My better late than never TR

[CanadianWDWfan]

Glad to hear I havn't been bannished from your TR, I still feel so stupid.

The pic of you and Goofy is really good.

The glow drinks look like a lot of fun, are they alcoholic? Perfect for Illuminations!

Your boys look cute in thier matching tees, even with the fruit punch stain. Good tip about the lemonade pouches, I'll have to remember that one.

 

[punkin413]

so sorry about the sickness! but i'm glad to hear it was a 24-hour thing for the most part.

Someday I would love to see a shuttle launch. My Mom reports that they can see it fly over after takeoff from the gulf side but that's not close enough for my taste. I've read that there are places that will pick you up from Disney, bus you to the launch site, arrange for a decent view, give some tour time and bus you back to Disney. Sounds like a great day to me!

i'm sure you know this but they're doing away with the shuttle launches in 2010 and going back to rockets. ray (my hubby) wants to see a shuttle launch too. the only problem with doing it while at disney and arranging for transportation is that if you get there and they scrap a launch (which they do a lot) then you've lost an entire day of disney time. at least that's how i look at it. but consider that this is coming from a person who thought kennedy space center was boring and dirty. surprisingly, my DH, who is a big science nerd, wasn't too impressed with it either. i'm not saying it's not worth seeing - just don't put it at the END of a trip AFTER disney because it just doesn't compare. (at least to me anyway )

Shelby and I were anxious to try the Kir Royale so she went and got CS in Morocco and France to get our drinks. We enjoyed them while staking out our spot for Illuminations.

so did you get these in morocco or france? and how much were they? i'm curious to try one next month!

and about being pissy - i think that happens to everyone! it always does to me at least once while on vacation.

 

[kschafer]

Great spot for Illuminations! It's amazing what a little mid-day break can do isn't it! DH likes (needs) to stop and rest mid-day. How were the crowds/weather in June? We are thinking of a trip this June.

I thought it was crowded (then again, I don't have another time to compare it to) but we generally arrived early with a good plan and got a lot done before the masses arrived. I am a wimp when it comes to heat so I didn't enjoy the June weather at all! 90 degrees everyday and afternoon rain almost everyday. I honestly could have delt with the crowds better if it hadn't been so hot.

This is why I am a big advocate for the break! You escape the crowds, heat and rain! Everyone gets a little refreshed and you feel ready for the evening. The evening hours are late in June too (till 2 am on EMH nights). So really there is enough time for most of what you want to/feel like you can do.

Since DH is a teacher, our choice for vacation time is limited. I would go again in June if that's the only time that works but will avoid it in the future if possible.

The glow drinks look like a lot of fun, are they alcoholic? Perfect for Illuminations!

Your boys look cute in thier matching tees, even with the fruit punch stain. Good tip about the lemonade pouches, I'll have to remember that one.

Yes, Kir Royale is champagne and currant liquor. Last summer we visited my brother and SIL and she and I did a winery tour. One of the wines we both really liked was an apple and currant wine that they called Kir on suggestion of a french visitor.

The shirts were a present from the Easter Bunny. Thank goodness I also listened to the advice to bring a stain stick! I was surprised but the fruit punch did wash out.

i'm sure you know this but they're doing away with the shuttle launches in 2010 and going back to rockets. ray (my hubby) wants to see a shuttle launch too. the only problem with doing it while at disney and arranging for transportation is that if you get there and they scrap a launch (which they do a lot) then you've lost an entire day of disney time. at least that's how i look at it. but consider that this is coming from a person who thought kennedy space center was boring and dirty. surprisingly, my DH, who is a big science nerd, wasn't too impressed with it either. i'm not saying it's not worth seeing - just don't put it at the END of a trip AFTER disney because it just doesn't compare. (at least to me anyway )

so did you get these in morocco or france? and how much were they? i'm curious to try one next month!

Yes, the shuttle launches are another good excuse to get back sooner rather than later. The chance to cancelling is perhaps the biggest reason I would hesitate planning around a launch.

The drinks came from France, the same booth where you get the slushies. They were $10 each. Not awful by Disney standards but I would get the Grey Goose again if I HAD to choose.

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Oh too bad, I'm not a fan of champage, but Grey Goose slush sound delish!

On our last trip a lady was in the bathroom trying to get a stain out of a girl's princess dress. She said "I always carry a stain stick and it always comes in handy". The little girl's mother was so grateful the stranger was willing to help. Stain came out and the girl was off to enjoy the night. I now pack a stain stick whenever we go, just in case.

 

[MeMom]

At the risk of getting smacked for these words, I think the red drink stain is kind of cute. Lemonade wouldn't have made for nearly as many memories. When he's grown, and you're looking back on these pictures, you'll always have the red fruit punch stain story to kid him about.
I, for one, am glad you left him in it and didn't run and buy him another one in a store so he'd look perfect. It just shows that he's all boy - frogs, snails, puppy dog tails...and fruit punch stains.

And when he's fussing at your precious grandchildren about watching their drink before they spill it, you can whip out the pictures and tell him to hush!

I think the fruit punch mouth pictures are pretty cute, too. They look like very happy little boys sporting their red mouths, and they make the drumming picture just perfect.

 

[VandyFan10]

This picture is SO cute!!

Very cool you guys got to have a date night!

YUMMY!!!!

Dad saw me coming and walked up to me and asked if I would go check on Mom in the nearby bathroom. As I was walking in, she was walking out and informed me that she had just thrown up and felt awful!!

I'm so sorry your mom and everyone else got sick Glad it didn't mess you guys up for very long

Erica is the first poster on our report. Literally. Her post is first even before our first post of the report.

Woooo Hooooooo I ROCK!!!!

All caught up now

Great trip so far I can't wait to read more

 

[Megablocks]

Ugh, so sorry to hear about all the sickness! That is always bad, but it's worse when you are on vacation, or not in the comfort of your home. Stomach flu is the worst.

We tried, years ago, to get to the Kennedy Space Center to see a shuttle launch. We left really early, but not early enough, and ended up watching it on the side of the highway with about 8329512 other people who also did not make it in time. It was still fun, though!

Those glasses are so cool. I'm not really a champagne person, sadly. I'd get it just for the cool glass and light-up thing, even if it was just plastic. But, I'm with you on the grey goose slushy. Definitely going to try that! Gotta add that on to my ever-growing to-do/to-try list...

 

[kschafer]

Oh too bad, I'm not a fan of champage, but Grey Goose slush sound delish!

Oh, it was SO good! They also serve the popular Grand Marnier slush at this stand but there was something about the neon orange color that frightened me I'm just not a fan of drinks that falsely colored.

At the risk of getting smacked for these words, I think the red drink stain is kind of cute. Lemonade wouldn't have made for nearly as many memories. When he's grown, and you're looking back on these pictures, you'll always have the red fruit punch stain story to kid him about.
I, for one, am glad you left him in it and didn't run and buy him another one in a store so he'd look perfect. It just shows that he's all boy - frogs, snails, puppy dog tails...and fruit punch stains.

And when he's fussing at your precious grandchildren about watching their drink before they spill it, you can whip out the pictures and tell him to hush!

I think the fruit punch mouth pictures are pretty cute, too. They look like very happy little boys sporting their red mouths, and they make the drumming picture just perfect.

thanks MeMom, you're right. I was a little emarassed with them walking around with the red mouths and stained shirts but never honestly considered buying a clean shirt. I just figured there have been kids who have looked worse than that!

It is kind of funny looking back on it.

OK, I have the TV on as I type and I had heard that Disney on Ice is coming to Des Moines but I just noticed it is next weekend, on my birthday! I may have to buy myself a birthday present.

I'm so sorry your mom and everyone else got sick Glad it didn't mess you guys up for very long

All caught up now

Great trip so far I can't wait to read more

Good job Erica! Just wait, a little teaser...round 1 of sickness didn't mess us up for long. That's right...round 1

I'm going to try to update today but promised my students I would have their tests finished today so I need to commit to that first. Darn work getting in the way of my Dising again!

We tried, years ago, to get to the Kennedy Space Center to see a shuttle launch. We left really early, but not early enough, and ended up watching it on the side of the highway with about 8329512 other people who also did not make it in time. It was still fun, though!

Those glasses are so cool. I'm not really a champagne person, sadly. I'd get it just for the cool glass and light-up thing, even if it was just plastic. But, I'm with you on the grey goose slushy. Definitely going to try that! Gotta add that on to my ever-growing to-do/to-try list...

Too bad about missing the launch. I'm sure however it would have been even more crowded the closer you got! that's one reason I am tempted to look into one of the tours. They pick you up by bus so no driving plus I have heard they have reserved viewing spots so no fighting the crowds. Worth the $100 bucks or so in my opinion.

I know they serve other drinks in those glasses. There is a alcoholic drinks picture thread (on the dining board I would guess) you might check out if you are interested.

 

[kschafer]

Day 7 – Sunday, June 15

Today was to be our Animal Kingdom Day until (dramatic music here)…I woke up about 3 or 4 am with that sensation that said - get to the bathroom now. I won’t disgust you with one of those vomiting “smiley” faces but let’s just say that delicious sauerkraut I had for dinner was not so good in reverse.

Pretty soon I discover that Ellie, Margaret and Shelby have also come down with stomach flu, round 2. I thought this was vacation! We knew our only choice was to move AK to Monday which was our last day as a large group.

So, I don’t have much to report on this day, I slept most of it away. I wasn’t at all hungry but I was very thirsty and had a MAJOR craving for the one reason I was so excited to see 7-eleven’s in Florida, coke slushies!! At some point in the day, Greg and Patrick went out and brought me one when they returned, yummy!

It was Father’s Day and I missed the special dinner and gift giving because I could NOT wake up long enough to join the rest of the family.

So, onto…

Day 8 – Monday, June 16

Like round 1, the kids got over the sickies sooner than the adults. I was still feeling poorly (not awful but enough that I wasn’t interested in walking around in the heat for hours) so I decided to stay at the house and rest a little, do laundry while I had the facilities and do some preliminary packing. I was a little sad about not going with them but I knew I had 5 more Disney days ahead and would need my strength.

Here’s their day in pictures, not much narration because I obviously wasn’t there.

I think they got there late enough that they started off with getting fastpasses for the safari and used the time to go on the trail in Africa (I never remember their names) where they saw these guys

Then it was their fastpass time so they went on the safari

aww, "little" ones

continued in next post

 

[kschafer]

Then they decided to check out conservation station where they met some friends (don’t really know if they were all there or someplace else)

Caroline and Margaret danced with these guys

And they ran into PUSH. Surprisingly, Daniel who is afraid of the characters apparently loved PUSH

I had sent the others off with a written plan for the day which included a show or two and lunch but it apparently fell apart and the group came back to the house surprisingly early. Everyone just sort of hung out at the house, enjoyed our last day together, probably swam and played and did some packing. All in all, it ended up being a nice day

This evening, Greg and I did babysitting duties while my DB and SIL had their date night. Don’t they look purdy?

I read stories to the kids and we called it a night.

Sorry this wasn’t the most exciting update so I’ll leave you with the next set of plans. We were spending the next 4 nights at OKW with the dining plan..
Tuesday: leave mid-morning and check in at OKW, head to DHS for the rest of the day, Fantasmic Dinner package at Mama Melroses
Wednesday: Magic Kingdom day, afternoon rest, dinner at Kona (lapulapu here I come) and MK evening including spectromagic and wishes
Thursday: Animal Kingdom with dinner at Whispering Canyon Café
Friday: Epcot day with dinner at LeCellier
Saturday: Magic Kingdom through the afternoon then head to my parents place near Sarasota

Thanks for reading along and stay tuned to see how well we stick with these plans

 

[sunny_stace]

Look at you! SO cute doing storytime...you remind me of Belle! I'm sorry to hear of illness round 2. Hopefully you enjoyed the rest of your trip!

 

[kschafer]

Look at you! SO cute doing storytime...you remind me of Belle! I'm sorry to hear of illness round 2. Hopefully you enjoyed the rest of your trip!

thanks Stace, you are QUICK!

How are your trip preparations coming? Not too much longer now, LUCKY!!

It's not Disney World but I will be doing Disney on Ice on your arrival day. I decided to treat myself for my birthday, it won't be as warm as Florida but it will be Mickey and the gang

 

[sunny_stace]

thanks Stace, you are QUICK!

How are your trip preparations coming? Not too much longer now, LUCKY!!

It's not Disney World but I will be doing Disney on Ice on your arrival day. I decided to treat myself for my birthday, it won't be as warm as Florida but it will be Mickey and the gang

UUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!! We have booked through the same agent for three years now and each year there is something wrong!! I literally just got home from picking up all the documents...my name is spelled wrong, I have no MVMCP tickets and no magical express tags...I am NOT a happy camper right now! I work about 50 hours a week or more and I don't have anymore time to run around picking stuff up! Today was supposed the be the day! (I was hanging around the house just reading the Dis otherwise, that's why I was so quick to read your report! )

But I am very excited!! And you must be too! You have your b-day coming and Disney on Ice is fun! Plus you guys get to have Thanksgiving dinner soon too! Yummo!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Aww, another round of the flu, so sorry you missed AKL. Whoever took the pics did a good job. I haven't come across Jimmny Cricket before. I love the gorillas. The date night a cute idea.

I just have to add that I Coke slush. I once read a review of all slushes on the web, quite funny. The "7 eleven slush" won top of list.


sunnystace- I hope they get you all fixed up by next week. Maybe that's why I do everything by myself, can't leave it in someone elses hands. Too much of a control freak.

 

[Happy Elf]

Sorry you were sick again! I love the picture of you reading to all the kids...it is so sweet!

I've been reading along, even if I don't comment. School is really cutting into my Dis time!

 

[kschafer]

UUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!! We have booked through the same agent for three years now and each year there is something wrong!! I literally just got home from picking up all the documents...my name is spelled wrong, I have no MVMCP tickets and no magical express tags...I am NOT a happy camper right now!

But I am very excited!! And you must be too! You have your b-day coming and Disney on Ice is fun! Plus you guys get to have Thanksgiving dinner soon too! Yummo!

Sorry things leading up to your trip are a little rocky. Hopefully they will straighten out soon and you can relax and enjoy your vacation.

My Mom called tonight to tell me that they had arrived home from Florida to find a dead oven so we will not be having Turkey this year. Hmm, will be interesting but honestly, I don't really love turkey so it doesn't matter to me.

I just have to add that I Coke slush. I once read a review of all slushes on the web, quite funny. The "7 eleven slush" won top of list.

sunnystace- I hope they get you all fixed up by next week. Maybe that's why I do everything by myself, can't leave it in someone elses hands. Too much of a control freak.

I just love 7 eleven slushies!! It's really the only reason I am fond of it. There is a gas station in the town where I live where they have them but they have a really funky taste (always makes me think they just sanitized the machine and didn't rinse it completely. Better than a dirty taste I guess but not what I want!)

Sorry you were sick again! I love the picture of you reading to all the kids...it is so sweet!

I've been reading along, even if I don't comment. School is really cutting into my Dis time!

Glad to hear someone else is out there! Don't you hate when real life interferes with your Disney life!!

 

[sunny_stace]

sunnystace- I hope they get you all fixed up by next week. Maybe that's why I do everything by myself, can't leave it in someone elses hands. Too much of a control freak.

Oh it's fixed now, I called and yelled at a bunch of people today! it wasn't pretty. Then with the flight time changed....oh man I was mad! I spoke with the agency home office and put in a formal complaint. You know, I don't know why I don't just book it myself! I have my travel and tourism diploma and Heaven knows I know the Disney reservation system. Obviously I know it better than someone....but it's all fixed now and I trust Disney to give me excellent customer service!

I'll still be there in plenty of time to enjoy a drink to celebrate someone's birthday But she'll be busy enjoying Disney on Ice for her special day! That's too bad about the dead oven, but I'm sure your thanksgiving will still be great! I think one of the best Thanksgiving dinners I've had was Italian takeout! Plus there's more holidays just around the corner!

 

[kschafer]

I'll still be there in plenty of time to enjoy a drink to celebrate someone's birthday But she'll be busy enjoying Disney on Ice for her special day!

Aww Stace, you're so sweet
Please do think of me at some point as you are enjoying yourself! Glad things are straightened out now and I hope the Disney magic will kick in as soon as you leave your house next week!

 

[VandyFan10]

Just wait, a little teaser...round 1 of sickness didn't mess us up for long. That's right...round 1

Round 1......OH NO!!!!

Today was to be our Animal Kingdom Day until (dramatic music here)…I woke up about 3 or 4 am with that sensation that said - get to the bathroom now. I won’t disgust you with one of those vomiting “smiley” faces but let’s just say that delicious sauerkraut I had for dinner was not so good in reverse.

Pretty soon I discover that Ellie, Margaret and Shelby have also come down with stomach flu, round 2.

Oh man...I'm SO sorry you got sick on your vacation! I thought you had escaped it!

Unfortunately I know a little about this 'tag-team' sickness thing here this week. I think it has missed me (fingers crossed) but Matt came home Wed sick, like you guys were but not horrible. They had several workers out and then he said today that some of the spouses had ended up with it too That's some stout germs

And they ran into PUSH. Surprisingly, Daniel who is afraid of the characters apparently loved PUSH

SO CUTE!!! Fun he enjoyed the trashcan

look at that little boy in the background taking a pic....he looks so serious

I read stories to the kids and we called it a night.

Hey...those look like some of my PJ's I got from costco. Only mine are in blue but I tossed a coin b/t mine and the pink

I think it's so cool you guys did date night. That just makes it all so much better. And good on a night you wanted to stay in anyway right???

 

[kschafer]

Round 1......OH NO!!!! Oh man...I'm SO sorry you got sick on your vacation! I thought you had escaped it!

Unfortunately I know a little about this 'tag-team' sickness thing here this week. I think it has missed me (fingers crossed) but Matt came home Wed sick, like you guys were but not horrible. They had several workers out and then he said today that some of the spouses had ended up with it too That's some stout germs

SO CUTE!!! Fun he enjoyed the trashcan

look at that little boy in the background taking a pic....he looks so serious

Hey...those look like some of my PJ's I got from costco. Only mine are in blue but I tossed a coin b/t mine and the pink

I think it's so cool you guys did date night. That just makes it all so much better. And good on a night you wanted to stay in anyway right???

Hey Erica, glad you're still around!

Yeah, I thought I had escaped it too. Oh well, you take what life hands you right! Glad to hear you didn't get it from Matt!

Seeing PUSH was probably my one regret about not going that day. I knew I would need my energy and the rides and attractions would still be there.

Date night was great! We don't get too many of them. I think I got those jammies at JCPenney. For some reason last summer I was obsessed with buying new PJ's, don't really know why but I got a bunch there.