Kidani, HRH & BLT in 6 nights- Yes! We are THAT crazy!! Nov 4-10,09 OBX updates 4/13

[podsnel]

wow from that perspective you can see how small the room was. Yikes all 5 of you fit in there?

Yep! Pods' special bed was under the window!

I am having trouble multi-quoting again, so back to one at a time!

 

[podsnel]

we plan to go back (we have 2 more kids that can gets wishes down the road )
Avy has already said her wish is to go back to Give Kids the World
next time we will be better off since both boys are now on the right meds and life if so much better here everyday
we are waiting for everyone to get a little older to go back again

So, so glad to hear you say that!! What happens at Give Kids the World for Avy?? I have to say, I just started your PTR for Jason's wish- WOW!!! You are an INCREDIBLE FAMILY!!!! So happy that the boys are getting the right medicine- what a weight off of your shoulders!!

I'm really looking forward to reading your links!

 

[podsnel]

It's so weird seeing pictures of Universal. I haven't been there since 1999 and only then it was because I went with my high school choir and that was just what the itinerary was. A group of us spent most of that day in "Finnigans" listening to the keyboard player and snacking on aps! Not even sure that place is still there, I'm sure the parks is completely different. IOA wasn't even opened yet.

Do you get that same "feeling" that you get in WDW? I bet not but I guess it's fun to try new things. My theory is always that my park days are already paid for. (We have APs but even if we got MYW tickets, do have one less day only saves us, what, $5?) I can't justify leaving a place I KNOW I'm going to have a godo time at AND I already paid for to go somewhere unfamiliar and spend more money! That will have to change when they open The Wizarding World of Harry Potter though! I'm just going to have to suck it up because we are NOT missing that!

i don't know about Finnegan's, but there's a Pat O'Brien's. Maybe that was once Finnegans? I think they have changed a LOT since you were last there!!

No- I do not get that "feeling"- I'm guessing you mean the one where you are tingly-giggly-happy from head to toe? - in Universal. But it IS nice. And it IS fun. And beautiful. And the employees are very helpful. And the rides are really, really great- very different from Disney. There is some theming on some of the rides. I have not even gotten to IOA yet with you, and the Spiderman ride is without a doubt one of the best rides I've ever been on. And it has GREAT theming. The $99/week deal is fantastic, too. You should buy your tickets at that price now, if you can, to save them for when Harry opens, if you're dying to go. And when you're there, and you're stressed 'cuz it's new...just keep singing to yourself-

"Make new friends, but keep the old...one is silver and the other gold!"



The hardest part of the whole thing, when you're Disgeeks like us, is getting over the, "But I'm sooooooo close! WDW is riiiiiiiiight there!" problem!

 

[podsnel]

Ellen -

Can I just tell you that this update made me really want to go back to Universal Studios. I have about 7 Disney trips (possibly more) since I've been there. I think the last time was when Nick was entering 4th grade. It really is a fun place. I think the problem is, its basically a two ( or three at the max) day park. And its not Disney. And you can tell the difference, which makes is feel wierd.

I stayed at Royal Pacific and I do remember how lovely the walk was. I also remember running over to HRH and Portofino in the morning and how pretty it was there. They yelled at me for running through City Walk. Apparently that is a rule - even at 7:30am - NO RUNNING! What a drag. Anyway, I'm not so sure about the Rip, Ride, Rocket or whatever its called, but I do enjoy all the other coasters at IOA and I heard the Simpson's ride is great.

Great update. So glad that Sean is getting into the grove!

No, it's not Disney. Sometimes I wish it was somewhere else- it's own destination- maybe I would be more excited about going! I do like it while I'm there- I just hate being in Orlando and NOT being in WDW!!!!

It's really a DISease, isn't it awful???

Ok- NO RUNNING at Citywalk- and NO BIKING at DTD! See? Big Brother is watching everywhere!!

 

[MEK]

It's really a DISease, isn't it awful???

It is a DISease and I've Got it.....BAD!

 

[Mysteria]

Sorry about the meltdown. Your younger two seem to handle it so well. You should be a very proud mama for the great job you do with all of them!

No FoL for RRR even for onsite guests?! I'll bet that's caused them some grief. It was quite finished last time we were there. Hopefully by the time we go back the lines won't be as long.

eta: That should have read wasn't quite finished.

 

[podsnel]

It is a DISease and I've Got it.....BAD!

I Know! That's why we're HERE!!!

 

[podsnel]

Sorry about the meltdown. Your younger two seem to handle it so well. You should be a very proud mama for the great job you do with all of them!

No FoL for RRR even for onsite guests?! I'll bet that's caused them some grief. It was quite finished last time we were there. Hopefully by the time we go back the lines won't be as long.

I think they're kind of used to it- they're probably the calmest ones in the room when it's going on!! Thanks for the proud mama thing, but not so today- they were having their OWN meltdowns today- UGH!!!

Yea- no FoL for anyone- only tippee top VIPs, from what I hear from a friend....who can name herself if she wants to!

 

[Mysteria]

I think they're kind of used to it- they're probably the calmest ones in the room when it's going on!! Thanks for the proud mama thing, but not so today- they were having their OWN meltdowns today- UGH!!!

Yea- no FoL for anyone- only tippee top VIPs, from what I hear from a friend....who can name herself if she wants to!

No kid (or most adults for that matter) won't have a meltdown now and then. Hope it's all calm now.

Hmmm interesting. I wonder if they've done that for any other big openings.

 

[preschoolmom]

Hi, I found your trip report tonight, and I read the whole thing! I'm really enjoying it. From the highs, to the lows (that meltdown, I can just totally imagine being there - maybe because mine did that in AK on our trip).

Anyway - It's just the perfect mix of happy, stress, alcohol, pictures, and thanks for sharing it all!

 

[karajeboo]

I think The Simpsons is THE greatest theme park ride anywhere! The Mummy? Not worth the hype IMHO - but still okay!

 

[englishrose47]

I think The Simpsons is THE greatest theme park ride anywhere! The Mummy? Not worth the hype IMHO - but still okay!

Are there any drops on the Simpsons ride ???

Ellen great update as usual!!!

 

[podsnel]

No kid (or most adults for that matter) won't have a meltdown now and then. Hope it's all calm now.

Hmmm interesting. I wonder if they've done that for any other big openings.

Not a clue, sorry!

Hi, I found your trip report tonight, and I read the whole thing! I'm really enjoying it. From the highs, to the lows (that meltdown, I can just totally imagine being there - maybe because mine did that in AK on our trip).

Anyway - It's just the perfect mix of happy, stress, alcohol, pictures, and thanks for sharing it all!

Hi preschoolmom!! Thanks for joining in and saying hello!! OMG- an AK meltdown....so sorry. We had one of those 2 years ago- Sean would NOT go on KS! I mean, what's the big deal- it's a car ride with elephants, right? He threw himself on the ground and SCREAMED bloody murder. UGH. There were actually kids in line pointing at him laughing. Disgusting. If I hadn't had my hands so full with trying to calm Sean and get him out of the line, I would have pulled a Kara and opened a big 'ol can of NJ Whoop A$$ on 'em!! Seriously- are the parents even participating in their kids upbringing in that situation?? It's horrible!

Anyway, sorry for the rant- glad you like the TR!

I think The Simpsons is THE greatest theme park ride anywhere! The Mummy? Not worth the hype IMHO - but still okay!

I went on Mummy last time- I agree, not worth the hype! That's why I was good with them all riding and me waiting with Sean.

Are there any drops on the Simpsons ride ???

Ellen great update as usual!!!

No drops- you're in a car in front of a screen. The car lifts up (it's a rollercoaster car) but the ride is simulated- so it feels like you're on a rollercoaster, with Homer- but you're not. It used to be the Back to the Future ride. It's a blast!!! Universal has alot of rides like this- simulated, special effects kind of experiences. So cool!!

 

[Mysteria]

Just beware of motion sickness on The Simpsons ride if you aren't good on motion simulators.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow- I give that parent alot of credit for having the one kid playing travel and the autistic 7 yr old going along- that would be incredibly difficult and stressful. You know both our boys play travel baseball- if we didn't have Sheree & Henry, and other very wonderful babysitters able to help us, it would be a disaster. I can count on one hand how many games (baseball or other) he has been to out of neccessity- and it's been very challenging. For basketball, especially, the noise in a gym is sooooo overwhelming and over-stimulating!! On a baseball field or soccer field, he runs around- so there's always the threat of him running out into the game. I do miss alot of their games, Pods always goes, but for baseball the games overlap and are in 2 different directions, so we thank-GOD for our sitters!

And thank-you for the kind words about our family.

You know, I never thought about the noise at the game - little John maybe likes noise - he loves the AF Jets, and will ride his bike down to the fence by the runway now that he's older and just sit and watch the jets take off - Yikes - he probably should have ear plugs! And he has a little fisher price tape recorder and he records the jets and then plays them back sometimes for comfort.

And - you're welcome!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Not a clue, sorry!



Hi preschoolmom!! Thanks for joining in and saying hello!! OMG- an AK meltdown....so sorry. We had one of those 2 years ago- Sean would NOT go on KS! I mean, what's the big deal- it's a car ride with elephants, right? He threw himself on the ground and SCREAMED bloody murder. UGH. There were actually kids in line pointing at him laughing. Disgusting. If I hadn't had my hands so full with trying to calm Sean and get him out of the line, I would have pulled a Kara and opened a big 'ol can of NJ Whoop A$$ on 'em!! Seriously- are the parents even participating in their kids upbringing in that situation?? It's horrible!

Anyway, sorry for the rant- glad you like the TR!



I went on Mummy last time- I agree, not worth the hype! That's why I was good with them all riding and me waiting with Sean.



No drops- you're in a car in front of a screen. The car lifts up (it's a rollercoaster car) but the ride is simulated- so it feels like you're on a rollercoaster, with Homer- but you're not. It used to be the Back to the Future ride. It's a blast!!! Universal has alot of rides like this- simulated, special effects kind of experiences. So cool!!

I loved back to the Future! I really miss it.

 

[podsnel]

Yesterday we did our community service for the new Disney promo. Our local JCC (Jewish Community Center) was running a day of service in honor of Martin Luther King. 500 people showed up to volunteer (although not all were registered with Disney), and we were among them. It was actually a lot of fun, and educational as well. We just had to sign up with Disney by 10 am the day before, after signing up with the Hand on Network, which was the organization running the program. The only thing that makes me a little nervous is that (of course) the Disney website wouldn't let me put in my age as head volunteer, and it wouldn't take us doing one of the activities unless Pods was included with us- even though he did something else. The local running the program assured me this would be ok (and tried to tell me how screwy they thought Disney's website was to deal with- I just laughed). Anyway, after an opening ceremony, we were all off to do whatever it was we were doing.

I was surprised to learn that it was not a whole day we would have to give- it was actually just however long our qualifying activity lasted- and we only had to do one to get the free day. So, while Pods took the kids home (because they were doing something later in the day) I stayed at the center and interviewed 2 senior citizens- one, an elderly man with some funny stories to tell, the other, and elderly woman who recounted the Japanese invasion of the Phillipines (where she lived) during WWII. Very interesting listening to both of them! It lasted about 1 1/2 hours.

At 1:00, T&T& I were signed up to clear a path at the local nature center- for an hour we lugged wood chips and the boys (along with many other kids) spread the woodchips on the path. We were all so happy it was such a beautiful day here, it was great to be outside!! Here are a couple of pics-

We made it to the end!

Pods was working yesterday, and fortunately there was even something for him to do in the town he works in- at 5:30 he went to a local church there and made sandwiches for a 1/2 an hour. The sandwiches are then distributed in a nearby town to needy people who are very, very appreciative. (This is something that is done every week, but Pods was just a part of it this one day for the qualification).

Anyway, I thought I'd share the story with you because I'm sure there are people wondering what kinds of things are done for the day of service. They say we will get vouchers to hand in within a couple of weeks. The $ value is $79, and can be applied to new APs or upgraded to parkhoppers or whatever (at our cost). Pretty good, huh? I love this promotion of Disney's- it is such a great idea.

 

[MEK]

So great that you were able to complete your community service. I just can't bring myself to sign up for anything because I am always volunteering for things on my own. Unfortunately, none of them qualify. Maybe I should check the list again and see if I can find something I want to do. The only option was a hospital for the chronically ill. I see enough of that in my real job!

 

[mom2shayleeandlogan]

Sounds like you had a great day!

 

[podsnel]

We headed down to the pool for lunch. Timmy was being....a bit of a challenge since getting off that Mummy ride. See, I think he really did NOT want to ride, and once he did ride, he was scared....and extremely cranky. Which is what Timmy does when he is scared...and very hungry. He is a kid who is the very best day you've ever had, and the very worst day you've ever had! Fortunately we knew that his WORST day personna is usually due to a lack of food, so we had high hopes he would be back to his old self soon....

feel the joy of all that is cranky tim....

I invited rita to lunch....hellooooooooooooooo Rita!!

And can I just say, that was one fine Rita!! Perfectly tart and yummy. Tyler had a smoothie-

And Sean got his fries almost before we sat down!! Look at how HUGE they are!! Love that about Universal- when they bring out "And he'll have fries- lots and lots of fries" they really deliver!!

Crazy Tyler demonstrates his love of limes-

And Timmy continues to do his thing....

I am miserable, and I will not quit until you are all miserable with me!

I kid you not- literally 2 french fries later-

Now, I knew what I was having even without looking at the menu- all because of the Universal food porn thread on the DIS. I mean, how could I be within snarfing distance of this lovely, humongous creation, and NOT partake?? I give you the WORLD'S most GIANT nachos!!

Holy Jalepeno, Batman!!

Are they beautiful, or what?? Pods had a burger-

T&T both had chicken fingers-

The squirrel had a few fries-

Seriously- this squirrel was like a begging dog at the table!! He would grab a fry (dropped by one of the kids) then run under a bush, then run back out to beg at the table. Very funny. Lunch was really good- I would go back JUST for that Rita and those nachos anytime!!! Yum!!

Next up- hangin' in the coolest pool, and do they play any games with the kids there? Does a bear sh....oops, sorry! See you later!