I Want to Quit This Whole Disney World! -- (Update 2/20)

[oboedm]

Welcome to my TR! After being home for 10 days I am finally starting it!

My SIL is editing pictures as we speak! Once we “met” in Orlando, we shared the picture taking responsibilities, so neither of us had a complete visual of the trip without each other’s pictures. I tasked her with editing mine and hers— I am really nice like that, I know. The first few pictures won’t be nicely edited by her, but they will exist.

The title of my trip report was uttered by my nephew Hayden several times during our stay. Other Hayden-isms included:

~This is 10 minutes awesome
~I want to eat your blood
~<insert the sounds of a frightened four-year-old here, as he couldn’t speak through the tears>

I am going to post a recap of the people who went with me in the next post, followed by a jumble of thoughts about the trip. I will then start the official, chronological report.

It’s good to have you all along for the ride!

 

[oboedm]

Introductions
Who we are!
A Jumble of Thoughts~

Day 1
Day 1: Part One—Will We Ever Get There?
Day 1: Part Two— Please Help Us, Incompetent Delta Lady!
Day 1: Part Three—Never Schedule a Character Meal…
Day 1: Part Four—Dinner at CRT
Day 1: Part Five—Our First Ride and Explosion!

Day 2
Day 2: Part One—Hiding Under the Table
Day 2: Part Two—Tears, Fears and Fish
Day 2: Part Three—Does Disney Make Rides for Kids?
Day 2: Part Four—IllumiNations

Day 3
Day 3: Part One—High Fives, As Good As It Gets
Day 3: Part Two—Potatoes and Parenting
Day 3: Part Three—Safari Discoveries
A few PhotoPass so Far
Day 3: Part Four—“Yakkin’” Yeti
Day 3: Part Five—Chocolate Shakes

Day 4
Day 4: Part 1—Getting in the Groove
Day 4: Part 2— Snow White Must Have a Little Brother
Day 4: Part 3—Failed Kim Possible
Day 4: Part 4—World Showcase Fly By
Day 4: Part 5—Teppan Edo
Day 4: Part 6—Pick A Pearl
Day 4: Part 7— Morocco
Day 4: Part 8—France, England and Canada
Day 4: Part 9— Dinner and Games

Day 5


Day 6


Day 7


Day 8


Day 9

 

[chunkymonkey]

Can't wait to read the TR!!

 

[trickiwoo]

I'm subscribed!!!! I'm eager to hear more!!!

 

[Joyciemc]

Yay! I can't wait to read all about it!

 

[tankgirl427]

I'm here and can't wait to hear about your trip. I love things little kids say they crack me up!

 

[annmarieda]

Cant wait to read your TR!!

Love the title!!!

 

[klacey1]

Yay-- glad you started!! Can't wait to read! I hope Hayden didn't have TOO many "I want to quit this whole DW" moments!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Had to join in and see what made your 4 year old nephew utter those words.

 

[oboedm]

Can't wait to read the TR!!

I am glad you are excited! I am keeping up on yours as well, although I usually DIS on my work computer and flickr is blocked, so I always have to go home and use that computer to see your pics!

I'm subscribed!!!! I'm eager to hear more!!!

Welcome! I am glad you're here! Can't wait to hear more about your trip as well!

Yay! I can't wait to read all about it!

Hooray! BTW, we ended up not going to RR that night and cancelled our ADR. I was really planning on searching for you, though!

I'm here and can't wait to hear about your trip. I love things little kids say they crack me up!

He is super cute. The entire time he was saying weird things-- when he wasn't crying of course!

Cant wait to read your TR!!

Love the title!!!

Thanks! I had several ones to choose from, but this one felt the most apporpriate! I don't know what people would think about a TR titled "I want to eat your blood".

Yay-- glad you started!! Can't wait to read! I hope Hayden didn't have TOO many "I want to quit this whole DW" moments!!

There were quite a few. He was really angry about wanting to quit then he got homesick. Near the end of the trip he started talking about Missoula. He is like a walking billboard for that place! He must love where he lives!

Had to join in and see what made your 4 year old nephew utter those words.

It was uttered at Yachtsman Steakhouse, of all places! Silly kid!

 

[oboedm]

Who we are!

You know if you read by PTR, but for the rest of you—welcome! Here is an updated description of each person, with insights into “who they were” on the trip.

DH (33)—Awesome person. He kept his cool(even though we were all melting) throughout this trip even though SIL rubbed him the wrong way at times. Loved to spend time with his brother and had a lot of fun on this trip. We both agree that this trip was better than last year, although the food was a bit subpar compared to last year.

Me (29)—Was surprised at how well I did this year. Last year was way worse than this year in terms of how I handled the heat. There were only a couple of frustrating times with the family, and overall I think I kept a pretty cool head.

BIL (29)—Kept saying how this was the best trip of his entire life. Had different parenting techniques than his wife, so that caused a few fights. He was great to have because he was able to “talk her down” a few times. He is my favorite of DH’s two brothers (he also has two sisters).

SIL (27)—I had a great time hanging out with her, but I think she had the most meltdowns of the trip—a t least she was the most vocal about it. Let’s just say that there was an event called the “Dole Whip Disaster”. Hanging out with her I realized just how laid back I am in comparison—and as DH will tell you, the word to describe me is not laid back!

Hayden (4)—I was surprised at how well-behaved he was! Yes, there were incidents, but I found that the best way to deal with that was to remove him from the situation and distract him with other things. The biggest issues with him were 1) rides, he was scared and 2) getting him to eat!

Ginny (7 months)—Teething on the trip, so she was pretty miserable. I think she had 5-6 teeth coming in, so she was “Orajel-ed” up a lot of the time. She had a great stroller rigged with a homemade cover and battery powered fans. She was essentially sitting in air conditioning while she slept. She loved to look at everything and especially liked Philharmagic (her brother hated it!)

~~~~~~~~~
Questions for you DISboarders…

DH and I are thinking about taking his sister, her husband and two kids in Jan or Feb of 2011. Has anyone been during this time? If so, what was the weather like?

Also, DH and I got annual passes to both DLR and WDW (since we are going to DLR in a month with my family).

If I book room only for us in Jan and they come out with better annual pass rates before our trip, can I call and get the better rate? Or would I have to cancel and re-book—hoping to get the same resort? Looking on mousesavers “historical discounts” page , it seems that they come out with these rates in late November, after the current deal is up.

I am going to ask in the forums as well, but didn’t know if any of you knew.

 

[annmarieda]

Cant wait to read more!

As for your question about going in Jan/Feb. I think I like it way more than September. Of course, I would do cold over hot any time. We have gone twice in Feb. Each time there were warm days (we did use the pool) and there were freezing days. (last feb, I actually wore gloves at one point) Neither trip did we experience much in the way of rain. At least not like this last trip. But...when it did rain last feb...it made it pretty miserable..

 

[oboedm]

Cant wait to read more!

As for your question about going in Jan/Feb. I think I like it way more than September. Of course, I would do cold over hot any time. We have gone twice in Feb. Each time there were warm days (we did use the pool) and there were freezing days. (last feb, I actually wore gloves at one point) Neither trip did we experience much in the way of rain. At least not like this last trip. But...when it did rain last feb...it made it pretty miserable..

Thanks so much! I think we are going to do Feb/March so the other family going with us can get their tax return before we go! I think Feb/March will have better weather than Jan/Feb and we are trying to choose a week with lower crowds.

 

[oboedm]

Today I am going to just post a jumble of thoughts about the trip. I will then start the official, chronological TR updates!

~Hayden is a kidnap-able child—he is really well-behaved, although I don’t think his parents think so!

~We had way fewer meltdowns than I thought (both kids and adults)

~Teething babies are not pleasant. They are rather awful, actually!

~I didn't take enough video and pictures.

~I need a better camera, my LCD screen is going out, so that is the perfect excuse. Any recommendations? I would like to get something better than a point and shoot, and then I can just use my PS as needed, since the screen isn’t that bad.

~I need to learn how to take better pictures—maybe if I had a better camera? Su-Lynn’s PTR updates about lenses, aperture, etc were really helpful, so maybe I could get a better camera!

~Always take a child to Fantasyland first, unless he/she has been to Disney a few times.

~Never make a character dinner reservation for the night you arrive

~Camelbaks are AWESOME and the only way to tour theme parks

~The Joovy Caboose Ultralight is a great stroller

~SIL needs to design add-on accessories for strollers. Ginny had it made with fans blowing on her all the time!

~I should always spend a bit more money stay in a moderate-level resort.

~I need to start scheduling a "resort/rest day" in the middle of the trip to rejuvenate.

~I really need to use a resort pool at some point

~Having a few work items to take care of while I was there was a good idea-- it helped keep me grounded in reality and helped pay for the trip!

~We are now "Premier Annual Passholders"-- meaning we have unlimited access to WDW and Disneyland for the next year. More on how that came to pass later in my TR!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hi, I'm subbing.

Love your jumble of thoughts. So many of them apply to us as well.

I can't wait to read more

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I forgot to respond to your question about February. Joe and I LOVE it in February. The heat of September is getting to us actually, especially to my mom and she usually comes with us. We love being able to walk around in hoodies during February. If there is one thing that is frustrating, it is having to either wear layers, or go back and change clothes. We started our days in hoodies and shorts. By mid-day,we were in T-shirts and shorts and then during the evenings, we had jeans on too, hoodies and on some nights, even coats. But it was so nice to walk through the parks without heat exhaustion.

 

[annmarieda]

Today I am going to just post a jumble of thoughts about the trip. I will then start the official, chronological TR updates!

~Hayden is a kidnap-able child—he is really well-behaved, although I don’t think his parents think so!
He does seem quite cute! And parents always are super critical of their own kids. I know I am much more self conscious of how my kids are acting..when their behavior doesn't even register for other people. (expect my oldest...it is hard to miss her bad behavior. )

~We had way fewer meltdowns than I thought (both kids and adults)
That is an accomplishment in that heat!!!

~Teething babies are not pleasant. They are rather awful, actually!
Poor baby!

~I didn't take enough video and pictures.
I had this same problem. I took maybe a lot of one activity and then nothing of another. I blame the heat...it melted my brain.

~I need a better camera, my LCD screen is going out, so that is the perfect excuse. Any recommendations? I would like to get something better than a point and shoot, and then I can just use my PS as needed, since the screen isn’t that bad.
I have no suggestions. (have you seen my pics? ) I too would love to figure out how to take better pics.

~I need to learn how to take better pictures—maybe if I had a better camera? Su-Lynn’s PTR updates about lenses, aperture, etc were really helpful, so maybe I could get a better camera!
See above comment...I know how you feel! I am super jealous of Su-Lynn's abilities.

~Always take a child to Fantasyland first, unless he/she has been to Disney a few times.
Or even if they are 20 and HAVE been a few times. We waited to go to MK until our 5th day. Poor dd was chomping at the bit to go.

~Never make a character dinner reservation for the night you arrive
Can't wait to hear that story!

~Camelbaks are AWESOME and the only way to tour theme parks
ya know...I have no idea what this is..but you have my attention. Anything to make touring the parks easier is a for me!

~The Joovy Caboose Ultralight is a great stroller
I have never seen one. I like the one we use normally. dd probably doesn't have many more trips (if any) that she will be using one though. Course...with oldest dd getting married...maybe grand kids will be coming to the parks with us and using one before too long.

~SIL needs to design add-on accessories for strollers. Ginny had it made with fans blowing on her all the time!
Oh that heat! I am sure that the fans helped her a ton. We just brought mister fans...and those were hard for youngest dd to use.

~I should always spend a bit more money stay in a moderate-level resort.
OMG! yes! I think that our trip would have been a tad bit more relaxed if I had opted to stay at a mod. instead of where we stayed. Too much travel time...standing in the heat for a bus...walking for a bus. Yes, a mod is a better choice.

~I need to start scheduling a "resort/rest day" in the middle of the trip to rejuvenate.
I so agree with this! I came back from our trip feeling as though I needed another vacation.

~I really need to use a resort pool at some point

I try, but not having that resort day in there makes it hard to get any time in.

~Having a few work items to take care of while I was there was a good idea-- it helped keep me grounded in reality and helped pay for the trip!
Not following you Did you work on vacation? Ok, so I think yes it is hard to not check in on work while away...or get the inevitable nuisance call....but hopefully you didn't lose some valuable park time working???? But, if it worked for you to help keep your trip more grounded...then it must have been a good thing.

~We are now "Premier Annual Passholders"-- meaning we have unlimited access to WDW and Disneyland for the next year. More on how that came to pass later in my TR!
Can't wait to hear how that came to be!

Great jumble of thoughts!

 

[brkn3467]

I will be bringing my DBiL &DSiL, along with their tempermental 5yo, on our next trip in 2011. I am very interested in hearing the details of your vacation!!

 

[klacey1]

Definitely with you on the not enough pictures! I took 536 our last trip and don't think it was enough! Like PP said, I took too many of some things (hello, 40 pictures of small world) and none of others (not a single picture of anything in Adventureland. None!).
I can't wait to hear your reason for not wanting to make a dining reservation on the first night. Ours is-- no fancy dinner the last night. We were at Yachtsman and I starting sobbing-- last night blues (I was itching to get to MK) and personal stuff, too. Not a good combo!
We agree about the mod, too. True, we are rarely in the room, but it truly makes a difference to us.
Congrats about the Premium AP's!! So lucky!

 

[Joyciemc]

We did eat at Raglan Road and really enjoyed our meal. Now I know why we didn't see you!
We enjoyed the family sitting next to us much less. Stay tuned to my report for the details on that...


I've been in January and it was a good trip... I don't remember if we ever went swimming... I do remember being chilly at rope drops, but being comfortable later in the day. Definitely bring a jacket!