Magic in the Kingdom 2012! BIG 2/16/2014 FINAL UPDATE!

[mom2rtk]

Just catching up on your TR. Fabulous pictures as always! Julia thinks Katie is all grown up now.

Thanks Glennie! Tell Julia Katie thinks Katie is all grown up too!

Wonderful photos again Janet. The GF photos are especially stunning. Love that first one of the roof with the 3 big ovals. Just spot on perfect.

Crazy about the flight! Glad EVERYONE got their seats together.

Just curious....When you gave Katie the option to do one last thing and she chose the monorail ride what was the other options...do you remember?

Mike

PS. Bring on Disneyland!

Oh yes, definitely bring on Disneyland. Right now! I'm definitely ready for a dose of Disney long about now.

Thanks for the kind words on the photos. I had tried that shot of the ceiling windows the night before. But I found that the best angle was from the bench at the grand piano. And their piano player had selfishly taken that spot. Fortunately it was unoccupied the next morning.

Katie could have chosen to visit some other resorts (which I was hoping she wouldn't after fighting the heat and GF parking issues all morning already). She also could have chosen to visit some of the Disney outlet stores around Orlando. I really wanted to do that, but I also wanted to make sure we didn't miss one more stop at Earl of Sandwich and didn't want to run late. So the monorail tour just seemed perfect. But I tell you, after reading about the 3 hour breakdown on the monorail last night, I'm not sure I'd do that on departure day again!

As for the flight..... I just can't imagine someone in a corporate office saying "Hey I know how we can deal with this merger thing. We'll just randomly assign people seats all over the plane. I'm sure the agents at the gate can sort it all out." I'm still shaking my head over that one. Just crazy.

I loved your last day stuff. What great ideas, especially the monorail tour - to Epcot as well. Nice way to end a quick trip and soak as much in without entering the parks between the character meal, GF/1900PF, monorail rides and DTD. love it. thanks for sharing.

And the beach trip was neat to see, especially the kayaking and shell hunting. We will have to check that area out when on the gulf coast this fall post Disney. Thanks for the ideas!

Sydnerella's Mama

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Ooohhh...... so you get to visit the Gulf coast after Disney in October? Yeah! It really is the best of both worlds. Go go go at Disne..... then kick back at the beach.

And yes, that was the idea with the monorail trip. To soak up as much Disney as possible without entering a park. I would have sprung for tickets into a park that day if weren't for the daytime heat. I could cope with crazy expensive for one day, but I honestly can't cope with the heat for one day.

You totally have me wanting to see the fireworks from the Poly! Not sure if we can squeeze it in, but were you really that close or did you have a super zoom on your lens? And was your spot hard to find? We just may see if there's time to see them there. Thanks!!!

I did have my camera zoomed to around 110 mm, but honestly, it's still a great view.

No issue at ALL finding a spot last minute. It was very laid back and not even remotely crowded. The first beach (closer to the pool) had more people but still not tons. The beach closer to the TTC was practically deserted.

Awesome fireworks pics, that really is a good view from the Poly Beach, I assume you were zoomed in some, but still...

Great that you were able to get to both breakfast and dinner at 1900 PF.

That's crazy that so many people weren't seated together on the plane.

As I said, yes, I zoomed in, but honestly it's still an awesome view. The bursts are just huge. The only difference is that the castle is smaller. But still very much worth doing. I really want to do that again for one of the fireworks shows that does perimeter bursts. I'm thinking both MVMCP and MNSSHP do the perimeter bursts. And since the park closes early on those nights, it's a great time to watch from the Poly.

And yes, we sort of felt like we were staying at the GF by the time we had eaten both dinner and breakfast there!

 

[francis6306]

We parked at GF… and by WE I mean, Corey.

I'm ready for DisneyLand! I just have to figure out how to get myself packed in your luggage!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Yikes. The airline situation sounds like a huge mess.

The pictures of the Grand Floridan are so pretty.

The wrapped monorail picture kinda gives the MK a cool effect!

AH I want that crystal castle. Maybe if I hit lotto one day?

Wow the airline debacle just gets worse. What terrible customer service. At least you were able to resolve it in the end!

 

[scrapbookersdis]

Come back soon - looking forward to more!

 

[missangelalexis]

Come back soon - looking forward to more!

 

[mom2rtk]

Come back soon - looking forward to more!

Hi everyone!

I promise I'll be back very soon. Getting Timmy moved in and settled in at school just took a lot more emotional energy than I expected. The good news is that he seems to have adjusted great, and I'm finally coming around too.

Not too much longer.

I have the next day's photos done. So buckle up. When I get going again, I hope to move quickly.

On a happy note, I booked flights yesterday for DLR in December! It really feels good to be doing happy things again.

 

[francis6306]

I promise I'll be back very soon. Getting Timmy moved in and settled in at school just took a lot more emotional energy than I expected. The good news is that he seems to have adjusted great, and I'm finally coming around too.

Not too much longer.

Awe Momma! We deal with this from parents and kids every year with the band. It's a hard adjustment at times, but in the end it almost always works out for the best!

Of course, in 12 years, you may have to remind me of that…

 

[mom2rtk]

Awe Momma! We deal with this from parents and kids every year with the band. It's a hard adjustment at times, but in the end it almost always works out for the best!

Of course, in 12 years, you may have to remind me of that…

Thanks Christen. I thought I was ready, but I really wasn't.

Every day that goes by though, he does something else to make me proud. And instead of sadness, I'm happier and happier to see my little bird take some steps out of the nest and try out his wings. Did I mention how proud of him I am?

Then just as he started to get a little settled, he got sick. But he handled that with flying colors and is finally on the mend.

Really though, that's a month I could do without living through again.

I just don't get how people handle it when REALLY hard things come along. I could barely handle this, something thousands of families deal with every fall.

Of course, Drew has now forbidden Katie from attending any school more than 45 minutes from home.

 

[francis6306]

Thanks Christen. I thought I was ready, but I really wasn't.

Every day that goes by though, he does something else to make me proud. And instead of sadness, I'm happier and happier to see my little bird take some steps out of the nest and try out his wings. Did I mention how proud of him I am?

Then just as he started to get a little settled, he got sick. But he handled that with flying colors and is finally on the mend.

Really though, that's a month I could do without living through again.

I just don't get how people handle it when REALLY hard things come along. I could barely handle this, something thousands of families deal with every fall.

Of course, Drew has now forbidden Katie from attending any school more than 45 minutes from home.

Are there any schools within 45 minutes??

We're fairly hopeful that our girls will stay close-ish… If Corey is working in a University system that gives children discounts, then they will HAVE to go where we will get a discount or they will have to pay for the extra themselves. In IL, I think there are 7 schools in this system, in GA ALL the public colleges are in a system and California has two systems as well. I don't want to force them to go to the school their dad teaches at, but I also can't imagine losing out on a BIG discount when it comes to pay for their education!

 

[mom2rtk]

Are there any schools within 45 minutes??

We're fairly hopeful that our girls will stay close-ish… If Corey is working in a University system that gives children discounts, then they will HAVE to go where we will get a discount or they will have to pay for the extra themselves. In IL, I think there are 7 schools in this system, in GA ALL the public colleges are in a system and California has two systems as well. I don't want to force them to go to the school their dad teaches at, but I also can't imagine losing out on a BIG discount when it comes to pay for their education!

Well, there are a few commuter schools here in the area. But as much as it will pain me, I want her to go away to school. I went away to school and it really made me a much more independent person. Sigh. I guess I'll wait a few years before worrying about that though.

Drew works for a University that is part of a program with a reciprocal tuition exchange. It's a group of small private universities. It covers full tuition, but not room and board. Robbie is using that benefit at another private University here in town. Timmy didn't want to attend any of those schools, but had full tuition in the form of merit scholarships from the school he chose.

Isn't it nice knowing there is a no cost option though? WHEW. Huge relief.

 

[francis6306]

Well, there are a few commuter schools here in the area. But as much as it will pain me, I want her to go away to school. I went away to school and it really made me a much more independent person. Sigh. I guess I'll wait a few years before worrying about that though.

Drew works for a University that is part of a program with a reciprocal tuition exchange. It's a group of small private universities. It covers full tuition, but not room and board. Robbie is using that benefit at another private University here in town. Timmy didn't want to attend any of those schools, but had full tuition in the form of merit scholarships from the school he chose.

Isn't it nice knowing there is a no cost option though? WHEW. Huge relief.

It is SO nice to know that there are those options! We are burdened with quite a bit of SL debt from Corey's education, and I'm hopeful that my girls won't have to have quite as much!

 

[czmom]

Hi everyone!

I promise I'll be back very soon. Getting Timmy moved in and settled in at school just took a lot more emotional energy than I expected. The good news is that he seems to have adjusted great, and I'm finally coming around too.

Not too much longer.

I have the next day's photos done. So buckle up. When I get going again, I hope to move quickly.

On a happy note, I booked flights yesterday for DLR in December! It really feels good to be doing happy things again.

I missed this news! So glad things are getting finalized for you!! Are you going into SNA or LAX? We had to do LAX because of much better prices. Again, that's what I get for flying Thanksgiving weekend....

 

[mom2rtk]

I missed this news! So glad things are getting finalized for you!! Are you going into SNA or LAX? We had to do LAX because of much better prices. Again, that's what I get for flying Thanksgiving weekend....

Hey there Wendy!

That ticker of yours is looking pretty darn awesome. I might have to get me one just like it!

I actually thought we'd end up going into LAX because the flights are direct. Into SNA they are not. But the prices were actually higher at LAX, and the total travel time even with an indirect flight was night that much higher, so I finally pulled the trigger and just went for SNA.

I actually thought about flying in the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend...... until I looked at the prices! And I still don't know for certain my son will have a ride home for Thanksgiving, so we might end up driving him back that day. So we're going Wednesday to Wednesday.

I have finally started putting pencil to paper on what we want to do each day. And it's really hard. At WDW it's so easy. Just choose a park and go from there. With DL and the ability to hop at will on any given day, I'm just lost!

 

[francis6306]

I will never understand how a flight that has a layover can be so much cheaper than a direct flight! I know… LAX is a popular airport, but geeeez! Glad you got your tickets!!

 

[YodasMom]

Your trip planning sounds fun, Janet! I was able to get a really good ticket price for Oct, but I'm sure it's different for Dec.

My trip is coming up fast, about 2 1/2 weeks away. I am SO excited! I have no idea what I'm going to be doing the 4 days after my BSM tour is over (other than the Halloween party)!!!

 

[Caretames1]

Hi everyone!

I promise I'll be back very soon. Getting Timmy moved in and settled in at school just took a lot more emotional energy than I expected. The good news is that he seems to have adjusted great, and I'm finally coming around too.

I'm glad it's going better, it's hard to wrap your head around that situation until it actually happens.



I have the next day's photos done. So buckle up. When I get going again, I hope to move quickly.


You are my kind of TR'er, I've gotten so behind again.

On a happy note, I booked flights yesterday for DLR in December! It really feels good to be doing happy things again.

I can not wait for your DL TR! I'm so interested in DL.

Thanks Christen. I thought I was ready, but I really wasn't.

From me to you

Every day that goes by though, he does something else to make me proud. And instead of sadness, I'm happier and happier to see my little bird take some steps out of the nest and try out his wings. Did I mention how proud of him I am?

As you should be, any accomplishment he's done is also because you guys did a great job too!

Then just as he started to get a little settled, he got sick. But he handled that with flying colors and is finally on the mend.

Really though, that's a month I could do without living through again.

That's a hard thing, I remember Sammy got a nasty cold while she was away at her first year in school and she was so miserable, I wish I could have done something, but I resigned there was nothing I could have done that meds and a humidifier couldn't.

I just don't get how people handle it when REALLY hard things come along. I could barely handle this, something thousands of families deal with every fall.

You just go into Mom mode and do it. I know when Sam had her more serious health issues while at school, I dealt in the moment and after it was all over, then I fell apart.

Kids, childbirth is nothing compared to what they do to us afterwards.

Of course, Drew has now forbidden Katie from attending any school more than 45 minutes from home.

I had told John I'm moving in with Kadence in her dorm.

 

[fabulousfive]

Wow!!! I must have fallen behind but seeing those AK photos are amazing! That reminded me I should have a zoom lens for the safari. What focal length did you use? And I love that the characters are in holiday outfits. Hope it's the same when we are there in December. Love your photos and story!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

I will never understand how a flight that has a layover can be so much cheaper than a direct flight! I know… LAX is a popular airport, but geeeez! Glad you got your tickets!!

Belated thanks Christen! SW actually had some great sales in recent weeks and I could have saved a few dollars and gotten a direct flight into LAX but I just didn't want to mess with the longer commute to that airport. So I stuck with what I had.

I don't remember where I left off with the trip planning, but we're just over a month away so most of the plans are set. Well, as set as they can be gong to DLR. We're staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel, the least expensive of the 3 onsite hotels, and the only one we have never stayed at. In the end, I just couldn't be without early entry each day. I just wake up too early, and when you couple that with the switch to Pacific time, I knew it would drive me crazy to sit around for hours waiting for the parks to open.

Your trip planning sounds fun, Janet! I was able to get a really good ticket price for Oct, but I'm sure it's different for Dec.

My trip is coming up fast, about 2 1/2 weeks away. I am SO excited! I have no idea what I'm going to be doing the 4 days after my BSM tour is over (other than the Halloween party)!!!

Thanks Karen! I can't wait to read your trip report. It sounds like you had a great trip!

Wow!!! I must have fallen behind but seeing those AK photos are amazing! That reminded me I should have a zoom lens for the safari. What focal length did you use? And I love that the characters are in holiday outfits. Hope it's the same when we are there in December. Love your photos and story!!!

Thanks so much! Yes, a zoom of some sort is s huge help on the safari. I typically use my 50-150 f/2.8 zoom. A little more reach would be great, but that's the best quality zoom I have so I crop where needed.

One of the things I love about AK is having the characters in holiday costumes that time of year. I don't know why they don't do more of that in the other parks. I'm looking forward to DLR this year where I hear they do have a few more holiday costumes on the characters.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm glad it's going better, it's hard to wrap your head around that situation until it actually happens.

I guess we're getting more used to the new normal here. But it's still hard. Drew drove to Rolla to bring him home this weekend. And I'll drive him back at the butt-crack of dawn Monday so he can make it to his first class. We did the same thing a month ago. It's hard because there's so much upheaval then when he has to leave again, but it's so nice looking forward to these visits. This time should be easier though. He only has to go back before getting a full week off for Thanksgiving, then will only have about a week and a half until his 5 week Christmas break. I can't believe we're already on the down side of the first semester.

You are my kind of TR'er, I've gotten so behind again.

Well, I guess that only applies if I really follow through and DO it.

I can not wait for your DL TR! I'm so interested in DL.

I'm going to try really hard to finish this one up soon so I can even show my face again on the trip report board!

From me to you

Awww thanks. I've needed a few of those this fall.

As you should be, any accomplishment he's done is also because you guys did a great job too!

Well, there you go again. Shucks, thanks.

That's a hard thing, I remember Sammy got a nasty cold while she was away at her first year in school and she was so miserable, I wish I could have done something, but I resigned there was nothing I could have done that meds and a humidifier couldn't

I just mostly hated that I could lay eyes on him and evaluate whether he needed more than just OTC stuff. He ended up being sick for about 3 weeks, but (knock wood!) has been good ever since. I really think his allergies just went crazy in his new surroundings. He's been taking his allergy meds pretty regularly since then so maybe that helps.

You just go into Mom mode and do it. I know when Sam had her more serious health issues while at school, I dealt in the moment and after it was all over, then I fell apart.

I'm still in awe at how you handle stuff like that. I guess I'd do the same thing, but just can even wrap my brain around it. I guess you embrace your inner Dory and "just keep swimming".

Kids, childbirth is nothing compared to what they do to us afterwards.

Amen sister!

I had told John I'm moving in with Kadence in her dorm.

Awesome idea! I'll pitch that to Katie and see where it gets me.....

 

[mom2rtk]

Monday December 10, 2012:




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Epcot has long been our standing park after a late night party. I really just don't feel the Disney magic there as much as I do at other parks. It's just an excuse to try some more restaurants. Which I'm happy to say we did this year!

We entered the park at 10:30 but still needed to stop at Guest Relations. Katie and I still needed to add extra days to our tickets. There was nobody in line ahead of us, so I thought it would be quick. Nope. No such luck. Just like at the Magic Kingdom, it seemed to take forever. Really it was probably only 10 or 15 minutes, but still far longer than it should have taken. While I was at the counter, Drew and Katie were consulting the Mobile Magic app to see how the FP distribution was looking for Soarin' and Test Track. Turns out TT was down already. Yikes. That could completely throw off our one day at Epcot!

As it turns out, the CM at the counter gave us another "any attraction" FP when we were done. It was a real lifesaver with fastpass return times now being enforced. Without that time flexibility, we would have had a really hard time doing both TT and Soarin in the same day. So we headed for "The Land". On our way past, we saw Chip and Dale out in their spot by "Innoventions". Chip and Dale are pretty much the only characters Drew cares to stop for, so he and Katie got in line for them while I ran in to get Soarin' FPs.


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After some photos with Chip & Dale, we headed over to do the Nemo ride.


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By the time it was done, it was time to check in for lunch.
I have a vague recollection of eating at Coral Reef many years ago, but could just be imagining it. Maybe the year I was 7 weeks pregnant with Robbie. Or maybe not. I guess I should have taken more pictures. When we checked in, they had not actually started seating anyone for lunch yet. I asked if we could be seated by the tanks and we were seated around 11:40. I loved the atmosphere.


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It was grand to finally have our dining plan kick in that day. After a few days of paying Disney prices for food, and checking the prices on everything, it was time to enjoy our food a little more! Drew had the crab cakes appetizer for 2 as his entree. I had the salmon and Katie ordered her own steak! I had a few bites and it was really good. Katie dubbed it one of her favorite meals of the trip. I had the chocolate wave for dessert. It gets the award of my favorite dessert of the entire trip. Katie had the creme brulee, but didn't care for it. Drew was happy to help her polish it off.


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After lunch, it was time to use our Soarin FP's. Drew really doesn't care much for this ride. But there's something about the sensation of flying that I love, and I just wouldn't want to miss it. That and the opportunity to fly over Disneyland like Tinkerbell..... are just too tempting.


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I really wanted to try some new things this trip, so after Soarin, we headed over for our first ride ever on Figment. I had heard of it, but honestly didn't really know it was a ride! I'm glad we tried it, but I'm sure we'll never do it again. Although it was a lot of fun to continually sing that song, driving Katie nuts the rest of the day.



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