I want to go back to Pop Century Resort! Spring Break Trip 2016! Trip Update 8/25/16

[deedee2177]

Joining in! Wow... you guys had an action-packed first day! Joey is one brave little guy.... we couldn't get our 6 yr old DS anywhere near Mine Train or Splash Mountain -- he was just not having it Can't wait to read more about your adventures!

I think we may have pushed Joey a little too much on this first day, but we were all so excited! I'm not sure if he will get back on Mine Train, when we talk to him about it now he tells us he is going to skip it.

Thanks for following along!

Following! My first solo trip and POP Century stay is in 29 days and I love your resort photos!

A solo trip is totally on my Disney Bucketlist!! I just don't know if Keith and the kids would agree...LOL

Love the start of your trip report. This is the first one of yours that I've read. You've got links in your signature, so I'll have to go check them out!!! First of all, I'm another one of those on-line success stories. Peter and I also honeymooned in Disney (he had never been) and now he's hooked! We even bought into the DVC in 2014!!!! My daughter Victoria was also so darned afraid of those auto-flush toilets!!! So, now that we are practically twinsies, I'll be waiting for more!!!

We are Soul Sisters!! Except for the DVC part, but hopefully one day in the future that will change!

Thanks for following along, looks like you have some reports I need to go back and check out!

 

[deedee2177]

I'm really looking forward to following along. We're planning on going next year during our spring break and my boy who just turned 5 a few days ago has similar issues

Thanks for following along. Feel free to ask any questions...I'm happy to help!

saving my place... Thankfully i read this on ANOTHER BOARD otherwise i would NOT KNOW ABOUT IT!

Glad you are here! Wouldn't be the same without you!!

 

[deedee2177]

Because she TOLD you there was a TR

You know I luv ya, too!

what does that mean?

It's part of the Disney's Disability Assistance Program. We are able to put a sticker on Joey's stroller that allows him to remain in the stroller through the line. Also, when a wait is extra long and we don't think Joey will respond well to the wait then I can take him up to the CM at the front of the line and be given a return time to come back and then enter through the FP line. For example, if Pooh has a 1 hour wait then I would take Joey up and they would scan his badge and have us come back in 1 hour. In essence, we are waiting the same amount of time but just outside of the actual queue. Joey has a few behavioral/sensory issues so standing in line for a long period of time in an enclosed area could cause some issues for him.

AWWWWWWWWWW Cm's are the best in the WORLD!

I was so grateful for what she did!

OMG! it's looks like you are all horrified! HA HA HA

I know!! LOL. I heard it from my Mom about this picture...she told me "her baby" looks absolutely scared to death. I told her he was laughing most of the time, but the picture was snapped at the wrong moment. I don't think she bought it...LOL.

WHAT?!?!
Im am revoking your Dis card...

*hangs her head in shame*

What a man

Bonus husband points!!!

Ugh oh....

I was worried for her since she only had 2 park days on the trip.

I hope you do!

I guess you will have to stick around and see.

Ok i am caught up... your may continue...

Thanks

 

[deedee2177]

Hi! Gladly joining in.

Glad you are here!

This photo is
The expression on the faces of every single person in that log could win an award!

I agree...I get a kick out of everyone in this picture!

That's a great view

We really enjoyed Pop!

Now off to read your November report!

 

[deedee2177]

Totally still counts!!

I thought so too

HOORAY for awesome CMs! I love when this happens!

It was really a magical moment for our family.

Joey's hair, though... I'm super amused that you're doing the "Mom Arm."

I know...I couldn't help myself!

What? Why am I even here then? *unfollows*

NO!!! Please do not leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Husband of the Year right there!

Yep, he's mine! I claim him!

MINE TOO!!!

 

[Disneylvr]

My Maddy gets a DAS (and previously a GAC) and also the stroller as wheelchair tag which we she younger. VERY. HELPFUL. It would be difficult to do Disney without it.

 

[deedee2177]

My Maddy gets a DAS (and previously a GAC) and also the stroller as wheelchair tag which we she younger. VERY. HELPFUL. It would be difficult to do Disney without it.

I agree. The stroller seems to be the biggest help for him, but I know that will end soon since he keeps going leaps and bounds! Every visit he does a bit better with the lines. We also have season passes to a local amusement park and I honestly want to use it as practice for him for Disney...LOL. It always comes back to Disney!

 

[Disneylvr]

I agree. The stroller seems to be the biggest help for him, but I know that will end soon since he keeps going leaps and bounds! Every visit he does a bit better with the lines. We also have season passes to a local amusement park and I honestly want to use it as practice for him for Disney...LOL. It always comes back to Disney!

My Maddy has autism and is non-verbal. She is now 13, but we bought a big adult size stroller for her. She walks a lot now but it is was always there if she needs it. We too have season passes for a local theme park and we tried it over the Easter weekend without the stroller. She did fine so we may stop using it in Disney next year.

 

[deedee2177]

My Maddy has autism and is non-verbal. She is now 13, but we bought a big adult size stroller for her. She walks a lot now but it is was always there if she needs it. We too have season passes for a local theme park and we tried it over the Easter weekend without the stroller. She did fine so we may stop using it in Disney next year.

Sending you a big hug!!! We didn't know where Joey would end up on the Autism Scale, and at his final evaluation his results did not have him landing on the scale at all. However, though he was not officially diagnosed after the final evaluation there are still a few characteristics/behaviors that we still work on.

 

[patches07]

Joining in . We will be at POP the first week of October .

 

[deedee2177]

Joining in . We will be at POP the first week of October .

Well, as of yesterday we are planning another trip at the end of October (might as well use mine and Keith's APs one more time)! The kids voted another stay at Pop! I'm going to try and hold off on making the actual reservation until Fall Promotions come out.

 

[Li Li]

I'm here! Action-packed first day! Can't wait to read more!

 

[amberdc1987]

Yay! I'm so glad i'm here to read this! I can't wait to read more. My husband and I also Disneymooned, and it was so much fun. We are taking our girls for their first time in Feb 2017 (which cannot get here soon enough). We are also going to stay at POP! I love POP and it has to be my favorite place. It's awesome that the CM just let y'all go ahead and go on 7DMT. It's CM's like that they make Disney what it is. I can't wait to read more. Definitely keep it coming.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

Great start to your TR!! You have beautiful kids

Ya'll got a lot done in your first day! I'm glad your son loved Mine Train...that picture is a keeper! lol

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[frostymojo]

Following along...

 

[Chicago Mo]

It's part of the Disney's Disability Assistance Program.

I knew this.. Making sure you did...

Apparently needed a refresher! LOL!!

if Pooh has a 1 hour wait then I would take Joey up and they would scan his badge and have us come back in 1 hour. In essence, we are waiting the same amount of time but just outside of the actual queue.

Knew Joey had his sensory issues but ---
This is fantastic! i didn't know they did this!!! Geesh Disney thinks of everything don't they???

 

[dmlovullo]

Joining in! What a great first day!

 

[deedee2177]

I'm here! Action-packed first day! Can't wait to read more!

So glad you are joining along! New update coming soon!

Yay! I'm so glad i'm here to read this! I can't wait to read more.

Glad you are following along!

My husband and I also Disneymooned, and it was so much fun. We are taking our girls for their first time in Feb 2017 (which cannot get here soon enough). We are also going to stay at POP! I love POP and it has to be my favorite place. It's awesome that the CM just let y'all go ahead and go on 7DMT. It's CM's like that they make Disney what it is. I can't wait to read more. Definitely keep it coming.

This was the first time we have stayed at Pop, and we loved it! We will definitely be back!

Great start to your TR!! You have beautiful kids

Thanks!

Ya'll got a lot done in your first day! I'm glad your son loved Mine Train...that picture is a keeper! lol

That picture definitely makes me laugh! Parents of the year on that one!

Looking forward to reading more!

New update coming soon!

Following along...

Thanks for following along!!

 

[deedee2177]

I knew this.. Making sure you did...

Apparently needed a refresher! LOL!!

Knew Joey had his sensory issues but ---
This is fantastic! i didn't know they did this!!! Geesh Disney thinks of everything don't they???

So good I have you to make sure I know what I'm talking about..

This works great for Joey. I know it doesn't work for every situation, but I'm thankful it works for ours!

Joining in! What a great first day!

Thanks for following along!!!

 

[deedee2177]

March 29, 2016: Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom (for Keith and Emma)

This was our first day as the whole family. We all met up in the Lobby at about 8:10am (5 minutes ahead of schedule).






Onto the buses! Not too long of a wait until we were onboard the Animal Kingdom bus.


We arrived to Animal Kingdom about 8:45 and they were letting people into the park. Once we arrived, Emma had to reenact her picture that we took of her from our 2012 Grandma Trip!
https://flic.kr/p/GcfP8E

2012 Grandma Trip!


2016 Spring Break Trip!

We made our way over to Guest Relations to add Ashley and my Mom to Joey’s DAS Card. While in line at Guest Relations I ran into someone I work with…it was so funny to see him there.

We got Ashley and Mom added and the CM asked if there was a ride we would like to line up at some point during the day. We all agreed we would like to line up a return time for Safari. The CM pulled it up and was able to get us a return time for 9:05!!! WOW!!

This was Ashley’s first visit to Animal Kingdom and she was in love as soon as we walked into the park. We of course had to stop and take some family pictures!





From there we made our way over to Africa to use our DAS return time for the Safari. Joey and his entourage entered the ride. The only animals I took pictures of where of the animals in our family.






While waiting for the ride to begin, Keith snapped this great picture of me and Joey. Each ride that he got a little nervous on, he would put his hand on our backs and tell us, "Don't worry, I got you." Such a sweet boy!



The animals were super active during our ride. We had multiple giraffes come right up to our jeep, they were beautiful. We also saw the cutest baby rhino. At the end I was so happy to see the lions out because the last trip, they decided to hide from us. All 3 were sound asleep each on their own rock…what a life!!

From there we checked out the Pangani Forest Trail @Elevationist ….aren’t you proud of me?). The exhibits were great, and the bonus we got to see the gorilla babies. They were not close enough or still enough for a picture though.





Joey and Emma started getting hungry so we decided to find a place to sit and have a snack. We found a table near Harambe Market and I got the kids settled with snacks that I had brought into the park. Then Mom, Ashley and I went to the Harambe Fruit Market. I grabbed a pretzel and a Powerade (the heat was intense). Mom and Ashley each got a fruit/cheese container and a pretzel to share. They shared the fruit and cheese with the kids. I split my pretzel with Keith. It was the perfect snack because we did not want to fill up too much since we had lunch plans later that day.
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After we were all satisfied with our snacks we started making our way to Expedition Everest. The wait was 70 minutes. Ashley, Keith and Emma got in the standby line while Mom and I took Joey over to Dinoland. When we got over there, I heard….”Mommy, I want to go back to Pop Century!” Uh, oh! Poor guy was still not feeling 100%. Mom and I took him on the Triceratops Spin hoping that would distract him a bit.


Complete fail…he cried the entire ride and kept saying he wanted to go back to Pop Century.

Mom and I decided to take him back to Pop and tell everyone to go to Rainforest (lunch ADR) for lunch. We called Keith (they were still in line for Everest), and let him know we were taking the bus back to Pop and told them to enjoy the park and lunch and no rush to come back. They seemed to listen to my advice:


[url=https://flic.kr/p/G8UHfR]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/FjixLf]

Mom, Joey and I headed to the bus where we ran into our first negative run-in with the buses. We waited 45 minutes and no Pop bus. Joey was miserable and tired! Finally an Art of Animation bus showed up. I told my Mom we were taking that one and would walk over to Pop. The gentlemen that were in line ahead of us heard what I said and one of the guys said, “Follow her, sounds like she knows what she is talking about!” We got on the AoA bus and it made a stop at Blizzard Beach and then we were on our way to Pop.

We got back to Pop and Mom went over to her room so I could get Joey down for a nap. I have never seen that boy fall asleep so fast in my life. One thing I appreciated about the room was that once those curtains were pulled shut it was nice and dark in the room. I laid down with him for a bit. I got a text from Keith that they were on their way back from Animal Kingdom. I let him know to take the AoA bus if it showed up first.

Joey was still asleep when they got back, so we all just took some time to lay down and rest. Keith and I decided it might be best for Joey to stay back at the resort for the remainder of the afternoon/evening. So, Keith and Emma decided to head over to Magic Kingdom. Mom and Ashley wanted to stay back at the resort as well. Before Keith and Emma left Mom, Ashley and I went to the food court to grab some dinner (since Mom and I had missed lunch we were a bit hungry).
[URL='https://flic.kr/p/G6AAnb']
I got a cheeseburger, Mom got pizza and Ashley got the children’s pizza. It was nice to eat with them just the 3 of us, we haven’t done that in awhile. I grabbed a kid kit meal to take back to Joey for dinner.

Once we got back to the room. Keith and Emma headed out to the Magic Kingdom just the 2 of them to have some Daddy/Daughter time. I was able to juggle around some Fast Passes and lined up the following:

5:45-6:45pm Mine Train
8:10-9:10pm Thunder
9:20pm-10:20pm Little Mermaid

They sent me the following picture from the bus stop…good thing I made them take their ponchos along even though they rumbled about it!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Fjhiwp]https://flic.kr/p/Fjhiwphttps://flic.kr/p/Fjhiwp
https://flic.kr/p/Fjhiwp
I was a bit worried about them making it in time for the FP for Mine Train. At 6:47pm I received the following picture.
https://flic.kr/p/Fjhiwp

[URL='https://flic.kr/p/Fjhiwp']
They made it within in the grace period…if I’m not mistaken the grace period is 5 minutes early and up to 15 minutes late, but don’t quote me on that because I’m not 100% sure if that is accurate.

Luckily the crowds were not that bad, I think the weather had a bit to do with that so they were able to knock out quite a few rides. They did their Fast Pass rides and a few others. They headed back after they used their FP on Little Mermaid. I’m glad they got to spend this time together, and I think the extra rest was good for Joey.

They were both asleep pretty soon after they got back to the room. I was worried about how I was going to get them both up the next morning for the next day’s adventure. I guess I will save that for the next update. [/url][/URL][/url][/url][/url][/url]