mom23boyz
Wishing I Had a Magic Wand
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2004
- Messages
- 481
Cast of Characters
Me (41) Dis Board Junkie who would rather spend time planning trip than cooking dinner.
DH (41) Funder of trip and generous earner of frequent flier miles to get us there appreciates all the Disney planning, not so thrilled with the no dinners thing.
DS (10) Thrill-Seeker very excited to be going to the World. Been twice to Disneyland and loves any ride that goes fast, high or upside-down.
DS (8) Drama King charming child who loves meeting the characters, thinks hes a thrill-seeker (but is still a little frightened of upside-down) and may blow a gasket at any time. Been to Disneyland once.
DS (4) Binky Boy Happy to be going anywhere the family goes, as long as hes with Mom. Still needs a binky at night, but will assail brothers with full blows when provoked. Also been to DL once.
Trip Dates: 1/7/05 1/15/05
Saturday, January 8th
Our first full day in Orlando. We stuck to the plan devised before we left. Slept in due to the late night. DH took the shuttle back to airport to pick up rental car while I got kids up, dressed in swimsuits and down to the breakfast buffet. He arrives back in time to eat with us, then we let the kids go for a swim while we soak in the warm, sunny morning and call home to assure nervous grandparents we arrived safely. After a 45-minute swim, we clean up, pack up the rental mini-van and head to the Spring Hill Suites in the Marriott Village, our home away from home for the next 4 nights. Our room is ready and we unload our luggage into the suite now this is a stretch. Being loyal Embassy Suites consumers, a suite to us is a good-sized front room with sofa bed and then a full sized bedroom with two queens and a closing door. This room was the tightest suite wed ever seen and it had just a partial wall between the bedroom portion and the sofa-bed living area. That being said there were two TVs, a fridge, microwave, sink and coffee maker, plus weekday newspapers. The biggest draw here for us (besides it was free due to DHs Marriott rewards thanks, honey!) was the breakfast buffet which was included. They had a very well organized dining room that had something for all of us, including Mickey Mouse pancakes.
Anyway, we pack our daypack and gather up our MYW confirmations (purchased online) and head out for the MK. Now the Marriott Village is in a great location. We were onsite in no time and parking at the TTC. Didnt realize until we got there that we couldnt park in front of the MK like at Disneyland. We board the monorail and enjoy the views of things Id only read about. By about 1:30, we are activating our 7-day MYW Plus Tix with Hopping and Expiration a good choice overall, but with better planning, we may have saved $$ by not purchasing the Hopping option oh well, live and learn.
Once inside, we head straight to Frontierland as everyone had said the first ride needed to be Splash Mountain. Being mid-day Saturday, the park was fairly crowded and Thrill-Seeker says to me, This is a 3 out of 10 level crowd day? He did too much reading of the Unofficial Guide to WDW! Anyway, we FP Splash Mtn and head to Tom Sawyer Island. We let Thrill-Seeker and Drama King head off on their own and DH and I stay with Binky Boy. We agree to meet at the boat dock. After exploring some caves and stuff, DH starts to worry about the others whereabouts, so he decides to wait at the dock. In the meantime, I take Binky Boy up to the Fort Something or Other and pretend to shoot the guns at the BTMRR. When were done, we head back to the boat dock and this is when I discover our 3rd (and to me, most painful) loss of the trip my Brighton Sunglasses. I loved those sunglasses and absolutely need shades when in the sun or its headache-city for me. I drop off BB with DH and run all the way back to the Fort and up to the tower where the guns were, certain I had left them there. No dice. I search the path all the way back, retracing all my steps, but never find them. I check with two different CMs who dont have them, but tell me to check back with the crew on the Mainland. Although I am upset over this loss, I quickly check my attitude and we are off to get a FP for BTMRR and then ride Splash Mountain. DH is very impressed with the speed of the FP line and keeps asking over and over why do these people stand here waiting when they could do this? Splash Mountain is a big hit with all of us its the first time for Drama King and Binky Boy and they loved it. On the way out, we spy a penny press and also the books for keeping the pennies in. Since we came prepared with quarters and new shiny pennies, all three boys begin their collections. We also pick up an autograph book for Binky Boy (Drama King brought his from the last trip to Disneyland).
We head over to Pirates and hit the McDonalds fry stand on the way. We had dinner planned at OHanas that night, so we didnt eat lunch as we wanted to be hungry. After Pirates, boys and I looked through the gift shop while DH went to get FP for the Jungle Cruise. This is when I first saw the charm bracelet display intriguing!!! Back to BTMRR for our FP time loved it. On towards Jungle Cruise, but delayed by the kiosk selling raccoon hats and toy guns. My boys have never had any guns other than super soakers (although we do own many swords and light sabers). Thrill-Seeker and Binky Boy decide to buy the small pistols with some of their Disney Dollars. Quick comment here about Disney and guns I noticed they had many types of toys guns for sale at almost every turn, yet I havent ever seen anyone raging on them for this practice. Have I just missed this or is everyone OK with it? Obviously, I let my kids buy some, but normally at home, I would have tried harder to steer them away from it.
Next stop, of course, is the Shootin Arcade where Drama King has one of his many moments, sits off by himself, and says, No one will let me in. DH was busy with the other two and there werent any more spots available, so I took him next door to the Pin Trading shop to show him what that whole thing was all about. He decides he will spend some of his money on a lanyard and two pins.
We are off to Jungle Cruise and then out to the monorail to get to the Poly for our 7pm PS at OHanas. DH is tickled pink when we arrive because we are early and have time to sit in the lounge with a drink (Shirley Temples for the boys) and watch the Seattle Seahawks playoff game on their big screen. We are about 25-30 minutes early and request a window table. Now DH and Thrill-Seeker are set and dont move for the next 45 minutes very intense on the game. I take the other two to peruse the Poly gift shop (more charms plus a new pair of sunglasses) and find their penny presses. About 7:20 or so, we are seated at our window table (thanks DIS boards) and enjoy the meal tremendously. At 8:00, the MK fireworks begin and the lights in the restaurant are dimmed and the music piped in (just as I learned it would be from these boards). It was the best ending to the beginning of a trip. Binky Boy was delighted to announce the colors of the castle as it changed and I was thrilled that everything had worked like clockwork.
Tomorrow we tackle MGM!
Me (41) Dis Board Junkie who would rather spend time planning trip than cooking dinner.
DH (41) Funder of trip and generous earner of frequent flier miles to get us there appreciates all the Disney planning, not so thrilled with the no dinners thing.
DS (10) Thrill-Seeker very excited to be going to the World. Been twice to Disneyland and loves any ride that goes fast, high or upside-down.
DS (8) Drama King charming child who loves meeting the characters, thinks hes a thrill-seeker (but is still a little frightened of upside-down) and may blow a gasket at any time. Been to Disneyland once.
DS (4) Binky Boy Happy to be going anywhere the family goes, as long as hes with Mom. Still needs a binky at night, but will assail brothers with full blows when provoked. Also been to DL once.
Trip Dates: 1/7/05 1/15/05
Saturday, January 8th
Our first full day in Orlando. We stuck to the plan devised before we left. Slept in due to the late night. DH took the shuttle back to airport to pick up rental car while I got kids up, dressed in swimsuits and down to the breakfast buffet. He arrives back in time to eat with us, then we let the kids go for a swim while we soak in the warm, sunny morning and call home to assure nervous grandparents we arrived safely. After a 45-minute swim, we clean up, pack up the rental mini-van and head to the Spring Hill Suites in the Marriott Village, our home away from home for the next 4 nights. Our room is ready and we unload our luggage into the suite now this is a stretch. Being loyal Embassy Suites consumers, a suite to us is a good-sized front room with sofa bed and then a full sized bedroom with two queens and a closing door. This room was the tightest suite wed ever seen and it had just a partial wall between the bedroom portion and the sofa-bed living area. That being said there were two TVs, a fridge, microwave, sink and coffee maker, plus weekday newspapers. The biggest draw here for us (besides it was free due to DHs Marriott rewards thanks, honey!) was the breakfast buffet which was included. They had a very well organized dining room that had something for all of us, including Mickey Mouse pancakes.
Anyway, we pack our daypack and gather up our MYW confirmations (purchased online) and head out for the MK. Now the Marriott Village is in a great location. We were onsite in no time and parking at the TTC. Didnt realize until we got there that we couldnt park in front of the MK like at Disneyland. We board the monorail and enjoy the views of things Id only read about. By about 1:30, we are activating our 7-day MYW Plus Tix with Hopping and Expiration a good choice overall, but with better planning, we may have saved $$ by not purchasing the Hopping option oh well, live and learn.
Once inside, we head straight to Frontierland as everyone had said the first ride needed to be Splash Mountain. Being mid-day Saturday, the park was fairly crowded and Thrill-Seeker says to me, This is a 3 out of 10 level crowd day? He did too much reading of the Unofficial Guide to WDW! Anyway, we FP Splash Mtn and head to Tom Sawyer Island. We let Thrill-Seeker and Drama King head off on their own and DH and I stay with Binky Boy. We agree to meet at the boat dock. After exploring some caves and stuff, DH starts to worry about the others whereabouts, so he decides to wait at the dock. In the meantime, I take Binky Boy up to the Fort Something or Other and pretend to shoot the guns at the BTMRR. When were done, we head back to the boat dock and this is when I discover our 3rd (and to me, most painful) loss of the trip my Brighton Sunglasses. I loved those sunglasses and absolutely need shades when in the sun or its headache-city for me. I drop off BB with DH and run all the way back to the Fort and up to the tower where the guns were, certain I had left them there. No dice. I search the path all the way back, retracing all my steps, but never find them. I check with two different CMs who dont have them, but tell me to check back with the crew on the Mainland. Although I am upset over this loss, I quickly check my attitude and we are off to get a FP for BTMRR and then ride Splash Mountain. DH is very impressed with the speed of the FP line and keeps asking over and over why do these people stand here waiting when they could do this? Splash Mountain is a big hit with all of us its the first time for Drama King and Binky Boy and they loved it. On the way out, we spy a penny press and also the books for keeping the pennies in. Since we came prepared with quarters and new shiny pennies, all three boys begin their collections. We also pick up an autograph book for Binky Boy (Drama King brought his from the last trip to Disneyland).
We head over to Pirates and hit the McDonalds fry stand on the way. We had dinner planned at OHanas that night, so we didnt eat lunch as we wanted to be hungry. After Pirates, boys and I looked through the gift shop while DH went to get FP for the Jungle Cruise. This is when I first saw the charm bracelet display intriguing!!! Back to BTMRR for our FP time loved it. On towards Jungle Cruise, but delayed by the kiosk selling raccoon hats and toy guns. My boys have never had any guns other than super soakers (although we do own many swords and light sabers). Thrill-Seeker and Binky Boy decide to buy the small pistols with some of their Disney Dollars. Quick comment here about Disney and guns I noticed they had many types of toys guns for sale at almost every turn, yet I havent ever seen anyone raging on them for this practice. Have I just missed this or is everyone OK with it? Obviously, I let my kids buy some, but normally at home, I would have tried harder to steer them away from it.
Next stop, of course, is the Shootin Arcade where Drama King has one of his many moments, sits off by himself, and says, No one will let me in. DH was busy with the other two and there werent any more spots available, so I took him next door to the Pin Trading shop to show him what that whole thing was all about. He decides he will spend some of his money on a lanyard and two pins.
We are off to Jungle Cruise and then out to the monorail to get to the Poly for our 7pm PS at OHanas. DH is tickled pink when we arrive because we are early and have time to sit in the lounge with a drink (Shirley Temples for the boys) and watch the Seattle Seahawks playoff game on their big screen. We are about 25-30 minutes early and request a window table. Now DH and Thrill-Seeker are set and dont move for the next 45 minutes very intense on the game. I take the other two to peruse the Poly gift shop (more charms plus a new pair of sunglasses) and find their penny presses. About 7:20 or so, we are seated at our window table (thanks DIS boards) and enjoy the meal tremendously. At 8:00, the MK fireworks begin and the lights in the restaurant are dimmed and the music piped in (just as I learned it would be from these boards). It was the best ending to the beginning of a trip. Binky Boy was delighted to announce the colors of the castle as it changed and I was thrilled that everything had worked like clockwork.
Tomorrow we tackle MGM!
Sorry to hear that you lost your sunglasses but you sure understand that spirit of vacation since you were able to just let it go...plus, you had an excuse to buy a new pair of glasses! 
I also wear a hat in the sun. Your day sounds perfect. Think I may book O'Hana's for our upcoming trip. 
