The Wheels Finally Come Off! Trip 3 in JUNE 2014!

[smiles33]

I've written an extremely detailed review of our Kids' Suite at the Howard Johnson Anaheim (aka HoJo) on Epinions.com here. So read that for all the detail you could want. In short, here's a quick summary:

First, I must once again give MAD PROPS to Jory29, who made it all possible for my family to take her family's reservation for a Kid's Suite at the amazing $99 Entertainment book rate. I cannot believe how nice the hotel was and don't know if I can go back to a non-suite hotel room now....

This floorplan is from the HoJo website and I cut out just the Kids Suite layout:

I didn't get any good photos of the suite itself, as the few I took turned out too dark. We were in room 1102 on the first floor, right next to the elevators on the far right (the kids' bunk bed room shares a wall with the elevator). I absolutely loved having so much space and TWO full bathrooms for such a low price. Plus, the Kids Suite comes with a microwave and a refrigerator so you can buy supplies to eat breakfast in the room or store leftovers from your in-park meals.

2013 prices are now $186/night (with the DISBoards discount) but that's still a great deal. If you can snag an Entertainment Card rate (only available during certain dates), it goes down to only $129/night (an increase over the 2011 rate of $99/night).

While the Kids Suite is great, other local hotels also have suites in the same price range. But HoJo's location is one of its strong selling points: directly across Harbor Blvd. (so you can see the Matterhorn and even watch the fireworks show from some of the rooms). It's a very easy 5-8 min walk to the Esplanade so no need to park your car or wait for a shuttle. I counted and I did it 14 times (7 round trips) as I came home with DH and the girls every afternoon (he couldn't push the stroller while in his ECV) and then headed back out to single rider the E-ticket rides. Then he'd text me when they woke up and I'd head back to pick the up again.

I definitely had shin splits despite multiple shoe changes but I attribute that to all the walking back and forth to get Fast Passes and not just the 7 round trips to the hotel. As mentioned in an earlier post, I brought multiple pairs and rotated between my Dansko sandals, Born sandals, and Sanuk flip fops. I decided to stick to open toe shoes (instead of my Keens) so I could keep my feet well-ventilated and have extra room in case they swelled. Thankfully, I didn't have any blisters! DH was a sweetheart and bought all sorts of blister relief meds just in case but I can save them for another adventure.

All in all, I would definitely stay at the HoJo again in a Kids' Suite, even if it were full price at $186. We have a reservation for April 2013 already and I'm diligently checking for Entertainment Card dates to see if HoJo releases any for our dates. Nonetheless, we will still stay there at full price. I feel like I got a steal at only $99/night!

 

[smiles33]

So DH wrote his own version of a TR "Disney on Wheeeeeeeels" on his Cal fans' website. Note: it's not very politically correct so be prepared (e.g., he observes that almost everyone we saw in an ECV is morbidly obese).

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Sounds like all in all a fantastic time! You should've tried Indy - you said yourself DH isn't a themepark kind of guy.... aw well there's always next time right?? I can't see the fotos *I'm at work and sometimes posters pictures don't show up* so I'll check back later. I'm glad you enjoyed HoJo's *we've stayed there several times *most recently last Thanksgiving weekend *we even had the ent rate - $59 per night! I'd love to try a kids suite someday - this Thanksgiving we'll be at Stovall's *Best Western*

 

[DisneyPhreak]

Thanks for the trip report and great pics!



Your husbands TR had me rollin! (My kind of humor...is that wrong?)

 

[BayAreaMom]

Love this trip report! Good work. I also love that you went back to the park alone to hammer out some rides. Impressive.

We have the HoJo kids suite booked (at the 20% AP discount) for later this year, the Tinkerbell Half Marathon next Jan, then Spring Break in April, and again the first weekend in June (right before our APs expire).

We have tried other suites at Desert Inn & Suites and PVI, which are a different setup (living room and/or kitchenette area on "outside") and 2Q in the "inside" BR, but I'm excited for HoJos as I think we'll really like the kids pool and slightly nicer setting. PVI was quite dumpy and DIS was also not nice IMHO.

 

[BayAreaMom]

OMG- just read your DH's report, and its HILAROUS! He could be a comedy writer. Love it.

 

[BayAreaMom]

Live report: at security gates by Harbor at 6:20, but no one was there but 1 CM. Then I walked over to the DTD side of the security tents and saw 3 people in line. I headed back to the Harbor side.

DDs were wiped out by WOC and weren't sleeping well the past 2 nights anyway (kept giggling late into the night). So we let them sleep in and I came to MM myself. I have to admit I considered skipping it. I'm exhausted too. I had to carry 28 pound DD2 from the esplanade to HoJo while pushing the double stroller with my other hand, as the fireworks started as we were coming out of DCA and woke her up. She was too upset to stay in the stroller. DH couldn't hold her either as he reluctantly agreed to rent the ECV so he couldn't hold her and drive.

Line is about 15 deep at 6:45 and security not open yet.

wow- so impressed you got up so early for this. I have done the holding a child while pushing other child- not easy.

My girls are the same ages as yours- 5 & 2!

 

[mysteriouspnai]

I'm reliving my own trip through your TR since we went around the same time. Hope you don't mind

 

[smiles33]

Sounds like all in all a fantastic time! You should've tried Indy - you said yourself DH isn't a themepark kind of guy.... aw well there's always next time right??

I did! I rode Indy later in the trip when I had some free time and did it as a single rider (walking up the exit so I missed all the fun stuff in the queue). Not as bad as DH made it sound, but definitely not worth the 45 minute wait in my mid

Your husbands TR had me rollin! (My kind of humor...is that wrong?)

DH is a clever funny guy, but it sometimes rubs people the wrong way (we're out in CA in a very politically-correct area). Thus, I thought I'd offer the warning in case any DISBoarders did want DH's perspective on our trip.

Love this trip report! Good work. I also love that you went back to the park alone to hammer out some rides. Impressive.

We have the HoJo kids suite booked (at the 20% AP discount) for later this year, the Tinkerbell Half Marathon next Jan, then Spring Break in April, and again the first weekend in June (right before our APs expire).

We have tried other suites at Desert Inn & Suites and PVI, which are a different setup (living room and/or kitchenette area on "outside") and 2Q in the "inside" BR, but I'm excited for HoJos as I think we'll really like the kids pool and slightly nicer setting. PVI was quite dumpy and DIS was also not nice IMHO.

I had a reservation at DIS when jory29 gave us her HoJo res, so I'm even more grateful now to hear DIS isn't as nice and had 2 beds inside. The whole reason I was looking for a suite is because DD2 doesn't sleep well if we're in the same room. She just wants to stay up and play!

OMG- just read your DH's report, and its HILAROUS! He could be a comedy writer. Love it.

LOL. He is a funny guy!

wow- so impressed you got up so early for this. I have done the holding a child while pushing other child- not easy.

My girls are the same ages as yours- 5 & 2!

I didn't set an alarm as we were in pain from Friday night's WOC but my body just woke up and I'm glad I did. I got so much done during MM. Will post day 2 and day 3 summaries soon!

Isn't a 3 year spread a nice age range? My girls play together now and it's so cute to see them interacting more!

I'm reliving my own trip through your TR since we went around the same time. Hope you don't mind

Pipe in with your observations! What did you think of all the Halloween decorations? I didn't get enough photos of them, as I was too preoccupied with rides.

 

[smiles33]

DAY 2: Our first full day

Per HydroGuy's advice, my plan was to have the family at the security tents at 7:20 am for an 8 am opening on a non-MM day. DDs usually are up by 6:45 so I didn't think it would be an issue. DH had made us sandwiches from the leftover ribeye from Harris Ranch for breakfast (we brought wheat bread, mustard, and a plastic tupperware container). DDs had cereal and milk. We also packed some goldfish crackers for DD2 to snack on and our 3 reuseable Klean Kanteen bottles of water.

DD5 insisted on not washing her face paint off, so she still had most of it on her face. She also picked out her Belle dress, which I had secretly packed! DD2 wore one of the new Tiana "nightgown" dresses that I picked up from the Disney Store clearance sale for about $5.

I should note here at the outset that DD2 hates it when I pull her hair off her forehead in a pigtail or with a barrette. She literally rips it out immediately (if I manage to get it in). So most of these photos show her with hair in her face. I don't want to cut bangs but I need to figure out a way to get gel in there to keep the hair out of her eyes!

We picked up DH's ECV from HoJo's front desk at 7 am, we loaded up the girls, and headed out by 7:15 or so. Here we are just outside our room by the elevators and HoJo's market:

We got in line and I took this photo at 7:36 am, There was already a line ahead of us:

Then we entered and started strolling toward Fantasyland. I took some photos of the Halloween decor on Main Street but my iPhone doesn't capture the nice details. Check out all the great photos on the Halloween thread (SherryE got some fantastic ones!):

Waiting for the rope drop was painful. We weren't that slow, but with a double stroller and an ECV, we couldn't walk that fast so we got passed by almost everyone (including some folks with single strollers):

Everyone walking behind us:

Once the rope dropped, I pushed our double stroller to FL (taking the shortcut on the left side of the castle to bypass some of the crowds). I dropped them off at Dumbo while I walked briskly to Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy to get FP for me as this was opening day. Sadly, SM was down! ARGH! I was so frustrated. I had been disappointed by Star Tours the day before, so I opted to just grab FP for Autopia. I know, what a waste of a FP opportunity! I was paralyzed as I didn't want to leave DH and DDs sitting by Dumbo for too long so I just grabbed them rather than running elsewhere in the park.

You can see that I picked them up at 8:12 am. I then rushed back to find DH had taken the DDs on Teacups again. At this point, it was about 8:15 am and I asked DH to stand in line for PFF. I had heard others did this and were able to walk with the princesses back to the station. He went and parked at the PFF area (or so we thought!) around 8:20 and was the only person in line. More on this later. While he waited in line in his ECV, I took the girls on the carousel again (DD5 loves them). As we walked up to PFF around 8:35, we saw the Disneyland Railroad pull in at the Toontown station. At this point, there were 2 families behind him and rather than wait another 25 minutes, I told DH I was going to take the girls on it (since it's a 20 minute ride). Little did I know, there is a scary dinosaur scene in a dark tunnel and it really scared DD5. She buried her face in my lap and then insisted we get off the train. Of course, I tried to talk her out of it (Main Street is pretty far from PFF). But as we stopped at New Orleans Square station, we could see another tunnel up ahead so I opted to jump out. Little did I know that New Orleans is as far from PFF as it can possibly be. I literally RAN carrying my 28 pound DD2 and making DD5 run with me to make it back to PFF at 8:58 am. I saw the Railroad Train pull in as I came running up. Can you believe I actually made it? I still can't. I literally thought I was going to collapse. My lungs were burning, but I had assumed DH was first in line and I didn't want to lose our spot!

So while we were on the railroad train and then running through the park, DH was sitting in his ECV, near our double stroller, waiting in line for PFF. But at about 8:45 or so, he and the 3 families standing in line with him realized that they had lined up by the Royal Coronation Ceremony spot and that the meet-n-greet is actually in the BACK of the building. Instead of being first, he ended up third in line as the 2 families who lined up in the correct spot never said anything to him (despite seeing him and 2 other newbie families lined up at the PFF stage area).

The CM asked who was first when she came out, and the family behind DH (who had followed him over from the wrong spot) said that we were first, but DH graciously explained that he had lined up in the wrong spot so technically we were now third. The 3rd family had also called out that they were first, trying to cut DH off before he could claim he was first. I was ANNOYED to say the least.

*I* would have told the CM that I arrived at PFF at 8:20 and those 2 families came after me even if they had lined up in the correct spot. DH was kind enough to tell the CM that he understood she had a tough job and that it would have been nice if a CM had been there at 8 am to direct him to the correct spot. Suffice to say, we still saw the princesses but DH waiting in line for 40 minutes was pretty much wasted since we didn't get to have DDs walk back with the princesses.

Cinderella, Snow White and Aurora were there.

 

[smiles33]

After we did the PFF, I was in a better mood but still a bit annoyed. I decided to go check on SMGG again. Hooray! Got 3 FP for SMGG at 9:19 am while DH had the girls watch the Nemo subs float by. DD5 thought it was hilarious that the seagulls were calling out, "Mine! Mine! Mine!" like in Nemo.

Then we decided to just use our Autotopia FP but it was so empty the CM said we could keep them for later. It was fine, but not worth going on again so I kept them as souvenirs.

After Autotopia, we decided to head to Toontown, which opened at 9 am (1 hour after park opening). We stood in line for Minnie and Mickey. If you read my DH's TR linked to earlier here, you know that a CM loudly lectured him when he tried to step over a rope to take a photo of our girls with Minnie. "Excuse me, sir, are you trying to meet Minnie?!?!?"

The prior CM had told him he could stay in his ECV and just step up to take our photo, but Minnie and that CM went on a break and didn't let the new guy know. It was pretty funny!

The girls also loved Goofy's car outside his house:

We left DH and DD2 to play there while I took DD5 on Gadget's Go Coaster. DD5 likes roller coasters that aren't in caves/darkness so I knew she would like this one.

We also saw Pluto randomly out in Toontown and took photos with him:

After this, we headed over to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for DD5's 10:50 am appointment. We were early, so I left DD5 with DH and pushed DD2 in the stroller over to Haunted Mansion Holiday to get FP for me. I should also mention that we saw Ariel, Aurora, and I think Cinderella RIGHT outside the back of BBB by that side tunnel out of the castle. I almost called DH to tell him but I knew DD5's BBB appt. would start before her turn came up as there were at least 8 girls in line.

Once we got to New Orleans Square, it was CRAZY. There were a half dozen or more radio stations broadcasting live from a path in front of HMH so they had that area roped off. It also meant the FP return crowds, the standby crowds, and passersby had to squeeze in a very narrow strip.

I ended up parking the stroller near HMH and carrying DD2 to the FP machines way in the back. When I returned to look for my stroller, I discovered my stroller had been moved and it took a while to figure out where.

I also noticed the special Halloween souvenir Mickey Mouse ghost popcorn bucket.

Then we rushed back to BBB and saw DD5 transformed. I had hesitated to schedule BBB thinking it was too much, but DH encouraged me to go for it (as we don't know when we'll next be back). She LOVED the entire experience: makeup, fancy hair, NAIL POLISH. What's not to love? We saved money but bringing our own dress.

DH and I just sat and watched DD5's glowing smile and DD2 got to watch Princess and the Frog on our iPod Touch, so we were all happy!

 

[smiles33]

When we were done with the BBB, we were starving and knew we wanted corn dogs from Corn Dog Castle at DCA. So we finally made our way over there. I have to say that the temporary entrance is a HUGE PAIN IN THE A--. It's very narrow and difficult to maneuver (they have CM trying to keep the incoming crowds on the left and the exiting crowds on the other side). Didn't make sense to me as Americans drive on the right side so shouldn't they have kept us on the right side of the street?

Anyhow, as we walked up the hill toward Corndog Castle, I grabbed FP for WOC (Yellow section) though I was unsure if we would make it. Then we got spicy corn dogs for DH and me and deep-fried cheese sticks for DDs. DD2 only really like the breading so I got to eat her cheese!

I grabbed FP for Goofy's Sky School at 12:13 (not realizing that we had walked RIGHT PAST Soarin' on our way in).

I also took DD5 on the Jumpin' Jellyfish (she loved this ride) and then we all went on the non-swinging Mickey's Fun Wheel. Here are DH and DD2 waiting in line, as he was able to drive his ECV all the way down the ramp to the loading area:

Then inside the non-swinging cages.

Then we took the girls back to HoJo to nap and I headed back to the parks by myself to single rider rides and use my FP! I headed right to SMGG and it was CLOSED AGAIN! Argh. I was so frustrated that I posted here on DISBoards about having 3 SMGG FP and not being able to ride it yet.

So I headed to HMH and LOVED it. Check out the FP return line!

Then I went to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for a FP at 2:36.

I stopped by the Tiki Room waiting area and grabbed a Dole Whip float (YUMMY!). There was a huge line outside and I'm so glad I knew the DISBoards secret to walk into the waiting area. Then I went back to SMGG and finally got to ride it (inhaling my Dole Whip Float as I walked). HOORAY! It was awesome (and scary, that fire ghost thing is FREAKY!). I can't believe the parents who let REALLY young kids ride it. DD5 would have nightmares for months if I had let her on that ride.

After SMGG, I walked by and saw Buzz had a 5 or 10 minute line so I hopped on. It was fun and I used both guns at the same time (one in each hand) and still made it to Level 3 for both. I was proud of myself!

Throughout this time, I was texting DH to check in on our DDs. They were still napping at 3, which is why I headed to DCA after Buzz to grab FP for Soarin' and ride Little Mermaid. It was really cute. I tried to convince DD5 to go on it with me a few times (even showing her the YouTube video) but she was too scared of the dark rides so I didn't force her.

After LM, since DD2 woke up, I headed back to HoJo and we drove over to OC Poultry and Rotisserie on Ball Road, a Vietnamese restaurant with great rice plates and banh mi sandwiches. I posted a thread on Chowhound NorCal Hound w/kids heading to Disneyland: critique my plan asking for restaurant tips and Das Ubergeek gave us a great rec. I enjoyed the lemongrass beef the most, though their shredded chicken and sticky rice plate gets rave reviews.

After dinner (including some banh mi to go for breakfast the next morning), we spent the rest of the night at DCA. We took DDs to Bug's Life and rode Fliks Flyers and Heimlich's Chew Chew Train.

Here's DH and DD5 on Heimlich. It was nearing sunset and my iPhone is an earlier model without a flash so it's a little dark:

I also succumbed and bought 2 princess balloons for $15 total. YIKES.

Then we headed over toward WOC seating area. DD2 and DH hung out (him on his iPhone, her on the iPod Touch) while DD5 and I rode the Golden Zephyr, Jellyfish again, Goofy's Sky School (which DD5 realized she LOVED and kept saying, "This is AWESOME! This is AWESOME" at every turn), and then settled in for our WOC seating when folks started lining up around 7:45.

Since DH was in his ECV, they let us into the guests with disabilities section. Right behind the circle hub is a roped off section with benches. While DH entertained both girls, I ran to ride Soarin, which I thought was amazing! I had to run from Soarin' back to WOC as the FP line was longer than I had anticipated. I think I arrived back at 9:01 as the show started JUST as I got there. WOC was even MORE AMAZING than I anticipated and totally worth making time for early so you can get a good spot. This is the view we had before the show started (you can see the white ropes in front of us).

Per HydroGuy's map, we were just to the left of the number 6 on his map:

I have to say I was a bit annoyed that one family who rolled up in a wheelchair brought 10 (YES, TEN) people with them. They all took turns sitting in the wheelchair so I don't know if the woman who originally came in it has an actual disability. I also understand some Spanish and heard one family of 3 thank the family of 7 when that family left early for allowing them to tag along!!!! Anyway, whatever, it's not like they took our seats away as we were there first with DH's ECV and my huge double stroller. They were just a bit noisy and the kids kept jostling our double stroller where DD2 was sleeping.

Speaking of which, I'm glad I bought the noise-reducing earmuffs, as DD5 thought it was way too loud (we were right by the loudspeakers). I also put them on DD2 so she could sleep through it.

Note to parents of timid kids: DD5 was scared by the Lion King and Pirates of the Caribbean scenes. I didn't realize there were any scary scenes! I'll let Hydroguy know it may be worth adding to his Superthread that there are two scary/intense scenes towards the middle/later half of the show.

We stayed until the show ended and then it was a hellish nightmare trying to get out of the park. People did not let me stay near DH's ECV, as they kept cutting us off. I am sure it was frustrating for him trying to drive that thing amongst the hordes.

As we exited DCA and got into the Esplanade, the fireworks started. I wish we could've seen them but I know DD5 was exhausted and we had MM access the next day. DD2 woke up when the fireworks started (even with the headphones on!) and started fussing so I picked her up. I then walked from the Esplanade to HoJo carrying her in one arm and pushing the double stroller with my other. I was SO SORE the next morning.

Anyhow, that was the end of a very long and SUCCESSFUL day in the park. I went to bed that night thrilled we actually got to see WOC and had accomplished so much....

 

[WendyWhy]

Thank you so much for the awesome trip report! Your DH's was great too! Love his psycho sound effect to describe your research efforts! I am an obsessive planner too...but for me it's a big part of the fun and excitement! We are in the SF Bay Area too (peninsula), also went to college in LA (GO Trojans!), and also bringing two kiddos (DS5 and DD1) - so I am definitely taking notes from your TR.

 

[jlindley9]

Great report! Thank you for posting!

 

[smiles33]

Thank you so much for the awesome trip report! Your DH's was great too! Love his psycho sound effect to describe your research efforts! I am an obsessive planner too...but for me it's a big part of the fun and excitement! We are in the SF Bay Area too (peninsula), also went to college in LA (GO Trojans!), and also bringing two kiddos (DS5 and DD1) - so I am definitely taking notes from your TR.

Thanks for reading along! Yeah, he thinks I'm crazy obsessive, but DISBoarders know that proper planning means you have LOTS of options when things come up. Plus, you can also scout out the secret tips like that Dole Whip line!

Great report! Thank you for posting!

Thank you for reading! I'll try to post our last day's report tonight. Magic Morning is AWESOME and not to be missed, no matter how exhausted you are. It was totally worth it!

 

[tffnyjean]

Thanks for your report! I'm enjoying reading it.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Look you have lots of readers now!

DAY 2: Our first full day

Cinderella, Snow White and Aurora were there.

I love these pics of the girls! In the one with Aurora, DD2 is holding her skirt just like a princess!


You are doing a great job with your TR! It seems like things were a bit crazy with the ECV, but I'm glad your DH decided to use it.

Your room sounds nice! I'm glad you enjoyed WOC - it seems like they put the wheelchair guests so far back - I would think you would be up near the preferred Dining guests

It is so fun to hear that DD5 enjoyed so many rides! You really got alot done in your first day!

 

[reyasmommy]

Great TR! Thanks for sharing!

Your girls are ADORABLE!! Love the hair!

I'm taking DD to BBB when we go in November. I was thinking about doing the entire package? Do you think it's worth it? I was also thinking about just bringing a dress with us and saving a little money, but it is a surprise for DD and I thought she would enjoy the entire experience by picking out her own dress and everything that comes with it. I've NEVER spent that kind of money on something like that. I don't think I spent that much money on my wedding dress.

But to see the look on her face would be priceless.

Thanks for showing the chart for seating at WOC. Will come in handy for us.

Look forward to reading more.

 

[smiles33]

Look you have lots of readers now!

I love these pics of the girls! In the one with Aurora, DD2 is holding her skirt just like a princess!

You are doing a great job with your TR! It seems like things were a bit crazy with the ECV, but I'm glad your DH decided to use it.

Your room sounds nice! I'm glad you enjoyed WOC - it seems like they put the wheelchair guests so far back - I would think you would be up near the preferred Dining guests

It is so fun to hear that DD5 enjoyed so many rides! You really got alot done in your first day!

Thanks! I hadn't even noticed DD2 was holding her dress, too. How funny!

As for WOC, I think it's because they allowed guests with disabilities to sit, instead of stand. Plus, we only had FP for yellow, so maybe there is a separate section for those with disabilities who bought PD?

Great TR! Thanks for sharing!

Your girls are ADORABLE!! Love the hair!

I'm taking DD to BBB when we go in November. I was thinking about doing the entire package? Do you think it's worth it? I was also thinking about just bringing a dress with us and saving a little money, but it is a surprise for DD and I thought she would enjoy the entire experience by picking out her own dress and everything that comes with it. I've NEVER spent that kind of money on something like that. I don't think I spent that much money on my wedding dress.

But to see the look on her face would be priceless.

Thanks for showing the chart for seating at WOC. Will come in handy for us.

Look forward to reading more.

Thanks for your kind compliments. Our girls loved everything at DLR and truly enjoyed themselves. DH and I still talk about the sheer joy on their faces--DLR is such a special place.

As for BBB, the full package is about $150 and includes a photo session, I think. I thought about it but DD5 already has 2 favorite princess dresses and I was reluctant to spend so much. She LOVED the nail polish and makeup (they even give you the makeup palette to take home as they open a new one for each princess). I'm sure those 2 experiences alone will thrill your DD (assuming she doesn't already get nail polish or has had makeup on for something like ballet).

Finally, the map for WOC seating isn't mine. It was made by Hydroguy and you really should read his amazing WOC thread here!

 

[smiles33]

DAY 3: OUR LAST DAY AND MAGIC MORNING
I was exhausted after WOC. I debated not even setting my alarm for Magic Morning but ultimately decided that I would set it, and if I hurt too much, I'd just go back to sleep. DH and I already decided that DDs really needed to sleep in so it would be me alone or no one at all.

Everything hurt when I woke up the next morning. But I immediately thought, "I CAN DO THIS!" DH even brewed up a cup of coffee for me in the fancy Keurig machine HoJo provides and heated up a steak sandwich.

This is where I confess I have had coffee about 2 times since before I got pregnant with DD5. I just don't need it usually, but that morning, the coffee was like sweet nectar of the gods! It didn't hit me right away. In fact, I felt a little funny (physically drained but mentally wired) even after it finally hit me. Nonetheless, it was what I needed to get up and out the door.

Poor DH just got up with me since I can't ever manage to get up stealthily. I was out the door by 6:10 and at the security tent at 6:20...where there was not a single soul but one poor CM.

I even posted replies to a thread here on "What if I want to get there REALLY early?"

Then I decided to walk through the esplanade to check out the security line on the other side, stopping to take these photos:

It was killing me just standing there with no one around. The CM couldn't tell me when security would open and she eventually left when 3 security CM (in different uniforms) showed up. At 6:40 there were about 15 people behind me but security still hadn't opened for a 7 am Magic Morning. Then when I thought they were about to open, another security CM came over and called them to the side for a meeting.

They finally opened shortly after 6:45 and I walked briskly to turnstile #21. Several were open and all 15 people behind me got to the front or second in line at a turnstile. I'm so glad I didn't go to the turnstile all the way on the far right, as they actually delayed opening that turnstile by a good 5 minutes (I was inside the gate by the tunnel when I saw that it was STILL closed).

The lines from the DTD side were huge and I saw throngs of people speed walking toward the turnstiles. Some New Zealanders RAN in at a sprint. I knew they were from New Zealand because they ended up in line near me and someone asked them where they are from.

Everyone was getting impatient as the gates were still not open with 7 min to MM! Two CM were wiping down turnstiles with disinfectant. All of a sudden I hear a scream/squeal and turned to see a woman so excited she was screaming and jumping up and down. her was the first family chosen to do the countdown, with just 5 minutes or so to go.

When they finally opened up, I got my ticket scanned and walked VERY fast down Main Street. As we approached the area near Town Hall, a man started jogging so I decided I'd jog too. There were 3 of us moving VERY quickly and at the head of the group (with a large gap behind us). It's amazing how much ground you can cover when you're not pushing a double stroller with 72+ pounds of kids in it!

As we neared the area where there is usually a rope drop, all 3 of us slowed down to a fast walk. I feared a lecture from them but they just said to slow down! This is a little blurry as I didn't bother to stop walking to snap the photo!

The first 2 headed to Space Mountain/Star Tours, but I knew Fantasyland was my destination. I would ride all the dark rides DD5 refused to ride that I knew were slow loaders. Besides, I had already ridden ST and SMGG the day before!

But first, I stopped and asked the Photopass photographer to snap some shots of me in front of the empty castle!

She took 3 or 4 shots and I kept saying, "please hurry, I don't want anyone to get in the frame and I need to GO!" Finally, I broke away and jumped onto Peter Pan, the second boat to Never never land!

Then I walked briskly over onto Matterhorn, but stupidly walked ALL the way around the mountain to the Tomorrowland side. Oops. Lost precious minutes there.

After Matterhorn, I hopped onto Alice. Then I decided, what the heck, I'm going to go do the Nemo subs, even though I know others say it's a waste of MM because it can take 20 minutes. But there was no line and I really liked it!

By that time, I was ready to go to SMGG. The best part is that it was so empty, the CM let me ride TWICE in a row without even getting off. I snapped this photo of me at the TV monitors after the ride showing me all alone in my own car!

When I got off that second time, there were about 10 people in line but I figured I was done with SMGG and didn't need to go again. I headed off to ST to give it another chance a little bit before 8 am with no line at all. It was SO MUCH better the second time. I loved it! Then I headed to HMH and got a fast pass at 8:19 am and also walked right on.

Since the FP was for only 1 minute later, I was able to get my next FP at Indy at 8:35 with a 9:15 return.

I also decided to just single rider Indiana. I know DH hated it, but I figured, why not?

I don't think it was as bad as he thought, but it certainly isn't worth a 40+ minute wait in my mind. It's a jerky 4x4 ride in the dark with the Indy soundtrack music. I didn't bother using my FP for Indy later.

After Indy, I wanted to get a ST FP again but I had to wait until 9:15 am. While I was waiting for time to get my FP for ST, I rode Buzz again. This time I only used 1 gun but still only managed to get to Level 3. Darn!

At 9:15, I got my FP for ST with a 12:15 return time. Then I headed back to HoJo to pick up DH and the girls.