"Look at those Chompers!!" A January 2010 AKL DxDP TR...FINAL Update: 6/12 Day 8!

[Dugette]

Hey Dugette!!

That monkey backpack rocked! I could ask Jack-Jack to hand me his tail and he would! So I totally get what you mean about the announcer. Glad you guys got over to AKL! I can't wait to hear about y'all's tri-split stay!! Are you guys gonna do a TR?

I kept looking for you, looking for me! If that makes any sense!!

Glad you found me!

I was keeping an eye out for you guys too, but no dice. It'll be interesting to see if our paths crossed at all. We are planning to do a TR, hopefully starting this weekend. It was an interesting trip for us. There were quite a few moments where we were doing what you did on your last trip...reminding ourselves "this will be good for the trip report."

 

[SoonerGirl]

Ooooooooooooooooo NO!!! Say it ain't so?!!!


Tech!?








At least you have some hope for next year. We're toast for the next couple of year.

Course.... at least we still have our coach. YIKES ! All that Leach stuff was nuts.

That's worse than a Sooner fan right???

 

[Stitch4Prez]

Liking the TR so far. Can't start a trip without Stacey.

 

[MinnieNurse]

That's worse than a Sooner fan right???

My Guns are still flying high!!!!

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

Gelly!!

Great Tr so far, girl! You are giving me that Disney feeling all over the place. ANd I lvoe the way you describe the first day... Ah, that wonderful feeling of getting there, checking in, now it is all gravy, baby... That is my favorite part, too, but you articulate it way better than I ever could.

Can't wait to hear more - please don't take 4 years to finish your TR like *someone* we know...

 

[disney<333]

I'm here! Your kids are so cute! I love AKL! Did you stay at Jumbo House? We're thinking of probably renting points there in January. We visited Kidani in November thinking it was Jumbo? What a great upgrade! Sounds like the crowds were low hoping they were low in the parks too. How funny that Dash lost a tooth on a Disney bus. I love Stacy too! I always watch it on Youtube.
Subbing
Barbara

 

[gellybean]

As we walked up to the bag check, I could not believe my eyes. Christmas garland hanging from the train station railing!?

GET OUT! I was so stupid excited. It had never even crossed my mind that there might still be Christmas decorations. I knew I needed to take pictures of the Christmas stuff that night because the likelihood of it still being up the following Monday was slim!

We passed through the tunnel, out into Main Street and the place was empty. The people that were there, were leaving! It was about 5pm at this point and it was definitely chilly! I guess it was too cold for most people cus they were high tailing it outta there! Jack-Jack stayed asleep as we strolled down Main Street. We stopped to take a few pictures, and just soak it in.

Christmas decorations still hanging across the street. I kinda like that you can see my shadow on Mr. I's fleece.

Store fronts.

More store fronts.

Grayson with Mr. Chief. I know there's a picture of me with this guy when I was 6, except I swear he used to be in Frontier Land. Can anyone confirm this?


We were not in a hurry this evening, just happy to be there. As we looked toward the castle, we had a lovely view of a crane! They were in the process of taking down the castle icicle lights and touching up the paint job on the castle. I didn't know about the touch up job til we got home and read an article on the Dis. The castle lost a little of its glory with the crane behind it, but it was still beautiful.


Gradually we made our way to the left to take the shortcut behind the castle... though really I don't know of any other way to get to Fantasyland.

Of course, we snapped pictures along the way. This was one of the first perks I noticed about it just being the four of us. I didn't feel bad about stopping to take pictures!!

CRANE!

My best attempt at a pic with the least amount of crane visible. Also, notice the lowered water level. It was completly dry by the end of the week.

On the bridge over to Adventureland. I love that his feet were hanging out!

"I just can't wait to be king!!!!!"

The lines were short and in no time Dash and I were on It's A Small World, which was literally a walk on. I've been riding this ride first on every trip to Disney, since I was 6. So it's tradition. Mr. I sat with a sleeping Jack-Jack while Dash and I rode. I love that feeling I get on the ride. Riding IASW definitely seals the deal on me realizing that I'm really at Disney World.

Dash excited to be on his first ride! LOOK at those chompers!!!!!!!

After Dash and I rode, Mr. I rode with Dash as I sat on the bench by the stroller parking area. It was cold but I was enjoying the music and watching the happy faces of the kids and adults coming off the ride. Just as Mr. I and Dash got off the ride, Jack-Jack was waking up. What's a family of 4 to do at nearly 6pm in Magic Kingdom?

Ride IASW again! Dash got three rides in and Mr. I and I two. Jack-Jack was a little spacey still but I was happy that once again, we all got to ride IASW first.

I have a very similar picture from last year! I actually made Mr. I stop before getting on the boat because I remembered that I had a picture of him holding Jack-Jack in line for IASW.

Another attempt at a self portrait!!

Jack-Jack was interested but still groggy




Continued in next post....

 

[gellybean]

Continued from previous post!

After we were done, we strolled around through Liberty Square and took the short cut to Adventureland. Pirates of the Caribbean had a posted 5 minute wait, so we hopped in line. Love this ride.

Dash waiting to climb in the boat.

Side self portrait.

I sang along, as Dash held onto my arm. He always forgets about which rides are 'scary' and which ones aren't. He was fine, just held on to me in case. Jack-Jack sat on our laps and looked around, non-plussed.

After our voyage, we stopped for a potty break and a diaper change for Jack-Jack, then headed back to Main Street. It was nearly 7:15pm and I wanted to get a good spot for Wishes. For any of you that read my last TR, I tried to see Wishes 4 times and missed it each time, so seeing Wishes was a huge priority for me this evening. We made our way down Main Street and spotted open tables in front of the railing outside of The Plaza restaurant.





Unbelievable. These tables are never empty 45 mins before Wishes. At least not in my experiences. We grabbed one of several that were open and I parked the boys while I went to get us dinner. Casey's here I come!! On the DDP, we got two meals - 1 hot dog meal and 1 corn dog nugget meal, both with fries and sodas. For the dessert option, I got one brownie and one blue cotton candy. Dash loves cotton candy so I thought this was a great option for dessert, instead of having to use a snack credit later for the cotton candy. I did pay OOP for a bowl of chili. It wasn't a snack credit option so that was the only way to get the chili on the DDP. As cold as it was, chili was a must do that night.

Balancing the tray of food, I grabbed the cheese sauce, straws, napkins and ketchup. Carefully headed back across the street and to the table with the awaiting hungries!

We chowed down. It was the perfect amount of food to share. I love those little nuggets, but the chili hotdog really hit the spot that night. I would take one fry and dip it into the chili and another fry and dip it into the cheese sauce and then eat the two fries together. YUM!

Mr. I took Dash to walk around and I called my mom. I could not believe how empty it was at 7:30 at night. There were still tables open. She and I talked for a bit, and then the boys were back. I left again to take some more pictures of Main Street all lit up. The brownie was just ok but Dash did enjoy his cotton candy while I was up taking pictures.

Beautiful...

Soon enough it was time to sit down for the show. Dash and I were all snuggled together and Jack-Jack was in Mr. I's arms.

Love this one!

I had brought the throw from last year... the one you purchase if you spend X dollars at a souvie shop. So we had a blanket. But it was chilly!!

Dash all snuggled up, under the throw.

The lights went out and the music began.

It was perfect. Cold or not. It was great. Jack-Jack sat and watched slack jawed. Dash fell asleep. Mr. I and I held hands on the table, though I think he was trying to steal some warmth off my mittened hands.

I attempted several shots with the Firework scene mode on my camera. I even used the railing in front of me to stablilize. I definitely can see the benefit of a gorilla pod!

A short 13 mins later and it was over. But you couldn't jack hammer the grin off my face. Finally. Oh how I had missed my favorite show last year.

We took our time getting out of the park. No point getting in a hurry with the bus line waiting. I took a few more pictures of the tree,

Tree up closer. These pictures do not do it justice.

The not-so-hidden Mickey garland.


then we were on our way to the lines. Bus stop 11 for AKL was the first stop on the right side of the bus stops. We waited through one bus, then were able to sit on the 2nd one. Really it wasn't that bad. The heat on the bus felt great!

We were back in our room in no time - by 9pm. Mr. I bathed the boys and I settled in for some Stacy and some unpacking! Our luggage had arrived! The boys shared the top drawer in the chest and Mr. I and I each had a drawer under the TV. We saved the other two drawers for dirty clothes. The ledge under the TV was where we put our shoes. The area by the fridge, where the connecting door was made a great place to park the stroller.

Dash ready for bed, watching Stacy!!

We were in bed by 11:35pm.

We had big Epcot plans the next day!

Up Next!!


Would we wake up with our wake up call?

Would we make it to Epcot in time to get FPs for Soarin?

Would Le Cellier live up to its hype?!


Stay tuned!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Hey! What a nice start and how great there were still some decorations to enjoy! I really think Mainstreet looks so festive when it is decorated for whichever season!!!!! great first day it sure seems!!!

 

[gellybean]

I was keeping an eye out for you guys too, but no dice. It'll be interesting to see if our paths crossed at all. We are planning to do a TR, hopefully starting this weekend. It was an interesting trip for us. There were quite a few moments where we were doing what you did on your last trip...reminding ourselves "this will be good for the trip report."

It will be interesting! Can't wait to read your TR!!! Gotta love those moments that you realize are just gonna make great fodder for your TR! I also love how you take some pictures for Disers and some pictures that are for everyone. When I went to post pics on Facebook, I realized half the pics I took most people would go "huh?" Dis'ers get it!

That's worse than a Sooner fan right???

Um..... um....


um....

Liking the TR so far. Can't start a trip without Stacey.

Stacy rocks!!! I so wish I had Disney TV at home!
Thanks for reading!

My Guns are still flying high!!!!

Fly those guns, girl!!!


Seriously though, has all the Mike Leach controversy settled in Lubbock?


Or are you no longer in there area? Are you in Texas?

Gelly!!

Great Tr so far, girl! You are giving me that Disney feeling all over the place. ANd I lvoe the way you describe the first day... Ah, that wonderful feeling of getting there, checking in, now it is all gravy, baby... That is my favorite part, too, but you articulate it way better than I ever could.

Can't wait to hear more - please don't take 4 years to finish your TR like *someone* we know...

Heather!!! Glad you found me!! Glad you are enjoying it!! Your trip is soooooooooooooo close!! Can't wait to relive it again through your TR. *AHEM* You ARE doing a TR aren't you????

I'm here! Your kids are so cute! I love AKL! Did you stay at Jumbo House? We're thinking of probably renting points there in January. We visited Kidani in November thinking it was Jumbo? What a great upgrade! Sounds like the crowds were low hoping they were low in the parks too. How funny that Dash lost a tooth on a Disney bus. I love Stacy too! I always watch it on Youtube.
Subbing
Barbara

I love AKL too!! It was Jambo house. So great. Not that I've stayed at Kidani to compare, but being in the middle of it all, was fabulous! I was super happy with our standard view room.


Dash actually just lost another tooth today! You should see his chompers now!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Yay! You got to see Wishes!! And, you scored a table Sounds like a wonderful start to your trip.

I'm hoping we'll get to see some pics of you in this TR that include your entire face and not just pieces of it......

 

[Dugette]

It will be interesting! Can't wait to read your TR!!! Gotta love those moments that you realize are just gonna make great fodder for your TR! I also love how you take some pictures for Disers and some pictures that are for everyone. When I went to post pics on Facebook, I realized half the pics I took most people would go "huh?" Dis'ers get it!

Our trip report is started...first good-for-the-trip-report-thing has already happened! I agree about the pictures...we have all these food and semi-hidden Mickey pictures that we'll probably have to take out for the family-and-friends slide show.

So glad you got to see Wishes! And the Christmas decorations! That's super cool! You must've made it just in time...by the time we got there, they were no more. But the crane was still there...I think to finish taking down icicle lights. And the moats were pretty much dry by the time we showed up. Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Wow, you had great luck!! What a wonderful first night. Sounds like it was a little chilly but magical of course. Glad you got all settled in and hopefully had a good night's sleep!

I also have a TR started if you'd like to read.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Hooray for finally getting to watch Wishes!!! Whoot!! And at a table?? What kind of magic did you take with you on your trip and where can I get some? Did it hold? Please say it did!

I haven't seen Wishes for 21 years!!! Last year we did Illuminations but didn't stay late at MK either night....sucky, sucks, suck!! So, in your last TR, I felt your pain.

Can't WAIT to find out how your experience of Le Cellier was. We're going there for dinner in April for our first park day and I'm interested to see how your family's experience was.

Keep up the good work!!

Julie

 

[gellybean]

Hey! What a nice start and how great there were still some decorations to enjoy! I really think Mainstreet looks so festive when it is decorated for whichever season!!!!! great first day it sure seems!!!

It was a fabulous first day. I didn't feel 'deprived' that our first day was such a short one either. It took care of my need to get to MK first and ride IASW first and then go on to the parks that have more things for the entire family. I'll definitely try to repeat a similar schedule for future trips! Mainstreet was beautiful, but it did still leave me wanting to go back before Christmas time, since the castle lights were already down.

Yay! You got to see Wishes!! And, you scored a table Sounds like a wonderful start to your trip.

I'm hoping we'll get to see some pics of you in this TR that include your entire face and not just pieces of it......

for the table!!! I was so stinkin' happy about that table. It was a great start!! And yes there will be pics of my entire face... coming up in the next update actually!

Our trip report is started...first good-for-the-trip-report-thing has already happened! I agree about the pictures...we have all these food and semi-hidden Mickey pictures that we'll probably have to take out for the family-and-friends slide show.

So glad you got to see Wishes! And the Christmas decorations! That's super cool! You must've made it just in time...by the time we got there, they were no more. But the crane was still there...I think to finish taking down icicle lights. And the moats were pretty much dry by the time we showed up. Looking forward to reading more!

I knew that first night I better take pictures that night because they had to be on their way out!!! Sorry y'all missed them! The moats being dry was weird, wasn't it??

Glad you got your TR started. I'm there!

Wow, you had great luck!! What a wonderful first night. Sounds like it was a little chilly but magical of course. Glad you got all settled in and hopefully had a good night's sleep!

I also have a TR started if you'd like to read.

Thanks !! Chilly I can do anytime if it's magical. I'm gonna try to get over to your TR tonight or tomorrow!! Thanks for the invite!

Hooray for finally getting to watch Wishes!!! Whoot!! And at a table?? What kind of magic did you take with you on your trip and where can I get some? Did it hold? Please say it did!

I haven't seen Wishes for 21 years!!! Last year we did Illuminations but didn't stay late at MK either night....sucky, sucks, suck!! So, in your last TR, I felt your pain.

Can't WAIT to find out how your experience of Le Cellier was. We're going there for dinner in April for our first park day and I'm interested to see how your family's experience was.

Keep up the good work!!

Julie

for getting to watch Wishes!! I cannot believe it's been 21 years for you!!! Girl, you've got to get on that next trip!!!! It's not too late of a night, 8pm most nights. Well... at least in off season. Hmmm... what's the fireworks schedule looking like for y'all in April?
I'm glad you felt my pain though!

Can't wait to tell you about our Le Cellier experience.

Thanks Julie!! I'll try to catch up on your PTR soon!

 

[MinnieNurse]

Fly those guns, girl!!!


Seriously though, has all the Mike Leach controversy settled in Lubbock?


Or are you no longer in there area? Are you in Texas?

Ha Ha, I am in Texas, but not in Lubbock, so I do not know what the vibe is there, but if you have ever been to Lubbock you know the spirit is high, so I am sure it is still a HUGE deal. I personally like Mike and think it was a bad move on Tech's part!!

 

[MinnieNurse]

Great update, I just love the Christmas decorations and lights. My favorite time to go to WDW is when they are up.

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a GREAT evening!!! A perfect way to start the trip, complete with Wishes. I'm so glad you got to see them!!!!

On our first trip to WDW (2006) we were there in late October and had the crane on our MK day. I was bummed because I thought it ruined my pictures! Now I look back and realized they were putting up the lights on the Castle during that time...and now I wouldn't mind getting the crane again, just to see them in action, working and all-and I know Henry would just LOVE it!! A crane at Mickey's House?!?!

 

[Jasperann]

 

[Dizneydawn]

So I am an idiot and here is reason 104...

Until the third post - I was reading all about your husband like this:

"Mr "I" am too good to get up and help woth the kids."

"Mr "I" decided to take a last moment conference so I was not there to help."

Like - I am too good for you or I am taking the dog to the vet.

Not Mr I as in Mr Incredible.

I thought you were talking about him in the third person. Which now makes sense why your sentences were missing wordage to make it make sense.

I thought you were just drinking while typing every other line!

Seriously - go back and re-read it like I was - it actually comes accross as he is a "Mr I am too good for you" kind of guy but at times - made zero sense - like "Mr I called his Mom."

Good golly - I hope what I am trying to say makes sense.

I am just rolling here and you were totally fine - Mrs. I was an idiot was not!