The Ph'D's at BCV Jan 3rd to 10th 2007

[DisneyPhD]

WDW family trip report Jan 3rd to Jan 10th 2007.


Beach Club Villas, The crew: Mrs. PhD, Mr. PhD, 2 DD's Anna 5 years old, Lily 2 years old.. This was Anna's 10th trip to WDW, and Lily's 4th. (Yes my kids are spoiled in some ways, this is one of them.)

We are VWL owners so we were set to stay there, but our wait list for BCV (our favorite DVC resort) came though so we were happy to stay there. However our ADR's were all made thinking we were staying at VWL.

Our flight from Detroit went well. We are getting better at managing all the luggage and kids (and consolidating, and brining less.) We got to MCO and were excited to skip the line at the rental car and not have to stop at the store for food. I don't know why I was surprised at the long line at Magical Express though. However they were very efficient and it was not long before we were on our way to BCV (with just a stop or 2 before getting there.) I saw a women with Mickey crocs and a hot pink Baglini bag. (I myself had a steal blue Baglini bag and we all had new Mickey Crocs for the trip.) For the 1st time I donned a pair of Lime Green Mickey heads too. One on the mesh part of the Baglini and one on my lanyard I used to carry the tickets and other important things in.

The magical express busses are comfy, and the video (Disney commercial) was cute and fun. Lily fell asleep on the way, that was her nap for the day. Since we all woke up at 5:00 am it was a long day, but we were in a great mood. Once at BCV we had our choice of pool view rooms (as requested.) The one we really wanted wasn't ready, but should be should be soon we decided to wait for it. I think it might of been ready sooner, but we had lunch at Beaches and Cream and then swam in the pool (SAB) for a while. When I called at 3:00 it was ready, and our luggage was in the room when we got there. We got room 412 and if I could pick any room in the whole resort this would be it for us. Nothing like getting a good room to start off the mood right. We had the dinning plan, but since we had ADR's at Hoop De Do Review (2 dining credits) we decided to pay cash for the meal. The weather was in the high 70's low 80's and it was perfect. While at the pool I got a cell phone call from Garden Grocer, the food I had pre ordered was on the way and he would leave it at the front desk, or I could meet him there to inspect it. He called back when he arrived and I walked over to meet him. He was very nice. He had a list of the food (I had brought one I printed up too.) He had a marker for me to check it all off. Even the food they didn't have on their list, but I had requested was in there. I was really happy with Garden Grocer. This was our 1st time and it went great. Not having to stop at the store or rent a car saved us a lot of $ too. Even preparing the list ahead of time saved us because I didn't buy too much. I really recommend them. Bell services stored it all for us.

Once in the room it looked great (no complaints for us). We had a new DVD player in the room (studio) but the cable wasn't connected right so we called for someone to come and fix it. While waiting we had the kids watch a DVD (we brought some with us, we had a portable DVD player too.) This resulted in us missing the weather report, something that would of been a good thing to see looking back now. Oh well. Into each life and vacation some rain must fall.

Once rested we headed out to Epcot. Our Mickey Crocs were getting a bit of attention every where we went. Both Lily and DH never wore any other the whole trip, but Anna and I switched things around some. We rode JIM and then had dinner at the land. Since Lily is under 3 she isn't on the dinning plan, we paid cash for her meal. I regret this now (but really what is $4.) We ended up with lots of extra counter service meals so it wasn't an issue later.) The food at the land counter service is good, but it is crazy. Knowing what is included in the plan can be difficult too. We were starting to get nervous. People were coming in with rain poncho's on. We hadn't seen a weather report and were not prepared (even though we bought poncho's, umbrella's and stroller rain covers with us, they were back in the room.) Before we stepped into the movie (something we hadn't seen in years.) I ran out and it was pouring. The stroller was mostly under the pavilion. The girls had their blankets so we figured they could cover with that and we would stick them in the dyer across the hall when we got back to the room. However luck was with us and it let up to a light drizzle by time we left. Still we called it a night and headed back to the room. At least it was still warm. Gosh I love going to Florida in the winter. Everyone was asleep when the fireworks at MK and Illuminations went off at 9:00 (expect me of course.) I went out the balcony and we could see the MK fireworks, and hear Epcot (but not see them.) I even slept well that night (something that never happens in hotel rooms.) Even as a family of 4 we fit rather nice in a studio. Anna liked the pull out couch, and Lily loves to sleep in a pack and play. We didn't have a lot of play room, but we made it work just fine.

More to come. Pictures too (but my program to shrink them isn't working so I have to make some changes. )

Thanks for reading. Still a little sad to be home, but getting used to it.

 

[gottalovethem]

DisneyPHd, looking forward to reading more! Great about the Garden Grocer!

Magical Express never did show the commercials when we were on that bus, neither to or from the airport Glad it was working for you!

 

[Disney owl]

Thanks for sharing

 

[DisneyPhD]

So far today I haven't gotten much done, other then this Trip report, but I am flying on it. Got to get it all down while it is still fresh in my mind. Even then I need to look at the pictures to remember the order we did things.


Day 2, Jan 4th.

Another wonderful weather day. (this time we did check the weather report.)

MK today. Busses are win some lose some, this was a lose. Not a major one, but still a wait no less. Then the bus was full and we didn't get a seat. The thing was it was one of those busses with seats all along the sides, and it didn't have any handle loops. DD's and I got stuck in the section right in front of the back door. There was nothing to hold on to (remember I am short) and we were bouncing around like a ball in a pin ball machine. DD (2 years old and super tiny) was holding on to me for dear life, but I had nothing to hold on too. I was rather bothered that there were a number of young able bodied people with out young kids sitting and watching us struggle. I normally have such good luck with babies on the bus some kind sole always offers me a seat, but not this time. Then the doors opened and I didn't realized DD was so close and she got trapped in it. Bad mommy moment. At least she didn't get hurt and shook it off. After all we were at MK, our 1st day let's enjoy it. We wore our Mickey tie die shirts (thank you Dis) we made earlier in the year and all had Mickey crocs on. Off to Dumbo. Since we were there well after opening, (it had been a long wait for the bus) there was a bit of a line, we saw some dream crew people leaving Dumbo, but no signs of them giving anything out. My guess is the people in front of us got dream fast passes. The whole trip we saw tons of people with them. I asked a few and it appears the best time to get one is be there right a opening and be in line for something.

We made it around fantasy land, but was pretty busy (it was only Jan 4th after all) so we did some fast pass things and TTA and it was time to get out of there. We ate lunch at Columbia harbor house. As they didn't have chicken strips as a kids meal I just ordered 2 adult meals and that worked for the 4 of us great. Anna rode BTM with DH (who got a fast pass before we left.) Lily feel asleep on the bus ride back (much better luck this time) and rested in the room while DH look Anna out to the BCV pool to swim while I read a book on the balcony (and called a few friends on my cell.) The lady in the room next to me was having some very loud cell phone conversations herself. I kept moving around so she could hear someone was next to her, but I couldn't go back in the room, or I would wake Lily. Actually she was so loud I could hear her clearly even after she went back in her own room and shut the door. The 1st was with her boyfriend or DH at home who sent her flowers (aw) the other was with her best friend (maybe X) who was on this trip with her, but apparently has ditched her the whole time and left the women all alone to wonder Epcot She really laid into this "friend" but I did feel sorry for her. Who wants to be at WDW, missing family not wanting to be alone and having no one to share it with. They were running the marathon, and I didn't hear a peep from her the rest of the trip. I hope it got better for her.

After nap I dressed Lily and we headed down to meet DH and DD and go to SAB. We stopped to get a snack at the Beach Club market place. Lily has food allergies to milk and eggs, but this past Oct we had test results that she had outgrown the egg, and the milk was very minor. We could start introducing them slowly and we had. She was doing so well we thought she could try ice cream at WDW. We got Anna a Mickey ice cream bar, but since I wanted to start a little slower we got a strawberry shortcake one for Lily. Who loved it, just loved it. However it didn't love her. She had a clear rash around her face (her allergy tell tale.) No other problems or issues, she said she felt ok, but I gave her some Benedryl before we left for dinner. I guess we have to back of dairy again. She was doing so well too. Good thing the allergy is still listed on all our ADR's. Still just being able to let her eat cake and things like that was so great. Wow it makes life so much easier.

Once at Epcot we had enough time to shop around some, see Mary Poppins in England and play with the train set (big hit with Lily). We shopped at Canada and got Lily a rag Anne of Green Gables doll. I love Anne. It was on clearance, but it was still $13, it was normally 18. This is not a big doll. I wonder why so much? Anyway Lily picked it up and carried it all over later. We saw O Canada (It was really cute Lily was signing it, so funny to hear a 2 year old sing Canada!) After we checked in at La Celier. The kids colored KidCot masks, but the wait was rather long. They were turning people away but it was still almost a 30 min wait once checked in (with ADR's of course.) While walking in we saw a family with really great Mickey Head Tie Die shirts on. We took one look at each other (we still had ours on.) and said in unison "DISborads right?" Too funny. It turned out to be Mommyeoe, who let me know it was here by a post when we got home. It was pretty funny. The tables at LaCelier at so close you feel like you are eating with the party next to you. Luckily this time as most they were super nice people. Good meal, and the chief was good about the food allergies. The kids just split a plate of plan pasta and the CM bought us all pretzel bread as we requested. Ice cream was the only option for dessert, but Lily shared some of DD"s chocolate cake (still had some milk in it but she was fine.) The couple next to us had an issue with their Dinning plan card and they were pretty mad about it. Apparently this had been happening all trip to them. We didn't have any, and the total for DH's and mine food alone was over $100 so the meal plan was a good deal tonight. They do have you sign 2 checks now, they do one for child credits and one for adults. After we walked around and did kid cot masks and ended up at Japan to view Illuminations. We both had new camera phones and we had fun taking pictures during the trip. It is great to pick up my phone to make a call and see pictures of WDW on it! I didn't think I would enjoy the new phone that much. The new phones with unlimited cell to cell use was much easier then the walky talkies and didn't have battery issues as our old walkie talkies did. We watched the show from the balcony, but Lily asked to lay down in the stroller and feel asleep. They were both out on the walk back and looked so sweet. Thank goodness for double strollers that recline. We had a lovely walk back to our room. I love staying at BCV for this reason. Busses at night with 2 sleeping kids and a double stroller are not easy.

I love the start of a trip when you feel like a week is so much time and can just relax, you will get to it all eventually. Tomorrow we did MK again. You can never get too much MK.

Thanks for reading. I think I need to clean my house some and put someone down for nap.

 

[BeautyNBeast]

Looking to read more. I am from MI too, Clarkston though.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Jan 5th, Friday. Another perfect weather day. In fact I think it was a record high for Orlando.

Off to MK. Once again the bus to MK was a wait (around 20 min.) We never seem to be making it to MK for opening. Part of it was we could of gotten out a little bit earlier, but then again you never know with those bus waits. At least we got a seat though. The girls had their princess dresses with them, but Lily didn't want to ware hers. Anna kept leaving sparkles everywhere. This time we headed to Tomorrow Land got fast passes for Buzz and Tomorrow Land Speedway and TTA before heading over to Toon town at opening and to ride Goofy. We waited in a short line for Snow white and some others characters, but the line for the princesses was 70 min. We were not going to do that. DD was wearing snow white anyway. One of the best pictures turned out burly though. After did Buzz with fast pass and ate at Cosmic Rays (DH loves Sunny Eclipse for some sentimental reason.) After we were just in time for story time with Belle and rode the tea cups then we had a seat on main street and watched the parade. They had some games before hand, and Anna played duck duck goose hula hoops while we waited. After that we took the bus home, but Lily refused to nap. She knew that pool was calling her name. This time we discovered that Lily also loved the little slide on the other side of SAB. We also discovered that it was ok for her go down on my lap and she LOVED that.

Anna made a friend at the pool and had a great time on the slide. Time flies when you are having fun, and we had to rush back to the room for baths. As monorail is more dependable then busses, we walked across Epcot and took that over, walking from TTC to Poly. We had considered canceling this ADR and going someplace else. I wish we had now, but hind site is 20/20. We got there on time, it wasn't even super crazy busy. However after short wait to get seated I felt so rushed by the CM there. As they led us to the same table we ate at last time (in the corner behind a wall, so you couldn't see anything) I commented on it and too bad it wasn't the 1st table we ever had near the windows. The CM told us. "If you want a good table to have to request it when you make reservations." I thought, "that is what we will do, then I thought, if we come again." The 1st time we ever ate at Ohannas it was great. We both said "How come we never ate here before?" This was the old menu. The 2nd time it was aright, This time it was less then great. Too many great places at WDW to waste our time here again. The chief pretty much insisted Lily eat of the kids menu (to avoid diary issues) Since we were there before we knew the beef has butter on it and it contaminated all the other food, they have to grill all our food separately to be safe. However we didn't need that this time, her allergy isn't as bad, butter isn't as big of a deal. Still they didn't even offer that. The service wasn't great, the games and such the guy running them seemed to be phoning it in and they never did hula hoops (my DD's favorite.) It was enough for us to say, last time at Ohanna's. The final straw was the CM refused to give them both shaved ice for dessert (with out paying extra). I mentioned the chief said Lily could have it instead of ice cream, so she said he would only bring one out. It was really big, so sharing wasn't an issue, but he could of just said that. My bread pudding was super dry, I was so looking forward to it since I couldn't eat it last year (as I was food source to a allergic child.) Only after the fact I realized he didn't bring the sauce. We had to wait a while to check out too (even though we gave him our card when we 1st got there to be sure we had the credits) They said it wouldn't work and they had to "force it" after a while. Looks like the people next to us where not the only ones with issues with the dinning plan cards. We had no problems at all with snack credits and counter service, just every other table service meal it seems like.

We took the monorail back to Epcot and then realized it was pm EMH at Epcot. We got bands and went over to the living seas (after stopping at the light up side walk of course) DD loved the sea gulls outside on the rocks that say "Mine, Mine, Mine." She laughed and laughed. There was no wait at all for the new Nemo ride, but the walk into it is long (but the queue looks wonderful.) Disney hit this one right on the head. They did a great job, it isn't a major E ticket ride, but for what it is, it is great. Cute, good use of technology, just what kids want. We loved it. In fact the new living seas was the surprise hit for us for the trip. 10 days later Lily is still saying "mine, mine, mine?" It is so cute, and it hasn't even gotten old........... yet that. I wonder how long it is going to be funny for. Of course I got it on tape later on the trip. We saw Turtle Talk with crush (how do they do that?) They kids were pretty tried, so we wondered around and out of the park. Everyone seemed so relaxed and having a great time. Once again, they were asleep by the time we got back to the room.

Someone asked on another thread what Nemo ride was like. Here it is, don't read if you don't want to know, but I still left some surprises out.

The Nemo ride is a dark ride in a clam shell. It isn't fancy, but just well done. The theming is great, the queue is long, but looks and feels just like the beach. They project Nemo and others on to the Aquarium and use technology to make it all look very good, fast moving and fun. Nemo bops around, kids love to "find him". It isn't scary, but there are some tense moments.You ride on the current with the turtles. Lots of fun all around. Now if they could just redo Journey Into Your Imagination and get it right too, that would be great. The end is funny with the starfish in the tank too. You leave it wanting to ride it again. (we did 3 times over the whole trip.) The interactive section next to it is closed (where you could pet rays etc...) The CM said it would be a new wonderful theater in a few months (should be open when we come back in March.) The Area with the Sharks is still open. Along with all the other old area's.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Looking to read more. I am from MI too, Clarkston though.

Hi, My best friend lives in RH so we are out that way a few times a month.

 

[jbmom]

Great start, can't wait to read more! I'm from Michigan too, west side of the mitten. My husband grew up in Sterling Heights though.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hi jbmom, I went to WMU in Kzoo. I used to work at the YMCA in Portage. (the I was a Kindergarden plus class aid.) Of cours this was around 15 years ago. Man I feel old now.

 

[jbmom]

Hi jbmom, I went to WMU in Kzoo. I used to work at the YMCA in Portage. (the I was a Kindergarden plus class aid.) Of cours this was around 15 years ago. Man I feel old now.

We were at WMU at the same time then, that is funny. My DH used to work at the YMCA on Howard St. It really is a small world.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We were at WMU at the same time then, that is funny. My DH used to work at the YMCA on Howard St. It really is a small world.

I guess that makes us both old then. I was lived in Garune (I don't think I spelled that right) in the 2nd valley 1990-91 and French 1991-1992. (I think that is right I have to think about that for a while.) I transfered back to Metro Detroit (Maddona College) to graduate in social work though after that.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Hey You! You're back!!! I'm loving what I am reading... it's making me so excited for my turn... only one week left (not to make you sad... sorry!) I can't wait to read more!

I'm glad your trip down went well. I assume you had perfect weather that morning, as it has been pretty much perfect for months (knock on wood) here.

That's crazy that nobody offered up their seat even after they saw you struggle! I would have jumped up and gave you my seat! And poor Lily! At least it didn't phase her, but still that's no way to start a Magic Kingdom morning! What a cutie!

I loved how you described the walk back to BCV from Epcot after IllumiNations... I can just picture my DF and I doing the same thing someday in the future (waaay into the future...)!

It's too bad it wasn't all that good at Ohanna's. I'm glad you posted about it though, because I was contemplating having my wedding dinner there, it was one of my places to think about. I guess I'll check that one off the list! It doesn't sound that appealing, and even the CM's seem a little rude or unwilling to go "above and beyond" from what you said. Nothing I want to risk for my wedding dinner!

Sounds like you had fun... can't wait to read the rest! Keep posting!

 

[LovableGluttons]

Great trip report! WIshing to be at the World now too

 

[jbmom]

Yeah, I'm old. I was in Bigelow 1989-90 and Hadley in Valley 1 1990-91. I didn't like the valley, too far to walk in the winter!

 

[OhMari]

My dd lives in Marquette MI and goes to NMU and works at the YMCA, sorry, I just had to add.

Glad you had a great start to your trip.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hey You! You're back!!! I'm loving what I am reading... it's making me so excited for my turn... only one week left (not to make you sad... sorry!) I can't wait to read more!

I'm glad your trip down went well. I assume you had perfect weather that morning, as it has been pretty much perfect for months (knock on wood) here.

That's crazy that nobody offered up their seat even after they saw you struggle! I would have jumped up and gave you my seat! And poor Lily! At least it didn't phase her, but still that's no way to start a Magic Kingdom morning! What a cutie!

I loved how you described the walk back to BCV from Epcot after IllumiNations... I can just picture my DF and I doing the same thing someday in the future (waaay into the future...)!

It's too bad it wasn't all that good at Ohanna's. I'm glad you posted about it though, because I was contemplating having my wedding dinner there, it was one of my places to think about. I guess I'll check that one off the list! It doesn't sound that appealing, and even the CM's seem a little rude or unwilling to go "above and beyond" from what you said. Nothing I want to risk for my wedding dinner!

Sounds like you had fun... can't wait to read the rest! Keep posting!

Hey Megs, your trip is getting closer. I can't wait to hear about it! I can just picture you and DH years from now wondering Epcot after dark with the kids asleep. By then Anna will be old enough to go along as your babysitter!

We meet an couple that EMH night at Epcot who said they were married at WDW 7 years ago and had their dinner at Ohanna's. The quality has gone down. I guess I would put a thread about it and see what the majority says.

I know you would of jumped up and offered the seat. Really the rest of the trip we were either offered a seat, or waited for another bus. We also spent more time just walking from Epcot to avoid the whole buss situation. I was thrilled with everything at BCV, but the busses are not the best. There are so few, and they don't run too often.

Funny all the people from MI. Of course this time of year FLA is were we all want to be.

jbmom, yes the valleys were a long walk out, I lived in the 5th floor last room. It was as far off campus you could get and still be on it. I think that is why I only weighed 95 pounds then.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ok, here is some pictures for now.

This is at MK in our tie die shirts.

This is at the Ariel statue at BCV.

This is my new siggy picture, but big enough to actually see.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Meg, this one is for you. The girls fast alseep in the stroller.

My little snow white at the Castle.

Donald with the girls dressed up in Toon Town.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Here is me and the girls with Mary Poppins. Remember, it's a jolly holiday with Mary, (or at least that is what Mr.PhD says.)

Here is Lily with the seagulls at the Sea. Mine? Mine? MINE?

 

[DisneyPhD]

Time for another instalment.

Jan 7th, Saturday. The day of the half Marathon. Another sunny and beatiful day.

We decided to walk to Epcot this day. Avoid Marathon traffic, and it was great to not take bus. We went right to land for fast passes for soaring and then over to the seas. This is where Lily really got into the Mine seagulls. She just laughed and laughed. We rode Nemo again (no wait.) and explored inside. We had some time to kill before our fast pass was ready, so we bopped into Inventions. Well we almost never got out again. Turns out there is a new display for Chemistry and Nanotubes. Those who know us knows that the Real PhD is DH and that is in Chemistry (he is a college professer.) Well he had a blast making molecules. I left them there to get fast passes for test track and when I came back DH was talking with another guest who was a recent chem. grad. He was having fun. We took pictures and emailed them to friends (and DD's K teacher, she was thrilled with it.) I had to drag them all out (the kids had discovered some computer games in there too.)

DH and Anna rode Soaring, and Lily and I used some snack credits on chocolate croissants. They were yummy. We went to see if Anna could ride the green Mission Space, she was just a little short, but I told her to stand up tall. The CM wouldn't let her in. Too bad because it was only the green one, but after all Disney can't count on you not to be stupid and jump lines once getting in. Anna had just as much fun playing in the play area in the end of the ride anyway. Anna had a ball until someone stepped on her fingers and we walked back to the stroller to get someone cold out of the cooler bag to put on it. She got distracted and found a cheerleader maga phone she just had to have. How dumb am I? I bought it for her. She loved it, but I knew I was going to regret it later. We were given stickers almost everywhere we went, but no magical dream moments the whole trip. Too bad they didn't give out new magical dreams sticker for the CM to give out. Just a little something special and different. One cast member blew bubbles for the kids. We stopped in the charter Connection with little wait and got to see Minnie, Mickey and Chip and Dale in their Million dreams costumes. Once we were done there we headed over to Electric Umbrella for lunch. It wasn't busy in there at all. Once again 2 adult meals for the 4 of us worked out great (the kids choices are really rather lame.)

Lily was tried and whinny so I left DH and Anna with fast passes for Test Track and walked back to BCV with Lily for a nap (after stopping in Mouse Gears to shop.) Lily wouldn't stay in the stroller and kept running around saying "oh mommy, look at this, look at this........" It was cute, but I had to go back for her sun glasses, she dropped them next to a display case. Somehow I managed not to buy anything, I didn't buy much all trip. In fact I am feeling a little down about that now, there are things for people I wish I would of bought. Oh well, DH and I are going back in March for a new nights just the 2 of us. I am shopping then! (and you know I am going to buy the girls stuff because I am going to feel guilty about leaving them at home.)

Lily never feel asleep, in fact she was wide awake when we got back to the room, she wanted to know where Daddy and Anna was. I tried laying with her, turning on nap time music and finally put her in the back and play and went out on the balcony (after she kicked me in the head.) After a few min DH and Anna came back, and there was no going down for nap for Lily. So we all got dressed for the pool and headed down. It was once again a lovely pool day. This time we spend time in almost every section of the pool. The only part Lily didn't like was the sand bottom, she liked the sand, but didn't like it on her feet. She has feet issues that is for sure. Once again I road the little slide with her many times. DH and I rode the big water slide and we all spun in the "big toilet bowl" as Anna likes to call it.

Baths back in the room and then the bus back to MK and a short walk over to Con. We got lucky with busses and got there early (like 45 min) so we walked around. Lily feel asleep on the bus and she napped up until it was time to check in. There was a really long line to check in, but they were super efficient. They wanted to take a group picture of our family, but since I wasn't going to buy it anyway and Lily was a asleep we skipped it. I think we waited longer in line, then we did after we got our pager. I called DH, but he tried to get up from the chairs fast, and got a huge slash on his leg. Lily was just waking up and it was a busy hectic moment. This was our 1st time at Chief Mickey's. We were seated right and our sever really seemed to know what he was doing. The chief came out (not Mickey) and he was great to us. He brought out a bowl of Mickey shaped plan pasta for Lily (Anna liked it too.) It was out so fast I didn't even have time to get to the food line. As busy at is was and Lily was just waking up, it really was so much more clam and more pleasant meal then Ohanna's. The staff there just really seemed to have there game on. I can see why people enjoy this place. The food was good, the characters where good (Lily wanted to see them, even talk to them, but not touch them or have them touch her.) She even talked to Minnie, but the pictures are mostly with Anna and the characters.

After we took the monorail back to MK (It would of been faster to walk, but Lily really wanted to ride it. Every time she saw during dinner she wanted to go on the monorail. We got to MK just in time for the parade (it wasn't really announced, but DH had seen it listed on Resort T.V. today. We even got a decent view (as the people in front of us invited us to move up, very kind of them. The girls are normally asleep doing this time, but they were awake and got to enjoy it. After we walked back into the park more to watch the fireworks near the noodle station (open, but the menu didn't look as appealing as it was last year.) We had a nice talk with a couple next to us (who lived in Virginia, but she went to the same college DH and I went to grad school at in Detroit.) It was there last night. The walk out of the park wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. The bus line wasn't too. We didn't wait to long, but of course there were no seats when we got on. A gentleman who was most likely our dad's age hoped up and gave Lily and I his seat, even though I felt a little bad about taking it. (someone gave DH one too, since he was holding a very asleep Anna and the double stroller that was good.) We had a nice cheerful ride home chatting with other guests. The man who gave up his seat for me is the father of a castmember (who was also on the bus) and it was fun talking with them. It was a fun night with mostly encounters with cheerful and please guests and CM. That is always nice and really reminded me of trips past before we had children and DH I would have such a nice time talking with others we meet while at WDW.