"Mommy! Dey heads is fweaky!" 8 (otherwise) wonderful days in March 2011

[MyPeanut&Bug]

Welcome to my first ever TR! (in other words… bear with me! I can promise you tons of pics, but no room/food/all those other good pics we DISers love…I’ll do better next time!) We’ve been back less than a week and I’m hoping maybe reliving our trip here will lift the post-Disney funk. Man, it’s bad this time!

I’ll introduce you to everyone first:

Me, Alicia AKA Mom: 33 years old, former preschool teacher now SAHM and in home child care provider. Disney nut and planner of the family – I begged to go to Disney World growing up and finally got there are at age 18 and fell totally in love with it. My husband and mom lovingly (I think…) refer to my Disney nerdiness but area also quick to tell me that they appreciate someone else doing all the planning. This was my 5th trip.


DH, Buddy AKA Dad: 33 years old (for a few more weeks anyway ;-), driver/warehouse worker currently in school for automotive repair. First trip to Disney was our honeymoon in 2002 – after we got home he admitted that he never imagined he’d have as much fun as we did. Mission accomplished! This was his 3rd trip.

DS, Benjamin: 6 years old, in kindergarten. Lover of Legos and trucks, especially monster trucks. Shy and cautious by nature, the Haunted Mansion nearly did him in last time – it took many, many rides on “it’s a small world” to undo that. ;-) This was his 2nd trip.

DD, Eliza: 4 years going on 14. Our resident drama queen and lover of all things princess and girly. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse obsessed. My Disney partner in the house who’s always up for watching the planning DVD and talking Disney with me. Fiesty and boisterous by nature, she was thrilled to be tall enough for “big” rides this trip. This was her 2nd trip.

My mom, Patricia AKA Baba (Benjamin’s word for Grandma – he started calling her this at about 18 months old and it’s stuck): 50+, nurse. Loves the villains and classics like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean – back problems and vertigo keep her on the gentle rides. This was her 3rd trip.

Buddy and I took the kids for their first trip in May 2009. We drove from NE Ohio, about 17 hours total but split up over 2 days each way and it was very do-able. We spent 9 amazing days in the parks and the kids loved Disney…my work as a mother was done! They were 4.5 years old and a month away from 3 on that trip and proved to be awesome travelers. Almost as soon as we got back from that trip my mom and I started talking about going back with her. We knew we couldn’t do it in 2010 (darn money, always getting in the way of everything!) so we set our sights on 2011. After looking at work and school schedules, we decided on early March (and as it got closer, specifically March 4-12) and I settled into my happy place once again…planning a Disney trip!

 

[em6668]

Subbing! We were there March 5th through the 12th so I need a good trip report to help with the withdrawal symptoms.

 

[Mrs. Sojourner]

Can't wait to hear all about it! Your kids are adorable.

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

Subbing! We were there March 5th through the 12th so I need a good trip report to help with the withdrawal symptoms.

I know! I've been reading trip reports a lot since we got home. It's much worse than last time - I swear b/c last time we drove and we were ready to home and out of the car and this time we flew, so much easier! Welcome!

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

Can't wait to hear all about it! Your kids are adorable.

Thank you! Hoping to get more posted at nap and "rest" time!

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

I am here!! Looking forward to comparing notes!!

 

[jenseib]

I'm here, just have to go back and read now!

 

[Colleen27]

The kids are adorable! I can't wait for more.

 

[sandym718]

I'm in!

 

[jessidoll]

i'm in!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

I am here!! Looking forward to comparing notes!!

Hi Kara! Sounds good!

I'm here, just have to go back and read now!

Hi Jennifer - you didn't miss much!

The kids are adorable! I can't wait for more.

Thanks Colleen and welcome!

I'm in!

Hi Sandy!

 

[jc040404]

Subbing! You have a gorgeous family! We were at WDW during some of your trip. We did March 6-11 as our "long" trip this year. Can't wait to follow along!

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

So after months of planning, making reservations and ADR’s, packing and re-packing and generally just getting so excited I couldn’t stand it, it was finally time to actually leave! Our flight was scheduled for 6:10am, Friday morning, March 4. That morning I got up about 3:15 and we planned on leaving the house around 4am to go pick up my mom and get to the airport, which is thankfully close. I talked the kids into sleeping in their clothes the night before, so they could sleep as late as possible. Didn’t work with Benjamin, who got up when I did (a few minutes before my alarm, actually) so he chilled on the couch while I threw some last minute things in our carryons, checked that I had the camera battery recharger repeatedly and then it was time to get Buddy up. He got up and ready and started carrying bags to the car while I woke Eliza up. She was so cute – I was patting her back and telling her it was time to get up and she wasn’t budging much. Finally I whispered, “It’s time to go to Disney World” and she rolled over, opened her eyes and said, albeit sleepily, “Really??” That was all it took and my Disney girl was up and moving.

We made it out the door a few minutes after 4am, not bad considering how bad we are sometimes at leaving on time. It was chilly and rainy – perfect weather to leave behind. We picked up my mom and got to the airport, checked luggage and made it through security by about 4:45 (Gotta love small regional airports!!)

Buddy trying to ignore Benjamin…even en route to Disney, my hubby is just not a morning person!

We had about an hours wait until boarding, ate a little breakfast and tried to calm my mom’s increasing nerves (she is NOT a flier and I’m actually surprised that she did so again after our previous flights to Disney) Gave Eliza some Dramimine as she’s had some occasional bouts with motion sickness if we’re in the car for too long and I wasn’t taking any chances on the flight. Finally it was time to board and we lifted off shortly after 6am. Both kids had flown before but both were too young to remember their previous flights, so they were just taking it all in. It was dark when we took off the first time, so not much for them to see. Had an uneventful flight to Atlanta and got in there about 7:50am. Hit the restrooms and just had a short wait until our next flight left Atlanta about 8:45am. This time it was light out and the kids really liked looking out the window. Benjamin probably didn’t do much to calm Grandma’s nerves when he loudly exclaimed “Goodbye land!” during lift off. Another uneventful flight and we got into Orlando right around 10am. As were waiting to get off the plane, Benjamin turned to Buddy and in a worried voice said, “We gotta get off before it blasts off again!”

Got our luggage, enjoyed the airport monorail (good prep for Disney!) changed the kids into shorts (they couldn’t wait!!), waited in a slow line at the rental car counter and we were finally heading out of the airport shortly after 11am. Blue skies, sunshine and palm trees! We’re finally here!

We were heading to Universal Studios City Walk for lunch at Margaritaville. I’m a long time Parrothead and it’s become our tradition to eat at Margaritaville (and for me to get some new Buffett shirts!) before heading to Disney.

Moving walkways are always fun!

It started to sprinkle a bit as we walked to the restaurant but never got hard and quickly stopped. Got seated right away and we were all starving and ready for some good music and good food.

The kids, especially Benjamin, liked the exploding volcano.

We got done eating, I got my new shirt and we took some pictures outside.

We spent at hour or so walking around CityWalk – Benjamin liked the race cars outside the NASCAR restaurant and watching the rollercoasters that you can see in the distance. Eliza just kept saying “I thought we going to Disney World! I don’t think this Disney World!” (Is she my kid or what??)

We surfed out of Universal shortly around 3pm to head to All Star Movies and Disney World!

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

Subbing! You have a gorgeous family! We were at WDW during some of your trip. We did March 6-11 as our "long" trip this year. Can't wait to follow along!

Welcome and thank you!

 

[lovethattink]

Great start!! I'm on board too.

I ate at Margaritaville for the first time last year. I was instantly a fan! But our little guy was so scared of that volcano. He thought it was going to spit on him.

Where did you catch that wave? Universal or All Stars Movies?

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

Great start!! I'm on board too.

I ate at Margaritaville for the first time last year. I was instantly a fan! But our little guy was so scared of that volcano. He thought it was going to spit on him.

Where did you catch that wave? Universal or All Stars Movies?

The wave was on the way out of Universal. I can't believe DH looks like such a willing participant.

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

After a short drive, one of my most favorite sights in all the world came into view…

WHOO-HOOO!!! There is nothing like going under that arch – it makes me feel positively giddy, like a kid Christmas morning. I swear you can just feel all the stress of “real life” just being left behind.

We stayed at All Star Movies this trip – we stayed there last trip as well and found it plenty comfortable for us. Plus those huge characters in the Toy Story building are cool, I don’t care how old you are. We’ve done moderates in the past and may go back to them someday, but for the time being the savings of staying value = more days in the parks, so it’s a no-brainer for us.

And we’re here!

Checking in was pretty quick (we had done online check in prior to arriving). We had been requesting adjoining room with my mom all along but knew this wasn’t guaranteed. We didn’t get them – and actually ended up on different floors. Boo! We were in Fantasia building 5, on the 3rd floor with my mom on the 1st. We were told that we could check back on Sunday to see if we could get 2 rooms next to each other, as they had a number of rooms checking out on Sunday. But we decided we weren’t going to be in the rooms much anyway and I really didn’t want to get settled in one room and then move 2 days later, so we just went with it – and really, it worked out just fine.

We picked up our rental stroller from bell services and we were on our way to our rooms!

(I debated over the stroller for quite awhile and finally decided that I’d rather have it and not use it than the other way around – We rented from a company that drops them off at your hotel and picks them up when you’re done and it was cheaper than renting them daily from Disney. We got a double jogging stroller and I ended up being very glad we did! As far as I’m concerned, the amount of walking at Disney is SO different than going anywhere else at home – my kids certainly don’t use strollers at home but if it cuts down on complaining and whining at Disney, I’m all for it!)

We got settled in a little while the kids watched one of the 20 Disney channels on TV and decided we would just hang out at the hotel and get to bed early since it had been such an early morning (and neither of the kids slept on the plane or in the car, like I thought they would!). The kids were eager to walk around and to show my mom the hotel, so that’s what we did. The Toy Story section is definitely our favorite.

The kids played on the playground for awhile

Then we headed to the food court for dinner – and refillable mugs! The nerd in me was so excited that they had the new ones out. At home, I drink my coffee from a Disney resort mug every morning and I really wanted a new one! The kids were very excited because we had told them they could their own – and even more excited when we said “yes” to their request for Sprite for dinner. They’re probably shocked at what a nicer mom I am in Disney.

After dinner it was getting darker and cooling off. Benjamin wanted to see the Herbie buildings so we walked over there

– and of course one of the first things he saw was the “Winner’s Circle” water sprayer.

I told him he could run through one time only because it was getting chilly by then, let alone when you’re wet. Eliza was smart enough to want to stay dry. ; Benjamin ran through and immediately squealed at being cold, so he put Daddy’s jacket on and back to the room we headed.
(bad pics because he was so quick, I didn't have time to change the camera settings!)

Gave the kids quick baths, got jammies on and they were asleep very quickly…come to think of it, we all were! We had an another early morning ahead of us and way more fun![/COLOR]

 

[lovethattink]

The wave was on the way out of Universal. I can't believe DH looks like such a willing participant.

I have been to Universal twice in the last week and never noticed it!! Will have to look next time.

After a short drive, one of my most favorite sights in all the world came into view…

WHOO-HOOO!!! There is nothing like going under that arch – it makes me feel positively giddy, like a kid Christmas morning. I swear you can just feel all the stress of “real life” just being left behind.

Yep!!!! I know it well!

We stayed at All Star Movies this trip – we stayed there last trip as well and found it plenty comfortable for us. Plus those huge characters in the Toy Story building are cool, I don’t care how old you are. We’ve done moderates in the past and may go back to them someday, but for the time being the savings of staying value = more days in the parks, so it’s a no-brainer for us.

We stayed at All Star Movies in December and really enjoy that resort. The food courts at the values have a great selection. Only thing missing that the moderates have is a slide in the pool and a sit down restaurant. Though now that the mods are remodling to Queen size beds, that is nice as the kids get bigger!

Checking in was pretty quick (we had done online check in prior to arriving). We had been requesting adjoining room with my mom all along but knew this wasn’t guaranteed. We didn’t get them – and actually ended up on different floors. Boo! We were in Fantasia building 5, on the 3rd floor with my mom on the 1st. We were told that we could check back on Sunday to see if we could get 2 rooms next to each other, as they had a number of rooms checking out on Sunday. But we decided we weren’t going to be in the rooms much anyway and I really didn’t want to get settled in one room and then move 2 days later, so we just went with it – and really, it worked out just fine.

I'm glad you were in the same building at least.

We picked up our rental stroller from bell services and we were on our way to our rooms!

(I debated over the stroller for quite awhile and finally decided that I’d rather have it and not use it than the other way around – We rented from a company that drops them off at your hotel and picks them up when you’re done and it was cheaper than renting them daily from Disney. We got a double jogging stroller and I ended up being very glad we did! As far as I’m concerned, the amount of walking at Disney is SO different than going anywhere else at home – my kids certainly don’t use strollers at home but if it cuts down on complaining and whining at Disney, I’m all for it!).

Definately different walking. I wore a pedometer last Saturday when we went to Universal, and walked around our resort. Over 10,000 steps that day. And we only went on 1 ride at Universal, then back out.

Then we headed to the food court for dinner – and refillable mugs! The nerd in me was so excited that they had the new ones out. At home, I drink my coffee from a Disney resort mug every morning and I really wanted a new one! The kids were very excited because we had told them they could their own – and even more excited when we said “yes” to their request for Sprite for dinner. They’re probably shocked at what a nicer mom I am in Disney.

Hurray for the new mugs!! (they just need to make at least 4 different colors)

and of course one of the first things he saw was the “Winner’s Circle” water sprayer.

I told him he could run through one time only because it was getting chilly by then, let alone when you’re wet. Eliza was smart enough to want to stay dry. ; Benjamin ran through and immediately squealed at being cold, so he put Daddy’s jacket on and back to the room we headed.
(bad pics because he was so quick, I didn't have time to change the camera settings!).

Oh!! I learned something new! I didn't realize there was water squirting there! I guess it was turned off when we were there in December since it was sooooo cold.

 

[mom2rtk]

OK, I just realized you already had the link in your signature.......so I found it! Yeah! Your kids are adorable! How lucky that you have a little Disney enthusiast to enjoy it all with you!

 

[jenseib]

I have to ask, when you went to eat at City Park, do you have to park somewhere special and do the ystill charge you the full Universal parking fee? I have thought about going over there..but really have no time anyways...but if I only went for an hour or so, I don't think it would be worth it if I had to pay parking too.