Island Hopping: A Highly Inappropriate TR. (Boom.)-- Link to NEW TR! 10/8

[epsmith921]

Ugh. Meant to put my previous post on the PTR. Thank goodness it's Friday!

 

[nannye]

It's been a while but I caught up!
I would love to stay at The poly!

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

So I had to post this. I was doing the crossword yesterday, and one of the clues was "island hoppers". My first thought was FantasylandMom, followed by Magnum, PI. But neither of those fit haha. The answer was seaplanes, but I got a kick out of it.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

I sent you a msg but it didn't appear to go thru. Sorry if this is a repeat to you. Just read the most wonderful book. 3500: An Autistic Boys 10 year Romance with Snow White. It is a free download on the Kindle and it is not to be missed. Since I work with autistic kids and love Disney it touched my heart. You must read it. Still loving your trip report!

Ah I'm reading that book now! It's a great story. I've had tears in my eyes more than once during it!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Yay for the Poly!!! Your room location sounds great! And what a great idea to schedule a Kona breakfast for that morning! (Even if the service was a little slow)

I decided on Kona because of you!!

Can't wait to hear more from you about your trip! I am feeling a little bummed because I decided can't afford WDW this year. However, that's mostly because I have several other vacations planned for this year. Much as I love Disney, sometimes I remember there are some other places in the world, too!
After reading about your Poly stay, I decided that when I return to WDW in 2014, I am going to do my first split stay, and start in POFQ and then...at least 4 nights at Poly! So excited, so thanks for planting the idea! Looks so gorgeous.

Disney is super expensive, no doubt. I'm sorry that you can't go this year, but other vacations are fun, too!
That sounds like a great plan! Glad I could nudge you in that direction!

We just checked out about 2 hours ago. :-( reading your TR had us full of all sorts of new ideas this trip (my dd loves the "no dancing" signs haha)

I have to say, until I read your tr, I had no idea how incredible that citrus tea was. Oh myyyy I have a new addiction.

Sadly we are on the way home, both kids have already puked so hopefully they got it out of the way. Ugh.

WOMPWOMP! Checking out is my least favorite part, obviously.
I'm so happy you could grab some new ideas!
And OMG THAT TEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Want some NOW! Glad you enjoyed it as much as I do!
Puking on Disney trips/trips in general...I know this well. Our van is now equipped with a vomit trap for each child, no joke. And in the back is Febreeze and Clorox wipes. It happens way too often. A few months ago, I gave up and bought Sawyer a new car seat because it was just beyond cleaning. Hopefully your trip home went better!

Holy moly. I just read the rest of this entire TR. I think the last one I had read before I lost it was when Julia and Brynn did Pirate's League?! Loving it, loving it! Also, I watched the video and LOVE it!!! So much! I even sent it to my mom for her to enjoy! Also to introduce her to some people she will most probably see when we are there!!!
Anyway, I'm really enjoying your TR, I thoroughly enjoyed twirling through the world, and I can't wait for the rest of this one! I am definitely a fan of your writing style, and also how you don't sugar coat Disney, but still find the magic and pixie dust (sorry, I just got a little corny, but it's true)

Thanks for sharing your trip and your family!

This post just makes me happy in so many ways!!
Be corny. Go with it. Because then you'll fit right in with me.

I sent you a msg but it didn't appear to go thru. Sorry if this is a repeat to you. Just read the most wonderful book. 3500: An Autistic Boys 10 year Romance with Snow White. It is a free download on the Kindle and it is not to be missed. Since I work with autistic kids and love Disney it touched my heart. You must read it. Still loving your trip report!

You know, I heard something about that story (maybe an article or something?) but didn't know it was a book! I need to read it. I don't think they'll ever do away with IASW like they did SWSA, but if they do, we're in big trouble. Is the book on kindle? I like instantly getting books, LOL!

Been lurking on this one too. I wanted to stay at contemporary in September as well but after a bad evening there in 2012 (just dinner, not staying there) my husband nixed it. So it seems we will be back to swan but I haven't booked it since the price nauseates me. Of course this is paying for upgraded view that then husband isn't willing to skip! Can't afford the Disney deluxes though have liked the two we've stayed in.

Also excited about taking our daughter before we have to pay for her! By the way she would follow your girls around and want to do everything they do even though she's just 2! She would totally adore them (can't blame her, they are adorable!!)

Ohhhh! I miss two year old girls! Two year old boys are just...different...VERY two!!
I guess we'll never get to stay in the Swan or Dolphin because there are five of us now. Maybe one day we can swing Beach Club, my other dream!

Ugh. Meant to put my previous post on the PTR. Thank goodness it's Friday!

It happens. It happens to me a lot. Or I'll think I posted something on a TR and go back to read and realize I just thought it in my head and never did post! My brain is great.

It's been a while but I caught up!
I would love to stay at The poly!

HEY!! How are y'all?! I'm happy you're here, and I don't think I've been writing often enough for you to have to do too much catching up, LOL! I'll try to do better!

So I had to post this. I was doing the crossword yesterday, and one of the clues was "island hoppers". My first thought was FantasylandMom, followed by Magnum, PI. But neither of those fit haha. The answer was seaplanes, but I got a kick out of it.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I will forever be associated with Magnum, PI in at least one person's mind! Dream come true!

Ah I'm reading that book now! It's a great story. I've had tears in my eyes more than once during it!

I'm definitely going to have to get it. About how long is it? I tend to only get in a few pages before having to chase someone or clean up some spill or drive some kid to some practice or some doctor...easy reads are good these days!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

The book is 238 pages. I read it on the Kindle, I think it was $2.99.

It's definitely a fast read. Even if you only get to fit in a few pages before mommy duties kick in, I think you'll finish it quickly!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

The book is 238 pages. I read it on the Kindle, I think it was $2.99.

It's definitely a fast read. Even if you only get to fit in a few pages before mommy duties kick in, I think you'll finish it quickly!

Sounds good to me!!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

The Monorail! OH, The Monorail! How I love thee! And walking here from my resort room?? PERFECTION!

Soon we were on the Epcot loop, and believe it or not, it was our first time ever. We were so happy to get a peek into Epcot from up high.



(Notice that I'm now wearing a crown in my hair. Brynn said hers was hurting her head as soon as we got the "Please stand clear of the doors" speech, so I told her I'd wear it, just joking around. I thought it would make her want it back. It didn't. And I forgot about it until much later that day.)









Imaaaaaaaaagination!



And the place Brynn would live if she could...



After that very relaxing ride, we arrived at Epcot, and I heard that glorious entrance music! The ramp down to the ground is long. Very long. And I was ready to be through those gates ASAP! I didn't exactly look back, but I ended up separating myself from half my group with my speedy anticipation and had to wait for them a good solid minute at the bottom. No matter. We were here!

We were here late.

We are park opening people, but it was already nearing 11am since we had taken time to eat breakfast, check in at Poly, and investigate our room. It's a good thing I was going with the flow, because normally this would have me all sorts of panicky.

Look how relaxed I am. Plan? What plan!?



NOW LET'S GO! Obviously Brandon wasn't feeling the rush like I was.


So we were her now. What should we do? I am not sure how to start touring in the middle of the day! I decided I would run in and grab Soarin' FPs to use later (full disclosure: we didn't even end up using them), and my kids were thrilled I wouldn't let them go with me.



So Brandon let them sit on that wall and pout while he pointed his camera all around and grabbed some gorgeous shots of Epcot, some of my favorite ones! They didn't exactly listen to him when he said they should enjoy their surroundings, but they'd give anything to be there now sitting on that wall! Life is funny sometimes.











Sort of useless FPs in hand (they were for about 1:50, I think, when it turns out we'd be fully immersed in World Showcase), we looked around to see what we needed to do next.

And then we saw them...CHARACTERS in training, positioned all around that side of Future World, and NO ONE waiting to see them!!

I'm pretty sure Julia nearly passed out when she spotted Wendy!







If you've seen our video (ahem...), then you've seen the girls "looking around" with Wendy. Apparently they were looking for the Lost Boys! Wendy asked if the girls thought they might be hiding in the plantars. Julia went right along with it, thinking it might be plausible--they could be anywhere! But Brynn looked really confused about that. She later told me that she didn't know why they'd hide in the plantars, because they could easily be spotted there and that wouldn't be a good hiding spot. She had a point. Wendy spent a good five minutes with the girls. She was super friendly and perfectly chatty, and Julia smiled the entire time! It was our first time meeting her and had long been a dream of ours. Mission: completed!

A few feet away, Jasmine was standing with only some teenage girls meeting with her. They were taking all sorts of variations of pictures, discussing, then coming up with more groupings. They walked away, and we were called up. Then the teenagers rushed back over to Jasmine and said they weren't done...WHILE WE WERE MEETING WITH HER! My evil mommy glare and body position was in full force in that moment as I stepped between them and my daughters and gave them a glare look that could not be mistaken. One of them immediately said they'd go back and wait behind us.

You bet you will, kid.

Jasmine was visibly confused by the teens, but she played it off well and my kids didn't really notice anything. They loved meeting her!





Gorgeous, isn't she!? (Jasmine, not one of my girls...though let's be honest here...) Julia now wants to wear a Jasmine costume at her next trip to BBB. Yikes! But now is about the top age I'd allow it, I think, so she should go ahead and do it while she can, I guess!

By this time, Sawyer was snoozing like a pro in the stroller, and we made our way over toward some air conditioning, as it was BLAZING today. On the way, though, we ran into our very favorite fairy, Rosetta, and it was another first for us! We've been through fairy lines many times hoping to run into her and never have. Such a wonderful surprise!



I LOVED this interaction! Not only does Rosetta have a wonderful accent (and I'd say that even if it didn't sound shockingly similar to my own!), but she had fun and elaborate conversations with the girls about gardening, animals in the garden, the work they'd done in their granddad's garden over the summer...and she listened, really listened.





With Sawyer asleep and no real plan, we kept moving towards the air conditioning, and to another first that everyone had done but us. Any guesses??

 

[katt789]

Aw man, I always get so excited when you post a new update! Hahah!

Ahaha, awesome that you forgot about the tiara, that’s great! I definitely bought one for a Disneybound last trip, I’ll wear it occasionally with a bun in, but aside from that they don’t really work with big kid heads ha!

Beautiful pictures of Epcot! Wow!

CHARACTERS IN TRAINING IS MY FAVORITE


AHHHH I definitely know that friend of Wendy’s! She’s PERF! So glad you guys had a great meet with her!! And tip: she’s out greeting with Peter starting mid May! From what I’ve heard they’ll take over the Adventureland veranda where Ariel and Eric used to be! I CANNOT wait to meet her!

Awwww….I definitely get the Mom vibe with kids wearing jasmine costumes, but at least the costume covers most of their torso if it’s fitted properly, a lot more covering than a bra top style. Also, the “redesign” of Jasmines costume at the Disney store! GORGEOUS!

Rosetta is adorable!!

 

[nannye]

Ann such lovely photos!super jealous you gt to eat Wendy I thin that is. Lifelong dream of mine! That and for us to meet fairie other than virus and Tink. 5 times trough the fairies in 2 years and still only have we seen Tink and vidia.

 

[tiggerfan77]

I have seen Jasmine and some of the fairies at Epcot from time to time. But that is so cool you got to meet Wendy and Rosetta looks adorable!

My guess is you all are heading to Club Cool?

 

[kate_wdw]

Your pictures of Epcot are gorgeous!

 

[FlaNani]

Ok, so I have decided to kidnap your husband for my next trip to Disney (jk). I want my pics to look like yours!!!!! He is an AMAZING photographer!

How amazing to have so many firsts in the span of a couple of hours!

 

[tinkgurl]

Aw, so exciting the girls got to meet some new characters!

You're right, the ramp from the monorail is long!

 

[ronnmel]

Wow! Talk about character pixie dust!! Not only did you meet characters you had never met, but they both gave you such long and quality interactions.

I would have been right there with you with my teacher glare. What were they thinking? Oh, wait, teenagers, they were obviously thinking only about themselves and being oblivious to the world around...

Drinking Beverly? It's fun, they said!

 

[oscarsmummy]

AAAwww your girls look so happy with the characters, when you get a character who will really get involved with them it makes such a difference. I have never seen Wendy in a meet and greet so glad you guys found her what a lucky morning ! that late start worked out. I love Epcot, its my favourite , great pictures again, if I win the lottery could afford for Brandon can be our official trip photographer for our family trip ? Cant wait to hear more !

 

[lsenquiz]

Character hunting is my absolute favorite part of Disney so loving your latest update. We have never been lucky enough to find characters in training at EPCOT. We are going to have to look extra hard on our upcoming trip(5 more days).

I feel the same way as you about the Jasmine costume. I got my niece one for our trip last September. She was 4 and looked adorable but I agree that the girls reach an age quickly where it would not be appropriate.

Rosetta looks awesome! I am sure hearing her talk completes the whole picture.

The smiles on your girls face as they spend time with the characters is really what Disney is all about to me. I am sure those are memories they will have for a lifetime. What a wonderful way to spend the morning

 

[Queenofallthings]

First of all can I just say.....you rock that tiara girl!

Secondly, your pictures are amazing!! I am saving right now to buy a really good camera but not quite sure that I will be able to before our next trip! Your pics make me wants to be more disciplined about saving!

Good for you with those teenage girls .... geesh, sometimes they have no sense of others! Shanleigh's favourite princess has always been Jasmine and if she could get away with the costume now, she would wear it

 

[ThisIsBrenn]

Just caught up on your posts, joining in now! The Poly looks beautiful, I'd love to stay there some day!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Um your pictures of Epcot are ridiculously fantastic. Like honestly, Disney needs to just hire your husband to take their pictures.

Yay for characters in training! Brynn totally had a point about why the Lost Boys wouldn't be hiding in the planters. DUH. Smart girl.

I'd probably have a heart attack if my daughter (non-existant as she may be) wanted to wear the Jasmine costume. That said, I think you're right that it is cute until a certain age. Julia's still at the cute age. I think once they get to about 10ish, then I'd say no.

I can't think of a good guess where you guys are headed but I can't wait to find out!