POP'n back for a visit - 03/11-03/18 - Family of 7

[DH-2-mamaduck]

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Disney World Vacation, March 11 - 18, 2014

Please Note: left the DSLR (Cannon SL1) at home so enjoy all the iPhone5 shots

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

Today's the day! We are all up and getting ready. Bags are packed and dog is ready to go to the sitters.

We made it out of the house 10 minutes early. As we approached the airport, the parking garage was closed and they were telling us to drive over to terminal 2 parking. We made it over there, unloaded and walked to the Light Rail to take over to Terminal1. Made to terminal 1, another tram ride and check in a bag. YES! Only 49.5 pounds.

We were getting I. Security line and guy told us to go down to gate 6 and there is a family line. All 7 of us straight to front of the line.

We are eating lunch now at subway. 12:51pm cst.



My oldest DD's

Puddle Jumper is here:

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

~2:20pm...on the plane
We are on the plane and they had to rearrange us on the plane. We were on an ExpressJet (EMB-145) which holds about 50 people. 1 seat + Isle + 2 sets. We were in rows 8, 9 and 10, but with infant, we needed 7 or 11. We rearranged to 9, 10 and 11. The stewardess was rearranging others as some families were split up. This is Piper's 3rd flight and Ellie's 2nd flight. Older 3 have been on numerous flights. Oldest two DD's sat in front of me listening to music. DD14 got a pair of Beats for Christmas, actually 2 pair (DW's mom got her a pair), so we held on the the 2nd pair and gave to DD11 yesterday as she turns 12 on the 20th. DD3 sat with me. She played on her LeapPad2 and I'm on my iPad typing this up. DW with DD2 and DS9 behind me. DD2 should take a nap.

DD3 ready to go:

What's a notch under crueler than the smell of popcorn? DD14 opening a large bag of beef jerky and the smell filling the cabin.

~5:40pm, est....We landed early in Newark early, but as usual, when you arrive early, your gate is not ready yet. We parked on the tarmac for ~30 minutes (including taxi time). The 3yo DD had to go to the bathroom. As we get to the lavatory door, "ding ding, This is your captain, our gate is ready and we will go as soon as everyone is seated." Well, I was not taking her back to her seat, she had to go.

We made it to our gate. Of course, we are at gate A28 and have now only 40 minutes to get to C81. We had to go hop on a transfer bus over to C. Not the most efficient airport. We get to our gate and DD14 has to go really bad, and everyone looks to have board. We gate check our two carry-ons and the strolller. We get down the jetway, and feel better, they are not waiting for us, still a line to get on.

We make our way to the very last row, row 37, all 6 seats. This is a B737-800/900 and very nice plane. Lots of leg room, LCD w/ Direct TV (for a Fee) on back of each head rests. DW, DD2, me, DS take one side and DD14, DD11, DD3 take the other side. $7.99 for DTV., but will keep the kids entertained watching a movie...ok. $2 discount on each if you swipe 3. Well, I swipe 4. DW is watching Gravity, DS is watching Frozen, DD14 is watching Dance Moms, and DD11 & DD3 are watching Disney channel (using the head-phone splitter I brought with. Me, I'm typing up this and I look over to my right and, oh great, DD3 just polished off 16 oz of apple juice. Good thing we are last row by lavatories. Doesn't take long and DD2 is out cold.

We are all getting a little hungry so decide to order some Classic Snack Paks to share. We all get some drinks and I keep scolding DD11 to move hers, and watch DD3 not to spill it. I think you all know where this is giong. Well, sure enough, DD11, blames DD14 for moving the box, spilling the pop on who other than DD3. We get some extra napkins and wiper her up. I have to take DD3 and DD2 to the bathroom and DD11 and I trade spots. It is now 8:45pm est and DD3 is out cold and DD2 wakes up. It is nice that the (2) gate checked bags will show up in baggage claim as I may be carrying DD3.

Landed, deplaned and on the tram:

10pm, we have our luggage and we are on Magical Express waiting to depart to Pop Century. DD3 is loving the video. "I wuv Cinderwewwa!"

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

Look what I see:

Getting closer...

and closer...

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

We arrived to Pop around 11:30ish. At check-in, we had a few issues with the Magic-Bands.
1. Only mine was being recognized
2. Others had to be assigned (even though on-line they all were)
3. Which means we had to reassign charging Privileges
4. DD14 and DD11, their bands were dead and they had to get plain gray ones.

DW and kidlets went to the food court as I sorted out the check-in. Once done, I met them down there where DW had ordered (2) Pizzas and grabbed (4) mugs.

As we walked to our rooms, we thought it would be good to go swimming. Warm and VERY HUMID out for me. Not acclimated to this yet.

We are in the 70's section, Building 10, adjoining rooms. I forgot how small these rooms are. Good thing we have 2 of them.

It is now 1:00am est. Finally have everyone tucked in.

Goodnight everyone.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

Day 2 - Wednesday March 12, 2014 - Magic Kingdom

Well, I'm awake, and rather early for me. It still feels like 6am, but daylight savings and +1 hour for eastern time. DS9 and DW are awake. Everyone else still sleeping....wait, DD2 stirring.

Today's Agenda:

• Park: Magic Kingdom
• FP: Pirates, Little Mermaid, Buzz (will be adjusting based on wait times)
• ADRs: @ Kona Cafe @ Poly

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

Back home and updated above with some pictures.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

Good morning POP Century. We woke up around 8am, surprisingly early. DS and I run down to the food court and grab some food to bring back to the room. Snap a few shots from Bldg 10, L4:










We get the oldest DD's up to get ready to go. Killing some time, find the hidden Mickey?

Walking to the bus stop, it is hard to resist:

We catch the bus to MK and get there by 9:30ish.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

DD3 is pretty excited to see the Castle and Cinderella. Once we hit Main Street, I snap a pic of the kidlets with the Castle in the background.

As we approach the castle, a 10am show is starting and DD is so excited that she saw Cinderella. After the show, we head in to Tomorrowland, park the stroller, and right on to Buzz Lightyear with maybe a 10 minute wait.

I'm getting a bit rusty as didn't even break 500,000 (close).

After Buzz, I send the oldest 3 off to Space Mountain. Along the way, we see Buzz but skip that line. We run in to Stitch and snap'd a shot w/ him. This is when I realize that when DD14 and DD11's MagicBands were DOA, and they gave new ones, they unlinked them from MDE and I lost all my FP+s for them. Uggg... We'll see what happens I guess!

DW and I take the little ones over to the Tea Cups. After Tea Cups, DW grabs a seat at Cosmic Rays and I take DD3 on Speedway. They gave her a Speedway Drivers license when we got in the car. She drove and I ran gas. I started out by helping her, but was better off just letting her do it on her own.

When we got off, the oldest 3 kidlets met us at Speedway and all of us then went on. While we were waiting in line, it started to rain for the 3rd time. Comes down at a decent pace but only for a few minutes. After this, it never rained again for the day. We all got done with Speedway and I never thought we would have that much fun on it. We always skipped it. Stopping fast and seeing if your kidlets behind you will crash in to you. Swerving at each other.... Having the 3yo DD drive a few times (she's getting better).

By now, we decided to grab lunch. We grabbed a table outside of Cosmic Rays and I stayed out with the two little DD's and rest went in to grab some food.

After lunch, we made our way over to Storybook Circus.

First up: The eighth wonder of the universe, Dumbo!

After the circle of pachyderms, DW took the DD14, DD11, DS9, and DD3 on Barnstormer and DD2 and I wandered over and for Meet & Greets with Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Minnie. Walking through Casey Jr. first.

I waited by the Barnstormer and caught them on the ride:

When DW and oldest kids were done, we went back in for family pics with Daisy and Minnie.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

Looking at the time, we rush off and finally take DD3 through the Castle, that she has been asking and asking all morning to go see, to get a spot for the parade.

The poor dragon driver had such a hard time driving his float. It swiveled in
the middle but the steering was horrible. I saw him turn and turn and turn and
not going so well; like driving a 50yo truck. Who knows how many times he got stuck and Cast Members had to watch the crowd and guide him out.

The parade ends with Minnie & Mickey of course.

As the parade is ending, I have DW w/ DD2 in the stroller, start heading for Meet & Greet with Cinderella.

My DD14 princess (who loved and lived in a Cinderella dress for a few years) and DD3, who has been asking all day to see "Cinderwewwa" all day.

We also get a shot with Aurora.

Princess time is over and we wander over to use our first FP. Will they let DD14 and DD11 on? I have been modifying them as the day went using MDE on my iPhone, it not allowing me to set them for DD14 or DD11. Good news! Told them what happened on on we go! 70 minute wait on Jungle Cruise to 5 minutes.

After JC, we hop on Pirates with ~15 minute wait.

Drink up me hearties yo-ho!

We zip around to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and use our 2nd FP (45 stand-by and <10 on FP). DS9 was upset that Splash Mountain was closed (I wasn't). You know what happens when 12 of you cram on to it, when you normally don't get that wet? They were working on the ride.

DD3 is excited to go on BTMR:

It is now <45 for are ADR @ Kona Cafe. We opted to walk to Main gate vs ride the train around. Exit the park and take the Monorail over to the Poly.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

We arrive a little early at the Poly, so check in right away at the Kona Cafe. We ate here in 2009 and really liked it.

After we order, I take DD2 & DD3 out for a little walk to past some time.

I had the Scallops and DW ate.... DD14 and I share a caterpillar roll (sushi roll). The kids order desert, the Kona cones and DD2 & DD3 eat the build your own sundae and DD11 gets a birthday treat.

DD14 and her mini-me (DD3).

Dining Review
Restaurant: Kona Cafe @ Polynesian resort
Atmosphere:
Service:
Menu:
Food:
Overall:

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

After dinner, we head back to the Monorail and take the ride back to MK. We
then catch the bus back to Pop. Stop in the store and let DD3 pick something
out; Sophie the First stuff. Fill up two mugs, get DD2 & DD3 in their pj's. I
then take DD14, DD11, DS9 back to MK as it is open to 1am.

We arrive at MK around 9:20 and the parade is going on. We work our way through the crowd to get to Tomorrowland and go on Space Mountain and use our last FP (20 mins to 5). Once off the ride, we go get
right back on again for the 20 min wait.

We then step out for an "Oooo, Ahhhh" moment to watch a few fireworks, then hop on Buzz Lightyear 2x.

After 2nd Buzz, we run over to Speedway for a few rounds. We get off and see a watermark:

We run past the castle...

...and rush over to go on Big Thunder Mountain, 2x, <20 mins. We get stuck by the 11pm parade for a few minutes.

Hey, is this Elliot?

Cut across, hop on pirates, Jungle Cruise, and Magic carpets.

STOP! Another watermark:

It is now 12:15 and we grab Dole Whip's and head for the bus.

We get back to the room by 1am and kids crash and DW and I fall asleep around 2am.


Tomorrow's Adventure: Animal Kingdom

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

Well, it is DAK Day, and you would have thought we learned by now, the key to DAK is to get there when it opens as it is only open from 8am - 8pm. Well, we are not much for morning people; doesn't help it was 2am before I went to bed. We get up around 9am, some not until 9:30. I think it is about 10:30 before we get to the park.

We enter the park and I snap a shot of the family in front of the Tree of Life.

We then rush off towards Dinoland where I send the oldest 3 to Dinosaur &
Primeval Whirl and DW and I take the youngest DD's to Finding Nemo the Musical.

After Nemo, the oldest kidlets meet up and we head back in to Dinoland.

I take DS9 & DD2 and we go on Triceritop Spin as DW and DD14, DD1 & DD3 go on Dinosaur.

We then hop in line to see Goofy & Pluto. After that, we meet up with DW and DD's and make our way to lunch.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

Yak & Yeti - everyone loved the food. I had the Seafood Curry and had them
spice it up a bit.

Yak & Yeti @ DAK
Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Menu Options:
Price:

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

My lovely DW:

DD14 and DD3

My awesome meal!

DD14's awesome meal:

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

FP+ time for Kilimanjaro Safari. I can't recall the wait, 45-60 mins I think, but we get on in <15 minutes. DD3 had a blast. "Hippo's!" "Zebra's!" "Giraffe's!" and then then DD2 is also chiming in "Giraffes! Giraffes!..."

DD14, DD11, DD3

DW:

We are going to head to It's Tough to be a Bug but see the tape going down for Mickey's Jam'n Jungle Parade and grab a spot just a bit down from where it starts and up against rocks, across from the restrooms. Grab some ice cream snacks, choc. crunch frozen banana, and take a 30 min. break waiting for the parade.

Sad that Mickey and Minnie didn't even bother to look our way :-( However, when the parade was over, we were able to get right behind them, where Mickey waived lots to the crowd. We follow the parade to Bug's Life and walk right on and in to the show. DD2 was not too thrilled about the show. Started out ok, then buried head in my side, then close to the end, started to cry. It was funny to see the reaction at the end of the show of all the screams!

We get off and I adjust the FP+ using MDE on my iPhone. We head over to
Expedition Everest where DW, DD14, DD11, DS9 go on and I take DD3 and DD2 to the Jungle Trek. I stop along the way for DD3 to look at Everest.

Jungle Trek: We see the Tigers then spend time sitting on a bench in the bird
cage watching the birds. Just as we are ready to go, we get drop'd on...

DD3:

DD2 says no pic:

I meet up with the rest and we go on Kalahari River Rapids. I don't know what everyone else thinks, but this was the first time we went on, and I'd have to say it is pretty lame. We were expecting a bit more, like at Universal-IOA. Either way, DD3 enjoyed it, so good enough for me.

Now it is now around 6:30pm and time for the mad dash around to get last minute rides. We run over to Dinosaur as wait is short, hop on there, short line, but added 15mins due to the ride stopping for some unknown reason.

Then back over to Everest as it has dropped from 30 and get on in <15 mins.

It is time to call it a night and make our way to the bus back to Pop.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

We eat dinner at the Pop Food court and decide to change Friday's plans. Instead of going back to MK, we change to Epcot. I modify the ADR's and FP+s.

10:30pm, DD2 is wired and not wanting to go to sleep. DD14 and I grab DD2 and the stroller and go Explore Pop and AoA at night. We are in the 70's so take some snaps of the 80's, back through the '70s, '60s and across the bridge and stroll along the lake to start in Carsland of AoA. We snap pics of everything along the way. Carsland to Nemo to Lion King to Little Mermaid, then back around the lake on Memory Lane trail to the '50s (Bowling Pins). Through the '50's, grab a drink at Classic Hall, across the '60s, and back to the '70s and make it back around 11:30pm. (Photos on next few posts)

DD2 is still awake and I snuggle her up with DW and out she goes. I stay up to about 12:30 writing Day 2 report notes.


Tomorrow's adventure: Epcot

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

Pop is an awesome resort to go for a walk at night. Enjoy the pics of the tour. I'm going to start from the Main Sign then go through 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and on to 90's.

Map to follow along with: