The Hill Family's Surprise Vac(PICS)*NEW*Final Thoughts,Tips & Pictures **4/25

[DisneyObsession]

Cherokeemama.....I am soooo enjoying your TR! Your family looks so happy and just having a wonderful time! Can't wait to read more!

As for the bed at POP, I thought the same about the beds as ASMU. They were a little too hard for my taste! Sounds like you get better beds at the higher priced resorts!

I am surprised the lights were not on when you were waiting for the bus until later...maybe a timer that is off?!? I would have been scared too...I really don't like the dark!

 

[UtahMama]

Please submit any and all photos of me to be approved...No double-chins or winky eyes...(just kidding! I put a most HORRIBLE one of me on a stick horse in my TR...shameless plug)


I LOVE BOMA! There is so much flavorful, scrumpous food there! I almost did not book it because it's a buffet! It ended up being our favorite!

Zebra Domes are kind of spongey and alcohol-y...I realized after eating several!

Why are your kids always being eaten by large characters....The Dinosaur, Yeti, and Goofy????

Did I mention they are adorable!?
So are YOU!

 

[Sabrina90744]

What are great trip report!! The way you suprised your kids was just priceless!

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

Hey cherokeemama, you're pictures are fantastic. After seeing yours, I wished we had taken our digital. I will next time.

I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one that didn't like some of the recommended foods. I guess our differences are what makes the world go around. Some of us are just more different than others.....

I loved the way you surprised your kids, but I don't know if I could do the same thing. It would kill me.

We plan on trying Boma on our next visit. The girls decided no more princess dinners. They had enough....... Great job and keep on writing!

 

[Mouse511]

Great trip report, I loved the poem!

 

[DisneyFan06]

Amazing!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

I'm waiting to read the rest, it's great.

 

[Glendamax]

Glad you went to BOMA and you got the mango vinegrette. Isn't it GREAT! I wanted to lick the rest off of my plate! Loved the pictures once again!

 

[SmithFamily2003]

Great trip report! I love the pictures! Can't wait for more!

 

[disneymouse]

love your pictures! what kind of camera did you have on your trip?? i'm looking to buy a camera for our next trip.

 

[toony]

Seems to me that finishing your nap so early was worth it!! I definitely have to visit AKL one day. It's wonderful!
I'm too curious about your next installment. Can't wait!

 

[cherokeemamma]

DisneyMouse - Thanks for the compliment on the pics. I love photography and I always take tons and tons of pics. My freinds kept telling me I need to go digital due to all the $$$ I was spending on film and processing. This past b-day my DH and I decided that is what we wanted to buy so we decided on a Nikon D50. I have 2 -35mm Nikon cameras and several lenses. I already had 2 lens that would work with the D50. So that really helped to determine my choice. I was dragging my feet going to digital because of the shutter delay, you know you click and 3 seconds later it takes the picture...well, you have missed the moment. Also, there is really no creative control with a lot of digital so I decided I was holding out until I could affors a Nikon SLR. I have to tell you I love it. It is so fast when you turn on, the camera instantly is on. It is the same with shooting. When you press the shutter there is no delay. BTW, the cameras the PhotoPass folks use is the D70. It is a step above the D50 about $200 more in cost. I read a ton of reviews and most people gave the D50 at least the same if not higher rating than the D70. Nikon is however, coming out with a D80 very soon. You know there is always something bigger, better, faster...do cha hate that? Anyway, hope that helps.

 

[cherokeemamma]

Hey...
PrincessV, Mouse511, toony, Disneyfan 06, Smithfamily2003, DisneyObsession, 3princesses+aprince, and Sabrina90744:Thanks for reading and your encouraging comments.

Amy&Dan: I think I want to stay at Saratoga Springs next trip. If you are still dreaming about the beds they must be great. That is a DVC resort correct? I have read where you can rent(pay for) points from owners. Do you know how that is done? That would be one of my dreams...to own DVC membership. One Day....

UtahMama: R U kidding me? Double chin, winky eyes...that is me -not you!!! Almost every picture of me -my eyes are either totally closed or I look like they are rolling up into my head. I seriously have a problem with pictures - some sort of defense mechanism in my eyes.
I also have to tell you 'the kids being eaten by large characters' thing really made me laugh . I had never noticed before but you are right. It must be some kind of subconscious wish or something

ET:Glad you found me and thanks for the encouragement. Hope you had a wonderful B-Day!!!

Gmax:It is funny you say that about licking the plate. My DD actually did that once when we were at MyrtleBch. We were out having dinner and got some sort of crab/spinach/artichoke appetizer, she loved it. She is running her fingers along the bottom of the bowl and licking her fingers. We are trying to get her to stop and mind her manners. But no...she doesn't listen. Instead, all of a sudden she picks the bowl up and starts licking it. We were mortified but I took a picture before I ripped it from her hands. It was quite funny.
She looks like her mommy but eats like her daddy.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Love this picture...so cute!

 

[cherokeemamma]

Epcot Mon. Sept. 11

We had a good night’s sleep and everyone woke up easily and on the happy side of the bed. Today was Epcot day and we were looking forward to doing some things we did not get to do last trip.

With today being 9/11; the 5th anniversary of that terrible morning, I could not help thinking about that. The victims and their families weighed heavily on my mind and heart this morning. Let us never forget….

There was only a few people waiting for the bus this morning and it came very soon after we got in line. We had wonderful conversation with a family from Arkansas on the way there. They were very friendly and fun to talk to.
We arrived right after 9 am and soon realized it seemed almost empty. Yes! Another no wait for anything day!!! We headed straight for Soarin’ and it was a walk on. Soarin is just a fantastic experience. My DD describes it as “breathtaking and relaxing.” I am so glad they kept it after the 50th Anniversary Celebration. I have heard rumors that they are going to have a new film that will cover all different countries. I have no idea if that is true but I think that will be great also. Can you imagine soaring over the Swiss Alps or the French countryside? We did grab a FP when we first got there but did not use it. No need.

Once again, my kids are being eaten by something​

After Soarin’ we head to the Living Seas. This was closed on our last trip so we were all looking forward to it. As we entered the line was forming for Turtle Talk with Crush and we waited maybe 1 or 2 minutes before heading in to the theater. I thought this show was great. It was really cute and amusing. It was great watching the little kids interact with Crush. My children really surprised me…they did not have a question or a comment for Crush. They usually want to be in the midst of whatever is happening but they both just sat back and enjoyed it. We then explored the aquarium and enjoyed it very much. My DS was chomping at the bit to go ride. His mind was on TT and MS. I really could have spent a lot more time in here with the smaller tanks especially. I was enjoying trying to shoot some pictures of the fish.

I Found Nemo!!!​

On the way over to TT we saw the Character Connection. Last year we did not do this so we went in. The lines were very short and moved quickly. The Classic Disney Characters were here…Minnie, Pluto, Chip & Dale, Donald and of course, the Mouse Himself. As DD says, “Her baby…Mickey” The do have PhotoPass people in here to capture the moment.

After leaving the Character Connection we headed straight to the FP machines for TT. When we rec’d our FP there was a “surprise FP” attached for Mission Space. We were so excited but I wondered…did everybody get these or are we special? DH and DD had went ahead to get us a place in the stand by line. Well, they had to wait for us because there was absolutely no wait…walk on! I am loving’ this!!! Last trip this was one of the longest and slowest moving lines we encountered. TT is so much fun especially since everyone in our family “has the need for speed”.

They are testing using PhotoPass on this ride. I must say I wouldn’t want the picture even if it were free…We all looked rather freakish and scary. You know when your face looks all distorted. I never did figure out where on the ride they shot the picture. Regardless, it was a horrible picture...both times.

On the way to MS we found Club Cool and had to stop and try some tasty beverages. This is how my family looked when they tasted Beverly....

The picture of DH kinda says it all...don't cha think?​

We headed on to Mission Space. I had not ridden this before and would not be riding it this time if it still did the spinning thing. Even though it is supposed to be tame I am a little nervous about this ride. My DS is so excited he can hardly stand it though. I mean what 12 y.o. boy wouldn’t want to go into outer space? My DD on the other hand was thinking of backing out as we approached the preshow area. We had to keep talking and telling her she would be fine. Turns out we all like the ride a lot. It was fun getting to be the Navigator, Pilot or whatever role you were assigned. I thought this simulator made Star Tours look lame. Hopefully they will be updating that one day soon.

If they can't be eaten we will send them into space​

We then headed back over the Land and rode Soarin’ again and had an early lunch. We chose to eat at Seasons. I have to admit this was probably the worst CS we had. I really did not like my choice at all. Myself and DD got the ham and cheese sandwich but it had some sort of strange pickled something on it. Neither of us liked it. We picked off the ham and ate that.

DS got the salmon and potatoes. He didn’t seem to care for his that much either. He ate just a few bites.

DH got some type of Asian cuisine. He seemed to love his because the gobbled it right up and then he enjoyed DS leftovers, too!

As you have probably sensed by now we all enjoy sweets and especially chocolate. So of course we gobbled up our desserts. My children never get dessert 2 times a day so they are truly loving the DDP.

After eating we headed over to Innovations East and spent a good bit of time in there. We sent some of those crazy post cards home to family and friends. Some of them were quite funny. The kids played on the different computers doing all the different activities. It is around 2 pm now and it is getting close to time for me to leave and go to the tea at the GF. I was a little nervous about doing this. I had never gone any where in WDW alone before... Of course I had been to the bathroom, and to get food or something but never from one park to another or to a different resort. So I was hoping I found my way okay. I really don’t know why I was concerned about it. I guess just a different environment and of course, I am going to meet these Dissers who I had never met before. I actually had butterflies. Would they be psychos or perhaps terrorists or maybe they would be warm & wonderful….

 

[DisneyObsession]

My Gosh!!! Those desserts look heavenly!!! Now I want chocolate!!!

Can't wait for the report on your tea, as I've already read Gmax's and am waiting for Utahmama's! Hope I get to do that when I go in Nov 2007!

Keep it coming!!!

 

[cherokeemamma]

I just wanted to let you know I am about to go out of town to a family reunion. I am going to reunion with the Cherokee side of the family up in the NE Ga mountains. Sorry I didn't get to the GF tea but there is simply not time. I'll try to post Sun eve or Mon morn.
Have a great weekend everybody.
TTFN
Cherokeemamma

 

[BLUEAPPLE422]

Love the report. Thanks for sharing.

 

[scrappinmom]

GREAT trippie! I'm loving reading it! Your kids aer adorable!!!!!

 

[DisneyObsession]

I just wanted to let you know I am about to go out of town to a family reunion. I am going to reunion with the Cherokee side of the family up in the NE Ga mountains. Sorry I didn't get to the GF tea but there is simply not time. I'll try to post Sun eve or Mon morn.
Have a great weekend everybody.
TTFN
Cherokeemamma

Have a PHENOMENAL trip!

I'll be looking in on you on Mon for more of the TR!