Lots of Characters, Lots of Firsts but Lots of Drama: Why We Say NEVER AGAIN!! 3/21

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hi there,

I finally am caught up. I've been away for a few months and just getting back to the DIS. I LOVE all of your pictures. My goal is to take a class this summer so that I can learn how to use my camera.

I love the pictures of Lilian at Epcot. They are so cute!!!

You guys did a LOT early in your trip!

I really want to go to CMC now after reading about it here. Looks yummy!

Can't wait to read more.

 

[briand1023]

Very nice pics, wish all my pics came out that great

 

[annmarieda]

I am still here...so if you write it, no matter how long it takes you to.... I will read it!

Believe me...I understand how life gets busy!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I am still here...so if you write it, no matter how long it takes you to.... I will read it!

Believe me...I understand how life gets busy!!!

I second this ^

 

[longing2Batdisney]

OK! now Steph
we all understand!

BUT, IT'S THE WEEKEND WHERE IS OUR NEW UPDATE, ALREADY...

 

[jngwright]

Better late than never!! Great TR so far LOVE all the pics!

 

[KatMark]

Okay...I am CAUGHT up. I won't make a lot of comments because I am so far behind. But I love all the photos of Lily with the Fab 5 (and your DH with Donald Duck too!). I love what the mousekeeper did in the room with the television...too cute.

 

[jmendez24]

LOVE THIS TR!!

I've read the entire thing today.

I LOVE all the pics. Please don't hesitate to post more!

 

[lbuzz52]

Y Stephanie! I haven't been on her much lately but I got all caught up today! I can't wait to read more. Sounds like Lillian had a blast and that is what matters most. I remember those drama moments too but not nearly as much as the good times! We decided if others want to come along in the future again we will stagger the days so we have some ad a group and some eith just our family.

 

[Charlefours]

I thought I would pop in tonight for a bit and go back to get reaquainted. So sorry has taken me so long since I have posted. I am not completely out of the woods yet--I still need to finish up one more assignment then I just have an independent study before I graduate!!!!

I love the shadow picture! great shot on that one...

sorry you had that moment at the resturant; that was one of the problems I had when we went. My parents would not leave my side, but, my dad would pout about the chocies I had made. They kept wanting to go eat at one of the countries in WS but would not leave us to do so. So, I know how hard it is when you are tired and trying to keep everyone happy. My dad had me in tears one evening when we were returning to the resort and they were looking for something in the gift shop and I had made a comment about whatever it was about that I had learned here on the dis...it was just such an ugly remark that the people walking in behind us even said something.

Thanks Connie! I am glad to know I am not the only one who has experienced things like this. It is just that Disney is so magical--if you let it be. I hope you and your Dad are okay!

So, as fun as it is to travel with family and friends ... it is just as hard to be with them everyday. Happy to hear that she realized how she reacted and made amends.

Hope you guys have a wonderful new year celebration!
and I hope we are able to all meet up this year; I look forward to the prospect!
Connie

I am too excited to meet you and the others come September/October!!

Are you returning in August then? Will you be starting a PTR? I have been looking at costs to go back for the holidays next year... BC is just a bit high...UNLESS a 40% pin comes out. Hopefully some good deals come out as the year progresses.

Hello! We are heading back in late September/early October. I am participating in a group PTR (link will be added to my signature). I will see how I am doing after finishing this lovely elephant in the room before I commit to do a PTR. I probably will this summer so I have place to put my ramblings about my upcoming trip. One thing to note--it is a surprise for Lilian!! I am hoping we can pull it off.

We actually sold our BCV contract, our DS was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 and we needed to find money in the budget for doctors, thearpies, etc so unfortunately DVC had to go. We continued to take trips and finally decided that we wanted back in so we purchased again. We totally LOVE AKV and I'm glad we own there but there is a definite plus with the BCV/BWV area. Another benefit for us at AKV is our family of 5 can stay in a 1br whereas in BCV we would have to have a 2br which is more points.

We have done the breakfast at CMC and it was great. The food was yummy and the character interaction was great. I'd recommend it.

Well if I ever manage to get a full time job (or a really good paying part time job) we will seriously start considering DVC. When we do, I will have to get in touch with you for you to offer any tips, suggestions, etc.

We really enjoyed CMC despite the drama. I don't think we are going to eat there again this next trip, but I would definitely be willing to do it again on another trip.

 

[mousescrapper]

hey Stephanie

nice to see you around on the Dis take your time getting back to us...very exciting your graduation is almost here

Julie

 

[Charlefours]

All caught up! Staying on top of things is much harder than I ever would have thought!

I'm never caught up anymore! Unfortunately as busy as I have been lately, DISing has not been a huge priority.

It sounds like an exhausting day, but a good one. Lilian looks like she had so much fun in the fountain! Totally worth having to buy new clothes and everything.

Yup, totally worth it!! I would do it again too (though manage to pack clothes because let's face--clothes are not cheap at Disney!)

Isn't that just how it happens, that she fell asleep right as you got to dinner? Good thing, I guess, since you wouldn't have wanted her to witness the yelling. I am sorry for you that you had to endure that in the middle of dinner! I am worried the same will happen on our big family trip (not my mom, she's awesome on vacation. But my sister? Yikes!) So sweet that you didn't have to pay for the kids meal. It sounds like you had an excellent server.

I am glad she slept through the yelling--small blessing. We had an excellent server--very good with our large group.

I love the boat ride along the boardwalk between epcot and DHS. LOVE it. The boardwalk is just soooo beautiful and the boat ride is so relaxing. I'm glad you got to experience it. It sounds like you were able to wind down at the end of a long (and sometimes stressful) day. I'm glad!

It is a great boat ride--nice and relaxing plus it is a different way of traveling. I am planning on using it this next trip too I think.

Thanks for reading along Christa!!

I haven't read everything but I have read a few posts and despite the drama, it sounds like a good trip so far! Just wanted to say that I'm finally here and looking forward to reading more!

Hi Kayce!! I am glad you have been able to read a bit here and there. It was overall a great trip but there are definitely things we will not do again.

Hi Stephanie! I lost your TR for a while, but I'm not caught back up. Gosh, the drama! I am totally getting why you say NEVER AGAIN! I am taking a large group in February, but since it's just for 4 days and its all women, I'm hoping that I won't have to deal with drama. Although since I'm the Disney expert, and of course the agent, they are all relying on my to assure that they have a great time. I know I can make it happen, I just hope that I manage to have a good time, too!

Hi Rebecca! I am glad you are here. I hope your trip when really well--I'm assuming it was for the princess marathon? I think I just subscribed to the TR tonight but haven't had a chance to read it. I hope you had a wonderful time!!

 

[Charlefours]

Hi Stephanie! I'm all caught up again. I won't even begin to tell you about the family drama during our Thanksgiving trip. It was by far the most stressful trip of 2010.

Your pics are great. We really enjoyed exploring BC in July. I really want to try out that pool with the girls. The location will be perfect in October!!! So close to the action. Lilian looks so sweet sleeping at CMC. I'm glad she got her battery charged and enjoyed her birthday treat. Hope you're having a great week!

Leanne

HI Leanne! Thank you for sticking with me through the TR. I can only imagine how your trip went--I know you were stressed over it in August when we met.

Thanks! I enjoyed taking pictures--they are part of my souvenirs.

I am too far behind to comment on everything. I love the "sleeping Lily" when you went to Beach Club. I'm sorry, however, that you had that awful meltdown moment with a member of you party--totally uncalled for on her part. We've not been to Cape May for dinner in about four years...I think a return trip...especially with the crab legs back...is a must do.

Hi Kathy!! don't worry about being behind--I need to go back and finish your TR. I am hoping I have more time now on to keep posting. Thanks! It was definitely not a part I want to remember and I have to say, really uncharacteristic of her too. The heat (and something else which I will tell about at the end since we did not find out until after we were home) I think really affected her.

I really enjoy CMC and I would recommend going back to it if you can make it work in your schedule.

Hi Stephanie! I've been too busy IRL to DIS for a while but I'm finally back and all caught up.

I understand about real life getting in the way of DISing. I need to go back and finish your TR as I haven't been on anyone's in so long.

-I LOVE that quote on the back of the Land sign! That is exactly how I feel about conservation and environmentalism. I'm kicking myself for not noticing this and getting a pic!

Thanks!

-I also love Soarin' and am so glad Lilian got to ride!

-My kids always love any opportunity to play in water and those fountains are a blast.

I am so glad you like Soarin'. I remember Karen posting on your PTR that you enjoyed it. Lilian can be hit of miss with falling water but she enjoyed the fountains. I think part of it had to do is it is relatively gentle.


-Sorry for the drama that you had at dinner. At least after DGM was able to cool off and eat something she apologized.

-We had to forgo Illuminations because we were just too tired so I know how disappointing missing F! was for you. It's one of the reasons Disney is a place to return to over and over- it's just impossible to do it all in one trip!

-Love all of your pics! Lilian is obviously having a ball!

Thanks! I think it was just so many factors that ended up contributing to the meltdown. Yup, we are planning on catching up on the things we missed (there are many more--I will post a summary of it all at the end of the TR). It is certainly impossible to do it all in one trip, well unless you had 2 weeks or longer . I know what priorities we have for our next trip so I am building our trip around those. I'm sorry you missed Illuminations--I hope you get to go back and see it in person.

Lilian LOVED it all and asks almost daily about going back to Disney. Either that or she says when we go back she wants to me X or do Y.

 

[Charlefours]

Hey! Stephanie

giving you a little bump! hope all is well...

Thanks Connie.

You're a slacker! I'm outta here!

Coming from the person who did not finish her last TR. Hmm... I am so glad we have gotten to be such good friends.

I'm here still, you can't get rid of me that easily!!

Aw, thanks Karen!!

 

[Charlefours]

We're still here...and promise to be (maybe you'll have it done by the next trip ). Seriously, we know how busy life can get.

Thanks Kathy! I will have it done by my next trip! I hope by June to have it finished. Of course I may be crazy in saying that, but I can still strive to meet that goal.

Hi there,

I finally am caught up. I've been away for a few months and just getting back to the DIS. I LOVE all of your pictures. My goal is to take a class this summer so that I can learn how to use my camera.

I love the pictures of Lilian at Epcot. They are so cute!!!

You guys did a LOT early in your trip!

I really want to go to CMC now after reading about it here. Looks yummy!

Can't wait to read more.

HI Sophia!! I have been away for a long time too. Real life just has a habit of getting into the way of DISing.

Thanks!! We did do a lot it seems. We really enjoyed CMC--we will eat there again, though not this next trip. I'm sad we will miss each other this year while at Disney.

Very nice pics, wish all my pics came out that great

to my TR! I have not been updating like I want or should--so I hope you will come back.

Thank you--I enjoy taking pictures. I took so many. Trust f me, for every one great shot there are 10 not so great shots.

 

[Charlefours]

I am still here...so if you write it, no matter how long it takes you to.... I will read it!

Believe me...I understand how life gets busy!!!

Thanks for understanding! I appreciate you sticking around to see it through to the end.

I second this ^

I don't think I have welcomed you to my TR so I am happy to have you here. I sure hope you will stick around.

OK! now Steph
we all understand!

BUT, IT'S THE WEEKEND WHERE IS OUR NEW UPDATE, ALREADY...

oh Connie--you are so funny. I hope to get an actually update soon!! I need to double check to see where I left off (I think I finished Day 2 completely) and start working on the next day's summary.

 

[Charlefours]

Better late than never!! Great TR so far LOVE all the pics!

to my TR! I am happy to have you here. I hope to have an actual trip post up soon!!

Okay...I am CAUGHT up. I won't make a lot of comments because I am so far behind. But I love all the photos of Lily with the Fab 5 (and your DH with Donald Duck too!). I love what the mousekeeper did in the room with the television...too cute.

Thanks Kathy for going back and reading. I appreciate you reading along.

LOVE THIS TR!!

I've read the entire thing today.

I LOVE all the pics. Please don't hesitate to post more!

to my TR! I am happy to have you here. Thanks--I will be posting an update soon. I need to double check where I left off and write the next post.

 

[Charlefours]

Y Stephanie! I haven't been on her much lately but I got all caught up today! I can't wait to read more. Sounds like Lillian had a blast and that is what matters most. I remember those drama moments too but not nearly as much as the good times! We decided if others want to come along in the future again we will stagger the days so we have some ad a group and some eith just our family.

Hey! I haven't been on much either Thanks for coming back an reading. I have to figure out if I finished your TR and I see you started a PTR. I will have to pop over when I get a chance.

hey Stephanie

nice to see you around on the Dis take your time getting back to us...very exciting your graduation is almost here

Julie

HI Julie! Thanks I am almost there--the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. I need to find a job now though so I have been applying to openings but no luck so far. With the jobs getting 300+ applicants--it has been quite difficult needless to say.

 

[EeyoreFan5]

I completely feel for ya! We had a vacation with MIL, SIL, BIL & their 2 "cherubs" and other BIL. We had 2 DD's at the time & I was pregnant with DD#3 (7 months pregnant). We had never been to Animal Kingdom and after doing only 1 thing and getting rained on and only being 12:30 my SIL said "well, that is pretty much it...The safari sucks! So we can all go back to our hotel". Thankfully they were staying off site and we were on site (a MUST for me) I just said "Well we have never been here so we would like to go to another show and a couple of rides & see camp Mickey & Minnie. You don't have to stay with us. But since this is the only day we are spending here we would like to see it."

I repeat...thankfully they stayed off site so that stopped most of the drama that would have happened, I'm sure. We had more drama at the Magic Kingdom but we had already been there 2 different days on our own and did pretty much everything. They thought sitting waiting for the parade was stupid. My girls LOVE Disney and wanted to see it. My theory is...If you don't want to do something, you are NOT gonna hurt my feelings. Because this vacation is about my children. You need to do what is best for your own children. We do not need to skip together, hand & hand down Main Street. I don't think we will ever take a vacation to Disney with family ever again.

We like to go at our own pace. Our childrens pace may be completely different than someone elses. I have all girls, so they lean towards the princesses. We have the best time just the 5 of us. I'm glad you still had fun with your immediate family.

 

[Charlefours]

I completely feel for ya! We had a vacation with MIL, SIL, BIL & their 2 "cherubs" and other BIL. We had 2 DD's at the time & I was pregnant with DD#3 (7 months pregnant). We had never been to Animal Kingdom and after doing only 1 thing and getting rained on and only being 12:30 my SIL said "well, that is pretty much it...The safari sucks! So we can all go back to our hotel". Thankfully they were staying off site and we were on site (a MUST for me) I just said "Well we have never been here so we would like to go to another show and a couple of rides & see camp Mickey & Minnie. You don't have to stay with us. But since this is the only day we are spending here we would like to see it."

I repeat...thankfully they stayed off site so that stopped most of the drama that would have happened, I'm sure. We had more drama at the Magic Kingdom but we had already been there 2 different days on our own and did pretty much everything. They thought sitting waiting for the parade was stupid. My girls LOVE Disney and wanted to see it. My theory is...If you don't want to do something, you are NOT gonna hurt my feelings. Because this vacation is about my children. You need to do what is best for your own children. We do not need to skip together, hand & hand down Main Street. I don't think we will ever take a vacation to Disney with family ever again.

We like to go at our own pace. Our childrens pace may be completely different than someone elses. I have all girls, so they lean towards the princesses. We have the best time just the 5 of us. I'm glad you still had fun with your immediate family.

It took awhile to learn the lesson you so eloquently stated above. I felt so much pressure to make the trip the best it could be--I was the primary planner. No one helped me really make decisions other than my DH here and there. I wish I could have spoken up more about saying this is where we are going, do what you want. Lesson learned--that is a could thing though.