The Darling Family June 2010 Trip Report: When are the Parents Showing Up?11/5 New TR

[Queenofallthings]

Coral Reef is one of our fav's too Last August we had a terrible server, but the food was so good we didn't really care Wouldn't stop of from going back that's for sure.

Love that picture with Donald, it actually brought a tear to my eye....there really is so much magic all around you there....

 

[dismagiclover]

No fair, you made me cry. And I don't even know you personally. That scene between John and Donald was so sweet. Those are the best moments and why we keep coming back.

Love your updates!!

It is those moments that are priceless. It is hard to explain to someone that doesn't understand the Magic, but to those of us that do a picture explains it all

Wow! I was several updates behind (I just caught up with my own thread this morning.)

Let's see......what did I want to comment on?

Oh yeah, I loved the sword fight pictures. Boys will be boys and there's nothing better than a good sword fight between pirates.

I have never eaten at Ohana....dinner or breakfast. I have visited the Poly though and I have to agree, it does seem a bit "busy" all the time.

Glad to hear that you guys got to spend some time with your friends by the pool. I'm sure it was nice catching up with your former neighbors.

We love the Coral Reef. It's one of our favorites. You had a great view right there by the aquarium.

I agree with Planning fanatic mom, the pictures of John and Donald and your description made me tear up. How very sweet!

You're right about boys will be boys. I haven't met a little boy yet that doesn't like a good sword fight! Our Coral Reef table was awesome. I'm a bit worried that when we go back it will be a letdown because we'll have to sit up high. I'm sure the food will still taste the same though. John is a sweetheart in so many ways

Loved hearing about his encounter with Donald. I wouldn't worry about him losing the sensitivity. My 16-year-old was like that as a kid, and still is. He is way more sensitive to others' feelings than my daughters!

Pure guess, but is it Illuminations? Or maybe Kim Possible?

That is great to hear that your 16 year old son is still just as sensitive. DH mentioned the other day he'd read something that said personality is pretty well determined by 6 years old so that is a good sign that John will keep his tender heart. I tried to get the boys to do Kim Possible, but they weren't interested this trip. And it's a little after 6:00 so not time for Illuminations quite yet. (Though we do watch it this evening.)

Love the Donald encounter. Such a sweetie!!!!

Amanda

Thanks! He's definitely a sweetie.

It's great to hear such a positive review of the coral reef...makes me more excited to try this one for the first time next week.

That's such a touching story about your son and Donald and the pics from the character connection turned out great

I think you'll really like the Coral Reef. Still don't get why it gets bad reviews so often. We've gotten so many good pictures at the Character Connection over the years.

Coral Reef is one of our fav's too Last August we had a terrible server, but the food was so good we didn't really care Wouldn't stop of from going back that's for sure.

Love that picture with Donald, it actually brought a tear to my eye....there really is so much magic all around you there....

Sorry about the bad server, but I'm glad it isn't gonna stop you from going back to a favorite! The Magic at Disney is real and so hard to explain to people that haven't personally experienced it. It's why we all keep going back though!

 

[carissanboys]

Awwwww - how sweet.

We've had issues emailing things from WDW too.

 

[dismagiclover]

Awwwww - how sweet.

We've had issues emailing things from WDW too.

Yea I think the e-mails don't come more often than they do. We've never actually received any and we've sent them from several different places

 

[dismagiclover]

We headed out of Innoventions and what did the boys see? It was Mousegears. That spending money was just burning a whole in their pocket. So we headed in. We looked around for a while and walked out with a few small purchases. John bought a Puffle Pin and Michael bought the real thing

He already had a puffle back in Maryland, but this one was red so he just had to have it. I also bought this car magnet.

Every time I see it on my car I smile. So the boys still had money to spend and they starting clamoring for Japan. I know that sounds a little strange, but one of the things they love is Pokemon and they sell Pokemon cards in Japan. We hadn’t been over to the World Showcase yet this trip so I agreed. We walked by a CM manning a ball station and he must have noticed John’s soccer jersey. So he kicked John the ball and they engaged in a little impromptu soccer match.

Of course Michael wanted to join in.

Love those little Disney moments. Anyway after the quick match we headed over to the boat launch. Japan is all the way on the far side of the World Showcase so I was trying to save a bit of walking. After a short wait a boat pulled up and we hopped on.

It was on this boat that my trip report title was born. As we headed across the Lagoon Michael said to me, “Is this the last night with no parents?” I just kind of looked at him and asked him what I was. (I mean I know I’m not really a grown up, but I thought I did a decent job of hiding that fact from my kids.) He said, “Oh come on Mom. You know you’re not a parent at Disney World.” Of course after he said that I couldn’t quit smiling. Then I assured him we still had another day before any “parents” showed up. (Yes, Wendy qualifies as a parent.) He just smiled back at me and said, “Good.” After this endearing conversation I snapped a few pictures from the boat. (Sorry they are a bit blurry)

The boat dropped us off in Germany and since the boys were in a shopping mood we headed into the store. We found this completely unaffordable souvenir. (And even if I could afford it I’d spend my money on more DVC points.)

Then Michael found these guys.

Michael can find Pandas anywhere he goes. I took this picture because it reminded me of my childhood.

Then the boys decided they wanted to work on some masks.

As we walked out of Germany we stopped to look at the train set.

We were really going with the flow. Would we ever make it to Japan?

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

I love the story on the boat! so sweet

Yes, I think you did make it to Japan. But I also think it is almost time for a snack!! Just a guess.

 

[dismagiclover]

I love the story on the boat! so sweet

Yes, I think you did make it to Japan. But I also think it is almost time for a snack!! Just a guess.

You know a world showcase snack sounds good right now. At the time, however, I think we were still full from dinner so I don't remember even considering a snack.

 

[heaven2dc]

How cute was that interaction with John and Donald I hope John doesn't lose his sensitive side either as he grows older - all of my boys still have their sweet moments. When I saw John hugging Donald, it really brought tears to my eyes - what a sweetie!

Hope you made it to Japan but I'm guessing a quick stop for a snack.

 

[Stefy]

Aww bless John, such a great character interaction between him and Donald

Looks like you had a nice trip through WS, not rushed just going with the flow Loving all the pics

 

[praisehisname]

You are truly having the best time with your boys! I wish I could relax more and just go with the flow (even in real life). Looking forward to hearing more about your evening!

 

[DrMomof3]

Too funny that your kids don't think you're a grown up!!!!
Love all the little Disney moments. That's why it's hard to over plan!

Amanda

 

[creativeamanda]

That is too cute. . .my kids don't think of either my husband or myself as parents at Disney World, so I can completely relate!

Your son with Donald is how my son is with Donald. He is Stinky's favorite--ever since Donald knocked a set of Mickey ears of of his head. Oh, yeah--my son is a real practical joker.

 

[Charlefours]

I am loving your TR!!

We like Coral Reef quite a lot on our last trip. We are not going this next trip, but perhaps next year. We wanted to try a few new places instead.

What a special moment with Donald! Sure to be a memory held onto many years from now (at least by you ).

Such a cute (and memorable) moment on the boat!! You are such a great mom!!

Smurfs!! I have not seen them in ages. Certainly does take me back to my childhood too.

 

[dismagiclover]

How cute was that interaction with John and Donald I hope John doesn't lose his sensitive side either as he grows older - all of my boys still have their sweet moments. When I saw John hugging Donald, it really brought tears to my eyes - what a sweetie!

Hope you made it to Japan but I'm guessing a quick stop for a snack.

It's nice to hear there is hope that John will stay so sweet. His DH has a really soft side too. He just doesn't show it to very many people. Nope no snack. I think we were still full from dinner.

Aww bless John, such a great character interaction between him and Donald

Looks like you had a nice trip through WS, not rushed just going with the flow Loving all the pics

John is my tender soul. I love just going with the flow in World Showcase. Especially in the evenings when it is cooler. That is how that area was meant to be experienced I think.

You are truly having the best time with your boys! I wish I could relax more and just go with the flow (even in real life). Looking forward to hearing more about your evening!

Sometimes I relax a little too much! My house really needs vacuumed and I need to prepare some lectures for next week when I start work again, but what am I doing? Relaxing on the DIS

Too funny that your kids don't think you're a grown up!!!!
Love all the little Disney moments. That's why it's hard to over plan!

Amanda

I think my kids may be right about me (at least when we're in Disney World)

That is too cute. . .my kids don't think of either my husband or myself as parents at Disney World, so I can completely relate!

Your son with Donald is how my son is with Donald. He is Stinky's favorite--ever since Donald knocked a set of Mickey ears of of his head. Oh, yeah--my son is a real practical joker.

Life is just different at Disney World, isn't it? That is why we keep going back! Funny that Donal knocked Mickey's ears off of Stinky's head! No wonder that Duck is so many kids favorite

I am loving your TR!!

We like Coral Reef quite a lot on our last trip. We are not going this next trip, but perhaps next year. We wanted to try a few new places instead.

What a special moment with Donald! Sure to be a memory held onto many years from now (at least by you ).

Such a cute (and memorable) moment on the boat!! You are such a great mom!!

Smurfs!! I have not seen them in ages. Certainly does take me back to my childhood too.

That is the hard thing about Disney Dining. It's always tough to balance new places with old favorites. Just need to extend our trips I guess John is a bit embarrassed about those Donald pictures even now. I'm sure in a few years he will deny he was emotional altogether. I'm pretty sure I saw a preview recently for a new Smurf movie. Either that or I had a dream about one

 

[carissanboys]

As mom to a Pokemon obsessed son, I totally get heading to Japan.

 

[dismagiclover]

As mom to a Pokemon obsessed son, I totally get heading to Japan.

The Pokemon thing drives me crazy sometimes! I'll tell the boys to go outside to get a little exercise. What do they do? Take the Pokemon cards outside to sit around and play with them.

 

[dismagiclover]

We left Germany and came to Italy. Though this is a visually appealing pavilion we’ve never really found much to do here. Michael headed over to get another trinket for his mask.

We didn’t stay long because Japan was so close. As we walked by America I noticed the American Adventure show would be starting in a bit and made a mental note about it. We’d never seen the show. Then we headed to Japan where the boys walked into the store and right up to this display.

This is what they’d been saving their pennies for. John bought himself one pack. Michael wanted the big tin, but I told him to hold off because he might see something he’d like better. Then we headed back to America where they picked up another piece for their masks. Then I informed them we were going to go the American Adventure show. There was some mild protesting because Michael wanted to finish his mask, but they agreed pretty quickly to the show. Here they are waiting with their masks.

We headed into the theater.

I really enjoyed the show. It would be a great thing to do on a hot afternoon. The boys thought it was OK too. Though I must say I think I like Hall of Presidents more. The theater here is huge. I wonder if they envisioned actually filling it when they built it. I can’t imagine it’s ever full. After the show was over we had just enough time to make a quick potty break and then we found a spot for Illuminations.

I love this show. It’s just so beautiful how they use the lights all around the World Showcase. Always a good way to end the day. After it was over we headed out of the park. At this moment I was missing our beloved Beach Club we’d stayed in last summer. It was just so great to walk out of the International Gateway and basically be back at your hotel room. However, you can’t get shots like this from the International Gateway.

You know me. I can never pass up a Photopass opportunity. So we headed back to Old Key West and snuggled into bed for another night of Disney Dreams. And there would still be no parents tomorrow.

 

[DrMomof3]

What a great ending to another great day!!!

Amanda

 

[Angies1274]

Aww...so sweet about John and Donald!

My boys love Pokemon too. They always request to go to Japan first when we are in the WS.

Love the conversation on the boat about when the parent's were coming back.

I'm glad you were able to finish up the night with Illuminations!! It's such a beautiful show!

 

[dismagiclover]

What a great ending to another great day!!!

Amanda

Thanks! It was a great day! I've yet to have any other kind at Disney

Aww...so sweet about John and Donald!

My boys love Pokemon too. They always request to go to Japan first when we are in the WS.

Love the conversation on the boat about when the parent's were coming back.

I'm glad you were able to finish up the night with Illuminations!! It's such a beautiful show!

Someday our boys should meet. It sounds like they would have tons in common! Illuminations is such a great way to end the evening. Plus it is almost relaxing to walk through the World Showcase on the way out. Very different from fighting the Main Street crowds after Wishes (though I love that too.)