My better late than never TR

[kschafer]

I wish you could have come with me too Katie!!!!!

Have a great time Jen!

Okay thanks!

Not sure if I helped but you're welcome!

Love your pictures. Again - you boys are so cute and the flowers are so puurrty! Tell your DH - good job!

He is truly obsessed with flower pictures. Just about everyday in the summer he is out in the yard snapping away with different lighting, different angles, etc. When download pics onto the computer I have a folder that is "flower pics", it has HUNDREDS of pics in it!

Great update! The boys whale tails are neat. Too bad about the splash zone! And I'm sad your TR is coming to an end!

Me too! I'm debating draggin it out a la MEK to see if I can hit 25 pages but I only have 1 more update. Maybe I do a summary too

 

[MeMom]

He is truly obsessed with flower pictures. Just about everyday in the summer he is out in the yard snapping away with different lighting, different angles, etc. When download pics onto the computer I have a folder that is "flower pics", it has HUNDREDS of pics in it!

I can't wait to be at Flower and Garden Festival in March for this very reason. There are so many beautiful flowers in Disney World anyway, and then they do even more with the F&G Festival. A person could shoot thousands of pictures just of that stuff alone, if they were so inclined.

 

[MinnieLove]

Katie - This morning I had an extensive TO DO list. Inclusing sweeping, mopping, laundry, dusting, change bedding (4 beds), sweep stairs, pay bills, sort mail, sort school paperwork (twins in Kindergarten) and much much more. Then I found your trip report. 5 hours later I am still on this darn computer.

I feel like I have experienced your entire trip (highs and lows). Thanks for taking the time in documenting the whole 10 day experience.

We are taking our first family WDW in March and I am even more excited.

Thanks for sharing...

And I love my 2008 Grand Caravan (blue) and the kids love it too...

 

[kschafer]

I can't wait to be at Flower and Garden Festival in March for this very reason. There are so many beautiful flowers in Disney World anyway, and then they do even more with the F&G Festival. A person could shoot thousands of pictures just of that stuff alone, if they were so inclined.

Yeah, I'm not sure I'll be suggesting it to Greg anytime soon, he gets going and it would be HOURS of picture taking! But I'm sure you will take plenty for us all to enjoy!

Katie - This morning I had an extensive TO DO list. Inclusing sweeping, mopping, laundry, dusting, change bedding (4 beds), sweep stairs, pay bills, sort mail, sort school paperwork (twins in Kindergarten) and much much more. Then I found your trip report. 5 hours later I am still on this darn computer.

I feel like I have experienced your entire trip (highs and lows). Thanks for taking the time in documenting the whole 10 day experience.

We are taking our first family WDW in March and I am even more excited.

Thanks for sharing...

And I love my 2008 Grand Caravan (blue) and the kids love it too...

Minnie - I feel so honored! WELCOME to the Dis and be careful, it is thoroughly addictive!!! There are so many wonderful people around here.

I'm glad you have enjoyed the trip, it has been a lot of fun to relive, both highs and lows.

 

[kschafer]

Day 17 – Wednesday, June 25, Continued

So when I left you, we were relaxing in the pool at out hotel. It felt SOOOO good to just cool off and play in the water with the boys. We decided to see if we could get Daniel down for a nap since we wanted to return to SeaWorld and stay until closing. While Greg and I were discussing our plans, we heard a HUGE crash. I looked out the window and discovered it was POURING.

Patrick and I grabbed the laptop and went to the hotel lobby to play games while Greg tried to get Daniel down for his nap. We sat down at one of the tables, opened up the computer and it promptly shut down (dead battery). No problem, I had grabbed the plug so we moved over to the wall close to an outlet at just about the same time all the power in the hotel went out! We waited patiently figuring it would be back on in a minute or two but nope, didn’t happen. We just sort of sat there staring at the sheets of water coming down and listening to the thunder rumble. We wandered through the dark gift shop just looking around trying to kill time. About 10 minutes later we began to hear a pinging sound, we looked outside and it was hailing! Around 5 minutes later, it all began to slow down and we figured Daniel was asleep so we headed back to the room so I could pack bags while Patrick played on the computer.

The plan had been to return to SeaWorld in time to catch the last performance of the Cirque du Soleil style show. Unfortunately it became obvious we were not going to make it, I was so bummed . But eventually we headed back hitting a nearby McDonalds on the way. This was not just an ordinary McD’s, it was a McDonalds Bistro . They had the standard menu plus some much more “upscale” choices for quite reasonable prices. I think I had a grilled pastrami and sauerkraut on rye, YUM.

OK, enough babbling! We made it back to SeaWorld and first checked out the turtles

Then the sea lions

There was this really cute little guy

I think next we checked out the penguins and puffins again (yep, Antarctica nighttime again so no pics again). Then we went to the aquarium

Can you see the animal here? I think it’s called a sea dragon?

They have one of those tunnels that goes through the shark tank so you can see them from the side

And from below, pretty cool!

We checked out the cydesdales then found ourselves in the hospitality center again so we felt obligated to have a couple more beers

We decided to try Shamu one more time in an attempt for Patrick to get splashed. He and I went in early to get a good seat while Daniel and Greg played some carnival games in the kids fun area. Finally the show started. This time, it was their nighttime show Shamu ROCKS. Only 1 pic but it was full of lights and music and a lot of fun.

Patrick waited so patiently through it all. And waited, and waited and then the show was over, the crowd started to move out and Patrick was heartbroken. As we were sitting there waiting for the crowd beginning to file out, I was trying to comfort him when suddenly Shamu made one more round and FINALLY Patrick got splashed. It was just a couple dozen drops really but enough to completely thrill him!!

After leaving Shamu, we had a little time to kill before the evening fireworks so we let the boys ride a few more times. Not as magical as Disney at night but they had a good time.

We decided to make our way back toward the front. Their nighttime show is meant to be viewed from 1 particular side of the lake, we had decided to avoid the crowd and watch it from the “back” side of the lake. Um, nope, big mistake. We ended up seeing very little, oh well!

Daniel is funny about noise. If you ask him if he likes fireworks he will say yes but he doesn’t like the noise. He has always been this way. He was born in September, on the 4th of July the year I was pregnant with him, he did sommersaults during the fireworks!! We actually brought earplugs on our trip knowing there would be shows that were too loud for him but we had forgotten them this night. He improvised with the prizes he had won earlier that night

On the way back to the hotel, we returned to the McD’s Bistro and grabbed a couple of YUMMY pieces of cake and fancy coffees for dessert. I wish we had one of these near my home!

Day 18 – Thursday, June 26 (Happy 7th Birthday Patrick)

Well, the day had come. We got up, packed the van, hit the McBistro one more time for breakfast (Canadian bacon and eggs on ciabatta bread with hollandaise sauce and hash browns, WOW). On the way to Sanford (about 45 min from Orlando), we stopped to fill up the tank on the rental car. I took the boys inside to use the bathroom and as we walked in, Patrick vomited on the floor (and he hadn’t eaten any breakfast). If you recall from Day 1 of this trip, Patrick threw up on the plane ride to FL. I think he was quietly nervous about flying and stressing himself out to the point of throwing up, weird!

We got to the airport to find our flight had been moved back an hour and we were WAY too early in this tiny airport. It was a challenge to keep the boys entertained. Patrick posed for one last picture with a Florida palm.

And I got one last shot of one of these cute guys.

After getting Daniel through one final meltdown, we boarded the plane and were on our way home.

Well my friends, this concludes my TR but think I will have one final installment with some thoughts and lessons learned. hanging out with me!

 

[Lady Lallie]

That McDonald's bistro sounds really yummy.

I love the shark tunnel at Sea World but I always freak myself out while I'm going through.

Awww, poor Patrick stressed out about flying.

 

[julezdisney]

Awwww. It's over?!

We need to win the lotto. I want to go back NOW!

 

[Megablocks]

I kept on falling behind and now it's over.

I really want to go to Sea World at some point. I love, love, love the pictures of the dolphins--they are so cute! So are the sea lions. We have fond memories of sea lions, because some years ago, we went to the aquarium and saw their sea lion show. At some point in the show, the trainer asks for volunteers. Naturally, my dad raised his hand, and she called on "the big kid in the blue shirt" and pointed to us. We all looked over at my dad, who was the only one in our area wearing a plain blue shirt. He pointed at himself, mouthing, "me?" and the trainer nodded and gestured for him to come down. So, he was the lone adult in the show, surrounded by little kids. He got a kiss from the sea lion, and the trainer, for the entire show, called him "Kyle"--she asked what his name was, and he said Carl. "Kyle?" Carl. "Kyle?" Yes. So, to this day, we still call him "Kyle" if we want to get his attention.

Daniel reminds me of my sister when she was younger--she didn't like loud noises, and she HATED the fireworks. On the Mexico ride, she kept on asking my mom if the fake fireworks were going to be loud, and my mom had to keep on reassuring her that they wouldn't be. She still kept her ears covered though.

I'm so glad that Patrick finally got splashed! I hope that he was okay after the initial throwing up.

 

[Happy Elf]

The sea loins are so cute! Sea World looks fun! Hannah is scared of loud noises too! To this day she hides when she sees the vacuum come out!

I'm so sad you TR is over! I've enjoyed reading about your trip!

 

[kschafer]

That McDonald's bistro sounds really yummy.

I love the shark tunnel at Sea World but I always freak myself out while I'm going through.

Awww, poor Patrick stressed out about flying.

Yum, I could go for some bistro lunch right now!

Patrick was NOT fond of the shark tunnel! We practically had to guide him through because his eyes were closed! Yeah, not really sure what was up with the flying but he was one of those little kids who would throw up when they cried too hard. He has a sensitive trigger!

Awwww. It's over?!

We need to win the lotto. I want to go back NOW!

I'm afraid so I bought a couple tickets yesterday, if I win we'll make it a trip together!

I kept on falling behind and now it's over.

I really want to go to Sea World at some point. I love, love, love the pictures of the dolphins--they are so cute! So are the sea lions. We have fond memories of sea lions, because some years ago, we went to the aquarium and saw their sea lion show. At some point in the show, the trainer asks for volunteers. Naturally, my dad raised his hand, and she called on "the big kid in the blue shirt" and pointed to us. We all looked over at my dad, who was the only one in our area wearing a plain blue shirt. He pointed at himself, mouthing, "me?" and the trainer nodded and gestured for him to come down. So, he was the lone adult in the show, surrounded by little kids. He got a kiss from the sea lion, and the trainer, for the entire show, called him "Kyle"--she asked what his name was, and he said Carl. "Kyle?" Carl. "Kyle?" Yes. So, to this day, we still call him "Kyle" if we want to get his attention.

Daniel reminds me of my sister when she was younger--she didn't like loud noises, and she HATED the fireworks. On the Mexico ride, she kept on asking my mom if the fake fireworks were going to be loud, and my mom had to keep on reassuring her that they wouldn't be. She still kept her ears covered though.

I'm so glad that Patrick finally got splashed! I hope that he was okay after the initial throwing up.

OK, I get the impression from your PTR that your Dad is a total kick! So funny about him being chosen to be in the show. That reminds me that as you are waiting for the Shamu show to start, they have cameras that pick people out of the audience, it's funny to see their reactions!

You would have thought that Patrick had won a prize when he got splashed! I was so happy for him. When we met up with Greg and Daniel he yelled "that was AWESOME!!"

The sea loins are so cute! Sea World looks fun! Hannah is scared of loud noises too! To this day she hides when she sees the vacuum come out!

I'm so sad you TR is over! I've enjoyed reading about your trip!

Daniel had actually started wanting to help vacuum instead of running away so maybe we are making progress

I'm sad it's over too, it's been a lot of fun to go back and write about. I'll definitely have a summary entry in the next couple days.

 

[sunny_stace]

Oh I'm so glad Patrick finally got to be splashed!! Too bad he was feeling so rotten afterwards...I throw up when I get nervous too (TMI? LOL)

I don't want your trip to be over! I've loved seeing it all with your family and enjoyed learning about Seaworld too! I might have to make a side trip over there during gnomefest! I didn't know they had fireworks either! I fully remember the shark tunnel though. It was called Terrors Of The Deep and I was pretty nervous about going through, but since my daddy loved sharks I pretended I was really excited. It was cool but I was afraid the glass would break! I understand how terrifying it can be to kids! I would love to see it again as an adult!

Thanks for sharing Katie - you're awesome!

 

[punkin413]

oh, so sad it's over!!! i hope to see that shamu night time show - sounds really cool! and i'm glad patrick finally got splashed!

 

[MeMom]

Day 17 – Wednesday, June 25, Continued

They have one of those tunnels that goes through the shark tank so you can see them from the side

And from below, pretty cool!

Well my friends, this concludes my TR but think I will have one final installment with some thoughts and lessons learned. hanging out with me!

Let me just say never, never, never will I go into one of these!
I have nightmares about things like this!
And it has nothing to do with the sharks.

I'm pretty sure we will reserve at least part of one of our days this summer for SeaWorld, but MeMom will be shopping or looking at something up on the surface where there is fresh air if the others choose to go down into this dungeon of death!!!

 

[julezdisney]

Yum, I could go for some bistro lunch right now!


I'm afraid so I bought a couple tickets yesterday, if I win we'll make it a trip together!


You would have thought that Patrick had won a prize when he got splashed! I was so happy for him. When we met up with Greg and Daniel he yelled "that was AWESOME!!"

I'm sad it's over too, it's been a lot of fun to go back and write about. I'll definitely have a summary entry in the next couple days.

That McDonald's we stopped at when we got to Orlando had those bistro options too. I wanted to try them but I was too tired to want to think. I just ordered what I always do.

You bought tickets?! I'm always telling myself to pick up a few to keep somewhere safe - they are INVESTMENTS after all!

And that's funny about Patrick. My kids would love that too.

 

[kschafer]

Oh I'm so glad Patrick finally got to be splashed!! Too bad he was feeling so rotten afterwards...I throw up when I get nervous too (TMI? LOL)

I don't want your trip to be over! I've loved seeing it all with your family and enjoyed learning about Seaworld too! I might have to make a side trip over there during gnomefest! I didn't know they had fireworks either! I fully remember the shark tunnel though. It was called Terrors Of The Deep and I was pretty nervous about going through, but since my daddy loved sharks I pretended I was really excited. It was cool but I was afraid the glass would break! I understand how terrifying it can be to kids! I would love to see it again as an adult!

Thanks for sharing Katie - you're awesome!

hey if I can share about Patrick's woes, you can share yours with us!

Now that I have been going through the pics again, I'm thinking of a day during gnomefest too! Will you do the scary roller coaster with me (even if Bert adviseds against it? )

oh, so sad it's over!!! i hope to see that shamu night time show - sounds really cool! and i'm glad patrick finally got splashed!

It was quite a happy ending to our trip in Patrick's mind! I'm sad it's over too

Let me just say never, never, never will I go into one of these!
I have nightmares about things like this!
And it has nothing to do with the sharks.

I'm pretty sure we will reserve at least part of one of our days this summer for SeaWorld, but MeMom will be shopping or looking at something up on the surface where there is fresh air if the others choose to go down into this dungeon of death!!!

OK, you and Stacy have permission from me to skip the shark tube! You can shop together I'm sure

That McDonald's we stopped at when we got to Orlando had those bistro options too. I wanted to try them but I was too tired to want to think. I just ordered what I always do.

You bought tickets?! I'm always telling myself to pick up a few to keep somewhere safe - they are INVESTMENTS after all!

And that's funny about Patrick. My kids would love that too.

Heck yeah, when the jackpot is over $100 mil I figure what the heck. An investment...yeah...that's it. When I win you and all my other loyal readers can join me for a ROCKIN trip to WDW and SeaWorld! We can have that elevator filled with Disers that MeMom keeps promising

 

[sunny_stace]

Katie I will definately join you on the scary roller coaster!! It's a date! I'm all about scary roller coasters! Besides, what does bert know?!

And thank you for letting me share my woes! Good luck with the lottery!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I will buy some lottery tickets too and increase our chances of a group trip. Wouldn't we have the best time and have a big bunch of great pics. We could have a huge joint TR with all of us. How fun to have our own Grand DIS Gathering. We would 'CELERBRATE' our love of WDW & the DIS and new friends!!!

Seaworld looks like fun, the dolphin pic looks like a statue.I enjoy looking at flower pics, my DMom is a flower fanatic. Glad to hear Patrick got splashed after many attempts. You made his night.

I wouldn't be afraid to go into the shark tunnel, I think it would be great!

I may decide to add it to my trip like MeMom.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So glad Patrick got splashed!

I haven't been to Sea World in YEARS but I think I have to head back. I will confess that last time I was there I took the chicken exit rather than going on the moving sidewalk through the shark tank. Jaws totally ruined me!

 

[kschafer]

Katie I will definately join you on the scary roller coaster!! It's a date! I'm all about scary roller coasters! Besides, what does bert know?!

And thank you for letting me share my woes! Good luck with the lottery!

I'm starting to think that gnomefest is gonna have to be 2 weeks instead of 1 in order to do everything we want! I haven't checked my tickets yet so maybe we still can. Keep your fingers crossed!

I will buy some lottery tickets too and increase our chances of a group trip. Wouldn't we have the best time and have a big bunch of great pics. We could have a huge joint TR with all of us. How fun to have our own Grand DIS Gathering. We would 'CELERBRATE' our love of WDW & the DIS and new friends!!!

Seaworld looks like fun, the dolphin pic looks like a statue.I enjoy looking at flower pics, my DMom is a flower fanatic. Glad to hear Patrick got splashed after many attempts. You made his night.

I wouldn't be afraid to go into the shark tunnel, I think it would be great!

I may decide to add it to my trip like MeMom.

You can join us at gnomefest! Always room for more. Who has the link in their siggy? Julez? Paula? LL?

At the time I thought SeaWorld was just OK after WDW but reflecting back on it, there were some really nice differences and if you have the time and budget for it, it's a nice side trip.

So glad Patrick got splashed!

I haven't been to Sea World in YEARS but I think I have to head back. I will confess that last time I was there I took the chicken exit rather than going on the moving sidewalk through the shark tank. Jaws totally ruined me!

LOL Christine! I must admit, I never saw jaws and I like sharks (but only with a THICK wall between us, no desire to see up close and personal!) You want to join Stacy and I during gnomefest? We'll hold your hand and if needed, guide you through like I did with Patrick

 

[MeMom]

OK, you and Stacy have permission from me to skip the shark tube! You can shop together I'm sure


Heck yeah, when the jackpot is over $100 mil I figure what the heck. An investment...yeah...that's it. When I win you and all my other loyal readers can join me for a ROCKIN trip to WDW and SeaWorld! We can have that elevator filled with Disers that MeMom keeps promising

Oh yeah, we can do some shopping! You guys just take your time down there in the tunnel of death. No hurry.

The only elevator on the planet that I really look forward to getting in is Tower of Terror.

Count me in on the rockin' awesome jackpot trip. You are footing the bill on that, right? I'm good with staying value, so I won't cost you much.

I'm missing seeing those two little boys in action. Can't you hurry up and get another trip report under way???