"Mommy, this time it's all of our first times." April 28-May 3 TR

[MadiMouse]

Great TR! I cannot wait to read more and you really have me excited about our upcoming trip in July!!!

 

[littlelovebug]

Jen,
what a wonderful recap of your first day at Epcot! Jilly is the most adorable little girl I have seen...she is so happy! and animated...
you guys did a wonderful job on all the attractions... and your
pictures of World Showcase at night are beautiful!

I am so sorry the we were unable to meed you guys or Alicia...we were suppose to catch the MK parade and fireworks on the Sunday before and it STORMED! so, we thought what better way to end our visit to WDW than at MK!

I love that you are already planning another trip in September you need a new ticker...and just list as your wish trip ...we are not scheduled to go back for four to five years...and I am trying so hard to figure out a way to get back sooner; my latest thoughts is to send Danny to his first Nascar race and Ashton and I go back

I cannot wait to travel along with your family...you can just see the magic and love in all your pictures!!

Hmmmm...I like the Wish Trip ticker idea. Don't be surprised it you see it soon!

I'm so glad you're enjoying my TR! I spent so many hours just staring at the computer and living vicariously through others before I started my PTR...it's kind of cool to know that I'm giving other people something to do when they should be cleaning...or sleeping...or something else important!

I promise not to keep you waiting too long for another update! We're visiting my father-in-law (and picking up my Photo Book ) and going to my grandpa's for his birthday. If we don't get back too late I'll get started!

Love the photopass photos!

Figment makes them a little extra Disney too. Now, I want a stuffed Figment.

I definitely recommend PhotoPass if you want great pictures of the whole family! And how could anyone NOT want a Figment stuffed animal? Figment is awesome!!!

I can't believe you'll be there in less than a week! Here's a dancing banana for only six more days!!!

Great pictures.
Your little girl is adorable.

I can't believe you got the pilot to take a picture, too

Why thank you, I couldn't agree more! She had her picture taken with the co-pilot when we flew to Texas, and he even let her wear his hat! I think this is something she's going to want to do every time we fly!

Love the photopass pics! Especially the one with the F&G Festival border!

Thanks! I was so excited when I got the CD in the mail the other day!

i'm here!! sorry! i just found your TR now! Well, i'm going back to catch up!

alrighty, all caught up. your jilly is sooooooo adorable and soooo photogenic! She's so cute! LOL!! Loving all of your pictures so far!! I can't wait for more!!

Hi Keala! to my TR! You were the one who finally inspired me to start my PTR, so it's exciting that you're here with me, following along! I can't wait to read your TR! I still want to know if you went to Bob Marley Cafe!!!!

What a great trip report. I love all the pictures. Your daughter is so cute, and looks so excited in every picture. What a great cast member you had! That was so nice of her! I can't wait to read more!

Thanks! I'm glad you like the pictures, because there's a LOT more where those came from! Having a great Mousekeeper really did add that extra little bit of magic to our trip!

Great TR! I cannot wait to read more and you really have me excited about our upcoming trip in July!!!

I know what you mean! I just loved reading all of the TRs when I was counting down the days to our trip! It's so much more...real...than looking through official sites and travel guides! I can't wait to hear all about your trip when you get back! Your daugther is sooo cute...and I bet you're going to meet the one princess Jilly wanted to see that we never did find!

 

[jerseygirl74]

I just came across your posts. My DH Leo, Me Michelle and DD3 Samantha are staying at POR in 9 days. Your posts have made me even more excited about going. Thanks

 

[bluejasmine]

Wow Ive really enjoyed the TR cant wait for more..Jillian looks like so much fun! My kids are all teens I miss seeing WDW thru the eyes of little ones!

 

[littlelovebug]

I just came across your posts. My DH Leo, Me Michelle and DD3 Samantha are staying at POR in 9 days. Your posts have made me even more excited about going. Thanks

That is the best part of these boards...helping each other build up the excitement! You'll have to let me know what you think of POR! If possible, I would recommend that you spend some time at the pool! Jilly really loved it and would have spent the entire week there and been perfectly happy!

Wow Ive really enjoyed the TR cant wait for more..Jillian looks like so much fun! My kids are all teens I miss seeing WDW thru the eyes of little ones!

This was the first time I have gone to Disney with a child (as an adult). It truly was magical! I can't wait to do it again!

 

[littlelovebug]

We woke up a little after 7 and rushed to get ready. Jilly and I put on our Mickey tie-dye tshirts and we were ready to go. We headed toward Riverside Mill and I realized I had forgotten a few things, so Jilly and I hung out by the river while Jed ran back to the room. Once he returned we rushed over to the soda fountains and filled up our mugs. This time I gave Jilly lemonade instead of fruit punch, so she wouldn’t have a red mustache in every picture!

I can’t remember what time we got to the bus stop, but I knew we wouldn’t make it to the Animal Kingdom 25 minutes early like I had intended. By the time we got to the park and walked up to the turnstiles, it was 8:50 AM. I was excited that we had made it before the park opened, until I noticed they were already letting people into the park! What??? No rope drop? Now I know this was not a morning EMH day, so I don’t know if we missed it and they just let people in early or what…but I was disappointed.

Since the people were already pouring in, I passed all of the photo opps and headed straight to Kilimanjaro Safaris. I think it was a ten minute wait so we got in the standby line. Then I started snapping pictures at 9:01 AM!

We saw this guy while we were waiting in line:

I like the sign above their heads...

Going on safari first thing in the morning was definitely a great idea. We saw almost every animal (just a glimpse of some lion fur though) and took a bazillion pictures! We all loved this ride!

Here are some of my favorite pics from our safari:

Check out all those hippos!

We spotted the baby elephant!

The upside down trees are so cool!

Some of the animals got up close and personal!

Look at the rhino walking right behind the other truck!

I bet he could take out the truck if he charged!!

Baby rhino!

Looking cool in their sunglasses, enjoying the view!

Thanking our driver for a wonderful safari!

Coming up next...we conclude our "two week" safari and head to Asia!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Great safari ride! I cannot believe the rhino! I did not think animals of that sort were allowed to wander freely with the vehicles...I knew the cattle type animals did but I thought the elephants, lions, and rhinos were behind the hidden fences...

 

[littlelovebug]

Great safari ride! I cannot believe the rhino! I did not think animals of that sort were allowed to wander freely with the vehicles...I knew the cattle type animals did but I thought the elephants, lions, and rhinos were behind the hidden fences...

I know!! It was pretty cool, but a little unnerving! I don't remember seeing anything like that other times I've ridden.

 

[pinkxray]

Great AK update.

I noticed Jilly has a first visit button on. Did you get that at POR when you checked in? I would love to get Caitlin one too.

I love the pictures of Jilly. She looks so excited about everything you guys do. She is just too cute!

 

[littlelovebug]

Great AK update.

I noticed Jilly has a first visit button on. Did you get that at POR when you checked in? I would love to get Caitlin one too.

I love the pictures of Jilly. She looks so excited about everything you guys do. She is just too cute!

I forgot to ask but I'm pretty sure they have them at POR. I stopped by Guest Relations in Epcot once I finally remembered.

 

[tinkgurl]

Aw, looks like your Safari went well! I'm so glad you got to see the baby elephant! We saw it on our trip and it was just the cutest thing!

 

[MadiMouse]

Great updates! Your pictures are beautiful! Your DD Jilly is toooo cute!! I haven't been on the Safari in two years. Last July I was pregnant and I didn't want to ride due to the bumpiness. Lol. I can't wait to read more. I have 56 more days!!!

 

[littlelovebug]

Aw, looks like your Safari went well! I'm so glad you got to see the baby elephant! We saw it on our trip and it was just the cutest thing!

I love everything about the safari! It's on my list of "must-do's" for sure!!

Great updates! Your pictures are beautiful! Your DD Jilly is toooo cute!! I haven't been on the Safari in two years. Last July I was pregnant and I didn't want to ride due to the bumpiness. Lol. I can't wait to read more. I have 56 more days!!!

Yay!!! Less than 2 months! I bet you guys are getting sooooo excited!

 

[irishdancer86]

Great safari photos! love the t shirts!

had noticed the red moustache on day one but gilly's so cute she pulled it off!

 

[elle bell]

Subbing! Great trip report so far. I love the Safari Pics. We were planning on eating an early breakfast at Tusker House on our AK day, but it looks like that won't be happening now. Was the line very long for the Safari that early after opening?

 

[Cory's Gal]

Jen your Epcot day was awesome!! You got so many great pics!! Jilly is adorable in all of them, I can tell she loved every minute of it!!! Great start on your AK day, we were there late in the afternoon that day for the parade and Festival of the Lion King, the two things we wanted to see that we missed on our other AK day!! Loved the pic of the baby rhino too!!!!

 

[martinolichfamily]

Great pics of the Safari!
Looks like a great day at AK!

 

[littlelovebug]

Great safari photos! love the t shirts!

had noticed the red moustache on day one but gilly's so cute she pulled it off!

Thanks, Cathy! I just started reading your PTR last night. I can't wait to finish reading it...sounds like you guys are going to have a blast!!

Subbing! Great trip report so far. I love the Safari Pics. We were planning on eating an early breakfast at Tusker House on our AK day, but it looks like that won't be happening now. Was the line very long for the Safari that early after opening?

Thanks, and welcome! I don't think we waited more than 10 minutes in line, so I'd say just head straight to the safari as soon as they open and you should be good! Keep in mind we were there during lower crowd levels, but regardless I would make it your first stop!

Jen your Epcot day was awesome!! You got so many great pics!! Jilly is adorable in all of them, I can tell she loved every minute of it!!! Great start on your AK day, we were there late in the afternoon that day for the parade and Festival of the Lion King, the two things we wanted to see that we missed on our other AK day!! Loved the pic of the baby rhino too!!!!

I absolutely love the Animal Kingdom. I would live there if they would let me. I guess we'll have to scrutinize our parade pics and see if we see each other! What time did you go to FOTLK, and what section did you sit in??

Great pics of the Safari!
Looks like a great day at AK!

Thanks! It was wonderful! I know some people could skip the AK and be perfectly happy, but I wouldn't miss it!

 

[littlelovebug]

After we concluded our safari tour, we headed toward Asia. I used all of our tickets to get 3 fastpasses for Expedition Everest, and then I rode it right away by myself. I tried to get Jed to go on it by himself but he refused. He said he doesn’t like to ride things by himself. Oh well, his loss…I figured I would get to ride again three more times later in the day! I rode with a young boy who had been on it about a billion times that day, and he was soooo funny! (And I might as well just tell you now, we never did make it back over to Everest to ride again...so sad...)

We were getting pretty hungry, so we stopped at a snack counter in Asia and used three snack credits for fried rice, pork egg rolls and a mango pie. Yummmmm! We talked about that “snack” for the rest of the week! We can’t understand why the Chinese places around here don’t have such delicious offerings!

Jilly wasn't crazy about the mango pie...

She was more interested in the ducks...

We decided to skip Kali River Rapids for two reasons. One, we thought Jilly would be terrified. Two, we didn’t want to get wet, especially in our new shoes! So we headed on over to the 10:30 Flights of Wonder show and walked in a few minutes after it had started. We were sitting near the back, so I was really surprised when they asked people in the audience with cameras to volunteer for a special photo opp, and they picked me!

I went up on stage and sat next to another audience member. See Jed taking my picture toward the back???

The host told us where to aim, and a giant bird flew through the audience and right over our heads to land on the perch behind us!

It was amazing, and I was grinning from ear to ear! As I walked off stage a cast member gave me a certificate saying I had had a Magical Moment!!!

We then enjoyed the rest of the show. I thought this bird kind of looked like Kevin from Up:

Here he is preparing to fly right over us:

On the way to Discovery Island, I saw one of my favorite entertainers…DeVine!!!! I was so excited, I just kept following her around snapping pictures!

Jilly wasn't too sure what to think:

Next we decided to head toward the Tree of Life so we could see It’s Tough to be a Bug. We soon discovered Jilly’s obsession for the day…”feeding” the benches! I had to keep convincing her that someone else would feed them later if they got hungry so she would keep moving!

 

[martinolichfamily]

Oh how cool to be picked during FOW to go up on stage! Great pics of the birds!
That one bird did look kinda like Kevin!
We have yet to watch FOW.
I will have to keep my eyes peeled while at AK to watch for DeVine!
Loving Jilly's tye dye shirt!