Party of 28, your table is ready!!! ***Update 10/11/08-- chapter 6 beginning**

[thelittlemermaid83]

Wooohoooo more updates!!!

Can't wait for the next chapter!

 

[lynn46356]

This is a GREAT trip report. I can tell your family are Reds fans. We'd be the family in blue as we're Cubs fans! Cute pictures of everyone. I'm thinking back on our six driving trips to WDW and all the breaks for gas, potty, etc. It got so bad that I made my husband take a coffee can to use one year!!!! We always drive straight through from Indiana too with three boys!!!!! We've only done one "family" vacation with 21 of us but it was to Pigeon Forge many years ago. Your trip is sounding like so much fun. I wish I was part of your extended family. I can't wait for more. I'm jealous of your upcoming trip with your DH. We'll be celebrating our 25th anniversary next year in Nov. with a trip w/o kids. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! Looking forward to reading more and have a wonderful trip this fall.

Lynn

 

[DisneyJoo2008]

28 PEOPLE??? Wow!!! Definitely subbing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have 13, possibly 14 if my hubby and I manage to pop out another kiddo before our trip in 2011 to celebrate Mum's 60th birthday! (I'm only 7 weeks pregnant with our first mind you!)

Can't wait to read more xxx

 

[MissMichelle]

Though I love so many of the reports here and read (mainly lurk since I have no time to post on them all) I HAD to comment AGAIN on your report. I LOVE it. I read it---every word--where I usually just read the words around photos in others (bad I know but I love looking at pics) . Your report is awesome and you have great pictures. Can't wait to read on. This is such an interesting read!

 

[kimiza]

subscribing,

This report is hilarious. I have gone on 2 cruises with over 30 people,that was much easier, i can't imagine a disney trip with that many! More power to you!

 

[Skrump]

Thanks for the report its been fun to read.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

This is my second post here is just for you, I told you before, I only do this for your trip report, (excuse my english again, any mistake), I call my husband today when I receive an mail from Dis, it was a reminder for your trip, I'm so happy for you and your family, no matter what this gonna be with your family for ever, I'm wating for your next report and learning english. Bless you all.

Please excuse my English! I know at times, I don't have the best grammar. I rely on MicroSoft word to help me! And thank you for your kind words!!!!

Ohhh! I'm joining!! I always wanted to do a HUGE trip with my whole family! I'll have to finish reading when i get to work today!

Interesting. I have to finish typing more when I get to work today.

I have to say that I am loving your trip report. You were so brave planning a trip for 28.

Thank you!!!

Wooohoooo more updates!!!

Can't wait for the next chapter!

Next one coming in a few minutes!

This is a GREAT trip report. I can tell your family are Reds fans. We'd be the family in blue as we're Cubs fans! Cute pictures of everyone. I'm thinking back on our six driving trips to WDW and all the breaks for gas, potty, etc. It got so bad that I made my husband take a coffee can to use one year!!!! We always drive straight through from Indiana too with three boys!!!!! We've only done one "family" vacation with 21 of us but it was to Pigeon Forge many years ago. Your trip is sounding like so much fun. I wish I was part of your extended family. I can't wait for more. I'm jealous of your upcoming trip with your DH. We'll be celebrating our 25th anniversary next year in Nov. with a trip w/o kids. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! Looking forward to reading more and have a wonderful trip this fall.
Lynn

coffee can! That's funny. Only because DH said next time he is packing one of those large mouth, 1 liter mountain dew bottles!!!

28 PEOPLE??? Wow!!! Definitely subbing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have 13, possibly 14 if my hubby and I manage to pop out another kiddo before our trip in 2011 to celebrate Mum's 60th birthday! (I'm only 7 weeks pregnant with our first mind you!)

Can't wait to read more xxx

Welcome to my TR!!! Glad you are here!!!

Though I love so many of the reports here and read (mainly lurk since I have no time to post on them all) I HAD to comment AGAIN on your report. I LOVE it. I read it---every word--where I usually just read the words around photos in others (bad I know but I love looking at pics) . Your report is awesome and you have great pictures. Can't wait to read on. This is such an interesting read!

Aww...thank you so much!!! I mean that. It means alot.

I do know what you mean! I have read so many reports. Some I just breeze through. Then the ones I get really interested in, they only post once every 2 weeks. Then I have to go back and read again because I forget what I've read it's been so long!

subscribing,

This report is hilarious. I have gone on 2 cruises with over 30 people,that was much easier, i can't imagine a disney trip with that many! More power to you!

Thanks!!!!

Thanks for the report its been fun to read.

Thank you!!! Glad you're here on this adventure with me!

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Chapter 3 – June 22, 2008

The one thing that I did do before I crashed last night was set the wake up call. Thank goodness because I don’t think anyone would have waked up in time.

6:30am—phone rings. You will never guess what I hear on the other line!

It’s a small world after all….

It’s a small world after all….

It’s a small world after all….

It’s a small world after all….

It’s a small world after all….

Aghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Are you serious? I just got that out of my head!!!!!

I slam the phone down waking up everyone.

Not really- they didn’t even budge when the phone rang 5 times.

I got out of bed and was first in the shower relay. Then it was Bradley, then DH, then Nolan and then….

Time’s up! No more showers!

Brett did not have time for a shower. Yeah- he took one yesterday.

Besides- it’s okay. I grab a Mickey soap bar and tell him he can do a couple rounds on Kali River Rapids to make up for it.

I finished getting ready and I lay out everyone’s clothes for today. Our first day of matching shirts! So on the morning of June 22, 2008, if you heard horrible moans coming from no where—you now know where they came from. My oldest son—who at 14—doesn’t realize yet that it’s cool to wear matching clothes.

After getting the clothes ready, I went to everyone’s room and slipped a dinner invitation to tonight’s ADR at Boma under the door. (Special thanks to the creative Disers on the creative board that helped me out with these!)

By this time it’s around 7:30am. I am all set to go except for one thing. I can not find my pins on my lanyard!!!

I searched high.
I searched low.
I searched in between.
I searched all around.

They were no where. The last time I remember seeing them is when I was trying to get settled in the day before. Remember that—when everyone was in my room? I know I sat them on the bed and now they are no where to be seen.

I thought maybe someone mistakenly picked them up and put them in their bag. Everyone is awake so I check with them. No one has seen them. I thought maybe the housekeeping picked them up.

I have no idea but it was starting to get me down so I change my focus on today!!!! Animal Kingdom day!!!

The plan is for everyone to meet at the AK bus stop at 7:50am.

Back up a moment to all the planning I did. In the middle of my planning, Disney decides to raise the stroller prices. My sister had plans on renting one until the increase. She didn’t have room in her van for her stroller. We ran through several options until I met an awesome family on one of the boards that was willing to give me….yes, give me their stroller when they were done with it. They were scheduled to check out from POR on June 20th. She said she would leave the stroller at POR in luggage services. I couldn’t believe it!!! Such generosity.

Yesterday, I didn’t have time to go pick it up. Well, I probably had time—I honestly just didn’t feel like getting it.

So here it’s is Sunday at 7:40am. I decide to go get the stroller at POR for my sister. My niece Brittany goes with me. So everyone else heads to the bus stop, and we head to the van to drive to POR and then to AK. We were going to meet everyone at the entrance.

I grabbed the map and Brittany and I were on our way. We talked about if the stroller will actually be there. Wondered if someone was just messing with me.

Because that’s my luck.

Our first time at WDW, my family stayed at POR. When I pulled up to the gate attendant – he welcomed me and immediately I wished I was staying there again. I find a parking spot and literally run inside.

OOPS—ran too fast because I ran right past where I was suppose to be. So I go back outside to luggage services. The CM greets me by saying “Hello Christina”

At first it freaked me out a little.

Then I realize my name is on my shirt. Duh!

I explain that my “friend” left a stroller for me to pick up. And it’s blue. He acts like he’s not going to help me and doesn't know what I'm talking about. He was just playing around again. He tells me to come back with him and “let’s look around and see if we can find it”. She had sent me a picture of it so I immediately spot it.

Cha-Ching!!!!

The CM tells me to have a magical day and I am on my way. Running all the way back to the van. At the van, I couldn’t figure out how to collapse it so I just throw the whole thing in the van—all ready set up. I didn’t want to waste anymore time. I was sure the group was waiting on us at AK.

So Brittany and I head to AK. I realize I forgot to put the POP parking slip in my window. So I get out my cards.

At the gate, I wasn’t sure which card to flash at the gate attendant.
My KTTW card or my AP pass.
Both entitle me to free parking. I decide to flash both. Because I’m cool like that.

We park in the AK lot and take a picture of the row we are in. My niece thinks I am a dork. But wait until she has kids—the memory slowly begins to fade so I’m not taking any chances.

I call DH and ask him at entrance he is at. He says:

“We are still on the bus!”

Get out of town. Fo real?

Brittany calls her dad:

“We are still on the bus!”

They all made the same bus except for my mom and dad. They were still eating breakfast and didn’t make the 7:50 departure time.

(can I just say—thank goodness for cell phones!!!!)

While waiting, Britt and I take some pictures

We waited several minutes for the group. I want to say 5-8 minutes. I couldn’t believe we beat everyone. I mean, I know I ran into POR but this girl don’t run that fast!

We finally spot everyone getting off the bus. My brother said that they had to wait forever for the bus driver to load a wheelchair. Apparently that’s what took so long.

He also tells me that my other brother Randy and family are not going to AK day. They wanted to hang out at the resort today. So at AK today, it’ll just be 23 of us.

We take some pictures and spray some sunscreen while we wait for mom and dad.

Notice that word. No, not sunscreen.

Wait. Yes, that word- wait.

We agreed before this trip, that we weren’t going to wait on anyone. It was our “number 1 rule”. Everyone agreed it’s rude to expect people to wait for them since it’s their vacation too.

If you weren’t at the bus stop on time, that’s okay- you can go when you want.
If you didn’t want to eat at a certain time, that’s okay- eat when you want.
If you didn’t want to wait while someone shopped, that’s okay- do what you want.

You get the picture. We weren’t going to wait.

So here we are waiting. Its day 1. One rule broken all ready.

(really no one seemed to mind—just throwing it out there just in case it helps you with your trip)

My boys with the matching shirts. Love them.

After about 10 minutes, we spot my mom and dad getting off the bus. My brother…or was it my sister….someone says to everyone:

“Don’t make fun of dad. He has shorts and long socks on with dress shoes. It’s the most comfortable thing he has to wear.”

So no one says a word.

Even though he would be the first to make fun of someone else.

So when he walks up, I do what he would do—I LAUGH!!!

Except it’s inside.

I’m not that mean.

So we all walk towards the entrance. My sister Mindy (ASsp) texts me and says that they just woke up. She’ll meet us later and she’ll text me when they get there.

In the middle of me texting back, I didn’t notice that everyone was walking towards the regular entrance. I wanted to use the RainForest Café entrance. So I tell everyone to follow me-- we’re going to use a different entrance. When I get to the entrance, only my family and my dad were still behind me. I didn’t walk that fast to lose them so I asked dad “where is everyone?” He said they are all back there looking at everything. I said “Well we need to get in line!” He said they didn’t know what I was doing.

All ready they were questioning what I was doing.

He told me to stay there, that he’ll go get everyone. Finally everyone arrives. They didn’t know what I was doing. I whisper to my husband—

“What part of ‘follow me to the entrance’ do they not understand?”

We share that “look” and smile.

By this time it’s probably 8:50. We only waited a few minutes before they opened the entrance. Finger scan wasn’t working today so we got in fairly fast.

I went first and then I grabbed everyone’s ticket once they got through. Again- most didn’t know why I needed them. But I had plans to get everyone a FP.

We walked as far as we could. We gathered and waited for just a few moments for the opening ceremony to begin.

And then it started and everyone was excited!!!

I told the group, I was going to go ahead of everyone to get FP’s for the group, and they were to meet me at E. Everest.

Once they dropped the ropes, I went ahead of the group to get the FP’s. Everything is going good until….

Where am I going?

I forgot to get a map!!!! I stop and ask a CM. He just started and didn’t know where EE was either. Geez. There’s my luck again.

I finally find it and grab FP’s for everyone! Return time- 9:50am! Yahoo!!!

I call my DH because I got lost, so they should be in line by now. Nope—they took a wrong turn too. BUT he knew it. No one else knew it. Of course he wasn’t going to tell them.

Finally we get in line for EE!!! And take a picture along the way….

My dad and SIL decide they don’t want to ride so they stay with the 3 “little” kids. We get 3 rider switch passes too!

This is my DH’s first time riding. The only other time we were at AK, he wasn’t feeling well and didn’t ride. While we were in line, Brett asked Jared “Daddy, will you ride with me?” (so cute!) so my DH rode with our middle son, Brett.

I love the view going up the first hill. The stranger lady sitting with me thought I was nuts for having my camera out the whole time.

The first time I rode it, I think I had my eyes closed. So I finally got to me him:

We all REALLY enjoyed the ride. All the kids got off saying “that was awesome” and then “we wanna ride again!”

Well- we just happen to have some rider switch passes to use up….better go thank those little kids!!!

I take some redneck photos.

Didn’t turn out very well. So if you want the picture—just buy it. I tried several times.

First row is my mom and Brittany.

After all the EE excitement, it was time for the 3 little kids to have some fun.

We head to DinoLand!!!

Some rode TriceraTop Spin thing, and some ride Primeval Hurl….I mean Whirl.

My niece was so thrilled to be riding her first Disney ride!!!

And so is her dad:

My mom and SIL

Nolan likes it!

After this, I know some of the group went to go ride Dinosaur. My sister and family had not eaten breakfast yet so they went and grabbed a snack. I went and grabbed FP’s for the safari.

Let me tell you—THAT WAS A HIKE!!!

I was a sweating mess! I should have sent someone else just so they appreciated what I was doing! 

After everyone was finished doing what they were doing, we were suppose to meet at the entrance of It’s Tough to Be a Bug. On my way back, I see my sister and brother (with kids) still eating their snack. It took them awhile to find something opened. I think they finally found the “Safari coffee” had some muffins.

I sat down with them and took a drink of something because I was still out of breath from all that walking!!!

We go inside the little store that was near. We all buy a castle print to have framed. We choose the option of having it sent back to the resort so we don’t have to carry it.

My sister text me and says they are at the park (finally) and just finished up with some characters at the greeting trails. I tell her to meet us at ITTBB entrance that it’s only a 5 minutes wait but to hurry or we’ll have to wait for the next show!

I turn around and there she is! We didn’t know we were so close to each other. We meet up with everyone and go into ITTBB.

I only had time for one picture of the animals on the tree.

One of the kids ask “What is it doing? Pooping?” so I had to take that picture.

We grab our bug 3-D glasses and we’re on our way!

Marissa (3 yo) and Bryce (1 yo) did not like the show. I told my sister they wouldn’t and gave her some tips to get them through it.

Let her bury her head in your lap.
Don’t have her wear the glasses.
Hold her nose.
Tell her the screams are actually laughs.

It must have worked. They got through it with out having to leave the theater.

Everyone liked this. I’ve seen it before but honestly—it was better this time.

Why?

Because to see everyone else experience it for the first time, screaming, laughing, carrying on….it was just nice to see them all have a good time with it.

After it was over, we did some pin trading.

Marissa showing off her new princess pin. She was so proud!!!! It was cute.

Then my sister and SIL says….”Okay, how does this pin thing work?”

I wanted to scream again “DIDN’T YOU READ MY NEWSLETTER?” but I didn’t.

Instead I explain. They went off to buy some over-priced pins to trade. I had bought ours from the web before we left. I bought and brought extras with me because I knew the kids would enjoy it!

While the kids were pin trading, my dad says to me…

“I had no idea this place would be so big. I knew it was going to be big, but not this huge. And not just AK, but all of Disney”

He just couldn’t believe it. (He actually said it all week long)

It was nearly 11:30am, and I wanted to eat before it got too crowded in the restaurants. The group discussed our options. Half of us decided to eat at Flame Tree and the other half went to Pizzafari.

My family went to Pizzafari. The 5 of us used 3 counter service credits and 1 snack. I just combined the salads and ate 1 large salad—and the left over pizza.

After we were finished eating, I went to Flame Tree to talk to the rest of the group. I hear sister Mindy talking to sister Crystal. I could tell it was about me. I know the sister look. When I asked her what she said, she asked me “Why are you in such a hurry?” I said I wasn’t and walked away.

But I walked away a little confused. I wasn’t sure what she meant by that. I guess doing one thing after another was perceived as “being in a hurry”. I wasn’t in a hurry BUT I didn’t spend all this money to just stand around all day.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

At this point, I was a little surprised the group was all still together. I took a quick glance at the map. I had no idea what to do.

So I closed my eyes, spun around in 3 circles and used my pointer finger to land on what we were going to do next. And what did it land on?

Maharajah Jungle Trek.

Perfect. I have never done this before.

My niece Alysha and I decide to walk ahead of the group and grab FP’s for Kali River Rapids. The plan was to meet everyone at the entrance of the Trek.

At the entrance, there is a restroom nearby so it was time for a bio break. Again, this takes longer with 23 people.

We finally go in. It’s an attraction that you walk at your own pace, seeing the animals as you go. You guessed it. Everyone walked at their own pace. You’re getting good!

Notice the tiger in the background? See its position? Nolan says to me “I can tell it’s a girl. I don’t see anything sticking up.”

At that point, I am glad we were walking at our own pace because we high tailed it away from that area. No tiger porn for me thank you.

My BIL pushing the free stroller 

It was interesting to see all the animals. No, it wasn’t a thrilling ride but it was something nice that we could all do together.

After Trek, some had to use the restroom AGAIN!!!! My nephew is such a redneck, he couldn’t wait.

After beating him like a red headed step child. Most of the kids decided to enjoy a little bit of water fun. It was nice because it was hot!!!!

I can’t take these kids anywhere!!!!!

Seriously. Where is their father?

My brother had a different idea…..cooling off in a fountain….

After cooling off, goofing off and getting wet, we headed to the Safari.

On our way, I seen the path down to get a closer look at the Tree of Life so it was time to stop for some pictures. No photopass person. Darn it. Half way through day 1 and still no photopass pics. Maybe this pre-ordering of a CD was a bad idea.

So I get these shot with my camera:

My family

My sister Crystal and family

My sister Mindy and her family

My brother Rick and his family

My mom and dad. Notice his socks/shorts/shoes. Same goes for you! Don't make fun of him!!!

(of course missing is my brother Randy who spent the day at the resort. And also missing is my sister Melissa and family who are back home in Ohio)

Finally, we make it to the Safari. But there is a problem. My sister slept in and didn’t get a set of FP’s. So we have 23 people but only 18 FP’s.

A quick explanation to the CM at the FP entrance and we were on our way!!! I guess you could call it a magical moment.

We nearly filled the whole safari van.

My brother is a big goofball. He really played into the poacher plot. Though it did seemed scaled down from our 2006 visit.

Half way through the safari, it began to rain. He still got to see a lot of animals.

I love this tree!!! No idea why—just do.

Everyone liked the Safari and again- it was something nice for all of us to do together.

It was nice of them to get my laundry started.

When the Safari comes to an end- there is 2 different “exits” that the van can you use. Our van choose the wrong one. Because at the other exit…..

WAS THE DREAM TEAM!!!!

Darn it. I noticed them. No one else in our group noticed them. I said to myself

“There’s the Dream Team!”

Well, I thought I said it to myself.

I said it out loud and my dad wants to know what I’m talking about. I explain the (2) Year (s) of a Million Dreams promotion and say- “sorry- we missed out. Wished we could have been in the other exit line”

I even secretly looked to see if there was a way to get over there. I had a little bit of Disney Envy when the people who won were hooted and hollering.

So close.

Yet so far away.

After the Safari, we find the (free) stroller and we’re on our way.

Except the thing is.

Where are we headed?

It starts to rain harder so we try to find some cover. All available spaces were taken for our large group. I pass out some cheap ponchos I had brought with me.

Some kids asked me where I got them. Guess they didn’t read their newsletter either.

Everyone started to ask me

“What’s next?”
“Where are we going?”
“What are we doing?”
“Is the rain going to stop?”
“What time is dinner?”

Aghhhhh!!!! My head was spinning. I had to make a quick decision because I had NOOOO idea what to do next.

I asked Mindy when she went to the greeting trails this morning, were they under cover. She said “yes, for the most part” so knowing I still had no photopass pics taken yet today, I said “let’s go see some characters!”

So we headed that way. Since Mindy seen them this morning…I think she went and did some shopping.

Donald and Goofy were in the first hut, so we choose them first. We get in line, noticing that we were only about 8 people back. Yeah—this was a good idea!

UNTIL…..

I look up and see Donald and Goofy. I see this:

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE???????

Good idea? I think it MIGHT have been a great idea!!!!



Up next: Will it be another close encounter with the DT? Will the rain chase us away? Will we make our 4:30 ADR at Boma?

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Oooh i love a good cliff hanger! Don't make us wait too long!

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

What a great report! Great pic!

 

[hlrababy]

Hey!! I just joined and I have to say I LOVE YOUR REPORT!!!! I am excited to see what happens next!

 

[2BusyPlanning]

***fast forward to today—my dad cherishes that picture! My mom said that even at the hotel, he displayed it and looked at it every day. ***

I scream “DID YOU NOT READ YOUR NEWSLETTER?????”

The first phrase made me tear up, and the second made me !!!!

I have got to remember to start a newsletter! Any ideas, what did you include?

Loving the report!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

LOVING it so far!!! I'm always the crazy Disney nazi when we go on trips too and get the 'why you in a rush?!' all the time. So annoying!

And I do love your dads choice of footwear...

 

[Villainess]

I'm having so much fun reliving your trip!!!! We've gone to DW twice during the YOMD - one visit 10 days, the other 15 days and we have NEVER seen the DT at all! We've seen people with the DT fast passes and the people in the parade who won stuff but never the team.

 

[mikmouse]

28 PEOPLE??? Wow!!! Definitely subbing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have 13, possibly 14 if my hubby and I manage to pop out another kiddo before our trip in 2011 to celebrate Mum's 60th birthday! (I'm only 7 weeks pregnant with our first mind you!)

Can't wait to read more xxx

We're 41 people this Thanksgiving week!

 

[lynn46356]

This is like a good book that you can't put down!!!!! More, more, more please!!!! Your dad's look is adorable. Sorry, but I just had to laugh out loud when you wrote about it and then the photo. Got to love our fathers. Here's hoping our husbands don't turn into them though. As I said before, thanks for sharing your trip with all of us.

Lynn

 

[ceemys]

awww...thank you!!! That is sweet. We are all in Southeast Indiana. Where are you?

We are in Central IN, just North of Indianapolis. Almost neighbors....well 3 hours apart neighbors. lol

 

[VanniGirl]

Great report - Can't wait for the next chapter!!

 

[coolbeans]

I'm in!! This TR is great!