The Magic Happened Here a Jan ’12 TR NEW 9/26 all of Day4)

[JPFamilyMom]

What great souvie's. Love the pic of NR making her purchase Can't wait to read about your OOP dining adventure and thoughts

 

[Oliquig]

Hi! I'm a Rachel too! I came over from another TR, and I love your souvenir photos! I got my niece the Stitch as Elvis ornament they had this year, but we missed the pin. Looking foward to hearing all about your trip!

 

[KatMark]

What great souvenirs -- I love them. And I like you started out with them at the beginning of your TR.

 

[mousescrapper]

Love all your souvenirs!

thanks!

Wow -- awesome souvies!!

This trip we had bought Disney gift cards ahead of time and gave them out to everyone to spend, too. It worked out great and was neat to see Rachel make responsible choices!

yes it really is helpful doing the g/c thing

However, I went over my budget! but they actually had 3 shirts I really loved this time ... and with the AP 10% off discount, everything was just a better bargain


I do the same thing yes we did 1/2 our shopping at Mouse gear so i could use the discount too

I can't wait to see the "secret" souvie and see which photo you pick for your favorite. FYI I'm still working on my photos...not even 1/2 way done so it's a really good thing I did the PP separately this time.

well i can't wait to see them...stay tuned for the other souvie!

Love the necklaces and bracelet with charms on them. What a great idea to add to your collection over the years.

yes i really think rachel will love that, and i do like the necklace too

I Disney shopping! You really got some great stuff! NICE!

thanks

Loving the souvies!! Makes me want to do some Disney shopping
...must... stay... off... Disney.com...

yeah no kidding

Fun souvies! I especially like the kitchen towel and coasters. I like the anniversary mug too and almost bought it but decided it was too small. I love the design though!

the coasters are great!

Love the Sam the Eagle Star Wars figurine that your son got! Can you tell me where he got it and how much? I loved your souvie report!

we got it at the Tatouine traders store, its the dump shop after Star Tours at the Studios did I not list the price it was $ 19.95 for Sam, Gonzo and accessories

I have that mug and it is too small....I can't drink coffee out of it!!

Matt is a tea drinker so perfect size

I love all the souvies! Great idea to post them first - I always forget things by the end, even though I try to take pictures as we buy them.

thanks, that is the 2nd thing i do after we get home, take pictures of all the souvies

I have two of those kitchen towels - in blue. I love them.

I may just have to get another one in oct

I love the charm necklace you got for yourself. I got a Pandora bracelet for Christmas & I bet those charms would fit!

yes i bet they will too

I hope they still have that blue vinyl bag as an incentive in April - if they do, I'll definitely be coming home with one!

Love all the souvies! The Bullseye stand up horse would be great to add to our TS collection.

he is very nice you can pose his legs too!

I think this next trip in will give my oldest gift card to buy souvenirs.

we have done it that way for the past two trips, helps keep track of the souvie spending easier!

Joining in for the fun! Your kids are adorable and are fantastic shoppers from the looks of all their souvenirs.

thanks and

they do make some good Disney shoppers!

Great souvies!! Deirdre would love that Stitch pin, she is a Stitch freak. She also started one of those charm bracelets last year on our trip and is looking forward to getting some new charms on our next trip.

excellent, we go the pins and bracelet/charms at the souvie shops in CR, I love shopping in there!

I also liked the mug and coasters. Hoping they'll have that necklace in June too, did they have bracelets too?

yes they had bracelets too got the mug at CR and coasters at Mouse gear

I think Daniel will be eyeing those Muppet Star Wars figures, that is his obsession.

Nate's too...Muppets that is

What great souvie's. Love the pic of NR making her purchase Can't wait to read about your OOP dining adventure and thoughts

it was cute it will be coming up after i get through the first day i think

Hi! I'm a Rachel too! I came over from another TR, and I love your souvenir photos! I got my niece the Stitch as Elvis ornament they had this year, but we missed the pin. Looking foward to hearing all about your trip!

Hi rachel and ...my other dd Bekah is the real Stitich enthusiast she has one stitch ornament too, but no an Elvis one

What great souvenirs -- I love them. And I like you started out with them at the beginning of your TR.

thanks kathy...helps stall time as i await the PP CD

 

[mousescrapper]

Day 1) Sunday January 15th
Travel Day…

The plan of the day was for Matt and me to get up first, be ready and then start getting the kids up to head out for the airport no later than 5 am. I woke up before my alarm; I don't recall sleeping that well, but oh well. I got up about 3:20 am and Matt got up after me, we both got cleaned up and then started getting the kids up...they were excited and getting a bit loud...but we managed getting out the door right on time at 5 am...as I was double cking that Matt had his phone and wallet, we realized Bekah didn't have her phone, luckily we had just pulled out of the drive.

We made great time to my sisters and my BIL was waiting for us at 5:45 am. He took over driving and got us quickly to the airport, he brought us in the parking garage, he used his work id to bypass the fee. We were able to get out and go up into the arrival area inside, instead of needing to stand in the frigid cold.

We thanked him for the drive and made our way over to the ticket check area. I prefer doing it outside, since it's a bit quicker, but hey I saved 10 dollars by not needing to tip anyone...

We got thru security with no real issues, except I forgot to take the hand sanitizer out of Matt's bag, so they had to run that thru two times. They even sent us over out of the way so we didn't feel rushed. Also none of the kids had to take off their shoes so that was very helpful.

At our gate, I thought I recognized someone from our church, and then his wife came up and sure enough I knew them. We chatted quickly as they were heading to WDW as well and staying at OKW. We also met a family, who was going down for their first trip, and we chatted briefly and I noticed they had a DME tag on a backpack that said Poly so I told them about some of the fun stuff there.

I had packed our usual airport breakfast of muffins and some fruit and Matt got us drinks (6 drinks and $16.70 later) we noshed on that and the kids looked out the windows, played on their DSI’s and chatted. We did a few restroom runs before it was time to board.

Boarding went well w/ Matt able to do the pre board w/ Nathan and then luck had they let me board w/ the girls after group A went and Matt was able to get us two rows so we didn't need to fend for seats. That was lucky... I sat w/ Naomi-Ruth and Rebekah, while Matt had Nathan and Rachel in front of us.

I think the flight took off on time, it seemed to take awhile to leave the gate, but the pilot still said we should arrive a bit early.

All the kids behaved well, playing on DSI’s NR was a bit antsy and talkative, but behaving well. She kept asking “are we there yet?”

As we were landing, the plane circled around And we got to see SSE. Sorry no pictures, but believe me, it was cool, I think it was the second or third time we have gotten to see it as we are landing. It took a few minutes for NR to figure it out…I’m like “see the ball on the horizon?” And Bekah says to me “Mom she doesn’t know what a horizon is”

Hard to tell in the picture, but she is showing her plush Ariel, Disney…

We got into Orlando 25 min early and made it quickly off the plane, just had to wait for the stroller, and we took a quick restroom stop and then took the mini monorail

over to the baggage area and down to the DME area and walked right on the bus.

We pulled out at 11:51 am

We sat on the bus for a few minutes before pulling out and why do always choose to sit in the middle where I can’t get a good shot of the sign


Some family sat down in front of Nathan and he asked the boy "how many times he'd been here" he said this was his first time...Nathan said “well I'm a pro, I have been here 5 times" LOL

So excited to be back!!!

Nathan has a thing for gnomes, I really have no idea how this obsession started but he has a growing collection. For Christmas in his stocking I bought him a travel size gnome (Bekah actually found it at the book store) he was ready for his first Disney adventure too:

Watching the video (they really need to update this again)

After 3 stops to the Poly, GF and WL we finally made it over to the CR at 12:50pm. (No we didn’t abandon the bus at the Poly like Matt and I did back in Oct) We got off the bus and were greeted y the hostesses outside and they took us inside to the online check in area. Check in took a little while, w/ a big group in front of us...but the kids got right to pin trading and NR made a quick friend w/ a CM trading and got a magic moment card plus a sticker from a diff CM.

While I got things sorted out, the kids watched some cartoons:

We got a room that was ready, which was nice. I knew right away we’d be overlooking the lake by the odd numbered room, was bummed we weren’t too high, but was happy to have a ready room.

So we headed on over and had a nice room identical to our 2010 stay but on the 4th floor overlooking the back courtyard and pool.

I snagged a picture of the kids outside our room before going in:

A Mousekeeper was going by and offered to take a group picture, I thought that was nice, too bad Bekah blinked:

Sorry I took no inside shots other than a few later in the trip. This being our 3rd BLT stay, the allure of OMG look at our room, has transitioned to: we are “home” and kick off your shoes and relax feeling…that’s a great thing, I might add.

We just love staying here and having all this space to spread out in. I do have a couple evening and early morning view shots that were taken a few days later:

Yes we got to see the Electric Water Pageant most evenings yet again…I love hearing that music and standing out on the balcony in your pjs w/ a ton of other guests too, it’s like Disney slumber party w/ entertainment…hey that IS what it is…hahaha


If you want to see what a 2 BR villa at BLT looks like you can click on the links below that will take you to a post from our 2010 TR when we stayed in one the last time:

Link # 1 http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=39159462&postcount=34

Link # 2 http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=39171406&postcount=41

After the pictures in link two I tell a little more about our overall stay at BLT…and then some other TR stuff from a rough moment of the trip…so you don’t need to read that

After a brief potty break and organizing ourselves to head out we got ready for our first park of the trip, some time at the Magic Kingdom!

Stay tuned…

Up NEXT: Day 1) cont. “don’t be scared it’s just the haunted mansion…”
Thanks for reading, J~​

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Woo-Hoo for a smooth travel day! No small feat for a family of 6!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great start!!!

And the room was ready!!

 

[KatMark]

Love your travel day post. How nice of BIL to drive you and hooray for flight landing early. And how great you didn't have to wait long for the ME to take off. Our son just arrived in Orlando today to spend some time with his girlfriend who is down there with her family; he's at BLT and took ME. He got off at the Polynesian and took the monorail to the CR...all on his own without anyone telling him it would be shorter.

Love the photos of the water parade (since we've not stayed at the Poly in seven years, we've missed it all those years).

 

[Marshay]

Yeah for safe travels and getting home to your home!

Love seeing the excitement in everyone's faces.

Can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[teekathepony]

Yayyyy you made it!! Sounds like an easy travel so far. Can't wait to hear the rest!

 

[eandesmom]

what a perfect travel day! You can't ask for much more than all of that.


Feeling at home right away, how wonderful is that!!!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm glad your travel day went smoothly! I love your analogy of a Disney slumber party watching the EWP!

 

[KTgE]

I'm joining in!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Love all the souvenirs and everyone looks so happy on the travel day!!! What a great start to your vacation!

 

[Native NYer]

Great souvenirs.
Smooth travel days are always the best.

 

[Oliquig]

A Disney sleepover with entertainment!

I love it!

 

[mousescrapper]

so I have not been able to get on the Dis much at all lately...I try to read here and there on my ipad I'm actually been going through one TR for several days now

my life has become increasingly busy w/ the addition of one more...no I didn't have a baby but I provide private childcare in my home to two little ones and let's say I kind of forgot how one is so busy watching two babies...actually newborn twins seemed eaiser but this week due to some other circumstances I just have one so I am trying to get caught up on some things...like this TR!

so please stay tuned and bear w/ me...

Woo-Hoo for a smooth travel day! No small feat for a family of 6!

yes it actually went off w/out a hitch

Great start!!!

And the room was ready!!

thanks Amy and yes having a room ready was a pleasant surprise!

Love your travel day post. How nice of BIL to drive you and hooray for flight landing early. And how great you didn't have to wait long for the ME to take off. Our son just arrived in Orlando today to spend some time with his girlfriend who is down there with her family; he's at BLT and took ME. He got off at the Polynesian and took the monorail to the CR...all on his own without anyone telling him it would be shorter.

Love the photos of the water parade (since we've not stayed at the Poly in seven years, we've missed it all those years).

that is agreat story about your son yes we are lucky to have good family in the area! and i love that parade it's a nice perk of staying there

Yeah for safe travels and getting home to your home!

Love seeing the excitement in everyone's faces.

Can't wait to hear about your trip!

yes getting to our home we were all very excited more coming up next!

Yayyyy you made it!! Sounds like an easy travel so far. Can't wait to hear the rest!

it was working out pretty good so far, but then I made some rookie mistakes in touring

what a perfect travel day! You can't ask for much more than all of that.


Feeling at home right away, how wonderful is that!!!

I agree completely!

I'm glad your travel day went smoothly! I love your analogy of a Disney slumber party watching the EWP!

thanks...it is kind of funny

I'm joining in!

hi and

Love all the souvenirs and everyone looks so happy on the travel day!!! What a great start to your vacation!

thanks jackie, we got some fun stuff and it was a good way to start out!

Great souvenirs.
Smooth travel days are always the best.

I agree and thanks

A Disney sleepover with entertainment!

I love it!

me too, can't wait to get back!

 

[mousescrapper]

Day 1) Cont. First Park of the trip MK

We arrived at MK just before 2 pm I believe and first thing was a stop at Guest services to obtain an updated Guest Assistance card for Nathan.

Nathan and Rebekah are both Autistic, but very different.

Different diagnosis, different struggles, issues and challenges in their daily lives and needs and when we do Disney. But thankfully overall, Nathan does quite well here at WDW and we are equally lucky that Disney accommodates him so well w/ the GAC. We do our very best to try and tour in the off times and hit rides w/ not long waits, but as you know it’s almost not completely avoidable. For Nathan dealing w/ sensory struggles w/ Aspergers, the crowds, confined queue areas make him anxious and frustrated. We use the GAC as insurance to get us in quicker so we can enjoy the ride and have a good time. Flexibility is key…he may see a 10 minute wait posted and immediately start worrying, but he uses coping strategies to manage some of the shorter waits.

We come back to Disney year after year because we CAN do this as a family and we love it!


As Matt and the girls waited, they played follow the leader around a tree:

It was crowded, but we managed to make our way up MS to Liberty Square and convinced the little girls to go on the HM...it was mighty packed over there and a bit of a squeeze fest getting onto the ride.

Of course Nathan was panicking because the GAC led us to the almost end of the queue before entering the Mansion, unlike previous times we have gone in through the Servants Quarters, Rachel and Naomi-Ruth were getting equally nervous “I don’t want to go” “I’m scared”…we assured them we’d never take them on anything that really was that scary, it’s all pretend and the ghosts are having a party and they invited us…”don’t be scared it’s just the haunted mansion” yeah that’s sounds convincing LOL

The last trip we didn’t make it on all together and had to split up, we were determined to get Rachel over her irrational fear of this ride, you loved it before, we reminded her… Luckily we managed getting through the fears and crowds and had a good time.

Rachel wasn’t too sure but she seemed to like it…we’ll see we’ll try again for another group ride when it’s not so crowded so we can go through the new cemetery queue…

NR was a little more ease as she sat on my lap during the ride and I talked her through the whole ride…

Now that we survived that it was time to EAT! We were HUNGRY!

We went to lunch at CHH, we had some confusion w/ ordering but had a good meal. Before we went on the trip, I went through all the menus of the places we planned to eat at so I could form our budget and then made ordering notes on our tour cards. Apparently the fluster of getting the first meal and not doing our usual plan of Matt sit w/ 3 kids and Bekah stays w/ me to order we all ended up at the ordering queue (it kind of bugs me they do that now and wont let you grab a table first) But we got it sorted out.

This would be our most expensive QS meal of the trip, since I ordered 6 meals and 4 adult drinks too.

I tried the new peppercorn salad it was pretty good. I really thought the huge pieces of fresh crisp broccoli were a nice touch and the chicken was nto breaded, made for an actual healthy choice. On a side note, they no longer have the individual salad dressing packets out at the condiment bar…

We ordered NR the allergy free tenderloins which actually held up our whole order which I thought was odd. Made note to myself to order separately next time. But luckily after the drinks came and Bekah and I brought those upstairs to find the table, I only had to wait a little bit longer.

I was glad that she ate almost all of them and ate her sides too! I was able to have it charged as a kid meal for the sides/drink combo so that worked out nice.

Rachel had the kid meal mac and cheese which would be a common meal for her this trip, good thing she likes Disney mac and cheese and it was just enough for her w/ the sides.

We shared some fries around the table and Matt and Bekah got chicken strips and Nathan had a fish basket meal, which he noted “um why is this called a fish basket if it comes on a plate?” LOL

Nathan’s traveling gnome got into our first Disney meal of the trip too:

On the way out we stopped to say hello to the bell ringer, what a fun job huh?

We now headed over to PPF and it was getting busy and very crowded bck here, w/ the stroller parking out in front of IASW the walkway here was very congested, I was very glad we didn’t have NR’s stroller at this point so we didn’t need to deal w/ that!

Matt snagged this awesome photo of my and the lil girls:

cont next post​

 

[mousescrapper]

We next cut across the crowds to IASW and made a minor mistake in remembering where we could enter w/ the GAC but got it figured out. We had a bit of a wait so had an opportunity to take a few photos:

And look this picture has a built in time stamp

I looked for that action sign in the window by PVH like Matt and I saw in Oct. but it wasn’t there, weird? Onto the ride, we totally love this ride and get into all the scenes, dancing, singing ducking from the egg throwing platypuses and me getting freaked by those weird corn silk people in the Latin America scene w/ the red yes or and don’t get me started on the freaking clown in the white scene HAHA

I love this picture!

And here’s our favorite rock band:

We were going to ride the Carrousel, but it was pretty full and we decided we didn’t want to deal w/ the line/wait. I made a note that it felt very crowded and full and Nathan was having a bit of trouble, so we kept on moving. But first we stopped by the Sword in the Stone for some photo ops:

PULL!

We now went on SWSA and had a good time playing along w/ the scenes in this ride too…I don’t know when this is planned to be closed, but most likely this is one of our last times on it…

Before we actually entered the ride I asked the twins to turn around for a picture…look at this:

Do they look alike or what? I mean they do look alike but this is uncanny, I love this picture!

Here are some more for your enjoyment:

“NO Snow White don’t take it!”

At some point we finally stopped to give the kids some of the new trading pins I had bought from ebay before leaving we meant to give them to the kids at the airport, but somehow we forgot.

cont next post​

 

[mousescrapper]

Up next was WTP, we used the GAC again for this and planned to check out the playing queue another time, Matt snagged a few construction pictures too:

Rebekah keeping occupied in the line:

And some parental discipline in action:

I had no idea Matt took this picture next of this ladies shoes…quite unique huh?

We now decided to start making our way out of the park but first stopped for some PP Pictures I made a note it was about 5:15 pm at this point:

I just love the new photopass borders, aren’t they fun!

We walked back to BLT for a rest and dinner…

See me, making notes on my touring card

I’m not completely positive what we did when we got back to the room, but I know we called up for our groceries and our suitcases were in the room so I got busy organizing and putting things away for our stay. We prepped the pull out chair bed for Nathan and matt helped make dinner. The kids looked at their pins and watched some tv while resting a bit too. Here are some pictures from our first meal in the villa, we had hamburger helper w/ salad:

Up NEXT: packed like sardines and out till the next day…
Stay tuned for more MK fun

Thanks for reading, J​