Jingle Bells....AKL....Disney for 10 Whole Days! ** Updated June 2015: Videos Added**

[thornton0511]

I just finished catching up from the very beginning. Your trip sounds like it was so great. Looking forward to more soon!

Thank you!

 

[thornton0511]

Great updates! I love the overload of Ariel's queue.

Such a great moment when yer DD wanted her brother on HM. Mine of course love fighting with each other.

Thank you! I could not stop taking pictures...everything was just so perfect lol! Ha! My children have their moments for sure but every now and then they will be sweet to each other

 

[thornton0511]

Looked like fun times at Raglan Road.
yes indeed!
It was an Epcot day for us. LOL.
Hmmm seemed to be the case for others as well
I would love to stay at Poly to but will buy into it when DVC opens.
yes I agree
Cute shoes.
Thanks!
Nice Tom Sawyer island pics. I love the bouncing bridges.
So much fun there for sure. The bridges are one of our favs
OUCH! That would hurt about the hair. Strange. Glad everyone was fine on the ride.

I have yet to try CHH. One day.
It's very good IMO
LOL. He does look like he is in time out.
I know right?! lol
NFL is a pretty area.
Love the queue for Little mermaid.
Can never get enough of this area
All caught up again.

 

[thornton0511]

Life Update

Hey guys! Wow it has been FOREVER it seems since I have posted an update on my TR....sorry about that! This time of the year just gets so busy for us as a family and I have not been able to manage time as I would like to. I promise to have an update before the day is finished

Two things I would like to share with everyone today though....

The first is a bit on the personal side so I hope that is okay. I am adopted. My parents had it all arranged before I was born and they took me home the day I was born. It was a closed adoption so I know very little about my birth parents, and have never wanted to seek them out. It's totally by choice. I have, however, always had a curiosity about where I came from and what ethnics I have in my genes since I cannot trace a family tree. And especially with my kids now that they are older, I felt that it was important to be able to share with them something about what they get from me. Anyways so I had my DNA tested a few months ago to find out some info and I recently got the results back in. Yay! So...would you like to know? Okay then. I am....
40% Scandinavian
25% Irish
25% French German
10% Greek Italian
Pretty cool huh? This would definitely explain my want to ride Maelstrom over and over everytime I find myself in Epcot I believe. And DD is stoked because she now thinks we are directly related to Anna and Elsa and also we are part Leprechaun lol.

The second thing that has kept me quite busy lately is we have our next Disney trip in the works for the summer. July to be exact. But this year instead of our usual trip to WDW we have decided to mix things up a bit and are taking our first ever trip to Disenyland! Woohoo! Super excited and overwhelmed at the same time. If I can ever get this TR finished I hope to start a PTR for our upcoming trip soon and I will give some details....

So anyways again sorry for the lack of love that I have not been showing to this report lately but I will get that going once again. I appreciate anyone who might still be out there and wanting to follow along!

Have a magical day everyone!!!! ​

 

[MEK]

Subbing to your TR! So far I have only read the first day and a half, but I have to say I am really enjoying your TR. Your kids are adorable. Yay for 10 days at Disney Boy you really DID get to the airport super early. No wonder you were exhausted on arrival day.

I have an AP so I knew that my magic band would work prior to check-in on my last trip, but I found I couldn't charge anything until I physically checked in.

Back to read some more!

 

[emmysmommy]

I'm getting caught up here so really don't mind if you pause briefly!

You had such great photos of the queue for the Little Mermaid ride at MK. Very nice.

Your last few updates reminded me of several things that I definitely want to try next trip. I've never been on Tom Sawyer Island at MK and I really, really want to go back to CHH for lunch. Dining upstairs by the windows is great!

I loved your DD's reaction to your DNA testing referencing Anna and Elsa (and the leprechaun!) Too adorable!

I know two other DISers that are coming to DL in July. Seems to be a great trend. Especially since we are there often. Perhaps a meet up may happen?? I'd definitely be interested in your PTR!

 

[thornton0511]

Finishing up a Day in the MK
So when I left off in my story, like a gazzilion years ago, we had all caught a ride on the Disney Railroad and during our trip I was trying to accomplish a switcharoo with our FP+ since we had a change of plans. As we approached Storybook Circus I had managed to get Sydney and I a meet and greet time with Ariel and the rest of our family in with Buzz and his astro blasters. Not too shabby considering.
We split up after exiting the train station and Syd and I made our way to see Ariel. This is hands down Sydney's favorite princess. She has met her twice in prior trips, in Adventureland with Prince Eric and at breakfast in CRT but never ever with her fins. So she was excited to say the least, plus she had some catching up to do with her old friend.

As always it was a fantastic meet and greet and we left feeling happy as usual. We then headed over to Tomorrowland to meet up with the rest of the family. It was now around 3pm. I received a text from DH saying that they were having another go around on Buzz since the standby was not too long and DD was at this point reminding me that we had yet to have a Mickey pretzel on our trip so……

We found a spot by the peoplemover where we could spot the family exiting the ride and had our snack break. I gotta tell you that its moments like these when you least expect that you have some of the most wonderful vacation memories IMO.
Soon we had finished and with good timing as our family was spotted and made their way over to us.

Apparently they had a blast as well lol. Sydney suggested at this point since we were already right in front of it that we should ride the peoplemover. Made sense to me. And so we did. This also would give us the opportunity to talk about what to do next….we had dinner ressies at 5:05pm.

I decided to pull my Hall of Presidents card out at this point. You see I have been trying to get the family to this show for the last two years and I get shot down by everyone each year. I really laid the guilt on thick after we returned last year and it was agreed that we would make time on our next trip. Well now seemed a good a time as any so as soon as we exited the peoplemover we made our way across to Liberty Square.

Ahhh the Hall of Presidents. I had not seen this since my trip as a teen in the mid 90's and was excited to see it again. Plus it was in the afternoon in a dark air conditioned room so that's a no brainer right?!
We waited patiently in the lobby for the next show to start. It was 3:30 at this point.

We were seated and the show started at 3:55pm…..oh well it’s not like we had plans at this point anyways!
Overall I thought that it was okay. I think I enjoyed it more as a kid. Plus it seemed that they had Obama talk an awful lot and not much else from the other Presidents. I thought that I had remembered in the past that the others talked a bit more? Maybe I am remembering it wrong. Plus I hear Obama talk quite a bit at home so it was kind of like having the TV on at home. So it was just kind of meh. Oh well.
After this experience we made our way out of the park and onto the monorail for we had very important dinner plans. And we must not be late for our very important date!
​

 

[thornton0511]

Subbing to your TR! So far I have only read the first day and a half, but I have to say I am really enjoying your TR. Your kids are adorable. Yay for 10 days at Disney Boy you really DID get to the airport super early. No wonder you were exhausted on arrival day.

I have an AP so I knew that my magic band would work prior to check-in on my last trip, but I found I couldn't charge anything until I physically checked in.

Back to read some more!

Awww well thank you very much I am glad that you are enjoying! Yeah I learned a lot of life lessons on this trip and took lots of notes lol. One being what is an appropriate time for arriving at the airport As far as MB's go that is kind of what happened to us on our first "official" day as we learned the hard way. We were able to get into the park but could not charge our lunch (or in our case have access to our dining credits) until we checked in. Thank you for reading along and I hope that I can keep you entertained!

 

[thornton0511]

I'm getting caught up here so really don't mind if you pause briefly!
Ha! Put a positive spin on it Brenda...I like it! good job
You had such great photos of the queue for the Little Mermaid ride at MK. Very nice.
Thank you! I became quite obsessed with the entire queue
Your last few updates reminded me of several things that I definitely want to try next trip. I've never been on Tom Sawyer Island at MK and I really, really want to go back to CHH for lunch. Dining upstairs by the windows is great!
What? You mean all of these trips under you belt and no raft ride to the island? You better right that wrong immediately! Lol just kidding. It really is a neat little area and you really do kind of escape from the rest of the park and its very peaceful. Yes CHH was as wonderful as I had imagined it would be, especially for a QS.
I loved your DD's reaction to your DNA testing referencing Anna and Elsa (and the leprechaun!) Too adorable!
She's a nut and both of my kids have me laughing on a regular basis it seems
I know two other DISers that are coming to DL in July. Seems to be a great trend. Especially since we are there often. Perhaps a meet up may happen?? I'd definitely be interested in your PTR!

We had some airline miles that were going to expire this fall and so we knew we wanted to take a "flying" vacation somewhere this summer and there is no way you can drag me to WDW with the crowds and humidity at that time of the year so when we decided on DLR (which will probably be the same as WDW crowd wise but much nicer weather I am hearing) I found that quite a few DISsers go in July so there must be something to it. I would love to live closer to either one of the parks so I admit a bit of jealously that you are able to be so close....here in Texas we are stuck right dab in the middle of both We have our dates but not sure when we will be in Disney exactly at this point. Still trying to get all the little duckies in a row. Maybe you can organize a dis meet with a group of July visitors if we all have overlaping dates.....might be interesting!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

OMG that cracked me up!!! Ya'll are related to Anna and Elsa.. and part leprechaun. Too awesome!!

You are going to LOVE Disneyland. Familiar yet different. And World of Colour!!!!!!

I totally think meeting Ariel in Fin completely trumps all other Ariel forms.

Yeah, I admit it's been eons since I've seen the Hall of Presidents. I enjoyed it from a technical aspect since they have the other presidents moving around and whatnot even when they're not the one speaking. I think that's cool. BUT, once you get past the cool factor, that's when the "I wanna nap" kicks in.

 

[thornton0511]

OMG that cracked me up!!! Ya'll are related to Anna and Elsa.. and part leprechaun. Too awesome!!
Ha! I know right?!
You are going to LOVE Disneyland. Familiar yet different. And World of Colour!!!!!!
I am so excited and frightened all at the same time....it's awesome lol!
I totally think meeting Ariel in Fin completely trumps all other Ariel forms.
Definitely I so agree with you!
Yeah, I admit it's been eons since I've seen the Hall of Presidents. I enjoyed it from a technical aspect since they have the other presidents moving around and whatnot even when they're not the one speaking. I think that's cool. BUT, once you get past the cool factor, that's when the "I wanna nap" kicks in.

Yup I totally agree. I think this might be why I have never ever done COP. I just can't seem to talk myself into it.

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Jenn! I LOVE Mickey pretzels! They are one of my favorite snacks at any Disney park. I agree about those seemingly uneventful moments that create memories that you think of fondly.

Your observation regarding Hall of Presidents is funny because I thought they featured Obama more than they have anyone else in the past. Not sure if they actually do but I'm more interested in the historical stuff of the past so a speech by Washington or Roosevelt would be cool.

Ha ha! Your note about not wanting to go to WDW in July with the humidity and the crowds... guess who just booked a trip there the last week of July? Yeah, not ideal but I had some time and some miles to burn and that worked with Em's schedule. I hope your travel plans were earlier in July for DL since it would be good to see you.

 

[thornton0511]

Dinner at a Family Favorite
So as to continue with our adventures, we had just left MK by resort monorail and we were headed to our dinner destination. We had a 5:05 ADR for Ohana. Let's just take a moment to let it all sink in……

Ahhhh…..Ohana. I get that this place sometimes gets a bad rep nowadays but we ate here for the first time last year and it was wonderful! It is officially DH's favorite of all the Disney restaurants and we pretty much have to eat here now everytime we visit.
We checked in and waited in the lobby for the servers to do their little welcoming thing since the restaurant was just now opening up for dinner. Within only a few minutes our pager went off and we were escorted to our table to begin our feast of the nom noms.

First we passed by the open fire pit where they cook all of the meat. Yum Yum! Now last year we were seated right by the lobby well out of the way of…well…..EVERYTHING! It was kind of a bummer and we did not really even feel like we were in Ohana and the kids missed out on all of the fun stuff. Not this year!

We were in the center of the room right by the windows. It was a nice change. Our server was a very nice older lady and she was quick to bring on our yummy bread.

Soon to follow was the salad…also quite good

And the wings and pot stickers (which are fabulous)

And the veggies

It was about this time that the hula lady person….I don't know her name, began her entertainment thing that she does. She walks around with her ukulele and sings and gets the kids involved too. Then she hands out leis to everyone. So like any good parent of course I made my kids get involved. Syd really had fun but as you can see my son joined the "this is stupid" club with the other older kids in the back whose parents forced them to learn how to hula lol.

Soon enough the meat began to arrive. We had told the in laws in advance just how much food they serve here but I think they were still a little overwhelmed lol. This would be the place to have a bottomless stomach!

Eventually we had stuffed our bellies to the point of no return and took a break before our server brought us dessert. The kids started acting goofy as they typically do in these situations.

Then it was time to bring on the pudding…….bread pudding. I know that I have a new found love for Raglan's bread pudding but I am still obsessed with Ohana's. GAH it is so good!!!

And since the kids are CRAZY and not typically fond of this dessert our server was kind enough to bring some vanilla ice cream for them.

We did not end up leaving until around 7pm but we had another great experience here at Ohana and were one happy group of full people.

After dinner the plan was for the grandparents to take the kiddos back to MK since the park was open until 9pm and have them spend the night in their room. The kids had been begging us all week to "spend the night" with Nana and Papa. This would give us the rest of the night to ourselves which was nice too. We told the kids to make sure and take their grandparents to see the Tiki Room and Country Bear Jamboree since we had yet to do this with them. Bahahahahaha who am I kidding we did this on purpose. As far as DH and I are concerned both of these are a been there done that kind of thing and we had no plans to see either again. But we wanted to make sure that the in laws got the full Disney experience. They were sure to thank us the next morning and none too happy that we had tricked them a bit lol. So now with this post coming to an end I would like to leave you with another end…..

A tiki rear end that is because what would the Polynesian resort be without tiki hiney?
​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I've never eaten at Ohana's, but Meat = GOOD, so I'm pretty sure I'd like it.

Ummmm, Country Bear Jamboree a "been there done that"??????? That's it, you're banned.

I so find it fascinating that Disney, the king of family entertainment, has not only a Pants-less Prince at BoG, but also a naked Tiki butt at the Poly. So strange.

 

[thornton0511]

I've never eaten at Ohana's, but Meat = GOOD, so I'm pretty sure I'd like it.

Ummmm, Country Bear Jamboree a "been there done that"??????? That's it, you're banned.

I so find it fascinating that Disney, the king of family entertainment, has not only a Pants-less Prince at BoG, but also a naked Tiki butt at the Poly. So strange.

Sorry Rob I know how much you love your Country Bears but once was really enough for me. And FYI the characters they have with the faces.....scares the crap out of me. I think we will have to just agree to disagree on this one my friend . But fear not because I do believe that I am in the minority with this one. I also have an unnatural fear of Miss Piggy (seriously traumatic childhood memories of her popping up on TV and me literally trying to climb up the wall screaming trying to get away) so its probably just that I am not quite right in the head lol.

Yeah Disney does seem to have a no pants policy with their characters for sure, even Donald. There are quite a few tiki butts at the Poly and when I see one obviously I turn into a squealing teenager that can't help but laugh and point it out to my children because that is just who I am lol.

 

[emmysmommy]

'Ohana how I've missed it the last couple of trips. I would be content with just the bread, salad, and pot stickers. But when they end with the amazing bread pudding, that just kills me! So good!

A kidless night, sounds like a win-win. Kids get to spend time with the grandparents and you guys get some couples time on vacation.

 

[MEK]

Finishing up a Day in the MK
Plus it seemed that they had Obama talk an awful lot and not much else from the other Presidents. I thought that I had remembered in the past that the others talked a bit more? Maybe I am remembering it wrong. Plus I hear Obama talk quite a bit at home so it was kind of like having the TV on at home. So it was just kind of meh.
​

So I guess I am now glad that DH and I skipped it last visit. We had limited time at MK in March and almost went in there but double checked the time and decided to head out.

I am not caught up yet, but read your last few updates.

Your kids are adorable. I think a family dinner at Ohana is just great. I, personally, love the wings, noodles, veggies, and salad. I get so full on that stuff. I barely ever have room for the bread pudding. I wish you could eat Ohana's food in reverse.

I think its very cool that you had genetic testing to check out your heritage.

DL sounds wonderful. I really want to plan a trip there next spring. More and more DISers are making the journey and it really looks like a great experience.

 

[thornton0511]

'Ohana how I've missed it the last couple of trips. I would be content with just the bread, salad, and pot stickers. But when they end with the amazing bread pudding, that just kills me! So good!

A kidless night, sounds like a win-win. Kids get to spend time with the grandparents and you guys get some couples time on vacation.

I know you just named all of my favorites from Ohana lol! It's so so good. Yes it was a nice relaxing evening too .

 

[thornton0511]

So I guess I am now glad that DH and I skipped it last visit. We had limited time at MK in March and almost went in there but double checked the time and decided to head out.
Yeah it was kind of a bummer lol
I am not caught up yet, but read your last few updates.

Your kids are adorable. I think a family dinner at Ohana is just great. I, personally, love the wings, noodles, veggies, and salad. I get so full on that stuff. I barely ever have room for the bread pudding. I wish you could eat Ohana's food in reverse.
Thank you and hey eating in reverse....that is not a bad idea at all!
I think its very cool that you had genetic testing to check out your heritage.
It's something I had been putting off for a long time and was glad to finally do it. Really neat info to know and also how they can do that stuff nowadays...blows my mind
DL sounds wonderful. I really want to plan a trip there next spring. More and more DISers are making the journey and it really looks like a great experience.

I have noticed a trend too with DISers trying out DL recently for one reason or another. I had tried in the past to plan a trip there but would get frustrated with it and we would just end up going back to WDW. The planning is just so much easier for me with WDW at this point.....but after this last trip I could tell it was time to mix it up a bit. Hopefully Disney can iron out all of the glitches and issues that they seem to be having with all of the changes they have made and we will return soon. In the meantime we are really looking forward to CA!

 

[TruLovesKiss]

I LOVE your TR!! I just finished reading through the whole thing and can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.