed a trim. She ended up getting colored gel and glitter “pixie dust”. It was fun watching her check herself out in the windows along Main Street. We then headed out of the park.

We planned to take the monorail to one of the resorts and pick up a bus to Downtown Disney. At the monorail station, I asked if we could ride in front. There was one family already ahead of us, but we chose to wait for a second monorail. The first monorail to arrive was the pink one. The monorail driver got out to escort the family into the front. He was very friendly and seemed to really enjoy his role as a monorail driver. I thought to myself that he was very young compared to the other monorail drivers that I had seen. I am pretty sure it was Austin, the driver that was killed the day after we departed. What a tragedy. My heart goes out to his family, friends and co-workers.

Our monorail arrived and we were allowed to board up front. It was an amazing experience! Steve, our pilot, was both friendly and informative. It was definitely a highlight of our trip.

We got off the monorail at the Contemporary. As we were walking through the Contemporary, I noticed that Chef Mickey’s looked practically empty.

It was around 5:30 PM. I asked the hostess if they had any openings. She told me that they could seat us immediately! I was stunned! It worked out great for us. I had us scheduled for our last night but was afraid the time wouldn’t work out. So, we cancelled the original reservation. The kids had a blast, and our DD enjoyed the extra attention from the characters due to her hair. Minnie, especially, made a fuss over her hair.

After our dinner, we continued on to Downtown Disney. It was packed. We managed to make our way to the Lego store, our designated destination. Can you pick out my husband from the Lego people? I couldn't resist taking his photograph since he characteristically has the camera slung around his neck! My Dd loved the Dalmation of course!

My son was in heaven! We didn’t rush him and let him take his time checking out everything in the store. He chose a city set, the Sears Tower set, and the Seattle Needle set. He had been saving his own money for a long time for this trip. Then we headed over to the section of the store where there are all the different pieces you can buy. I helped him fill the container with the maximum number of pieces possible. It is similar to packing Mr. Potato Head with as many pieces as possible.

After the Lego store, DD played on the playground by the McDonald’s. Then we checked out Wonderful World of Disney and Once Upon a Toy. My DD was looking for 101 Dalmation toys. No luck! We couldn’t believe that there were no Dalmation toys to be found anywhere at WDW except for two stuffed animals. We did buy one stuffed Dalmation puppy at one of the stores in MK. You would think there would have been something else.

It was then time to call it a night. We were all exhausted.

 

[Echo queen]

Her hair is so cute, I love the lego store evan though my boys are beyond legos according to them.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Wonderful update! You are the first person I have ever known who has walked right into CM without an ADR especially during the summer. Good for you!!

I'm glad you got to sit up front on the monorail We thought that was pretty cool also. Sad about Austin.

I think DTD is always packed.

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[mdsouth]

Her hair is so cute, I love the lego store evan though my boys are beyond legos according to them.

We spent close to two hours in the Lego store alone! My DS spent a great deal of time planning which of the separate Lego pieces he would need in the future. For our family, it is just my son who is fasinated with Legos. However, I know many adults who enjoy them. My friend's husband is a big of a Lego nut as their son. They like the Star Wars stuff. So for them it is a bonding time between father and son. So, you never know, your boys may grow up to be men and start to play with Legos all over again. Tee Hee

Wonderful update! You are the first person I have ever known who has walked right into CM without an ADR especially during the summer. Good for you!!

I'm glad you got to sit up front on the monorail We thought that was pretty cool also. Sad about Austin.

I think DTD is always packed.

Can't wait to hear more.

I was certainly amazed at our fortune at Chef Mickey's. The big factor I think was that we were there close to the time it opened. Most people want to eat later - so if you are willing to eat early (around 5:30) it is much easier to get reservations at most of the restaurants.

Austin's family is in my prayers. I hope they are managing okay for now.

I will most likely post my next installment on Wednesday or Thursday. Now that school has started back, I am busier than I was this summer.

 

[brookelizabeth]

We have often talked about how DS would make a perfect city planner. I have even done a little research to try to find out what type of degree someone needed for such a job. I was thinking Civil Engineering. I didn't know there was actually a degree in City Planning.

Without pulling out my diploma, I believe the program was called "Local and Urban Affairs" (or something along those lines). It's not very common at colleges, but it is out there! And and VERY interesting degree as it covers many different fields and how they all relate to planning. Even though I didn't end up in my field, I'm still completely fascinated with it!! And the cool thing is, you can take it in MANY directions. If he's more into the actual planning on the computers-there is that. There is the organizing of community groups, there is the actual Planner that works with the City Council and more. It's a very diverse field!

Okay-enough of my nerdom...

I LOVE this! Isn't it wonderful to be in such a great place and take time to do these little things? It's true magic!

Your night was so great-love your DDs hair! And walking into Chef Mickey's, score!!! Your DS looks sooooo excited at the Lego store.

 

[mdsouth]

Without pulling out my diploma, I believe the program was called "Local and Urban Affairs" (or something along those lines). It's not very common at colleges, but it is out there! And and VERY interesting degree as it covers many different fields and how they all relate to planning. Even though I didn't end up in my field, I'm still completely fascinated with it!! And the cool thing is, you can take it in MANY directions. If he's more into the actual planning on the computers-there is that. There is the organizing of community groups, there is the actual Planner that works with the City Council and more. It's a very diverse field!

Okay-enough of my nerdom...

Thank you so much for sharing the information with me. I will definitely check out colleges for programs such as this one.

 

[mdsouth]

I just wanted to let anyone reading this know that I will be adding updates to my report. I took a long break away from the report and now plan to finish it.

I am so sorry for the long delay -- I am a teacher and with school beginning again, I found that the little time I have for myself, I used for other things. However, I really want to finish this report for my own family's record of our trip, so I am committed to finishing it. I plan on printing out the report and some of the comments to add to my scrapbook of our trip.

So, look for my new chapter tomorrow.

 

[KatMark]

I just wanted to let anyone reading this know that I will be adding updates to my report. I took a long break away from the report and now plan to finish it.

I am so sorry for the long delay -- I am a teacher and with school beginning again, I found that the little time I have for myself, I used for other things. However, I really want to finish this report for my own family's record of our trip, so I am committed to finishing it. I plan on printing out the report and some of the comments to add to my scrapbook of our trip.

So, look for my new chapter tomorrow.

Don't you just hate when real life gets in the day of DISing? I look forward to you continuing your report.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Thank you so much for sharing the information with me. I will definitely check out colleges for programs such as this one.

You are welcome! I attended St. Cloud State here in Minnesota, and I do believe the U of M and Mankato also have the program. Mankato also has a Graduate program for it.

I just wanted to let anyone reading this know that I will be adding updates to my report. I took a long break away from the report and now plan to finish it.

I am so sorry for the long delay -- I am a teacher and with school beginning again, I found that the little time I have for myself, I used for other things. However, I really want to finish this report for my own family's record of our trip, so I am committed to finishing it. I plan on printing out the report and some of the comments to add to my scrapbook of our trip.

So, look for my new chapter tomorrow.

Ah, that real life getting in the way!!! No worries, we'll hang out until you are back!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

oh my another one falls to the lego store... i know all about that...

DD's hair is adorable...

I agree with Kat...don't you just hate when real life gets in the way of Dising...

Looking forward to your updates...

Brooke...Urban Planning is cool...you are not a nerd...hmmm...unless you are a nerd and then that makes me a nerd too because I think all of that stuff is really fascinating...

(hmmm...now that I think about it...David asked me about the chemical formula for caffeine when we were in starbucks today (don't ask) and I knew I remember seeing it...and guess who I thought of...)

Let's proudly embrace our nerdom...

oops sorry for the thread hijak...

Bring on the update...

 

[mdsouth]

Ah, that real life getting in the way!!! No worries, we'll hang out until you are back!

Thanks for hanging in there. I won't get time to actually finish my next chapter until this weekend. But I am actually setting aside some time on Saturday to do this. My DH and kids will be busy with something and I will have a few hours to myself.