Let the Memories Begin--A Mother/Son Adventure of a Lifetime!-update 8/6-17 the end!

[MEK]

Please excuse me for posting while you are updating, but I was so excited to see you post an update and I can't see your pictures until I get home tonight, so I will be back.

Woo hoo for adding nights to your next trip. I have to add a night to my June trip and I was going to stay in a resort room, but now I think I will just wait list. Decisions, decisions.

Cool that you were married in Gaitlinburg. I really would love to go back there sometime in the fall. I want to hike in the smokey's and take some foliage pictures!

Later!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

(continued in next post)

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

(continued in next post)

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I tried to get a good picture of Santa but they are all blurrier than the parade ones.

It was well after 11:00 and most definitely after my bed time when the parade was over. There was a mass exit for the gates and honestly, I didn't feel like dealing with that right now. The castle stage show had another performance close to 11:15 or 11:30 (can't remember) so we decided to catch that. Once again my camera gave me fits so I won't bore you with those blurry pictures. We watched a little of it when Jeremy looked at me and asked to ride more rides until the park closed. I was beat and really wanted to get back to the room but you only get a once in a lifetime moment like this with your son and I was going to enjoy it.

So, off to Fantasyland we went. We only rode one ride before it was time to go. Pooh had hardly anyone in line and Jeremy wanted to check out their queue area as we usually bypass it with fastpass.

It was lots of fun to play in and we were soon on our way to the 100 Acres Woods.

After Pooh, it was almost midnight so we made our way out of the park. By the time the bus came and we made the stops on our way back to the Boardwalk, it was close to 1:00 a.m. when we made it to the room. Wow, I can't believe we had stayed out that late. We are not night owls at all but it was so much fun. We had a late night snack in the room and was soon asleep at 1:30.

Up Next:

Will we make rope drop at Epcot?
I finally experience the International Gateway!!!--What a gem!
What does Jeremy find in the World Showcase that is his new favorite thing at Disney?

And a promise....I am going to do my best to update a lot more frequently. Thank you to those of you who have stuck around this long. I am committed to finishing this trip before we leave in 1 month and 7 days!!!!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Please excuse me for posting while you are updating, but I was so excited to see you post an update and I can't see your pictures until I get home tonight, so I will be back.

Woo hoo for adding nights to your next trip. I have to add a night to my June trip and I was going to stay in a resort room, but now I think I will just wait list. Decisions, decisions.

Cool that you were married in Gaitlinburg. I really would love to go back there sometime in the fall. I want to hike in the smokey's and take some foliage pictures!

Later!

Not a problem at all! I am just glad you stuck around with me.

I love adding nights to our vacation but the decisions get the best of me! I could have kicked myself as two weeks ago I saw BLT had the last three nights available and I waited too late to switch it. We love staying there.

I am looking forward to Gatlinburg in May. It has been years since we have been there. We used to go all the time when Jeremy was little until we found our love for Disney. It is only 4 hours from where we live so it makes an easy drive and a nice long weekend.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Oh, I am sooo jealous of the cruise! How exciting. I want to stow away!

I am so sorry about your hot dog issue. We had a similiar issue in December - my oldest manages to get reflux from hot dogs - and she ate 3 corndogs one day at MK - needless to say, we were in our room the next day!

Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip!

(Do you know your plans for spring break yet?? We are there April 2 - 7th - and we don't have specific park plans - I am thinking we'll go to the water parks a lot - we'll see though!)

We are there April 6 - 13. Let's try to meet up on the 6th or 7th before you leave. I don't have set plans just yet. Jeremy says he will do Tower of Terror so Tom and I are thinking we might do DHS on Saturday just to get him on that before he chickens out!!!

 

[disneyfan61]

Great updates! So sorry to hear you were sick. Stay away from hotdogs!!

Wow you did stay up late but it is so much fun & the time goes by so fast down there.

We will be going this April too but we are going April 19th-27th. It is school vacation week here in NH that week.

Oh & we are back at Beach Club instead of Boardwalk. I so wanted Beach Club & kept calling & they finally had a room available. Storm Along Bay here we come!!

Isn't International Gateway wonderful??

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[martinolichfamily]

Great updates! We love staying late at the parks but we are night owls! Christmas parade looks fun! All your upcoming trips sound exciting! Can't wait to hear about the cruise!
As for cameras..I have a canon rebel xsi (I think) lol. I love it..you can use it as automatic or manual settings. I use it on auto..I've yet to have time to read directions for manual. It takes great photos!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Great updates! So sorry to hear you were sick. Stay away from hotdogs!!

Wow you did stay up late but it is so much fun & the time goes by so fast down there.

We will be going this April too but we are going April 19th-27th. It is school vacation week here in NH that week.

Oh & we are back at Beach Club instead of Boardwalk. I so wanted Beach Club & kept calling & they finally had a room available. Storm Along Bay here we come!!

Isn't International Gateway wonderful??

Looking forward to reading more.

It was lots of fun hanging out until the park closed. We have never done that before except for the very first time we took Jeremy to the Magic Kingdom when he was 4. We stayed off property and didn't have park hoppers so we got there when it opened and stayed until midnight. We were worn out but had so much fun!!! There is nothing like that very first time at Disney with your child.

I would have loved the Beach Club. Went in today to book it and it was gone for the last night. So, I guess unless pixie dust comes my way, we will be at OKW the last 3 nights. I have heard good things about it but I am not sure Tom will like it. It is very spread out and he tends to not like those resorts. I loved Coronado Springs and he didn't due to how big it was.

I the International Gateway. It is a true gem in my opinion! Jeremy and I went over there several nights and hung out in the world showcase. I can't wait for Tom to experience it in April. So easy to get in Epcot that way.

Great updates! We love staying late at the parks but we are night owls! Christmas parade looks fun! All your upcoming trips sound exciting! Can't wait to hear about the cruise!
As for cameras..I have a canon rebel xsi (I think) lol. I love it..you can use it as automatic or manual settings. I use it on auto..I've yet to have time to read directions for manual. It takes great photos!

Thanks for the info on the camera. I will have to check that out. I need something that runs on its own so the auto setting would work great for me!!! I am not a good picture taker at all.

We might try staying late this time at the parks. I am sure the crowds will be high due to Easter week so we may take in some more EMH.

Can't wait to hear all about DL. Even if you don't do a trip, I will have to at least get some pictures. I bet your children are super excited about flying.

 

[Poolrat]

I have had good luck with Canon cameras. I have a power shot and it is a bit big but I like the settings. I had a smaller one too and it did great too.

 

[eandesmom]

I have to admit, I wouldn't advocate for 3 resorts in an 8 night trip, that sounds a little brutal! Pixie dust on your waitlist coming through.

Even blurry the parade pics are a ton of fun and WOW you guys made it to the bitter end, didn't you! Fun night.

Rope drop? Yikes, I hope not! Not after going to bed that late anyway on travel day.

 

[MEK]

Loved the parade pictures. I forgot how cute that parade was. You got a great spot for taking pictures. I should probably go back tot he Christmas parade the next time I am there during the holidays.

Shame on that Jeremy keeping you out until 1:30am!

 

[MeMom]

I could hear the Once Upon a Christmastime music as soon as I saw your first picture. It's such a fun parade!

Definitely yay for adding on nights. No matter where you stay, it will be awesome!

Two weeks in 2014 - sounds great!

 

[xDisneyAngelx]

Hey Erika,
Just tuning into your TR. Your son is a sweetheart. Im happy that you had a wonderful Mother/Son vacation. Can't wait to hear more about it

 

[goodmorningirl]

Joining into your report. One of the many things I love about Disney is how it brings out the kid in everyone as you mentioned with your son. I love that he got in the spirit with ears and a shirt! Excited for more.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I have had good luck with Canon cameras. I have a power shot and it is a bit big but I like the settings. I had a smaller one too and it did great too.

Someone else recommended a Canon. I will have to check it out. I need something simple and not complicated.

I have to admit, I wouldn't advocate for 3 resorts in an 8 night trip, that sounds a little brutal! Pixie dust on your waitlist coming through.

Even blurry the parade pics are a ton of fun and WOW you guys made it to the bitter end, didn't you! Fun night.

Rope drop? Yikes, I hope not! Not after going to bed that late anyway on travel day.

It looks like we are still at 2 resorts. When I went back in the Beach club was booked. I guess it was meant to be. If the wait list doesn't come through, that is okay.

We did have fun. I can't believe we stayed the entire night but it was worth it.

Rope drop.....well..................Hope to have next update up tomorrow. Computer and internet at home gave me fits last night.

Loved the parade pictures. I forgot how cute that parade was. You got a great spot for taking pictures. I should probably go back tot he Christmas parade the next time I am there during the holidays.

Shame on that Jeremy keeping you out until 1:30am!

I the Christmas parade! It was so much better this time minus the rain. The first time we went to a party, it rained most of the night. When it stopped raining, there was a lot of the parade that did not come through so I was super excited to get to see it all.

Jeremy is becoming quite the night owl! at Disney and at home. He has been in some trouble lately for reading in bed in the middle of the night on a school night. Talk about a bear in the morning!

I could hear the Once Upon a Christmastime music as soon as I saw your first picture. It's such a fun parade!

Definitely yay for adding on nights. No matter where you stay, it will be awesome!

Two weeks in 2014 - sounds great!

If I don't make it in 2013, I had better get my 2 weeks in 2014!

I love the parade and the music. That was the only thing I forgot in November. I had intended to buy the Christmas CD and it slipped my mind. I have it on my souvie list for April. I love the halloween cd and it helps me get through that time of year when I am not going to Disney.

Hey Erika,
Just tuning into your TR. Your son is a sweetheart. Im happy that you had a wonderful Mother/Son vacation. Can't wait to hear more about it

Glad you are here. Thanks for the nice compliment. He is a great kid and really does not give us any problems. He loves Disney as much as I do so it was lots of fun to share it with just he and I.

I see you have a mother/daughter trip planned. How fun!

Joining into your report. One of the many things I love about Disney is how it brings out the kid in everyone as you mentioned with your son. I love that he got in the spirit with ears and a shirt! Excited for more.

Glad you are here. I, too, love that about Disney and how happy I am when I am there.

Jeremy wore those ears a lot. You will see them quite a bit in the trip.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Now you just have to add on another week & our trips will overlap!

I hope you can convince Tom to stay at the BC - I can't wait to be there in April.

I just got a new camera. It's a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V point & shoot. So far I like it a lot. It has a great zoom. I'm anxious to use it at Disney to see how those pictures come out.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Now you just have to add on another week & our trips will overlap!

I hope you can convince Tom to stay at the BC - I can't wait to be there in April.

I just got a new camera. It's a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V point & shoot. So far I like it a lot. It has a great zoom. I'm anxious to use it at Disney to see how those pictures come out.

Trust me, if I could have added a week I would have!!!

I went back online and that day at the BC is not available now. I redid my waitlists some so I am hoping that maybe I will get lucky with a day or 2 here and there. I am sure OKW will be fine but not sure that Tom will enjoy it. I love staying nearing Epcot. It is so nice to just walk over there.

I will have to check out that camera too. I don't know why this seems to be such a hard decision for me. I am not really gifted in that area and the easier the better.

 

[disneyfan61]

I have a Cannon Power Shot SX40. New to me last year & I love it!! It has the 35X zoom!! It is not an SLR but close. It is bulky with the zoom but I just strap it around my neck. I got the idea for the camera from Poolrat & it takes great pics. The pics I am posting on my TR from Oct. were taken with it. I really like it but I did just purchase another battery for it because in Oct. when we went I had to recharge it in the afternoon every day. The battery was only like $11.00 online.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I have a Cannon Power Shot SX40. New to me last year & I love it!! It has the 35X zoom!! It is not an SLR but close. It is bulky with the zoom but I just strap it around my neck. I got the idea for the camera from Poolrat & it takes great pics. The pics I am posting on my TR from Oct. were taken with it. I really like it but I did just purchase another battery for it because in Oct. when we went I had to recharge it in the afternoon every day. The battery was only like $11.00 online.

It looks like a nice camera. I looked at it online a while ago. I don't know why this is such a tough decision for me. I wish I could just make up my mind!