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

[cdhale]

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G cake!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ok, so while we waiting for our fastpasses for Soarin' to come up, we went to ride Test Track.

I remembered it as fun, but not a thriller, so I told Dylan he would like it. Uh...wrongo!
I remembered that it went fast and told him that, but forgot about the dip and how going that fast DID give you that sinking feeling. Sorry Dylan! Uh, he was MAD at me when we got off. I felt bad.

Dallas loved it and filmed the whole thing...

After Test Track, we shopped a little in the store TT empties into and walked over to Soarin' to use our FPs. More bathroom breaks, phone calls...Argh!

We ran across these guys, they were good! I think Dylan liked their drumming,(he plays the drums) they reminded me of the STOMP guys...

We got to Soarin' which Dylan had proclaimed he wasn't going to go on. He changed his mind in the end and decided to go though. He said he plays all kinds of video games, this ride wouldn't bother him at all.

He was right! It didn't bother him at all! I'm glad he went and liked it, there weren't a ton of rides that he liked!

So now we are done with Soarin' and need to head out to World Showcase to our lunch reservation at 1pm in Germany at the Biergarten Restaurant.

Are you keeping track? That's TWO rides at Epcot and already a late lunch???(1pm ADR) We missed the whole front of Epcot: Innovations, Nemo, Mission Space, I could go on. This was the day were were going to do the front as Monday was doing to be the back (World Showcase day with the Food & Wine festival). Oh well, nothing goes as planned in WDW!

Dela was getting tired and started complaining about her leg hurting, so we walked around to the International Gateway and got her a wheelchair. I think it helped greatly the rest of the trip she had a wheelchair for the most part. (THANK GOODNESS SINCE WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THAT BROKEN VERTEBRAE IN HER NECK!!!)

(I know, it's crooked):

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

I love your TR so far!!! Your family reminds me of mine... I LOVE Disney and DD14 and DS11 only go because I make them!!!

The matching t-shirts are MAGICAL!!! :

I've found the directions for the tye-dye shirts, but how did you make the other shirts???

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I love your TR so far!!! Your family reminds me of mine... I LOVE Disney and DD14 and DS11 only go because I make them!!!

The matching t-shirts are MAGICAL!!! :

I've found the directions for the tye-dye shirts, but how did you make the other shirts???

The other shirts I made with the help of the Creative DISign board here at the DIS! http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=105

They are a magical group of people that will make the designs for you and then you save to your computer and print out on transfer paper. I got my transfer paper from amymickey.com (she's a DISigner on the board) and they were so easy to make! Probably why I made so many, it's addictive, don't say I didn't warn you!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

We arrive at Biergarten on time. I made this ADR for Rey, he LOVES LOVES LOVES Germany, he was born there (military) and lived there until he was 3. We all loved the atmosphere and the food! No pics of the food (I was too busy EATING it! LOL)

again with the low light pics! No one is allowed to get me anything for Christmas unless it's that dang 35mm lens. If Rey gets me anything else, I'm returning it to get the lens!

We were there over 2 HOURS!!! Rey and his dad loved it the most, I think it was Ray Sr.'s favorite part of the trip. He video recorded everything and was smiling ear to ear! I'm sure the HUGE beer helped too!

This is where I realized I had brought Rey over to the dark side b/c he started saying things like "When we come back I want to come here again"

By the time we were getting ready to leave, I think it was 3pm or a little after. The boys were ready to go back to the house again (Dylan didn't feel well), so we decided to leave, but Mary said we had to get funnel cakes first b/c she had promised them to Dela. Then we missed the boat that could take us back to the front of Epcot while doing this and had to wait another 20 minutes so they shopped. I was slightly annoyed b/c when Dallas had been sick we left right away and I wasn't sure WHY we couldn't leave without them? We had 2 cars?

Do you remember what I said about taking pics of DUCKS b/c I was waiting?

 

[JLR]

I know you are aware of the faults in your photos but I think they are just fabulous and I wish I had your knowledge and skill! I can't wait to read the rest!
I do have 1 question. How long did it take to ride from Toon town to Splash mountain on the Railroad? I was thinking of doing it that way when I go in April.

Thanks and I really appreciate your time in putting up this TR
Julie

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I know you are aware of the faults in your photos but I think they are just fabulous and I wish I had your knowledge and skill! I can't wait to read the rest!
I do have 1 question. How long did it take to ride from Toon town to Splash mountain on the Railroad? I was thinking of doing it that way when I go in April.

Thanks and I really appreciate your time in putting up this TR
Julie

Thanks Julie! The ride didn't take TOO long, but I do remember getting a little anxious at the wait we had once we hit the front of the park stop. We sat there for a little longer than I would have liked, but I don't think it took more than 15 minutes for the whole ride and with how slow our group was walking, we couldn't have walked there any faster!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

The duck was more than just a time killer, he was the start of an angry hour or so I had with Ray Sr. I don't know how detailed I want to be, this is a public forum, but I'll give you the short of it...

As we were all waiting, this friendly duck that came up, clearly had no fear of humans and was BEGGING for food (which we did not give him); Ray Sr. comes up and starts smiling and telling me how he would like to take the duck home and wring his neck and cook him up.

Now this was NOT the first time on the trip (or ever) he had done this. For some reason it bothers him that I don't eat meat. I don't talk about it, I don't proselytize people, honestly I could care less! I used to eat meat, it's not like I think people who eat meat are evil or something?

He constantly makes these comments about how Mmmmmm good this meat is or talks about eating strange things like squirrel, bison, etc. I usually ignore it. I was on edge about waiting and he just kept on about this duck and wouldn't stop, he started going on about me not eating meat. Finally I just looked at him (I believe I was raising my voice as well) and said "WHY is it any of your business why I don't eat meat? What bothers you so much about it? I could care less if you eat meat, I have no idea why you care that I don't!"

He basically just smiled and ignored me and right about this time the boat pulled up. I walked away and got on a separate part of the boat. Rey made a face from across the way and mouthed "What's wrong?" and I said "I'm pissed at your dad!"

When we got of the boat I had basically shut down and started crying a little, (I felt bad for yelling at him, I really do hate conflict with people) so I just walked ahead and ignored everyone by taking pictures:

Rey came to see what was wrong and apologized for his dad and said that he gets this way when he's had alcohol and pushes people's buttons. I griped some more to Mary and she agreed with me that her husband was being an *** and then everyone just let it go. Ray Sr. didn't seem to think anything of it and I wasn't about to let it ruin my day! I had forgotten about it until I saw the duck pic, so that's how quickly I got over it. It's Disney World, there's bound to be some drama, but it passes quickly!

I had promised Savannah that on the way out we would to Spaceship Earth, I told Dylan it's a quiet and dark ride (no thrill) but I don't think Dylan believed me, so he sat this one out with Papa.

After a quick ride, we returned the wheelchair and headed back to the house. It was 4pm. When we got back, the hot tub was finally working! Yay!

Rey talked to the kids and asked if it would be ok to take me out to dinner/evening for our Anniversary and they all thought it was a great idea. A night out with my husband ON our Anniversary, AT WDW?!?!? (we haven't gone out alone in over a year) I was on cloud nine!!!


Where should we go?!?!?!?

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

WOOT! A night out! AT WDW?!!!! Because of his job and not having anyone to really watch the kids where we live, we just never get to go out. I was SO excited!!!

After Rey took Savannah to get something to eat (they hadn't gotten her much veggie stuff for the house when they went to Sams), we drove to The Boardwalk. I LOVED this place. Too bad the Boardwalk Hotel is a Deluxe ($$$) b/c I would love to stay there.

I took some pictures and we walked around a bit to see where we wanted to eat. One of my favorite pics of the trip, definitely my favorite of Rey & I!

We settled on the Big River Grille mainly b/c they had tables outside and I wanted to just sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather! Here's a shot from our table:

It was gorgeous out! Dinner was ok, drinks were ok, but I didn't care b/c it was gorgeous outside and we were enjoying each other! When we were finished from our LEISURELY dinner we walked around the boardwalk and decided to walk to Epcot! It only took about 10 minutes and it's a beautiful, relaxing walk.

I took pictures, of course! Rey understands that I just have to, I'm compelled.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

We walked through the International Gateway, right into World Showcase and it was great to be there at night! The food & wine festival was going on, but it wasn't terribly crowded, just festive! I adore my kids and I love spending 24/7 with them, but this was so special being kid-free with Rey here. I LOVED it!

We had our picture taken with photopass on the bridge into France, I can't wait to get my CD!

We got Grey Goose lemon slushies in France and walked through the countries, stopping in Morocco to watch the belly dancer and I got a henna done.

The woman who did my henna was very kind, when I walked up and sat down, I set my glass down (the slushie). It was one of those plastic wine glasses and the bottom had fallen off without me realizing it and it spilled all over her table (which had a pretty rug laying on it). We cleaned it up, but I still felt bad...and a little like a lush!

We walked down to Germany

and then it was time for Illuminations. We didn't have a great spot, but just enjoyed seeing it, we knew we would be back Monday night to watch again with everyone. I didn't have anything to stabilize my camera, so I just took a couple shots.

We slowly walked back towards the International Gateway & Boardwalk, got some cool pics of Morocco empty!

We meandered back to the car and home and threw ourselves in bed around 10:30pm. That evening with Rey was the highlight of my day.

I'll leave you with my last journal entry that night:

"Tomorrow they WILL get to rope drop. I'm crackin' the whip and we will make it to DHS on time!"

duh-duh-dummmm. Will we get there early? Will I have to drag people out in their pj's? You'll have to wait and see! (and how long you have to wait since I post 20 times a day!)

 

[Daisy14]

I'm only on post 19 but am loving the report so far! Probably won't finish it tonight but I do look forward to finding out what happens with the ho tub!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I'm only on post 19 but am loving the report so far! Probably won't finish it tonight but I do look forward to finding out what happens with the ho tub!

Yay! I'm glad people are reading!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Didn't make you wait very long, did I?

Alright, this was Friday, October 23rd. Our 4th and LAST rope drop that I had scheduled. We had other days we were going back to parks, but this was the first and only visit to DHS and I knew it would be busier b/c it was Friday and b/c they added a Fantasmic on this day AFTER I had purposefully chose this day b/c it DID NOT have one. Oh well, the reservations were made and I couldn't change it at that point.

So, the night before Rey and I arrive back and hit the bed around 10:30pm. I told everyone, explained ad nauseum...did they get up? Yes, they got up. Were they READY? What do you think?

Ya know, this was getting old. Each day that we were late I got more upset only b/c I think I was taking it personally. It was something I really wanted to do and they didn't. I felt like I was doing things they wanted and I just didn't understand why they didn't get how this was something I wanted. I knew and they knew that the rest of the days on the trip would be for sleeping in and lazing around and just didn't get why they couldn't get up and moving. I should rephrase that...get moving. They were up, just not ready. It's not like they were putting on makeup or doing hair. They would shower and eat and then just sit there? Sigh.

Anyway, they could tell I was annoyed b/c I told them that this would be busier AND that I HAD to be there at rope drop to get a fastpass for Toy Story. I knew that the later our FP, the more this would push our day off.

So...they did hurry it up eventually and we arrived at 9:15. I know, I know, it's only 15 minutes and most of you are thinking I'm just a nut, but I wake up at 5am on a normal day (sometimes even earlier) and I'm just naturally an early bird. So to be sitting on the couch, just SITTING there for however many hours when I could be heading to the park for ropedrop was too much for my OCD. Ok, I swear this post will be the last of my complaining about RD! (I think! LOL) I swear this wasn't something I worried about the whole trip, it washed away once we arrived...or on this day...a little there after.

I practically ran to get the FPs and the return time was already at 11:45 (which meant we couldn't even ride until after our lunch reservation) and the standby line was already at 60 minutes. That 15 minutes made a difference. Oh well, I could deal with it. I did relax a smidge after that, but I knew that we would have to stand in line for Rockin Rollercoaster if we waited too long to get over there and we couldn't get a FP b/c I had gotten one for Toy Story.

When I met back with Rey and everyone, he was looking at pins and seemed annoyed that I wanted to head over to RNRC already. I said, "we have done a lot of things that everyone has wanted to do this week and what I wanted was to get here early so we didn't have to stand in monster lines. The only thing I really wanted to do at this park was Toy Story and RNRC. I have the FPs for TS, but I need you to just humor me and go to RNRC now so that we don't have to wait forever later. Then I'll let everyone do whatever they want!"

On our way over, I snapped this shot. I didn't ride Tower of Terror and you will see my explanation why below.

So, we head over to RNRC. We were excited, I didn't get to ride this last time and was looking forward to it!

Here's a shot inside of the coaster taking off. You can barely see it, it's going so fast!!!

Savannah & I were in the FRONT row, Dallas & Rey behind us and Mary & Dela behind them. OH.MY.GAWD. The takeoff on this ride was insane! I knew it was like 0-60 in 2 seconds, so I leaned my head back and warned everyone else. What I did not expect was for the g-force to make me feel like I was FALLING. It was in the dark and felt insanely long! Savannah & I were scared crazy and we LOVE these kind of rides?!?!? The rest of the ride was AWESOME, it was just takeoff. I was praying for it to end and the first thing I thought was "This is what dropping over and over is going to feel like on Tower of Terror...I can't go on it!"

We all came off a little wobbly legged. Mary & Dela did pretty well but Mary swore off anymore rides like that!

Here is the picture, I hope it's big enough that you can see my face, I seriously look like I'm in pain. I cannot look at this picture without laughing hysterically! Notice how Dallas and Rey are smiling like it's nothing?!?!?!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Alright, so I scared the poo out of myself on the rollercoaster, but it was fun. Bought Dylan some drum sticks in the shop (he'll just use them for decoration, they would break too easily, I think) and Mary ordered the picture above.

We went out to meet Dylan and Ray Sr. and started heading back down Sunset Blvd. It was warming up quite a bit today and Savannah bought herself a fan/mister thing. No one was in the mood for pictures, I noticed that I had very few from this day. By very few, I mean a hundred or two.

We went in the villain store and looked around, found a cute shirt for Eli (my stepdaughter) but didn't get it b/c they had the wrong size (we went back our last day and got it)

We headed towards Sci-fi, we had ADRs for 11:25 but it was too early. My notes say we were moving really slow, so there wasn't enough time to do a ride or show, but it was too early for lunch.

I found the lunch ADRs helpful, but annoying as well. I think it's easier to eat when hungry at the parks in between stuff rather than make reservations and always be looking at the clock. I made this ADR primarily for Ray Sr. and the guys. I thought they would like it. I had a veggie burger on gluten free bun, it was ok. This is the type of place that's fun to go at least once just for the experience. Doubt we would do it again though.

Yep, more low light photos where that larger aperture lens would have done wonders! Grph. They brought out Savannah a bday card and an anniversary card for Rey & I and gave her a little cheesecake.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

After lunch we could finally use our FPs for Toy Story Mania, so we went and did that. Everyone did it and I think they all loved it! This is my favorite ride at DHS, last trip we did it 3 times! I wish we could have done it more than once this trip, the boys liked it. This was the line when we were there using our FPs! It's fun, but without the FPs, I wouldn't wait this long for it.

I rode with Dylan and I beat him...beat the others as well!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

After Toy Story, we headed over to the Lights, Motors, Action! show. It was a fun show, but LOTS of sitting on hard bleachers and waiting for the show and then the show was fairly lengthy. I think the guys liked it though. It was fun to do once but I'm not sure I would do it again.

We were separated from Rey's folks b/c they went to sit in the handicap section b/c Dela was using a wheelchair and Rey refused. He's always like this, gets annoyed when his parents use a handicap sticker on their car, etc. b/c he says they aren't handicap.

The show gets out, but it takes a long time to empty the area and Rey's parents had to go on an elevator and they had a long line. It was pretty hot in the sun...wow, we're in Florida, who knew?

Singin in the rain!

At this point Dylan wanted to leave. He was crabby. We went in Muppets, but Rey and the boys stayed out. When we got out, they were trying to figure out what to do. I guess Rey didn't want to go take them back on his own, but I was worried that Savannah would miss the HSM3 show that was at 4:30 and she was whining up a storm about leaving! (not wanting to)

Mary got annoyed with us, I guess and they said they were going to go ride stuff and just walked away from us! WHAT?!?!?

So, Rey & I decide to take the boys back to the house and then return for Savannah's show. She did NOT want to leave and whined the whole way to the car. Gah. I wrote in my journal that we must have all been getting tired b/c DHS day didn't seem as magical. At. All.

We dropped the boys off and headed back. Rey didn't call his parents right away, I think he was annoyed that they just walked away. We browsed some stores near the Sorcerers Hat b/c we knew the HSM3 show was starting in about 30 minutes. When the show started, we had a seat right in front. Rey finally talked to his parents and they were going to meet us after the show.

Rey video taped it for Savannah so she could show her friends, while she watched!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Argh, the more I look at my pics, the more disappointed I am in the shots I got. Some of my shots barely look like a DSLR took them. Guess you learn as you go and I have a lot of learning left!

We met up with Rey's parents and sister and we headed over the The Great Movie ride. I thought they would like this, and they did.

After that we rushed over to the last Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular show b/c Ray Sr. wanted to see it. More hard seats. I think I would have preferred to walk all day, the sitting on these hard benches was no good.

I wasn't impressed with the show, but it's just not my thing I guess. I think Rey's dad liked it.

We were all getting hungry, but Rey wanted to try some of the pizza he saw on the Boardwalk the previous night. We tried to find Savannah or I something quick b/c Savannah was very hungry, crabby, and didn't want pizza. But, I knew we wouldn't find anything. I had this trouble last time, just NOTHING for even a vegetarian.

We looked in some shops really quick (no idea why since we were hungry?) and I took pics of balloons to occupy myself (there weren't any ducks around)

One last shot while they were returning the wheelchair. The sun was about to set!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

My lower back was in pain as well as my legs, so I took some Aleve and we headed for Boardwalk. My body may have been in pain, but I was not about to stop! I knew now what it was like to go home from WDW and wish you were still there, I was going to have to collapse and be carried outta there before I stopped touring!

It was Friday night, but we were lucky enough to snag 2 tables when someone got up to leave. They went to order pizza and beer!

The sun was setting, so you know what I did!

I ate pizza (cheese) and had beer. The beer made me feel much better! I'm not kidding! Savannah whined some more, I swear she was about to collapse and no wonder, she had walked almost double what we had with shorter legs and hadn't complained once about her feet, only about how she wanted to see more and do more!

Mary and Ray Sr. got in a fight over the pizza. Basically she got what she thought he would like and he picks up a piece and dumps/shakes everything off of it. She snapped at him and then he flat out refused to eat the pizza at all and went and bought nachos. I think I was just glad I wasn't fighting with Rey! We had a couple moments on the trip where we were crabby with each other, but they were short lived.

Finally, after having dessert from the Boardwalk Bakery (chocolate brownie cheesecake! MMMMM. we headed back to the house.

Got there SO ready to get in that hot tub and guess what? The dang thing now had overheated and was SCALDING hot. I like my hot tubs HOT, but this was burning hot, I kept sticking in just my feet b/c they hurt so bad and pulling them right back out. It was blinking "OH" which I suspect meant OverHeat. After it cooled a bit, it said 110 degrees.

Rey and I sat on the lanai and he rubbed my feet while we watched Savannah swim. Fell into bed around 9:30pm. Early, but we had done a 12 hour day out of the house basically and I was exhausted! At least tomorrow there were no rope drops (not that we ever made those) and we could sleep in a bit before hitting Blizzard Beach!

My journal entry (I wrote about the previous day each morning when everyone was sleeping)

"The day was ok, but I miss Magic Kingdom and we are all showing signs of being worn out. We'll take it slower today and go late to Blizzard Beach"

 

[theLavers]

I'm really loving your trip report! The pictures are beautiful and you have such a cute family. I'm glad you and your DH got to spend your anniversary evening alone. DH and I love Epcot at night, It's such a beautiful place.

Keep 'em coming, you're doing a great job!

MaryPat

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I'm really loving your trip report! The pictures are beautiful and you have such a cute family. I'm glad you and your DH got to spend your anniversary evening alone. DH and I love Epcot at night, It's such a beautiful place.

Keep 'em coming, you're doing a great job!

MaryPat

Thank you MaryPat! Rey LOVED Epcot, he couldn't get enough of it and although I tried to tell him, he didn't see even half of it! He didn't go IN a single country except part of Germany! Next time, right?!?!?