Our Trip is Done, But the Trip Report is Just Beginning! *Update 6/10 or 6/11?*

[chanti]

I can't wait to read more!! I like the way you write!!

To be honest I did a bit of a double take when I read the name 'sletten'. In dutch this is a bit of a naughty word

I see that you'll be in WDW around the same time as we are in December!

 

[meeko_33785]

Hey, I thought it was funny that it looks like Flat Mickey is a photo I took that's on my Flickr page.

If it is, 1) It looks good in black and white and 2) it's an honor to be the Flat Mickey photographer. I'll have to check back and see how the trip goes.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Hey, I thought it was funny that it looks like Flat Mickey is a photo I took that's on my Flickr page.

If it is, 1) It looks good in black and white and 2) it's an honor to be the Flat Mickey photographer. I'll have to check back and see how the trip goes.

Hey! Thats funny! It is the same Mickey. Very funny considering I just did an image search for Mickey and that was the best one I found for size, image and ease for cutting

Well, now that I have some more followers I'll work on an update this week!

 

[tlenzendorf]

We woke up Saturday morning pretty excited to hit the beach. It took us quite awhile to get ready. One of the negatives about the Lake Buena Vista Best Western is that the sink is inside the bathroom. With 1 mom, 2 preteens, 1 5yo and DH that is a lot of bathroom time since no one wants to be in the bathroom at the same time...

After we got ready we went downstairs for the breakfast buffet. It was pretty tasty. They had make your own Mickey waffles, fresh fruit, eggs, breakfast meats, a toaster and bagels, toast, cereal...

After we filled up on our tasty breakfast we were headed off to Jetty Park. On the website it said there was nice bathhouses, but there weren't any. I did like how it was at the far end of the beach and had a fishing pier right next to it. It wasn't too crowded I didn't think.

We had a fun time boogie boarding

And fun playing in the surf and striking poses

 

[tlenzendorf]

Little one's first view of the ocean up close

Then we walked to the pier

A view of Fort Canaveral and the shuttle launch pad

Some sea life we saw. I'm not sure what kind of fish these are, but I recognized the sea turtles! Maybe Crush's little bros?

Overall it was a great day. We all enjoyed the ocean, playing around and relaxing. The water was beautiful, clear, warm. Jetty Park is very close to Cape Canaveral. It does have a nice bathroom/changing area. Also there is a small restaurant and a store that sells drinks, ice, food, beer. We had brought a soft sided cooler so we just bought our stuff there. It was reasonably priced and very necessary to stay hydrated! It was about an hours drive outside of Orlando. I do have to say, Florida has the most tolls I've ever been thru in such a short distance.

Up next: Return to the hotel and DTD evening

 

[tlenzendorf]

DH said we could go to WDW for our 2010 just us vacation!
Since we are t-4 months and counting I will have to work a little faster on this trip report... Update very shortly!

 

[tlenzendorf]

We got back from the beach around 4:30pm after driving thru another ton of Florida's tolls. What is with all those? Sheesh!

After we showered, we went down to the bus stop. The Lake Buena Vista Best Western has a nice bussing system comparable to the WDW system. They don't just come whenever, though, they have a schedule. We went down at 5:50 for the 6:00 DTD bus and were picked up at 6:01pm. Not too shabby. Once we got on the bus and got moving we realized how silly it was for us to ride the bus. DTD was less than a half mile walk that was very easy with sidewalks. Oh well, lol. After picking up 2 other hotel's people(one is right across the street from DTD, that just seemed plain lazy to me ), we were there before 6:15. We had 6:45 dinner reservations for T-Rex, so we took some pictures and walked to the restaurant to check in.

The front is so big you can hardly see DDs! But they are there. Its was hard to get a pic from this angle because I had to stand across the street and its right where traffic comes in to park.

The walk up and wait line was crazy!! I had DH and DDs go sit and wait while I checked in, it was a nuthouse! We were seated about 6:40 in the ice age room. It is a very cool restaurant, but that area is kinda boring IMHO. The "ice" changes color which is pretty cool. It was very dark in there, though.

Picture of us with the flash off:

Picture of us with the flash on:

I got a little sunburnt at the beach

cont'd.....

 

[tlenzendorf]

Here are some pics from inside the restaurant:

Flat Mickey waiting for food to come. He was starving!

The service was pretty good. We were all soooo hungry we dove right in and I forgot to take any pics of our food

I had the Triassic Tortellini - Tri-colored cheese tortellini with sun-dried tomatoes, peas and mushrooms tossed in an Alfredo cream sauce $16.99; with grilled chicken $19.99. I got it without the mushrooms and with chicken. I thought it was good, not great...

DH had the Tar Pit Fried Shrimp - Tender shrimp lightly fried golden brown, served with tartar and cocktail sauces, waffle fries and cole slaw $19.99. He said it was very good. I'm not a big fan of shrimp, so I didn't try his.

DD10 had the Dexter's Corn Dogs - Mini corn dogs $6.99, instead of the choices below she got fries. DD5 had Cosmo's Cheesy Macaroni - $6.99, she got carrot sticks. They split all of their items, so they had a nice mix of food to eat. DD9 I think had cheese pizza.

Dino Favorites
Add a kid-sized portion of milk or apple juice in a souvenir cup for $1.99.
Served with choice of carrot sticks, potato chips, baked beans, cinnamon apples, fruit gelatin, mashed potatoes or a fresh banana.

Overall I would say it was pretty good. Not great, not bad. We didn't get dessert because we were going to Ghirardelli for dessert. We were STUFFED when we left! DD9 had a coupon for Build-A-Bear so we went to Build-A-Dino. That store was insanely busy also! Hardly any room to walk around. While she was with her dad doing that, I was in the store with my DDs. DD10 decided on a light up cup and a tiny lava lamp thing. DD5 got a necklace. It was cute, it was one of the make your own necklaces with the leather string thing and a stone turtle. Along some point during our journeys she lost the turtle

Since we were so full and DTD was still pretty busy, we went to do some shopping at WOD. DDs needed some lanyards for their pins that they got before we left for trading. Plus we just wanted to soak up some of the magic since we hadn't been to a park yet.

Here are us girls trying on some hats:

Here they are trying to find ye way back to the hotel:

After getting the lanyards and a few more pins we were heading back to the hotel. It was going on 10:30 already! We were still waaaaay full from dinner(DH was a little disappointed...), so we skipped the ice cream.

After a short walk back to the hotel, our heads were firmly on our pillows and dreams of the Magic Kingdom dancing in our heads!

Up next: Checking in at the fort, golf carts and boat rides, oh my!

 

[tlenzendorf]

I can't wait to read more!! I like the way you write!!

To be honest I did a bit of a double take when I read the name 'sletten'. In dutch this is a bit of a naughty word

I see that you'll be in WDW around the same time as we are in December!

I'm curious now what exactly sletten means in Dutch! Maybe you will have to PM me

 

[tlenzendorf]

Sunday August 16th we wake up bright and early, its FINALLY time to go to WDW!!! We get all of our stuff together, get it all back in the car(I'm still not sure how we did that) and drive on over to FW.

On the way Kenny from Tee Time was calling my phone. We were a little late, but my darn GPS kept wanting to take us to the WL, not FW. We finally got there and I went to the overflow lot to get the golf cart, DH took the girls and went to check in. I had done online check in a few days previous. After a few zips around to make sure I knew what I was doing, over to the check in me and the golf cart went Weeeeee!

They still hadn't checked in. C'mon people, we're missing MK time!! They finally brought our packet out, and out the doors we went. Only to turn around and go right back in, the tickets had somebody elses name on them After just a few minutes everything was squared away. We got out the park bag, left the car in the lot and drove the golf cart down to the boat launch. We were sooooooo excited!!!

On the agenda for today, breakfast at CRT at 10:15, BBB for DD5 and then MK enjoying after that. Our cabin wasn't ready since we were at FW at 8:15 so they were going to text when it was ready.

Pics from the boat ride over

And then.... there it is!!!! Cindy's Castle!!!

We get into the parks and look who we run into. I just love them!

We walk down the streets just taking it all in. We got a few photopass pics taken. I'll have to post them later since they're on my home computer. We went to get checked in for breakfast but were too early and had a little bit of time to kill, so DH went to grab FP for something, I can't remember what? Then DDs and I went to take some pics by Cinderella's fountain and we ran into Fairy God Mother. Argh, another pic I don't have on this computer. After I got some pics of the DDs with her DH was flagging us down to check in for breakfast. We got some pics with Cinderella and then up the stairs we went for breakfast.

Here is my plate

Breakfast was ok. Not great, not horrible. The princesses were really in a rush which was too bad. I remember them taking way more time with DD10 when we were there when she was 4 and the food being better. Now that all DDs have eaten there we have no plans to return.

Look who we spotted on the way out

Then it was GAME ON for the MK!

Up next BBB, our room(cabin) and more MK

 

[meeko_33785]

Nice shot of Gus and Jaq on the way out. I haven't been to Cinderella's in many years and last time I was there they hadn't put them up yet. I'd love to go back sometime but it's really expensive for ok food. Based on your review, it doesn't sound like that has changed very much.

 

[KatMark]

Loving your report so far and eagerly awaiting the next segment.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Nice shot of Gus and Jaq on the way out. I haven't been to Cinderella's in many years and last time I was there they hadn't put them up yet. I'd love to go back sometime but it's really expensive for ok food. Based on your review, it doesn't sound like that has changed very much.

Thanks, it was kind of funny, I'd seen pics of them on the DIS before, so I knew they were there, but then I totally forgot! DH pointed them out. I was so in awe the whole time that I forgot half the stuff I wanted to see/eat/do

Loving your report so far and eagerly awaiting the next segment.

Thanks for joining in. Your wish is granted, coming shortly

 

[tlenzendorf]

After breakfast we had time for a few rides before DD5s appt for BBB. We didn't want to wander tooo far from the castle, so what did we ride? The carousel of course! It was about 11:15 and we were able to walk right on. DDs hair was SUCH a mess since I couldn't put it up before BBB

Eeek! I don't have the photos on this computer, I'll have to add them later!

After that we rode Dumbo and met Ariel. It was then time for BBB. This was DDs birthday present, her birthday was in July and we were there in August.

Here is the before photo, ugh that hair! We got her hair cut shoulder length after we got back and its sooooo cute. Didn't want to chop it off before BBB, though!

The during photos:

The after product:

I have to say, those Fairy Godmothers in Training are AWESOME! They do such a nice job with silly word play, goofiness and joking around they keep the little girls so entertained. DD didn't even notice how much she was doing her hair. This is definitely an experience that every little girl should do!

While DD5 and I were at BBB, DH took the other 2 girls exploring. They were a little sad they weren't doing the experience, too, but they were gently reminded that she didn't get anything for her birthday since this was her gift. They went to Tinkerbelle's Treasures and got pixie dusted so that made them happy. Then they just wandered around.

It was about this time that I got a text that our cabin was ready. I very stealthy put the phone away and didn't tell DH He would have wanted to go right then and there was no way I was ready for that!!

We then wandered over to HM. Everyone was telling DD how pretty she was and how cute and oh look at the princess. She was in heaven. But with the heat she started complaining that the dress was itchy. I told her after HM she could take it off and put her other dress back on.

Leota:

We then went into CHH to use the bathroom so she could change and then I and me maties headed yonder to see some swarshbuckling pirates!

DD5 was not a big fan of HM or Pirates due to the dark. We had even watched the videos to all these rides, but she would start whining in line for quite a lot of the rides thru the trip. I came up with a plan, and she didn't catch on until the LAST day of the trip. I just started telling her we were in line for the bathroom The only ride she DID NOT like when telling her that was BTMR.

After Pirates there was a skirmish in the ole shoppe! The treasure is all mine!

We were getting a little warm now(it is August ya know!). So I decide to tell DH I just got the text and the room is ready We decided since we were in the area we would find the elusive dole whip/float and have a snack before we head back over on the boat.

I thought it was good, not great. Dumb me, I always get a little mouth reaction when I have too much citrus, especially in the pineapple form. So my mouth got quite prickly, I think it was the juice that did it. If I would have stuck with a Dole Whip alone it would have been fine. The others got an assortment of DW, Citrus Swirl and plain vanilla. We all tried each others and I liked the citrus swirl the best I cannot wait to have another one of these when we return in March.

After our snack we headed back to the front of the park to the boats and caught our boat to FW, hopped on the golf cart and went to check out our cabin, 2529.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Well, I didn't take notes on everything that we did, and its been awhile, so of course my memory is lapsing!

I do remember that we got back to the cabin and got to the business of unpacking! I know people say that there isn't a lot of storage space, but we thought there was plenty! The girls were sleeping in the living room, the older 2 on the murphy bed, the youngest on the couch. We put their clothes in the cupboards under the windows that are on either side of the murphy. We put their junk in the windows. We used the small pantry in the kitchen, and we loaded up our suitcases into the closet thingy in the bedroom.

After we got unpacked, we washed up a little bit and headed back to the MK.

We ate dinner at Pinocchio's at a table close to the window to watch people on IASW. Look out flat Mickey! Don't get eaten!!

I thought we were at Magic Kingdom? Look out for the crazy beasts!

Flat Mickey hit on Tink a little bit...

After that we watched Wishes from the back of the castle. An interesting place if you've never seen them from that view before!

 

[tlenzendorf]

After Wishes from behind the castle, we headed over to Tomorrowland. We rode Buzz over and over and over DD5s favorite ride! After we did that about 45 minutes it was back to the cabin we went.

Here is what happened shortly after we got there:

 

[tlenzendorf]

The next morning we were woken up bright and early by Flat Mickey. I don't know how he got out there, but he kept honking the horn. He sure can be impatient!

We drove to the bus stop and our bus came pretty much right away. I have to say, the Ft. has some pretty good bus service.

First we saw ITTBAB

After that I'm not quite sure what we did. I know when we were there we rode EE and Dinosaur using rider swap. No way no how was DD5 riding those. We did the safari and walked the trails.

DDs had some fun playing with a CM. Everytime we went near these guys they always looked bored and were getting some kids to play. They were happy to oblige!

 

[tlenzendorf]

From AK we took the CR bus over for dinner at CM. I thought it was really good. I know I have read bad reviews, but I really think everybody needs to form their own opinions.

One of my favorite pics, my preteen acting like a kid

I don't know what this thing was, but it was delish!

After that it was back to the Ft. for some swimming and relaxing. Unfortunately there are no pics of Flat Mickey at AK. He fell asleep driving to the bus stop and didn't make any noise when we parked and unloaded. Such bad parents we were, he stayed clipped to the steering wheel ALL DAY! Luckily it didn't get too hot and he was ok when we got back. He was pretty mad with us, he refused to go to the pool. He got put to bed after a nice, cool drink. Then we were off for a quick dip and back in bed after showers. Had to make it to HS bright and early the next morning!

 

[tlenzendorf]

Well, after a few days of Go Go Go! The kids were a little hard to get out of bed this morning. Luckily the next day was a relaxing day(more on that in a different post ) at the Ft. We managed to make it to rope drop, but were kinda far back, so didn't see much of the opening show. The AI people were entertaining, DDs liked to watch what was happening, but not participate too much...

So after the opening show we were off! To TSM, where else would we go??? DDs and I got in line while DH went to get the FPs, we had to keep getting out and back into line cause we kept getting close and DH wasn't back from getting the FPs. It probably took him about 20 minutes. Now dumb me, I forgot to bring my camera somehow!

DH went to catch the bus back to the Ft. and the DDs and I headed to the Ariel show. It was cute, not great, not horrible either. Then we headed to Prince Caspian What a waste of time that was! Well, the photopass pics weren't horrible and it was another signature for their autograph books. The older 2 DDs knew who he was, DD5 was like the Madagascar penguins, smile and wave boys, smile and wave!

...Hmmm, apparently I haven't put many PP photos on my photobucket yet. I'll have to do that soon and post later...

By now it was about time for DH to come back with the camera, so we wandered around between Ariel and TSM since thats where we were going to meet. He said that he had to wait a long time for a bus and finally they had to call one in. I guess not many busses come to take people back to the resorts that early in the morning. He had to share a bus with people from a different resort, I don't remember where he said they stopped first? After he got back from that I asked if he could stop and get 2 FPs for ToT and 2 for RnR. He remembered

Anyhow, when he got back it was time to use our TSM FPs! Yay!

Pics from my newly brought camera:

DH won again, we shall see how he fares come March when its just the 2 of us! I've been working out at the gym and really working on my forearms so they won't get so tired!

We came out after and it was raining. Now I know, everybody says get the Dollar Store ponchos... which we did... but as you can tell from photos, DH is kind of a big guy. It looked like he was wearing a garbage bag as a shirt! We didn't don them for this rain storm, later on we had to, though.

After TSM, we decided we would go see the Muppets 3D show. DDs were insistant in us sitting in the front row for some reason... I don't know if its the fact that we were in the front, the fact that we had to sit to the far side, or the fact that I'm getting older(I'm sure thats NOT it), I couldn't see the 3D effects that well. Only 41 days and I'll be able to test out my theories and see it again...

Flat Mickey was so excited! He was a little disappointed the glasses were too big, but he enjoyed the show nontheless.

Love these two!

Cont'd next post...

 

[tlenzendorf]

Wow! I didn't realize til I saw that photo how freckly my face gets!