Photo Trip Report: My 6 and 4 year-old park commandos -- How we conquered the World!

[jake&samsmom]

After our very filling lunch at Crystal Palce, we remember that we had fastpasses for Jungle Cruise which would be expiring in 5 minutes! Goodness, we run to Adventureland again!

When we get there, we realize that DH doesn't have a fastpass for JC because he slept in! The standby wait time was more than 40 minutes! So we ask the CM processing the FP's if he could please, please board the boat with us?

In another example of true Disney magic, the very gracious CM allowed him to ride with us He said though that next time he wouldn't allow it.

I didn't take pics on this ride, I wanted to concentrate on analyzing the difference between JC at WDW and DL (I'm funny like that sometimes)

One thing I noticed was that at the JC at WDW, there were no piranhas! What?! They were my most fun animals on JC! I loved it when the captain of the boat would ask the passengers to look over the side of the boat, only to be surprised by the piranhas jumping out of the water I miss that.

Btw, they chose a young boy about 11 years old or so, to steer the ship while the real captain talked to us passengers. At the end of the ride, he received a little JC driver's license card. I though that was cute

After the Jungle Cruise, we went nextdoor to climb the Swiss Family Treehouse.

(Sorry I have to stop it right here because Sam is awake now and has to be fed breakfast and dressed for school!)

More to come soon!

 

[Iowaswete]

Coming soon....Our first full day -- at Animal Kingdom!

Totally off topic but where did you get that bag??? Hehe I want one!!!!

 

[disneyfanforlife]

I loved the report. Everyone looks like they are having fun. Can't wait to read more.

 

[ILuvWishes!]

Hi! I just found your TR. Your kids are cute. They look like twins. I love looking at the pictures. We were at WDW the same time!! We were there Thursday, Oct 25 - Monday, Oct 29. I am searching your pictures for any sign of us.

We flew out of Hobby with Southwest. Our next trip will be out of Bush with Continental. We are also from Houston (we live just outside of Houston - southwest side). We are transplants though, originally from Massachusetts. We love living here. The humidity is the hardest thing to get use to.

We went to MNSSHP on Sunday night (Oct 28).

Can't wait for more updates!

 

[eyenjeff]

Hi Eileen! You're back! How was it? I cannot wait to read your TR! Let me know when it's up

Day 1 is up, boy did it take forever to do! Hopefully now that I have an idea of how to copy, paste, post, write, photobucket, paste etc.... the rest of the days will go faster! LOL! Day 2 later today!

 

[jake&samsmom]

Totally off topic but where did you get that bag??? Hehe I want one!!!!

Hi! I sent you a PM

 

[jake&samsmom]

I loved the report. Everyone looks like they are having fun. Can't wait to read more.

Thanks for reading my trippie. There's more to come......

 

[jake&samsmom]

Hi! I just found your TR. Your kids are cute. They look like twins. I love looking at the pictures. We were at WDW the same time!! We were there Thursday, Oct 25 - Monday, Oct 29. I am searching your pictures for any sign of us.

We flew out of Hobby with Southwest. Our next trip will be out of Bush with Continental. We are also from Houston (we live just outside of Houston - southwest side). We are transplants though, originally from Massachusetts. We love living here. The humidity is the hardest thing to get use to.

We went to MNSSHP on Sunday night (Oct 28).

Can't wait for more updates!

Howdy fellow Texan! We also live in the southwest suburbs of Houston, and how cool is it that we also went to MNSSHP on the 28th?

How long have y'all been in Texas? I've lived here for 15 + years now, and still can't get used to the humidity!

Thanks for reading along!

 

[kaysmommie]

Great update and pics. I love CP and I have to tell Kaylee that joke tomorrow since she loves telling jokes , I think that pic of the boys would make a great Christmas card picture.

 

[jake&samsmom]

Before we went to the Treehouse, we passed by Aladdin's carpets, and I ask the boys if they want to ride.

To my dismay, Jake says no, it's bo-ring, and Sam copies his brother. Boy am I bummed because I have never rode this one before, and was looking forward to it. They also didn't want to ride similar rides like Dumbo and Triceratop spin

It makes me think that maybe we waited too long to bring them on their first trip to WDW. I was telling my sister earlier how she should bring her baby (coming soon in late Jan./early Feb.) when the baby turns two or three, so she could enjoy the "baby" rides (as my sons term them).

Anyway, we get to the Treehouse....

One word of caution... if you have weak thigh muscles, this exhibit will challenge you! Most of it is climbing up and down flights of stairs -- a fairly good workout for someone like me

On the other hand, it is very pretty to look at, and well worth the exercise

Jake asked me how the family used the toilet. I told him obviously there wasn't a potty, and that they answered the call of nature while sitting in the river (I suppose that's how). He just shook his head and muttered something like "eeeewwww!".

Speaking of potties, after we exit the exhibit, the boys suddenly needed to use one. Now. ASAP. So, we run (again) to the restrooms by Aloha Isle. We call out to DH to line up for the Tiki Room, and we'd meet up with him there.

Of course, when we get to the Tiki Room, DH is nowhere in sight. The show then starts. We have never seen this one before but it was on my "try this time" list.

Sorry to say, I don't think we'll be seeing this show again. Now I know why it doesn't get good reviews. It is uhmm, I guess...uhmmm....a little on the dry side. (I ask for forgiveness from all the Tiki fans out there) The jokes weren't funny, the premise/backstory was weak for me. We thought the singing totem poles were cute, though.

When the show finishes, we head out, and DH is waiting for us at the exit. He is peeved that he waited outside for us instead of seeing the show inside (miscommunication!) -- but I told him he didn't miss much.

By this time it is about an hour before the 3pm parade starts. I learned from the DIS that if we wanted to get good spots, we need to stake them out now.

So, we walk briskly to the wooden platform in front of the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade. This is an excellent spot to view the parade from. You get to sit on the platform while waiting, and there isn't much space between you and the cord that ropes off the street.

Here's what I mean...

The boys with Dad...

They start pin trading between themselves

They get a bit tired of waiting for the parade to start, so they go to the shootin' arcade to pass the time. DH said that one gun wasn't working right, and gave them 100 plus shots for the price of one! Wow!

Now the crowd is really building up, so they come back and take up their viewing spots....

Here it comes!

Mickey leads the way...

Notice how this float shows how Mickey evolved throughout the years! Way cool!

The magic brooms from Fantasia....

Pinnochio's float...

Jiminy Cricket up close....

Surprise! Snow White is in the back, along with a cart full of Jewels!

This is how I'm feeling now....

More parade photos to come
(high-ho, high-ho, it's off to bed I go....)

 

[jake&samsmom]

Great update and pics. I love CP and I have to tell Kaylee that joke tomorrow since she loves telling jokes , I think that pic of the boys would make a great Christmas card picture.

Btw, I got that joke from the radio the day before we left for Disney

 

[ILuvWishes!]

Howdy fellow Texan! We also live in the southwest suburbs of Houston, and how cool is it that we also went to MNSSHP on the 28th?

How long have y'all been in Texas? I've lived here for 15 + years now, and still can't get used to the humidity!

Thanks for reading along!

Howdy!!
We moved to Texas in April 2006 and moved into our newly built house 6 months ago. So there is no hope of getting use to the humidity, oh well. Well, I am enjoying the weather lately, we have all of our windows open (except this morning, too cold).

We have been bringing our 2 kiddos to Disney since they were born. DD was 5 months old on her 1st trip and DS was 7 months old on his 1st trip. When we told our DD that we were going to Disney for MNSSHP she asked "how many weeks will we be there?" Not weeks dear, only days this time. DD has been to WDW 10 times (with trips 11 & 12 already scheduled) and she is only 5.

I am still looking for us in your pictures.....I will let you know if I see us.

 

[jake&samsmom]

The parade continues....

Alice in Wonderland characters:

The bunch from the Crystal Palace:

Gotta love those kites

Aladdin's float:

Dumbo flying beside Aladdin's carpet :

Mary Poppins:

Captain Hook and his merry band of Pirates!

Here come the Villains! (my favorite float ) The Chernabog looks way creepy! And so does the Evil Queen!

Beware -- Jafar is trying to hypnotize us!

Cruella booing the crowd:

Side view of the float:

My favorite Villain -- Ursula!

The Magic Mirror says buh-bye

Here are Peter and Wendy!

Peter says hi to the boys....

Coming up, the Parade of Princesses
Stay tuned!

 

[jake&samsmom]

The parade continues....

Before Princesses, the handmaidens come and dance in their pretty dresses...

Here is Cinderella's float...

Belle and the Beast follow closely behind....

".....who could ever learn to love a Beast?"......

Now Ariel floats by.....

Prince Eric waves to us....

The three fairies from Sleeping Beauty....

The final parade float approaches...

Close up of Donald (for Sam )

See ya real soon.....

A teaser for the next installment.....(insert scary/creepy music here)

Check back soon.......

 

[eyenjeff]

By this time it is about an hour before the 3pm parade starts. I learned from the DIS that if we wanted to get good spots, we need to stake them out now.

So, we walk briskly to the wooden platform in front of the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade. This is an excellent spot to view the parade from. You get to sit on the platform while waiting, and there isn't much space between you and the cord that ropes off the street.




We discovered this same spot when we were there for SPectromagic! We will try to use this spot more in the future!

 

[eyenjeff]

Really enjoying your report! Feels like we are right back there! I miss it so much! A week ago today we were at MK for our comando park day and night! That is upcoming in the TR, if I can ever shake this flu

 

[jake&samsmom]

Really enjoying your report! Feels like we are right back there! I miss it so much! A week ago today we were at MK for our comando park day and night! That is upcoming in the TR, if I can ever shake this flu

Get well soon, Eileen!

I too get sentimental whenever I read other trip reports and see the places we were just at two and a half weeks ago

Writing this trip report is helping, though My kids enjoy passing by my computer desk and looking at the pictures I've been (slowly) uploading on photobucket

Hope ya feel better....I just read the updates on your trippie -- I love that glowing Captain Hook on the drink!

 

[jake&samsmom]

After the final float passes by, one is greeted by a multitude of people following behind I quickly grab the boys hands and lead the way through the crowd towards the Haunted Mansion.

It then starts to rain, so I pull out the umbrellas. But the boys don't want to use them. They say their hoods will protect them from the drizzle.

Here we are at the gates of HM:

The standby sign reads 25 minutes, so we get in line. Looking at the crowd, you would think it would be longer than 25 minutes, but it wasn't ....

As you can see, I'm the only one with an umbrella....

We pose by the spooky funeral carriage...

(I won't post any indoor shots as I was totally immersed in the ride. )

We got into the stretch room, and I was blown away by the effects, especially the "hangman" at the end of the presentation. I made my family stand beneath the portarait of the lady with the pink parasol, because I was told by the DIS that this is where the wall opens.

We ride the doombuggies in pairs -- Jake with his Dad, and Sam with me. The ride begins.....I love the footprints in the attic, Madame Leota's room, and the graveyard scene. The boys loved the hitchhiking ghosts at the end of the ride. I also love the part when the buggies do a 180 degree turn and transport you backwards.

IMHO, the HM at WDW is far superior than the one at DL

As we exit, I tell the boys that I really want to ride it again. (Will I? Find out in my MNSSHP installment, due later. Much later )

 

[jake&samsmom]

Now we walk towards Fantasyland and a real downpour starts

We half-walk, half-run to It's a Small World, and jump in line. Most of the line is covered, so we are relaxed at this point. The wait was around 15 minutes only, and the line moved fast in spite of its long length.

However, looking across the street, I got because the next ride we were going to get on -- Peter Pan -- had a wait of 60 minutes! We considered getting a Fastpass, but the return time was the same time as Spectromagic! So, no go on the FP.

Anyway, we got to the end of the line, and we were directed to sit in the first row

Here we are about to get on the boat (pardon the messed-up hair, it was raining remeber? )...

The boys are at the age where IASM still appeals to them We all enjoy the ride. I think the most beautiful dolls were the ones dancing by the Taj Mahal in India

At the end, we try to pronounce the different translations of the word "goodbye" written on the signs...

We now cross the road towards Peter Pan. The wait time is now 50 minutes, a little less than earlier, but still....

We get in a friendly conversation with a very nice family from Atlanta, Georgia. They were in Florida for a weekend-long vacation, and decided to spend their final afternoon/evening at WDW They got to the MK at 1pm, and had been on a few rides at this point.

I tried to give them a mini-touring plan (based on hundreds of hours on the DIS ), but DH whispered to me that "some people just want to relax while on vacation, and not plan activities for every waking moment" Ok. Point well taken

Well, it did take 50 minutes to get to the end of the line, but it was all worth it.

Peter Pan retains the #1 spot of favorite WDW rides. Followed closely by HM, of course

 

[jake&samsmom]

Originally, the plan was for us to play at Ariel's Grotto after Peter Pan. But because it was still raining lightly, we head to Mickey's Philharmagic instead.

None of us had ever seen it previously. It was a new experience for all of us. We were so excited to see that there was hardly a line to get into the show.

Here are the boys in the queue area....

One with Dad...

We get our 3D glasses, and walk to our seats. (One tip for next time is to try not to sit behind tall people. This is hard to do especially if it's a full house, but it is very hard for small kids to see the screen with a tall head obstructing it.)

The show is fabulous! Sam and I try to touch the jewels that Ariel scatters around. We laugh as we get wet by the bucketful of water. I get a little motion-sick when Donald goes on the carpet ride with Aladdin. We sing along with Zazu and Simba. We were all relieved when Mickey caught the hat and saved the day

But we laughed most when Donald flew over us and crash-landed in the wall behind us

Sam decides that we should all see the show again Like, right now. So we get in line for the second time and see Philharmagic once more

The show's exit ushers guests directly to -- surprise -- a gift shop, and the boys (and Mom) cannot resist the cuteness of it all! We pick up a medium sized Mickey for Jake, and a small YOAMD Donald for Sam Y'all will see them later....

It has now stopped raining, and we decide to catch the last performance of Dream along with Mickey in front of the castle. Sam has to make a pit stop at the closest restroom.

Jake and DH go ahead to stake out our spot for the show.

Sam and I walk to the front of the castle to meet up with Jake and DH. Sam decides to change clothes to feel "fresher" (believe me, ya don't want to know ) OT: Lucky us Moms bring all sorts of junk in the kids' backpack. Ours had tons of baby wipes, wet ones, hand sanitizer, a complete change of clothes for the boys, an assortment of over the counter meds, tide spot remover, first aid kit, and our autograph book.

(Btw, we sat on a bench on the left side of the hub while waiting for the show.)


After Sam freshens up, we take pics in front of the castle (note the Mickey and the Donald "adopted" from the Philharmagic store)...

We now notice that it's getting dark, and the show has not started as scheduled.....

Will "the show go on?"
Will we have a chance to Dream Along With Mickey?
Stay tuned