Just Back!! My trip report

[kerry34]

When: April 15-23
Cast: DH Tony, Our five kids, Nana, and me

Day 1: Got to our resort around 6pm Friday night. Drove down from Mass
and had a smooth ride all the way until we got into Orlando where we got stuck in a bit of traffic.

Day 2: Saturday morning we headed for the MK first thing in the AM. I have to say that my five yr old twins were beside themselves with excitement. I thought for sure that one of them was going explode from sheer happiness. I loved this of course because I just love watching the wonder on their faces when they first catch sight of that castle. Anyway, we got into Fantasy land and managed to do all of the attractions there with little or no waiting. This was a good thing because 5 yr old DDs were dragging mom and dad by the hand to each attractions. I felt like we were running a marathon. I have never got through Fantasyland so fast in my life. Through all this the excitement my little ones kept driving us on from one attraction to another until we had seen them all (except Mickey's Phillarmagic). Oh yeah, and my 10 yr old DD got to Wake Up Tinkerbelle which absolutely made her day. She came out of that store with certificate in hand and the biggest smile on her face. I couldnt have been happier for her. She has always just loved Tink. After that we headed to Toon Town and the kids rode Goofy a few times. Kids decided to wait and do the character greetings on another day and wanted to just get their fill of rides, so after Goofy we took the train over to Frontierland. My oldest kids couldnt get to Splash Mountain fast enough. The wait time was definately manageable so kids waited in the Stand-By line for about 20 minutes. After that it was after 11am and everyone was hungry so we grabbed a bite at Pecos Bill's. I was greatful to sit. I felt like a commando in Fantasyland so it was nice to sit for a bit. After lunch we headed up to Pirates where DD10 just had to show Peter Pan and Wendy her certificate to Tink. We then rode Pirates a couple of times. This ride has always been a family favorite with myself and the older kids. 5yr olds didnt like it all. They ended up sitting with Nana the second time we went on. After pirates we rode Alladins magic carpet and did the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. By this time it was around 1pm and all the kids were ready to head back to the hotel for a swim, but not before we had a Mickey Bar. Oh those are just sooo good. My little ones looked like they got hit with a chocolate bomb. Good thing I brought wipes with me. Heehee. Overall the day went pretty well. The crowds were very manageable to me. I was a little apprehensive because I had heard to stay away on Saturday. I cant speak for the afternoon because we left, but how we did it worked great. I had 7 day passes and we were planning on visiting MK three times total so it was nice that we had plenty of time to see everything. I would do it like this again in a heartbeat. Well that is all for now. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask!!

Kerry

 

[dismom9761]

Thanks for the report!I love to hear big family trip reports.

 

[Dutchmom23]

When: April 15-23
Oh yeah, and my 10 yr old DD got to Wake Up Tinkerbelle which absolutely made her day. She came out of that store with certificate in hand and the biggest smile on her face. I couldnt have been happier for her. She has always just loved Tink.

Where and how do you do this? My dd would love this opportunity. TIA. We will be there in 5 days.

 

[kerry34]

My DD did this at a store in Fantasyland called Tinkerbelle's Treasures. Right after you walk through the castle it is on your left. Get there first thing in the morning and ask the CM and ask if your DD can wake up Tinkerbelle. The CM will give her a wand and tell her to tap the little box that Tink sleeps in 3 times. On the third tap tink will wake up and leave her box (of course you dont see her, but you do see some pixie dust and a hear a little bell) after that they give a little certificate. My daughter truly loved this. Hope your daughter gets a chance to do this!

 

[Luv Donald Duck]

Great report!! Can't wait to read the rest. I was wondering about the drive from Mass. Did you drive straight through? What time did you leave? We are driving from CT in a few weeks so any info will be helpful! Thanks.

 

[Dutchmom23]

My DD did this at a store in Fantasyland called Tinkerbelle's Treasures. Right after you walk through the castle it is on your left. Get there first thing in the morning and ask the CM and ask if your DD can wake up Tinkerbelle. The CM will give her a wand and tell her to tap the little box that Tink sleeps in 3 times. On the third tap tink will wake up and leave her box (of course you dont see her, but you do see some pixie dust and a hear a little bell) after that they give a little certificate. My daughter truly loved this. Hope your daughter gets a chance to do this!

TY for the prompt reply. I have really enjoyed reading your report. I look forward to reading more.

 

[Dutchmom23]

My DD did this at a store in Fantasyland called Tinkerbelle's Treasures. Right after you walk through the castle it is on your left. Get there first thing in the morning and ask the CM and ask if your DD can wake up Tinkerbelle. The CM will give her a wand and tell her to tap the little box that Tink sleeps in 3 times. On the third tap tink will wake up and leave her box (of course you dont see her, but you do see some pixie dust and a hear a little bell) after that they give a little certificate. My daughter truly loved this. Hope your daughter gets a chance to do this!

Will this be open early on EMH days, or will it open when regular hours begin that day? TIA, I am getting so excited. I am not going to tell her for fear she'd be disappointed, but it's worth a try.

 

[kerry34]

Great report!! Can't wait to read the rest. I was wondering about the drive from Mass. Did you drive straight through? What time did you leave? We are driving from CT in a few weeks so any info will be helpful! Thanks.

We got on the MA pike around 430am. We went 84 west, to 684 South, to 287 west, then garden state pkwy to NJ Turnpike, 95 all the way through VA until just before Richmond where we took 295 which brings you around the city, then back on 95 again until Fayetteville NC where we stayed at a Ramada Limited. I think we got there sometime around 630 pm. The drive was great because we managed to get through New York and NJ without any major traffic problems and we got through Baltimore and DC before the rush hour which was great because we just sailed through with no traffic troubles there also. Anyway, we left Fayetteville the next morning sometime around 8am or so. We hit traffic after we got through Jacksonville because there was an accident. This was around 3pm. Did fine after that until we got to Orlando where we sat in traffic, also due to a couple of accidents. This was the only really aggravating part of our drive down. I thought for sure we wouldnt get to our hotel until midnight at that point because I-4 was always backed up when we went on our past trips, but to my suprise we sailed right though after the traffic tie-ups and got onto 192 without any trouble. This was a first. I am not sure if this was because we checked in on a Friday for the first time and not Saturday, but we have always run into problems there.
Anyway we checked into our hotel around 530pm or so. We also made several stops along the way because with five kids someone has always got to go. LOL. We also have a transponder for the toll booths in Ma which works at all the tolls going down, this was a godsend IMO and saved us from waiting in line to pay tolls. Cant think of anything else at the moment, but if you have any questions I will be able to give you any other info.

Kerry

 

[kerry34]

Will this be open early on EMH days, or will it open when regular hours begin that day? TIA, I am getting so excited. I am not going to tell her for fear she'd be disappointed, but it's worth a try.

I am not sure what they do on EMH days. I know they only open certain rides for this time, so maybe the shops will still be closed until regular operating hours. Your best bet would definately be to not mention it until you get in there. Good Luck.