Monorail!, Mermaids, Mishaps and Magic: May 2012 Family Vacation ***Day 3. . .7/31**

[mindystar]

Well here we are.

Planned for ten months, did a few months of Disney Nights, spent seven nights at the Poly, had five days in the parks and visited three of them. Followed through with the goal of completing a PTR (which you can find here), and set the next goal. A much higher goal, if I may say so myself, has been set. I tried once six years ago and failed miserably, so I intend to accomplish it this time. Writing a Trip Report! So many have wrote so many wonderful ones, and I hope to capture just a fraction of the magic that they seem to be able to convey. I know I’m wordy though, and probably why I quit the last one, just a lot to write! So I’m going to pace myself (something that I’m learning with conditioning for running. . .well walking at this point, lol!) and try not to shove a lot out at once. Plus it will be nice to have for myself down the line as well

So without further ado, here is our cast of characters for this Walt Disney World 2012 Family Vacation.

Mom/Grandma/Tink:

Dad/Grandpa/Peter Pan (PP) and Youngest Sister/Snow White:

Me/Sleeping Beauty/Princess Aurora/Briar Rose:

Younger Sister/Cinderella:

Brother-in-law (Cinderella’s DH—made that easy, right )/Prince Charming (PC):

Eldest Niece (DD1 of Cindy and PC; just turned 4)/Ariel:

Middle Niece (DD2 of Cindy and PC; just turned 2)/Minnie:

Youngest Niece (DD3 of Cindy and PC; turned 5 mo on vacation)/Marie:

 

[mindystar]

Here Lies Good Old Table of Contents:

[post=45176566]Making Our Way to WDW! Day 1, Part 1[/post]
[post=45186398]Making Our Way to WDW! Day 1, Part 2[/post]
[post=45208783]Making Our Way to WDW! Day 2, Part 1[/post]
[post=45236756]Making Our Way to WDW! Day 2, Part 2[/post]
[post=45269487]Making Our Way to WDW! Day 2, Part 3[/post]
[post=45410212]Animal Kingdom and Ohanas Day 3, Part 1[/post]
[post=45646604]Animal Kingdom and Ohanas Day 3, Part 2[/post]
[post=45646671]Animal Kingdom and Ohanas Day 3, Part 3[/post]
[post=45673484]Animal Kingdom and Ohanas Day 3, Part 4[/post]

 

[mindystar]

We were all off work now (well except for those parents, they are never off duty ), had some sleep in us, and except for last minute items were packed as well. The lofty goal of leaving at 4 am was set, but we never get out of the door at the time we plan to. There were two households on the same street separated by a few houses that were up, excited and ready for the first leg of the driving journey that would end in Walt Disney World.

Now I went to bed around 11 pm, seeing as I wasn’t a driver and would need to sleep plenty on the drive so as not to get car sick/motion sick. I set my alarm on the tv to go off at 2:45 am, giving me plenty of time to laze in bed and then to get cracking on getting ready for the day and luggage downstairs. Instead of waking to an infomercial however, I woke to the sound of something banging down the stairs. I reluctantly open my eyes and see that the tv had done its job of turning on, but I had not done my job of waking up. I turned to look at the clock and holy cow it was already quarter after 3. Well there went my lazing around and getting ready time! After jumping out of bed I put a little face on and got all of my gear finalized so it could be taken downstairs.

Out to the van the luggage was whisked away by PP and Snow. Though now with all the luggage filled to the gill and extra pieces added, we would need to use the back seat as well as the trunk in order to fit everything. Until we were able to get through some of the food for cooler breakfasts and lunches, Snow would need to sit in the middle bucket seat next to mine. Which meant that no Littles would be able to quite join us along for the ride yet.

PP was busy rearranging the luggage, while Tink finished things inside. Cinderella called to see where we at in leaving. At almost 4, Tink told her we just needed about 10 more mins. Well that time came and went, and soon the Cindy Clan were waiting in their car in the cul-de-sac. Ariel and Minnie let out shouts of joy and our names as we went down to see them. They were busy watching Scooby Doo, and plenty excited to get to start “Vacation”!

When everyone got in the van from our travel party and we pulled out of the driveway down the street it was 4:27 a.m. Our vehicle decided that next time we would say we were going to leave a half hour earlier than we wanted. To psych our own selves out I guess, since the family with young children were basically ready on time! I love that beginning time of the drive and make sure to be alert and awake at least until we are over the bridge and into Iowa. I usually stay up for a bit longer, but fall asleep before we hit the first rest stop.

That first rest stop is also where we had breakfast and stretched our legs. I believe for that stop we spent an hour there. Which is crazy nuts, because it no where felt that long! I had a picnic table cover that we used, and Cindy had a blanket for picnics that we used on the ground. Marie was laid out on it and I sat next to her while eating. It wasn’t long before we noticed dog poo right on the outlying edge of the blanket. I do believe that many of us managed to step in it, after we noticed it! PC was kind enough to clean off my sneaker so that I could get back into Tink and PP’s van for the rest of the trip However he also thought it nice of himself to try and give me a drink from the water bottle and I ended up spitting it up. I don’t do well when choking on water to get it to go down for some odd reason By the end of that break Ariel was freaking out about bugs being on her, even when there weren’t. . .poor girl!

We drove, and drove and drove again until we hit our lunch stop. Here Cinderella broke out the bubbles for Ariel and Minnie to play with. Snow stayed on the blanket with the Littles (aka-Ariel, Minnie, and Marie), while Cindy moved back and forth between the girls and the rest of us at the picnic table. The fear of bugs must have diminished by now, or I never heard about it. Minnie enjoyed running around like a crazy woman and having PP put her in the trees Lunch break was much shorter than Breakfast, and much warmer too!

Soon it was back to napping for me, wrapped in my Slanket and propped up on my pillow. Then I had one of those dreams where you can’t seem to find a restroom and woke up with an urgency to get to a gas station or rest stop, and pronto! Well the British Chippy on the car navigation told us to turn off for gas, but we ended up driving through a nice suburb (and now I don’t remember of where, I should have taken a picture of the town signs!!!)and found a Walgreens to stop into. Once my bladder felt much better it was back on the road. I decided to try and watch a movie, since the screen would be stationary. I had yet to watch Tangled, so I settled in and enjoyed myself. Not too long after the movie got over we had arrived at our destination for the evening.

Up next: Day 1, Part 2. . .and of course more pics!

 

[Stasieki]

Great start!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

I'm here!! So happy to be reading along! Love your beginning!!

 

[daisy_77]

I am loving your TR and looking forward to more!

Cute little ones too BTW

 

[mindystar]

Great start!

and thank you so much!

I'm here!! So happy to be reading along! Love your beginning!!

Whoo hoo! So glad you are here Thanks

I am loving your TR and looking forward to more!
Cute little ones too BTW

Thanks, and as their aunt I think they are too

 

[mindystar]

Fairfield Inn and Suites in Murfreesboro, TN would be our home for the evening. After waiting for what looked like people going to a wedding to get out of the entry to the hotel, mom and I went and checked in. I was holding a shoeless Ariel, and refused to let her put her feet on the ground. Tink checked her and Cindy in, as they had requested adjoining rooms. Their rooms were next to each other. Since I had linked my reservation to the other two the lady was ready for me at the same time. Since I had reserved a Queen Suite I was on the same floor but at the other end.

Once this was done I found Minnie was in the hotel now too. So I took my card key and holding both shoeless children, headed off to find my room. Tink was going to stay behind to help get the luggage. Onto the elevator we hopped and up to the fourth floor we climbed. Once off the elevator we veered left and quickly found room 407. I opened the door and then let the little ones down to explore the room. Ariel was very impressed with how big it was. I quickly threw back the comforters and they were having fun playing on the beds, and Minnie with the phone.

Everyone was soon in their rooms and I ran down with PP and PC to bring up the odds and ends from the van as well getting my luggage from Tink and PP’s room. PC and Snow were going to head to Chik-Fil-A to grab everyone’s dinner. Snow brought down her iPad so I could look at the menu and make my decision. Cinderella came by and discussed the game plan. That Snow, Tink and PP would sleep in their room. After the Littles (well, the older two) ate they would go swimming and then come to my room for baths and to sleep. This way PC could have their room to himself and get some sleep. cindy, the girls and I would sleep in my room. At this time it was a little after 7, and since the front clerk had come and dropped off a pak-n-play in my room, Cindy brought over Marie so she could get her nap in and not be bothered by her sisters. My food was dropped off to my room, and before they got there I had a chance to check the Disboards right quick and say we were on the road.

I dined on the Chargrilled Chicken Club Sandwich (sans the bacon) and the waffle fries. There was a packet of Roasted Honey BBQ sauce in the bag along with the ketchup. Not being a BBQ girl myself, but wanting to try new things, I opened it up and took a dab. Oh my word, was that ever delicious!!! I used it as an accompaniment to my fries. Mmmmm!!! Banana Pudding Milkshake was so yummy, but even with a little help from Cinderella, I could only eat half of it.

Soon the girls were in the room with their Mommy, after they had some fun swimming with their Papa. Cindy gave the girls baths and then off to bed they went. We had thought that we would each end up with a girl in bed with us, but Ariel liked Minnie in her bed even though she was driving her nuts After some cajoling and time passed by, both girls were asleep and Cindy managed to get Marie to sleep. We both had showered, and I don’t know how Cinderella can do it so fast! Marie was crying because I was holding her and mommy wasn’t and the girls had just fell asleep. Once all the Littles were down for the count, Cindy and I fell into bed to sleep as well with a wake up call of 4 am, as we were to be on the road by 5.

Do you think we can do it? Well, if history is any indicator. . .

 

[MHTeacher]

YAY for starting your trip report. I'm glad I'm reading along!

I happen to know someone else who has a hard time leaving at the time planned....for anything! I'll be waiting to see if you truly were on the road by 5 a.m!

 

[mindystar]

YAY for starting your trip report. I'm glad I'm reading along! ME TOO!!!
I happen to know someone else who has a hard time leaving at the time planned....for anything! I'll be waiting to see if you truly were on the road by 5 a.m!

to my TR portion of the Disboards Thanks for joining!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Can I join in on the fun? It sounds like you're off to a good start!

 

[mindystar]

Can I join in on the fun? It sounds like you're off to a good start!

Why of course you can! and thank you

 

[mindystar]

Day 2 Sunday May 27, 2012 TN-WDW

The next morning we all jump out of bed, take our bags that were packed up the night before and skip down to our rides to begin the final leg of the driving adventure. Oh wait, that’s not us? Oh yeah, ours went a little differently. Let me start over. . .

The next morning Cindy got up to her alarm and did what she needed in the bathroom to get ready for the day. Then she came back in the room and told me it was all mine. So short of jumping up, and only because we were going to WDW that day, I headed to the bathroom. I began putting on my rogue and squeezing into my girdle (love that line from the King of Queens). Well I did put on some make up and straightened my hair and started throwing my things back into their respective baggies and cases. Kammie had run down to her room and was back at 0430 to get the girls. Their papa (PC) had missed them and wanted them to get ready in his room. Luckily they had slept in their outfits so they just needed to get their bird nests on the top of their heads brushed out.

I finished packing up my things and getting everything together by the doorway when Snow came in. PP had already taken their things down to the van and was bringing the luggage trolley back up to help me bring my stuff down as well. I did a quick double check of everything with Snow’s help. As she got to the “Bible” drawer, she realized everything in there was missing. I told her that it was ok, Miss Minnnie had decided last evening that a better place for them was the top drawer of the dresser. She tossed in everything on the top of the nightstand and desk as well. Silly little organizer!
Dad took off with my things and I headed down to he and mom’s room where everyone else was. Apparently PC had already got his car washed after he filled it with their luggage. He was contemplating topping it off with gas too, but his wife reminded him that PP would need to do the same for our van. So he decided to wait until we were off and could stop together. I double checked my bill for the room to make sure it was fine and could leave without delay. Then we were all headed out to the vehicles. PP had made sure that everything would fit so that a seat in the far back was open. Snow wanted to sit there, I was going to sit in my middle captain seat and a granddaughter could sit in the other captain’s seat. We were going to do the exchange at the breakfast stop though.

After moving some odds and ends around, we were finally in the van and off for topping off the gas tanks about 20 after, so not as bad as yesterday, but still not on time. I didn’t stay awake too long after the sun rose. If felt like not too long after I started to snooze that we were pulling off the ramp to the rest stop for our second cooler breakfast of vacation! I’m pretty sure it’s one that we stop at regularly, though I couldn’t tell you what it was without checking with PP. After some tinkle breaks, dining on cheese sticks, bagels, bananas, apples, or Little Debbie breakfast goodies, and running around a bit we were ready to get some more miles behind us. PP had moved Minnie’s seat from Cindy’s vehicle to ours. As I don’t do so great with motion/car sickness and a little one who would need things as well as the dvd player turned on and manipulated for her viewing pleasure, I really wasn’t wanting to sit next to her. I knew I’d do all those things and then feel crappy for the rest of the drive and day. So Tink sat in the middle with her granddaughter and I got to sit up front with PP. Of course looking out the front window definitely helps also with car sickness, so that was a bonus as well.

They watched Toy Story and Tangled and slept; and I listened and watched as the scenery flew by. PP pointed out a truck that had mine (and his—they’re the same) initials on it and so I snapped a pic. We saw the billboards for the pecan plantation and PP memorized the exit for the drive back. I saw the Tifton water tower. And it didn’t seem all that long (or now it doesn’t thinking back ) that we saw that glorious sign about reaching that beautiful state of Florida!!! Then I remember it was kind of long because we were eating lunch at the Florida Visitor’s Center and everyone was very hungry by then.

Anyways we didn’t getting parking spots next to each other and had to flag down the other family. While some of us headed off to the restrooms the others snagged two tables next to each other and next to the Florida sign for lunch. Once again we dined on deli meat sandwiches, individually bagged chips, string cheese, fruit and Little Debbie desserts. Then as a line was forming, Tink got a pic of all of us on her camera, so I have no pics from this part. However when some of us went in to get our orange juice and go to the bathroom once more, I did get a picture of a sweet little thing in this cutout by the kids’ area. Then it was back to the caravan to get a move on to our final destination. . .WDW!!!

This time Tink said she needed to sit up front so I got to resume my middle seat. And did do a lot of things for Minnie, that made my head feel off and not so great. I didn’t get to really sleep it off either since she was missing her mommy and I was trying to find things for her to make her happy. So we put on the Muppets and I watch the part I’ve already seen and fall asleep a little after where we had stopped watching it before and miss the end of the movie. . .ugh! Of course I decide to watch Princess and the Frog, another movie I have not seen and I have it---aack! I still have not seen it either! They had just gotten to the good voodoo lady when to what did my wondering eyes did appear, but a Magical Sign and some characters!

Wonder what could be next

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

All caught up again! LOVE your updates! Your nieces are so cute! I am like you. . .I get motion sick in the car if I'm not really careful. I hope you eventually got to feeling a little better. . .getting to WDW always helps with that!

 

[mindystar]

All caught up again! LOVE your updates! Your nieces are so cute! I am like you. . .I get motion sick in the car if I'm not really careful. I hope you eventually got to feeling a little better. . .getting to WDW always helps with that!

Thank you They remind me of their mom when she was little, esp. Minnie she looks a LOT like Cindy did! WDW certainly helps with feeling better!!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Caught up! Y'all did better than I was expecting about getting up and out of your hotel that morning. We would have been even later, so I'm impressed by only 20 minutes behind schedule!

Seeing the welcome sign should definitely help with your motion-sickness!

 

[mindystar]

Caught up! Y'all did better than I was expecting about getting up and out of your hotel that morning. We would have been even later, so I'm impressed by only 20 minutes behind schedule!

Just wait til the end of the trip

 

[mindystar]

We left off seeing that Magical Sign. . .continuing (sadly the pics for this post were not taken on this date. . .I was doing video capturing, sorry!). ..

So we made a big fuss to engage Minnie in what was happening. We were here, we had entered in to Walt Disney World, through the back way. Soon we were heading under the Magic Kingdom sign as the nice guy told us how to get to the Poly. Silly CM, don’t you know we’ve been here before and PP knows the roads well?! Oh you didn’t, well then thank you for your assistance! Then there we were at the Poly guard shack with said guard looking us up to make sure we were in fact checking in. Then our van pulled up with the dark car behind us. And Ariel is as excited as all get out and runs to us and hugs us. We are at Disney World, on vacation, can you imagine!!!
While the guys get the luggage and CMs situated a hostess comes up to all of us girls and tells us “Aloha!” She asks if we’ve stayed with them before, and we happily oblige with a yes! She walks us in and to the front desk to check in. While we are still outside we see/hear the monorail passing above us, and Ariel shrieks in delight “MONORAIL!!!” From then on out every time we saw one the same sentiment was belted out, and would now always be accompanied by Minnie as well. The joy of staying on a monorail resort!!! You know I wanted to belt it out too. I believe at this point it’s around 6:15 pm.

Tink starts the check in since both rooms are under her AP. She requests Tokelau long house as our reservation originally only had a request for a third floor room with balcony. The CM tells us we were already assigned to that longhouse, but first floor. Tink asks if we are ok with this, Cindy and I are, though I know Tink really didn’t want first floor, hence the request. The CM is already checking though to see if she can get us on the second or third floor, but to no avail. We’re excited though since we did get our longhouse request!

Until the CM says that she’s sorry, but it’s not Tokelau that we were assigned to, but Tahiti. And then my tikiman knowledge fails me and I can’t think of where that longhouse is, but fine whatever we are here let’s get to our beautiful surroundings. And we are still on the first floor. So that was kind of a bummer that no request was granted, but then again that’s all they are are requests and we got in towards the end of the day. The best part, truly, was that our rooms were next door to each other! So now PP and PC are back after parking the vehicles and PP takes the room key and whisks off to find it. Meanwhile Cindy is getting 5 day park passes for the members of her family, well for the ones who need them. Then they are about to take off when I ask if they can wait while Snow and I get our tickets so we can use their map to find our room, and they oblige.

We were way on the left hand side of the pic, but facing the other way.

After forking over most of the money I made at the garage sale for my 5 day ticket, and Snow gets hers, we head off to the room. We ooh and ahh over how pretty the landscaping is. We pass by the Tokelau and remember how we had stayed there the last time we were at the Poly. We get almost to the beach and can see the Castle and I beckon to Ariel to come get a closer look. So she comes running and as we head for a closer view, PC starts to call her back he wants to see the room. Cindy says she can stay and look with me and they’ll go to the room. We don’t look long as Minnie wants to see to, before we head to the room. Well we went in on the “wrong”side. Not really wrong, just clear on the other side of the long house. We were in rooms at the other end, at the end.

Our room just had Cindy’s family on the other side, and once inside found out the rooms were connected. So the girls had fun coming in and out. I quickly took some video, but forgot pictures of the room while it was all fresh and uninhabited. Went out on the patio and found that instead of gorgeous view we had at Tokelau it was like hedges since we were next to the path. It was nice because it seemed private, but then there was no real view of anything nor pretty flowers to gaze at either. Oh well.

It wasn’t long before our luggage was delivered to the room. The bellman thought it was both rooms luggage. . .and it was just ours. He also commented on what a great cooler we had, and that he had an older model. That the company was good as well, and had replaced parts for him when they stopped working. He said that our cooler would keep items cooler than the fridge in the room. Since the fridge is in a cabinet it can’t breathe and therefore can’t cool down. So in order to cool food items we should leave the cabinet door open so the fridge can get air. Which we would do when we put things in it. Very nice of him to point out as well! We decided that it was soon time for dinner as our tummies were rumbling and headed off as a group to Cap’n Cooks for dinner. (Now that I have a picture of )

Yes, I have a pic of the cabinet where the fridge is stored But I have taken lots of pics of the room through the years of staying here, for myself

So of course next up is eating and the end of our first night in WDW, at the POLY!!!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Love it!! Love seeing the Poly pics! Can't wait to see/read more!!

 

[mindystar]

Aack. . .four weeks ago we left for this trip and tomorrow night I'll be back for three weeks. Better finish the day we arrived and get moving on to the WDW portion of this vacation! (I blame covering/working the mid-shift last week, this week and next week )


Ah, so it begins, all that Disney Food daydreaming and planning and food porn thread viewing was finally upon us. We were prepared and I was so ready to eat Disney food again! So up to the ordering kiosks like pros. I hurriedly ordered my Hawaiian flat bread, grabbed a Strawberry Milk from the fridge (which is actually in my fridge here right now), and a blue topped mug and was at the register lickety split. She rang me up and told me that I needed a dessert. I told her I wanted a Dole Whip, but could I get it after I ate my meal. She gave me the cup and told me I could fill up whenever I’d like during dinner. After I had my receipt I went over and snagged Ariel a hot pink mug, her favorite is dark pink and gave it to her. Then PC and I went in search of two tables nearby. He was going to push the two together, but I thought we’d do better leaving them separate for the sitting space we’d all need. While he went to fill his mug with cold goodness I sat with the Littles. As soon as he walked away my stinkin beeper went off. I tried telling it to cool it’s jets, but it ignored me and kept buzzing. Soon Cindy had arrived and I chased after that cheesy goodness. There we were our little families eating at two tables.

Then Tink and PP took off for the MK, since they have APs. Cindy’s family headed to their room. Snow and I followed them. Snow and I went to the beach around to the left corner as we exited our room/the building. We sat down and soon enough the EWP was floating by. I went back to the room for a little bit. PC took Ariel to swim and I went through the looking glass door and into Cindy’s room She was going to take the other two littles to the GCH to get sushi for PC. I said I’d go with her and maybe we could check out a little of the shops. Yes, I love those resort shops! Anyone I’ve been too So we were off. We saw the two swimmers hanging out at the quiet pool and said we’d pick them on our way back.

There was a bit of a line at the Sushi Bar so I took Minnie over to Trader Jack’s for a quick look at souvies. She found a darling set of dolls, a boy and girl, dressed in Mickey and Minnie and loved them. She never did get them though. Soon enough Cindy found us and told us that it would take over an hour to get any sushi, since the guests eating at Kona got them first and it takes five minutes to make each sushi roll and they were back logged by ten orders in front of her. So she decided against it, and thought maybe he could order some when we at Kona later that week. We did a quick pass through of Cap’n Cooks so I could fill my mug and headed on our way back to the quiet pool.

(Obviously not taken that night )

As we all headed back to the room and told the tale of the long wait for sushi, it was about time for Wishes! to start. I told them we could watch on the beach and maybe Snow would be in the same place too. She was not, but a lot (not a ton) more spectators had joined to watch as well. The girls enjoyed playing in the sand, but were also warned not to throw the sand. As the fireworks went off, and the castle lit up I felt my heart swell, my shoulders relax and a smile spread across my face. I was here, we were here. Where dreams come true! What a fantastic start to our vacation!
After the show ended we found our way back to our rooms. My room was still empty and I worried a little about Snow. Yes I know she’s 26, but that stinking thing about being the baby of the family, I still worried about “losing” her. So I jumped into the shower and once out found her back in the room. She had wandered around the property and was actually down the beach a bit watching Wishes! as well. We did some unpacking before falling on our pillows. I had already told Mickey to wake us up as we had a date with some animals in the morning!

Ok, so did I make the dining plan work it for me or not? (and actually I don’t know the answer. . .though I have a suspicion I did not) At the end of each day I’ll do a total and we’ll find out. (and I’m looking online for the prices since they don’t print out on the receipts.)

So today I had the CS at Cap’n Cooks:
Hawaiian Flatbread 8.19
Strawberry Milk 2.19
Dole Whip 2.89 (yeah I had forgot about those cupcakes, but such is life)
Souvenir Mug 11.99
Total: 25.26