I want to ride the cotton ball--A 4th of July family celebration! NEW PTR 8/31!!!

GREAT update! Your boys are so cute! Looks like a great day at Epcot! Remy is so cute isn't he? LOVED your boys faces on Soarin, that is a family fave of ours too! OKW looks so pretty! Tokyo dining looks GREAT! Looking forward to more!:goodvibes
 
Wow, I was behind.

Thanks for posting the information on the train. I did look at the Amtrak site but did not get as much information.

I love Epcot. MK is my favorite just due to the castle I think, but Epcot really is the best for rides and food.

I cant wait to do Chef's in August and see Remy. I have looked at Tokyo dining several times but never tried it. I may have to do that, that view is awesome.
 
Hopping on board!

Interesting on the train. The way you did it sounds like it would be fun and a nice little adventure, going coach, not so much.

Your boys are adorable! So so cute! They look like they are having a great time!

Sanaa sounds delish! Definately one to put on the "to do" list for the future! And I loved Tokyo Dining on my trip last summer, it was so good and the servers were so nice!

Enjoying your report so far!

Allyson :surfweb:
 
Fantastic first full day! Interesting that Epcot is your older son's favorite park. It's definitely mine but it doesn't always appeal to kids-- is it b/c of the thrill rides? I am impressed he goes on the "wild" side of Mission Space! I'm WAY too chicken!!

You and me both! I know, I can't believe he does either -- DH will go with him in the MORNING, before he has eaten much!!! They all seem to like flight simulators... DS4 goes on one at the Air and Space Museum here in DC...
I can handle Star Tours, MS, not so much. Last one I went was Nov. I said to DH, I am done with this!!!

I don't know that coffee stand so I have made a note that it is worthy of checking out!

Oh, definitely... SADLY not on the DDP, but I just add it to my beverage bill... like the slushies, the margaritas, the.... :laughing:

I'm with your younger son -- not a big Maelstrom fan. :sad2:

Don't love the Mexico ride either but do love the inside of the pavilion. Did you happen to notice if the new tequila bar they are building was open inside the pavilion? :rolleyes1

Nothing wrong with a pre-lunch margarita! :thumbsup2

Both are kinda silly, but a good respite from the heat... I didn't get to brows the pavillions as much as I would have liked... kids not interested... :sad2: DH and I have decided that our next "date night" in December will include Epcot, so we CAN just browse around without worrying about them and something getting broken! :rotfl:

re the margarita -- it is after noon SOMEWHERE in the world !!! ;)

Sorry you didn't love your entree at Chefs. But, yes, you do have to go back to try again. I wonder if Remy will still be there when I go in Sept? Hmmm... although we all know that's not the "attraction" that I'm going to see... :laughing:

That is okay, we'll be back, I know they have good food... re the Remy yeah, he was cute, but there are other "attractions" yes..... :laughing:

I'm a huge believer in the mid-day break. Makes such a difference. When I stayed at OKW I don't think I ever even went to the main pool- I stuck with a smaller pool by our building that also had a bar. But I don't have kids so don't need a slide or other activities.... just the bar. ;)

Tokyo dining looks like such fun. Love that your hubby had pics of your faces during Illuminations. Perfect!! :)

Oh! I think you had said you stayed there! I really did like it. The smaller pool was far for us. BUT regardless, it was a nice place...

And I really want to go back to Tokyo Dining, very good!

GREAT update! Your boys are so cute! Looks like a great day at Epcot! Remy is so cute isn't he? LOVED your boys faces on Soarin, that is a family fave of ours too! OKW looks so pretty! Tokyo dining looks GREAT! Looking forward to more!:goodvibes

Thanks Diane! They are good guys. Epcot WAS fun! Your day there looked like fun too!!! :thumbsup2 Tokyo Dining, you should try it!

Wow, I was behind.

Thanks for posting the information on the train. I did look at the Amtrak site but did not get as much information.

I love Epcot. MK is my favorite just due to the castle I think, but Epcot really is the best for rides and food.

I cant wait to do Chef's in August and see Remy. I have looked at Tokyo dining several times but never tried it. I may have to do that, that view is awesome.

Oh good! The train was a different way to travel, and so that was fun in itself... Re MK vs. Epcot, it is a hard decision for me, I love both :goodvibes

Remy is very cute, and Chef's good! :thumbsup2 Tokyo Dining, I can't say enough about it.

Hopping on board!

Interesting on the train. The way you did it sounds like it would be fun and a nice little adventure, going coach, not so much.

Your boys are adorable! So so cute! They look like they are having a great time!

Sanaa sounds delish! Definately one to put on the "to do" list for the future! And I loved Tokyo Dining on my trip last summer, it was so good and the servers were so nice!

Enjoying your report so far!

Allyson :surfweb:

HI! Thanks! And, Welcome! :flower3: Glad to have you here, hope you are enjoying the stories.... Sanaa was great! We did have a nice trip, truly. Regarding coach for the train, I don't think it would be bad if the travelers were older, little children would have been too hard for us... but I saw lots of brave souls, and they didn't look terribly exhausted the next am. I just know how I like to travel ;)
 

Okay - all caught up!

First - your boys are just so, so cute!!!!! :love:

How cool that you took the train down! What a neat way to travel and even better with the sleeper car. :thumbsup2

I completely understand about being so engrossed in what's going on that you forget to take pictures. Doing TRs has actually changed that for me. Now I think about taking photos a lot more than I ever use to. But, I still have some times when I say, I just want to enjoy and not worry about pictures. :goodvibes

Looking forward to more!
 
Okay - all caught up!

First - your boys are just so, so cute!!!!! :love:

How cool that you took the train down! What a neat way to travel and even better with the sleeper car. :thumbsup2

I completely understand about being so engrossed in what's going on that you forget to take pictures. Doing TRs has actually changed that for me. Now I think about taking photos a lot more than I ever use to. But, I still have some times when I say, I just want to enjoy and not worry about pictures. :goodvibes

Looking forward to more!

Oh thank you! They are sweet, quite a pair of characters... and thanks, we did enjoy the train! :thumbsup2

MY DH already was rolling his eyes a few times this trip!!!! But I tried to take them when I could.

Glad to have you reading! :goodvibes I am going to try and do an update tomorrow...
 
Oh you boys are so cute I could just eat them up. Seriously adorable!

I did notice the T's! Very very cute!

Funny...I expected Remy to be bigger somehow!

Very very sad about the Nicoise, I'd have been upset, and have expected it to be really good considering where you were.

I made a Nicoise for DH the other night, he'd never had it before. I'd never made it before lol.
 
Today we woke up ready for our first day at the Magic Kingdom. We were very excited! :yay: Of all the parks, the MK is perhaps the park that brings the inner child out in me in full force. I love the music piped everywhere, the landscaping, The look of everything everywhere. This is the park, that, if and when I take a solo trip someday, I will spend the most time. Not riding the attractions, but really just taking my time going into every store, and land and enjoying all of the fine details of what is Disney Magic. :cloud9: I really am a sucker for good presentation!!!

Today was no exception, I was practically skipping from the parking lot in the parking area to the monorail to get to the park. This morning was EMH. It was also the first time that I have ever driven to the MK. In the past we either took the bus or took the boat across from the WL or walked from the contemporary, so it didn’t really register to me that we would be loosing a little time going from parking lot to monorail or the big ferry…. The timing worked out alright, I had hoped to be outside the MK by 7:45 at the latest, but, because of the extra few minutes it took to get to the park from the lot, we actually stepped off the monorail at 8:05. I was still impressed with our time, and we entered effortlessly. :thumbsup2

OOPS! I just realized that this is the photo I took on the 5th, not the 30th, so just an FYI!!!

Disney391.jpg


We strolled up towards fantasy land, and DH scooted off to Splash to get a FP. I took the boys to Peter Pan. I never feel like I am in the MK until I do!!! We met up again, and moved across Fantasy Land and rode Pooh, twice, and the tea cups. Then we geared up for the rope drop into Tomorrow Land, and set our sights on the Tomorrow Land speedway. We had never ridden this with our boys, and it was a first. Here is DH and DS4… Their loop took quite a long time around, with DS4 steering…. :laughing:
Disney157.jpg


We headed over to Buzz next. Riding that is always a treat. We rode once, then made our way back across Fantasy Land for It’s a Small World… We had Crystal Palace reservations for 10:25, their last seating, so we made our way there, riding Pirates along the way, and taking five to play in the Tiki's!!

Disney161.jpg


Disney160.jpg


DH went to get a second set of FPs, at BTMR, and met us outside CP. About five minutes later, after we were checked in and waiting, a large ominous cloud became closer than distant in the sky. And a few minutes later, as we were being seated in the CP, the sky turned quite grey, stormy, and the rain poured down .... poncho covered people scattered everywhere. We, enjoyed brunch.;)

Disney163.jpg


Disney164.jpg


Disney168.jpg


Disney169.jpg


Disney170.jpg


Disney171.jpg


We watched it all from the nice dry Crystal Palace... and about 11:30, as it was letting up, we decided to make a break for it, with the intention of riding Splash Mtn with our FPs… Well, it started to rain again just in that short while, so instead we high tailed it towards the Haunted Mansion – in the HM we figured we would have some shelter, and the line was covered, so we were not standing in the rain. This was a perfect solution, until, as we started to enter the stretching room my DS4 said in a not very quiet voice, “Oh no, no, no, no. Mom. Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE outaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEre.” This got laughs all around from the guests we were with…, but I am glad he decided this ride was NOT for him before they closed the door, because that could have been BAD. :eek: So we made our way out the “bail” door, and stood outside the exit for DH & DS7… He wanted to go back through the door we came from, I had to convince him the other door was a way out as well, because at first he was a bit dubious… but I finally convinced him it was indeed an exit! I however, missed the HM this first day, as a result… :sad2: OH well!! When they came out, we decided that the rain was still going to be a problem, so we decided to call it a morning, and we would use our FPs that evening after dinner. Along the way back to the park entrance, the rain started again… we were watching the parade under the awning of main street – here are a few photos of the Celebrate it Parade in the Rain!

Disney175.jpg


Disney174.jpg


Disney177.jpg


One of the dancing CMs took a dive on the pavement in her choreography, slipping, I think, on one of the trolly rails. She rubbed her knee, some and kept marching, I don't know how injured she was, but she really came right off her feet, must have really hurt. :headache:
We headed back to OKW, and DS4 took a nap, DH and I hung out and read, and DS7 played with his legos… Tonight was Date night at California Grill and the kids had time at the Neverland Club, so we had about 3 hours to just relax before we had to leave…. More later tonight!!!
 
Ah the Magic Kingdom! The park of all parks! My chuckle moments reading your update:

Imagining the people's faces in the cars behind your DS4 driving Tomorrowland Speedway! :rotfl2:

Poncho covered people scattering everywhere! :lmao:

Your DS4's face with Tigger, my he is excited! :cloud9:

Both of their expressions with Pooh Bear and Piglet. (You look like you had the place to yourself!)

The HM ... :lmao: :rotfl2:

And lastly the CM wiping out during the parade had my hand flying to my mouth, cringing and awaiting an ugly bone protrusion story but kudos to her for going on with the show!!

popcorn::
 
I know I've said it before but your boys are just adorable! I love their matching Life is Good t-shirts. I want a monkey t for myself... wonder if they make them in adult sizes?

They look so excited to meet with all the characters! :goodvibes

You got in quite a few rides before breakfast/brunch! :thumbsup2

Too cute your son on HM. Good for him for realizing it and good for you for not forcing him to ride!

Sorry about the rain but a lazy afternoon at OKW sounds good too!

Can't wait to hear what you thought of Cali Grill! :)
 
Good job dodging the rain for the most part. That poor CM who fell. I can't believe they had them doing that parade in the rain...that seems a bit ridiculous to me. :confused3

Hehehe, your DS4 sounds so cute with his HM reaction. :laughing:
 
Oh you boys are so cute I could just eat them up. Seriously adorable!

I did notice the T's! Very very cute!

Funny...I expected Remy to be bigger somehow!

Very very sad about the Nicoise, I'd have been upset, and have expected it to be really good considering where you were.

I made a Nicoise for DH the other night, he'd never had it before. I'd never made it before lol.

Aw, thanks! I know -- I have the same reaction... but I am trying not to be the first mother to eat her young!!! :lmao: The little one in particular... he really needs a younger sibling so he doesn't stay the baby and the center of attention because with those dimples he gets what he wants, always. He isn't ill mannered, not the Veruca Salt "bad nut" type (a'la Willie Wonka) but charming was made to describe this kid...

WELL.... he is a rat on a cheese plate... :rotfl2: Don't think they would want him bigger -- people would talk. Then they would shut down Chef's like the did in the movie!!!!

UGH it was not good. BUT that was the worst dining experience I had. At least it was a 14.00 salad and not my 30.00 entree!! :eek:

That is a salad that isn't too hard to make and pretty hard to mess up. Which is why i was surprised... :confused3
 
fun updates!! like others have said, but it bears repeating, you have some great looking boys:lovestruc

Thank you!! :goodvibes

Ah the Magic Kingdom! The park of all parks! My chuckle moments reading your update:

Imagining the people's faces in the cars behind your DS4 driving Tomorrowland Speedway! :rotfl2:

YEAH!! Well, I had the "fortune" of being his passenger a few nights later when we went back in the evening, and well, he didn't improve his time :rotfl:

Poncho covered people scattering everywhere! :lmao:

This would have been us, really, if it hadn't been for the fortunate ADR!

Your DS4's face with Tigger, my he is excited! :cloud9:

Both of their expressions with Pooh Bear and Piglet. (You look like you had the place to yourself!)

Yes, they LOVE the CP... So does my DH. Consistently good buffet, nice service, not too crazy. At least not at the time we go. I ask for the latest seating, so we can do the park rides in the am, then take an early "brunch" break, and avoid the lunch line crowds because we are not hungry. On this day it was obviously very empty, and we were one of the last families there -- I didn't do that intentionally, but the rain pouring down did help me eat another mickey waffle!!! What I like is that they dont rush you and you don't feel like the servers are hovering... We were not the last to leave, so I don't feel bad about lingering, I think they had to deal with that all over because of the weather.


The HM ... :lmao: :rotfl2:

And lastly the CM wiping out during the parade had my hand flying to my mouth, cringing and awaiting an ugly bone protrusion story but kudos to her for going on with the show!!

popcorn::

Yes, the Haunted Mansion... I finally got to ride it a few nights later! :laughing:

Re the parade, yeah I was really worried about her too, thank goodness she seemed "okay"...

I know I've said it before but your boys are
just adorable! I love their matching Life is Good t-shirts. I want a monkey t for myself... wonder if they make them in adult sizes?

Ha! I love Life is Good shirts.. I scour the REI clearance page online and get them all the time.... The monkey one just "fit" the wearer in personality!!!

They look so excited to meet with all the characters! :goodvibes

You got in quite a few rides before breakfast/brunch! :thumbsup2

I know!! They were -- in November as well, and if you read early in my PTR, I mentioned that I lost my pictures -- accidently deleting the chip :sad2: So I was glad to get a repeat performance from both of them... We completed our 100 Acre Woods collection this trip, one pink Piglet came home with us this time! :cloud9:

And you know, we did! I was surprised we managed to get on to so many rides and move about pretty quickly. We did zig zag a bit, but I don't mind, I tend to operate this way early, then slow down.

Too cute your son on HM. Good for him for realizing it and good for you for not forcing him to ride!

You know we didn't expect him to be that spooked. I had forgotten about the first part... I would never have forced him to ride. He had a similar moment (bee in his bonnet) about BTMRR that evening. We didn't bat an eye, because I know everyone is here to enjoy their vacation too, and if I can avoid the screaming child by removing him from the situation then that is my responsibility. A few days later I had a prime example. We went into the Prince Caspian thing at DHS waiting for DH to meet us at TSM... (it was hot and I just wanted to get us out of the sun for a minute). So while entering, a boy (more like 6 I think) really started to cry and get upset about going in the room for the presentation... they tried to tell him it was just about the movie, but he didn't want to be there. So when we entered the actual chamber with the table and they play the movie clips, etc., he started really crying, etc., so then they resorted to telling him to stop crying and being a baby, and to "shut up right now!" --- :guilty:
I felt that was unecessarily harsh on this poor kid. Not to say I have not made poor parenting choices, we all have, but this one seemed pretty no brainer...

Sorry about the rain but a lazy afternoon at OKW sounds good too!

Can't wait to hear what you thought of Cali Grill! :)

Rain was fine, as you mentioned we had done quite a bit, and rather than fight it, you go with it, so we headed back. Glad DS4 got a nap.

Good job dodging the rain for the most part. That poor CM who fell. I can't believe they had them doing that parade in the rain...that seems a bit ridiculous to me. :confused3

Hehehe, your DS4 sounds so cute with his HM reaction. :laughing:

Yes, well I think the rain stopped and started just as the floats and such were coming out of the gate, b/c indeed it wasn't raining when they turned the corner onto Main Street, but by a few minutes later it was. So I think they had to keep going at that point.

Well like I said above, I was fortunately able to rectify the situation! :rolleyes:
 
I am a sucker for good presentation, too! :lmao:

DS4 and his HM experience cracked me up! The stretching room always unnerved me as a child, but not the rest of the ride -- go figure. :rolleyes:

Hurray for avoiding some of the rain while you ate -- that's always nice.

Poor CM falling -- I am surprised they were still having the parade in the rain.
 
Okay, well we had a dinner ADR for California Grille, just DH and I, this evening. I picked an early one, so we could go back and get the boys, then see Spectro and Wishes after... So we left OKW around 4:45, and drove in the heavy rain to the Poly. DH dropped us off, then parked the car. We walked around a little, then went to the Never Land Club. DH and I brought a simple change of clothes, so after dinner we could change before going back to the park. I took NO photos guys, not of this part, because when we went to the Neverland Club, I had my camera in hand, then inadvertently left it on the counter there while I filled out the release forms... :headache: But at least I didn't leave it abroad, like SOME one I know did on her trip to Italy.... :rolleyes1 RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT. :laughing:

Anyhoo, still raining, we dodged it back to the car and drove over to the Contemporary. we parked and went to check in for our ADR. We were sent up and waited only briefly to be seated for our 5:45 table. Right be a window, and a beautiful view :cloud9: The rain slowly moved out and the sun came out, during the course of our dinner, which had me excited for later! We split a flatbread for an appetizer, each got a salad, and then I had the lamb, and DH and Sushi... well we always split everything, but you get the idea. We had a lovely chardonnay, and the chocolate cake with rasberries, and cappaccinos... We only did one on the DDP and paid OOP with the TIW card for the rest. I am not sure I would even use the DP next time for a signature, unless I was on the DXDDP. I don't think it is the best value for the credits on the basic plan. But more on that at the end of my TR. Regardless, it was an enjoyable meal and time for us to enjoy uninterrupted conversation :thumbsup2

We headed back to the Poly after a great dinner, via monorail, changed quickly, and walked back to catch the monorail to the MK... These are just a few photos of the boys kicking it at the Poly. We were waiting for DH to come back from throwing his shorts on. The Child care clubs includes a kid's meal, so we had an extra set of TS credits for the kids, but they had also eaten dinner, so that made moving them around easier.

Disney178.jpg


Disney179.jpg


Disney181.jpg


Here is the gate as we came from the monorail ramp...

Disney182.jpg


Just a few photos as it was getting dark...

Disney183.jpg


Disney184.jpg


So this time we took the WDW Railroad across to Toon Town, rode Barnstormer three times (NO LINE in the evening!!! :thumbsup2, then decided to use our FPs for Splash and BTMRR. getting back on the train, we knew this would time out to see Spectro over in Frontier Land, as well. Well, this is where we had our one bad evening if you will...

We had discussed with our boys that we would hopefully make it to Buzz as well, between parade and Wishes, but we wanted to use these FPs first. So DS4 kept saying he didn't want to ride BTMRR. That he wanted to ride Goofy's (the AIRplane roller coaster) and Buzz.. he was saying this all the way to the fast pass line.... when we got down right to the loading lane, the noise, and the busy space just made him get more cranky, I think, and then he started really being upset, so we told the CM that he wasn't going to ride, and when the train showed up, DH just carried DS4 across the seat and exited, vs. sit to ride, and met me and DS7 outside -- DS7 loves these two attraction (who doesn't! So I didn't want him to suffer b/c his little brother was being a pain). We had used our FPs, though, so I asked the CM at the load line if DH could ride since he didn't use his FP, and they gave us a FP for DH to use with DS7. :yay: So they went back on the ride, and I sat out with DS4, and we watched part of Spectro, which DS7 and DH joined us for after their ride. We watched spectro, then went up for Splash. DS4 acted the same way! :headache: but before we even tried to get in line! So again, DH said you go, and we repeated our swap. Heading towards the exit, we saw Wishes from the Bridge of Adventureland, and then left the park walking to the Contemporary where we had left our car. We were surprised DS4 was being such a pain in the rear, much of which stemmed from the fact that he wanted to ride the ride he wanted "now"... When he realized that he wasn't going to ride Buzz afterall, he started wailing, but DH and I knew we had plenty of time to come back again, vs. reward him for his terrible behavior by taking him to ride Buzz. I really thought at first he was tired, over stimulated, but DH reminded me that he had a nap, and so it became apparent he was trying a strategy to get what he wanted. Which backfired.

So DH and I figured we'd try it again... and we did ... the next evening!! Talk about 180 difference! :laughing: But before that, we had a pirate cruise and breakfast! Or did we .... ??????? Find out tomorrow!!!!
 
Today we woke up ready for our first day at the Magic Kingdom. We were very excited! :yay: Of all the parks, the MK is perhaps the park that brings the inner child out in me in full force. I love the music piped everywhere, the landscaping, The look of everything everywhere. This is the park, that, if and when I take a solo trip someday, I will spend the most time. Not riding the attractions, but really just taking my time going into every store, and land and enjoying all of the fine details of what is Disney Magic. :cloud9: I really am a sucker for good presentation!!!

Today was no exception, I was practically skipping from the parking lot in the parking area to the monorail to get to the park. T

I cannot believe how much you got done before breakfast! I feel the same way if I was to take a solo, or adult (girl!) only trip! Oh to be able to just peruse the shops!

How fortuitous, the timing of your breakfast reservation and what great pics!

We watched it all from the nice dry Crystal Palace... and about 11:30, as it was letting up, we decided to make a break for it, with the intention of riding Splash Mtn with our FPs… Well, it started to rain again just in that short while, so instead we high tailed it towards the Haunted Mansion – in the HM we figured we would have some shelter, and the line was covered, so we were not standing in the rain. This was a perfect solution, until, as we started to enter the stretching room my DS4 said in a not very quiet voice, “Oh no, no, no, no. Mom. Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE outaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEre.”

VERY wise of him!

One of the dancing CMs took a dive on the pavement in her choreography, slipping, I think, on one of the trolly rails. She rubbed her knee, some and kept marching, I don't know how injured she was, but she really came right off her feet, must have really hurt. :headache:
We headed back to OKW, and DS4 took a nap, DH and I hung out and read, and DS7 played with his legos… Tonight was Date night at California Grill and the kids had time at the Neverland Club, so we had about 3 hours to just relax before we had to leave…. More later tonight!!!

OW! and impressive. Looking forward to Cali!
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE











DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top