March 16 - March 23

[kelso44]

Well, we got back from our first trip to WDW with the kids (first real vacation with the kids) yesterday. Although we have some good memories, I'll think long and hard about taking 2 kids (ds9 and dd5) on a 6 full day trip to WDW ever again. Let's just say that their behavior was less than perfect.

In their defense, the trip didn't start out as planned. Our first flight out of Des Moines was delayed, so we missed our connection in Chicago. Luckily, the airline person in DM was able to book us a "back-up" flight on Saturday Morning, getting us into Orlando about 14 hours later than expected...

We had to spend the night in Chicago, with only jackets, and my wife wearing flip-flops. It was very cold and the kids were very whiny waiting for a shuttle to the hotel.

More to come....

 

[kelso44]

Well, ds9 has some anxiety issues, so to him, the trip was already ruined. He was sure that we would never get to orlando.

After going to bed late, and then waking up at 4:30 AM to catch a flight, we were finally on our way to Orlando....

 

[BlueBayou]

Sorry to hear it was not a 'Dream' vacation. Hopefully when the stress of the traveling lessens a little the magical moments will come out a little more.

 

[kelso44]

We finally arrive and get settled at Pop Century. We hit MK around 3 PM.

Per some earlier advice from these boards, we had decided to give the kids their own money to spend for the entire trip. The idea was that, once it is gone, they don't get any more. This should make them a little more frugal with their money.

Each kid got a $50.00 disney gift card.

It took dd9 less than 4 hours to spend all of his money. Not to mention, that he was not AT ALL interested in any attractions while that money was burning a whole in his pocket. We had warned him many times to not spend it all quickly, because he would be seeing many more items to buy. Our warnings went to no avail and he purchased 4 guns from frontierland. 2 large and 2 small.

With the shopping out of the way, we had time to eat at Crystal Palace and ride BTMRR, which we all loved.

Day 2, we sleep in and go to Blizzard Beach, temp 71 degrees. Being from Iowa, I figured that we could handle the lower temp at the water park. Kids constantly complained about being cold, but didn't want to leave the park. We rode teamboat springs, (lazy river), and I got a chance to ride Summit Plummet.... Wow....

Fun day.....

 

[kelso44]

Thanks,

yes some magic moments are starting to come through now that I have relaxed a bit, I will be posting a link to my pics when I get to 10 posts on this board....

 

[kelso44]

Day 3, we go to MGM.

All 4 go on star tours (Ds9 really upset now that he has no money left) he loves star wars stuff.

After tearing him away from the things that he can't buy, we take pics outside of star tours... he refuses to take a pic with dd5.

We all go to ToT with FP, dd5 can't decide whether she liked the ride or not. Couldn't see her face on the post ride pic cause she is too short.

DS9 want to buy a ring (the wearing type), but we tell him no as he is out of money. (DS9 anger is builiding) Now when we show him something neat, he starts yelling at us "quit showing off, you know I don't have any money left", or "Stop trying to teach me a lesson".

We watch indiana jones, DS9 complaining at first cause standing room only. Points to seats reserved for wheelchairs and ecvs and doesn't understand why we can't use them. We finally get a seat once the "doors close", and DS9 complaining that he can't see over the people in front of him.

Kids were up and down on the show.

We go to honey I shrunk the kids playground. Both kids loved this... (of course dd5 was arguing with us prior to going in, but I don't rememeber about what at this point...)

After playing for 30 minutes, I'm of the opinion that it is time to go see more attractions. kids disagreed and this was another argument. (I can take them to a playground anywhere, but can't ride the rides or see the shows anywhere.) finally get them out to Lights, Motors, Action... DS9 loved, but would only say that it was OK. DD5 wasn't very impressed.

Went to muppets 3D, (had to drag ds9 as he was determined to go back to Honey I shrunk the kids) He enjoyed the show, but said he didn't... After the show, he refused to take any pictures, and sat with a frown on his face. Had to argue with him to get him in a photopass pic with Monsters Inc...

Finally take them back to honey I shrunk the kids for another 40 min, dd5 had to be chased down.

We ate at the sci fi, where the kids loved the atmosphere, but ds9 complained that he had to order from the kids menu... my wife gave the kids her milkshake so kids would feel like that got a real dessert. ds9 at it all before sharing with little sis.

Looking back, we overdid it from a kids perspective (needed mid-day naps) but hard to get there and back when we have ADRs.

Pics should be on next post.....

 

[kelso44]

http://crystal.kelso.home.mchsi.com/Active/2007DisneyVacation.htm