Sooo excited....my first trip report!!!

[Disney owl]

Great reports

 

[tammy]

Great Reports - Brooklyn Tiff

 

[tiff211]

Another great installment tiff211. For me it is like reading a dry run of my trip that starts in 3 days. I'm guessing you are using TGM's tours for kids itinerary based on previous messages, but can you confirm that? Thanks again (and again) for posting. I'm also guessing you are headed to MK next...

TGM was my bible!! Have a great trip!!!! Looking forward to reading your report when you get back!

 

[tiff211]

Well, I was not going to let DH sleep in this morning, it was the peak of the trip, the day I had been waiting for, the creme de la creme, what it was all about.......MAGIC KINGDOM!!! So we got up bright and early, got dressed and didn't even do breakfast in the food court this morning but headed staright for the bus to MK. My hands were shaking I was so excited. That was the longest bus ride ever!!! Anyway we arrive at the park and DH heads to Space Mountain for FP's. I go over to get the double stroller and DD's climb in. We enter the park and Perla is just standing there waiting for us. The girls climb out before I can come to complete stop and ambush her. We take the pics and get the autographs and head towards..................(sudden stop)............it's THE CASTLE!!!! We have that moment when everything else stops and becomes blurry except for the beautiful landmark. Time stood still and the earth rotated just enough to keep us from flying into space. Ok, I'm back. DH meets us and we grab breakfast from the bakery. The girls split a muffin and some grapes and I had a crossiant. Dh had a cinnamon roll, have you seen the size of those things, they are GYNORMOUS!!!! Yummy, too! Anyway, we head down mainstreet with me wiping tears from my eyes because it has all come down to that moment or dust got into it or something.....Ok, I digress. We have decided to break the MK down into 2 days. Day 1, tomorrow land and toontown fair and frontierland. We head towards toontown fair........eeeeeerk! (brakes screeching). The rope is still up. It doesn't open until 9. Totally did not get that memo! It's about 8:30 and there is not many in the park. We are standing right next to the teacups, 0 wait time. That's us, girls! I take the punishment of being spun into nausea-land while DH finishes his brontosauraus roll. I only thre up in my mouth a little......not bad, I am pretty proud of myself! We still have about 20 minutes to spare so since we are right nearby we head over to Dumbo, 30 minute wait!!! Oh no! That's not going to work for us so we look and winnie the pooh has a 10 minute wait. Let's do it, it's messing up our whole touring plan but sometimes you just have to be flexible and work with what's given to you! DD3 had her first tantrum of the day because apparantly dumbo was calling her name and by hook or by crook she was going to answer. Anyway, we convinced her that winnie the pooh was the way to go, well, DH picked her up and carried her and I promised her a treat afterwards. I am not above bribery! The winnie the pooh ride was easy and fun. I love the tigger part, except not on a full stomach after the teacups!!! But, I survived and after that ride we saw the ropes had just come down. We grabbed all parties and strollers and made the dash. We went right to Goofy's barnstormers. DD3 decided she didn't want to go there so the screamers (me and DD5) took it on. DH was planning to ride again with DD5 but she decided the donald boat was next on her agenda. We sat down and looked over the map while they played for a few. Then we walked through Mickey and Minnie's home (they don't live in sin.......they have there only separate abodes.....my mom would be pleased!) anwyay, we went in to the toontown hall of fame tent to see what character's were there but we had all already, there was no line though. After that we headed out of toontown and toward tomorrowland. It was time for Space Mountain but I wanted to introduce it to DD5 slowly since I knew she would have issues with the darkness so we did tomorrowland Transit Authority first. Nice, cool and calm.....ahhhh. DD5 was a little nervous of the dark but was still willing to take on SM. So, DD3 and I sat nearby and I fed the baby while DH and DD5 did SM. The were back fairly quickly and DD5 said she loved it. We still had 2 FP so I asked her if she wanted to go on again and she said no, the time was almost up and we asked her over and over but she was done so DH walked over and handed the FP to a couple at the back of the line (the wait was 60 minutes!!), we had gotten a FP for buzz light year spin sometime before, can't remember exactly when but it was time. Okay, I shamelessly admit, that is my favorite attraction in MK!!!!! That and It's a small world. So we take on the (what are they called). Anyway, I beat DH and that what matters! Now it's almost 11:00 so we head toward frontierland. We decide to do Aladdin's carpet ride and it's 10 or 20 minute wait, can't remember. I keep the girls occupied by having them count "jewels" embedded in the ground. The ride itself is a hit! We head onwards towards. Now it's about 12:00 and we are heading to Pecos' Bill Cafe for lunch first stopping for Splash mountain FP or maybe we got it before the Aladdin ride. The line in Pecos Bill was a bit insane. DH sat with DDs to keep our spot outdoors while I wait in line. Of course, the CM in my line ws having technical difficulties. I ordered bacon cheeseburger combos for DH and I and there was much of a choice for DDs but I got them mini hot dogs and beans. DD3 had her next meltdown of the day because of course she wanted PBJ!!! Finally, she calms down after working herself into a hungery frenzy and eats her food. The "share a dream come true" parade starts and we are all in awe! After that DH decides we HAVE to take the boat to Tom Sawyers island. We walked through the never ending cave and DD5 almost lost her mind! She screamed, cried and jumped everytime anyone made a sound and of course there were some older kids ahead of us who were making creepy noises. Then we went to have ice cream at Aunt Polly's but there was a line and only one CM getting taking orders and getting them so we decided to go back to the "mainland" It was time to ride SPlash mountain so we headed ther. DD5 LOVED it, it was her favorite. We didn't get too wet just enough to be cooled a little. On the way out we went by Ariels grotto to see about getting pics and autograph's butit was a 40 minute wait. DD3 had another meltdown. We had already planned to stop for mickey bars as we headed out so that calmed her down.

After that we headed back to the resort to rest. We went back to room for a nap and Dh decided to go for a swim. He told me when I woke up that just as he was about to jump in, it started to downpour. So much for his swim! He and the girls went swimming for 45 minutes then came back and showered and got ready to hit MK again. We headed to dinner at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. The alien performer freaked DD3 out so we had to sit away from him. DH and I had the rotisserie chicken which was very good. Cannot remember what DD5 and 3 had. PBJ, I think. We walked by the carousel and there was a 10 min. wait so we rode that. We headed over to Frontierland again and sat and waited for Spectromagic. There were so high school marching bands marching by beforehand that were really good.

The parade started and the masked musicians made DD3 melt away. She stayed ducked behind me the rest of the parade except when she heard music she recognized. Then Ursela the sea witch came by and that was it! Both DD's were done! Anyway, they survived and we headed towards CIndy's castle. We put ear plugs on them because they do not like the noise of fireworks. We had an excellent viewing spot to the left of the castle (facing it). We did Illuminations last year and they screamed so we left. I wanted to see WIshes more than anything so I made sure we only did this one just in case they would only do one. They actually liked it so next year I think we'll step up to fantasmic. Wishes was so beatiful, again I was teary-eyed. Afterwards, we headed out, without any traffic jams, had a seat on the bus and crashed in our room!!! Next day MK part 2!!

 

[hunter.deal]

MK day YEAH!!!!

Boy I feel silly and confused, who's Perla?

"I only threw up in my mouth a little"

Overall sounds like a good day for you and the family. Thanks for posting!

 

[tiff211]

MK day YEAH!!!!

Boy I feel silly and confused, who's Perla?

"I only threw up in my mouth a little"

Overall sounds like a good day for you and the family. Thanks for posting!

I had to research who Perla is, DD5 informed that Suzy and Perla are the two girl mice from Cinderella, jack and Gus are the boy mice!

 

[averill94]

Oh cant wait to read MK Day 2-
Cant believe the wait for Dumbo was so long and you got there so early!!!
And Soarin FP's gone by 11, UGH!

 

[SnowWhite607]

I am laughing my butt off at tour descriptions cause it sounds so much like my DD5. Can't wait for more!!

Off site - 1976, 1985, 1999
All Star Resorts - 1986, 1993, 2005
CBR - June 2006

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

Great report! I have to add that your DD's pic is adorable! I remember when mine were that small.....time flies!

 

[tiff211]

Well after getting up early all week, I decided to "sleep in" myself this morning. I woke up 7:30 when the baby woke up. We were still dressed and ready when the others stopped looking at the back of their eyelids. So, head and grab muffins in the food court decided to drive over since it was so late. We get to the MK about 10. Still not bad. Of course I head to the stroller rental and DH makes the fat pass dash to Mickey's Philharmagic. He calls me and says there is about a 10 minute wait so I tell him to grab fast passes for peter pan instead.....SCORE! I make it down main street, and Cinderellabration is about to start. Oh bother! DD3 is preparing for tanturm #1 for the day if I keep pushing the stroller. I call DH and explain the situation so he comes over and we watch cinderellabration. Good times had by all, best to see either one of the earliest show or one of the later ones because there is no shade and the sun beats down on you with a vengence. Anyway, as the show is ending, we head over to Mickey's Philharmagic, still not too much of a wait. The wait was in the queue. Finally we go to our seats and DD5 informs us that she will not take part in the 3D "thrill". Then the show starts and the loud noise causes DD3 to hit the deck......again. DD5 is okay w/o the glasses. Mickey's Philharmagic is one of the best attractions in MK by far but DD's could have lived without. Oh well, we'll try again next year. We still had a little bit of time before the winnie the pooh fat pass so we rode 'it's a small world". Well DD was convinced it would be scary so she kept trying to get out of line. Now I am not one to force my kids to go on anything but I knew IASW would be a highlight so DH picked her kicking and screaming onto the boat and as soon as we went through that 1st archway, she was mezmorized. The baby LOVED it, looking, clapping and giggling the whole time. Then we went to Peter Pan's flight. Kinda fast, I wouldn't wait in line for it but the fp option made it doable.

Next we went to wait in the line for Ariel in Ariel's grotto. Of course the girls got wet but the sun was so hot they were dry by the time we saw Ariel. DD3 was totally hooked when she saw Ariel. Well worth the 25 minute wait. Finally it was time to get something to eat. We had ressies for Cape May cafe in a few hours so the girls had fries and DH and I had turkey legs. The Share a Dream parade was starting right when we were heading to splash mountain and we got trapped so we watched the parade again. This time we had not such a good spot and had to put the girls on our shoulders to see. When the parade finished DD and I did splash mountain. We had a rider switch pass from yesterday so we rode with that. The girls were then given a choice we could either go back to the room for a swim or we could stay there alittle longer. They decided to go back to room.

AFter cleaning up, we headed to Cape May cafe. The food was ok, I liked the clams more than the mussels, whereas DH liked the mussels more. DDs of course like the desserts. I didn't eat as much as I thought I would. I think I was too wiped out so we headed back to the resort to turn in early!

Next day, last full day........one more dose of AK!!!

 

[tinawv]

I am enjoying your trip reports. Your girls are so adorable. We went last September and stayed at POP Century; also in the 70's building near Googy's Pop Jet. Can't wait for the next report.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I'm really enjoying reading your reports! Your girls are beautiful, by the way. Sounds like a great trip so far!

 

[SLDL]

I have enjoyed reading your trip report. I have a question...you said you stopped off in NC & did I read correctly that it took you 14 hours to get to DW? I hope I read that wrong. We are traveling from NC with two small ones (one will be almost four and the other will be 1 at trip time) so I planned on stopping often, but WOW, that's longer than I expected. Just curious. Also, did you consider taking your 3 yr old on Splash Mtn or was she under the height requirement? Just wondering of your opinion on that...our son will be tall enough but not sure about it for him.
Your girls are beautiful! Look forward to hearing more of your trip report!

BTW, what's TGM?

 

[tiff211]

I have enjoyed reading your trip report. I have a question...you said you stopped off in NC & did I read correctly that it took you 14 hours to get to DW? I hope I read that wrong. We are traveling from NC with two small ones (one will be almost four and the other will be 1 at trip time) so I planned on stopping often, but WOW, that's longer than I expected. Just curious. Also, did you consider taking your 3 yr old on Splash Mtn or was she under the height requirement? Just wondering of your opinion on that...our son will be tall enough but not sure about it for him.
Your girls are beautiful! Look forward to hearing more of your trip report!

BTW, what's TGM?

Hi, my dad lives the first exit in NC after Virginia off of 85 so we had to drive all the way thru, we stopped for breakfast about 45 minutes and then had to get gas so about a hour, then we stop at South of the Border for about 1.5 hours had lunch, let the kids play, and then we stopped for dinner a little over an hour. We did it last year in about 10 hours but we didn't have the baby, we left about 4 am so the kids were stil sleeping until about 8am and we had lunch to go but with the baby we had to stop and take a breather every few hours or so. Your 4 year old will probably be ok but the 1 year old may be tough.

DD3 was under the height requirement of 40 inches. She wasn't really interested in it anyway. We took her on the same type of ride at Story land when she was 2 1/2, not as intense but almost. She wasn't screaming in fear but she wasn't screaming for more either.

DD5 is more the "daredevil" type even at 4. She loves rollercoasters and she LOVED splash mountain. Still talks about how she can't wait until next year so she can go on it again. Does your son like rollercoasters? What we would do is let DDs watch the ride first and them decide. Also with Splash mountain, the drop is at the very end so once he decided he didn't like it, the
ride would be over!!

TGM is tour guide mike. He has a website you sign up and pay $18.95 (for DIs'ers) and he helps you with your touring plan. He does not do the planning but has a lot of tips and articles that are so helpful when planning. I used him last year and then signed up again this year and will probably do it again when we go next year. He gives you a guide to the best days to visit which parks. He is a current VIP tour guide so his info seems to be right on the money. He also has a money back guarantee if you come back from your trip and didn't think he was helpful!!!

 

[tiff211]

Well, it was the last full day at the parks, well the last day at the parks as tomorrow was checkout day and a short visit to DD for souvies. We had left DD5 decide what park she wanted to visit again and she had chosen AK because she loved primeval whirl.

We got a fairly early start, taking the bus and arriving at AK about 9:30. DH had decided he would ride EE this time solo. I knew if DD5 rode it the Yeti would scare her so bad and we didn't have an extra pair of undies. So, I went and got the stroller and DH went to get a FP for EE. Then we headed over to Dinoland. DD5 ran with excitement and the CM measured her and................she didn't measure up!!!! WTH?! She rode twice 3 days ago, what did she shrink?! Then I realized, she wore her Nikes that day and today was wearing flip flops!!! CRAP! She was milimeters away from making the cut. I felt so bad that I didn't know think of the proper shoe gear!!! She was sooooo disappointed. DH even offered to fo back to the resort and get her sneaks. I was wondering if any of the stores in AK sold sneaks but DD5 was over it and had discovered the face painting booth nearby! SHe had wanted her face painted all week but I thought it would be a waste with them getting into the water every possible minute and just the sweat factor alone, but to sooth her disappointment we let them get their faces painted. $24 dollars!! Oh, that reminds me we had fp for river rapids, I think DH said he would ride in the solo line instead of getting a FP for EE. So, as soon as their faces were done, dh says, "you know we have FP for Kali river rapids right now?" Why didn't he remind me BEFORE the face painting. Anyway, we rode on triceratops spin 2 times since there was so line. Just like dumbo but both days were there, we didn't wait at all. Then we headed over to Kali river rapids. I am trying to figure out what to do so there faces don't get messed up. DD5 decides she will not risk it and opts out. Nothing will say after that will change her mind. So, DD3 and I go first, the standby line had a 40 minute wait. I LOVE FP's. We just walked on through, we actually waited about 5 minutes. DD3 was given a special wristband that told the CM that was loading people on the rafts to give her the special bar to hold on to. I let her put my sunglasses on to hopefully keep the water from splashing in her eyes so she wouldn't rub her face and the make-up. We both loved the rapids. We didn't get too wet but wet enough to cool us off. The little boy on the same raft got soaked! Afterwards, DH went on but DD3 didn't want to go again. He came back DRENCHED!!! His cell phone got wet and went kaput! It was so hot, he was dry within the hour. By now it was lunchtime so we headed towards discovery island to Pizzafari. I actually grabbed chicken wings from a outside vendor, DD5 had pizza and you can guess what DD3 had (PBJ) and DH had a sandwich. After eating we headed towards the train to Rafiki's planet watch. We had to leave the rental stroller but could bring our own. The train ride is about 5 minutes long and DH joked about how EVERY CM you pass waves to you. Once off the train, we followed the paths. Birds freak me out and I could hear them rustling in the trees and that made me jumpy. There is a little stop where DD's got a little book and crayon and there is a little "backyard" and they have to find all the backyard creature pictured in the book and circle them. We saw a real lizard, not part of the backyard but for real. OK, I am from the city, that was amazing to me. I kept pointing it out to everyone who came near me. I don't think all shared my excitement though. So, we treked on to conservation station. Right outside was the talking trash can and DD5 had another conversation with him. DD3 enjoyed him from a distance. Then she had to go to the bathroom. Just to warn you, the restroom in conversation station doesn't pipe out Disney music from the speakers but the sounds of animals. DD3 kept looking for the animals. She couldn't even do her business before I showed her the speakers and explain that the animals were not in the restroom. When we went back outside, DD5 was still having a conversation. Yes, the girl can even talk the ear of a trashcan. But when we went to leave it was so cute. He yells out "Bye Savannah". She looks at me and says how did he know my name. Which brings me to the name tags. I don't know how well you can see the name tags in the picture with the faces painted but they wore those every day in the parks and I put them away from next year. Everyone from the security officers, to the cm who takes your ticket, to the rides CM to CM just passing by would say "hello princess Savannah, "enjoy the ride Sierra." or "have a magical day Sierra and Savannah". The first day it freaked them out because they kept forgetting they were wearing the tags but then it got to the point where they were pointing out their tags for recognition. I bought the tags beforehand at laughingplace.com and I think it cost a littl over $20 for both. You can clip them on or pin them on. They have other designs to choose from for boys and girls.

Anway, I had been wondering how much my 3 year old remembered or would remember from the last trip when she was 2. She never really mentioned anything until this moment when she starts running around looking for Pocohantas. Last year, Pocohantas was at Conservation Station but this year Rafiki and Stanley were there. She starts 1st tantrum of the day, it's around 2, so this is good! I tell her Pocohantas is not there and she insists that she is. I bring her over to the CM standing with Rafiki and ask her if Pocohantas is there. She says no and that calms DD3. We already have pics with Rafiki so she just wants to hug him. No line so that just takes a sec then we see Stanley. They wait and have pics and autographs with him. A CM plays a game with them that was pretty fun, she shows them a close up picture and they have to guess what kind of animal it is. Then she turns the pic over. We walked through and looked at all the bugs and animals in conservation station. There is this room where you look in the window and there are tons of butterflies. DH had the baby in the carrier facing out and she was looking at the butterflies flying around. One landed on the glass and she put her hands out to touch it on the other side of the glass. I tried to get the pic but the angling was all wrong and then it flew away.


Next we went outside to the petting section. I found a bench in the shade with a fan blowing with a mist "Girls take as long as you would like!" They grabbed brushes and I think brushed 90% of the animals in there. We stayed about 30 minutes and then headed out. There is a little station with sinks and driers to clean up after touching all those animals.

Then we headed back to the train and DH decided it was time for EE. Single rider wait was 20 minutes. The girls and I had a snack, and waited. He was back within 25 minutes. Gave it . We decided to head out the park so we could get back and the girls could play in goofy's jet and I could pack We ate dinner at the resort and then cleaned up and went to bed.

Next and last report: checkout, DTD, and what I learned!!

 

[OhMari]

Great report, thanks for sharing.

 

[OhMari]

I hope you finish-thanks for sharing.

 

[Magic2000]

Can't wait to read more!! Your girls are adorable! Glad yall had a great trip!

 

[KathyRN137]

I really admire you...I didn't even attempt a WDW vacation until my youngest was five! Sounds like your daughters will have great memories!

 

[Avivasmom]

What great reports. I have a 5 year old as well. She loved Mickey's Philarmagic, it took her a bit before she wore the glasses.

Your girls are just gorgeous.