Me 34 (Captain of the ship)
DW 25 (1st officer)
DD 4 (Communications, all talk)
DS 3 (Weapons, beware of friendly fire)
Day 2 Tuesday 28th February
I realise I am no longer asleep and a massive rush of excitement as I suddenly realise I'm back in the States. I open my eyes and search for the alarm clock. Why is it still dark? Clock: 2.05am What!? I have only been asleep for five hours?? I am like a kid on Christmas Morning wanting to wake everyone up. I consider waking my DW.... No, maybe not! I'll be asleep again in no time.
3.00am comes and goes as I mentally plan what my family will be doing during the first week....
Still awake at 4am... How old am I? This is my 5th trip. Still excited?? Oh yeah!
I then drift back off to sleep after 4.30something...
Zzzzzzz...
"We're going to Disneyland!" I hear. It's DD, awake excited. And its 5.40am DS then springs to life while DW stirs. In a blur the TV is on, not so good coffee is offered. Tastes bland, but it's caffeine, so my blood flows. Early morning weather reports a good looking week 76 today climbing to 78 in the days to come. I take a pinch of salt with the news report. Somehow it takes us over two hours to get ready while it felt more like 20 minutes.
Then open the door for that first day feeling. Warm air glides over us and I take in the moment...We're finally here. Nine months after my secret booking, we are on our way to the Magic Kingdom.
We drive using my google maps and directions. I feel like a military general with my satellite photographs and green highlighted roads. Driving with caution after yesterdays mis-adventure we look out for the Exit to Disney. First one says EPCOT. That's good enough for me! My own logic kicks in. Ignore the directions and take first road that leads onto Disney property! Sure enough we find the Disney Transportation Centre and are on our way. We packed DD's Cinderella dress so she puts it on in the car park.
Of course, we're late! Our reservations are for 8.20 and its now, 8.25. Too early for the boat, we take a busy looking Monorail. While we head over, I go over in my mind what the good folk on the DIS said about arriving early. Knowing MK was NOT having EMH. etc
The monorail came to its stop and we got out I carried DS, DW had DD. Quite a crowd here, but not a massive one. It was 8.45 when we made it to Cinderella's castle. DD then had her photo taken with Cinderella. DS would not join in! DD also decided not to smile.
We then went upstairs and had our meal. I had little appetite and ate little of the meal but grateful for 3 fine cups of lovely fresh coffee and a danish or three. After some time Cinderella, Snow White, Alice, Belle and very good looking Wendy all came over to chat to DD. DS got a sword, so he was very happy. Lots of photos were taken, especially of Wendy. The kids enjoyed everything. We all did. The food may not be up to much, but its worth the money doing this just to see the children's faces. I would do this again next time. If you have a young daughter, then go for it!
Soon after we left and headed off to Dumbo then Peter Pan which had a short line.
And it was at Peter Pan, my plans began to go up in smoke...
DS 3, fan of pirates decided he was too scared to go on Peter Pan when we were in line. Now I really don't like to see pushy parents forcing their children on rides, but did work on him a little to encourage it. It didn't take much, just to calm any fears about it being dark. He was okay then. He did like the ride and wanted to do it again. But we went back on Dumbo as it was still quiet at 9.50. After Dumbo we headed towards Pirates of the Caribbean. I knew this was being closed for a Johnny Depp make-over so wanted to grab one last chance. DS and DD were not up for it at all! They both liked it in 2004, but put their little feet down when I said they will like it. It was then I chose not to be that irritating pushy parent. DS clearly has developed a slight fear of dark rides. We head towards Buzz. DS loves Toy Story, so this ride is done with only slight hesitation, but the kids love every second once we're on.
The day wears on and we start to really feel the heat. 76 feels great but fatigue is starting to settle in. We decide to call it a day around 3 and head back to the hotel. We all have a quick dip in the pool before trying to find a Toys R Us to buy a two seater "stroller".
Using another satellite photo we head towards the Florida Mall. We then spot a Wal-Mart before we arrive and pop in for a quick look. Good grief! How big are these stores!! An hour later, we are back on the road and find Toys R Us next to the Florida Mall. We buy a very cool Wrangler Jeep double stroller for $59. Bargain compared to $18 per day at theme parks. We needed it to lock the kids down when we went shopping too.
At 6 we all feel like bed and head off to the Ponderosa for a quick dinner. I am not much of a fan of this place, and even less so on this trip but I'm tired and they have a range my fussy kids will eat. The idea of getting in, eating, then leaving quickly appeals to me and my impatient offspring. I'll moan more about this place and I-Drive later...
By 7 the kids are asleep and we adults make it all the way until 8pm.
Next episode: Every Person Comes Out Tired
DW 25 (1st officer)
DD 4 (Communications, all talk)
DS 3 (Weapons, beware of friendly fire)
Day 2 Tuesday 28th February
I realise I am no longer asleep and a massive rush of excitement as I suddenly realise I'm back in the States. I open my eyes and search for the alarm clock. Why is it still dark? Clock: 2.05am What!? I have only been asleep for five hours?? I am like a kid on Christmas Morning wanting to wake everyone up. I consider waking my DW.... No, maybe not! I'll be asleep again in no time.
3.00am comes and goes as I mentally plan what my family will be doing during the first week....
Still awake at 4am... How old am I? This is my 5th trip. Still excited?? Oh yeah!
I then drift back off to sleep after 4.30something...
Zzzzzzz...
"We're going to Disneyland!" I hear. It's DD, awake excited. And its 5.40am DS then springs to life while DW stirs. In a blur the TV is on, not so good coffee is offered. Tastes bland, but it's caffeine, so my blood flows. Early morning weather reports a good looking week 76 today climbing to 78 in the days to come. I take a pinch of salt with the news report. Somehow it takes us over two hours to get ready while it felt more like 20 minutes.
Then open the door for that first day feeling. Warm air glides over us and I take in the moment...We're finally here. Nine months after my secret booking, we are on our way to the Magic Kingdom.
We drive using my google maps and directions. I feel like a military general with my satellite photographs and green highlighted roads. Driving with caution after yesterdays mis-adventure we look out for the Exit to Disney. First one says EPCOT. That's good enough for me! My own logic kicks in. Ignore the directions and take first road that leads onto Disney property! Sure enough we find the Disney Transportation Centre and are on our way. We packed DD's Cinderella dress so she puts it on in the car park.
Of course, we're late! Our reservations are for 8.20 and its now, 8.25. Too early for the boat, we take a busy looking Monorail. While we head over, I go over in my mind what the good folk on the DIS said about arriving early. Knowing MK was NOT having EMH. etc
The monorail came to its stop and we got out I carried DS, DW had DD. Quite a crowd here, but not a massive one. It was 8.45 when we made it to Cinderella's castle. DD then had her photo taken with Cinderella. DS would not join in! DD also decided not to smile.
We then went upstairs and had our meal. I had little appetite and ate little of the meal but grateful for 3 fine cups of lovely fresh coffee and a danish or three. After some time Cinderella, Snow White, Alice, Belle and very good looking Wendy all came over to chat to DD. DS got a sword, so he was very happy. Lots of photos were taken, especially of Wendy. The kids enjoyed everything. We all did. The food may not be up to much, but its worth the money doing this just to see the children's faces. I would do this again next time. If you have a young daughter, then go for it!
Soon after we left and headed off to Dumbo then Peter Pan which had a short line.
And it was at Peter Pan, my plans began to go up in smoke...
DS 3, fan of pirates decided he was too scared to go on Peter Pan when we were in line. Now I really don't like to see pushy parents forcing their children on rides, but did work on him a little to encourage it. It didn't take much, just to calm any fears about it being dark. He was okay then. He did like the ride and wanted to do it again. But we went back on Dumbo as it was still quiet at 9.50. After Dumbo we headed towards Pirates of the Caribbean. I knew this was being closed for a Johnny Depp make-over so wanted to grab one last chance. DS and DD were not up for it at all! They both liked it in 2004, but put their little feet down when I said they will like it. It was then I chose not to be that irritating pushy parent. DS clearly has developed a slight fear of dark rides. We head towards Buzz. DS loves Toy Story, so this ride is done with only slight hesitation, but the kids love every second once we're on.
The day wears on and we start to really feel the heat. 76 feels great but fatigue is starting to settle in. We decide to call it a day around 3 and head back to the hotel. We all have a quick dip in the pool before trying to find a Toys R Us to buy a two seater "stroller".
Using another satellite photo we head towards the Florida Mall. We then spot a Wal-Mart before we arrive and pop in for a quick look. Good grief! How big are these stores!! An hour later, we are back on the road and find Toys R Us next to the Florida Mall. We buy a very cool Wrangler Jeep double stroller for $59. Bargain compared to $18 per day at theme parks. We needed it to lock the kids down when we went shopping too.
At 6 we all feel like bed and head off to the Ponderosa for a quick dinner. I am not much of a fan of this place, and even less so on this trip but I'm tired and they have a range my fussy kids will eat. The idea of getting in, eating, then leaving quickly appeals to me and my impatient offspring. I'll moan more about this place and I-Drive later...
By 7 the kids are asleep and we adults make it all the way until 8pm.
Next episode: Every Person Comes Out Tired
