July Trip Sprinkled Pixie Dust: Twins, Minivan & DVC 10/4 - The last day!

[Charleston Princess]

I think we all have our melt-down days on vacation. At least, all of you had your meltdowns on the same day -- we tend to choose different days in our family.

What a shame about TSM! I can't believe that Fast Pass line! Craziness!!!

I was laughing about your Star Wars story -- I bet you were completely confused watching Return of the Jedi before The Empire Strikes Back -- not only did you miss Luke learning that Darth was his father, but there was the entire Han Solo/Princess Leia thing going on in Episode V. (Sorry, my inner SW geek just surfaced. )

Sorry that everyone had such a time at DTD -- I only wish my DH was commando -- he seems to totally miss the whole "must get to certain rides by certain times" mindset.

Glad to hear that a nap will restore everyone's good humor.

 

[MagicShell]

We love DHS. Toy Story Mania is crazy. I would just skip it, but my son loves it. My daughter's favorite ride is TOT, mine too. We also love the Animation class. I seem to always get frustrated at DTD. It is just so crowded, and there are so many stores.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Great pictures! I love your firework ones!

Thank you; I hope to improve and remember my tripod for future trips!

I think we all have our melt-down days on vacation. At least, all of you had your meltdowns on the same day -- we tend to choose different days in our family.

What a shame about TSM! I can't believe that Fast Pass line! Craziness!!!

I was laughing about your Star Wars story -- I bet you were completely confused watching Return of the Jedi before The Empire Strikes Back -- not only did you miss Luke learning that Darth was his father, but there was the entire Han Solo/Princess Leia thing going on in Episode V. (Sorry, my inner SW geek just surfaced. )

Sorry that everyone had such a time at DTD -- I only wish my DH was commando -- he seems to totally miss the whole "must get to certain rides by certain times" mindset.

Glad to hear that a nap will restore everyone's good humor.

I think we cause each others' meltdowns. I love that you have a inner SW geek! Was Connor into SW? Recalling your trip reports, I think he loves TS much better!

I am glad DH is commando; I am such a planner, while he is not. However, he is very grumpy without a plan.

We love DHS. Toy Story Mania is crazy. I would just skip it, but my son loves it. My daughter's favorite ride is TOT, mine too. We also love the Animation class. I seem to always get frustrated at DTD. It is just so crowded, and there are so many stores.

I can see the look on my DH's face if I said let's skip it. ToT is a favorite of ours (well the family's, not really mine). I am excited to do the animation class. I wish we would have fit it in. I need to try a solo trip to DTD - or take the family on a full stomach! We, luckily, haven't had too many problems with crowds there.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

After resting, we were in much better spirits to head back out for our dinner at Sci Fi and some evening Extra Magic hours: 8-11.



















DH ordered onion rings, chilli, and vanilla coke, the girls and I ordered cheeseburgers. (They shared one.) Emma ordered the vanilla shake and Hannah, the Oreo. DH says his food was good; a 7 on a 1-10 scale.





The burger was a normal burger. (no pics...)

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

After dinner, we strolled over to the Great Movie Ride. I asked about the Western side; the CM said it wasn't running.













The Gangster who took over our car...







Our CM saved the day:





Time to follow the yellow brick road...



I was really impressed with the montage at the end. I kept reading and hearing complaints about how old all of the films were and that it needed an update. I was excited that they did indeed include newer films (ones newer to my eight year olds.)

Next, we headed to use our fps for





DH's face is like this each time; it cracks me up!



Next FPs instead of





Another ride on Star Tours, and it was time to call it a night.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I have to jump in for a commercial (life) interruption.

My girls are friends with our neighbors (who are twins, age 8, as well). The four of them have taken to planning a Disney trip. Last night, my dd was saying that Mr. Rob is saving to buy a camper, but he could borrow one. So, I text my neighbor/ friend and said, "so road trip in a camper for the eight of us? hahaha."

Today, the kids came in the house and Nathan had a pen and notebook. I asked what he had, and they hid it. (I already saw Animal Kingdom written.) Then, they said their mom saw it because she looked. I said, well I should really know then.

They told me it was the rides they want to do together in Disney.

DH and I are both very apprehensive about anyone joining us on a Disney trip. You already know that we are commando. Also, we know that the more you put in the mix, the harder to keep all happy.

I do hope to take my mom, brother, SIL and new niece or nephew some day. (For those of you who followed or read my PTR - my dad is still living. He is hanging on, but getting weaker and weaker. I think it will only be a couple of months at most. For those of you who need a crash course, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in March.) Dh is apprehensive about my family going, but at least we've vacationed with my family (the girls and I do it every year while poor DH works.)

Anyway, we might actually be in the World with our neighbors sooner than the kids realize. DH and I are planning on a long weekend in Jan. My neighbor mentioned that she and her DH discussed maybe going around the kids birthday...which is Jan 31st. I haven't told her our plans.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I love that you have a inner SW geek! Was Connor into SW? Recalling your trip reports, I think he loves TS much better!

Oh, Connor is very into Star Wars -- thank goodness because Charles and Chelsea are not, and I need someone to geek-out with occasionally! We are both very excited to see what the new Star Tours will look like.

Everyone looks much happier during the EMH! I have to say the food is usually just average at Sci-Fi, but it's all about the atmosphere there!

It will be interesting to see if you end up going at the same time as your friends. Maybe, you could just plan on a couple of half mornings together if you do.

 

[mgsmom]

How did you like Sci Fi? It looks like it would be a lot of fun!

When we were at HS, opening was at 9:00 and we got to the TSM at 9:30. The FP time was already 4:00 and standby was 80 min!

Needless to say, we skipped it...

 

[Queenofallthings]

I want some of those onion rings right now....

Your pictures on the GMR are amazing...I love the montage at the end too, especially when they show Captain Jack

 

[taymacsmom]

I am glad to hear of others who like the Great Movie Ride! We have done it on every trip and we love it. Great relaxing ride on a hot day. My favorite part is the montage at the end. I always try to name every movie in my head as their are showing. Next time I am asking for the cowboy "side". I have nver seen it!

 

[MagicShell]

It looks like you had a fun night at DHS. Aren't Fast Passes great?

How cool that there are two sets of 8 year old twins in your neighborhood.

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Sorry DTD was stressful for you again! The heat definitely got to us a few times, too. Impossible not to in those temps!

Looks like you had fun in DHS, though. Lots of great rides! Rockin' Rollercoaster is on my list to accomplish one of these days....

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Oh, Connor is very into Star Wars -- thank goodness because Charles and Chelsea are not, and I need someone to geek-out with occasionally! We are both very excited to see what the new Star Tours will look like.

Everyone looks much happier during the EMH! I have to say the food is usually just average at Sci-Fi, but it's all about the atmosphere there!

It will be interesting to see if you end up going at the same time as your friends. Maybe, you could just plan on a couple of half mornings together if you do.

I can't claim to be "into" Star Wars, but I do like aspects and can appreciate others love of it. I am glad you and Connor have each other to geek out with! I agree about Sci Fi - location, location, location.

If we end up there at the same time, we've explained to our girls that we could meet a couple of times but not the whole trip.

How did you like Sci Fi? It looks like it would be a lot of fun!

When we were at HS, opening was at 9:00 and we got to the TSM at 9:30. The FP time was already 4:00 and standby was 80 min!

Needless to say, we skipped it...

It is crazy how popular that ride is!!!

Sci Fi is a fun atmosphere for kids. I would wait until your daughter is older, though. The food was okay - I think over priced - like most Disney restaurants. However, I think everyone should try some place for themselves. Everyone's tastes are different and you might LOVE it!

I want some of those onion rings right now....

Your pictures on the GMR are amazing...I love the montage at the end too, especially when they show Captain Jack

So, you have a thing for Cap't Jack? It was fun trying to take pics in the ride. I don't use a flash (curse on those who do!!!!!) and it is tricky but I am learning.

I am glad to hear of others who like the Great Movie Ride! We have done it on every trip and we love it. Great relaxing ride on a hot day. My favorite part is the montage at the end. I always try to name every movie in my head as their are showing. Next time I am asking for the cowboy "side". I have nver seen it!

I think the ride is so classic! I do the same thing during the montage!!

I haven't had the chance to do the western side either. I think the chance is much higher during busy hours!

It looks like you had a fun night at DHS. Aren't Fast Passes great?

How cool that there are two sets of 8 year old twins in your neighborhood.

Fast passes are such an essential part of a good touring day!!! It is neat that we live near other twins. (The other mom understands the difficulty of the dynamic that they have so I can commiserate with her...)

Sorry DTD was stressful for you again! The heat definitely got to us a few times, too. Impossible not to in those temps!

Looks like you had fun in DHS, though. Lots of great rides! Rockin' Rollercoaster is on my list to accomplish one of these days....

One of these trips, we (or I ) will enjoy DTD!

You haven't done RnR? I am NOT a rollercoaster fan, the incline on Everest makes me go into panic mode, but I do enjoy RnR! I think that I hate lap bar coasters because I feel like I will fall out, with the over the head restraint, I feel safer. Besides it is so fast!!!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I only have notes for the day that we swam in Jambo's pool???!!! I guess we slept late otherwise, we would have hit a park, I would think...

I do remember this day even though I don't remember the beginning of it. .

We hung out at the pool and DH said that he was okay if we didn't go in a park... I wonder if my face contorted all funny?? DH is commando--no park? So, we talked about pool hopping and maybe dining at a resort. (With permission, DVC members are permitted to pool hop to some pools.) This conversation didn't really last too long or go very far. Our plans for the night were to eat at the Hollywood Brown Derby and see the late Fantasmic. After hanging at the pool and seeing large rain clouds, this didn't appeal all that much... I decided to change our dinner and changed it to Tony's for 8:50. Another late night, better fit in a nap...

DH slept and the girls were ansy with the rain outside. I grabbed the camera and we were off to see some animals and the resort.















continued...

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We went back to the room and Emma fell asleep. I realized that I had a zoom lense (duh! how do you forget that you own a super zoom?) I took Hannah back out and took these!























and maybe 50 more....

 

[Queenofallthings]

What a great way to spend a rainy day....and I can't think of a better resort to spend it in We had one day of rain when we were there last summer and we did exactly what you did, took all the kids and wandered around the resort! I know you'll be shocked by this, but I might have spent a little time in the gift shop and maybe spent a little money Ya gotta love a rainy day

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We loaded on the MK bus to head to our 8:50 ADR at Tony's.


We didn't have enough time to do anything before dinner. The park was packed and people were seated for Main Street Electrical Parade. We checked in early and I asked if it was possible to sit on the porch. She said that they were full, but she might be able to seat us by the window. That would be great if you can swing it. We hung out in Exposition Hall looking at pins until we were seated...at the window.

Then, the parade started!






The meal was...really, with those seats, without a wait on the sidewalk..who cares. Okay some of you might. I got chix parm, and DH got a steak. The chix parm was okay. DH said the steak was good - a 7 out of 10 - which I think is okay but he insists that on a scale of 1-10, a 7 is good. I don't remember what the girls got--sorry. I do remember that the coffee might have been the worst ever.

We closed down the restaurant (I think we were the last to leave- but I had no idea until we stood up to exit.)



We exited the restaurant and headed out into the private Disney parking lot again - to pass the parade crowd and once we arrived at Tomorrowland, I said this is nuts. Let's just go. We stopped at the restroom (I had no idea it was there before), and walked yet again through the lot. This time, I tried to observe more. (Still I was fearful and guilt-ridden so no camera out). I did see more CM signs reminding them of smiling and such. I also saw a CM blowing up balloons. I wish I did have a picture of this. It was dark outside and light was brightly welcoming through an open door where the CM was using a tank to fill the balloons with the Mickey heads inside.

Waiting for the bus, I tried to get some fireworks by setting the camera on a trash can.



The quality of this picture is awful, but those fireworks are AMAZING!!



Up next, we check out of AKV and into BCV!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Sometimes lazy days around the resort are wonderful! It must have been raining pretty hard, though -- I can see the puddles out on the savannah!!!

What a great spot to watch the parade!!! Were you able to hear the music at all?

 

[luvfigment]

All caught up! Sorry y'all had a melt down day....but yes I think everyone has one during a trip. A relaxing day is always nice...but too bad it rained on your pool day. Even though you think your pictures of the fireworks are bad...I still think they came out pretty good. Can't wait to see pictures of BCV.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

What a great way to spend a rainy day....and I can't think of a better resort to spend it in We had one day of rain when we were there last summer and we did exactly what you did, took all the kids and wandered around the resort! I know you'll be shocked by this, but I might have spent a little time in the gift shop and maybe spent a little money Ya gotta love a rainy day

You, in a store?? Really? (I love the resort gift shops; Jambo's is especially nice as it has a bigger variety.)

Sometimes lazy days around the resort are wonderful! It must have been raining pretty hard, though -- I can see the puddles out on the savannah!!!

What a great spot to watch the parade!!! Were you able to hear the music at all?

It was a steady rain for a couple of hours. Having a vacation of 10 days let us relax more.

I was very excited by the seats! I wish they had the music piped in, but we could still hear it a little...

All caught up! Sorry y'all had a melt down day....but yes I think everyone has one during a trip. A relaxing day is always nice...but too bad it rained on your pool day. Even though you think your pictures of the fireworks are bad...I still think they came out pretty good. Can't wait to see pictures of BCV.

It actually rained after our time at the pool. Thank you for the compliments on the fireworks. I spend time on the photo thread and those folks are amazing!!! BCV coming up soon.