Plans are made to be broken aren’t they? Our first trip home to AKV

[BigDogHU75]

After we were done, we went back outside to get DM, DF, & DS. DS was asleep in his stroller. He can get heavy after a while. We made our way back to the train with DM pushing him along the trail. Once back at the train station my DM decided that she would not listen to anyone. It seemed that she was deaf. Of course, this has something to do with her grandson. Let me set the scene. We were waiting in line to board the train. DS was still asleep in the stroller. The train pulls into the station. I tell DM to wait so I can get DS out of the stroller. DM proceeds to push the stroller towards the train. The CM tries to tell her that the stroller cannot fit on the train. DM proceeds to push the stroller onto the train after seeking the help of either DMIL or DMIL2 (I can't remember but note they were all grandmothers) to lift the stroller onto the train. The stroller is now wedged between the second and third seats of the train. The CM once again stated that strollers must be folded before the train moves. People are staring at us. I wanted to scream. So, I took DS out of the stroller since DM couldn't get away from me this time. Meanwhile DH, who was steaming by this time, folded the stroller up. This time DH was the one ready to leave the park. My DM acted like nothing was wrong. She just wanted her grandson to continue sleeping comfortably. End scene.

On our walk towards the entrance we went through Asia. We were able to get some closer views of the Tree of Life.

We made our way back to the bus stop where we did not have to wait long to hop on the bus back to AKV. I was only able to do one thing from my wish list, Kilimanjaro Safari, but that was okay.

Once back at the resort, DMIL offered to warm up some leftovers but I was ready for something fried. DMIL2 & I headed down to Mara to get some food. I ordered a chicken flatbread pizza, fried shrimp which came with fries, and chicken nuggets that also came with fries. The food was very good. I really liked the taste of the flatbread pizza even though I did not eat it all. The fried shrimp were good. DS & DH enjoyed the chicken. The ankole cattle seemed to be enjoying there dinner as well.

More views from our balcony:

This was the only night we did not take pictures in the lobby. But, I did take a picture of the elevator lobby where we meet every morning.

We just decided to stay in and rest since DH’s brother was coming and tomorrow would be our MK day and I wanted to be there when the park opened.

 

[MadiMouse]

So were you embarrassed????
DM said, "Let that baby sleep!"

 

[MEK]

Nice update! I can just picture that train scene with everyone trying to shove the stroller on to the train and not wake the baby! Great visual!

 

[KathyRN137]

Oh My Goodness, I can just picture the steam coming out of your hubby's ears!!

Good call on staying in... can't miss that magical MK rope drop!!


Kathy

 

[5DizFans]

I love the story about your mother! Funny now - not at the time.

We just bought points at AKV - but we haven't stayed yet. You report is making me excited to go! I also love that your whole family is there with you. That is something that we want to do as well!

I also love that there is a photographer in the lobby of the Lodge. What a great idea.
Can't wait to read the rest!

 

[locolala]

I'm glad you took pics of what the villas look like!! We're staying there later this month and I am STOKED. We don't have kids yet, but I have a feeling my DMIL will be like your sons grammas. She's a little.. eccentric, to put it mildly. She's already started buying baby clothes, and we're not even trying for one until I finish college.

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

You are getting me so excited over our trip to AKV in less than one month Please tell your mom that we will loooove to have her join us, we are ok with the 5am cooking We have a baby girl who would absolutely love to cuddle in grandma's lap!

 

[that's nice]

I wish I knew that that photographer in the lobby was for any one. I thought you needed an appointment or something to use him. I would of loved a family shot when we went to Jiko for dinner. I guess we will have to do it next time!!

 

[BigDogHU75]

So were you embarrassed????
DM said, "Let that baby sleep!"

I was not too embarrassed. I am used to my DM's antics. Plus, I knew she was doing it out of love.

Nice update! I can just picture that train scene with everyone trying to shove the stroller on to the train and not wake the baby! Great visual!

It was a sight! But, DS did not wake up until I took him out of the stroller. He was so tired.

Oh My Goodness, I can just picture the steam coming out of your hubby's ears!!

Good call on staying in... can't miss that magical MK rope drop!!


Kathy

It makes me laugh now when I think about it. At the time, i was just trying to keep the peace. DH eventually calmed down.

I love the story about your mother! Funny now - not at the time.

We just bought points at AKV - but we haven't stayed yet. You report is making me excited to go! I also love that your whole family is there with you. That is something that we want to do as well!

I also love that there is a photographer in the lobby of the Lodge. What a great idea.
Can't wait to read the rest!

Congratulations on buying into AKV and welcome home! This was our first trip to AKV and we loved it. I am sure you will. I am not going to know what to do when we go back for a cople of days in Sept. since it will just be the three of us. I love big family trips and with being DVC members potentially everyone can have their own space. You get the best of both worlds.

I'm glad you took pics of what the villas look like!! We're staying there later this month and I am STOKED. We don't have kids yet, but I have a feeling my DMIL will be like your sons grammas. She's a little.. eccentric, to put it mildly. She's already started buying baby clothes, and we're not even trying for one until I finish college.

I know you will have a great vacation. Good thinking on waiting to finish college before having a baby. DH is in a Master's program now that only meets once a week and it is struggle trying to juggle who will take and pick up DS from daycare. Don't let the pressure from the grandparents to be get to you. Whenever it happens they will be excited. DS's grandparents are working on us to have another one. It is so funny. Once you start they will want you to keep going.

You are getting me so excited over our trip to AKV in less than one month Please tell your mom that we will loooove to have her join us, we are ok with the 5am cooking We have a baby girl who would absolutely love to cuddle in grandma's lap!

I am so envious that you will be at AKV in less than a month. Have a great time! It was so good to have the grandparents there. DS always had someone to look out for him.

I wish I knew that that photographer in the lobby was for any one. I thought you needed an appointment or something to use him. I would of loved a family shot when we went to Jiko for dinner. I guess we will have to do it next time!!

Hopefully, the photographers will still be there when you go. It was great that they were in the lobby. We never had to wait in line. I don't know hy more people didn't utilize the service. We got a lot of different shots with different family members.

 

[BigDogHU75]

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Plan:
Leave AKV around 8:15 a.m. to be at the park opening at 9:00 a.m. Dinner at the Grand Floridian Café at 5:25 p.m.


What happened:
The night before I decided that we would not need our dinner reservation at the Grand Floridian since DH's father would be meeting us at our hotel room after we had come back from the MK. I told DH & DMIL that instead of going to the Grand Floridian, I would cook spaghetti that evening. So much for plans.

I woke up my usual time and to my surprise I was the only one up in our room. Sometime during the night DBIL made it to the resort. He was sleeping on the pull out couch in DMIL’s room and DMIL was not awake and, of course, DH & DS were still sleeping. So, I started getting ready. By the time I was out of the bathroom, DS was awake and I heard DMIL stirring. Now, I just had to get DH up which can be a chore. This morning, though, it wasn’t too bad but everybody but DS & I were off to a slow start.

My DF called to see if we were ready and to let me know that my DM would not be joining us today. He & DU had been up for awhile and had eaten their breakfast, drank their coffee and were waiting for us to call them. When they arrived at our room, DMIL was just sitting down to eat her breakfast and drank her coffee. UGH! So much for getting to MK for the rope drop. DF explained that DM had injured her foot on the bedroom door. She was moving a chair back and tried to close the door. The door scraped the top of her foot. Of course, I had to go see her so I ran down the hall to her room. When DM answered the door she had a bandage on her foot but it was still bleeding. I ran back to my room to get the big tube of Neosporin that I had packed (I had OTC meds for just about anything) and then ran back to my DM and gave it to her. She was sorry that she could not go with us but she wanted to give her foot time to heal by keeping it out of the shoe. She has to be careful with wounds since she is a diabetic. I completely understood. I gave her a kiss and told her to enjoy the room and the view. I then headed back to my room and waited until everybody was ready.

When I took this picture it was almost 9 a.m.

A few minutes later we were finally headed to the bus stop. Of course, of all mornings the bus to MK took its sweet time coming. We waited for what seemed like eternity but really about 15-20 minutes while the crowd for the MK bus just kept getting bigger and bigger.

This picture was taken around 9:15 a.m.

Finally, the MK bus pulled up and right behind it was another MK bus. We were off to the Magic Kingdom. The bus ride was not too long but, of course, we were not there for RD. Oh well, maybe we could make it to Dumbo before the lines get too long because I remember the touring plan motto “Ride first …” Yeah right! We were late anyway so I might as well go with the flow. We stopped to take some pictures.

DS did not want to let go of the brochure

As we approached the castle we were just in time for the show Dream-Along with Mickey.

After the show it was off to ride Dumbo.

 

[MadiMouse]

Great update. I believe my extended family would love your touring plan. I'm such a commando and my baby girl is just like me. She can hang with the best!

 

[Donald is #1]

Oh no, I am sorry to hear that your Mom hurt her foot? Did it continue to bother her during the trip?

 

[BigDogHU75]

Great update. I believe my extended family would love your touring plan. I'm such a commando and my baby girl is just like me. She can hang with the best!

I was trying to be a commando but circumstances kept getting in the way. And, I am kind of glad that I took it easy. Of course, I wish I could have done more but there is always next time.

Oh no, I am sorry to hear that your Mom hurt her foot? Did it continue to bother her during the trip?

It bothered her for a couple of days but she enjoyed sitting in the room and taking it easy.

I will be posting more soon. I hope everyone has a Happy Easter.

 

[KathyRN137]

DS did not want to let go of the brochure

Love this shot!!

LOL, now I know why you titled your report, Plans Are Meant to be Broken!! Oh well, going with the flow has its merits, too.

Sorry DM injured her foot, but she was right to nurse it carefully, considering the diabetes concern.

Kathy

 

[MEK]

All caught up again! Sorry to hear your mom hurt her foot! I hope she is OK. Love, Love, Love your MK pics. It looks like a perfect day!

 

[BigDogHU75]

WOW! I can’t believe that it has been almost three months since I posted. Sometimes life gets in the way. But, I did not want to be the person who does not finish the trip report. Thank you OhMari for opening this thread back up.

For those who are returning welcome back & thank you for coming back. For those who are just joining me

We now return to our regularly scheduled trip report already in progress.

 

[BigDogHU75]

We last left off heading to Dumbo. Since we stopped to watched the Dream Along with Mickey show, the line at Dumbo was long considering it is a slow loading ride. DH, DU, DBIL, & DF did not want to ride on Dumbo so it was just DMIL, DS, and I. After about a twenty minute wait, we were finally able to board the elephant. We decided to try and fit in one elephant. Needless to say it was a tight fit with the three of us. Thank goodness for seat belt extenders. Once we were all situated we were off for a flying adventure.

DS loved Dumbo. I was glad since this was the first ride he has ever been on. After Dumbo we headed to the Carousel.

DS was not happy on this ride. He was ready to get off.

When we exited the Carousel, we spotted Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. Now, against the plans, DS wanted to meet them. So, we, meaning DMIL, DS, & I, stood in line while the men went to get a snack (expensive popcorn). The line moved pretty quickly except for when Pooh and Tigger had to take a potty break. But, we toughed it out and DS was thrilled. He ran straight to Pooh.

Tigger was not getting any love from DS.

Pooh was laughing at poor Tigger.

So, I stepped in to show Tigger some love and hopefully coax DS over to Tigger.

It worked for about a second but DS was really into Pooh.

After we stood took pictures with Pooh and Tigger, we went to Pooh’s playground. DS had a blast. He played in the tree house.

DH decided to join DS in the tree house.

Next DS wanted to go down the slide. He went down the slide at least 100 times and had a ball every time.

Then something caught DS’s eye. What did he see? Water shooting up from the ground and DS loves to play in the water. First he tested the water.

When DS got used to it, he would run to where the water would shoot up and wait for it. When he saw the water coming he would try to run away before the water got him.

One time he wasn’t quick enough.

While we were there, I noticed that one of the geysers was not working and a CM was there trying to fix it. I am glad that the other ones were working and that DS was able to play because the next day the geysers were not operating at all.

After the water fun we headed to Minnie’s house and Mickey’s house after a quick restroom break.

DH was trying to take a picture of something in the room and extended his hand a little too far because an alarm started to sound. We quickly moved along.

We decided to forgo the Judge’s tent.

All aboard! Next stop Frontierland.

 

[BigDogHU75]

After a nice and restful train ride …

we arrived in Frontierland where we walked around and enjoyed the atmosphere and scenery.

While walking, we noticed that a lot of people were eating on big turkey legs which prompted me to get one. Man was it huge and it was delicious. Everyone, except for DH, partook of the turkey leg.

That turkey leg was more like a prop then food. It was during this time that I noticed that there were a lot of birds flying and wandering around looking for food.

Since we did not have anything but a turkey leg, I felt safe. Boy was I wrong. As soon as I pulled a piece of meat off the turkey leg and held it up a big bird swooped down and grabbed it out of my hand. At first, I did not know what happened. I just heard something fly past my ear and felt a tug from my hand. I was too through. I did not want to see another bird but lo’ and behold who do we spot next – the duck himself. Of course, we had to stop and take a picture or two or three.

After visiting with Donald we headed to It’s a Small World. We really weren’t headed there but we saw it along the way and DMIL wanted to ride it. DH decided to pass on this ride since he felt people of his stature did not belong in a small world. Everyone else rode and enjoyed the ride.

After our boat ride, we left the park headed for home. But, I needed to take a couple of more pictures (DS did not).

Before exiting the park, I also stopped to get some fudge and sugar free candy for my parents.

 

[BigDogHU75]

Once we arrived at home, I went to my parents’ room to recap our day with my DM who could not go with us because of her foot. While there I noticed that a CM was cleaning out one of the watering holes. If you ever wondered how the watering holes fill up with water here is the answer.

I thought the water got there naturally by way of rain.

Once back at AKV, we rested, had dinner, and tried to go for a swim. The plan was to go the Grand Floridian Café but since both mothers brought so much food with them we opted to stay in. DMIL cooked dinner. We had spaghetti with meat sauce and a salad on the side. DH’s father and wife met us back at the hotel. Once they arrived we had dinner and then wanted to test out the pool. DH, DS, DFIL, and I changed into our bathing suits and headed to the pool. As we stepped out in the hallway, a familiar smell was in the air - my mother's cooking. I could tell that she was cooking some collard greens. My parents and uncle had greens (DM had the hallways smelling like collards), ribs, cornbread, and sweet potato pie. My mom sent a sweet potato pie to our room. I made a mental note to go to the room and get some food.

When we got outside, it was a bit nippy but thought that the pool would be warmer since it was supposed to be heated. It was not warm enough for my liking and even though DS wanted to stay in the pool I took him out. DMIL, DS, & I headed back to the room. DMIL gave him a bath & I went to the room to get me some bbq ribs for later. When I came back to my room, DMIL, DS, & I headed back down to the pool to see if DH & DFIL were still there. When we got to the ppol I did not see them. I panicked because DH did not have a key. So we tried to rush back to the room but DS did not want to leave the pool area. He decided to have a mini-meltdown and made his body go limp. Being the good mother that I am, I left DMIL there to deal with DS. When I got back to the room, DH was not standing in the hallway dripping wet. He was nowhere to be found. DMIL & DS eventually made it back to the room. Sometime later, the rest of the gang made it back too. They had been soaking in the hot tub. After they changed into their clothes, we had our nightly photo session in the lobby of AKV.

Now, after this picture, DS fell backwards off the bench because he was laughing so hard. Needless to say we got some looks from those in the lobby since four adults could not prevent one baby from falling. DS, however, was okay. He did not hit the rock that was behind the bench. He did not have any bumps or bruises. So we continued with the picture taking. (I know, shameful, especially since I was the one making him laugh.)

After our nightly photo session we wished DFIL & DMIL2 a good night and went back to the room to rest up for day 2 at the MK.

 

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Yay, you're back! Love the updates and can't wait for more!!