Leaving the hubbies and kids behind - A May 2010 PTR, TR has begun!

[kschafer]

Unfortunately, I'm afraid it's probably the later.......

I was afraid that would be the case!

Don't worry Katie, I just got my Mickey Mail less than 2 weeks ago! I'm sure yours is on it's way! Not long now!

OMG Stacy! Your trip is coming up so soon!!!

Don't worry, you'll get it! I was surprised we got ours so early. I know it must be hard to be patient, but it'll get there!!!

I actually got an e-mail from my TA yesterday saying it had arrived and she would be sending it today. Only 2 or 3 days to wait!

Your ticker says 25 days?!?!?!?!?​

YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!! I'd better start my to-do list, it doesn't seem too early now!!!!!

 

[kschafer]

I had better get a move on if I’m going to get through these flashbacks because as Keala so happily points out...I only have 25 days to go!!

This is the point where my memory of our 2008 trip starts to get a little blurry. We were on vacation overload, the boys were getting tired of constantly being on the move. I think we let the boys sleep in, took our time getting up and going and finally headed out to

We went directly to grab FP’s from

Then stopped for lunch at Flametree BBQ. We had dinner ADR’s at Whispering Canyon Café but with our late start, we ended up cancelling so we could stay until park closing.

I think after lunch we grabbed FP’s for the safari then headed over to meet some friends

As you can see, Daniel was terribly impressed!

We got in line for the last FOTLK show. It was fantastic! Daniel woke up for it but was a bit frightened of all the costumes. I can’t help wonder how the boys would see things differently with 2 years of growing up. How long do you think I need to wait after this trip before suggesting to Greg another one?

After stopping for a few snacks and we were moving on, the parade had already begun, we knew it circled around the Tree of Life then back through Africa. We saw the tail end pass by Camp Minnie-Mickey then booked it to Harambe. As we approached the parade route, a CM was just starting to tell people “this way to get to the safari, step up to the white line for the parade” and we stepped up and got a front row view!! Sorry, no pictures…what was I thinking?

Patrick decided he didn’t want to ride the safari (he had been scared by the collapsing bridge) so he and Greg went and took some pictures

While Daniel and I went on the safari. The guide said he had never seen a hippo on land before (but I have seen them on other TR’s so maybe that was just to make us feel special)

After our tour was cut short by those poachers, we met up with Greg and Patrick and headed toward Dinoland. The plan was for me to hang out with the boys while Greg rode EE then we would switch. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans in mind! The boys and I decided to ride Triceratop spin as raindrops started to fall.

We were going to play in the boneyard but instead we ducked into the gift shop just as the skies opened up! Soon Greg was with us reporting that EE was closed due to lightning. We hung out for awhile in the gift shop where the kids had fun. The CM’s even invited all the kids in the store (we were not the only ones waiting out the rain) to make a potato head and have a parade.

It was a cute way to kill some time and Patrick got a magical moment certificate for participating. The rain finally started to let up as park closing started to approach so we gave up our hopes of an encounter with the yeti and went back to OKW where we grabbed dinner and called it an early night

 

[SoonerGirl]

I love all of your flashbacks Katie! And, I agree, the trip is sneaking up on us fast - I really wanted to do some flashback posts myself on my PTR after seeing yours, but I'm running out of time!

 

[MHTeacher]

Wow---I love this picture---It's beautiful!

Too funny about Daniel sleeping through your meeting with Donald !

 

[kschafer]

I love all of your flashbacks Katie! And, I agree, the trip is sneaking up on us fast - I really wanted to do some flashback posts myself on my PTR after seeing yours, but I'm running out of time!

I think only a couple of you are following along because many of my readers followed the last TR but I needed something to kill the time I'm glad someone is enjoying them!

Wow---I love this picture---It's beautiful!

Too funny about Daniel sleeping through your meeting with Donald !

At first I thought that was a stroke of luck but as I looked at it after the fact, I'm pretty certain there is a feeder in that stump so that lots of visitors see something like that...sneaky Disney!

Oh Daniel!! (another one like that coming) He just needed those naps and he was scared of the characters anyways so it worked out for Patrick to enjoy them while Daniel got to miss seeing them

 

[kschafer]

2 days left of our 2008 trip and 2 updates in 1 day!

We woke up the next morning with only 1 night left of our trip and we hadn’t made it over to DTD yet. We were hoping to take the boat from OKW but they didn’t start running until the afternoon so instead we drove there at opening time.

We grabbed breakfast at WPE then did some wandering. I don’t think we bought anything more than a few postcards but had a fun morning anyways

Finally we made our way to Epcot for the day. I don’t recall doing anything in FW except stopping for a PP picture.

I think our main goal for the day was the boys passports so we spent time exploring the WS searching for the kidcot stations and the pressed penny machines (trying to collect one from each country) This was a great way to keep the boys entertained with something to do but because the stations are not always in easy to find spots, Greg and I enjoyed looking around the pavillions while we searched

After making our way to Italy, we grabbed the boat across the lagoon to save our feet. We waited awhile because they were bringing out the fireworks barges, that was cool to see but sorry…no pics. We had a date with some characters at the VISA meet and greet.

Again, Daniel was terribly impressed!

We headed back to WS where we dined at LeCellier and finished our WS loop

We went back to the resort where Patrick found a birthday surprise waiting for him

 

[kschafer]

Our final day was scheduled to be a partial day. We planned to stay through the afternoon parade then head south to my parents house. It was a bit grey and dreary and VERY humid!

We spent the morning in Fantasyland and Toon Town

We then grabbed the train over to Liberty Square

Where we had lunch at LTT then went for a ride on the Liberty Belle

(this is as close as I came to HM…I will be back finally!)

The rain had started to fall during lunch and just continued to get progressively harder during the boat ride. The day matched our moods. The boys were cranky, Greg was a grouch about wet shoes and I just wasn’t feeling the pixie dust. It was at this time we decided it was time to end our time and head to my parents early (during which time it absolutely DOWNPOURED!) We even missed out on the chance to ride up front of the monorail…little did I know it would be our last chance!

So to not leave you on a total bummer… I thought I would share pics from our time with Mom and Dad. Sleeping…

Going to the farmers market…

Hitting the beach…

And playing in the fountains…

It was a relaxing couple days which revived us for the final leg of our trip, Seaworld! Perhaps if I have time, I’ll throw those pics later.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Ahhhhh, the beach looks heavenly! I could go for some warm sun, a cocktail and a bit of sand and surf right about now! We aren't supposed to take a family vacation this year, but I told Don the other day that we really need to go to the beach. I just wish it wasn't so far for us to drive to get to one!

I totally understand your last day blahs, I had them myself this past trip. Sometimes, even though you have had an amazing trip, you are just ready for a change of scenery, ya know?

 

[MHTeacher]

Love the beach---For me, that is the ultimate relaxing vacation---just sitting in my chair, under an umbrella, with a book. *SIGH*

 

[kcandbella]

Your 2008 trip looks like so much fun! And even though you want to finish, YAY for getting close to running out of time before we go!!!!

 

[sunny_stace]

Katie your boys are so precious! Any news on Beth's procedure? Has she had a chance to scope out any of the rides in anyway yet to see what can and cannot be done? Have you started packing yet?

 

[100acrewoodsfan]

Katie I love the report! It's making me so excited out our upcoming trip. I stumbled across your trip report a few days ago. I was very excited you are going to be there when we are and was going to invite you to the Cinco De Mayo meet up. I was half way through your report when finally I realized you had organized it. Got to start paying attention to names. Can't wait to meet you guys. 27 days till Margaritas!

 

[MeMom]

This is my favorite of this bunch.
He's totally into it.

 

[PrincessInOz]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your photos and flashbacks. It's making me want the time to go quickly...rather than taking it slow and savouring the delicious thoughts of 3 weeks till May.

Keep them coming.

 

[MeMom]

Oh, and this is definitely the photo op I had in mind for Bella's party. Instead, I ended up with a tiny little log they could barely fit on, but at least we were trying to 'show our Disney'!

 

[kschafer]

Ahhhhh, the beach looks heavenly! I could go for some warm sun, a cocktail and a bit of sand and surf right about now! We aren't supposed to take a family vacation this year, but I told Don the other day that we really need to go to the beach. I just wish it wasn't so far for us to drive to get to one!

I totally understand your last day blahs, I had them myself this past trip. Sometimes, even though you have had an amazing trip, you are just ready for a change of scenery, ya know?

I have family in Michigan only a few miles from Lake Michigan who we visit most summers so even though it's not quite the same as the ocean, we always make a point to visit a beach there and spend some time in the sand and water. The boys never knew until this vacation the difference between fresh and salt water...that was a bit of a shock!

Yeah, last day blahs hit me hard! I think I will be ready to go home on Sunday morning but will plan to enjoy our last day on Saturday this time!

Love the beach---For me, that is the ultimate relaxing vacation---just sitting in my chair, under an umbrella, with a book. *SIGH*

I don't think I could spend a whole vacation there but a day or two sure is relaxing

Your 2008 trip looks like so much fun! And even though you want to finish, YAY for getting close to running out of time before we go!!!!

That is not such a bad problem to have

Katie your boys are so precious! Any news on Beth's procedure? Has she had a chance to scope out any of the rides in anyway yet to see what can and cannot be done? Have you started packing yet?

She meets with the doctor on Tuesday. Everything else is in order for her procedure so hopefully the doctor will say "let's do it now! (or at least by the end of the week) she will have to have a 2 week follow-up and it would be awesome if that was done before we left!! (yes, time is of the essence, she is prepared to cry for the doctor if needed ...non-refundable Doc!)

Nope, no packing but my to-do list has started

Katie I love the report! It's making me so excited out our upcoming trip. I stumbled across your trip report a few days ago. I was very excited you are going to be there when we are and was going to invite you to the Cinco De Mayo meet up. I was half way through your report when finally I realized you had organized it. Got to start paying attention to names. Can't wait to meet you guys. 27 days till Margaritas!

to my PTR! The 5/5 meet is going to be huge!! What an awesome memory that is going to be

This is my favorite of this bunch.
He's totally into it.

Pretty sweet when you get to catch those moments

LOVE LOVE LOVE your photos and flashbacks. It's making me want the time to go quickly...rather than taking it slow and savouring the delicious thoughts of 3 weeks till May.

Keep them coming.

I am ready for time to move quickly although honestly, I feel like it has up until now and in another week, that to-do list will start becoming a priority. It will fly at that point!

Oh, and this is definitely the photo op I had in mind for Bella's party. Instead, I ended up with a tiny little log they could barely fit on, but at least we were trying to 'show our Disney'!

I totally got that reference MeMom!! We can't all be Disney

*************************

MICKEY MAIL AT LAST!!!!!!!!!! ​

fun update coming soon

 

[cdotla]

Whew! All caught up again! Love the recap of your last trip.

Laughing about your final boatride in WDW with the cranky "men" - LOL! And how unfortunate that you missed out on the ride upfront in the monorail in light of what has happened. Hopefully one day again soon, right?

And yay for Mickey Mail!

 

[sunny_stace]

Yay for Mickey Mail!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Looking forward to the fun update with Mickey Mail!

 

[kschafer]

Whew! All caught up again! Love the recap of your last trip.

Laughing about your final boatride in WDW with the cranky "men" - LOL! And how unfortunate that you missed out on the ride upfront in the monorail in light of what has happened. Hopefully one day again soon, right?

And yay for Mickey Mail!

I was sad to miss out on the parade that day but I would have been miserable sitting there with grumpy guys! I'd had enough and when we left, I tried to tell Greg the protocol for riding in the front of the monorail but he just kept pushing forward when we got to the platform. While waiting, we watched another family escorted to the front area and I told him that's what we needed to do. He asked me if I wanted to wait for the next one and I said yes, then he saw the family there folding up their stroller and he started complaining about having to do that again and I gave up! Yeah, not a great memory to end our trip

Yay for Mickey Mail!!!

Looking forward to the fun update with Mickey Mail!

coming right up!!