Magical Memories, I'm planning the sequel already! UPDATE: 9/13

[michael's mom]

I left you all with some cliffhangers didn't I?

Would we get to eat with eachother? Would we stay out the night? and Did we ever get onto TSM?

As soon as I had a visual on my cousin, uncle, and cousin's girlfriend, I went inside and waited my turn for the hostess. I explained to her my situation and she said she wasn't sure but she'd check with the manager. I had to wait a few minutes because it was so busy in there and they were all working to seat those ahead of us. But, she came back and told the CM at the desk to change my party from a party of 12 to a party of 14 We all get to sit together.

The best part is, they put us along a bench so we were actually a table of 14 as opposed to 2 seperate tables. This was also great for the kids because the 3 year olds began to refuse high chairs right before we left for Disney so seating was always a concern.

When they were so accommodating and letting us sit together, I was already very pleased with the service. Then, the waitress approaches us and asks us who has the food allergy. I tell her DS has a peanut allergy but he's just going to share my meal because he's 2 (this is the truth, he turned 3 two weeks later) and that DH had a shellfish allergy. The chef then arrives at our table and takes our order herself!!!! What was even more impressive than that...the chef delivered the food when it was finished!!! Now I've had great service at restaurants before because of this allergy but never like this. She even asked me if he would like a brownie for dessert. She delivered that too!

After a great meal (more the service but the food was good too), we all headed on over to...
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TOY STORY MANIA!!!!!!! We had never experienced this ride before and we were really looking forward to it. OMG, I had so much fun. We all had so much fun. When we got off of TSM, my dad, my sister and her fiance, and my cousin and his girlfriend decided to head back to the resort and we went over to Fantasmic.

Unfortunately, I forgot that they don't run this show every night. The park had been so quiet all day with little to no wait for anything, that I didn't think we'd have a problem with Fantasmic.

BIG MISTAKE. By the time we got there there was Standing Room Only. We made the best of it and the kids enjoyed it enough. I am glad it wasn't my first time seeing it...but it was the first time for the other kids and I was really bummed about that. But, my uncle had already decided that he wanted to come back again soon so we'll know better next time.

When Fantasmic was over, my aunt and uncle decided to take their grandkids home. But, my sister and I wanted to ride ToT. This is my absolute all time favorite ride (well, maybe it's tied with EE, but that's later) and I hadn't even been on it yet DH always claims to hate this ride and he plays it off as if he's doing me a favor going on with me so I'm not alone. So now, my sister and my mom are with us and guess what...he wants to go on! So we took the fastpasses from earlier (there were 10) and made our dash to those elevator doors. On our way up the walkway my sister and I decided we'd go on again right after we got off. DH only wanted to go on that once so we handed the other 5 passes to some kids in the back of the standby line. They were the good kind of teenagers...very appreciative, having a blast without ruining everyone else's trip. You know what I mean right? Well, boy were they excited. They kept thanking us and we found out they were fellow Massachusetts folk as well. (I knew we liked them for some reason ). My mom stayed with DS and I thought for sure he'd be sleeping when we got out of the ride. Nope! Here is the kid who falls asleep through 1900 Park Fare and in line for The Land, but when he's chillin' in his stroller at 10:30 p.m. does he fall asleep? NOOOOOOO. In fact, when my sister and I came out of our second ride he was running around where my mom and DH were sitting.

Anyway, it was our first day in the parks and we opened one park and closed another. Leaving DHS at almost 11:00, knowing we had to be at The Magic Kingdom at 7:30 the following morning.

Do we make it in time for our reservation at Crystal Palace? You'll have to wait to find out!

 

[michael's mom]

It must be just me, but I still can't see any pictures. But enjoying your report anyway.

I'm sorry. I wish I knew what was happening to them that not everyone can see them.

 

[michael's mom]

Well, this will definitely have to be a two-post day because it was a looooong one!

Our reservation at Crystal Palace was at 8:05. We were supposed to meet in the parking lot of the resort at 7:00 to make it in time. But, that didn't happen. We didn't leave until after 7:15 and I was FREAKING OUT!!! I wanted my picture in front of the castle with nobody else in the back ground. I wanted to be able to walk down a near-empty Main Street and take it all in.

We finally left POR and drove to MK. My dad forgot we were parking at the MK lot and drove us to the Polynesian first (as kids we parked at Poly and rode the monorail). So, we drive past Poly and end up at the MK parking lot but noticed something really strange. No parking attendants. We figured this was because the park was still closed (it's only 7:40 now) so maybe they haven't started working. Then we see that the trams aren't running yet. Why would they not be running if they know there'll be a full restaurant at MK in 25 minutes? Then we see the sign:


EMPLOYEE PARKING ONLY!

So, we were temporary Disney employees for the day because if we tried to move the cars to the right lot we definitely would have been very late for our reservation! We walk over to TTC and have to wait, and wait, and wait for a monorail. We got into the Express line but for some reason (probably because the park wasn't open yet) it stopped at EVERY RESORT ON THE LINE before dropping us off at MK. I bolt to the front gates as it is now 8:05 and I'm really worried that we just screwed everything up.

I decided that it wasn't my fault that we were late and that someone else could check us in because I was getting my darn picture in front of the castle.

This picture is from our camera (hence, no DH) but came out much better than any of our photopass pics. Notice the empty background!

I was really annoyed that we were late to this ressie because my cousin and his girlfriend (just like yesterday at Mama Melrose's) had a ressie 10 minutes after us and we really wanted to sit together. Why do I worry?

They were delightful and we were all able to sit at the same set of tables. I don't know how I have never been to Crystal Palace before. Everyone of us who have been to character breakfasts said the same thing "This is by far the best meal at a character breakfast we've ever had. This is a must do each and every trip." My dad loved the eggs cooked to order, which, if I weren't so concerned about grabbing food quickly so I could capture DS's first character interaction, I would have taken advantage of too. But, we all really enjoyed our food and had a great time with the characters.

DS's very first character of the trip. He was a little nervous at first and made me go with him, but he got the hang of it by the end of the day (just wait for our Judges Tent photos!!!!)

He went with Tigger all on his own! But Mommy was very close.

He's on his way out (this is right after we left CP)

And he's gone...he slept through all of Fantasyland.​

We were fine with him sleeping because a.) he was tired and you need to let tired children sleep, and b.) we had already planned on a return trip later in the week so whatever he slept through we would do then.

We did all of the rides in Fantasyland and left DS outside with my dad (and sometimes Mom). My dad has some major back and leg issues, complicated by his diabetes, so he was in a wheelchair for the parks. He was so depressed by this that he really didn't get into the parks like he used to. He does enjoy to sit and people watch, so he was happy to do that while DS napped.

After all of the kiddie rides were done, we had one more left. It's a Small World. I was not waiting in line for IaSW twice on my vacation so we woke DS up for this ride. He loved it at 14 months old and he loved it at almost 3 years.

We walked on over to Liberty Square and rode on the Haunted Mansion. Even DS! At first he was scared because it was so dark, but I told him to look up at the light and see how dirty it was. He saw all the cobwebs and said "Eww, gross. You need to clean!" I told him the lights were out because they didn't want us to see all the dirt and he was fine with that. He didn't like the room with the Crystal Ball, but other than that he enjoyed this ride. And I really liked being on it again. It was being rehabed when we were at WDW before.

After HM we went to Frontierland and decided to split up. Those without children went to the mountains (DH put on the puppy face and went with them) and we went to Country Bear Jamboree.

***I forgot to mention that my uncle had a slight accident with his rental car and needed to bring it back to get a new one****

At this point, my dad left to take my uncle to get a new rental, my mom, aunt, and I took the 3 kids to see the Bears, and the rest of the gang hit up Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain. I haven't seen CBJ in sooo long. It was cute, but not as fun as I remember. When we got out of CBJ it was about 2:30 so we decided to stake out a spot for the afternoon parade. It had rained while we were in CBJ (the only rain of our ENTIRE vacation! ). They hadn't set up the ropes yet, no-one looked as though they were going to see a parade. We began to worry that it had been cancelled while we were inside. But, then I was reminded that the parade begins on Main Street and ended where we were. Eventually, they came and set up the ropes.

Here are a few pics of the kids waiting.

and some favorites from the parade:

The parade was great. The kids (and grownups) had an awesome time. After the parade, my sister and her fiance and my cousin and his girlfriend went back to the resort for some swim time. DH and I stayed with DS, my mom, my little sister, and my aunt and her grandkids. We went to Pirates of the Caribbean and then my sister bought each of the kids one of these:

Up next: Toontown! Then Tomorrowland.

Do we close the park for a second night in a row?

 

[xoktenox]

Heyy I love your TR so far but I can't see any of your pictures!

 

[DisFan09]

Great TR! I hope you can figure out how to post the pics...

 

[luvngoofy]

Yay! 2 updates in a row for me!I can't believe I was behind.
Your pics are showing as Xagain, but I have learned how to right click... and copy and see them! It looks and sounds as if you are have a wonderful time. I hope we get to open and close a day or two. We will just have to see how the kids do.
We are going to CP this year. I haven't been either so now I'm very excited about that decision.

Keep it coming! I have 2 1/2 months to dream!

 

[michael's mom]

Heyy I love your TR so far but I can't see any of your pictures!

I am becoming so frustrated that the pics aren't showing. I don't know how to fix it. I am going to my Kodak site and copying the url and everything!!

Great TR! I hope you can figure out how to post the pics...

I hope I get them figured out too...looks like Luvngoofy has been able to see them.

Yay! 2 updates in a row for me!I can't believe I was behind.
Your pics are showing as Xagain, but I have learned how to right click... and copy and see them! It looks and sounds as if you are have a wonderful time. I hope we get to open and close a day or two. We will just have to see how the kids do.
We are going to CP this year. I haven't been either so now I'm very excited about that decision.

Keep it coming! I have 2 1/2 months to dream!

Ooh, I'm glad you figured out how to see the pics. Most of them are showing for me now. The most recent ones are showing on my computer...but the older ones aren't. I wonder if there's an expiration or something from Kodak? hmmm...

Crystal Palace was really great. I'm sure you'll love it!

Thanks for reading everyone!

 

[miprender]

Yeah more updates.

Have you tried using photobucket? Maybe upload your pictures to that

But I did what the pp sayed and pasted the link and I could see them that way.

I know I keep repeating myself but the weather was just so beautiful. We too only had 1 day of rain. I just feel bad for all those folks down there right now. We have friends leaving next week...staying at POR and they are hoping the rain clears out.

 

[michael's mom]

Yeah more updates.

Have you tried using photobucket? Maybe upload your pictures to that

But I did what the pp sayed and pasted the link and I could see them that way.

I know I keep repeating myself but the weather was just so beautiful. We too only had 1 day of rain. I just feel bad for all those folks down there right now. We have friends leaving next week...staying at POR and they are hoping the rain clears out.

I think I may have to try another place to upload...there's just so many pictures...I don't know when I'll find the time. But, I am getting soo annoyed with this Kodak business that I may just do it. It's just that I always order from Kodak (old habit with discounts involved).

As for the weather, I know. I kept thinking throughout our whole trip "Wow, it really hasn't rained yet. It always rains" but I never actually said those words because you know if I did, it would rain.

It's like this field trip I'm planning at work. The day that I pick of course we're expecting thunderstorms!!!! AAAhhh. So, we had to postpone, which is torture to a 6 year old. But, hopefully we'll get better weather next week.

Okay, so I'm not sure why I can't add on to this...I think it's been closed. I'll have to contact someone to find out how to reopen it!

 

[michael's mom]

Well, many apologies are due for my long absence. The end of the school year kept me very busy. The last few weeks of work for me were crazy with the cleaning/storage of my classroom, report cards and end of the year paperwork. We also had a death in the family which kept me a little occupied.

Then, it was July and the next time I blinked...here we are, August 5th! I really do apologize.

Then, I finally made it back on to see that my TR was moved to the completed TR's so I had to get it reopened. Now, I've found out where I left off and I'm ready to update...hopefully I remember as much as I think I will.

I left off after leaving Pirates of the Carribean with my mom, husband, sister, son, aunt, and 2 little cousins. DS is a lover of trains so DH and I decided to fold up our stroller and take DS to Toontown on the train, the rest of our group walked over and met us there. When we got off the train and met up with everyone else, DH, my sister and I took the three kids to Mickey and Minnie's house. They had so much fun looking through everything and we got some cute pictures. I don't know if they'll show up, but I'll try to post some.

We went to the Judge's tent and were able to meet Mickey. To our happiness, Minnie was there too! We got some great pictures and even more so, the photopass pics of this experience were great. The guy just kept snapping that camera, not just the formal pose, but the interactions. Hopefully those pics show up too...

These were taken in Minnie's gazebo:

We only did the two houses in Toontown. My aunt wanted to get my cousins back to the resort and my mom and sis were pretty wiped too so we decided to head on over to Tomorrowland where we went to Monsters Inc. and finally Buzz Lightyear. At this point, it had rained a bit again ( I forgot about that rain in one of my previous posts). DS absolutely LOVED Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin...

Once we finished with these attractions, DH and I decided that if we were going to see the fireworks we had better stay at the park because we were getting tired and knew that if we went back to our resort for a little bit we'd never get up the energy to return later in the evening. We put DS in the stroller and walked from the stroller parking area in Tomorrowland to Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe and DS was already asleep again. DH and I grabbed a bite to eat to wait out the rain. By the time the rain stopped, we had finished eating and we figured now was a good time to go to the Guest Relations to get our Disney Visa Rewards Card. So, we walked up to the Town Hall at the entrance to the park, got our card and walked through the emporium. When we exited the emporium at the rotary in front of the castle it was about 7:00 (DS fell asleep at about 6).

sleeping comfortably​

As I mentioned earlier, we were pretty spent so I suggested that we stake out a good spot for the parade and fireworks and just sit and rest. I grabbed an awesome spot and we parked our fannies on the curb...AWESOME SPOT BY THE WAY...and just hung out.

we were really tired...can you tell?​

We met a CM from MA and chatted for a little while and before we knew it, it was 8:00. I asked DH to go to Casey's and get DS a hot dog and that I'd try to wake him. DH made it back and by 8:30, DS had woken up and was hungry for his hot dog...

DS finished his hot dog just in time for the parade and he loved every second of it. It looked like the floats were going to come right into us where we were sitting and I believe it was Snow White that waved to DS and blew him a kiss.

When the parade was over, my sister and her fiance had returned to watch the fireworks with us. They were as magical as I remember and DS not only loved them too...but he enhanced the enjoyment of all the other guests because everytime the fireworks boomed he'd shout out with excitement.."OOH, WOAH, UGH," etc. So, three parks in two days, open to close...we were exhausted and eagerly awaiting our quiet pool day that would follow.

Up next...pool day with dinner prepared by Mickey himself at Chef Mickey's!

 

[miprender]

Yeah glad you posted.

Sorry to hear about your Uncle. Was this the same Uncle that you went to Disney with?

I still couldn't see the pictures but I was able to paste the link and see them that way.

Love the picture of DS with the hotdog

 

[miprender]

Funny thing I now can see the pictures!!

 

[michael's mom]

Yeah glad you posted.

Sorry to hear about your Uncle. Was this the same Uncle that you went to Disney with?

I still couldn't see the pictures but I was able to paste the link and see them that way.

Love the picture of DS with the hotdog

No, the uncle that we went to Florida with is my mom's brother in-law. My dad's brother passed away quite suddenly. When I did his eulogy though, it was filled with memories from Disney because he used to come with us alot.

I have been frustrated with the pictures but now that I'm already so far behind with the posting, I don't think I can upload to a new photoservice...and then repost all of the pictures. I'm glad you've found a way to see them though. I love that pic of my son with the hot dog...we have a few funny ones with the hot dog but that just showed his personality a bit better...he had so much fun in Disney I wish I could take him back all the time.

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, so right now, I'm uploading all my pics onto photobucket and trying to put them in to this TR instead...so far, it's working...but...the photos are HUGE! Anyway, I've decided to go back to the beginning and updated the photos along the way, then I'll be able to just add them as I need to when I write the rest of the TR.

So, while you're waiting for a new entry you can at least see the pics that were hidden under a red x for so long!

 

[luckylady]

On PB you can go to the part under where you chose to upload pictures and chose a size. Pictures will come in smaller then.

 

[michael's mom]

On PB you can go to the part under where you chose to upload pictures and chose a size. Pictures will come in smaller then.

Thanks, I was able to resize them before I chose them. I left the ones that I already did...but I changed all of the new ones.

 

[miprender]

Yeah I do see all the pictures

Are you going to plan a sequel for next year? I have DH on board for another April trip and RI's vacation falls the same week as MA next year.

 

[michael's mom]

Yeah I do see all the pictures

Are you going to plan a sequel for next year? I have DH on board for another April trip and RI's vacation falls the same week as MA next year.

Hey, I'm glad that the photobucket pics worked. The whole time I was doing them, all I could think about was if there were red x's when I woke up in the morning I was going to scream! So, I'm happy that the pictures are still there.

I'm not sure about a sequel for this year...I'd love to go but I'm not sure I can swing it. We have to turn in our lease and get a new car in a few months and I don't know if the new car and Disney are both possible. We'll see though!

 

[michael's mom]

Okay, so things have finally quieted down enough for me to return. What a crazy last month we've had. Between trying to grab every last minute of summer I could, setting up my classroom, a sick dog, and then opening school, I haven't had a second to breath to get here. But, now I can get started again (probably only the weekends though).

So, I left off with us closing another park. After two full open-close days in WDW, we needed a rest. We slept in and took our time getting dressed and ready for the day and then we met up with everyone by the pool. We ate breakfast by the pool and just relaxed in the water. Tonight we had dinner with Mickey and it was an early ressie (5:00) so we all left the pool around 3:30 to head back to our rooms to get cleaned up and on the road to the Contemporary. This was one of those days that made us truly grateful that we rented cars at the airport. Otherwise, we would have had to leave the pool even earlier.

We all were so relaxed that we don't have any pictures poolside from this day, but there are plenty of pictures from the dinner with Mickey.

We arrived at Chef Mickey's early so the kids had some fun looking out the windows and running around. When they called us in to be seated, they took us straight to the back which was great because we were right by the kitchen door where the characters came out. We all enjoyed seeing the characters....especially the kids.

My cousins' kids were a little more reserved that DS, but he still liked having Mommy with him. Something about Pluto made him more comfortable because, just like Tigger yesterday morning, he went right up to him and gave him a big hug!

Our dinner was yummy, but the problem with being the mom at character meals is that I was so concerned I'd miss a character interacting that I didn't get to enjoy the meal as much as everyone else.

I really enjoy this location everytime I go. There's something about seeing Mickey and his Gang that makes me feel like a kid again! This is a must do each trip for that reason!

Okay, up next, Animal Kingdom and dinner at Epcot. Do we take a break between parks, or do we open-close the parks on another day? You'll have to wait and see!

 

[miprender]

Yeah.... more updates.


So true about the mom thing. I think I am more worried about missing everything and not getting a photo that I hardly eat my meals. Or by the time I do, it is cold.

When we were at CP, DD had to use the bathroom. I made her rush so fast because I didn't want to miss Pooh. She was telling me to slow down.