Day 1 - we flew out of Indianapolis early in the day with no difficulties. *********** was there to pick us up (thanks to AllEars for a discount code) and we were off to the grocery for a few odds and ends. Then to ASMovies.
I was a very good trip planner - I had read my Passporter and my Unofficial Guide as well as my AllEars newsletters and various posts on DISboards. I had all of my reservations made and triple checked - and it all paid off!
We got to the resort around noon and I was all prepared to tag our luggage and leave it until the room was clean - but it already was. Our request for a Toy Story room (DS is 3 and a big Buzz fan) was fulfilled and within minutes, we were on our way to our room.
After some quick pics in Andy's Room, we were off to MGM for our first taste of Disney.
My goal was to see Playhouse Disney and the parade and then just get the "lay of the land" for the next day. We were able to do that show, have some lunch at Backlot Express and get a decent spot for the parade (could have been better - I will know better for next time!). DS fell asleep while DH was checking out Star Tours after the parade, and then we were off to meet JoJo and Goliath - another big hit for DS (and me!) Because we were catching JoJo and Donald Duck in the afternoon, when they have only a short scheduled time, the spot to meet Mickey across the street had emptied out, so we were able to meet him, too, with very little wait. Then we did the "walk through" of Narnia (not what I expected - you can't take pictures inside, so the large group just walks through the wardrobe doors together (I thought you would get to walk through one at a time or something) and then you watch a brief movie of clips and then walk through some exhibits - cool, but for us it was a one time thing and then we were done with it).
Then back to the resort to rest up. Our requested fridge had still not arrived (7pmish) so I was back to reservations who tracked it down and had it immediately delivered, cancelling the charge for the week.
Day 2 (cool and rainy) - back to MGM with DH, DS, and my dad (who flew in the night before). Checked out Muppet 3D (not a fave for DS - too loud and didn't like the things jumping out at him), met Pooh and Piglet and Buzz and Woody, saw Beauty and the Beast Live (again, not a fave for DS - too loud and Beast was "scarey"), but our whole group completely adored "Four for a Dollar" - the pre-show music!
Lunch at Pizza Planet - yummy! We are still fondly remembering the pizza. Tons of food for the dining plan. I was pleasantly surprised to get pictures with Mike and Sully - it was something we weren't expecting, but walked up at just the right time. Then back to the resort for naptime.
Saturday dinner at Epcot - Coral Reef - OUTSTANDING! Blanca was our server and she was superb! The food was excellent, and we had a seat right at the glass so we ate with sharks and rays and divers swimming by.
Day 3 (cool and rainy) - to MK with DH, DS, Dad, MIL, FIL, SIL, BIL, DNeices - 4 and 1 - Breakfast at Crystal Palace. The notes about seating the kids on the outside so characters could get to them were great, but the same should be said for the photographer in your group. I was in the middle against a wall, and as the designated photographer for the group, it meant most of my pictures had glasses and plates in the shot. Then we were off to Dumbo, get FP for Pooh, Philharmagic (DN4 was completely enamored with the effects and kept trying to grab things as they came toward her - priceless!), Pooh and then our group split up so DS could do the Indy Speedway. (I didn't realize the lands were as close together as they are, so I had planned Tomorrowland for another day - but once DS saw the cars, there was no waiting!). Toontown was fun - DS liked the barnstormer, and we got in the HoF line for Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. DN4 got to meet the princesses and was thrilled! Then we took the Train to the other side of the park, did the Magic Carpets and Jungle Cruise before nap time.
Dinner was the Whispering Canyon Cafe - we did have a bit of a wait (note - they were turning away anyone without a reservations - this happened at several other restaurants, too!), but the food was good.
Day 4 - BIL's birthday - cool and rainy. DN4 got sick in the night, so we started the day without them. Back to MGM - we did Playhouse Disney once with the grandparents (who LOVED sitting on the floor!) and then the Animation thing with a visit with Chicken Little. By then the rest had joined us so we were off to Playhouse Disney again (without the grandparents). Then we met JoJo again, ate once more at Pizza Planet and did another go at Muppet 3D before nap time (these breaks back at the resorts were great - I was way off in my time estimates though - I had thought we could be at the parks at open -9 - and do our thing and head back to the resorts around 1, but we were routinely on a shuttle closer to 2).
While my fellas napped, I did laundry - a big help when we had to pack jeans and sweatshirts for the weather. Then dinner at the San Angel Inn. DS was captivated by the volcano, once we found the place (I didn't realize it was inside the pyramid until I wandered inside). Food was good.
[More to come]
I was a very good trip planner - I had read my Passporter and my Unofficial Guide as well as my AllEars newsletters and various posts on DISboards. I had all of my reservations made and triple checked - and it all paid off!
We got to the resort around noon and I was all prepared to tag our luggage and leave it until the room was clean - but it already was. Our request for a Toy Story room (DS is 3 and a big Buzz fan) was fulfilled and within minutes, we were on our way to our room.
After some quick pics in Andy's Room, we were off to MGM for our first taste of Disney.
My goal was to see Playhouse Disney and the parade and then just get the "lay of the land" for the next day. We were able to do that show, have some lunch at Backlot Express and get a decent spot for the parade (could have been better - I will know better for next time!). DS fell asleep while DH was checking out Star Tours after the parade, and then we were off to meet JoJo and Goliath - another big hit for DS (and me!) Because we were catching JoJo and Donald Duck in the afternoon, when they have only a short scheduled time, the spot to meet Mickey across the street had emptied out, so we were able to meet him, too, with very little wait. Then we did the "walk through" of Narnia (not what I expected - you can't take pictures inside, so the large group just walks through the wardrobe doors together (I thought you would get to walk through one at a time or something) and then you watch a brief movie of clips and then walk through some exhibits - cool, but for us it was a one time thing and then we were done with it).
Then back to the resort to rest up. Our requested fridge had still not arrived (7pmish) so I was back to reservations who tracked it down and had it immediately delivered, cancelling the charge for the week.
Day 2 (cool and rainy) - back to MGM with DH, DS, and my dad (who flew in the night before). Checked out Muppet 3D (not a fave for DS - too loud and didn't like the things jumping out at him), met Pooh and Piglet and Buzz and Woody, saw Beauty and the Beast Live (again, not a fave for DS - too loud and Beast was "scarey"), but our whole group completely adored "Four for a Dollar" - the pre-show music!
Lunch at Pizza Planet - yummy! We are still fondly remembering the pizza. Tons of food for the dining plan. I was pleasantly surprised to get pictures with Mike and Sully - it was something we weren't expecting, but walked up at just the right time. Then back to the resort for naptime.
Saturday dinner at Epcot - Coral Reef - OUTSTANDING! Blanca was our server and she was superb! The food was excellent, and we had a seat right at the glass so we ate with sharks and rays and divers swimming by.
Day 3 (cool and rainy) - to MK with DH, DS, Dad, MIL, FIL, SIL, BIL, DNeices - 4 and 1 - Breakfast at Crystal Palace. The notes about seating the kids on the outside so characters could get to them were great, but the same should be said for the photographer in your group. I was in the middle against a wall, and as the designated photographer for the group, it meant most of my pictures had glasses and plates in the shot. Then we were off to Dumbo, get FP for Pooh, Philharmagic (DN4 was completely enamored with the effects and kept trying to grab things as they came toward her - priceless!), Pooh and then our group split up so DS could do the Indy Speedway. (I didn't realize the lands were as close together as they are, so I had planned Tomorrowland for another day - but once DS saw the cars, there was no waiting!). Toontown was fun - DS liked the barnstormer, and we got in the HoF line for Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. DN4 got to meet the princesses and was thrilled! Then we took the Train to the other side of the park, did the Magic Carpets and Jungle Cruise before nap time.
Dinner was the Whispering Canyon Cafe - we did have a bit of a wait (note - they were turning away anyone without a reservations - this happened at several other restaurants, too!), but the food was good.
Day 4 - BIL's birthday - cool and rainy. DN4 got sick in the night, so we started the day without them. Back to MGM - we did Playhouse Disney once with the grandparents (who LOVED sitting on the floor!) and then the Animation thing with a visit with Chicken Little. By then the rest had joined us so we were off to Playhouse Disney again (without the grandparents). Then we met JoJo again, ate once more at Pizza Planet and did another go at Muppet 3D before nap time (these breaks back at the resorts were great - I was way off in my time estimates though - I had thought we could be at the parks at open -9 - and do our thing and head back to the resorts around 1, but we were routinely on a shuttle closer to 2).
While my fellas napped, I did laundry - a big help when we had to pack jeans and sweatshirts for the weather. Then dinner at the San Angel Inn. DS was captivated by the volcano, once we found the place (I didn't realize it was inside the pyramid until I wandered inside). Food was good.
[More to come]
Glad you had such a good time and a belated 
