Lovmy2girls Day 1-8 Trip report! May 27th-June 3rd **Finished NEW**

[lovmy2girls]

Ok, I have done my food reports (8 for those of you interested) and has the tag fairy noticed me? NO! I’m working hard here, and she will not even throw the smallest of colored letters under my name! I will attempt my FIRST big trip report with Pics. Now that I know how to work this computer and can add pics there is no stopping me! The HOUSE IS A MESS but I don’t care, this is much more fun.

Day 1 and Day 2

This is the first trip going with a family member. It was different to say the least. Your whole routine changes when someone extra is with. We did manage it, but it will be the last time someone comes on our vacation. I love my mom, but I think our vacations should be just us in the future. That’s all I think I should say about that.

We left early Saturday May 27th. Picked my mom up and headed on down the road. We live approx 6-8 hours away, depending on speed, road conditions, potty breaks, and food stops. We have made the drive in 6 ½ hours before, but I will not tell you the speed in which my husband was driving that night. Anyway here are the 3 most important people in the world to me. Cute aren’t they! I just bought the girls individual DVD players for the trip. I thought this should keep them happy on the trip down and peaceful for us adults. The peace didn’t last long. The volume in the headsets did not work with the DVD players. So we had to make a pit stop at Wal Mart and get new headphones, and those didn’t work either. It had something to do with the DVD players so there was nothing more I was doing now. So, when ever they wanted to watch a movie, we had to hear it too. Not the peace I was looking for I tell ya.

After 2 potty stops and a Subway sandwich later we made it into Orlando in record time. We all decided to check into the Seralago then go to the MK, get my Moms annual pass, a quick train ride around the MK, say HI to the Poly, and head back to Seralago for a good nights sleep to be up bright and early the next morning. We had a little navigational trouble finding Seralago. My print out from Microsoft Streets and Trips was not exactly correct. Note to Bill Gates- Hey multi zillionaire, your software is wrong! Of course after hours of driving, the driver (hubby) was getting a little upset with the Navigator (me) so I decided to fix this problem. I picked up the cell phone, and made a call to Seralago to get directions. The phone is ringing a person on the other end picks up and I can’t understand a word their saying. I have ABSOLUTELY nothing against foreign people WHATSOEVER, but I tell ya, this person was NO speakey any English! Then before I could say “I’m sorry could you repeat that?” My cell phone lost signal. WHERE is the magic here, this is not good. Not even 24 hr. into our trip and already having trouble. AHHH! I did manage to understand mile marker 9, so hubby turned back around and went to mile marker 9 and finally after 2 U turns later we find Seralago. Now, the original plan was to leave Pensacola around 1:00 in the afternoon, not 8:00 am, get into Orlando just at bedtime, grab the small suitcase with the one set of cloths and pjs, and bathroom bag, and crash. Just a cheap place to crash before checking into the Poly. We were all to excited about leaving so that’s how all this extra stuff got thrown in and our early arrival in Orlando. I checked us in at Seralago, and got the key to our room. We went and checked out our accomodations. The room smelled musty, under the door was a 2” gap, big enough for an Anaconda to crawl under. The ceiling in the bathroom had mold on it, and the carpet was gross! Big mistake staying here but it’s done, and lesson learned. On a good note my girls LOVED it. Why you ask? Because of this %#@#* fort thing in the middle of the room. OH and get this, they even said, “I don’t want to go to the Poly! I want to stay here, this is too much FUN!” I told them “Fine, I’m sure a bus will bring you to the AK tomorrow, I’ll just meet you out front next to the talking palm tree.” They did not find the humor in that AT ALL. Just in case you are curious why my girls would say such awful things to upset the Tiki gods, here ya go!

We made it to the MK that afternoon, got the Annual pass for my mom, took our train ride, said Hi to the Poly, then came back and crashed!

Sunday May 28th we check into the Poly! I have a report about this in the Resorts section, so on with our First Day. The Animal Kingdom IMHO is a under rated park. I think it is great, with details everywhere that will take many more trips to see all it. My whole family loves this park! We go immediately to EE. We sprint to Asia, grab a fast pass, and then get in line. This was not our first time, since we went in January for the preview but we were still excited. Now, my oldest daughter here LOVES RnRC, and will ride it over and over, and every other roller coaster in WDW, but for some reason EE at the moment makes her scared, and want to rip my shirt off! Daddy and daughter #2 were lucky enough to get the first seat and got this great picture!

Good fun here! I just hope my first born realizes this soon, because each trip on this ride either me or her dad come off this ride with huge claw marks in our arms, and ripped shirts.

We saw Devine, and she is always fun to watch. Note to the guy in the pic... No Dude, I’m not taking a picture of you, Devine!

We had lunch at the Tusker House; I will refer you to my Counter Service food review on the Restaurants board for that.

Bugs Life is a family favorite. The girls think the bugs running under the butt is the funniest thing! Big belly laughs here from them, so what do loving parents do, sit through Bugs life AGAIN, and AGAIN. I got this idea from MOMOFMM of her photo with Yellow glasses from Philharmagic, so big shout out to her if she reads this! HEY LOOK AT US With our BUG GLASSES!

Here’s my hubby with another cup of Ale. Note to self- Next trip Do not let him have a room key card with charging privileges. Every time I turned around, there he was in line for another cup of Ale.

My girls love stopping at all the places to do the activities with CM’s Here they are learning, studying, pondering, and my oldest probably thinking “Hey, let me tell you something YOU don’t know”, yea she’s like that. She thinks she’s a smarty pants. I tell ya the truth, she’s the one in the white shirt, just look at her, and you can see it in her eyes. Gotta love her!

We love the Flights of Wonder bird show. We have seen it 3 times and enjoy it more every time we see it. If you have missed this show on your trips to the AK before, please go see it. You will laugh, and be amazed at those birds. Great Show!

We hit the jungle trails and watched the gorillas, then headed back to the Poly for a swim. After our swim and watching the Hula dancers upstairs my daughter informs me “Hey mom, I want to be Hula dancer when I grow up!” Here she is with her towel skirt on. “I don’t think so SCOOTER! now lets get dressed for dinner.”

Well, that's our first day in the parks. We had dinner at the Kona that night. I will refer you to my Kona review on the restaurant boards for that. Next Day, Magic Kingdom!

 

[TLinden16]

Great pictures! Your girls are adorable. They look like little characters! That little fort thing is pretty cool, but I wouldn't chose to stay there over the Poly

Thanks for posting.

 

[Nite0wl71]

I was looking for a trip report from you, I read most of your reviews on the food

Loved the pictures of the Yeti, can't wait to read and see more.

 

[averill94]

Thanks! Your pictures are terrific-
Blech on the Seralago-
Keep posting please, going to check out your food reports.

 

[JulyGirl]

Isn't it funny what kids are impressed with? I probably would have wanted to stay in that fort when I was their age too. Looks like the vacation is off to a great start!

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Unfortunately, I am not related to the Tag Fairy but I really think you are Tag worthy. I have read all of your reports and I think they are terrific. The pictures make the reports so much fun. And the fact that you separated your reports by categories (resort, TS, and Cs) makes it really easy to read.

Love it!!

 

[OhMari]

The Tag Fairy likes to hang out on different threads, but I think the favorite spot is over on Theme Park Strategies Boards, but sometimes the Tag Fairy gets tired out and takes weeks if not months off, so don't get to discouraged.

Love your pictures, you can copy and paste some of your dining experiences in your Trip Report.

 

[lovmy2girls]

The Tag Fairy likes to hang out on different threads, but I think the favorite spot is over on Theme Park Strategies Boards, but sometimes the Tag Fairy gets tired out and takes weeks if not months off, so don't get to discouraged.

Love your pictures, you can copy and paste some of your dining experiences in your Trip Report.

If you see her over there, please tell her HI and that I'm her biggest fan! I don't want her to think I am stalking her!

 

[bjscheel]

I heard the Tag Fairy likes the Community Board best. I got my tag after only 1 or 2 posts over there.

Love the trip report, your girls remind me of mine. Love the pictures too, just glad I'm at work on the hi-speed!

 

[Harmony272]

Great Report
BTW, what on earth is a Tag fairy??

 

[scanne]

Love your report so far! The pics of EE at the top of the lift hill are amazing! I'll be on it in 33 days! Woo hoo!


Please keep the trip report coming!

 

[darrylpan]

Great TR so far. Looking forward to more. Notice you are eyes down on EE. Did you do the whole ride that way?

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for sharing.

Lovely piccies.

 

[lovmy2girls]

Day 3 - May 29, 2006

I am product of my raising. My parents took me (an only child) to WDW every summer from 1976-1980. Most of my strongest, happiest, childhood memories are from our trips to Disney. I can still remember to this day, clear as a bell (whatever that means?) my Mickey balloon, somehow escaping from my hand as were leaving the park one day and watching it get smaller, and smaller as it floated away. Or having my first cup of coffee at the restaurant, which is now Tony’s Town Square, with a great big breakfast before heading into the park for the day. So my hubby says, and I have to agree this is one of the reasons I love WDW so much and try to get back there as much as I can. But this is getting a little deep for a trip report, and almost sounds like I need to see a therapist.

We get up early and are at the MK before the opening song and dance from Mickey and friends. We beeline for Frontierland so we can ride Splash mountain, and BTMRR as many times as we can before the crowds get there. We are escorted by CMs all the way to Frontierland, kind of makes you feel special, and grab our fast passes for Splash and off we go. I think that morning we rode Splash 2x’s and BTMRR 3x. We love these rides, big fun all around. Lucky for us that day the water cannon on Splash was broke, and we were just misted, not soaked, as in December when the (new refurbed water cannon) soaked us in 50 degree weather.

We left there and headed to Space Mt. rode that 2x. The 3rd favorite in our top 3 must do at the MK. Pirates is also a favorite, but closed for refurb. Can’t wait to ride that when we go back. We take a break and get family favorite, frozen bananas for a snack. Sit and watch all the people start to really pile in the park by now. We ride the COP, which my girls love. We thought about riding Buzz but the line was to long and our morning there in the MK was wrapping up. One of the things I like about our trips now is that we do not Commando anymore. It’s a mid day break for us for sure. No need to kill yourself, WE WILL BE BACK! WDW is not going anywhere. We take our picture in front of the castle. I have lost count how many of these exact photos we have, but it just feels like tradition, so here ya go.

Hunger is starting to kick in really good. The girls are acting like death is near if food is not put in front of them, and quickly. We head to Pinocchio Village Haus. I have read good things about this place and decided to give CHH a break, and try them. I have a report on this in my Counter service review, if you are interested. After fueling up, we take a ride on It’s a Small World, and Mickey’s Philharmonic. Another big shout out to MOMOFMM for the inspiration for this picture. Just remember, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

By this time the heat is climbing, the crowds growing, and the girl’s attitudes starting to turn to the negative. So we head for the front gates, and the WDW paradise that waits for us called the Poly. We swim, build castles and then nap. Sorry, no one was awake to take pics of the nap.

Resting mid day is essential for us. When you are going all ahead full, there is just no way our little 7 & 8 horse Johnsons can go all day with out stopping to recharge the batteries. As you will find out for Day 4, no nap makes everybody grumpy and makes for a not so magical Day.

After the swim and nap we head to the Crystal Palace for dinner. This was our first time eating here, and had a blast. I have a review up about that as well with pictures. We had so much fun, and the food was great.

After the Crystal Palace. We head over to Frontierland to get a spot for my favorite parade Spectomagic. I LOVE THIS parade! I had to buy the CD too! While waiting for the parade CMs came out and played games with the kids! I thought that was great!
They were so nice, and great with the kids. Here the girls are playing Donald, Donald, Daisy.

A few CMs had hula hoops and were letting the kids play with the hoops. My girls should have just passed out from exhaustion after doing all this, but it must have been the nap because they just kept going, and going.

At about 5 minutes before the parade makes its way to the end of the route, the CM’s pack up their fun and goodies, and head on out, there job is done. Bring on Spectromagic!

After the parade we head on over to the Jungle Cruise. This is a ride better enjoyed at dark. Now, I didn’t say this ride was cheesy, I just said it is better at dark. You put all those other words in my mouth. I LOVE all things Disney!...OK, maybe not the Stitch ride.

Then we head to the Haunted Mansion, no line, no waiting at this time of night. As we come off the ride the fireworks started and we watched them in Liberty Square. We like watching Wishes from the Poly beach the best. We clocked it, and it took us 40 minutes to get back to the Poly after Wishes. Day 4 MGM Studios with no Nap!

 

[averill94]

LOoking forward to your MGM day! I have ours planned with no nap too! I am scared
It just seemd that when we go if you want to do the parades (which we've never done) and Fantasmic a nap is impossible.

 

[lovmy2girls]

LOoking forward to your MGM day! I have ours planned with no nap too! I am scared
It just seemd that when we go if you want to do the parades (which we've never done) and Fantasmic a nap is impossible.

Your right about not seeing the parades if you nap. I didn't post trip reports for our December and January trips, but we got to see the parades then. We didn't nap because the days are cooler, crowds lower, and the parks close earlier too. Plus our trips were only a 3 days too. Your motors can run at 1/2 speed during those times of year and still get as much done, if not more. Thats why we are so spoiled with off season trips. Do what is right for your family! Just because some people tour WDW this way doesn't mean you have to. Have Fun!!

 

[roberrl187]

You have such a beautiful family. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

 

[Sweedee]

In your pic from EE? Is that Kali?

 

[lovmy2girls]

Day 4 May 30, 2006 MGM Studios

Now, here we are half way into our Disney Vacation. Everything up until today was going pretty good. On a scale of 1-10, it got a solid 9 in my book. My touring schedule was going exactly as planned. Each day so far was the perfect mix of sun and fun. Not too many hours in the park, and just the right mix of rest with playtime at the resort. But today is the day I gave up my position as Commander and Chief of this whole Disney vacation operation, and left the post unattended.

We again, according to my Disney touring plan get to MGM just as they are doing their little acting number in the street. We can’t see a thing but it was fun to listen to. As soon as they gave the word “go” we took off to RnR and Tower of Terror. We grab our fast passes for RnR and were able to ride this 3x. My girls love this ride. The loops do not bother them whatsoever, and it’s Kawabunga the whole ride. The very first time we rode this ride (summer of 2005) my youngest didn’t want to. We didn’t make her, but as soon as her sister got off the ride with all limbs intact, and was telling her how fun it was, of course she had to ride it, and has been hooked ever since.

Now here is where the trouble comes in. Before we left home, we negotiated a deal with my oldest daughter who does not like Tower of Terror. Everybody but my youngest daughter has at least one ride we do not like to ride. I do not like Space Mountain. Daddy does not like Mission Space and my oldest does not like ToT. The contract was everybody had to ride this time, even the ones we don’t like, as many times as everybody wants to so no one gets left out. It’s not fun when the whole family is not together so lets just go and have fun. She agreed! Well she rode it one time, and then decided, NO I don’t want to ride it again. Well, no one wanted to sit out with her. Everybody has their fast pass in hand ready to go again, and we were even going to try and smile big for the camera this time and get a picture to take home. I reminded her about her deal, I rode Space Mt. already, just go have fun, look at all the other little kids smiling and having a good time. NO! What do I do? I give in! “FINE I WILL SIT OUT WITH HER! My husband snaps his head back, WHAT? Not wanting to cause a scene or argue in front of my mom, He says fine, grandma and daughter #2 can go, I will stay out with you guys too. Now that causes a chain reaction, now my mom doesn’t want to ride and the only one who wants to ride is my youngest, who can’t go by herself. She starts crying, and all this before 11:00. WHAT A MESS! I LOST CONTROL, or my illusion of control anyway. Why did I let my oldest back out? I should have been firm, BUT NO. I just let this little 8 year old hijack this day and run with it. We decide to hold onto our fast passes and head to Lights Camera Action for the first showing. By this time tensions are high with hubby and me. I’m more than a little upset with my daughter for springing this on us when we talked about it numerous times before we left. Mad at myself for not keeping my mouth shut. AAHHHHH! Can we just start over???

We stop for a photo moment on the way to the car show. This was the first time my mom has seen it, and she thought it was great.

After the show we head to Who wants to be a Millionaire? We all get into this game. Someday I hope to be in that hot seat! Who am I kidding? I can’t even get my seat number to come up on the board. I think it’s all staged!

We do the great Movie Ride. You know you have seen this way to many times when you recognize the same CMS playing the same parts. Now I’m really starting to study that whole Maybe we should try a different place next summer for our vacation?

Everybody is getting hungry so we stop at Backlot Express for a lunch break. Its here once again my brains check out! “Well its 2:00, does everybody want to go back to the Poly and swim then nap before dinner at the 50’s prime time, then Fantasmic? My husband’s head, already suffering from whip lash from that statement I made at ToT, whipped his head around again at me and looked in amazement. Telepathically he is screaming at me “Where the @#$%^ is my wife and who the *&^%$ are you? My mom pipes up and says “Well, honestly, I just had a coke, and I’m not tired.” OK, lets go ride Star Tours and we will go from there. My husband at this point is in total shock! He can’t even believe I asked such a question. Like the girls had a choice? My mom had a choice? Those girls aren’t even old enough to vote, and my mom is just along for the ride. We walk over to Star Tours and my hubby grabs me tells the girls and my mom to go ahead we will meet you by the exit. This whole time period is a blur, but I realized what I had done, and I can’t believe it. What is the matter with me! They come off the ride, my mom is not stupid, she knows something is up, and says “Hey, if you guys want to go back to the room I’ll go, it’s no problem.” Not knowing exactly what to do, and no one wanting to take over as commander, time is flying….we take these two pics of the girls.

We head for the front gate, where are we going? I don’t know? I’ve lost it! Backlot tour was down for the next hour to two hours. I don’t know why, so there was really nothing else in the MGM Park that we wanted to do. Mom does not want to nap. So what do I say “Well, I guess we can just catch a boat over to the Boardwalk resort, walk around there because we have never seen this resort before then walk over to Epcot, then by the time we finish with all that we can head back in time for our 50s Primetime ADR. By this time my husband really just wants to knock me over the head and put me out of everybody’s misery.

It starts at the boat dock. “I’m hot, my legs hurt, when is the boat coming, where are we going, my sister keeps touching me, hold me my tummy hurts, the sun is shinning in my eyes, my sister is breathing MY air” and that’s just from the first minute while waiting for the boat.

We make it to the Boardwalk Resort. Very neat place. Now I see why so many people like it. Grab an ice cream then head over to Epcots international gateway. The path from the Boardwalk to Epcot was 250 degrees in the shade. It felt like we were climbing the Alp Duez in France. How many more miles till we get there? The girls at this point have turned into total out of control little monsters. My youngest was so tired; she had almost rubbed her eyes out of her head.

We make it to Epcot. We admire this flower art here in the picture. What are we doing? I don’t know?

Everybody is tired and our legs are killing us so what do we do? We just keep walking! We stop in France to take another picture. Why? I don’t know! Just shoot me!

We do make it to America in the World showcase and watch the show there. Nice A/C, comfy chairs, and a good show too.

Then we head back to the international gateway to catch the boat back to MGM for the 50’s Prime time Café. We arrive late, but they still get us in record time. I have a whole report on this in the restaurants section. But here is a pic of our server, she was lots of fun.

My husband and I had about 4 drinks a piece, it was a very hard day having fun, eat dinner, and decide there is absolutely NO WAY we can stay for Fantasmic as planned if WE WOULD HAVE TOOK OUR MID DAY BREAK! Everyone is exhausted! We have been out since 8:00. 12 hours and we still are not back in our room yet. Needless to say we all, even my mom, crashed in our beds.

 

[averill94]

D'oh -that is not the way your day was supposed to go (in my head anyway- I figured everybody would be smiling and having a grand ole time right thru Fantasmic!)
Oh man- I've felt every minute you described! " What are we doing? I dont know" Its horrible- then the meltdowns! Well big kudos for even making your ADR!

Thanks for the laughs- look forward to more.