WHO WE ARE:
Zoe Dog -- Me; 41; went to MK several times as a child and to EPCOT once in late 1980s with DH; compulsive planner, list-maker, and tip-gatherer, but (much to my and my family's relief) was able to be flexible once we arrived
DH -- turned 41 during vacation; late 1980s trip with me was only foray into the World; was a little spooked by memory of how perfect and "Big Brothery" everything was and loved to tease me about my "disney obsession" but is a total kid at heart and began to lurk on the DIS and other helpful sites during the last weeks before departure
E -- DD (11 years) - has an incredibly vivid imagination and so was a bit apprehensive about "spooky" rides, but determined to be a big kid; loves interaction with characters and spotting live animals and noticing all of the little unexpected things
D -- DD (almost 10 years) - wants to do it all and then do it again and again . . . absolutely fearless and utterly enthusiastic
L -- DD (6 1/2 years) - doesn't like to be left behind by the big girls, but is not a thrill seeker; began to swim like a little fish thanks to daily access to warm pools
WHERE: 6 Nights WL; 3 Nights AKL
DAY EIGHT: Saturday June 29
DH's birthday!!! We headed to MGM so DH could ride the Tower of Terror! We got 5 FPs for TOT and then had some yummy pastries from Starring Rolls. We went to see the Bear in the Big Blue House - E was not thrilled but was willing to do it when I reminded her that L had sat out an awful lot of rides that were too scary for her. Cute show - really loved the young woman who was the host - very energetic and fun personality. As we left, we got FPs for the Little Mermaid. Then on to TOT!!! E and L tried to convince themselves that they'd do it, but the pre-show was enough terror for them both, so we took the chicken exit and DH and D had to go be terrorized on their own. We saw Mermaid next and then headed to Indiana Jones just as the rain began (again). There was no line and some seats were empty. After the show, the stunt actor who plays the German thug came out to goof around and pose with the kids. The girls really wanted to play at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground and the rain had mostly stopped, so we headed there via the Singin' in the Rain Umbrella (keeping the rain a secret from them). We all had fun posing a la Gene Kelly and taking each other's pictures.
Headed back to AKL for a picnic lunch in our room and presents for Daddy. Then the girls and I went to the pool while DH went to the health club for a surprise massage for his birthday.
We decided to go to Epcot for the evening in hopes of finally seeing the Tapestry of Dreams parade (see Days 2 and 3)! We had been there twice already and, somewhat to our surprise, it was probably our family's favorite park. It is just so beautiful and peaceful and we couldn't help but feel happy with the lovely music that is piped throughout. We live in a very small rural northern New England city where much of our entertainment centers around outdoor winter sports. Although we have taken the girls on vacations in Montreal and Boston and NYC, none of us is used to crowds or a lot of external stimulation (or heat!). I had thought that the girls would enjoy the countries once and then be bored with the park, but we all just kept wanting to go back - so beautiful and peaceful. And so many little things to explore and surprises to notice. When we go back to WDW (notice I didn't say "IF we go back" ??!!), I'd really like to spend an evening alone with DH there. Anyway, once at Epcot, we saw the Circle of Life and then the funny "Food Rocks." The girls particularly liked the "Every Bite You Take" song, since we listen to Sting at home quite a lot. We wandered to O Canada because DH remembered how beautiful the movie was from our trip in the 1980s but unfortunately the projector malfunctioned early on and we saw only the first minute or two. We rode the river ride in Mexico (after much convincing of L that there were no scary parts or big drops even if it was a boat ride). Then we headed to the Biergarten to celebrate DH's birthday. When we arrived, I quietly mentioned to the hostess that it was DH's birthday. She replied that she knew already and showed me that our reservation ticket had "B-Day" written on it. I thought that maybe DH had mentioned it when he had made the PS, although that seemed a little odd. After we were seated, our waitress introduced herself and then, leaning in to DH, quietly asked him whose birthday it was so she could keep it a surprise. DH grinned and told her it was his - the poor waitress was mortified! Somehow (maybe because I had told the Animal Kingdom Lodge that the massage was a surprise for DH's birthday??) the notation that there was a birthday in our group had magically appeared on our PS - DH had never mentioned it when making the PS. We had a good laugh and then sampled the buffet. Yum! I especially liked the roast pork with apricot chutney. The band played happy birthday and we all sang along and the waitress brought DH a special cake. We had a fun time polka-ing with the girls and doing the chicken dance. We finished our meal in perfect time to see the beautiful Tapestry of Dreams parade (Yeah! We aren't the Curse of the Epcot parades as we had feared!), rode Spaceship Earth, and headed home to AKL and the lovely, gentle giraffes outside our rooms. Another perfect day!
Zoe Dog -- Me; 41; went to MK several times as a child and to EPCOT once in late 1980s with DH; compulsive planner, list-maker, and tip-gatherer, but (much to my and my family's relief) was able to be flexible once we arrived
DH -- turned 41 during vacation; late 1980s trip with me was only foray into the World; was a little spooked by memory of how perfect and "Big Brothery" everything was and loved to tease me about my "disney obsession" but is a total kid at heart and began to lurk on the DIS and other helpful sites during the last weeks before departure
E -- DD (11 years) - has an incredibly vivid imagination and so was a bit apprehensive about "spooky" rides, but determined to be a big kid; loves interaction with characters and spotting live animals and noticing all of the little unexpected things
D -- DD (almost 10 years) - wants to do it all and then do it again and again . . . absolutely fearless and utterly enthusiastic
L -- DD (6 1/2 years) - doesn't like to be left behind by the big girls, but is not a thrill seeker; began to swim like a little fish thanks to daily access to warm pools
WHERE: 6 Nights WL; 3 Nights AKL
DAY EIGHT: Saturday June 29
DH's birthday!!! We headed to MGM so DH could ride the Tower of Terror! We got 5 FPs for TOT and then had some yummy pastries from Starring Rolls. We went to see the Bear in the Big Blue House - E was not thrilled but was willing to do it when I reminded her that L had sat out an awful lot of rides that were too scary for her. Cute show - really loved the young woman who was the host - very energetic and fun personality. As we left, we got FPs for the Little Mermaid. Then on to TOT!!! E and L tried to convince themselves that they'd do it, but the pre-show was enough terror for them both, so we took the chicken exit and DH and D had to go be terrorized on their own. We saw Mermaid next and then headed to Indiana Jones just as the rain began (again). There was no line and some seats were empty. After the show, the stunt actor who plays the German thug came out to goof around and pose with the kids. The girls really wanted to play at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground and the rain had mostly stopped, so we headed there via the Singin' in the Rain Umbrella (keeping the rain a secret from them). We all had fun posing a la Gene Kelly and taking each other's pictures.
Headed back to AKL for a picnic lunch in our room and presents for Daddy. Then the girls and I went to the pool while DH went to the health club for a surprise massage for his birthday.
We decided to go to Epcot for the evening in hopes of finally seeing the Tapestry of Dreams parade (see Days 2 and 3)! We had been there twice already and, somewhat to our surprise, it was probably our family's favorite park. It is just so beautiful and peaceful and we couldn't help but feel happy with the lovely music that is piped throughout. We live in a very small rural northern New England city where much of our entertainment centers around outdoor winter sports. Although we have taken the girls on vacations in Montreal and Boston and NYC, none of us is used to crowds or a lot of external stimulation (or heat!). I had thought that the girls would enjoy the countries once and then be bored with the park, but we all just kept wanting to go back - so beautiful and peaceful. And so many little things to explore and surprises to notice. When we go back to WDW (notice I didn't say "IF we go back" ??!!), I'd really like to spend an evening alone with DH there. Anyway, once at Epcot, we saw the Circle of Life and then the funny "Food Rocks." The girls particularly liked the "Every Bite You Take" song, since we listen to Sting at home quite a lot. We wandered to O Canada because DH remembered how beautiful the movie was from our trip in the 1980s but unfortunately the projector malfunctioned early on and we saw only the first minute or two. We rode the river ride in Mexico (after much convincing of L that there were no scary parts or big drops even if it was a boat ride). Then we headed to the Biergarten to celebrate DH's birthday. When we arrived, I quietly mentioned to the hostess that it was DH's birthday. She replied that she knew already and showed me that our reservation ticket had "B-Day" written on it. I thought that maybe DH had mentioned it when he had made the PS, although that seemed a little odd. After we were seated, our waitress introduced herself and then, leaning in to DH, quietly asked him whose birthday it was so she could keep it a surprise. DH grinned and told her it was his - the poor waitress was mortified! Somehow (maybe because I had told the Animal Kingdom Lodge that the massage was a surprise for DH's birthday??) the notation that there was a birthday in our group had magically appeared on our PS - DH had never mentioned it when making the PS. We had a good laugh and then sampled the buffet. Yum! I especially liked the roast pork with apricot chutney. The band played happy birthday and we all sang along and the waitress brought DH a special cake. We had a fun time polka-ing with the girls and doing the chicken dance. We finished our meal in perfect time to see the beautiful Tapestry of Dreams parade (Yeah! We aren't the Curse of the Epcot parades as we had feared!), rode Spaceship Earth, and headed home to AKL and the lovely, gentle giraffes outside our rooms. Another perfect day!
That poor waitress! But your husband had a Happy Birthday anyway! 
Krissy
