Mom's At It Again! ***Updated 4/30/2009~Trip Report Link**

[Planning fanatic mom]

Your itinerary looks great. AK is my favorite park. (I'm the only one in the family though.)

We really like FLights of Wonder because we are a family of bird watchers. We like the aviaries on the trails as well.

I always get soaked on Kali RIver Rapids. I thought everyone did? Maybe there is a conspiracy??? (LOL)

We do not like Tough to Be a Bug. Not because of the attraction, but because of the noise of the guests. Not people being excited for a second, that's fine. Just the extended screaming. I have seen this so many times and can not tell you what Flick says most of the time. Of course we will try again.

You will love Nemo the musical. This was amazing. I couldn't even begin to explain it.

Thanks for letting me join in on your anticipation.

 

[Angies1274]

AK is a great park!! Unfortunately, last year we didn't get to spend very much time there. I think your itinerary looks great! We are hoping to do Kali River Rapids this year as well (not sure I want to get soaked though )

We loved Finding Nemo-The musical!! It was one of my boys favorite things in AK!! We actually bought the soundtrack and it's all that we kept in the car and listened to it for months...

Loved the last pic of all your boys playing the drums---very cute

 

[sfacowgirl87]

Sounds good!!! We didn't spend a whole lot of time in AK on our last trip and I feel like we missed so much!!!!

We didn't do the Kali River Rapids because I have a thing with getting wet and then walking around the park the rest of the day...I just get to feeling gross

We also didn't go to see Festival of the Lion King or the Finding Nemo musical. I didn't think that we would enjoy them all that much but I have heard such raves about them on here that I think we may just have to see them on our next trip.

It's Tough to Be a Bug is one of our favorite 3D show attraction thingies in WDW (other than Philhar of course). I thought DH was gonna jump out of his chair when he got stung!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I'm joining in! We'll be there same time as you - 4/21 - 5/9! You didn't mention It's Tough to be a Bug! on your AK itinerary (not sure if it was intentional or not) but wanted to point it out. I believe the Pocahontas show is no longer, so don't feel guilty about crossing it off your list.




Columbia Harbor House is very good - quiet and seating upstairs that a lot of people don't know about which is always a plus! The last time I ate there they had fish and chips so your boys could grab that if you head over there.

Welcome! Where will you be staying in April...how fun! We will most likely see It's Tough to be a Bug...I mentioned it briefly when I talked about the Tree of Life. We really enjoyed it on our last trip. The only way we'll skip it is if the line is crazy long! And I guess Pocahontas is closed....kinda sad...it was cute. Any idea what is going in it's place?

I think we are definitely going to try CHH...been getting good feedback!

We love AK! It's my 2nd favorite park. I never feel like we have enough time there.


Yes, Pocahontas has been closed since September. We never did get around to seeing it.

We love AK too....it's definitely one of our favorites! It always amazes me that people dislike it and call it a 1/2 day park....

Apparently I am WAY out of the loop on the Pocahontas thing! It's in the new UG...darn book! LOL!

Your itinerary looks great. AK is my favorite park. (I'm the only one in the family though.)

We really like FLights of Wonder because we are a family of bird watchers. We like the aviaries on the trails as well.

I always get soaked on Kali RIver Rapids. I thought everyone did? Maybe there is a conspiracy??? (LOL)

We do not like Tough to Be a Bug. Not because of the attraction, but because of the noise of the guests. Not people being excited for a second, that's fine. Just the extended screaming. I have seen this so many times and can not tell you what Flick says most of the time. Of course we will try again.

You will love Nemo the musical. This was amazing. I couldn't even begin to explain it.

Thanks for letting me join in on your anticipation.

I thought everyone got soaked on Kali too..that's where the disappointment came in! I was so prepared!

Can't wait to see Nemo...it just didn't fit anywhere in our schedule last time and I was disappointed! We'll make it fit this trip!

AK is a great park!! Unfortunately, last year we didn't get to spend very much time there. I think your itinerary looks great! We are hoping to do Kali River Rapids this year as well (not sure I want to get soaked though )

We loved Finding Nemo-The musical!! It was one of my boys favorite things in AK!! We actually bought the soundtrack and it's all that we kept in the car and listened to it for months...

Loved the last pic of all your boys playing the drums---very cute

Thanks for the kind words about the boys! I'll keep 'em!

Sounds good!!! We didn't spend a whole lot of time in AK on our last trip and I feel like we missed so much!!!!

We didn't do the Kali River Rapids because I have a thing with getting wet and then walking around the park the rest of the day...I just get to feeling gross

We also didn't go to see Festival of the Lion King or the Finding Nemo musical. I didn't think that we would enjoy them all that much but I have heard such raves about them on here that I think we may just have to see them on our next trip.

It's Tough to Be a Bug is one of our favorite 3D show attraction thingies in WDW (other than Philhar of course). I thought DH was gonna jump out of his chair when he got stung!

I don't like being damp all day either..but I prepare! I wear clothes that dry quickly and shoes that can get wet! All prepared and not wet...stink!

FOTLK was really great...kinda like a circus show, with acrobats and trapeze acts. But BETTER, of course! We saw it on an evening EMH night which worked out perfectly...we had toured the park and done almost everything so it fit in nicely. I'd definitely try to see it if you can!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I want to take a moment to pay tribute to the newly departed Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends show at AK. I was unaware that this had closed, but since it has I want to share this story of our experience on our last trip.

We went to Pocahontas during evening EMH...this is a good thing to know as the story progresses. The show was going along great. Pocahontas was beautiful, Grandmother Willow was entertaining and each of Pocahontas' forest friends came out and made their appearances without a hitch. UNTIL we get to the ducks. For some reason one of the ducks decided that she had had quite enough of playing second fiddle to a talking tree and took over the show. (remember, evening EMH, this duck had a long day! ) Each little animal was to come out, visit with Pocahontas, and then very obediently, waddle backstage. NOT HAPPENING with THIS duck! This little duck would not go backstage and the CM in charge of handling the duck, I assume, came out to try to coax it. NO SUCH LUCK! After a few comments from Twig and Grandmother Willow, Pocahontas finally exited the stage and that duck got her day in the spotlight!! The CM chased and coaxed the duck for what seemed like forever before the duck finally gave in and went backstage. Pocahontas returned and the show resumed. SO FUNNY!! You could almost see the duck smirking when Pocahontas left...LOL! Anyway...in light of the demise of this cute show, I thought it was a story worth sharing!

Here are a couple of pics of the CM trying to get the duck offstage! They're not the best quality, but you get the idea!

Next installment is coming later today....Yes, No, Maybe--Disney Studios Edition!

 

[carissanboys]

That so funny Missy! It's those special moments that make such great memories for us and our kids.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Our next park stop is tentatively scheduled to be Disney Studios....however...with Fantasmic going to only 2 nights per week, this may have to change. It was originally scheduled to be showing on 4/21....not anymore. We may have to switch days because Fantasmic is a MUST DO! For now though, let's go with DS as our next park.


The "Definitely Do" List

Fantasmic: Already stated, but this was our favorite nighttime show and it's not to be missed!

Lights, Motors, Action: I have 3 boys and a DH...what can I say?

Magic of Disney Animation: We did not do this on our last trip. DH and I did it when we visited 16 scared1: ) years ago, but I think the boys would enjoy it.

Rock'n'Roller Coaster: LOVE IT! I'm a big roller coaster junkie and this was a good one. We should all be able to ride together this time...had to use baby swap last trip cause Jonah was too short.


Toy Story Mania: DUH!

Tower of Terror: Again, my thrill seeking side LOVES this ride. My two youngest aren't so enamored, but they can find the chicken exit!

Voyage of the Little Mermaid: Only because we missed it last trip. Is it worth seeing??


The "Don't Care to Do It Again" List

Great Movie Ride: We did ride this last trip and it was fun, but a lot of the movies are more nostalgic for DH and I and not the kids. They liked the shoot-out, but I don't think it was enough to make them really want to do it again.

Indiana Jones: Loved this show, but having seen it last time...and 16 years ago....it's a skip on this trip.

MuppetVision: Again, been there done that.

Sounds Dangerous: Doesn't look interesting to any of us...and it may be closed on our dates anyway. Anyone care to change my mind?

Star Tours: I sit this one out anyway....motion simulator rides and I are not friends! The boys rode last time and weren't impressed. However, my DS8 (Jonah) insists we go to the store so he can make a light saber!

Backlot Tour: It's not as much fun when the surprise element in Catastrophe Canyon is gone!


The "Maybe if we have time and the line is not too long" list

Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground: For nostalgia reasons only...DH and I have pics of this from our honeymoon and we skipped it last trip.

One Man's Dream: Looks interesting, but not gonna spend time there unless we do everything we really want to do first.

Beauty and the Beast: Enjoyed this and would like to see it from better seats than the way high ones we had last time!


Lastly, just wanted to mention that I found this park to be the least easy to navigate. I felt like we walked in circles all day and never really "got" the lay of the land. Any suggestions for avoiding that this time??

I'd love your input...anything I missed or you want to change my mind about?

Here are a few "for fun" pics from the Studios.

MATER!!!

These two were the first characters the kids met!

Taking a much deserved breather!

Purely selfish....just because I love Snow White!

 

[Villainess]

I did Sounds Dangerous once when it first opened w/ Drew Carey and haven't gone there since. So I'm definately with you on the "Skip it!"

 

[carissanboys]

Magic of Disney Animation: We did not do this on our last trip. DH and I did it when we visited 16 scared1: ) years ago, but I think the boys would enjoy it.

We've never done this either so I need to add it to our list.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid: Only because we missed it last trip. Is it worth seeing??

We all thought it was great (even the guys/boys)! It's too short IMO. I think it's definitely worth seeing.

MuppetVision: Again, been there done that.

I'm with you on this one. Twice is enough for me. Loved it the first time (hadn't seen Philharmagic yet), not so much the 2nd.

Sounds Dangerous: Doesn't look interesting to any of us...and it may be closed on our dates anyway. Anyone care to change my mind?

Nope! Most boring and lame attraction ever! The boys liked it, but I almost fell asleep.

Star Tours: I sit this one out anyway....motion simulator rides and I are not friends! The boys rode last time and weren't impressed. However, my DS8 (Jonah) insists we go to the store so he can make a light saber!

Did you know he can make one in DTD too?

One Man's Dream: Looks interesting, but not gonna spend time there unless we do everything we really want to do first.

The kids were bored with this and we never got to see the movie. My parents loved it.

Beauty and the Beast: Enjoyed this and would like to see it from better seats than the way high ones we had last time!

I've yet to see this so it's at the top of my list this trip!

Lastly, just wanted to mention that I found this park to be the least easy to navigate. I felt like we walked in circles all day and never really "got" the lay of the land. Any suggestions for avoiding that this time??

I know I get lost in there and we've never really seen much of the area where TOT and RnRC are. It's my least favorite park (although it was high on our list after the first trip).

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

I agree with many of your choices in each category. I would like to address a few.

We really liked Magic Of Disney Animation. The movie was cute, and we liked the hands on stuff at the end. We got to meet Mr. Incredible and Frozone. This is DH's favorite movie. We tried to go back last time, but the line was long because it started to rain.

OK Sounds Dangerous. I like this one mostly because it is quiet and cool. When it gets dark, I relax. Did I doze off, maybe. I'll never tell. My family doesn't get why I like this so much.

Do you think Fantasmic will only 2 times a week even in the summer?? I thought maybe it was only during the slow times. Boy, it will be crowded if it only runs 2 times a week.

It is tough to naviagate this park. I agree. Luckily, I just tell DH where we go next and then I follow.

Keep up the planning.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

We really liked Magic Of Disney Animation. The movie was cute, and we liked the hands on stuff at the end. We got to meet Mr. Incredible and Frozone. This is DH's favorite movie. We tried to go back last time, but the line was long because it started to rain.

I am really looking forward to doing this. Since we are skipping the Backlot Tour, I think it will fit in nicely. Meeting the Incredibles characters would be awesome...we didn't even see them last time!

OK Sounds Dangerous. I like this one mostly because it is quiet and cool. When it gets dark, I relax. Did I doze off, maybe. I'll never tell. My family doesn't get why I like this so much.

Note to self....when tired and hot, head to Sounds Dangerous!

Do you think Fantasmic will only 2 times a week even in the summer?? I thought maybe it was only during the slow times. Boy, it will be crowded if it only runs 2 times a week.

I agree that it will be crowded. I'm not sure about the summer, but I do know that I had used the DIS calendar of fireworks and parades to see when it was playing, but after hearing that it was going down to 2 days/week, I checked the WDW site. Sure enough it's only scheduled for Sunday, Monday, and Thursday of the week I am there. Kinda disappointing because we were planning on doing early EMH at the Studios that day (Tues.) as well. Oh well....it may be a moot point as I have not booked airline tickets yet and I may need to switch my days around anyway!

 

[DWFan4Life]

Great pics. I'm glad you had fun in your trip.

We just got there last Christmas holidays and the experience is really wonderful, now we are planning to go back for the next holidays. I'm a little bit excited again.

Have a nice day everyone.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Before I begin my lists of "Must and Must-Not Dos" for the Magic Kingdom, let me start by saying I had a total "freak-out" yesterday. And not in the "woo-hoo we're going to Disney" kind of way. LOL!

As you know if you've been reading this PTR, I don't have any airline tickets as of yet. Well...honestly that fact has not really concerned me.....until yesterday! I've been following ticket prices pretty much every day just to keep an eye on what's happening. The prices have not dropped like I had hoped and now it looks like they might even be going up....that's when I started to panic. Our vacation is booked with Disney for Sunday April 19th through Monday April 27th. Flying out on Sunday morning is SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive than Sunday evening or Monday morning, but I don't want to lose any vacationing time....there's only so much you know! My plan...and you know I have one...was to fly in early Sunday, fly out late Monday night and the kids stay home from school Tuesday go back on Wednesday. Now...if we don't fly in till Sunday evening, we miss a pool/resort day on Sunday, if we fly in Monday we lose Sunday AND half of Monday and if we wait till Tuesday to fly home we have to leave Orlando much earlier so that we can get the kids home and ready to go back to school on Wednesday. (Got all that? ) UGH!! DH came home and we talked a little and decided that if we can save significantly by flying out on Sunday evening, we can stay till Tuesday (pay for an extra night) and have all day Monday to tour. Then we fly out on Tuesday mid-day in time to get the boys home at a decent hour to be ready for school on Wednesday. WHEW....at least that is settled.....but I haven't purchased anything yet....kinda waiting for the NEXT reason for my FREAK-OUT! Yes...there's more! Our trip is due to be paid off on March 5th. We are paying for this trip with DHs manager's bonus. That is scheduled to be deposited in early March..talk about cutting it close! It looks like it will be deposited on March 5th! No CONCRETE info though so more freaking out! DH assures me that everything will be fine, so I'm going with that! Hopefully my freak out is over and I can re-evaluate touring plans, etc and get a grip again! LOL!

Sorry for the rambling, but I needed to vent to those who can feel my pain!

My real installment with "Must Dos and Must Not Dos" at the Magic Kingdom will be coming later today!

 

[Villainess]

I always get nervous and anxious when it comes to the airline fares. My mom is a procrastinator and so when we ask what days, she drags out "Ummm I don't know, etc" and by the time she decides, rates change and we're back to square one. Hopefully you will find a great deal soon and be able to book it fast!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I always get nervous and anxious when it comes to the airline fares. My mom is a procrastinator and so when we ask what days, she drags out "Ummm I don't know, etc" and by the time she decides, rates change and we're back to square one. Hopefully you will find a great deal soon and be able to book it fast!

thanks!

 

[carissanboys]

I'm sure everything will work out Missy. Do you have a credit card you could pay the package off with if the bonus doesn't show up just in time? And then pay off the card once you have the bonus?

Try not to stress too much!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I'm sure everything will work out Missy. Do you have a credit card you could pay the package off with if the bonus doesn't show up just in time? And then pay off the card once you have the bonus?

Try not to stress too much!

I'm much better now, thanks!! I'm sure it will all be fine, and I do have a plan B, but yesterday my mind was just going to the worst case scenario. I was thinking we'd have to cancel the trip, the boys would be devastated...not to mention their mom! LOL! I just had a freak out session, but i'm good now! Thanks for the words of encouragement! Back to the planning!

 

[carissanboys]

I'm glad you're feeling better today.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Question? Do you think better after a freak out?? I do. It is like the adreline and sense of urgency gets the thought processes moving. I like your plan.

Good luck with the plane tickets.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Question? Do you think better after a freak out?? I do. It is like the adreline and sense of urgency gets the thought processes moving. I like your plan.

Good luck with the plane tickets.

I never really thought of it that way, but I think you are absolutely right!! I did feel more focused after that! Maybe I should freak out more often! LOL!