My Dad's First trip with his Grandkids!

[WDWJonasGirl]

Hi Crystal!! I'm very impressed so far. Loving it

 

[crystal1313]

Yes the hotel was awesome!! I have a couple cell phone pics I need to upload. No kitchenette. But both rooms with beds had a coffee maker, full size mini fridge and microwave. So 2 of everything.

It did look like the hotel might be planning to add a kitchenette at some point. We noticed the electrical outlets on the far wall of the parlor room were at counter height. It would be a perfect area for it as the parlor room was super spacious.

I'm really enjoying your trip report too. The cabanas look amazing!!

 

[pepe3penelope]

Wow!!! I finished your TR!

I completely AGREE with you about personal space (so unfortunate that the teen ran into your mother). That is a TRUE peeve of DH and mine. We're very aware of our space and other's space. We've taught DS 3 & DD 6 1/2 about that as well. Some people are just clueless. What really gets me is when the parents are just as bad and/or they don't tell their kids to apologize. Then I realize that the children get that from the parents! Sorry about the rant and getting off topic!

Your boys are soooo brave about going on rides. DD won't even go on Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder, Radiator Springs Racers, Soaring', California Screamin', Space Mountain, Star Tours, or even Jungle Cruise!!! She only does the "kiddie" rides. I'm waiting for DS3 to get older/bigger and he can ride with me!!!

Your Photopass pictures came out great! Can't wait to hear the rest of it!

 

[crystal1313]

Thank you WDWJonasGirl!!!

Haha about personal space! I have an even crazier story for the third day we teach our kids the same and are super strict with them in line too.

 

[crystal1313]

Ok!! Hoping to update on Tuesday. It's been crazy around here. We closed on the house and are in a mad rush to get it painted before we get new carpet installed. Then we have to move!! Ahhhh. But I promise I'll update soon

 

[petals]

joining in!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

OMG!! That Thumper is so cute

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Ok!! Hoping to update on Tuesday. It's been crazy around here. We closed on the house and are in a mad rush to get it painted before we get new carpet installed. Then we have to move!! Ahhhh. But I promise I'll update soon

CONGRATULATIONS on the new home!!!!

 

[RHMH]

Ok!! Hoping to update on Tuesday. It's been crazy around here. We closed on the house and are in a mad rush to get it painted before we get new carpet installed. Then we have to move!! Ahhhh. But I promise I'll update soon

Congrat's on your new house...

 

[crystal1313]

OMG!! That Thumper is so cute

Thanks! DS4 actually has the smaller version of that Thumper I bought for him on his first trip to the parks at 2 months old. That Thumper is so "Loved" he doesn't even look the same. He really wanted to big Thumper too. LOL

CONGRATULATIONS on the new home!!!!

Congrat's on your new house...

Thank you Karry and Bob. We are thrilled!!

 

[crystal1313]

We found a PP photographer and actually got both boys to take a photo!

Muscles!

Then decided to go back for a family photo!!!

Crazy driver again!!

I think we rode Mater's. Just my mom and I and the boys.

Then we walked through and found another PP

She was a great photographer and bribed the boys with a prize (stickers and buttons!)

Then I tried to take a photo of the boys. LOL. These are the results:

After that DH was about done and headed back to the hotel. Boys wanted to watch WOC. We literally walked up as the show was starting. We stood near the SF buildings. Not the best view in the house. DS6 said that was fine but later started to complain he couldn't see. DS4 stayed up for awhile but eventually fell asleep in my arms and I put him in the stroller. Then I was able to hold up DS6 so he could see better. We stayed off to the side after the show was over because it was a a madhouse. Then some dad in a tandem stroller tried squeezing in between us and a tree and totally rammed our stroller and woke up DS4! I was so angry. It was obvious he wouldn't fit and he didn't even say sorry. (and it wasn't a soft hit, he was walking fast) Luckily DS4 feel back to sleep. Then we took a leisurely stroll back to our hotel. DS6 was doing great with all the walking. I was really proud of him!

 

[pepe3penelope]

Love the update! Carsland is soooo beautiful at night. I really feel they did such an amazing job of bringing it to life! It's like you're in the movie. Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Crystal, the pic of your family in front of the "Range" at night is so pretty!!!!

I am cracking up at the one of all of you laughing(with Flo's V8 sign in the background), how fun!

Your DH is such a good sport in the previous pic---holding up his arms---my DH HATES it when the Photographer makes him do anything but stand and smile(or grimace, as I call it!)

I am disgusted by the man who ran into your stroller---Where is people's common courtesy??? Obviously, he left his at home(if he ever had anyg???)!

On a good note, I love a Photopass Photographer, who will bribe children with fun "stuff"---how nice!!!

 

[pepe3penelope]

Loving your TR so far. What an amazing auntie you are. You are so brave to tackle 5 boys!!!

I LOVE the matching family t-shirts!!! So cute!

I agree that the father who rammed into your son was sooooo rude!

Can't wait for more!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I love the shirts Crystal!!

 

[djmeredith]

What an amazing auntie you are. You are so brave to tackle 5 boys!!!

I think you've accidentally confused Crystal and I, lol. You've read too many TRs for one day.

Great update Crystal! I love the "Range" photos as well. We never even made it over that way. I'm realizing how much we missed seeing even though we had 4 days and we even added 1 evening while we were there. Those people who say 2 days is enough are crazy! And congrats on your new home! I'm sure it's very stressful right now but it will all be worth it.

 

[pepe3penelope]

Oooooppppsss!!! OMG! Maybe this IS a sign that I'm reading too many Disneyland TR's!

 

[crystal1313]

I think you've accidentally confused Crystal and I, lol. You've read too many TRs for one day.

Great update Crystal! I love the "Range" photos as well. We never even made it over that way. I'm realizing how much we missed seeing even though we had 4 days and we even added 1 evening while we were there. Those people who say 2 days is enough are crazy! And congrats on your new home! I'm sure it's very stressful right now but it will all be worth it.

LOL! I was thinking the same thing!!

Thanks! We love Cars Land at night. I could just sit there and people watch. I love the neon and the music and the atmosphere. So fun!

And Karry, DH was being a really good sport. We were just happy both boys were in a picture taking mood at the same time. LOL. I think I'm going to use one of the family photos for our Christmas card this year.

 

[crystal1313]

Day 3....last day (Kids were already sad it was last day, asking to stay longer. Breaks my heart!)

I think we started at DCA the last day. By this point we were tired. And hot. Very hot. We got a LATE start and didn't enter the park until 9:30ish. We all needed the extra rest. DH and I talked and said next time we should do a "relax" day in between the parks to recharge our batteries. Between the heat and the stress of trying to buy a home, we were more tired than normal. We pulled FP for RSR. DH had stayed back and would join us later. He was handling most of the stuff for the house and was super stressed. After we pulled FP we headed to DL.

My parents decided they wanted to take the kids to Tom Sawyer Island. While we walked over there my dad and I decided we needed Starbucks! LOL. So my parents took the boys and off I went back to main Street. The line for Starbucks wasn't bad. It splits into two lines and I think a lot of people don't realize that. There were 2 teens in front of me. Suddenly, 4 more of their friends joined them in line. I was annoyed, because as I predicted they all ordered separately. After I got my drinks, DH text to say he was in the parks and headed to Starbucks! LOL. Great minds think alike! We met and by that point it was almost lunch time. DH decided to stake out a shady table at Jolly Holiday while I went to go meet everyone on the island.

When I got there the boys were having a blast and didn't want to leave. But I could tell they were fading fast and needed to eat soon or they would have a melt down. They also loved riding the rafts and told me how their nana tried to steal the pirate treasure in the caves and a scary voice said not to touch the treasure. They left our the part that they screamed like girls and wouldn't go in the caves anymore! Wish I could have seen that! Seriously though, it did give them nightmares later. My mom felt bad because she didn't know that would happen and now the kids think a ghost pirate lives in the caves!

We all met back at Jolly Holiday and had a yummy lunch! We all loved the food. So good! We decided to get BTMR FP because DS4 requested to ride it again. Yay! He likes rollercoasters! The FP window was only an hour away, so we headed over to POTC. Line was longer then we are used to, but moved well. There was a large family a couple groups in front of us. Then suddenly they let in another group of about ten other family members in line. Fine, no one said anything. Then they held up the entire line as they ALL got a drink at the water fountain. Finally the people behind them got tired of waiting and walked past them. As they were rudely pushing their way back to meet the rest of their party, they ran into my mom and DS4 and I said, "You could say excuse me" (which btw, not one of them said). Then as we were winding our way through the queue, the kid I said that to spit water at me. Of course, they want to put us all in the same boat at loading. We ask to be seated in another boat (we were thank goodness). The same group was constantly told over the loud speaker to stop using the flash on their camera, through the whole ride. It was maddening and one of the more rude things I have seen at the parks. Total disregard for any other guest.

We had a little time to kill before BTMR so we found a shady spot near Rancho de Zocalo and waited. It was HOT! Finally it was time and we headed off!

DS4 decided to ride with me and DH and DS6 rode with my parents. We Loved it! Again. How could you not!?!

Then we headed to Jungle Cruise. At this point, I realized I was lacking in taking photos that day! DH broke off from us. He needed a break already. And secretly, I don't think he likes JC all that much. I made everyone go to the castle for a PP+ photo! Kids were not really in the mood. Ugh.

I was a little irritated the photographer cut off the top of the castle. It was the first time I have seen a photographer there without a tripod. And of course, only 5 of us are in the photo!

Off to the Jungle Cruise. The line was long. Longest I have seen it. Used the entire upstairs portion! We had a great skipper and had fun! The boys ALWAYS jump at the piranha part. LOL.

I think everyone rode Indy at some point. I stayed back with DS4 and we relaxed next to the front of the JC queue. It was nice and shady and a great spot to people watch!

Next we headed to the Main Street DL RR station. The kids wanted to take a grand circle tour and frankly, the rest of us were tired and that sounded great! DS4 could not stop talking about the T-Rex, he was excited. We had to wait until 2 trains. Luckily we got a row all to ourselves. Such a relaxing ride. Kids were really excited to see the dinosaurs!

The plan was to go to DCA and grab dinner and use our RSR FP. My dad however was hurting pretty bad. He got a terrible blister on top of his baby toe and could hardly walk. He decided to call it a night.

Last part of day 3 is next.....

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Oh, Crystal….your poor Dad!

There's nothing worse than a lousy blister!!!(unless it's oppressive heat while you're trying to have fun---ugh!!!)

I love the pic of your Dad with his "boys"---so sweet!

I am appalled by the behavior of the family in front of you at POTC----so maddening! I just do not get how people can be so unaware/careless of their actions in a public place---seriously----spit water at you????? Disgusting!

Tom Sawyer's Island is such a great place for kiddos to run/work off excess energy, and just have a good time! I've always cracked up, when reading other Trip Reports, where the parent are impatient to leave the Island, and get on with riding more attractions, and the children have to be dragged away!

We also love hopping on the DLRR, when needing a break/rest---it's a way to stay in the fun, but nothing is required of you---like walking or standing!