Oh, D-D-D-Dear! My Piglet's Bday in the World UDD 10/10 The End!

[TarzansKat]

POR looks beautiful. Just beautiful.

I know how you feel about falling asleep with your contacts in. I rarely, rarely do it, but sometimes, you're just so tired, you give in.

 

[creativeamanda]

Well, thanks for ripping my heart out and stomping all over it with those POR pictures..... (jk!)

Seriously, they are beautiful! Don't you love that tree?! I want my next trip to POR to be just me and DH....it'll take on a whole new perspective!

.

I was, uh, just showing you that, uh, your home will still be there. Yeah! That's it!

My B/F loved looking at that big wheel by the Riverside Mill Food Court when we ate at Boatwright's a few years ago.

Am I going to be mentioned when you see me at Cosmic Ray's?

I love that wheel! Our last breakfast in October of last year was right beside it.

I will mention you at Cosmic Rays, but that was our last day. For some odd reason, I'm still on the second day.

POR looks beautiful. Just beautiful.

I know how you feel about falling asleep with your contacts in. I rarely, rarely do it, but sometimes, you're just so tired, you give in.

I know with the contacts. I try not to because I don't want an infection. But that day I just could not help it. I had laid down, I was still, and was so snuggly in the bed. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

 

[creativeamanda]

Tonight was the night. In late April/Early May I bought my pride and joy--my Nikon D60 camera. It's an entry level digital SLR--I absolutely love it. The reason I bought it so far before Mother's day (it was my present for Mother's day) was so I could get accustomed to it before the trip. After the awesome pictures tbtdawg took in October of fireworks, I wanted good pictures like that. Let's face it, point-and-shoot cameras are fine for everyday pictures, but for good shots of landscapes, portraits, and fireworks, you almost have to have a DSLR.

So almost an hour before Spectromagic, we made our way onto the hub. My intentions were to get a good view of the parade and see Tinkerbell. Well, the spot we had was at the end of Main Street on the same side at Crystal Palace. We had an okay view of the parade--it would have been better if the 6 foot, 1 millon inch man would sit down--he was right on the curb and would not sit down--even though children were behind him.

Anyway, as it got darker and darker, I started to get more and more excited--Spectromagic was about to start! The castle just looked so beautiful. . .

(And yes, that is a sea of people)

And then, the music started. . .

You can just see the sleeve of the giant in front of us on the right of the picture. Oh well, c'est la vie!

I love the Cinderella-Prince Charming Float!

And can anyone explain to me why Dopey gets to ride on the float, but the rest of the dwarves have to walk?

Anyway, we watch Spectro, and it's really dark now. . .and the castle is just looking more and more like home to me. . .

Boo just decided she would lean against Gillian's bookbag to watch the fireworks. Hey, at least she is awake!

And then, as a sign that all was right with the world, I finally see Tinkerbell. Trust me, this is her!

And the fireworks begin! And let me tell you, these are some of the best fireworks photos I've ever taken--I know I could do better, but I can't wait to see how much better they are next go-round!

And then, before I even felt like it had begun, it was all over. We move over to the side and let most of the people leave the park. We walked over for the 4 millionth restroom break over near the first aid center in Magic Kingdom, and take the all too short bus ride back to Port Orleans.

Coming up. . .Mania for Toys and Downtown Disney (or is it both the same thing?)

 

[creativeamanda]

A couple of you have asked to see some of my Photopass pictures--here are a few of them. . .

Wednesday, June 24--

Thursday, June 25--It was about to rain--

Friday, June 26--Epcot character spot--it was raining during this--

Goofy got a little fresh holding onto my shoulder here!

Stinky and me going down the family raft ride at Typhoon Lagoon--

Saturday, June 27--Epcot--

I think all of the rides that take a picture should have a photopass spot at the end.

Sunday, June 28--Hollywood Studios--Stinky loves Cars--

The photopass guy at the stop for Toy Story got good individuals of each of my kids. . .

And the group shot with Woody and Buzz was great, too. . .

Continued next post. . .

 

[creativeamanda]

Monday, June 29--Animal Kingdom:

The sun was really in my eyes here

Look how wet we were by the end of the day. . .rain and Kali River Rapids will do it to you. . .

June 30, 2009--Boo's Birthday

Blizzard Beach:

The photopass guy made sure to get on eof the birthday girl--doesn't she just look like a mess?

We went to Magic Kingdom for the monsoon of 2009 that afternoon:

 

[TarzansKat]

Wonderful night photos with your camera! WOW!

I really love the photo of all of you behind the castle. It took me a while to orient myself, I was trying to think of where you were. I've never seen one from back there before, and I like that it's different.

 

[tinkgurl]

Oh my gosh, love the photopass pic of you guys at AK at night!

 

[pooh'smate]

I love all your pictures. Your kids (and you too) look like you are having so much fun.

 

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Oh I love your pics!! You're kids are so cute! Does anyone else see a hidden Mickey in the pic with the red fireworks?

 

[tinkgurl]

Does anyone else see a hidden Mickey in the pic with the red fireworks?

I saw it too!

 

[creativeamanda]

Wonderful night photos with your camera! WOW!

I really love the photo of all of you behind the castle. It took me a while to orient myself, I was trying to think of where you were. I've never seen one from back there before, and I like that it's different.

Thanks! I like that photopass angle, as well.

Oh my gosh, love the photopass pic of you guys at AK at night!

We were so wet, so tired, and so cold (believe it or not), but I had to have that picture taken! I'm glad I did!

I love all your pictures. Your kids (and you too) look like you are having so much fun.

We did!

Oh I love your pics!! You're kids are so cute! Does anyone else see a hidden Mickey in the pic with the red fireworks?

I saw it too!

I love that picture--I shot it about a second too late, but I knew it was coming, so I waited for it.

 

[creativeamanda]

After a good night's rest, we all popped up bright and squirrley on Thursday morning for Hollywood Studios. It took me a while to convince Gillian that we had to get up early to get to Toy Story Mania without a huge wait, but get up she did. We walked over to the South Depot after and in-room breakfast and rode over to Hollywood Studios, where we ended up in what seems like the back of the pack for rope drop.

Well, no matter. As rope drop commenced, we took off in the half-trot that's not quite a walk and not quite a run (let's call it a wa-un) following the helpful CM's who were herding us like we were soon to be stampeding cattle. People who did break off and run, well, still got stuck in the arch going back to Pixar Place, so I really don't see what their fuss was all about.

We, on the other hand, stayed with the crowd, where the line for Fastpasses were already insanely long. We went on to the standby line.

This was my favorite game as a child, and Boo's now. . .

Hide your eyes, Legomom! It's a Barrel of Monkeys!

Mr. Potato Head was in full mode, and my son was asked the question what is favorite toy was. He said, Legos.

We ride TSM, and Gillian gets why everyone wants to ride that ride so much! As we leave, it's not even 9:30, but this is what the queue wait time and fast pass return look like. Not too bad, though--especially that fast pass return. . .

And I just love these guys!

So we leave there, and where next? The Great Movie Ride, of course! First, though, we have to stop for the obligatory picture of Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat. A lot of people don't like it, but I love it!

Of course, we have to ride the first GMR (where we pick up the hitchiker in the first area--can't remember which one), but we'll have another chance later.

I love this detail. . .

After this, we walk over to Star Tours, where ds loses his Dash hat. Also, the kids and I get to ride the ride 2 times consecutively because Gillian's seat belt was broken. Instead of us having to wait for her, the CM just let us ride again. I promise another hat for ds later in DTD, and he thus happily walks with us over to Toy Story Pizza Planet. Can I say, I this CS location?!? It has to be the best one in Hollywood Studios!

By this time, we are all tired of DHS, as DS and Gillian don't really like roller coasters, so decide we are going over to Downtown Disney. . .via the Contemporary Resort.

I have never been in the Contemporary, so I thought it would be a good idea to go over there. We walked around a bit, and I simply loved this store. . .

In no time, the Orange Monorail comes through. . .

I love this mural. . .

We then walk back over to the bus stop to go to Downtown Disney. And this is where we learned our first mistake. The bus to DOwntown Disney is not like any other. We had to wait 30 minutes for the bus to come in the first place, and then ride over to the Poly, Grand Floridian, and then by POR what felt like 15 times before we made it to Downtown Disney. Total bus riding and waiting time? About 2 hours

At least the kids were enjoying themselves. . .

Our first stop? The Lego Store!

So after a couple of hours of dumping my hard-earned cash at the Lego Store and World of Disney (where I replaced ds's hat with a cool Mickey hat), we stopped and got a frozen lemonade in DTD and waited for Gillian to finish her shopping. I took a top at the Pin Traders, where I made my wish list, and we decided to head back over to POR (and a 45 minute bus ride--lesson learned, if you have a car, drive to DTD) to rest up before returning to DHS. Well, Gillian and I rested. The kids?

Boo didn't even take off her fanny pack. . .

Coming up . . . And the Heavens Opened Up. . .

 

[Incredimom3]

It' so great to hear more of your story. Sigh - it's almost like being there. Those bus rides can be so insane. But, I guess it's all part of the experience.

 

[creativeamanda]

It' so great to hear more of your story. Sigh - it's almost like being there. Those bus rides can be so insane. But, I guess it's all part of the experience.

Wow. . .I see you will be there soon! I learned a lesson that week about what you should drive to and what you should ride the buses for.

MK, HS, EP--yes

AK, DTD, TL, BB--no

Unless you are going to DTD at night. Then you'd better not drive, because that place is in sore need of a parking garage!

 

[Incredimom3]

We live in Georgia, so we plan to use our car for everything except Magic Kingdom. When we were at Pop last year, we took the buses to MK, but the return was miserable. I also took a bus to and from DD and regretted it. Standing after a long day was hard. I wish that people had demonstrated more curtesy toward the families with small children. My kids are old enough to tough it out on a bus trip back to the resort, but I think it would be very nice if some of the men and boys would get up and offer their seats to ladies with small children. All in all though, I think it's so nice that people can come to a Disney resort and get around with the bus transportation. Did you use the boat transportation to DD? Was it nice?

 

[creativeamanda]

We live in Georgia, so we plan to use our car for everything except Magic Kingdom. When we were at Pop last year, we took the buses to MK, but the return was miserable. I also took a bus to and from DD and regretted it. Standing after a long day was hard. I wish that people had demonstrated more curtesy toward the families with small children. My kids are old enough to tough it out on a bus trip back to the resort, but I think it would be very nice if some of the men and boys would get up and offer their seats to ladies with small children. All in all though, I think it's so nice that people can come to a Disney resort and get around with the bus transportation. Did you use the boat transportation to DD? Was it nice?

We did not use the boat to DTD. The original plan was to do so--not sure why we didn't take the boat back instead of riding the bus--it would have saved so much more time!

I agree about showing curtesy to families with small children. I found that typically on the POR buses, though, this was not a problem. Oddly enough, I found it to be more of a problem on the buses we took to and from the Deluxe resorts.

 

[TarzansKat]

What a nice day!

Having only ridden TSM once (and with a fastpass), I've never been through the queue. I'd really love to see Mr. Potato Head and all the toy/game replicas. It looks amazing! I love Candyland when I was little...heck, I still love it!

 

[creativeamanda]

What a nice day!

Having only ridden TSM once (and with a fastpass), I've never been through the queue. I'd really love to see Mr. Potato Head and all the toy/game replicas. It looks amazing! I love Candyland when I was little...heck, I still love it!

Has your son started playing Candyland yet? Boo got it last year for Christmas and we had to play it 2-3 times daily in the beginning.

 

[PaMom001]

What nice pictures. I would love to go back to DisneyWorld again just DD & myself. I don't think that'll happen anytime soon. Maybe we'll go when she graduates High School.

 

[creativeamanda]

What nice pictures. I would love to go back to DisneyWorld again just DD & myself. I don't think that'll happen anytime soon. Maybe we'll go when she graduates High School.

We really need a Tagless girls-only trip and then you could bring her with you. . .I think that would be a great idea.