New to the World! 8/12-8/20

[newtowdw1]

I'm going to put my report in one thread. It will probably be long.


Cast of Characters:
Me--compulsive planner, 38
DH--very appreciative, supportive and likes to spend, 42
DD8 (Maura)-- drama fairly certain that WDW was made for HER
DS4 (Connor) -- pretty sure that I need protecting and buys swords, shields and knives for this purpose constantly

Very short background, I hurt my back twice in ten years and am 50% disabled. Rented an ECV for this trip and used it most days. Have been planning this for 2 years, every moment I get! We drove down over a week to Orlando, visiting family on the way. We stayed the first night at HoJo's Maingate East.

Friday, Aug 12 4:40 am
I am now awake. Not that I slept. I am pretty excited. I re-reread my tattered UG and my new Disney for Families.
5:30 I throw Disney for Families off the bed in disgust -- it's so shallow and lacking in detail! -- hitting DD in the arm. Oops. Now she's awake. What a shame!!
Soon everyone is up, DH is showering, coffee is dripping and --wait-- a small mammal has just burrowed under the covers...NOPE! We're safe. It's just Connor. Drag him out of be and stuff him into clothes. C'mon buddy, we're going to Disney today!
Nope, not having it. Mind, this is the little boy who sprinted through the house ALL of May screeching, "Is this it? Are we going today?" Naked.

Eventually everyone is bullied, I mean, patiently coaxed, with no threats of bodily harm, out to the car. We go to the HoJo's desk to checkout and to the snack bar to buy 1) coffee 2) breakfast 3) a lanyard for Pal Mickey, because all of our "IN THE PARK" stuff is in the Fort Wilderness box, that DH stuffed under everything. Fine. LET'S GO!! While in the snack bar, I noticed that my feet were oddly hot. "Should I change socks?" NO! LET'S GO!

I am nervous because I've read about how hard it is to navigate into the world, and I'm telling DH this and OOOO!!! There's a sign. Follow the sign!!! Did you see the sign?????? Okay. Go right here. Good. OOOOO! There's another sign. Go straight ahead. Straight ahead. Straight ahead. We're here! HERE!!! Wow. Huh. Nobody's here.
DH looks at me. "Do you think that could be because it's only 8:06? I think we should wait for awhile in the car..."
DH breaks off as I give him the "What planet are you from?" look and hop out of the van. DH sighs. "Meg,you need to slow down. You're going to hurt..."
"I'm fine!" (Did I mention that my balance isn't that great? Yeah, well, I was FINE!
So, because the ECV hasn't been delivered to FT. Wilderness yet, and we, in fact are not FT. Wilderness guests yet, we walk into MGM. I herd us through bag check. Only us and security, and maybe 10 others. I take out our ziplock bags full of stuff (thanks DIS!!) and away we go! To the turnstiles! Hmm, those few people here ahead of us are all bunched up in the middle. Look, all those turnstiles are empty... I hesitantly walk over and ask, are these open. A pleasant CM says, "Yep, no covers, they're open."
And a gruff old coot, I mean CM steps out, "You don't want to stand here ma'am!" I blink.
"Why not?"
"It's right out in the sun! You've gotta wait another 30 minutes! You go on down there and stand in the shade!"
And off we go.
We wait and chat with the CMs and look that nice old gentleman is coming down here. He gives DD and DS stickers and they stand there giggling with him. We get a crash course in turnstile operations, and OOOHH! There we are . through the gates.8:47am. Disney and I did not see eye to eye on time. They were almost always 2 minutes late, unless I was running late, in which case they began stuff 2 minutes early. DH says that I was imagining it. I didn't.

Stopped at the end of the street. Hmmm. Will there be a show? For the life of me, I can't remember the DIS saying anything about an MGM show. There wasn't. Well, we were all set. I had us at the rope, on the left, ready to dash as quickly as Connor's short little legs and my hobbling body could take us. And I notice, smugly, that the little street has begun to fill up behind us. The CM's gather up the rope, and I think, what's to keep us here? Why are we all so well behaved. We could all mutiny and they could not stop us!(I have these thoughts in studyhalls of 50-60 highschool students, too. I'm glad they don't have the wicked thoughts that I do! )
They finally release us (9:02) and off we go. And you know, only about 15 people are going with us! Honest.

Get to Star Tours, and I bet that queue is really cool, but I didn't really get to see it because we were whisked right on! That ride is so much fun! Connor wasn't real impressed, but he didn't cry or fuss. Just hung on. Got off and zoomed to Muppets 3D. We're still hurrying, because it's August and the crowds will build and ...... well, let's hurry anyway! Walk into Muppets, see the pre-show and watch the movie. It was lots of fun. We had a really fun time and laughed and laughed. Connor was not that impressed, again.

Try to get to Indianna Jones by 10:00 am, and it's now 9:50. GRRR! Maura has to pee. so we run back to the bathroom (please remember, no one really 'runs' anywhere! ). Boy these bathrooms are NICE! They're airconditioned and clean and the mirrors are way off to the side.

After touring the bathrooms, we get to Indy on time and sit down in a mostly full theater. Great show!! Connor LOVED it! We promise to come back. Wander across to Little Mermaid. Liked the beginning puppets, but felt that the singing part of the show was hokey. Maura and Connor liked it though. I loved the rain. It was REALLY hot outside and we were starting to sag, so this was a great refresher!

We head to the Great Movie Ride. Everyone (even Connor) liked this one! We had the gangster shoot out. I'd really like to see the cowboy one. Next year!

Scoot over to Beauty and the Beast. It's noon and we sit in the blazing sun in the bleachers as the shaded seats are all taken. Connor is unhappy. There's no shade, no shade. Whimper, whimper. We stay anyway. Sweat is just running down our faces. and our backs. and other places you don't want to know about! Maura and I really liked the show.

Leave there and Lights Motor Action! starts at 1:00. DH calls a halt! We visit Disney's bathrooms (delightful!), cool off, and wander back into the steamy hot streets. And are stopped by a nice CM with a clipboard who asks if we've ever seen "Wife Swap?" After mumbling a bit, and shuffling, we admit that we've never seen it. Well, she thinks we'd be wonderful! and look how cute those kids are! (they are) and if we just filled out an application she's pretty sure that we'd be picked. So after a good laugh! we continue on our way for an ice cream stop.I got us free ice water to put in the Brita bottles (thanks DIS!) We sit down and call our parents to laugh with them about us being on Wife Swap. They aren't laughing. My dad says, "You get $50,000!" Oh.My mom said that we can't spend it how we want anyway! DH's mom says,"Oh you should have done it. Your kids would be fine without you for two weeks!" Which really made me wonder.... So that was our big laugh of the day!

We clean the Mickey bar off Connor (boy, good but MESSY!) and the enormous popsickle of Maura. Glad I had those wipes in the Park backpack (that wasn't in the Ft Wilderness box). Oh, and Pal Mickey was wiggling and jiggling. We bought him primarily for Connor, who loves stuffed animals, but Maura fell in love with him, corny jokes and all! She carried him everyday!

Feeling better, we traveled on to LMA! But it had already started, and the troops were lagging, so we just headed out. Connor was pretty disappointed that he didn't see the cars, so he and Daddy shopped at a kiosk. Hmmm. look an umbrella. I send Maura off to see what happens. She's thrilled! I think she was an otter in a former life! Soon several people have gathered to stand in the spray. Did I mention how hot it was? Connor and Daddy come over with a super-duper-deluxe-special Power Rangers set. Two motorcycles with shooting stuff, two good guys, a bad guy, and the MOTORCYCLE BECOMES ONE SUPER BIG ONE MOM!!!
"Wow. That's great, buddy!"
Maura was unwilling to spend her money on anything. She earned $130 to spend. She was very willing to spend MY money, but her money was much more valuable!

It seems like there was something else we did, but neither DH or me can remember now. Somehow it took us from 1:20 to 3:30 to leave MGM and arrive at Ft Wilderness. We were parked in handicapped, so I don't think it took us that long to exit. Hmmmm. Oh wait! We played in the Honey I shrunk the kids playground for quite awhile. They had a blast!

Anyway! We drove to Ft Wilderness (more Did you see that? Go Straight. Turn NOW!!oops. Turn around). Checked in. Picked up my ECV. And now the clouds are rolling in.
So...how should we get this thing to the cabin? Open the van door. Van is completely full of stuff. Can't get it in there. Well, Meg, looks like you'll have to drive it!
Okay! Off we go. puttputtputtputt. Boomomommoocrashcrack. I get out my shower cap and put it over the controls.
A very nice CM named Gene drives by in a trammy thing and sees me. He gives me directions and several worried looks. DH has now had to drive out of sight, as some other people were following the van. I begin to sniffle, creating headlines,"Woman, riding ECV, hit by lightning" Boooooomcracksamsh! Gene drives by. Stops. Backs up."Do you think we could fit it into here?" And then...Richard drives his little truck by! The music swelled and my knights saved me!!He and Gene put the ECV into the truck, I get into the front seat of the tram, and they whisk me to my cabin!
2501, about 100 steps to the pool and 300 steps to the bus stop (Thanks Rhonda from DU!) DH walks in, throws out his arms, wanders around, and says, "Can't imagine why we'd ever stay anywhere else!" THe cabin was great!!
We head back out for groceries, which was fairly stressful. More straight ahead, turn HERE!!
And at least one instance of, "Maura, if you don't stop teasing your brother, I'm going to cut out your tongue!"
"I thought it was our fingers."
"NO, Connor, fingers if we touch the BLINDS one more time."
Wife swap moment!

Buy our groceries, get back to the cabin, and go swimming. Make supper, and "HEY!! There's a TV in this bedroom!" So Maura was in heaven. A pool and a TV. Must be Disney!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

very nice
cant wait to read more
will you be doing in all in 1 thread? or should i subscribe

 

[BCKatie02]

Great report...can't wait for the next installment!

 

[newtowdw1]

Cast of Characters:
Me--compulsive planner, 38
DH--very appreciative, supportive and likes to spend, 42
DD8 (Maura)-- drama fairly certain that WDW was made for HER
DS4 (Connor) -- pretty sure that I need protecting and buys swords, shields and knives for this purpose constantly

Very short background, I hurt my back twice in ten years and am 50% disabled. Rented an ECV for this trip and used it most days. Have been planning this for 2 years, every moment I get! We drove down over a week to Orlando, visiting family on the way. We stayed the first night at HoJo's Maingate East.


Saturday Aug 13 Magic Kingdom bound!!

Well, we decided to go to MK today. The Disers and UG agreed that Saturday would be good. Our logic was that all those people who stayed out so late the night before would be collapsed in bed. So I set our alarm for 6:30. Maura and I got right up. This became a pattern ... the men were not so excited about 'upping' So I went out and started the coffee, got dressed, threw Connor's ziplock bag at him, and generally nagged everyone.
We got to the bus stop by 7:40 and were at the Marina by 8:05.

Did I mention that the boat does not leave the Ft. Wilderness dock until 8:30?? So, we hung out in the shade on the deck and the kids played in the sand. Did I mention that my feet were pre-blistered? Did I mention that they wouldn't guarantee that the ECV could go on the boat, so I was on foot? Did I mention that it was HOT? Swelteringly hot? Like Tarzan couldn't stand that kind of hot?

So we finally get on the boat, and I'm willing the boat to go faster. Now, be aware that only about 5 families went to MK with us that morning. We docked about 8:50, and zoomed up to bag check and lo and behold, the train pulled in the kids were so excited. The area around the train station was not too congested, so we could get over to the middle. We waved at Mickey and Minnie and all the rest! I got some really cute pictures, too. through the turnstiles, and onto Fantasyland!!

Connor and Maura, for the first time, were in full park garb. Fannypacks with water bottles, lanyards with nametags, Pal Mickey, personal fans, snacks, golly, just about everything! And neck coolers, which were a God-send (thanks Dis!). Connor was wearing his Peter Pan hat from Halloween.

Down through the train station, hopped onto the waiting horse-drawn trolley, and clippity-clopped to the castle. We took a picture or two of the horse (Connor was in ), and zipped through the castle. Main Street was pretty busy, but there was NO ONE in Fantasyland! Hooked a left and hit Peter Pan. No line, but I didn't expect one as we were so early. Maura and I were just enchanted. "Look! It's WENDY! AND MICHAEL AND JOHN!!!" and Maura replied, "Look! there's tinkerbell!"
So off we hop and Connor is just amazed. Let's do it again! And on we go, with again, no wait. This time Connor and I ducked the cannonball, and he shot Hooke. And off we hopped and did it again! And the CMs asked Peter Pan if he approved of 'his' ride. And Maura and I saw the dead pirates on the ship. And off we hopped and ... went to Dumbo.

Now, I was kind of upset by this. Yes, there was no one in Fantasyland. BUT at any moment crazy non-disers would bear down upon us, sharpened hubcaps on their strollers, waiting to take out my small, helpless children. I needed to protect their riding interests. And while they were on DUMBO (!!!! ) we could be on something AMAZING!! So, then I took a deep breath and DH got in line with them. somehow, I managed to get all the way to Dumbo without a Times Guide! So I wandered over (loaded down with backpack, two fanny packs, Pal Mickey, etc) to a Kiosk and got one. Look, there they are...where's the camera, Phew!!

They had fun, but agreed that they'd done it at the fair. I did NOT say, No kidding! On to Winnie the Pooh. No line. Loved it! And again!! No line. Now, as we came out we saw Snow White. Having trusted the disboards this far, I was willing to skip it. But Connor thought he could handle it. After all, he is a prince (got the outfit to prove it ) as well as Peter Pan (see above) and a pirate (and again) So on we went. And we all really thought it was fun! We went on again (noticing a pattern here? ) and this time Maura and Connor sat in front of us. They felt very grown up!
And look ... a pressed penny machine. Seeing an obsession in the making I just went over and bought the album. Looked at the Grumpy shirts, but they just didn't call out to me. Maura found some things for me to buy her cousins, but we decided to wait until DTD.
Off we went to Mickey's Philharmagic. We were a little worried about Connor, as he really wasn't that impressed with Muppets. Another walk-on! What a great great great time! We all just absolutely LOVED it. Even Connor!
Got out, did Peter Pan again (it is at least 11:00, and there's still NO LINE!) And hopped on Small World.

Maura loved it. The rest of us were pleasantly amused. DH liked it as he'd seen it as a child. Connor and I kind of looked at each other like, "These dolls are a bit whacked, huh?" The music was more subdued than I thought it would be. Which was a good thing!

Off we went to Fronteirland...oh! there's the Haunted Mansion. Maura and the CM outside exchanged compliments, and we walked on. Straight into the Stretching room...which Connor did NOT like!!! In fact, he was absolutely NOT impressed with Haunted Mansion. I think I would have been, but Connor and I were so busy looking at things that were not at all scarey, really, just Mickey Magic, that I really did not get to experience the ride the way I'd like to. In fact, the only regret I have is that DH and I could not have gone on it together. Connor rallied as the Hitchhiking ghost sat on his lap, and has mentioned since that he intends to ride next year. HUMPH! Well, I am not going with either child. Maura was no better than Connor, but DH just ignored her.

Maura saw the stocks in Frontierland, so I took her picture. Everyone was saying, "Aw! look how cute they are!" Honestly only about 20 people anywhere near us at any time! My pictures have NO ONE else in them!
So, I think we did Country Bear Jamboree then. And my feet were getting really pretty sore. And we were getting really pretty hot. DH and I thought the show was hokey, which surprised us, as we're pretty easily entertained. The kids just LOVED it!!

Onwards to Pirates of the Carribean. I was a little worried after the HM debacle, so we went through the dungeon at light speed (no lie, we were on in the time it took to get to the boat) And we were all really relieved at the coolness. And, hey, that drop...in the dark... wasn't nearly so little the first time through!! But we all had a great time! So we walked back through the gift shop, and here is where Disney got us! We had to have the sword and scabbard, the telescope, the hat, the knife, the gosh...everything except the manacles!! Even stingy with her own money Maura bought a pirate play set! And Connor got the Peter Pan play set. So we were not prepared to see the line so short (read, non-existent!). Off we went...and you know, there's still no line and we went around for a third time!

By now we're pretty tired. There's still more of MK to see, and Peter Pan to ride again, but it's only 1:00, too early to wait for the parade, so we head back out to the boat launch. We backtrack through Fronteirland, hop on the train, and chugchug back to the railroad station. We do see more people straggling in, but well, not significant numbers. We're all REALLY hot, so we
get on the boat launch and go swimming!

That night we head to the campfire, but it was rather lackluster. We took our sticks and marshmallows. The bus didn't drop us very close and my feet hurt a LOT!! We scurry as fast as we can, and the kids hug Dale, but Chip was retiring for the evening. They roast marshmallows (cute photo ops) but then the thunder gets closer and closer. They cancel the movie, and we wander over to a bus stop. Wait 30 minutes and finally get to our cabin and go to bed. Tomorrow...EPCOT!!

 

[annie1995]

Love the trip report! Can't wait to finish reading it!!

 

[DisneyMom5]

These are great! We love Ft. Wilderness too, but with 6 kids we've outgrown the cabins. Moved on to Pop (loving 2 bathrooms! LOL)
Early Risers Unite! LOL

 

[dazzled]

I'm really enjoying your trip report. Can't wait for the next installment!

 

[daisy_77]

Great report! Sounds like you are really enjoying yourselfs so far! Thanks for sharing...looking forward to more!

 

[MamaLema]

I loved your reports. Can't wait to read about Epcot

 

[budbeerlady]

[. Mind, this is the little boy who sprinted through the house ALL of May screeching, "Is this it? Are we going today?" Naked.

I think I am raising the 4yr old female counterpart to your son! She cannot wait to go, she has very little idea what is there to be so excited about but cannot wait! She thinks it is princesses, rides and food, which is kindof correct! Sounds like you had a great trip and I cannot wait to read more!

 

[Credit Man]

Enjoying your report. Thanks for posting.

 

[newtowdw1]

I'll ship you mine

[. Mind, this is the little boy who sprinted through the house ALL of May screeching, "Is this it? Are we going today?" Naked.

I think I am raising the 4yr old female counterpart to your son! She cannot wait to go, she has very little idea what is there to be so excited about but cannot wait! She thinks it is princesses, rides and food, which is kindof correct! Sounds like you had a great trip and I cannot wait to read more!

 

[RobynK]

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

 

[newtowdw1]

Don't forget:
Me 38 , blistered feet, broken back, ECV not yet had the guts to use.
DH: really a great guy, loves WDW and thinks I'm only partially insane
Maura: 8, very thrify with her money. Has spent $12 of $130 and we're on day 3 of our vacation
Connor: 4 gungho loves make believe and slashes wildly at invisible bad guys. Jumps off all walls and benches. ALL walls and benches

Looking at my Times Guide, I noticed that Epcot was supposed to open at 8am Sunday, August 13.
Hmmm, I thought, that's strange. But, never one to question the authority of WDW's Times Guide (even the UG doesn't mess with THAT!) we decided to go for it. We aren't a thrill-ridin' sort of family, but DH and Maura thought they might want to try Mission Space. they were gonna check it out and see if Mom's sprained upper back could take it. Then they were gonna check out Test Track, and report in. And Soarin' was the top of the list.

I decided last night to be mature and ride the darn ECV Gee, I need it after all, and getting on the buses is supposed to be pretty easy. Just SUCK it UP!! So we got going real early (yes, even for us!! ) and were at the bus stop at 7:05. Maura saw a bus drive by at 6:50, so we figured we'd only have a five minute wait or so. HA! We got caught in WDW bus limbo, where buses either 1) break down, although you never see the stopped hulks, 2) stop to maintain equidistant spacing as per the monorail or 3) the buses continue to run, but, like the Knight Bus, skip and hop and slide around your personal bus stop. I believe in #3, myself. So, we sit and wait. And wait. I tell the kids to be patient. Maura philosophizes that the bus she saw was IT, and now we've MISSED it!
OKAY MAURA! Geez! Disney runs buses all the time. We just have to be patient. GOSH!! It's not like we've had to wait for anything else yet. Just cool it. (wifeswap, anyone?)
Ok, so after 30 minutes, I'm starting to believe Maura! We give them 5 more minutes, then scoot back to the cabin and decide to take the van. DH studies the and pokes at it. "Well, how do you get this apart?"
"WAIT ! I've got instructions in the cabin. I'll just be a minute!" So I hobble up the steps on my poor blistered, moleskinned, deoderant-sprayed feet to the MAGIC BINDER OF DIS-INFORMATION
By the time I return, DH has the ECV broken down, in the van, kids buckled up, radio on...we are READY!!
We head out, drive by the Outpost and Look, there's a bus going to Epcot. Huh...just like it's EMH morning. ARRRRRGH!!
Still no bus TO the Outpost has passed the cabin or made it to the outpost!

We drive over to Epcot, and by now I'm a little stressed. I know we won't be early to Early magic hour, and I'm afraid it will be mobbed. I know I have to ride the ECV and I'm worried about running people over and just...admitting that I am physically disabled. So, DH unloads the cart, and out we hop. Connor was pretty impressed by the giant golf ball.
We get to the gates and...you know how every morning there's been no lines for bag check, no lines for turnstiles? Well, IT'S THE SAME HERE TOO!!!! Only, the paranoid pessimist that I am, I figure it's because all the people are already on Soarin'. Jerks. Hmph. Bet they didn't have to wait for the FT Wilderness anti-bus.
So we all trek off to THE LAND pavilion.
Connor is worried, "Mama, why are you riding?"
"Because my back is bad and this way we can stay longer because I won't get so worn out."
He accepts this, but frowns at me, decides that I obviously do not understand the dangers inherent in ing and hangs on to the arm rest to protect me. Well, that's great because I know where he is, but it is very hard to modulate the speed to the exact trotting speed of a sturdy four year old's trot. And if I have to turn or back up I have to convince him to move aside so I don't run over his toes. And he obviously doesn't really trust a mama who needs a cart and ... at this point, I get a lump in my throat and felt really bad. I felt a lot like a failure. I felt like I should have just managed. But I pulled myself together, told myself firmly that I rented it to make our trip better and more manageable, that if I overdid the walking that I'd end up flat in bed for at least one day.
We sped along to the Land. I ask a nice CM if I needed to leave the ECV outside. "No ma'am. You just take the marked path right up there, go off to the left, down in the elevator. Have a great day!" And right then, I was thrilled that I had that scooter. I'll tell you, I've never seen so many stinkin' ramps in my life! I do level ok, and steps pretty well, but even a 3% grade will slow me way down.
We get to Epcot, and I'm telling the family, Now we may have to FP this, because it's new and very popular. Everyone on the DIS says its wonderful, so we HAVE to do this. It's not scarey,blahblahblah." The posted wait is 5 !!!! minutes. It's 8:40, EMH. I turned to DH and said, "I think we need to go home after this day. It can't possibly continue to be so wonderful."
I drive the ECV right into the queue, right up to loading bay 3 (I think), and right on into the ride. Park behind this pillar ma'am. Hop on, hop off and put Pal Mickey in the basket, hop on and buckle up. WHOOSH off we go. and EEEEE there's trees. MMMMMM smell the pine. Oooooh...the ocean. and so on. It was amazing. Easily the best ride I've ever been on
I look over and DH has his eyes shut!!!!!! Oh great, he's getting . No one on the DIS said it made them SICK! Maura and I are lifting our feet, ducking golf balls, just having a wonderful time, except I feel terrible for DH. Oh dear. Turns out that he has an astigmatism, and the movie gave him a headache. So he closed his bad eye and was fine. Neither DH or Connor wanted to go again, but said for Maura and me to. Yippee! Off they go...and off we go! five minutes to get to the front of the line. And do it all again!

Connor and Daddy had worms and dirt. Okay, Connor had worms and dirt, Daddy had coffee. And then we went on the Living with the Land ride. Again, drive right up, drive right through, on we go (not because of the ECV, but because there's no one here!) Our CM was awful. I actually think she was hung over or She kept her head on her knees the whole time through the movie, which was fine. But in the green houses she just said, "And over on the left there's a squash. Look to the right, there are pumpkins." I thought this would be much more informative. However, we all agreed that next year we're going to meet Mickey at the Garden Grill and do the Behind the Seeds tour. DH was thrilled to see the sturgeon and the kids loved the mickey and castle shaped squashes. After this we decided to head over to the Living Seas as it was getting close to Turtle Talk time.

We took some bathroom breaks (lovely, as usual) and some pictures. Then went down the hydrolaters, straight into the Living Seas. We immediately abandon the ECV (small enough to walk around in easily) and queue up for Crush. This was the longest line of our day, and we only waited about 5 minutes for the show to start.
My kids adored this. I have to say that DH and I were enraptured too! TChah, dude!
We spent enormous amounts of time here and Maura got to oggle the manatees. She's had a love affair with them for 5 years. Had to have a manatee puppet at the age of 3. Good old Aunt Amy tracked it down on ebay...only an aunt! I personally wasn't that impressed. I've seen nice aquariums, and you know, this was nice. But, I don't know. Other than Crush, what's the point. And I hate to say that, but...we went to the New York Aquarium and had a grand old time. Maybe I was just feeling the need to tour the parks.
So, on to Imagination pavilion. We hopped onto Figment right away. DH and the kids laughed and giggled and chortled. I think I just wasn't having a day. So I kept quiet and left them to their joy. The kids loved the hands-on exhibits. Connor conducted for quite awhile, and then jumped on the sound squares. Maura disappeared for a long time. I could see her, so I wasn't worried, but I didn't know quite what she was doing. Well, this child who cannot play on our computer without second-to-second assistance, had managed to take her picture, warp it into all sorts of weird things, and email it to grandma and grandpa! She had a great time. I finally moved everyone along and we decided to head into WS. We decided to skip HISTA this year, based on Connor's lukewarm reaction to other films.

 

[newtowdw1]

Canada we liked. DH and I enjoyed the movie and Maura and Connor Kid-cotted. We had been very excited to see Great Britain. I love tea and teapots, so was hoping to find a nice souvenier. Connor loves Rupert (a very british bear cartoon) and my parents' pirated tapes from 10 or more years ago had been watched so often that they were dead. DH and I wanted to surprise my mom and Connor with a set for Christmas. Well, the CM knew who Rupert was, and waxed nostalgic with us, but said, No, we don't have any. Hmph. In fact, there wasn't a whole lot in the toy store that we couldn't buy at say, toys r us. Well, we encountered the same thing throughout G.B. Infact, it was a disappointment. DH and Connor did find a sword and shield kiosk and "Connor" bought a shield, but I wondered how much longer his money would last. Maura bought a bucket of popcorn to share with her own money (awww! ). Oh, and NO performances were going on. The Times Guide (never wrong!) said that there would be, but there weren't. Hmph.

We continued on around into France. The kids and I really enjoyed the street performer there. I knew the schtick, but he was really funny! Connor sat on my lap, and...wait, where's Maura? Well, behind us was a stall with (gasp) pink silk parasols! alert! Maura was kind of poking around, then came over to see what I thought of them. "They're nice. How much are they?" Off she goes to find out. "$15.00" Really, well, I guess that's not too bad. Now, go away. Connor and I want to watch this!" (wifeswap )
So she did. She and her father disappeared into this open air stall for a LONG time. And when they came out they had a receipt for a pink silk parasol with 4 panels of Maura's name, and four panels of pictures. A ballerina, ballet shoe, crown and .....I don't know (no, Maura does not dance ) And this cost $15? I ask innocently. No. $38! !! Okay. Well. Obviously, the frugal has found something she wants. Only catch, we have to stay another hour and a half before it's done.
Connor and I look at each other. It's hot. We're tired. We were thinking about a nap and a swim. And maybe lunch. But, on ward we trek.
Into Japan. Which was our favorite country. We liked the drums and the candy making lady (fascinating). Maura hit in the department store as she is a Hello Kitty junky. DH got annoyed for the first and (I think) only time on this trip because he wanted me to look at the jewelry and cool art, and Maura needed help picking her purchases. He was ready to swap me. We found the bargain corner and she bought three things (practical, mind you) for $12. We wandered around and wandered back to the grocery/market. DH bought disgusting shrimp flavored chips (gag!) and Maura got him to buy her some very pretty rice candy. We got DH's brother some sushi shaped candy (he'll love it, trust me!). I got some other little treat. And then DH found horseradish flavored chips. I tried those. Gross. When we came out, we noticed the tin toy exhibit. OOPS! Connor has to pee. I'll stay here with Maura, and you take Connor.
So Maura and I wait. And wait. and wait some more. She explores the exhibit and finds the kidcot station. Ok, go ahead. I spill all the shrimp flavored chips on the ground ...no honest. It really was an accident, but I'm sure no one will believe me! It made quite a mess right by the ECV, and I'm . So I try to scoot away from it. Crunchcrunchcrackle. Ok. Just sit here and brazen it out. So I did. Now I'm beginning to worry about DH and Connor. It's been close to 15 minutes. When they finally appear they've had to walk through three countries and to the backside of America to go to the bathroom. DH and I look through the exhibit. Connor was displaying some sort of type behavior. I heard somebody's Mom discussing Connor and her child ...I don't know quite what. I couldn't figure out what was going on, and I have to admit that I didn't pursue it. The CMs looked calm, Connor looked calm, Maura wasn't shrieking at him to 'stop it!' so I figured it was ok. If it was my son at Japan around 1:00 that day, I'm sorry!

Onwards to Morroco. At this point we're just plodding along. We're really tired. This is our third day in the parks in a row, everyone but me has walked MILES, we were out late last night experiencing FTWilderness' antibus, and it was HOT! We wanted food, but couldn't make a decision. So Maura and Connor took matters into their own hands and ordered ice cream. Good job guys! Phew! glad to have those kids to watch over me! DH had his standard frozen banana (yuck) and the rest of us had Minnie's strawberry bars. On toward America. Oh, look, a show is going to start. Stand outside to eat our ice cream, then into blissfully cool AC! Ahhh.

I did not take the ECV inside as I saw all the strollers parked and thought I wouldn't need it. BIG mistake. We walked and walked and ramped and escalatored and walked some more. Sat down in a gorgeous theater, and watched the show. I was still experiencing a magic drain, but it was good. DH really liked it, and Maura wants to be the President when she grows up and is fascinated by American history. Weird kid.

Well, as we exited, we decided that Maura's umbrella would be done. So we wandered back to France. And, guess what! We saw Jasmine in Morroco. By this time the kids have an autograph book so we stop for the obligatory photo op and autograph. She's really pretty Mama. Yes, Connor, she is.
And back in France, there's the pink parasol. Maura carries it proudly, acknowledging the smiles as she passes. The drums are still drumming in Japan, so we pause then trek on. The pantomimer is pantomiming in France so we pause then trek on. England is still boring and dead. But, gosh. They have swords. DH wanders over and buys one. I wander over and buy a Diet coke. Ahhhh. Gotta have at least one a day! This is Daddy's sword. For when he and Connor play. He's tired of getting struck (uh, stuck) with the knife when Connor has a long sword. Whatever, I say let's keep moving.
Connor is still trotting along as I motor. I'm beginning to wonder about his stamina. Maybe he's a marathoner! At long last we see a bridge into FW! WOW MOM LOOK A FOUNTAIN!! Maura zipped over, stopped and handed me her parasol. Did I mention that this thing cannot get wet? That it cannot be put down for three days? That it is really very pretty? So she zips back, stops, races back, hands me Pal Mickey. Zips back to the fountain, stops, races back, hands me her fanny pack and lanyard. NOW she's ready!! Connor was born ready. I'd already fallen heir to his fanny pack, and he never put it back on. He was content to drink our water.
they had a wonderful time in the spurting fountain. Everyone was convinced that you made a jet come on by jumping up and down around it I think any cooling they got from the water was offset by the heat of jumping up and down!
We finally left the wonderful fountain, Mom buried under the two fanny packs, backpack, Pal Mickey, two lanyards, two hats, and a parasol Imagine!
We got back to the van, broke the ECV down, and got back to Ft. Wilderness. I think it was 4:00. Everyone was exhausted. I took the kids to the pool and Daddy took a nap after he got the charcoal going. I ECVd back to the cabin to put on the pork chops, then he called us when they were done. Remember, we were only 100 steps from the pool. Maybe fewer, we didn't bother to count!
Tomorrow is a sleep in day, a screw around in Ft. Wilderness day, and a go into MK for spectromagic and fireworks day.

And I'm glad you guys are enjoying this. I know it's a ton of detail, but we just had so much fun!

It wasn't until we were on our way home that DH and discussed all that we hadn't seen. We're really bummed, because the kids want to do everything we already did and MORE, and I just can't see how!?!

 

[DisneyMom5]

We were in cabin 2514. Got to love the loop next to the pool! LOL
Good reports, you have a writer's flair.

 

[Cinerama]

Great report--I love all the details! I'll be waiting for more!

 

[newtowdw1]

Monday August 15

Well, we decided to take the day off. Everyone was pretty tired and DH's knees were killing him from stomping around Epcot all day. My feet were slowly recovering, and Connor (4) was looking pretty ragged! Maura (8), of course could have gone on and on, but she's pretty agreeable!We all agreed to sleep in, and forbid Maura to get out of bed before 7:00.

I could not sleep. I woke up at 4:40 am and decided to read. At 5:30 Maura stumbled down the ladder (she slept on the top bunk, Connor slept on the bottom, and DH looked at the double bed and decided to sleep in the living room). After her usual morning stumblings and mumblings she bounced back into the room and whispered a happy "Good morning!"

It is only by the grace of God that this child has not been a victim of infanticide. All of the other members of her family are night owls and could sleep half the day away (well, usually!). But not Maura. Since birth her clock runs 5:30 to sunset. She really collapses at night as soon as all activity ends.

I decided that we should leave so at least some of us would be cheerful and awake today. Maura and I put on our bathing suits cold: airconditioning and damp suits!) and went to the pool. Now, don't imagine that we just walked out the back door and left. No, we first had to find our books (can't go anywhere without them), then I needed coffee and a bagel, and Maura had to have milk and a pop-tart, and I needed a beach towel...well, ONE of us was still sleeping when we left! And I left DH almost a full pot of coffee! He said he went back to sleep. He's such a sweet liar!

A lovely mist rose from the heated surface of the pool. Already a lady was chatting to a friend with her cell phone. I ask you, who do you know well enough to call at 6:00 am? My dad, who rises with Maura, I would not call that early! People need some distance and privacy in the morning! But, obviously, I am wrong because this lady and her friend yacked for over an hour. She had a shrill and pentrating voice. It was neat in the pool; I could float on my back with my eyes open and the sun (not truly anywhere NEAR up) wasn't bothersome. All was quiet (except shrillcellphone lady) until Maura went to the bathroom...
SHRIEEEEEK!
"What!" I yelled as I swam to the side of the pool and tried to haul myself out quickly. I kept thinking "No one would hide in a bathroom to molest a young girl...of course not. It's definitely NOT an ideal hiding spot for a sexual predator!"
"A lizard attacked me!"

This child has chased at least 7 lizards a day since North Carolina. She is not afraid of them.
As my heart beat returned to normal I heard shrillcellphone lady reporting our activity, "Oh (shocked) this little girl just scared her mother half to death. She was in the bathroom, not the mother, the little girl, and she screamed, the little girl in the bathroom, and the mother, she was in the pool... ok. you get the jist.
Maura and I swam until 9:00 when DH and Connor joined us. That was lots of fun. We played 'Elephant Water Blast' for a long time. Maura discovered that if you filled your pool noodle with water and then put your mouth to the end and PUFFED really hard, not only could you make a cool noise, but you could sploosh water all over! At first I didn't catch on to the water splooshing effect, but since I like weird noises, I was a happy camper. So you can imagine my delight when water splatted DH right in the back of the head! He, of course, being smarter than me, had known that water would splat and sploosh and had considerately focused on the kids. Ooops!
After about an hour we took the short cut back to the cabin (straight down the bank), put on dry clothes, and caught the Purple Settlement bus. We also put out our "no service required' sign. We didn't know when we'd be back, we had plenty of towels, and without Isabel it just wasn't the same.

Who's Isabel, you ask? WELL!! Isabel is a gem! The first day we returned to our cabin we found a little tiny bunny cuddled up under Peter Rabbit's arm. Peter Rabbit is our venerable oldest stuffed animal. Maura has three, and the youngest came with us. Pete is the ultimate comforter. Fall down the stairs, Pete to the rescue! Mean friend, Pete to the rescue! Mom's a jerk and you have to clean your room, tell old Pete, he's always listening! Pete not only comforts Maura, he comforts Connor too. When I'm sick, Pete comes to bed with me. As you can see, Pete's a pretty important guy. Well, Maura just went wild when she found 'her' new bunny. I was excited, too, as there was an alligator on my bed!! So I wrote a note to Isabel, telling her how much we enjoyed our friends, and she wrote back thanking us, but saying that Monday and Tuesday were her days off. Sunday she left us 4 coloring sheets, stickers and a bigger bunny for Connor. I had told her that Maura wouldn't let anyone else near the baby bunny. So we loved Isabel.

Off we went to the Settlement. The kids had fun playing with ducks and fish and DH asked the man in the little hut about shore fishing. Turns out that hot dogs are the best bait. So we filed that away, and walked over to the place formerly known as the petting zoo. There were a few sad goats, but that's it. No blacksmith, no big horses sigh. But, look Mom, PIRATES! I watched the pirate cruise group, thinking to myself, that's where you guys are going Wednesday, but I kept my mouth shut. It's not a surprise, exactly, but the last time we asked, Connor said he didn't want to go. So I wasn't gonna mention it again! These pirates looked hot and bored. Great, I thought. Hope their cruise is better!

LOOK Mom! Pony rides!! Now, Maura is, as her grandfather puts it, a fine strapping lass! She was 4 ft 7 in, and 90 lbs. Not heavy, but a big kid! No poor pony was going to carry her. She knew before we left that she was too big for the ponies and too young for the trail ride, but it's still a disappointment. So Daddy and she went off to buy cold drinks after taking a few pictures. Since I like ponies (never got one ) I led our new pal Snickers around while Connor YEEE HAWED! Only problem was that Snickers knew where he wanted to go, and was just a little quicker than I was. But we managed!

After a few more HEIGH HO SILVERs we exited the corral and sat on the rockers outsided the Arcade. DH is a sucker for arcades. I commented that they were a rip-off, but they decided to play a game each. I went back out on the porch. I had just settled myself when...here they are! What happened? Oh, those games are a rip-off! I guess I should be grateful that they learned this after only $1.50!

We wandered back over to the bus stop and went home to lunch. Then we all took a nap. And when we got up at about 4:00, we all felt pretty good. So, guys, Spectromagic is on tonight...want to go in and watch it? Yeah, that sounds pretty good. I managed to smuggle some glosticks and the light spinners I'd bought on ebay (3.50 each!) into the park bag, and away we went. To the bus, to the boat, to the Magic Kingdom!!

Have I mentioned the heat? It was oppressive! We took the train to Toon Town, which was an absolute MAD HOUSE!!!! People everywhere. The only rude and pushy people we encountered were here. They were totally at their ropes' end. We'd gotten the kids an autograph book, so we lined up to see the classics. Maura wanted to see the Princesses, but we were going to CRT Thursday, so she agreed to wait. After the longest wait of our vacation (all days!) we got to Minnie Mouse. She was wonderful! Then we saw Donald Duck who is the favorite of at least 2 grandpas and 3 uncles. He was great! Then we saw Goofy. He must have been a little tired. Which was ok! While we were in the room a little girl (2 or 3 at the most) had a birthday pin on. Donald saw it and told his handler, and Donald led us all in singing 'Happy Birthday' It was really cute.

We finally got out of there and Maura wanted to see Minnie's house. We toured that; Connor was completely stumped by the cookie!! and Maura loved the whole thing. DH was worried that Minnie would soon be out of her house. He pointed out a leaky roof and several cracks. I suggested that she was letting maintenance go in the hopes that Mickey would rescue her with a wedding. Seriously, though, Minnie's better get some handymen in soon or she's going to have to do a lot of work there!

When we left Minnie's house it was, if anything, hotter!and more crowded. We saw one family (at least 12 people) sitting on and around a bench. Half of them looked cross, the kids were leaning on the parents with their eyes closed, and I said to DH,"Are we having fun yet?" It was just too hot and too crowded. We didn't even try to see Mickey's house or Mickey. The Barnstormer line was crazy! So we went to Tomorrowland.

Connor saw the little race cars and wanted to go on them, but it was too long. We promised to come back and go on them in the morning. He was a trooper about it! I walked over and got fast passes for Buzz (only ones for the whole trip!!And no one told me to be careful to keep track of which one went in and which hadn't and I stood there feeding the passes in until I finally found the right last one and felt like a total idiot! So, Dis, you let me down because you assumed I was of normal intelligence and you were wrong! My lawyer is calling in the morning!) and saw that Carousel of Progress was open. We went on TTA first. The kids and I really liked it and DH seemed to. He did not express an opinion. Then onto COP. I loved it! Maura and I sang along and danced... until Connor announced, rather loudly, that he had to go to the bathroom, BAAD! Oh, boy!!! Now what. It didn't seem feasible to exit, so there was some anxiety about the last half of the ride. I think, personally that he was just bored, because he wasn't nearly as stressed about it as I was! Ran to the bathroom.
Look! it's time to go on Buzz! Great feeling to blow by all those folks. Waited about 10 minutes anyway. What a great ride!!! We all were just blownn away! On the way out DH spotted the ride pictures and it was really good of him and Connor. Those stinkin' aliens didn't stand a chance with them around! Of course, we bought it, and one for great-grandma too!!

Onwards. TO the Buzz kiosk outside where I saw the Buzz baseball hat that I'd been admiring on other little boys since Friday. Obviously, we bought that too! By now it's time to go over toward Main St and get a spot for the parade. But Maura, our heat sensitive fainter, is suddently feely 'faded.' Oh, boy!! Dump our water over her head, sit her in the shade, and decide that only ice cream will fix the situation permanently. Well, where should we go?
I remember a Diser dising about the ice cream sandwhicheds on Main St. I need one! Off we go. the kids get the Mickey ear cones, DH (who doesn't know about the ice cream sandwich) wants a root beer float. I know what I'm getting. The IC Parlor was remarkably efficient. Before long we're back on Main ST and a CM tells us that, while we're welcome to stay where we are, better viewing is just a little way down the street. Off we go. DH slurped down his float at one go (it was tiny and cost more than my colossal sandwich!) and needed more to drink. The kids and I settle in and DH goes off to do what men have done since primitive time...Hunt down food!

I continue to work at my IC sandwich. It's enormous. To my great sorrow (and shock!!) I can't finish it. DH returns with two bottles of Diet Coke , grapes for the kids, a cinnamon roll and something else. I get one bite of the 'somethng else' and then it's gone. I wasn't hungry, but I had thought he'd at least save me a bite. Maybe that's what I get for splatitng him in the back of the head this morning!

It's now 8:40. So we wait. and they wheel out the carts of lightyup stuff. Ah HA! I whip out my lightyup stuff. The kids are suitably grateful and pleased, but everyone of the 6 globracelets I brought are duds. I have 200. Crud! But the lightchasers are a hit. Until Connor sees the swords. Gotta have it. No. Please. No. A little more fussing, a little more no-ing, and he does not see the light! No sword. I know him. He'll let the battery run out, and then won't give it a second thought. DH does not hear this conversation, and Connor does not get a sword.

Little kids are whining, parents are pushing, but we're happy. We offer a little British girl (2?) a spot on the curb with our kids. She's ok for a minute of two, but then she needs Mum. Okay, I can scootch over a little, no she needs to be BACK with Mum! Ok, that's fine. A different British lady and I notice that it's 9:00 on the clock. Hmmm. Finally at 9:02 (see! disney time is weird!) a voice announces that they're turning off the lights and....they do!

And then the little tiny cute blond braided British girl proves that she is really Irish and begins to shriek like a Banshee!! The mother is going to stay, and is really angry with her husband when he insists they leave. As they go, DH heard hime say," Well, what did you expect? She doesn't like crowds and she's terrified of the dark!" Poor baby!

The parade was wonderful. Mauras points out characters and a very nice lady behind us begins to wilt toward the sidewalk. She's holding up two kids, one at least 4 and the other 6. DH offers her to put the kids up by Maura. so up they go, and then she stands in front of DH, which is fine as she's shorter than him. She continually apologized, though! Her girls were real sweeties and Maura shared her lightchaser with them. Connor, however, is sitting on the sidewalk in a daze. He's looking catatonic. I finally get his attention and he nods that he's ok. The other 4 year old was having a similar reaction...just too much!!

After the parade we walk through the stores out to the square. And it's still quite awhile to Wishes. And we can't decide what to do. It is oppresviely hot. To the point where I feel like I will never be cool again. Sweat is just pouring off us. We decide to see if there is a spot on the train station. there are, but nowhere to sit. We stand around for a few minutes, then decide to catch the boat, and watch Wishes from the boat.
Only there's a big lline for the boat. And when one pulls in i see that the front is shut. I tell Dh, "We're not getting on this boat." He says, "The CM said we'd fit." I don't argue and walk out to the boat. And we can't get on because they've shut the front section for lightning.I looked at Dh and said, " I wasn't a ride op at Darien Lake (minor amusement park) for three years for nuthin' y' know!" The little CM boy is all embarrased, but I figure the boat will be here in 10 to 20 minutes and we'll still see part of Wishes. Well, the fireworks start and the music starts, and Jiminy Cricket starts and we can't see anything because there's a freakin' canopy over the queuing area! So we're here and can't see. DH is getting really upset and angry. I'm worried about the little CMs safety and apparantly, so is he, as he's found a friend to stand with him.
No boat.
No boat.
Big fat stupid ferry.
No boat.
No boat.
Finally, after Wishes is completely over, and 40 minutes have passed, there are TWO boats! And as the CMS stand there dithering with a strollering woman about which boat it can't possibly be, I push forward and ask in my best teacher voice, "Is that boat going to Ft Wilderness?" The little CM squeaked, "Yes." And we got on. And thousands of people got on after us. And we went to Ft. Wilderness. And got on a bus. And Maura moaned about how tired she was. And moaned. And moaned.
and that was our Monday!
Tomorrow Down town Disney and a 'van that will take you directly to your cabin!"

 

[agotta]

Great report! Didn't realize you were from Upstate NY until the Darien Lake reference. I was born and raised in Rochester!! Can't wait to read more!

 

[newtowdw1]

Great report! Didn't realize you were from Upstate NY until the Darien Lake reference. I was born and raised in Rochester!! Can't wait to read more!

It's a small, small, small, small world! Everybody SING!
Yep, great summer job...I was raised in Medina, if that rings a bell.
I'm glad you're enjoying it. We had such a magical time! Can't wait til next year to head back.

Next installment probably won't be til Sunday. And I should get my pictures back from MIL, and will try to post some then!