My Magical Quest for the Cupcake! 13 days of Craziness! Update 10/30 page 10

[AZMickeyfans]

Welcome to my Trip Report!!!

Handy Table of Contents for Reference

The Journey-This post
Arrival in Orlando!!!
The Perfect Meal-Part 1
The Perfect Meal-Part 2
The Perfect Meal-Part 3
Confusion and Pandemonium at AK, Will we EVER get into this PARK?
Does Jeff live? AK part 2.
Will Morgan ride EE?
AK Day conclusion with Boma
The morning we forgot how to videotape. part 1
The morning we forgot how to videotape. part 2



13 days of FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!

I'm FINALLY starting this. YEAH!

My name is Shawna and I’m a huge Talladega Nights and Wedding Crashers fan so watch out for quotes. SHAKE AND BAKE! My husband Jeff and I met working at WDW 15 years ago and we brought our 2 kids Morgan, 8 and Jake age 5. Morgan’s a dancer and loves all things dance and anything girly. She is a lover of all things Hannah Montana and High School Musical like most girls her age. She is in 2nd grade. Jake just started playing touch football this year. What a cute sport that is to watch. Jake is our wild man. He belongs in Animal Kingdom in the cute exhibit! He’s in Kindergarten.

This is the kids very first trip to WDW and we were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary late, very late to be truthful but it was our gift to each other this trip but due to work, school etc it kept getting postponed from Dec of last year. So we celebrated anyway!

More formal or lengthy introductions can be found in my pre-trip report here Shake and Bake pre trippie. Check it out! Everytime I say "Check it Out" it will be in the voice of Fergie the singer. Just so you know.


Ok on with the show….

I cant start this report without mentioning that Jake was ill. He had some stomach bug ALL Wednesday night. We had to leave for the airport at 4am on Thursday morning. He had what Morgan calls “The D Word” Now who in their right mind would start a trip report about their vacation to the happiest place on earth with “The D Word” Well, I would for one. Why because I was up all night long. Too excited to sleep, I wish, up with a sick 5 year old dreading the 5 ½ hour plane ride the next morning. Poor boy. How was this going to happen! I finally fell asleep about 2:15am and the alarm went off about 3:00am. I sprang awake, jumped in the shower. High on Disney adrenaline and got ready before getting the rest of the family up.

The kids were easy to get up once I reminded their groggy heads where we were going. Jeff was busy packing snacks. Morgan ate a quick bite. Jake was not going to eat anything. I tried to get him to eat a bite of toast but he wouldn’t. probably best.

A little after 4am my mom picked us up. We looked like we were moving out in the cover of darkness we had so much luggage. I’m sure the neighbors that didn’t know we were leaving thought we were in the witness protection program if they saw this. It was about a 45 minute ride to the airport so we arrived a little after 5am after getting all the bags loaded, unloaded and checked. My mom was tired but so nice to drive us to the airport. She went home and crashed before heading to work herself.

We hadn’t flown in years with the kids and I was anxious to get through security. I thought I had done everything right, small liquids in quarts, everything out of pockets, lithium batteries in Ziplocs. I’ve flown some but not a lot to visit family and security always makes me anxious. With kids that was heightened. Turns out we did everything right. I wanted to get through there before the morning rush.

Morgan brought her American Girl suitcase on board and the security guys made a joke about it. She had her 2 American Girl dolls in that suitcase and when they went through security the man said to me “next time don’t put your children in your luggage Ma’am” Remember I was anxious and I didn’t get the joke right away plus I had been up all night. I was so confused until I saw what he was looking at. That must look odd to see 2 dolls laying perfect in a suitcase with nothing else in it!!! I then became slap happy because I was so tired and excited for Disney that I started laughing my rear off. I’m surprised they didn’t drag me off to the Looney bin right then and there!


Once we found our gate I took this picture of the kids anxiously waiting. They didn’t realize they still had an hour and a half.

Morgan and Jake

Jeff grabbed 4 bottles of water to take on the plane with us.

Here are some more random pictures while we were waiting.

Jeff

Jake and I

Oh, just a note here to say I apologize for all the bad pictures you will see of me in this report! I wont apologize for each one this will be my broad sweeping apology for ALL of them!

Morgan and I. Now you know what we all look like! Oh and see how this one is blurry. Jeff doesn’t take many pictures!!! You now know why.

It was boarding time and we were in Group A of Southwest. We had numbers 50-54 which I’m not sure how you get when you check in exactly at 24 hours prior to departure. I guess everyone was waiting for the exact minute like I was to check in online the day before. We still were able to find a row for Morgan Jake and I, 3 from the back and Jeff sat in the aisle across from us. The kids were very excited about the plane. Jake had not flown for 4 years so he didn’t remember the last time he had been on a plane. It had been 2 years for Morgan. Once we were air born our trip to St. Louis where we stopped for a short time was filled with coloring, playing the leapsters, watching Camp Rock. Jeff watched “At Worlds End” to start his Pirate Adventure out on his ipod. Poor Jake had to go to the bathroom about 6 times. Luckily we sat close to it. The flight attendants were very sympathetic.

Look how droopy his eyes are. He never had a fever or any other symptoms but he wouldn’t eat for 3 days after this. Poor little man.

We touched down in St. Louis and we were able to spread out on the journey to Orlando. It was just over 2 hours into the airport there and that seemed to take forever. Jake and Jeff took the row across from Morgan and I. Jake was still not feeling well. He was happy all things considering.

Finally our captain announced the final decent and both kids clapped with joy!!! It was cute.

continued in next post.....

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Arrival in Orlando!

After disembarking the plane we all got excited to see the ME sign at the end of the ramp. Yeah we were in Orlando. I could feel the humidity when we stepped out of the plane. Like breathing in a swimming pool just like I remembered it. See we live in Phoenix, AZ now and love the DRY desert climate. That is why we left Orlando. Humidity. Couldn’t take it anymore.

Oh, another note, while at Disney we used the word disembark ALL the time. Ever notice how much Disney uses that word? Its hysterical. Basically its a nice way to say GET OFF NOW!!! So normally I wouldn’t say disembark a plane I would say we walked off the plane but disembark sounds more DISNEY. So from now on I will use the word disembark to mean Get off, leave, exit etc in this trip report. Such a fun word to make you feel like you came from an exotic location when really you just got off the bus.

So we make our way to the monorail. I told the kids this would be Awesome. While they enjoyed it they weren’t quite as enthusiastic as I had hoped about the Orlando Airport monorail.

Here is a picture of the first ride as I called it. They kept pointing out that the car ride to the airport was the first ride, the plane was the 2nd and this was the 3rd. Smart mouths…… Kind of like how I kept telling the kids we were going to Disney for 2 weeks and Morgan kept telling me 2 weeks was 14 days and we were only going for 13 days so it wasnt really 2 weeks. Sometimes schooling is not a good thing.

After that we had a little trouble finding the ME area. Luckily in my darkest moment of being lost there was a Disney cast member standing 3 feet in front of me with a sign saying Magical Express with an arrow. I did not see this sign and Jeff was very amused that I was bewildered and didn’t know which way to go. It was a blonde moment, there will be more I guarantee you!!! We finally found where we were supposed to go and let me tell you that place was like a ghost town. We were the only ones down there. It was kind of creepy. I mean I was excited to go and all but there was absolutely no one else there except the CM’s. I can imagine it crazy though during the busy season or when the planes come in at the same time. We must have hit an off moment. We waited about 15 minutes and eventually more people came.

These are the backpacks I had bought for the kids. No, I didn’t make them wear them on the front but I thought it would be a cute picture. It looks rather odd now! I have some cute ones of them walking with them on from the back that I like better.

We all sat up front on the bus so we could see. The drive seemed to fly by. Jeff and I recognized a few spots but when we got closer to Disney we were on a different route than we had normally come in so then we were completely lost. Also, so many new hotels had popped up it was hard to tell what the streets below the turnpike were. We were so excited.

This is my horrible attempt to capture the WDW sign as we approached it. Thought I would throw it in for your no viewing pleasure. It wasn’t raining but it looks like it was from my photography skills here.

Ok you know that feeling you get when you see this sign? You want to cry, your heart starts thumping, you smile like an idiot, you hug your children, you feel your chest is going to explode with excitement and our whole 13 days laid out in front of us. The magical vacation that awaits us. That is the feeling I got. Unfortunately the picture does not portray the emotion being felt at the time. Was I excited for a blob?

Shortly after I guess I recovered my photography skills because I took this shot of the POP sign! We’ve never stayed at POP nor had we seen it since it wasn’t built when we left Disney. This will be our home for 12 nights!!! YEAH POP!

After disembarking the bus, the kids and Jeff grabbed the carryons from the bus while I went in to check in. The plan was Jeff was going to hand me the carryon with the surprise bags in them, discussed in my PTR and they were going to look around.

Checking in is always so exciting isn’t it. They hand you all your information. We had the basic dining plan, which was added just days before our departure and all of the other goodies that they give you. I just get so excited getting my KTTW cards. I didn’t want any credit cards being used this trip so I gave $700 cash to be put on our cards to charge back to the room so we didn’t have to carry cash. We coudl add more any time we wanted to. I didn’t even want to take my debit card with me. Life was so easy doing this. Even the kids could charge things to the room. Jake never did but Morgan felt like a big girl doing this.

Anyway, I snuck up to the room with the carryon and placed the surprise bags with goodies, t-shirts stuffed animals, disposable cameras, Disney dollars and such for each of the kids on the bed. The were supposed to be from Mickey and the gang. Luckily the plan worked. I brought the empty carryon down with me and pretended like I just left the desk and we went to search for the room together. The kids loved the bags and squealed with delight. They were none the wiser I had been up there. We had 2 towel animals in the room. They were cute. I have pictures of them somewhere. One was a little puppy I think. They were the only 2 we had. As near as I could tell the whole floor had them in their window.

We were in the 50's section, bowling pins all around us. I loved it, so cute! Top floor of building 3 facing the lake just as requested. Room 3416. I could see the EPCOT ball. This vacation felt real. EPCOT, my favorite park, was close. I could feel Disney streaming through my veins. I was excited!

The kids put their decorated Mickey heads up in the window above the towel animals and we changed for dinner.

Up next…..Chef Mickeys

 

[bedillamouse]

wow your poor DS to have the D word right before the trip. But how awesome that you got to go for 13 days (which equals 2 weeks in my book!). My family just went for 7 days and my DH thought it was more than enough....I on the other hand could have stayed much much longer.

Looking forward to more....

 

[staley7580]

Shawna!!!! I love it so far!!! Gimme MORE!!! I have been dying to find out all the gory details, but I didnt want to bug you until you were settled and ready for the TR.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Awww, so sorry that you had to start the trip out with a sick kid. It sounds like everything else trip related was going well though!

 

[vdarrell]

I am ready to read more.
Your children are so cute. I can only imagine what a surprise it was for them to get gifts from Mickey.

 

[Spartangirl]

Yay......you started! Sorry you had to start your trip with a sick child..........but, it seems like things are looking up........you made it safe and sound to Disney, you were able to get your kids their surprises flawlessly, and you got the view you wanted at Pop! I can't wait for more!!!

 

[karinm]

Looks like fun I can't wait to hear about ...well everything.
Good picture taking- I am taking notes.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

Wahoo! Great TR so far. I can't wait to read more

 

[mom2mek]

Yay! You started your report! And what a great report it is!

I totally laughed out loud at your sign picture!

Way to go on your gift bags - you're so sneaky!

I love all the excitement in your writing...and I can't wait to hear more...

Sara

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great start...can't wait for more!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

WOOHOO!!! Let the fun begin!

 

[RachelNinja]

I'm eagerly awaiting your use of Fergie's "Check it out," haha! Great installments, looking forward to more

 

[NotSoEvilStepmother]

So I was an occasional lurker in the later days of your PTR so now I'm glad to be a part of the magic! The first day sounds like so much fun so far. Sorry it had to start with a sick child, though. At least he was having fun.
And, by the by, I'm from AZ as well. I agree about the humidity being the ONLY reason why we left Disney. We went in July, and it rained for 5 out of the 6 days we were there and let me tell you--that was just ABSOLUTELY UNBEARABLE. Ack!
Can't wait to read more!!!!

 

[kathleen27]

Yay!!! I'm so excited you started!


Sorry Jake was sick.
The kids look excited though. Even on the airport monorail!
We call it the first (and last) ride too.

Can't wait to hear about Chef Mickey's!!!

 

[xoktenox]

Everytime I say "Check it Out" it will be in the voice of Fergie the singer. Just so you know. [/SIZE]

OMG I really was laughing out loud about this for a good 10 minutes because 1) I know exactly what voice you're talking about and what song its from and 2) its just funny that you added it in here.

I'm so excited that you started your TR! I'm staying at Pop in April so I can't wait to see how you and your beautiful family liked it. Can't wait for more

 

[dundeehunter]

Great start of a report! Keep up the good job! I'm staying at Pop in Jan '09..love the Frozen Cokes!!!

 

[shannon47142]

What a fun report-- and you just arrived!
Awaiting more

 

[AZMickeyfans]

wow your poor DS to have the D word right before the trip. But how awesome that you got to go for 13 days (which equals 2 weeks in my book!). My family just went for 7 days and my DH thought it was more than enough....I on the other hand could have stayed much much longer.

Looking forward to more....

Hi! I know such a strange way to start a TR out right? It had to be done. Now its out in the open. NO secrets in this trip report!

Shawna!!!! I love it so far!!! Gimme MORE!!! I have been dying to find out all the gory details, but I didnt want to bug you until you were settled and ready for the TR.

Hey Woman, finally things calmed down. Ok they never really calmed down but I said "I'm starting my trip report TODAY" Its a 12 step program I'm on. 12 steps to get over my Disney Trip.

Awww, so sorry that you had to start the trip out with a sick kid. It sounds like everything else trip related was going well though!

Hey Lessa! We had such a great time and I'm looking forward to sharing it with everyone. I need to catch up on all of your adventures too!!! I'm slowly getting caught up on all that I missed over the 2 weeks!!!

I am ready to read more.
Your children are so cute. I can only imagine what a surprise it was for them to get gifts from Mickey.

Welcome! Thanks for the compliments on the kiddos. I'll keep them around a little longer! Spoiler for the rest of the trip, Jake turns into a monster. Ye be warned.......

Yay......you started! Sorry you had to start your trip with a sick child..........but, it seems like things are looking up........you made it safe and sound to Disney, you were able to get your kids their surprises flawlessly, and you got the view you wanted at Pop! I can't wait for more!!!

Thanks! I'm so glad you found your way over here! The surprises went well. I was so sure Morgan was going to discover what I had planned! She can be sneaky.

Looks like fun I can't wait to hear about ...well everything.
Good picture taking- I am taking notes.

Hi Karin! Everyone this is my cousin! She can back any of my crazy stories. Although she kicked me in bed when we were a child. There I outed you Karin.

Wahoo! Great TR so far. I can't wait to read more

Thank you! It was great to get started!

Yay! You started your report! And what a great report it is!

I totally laughed out loud at your sign picture!

Way to go on your gift bags - you're so sneaky!

I love all the excitement in your writing...and I can't wait to hear more...

Sara

Sara, I thought I had caught that sign perfectly. There were like 8 cars pulled off to the side as usual taking a picture. Can you imagine me asking the ME driver to stop for my picture because I messed it up. Actually that would have been a funny joke just to see his reaction!

Great start...can't wait for more!

Thanks! I'll try to get the next chapter up tonight or early tomorrow morning.

WOOHOO!!! Let the fun begin!

Hey Alex, glad you made it here!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

I'm eagerly awaiting your use of Fergie's "Check it out," haha! Great installments, looking forward to more

Yeah! A Fergie Lover! I say that sometimes in my impression of her voice and people look at me like I turned 1989 Valley Girl or something.

So I was an occasional lurker in the later days of your PTR so now I'm glad to be a part of the magic! The first day sounds like so much fun so far. Sorry it had to start with a sick child, though. At least he was having fun.
And, by the by, I'm from AZ as well. I agree about the humidity being the ONLY reason why we left Disney. We went in July, and it rained for 5 out of the 6 days we were there and let me tell you--that was just ABSOLUTELY UNBEARABLE. Ack!
Can't wait to read more!!!!

Thanks for coming out of lurkdome!!! Yeah! Another Arizonan!!! Are you in Phoenix tonight? I was freezing at Jake's football practice, we get in the car and Jeff points out it was only 78 degrees. I thought it was like 50! Weather is all relative. 78 and breezy I was freezing!
Glad you are here!

Yay!!! I'm so excited you started!


Sorry Jake was sick.
The kids look excited though. Even on the airport monorail!
We call it the first (and last) ride too.

Can't wait to hear about Chef Mickey's!!!

Hey Kathleen! They were excited I think they were a tad annoyed and maybe embarrassed by my excitement! I dont know why they would be I am perfectly NORMAL.

OMG I really was laughing out loud about this for a good 10 minutes because 1) I know exactly what voice you're talking about and what song its from and 2) its just funny that you added it in here.

I'm so excited that you started your TR! I'm staying at Pop in April so I can't wait to see how you and your beautiful family liked it. Can't wait for more

Another Fergie lover! Great! I love that line in the song! It sticks with me forever. So glad you joined me!

Great start of a report! Keep up the good job! I'm staying at Pop in Jan '09..love the Frozen Cokes!!!

Thanks and Welcome! My kids loved those too. I kept the hot chocolate machine working. For some reason it tasted so good. Better than mix and water at home. I have pictures of POP somewhere. I'll get them on there as soon as they come up!

What a fun report-- and you just arrived!
Awaiting more

Thanks and welcome! I'm excited to post Chef Mickeys. It was very magical!