The Mad(die) Hatter's Birthday - First Attempt @ Trip Report

[Stinkerbell1973]

Ok....here I go...my first ever attempt at a trip report. Please bear with me.

We picked DD, Maddie, up at school promptly at 2:30pm on Friday, 9/17. We were back home, in the truck and on the road by 2:45pm. Somehow we managed to MISS all Atlanta Friday afternoon rush hour traffic (angels must have been watching over us). We drove to Lake City, GA and stayed over night at Eagle's Roost Campground (exit 5 on I-75). We have always stayed there on both our trip down and trip home, and we really like this campground (although we don't spend much time there). It takes us about 5 hours to get there from home, and puts us about 3 1/2 to 4 hours from WDW including a one hour stop for lunch.
On Saturday morning, 9/18, as we were packing up to hit the road, we noticed the camper in the site in front of us was from a neighboring county (fall break here in North GA), we also noticed a little girl sitting outside. Maddie went over to talk to her - and we discovered they were on their way to Disney too! We told them we hoped we'd see them there, but knowing how big FtW is, we weren't sure that would really be possible...
Arrived on Disney property around 1pm. It's always such an amazing feeling to drive under the "WALT DISNEY WORLD" arch coming off of the toll road (129 or 429???). Maddie was quite excited in the backseat. We arrived at FtW at 1:15 and were one of 2 campers at check-in. Our CM was a very nice lady from Canada, and mentioned she was relatively new. We had requested the 500 loop and were pleased to learn that we were assigned to site 522 (remember this in a few minutes). When I reserved this trip, I indicated that it was DD's 6th birthday, and our CM gave Maddie a birthday pin and a card signed by Mickey and Minnie. Check in, as always, was a breeze!
Driving to our loop, we noticed right away that FtW was a ghost town! There were not a lot of campers there at all. We made the left hand turn into the loop, drove around to site 522....and there was someone in it! I jokingly told DH to just find a site we liked and we'd call and tell them where we were as there were only 8 campers in the 500 loop up to this part! We did call the front desk, and were quickly reassigned to site 528. I knew immediately I would like this site MUCH better! 522 was out in total sunshine; 528 was nice and shady and backed right up to the canal. CM who switched our site was very apologetic, and stated that no one had been assigned to that site for over a week. No problem for us.
We get backed in and set up relatively quickly. Normally after we check in, we go to the dog park and the playground until time for dinner, as we've only ever been in October and it's normally chilly on arrival day (at least the last 2 years). This time, we donned our swim suits and hurried to the pool! Got there around 3. About an hour later, we ran into the family we met at Eagle's Roost! We played with them for about an hour, then went back to the camper, grilled some steaks and baked potatoes, made green beans, had a (couple) of beers, and headed out for our steadfast arrival day tradition - Campfire Singalong. Met a nice family from NJ and AGAIN ran into the family we met in Valdosta! Maddie and their DD, who is also in kindergarten, had a BIG time together...especially when they got to go up front and dance the hokey pokey! DH and I joked that this was the first time we'd been to the singalong and didn't have to carry a blanket.
We headed back to the camper without watching the movie (Return to Witch Mountain), put DD to bed, and sat down to make our plan for Sunday morning, our first day in the park. We knew we had to be at MK in the evening as we had a surprise dinner reservation at CRT to celebrate DD's birthday. She had no idea what she was in store for....and neither did we!

 

[jenscourt]

Great trip report so far!! Can't wait to read more!

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Great so far! Unless you were only there for a couple of days, it looks like you were there the same time we were. Did you have your green ears out? I didn't see any on the 500 loop.

 

[campingdawgs]

Love the report so far! We are also from the Atlanta area and were there the same week (Sept 18-26). Lots of people we know took the opportunity to go to Disney then. We were in a cabin for the first time, but we looped in a golf cart and I'm sure we passed by your site. Did you have mickey ears or any decorations at your site? I hope ya'll had a great time! We enjoyed the low crowds!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Fun stuff! How cool to run into that family again (twice!). When we were there, we kept running into the same family at the pool, which was great for the kids. Maybe Maddie will have a new "penpal" after your visit is over.

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[*Michele*]

Can't wait to read more!

 

[CooperPrincesses]

Oh yay another great trip report to read while we bide our time till heading to the Ft. We are also going down for DD's birthday so I am excited to hear what kind of Pixie dust your little one got on her big day.

Can't wait to read more. I am addicted to trip reports.

 

[TOGA]

....and neither did we!

Ooooh, sounds ominous . The birthday pin got my DD lots of extra pixie dust in the parks. I'm in and waiting for more.....

 

[doombuqqy]

I am in

 

[Headlesshorseman]

COME ON ALREADY.... It's been 3 days....

HH

 

[liv luvs disney]

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Bump!

...but no pressure, of course...

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Ok...I am back in action! Sorry for the delay, especially the COME ON ALREADY (haha)....our wireless modem has been acting up all week, combined with some long hours at work.....anywho, moving on.

Trying to post pictures for the first time. I feel like such a rookie.
We were in site 528. These pictures were actually taken on our last day, the ONLY day it rained while we were there (Friday) and it was our "free" day. No parks that day.

Our 5er and site. VERY nice! Loved it that we backed up to the canal, although it was green and yucky.

Nice pic of the canal.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

OMG, it worked! Yahoo!

Well, if you look closely at the pic of our 5er above, you can see the lovebugs.

Ok, couple more updates from the first day...

Pics of my beautiful DD at the campfire singalong, and a nice side story. Each trip we've been on, as a family we have shared a "moment". For me and DH, it's seeing DD experience things and react to them. Our moment always involves tears. First trip in Oct 08, it was the day we arrived to FtW. We rode the ferry over to MK, not going over to the parks, just checking things out. Just after we passed the Contemporary, when the castle came into good view, DD (4 at the time) saw it (DH and I had seen the very tips of it a few mins before but didn't say anything, and we didn't point it out to her) and didn't say a word...just sat there quietly as tears streamed down her face...and DH and I cried along with her. Last year, it was at the rope drop ceremony when MM got off the train. This year, it was when Chip and Dale came out during the singalong. Short story long...when we were there in 08 and went to the singalong, we got there SUPER early. Very friendly CM came and started talking to us then asked DD if she'd like to escort C&D down the aisle. She said yes, but I could tell she was skeptical. She was overly stimulated with all the newness and all things Disney, we were all exhausted, and she'd had minimal character experience prior to that. We went to the back of the amphitheater, and C&D came out...and she CLUNG to me and started crying. I thought she was scared but she was so HAPPY she wasn't sure what to do! That was our "year of a million dreams" experience of the trip - we got the little certificate and all. But now, C&D mean the world to her.

This is DD and the sweet girl we met in Valdosta, doing the hokey pokey!

 

[DaveInTN]

Great report! And look at this picture from my last trip report.

We had the same site! It was my favorite site ever.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

We decide for park day #1 (Sunday) to head over to DHS in the morning. It's a Fantasmic day, which should have kept us away, but DD really wanted to ride ToT. That being said, we head over and get there 15 mins before rope drop. RD at DHS wasn't all that grand, IMHO. I was hoping for something a bit more...I dunno....but I guess to me, nothing will compare to RD at MK. DH declares he is going to run to TSM and get FP, so DD and I head over to ToT.
Here she is, waiting in line and EXCITED....so excited, in fact, that she is attempting to comfort the 5YO little boy in line behind us who is riding it for the first time and scared.

Well, the excitement was short lived - she walked off crying! This was the same little girl who a CM convinced to ride it last year, and after the first time begged to ride it two more times! We were the second car loaded, and our "trip" was much longer and we had LOTS of truly free falls...so I think that spooked her. DH said it probably shouldn't have been her very first ride on the very first day...I think I agree.
DH and I went and did RNRC, then we went to the Mermaid show, then TSM. after we rode it, we encountered one of the army men:

Next was the backlot tour, then we decided to leave. On our way out, the HSM3 show was starting, DD wanted to sit and watch. She got invited into the show.

Then....finally....we were on our way back to the Fort. Quick lunch, nap, then we are back at it. Headed over to MK for dinner at CRT and EMH.

To me, there's nothing quite like arriving at MK. Can't really describe it, although I'm sure many of you know what I mean.

We arrive shortly after the parade ends on Main St. It's pretty packed. We head over to Tomorrowland, thinking we have enough time to ride a few things before our 5:40 reservation. We get in line for the Astro Oribter. DD loves this ride (DH does too). Posted wait time was 20 mins. FORTY MINUTES LATER, we get on the ride!
Next, DD has to ride the Peoplemover. We all love it. DH makes a comment to DD as we pass Space Mtn, "maybe you're tall enough to ride it" to which she replies "I hope not!". Haha. Once off, we decide it's best to head toward the castle as it's 5:20 and we weren't exactly sure what to do with regard to checking in. They head to the carousel, I head inside the castle to inquire about our reservation. She tells me to come back in 5 mins to check in! I was giddy. Off the carousel, we make our way toward the castle and DD says she wants to ride Dumbo, PP, etc....we tell her there's something quick we need to do and then we'll ride more. We walk into the castle (each time we've done this in the past, DD walks very slowly and all you hear is "wow"....."wow"...."wow", and ;ast year, she said "mommy, can we one time do something other than just walk in, please") and she sees people lined up to her left (CRT) and right (BBB) and says "mommy, what are they doing?" and I said "I don't know. Let's go find out!" We walk up to the front desk and get down on our knees and say "you know how you've always wanted to do something other than walk through the castle?", she says "yes". I say "Well, Cinderella has asked if we'll have dinner with her and some of her friends tonight with a few other nice people (guests). We are having dinner in HER dining room, here in the castle." She says "really, mommy?"....I say "yes", as I'm getting choked up"....and then came THE look - the same one that appeared on her face the first time she laid eyes on the castle from the ferry...and then came the silent tears. It took her a few moments....but she managed to choke out "thank you, I love you mommy and daddy". That did it. At that moment, I didn't care that the dinner cost me $150. I didn't care that we had unfortunately read scathing reviews of CRT 2 nights before. I didn't care that I was struggling so hard to hold it together that my throat was hurting....at that moment, the only thing I cared about was the joy, contentment, excitement and pure appreciation that radiated out of my daughter's face. We were quickly ushered into the photo room, and the amazement began.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Great report! And look at this picture from my last trip report.

We had the same site! It was my favorite site ever.

VERY cool. And like you, it's my favorite site too.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Well, we walk into the photo room just as the dude is ringing the bell to announce the next family's reservation is ready. We turn the corner - and WOW - are taken back by how beautiful the place is. Wasn't really sure what to expect, but was definitely impressed. Turned the corner and THERE SHE IS! Cinderella is posing for pictures with children and families. There were probably 8 families in line in front of us. DD asks if I brought her autograph book in, I had left it outside in the stroller because all of the reviews we had read said that the princesses would NOT sign autographs during dinner. Well, Cinderella was signing them, so I ran and grabbed it. This was our first experience with an autograph book - I just wasn't used to carrying one around.
Here is DD waiting to have her picture made with Cinderella. Tell me "it" isn't obvious!

Then, it's our turn! Cinderella took LOTS of time with Madeline, they had great discussions about Gus Gus and Jaq, her mean step-sisters and....of course....Prince Charming. I know we had at least 5 minutes with her. And they pose for their picture:

Only a few more guests in line behind us, then they waited quite a while before allowing anymore families in. Cinderella started talking to a couple of the kids there in the room, and DD went and joined in. For TEN MINUTES, they had her undivided attention. Then, our bell is rung and our name is called. That was cool!
We head up the stairs:

And this is what we see:

And we are amazed by how small and intimate this place was! For me, this was one of those "WOW" Disney moments, where you look around and take it in...and you realize the extent that they went to to make it authentic. Blew me away.
So on with dinner. We review the menu. DH orders some fancy cheese thing for an appetizer and the prime rib. I order the shrimp cocktail and the pork chop. DD, in true GA fashion, orders a hot dog. The food wasn't mediocre, it wasn't even good....it was WONDERFUL!
I am happy to report that the CM's were GREAT! They were all "on show" and really helped immerse you into the atmosphere. Our waitress was from Jersey. She was great. She brought DD a magic wand, then made her way back with one for me, then came again with a sword for DH. Then they announced the Wishing Ceremony. They are announing "wave your wand in the air....close your eyes....and make a wish".....DD was trying to eat...amd somehow it all came together:

That's my girl! She can definitely multi-task! This is one of my favorite pics from the trip.

THEN....the other princesses arrive!
Snow White:

Aurora:

Ariel (one of my other fave pics):

And.....Belle! Oh, Belle! Our favorite princess. When she walked out, DD squealed. And then her face....as she looked at Belle....who had on her "library dress". I thought DD was disappointed, but I was wrong. The library dress DOUBLED her excitement! The first thing DD said to Belle when she approached our table was "I am so glad you wore your library dress!". Now, the new reason Belle is my favorite princess. She spent a LOT of time at our table, commented to DD that she was excited that she wanted to celebrate her birthday with her at the castle. DD and Belle discussed how her movie was coming out soon, and DD told Belle that she needed her own castle at Disney! They started talking about dancing....and Belle danced with my daughter! Again - trying so hard to hold it together, throat it hurting...

They talked a little more, then posed for her picture:

**Side note. I hope the women that "play" these princesses realize that they make these little girls so happy. This woman, who was Belle, GETS it. She spent so much time at our table. She was extremely friendly, and did not seem rushed at all. She thanked ME when she left the table. I will never forget that. **

So, what birthday dinner is complete without a cake, in Cinderella's castle, with CM's and such singing Happy Birthday To You?? This was.....well, the icing on the cake.

What an amazing overall experience. It's cool to relive it as I sit and type, and the laptop burns my skin...

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Fun stuff! How cool to run into that family again (twice!). When we were there, we kept running into the same family at the pool, which was great for the kids. Maybe Maddie will have a new "penpal" after your visit is over.

Can't wait to hear more!

Funny you should mention themm being penpals (sort of ). We're having dinner with them tomorrow night and we're camping with them here locally the weekend before Halloween.

 

[Stinkerbell1973]

Love the report so far! We are also from the Atlanta area and were there the same week (Sept 18-26). Lots of people we know took the opportunity to go to Disney then. We were in a cabin for the first time, but we looped in a golf cart and I'm sure we passed by your site. Did you have mickey ears or any decorations at your site? I hope ya'll had a great time! We enjoyed the low crowds!

Wow - Acworth! Super close to us!

We, too, enjoyed the low crowds. The only other time of year we've been is October, and they're low then too....but I'd never WALKED ON RNRC twice in a row until this past trip!