Mom, Dad, and 4 kids: Day 5

[4kidsandadog]

Cast: Karen (Mom, 38), Brian (Dad, 37), Emily (10 3/4), Noah (6 3/4), Halle (3 11/12), Joel (2)

Saturday, Oct. 5: I let everyone sleep in. My assignment for the morning was laundry. I piled 6 days worth of laundry (we had 2 travel days driving from OH to FL) into our largest pullman and wheeled it to the guest laundry at the front of the resort. Fortunately I was able to get everything into 2 large loads. Once I got the washers going, I went to the GCH to get something to read. I also picked up a swim diaper for Joel, as our plans were to go swimming after I finished laundry. (The only thing we forgot to pack was our own package of Little Swimmers, the same brand swim diaper they sell in the resorts for $1.50 each.)

Made it back to the room shortly after 10 to fold and put away the laundry. Then we all got ready for the pool. Swam from around 11 to 12:30. Boy, was I glad I remembered to sunblock the kids! I ended up with too much sun on my back and was feeling it a couple of hours later.

After our swim, we grabbed lunch from Capt. Cook's and took it back to the lounge. It was a so-so lunch. Didn't really think the burger tasted that great. The fries were probably the best part of the meal.

Took the boat to MK and grabbed a spot for the parade, our first viewing of this particular parade. Got a good place directly across from Main Street Station. Overall, I was disappointed with the parade, though. While I loved the snowglobe idea, the music was just.... ugh. Not memorable enough. I definitely prefer the Remember the Magic parade, or the old Mickey Mania parade to this one. Oh well... at least we got that out of the way and know we can do something else during parade time from now on... at least until they get a new parade.

Headed to Tomorrowland where I rode TTA with Halle and Joel while the others got in a fairly fast-moving line for Astro Orbiter. Got Space Mountain fastpasses for Brian and Emily, then everyone rode TTA. After Space Mountain, got FP for Buzz, then shopped a little while waiting for those. Did Buzz, then headed back to get ready for dinner at Boma.

We had 7pm PS at Boma. Arrived a little early for those. Walked the grounds a bit. Kids were excited to see a playground and hot tubs at AKL, 2 things we didn't have at the Poly. Brian was tired and wasn't especially in love with his food. I enjoyed the Durban chicken. Zebra domes were OK, but neither of us are into coffee, so the Kahlua in them made them not our favorite dessert. I did like the chocolate crunch tarts, though. They had hazelnut in them... mmmm. Joel fell asleep before dessert. We drove back to the Poly and watched Disney Channel until lights out.

Tomorrow: Epcot.

Karen

 

[wenpop]

Seems like you had a wonderful time and not much trouble out of your 4 kids!!! Like you, I have 4 kids too and we will be taking them in December.
How did your 2 year old do most of the time? Did he sit through most meals ok? My 2 year old is very adventurist and can ot sit still. Love your reports!! Keep them a coming!!

 

[dutton]

I too am from Georgia and have 4 kids the same ages as 4kidsandadog. We are also going in December and I am really enjoying your trip reports! I have been waiting weeks to see a report from someone with a lot of kids my kids ages. I am curious to see how Epcot was with your family. I love Epcot but we are up in the air as to how much time we want to spend there with a 4 and 2 yr old. Thanks for the great reports!

 

[4kidsandadog]

I wrote those first 5 days of trip reports from notes I made each evening.... The rest I have to do from memory , so it is going to take me a little longer to do. I will say that the kids enjoyed Epcot; if you have the time and patience to do Innoventions, there are several things there that will entertain the older as well as the younger children. We would have enjoyed Epcot more if we had been staying closer (like Y&B). We couldn't last an entire day without going back to our room at the Poly and then we couldn't bear the thought of going all the way back to Epcot, so we usually wound up either staying in, or just running over to the MK. Next time, we will split our stay between VWL and BCV (since this is the last time we can fit in one room). This way, we can take that needed break in the afternoon and still be close enough to see the evening festivities. We have never seen the Tapestry parade or Illuminations.

My 2 older kids loved Test Track. The new Journey Into Imagination ride was fun for everyone. My oldest likes HIStA (my 6 1/2 yo doesn't). Ice Station Cool was a hit with everyone (my oldest actually likes Beverly... thinks it tastes like bubblegum!).

I will try to post more impressions later.

Karen

 

[wenpop]

Could you tell me more about how your 2 year old did at restaurants and in the stroller? Did he like the parades? How did he do with the characters?
Write more please!!! Can't wait to hear how the rest of your vacation went!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Oh did the kids fight at all? Push shove, get hot and whine?

 

[luvmy2sams]

Thanks for taking the time to share your vacation! Looking forward to the next installment....

 

[4kidsandadog]

Originally posted by wenpop
Could you tell me more about how your 2 year old did at restaurants and in the stroller? Did he like the parades? How did he do with the characters?
Write more please!!! Can't wait to hear how the rest of your vacation went!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Oh did the kids fight at all? Push shove, get hot and whine?

Timing was everything as far as the 2yo went. For the most part, he did very well at restaurants; he did great with the character meals. Dinner times were hard if he hadn't napped. He was also fine with riding in the stroller. He and the 4yo shared a double; we did have to break up a few fights between those 2 occasionally, but those were few and far between.

Overall, the kids really did well. We did a lot of "catching them being good," and letting them know that we all have more fun when they listen and obey, rather than ignoring us and doing stuff they knew they shouldn't.

Karen