SOOZE's Summer Fling-Mostly PICS! Update 11/15 p.7 LINK TO NEW PTR!

[Sooze]

Episode Index-Click to Read!

Day #1 Arrival and MK: You're here, just scroll down!

Day #1 Main Street Performance and End of Day
Day #2 Animal Kingdom and Tusker House
Day #2 More Characters and Wave Restaurant
Day #2 Spectromagic through the eyes of a 3-year-old
Day #3 More MK and Pixie Hollow
Day #3 Cinderella's Royal Table
Day #4 Birthday Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
Day #4 Meeting "Up" Characters
Day #5 Last Day at MK with no Daddy

This past summer, my two children (Tyson, 9 and Shaelyn, 3) and I took a 3000+ mile road trip! We started in our home state of Indiana, traveled East through Ohio and Pennsylvania, then turned South on I95. We hit Delaware, Maryland, DC, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and finally, Florida. We visited friends, family, tourist attractions, and beaches along the way, but ended up at our ultimate vacation spot, WDW... of course!

I thought I'd share some of our getaway pictures, with not too many stories! We'll focus on WDW because I'm pretty sure you don't want to see 25 pictures of my kids on trampolines with their cousins!!

My husband teaches a drum and bugle corps and is on tour all summer. That is why he wasn't with us on the trip. However, his corps was in Orlando when we got there, so he took a few days off tour and joined us in Disney!

So let's get to it!

Our GPS got us to Disney just fine, but took us to some random back-entrance:

We were having none of that. So we literally did a Uturn, and found the REAL entrance on our own, thank you very much!

The kids were jumping out of their seats when they saw these bad boys!

We pulled into Saratoga Springs (we are DVC members), and our GPS welcomed us to the "Happiest Place on Earth". Really! It did.. because we programmed it that way!

We were cramming into a studio for the few days, since this was our 3rd trip this year, and the points were running low!

Here are some shots from our 'home':

Our DISpet:

View from the balcony:

Large, obtrusive new attraction:

I was on my own with the kids this day, so we had to find a park that had things we could all do together. Our family loves to begin and end our WDW trips at Epcot, but there was more the 3 of us could do at MK. So we hopped on a bus!

We met the Mayor!

Love this picture of my babies!

We spotted Captain Jack, but the kids were not interested in watching. They just wanted to RIDE STUFF!

We rode Pirates, made our way through some rides in Fantasyland, then ended up here:

We ALWAYS end up in Tomorrowland... probably because it's the most like Epcot!

Time for a snack and pictures:

She's happy because we are about to eat those DELICIOUS cream cheese pretzels!!

The birds had some snack too.. sorry.. I know we shouldn't...

YUM!

So, our bellies were full. What next!? Let's SPIN like CRAZY!! Off to the teacups:
ON YOUR MARKS>>>

GET SET>>>

GO!!!!!!

I'm telling you... we rode that thing at least 5 times. I don't do spinny very well that many times. I had to beg them to move on!

Back across Fantasyland, we stumbled on this gem. For a band geeky family like us, we LOVED them. Check out the middle drummer in the picture... I didn't realize he had smiled at us until we got home and loaded the pics on the computer!

Ty was really good about doing the 'baby' rides with his little sis:

Wait a minute? Are we back on this AGAIN!?

Time to head back home to get ready to head into Orlando for the drum corps show. Too bad we'd never get to see it! Come back now, y'all!

 

[jordanyosh]

GO!!!!!!

too funny. love this pic

 

[Sooze]

too funny. love this pic

Thanks, Jordan! I was actually shocked that I captured that on my cruddy little point-and-shoot!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

LOVE all the pictures!! I laughed out loud about you turning around to do the "real" entrance to WDW. That back one is the one we ended up with during our trip in February. It feels like a rip-off doesn't it??

Wow, I can't imagine what it would be like to bring DS to WDW all by myself. How fantastic it must feel when you get there!! I brought DS to see the Jonas Brothers in Houston by myself a few months ago. I was a little nervous but it was AWESOME!! We had such a good time.

 

[IluvXU]

3000+ mile trip - yikes! You are one brave Mom!

 

[Sooze]

LOVE all the pictures!! I laughed out loud about you turning around to do the "real" entrance to WDW. That back one is the one we ended up with during our trip in February. It feels like a rip-off doesn't it??

Wow, I can't imagine what it would be like to bring DS to WDW all by myself. How fantastic it must feel when you get there!! I brought DS to see the Jonas Brothers in Houston by myself a few months ago. I was a little nervous but it was AWESOME!! We had such a good time.

It totally felt like a rip-off. I couldn't start the trip with a rip-off, now could I?!

It was hard having them by myself.. we did it the last day, too. It's just so much nicer with Matt along! Tyson was so ready to get daddy there so the two of them could go do the big-kid stuff!

The cool thing was knowing that they were both old enough to listen to me and stay with me at all times. If it were a year earlier, and Shae had been two, I'm not sure if I would've done it!!

 

[Sooze]

On our way out of MK, we stumbled on the Trolley filled with happy, singing, make-up laden performers.

Actually, I had not seen these guys live, or witness "I'm walking right down the middle of Main Street USA" being performed... so I was excited! Enjoy the pics!

This girl was a Sweetheart. She saw Tyson's birthday pin and was ALL over it! She flirted with him the entire time...and he ate it up!

We went back to SSR to clean up and then drive into Orlando to watch the drum corps show, and to pick up Matt.

I said there wouldn't be any long stories... so to sum it up... it DOWNPOURED!! The show was delayed and eventually moved inside. Matt told us to bail.. we never even made it out of the car. It was pretty miserable. He had a friend that was going to drop him off at SSR later after the show.

So the kids and I headed back to SSR and grabbed some food at the Artist's Palette. They were so sad Daddy didn't come back with us right away. But the two of them had a blast eating and soaking up the Disney resort atmosphere!

Ty showing his disappointment that he didn't get to see Daddy's team:

Feeding big brother:

My delicious chicken and artichoke flatbread. Highly recommended!

Here is a short video clip of the fun they were having! It was nice to be warm and dry!


We headed off to bed. Matt showed up sometime in the middle of the night! The kids were super excited to see Daddy the next morning.

Next up: Our first FAMILY day together (New characters, New restaurant, shuttle launch?)

 

[Sooze]

3000+ mile trip - yikes! You are one brave Mom!

Everyone thinks I'm crazy! But I LOVED it! We stopped every night at a new place (loading and unloading the car got old!), and my kids were just AWESOME during the whole trip. Lots of good experiences and memories!

I'm a low-stress kinda girl, so I was able to enjoy (just about) every moment!

 

[timandlesley]

What a great start to the trip, seems like you guys are having a great time.

I think a 3000+ mile trip = 3000+ memories!

Keep it coming.

Tim

GO YANKEES!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Joining in and going back to read....

 

[timandlesley]

YEAH!!!! Loving this so far! GREAT start! The kids and I just had story hour as I read it out loud to them- such fun reading a TR of someone we all met together. We all cracked up at the video of Shae feeding Tyson- precious!!! Luke kept saying "I want to go back soooooooooooo bad mom!" as we read it together and luckily I could say "WE GO THIS WEEK!!!"
Did Tyson take the picture of you and Shae on Main Street, if he did, BRAVO to Tyson, nice camera work. I couldn't take the tea cups that many times, good Lord you are a good sport
Can't wait for more!!!!
Lesley

 

[Sooze]

What a great start to the trip, seems like you guys are having a great time.

I think a 3000+ mile trip = 3000+ memories!

Keep it coming.

Tim

GO YANKEES!!!

Hey Tim!! Thanks for taking time away from the Yanks (in a nail biter, no less) to visit my latest TR!! And you are right about the memories! Hoping my kids remember as much about the trip as I did!

Joining in and going back to read....

Welcome!! and Enjoy!!

YEAH!!!! Loving this so far! GREAT start! The kids and I just had story hour as I read it out loud to them- such fun reading a TR of someone we all met together. We all cracked up at the video of Shae feeding Tyson- precious!!! Luke kept saying "I want to go back soooooooooooo bad mom!" as we read it together and luckily I could say "WE GO THIS WEEK!!!"
Did Tyson take the picture of you and Shae on Main Street, if he did, BRAVO to Tyson, nice camera work. I couldn't take the tea cups that many times, good Lord you are a good sport
Can't wait for more!!!!
Lesley

Hey Lesley!! Hope things are improving around your house! You guys are probably getting SO excited. I am so glad you get to experience a multiple-trip year. It's such a blessing!

Glad we could be a part of your story hour! Tyson DID take that picture! I was quite impressed myself!

And the teacups... yyyeeeaaaahhhh....I was taking one for the team on that one! Luckily, when I stayed focused on Ty and Shae's laughing and screaming faces, I didn't get quite as dizzy! Eventually, though, I just had to tell them that Mommy just can't do it again!

 

[Sooze]

It was a bright, beautiful morning, and we were excited to have our whole family together.

We decided to venture on over to Animal Kingdom today.
Shae took this shot on the bus:

Matt was wonderful and offered to hang with Shaelyn in the Boneyard while Tyson and I got our Everest on!!

We rode it twice. The second time, there was not a long wait for the front car, so we decided to get some of that action!

We met back up with Matt and Shae, and all of us hopped on Triceratops Spin, since there was no wait at all!

Look at Matt's fake smile!

This was Shae's favorite look the whole trip. She is going through the 'everything is too loud' phase.. I guess Triceratops Spin is too loud too?

Matt and Tyson took off, and Shae and I headed towards Rafiki's Planet Watch. Matt cannot STAND this place... he thinks it's such a waste of time.. but I was hoping to score some new signatures in Shae's book.. and I knew we'd run into some unique characters there! Plus.. there are goats to pet. Who wouldn't love THAT?!

1st we found RAFIKI!! I looooovvvveee him! Here is Shae watching him write his name:

Monkey hugs!

Then.. Jiminy!! It was my first time seeing him. He was soooo tiny...

Yay! Goats! See what you're missing, Daddy?!

The family met back up at Tusker House for lunch. We had eaten a character breakfast here before, and just loved it. So we were ready to experience the lunch menu.

I LOVED it!! But I am willing to try new things, and I like lots of different cuisine. The rest of the clan, not so much. They are all American-food junkies. There was enough there that they liked, and had a decent meal. But they didn't get into it as much as I did! Here's a sample of the many, many desserts they offered:

If we do eat at Tusker House again, it will definitely be the character breakfast.

Next up... MORE characters with Shae, and another new restaurant for dinner. <<Wanna catch a WAVE anyone?>>

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Great picture! You must have not only been looking down but back as well? Perhaps just over the side? I never look down, never.....

 

[dddisrunner]

AWESOME!!! Great start Sooze! Shae is getting SO BIG and SO CUTE!! I was cracking up thinking about you staying you crammed into a studio for a few days. We are NUTS for doing it for 15 and Lesley did it for 18!!! I was bummed to read you didn't see Crown perform! The flatbread did look good, I don't remember seeing that on the menu LOVED the pictures of you guys on the teacups..especially the kids with the wide eyes! During your 3000+ trip you just missed our neck of the woods at the Jersey shore!

 

[micandminforever]

Great start to your new trip report, I have enjoyed reading about the first two days. I can't believe how much Shae has grown since your spring report.
She makes such cute pictures with those big brown eyes and that adorable smile, and Tyson is as handsome as ever. .

I look forward to reading about the rest of your trip.

 

[Sooze]

Great picture! You must have not only been looking down but back as well? Perhaps just over the side? I never look down, never.....

Yes! That's one of my favorite parts is stopping at the broken track and just taking it all in! As 360 degrees as I can get!

AWESOME!!! Great start Sooze! Shae is getting SO BIG and SO CUTE!! I was cracking up thinking about you staying you crammed into a studio for a few days. We are NUTS for doing it for 15 and Lesley did it for 18!!! I was bummed to read you didn't see Crown perform! The flatbread did look good, I don't remember seeing that on the menu LOVED the pictures of you guys on the teacups..especially the kids with the wide eyes! During your 3000+ trip you just missed our neck of the woods at the Jersey shore!

I think it's funny that we consider it being "crammed"!! How many family of four vacations are spent in regular ol' hotel rooms?! We are so spoiled!

Oh, I hope they haven't removed the flat bread from that menu... I am looking forward to more at the end of November! Of course, we were in there WAY after dinner, and it wasn't a mad house. If I recall, the times you guys were in there trying to get dinner, it was a disaster! You probably didn't have time to analyze the menu!

Maybe our next road trip will be a DIS-vacation... we could stop by and hang out with Lesley, then you! Hope you cook well...

Great start to your new trip report, I have enjoyed reading about the first two days. I can't believe how much Shae has grown since your spring report.
She makes such cute pictures with those big brown eyes and that adorable smile, and Tyson is as handsome as ever. .

I look forward to reading about the rest of your trip.

I love looking back at my TRs and seeing how much the kids have grown! And I enjoy watching other DISers kids changing and growing! Thanks for checking in!

And thanks for your kind words!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great pictures! It looks like you had a lot of fun.

Those cream cheese pretzels are really good. I got to see the Main Street performers for the first time on our trip in August. That's cool how the one lady "flirted" with Tyson.

Can't wait to see more.

 

[Sooze]

After lunch, I think Matt and Ty went home! Shae wasn't done, tho.. so we scoped out the Hundred Acre Wood gang. This was another first for me! I've never been close to Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore (no.. we've never done Crystal Palace.. for SHAME!!)

First up, Pooh:

Next up, Eeyore.. such a sad little guy:

Sorry, dark picture. I think it was that dark rain cloud that always follows Eeyore around!

I wish I had video of the next moment. Shae was just bouncing up and down in anticipation of Tigger!

And here's the bouncy guy!

We were hot, full, tired, and ready for some Disney naps! We headed back to SSR, slept bunches, then got ready to head to MK. We had plans to watch the Space Shuttle launch from the back of the Contemporary. When we got there, we had plenty of time to kill, so we thought we'd get a pool side meal... nope.. closed...

Well, why don't we try to get into the Wave restaurant

Worked great! We were seated almost immediately!

Here are a few shots while we waited in the very cool lounge for our table:

Shae's cranky... she wants food:

neat light in the lounge:

Our service was TOP NOTCH at this place! I don't know if it's because it was so dead in there, or because Tyson was sportin' his Birthday button.. but we had a marvelous, delicious meal! At the end, our CM brought out a card:

Everyone had signed it!

It was all hand-written and very personal. Ty loved it! He also got a free dessert tray.. which we all shared!

We waited around a bit on the dock for the shuttle launch, checking NASA's web site on our iPhones. There was nasty weather out East and we were thinking it may not happen...and it didn't... but we got a cute Daddy/Shae picture anyway:

We hopped on the monorail with two happy kids and made our way to EMH at MK. The kids really wanted to ride the cars, so we waited in that God-awful line to make them happy!

We caught another adorable Shae-on-Daddy's-Shoulders picture. We seem to get alot of these from WDW!

((Said like Stacy from the resort TV channel)) "I'm gonna ride that puppy!"

My happy passenger:

Next stop...

........


.......
OH NO


....... NOT AGAIN.....

Yep! More teacups!!

It was time for Spectromagic. We grabbed some seats, somewhere near Hall of Presidents:

Tyson was happy to have a front row seat:

Then the parade started, and the kids/family to his left started talking... and talking... and talking... in SPANISH. It drove poor Tyson CRAZY!! They didn't shut up the entire parade. My poor little guy. We were crammed in our spots, so shuffling around was not an option!

Next up... LOTS and LOTS of pictures from Spectro... taken by SHAELYN!!

 

[Native NYer]

Joining in!

Now going back to read