Taking my Zoo to Disney - 1st ever TR Updated 8/28 through day 7

[ValinWV]

Hello all. This will be my first ever trip report. (suggestions will be gladly accepted) I love reading them so I thought I would give it a try.

The family (my zoo) my husband - Mike, Me, our son - Michael, two daughters - Samantha (6) and Constance (4). Our oldest daughter opted not to go this trip as she just graduated high school, moved out for college and has her own plans. I will miss her this trip.

We are going for a two week stay. Leaving yesterday July 23 and returning August 6. The first week is a convention week (our first one) and the second week will be family vacation time.

We left around 8am from our home to start our drive. Arriving at our hotel in Hardeeville, SC at around 6pm. The drive wasn't too bad. Samantha kept telling us that it takes forever to get to Disney. There was one traffic accident that slowed us down for about half an hour and two downpours that slowed things down a bit. Over all things went pretty smoothly.

We got to the hotel and I noticed my son wore his old (not even close to being good enough shoes for walking at Disney) shoes. So we found a Nike outlet about 20min away and went and bought new shoes for him. I am worried that he will have blisters as he hasn't had time to break these ones in.

After the shoes we went for our traditional Waffle House dinner. Everyone ate quickly except Constance. She almost never eats well on vacation. She is a challenge.

We stayed at a Holiday Inn. It is really nice. The rooms are clean and it seems like it was just built. Now I am waiting for the rest of the family to wake up and for breakfast to be started so we can get back on the road. I can't wait to get there. As Samantha told us the day before we left...Her happy days are starting to come back because she is going to Disney.

Off for our second day of the Journey.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Reading along and a yum for Waffle House!

 

[Greta]

Hello to your Zoo! I can relate to your 4 year old daughter (I have one just like her, we will be going to Disney at the end of August 2 days after her 4th B-day)... Can also relate to the older daughter, we are so happy our 14 year old daughter still wants to come to Disney with us, wonder how long it will last? Anyway...Can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[ValinWV]

We made it to the CR at around 1:30pm and were surprised to find our room was ready. Also, being with a convention we couldn't choose a view because we are given such a good rate there is no way to upgrade or pick tower rooms. We were so thrilled to find out that we were indeed in the tower, 6th floor, bay lake view.

We took the kids to the pool. The little ones loved the splash area. After about an hour of swimming we decided it was time to get them ready for dinner. We drove to a Fuddruckers and everyone ate except for the girls. We enjoy there burgers there as it is something we can not get at home.

Back at CR we made our way to the 4th floor observation and watched fireworks with the girls. The fireworks were awesome. It was nice to see something different from wishes. I still like wishes, but the change was nice.

We got up early this morning. The girls didn't want to get up at first. However, when I told them we were going to ride Dumbo they were ready to get up right then. Knowing it would probably be crowded today at Magic Kingdom we walked over early to get some pictures of the kids in front of the train station. The pictures came out great.

While the girls were running back and forth having fun one of the CM's asked if we had breakfast reservations. We told him no we just wanted to come early to get some pictures and watch the opening from the front of the train station. About 10 mins later another CM come up to the girls and asked them it they would like to help open the park today. Of course they said yes. It was a wonderful experience that we never thought would happen to our family. I feel like the vacation is complete and we have only just begun. Right now I am trying to get the girls to nap so we can have a nice evening. Maybe we can do EMH tonight and sleep inn tomorrow.

When I get them to upload I will have some pictures from the time we had before the opening.

 

[ValinWV]

Sorry its been so long since I have posted. We were so busy during our trip we used all of our down time to get the kids a nap. It was well worth the time making them nap so we could spend the early morning and late evenings in the parks. Our goal is to stay in during the hottest part of the day.

We are driving home now. I hate this part of the trip. Still in GA and wishing the drive wasn't so long. If we don't stop any more we will be home at about 2am. I didn't make reservations for a stop on our return trip because we usually drive straight though when going home. That may have been a mistake this time. I have been online checking for hotels and so far none available except about 3hours from home. Might as well drive all the way through at that point.

 

[ValinWV]

On Monday we didn't have any plans to go to the parks. My husband and I had a meeting for the entire morning and the family had a reception to go to in the evening. We keep the kids out late at Magic Kingdom. The rode everything in Tomorrowland. The only thing we didn't do that night was the Laugh floor. We went to Fantasyland and did the Tea cups and watched the fireworks. I like the Nightastic show. Then we did Pooh and the carousel again. The 6 year old thought she was big enough to get off the horse by her self even though I kept say wait let me get you. You got it she fell. Scraped her arm and hit her head on the floor. She seemed ok so we rode Snowwhite and then headed around to main street by the crystal palace. We got very lucky and were able to stand and watch the parade. There was a family sitting with no one behind them so we stood there to watch then made our way back to the room.

 

[ValinWV]

Monday went quite smoothly. We did our morning meetings. Took the kids to the pool for the afternoon. The girls loved the splash area. Then we had the evening reception. The food at the reception was sooooo good. They also had Mickey and Minnie and Goofy and Donald there for meet and greets and pictures. The Kids loved it. So did many of the adults.

 

[ValinWV]

Picture from park opening at Magic Kingdom

 

[bobbiekins]

I love that picture! We are going November 7th through the 14th and I am beyond excited! It sounds like you are having a blast!

 

[heaven2dc]

How exciting for you and your family to be chosen to open MK!! That picture is fantastic I love your TR - feels like we are enjoying the parks and pool right along with you.

 

[ValinWV]

I love that picture! We are going November 7th through the 14th and I am beyond excited! It sounds like you are having a blast!

Thank you. We had a wonderful time despite the heat. Just had to remember when the kids were acting up it was usually because they were hot and tired and we needed a break.

How exciting for you and your family to be chosen to open MK!! That picture is fantastic I love your TR - feels like we are enjoying the parks and pool right along with you.

Thank you. I am starting to put everything away now and I wish I was back at Disney. Every cloud on the ride home looked like a character to me.

 

[ValinWV]

Day #4 Tuesday.

My son and I got the girls up and ready to go to Magic Kingdom for rope drop and morning emh. My husband had a 9:00 meeting. We left the CR at about 7:40 and walked to MK. It's really a short walk if we walked fast we could do it in 10min or less. I chose walking slower so it was about 15min for me. We got through bag check and to the turnstiles just as they opened. My son and DD(6) wanted to ride Space Mountain. But of course DD(4) was too little. On our way to tomorrowland a CM approached us with a nice smile. Asked each of the girls to give him five, when they did they got a sticker on their hands. They didn't notice them upside down on his hands. That little thing had them smiling ear to ear. I walked them to the ride and got them in line then took the little one to ride buzz lightyear. It was perfect timing when we got back to the shop at SM my DS and DD had just exited the ride. We rode the Speedway, Teacups, Pooh, Fantasmic and Carousel. (by the way when did they change the name from Cinderella's to the Princes?) Then we went to Toontown at Rope Drop. We went straight to get in line for the faries. It was already 45 min long. The girls were so excited they met Fawn, Tinkerbelle, and Silvermist.

We then went to BTMR, Splash Mountain, and POTC. After that we rode the Monorail back to CR. We ate some lunch and I took the girls on the boat to Ft Wilderness and they both rode the pony's. I am so glad I took them there. They loved the ride and the ponies. After we got back I cooled them off in a bath and we got ready for dinner. We were invited by a couple of lawyers at the convention to dinner at Fultons Crab house. This was interesting because I don't eat seafood at all. Dinner was wonderful. My husband had some sort of Trio, my son had a fried something, my DD(6) had a shrimp pasta, DD (4) had a hot dog, and I had the Filet. Everything was wonderful. We didn't try a park that night.

 

[ValinWV]

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. Constance had pneumonia and I have been spending all of my time taking care of her. Here are some pictures of the girls on the pony ride at Ft. Wilderness.

 

[ValinWV]

Michael and I took the girls to Epcot. We start the day with a photo with Daisy Duck. We had her autograph from the opening.

After pictures with Daisy we went for our traditional ride on Spaceship Earth then off to Soarin'. After we finished Soarin' we went to Test Track, and our final ride was Mission Space. Michael to Samantha on Mission Space as Constance was too small. We got them in line then went to wait in the play area.

We we were done riding we made our way to the world showcase. Mainly Michael wanted to get some candy from Germany. We stopped in China for an autograph with Mulan. Only one person in line. The we stopped in Germany and got in line for Snow White, she was on a break feeding the dwarfs. Only two families in front of us in that line. We went on to get our candy, then rode the boat back to Mexico. We left the park around 12:30 there was hardly any one in the park at that time.

 

[ValinWV]

After our break and my husband was our of his meetings we went to HS for the evening. We rode TSM, Tower of Terror, and My husband and son went on Rockin Roller Coaster. Samantha was so disappointed that she couldn't ride. We also rode The Great Movie ride as well. It was a very nice evening.

 

[ValinWV]

This was another "rest" day. My husband and I had morning meetings and we had a banquet dinner. My meeting was done early. I took the kids back too the pool. The banquet was very nice. The girls got to go to kids night out in one of the ballrooms. They had a great time. The events they had for the kids were face painting, tattoos, mini golf, spin art, coloring books, dance, wi games and x box games. The also had their own buffet. For the adults we had a wonderful dinner and entertainment.

 

[ValinWV]

I started this morning at Animal Kingdom with the kids. It was fun. We started with the Safari, it was so wonderful, it was the first time in all of my trips I ever saw the Lion up and walking around. We had seen the female before but not the male. After the safari we went to Rafiki's planet watch. The girls loved it. It was nice to meet pocahantos, Rafiki, and Jiminy Cricket in the A/C. The loved the petting area as well. I am so glad I took the time this year to take them there. The kids were pretty much done after this. It was very hot that morning. We went back to the hotel and got some lunch and met up with Mike. Then we got dressed and took the kids to Typhoon Lagoon. After we found a place to sit and put our things by Ketch-a-Kiddie creek my son took off to go on some water slides and my husband went to the lazy river. I spent all of my time with the girls in the kid play area. Finally I convinced them to go to the wave pool. The photo pass Photographer got some great pictures of them. I picked a shallow spot for when the waves came so I could hold the girls hands and help them jump the waves. oops. I didn't pick well. The waves hit be at chest high and it was all I could do to hold them up above the water. Constance was done after that and I was stuck at Ketch-a-Kiddie creek. Samantha loved it and had her dad take her back when he got off the river. I never got to do anything else because Constance was afraid. After a few hours we left to go back to the resort and get some dinner. Mike and I decided water parks aren't for our family till the girls are a little bit bigger and not afraid. I think swimming lessons are in order the next time they are offered. We finished our evening out at Magic Kingdom. Covered Tomorrowland again and Fantasyland. Watched the fireworks from beside the Teacups. The kids were wiped out so we headed back to the hotel so they could sleep.