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

[Donald is #1]

I wasn't able to take a picture of the grave diggers' shovel dance...I was mesmerized by the sparks created when they'd scrape the ground with the tips of their shovels -- one of the highlights of the parade!

How did your boys like this part of the parade? When I went in Oct '06, my nephew (9 at the time) was really freaked out by them. I wasn't with him when he saw the parade (they were just getting into the park at the time of the parade), but my sister said that they really disturbed him for some reason.

 

[jake&samsmom]

After the parade, we decide to head to Splash Mountain. When we were in DL last January '07, Splash Mtn. was being rehabbed, so we weren't able to experience it then.

It was a walk-on, just like most of the rides on this MNSSHP night Jake and DH rode in front, while Sam and I were behind them. We all wore ponchos because the night air was chilly. I was scared of the drop at the end, but wanted to try it at least once this time

It was really fun, and you will get soaked even with a poncho on!

After Splash Mtn, we went around Frontierland to trick or treat (skipped BTMRR because the boys didn't want to ride it -- thank goodness! I am not a fan of any rollercoaster as you can probably guess by now )

Then we went to Adventureland to trick or treat some more. Hallowishes began while we were in front of the Frontierland shooting arcade, and even from there, it was pretty spectacular! The boys sat inside their double stroller while DH and I stood behind it. There were no crowds around us at all. It wasn't the best spot for fireworks viewing, but it was beautiful nonetheless

What would Halloween at the MK be without a visit to the Haunted Mansion? I asked the boys if they's go with me, but all 3 refused!! Oh well, I guess this is where we'll have to split up and meet somewhere.

I wasn't missing the HM on a MNSSHP night!

The boys headed to Tomorrowland (again!) where they rode the TTA and Buzz Lightyear:

I headed to the HM and walked right in....I love HM! . I love the "sweetness" of the ride -- the nostalgia of being in an old haunted home with peaceful ghosts, and nothing extremely macabre -- this appeals to me very much..... (and currently, I can't decide whether my #1 favorite ride is HM or Soarin'... )

I then head off to Fantasyland to ride IASW (a guilty pleasure! ), and try to ride Peter Pan again, but DH and the boys are ringing me on the phone, instructing me to meet them in Toontown for more Trick or treating!

Of course, I go where the boys say, and bid Peter Pan farewell...I'll be back next trip, I promise

We get the bulk of our candy at Toontown, and yes, even us antique kids were welcome to the candy! The boys play in Pooh's playful spot for a while, and then we walk on the Alice in Wonderland trick or treat trail on the way to Tomorrowland. On this trail, the candy-givers were dressed as playing cards, so cute! I dunno why I didn't take pictures, I guess I was in awe of the amount of sweets we were accumulating! Btw, we collected a total of 11.5 pounds of candy from the party!

We split up when we got to Tomorrowland because Sam wanted to ride the Astro Orbiter with Dad:

While Jake and I drove on the Indy Speedway:

(btw, this is not the car we rode on, this was the display car outside the Ride)


We all meet up at Casey's (our fav. CS Restaurant in the MK) for a midnight snack of hotdogs, corndogs and fries! We were tired, but happy...and from where we sat on the outside tables, we caught one final presentation of the Villain's show!

We passed through the Main St. Emporium to buy MNSSHP t-shirts, but our all our sizes were sold out It's OK, we have plenty of memories to take home anyway.....

We ride the ASMu bus and head to our "home" for the past 4 days.....which means we have 2 more days in the "World" before going back to our real home in Houston.....


Up next, Day 5: Raindrops keep fallin' on our heads at the Disney-MGM Studios!

 

[jake&samsmom]

How did your boys like this part of the parade? When I went in Oct '06, my nephew (9 at the time) was really freaked out by them. I wasn't with him when he saw the parade (they were just getting into the park at the time of the parade), but my sister said that they really disturbed him for some reason.

The boys tought they were cool, and even asked me, "How did the shovels make fire, Mom?" Later on, they tried to use the tips of their umbrellas (we brought one per family member) to scrape the ground to see if it works like the shovels!

Everybody's differerent. I saw some kids terrified of the HM ghosts/gravediggers, then on the other hand, other kids were smiling and waving to them.

Before the Party, I explained to the boys that anything scary there is just a joke from Mickey, so I think they understood.

 

[jake&samsmom]

Awesome pics! I want to go to the halloween party now, no fair!!

If I could afford it, I'd go every year!

Unfortunately, I think it'll be a while 'til we go to another one, because we haven't been to a MVMCP nor to a Pirate and Princess Party, so we'd probably go to one of those before doing a MNSSHP again

 

[snowwhite325]

I am so glad that you came back!! I really enjoyed your TR and was sad when you stopped updating. I can't wait to hear about your last two days

 

[jake&samsmom]

I am so glad that you came back!! I really enjoyed your TR and was sad when you stopped updating. I can't wait to hear about your last two days

I'm glad you're back here! Two more days to share with my Dis pals ......

 

[solgent]

I wasn't able to take a picture of the grave diggers' shovel dance...I was mesmerized by the sparks created when they'd scrape the ground with the tips of their shovels -- one of the highlights of the parade!

Same here. That was SO cool! But I didn't get a photo of it.

 

[foodrocksluver]

Oh my, that would be so cool! We are staying at OKW from July 29 to 31, then off to the Omni Orlando for a company-sponsored conference from August 1 to 4

When are y'all going? Did you have a specific room location request? (btw, we requested a main pool view studio at OKW, but ya never know what you'll get

Thanks for keeping up with my trippie!

We leave the 25th but it would have been wonderful to have been able to run into you!

We usually request building 45 or 46 (oddly enough with the DVC building 46 is the one we partly own).

 

[kkwis2]

I just found your trip report yesterday and have read through the whole thing! (I was actually a little miffed that I had to stop reading to go out to dinner with our neighbors, but what can you do?)

It sounds like you are all pretty flexible with one another which is the way to keep the family happy at Disney. You have really encouraged me to do the same when we go.

Our trip is planned for about the same time of October, 2008. Our kids will be 7 & 5 when we travel. We are staying at ASMo.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip. I love your sense of humor and your boys are beautiful!

 

[jake&samsmom]

I just found your trip report yesterday and have read through the whole thing! (I was actually a little miffed that I had to stop reading to go out to dinner with our neighbors, but what can you do?)

It sounds like you are all pretty flexible with one another which is the way to keep the family happy at Disney. You have really encouraged me to do the same when we go.

Our trip is planned for about the same time of October, 2008. Our kids will be 7 & 5 when we travel. We are staying at ASMo.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip. I love your sense of humor and your boys are beautiful!

Thank you for being so sweet Your kids are about the same ages as mine...Is your October trip your kids' first WDW vacation? I know for sure they will enjoy it, what with the nice weather, less crowds, and very short lines for rides.

sidenote: I am also on photobucket right now, uploading the last batch of our pictures (about 60 plus ) It's a little bittersweet to see the final few of them..... I'll be back in a little while....

 

[Rozz]

I just found your trip report today and read it through in one sitting! Actually, I had to get up a couple of times when the kids needed help with one of the rabbits. We have two indoor bunnies that we let out of their cage as often as we can to run around the living room. That is, after we get power cords and other things out of their bunny reach!

I can't wait for more of your report! We have been to WDW during Christmas but not during Halloween. I hope we will be able to go in October in the next couple of years. Your report just makes me want to get in the van and drive straight down to Disney World!

 

[The4bits]

I love reading your trip report, first one I ever subscribed too. My kids won't be as daring as yours probably and my poor 2 1/2 year old won't be able to ride anything cool. He's only 38' but that's okay, we'll make due. I am currently packing to leave on Tuesday and I am packing an extra suitcase to bring home everything I buy , can't wait to read more. You might inspire me to write my own.

 

[KayleeUK]

Just found your trippie.

Love all of your piccies

 

[jake&samsmom]

Since we arrived at ASMu very late at night (or was it early morning?) we all slept in and didn't wake up til 9am or so (remember, we are commandos, and commandos do not usually wake up later than park opening time )

On the way out to the food court, I immediately noticed the Magical Express envelope hanging on the outside handle of our door I decide against taking a pic of it, and resolve not to dwell on the sadness, but instead focus on making this day a really great one for the family!

We went to get breakfast at ASMu's Intermission food court - "We" meaning Jake, Sam and I - DH was left sleeping soundly in bed We had Mickey Waffles, orange juice and bacon. We usually ate a cereal breakfast in our room, but since we had a lot of CS credits remaining, we decided to splurge a bit

On the way back to our room, the clouds open up, and it starts to drizzle. Uh-oh. We grab our umbrellas, ponchos and rainjackets and leave a note for DH to meet up with us at Disney-MGM Studios (he's still asleep/snoring inspite of all the noise we're making in the room!)

The rain starts to pour as we get on the DS-MGM bus. The boys are worried about the weather so I reassure the boys we'll be fine because we came prepared with all our raingear I also tell them that the rain will keep the crowd away, so we'll have the park to ourselves!

I strike up a converation with a nice couple from NY who swear never to ride TOT again! Now the boys are really looking forward to TOT, and I was too, but the wife's story about how terrified she was after the first drop began to chip away at my confidence

We get to DS-MGM and hightail it to TOT The boys didn't use the stroller, so I put the backpack in it. When I parked it outside TOT, I put a poncho over it to keep the seat and its contents dry. I noticed a lot of soaking wet strollers littered all over. It was raining quite a bit.

 

[jake&samsmom]

Here are the boys about to get in line:

I love the theming of TOT, the hotel appears very decrepit:

The line was short as you can see:

I love how they purposely planted the heavy shrubbery to appear like an overgrown garden:

We are now about to enter the Hotel lobby:

Inside the TOT entry:

The beautiful ceiling circa 1930:

Cobwebs in the library: (quick, call Mousekeeping! )

Waiting for our elevator in the basement boiler room:

At this point, I really want to back out and let DH ride this with the boys instead.

But DH is still sleeping at ASMu, while I, who am scared silly, is trapped in a creepy basement, and has to pretend to be upbeat for her two sons' sake!

Why did we have to be the perfect number of riders to sit in the FRONT row?!!! Why couldn't I have a less frightening seat in the middle or back row?!

We all hear a voice saying, "You are about to discover what lies beyond the fifth dimension, beyond the deepest, darkest corner of the imagination, in the Tower of Terror".

We fall........................and fall......................and fall..........................and fall some more...........................



With each drop I pray it would be the last - please God, no more! Please!

In the meantime, my kids seem to be enjoying it. I hear Jake say "wow" when the doors open to reveal a 13th floor view of the park!

Thankfully, the ride comes to a stop. (insert sigh of relief)

At the TOT exit area, the boys pose with a lady from the 30's era:

We purchase a TOT Stitch pin for Sam and a Mickey ears pin for Jake at the TOT gift shop. The cashier CM tells us her son is finishing up med school. I don't remember how we got into that conversation, but she was nice nonetheless.

In summary: I promise you, I will never go on TOT again. Not unless they bribe me with an overnight stay at the Cinderella's Castle Suite -- for that, I'll gladly ride TOT all day (just pass me the Valium please!)

 

[jake&samsmom]

I just found your trip report today and read it through in one sitting! Actually, I had to get up a couple of times when the kids needed help with one of the rabbits. We have two indoor bunnies that we let out of their cage as often as we can to run around the living room. That is, after we get power cords and other things out of their bunny reach!

I can't wait for more of your report! We have been to WDW during Christmas but not during Halloween. I hope we will be able to go in October in the next couple of years. Your report just makes me want to get in the van and drive straight down to Disney World!

When you do get in that van, can you please swing by Houston on your way to the Disney World? We'd gladly come with you!

Thanks for being here

 

[jake&samsmom]

I love reading your trip report, first one I ever subscribed too. My kids won't be as daring as yours probably and my poor 2 1/2 year old won't be able to ride anything cool. He's only 38' but that's okay, we'll make due. I am currently packing to leave on Tuesday and I am packing an extra suitcase to bring home everything I buy , can't wait to read more. You might inspire me to write my own.

Your kids will have plenty to do, and what's more is that there'll be plenty of "new" rides to do in future trips! What I like about the two year old age range is the fresh excitement about everything. When they get to the ripe old age of four and above, you'll hear comments like "that ride is for babies" (in reference to Alladin's Carpets/Dumbo/Triceratop spin) -- all those I wanted to try, but was overruled because they're not "big boy" rides.

I would love to read about your trip! I am so jealous - y'all leave in a few days. Have lots of fun and take lots of pictures, please! Let us hear from you when you get back!

Btw, we too had an extra carry-on for our Halloween loot!

 

[jake&samsmom]

Just found your trippie.

Love all of your piccies

Thank you Kaylee!

Sidebar: I have an auntie who lives there in the UK (in Kensington) and has been forever inviting us to come over. We would, but our travel funds seem to always get handed over to the Mouse!

Glad you're reading along

 

[CHEK]

Great trip report and fantastic photo's , thankyou sooo much for sharing your experience's with us

 

[The4bits]

Your kids will have plenty to do, and what's more is that there'll be plenty of "new" rides to do in future trips! What I like about the two year old age range is the fresh excitement about everything. When they get to the ripe old age of four and above, you'll hear comments like "that ride is for babies" (in reference to Alladin's Carpets/Dumbo/Triceratop spin) -- all those I wanted to try, but was overruled because they're not "big boy" rides.

I would love to read about your trip! I am so jealous - y'all leave in a few days. Have lots of fun and take lots of pictures, please! Let us hear from you when you get back!

Btw, we too had an extra carry-on for our Halloween loot!

Maybe I will do a TR when we get back, I'm not very good at this stuff but i will probably try. I know I am starting to get butterflies already and my DD4 is beside herself. The worst part: we're driving from St. Louis (15 1/2 hours).