Monday, June 12, 2006
Set the wake up call for 7:00 am this morning so wed be at the MK at opening. Answered the wake up call, and tried the speakerphone but it wasnt working. Neither of the kids woke up when the phone rang, so it really didnt matter. I woke DH up. Apparently he and Shealynn swam in the pool for about an hour last night, so she really wanted to sleep in. Not this morning. News reports were full of stories about Alberto. Its now a Category 3 tropical depression (I think). So Dathan thinks we should stay in the room and monitor the storm from there. I told him to feel free but DDs and I were going to the parks, because it was after all a vacation. We could be scared and do nothing or go out, have some fun and make the best of the situation. I also told him if it made him feel better, he could ask CMs for updates, because if it became really bad, they would know. He decides to come along with us. I take turns putting DDs in the shower with me so I can wash all the chlorine out of their hair. DH gets them dressed while I get ready, and we all sit down to a bowl of cereal. Were not big breakfast eaters, so we brought along cereal, pop tarts, and granola bars for our breakfast.
We leave the room at 8:45 (late again) and head to the bus stop. We wait maybe 5 minutes at most and a bus pulls up. Were at the bag checkpoint for the MK at 9:15. I remind everyone (DH) as were walking to have all pockets unzipped and open by the time we get in line to make it quicker. Shealynn remembers this and is the 1st one ready every morning. DH always has to be reminded. It never fails that both DDs and are get through bag check, are rezipped and waiting a the turnstiles for him every time. We team up and DD takes Kayleigh and the stroller, and I take Shealynn through the turnstiles. She is upset because she doesnt have to do the finger scan, so she does it even though its unnecessary. I go through no problems and meet up with DH under the train station as planned.
By this point both girls are dying to get inside. Kayleigh has been freaking out since we got off the bus. We emerge from under the train station and I have the girls close their eyes .when we step onto Main Street I position myself in the optimum picture taking position in the front and to the side and tell them to open their eyes. This is the moment Ive been waiting for. They saw the castle last night, but his is the 1st time theyll see it in broad daylight, with a whole day of fun ahead. And the 1st time where Mom can get some good pictures, because it was too crowded and dark last night. They both open their eyes and for a second, just a second, theyre speechless. You can see the wonder and awe and excitement in their eyes. Both stand there eyes wide, and take it all in. Dathan and I look at each other, because this is why we came. Tears well up in my eyes and DH laughs at me. Kayleigh breaks the silence The castle, the castle, lets go see it. And off she goes; except Dathan has her hand and she cant go as fast as she wants to. Hurry up! Lets go ride Dumbo! I turn to Shealynn and she says Its just like I remember it, except it has all the decorations on it. I like it better this way. It looks like a present. I have to agree with her. I really like the decorations that are on there for the happiest celebration on earth. Especially the gold swirls around the turrets of the castle.
We take the time to stop and get Photopass pictures taken in front of the castle. We get a couple of pictures of all of us, a few of just the girls. Every Photopass photo we have taken the photographer takes at least 3 or 4 pictures of each pose, which I think is great. Because a lot of the times, one person has their eyes closed, or isnt looking straight ahead, so usually at least one picture turns our perfect.
Pictures done and off we go. WE all sat down before the trip and made a must do list. I also am a Tour Guide Mike Subscriber, and I tried to follow his suggestions as closely as possible. We tried to get there before park opening or as close to it as possible, but wit didnt always go as I planned. Heres what we rode in order: Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pans Flight, Cinderellas Carousel, Small World and Mickeys Philharmagic. DDs and I ride the tea cups. Its raining through the whole morning. Not a downpour, but enough to get you damp. It actually felt pretty good because it was already 85+.
Here we part from TGM, because Kayleigh really wants to go see Minnie and Mickeys house and some characters. I head over to Fastpass Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger spin and meet up with them. Dathan is directionally challenged, so Im the FP volunteer. I run over get our Fps and meet up with them at Minnies house. We try to herd the kids through as quickly as possible, because the rain has picked up and we want to at least do Buzz Lightyear and get lunch before we leave the park.
Next is the Hall of Fame for characters. I ask which characters are in which line and the CM doesnt know. So we pick a line, since the girls will be happy with whoever they get. We figure out that 1 line is Princesses (all girls in line) and were not sure of the other line. (It turns out to be chip and Dale and Pluto) We wait about 25 minutes, trying to keep Kayleigh from swinging on the ropes with little success. Every time youre not looking at her, she hops on and swings. I finally pick her up and hold her until we get to the front of the line. We see Minnie Mouse, then Daisy Duck, and finally Pluto. We look around inside for a minute and decide to head over to Tomorrowland. The rain has picked up a good bit, but we decide to hold off on the ponchos, because its not a total downpour, just a drizzle.
We decide to ride the TTA first, because we still have a few minutes left before our FP return time. WE ride and Shealynn gets upset because she thinks were riding Space Mountain, not going inside the ride Space Mountain. We calm her down and finish the ride. WE head down the escalator and I tell DH I want to FP Space Mountain because my window just opened up. I show him where to go for the FP return area of Buzz and that Ill meet him and the girls there. I stop and watch as he heads for the regular line. I shake my head and walk over to Space Mountain, because I know Ill straighten him out in just a minute. I get my single FP (Shealynn is scared, Kayleigh is too little and Dathan gets motion sickness and will not take anything for it, so I always have to ride the fun stuff alone) and walk over toward Buzz, when there is a HUGE clap of thunder, and the skies open. And it pours. In 2 seconds, I am soaked to the bone. Everyone around me is running. I walk because Im already wet. Go to Buzz and DH is NOT THERE.
I look around and he has moved to the area under the TTA. So I walk, soaking wet across the wide open area getting wetter by the second to him. Why, I ask did you move? Because we were in the wrong line he answers. So why didnt you go to the right line? Because I didnt know where it was. I showed you I answered. Well, I couldnt remember I am at this point soaking wet and a little irritated. I tell him to go ahead to the Fastpass return line and well catch lunch and so since the girls are complaining theyre wet, hungry, etc. I head off toward Buzz and look behind me. He is nowhere to be found. He has, once again, gone to the regular line, after I JUST TOLD HIM WHERE TO GO!! (I told you he was directionally challenged
he doesnt listen too well either which always makes the situation worse) I follow him and ask him where hes going. To the line he answers. I tell him once again that he needs to go to the FP return line, not the regular line which has a wait of 50+ minutes at this point. We decide to get the ponchos out for DH and the girls because its pouring again and they dont want to get wet. We dig them out, and are in the process of putting them on, when my cell phone rings. Its my Mom and Dad, calling to let me know that the weather channel is calling for rain. I tell them I already know because at this very moment I am soaking wet, but thanks for the heads up because there is no weather channel in Orlando, ya know. I tell them we watched the weather this morning, and we knew it was calling for rain. At which point, my mom begins with the, you'll catch a cold, flu pneumonias if you dont get inside, etc. I tell her as soon as we ride this ride and get lunch were heading back to the AKL Lodge. Then my Dad tells me the news that theyve upgraded Alberto to a hurricane and we need to think about coming home. I tell him thanks for the info, Ill call you later. Come home?? 2 days into our trip that weve been planning for months. ?? Ill have to talk to DH about this.
I put DH off as to the nature of the phone, finish with the ponchos and hit Buzz Lightyear. I dont ride because Im soaking wet and I know the air conditioning will freeze me. DH gets mad, but I tell him why Im not going and that its a simple ride, he can handle both girls. I go to the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station, but theyre not open, and into Star Traders to find a dry t shirt, but I dont find one I like. To make things worse, I brought a towel with me and I used it to dry off the seat at Dumbo 1st thing this morning, and left it on the ride. I ask a CM and she radios over but somebody picked it up, because its not there anymore. DH comes off the ride and tells me Shealynn kicked butt. She received a score of 999, 9999 or whatever it is. One of the CMs came over and congratulated her on getting the high score. I asked her how she did it and she said she just kept shooting at everything she saw. They all had a good time.
We decide to head toward the front of the park and get a hot dog at Caseys but 1st I want a dry t-shirt. Its still raining a little, but just enough to cool you off so we put the ponchos off. We head into the Emporium to get my shirt. Kayleigh again tries to grab everything in the store off the rack, so DH takes her outside while I make the purchase ($21.95 total) I take the girls in the restroom and we all potty and I change my shirt. We backtrack to Caseys.
I tell DH to get a seat and Shealynn stays to help me. DD wants a hot dog, so I ask if the CM if theres a kids hot dog meal, since were on the dining plan He says nope, but that DD can get a hot dog if she wants. SO we order 3 hot dogs, 1 with fries 2 with chili, 3 sodas, and chocolate milk. Dessert is 1 Cracker Jack box and 2 brownies. The total was around $38. I get melted cheese and condiments for our meal and find Dathan and Kayleigh waiting in the grandstands in the room attached to the restaurant. We all thought the food was wonderful, and gathered our things to go.
Kayleigh asked to ride the train as we were leaving, and I told Dathan Id take them if he wanted to sit down for a minute. So we take the train ride and by the time we get back, its time for the parade. Well, it was actually the character caravan because the parade was cancelled due to rain. We watched the parade from under the train station. You still got to see the characters; they were just in the buses and cars instead of bubbles. At some point, Shealynn and I stepped to the curb to watch and we were caught in another downpour, so at this point we were all ready to go back to the resort. We make it to the bus stop, board the bus and head over to the AKL. We decide the weathers too bad so were going to hang around the resort. And I have no desire to get soaked again.
We get to the room and lay around for a little while. In about an hour, the rain stops completely. Everybody grabs a swimsuit and we take the long trek to the pool. I decide top lay out for a little while and DH takes the kids in the pool. I doze off in the warm sun and am rudely awakened by dripping water. Shealynn is leaning over me, her hair dripping wet and tells me to roll over because Daddy says Im getting burnt. I roll over and go back to sleep. About 30 minutes later, DH wakes me up. Youre getting burnt, you need to wake up. Besides, Ive got something you need to see. What is it I ask grumpily. (I dont like my naps interrupted) Just come see he insists. I wake up, rub my eyes and follow him to the pool. He yells Go to Shealynn whos waiting by the steps to the slide. She heads up to the slide. I ask DH where Kayleigh is and he says Youll see. About 3 minutes later he makes his way toward the end of the slide. And I see my 3 year old daughter come shooting out of the slide like a rocket. Oh my God, I think to myself. I head over, ready to give him a piece of my mind. She could have drowned, for Petes sake. I open my mouth and Kayleigh smiles as big as you please and says Look, Mommy. I did it. Can I go again? She is pleased as punch with herself. DH tells me Ill catch her, and she IS wearing a life vest. And I can do nothing but agree. We wait for Shealynn to take her turn down the slide and take Kayleigh up again. Apparently, she had been down the slide 3 or 4 times already and they decided to let me in on the secret. Besides, DH says I knew if you were awake youd say no. And she wanted to go so badly that I decided to let her try.
We splash around in the pool for a couple of hours and then we all head over to the hot tub again. I stay in the hot tub for a while and DH takes the kids back to the pool. I finally decide after another 30 minutes to join the family in the pool again. We spend the rest of the day in the pool and decide to eat dinner at Mara; since we have no ADRs planned.
We leave the pool; go back to the room, shower, change clothes and head back downstairs around 9:15 pm. Were still a little unsure about whats on the
DDP since not everything is marked. It turns out pretty much everything is included on the dining plan. Dh orders a chicken stew type meal with couscous, I order a grilled chicken sandwich with a side salad, Shealynn orders a cheeses pizza with side salad, 3 soft drinks, apple slices, cheesecake and a fruit cup round out the meal. Total cost was around $40.The food was pretty good, and the CMs were very helpful in pointing out what was available on the DDP. We ate our dinner and headed back upstairs to find out what Alberto was up to.
Come to find out, Alberto had been down graded, and only rain was expected to affect Orlando. Some winds as well, but nothing major. Dathan and I breathe a sigh of relief. I tell him about the phone call earlier (I had forgotten) from my parents and he told me he wouldnt have left anyway. Were a lot safer here than at home in out little mobile home. Besides, he knew I wouldnt have gone anyway.
Low Point: Getting soaking wet, possible hurricane
High Point: Enjoying the MK with my family
so be gentle!!
! 
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Now, I didnt bring my backpack so our ponchos are safe and sound at the resort. WE wait a few more minutes and decide to run for it. We are wet in 5 feet. Soaked in 10. We decide well be just as wet if we walk and slow down. It had been so hot before that the rain actually cooled us off. So we take our time and head toward the exit like the other hundreds of people who are leaving. The kids have a ball splashing in the puddles and people look at us like were absolutely nuts. What? Its just rain, well dry off and were having a lot more fun than you anyway! Make it to the bus stop, catch the bus and arrive at the AKL in about 5 minutes. We troop through the lobby, again drawing curious glances and hurry to the room. We sit down for a minute and the kids decide its time to go swimming. As Shealynn said Were already wet, so lets go.
She bravely sidles up to Donald but wont get close enough for a hug. We do convince her to give him 5, and to let him sign her autograph book. She does stand beside him and get her picture took. As she turns to leave, she has a change of heart turns around gives him a great big hug says Bye Donald and walks away. Inside, I am jumping for joy. We dont have to avoid the characters and I will get all those character photos Ive been waiting for. Shealynn takes her turn giving hugs, getting Donalds autograph, and getting pictures. She is an expert because she remembers the drill from last time. 
I blow it off and squeeze my big butt in a space the size of Kayleighs tiny little booty. To which the people to the right say Do you mind? And I very calmly reply, Maam, we were here 1st, we had our space saved and you decided to sit here AFTER my DH told you I was coming back. Now, at this point her son was sitting on the curb and DH had Kayleigh still in his lap sound asleep at this point. I very politely told the lady if she sat her son in her lap there would be enough room for all of us. She says nothing but does as I ask. So DH and DD and I sit and chat and wait for the parade. 10 minutes before the parade, the ladys son says hes thirsty. Well, the lines for all the carts are horrendous. And every time DH or I get a drink the little boys eyes drill through you. His mom tells him she cant get anything now or shell miss the parade. I knew that my kids would do the same exact routine so I always get a drink and a snack even if they swear they don't want anything. Because I KNOW in 10 minutes they'll be begging for a drink and a snack. I feel sorry for the little boy because its about 85+ degrees even at 11:00 at night. So I ask the lady if she minds if he has our extra bottle of water. She says no, and is very grateful and friendly. We actually chat a little and I begin to feel bad about the little seating disagreement earlier. But wait, its time for the parade!! 
I wonder how many of them there are? They could be a whole other forum here at DIS!! 
