Magical Grand Gathering Trip with Pics. Completed

[kaysmommie]

Yeah, only 418 days left to go! I've been in contact with the DFTW coordinator for DCL and they have this annoying 12 month rule, so i'm trying to patiently wait until atleast November before i really start to annoy her.

418 days! You have a bit of a wait. November will be here soon then you can start making plans . I would love to go on the Disney Cruise. I might have to check some prices for 2009. The only problem is the ships are in drydock when the kids fall break from school.

 

[dddisrunner]

WOW! What a great, relaxing first day! Love, Love, Love the pictures around CBR, they are beautiful! So cute that the kids meals come in sand buckets We have never made our own treats at Goofy's, can't wait to do that in June! How was the surrey bike? I cannot imagine doing it without Matthew being able to help How tall is Kaylee? Was she close to reaching the pedals? Looking forward to more!

 

[kaysmommie]

WOW! What a great, relaxing first day! Love, Love, Love the pictures around CBR, they are beautiful! So cute that the kids meals come in sand buckets We have never made our own treats at Goofy's, can't wait to do that in June! How was the surrey bike? I cannot imagine doing it without Matthew being able to help How tall is Kaylee? Was she close to reaching the pedals? Looking forward to more!

The surey bike was fun. Kaylee is exactly 48 inches, as she just made the height for RNRC. Seemed like she would need to grow a few more inches to be able to reach. I can't believe it I don't have a food picture with kids meals in the buckets. well I can take pics of buckets without the chicken nuggets in them if anyone really wants to see them.

 

[IluvXU]

Okay your pictures make CBR very appealing... what a neat pool. I know we will be wanting a zero entry pool for the next few trips! So sorry to hear that you all got sick during your WDW trip. That stinks!

 

[cdotla]

Hey Nicole! I finally found you tonite and you are already 22 pages into your report! LOL!

I actually can't believe that you ended up at CBR!!!! My last recollection (I believe at the end of your last TR) was that you had decided on CSR over the other mods.

As I recall, I was the only person recommending CBR for its tropical themes over the other mods but you ultimately opted on CSR.

Unlike you, I have never been to CSR - however, the southwest theming that I see in the pics is just not my style. I am glad to hear you say after visiting both that your preference is CBR.

I actually just stayed at your favourite -the Poly about 2 weeks ago. It was wonderful!!! So wonderful that I have booked a return trip! While we have visited the Poly, the last time I stayed there as a guest was so long ago I was too young to pay the bill! LOL!

But for the price, you can't beat CBR! And I agree wholeheartedly with you - Jamaica is the prettiest section of the resort. That is where DD and I stayed last year (as shown in my avatar).

Anyway, once again I will be along for the ride....can't wait for more!

Hi Monica,
Caribbean was nice enough. I like tropical themes that is why I picked it over the other moderates. We did have lunch at CSR and I was glad I decided against it, though the food was excellent in the foodcourt there. Your too funny. I saw Sara on line for Buzz lightyear, so none of us had any Martini's since MK doesn't serve them.

 

[kaysmommie]

Okay your pictures make CBR very appealing... what a neat pool. I know we will be wanting a zero entry pool for the next few trips! So sorry to hear that you all got sick during your WDW trip. That stinks!

Thanks. If we book a moderate we would definately stay at CBR again. Even DD who is a deluxe monorail snob liked it alot there. Though she did fake cry everytime she saw the Poly .

Hey Nicole! I finally found you tonite and you are already 22 pages into your report! LOL!

I actually can't believe that you ended up at CBR!!!! My last recollection (I believe at the end of your last TR) was that you had decided on CSR over the other mods.

As I recall, I was the only person recommending CBR for its tropical themes over the other mods but you ultimately opted on CSR.

Unlike you, I have never been to CSR - however, the southwest theming that I see in the pics is just not my style. I am glad to hear you say after visiting both that your preference is CBR.

I actually just stayed at your favourite -the Poly about 2 weeks ago. It was wonderful!!! So wonderful that I have booked a return trip! While we have visited the Poly, the last time I stayed there as a guest was so long ago I was too young to pay the bill! LOL!

But for the price, you can't beat CBR! And I agree wholeheartedly with you - Jamaica is the prettiest section of the resort. That is where DD and I stayed last year (as shown in my avatar).

Anyway, once again I will be along for the ride....can't wait for more!

Too funny. I did remember you liked CBR alot . With CSR I was swayed by everyone calling it deluxe light. I thought the grounds were nicley landscaped but it just wasn't Disney enough for me. I didn't get a realy kid friendly feel there. We love Poly though and it's still our favorite. But if the checkbook doesn't cooperate then CBR would be my modertae of choice. Thanks for reading. Do you think you may do a trip report for your Poly stay??I really enjoyed your last trip report.

 

[kaysmommie]

Day 2, Animal Kingdom

We woke up early to our favorite sound, Mickey's wake up call. Wish it were Captain Jack Sparrow but oh well. Tom went to the foodcourt to refill our mugs with tea.
The kids luckily were not begging for MK so I dressed them for a day at AK. It was supposed to be a rainy day so I made sure to pack poncho's even though it was sunny and beautiful out that morning. We decided to take the bus to AK in the morning since we would be driving back later for dinner.

We were very excited to be going to a park finally!!

We made it to Ak before rope drop and watched the opening show. AK was already quite warm and it was only 9AM

After the show we walked fast to Everest.

Somehow I convinced Kaylee she should try it again. Last time she rode she was only 6 years old and barely made the height requirement. It scared the **** out of her and she said never again. I was shocked when she decided she would ride . We got a babyswap from the CM and I sent Tom to get FP'S for Kali River rapids since that is one of Kaylee's favorites while we rode EE first. We sat very close to the front and Kaylee actually liked the ride this year . Our picture is very blurry but I did try to get a redneck ride photo.

She liked it so much she rode again with her daddy. It was nice for us not ot have to ride alone because we both think that is boring and often skip rides because of it. She really wanted to ride again later with her girlfriend too.

While Tommy and Kaylee rode EE I headed over to ride Tricerop Spin with Thomas. There was no wait this early in the morning.

Next Pluto and Goofy came out so all of us got in line to meet them. This is a bad picture of me .

That is how Thomas looks when he loves the characters. He just kind of burries his face in them and hugs them.

Since Kaylee and I have never been on Dinosaur we decided to try it while Tom and Thomas rode Triceratop spin again. I also told him to make sure he gets a picture of Thomas in that cute photo op I see in everyones AK pics. Well we hated Dinosaur, I thought it would have been good if weren't so jerky. Who could see anything when they are being tossed around like that?? Once was enough and I'm glad I didn't bring Thomas on it. Anyway here is the picture of Thomas I wanted...

Next we stopped by the Tree Of Life to get some pictures. They are on the Photopass CD that I will add as soon as I get it. Looks like it wil be here on Monday. I was not too happy with the photopass CM, he was just a grumpy old man and Thomas didn't care for him at all. Seems the feeling was mutual too. We did get pics but Thomas looks miserable in them. Also he was supposed to be put baby Simba in Thomas's arms and of course he didn't. Now our picture of all of us has Thomas holding nothing . I have to see if Tom can photoshop that picture.

Our plan was head to Rafiki's since we have never been there, but we stopped to see Stitch on the way.

After that Thomas wanted to see Mickey. We had been at Disney for almost 2 days and he was getting impatient. So to camp Mickey/ Minnie we went. Again the Photopass pics are better.

The Brother Bears were out and Kaylee wanted to see them since she loved this movie when she was 3. Thomas wanted nothing to do with them and wanted to see Chip & Dale since they are his favorite after Mickey. Anyway I guess it was a man in the bigger bears costume since he put a knot in Kaylee's hairwrap . I must have looked annoyed because I spent $37 on the hairwrap and the nice lady told Kaylee please do not pull or twist on it or let anyone play with it or it won't last long. Kaylee and I happily said goodbye to those bears . PMS must have been kicking in this day.

Continued in next post....

 

[kaysmommie]

We got in the line for Chip & Dale next. Thomas absolutely loves them!! That is another reason I booked Cape May Cafe for breakfast as I read they were there remember that for the last day. Chip & Dale were just adorable as always.

Now that is a happy face!

On the way out of Camp MM. Kaylee found Pocahontas. We were on our way to Rafiki's to see her. This our first time meeting her and Kaylee loved her and still talks about how pretty and nice she was. Move over Belle Kaylee has a new favorite princess .

It was getting near lunchtime and we were starving since poptarts in the room aren't much of a breakfast. So rafiki's would have to wait again. We did our usual plan and got the Tom got kids meals from Restaurantosaurus and brought them to Flametree BBQ so we could eat there. of course I needed to have a table with and EE view. Tom was quite annoyed that he had to carry a tray to the furthest table in the place . We enjoyed the view though.

After lunch I looked at the schedule and The Nemo Musical was starting in 20 minutes. I really wanted to see this as I never have yet. We got there and they let us in but the seats they had were so far in the back section that there is no way I would be able to see. We planned to come back early from our break to see the next show but that didn't happen .

We made our way over to Kali to ride with our FP's. Well the ride was broke down. Kaylee was dissapointed. Unfortunately they never got the ride going again while we were at AK that day.

Tough To be A Bug was our next stop since Thomas loves Flik. We waited about 15 minutes since FP's wasn't opened this day. It was still fun even after 7 times seeing it. After the bugs the kids were ready for break at the Pool and didn't want to take the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch. I was really looking forward to going there finally and meeting Jiminy Cricket and going to the rainforest room. But it wouldn't have been fun with grouchy tired kids. So I told them they could have a short swim before we came back to see Nemo and the Jungle parade and RPW would just have to wait.





Next Update: Would we finally see the Nemo Musical and the Jungle parade this year?? Safari Celebration Dinner!

 

[Poohtigeey]

Hey Nichole! Why would you think that dumb bear was a man?! I'm sure you are right! Could you get the knot out?

Sounds like a un morning and cute pictures w/ the characters.

I just bought Hunter those same yellow and green Crocs for Christmas. They sure stand out.

We haven't tried Flame Tree before. Were the birds bad when you went? I've heard they can be.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the day. YOu sure are slipping in the cliffhangers!

 

[cdotla]

Hey Nicole:

I have actually taken THREE trips to WDW since my last TR from Sept 2007. May 2008 when we stayed offsite at the Marriott Horizons 2 Bdrm unit, June 2008 at the Yacht Club and just last month, Sept 2008 when we stayed at the Poly.

So I am way behind on TRs! LOL!

I doubt I will do one for May or June 2008, but I just might do one for Sept 2008. It was a childless trip for F&W, EEC and Pleasure Island closing, which would be a bit different theming than my last TR - LOL!

Too funny. I did remember you liked CBR alot . With CSR I was swayed by everyone calling it deluxe light. I thought the grounds were nicley landscaped but it just wasn't Disney enough for me. I didn't get a realy kid friendly feel there. We love Poly though and it's still our favorite. But if the checkbook doesn't cooperate then CBR would be my modertae of choice. Thanks for reading. Do you think you may do a trip report for your Poly stay??I really enjoyed your last trip report.

 

[kaysmommie]

Hey Nichole! Why would you think that dumb bear was a man?! I'm sure you are right! Could you get the knot out?

Sounds like a un morning and cute pictures w/ the characters.

I just bought Hunter those same yellow and green Crocs for Christmas. They sure stand out.

We haven't tried Flame Tree before. Were the birds bad when you went? I've heard they can be.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the day. YOu sure are slipping in the cliffhangers!

Luckily I got the knot out. I don't a think girl or woman would do something so dumb . I love those crocs! He is almost out of them and we have to get a new pair. I love FTB and the birds weren't a problem at all. They have signs up all over the place not to feed them but some still do and that is when you get a problem. At CBR there was this man with his little DD feeding all the birds right by the foodcourt outside tables. Well lots of people me included were trying to eat without getting pooped on . I had a few commnets for that inconsiderate man. I'm not too good with the cliffhangers because I don't like being left hanging.

Hey Nicole:

I have actually taken THREE trips to WDW since my last TR from Sept 2007. May 2008 when we stayed offsite at the Marriott Horizons 2 Bdrm unit, June 2008 at the Yacht Club and just last month, Sept 2008 when we stayed at the Poly.

So I am way behind on TRs! LOL!

I doubt I will do one for May or June 2008, but I just might do one for Sept 2008. It was a childless trip for F&W, EEC and Pleasure Island closing, which would be a bit different theming than my last TR - LOL!

Well you should do a trippie for your September trip. Leaving the kids home sounds like a fun trip.

 

[mom2mek]

Great updates Nichole! I love the kids' outfits - very cute! You really saw a lot of characters that morning. My kids like seeing the characters, but they are so focused on riding things, that it's hard to get them to stop unless we come across one by "accident" (ahem...you know not a lot happens on accident, but you get my drift...."oh, look...there's Goofy....I didn't know he would be out here....let's go get a pic!" ) I'm thinking that's why character meals are so good for our group - as hectic as they are, it's the only time I get pics with the characters and my kiddos!

So glad Kaylee liked Everest this time! That's great! Too bad about not getting over to RPW. I wasn't that thrilled with that area, as I get kind of germ-a-phobic with all the animals out! Plus a goat almost knocked me down over there! I would like to meet Jiminy once though!

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

Great updates Nichole! I love the kids' outfits - very cute! You really saw a lot of characters that morning. My kids like seeing the characters, but they are so focused on riding things, that it's hard to get them to stop unless we come across one by "accident" (ahem...you know not a lot happens on accident, but you get my drift...."oh, look...there's Goofy....I didn't know he would be out here....let's go get a pic!" ) I'm thinking that's why character meals are so good for our group - as hectic as they are, it's the only time I get pics with the characters and my kiddos!

So glad Kaylee liked Everest this time! That's great! Too bad about not getting over to RPW. I wasn't that thrilled with that area, as I get kind of germ-a-phobic with all the animals out! Plus a goat almost knocked me down over there! I would like to meet Jiminy once though!

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day!

Sara

Thanks Sara .
I completely understand about the character meals. Soemtimes i book them so we don't have to stop for characters as much because it's tme consuming. My kids also want to spend most of thier time on rides, LOL. I'm a germaphobe too I kept poor thomas home from school the entire week before the trip and he got sick once he was exposed to all those germs in Disney . I even hand sanitize after the rides and use clorox wipes before i will even let the kids near a table to eat. Yes I'm neurotic when it comes to vacation. Glad to hear I didn't miss anything that spectacular at RPW makes me feel better.

 

[crgfsu1]

Hi Nichole!

Welcome back! I am caught up with your TR - so far it sounds great! But the news of everyone getting sick doesnt sound so good....

Great character meets for just one morning so far! Man, you are good at finding them! Hope Kaylie's wrap wasnt mess up by Kenai & Koda!

Glad you liked CBR - we loved it. We stayed in Jamacia and agree, it was beautiful.

Ready for more!
Cathy

 

[kaysmommie]

Hi Nichole!

Welcome back! I am caught up with your TR - so far it sounds great! But the news of everyone getting sick doesnt sound so good....

Great character meets for just one morning so far! Man, you are good at finding them! Hope Kaylie's wrap wasnt mess up by Kenai & Koda!

Glad you liked CBR - we loved it. We stayed in Jamacia and agree, it was beautiful.

Ready for more!
Cathy

Thanks cathy,
So glad you found my trippie. how have you been? Kenai, I coudn't remember his name LOL. Her wrap is surviving so far . but if you bend those wraps then hair tneds to pop out of the sides of them and then look a mess. CBR gets 2 from us. We stayed in Martinique since I booked preferred to be close to OPR but Jamaica looks so pretty. If we go back then I'll book a standard and request that section. Are you bringing Abbey back to Disney anytime soon?

 

[cdotla]

Honestly Nicole, the 2 min walk across the bridge from Jamaica was one of the highlights of each morning for us! I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

And you could be at the Food Court in literally 5 mins. The most spectacular 5 mins of my day. Early morning, very small amount of people up and about, dewy fresh greenery and tropics all along the island as you take the beautiful stroll across the Bridge. Complete paradise.

I wouldn't trade Jamaica for the world!!! If I ever check in at CBR and Jamaica isn't available I would just tell them that I will camp out in the lobby until someone checks out. I love it that much!!! Definitely plan on staying their your next trip back to CBR!

CBR gets 2 from us. We stayed in Martinique since I booked preferred to be close to OPR but Jamaica looks so pretty. If we go back then I'll book a standard and request that section. Are you bringing Abbey back to Disney anytime soon?

 

[jake&samsmom]

I think the kids' matching outfis are absolutely adorable! It's so nice to see how flexible all of you are with your schedule, it does make sense to take a break esp when the kids are tiring out.

Keep the updates coming. I am really enjoying reading your story. Thanks for sharing.

Jen

 

[kaysmommie]

Honestly Nicole, the 2 min walk across the bridge from Jamaica was one of the highlights of each morning for us! I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

And you could be at the Food Court in literally 5 mins. The most spectacular 5 mins of my day. Early morning, very small amount of people up and about, dewy fresh greenery and tropics all along the island as you take the beautiful stroll across the Bridge. Complete paradise.

I wouldn't trade Jamaica for the world!!! If I ever check in at CBR and Jamaica isn't available I would just tell them that I will camp out in the lobby until someone checks out. I love it that much!!! Definitely plan on staying their your next trip back to CBR!

Sounds good to me. I thought Jamaica was way prettier than Martinique. I liked caribbean cay with the music playing. I guess Tom won't mind that walk in the morning for my cup of hot tea .

I think the kids' matching outfis are absolutely adorable! It's so nice to see how flexible all of you are with your schedule, it does make sense to take a break esp when the kids are tiring out.

Keep the updates coming. I am really enjoying reading your story. Thanks for sharing.

Jen

Thanks Jen . I have to be flexible. which for me is sometimes hard. But if the kids are going to crabby and wanting to swim then I usally don't have a choice. I think I was way more flexible on this trip than any of the others. But I know I will be coming back to Disney so there is always a next time list. Tommy is coming around a bit on Disney as long as it includes the Dining Plan . He goes there to eat, LOL.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Love the update! The kids outfits are gorgeous! They go well with the AK! Kaylee has a new favorite ride huh? Mine loves EE too. She'd stay on it for an hour straight if we'd let her. In '07 we did it three times in a row. This year made daddy go with them. Cute picture of Thomas....that's a great photo spot! He's so cute! I want to meet that Goofy when we go back! I like that outfit. You know I'm waiting on the safari dinner though...

We had DD's bday today and I am worn out. Parties do this to me. Why??? At the last minute we had to move inside. It went from close to 90 yesterday to 60 today!

 

[kaysmommie]

Love the update! The kids outfits are gorgeous! They go well with the AK! Kaylee has a new favorite ride huh? Mine loves EE too. She'd stay on it for an hour straight if we'd let her. In '07 we did it three times in a row. This year made daddy go with them. Cute picture of Thomas....that's a great photo spot! He's so cute! I want to meet that Goofy when we go back! I like that outfit. You know I'm waiting on the safari dinner though...

We had DD's bday today and I am worn out. Parties do this to me. Why??? At the last minute we had to move inside. It went from close to 90 yesterday to 60 today!

I will try and get the Safari dinner done this morning. Parties wear me out too. From the planning to the cleaning up. I guess they stress me out a bit even though I don't realize it at the time. Did your DD have fun? It's like 40 degrees this morning here and it's not even supposed to hit 70 until Monday. I'm ready to go back to Florida already . Kaylee loves Rollercoasters but hated TOT .