Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

The Flying Blankies!

Of courrrrrrrrrse Henry wanted to ride. So we did! The wait was 30 minutes...oh the things we do for our children! The camel was off (ti was too chilly), so no soakin' Momma this time! We had a nice flight and Henry wanted another ride, but we moved on after I snapped a pic of my boy in front of his favorite ride...he wouldn't cooperate for a picture, so Joe made him.

Onward to Tomorrowland for the Peoplemover! On our way we decided we'd do Wishes at 8 PM and then the MSEP at 9 PM, but...

Look what happened!

Hmmm...well, we won't be going on the Peoplemover. Buzz had a 40 minute wait. Space Mountain was down. The crowds were THICK.

Oh, look, Stitch is a walk-on!

Anyone surprised?

No?

Didn't think so!

It was at this point we realized MKs hours had been extended to 12 AM because of the demand. Everything was swarmed! They even opened the exit behind Main Street, people were streaming in down Main Street and CMs were directing people with the airplane wand lights.

Maybe this skipping AK and going to MK wasn't such a good idea. There is a reason a plan is made in advance around crowd levels, isn't there???

We decided to LEAVE!

Long lines at the turnstiles!

When we got back to our room, I opened the door and saw this on our table

Inside was a card from Joe that thanked me for all our hard work on our trips. It was sweet and unexpected!

We decided that we'd take our sleeping stroller up to the Top of the World Lounge so we could still enjoy Wishes - just from a different perspective.

As you can see, it's more like Wishes over Space Mountain due to the angle and where the fireworks are actually shot off from. It was still nice though, I was happy to see Wishes finally!

Henry woke up about halfway through and enjoyed it with us. After the show the boys went to the Community Hall to rent a movie. The ended up with "Handy Manny and the Great Race". I'm thinking Joe might of had something different in mind when he went down there...

Henry spied the gift basket within seconds

And that is when we also noticed it came with a movie! Joe had completely forgotten what he ordered. All well! DVC movies are free rentals anyway.

We busted the basket open to check out the loot

Used daily!

I keep our fruit in this basket

This was good hot chocolate - very rich and smooth

So the movie was started and I fired up Netflix on the iPad - I like Handy Manny, but I get enough of him on a regular basis.

We were all in bed early, which was good - we had an early morning planned. From bed we caught a bit of Illuminations and could hear the Electrical Water Parade too.

After returning home, I read the Expedition Everest Party was fun - people rode over and over again, but if I remember correctly it was the only thing open, so that would have been boring for Henry...and I'm guessing Joe and I would have rode twice each and left-so in all, we made a good decision, and I'm glad I had the chance to see Wishes from the Top of the World!

Up Next: Getting our Geek On. Also known as "Let's Avoid Ghetto Gas"

 

[jenseib]

Wow, why was it so crowded that night?

 

[glennbo123]

Way to spill the beans on the free arcade games. That's totally something I would have done too.

I'm glad you got to see Wishes from the Top of the World Lounge. It's pretty cool up there, isn't it?

 

[brookelizabeth]

Wow, why was it so crowded that night?

It actually started to get very crowded our second week there - Spring Break had arrived! The first week was much, much, much quieter.

Way to spill the beans on the free arcade games. That's totally something I would have done too.

I'm glad you got to see Wishes from the Top of the World Lounge. It's pretty cool up there, isn't it?

I know, I'm sure everyone else in the arcade was mad! LOL! Good thing we LEFT!

It is cool up there! I enjoyed the view -- but nothing beats Main Street still.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Moving right along! I've been on a roll with posting this week! I need to get this baby wrapped up-no more short updates! Plus I have so much other stuff going on with Christmas and such, it's a nice little break away for a few minutes to write and share the magic.

Today is Sunday, March 6, 2011

and we were leaving property!

We were up bright and early, before 6 AM. I quickly got ready and left the room to meet a shuttle bus to take me to the Car Care Center. The bus was right on time and picked me up in front of the CR. It was quick and simple. I got a little white Chevy and thought I could easily navigate my way back to the CR.



I can get lost in a paper bag!

Foolish little me. I ended up in the MK parking lot, but eventually made it. For anyone who has driven around in WDW, that turn lane to get to the MK resorts after the MK gate is QUICK. I was all the way on the other side the first time.

So, I get back to BLT and pick up the boys.

Good morning monorail!

Waiting for the elevator

I really enjoyed the view out of the elevator banks!

This is in the entry way to the resort.

We hadn't told Henry what we were doing that day. He didn't know I had a car. We don't own a car anymore, so anytime we ride in a car it's a VERY big deal in this little dude's life. He was happy.

And then we told him what we were doing.

We are going to the SPACE CENTER!

He was soooooooooo excited!

And despite me saying "no more short updates" I do have to end this here to pick up that little dude from school. I will be back this afternoon with more on Kennedy Space Center!

 

[MEK]

Can't see your updates now to read them, but I am so glad to hear your dad is doing well. I hope he continued to do well! Post-op Day 3! Hopefully he will come home over the weekend if all continues to go well.

congrats on your Disneyland trip! I have always wanted to go there!

 

[onelilspark]

Best reaction ever. Though I think my husband would react the same way

I loved him going through the treehouse. My first trip that was my favorite "ride." Before leaving, my parents told me I could do one more thing...I chose the treehouse! At least I didn't choose Dumbo! (I was just shy of 3)

 

[Curiouser&curiouser!]

Great updates!

Please be sure to include the link to the Disneyland PTR here. I definitely want to read the PTR and TR for that but I know I'll never find it otherwise!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Can't see your updates now to read them, but I am so glad to hear your dad is doing well. I hope he continued to do well! Post-op Day 3! Hopefully he will come home over the weekend if all continues to go well.

congrats on your Disneyland trip! I have always wanted to go there!

Thank you! I plan to call him tonight, my sister was able to chat with him very briefly the other day.

Best reaction ever. Though I think my husband would react the same way

I loved him going through the treehouse. My first trip that was my favorite "ride." Before leaving, my parents told me I could do one more thing...I chose the treehouse! At least I didn't choose Dumbo! (I was just shy of 3)

I know mine does! I brought up going offsite again for a future trip and he instantly suggested KSC. Again! I told him while I very much enjoy it, we weren't going back until we try something else too!

That's cute about the treehouse! It's a fav of Henry too. But, I think Star Tours and the Flying Blankies override.

Great updates!

Please be sure to include the link to the Disneyland PTR here. I definitely want to read the PTR and TR for that but I know I'll never find it otherwise!

Will do!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Okay! I'm back!

We were in the car and on our way to Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Just off property we stopped for a nutritious breakfast of McDonalds and then were on our way.

Bye Disney!

The ride was uneventful and we arrived by 9:45 AM.

Just up the road from KSC is the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Your paid admission covers both sites. Last time we visited KSC we didn't have time for both, but this trip we did!

The looooooong stretch of road with water on both sides.

The VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building) in the distance. That is where they build (built ) the shuttles.

Here we are!!!

We scurried through the entrance and went straight for the 10 AM bus tour. The bus tour takes you out near the launchpads and is very, very good.

Henry was soooo excited about seeing the NASA logo! (I look like I was probably updating Facebook or Twitter!)

Soon we were on our way, the video started

The VAB is HUGE.

On that flag, each stripe is 8 feet wide and each star is 6 feet!

A trailer for the shuttles

We arrived at the viewing tower that overlooks the launchpads

An engine is in the bottom of the tower

Looks kinda complicated and stuff.

Up in the tower we went!

One of the launchpads

And here is what you are looking at, except there was no shuttle on it:

We had brought binoculars and Henry really enjoyed looking at the launchpads and the engine here. We had to peel him away from it all.

Video: Henry explains the launchpad (and how the rocket used to separate in the air) (50 seconds)

Downstairs they had a replica of the shuttle and it would do a countdown. We missed this last time, so it was neat to see and really helped show Henry how it all worked.

When we finished here, we went back to catch the bus and the lovebugs were EVERYWHERE. It was nasty. We also saw a giant black bird.

If you read my TRs regularly, you may remember last time when one of these big birds landed on my hand and stole my french fry. Thinking of it still makes me shiver and I can feel it's claws on my hand. Ick, ick, ick!

He stayed away this time!

The bus came and we all boarded on and headed toward the other building on the tour, which has the Saturn V in it. Joe took about 13,000 pictures out the window, but I haven't a clue what most of the stuff is, so I'll spare you pictures of what appears to be random scrap metal...

Oh look, it's the VAB again!

Those are the doors the shuttle would come out of. Pretty cool.

About this time we heard a loud plane and helicopters. Our guide stopped talking and looked confused. This is a no-fly zone!

Our guide figured it must be someone important...but we never did find out who!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

28 pictures like this. And several more of the VAB.

I'm not kidding.

Here is a winner.

This is a good one though!

The stands to watch the shuttle launch

And we have arrived!

Just inside is a short film (no seating) about the history of space travel. I was in tears by the end of it. It was so moving. The determination of how our country came together to make this happen was inspiring. I don't think something like this could have ever come together in today's age due to the crazy politics nowadays.

Next we were ushered into the firing room.

Here you experience what it's like to be in the control center when a rocket/shuttle is launched. I remembered this clearly from our last trip because Henry was much younger and screaaaaaaaaaaamed the entire time due to how loud it was and the vibration of everything. It is a very cool experience, but scary to a little man! I was nervous for this time, so I was prepared to exit quickly!

However, when the experience started there was a technical difficulty and there was no sound. You still got the idea, but it wasn't nearly as intense.

Since we had experienced it before and didn't want to push it with Henry we opted to move on after this round finished. Most of the room stayed to experience it with sound though.

As you exit those doors you are in the room with the Saturn V - which is amazing.

We weren't quite tall enough to reach it.

It's hard to explain how huge this thing is. Pictures just don't come close to even showing it.

After a bit of exploring we sat down for some lunch in their little cafe inside the building.

I don't remember the pizza being especially good or bad. Just kinda blah. The cool KSC cup was fun though! I think it was $10 with free refills.

Our view!

After lunch we explored a bit more

Can you imagine sitting in there?

A log book

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

Touching a piece of the moon

After exploring we went into the gift shop. Approximately 6 centimeters in Henry asked for something. I told him if he'd be good for the whole day that he could get something. Yep, I bribed him! It works!

Back on the bus Joe took more pictures of the VAB, in case you forgot what it looked like.

Just as we got back to the main complex it started to rain! We had just enough time for a quick bathroom stop and to run to the 3D movie to avoid the rain. We literally made it just as they were closing the doors to the movie.

It was a great movie, we didn't do it last time, so we were glad we had the perfect opportunity to catch it. Henry still talks about a part when the astronauts were floating around and playing. They would throw food into the air and catch it with their mouths and "swim" through the shuttle. Henry got a bit antsy during the more technical parts of the film, but for the most part was very into it.

When we came out of the building the weather was PERFECT. It was warm (unlike that morning) with a slight breeze.

We walked through the Discover shuttle

Henry was nervous here...he thought it was going to take off and kept asking to go back out. He eventually was okay with it after numerous discussions!

Cargo Bay. It was fun explaining this to Henry after he had seen the various sections in the movie.

Family pic in the mirrored ceiling!

Back on the ground

We made our way over to the Rocket Garden with a pitstop at the playground, which is covered and very cool. Joe and I both took our turns getting to sit and relax and play.

Onto the Rocket Garden! This is a pretty neat area where they have all sorts of the past rockets set up. Henry was running around like a wild child here and wanted to climb in everything! Thankfully a few things you can.

We were floating

And let me tell you, getting in and out of that thing - NOT EASY! I'm sure I was quite the sight!

Video: The Little Astronaut (55 seconds)

Also in this area is a building with a bunch of exhibits, a bit like a museum

Inside is the moon buggy. Before we went on this trip I showed Henry pictures of our last trip to KSC and he really liked this one

And he requested an updated version, so we did!

Eventually our time here was done

Bye KSC!

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

And we drove on over to the Astronaut Hall of Fame

This was pretty neat - it was fairly small, but there were many interactive things

We must have stopped in the gift shop before we came to the Hall of Fame, I don't have it in my notes, but I do know we bought Henry that shuttle! It didn't leave his side for about a month!


MEMOM - DIVERT YOUR EYES!

People sat in there! For days!

We came across a G-Force machine. Where you could ride in this contraption that spun you to feel what the astronauts do.

Not my cup of tea...but...(again MeMom!)

To say he was excited to try this was an understatement. He has rode Mission: Space and enjoys it, but he figured this might be a bit different.

Henry was a bit concerned about his Daddy being put into that tiny little box and spun around!

Video: Joe on the G-Force (50 seconds)

Joe really enjoyed it. He said at first he thought it was really tame, but it did get faster and faster and he started to feel it.

And AGAIN MEMOM!

There was a video game in this area, you stood against a blue screen and were in the video game

Here you could fly a shuttle, but we never got to try it. I waited for about 20 minutes in this area and this guy never left.

More gift shop time!

It was time to head home. We had another great day at KSC and the Astronaut Hall of Fame. It was even more fun this time because Henry was very into it and learned quite a bit. I've been impressed at what he's retained too!

When we got in the car we discussed dinner options.

Sonic?



If you remember our last trip to KSC we ate at a Sonic that was in timbuktu after getting lost and ending up at a gate with armed guards. Then poor Henry was having stomach issues and basically exploded in the back seat. I found a G-H-E-T-T-O gas station with no changing tables and ended up cleaning my poopy baby right next the Diet Pepsi. It was a lovely evening!

We chose Cracker Barrel this time.

Much safer!

And I loooooooooooove me some Cracker Barrel! I haven't had it in years, so this was a treat.

Joe's

Meatloaf

Henry's

Mine:

I couldn't decide what to get, so I think I ended up with a side sampler of some sort. Joe gave me a piece of meatloaf and the ham must have come with it? Or maybe I gave Joe half the ham and he gave me some meatloaf. I have no idea! I do know it was GOOD.

And I thought of Great Biscuit the entire time I ate the cabbage.

Oh, we had fries too. Apparently we wanted to try the entire menu.

We had an AWESOME waiter. He could have worked at Disney. And I remember why we ordered so much food - we couldn't get over the prices! It was SO cheap! So we just ordered everything and anything we wanted! After we waddled out of the dining room we grabbed some candy in the gift shop and went to pay. On the bills there they have a barcode they scan at the register, and it rang up even cheaper than what was listed on it! It confused the worker, so she called over the manager - who was also confused. He just gave it to us for cheaper! Woo-hoo!

Fat and happy we slowly wandered away from Cracker Barrel.

We devoured the candy in the car, despite our full stomachs. It was some sort of chocolate and delicious.

We headed for Orlando and stopped at a Super Target for some groceries before we went back to BLT. Henry was sound asleep.

We got back to BLT with the groceries and Henry woke up and was WIDE awake! Figures, right?!

We unloaded the groceries and Joe started to attempt to put Henry to bed as I left to return the rental car. I was a bit grumpy. I was tired and just wanted to be in the room, but I had to return the car (as you probably know, Joe cannot drive due to his vision). But, as I walked out of BLT to the parking lot Wishes and the Electrical Water Parade was lit up on the lake. How can one stay grumpy?! It instantly improved my mood.

I started to drive toward the Dolphin (our return, since the Car Care Center was closed), but again got crazy lost and ended up in the Epcot parking lot TWICE! I was a tad annoyed, but shook it off and just laughed at myself. Eventually I made it.

I have no notes beyond this. I'm sure I waited for the bus and crashed when I got back to the room! It had been a very fun day and MUCH less dramatic than our prior trip to KSC (thankfully!). I think it's a shame the space program has been discontinued. We spoke to several employees while at KSC who I could also tell were heartbroken. Many asked, "Does your son like space?" and when I would tell them he did, they would become visibly saddened and mention the program being ended. I understand the cost, but it's such an amazing thing...it's just sad. I hope KSC stays open for many years to come and they continue the Space Camp, as Joe very much wants to take Henry on the overnight when he's old enough!

Joe is ready to return to KSC already again, but I told him we have to do another off property thing first! KSC is a great time, and the drive is only about an hour each way. It's worth your time if you are interested and have the time in your vacation. It would be great to tack on to the day you get off a cruise too.

 

[KristiMc]

Great trip offsite Brooke. I have never been to KSC - it looks like my boys would love it.

I love Cracker Barrel also!

 

[DWGal210]

Awesome KSC update!!

Your pictures & timeline of your day are just about the same ad ours in July. I took two 15 yr old self-proclaimed science geeks & they LOVED it. I was wiped out we we got back to our rental house but it was a great day.

I'm glad your meal was better this time! Cracker Barrel is one of my favorites. And you're right, the prices are VERY reasonable!!

 

[KatMark]

Brook, great update on Kennedy Space Center...yet another place we've never been. Henry really seemed to enjoy it.

 

[Caretames1]

What a wonderful update(s) My grandparents took me to Kennedy when I was 16 and I loved it! We had to best ime there, and my Grandpa who was a B52 bomber pilot in WWII was like a giest speker that day. When people there found out he was a pilot, they keep him talking for ever! It's wonderful place to visit, and someday I hope to bring my kids.

The Wishes pictureds were beautiful! I would love to see it form the top of the Contemporary, maybe someday we'll do Cali grill.

 

[bellebookworm9]

I really enjoyed the view out of the elevator banks!

Reminds me of the awesome view by the elevators at Kidani!

I must agree with onelilspark: Best reaction ever!

And let me tell you, getting in and out of that thing - NOT EASY! I'm sure I was quite the sight!

It looks like it would be hard to get in and out of!

Oh my gosh, you both look so young!

To say he was excited to try this was an understatement. He has rode Mission: Space and enjoys it, but he figured this might be a bit different.

There's a reason I don't do the orange version on Mission: Space- I got nauseous just watching this spin around!

We chose Cracker Barrel this time.

Much safer!

And I loooooooooooove me some Cracker Barrel! I haven't had it in years, so this was a treat.

I've *never* been to Cracker Barrel. Mom and I keep saying we need to try it; I think we're going to go over winter break.

I started to drive toward the Dolphin (our return, since the Car Care Center was closed), but again got crazy lost and ended up in the Epcot parking lot TWICE! I was a tad annoyed, but shook it off and just laughed at myself. Eventually I made it.

Those Disney roads are kind of confusing, especially around Epcot and the resorts.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Ooh, cool update! My dad and I really want to visit the Space Center sometime. Great pictures! The video of Henry explaining the launchpad was too cute.

 

[onelilspark]

We're trying to move to Melbourne this Spring. It's right in the general area of KSC (it's a great area for software engineers, which my husband is.) From my understanding, while they've discontinued the shuttle program, they're still launching satellites. I have a friend who works for Nasa in Houston as a flight controller and he still has his job, so they haven't totally shut everything down!