*~*~OFFFFFFFFFFF with their heads!!!!!! Oct. 19-27th 2009 TR~*~*

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Saturday, October 24th. Today was a sleep in day! Well, if you pay attention you will know that I don't actually sleep in, I'm an early riser, but it was a lazy-around-the-house-morning.

The hot tub had cooled off overnight, so I got in with my coffee and enjoyed soaking. I had a salad and sat on the lanai with Rey and chatted.

We were all ready around 11:30? Mary, Dela, Savannah & I went to Blizzard Beach waterpark and Rey took Dallas to Disneyquest at DTD for a while, Dylan didn't want to go.

Blizzard Beach is a HUGE and amazing waterpark, you can (and do) get lost in the place. It rocks! We liked it more than Typhoon Lagoon. For obvious reasons, I didn't have my camera.

So you get generic pics from the interweb!

Dela didn't want to swim and Mary only went in the lazy river once, so really the day for me and my girl! We had a bunch of time alone while they sat and relaxed in the shade. Everyone was happy!

Savannah & I rode up the chair lift, it was a little unnerving hanging while sitting there on a wire! We went down the family slide with a brother & sister from England, we went on tons of slides, lazy river, wave pool...over and over. It was fun and nice to have some time alone. Mary said they had a very relaxing day! Mine wasn't exactly relaxing, but it was fun.

We came back to the house to get ready for dinner! Rey & I sat on the lanai and watched Savannah swim. I just like using the word lanai, ya know. In Missouri we call it a porch or a patio! We were ready for dinner at Ohana and fireworks on the beach of the Polynesian Resort!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ohana time!!! I woke up at 5am 90 days out to make the reservations and the only thing I could get was for 7:10pm on Saturday night. That was actually perfect b/c I knew that Wishes at Magic Kingdom would be at 9pm that night and we could watch it from the resort beach over the water! How cool would that be?

I made Savannah & I matching shirts! Rey took the pics, so I don't mind as much that they aren't very good shots!

Savannah being silly...

I drug my tripod along, even if it was broke, hoping to stabilize my pics at least for fireworks shots.

When we finally got parked (I drove in circles and accidentally ended up outside the resort and had to go back around to the entrance!) and got inside, there was a wait. We were given our buzzer and sat down to wait. I think it took about 15 minutes, maybe 20.

I went over and got my first (of 2) Lapu Lapu. Mmmmm, this thing was strong! Here's a blurry pic (don't blame me, you would take a blurry picture if you had drank this thing too!)

They called us to our table and we had a nice view of the fire pits! I thought everyone would like this meal, Ray Sr. didn't come though.

They knew from my ADR that I was a vegan and they said they would send the chef out. I knew that the chef TJ (that everyone raves about) doesn't work on Saturday nights, so I wasn't too concerned, I knew they had a veggie meal I could have but I wasn't expecting anything special b/c TJ wasn't there.

The waitress kept stalling and giving me some misinformation like that I could eat the salad which I knew from reading, had honey in it. I eat honey, but if I was a vegan that didn't, I would have been upset.

Eventually she said the chef was just really busy and he was going to make me the veggie meal (tofu, rice, etc). I was perfectly fine with this and she said she would have Mac-n-cheese made for Savannah but also brought Savannah out a veggie meal in case she wanted to try it! I thought that was really thoughtful, but Rey had already gotten used to the service at WDW being impeccable and was annoyed that the chef didn't come out to talk to me after they said he would.

Mine was wonderful:

Dylan loved it, Dallas didn't, everyone else liked it:

Savannah loved her tink cup, it came with a glowing tink on it!

He did actually come out for dessert and brought me some tofutti, but it took FOREVER and I realized that we weren't going to get down to the beach for Wishes. I quickly got in tree-mode and was fine with it. When Wishes started, Savannah, Dylan & I went over near the windows and watched. A few minutes later, Dallas comes over and says "Dad says we have to leave now"

I was annoyed, but quickly FURIOUS when I walk away from Wishes and back to the table to find out his mom and sister are in the bathroom and we are supposed to meet them in the lobby. Seriously? Why did I have to be rushed out when we were watching it? By the time we got downstairs, Rey realized why I was upset and said to go outside and watch it. Too late...it was over. Sigh.

I was upset and felt like my 2nd attempt to get shots of Wishes was foiled. I felt like everyone wanted ME to be leisurely for THEM, but when I needed some time, I couldn't have it.

I talked with Rey and realized it was a big miscommunication. He didn't realize I wanted to sit and finish watching it in the restaurant but I was crabby and he was upset and we didn't talk until we got back to the house on the lanai and then realized that we just hadn't communicated well. Whatda do?! Stuff happens.

Finally went to bed around 11pm and woke up twice with bad dreams. First dreams I had since we had been on vacation! Must have been those Lapu Lapu's!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Sunday, October 25th! This was a special night I had planned forever! Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! (MNSSHP)

Savannah & I went last year with our friends, on our first trip, and it was the highlight of our trip!

The day started off as planned, we slept in! (ahem, funny how when we plan to sleep in, we sleep in...when we plan NOT to sleep in, we still sleep in??) I'm letting go of it, no really.

What was NOT planned, however, was Rey getting sick. Yep, he got the nasty cold that all of us had. He was pretty miserable, no fever, just runny nose, sniffles stuff, but wanted to go to the party badly. We went to DTD for some shopping mid-day, but he was feeling badly, so we went back to the house. We stopped and got him dayquil and he took a nap in hopes that he would wake up feeling better for the party.

At DTD I got some souvenirs and our Christmas ornament. Then we headed to Goofy's Candy Company and Savannah had a cookie made and I had an apple made. I cannot believe I did NOT get a picture! I was charging my battery for the party that night and forgot! Or, it could be that the apple covered in caramel, chocolate, oreo's and drizzled in white chocolate, the size of a soccer ball was so good that I just got caught up in stuffing my face with it and forgot! That was my lunch.

While Rey slept during the afternoon, Savannah & I swam and I laid in the sun. Ah, that was nice!

When it was time to get ready and go to the party, Rey said he just didn't feel up to it. I'm bummed he missed it, I know he would have loved it, but I understood. Ray Sr. announced he wasn't coming, didn't feel like it and Dylan said he didn't want to come either. Mary was NOT happy.

Since my Rey was sick and she didn't want to get mad at her Ray, she griped about Dylan and how she paid extra money for these tickets. I understood that it was money spent, but when people don't feel good, what do you do? When I was getting candy at the party she said I couldn't give Dylan any or she would take it and hide it...she said, "you don't come...you don't get". Whatever. My candy, my son! I didn't think if was fair to single Dylan out, he had been sick too during the trip and it had been a long week.

Ok, back to the party! WOOT! Get ready for lots of pics folks, I took a LOT!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

It was 4:30 when Mary, Dela, Dallas, Savannah, & I arrived at Magic Kingdom! I love how they even decorate the entrance for the parties:

It was HOT! This was the first day it was really hot during our trip. I had sweat running down the back of my costume.

I was the Queen of Hearts, Savannah was the MAD Hatter. Here she is trying to be mad:

There were a lot of people in the park, but it wasn't unbearable. I knew it would clear out for the party, we just arrived earlier so we could get more bang for the buck!

Ooops, no idea how that balloon pic got in there!

Oh there I went with the family shot again, this time add costumes, heat, and sun in your face! I was trying to look queenly here but didn't quite pull it off!

The regular show was going on, Savannah & Dela wanted to watch, so I took a few pics naturally!

It was hot and I suggested that we go ride Haunted Mansion (ties for my favorite ride at WDW with EE!). I'm glad we went at this time, it was walkon and later I saw a LONG line when it's dark outside!

I love this ride! We got stuck for a moment, it was funny. Dallas, Savannah & I all rode in the same buggy together.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

We walked towards Fantastyland and saw Cinderella's coach all ready for the party. We didn't feel like waiting in line for a pic, it wasn't even 7pm yet and there was a line forming.

We tortured ourselves by going on Small World, Dallas said he wanted to stick pencils in his ears when it was over. But, but, it's a classic man! We almost got stuck too, I think. You should have seen the look of horror on Dallas's face!

We got drinks and a snack, pretzels from near Ariel's Grotto area (Savannah got a slushie, can you tell??)

then we headed over to the speedway. Dallas was NOT impressed with the SPEEDway, he said it was way too slow, he had the pedal all the way down the whole time.

Savannah was still bumping us all over the place, but not as bad as last year! Last year we bumped back and forth so much I thought I would get whiplash! It's a funny memory that we'll never forget.

We walked past the teacups and through toontown to the Alice in Wonderland candy trail. Last year a TON of characters were on this trail, this year it was just Alice at the beginning? They told me when I asked that the rest of the characters were just around the park? So, I was on a mission to find the QUEEN!

We ended up in tomorrowland and Savannah & Dallas wanted to ride Astro Orbiter. I rode this last year and didn't like the spinning, so I passed. Mary took Dela up as well, so I just sat and tried to take a couple pics. LOVED how the trees were lit, although my pics didn't come out too well.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Another potty break (I actually went this time!) It's funny, I realized that I hold my pee a lot, I just don't go to the bathroom often when I'm out. I don't really like public restrooms and I don't go to the bathroom that much during the day.

We headed up towards the Tea Cups again and who do we spot?!?!? The Queen of Hearts and the White Rabbit!!! We jumped right in line to see them.

The queen bowed to me when I walked up, so I bowed back. How funny is that?!?! She seemed pretty pleased, even waved to me as I walked away.

after we saw them, we decided to do the Tea Cups again. I got some shots of Dela smiling! WOOT! This is a rare occurrence, so I was really happy!

When we got off I realized that it was time to get over in front of the castle for the fireworks. I was NOT going to miss my last opportunity! Walked into Fantasyland and realized they had already blocked off the walkway through the castle b/c of the Villain show right before the fireworks.

I panicked a bit and started booking it all the way around the castle. I apologized to Mary, but I wasn't going to be LEISURELY about this! When we got to the front of the castle, the show was going on and they wanted to see it. I grabbed Dallas and told him to come with me.

I scoped out all the trashcans on Mainstreet in the area and found the perfect one and then told him that I was not moving from this spot and that he should go get them and bring them back here. After he went back to them, he called and Mary had asked if they needed to come right now and I said no, just finish watching the show.

Well, the show ended and they weren't coming. Sigh. I called and told Dallas that they needed to come now b/c the street was already filling up and if they wanted to be near me, they needed to hurry. I was NOT moving! They made it and I was glad, I was even happier when I started testing my shots from the trashcan (with my phone propped under it as well!)

The trashcan was not ideal, but it was better than hand held and without a tripod, it was the best I could do!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

It was time! I had been planning this and wanting these shots for months, so I was very pleased that I got some (or a few hundred!)

I had my shutter on bulb, so I would just open the shutter and hold it as long as I thought would be good (without overexposing) and then shut it again. This would have been better with my tripod and remote, but considering I used a TRASHCAN, I'm pleased! They could have been better, but could have been OH so much worse (I'll show you one of my shots with my point and shoot from last year farther down)

Here are just a few that I took!

There's more...

Mary was pretty upset during the fireworks b/c her camera was NOT getting the shots she wanted. I told her not to feel bad, these fireworks were the whole REASON I went looking for a new camera last year! My shots were AWFUL last year!

Just to give you an idea...here is a shot with my canon point and shoot last year:

and nearly the same shot with my Nikon on a dang trashcan!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

So, all was right with the world! I had my shots, we had just watched amazing fireworks over the castle, nothing could be better except if Rey & Dylan had been with us.

We went over to Casey's and got fries and drinks and sat outside with our snack. My calm, pleased self returned to anxious b/c I realized that people were already lining the street for the Parade and we didn't have a spot. I found a spot on Mainstreet and told Dallas to stay there and then went over to Mary and told her to go find him and that the seats were being taken pretty quickly.

Then I headed to the Ice Cream parlor to get Savannah & Dallas some ice cream. I was going to get tofutti, but realized it would take too long (last year it took FOREVER b/c they have to keep it separate b/c of allergies). So, I'm standing there and I have a clear view of Dallas and Mary has still not gotten up and gone over to where he's at. The street is filling up and I'm getting worried. Silly how you look back and think WHY did it matter? I'm sure we would have found a spot.

Got the ice cream and ran out there just as Mary was getting to the spot as well. Everything was right again b/c they had ice cream, we had a nice spot on mainstreet and I had a TRASHCAN!

The trashcan didn't help me THIS time, however. My parade shots are pretty bad, it was dark and without a flash and everyone MOVING, many of my shots were blurry. I didn't even get a good shot of the headless horseman, but luckily Savannah video taped him and I put it in our video.

Anywho...here are some of the pics I took of main street while waiting for the parade:

I love the colors and the music and even the ghost that moves around on the buildings.

The parade was about to start and Dallas was about to learn an important lesson about Disney World...


I was standing behind a trashcan with Mary on my left, Savannah was sitting next to it on my right, Dela next to her sitting in the wheelchair. Dallas was sitting directly in front of the trashcan on the curb. Then he got up.

I have no idea what he got up for, I forget, I think he was showing me something on the video camera, but it was only a second or two and a family (mom, dad, daughter) walked right up and sat in his spot! He was FURIOUS! I don't know if they knew they had taken his seat, I believe they heard us though and knew that they had at some point. The mom got up a while later to get something and looked right at the kids and said "DO NOT GET UP FOR ANYTHING!", so I know she knew. Sigh.

I'm not big on conflict, remember, and this is Disney. You move, you lose? I felt bad, but you can't really call dibs on a spot and he did get up? It took him quite a while to get over it. Most of the parade, I remember.

The parade started! I love the Boo-to-YOU Parade, I wish I had gotten a CD of the music! Love all the villains, grave diggers, zombie dancers...I know Rey and Dylan would have liked it as well.

I'll post the pictures, but don't expect much, you can't see a lot from all the blurry movement shots. If I had more time to mess with my settings I might have set the shutter speed faster, but then the shots would have been darker and the lens I was using just didn't have a large enough aperture. There's always next time!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

The Queen (clearly a different one! LOL) stopped in front of me, crossed her arms, and shook her head when she saw my costume! It was hilarious. The Mad Hatter came up to Savannah and said he loved her hat!

When the parade was over, a massive amount of people started headed out to leave, but there was still an hour of party left! Yay! We were ready to go ride stuff! BUT, Mary's back was hurting badly. I asked if she wanted to leave and she said no and that she would have to stand anyway in line to get out with everyone leaving the park. We found her a spot to sit outside with Dela. Dallas, Savannah, & I set off to ride and get some more candy!

This is where once again, staying onsite would have really helped.
Having two cars would have benefited us as well, but we had only brought one. I really had a hard time not rushing and enjoying the last hour of the park when I knew Mary was sitting there.

So, we booked over to Thunder Mountain, it was walkon! and rode it in the dark! We had a BLAST and I tried not to think of what fun we would have had if it had just been us at the park. Another time, right?!?! We went through 2 other candy stations and then quickly headed back to Mary and Dela. I just didn't feel right having her sitting there.

I was dragging my feet out of the park, I knew it was the last time I would be here for a long time and there is a special place for Magic Kingdom in my heart. Even though we had a whole other day at WDW, I felt like it was the last day leaving MK.

Here are my shots as I turned around to say goodbye...they are a bit blurry b/c it was hand held, no matter, I FELT a little blurry-eyed.

This was certainly a time I felt like walking LEISURELY!

Outside the gates, they were giving out even more candy, playing spooky Halloween music and there was smoke everywhere. We walked slowly to the monorail.

We made it back to the house around 12:30am and we were in bed by 1am. I woke up at 7am feeling congested and not really looking forward to our last day.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Monday, October 26th. Our last day. How did this arrive so quickly??? Here I thought this was going to be a long vacation, but it flew.

I had told Savannah the day before that I would take her to Disneyquest, she missed going when we were at Blizzard Beach and wanted to play a few games she remembered from our trip with our friends.


Everyone was just lazing around that morning, but it felt like they were annoyed with us going off on our own. ??? They didn't want to go anywhere, but didn't want us to either??? We told them that they should come up to DTD when they were ready and we could do some shopping.

After washing clothes and packing a little, I was hungry (out of salad at the house) so we left.

We arrived almost at 11:30 when it opened, but decided to grab something to eat at Wolfgang Puck Express first. Veggie sandwich hit the spot!

Rey called and said that none of them were going to come and meet us at DTD after all, to enjoy, and get him this mickeyhead bottle opener if I got over to the store he had seen it in the other day.

We had fun at Disneyquest! We went on Astroblaster where you get in this car and drive around shooting bouncy balls at other cars. It's FUN! I'm ruthless though, watch out!

We also designed our own rollercoaster and then rode it! WOW, I can handle real rollercoasters, but not virtual ones. The movement wasn't a problem (they even inverted you upside down!) but looking at a screen while I was moving did NOT work for me. I had to close my eyes the rest of the ride!

We got our pics taking in a photo booth and I even got in a game of Ms. Packman.

Savannah wanted to stay longer, but we did what she had wanted to do and I was feeling rushed once again to get everything done and get back to the house. I don't know WHY I kept worrying about this.

We drove to the other side of DTD (hey, that place is BIG!) so we could go to the World of Disney store. Savannah still had a couple friends to find gifts for and I wanted to check and see if they had that sweatshirt I had wanted in a bigger size...WOOT! They had it! Afterwards, we meandered around to the Stitch entrance of the store and Savannah tried to get him to spit on her. She was giddy about this...who knew?!?!

It was such a nice morning with my girl. I wish we had more time together like this at WDW, heck, I could do a whole mother/daughter trip I loved it so much!

We drove back to the house, stopping for a Slurpee on the way. Got back around 1:45pm and realized we could have stayed longer.

No one seemed ready to head to Epcot. The plan was to go to Epcot for the afternoon/evening to "eat around the world" in World Showcase for the Food & Wine Festival. By afternoon, I meant...AFTER NOON, like 1-2pm?

We sat around for a few HOURS, I think we finally left the house about 4pm. I think we were all dragging a bit that day and I was dreading going home, so everything was even slower.

We wanted to go back to DHS to get a shirt for Eli we had seen at the Villain store and hadn't found it anywhere else. I suggested that we park at the Boardwalk, take a ferry to DHS and then another ferry back to Epcot! It was fun just going with the flow!

So, I LOVED the ferry ride! I sat outside on the back and took pics, the kids sat with me and Rey, his mom, & sister were inside the ferry. (his dad stayed at the house) It was gorgeous and I loved seeing things from a different perspective! Very nice. Glad I had this idea!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ooops, it wouldn't let me post all the pics in that thread, there were a couple too many:

We arrived at DHS and went right to the Villain store and got the shirt. BUT...we didn't leave right away. I tried to stay LEISURELY but it was like 5pm and I felt like we weren't going to get to spend much time at Epcot (remember, we had already missed most of our DAY at Epcot as well.)

They kept shopping...and shopping...and shopping. When I say THEY, I mean my husband and his mother! Savannah & I watched the HSM3 float go down the street and do their whole schpeel and go back down the street (it's a 20 minute show) and then got photopass pics taken. Savannah had her Marie shirt on and her Marie with her that she had just bought, b/c we had seen her at Epcot on our first day there and told her we didn't have time b/c we were trying to get to our Biergarten reservation. Sigh. I was pretty sure we wouldn't get to Epcot in time to see her again and I felt bad for passing her up the first time. She had a whole OUTFIT to wear so she could see Marie on this trip. Guess I should have just been late for the ADR on the first day at Epcot. It's one of my only regrets for the trip, it was something she really wanted.

Rey knew I was getting annoyed, and FINALLY we headed towards the exit so we could go to Epcot. I was trying to roll with it folks, I really was!

Dylan started playing around, pushing ME out of the park (I would have RUN OUT OF THE PARK if I had my choice!) I found this amusing since I wanted to leave more than anyone else!

I LOVE this picture...Savannah took it.

So, one of the reasons we probably missed Marie is b/c we made the choice to go on the bus. The ferry was leaving as we walked out of DHS and instead of waiting for another, Savannah begged to go on a bus. She LOVES the Disney buses and was VERY happy to go on it, I think that is why she wasn't too upset when we realized she wouldn't see Marie. See, the ferry would have dropped us off at the International Gateway right next to France where Marie is. The bus dropped us off at the front entrance of Epcot! Ack! Everyone enjoyed the bus ride though and I thought it was fun to do it since they didn't know what it was like b/c we were staying offsite.

She's not sleeping, she is enjoying the ride...LOVES the buses. Wierdo?!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

So, we arrive at the front of Epcot and everyone is joking with me about how I messed up and we are now at the front of the park.

It was worth it b/c while we were waiting for Mary and Rey to get Dela's wheelchair, Savannah was half joking about getting a stroller and a man walked up to return his and asked if we wanted to take it instead of him turning it in! It was a double!

I thought it a little silly for my just-turned 9 year old to be in a stroller, but to tell you the truth, she had walked MILES this week with no complaint and missed Marie (the ONLY thing she wanted to see at Epcot this evening) and was going to have to tolerate us walking around eating food and drinking with no rides...so I accepted the stroller. I'm glad I did, her whining was almost completely silenced this night, I realize most of her whining that week was just exhaustion!

So, we head back towards World Showcase and stopped at Club Cool for some soda from around the world! Love this place!
I gave Mary some Beverly and had her taste it, but she was too fast and I didn't catch a shot of her face!

Rey purposefully tried it!! He wanted to know what it tasted like.

So, on our way out to World Showcase, we had our last drama of the trip. It's not your last day if you don't throw in some drama, right?!?!

There is an area by the fountain where they have photopass photographers, facing back towards Spaceship Earth with your back to WS. I didn't get a shot with my own camera, just photopass, you'll see why...

So, we come along this photopass and Mary wants a pic. ALL the guys grumble and so I say "how about just a girls pic with us?"

Mary says, "NO. I want one with all of us, get out here."

Sigh. Dallas comes, Rey comes...Dylan sits down on the curb. My son, my son. Mary starts to get pissed and I'm trying to diffuse the situation. I'm telling her how they have obliged to SO many pictures this week and they really don't like them, it's not a big deal. Dylan is just refusing and saying he's tired of taking pictures, he doesn't want to.

Finally I say as we are all lining up for the shot (except Dylan) "Why have a picture with people who don't want to be in it? You don't want a picture that reminds you that no one wanted to be in it". "YES.I.DO." she says.

She was grumbling under her breath about how she really didn't appreciate this. I'm VERY surprised Rey didn't go off on Dylan, he must have agreed with him on some level b/c sometimes Rey will scold the kids more b/c his parents expect him to and in this case she certainly expected him to.

I've seen the picture on the photopass site. I don't like it. I'll always remember it as that shot that no one wanted to be in.

It was hard b/c Dylan is a smart guy and he knows that there are consequences for choices like this. He refused to ask for any food the rest of the night b/c he figured she would tell him no (and I'm pretty sure she would have) So, later on, I got him a soda and I also gave him some of my leftovers. It was too bad he didn't feel comfy asking his own grandmother for food, but it was his choice and he knew how she would react.


It's our last night, enough drama! It was soon forgotten and onward we went!...

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

We went to the left at WS this time and started in Mexico since we hadn't been this way (this trip). The sun was going down and it was beautiful. I loved some of the shots I got! I'm using one as my desktop background right now.

They started tasting different foods, Dallas tried quite a few different things he had never had! He was quite adventurous! He usually doesn't like new foods.

I realized pretty fast that almost everything had meat in it and Savannah & I would have trouble finding anything to eat. We didn't go IN any of the countries, but just walked through sampling tapas.

Mexico:

and you KNOW what I have to have in Mexico, right? Margarita's! I got one for Rey as well and he took 1 sip and said he didn't feel like Margarita and that I should have them both. SCORE!

Here I am after 1...you can tell it's hitting me already! Those things must be strong. I actually sat in the stroller for a while, Dylan and Dallas tried to convince me that I was in Disney and I could do ANYTHING I wanted, but I think they just wanted to humiliate me! No pictures of that b/c it lasted only about 30 seconds before I jumped out!

It got dark and we heard the drums from Japan. Rey was bummed that he missed these drummers. I saw them last year and told him about them., they are AMAZING.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

It's all a blur now (ok, it was a blur then too!)

I got some chinese veggie dish, we stopped in Germany for a long while, Rey's mom bought him a very expensive pewter beer stein there, we tasted more food (Mmmm, India had some kind of spicy potato/lentil thing I tried!)

We missed Taylor Dayne by 2 minutes. The free concert series was supposed to have Vanessa Carlton or Boyz to Men this night, not sure why they weren't playing but I remember seeing that is who was on the schedule for our 2 Epcot days.

As we walked up, it was JUST finishing up. OMG, the crowd! A guy almost tripped backwards over the stroller and fell on Savannah, he was drunk. His girlfriend pulled him back and I smiled and he said "OH GOOD! You are smiling!" He thought he was in big trouble, but honestly, he didn't see the thing and the crowd was intense. A perfectly sober person might have done the same thing. Besides, we were kind of akin, right? I was tipsy as well.

Rey was annoyed, but when I explained it, he was ok. We walked over and got FUNNEL CAKES! mmmm. I had some...ok, I had more than some!

Where was I? Oh yes, drunk and full of funnel cake! (nah, I wasn't really drunk)

We walked down to France and Rey got some grey goose slushies...like I needed more? We found a nice spot for me to sit my camera to get shots of Illuminations. It wasn't the best spot b/c I found out pretty quickly that I couldn't see the Earth b/c it was behind the tree most of the time, but I was ok with it. I got some ok shots and we had a nice time watching.

After Illuminations was over, we slowly went through the International Gateway and walked back to the boardwalk for the last time! I took some blurry hand held shots...I was a little blurry eyed as well.

We headed back to the house for the last time and I was sad to go, but part of me was ready to be home too. I was glad I had not made MK our last night, I think I would have been more upset.

I sat in the hot (read: warm tub) tub for a little bit...oh yes, it was just WARM now. I had figured out that if you closed it and left it on, it overheated and if you left it open it cooled off too much. So, I had a system down, but that night hadn't closed it before leaving b/c it was too warm already, so it wasn't as hot as I would have liked.

We sat outside enjoyed watching Savannah swim one last time and then went to bed for the last time. Sigh.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

We were up pretty early packing and straightening up the house in the morning. We weren't rushing at all, all of us were coughing and hacking.

I took one last shot, a beautiful sunrise to send us on our way:

my journal says:
"I'm sad to leave but happy to get home as well. I think the kids are just happy! LOL"

We went to Golden Coral for breakfast with Mary and Ray Sr. for one last meal. NOT my idea of good food. Oh well!

We hit Walgreens for Dayquil for Rey and then tried to find a Starbucks with the GPS. It took us on a wild goose chase, we didn't find one for quite a while and Rey & I were both crabby about it (and about leaving!)

We stayed at a Days Inn that evening in Marietta GA, not the nicest, but it was ok. Ate a bunch of order-in stuff for dinner, and got up early and headed home! My notes stopped with the Starbucks ordeal and I barely remember the day now. I think I blocked it out!

It took forever, it was miserable and long. I talked a lot about the next time and how we would FLY and not drive. There was construction and the GPS kept telling us to go a different way from the way we knew we should go. We arrived home in the evening and the animals were overjoyed to see us and my house sitter had left it looking nicer than when I left! I have good friends!

It was a GREAT trip! Yes, there were issues, I certainly expected them, I think I actually expected MORE issues than we had so I considered this trip a complete sucess! I loved it, the kids enjoyed it, even the boys, and we still want to go back for more! I haven't even been back even a month and I have another trip in the making! If we can save up the money, we will be there! This time I have enlisted all my homeschooling friends! *bwahahahaaaaa*! I already have them planning after seeing my trip pics! Jan. 2011 during HOMESCHOOL DAYS sounds like the perfect time! (well, unless Free dining in September sounds better! Only time will tell)

Thanks so much for reading, I hope it was informative and entertaining, it certainly was for us!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Made a video to perk myself up, but it makes me almost cry when I watch it!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjIm-dxMW78

 

[cdhale]

Thanks for sharing! Great TR

 

[3prettyprincesses]

What a fabulous trip report! I can totally understand why you felt the way you did. You had planned and planned and at times your little family wasn't onboard! I can completely empathize since we were just at Disney (nearly the same time as you) and I had planned a trip for my family of 5 along with my in-laws. From reading your TR, I just laughed because it could've been me! It sounds like you did an amazing job though and I'm sure your family appreciated it, especially your adorable little girl. I also did a day with just my 3 little girls because my DH and in-laws wanted to leave MK for a nap! I said great, enjoy your rest because the girls and I will be staying at the MK. It was one of our most special memories...we skipped through Fantasyland, saw the princesses, rode the Carousel of Progress, had snacks and had appts. at the BBB! It was awesome because there will probably never be another time where I could've just experienced a Mommy/daughters day like that in MK. Anyhow, I think you showed incredible patience with your family and your pics are stunning. I also love the idea of writing in a journal while there. Totally am going to do that next time! Can I ask what kind of camera you have?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

What a fabulous trip report! I can totally understand why you felt the way you did. You had planned and planned and at times your little family wasn't onboard! I can completely empathize since we were just at Disney (nearly the same time as you) and I had planned a trip for my family of 5 along with my in-laws. From reading your TR, I just laughed because it could've been me! It sounds like you did an amazing job though and I'm sure your family appreciated it, especially your adorable little girl. I also did a day with just my 3 little girls because my DH and in-laws wanted to leave MK for a nap! I said great, enjoy your rest because the girls and I will be staying at the MK. It was one of our most special memories...we skipped through Fantasyland, saw the princesses, rode the Carousel of Progress, had snacks and had appts. at the BBB! It was awesome because there will probably never be another time where I could've just experienced a Mommy/daughters day like that in MK. Anyhow, I think you showed incredible patience with your family and your pics are stunning. Can I ask what kind of camera you have?

3prettyprincesses! Thank you for your post! It was so magical, sounds like your trip was as well! I have an entry level DSLR, it's a Nikon D40. I just bought it in the early summer (FOR this trip, but it peaked my interest in photography in general!).

I rented a 18-200mm lens b/c the 2 lenses I own would have had to be switched back and forth the whole time to get closer and farther shots. It worked well for my first trip with a nice camera. There are things I would like to improve on next trip, but since this was my first time and I'm still learning, I'm trying not to be so hard on myself!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Thanks for sharing! Great TR

Thank you!!