Our Magical Gathering Trip Report
- Thread starter Nee Nee and Biddy
- Start date
Nee Nee and Biddy
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After we landed in Florida, we turned on our cell phones and tried to get in touch with the rest of our Magical Gathering. Amanda, mom and the kids were still about 150 miles away. They were driving from Missouri in Amanda's van. My in-laws were already at POFQ! I was a little jealous but happy that they had made it in one piece.
We had flown into Sanford, since it was the only airport that had a non-stop flight from our airport, and also because it was cheaper. As soon as we got our luggage, we headed to the Alamo counter to pick up our rental van. This is where things started to get a little ugly. It was very hot and Will was acting like a small maniac. My sister had our huge double stroller in the back of her van because it was too big and too new to check. We traveled with Will's old single stroller. Gemma was in the stroller and Will had his monkey harness on. Yes, I'm one of those people who puts their kid on a leash. If you had my kid you would put him on a leash too.
This was the first and last time we used the leash. Billy went inside to get the van and of course they wouldn't let us bring luggage into the rental car place, so I was stuck outside in the heat with all the luggage and two whiny kids. Gemma just sat and quietly whined. Will kept pulling on the leash and screaming. Not crying. Just screaming at the top of his lungs. All of these British tourists were also standing outside and I'm sure they were thinking "This crazy American woman needs to take her son off his leash! Is this how Americans act? ".
Anyway, eventually we got the van, loaded the luggage, hooked up the car seats, changed everyone's diaper, cranked the A/C, and we were off! Here's a picture of a happy Billy driving the van:
We made a quick Wal-Mart stop to grab snacks and water, and drove through a terrible Wendy's to grab a snack. (Trust me, it was just a snack. I was saving my stomach capacity for WDW!!!) As soon as the chicken nuggets were gone, so was Will:
Why can't this kid keep his shoes on???
In no time at all we were there! I was so excited!
Happiness!!!
And we are home!
Up next: A family reunion!
We had flown into Sanford, since it was the only airport that had a non-stop flight from our airport, and also because it was cheaper. As soon as we got our luggage, we headed to the Alamo counter to pick up our rental van. This is where things started to get a little ugly. It was very hot and Will was acting like a small maniac. My sister had our huge double stroller in the back of her van because it was too big and too new to check. We traveled with Will's old single stroller. Gemma was in the stroller and Will had his monkey harness on. Yes, I'm one of those people who puts their kid on a leash. If you had my kid you would put him on a leash too.
This was the first and last time we used the leash. Billy went inside to get the van and of course they wouldn't let us bring luggage into the rental car place, so I was stuck outside in the heat with all the luggage and two whiny kids. Gemma just sat and quietly whined. Will kept pulling on the leash and screaming. Not crying. Just screaming at the top of his lungs. All of these British tourists were also standing outside and I'm sure they were thinking "This crazy American woman needs to take her son off his leash! Is this how Americans act? ". Anyway, eventually we got the van, loaded the luggage, hooked up the car seats, changed everyone's diaper, cranked the A/C, and we were off! Here's a picture of a happy Billy driving the van:
We made a quick Wal-Mart stop to grab snacks and water, and drove through a terrible Wendy's to grab a snack. (Trust me, it was just a snack. I was saving my stomach capacity for WDW!!!) As soon as the chicken nuggets were gone, so was Will:
Why can't this kid keep his shoes on???
In no time at all we were there! I was so excited!
Happiness!!!
And we are home!
Up next: A family reunion!
Nee Nee and Biddy
Mouseketeer
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- Apr 2, 2004
- Messages
- 308
We flew out of Springfield. It went really well. We flew Allegiant, and they only go to Sanford, not Orlando. It worked out because we were going to rent a van anyway. I love everything about MO except how far away it is from WDW!
Paparazzimama
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2007
- Messages
- 794
Yay - you made it!!!!!!!! I love the look on DH's face! Priceless! 
Big thumbs DOWN to Alamo for making you wait out in the heat like that! I understand that there are rules in place for good reason, but it wouldn't hurt to make a "compassionate exception" every now and again! Can't wait to hear about the "reunion" with the rest of the group - and of course of how you spent your first day at The World!!! Woohoo! Till next post . . . 
Nee Nee and Biddy
Mouseketeer
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- Apr 2, 2004
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We pulled into POFQ and I jumped out of the van to check in. There was a bit of a line, but I was so excited that I didn't care. Suddenly, as I am standing in line, my in-laws walk into the room! (Or roll, in DFIL's case). We hug and they tell me that we have a really good room location and that our rooms are connected. So, even before I checked in I knew I would be happy with where they put us. They headed out to see the kids. When it was finally my turn, the CM checking me in was so nice. She gave me lots of Magical Gathering buttons and a 1st visit button for Gemma. We got room 3106. I found out that my sisters room was a few rooms down from ours.
We pulled the van around and started to unload. It really was a great location, close to the main building and a parking lot. One of the reasons I love POFQ is because it's so small and compact.
This is a picture of Will and Gemma on Mimi and Papa's bed. They had a handicapped room with a roll-in shower that was very nice. This is their king sized bed.
While Billy unpacked and I fed Gemma, Mimi took Will for a walk around the grounds. Here are some pics she took:
This is Will by my favorite fountain @ POFQ.
A few minutes into unpacking, my sister called and they had arrived. I put Gemma into the stroller and went to the front desk, where my sister was checking in. We were so excited! It's kind of strange to meet up with your family in a completely different location than what you are used to. We went outside and went to the van to say hi to the kids. They kept asking, "Are we at Disney World? Are we going to sleep at Disney World?". After the reunion, I showed them where to park (they were in room 3101 which was right next to the parking lot-awesome). They dropped off their stuff and we all hopped on the boat to Downtown Disney to get some dinner at the Earl of Sandwich and to shop.
I have talked about our meal in my dining report, but I will say that it was a great meal and everyone was happy.
This is not such a great pic of my sister (sorry!) but it shows how big and chaotic our table was.
After dinner we headed out to shop. Early on we found the Pooh bench:
At this point Gemma was absolutely squalling and mad. It was very hot and she wanted to eat right then. I asked a CM if there was a baby station or a nursing station nearby and she pointed me towards a bathroom by the Art of Disney store. I thought, great, I didn't know there was a nursing station there! Well, guess what, there isn't. There's a bathroom, and I'm not about to sit on a toilet seat and feed my baby. I am very modest, and very endowed (to put it a nice way), and I don't like nursing in public. Well, you do what you have to do. I hid in kind of a private corner outside of the Christmas store behind my big husband, and I got the job done. Let me add that I have a nursing cover that my sister bought me, called a hooter hider. When I use this you can't see a thing and it's very modest. Of course the hooter hider was in my sister's stroller, and she was in the giant Disney store.
After the first of many nursing debacles of the week, we headed to Goofy's Candy Co so Sam could make a treat. We all got cookies and cupcakes and rice crispy treats, and Sam created some marshmallows. Here's a pic:
He had so much fun doing this.
After all of this, we got back on the boat and headed home to POFQ. We were all exhausted and needed to rest before our big first day.
Up next: Epcot and the princess breakfast.
We pulled the van around and started to unload. It really was a great location, close to the main building and a parking lot. One of the reasons I love POFQ is because it's so small and compact.
This is a picture of Will and Gemma on Mimi and Papa's bed. They had a handicapped room with a roll-in shower that was very nice. This is their king sized bed.
While Billy unpacked and I fed Gemma, Mimi took Will for a walk around the grounds. Here are some pics she took:
This is Will by my favorite fountain @ POFQ.
A few minutes into unpacking, my sister called and they had arrived. I put Gemma into the stroller and went to the front desk, where my sister was checking in. We were so excited! It's kind of strange to meet up with your family in a completely different location than what you are used to. We went outside and went to the van to say hi to the kids. They kept asking, "Are we at Disney World? Are we going to sleep at Disney World?". After the reunion, I showed them where to park (they were in room 3101 which was right next to the parking lot-awesome). They dropped off their stuff and we all hopped on the boat to Downtown Disney to get some dinner at the Earl of Sandwich and to shop.
I have talked about our meal in my dining report, but I will say that it was a great meal and everyone was happy.
This is not such a great pic of my sister (sorry!) but it shows how big and chaotic our table was.
After dinner we headed out to shop. Early on we found the Pooh bench:
At this point Gemma was absolutely squalling and mad. It was very hot and she wanted to eat right then. I asked a CM if there was a baby station or a nursing station nearby and she pointed me towards a bathroom by the Art of Disney store. I thought, great, I didn't know there was a nursing station there! Well, guess what, there isn't. There's a bathroom, and I'm not about to sit on a toilet seat and feed my baby. I am very modest, and very endowed (to put it a nice way), and I don't like nursing in public. Well, you do what you have to do. I hid in kind of a private corner outside of the Christmas store behind my big husband, and I got the job done. Let me add that I have a nursing cover that my sister bought me, called a hooter hider. When I use this you can't see a thing and it's very modest. Of course the hooter hider was in my sister's stroller, and she was in the giant Disney store.
After the first of many nursing debacles of the week, we headed to Goofy's Candy Co so Sam could make a treat. We all got cookies and cupcakes and rice crispy treats, and Sam created some marshmallows. Here's a pic:
He had so much fun doing this.
After all of this, we got back on the boat and headed home to POFQ. We were all exhausted and needed to rest before our big first day.
Up next: Epcot and the princess breakfast.
Disney Brat
DIS Veteran
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- Oct 2, 2006
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- 2,606
Yay!!! You made it!! Looks like a great time at DTD, can't wait to hear about your first park day!
Nee Nee and Biddy
Mouseketeer
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- Apr 2, 2004
- Messages
- 308
We set the wake-up call for 5:30, so we could both get ready before the kids woke up, but I didn't need it. I slept terribly because I was too keyed up and excited. I hopped out of bed 30 minutes before the wake-up call! This is one of the reasons I love the privacy curtain that they have for the bathrooms at PoFQ. I could get ready quietly and not wake everyone up.
After everyone woke up,, and got ready, Mimi came in our room and said they wouldn't be able to go to the princess breakfast because Papa was just too exhausted from the day before. He needed a little more rest, so they decided to meet us at Epcot around 9:30. Poor Papa!
So we went to the bus stop at 7:15, expecting a bus anytime since our ADR was for 8:00. Here we are waiting:
Amanda, me, my mom
Will, Gemma and Sam
A bus never came. We waited and waited. It was 7:45 before we knew it and I was a little stressed since we had to be there at 8:00. My sister was flipping out because Sophie was all dressed up like Cinderella and "she wasn't going to get to have her princess breakfast!" Now, I knew that I could get to Norway and explain why we were late and it would probably not be a problem, but my sister was just convinced that they wouldn't let us in. Oh the drama! I finally made an executive decision and we all drove to Epcot. In the van I started to cry because it was only the first day and things were already falling apart. Mini-meltdown! DH calmed me down and made me feel better. My sister did not handle this situation well and she ended up making me crazy. Oh well, all was forgiven when we got the first parking spots at Epcot, which was a million miles closer to the entrance than the bus stop!
We walked into an empty Epcot, which was so neat. Billy and I took our time and took some pictures.
The world showcase was so pretty with no people around! Sam is obsessed with Hidden Mickeys and was hunting everywhere for them.
We finally made it to Norway, and checked in with no problems. As it always goes with family, no one acted mad anymore and we never spoke of the bus debacle again.
Next: Princess breakfast fun!
After everyone woke up,, and got ready, Mimi came in our room and said they wouldn't be able to go to the princess breakfast because Papa was just too exhausted from the day before. He needed a little more rest, so they decided to meet us at Epcot around 9:30. Poor Papa!
So we went to the bus stop at 7:15, expecting a bus anytime since our ADR was for 8:00. Here we are waiting:
Amanda, me, my mom
Will, Gemma and Sam
A bus never came. We waited and waited. It was 7:45 before we knew it and I was a little stressed since we had to be there at 8:00. My sister was flipping out because Sophie was all dressed up like Cinderella and "she wasn't going to get to have her princess breakfast!" Now, I knew that I could get to Norway and explain why we were late and it would probably not be a problem, but my sister was just convinced that they wouldn't let us in. Oh the drama! I finally made an executive decision and we all drove to Epcot. In the van I started to cry because it was only the first day and things were already falling apart. Mini-meltdown! DH calmed me down and made me feel better. My sister did not handle this situation well and she ended up making me crazy. Oh well, all was forgiven when we got the first parking spots at Epcot, which was a million miles closer to the entrance than the bus stop!
We walked into an empty Epcot, which was so neat. Billy and I took our time and took some pictures.
The world showcase was so pretty with no people around! Sam is obsessed with Hidden Mickeys and was hunting everywhere for them.
We finally made it to Norway, and checked in with no problems. As it always goes with family, no one acted mad anymore and we never spoke of the bus debacle again.
Next: Princess breakfast fun!
karajeboo
DISmom by land and by sea!
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2007
- Messages
- 6,591
Oh, I'm excited to hear who was at the breakfast!!! We had a bus debacle on our trip last month - it broke down on the way to MK and we had an 8:05 appt at Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique!!! 
Somehow, after shedding some tears (me, not DD!!), we made it with 2 minutes to spare, sprinting up Main Street!
Loving your report - keep it coming!
Somehow, after shedding some tears (me, not DD!!), we made it with 2 minutes to spare, sprinting up Main Street!Loving your report - keep it coming!
Disneyvirg
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- May 20, 2008
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- 422
I'm enjoying your trip report! Your family is adorable.
Where does one find a Hooter Hider? That would have been mighty helpful back in my nursing days!
I've read three trip reports lately where people attended the princess meal at Norway...is this the new CRT? Less TS credits? I just hate the thought of spending 2 TS for CRT - but it's in the castle & Cindy's there. What was your rationale for choosing PSB?
Can't wait for your next installment.
Where does one find a Hooter Hider? That would have been mighty helpful back in my nursing days!
I've read three trip reports lately where people attended the princess meal at Norway...is this the new CRT? Less TS credits? I just hate the thought of spending 2 TS for CRT - but it's in the castle & Cindy's there. What was your rationale for choosing PSB?
Can't wait for your next installment.
Nee Nee and Biddy
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2004
- Messages
- 308
I'm enjoying your trip report! Your family is adorable.
Where does one find a Hooter Hider? That would have been mighty helpful back in my nursing days!
I've read three trip reports lately where people attended the princess meal at Norway...is this the new CRT? Less TS credits? I just hate the thought of spending 2 TS for CRT - but it's in the castle & Cindy's there. What was your rationale for choosing PSB?
Can't wait for your next installment.
Here's the hooter hider website: http://shop.bebeaulait.com/shop/hhnc
It is truly a lifesaver! And I think mine is really pretty. Later on in my trip report I'll post a pic of it. It's a great gift...that's going to be what I bring to baby showers from now on.
I chose PSB because I've eaten in the castle before and it was good, but it didn't really live up to the hype or the price. IMO. We loved Norway, and I felt it was worth the money. No, Cinderella wasn't there, but sometimes they surprise you with her. I won't go back to the castle until my little girl is old enough to enjoy it. Until then it's Norway for us!
Thanks for reading! I'll have another post up asap.
Anxiously awaiting more 
tinkerbell3747
DIS Veteran
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- Jun 5, 2006
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- 735
I am so on board!!! followed you here from you dining review Awsome TR love the pics too
SunshineSneezy
Mouseketeer
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- Jan 20, 2008
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Love it so far! 
crgfsu1
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2007
- Messages
- 600
I have to admit - I would have followed the footsteps of......your sister. I would have been freaking out about the bus & the time too. I worry too mich about the small things sometimes. Glad it all worked out for you.
I might try PSB next time we go - we did CRT this past visit and it was great. But, expensive. We paid OOP to save from using 2TS credits. It was a great idea to do that, but that was a really expensive breakfast. But...my DD loved it (as did I)
Ready to hear more
Cathy
I might try PSB next time we go - we did CRT this past visit and it was great. But, expensive. We paid OOP to save from using 2TS credits. It was a great idea to do that, but that was a really expensive breakfast. But...my DD loved it (as did I)
Ready to hear more
Cathy
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