Last Day
Wow, I cant believe our Disney trip is almost over. Today we are going to take it easy, pack up and hang out by the pool, using the pool shower to clean up and get ready for our trip back.
We enjoyed seeing the towel creations from Mousekeeping every day. On our final day they put together a display with our mouse ears and pen, so I recreated it with their handiwork for a photo. . .
We ate some crackers and granola bars in the room, cleaned everything up. Called bell service to get our bags and loaded up the stroller with a diaper bag, my new Disney bag and head to the pool.
The kids made a new friend and played for a long time in the kiddie pool. After a bit too much rough-housing I decided it was time for lunch and we headed once again into Port Royale. We stopped by the gift shop as I needed postcards which I never had time to buy and mail ahead of time and I still really wanted a shirt for me.
The kids went into the game room while I took DB in the stroller to the gift shop. For those who havent been to CBR, check out the gift shop thats kinda hidden behind the arcade I hadnt realized it was there before the last day.
I bought a shirt for me and one for DB, though I cant find his right now, Im not sure what happened to it. I know the shirt made it home. . .
While I was looking around DD and DS went to look at the games in the arcade, right next to the gift shop. Within minutes a CM was holding their hands and walking them in to the gift shop they were looking for you she says we went the entire trip, then at the last few hours they decide they were lost? Thank you I say and they remained with me, and pretty good, in the store.
Then we headed to the counters for lunch. I do believe the kids had chicken nuggets AGAIN and I had grilled chicken and fettuccini, which was ok, but nothing special.
The food plan was done for our trip so I paid cash for lunch, for the first time. It was twenty something, not too bad and I was able to use my refillable mug. I also picked up a few extra cookies they are really yummy!
We ate, played in the pool some more and then it was time to get cleaned up.
While it is promoted that there are showers for those who check out but still want to hang around, let me clarify it for you. There is ONE shower, that is in the public bathroom, with a changing area that is open for everyone to see.
So anyway, there I am in all my glory with the three kids in their birthday suit glory taking a shower and getting cleaned up (Im sure a few women got quite the show, but I tried not to notice). Luckily I washed the older two first and I grabbed LOTS of towels. I put the towels on the floor in the changing area and DB sat there so nicely while I dried myself and got dressed and helped the other two get dressed.
It wasnt the easiest of changes, but it worked, and got the job done. And for those of you who think I should have just traveled smelling of chlorine I just couldnt do it. Plus, I think the kids hair and skin would have dried out horribly if I didnt wash everything off.
OK, we are in the home stretch. We get directions and head to the bus stop to take a bus to the main office where we are to get our luggage and board the Magic Express.
Tracking a bell hop wasnt easy, but we did it, got our luggage and sat down on the ground to wait. I tried to cram our wet clothes in a bag that I could check and organize what we were taking on the plane (the fewer bags the better).
I am now in charge of three kids, three backpacks, a Disney tote bag, a suitcase, small duffle bag and large duffle bag and a stroller eeeks. How in creation do I get all of that stuff to check in. . .
Somehow I managed to get it to the bus, it was loaded in and we sat down. Once again, for half the ride there was nothing on the TV screens. DS fell asleep and I had to really try hard to wake him once we go to the airport.
The bell hop guys (sorry, dont know the proper name) were there to help with luggage and I agreed right away well they decided to help everyone else too. So I went running after the guy, our luggage with the kids and chasing another family so as to make sure none of our bags were lost.
It was ok, he left them all sitting by the counter, I had DD sit with them, and then I got in line for Airtran.
The ticket lady, once we got there was so nice and patient. She waited while I lugged all of our bags to her station (of course, one of the furthest from where our bags were located) and then even helped carry the bags to the screening station she was so nice!
There were huge lines for security at one of the terminals, but luckily not ours. Without too much of a hassle though shoes and all else had to be removed we made it through security and off to find our gate and eat.
But first things first, the baby was hungry and needed to be nursed.
I found the first benches I saw and had a seat to feed DB. Here are the other two goofing off while I was nursing luckily no pinched fingers or anything from playing next to the moving walkways.
We get in line for McDonalds and get ready to order when DS says he has to go potty OK, better now than after we are sitting and want to eat. We all trek to the bathrooms, back to McDs and order our food.
We take our AGAIN chicken nuggets for the kids, cant believe kids can eat so many nuggets and head to the gate.
We eat, potty again and board the plane while we are waiting my friend calls, as there plane leaves an hour later, but we had no time to see them. Maybe another trip?
The flight goes pretty well. DD slept the entire trip, DB slept the first two hours (poor kid, I laid him down on the tray LOL). And DS talked my ear off, we read stories, colored and he snacked a lot.
All worked out great, we made it back. We were the last ones to get off the plane and get our stroller. The canopy to the stroller was all jumbled and messed up (I think someone tried to fix it but instead knotted it up).
At any rate, I fixed it and off we went.
Whew, there was DH, just as promised. We got our luggage, which he carried , so great, and made our way to the waiting van.
The hour-long trip back home wasnt too bad and we were all relieved to be home and were quite ready for sleep.
Heres a photo of DB with our bags as I was unpacking.
Thats it. Our big journey. Sorry it took so long to post the end of our trip. Its just been insanely busy since we have been back (and Im posting this at midnight our time, and have been up since 4:30 a.m.).
I do want to go again, and yes, having another adult would be a big help, but then again, not having someone with us allowed us to go our speed, make changes in our plans and no one could complain about it. That was nice and I wont hesitate to give it a try again.
Do you want to join me?
Some Tips/What I learned
*While going with the flow and taking it easy were already on my agenda, I did have some reservations and plans that I ended up canceling once I realized that the children were really getting worn down. So I think you need to be prepared to make changes when necessary.
*Invest in those fan/spray bottle combos. That was one of the best $34 I spent, as it calmed the kids down, cooled all of us off and provided entertainment. We then used them every day since.
*Wish I had a triple stroller or a roll-along thing that attaches to the back of the double stroller for DD. DD4 was getting tired and cranky and was fighting DS3 for a seat in the stroller. I spent lots of time with the baby in the front pack pushing the two older children in the stroller.
*When staying out late to watch the parade & fireworks, plan on nothing the next a.m. let kids sleep late and take it easy the next day to not wear anyone out.
*If it could be afforded more days! That would allow room to do a lot more with more rests in between.
*For us, character meals were great, we all enjoyed them!
Loved having a small over the shoulder purse that I could put in the diaper bag and then pull out for rides, shows, etc. All the vitals fit in the small bag (ID, cell phone, camera) and I didnt have to lug the diaper bag everyone, it stayed on the stroller.
Actually getting off the bus most days someone did help me with the stroller, which was GREAT. I was amazed how many people would cut in front of us in the bus line while I was breaking down the stroller though -- like getting in front of us is going to make a big difference 
Even so, like I mentioned, I am seriously contemplating another trip in Sept. -- we shall see
It sounds like you had a great time and you should definitely go back for the free dining! 
Thanks for sharing. 
