It's Here!! We're Leaving for WDW!!! Travel Day!!

[princessjv]

LOVE IT! LOVE IT, LOVE IT! OMG! I think I'm gong to do this for my Oct. trip...I always get a pedi with a MICKEY head on my toes...but this is soo cute!

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

I love your trip report, keep up the great work!

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

Amy -- Epcot passports -- is that something with the Kidcot stops at Epcot? We did that 3 years ago and I was going to ask you if it was the same thing again? It was a mask on a stick (from Mexico) with cardboard charms gathered in each country and attached with a plastic ring. DS9 hopes they are doing something different this time.

(I hope you don't mind me talking about our trip so much here, I am not trying to hijack your thread; it's just that when I read your reports, it reminds me of things for our upcoming trip). If I decide to do a trip report when we return, I promise to start my own thread (though with my memory, I know I wouldn't remember as much detail as you have -- yours is GREAT!). BTW, the towel animals sound adorable!
Thank you!

Lisa, the Passports were actual passport-like books that came with stickers and a place for the Kidcot CMs to stamp and write something in them...they are still doing the mask thing, too...Boo collected the mask trinkets along with the Passport and Lou just did the Passport. I was thrilled that this year they actually enjoyed the WS...the Passport did the trick and this year they really "got" it.

I don't mind at all if you talk about your trip here...I can live vicariously through you now that my trip is over.... !

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

I am trying to catch up. DH and I are sharing one internet connection as we are having computer "issues". Plus our builder has sent us out on a paint, flooring, tile, carpeting, lighting quest this week.

Had fun in DC. Snowed... but fun. Will fill you in. Gotta let the hubby have the wires

Glad you are back and writing.

OOH...Kelly...the FUN choices!! It can be overwhelming, I know, but exciting, too!! Hope your computer "issues" get worked out and I'm glad you had fun in DC...the girls and I traveled there a couple of years ago for February break and even though it snowed and was winter, we had the best time...I love DC! Can't wait to hear more about your DC fun and how the building choices are going!

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

I love your trip report, keep up the great work!

Hey, Mickey'sMainMami...welcome aboard...I'll try to get another installment in soon...have a busy night tonight with afterschool activities (violin lessons, PTA meeting, Dual Language Night) and have to prepare some things for tomorrow for school....YIKES!

 

[Maddie2]

Before I forget to ask -- where did you/can I get passports for Epcot?

The excitement is building here, at this moment DS12 is perusing the maps, while DS9 is out building a snowman -- yes, a snowman in APRIL. Insane.

Have a good night everyone!

Amy -- each time I see that you live on Long Island, I am reminded of my summer out there. I lived in Bayside for 1/2 of the summer and then in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. (Bad roommate experience the first 1/2). I worked in Manhattan, so I took the LIRR & then the subway from Bayside. Overall, a great learning experience -- what I "thought" I wanted out of life (big job, big city) changed after my 3 month experience. Great life lessons. :<)

Better go, DS9 needs a carrot for his snowman!

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

Lisa, you can get the Passports at EPCOT...probably in Mousegears, the stroller rental area...or at one of the two gift shops at the beginning of the WS. I actually cheated and had the WL IPO get them before we came and had them waiting in our room when we arrived. I'm sure you can get them at your resort's gift shop, too...I remember seeing them and the autograph books in the WL Mercantile.
I know your getting excited...I'm getting excited for you!! I am seeing your countdown counting down and I wish I could be packed in your suitcase for another go 'round!
I love living on Long Island. We are much further out east than where you were that summer...we live in the Hamptons, so we only deal with crowds in the summertime. Have fun in the snow...and just think...you'll be livin' it up in the sun in like, 7 more days!! YIPEE!!!

 

[Panotchr]

Good God... why didn't you tell me it was so stinkin' hard to make decisions about colors, counters. floors etc. I have been totally overwhelmed this week. They are fun things to choose, but I get confused about things easily. LOL I don't like to see too many choices. I want them ALL!!!

Wash. was wonderful. My niece and nephew had a ball at the GF and loved WDW. My SIL told me they spent the most time at the carousel. Imagine. They love them, though. My SIL has not been to Disney in a while and they let her dad's secretary plan for them so she said it was fun, but hectic. I wish they had talked to me for goodness sakes! Her father's co. is building the foundation for the WTC memorial. How cool is that?

At any rate, we rode the Metro down and walked through the Mall and past the White House. It was so cold and windy we didn't do a lot of walking like we normally do. The snow was fun to see, since we don't get much, but it was gone by noon.

The EB was good to us with lots of chocolate and eggs. The kids had fun being all together. I love that the twins are in Kindergarten this year. It is fun to see what they are doing in comparison to our Kindergartens. Henry is a riot. Caroline more quiet. They are both adorable, of course.

Well, we get the moving van tomorrow and go into the "grim" rental on Saturday. Looks like our house will be completed in about five weeks.

Oh, and did you see that free dining is offered AFTER we are there?????????? Oh well, we are still saving about $800 by going during value season and booking with AAA.

3 more days of Spring Break and then I have Monday off for the closing on our house. My kids are going on a field trip, and I hate to miss it, but it can't be helped.

Hope everyone is having a great week. I've missed you guys.

 

[Maddie2]

Amy -- Thanks for the info. The passports sound like something DS9 would enjoy doing, while DS12 will probably pass on it -- though he may surprise us. We are down to 5 days now -- I've started doing some packing, but plan to do the bulk of it Sunday afternoon. Lucky you to live in such a beautiful area!

Kelly -- So, picking out colors is difficult, huh? We've never had the opportunity to buy all new, but when we've made replacements I know I've had a tough time deciding one or two items -- I can't imagine doing an entire home! Good luck with moving this weekend. Thankfully you have something new and beautiful to look forward to while you are in the rental -- only 5 weeks? That is fabulous!

DH took the boys out to see a magician this evening so I could finish my project of the day -- steam cleaning carpets. Doesn't that sound like fun? I'd better get moving, I have the stairs to tackle before they come home.

Amy -- I can't wait to read more of your trip report! Hoping you have time this weekend. I am especially anxious to hear about Cape May (breakfast?) and Sci-Fi, as we have those same ADRs.

 

[Panotchr]

Lisa, Lisa... only 5 days left!! Wooo hooo. I can't wait for you to get there! Is that your Spring Break?? Yesterday we tried to pick countertops and hardwood floors and carpet. Oh yeah, I forgot, we had to choose tile for the bathrooms and laundry room too. I am excited and I do love it, but man, oh man, I am not a good chooser!! That sounded like a good Kindergarten expression, didn't it? Tomorrow we get the keys to the rental. At least I will feel like we have a place to be for a while.

Amy: I am loving the report and the pics. Will you tell us who is who in the pics sometime. I think I know Tumor and your girls and the Cheif. I think I saw Tumor's hubby too. Who are the others? Did I miss you showing us who was who somewhere? I need to go back and look.

I have been so busy, I didn't realize that my counter says 3 months!!!! Okay, four weeks too, but hey, I will take what I can get! 119 days 11 hours and 28 mins.

Lisa: Wish you were here. I have to do these carpets once everything is out of here! I am going to do the rental too. I am so looking forward to hardwood floors everywhere downstairs in the new house. There will be carpet in the upstairs hallway and in the bedrooms. If I can figure out how, I will upload a picture for you guys to see the new house.

I may not have an internet connection until Tues of next week, so keep chatting and I will catch up. Hopefully, I will have this one until Sunday.

 

[Panotchr]

Okay.. I think I have this figured out. The first picture is of the outside front of the house.

The next one is of the back of the house. I fell in love with the yard, deck and patio below the deck. There is a walkout basement with french doors under the deck.

This last picture is part of the kitchen. They just put the cabinets in on Wednesday.

I am crossing my fingers that this works.

 

[Maddie2]

The magic show must be a long one -- I'm done carpet scrubbing with time to spare -- and they aren't home yet!

Kelly -- Though I have blue, my green-eyed monster is coming out! I WANT your new house! LOL! :<) I can see why you fell in love with it! Aren't you glad you decided to take this one and not build from scratch? If it is difficult to choose flooring and countertops, can you imagine choosing each and every little thing? I know some love to do it, but I think it would be a bit much too much IMO. I'm not always a good chooser ;<) either!

My carpets look so wonderful! Amazing what a little elbow grease can do! Oh, and BTW, it's not a rental -- I borrowed it from my parents. It's the Hoover SteamVac -- best little machine ever. They've had it for almost 10 years and it has paid for itself over and over (they run around $150 now). As the owner of fab-looking clean carpets, I fully recommend it! (in my best June Cleaver voice).

We are VERY anxious for our trip to be here -- but then that also means we are that much closer to it being over. Amy - I feel for you. These trips are SO wonderful to look forward to and being there is well, magical. Also magical in the POOF! that it seems to be over so soon. :<(

No, not our Spring Break. We don't actually have a full Spring Break. We get two 4-day weekends in March/April, which isn't real great for planning an extended vacation. So, we are taking the boys out of school for 7.5 days and going (hopefully) after most Spring Breaks. We will be there 4/18-4/28. HOPING for fewer crowds this way -- though I am thinking many East Coast schools may still be on Spring Break?

I hear the boys pulling into the garage. Better catch them before they run up the wet stairs! Good night!

 

[medicgirl911]

So glad to get caught up on your trip report!!!
I would love to stay at WL someday, and I haven't even been inside there yet! Looking at pictures like yours I just always fall in love. We took the boat to Hoop Dee Doo last year and weeing it, I absolutely fell in love Last year we stayed at POP, this year we are staying at POR, in Oct we are staying at CSR, hrrmmmm maybe next year we will get to move to WL! We are dining at WCC so that is my sneaky way of getting DH in there to appreciate its beauty. (even though he says next year we aren't going to WDW, but whatever, I will get my way hehehe) Ahh and concierge level sounds so nice!!!!!! I am absolutely green with envy!!
Your trip sounds great so far! Although little incidents between the family, though so far they sound minor. We are travelling for our June trip with friends, I love them and their kids dearly, but still nervous about it as well.

Get back to writing I can't wait to read more!

 

[Panotchr]

Lisa, isn't it funny? I was thinking the same thing about wanting your trip to be here but that means it is over soon. I was thinking about Amy having to leave and knowing how that feels so sad. I always appease myself by starting to plan my next trip back on the trip home. My DH usually gets frustrated with me, but oh, well for him!

Amy: Got my listening eyes in place

Hope everyone has a good Saturday. We are hoping the rain holds off for a few hours.

And yes, Lisa, I am glad I don't have to be the chooser for it all

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

Hi, guys! I have been busy with "real" life the last few days...trying to get assessments done, had a field trip to a farm yesterday, Boo's birthday...Calgon take me to WDW!!!

Kelly, love, love, love the new house!! You must be sooo excited...and yes, your trip ticker is ticking down nicely! I'll go back and I.D. the peeps in the pics for you...so scroll back and look for my edits! I didn't even think about that...lol!

Lisa, come on over and steam clean my carpets, too, would ya?

Medicgirl911, sooo...you are feeling some tension 'tween my family and Eeyore's family, eh...we'll see what happens next! hee hee

So, I am going to type up the next installment today...I'll try to get it started now, but I just know that Chief will walk in the door as soon as I do (we are going to go get the girls new bikes for their birthdays) and I don't know if I'll get to finish it or not.

 

[MinnieMom]

I hope it's not too late for me to join your TR thread. I just read through all of your posts and I can't wait to read more! We leave on 4/19 so I've been checking out all of the trippies lately to see how things went for others. Can't wait to come back and do a TR of my own! Oh, wait a minute . . . that means I'm looking forward to coming home and that is never the case. Forget I said that! LOL!

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

I hope it's not too late for me to join your TR thread. I just read through all of your posts and I can't wait to read more! We leave on 4/19 so I've been checking out all of the trippies lately to see how things went for others. Can't wait to come back and do a TR of my own! Oh, wait a minute . . . that means I'm looking forward to coming home and that is never the case. Forget I said that! LOL!

Welcome, MinnieMom! Of course it's not too late! I can't guarantee that I'll be done with my TR before you're off enjoying your own trip, but I'm sitting down here in a minute to post Day 3! I only look forward to sleeping in my own bed during a trip to WDW...if I could find some way to pack it up and bring it with me, then my DH would really have a problem on his hands...I'd just live there!

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

We woke up in plenty of time to report for our 8:10 AM WCC breakfast with the whole gang. As we were waiting to be called to our table, we failed to notice that Boo had wondered a few steps away to the pressed penny machines. We got the call, walked into the restaurant, and were getting our seating arrangements worked out when my heart stopped and I asked, "Where's Boo?!" Because I am now trapped in the long bench side of the table, Eeyore started off to go find her...our waiter had found her, however, walking into the WCC, crying. He made Boo stand up as he yelled to the whole restaurant that we are terrible parents. He made us raise our two right fingers and promise to buy her a present. That made Boo laugh and she sat down embarrassed, but glad that we got even more embarrassed. Our waiter introduced himself as Nickelback and proceeded to give us all a true WCC hard time. Chief ordered soooo much food (two eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, oatmeal, toast) that Nickelback decided to give him a crazy WCC hard time. The girls tried to take Princess on the Pony Race, but she lost it in typical 2-year-old fashion and ended up kicking and screaming on the floor. Eeyore was still not smiling much...it was a downer.

Breakfast finished, we parted ways. We had a date with some bass in the lake and they had decided to try their luck at AK.
We walked down to the marina and met up with Dave, our Bass Master fishing guide, and we liked him immediately. He was about our age and was just ever-so-friendly. He told Chief that since he's got his wife and two DDs with him, he was guaranteed to not catch any fish...he said that the girls, however, would catch them left and right. The girls got their life jackets on and off we headed to Dave's dropoff spot. Now, I have to say that if this is how fishing would be in the "real" world, I would go all the time without even a whimper or complaint. Dave baited our hooks and cast our lines (Chief cast his own, of course). All we had to do was sit back and wait for the tug then reel in the fish. Lou caught the first one before I even had my line cast.

Lou with her first fish...

Chief did catch one right after that

and about five minutes later, Boo

and I

had our firsts. Lou proceeded to catch 7 more (including one that was about 4 and a half to 5 pounds that gave her quite a fight...it broke the line just as she and Dave were pulling it into the boat...he said it counted as a catch because it touched the boat...hee hee) Boo 6 more, and I managed to get 3 more (those of you keeping track will realize that that's 8 for Lou, 7 for Boo, and 4 for me...but that 1 lonely bass for Chief!) Chief kept waiting and waiting as we were reeling them in left and right just as Dave had predicted. We moved over in front of the MK at one point and Chief and I stood with our mouths gaping for a moment at the sheer numbers of people heading into the park...it was about 11:20 at that time and I don't think I have ever seen that many people in front of the MK!! We were sooooooo glad to be in our little pontoon boat enjoying the glorious morning and not fighting for our lives in that mayhem.
Dave extended our time for a bit to go over by the FW marina to let Chief try his hand at catching one from his "sure fire" spot...the one where they actually feed the fish every day. Chief caught one there almost immediately.

We paid up and then Dave stopped to get our picture in front of the WL

and then dropped us off with some goody bags. Dave, should you decide to fish, is the guy you should request and I will be happy to help you get in touch with him should you need to. He has been doing his job for the past 12 years and I would say that he not only knows his stuff....he's a lot of fun! We felt like he was an old friend by the end of our morning with him!
Here's a pic of his back and of Boo...I wish I had thought to get a picture with him and the girls...he made a friend especially in Lou!

After the fishing, we were ready for some pool time. Quick-thinking Chief suggested that we get some towels, put them on a couple of lounge chairs........................................................................................................................................................................................................
okay...I know what you are thinking...the same thing I do: it's not right to put down towels and just leave them unless you are actually using the pool at the time..................so, we decided to go up and change in shifts. Chief stayed with the chairs and the girls and I headed up to change into our suits. We grabbed some sodas and cookies for our return trip to the pool and Chief went up to get his suit on. I laid there soaking up the sunshine and relaxing with a sugar cookie in one hand and a Diet Coke in the other. Ah, bliss!! Tumor came over to join us and it wasn't long before we were sending Chief to Trout Pass to fetch us up some Pina Coladas. He waited in an extremely long line, bless his heart, and brought back a delightful frozen concoction. We discovered that were pockets of pure alcohol in the cups that sent us rattling, but mixing with the straw helped bring those strong surprises to an end. Prince and Yes, Officer joined us for a bit, too. We stayed down there enjoying the afternoon until it was time to go up and get changed and ready for our dinner at Cape May Cafe that night.

We met up with the whole crew at the MGM bus stop at 4:40. I got many, many questions about why, exactly, did we have to leave the resort at 4:40 if the dinner wasn't until 5:40. I explained as patiently as I could that we were going to take the bus to MGM and then get on a boat to the Yacht and Beach Club and that we needed to allot plenty of time. This meal was one that Chief really, really enjoyed last year and Yes, Officer was most looking forward to as of yet. The trip over was smooth and we ran into a lady on the boat who asked us if Eeyore, Tumor and I are sisters. Tumor asks her if she can figure out how the whole gang is related and she thought that the three of us were sisters, Prince belonged to Eeyore, and that Princess, Boo and Lou belonged to me (what can I say...I know I am a girly girl mom!). We explained that I'm a SIL, Chief is the brother and that Princess belongs to Eeyore. We learned that she was there with her son and DIL who both are teachers, too and we all lamented about how crowded the parks were. Tumor, Eeyore, and crew had gone to AK that day and returned shortly thereafter because it was too hot and too crowded...they said it was CRAZY!
As we walk into the BC, Chief asked if that hotel has a CL floor, too...I gladly told him that they do and I couldn't help but get my hope up a bit...wheels a turnin'...could he perhaps maybe someday consider a return to WDW and a stay at the BC again??? He mentioned that he missed SAB a bit this trip...I thought silently in my head about how that could be arranged, my dear...that could be arranged!!
We checked in, got our vibrator, sat down, and it vibrated almost immediately...YAHOO! We were off to enjoy the best meal of the trip. Yes, Officer and Chief were in heaven eating all that seafood. The steak was delicious, the salads wonderful, the kids' food right on, the desserts were fresh and yummy...all in all we left with our tummies full and smiles on our faces...except Eeyore, of course.

We had devised a plan during dinner that when we were done, we would go back to MGM and go directly to Fantasmic! We got in the gate and I told Yes, Officer to check at Oscar's to see about leaving their strollers there so we wouldn't have to fish them out of the sea of strollers in the dark when we left after the show. Eeyore makes a potty break and Chief paces, saying "We need to go NOW!" (does that sound Commando, to you, folks? It does to me! lol). Finally, we were off and when we walk into the stadium, we all gasp...the only seats left are WAAAAY over to the left end of the stadium in the Beast section. They were undoubtedly the worst seats we have ever had, but our crew absolutely LOVES Fantasmic! and the worst seats are better than no seats at all. Yes, Officer disappears and Chief took Boo and Lou to buy another completely useless but utterly thrilling epilepsy tester (that's what we call the flashing, spinning thingys they sell at night). Princess was very messy (still no bib, no change of clothes...YIKES!) and didn't want to sit still...but I held her on my lap and introduced her to the wonders of the Fantasmic pre-show wave! She loved it! Eeyore just sits with Prince on her lap looking completely miserable and Tumor just looks bored.

Everyone returned and now we had our epilepsy testers, drinks, and popcorn and the time passed rather quickly in my opinion. The show began and I got chills once again...did I tell you that I LOVE Fantasmic! (I cry each and every time I see it, ya know?) Princess and Prince were mesmorized and I just loved seeing their faces. Eeyore was still not smiling. Sitting on that side took away some of the magic as we could see some of the "behind the scenes" stuff, but I still cried when Mickey triumphed and that steamboat made it's way across the water! All is right with the world after Fantasmic! After the show, we had to make our way out in the sea of humanity.

We slowly made our way to Oscar's, picked up the strollers, and headed to Bus Stop 13 to find it extremely crowded with a long, long line. I saw that the CR/Poly bus line is only about 6 people deep and I asked Chief if we should wait for that bus instead and then boat it to the WL. He said "NO!" in an extremely cranky and mean way and I got my feelings hurt. Adding insult to injury, Eeyore stated that she was sorry, but that she had to find a bathroom right "NOW!" (remember that family stomach ailment I told you about...yep...she has it, too!) and turned around with Yes, Officer taking off without any word other than "I'm going to go wait for her" and without his children. Now we had tired, messy, cranky Princess and Prince with us...Chief and I looked at each other in disbelief just as a bus came along. We managed to squeeze on it and a couple of very kind women gave up their seats to Tumor and I who were carrying Princess and Prince. When the bus's lights turn off, Princess began to cry "Mommy? Daddy?" and continued throughout the trip back to the resort. We helped Tumor get the babies and their strollers into their villa and we heard Princess screaming at the top of her lungs as we made our way back to the elevator. Still no sign of Yes, Officer or Eeyore.

We headed straight for bed, confused by Eeyore's behavior of late (this is not the Eeyore we have enjoyed WDW with before...), angry that Yes, Officer seems to just want to have someone, anyone to take care of his children but him, and stating that we would not go on anymore extended family vacations...I really didn't think it could get much worse...

We temper our disappointment about how it's going for the rest of the crew with the knowledge that tomorrow we will be getting up for EMH at the MK tomorrow and that we will swim with the fishies at EPCOT!

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

Amy -- I can't wait to read more of your trip report! Hoping you have time this weekend. I am especially anxious to hear about Cape May (breakfast?) and Sci-Fi, as we have those same ADRs.

Lisa,
I know that during this trip we went to Cape May for dinner, but we stayed at the BC last year and we had both breakfast and dinner there then...we loved them both. I would even go to Cape May's breakfast over Chef Mickey's...the food is better and it felt so much less rushed and more relaxed than at Chef Mickey's...I think you will love it!

 

[Maddie2]

Hurray! More trip report! I am sorry that the family situation was less than ideal. In some ways I wish we were traveling with others, but perhaps it is easier not to? We LOVE our "4 of us" time -- since most of our vacations are spent traveling to see family.

Wow! Look at those fish! I'm guessing you had to toss them back? Too bad you couldn't fry them up for dinner, huh? :<) We live 5 minutes from a lake where my brother has a cabin, so we spend a lot of time there. DS12 loves to fish with his cousins that come here for the summer.

Fanstasmic! is my absolutely FAVORITE attraction/activity throughout all of WDW. We have an ADR with the Mama Melrose Fantasmic pkg -- I can't wait!!! When we were there 3 years ago, we went to the show twice. Hoping to do the same this time around.

We were just watching our local evening news and they mentioned that coastal Long Island could have flooding -- hope you are all safe and secure! Take care!