Magical Grand Gathering Trip with Pics. Completed

[kaysmommie]

Ah, the dreaded Astro Orbiter! My brother convinced me to go on that ride during our last family trip in 2005. I sat on the inside, and he sat on the outside and controlled the vehicle. WELL, it had been raining, and every time he raised the ride vehicle, the water sloshed inwards and my pants got SOAKED! I can't say I was a big fan of the ride, either; give me the Magic Carpets any day...

I know you mentioned several times about Thomas getting sick...poor baby! I hope things went OK for you all and can't wait to hear about the rest of your adventures.

I agree i like magic carpets and Dumbo way better . He was okay I just think he got run down and heat exhausted. I have no clue though because this was the first trip we were kind of relaxed. Must have been the days we had set plans were just too much and not enough naps and rest.

Great update Nichole! It sounds like a very productive MK morning and afternoon! YAY on the Dream Ears! I want to go to Disney with you - you have such good luck getting dreams!

That IS the "Hot" Jack! Hubba hubba! He is the one we saw back in November, and I couldn't believe my eyes or ears at how much he looked and sounded like Johnny Depp. The one we saw this past trip was eh. I actually didn't watch the whole show - I wasn't nearly as mesmorized! LOL!

The DVC tour sounds great! I would love to get Shawn to at least take the tour!!! I try to explain how it all works, but I know an official "DVC" person could do a much better job at it! I would love the BLT ones I'm sure (just hate the acronmyn - BLT - just too sandwichy for me! LOL!)

Uh-oh - the dreaded ER visit is coming up! The poor thing!

I'll be waiting....
(why is is so much easier just reading others reports instead of writing my own?)

Sara

Hi Sara,
I agree much easier to read other Dissers reports. It's alot of work .
Well at least you already know Thomas as okay because you saw him 3 days later real quick anyway. But that is when he was feeling better.

Yes I was memorized watching that Captain Jack. He is the only one I have seen do the Priate Tictorial. I have one other in the Parade and was not impressed. You should definately take Shawn to to the DVC tour, makes a huge difference. If there was anyway we could have joined right then, Tommy would have. But at least I know that now. I wish I could to Disney with you girls but I was lucky we got to go at all this year. I love to win things at Disney because I never have good luck anywhere else. I'm sure you must have won something or got some kind of a dream on your trip? The Birthday pins usually help. I hope you post and update soon .

Just finished the new update. I rode the Astro Orbiter in '07 and that was enough for me! My goodness....it must be as bad as the Mission Space ride. Over there I only go on the stationary one. On AO I felt like I was going to spin to death.

Sidney keeps bugging me to take the DVC tour. How long did it take total for the tour itself. You can drive over right? (So we don't have to wait on a van...) I kept saying no because I thought they made the kids stay in the kids club and I refuse to leave the baby anywhere. If they're okay with him coming with us I'll do it in December. This book...does that explain everything with the prices? I'd like to have that info to bring home and go over. We almost did this in 1999. We should have. It was a lot cheaper back then I'm sure!

You got the real deal Jack! That's cool. He really looks the most like JD out of all the fellas I've seen. Only younger. That's funny that she called him the "hot Jack".

Congrats on the Mickey ears!!!! (I also noticed fast passes in one of your pics too) so somebody wons some dreams! We've never won ears, pins, or passes. We got the Tink pins but those aren't a dream are they? We had a few dreams when it all first started and last Summer but not one thing this past trip. I hope we win some ears in December! Those would make a wonderful keepsake!

I'm already worried about your next update. Poor little Thomas... Awww.

Try not to worry everything turned out okay. I would never ride AO even for a DVC membership . I screamed at Kaylee for for flying us up so high, the spining was out of her hands. But I felt bad later. That was my only bad mommy moment of the trip. I bought her a small surprise later though to make up for it.

As far as DVC, you can take the books and paperwork home. It is no pressure at all. I think if you set up a time you can drive yourslef over to the tour. I had no idea we would have the issues we did or else I would have drove our minivan over there. I wish we joined in 2002, it was alot cheaper back then and would have paid for itself in 4 trips to Disney.

The Tink pins aren't a dream but definately a magical moment. We only the won ears this day. But we did win something else and the kids were given a really nice magical moment as well. We loved wining the ears. My DF never won a dream in any of her trips. She has been 4 times this past year and stayed for 10-11 nights each time. She seemed kind of annoyed about it too. I'm surprised she didn't make a phone call about it. I was happy to see the good looking Jack again. The others are just not the same .

 

[jaycns]

"hey that was the Hot jack mommy." It looks like you are rubbing off on her!

What a great day at the MK you all had! I am having fun following along!

 

[earthfaries]

The Grand Gathering Cruise sounded wonderful , except for all the waiting...I'm glad you all had a good time with it

Glad you had such a good day at MK, that family in front of you on Astro Orbiter would have gotten on my nerves too. I admit, my kids would also be trying to climb on the railing, but I would be paying attention to them and making sure they didn't! Sorry you didn't like the ride. I like it, but I feel as if it's going to break off and I'm going to just fly over Fantasyland

I CAN'T STAND IT when people (employees) make mistakes and treat YOU like crap!!!! Oh that's one of my biggest pet peeves. They don't even apologize!!! Been there, done that

That would be so great to move to FL. It's funny you mention that, we've really been considering moving to Orlando these past few days...boy, wouldn't that be so great? I'd rather move out West , but then I thought, hey why not live in Orlando for at least a year and enjoy all Disney has to offer for a whole year!!!

 

[WDW Fan]

Great update Nichole! The cockroach story at CM really grossed me though. My DH and I have been to WDW over 50 times now and only until recently have we noticed cockroaches in the parks. I don't know if Disney isn't spraying the way that they used to or if there are more cockroaches in the area, but it certainly grossed us out on recent trips. I know Florida has them all around but it's weird how all of a sudden you are noticing them more. Glad you all enjoyed the fireworks cruise so much. We took the Illuminations Fireworks Cruise during the Millenium week, when we were staying at the Yacht Club, and thought it was kind of overrated. It was so cold that night, that there was a dew on the boat, and they gave us blankets to put over us to keep us warm, but I thought we had a better viewing while dining at the Rose N Crown Pub. I know a lot of other guests really enjoy the cruises though.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great TR Nichole! So glad you liked CBR. After all the debating you did I would have felt really bad if you didn't like it!

Hope the trip to the ER wasn't anything serious.

 

[tmkinney]

Great update! Congrats on the Dream Ears!!

Sounds like you were able to get a lot in that morning. Love the tink face-painting. That does stink that they moved the characters from Toontown...


Looking forward to more!

 

[dddisrunner]

Dream Ears! WOO HOO! Sorry to hear that Goofy doesn't do Barnstormer anymore! Yet another thing taken away for boys because of something that was added for girls! OK sorry to rant! Sounds like you got alot done that morning! Glad you got Kaylee back on Splash! Too funny about the "hot Jack" comment! I could not agree more about INDY speedway, I HATE that ride! Man, you would think they would make the entire DVC experience smooth, not a great way to entice someone to buy when they screw up the pickup time! Glad to hear you liked the AKLV!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Aww, I'm jealous you got the dream ears! I don't know why but I really really want to win those. We've been to WDW/DL I think 4 times during this celebration and no luck. Oh well, atleast I have the pins. hehe

That is cool that Kaylee rode Cinderella's horse!

 

[kaysmommie]

Remind Kaylee it's not nice to read over mommy's shoulder when she's writing/reading about Hot Jack!

So sorry your DVC tour was so late! That would totally seal the deal with my DH. he wouldn't have waited past the 20 mintues! hopefully by this time next year we will be in a better position to buy! I would totally love that!!

Oh no!! An ER trip on vacation!!?!?! Say it isn't so!

She is always reading when she walks by and I'm on DIS. Tom was annoyed about the time mix up. But I was like well we switch the time even thought they said it was not a problem if I needed to. The ER visit was just to make sure he was alright and get him some meds so we can him feeling better and enjoy what was left of the vacation.

"hey that was the Hot jack mommy." It looks like you are rubbing off on her!

What a great day at the MK you all had! I am having fun following along!

Oh no ! I really have to watch what I say. I would be emabarresed if she ever called a boy hot, she is only 8 . He was the hot Jack though. there is a whole thread about him on the theme parks board.

The Grand Gathering Cruise sounded wonderful , except for all the waiting...I'm glad you all had a good time with it

Glad you had such a good day at MK, that family in front of you on Astro Orbiter would have gotten on my nerves too. I admit, my kids would also be trying to climb on the railing, but I would be paying attention to them and making sure they didn't! Sorry you didn't like the ride. I like it, but I feel as if it's going to break off and I'm going to just fly over Fantasyland

I CAN'T STAND IT when people (employees) make mistakes and treat YOU like crap!!!! Oh that's one of my biggest pet peeves. They don't even apologize!!! Been there, done that

That would be so great to move to FL. It's funny you mention that, we've really been considering moving to Orlando these past few days...boy, wouldn't that be so great? I'd rather move out West , but then I thought, hey why not live in Orlando for at least a year and enjoy all Disney has to offer for a whole year!!!

I agree out West would be probably be more suited for us but I would miss Disney so much. It was so cold last week and now it is warm again what is with this weather?? I don't care if the kid climbed the railing, it was more that he had ants in pants and was bumping into me as he was jumping down. There was no where to move to get away from him They were just very people anyway. I would never ride it again, the spining was too fast for me.

Great update Nichole! The cockroach story at CM really grossed me though. My DH and I have been to WDW over 50 times now and only until recently have we noticed cockroaches in the parks. I don't know if Disney isn't spraying the way that they used to or if there are more cockroaches in the area, but it certainly grossed us out on recent trips. I know Florida has them all around but it's weird how all of a sudden you are noticing them more. Glad you all enjoyed the fireworks cruise so much. We took the Illuminations Fireworks Cruise during the Millenium week, when we were staying at the Yacht Club, and thought it was kind of overrated. It was so cold that night, that there was a dew on the boat, and they gave us blankets to put over us to keep us warm, but I thought we had a better viewing while dining at the Rose N Crown Pub. I know a lot of other guests really enjoy the cruises though.

I guess Disney is cutting back on bug spray too. I never noticed them before either until this year . I guess maybe I won't book the Illuminations cruise until I read more reviews. Because if you weren't impressed with the millenium Cruise then that doesn't say much. Maybe i'll just save the money and get and ADR for Rose & Crown.

Great TR Nichole! So glad you liked CBR. After all the debating you did I would have felt really bad if you didn't like it!

Hope the trip to the ER wasn't anything serious.

Hi there , glad to see you over here. You know what I have always thought about trying CBR because it looks so nice in the pics. But after reading that CSR is more deluxe I figured that it might be better. After reading your posts I went with my gut feeling and switched to CBR, so glad I did. When we went over to CSR to visit It just didn't feel Disney to me, way too conventiony. Tom couldn't stand CSR and said no way would he stay there not even for queen beds and concierge level. The grounds were pretty but I still think CBR is prettier and more relaxed. Also CBR has a better nicer newer pool. Our family was very happy with CBR. Looks like we might be staying there again for bounceback in October 2009 since Poly will be most likely not be in the budget. Can't wait to hear how you like the new pool, even though it might be cold on your trip. The ER visit was nothing serious , thanks for the hug .

Great update! Congrats on the Dream Ears!!

Sounds like you were able to get a lot in that morning. Love the tink face-painting. That does stink that they moved the characters from Toontown...


Looking forward to more!

Thanks . I'll try to post an update tomorrow.

Dream Ears! WOO HOO! Sorry to hear that Goofy doesn't do Barnstormer anymore! Yet another thing taken away for boys because of something that was added for girls! OK sorry to rant! Sounds like you got alot done that morning! Glad you got Kaylee back on Splash! Too funny about the "hot Jack" comment! I could not agree more about INDY speedway, I HATE that ride! Man, you would think they would make the entire DVC experience smooth, not a great way to entice someone to buy when they screw up the pickup time Glad to hear you liked the AKLV!

Your post has me cracking up. It stinks they moved the characters out of Toontown. I do love Tink but wish they would do a character meal with her instead of a line with 2 hour waits . Indy Speedway needs a refurb right along with Space Mountain . My kids just love that Speedway fro some reason, maybe because when they bang and clank that car on the track it drives me nuts. Tom was PO about the DCV pick up, more so on the attitude of the CM he spoke with. Have you actually seen the AKLV rooms? They are gorgeous!

Aww, I'm jealous you got the dream ears! I don't know why but I really really want to win those. We've been to WDW/DL I think 4 times during this celebration and no luck. Oh well, atleast I have the pins. hehe

That is cool that Kaylee rode Cinderella's horse!

Thanks. Well maybe you will win Dream ears on your next trip hopefully. The ears are very cute . Your going in December right?

 

[cdotla]

Great update!

SO sorry to hear that the characters are no longer in TT in the mornings, and especially that Goofy is no longer on the Barnstormer.

Kaylee was so lucky to have gotten that in last year!

I am also one of many parents who are completely disappointed about the lack of the Little Ones EMHs at MK this year. That was one of the highlights of my trip with DD last year and I fully intended to bring my son back next year to allow him to experience it as well. Hopefully they will bring it back.

Can't wait for more!

 

[kaysmommie]

Great update!

SO sorry to hear that the characters are no longer in TT in the mornings, and especially that Goofy is no longer on the Barnstormer.

Kaylee was so lucky to have gotten that in last year!

I am also one of many parents who are completely disappointed about the lack of the Little Ones EMHs at MK this year. That was one of the highlights of my trip with DD last year and I fully intended to bring my son back next year to allow him to experience it as well. Hopefully they will bring it back.

Can't wait for more!

Little ones extra magic hours was the best I hope they bring it back too.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hi there , glad to see you over here. You know what I have always thought about trying CBR because it looks so nice in the pics. But after reading that CSR is more deluxe I figured that it might be better. After reading your posts I went with my gut feeling and switched to CBR, so glad I did. When we went over to CSR to visit It just didn't feel Disney to me, way too conventiony. Tom couldn't stand CSR and said no way would he stay there not even for queen beds and concierge level. The grounds were pretty but I still think CBR is prettier and more relaxed. Also CBR has a better nicer newer pool. Our family was very happy with CBR. Looks like we might be staying there again for bounceback in October 2009 since Poly will be most likely not be in the budget. Can't wait to hear how you like the new pool, even though it might be cold on your trip. The ER visit was nothing serious , thanks for the hug .

I'm so glad you went with your gut and went with CBR! Glad I could help. I agree, it is prettier and much more lush and relaxing. Glad you enjoyed it.

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[kaysmommie]

I'm so glad you went with your gut and went with CBR! Glad I could help. I agree, it is prettier and much more lush and relaxing. Glad you enjoyed it.

Can't wait to hear more.

Reading your posts and opinion helped alot .

 

[kaysmommie]

Dinner at Tuttio Italia....


We we arrived back at CBR and had just enough time to change for dinner at Epcot. We decided to drive over to BC and valet park there. I had forgot that my DF and her family were going to Hoop Dee Doo tonight @ FW so they were no where to be found at BC.


I just love the smell of the BC lobby and after looking around I do think I would like to stay here sometime, next year if possible. The pool looks really nice too. this is the only picture I took there for some reason.

I was hoping somehow I would find time to see the Acrobats in China before dinner but we only had 20 minutes so that was impossible . Kaylee really wanted to buy a Passport this trip instead of making a mask. The last time she did the Passport stamps was when she was 3. So we made a stop in the store in Italy for her to buy one. Then she got her first stamp in the Kidcot in Italy.

We checked in for dinner 5 minutes early and were sat right away. This was our first time eating here but I had read lots of good reviews. It was a very pretty restaurant. Kaylee looked a mess there with her painted face, but oh well it's Disney. Our server was pretty good but I can't remember his name.

The kids meals came with appetizers. They chose fried mozzerella of course and it was tasty. They also brought bread and EVOO to our table.

The kids liked that they could color all over the table cloth. While we waited for our food. Thomas had fun making Mickey Ears.

For dinner I had the Lasagana, which was very good.

Tom had some kind of Pasta dish, he liked it too.

Thomas had fettucini and Kaylee ordered the Chicken and vegetables which she didn't like at all. She said the chicken was slimy. The server brought her some fettucini instead. the kids both thought it was alright.

Next up was dessert. Thomas didn't want any dessert . Kaylee had a Chocolate gelato which she liked.

I ordered Tiramisu and it was really yummy. Tom had the Choclate Hazelnut cake and he said it was good. We also had decent coffee with our dessert for a change.

After Dinner we walked back towards the International gateway since I knew the kids needed some rest tonight. I would love to stay and watch Illuminations and it was really nice out too. But I knew we would be back the next night. It was really crowded in World Showcase this evening anyway. I just love World Showcase though, after MK it's my favorite.

We drove back to CBR and when we were walking to the room I heard fireworks. It was Illuminations. We could even see some of the higher ones from the walkway near our room in Martinique. If we walked down to OPR I'm sure it would have been a nice view from there too.


The kids both had showers and got their PJ's on for bed. I think they were asleep in 5 minutes. Kaylee was attempting to start filling out her Passport but was just too tired.

I took a walk to OPR to the shop to see if I could find a Lanyard for Kaylee's new pins she bought and was given on this trip. I picked one out for her so she could wear her pins the next day to Epcot.

For some reason Thomas looked warm to me and he was burning up with a fever when I felt his forehead. I took his temp and he had 104 fever . I was freaked out thinking he must have strep since it was going around school before we left. I did keep him out of school the week we were leaving though this didn't work for me obviously . I gave him some tylenol and recheked him in and hour and he still had 103 fever. He was so very tired that we didn't want to wake him up. But by 5AM he woke up burning up and couldn't even get back to sleep. Tom and I decided he should got to ER at Celebration. We called the fromt desk to see what our options were and this was pretty much it unless we wanted to wait until 11AM for the walk in clinic.

Tom decided to take him now since he awake anyway. I of course ran down the list of things it could be and told him to call and keep me informed. As I knew I would be sitting there waiting for his call. We didn't want to drag Kaylee to the ER though so I stayed with her. The idea of driving around at night in a strange town didn't really appeal to me.


I was very upset that Thomas was so sick on this vacation. He had been loking forward to it so long. Everyday he was the one who remembered to take the mickey head of the countdown Calendar . I was just laying next to kaylee worried waiting for Tom to call.

He did finally did call about and hour later. They tested Thomas for Strep and it was negative. They even looked in his ears and they were fine too. In fact he had no cold symptoms at all . Tom told me they were getting the discharge papers and were going to Walgreens to fill a Script for Amoxicillin. That was my request because they were giving him that other 5 day med that gives him Diarhea . That would not be fun in Disney! They prescibed something just in case whatever he had was bacterial. ! I was relieved he was okay but he still had a high fever and would need to rest today. I was hoping his fever would go down after he started his meds. It's hard being away from home with a sick child. We never did find out why he had this high fever on the trip.



Next Update: Would we ever make it to Epcot?? A disaster of a morning

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

A few years ago when we would go to WDW in January or February I'd always get sick like that. Fever....and felt like poo. I always figured it was due to the weather change? Who knows? Poor little guy though...I hate that this happened to him while on vacation. I'm hoping this passed fast and he got to enjoy the rest of his trip.

The kids food at TI looks YUM! And your dessert....mmmmmm. I have that on my 2009 list. 90210 time...I'll be back later.

 

[earthfaries]

Your dinner and deserts looked yummy

I hope Thomas didn't get really sick or feel really bad ~ hopefully his fever just did it's job and he was better the next day. That would be really scary, and really so sad to happen at Disney after waiting so long to go

 

[kaysmommie]

A few years ago when we would go to WDW in January or February I'd always get sick like that. Fever....and felt like poo. I always figured it was due to the weather change? Who knows? Poor little guy though...I hate that this happened to him while on vacation. I'm hoping this passed fast and he got to enjoy the rest of his trip.

The kids food at TI looks YUM! And your dessert....mmmmmm. I have that on my 2009 list. 90210 time...I'll be back later.

Thanks Tammy
Thomas was in the room most of Wednesday and Thursday and was still quite grumpy on Friday. He was 100 % better on Saturday our last day . We didn't have much of a weather change on this trip since it was hot & Humid here too when we left. I think he just picked up something viral. When we went in November one year I got really sick with a fever and even lost my voice Tom was probably happy about that . The kids didn't like TI that much but Tom and I liked it. The dessert was yummy. I didn't even get a pastry in France because I was so stuffed. It's not on next years list though since we have some new places we want to try and a few old ones we want to go back to.

Your dinner and deserts looked yummy

I hope Thomas didn't get really sick or feel really bad ~ hopefully his fever just did it's job and he was better the next day. That would be really scary, and really so sad to happen at Disney after waiting so long to go

Thanks
Unfortunately he was feeling pretty bad. He even looks awful in some of his pics. There are not too many though since he did spend slot of time resting in the room the next day and a half. I just didn't want him to get sicker and also hoped the rest would help him feel better. I didn't want to contribute to the germs in Disney either . Luckily he did get better and got to enjoy half of friday and Saturday before going Sunday morning. He cried the half home to TN because he wasn't ready to leave yet. I guess he is a bit spolied .

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Poor Thomas

 

[cdotla]

What a shame. Poor Thomas! It is so unfortunate when things like that happen. A similar thing happened on one of our trips too.

However, fortunately for most of us, it is a very rare thing when our child gets sick. I can't even imagine what some families go through!

 

[starlight_003]

I am sorry to hear that Thomas got sick. It's never fun getting sick on vacation. Hope he was better the next day.