Our Family's 1st Trip to the "World"!

[longing2Batdisney]

We are almost packed! The girls and all that other stuff is packed - all we need to do is get our clothes packed.

And we are so excited we can hardly sleep! (Ok I guess that would be just me - no one else here seems to have that problem )

You better get it together you are leaving tomorrow!
Well, I decided to pack Ashton's stuff today, I had pulled it all out and shot pics for my PTR, but, now I need to pack it. I have most of his busy stuff packed. I think I'm going to clean my closet (which I was suppose to do last weekend, today and start packing my stuff that I can get away with not using for the next 13 days).

Try and get some sleep tonite so you will be fresh for the mouse!!
I know starting next weekend I won't be able to sleep.

Have a safe trip! and have great time

 

[rosedolph]

You better get it together you are leaving tomorrow!
Well, I decided to pack Ashton's stuff today, I had pulled it all out and shot pics for my PTR, but, now I need to pack it. I have most of his busy stuff packed. I think I'm going to clean my closet (which I was suppose to do last weekend, today and start packing my stuff that I can get away with not using for the next 13 days).

Try and get some sleep tonite so you will be fresh for the mouse!!
I know starting next weekend I won't be able to sleep.

Have a safe trip! and have great time

Thanks! The nest time you hear from us - we will be in Disney!

 

[rosedolph]

Day 0 – Arrival So we were up early this morning (at 4:30am) and for once it was not hard getting everyone up. The girls we so excited they had no problems quickly getting dressed. The only problem was as soon as we were ready to walk out the door – it started to rain. Not a gentle spring rain but a huge, build an ark - down pour! Poor Randy got the wettest as he took the rest of the bags out and got the girls in the car.

Randy dropped the girls and I off at the air port and then he took our bird and dog over to his parents house. (He had a cousin who was house/dog/bird sitting for our whole group at his parents house.) And he got a ride back to the airport with a family member so that we would not have to park at the air port. We met up at our gate, so it was a little stressful getting the girls and I checked in and through security by myself, but it saved us $80!

Getting through the airport went smoothly and the girls were so excited about the airplane ride and seeing their cousins (Ashley 15 and Brittney 13). The plane ride was great the girls enjoyed all the little surprises that were in their back backs – it went by really fast. So a great start to our Disney vacation!

Hannah at the airport.

Emma at the airport.

Once we landed it was a little tricky getting our bags and then getting over to the Magical Express. After getting our bags we had to go back up to the 3rd floor and over to the other side of the airport and down again to another baggage area to the Magical Express. (remember there are 10 of us traveling together, with 50 million bags, and 1 double stroller) Then we found out that we were supposed to have a ticket for the magical express and for some reason we didn’t have one (even though we had signed up for this a couple of months a ago). So we had to wait in another line to get tickets so we could go wait in another line to get on the bus. It seemed like everyone was arriving at the same time – the place was packed! The magical express was not looking very magical at the moment.

Once we got to our line the wait was not that long and soon we were on the bus and on our way. As soon as the little Disney informational show came on the bus tvs – it was magical! Everyone was transformed – you could almost see the pixie dust in the air!

Ok, so now let me explain in a little side note what was going on with my mom, sister Melody and my other sister Michelle.


So Michelle left from TN the night before and se was safely waiting for us at Coronado Springs. But Mom and Melody had left the week before and flew into Miami to visit with my aunt. Mom and Melody were supposed to take a bus early Saturday morning from Miami to the Orlando airport and then a taxi to the resort. They were supposed to be at the resort before we got there.

As soon as we landed I called Michelle and she had not heard from Mom, and I could not get her on her cell phone. Once I got on the magical express I was able to get a hold of my brother and he had talked to my Mom and she was still waiting for a bus! They had been at the bus depot since very early that morning and still had not been able to get a bus. (I have not heard the whole story yet – but Mom found out that just because you have a ticket does not mean you have a seat on the bus.)

I could go into the whole story about all the phone calls and waiting and calls and waiting but I won’t! Let’s just get back to our part of the story.


As soon as we pulled into Coronado Springs I knew we were in for a great stay! The resort was fabulous! It was beautiful with lush greenery and fountains. We had a water view and it was awesome! Plus our room was very close to a quite pool and a bus stop. The room itself was ok - it had a really strong musty smell, but once the bathroom door and outside door were opened it aired out. We didn't want to move rooms because we were in the middle room of our group and the location and view were great. BTW - no one else’s room had a musty smell. They are in the process of refurbishing all the rooms - we just didn't get one of those. But like I said we weren't complaining because everything else was perfect.


View from our window.

View of the front building from our room area.

The 3 Caballeros.

Pretty flowers like this all over.

We all grabbed a bite to eat at the resort’s Pepper Market – it was a really neat place, lots of food choices. After lunch Randy’s family decide to go to MK while we wait for my Mom.

So we wanted to eat supper at MK and get back to the room early because we had a rope drop in the morning. But Mom and Melody still had not made it in and I didn't want to not be here when she got here. So we used the time to unpack. I am so glad that I brought the shoe organizer - it worked out great in keeping all the little things organized and in easy reach. All the snack up on the TV/ Dresser cabinet, clothes in the draws, and we are all unpacked. Our room already felt like home!



We had to go back to the font desk to ask about our pack-n-play and our grocery order. They cast members at the resort are super nice! (Oh - I forgot, when we checked in we all got our "celebration" buttons - Hannah for her birthday, Emma for her first visit, and Randy and I for our anniversary.)


When we got back to the room the Pack-n-play was already there and the groceries were on the way. After they are delivered we decided that we needed to go ahead and eat dinner with out Mom but leave her a note to call us. Just as we headed out to the bus stop Michelle got a call from Mom that she was checking in! I was so excited!

We are finally all together - and we are off to Magic Kingdom!

Bus stop was easy to find and a Mk bus came right away. Once we got into MK we had to stop by guest services and get Melody a GAC card. She has down syndrome and due to some physical disabilities she needed a wheel chair. Once that was obtained we were off for pictures and dinner.

The girls were so excited to see the castle and it was so pretty at night changing colors. They got so excited because it was a different color each time they looked at it. (I will post the photo pass pictures as soon as I can) We ate at Cosmic Rays and had a castle view. (I would recommend this to anyone. Don’t eat in the front room, but keeping walking to the right – as you are facing the counters. Lots of tables in the back with a great view of the castle. And don't forget if you are eating on a budget order the double burger with an extra bun, then you can add all the toppings you want for both burgers at the topping bar.)

Emma at Cosmic Rays - you can see a little of the castle behind her.

Now originally our plans were to leave right after dinner and have an early night, but with Mom getting there so late and they only have tomorrow and half of the next day so we decided to stay. We walked on to Mickey's Philharmagic, and then waited about 10 minutes for Dumbo.

Ready for Phillharmagic!

I didn't realize it was so late and while we were in line for Dumbo the fireworks warning came on. So we were on Dumbo when the fire works started. It was pretty cool for the adults but the girls and Melody did not like it. Melody was crying, Emma had her head buried in my lap, and Hannah was riding with her fingers in her ears. As soon as we got off we ran into a store to wait it out. It was very loud with fireworks going off on both sides. We left right after the fireworks - it was craziness!

Melody was not happy with the fireworks.

Emma looks happy in this picture - not sure how I got her head out of my lap.

Hannah was fine as long as her fingers were in her ears.

We made it to our bus stop - #1 so not too far to walk. Back to our room - poor Emma fell asleep on the bus, and we all crashed!

I felt like such a bad mommy!

Will we be able to make Epcot rope drop after a late night?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Yah! Everybody has arrived safely and it looks like the trip is off to a nice start.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Great start to your trip!! sounds like fun was had by all; but, your poor mom.
I love how you started w/a smiling Emma and finished w/a tuckered out Emma. Looking forward to more... fueling the excitement

 

[mickeystoontown]

Yah! Everybody has arrived safely and it looks like the trip is off to a nice start.

 

[rosedolph]

Ok, so I'm back and I promise not to wait that long again between updates.

We left off with all of us exhausted from our day of travel and MK magic - with some of us not being able to wait for a bed. So now it is our fist official day and we are off to Epcot!

Ok so today is Mother’s Day and I get to be at Epcot (my favorite park) with my girls and husband (my favorite people) – how cool is that! Plus my own mother is with us – and I haven’t spent a Mother’s Day with her in a long time! I knew it was going to be a very special day – and it was!



We got up at 6:30 and were at the bus stop at 7:30. I had no idea how long it would take us to get to Epcot and we really wanted to be there for rope drop. We had never been to a rope drop, never even heard of “rope drop” – so we wanted to give ourselves plenty of time. And we did – we were at Epcot’s turnstiles before 8am!



While we were waiting we played with bubbles and had a good time visiting with cast member Wanda. Hannah had on her birthday button so Wanda had Goofy call Hannah to wish her a happy birthday, and all the ladies got a carnation for mother’s day. At about 8:30 came our first special moment of the day.



Wanda asked us if we would like to help her open the park! It was a neat moment for us! We got to walk around the front area – and no one else was around. We took pictures and let the girls run around. Then we helped “open” the park by counting down from 10 to 0 then people started coming through the turnstiles. Wanda looked at us and said – "Now run!" She had given us a certificate stating that we opened the park and a fast pass good for our whole party for any ride. How cool!



This is a picture Wanda took before the park opened - notice no one else is around!

So we were off – and our first stop was Space Ship Earth. The original plan was for Randy to run to Soarin’ while the rest of us rode SSE- but since we had the really neat fast pass we didn’t need to split up. So we all got to ride together! This is the first time I had been on it since the changed it – and we all loved it! We were not excepting the little video on the trip down and we all got a kick out of our future selves.


Randy and the girls playing the area where you exit SSE. This is were we loaded because of Melody's wheel chair. Since we were the first in line NO ONE else was in here.

Getting ready to go up! (Melody, Michelle, and Grace)

Hannah's first ride at Epcot!

We then walked over to the Sea and walked into Turtle Talk. Of course the girls we enthralled with Crush – and it was really fun for the adults to watch too. It was a really good show - and we are still wondering - How do they do it?!?!

We went straight from TT to Nemo ride – and walked right on. I was a little disappointed because I thought we would get to see more real fish – like at the end of the ride. Plus Hannah was terrified of the big scary fish with the light in it’s mouth. I had NO idea that was in there and I couldn’t even prepare her for it. That really freaked her out and it ruined another ride for her – but I will tell you about that in a little bit. Emma just looked board – we found out that she did that on most rides.



So after Nemo we said hi to Bruce and looked at some fish.

Emma was not very excited about sticking her head in a shark's mouth!

I just realized that I did not get a picture with Bruce! Oh, well - another reason to go back!


Emma and Daddy checking out the fish. You can't see it in the picture but there was a Dory fish that was playing in the bubbles. Emma though the fish was very funny.

Grandma Grace and Hannah "finding Nemo"

We then headed over to see Figment and I was so excited because he is my favorite! I couldn’t wait to introduce him to Hannah and Emma. When the ride first started I told Hannah that there was one place that it would get a little dark and a train sound would come, but nothing would be there it was just sound. Well she freaked out – because of that fish! She screamed at the train part and then cried almost the entire ride. She finally calmed down at the end once I convinced nothing else would happen – it was just a fun song playing with Figment being silly. Well then guess what happened – the big blast of air “blows out” the wall in front of us! Thankfully I was leaning over her so she did not get scared and she though it was funny that Randy and I jumped. At least we had fun playing at Imagination Works.



Hannah and Aunt Mimi (Michelle) making music.

Emma and Mommy making music.

It is lunch time so we head over to The Land to try out the Sunshine Season Food Fair. I didn't get any pictures of our food. To be honest I was always so hungry that I would forget - and I didn't think anyone wanted to look at half eaten food. But the food here was great! There was a large selection to choose from so everyone was happy. Also if you have a dinning plan don't think you have to get the pre-packaged cakes - we made that mistake our first day. Then a wonderful cast member told us that we could get dessert from the bakery or even a fruit bowl.Yummy!





Up next - Break time and then PRINCESSES!

 

[rosedolph]

So before we left for nap time we had to try out Soarin'! Everyone was talking about it – would it really be all that great, and would Hannah like it?


We had to leave Emma with Randy’s parents (they met up with us for lunch) and they rode the Land while we went to Soarin’. Now looking back I realized that I should have taken Emma and asked for a Parent Swap – and then let them take her. That way we could have rode on it twice with one fast pass. Oh well – you learn as you go.


Hannah was a little nervous but did great! And she loved it! She had so much fun kicking the waves and she said that she thinks she kicked a golfer. After Soarin’ we all rode The Land – yes we made Emma and Randy’s parents ride it again. Then we were off to our resort and down for a nap!


We had ADR’s at Akershus for dinner (to celebrate Hannah’s Birthday) and Hannah was so excited to see the princesses! We all meet (all 14 of us) at Akershus for our dinner at 5:30. We had never been there so I didn’t know what to expect, but I had heard good things. Well it was GREAT! The food was fabulous and the Princesses where so wonderful. We saw 5 – Bell, Cinderella, Snow White, Arial, and Aurora. When we first entered to be seated we were taken through a room that Bell was waiting in and had a “private audience” with her. We were able to talk to her and get pictures taken – it was really nice. (BTW – everyone did this, it wasn’t just because we were special ) Later in the meal we were given 4 poses, each pose had 1 - 8x10 & 4 – 3x5 (or something small like that). And the pictures were included in the price of the meal.


The food was very yummy! There were appetizers at a buffet then you ordered your entree from a menu. Dessert was served family style, and all 4 types came to your table. It was so good! But of course the best parts were the Princesses! They came around and talked, signed autographs and posed for pictures. Each of them spent time with the girls talking to them and making them feel special and the even spent time with Melody. It was so neat to watch Hannah meet her “friends”!


Meeting Bell before we are seated.

Bell and Snow White are Emma's favorite - and they are the only ones she hugs.

Melody talking to Bell.

Cinderella came our table first - she is Hannah's favorite. She spent a lot of time talking to the girls (and Melody) and we took a lot of pictures. But after she left we realized that for some reason none of the pictures had come out. But Cinderella was so nice to come back over quickly to snap a couple of pictures.

Arial came over and told Hannah she loved the pretty "sea weed" Hannah had in her hair. Hannah got a kick out of that (and she still talks about it).

Aroura was my least favorite - it was still neat but just not a lot of interaction with the girls.

Emma kept waiting and waiting for Snow White - we could see her at other tables and Emma would get so excited. Finially it was our turn! Snow White was perfect - just like in the movies, and Emma loved it!

So after we ate we thought we would do a Kim Impossible mission (I had picked up a ticket on our way out earlier that day). We were assigned to China and for the most part it was fun and interesting. But Hannah got a little caught up in the story, and at one point was scared because she thought the Monkey Ninjas were coming to get her. Of course it didn’t help that I was telling her to “run before they come” and the gong we activated was making monkey noises. So we stopped and explained it to her – it is all pretend, just a little tv on the phone, nothing is really going to come. And she settled down, but we didn’t do any more missions with her.


Getting our mission.

We then met back up with my Mom and Melody – they were looking at other lands, and headed back to the resort. Michelle and Randy’s family stayed for a little while. On the way to the busses Randy starts feeling bad – like bad, bad. Thankfully he makes it back to the room before he got sick. And he did get sick, many times, all night. The poor guy had a rough night – and I was so tired that I slept through it (in bed with Hannah). I did ask him if he needed anything before I went to sleep and told him to wake me up if he needed too. Needless to say I knew that rope drop at MK in the morning was not going to happen.



Up next – Was Randy’s fling with the toilet just a one night stand? Would the rest of us get sick? Would we ever hear the “Good Morning” song?!?!

 

[Myhappythought5]

What a great start to the trip. What a Special memory to get to help open the park. You guys will talk about that for a long time to come.
Great TR

 

[my2disneyboys]

Great start to your report!! I love that you got to open the park at Epcot. Wasnt it just so beautiful with all the plants and floral displays!? I loved it!!!

We met snow white at Askerhaus, she was my favorite too.

 

[dismagiclover]

Great report so far! The first family trip is so magical I hope your DH feels better and it really is only a one night stand.
Can't wait for more

 

[rosedolph]

So today we were supposed to make rope drop at MK, and this was my Mom, Melody, and Michelle’s last day. (they had to leave for the airport late afternoon). BUT Randy had been sick all night! Poor Randy!


So I quickly came up with another plan – I would take Emma with me (because she woke up early) and let Hannah and Randy sleep. Emma and I would join my Mom and sisters and go to MK. Our room had a joining door with Randy’s parents’ room so Hannah could go over there when she woke up. I would be back for lunch and hopefully Randy would be doing better and we could continue our day. (we had dinner ADRs at the Crystal Palace and they did not have any for the next day so I didn’t want to cancel).


It worked out great – except for the part where my mom and sisters had to pack and get their bags out of the room, so we didn’t get to MK until between 9:30 and 10:00. I really do not like getting there at that time because it was already crowded – and it was really hot this morning! Mom and Melody only wanted to ride It’s a Small World and the Monorail so our plan was to walk around MK for a little bit and then to take the Monorail over to Epcot so they could eat lunch in Japan.


As we made our way to It’s a Small World (or Small, Small World as Melody called it) we got Emma’s profile made and looked in a few stores. Then on to IaSW – it was actually a walk on. They had the front closed off because they are remodeling or something so I think people thought it was closed. It was so nice to sit for a while and of course everyone loved the ride!


Mom and Melody. Check out Melody's new Hannah Montana hat!

Emma and Michelle

When we got off we headed over to Ms. Potts for some ice cream –I normally do not eat ice cream for a morning snack, but it was so hot! Then it was time to get to the monorail for Epcot. While we were walking around the castle we saw what we thought was a parade coming down main street so we hurried to see it. We stopped in the middle of the circle in front of the castle and had a great view. It was really hot but I knew that the parade would pass and we would be one our way. But guess what –it wasn’t a parade! It was the Block Party and it circled the circle and stopped! So we were trapped inside the circle until it was over!!! Did I mention that it was hot! It was the hottest day of our trip – I think like 97, and there is no shade where we were.



But no matter the temperature, fun was to be had by all! The cast members were great! Michelle and Melody had a great time dancing and even mom got in on it!

Minnie sending Emma some love.

This cast member was great! I never did catch his name, in fact I don't think he had on a name tag. He danced with Melody and got her involved the whole time. He really made her feel special. As he walked away her blew her a kiss!

We walked with the Block Party back down main street on out of the park – I think that was a great way for Mom, Melody and Michelle to say goodbye to MK. I left the ladies at Epcot to enjoy their lunch and Emma and I caught the bus back to CS.



On the Monorail!

When we got back to the room Randy was feeling much better – not yet 100% but well enough to join Emma and I for lunch. I guess I should mention that Randy’s parents had taken Hannah to Epcot for lunch, and we would pick her up on the way to MK.

After lunch we had a nap, and then we would be off to MK to see Pooh Bear!


During nap my Mom and sisters stopped by. Mom and Melody were on their way to the ME Buss so we hugged and said our goodbyes. They told me that they were not able to get into Epcot because their tickets would not work. WHOOPS! I complete forgot that I only got them single park tickets to save them money. I felt really bad but they said it worked out best because they would not have had time to eat at Japan and make the ME bus. They really enjoyed the Pepper Market and were very impressed by all the food choices.


Michelle and I sat out by the pool and visited until time for us to leave for MK and she had to catch the ME Bus.


We picked up Hannah at the Monorail stop at Epcot and rode the monorail and ferry to MK.


On the Monorail!

First time on the Ferry.

We walked right to CP and got seated at 6:15 The place was already packed with A LOT of people waiting out side.



The food was good, but a little boring – traditional buffet style. But we didn’t care about the food, we were there for POOH BEAR! And we weren’t disappointed! Emma was so excited that once she saw the characters coming she couldn’t eat any more. (it was a good thing that they came at the end of our meal) She was so cute with each of them, hugging and kissing them. Hannah would try to talk to them and got a little frustrated that they didn’t talk back.


The table was decorated for Hannah's birthday!

Our server was a lady named Tracy and she was from our home town! Hannah ended the meal with a birthday cupcake and birthday card signed by Pooh and friends.

After the meal we rode Winnie the Pooh (I had gotten FP earlier that day with Mom and Michelle’s cards) and then we walked around looking for press penny machines and balloons. They had been saving their money for the balloons, and good thing because they cost $9 - a piece!

We decided not to stay for Spectro but to get to bed early because we would do our MK RD morning tomorrow.


Up Next - Will we finally get to see the Mouse?